Monthly Archives: November 2010

In less than three weeks, the top players in the game of rodeo will flock to Las Vegas for the 52nd Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The arena, the Thomas & Mack Center, will host about 18,000 fans for each of the 10 go-rounds, but there will be tens of thousands more people in town for the festivities. That’s why Las Vegas loves hosting the NFR. Where do you stay while in Las Vegas? Do you go to the PRCA Convention at the South Point? Do you go to the nightly buckle presentations at the South Point? What’s the best part of the NFR in Las Vegas? What is your favorite NFR memory?

This is a piece I wrote for my church five years ago. You can tell it’s dated a little, but the message it tells is one of faith, something that my friend holds tight each day of his life. The life of a rodeo cowboy can change at the drop of a 10-gallon hat. Cord McCoy knows that better than most anyone, and his faith in Jesus Christ has carried him through the roller coaster that has been his life in the last year. Just last fall, you see, McCoy wasn’t sure what his future would hold. He had suffered a severe head injury after being kicked above his left ear by a saddle bronc at the Oklahoma State Fair Rodeo. Surgery, intensive care, months of rehabilitation. “I didn’t know what it was going to be like, even the littlest things like walking,” said McCoy, a 25-year-old cowboy who has spent his professional life on the backs of bareback horses, saddle broncs and bulls. “The more I walked, the better I was at it. I didn’t know how much the improvement was going to be or what it was going to be like, but I know this: Getting up and walking was real weird at first.” With each step, his faith was tested. With each exercise, he wondered what his future held. Would he ever ride again? Would he be the same ol’ Cord? “This has made me realize how thankful I am, not only to be riding, but to be alive,” said McCoy, a five-time champion in the Oklahoma City-based International Professional Rodeo Association (two all-around titles, two saddle-bronc titles and a bull-riding championship). Last December, he was in the stands of the Thomas & Mack Center for the final round of the National Finals Rodeo. He saw one incredible performance after another. He was with a friend, and they were having the times of their lives. Cord McCoy was also dreaming. What if he could someday compete in that same arena? What if he could be recognized as one of the best hands in rodeo? What if? He prayed often and held strong faith in his own abilities to heal, his own abilities to ride and in God Almighty. Fast-forward to December 2005. Cord McCoy is back in Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo. This time, though, he’s the 12th best bull rider in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the top sanctioning body in the sport. The NFR features the top 15 contestants in each event. It is ProRodeo’s grand finale. Ten go-rounds. Round winners earning more than $15,000. The dream came true. Prayers were answered. But that transition hasn’t been easy. When you have to re-learn basic cognitive skills, re-learning the skill to ride ferocious bucking animals won’t be simple. “I’d put that little old helmet on, and I’d start walking horses around,” McCoy said. “About a month before I went to the doctor to see about being released to compete again, I started getting on horses bareback to get my balance ready to ride bulls. I went to ride him across the pasture, and I almost fell off several times. “Now this is something I’ve done all my life, and I couldn’t do it. You would’ve thought this guy would never be a bull rider. I had to take the horse up and set him in a little bitty pen that we have set up for kids just so I could do it.” And that was before doctors gave him clearance to compete again. Until he heard the words, though, there was serious doubt about his rodeo career. His injury, after all, wasn’t a simple concussion. He needed months for his injury to heal – the crack in his skull was circular, and the bone indented inward putting pressure on his brain. Surgeons repaired the malady, but at least eight months off would give the bone time to heal. Still, there was an outside chance he would never ride bucking animals again. He prayed for God’s healing power. He prayed for strength. He prayed for just one more chance. Time away from the rodeo arena – even his seat at last year’s NFR – not only helped McCoy’s body heal, it also ignited a desire to compete at a high level. He wanted to test his mettle against the big boys in the PRCA and the PBR. “I think it all fed off my spirituality,” he said. “It was tough starting back, because as far as trusting yourself and your reaction and also trusting in God … that was something I had to just turn over to God. “This is what I’m going to try to do, and if this is what’s out there for me, it’ll happen. I just leave the reins to Him and let Him guide me.” Armed with a new lacrosse-style helmet to protect his noggin, McCoy returned to the rodeo arena in April. And while he rode rank bulls, he wasn’t getting to the pay window. Rodeo cowboys not only pay their bills by what they earn in competition, it’s also how points are kept toward a world championship. At season’s end, the top 15 money-winners in each event qualify for the NFR. Also keep in mind that McCoy had given the rest of the field a four-month head start. By April, several cowboys had earned tens of thousands of dollars and were well on their way to a December trip to Las Vegas. Through the end of July, McCoy had picked up a few paychecks as he traveled the rodeo circuit, earning $7,000 in three months on the trail. Now focusing on bull riding, he sometimes strapped his hand to as many as seven or eight bulls a week, desperately chasing his dream. At that time, the leader in the standings was nearing the $200,000 mark. Cord McCoy was being left in the dust. “I went for a stretch there where I wondered if I was good enough  Continue Reading »

A lot has happened in Cord McCoy’s life in the last year. He got engaged last November, then took off on a trip around the world in “The Amazing Race” with his brother, Jet. Then for three months beginning on Valentines Day, the world watched the CBS-TV reality series and found two humble, intelligent Oklahomans make a run at $1 million. The McCoys became fan favorites, and their down-home, hard-working attitude was just one of the reasons why. He also plied his trades of ranching and riding bulls, the latter saw him fall off the Professional Bull Riders premier tour, the Built Ford Tough Series, and complete another amazing race to get back on before season’s end. He also produced a PBR event in Ada, Okla., and attached his name to another in Atlantic, Iowa. Oh, and he’s been involved with the planning of his nuptials, albeit limited — he’s left the bulk of that load to his lovely bride-to-be, Sara Best. Tomorrow afternoon, my wife, daughters and I will be on hand in Atlantic to see those two wonderful people take the next step in their lives together. It will be a beautiful experience, and I’m blessed to share their day with them. I’m also proud of my friends.

ALLEN, Texas – When the top cowboys in the game compete for big money, they want to have the best opportunity to make it. That’s why the top bareback riders in the game are happy to see Carr Pro Rodeo horses in the lineup for this weekend’s Tom Thumb Texas Stampede, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Allen Events Center. “There’s no such thing as too much money,” said Matt Bright of Azle, Texas, who will make his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in less than a month. “The thing about Pete Carr’s rodeos is that when you go to one, you know you’re going to get a chance to win first. A lot of guys don’t have that. “I really respect that guy a lot, because he used to be a bareback rider himself. I think that’s why he’s got such a good pen of bareback horses. He knows what kinds of horses guys can win on.” While this is the first season Bright has qualified for the NFR, Bright has been one of the best in the business for a while. But that’s what the Texas Stampede is all about, featuring cowboys like Cody DeMers, Chris Harris, Tilden Hooper, Eric Swenson, Jared Smith, D.V. Fennell and Justin McDaniel, the 2008 world champion. “This close to the finals, I wanted to stay tuned up, and running that the kind of money that’s available there is great,” Bright said. “I’ve been going to a rodeo every couple of weeks trying to stay on top of my game. With Texas Stampede being a hometown rodeo, it’s a pretty big deal. So is being able to compete close to the house.” Fennell has been asked to compete in the invitation-only event before, but this is his first time to make the field – he was recovering from an injury last year and had to decline the invitation. “You’ve got a chance at $10,000,” said Fennell of Neosho, Mo. “Bull riders get to do that every week, but with a bareback riggin’ in your hand, you don’t have that many chances. Hopefully I’m making an investment in my financial future.” With that in mind, he knows how special it is to be able to climb on the back of one of the Carr Pro Rodeo bucking beasts. “Pete’s got a nice set of horses,” Fennell said. “I wish Pete had a rodeo in my back yard every week with about $10,000 added; I’d never have to leave the house.” Fennell knows a lot about good bucking horses. He’s been on his fair share. He also knows the Carr horses that will be part of this weekend’s event likely will be the top of the line, from NFR bucking horses like Black Coffee and Hylo Hills to animals like Alberta Child, Hometown Girl, Collins Pride and Pink Cadillac, which are some of the rising stars in the game. “Pete’s one of my really good friends,” Bright said. “Ever since I started rodeoing professionally, he’s been really good to me. Pete’s deal is that he always tries to put an even pen of horses out in every performances, so it doesn’t matter when you’re up, you know you have a chance to win. You know the horses are going to be good. “That’s the name of the game. Yeah, the horses buck hard, and if you stub you’re toe, you’re going to hit the ground. But if you do your stuff right, you’re going to win a lot of money.”

I love telling other people’s stories, but what I love more, is learning new stories to tell. Such is the case with the piece I did for the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association on the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. I’ve never met Jessi Eagleberger or Tana Renick. My only communication with them came on the phone a few days ago. And while a full story will appear in Women’s Pro Rodeo News, here’s a short piece that was published online. http://www.wpra.com/renick_prairie_dncfr.asp

While you’re trying to do the math on the buckle question, I’ve got another easy trivia question for you. It’s pretty easy, especially for those who have been around the sport. But it was also an innovative marketing scheme when it was introduced. Who were the first in ProRodeo to wear the Express brand as a sponsorship?

This is a story I did for Carr Pro Rodeo, which has 26 head of livestock that will be part of the competition at this weekend’s Tom Thumb Texas Stampede. ALLEN, Texas – Cort Scheer is having a season full of firsts. The bronc buster from Elsmere, Neb., is also having the best year of his career, and his invitation to compete at the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede is just another indication. He will be among the elite cowboys that are part of the competition, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 12-13, at the Allen Events Center. “I’m looking forward to the atmosphere, the broncs and the good competition,” said Scheer, who also qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. “The Texas Stampede is going to have good horses there and not to many guys, so it’s going to be the top of the line. When you’re going up against that many guys, you’re going up against he best of the world.” That’s something Scheer has been working toward in his four years in ProRodeo, finishing the 2009 season 25th in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association saddle bronc riding standings. This season, he finished the regular season No. 7 in the world standings, and he’s reaping the rewards. He’s one of eight saddle bronc riders who have been asked to compete at the Texas Stampede, a 10-year-old showcase of the best in rodeo. Eight of the top competitors in bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding and barrel racing will be part of the elite field, and the guys riding bucking beasts will be matched with some of the top animals in the business. Carr Pro Rodeo will have 26 head of livestock working their bucking magic inside the Allen Events Center. It’s another measure of success for the Dallas-based stock firm. “Anytime you can be part of something special like the Texas Stampede, it’s an honor,” said Pete Carr, owner of the livestock company. “The fans are going to see the best of the best here, and with the great animals that are part of this, it’s going to be a heck of a show.” The show will include reigning world champion Jesse Kruse and past champs like Cody Wright, Taos Muncy and Jeffrey Willert; it will also feature Scheer, Heith DeMoss, Cody DeMoss and Bradley Harter, a who’s who among bronc riders traveling the rodeo trail. “Anytime you have a chance to go to one of Pete’s rodeos, you know you’ll have a horse that you can win on,” said Muncy, the 2007 world champ from Corona, N.M. “This is what we do for a living, so you hope you can get on good horses everywhere you go.” In Allen, the eight bronc riders will likely see several of Carr’s top horses, like Take The Plunge, Night Moves, Coffee Bean, Simple Man, Mike & Ike, Ginger Snap, Trail Dust and Corner Guard. “I’ll take any of them, I promise,” Scheer said. “If you draw any of them horses, you’ve got a chance to win. Look at the pedigree behind them, the money that’s won on all of them. “Typically you go to places, and there will one or two horses you can win on, but that’s not the case at any of Pete Carr’s rodeos. It comes down to who makes the best spur ride is going to win. That’s what you want every time.”

Cheyenne Frontier Days has a fantastic history of excellence. It’s “The Daddy of ’em All,” the one every cowboy wants to win. On Monday, the Championship Bull Riders organization announced it will have a two-day event in conjunction with the 115th Cheyenne Frontier Days. It’s the first year of the association between the longstanding epitome of ProRodeo and the stand-alone bull riding organization whose president is Tuff Hedeman, a four-time world champion bull rider. Cheyenne Frontier Days has hosted a Professional Bull Riders Touring Pro Division event, and while the PBR’s minor league system, many of the top names in the sport were in Cheyenne. In July 2011, the bull riding will be part of the CBR’s premier series, the Cinch CBR Tour presented by Mahindra Tractors.  I’ve visited with people who are very excited about the change, but the one thing remains the same: For those who love bull riding, this association promises plenty of excitement.

If you can see under my belly, I proudly wear a Montana Silversmiths buckle on my belt. It’s classy. It’s pretty. It’s rodeo. There are a lot of people who wear a Montana Silversmiths buckle, some of which are golden. In fact, any person crowned ProRodeo world champion since 2000 wears a gold buckle made by Montana Silversmiths, so there are a lot of them. For 11 years, Montana Silversmiths been the official buckle sponsor of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, making Montana Silversmiths the longest running buckle sponsor ever. So what buckle company had the buckle sponsorship right before Montana Silversmiths, and how many years did that company have the sponsorship?

Congratulations to Rocky Patterson for winning his second straight steer roping world championship. Also congratulations to another Kansan, Cody Scheck, for winning the average at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. Round 10: 1. Scott Snedecor, Uvalde, Texas, 9.4 seconds, $5,000; 2. Vin Fisher Jr, Andrews, Texas, 10.0, $3,846; 3. J.P. Wickett, Sallisaw, Okla., 10.3, $3,077; 4.        Chance Kelton, Mayer, Ariz., 10.9, $2,308; 5. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas, 11.1, $1,154.             Average: 1. Cody Scheck, Kiowa, Kan., 171.1 seconds on 10 head, $15,000; 2. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 115.4 on nine, $11,538; 3. J.D. Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 123.7, $9,231; 4. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., 141.8, $6,923; 5. Scott Snedecor, Uvalde, Texas, 90.7 on eight, $3,462.             World standings: 1 Rocky Patterson, $17,884.61 (money won at the NFSR), $101,685.14; 2. Trevor Brazile, $28,076.91, $79,785.17; 3.     Vin Fisher Jr., $47,064.52; $71,679.89; 4.       Scott Snedecor, $26,538.45, $61,744.04; 5. Bryce Davis, $21,153.84, $56,123.91; 6. Cody Scheck,  $23,269.22, $51,049.85; 7. Rod Hartness, $9,807.68, 5,698.47; 8. Chet Herren, $9,999.99, $45,350.85; 9. J.D. Yates, $19,038.46, $41,889.15; 10. Chance Kelton, $3,461.54, $40,869.31.

Rocky Patterson won his second straight steer roping world championship, and in the process, he broke the single-season earnings record. He became the first cowboy in PRCA history to earn at least $100,000 in a season. But the average winner, Cody Scheck, was on the Pratt (Kan.) Community College rodeo team a dozen years ago when Patterson was the coach. But there are some great tidbits. http://lazye.com/nfsr10.html

1. Bryce Davis, Abilene, Texas, 9.6 seconds, $5,000; 2. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., 10.1, $3,846; 3. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 11.4, $3,077; 4. Rod Hartness, Pawhuska, Okla., 12.6, $2,308; 5. Chance Kelton, Mayer, Ariz., 12.8, $1,154.

            Round Eight: 1. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla., 9.2 seconds, $5,000; 2. Scott Snedecor, Uvalde, Texas, 9.9, $3,846; 3. Vin Fisher Jr, Andrews, Texas, 10.1, $3,077; 4. Bryce Davis, Abilene, Texas, 10.4, $2,308; 5. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas, 11.6, $1,154.

            Round Six: 1. Bryce Davis, Abilene, Texas, 10.5 seconds, $5,000; 2. Lawson Plemons, Axtell, Texas, 10.6, $3,846; 3. Rod Hartness, Pawhuska, Okla., 10.7, $3,077; 4. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas, 11.2, $2,308; 5. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas, 11.6, $1,154.             Round Seven: 1.Bryce Davis, Abilene, Texas, 10.9 seconds, $5,000; 2. Vin Fisher Jr, Andrews, Texas, 11.0, $3,846; 3. J.D. Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 11.5, $3,077; 4. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla., 11.7, $2,308; 5. Lawson Plemons, Axtell, Texas, 12.5, $1,154.

The opening night of the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping featured plenty of fireworks, and the three cowboys who have won the last five world championships are in the top five of the average race — 1. Trevor Brazile, 57.6 seconds on five runs (2006-07 world titles), 2. Scott Snedecor, 57.8 (2005, 2008) and 5. Rocky Patterson, 73.9 (2009). http://lazye.com/nfsr10.html

1 Scott Snedecor Uvalde, Texas 10.1 $5,000.00 2 Bryce Davis Abilene, Texas 10.8 $3,846.15 3 Rocky Patterson Pratt, Kan. 11.2 $3,076.92 4 Trevor Brazile Decatur, Texas 11.6 $2,307.69 5 J. Tom Fisher Andrews, Texas 11.7 $1,153.85 1 Trevor Brazile 57.60/5 2 Scott Snedecor 57.80/5 3 Rod Hartness 69.30/5 4 J.D. Yates 70.10/5  5 Rocky Patterson 73.90/5 6 Cody Scheck 79.20/5

1 Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 9.7, $5,000.00 2 Vin Fisher Jr, Andrews, Texas, 10.2, $3,846.15 3 Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla., 10.8, $2,692.30 3 Cody Scheck, Kiowa, Kan., 10.8, $2,692.30 5 J.D. Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 11.5, $1,153.85

1 Vin Fisher Jr, Andrews, Texas, 11.0, $5,000.00 2 Cody Scheck, Kiowa, Kan., 11.1, $3,846.15 3 Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 12.5, $3,076.92 4 Scott Snedecor, Uvalde, Texas, 13.5, $2,307.69 5 J.D. Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 13.7, $1,153.85

1 Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas, 10.7, $5,000.00 2 Scott Snedecor, Uvalde, Texas, 10.9, $3,846.15 3 Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 11.0, $3,076.92 4 Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., 12.6, $2,307.69 5 Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas, 14.5, $1,153.85

1 Rod Hartness, Pawhuska, Okla., 11.3, $4,423.07 1 J.D. Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 11.3, $4,423.07 3 Scott Snedecor, Uvalde, Texas, 11.6, $3,076.92 4 Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., 12.5, $1,730.77 4 Cody Scheck, Kiowa, Kan., 12.5, $1,730.77

It’s been 43 years since Hadley Barrett first called the action at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. He’s back this November calling his eighth National Finals Event. The honor fits him well. Barrett first earned the honor in 1967, just his third season in the PRCA. He followed that in 1968 by announcing the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Jim Nordick Arena at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, just a 30-minute drive from the longtime host fo the steer roping finals, the Lazy E Arena. This year, he is calling the action with veteran Charlie Throckmorton, an 11-time NFSR announcer who has been involved in the last 10 championships — he also announced the NFSR in 1990 and was the Wrangler NFR alternate in 1991. Barrett, a four-time PRCA Announcer of the Year who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1999, also announced the steer roping finals in 1987 and was one of the voices at the Wrangler NFR in four decades, adding 1976, 1979, 1983 and 2008 to his resume — of the five, four took place in Oklahoma City. He was also the TV announcer for the Wrangler NFR for more than 20 years. “Actually I’m the the only guy that the alternate had to replace in the last go-round, because I’d already committed to doing the TV broadcast in 1983 when we just broadcast the 10th round,” Barrett said.

My drive through Kansas to Oklahoma brought to mind several fascinating memories, about rodeo and about life. Eleven years ago this fall, I moved to the state’s capital city to take a new step in my life, working at the state’s largest newspaper. Shortly after arriving, I was introduced to Bryan Painter, the rodeo coorespondent for The Oklahoman. He is one of the greatest storytellers I’ve ever met, and his prose that weaved along the rodeo trail are always inspiring. But what I got most in my time with Bryan was a friend. As I got settled into my roles at the paper and new surroundings, Bryan learned that my mother was fighting cancer. His father had just lost his battle with the disease months earlier, so he knew each level of my emotions. And even though our relationship was just weeks old, he volunteered to be my copilot anytime I needed as I made the seven-hour, one-way drive to be with my family. In fact, he urged me to make more of those trips, to cherish each moment I could. I’m not sure I could ever thank him enough for that, but I’ll try. When Mom died the next spring, I had those moments to cherish. I still cherish them. By 2001, Bryan had taken a well-deserved promotion and wasn’t able to keep up with the rodeo beat as he believed it needed — at the time, The Oklahoman covered rodeo statewide and provided weekly commentary — and he recommended me as his replacement. While I already had a love affair with the sport, Bryan’s selflessness opened the door to a passion and an avenue for me pursuing it. I’m now chasing my rodeo dreams. I’m not sure I could ever thank him enough for that, but I’ll try.

I’m leaving home for the Oklahoma City area today for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, which is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Lazy E Arena near Guthrie, Okla. It should be a fantastic championship, 10 rounds of the top steer ropers in the game. My hope is to update round-by-round through the weekend, but I’m not sure the signal will be accessible from inside the arena. I’ll update as I can, though, so be on the lookout.

Below is an article I wrote and released to the media today on behalf of Carr Pro Rodeo and the Tom Thumb Texas Stampde, which takes place Nov. 12-13 in Allen, Texas. ALLEN, Texas – J.W. Harris has proven himself one of the best bull riders in the history of the sport. He owns the last two Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world championships, and he’s earned a nice living trying to tame bucking beasts. When he shows up to compete, he stands a great chance to win. But when he competes at the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 12-13, at the Allen Events Center, there’s more than a big paycheck available. “I think it’s just a cool event because of what they benefit,” Harris said, referring to the children’s charities of north Texas. “Every year at the auction, I always donate some money. The benefit is the biggest reason for me. I’ve seen the kids from the children’s hospital, and it just melts your heart. When they introduced us before last year, it makes you tear up. It’s not because you’re crying; it’s because you’re happy because you know how much it means to those kids. “It makes you realize there are worse things that happen to you than being thrown off by a bull.” The Texas Stampede will feature eight of the best athletes in bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and barrel racing. Each contestant will ride four times in the two-day event, all the while competing for some of the biggest prize money in rodeo. They’ll also be competing on some of the best bucking animals in the sport. That’s why Carr Pro Rodeo is part of the festivities. Over the last five years, Pete Carr has built his livestock firm into one of the best in ProRodeo, and being able to showcase the Dallas-based livestock in the metroplex is a big deal to him. “The Texas Stampede has been a big deal in this area a long time, and I’m just glad we’re part of it,” Carr said. “This is a great organization and a great event. These are the top cowboys in rodeo, and I think we’ve got some great animals that’ll be part of the mix.” This is the 10th annual Texas Stampede but the first year in Allen. It’s a positive move for the event that raises money for children’s charities in North Texas, said the Texas Stampede’s Randy Lewallyn. “The partnership with the city of Allen is the biggest element to our moving,” Lewallyn said. “The city of Allen has stepped up in a major way and has adopted the Texas Stampede as a signature event in our community. The Event Center is a new facility that is going to be a very exciting and energetic atmosphere. It has a lot of the same bells and whistles as some of the larger arenas, and it’s in the heart of a thriving retail and restaurant development in Allen.” The invited-only field will be the best in the business, from world champions to regular qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “This is a one-of-a-kind event that puts the best against the best,” Carr said. “It’s important for us to be involved here so close to Dallas.” The competition will feature a tie-down roping match Saturday night between world champions Trevor Brazile and Fred Whitfield, while Friday night will be a showcase of the Stampede’s Team Roping Classic Series, a tour of amateur team ropers. On Saturday afternoon, the event will feature a Championship Bull Riders Horizon Tour event, which begins at noon. If that weren’t enough, the Texas Stampede has also scheduled top-of-the-line concerts to take place after the Friday night and Saturday night performances. Dierks Bentley will perform Friday night, and Montgomery Gentry’s concert is Saturday. “This truly will be an event that is a major part of the community,” Lewallyn said. “It’s not just Allen, but all of North Texas.”