Monthly Archives: October 2013

Pawhuska, Okla. In his career, Chet Herren has accomplished quite a bit. He’s won dozens of championships and has now qualified for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping eight times since joining the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2001. The first time he qualified, he won the 2002 average championship, and he has finished as high as fifth in the final world standings – that coming in 2011 when he won the sixth and seventh go-rounds inside this majestic arena. He’s never finished with a World Champion’s gold buckle, though he’s in prime position to do that weekend. Heading into the NFSR, Herren has earned $55,560, a few dollars behind his best season ever, which was $55,937 in 2011. He needs a solid showing over the two days of competition, but he’s done the work through the regular season to himself a shot. That’s all he can ask for.

The final leg of the inaugural year of the Wrangler Champions Challenge has been stalled. Heavy rains in Winnie, Texas, have stopped the event scheduled for Thursday night, along with the Winnie PRCA Rodeo scheduled for Friday and Saturday, according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Both events will be rescheduled, though no future dates have been confirmed. This Champions Challenge is one of four scheduled for the 2013 calendar year, and just like the one in Kissimmee, Fla., on Oct. 5, money earned was to count toward the 2014 regular season world standings. The first two Champions Challenge events – at Redding, Calif., in May and at Amarillo, Texas, in September – did not count toward the 2013 world standings. Nonetheless, organizers quickly realized Nutty Jerry’s new outdoor arena would not be in working condition for this week’s competition. Justin Rumford, who was scheduled to be the clown in Winnie, posted a Facebook video Thursday morning showing the amount of rain; the video reveals the dangerous conditions that were facing contestants and that forecasters were calling for a flash flood warning until 5 p.m. Central, Rumford said. The decision to cancel/postpone such an event is not an easy one, but it looks to be the wise one.

Since 1998, Wise Guy has been a fixture at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The great horse will buck for the last time inside the Thomas & Mack Center and will retire back to his rightful home in east Texas on a pasture just outside Waskom. “We get to retire him at the NFR, then he’s going to live on the ranch until he dies,” said Lovelace, who purchased the horse as a colt. Now he’s all grown and has been one of the most decorated bucking horses in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo bronc has drawn grand acclaim over the course of his storied career, and those kudos come from the cowboys that have ridden him. He was selected as the Reserve World Champion Bareback Horse, the top bareback horse at the NFR and has been named the Texas Circuit Bareback Horse of the Year. At the NFR alone, cowboys have won more than $200,000 on the bay, now in his early 20s. Seven times he’s led cowboys to go-round victories in Las Vegas, most recently in 2011 when four-time world champion Bobby Mote posted an 87-point ride to win the sixth round. It’s because of that legacy that Wise Guy has been selected as one of the top 100 horses that will be in Las Vegas for those marvelous 10 days in December. “We’re doing it for that horse,” said Heath Ford, a three-time NFR qualifier who serves as the bareback riding representative in the PRCA. “We all decided that the horse deserved to buck one more time at the Thomas & Mack, and that every guy still thinks they can win the round on him. That’s why he’s going.” That’s a brilliant message the cowboys are sending to one of the top horses in the game. Those who have ridden the great gelding over the years realize there always has been something special about Wise Guy. “He was a known horse when I came around,” said Will Lowe, a three-time world champion bareback rider from Canyon, Texas. “I really loved that horse. I made my first short round at San Antonio, and I had him in the short round. That dang sure paid some bills for us, especially since I was a college kid. “I’ve always loved that horse. I’ve drawn him quite a few times, and I’ve won money almost every time. He got my career started, and he’s been solid every year.” And he’s been a standout inside the Thomas & Mack Center. Lowe’s traveling partner, Wes Stevenson, has been the most profitable on Wise Guy in Las Vegas, earning wins both times he’s been matched with him: They were 89 points to win the first round in 2006, then 88.5 to win the sixth round in 2010. With those two rides alone, Stevenson earned $33,534. Wise Guy has bucked two times nearly every year he’s performed at the NFR, and he’s been in the money more often than not. In fact, of the 27 times he’s bucked in Vegas, cowboys found the pay window 20 times. His best years came in 2004 and 2006, when he led cowboys to the round wins both times he bucked – in 2004, Kelly Timberman (the eventual world champion) was 87 points to win the first round, while Cimarron Gerke was 90.5 to win the sixth round; in 2006, Stevenson won the opening round, while Royce Ford was 87.5 to win the sixth. That’s pretty good for a horse that was acquired as a colt in a herd of 18 horses, purchased by Lovelace, Gerald Smith and Sammy Andrews. Each person got six horses out of the load. “We basically gate-cut them, and the good Lord grabbed my hand and said, ‘This one’s for you,’ ” Lovelace said. “The first time I bucked him, I could tell there was some potential there. We bucked him the next summer a little bit, and you could see Wise Guy was starting to be something special.” That magical move worked out well for the cowboys that ride bucking horses for a living. “That horse was just special because he bucked all the time,” said Lan LaJunesse, a two-time world champion bareback rider from Morgan, Utah. “He was something that not everybody could ride, but anybody who could ride him could win first on him. He was just that kind of a horse. He could throw some guys off, and he could raise hell with some guys. “For the most part, if the top hands drew him, they won money on him. I had to have won $25,000-plus on that horse. I had to have had him four or five times. That horse was big time.” He still is, which reflects the care he receives in east Texas. “I always put him in places where he had good guys getting on him,” said Lovelace, who rode bareback horses before getting into the stock contracting game. “He’s not real big – about 1,100 pounds – but he needs good guys to ride him. If you ride square, he’ll give you his all. “He’s not a strong horse, but a timing horse. He leaps way in the air with a late kick. They tell me that he really drops out of the air.” Since half the score in a ride comes from the horse, it’s important for cowboys to get on something they know will give them the opportunity to win money. “The first time I saw that horse, Bruce Ford had him at Houston and won a round on him,” three-time NFR qualifier Kelly Wardell said of Ford, a five-time world champion bareback rider. “That was the last year Bruce went to the finals, so Wise Guy’s been around a long time. “If he had a bad trip, you could still count on him to do well at the finals. If he had 10 bad trips in a year, once he got to Vegas, he was  Continue Reading »

Gatesville, Texas Cody Lee knows just how tough the competition is at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. Last November, the Texas cowboy walked into the Lazy E the No. 1 cowboy. He left after two days of competition fourth in the final world standings, having earned just $4,654 in the 10-round event. As frustrating as those experiences are, they also are wonderful learning tools. Now Lee has a hunger for that gold buckle like never before. As proof, just take a look at his place in the world standings. He sits third with $54,593 pocketed during the 12-month season that began in October 2012. He won titles in the Texas communities of Hempstead and Rosenberg the first weekend of the 2013 season, the followed that with championships in Clovis, N.M.; Billings, Mont.; Corpus Christi, Texas; Odessa, Texas; and Dalhart, Texas. If that fickle mistress, redemption, has any say, look for Lee to make a major move inside the Lazy E. He’s due.

ALLEN, Texas – For Pete Carr, there’s a special place in his heart for the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede. It boasts of a tradition of excellence and grand entertainment. Most importantly, it serves as a means to raise money for children in north Texas. That’s why Carr is intimately involved with the event, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, and noon and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Allen Events Center. “I wanted to be involved in this because north Texas is home to me and our companies, and I’m passionate about the mission giving back to the kids,” said Carr, owner of Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo and Carr Pro Rodeo, which, combined, makes up the largest stock contracting firm in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “We’ve been involved in the Texas Stampede for a long time as a livestock firm, but this charity is close to my heart and means a lot to me. I was honored when they ask me to serve on the executive board of directors.” Funds raised at the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede go to several entities, like Camp John Marc, which boasts of Special Camps for Special Kids, serving children with chronic illnesses and major physical disabilities and the families of those children; and ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship, which provides adults and children with disabilities the opportunity to move beyond their boundaries through the healing power of the horse. Those are just two of many organizations touched by the folks who attend the stampede. “Along with our rodeo, we’re really getting back to our mission,” said Zandy Carnes, the stampede’s executive director. “Not only are we providing an event that’s going to entertain the crowd with the performance and the high caliber of contestants, but it also brings back the focus of why we do this, and that’s the kids. “We’re spreading out to the various children’s charities that encompass a wide group of people.” For Carnes and others associated with the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede, it’s important that Carr is so involved. “I feel we needed somebody who has rodeo in his background, not only someone who is a businessman,” she said. “Pete encompasses all of those qualities. He comes in here with the experience in knowing the industry. “He brings an element into it that some people haven’t. He’s savvy about getting the word out.” It helps, too, that Carr’s name as a stock contractor is quite appealing to the cowboys who make their living riding bucking beasts. “I like a good rodeo with good production, because it gets your motor going and you seem to ride better,” said Bradley Harter, an eight-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.” That’s one reason why Carr will be in Allen for the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede. His passion for helping kids is another.

Andrews, Texas Vin Fisher is a roping machine from a roping family. Now a 10-time qualifier to the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, the West Texas cowboy again is within reach of the coveted, yet elusive, World Championship. Fisher, who is joined in the field by his father, Dan, and little brother, J. Tom, is fifth in the world standings. Yet, he knows the truth: Vin needs an outstanding NFSR if he’s going to walk away from the Lazy E with the gold buckle. Since his first qualification in 2002, Vin Fisher has missed the finale just twice in his career. That’s just further proof of his excellence in the arena. Fisher has quite a history of excellence, too. Over the course of his 13-year career, he has laid claim to titles at some of the most prestigious and historic rodeos in the land. Now he’d like to run the gamut over the two-day championship. He’d like numerous round wins and an average championship, which will give him a good shot at the gold buckle. Now you get to watch him chase that dream.

  PLAYGUN FINISHES ABBI FUTURITY SEASON AS NO. 4 IN THE WORLD Before Cord McCoy ever bucked calf with brand No. 117, he knew there was something special about the young white bull. “You could just see it in him,” said McCoy, who runs the operation with his wife, Sara. “His sire is Rip Cord, the top producer of our herd. His momma is also a great producer, so we’re really excited for him.” This past week while at the American Bucking Bull Inc. World Finals in Las Vegas, in conjunction with the Professional Bull Riders World finals, 2-year-old Playgun finished No. 4 in the final world standings. “He finished second in the first round of the futurity with an 89.5,” McCoy said. “He was the only bull that could knock down the No. 1 bull in the world. I’m pretty pleased with how well he’s done this year.” There is a lot to be proud of for the family. The bull was just a year old when McCoy visited Pieper Ranch in Marietta, Okla., for an episode of his show, “The Ride with Cord McCoy,” which airs at noon and 10 p.m. Mondays on RDF-TV. It was during the filming that McCoy visited with Dick Pieper about honoring the Pieper’s renowned horse, Playgun, a 22-year-old gray stallion that has earned more than $185,000 in competition and whose offspring have earned more than $8 million. “I’d always known about the horse Playgun, so I asked Dick if I could name a bull to honor his Playgun,” McCoy said. It has worked out well. “I thought it was quite an honor,” Pieper said. “Cord’s a very good friend of mine, and he knows the bucking bull business, so if he wanted to name one after Playgun, then I knew that bull must be pretty good. “As time went on, Cord kept me informed every time they bucked him and what a nice bull he was. He kept me informed all the time they were in Vegas on how he was doing. I felt like I was involved in the thing.” Like the original Playgun, the calf is quite athletic, and the color of his coat is nice tie-in to the stud. “He’s very quiet, and he’s kind of a people horse,” Pieper said. “He enjoys being around people. He’s not like a lot of studs that want to bit you or kick you like a lot of studs. That’s the kind of yours you should be breeding, because those traits are inherited like athletic ability.” McCoy’s Playgun proved his athleticism in Las Vegas for the world to see. He will be part of the McCoy Ranch’s 2013 Production Sale, which takes place Tuesday, Oct. 29-Wednesday, Oct. 30, on The Breeders Connection. In fact, Playgun will be Lot 17, which will be up for sale Wednesday. The bull is one of numerous great animals that will be part of the online sale. “This will be my second year that I’ve done Cord’s sale,” said Nate Morrison, who runs The Breeders Connection. “He’s got three lots that really stand out to me, with one being a pregnant recip calf that has a bull calf inside her that is sired by Shepherd Hills Tested, the PRCA’s Bull of the Year and the PBR’s Reserve World Champion Bull of the Year. “The mother to that calf is Playgun’s mother. We also have a pregnant recip cow that has a bull sired by Asteroid, which was the 2012 PBR Bull of the Year.” The preview show aired as the Oct. 28 episode of “The Ride,” which showed what is available during the two-day sale. For more information, anyone interested can view HERE. “I’m really excited about it because Cord has been so outstanding at spreading the word,” Morrison said. “I wish all my cosigners could promote it like Cord does.” Of course, it helps that McCoy has so much that is available.  Whether it’s a calf with world champion genetics still growing in a womb or a 2-year-old phenom like Playgun, McCoy knows there are plenty of lots that are attractive to potential buyers. “Playgun definitely shocked the world,” McCoy said of the bull’s performance in Las Vegas last week. “To see a bull spin that fast and jump that high just shows he’s an amazing athlete.”

Andrews, Texas It’s been three years since J. Tom Fisher backed into the roping box at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Rodeo. We’re glad he’s back. And just like that magical two days in November 2010, he returns to this arena with his father, Dan, and older brother, Vin Jr. This season, though, he’s well ahead of the game, entering the championship No. 6 in the world standings with $44,028 in 2013 earnings. That’s solid, but so is this: not only is he roping with his family, but all are in the top 10. J. Tom earned his way with four rodeo titles, winning in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho; Weatherford, Texas; Coleman, Texas; and Ponca City, Okla. Those victories helped him secure his place here. That’s a great thing, considering he’s been on the verge each of the past two seasons: Fisher finished 17th in 2011 and 22nd a season ago. Now J. Tom Fisher is in his rightful place. Expect him to be back for years to come.

Andrews, Texas This isn’t JoJo LeMond’s first shot at competing in a championship at the Lazy E Arena. No, LeMond has become a regular at the annual Timed Event Championship, and he’s proven to be quite handy in the five disciplines that make up the competition. A three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier in team roping-heading, LeMond has taken to steer roping quite well, earning his first qualification to the Clem McSpadden National Finals Rodeo. He got a big start in February by sharing the event championship in San Antonio; the followed that with a win in Fort Smith, Ark. While those victories added up to about $19,000 of his earnings, he secured his spot in this weekend’s field by catching plenty of checks along the way. In fact, most of his earnings came at rodeos he didn’t win, which explains why he’s ranked among the top 10 in the game. This may be the first NFSR qualification for LeMond, but it’d be a good bet that 2013 isn’t his last.

DALLAS – When the golden gates open during the 10 rounds at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the chances are pretty good the animal bursting out of the chutes will have a Carr brand on them. Dallas-based stock contractor Pete Carr, owner of Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, will feature 27 animals at the 2013 NFR, a distinction selected by the cowboys that will ride them inside the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The top 15 bareback riders, saddle bronc riders and bull riders selected the 300 best animals to perform with them, and they have named Carr animals as the cream of the crop. No company has taken that many bucking animals to the NFR in the modern era of rodeo. With almost 90 producers in North America, the Carr firms have the most and nearly 10 percent of the livestock at the NFR. “For any one stock contractor to take almost 10 percent of the stock to the NFR is incredible,” Rorey Lemmel said. “In today’s age, that’s unheard of. The funny thing is that he’s got a lot more great animals that aren’t going that could go. “The great thing about Pete is that he keeps reinvesting in the company, which works out for everybody. It helps out the cowboys the most, then that’s passed down to the committees; I think the real winners are the fans, because you get to see the National Finals cowboy come to your rodeo to get on that kind of stock.” Carr has been nominated as the 2013 Stock Contractor of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which recognizes the best in the business during the annual awards ceremony that will take place Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Las Vegas, the night before the start of the NFR. When the action commences that Thursday night, the work begins in earnest for the top animals in the game. “We’ve had a phenomenal year, and it means a lot to me that we’ve got so many animals that have been selected to the NFR,” Carr said. “We work really hard all year to produce the rodeos and feature the stock that will draw the top cowboys, so it’s great that they want to get on these horses and bulls when they get to the finals.” Carr will have 12 bareback horses, five saddle broncs and 10 bulls, which is proof of the all-around talent that spends most of its time on lush grassland on Carr’s ranch near Athens, Texas. “It shows you Pete is somebody that puts a lot of work into getting the best horses around,” said Heath Ford, the bareback riding representative in the PRCA. “They’ve not only got the best horses, but they put them out there for us to see. He still has a lot of great horses that weren’t selected this year, but if you care about it, you know you’re going to continue to build that program. “We all know Pete is going to continue to build that. We all have a lot of respect for him.” Over the last few weeks, Ford has worked with the other top bareback riders to select the 100 horses for the NFR, and no other stock contractor in the game has more bareback horses or bulls than Carr. “Pete has put together a good set of bulls,” said J.W. Harris, the No. 1 bull rider in the world standings and a three-time world champion from Mullin, Texas. “I think he wants to show that he’s got great bulls to go with his great horses. “You know when you go to his rodeo’s you’re going to get on a good one. I like going to Pete’s rodeos because he’s got good people who work for him, but having all those good animals sure makes it easier for us to go to. Pete Carr’s come a long ways in just a few years.” Yes, he has, acquiring Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo earlier this year. That, combined with Carr Pro Rodeo, makes Carr the largest stock contractor in the PRCA. At this year’s NFR, he will have more stock than any other contractor that will be at ProRodeo’s grand finale. “When you’re talking about people like Pete Carr, there’s no way they are getting as much back out of it as they put into it,” Lemmel said. “They’re truly trying to make the sport that much better.” As a cowboy, Lemmel knows. He’s been around rodeo all his life, and he has witnessed many of the greatest pieces of the game’s history. “When you look at the fact that there are around 80 stock contractors and one firm is taking that many head to the National Finals, it is pretty dang impressive,” he said. “Ultimately, a cowboy’s window is so small that they have to be greedy. They have to take the best livestock to the National Finals. They might make the NFR once or twice, maybe five times, but it’s very rare to have a guy like Billy Etbauer and Tommy Reeves that have gone 20 times. “They want the chance to get on the best livestock at the NFR and make the most out of that opportunity. That’s why the cream rises to the top.” Now the NFR will feature ProRodeo’s cream of the crop, which includes 27 Carr bucking beasts. They’ll help electrify the City of Lights.

Fredricksburg, Texas You didn’t see Scott Snedecor compete at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping last November. He missed the finale for the first in 11 years, finishing the regular season 18th in the world standings; 2012 was just one of those years for the two-time World Champion. He’s been on a mission the entire 2013 campaign, and he’s back in his rightful place among the qualifiers for this amazing championship. How has he done it? Mostly, Snedecor has picked up checks all along the way. He has just three rodeo championships this season – though one of those was at the prestigious Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up, where he pocketed nearly $8,400; he also added victories in Silver City, N.M., and San Angelo, Texas. Snedecor knows what it takes to persevere. When he won the World Title for the first time, he did so by beating “The Legend” Guy Allen by just $1.67. He’ll need to have a solid performance over the two days of competition inside this arena, but he’s up for a task. He’s a champion, after all.

The opportunity to compete for his share of the $2 million purse in The American always has been a no-brainer for two-time world champion bull rider Justin McBride. “As soon as Randy (Bernard) said he was doing it, I thought, ‘I’m going to go win the bull riding,’ ” McBride said Thursday morning from Las Vegas, where he is working as a television analyst for the Professional Bull Riders World Finals, the same arena in which he won his two gold buckles. “You can’t dangle that carrot in front of face and not expect me to go for it.” No, you can’t. The American, scheduled for March 2 in Arlington, Texas, will feature a $2 million purse, the largest one-day rodeo in the sport’s history. It is being organized by Rural Media Group, which owns RFD-TV; Bernard, the former PBR chief executive, is the president and CEO of Rural Media Group. “I don’t think returning is going to be a big deal,” said McBride, who retired from bull riding five years go. “This is nothing like bareback riding. The bareback riding is something that I was never an elite guy in the world. It was something I wanted to try. The bull riding … it’s something I knew I could do.” McBride competed last weekend in bareback riding in Salina, Kan., during The American qualifier on Saturday morning and during the Professional Roughstock Series’ Midwest Classic that evening. It was his first competitive ride on a bucking horse in 15 years. Though the bull riding exemption means McBride is definitely in The American field, he still plans to try his hand in bareback riding, meaning he will have to work his way there through qualifiers and hope to be one of the five cowboys to come out of the semifinals with the opportunity to ride inside AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. “I think I’m going to try to go to the last two qualifiers,” McBride said Thursday. I’m going to work at it some more and get on more practice horses. I’m going to work with Steven (Dent) more. I got a call from (2004 world champion) Kelly Timberman, who watched film of my ride. He said he saw some little bitty things he can help me with that will really help me out a lot. “The really cool thing in bareback riding is the support I’ve gotten from the really good guys.” Timberman qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo seven times in his career, and Dent – who lives near McBride in the Nebraska Sandhills – is heading to the NFR for the sixth time. McBride plans to utilize any assistance he can muster as he lives out another dream. “I don’t feel like I’ve got bareback riding out of my system,” he said. “I want to get on some more. I’m going to do it in the practice pen first. I went last weekend to see how I stacked up in the event. “Bareback riding is something I wanted to do and still want to do. I didn’t realize how much fun it was for me until I did it.” And in true cowboy fashion, McBride plans to give it his best effort. He knows there will be much work involved, but he’s ready for the challenge.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Whatever history there is to tell about the American Royal, a Dillingham surely can tell it. “As a family, when it pertains to the American Royal, we’ve been involved in it for generations,” said Bill Dillingham, now part of the fourth generation of his family to participate in the charitable organization, joining his brother, Allen Edwards Dillingham, who serves on the Royal board. “My father helped write the history book for the American Royal, so he’s a great historian of the Royal.” The book showcases the first century, from 1899-1999, and Dillingham’s great-grandfather, Allen M. Thompson, as the first president of the incorporated American Royal. So history definitely is on Dillingham’s side. “My great-grandfather was one of four gentlemen who put together the American Royal horse and livestock show,” he said. “Then my grandfather, years later, was president of the Kansas City Stockyards for 30 years. As a result, for many years, the stockyards also helped run the Royal. He, too, was president of the Royal.” Now Dillingham is carrying on a family tradition, and it comes on both sides of his family. Roy Edwards, his mother’s uncle, also served as the Royal’s president. “This not only is a big part of our family, but also it’s important because anything you do is for the city of Kansas City,” Bill Dillingham said. “The American Royal is Kansas City’s history. Agriculture and livestock … those are the things that really put Kansas City on the map.” How important is it? Dillingham holds his family’s legacy for many reasons. He is the chairman of the American Royal Youth Horse Show, while his wife, Keri, also volunteers much of her time. It’s something they have seen from Bill’s parents, John and Nancy Dillingham, who were recently recognized by the organization with the Lifetime Achievement Award; Nancy Dillingham just celebrated her 50th year as a BOTAR and has served as that auxiliary’s past president. Though he has never served as president, John Dillingham has handled numerous roles within the association, from serving as a governor, director, volunteer and chair of the American Royal’s history committee. That served as a powerful foundation for his son. “I’ve always had a liking to the agriculture side, but I was never involved in it to an extent,” Bill Dillingham said. “I wasn’t involved in 4H or FFA, but I had the opportunity to own some horses. It would be neat to see my kids show someday. “I’ve also had the opportunity to work with a lot of good people that volunteer their time to really make the show first-class. When you take Kim Rowley, Ruth Charpie, Carol Petrus and Royal staff member Allyssa King, you can see that none of this would be possible without them. They truly run the show, and I’m very fortunate to work alongside them.” He just concluded his sixth Youth Horse Show as the committee chairman, but he’s been whole-heartedly involved in Royal activities for about a decade. “I just started volunteering when we could on various things,” he said, noting that he’s found a niche with the Youth Horse Show. “I started to take it on as my baby. It’s just trial and error every year. I’m always trying to learn new things, because I’ve never shown before. Each year, I’m just trying to tweak a few things, trying to accommodate the exhibitor. “To me, it’s fun being around the animals. I love being around the kids and seeing them work so hard for what they get.” Those youngsters develop a passion that, in all likelihood, will carry them through the ranks of showing. Maybe they’ll want to try their hands at cutting, which will have its show Nov. 6-8. Maybe they’ll return to take in the pageantry of the UPHA American Royal National Championship, which occurs Nov. 12-16. “The West Bottoms is a big part of our history in Kansas City, and the American Royal does so much for our community,” he said. “I’m fortunate that I have the opportunity to volunteer for an organization that gives back to the community like the Royal does. It means a lot to me to be involved.” No matter what, if the exhibitors have the same passion for showing that Bill Dillingham has for serving his community and the American Royal, they’ll find plenty of success.

Justin McBride has figured out a way to play his game at The American, the richest one-day rodeo in the world scheduled for March 2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. McBride, the two-time world champion on the Professional Bull Riders tour, has accepted the exemption to be in the bull riding field at The American. “The American gives me the opportunity to compete for $2 million against the best guys in the sport,” he said in release issued Wednesday. “It’s just a one day event, so I can continue to spend time with my family and work on my music career while returning to the arena to experience the thrill of competing.” McBride experienced the competitive thrill last weekend while riding bulls at the first qualifier for The American, which took place in conjunction with the Professional Roughstock Series’ Midwest Classic in Salina, Kan. He also was in the 15-man field for the Midwest Classic. McBride scored a pair of 71s on his two rides last Saturday. Maybe that’s why he’s decided to stick to bull riding. Though he’s just 34 years old, he hadn’t been on a bareback horse in competition since 1998. That’s 15 years between rides with the rigging. Still, with a bull rope, McBride will be a powerful force inside the stadium that serves as home to the Dallas Cowboys. “For me, Justin’s return to bull riding is another element that makes The American a must-see event,” Ty Murray, a rodeo legend and PBR co-founder, said in the release. “This is a legend that retired in his prime, and I’m not going to miss the chance to see how much gas he has left in the tank.” McBride is the second cowboy to accept the exemption, joining saddle bronc riding world champion Dan Mortensen; the biggest difference between the two is Mortensen owns seven gold buckles but is 10 years older. “When Justin retired, he was the best bull rider in the PBR,” said Cody Lambert, another PBR co-founder. “I really think he has a legitimate chance to win it.” I don’t know whether McBride will continue to try to qualify for The American in bareback riding, and I haven’t been afforded the opportunity to find out from him. I hope he does. I think his attempt at chasing that elusive qualification is great for rodeo, and I’d love to see him continue to take that challenge head-on. For now, though, I wish him the best as he prepares for his comeback to bull riding. It should be fun to watch.

DALLAS – No other horse has had a better win record in 2013 than Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket. In 10 trips this past season, the 9-year-old bay gelding led bareback riders to at least a share of the go-round victory nine times. Bareback riders realize he’s one of the greatest animals in their discipline, which is why he was voted as the Reserve World Champion Bareback Horse in the 2013 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association season. “He’s the perfect bucking horse, because he loves what he does and he’s excited when it’s time to buck,” said Pete Carr, owner of Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo. “He ready when he gets to the chute, and he stands there until the gate opens; then he has a big leap in the air and bucks hard every time. “When the whistle blows, he lines out with the pickup man and allows the guys to get off without any problem. He’s the kind of horse all the bareback riders want to draw, because they know that as long as they don’t stub their toe, they’re going to win.” How good was Dirty Jacket? In 2012, he was the runner-up Reserve World Champion, recognized as one of the top three bareback horses in the sport. He’s moved up one spot this year, and there’s a good reason for it. Ryan Gray shared the final-round win in Fort Worth, as did Jared Keylon in the championship round at the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo; J.R. Vezain won the title in San Antonio, then Bill Tutor claimed the championship on him in Claremore, Okla. In Pecos, Texas, rookie Taylor Price rode Dirty Jacket for the win, and a week later, George Gillispie won the title in Window Rock, Ariz. In mid-July, Gillespie followed that with sharing the championship in Eagle, Colo. A few weeks later, Jessy Davis matched moves with the big bay to win in Lovington, N.M., then Tutor posted another winning ride the final weekend of the season in Stephenville, Texas. “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.” “That horse is as good an athlete as any cowboy going down the road. 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.” There are many cowboys who feel that way. “He’s electric and explosive,” Gray said. “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.”

SALINA, Kan. – Steven Dent loves riding bucking horses. It’s how he makes a living. It’s how he’s qualified five times for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It’s how he won $5,690 on Saturday in Salina, the bulk of which came from his bareback riding win during the Professional Roughstock Series’ Midwest Classic inside the Bicentennial Center. But Dent took his love affair with bucking horses a little further than most. While competing Saturday morning in The American qualifier, then again that night in the Midwest Classic, the Mullen, Neb., cowboy mounted seven animals between bareback riding and saddle bronc riding. The most any other cowboy tried that day was three, so Dent was an over-achiever. Dent’s horse was on Burch Rodeo’s Beggin Strips, which, apparently, wasn’t interested in performing that morning. The result was the judges’ ruling Dent deserved a re-ride, and he made the most of it with an 86-point marking on New Frontier’s Long Pine. That earned him 86 points and the first-place $900 check. More importantly, as one of the top five cowboys in the bareback riding qualifier, he advanced to the semifinals for The American, the richest one-day rodeo in the world that will take place March 2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Dent, Erik Wolford, Josi Young, Caleb Bennett and Casey Breuer will advance to the semifinals round in Mesquite, Texas. From there, five will then qualify for The American, where a qualifier can earn a $1 million payday by winning his/her respective event. Better yet is that later Saturday morning, Dent rode New Frontier’s Satin Sheets for 84.5 points to win saddle bronc riding, advancing to The American semifinals with Cody DeMoss, Tyrel Larsen, Dylan Henson and Luke Butterfield. During the Midwest Classic, Dent rodeo Frontier Rodeo’s Showdown for 87 points to win the first go-round. In the final round, Frontier’s Crossfire didn’t have the kind of trip Dent needed; he earned another re-ride, and his 89 on Frontier’s Short Night earned Dent another bareback riding championship. In all, he rode five bareback horses, received two re-rides and won three go-rounds and the average title. In the Midwest Classic’s bronc riding, Dent mustered a 74 on Frontier’s Two Bucks in the first round and failed to advance to the championship round, where cousins Cole and J.J. Elshere finished atop the leaderboard. J.J. Elshere, a four-time NFR qualifier from Hereford, S.D., won the first round with an 88 on Frontier’s Bear Paw, while Cole Elshere, a two-time NFR qualifier from Faith, S.D., was 86.5 on Frontier’s Back Woods in the opening round. Cole then got the better of his older cousin in the final round, scoring an 85 to win the round on Burch’s Friendly Fire and to win the average with 171.5 points on two rides. “I hadn’t placed at any of those Pro Roughstock deals all season, so it means a lot to win this one,” said Cole Elshere, who earned $3,729. “Now I have a shot to make the finals.” The Professional Roughstock Series World Finals is scheduled for Nov. 15-16 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, S.D., just two hours from Cole Elshere’s hometown. “These deals are really fun, and this one was really fun,” he said. “They make it as exciting as they can, and I enjoy going to them. “I feel really good and am excited for this time of year,” Cole Elshere said. “At the circuit finals, I changed a few things, and it’s been good ever since.” Things went quite well for second-generation bull rider McKennon Wimberly of Cool, Texas, was the only cowboy to ride two bulls during Saturday night’s show. Wimberly placed second in the first round with an 83-point ride on New Fronteir’s You’re Next, then held on for a 74 in the short round on New Frontier’s Arangutang. In all, he won $3,729. “It was an awesome event,” said Wimberly, the bull riding standings leader. “They had great fans around there, great stock. These events are really good events, and they’re cowboy events. I get as much enjoyment out of watching broncs and bareback horses as I do for riding bulls, so that’s why I like these. “This win was big for me, because my good buddy, Willis Trosclair, was right on my heels. I had to make some ground up. Now I’ll go into Tulsa feeling good and riding good.” In the world of bull riding, not many cowboys are more recognized than two-time PBR world champion Justin McBride, who retired from the sport five years ago. He returned to the arena in Salina, but as a bareback rider. While also trying to qualify for The American in bareback riding, McBride was part of an elite field of cowboys in the Midwest Classic. He posted a 71-point ride in the qualifier and finished 17th, failing to advance to the semifinals. He also posted a 71 Saturday night and did not make the championship round. He has indicated his intent to qualify for The American in bareback riding, so he likely will be part of another event very soon. Other cowboys understand that. “The main thing to me is to go somewhere to compete that I enjoy,” Wimberly said. “The PRS has been my priority all year long. I have a lot of fun at them, and they’ve kept me going and keep giving me a chance to win some money.” Professional Roughstock Series Midwest Classic Oct. 19, 2013 Salina, Kan. Bareback riding: First round: 1. Steven Dent, 87 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Showdown, $1,243; 2. Winn Ratliff, 85.5, $932; 3. Caleb Bennett, 84, $622; 4. Justin McDaniel, 81, $311. Final round 1. Steven Dent, 89 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Short Night; 2. (tie) Winn Ratliff and Justin McDaniel, 85; 4. Caleb Bennett, 75. Average: 1. Steven Dent, 176 points on two rides, $2,797; 2. Winn Ratliff, 170.5, $1,865. Saddle bronc riding: First round:  1. J.J. Elshere, 88 points on  Continue Reading »

Andrews, Texas The moment came in July at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Dan Fisher won the opening go-round and placed in the finale to finish second in the average. He earned $17,147 and punched his ticket for this weekend. That’s big. It marks the 16th time in Fisher’s career he’s played on steer roping’s biggest stage. He also establishes a new record, one he broke last year at this time. Now at 62 years and 4 months old, he is the oldest contestant to have ever qualified for a National Finals event. It is his 18th overall qualification – he qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in team roping 1981 and ’82. When he gets to the finals, he knows what to do with it. During the 2012 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, he placed in four go-rounds and earned $10,808. What will he do this weekend? Nobody knows for sure, but it’ll be another record-setting performance for the Fisher, who, quite obviously, is still in his prime.

It’s almost 11:30, and I’m still waiting on results from the Midwest Classic, the Professional Roughstock Series event in Salina, Kan. I do know through my Twitter feed that McKennon Wimberly won the bull riding, Cole Elshere won the saddle bronc riding and Steven Dent won the bareback riding. I will probably have to finish the final story Sunday or Monday. For those who went to the Bicentennial Center tonight, I hope you had a blast. Unfortunately, because of a prior commitment with the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, I was unable to attend. Hopefully I’ll get to see a lot more PRS events and tell you what happens.

DUNCAN, Okla. – Stockton Graves’ focus all weekend was on winning the steer wrestling average championship at the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. He did that, clinching the coveted title on Saturday night during the third go-round of this year’s championship event at the Stephens County Fair and Expo Center in Duncan. Combined with the year-end title he’d clinched before the finale even began, the Newkirk, Okla., cowboy was quite happy with the outcome. “It’s nice to win both,” said Graves, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “I’ve done it numerous times.  It’s a goal of mine when I came in here this weekend.” By winning the average, he added $1,767 to his annual total. More importantly, it served as a great bonus; those earnings helped Graves hold off Trell Etbauer of Goodwell, Okla., for the year-end all-around title. Graves finished the year with $22,634, edging Etbauer by about $800. “I had a good year in the bulldogging, so I thought I’d rope a couple calves and see if I could win the all-around,” Graves said, noting that he earned about $800 in tie-down roping at the Topeka (Kan.) PRCA Rodeo in August. “Trell’s an outstanding athlete, and I thought he’d get me because he’s so good at all three events. I don’t like the calf roping that much; it takes a lot of work and I don’t want to put that much work into it.” But it paid off in the long run; that tie-down roping paycheck was just the difference in Graves’ first Prairie Circuit all-around championship. But Graves is one of the best steer wrestlers in the world, so his $21,836 earned at rodeos primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska was his a priority. He did so on an old friend, 20-year-old Chunk, a steer wrestling horse he bought from Gene Loch of Maryville, Mo. “That’s the horse that got me to my first NFR in 2004,” Graves said. “I bought him in 2000. Gene knows horses. He called and said he had a nice horse, so we went to look at him and bought him. I kind of retired him a couple years ago. Last year, when my little horse died, I jumped around on a few horses. Midway through the year, I went and got him out of the pasture.” “A lot of people have won money on him over the years. He’s good and broke, and he loves his job.” Chunk came through again over the last three days. Graves placed in both the first two go-rounds, then turned in a solid final-round run to win the average championship by one-tenth of a second over Riley Duvall of Checotah, Okla. “I had a great year in the circuit, and I wanted to finish the year strong,” Graves said. “Duncan has been good to me as far as the circuit finals goes. I won the average last year. I would’ve liked to have bulldogged a little better, but I got by. This is a big deal to me.” Graves is joined by the other average champions, including bareback riders Brian Leddy of Roll, Okla., and Caine Riddle of Vernon, Texas; team ropers Troy Boone of Mutual, Okla., in heading and Derrick Peterson of Louisburg, Kan., in heeling; saddle bronc rider Travis Sheets of Hyannis, Neb.; tie-down roper Caddo Lewallen of Morrison, Okla.; barrel racer June Holeman of Arcadia, Neb.; and bull rider Sam Wyatt of Fittstown, Okla. They all qualify for the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, which takes place next April in Oklahoma City. They will be joined by the year-end champions: Riddle in bareback riding (by sharing the average championship, Leddy will join Riddle); Graves (year-end runner-up Kyle Irwin of Robertsdale, Ala., will go to the RNCFR); header Nick Sartain of Yukon, Okla.; heeler Reagan Ward of Edmond, Okla.; saddle bronc rider Joe Lufkin of Sallisaw, Okla.; tie-down roper Jerome Schneeberger of Ponca City, Okla.; barrel racer Gretchen Benbenek of Aubrey, Texas; and bull rider Sage Kimzey of Strong City, Okla. Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Oct. 17-19 Duncan, Okla. All-around: Circuit Finals: Trell Etbauer. Year-end: Stockton Graves. Bareback riding: First round: 1. (tie) Brian Leddy, on New Frontier Rodeo’s Full House, and Caine Riddle, on New Frontier Rodeo’s Barely Legal, 77 points, $1,014 each; 3. (tie) Brody Cooper and Justin Lindquist, 68, $435 each. Second round: 1. Caine Riddle, 73 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Blue Yonder, $1,159; 2. Monty Goodwin, 71, $869; 3. Brian Leddy, 69, $580; 4. Logan Glendy, 63, $290. Third round: 1. Brian Leddy, 75 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Satin Sheets, $1,159; 2. (tie) Caine Riddle and Logan Glendy, 71, $724; 4. Justin Lindquist, 70, $290. Average: 1. (tie) Brian Leddy and Caine Riddle, 221 points on three rides, $1,521 each; 3. Brody Cooper, 195, $869; 4. Logan Glendy, 188, $425. Year-end champion: Caine Riddle. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Chancey Larson, 4.3 seconds, $1,178; 2. Colt Stearns, 4.4, $884; 3. Kyle Irwin, 4.5, $489; 4. Stockton Graves, 4.6, $295. Second round: 1. (tie) Trell Etbauer and Riley Duvall, 4.0 seconds, $1,031; 3. Dean Gorsuch, 4.1, $589; 4. Stockton Graves, 4.4, $295. Third round: 1. Chancey Larson, 3.8 seconds, $1,178; 2. Dean Gorsuch, 4.1, $884; 3. Jule Hazen, 4.5, $589; 4. Trell Etbauer, 5.1, $295. Average: 1. Stockton Graves, 14.2 seconds on three runs, $1,767; 2. Riley Duvall, 14.3, $1,325; 3. Kyle Irwin, 14.9, $884; 4. Shane Sparks, 15.3, $442. Year-end champion: Stockton Graves Team roping: First round: 1. Tavis Walters/Tad Sheets, 6.2 seconds, $1,178; 2. Troy Boone, 6.4, $884; 3. Joe Macoubrie/Dawson McMaster, 7.0, $589; 4. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, $295. Second round: 1. Nick Sartain/Kollin VonAhn, 4.8 seconds, $1,178; 2. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 5.8, $884; 3. (tie) Joe Macoubrie/Dawson McMaster and Troy Boone/Derrick Peterson, 6.0, $442. Third round: 1. Cole Markham/Jake Pianalto, 4.5 seconds, $1,178; 2. Nick Sartain/Kollin VonAhn, 4.9, $884; 3. Trey Harmon/Jace Crabb, 5.9, $589; 4. Troy Boone/Derrick Peterson, 6.0, $295. Average: 1. Troy Boone/Derrick Peterson, 18.4  Continue Reading »

SALINA, Kan. – Steven Dent made the biggest splash Saturday morning inside the Bicentennial Center during the first qualifier for The American, the largest one-day rodeo set for next March in Arlington, Texas. Dent won both the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding, earning the right to compete in the semifinals, which will take place in February in Mesquite, Texas. He rode New Frontier Rodeo’s Long Pine for 86 points to win bareback riding, then matched moves with New Frontier’s Satin Sheets for 84.5 in bronc riding. In all, he earned $1,650. He will also be part of the Midwest Classic, a Professional Roughstock Series event that begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. I will post results from that as soon as possible. The American Qualifier (Top 5 advancing to semifinals in Mesquite, Texas, next February) Bareback riding: 1. Steven Dent, 86 points on New Frontier Rodeo’s Long Pine, $900; 2. Erik Wolford, 82.5, $675; 3. (tie) Josi Young and Caleb Bennett, 82, $338 each; 5. Casey Breuer, 80.5. Saddle bronc riding: 1.  Steven Dent, 84.5 points on New Frontier Rodeo’s Satin Sheets, $750; 2. Cody DeMoss, 83.5, $562; 3. Tyrel Larsen, 81, $375; 4. Dylan Henson, 78, $188; 5. Luke Butterfield, 76.

DUNCAN, Okla. – There’s something about a great family tradition that molds the next generation. In rodeo, that sentiment is especially strong. That family legacy was quite powerful Friday night during the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, where Trell Etbauer and Riley Duvall stopped the clock in 4.0 seconds to win the second round of steer wrestling at the Stephens County Fair and Expo Center in Duncan. Etbauer and Duvall are well known names in rodeo, especially in Oklahoma. Trell’s father, Robert, is a two-time world champion saddle bronc rider, while his uncle, Billy, is a five-time titlist. Roy Duvall is Riley’s great-uncle, and he owns three gold buckles; Riley’s dad, Sam, and uncle, Spud, are qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “I just feel lucky to be out of the family I’m from,” said Riley Duvall of Checotah, Okla. “I had a great opportunity with that. I love rodeo no matter what my family is like, so it’s pretty handy that they’ve all been involved in rodeo so long.” That’s the way it was for the Etbauer clan. Robert and his brothers, Dan and Billy, transplanted to Oklahoma from South Dakota, then the excelled on the national stage. “Rodeo is what I grew up around, and it’s about all I know,” said Trell Etbauer, who grew up in the Oklahoma Panhandle community of Goodwell. “I enjoy it, and I’m thankful I get to do what I love to do. I’m glad I have a great family that supports me and helps me out all the time.” They took advantage of their opportunities Friday. With their runs, the tandem pocketed checks worth $1,031. “The average is all I think about,” Duvall said, noting that the average title will go to the cowboy that has the best three-run cumulative time when the circuit finals concludes Saturday night. “Stockton (Graves) has the year-end title won, so the only way I can get to Oklahoma City is to win the average.” Year-end and average champions in each event qualify for the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, which takes place next spring in Oklahoma City. “Just getting to go Oklahoma City is good so good around here, because that’s where the big money is at,” said Duvall, who won the steer wrestling average at the 2011 circuit finals. Etbauer is a three-time circuit all-around champion, and he’s in position to claim a third. He is second in the standings behind Graves, who qualified for the circuit finals only in steer wrestling. Etbauer, though, is competing in three events: bulldogging, tie-down roping and saddle bronc riding. He’ll have three times the opportunity on championship Saturday night. “Stockton’s real good in the average so far, so I just need to go get the go-round money in all three events,” Etbauer said. It sure set up for a fun final night of the 2013 season. Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Oct. 17-19 Duncan, Okla. Bareback riding: First round: 1. (tie) Brian Leddy, on New Frontier Rodeo’s Full House, and Caine Ridde, on New Frontier Rodeo’s Barely Legal, 77 points, $1,014 each; 3. (tie) Brody Cooper and Justin Lindquist, 68, $435 each. Second round: 1. Caine Riddle, 73 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Blue Yonder, $1,159; 2. Monty Goodwin, 71, $869; 3. Brian Leddy, 69, $580; 4. Logan Glendy, 63, $290. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Chancey Larson, 4.3 seconds, $1,178; 2. Colt Stearns, 4.4, $884; 3. Kyle Irwin, 4.5, $489; 4. Stockton Graves, 4.6, $295. Second round: 1. (tie) Trell Etbauer and Riley Duvall, 4.0 seconds, $1,031; 3. Dean Gorsuch, 4.1, $589; 4. Stockton Graves, 4.4, $295. Team roping: First round: 1. Tavis Walters/Tad Sheets, 6.2 seconds, $1,178; 2. Troy Boone, 6.4, $884; 3. Joe Macoubrie/Dawson McMaster, 7.0, $589; 4. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, $295. Second round: 1. Nick Sartain/Kollin VonAhn, 4.8 seconds, $1,178; 2. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 5.8, $884; 3. (tie) Joe Macoubrie/Dawson McMaster and Troy Boone/Derrick Peterson, 6.0, $442. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Travis Sheets, 79 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Dreamer, $1,178; 2. Joe Harper, 78, $884; 3. Weston Ireland, 72, $589; 4. Trell Etbauer, 69, $295. Second round: 1. Ty Atchison, 82 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Sand Creek, $1,178; 2. Casey mcGooden, 75, $884; 3. Roper Kiesner, 74, $589; 4. Travis Sheets, 68, $295. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Jerome Schneeberger, 8.8 seconds, $1,178; 2. Caddo Lewallen, 9.7, $884; 3. Garrett Nokes, 10.3, $589; 4. Cole Wilson, 11.0, $295. Second round: 1. Bryson Sechrist, 8.2 seconds, $1,178; 2. Caddo Lewallen, 8.5, $884; 3. Garrett Nokes, 9.3, $589; 4. Ryan Bothum, 9.5, $295. Barrel racing: First round: 1. Emily Miller, 16.28 seconds, $1,178; 2. June Holeman, 16.46, $884; 3. (tie) Gretchen Benbenek and Kyra Stierwalt, 16.50, $442 each. Second round: 1. June Holeman, 16.03 seconds, $1,178; 2. Kyra Stierwalt, 16.18, $884; 3. Gretchen Benbenek, 16.26, $589; 4. Carol Chesher, 16.33, $295. Bull riding: First round: 1. (tie) Brennon Eldred, on New Frontier Rodeo’s Night Rider, and Trevor Kastner, on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Turbo Ryder, 82 points, $1,031 each; 3. Sage Kimzey, 78, $589; 4. Sam Wyatt, 72, $295. Second round: 1. Sam Wyatt, 87 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Newsflash, $1,178; 2. Sage Kimzey, 85, $884; 3. (tie) Cody Sierks and Trevor Kastner, 82, $442 each. Steer roping: First round: 1. Rocky Patterson, 10.6 seconds, $932; 2. Justin McKee, 13.0, $699; 3. (tie) Dee Kyler Jr. and Mike Chase, 13.1, $349 each. Second round: 1. Brodie Poppino, 9.7 seconds, $932; 2. Rocky Patterson, 10.7, $699; 3. Chet Herren, 10.9, $466; 4. Rod Hartess, 11.1, $233. Third round: 1. Chet Herren, 10.6, $932; 2. Mike Chase, 11.1, $699; 3. Roger Branch, 11.4, $466; 4. Rod Hartness, 11.9, $233. Average: 1. Rocky Patterson, 36.2 seconds on three runs, $1,398; 2. Rod Hartness, 38.9, $1,048; 3. Cecil Wilson, 46.0, $699; 4. Justin McKee, 46.9, $349.

Three-time world champion steer roper Rocky Patterson had already clinched the year-end championship in the Prairie Circuit before he even nodded his head Friday morning. He padded his lead during the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Steer Roping by winning the average championship. He roped and tied down three steers in a cumulative time of 36.2 seconds. In all, he won $3,029. Steer roping: First round: 1. Rocky Patterson, 10.6 seconds, $932; 2. Justin McKee, 13.0, $699; 3. (tie) Dee Kyler Jr. and Mike Chase, 13.1, $349 each. Second round: 1. Brodie Poppino, 9.7 seconds, $932; 2. Rocky Patterson, 10.7, $699; 3. Chet Herren, 10.9, $466; 4. Rod Hartess, 11.1, $233. Third round: 1. Chet Herren, 10.6, $932; 2. Mike Chase, 11.1, $699; 3. Roger Branch, 11.4, $466; 4. Rod Hartness, 11.9, $233. Average: 1. Rocky Patterson, 36.2 seconds on three runs, $1,398; 2. Rod Hartness, 38.9, $1,048; 3. Cecil Wilson, 46.0, $699; 4. Justin McKee, 46.9, $349.

DUNCAN, Okla. – It’s cold. It’s raining. It’s the perfect weather for rodeo … especially for one that’s indoors. Such is the case with the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, which will conduct its second of three performances at 7:30 tonight at the Stephens County Fair and Expo Center in Duncan. Oklahoma is well known for its love affair with football, and Friday Night Lights are big deals in the Sooner State. The weather isn’t a downpour, but more of a misty mess. That’s the type of stuff that makes for a miserable experience in a football stadium. Umbrellas are off limits, because you hinder the views of those behind you. There’s just enough of a breeze to really wreck a Friday night. That’s why this is a great time to head to the rodeo. You’ll see the best the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region has to offer Duncan this year. You’ll get to see the greatest animal athletes in the circuit. And – because of the fabulous commentary from announcer Scott Grover and the laugh-out-loud antics of Clown of the Year Keith Isley – you’ll get to experience an evening full of amazing entertainment with outstanding competition. So enjoy the heated, covered comfort of the Expo Center and all that happens at the Prairie Circuit Finals.

I love my job, and there are many times I get to do some really cool stuff. Take an e-mail I received last week from Shane Ewing with KAKE-TV in Wichita, Kan. Shane and fellow sports reporter Jake Schlegel wanted to do a segment called “Sports Tips” for its sportscast, and they wanted to do something with the Professional Roughstock Series’ Midwest Classic, which takes place Saturday in Salina, Kan. So Shane and Jake made their way to Salina on Thursday for the shoot and got to work with two-time PBR world champion Justin McBride, who is part of the Midwest Classic field in bareback riding. The segment was great, and I’m glad I got to have a little part in it. Special thanks to Kevin Contardo with the PRS for his assistance in getting this done, since I couldn’t be on site. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bicentennial Center in Salina. http://www.kake.com/sports/headlines/Sports-Tips-Pro-Roughstock-Series-Heads-to-Salina-228263151.html