Monthly Archives: July 2019

Graves continues to teach his students while showing off a winning formula ESTES PARK, Colo. – Stockton Graves’ focus on rodeo is quite a bit different than it was a decade ago. He’s a seven-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in steer wrestling who last played in Las Vegas in December 2011. Since then, he’s focused on his job as the rodeo coach at his alma mater, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and raising a family with his wife, Crissi. On Tuesday night during the second performance of the Rooftop Rodeo, Graves knocked down his steer inn 4.2 seconds to take the first-round lead and is scheduled to make his final run Saturday to see where he finishes overall. “I had a good steer and thought I had a great start,” said Graves, 40, who is now the father of a little girl and little boy. “I didn’t make that good of a run, but I’m winning it right now. I might not win anything when it’s all done.” That’s the way rodeo works. The first round will continue through the rest of the week, then the second round will take place Saturday. Money will be paid out in both rounds, but the biggest pay is designated for the top two-run cumulative times. That means there are three chances to win money in Estes Park, and that’s just fine with every cowboy and cowgirl in the field. That includes Graves, who is traveling the rodeo trail with a couple of understudies – Bridger Anderson and J.D. Struxness – and another veteran in Billy Boldon. “I told these boys that I’d come help them,” Graves said. “I have a good horse. If I made the NFR, that’d be great. I’d like to go to Houston and San Antonio next year, so I’d like to stay in the top 40 and stay in the WCRA deal, because I really like that. “I’ve been gone from home for a solid two weeks now, and it’s been pretty tough for me, but my wife, my daughter and my son are all supportive of me being out here.” The World Champion’s Rodeo Alliance was developed recently and offers big-money events and other opportunities for contestants to compete at WCRA events. This year, Graves has earned more than $100,000 at those events alone. He knows he can still compete at an elite level, so he’s making the most of it. Part of that is thanks to his students, Anderson and Struxness, both of whom have won the bulldogging championship in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association – Struxness won the title in 2016, while Anderson won his a month ago at the College National Finals Rodeo. “It means a lot to have those two,” Graves said. “I like to watch them succeed. If I can be a part of it, that’s great, but it’s great if I’m not. Bridger is going to be a junior, so he’s young. J.D. still lives down there and rodeos out of there, so it’s nice to be around. “It keeps me young at heart.” If that doesn’t do it, the fall semester will. He’ll have some returning students to the rodeo team, but he will also have some wide-eyed freshmen wanting to learn from one of the best teachers in the game. “I’ll go back to work in the fall, and I’ll fly in and out,” he said. “Be we’ve got a good horse, and he doesn’t need to be at home doing nothing.” That mount is Freeway, a 10-year-old blue roan gelding he purchased two years ago. “He’s got a lot of talent and a lot of speed,” Graves said of the talented horse. “He’s pretty easy. From the first steer we ran on him, he’s been ready to go. I just didn’t want to put pressure on him, so I held him off last year. We decided this year would be a good time for him to go.” It’s working well for Graves and the rest of his traveling posse. Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 8-13, 2018 Leaders Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Steven Dent, on Cervi Brother Rodeo’s Fire’s Easy, and Kody Lamb, on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Last Pet, 83 points; 3. Casey Colletti, 82; 4. Will Martin, 80.5; 5. (tie) Wyatt Bloom and Justin Pollmiller, 78; 7. Joel Schlegel, 77; 8. Tony Barrington, 75. Steer wrestling: 1. Stockton Graves, 4.2 seconds; 2. Hunter Cure, 4.3; 3. Jacob Edler, 4.4; 4. J.D. Struxness, 4.7; 5. Will Lummus, 4.8; 6. Justin Shaffer, 5.6; 7. Cody Harmon, 6.0; 8. (tie) Blake Mindemann and Tuff Gibson, 6.4. Team roping: 1. Erich Rogers/Payden Bray, 5.1 seconds; 2. Rhen Richard/Clint Summers, 5.5; 3. Levi Simpson/Cole Davison, 5.7; 4. Dustin Equsquiza/Jake Long, 9.8; 5. Kal Fuller/Kasper Roy, 9.9; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding: 1. J.J. Elshere, 83 points on Cervi Brother Rodeo’s The Wedge; 2. Logan Cook, 82.5; 3. Parker Kempfer, 82; 4. Jake Finlay, 79.5; 5. Steven Dent, 79; 6. Colton Miller, 78.5; 7. Wyatt Hageman, 76; 8. (tie) Brady Hill and Cole Elshere, 74. Tie-down roping: 1. Kody Mahaffey, 8.4 seconds; 2. Garrett Busby, 8.9; 3. Colt Papy, 10.4; 4. Talon Cooper, 11.1; 5. Tyler Boxleitner, 12.9; 6. Todd Brown, 14.4; 7. Randall Carlisle, 14.8; 8. Caddo Lewallen, 15.1. Barrel racing: 1. Sara Cheeney, 16.70 seconds; 2. Jill Wilson, 16.83; 3. Ashley Castleberry, 17.13; 4. Kaylynn Cate, 17.24; 5. Amy Smith, 17.29; 6. Billie Ann Harmon, 17.35; 7. Kasey Hall, 17.42; 8. Tasha Welsh, 17.43; 9. Skyla Whitters, 17.53; 10. Callie Colden, 17.54; 11. Callie Gray, 17.58; 12. Desiree Cooper, 18.00; 13. Jessi Fish, 22.18; 14. Kelly Kennedy-Joseph, 22.23. Bull riding: 1. Josh Frost, 86.5 points on Lyndell Hurst’s Peacemaker; 2. Trey Kimzey, 86; 3. Parker Cole McCown, 80; 4. Eli Vastbinder, 74.5; no other qualified rides.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – There’s a reason that our heroes have always been cowboys, and Steven Dent epitomized that Monday night during the first performance of the Rooftop Rodeo in Estes Park. Dent was one of two cowboys to post 83-point rides in bareback riding, so after the last horse bucked in that discipline, he and Kody Lamb made their victory lap around Granny May Arena. As tradition continues, the two stopped near the middle of the grandstands to receive their cash for having the best score in the performance. It was to be $100 for each cowboy that made a winning ride or run. When Dent opened his envelope, he noticed there were two bills in his packet, so he walked up to a committee representative, explained the situation and handed $100 back to the committee. I wasn’t surprised in the least bit, because I’ve always known the Nebraska cowboy to have a great moral fiber. But there are many in his position that would consider just taking the extra bill, enjoying a nice steak dinner and consider it a nice bonus. “I appreciate you guys for doing this for us,” Dent told the committee volunteer. “I knew it wasn’t meant for me, so I wanted to give it back.” It was the right thing to do, and Steven Dent did it. Let’s hope that trend continues.

Veteran cowboy shares bareback riding lead at Rooftop Rodeo with Lamb ESTES PARK, Colo. – Rodeo cowboys don’t really retire; they slow down their travel and re-prioritize their lives a bit from the rodeo trail. Steven Dent is planning on 2019 being his last to really chase qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo, where only the top 15 cowboys in each event advance at the conclusion of the regular season. But as the sport has evolved, the Nebraska cowboy may not need to be on the road nearly as much and earn a significant living. “The money is so much better than it used to be, and I thought it was good,” said Dent, 33, of Mullen, Nebraska. “I was young and didn’t have a lot of expenses, but now guys can make a living rodeoing. I’m going to pick the 40 best rodeos with the best stock and see what happens.” When he first cracked out in ProRodeo in 2006, he’d hit even the smallest of rodeos in order to collect enough money to make it to Las Vegas in December. His mindset has changed, and that comes through the experience and the reality that money has improved greatly in the sport. On Monday night during the opening performance of Rooftop Rodeo, Dent matched moves with Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Fire’s Easy for 83 points to move into a share of the bareback riding lead with Kody Lamb, who rode Cervi’s Last Pet. They have five more performances to find out how they’ll finish, but they like their chances to make good money in Estes Park. “Now, I try not to enter anything unless it adds $10,000, and that’s pretty good,” he said, referring to “added money,” which is committee dollars that are mixed with contestants’ entry fees to make up the total purse in each event. “I love this week of rodeos. I turned down going to a pretty big rodeo to come to these. I’ve always had good luck at them. After the Fourth (of July), you’re in riding shape and feel like if you’re on a roll, it can carry right into the next week and the week after that. A lot of people put a lot of weight into the rodeos that are on the Fourth, but the next three weeks after the Fourth are bigger.” Dent sits 13th in the bareback riding money list and wants to stay in that rhythm through the remainder of the regular season in order to advance to the NFR for the 10th time in his career. Deep down, he’d love to make it to Vegas in saddle bronc riding, an event he’s always loved but hasn’t seen as much success as bareback riding. “I’ve always wanted to qualify in bronc riding,” said Dent, who sits third at Rooftop Rodeo after a 79-point ride Monday. “I’ve got a long way to go, but if you can get on a roll this month, anything’s possible. I feel like I’m riding good in both events.” Lamb’s rodeo focus has been on rodeo, but he’s also a rising country artist and songwriter. His ride in Estes Park is a big way to help him in his best season ever. “I’d like to get a good check here, but there are a lot of good guys coming here, and they’ve drawn good horses,” said Lamb of Sherwood Park, Alberta. “I did my job, and I’m happy with it. “I actually live about five hours from the mountains on the prairie in Alberta, so it’s nice to get to come here. I’ve placed here in the past.” But this year is where it counts, and he’s always excited to compete in Estes Park. “This is a great committee, and they treat us well,” he said. “The scenery is picturesque. I don’t have any complaints about coming to Estes Park any year, but I’m having a career year. I’ve had season-ending injuries in July two years in a row, so it’s nice that I’m still going.” It’s a great way to kick off one of the 2019 edition of Rooftop Rodeo. Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 8-13, 2018 Leaders through first performance Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Steven Dent, on Cervi Brother Rodeo’s Fire’s Easy, and Kody Lamb, on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Last Pet, 83 points; 3. Casey Colletti, 82; 4. Will Martin, 80.5; 5. (tie) Wyatt Bloom and Justin Pollmiller, 78; 7. Leighton Berry, 71.5; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Jacob Edler, 4.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Blake Mindemann and tuff Gibson, 6.4; 4. Cutter DeHhaeret, 6.8; 5. (tie) Sterling Cowdrey and Talon Sterkel, 7.8; no other qualified runs. Team roping: 1. Kal Fuller/Kasper Roy, 9.9 seconds; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Parker Kempfer, 82 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Roller Coaster; 2. Jake Finlay, 79.5; 3. Steven Dent, 79; 4. Colton Miller, 78.5; 5. Wyatt Hageman, 76; 6. Treyson Antonick, 72; 7. Josh Davison, 67; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping: 1. Garrett Busby, 8.9 seconds; 2. Colt Papy, 10.4; 3. Tyler Boxleitner, 12.9; 4. Todd Brown, 14.4; 5. Randall Carlisle, 14.8; 6. Ike Fontenot, 22.6; 7. Blake Ash, 30.0; no other qualified times. Barrel racing: 1. Sara Cheeney, 16.70 seconds; 2. Ashley Castleberry, 17.13; 3. Skyla Whitters, 17.53; 4. Callie Colden, 17.54; 5. Callie Gray, 17.58; 6. Jessi Fish, 22.18; 7. Maddy Dickens, 22.29; 8. Rachel Spight, 24.01. Bull riding: 1. Josh Frost, 86.5 points on Lyndell Hurst’s Peacemaker; 2. Parker Cole McCown, 80; 3. Eli Vastbinder, 74.5; no other qualified rides.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – A passion for horses has become a lifelong experience for a couple of cowgirls raised in Missouri. Kelsey Lauberth and Shelby Epperson have been involved with horses most of their lives, and now they make a living with it as the Trixie Chicks, a trick-riding duo that will perform at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7-Saturday, Aug. 10, at Jake McClure Arena. “I saw Shelby perform in November 2012, and that’s when I decided what I wanted to do,” said Lauberth of Poplarville, Mississippi. The duo is pretty good at it, which is why they’ll be in Lovington for the fair and rodeo. “I go to the PRCA Convention in Vegas every year, and I talked to them one time,” said Trey Kerby, chairman of the Lea County Fair Board’s rodeo committee. “They put on a show, and it’s going to look good in our arena. They can stretch those horses out and run. As long as they can hold their tricks, they can do it here. “It seems like a really good fit.” That’s good, because the Trixie Chicks are excited to be associated with one of the top expositions in the region. “We’re very excited,” Lauberth said. “New Mexico is one of my favorite places. The people there are a breed all their own as far as understanding rodeo and what we do.” As a specialty act at the rodeo, the Trixie Chicks will be trick riding and showcasing their own style of horsemanship. Laubert said the difference between them and other similar acts is in how they push the envelope often and how they enjoy mingling with fans. “One of the big things we pride ourselves on is to always be willing to push ourselves to go above and beyond,” she said. “We’re always trying to get faster horses and do bigger tricks. “We love the crowd interaction. As soon as we’re done performing, we go back to the audience and sign autographs and take pictures. We won’t leave until the last person has had time to talk to us. We love that part of it.” They should. The two are originally from Missouri, and Epperson still lives in Springfield. Both attended Missouri State University and were part of the equine department. “We started in December 2012,” Lauberth said. “I now live in Mississippi, but we come together for our events. I’ll bring a whole herd of horses with me so that we can make it the easiest for our horses.” They expect to have four to five in Lovington, and they’ll enjoy every moment. They chose this lifestyle because of their love for horses and their thrill-seeking personalities. “I love the adrenaline rush of it,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what venue or how many people you’re performing in front of; being able to be with my horses and perform is a thrill. Being able to showcase your skills on a fast horse is why I do this.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – There are many big things that come with organizing a rodeo as big as the one every summer in this southeastern New Mexico community. From making sure the arena is ready to hiring the right personnel to gathering all the workers together to make last-minute checks of everything, from the bucking chutes to the back pens. But the volunteer committee that handles all the work never has to worry about what’s going to happen during the rodeo. “When Pete Carr and his crew gets to town, I can relax,” said Trey Kerby, the rodeo committee chairman for the Lea County Fair Board. “They’re so good at what they do, and they take their jobs seriously. They work very hard at it.” He’s talking about the Pete Carr Pro Rodeo team, which will produce the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7-Saturday, Aug. 10, at Jake McClure Arena; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 6. “I don’t think any other stock contractor could be any better,” he said. “Pete is very sharp and knows what he’s doing. Those guys put on an excellent show.” Whether it’s one of the dozens of bucking animals that has appeared at the National Finals Rodeo or the overall production of the two-hour shows for five nights during the height of the fair and rodeo, the folks in Lea County lean on the Carr crew. “You count the Carr animals at the NFR, and you can tell he’s got a bunch of great ones,” Kerby said. “He takes great pride in the animals, and it shows in the arena. They’re always in great shape when they get here, and I’d say most of the NFR animals every year have bucked in Lovington.” That’s true, and that’s one of the reasons top cowboys make their way to Lea County every August. The combination of a good purse and great livestock makes Lovington a key stop on the schedule of rodeo’s top contestants. “I think Pete’s just tried to fortify a herd of animals that a guy has a chance to win on,” said Luke Creasy, a bareback rider from Hobbs, New Mexico. “With a lot of the horses he has, you have a chance to be 90 on a horse any day of the week at his rodeo. That’s important when we’re rodeoing.” It really doesn’t matter the event, either. There will be a host of saddle bronc riders and bull riders who will test their talents on Carr stock the second week of August. “Pete has put together a good set of bulls,” said J.W. Harris, a four-time world champion bull rider from Goldthwaite, Texas; he also is the reigning Lea County Fair and Rodeo champ. “I think he wants to show that he’s got great bulls to go with his great horses. “You know when you go to his rodeos you’re going to get on a good one. I like going to Pete’s rodeos because he’s got good people who work for him, but having all those good animals sure makes it easier for us to go to.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – For the people in Gunnison County, some of their greatest experiences every year happen at Cattlemen’s Days. Organizers of this year’s rodeo – set for Thursday, July 11-Saturday, July 13, at Fred Field Western Heritage Center in Gunnison – are planning something spectacular for all three nights of the PRCA rodeo. “We wanted to give the folks that come to our rodeo something special, and I think we’re doing that with the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls,” said Kevin Coblentz, president of the volunteer committee that produces Cattlemen’s Days. “Their brand of entertainment is pretty incredible. The girls are fantastic trick riders and trick ropers, and they really know how to entertain a crowd.” Each girl on the team is a product of the Riata Ranch Youth Horsemanship clinics, and those chosen for the team go through an extensive program that focuses on all the physical attributes that promote positive life skills. For people in Gunnison, it is a true display of showmanship. “We don’t just trick ride or rope,” said Jennifer Welch Nicholson, who runs the operation. “We actually work with choreography, so we have a full production. We really work on timing and production and making the show make sense to the audience. “We combine the trick riding, roping and roman riding in one sequence.” That combination has earned the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls grand acclaim. They are known worldwide for their work and have traveled to 18 countries – and all across the United States – performing. Being a four-time nominee for the PRCA’s dress act award is a tremendous honor for her and the rest of the team. “It’s wonderful to think that our peers think enough of our show to nominate us,” Welch Nicholson said. “There’s a lot of great talent out there. “I’m very happy for the girls who put in their time and the hard work, because what we do takes a lot of hard work and dedication.” It also provides a great deal of entertainment to rodeo fans. “We’re very excited to have the Riata girls in Gunnison,” Coblentz said. “They add so much to the rodeo. Combining their talents with the rodeo and with our clown, John Harrison, is just going to make the whole experience better for everyone who comes to the rodeo.”

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Boyd Polhamus has been the voice of ProRodeo for many years, having called the National Finals Rodeo 21 times in his storied career. He’s been the voice of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo the last two decades, lending his talents to one of the greatest events in the sport. He’ll return to western Kansas for this year’s event, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 5, at Roundup Arena. “Boyd is just part of the Roundup family,” said Dr. R.C. Trotter, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “Boyd came to us in 1999, just four months after the death of Phil Gardenhire. He’s been here ever since, working with the great Clem McSpadden for about 10 years. “He worked great with Clem, but he does a great job for us all on his own. He adds something very good to our show.” For now, though, he’s done calling the action in Las Vegas, because he has a bigger job. He’s been named the NFR’s general manager, replacing longtime GM Shawn Davis, who held the post for 34 years. “That says so much about the respect the people in rodeo have for Boyd,” Trotter said. “He understands the importance of that event to our industry, so he’s the perfect man to fill that role.” Polhamus grew up in Wisconsin, rather distant from the rodeo-crazy Southwest. But a fire began to burn. “I won a pony in a raffle when I was 4 years old,” he said. “From that point forward, it was game on.” The game involved cowboys and cowgirls, bucking horses and nasty bulls. Polhamus lived it. He qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in six events his junior year and went to college in Texas to chase his rodeo dreams. It was there that his connection to rodeo changed from contestant to announcer, urged a little bit by classmates and his coach. “I remember back in college where we were out in the practice pen, and he started saying these things about everybody,” said Benje Bendele, the premier sound director in ProRodeo who has worked Roundup Rodeo every year since 2000. “From that point on, we all knew he had a gift, not only announcing and providing information to rodeo fans but entertaining them along the way. “I think he started taking it serious from that point on. Besides the NFR and Roundup, Polhamus has been the arena announcer for big rodeos in Houston, Denver and Pecos, Texas, to name a few. He has been named PRCA Announcer of the Year four times, and the WPRA has selected him as the announcer of the year three times. “Yes, this is a sport, but this is also a show, and it’s entertainment,” said Bendele, who attended Southwest Texas Junior College with Polhamus. “This is a show like someone producing a TV show. We’ve got to do it right every time; there is no margin for error. He helps us being the contract personnel. He helps me in the music; he helps the clown; he helps the scoreboard operator; he helps the people behind the chutes. “Boyd demands the quality of excellence from everyone without speaking a word, and he gets it because of the respect everyone has for him. He realizes that every show is a new show to the fans and that we must put on the best production every time.” Besides expertise, he carries a passion for rodeo. More, he adores the people involved in the sport, from the contestants to the personnel to the fans. “Boyd is a true rodeo fan, and he wants the people who buy a ticket to understand his excitement about a match-up,” Bendele said. “He puts his own excitement out there, and he pulls the fans into that excitement.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – Decades ago, the Cattlemen’s Days celebration was created for ranchers and farmers to gather together, rejoice and compare their labors. It continues to this day, with the celebration taking place from Friday, July 5-Sunday, July 14, at Fred Field Western Heritage Center in Gunnison. “Cattlemen’s Days is different than your typical county fair, mainly because it’s not a fair,” said Eric McPhail, the Gunnison County director for the Colorado State University Extension Office. “It’s a place where kids can exhibit their 4H and FFA projects, then Cattlemen’s Days is a rodeo and a rodeo committee, and the two go side-by-side.” “The Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo dates back with the ranchers, and that all started in 1900. That combination of where you can have 4H and the rodeo have been a win-win for a specific event.” It makes for something special to hit the Gunnison Valley every July. “The most important thing about Cattlemen’s Days is that it is time for the celebration, getting the understanding and inspiration that there is a future to agriculture and a future for the rural way of life,” McPhail said. “It’s special here, because there are so many dedicated volunteers that put these events on. Its’ a fun time for everybody. “It’s one of the best PRCA rodeos in the country and one of the most successful livestock sales for the kids in the state. It’s just very well supported. This is definitely a fun place to be involved.” He has seen a great deal in the 13 years since he moved to Gunnison from his Texas home. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s in animal nutrition at Texas A&M University, and he’s shared that knowledge with youth across the county. It’s a vital part of the process that means so much to the community. “Our 4H program has been part of Cattlemen’s Days since the late 1930s, and there’s a history there that all the old-timers are able to get around and support 4H because of it,” he said. “I’d say 4H, in general, is more than just something to do. It teaches the kids skills that they otherwise wouldn’t get.” It’s more than preparing livestock for show, though that is still a major part of the 4H program. “It teaches them leadership skills,” McPhail said. “It helps in honing their skills on a certain project, whether it’s baking food or raising a steer or learning about one of the many STEM projects we have, like robotics. Many say the best skills they learned in life came through their 4H program. “During Cattlemen’s Days, I love the pride these kids have in showing their exhibits. We are blessed that we live in a community that values those skills and values the kids for them.” The community has a great deal of pride in seeing the youth of today working toward tomorrow. It involves children spending less time on their phones or playing video games and focusing on the tasks at hand. That’s an important part in their development. “This community wants to keep alive the feeling that hard work pays off,” McPhail said. “It’s hard to live here through the winters, but the people here see these kids working for something. I think that feeling of hard work is something a community can get behind.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Larry Wheeler has a great amount of pride for the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. He has lived in this community all his life and has been attending or showing or working at the annual exposition ever since his birth. That’s just the way things are in the Wheeler family; it’s important to be involved and active. Nobody is more active in this year’s fair and rodeo, set for Friday, Aug. 2-Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Lea County Fairgrounds in Lovington. Wheeler, 55, is the chairman of the Lea County Fair Board, a group of volunteers that lead others willing to answer the call to produce one of the biggest expositions in the Southwest. “My brother, Dickie, started showing when I was just a baby, so I’ve been there even before I can remember,” he said. “It’s something we’ve always looked forward to. We passed it on down to our kids, and they’re involved. I’ve got a stepson that’s showing steers, and my brother’s grandkids are still showing.” That’s the legacy instilled by his father, Jimmie Wheeler, who died in March. That birthright is still on display. Larry Wheeler is now in his third year on the fair board, his first as chairman. “When County Commissioner (Dean) Jackson got elected, he asked me to come on as a board member,” Wheeler said. “I was beef superintendent for three or four years, then I was asked to be on the fair board. My dad and Dickie both served as beef superintendents as well. “I had never really thought about being on the fair board, but my family’s been involved in the fair all my life. We’ve shown steers for 57 years in a row at the Lea County Fair. Even being involved with it for years and years, there was a lot more to it when I got into the position on the fair board. It’s been quite a learning experience, but I’ve really enjoyed being on the board.” He’s done a great job, too, but that’s just what Jackson envisioned when he asked Wheeler to be more involved. “I think Larry brings a very level head to the fair board,” said Jackson, a former fair board chairman. “Larry has been involved in the show part of the fair his whole life, and he grew up in the steer barn. “The fair is so important to me, and I wanted to put two individuals on there that I knew would work for it, which is why I asked Larry and Trey (Kerby) to be on the fair board.” Kerby also serves as the board’s rodeo chairman, and he’s worked alongside Wheeler for several years as they prepare and work the five performances inside Jake McClure Arena. “Larry brings a personal touch, a local touch, and he brings experience,” Kerby said. “I know a little more about the rodeo side. I’ve had to learn some of the stuff on the fair side. There’s so much to know about that. The rodeo and the entertainment get all the glory, but there’s so much more. “Larry knows so much about the shows, the little particulars about how to do things – something as particular as how to take the picture to show the animal and the kid the best they can show it. The fair gets a little overlooked, but truly that’s why we’re there: For the kids.” It’s a nine-day exposition that is great for the entire family. Between the concerts, exhibits, daily shows, livestock shows, carnival and rodeo, there will be many activities. “I think it’s an incredible event for the people of Lea County and the surrounding areas of west Texas,” Wheeler said. “There aren’t too many counties that are able to do what we do here as far as the entertainment and the PRCA rodeo. A lot of city folks enjoy the carnival. To be able to put that all together for a $10 ticket is pretty incredible. “I go to the (New Mexico) State Fair and the Eastern New Mexico State Fair and some other shows in Texas, and most are not able to have this much for the people to come do. My hat’s off to our commissioners for allowing it. It wouldn’t be possible without them. “What makes things even better is that we have so many wonderful sponsors that are willing to give, to support this fair and help make our fair so great. Our sponsors know what this fair means to the people of Lea County, and they are willing to help make it a great experience.”

Estes Park’s accommodations allow contestants a break from rodeo trail ESTES PARK, Colo. – For those that don’t know, Rooftop Rodeo is a big deal. Not only has it been a tremendous community event for 93 years, but it has reached the national stage as far as professional rodeo is concerned. This year’s rodeo is set for 7 p.m. Monday, July 8-Saturday, July 13, at Granny May Arena in Estes Park inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. Over the years, Rooftop Rodeo has been named Rodeo of the Year six times, most recently in 2017 as the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s Medium Rodeo of the Year. “When a committee goes above and beyond for those cowboys, they deserve the awards,” said Taci Bettis, the 2017 Rooftop Rodeo champion barrel racer from Round Top, Texas. “When you put in that much effort, that’s what you get.” Estes Park served as a starting point for Bettis, who has made the National Finals Rodeo each of the past two seasons. “That was part of those weeks in July when I set everything off,” said Bettis, the 2017 WPRA Rookie of the Year. “I’d never been at that arena before, so it was special.” A great arena and a picturesque setting are just parts of the experience for ProRodeo’s stars. Estes Park has outstanding accommodations and terrific dining options. More importantly, there are so many things to do, from go-cart tracks to golf to simply visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. In fact, several contestants arrive early or stay late so they can enjoy a bit of a vacation in the Rockies and take a break from the heat of the summer rodeo run. “I grew up in Colorado, so I’ve been coming here since Little Britches Rodeo,” said K.C. Jones, a nine-time NFR qualifier originally from Los Animas, Colorado. “I was telling the guys in the rig that the good thing about Estes Park is there’s a lot to do.” Contestants that are making the trip can learn more at www.VisitEstesPark.com. Or they can as Rooftop Rodeo veterans, who take advantage of the location for a little R&R. A few years ago, saddle bronc rider Hardy Braden set his schedule so he was in town for several days before and after his appearance. “I try to make it a regular stop,” said Braden, a 2017 NFR qualifier from Welch, Oklahoma. “It’s on the way normally. We just came from Vernal (Utah). This is a beautiful place, so I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to just come hang out.”

Gainesville stop was a Classic in every way possible   GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Luke Kaufman and Ross Hill made clear statements about the Bullfighters Only Southern Classic presented by Franklin County Livestock this past weekend. “I’ve watched bullfighting very closely for the last 15 years, and that was probably the rankest 20 bullfights in one night that I’ve ever seen,” said Kaufman, BFO’s production manager. “I’ve watched every Wrangler Bullfight Tour tape there is, every stand-alone bullfight there’s been, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in one two-hour show. “We had a guy score 88.5 points in a three-man bullfight, and he finished in last place. That was insane.” Hill has been around the game longer and still stands as a wily veteran in the BFO. He’s seen thousands of bullfights and hundreds of events over his storied career, and even he was in awe of what happened in Gainesville. “Without a doubt, it’s one of the top bullfights I’ve seen in my career,” said Hill, a BFO pioneer from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. “Just watching everybody step up was great, then you got to see the young guys just now coming up and stepping into it all. It was just amazing, and it goes back to what we’re doing with the Development Camps.” Of the men in the field, many were former BFO D-Camp participants. Fifteen qualifiers battled on Friday night to fill five spots in the field with the top 10 men in the BFO Pendleton Whisky World Standings on Saturday night. Many of them had been through the camps. “Chance Moorman went out there and was 91 points twice,” Hill said. “When you see him lay down two front flips and do what he did with that bull, he could have just led that bull around with a lead rope. That was one of the coolest events I’ve ever been to.” Moorman earned his victory in style. Being 90 points in any bullfight is tough, and to do it twice in one night is incredible. But what was bigger was that he was part of the greatest three-man round in BFO history. While his 91-point bout won the round, first-timer Dekevis Jordan was 90.5 to finish second and three-time world champion Weston Rutkowski was 88.5 points to finish third. “When I saw that I was in the same round with Weston in both Reno and Gainesville, I knew it was going to be really good,” said Moorman, 18, of Lytle, Texas. “When I saw that Dekevis was drawn into our round after he came out of the qualifier, I knew it was going to be a very tough round. We had the three-time champ and two young kids that like to jump out of the building.” It certainly was electric. “Weston set the bar high, and Chance and I knew we really had to do something special to beat that,” said Jordan of Madill, Oklahoma. “I knew both of us were going to do something over that bull. I had to do something next level.” That happened in both height and performance for Moorman and Jordan, the latter of whom just completed Development Camp earlier in June and was competing at his first BFO event. “It was pretty awesome to be part of that, a dream come true,” Jordan said. “It was a blessing, and those guys made me feel like I fit right in. “There was a lot to learn over the weekend. I haven’t been around that many people in a professional event like that. It was new to me, and I’m the newest guy on the team. I’ve got some adapting to do. I learned that you enjoy everything that’s going on and that at the end of the day, you’ve just got to fight your bull.” It came down to basics for many, but there were big dollars up for grabs. For winning the Southern Classic title, Moorman pocketed $12,000 and moved into the No. 2 position in the world standings. He now trails the top dog, Aaron Mercer of Calgary, Alberta, by $4,000. “That’s just a crazy feeling,” Moorman said. “I’ve gone through a rough patch. I’ve been drawing on the smarter set of bulls, and I’ve been getting thrown around. To come in here and put it all on the line and come out with the win and be second in the world is just crazy. “I didn’t know if there was any way I could put myself back in close of reach of that world title, but here we are. It’s going to be a crazy summer.” The money is a great incentive. BFO paid out more than $60,000 this past weekend with over $30,000 paid in Gainesville; the largest payout of the summer run of freestyle bullfighting. But there are hundreds of bouts that lie ahead before the world champion is crowned at the Tropicana Las Vegas in December. “The one thing about what we saw in Gainesville is the young talent that can really play this game,” Kaufman said. “It was almost like a passing of the torch. To see Ross, Weston and Toby (Inman) out there doing the best they can, then you see these 18-year-old and 19-year-old Chance and DJ out there letting it all hang out. “There are two kinds of bullfighters out there: Those that have seen it all, and those that are too young and dumb to know better. They came together pretty good.” It bodes well for what’s coming in freestyle bullfighting. The BFO was created four years ago and has quickly become the face of the game. It has rebranded and helped regenerate an audience, and the top men in the game earn their way to specialized events like the one in Georgia. “This is the gateway for the BFO to come to the East Coast,” Kaufman said. “We’ve done the Speedway Series down here, but I would compare that to the Wrangler Bullfight Tour in that it is  Continue Reading »

GUNNISON, Colo. – Casey Lincoln found his way to this community of 6,500 people through football. After high school in southeast Arizona, he attended Mesa (Arizona) Community College to play the game he loved. After his time there, he received a scholarship to continue his education and his playing days at Western State University, and he fell in love with everything about Gunnison. That’s why he returns every summer to volunteer his time and his talents to the annual Cattlemen’s Days celebration, set for Saturday, July 5-Sunday, July 14, at Fred Field Western Heritage Center in Gunnison. “The first year I was up there, in an attempt to learn more about the football program, I stayed in Gunnison and worked out with the football team,” said Lincoln, who now lives in San Tan Valley, Arizona, just outside Phoenix. “I got a job at a welding business, because I grew up doing it and became a certified welder in junior college. “I just love the small-town feel of Gunnison.” That’s why he makes the 12-hour drive every July to make sure he’s part of the community’s celebration. “I really enjoy it in Colorado in the summer, and I made some lifelong friends with Kevin Coblentz and his family and others in town,” he said. “Some aren’t in town anymore, but they seem to come back to town every year for the rodeo. “It was my home away from home for a couple of years, and it’s really good to catch up.” Lincoln is one of dozens of volunteers who make Cattlemen’s Days work, and he isn’t the only one to travel a great distance just to devote several hours, time and talents to the process. Whether they are helping get the complex ready or helping with the 4H exhibits or greeting contestants at the rodeo, each task is important for the heritage of the celebration. “The great thing about Cattlemen’s Days is that we have an outstanding group of volunteers that put in so much work just to make an event of this magnitude happen,” said Coblentz, president of the Cattlemen’s Days committee. “Some of the stuff we need done is hard labor, and we always have the people there to get it done. “Casey is just one of several of our volunteers who travel to be here, and I appreciate them and all the others for all they do. Casey’s been a close friend of ours for several years, and we love to have him back every year for Cattlemen’s Days. He’s good people.” Lincoln is also fascinated with rodeo. He’s a member of the Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association, an amateur group that has events primarily in Arizona and New Mexico. “I grew up team roping and riding horses, but I never competed in actual rodeos, but it’s something that’s near and dear to my heart,” said Lincoln, who is a heavy equipment trainer and consultant for a Caterpillar dealership in the Phoenix area. “Going to Gunnison is a good vacation from work.” And a good escape from the heat in Arizona. The average July temperature in his hometown is a high 106; meanwhile in Gunnison, the average July high temperature is 80. “Getting away from the heat is a big reason why I go back,” he said. “But I also like the small town that Gunnison is. In Phoenix, from my house to work can take two and a half hours, depending on traffic. It’s a nice change of pace to go up to Gunnison, and you can drive across town in five minutes. “It’s just a wonderful place to be in July.”

DODGE CITY, Kan. – The first time Johnny Dudley appeared at the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, he was cast in a supporting role. Now, he will be one of the main characters for this year’s event, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 5, at Roundup Arena. That includes Xtreme Bulls at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. Five years ago, Dudley spent a portion of his week in Dodge City visiting celebrated rodeo clown Justin Rumford, who then put Dudley into one of his acts. “My family and I left Joseph, Oregon, heading to Leoti (Kansas),” he said. “My wife and Ashley (Rumford) are best friends, and Rump and I are great friends. He asked me to do his cheerleading act, so I acted like a drunk guy and did a backflip off the top of the gate.” It was a hit, but that’s not why he’s returning half a decade later. It’s the comedy and acts he provides that makes him a sought-after entertainer in rodeo. “We really like what we’ve seen and heard about Johnny,” said Dr. R.C. Trotter, president of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “We believe he will interact well with our team and our fans.” That’s the mark of a good entertainer, and Dudley has been recognized as such. Just last year, he was nominated for the PRCA Clown of the Year and Comedy Act of the Year. While it’s nice to have that added to his name, it’s not what defines the man from Denton, Texas. “All the buckles and glory and big rodeos are things that most rodeo clowns want, but I just want people to say I’m a good guy,” Dudley said. “Everybody wants to be recognized in their field, but at the end of the day, I’m just out doing my job.  But with that recognition, other people see that, and it leads to bigger and better rodeos, which leads to more money, which leads to my family having a better life. Known by the moniker of “Backflip,” family is the most important part of his life. When he can, he tries to spend as much time with his wife and two boys as possible. But life in rodeo oftentimes means being away from loved ones for an extended time. “My boys are 3 and 5 now, so they’re at the point when the realize that Dad’s leaving,” he said. “I grew up in a single-parent home. When I was a kid, I never had anybody teach me how to fish or play baseball with me. I always said I wanted a boy that I could enjoy the outdoors with. Now that I have a 5-year-old that wants to do that, I try to make all the time I can with him.” A former Marine, he knows that being on the road is the best way he can support his family. But when one is good at his job, he knows a busy schedule is important. “The best part of my job is just getting people to laugh,” Dudley said. “When people come to a rodeo, I don’t know the difficulties they have in their life. For two hours, if I can help them forget about that and laugh and smile, then it’s worth it. “In the stands, there might be a millionaire sitting next to a broke person. For those two hours, those same people are sitting side by side enjoying the same thing.”