Top-caliber cowboys shine
Muncy, Maier earn big money at American Royal on final day of the 2012 season KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Taos Muncy knows what it takes to compete in ProRodeo’s elite class. He’s a two-time and reigning world champion saddle bronc rider from Corona, N.M., and in two months will be competing at the Wrangler National […]
Durfey does well in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It’s about time. Tyson Durfey has been to the American Royal Rodeo almost every year since he was born nearly 28 years ago. He’s been in the field of Kansas City’s rodeo virtually every season since he turned pro in 2003. “This is the best luck I’ve ever had at the […]
Armes moves closer to the NFR
Texas steer wrestler hoping his run Friday at American Royal qualifies him for Vegas KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For Bray Armes, the fate of his 2012 season came down to one run at the American Royal Rodeo. Armes is the 18th-ranked steer wrestler in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. He needs to move […]
Paving the rodeo road to Las Vegas
The first performance of the renewed and refined American Royal Rodeo begins at 7:30 tonight, and it promises to kick-start a fantastic finish to the 2012 ProRodeo season. Of the 13 rodeos this weekend that count for Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications, the Kansas City, Mo., event features the second largest purse – only the […]
Rumford is a barrel of fun for circuit finals
DUNCAN, Okla. – Do you remember that guy that could make you laugh no matter what? Whether it was in the classroom or work site or just hanging out, he was always funny. Actions. Antics. Personality. It all came together in one package. Welcome to the world of Justin Rumford of Ponca City, Okla., who […]
Rodeo’s best coming to American Royal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The American Royal Rodeo begins its three performances tomorrow night, and the annual event is a showcase of the richest talent in the sport. This is where world champion’s come to play. Already this week, the some of the biggest names in the sport roped, raced and wrestled during Wednesday’s specialized […]
It’s a busy rodeo news weekend
If you can’t tell by the variety of stories I’ve posted lately, my schedule’s been rather full. It is an awesome blessing. It’s also nice that as I write, I can watch my 3-year-old daughter play – not many dads get that opportunity. Fortunately for us both, she goes to preschool three days a week; […]
Maass stays hot in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Justin Maass has been one of the hottest cowboys in the business much of this season. He leads the tie-down roping world standings with more than $138,000 in season earnings, heading to his seventh appearance at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. On Wednesday evening during competition at the American Royal Rodeo, […]
Carr bringing quality livestock to Hempstead
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – When fair officials in Waller County wanted to take it’s rodeo to the next level, they had a short list of top stock contractors to consider. Atop that list was Dallas-based Carr Pro Rodeo. Pete Carr and his crew are in their second year of preparing a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event […]
Waller County gearing up for Vegas-type show
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – When Clint Sciba went to Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to watch the sports spectacle, he knew that’s what he wanted to see in his hometown. “My main basis on that deal was that if we were going to spend that much on a PRCA rodeo, I really wanted […]
Kansas City is rodeo’s last chance
Contestants on the bubble hope American Royal pushes them toward the NFR KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is a major goal of every cowboy and cowgirl who has ever competed in the sport. There’s just one problem: Only the top 15 contestants in each event at the conclusion of the regular […]
Roundup Rodeo hosting PRCA rodeo camp
DODGE CITY, Kan. – Youth who have an interest in rodeo have an opportunity to learn even more about the sport. Dodge City Roundup Rodeo is hosting an event that’s part of the PRCA Championship Rodeo Camp Series from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Roundup Arena in Dodge City. The free training is […]
It’s time to make it all count
There’s one performance left in Albuquerque, N.M., and it takes place tonight. Once the final results are in, it will help us get an idea of what happens in the world standings with just one week left in the 2012 season. The New Mexico State Fair Rodeo offers the biggest purse of all event that […]
Rodeo is a family affair
From quality entertainment to a feeling of home, the American Royal is attractive KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For many, rodeo and family go hand in hand. Most contestants were raised in the sport and hold tight to familial values as they chase their rodeo dreams. More importantly, though, fans realize that rodeo is quality family […]
Scholarships the main focus for fair board
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – If you ask him to describe the best part of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, Dustin Standley has a quick answer. “It all comes down to youth and educational support,” said Standley, the fair’s sponsorship chairman. “I think a lot of the guys on the fair board realized that if we […]
Zinser program set the bar high
Forty years ago, there wasn’t much talk about breeding programs among rodeo stock contractors. Somewhat quietly, it seems, Jim and Maggie Zinser were breaking new ground. On their ranch near Claire, Mich., the Zinsers were in the process of breeding bucking horses in a fashion that has become the trick of the trade four decades […]
Carr Pro Rodeo a piece of event’s success
STEPHENVILLE, Texas – When Chad Decker looks around Lone Star Arena, he knows what will happen the final weekend of September. “I know the contestants will be ready and the animals will buck,” said Decker, chairman of the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo committee, which produces the event set for 7 p.m. Friday, […]
Breeding program on display in Hempstead
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Clint Cannon rides bucking horses for a living. He knows, probably better than most, just how important it is to have a high quality horse underneath him. It’s that knowledge that helped guide him to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo three times so far in his career. He points to the great […]
Invitational a big deal to young cowgirl
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kirbee Spire has two words about the American Royal’s Invitational Youth Rodeo. “It’s awesome,” said Spire, the reigning breakaway roping champion from Maryville, Mo. Why? “It’s really fun to go into an atmosphere like that, especially since it’s set up exactly like the NFR,” she said, referring to the Wrangler National […]
Grabbing the sheep by the wool
American Royal’s mutton busting is a fan favorite for some, family time for others KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For a good portion of her life, Jennifer Pope’s participation in rodeo was as a fan. That’s changed, now. With her husband, Bret, they are now the parents of rodeo cowboys, and there’s not much that’s going […]
A change of seasons
Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo moves event to the end of September STEPHENVILLE, Texas – More people needed more of a chance to see a great event. “We wanted to accommodate our little town, and we want to make a bigger and better rodeo,” said Chad Decker, the chairman of the volunteer committee […]
Circuit leaders are ready to ride in Duncan
DUNCAN, Okla. – Call it a happy coincidence or a great opportunity, but winning the Prairie Circuit wasn’t exactly in the plans written by Corey Navarre and Caine Riddle. Still, that’s the case for the brothers-in-law. Navarre, of Weatherford, Okla., has earned $10,455 this season and leads the bull riding standings as the top 12 […]
Steer ropers to make a push in Stephenville
STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Folks around Erath County know rodeo. They live it. But for rodeo’s greatest players, this year’s Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo is an even bigger deal. With the change in dates to the final weekend of the 2012 regular season, Stephenville will be a hot spot for those cowboys and […]
The maker of athletes
I got to interview Jim Zinser today, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m working on a piece about the incredible bloodlines he developed over the course of owning J-Bar-J Rodeo. It’s quite amazing what Zinser has brought to the world of ProRodeo, and it’s hard to believe it’s been four years since he sold the […]