Monthly Archives: May 2018

Celebrated rodeo clown joins Sanders, Hilton as award-winners working rodeo ESTES PARK, Colo. – Justin Rumford is just naturally funny, and that’s a good thing. He’s a comedian by nature, something he picked up years ago on his family’s Kansas ranch. Now he is the preeminent funnyman in professional rodeo, having been named the Clown of the Year five times in the past six years. Rumford will lend his talents and his comedic poetry to Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 5-Tuesday, July 10, at Granny May Arena inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. “We’re bringing Justin back because he’s the fans’ favorite every time he’s here,” said Mark Purdy, chairman of Estes Park Western Heritage Inc., a group of volunteers that works with the town of Estes Park to produce the annual rodeo. “He’s funny, engaging and makes our rodeo better just because he’s here.” Deep in his roots, Rumford is a third-generation stock contractor. Rodeo is in his blood. He’s roped and bulldogged; he’s ridden broncs and fought bulls; he’s even driven the semi-tractor trailers that haul prized steads. Now he’s living a dream. “This clowning deal is the best thing I’ve ever had,” said Rumford, who lives Ponca City, Okla., with his wife, Ashley, and their triplets, Livi, Lola and Bandy. “It’s something in rodeo that I can have a lot of longevity in. There’s not just a ton of risk, and it’s something I enjoy so much.” He isn’t the only award-winning piece of the Rooftop Rodeo equation. Of course, the rodeo is a winner, named six times as Rodeo of the Year, and this year will also feature two other 2017 honorees: Secretary of the Year Amanda Corley Sanders and Music Director of the Year Josh “Hambone” Hilton – Hilton is the first person to ever be recognized in that category. “We’ve had Amanda and ‘Hambone’ working Rooftop for several years, and both are integral parts of what we do in producing this rodeo every year,” said Ben Vigil, president of Western Heritage. “They handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes things that must happen for a rodeo to be successful in this day and age, but they are relatively unseen. Still, none of our success happens without people like that on your team.” Like Rumford, Sanders and Hilton were raised around rodeo. Each provides a laundry list of experiences to their duties, and the cowboys have rewarded them for it. While they tend to handle their tasks under the cover of darkness, Rumford happily welcomes his place in the spotlight. “People want to laugh at each other more than they want to laugh at something,” Rumford said. “When I’m in the arena, I’m saying the same stuff I’d say if I wasn’t clowning. “It’s just me being me.” That’s all anybody in Estes Park wants.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The dirt on their faces said something about Conner and Sterling Pharr. They’re having fun on the rodeo trail with their daddy, Tim. So is he, for that matter. He has set up his rodeo schedule around his sons’ education; not that school’s out for the summer, the boys jumped in the rig with him. On Sunday night, Pharr proved how much fun he’s having by roping and tying his calf in 7.9 seconds to win the tie-down roping on the final night of the 2018 Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo. “This is the second run on these calves, and they missed her the first time,” said Pharr, the No. 38 man in the world standings heading into Memorial Day weekend. “There wasn’t much to know. You can’t really make a game plan, so you just wing it.” Improvising worked for the Resaca, Ga., cowboy. He pocketed $1,659 in Claremore; when added to his earnings for finishing second at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo to kick off May, Pharr has earned more than $4,400 in Oklahoma this month. “There were four guys going after me, so I knew if I’m under 9.4, I’m in the money,” he said. “It’s still a competition between you and your calf. Some of the calves tonight really ran, and my wasn’t so fast, so it gave me an advantage.” Pharr and the boys left their Georgia home and arrived 670 miles later in Fort Smith, Ark., in time for him to compete Sunday morning there. They then traveled another 125 miles to Claremore to partake in the four-time PRCA Small Rodeo of the Year. It’s a lot of miles, but it’s important for Pharr to have that time with his kids; Conner is 7; Sterling, 5. “There’s nothing more important to me than family,” he said. “They just got out of school, so I just loaded them up, and here we go. I’ve got them for two weeks, then their junior rodeo finals is June 9. “Whatever I can do to have them with me is what I do. I have a great family and a lot of support behind me, and they’re more than willing to help me.’ With Conner and Sterling right here with him, Tim Pharr has found a winning formula. Will Rogers Stampede Claremore, Okla. May 25-27 Bareback riding:1. Jamie Howlett, 83.5 points Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s River Blast, $1,225; 2. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Tanner Aus, 81.5, $798 each; 4. Lane McGehee, 81, $456; 6. (tie) Justin Pollmiller and Jared Keylon, 80.5, $223. Steer wrestling: 1. Shane Frey, 3.7 seconds, $1,951; 2. Matt Reeves, 4.3, $1,697; 3. (tie) Jason Tapley and Blake Mindemann, 4.4, $1,315 each; 5. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Jule Hazen, 4.5, $806; 7. John Kloeckler, 4.7, $424; 8. Hunter Washburn, 4.8, $170. Tie-down roping: 1. Tim Pharr, 7.9 seconds, $1,659; 2. Trent Creager, 8.4, $1,443; 3. Riley Pruitt, 8.7, $1,226; 4. Shane Hanchey, 9.1, $1,010; 5. (tie) Cole Bailey and Tyler Milligan, 9.4, $685 each; 7. Cody Quaney, 9.6, $361; 8. Scot Meeks, 9.7, $144. Saddle bronc riding 1. Louie Brunson, 85 points on Pete Carr ProRodeo’s Django, $1,365; 2. Colt Gordon, 84, $1,034; 3. Joe Lufkin, 83.5, $744; 4. Dalton Davis, 83, $496; 5. (tie) Wyatt Casper, Tyrel Larsen and Roper Kiesner, 80, $165 each. Team roping: 1. Dalton Turner/Heath Williams, 5.4 seconds, $1,729; 2. Cody Graham/Jason Stroup, 5.8, $1,504; 3. Cory Kidd V/Caleb Anderson, 5.7, $1,278; 4. Quentin Sawyer/Jordan Reynolds, 6.0, $1,052; 5. Brenten Hall, 6.1, $927; 6. Jesse Stipes/Jake Smith, 6.2, $601; 7. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 6.4, $376; 8. Branden Duff/Jeff Brown, 6.5, $150. Barrel racing: 1. Jessica Routier, 17.11 seconds, $1,905; 2. Jody McKay, 17.20, $1,633; 3. Stevi Hillman, 17.25, $1,361; 4. Tiany Schuster, 17.27, $1,179; 5. Kylie Weast, 17.28, $907; 6. Cheyenne Kelly, 17.33, $726; 7. Ericka Nelson, 13.37, $544; 8. Ali Armstrong, 17.38, $363; 9. Sandy McElreath, 17.50, $272; 10. Sabra O’Quinn, 17.54, $181. Clem McSpadden Tub-Handle Classic Steer roping: First round: 1. Roger Branch, 10.7 seconds, $1,554; 2. Will Gasperson, 10.9, $1,286; 3. Tony Reina, 11.3, $1,018; 4. Cody Lee, 11.9, $750; 5. Mike Chase, 12.2, $482; 6. Trenton Johnson, 12.5, $268. Second round: 1. Corey Ross, 9.9 seconds, $2,554; 2. Mike Chase, 11.8, $1,286; 3. Brady Garten, 12.0, $1,108; 4. Rocky Patterson, 12.4, $750; 5. Martin Poindexter, 12.7, $482; 6. (tie) Vin Fisher Jr. and Cody Lee, 13.1, $134 each. Third round: 1. Tuf Cooper, 10.1 seconds, $1,554; 2. J.P. Wickett, 10.7, $1,286; 3. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.8, $1,018; 4. Corey Ross, 10.9, $750; 5. Brady Garten, 11.8, $482; 6. Jim Locke, 12.0, $268. Average: 1. Cody Lee, 39.7 seconds on three runs, $2,331; 2. Roger Branch, 41.2, $1,929; 3. Trenton Johnson, 45.7, $1,527; 4. Billy Good, 48.8, $1,125; 5. Kelton McMillen, 50.3, $723; 6. Corey Ross, 20.8 seconds on two runs, $402. Bull riding: 1. Lane Clark, 86.5 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Lloyd Did WHAT, $1,458; 2. (tie) Boudreaux Campbell and Kole Bowman, 86, $950 each; 4. Dusti Boquet and Shane Proctor, $420; 6. Cullen Telfer, 82.5, $221.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Matt Reeves just missed his seventh qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo a season ago. He doesn’t want to do that again. On Saturday night during the second performance of the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, Reeves wrestled his steer to the ground in 4.3 seconds to move into second place in the bulldogging race. “With one day left at this rodeo, I should win something,” said Reeves of Cross Plains, Texas. “I don’t know if I’ll (finish) second, but I’ll win something. “The horses worked outstanding. The start is really fast. I took a chance and was a little behind at the start. The steer let me catch up to him fast.” Shane Frey of Duncan, Okla., leads steer wrestling in Claremore with a 3.7-second run, so moving into the No. 2 spot is important to Reeves. He understands that placing throughout the season gives him the best shot earning a better living. In rodeo, money not only helps pay the bills, but dollars equal championship points. At the conclusion of the regular season, only the top 15 on the money list in each event advance to the NFR, ProRodeo’s grand finale. When the campaign comes to a stop on the 10th night in Las Vegas, the contestants with the most money won will be crowned world champions. “Last year was the first year I hauled this horse all the time,” said Reeves, who finished 21st in the world standings in 2017. “We had some issues toward the end of the year. I had some distractions with us having our second kid coming, but you can’t be distracted and win. That’s just life. “I’m going to try not to do that again. My hope is to have enough money by Dodge City (Kan., the first of August) to have qualified for the NFR before we got up north, then we’re just fighting for position when we get there.” Reeves has already had a pretty successful 2018. He won the bulldogging title at The American, a stand-alone event that has been unsanctioned by any association. While the $433,000 he earned the end of February will count for a lot of things in his life, it doesn’t work toward his place in the world standings. He was 13th in the PRCA world standings heading into this weekend. “That money didn’t really affect how I rodeo,” he said. “We did get another trailer so I could haul five horses, which makes it easier to go with guys. But the majority of that money … we bought some cows and bought a cube feeder; my kids can go to college debt-free, and I’ve got some retirement.” For now, though, he’s just enjoying his life on the rodeo trail. Will Rogers Stampede Claremore, Okla. May 25-27 Leaders through second performance Bareback riding:1. Jamie Howlett, 83.5 points Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s River Blast; 2. Taylor Broussard, 81.5; 3. Lane McGehee, 81; 4. (tie) Justin Pollmiller and Jared Keylon, 80.5; 6. Mark Kreder, 78. Steer wrestling: 1. Shane Frey, 3.7 seconds; 2. Matt Reeves, 4.3; 3. (tie) Jason Tapley and Blake Mindemann, 4.4; 5. Jule Hazen, 4.5; 6. John Kloeckler, 4.7; 7. Hunter Washburn, 4.8; 8. (tie) Cody Doesher and Tristan Martin. Tie-down roping: 1. Trent Creager, 8.4 seconds; 2. Riley Pruitt, 8.7; 3. Shane Hanchey, 9.1; 4. (tie) Cole Bailey and Tyler Milligan, 9.4; 6. Cody Quaney, 9.6; 7. Scot Meeks, 9.7; 8. Layton Little, 10.0. Saddle bronc riding 1. Louie Brunson, 85 points on Pete Carr ProRodeo’s Django; 2. Colt Gordon, 84; 3. (tie) Wyatt Casper and Tyrel Larsen, 80; 5. Bradley Harter, 78.5; 6. (tie) Jake Finley and Clint Lindenfield, 76. Team roping: 1. Dalton Turner/Heath Williams, 5.4 seconds; 2. Cory Kidd V/Caleb Anderson, 5.7; 3. Quentin Sawyer/Jordan Reynolds, 6.0; 4. Brenten Hall, 6.1; 5. Jesse Stipes/Jake Smith, 6.2; 6. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 6.4;76. (tie) Dilan Rucker/Whitney DeSalvo, Will Clark/Tanner Ward and Adam Wallace/Tyler Young, 6.6. Barrel racing: 1. Jody McKay, 17.20 seconds; 2. Stevi Hillman, 17.25; 3. Tiany Schuster, 17.27; 4. Kylie Weast, 17.28; 5. Cheyenne Kelly, 17.33; 6. Ericka Nelson, 13.37; 7. Ali Armstrong, 17.38; 8. Sandy McElreath, 17.50; 9. Sabra O’Quinn, 17.54; 10. Skyla Whitters and Kynder Starr, 17.58. Bull riding: 1. (tie) Boudreaux Campbell, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Kracker Jack, and Kole Bowman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Tequila Worm, 86 points; 3. Cullen Telfer, 82.5; 4. Chase Hamlin, 78; 5. Sage Kimzey, 75; no other qualified rides.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Louie Brunson has been ever so close to qualifying for ProRodeo’s grand finale, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. If he keeps riding like he did Friday night at the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, he might make it there yet. Brunson matched moves with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Django for 85 points to take the early lead in saddle bronc riding. “That’s a nice little horse that’s good to get on,” said Brunson, 32, of New Underwood, S.D. “This dang sure helps my confidence. He kind of pumped his head a little bit, which made it tough to work my rein, but the hard part was to not have too much fun. He was so nice, I just didn’t want to fall off him.” While the smile was wide, the spur stroke was solid. In rodeo’s classic event, cowboys must spur the horse from the animal’s neck to the back of the cantle on the saddle. When done in perfect rhythm with the bronc’s bucking motion, scores get high. That’s exactly what happened for Brunson. “I’ve been staying pretty close to home,” he said. “When I’ve gone, it’s been good, but this dang sure is a good start to my summer.” Now he’ll have to hold out through the final two performances to see if his score holds up to claim the Claremore title. For now, though, he holds a 6.5-point lead over the No. 2 man, Bradley Harter of Loranger, La. Is this his time to make a big move to finally make it to Las Vegas in December? “We’ll see how things go in June,” Brunson said. “If things keep going good, I’ll stay out on the road and see what happens. “I’d like to make the finals. That’s a huge goal, but taking care of my family comes first.” With priorities like that, Brunson is already winning. Will Rogers Stampede Claremore, Okla. May 25-27 Leaders through first performance Bareback riding:1. Lane McGehee, 81 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Sundowner; Colton Delgado, 67; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Shane Frey, 3.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Jason Tapley and Blake Mindemann, 4.4; 4. Jule Hazen, 4.5; 5. John Kloekler, 4.7; 6. Hunter Washburn, 4.8; 7. (tie) Cody Doesher, Tristan Martin and Eric Manos, 4.9. Tie-down roping: 1. Trent Creager, 8.4 seconds; 2. Riley Pruitt, 8.7; 3. Shane Hanchey, 9.1; 4. (tie) Cole Bailey and Tyler Milligan, 9.4; 6. Cody Quaney, 9.6; 7. Scot Meeks, 9.7; 8. Layton Little, 10.0. Saddle bronc riding 1. Louie Brunson, 85 points on Pete Carr ProRodeo’s Django ; 2. Bradley Harter, 78.5; 3. Jake Finley, 76; 4. Jacob Lewis, 73; 5. Mason Laviolette, 66; 6. Joey Sonnier, 65. Team roping: 1. Cory Kidd V/Caleb Anderson, 5.7 seconds; 2. Quentin Sawyer/Jordan Reynolds, 6.0; 3. Brenten Hall, 6.1; 4. Jesse Stipes/Jake Smith, 6.2; 5. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 6.4; 6. (tie) Dilan Rucker/Whitney DeSalvo and Adam Wallace/Tyler Young, 6.6; 8. Blake Deckard/Cody Heflin, 6.8. Barrel racing: 1. Jody McKay, 17.20 seconds; 2. Stevi Hillman, 17.25; 3. Tiany Schuster, 17.27; 4. Kylie Weast, 17.28; 5. Cheyenne Kelly, 17.33; 6. Ali Armstrong, 17.38; 7. Sandy McElreath, 17.50; 8. Sabra O’Quinn, 17.54; 8. Kynder Starr, 17.58; 10. Savannah Pearson, 17.60. Bull riding: 1. (tie) Boudreaux Campbelll, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Kracker Jack, and Kole Bowman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Tequila Worm, 86 points; 3. Sage Kimzey, 75; no other qualified rides.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The opening night of the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo was the perfect time to celebrate all that Clem McSpadden was. “We’re here to pay tribute to a man who gave us a lifetime of public service to his community, to his rodeo and to his country,” Claremore City Manager Jim Thomas said Thursday during a dedication for McSpadden and the updated Stampede Park, which is undergoing a transformation and is in the first phase of a three- to five-year renovation plan. “Stampede Park is a dream for all. It’s a place for cowboys, cowgirls, city slickers, wannabes and families to gather. It’s a park connected by pioneer traditions going back many years. Our generations today area the benefactors of the blood, sweat and tears, which has been produced, the last four years, the PRCA’s best small rodeo of the year. We are indebted to those who came before us.” The renovation is the brain child of the newly formed Arena Co-op, which includes private entities working alongside the city and county. But the dedication also was a tip of the hat to McSpadden, a longtime rodeo announcer who served as a U.S. Congressman for his home state of Oklahoma. He died in 2008. A stone with McSpadden’s likeness stands as a welcome to Stampede Park, and that was reveled during the dedication. “With this being the 10th anniversary of his passing, we thought this was a great time to honor Clem,” said David Petty, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo and a member of the co-op. “Clem was a friend to all of us. Clem announced this rodeo for 50 years. It says at the bottom of this stone here, ‘He was one of us.’ “That’s one of the things Clem would say about everybody … either that or, ‘He’s got his hat shaped right.’ If he said one of those two things, you knew he liked you.” The evening also included the inaugural Clem McSpadden Tub-Handle Classic, with three rounds of steer-roping competition. It was the perfect accompaniment to the dedication – McSpadden was the longtime voice of the National Finals Steer Roping, which also now bears his name. “If Clem McSpadden were here right now, he would say, ‘Fellers, I really like this, but why didn’t you take the money and pay the cowboys more?’ ” said Donna McSpadden, his widow. McSpadden was all about the cowboys. He served as general manager of the National Finals Rodeo during its run in Oklahoma City from 1965-84 and has been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, to name a few. “Clem was from Rogers County, but he belonged to a whole bunch of other folks around the state of Oklahoma and around the rodeo country,” said Bill John Baker, the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. But he also was the driving force behind Claremore’s rodeo for half a century. “He was more than a rodeo announcer,” Petty said. “He was a statesman and a true Oklahoma legend.” Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo May 24-27 Claremore, Okla. Clem McSpadden Tub-Handle Classic Steer roping: First round: 1. Roger Branch, 10.7 seconds, $1,554; 2. Will Gasperson, 10.9, $1,286; 3. Tony Reina, 11.3, $1,018; 4. Cody Lee, 11.9, $750; 5. Mike Chase, 12.2, $482; 6. Trenton Johnson, 12.5, $268. Second round: 1. Corey Ross, 9.9 seconds, $2,554; 2. Mike Chase, 11.8, $1,286; 3. Brady Garten, 12.0, $1,108; 4. Rocky Patterson, 12.4, $750; 5. Martin Poindexter, 12.7, $482; 6. (tie) Vin Fisher Jr. and Cody Lee, 13.1, $134 each. Third round: 1. Tuf Cooper, 10.1 seconds, $1,554; 2. J.P. Wickett, 10.7, $1,286; 3. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.8, $1,018; 4. Corey Ross, 10.9, $750; 5. Brady Garten, 11.8, $482; 6. Jim Locke, 12.0, $268. Average: 1. Cody Lee, 39.7 seconds on three runs, $2,331; 2. Roger Branch, 41.2, $1,929; 3. Trenton Johnson, 45.7, $1,527; 4. Billy Good, 48.8, $1,125; 5. Kelton McMillen, 50.3, $723; 6. Corey Ross, 20.8 seconds on two runs, $402.

I’m not sure why, but today hit me hard. It’s been 18 years since my mom died. Maybe it was my aunt’s post about missing her sissy. Maybe it was the comments that revealed a certain specialness about my mom. Nonetheless, there have been a wide range of tears shed over the last 12 or so hours. Most are happy, recalling the best parts of our lives together. But there were recollections of her cancer, the day the doctors told us it was terminal and that she had but a few weeks to live. There was that Mother’s Day weekend of 2000, the last time I saw my mother alive. The overnight drive from Oklahoma City to western Kansas to spend what I was expecting were a few short hours with her. Seems the dying body is resilient, though, and she responded. She got better and better every hour, from the weak, “Hello,” upon my arrival to the stern and motherly, “You need to go back to Oklahoma; you have a new job, and you need to take care of that,” when it was time for me to leave. Truth was, Mom couldn’t go in front of her boys. It was her way of protecting my brother and me, I guess, so I honored her wishes. A few days later, we all returned together to that same home as a community mourned and my family laid her to rest. Mom was the third child of nine, the oldest sister, and they were raised on the family farm in Kearny County, Kansas. That was part of her life until her death, and she was awfully proud of her roots and her family. She still would be, if you ask me, and I understand why. She was my biggest cheerleader and the one who could keep me in line with just a look. The one time I remember getting swatted, I jumped out of the way, and she hit her hand on the wall; I swore she broke her finger, and I still feel guilty about it today – some 45 years later. My mom impacted many lives in her time on this Earth, and I’m so thankful to still see it some 18 years after she left it. I’m thankful for so many things, and maybe these tears have been the perfect reminder for me.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The word about the Will Rogers Stampede is spreading across ProRodeo. This year’s Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 25-Sunday, May 27, at Will Rogers Stampede Arena, and it will feature more than 550 entrants for the competition. That says something about Claremore’s rodeo. “We’re just continuing to grow, and I think that’s a great thing for this community,” said David Petty, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “At the close of books, we had 631 entries, which is astonishing to me. Based on the most recent ProRodeo Sports News, there are 17 cowboys listed in the all-around standings, and 12 of them are entered for Claremore.” The event has become a must-see for fans and a place on the schedule for the biggest names in rodeo: 23-time world champion Trevor Brazile, four-time champs Rocky Patterson and Tuf Cooper, two-time titlist Tim O’Connell are just a few of the men scheduled to compete. “This is really my hometown rodeo, and it’s one of the best in the nation,” said Brodie Poppino, a Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping qualifier from Big Cabin, Okla. “That committee treats the contestants good. They want to win Rodeo of the Year, and there’s a reason they do.” The Stampede has been recognized as PRCA’s Small Rodeo of the Year for each of the past four seasons, and that distinction was voted on by the cowboys themselves. It’s a regular home to many of the sport’s greatest stars. In fact, there are more than 60 contestants that have qualified for the national finals, and a dozen of those have claimed world championships. In all, they account for more than 50 gold buckles. All will be testing their talents in Claremore over the Memorial Day weekend. “It’s good for our schedules to be able to work a good rodeo in like Claremore,” said Sage Kimzey, the reigning four-time world champion bull rider from Strong City, Okla. “It’s a good, central location, and you know the stock’s going to be great.” That’s because the rodeo teams with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, one of the leading livestock producers in the game. But there’s much more that goes into making the Will Rogers Stampede a success every year. “They appreciate us being there, but we’re the ones who should be appreciating them,” Kimzey said. “They’re hard-working, and they are happy to put on a great event. They’re a fun group of people to be around.” That’s been paying off. The number of entries has more than doubled the last nine years, so that says quite a bit about what’s happening in Rogers County. “One of the things we’re doing is featuring our steer ropers with the Clem McSpadden Tub-Handle Classic,” Petty said of the event, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 24. “Clem meant so much to this area, and on the 10th anniversary of his death, we thought this would be a great time to introduce it.” It is the only rodeo in Oklahoma to feature steer roping, which makes it special to the cowboys who compete in that specialized event. “You have to hand it to David Petty and that committee for featuring our event,” Poppino said. “Other than the Signature Series Steer Roping, Claremore is the only rodeo that we go to all year that features it, so that’s pretty special. It’s going to have a great purse. When you mix that with a great arena and a great setup, it’s going to be outstanding.” That’s just what everybody has come to expect with Claremore’s rodeo.

GUNNISON, Colo. – “Tuffy” has been a godsend for many breast cancer patients in the Gunnison valley. The RAM 1500 pickup was purchased a couple years ago by Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink to serve as transportation for those families that receive treatment outside Gunnison County. In addition to that, the vehicle is serving a larger role in professional rodeo. “We hope that this truck and this committee will inspire other committees around the world to do things to help those that are battling cancer,” said Andy Stewart, the voice of Cattlemen’s Days rodeo, which takes place July 12-14 in Gunnison. Just two weeks ago, members of the Cattlemen’s Days committee showcased “Tuffy” at the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo, where Stewart was announcing the event that has been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “We go to other rodeos from time to time to just show the committees what their Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaigns could do,” said Karla Rundell, who attended the rodeo in the Oklahoma Panhandle with committee president Kevin Coblentz. “Of course, we are very proud of what we’ve done with our pink campaign, but this is more of a way to inspire others to do as much as they can.” The pickup will return to the Elizabeth (Colo.) Stampede in a few weeks and has also been on display in Greeley, Colo., during the Fourth of July rodeo there. The Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign has raised more than $2 million in its 13 years of existence. That money is used to provide all the needed services for breast cancer detection and cancer care in Gunnison. “With this truck, we are reaching beyond the hospital, doing more than buying a piece of equipment,” Rundell said. “We are getting straight to the breast cancer patients.” That’s imperative. Some patients still have to travel for specific services throughout Colorado. Having a reliable vehicle helps make those ventures more stress free. “One thing that is valuable to breast cancer patients in their area is transportation,” Stewart said. “Denver is 200 miles from the rural community, a farming and ranching community, and those that have to go to Denver for treatment may not have any transportation or maybe it’s not reliable or maybe the entire family uses one vehicle. “The Tough Enough to Wear Pink committee does that free of charge, transporting folks back and forth to Denver or Montrose. This truck is there to relieve some of the stress and help make things a little easier for patients.” Battling breast cancer is a true fight for patients and their families, and Gunnison’s pink campaign is doing all it can for them.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – It’s no coincidence that the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo began winning awards soon after teaming with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo. The Dallas-based firm began producing the annual Memorial Day weekend rodeo in 2013, and Claremore’s rodeo earned the first of four straight Small Rodeo of the Year honors a year later. That formula will be on display again for this year’s event, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 25-Sunday, May 27, at Will Rogers Stampede Arena. “When we brought Pete and his crew on board, we felt like it was the right move for us, our rodeo and the community,” said David Petty, the longtime chairman of the committee that organizes the Stampede. “Five years later, we know it was the right call.” The Carr firm has been recognized as one of the very best in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the premier sanctioning body in the sport. Carr has been nominated five times as PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year. Moreover, the firm was named the Stock Contractor of the Year in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, which sanctions barrel racing in ProRodeo. “We are in a time frame of rodeo where money and livestock bring the top guys to town, and that’s what Pete Carr and his staff brings to Claremore,” said Scott Grover, who has been the voice of the Will Rogers Stampede for 13 years. “If you don’t have one of the top stock contractors in the country, sometimes the top guys will pass you up. “Having Pete Carr has jumped up the firepower of our group of contestants and makes it a more exciting rodeo to be part of and to watch.” But it’s more than having great animals, and Carr has a bunch of them. Five times, Carr horses have been named the PRCA’s Bareback of the Year: Real Deal, Big Tex, Deuces Night and Dirty Jacket, the latter of which won the title in 2014 and 2015 – before he won that honor, he helped NFR qualifier Bill Tutor win Claremore’s rodeo. But the real gem of what Carr brings to northeast Oklahoma lies in the small things that help make each performance better. The staff of rodeo professionals works hard behind the scenes to keep every show as entertaining as possible. “Pete and his guys are known for having one of the best rodeo productions in the sport,” Petty said. “They work closely with our committee to help ensure our fans are getting the best two hours of rodeo they can get. “It’s a testament to knowing what fans want when they come to a performance. To see that crew work for three performances in Claremore is a testament to what they bring to rodeo and what fans will enjoy.” Every move made is making the Will Rogers Stampede better than ever.

Rookie scores 91 points to upend BFO’s greatest stars KENNEWICK, Wash. – It didn’t take long for Justin Ward to find his comfort zone in freestyle bullfighting. Just two months ago, he was part of the Bullfighters Only Development Camp in San Bernardino, Calif., learning the tricks of the trade. On Saturday night, he put together two winning bouts to upend a handful of veterans and win the BFO Tri-Cities Invitational in Kennewick. “It was probably one of the greatest accomplishments of my life so far,” said Ward, 22, of Richardton, N.D. “It means I can compete with the best, and hopefully I can eventually win a world title.” Ward was one of five rookies who were part of the Tri-Cities Invitational, and he escaped the rookie round with an 86.5-point fight to advance to the Hooey Championship Round. “That was a tough long round,” he said. “Competing against those guys and getting the top score in the long round was amazing.” Once in the Hooey Championship Round, Ward posted a 91-point fight. It was more than enough to claim the Kennewick title. Ward outscored Beau Schueth, Kris Furr, Weston Rutkowski and Dusty Tuckness. Schueth, who has several victories under his belt, finished second in Washington with an 89.5-point fight. Furr, the No. 3 man in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings, finished third at 89, while Rutkowski, the two-time reigning BFO world champion, placed fourth with an 88. “I just had a good bull, probably the best one,” Ward said. “It was a really tough short round. I’d say I was pretty confident freestyling before the weekend, but after going 91 points, I feel like I can definitely do it pretty good now.” Not bad, especially for a young man just two months into his bullfighting career. He’s been working as a protection bullfighter for four years, and two mentors suggested he give freestyle bullfighting a shot. “After going to the Development Camp, I realized it was fun, so I decided to stick with it,” said Ward, who grew up roping and qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in steer wrestling before transitioning over to bullfighting. “Being part of the BFO is amazing, because it’s the greatest bullfighters in the world. All I’ve wanted to do was be a professional bullfighter, and now I get to do it.” RESULTS Round 1: Beau Schueth, 85 points. Round 2: Weston Rutkowski, 88 points. Round 3: Dusty Tuckness, 81 points. Round 4: Kris Furr, 86.5 points. Round 5: Justin Ward, 86.5 points. Hooey Championship Round: 1. Justin Ward, 91 points; 2. Beau Schueth, 89.5; 3. Kris Furr, 89; 4. Weston Rutkowski, 88; 5. Dusty Tuckness, 86.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo has long been a regional affair, and now the Claremore community is even more involved in the exposition. Over the past few months, the Rodeo Arena Interlocal Cooperative was established to help care for the grounds that showcase the rodeo, which will celebrate its 72nd year over Memorial Day weekend. The rodeo is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 25-Sunday, May 27, at Will Rogers Stampede Arena at the newly established Stampede Park. “We’re pretty proud of the rodeo we’ve got, and the Arena Co-op is doing things to help the rodeo with its grounds and facilities to help make this a great attraction for the people that attend our rodeo,” said David Petty, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo, which has been named the Small Rodeo of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association each of the past four years. “For the last seven decades, our rodeo has been supported by sponsors and fans, and we just haven’t had the funds necessary to care for our grounds. The Arena Co-op will take care of that now, and that opens the door for the rodeo committee to focus on the rodeo, the sponsors, the contestants and the fans.” After being donated by the Will Rogers Round-Up Club, the grounds are now owned by the cooperative, which is a legal entity and a partnership between the city of Claremore and the Rogers County Commission. The Arena Co-op consists of five individuals: Petty; Dan Delozier, District 1 Rogers County commissioner; Louie Gardner, owner of Utility Cable Co./Mid-Town Rental; Tanya Andrews, executive director of the Claremore Convention and Tourism Bureau; and Jim Thomas, Claremore’s city manager. Together they are governed by the co-op’s bylaws and have worked with the Round-Up Club to set goals for facilities needs. So far, a new parking lot, new fencing and an updated entrance have been completed. “I think it’s phenomenal to get another group together and make some changes that have needed to be made,” said Scott Grover, the voice of the Stampede who will be calling the action for the 14th consecutive year. “This is going to help make Claremore’s rodeo a destination not only for people from Oklahoma but for people to come from all around the country to see this rodeo and how great it is. “I think getting the Arena Co-op involved will just make it bigger and better.” That’s exactly what the co-op members have wanted since the entity was established. With an already-recognized and awarded rodeo in town, it only stands to get stronger. “Having more community involvement gives Claremore more ownership of their event,” Grover said. “This is an event that’s been around many years. With a new look like this, it gives more people a chance to be involved, those that have never thought about being involved with the rodeo. It surely could be exciting.”

Teens, newcomers to test their skills against veterans in Kennewick KENNEWICK, Wash. – It’s hard to call Chance Moorman a professional bullfighter for a couple of reasons: He still hasn’t graduated high school, so it’s difficult to be a professional anything yet; he just started fighting bulls two months ago. Nevertheless, he is one of two 17-year-olds in the mix of battle for the Bullfighters Only Tri-Cities Invitational, set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in Kennewick. “To be part of Bullfighters Only is one of my greatest accomplishments,” said Moorman of San Antonio. “I’ve always dreamed of being a professional athlete. I started fighting bulls, and I realized I was pretty good at it. I’ve followed bullfighting, and I’ve wanted to make it into this league. I finally got the opportunity to do it.” His father, Cody, was a bullfighter, so Moorman knows about the game. As a youngster, he rode steers but quit when he realized it wasn’t his calling. Still, he found his athletic outlet in the traditional sports of baseball, football and basketball. “My dad saw my ability and asked if I was interested in doing it,” he said. “I’ve been practicing on my pitbull in the backyard, then I went to the Development Camps in Houston and San Bernardino.” He proved his ability during those March camps. A week ago, he was a last-minute replacement at the BFO’s Fiesta de Toros in Woodward, Okla., where he posted an 86-point bout, the highest marking of the weekend. He advanced to the Hooey Championship Round, which was enough to earn a spot to test his talents again in Kennewick. “To go in there with Toby (Inman) and Weston (Rutkowski) and all those guys and put up the biggest score is amazing,” Moorman said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.” He will be one of 17 men competing in Kennewick, five of whom are rookies like Moorman. The field will also include local bullfighter Miles Barry, the 17-year-old son of longtime professional bullfighter Rowdy Barry. “Probably the first animal I ever stepped around was a full-grown bucking bull when I was 13,” Barry said. “When I first got to the age where I understood bullfighting, it just made sense. My dad’s biggest help to me was the mental game. “I have dreamed about being part of this since Bullfighters Only first came around. Now that I have a chance, I am very thankful, especially to compete against the best guys in the world at such a young age.” The event will feature five preliminary rounds of competition. There will be four, 3-man rounds, with the winner of each advancing to the Hooey Championship Round. The fifth round will feature five rookies who will also battle for their opportunity to advance to the final round. This will be a showcase of truth athleticism, with many of the world’s greatest bullfighters testing their skills against the agile, aggressive and speedy Spanish fighting bulls. Each bout will be 40 to 60 seconds of high intensity, with danger lurking at every turn. Toby Inman is leading the Pendleton Whisky World Standings, but has been forced to bow out of the competition with a lower body injury. Reigning world champion Weston Rutkowski, is starting to close the gap after collecting his first win of the season last weekend in Woodward. But there are a host of other bright stars, including Dusty Tuckness, a proven freestyle champion who has been recognized nine straight years as the PRCA’s Bullfighter of the Year. He won both stand-alone event that he entered last year, in Lewiston, Idaho, and Decatur, Texas. “The stand-alone bullfights like we’ll have in Kennewick are really starting to shine,” said Tuckness, one of the BFO’s pioneers. “I think that’s the direction that we want to take this, where we have stand-alone bullfights across the states featuring the top competitors that fight for big money. We put on a great production and show behind it. “The production just keeps getting better. We have a small but very dedicated crew, and everybody’s jumping in to make this wagon go forward. I think that’s what’s been behind the big success we’ve seen.” Besides the phenomenal growth of the BFO, the sport of freestyle bullfighting is at an all-time high. That’s because of the groundwork laid three years ago by the bullfighters themselves. But it is only getting better, thanks in large part to the outstanding athletes that are moving up the ranks. “The young group that’s getting developed now shows that we have some of the most talented guys out there, and that’s making everything better in freestyle bullfighting,” he said. “The financial growth in the freestyle bullfighting world is awesome. It’s cool that it has lit a fire back in the freestyle world. “Guys that nobody ever got to look at before are now getting their opportunities to shine.” And that means stops like the Tri-Cities Invitational become more lucrative, making them more attractive to the top athletes in the game. Instead of fighting for hundreds of dollars at a time, the BFO is paying winners thousands of dollars on a given night. The champion in Kennewick will walk away with at least $10,000. “My life has involved bullfighting since I was old enough to know what it was,” Tuckness said. “It’s a blessing. Now guys can make a successful living fighting bulls.” That’s what makes Bullfighters Only the premier producer of freestyle bullfighting, and it’s why the best in the game are part of it. BULLFIGHTERS Justin Josey Tate Rhoads Beau Schueth Ely Sharkey Weston Rutkowski Zach Call Colt Oder Connor Rowley Dusty Tuckness Chris Furr Caden Harper Alex McWilliams Seth Wilson Justin Ward Chance Moorman Tucker MacWilliam Miles Barry

GUYMON, Okla. – Reese Riemer isn’t afraid to admit that he suffers from a bit of claustrophobia. That’s why the tie-down roper likes big, open spaces, like Henry C. Hitch Arena in Guymon. It’s home to Pioneer Days Rodeo, and Riemer finally captured the title. “I remember growing up, we’d come and watch slack, and all the guys I looked up to were roping here,” said Reimer, 27, of Stinnett, Texas, which is just 77 miles south of Guymon. I couldn’t wait to rope here. To get it knocked out of the bucket list is pretty good.” He won the second round and finished fourth in the third round after roping his calf Sunday in 10.6 seconds. His three-run cumulative time of 30.2 seconds was three seconds faster than the runner-up, Tom Pharr of Resaca, Ga. In all, Riemer earned $5,422. “I came in here with the lead, but I wanted to be aggressive,” Riemer said. I didn’t want to sit back on my pockets and let it get away. I’ve been there before and tried to safety up, and it cost me. I wanted to go at it like I was coming from behind. I seem to rope better that way and have better luck. “Once she took off and tried to outrun me, I just knew I needed to catch her and get her tied down.” He is a two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier who was the 2012 tie-down roping rookie of the year. Now he’ll have the Pioneer Days Rodeo trophy belt to carry with him as he tries for another trip to ProRodeo’s grand finale in Las Vegas. “If I want to make it back to the NFR, I just need to rope aggressive,” he said. “The first two months of the year were real slow. Always around April when we go outside, it starts picking up for me. I get indoors, and it takes me out of my comfort zone. You get me outside in a big arena, and that’s my element, and I’m a little more comfortable.” It showed Sunday. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 30-May 6 Results through the first performance All-around champion: Paul David Tierney, $2,683 in team roping and tie-down roping Bareback riding: 1. Bill Tutor, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket, $2,369; 2. Jake Brown, 87, $1,186; 3. Tilden Hooper, 86, $1,342; 4. Jordan Pelton, 84.5, $869; 5. Zach Hibler, 83.5, $553; 6. Ty Breuer, 82.5, $395; 7. Justin Miller 80.5, $316; 8. Luke Creasy, 80, $237. Team roping: First round: 1. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 7.1 seconds, $1,734; 2. Ty Blasingame/Levi Tyan, 7.7, $1,508; 3. Logan Olson/Matt Kasner, 7.8, $1,282; 4. Travis Bounds/Kyon Kreutzer, 8.0, $1,056; 5. Curry Kirchner/Chase Boekhaus, 8.3, $830; 6. Colby Lovell/Clint Summers, 8.4, $603; 7. (tie) Brett Stuart/Paden Bray and Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 8.5, $264. Second round: 1. Gavin Foster/Christian Dewbre, 6.4 seconds, $1,734; 2. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 6.6, $1,508; 3. Kelsey Parchman/Dustin Davis, 6.8, $1,282; 4. Paul David Tierney/Tanner Braden, 6.9, $1,056; 5. Billy Bob Brown/Hunter Koch, 7.0, $830; 6. Cory Clark/B.J. Dugger, 7.1, $603; 7. (tie) Jr. Dees/Matt Zancanella and Ryan Jarrett/Tad Sheets, 7.2, $264 each. Third round leaders: 1. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 5.8 seconds, $1,734; 2. Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher, 6.4, $1,508; 3. Tyler Wojciechowski/Tyler Ishman, 7.0, $1,282; 4. Lightning Aguilera/Brady Norman, 7.1, $1,056; 5. Ryan Jarrett/Tadd Sheets, 7.6, $830; 6. Blake Hughes/Brandon Harmon, 7.8, $603; 7. Laramie Allen/Ross Ashford, 8.5, $377; 8. Garett Chick/J.W. Borrego, 8.6, $151. Aggregate: 1. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 24.1 seconds on three runs, $2,602; 2. Laramie Allen/Ross Ashford, $2,262; 3. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 38.3, $1,923; 4. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 29.9, $1,584; 5. Garett Chick/J.W. Borrego, 31.3, $1,244; 6. Tyler Wojciechowski/Tyler Ishman, 33.5, $905; 7. Paul David Tierney/Tanner Braden, 33.9, $566; 8. (tie) Blake Deckard/Cody Heflin and Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 35.0, $113 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Tanner Bruner, 3.4 seconds, $1,963; 2. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Hunter Cure, 3.8, $1,455 each; 4. (tie) Ty Erickson and Michael Bates Jr., 4.0, $778 each; 6. Denver Berry, 4.1, $338. Second round: 1. Matt Reeves, 3.5 seconds, $1,963; 2. Jace Melvin, 3.6, $1,624; 3. Shayde Tree Etherton, 3.7, $1,286; 4. Cameron Morman, 4.0, $948; 5. (tie) Hunter Cure, Chancey Larson. Tom Lewis and Trell Etbauer, 4.1, $237 each. Third round leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 3.5 seconds, $1,963; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 3.8, $1,624; 3. Jace Melvin, 4.0, $1,286; 4. (tie) Dru Melvin and Denver Berry, 4.2, $778 each; 6. (tie) Marcus Theriot Wyatt Jurney and Cody Pratt, 4.3, $113 each. Aggregate: 1. Hunter Cure, 12.3 seconds on three runs, $2,944; 2. Tanner Brunner, 13.6, $2,436; 3. Trell Etbauer, 13.7, $1,929; 4. Matt Reeves, 13.9, $1,421; 5. Jace Melvin, 14.1, $924; 6. Denver Berry, 14.2, $508. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Jake Wright, 84.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s YoYo, $2,888; 2. Ross Griffin, 84, $2,214; Tyrell Smith, 83, $1,636; 4. Chase Brooks, 82.5, $1,059; 5. CoBurn Bradshaw, 81, $674; 4. Jesse Wright, 80.5, $481; 7. Cole Elshere, 79.5, $385; 8. (tie) Shorty Garrett, Tyler Corrington and Dawson Jandreau, 79, $96 each. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Caleb Smidt, 9.1 seconds, $1,744; 2. Cody Quaney, 9.5, $1,517; 3. Bryson Sechrist, 9.6, $1,289; 4. Paul David Tierney, 9.7, $1,062; 5. (tie) Will Howell and Travis Reimer, 10.0, $720 each; 7. Sterling Jameson, 10.1, $379; 8. (tie) Riley Pruitt and Bailey Thurston, 10.3, $76 each. Second round: 1. Reese Reimer, 8.7 seconds, $1,744; 2. Tuf Cooper, 8.9, $1,517; 3. Clayton Collmorgen, 9.1, $1,289; 4. (tie) Dakota Felton and Rhen Richard, 9.2, $948 each; 6. Luke Potter, 9.3, $607; 7. Cooper Martin, 9.6, $379; 8. Shane Smith, 9.7, $152. Third round leaders: 1. (tie) Jake Pratt and Caleb Smidt, 9.5 seconds, $1,630 each; 3. Luke Potter, 10.4, $1,289; 4. Reese Reimer, 10.6, $1,062; 5. Anthony Jordan, 10.7, $834; 6. Clint Cooper, 10.9, $607; 7. Timber Moore, 11.2, $379; 8. Stetson Vest, 11.5, $152. Aggregate: 1. Reese Riemer, 30.2 seconds on two runs, $2,616; 2. Tim Pharr, 33.4, $2,756;  Continue Reading »

WOODWARD, Okla. – After having early-season struggles, the champ is back. Bullfighters Only’s two-time reigning world champion Weston Rutkowski has returned to the winner’s circle, putting together two solid bullfights to win the Fiesta de Toros in Woodward. It was his first victory of the 2018 season. “Yes, I needed it for the standings point of view, but I really needed it more for the pure fact I hadn’t drawn very well and needed it for my confidence,” said Rutkowski of Haskell, Texas. “In all honesty, I didn’t draw the bulls that are fun to fight at all, but it was what I needed.” It was similar to two heavyweight prize fights, with the bullfighter and the bulls throwing haymaker after haymaker. It wasn’t a pretty dance like Rutkowski is known for, but a true slugfest through both fights. Sometimes, though, that’s what it takes to be the best in the game. Rutkowski advanced through the long round with an 84.5-point score. The Hooey Championship Round featured five long-round winners, with three new faces to the game: Chase Blythe, Chance Moorman and Alex McWilliams. The only other veteran was Tanner Zarnetski, who finished in third place. “That’s what we’ve created with the BFO,” Rutkowski said. “There are more kids coming up, and we’re creating opportunities for those kids who are coming up through the Development Camps. There’s a bunch of young talent, and they’re coming in showing their A game. It’s fun to watch.” Now the top bullfighters in the game will advance to the next event, another stand-alone competition in Kennewick, Wash. With his earnings in northwest Oklahoma, Rutkowski moved into second place in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings. He will continue to chase the season leader, Toby Inman. For now, though, he’s going to take a few moments to enjoy his first win in five months. “When we pulled into town and up to the arena, I knew immediately why we were there,” Rutkowski said. “The community really did come support the BFO. It was neat to see. They’ve had their share of tragedy with the wildfires, but they still came out and supported us. That was just awesome.” BULLFIGHTERS Round 1 winner: Chase Blythe, 78.5 points Round 2: Weston Rutkowski, 84.5 Round 3: Alex McWilliams, 84 Round 4: Chance Moorman, 86 Round 5: Tanner Zarnetski, 84.5 Hooey Championship Round: 1. Weston Rutkowski, 84 points; 2. Alex McWilliams, 78; 3. Tanner Zarnetski, 73; 4. (tie) Chase Blyth and Chance Moorman, no score.

GUYMON, Okla. – The first time Bill Tutor strapped himself to Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket, Tutor was 21 years old. The powerful bay gelding was just 9. Since that day five years ago, Tutor has become one of the best bareback riders in the game, having qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the first time last year. Dirty Jacket has become one of the greatest bucking horses in the game today, a two-time world champion and still one of the cowboys’ favorite. “That horse is outstanding,” said Tutor of Huntsville, Texas. “Every time you see him by your name (in the random draw), chills just run through your backbone.” Tutor and Dirty Jacket matched moves Saturday night for 87.5 points to take the bareback riding lead at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo with one performance remaining. It marked the fourth time the two have been matched together, and Tutor has found great success: He won rodeos in Stephenville, Texas, and Claremore, Okla., in 2013 and finished second in Lovington, N.M., a year later. “I was sure trying to stay cool, calm and collected, but it wasn’t working,” he said. “I could hardly get my glove on because the jitters came over me. That’s just the kind of horse he is. If you’re not that excited, something’s wrong with you. He felt outstanding tonight “That’s what bareback riding is all about; it was fantastic.” Dirty Jacket has been a staple inside Hitch Arena. The first time he bucked at a ProRodeo, it was in Guymon in 2008. Coloradoan Jared Schlegel rode the then-4-year-old bucking horse to the title with an 87-point ride. A year later, Jared Smith won the bareback riding title on the bay’s back. For four consecutive years, Dirty Jacket was the prized mount for bareback riders in the territory once known as No Man’s Land. Will Lowe won a share of the title in 2010, and Matt Bright won it outright in ’11. All scores were 87 points. Tutor’s ride was a half point better than them all. “Whatever it takes to get the win,” he said. “I’ve come to Guymon many years, and I’ve never won it. It would be special to me to win this one.” He will have to hold his breath through Sunday’s final performance, but he’s a virtual lock for a nice payday in the Oklahoma Panhandle. “When the announcer says that Dirty Jacket is one we lay in bed and dream about, he’s not lying,” said Tutor, 26, who owns just a half-point lead over his traveling partner, three-time NFR qualifier Jake Brown of Cleveland, Texas. While he’s still young, Tutor has become an established veteran in the game. He’s been among the top 40 bareback riders in the game each of the past five seasons. Now he’s gaining more momentum and confidence as he continues to strive for that elusive gold buckle. “The only think I’ve ever dreamed of was making the NFR, but it lit more of a fire in me,” he said. “I always say, ‘If I make the finals once, I’d die a happy man.’ Jake told me, ‘Just wait and see.’ He was right. There’s nothing more that I want to do than get back to the finals this year. You’ve got to work hard every week, but I’m glad to do it.” He was fourth in the world standings heading into this weekend and has earned more than $45,000 so far this season. He knows it’ll take a lot more to make it back to Las Vegas in December, but he’s ready for it. Having success in Guymon is a big part of his path back to the Nevada desert. “This big outdoor rodeo is so cool and such a neat setup,” Tutor said. “I knew he’d buck great. You always know when you come here that you’re going to get on something good. The crowd was great, it’s an awesome arena and there are great bucking horses. But that’s what it’s all about, great bucking horses.” Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 30-May 6 Results through the first performance Bareback riding leaders: 1. Bill Tutor, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket; 2. Jake Brown, 87; 3. Tilden Hooper, 86; 4. Zach Hibler, 83.5; 5. Justin Miller 80.5; 6. Luke Creasy, 80; 7. Leighton Berry, 75.5; 3. Will Martin, 75. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 5.8 seconds; 2. Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher, 6.4; 3. Tyler Wojciechowski/Tyler Ishman, 7.0; 4. Lightning Aguilera/Brady Norman, 7.1; 5. Ryan Jarrett/Tadd Sheets, 7.6; 6. Jason Thorstenson/Levi Lord, 8.9; 7. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 9.0; 8. Blake Deckard/Cody Heflin, 10.1. Aggregate leaders: 1. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 24.1 seconds on three runs; 2. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 29.9; 3. Tyler Wojciechowski/Tyler Ishman, 33.5; 4. Blake Deckard/Cody Heflin, 35.0; 5. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 41.4; 6. Ryan Jarrett/Tad Sheets, 14.8 seconds on two runs; 7. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 16.7; 8. Laramie Allen/Rosh Ashford, 17.3. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 3.5 seconds; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 3.8; 3. Jace Melvin, 4.09; 4. (tie) Dru Melvin and Denver Berry, 4.2; 6. (tie) Marcus Theriot Wyatt Jurney and Cody Pratt, 4.3. Aggregate leaders: 1. Hunter Cure, 12.3 seconds on three runs; 2. Matt Reeves, 13.9; 3. Jace Melvin, 14.1; 4. Denver Berry, 14.2; 5. Stockton Graves, 14.3; 6. (tie) Cody Pratt, Cody Devers and Gary Gilbert, 14.4. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Jake Wright, 84.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s YoYo; 2. Ross Griffin, 84; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, 81; 4. Jesse Wright, 80.5; 5. Cole Elshere, 79.5; 6. (tie) Shorty Garrett, Tyler Corrington and Dawson Jandreau, 79. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. (tie) Jake Pratt and Caleb Smidt, 9.5 seconds; 3. Anthony Jordan, 10.7; 4. Clint Cooper, 10.9; 5. Timber Moore, 11.2; 6. Stetson Vest, 11.5; 7. Dakota Felton, 12.0; 8. Seth Cooke, 12.2. Aggregate leaders: 1. Tim Pharr, 33.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Timber Moore, 35.1; 3. Clint Cooper, 35.6; 4. Jake Pratt,  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – There was a time in Tim Pharr’s life that the most important part of his rodeo career was trying to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Now at 39, priorities have changed. For Pharr, those involve his two sons, but he still loves to compete. He’s done pretty well so far this week at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo and leads tie-down roping with two performances remaining in the 2018 championship. “Guymon has been pretty good to me,” said Pharr of Resaca, Ga. “(The lead) is pretty comforting. There are a lot of guys that are really tough coming behind me. I don’t foresee me winning first, but I feel like I’ll get a good check.” That’s important. In rodeo, money not only helps pay bills, but dollars equal championship points. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event at the conclusion of the regular season advance to the NFR. And with purses available in the sport today, anything can happen on any given day. “I would really like to stay where I’m at in the average, because I haven’t won anything so far,” he said, referring to the payouts in each go-round. “Every time you show up to run a chance, you have a chance for a lot of money. Just one week could get you back in the middle of it. Pharr has been close to earning a spot in Las Vegas for ProRodeo’s grand finale, finishing among the top 25 three times in the 2000s. Now he plans his rodeo schedule around his boys. “It really depends on what they want to do,” he said with a smile. “When I was a kid, I really tried hard (to make the NFR) and fell short. Last year I had a great start out of the winter and fell short again. It’s a Cinderella story if I get it done, because my main goal is being a father. If it all fits in, it would make me the proudest guy on the planet.”   Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 30-May 6 Results through the first performance Bareback riding leaders: 1. Tilden Hooper, 86 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo; 2. Leighton Berry, 75.5; 3. Will Martin, 75; 4. Jamie Howlett, 72; 5. (tie) Levi Nicholson and Mike Fred, 62; 7. Willie McKinney, 56. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 5.8 seconds; 2. Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher, 6.4; 3. Ryan Jarrett/Tadd Sheets, 7.6; 4. Jason Thorstenson/Levi Lord, 8.9; 5. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 9.0; 6. Caleb Smidt/Mickey Gomez, 12.1; 7. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 24.3; no other qualified runs. Aggregate leaders: 1. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 24.1 seconds on three runs; 2. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 29.9; 3. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 41.4; 4. Ryan Jarrett/Tad Sheets, 14.8 seconds on two runs; 5. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 16.7; 6. Laramie Allen/Rosh Ashford, 17.3; 7. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 17.7; 8. Jason Thorstenson/Levi Lord, 17.8. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Rowdy Parrott, 3.8 seconds; 2. 2. Jace Melvin, 4.09; 3. Dru Melvin, 4.2; 4. (tie) Marcus Theriot Wyatt Jurney and Cody Pratt, 4.3. Aggregate leaders: 1. Jace Melvin, 14.1 seconds on three runs; 2. (tie) Cody Pratt and Cody Devers, 14.4; 4. Aaron Vosler, 14.7; 5. Will Lummus, 15.1; 6. Clayton Hass, 15.2. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Jake Wright, 84.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s YoYo; 2. Ross Griffin, 84; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, 81; 4. Jesse Wright, 80.5; 5. Cole Elshere, 79.5; 6. (tie) Shorty Garrett, Tyler Corrington and Dawson Jandreau, 79. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. (tie) Jake Pratt and Caleb Smidt, 9.5 seconds; 3. Anthony Jordan, 10.7; 4. Clint Cooper, 10.9; 5. Timber Moore, 11.2; 6. Dakota Felton, 12.0; 7. Tim Pharr, 12.8; 8. Jace Melvin 15.2. Aggregate leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 35.1 seconds on three runs; 2. Jake Pratt, 35.9; 3. Anthony Jordan, 44.5; 4. Tyler Prcin, 53.3; 5. Cory Rowland, 69.2; 6. Caleb Smidt, 18.6 seconds on two runs; 7. Reese Reimer, 19.6; 8. Tim Pharr, 20.6. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Cierra Chapman, 17.46 seconds; 2. Sidney Forrest, 17.47; 3. Kylie Weast, 17.49; 4. Dona Kay Rule, 17.58; Ericka Nelson, 17.59; 6. (tie) Kelley Carrington, Cassidy Kruse and Tiany Schuster, 17.61; 9. Tammy Fischer, 17.62; 10. Kinsey Chandler, 17.64. Aggregate leaders: 1. Kylie Weast, 34.81 seconds on two runs; 2. Sidney Forrest, 35.10; 3. (tie) Cassidy Kruse and Tiany Schuster, 35.53; 5. Kinsey Chandler, 35.57; 6. Ericka Nelson, 35.60; 7. Ari-Anna Flynn, 35.62; 8. Tammy Fischer, 35.63; 9. Dona Kay Rule, 35.69; 10. Kelley Carrington, 35.73. Bull riding leaders: 1. Cole Melancon, 89 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Chigger; 2. (tie) Trey Benton III and Laramie Mosley, 86.5; 4. Joe Frost, 86; 5. Corey Atwell, 83; 6. Dillon Tyler, 79.5; no other qualified rides.

GUYMON, Okla. – Jake Wright is hoping his luck has changed. “I’ve never done any good here,” said Wright, a six-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc riding qualifier from Milford, Utah. That could easily change after his 84.5-point ride Friday to take the early lead at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. He matched moves with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s YoYo, a powerful paint horse that has bucked at the NFR, to earn the top score on the rodeo’s opening night. “He was good,” Wright said of the horse, which he’d never tried to ride before. “Heck, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him. I just held my feet on my mark-out and tried to set him up, and he worked out really good.” The mark-out sets up the ride for bronc riders and bareback riders. Cowboys start the ride with the heels their boots over the front of the animal’s shoulders, then spur the horse in rhythm with its bucking motion. That’s what opens the door for high scores and big money. Now he has the biggest score of them all, but the leaderboard is pretty familiar to him. He is followed by his brother-in-law, CoBurn Bradshaw, and his twin brother, Jesse. “That’s the way we like it; we’ll just keep it in the truck,” Jake Wright said. “That’s a good way to start it off. “Now we’ve got an all-nighter to Bakersfield, Calif., then we’ll go to Stonyford (Calif.).” That’s the life of a rodeo cowboy. Oklahoma one day, California the next. But it’s a life the Wrights have enjoyed nearly all their lives. They’re pretty good at it. The family owns five Montana Silversmiths world championship gold buckles: Cody has two, and Jesse, Spencer and Cody’s son, Ryder, each have one. “We grew up ranching,” Jake Wright said. “Cody really set the bar for rodeoing. We’ve all really enjoyed it. Dad just said, ‘If you’re going to do it, you might as well be the bet, so work hard now and reap the benefits later.’ “Growing up when everybody would go dinking off, we’d haul butt from baseball practice or whatever and load four or five horses so we could get on before it would get dark.” Jake Wright is reaping the rewards so far. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 30-May 6 Results through the first performance Bareback riding leaders: 1. Tilden Hooper, 86 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo; 2. Leighton Berry, 75.5; 3. Will Martin, 75; 4. Jamie Howlett, 72; 5. Levi Nicholson, 62; no other qualified rides. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 5.8 seconds; 2. Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher, 6.4; 3. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 9.0; 4. Caleb Smidt/Mickey Gomez, 12.1; 5. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 24.3; no other qualified runs. Aggregate leaders: 1. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 24.1 seconds on three runs; 2. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 29.9; 3. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 41.4; 4. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 16.7 seconds on two runs; 5. Laramie Allen/Rosh Ashford, 17.3; 6. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 17.7; 7. Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher, 18.6; 8. Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 21.0. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Rowdy Parrott, 3.8 seconds; 2. Marcus Theriot, 4.3; 3. Will Lummus, 4.9; 4. Blake Mindemann, 5.3; 5. Tristan Martin, 14.6; no other qualified runs. Aggregate leaders: 1. Will Lummus, 15.1 seconds on three runs; 2. Blake Mindemann, 16.2; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 17.9; 4. Marcus Theriot, 17.9; 5. Tristan Martin, 24.5; 6. Hunter Cure, 7.9 seconds on two runs. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Jake Wright, 84.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s YoYo; 2. CoBurn Bradshaw, 81; 3. Jesse Wright, 80.5; 4. Dalton Davis, 77; 5. Alex Wright, 76; 6. Jade Blackwell, 75. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. (tie) Jake Pratt and Caleb Smidt, 9.5 seconds; 3. Anthony Jordan, 10.7; 4. Timber Moore, 11.2; 5. Dakota Felton, 12.0; 6. Tyler Prcin, 15.6; 7. Cory Rowland, 16.4; 8. Rhen Richard, 19.6. Aggregate leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 35.1 seconds on three runs; 2. Jake Pratt, 35.9; 3. Anthony Jordan, 44.5; 4. Tyler Prcin, 53.3; 5. Cory Rowland, 69.2; 6. Caleb Smidt, 18.6 seconds on two runs; 7. Reese Reimer, 19.6; 8. Tim Pharr, 20.6. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Cierra Chapman, 17.46 seconds; 2. Sidney Forrest, 17.47; 3. Dona Kay Rule, 17.58; 4. (tie) Kelley Carrington and Tiany Schuster, 17.61; 6. Stevi Hillman, 17.65; 7. Emily Miller, 17.70; 8. Sally Conway, 17.74; 9. (tie) Carolyn Ulher, Kelly Bruner and Taci Bettis, 17.78. Aggregate leaders: 1. Sidney Forrest, 35.10 seconds on two runs; 2. Tiany Schuster, 35.53; 3. Dona Kay Rule, 35.69; 4. Kelley Carrington, 35.73; 5. Emily Miller, 35.78; 6. Kelly Bruner, 35.82; 7. Carolyn Uhler, 35.84; 8. Taci Bettis, 35.94; 9. Sally Conway, 35.95; 10. Bailee Snow, 36.01. Bull riding leaders: 1. Cole Melancon, 89 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Chigger; 2. Joe Frost, 86; no other qualified rides.

Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 30-May 6 First round results Barrel racing: First round: 1. Kylie Weast, 17.32, $1,782; 2. Sidney Forrest, 17.63, $1,527; 3. Shali Lord, 17.70, $1,273; 4. Kelly Yates, 17.77, $1,273; 5. Cheryl Wallace, 17.78, $1,103; 6. (tie) Amanda Harris and Kynzie McNeill, 17.83, $594 each; 8. (tie) Katelyn Scott, Erin Williams and Jessica Routier, 17.84, $255 each.

Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 30-May 6 Through two rounds Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Tanner Bruner, 3.4 seconds, $1,963; 2. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Hunter Cure, 3.8, $1,455 each; 4. (tie) Ty Erickson and Michael Bates Jr., 4.0, $778 each; 6. Denver Berry, 4.1, $338. Second round: 1. Matt Reeves, 3.5 seconds, $1,963; 2. Jace Melvin, 3.6, $1,624; 3. Shayde Tree Etherton, 3.7, $1,286; 4. Cameron Morman, 4.0, $948; 5. (tie) Hunter Cure, Chancey Larson. Tom Reeves and Trell Etbauer, 4.1, $237 each. Average leaders: 1. Hunter Cure, 7.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Gary Gilvert, 8.2; 3. (tie) Shayde Tree Etherton, Ty Erickson and Tanner Bruner, 8.4; 6. Tyler Waguespack, 8.8. Team roping: First round: 1. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 7.1 seconds, $1,734; 2. Ty Blasingame/Levi Tyan, 7.7, $1,508; 3. Logan Olson/Matt Kasner, 7.8, $1,282; 4. Travis Bounds/Kyon Kreutzer, 8.0, $1,056; 5. Curry Kirchner/Chase Boekhaus, 8.3, $830; 6. Colby Lovell/Clint Summers, 8.4, $603; 7. (tie) Brett Stuart/Paden Bray and Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 8.5, $264. Second round: 1. Gavin Foster/Christian Dewbre, 6.4 seconds, $1,734; 2. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 6.6, $1,508; 3. Kelsey Parchman/Dustin Davis, 6.8, $1,282; 4. Paul David Tierney/Tanner Braden, 6.9, $1,056; 5. Billy Bob Brown/Hunter Koch, 7.0, $830; 6. Cory Clark/B.J. Dugger, 7.1, $603; 7. (tie) Jr. Dees/Matt Zancanella and Ryan Jarrett/Tad Sheets, 7.2, $264 each. Average leaders: 1. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 16.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 17.1; 3. Laramie Allen/Ross Ashford, 17.3; 4. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 17.7; 5. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 18.3; 6. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koonts, 20.9; 7. Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 21.0; 8. Cale Markham/Britt Bockius. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Caleb Smidt, 9.1 seconds, $1,744; 2. Cody Quaney, 9.5, $1,517; 3. Bryson Sechrist, 9.6, $1,289; 4. Paul David Tierney, 9.7, $1,062; 5. (tie) Will Howell and Travis Reimer, 10.0, $720 each; 7. Sterling Jameson, 10.1, $379; 8. (tie) Riley Pruitt and Bailey Thurston, 10.3, $76 each. Second round: 1. Reese Reimer, 8.7 seconds, $1,744; 2. Tuf Cooper, 8.9, $1,517; 3. Clayton Collmorgen, 9.1, $1,289; 4. (tie) Dakota Felton and Rhen Richard, 9.2, $948 each; 6. Luke Potter, 9.3, $607; 7. Cooper Martin, 9.6, $379; 8. Shane Smith, 9.7, $152. Average leader: 1. Reese Riemer, 19.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Tim Pharr, 20.6; 3. Jerome Schneeberger, 21.1; 4. (tie) Bryson Sechrist and Cody Quaney, 22.2; 6. Joey Dickens, 22.4; 7. Shane Smith, 22.7; 8. Timber Moore, 23.9.

Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 30-May 6 First round results Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Tanner Bruner, 3.4 seconds, $1,963; 2. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Hunter Cure, 3.8, $1,455 each; 4. (tie) Ty Erickson and Michael Bates Jr., 4.0, $778 each; 6. Denver Berry, 4.1, $338. Team roping: First round: 1. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 7.1 seconds, $1,734; 2. Ty Blasingame/Levi Tyan, 7.7, $1,508; 3. Logan Olson/Matt Kasner, 7.8, $1,282; 4. Travis Bounds/Kyon Kreutzer, 8.0, $1,056; 5. Curry Kirchner/Chase Boekhaus, 8.3, $830; 6. Colby Lovell/Clint Summers, 8.4, $603; 7. (tie) Brett Stuart/Paden Bray and Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 8.5, $264. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Caleb Smidt, 9.1 seconds, $1,744; 2. Cody Quaney, 9.5, $1,516; 3. Bryson Sechrist, 9.6, $1,289; 4. Paul David Tierney, 9.7, $1,062; 5. (tie) Will Howell and Travis Reimer, 10.0, $720 each; 7. Sterling Jameson, 10.1, $379; 8. (tie) Riley Pruitt and Bailey Thurston, 10.3, $76 each.

For the third time in his career, four-time world champion Rocky Patterson has won at least a share of the steer roping title at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. Back in his old stomping grounds near Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Patterson tied Tony Reina for the four-run aggregate championship by stopping he clock in a cumulative time of 49.6 seconds. Both men earned $3,637 for winning the average. But Patterson earned more money by placing in three go-rounds. In all, he pocketed just shy of $5,800 in No Man’s Land money. With that, he will add a third Pioneer Days trophy belt to his wardrobe, which matches quite well with stash of gold buckles. First round: 1. Tuf Cooper, 10.6 seconds, $1,990; 2. Brady Garten, 11.1, $1,647; 3. Ralph Williams, 11.2, $1,304; 4. Trenton Johnson, 11.5, $961; 5. Kenyon Burnes, 12.4, $618; 6. (tie) Scott Snedecor and Rocky Patterson, 12.5, $172 each. Second round: 1. Jarrett Blessing, 9.6 seconds, $1,990; 2. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.4, $1,647; 3. Tuf Cooper, 10.7, $1,304; 4. K.W. Lauer, 11.1, $961; 5. (tie) Landon McClaugherty and Mike Chase, 11.4, $480 each. Third round: 1. Brady Garten, 9.8 seconds, $1,990; 2. Rocky Patterson, 10.4, $1,647; 3. K.W. Lauer, 10.6, $1,304; 4. (tie) Chet Herren and Brent Lewis, 10.9, $789 each; 6. Will Gasperson, 11.1, $343. Fourth round: 1. Chet Herren, 10.0, $1,990; 2. Jim Locke, 10.2, $1,647; 3. Jarrett Blessing, 10.5, $1,304; 4. Will Gasperson, 10.6, $961; 5. Shay Good, 10.7, $618; 6. Rocky Patterson, 10.8, $343. Average: 1. (tie) Rocky Patterson and Tony Reina, 49.6 seconds on four runs, $3,637 each; 3. Trenton Johnson, 50.5, $2,608; 4. Jim Locke, 51.6, $1,921; 5. Dee Kyler Jr., 54.6, $1,325; 6. Trey Wallace, 58.7, $686.

ALVA, Okla. – If success is measured in depth of talent, the Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo teams have it. Through the rigors of the 2017-18 Central Plains Region season, both Rangers teams finished second overall and have earned the right to take full teams to the College National Finals Rodeo, set for next month in Casper, Wyo. “It’s a big accomplishment for us,” coach Stockton Graves said. “That was one of our goals at the beginning of the year, and we accomplished that. It’s a step in the right season. It’s a good season for both the men and the women.” The 10-event campaign came to an end this past Saturday at the Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo in Guymon, Okla., and Northwestern put a nice bow on a season package. There were five region titlists and four other contestants who finished second. The biggest praise coming out of the Panhandle State event was Jenny Massing of Ponoka, Alberta, who clinched the region’s all-around title after winning goat-tying and placing in barrel racing. She ended the season No. 2 in the goat-tying standings but had an insurmountable lead in the all-around after securing enough points in barrel racing. “It was really cool that I could finish out my senior year at Northwestern by winning the biggest award you can win,” said Massing, who was awarded her first championship saddle on Saturday night. “What really changed my senior year was the mentality. Believing in myself and my confidence really changed.” She also had a hand in her success. Just before the season began last fall, she acquired a solid barrel racing horse, a mare she calls Playa. “That was really the driving force in barrel racing,” she said. “We just automatically clicked. I didn’t have her three months, and we went to winning, which is unusual. In goat-tying, I finally convinced myself that I could win. I practiced my butt off. I knew my horse (Cooper) would always be faithful and run the same every time.” Horsepower is key in rodeo, and Massing has it. Now she will have both horses with her as she battles for the coveted titles that are available at the college finals. The women will field a full team of four ladies, and they will compete in five events. The men will feature six cowboys competing in seven events. That’s a huge drawing card for the Rangers as they chase the elusive team titles. “By having 10 going, it ups our chances of scoring points, and that’s always a plus,” Graves said. “That’s a good deal.” Besides Massing, the Rangers women feature Sara Bynum of Beggs, Okla., who won the region’s barrel racing, and Taylor Munsell of Arnett, Okla., had a second-place finish in breakaway roping. The men were led by the team-roping tandem of Maverick Harper of Stephenville, Texas, and Tanner Nall of Colcord, Okla., who won the region. Steer wrestler Talon Roseland of Marshalltown, Iowa, won the regional crown, while Cody Devers of Perryton, Texas, was the reserve champ. “I was very proud of them,” Graves said. “On the men’s side, we had competitive teams before, but they fell off in the mid-spring, and we would always get passed up. I told the guys this year there wasn’t room for a lot of error; we can’t have a bad rodeo, and we didn’t. Midway through, we were actually winning the region. “I thought they fought hard and tried hard. A lot of kids accomplished a lot of goals this year.” In Guymon, Harper and Nall won the team roping crown to clinch their regional title, while header Cole Patterson of Pratt, Kan., won the first round with his partner, Jace Steenhock of Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College. Ethan Price of Leedey, Okla, finished second in tie-down roping, while Wylee Nelson of Faith, S.D., placed in the first round but failed to score a time in the short round. Roseland won the first round and finished third overall in steer wrestling, while Riley Westhaver of High River, Alberta, placed fifth and Riley Wakefield of O’Neill, Neb., ended up sixth. Massing led the women with her first-place finish in goat-tying and sixth-place run in barrel racing. In goat-tying, she was joined by Ashton Jonson of Benton, Iowa, who placed in both rounds to finish second overall. Meghan Corr of Hermosa, S.D., made the final round by finishing third in the opening round. Massing was joined in the barrel racing short round by Alyssa Gabrielson of Perham, Minn., who finished second in the first round. In breakaway roping, Brandi Hollenbeck of Hutchinson, Kan., won the title with a two-run cumulative time of 5.5 seconds. Baillie Wiseman of Aztec, N.M., placed in a tie for second. Taylor Munsell of Arnett, Okla., won the opening round in 2.3 seconds, while Brittany Cudworth of Warwick, N.D., was second. “The girls team has been strong,” Massing said. “After Colby (the first event of the season), we lost Katy Miller, which was a hard hit for our team. A lot of the girls have really stepped it up. We’re taking a great team to the college finals this year, so I’m exited for our success this year.”

WOODWARD, Okla. – The Cinco de Mayo celebration dates back more than 150 years and is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. On May 5, 2018, northwest Oklahoma will play host to a battle of different sorts. The Bullfighters Only Fiesta de Toros is set for Saturday night at Crystal Beach Stadium in Woodward. It will be a display of amazing athleticism as 15 men battle during this stand-alone freestyle bullfight while matching their talents with agile and aggressive Spanish fighting bulls. “This is our first time to host a bullfight in that part of Oklahoma,” said Luke Kaufman, Bullfighters Only’s production manager. “There are a ton of freestyle bullfighting fans in that region. This is our chance to show them just what the BFO is about.” Bullfighters Only was developed three years ago by the bullfighters themselves. Since then, the sport has been showcased all across North America and has become a fan-favorite. The element of danger comes in the nearly 1,500 pounds of Spanish fighting bull that is just half of the equation in each bout. They’ve been bred to use their horns, their heads and their hooves as tools of destruction. In the other corner is the bullfighter, whose goal is to maneuver around and jump over the animal. The idea is to get within a breath the danger and escape unharmed. But the bulls have the upper-hand, and wrecks can happen quickly. “The BFO is really good about bringing top-of-the-line stock contractors, keeping the standard as high as it can be,” said Schell Apple of Fay, Okla. “With these Rockin’ B & Magnifica, we’re getting the best of the best bulls.” It’s just another flavor added to the mix that helps make Bullfighters Only the premier organization in the sport.