Monthly Archives: May 2011
Dealing with Payne
Written on May 31, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Wade Payne is a bull rider and a ranch hand. He’s also a cancer survivor. Put everything together, and Payne has an interesting story to tell; the latter is the most provocative, because it’s been a whirlwind experience for the cowboy from Beaver, Okla. Last spring, Payne was diagnosed with cancer, just about the time Continue Reading »
Riddle adds Claremore title to his strong 2011 campaign
Written on May 30, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Caine Riddle wasn’t yet born when his dad, Rusty, qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the final time. That really doesn’t matter for the Vernon, Texas, cowboy; he’s still carrying on the family legacy quite well. On Sunday night, Riddle rode the Rafter H Rodeo Livestock’s Cat Ballou for 86 points Continue Reading »
More photos from Claremore
Written on May 29, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
I’ve uploaded more PHOTOS from the Will Rogers Stampede in Claremore, Okla.
Florida man shows a lot of Hartt in leading tie-down roping
Written on May 29, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Droughts are part of any sport, and the biggest factor in overcoming them is confidence. Take Brad Hartt, a tie-down roper from Sebring, Fla. He’s been roping well; he just hasn’t done so well in securing that quality calf on which to compete. The animals and the contestants are matched together by Continue Reading »
Brazile snares Claremore steer roping title
Written on May 28, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Trevor Brazile owns the most prestigious record in ProRodeo with his eight all-around world championships. He’s closing in on several more. Brazile, of Decatur, Texas, has earned 14 gold buckles in his 15-year Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association career, including three tie-down roping titles, two steer roping championships and a team roping-heading victory. Continue Reading »
Photos from Claremore
Written on May 28, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Go to www.WillRogersStampede.com and take a look at the photos we’ve got so far from the rodeo in Claremore.
Riley inching closer to the pay window at Claremore rodeo
Written on May 28, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – In essence, Ricky Riley’s life changed several years ago when he moved from his native New Mexico to Checotah, Okla. The steer wrestler wanted to be one of the best, so he decided to learn from the best, and every one of them seemed to be from that small eastern Oklahoma community Continue Reading »
Whew …
Written on May 26, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
What a busy and wonderful day in Claremore, where competition has begun for the 65th edition of the Will Rogers Stampede. Announcer Scott Grover and I were part of the KITO morning broadcast in Vinita, Okla., then we stopped in wonderful Chelsea, Okla., to have breakfast with our dear friend, Donna McSpadden. We hung out Continue Reading »
Gone but not forgotten
Written on May 25, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Kansas City Royals great Paul Splittorff died today after a battle with oral cancer and melanoma. He was an original Royal, drafted in 1968, and he played all 14 years in Kansas City. Even after he retired from playing, he stayed with the game and has served as one of the voices of the Royals Continue Reading »
Tornado outbreak
Written on May 24, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
I’m getting the rig packed and ready to head to Claremore, Okla., for the 65th edition of the Will Rogers Stampede. Of course, I’m well aware of the severe weather throughout this region of the world, just two days removed from the deadly tornado that hit Joplin, Mo., and killed at least 123 people. Although Continue Reading »
Plenty of high-flying action on tap for Claremore rodeo
Written on May 23, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rodeo is America’s original extreme sport, and every year its greatest athletes make their way to Rogers County to fight for the thousands of dollars in prize money available at the Will Rogers Stampede. This year marks the 65th anniversary of Claremore’s rodeo, and the producers of the annual event are making Continue Reading »
The future’s so Bright …
Written on May 21, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
When Matt Bright won the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo in the Oklahoma Panhandle earlier this month, it was a great sign for the Tennessee cowboy who now lives near Fort Worth, Texas. Bright suffered a fracture of his lumbar spine last December when the Carr Pro Rodeo horse Real Deal rared in the chute during Continue Reading »
Learning curve …
Written on May 20, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Casey Sisk has always been a cowboy. That’s just the way of life for the Corona, N.M., man, who is still looking for his breakout season in ProRodeo. Sisk is hot on the rodeo trail this season, traveling the circuit with some of the best in the business: Cody Taton, the 2009 Wrangler National Finals Continue Reading »
I don’t have the words
Written on May 19, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
I’m a writer. I make a living putting words together in order to tell stories, share experiences and arouse passions. There are no words that will take away the pain of loss, and in the case of the family and friends of Kim Asay, I offer my prayers and my heart to you in her Continue Reading »
Olson’s act is mighty special for Will Rogers Stampede
Written on May 19, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Jerry Wayne Olson is an entertainer who loves it when thousands of people crowd around an arena to watch him work. But that’s not his favorite part of being a specialty act in ProRodeo. “I just love being around the horses and livestock and being able to do what you do,” said Continue Reading »
Hall family is a big part of Will Rogers Stampede history
Written on May 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – There’s a lot of history in the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, and Dell Hall has seen his share. Hall is the owner of Rafter H Rodeo Livestock Co., and he’s been the stock contractor for the Claremore annual rodeo since 1975, his first year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “Claremore Continue Reading »
Ellick, Rivinius returning ‘home’ to fight bulls in Claremore
Written on May 16, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Greek Ellick Sr. lives here, just like many members of his family. Originally from Verdigris, this part of Oklahoma is home. Before retiring to the Claremore Nursing Home, he was a rodeo clown and a spur maker, recognized as one of the best in the country. Now his son, Greek Ellick Jr., Continue Reading »
Toney anxious to bring great rodeo back to his hometown
Written on May 16, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
LAMONI, Iowa – There’s something about the rodeo dust on the rodeo trail that gets into a cowboy’s blood. That’s the life Talton Toney lives, whether it’s on his place just north of Lamoni or while producing bull ridings, barrel races and rodeos throughout the Midwest. It’s a lifestyle, too, and something Toney carries proudly Continue Reading »
Congratulations to Trevor Brazile
Written on May 15, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Trevor Brazile became the first $4 million cowboy, surpassing the mark this weekend. See the story HERE.
Tough as (thumb) nails
Written on May 15, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Many of the great storylines in rodeo are about the overall toughness of the cowboys and cowgirls that are part of the sport. They know how to work hard, and they realize that hard work is what it takes to be successful. They have the mindset it takes to block out the pain in order Continue Reading »
Mortons carry a strong legacy with Will Rogers Stampede
Written on May 14, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Bob and Alice Morton knew they’d be part of the Rodeo Legends Banquet produced by the Will Rogers Roundup Club. They’ve been part of the organization for nearly 35 years, so being involved comes with the territory. When they learned they were part of the inductees into this year’s hall of fame Continue Reading »
World champs part of the featured act at Claremore rodeo
Written on May 13, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Trevor Brazile is a record-breaking world champion cowboy. For folks in northeast Oklahoma, he’s also one aspect of the record 564 entries at this year’s Will Rogers Stampede, which will feature 26 world championships and dozens of qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer roping. Continue Reading »
Bendele’s sleight of hand makes for sweet sounds of rodeo
Written on May 12, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – When Benje Bendele clicks his fingers, something magical usually happens. Ah, the life of the preeminent sound and effects man in ProRodeo. If it happens in the arena, the speakers rumble with a complementary sound. It’s a split-second, a click and a style that has led the Texan to many of the Continue Reading »
McCracken brings split personality to Claremore rodeo
Written on May 11, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Dale McCracken has multiple personalities, but it’s not a disorder. It’s quite the opposite, really. Like a superhero donning his cape, McCracken covers his face with greasepaint and enters the world of his alter-ego, Gizmo, the funnyman/barrelman who has entertained rodeo crowds for much of his life. It’s as if Dale drives Continue Reading »