Monthly Archives: December 2011
Looking ahead
Written on December 31, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
The new year begins tomorrow, and with it comes great expectations for many. From resolutions to challenges, there is much in store for all of our lives. Like the rest of the world, the sport of rodeo is about building on experiences. For world champions and those who missed out on their title dreams, the Continue Reading »
It’s a new year
Written on December 30, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
After I made the finals the second time in 2010, I decided I had nothing to prove; it was just time for me to have fun and spur buckin’ horses. Last year was just a train wreck, so now I’m just ready. After last year, I have something to prove. I feel good, and I’m Continue Reading »
Youth was served at NFR
Written on December 30, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Chandler Bownds looks like any 12-year-old boy, except, of course, that he’s a 20-year-old bull rider who just qualified for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He’s a pretty bad cat, too. Bownds, of Lubbock, Texas, rode just three bulls during this year’s NFR. When he made the qualifying eight seconds, Bownds made the most Continue Reading »
I’m counting the blessings of another year
Written on December 30, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Another year is almost gone, and as I reflect back, I am very thankful for all the blessings of the year. My family members are all healthy. Cowboy Rigs is still providing service for people and an income for our family and two others. We have been blessed with some rain this year, and have Continue Reading »
Cool hand Luke
Written on December 28, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
I first met Luke Branquinho about a decade ago, visiting with him about finishing 16th in the world standings and just missing his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Since then, he’s missed just one other year-end finale, that coming in 2005 when an injury pushed him to the sidelines. Oh, and he’s Continue Reading »
Apologies to you
Written on December 28, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
It’s been a few days since I last posted on TwisTED Rodeo, and I apologize. At my family’s home for Christmas, our bed and breakfast didn’t have Internet. But also I decided to focus on time with my family instead of updating. I hope you understand, and I plan to make it up to you Continue Reading »
He’s Ted, not TwisTED
Written on December 28, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
If you haven’t met Ted Stovin, you should. Stovin is a bull rider from Drayton Valley, Alberta, who attended New Mexico Junior College and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, where he competed on the rodeo teams. The 21-year-old cowboy moved back to his native Canada, where he runs Everything Cowboy, a rodeo news and information Continue Reading »
Merry Christmas
Written on December 24, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
As we roll into this magnificent holiday weekend, I can’t help but be amazed at all the blessings in my life. From living my dreams to making a living doing something I love to having the unconditional support of those closest to me, it is simply remarkable. I’m blessed to be involved in the world Continue Reading »
The pressure of the NFR can be fickle
Written on December 23, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Nobody really understands the pressure of playing on the biggest stage in one’s sport. Whether it’s the Super Bowl or the World Series or the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, there’s so much more to it than just going out and tackling the fundamentals. That’s why you see some contestants struggle in the spotlight. Sometimes it’s Continue Reading »
The development of a great man
Written on December 22, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
When Taos Muncy won his first world championship in 2007, he was just 20 years old, and the end result was a shock to the system – to the saddle bronc riding nation and to the young New Mexico cowboy, too. He had just completed a dream season, winning the saddle bronc riding championship at Continue Reading »
Happy birthday, Casey
Written on December 21, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Casey Colletti celebrates his 26th birthday today, and he has a lot for which to be thankful. So do I, for that matter. Over the past couple of months, I got to know a lot more about the Colorado cowboy. I’ve been very blessed to be able to help tell his terrific story. The son Continue Reading »
A fantatic finish
Written on December 21, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
By now, everybody knows Kaycee Feild won $179,327 during his fantastic 10-day run at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which culminated in his first Montana Silversmiths gold buckle. But did you know that four-time world champion Bobby Mote won $105,673? Feild’s run is one of the most impressive things I’ve seen in bareback riding in Continue Reading »
Team MGM Grand contestants earn big NFR prizes
Written on December 20, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
LAS VEGAS – The 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo was a display of awesome athletic talent, showcased over 10 nights in the Nevada desert. For contestants who are part of Team MGM Grand, it was spectacular, featuring three world championships, two NFR average titles and $1.74 million paid out to the 31 cowboys and cowgirls. Continue Reading »
A Wolf of a rodeo newshound
Written on December 19, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Over the course of my career, I’ve been in contact with some great writers, men and women who love to tell stories and have a God-given ability to do so. Many of the ones who reach me most are the folks who tell rodeo tales, those who care about this industry and who have dedicated Continue Reading »
She’s a Beauty and a speedster
Written on December 19, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
What are your thoughts on Jane Melby’s run at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo? In her first qualification to the biggest event in the sport, Melby proved she should be returning to Las Vegas for years to come. Beauty is, well, beautiful and fast. And Melby gave the great mare a little time off, using Continue Reading »
Welcome to the Lindsay Sears Show
Written on December 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Lindsay Sears dominated barrel racing at the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, placing in eight of 10 go-rounds, sharing the first-round win with Brittany Pozzi and winning the seventh outright. She won the average and more than $133,000 en route to her second Montana Silversmiths gold buckle in four years. And she did it on Continue Reading »
Jhett Johnson Round 10 interview
Written on December 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Johnson, Round 10, 2011 NFR
Bright’s Round 6 interview
Written on December 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Bright, Round 6, 2011 NFR
Durfey’s Round 7 interview
Written on December 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Durfey, Round 7, 2011 NFR
Sherwood’s Round 6 interview
Written on December 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Matt Sherwood, Round 6, 2011 NFR
Colletti’s Round 6 interview
Written on December 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Casey Colletti, Round 6, 2011 NFR
Colletti’s Round 9 interview
Written on December 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Casey Colletti, Round 9, 2011 NFR
Colletti’s Round 7 interview
Written on December 17, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
Casey Colletti, Round 7, 2011 NFR
Carr animals lead cowboys to big NFR payoffs
Written on December 16, 2011 at 12:00 am, by Ted
LAS VEGAS – The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is a place to showcase the greatest athletes in the sport on the biggest stage. Carr Pro Rodeo had its fair share. Bareback horse MGM Deuces Night led two cowboys to go-round victories and checks worth $17,885 each – Ryan Gray of Cheney, Wash., posted a 90-point Continue Reading »