Monthly Archives: December 2011

Kaycee Feild of Payson, Utah, earned the third world championship awarded by the PRCA, clinching the bareback riding Montana Silversmiths gold buckle on Friday night. Trevor Brazile, who won the steer roping title a month ago, clinched his ninth all-around title earlier this week.

1. Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 87.5 points on Smith Harper & Morgan’s Jessie’s Girl, $17,885; 2. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 87, $14,135; 3. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., 85, $10,673; 4. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., and Cody DeMers, Kimberly, Idaho, 83, $5,000 each.

Casey Colletti of Pueblo, Colo., won the ninth round in bareback riding on Friday night.

LAS VEGAS – For 11 months, ProRodeo’s best cowboys fight through the rigors of the regular season with hopes of qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It involves hard work, long hours and many miles, crisscrossing the country to compete at rodeos from Oregon to Florida and everywhere in between. It takes a toll on their bodies, so when time allows, they do what they can to remain in strong physical condition. They are, after all, elite athletes. For the 30-plus cowboys and cowgirls who are part Team MGM Grand during the rugged 10-day marathon, they need to continue to keep their bodies toned when they arrive in the City of Lights. That’s why they take advantage of the fitness centers that are available on the MGM Grand properties during their stay. “I go through a mini routine of what I do at home in the gym,” said Bobby Mote, the four-time and reigning world champion bareback rider from Culver, Ore. “I warm up on the bike, do some free-weight exercises. I use the big fitness balls and do some core-strengthening exercises on those. That engages your core and does balance.” That’s helpful for a man who rides the greatest bucking horses better than most. “I don’t go into it near the extend I do trying to get ready to be here,” he said. “In Vegas, I’m just maintaining.” All roughstock cowboys – bareback riders, saddle bronc riders and bull riders – need to hone quickness and strength in their core in order to maintain balance and allow themselves to handle the moves issued by their much larger counterparts. Bucking horses weigh about 1,200 pounds, while bulls are upwards of 1,600. “In my event, I need short, quick bursts,” Mote said. “Where somebody else might practice endurance, ours is in intervals.” Team roper Brady Tryan, a header from Huntley, Mont., who won the eighth round with partner Jake Long, utilizes the treadmill during his workouts. “I feel better after I do it, and I’m going to pace around my room either way, so I may as well be down there jogging,” he said. “I’ve been running the last couple of months, and I just kept doing it while I’ve been out here.” The fitness center is another benefit Tryan sees in his two-week stay at The Signature at MGM Grand. “You can’t ask for a better place to stay,” he said. “They treat you first class around there. They take care of us really good.” Mote, who suffered a lacerated pancreas at a rodeo in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., in August, has been rehabilitating his body for several weeks. What he’s been doing has worked quite well in the last few go-rounds – after not placing in the first four nights of competition, Mote placed each night from Monday-Thursday, including victories in Rounds 6 and 8. “For me, it’s about keeping things flexible, keeping things strong,” he said. “Range of motion is much more than trying to max out on weights.”

LAS VEGAS – Casey Colletti sits on a bench inside a small locker room inside the Thomas & Mack Center. Preparing for the biggest competition of his life, he looks around and sees the biggest names in bareback riding. “Those guys … they’re my heroes,” said Colletti, 25, of Pueblo, Colo. “It just makes me feel good inside that I’m here competing with them. Maybe I can be a hero to some up-and-comer, some other kid that still wants to be able to ride.” Through eight rounds of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Colletti has placed six times, is fourth in the average with a cumulative score of 657 points and earned $49,183, the third best earnings total in bareback riding. Yes, the NFR first-timer is beating most his heroes. “It’s like a dream come true,” he said. The dream includes Thursday’s fifth-place finish in the eighth go-round, which featured the nastiest bucking horses in the sport in what insiders call the “eliminator pen.” Colletti matched moves with Kesler Championship Rodeo’s Cool Pieces for 82 points, just a point and a half away from first place in a judged event where half the score is based on how well the animal bucks, while the other half is based on how well the cowboy rides. “They’re just strong and rank and drop and pull and lunge,” said Colletti, who attended Garden City (Kan.) Community College on a rodeo scholarship. “They’re just not the fun kind to get on. It gives us a good reason to be here, because we can ride the rank ones. Sometimes, mine don’t look the prettiest, but we do it because we have to, I guess. “I was actually really pleased to be 82 points. To win fifth out of 15 guys, it kind of makes me feel pretty good that I could ride the eliminators with these guys.” Still, the sore cowboy is pretty happy to be done with the eliminators. He’s also pretty happy with his winning trip to Las Vegas so far.

1. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas, 87.5 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Black Velvet, $17,885; 2. L.J. Jenkins, Porum, Okla., 86, $14,135; 3. Clayton Foltyn, El Campo, Texas, 85.5, $10,673; 4. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 82.5, $7,500; no other qualified rides.

1. Jane Melby, Backus, Minn, 13.78 seconds, $17,885; 2. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 13.84, $14,135; 3. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta, and Tammy Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas, 13.99, $9,087 each; 5. Jody Sheffield, Ogden, Utah, 14.01, $4,615; 6. Jeanne Anderson, White City, Kan., 14.07, $2,885.

1. Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas, 83.5 points on Flying 5 Rodeo’s Sundance, $17,885; 2. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 82.5, $14,135; 3. Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D., and Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D., 81, $9,087; 5. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 80, $4,615; 6. Ty Atchison, Jackson, Mo., 76.5, $2,885.

1. Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas, 7.2 seconds, $17,885; 2. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., and Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 7.3, $12,404; 4. Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas, and Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., 7.6, $6,058; 6. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 7.7, $2,885.

We have a re-ride in bronc riding, so we’ll buck that bronc right before bull riding.

1. Brady Long, Huntley, Mont./Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 3.7 seconds, $17,885 each; 2. Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga./Brad Culpepper, Poulan, Ga., 3.8, $14,135; 3. Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 4.0, $10,673; 4. Spencer Mitchell, Colusa, Calif./Broc Cresta, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash./Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 4.4, $6,058; 6. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas, 4.6, $2,885.

1. Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., 3.9 seconds, $17,885; 2. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., Mickey Gee, Wichita Falls, Texas, 4.0, $12,404 each; 4. Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo., and Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho, 4.3, $6,058 each; 6. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb., Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., and Casey Martin, Sulphur, La., 4.4, $962.

1. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, on Andrews Rodeo’s Walk Hard, Clint Cannon, Waller, Texas, on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Real Deal, and Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., on Flying U Rodeo’s Comanchero, 83.5 points, $14,231; 4. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 82.5, $7,500; 5. Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 82, $4,615; 6. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas, 81, $2,885.

Bareback rider Brian Bain suffered a separated shoulder during Wednesday’s seventh go-round and is out for the remainder of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He joins fellow riggin’ rider Steven Peebles (broken right leg, torn ligaments in right ankle) and saddle bronc rider Cody DeMoss (broken humeral head, which is where the arm attaches to the shoulder) on the injured reserve list.

LAS VEGAS – The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino has quickly become the place to be during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Fans have taken notice, and the Home of Champions is where they can see the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world of rodeo. More than 30 contestants who are in the field for the 2011 NFR have made the MGM Grand properties their home during their two weeks in Las Vegas, but there’s so much more to the experience. For those who are unable to be part of the sold-out action at the Thomas & Mack Center, the MGM Grand hosts the best live feed from each night of the NFR in the Wrangler Theatre. The event is emceed by ProRodeo announcer Will Rasmussen, whose understanding of the game and tidbits of information provide a great flavor that can’t be seen at any other live feed in Las Vegas. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and there are plenty of festivities surrounding the top-flight action. What fans have realized in just a short time is that the MGM Grand’s Gold Buckle Zone is where the cowboys and cowgirls come to play after the rodeo. With live music from Annabelle Road & Western Justice, there is dancing, games and so much more. The After Party begins at 9 p.m., and the contestants make their way to the area shortly after the rodeo ends. “We’re having fun,” said bareback rider Casey Colletti of Pueblo, Colo., who is staying at a nearby resort. “After the rodeo, we’ll go to the MGM.” Whether contestants are part of Team MGM or staying at their event’s host hotel during the NFR, they find their way to the Gold Buckle Zone, where they enjoy their time with fans, the live music and Saloon 54. Of course, there are gaming tables nearby for those who wish to enjoy those amenities. “What’s great is that if you want to mingle with the cowboys, and everyone does, then the MGM is the place to be,” a fan said earlier this week. “It seems like you get to see all of them. I had so much fun. I can’t wait to go back.” From autograph sessions to Friday’s Cowboy All Star Fan Salute that begins at 10 p.m. at the Gold Buckle Zone to the official Trevor Brazile After Party that begins at 11 p.m. Saturday night – which will feature the Eli Young Band – the fans get to enjoy all the greatest moments outside of the arena when they arrive at the MGM Grand.

LAS VEGAS – Chuck Colletti rode bareback horses for years. In the City of Lights, he’s a spectator, watching his 25-year-old son, Casey, compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the first time. He’s pretty pleased with what he’s seeing. Casey Colletti has placed in five of seven go-rounds so far and has earned $44,567 during his week of work in the Nevada desert. “I think he loves it more than I do,” Colletti said of his father. “He didn’t get to rodeo as hard as I did, because he decided to take care of his family and stay at home. “I guess he’s living through me through the NFR. I wore his chaps one round, and Mom said he was pretty choked up when I did it.” Chuck Colletti is pretty tickled to see his young son compete in ProRodeo’s championship event. His pride has blossomed in Las Vegas, where Casey Colletti has excelled. On Wednesday night, the Colorado cowboy spurred a Colorado bucking horse for 84 points to finish in a tie for second place in the seventh round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, earning $12,404 in the process. You see, Dusty Dan, a bucking mare from Avondale-based Harry Vold Rodeo Co. has been one of the best horses in bareback riding. Colletti has dreamed of matching moves with the athletic animal in a setting like the NFR “When I come out of the arena, Kirsten Vold was sitting right there close, and  I climbed up (onto the bucking chutes,” said Colletti, who attended Garden City (Kan.) Community College on a rodeo scholarship. “She was teary-eyed and she said that was the last time she was ever going to buck Dusty Dan. “Kirsten lives 10 miles down the road form my house, so it was pretty neat to be able to get on Dusty Dan for the last time she’s ever going to be bucked.” It paid off in a big way. Colletti sits No. 4 in the average with a cumulative total of 575 points on seven rides. The NFR offers the biggest prize pool in rodeo, $6 million, and Colletti plans to take his fair share back to Pueblo, Colo. It helps to have been matched with one of the best bucking horses in the business. It was the second time the two have worked together in the arena. This one worked out better for Colletti. “I had her one time in Prescott, Ariz., four years ago,” he said. “She blew me out the back door and knocked me out. I took a dirt nap.” Yeah, an 84 is considerably better. So is the paycheck Colletti earned Wednesday.

LAS VEGAS – Tyson Durfey roped and tied his calf in 7.6 seconds on Wednesday night. So did Ryan Jarrett and Clint Cooper, so the three cowboys split the seventh-round victory at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, each collecting a check worth $14,231. It was Durfey’s third check of this year’s NFR; he’s earned $32,115 in seven nights of competition. “This is the second round I ever won, which, to me, doesn’t feel like near enough because this is my fifth NFR,” said Durfey of Colbert, Wash. “The first two rounds were good. After that, I made a few little mistakes and went longer than I needed to. Luckily, I switched back to my solid horse, Bailey. This is the third year I’ve rode him here in a row.” Bailey is 14 years old and has been a big part of Durfey’s success. But so is T.C., a horse owned by Frederico Werneck that finished in third place in the voting for AQHA/PRCA tie-down roping horse of the year. Why make the change? “These calves this year are a lot different than in past years,” Durfey said. “T.C.’s a power horse, and Bailey is kind of a speed horse. He’s not quite as powerful, but he allows you turn cattle around better and keep them standing.” Durfey, who was raised near Savannah, Mo., is fourth in the all-important average race with a seven-round cumulative time of 61.0 seconds. If he holds that position through the remaining three rounds, he’ll add $21,635 bonus. “I’m not going to think a lot about the average,” he said. “My mind set is to go out and try to win first.” That’s important, because there’s a lot of money left in the go-rounds. Plus, the competition is a who’s who in calf roping, so it’s better to not leave any room for doubt. “I keep it the same as I approach it all year,” Durfey said. “It’s just one of those things where I rope against these guys every rodeo all year long, so I really don’t change my game plan coming into the NFR. The start’s quicker, things happen faster and there’s a lot more energy. Sometimes I just got to breathe and try to control my heart and keep going.”

Casey Colletti interview

1. Clayton Savage, Cheyenne, Wyo., 85 points on Smith Harper & Morgan’s Cut Across Shorty, $17,885; 2. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash., 77, $14,135; no other qualified rides.

1. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta, 13.56 seconds, $17,885; 2. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 13.71, $14,135; 3. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas, 13.76, $10,673; 4. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas, 13.82, $7,500; 5. Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, 13.94, $4,615; 6. Britany Fleck, Mandan, N.D., 13.99, $2,885.

1. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, and Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 7.6 seconds, $14,231 each; 4. Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., 7.7, $7,500; 5. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, and Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, 7.8, $3,750 each.

1. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 86.5 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Blew Apart, $17,885; 2. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, 85, $14,135; 3. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 84, $10,673; 4. Chuck Schmidt, Keldron, S.D., 82.5, $7,500; 5. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, and Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 82, $3,750 each.

1. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, 85.5 points on Big Stone Rodeo’s Gold Dust, 85.5 points, $17,885; 2. Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., and Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 84, $12,404; 4. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., 83.5, $7,500; 5. Royce Ford, Briggsdale, Colo., 83, $4,615; 6. Clint Cannon, Waller, Texas, 80.5, $2,885.

1. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, 3.7 seconds, $17,885; 2. Brady Tryan, Huntley, Mont./Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 3.8, $14,135; 3. Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Jim Ross Cooper, Monument, Colo., and Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas/Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, 4.0, $9,087 each; 5. Spencer Mitchell, Colusa, Calif./Broc Cresta, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas/York Gill, Memphis, Tenn., 4.1, $3,750 each.