Monthly Archives: September 2015

DUNCAN, Okla. – Robbie Hodges takes his job seriously, even though it’s a bit of an oxymoron for a rodeo clown. “I love to look up and see the contestants watching my acts,” said Hodges, who will be funnyman/barrelman during the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15-Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. “I love for them guys to like what I’m doing. That’s my meter of what I judge my performance by, the guys that go to 120 rodeos a year. I try to bring something different. Every performance to me is different. My (attention deficit disorder) is so bad that I couldn’t handle it if I did it any other way or if I tried to go by a certain script every time.” When rodeo regulars like Hodges’ work, then there’s a good indication the crowd will, too. That’s the main reason the Georgia man has long been considered one of the very best entertainers in ProRodeo. He’s been nominated as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s clown of the year, entertainer of the year and the Coors Man in the Can, which recognizes the best barrelmen in the business. “I love to work the barrel,” said Hodges, who was selected as the barrelman for the 2010 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “That’s the most important aspect of being a barrelman, not necessarily the comedy but being there to help protect the bull riders and the bullfighters. If you’re going to be a barrelman, go get those guys. That’s been my reputation.” It’s one that was forged in rodeos in the Southeastern United States, where Hodges got his start in the late 1990s. His strong Georgia accent is an avenue of pride, but so is the work he does inside the arena. “I worked a lot of (Florida) rodeos in Okeechobee and Kissimmee, and that was a very mean place to learn,” he said. “When you leave there, you’d better be ready. Them bulls will just keep coming at you.” But being inside the specialized barrel isn’t the only thing Hodges has done in rodeo. In fact, he rode bareback horses for 16 years before he started wearing greasepaint and making crowds laugh at his antics. “I was always the guy who played tricks on everybody around me, doing things to make everybody else laugh,” Hodges said. “Everybody told me I needed to do it. “I called a local stock contractor in Georgia about working some rodeos. The next thing I know I was doing five rodeos, then the next year, 20. I’m very lucky.” He also is very talented, and a key ingredient in his work is how he interacts with the crowd. “I tried to back off a lot of the traditional stuff,” he said. “A lot of my stuff is audience participation.” That aspect of his performance allows Hodges to showcase a natural talent of being funny in a moment’s notice. Through observances and being keenly aware of what’s going on during each performance, he not only celebrates rodeo, he helps engage fans into the game with his humor. It’s a trait he’s held tightly since a youngster. In addition to sharing his life with the crowd while in the arena, he also realizes he can provide a special gift with individualized attention. “What would it have been like if you were a kid and one of the great sports heroes came up and talked to you at the game?” he asked. “I try to do that. I want at least one person to come up and say, ‘Hey, that guy came up and talked to me.’ “When I’m in the arena, I am larger than life. I’m the attention. I love to take that and give that back to someone. When I was a kid in about the fourth or fifth grade, I was bullied pretty bad. I try to pick out a kid and sit with them. I always think that it would’ve been great if that had happened to me when I was a kid, so I want to give that to someone.” That’s a fascinating part about how Hodges goes about his business. He understands his role as part of the rodeo production, and he wants to add to it. He wants fans to be part of the rodeo experience and to go home after each of the three performances in Duncan knowing they enjoyed the show. Rodeo is a unique mix of family-friendly entertainment and world-class competition. Hodges has lived both sides of it, and he sees each show through the audience’s eyes. He also knows how special it is to work the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. “That is the Prairie Circuit, and those are real cowboys out there,” he said, recognizing the fact that a number of qualifiers for the finale also are NFR regulars. “You get to work with the best, and that’s always great.”

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Timber Moore likes competing in The Eliminator at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. On Tuesday night, the four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Aubrey, Texas, put the wraps on his second straight title in the unique competition that featured eight NFR qualifiers owning 13 world championships. “There are a lot of guys that rope great that were here,” said Moore, who earned $5,000 for the victory. “I swapped horses and was riding my good horse in the second half, and he was making stuff happen. I drew good, and luckily it all worked out in my favor.” The event featured three world champs: Fred Whitfield, who has seven gold buckles, Cody Ohl (6) and Shane Hanchey (1). Hanchey and Moore return to the NFR this December, as do the other four cowboys in the mix: Marty Yates, Caleb Smidt, Hunter Herrin and Cory Solomon. All eight competed in the first round, with the bottom two times being eliminated. Over the remaining rounds, the slowest individual times were dropped, which is the key to The Eliminator’s format. It was a great precursor for the fair’s rodeo, which is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday in the same arena at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. As the competition unfolded, it became a race in the final round between Moore and Ohl, who owns a record 52 NFR wins on his impressive resume. Ohl roped first and put together a blazing time of 7.4 seconds. “Knowing how fast you’ve got to be sure makes it a lot easier,” said Moore, who followed with a 6.9-second run, the fastest time in the two years of the competition. “Knowing I had to go fast, I just had to take some chances.” With ProRodeo’s grand championship still two months away, The Eliminator allowed the cowboys the opportunity to make pressure-packed runs. Now they’ll spend the remaining weeks fine-tuning their talents to compete for the biggest purse in the sport. “It’s a fast start, and you have to tie them fast,” Moore said of The Eliminator. “It kind of prepares me, but we’re still so far off that I’ve still got more preparing to do before I get there.”

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Matt Shiozawa is heading to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the eighth time in his career, but an injury over the weekend will sideline the Chubbock, Idaho, cowboy for Tuesday’s Eliminator at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo in Hempstead. Shiozawa suffered an ankle injury on the final weekend of the 2015 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association regular season. Since his priority is to be ready for the NFR in December, he is unable to compete in Waller County. The Eliminator is to feature eight of the top tie-down ropers in the game all competing in knockout rounds in Hempstead. All eight will compete in the opening round, with the bottom two times eliminated from the competition. Every subsequent round will feature the slowest single time eliminated. Shiozawa’s replacement will be Cody Ohl, a seven-time world champion from Hico, Texas, who has 20 NFR qualifications under his belt. He will be joined by eight-time champ Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas. They will be matched against six other cowboys that are heading to the 2015 NFR, including 2013 world champion Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, La.; Cory Solomon of Prairie View, Texas; Hunter Herrin of Apache, Okla.; Marty Yates of Stephenville, Texas; Caleb Smidt of Bellville, Texas; and defending champion Timber Moore of Aubrey, Texas. The action begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Every year keeps getting better for bareback rider Casey Breuer. Now in his third year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the 23-year-old cowboy finished his 2015 season among the top 25 in the world standings. More importantly, he closed out his campaign on a high note by winning the American Royal PRCA Rodeo. “This year was a lot of ups and downs,” said Breuer, of Mandan, N.D. “It started out really slow, then it picked up. From June through August, I went on a pretty good stretch where I was pulling checks and rodeo was fun. The last three or four weeks, it’s been tough.” It got much better Saturday night. Riding Frontier Rodeo’s Cross Fire during the final performance of this year’s championship, Breuer and the strong sorrel danced across the Hale Arena dirt for 85 points. For that, he pocketed $1,839. “It feels good to finish with a win for the year to build some momentum for next year,” he said. “With this sport, you have to be consistent all year if you want to be on top. You don’t want to waste any opportunities.” That’s important, especially for a man who is about to add to his family in a little more than a month. On Oct. 30, Breuer will marry his high-school sweetheart, Brooke, in Mandan. Once the nuptials are complete, he’ll go back to work making a living on the rodeo trail. Still young in the game, he is taking the lessons learned while traveling with three friends, all of whom can now lay claim to being qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s year-end championship that features only the top 15 contestants in each event: brother Ty Breuer, who went to Vegas in 2013; Joe Gunderson, who qualified in 2010; and Tanner Aus, a 2015 finalist. “Ty and Tanner started traveling together when they started,” Casey Breuer said. “I was lucky enough to jump in with them and Joe. “Joe got hurt earlier this year, and Tanner ended up making it. Me and Ty got close, but close doesn’t count much in this sport.” No, it doesn’t, but finishing among the sport’s elite allows Breuer a fresh start on the 2016 season. With a new bride that’s part of his life, there’s little wonder why he’s so excited for new beginnings. American Royal Rodeo Sept. 25-26 Kansas City, Mo. Bareback riding: 1. Casey Breuer, 85 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Cross Fire, $1,839; 2. (tie) Kyle Brennecke and Devan Reilly, 81, $1,226 each; 4. George Gillespie, 80, $674; 4. Clint Cannon, 79, $429; 6. (tie) Ethan Assman and Will Lowe, 78, $276 each; 7. (tie) Luke Creasy and Mason Clements, 76, $92 each. Steer wrestling leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.2 seconds, $2,400; 2. (tie) Ryan Bothum, and J.D. Struxness, 4.0, $1,930 each; 4. Casey Martin, 4.1, $1,461; 5. Ryan Swayze, 4.2, $1,147; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3, $835; 7. (tie) Jule Hazen, Josh Clark and Jacob Edler, 4.5, $243 each. Team roping leaders: 1. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 3.6 seconds, $2,992; 2. Luke Brown/Kollin VohAnh, 4.1, $2,677; 3. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, Miles Baker/Dustin Serarcy and Joe Bach/Jim Ross Cooper, 4.2, $2 ,047 each; 6. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 4.5, $1,417; 7. (tie) Jeremy Hemmann/Jeff Brown, and Ryan Von Ahn/J.W. Beck, 4.6, $,945 each; 9. (tie) Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves and Jake Barnes/Junior Nogueira, 5.1, $157 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Chad Ferley, 85 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Groovy, $2,109; 2. Bradley Harter, 84, $1,617; 3. David Martin, 83, $1,195; 4. (tie) Taos Muncy and Hardy Braden, 82, $633; 4. Dalton Davis, 81, $352; 7. (tie) Chuck Schmidt and Jesse James Kirby, 79, $246. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 7.9 seconds, $2,140; 2. Caleb Smidt, 8.0, $$1,861; 3. Dillon Holder, 8.3, $1,582; 4. Ryan Jarrett, 8.4, $1,303; 5. Tuf Cooper, 8.5, $1,023; 6. (tie) Monty Lewis and Clay Brown, 9.0, $605; 8. Cody Quaney, 92, $186. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Kimmie Wall, 14.30 seconds, $2,107; 2. Vickie Carter, 14.34, $1,791; 3. Deb Guelly, 14.48, $1,475; 4. Carmel Wright, 14.53, $1,264; 5. Jeanne Anderson, 14.55, $1,054; 6. Layna Kight, 14.56, $738; 7. Laura Kennedy, 14.63, $567; 8. Calyssa Thomas, 14.66, $422; 9. Marne Loosenort, 14.67, $290; 10. (tie) Trula Churchill and Sherry Cervi, 14.68, $290 each; 12. Ashley Bauer, 14.69, $211. Bull riding: 1. Corey Atwell, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Big Money, $2,096; 2. Dallee Mason, 85, $1,607; 3. Trevor Reiste, 81, $1,188; 4. John Young, 79, $768; 5. Kody DeShon, 76, $489; no other qualified rides.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Saturday afternoon’s performance of the American Royal PRCA Rodeo was Chad Ferley’s last shot at making the 2015 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “I had to come here and do good to have a legit shot to stay in the top 15,” said Ferley, a two-time world champion from Oelrichs, S.D. The pressure didn’t seem to bother the veteran saddle bronc rider. He matched moves with Dakota Rodeo’s Groovy for 85 points to take the lead at the American Royal. He is virtually guaranteed a solid payday in Kansas City, but he will have to wait out Saturday’s evening performance to know for sure where he will finish the rodeo. “It worked out, and it’ll be up to the other guys this weekend; this is my last rodeo this year,” he said. Ferley entered the week No. 15 in the world standings with $58,490. Only the top 15 in the world standings advance to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the year-end championship that takes place in December in Las Vegas. Heading into Saturday night’s final performance, though, Ferley had already dropped to 16th, when Tyrel Larsen of Ingles, Manatoba, earned enough money in Omaha, Neb., on Thursday to move past Ferley by $700. The saddle bronc riding champion at the American Royal can win up to $2,300, depending on the final breakdown on the purse. While Ferley is done for the 2015 regular season, Larsen is scheduled to compete in Omaha (for the second time this week) on Saturday night and in Apache, Okla., on Sunday. There still are others in the mix to make a move, including 2012 world champion Jesse Wright of Milford, Utah. With the biggest pay in the game in Las Vegas in a couple of months, it’s important to full-time cowboys to earn a spot in the top 15. What would that mean to Ferley? “It kind of sucks to finish right there out of it,” he said. “Honestly it would be my own fault. I didn’t go to very many rodeos this year. I rodeoed pretty easy and just had fun.” There were a lot of reasons for the 35-year-old cowboy to stay back in South Dakota much of this year. He and his wife, Jessica, have two daughters, ages 4 and 10 months. “I rodeoed a little harder this fall because I was in a position where I needed to,” he said. “I stayed home more and spent a little more time with my family.” Ferley and his wife have been married since 2007 but waited to have children because of the life he lives on the rodeo trail. “I went out and rodeoed hard for quite a few years and waited to have kids,” Ferley said. “I wanted to try to be home more when I had kids. Now I’m slowing down just a little bit because of that.” Still, riding broncs as one of the best cowboys in the game is how he puts food on the table and how he pays his electricity bill. He needs to be on the road to make sure those things are accomplished. There’s no place to do it better than at the NFR. “That’s the kicker in the deal,” he said, noting that the payout in Vegas is at an all-time high starting this December. “It pays so much better now, not that it didn’t pay great before. It’s twice as good now. You can make up that money pretty fast in one round. “You can go in 15th in the world standings and have a really good shot at winning the world title now. You can win almost twice as much money at the finals as you can rodeoing all year.” That’s why he’s in a solid position to return to Vegas for the ninth time in his championship career. That’s why he made his trip to Kansas City on Saturday count. American Royal Rodeo Sept. 25-26 Kansas City, Mo. Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Kyle Brennecke, on Frontier Rodeo’s Miss Garrett, and Devan Reilly, on Frontier Rodeo’s Lizzard Medicine, 81 points; 3. George Gillespie, 80; 4. Clint Cannon, 79; 5. (tie) Ethan Assman and Will Lowe, 78; 7. (tie) Luke Creasy and Mason Clements, 76. Steer wrestling leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Ryan Bothum, and J.D. Struxness, 4.0 each; 4. Casey Martin, 4.1; 5. Ryan Swayze, 4.2; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3; 7. (tie) Jule Hazen, Josh Clark and Jacob Edler, 4.5. Team roping leaders: 1. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 3.6 seconds; 2. Luke Brown/Kollin VohAnh, 4.1; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, 4.2; 4. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 4.5; 5. (tie) Jeremy Hemmann/Jeff Brown, and Ryan Von Ahn/J.W. Beck, 4.6 each; 7. (tie) Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves and Jake Barnes/Junior Nogueira, 5.1. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Chad Ferley, 85 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Groovy; 2. Bradley Harter, 84; 3. Taos Muncy, 82; 4. Dalton Davis, 81; 5. Chuck Schmidt, 79; 6. Doug Aldridge, 78; 7. Tyrel Larsen, 75; 8. Evan Hecht, 73. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 7.9 seconds; 2. Caleb Smidt, 8.0; 3. Dillon Holder, 8.3; 4. Ryan Jarrett, 8.4; 5. Tuf Cooper, 8.5; 6. Monty Lewis, 9.0; 7. Kadin Boardman, 9.3; 8. Cade Swor, 9.6. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Kimmie Wall, 14.30 seconds; 2. Vickie Carter, 14.34; 3. Deb Guelly, 14.48; 4. Carmel Wright, 14.53; 5. Jeanne Anderson, 14.55; 6. Layna Kight, 14.56; 7. Laura Kennedy, 14.63; 8. Calyssa Thomas, 14.66; 9. Marne Loosenort, 14.67; 10. (tie) Trula Churchill and Sherry Cervi, 14.68. Bull riding: 1. Corey Atwell, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Big Money; 2. Dallee Mason, 85; 3. Trevor Reiste, 81; 4. John Young, 79; 5. Kody DeShon, 76; no other qualified rides.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timber Moore didn’t have much to stress about when he arrived at the American Royal PRCA Rodeo on Friday night. He’s won more than $105,000 during the 2015 ProRodeo season and sits second in the world standings. He’s assured himself of a fourth trip to Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as the No. 2 tie-down roper on the money list. None of that stopped him from trying to win in Kansas City. The 29-year-old cowboy roped and tied his calf in 7.9 seconds to take the early lead at the American Royal with two more performances remaining – at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Hale Arena inside the American Royal complex. “I’ve already placed in Omaha, and now I’m winning Kansas City; it feels great to finish the year strong,” said Moore of Aubrey, Texas. “Hopefully things will keep going this way and try to win the world this year. Maybe we’ll keep picking away at them during the finals if things go my way.” The NFR is rodeo’s super bowl and features just the top 15 contestants in each event in the year-end championship. This year’s finale features an unprecedented purse, with go-round winners earning more than $26,000 each for 10 straight nights. Making the NFR is imperative for rodeo’s stars that make their living in the game they love. Yes, he made a good living this year, but traveling expenses covered a big portion of that money. There are no guarantees in rodeo; cowboys and cowgirls not only cover their own expenses, but they also must pay fees in order to compete. “My year’s been great, but I owe it all to Colonel,” Moore said of his horse, an 11-year-old sorrel gelding. “He got a little sore during the summer, but he’s been great all year. Without him, it wouldn’t be possible.” Moore competed Thursday in Omaha during the River City Rodeo, then made the short commute to the West Bottoms on Friday. He returns to Omaha on Saturday for another PRCA event, ending his season after traveling to 71 rodeos all across the country. Having a solid mount is key to any cowboy’s success. “He’s got a good mindset,” he said of Colonel. “He’s a little smaller, more compact. He’s real quick footed and wants to stop fast and be quick. He makes things happen. Anymore the calf roping is so tough you’ve got to cut time off where you can, and he allows you to do it.” American Royal Rodeo Sept. 25-26 Kansas City, Mo. Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Kyle Brennecke, on Frontier Rodeo’s Miss Garrett, and Devan Reilly, on Frontier Rodeo’s Lizzard Medicine, 81 points; 3. George Gillespie, 80; 4. Ethan Assman, 78; 5. (tie) Luke Creasy and Mason Clements, 76; 7. Tim O’Connell, 75. Steer wrestling leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Ryan Bothum, and J.D. Struxness, 4.0 each; 4. Casey Martin, 4.1; 5. Ryan Swayze, 4.2; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3; 7. (tie) Jule Hazen, Josh Clark and Jacob Edler, 4.5. Team roping leaders: 1. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 3.6 seconds; 2. (tie) Jeremy Hemmann/Jeff Brown, and Ryan Von Ahn/J.W. Beck, 4.6 each; 4. (tie) Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, and Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 5.1 each; 6. Cale Markham/Billie Jack Saebens, 5.5; 7. Ty Bach/Allen Bach, 5.7; 8. Jesse Stipes/Tyler Worley, 6.2. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Dalton Davis, 81 points on Salt Creek Rodeo’s Campfire; 2. Chuck Schmidt, 79; 3. Tyrel Larsen, 75; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 7.9 seconds; 2. Caleb Smidt, 8.0; 3. Dillon Holder, 8.3; 4. Ryan Jarrett, 8.4; 5. Tuf Cooper, 8.5; 6. Monty Lewis, 9.0; 7. Kadin Boardman, 9.3; 8. Cade Swor, 9.6. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Vickie Carter, 14.34 seconds; 2. Deb Guelly, 14.48; 3. Jeanne Anderson, 14.55; 4. Layna Kight, 14.56; 5. Laura Kennedy, 14.63; 6. Calyssa Thomas, 14.66; 7. Marne Loosenort, 14.67; 8. (tie) Trula Churchill and Sherry Cervi, 14.68; 10. Ashley Baur. 14.69. Bull riding: 1. Corey Atwell, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Big Money; 2. Dallee Mason, 85; 3. Trevor Reiste, 81; 4. John Young, 79; 5. Kody DeShon, 76; no other qualified rides.

DUNCAN, Okla. – For 24-year-old Brodie Poppino, there are a lot of goals he has set for his ProRodeo career. In his two seasons in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, he has accomplished some of them. In 2013, he was the steer roping rookie of the year and qualified for the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. In 2014, he returned to the circuit finals and also qualified for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. This year, he’s closing in on another major goal: Winning the Prairie Circuit title. “To me, the Prairie Circuit is really important, especially in steer roping without a whole bunch of rodeos out there for us,” said Poppino of Big Cabin, Okla. “Oklahoma and Kansas are some of the bigger areas in the steer roping industry. To me, it’s more of a prestigious deal to be able to go to those events, and the chance to compete for the circuit title is big.” The Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15-Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. It will feature just the top 12 contestants in each event who have qualified through the regular season on the Prairie Circuit, made up primarily of events in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. Steer roping, which will feature the top 15 cowboys, is set for 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Poppino is No. 1 in the standings with $13,449 and owns a $2,000 lead over the No. 2 man, Mike Chase of McAlester, Okla. The No. 3 man is Rocky Patterson, a three-time world champion from Pratt, Kan. They are among three circuit finalists who also have competed at the NFSR, joining J.P. Wickett of Sallisaw, Okla.; Ralph Williams of Skiatook, Okla.; Chet Herren, Brady Garten and Rod Hartness of Pawhuska, Okla.; and Brady Garten of Claremore, Okla. “There’s good money up in Duncan, plus if you with them or get the chance to go to Torrington (Wyo.),” Poppino said of the site for the Ram National Circuit Finals Steer Roping. “That’s a big deal in the steer roping world. Plus, the majority of the Prairie Circuit guys are NFSR qualifiers ever year. That makes our circuit finals as prestigious as any event we can go to.” That sentiment is echoed by all the contestants who will make their way to Duncan in mid-October. Poppino is among nine contestants who will all enter the finale in the standings lead, joined by bareback rider Caine Riddle of Vernon, Texas; steer wrestler Stockton Graves of Alva, Okla.; header Coleman Proctor of Pryor, Okla.; heeler Jake Long of Coffeyville, Kan.; saddle bronc rider Steven Dent of Mullen, Neb.; tie-down roper Jerome Schneeberger of Ponca City, Okla.; barrel racer Kim Couch of Rattan, Okla.; and bull rider Sage Kimzey of Strong City, Okla. “This year I’ve got a chance to win the circuit,” Poppino said. “I’ve got two goals in that regard, to win the average in the circuit finals and to win the year-end title. That’s an achievement everybody wants to do, and I’m just blessed to be in that position.” He is a second-generation circuit finals qualifier. Both his mother, barrel racer Tana, and his father, steer roper Marty, have been to the finale. Tana Poppino also is a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “My dad has always stayed home and worked and just went to a handful of rodeos a year to try to make it to the circuit finals,” Brodie Poppino said. “He stays home and supports mom and me. He’s the backbone to everything we do. “He does a lot of the tuning on the horses. I’m the roper; he’s the trainer. Mom’s attitude and optimism is just unreal. She can pick me up and make me feel unbeatable.” That type of support is a major contributor to Poppino’s success. He loves the idea of carrying on a family tradition in Duncan. “It’s really cool to go to a deal like that,” he said. “The people in Duncan appreciate us and show us that. They want us to be there. The people are super good to the cowboys.” It all adds to the championship atmosphere that people in southern Oklahoma have come to expect.

ALVA, Okla. – Northwest Kansas always will be home to Laine Herl. The Northwestern Oklahoma State University cowboy found a homecoming quite to his liking this past weekend, winning the steer wrestling title and helping guide the Rangers men to the team title at the Colby (Kan.) Community College rodeo. “Everybody had a great week,” said Herl, a senior from Goodland, Kan., just 40 miles west of Colby. “Everybody was focused. We’ve got a really talented team this year.” The Northwestern men scored 550 points to beat reigning Central Plains Region champion Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Herl contributed 150 to that total by placing in both go-rounds, winning the championship round and the average title. In all, he grappled two steers to the ground in 9.8 seconds, finishing nine-tenths of a second ahead of teammate Jacob Edler. “It means a lot to win that rodeo,” Herl said. “My family was able to be there, and just to start off the season on a good note was big. It’s great to start off the season with a win and hopefully keep plugging along to win the region and make the college finals.” Herl was one of three Rangers to win Colby titles, joined by tie-down roper Bryson Seachrist and barrel racer Sara Bynum. Seachrist won both rounds and the average title; he downed his first calf in 8.7 seconds, then followed that with an 8.6-second run in the short round. Bynum, who paced the way for the women’s team that finished second overall in Colby, won the first round with a 16.58-second run. She followed that with a 17.26 to place in the short round and clinch the title. They were just a few of many Rangers that placed in Colby: Goat-tiers Leremi Allred and Tearnee Nelson; header Hunter Munsell and his partner, Sawyer Barham as well as heeler Wade Perry; steer wrestlers Joby Allen and Brock White; bull riders Marcell Jacob and Weston Wilson; and bareback rider Austin Graham. “I think we’re just smarter about how we go about stuff,” Herl said. “We’ve added some good guys this year, and that makes it a lot better.” Another valuable asset is how the team prepares. All attribute much of their success to coach Stockton Graves, a Northwestern alumnus who is a seven-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “He’s been there at the highest level, so he knows what it takes to win,’ Herl said. “We’re having some up-tempo practices. We’re running more steers on the ground and focusing on the little stuff so when it comes down to it, you’re making the same run time and time out. We’re working on the basics. “We’re starting up the matches. With that, we’re learning what to do in certain situations, so come short-go time at a college rodeo, you’re not panicking. You know you’ve been in the same place in a match before, so it helps a lot.” It paid off this last weekend in northwest Kansas.

American Royal a big stop for top contestants on final weekend of regular season KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The scramble is on. The last week of the 2015 ProRodeo regular season has begun, and contestants are scripting their plans for the mad rush that comes with trying to finish the campaign among the top 15 in the world standings in order to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the year-end championship that takes place in December in Las Vegas. It’s a mixture of “Last Man Standing” and “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” as those cowboys and cowgirls battle for all the money they can muster. In rodeo, dollars not only pay bills but also stand as championship points; the contestants in each event who earn the most money will be crowned world champions. There are more than 20 sites designated for this week, with the American Royal PRCA Rodeo being the most prestigious. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. “This is almost like a wildcard game in the NFL or Major League Baseball,” said Andy Stewart, the event’s announcer. “These guys might have one shot left to make it to the NFR. It’s so important, because I have seen guys that go to rodeos like Kansas City that have that much money in the purse and being at the end of the season that they can win enough money and get to the NFR. “That’s the difference between ending your season and having a shot at winning the NFR average title or winning the world title.” Bareback rider Luke Creasy is one of those cowboys scrambling over the final few days of the regular season. Last week, he was at a rodeo every day, crisscrossing several states in the process: Iowa to Texas to New Mexico to Oregon. Flights and all-night drives are just part of the game, especially when he needs to earn thousands of dollars in order to move up from 20th into the top 15 on the money list. “In Pasadena (Texas), I made a little money there on a little horse that didn’t have a day, but getting a check in the bank always helps boost the mind a little,” said Creasy, a native Canadian now living in Lovington, N.M. “All the other rodeos that I’m going to, I’m hoping to cash in. Creasy has been near the top of the standings most of the season. In fact, he was among the top 10 when he suffered a broken fifth metacarpal bone in his right (riding) hand over the summer and had surgery to repair the ailment. Once he was released by doctors to ride again, he’s been going ever since. As of last Friday, he needed to make about $25,000 in the final 10 days of the season if he had any hope of qualifying for the NFR for the first time. “There’s a lot of money out there,” he said. “It’s all vital. It’s going to be a held-breath kind of week. I’m hoping and trying my best to make it. All roads have led me here.” ProRodeo features thousands of contestants, with hundreds battling for the coveted world championships. Only the best 120 in the game get the chance to compete at the NFR, which features the largest purse in the sport over 10 nights in Las Vegas. There are dozens of contestants on the bubble who need big checks at all the rodeos taking place on the final weekend. “I was in the top five a lot of the year, then things happened,” said Creasy, who has finished among the top 25 three times in the past five years; he finished the 2014 campaign 17th in the standings, just two spots out of qualifying. “Now I’m in a very familiar spot. I just need to do the best I can and have a little luck come my way.” That makes Kansas City an important stop for rodeo’s elite.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The rodeo committee that organizes the annual event during the Waller County Fair and Rodeo keeps its focus simple: Continue to improve. That mindset works for everyone involved, from those who work behind the scenes to the cowboys that are in the middle of the competition to the fans who want to see a good show. It all comes together from Thursday, Oct. 1-Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. “We have increased our purse every year,” said Paul Shollar, co-chairman of the Waller County Fair Board’s rodeo committee. “We do that because this is rodeo country, and we know the people who come to our fair and rodeo want to see the greatest cowboys in the world in Hempstead.” The quality of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo is virtually unmatched in this region of Texas. In fact, it’s downright comparable to any of the large rodeos that are across North America. “From our stock contractor to hospitality, we really want every cowboy and cowgirl who comes to our fair and rodeo to see this rodeo as one of the best in the country,” said Chad Kersh, a member of the rodeo committee. To that end, the rodeo committee has enlisted the help of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, the largest stock contracting firm in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Each of the past two seasons, no other contractor has had more animals selected to perform at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He’s been the stock contractor in Hempstead since the rodeo transitioned to the PRCA a few years ago. “What we love about Pete Carr is that he has the kind of stock that attracts world champions and regular NFR qualifiers,” said Clint Sciba, the fair board’s president and co-chairman of the rodeo committee. “There’s a reason that Pete has been nominated for stock contractor of the year for the third year. He should’ve won it already. He’s been the best stock contractor in rodeo for a long time.” Just look at the reigning champion in Hempstead as proof to the elite contestants that come to town every fall. Most of the 2014 winners have been to the NFR, including bareback rider Clint Cannon of Waller, Texas, who won his hometown rodeo for the first time in his career after scoring 87 points on Carr’s Night Bells. Steer wrestler Darrell Petry, tie-down roper Matt Shiozawa and heeler Kinney Harrell have all played on the biggest stages of the game. But so have the animal athletes that guided the champions to victory in the roughstock events. Night Bells has been to the NFR six times, while Line Man has been recognized as one of the top bulls; he guided Casey Huckabee to the bull riding title with a 90-point ride. Jacobs Crawley won the saddle bronc riding championship on Carr’s Icycle, a horse that is showing great promise. “We want our fans to know that year in and year out, we’re going to work hard to put on a great rodeo,” Shollar said. “They deserve it.”

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The people who organize Stephenville’s ProRodeo have a common theme they adhere to every year. “We take pride in our town being the Cowboy Capital of the World,” said Chad Decker, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo. “If you wear that crown, you have to produce. I have a very good group of people on the committee that are more than willing to go the extra mile to be as successful as we can be.” They will show it off during this year’s event, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at Lone Star Arena. It’s a fabulous way to close out the 2015 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association regular season. “We have the largest population of rodeo cowboys per square foot in the world,” Decker said. “They’ve been on the road battling it out, and for them to come home from being on the road all year, they get to close out their year right in their own backyard. “I think it’s something they enjoy, especially now that we’ve got our money up. I look at it as a homecoming for these guys.” As one of the final events of the season, the Stephenville rodeo will be a major stop for many top cowboys and cowgirls, even those that don’t live in Erath County. It will feature the largest purse of any rodeo that weekend that is open to all contestants. That’s just one of many major attractions for the top players in the game. “We have the best stock contractor in rodeo with Pete Carr,” Decker said of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, a Dallas-based livestock firm that has been nominated as PRCA stock contractor of the year each of the past two seasons. “He has tremendous livestock, and it’s something all these guys want to compete on. That’s important.” It’s also a crowd-pleaser for fans. They realize that a number of contestants will need to collect nice paydays in Stephenville if they want to advance to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the season-ending championship that features only the top 15 contestants in each event. “That’s what makes my Sunday afternoon crowd so big,” Decker said. “With Stephenville being a rodeo town, we cater to most of our spectators, who are rodeo people. They understand what’s on the line. It makes it more interesting for the crowd, because they know what’s at stake for the guys.” The crowd also wants to be entertained, which is a big part of all three performances inside Lone Star Arena. This year’s event will feature Boyd Polhamus, a three-time PRCA announcer of the year who has worked the NFR 18 times, and Troy “The Wild Child” Lerwill, who has been named the PRCA specialty act of the year six times. The committee also will feature a special dedication each performance, starting with American Hero Night on Friday. The family of Chris Kyle is heavily involved in the planning, and one local recipient will be honored during the performance. “We’re going to take $2 off every ticket sold at the gate and donate it to this person, and the rodeo will be matching every dollar,” Decker said. “The business of Stephenville will be chipping in what they can for gift cards to this recipient to make their life easier. It’s giving back. We’re going to take care of them.” He has dubbed Saturday’s performance as “We’re going to get Western Night,” with the focus on Carr’s production and animal athletes. The evening will close with a concert from West Texas-based artist Jake Hooker. In addition to the final performance closing out ProRodeo’s regular season on Sunday, the rodeo committee will be showcasing its primary mission, raising funds for its scholarship foundation. “We’re in a unique area where Stephenville and Erath County are split between two regions in the Texas High School Rodeo Association,” Decker said. “Right before each of the PRCA events, we’re going to have a match between every winner of those events battling for a $1,000 scholarship in every event. “We’re doing something that’s never been done before. Hopefully we’re setting the groundwork to be trailblazers for others to follow.” It’s just what fans would expect in the Cowboy Capital of the World.

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – After years apart, the Mid-South Fair and the Rodeo of the Mid-South are together again. That’s a major plus for fair-goers and rodeo fans, which can enjoy all the family fun that comes with the overall experience. “One of the things that makes our rodeo special is the fact that this year its back with the fair,” said Lecile Harris, organizer of the annual rodeo, set for set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Landers Center in Southaven. “I moved the dates of the rodeo from April back to September so it could be with the fair. “It’s indoors at one of the most up-to-date venues. It’s a beautiful coliseum, and it’s got all the sound, electronics and light show to help make for great production of the rodeo.” It all adds to the mix of the rodeo, which will be produced by the crew of Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, one of the top companies in professional rodeo. Each of the past two seasons, the Carr firm has been nominated as stock contractor of the year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Last year, Carr earned contractor of the year honors in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. “I have so much confidence in Pete Carr and his company that once they drive up and once the crew goes to work, I don’t have to worry about that part of the rodeo,” said Harris, a longtime rodeo clown that has been named PRCA clown of the year four times; he also is enshrined in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “I don’t have to worry about the production of the rodeo once. I never have to worry about his crew, and I don’t have to worry about the stock. He’s got some of the best livestock in rodeo. I know when Pete and his crew get here, it’s going to be first class and everything’s going to be done right.” That is a winning formula for rodeo fans and the cowboys and cowgirls who make a living in the sport. The Mid-South Rodeo falls on the final weekend of the 2015 regular season, making Southaven an even bigger destination for contestants all vying to finish among the top 15 in each event to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “I think a lot of the cowboys that are on the bubble (for making the NFR) will show up in Southaven,” Harris said. A key ingredient will be the Carr animals. Each of the past two season, no other stock contractor in the PRCA has had more animals selected to the year-end championship, which takes place in December in Las Vegas. That kind of animal athletes makes rodeos like Southaven an important stop along the rodeo trail. “Pete’s got an eye for horses, and he’s surrounded himself with people who know what they’re talking about,” said saddle bronc rider Heith DeMoss, a six-time NFR from Heflin, La. “You want to go to Pete’s rodeos, because you’re going to get on something.” When it’s mixed in with a strong production, a modern facility and great rodeo action, it’s the perfect home for fans.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Neal McCoy has twice been named entertainer of the year, and his showmanship is one reason why he will be the featured entertainer at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. The exposition, set for Friday, Sept. 25-Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead, will include four top-flight concerts, with McCoy closing the fair on Oct. 3. “We have worked to get the kinds of acts that everyone will enjoy when they come to our fair and rodeo,” said Steven Pfeiffer, the Waller County Fair Board’s entertainment committee chairman. “I’m very excited about our concert lineup from start to finish.” All associated with the event should be excited. The series begins Texas-born artist Aaron Watson, who released his most recent album, “The Underdog,” earlier this year. Watson, who released the rodeo hit “July in Cheyenne” in 2013, has been around the music industry for better than 15 years. He will perform Saturday, Sept. 26. Jeff Woolsey, who grew up on the north side of Houston, was raised around traditional country music. He started his own band at age 19, and throughout the 1990s, he and his band were big hits on the dancehall circuit. The group was the 1994 band of the year in the Houston area. After a few years away from the trade, he returned to the music scene in less than a decade ago playing the music he loves. He takes the stage Thursday, Oct. 1. Country legend John Conlee has been a top act for decades with memorable hits like “Rose Colored Glasses,” “Miss Emily’s Picture,” “Common Man,” “I’m Only in It for The Love” and “Got My Heart Set on You,” just to name a few. He performs Friday, Oct. 2. “We have a strong group of entertainers coming to town, from traditional country with Jeff Woolsey and John Conlee to Aaron Watson, who has been taking country music by storm,” said Dustin Standley, the fair board’s sponsorship chairman. “It’s very exciting for us to have this kind of show for the people who come to our fair.” McCoy, who won his entertainer of the year awards in 1998-99, has released 34 singles to country radio. He had back-to-back No. 1 singles with “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” in 1993. He had three platinum albums and several top-10 hits in the 1990s and 2000s. In addition to the concerts of top artists, the newly remodeled Ole Wagon Wheel dance hall will feature dances throughout the week: Brian Loftin and Texas Reflections from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 DJ with karaoke from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, and Wednesday, Sept. 30 Aubrey Lynn Band from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 Lacy Booth and Tim Nichols from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 Texas Special Band, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3

EDITOR’S NOTE: Guest columnist Graeme Menzies is a director of marketing communications at the University of British Columbia and was the director of communications at the Vancouver (British Columbia) 2010 Winter Olympics. Born in Alberta, he now lives in Vancouver. The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association has announced that it is replacing its old logo with something new, but a lot of cowboys are saying, “Whoa!” Some of that reaction was probably anticipated. For those in the design business, resistance to new logos is almost a proverb, and examples are logos disasters are plentiful. Ad Age magazine cites the 2010 re-launch of The Gap’s iconic logo as one of the most colossal brand missteps in recent history. But there are plenty of other examples: the London 2012 Olympic Games logo (cost: $800,000) was widely lambasted; more recently, the University of California’s updated monogram was ridiculed as “an aerial view of a flushing toilet.” What about the CPRA? Is its new rodeo logo a no-go? The announcement boasted that the new logo’s stylized hat represented both genders and honored Western heritage. Fans of the old logo have been left wondering what that means. Was there a problem with the cowboy image – was the cowboy too masculine? Surely there was no serious concern that the cowboy image failed to represent western heritage. What about the bold red Canadian maple leaf? Did someone think it was un-Canadian to be so blatantly patriotic? Members of the CPRA, which has 1,400 members and sanctions more than 50 rodeos in Canada each year, were confused. Some were downright angry. Ted Stovin, a former bull rider and the main force behind the website EverythingCowboy.com, felt so strongly about the logo change he posted a lengthy blog about it, even including dozens of examples of how other sports organizations represent themselves through graphic design. Response to his article came fast and furious. CPRA member Mac McKie wrote that the new logo communicates nothing about Canada and “as far as rodeo, only resembles an abused hat after the rodeo dance.” Jake Vold, whose family has a proud multi-generational rodeo reputation, was a just as flustered by the move. “I can’t believe they took away the maple leaf,” said Vold, a bareback rider that has qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Others complained that the new logo looks too much like the city of Calgary’s “Heart of the New West” logo, doesn’t represent rodeo sports, is too bland, fails to leverage the history and brand equity of the old design, and “will look like hell on a belt buckle.” Ouch! Are these criticisms legitimate, or is this proverbial resistance that one comes to expect? Yes and no, said Marty Yaskowich, vice president of strategy at DDB, a renowned communications and design agency in Vancouver, British Columbia. “Brand design is definitely one of the most challenging areas of marketing because there will always be differing opinions on what looks good,” he said. “You really have to separate the subjective from the strategic. The real question, when evaluating the logos, is what’s the strategy behind it?” Yaskowich, whose cousin is two-time PBR Canadian champion bull rider bull rider Aaron Roy and who has experience working with major international and iconic Canadian brands, said much of the criticism could be ameliorated if the strategy for the change was more transparent. “There could have been a strategic decision to create a new public-facing logo that is more about promotion of dynamic, exciting, rodeo events while also creating a more accessible and friendly brand to attract a broader audience,” he said. “There may be a strategic rationale for the change … there may be business reasons behind this, but they are not immediately clear.” I like the old logo. It has the unsophisticated charm that only a legitimately established organization can pull off; that kind of old-school authenticity is hard to come by these days. But you’d get no argument from me if, like the Toronto Maple Leaf’s logo, it was given a periodic design refresh. Feedback from CPRA members may have had an effect. “The old CPRA logo has not changed,” said Dan Eddy, the CPRA’s general manager. He noted that the Pro Rodeo Canada logo is a brand of the CPRA. While not categorically contradicting the original intent to replace the old one entirely, Eddy’s comment holds out some hope that the beloved old logo may not be on its way to the slaughterhouse after all. Graeme Menzies is an international marketing and communications professional, who also is the author of The Rodeo Guide for City Slickers.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – There is one good reason Cody Sosebee has been nominated five times as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Clown of the Year. He’s funny. “I’ve always said that it doesn’t matter what you’re selling, if people don’t buy into you, they’re not going to buy what you’re selling,” said Andy Stewart, a ProRodeo announcer who will be the voice of the American Royal PRCA Rodeo this year. “That’s where Cody is one of the best; he’s such a likeable guy. What you see in the arena is him all the time. He’s not afraid to make fun of himself.” That’s a key ingredient that Sosebee brings to the table at this year’s rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Hale Arena inside the American Royal complex. “Maybe someone in the crowd is feeling bad about themselves, maybe their job or their body or their marriage,” Stewart said. “When Cody steps into the arena, he’s making fun of himself and cracking jokes about the problem he’s having. People tend to relax and think, ‘I feel comfortable with him; he’s just like us.’ “Through making fun of himself, we’re laughing at ourselves. That’s a very unique trait that he has that makes him a really special clown.” This isn’t the first time Sosebee has worked the American Royal. In fact, he’s been a regular at some of the biggest events in the country, including rodeos in Cheyenne, Wyo.; Dodge City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; and the Calgary (Alberta) Stampede. In addition to his clowning nomination, the former competitor also has been nominated for the PRCA Comedy Act of the Year two of the past three seasons. But there’s much more to Sosebee than meets the eye. Over his lifetime, he’s competed in nearly every rodeo event possible and was at the top of his game in bareback riding. It’s part of the life growing up in a family that was heavily involved in rodeo. His father was a pickup man, so Sosebee has been part of the sport as long as he can remember. “I got into clowning by accident by filling in for guys,” said Sosebee, who also owns a barbecue restaurant in his hometown of Charleston, Ark., just 25 miles east of Fort Smith, Ark. “I didn’t know where I was going to go with my rodeo career when I quit riding barebacks, and it turned into a good living. I get to see the world. “I live in a community with one four-way stop, and I get to go to a lot of other great places where as soon as you pull into town, you are considered a rock star for a week.” A born competitor, the clown has made the adjustments he needed to get the true fix after a lifetime of being part of the contest. “I’ve always been a competitor in anything I did, from football to basketball to when I was in freestyle bullfighting,” he said. “I miss putting my hand in the riggin’ and nodding my head to be 80 points to win the rodeo, but I’m a realist. I’m 43 years old. While most of the guys I rodeoed with have slowed down and have found jobs, I get to be in the arena and get to make a living in rodeo doing something I love.” Sosebee also plays to his strengths. Bigger than many in the game, he showcases a true athleticism that is rarely seen among men of his stature. It’s comedy at the purest level. “Having the ability to laugh at myself is probably my biggest strength,” he said. “I don’t take anything too serious. When I’m watching a comedian, the funniest thing I see is when they’re honestly open and having a good time. I want the fans to see that I’m a real person and I’m having fun, and they can have fun with me.” That’s why Sosebee has excelled as one of the premier rodeo clowns in the game. That’s why the volunteer committee is bringing him to town. It’s another key reason the American Royal is always at the top of the game.

TEXARKANA, Ark. – The high-flying action of the 71st Four States Fair and Rodeo won’t be limited to the midway. The exposition will be home to a world-class rodeo, featuring the top athletes in the game. That includes the great animals from Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo and the graceful – yet comedic – motorcycle antics of Troy Lerwill. It’s all set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16-Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Four States Fair Entertainment Center in Texarkana. “Troy has never been in our area, and I think everyone will love him here,” said Lisa Barr, vice president of the fair and rodeo. “He will be the specialty act and our clown during the rodeo. We’re excited to have him.” Lerwill is one of the most honored clowns in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, having been honored with the comedy act of the year six times. “Troy is one of the funniest guys out there, not just in rodeo,” said Pete Carr, owner of the Dallas-based livestock firm. “I try to get him as often as I can because he brings a whole new dimension to each show. He’s the best entertainer in rodeo because of how he handles the crowd. “Then you add his motorcycle act into the mix, and it’s just over-the-top. Everybody wants to come back the next day just to see it again. The motorcycle act involves Lerwill’s alter-ego, “The Wild Child,” who jumps a Bloomer trailer and a Ram pickup in a showcase of comedy mixed with athleticism.” Carr knows quite about quality. Each of the past two seasons, he has been nominated as PRCA stock contractor of the year. Over that same time, he also has had more bucking horses and bulls selected to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo than any other contractor. “I think Pete Carr has a fabulous rodeo company, and everybody on his staff puts on a wonderful rodeo,” Barr said. “It’s professional, and the crew just works great with us. “When they get to town, they take the pressure off us. You don’t have to worry about things or if everything’s in place. They take care of it all and produce an outstanding rodeo.” That’s just one aspect of the Carr brand. The crew of professionals put a priority on top production for fans while having the type of animal athletes that are attractive to rodeo cowboys. That helps make the Four States Fair and Rodeo a vital stop for the top contestants in the game. “Pete brings outstanding rodeo livestock to our rodeo year after year,” Barr said. “A lot of people don’t understand that the animals are as much of our rodeo as the cowboys and cowgirls.” In addition to its traditional kids night on Wednesday, in which children get in free with an adult admission, the fair will feature a Colt Ford concert after Friday’s rodeo. It’s a great way to celebrate family-friendly entertainment in Texarkana.

Eliminator, 8-Second Bareback Shootout to showcase top rodeo athletes HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The very best contestants in professional rodeo make their way to southeast Texas in the early fall every year. Part of the attraction is the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1-Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. It offers an outstanding purse and a great opportunity to show off the sport’s top animal athletes. It also is home to a couple of incredible added events in the Eliminator, an eight-man tie-down roping challenge, and the 8-Second Bareback Shootout, which will feature two two-man teams of the top bareback riders in the game going head-to-head. The Eliminator will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, while the 8-Second Bareback Shootout will be part of the Friday, Oct. 2, performance of the rodeo. “We’re bringing together many of the top cowboys in these events to showcase them for our great crowds,” said Chad Kersh, a member of the Waller County Fair Board’s rodeo committee. “We have invited great cowboys to be part of these events this year, and I think everyone is really going to enjoy this aspect of our rodeo.” It’s true. The Eliminator will feature the best of the best in tie-down roping, including world champions like Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas, and Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, La. They will be joined by Cory Solomon of Prairie View, Texas; Caleb Schmid of Bellville, Texas; Matt Shiozawa of Chubbuck, Idaho; Hunter Herrin of Apache, Okla.; Marty Yates of Stephenville, Texas; and Timber Moore of Aubrey, Texas. “We will have several go-rounds, with all eight competing in the first round,” said Paul Shollar, co-chairman of the rodeo committee. “The slowest time in each round is eliminated, and we’ll get down to where we have the final two guys roping for the championship in the final round.” Whitfield is an eight-time world champion, while Hanchey won the gold buckle in 2013. Of the others, Herrin and Shiozawa are heading to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the eighth time in their careers, while Moore has secured his fourth, Solomon his third, and Yates and Schmid their second. Moore also is the reigning champion of The Eliminator Both events will feature a $10,000 purse. “We wanted to give these guys something big to rope and ride for,” said Dustin Standley, the fair and rodeo’s sponsorship chairman. “These types of special events, in conjunction with our PRCA rodeo, gives us the opportunity to continue to state that Waller County is a rodeo community and that this is the place to be every fall.” The 8-Second Bareback Shootout will feature homegrown cowboy Clint Cannon of Waller, Texas, and Richmond Champion of The Woodlands, Texas, riding against Will Lowe of Canyon, Texas, and Evan Jayne of Rockwall, Texas. The team with the best aggregate score will take home the lion’s share of the purse. Cannon has secured his fifth NFR qualification, while Champion is coming off the most successful bareback riding years in 2014, in which he not only qualified for the NFR but also won $1 million at The American. Lowe, a three-time world champion, is battling for his 14th trip to Las Vegas, while Jayne, who is originally from Marseille, France, has been atop the world standings for much of the summer and has secured his first NFR qualification. “This is an awesome way for us to showcase the kind of rodeo talent that comes to our fair and rodeo every year,” Shollar said. “Both events were a big hit last year, so we’ve expanded both of them. I know these are two events that fans are really going to love.”

The PRCA released its list of nominees for end-of-the-year awards. Winners in each category will be announced during the PRCA Awards Banquet, set for Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the South Point Hotel Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, one night before the opening round of the 2015 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Congratulations to all the well-deserving nominees: ANNOUNCERS Wayne Brooks Randy Corley Mike Mathis Boyd Polhamus Andy Stewart SECRETARIES Linda Alsbaugh Sunni Deb Backstrom Haley Bridwell Amanda Corley-Sanders Sandy Gwatney STOCK CONTRACTORS Beutler & Son Rodeo Frontier Rodeo Pete Carr Pro Rodeo Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo Powder River Rodeo Stace Smith Pro Rodeo PICK-UP MAN Jason Bottoms Shawn Calhoun Gary Rempel Shandon Stalls Matt Twitchell Jeremy Willis DRESS ACT Tomas Garcilazo Bobby Kerr Rider Kiesner Jennifer Nicholson & Brandi Phillips Amanda, Lynn & John Payne COMEDY ACT John Harrison Keith Isley Troy Lerwill Gizmo McCracken Cody Sosebee CLOWNS John Harrison Keith Isley Troy Lerwill Justin Rumford Cody Sosebee BULLFIGHTERS Kenny Bergeron Clay Heger Darran Robertson Dusty Tuckness Cody Webster SMALL RODEO Bridgeport, Texas Claremore, Okla. Huntsville, Texas Nacogdoches, Texas Yuma, Colo. MEDIUM RODEO Deadwood, S.D. Estes Park, Colo. Lufkin, Texas Sidney, Iowa Stephenville, Texas LARGE OUTDOOR Cheyenne, Wyo. Lovington, N.M. Ogden, Utah Pecos, Texas Pendleton, Ore. LARGE INDOOR Denver, Colo. Fort Worth, Texas Jackson, Miss. Nampa, Idaho San Antonio, Texas

Less than four weeks remain in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s regular season. That means it’s a scramble for all the top players in the game to position themselves for the postseason. Only the top 15 cowboys in each event advance to ProRodeo’s grand finale, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. For the cowboys “Riding for the Brand” of Tate Branch Auto Group, only a few rodeos remain for them to cash in. Success is vital if they want to play for the biggest pay in the game, especially for heeler Jim Ross Cooper of Monument, N.M.; tie-down roper Clint Cooper, who is originally from Lovington, N.M.; and Marty Jones, a steer roper from Hobbs, N.M. Jim Ross Cooper sits 24th in the world standings with a little more than $42,000 in season earnings. He needs to move up nine spots in the standings to secure his sixth NFR qualification. He is $14,000 behind Quinn Kesler, who sits 15th; but Jim Ross Cooper knows he’ll need to earn $20,000 in the final month to make a serious run for Las Vegas. Jones is 27th on the steer roping money list. He needs to at least double his 2015 money if he wants a shot at qualifying for his 15th Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. Clint Cooper is a little further down the standings, sitting 34th with a little more than $28,700. Like Jones, he’ll need to at least double his earnings if he has any hope to return to Sin City for the sixth time. The outlook is considerably different for heeler Jake Cooper of Monument and saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy of Corona, N.M. Both sit inside the top 15 in their respective standings: Jake Cooper has pocketed $65,692 this season and is 11th, while Muncy has $91,732 and is fourth. Still, there is plenty of money left on the table to help them improve their places in the world standings. The reality for Jake Cooper is that he’s less than $7,000 from moving into the top five. There are several big-money rodeos in which he could catch that kind of money in one fell swoop. The higher the cowboy is in the standings, the better the chances are to make a run at that elusive world title. Muncy knows that well. Not only is he a two-time titlist, he’s heading to the NFR for the eighth time in his career. He is more than $20,000 behind the No. 1 bronc rider, Cody DeMoss of Heflin, La., but he can make up ground over the next few weeks. Not only that, but NFR go-round winners will earn more than $26,000 a night. Over 10 Las Vegas nights, it all will make a difference.

DUNCAN, Okla. – An evening of inspiration and good ol’ fashioned cowboy wisdom is just part of the agenda for a dinner and auction set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Simmons Center in Duncan. The organizers of the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo are conducting the event as a fund-raiser for the upcoming event, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15-Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. “A portion of the proceeds we get from this evening will also go to the Stephens County Youth Shelter,” said Joe Henderson, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the rodeo, the year-end championship for the ProRodeo region consisting of events and contestants primarily from Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. “We set this up as a way to reach out to the community and give them an enjoyable evening while also supporting these community activities.” The cost is $25 per person or $150 for a table of eight. Those interested need to RSVP by Monday, Sept. 7; call either Henderson (580-656-3701) or Sandy Bowden (580-656-0960) to do so. This year’s featured guests are Kellie Lancaster and Jet McCoy. Lancaster is a north Texas chiropractor whose son, Dane Lancaster, was involved in a serious rodeo wreck in May 2015. He continues to recover from the injury – a traumatic brain injury and facial fractures – and has made great strides. The Facebook page, Prayers for Dane Lancaster, was viral among the rodeo community last year, and Kellie Lancaster continues to provide updates. McCoy, a five-time champion in the Oklahoma City-based International Professional Rodeo Association, shot into fame by teaming with his younger brother, Cord, as the Cowboys on the reality TV series, “The Amazing Race.” The McCoys became fan favorites while wearing their signature cowboy hats and utilizing their common-sense approach to the race around the world.

Waller County Fair and Rodeo continues making positive changes HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The Waller County Fair Board has been working diligently over the past year with one goal in mind: Striving to make the experience even better for fairgoers. That’s why members of the board are so excited for this year’s Waller County Fair and Rodeo, set for Friday, Sept. 25-Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. “We’ve added an additional 5,000 square feet of concrete to better serve our attendance in our entertainment pavilion,” said Larry Pershall, a member of the fair’s improvement committee. “In our sponsorship-VIP facility, we’ve added another 1,200-square-foot building, expanded our porch area to 1,200 square feet, poured it into concrete and added a tin roof.” That’s just a small taste of the work that has been going on behind the scenes of one of the top fair’s in southeast Texas. The stage has been moved to the north end of the entertainment section of the fairgrounds, opening the south end of the dance hall and allowing for more room and overflow. “We have fully renovated an old barn into our new Wagon Wheel,” said Chad Kersh, a member of the rodeo committee. “The new building has a Luckenback or Gruene Hall feel to it. It will be a great place to hang out and enjoy our nightly entertainment.” In addition to an action-packed lineup of four top-level artists – Aaron Watson on Saturday, Sept. 26; Jeff Woolsey on Thursday, Oct. 1; John Conlee on Friday, Oct. 2; and Neal McCoy on Saturday, Oct. 3 – the Wagon Wheel also will host an evening of entertainment through most every evenings of the fair and rodeo: Brian Loftin and Texas Reflections, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. DJ and karaoke, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, and Wednesday, Sept. 30 Aubrey Lynn Band, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1 Lacy Booth and Tim Nichols, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2 Texas Special Band, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3 “We are constantly looking at ways to make our fair better, and we have worked really hard to make sure we are heading in the right direction,” Kersh said. “We believe that these changes reflect on our passion to continue to make the Waller County Fair and Rodeo the top event in southeast Texas every year.”

DUNCAN, Okla. – Less than two weeks remain in the 2015 Prairie Circuit rodeo season. Crunch time has fallen for a number of the top contestants in the region if they want to qualify for the year-end championship, the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15-Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. Only the top 12 contestants in each event at the conclusion of the circuit season advance to the finale, so doing well in the few rodeos that remain is vital. For instance, less than $1,000 separates the 10th-15th barrel racers in the standings. Two-time reigning champion Gretchen Benbenek of Aubrey, Texas, sits 10th with $4,112 in regional earnings, while three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier Tana Poppino of Big Cabin, Okla., is 15th with $3,148. A top finish in any of the final rodeos could make all the difference in the world. Kim Couch of Rattan, Okla., has $12,680 in earnings and leads the barrel racing standings by nearly $4,000 over the No. 2 cowgirl, Bailee Snow of Miami, Okla. Emily Miller of Weatherford, Okla., sits third, less than $500 behind Snow. Reigning world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey of Strong City, Okla., has the largest lead in the circuit standings with $18,951, nearly $7,000 ahead of his traveling partner, Brennon Eldred of Sulphur, Okla. The race will be for that coveted 12th spot, where less than $500 separates cowboys in the 11th to 16th positions on the money list. Steer wrestler Riley Duvall of Checotah, Okla., has closed the gap he has behind the leader, Stockton Graves, a five-time regional champ from Alva, Okla. Graves has pocketed more than $20,000 in the circuit this season and is more than $4,000 ahead of Duvall, who has a $6,000 lead over the No. 3 cowboy, Ryan Swayze of Freedom, Okla. Caine Riddle of Vernon, Texas, is a four-time Prairie Circuit champion who has won the last three titles, but he has a little bit of work remaining if he wants to win his fifth. He has earned $8,398 this season and has reserved his spot in Duncan, but his lead is just $728 ahead of Blaine Kaufman of Pretty Prairie, Kan. NFR team ropers Coleman Proctor of Pryor, Okla., and Jake Long of Coffeyville, Kan., lead their respective standings by about $2,000 each. Header Sac Small of Welch, Okla., and heeler Tyler Worley of Nowata, Okla., sit just behind Proctor and Long. Steven Dent of Mullen, Neb., a seven-time NFR qualifier in bareback riding, leads the circuit’s saddle bronc riding standings with more than $13,000 in earnings. He owns a $4,000 lead over another NFR qualifier, Wade Sundell of Coleman, Okla. Dent is now focusing his time on bronc riding. Tie-down roper Cody Quaney of Cheney, Kan., has pocketed more than $14,800 and holds about a $900 lead over nine-time circuit champ Jerome Schneeberger of Ponca City, Okla., who has made a solid late-season push to make a run at his 10th title. The races are heating up, making Duncan an even bigger destination in October.