Monthly Archives: May 2014

Anyone who knows bucking horses realizes the true power that comes through when a massive beast loves what he does. Even at just 3 years old, Wazzup fits that category already. “I love his style,” said Guy French, Wazzup’s owner and the executive director of the United Bucking Horse Association. “He bucks hard, and he’s  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – The Lea County Fair and Rodeo has become a destination point for many who are looking for great entertainment and an amazing price. Fair officials have made it even more affordable with the creation of early bird ticket sales. From June 2-July 18, potential fairgoers will have an opportunity to purchase tickets  Continue Reading »

SILVERTON, Texas – Many of rodeo’s rising stars already have a keen understanding of what it takes to win at the professional level. For cowboys that ride bucking horses and bulls, it’s a combination of self-confidence and the ability to get on the best animals in the game. That’s why they trust in the outstanding  Continue Reading »

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Will Rogers Stampede Arena was home to a storm Sunday night, but the rain didn’t wash out the final performance of the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo. Afternoon rain covered much of Rogers County, making the arena muddy and slick. More rain fell during the third performance, but the rodeo rolled  Continue Reading »

CLAREMORE, Okla. – World champion header Nick Sartain likes the way things are going this season. On Saturday night, the good times kept rolling as he and his heeling partner, Rich Skelton, stopped the clock in 5.0 seconds to take the team roping lead at the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo. “We just need to  Continue Reading »

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Last May, the pain in Matt Bright’s right elbow was intense. In fact, the Texas bareback rider did not feel up to competing at the annual Will Rogers Stampede. Things have changed over the last 12 months. “This rodeo has been good to me my whole career,” said Bright, a three-time Wrangler  Continue Reading »

CHAMPIONSHIP WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER THE 2014 PRORODEO SEASON CONCLUDES MULVANE, Kan. – The Kansas Star Arena is rescheduling its inaugural National Roping Championship for the fall. Originally scheduled for early June, the event will feature many of the top all-around ropers in rodeo, including 19-time world champion Trevor Brazile, all competing for $122,000 in  Continue Reading »

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rodeo’s greatest stars make their way to Rogers County every spring. That’s the attractive nature that is the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Friday, May 23-Sunday, May 25, at Will Rogers Stampede Arena. Discounted tickets can be found on the rodeo’s website, www.WillRogersStampede.com; fans can also follow the  Continue Reading »

A 2-year-old bucking horse from Waters Rodeo posted the highest-marked trip during the United Bucking Horse Association’s event this past weekend in Martin, S.D. The paint horse scored 45.75 points to win the 2-year-old class, earning its owners $2,140. Another 2-year-old colt had the next highest marking, with a Wain Rodeo horse posting a 45.25.  Continue Reading »

WORLD CHAMPS EAGER TO COMPETE AT WILD WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS GROESBECK, Texas – Scott Snedecor arrived in Groesbeck a year ago with one mission in mind: Help raise money for those who need it. He left town with a plan to return. He will for the Invitational Steer Roping set for 10 a.m. Monday, May 26.  Continue Reading »

WILD WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS CONDUCTING TEXAS 10-HEADER OPEN TEAM ROPING GROESBECK, Texas – Like golf, team roping has a handicapping system that allows ropers of all levels an opportunity to compete. It’s the perfect scenario for the Wild West Championships, set for Friday, May 23-Monday, May 26, at the Limestone County Fairgrounds in Groesbeck. That means  Continue Reading »

DELBURNE, Alberta – In its first Canadian event, the United Bucking Horse Association found great success north of the border. With a payout of nearly $13,000, the 2014 UBHA Tour stop featured 34 colts in an event that was organized and produced by two UBHA board members, Darcy Hollingsworth of Anchor Bar Ranch and Justin  Continue Reading »

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The labor is intensive, but the work is worth it to the volunteers who produce the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo. Workers have been busy giving the Will Rogers Stampede Arena a major facelift. The end result will be of tremendous benefit to the fans of the annual rodeo, set for 7:45  Continue Reading »

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story appears in the May edition of Women’s Pro Rodeo News, the official publication of the WPRA. Lary and Basia Benbenek were young newlyweds when they packed up their city life and moved to the country. There was a fondness for the expanse that is Missoula, Mont., which is so much different  Continue Reading »

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Professional rodeo contestants are part of a gypsy lifestyle. They travel the country in modified carriages that feature elaborate trailers housing living quarters and room for horses and other equipment. Most of their time on the rodeo trail is actually behind the wheel, with breaks along the highway in order to compete.  Continue Reading »

LEATHERS TEAM LOOKING TO REPEAT AS CHAMPS IN GROESBECK GROESBECK, Texas – Every day that Brian Leathers goes to work, he does so on the back of a horse with a rope in his hand. “I cowboy for a living,” said Leathers, of Axtell, Texas. Whether it’s cutting hay, rounding up strays or doctoring cattle,  Continue Reading »

BRAZILE, OTHER TOP ROPERS READY FOR NATIONAL ROPING CHAMPIONSHIP MULVANE, Kan. – Based on the numbers alone, Trevor Brazile is the most prolific all-around cowboy in professional rodeo. He will bring his bevy of talents with him to compete in the inaugural National Roping Championship, set for three powerful performances June 6-7 at the Kansas  Continue Reading »

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Members of the Will Rogers Round Up Club know what it takes to put on a high-quality event. They also know when it’s time to lean on a little expert advice when they can. That’s one reason members of the volunteer rodeo committee sought out the expertise of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo,  Continue Reading »

On the McCoy Ranch near Tupelo, Okla., there is vast pastureland that allows cowboys the freedom to maneuver. There really is no need for a U-turn, but if there was, it would be a simple tug on the reins and a swift horseback spin; it’s an easy process. That was not the case during the  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – To say that Richie Champion is having the best season of his young would be quite an understatement. In just a few months, the 21-year-old cowboy from The Woodlands, Texas, has won more than $1.1 million riding bareback horses, almost all of that coming from a new concept rodeo called RFD-TV’s The  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Still three months shy of his 21st birthday, Sage Kimzey is living his dreams. He is the No. 1 bull rider in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in his rookie season, having earned more than $72,500 heading into this weekend. He’s about to add a little more to his bank account. On  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Ryan Jarrett is just looking for a little momentum. He may have found it at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. On Saturday afternoon during the annual rodeo’s second performance, the Georgia-born cowboy roped and tied his calf in 9.5 seconds. He is among the leaders in the third round; more importantly, he  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – It’s been eight years since Chet Johnson won a share of the saddle bronc riding championship at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. He’s ready to win it again. On Friday, he and traveling partner Tyler Corrington scored 84-point rides to take the early lead in the rodeo’s classic event during the rodeo’s  Continue Reading »

Cord and Jet McCoy are cowboys, from the top of their brimmed hats to the heels on their boots. They were raised on a ranch near Tupelo, a town of about 320 in southeastern Oklahoma. Their parents, Janet and Denny McCoy, also were raised on ranches. In the upcoming 10th episode of this spring’s 24th  Continue Reading »