Monthly Archives: April 2024

ALVA, Okla. – Moments before he was to make a season-defining run at the final college rodeo of the 2023-24 campaign, Northwestern Oklahoma State University cowboy Emmett Edler gained a few words of encouragement from teammate Jacob Haren. “Jacob told me to go blast that steer,” said Edler of State Center, Iowa. That’s just what happened. Edler wrestled the steer to the ground in 6.4 seconds to win Saturday afternoon’s championship round of the Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo and finished second in the two-run aggregate. That was worth 110 points and helped propel the cowboy into third place in the Central Plains Region standings and earn a berth to the College National Finals Rodeo. Here’s the rub: Haren was the cowboy Edler overtook to earn the right to compete at Casper, Wyoming, the second week of June. “That speaks to the comradery of our team; Jacob wanted me to do good and see me succeed even if it meant that I passed him,” Edler said. “The good news is that Jacob finished second in the all-around, so he gets to go the college finals anyway.” In the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, only the top two teams, the top two in the all-around race and the top three individuals in each event advance to the year-end championship. Haren – who is from Callaway, Nebraska – will compete in both tie-down roping and steer wrestling when he arrives in Casper. The Rangers had already secured the top two bulldoggers in the region before competition began this last week in Guymon, Oklahoma. Trisyn Kalawaia of Waiakea, Hawaii, is the champion, and Cam Fox of Tulsa finished the year as the runner-up. Haren, for his part, finished fourth, and Quade Potter of Stockville, Nebraska, closed out at No. 5. “It speaks to the coaches we have,” said Edler, the younger brother of Northwestern alumnus and 2020 world champion steer wrestler Jacob Edler. “Stockton (Graves) being the coach and helping us as much as he does and my brother helping us all the time is big. We have the steers to run and the other guys to push you hard. “It’s pretty cool when the guys you’re competing with and the guys your trying to beat out for that spot are the guys you’re practicing with every day. We push each other and want each other to do good.” Emmett Edler wasn’t the only Ranger to secure his spot at the college finale over the weekend. Breakaway roper Lauren Hopkins of Lipan, Texas, finished third in the opening round in Guymon. That helped her win the regional title, an honor hundreds of contestants in the Central Plains strive for each year. Hopkins was one of five Northwestern cowgirls in the Panhandle State championship round. Lacey Geiger of Emmett, Idaho, had the best finish of them all; she posted a 2.6-second run to win the final round and the aggregate title. Makaylah Rhodes of Eagle Point, Oregon, placed in the final round and average, and TaraLee Haddock of Black Forest, Colorado, was 2.9 to finish in a three-way tie for fifth in the opening round. Sierra Schott of McLaughlin, South Dakota, joined the Rangers’ contingent in the short round. Kerry Duvall of Oakdale, California, and Kade Chace of Cherokee, Oklahoma, placed in the first round of tie-down roping but were not able to add any points on the final day of competition. “I knew I needed to be sharp in the short round and do my job,” Edler said. “At the last few rodeos, I struggled a little bit in the short round. I knew I’d put in the work and just needed to focus and make the run and see how the cards fell. I knew, either way, I’d done all I could do and tried as hard as I could.” He had a little help, and it wasn’t just from the coaches or other Rangers. For the last few rodeos, he had been riding EZ, a horse owned by teammate Logan Mullin of Clay Center, Kansas. He’s also been hazing for many of his teammates and other bulldoggers while riding Bullfrog, a mare owned by Ryan Swayze, a steer wrestling veteran from Freedom, Oklahoma. “Logan gave me a chance to ride EZ at Garden City (Kansas),” Edler said. “It fit really good, and I started riding him at the college rodeos and started riding him at ProRodeos, too. Ever since I started on him, I’ve been winning something everywhere I’ve been. “Ryan sent me Bullfrog as just a broke horse, and he gave me the opportunity to start hazing on her. She took to it really well, and it’s been a process getter her in the practice pen finished and hauling her to rodeos and getting her seasoned. She’s turned into a really nice horse. We’ve had a lot of success on her. She’s hazed for Cam, Trisyn and me at a handful of rodeos.” That formula as worked well, and Edler will continue to use it when he arrives at the college finals, which takes place June 9-15. It will be the last rodeo in Graves 12-year tenure as coach; he announced this past week that will resign at the end of this year. “Making the college finals this year has been something in the back of my mind,” Edler said. “Being on Stockton’s team and making the college final in his last season is a really cool deal. To be able to go to Casper and compete for him, it just makes me want to have a strong showing. I want to do as good as we can do out there and leave his legacy strong.”

GUYMON, Okla. – A year ago this week, Emma Cameron made her first appearance at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. She was Miss Rodeo New Mexico and part of the visiting queens program associated with the biggest annual event in the Oklahoma Panhandle. She was just one of a large contingent of ladies who shared their love of rodeo and their home states. “It was so much fun to be there last year,” said Cameron, who was crowned Miss Rodeo America this past December during the pageant held in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. “Ken and Sherry Stonecipher do such a great job of keeping us involved and taking us to community events as state queens. It’s a great experience.” She will get a chance to relive that time when she returns to this year’s event, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “That’s the one that all the state queens look forward to every year,” she said. “I’m super excited to be back as Miss Rodeo America.” The Stoneciphers have been associated with Guymon’s rodeo for nearly three decades. Ken Stonecipher is serving as the volunteer committee’s chairman and will also emcee the rodeo with fellow ProRodeo announcer Andy Stewart. Sherry Stonecipher is the queen coordinator, and the couple has hosted visiting queens for many years. “I’ve been in and out of Guymon for forever because I have family there, but I think last year was my first time to be at the rodeo,” said Cameron, who will be joined by 17 visiting state queens this week. “I’m glad I get to go back. It’s going to be a great weekend.” So much has changed since her last appearance at Pioneer Days. She finished out her reign as Miss Rodeo New Mexico by traveling the Land of Enchantment and other outposts across North America. Then there were those rugged few days in the Nevada desert, where every state representative was put on high alert during the most incredible pageant of their lives. Once she took the title, the next phase of the job came into play. She will continue her role as ProRodeo’s most visible ambassador for another seven months until the new Miss Rodeo America is crowned. “You hit the ground running, and you have that whole last week of the (National) Finals in Vegas,” Cameron said. “Then right after the new year, you get on the road to Denver and have to learn as you go. The support system behind Miss Rodeo America makes it a really smooth, enjoyable transition, so I’ve been really grateful for that. “You learn so much that you didn’t know, not only about rodeo and how rodeos work, but also about yourself and how you see the world and what you want to do. It’s a really phenomenal experience.”

GUYMON, Okla. – It wasn’t long after Jeff and Linda Graue opened L&J Auto Parts that they began celebrating their new community. It started by supporting the Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo, now called the Doc Gardner Memorial Rodeo, which takes place the final weekend of April. Shortly thereafter, the Graues began sponsoring the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. “We just set out to contribute to the rodeo as a community thing,” Jeff Graue said. “We both love rodeo, and we were businesspeople, so it was just something we took on. That’s what we wanted to do. We sponsored some other stuff in the community, but we wanted something major to do, and that’s why we sponsored both the rodeos.” The Graues closed their shop in February after nearly four decades in business because of circumstances they couldn’t control. Their supplier was no longer supporting many of the small firms it once did, so the couple opted to retire. Because of their many years of dedication to Pioneer Days Rodeo, the volunteer committee that produces the annual event showed the couple its gratitude by creating an arena banner for them that is similar to the one L&J Auto Parts had for so long. It will be on display for the rodeo, which begins competition Monday, April 29, and continues for seven days, ending with a crescendo of four performances, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “It’s probably one of the greatest honors we’ve ever had,” Jeff Graue said of the banner and the meaning behind it. “We sure didn’t set out that way in the beginning. We never could have imagined this would turn into an honor like that.” Originally from Kansas, the Graues set up shop in Guymon in 1987 and began supporting the college rodeo and the ProRodeo a few years later. It was around that time that Jeff Graue began working with the Point Rock Trail Riders, who annually make the trek from Elkhart, Kansas, for Pioneer Days. For most of that time, he was the Guymon connection. Over the years, the Graues haven’t missed many performances; rodeo holds a special place in their hearts. They’ve seen it all, from the muley team roping to years the rodeo conducted a short round for the ProRodeo Tour, from the bronc matches to the countless gold buckles that battle inside Hitch Arena. This is “Where the Champions Come to Play the First Weekend in May,” and the titlists read like a who’s who of rodeo’s superstars. “Jeff and Linda have been amazing supporters of our rodeo and the college rodeo for so many years that we decided this was a little something we could do to show how much we appreciate them,” said Carson Kane, the rodeo committee’s sponsorship director. “We appreciate our sponsors, our partners. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to put on such a big-time rodeo.” Guymon’s rodeo had 1,118 contestants enter to compete in the Oklahoma Panhandle. It takes a hard-working volunteer base and a thriving support system to produce a world-class contest that also features four highly entertaining performances. There’s a reason why Pioneer Days Rodeo was nominated as one of the best events during the 2023 season and why it is enshrined in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. Freedom, Oklahoma-based Frontier Rodeo Co. is the livestock producer. Frontier rodeo manager Heath Stewart is also bringing in another Oklahoma firm, Championship Pro Rodeo of Leedey, and Colorado-based Vold Rodeo Co. to ensure every roughstock cowboy has a chance to take home the prestigious trophy belt. Pioneer Days Rodeo is also unique in its format, where team ropers compete on hornless (muley) cattle; it is one of the handful of rodeos across North America that features such. Contestants in team roping, tie-down roping and steer wrestling will all make two runs, and the cowboys with the top 40 two-run cumulative times will return for a third run during the weekend performances. This year’s festivities also feature a change in the pre-performance competitions known as slack. Barrel racers will make their initial runs beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 2. Breakaway ropers will begin their contest at 9 a.m. Friday, May 3. “The committee agreed to drag after every six runs in barrel racing, which will lengthen the duration of slack, so we decided to trade the slack times with breakaway roping,” said Ken Stonecipher, the rodeo committee’s president who also will announce the rodeo with Louisianan Andy Stewart. “We hope it enhances the competition.” Making things better has been a defining characteristic of Pioneer Days Rodeo. It’s why more than 1,000 cowboys and cowgirls will make their way to the Oklahoma Panhandle next week and why Guymon and the surrounding communities support the rodeo.

CLARENDON, Texas – For the first time in school history, the Clarendon College women’s rodeo program is taking a full team to the College National Finals Rodeo. The Bulldogs wrapped up the 10-event Southwest Region season this past weekend at the Tarleton State University rodeo in Stephenville, Texas, by finishing second in the standings and earning the right to have four ladies compete at Casper, Wyoming, in June. “It was a pretty exciting weekend to see us be able to pull through and get it done,” said Wyatt Smith, coach of the Clarendon’s women’s rodeo team. “We were 65 points behind going into Tarleton (State University), and Brenna Ellis made the short round in breakaway roping. She finished second in the short round and split second, third and fourth in the average, and that was enough to get us the points to secure second in the region. “Brenna came in clutch for us.” She did, and much of that had to do with handling the pressure of the moment. “I tried not to feel any pressure,” said Ellis, a freshman from Clarendon. “I definitely knew it was up to me, but it didn’t feel any different from any other run. I knew to just go rope your calf and do your job, and the rest is up to chance.” The Bulldogs shot past Cisco (Texas) College to earn the right to compete as a team at the college finals, set for June 9-15. Smith will fill the team with three other breakaway ropers, Falyn Thomson of Clinton, British Columbia; Josie Draper of Fairfield, Texas; and Shaylee Warner of Rigby, Idaho, the last of whom was automatically in the field because she finished second in the individual standings. In college rodeo, only the top two teams and the top three individuals in each event from each region advance to the championship event; all will compete in three rounds. The top 12 from there will advance to the final go-round, where the titlists will be crowned. “I still can’t believe it happened,” Warner said of her qualification. “It was a really good year. I didn’t make a short go in the fall until the last rodeo; I had little gimmers of hope, then finally I made the short-go in Lubbock (Texas). “It’s surprising, because I came into college rodeo with zero expectations. I came from a little town in Idaho, but I guess overall, it helped me. There was no target on my back; I was just seeing how it would all play out.” Ellis was just hoping to feel this type of emotion. “It’s amazing, and it’s a feeling I was thinking about all year,” she said. “Now that we get to do it, I hope we can make Clarendon proud.” She had other options to further her education, but she knew something special has been brewing at her hometown college. “I did not want to stay in Clarendon at first, but I looked at a few other schools,” Ellis said. “I thought that it would be stupid to not take advantage of the program right across the road. It’s one of the best programs in the state and in the country.” The Clarendon men’s rodeo team is a two-time national champion. Both programs are coached by men who played the game at a high level. Smith, a steer wrestler and all-around cowboy, qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in 2014. Men’s coach Bret Franks is a three-time NFR qualifier in saddle bronc riding. In addition to the two Clarendon team titles, he coached his alma mater, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, to two team championships. Franks has also coached four national titlists in saddle bronc riders Wyatt Casper and Riggin Smith and bareback riders Weston Timberman and Cole Franks, who also won the all-around title in 2021. “I’ve known Wyatt and his family for as long as I can remember,” Warner said of Smith, who also is from a small town in eastern Idaho. “It was a no-brainer for me when he started talking about coming to school in Texas. I’m very lucky that he did. “Wyatt helps me with my mindset. He’s helped me rope when the pressure’s on, where there are 200 girls roping just as good as me. In our daily meetings, he’s just there for us and makes sure we’re thinking like a winner. Horsemanship is also another big thing for Wyatt. He’s a competitor in every aspect.”

ALVA, Okla. – With one rodeo remaining on the Central Plains Region schedule, things are looking pretty good for Northwestern Oklahoma State University steer wrestlers. The top five men in the regional standings are Rangers, and the odds of all three bulldoggers traveling to the College National Finals Rodeo will be heading out of Alva in June are pretty good. Northwestern proved its dominance again this past weekend at the Fort Hays (Kansas) State University rodeo, where seven of the 12 cowboys in the final round were Rangers. “I think we’ve improved a whole lot by bulldogging every day, pushing each other and staying sharp and running steers,” said Cam Fox of Tulsa, who has secured his second-place finish in the standings, thereby ensuring his spot at the national championship in Casper, Wyoming. “We all stayed aggressive. We wanted to dominate, and I think we did that.” Senior Trisyn Kalawaia of Waiakea, Hawaii, won the bulldogging title in Hays to wrap up his Central Plains title. He was 4.6 seconds to finish second in the opening round, then stopped the clock in 4.1 seconds to win the championship round and the overall title. That gave him a healthy enough advantage over the field to claim the year-end crown. “I drew two really good steers and saw that I had the opportunity to bounce back after the last couple of rodeos,” said the senior, who also qualified for the college finals as a freshman while attending Central Arizona College. “This was a good year for all of us. Coming toward the end of the season and having the top five bulldoggers in the standings, it shows that we were competing with more confidence. “Now, we’ll be able to go into the college finals with confidence. We’ve been bulldogging good all year. I think it’s going to help us out when we get to the college finals. To be able to have this much success with my buddies is great.” As it has been much of the spring semester, Northwestern showed up big in western Kansas. Sterling Lee of Goetebo, Oklahoma, won the long round, placed in the short round and finished second. Jacob Haren capitalized on finishing in a tie for second place in the final go-round to place fifth overall. Tanner Meier of Garden City placed sixth in the championship round and tied for sixth overall, while Emmett Edler of State Center, Iowa, and Fox both earned points in the first round. The final rodeo set for this coming weekend in Guymon, Oklahoma, will help decide who the third bulldogger from the Central Plains will be. Haren is third, but he’s just 90 points ahead of Edler. Quade Potter of Stockville, Nebraska, who made the short round in Hays but didn’t gather any points, sits fifth. “I just need to keep getting points like I have been all season,” Haren said. “We’ll be running different steers than we have been running when we get to Guymon. I’m sure they’ll be good, and we’ll just see what happens.” Bull rider Kade Stokes of Landrum, South Carolina, continued his late push in the regional standings. He finished second in the first round in Hays, and when no cowboys lasted the eight seconds in the final round, he finished second overall. That helped move him up one spot to sixth in the circuit – only the top three contestants from the region standings in each event advance to the college finals. Tie down roper Kade Chace of Cherokee, Oklahoma, header Kyler Altmiller of Canadian, Texas, (roping with Cody Newell of Dodge City Community College) and the Rangers tandem of Lacey Geiger of Emmett, Idaho, and Chase Cooper of Homedale, Idaho, all made the short round. Breakaway roper Jaci Traul of Fort Scott, Kansas, scored points by finishing in a tie for second place in the first round, while Lauren Hopkins of Lipan, Texas, made the final round, where she was joined by barrel racer Chase Kite of Beetown, Wisconsin. “Some of us have struggled throughout the year, but we put on some pressure here at the end, and Stockton was a big part of that,” Kalawaia said of the Rangers’ coach, Stockton Graves. “He’s good at being a mental coach. He’ll show you how to bulldog, but Stockton’s mental coaching is really good. I’ve learned a lot from him. “Once we realized we needed to get dialed in, that’s when we started to turn it around. I think a few of us, me included, were struggling mentally, but our confidence grew. Now, we can take that with us to the college finals.”

SAN ANGELO, Texas – There’s something about Foster Communications Coliseum that Keenan Hayes really likes. Two years ago, the young cowboy from Hayden, Colorado, won the bareback riding title of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo while competing on his permit. He finished the year with a single-season permit earnings record, collecting $108,568 in his “test-drive” season in which he needed to earn at least $1,000 in order to purchase his PRCA member Last year, he won the San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out en route to another record-breaking campaign: He won the 2023 Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year, then became the first rookie ever to win the bareback riding world championship while earning $434,050, the single-season earnings record in his event. He was a repeat champion after two solid rides during Saturday’s Chute-Out, claiming the title after a 91.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s New Scarlet in the championship round to outlast Utahan Dean Thompson and Bradlee Miller of Huntsville, Texas. Ever since he decided to become a professional bronc buster, Hayes has made quite a statement. He began his night by riding Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Nite Faded for 87 points to advance to the final round, where he continued to put on a show with the bay-and-white paint Pickett horse that has been selected to perform four times at the National Finals Rodeo. Hayes was the second of the three cowboys to ride in the championship round. He watched Miller post an 88.5-point ride to begin the section, then made his ride. Hayes was still in the arena when Thompson finished the round with an 89-point ride. The Colorado cowboy is off to another hot start in 2024. He was fifth in the world standings heading into the weekend, but he likely will move up at least one spot on the money list with the $7,500 he grabbed in Tom Green County. San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoCinch Chute-OutApril 20Bareback riding: First round: 1. Dean Thompson, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s San Angelo Sam; 2. Keenan Hayes, 87; 3. Bradlee Miller, 86; 4. (tie) Tanner Aus and Kade Sonnier, 83; no other qualified rides. Championship: 1. Keenan Hayes, 91.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s New Scarlet, $7,500; 2. Dean Thompson, 89, $3,000; 3. Bradlee Miller, 88.5, $2,000. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. (tie) Stephen Culling and Ty Erickson, 4.0 seconds; 3. J.D. Struxness, 4.5; 4. Walt Arnold, 4.6; 5. Jacob Talley, 4.9; 6. Tanner Brunner, 5.0. Championship: 1. (tie) Stephen Culling and Ty Erickson, 4.3 seconds, $5,250 each; 3. J.D. Struxness, 4.7, $2,000. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. 1. (tie) Ty Harris, Kincade Henry and John Douch, 7.4 seconds; 4. Quade Hiatt, 7.9; 5. Haven Meged, 8.3; 6. Will Lummus, 13.5. Championship: 1. John Douch, 7.3 seconds, $7,500; 2. Kincade Henry, 7.4, $3,000; 3. Ty Harris, 10.1, $2,000. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1, Logan Hay, 88.5 points on J Bar J Rodeo’s Painted Hawk; 2. Ryder Wright, 88; 3. Lefty Holman, 86; 4. Logan Cook, 84.5; 5. Zeke Thurston, 83.5; 6. Statler Wright, 82. Championship: 1. Ryder Wright, 88.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Toma Jo, $7,500; 2. Logan Hay, 87.5, $3,000; 3. Lefty Holman, 86, $2,000. Team roping: First round: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Marcus Theriot/Cole Curry and Clint Summers/Jake Long, 3.8; 4. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 4.0; 5. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins, 5.2; 6. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 8.3. Championship: 1. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 4.2 seconds, $8,500; 2. Marcus Theriot/Cole Curry, 5.9, $4,000; no other qualified times. Bull riding: First round: 1. No qualified rides. Championship: 1. Hayes Weight, 90.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Time Bomb, $12,500; no other qualified rides. 

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Dylan Hancock has had some big things already happen to him in a young rodeo career. He is just a few months removed from being named the Resistol Rookie of the Year in both tie-down roping and the all-round. Last month, he was invited to compete at the Timed Event Championship, a unique competition in which the cowboys must test their skills in all five timed events; it’s list of champions reads like a who’s who of ProRodeo’s greatest stars. None of it compares to what he experienced during Friday’s championship round of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. “San Angelo is known for being big and loud and (having) one of the coolest (performances),” Hancock said. “To make a run like that and get the win at the hometown rodeo was so cool.” He’s just 20 years old, but this is the biggest win so career. He entered the final round with a two-run cumulative time of 17.1 seconds, good enough for ninth in the aggregate race. He then put on a show on the final night of the regular rodeo, stopping the clock in 7.8 seconds to win the championship round and take the average title by four-tenths of a second over Cole Clemons of Lipan, Texas. “I’ve figured for two days that I had the short round made, so I’d been waiting for that calf for two days,” said Hancock, who earned $12,472. “I was so amped up and ready to go. To win your hometown rodeo in San Angelo, it doesn’t get much better.” In addition to his status in the rookie ranks, he finished the 2023 season 25th in the world standings. He’d love to take that up a few notches and secure his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo, which features only the top 15 contestants on the money list at the conclusion of the regular season. Still, those buckles that have the Resistol nameplate on them will hold a special place in his trophy case. “It was really cool,” he said of winning the rookie titles. “You have one chance to do it and one opportunity, and we capitalized and got it done. We had a great year and hopefully can build off it. Hopefully it’s better this year when we make the finals.” Until then, he will relive his Friday night inside Foster Communications Coliseum. “Tonight was the loudest I’ve ever heard,” Hancock said of the rodeo, which featured a record purse of about $915,000, which includes last Sunday’s Xtreme Bulls and the Cinch Chute-Out that takes place Saturday night. “It was unreal at how loud it was. It was wild.” San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier, $7,710; 2. R.C. Landingham, 87, $5,911; 3. (tie) Jacob Lees and Wyatt Maines, 86.5, $3,598; 5. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86, $1,542; 7. Tilden Hooper, 85.5. $1,028; 8. Kennan Hayes, 85. $771. Final round: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Night Gazer, $1,650; 2. Jacob Lees, 87, $1,250; 3. Ethan Mazurenko, 86, $900; 4. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Will Norstrom, 85, $475 each; 6. R.C. Landingham, 84.5, $250. Average: 1. Cooper Cooke, 177 points on two rides, $7,710; 2. Jacob Lees, 173.5, $5,911; 3. Ethan Mazurenko, 172, $4,369; 4. R.C. Landingham, 171.5, $2,827; 5. Will Norstrom, 171, $1,799; 6. Tilden Hooper, 170.5, $1,285; 7. Wyatt Maines, 169.5, $1,028; 8. Bodee Lammers, 161.5, $771. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds, $6,554; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7, $5,700; 3. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Tyler Waguespack, 3.8, $4,417 each; 5. (tie) Don Payne, Trisyn Kalawaia and Talon Roseland, 3.9, $2,280 each; 8. Gavin Soileau, 4.0, $570. Second round: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds, $6,127 each; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7, $4,845; 4. Grady Payne, 3.8, $3,990; 5. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9, $2,707 each; 7. Chance Howard, 4.1, $1,425; 8. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2, $1,42 each. Final round: 1. (tie) Mike McGinn and Cole Walker, 4.1 seconds, $1,656 each; 3. Chance Howard, 4.2, $1,309; 4. (tie) Heath Thomas and Matt Reeves, 4.4, $963 each; 6. Don Payne, 4.7, $616; 7. Trever Nelson, 4.9, $385; 8. Stetson Jorgensen, 5.0, $154. Average: 1. (tie) Cole Walker and Matt Reeves, 12.8 seconds on three runs, $9,191 each; 3. Don Payne, 13.2, $7,367; 4. Mike McGinn, 13.6, $5,985; 5. (tie) Heath Thomas and Trever Nelson, 13.8, $4,061 each; 7. Chance Howard, 14.0, $2,137; 8. Stetson Jorgensen, 14.3, $855. Team roping: First round: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.8 seconds, $5,721; 2. (tie) Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili and Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.0, $4,602 each; 4. (tie) Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.1, $3,201 each; 6. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2, $1,244 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Derrick Begay/Colter Todd and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.6 seconds, $5,348 each; 3. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7, $4,229; 4. (tie) J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin and Jake Clay/Trey Yates, 3.8, $2,736 each; 7. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9, $1,244; 7. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach Varian, Wade Smith/Zach Varian and Slade Wood/Nathan Walker, 4.0, $166 each. Final round: 1. Cash Duty/Ross Ashford, 4.2 seconds, $1,380; 2. (tie) Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards and Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 4.5, $1,110 each; 4. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 4.9, $840; Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorpe, 5.3, $660; Kory Kidd V/Tanner Braden, 6.0, $480. Average: 1. Shay Carrol/Jace Helton, 13.9 seconds on three runs, $8,582; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorpe, 14.2, $7,462; 3. Cash Duty/Ross Ashford, 14.3, $6,343; 4. Cory Kidd V/Tanner Braden, 14.4, $5,224; 5. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 14.6, $4,104; 6. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 15.5, $2,985; 7. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.4 seconds on two runs, $1,866; 8. James Arviso/J.R. Gonzlez, 8.7, $746. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sage Newman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Code Blue, Ryder Sanford, on J Bar J Rodeo’s Dirty Lizard, and Wyatt Casper, on J Bar J Rodeo’s Hell on  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Tilden Hooper has nothing to prove in the world of rodeo. At 36 years old, he’s a nine-time qualifier to the National Finals Rodeo – his first came in 2008; his most recent was 2022. He’s won some of the biggest rodeos across North America and been a shining example of toughness and grit. A dozen years ago, he had surgery on his neck, an injury that afflicts many bareback riders. He managed it over the years and continued to excel. After his most recent trip to Las Vegas 15 months ago, trouble had brewed again long enough. He opted to sit out most of the 2023 campaign for a little R & R and see how things looked this season. Based on his showing during Thursday’s 10th performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, Hooper is back to riding at an premier level. He matched moves with J Bar J Rodeo’s River Bugs for 85.5 points to finish seventh in the opening round of bareback riding and, maybe more importantly, secure his spot in Friday’s championship round. “The first time I won this rodeo (in 2011), most of the guys I rode against tonight were fifth-graders,” said Hooper, originally from Carthage, Texas, but now living in Fort Worth. “I’d like to show them that I can still do it by winning it again this year.” “The crowd here in San Angelo … they know what they’re looking at, and they appreciate what we’re doing. In that little building, there’s a lot of energy, and it’s a place I’ve had pretty good luck at in the past.” He actually fed off the electricity in the crowd even before the ride began. River Bugs was causing an issue in the chute, and the horse was leaning on a leg. The veteran waited until the bronc was on a more even keel, then nodded to begin the eight-second ride. “These horses … they’re wild animals, and they’re gong to do that,” he said. “The energy in this busing is huge, and they can feel that. She wasn’t trying to hurt me; she was just moving up and down on the side of the chute. “When they’re good like that, you don’t really mind fighting around with them in (the chute) when they do that outside the chute.” Hooper kicked off his season at a January qualifier for The American that took place in Las Vegas. He did well enough there to get into the field at The American, which took place last month in Arlington, Texas. Those were his first two rodeos since taking the break from competition last winter. Hooper’s first PRCA rodeo was last week in Logandale, Nevada, so Thursday was just his second ride of the season that counts toward the world standings. “That horse gets underneath herself, then the gets stalled out,” Hooper said. “She’s just fun to ride and gives you a chance to show off.” Friday’s finals round will feature only the top 12 contestants in each event from the preliminary performances. The Texas-born cowboy understands the importance of staying on top of his game when it comes time to battle for another San Angelo title. “When you get (stock contractors) like Pete Carr, Cullen Pickett and Sparky Dreesen in the pen, you’re going to have some great horses,” Hooper said. “That short round I usually one where you can be a lot of points.” San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier, $7,710; 2. R.C. Landingham, 87, $5,911; 3. (tie) Jacob Lees and Wyatt Maines, 86.5, $3,598; 5. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86, $1,542; 7. Tilden Hooper, 85.5. $1,028; 8. Kennan Hayes, 85. $771; 9. (tie) Bodee Lammers and Luke Thrash, 84.5. (Because of ties, only 10 will advance to the championship round) Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds, $6,554; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7, $5,700; 3. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Tyler Waguespack, 3.8, $4,417 each; 5. (tie) Don Payne, Trisyn Kalawaia and Talon Roseland, 3.9, $2,280 each; 8. Gavin Soileau, 4.0, $570. Second round: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds, $6,127 each; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7, $4,845; 4. Grady Payne, 3.8, $3,990; 5. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9, $2,707 each; 7. Chance Howard, 4.1, $1,425; 8. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2, $1,42 each. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Don Payne, 8.5; 3. Cole Walker, 8.7; 4. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 6. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, 9.3; 8. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 9. Mike McGinn, 9.5; 10. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 11. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard, Gus Franzen and Landris White, 9.8 (Howard and White advance to the final round via the tiebreaker). Team roping: First round: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.8 seconds, $5,721; 2. (tie) Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili and Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.0, $4,602 each; 4. (tie) Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.1, $3,201 each; 6. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2, $1,244 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Derrick Begay/Colter Todd and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.6 seconds, $5,348 each; 3. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7, $4,229; 4. (tie) J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin and Jake Clay/Trey Yates, 3.8, $2,736 each; 7. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9, $1,244; 7. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach Varian, Wade Smith/Zach Varian and Slade Wood/Nathan Walker, 4.0, $166 each. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Cory Kidd V/Tanner Braden, 8.4; 3. James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez, 8.7; 4. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorpe, 8.9; 5. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 9.4; 6. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 9.7; 7. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 9.9; 8. (tie) Cash Duty/Ross Ashford and Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray, 10.1; 10. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 10.8; 11. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 11.0; 12. Billy Bob Brown/Josh Patton, 12.0. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sage Newman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Code  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – For cowboys who make their livings eight seconds at a time, it’s exciting when they get ready to ride inside Foster Communications Coliseum. The building is packed for every performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, and there is an electricity that is not only evident, but also engaging. It’s one of the reasons why so many want to do battle in this west Texas community. Another is the chance to ride great animals. Take Wyatt Casper and Ryder Sanford, who both rode Montana bucking horses during Wednesday’s ninth performance to share the saddle bronc riding lead; they’re tied with Sage Newman, who competed earlier in the rodeo. Casper matched moves with J Bar J Rodeo’s Hell on Hooves, while Sanford scored big on J Bar J’s Dirty Lizard; both were 87.5 points. “I’ve seen him a handful of times; a bunch of my buddies have been on him,” said Sanford, the 2023 Resistol Rookie of the Year who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time last season. “When you look in the dictionary of a bucking horse, he is the perfect build for one. You just throw your saddle on him, and it sits where it needs to go.” That made for a nice night in front of an electrified crowd ready for the competition. “There’s a lot of energy,” he said. “I love the fans that are there. They get you pumped up.” This was just Sanford’s second trip to San Angelo, but Casper is now a veteran. Texas-based livestock producer Pete Carr Pro Rodeo is the primary stock contractor, but Carr enlists the services of several other firms to bring their top stock to Tom Green County. There was a bit of familiarity in the air for Casper, who had been matched with Hell on Hooves earlier in his career. “It helps a lot” to have been on the animal, said Casper, a four-time NFR qualifier from Miami, Texas. “That’s one of Sparky’s great horses.” He was talking about Sparky Dreesen, who owns J Bar J. In all, there have been 14 livestock companies that have bucked horses and/or bulls at San Angelo’s rodeo. “We wouldn’t be here without these great stock contractors and their great horses,” said Casper, who is fourth in the world standings with nearly $60,000 in earnings so far this year. “I’ve been coming to this rodeo for a lot of years, and now we’re just one step closer to getting that win.” The final preliminary performance concludes Thursday, and the top 12 contestants in each event will advance to Friday’s championship round, where the titlists will be crowned. Wednesday’s competition closed out the opening round in four events; first-round winners were steer wrestler Jacob Edler, tie-down roper Riley Webb, team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord, and breakaway roper Madelyn Richards. Elite cowboys and cowgirls compete to make a living, so the payout is vital. Not only that, but dollars equal points, so the only way to move up in the standings is to keep winning cash. Sanford, who finished 14th on the money list in 2023, is 15th already this year. Casper has had a great year, but he still trails the leader, Australian Damian Brennan, by $65,000. “I always like coming out on the winter and starting out hot,” the Texan said. “(You) try to get a little money won, and you’re trying to get out there in front. It seems like if you can just keep the hammer down in the summer, everything usually works out pretty decent.” San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier; 2. R.C. Landingham, 87; 3. (tie) Jacob Lees and Wyatt Maines, 86.5; 5. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86; 7. Bodee Lammers, 84.5; 8. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Jayco Roper and Wacey Schalla, 84; 11. (tie) Cole Franks and Clayton Biglow, 83.5. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds, $6,554; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7, $5,700; 3. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Tyler Waguespack, 3.8, $4,417 each; 5. (tie) Don Payne, Trisyn Kalawaia and Talon Roseland, 3.9, $2,280 each; 8. Gavin Soileau, 4.0, $570. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7; 4. Grady Payne, 3.8; 5. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9; 7. Chance Howard, 4.1; 8. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Don Payne, 8.5; 3. Cole Walker, 8.7; 4. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 6. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, 9.3; 8. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 9. Mike McGinn, 9.5; 10. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 11. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard, Gus Franzen and Landris White, 9.8. Team roping: First round: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.8 seconds, $5,721; 2. (tie) Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili and Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.0, $4,602 each; 4. (tie) Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.1, $3,201 each; 6. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2, $1,244 each. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Derrick Begay/Colter Todd and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.6 seconds; 3. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7; 4. (tie) J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II and Jake Clay/Trey Yates, 3.8; 6. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9; 7. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach Varian and Slade Wood/Nathan Walker, 4.0. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Cory Kidd V/Tanner Braden, 8.4; 3. James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez, 8.7; 4. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 9.4; 5. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 9.7; 6. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 9.9; 7. (tie) Cash Duty/Ross Ashford and Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray, 10.1; 9. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 10.8; 10. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 11.0; 11. Jake Clay/Trey Yates, 13.9; 12. Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, 14.0. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Sage Newman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Code Blue, Ryder Sanford, on J Bar J Rodeo’s Dirty Lizard, and Wyatt Casper, on J Bar J Rodeo’s Hell  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – The biggest moment of Dean Thompson’s career came a year ago when he arrived in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Matched with Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire, the 2022 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year, Thompson let it all hang out at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. The result was a 92.5-point ride to win the bareback riding and bolster the rookie’s confidence, which was paid off with his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. “It’s going to be tough to be over 92.5 ever,” said Thompson of Altamont, Utah. “You don’t get that many chances to get on that caliber of horse. You get that opportunity just going to Guymon that you can get on a horse that is a career-defining moment. When I look at guys like Kaycee Feild and Will Lowe, guys that we idolize, it’s crazy because you know Guymon is going to be one of the rodeos to give you a chance to do that.” There are other moments awaiting at this year’s Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Why? Because Frontier, the event’s primary livestock producer, is a nine-time PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year. More importantly, the Freedom, Oklahoma-based outfit brings other contractors to town, including Championship Pro Rodeo and Vold Rodeo Co. Combined, the three companies accounted for one-tenth of the 300 head of bucking stock that was selected to perform at the 2023 NFR. “I think it shows some class that Frontier brings in other stock contractors to a rodeo like Guymon,” said saddle bronc rider Weston Patterson of Waverly, Kansas, a three-time Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier who attended Clarendon College in the Texas Panhandle. “They’re not afraid to bring their best ones and have everybody else bring their best ones. “It makes for an even pen when you have multiple stock contractors bringing their best stuff.” It also makes for some fantastic action, and it’s one of the reasons why the top cowboys in the game make their way to the Oklahoma Panhandle every spring. It’s “Where the Champions Come to Play the First Weekend in May.” “It’s not just the stock that Frontier brings; it’s also the show they put on,” said Thompson, who finished the 2023 campaign 13th in the world standings; he is eighth so far this season. “Walking away from that experience I had in Guymon last year, I’m so much more mature, so much better of a bareback rider and a much better person.” Patterson is 38th on the bronc riding money list and knows he can use his experience in Guymon as a catapult both regionally and in the world standings. “Last year was my first year to go to Guymon, and it’s a great rodeo,” he said. “We love going to Frontier rodeos. The crew is a blast; they’re good people and good to be around, and they haul some of the best stock in rodeo. Atmosphere at their rodeos is outstanding and always has good energy. “That’s what us cowboys thrive on.”

ALVA, Okla. – Kade Stokes moved from the East Coast to the Plains to further his education and become a better bull rider. He’s gaining ground on both lessons of his life. This past weekend, Stokes won the first round and finished second overall at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo in Weatherford. It was the biggest hit of the season for the cowboy from Landrum, South Carolina. “The long round went pretty good, and it paid off in the average,” said Stokes, who added 110 points to his season total and moved up to a tie for seventh in the Central Plains Region standings. ”It was really big. I’d never been 82 points at a college rodeo, and to be able to do that on a Bennie Beutler bull was pretty cool.” Only six bull riders scored in the opening round, and only one rode two bulls. “It gives me a ton of confidence, so I can use that in the final two rodeos of the year,” he said. The Central Plains will wrap it’s 10-event season with rodeos at Hays, Kansas, this coming weekend and at Guymon, Oklahoma, the final weekend of April. That means there are just two more chances to gather the points necessary to finish on top. Only the top two teams and the top three individuals in each event will advance to the College National Finals Rodeo, which takes place June 9-15 in Casper, Wyoming. “We’ve got two rodeos left, so I’d like to keep scoring points,” Stokes said. “I’d like to get enough points so I don’t have to sweat about it.” While the Rangers’ bull rider scored his first points of the season, six Northwestern steer wrestlers all added points to their season. All-around talent Jacob Haren of Callaway, Nebraska, placed in both rounds and won the aggregate title, while Kade Chace of Cherokee, Oklahoma, utilized a third-place finish in the championship round to place third overall. Cam Fox of Tulsa placed second in the opener and fifth in the short round to finish fifth overall, and Trisyn Kalawaia of Waiakea, Hawaii, finished sixth in both rounds and the average. Emmett Edler won the first round with a 4.1, the fastest run of the weekend. Tevin Cowan of Harrold, South Dakota, was 5.1 to finish third in the opening round. Kansas team ropers Colter Snook of Dodge City and Rhett Murray of Alma finished third in the first round after posting a 6.3-second run. Breakaway roper Ella Rauch of Herrick, Illinois, placed fifth in the first round, while goat-tier Dale Lee Forman of Ree Heights, South Dakota, and barrel racer Savannah Greenfield of Lakeview, Oregon, made the short round in their respective events. The Rangers men finished third in the team standings and kept progressing up the standings. Meanwhile, Stokes – who transferred to Northwestern from Howard College in west Texas to study animal science before changing his major to agriculture business – has found the right frame of mind to close out his season, thanks to coach Stockton Graves. “His mental approach is all about having the right mindset on winning,” Stokes said of his coach. “If you go in with a winning attitude, you give yourself a better chance to win.”

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Clayton Sellars got his start as a professional bull rider in the PRCA, the premier sanctioning body in rodeo. Sellars was stellar, qualifying three straight times for the National Finals Rodeo beginning in 2019. The next season, he took his act to the PBR, which has been around for more than 30 years and features just one event. But there was something missing. An early-season injury last year pushed him to the sidelines. When he was ready to return to action, he went back to his foundation, ProRodeo. He’s been on fire ever since. In just three months of competition, he pocketed more than $77,000 and finished 24th in the 2023 world standings. He’s been marching onward and upward, and the most recent proof came Sunday when the Wildwood, Florida, cowboy won the San Angelo Xtreme Bulls title. He was the only man in the field to ride both bulls. Sellars added several thousand dollars to his bank account and his spot on the money list. He began his day with an 84.5-point ride on New Star Rodeo’s Smorgasboard, which helped him finish in a tie for sixth place in the opening round; that was the bottom rung of the payout ladder. His big payday came with his 88.5-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Time Bomb. Because he was the only man to ride in the final round, he earned more than $8,100 in the championship round alone. The payouts for the first round and the aggregate were not available because of technical difficulties While his earnings in San Angelo are substantial, Sellars has been quite successful so far this season, including victories at Texas rodeos in Hempstead and San Antonio, the latter of which was worth more than $27,000. He pocketed nearly $3,200 for winning at Hempstead and also gathered his first Xtreme Bulls victory of the campaign at Rapid City, South Dakota, in January. Sellars entered Sunday’s competition second in the world standings and 11th in the Xtreme Bulls standings. He will move into the top five on the Xtreme Bulls money list and will gain a little ground on the season bull-riding leader, Missourian Creek Young. Sellars is also in position to return for Friday’s championship round of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, where he is ninth with an 85-point ride under his belt. He will have to wait out the final two preliminary performances to see where he lands in the standings. So far, he is three for three in competition inside Foster Communications Coliseum. Utahan Josh Frost has been in need of some big bucks, and he got them by winning Sunday’s opening round with an 88.5-point ride on United Pro Rodeo’s Listen Linda. Because Sellars was the only man to ride two bulls, Frost also finished second in the all-important aggregate race. “That’s an older bull, and I was happy about the draw but figured we’d be in the middle of the round,” Frost said of Listen Linda. “He bucked like he used to when he was 5 years old and made me work for every second of it. It turned out pretty good.” Frost will move up from his ranking; he was 30th on the money list heading into the weekend. Four nights remain at San Angelo’s rodeo, including Championship Friday and the San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out on Saturday night.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – This west Texas community has been a gracious host to some of the top ropers in the business; Kelsie Domer has been one of the recipients of that friendliness. This weekend, however, is her first time to rope during the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo inside Foster Communications Coliseum. It’s an exciting venture from the Oklahoma cowgirl now living in Dublin, Texas, and she added her name to the event’s record books after posting a 1.7-second run during Saturday afternoon’s seventh performance. “Today was a lot of fun,” said Domer, who leads the second round; combined with her 3.2-second run from Friday night, she is tied for fourth in the aggregate race with a two-run cumulative time of 4.9 seconds. ”It seems like it’s been a while since I had a really good run like that, so it was nice to get that feeling again.” She has a lifetime of excellent runs. Domer owns nine WPRA world championships, three of which came in breakaway roping before its popularity blossomed. She won crowns in 2017-19 when a season’s worth of earnings crested around $50,000. The first year of “ProRodeo breakaway roping” came in 2020, when the event began being added to full rodeos. That was also the first year of the National Finals Breakaway Roping. The reigning titlist, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, earned nearly $200,000. Domer is a true roping talent, also having won a WPRA title in tie-down roping in 2018. She also has five all-around crowns to her resume and is a two-time qualifier to the breakaway finals, 2021 and 2023 in Las Vegas. This is the first year breakaway roping is part of San Angelo’s rodeo, and the biggest names in the sport have come out to test their talents. With just a handful of cowgirls yet to compete during the final two nights of preliminary performances Wednesday and Thursday, Domer is in great position to return for Championship Friday, the short go-round that will feature only the top 12 scores and times. It’s where the titles will be handed out April 19. “I’ve been to San Angelo a few times because we used to have some good jackpots here,” she said. “I’ve also been to the Roping Fiesta that’s outside in the big arena, but I’d never been inside the coliseum until now. When you can compete in an atmosphere like that, it’s always super fun. “The stands are packed here, and they’re rodeo fans, especially calf roping fans in this part of the world. It’s fun to have engaged fans that are excited for me to be there. It’s definitely loud in there, so it’s always fun to rope in those situations.” It’s also fun to compete on Little Man, an 18-year-old chestnut gelding she purchased five years ago. She credited him for stopping the clock so fast. “He’s very quick across the line and fast footed,” Domer said of Little Man. “Of course, he stops hard, too, but the way he gets across the line and gives me a shot … that’s the biggest deal in breakaway roping. “I didn’t love my draw. He was strong. I was longer (Friday), so I knew I had to be a lot faster today. I guess it made it easier, because (the calf) gave me one choice, and I had to be fast.” Team ropers Dustin Egusquiza of Marianna, Florida, and Levi Lord of Sturgis, South Dakota, had an exceptional Saturday. They stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds in the matinee to take the first-round lead, then they were two-tenths faster in the nightcap to share the second-round lead. They have a one-second advantage in the two-run aggregate heading into Friday’s short round. “We were between laying up or going at one, and I just told (Egusquiza), ‘We’re better off going at him,’ ” said Lord, the heeler. “We seem to thrive on going fast.” It seems to be working. Each man has earned more than $50,000 so far this season and sits third in their respective world standings. “I’ve always had the same plan when it comes to these setups,” Egusquiza said. “Mine and Levi’sw run has been a lot more consistent this year. It’s made for a really fun first start to the year.” San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier; 2. R.C. Landingham, 87; 3. Jacob Lees, 86.5; 4. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86; 6. Bodee Lammers, 84.5; 7. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Jayco Roper and Wacey Schalla, 84; 1-. (tie) Cole Franks and Clayton Biglow, 83.5; 12. (tie) Jess Pope and Weston Timberman, 83. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.8; 4. (tie) Don Payne and Trisyn Kalawaia, 3.9; 6. Gavin Soileau, 4.0; 7. (tie) Matt Reeves and Jay Williamson, 4.1. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7; 4. Grady Payne, 3.8; 5. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9; 7. Chance Howard, 4.1; 8. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Don Payne, 8.5; 3. Cole Walker, 8.7; 4. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 6. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, 9.3; 8. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 9. Mike McGinn, 9.5; 10. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 11. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard, Gus Franzen and Landris White, 9.8. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.8 seconds; 2. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 4.0; 3. Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith, 4.1; 4. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2; 7. (tie) Cory Kidd V/Tanner Braden and Kolton Schmidt/Landen Glenn, 4.3; 6. (tie) Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, Garett Chick/Lane Siggins, Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Derrick Begay/Colter Todd and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.6 seconds; 3. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7; 4.  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Friday’s trip home got a little better for Derrick Begay and Colter Todd. After being saddled with a no-time Thursday, the team-roping tandem found a bit of redemption during the sixth performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo after posting a 3.6-second run to take the second-round lead.  “We’ve got all night to enjoy this,” said Todd, a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Willcox, Arizona. “It helps the all-night drives pretty good. I don’t think it matters as far as momentum, but it just gives us the adrenaline for a while.” The duo is coming off a fantastic run during the NFR, which took place this past December in Las Vegas. Begay and Todd were the only one of the 15 teams in the field to catch all 10 steers, winning the aggregate title. Each man left town with $131,000 and finished the 2023 campaign fourth in the world standings with $270,000 each. “Making the run we did is salvaging something,” said Begay, a 10-time NFR heading qualifying header from Seba Dalkai, Arizona. “You want to be going for the rounds, especially the second one. You want to say you did all you can to do win something there. “Ideally, you want to catch two and make the short round. That’s what we had in mind. After last night, that wasn’t an option anymore. At a rodeo like San Angelo, it’s really fast. You’ve got only one option, and that’s to be as fast as you can be.” The setup inside Foster Communications Coliseum is quick. Last year, world champions Erich Rogers and Paul Eaves were 3.4 seconds to win the second round. It’s difficult for two men to rope one steer and do all the things they need to do to stop the clock that fast, but team ropers at the ProRodeo level can make it happen.  “It’s good to get a time … a fast time,” Todd said. “It’s good to do your job. We knew we needed to be fast, especially after not catching anything the first night. We’ll call it satisfying.” He should know. Todd first qualified for the NFR as a header, roping with Cesar de la Cruz. They made three straight trips to Las Vegas together from 2006-08, then Todd went home and focused on his family and a life away from rodeo. He got back in the mix, this time as a heeler with Begay, who made his first NFR in 2008. A year later, Begay and de la Cruz began a run of trips to the finale that lasted five years. Both Todd and Begay have been at this a while. Todd joined the PRCA in 2003; Begay was a year later. They’re veterans, and they understand the ins and outs of the sport. Each man knows that while they can celebrate their 3.6-second run Friday night, there are plenty of talented ropers who could overtake that top spot over the next four performances. “I like our time, but there are still 20 guys that have to rope yet,” Begay said. “There are some rodeos that are pretty unique that we go to throughout the year, and San Angelo is definitely one of those. It’s got the feel of a good rodeo, and it’s got a fast setup. We’re roping in front of a knowledgeable crowd that loves rodeo, and these guys know what we need to do to win.” That makes it fun, whether they have a shot to win the rodeo or are roping for fast cash. San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier; 2. R.C. Landingham, 87; 3. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86; 3. 5. Caleb Bennett, 84; 6. (tie) Cole Franks and Clayton Biglow, 83.5; 8. (tie) Jess Pope and Weston Timberman, 83; 10. (tie) Ty Pope and Waylon Bourgeois, 82; 12. Danton Bertsch, 80.5. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.8; 4. (tie) Don Payne and Trisyn Kalawaia, 3.9; 6. Gavin Soileau, 4.0; 7. (tie) Matt Reeves and Jay Williamson, 4.1. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7; 4. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9; 6. Chance Howard, 4.1; 7. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Cole Walker, 8.7; 3. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 4. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 5. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, 9.3; 7. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 8. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 9. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard and Gus Franzen, 9.8. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith, 4.1 seconds; 2. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2; 5. Kolton Schmidt/Landen Glenn, 4.3; 6. (tie) Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, Garett Chick/Lane Siggins, Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 3.6 seconds; 2. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7; 3. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 3.8; 4. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9; 5. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach Varian and Slade Wood/Nathan Walker, 4.0; 7. (tie) James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez and Shay Carrol/Jace Helton, 4.1. Average leaders: 1. James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 9.4; 3. (tie) Cash Duty/Ross Ashford and Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray, 10.1; 5. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 10.8; 6. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 11.0; 7. Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, 14.0; 8. Koby Sanchez/Trace Porter, 14.2; 9. Coy Brittain/Colton Brittain, 14.3; 10. Reno Stoebner/Clay Green, 14.5; 11. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 14.7; 12. John Wesley Sharp/Dodge Hare, 15.2. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Sage Newman, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Code Blue; 2. Lefty Holman, 87; 3. (tie) Cort Scheer and Tyrel Roberts, 86.5; 5. Brody Cress, 86; 6. Tanner Butner, 85.5; 7. Zac Dallas, 83; 8. Jake Watson, 82.5; 9. Kyle Wanchuk, 82; 10. Tegan Smith, 81; 11. (tie) Cash Wilson,  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Sage Newman didn’t know much about the horse he had drawn for Thursday’s fifth performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. The one thing he trusted, though, was the event’s livestock producer, Dallas-based Pete Carr Pro Rodeo. It paid off rather well for the three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Melstone, Montana. He rode Carr’s Code Blue for 87.5 points to take the saddle bronc riding lead. “When you come to a Pete Carr rodeo, there’s always good horses,” said Newman, the 2023 reserve world champion who finished last year’s campaign with just shy of $400,000. “Pete has a lot of good ones, so you have a chance to win every time. I get along with Pete’s horses really well, and hopefully it keeps going that way.” The odds of him returning for the April 19 Championship Friday are solid, and he expects the opportunity to be just as good for him when the titles are given away in a week. “I talked to (fellow bronc rider) Logan Cook about the horse, and he said he was just a pretty good one,” Newman said. “He told me the rein and that (the horse) took some rein, so I decided to come try him, and I’m glad it worked out. “(Code Blue) hung his head in the neck rope a little bit and kind of stumbled there at the start, but then he circled around to the right and matched up pretty well with me. I was happy.” He should be. West Texas is a great place to be in April, and he’s had a ton of success in the Lone Star State over the past few years. In 2022, Newman won RodeoHouston after riding another Carr bucking horse; he matched moves with Billie for 93 points to claim the title and the $50,000 top prize. The Montana bronc buster closed out his third straight NFR with more than $150,000 in earnings over 10 days in Las Vegas. He finished second only to four-time titlist Zeke Thurston and carried a boatload of momentum into the 2024 campaign. While he’s found some success, he’s 11th on the money list. He understands, though, that there is a lot of rodeo yet to be played this season. “I’m just going to keep plucking away at it,” he said. “I don’t really want to look at the money side of it. I need to do my job every time and make the best of it every time, and I’ll just let the chips fall where they may. That’s what it’s all about.” Of course, it helps to compete in front of a loud and vibrant crowd that helps Foster Communications Coliseum burst at the seams when the rodeo is in town. “You have that little, confined building, and the crowd loves it here,” Newman said. “They’re a rodeo crowd with rodeo-type people, and they know a lot about rodeo. They just love the energy, and I love the energy. It’s truly unreal, so it’s always fun to come back here.” He will return, and he has plans to hold the San Angelo title when he does. San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier; 2. R.C. Landingham, 87; 3. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86; 3. 5. Caleb Bennett, 84; 6. (tie) Cole Franks and Clayton Biglow, 83.5; 8. Jess Pope, 83; 9. Ty Pope, 82; 10. Danton Bertsch, 80.5; 11. (tie) Gauge McBride, Clint Laye, Brayze Schill and Garrett Shadbolt, 80. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.8; 4. Trisyn Kalawaia, 3.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 4.0; 6. (tie) Matt Reeves and Jay Williamson, 4.1; 8; (tie) Tucker Allen and Brandon Harrison, 4.2. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7; 4. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9; 6. Chance Howard, 4.1; 7. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Cole Walker, 8.7; 3. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 4. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 5. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, 9.3; 7. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 8. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 9. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard and Gus Franzen, 9.8. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith, 4.1 seconds; 2. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2; 5. Kolton Schmidt/Landen Glenn, 4.3; 6. (tie) Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, Garett Chick/Lane Siggins, Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7 seconds; 2. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 3.8; 3. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9; 4. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach Varian and Slade Wood/Nathan Walker, 4.0; 6. (tie) James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez and Shay Carrol/Jace Helton, 4.1; 8. Coy Brittain/Colton Brittain, 4.1. Average leaders: 1. James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 9.4; 3. (tie) Cash Duty/Ross Ashford and Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray, 10.1; 5. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 10.8; 6. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 11.0; 7. Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, 14.0; 8. Koby Sanchez/Trace Porter, 14.2; 9. Coy Brittain/Colton Brittain, 14.3; 10. Reno Stoebner/Clay Green, 14.5; 11. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 14.7; 12. John Wesley Sharp/Dodge Hare, 15.2. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Sage Newman, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Code Blue; 2. Lefty Holman, 87; 3. (tie) Cort Scheer and Tyrel Roberts, 86.5; 5. Brody Cress, 86; 6. Tanner Butner, 85.5; 7. Jake Watson, 82.5; 8. Kyle Wanchuk, 82; 9. Tegan Smith, 81; 10. (tie) Cash Wilson, Jarrod Hammons and Q Taylor, 80. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Riley Webb, 6.9 seconds; 2. Tuf Cooper, 7.6; 3. (tie) Bryce Derrer and Connor Atkinson, 7.8; 5. Ryan Jarrett, 7.9; 6. Cash Hooper, 8.1; 7. (tie) Tom Crouse and Marty Yates, 8.2. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Cash Enderli, Zaine Mikita and Marty Yates, 7.3 seconds; 4. Jake Pratt, 7.4; 5.  Continue Reading »

Former rodeo clown sailing overseas as international stockman As far back as he can remember, Damon Rogers longed for the simple life filled with hard work and care for others. “There was never a moment in time I ever wanted to be anything but a cowboy,” said Rogers, a former rodeo bullfighter and clown, PRCA gold card member and comedian who may have done many other jobs in his lifetime but still prefers his primary title. “I wanted to be just like my dad. All I want to be is a cowboy, and I’m getting to do it in a completely different environment.” Rogers is aboard a ship that launched in Galveston Bay, then advanced into the Gulf of Mexico, has cruised around the Florida peninsula, past the Bahamas and is crossing the Atlantic Ocean. It will pass between Gibraltar and Morocco, through the Mediterranean Sea and on to Bandirma, Turkey, in the Sea of Marmara. Seems like a strange place for a cowboy, but Rogers is one of just a handful of international stockmen. He’s has been hired to care for about 2,500 head of cattle en route to Turkey, a trip he’s taken before and a voyage he’s excited about again. “I wanted to be a barrelman and a bullfighter, but I also wanted to be a good cowboy,” he said. “As I got older and more mature, I started learning more toward the cowboy end of it and the stockman end of it. There’s a difference between a cowboy and a stockman, and I quit wanting to be as much a cowboy when I realized I wanted to be a stockman. “I worked for a lot of great stockmen. I worked for Buster Welch for a while, and once I learned what a stockman was, I realized that’s what I wanted to be. I’d watch these old men sneak in to a herd and sneak out with that one cow they’d sorted out, and I’d wonder how in the hell they did that. Kids have youthful exuberance, but once you get older, you learn how to have a little finesse.” It comes from experience. Rogers began his as a youngster raised on an 87,000-acre ranch in Arizona, where his father trained horses for a successful family. He can recall gathering cattle with his dad before he was old enough to go to kindergarten. The passion burned deep within him. Now in his late 50s, he is doing things his own way and loving it. “I grew up cowboying, and that’s all I ever wanted to be, then I fell into the clowning and entertainment world,” he said. “I was also a standup comedian, and I toured for a while. After 20-some years, I really just wanted to be a damned old cowboy. “There were two things I remember my dad saying: ‘It takes a hell of a lot better cowboy to pen a bad SOB than to rope a bad SOB,’ and, ‘Chasing wild women and chasing wild cattle are a lot alike; the work begins when you catch one.’ ” The tools Rogers had before come into play now. He runs a day crew out of his place northeast of Dallas, and he’ll take calls often of people needing a rascally bull recaptured or a herd on the highway. As he’s done all his life, Rogers has stepped out of the saddle and found adventures of other sorts. He’s written songs that have won awards, but there was always a pull to return to his roots. A creative mind will continue to thrive no matter the experiences. In Rogers’ case, he drew inspiration for his comedy and songwriting while doing a bit of day work. It’s an expression of who he is, what his life’s been about and who he wants to be. It’s why being shipbound for a few weeks caring for cattle is right up his alley. A divorce from his first wife was both a catalyst for his creativity and a chance to build on his reflections. He holds onto each memory as he builds toward the next phase of his life. Being an international stockman is simplistic at best, yet it’s a focused approach to doing a job he loves. “There are very few of us that are approved on the boats,” Rogers said, noting that it’s a requirement that companies hire a person who can not only handle cattle but can also care for them if situations arise. “I take care of the cattle and make sure that as many as possible get there alive. I’ve had death losses as low as one, and I’ve been below 1 percent. A lot of that has to do with my crew.” It’s much like a feedlot but in a more confined space. He’s traveling on a five-deck ship, which is designed to hold livestock. Between Rogers, a veterinarian and members of the ship’s crew, someone is continuously checking on the cattle. “I’m being a cowboy, but I’m getting to do it in a completely different environment,” he said. “I want to promote the Western lifestyle, and I happen to be a passenger along the way. In doing that, I get to see historic places in the world.” Taking this post is possible because he has a wife that can handle the heavy lifting while he’s gone. Nicole Martin is his partner, not only in life but also with their business, Gypsy Equine Training and Sales. While most of Americans live in an increasingly mechanical world, Martin and Rogers are comfortable in what they’ve built with one another. “I’ve got the most awesome wife in the world, and I hate leaving her,” Rogers said. “She settled me down. She’s 17 years younger than me, and I’ve never been more scared of losing anything in my life, but I’m not going to do anything to lose this one. I got it right this time.” They don’t need a lot, but his adventure nearly halfway  Continue Reading »

ALVA, Okla. – Even though he’d roped through his youth, Northwestern Oklahoma State University cowboy Trisyn Kalawaia has focused on steer wrestling since he arrived in Alva a couple years ago. His return to team roping was by happenstance. Bennett McComas, a member of the Northwestern women’s team from Temecula, California, was looking for a partner, so Kalawaia stepped up at the first three rodeos of the spring semester. “I borrow a horse, I borrow a rope and I borrow a glove,” said Kalawaia, a senior from Waiakea, Hawaii. “I go out there and try to catch a few points.” It paid off in the biggest way possible this past weekend at the Garden City (Kansas) Community College rodeo. With McComas roping the horns and Kalawaia the heels, they stopped the clock in both rounds. Their 6.4-second run was good enough for second place in the championship round, and the duo finished third overall. That, combined with his consistency in steer wrestling, helped the Hawaiian to the first all-around championship of his college career. Kalawaia won the short round in steer wrestling, which boosted him to second place overall, behind teammate Cam Fox of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who picked up his second straight event victory. “I’ve won multiple all-around titles in high school but never in college,” he said. “It’s actually pretty cool; I never thought I’d ever catch two (steers). I got to help us get some more team points and help my partner out.” Those points are valuable, because they help both individually and for the team. The Rangers men had their best finish of the season, scoring 643.33 points and placing second overall. In addition to the 90 points he received in team roping, Kalawaia added 110 in steer wrestling. Northwestern had a lot of help. Fox placed in both rounds to win the bulldogging title. Emmett Edler of State City, Iowa, also placed in both rounds and finished fourth overall. Quade Potter bulldogged the first-round victory but was saddled with a no-time in the short round. Grady Aasby of Highmore, South Dakota, and Jacob Haren of Callaway, Nebraska, also made the championship round in steer wrestling. Though he didn’t acquire any points in steer wrestling, Haren secured 160 total points, with all but 10 coming in tie-down roping. He won the opening round with an 8.8-second run, then finished third in the final round to win the overall title. Haren and teammate Kade Chace of Cherokee, Oklahoma, also finished sixth in the opening round of team roping. Breakaway roper Jaci Traul of Fort Scott, Kansas, led the way for the Rangers women. Her 2.2-second run helped her win the opening round, and she also placed in the final round. Her two-run cumulative time of 4.9 seconds propelled the Kansan to second overall. Lauren Hopkins of Lipan, Texas, finished third in the short round and fifth overall. Goat-tier Morgan Poust of Hughesville, Pennsylvania, placed fourth in the short round and fifth overall, while barrel racer Sierra Schott of McLaughlin, South Dakota, placed in the long round and average. Fellow barrel racer Julianna Sprague of Kincaid, Kansas, also advanced to the championship round for the Rangers. All the points continued to add up for Northwestern. Those that Kalawaia earned in steer wrestling helped him maintain his lead in the Central Plains Region standings, and the top man in the chase to catch him is his teammate, Fox, who gained a little bit of ground with his victory in western Kansas. Kalawaia’s lead is just 105 points. “He’s been getting tough and catching up,” Kalawaia said of his teammate. “Cam’s been pretty consistent, so he’s really making it fun.” Northwestern holds down the top five spots in the regional standings. Potter sits third, followed by Edler and Haren. The Rangers compete this coming weekend at Weatherford, Oklahoma, followed by consecutive weekends at Hays, Kansas, and Guymon, Oklahoma, respectively. Kalawaia will make sure he’s in the mix to wrestle steers at all three, but he’ll face some logistical challenges. He is also competing in ProRodeo – he is 23rd in the world standings – so he will be traveling this week to the West Coast before returning to the Plains states for the intercollegiate competition. “I’ve been riding my green horse at these college rodeos,” he said of Taxi, an 11-year-old gelding. “I got him in December, so I figured the college rodeos would be best to season a horse. I’ll let my good ones rest and take them to the ProRodeos, but it’s neat to season a horse and find success on him. He’s been working outstanding.” The Northwestern men utilized their strong performance in Garden City to jump two spots to third place in the team standings. The Rangers are giving chase to Western Oklahoma State College and Fort Scott Community College to finish the year; the goal is to be among the top two when the regional season comes to a close at month’s end to secure a team spot at the College National Finals Rodeo. “It was a really good weekend for us, but it could have been better,” Kalawaia said. “I think with us coming toward the end of the season, we realize how important it is to take a team to the college finals, so it’s important for us to score as many points as possible to get there.”

SAN ANGELO, Texas – For most of his lifetime, Matt Reeves’ focus was on the business at hand, and his livelihood was based on steer wrestling. Things are different now. He and his wife, Savannah, have two boys; Carson is 8, and Hudson is 6. They’re active, as most kids are at that age. Being on the rodeo road and away from the family’s home in Cross Plains, Texas, isn’t the priority it once was, but making the 100-mile trek to compete at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo is still a big deal. “I’ve had a lot of luck” in San Angelo, said Reeves, an eight-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “It’s close to home, so my family gets to come. It’s a great atmosphere; it’s a fun rodeo.” It’s also a great place for him to find the pay window. He gave himself a great chance to do that with a 4.3-second run during Sunday’s fourth performance at Foster Communications Coliseum and moved into the top spot in the aggregate race with a two-run cumulative time of 8.4 seconds. “I’ve only won the rodeo that one time in 2020, but I placed a lot over the years,” said Reeves, now 45. “I’ve placed in the average and done good here quite a bit. It’s a fast start, and I like fast starts. I do enjoy this rodeo. “Shoot, at my age, I better enjoy them.” He laughed a little at the thought, but he’s beating youngsters that are half his age. He still craves the competition, the adrenaline rush, the working with good horses. In San Angelo, he rode Crush, a horse owned by fellow bulldogger Ty Erickson. “That’s a great horse, and I’ve had some great horses and ridden some great horses,” Reeves said. “That horse really runs, and he’s so good and so quiet in the box. Turns around, hits the corner, and he’s right almost every time. He scores outstanding. And you know he’s going to give you a chance to catch the steer. “The fact that he’s so good in the box and still so sharp off your hand … that is amazing.” Reeves has been around the bulldogging game for many years. When he’s not made the NFR as a competitor, he’s been there as a hazer. He’s served as the steer wrestling representative for the PRCA’s board and is also a ProRodeo official, a referee for the game. In ways, he’ll always be around it. Listed at 6-foot, 215 pounds, he’s one of the smaller men in the world of steer wrestling, but he’s utilized his athleticism and his technique to remain one of the best of his generation. Now, though, he doesn’t want to miss the baseball games and the T-ball fun. He wants to be involved in his children’s lives as much as they’ve been involved in his. He’s in position to return to Tom Green County in 11 days to battle for another San Angelo rodeo title during the April 9 championship round. The time he won the crown in this west Texas community, Reeves was still riding the momentum of his 2019 NFR average title, the biggest prize in his trophy case. The nearly $10,000 he earned in San Angelo that year catapulted him back to ProRodeo’s grand championship in 2020. He hasn’t returned to the NFR as a contestant, and he’s not sure he’ll get another chance. He will see how things wrap up inside the small coliseum and may see if Crush can get him back to the promise land. “I may go to some spring rodeos, and if this goes good, I may see what happens,” Reeves said. “If it goes really good, I may even go to Reno (Nevada in June) and stay with (Crush) for a while. If I can ride this horse, I’m going to go to some rodeos. My kids are old enough that they can remember this stuff, so it’d be nice to maybe give myself one more chance so they can be part of it, too.” Rodeo can oftentimes be a singular sport. It’s a man-vs.-beast competition, and only one person in each event is named world champion each year. More often than not, though, there’s a teamwork approach that is weaved into the fabric of every decision. In the case of Matt Reeves, it centers around a great horse and a family he cherishes. San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier; 2. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86; 3. 4. Caleb Bennett, 84; 5. Cole Franks, 83.5; 6. Jess Pope, 83; 7. Ty Pope, 82; 8. Danton Bertsch, 80.5; 9. (tie) Gauge McBride, Clint Laye and Brayze Schill, 80; 12. Richmond Champion, 78.5. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.8; 4. Trisyn Kalawaia, 3.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 4.0; 6. (tie) Matt Reeves and Jay Williamson, 4.1; 8; (tie) Tucker Allen and Brandon Harrison, 4.2. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7; 4. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9; 6. Chance Howard, 4.1; 7. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Cole Walker, 8.7; 3. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 4. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 5. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, 9.3; 7. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 8. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 9. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard and Gus Franzen, 9.8. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith, 4.1 seconds; 2. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2; 5. Kolton Schmidt/Landen Glenn, 4.3; 6. (tie) Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, Garett Chick/Lane Siggins, Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7 seconds; 2. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 3.8; 3. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9; 4. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – A couple of paint horses led the way for two ProRodeo superstars to excel during the second day of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. Lefty Holman rode Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s California Kiss for 87 points during Saturday evening’s third performance to take the saddle bronc riding lead, while Riley Webb rode his horse, Cletus, to a top-five spot in the tie-down roping race. Whether it was the paints stepping up or their cowboys, it added up to a winning showdown inside Foster Communications Coliseum. Webb, the reigning tie-down roping world champion from Denton, Texas, rode Cletus to the first-round lead after posting a 6.9-second run during the matinee performance. He was a bit slower in the evening, but he’s still fifth in the aggregate race and stands a great chance to return for the April 19 championship round, which features only the top 12 contestants from the 10 preliminary performances. “I got that horse last week from Bunge Herbert and Cody McCartney,” said Webb, 20, of Denton, Texas. “I rode him last week at a couple of jackpots, and it went good, so I (thought) I’m just going to ride him here, and it’s been good so far. “I’ve got a couple of good horses. I’m excited to get to use them in situations and not wear them down, and hopefully make their career last as long as mine.” Webb has a two-run cumulative time of 17.5 seconds and was one of four ropers who moved into the top 12 Saturday. In a town well known for tie-down roping, it’s always a big deal to find success. Webb earned the gold buckle in just his second trip to the NFR. The young, Texas roper earned more than $170,000 during those 10 days in Las Vegas to secure his first world title. He finished the year with nearly $453,000 in earnings. “I couldn’t hear anything,” he said about his run. “It was the first performance I rode the paint in, so I was trying to get back on and get the six-second (count). The crowd’s always loud here, and they’re fans of calf roping, so that’s exciting.” It was just as loud during the rest of the rodeo, too. In saddle bronc riding, National Finals Rodeo qualifiers Brody Cress and Cort Scheer set the bar early with 86- and 86.5-point rides, respectively. As the last man to go, Holman matched moves with the California Kiss, and the outcome was an 87-point ride. “Anytime you’ve got a Pete Carr bucking horse in Texas, just don’t stub your toe, and you’ll be alright,” said Holman, a three-time NFR qualifier from Visalia, California. Holman was almost as successful in the Nevada desert, earning nearly $166,000. He finished sixth in the world standings. The year before, he was the runner-up to the bronc riding titlist. He’s had success in San Angelo before. He finished fourth in both 2019 and 2021. “I visualize everything,” Holman said. “I dream about bronc riding all the time; I’m obsessed with it.” It shows. San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 86; 3. 4. Caleb Bennett, 84; 4. Cole Franks, 83.5; 5. Jess Pope, 83; 6. Ty Pope, 82; 7. Danton Bertsch, 80.5; 8. (tie) Gauge McBride and Clint Laye, 80; 10. Richmond Champion, 78.5; 11. Cole Reiner, 77; 12. Drake Amundson, 75.5. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.8; 4. Trisyn Kalawaia, 3.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 4.0; 6. (tie) Matt Reeves and Jay Williamson, 4.1; 8; (tie) Tucker Allen and Brandon Harrison, 4.2. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds; 3. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9; 5. Chance Howard, 4.1; 6. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2; 8. Logan Mullin, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. Cole Walker, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 3. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 4. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 5. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 6. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 7. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard and Gus Franzen, 9.8; 11. Rowdy Parrott, 9.9; 12. Trace Harris, 10.3. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith, 4.1 seconds; 2. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2; 5. Kolton Schmidt/Landen Glenn, 4.3; 6. (tie) Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, Garett Chick/Lane Siggins, Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7 seconds; 2. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9; 3. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach Varian and Slade Wood/Nathan Walker, 4.0; 5. (tie) James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez and Shay Carrol/Jace Helton, 4.1; 7. Coy Brittain/Colton Brittain, 4.1; 8. Jhett Trenary/Jake South, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 9.4; 3. Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray, 10.1; 4. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 11.0; 5. Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, 14.0; 6. Koby Sanchez/Trace Porter, 14.2; 7. Coy Brittain/Colton Brittain, 14.3; 8. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 14.7; 9. John Wesley Sharp/Dodge Hare, 15.2; 10. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 15.7; 11. Garett Chick/Lane Siggins, 19.0; 12. Cody Russell/Cole Carpenter, 19.8. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Lefty Holman, 87 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s California Kiss; 2. Cort Scheer, 86.5; 3. Brody Cress, 86; 4. Jake Watson, 82.5; 5. Tegan Smith, 81; 6. (tie) Cash Wilson, Jarrod Hammons and Q Taylor, 80; 9. Spencer Wright, 78; 10. (tie) Dylan Young and Jake Finlay, 77.5; 12. Allen Boore, 77. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Riley Webb, 6.9 seconds; 2. Tuf Cooper, 7.6; (tie) Bryce Derrer and Connor Atkinson, 7.8; 5. Ryan Jarrett, 7.9; 6. Cash Hooper, 8.1; 7. Marty Yates, 8.2; 8. Colton Farquer, 8.4. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Cash Enderli, Zaine Mikita and Marty Yates, 7.3 seconds; 4. Jake Pratt, 7.4; 5. Charlie Gibson, 7.5; 6. Jeremiah Peek, 7.6; 7. Paden Bray, 7.7; 8. Blake Ash, 7.8. Average leaders: 1. Marty Yates, 15.5 seconds on two runs; 2.  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – On the first night of breakaway roping at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, the event’s top dog took the top spot.   Jackie Crawford, owner of 23 WPRA world championships and the first titlist in the ProRodeo breakaway roping era that began in 2020, stopped the clock in 2.9 seconds during Friday’s first performance at Foster Communications Coliseum. She’s just not sure how far that will get her in this 11-performance rodeo. “There are 172 girls left, which is going to make it tough, and I had a big chance right there and messed it up a little bit,” said Crawford, the No. 1 cowgirl in the world standings from Stephenville, Texas. “I hit the panel with my rope when I was leaving, so my rope was messed up. I had to take another swing, and that made me a little longer than I wanted to be.” It was an important step for Crawford and all the other ladies competing inside the coliseum for the first time of this legendary rodeo. Known by many as the tie-down roping capital of ProRodeo, this is unchartered territory for the folks in Tom Green County. “To me, this was a true test to how people are realizing breakaway roping is good for the industry and good for your community,” she said. “This is definitely a testament to how things are changing.” Breakaway roping is fast-paced … the fastest of all the timed events. New Mexican cowgirl Danielle Lowman had runs of 1.6 and 1.8 seconds to win in Fort Worth. A few weeks later, she posted three 1.6s to win the championship in San Antonio. During RodeoHouston in a much bigger NRG Stadium, winning times were much closer to 3.0 seconds. But San Angelo’s arena is tiny and tight. Crawford estimated it will take faster times to make any money inside this coliseum. She will rope her second calf Sunday afternoon and would love to post a sub-2.0-second run to have a chance to advance to the April 19 championship round, which features only the top 12 times or scores through the 10 preliminary performances. “The setup was a little trickier than what any of us anticipated, so the cards would definitely have to fall in my favor,” she said. “I’d have to draw one of the really good calves and have everything fall my way, but that’s rodeo. Sometimes they do fall your way. It would be cool if it would happen.” Crawford has qualified for three of the first four National Finals Breakaway Ropings. She won the inaugural event in Arlington, Texas, five seasons ago to claim another gold buckle. Her most recent success story came with the Houston title. That propelled her to the top spot in the world standings with $76,408 – all but $20,000 of that came at NRG Stadium. “Anybody who wins Houston sets their sights on the gold buckle,” Crawford said. “It’s such a catapult. I didn’t have a stellar winter until then, so I didn’t just move leaps and bounds ahead of people. But winning Houston sets you up to being able to rodeo a little smarter and still have a really good shot at a gold buckle. “That’s where my sights are. I would love to be able to win another one.” San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding leaders: 1. Ethan Mazurenko, 86 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Stevie Knicks; 2. Jess Pope, 83; 3. Gauge McBride, 80; 4. Cole Reiner, 77; 5. Rocker Steiner and Drake Amundson, 75; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.8; 4. Trisyn Kalawaia, 3.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 4.0; 6. (tie) Matt Reeves and Jay Williamson, 4.1; 8; Brandon Harrison, 4.2. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Trever Nelson and Rooster Yazzie, 3.6 seconds; 3. (tie) Adam Musil and Heath Thomas, 3.9; 5. Chance Howard, 4.1; 6. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Cole Walker, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 3. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 4. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 5. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 6. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 7. (tie) Chance Howard and Gus Franzen, 9.6; 9. Rowdy Parrott, 9.9; 10. Trace Harris, 10.3; 11. Cody Cabral, 10.6, 12. Ty Allred, 11.2. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith, 4.1 seconds; 2. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2; 5. Kolton Schmidt/Landen Glenn, 4.3; 6. (tie) Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, Garett Chick/Lane Siggins, Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7 seconds; 2. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9; 3. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach Varian and Slade Wood/Nathan Walker, 4.0; 5. (tie) James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez and Shay Carrol/Jace Helton, 4.1. Average leaders: 1. James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 9.4; 3. Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray, 10.1; 4. Curry Kirchner, 11.0; 5. Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, 14.0; 6. Coby Sanchez/Trace Porter, 14.2; 7. Coy Brittain/Colton Brittain, 14.3; 8. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 14.7; 9. John Wesley Sharp/Dodge Hare, 15.2; 10. Garett Chick/Lane Siggins, 19.0; 11. Cody Russell/Cole Carpenter, 19.8; 12. Bodie Mattson/Trae Smith, 24.5. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Jake Watson, 82.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Yellow Jacket; 2. Tegan Smith, 81; 3. Jarrod Hammons, 80; 4. (tie) Dylan Young and Jake Finlay, 77.5; 6. Allen Boore, 77; 7. Noel Johnson, 73; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Bryce Derrer and Connor Atkinson, 7.8 seconds; 3. Ryan Jarrett, 7.9; 4. Cash Hooper, 8.1; 6. Marty Yates, 8.2; 6. Colton Farquer, 8.4; 7. (tie) Cole Clemons and Walker Shane Akins, 8.6. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Cash Enderli, Zaine Mikita and Marty Yates, 7.3 seconds; 4. Charlie Gibson, 7.5; 5. Jeremiah Peek, 7.6; 6. Paden Bray, 7.7; 7. Blake Ash, 7.8; 8. Spur Valdez, 7.9. Average leaders: 1. Marty Yates, 15.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Ryan Jarrett, 16.4; 3. Connor Blaise  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Volunteers who produce the community’s biggest annual event are spreading their wings. “We’re selling Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo merchandise for the first time in a long time,” said Ken Stonecipher, the rodeo committee’s chairman. “This is a chance for us to share the joy of our rodeo all year long, and we have some things people are really going to like.” The sales are in anticipation of this year’s event, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5. “We wanted a better way to promote our brand and to show pride in our brand,” said Brooke Kitting, the volunteer committee’s marketing director. “We thought this was a good way to engage with the community members that make Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo what it is.”’ The merchandise will be available at the rodeo’s annual fundraiser, the Dinner, Dance and Draw Down, which takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena’s hospitality center. In addition, a merchandise trailer will be operating near the saloon toward the north end of the grandstands during each of the four performances. “We have hoodies, T-shirts and quarter zips; three versions of trucker caps; and two youth-size options, a hoodie and a T-shirt,” Kitting said. The merchandise is not only a way to help share the rodeo’s brand, it’s also a way to give back. The rodeo committee will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from the merchandise sales to a local charity. “When we decided to do this, we wanted to make sure that this aspect of our rodeo would also have a charitable component,” Stonecipher said. “This year, because of all that’s been happening recently in our area, we wanted to make it to the Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund.” The endowment was established to assist farmers and ranchers that were affected when catastrophic wildfires spread across the Texas Panhandle, charring many acres and destroying homes, barns, livestock and fences. The blazes, fueled by a dry landscape and accelerated by high winds that swept across the plains, scorched 1.1 million acres, according to news reports. Hundreds of miles of fences were also destroyed, and nearly 10,000 cattle died in an area that is recognized as one of the largest cattle-raising regions in the world. “I don’t think there’s any better way to represent what our rodeo is all about than being able to give back to our neighbors that are in need,” Stonecipher said. “This is just a small way we can do that.” For 92 years, the event has been a defining event for the community. World champions built their legacies through the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, and that likely won’t change anytime soon. “I know a lot of people from around here take pride in our rodeo,” Stonecipher said. “This is a way they can show it off.”