Monthly Archives: September 2011

Here are the stories that ran each day during the Justin Boots Championships during the River City Rodeo in Omaha, Neb. From THURSDAY From FRIDAY From SATURDAY

Contestants interested in riding bucking horses – or riding them better – will have a chance to hone their skills during a bareback riding and saddle bronc riding school planned for Friday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Nov. 13, in Ponca City, Okla. The brainchild of all-around rodeo hand Justin Rumford, the clinic will be instructed by saddle bronc riders Bobby Griswold and Jesse James Kirby and bareback riding world champion Mark Gomes and will take place at the 101 Wild West Rodeo grounds and inside a classroom location in Ponca City. Gomes is an eight-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo; Griswold has qualified for the NFR four times in his career and is a two-time circuit champion; and Kirby is a two-time qualifier to the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo. They bring years of experience to the classroom and to the traditional training ground, the rodeo arena. The cost for the school is $300 for a full student, $100 for a ground student. Deposits ($150 for full; $50 for ground) are due by Oct. 22 to reserve a spot. There will be limited spaces available, which will ensure the best student-instructor ratio. Contact Justin Rumford at (580) 716-3239 or at jrumford@hotmail.com for information or to reserve a spot in the class. The school will feature unlimited livestock, video playback and breakout classroom sessions with instruction. The educational opportunity is for everyone – from beginners to card-holders – who hope to improve their game. There will be livestock available to accommodate beginners and experts.

Matt Sherwood has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the third time in his career. I suspect that means his partner, heeler Cory Petska, has his eyes on the big prize in 2011. You see, Sherwood’s other two trips to ProRodeo’s grand finale came in 2006 and 2008. In each of those seasons, Sherwood walked away from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas with the world champion’s gold buckle. Is Sherwood’s third qualification a precursor to this year’s world championship. I’m sure Petska is hoping so.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The word is out, and the contestants are responding. Some of the biggest names in rodeo will be in Hempstead this weekend for the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, with performances set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The rodeo has been a fixture of the community event for decades, but this year’s festivities will be part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. That’s a drawing card for the top cowboys and cowgirls in the game, because they know their dollars earned in Waller County will count toward qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and, potentially, a world championship. That’s why the list of entries includes world champions like Fred Whitfield, Joe Beaver, Brittany Pozzi and Kappy Allen and dozens of NFR qualifications. Another factor in bringing the top contestants and talented rising stars to Hempstead are the outstanding animal athletes from Carr Pro Rodeo, one of the elite stock contractors in ProRodeo with bucking horses and bulls featured at the NFR, the Justin Boots Championships and some of the biggest PRCA rodeos across the country. Owner Pete Carr takes great pride in putting on a great rodeo from start to finish, and the volunteer committee that helps produce the annual event in Waller County is excited about that. “Fans want to have a good time and see a great show, and that’s what we’re going to work hard to do each night,” said Carr, owner of the Dallas-based livestock firm. Carr has a pasture full of the best bucking animals in the game, from bareback horses like Real Deal, the 2005 Bareback Horse of the Year, to River Boat Annie, the 2007 Reserve World Champion Bareback horse, to any number of other animals that regularly have been featured at the NFR. “It takes somebody who knows the game and understands it, and that’s what you’ve got in Pete Carr,” said bareback rider Chris Harris, a six-time NFR qualifier from Itasca, Texas. “It takes passion to put that back into the animals, to take care of them, to feed them the right grain, the right nutrients. “That guy got his hands on River Boat Annie, and that horse, to me, is still one of the greatest horses to get on. That takes heart, passion and try.” That’s what the Carr crew brings at each rodeo, and the top contestants in the world see it. There will be plenty of regular NFR qualifiers in the field this weekend, like tie-down ropers Tyson Durfey, Houston Hutto and Scott Kormos; team ropers Kenny Herrill, Tyler Mangus, Martin Lucero and Luke Brown; steer wrestlers Matt Reeves and Sean Mulligan; barrel racers Mattie Little-Jackson, Cassie Moseley and Tammy Fischer; bull riders D.J. Domangue, Howdy Cloud, Trent Cormier, Tate Stratton, Logan Knibbe and Chance Smart; bareback riders Harris, Matt Bright and Heath Ford; and saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley. Add that to the Carr animals, and you can see tremendous match-ups that are in the mix for fans, like bull riders Domangue vs. Synergy or Kenny Westrope vs. Ryan’s Express; and bareback riders like Harris vs. Island Girl or Ford vs. Hylo Hills. “Those are just some of the great match-ups we’ve got in Hempstead, but there are going to be a bunch of them,” Carr said. “With live bucking stock, there is no way to predict or predetermine the outcome of any rodeo event, that’s why the cowboys show up and rope and ride. And that’s why the fans buy a ticket to watch, because it’s always live, unscripted and exciting entertainment, and oftentimes record breaking when spectacular things happen.”

ProRodeo’s 2011 regular season came to a close this past weekend, meaning the fields for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping have been established. There are some great storylines associated with the qualifiers, and be on the lookout for many of those in the coming days. Here’s one from the PRCA: Saddle bronc rider Jake Wright, bidding to join his brothers Cody and Jesse in Las Vegas for the first time, fell just $85 short of overtaking 2009 World Champion Jesse Kruse for the 15th spot.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – There are an elite few who really understand what makes one of the world’s best bucking horses. Pete Carr is one of those people. Carr, owner of Dallas based Carr Pro Rodeo, has a pasture full of outstanding animal athletes on the company’s ranch near Athens, Texas, and the herd is still growing. That is a win-win situation for rodeo fans in southeast Texas, because some of the best bucking animals in the sport will be part of this year’s Waller County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1. In the event’s inaugural year to be part of ProRodeo, the organizers reached out to Carr to bring in his expert production and outstanding livestock to town. “We’re pretty excited to be able to come to Hempstead, because the people there really want to put on a great show for the fans,” said Carr, who established the growing livestock firm six years ago. “We’ll definitely put on a show.” Since its inception, Carr Pro Rodeo has made a name for itself by its exceptional bareback riding horses. In fact, Real Deal, a brown gelding, was named the 2005 Bareback Horse of the Year; Riverboat Annie, a red roan mare, was named the 2007 Reserve World Champion Bareback Horse. That’s just the foundation, and the top cowboys in the game recognize it. In fact, it’s that type of reputation that led two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier Clint Cannon to recommend Carr to the Waller County rodeo committee. “Pete’s just got a great pen of bucking horses, period,” said Cannon of Waller. Another great bareback horse is MGM Deuces Night, a bay mare that has quickly established herself as one of the elite. Not too shabby for a 6-year-old horse; of course, Real Deal was just 6 years old when he won the halter. “That’s a mare is just an awesome horse that’s good in the chute that gives you a chance to win every time you nod your head,” said Kelly Timberman, the 2004 world champion bareback rider from Mills, Wyo., who won the 10th round of the 2010 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with an 88.5-point ride on Deuces Night. “I don’t care if the horse is dirty rank or hard to ride, I just want one to give me a chance to win first. That horse gives a guy a chance to win first every time, but you can say that about a lot of Pete’s horses.” Carr purchased Deuces Night last year from bareback rider Wes Stevenson, a six-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo who purchased Deuces Night from the great Zinser bucking string. “I knew she’d have a really good shot to come to the finals,” Stevenson said. “I knew she was that good, so part of the reason I sold her to Pete is that I knew she’d have a good shot to go to the finals. I bought her from Jim Zinser as a brood mare, but she bucked so good, I didn’t want to waste her sitting at my house. I wanted her to have a chance. “She has a lot of heart. I was the first one to get on her with a rigging, and from the first time we ever bucked her, I knew that little filly has a lot of heart. She’s a very electric horse. She’s going to start doing some stuff right out of the box.” Carr likes to see that in all his animals. He has a fantastic set of saddle broncs and a powerful set of bulls, both of which are developing stronger each year. “Pete Carr’s a really good guy who works hard,” said Wesley Silcox, the 2007 world champion bull rider from Payson, Utah. “I don’t know him real well, but he’s trying real hard and trying to get us good stock we can get on. That’s what makes us want to go to his rodeos. He’s doing his best trying to get a bunch of good guys to come to his rodeos.” Silcox isn’t the only bull rider who feels that way. “Pete Carr cares about our opinion,” said Bryan Richardson, a three-time NFR qualifier from Dallas. “He wants to keep us happy, and he knows how to do it. A lot of contractors won’t try. They just want a bunch of working bulls that can go out there and buck a bunch of times a year. “Pete understands that nowadays, the bull business is what it is. You can get a really good bull for not a lot of money, and then you’re going to get the good cowboys to come to your rodeo and compete on those bulls.” Event organizers are drawn to Carr Pro Rodeo because of what they hear from contestants, and it’s a familiar theme. In a sport where money not only pays bills but also counts as championship points, contestants know they need every advantage they can get. They know what they’ll get when they go to a rodeo Carr produces. “You definitely want to go somewhere that you have a chance to win,” said Casey Sisk of Corona, N.M., a rising star in saddle bronc riding. “Pete’s got a great pen of bucking horses, the kind you like getting on.”

Justin Boots Championships CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Neb., Sept. 24 Bareback riding: Semifinals: 1. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 86 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Black Cat, $7,040; 2.     Brian Bain, Culver, Ore., 84, $5,280; 3. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., 80, $3,520; 4. Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore., 79, $1,760; 5. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 78; 6. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, 76; 7. Cody DeMers, Kimberly, Idaho, 75; 8. Matt Bright, Azle, Texas, 74. Finals: 1. (tie) Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore., on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket, and Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., on Lancaster & Pickett Rodeo’s Top Flight, 87 points, $11,595 each; 3. Brian Bain, Culver, Ore., 79, $6,626; 4. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., NS. Total earnings: 1. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., $23,739; 2. Brian Bain, Culver, Ore., $19,473; 3. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., $17,600; 4. Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore., $14,059; 5. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, $11,616; 6. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, $10,032; 7. Cody DeMers, Kimberly, Idaho, $2,112; 8. Matt Bright, Azle, Texas, $1,584 . Steer wrestling: Semifinals: 1. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., 3.7 seconds, $7,040; 2. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., 4.0, $5,280; 3. Billy Bugenig, 4.4, $3,520; 4. Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., 4.7, $1,760; 5. Ethen Thouvenell, Napa, Calif., 4.8; 6. (tie) Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., and Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore., 5.4 each; 8. Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo., 13.9. Finals: 1. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., 4.3 seconds, $13,251; 2. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., 4.5, $9,939; 3. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 5.1, $6,626; 4.        Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., 14.7, $3,313. Total earnings: 1. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., $26,130; 2. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., $19,763; 3. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., $18,652; 4. Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., $17,187; 5. Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore., $12,114; 6. Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo., $7,480; 7.  Ethen Thouvenell, Napa, Calif., $2,200. Team roping: Semifinals: 1. Matt Sherwood, Pima , Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 4.4 seconds, $7,040 each ; 2. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 4.5, $5,280; 3. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., 4.8, $3,520; 4. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, 5.0, $1,760; 5. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn./Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., 5.8; 6. Brady Tryan, Huntley, Mont./Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 10.5; 7. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas/Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, 12.5; 8. Spencer Mitchell, Colusa, Calif./Broc Cresta, Santa Rosa, Calif., NT. Finals: 1. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., 4.4 seconds, $13,251 each; Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Az/Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, 9.3, $9,939; 3. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 14.1, $6,626; 4. Matt Sherwood, Pima , Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., NT. Total earnings: 1. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., $29,210 each; 2. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., $28,123; 3. Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., $13,728; 4. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, $13,402; 5. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas/Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, $6,952; 6. Brady Tryan, Huntley, Mont./Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., $5,808; 7. Spencer Mitchell, Colusa, Calif./Broc Cresta, Santa Rosa, Calif., $2,112; 8. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn./Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., $880. Saddle bronc riding: Semifinals: 1. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 89 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Spade, $7,040; 2. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 83, $5,280; 3. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 80, $3,520; 4. Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., 77, $1,760; 5. Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas, 75; 6. (tie) Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., and Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn., 72 each; 8. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., NS. Finals: 1. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 90 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Congeniality, $13,251; 2. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 85, $9,939; 3. (tie) Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, and Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., NS. Total earnings: 1. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, $36,307; 2. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., $21,496; 3. Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., $9,826; 4. Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas, $8,037; 5. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, $5,808; 6. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, $5,280; 7. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., $3,667; 8. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., $3,168. Tie-down roping: Semifinals: 1. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 7.1 seconds, $7,040; 2. (tie) Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, and Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 7.9, $4,400 each; 4. Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., 8.2, $1,760; 5. Justin Macha, Needville, Texas, 8.5; 6. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., 17.7; 7. (tie) Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., and Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, NT. Finals: 1. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 7.4 seconds, $13,251; 2. Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., 7.7, $9,939; 3. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, 16.9, $6,626; 4. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., NT. Total earnings: 1. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, $30,499; 2. Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., $21,906; 3. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, $16,833; 4. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., $12,496; 5. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., $10,208; 6. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, $3,344; 7. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, $2,112; 8. Justin Macha, Needville, Texas, $1,056; 9. (tie) Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., and Houston Hutto, Tomball, Texas, $880 each. Barrel racing: Finals: 1. Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, 13.94 seconds, $9,325; 2.        Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 14.05, $4,725; 3. Britany Fleck, Mandan, N.D., 14.25, $3,125; 4. Angie Meadors, Blanchard, Okla., 14.42, $1,575. Bull riding: Semifinals: 1. Wesley Silcox, Santaquin, Utah, 90 points on Wild Card Rodeo’s Public Enemy, $7,040; 2.     Allen Helmuth, Ellensburg, Wash., 76, $5,280; 3. (tie) Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo.; Bryan Richardson, Dallas, Texas; Jacob O’Mara, Prairieville, La.; Shawn Hogg, Odessa, Texas; J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas, and Trevor Kastner, Ardmore, Okla., NS. Finals: 1. Jacob O’Mara, Prairieville, La., 87 points on Robinson Pro Rodeo’s Exotic Justin, $13,251; 2. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 74, $9,939; 3. (tie) Allen Helmuth, Ellensburg, Wash., and Wesley Silcox, Santaquin, Utah, NS. Total earnings: 1. Jacob O’Mara, Prairieville, La., $22,169; 2. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., $18,856; 3. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas, $8,917; 4. Allen Helmuth, Ellensburg, Wash., $7,040; 5. Wesley Silcox, Santaquin, Utah, $7,040; 6. Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, Texas, $4,224; 7. Shawn Hogg, Odessa, Texas, $2,464.

Saturday night’s escapades in Omaha were quite hectic. I apologize for not posting more or sooner. Click HERE to see the coverage for the Omaha World-Herald

Justin Boots Championships CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Neb., Sept 23 Bareback riding: Second round: 1. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 88 points on Sutton Rodeos’ China Town, $5,808; 2. Brian Bain, Culver, Ore., 87, $4,400; 3. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., 86, $3,168; 4. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, 84, $2,112; 5. (tie) Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore.; Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., and Matt Bright, Azle, Texas, 82, $704; 8. Royce Ford, Briggsdale, Colo., 81; 9. Wes Stevenson, Lubbock, Texas, 79; 10. Cody DeMers, Kimberly, Idaho, 78; 11. Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 74; 12. Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 65. Average: 1. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., 172 points on two head, $5,808; 2. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, 170, $4,400; 3. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 168, $3,168; 4. Brian Bain, Culver, Ore., 167, $2,112; 5. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 165, $1,232; 6. Matt Bright, Azle, Texas, 160, $880; 7. Cody DeMers, Kimberly, Idaho, 159; 8. Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore., 157; 9. Royce Ford, Briggsdale, Colo., 155; 10. Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 149; 11. Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 141; 12. Wes Stevenson, Lubbock, Texas, 79 on one. Steer wrestling: Second round: 1. Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo., 3.8 seconds, $5,808; 2. (tie) Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif.;        Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., and Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore., 4.0, $3,227 each; 5. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., 4.3, $1,232; 6. Ethen Thouvenell, Napa, Calif., 4.5, $880; 7. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., 4.7; 8. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., 5.2; 9. Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho, 16.0; 10. (tie) Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore.; Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., and Todd Suhn, Hermosa, S.D., NT. Average: 1. (tie) Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., and Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore., 7.9, $5,104 each; 3.        Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 8.0, $3,168; 4. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., 8.1, $2,112; 5.    Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo., 8.2, $1,232; 6. Ethen Thouvenell, Napa, Calif., 8.9, $880; 7. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., 9.5; 8. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., 11.0; 9. Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho, 22.4; 10. Todd Suhn, Hermosa, S.D., 8.3 on one; 11. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 11.1; 12. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 0.0. Team roping: Second round: 1. Brady Tryan, Huntley, Mont./Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.6 seconds, $5,808 each; 2. (tie) Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., and Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 4.9, $3,784 each; 4. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas/Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, 6.3, $2,112; 5. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, 9.1, $1,232; 6. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn./Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., 9.9, $880; 7. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas, 10.0; 8. Spencer Mitchell, Colusa, Calif./Broc Cresta, Santa Rosa, Calif., 10.7; 9. (tie) Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga./Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif.; Matt Sherwood, Pima , Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz.; Turtle Powell, Stephenville, Texas/Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo., and Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Jim Cooper, Monument, N.M., NT. Average: 1. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 9.6 seconds on two head, $5,808 each; 2. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., 9.9, $4,400; 3.   Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas/Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, 12.0, $3,168; 4. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, 14.8, $2,112; 5. Spencer Mitchell, Colusa, Calif./Broc Cresta, Santa Rosa, Calif., 27.2, $1,232; 6. Matt Sherwood, Pima , Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 4.4 on one, $880; 7. Brady Tryan, Huntley, Mont./Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.6; 8. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn./Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., 9.9; 9. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas, 10.0; 10. (tie) Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga./Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif.; Turtle Powell, Stephenville, Texas/Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo., and Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Jim Cooper, Monument, N.M., NT. Saddle bronc riding: Second round: 1. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 86 points on J Bar J, Inc’s Shady Cat, $5,808; 2. Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., 84, $4,400; 3. (tie) Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La.; Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., and Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas, 82, $2,171 each; 6. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., 81, $880; 7. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 80; 8. (tie) Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, and Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont., 79 each; 10. Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn., 71; 11. (tie) Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, and Ty Atchison, Jackson, Mo., NS. Average: 1. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 169 points on two head, $5,808; 2. (tie) Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D.; Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., and Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas, 164, $3,227 each; 5. (tie) Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., and Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., 162, $1,056 each; 7. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 157; 8. Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn., 148; 9. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, 84 on one; 10. (tie) Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, and Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont., 79 each; 12. Ty Atchison, Jackson, Mo., 78. Tie-down roping: Second round: 1. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, 6.8 seconds (breaks arena record, Ohl, 7.0, 2004), $5,808; 2. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 6.9, $4,400; 3. (tie) Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., and Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 7.3, $2,640 each; 5. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 7.7, $1,232; 6. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., 7.8, $880; 7. Justin Macha, Needville, Texas, 8.0; 8. (tie) Cimarron Boardman, Stephenville, Texas, and Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 8.3 each; 10. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 15.3; 11. (tie) Houston Hutto, Tomball, Texas, and Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, NT. Average: 1. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 15.6 seconds on two head, $5,808; 2. Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., 15.7, $4,400; 3.    Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 15.9, $3,168; 4. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 17.2, $2,112; 5. (tie) Justin Macha, Needville, Texas, and Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 17.3, $1,056 each; 7. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, 17.8; 8. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., 22.8; 9. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 25.4; 10. Cimarron Boardman, Stephenville, Texas, 8.3 on one; 11. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.5; 12. Houston Hutto, Tomball, Texas, 9.2. Barrel racing: Second round: 1. Carlee Pierce, Woodward, Okla., 13.86 seconds, $4,575; 2. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta, 13.97, $2,350; 3. Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, 14.04, $1,600; 4. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 14.11, $850; 5. Angie Meadors, Blanchard, Okla., 14.25; 6. Cassie Moseley, Cedar Lane, Texas, 14.29; 7. (tie) Jill Moody,  Continue Reading »

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – There’s a lot of pride that organizers have in the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. They point to great community interest. With that kind of support, they envision growth and development in the annual expo. They realize the foundation has already been laid, and now is the time to develop it. “We hope this event gets bigger and bigger,” said Clint Sciba, co-chairman of the committee that produces the two-day rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1. “We don’t want this to be a small fair stop but that the world’s best rodeo cowboys want to come to.” The big change for the expo was in the rodeo, which a year ago was amateur. This year, it will be sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the elite governing body in the sport. The PRCA’s top contestants compete for those coveted gold buckles awarded to each year’s world champions during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The NFR is also home to the greatest animal athletes in the sport, and that includes the great bucking bulls and horse from Dallas-based Carr Pro Rodeo. Over the past six years, Pete Carr and his crew have become one of the most sought-after livestock firms in the business, and the tremendous bucking beasts are the big reason why. “Pete Carr’s got some great rodeos, and he’s got the good horses,” said Cody Taton, the saddle bronc riding director for the PRCA. “That kind of combination makes quite a difference, plus Pete’s good to work with.” That’s why events like the Waller County Fair and Rodeo are drawing cards for cowboys who make their livings on the back of bucking horses and bulls. “Pete is always honest, and he always brings good horses to rodeos and runs a good show,” said bareback rider Clint Cannon of Waller, Texas, a two-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and a two-time winner of RodeoHouston. “Probably a bigger part of Pete is that he’s willing to give back. I put on a bareback riding school, and he brings horses to our school. We tried to pay him, but he won’t take it. “He’s just a good person.” Cannon isn’t the only cowboy who feels that way. “To be successful, you’ve got to want to win,” said bareback rider Justin McDaniel, a four-time NFR qualifier who won the 2008 world championship. “Pete goes all out. He tries really hard. You can go to any of Pete’s rodeos and win on any of his horses on any given day.”

Click HERE to read today’s Omaha World-Herald coverage of the River City Rodeo and the Justin Boots Championships.

Justin Boots Championships CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Neb., Sept. 22 Bareback riding:  First round: 1. (tie) Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., on Powder River Rodeo’s Big Prize, and Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, on  J Bar J, Inc’s First Light, 86 points, $5,104 each; 3. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 83, $3,168; 4. Cody DeMers, Kimberly, Idaho, 81, $2,112; 5. (tie) Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, and Brian Bain, Culver, Ore., 80, $1,056 each; 7. Matt Bright, Azle, Texas, 78; 8. Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 76; 9. (tie) Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore., and Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 75 each; 11. Royce Ford, Briggsdale, Colo., 74; 12. Wes Stevenson, Lubbock, Texas, NS. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., 3.8 seconds, $5,808; 2. (tie) Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., and Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore., 3.9, $3,784 each; 4. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 4.0, $2,112; 5. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., 4.3, $1,232; 6.   (tie) Ethen Thouvenell, Napa, Calif., and Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo., 4.4, $440; 8. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., 6.3; 9. Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho, 6.4; 10. Todd Suhn, Hermosa, S.D., 8.3; 11. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 11.1; 12. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., NT. Team roping: First round: 1. Matt Sherwood, Pima , Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 4.4 seconds, $5,808 each; 2. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 4.7, $4,400; 3. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., 5.0, $3,168; 4. (tie) Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas/Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, and Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, 5.7, $1,672 each; 6. Spencer Mitchell, Colusa, Calif./Broc Cresta, Santa Rosa, Calif., 16.5, $880; 7. (tie) Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga./Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif.; Turtle Powell, Stephenville, Texas/Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo.; Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas; Brady Tryan, Huntley, Mont./Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.; Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn./Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., and Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Jim Cooper, Monument, N.M., NT. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, 84 points on Mosbrucker Rodeos’ War Eagle, $5,808; 2. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 83, $4,400; 3. (tie) Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., and Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas, 82, $2,640 each; 5. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., 81, $1,232; 6. (tie) Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., and Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., 80, $440 each; 8. Ty Atchison, Jackson, Mo., 78; 9. (tie) Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, and Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn., 77; 11. (tie) Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, and Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont., NS. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 8.2 seconds, $5,808; 2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.3, $4,400; 3. Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., 8.4, $3,168; 4. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.5, $2,112; 5. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 8.9, $1,232; 6. Houston Hutto, Tomball, Texas, 9.2, $880; 7. Justin Macha, Needville, Texas, 9.3; 8. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 10.1; 9.  Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 10.4; 10. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, 11.0; 11. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., 15.0; 12. Cimarron Boardman, Stephenville, Texas, NT. Barrel racing: First round: 1. Britany Fleck, Mandan, N.D., 14.29 seconds, $4,575; 2. (tie) Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, and Angie Meadors, Blanchard, Okla., 14.33, $1,975 each; 4. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 14.54, $850; 5. Jill Moody, Letcher, S.D., 14.59; 6. Tammy Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas, 14.63; 7. Kim Schulze, Elbert, Colo., 14.71; 8. (tie) Sydni Blanchard, Albuquerque, N.M., and Cassie Moseley, Cedar Lane, Texas, 14.88 each; 10. Carlee Pierce, Woodward, Okla., 19.25; 11. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta, 19.27; 12. Robyn Herring, Huntington, Texas, 19.78. Bull riding: First round: 1. (tie) Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Pure Poison; Jacob O’Mara, Prairieville, La., on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Spotted Phantom, and J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas, on New Frontier Rodeo’s Free Sample, 87 points, $4,459 each; 4. Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, Texas, 84, $2,112; 5. Shawn Hogg, Odessa, Texas, 81, $1,232; 6. Allen Helmuth, Ellensburg, Wash., 79, $880; 7. Wesley Silcox, Santaquin, Utah, 78; 8. (tie) Bryan Richardson, Dallas, Texas; Tate Stratton, Kellyville, Okla.; Trevor Kastner, Ardmore, Okla., and Ardie Maier, Timber Lake, S.D., NS

I’m very blessed by many opportunities, and I appreciate every one. If you’re already in Omaha, be sure to pick up a copy of today’s Omaha World-Herald and take a look at the special section that wraps around the sports section. If you’d like to read the World-Herald’s detailed coverage, just take a look HERE to see the work we’ve been doing the last few weeks.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – In order to be the best, you have to associate with the best. That cliché has become a philosophy for the members of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo board as they have taken a major jump in their annual event and joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “As far as making this a PRCA rodeo, our main decision was really based on the fact that this is the next step in our fair and in our organization,” said Clint Sciba, co-chairman of the rodeo committee. “We saw an opportunity to make the move, especially with the success of our local cowboys. “When we’re seeing that kind of success out of guys from right here, then we want them to be a part of our rodeo.” They’ll get their chance during two outstanding performances of the rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1. “One of the things we knew we needed to do was have the best stock contractor we could find come in and help us put on this rodeo,” Sciba said. That’s when Dallas-based Carr Pro Rodeo came into the picture. With its ranch in Athens, Texas, the proximity was just a benefit. The deciding factors came down to recommendations and a good feeling the fair and rodeo’s organizers had in Pete Carr and his crew of professionals. “We had three contractors that were suggested, and we went through a two- to three-week process,” Sciba said. “We called each contractor, and we asked about doing everything, from public relations to stock to daily calls even while the event going on. Pete Carr definitely came highly recommended. When we looked at everything, Pete just seemed like a natural fit for us. I felt it was important with the PRCA that we took the opportunity with a fresh contractor that could bring ideas to us. We’re getting that with Pete.” Bareback rider Clint Cannon of nearby Waller, Texas, was one of those elite ProRodeo contestants who recommended the Carr crew to work the inaugural event at his hometown rodeo. “I love Pete Carr rodeos, and that’s one of the reasons his name came up first on my list,” said Cannon, a two-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and a two-time winner of RodeoHouston. “He always brings good horses to rodeos. He runs a good show. The great thing about Pete is that he’s not afraid to bring his good horses.” That’s important to guys who ride bucking horses for a living. In saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and bull riding, half the score is given to the athletic animals. Bronc busters know it takes quality mounts if they want to earn the lion’s share of the prize money. “We know that when we go to one of Pete’s rodeos that you don’t have to get on a piece of junk,” Cannon said. “You know you’re going to have a chance to draw a good horse, and it’s going to come down to who rides best to decide who wins.” But that’s just a small part of the puzzle that is a professional rodeo. “We’re looking for a hell of a production as well,” Sciba said. “When you go back to the spectator side, we want people to leave here thinking that Waller is the one you want to see. From the stock to the production, we just thought Pete would be the perfect fit for us.”

GUTHRIE, Okla. – The best steer ropers in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will converge on central Oklahoma Nov. 11-12 to decide the 2011 world championship of steer roping at the 53rd annual Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping presented by National Saddlery at the Lazy E Arena. The two-day championship that begins at 7:30 p.m. each evening will feature the top 15 steer ropers from the final regular-season world standings, all chasing that elusive, yet coveted, Montana Silversmiths gold buckle given to the cowboy who earns the title of PRCA World Champion. Atop the list heading into this year’s 10-round slugfest is 14-time World Champion Trevor Brazile, owner of a record eight all-around titles, three tie-down roping crowns, a team roping championship and two steer roping season victories. Through late August, he held a $13,000 lead over Vin Fisher Jr., the No. 2 man in the world standings. “It’s like any other event, where if you want to win the world title, you have to have a good finals,” said Brazile of Decatur, Texas. “It’s going to be close enough by that time that it will be about anyone’s to win.” Brazile had a significant run at the 2010 steer roping finale inside the Lazy E last November, winning more than $28,000 in two days. But Kansan Rocky Patterson walked away with the World Championship, setting a new standard in the process. Patterson, carrying a significant lead in the standings heading into the November finale, earned nearly $18,000 and finished fourth in the aggregate race. Most importantly, though, is that the money won at the Lazy E shot Patterson’s season earnings to $101,685; he became the first cowboy in PRCA history to earn more than $100,000 in steer roping. “I think the last two years have been good for me, but it’s also a little combination for a lot of years at this,” said Patterson, the two-time reigning World Champion who has qualified for the steer roping finals for the 17th time in his storied career. “To me, longevity means something.” This year’s field is expected to feature a who’s who in the world of steer roping, including two-time world champion Scott Snedecor of Fredricksburg, Texas; Bryce Davis of Abilene, Texas; and Cody Lee of Gatesville, Texas – those contestants are firmly in the top 10, but there are several others who are battling their way through the remaining few weeks of the season to play in the world championship. “There’s a lot of tradition in steer roping,” Brazile said. “It’s the first event, period. It’s one of the earliest cowboy sports. That tradition means a lot to me, plus it’s just a cowboy event.” Brazile knows more than most the prestige that comes with winning the Steer Roping World Championship. The Texan owns a record eight all-around gold buckles, but his 2006 steer roping world title marked the first time in his career that Brazile had earned an individual event championship. One of just two men to have qualified for a ProRodeo national finals in all four roping disciplines – team roping (heading and heeling), tie-down roping and steer roping – he’s also the man with the biggest target on his back when NFSR begins. “I’m going to have to start roping better if I’m going to win another title,” Patterson said. “When you’re talking about Trevor, I think he’s just that talented; I think he works hard at it.” As in years past and just like the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the event will consist of 10 go-rounds to determine the PRCA World Champion and the final 2011 PRCA Steer Roping World Standings. On Friday night, Nov. 11, Rounds 1 through 5 will take place – that means 75 runs in one night. Then on Saturday night, Nov. 12, Rounds 6 through 10 – and another rugged 75 runs – will determine who walks out of the Lazy E Arena with the PRCA World Championship gold buckle and saddle. The Lazy E Arena was built to host the NFSR in 1984 by E.K. Gaylord II. The Lazy E hosted this world championship event from 1984 until 2000. In 2001, the steer roping finals event moved to Amarillo, Texas, for a five-year run then made a three-year stop in Hobbs, N.M. Officials at the Lazy E Arena could not be happier that this prestigious event has made its way back to Oklahoma. Last year, the Oklahoma state Legislature unanimously passed a resolution to change the name of the event to honor the late Clem McSpadden, who served for many years in the Oklahoma Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives while also building a reputation as one of the best announcers in rodeo history. He worked the steer roping finals a record 27 times. McSpadden was also known as the “Voice of the Lazy E”. Steer roping fans will enjoy all of the activities planned for the performances and in addition, the Senior National Finals Steer Roping will take place during the day at the Lazy E Arena on Nov. 11-12.  VIP ticket prices for each performance of the NFSR are $37 … Box seats $30 and general admission $20 pre-show.  Children 12 and under are free in general admission. Group discounts are also available … Call (800) 595-RIDE for complete details. A portion of the proceeds from the 2011 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping will again be donated to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City and the Clem McSpadden Endowed Chair at Oklahoma State University. The Lazy E is proud to support these institutions for Western preservation.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – They might be Californians by birth, but John and Sandy Gwatney are Texas by choice. Rodeo has led the Marquez, Texas, couple all over the country and then some. The sport is also bringing them to town for the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1. Rodeo is still a big part of who John Gwatney is, from his time on the rodeo trail as a competitor to his years helping produce America’s true sport. “I grew up on the production side of rodeo, too,” said Gwatney, who does multiple tasks for stock contractor Carr Pro Rodeo. “I worked for Cotton Rosser and the Flying U Rodeo Co. As a little kid, I was in charge of feeding No. 16 Oscar, one of the best known bulls in rodeo. It was my job to make sure Oscar was being taken care of.” Now he serves as a chute boss for Pete Carr, owner of the livestock company that provides animals for the rodeo, now in its inaugural year as part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Gwatney handles several duties at all of the rodeos the Carr crew works, from organizing all the timed-event cattle to working with Pete on the production side, making sure everything is handled professionally for the audiences enjoying the show. It’s just part of what John does that he shares with his wife, Sandy, another key member of the Carr Pro Rodeo staff who will be working the West of the Pecos Rodeo. A card-carrying secretary and timer, Sandy Gwatney is, too, a jack-of-all-trades who coordinates the opening ceremonies with Sherrill Carr and is a big part of the office personnel. “Both John and Sandy are a huge part of our team,” Carr said. “John runs the entire timed-event end of the rodeo and does a lot of things for our company. Sandy can just do so many things. They’ve been with us the last five years, and I appreciate everything they do.” The Gwatneys see it as the next part of their lives on the rodeo trail. “It’s a love of the game,” Sandy said. “John and I met at a rodeo, and shortly thereafter, I started traveling with him while he competed. “I grew up showing quarter horses. When I was 21, I bought my first head horse. I roped for quite a few years, then kind of got out of it. I met John and learned how to haze, because he was a bulldogger. I started hazing for him almost right away.” That job as a steer wrestler’s teammate who guides the steers into position was replaced by a lot more – a wedding band and more years working together in just about every capacity imaginable. “When we moved to Texas, we got the opportunity to meet Mr. Carr and learn how much he loves the sport of rodeo, and with it, the promotion of the sport,” Sandy said. “His drive to do it keeps you coming back. He wants to make his crew a family function. We have a great bunch of people, and Pete has a passion for animals.” Make no bones about it; John Gwatney is a competitor, not a former bulldogger. He takes a similar approach to the production side of his job, but he knows just how important his tasks are to all those who pay their entry fees in order to compete. “I’ll slip in there and enter the steer wrestling or team roping from time to time,” he said. “We did make our living on the road pulling a team of bulldogging horses. Through my rodeo history, I’ve actually worked for a couple of national sponsors, and I left both on great terms. “On one of my other jobs, I’m part of the production crew at the NFR, which I’ve done for the last nine years. I’m the guy who actually is more behind the scenes. I feel the best arena director is the guy that can hide in plain site. I want everybody to think the rodeo just happens and that it went smooth. My goal is to make each performance look seamless.” And they’ve found a pretty good match in Carr Pro Rodeo. “Pete thrives to be the best, and he wants to make everything the best it can be, whether it’s putting on an established rodeo in Guymon, Oklahoma, or a new rodeo in Hempstead, Texas,” Sandy Gwatney said. “That rodeo is new to the PRCA this year, and it’s going to be 110 percent, just like we’d do at Guymon or Lovington (N.M.) or Eagle (Colo.).” There’s a cohesiveness and team concept to the Carr approach to production. It’s why rodeos want to hire Carr Pro Rodeo Co., then sign long-term contracts to keep the organization around. It’s why some of the greatest in the sport are part of it all; from 18-time world champion steer roper Guy Allen, a pickup man who works with Paul Peterson, one of the most sought-after pickup men in the business who has worked the NFR three times. “Bucking horses are Pete Carr’s passion, but with his passion, he’s not satisfied every year,” John Gwatney said. “Every winter he spends his time to make the herd even better. Whether it’s a new stud or a new mare or a bull everyone’s heard about, he’s going to try to get it. You’ve got to take your hat off to a guy like that. “Instead of trying to make a living, Pete’s reinvesting and trying to make it better.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a story that was published in the September 2011 edition of Women’s Pro Rodeo News, the official publication of the WPRA. In the past five months, Sydni Blanchard has gone from questioning her barrel racing future to relishing each opportunity that comes her way. “This is a life and a blessing and an opportunity that we’re grateful to have,” said Blanchard, 22, of Albuquerque, N.M., who set an arena-record with a 16.99-second run to win the Lea County Fair and Rodeo in Lovington, N.M., an event that’s part of the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour. “You realize that all the sudden one day, it could be gone.” Blanchard, coming off her first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, has been a rising star in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Then this past March at RodeoHouston, her saddle broke; Blanchard hit the back of it, and things changed instantly. “I hit it at the wrong place at the wrong time,” she said. “I damaged all the nerves around the tailbone; I couldn’t walk at all.” For three months, she rehabilitated the injury, thanks to the athletic trainers at the University of New Mexico, where her father, Paul, once played football. “Our goal was to get ready for Calgary,” said Blanchard, who set a Calgary Stampede record by winning four consecutive go-rounds at one of the largest rodeos in the world. “I had to go to that rodeo, so we had until July to get better.” That meant a lot of work. In fact, there’s a lot of work yet to be done. Once the 2011 season concludes, Blanchard will undergo more treatment and more rehabilitation. But through every painful step of the process, the young cowgirl has seen the positive in her progress and that of her outstanding horse, Firewater Fie, a 9-year-old gelding by Nonstop Firewater out of Whisper of Magnolia. “I feel as though everything happens for a reason, and if I didn’t have to sit out for three months, then Shotgun wouldn’t have been able to get the rest he needed,” she said. “Plus it’s almost more fun to come from behind. I have nothing to lose, so we go out there fearless every time and make the run we need to make.” That thought process has worked quite well. “I can’t believe we went from zero to 60 so fast,” she said. “It’s amazing how much work you put into it. Every year, you just work more and more, and harder and harder. You just keep chipping away at it. It’s definitely a lot of hard work, not just on my part by my entire family. Everybody that does one little thing … those all add up, and it’s a huge help.” The help paid off quite well in Lovington, a southeast New Mexico community of about 10,000 that hosted the biggest names in ProRodeo over four performances. Blanchard posted her arena-record 16.99 on the opening night of the rodeo, and nobody came close to catching her. In fact, Blanchard beat second-place finisher Jessi Eagleberger by nearly half a second. “Winning Lovington means a lot,” said Blanchard, who earned $3,619 for the victory. “It’s a rodeo arena I’ve been to a lot. We always had 4-H rodeos and everything over there. To do that good and have that arena record … we’re all really excited. He’s a New Mexico-trained horse, so that means a lot to us, too.” She uses a simple approach to her rodeo business. Each step of the way, whether good or bad, can be used in some regard. Even Blanchard’s first trip to compete in ProRodeo’s grand finale was set out to be a learning experience. “It was a relief when I found out I made the NFR,” she said. “Our goal was to make the CNFR and the NFR the same year; I wanted to make it for the experience. Those girls that were there – Sherry (Cervi) has been there countless time, then you have Lindsay (Sears) and Brittany (Pozzi) – they’re all veterans at it. They know how to keep their horses healthy. I just wanted to learn some things while I was there.” Every rodeo athlete needs quality seasoning runs – learning from excellence and mistakes. For Blanchard, the NFR classroom was priceless. She and Shotgun placed in go-rounds, and they tipped over some barrels. In all, Blanchard left the Thomas & Mack Center with nearly $50,000. “I was definitely happy with what we did at the NFR,” she said. “Unfortunately we did hit barrels, but my horse placed in the first five rounds. He just worked his heart out. I know he got sore in the end, and we did everything we could to help him. I would love to go back and see what we could do. “Shotgun always has been super solid and honest. He takes care of me. I never have to worry about him. He does everything I ask him to. He has so much heart. I’m taking each moment as it comes, and I’m taking advantage of every situation. He’s just amazing. He just blows my mind. Every time I step up on him, I know it’s going to be a great ride.”

I just got home after working the fourth annual PRCA rodeo in Bowman, N.D. I really enjoyed my self. It was my first time working with so many involved in the whole production, and it truly was a pleasure. You’ve got to love it when you feel so blessed. Praise the Lord!

Everyone knows there is tremendous rodeo talent in Texas. Not only is the Lone Star State bigger than any other in the continental United States, it also has been a great home to some of the top talent in the business. That’s nothing new. In fact, there are a lot of great trivia questions that come out of Texas. Here’s another: Who was the first Texan to win the PRCA all-around world championship?

I find it strange that as the PRCA award nominations were released, one of the top five events up for Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year is the Pendleton (Ore.) Roundup. From what I understand, it’s an awesome rodeo; it’s so big, in fact, that Hood River Distillery created a brand, Pendleton Whiskey, because of the event. The rodeo features a track with a grass infield and timed-event cattle driven through a long chute by a rider on horseback. And, I hear, the volunteers that produce that event busts their butts. That’s awesome for the Pendleton Roundup and for rodeo. But how does a rodeo get nominated for the 2011 Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year BEFORE its 2011 event even begins? The first PRCA-sanctioned competition began Wednesday, but the top five nominees were released before that – they were released in all categories, from stock contractor to secretary to clown, etc. I don’t doubt Pendleton deserves recognition, but nominations should be held until the end of the regular season. I asked Jim Bainbridge of the PRCA’s media department about it, and he gave a terrific response, explaining that ballots were sent to all dues-paying, approved PRCA rodeo committees within that season, as well as all participating contract personnel and contracting firms. “Each of the ballots that they receive has the option to nominate in all categories. Competing contestants receive a ballot only in the categories of rodeos of the year, stock contractors and rodeo secretaries.” During the final ballot, all members get to vote, and any approved rodeo can be nominated. Pendleton will be done by the time the final ballot goes out, Bainbridge wrote me in his e-mail – the ballots are due back in the PRCA office in Colorado Springs, Colo., by Oct. 15. I appreciate Bainbridge’s time in providing it. But it’s still wrong that an event can be nominated for rodeo of the year before it took place. I know of contestants who never saw the first (nomination) ballots for which they were allowed to vote – the ballots were mailed home, but those contestants were on the road trying to make a living and unable to vote in time. There is no reason to call for nominations until the end of the rodeo season on Sept. 30, and the use of technology allows for more immediate tabulating. Voting can be done any time, anywhere with the prevalence of smart phones, iPads and other communicative devices. I’m not sure a wholesale change is needed, but the way it’s done now is backwards. Rodeo needs to continue to push forward, not step back.

ATHENS, Texas – The development of young rodeo talent is vital to the future of the sport, and nobody realizes that more than Pete Carr. The owner of Dallas-based Carr Pro Rodeo, he is well known for having some of the greatest bucking animals in ProRodeo. His passion for the sport goes many years; before Carr became a sought-after rodeo producer, he was a bareback rider traveling the country in hopes of manhandling bucking beasts. His love for the sport is why he is organizing an invitation-only free bareback riding clinic that will take place Saturday on the Carr Pro Rodeo ranch in Athens. “We do it every year,” said Carr, who operates the livestock firm with his wife, Sherrill. “It’s a good way for us to see some of our young horses buck, to develop them, and a way to help cultivate some young bareback riders. “We’ve got some of the best guys to ever ride bareback horses who are going to be our instructors, Jeff Collins, Mark Gomes and Phil Smith, just to name a few.” Smith is a two-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, while Collins (2000) and Gomes (1998) are world champions. That kind of expertise goes a long ways to building a solid foundation for some of the rising stars in the game. “We have always done a free open bareback riding and bronc riding school, but this year we made it invitation only,” Carr said. “We really want to help the young guys that have the desire and have been on enough horses to help them with the minor things they need that will help them get to the next level. “We called a lot of college coaches from around the country and told them to bring a couple of their up-and-coming stars that could benefit from it.” It will be a busy weekend for the Carr crew, which on Friday will test out its youngest bucking horses by strapping a mechanical dummy to the animals and seeing how well tackle the athletic maneuvers it will take to be a great bucking horse. “I think it’s important to develop these young stars, whether they’re cowboys or horses,” Carr said. “Nobody, no matter how athletic they are, can just go out and start riding bareback horses. They need to be trained the right way. That’s the same philosophy we have with our horses.”

Well, it’s put-up-or-shut-up time. We have two weeks left in the season, and I’m in an all-out dogfight. Competition is tight. There are a dozen or so of us fighting the bottom slots to go to the National Finals Rodeo. That’s what makes rodeo so great: You go all year, and it still comes down to the end. The Pendleton (Ore.) Roundup is going on now, and several of those girls have posted good times. Congrats to Nicole Deason – she caught a ride with us earlier to Pretty Prairie, Kan. – who is leading after slack. We run at Abilene, Texas, on Wednesday; El Paso, Texas, in slack Thursday night; and Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday. Next week we traverse Texas: Tuesday we run in Pasadena (Houston), Wednesday in Texarkana, Thursday slack in Amarillo, Friday slack in New Braunfels, and, hopefully, Harrison, Ark., on Saturday, and Anadarko, Okla., on Sunday. I started out the year about as bad as you could, winning only $600 before April. To average things out, I plan on finishing as strongly as I started out poorly. (Does that make sense?) Anyway, Amigo is running well, and I am trusting God that I ride him well enough to win. I promise you there is no quit in me; I won’t go down without a fight! Thanks to all of you who support me, cheer for me and pray for me. You really don’t know how much that means to me. See you down the road.

My friend, Mike S., can answer if he likes, but he’s got an unfair advantage and knows it. I think Paul P. might, too. The reality is, this might be too easy, but I hope everyone guesses. Also, I hope everyone has fun in doing so. Which of the famed Etbauer brothers won the family’s first world title?

MGM Deuces Night is a 6-year-old mare that was bred to be a bucking machine. She’s doing her job. The bay horse owned by Dallas-based Carr Pro Rodeo is just in her second year in the world of ProRodeo, but she’s already one of the elite horses in the business. That says a lot considering the great animal athletes that are part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association year in and year out. But if you ask the top bareback riders in the game, they’ll tell what makes her Deuces Night so special. “That’s a mare is just an awesome horse that’s good in the chute that gives you a chance to win every time you nod your head,” said Kelly Timberman, the 2004 world champion bareback rider from Mills, Wyo., who won the 10th round of the 2010 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with an 88.5-point ride on Deuces Night. “I don’t care if the horse is dirty rank or hard to ride, I just want one to give me a chance to win first. That horse gives a guy a chance to win first every time, but you can say that about a lot of Pete’s horses.” Pete Carr owns Carr Pro Rodeo, and he purchased Deuces Night last year from bareback rider Wes Stevenson, a six-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo who purchased Deuces Night from the great Zinser bucking string. “I knew she’d have a really good shot to come to the finals,” Stevenson said. “I knew she was that good, so part of the reason I sold her to Pete is that I knew she’d have a good shot to go to the finals. I bought her from Jim Zinser as a brood mare, but she bucked so good, I didn’t want to waste her sitting at my house. I wanted her to have a chance. “She has a lot of heart. I was the first one to get on her with a rigging, and from the first time we ever bucked her, I knew that little filly has a lot of heart. She’s a very electric horse. She’s going to start doing some stuff right out of the box.” Chris Harris saw that at one of the first big rodeos in which bucked. Harris, a six-time NFR qualifier, rode Deuces Night for 88 points to win the 2010 West of the Pecos Rodeo in Pecos, Texas. Fast forward just one year when karma came into play. Harris, from Itasca, Texas, was matched with Deuces Night for the second straight year. The tandem worked just as well together, for 87 points, making another Pecos victory for Harris. And for Deuces Night. “That Deuces Night is one outstanding bucking horse, the kind that will be the bareback horse of the finals, I think,” said D.V. Fennell of Porum, Okla., a two-time qualifier to the NFR. This past April, Kaycee Feild and Deuces Night matched moves for 90 points during the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. It earned the Elk Ridge, Utah, cowboy a share of the final-round win with four-time world champion Bobby Mote, who rode the 2010 bareback horse of the year Big Tex. “I wasn’t quite sure if it was going to be enough points to help me win that round, because it’s a younger horse,” Feild said. “Then he left there that first jump, then the second, and I knew I had a chance to show my ability to my full ability. He slipped a little, but he got right back up and started right back where he left off. “He was just outstanding.” Feild has been around the game a long time. His father, Lewis Feild, owns five world titles, two for bareback riding and three in the all-around. In addition, Kaycee Feild is on his way to his fourth straight qualification to the Wrangler NFR. “Horses like that have a bucking style … it’s not easy in any means, but if you do stub your toe, you’re going to get bucked off,” Kaycee Feild said. “But those horses are the ones where you can really show your ability to ride. They hang in the air, and they’re really electric.” Three-time world champion Will Lowe knows that as well as anyone. “When you go to a Pete Carr rodeo, you know you’re going to get on something that bucks,” said Lowe of Canyon, Texas. “Pete has quite a few really good horses.” Is Deuces Night one of the best in a string that includes Real Deal, the 2005 Bareback Horse of the Year, and Riverboat Annie, the 2007 Reserve World Champion Bareback Horse? “That’s a pretty awesome horse,” Lowe said of Deuces Night. “It’s got those Zinser blood lines, and they’ve really showed how good they are the last couple years. There’s been quite a few that jumped out that and have been really fantastic. “When you have that mare, you always got a dang good shot of being 86, 87-plus, and you’ve got a dang good chance of winning. I’ll tell you this: I like her a lot more if her name was next to my name a little more.” Lowe is describing the random draw that pits cowboy vs. animal in rodeo, which pitted Lowe against the young horse in Eagle, Colo., this past July. Lowe finished second in the rodeo with a quality 87-point ride. “Deuces Night is a great horse, and she’s one I think will be one for a long time,” Timberman said. “She’s a horse that’s consistent, and she’s a horse that’s part of an elite pen. That’s a pretty strong statement.” Carr realizes that, and he sees something he really likes in the young horse. “This is a very special mare that bucks the right way,” Carr said. “You can tell she loves her job.”