Monthly Archives: October 2011
Where are the results?
Written on October 31, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
After yesterday’s televised finale of the PBR World Finals, I was excited to see that Cord McCoy finished in the top 10, so I went to the PBR’s website to see just where my friend finished and where he might’ve finished in the final world standings. I couldn’t find the results, much less the standings. Continue Reading »
Same day, different results
Written on October 30, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
I wrote two stories Saturday for the Kansas City Star. The first one, which you find published on the paper’s website because it was replaced by the second, was how the bull riders at the American Royal Rodeo were shut out on Saturday afternoon. The second one, found HERE, tells a much different tale. Three Continue Reading »
Bareback baggage
Written on October 30, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
I’d heard great things about the 2011 Bareback Riding Horse of the Year, Frontier Rodeo’s Full Baggage. On Saturday night during the final performance of the American Royal Rodeo at the Sprint Center, I saw why the horse earned the coveted halter. The big animal dusted a great cowboy, Bo Casper. Casper was doing all Continue Reading »
His form is championship caliber
Written on October 29, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
I always enjoy talking with two-time steer wrestling world champion Dean Gorsuch. He’s articulate, intelligent and one of the best people you’ll ever meet. We visited Thursday night before the first performance of the American Royal Rodeo, and I had a blast. We got to visit again Friday after his 3.4-second run, which moved him Continue Reading »
I feel like a Schneeberger
Written on October 29, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Jerome Schneeberger didn’t quite make the cut for the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, finishing the regular season 22nd in the tie-down roping standings. He’s starting his 2012 campaign much better, leading the average at the American Royal Rodeo with 25.7 seconds on three runs. In fact, he placed in the first two go-rounds that Continue Reading »
That’s a loaded question …
Written on October 29, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Let ‘Er Rip is an excellent saddle bronc horse from Frontier Rodeo, and Tyrel Larsen was tickled to have the horse on Friday night at the American Royal Rodeo. Larsen scored 89 points and shares the lead in the rodeo with Cole Elshere. I asked Tyrel about his ride and told him that the great Continue Reading »
A dance across the arena
Written on October 28, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people, telling new stories. That happened Thursday night at the American Royal Rodeo when Cole Elshere took the lead in saddle bronc riding on a great horse, Flaming Desire from Smith, Harper and Morgan Rodeo. The horse has been selected to work the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the fourth Continue Reading »
Elshere all the way
Written on October 28, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
J.J. Elshere is an NFR-qualifying saddle bronc rider. His cousin, Cole, is hoping to be there soon. He put together a fantastic 89-point ride on Thursday night in the opening performance of the American Royal Rodeo and has a strong lead with three performances remaining at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. There are plenty Continue Reading »
The Star of the show is rodeo
Written on October 27, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
To read the Thursday advance story about the American Royal Rodeo in the Kansas City Star, go HERE.
Bulls night out
Written on October 27, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
The opening night of the PBR World Finals was all about the bulls. In fact, just nine cowboys scored qualified rides. That says something about the quality of the animals. I suspect things will change some over the next few nights, but I believe the trend will remain on the side of the bulls. It’s Continue Reading »
Money made in the Heartland
Written on October 26, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
The first two rounds of timed events are complete at the American Royal rodeo in Kansas City. Because the space limitations at the Sprint Center, the first two rounds — and Thursday morning’s first round of barrel racing — are taking place at Lone Wolf Arena in Cleveland, Mo. The top 40 times in the Continue Reading »
Kansas City rodeo: It’s more of a marathon than a Sprint
Written on October 25, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
This week is supposed to mark five years I’ve covered the American Royal rodeo in Kansas City. In that time, I will have covered it via closed-circuit from the hospitality area, written from the top of a trash can and done interviews in a bathroom stall. Ah, the glorious life of a writer, I know. Continue Reading »
Kansas City has the best in ProRodeo
Written on October 25, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
The American Royal rodeo will feature some of the greatest contestants in the sport, from world champions to regular qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It will also feature the 2011 world champion bucking horses, both owned by Frontier Rodeo Co. – bareback horse Full Baggage and saddle bronc Medicine Woman. They are outstanding Continue Reading »
He’d just as Suhn be a champion
Written on October 23, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
How consistent is Todd Suhn? He’s finished in the top 15, qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, 15 times in 16 years. The only year he missed ProRodeo’s grand finale was 2006. Care to guess where he finished in the final world standings that year? Yeah, he was 16th. The string of qualifications started Continue Reading »
Missed opportunity doesn’t mean missed work
Written on October 22, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Wade Sumpter’s goal, as it always is, was to qualify for the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and battle for the steer wrestling world championship. That didn’t happen. Instead, the Fowler, Colo., cowboy finished in 17th place, just $2,700 out of his fifth qualification by finishing in the top 15 in the world standings at Continue Reading »
Prognosticating protocol
Written on October 22, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
I visited today with Brandon Westphal, president of www.PlayRodeo.com. He’s getting ready for his fantasy contest associated with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. I provided a few tidbits and thoughts, focusing primarily on the worlds of barrel racing and bareback riding. He plans to post those insights on the website soon, so keep an eye Continue Reading »
Far-reaching issue
Written on October 20, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
One of my regular assignments is as the rodeo correspondent for the Kansas City Star. A week ago, I got a message from the assistant sports editor about a metro section story on steer roping and the American Royal rodeo. The editor asked me pointedly, “Is this a controversy you’re familiar with?” I wasn’t familiar Continue Reading »
All American finale to be in Waco at least three more years
Written on October 19, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
By the PRCA WACO, Texas – The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association has signed an agreement with the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Committee that will keep the All American ProRodeo Finals, presented by Pendleton Whisky, in Waco for the next three years. The Extraco Events Center in Waco has been the home of the Continue Reading »
Sister Act
Written on October 18, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Vickie Shireman and Dollie Riddle do a lot of the same things in the world of rodeo. Both are secretaries and timers in the PRCA, and both work a lot of events for Beutler & Son Rodeo Co., the family livestock firm that’s been around as long as ProRodeo. Their brother, Bennie, and nephew, Rhett, Continue Reading »
Oklahomans proud to have finale in home state
Written on October 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
GUTHRIE, Okla. – Oklahomans are a proud bunch; they’ll especially be proud during the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, which will feature top 15 ropers in the business. It doesn’t hurt a thing that five qualifiers are from Oklahoma, and they’re happier than anyone to be part of the 10-round slugfest planned for 7:30 p.m. Continue Reading »
Atchison wants to test his skills against the best
Written on October 16, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
How much does Ty Atchison love being a true all-around hand in rodeo? Atchison mentioned to me Friday that he would love to be invited to be part of the 20-man field for the 2013 Timed Event Championship at the Lazy E Arena. Do you realize how tough of a field that is? First off, Continue Reading »
Atchison is all about the all-around
Written on October 14, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Ty Atchison carries a king-sized grin every place he goes. It gets even bigger when he’s in the rodeo arena because the Jackson, Mo., cowboy is having a whole lot of fun. This season, Atchison has earned the right to play on the biggest stage in the sport, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, finishing the Continue Reading »
Dreams stay with a long time
Written on October 13, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
J.P. Wickett of Sallisaw, Okla., is the steer roping representative in the PRCa. He’s also qualified for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping 12 times in his career, including each of the last 11 years. He’s finished among the very best in the game, even serving as the reserve world champion in 2006, when Continue Reading »
Blanchard banks another victory
Written on October 12, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story appears in the October 2011 issue of Women’s Pro Rodeo News, the official publication of the WPRA. Arena records are starting to become a regular occurrence for Sydni Blanchard and Firewater Fie. Can arena records get old? “No, not at all,” said a smiling Blanchard, whose most recent conquest came at Continue Reading »