Monthly Archives: June 2013

PECOS, Texas – Stacey Grimes fumbled through the box carrying her West of the Pecos Rodeo championship buckle, unfastened her belt and promptly snapped the shiny trophy in place. “It took me 130 years to win this buckle,” Grimes said jokingly, referring to the anniversary of the World’s First Rodeo and her barrel racing title. Grimes and her mount, Jetbug, rounded the cloverleaf pattern in 17.28 seconds on Saturday night before a sold-out crowd at Buck Jackson Arena to claim the title during the final performance. It was a great way to close the five days of competition. “I’ve finished second three times,” said Grimes, of Kerrville, Texas. I had the same horse power last year and won second. This year he was on fire and was ready to win, and thank the good Lord he did.” With the prized buckle, Grimes claimed the $2,689 first-place prize and beat a strong field. She and Jetbug were so fast, in fact, that they were almost three-tenths of a second faster than runner-up Jana Bean of Fort Hancock, Texas – that’s an eternity in barrel racing. The Pecos buckle is one of the most sought-after prizes in rodeo, and Grimes has been chasing it for 26 years. Her husband, Johnny, won the tie-down roping title 16 years ago, so they have something else to share. “I get to bring it home this year, and my family is very excited,” she said. “The check’s great, too; this is one of my favorite rodeos.” It looks to be one of Sam Powers’ favorite rodeos, too. The 19-year-old cowboy from Sonora, Texas, competed in both tie-down roping and steer wrestling Saturday; more importantly, his 4.5-second run in steer wrestling was good enough for to tie Ty Willick for second place in the second go-round. For that, he earned $1,103. “It feels great; it’s achieving a dream,” said Powers, who entered the evening just a few dollars shy of the $1,000 in season earnings he needed on his permit in order to be eligible to purchase his ProRodeo card – in rodeo, contestants must meet a minimum requirement in money earned in order to earn the right to compete, and the permit process allows for that. “I feel like I’m part of the family.” He should. Powers’ grandfather served on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s board of directors and owned some of the greatest steer wrestling horses in the sport for several years. His father also competed professionally, so he’s carrying a family tradition. Powers turned 19 on May 10 and plans to purchase his PRCA card as soon as possible. He plans to return to Pecos for years to come, too. “This gives me confidence when I come back that I can compete here,” he said. “At first it kind of scared me because it’s big and, well, it’s Pecos. But I’ll definitely be coming back to this rodeo.” West of the Pecos Rodeo June 26-29 Pecos, Texas All-around champion: Trevor Brazile, $11,271. Bareback riding leaders: 1. Taylor Price, 88 points on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket, $2,978; 2. Will Lowe, 87, $2,283; 3. Tom McFarland, 85, $1,688; 4. (tie) Caine Riddle, Trey Fisher and Steven Dent, 82, 761 each; 7. Matthew Smith, 81, $397; 8. Micky Downare, 79, $298. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Travis Tryan/Jake Long, 6.4 seconds, $2,003; 2. (tie) Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith and Charly Crawford/Ryan Motes, 6.8, $1,485 each; 4. (tie) Dustin Davis/Kinney Harrell and Turtle Powell/Dugan Kelly, 6.9, $794 each; 6. Bubba Buckaloo/Cole Dawson, 7.1, $345. Second round leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 6.2 seconds, $2,003 each; 2. Chad Masters/Randon Adams, 6.8, $1,658; 3. (tie) Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton and Arky Rogers/Walt Woodard, 7.0, $1,140 each; 6. (tie) Colby Lovell/Martin Lucero and Brandon Webb/Wesley Johnson, 7.4, $484 each. Average: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 13.0 on two runs, $3,005 each; 2. Arky Rogers/Walt Woodard, 15.0, $2,487; 3. Chad Masters/Randon Adams, 15.0, $1,969; 4. Turtle Powell/Dugan Kelly, 15.3, $1,451; 5. Derrick Begay/Cesar de la Cruz, 15.8, $933; 6. Dustin Davis/Kinney Harrell, 16.2, $518. Steer roping: First round: 1. Walter Priestly, 12.2 seconds, $1,821; 2. Garrett Hale, 13.7, $1,507; 3. Chance Gasperson, 13.8, $1,193; 4. Reo Lohse, 14.4, $879; 5. Jason Evans, 14.9, $565; 6. Troy Tillard, 15.1, $314. Second round: 1. Dan Fisher, 12.0 seconds, $1,821; 2. Lawson Plemons, 12.2, $1,507; 3. Troy Tillard, 13.1, $1,193; 4. (tie) J. Paul Williams and Landon McClaugherty, 13.5, $722 each; 6. Rod Hartness, 13.9, $314. Third round leaders: 1. Chet Herren, 12.4 seconds, $1,821; 2. Howdy McGinn, 12.5, $1,507; 3. Chance Gasperson, 12.8, $1,193; 4. Coy Thompson, 13.3, $879; 5. Jim Davis, 13.4, $565; 6. (tie) Mike Brewer and Garrett Hale, 13.6, $157 each. Average leaders: 1. Troy Tillard, 42.2 seconds on three runs, $2,732; 2. J. Paul Williams, 47.2, $2,261; 3. Chance Kelton, 47.2, $1,790; 4. Tony Reina, 49.1, $1,319; 5. Scott Snedecor, 52.0, $847; 6. Jim Locke, 54.7, $471. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Cody Wright, 88 points on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Deuces Wild, $3,149; 2. Jake Wright, 84, $2,414; 3. Isaac Diaz, 82, $1,785; 4. Shane Proctor, 81, $1,155; 5. Jacobs Crawley, 80, $735; 6. Jesse Bail, 79, $525; 7. (tie) Travis Sheets and Nick Laduke, 78, $367. Tie-down roping: Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Reese Riemer, 8.9 seconds, $1,700; 2. Taylor Smith, 9.1, $1,407; 3. Trevor Brazile, 9.3, $1,114; 4. (tie) Blane Cox and Fred Whitfield, 9.4, $674 each; 6. Justin Maass, 9.6, $293. Second round leaders: 1. Clint Akins, 8.2 seconds, $1,700; 2. Cade Swor, 8.3, $1,407; 3. Trevor Brazile, 8.7, $1,114; 4. Payden Emmett, 9.0, $821; 5. Kiel Rowan, 9.1, $528; 6. Marty Yates, 9.4, $293. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile, 18.0 on two runs, $2,550; 2. Clint Akins, 18.4, $2,222; 3. Cade Swor, 18.7, $1,671; 4. Marty Yates, 19.5, $1,231; 5. Blane Cox, 19.7, $791; 6. Will Kiker, 21.8, $440. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ben Shofner, 5.6 seconds, $1,488; 2. Glen Clark, 6.0, $1,231; 3. Royce Johnson, 6.3, $975; 4. Riley Duvall, 6.4, $718;  Continue Reading »

The final night of the 130th West of the Pecos Rodeo promises a grand conclusion to an already fabulous event. The brightest star scheduled to compete Saturday night inside Buck Jackson Arena is three-time bull riding world champion J.W. Harris. Not only has Harris been to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo each of the last seven years, he won his titles consecutively, from 2008-10. In Pecos, he is matched against Carr Pro Rodeo’s Small Pox. Meanwhile, three-time NFR qualifier Tate Stratton has drawn Big Stan, a bull owned by Billy Jones. They aren’t the only players ProRodeo’s grand finale who will be part of the action. They’ll be joined by bareback rider Jared Smith, who has drawn Big Lights, one of Carr’s horses that has bucked at the NFR. In bronc riding, reigning rookie of the year Spencer Wright has drawn Carr’s Empty Pockets, also an NFR bucking horse. Wright’s oldest brother, Cody, leads the standings after an 88-point ride Friday night on Carr’s Deuces Wild. He’ll be joined by Sam Spreadborough, a two-time NFR qualifier who has Carr’s Champaign Jam, and Bradley Harter, a seven-time NFR qualifier who will match Carr’s Big Time. Every cowboy on the list will have his hands full. In addition to Cody Wright’s lead in saddle bronc riding, Taylor Price leads bareback riding with an 88-point ride on Carr’s Dirty Jacket, and Elliot Jacoby leads bull riding with a 91 on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Hustler. But it should be fun watching what happens next. Other leaders for the rodeo titles include team ropers Trevor Brazile and Patrick Smith, who have roped two steers in a cumulative time of 13.0 seconds; steer roper Troy Tillard, 42.2 seconds on three runs; Brazile in tie-down roping with 18.0 seconds on two runs; steer wrestler Ben Shofner, 12.9 on two; and barrel racer Jana Bean, 17.56 seconds.

PECOS, Texas – Cody Wright likes to see his name atop the standings any time he competes. Wright, a two-time world champion from Milford, Utah, is the No. 1 saddle bronc rider in the world standings. On Friday night during the third performance of the West of the Pecos Rodeo, he matched moves with Carr Pro Rodeo’s Deuces Wild for 88 points to take the lead with just one performance remaining. “Anywhere you can be hot this time of year is awesome,” said Wright, whose younger brother, Jake, sits in second place in Pecos. “We just want to get on a roll and hopefully keep it rolling. “We’ve got a lot of good rodeos coming up, and the year has just begun, I think. Of course, anytime I can win, I’m happy.” He’s been quite happy in 2013. So far this season, he’s earned more than $55,000 has won eight titles, including a January championship in Odessa. He knows it takes a solid performance from him and his horse if he has any chance of collecting checks along the way. “I had that horse in Lovington (N.M.); I thought he was just so-so, but I might not have rode him good,” Wright said. “I tried to ride him as good as I could, and he would up being awesome.” That’s the winning combination, and the Wright family knows it well. Four brothers travel together – Cody, Alex and twins Jake and Jesse. All but Alex have qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and Cody joins reigning champ Jesse as the family members who adorn gold buckles. Jake Wright posted an 84 on Carr’s Choir Girl to move into the No. 2 spot, and he’s rather tickled to have the momentum in his favor heading into the busy summer stretch of events. “It’s awesome to do well here,” Jake Wright said. “I didn’t have the best winter. I drew decent but didn’t ride all that good. With the help of good brothers and a little bit of work, it’s all coming together. “I wouldn’t want it to happen any other time that the Fourth of July.” West of the Pecos Rodeo June 26-29 Pecos, Texas Bareback riding leaders: 1. Taylor Price, 88 points on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket; 2. Will Lowe, 87; 3. Tom McFarland, 85; 4. (tie) Caine Riddle and Steven Dent, 82; 6. Micky Downare, 79; 7. Craig Wisehart, 78; 8. Bill Tutor, 74. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Travis Tryan/Jake Long, 6.4 seconds; 2. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 6.8; 3. Charly Crawford/Ryan Motes, 6.8; 4. (tie) Dustin Davis/Kinney Harrell and Turtle Powell/Dugan Kelly, 6.9; 6. Bubba Buckaloo/Cole Dawson, 7.1. Second round leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 6.2 seconds; 2. Chad Masters/Randon Adams, 6.8; 3. (tie) Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton and Arky Rogers/Walt Woodard, 7.0; 5. (tie) Colby Lovell/Martin Lucero and Brandon Webb/Wesley Johnson, 7.4; 6. Keven Daniel/Chase Tryan, 7.6. Average: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 13.0 on two runs; 2. Arky Rogers/Walt Woodard, 15.0; 3. Chad Masters/Randon Adams, 15.0; 4. Turtle Powell/Dugan Kelly, 15.3; 5. Derrick Begay/Cesar de la Cruz, 15.8; 6. Dustin Davis/Kinney Harrell, 16.2. Steer roping: First round: 1. Walter Priestly, 12.2 seconds, $1,821; 2. Garrett Hale, 13.7, $1,507; 3. Chance Gasperson, 13.8, $1,193; 4. Reo Lohse, 14.4, $879; 5. Jason Evans, 14.9, $565; 6. Troy Tillard, 15.1, $314. Second round: 1. Dan Fisher, 12.0 seconds, $1,821; 2. Lawson Plemons, 12.2, $1,507; 3. Troy Tillard, 13.1, $1,193; 4. (tie) J. Paul Williams and Landon McClaugherty, 13.5, $722 each; 6. Rod Hartness, 13.9, $314. Third round leaders: 1. Chet Herren, 12.4 seconds; 2. Howdy McGinn, 12.5; 3. Chance Gasperson, 12.8; 4. Coy Thompson, 13.3; 5. Jim Davis, 13.4; 6. (tie) Mike Brewer and Garrett Hale, 13.6. Average leaders: 1. Troy Tillard, 42.2 seconds on three runs; 2. J. Paul Williams, 47.2; 3. Chance Kelton, 47.2; 4. Tony Reina, 49.1; 5. Scott Snedecor, 52.0; 6. Jim Locke, 54.7. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Cody Wright, 88 points on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Deuces Wild; 2. Jake Wright, 84; 3. Isaac Diaz, 82; 4. Shane Proctor, 81; 5. Jacobs Crawley, 80; 6. Jesse Bail, 79; 7. (tie) Travis Sheets and Nick Laduke, 78. Tie-down roping: Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Reese Riemer, 8.9 seconds; 2. Taylor Smith, 9.1; 3. Trevor Brazile, 9.3; 4. (tie) Blane Cox and Fred Whitfield, 9.4 each; 6. Justin Maass, 9.6. Second round leaders: 1. Clint Akins, 8.2 seconds; 2. Cade Swor, 8.3; 3. Trevor Brazile, 8.7; 4. Payden Emmett, 9.0 seconds; 5. Kiel Rowan, 9.1; 6. Marty Yates, 9.4. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile, 18.0 on two runs; 2. Clint Akins, 18.4; 3. Cade Swor, 18.7; 4. Marty Yates, 19.5; 5. Blane Cox, 19.7; 6. Will Kiker, 21.8. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ben Shofner, 5.6 seconds; 2. Glen Clark, 6.0; 3. Royce Johnson, 6.3; 4. Riley Duvall, 6.4; 5. (tie) Chance Campbell and Bill Pace, 6.7. Second round leaders: 1. 1. Grady Gray, 4.0 seconds; 2. Tommy Cook, 5.3; 3. (tie) Cooper Shofner and Weston Taylor, 5.4; 5. Paul Melvin, 5.5; 6. Matt Reeves, 5.7. Average leaders: 1. Ben Schofner, 12.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Riley Duvall, 13.6; 3. Monty Eakin, 14.3; 4. Bill Pace, 14.4; 5. 6. Matt Reeves, 16.8. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Jana Bean, 17.56 seconds; 2. Layna Kight, 17.59; 3. Jaime Borrow, 17.88; 4. Shelby Frasier, 17.91 seconds; 5. Clay Sewalt, 17.92; 6. Lindsey Ewing, 17.95; 7. Callie Duperier, 18.00; 8. Kenna Squires, 18.01; 9. (tie) Martha Wright and Tasha Welsh, 18.02; 11. Tammy Miller, 18.05; 12. Jordan Taton, 18.13. Bull riding leaders: 1. Elliot Jacoby, 91 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Hustler; 2. (tie) Ricky Aguiar and Beau Schroeder, 89; 4. Chandler Bownds, 87; 5. Shane Proctor, 86; 6. (tie) Cameron Bland and Austin Meier, 85; 8. Chris Roundy, 84.

Popular cowboy kicks off second season with a look into his life, family Cord McCoy is a professional bull rider and a reality TV star. In fact, he’s one of the most recognizable cowboys in the world because of the two. But there’s much more to McCoy, and fans will get to see that in the next episode of “The Ride with Cord McCoy,” a weekly series that showcases the world of ranching and the Western lifestyle that airs at 1 and 11 p.m. Eastern on RFD-TV. The Monday, July 1, episode is the first of the new season and provides viewers with a look at the life of McCoy, a cowboy who grew up his family’s ranch in the southeastern Oklahoma community of Tupelo. The show features enhanced production and a sparkling display that will give fans more to enjoy when they watch the series. “I guess we’re really explaining again who I am, and it gets more in the day of the life of Cord McCoy,” said McCoy, the youngest of five children born to Denny and Janet McCoy, joining brothers Justin, JoRay and Jet and sister Nikki Callison. “It’s neat to be able to showcase my family. Even though Jet and I got to do “The Amazing Race, I feel there are 20 more members of my family that would do the same things that we did. “It’s pretty cool to have a show that will open the door and showcase where I come from.” The meat of “The Ride” is in sharing the Western lifestyle and what is involved in carrying on centuries-old traditions, and there’s no better place to start than at the host’s home. “We take you to acclaimed ranches and show you the secrets of true horsemanship as he works with highly regarded experts,” stated a profile from the show’s website, www.CowHorseProductions.com. “From working cattle to perfecting turnarounds, you will learn techniques from the best.” McCoy knows those techniques and can expound upon them, but as the show’s host, he provides others to explain the intricacies that come with raising livestock. In the opening show of the season, he gets a little help from some members of his family that talk about what it’s like on their ranches. “My family was very close,” Callison said during the show. “We worked together; we played together.” It’s that closeness that shines so brightly in the first episode, but that’s the background that has guided Cord McCoy to any success he’s had. He’s a five-time world champion in the International Professional Rodeo Association, a 2005 bull riding qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and has qualified numerous times for the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough World Championships. “We wanted to establish who Cord is and how he got to where he is now in this episode,” said Brad Zanin, owner of Cow Horse Productions and producer of “The Ride.” McCoy and Jet – who is just 13 months older – were part of two seasons on the reality TV series “The Amazing Race,” a marathon of around-the-world travels in which the winning two-person team claims the $1 million prize. That series put the cowboys on the international map, but it also showed the world that there is more to being a cowboy than the stereotypes that have been portrayed. It all comes back to how the McCoys live their lives. “I think my family has definitely kept us grounded,” Cord McCoy said. “It’s equal opportunity around the ranch; everybody has the opportunity to work. I think growing up in the Western way of life, you learn that no matter how much money you have, you can’t tell a horse that or, in my line of work, a bull. Bulls can’t read buckles, and they don’t care what you’ve done. “I think livestock keeps me grounded as well. My family works hard. We all work together, and we all work for the same goals.” That’s rather evident in the opening episode of the season, which showcases the McCoys working – it includes gathering calves with Jet and Cord’s wife, Sara, and show’s Cord being the first to mount a newly purchased colt, handling the bucks and moves from the green horse. Even when the show airs, it’s still about family time. “Every Monday, I get to go over with my family and enjoy the show we filmed,” Cord McCoy said. “We get to share that with the rest of the world. It’s pretty neat to be able to go watch where we’ve been and what we’re doing.”

PECOS, Texas – A year ago, Ben Shofner left town with the steer wrestling title at the West of the Pecos Rodeo and one of the most sought-after championship buckles in the sport. He’s trying to win another. On Thursday night during the second performance of the World’s First Rodeo, Shofner did just enough to move himself into first place in the two-run rodeo, downing his second steer in 7.3 seconds. That, combined with his 5.6, first-round leading run from Thursday morning, gives the Jasper, Texas, cowboy a seven-tenths of a second lead over the No. 2 man in the standings, Riley Duvall of Checotah, Okla. “I had a steer tonight that was a little bit slower and a little bit weaker, and I kind of wadded him up,” Shofner said, referring to his having trouble grappling the steer over on its side to secure a fast time. “These steers are fresh, so you’ve just got to score good and throw them down. A lot of guys have been missing the start, so I should be alright.” Timed-event contestants try to time their start based on how the cattle leaves the chute, and that’s referred to as scoring. In Pecos, where Buck Jackson Arena is rather large, steers and calves are provided longer head starts. “I like it because you have to score them a little bit, and there’s still a lot of cowboy in it,” Shofner said. “I think it’s a lot better. I think a lot more bulldogging is involved in it and not so much a drawing contest.” It seems to fit the 29-year-old cowboy quite well. He’ll await the final two performances – set for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday – to see how the final standings play out. Jacobs Crawley is in a similar boat. The two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier in saddle bronc riding scored 80 points Thursday night aboard Carr Pro Rodeo’s YoYo to scoot into third place in the standings in Pecos. He’s already had a solid season, sitting 17th in the world standings, but he needs a strong financial return over the coming weeks to move into the top 15 and secure a third straight trip to Las Vegas. “This is crunch time,” said Crawley, 25, of Stephenville, Texas. “This is where you’re either going to make or break your season the next month and a half of rodeoing.” A nice paycheck in Pecos is a good way to kick start a hectic run. He realizes he’s just half the equation; he needs to have a good dance partner to make a big score happen, and he found that in YoYo, a Carr Pro Rodeo bucking horse that has performed at the NFR. “She had a little bit more to her than I thought going into it,” Crawley said. “It’s a bucking horse, and they can literally do anything.” West of the Pecos Rodeo June 26-29 Pecos, Texas Bareback riding leaders: 1. Taylor Price, 88 points on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket; 2. Will Lowe, 87; 3. Tom McFarland, 85; 4. Caine Riddle, 82; 5. Micky Downare, 79; 6. Craig Wisehart, 78; 7. Bill Tutor, 74; 8. Colt Bruce, 71. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 6.8 seconds; 2. Charly Crawford/Ryan Motes, 6.8; 3. (tie) Dustin Davis/Kinney Harrell and Turtle Powell/Dugan Kelly, 6.9; 5. Arky Rogers/Walt Woodard, 7.4; 6. Derrick Begay/Cesar de la Cruz, 8.1. Second round leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 6.2 seconds; 2. Chad Masters/Randon Adams, 6.8; 3. (tie) Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton and Arky Rogers/Walt Woodard, 7.0; 5. (tie) Colby Lovell/Martin Lucero and Brandon Webb/Wesley Johnson, 7.4; 6. Keven Daniel/Chase Tryan, 7.6. Average: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 13.0 on two runs; 2. Arky Rogers/Walt Woodard, 15.0; 3. Chad Masters/Randon Adams, 15.0; 4. Turtle Powell/Dugan Kelly, 15.3; 5. Derrick Begay/Cesar de la Cruz, 15.8; 6. Dustin Davis/Kinney Harrell, 16.2. Steer roping: First round: 1. Walter Priestly, 12.2 seconds, $1,821; 2. Garrett Hale, 13.7, $1,507; 3. Chance Gasperson, 13.8, $1,193; 4. Reo Lohse, 14.4, $879; 5. Jason Evans, 14.9, $565; 6. Troy Tillard, 15.1, $314. Second round: 1. Dan Fisher, 12.0 seconds, $1,821; 2. Lawson Plemons, 12.2, $1,507; 3. Troy Tillard, 13.1, $1,193; 4. (tie) J. Paul Williams and Landon McClaugherty, 13.5, $722 each; 6. Rod Hartness, 13.9, $314. Third round leaders: 1. Howdy McGinn, 12.5 seconds; 2. Chance Gasperson, 12.8; 3. Coy Thompson, 13.3; 4. Jim Davis, 13.4; 5. (tie) Mike Brewer and Garrett Hale, 13.6. Average leaders: 1. Troy Tillard, 42.2 seconds on three runs; 2. J. Paul Williams, 47.2; 3. Chance Kelton, 47.2; 4. Tony Reina, 49.1; 5. Scott Snedecor, 52.0; 6. Jim Locke, 54.7. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Isaac Diaz, 82 points on Lancaster & Pickett’s Holly Bucks; 2. Shane Proctor, 81; 3. Jacobs Crawley, 80; 4. Jesse Bail, 79; 5. Travis Sheets, 78; 6. (tie) Ty Kirkland  and Kobyn Williams, 75; 8. Leland Wood, 73. Tie-down roping: Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Reese Riemer, 8.9 seconds; 2. Taylor Smith, 9.1; 3. Trevor Brazile, 9.3; 4. (tie) Blane Cox and Fred Whitfield, 9.4 each; 6. E.J. Roberts, 9.8. Second round leaders: 1. Clint Akins, 8.2 seconds; 2. Trevor Brazile, 8.7; 3. Payden Emmett, 9.0 seconds; 4. Marty Yates, 9.4; 5. Don Coffell, 10.1; 6. Lane Dudley, 10.2. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile, 18.0 on two runs; 2. Clint Akins, 18.4; 3. Marty Yates, 19.5; 4. Blane Cox, 19.7; 5. Joe Keating, 22.6; 6. Don Coffell, 22.7. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ben Shofner, 5.6 seconds; 2. Glen Clar, 6.0; 3. Royce Johnson, 6.3; 4. Riley Duvall, 6.4; 5. Chance Campbell, 6.7; 6. Justin Smith, 7.3. Second round leaders: 1. Tommy Cook, 5.3 seconds; 2. (tie) Cooper Shofner and Weston Taylor, 5.4; 4. Paul Melvin, 5.5; 5. Matt Reeves, 5.7; 6. Shayde Etherton, 5.8. Average leaders: 1. Ben Schofner, 12.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Riley Duvall, 13.6; 3. Monty Eakin, 14.3; 4. Matt Reeves, 16.8; 5. Glen Clark, 17.1; Chance Campbell, 22.3. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Shelby Frasier, 17.91  Continue Reading »

Thursday’s second performance of the West of the Pecos Rodeo will again be chalk full of some of the brightest stars that make their living on the rodeo trail. Team roping seems to be the largest star-studded lineup, with Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers ready to rope. There are 14 teams set to compete in slack Thursday morning, and only the top teams will rope in the performance. But fans will get the chance to see teams like Brock Hanson and Kory Koontz; Charly Crawford and Ryan Motes; Arky Rogers and Walt Woodard; Dustin Davis and Kinney Harrell; Turtle Powell and Dugan Kelly; and Derrick Begay and Cesar de la Cruz. Bareback riding features some tremendous match-ups, like three-time world champion Will Lowe trying his tremendous skills against two-time NFR bucking horse Outa Sight, eight-time NFR qualifier Wes Stevenson and Alberta Child and Caine Riddle vs. 2005 Bareback Horse of the Year Real Deal; all those horses are from Carr Pro Rodeo. Bronc riding brothers Jacobs and Sterling Crawley will get to ride, as will NFR bull riders like Shawn Hogg and Cody Whitney. Bull riding also will feature to PBR cowboys Austin Meier and Skeeter Kingsolver. There’s plenty of heat happening in Pecos, Texas, and most of it will be happening in Buck Jackson Arena.

PECOS, Texas – The last thing Beau Schroeder remembers from March 24 was stepping over the bucking chutes to get on his bull at the Fort Mohave (Ariz.) Xtreme Bulls Tour. “Next thing I remember was that I woke up in a hospital with a swollen head and tied down to a bed,” said Schroeder, the reigning Wrangler National Finals Rodeo bull riding average champion from China, Texas. During his ride in Arizona, Schroeder took the right horn to his throat and suffered a torn trachea and collapsed lungs. He needed emergency surgery to have a chance to live. He got a lot more, though. On Wednesday night, he returned to ProRodeo during the first performance of the 130th edition of the West of the Pecos Rodeo. After mounting three practice bulls at his home, Schroeder jumped into the fray that is the summer run of rodeos. He did it in quite the dramatic fashion, riding the Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo bull Footloose for 89 points to take the early lead in Pecos. “I was ready to go,” Schroeder said. “I was excited to be back at a rodeo and know I was getting on something that bucks.”

PECOS, Texas – This is more like it. Between them, Trevor Brazile and Patrick Smith own 19 world championships, including a shared team roping title in 2011. But most of this year, they haven’t looked like it. “With our spring and our winter rodeos this year, it’s been a struggle,” said Smith, a two-time world champion from Lipan, Texas, originally from nearby Midland, Texas. “We’re the first to admit we’ve had a hard time with it. “Our horses haven’t been sound; our roping hasn’t been sound.” It’s been pretty good this week. The tandem won the prestigious Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping on Monday in Reno, Nev., collecting $60,000 each. On Wednesday, Brazile and Smith roped two steers in cumulative time of 13.0 seconds to lead the aggregate race in the 130th edition of the World’s First Rodeo, the West of the Pecos Rodeo at Buck Jackson Arena. “It’s vital for where we are right now,” said Smith, who, like Brazile in heading, is not among the top 20 heelers in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. The duo downed their first steer in 6.8 seconds on Wednesday morning to lead the opening round, the followed that with a 6.2 during Wednesday’s first performance for the second-round lead. In addition, Brazile, of Decatur, Texas, has a cumulative time of 18.0 seconds to lead the average race in tie-down roping. “We got our good horses back, so that has sparked us,” Smith said. “Obviously winning the BFI is such a good confidence boost going into this week. We haven’t roped very good or had the confidence to rope that good. It feels great to be out of it. “I’ve been a winner and I’ve been a loser, and I sure like winning better.” The celebration will be short-lived. The tandem will travel as far as Midland tonight for a flight to Canada tomorrow to compete. Then it’s back to Nevada on Saturday for the championship round of the Reno Rodeo. This is just the start of a frantic run of rodeos over the next few months, most notably a series of lucrative rodeos around the Fourth of July called Cowboy Christmas. Having a good run in Pecos is a good way to kick start the rugged summer run. Rookie bareback rider Taylor Price of Huntsville, Texas, is learning that lesson rather quickly. On Wednesday night, he rode the great Carr Pro Rodeo horse Dirty Jacket for 88 points to lead the rodeo. “That was the best bucking horse I’ve ever been on in my life,” Price said. “That’s the horse you don’t want to screw up on because so many people won on him. You don’t want to be the guy that messed up that horse. “This is my highest score ever. This is the beginning of our Fourth of July run, and I’ve got some good horses drawn over the fourth. My confidence is through the roof.” Price is third in the standings for bareback riding rookie of the year. He should finish the Pecos rodeo with a good check and have a chance to move up the money list. But he’s got bigger plans than winning that honor. “I would love to win the rookie, but it’s not what I’m focused on; I want to make the NFR,” he said, referring to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “If I make the NFR, I should win the rookie.” Time will tell. West of the Pecos Rodeo June 26-29 Pecos, Texas Bareback riding leaders: 1. Taylor Price, 88 points on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket; 2. Micky Downare, 79; 3. Craig Wisehart, 78; 4. Bill Tutor, 74; 5. Colt Bruce, 71; 6. Matt Crumpler, 65. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 6.8 seconds; 2. Chad Masters/Randon Adams, 8.2; 3. Camish Jennings/Trey Johnson, 8.3; 4. Chace Thompson/Jaytin McCright, 8.4; 5. Keven Daniel/Chase Tryan, 12.5; 6. Colby Lovell/Martin Lucero, 12.8. Second round leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 6.2 seconds; 2. Chad Masters/Randon Adams, 6.8; 3. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 7.0 seconds; 4. (tie) Colby Lovell/Martin Lucero and Brandon Webb/Wesley Johnson, 7.4; 6. Keven Daniel/Chase Tryan, 7.6. Average: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 13.0 on two runs; 2. Chad Masters/Randon Adams, 15.0; 3. Keven Daniel/Chase Tryan, 20.1; 4. Colby Lovell/Martin Lucero, 20.2; 5. Tyler Wade/Tyler McKnight, 21.2; 6. Camish Jennings/Trey Johnson, 21.6. Steer roping: First round: 1. Walter Priestly, 12.2 seconds, $1,821; 2. Garrett Hale, 13.7, $1,507; 3. Chance Gasperson, 13.8, $1,193; 4. Reo Lohse, 14.4, $879; 5. Jason Evans, 14.9, $565; 6. Troy Tillard, 15.1, $314. Second round: 1. Dan Fisher, 12.0 seconds, $1,821; 2. Lawson Plemons, 12.2, $1,507; 3. Troy Tillard, 13.1, $1,193; 4. (tie) J. Paul Williams and Landon McClaugherty, 13.5, $722 each; 6. Rod Hartness, 13.9, $314. Third round leaders: 1. Howdy McGinn, 12.5 seconds; 2. Chance Gasperson, 12.8; 3. Jim Davis, 13.4; 4. (tie) Mike Brewer and Garrett Hale, 13.6 each; 6. Brian Garr, 13.7. Average leaders: 1. Troy Tillard, 42.2 seconds on three runs; 2. J. Paul Williams, 47.2; 3. Chance Kelton, 47.2; 4. Tony Reina, 49.1; 5. Scott Snedecor, 52.0; 6. Jim Locke, 54.7. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Isaac Diaz, 82 points on Lancaster & Pickett’s Holly Bucks; 2. Shane Proctor, 81; 3. Jesse Bail, 79; 4. Travis Sheets, 78; 5. Ty Kirkland, 75; 6. Ryan Montroy, 72. Tie-down roping: Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Reese Riemer, 8.9 seconds; 2. Trevor Brazile, 9.3; 3. (tie) Blane Cox and Fred Whitfield, 9.4 each; 5. EJ Roberts, 9.8; 6. Marty Yates, 10.1. Second round leaders: 1. Clint Akins, 8.2 seconds; 2. Trevor Brazile, 8.7; 3. Payden Emmett, 9.0 seconds; 4. Marty Yates, 9.4; 5. Blane Cox, 10.3; 6. Joe Keating, 10.4. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile, 18.0 on two runs; 2. Clint Akins, 18.4; 3. Marty Yates, 19.5; 4. Blane Cox, 19.7; 5. Joe Keeting, 22.6; 6. Cody Owens, 23.9. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Royce Johnson, 6.3 seconds; 2. Riley Duvall, 6.4; 3. Justin Smith, 7.3; 4. Matt Reeves, 11.1; 5. Tyler  Continue Reading »

PECOS, Texas – Opening night of the 2013 West of the Pecos Rodeo will feature some interesting match-ups and some of the greatest stars in ProRodeo. Dirty Jacket, the 9-year-old bay gelding from Carr Pro Rodeo, is one of the greatest bucking horses in the sport. Last season, he was the PRCA’s runner-up reserve world champion bareback horse and the Texas Circuit’s Bareback Horse of the Year. Tonight he will be matched against Taylor Price, a rising star from Huntsville, Texas. Other key match-ups in bareback riding are Bill Tutor of Huntsville, Texas, on Carr’s Hometown Girl and Micky Downare of Hartsel, Colo., on Carr’s Island Girl. In bronc riding, Travis Sheets of Hyannis, Neb., has drawn Carr’s Corner Guard, while Jesse Bail of Camp Crook, S.D., has Carr’s Lonestar. Bull riding will feature a who’s who of elite cowboys, including NFR qualifiers Jarrod Craig of Hillsboro, Texas vs. Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Black Friday; Beau Schroeder of China, Texas, on Classic’s Footloose; Howdy Cloud of Kountze, Texas, on Carr’s Panther; and Trey Benton III of Rock Island, Texas, on Classic’s Razor. In addition, reigning world champ Cody Teel of Kountze will try his skills with Carr’s Fletch, and 2011 gold buckle-holder Shane Proctor of Grand Coulee, Wash., has Classic’s Priefert Pride, while world standings leader Tyler Smith of Fruita, Colo., will match Classic’s Cool Customer. This is an explosive way to kick start the 130th year of the World’s First Rodeo. It’s my first time to Pecos, and I hope it’s the start of something magical.

West of the Pecos Rodeo June 26-29 Pecos, Texas Steer roping: First round: 1. Walter Priestly, 12.2 seconds, $1,821; 2. Garrett Hale, 13.7, $1,507; 3. Chance Gasperson, 13.8, $1,193; 4. Reo Lohse, 14.4, $879; 5. Jason Evans, 14.9, $565; 6. Troy Tillard, 15.1, $314. Second round: 1. Dan Fisher, 12.0 seconds, $1,821; 2. Lawson Plemons, 12.2, $1,507; 3. Troy Tillard, 13.1, $1,193; 4. (tie) Landon McClaugherty and J. Paul Williams, 13.5, $722 each; 6. Rod Hartness, 13.9, $314.    

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – One way to describe Big Tex is a 13-year-old bay gelding that was sired by the great stallion Night Jacket. The best saddle bronc riders in ProRodeo have a few more things to say, and even more would like the opportunity to get on the great Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo bucking horse at the Navajo Nation Fourth of July PRCA Rodeo, set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, at Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena (because Window Rock is on the Navajo Nation, the kickoff each night will be during Mountain Standard Time, which is not the same as Arizona, which does not recognize Daylight Savings time). “He’s always been a great bucking horse,” said Tyler Corrington, a 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Hastings, Minn. “He’s one of the few bareback horses I knew before he became a bronc, because he was just so outstanding. He’s done nothing but be awesome.” Corrington knows as well as anyone in the game. He matched moves with Big Tex for 85 points in February to win the title in San Antonio. He knows Big Tex is just one fine example of great livestock from Pete Carr’s Classic and Carr Pro Rodeo, the primary producers of the Window Rock rodeo. “I knew ahead of time that I’d drawn pretty good, but it’s a pretty good sign when you’re sitting in the hospitality area and all your buddies are jealous of you because of what you’ve drawn,” he said. That was definitely the case a little more than a month later when Australian Curtis Garton was matched against the big bay during the final round of the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. With the help of Big Tex, Garton won ProRodeo’s national championship with an 86-point ride. “That’s the one,” Garton said. “Coming into this rodeo, they asked me what my dream draw was, and I didn’t have to think about that: Big Tex. I just thank the Lord that it all worked out.” It did, but that’s been the case with many of the sport’s elite bronc busters. In 2010, the top cowboys in the sport voted Big Tex the Bareback Horse of the Year; in 208, he was the Reserve World Champion Bareback Horse. That year, he guided and Tilden Hooper tied the world record with a 94-point ride in Silver City, N.M. As a bareback, he bucked at the NFR four straight times, from 2007-10; he’s been in bronc riding in Las Vegas the last two Decembers. It’s where the best in the business say he belongs. Take Wade Sundell, a four-time NFR qualifier from Boxholm, Iowa, who has finished among the top five in saddle bronc riding each of the past four seasons. He rode Big Tex for 90 points to win RodeoHouston’s Super Series this past March. “That’s one of the coolest horses to have for $50,000,” Sundell said. “He’s just so big, and he’s showy.” The superlatives continue for Big Tex. At 13, he’s in the prime of his life and loves to show off his champion genetics “I’ll take that horse anywhere I’m at,” Sundell said. “When you get on that horse, you’re nodding your head to win first. He kicks lights out, and he bails in the air. He’s got some hang time, and that allows you really set your feet and show off your spur stroke. He’s everything you’d want in a bucking horse.”

PECOS, Texas – The work on the 130th West of the Pecos Rodeo began shortly after the 129th edition ended. All that labor will be shown off this week when hundreds of ProRodeo’s brightest stars converge on this west Texas community for four performances of the World’s First Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday at Buck Jackson Arena. In all, about 70 ProRodeo world championships and dozens more Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers will be part of the action in Pecos. They’re just part of the equation for the world-class competition that will be featured in less than a week’s time in west Texas; the rodeo also will feature some of the greatest animal athletes in the sport. From the great timed-event horses that guide the ropers, wrestler and racers to the bucking beasts from Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, the historic event is the perfect place to display the very best that rodeo has to offer. After all, this is the home of the World’s First Rodeo, with this sparkling tradition dating back to 1883. “We’re real blessed that we’ve got Pete Carr, because ever since he got here, our rodeo just keeps getting better,” said Hugh Box, a longtime member of the volunteer committee that produces the rodeo. “We’ve got Boyd (Polhamus), and I think having the National Finals announcer here is a big calling card for our rodeo. We’ve also got Benje (Bendele), who does the sound at the finals every year. “Those guys want to keep this thing going. They make it good for the people in the stands.” That’s an important factor. Carr features 31 animals that performed at the 2012 NFR, including athletic horses like Dirty Jacket, the runner-up Reserve World Champion Bareback Horse; Big Tex, the 2010 Bareback Horse of the Year that now performs in saddle bronc riding; Real Deal, the 2005 Bareback Horse of the Year; River Boat Annie, the 2007 Reserve World Champion Bareback Horse; and several other elite horses like Scarlet’s Web, Night Bells, Gold Coast and Good Time Charlie. Just this year, Big Tex has led bronc riders to big wins in San Antonio, Houston and the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo; Dirty Jacket has done the same in San Antonio, the RNCFR and Claremore, Okla. “That’s the one,” said Curtis Garton, who rode Big Tex to win the national championship in Oklahoma City this past April. “Coming into this rodeo, they asked me what my dream draw was, and I didn’t have to think about that: Big Tex. I just thank the Lord that it all worked out.” The combination of tremendous athletes and historic rodeo is a win-win for fans who love the sport and its history. That’s what makes the West of the Pecos Rodeo so special.

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – To make a marriage strong, it takes equal parts commitment and strength. In the world of rodeo, a healthy marriage includes so much more. It can all be found in the stock contracting firms of Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, the primary livestock producers for the Navajo Nation Fourth of July PRCA Rodeo, set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, at Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena (because Window Rock is on the Navajo Nation, the kickoff each night will be during Mountain Standard Time, which is not the same as Arizona, which does not recognize Daylight Savings time). “Pete Carr has definitely made a big step in the rodeo business,” said saddle bronc rider Cody DeMoss, a nine-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Heflin, La. “When he purchased Classic earlier this year was a very good move on his part. He’s got a lot more rodeos, and he’s got most of the best bucking barebacks in rodeo. “It will be hard for him to not be Stock Contractor of the Year when a guy puts that much into his rodeos and his animals.” Carr Pro Rodeo has been established as one of the top livestock firms in the country; this past spring, Carr acquired Classic, a company that has been around for better than 22 years. The marriage has been blessed by the elite cowboys in the game. “That’s just a big move in rodeo, and we’re all pretty glad that we can go to one of his rodeos and know we’re going to get on something pretty good,” DeMoss said. “It’ll be real hard to win all of those rodeos, because everybody’s going to have a good horse.” That’s impressive. Bronc riders make their livings riding wild horses, so it’s important to know they’ve got a shot at winning money every time they go to a rodeo. “Whenever I look at the list of rodeos, I make my plan, and I’ll go out of my way as long as I have a chance to draw quality stock,” said Harter, a seven-time NFR qualifier from Weatherford, Texas. “Every chance we get to go to rodeos Pete Carr does, we’re going to do what we can to make it.” A lot goes into the type of shows the Carr firms produce. In addition to having excellent bucking stock, Pete Carr has all the resources necessary to provide amazing entertainment. “I’m combining two of the best crews in rodeo to form one of the greatest rodeo companies,” Carr said. “I’m excited about the new opportunities that are ahead for the company. I want committees to know we have a lot to offer them. We’re going to have unprecedented resources for all the rodeos, which will benefit everyone involved: committees, sponsors, contestants and spectators.” That’s a major factor in why cowboys loving going to Carr-produced rodeos. “There are a lot of rodeos that are going to be hard to beat because of what Pete Carr brings to the table,” said bareback rider Steven Peebles, a four-time NFR qualifier from Redmond, Ore. “Pete has raised the bar in rodeo. He’ll have better horses and better production.”

Bull rider Tyler Smith is having a phenomenal year, and his hot streak continued Thursday night during the Xtreme Bulls Tour event at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo. Smith, of Fruita, Colo., rode the Growney Bros. bull Crystal Deal for 93 points in the final go-round to clinch the title and $10,481. He claimed the average championship with a two-ride cumulative 177 points, seven better than runner-up Cody Campbell of Summerville, Ore. That victory, and the earnings that came with it, surely will boost Smith’s status as he heads toward the meat of the ProRodeo season – the Reno Rodeo stands as the starting blocks for the rugged stretch of summertime rodeos. We’re just days away from the Fourth of July run, a series of lucrative rodeos set around the holiday. This marks the second Xtreme Bulls victory for Smith and the fifth event title for the 2010 Wrangler National Finals qualifier. He won the Xtreme Bulls title in Rapid City and the bull riding title in Tucson, Ariz., this past winter. He won in Guymon, Okla., the first weekend in May and added the North Platte, Neb., championship a couple weeks ago. So far this season, he has earned more than $66,000 and is well on his way back to Las Vegas.

PECOS, Texas – For couples like Hugh and Gail Box, being involved in community activities is just part of their lives. From serving on boards to being part of the committee that produces the 130th annual West of the Pecos Rodeo, the Boxes are active participants in the west Texas community. Much of their work will be on display next week when thousands flock Buck Jackson Arena to take in the rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26-Saturday, June 29. “The people that volunteer have it in their hearts, and they love it,” Hugh Box said. “That’s what they want to do to keep this thing going. “We’re all volunteers. We don’t get a dime out of this; in fact, some of it comes out of our own pockets. We even have box seats, but we don’t get to sit in them because we’re all working. We want to do this for the rodeo and for the community.” Hugh Box began his commitment to the Pecos rodeo more than 30 years ago, but he’s been around the event all his life. He knows the importance of the rodeo to the community, whether it’s in the city, in Pecos County or all of west Texas. “I’ve been coming to this since 1952 – we moved here when I was 5 years old,” he said. “I like it because I like Pecos. It’s got tradition. If you’ve never been here, then when you come you’ll see we’re proud of what we’ve got. You go to any town within 100 miles of here, and they don’t have anything like our rodeo.” Gail Box serves in the rodeo’s hospitality area, a location at the arena that serves the contestants, sponsors, volunteers and contract personnel before, during and after the rodeo. Hugh Box helps his wife some, but like most others who donate their time to produce the annual event, there’s much more. “In the off-season, we do all the repairs to the arena and handle anything we need to come up with,” he said. “We all sell sponsorships, and we’re basically at this all year. As soon as the rodeo’s over, we get back to work to get ready for next year. “We have a great group of volunteers. All the volunteers try to do a little of everything. This is not just one guy, but we have a big volunteer group. I’d like to see us get a few more younger people involved, because that’s how we continue this tradition for years to come.” Hugh is now 65 years old, but he began his status as a rodeo volunteer in his early 30s. He also has served on the school board, the hospital board and numerous other organizations. “He’s volunteered for so many things all my life,” said Lori Evans, the Boxes’ daughter. “At the rodeo, Dad has sat with us maybe once in all those years. Both my mom and dad are so heavily involved in so many things. Without volunteers, you can’t have a good rodeo. “Part of it is helping your community, but you’re also helping other people. You don’t have what you have without working. I think seeing that, you learn a lot of values, and you can be more appreciative of what you have.” Hugh and Gail Box are just two of numerous volunteers that work tirelessly to produce the most historic event in rodeo. In all, they account for hundreds of man-hours. From finding sponsors that will invest in the rodeo to preparing the arena and stands to selling tickets, each step of the process falls upon those who are willing to donate their time and talents to the community’s biggest event. “It’s such a big deal because it’s the world’s first rodeo,” Hugh Box said. “It’s got a history that every cowboy understands, and every cowboy would like to win a buckle here that says they won Pecos. Most cowboys want to have that under their belt. “Our rodeo is one of the main events that brings people and money into the community. That week is the biggest selling point of the year for most of those stores. The whole town prospers.” That’s a big factor in why so many community-minded people roll up their sleeves throughout the year to plan and prepare for that one week in June. “Pecos has so much going for it,” Box said. “It’s right here off Interstate 20 and not far from Interstate 10. We’re right in the hub of everything, and we’ve got a lot to offer.”

PECOS, Texas – Trav Windham and Morg Livingston were handy cowboys working cattle ranches in west Texas. On July 4, 1883, the two joined other hands from area ranches to see who was the best, and the first rodeo competition took place on land that now houses the courthouse and law enforcement buildings. The celebration continues 130 years later with the annual West of the Pecos Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26-Saturday, June 29, at Buck Jackson Arena. “The cowboys like coming because of the tradition,” said Joe Keese, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “We do lot of things at our rodeo that are to the cowboys’ benefit, and I think they like that.” It’s been that way for better than a century. When the first competition took place, it was supposed to be a match to test the talents of Windham and Livingston. When word spread, other cowboys helped make the world’s first rodeo. “When that day came, there were horses, wagons, people walking – coming from all directions to see what was going to happen,” said a historical tidbit on the rodeo’s website, PecosRodeo.com. “We’re very blessed to be part of the tradition of the West of the Pecos Rodeo,” said Pete Carr, owner of Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic ProRodeo, the firms that will produce the Pecos rodeo. “This is truly one of the great rodeos.” It goes back to that day 13 decades ago, when Windham won steer roping by roping and tying his steer in 22 seconds, according to the historical piece. Livingston later beat Windham in a matched roping, and reports indicated that cowboys by the name of Pate Beard and Jeff Chism walked away with the honors. The West of the Pecos Rodeo has been held annually every summer since 1936 and became sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in the early 1970s. Since then, it has been recognized as one of the best events in ProRodeo and features hundreds of the top cowboys in the land. “Pecos is special to me because it’s the rodeo where I filled my permit,” said Trevor Brazile, a 17-time world champion from Decatur, Texas. “It has every event, which a lot of rodeos don’t have. It was the first rodeo, and they stayed true to so many traditions, from the long scores to the walking fresh cattle – a lot of rodeos don’t do that anymore, but you have to give those calves time to get out, then you have to have keep your horse situated. Most of the horses are used to just going, so it’s really a showcase of those great horses.” Brazile is a walking history of the sport himself. He owns a record 10 all-around gold buckles and has earned world titles in each of the events in which he competes: team roping-heading, tie-down roping and steer roping. He is just the second cowboy in ProRodeo history to have qualified for the National Finals in all four roping disciplines, including a 1998 trip to Las Vegas in team roping-heeling. “It’s a fun rodeo to compete at and a fun rodeo to watch,” Brazile said. “At this rodeo, it’s wild.”

Justin McDaniel left eastern Oklahoma early Thursday afternoon for a leisurely drive to Weatherford, Texas, that should take less than five hours. It wasn’t long before the 2008 world champion bareback rider realized that he was heading in the right direction, but to the wrong rodeo; he wasn’t going to the Parker County … but, instead, was up Thursday night in Coleman, Texas. That’s a two-hour time difference. Instead of a comfortable drive that got him to the arena in plenty of time to relax and prepare to make his ride, McDaniel pushed his James Hodge Ford into the “Cowboy Lane” and tried to turn a seven-hour drive into six. He made it just fine, then spurred Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Black Friday for 87 points to take the early lead in the rodeo. McDaniel is a five-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but he’s got a lot of ground to make up if he’s going to qualify for a sixth time; the Porum, Okla., cowboy is not in the top 50 in the world standings, according to ProRodeo.com. But he’s got the drive (pun intended) to chase the gold buckle again.

I’m quite proud of the PRCA today. A couple of staff members, Julie Jutten and Kent Sturman, were preparing for an annual trek from Colorado Springs, Colo., to Casper, Wyo., to take in the College National Finals Rodeo. They’re doing more than visiting. According to Cindy Schonholtz, she and Jutten visited Wednesday about the pending need for hay in the Colorado Springs area for all the horses that had been evacuated from the wildfires in the area. They were proactive and put a PRCA Trailer to use; they are going to retrieve hay from Wyoming, take it back to Colorado Springs and help feed hundreds of displaced horses. Susan Kanode, the media director for the college finals, jumped on board. She put out news around Casper that anyone wishing to donate could leave hay at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. My hope is that the PRCA trailer won’t be enough to haul all the donated hay and that someone is willing to haul the remaining donations as part of their donation to the cause. As of 11 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, the Black Forest fire has destroyed 360 homes and more than 10,000 acres. Nearly 10,000 people have been forced to flee the area near Colorado Springs.

BIG SPRING, Texas – It takes a lot to put on a high-quality production. Any exposition – whether it’s on Broadway or a community theater; whether it’s the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo or the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo – needs flair and enticement that is a true showcase for audiences. In Big Spring, the organizers of the annual rodeo lean on the talented crew from Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, which will produce the 80th edition of this west Texas gem, set for 8 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, at the Big Spring Rodeo Bowl. “I think the best thing about Pete is his production,” said Ace Berry, chairman of the volunteer rodeo committee. “He does have a really good bucking stock string, really nice broncs and bulls. “I think his production is the main thing. He just puts on a really good rodeo.” Berry is just one chairman who thinks that way. There are several others among the 34 rodeos in 13 states the Carr crew produces. “Pete Carr purchased Classic Pro Rodeo earlier this year, and that makes him the biggest and best stock contractor in rodeo right now,” said Loydd Williams, chairman of the Bridgeport, Texas, rodeo committee. “When you put those two companies together, it’s going to be tough to beat in terms of bucking stock and the overall production of rodeo. “This is not your 1960s stock contractor. This is a great production that fans will love from start to finish. Pete Carr and his crew have made our rodeo better.” While every rodeo performance features a livestock-based competition and has its own challenges, all the behind-the-scenes work is done to make the action in the arena seem flawless. “We try to have the theatrical portion of our show not interfere with the competition side,” said John Gwatney, a production supervisor for the Carr firms. “We try to run a good, fast, clean performance without interfering with the competition. “That’s where we’re different from other rodeo companies. If we’re not ready, the cowboy has to wait. When it comes time for that cowboy to compete, we’ve done everything we can to make that animal ready for that cowboy, so all he has to do is nod his head.” The work has been noticed. “It was the professionalism, the production,” said David Petty, chairman of the Claremore, Okla., rodeo. “It was a well-oiled machine. One of the things small rodeo committees are struggling with is we must have a product to keep people coming back, and Carr Pro Rodeo brings that product that entices people to want to see that show. Once people do see it, the chances of them becoming a regular at the rodeo are higher.” It’s one thing to witness that kind of show; it’s another thing to be part of it. Even the greatest cowboys in the sport like what they see in a Carr-produced rodeo. “I like a good rodeo with good production, because it gets your motor going and you seem to ride better,” said Bradley Harter, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Weatherford, Texas. “It helps when you have a good rodeo with good sound, and you know you’re going to get that at all of Pete Carr’s rodeos.”

CROSBY, Texas – Southeast Texas is home to some of the greatest stars in professional rodeo. That status will grow even stronger during the Crosby Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, at Rock’n C Arena. In addition to the hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls who will take part in the competition, the rodeo also will showcase some of the greatest animal athletes in the game. The rodeo will be produced by Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, two of the elite livestock contractors in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “Pete has such an array of horse now that no matter where he goes, he will have it to where everybody has a chance to win money,” said saddle bronc rider Heith DeMoss, a four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Heflin, La.. “It’s a riding contest instead of a drawing contest, and that’s what Pete’s got in his mind to do. I’m behind him all the way.” Whether they’re champion buckers like Big Tex, Real Deal, Good Time Charlie, River Boat Annie, Wise Guy or Dirty Jacket, Carr animals have been recognized by the cowboys as the very best in rodeo. “I love Pete Carr rodeos, and that’s one of the reasons his name came up first on my list,” said bareback rider Clint Cannon, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from Waller, Texas. “He always brings good horses to rodeos. He runs a good show.” Carr productions feature an electric atmosphere, filled with outstanding bucking horses and bulls. The key is that as owner, Pete Carr does what it takes to get the best livestock in the sport – whether purchasing a seasoned veteran or maintaining a formidable breeding program on the ranch in east Texas. “I’m excited about where we have come and where we are going in regards to our breeding program,” Carr said. “Over the years, I’ve gone out and acquired the best animals I could find because I wanted to produce the best rodeos possible.  Now with the breeding program we able to start working in some of our young up and coming featured animals and pick up some stars along the way. ” The biggest names in the sport have noticed that, too. “For years, a breeding program was just putting a stud out there in the pasture, then bucking all those colts,” Cannon said. “In the old days, it was a numbers game just like the military. You’d send as many as you could to the beach, then you win the war. In rodeo, you buck all your horses and see what bucks best. “Now they’re putting attention to detail. They develop them into athletes.” When Carr colts grow up, they have the genetics and the tender, loving care to become the next generation of superstars. “Pete sure enough has a bunch of great horses,” said bareback rider Will Lowe, a three-time world champion from Canyon, Texas. “You dang sure know you’d better be ready when you get on one of Pete’s horses.”

BIG SPRING, Texas – Bradley Harter rides bucking horses for a living. But there’s much more to his business than lifting on his rein and spurring; he studies horses and rodeos, all the while looking for the best match-ups possible. He knows he must finish at or near the top of the leaderboard if he’s going to make any money. “Whenever I look at the list of rodeos, I make my plan, and I’ll go out of my way as long as I have a chance to draw quality stock,” said Harter, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Weatherford, Texas. “Every chance we get to go to rodeos Pete Carr does, we’re going to do what we can to make it.” Carr owns Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, which will provide the livestock for the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, at the Big Spring Rodeo Bowl. “For every rodeo he does now, it makes it better for everyone,” Harter said. “It multiplies your chances to win money, because you know you’re getting on good horses. It used to be if you entered a rodeo, maybe there were three NFR horses there. That’s not the case at Pete’s rodeos, especially now.” This past spring, Carr acquired Classic Pro Rodeo, a company that was established more than 20 years ago. “I’m combining two of the best crews in rodeo to form one of the greatest rodeo companies,” Carr said. “I’m excited about the new opportunities that are ahead for the company. I want committees to know we have a lot to offer them. We’re going to have unprecedented resources for all the rodeos, which will benefit everyone involved: committees, sponsors, contestants and spectators.” The contestants are seeing the benefit, too. “Since he put two of the best rodeo companies together, that’s the kind of rodeo you want to go to,” Harter said. “When you combine them, they’re the best rodeos you’ll go to all year. I’m going to go where the best rodeos have the best horses for me to get on. It just gives us more of a chance every time we compete.” The Carr firms boast of some of the greatest bucking animals in ProRodeo. Combined, the companies had 31 animals selected to perform at the NFR. “Pete’s got a heck of a string put together,” said Wade Sundell, a four-time NFR qualifier from Boxholm, Iowa. “There are not a lot of people that can match him anymore.” Sundell won the $50,000 round at RodeoHouston in March with a 90-point ride on the Pete Carr’s Classic horse Big Tex. In May, he won the Will Rogers Stampede in Claremore, Okla., with, scoring 83 on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Social Call. “It’s awesome when you have a good horse underneath you, because you know something good is going to happen,” he said. That’s what Carr will bring to Big Spring, and that’s why the biggest names in the sport will be part of the Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo.

CROSBY, Texas – The last time a Carr bucking horse performed in this part of Texas, Big Tex matched moves with Wade Sundell for 90 points to win RodeoHouston, just 30 miles southwest at Reliant Stadium. That kind of greatness returns to the metro area for the Crosby Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, at Rock’n C Arena. The rodeo will be produced by Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, two of the top livestock contractors in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “That’s one of the coolest horses to have for $50,000,” said Sundell, a four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Boxholm, Iowa. “He’s just so big, and he’s showy.” That’s also an adequate description of the Carr firms since Pete Carr purchased Classic this past spring. By combining two top-tier companies, Carr has made moves that are changing the face of ProRodeo. “Pete’s got a heck of a string put together,” Sundell said. “There are not a lot of people that can match him anymore.” A major ingredient in the Carr program is the production of a rodeo, in which Carr and his crew work hard to put on the best show possible for fans while trying to put on the premier competition for contestants. “I’m combining two of the best crews in rodeo to form one of the greatest rodeo companies,” Carr said. “I’m excited about the new opportunities that are ahead for the company. I want committees to know we have a lot to offer them. We’re going to have unprecedented resources for all the rodeos, which will benefit everyone involved: committees, sponsors, contestants and spectators.” That attention to detail is a big part of the changing tide in ProRodeo. “Pete Carr is one of the premier stock contractors in the world,” said saddle bronc rider Heith DeMoss, a four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Heflin, La. “Pete taking it another step further is amazing to me. It’s just going to make it better for everybody.” “Pete has such an array of horse now that no matter where he goes, he will have it to where everybody has a chance to win money. It’s a riding contest instead of a drawing contest, and that’s what Pete’s got in his mind to do. I’m behind him all the way.” DeMoss won the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo on Pete Carr’s Classic’s Spur Strap, so he knows the kind of horse power it takes to be successful. He’s not the only bronc rider who touts the athletic animals now owned by Pete Carr. “It’s awesome when you have a good horse underneath you, because you know something good is going to happen,” Sundell said. This is about giving spectators with the best entertainment value while serving the committees with elite performances and providing contestants with the best opportunities.

PECOS, Texas – There are numerous things that define an athlete. From muscularity to the ability to perform maneuvers deemed magical, athletes come in a variety of forms. Take Dirty Jacket. He’s 9 years old, and his muscles twitch with anticipation. In an instant, he can pivot 45 degrees and leap two feet into the air. “There’s not another one like that horse,” said bareback rider Jared Keylon, a 2012 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Uniontown, Kan. “Just the sheer ability to stand flat-footed and jump that high in the air is incredible. Just his athleticism alone is so impressive.” The Carr Pro Rodeo bronc will be part of an exciting field of awesome athletes that will perform at the West of the Pecos Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26-Saturday, June 29, at Buck Jackson Arena. Keylon experienced Dirty Jacket’s force during the final round at the 2013 Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, where he matched moves with the big bay gelding for 87 points to share the final-round win with four-time world champion Bobby Mote of Culver, Ore. “That horse is as good an athlete as any cowboy going down the road,” Keylon said. “When I nodded my head, it felt like we leaped 10 feet off the ground. “That was the coolest horse to mark out in the world, because he shoots straight up. The way he’s built, he almost cradles you, almost saddles you up under the rigging. He almost spurs himself with the way he bucks. It was awesome.” Keylon isn’t the only man who feels that way. Dirty Jacket has bucked four straight years at the NFR, ProRodeo’s grand finale. In 2012, he was runner-up to the reserve world champion bareback horse and was recognized as the Texas Circuit’s Bareback Horse of the Year. So far in 2013, he guided two other NFR qualifiers – Ryan Gray of Chaney, Ore., and J.R. Vezain of Cowley, Wyo. – to titles. Gray shared the final-round win in Fort Worth, Texas, with an 88-point ride, while Vezain posted an 88 to win the championship in San Antonio. “I had always wanted to get on him, but I seemed to draw around him a lot of times,” Gray said, explaining the random draw that matches cowboys vs. livestock in rodeo. “I was pretty tickled to have him, especially in the short round at Fort Worth. “He’s electric and explosive. He’s pretty rider-friendly, but he’s also fast and electric at the same time. He’s a pretty impressive horse. He’s just gotten stronger, which makes him even better now.” Strong and athletic is exactly what bareback riders want in their dance partners. Vezain earned more than $17,000 in San Antonio, 64 percent of which came on the back of Dirty Jacket. He had a great big rare out of the chute,” said Vezain, the 2012 Canadian Rodeo Cowboys association bareback riding champion. “He sent my feet, and everything got rolling from there. That is on the list of the top five bareback rides I have ever made. “I knew I had a chance to be 90 points, and that’s the best feeling going into the short round. That was a true blessing to have that big bucking horse in the short round.”

WEATHERFORD, Texas – It is one thing to do what your momma tells you. It’s quite another when she dares you. Enter Andy Stewart, a professional rodeo announcer for nearly two decades. He began calling rodeos, imitating announcers of the day long before he purchased his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association card in 1995. “When we were home watching videos of our team roping or rodeo videos, I would imitate the announcers,” said Stewart, of Collinston, La. “When my brother and I would rope the dummy, I’d announce it. “On a dare from my mother, I started doing some small play days and horse events. I didn’t know what I was doing, but apparently I had the gift of gab.” It’s a gift he shares with others 43 weeks a year all across this land, calling rodeos and bull-riding events. This year he returns to Weatherford for the Parker County Frontier Days and PRCA Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, June 12-Saturday, June 15, at the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Arena. “This is a cowboy’s rodeo,” said Stewart, who began working in Weatherford a dozen years ago handling the sound production; this year will be his eighth straight announcing the rodeo. “It’s a great facility, and it gets great crowds. All the animals buck good there, and the rodeo just has a lot of nostalgia. “The committee’s very Western-oriented, and the people there love a good rodeo. It draws top-name players from all over the country. We have four performances that are just outstanding.” So is Stewart. He’s been nominated for Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Announcer of the Year each of the last three seasons. He’s one of the most sought-after play-callers in the game. “I’m probably as big a rodeo fan as there is in the world,” Stewart said. “I enjoy the camaraderie of the cowboys, the lifestyle. Rodeo is a true a sport there is. There are not big contracts. These guys are doing what they do because they love it, and they’re not guaranteed a dime to do it.” He spent much of his year either traveling or living away from home, but he’s chasing his dreams. There’s a blessing, he said, in being able to make a good living doing something one loves. “I do this because of the people and the lifestyle,” he said. “You’re not going to find a better bunch of people. I have so many friends and extended family all over the country because of rodeo. “The people are what make rodeo so special. Rodeo offers me the opportunity to go to a lot of places I don’t normally go and see a lot of things I don’t normally see.” In Weatherford, he will experience one of the top rodeos in the land produced by the top livestock producers in the game, Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo and Carr Pro Rodeo. “Having a good production at a rodeo is probably the most important factor, and it’s nice to know that when you work with a company that’s professional, their main goal is to produce a high quality rodeo,” Stewart said. “It makes my job easier, and it’s a lot of fun to be involved with that.”