Monthly Archives: July 2023

Montana group offering a variety of dancehall music to Gooding Pro Rodeo GOODING, Idaho – For most of its existence, the Exit 53 band stayed pretty close to its home in Hardin, Montana. The four-person group is expanding its reach a little more and will be playing after the final three performances of the Gooding Pro Rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. “We’ve been all over Montana, Wyoming, into North Dakota, but the Gooding trip will be the farthest trip yet,” said Landa Uffelman, the lead vocalist and guitar player, who will share stage with her bandmates, lead guitarist Gary Lehman, who also handles vocals; bass guitar player Gale Link; and drummer Tyson Bouwens “We’ve been branching out more this year. We’ve been getting away from the wedding scene and more into the shows. It’s been a lot of fun. We’ve been able to travel a little bit more and hit some of the fairs. It’s worth going to Gooding to us being that it’s a three-day trip, and we’re excited about it.” Exit 53 considers itself a “high energy country and classic rock band that appeals to a wide audience by playing an extensive range of music,” and its focus is on music that allows patrons the opportunity to dance. It was established about 14 years ago, with Lehman part of the original group. Uffelman joined forces two years later; the foursome finds itself busy most weekends. “Our bass player has been with us about seven or eight years, and our drummer just retired a little bit ago, so Tyson has been with us for a year and a half,” she said. “We’ve been able to work well together. The music side of it is just a portion of being in a band; being able to get along is also a big part of it.” While country music is the group’s niche, the bandmates have no trouble getting into some solid classic rock. Whether its “Kerosene” by Miranda Lambert or “What’s Going On” by Four None Blondes, Exit 53 plays covers that keep audiences enthralled. “We all just love playing music,” Uffelman said. “We’ll have as much fun playing in the garage as we do on stage. As long as we’re making music, we’re having fun. The best part of playing in front of a crowd is the response. You play off the crowd. You can change the entire show if they’re having fun and dancing along.” It’s a good fit for rodeo organizers and the fans that come to be entertained. “We pride ourselves on having a great overall experience,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo’s manager. “Having Exit 53 will definitely enhance the experience our fans are going to have.”

After 20 years as president, longtime volunteer will step down DODGE CITY, Kan. – For many, Dr. R.C. Trotter is synonymous with Roundup Rodeo. A family physician in Dodge City for four decades, Trotter has built a medical practice, raised a family and been a major influence on folks around him. While doing so, he shared his passions with those closest to him, and he will pass along a legacy for generations to follow. “My son, Gavyn, is going to be 10, and his goal is to be president of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo,” said Trotter’s oldest daughter, Shannon Hare. “He’s written it down multiple times. You know you’re leaving a legacy and presenting it to your grandkids when that’s what they talk about.” Trotter has done that and more over the years with Roundup. This year’s event – set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 6, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 – will be his last as president of the volunteer-run organization. Trotter is retiring after 20 years leading a group that has dedicated itself to producing one of the best ProRodeos in North America. In all, he has committed 40 years of his life to Kansas’ biggest rodeo, a staple of the Dodge City Days celebration. His first 20 years was as a volunteer doc on site. “I was trained in sports medicine and saw the need for a physician at the rodeo,” Trotter said. “For the first four years, I bought my own ticket and hung out with the EMTs.” Within time, a small building was erected to help treat cowboys, cowgirls and others that needed a physician’s care; it’s still in use today. By the early 2000s, Trotter was asked to be an officer with Roundup, and by 2003, he had the reins in his hands. “It’s kind of sad that he’s retiring, because it’s change,” Hare said. “I know 20 years is a long time, and he’s done what I think he meant to do. His vision for the rodeo is in place. I think it’s time for him to step down.” In his time with Roundup, the rodeo has blossomed. It’s one of the top events in ProRodeo regarding contestant numbers and total payout. He credits the sponsors and fans for the success, but there’s more to it. In just its 35th year, Roundup Rodeo was enshrined into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs in 2012. Trotter was on hand then, just as he is now. The commitment that comes with volunteerism is special. “I remember when we were little, and he would take us with him and we would just sit on the fence,” said Courtney Bauer, the middle child of R.C. and Mary Trotter. “We got to see how everything happens behind the scenes: The preparation of all of the staff, the number of people it took to make it happen. You don’t realize what all goes into putting on a rodeo, and I’d bet half of them don’t get to see the rodeo at all. “My children got to spend some time back there, too. We wanted to repeat it for them, because it’s helpful for them to learn what it’s all about. They’re not watching the rodeo for sheer entertainment. They’re city kids; we don’t live on a farm, and we don’t have cattle. It’s created another generation of families that understand rodeo.” Not when there’s work to be done. Trotter has been the top dog, but there have been many worker bees over the years. Sometimes it’s a family thing, with the labor being done by one generation to another. Sometimes it’s just one person’s passion. Trotter wanted to see the rodeo take the next step, and it has. “To take something like Roundup, the goal is always to make it as great as he could possibly make it,” said Seth Trotter, the youngest and the couple’s only son. “A little bit of him was so driven to be a perfectionist. He was the one getting out on the road and visiting other rodeos to see how they do it, he was always driven to make it the best.” His kids watched it growing up, and now his grandchildren are seeing the benefits to hard work and fortitude. “His drive and his passion are really what makes him special,” Hare said. “He puts everything into rodeo, especially Roundup Rodeo. It became his passion, and I don’t know why. He got involved through sports medicine, and then he just wanted to see it grow. It was so neat to watch it.” Trotter founded Family Practice Associates of Western Kansas 40 years ago, and it remains the oldest independent medical practice in Dodge City. As a man who feeds off his passions, treating patients and caring for others remains a vital part of who he is and what he’s about.  “Dad has a passion for what he loves to do,” Bauer said. “He’s still working full time as a doctor, because he says every day he gets up and is excited to go to work. “For 41 years, he’s been volunteering. He’s given his time away for free … actually, he’s paid in to it. He actually spends his money to do things. If he loves something so much, he can’t stand to see it not get better every day. It’s the same with Roundup as it is with his practice.” From watching him dodge livestock while rushing into the arena to treat an injured contestant to seeing their father in the clown act, there are memories the Totter kids will have for a lifetime. “When I was in middle school, I would go with Dad to the arena, just the two of us,” Seth Trotter said. “It was just him and me, something we did on those hot summer nights. I’ll never forget it.” For Hare, it comes down to seeing her dad ride in the  Continue Reading »

Gooding offers a reunion for former College of Southern Idaho greats GOODING, Idaho – For many of ProRodeo’s greatest stars, their summertime visit to this community of 3,700 souls is a refreshing stop on a busy regular season. For others, it’s a return to their old stomping grounds, the intercollegiate homes that helped propel them toward the top of the sport’s stratosphere. There are former members of the rodeo team at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, and there’s a laundry list of elite cowboys and cowgirls that are proud alumni of the institution. “Going back to Gooding is a little reunion for me,” said bareback rider Orin Larsen, an eight-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Ingles, Manitoba, and the 2013 college champion while at CSI. “You run into old college classmates and old friends that you may not have seen in many years, or your run into some that you see year after year. “I’ve always had a lot of support in southern Idaho. They treated me very well. It’s like coming back to a second home.” He plans to make the trip for the Gooding Pro Rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. The college is represented in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame by two multi-time world champion bronc riders in Shawn Davis (a three-time titlist and former coach at CSI) and Cody Wright (a two-time winner). The latter, who was inducted earlier this month into the Colorado Springs shrine, also passed along his affection to two brothers, 2014 world champion Spencer Wright and 2012 titlist Jesse Wright, and Cody Wright’s oldest son, Rusty. Combined, they have 17 NFR qualifications and status to folks in Twin Falls. There are also a few other Golden Eagles that have played on the sport’s biggest stage, including bareback rider Mason Clements, bronc rider Mitch Pollock and cowgirl Cassie Bahe, who advanced to the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2020. “It was a pretty easy decision for me to choose to go to school there,” said Larsen, who also won the 2014 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association crown after transferring to Oklahoma Panhandle State University. “They practiced a lot, and that was real important to me. I got the reference from Kelly Wardell, and that was back before he was coaching. He’s been with me since Day 1 of my career. He was in the vicinity. “The College of Southern Idaho always had a great rodeo program, but I liked that they didn’t just give away opportunities; they treated it that you had to earn it through practice and earn it through the competition. That drove me to be better.” Pollock had no intentions of being part of CSI’s rodeo team when he arrived on campus more than a decade ago. He’d begun his college career playing baseball in Pendleton, Oregon, and transferred to Twin Falls in order to give himself a chance after a shoulder injury. Still unable to make it work, he opted to test his skills in rodeo. “I transferred to the College of Southern Idaho, and after a year and a half of catching bullpens and not seeing my baseball career progress, I decided to step over to the expo center to start rodeoing for Cody DeMers and Steve Birnie,” said Pollock, a 2019 NFR qualifier. “I was 21 years old when I got on my first bucking horse. I’d been on horses before, but I’d never tried to ride a bucking horse. “I stepped off with a big smile on my face, and I knew what I was going to do the rest of my life. I love the Twin Falls area. It’s a little prettier than Nevada.” Pollock is from Winnemucca, Nevada, but he’s lived in Twin Falls since his college days. He and his wife, Jordan, have made a home there. Like all the others, he loves the opportunity to compete in Gooding. “That’s a cool damn rodeo for being such a small community and being able to put on such a large event,” he said. “The atmosphere and the community that supports that rodeo is why I love it so much. They’re farmers and ranchers, and they follow rodeo. They watch it on The Cowboy Channel. They treat me like I’m a hometown kid. When (announcer) Steve Kenyon calls my name in Gooding, I can hear all my family and friends, and they’re excited to watch me. It’s something special. “They’re all involved in every ride, every ride, and then there’s the ‘Beer Worthy’ section. I think because everybody is so involved in that rodeo is why the atmosphere is like it is. Even if someone gets bucked off, the crowd is still there. If someone misses in team roping, they’re still there.” Best known for the section of ladies that hands out beer to a great ride, a great run or a great wreck, the Gooding Pro Rodeo is all about atmosphere. The fans love it, and the contestants love watching and interacting with the fans. “They’ve always improved or tried to improve every year,” Larsen said. “You can’t talk about Gooding and not talk about the ‘Beer Worthy’ section. I’ve actually never been beer worthy, but one of my goals is to be beer worthy at least once.” It’s definitely a drawing card for the sport’s biggest stars. “It’s just super special to get to perform at that rodeo,” Pollock said. “Even if I get bucked off, I’m still looking for that ‘Beer Worthy’ sign. There’s nothing better than getting off your horse and drinking an ice cold beer right there.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Since its inception, the Lea County Xtreme Bulls has been one of the toughest competitions to win. There have been 10 editions of the stand-alone bull riding, which kicks off the PRCA portion of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. Each year, a different bull rider wins the crown. Kanin Asay, a five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, was the first Xtreme Bulls titlist inside Jake McClure Arena in 2012; he’s been followed by the very best the sport has to offer. The greatest bull riders in ProRodeo will converge on Lovington for this year’s Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8. They will battle for one of the most elusive crowns in the sport at one of the most cherished locations. With the fair and rodeo’s grand history, winning the Xtreme Bulls title is high on the priority list for the top contestants. Jeff Askey, also a five-time NFR qualifier, is the most recent titlist. He claimed the championship last August and is in position to possibly repeat the feat, becoming the first to have ever done so. “I’ve won second at a bunch of (Division 1 Xtreme Bulls events), and I’ve won a pile of Division 2 Xtreme Bulls, but I’ve never one of the Division 1 events,” Askey said last year. He took the title and nearly $11,000 out of Lovington. It propelled him not only to another NFR but also to the No. 6 position in the final world standings. It was a banner year for the Athens, Texas, cowboy. He did it on a night that is memorable. Dallas-based Pete Carr Pro Rodeo is the livestock producer in Lovington, and Carr usually has a stacked deck of bull riding’s biggest bovine stars. Since bulls win most of the time, there have been moments where not many cowboys stayed on for the mandatory eight seconds. That wasn’t the case in 2022, where more than half a dozen cowboys made the whistle. “I’ve never seen an Xtreme Bulls short round go like this,” Askey said. “It’s pretty common for guys to ride one, two, three or four bulls in these short (rounds). I’ve never seen them ride eight or night bulls and it get that tough. “Normally if you win the long round and fall off in the short go, you might hold on to an average check, but after enough rides I thought, ‘Heck, I better stay on, or I might not win nothing.’ ” Over the first 10 years, Lea County Xtreme Bulls has crowned big names, like world champion Sage Kimzey, who won it in 2017. Of the titlists, only 2016 winner Colten Jesse has not played on ProRodeo’s biggest stage, the NFR, which features just the top 15 cowboys in the world standings at the conclusion of the regular season. “Everybody likes to watch the bull riding to see who’s going to get in a wreck,” said Kyle Johnston, the rodeo committee chairman for the Lea County Fair Board. “That’s just human nature. It’s a great event, and we have a lot of people who enjoy coming to the bull riding.” Lea County Xtreme Bulls is a must-see event, and the cowboys know it, too. They’ll all put their names in the hat to have a chance, and someone will become the 11th champion this August.

Rodeo honored by barrel racers for having the best ground in the circuit GOODING, Idaho – The best racehorses in the world are adaptable, able to perform at a high level no matter the conditions. The better the foundation, though, the better the chance to see something special on the track. In the world of rodeo, the racehorses are jockeyed by women who run their mounts through a cloverleaf pattern, showing the tremendous speed and whirlwind turning capacity of the equine stars. The appraisal of such horses can be phenomenal, with some horses being valued in six figures. Because of that, the ladies in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association show their appreciation to rodeos that take special care of their ground by honoring them with the annual Justin Best Footing Awards. For each of the past three years, Gooding Pro Rodeo has been recognized as having the best ground in the Wilderness Circuit, a series of rodeos primarily in Utah and southern Idaho. It’s an honor local organizers hope continues during this year’s event, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. “When you win an award like that the first time, it makes you feel really good about what you’re doing with your rodeo,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo’s manager. “You take pride in that, and you want to build on it. Now that we’ve won it three years in a row, we have set a standard that we want to reach every year. We want to have the best ground in the circuit. Heck, we want to have the best ground in rodeo.” It shows. In 2021, Ivy Saebens rounded the pattern in 16.89 seconds to set a new arena record. Saebens, a five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, matched that time a year ago. It was a fascinating feat, but she finished second. Michelle Darling of Medford, Oklahoma, posted a 16.88-second run to open the rodeo with the lead, one she didn’t relinquish. She left Gooding with a new record and a story she’ll tell for years to come. “That was my first time there, and I was up in slack after that first night,” Darling said, referring to the extra competition that took place after the Wednesday performance and allowed for nearly 80 extra barrel racers to make runs in Gooding. “People stayed around for slack and cheered us on. “The ground was really good. I don’t know what they did to make their ground so good, but whatever it was worked. I think what makes that rodeo special to me is the added money and good ground.” “Added money” refers to the local dollars that are mixed with contestants’ entry fees; combined, they make up the entire purse. By winning the rodeo, Darling pocketed nearly $4,300 in this southern Idaho gem. “My horse (Martini) really liked the ground there, because it made it really fast,” she said. The barrel racers take a variety of details into consideration when it comes to year-end awards. As with any vote, it comes down to a majority for the decision to be made. What works for one horse and rider may not work for another. The consensus is the determining factor. “It’s tough, because everybody is different,” Darling said. “My horse could have worked great, but consistently fast times shows us good ground. Awarding one would be from consistent, fast ground. You can recognize that when girls are clocking and outrunning their own times.” That seems to be the norm at the Gooding Pro Rodeo, and barrel racing’s best are reaping the rewards.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – When Jimmy Joe Campbell was a little boy, he looked in awe as his father and grandfather worked around the Lea County Fairgrounds. A lifelong county resident, Campbell lives at the house in which he was raised east of Lovington. Like so many youths in the region, he made his way to the Lea County Fair and Rodeo every year, where he got to see the work his predecessors put in on a daily basis. They were the county’s employees, but he is carrying on a family legacy by volunteering his time for the annual exposition. “My dad was over the maintenance of the facility year-round, and my grandfather took care of the ground specifically for the rodeo,” Campbell said. “My grandfather was there when Troy Fort was there. Troy’s the one who got him to come to work there during the rodeo.”   Fort, a two-time world champion tie-down roper, was a Lovington original and a major influence on many cowboys from that part of the world. He was one of the first cowboys ever inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979. As the generations passed, the commitment to supporting the fair and rodeo have continued. Campbell is the superintendent for the 4H horse show and serves on the rodeo committee. His work will be reflected during this year’s exposition, from Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 12. The rodeo is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday at Jake McClure Arena; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday of the fair. “I actually showed sheep when I was younger,” said Campbell, who won the breed’s showmanship one year. “It proved to me that hard work pays off at the end. You stay committed, and it’ll all pay out in the end.” He’s passing down his love affair for the fair and rodeo onto his sons, Skylar, 20, and Kelton, 18. He and his wife, Brandy, have raised their sons around the belief that hard work is not only essential, but also it pays dividends. Jimmy Joe Campbell is a farrier and day-worker for ranchers that need help. He’s shared that lifestyle with the next generation of his family. “My boys were with me when they were in diapers,” said Campbell, now in his 15th year as a volunteer with the expo. “When they were older and horseback, I wasn’t afraid to take them with me for day-work. That instilled a work ethic in them. “My youngest son has four head of horses that he rides and works on, so now he has his own day-working business. These ranchers have been calling him for two years now.” It’s the passing of a lifestyle more than an internship. People like Campbell – who cares for animals and spends long days in the saddle – make up the fabric of the rugged terrain in southeastern New Mexico. He learned it from his father and grandfather, and he’s passing it down to his boys. “The commitment my dad and grandfather had was always 100 percent,” he said. “That’s with any occupation; if you’re going to do it, put everything into it and love what you do. If you do that, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Campbell’s passion for the fair and rodeo comes from the history of the event and the people involved. He’s been around long enough to have seen multiple generations involved in showing animals and preparing exhibits. He did it, and he worked with his sons as they did it. It’s a piece of who Jimmy Joe Campbell is and why he continues to volunteer for the fair and rodeo. “To me, the livestock show and the kids showing is the highlight of everything,” he said. “Just watching the kids do their job with the animal. You can tell the ones that put in the time. For us, it’s a family deal. My oldest showed until he was 18; that was 10 years. My youngest one is still showing. “Every afternoon, all four of us were down there in the barn working with their animals. They knew what they needed to do, and they weren’t afraid to work at it.” It’s something they learned from their parents, but Mom and Dad got something out of it, too. “The family time is what I really enjoyed,” Campbell said.  

Bareback rider missed Gooding Pro Rodeo in 2022; he’s eager to get back GOODING, Idaho – Over the last decade that he’s ridden bucking horses for a living, Richmond Champion has only missed the Gooding Pro Rodeo a couple of times. One was last year, when a neck injury sidelined the bareback rider from much of the 2022 season. He missed the National Finals Rodeo for just the second time since his breakout season in 2014, and he had to skip some rodeos he doesn’t like to miss. One of those was in Gooding County, Idaho. He plans to return to the Gooding Pro Rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. Tickets are on sale now at www.GoodingProRodeo.com. “I don’t know if there’s a word to describe that rodeo,” said Champion, a seven-time NFR qualifier from Stevensville, Montana. “I’ve been going there for 12 years now. It’s always one of my favorites. It’s not Calgary. It’s not Cheyenne. “It’s Gooding, and it’s perfect. It’s got the ‘Beer Worthy.’ There’s not a guy coming up that’s not excited about going to Gooding and try to ride good enough that the crowd wants to give him a beer when he gets done.” The “Beer Worthy” section is just one aspect of the unique crowd that makes the professional rodeo so special. There’s much more to it than the ladies lining up the brews a few yards from the timed-event chute; it’s an entertaining group of folks who come to the rodeo to be entertained. “They pack it out every night, and that crowd is really into it,” Champion said. “They have a dance afterwards. You want to go park your rig there for the weekend, turnout of every other rodeo and just stay in Gooding.” The Texas-raised bareback rider has been one of the best in the business for the past nine seasons. During his third campaign in ProRodeo, he set the rodeo world on fire by winning the bareback riding title at the inaugural The American, an event that features a $2 million purse; half that going to winner or winners that had earned their spot in the championship through a series of qualifying events. Champion was the lone qualifier win his event in 2014, therefore earning $1 million by the time the day came to an end. He followed that up with a series of victories, including titles at big rodeos in Spanish Fork, Utah; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Dodge City, Kansas. He is a two-time titlist at the Calgary Stampede, one of the richest rodeos in the world. He earned $100,000 each in 2017 and 2018. Over his career, Champion has earned around $3 million. He’s won NFR go-rounds and has been crowned the titlist at some of the biggest rodeos across North America. He’s never claimed the championship in Gooding, though, and he’d like to change that. “The timing of that rodeo is great,” he said. “It’s right there with Caldwell and Burley (Idaho) and all those other rodeos going on. In all reality, it’s the staple of that week. You want to get there; you want to do it at the end of the week there preferably because then you can just hang out in Gooding. “You have to talk about the horses and the money. It’s a great opportunity for a guy that time of year on the bubble (to make the NFR) or someone just wanting to add some money to his pocket. That’s what it’s there for.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – When Jessica Blair-Fowlkes rides into Jake McClure Arena during the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, she will do it while standing astride two beautiful gray horses. She will coax them to run and truly showcase their talents inside the massive, dirt floor on the Lea County Fairgrounds in Lovington. Because of the sheer size of the stadium, the powerful and athletic geldings will pick up high speed. It adds more flair to an already entertaining package. “Large pens are the most fun, because you can let your horses run,” said Blair-Fowlkes, a trick rider and entertainer who is showcasing her abilities during the rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9-Saturday, Aug. 12; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 8. “With roman riding, you have to be careful, they’ll get going pretty fast. “It’s kind of scary, but it’s a lot of fun.” The thrills of the moment and the excitement of performing before big crowds drive the Kentucky entertainer. She has three matching gray geldings: Moose, Wishbone and the younger Waco, the latter of which is being worked more and more into her acts to alleviate some pressure on Moose, a 22-year-old. Blair-Fowlkes also does a liberty act; she showcases her horse-whispering talents with one of her partners, which is being cued without the use of a bridle. It’s a powerful display of the relationship she has with her animals and how she can communicate with them without being joined by a lead rope or headstall. “I grew up with horses,” she said. “My grandpa and parents all had horses. My grandpa had a small beef cattle operation in Tennessee. I didn’t rope or run barrels when I was a kid. I got into rodeo because my grandpa would lease some of his calves to a local stock contractor. I started carrying the flag at some of those rodeos. That’s how I saw trick riding. “I got a lot later start to trick riding. When I was in college, I worked at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge (Tennessee). I started trick riding there.” She joined the PRCA in 2012 and has continued to build on her career. “I had started barrel racing on and off at rodeos, and I quickly figured out that I could combine what I enjoyed and make money consistently as a specialty act,” Blair-Fowlkes said. “I was a cheerleader and always in dance, so I thought when I could showboat for money, it made a little more sense.” It fits her talent and her personality quite well. It’s also a chance for her to put the love she has for her horses on full display. “I can still trick ride, but I do the roman riding and liberty act because of how I travel,” she said, noting that her mother, Michelle Blair, and her children, Wilder, 7, and Farrah, 4, also are on the road with her during the summer; her husband, Preston, takes care things back home. “I’ve worked hard on the liberty act traveling by myself. It’s what I prefer. I like the horsemanship aspect of roman riding and the liberty act, and with getting older, you want to mature with your craft.” Working the Lovington rodeo will mark the first time she’s performed in New Mexico, and she’s looking forward to being part of such a legendary event. There is great history with the rodeo in the state’s most southeastern county, bordered by Texas on two sides. “When you work big rodeos like that, you feel it’s an accomplishment, and you feel like your work is being recognized,” said Blair-Fowlkes, who has also been selected to perform at the National Finals Rodeo the past two years. “You’re standing beside people you used to look up to. “Working the NFR is obviously a big honor. It’s a combination of all the hard work you and your horses have made. I drove my kids thousands of miles through the summer to make it all worth it.” Blair-Fowlkes’ life and livelihood are centered around her passions, caring for horses, showing off her abilities and their talents, and entertaining crowds of people. She experiences it every day, and she looks forward to her chance to do it in Lea County this August.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – When the Kansas City Chiefs hoisted the Lombardi Trophy as the Super Bowl champions in February, it was the culmination of a season of excellence. It was the prize the players were craving, their goal through the rigors of the campaign. In Dodge City, cowboys and cowgirls battle for a week with hopes of collecting one of the most prized trophies in ProRodeo, the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo championship buckle. Ten contestants earned them last year, and they all hope to obtain another one during this year’s rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 6, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1. “I love those buckles,” said Michelle Darling, the reigning barrel racing champion from Medford, Oklahoma. “The buckles are so cool. I have two of them now, and I think they’re really cool.” Darling earned her first Roundup title in 2019, then she and her prized mount, Martini, beat a field of top cowgirls and elite horses to win it for the second time in 2022. “When I won it the first time, it was two rounds, and the top ones in the average came back to the short-go,” she said of Sunday’s championship night. “Last year it went back to one and a short-go. I liked that better. I ran (one) morning, then went to my other Kansas rodeos and came back for the short round.” In all, she pocketed more than $8,000, which propelled her toward the top of the world standings and to the No. 3 position in the Prairie Circuit, which is made up of contestants and rodeos primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. Darling finished 18th on the WPRA’s money list, just three spots away from qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo. “Dodge City is just a historical, landmark rodeo,” she said. “I’ve won it two times, and I’ll come back this year and try to do it a third time.” She was joined in the winner’s circle by bareback rider Garrett Shadbolt, steer wrestler Stetson Jorgensen, saddle bronc rider Colt Gordon, breakaway roper Taylor Hanchey, tie-down roper Cory Solomon, steer roper Cole Patterson, bull rider Creek Young and team ropers Clay Smith and Jake Long. “It took me a long time to get this one,” said Long, 39, of Coffeyville, Kansas. “I think I’ve probably put more pressure on it. Growing up, this is the one you want to win, especially if you’re from here. I’m pretty pumped up to get it done.” Roundup is always among the top 25 rodeos in the country based on total payout. That’s important to the contestants. In rodeo, dollars equal points; the contestants in each event that have earned the most money at season’s end will be crowned world champions. Still, the buckle is something the contestants will always remember. “I gave the buckle I won last year to my dad, and he’s been wearing it,” Darling said. “That buckle is always a conversation-starter.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – In the summer of 2019, Zack Cook was content in his job as a laborer at the Cody Nite Rodeo in his Wyoming hometown. He’d work during the day and through the evening’s rodeo, then he’d hang out with others around the complex. Little did he know that those conversations would lead to a career change. In one fell swoop, Cook went from sorting cattle to entertaining thousands of people. He’s stayed with it. Cook will be the clown and barrelman for the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9-Saturday, Aug. 12, at Jake McClure Arena; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 8. “Zack is fairly new to this, but I’ve seen his work and think he’s got the talent to do it for a rodeo like ours,” said Kris Allen, chairman of the Lea County Fair Board. “The barrelman is important. To give him the opportunity to be in a rodeo like this is great for him and for us.” Being part of one of the biggest events in ProRodeo is a giant leap from where Cook took his first steps as a rodeo clown. One day while working at Cody’s Stampede Park, he was approached by producer Maury Tate, who had heard about Cook’s naturally entertaining personality from his daughter, Hadley Tate. “He said, ‘I need a favor,’ ” Cook recalled. “ ‘My daughter says your funny, and I need a rodeo clown. I don’t know anybody. I need you to put some makeup on and some big pants, and I’ll give you $100.’ “I was motivated by that $100 bill. I was so nervous, staring at 1,500 people not sure what I was going to say. I proceeded to walk into the arena, and all I could think of was trip and fall as hard as I can. I ran out there and tangled my feet up and hit the ground. I got up and said, ‘That’s how you know it was a Monday.’ ” Tate gave Cook more opportunities to clown, and a new career was born. In the four years since, he has continued to work at his craft and build a name for himself. He found support from a well-recognized rodeo clown in Matt Tarr, who worked the Lea County Fair and Rodeo a year ago. “Matt watched me and said, ‘You’ve got a natural way of talking to people,’ ” Cook said. “He asked if I wanted some pointers, and I was. That’s when we became friends. He told me, ‘One day somebody’s gong to come into your life that wants to be a clown, and you have to pick one person to help out. I choose you.’ “He told me how to be respectful in the rodeo world. I came into this not having any background. I was just a ranch cowboy, and I didn’t know anything about rodeo. He gave me his time of day, and it meant a lot to me.” Cook developed his sense of humor while battling issues in his life. Sometimes being self-deprecating can open doors, and it did. He managed his struggles with comedy, and it opened the door for relationships with others. “Early on, I learned to deal with my depression and sadness by trying to make a joke out of everything,” he said. “It’s a way of me releasing hurt, and I make jokes about it and laugh about it. My dad had had stage 4 cancer, and I’m surprised he made it out of it, but it was rough. “I went to three high schools before I graduated. One thing learned about going to anew school was being outgoing. I came out of my shell my last year. I was friends with everybody. It’s because I was making jokes and having fun, and nothing could ever hurt me. It’s how I learned to deal with things, and that’s just stuck with me.” It’s the perfect fit. He’s added some acts to his repertoire and is quickly rising up the charts as an entertainer and comedian in rodeo. He’ll return to Cody to work the Nite Rodeo from time to time to keep his talents sharpened, but he’s expanding his wings a bit as he works more rodeos. “I get to travel the world with my wife and my 6-year-old daughter,” Cook said. “That helps me go down the road, keeps me stronger, keeps me sane. “I’m still nervous every time I get ready to go in the arena. I always have anxiety, am stressed, am nervous. I’m anticipating what’s going to happen. If I didn’t feel that, I’d probably have to give this all up. As soon as I get out there and say that opening joke, then all that goes away.” For five nights in southeastern New Mexico, Cook will step in front of big crowds eager for entertainment. He’ll work inside a large arena with people looking at him from all angles. He’ll use his best material and throw in some off-the-cuff commentary that will brighten everyone’s day. He will be on one of the biggest stages in ProRodeo. It’s his time to shine. “I’m just so happy to be there,” Cook said. “Those people pay good money for a ticket, so it’s an honor to go to Lovington, New Mexico, and work such a big rodeo. I’m blown away; I’m on Cloud 9 about it.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – A month ago, Will Pollock was standing on the stage in Casper, Wyoming, when his Clarendon (Texas) College rodeo team won its second national title in three years. During Saturday’s final performance of Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, Pollock continued his streak by riding Rafter G Rodeo’s Silver Wings for 84 points to finish second in saddle bronc riding. It was worth $1,756 and gave the Utopia, Texas, cowboy momentum as he readies for the final two and a half months of ProRodeo’s regular season. “With a great stock contractor that we have here with Stace Smith, it’s hard to not come to these rodeos,” said Pollock, who recently moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma. “I’m glad I could do so well at this one.” “I’d seen that horse a couple different times, and I was happy to have her.” The random draw can be a big part of the equation. Based on a 100-point scale, half the points are based on how well the animal bucks, jumps and kicks, and the other half is judged on how well the cowboy rides the bronc while also spurring in rhythm with the horse’s bucking style. He knows that well. He’s now in his fourth year competing in the PRCA, following in the footsteps of his father. Johnny Pollock rode bucking horses for two decades, so it’s a natural transition for his son. After Will Pollock tried his hands at other things, he opted to chase his rodeo dreams. He opted for Clarendon because of the school’s rodeo coach, Bret Franks, a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. Winning the national title in his final year at the Texas Panhandle-based college was just icing on the cake. “It was great being on a team with such great talent,” Pollock said. “We all rode really well, and it was nice to have such great guys on the team like that.” How did that college education help him as a bronc rider? “Bret really just got the consistency out of my bronc riding,” he said. “I had a better mental game than when I first showed up. He helped me growing up, so I was happy to go to school for him.” With maturity comes wisdom, and Pollock is still gaining lessons with his trade. His goal is to continue to move up in the world standings this year and really make a run for the NFR and the world championship in 2024. He’s taking the right mental approach to a very physical game.         Cattlemen’s DaysGunnison, Colo.July 13-15Bareback riding: 1. Kade Berry, 85 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Dapper Dan, $1,839; 2. (tie) Drake Amundson and Mason Stuiller, 84.5, $1,226 each; 4. (tie) A.J. Ruth and Mark Kreder, 83, $552 each; 6. Myles Carlson, 81.5, $306; 7. Colton Clemens, 76, $245; 8. Hunter Carlson, 74.5, $184. Steer wrestling: 1. Logan Lemmel, 3.5 seconds, $1,794; 2. Cody Pratt, 4.1, $1,560; 3. Ryley Gibb, 4.2, $1,326; 4. Austin Eller, 4.3, $1,092; 5. Jace Land, 4.7, $858; 6. Chet Boren, 5.1, $624; 7. Jacob Wang, 5.2, $390; 8. Chisum Docheff, 5.4, $156. Team roping: 1. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 3.8 seconds, $2,741; 2. Jay Tittel/T.J. Watts, 4.3, $2,418; 3. (tie) Austin Crist/Jesse Jolly and Josh Siggins/Faron Candelaria, 4.4, $1,935 each; 5. Marcus Theriot/Cole Curry, 4.8, $1,612; 6. Kyon Kreutzer/Clancey Kre0. utzer, 4.9, $1,451; 7. Eric Martin/Ryon Tittel, 5.2, $1,290; 8. (tie) Jade Schmidt/Conner Herren and Cam Jensen/Tanner Whetham, 5.6, $1,048 each 10. Tanner Bryson/Tye Reddell, 5.9; 10. Kory Bramwell/Seth Hall, 6.2. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Kody Rinehart, 84.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Hammer Cocked, $2,290; 2. Will Pollock, 84, $1,756; 3. (tie) Chris Williams and Parker Kempfer, 83.5, $1,069 each; 5. Sterling Crawley, 82, $534; 6. (Itie) Trent Burd and Cable James Wareham, 81.5, $343 each; 6. Ean Price, 81, $229. Tie-down roping: 1. Booker McCutchen, 8.5, $2,638; 2. Zack Kirkpatrick 8.9, $2,294; 3. Andrew Burks, 9.0, $1,950; 4. Luke Meier, 9.6, $1,606; 5. (tie) John Wall and Jase Staudt, 10.0, $1,089 each; 7. J.D. McCuistion, 10.1, $573; 8. Colton Greene, 10.7, $229. Barrel racing: 1. Cindy Smith, 17.60 seconds, $2,530; 2. Millie Marquart, 17.97, $2,151; 3. Nicole Waggoner-Ludwick, 18.04, $1,771; 4. Britta Strain, 18.05, $1,518; 5. Jessi Fish, 18.06, $1,265; 6. Jennifer Neudorf, 18.09, $886; 7. Amanda Welsh, 18.28, $632; 8. (tie) Andrea Busby, Kailee Murdock and Emery Mask, 18.29, $443 each; 11. Christy Hefley, 18.30, $316; 12. Rayne Grant, 18.31, $253. Bull riding: 1. Roscoe Jarboe, 86.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Top Gun, $2,168; 2. Dustin Boquet, 86, $1,681; 3. Canyon Bass, 83, $1,264; 4. (tie) Ernie Courson Jr. and Colt Rohrig, 80, $707 each; 6. Junior Souza, 78, $429; no other qualified rides.

GUNNISON, Colo. – During Drake Amundson’s first trip to the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo in 2022, things didn’t go very well. His first horse didn’t want to play the game, so he got a re-ride; the second horse promptly bucked the young bareback rider off. During Friday’s second performance of Gunnison’s 123-year rodeo, Amundson matched moves with United Pro Rodeo’s Big Apple for 84.5 points to take the lead with one night remaining. “I was a little hesitant about coming back, but it’s a cool rodeo,” said Amundson, 22, a recent University of Wyoming graduate from Wheatland, Wyoming. “I had to come back, and I have to keep shooting for that rifle they are giving away.” The rifle is a unique trophy given to bareback riding champions each year. It’s an award that has been handed to some of the top cowboys to have ever competed in rodeo. No matter, Amundson plans to return to Gunnison for years to come. “The atmosphere is great, and the crowd gets into it,” he said. “It’s a cool arena. The bucking horses are outstanding. You can’t ask for much more out of a rodeo. “When you get on good bucking horses like that, you can have fun and show off a little bit. There’s nothing better than that.” Amundson is fairly new to ProRodeo. He’s competing on his permit, which means he must prove himself on the sport’s highest level before he can begin his rookie campaign. He’ll do that next season, but he’d like to do some cool things before the regular campaign comes to a close Sept. 30 – he wants to qualify for the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo and win that championship and he wants to advance to the permit finals, which takes place in December. “The rush you get from bareback riding compares to nothing,” he said. “You can’t beat it. There’s no better feeling than tapping off on a good horse, getting off and hearing the crowd roar. There’s so many good guys going that it’s hard to say who I look up to. I just try to replicate what they do and form my own style from there.” Injuries the last couple of years have hampered bull rider Dustin Boquet of Bourg, Louisiana. He missed the 2022 campaign and kicked off the 2023 season last October, but another injury sidelined him for two months earlier this year. He’d love to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo for a fourth time, but he’s got some ground to make up. His time on the sidelines has put him way behind in the standings, and only the top 15 on the money list at the conclusion of the regular season will qualify for the NFR. He rode Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Pain Killer for 86 points to move into second place. That should help him out as he works through the rigors of the rodeo trail. “That bull wanted me down on his head, but we sat up and made a good bull ride,” Boquet said. “I’m feeling healthy, feeling sore. I’m a little sore after the Fourth (of July) run, but we’ve got a lot of rodeos left, so a little soreness ain’t going to stop us.” Cattlemen’s DaysGunnison, Colo.July 13-15Bareback riding: 1. Drake Amundson, 84.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Big Apple; 2. (tie) A.J. Ruth and Mark Kreder, 83; 4. Colton Clemens, 76; 5. Jake Kesl, 74; 6. Brazos Winters, 73.5; 7. Jarrod McKane, 73; 8. Tim Murphy, 71. Steer wrestling: 1. Logan Lemmel, 3.5 secnds; 2. Cody Pratt, 4.1; 3. Ryley Gibb, 4.2; 4. Austin Eller, 4.3; 5. Jace Land, 4.7; 6. Jacob Wang, 5.2; 7. Brian Snell, 6.5; 8. Cody Mumma, 6.7. Team roping: 1. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 3.8 seconds; 2. Jay Tittel/T.J. Watts, 4.3; 3. (tie) Austin Crist/Jesse Jolly and Josh Siggins/Faron Candelaria, 4.4; 5. Kyon Kreutzer, 4.9; 6. Eric Martin/Ryon Tittel, 5.2; 7. (tie) Jade Schmidt/Conner Herren and Cam Jensen/Tanner Whetham, 5.6; 9. Tanner Bryson/Tye Reddell, 5.9; 10. Kory Bramwell/Seth Hall, 6.2. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Kody Rinehart, 84.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Hammer Cocked; 2. (tie) Chris Williams and Parker Kempfer, 83.5; 4. (Itie) Trent Burd and Cable James Wareham, 81.5; 6. Ean Price, 81; 7. Danny Michael Cassidy, 80; 8. Carson Bingham, 79.5. Tie-down roping: 1. Booker McCutchen, 8.5; 2. Zack Kirkpatrick 8.9; 3. Andrew Burks, 9.0; 4. Luke Meier, 9.6; 5. J.D. McCuistion, 10.1; 6. Colton Greene, 10.7. Barrel racing: 1. Cindy Smith, 17.60 seconds; 2. Millie Marquart, 17.97; 3. Nicole Waggoner-Ludwick, 18.04; 4. Britta Strain, 18.05; 5. Jessi Fish, 18.06; 6. Jennifer Neudorf, 18.09. Bull riding: 1. Roscoe Jarboe, 86.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Top Gun; 2. Dustin Boquet, 86; 3. (tie) Ernie Courson Jr. and Colt Rohrig, 80; no other qualified rides. 

GUNNISON, Colo. – Just like every fisherman has a honey hole, every cowboy has a rodeo that is his sweet spot. Cattlemen’s Days is that for Colorado steer wrestler Cody Pratt, who knocked down his steer in 4.1 seconds during Thursday’s first performance of Gunnison’s rodeo to take the early lead. Originally from Monte Vista, he now lives in Pueblo, and he enjoys crossing the passes to ensure his chance at the money available at the Fred Field Western Center. “I remember coming to high school rodeos over here,” Pratt said. “It’s familiar. Gunnison … it’s one of those rodeos I’ve been pretty fortunate at over the years. My first year, I won it that year. I always enjoyed coming over here. “It’s been a great rodeo, and they continue to increase the added money and take care of us.” The combination of good money, great hospitality and the mountain setting are reasons why Cattlemen’s Days was nominated for the PRCA’s Medium Rodeo of the Year in 2022. There are plenty of people who believe it should be again. Pratt, who finished second in the Mountain States Circuit standings last year, is 12th on the list this year. Every dollar he can earn in Gunnison County will benefit him greatly as he battles for the title in the region made up of rodeos and contestants primarily from Colorado and Wyoming. He took advantage of the steer he’d drawn. “I knew he was a great steer,” said Pratt, who had visited with fellow bulldogger Riley Duvall to learn more about the animal. “Nick Guy let me get on his horse; it’s just a great horse, and it was a good go.”  The Colorado cowboy started competing in ProRodeo in 2011 and was building on his dream of being a world champion. As he aged, he built a business at home, Pratt Fabrication and Fence. He now focuses on that and competes regionally. “I’ve rodeoed hard, and I had some success,” he said. “I had some things going on at home. I have my own business and work at it. If I get the right horse, I’d probably try it again.” A cowboy must trust his horse. Pratt has some young ones he hopes to develop into good bulldogging mounts, but like a lot of steer wrestlers, he’s not afraid to get on someone else’s. “I think it helps to be able to get on different horses to get along with them,” Pratt said. “I’ve rodeoed long enough that I’ve gotten on a lot of horses over the years.” It paid off for him so far in Gunnison. Cattlemen’s DaysGunnison, Colo.July 13-15Bareback riding: 1. A.J. Ruth, on Hurst Rodeo’s Crazy Alice, and Mark Kreder, on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Hoppin Tom, 83 points; 3. Brazos Winters, 73.5; 4. Jarrod McKane, 73; 5. Tim Murphy, 71; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Cody Pratt, 4.1 seconds; 2. Cody Mumma, 6.7; 3. Casey Collins, 7.0; 4. Andrew Galloway, 8.2; 5. Justin Barhite, 10.4; no other qualified runs. Team roping: 1. Jay Tittel/T.J. Watts, 4.3 seconds; 2. Austin Crist/Jesse Jolly, 4.4; 3. Kyon Kreutzer, 4.9; 4. Eric Martin/Ryon Tittel, 5.2; 5. (tie) Jade Schmidt/Conner Herren and Cam Jensen/Tanner Whetham, 5.6; 7. Tanner Bryson/Tye Reddell, 5.9; 8. Kory Bramwell/Seth Hall, 6.2; 9. Jake Pancost/Manny Flores, 6.7; 10. Willow Wilson,T.W. Wilson, 6.9. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Kody Rinehart, 84.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Hammer Cocked; 2. Chris Williams, 83.5; 3. (Itie) Trent Burd and Cable James Wareham, 81.5; 5. Ean Price, 81; 6. Bryan Huey, 79; 7. Wade Stansfield, 77; 8. (tie) Cale Newman and Jack Skavdahl, 74. Tie-down roping: 1. Zack Kirkpatrick 8.9 seconds; 2. Andrew Burks, 9.0; 3. Luke Meier, 9.6; 4. J.D. McCuistion, 10.1; 5. Ryan Belew, 10.9; 6. Stratton Kohr, 12.5; 7. Riley Pruitt, 13.2; 8. Darnell Johnson, 13.7. Barrel racing: 1. Cindy Smith, 17.60 seconds; 2. Millie Marquart, 17.97; 3. Nicole Waggoner-Ludwick, 18.04; 4. Britta Strain, 18.05; 5. Jennifer Neudorf, 18.09; 6. Amanda Welsh, 18.28; 7. (tie) Andrea Busby, Kailee Murdock and Emery Mask, 18.29; 10. Rayne Grant, 18.31. Bull riding: 1. Roscoe Jarboe, 86.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Top Gun; 2. (tie) Ernie Courson Jr. and Colt Rohrig, 80; no other qualified rides.  

Proctor excited to show trick-riding skills before renowned Gooding crowd GOODING, Idaho – By the time she was 5 years old, Haley Proctor knew what she was going to be. In the years that have passed, her passion for being a trick rider and entertainer has only grown, and it’s why she will be performing at the Gooding Pro Rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. “I’m actually doing a combined act with my liberty horse and trick riding on him as well,” said Proctor, who also performs a roman riding act, balancing herself while standing astride two horses moving in unison. “It’s something I really enjoy and have for a long time.” Her uncle, Shawn Brackett, fueled the fire when she was very young. She studied the craft and by age 6 was performing at professional rodeos. Two decades later, she’s a wife and mother who is still at the top of her game. “Haley does a great job,” said John Harrison, a longtime trick rider who has transitioned into a rodeo clown who added humor to his acts; he and Proctor will be part of the Gooding Pro Rodeo package. “The crowd there is going to love her; you’ve got a beautiful girl riding on top of a horse, so you can’t help but love her. “Gooding is one of those places where the high energy helps horse acts, because they’ll get to going fast, and it makes it that much more fun to watch.” Proctor will have six horses with her when she arrives in Gooding, proof that she has a talented team along for the ride. She’s constantly working with them, making them sharp when it’s time to perform. She’s had two stalwarts in Geminey and Cricket, but she’s got a couple of younger mounts in training. “I try to stand on the younger horses three to four times a week,” Proctor said. “If they’re not performing, I still try to get on them. I always pare them with one of my older horses. When I’m at home, I practice on my young ones. With Geminie and Cricket, I get on them to exercise them and me, but they don’t need to be tuned up.” It’s not just performing for the talented Oklahoma lady. It’s about the relationship she has for her animals. She travels the rodeo trail with her daughter, Coulee, and husband, Shane, the 2011 bull riding world champion. She will take advantage of her stage in Gooding, which features one of the most entertaining crowds in all of rodeo. The fans are loud and excited to see the action, whether it’s a great ride, a fast time or a beautiful brunette riding finely tuned horses. She’ll have time to continue the training and bonding with her mounts when not entertaining, but that’s just another day at the office. “The training is never-ending,” she said. “I baby my horses a little bit, but their best interest is what’s most important thing to me. They make my living, and they are a big part of my life.” While she’s never been to the Gooding Pro Rodeo, she’s heard about it. She’s looking forward to being in front of such an incredible crowd. That’s the showman in her, the entertainer who is eager to please a group of people who want to see something magical. They’ll get it when she rides into the arena. “Crowd interaction is everything,” Proctor said. “If I come in and I don’t have a reaction, it’s hard to get into my performance, so the louder the better for me. All I hear from Gooding is how loud and wild they are. That’s more fun for us. “I’m going fast the whole time, but I can go even faster with a loud crowd that’s into it. The faster we go, the more fun it is for me. They have the “Beer Worthy” section, so I better go in there and be beer worthy as well.”

DODGE CITY, Kan. – There is a new look to Roundup Arena, and folks arriving for this year’s rodeo will see it immediately. A new ticket booth will greet visitors, a way to welcome all who come and to provide a little better protection for the people who assist everyone when they enter the gates. Once inside, there are other upgrades that will provide a better experience for all involved. “We’re just trying to give our spectators a better experience while also keeping an eye out for everyone’s safety,” said Jerry Pegelow, vice president for the volunteer committee that produces the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 6, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1. The previous ticket booth had been in place for much of the life of the complex, so with the help of professionals, organizers went to work on replacing it. “It offered no shade to the ticket-takers who stand there three to four hours a night greeting our patrons and fans,” said Steve Deges, a longtime member of the Roundup board. “I’ve been working on getting this done for a few years. Things fell into place, and we realized it was time for an upgrade. It will be great for everybody involved.” Pegelow credited Deges for much of the forward-thinking that has helped with the upgrades. Last year, Roundup upgraded its electrical section for the contract personnel and contestant parking. “We improved our 30-amp and 50-amp plugs to the second row now,” he said. “We realize we also need the contestants to come to Dodge to make it one hell of a show, so we wanted to provide this for them to help them get their trailers cooled off; it can get pretty hot here in August.” It wasn’t just the committee that sought to make improvements. Crews from Victory Electric had taken notice of some issues that could be modernized, and they have taken care of that. “It’s all about spectator safety and improving the grid,” Pegelow said. “Victory actually came to us and wanted to help us. There will be no overhead lines, no utility poles. It’s all gone.” There’s more to it than offering better sightlines for spectators. The upgrade also eliminates the need for transformers around the complex. “Victory Electric came up big,” Deges said. “They realized there were live power lines over the north and south grandstands. They found ways that we could offer more safety and better comfort for our fans, and they stepped up to the plate to make it happen. “The chance of having an outage during events will be much less, and there should be less maintenance overall. Over the long run, it will be a large financial savings in maintaining our facility.” As was done two years ago to the north grandstands, the committee is also remodeling the south grandstands, removing outdated wooden planks and upgrading to aluminum. With the help of a couple of grants, Roundup was able to obtain enough financial assistance to purchase the aluminum to replace the decking. “That’s another part that reflects on spectator safety,” Pegelow said. It’s also a reflection of local organizers looking out for personnel, fans and the contestants who come to town to compete at one of the biggest rodeos in the country. “We’re always looking to do things to make things better,” Deges said. “There are some things we’ve done that people will notice, but there are other things that may not be noticed at all. The bottom line is we have safer and more efficient facilities.”

Young bronc rider rides into money on the final night of Estes Park rodeo ESTES PARK, Colo. – As the curtain dropped on the 2023 edition of Rooftop Rodeo on Monday, the biggest name in the sport stood above all the rest. Stetson Wright has been the winningest cowboy in ProRodeo the last four seasons, and he doesn’t look to be slowing down any time soon. He owns seven world titles: Four all-around, two bull riding and one in saddle bronc riding. At just 23 years old, he added another couple of jewels to an already-full crown by winning the bull riding and all-around titles in Estes Park. He competed Friday at Rooftop Rodeo and learned about his newest championships while competing in at the Calgary Stampede in Alberta. He also finished second in saddle bronc riding, just a half point behind his uncle, Stu Wright. In all, Stetson Wright earned just shy of $8,600 in Estes Park. The horse he rode Friday night was out again Monday, and Sage Miller of Laramie, Wyoming, was the fortunate cowboy to draw Cervi Brothers’ Vegas Vacation. Miller scored 84 points to finish in a tie for fourth place. It was an important step for the Nebraska-born cowboy. “I didn’t know much about that horse,” said Miller, who had visited with the stock contractor to get some information. “Binion (Cervi) said she’d been really good. Until I got here, I didn’t know Stetson was 87 on her. When I figured that out, I was pretty excited.” By placing where he did, Miller pocketed $1,667, which is important to the cowboy. He competes in the Mountain States Circuit, which is made up of rodeos and contestants primarily in Colorado and Wyoming. He is 16th on the regional money list and needs every dollar he can get if he is to return to the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo. Last fall at the regional finale in Loveland, Colorado, Miller finished second in the aggregate and fourth in the final circuit standings. It’s all a building process for the 21-year-old cowboy. He got his start in high school riding broncs, and it just carried over from there. He spent two years competing at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and has studied some of the top bronc riders. “I remember watching Cort Scheer when I was little and he was riding at the finals,” Miller said of his fellow-Nebraska bronc rider, a seven-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “Growing up in Nebraska as a bronc rider, that’s the guy you look up to.” He’d like to be that guy some day, the one young bronc busters will admire. For now, though, he’ll take all the lessons he can get one bronc at a time. Competing in Estes Park is just a bonus to being a ProRodeo cowboy. “I think it’s awesome here,” he said. “The crowd’s awesome. The scenery’s awesome. There aren’t too many places where you can be in the middle of the mountains with packed stands. It’s fun.” ResultsRooftop RodeoJuly 5-10All-around cowboy: Stetson Wright, $8,594, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, on The Cervi Brothers’ Bazinga, and Richmond Champion, on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Hitman, 85.5 points, $4,770 each; 3. Jacob Raine, 85, $3,060; 4. Lane McGehee, 83, $1,980; 5. Taylor Broussard, 82.5, $1,260; 6. Donny Proffit, 80, $900; 7. (tie) Kade Berry, Keenan Hayes and Jacob Lees, 79, $420 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Aaron Vosler, 3.6 seconds, $1,721; 2. Riley Duvall, 3.7, $1,425; 3. Bridger Anderson, 4.1, $1,128; 4. (tie) Rowdy Parrott and Cash Robb, 4.3, $683 each; 6. (tie) Jace Joos and Tristan Martin, 4.5, $148 each. Second round: 1. Brandon Harrison, 3.6 seconds, $1,721; 2. Clayton Hass, 3.7, $1,425; 3. Stephen Culling, 3.9, $1,128; 4. Kyler Dick, 4.2, $831; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.5, $534; 6. Walt Arnold, 4.6, $297. Average: 1. (tie) Aaron Vosler and Dakota Eldridge, 9.1 seconds on two head, $2,359 each; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 9.2, $1,692; 4. Bridger Anderson, 9.3, $1,246; 5. Tyler Pearson, 9.9, $801; 6. Kyler Dick, 10.8, $445. Team roping: First round: 1. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 4.4 seconds, $1,721 each; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.5, $1,425; 3. (tie) Cam Jensen/Tanner Whetham and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.7, $979 each; 5. Lightning Aguilera/Jared Fillmore, 4.8, $534; 6. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/JC Flake and Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 5.0, $148 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith and Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.2 seconds, $1,573 each; 3. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 4.3, $1,128; 4. Payden Emmett/Lucas Falconer, 4.5, $831; 5. (tie) Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.7, $415 each. Average: 1. (tie) Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 9.4 seconds on two head, $2,359 each; 3. Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 9.7, $1,692; 4. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 9.8, $1,246; 5. Lightning Aguilera/Jared Fillmore, 10.3, $801; 6. Garrett Busby/Jay McClain, 13.6, $445. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Stu Wright, 87.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby, $5,555; 2. Stetson Wright, 87, $4,259; 3. Kade Bruno, 86, $3,148; 4. (tie) Sam Martin and Sage Miller, 84, $1,667 each; 6. Cort Scheer, 83, $926; 7. Lefty Marvel Holman, 82.5, $741; 8. Leon Fountain, 82, $556. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Tyler Boxleitner, 9.9 seconds, $1,620; 2. Kincade Henry, 10.1, $1,341; 3. Kyle Dickens, 10.2, $1,061; 4. Colton Farquer, 10.7, $782; 5. Ross McAdow, 12.2, $503; 6. Zaine Mikita, 12.9, $279. Second round: 1. Cason Kingsbury, 8.5 seconds, $1,620; 2. Jeremiah Peek, 10.0, $1,341; 3. Kall Mayfield, 10.6, $1,061; 4. Zaine Mikita, 11.4, $782; 5. Kincade Henry, 11.9, $503; 6. Tyler Boxleitner, 12.1, $279. Average: 1. (tie) Kincade Henry and Tyler Boxleitner, 22.0 seconds on two head, $2,221 each; 3. Zaine Mikita, 24.3, $1,592; 4. Seth Peterson, 25.7, $1,173; 5. David Trahan, 28.8, $754; 6. Kall Mayfield, 29.6, $419. Barrel racing: 1. Shelley Morgan, 15.84 seconds, $4,217; 2. Steely Steiner, 16.01, $3,373; 3. Hayle Gibson, 16.10, $2,741; 4. Kelly Allen, 16.11, $2,108; 5. Kelly Yates, 16.14, $1,687; 6. Liz Pinkston, 16.15, $1,265; 7. Suzanne Brooks, 16.16, $1,054; 8. (tie) Michelle Darling and Makala Pierce, 16.18, $896 each; 10. Sadie Wolaver, 16.19, $738; 11. (tie) Sydney Graham,  Continue Reading »

ALABAMA, Lawrence, Bowen, others to perform in Lovington LOVINGTON, N.M. – In 1981, a trio of cousins from a small town in the South jumped into the country music stratosphere when the song “Tennessee River” catapulted to the top of the charts. Four decades later, Alabama is synonymous with down-home hits and a nation’s love affair with the group’s unique sound and style. Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and the late Jeff Cook are the foundation of the group, which is the highlight show during the Lea County Fair and Rodeo’s concert series. ALABAMA, which has had 43 No. 1 singles over its 50-plus-year history, will close out the fair and rodeo with its Saturday, Aug. 12, show. With it, they will share a big portion of their long list of great songs like “My Home’s in Alabama,” “Old Flame,” “Love in the First Degree,” “The Closer You Get,” and so many more.   “I’m really happy with our concert series,” said Kris Allen, chairman of the Lea County Fair Board. “The Lea County Commission was willing to up their game a little bit (financially) and get more quality. Alabama is a group that’s tough to get, so to get them to come is really cool. “I think the whole lineup is going to be successful. It’s top notch.” The concert series will begin with the Hispanic Heritage Celebration, which will feature Los Rieleros Del Norte and Los Invasores de Nuevo Leon on Friday, Aug. 4. The music will return four days later: In the early 1980s, Alabama had 21 straight No. 1 singles, a record that may never be broken in any genre. The group established itself as a major product, but the members never backed off their Fort Payne, Alabama, roots. The final few days of the fair and rodeo will be packed with classic country, with Lawrence headlining the Friday night concert. Raised in southwest Arkansas, his classic baritone vocals filled the airwaves in the 1990s with eight No. 1 hits like “Sticks and Stones,” “Alibis,” “Can’t Break It to My Heart,” “My Second Home,” “If the Good Die Young,” “Texas Tornado,” “Time Marches On,” “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” and 14 other singles that made the top 12 on the charts. After opening weekend, the concert series will resume with Texas Country/Red Dirt artist Wade Bowen, who kicked off his career in and around the clubs in Lubbock, Texas. “That style of music is pretty big in this area, especially with the younger crowds, who go to Lubbock, Midland (Texas) and Abilene (Texas) to see those bands,” Allen said. “It’s a good, successful Tuesday night, and we’re able to capitalize on the Lea County Xtreme Bulls we have that night as well.” For King + Country will be the highlight of the Faith and Family Night, showcasing the talents of Joel and Luke Smallbone, who, as a team, have collected multiple Grammy awards. The Frontmen will add to the classic country flavor of the 1990s with three distinguished voices in Larry Stewart of Restless Heart; Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas; and Richie McDonald, formerly of Lonestar. Each of those groups is known for harmonies, so the combined talents make for glowing reviews. Between them, Stewart, Rushlow and McDonald have sold more than 30 million records and had more than 30 combined hits. “In my opinion, I think our concerts keep getting better every year,” Allen said. “I think the success of our concerts over the years lays into that a little, but we also get an early start on it. We see who we can draw in and get a good crowd.” It’s a formula that has worked for a number of years, and the local officials continue to make sure the annual concerts remain a highlight for the Lea County Fair and Rodeo.

Boxleitner finds glory at Rooftop, the rodeo that pointed him toward roping ESTES PARK, Colo. – Just two days before his 23rd birthday, Tyler Boxleitner gave himself a bit of a present. He roped and tied his calf in 12.1 seconds during Sunday’s fifth performance of the Rooftop Rodeo to move into a share of the tie-down roping lead with one day left in the Town of Estes Park signature event. What makes it special are the facts around his 2023 run at the rodeo just 20 miles from his home in Loveland, Colorado. “Seven years ago I came to this rodeo with my mom to watch the barrel racing,” said Boxleitner, whose mom, Kari, and sister, Taryn are barrel racers. “That was the day I decided to become a calf roper, and I ran with it. It’s special to be here at the rodeo that started it all. To be able to be splitting the average and win the first round is just an unbelievable feeling.” All of this week’s experiences give him a hometown feeling, because so much of his life has been spent up the mountain at the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park. “I grew up fishing and hunting around Estes Park,” he said. “It’s just a special place. Loveland is a special place to me, but this is one of my favorite rodeos, especially now.” Boxleitner stopped the clock in 9.9 seconds Thursday night to win the first round. That was worth $1,620 and gave him a boost he needs to catch Mountain States Circuit leader Riley Pruitt. Leading up to Sunday night, Boxleitner had earned $6,889 in the region made up primarily of rodeos and contestants in Colorado and Wyoming. His earnings in Estes Park already have shot him to the standings lead, and he’ll add to it with his average check. He and Kincade Henry each roped two calves in a cumulative time of 22.0 seconds. Boxleitner began competing in ProRodeo in 2019 and has tried his hand at competing full time. This year, though, his focus is on rodeoing primarily in the circuit. “I decided this year the best option for me was to stay close to home and finish out my 7-year-old horse named Slick,” he said of the sorrel gelding. “I made the decision to stay on him no matter how bad or good it went and just try to figure it out on him. It’s been really good on him lately.” “I plan to go for (the National Finals Rodeo) next year. I’m going to try to dominate the circuit this year and be ready to hit the trail hard come Oct. 1.” The ProRodeo season is cyclical. It runs Oct. 1 of one year to Sept. 30 of the next, but world champions aren’t crowned until the NFR in December. In order to win a gold buckle, cowboys and cowgirls must qualify for the finale, but only the top 15 in the world standings at the end of the regular season earn that right. All the positives are stacking up for Boxleitner. He trusts his young horse, because the gelding always works to help his human partner. It takes a horse that can get to the calf quickly, then stop fast and keep the line tight to allow the cowboy to tie three legs together. It’s a combination of horsemanship and the thrill of competition that drives him. “At the end of the day, it’s you and your horse, and you’re competing against your calf and don’t have to rely on anybody else,” Boxleitner said. “It’s on you and your horse to make the best run you can. Maybe it’s selfish, but I like to win my self and not have to share the glory. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and it’s something you can never quit getting better at and never quit learning. I think that’s why I’m so drawn to it. I’m always trying to get better. You can never hit the ceiling.” ResultsRooftop RodeoJuly 5-10Bareback riding : 1. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, on The Cervi Brothers’ Bazinga, and Richmond Champion, on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Hitman, 85.5 points; 3. Jacob Raine, 85; 4. Lane McGehee, 83; 5. (tie) Kade Berry, Keenan Hayes and Jacob Lees, 79. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Aaron Vosler, 3.6 seconds, $1,721; 2. Riley Duvall, 3.7, $1,425; 3. Bridger Anderson, 4.1, $1,128; 4. (tie) Rowdy Parrott and Cash Robb, 4.3, $683 each; 6. (tie) Jace Joos and Tristan Martin, 4.5, $148 each. Second round: 1. Brandon Harrison, 3.6 seconds; 2. Clayton Hass, 3.7; 3. Stephen Culling, 3.9; 4. Kyler Dick, 4.2; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.5; 6. Walt Arnold, 4.6. Average: 1. (tie) Aaron Vosler and Dakota Eldridge, 9.1 seconds on two head; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 9.2; 4. Bridger Anderson, 9.3; 5. Tyler Pearson, 9.9; 6. Kyler Dick, 10.8. Team roping: First round: 1. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 4.4 seconds, $1,721 each; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.5, $1,425; 3. (tie) Cam Jensen/Tanner Whetham and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.7, $979 each; 5. Lightning Aguilera/Jared Fillmore, 4.8, $534; 6. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/JC Flake and Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 5.0, $148 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith and Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.2 seconds; 3. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 4.3; 4. Payden Emmett/Lucas Falconer, 4.5; 5. (tie) Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.7 each. Average: 1. (tie) Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 9.4 seconds on two head; 3. Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 9.7; 4. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 9.8; 5. Lightning Aguilera/Jared Fillmore, 10.3; 6. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 14.2. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Stu Wright, 87.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby; 2. Stetson Dell Wright, 87; 3. Kade Bruno, 86; 4. Sam Martin, 84; 5. Cort Scheer, 83; 6. Lefty Marvel Holman, 82.5. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Tyler Boxleitner, 9.9 seconds, $1,620; 2. Kincade Henry, 10.1, $1,341; 3. Kyle Dickens, 10.2, $1,061; 4. Colton Farquer, 10.7, $782; 5. Ross McAdow, 12.2, $503; 6. Zaine Mikita, 12.9, $279. Second round: 1. Jeremiah Peek, 10.0 seconds; 2. Kincade Henry, 11.9; 3. Tyler Boxleitner, 12.1; 4. Ricky Lambert, 12.5;  Continue Reading »

ESTES PARK, Colo. – The dreams of being a world champion start early for many cowboys. They might ride stick horses, but they have visions of the yellow chutes at the National Finals Rodeo. It’s what drives most of them; it’s why they travel the country following their passions. Brandon Harrison has had that dream. He’s a second-generation cowboy who got the bug passed to him by his father. He left his home in southeast Texas weeks ago to chase his dreams, ones he’s held for most of his 34 years. “I’m an NFR man, and the NFR is the goal,” said Harrison of Cheek, Texas, a tiny community of 2,700 people near Beaumont. “The world championship is the end goal, and I’m right there.” Yes, he is. He sits 19th in the world standings with three months remaining on ProRodeo’s regular season. He’d like to sneak up a few spots to secure his first bid to the sport’s grand finale, which features only the top 15 on the money list in each event. He gave himself a chance with a 3.6-second run during Saturday’s fourth performance of Rooftop Rodeo to take the second-round lead in steer wrestling. It tied for the fastest run of the rodeo, splitting that feat with Aaron Vosler, who won the first go-round. If Harrison can hold onto that spot through the final two performances, he will add $1,721. This is the best year of his recent professional career, but it’s not the best he’s done in Estes Park. In fact, he was crowned the Rooftop Rodeo champion two seasons ago, and he loves returning to the Rocky Mountain community for a chance at good money and the exquisite scenery. It’s also a chance for him to escape the oppressive heat that his home has been experiencing. “I’m enjoying Estes Park and this weather,” he said. “My wife and kids are jealous of where I am. They’re dying in the heat, and I’m up here with a jacket and a coat on trying to stay warm.” He competed in his first round Saturday morning in a series of competition dubbed “slack.” Though he didn’t have any success on his first run, he didn’t let that get him down. He knew the evening performance offered him a grand opportunity to cash in. “Riley (Duvall) ran that steer in the first round, and he was 3.7 (second),” Harrison said. “I knew he was good. I just had to hit the start and do my job. Riley hazed for me, and having someone like him hazing for you will give you a little more confidence to do your job.” Harrison has been traveling with Eli Lord, a South Dakota bulldogger, and has even ridden Lord’s horse. After the morning struggles, Harrison opted for a horse owned by another steer wrestler, Nebraskan Gus Franzen. “I had a little problem with the horse this morning, so I decided to make a change, and it worked,” Harrison said. “We all share horses, and if you bulldog any good, you can get on just about anything.” Being able to ride any horse comes in handy. It’s part of being a rodeo cowboy, something Harrison has been since he was a child. “My dad rodeoed his whole life, and he had me there with him,” he said. “I watched, and I learned, and the next thing you know, I was jumping steers horseback when I was 10 or 11.” He’s still doing it, living his gold buckle dreams through every run. ResultsRooftop RodeoJuly 5-10Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, on The Cervi Brothers’ Bazinga, and Richmond Champion, on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Hitman, 85.5 points; 3. Jacob Raine, 85; 4. Jacob Lees, 79; 5. Strawbs Jones, 78; 6. Kade Sonnier, 76.5. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Aaron Vosler, 3.6 seconds, $1,721; 2. Riley Duvall, 3.7, $1,425; 3. Bridger Anderson, 4.1, $1,128; 4. (tie) Rowdy Parrott and Cash Robb, 4.3, $683 each; 6. (tie) Jace Joos and Tristan Martin, 4.5, $148 each. Second round: 1. Brandon Harrison, 3.6 seconds; 2. Clayton Hass, 3.7; 3. Stephen Culling, 3.9; 4. Kyler Dick, 4.2; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.5; 6. Walt Arnold, 4.6. Average: 1. Dakota Eldridge, 9.1 seconds on two head; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 9.2; 3. Bridger Anderson, 9.3; 4. Tyler Pearson, 9.9; 5. Kyler Dick, 10.8; 6. Denver Berry, 11.1; no other qualified runs. Team roping: First round: 1. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 4.4 seconds, $1,721 each; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.5, $1,425; 3. (tie) Cam Jensen/Tanner Whetham and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.7, $979 each; 5. Lightning Aguilera/Jared Fillmore, 4.8, $534; 6. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/JC Flake and Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 5.0, $148 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith and Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.2 seconds; 3. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 4.3; 4. Payden Emmett/Lucas Falconer, 4.5; 5. Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.7; 6. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 5.4. Average: 1. (tie) Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 9.4 seconds on two head; 3. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 9.8; 4. Lightning Aguilera/Jared Fillmore, 10.3; 5. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 14.2; 6. Clayton Van Aken/Cullen Teller, 16.0; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Stu Wright, 87.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby; 2. Stetson Wright, 87; 3. Sam Martin, 84; 4. Cort Scheer, 83; 5. Lefty Marvel Holman, 82.5; 6. Leon Fountain, 82. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Tyler Boxleitner, 9.9 seconds, $1,620; 2. Kincade Henry, 10.1, $1,341; 3. Kyle Dickens, 10.2, $1,061; 4. Colton Farquer, 10.7, $782; 5. Ross McAdow, 12.2, $503; 6. Zaine Mikita, 12.9, $279. Second round: 1. Jeremiah Peek, 10.0 seconds; 2. Kincade Henry, 11.9; 3. Ricky Lambert, 12.5; 4. Cash Hooper, 13.3; 5. David Trahan, 15.6; 6. Neil Dove, 15.8. Average: 1. Kincade Henry, 22.0 seconds on two head; 2. David Trahan, 28.8; 3. (tie) Cash Hooper and Ross McAdow, 29.7 each; 5. Tyler Forsberg, 33.8; 6. Colby Anders, 39.5; no other qualified runs. Barrel racing: 1. Kelly Allen, 16.11 seconds; 2. Kelly Yates, 16.14; 3. (tie) Michelle Darling and Makala Pierce, 16.18; 5. (tie) Sydney Graham, Rainey Skelton and Heidi Tillard, 16.21; 8. Michelle Merrick, 16.24l 9. (tie) Fallon Forbes and Preslie  Continue Reading »

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Hunger is the name of the game in bareback riding. For Waylon Bourgeois, it’s all about being young and in his sophomore campaign in ProRodeo. For Richmond Champion, it’s about an injury forcing him to the sidelines for the better part of 2023. No matter their reasons, both men looked starved for the biggest prizes in the sport during Friday’s third performance of Rooftop Rodeo. Both men scored 85.5 points to move into a tie for the bareback riding lead with three nights remaining at Estes Park’s rodeo. “This is something I’ve dreamed about to be riding against guys like Richie, and hopefully I can go to the NFR with the,” said Bourgeois, 24, of Church Point, Louisiana. He rode Cervi Brothers’ Rodeos Bazinga, while Champion rode Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Hitman. Both knew they had a chance to make some serious cash in the Colorado Rockies by making their way to Estes Park this weekend. “That horse is usually a (saddle) bronc, and he’s been around a long time,” said Champion, 30, of Stevensville, Montana. “I’d seen Cole Reiner do good on him last year, so I knew he was a solid chance. He came out a little more wild and bucky than I thought he was going to be, but it was a lot of fun.” Champion has been to the National Finals Rodeo seven times in his career, first qualifying in 2014. He missed the finals in 2015 and watched from the sidelines. That built a fire in him that burned until a neck injury forced him out of competition for several months in 2022. When doctors recommended surgery, he was well on his way to an eighth trip to ProRodeo’s grand finale. “Obviously I was on track to make it back to the NFR, but God had other plans,” said Champion, whose wife, Paige, is expected to give birth to the couple’s first child in September. “I got to be home. I guided fly fishing. I went to Las Vegas to watch a couple rounds last December and ended up getting the TV deal.” Champion served as an expert commentator during the NFR’s pregame show on The Cowboy Channel, so it was in the Nevada desert for all 10 go-rounds. “It made me love rodeo even more, getting to see it from all aspects and not just focusing on bareback riding,” he said. “It’s all a piece of the puzzle for this year.” He’s 25th in the world standings as of this week, but he’s got a great chance to keep moving up the money list. Bourgeois is 36th in the standings, but he’s building. Rides like the one he put on Friday night give him the confidence that he hopes builds momentum. “I’m going to try my hardest to get to the NFR,” said Bourgeois, who finished his inaugural campaign 29th in the world standings and second in the rookie race. “If it happens, it happens. If not, God’s got other plans. Whatever He’s got in store for me is how it’s going to go, and I’m just going to accept it.” While sitting out much of the 2022 season helped motivate Champion, he looks toward Bourgeois and others new to the game for more inspiration. “The crop of young guys this year is insane,” he said. “For me, coming back from injury and having to sit out last year, seeing these guys starting to come on and the way they came out this winter has really lit a fire under me.” ResultsRooftop RodeoJuly 5-10Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, on The Cervi Brothers’ Bazinga, and Richmond Champion, on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Hitman, 85.5 points each; 3. Jacob Raine, 85; 4. Strawbs Jones, 78; 5. Kade Sonnier, 76.5; 6. Tim Murphy, 74. Steer wrestling: 1. Aaron Vosler, 3.6 seconds; 2. Jace Joos, 4.5; 3. Colt Honey, 4.6; 4. Gus Franzen, 4.8; 5. Will Lummus, 5.0; 6. Charles Johnston, 5.2. Team roping: 1. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 4.4 seconds; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.5; 3. (tie) Cam Jensen/Tanner Whetham and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.7 each; 5. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/JC Flake and Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 5.0 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Stu Wright, 87.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby; 2. Stetson Wright, 87; 3. Sam Martin, 84; 4. Lefty Marvel Holman, 82.5; 5. Leon Fountain, 82; 6. Brody Cress, 81.5. Tie-down roping: 1. Tyler Boxleitner, 9.9 seconds; 2. Kincade Henry, 10.1; 3. Colton Farquer, 10.7; 4. Ross McAdow, 12.2; 5. Zaine Mikita, 12.9; 6. Seth Peterson, 13.1. Barrel racing: 1. Kelly Allen, 16.11 seconds; 2. Kelly Yates, 16.14; 3. (tie) Michelle Darling and Makala Pierce, 16.18; 5. (tie) Rainey Skelton and Heidi Tillard, 16.21; 7. Michelle Merrick, 16.24; 8. (tie) Fallon Forbes and Preslie Reid, 16.25; 10. Shali Lord, 16.28; 11. Emery Mask, 16.35; 12. (tie) Natalie Bland and Jayda Jameson, 16.44; 14. Erin Wetzel, 16.47; 15. Alex Odle, 16.49. Bull riding: 1. Stetson Wright, 88 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Theodore; 2. Cody Johansen, 76.5; 3. Ben Bode, 72; no other qualified rides.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – After roping together for a couple of years, Pedro Egurrola and J.C. Flake decided to try something else. They separated, which happens in team roping, but they remained close friends. When they had the opportunity to reunite, they opted to do so at one of their favorite events, Rooftop Rodeo. They proved that familiarity breeds content, stopping the clock during Thursday’s second performance in 5.0 seconds to take the first-round lead in Estes Park. “We roped together all last year, then we took and break but decided to get the band back together,” said Flake, 24, a heeler from Grandbury, Texas. “This is our first one back.” It’s a good start to an important rodeo for both. Neither cowboy is among the top 50 in the world standings, and Rooftop Rodeo offers them three chances at the money. They are scheduled to rope their second steer Sunday night, so they have a chance to earn cash in both rounds and the aggregate. “For us, (the key) was to slow down and just make a good run and let us make up the time that way,” said Egurrola, a 28-year-old header from Florence, Arizona. “We just wanted to go down, be smart and be aggressive.” That worked pretty well a year ago. The tandem secured Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo title last fall and will compete next week in the national circuit finals, dubbed the NFR Open. They’d love the chance to continue to build on their success from their first night back in the saddle. “Pedro did a great job, and we had a good steer, so we just tried to maximize him,” Flake said. “We’re just thankful to the committee and everyone that let us come here and be part of it. It’s a great rodeo.” Great events like Rooftop Rodeo attract hundreds of contestants, and the cream will rise to the top. Egurrola and Flake hope to be there by the time the rodeo comes to an end. “It comes down to having confidence,” Egurrola said. “It’s about having confidence in your horse, having confidence in your partner. All you can do is do your job, so you’ve got to set up your job to make it easy on your partner.” Headers rope the steers’ horns, then turn the animals to give their heelers the best shot. The clock stops when both have secured loops and turn their horses to face one another. The many runs they’ve made together over the years all played into the run they made Thursday evening. “He’s one of my best friends, so it’s always really fun,” Flake said of Egurrola. “We’re never against each other, and everyone’s on the same team. We’re really close, so that makes it easy.” ResultsRooftop RodeoJuly 5-10Bareback riding: 1. Strawbs Jones, 78 points on Cervi Brothers’ Fire Easy; 2. Kade Sonnier, 76.5; 3. Tim Murphy, 74; 4. Kory Hart, 72; no other qualified rides.   Steer wrestling: 1. Aaron Vosler, 3.6 seconds; 2. Charles Johnston, 5.2; 3. Jace Land, 5.3; 4. Tyke Kipp, 6.3; 5. Yazzie Rooster, 7.4; 6. Clay Reiner, 14.1. Team roping: 1. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 5.0 seconds; 2. Rowdy Jones/Jeffrey Williams, 5.5; 2. 3. Kyon Kreutzer/Clancey Kreutzer, 5.7; 4. Zane Murphy/Dustin Taylor, 5.8; 5. Eric Martin/Ryon Tittel, 5.9; 6. Teagan Hunter Karlson, 6.5. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sam Martin, 84 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Scarlette; 2. Lefty Holman, 82.5; 3. Leon Fountain, 82; 4. Brody Cress, 81.5; 5. Bryan Huey, 79; 6. Carter Sandberg, 78.5. Tie-down roping: 1. Tyler Boxleitner, 9.9 seconds; 2. Zaine Mikita, 12.9; 3. Seth Peterson, 13.1; 4. Garrett Busby, 13.2; 5. J.D. McCuistion, 18.1; 6. Walker Akins, 18.2 Barrel racing: 1. Kelly Allen, 16.11 seconds; 2. Michelle Darling, 16.18; 3. (tie) Rainey Skelton and Heidi Tillard, 16.21; 5. Michelle Merrick, 16.24; 6. Shali Lord, 16.28; 7. Natalie Bland, 16.44; 8. Erin Wetzel, 16.47; 9. Laura Lambert, 16.55; 10. Brittyn Rocha, 16.58. Bull riding: 1. Cody Johansen, 76.5 points on Cervi Brothers’ Wild Time; 2. Ben Bode, 72; no other qualified rides.  

GUNNISON, Colo. – There is a breathtaking beauty that comes with the Gunnison Valley, tucked neatly into the picturesque Rocky Mountains. All that is part of the attraction for thousands of people that visit Gunnison each year. For rodeo cowboys and cowgirls, all that just adds to the experience they share as they compete at the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, set for Thursday, July 13-Saturday, July 15, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. The event, which will celebrate its 123rd year, was recognized as one of the very best in ProRodeo. Only 20 rodeos nationwide – five in each of four size categories – earn nominations for Rodeos of the Year, and Gunnison’s marquee event was among them in 2022. It’s quite a distinction for the volunteers that work year-round to produce not only a great community event but also a world-class competition that features many of rodeo’s greatest stars. “There are a lot of reasons why Cattleman’s Days Rodeo deserves to be nominated,” said Andy Stewart, the voice of the rodeo and one of its chief ambassadors. “The committee is always striving to improve this rodeo in any way possible. They continue to spend money where it needs to be spent, and they’re really big on community involvement.” The local event was in the Medium Rodeo of the Year category, which is the largest sect of competitions in ProRodeo. To be recognized as one of the top five is quite an honor, but it’s one that has been earned over the years. “It’s pretty cool whenever you can ride somewhere that they’ve been having a rodeo for over 100 years,” said Tilden Hooper, the 2022 Cattlemen’s Days bareback riding champion from Fort Worth, Texas. “There’s a lot of history. I’m sure every great cowboy I’ve ever looked up to rode here. To get a chance to come here and get to win this rodeo is special to me.” Hooper is a nine-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and has been around ProRodeo for 17 years. He’s been to a bunch of big events, and he was excited to get the title in Gunnison last summer. “It’s a really good rodeo,” he said. He hasn’t been in the game as long as Patrick Smith, a two-time world champion heeler from Lipan, Texas. Smith is in his 21st year competing in the PRCA and has 13 qualifications to ProRodeo’s grand championship, which takes place each December in Las Vegas. He earned his most recent trip to the Nevada desert in part by winning the Cattlemen’s Days team roping title with newcomer Tanner Tomlinson of Angleton, Texas. The committee has “done a great job of adding money to the rodeo, taking care of all the contestants,” Smith said. “Guys are starting to recognize Gunnison and make sure we’re entered, because it’s that good of a rodeo.” What makes it so good? First and foremost is that the community goes all out for the celebration and for the rodeo. Add to that a good payout, a great livestock producer and tremendous history, and hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls are making sure they have a chance to compete in Gunnison. “There’s a lot of nostalgia and atmosphere in that older arena,” Stewart said. “You have a different feel. It takes you back 50-60 years. This is a really special place. “I hear from a lot of people, and they say it’s a travel destination rodeo. They enjoy the town being so quaint and being able to get on great livestock from Stace Smith Pro Rodeo. It’s an opportunity to slip off in the mountains and enjoy that rodeo.” With all that going for it, many in the sport suspect Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo will be back in contention for Rodeo of the Year in 2023 and beyond.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – The opening night of Rooftop Rodeo featured a shutout by the bulls, an Australian taking the bareback riding lead and a Granny May Arena record in barrel racing. Rainey Skelton may be best known as the daughter of eight-time world champion heeler, but she’s making quite a name for herself at a young age. In 2021 at the age of 17, she won the Women’s Rodeo World Championship barrel racing title. On Wednesday night, she and her horse rounded the cloverleaf pattern in 16.21 seconds to set a new arena record, a feat that was just established a season ago with a 16.36-second run by Tarryn Lee. Skelton was the first barrel racer of the six-day rodeo, and she posted a time that will be tough to beat. The high-marked ride came in saddle bronc riding, when 25-year-old Sam Martin of Goodwell, Oklahoma, rode Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Scarlette for 84 points. He outlasted three other bronc busters, Californian Lefty Holman (82.5), New Mexican Leon Fountain (82) and Wyoming hand Brody Cress (81.5) to the top during the first performance. “This is a great rodeo,” said Martin, who attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University, best known as the Bronc Rider U. “It has a lot of money up for grabs, and it’s beautiful up here.”  While he’s following in the footsteps of Panhandle State standouts like Robert and Dan Etbauer, Craig Latham, Tom Reeves, Jeffrey Willert and Taos Muncy, Martin is hoping to establish himself in their likeness. All have been to ProRodeo’s mountaintop, the National Finals Rodeo, and a handful of them own world championships. “Right now I’m trying to get my qualifications up so I can hopefully make a run at the NFR next year,” he said. Strawbs Jones, a cowboy originally from Clermont, Australia, but now living in Alberta, took the lead in bareback riding with a 78-point marking on Cervi’s Fire’s Easy. He said he likes riding bareback horses because of its aggressive nature. “It’s like a fistfight every time you nod your head,” he said. Steer wrestler Jace Land of Paradise, Texas, turned in the fastest time of the night with a 5.3-second run. He will make his second-round run Monday during the final performance of Rooftop Rodeo. The men’s timed events – steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping – feature two go-rounds, while the other events are just one. All that makes the remaining five nights of Estes Park’s rodeo all important. This rodeo will pay out more than $100,000 over six nights, so it’s a valuable piece of the puzzle for cowboys and cowgirls who rely on their winnings. ResultsRooftop RodeoJuly 5-10Bareback riding: 1. Strawbs Jones, 78 points on Cervi Brothers’ Fire Easy; Kory Hart, 72; no other qualified rides.   Steer wrestling: 1. Jace Land, 5.3 seconds; 2. Yazzie Rooster, 7.4; 3. Clay Reiner, 14.1; 4. Blare Romsa, 17.7; no other qualified runs. Team roping: 1. Rowdy Jones/Jeffrey Williams, 5.5 seconds; 2. Zane Murphy/Dustin Taylor, 5.8; 3. Eric Martin/Ryon Tittel, 5.9; 4. Teagan Hunter Karlson, 6.5; 5. Garrett Busby/Jay McClain, 6.7; 6. Todd Drommond/Jason DeVore, 7.3; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sam Martin, 84 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Scarlette; 2. Lefty Holman, 82.5; 3. Leon Fountain, 82; 4. Brody Cress, 81.5; 5. Bryan Tyler Huey, 79; 6. (tie) Cleve Griffin and Trent Burd, 74 points each; 8. Ross Griffin, 71.5. Tie-down roping: 1. Zaine Mikita, 12.9 seconds; 2. Kail Lee Mayfield, 19.0; 3. Clay Reiner, 20.8; 4. Roan Eugene Hudson, 24.6; no other qualified runs. Barrel racing: 1. Rainey Skelton, 16.21 seconds; 2. Natalie Bland, 16.44; 3. Donna Tippen, 16.74; Loralee Ward, 16.76; 5. Amanda Welsh, 17.08; 6. Lacee Phelps, 17.09; 7. Anna Stark, 17.16; 8. Chris Gibson, 17.23; 9. Brittany Fellows, 17.25; 10. Jill Markelle, 17.39; 11. Gracen Pomroy, 17.53; 12. Shelly Lilly, 17.69; no other qualified runs. Bull riding: No qualified rides.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – As a youngster, Jerry Pegelow was shown the value of volunteerism and what it means to give back. It’s one of the many reasons he has been a longtime volunteer with Dodge City Roundup, the volunteer group that organizes the annual rodeo. He became a member of Roundup 25 years ago and has served on the board for 23. Over that time, he’s handled many tasks and labored for many hours to help produce Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 6, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1. It all comes from those interactions many years ago in his hometown in northeastern Illinois. “It stems back from my childhood years,” said Pegelow, the Ensign, Kansas, location manager for the Pride Ag. “My grandparents and parents were always volunteering at the county fair, and I was on the grounds crew for our county fair. “I remember as a knee-high child, my grandfather would take his tractor and mower and mow everything and fix everything a week before the fair.” Pegelow continues giving of his time and talents for one of the biggest events in southwest Kansas. It was a natural transition, he said, because he knew how important it is to give back. “I was involved in the evolution of that county fair, to where there was something going on at that facility 45 weekends out of the year,” he said. “At one time, it was the third largest county fair as far as attendance in Illinois. “When we moved down here in May of 1997, the Little Britches rodeo was the first thing that was going on. A gentleman I was working with was on the committee at the time.” The rest is history. Now, Pegelow continues to work behind the scenes, helping organize the bucking horses and work the stripping chute to make sure that all saddles, riggings and flank straps are removed from the animals and set aside for their rightful owners. He’s also vice president of the Roundup board. In all, there are 45 directors for Roundup, which has 14 honorary directors, mostly folks who have served Roundup for many years. In all, they make up the group of volunteers that help make everything happen for the rodeo, which takes place during the Dodge City Days celebration. “Volunteers are important to us in order to put on a great show,” Pegelow said. “If it wasn’t for volunteers selling tickets, taking tickets, working the beer stands, working the concession stands, doing all the things that need to be done, we wouldn’t have a production like we do. “In June and into July, there are a handful of people that are down at the rodeo grounds every night working. Come the week of the rodeo, there are dozens of volunteers that are there to help you out.” It takes a village, or at least a good portion of it. There are many aspects that need to be covered. Volunteers handle much of the cosmetic things, like the upgrades to the south grandstands. The new ticket booth was handled by a construction company, but the inside work was all done by volunteers. They’re also the ones who help sort cattle, whether it’s hours before the rodeo or while loading them in contest order. Roundup Rodeo features two full go-rounds in the men’s timed events and doesn’t limit the number of entries, all male ropers and steer wrestlers and most of the barrel racers and breakaway ropers will compete during the day in a section known as “slack.” By the time the volunteers help with that, then get everything organized for the evenings’ paid performances, it’s a full day. It takes dedication, time and a willingness to put forth the effort so it all comes across as seamlessly as possible for the contestants, fans and sponsors. “There are people sorting cattle on the back end,” Pegelow said. “My daughters and their friends and families run the north end. During slack, they’re doing all the sorting so the contractor doesn’t have to go back later and re-sort cattle at the end of the day. Everything is put in order. It takes a well-oiled cog to make it all come off like it does.” It’s one of the reasons why Roundup was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2012. Most volunteers already have full-time jobs, and they spend countless hours at the arena on top of it all. For Pegelow, it’s a passion he’s continued outside of Dodge City. He helps with rodeos from smaller associations, like Kansas Professional Rodeo Association events, and rodeos for the sport’s rising stars; he also judges youth rodeos. “It’s an honor to be a member of Dodge City Roundup,” he said. “We are the youngest rodeo inducted into the Hall of Fame, and we are always one of the top 25 rodeos in the country. It’s amazing what we can do out here in western Kansas. We have a good community, and we all work together. “I think what makes Roundup special is the contestants that come to town. We’ve got world champions every night and (National Finals Rodeo) qualifiers. I’ve gotten to know some of the contestants, and then there are the contract personnel. They become like family. That means something.” Roundup is also vital to Dodge City, Ford County and all of southwest Kansas. Thousands of people make their way to town each August to see rodeo’s greatest stars and witness the labor-intensive work that so many volunteers have produced over time. “Our fan base on the spectator side of things has a lot of people that enjoy the sort of rodeo that come to Roundup,” Pegelow said. “With it being during Dodge City Days, a 10-day festival, it’s also a community affair. I think there are a lot of people around here that take pride in our rodeo.” They do, and it shows  Continue Reading »