Monthly Archives: August 2016

Bullfighters Only’s top-ranked man ready to battle beasts at Ellensburg Rodeo   ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Cody Webster understands his position as king of the hill may be for a limited time, but he’s enjoying the view so far. “It’s pretty neat, because we’re not talking about two or three or even four guys,” said Webster, the No. 1 man in the Bullfighters Only standings with $20,737 in season earnings. “We’re talking about 15 guys that could potentially be No. 1. That’s how good the group is and how talented everyone is.” They’ve shown it over the course of this inaugural Bullfighters Only season. It has been an amazing race for the first BFO world championship, and Webster is the third man to hold the top spot in 2016. “Last week made my seventh event, and I’ve won over $20,000,” said Webster of Wayne, Okla. “That speaks volumes for what the BFO has done this year. It would be different if a guy could go to every event. “It’s a pretty good feeling, but nothing’s safe. We’ve got another one Friday.” Webster will be one of three men involved in Friday’s Bullfighter’s Only event held in conjunction with the Ellensburg Rodeo, a Labor Day weekend tradition for more than 90 years. He will be joined by Nate Jestes of Douglas, Wyo., and Dusty Tuckness of Meeteetse, Wyo. Jestes has led the BFO standings for much of the season, and Tuckness has posted the highest-marked fight – a 91.5 in Cody, Wyo. “It’s a great race,” Webster said, pointing out that Weston Rutkowski of Haskell, Texas, has also held the top spot and sits No. 3 in the standings with just a few events remaining in the regular season. “It’s set up well for everybody. Weston is more of a freestyle guy than me; he doesn’t have near as many protection jobs, so he’s been able to go to more events. “That says something, too. It’s a good feeling and a good race. That’s what we want. Anybody can win this thing, like Schell Apple showing up and winning Bremerton (Wash.) and Zach Call winning Kennewick (Wash.). Those young guys are just as talented as the top guys.” Bullfighters Only has created public demand for the sport. The bullfighters utilize their tremendous athleticism to try to outwit and outmaneuver equally athletic bulls, which are bred specifically for this type of fight. “I’m thrilled for the BFO,” Webster said. “I’m blessed that I have so many protection jobs. At the same time, I was one of those young guys coming up who couldn’t get that many protection jobs. There was a time when I was starting when I had to do good at the freestyle bullfights or go flip burgers. “The freestyle bullfights saved me. If I can be part of something for these young guys so they can come up and make a good living full time off freestyle bullfighting, then that’s great. It’s what we want.” Jestes, Tuckness and Webster will first serve as protection bullfighters during the rodeo, then they will be part of the Bullfighters Only competition. With scores based on a 100-point scale, men can earn up to 50 points per fight based on their ability to exhibit control and style while maneuvering around or over an animal; a bull can earn up to 50 points based on its quickness, aggression and willingness to stay with the bullfighter. “Not only will we show up and protect the cowboys, but we also get to step up for the freestyle fight,” Webster said. Being part of the Ellensburg Rodeo also is a big step for Bullfighters Only as it continues to grow freestyle bullfighting through some of the most prestigious rodeos in the country. “It’s huge,” he said. “It’s freestyle bullfighting. It’s extreme, it’s very much contact and it’s very wild. It’s also very dangerous. “It’s very exciting to be able to add the bullfights to a great rodeo. The committee seems very stoked and happy, and we’re all pumped about it.” CONTESTANTS Nate Jestes Cody Webster Dusty Tuckness

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The dream is always the same, and it’s always draped in gold. For rodeo cowboys, every step of their lives and their livelihoods is guided by that dream, of winning the world championship. The vision involves riding great steads or handling untamable bulls. The brilliant visions of gold buckles include important stops along the way, and that’s what will drive the very best in ProRodeo to the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. A big part of the draw for contestants is the bucking horses and bulls provided by Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, which has been recognized as one of the top livestock firms in ProRodeo for several years. “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. He should’ve won it already. “He’s been the best stock contractor in rodeo for a long time.” It’s not just Carr’s incredible bucking stock; one of the key aspects of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo lies in its production. The Carr crew works diligently with the Waller County Fair Board and rodeo announcer Andy Stewart to make sure each performance is considered world-class. “Pete and his crew are remarkable to work with,” said Paul Shollar, co-chairman of the rodeo committee. “I believe the overall entertainment of our rodeo is unmatched in southeast Texas, maybe in the country, for that matter. From start to finish, you will get your money’s worth at one of the top rodeos in the country right here in Hempstead, Texas.” In fact, world champs and NFR qualifiers have become staples of each of the three performances of the rodeo. “The reason Pete’s rodeos are so tough is because he has so many great horses,” said Richmond Champion, a 2014 NFR qualifier from The Woodlands, Texas. “Any rodeo you go to, you know you have a chance to win on anything he’s got. That makes it exciting for us. He’s had his fair share of success on Carr animals. From a victory in Cheyenne, Wyo., to a go-round at that season’s NFR. Now he’d like to carry that over to a rodeo that’s very close to his home and his heart. “Pete has our interests in line,” Champion said of Carr. “He wants us to have good horses to get on. He’s put in a lot of time to get good horses together, and he has a lot. He has horses that are consistent. He’s one of the guys that have the top animals and hauls them all over the country to give us a chance to win.” It all adds up to a winning combination at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo.

DUNCAN, Okla. – Early August is always a hot time for rodeo in the Prairie Circuit. Over the last four weeks, 11 rodeos have taken place inside the boundaries of the circuit, which encompasses Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. It’s a great opportunity for cowboys and cowgirls to cash in and push their way toward qualifications to the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20-Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. Cody Doescher of Oklahoma City is at the top of the list, primarily because he pocketed big circuit dollars at the largest event in the region, Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Rodeo. “It’s unbelievable,” said Doescher, who earned $6,457 in Dodge City to claim the all-around championship. “It’s a privilege, a blessing. It’s for sure a blessing, because I filled in for the team roping and didn’t even enter it.” When Cale Markham needed a replacement heeler, Doescher took that role and ran with it. While he and Markham qualified for the championship round together, Doescher also earned a spot in the finale in steer wrestling. “I was actually worried about making it back (to the short round) in bulldogging, and I actually ended up winning more money in bulldogging than I did team roping,” he said. He sits third in the regional all-around standings with $15,045, is fourth on the steer wrestling money list ($9,063) and is eighth in heeling ($5,982). In the all-around, he trails brothers Trell ($17,056) and Shade Etbauer ($15,766). All three are hoping to be part of the mix in Duncan in multiple events. Whoever has the most opportunities to win money inside the Stephens County Arena will have the best shot at walking away with the Prairie Circuit’s all-around title. Doescher also earned more than $5,000 at the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo in early May. While he squeezed a check worth $1,191 the first week in May at the Wild Bill Kickok Rodeo in Abilene, Kan., he has found most of his success at the bigger events inside the region. “I really needed to capitalize here,” Doescher said in Dodge City. “I was a little behind and needed to win some more for sure. This is a good one to do it at. I’m shooting for the all-around in the circuit and making the circuit finals in both events.” He’s got the tools – and a month left in the circuit’s regular season – to do it.

KENNEWICK, Wash. – Zach Call didn’t start the year among the top 15 men on the Bullfighters Only tour. He’s almost there, though, with strong performances during the BFO’s inaugural season. He made a solid move Friday night by posting an 80-point fight to win the championship in Kennewick in association with the Benton County Fair and Rodeo. He now sits tied for 16th in the standings heading into the final month of the season. “It got my foot further in the door with the BFO,” said Call of Thedford, Neb., a community of about 200 people in the north-central section of the state. “This was my fourth event. “I think Bullfighters Only is great to help grow the sport and get it out there where it belongs.” It is, and Call is just one of the reasons why. Not too bad for a man who has only been fighting bulls for three years. “I used to ride, and that didn’t work out too well, so I made the switch,” he said. “I love the adrenaline rush of it, and I still get to be close to bull riding. I’ve loved it since I was a little kid.” As a newcomer, he is still working his way up. Having the opportunity to showcase his talent at an established and prestigious rodeo like the one in Kennewick is a big move in his young career. “It’s cool to be part of that rodeo,” Call said. “The atmosphere was outstanding.” If he keeps performing like he did Friday night, Call will have more opportunities to be part of events that have that type of credentials. “I just want to be able to go to the events and get a few more wins under my belt,” he said. “Hopefully that will help me move up the standings.” RESULTS 1. Zach Call, 80 points 2. Toby Inman, 77 3. Justin Josey, 75

BREMERTON, Wash. – Not much separates the top men from the rest of the field in the Bullfighters Only. Schell Apple proved that Friday night during the Bullfighters Only competition held in conjunction with the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede, posting an 81-point fight to win the title. “It’s pretty cool to get that win,” said the 20-year-old Oklahoman, who will celebrate his 21st birthday on Wednesday. “I was going up against Ross (Hill) and Cody (Webster), who are both in the top five in the standings. If either of them would’ve won the event, they would’ve moved to first.” Instead, Apple moved up from 10th to at least seventh in the standings. Depending on how the weekend finishes, he could be among the top six. All three men were matched with aggressive bulls that made their presence felt. Both Hill and Webster were hooked and knocked to the ground; their scores revealed as much. Webster finished second with a 77.5-point fight, and Hill placed third with a 71. “I got bumped around and knocked off my feet, but I never fell,” said Apple of Fay, Okla. “None of us got away clean. All the bulls were real hot and right in your pocket.” With half the score coming from the bull, it’s vital for the bullfighters to be matched with quality animals. They got that with Darrell Diefenbach’s 12x Fighting Bulls. “It wasn’t the luck of the draw in those fights,” Apple said. “All those bulls were good.” It worked out for the young bullfighter as he continues through Bullfighter’s Only’s inaugural season. “It shows the kind of talent we have top to bottom in the BFO,” he said. “Even guys that are way back in the standings can come out and beat the top guys. I don’t care if you’re first or 15th; you have a chance to win on any given night.” RESULTS 1. Schell Apple, 81 points 2. Cody Webster, 77.5 3. Ross Hill, 71

Young bullfighter to celebrate his 21st during BFO stop at Kitsap County Fair, Stampede   BREMERTON, Wash. – For many young people, a 21st birthday is cause for celebration and for an outrageous party. Schell Apple isn’t like most people his age. He plans to celebrate a few days early by standing toe-to-toe with a fighting bull during the Bullfighters Only tour stop Friday held in conjunction with the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede in Bremerton. It’s the perfect way to ring in such an anniversary for the young man from Fay, Okla., who attends Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. “I’ve been fighting bulls since I was about 14,” Apple said. “I actually think the bullfight in Bremerton will be exactly seven years to the day that I first started, which was actually a few days before my 14th birthday.” While he’s still young, the Oklahoman is a veteran in the game and has been recognized as one of the top 15 bullfighters in the game. He will be matched with a couple of other veteran bullfighters – Cody Webster of Wayne, Okla., and Ross Hill of Muscle Shoals, Ala. – during the three-man freestyle bullfight in Bremerton. “I think it’s really cool to be able to travel to prestigious rodeos like that and to be able to perform in front of crowds like that and showcase the abilities God has given me,” Apple said. That’s what true athletic competition is like in any arena, especially in the case of Bullfighters Only. In fact, the men themselves were the guiding force behind the creation of Bullfighters Only. It was developed a little more than a year ago, and it has seen rapid growth. That’s been a good thing for the BFO and the bullfighters. “It has taken off ridiculously fast,” he said of the BFO. “I didn’t know a company could get this much momentum so fast. I think it’s awesome. “Basically we had a website to sell products. Someone had an idea to put on a bullfight, so we booked a venue in Las Vegas. That tone event in Vegas is what lined up the other 30 events of this tour.” Now it its inaugural season, Bullfighters Only will crown its first world champion later this year. Bremerton is just one of the many stops along the way to deciding which man will earn that title. “I have not been in the lead all summer,” said Hill, the No. 4 man in the BFO standings. “I’d like to jump myself up there. My mission is to ease into that first-place spot and put a little heat on them.” With scores based on a 100-point scale, men can earn up to 50 points per fight based on their ability to exhibit control and style while maneuvering around or over an animal; a bull can earn up to 50 points based on its quickness, aggression and willingness to stay with the bullfighter. Hill won this past weekend in Gooding, Idaho, so he hopes to parlay that a solid run to close out the season. Webster won last week in Caldwell, Idaho, to add to his victory run; he is third in the standings. “I’ve never been to Bremerton,” Webster said. “It’s definitely one of the top rodeos in the sport. We’ll just go out there and do what we do everywhere else, and that’s put on a show for everyone to enjoy.” When it’s a battle of man vs. beast, the bull has the upper hand. That’s why the bullfighters volley with their own athleticism and maneuvers that keep them close to the action and just out of harm’s way. Combined, the danger, the excitement and the speed of a 40- to 60-second fight is an incredible display that fans have enjoyed all season. “I think we as Bullfighters Only have put freestyle bullfighting on a whole new level and on a whole other platform,” Apple said. “Back when they had the Wrangler Bullfights 16 years ago, it was pretty awesome. I think we’ve brought it up to a whole new speed. It’s almost an acrobatic sport now. “It’s fun what we’re doing and how we’re all feeding off one another. Now we’re doing flips over bulls. We’ve stepped it up to a whole new level, and it’s just going to keep going up.” CONTESTANTS Schell Apple Cody Webster Ross Hill

KENNEWICK, Wash. – It’s been five years since Toby Inman looked into the eyes of a bull. He returns to competition this Friday for the Bullfighters Only tour event that will take place in conjunction with the Benton County Fair and Rodeo in Kennewick. “I don’t know if it’s been retirement (from bullfighting) or if it’s just been a break,” said Inman, 33, of Davis Junction, Ill. “I left because of the economy and for other personal reasons. When you’re trying to juggle your own business and fighting bulls, too, it’s just pretty difficult.” Inman owns Toby’s Tree Service in his hometown, so juggling that with a life in rodeo oftentimes proved difficult. That’s why he’s been away from the game so many years. But he knows the game well. That’s why he’s in the field in Kennewick. “It’s been mind-blowing,” Inman said of the experience. “I got the call last week. It wasn’t really planned. I’m still wrapping my head around it.” He will serve as a replacement for Chuck Swisher, who suffered a season-ending knee injury a week and a half ago. He’s more than capable. In 2011 when he opted for the break from bullfighting, Inman was considered one of the best in the game. Now he will test his skills in a three-man, winner-take-all bullfight inside Horse Heaven Arena – he will be joined by Zach Call and Justin Josey, the latter of whom is 12th in the BFO standings. The return to freestyle bullfighting is in conjunction with the sport’s rise in awareness, thanks to Bullfighters Only, which has helped propel the sport into the mainstream. Each bout lasts between 40 and 60 seconds. With scores based on a 100-point scale, men can earn up to 50 points per fight based on their ability to exhibit control and style while maneuvering around or over an animal; a bull can earn up to 50 points based on its quickness, aggression and willingness to stay with the bullfighter. It’s a test of talent, mental awareness and the ability to read what a bull is about to do. Is Inman concerned about his stamina? “I cut trees for a living, so I’m in more shape than most people,” he said. “I figure I’ve got to know-how to keep the bull close to me so I don’t have to exert too much energy. That’s the plan, anyway.” Inman has shied away from the game he loves for many reasons, the biggest of which is handling his tree business at home. He has clients and employees that need his attention. Still he’s excited to see what he can do in Kennewick. “When you have the personality of a racecar driver or a fighter or people that jump out of airplanes, it’s a mentality of ‘Why not?’ ” he said. That mentality served Inman well in the past. There’s no reason it shouldn’t benefit him this weekend in Kennewick. CONTESTANTS Zach Call Toby Inman Justin Josey

Oklahoma bullfighter suffers torn ACL, will miss remainder of 2016 season   Chuck Swisher has been fortunate much of his career to shy away from serious injuries. That stopped during the Sikeston (Mo.) Jaycee Boothill Rodeo, when Swisher suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament while serving as a protection bullfighter. In that role, his primary job is to protect fallen bull riders and all others inside the arena. Swisher’s right knee buckled, but it didn’t slow him down. In fact, the Dover, Okla., man didn’t realize the depth of his injury until the rodeo had ended two nights later. “The next day, my right knee never really hurt, but I could tell it felt weak,” he said. “I got it taped up real good, then I went out and fought bulls. Three or four bulls in, I planted my right leg, and my knee buckled again.” That night he had an inkling of news ahead. A few days later, an MRI in Oklahoma City revealed the tear. Swisher has scheduled ACL replacement surgery for Aug. 30 in Dallas by noted rodeo surgeon Dr. Tandy Freeman. That means he will miss four to six months of not only the Bullfighters Only season but also miss rodeos in which he was hired as a protection bullfighter. “By stepping into the arena, I know what I’m getting myself into,” Swisher said. “Injuries are part of the game. Being upset won’t solve anything. “If I have anything wrong with my lower half of my body, I’m going to get it taken care of. My knees and my ankles … that’s my team.” Swisher is just 26 years old, so he has a long future in front of him as one of the top bullfighters in the game. That’s another reason to make sure the repair is complete. “I could go the rest of my career with a bum knee and one not working 100 percent,” he said. “Our job’s too serious to not be 100 percent, so it’s off to surgery.” That doesn’t mean humor can’t be part of the remedy. “Hopefully by the time I have surgery, Usain Bolt can tell me to have just part of his ACL,” he said jokingly. Though he’s suffered a few broken bones – including bones in his cervical vertebrae – and been knocked out, the ACL injury is the first to knock him out of the arena for a lengthy time. “I’ve been fighting bulls for 10 years, and I’ve only had a few broken bones,” Swisher said. “I’m bummed I’m out, but I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to do what I’ve done. I’m excited to go into this break with 100 percent joy.”  

Veteran goes ‘old school’ en route to his Bullfighters Only tour victory in Gooding GOODING, Idaho – Ross Hill is a veteran bullfighter who has a few tricks up his sleeve. He earned his spot in Saturday night’s championship round of the Bullfighters Only tour event in association with the Gooding Pro Rodeo, then pulled out some old-school items from his toolbox to pull off an 89.5-point fight to win the championship and $3,000. “We had a long-round fight to start with, and the top two scores from that advanced to the short round,” said Hill, who bested rising star Cade Burns in the final round to take the title. “The head-to-head format has been awesome.” It was there, though, that Hill shined while matching moves 12x Fighting Bulls and Costa’s AK-47. “Weston (Rutkowski) had him in Reno and won on him,” said Hill of Muscle Shoals, Ala. “I was really excited to have him. He’s got a big ol’ set of horns. I had seen Weston really shine on him and figured it was my opportunity to do the same.” The quick little black bull was true to his name, spitting out rapid shots that the Alabama bullfighter countered. When the time came, the 33-year-old Hill pulled the animal toward the barrel and its inhabitant, barrelman Justin Rumford. “I like to get some showmanship out of the barrel,” Hill said. “I watched the four guys go before I went, and I was on the fence next to the crowd, and they were loud the whole time. The loudest they got was when the bulls hit the barrel. “I heard a long time ago that if you win the crowd, you win the gold. I wanted to bring that barrel into the fight. Of course, I drew the best bull, so that was the biggest thing.” That, oftentimes, is the difference in the Bullfighters Only events, which serve as a world-class showcase of the sport’s top talent. Hill has 10 years of bullfighting under his belt, and it shows. “To be the best bullfighter, you have to fight the best bulls,” he said. “With the BFO, the progression of our group is so high that it really comes down to who draws the best bull. We’re all pretty even in our fights, so it comes down to the bull.” With half the score coming from the animal, having a talented athlete on the other side of the equation is vital. All the men in Gooding experienced that with 12x Fighting Bulls. In a field that included BFO No. 1 Nate Jestes and three other top bullfighters in Evan Allard, Justin Josey and Zach Call, only Hill and Burns made the short round. “I really like that format where we can have one on one,” Hill said. “Had it not been that way, I would’ve finished second.” That’s because Burns put on a solid performance in his inaugural Bullfighters Only competition. He won the opening round with an 88-point fight. “I’m just excited to get my foot in the door,” Burns said. “It seems like the BFO is really taking off, and I just felt lucky to be part of it. “It couldn’t have been any better. I’ve been working out all summer, and (Bullfighters Only CEO) Aaron Ferguson said I would probably be able to get into one this year. The way the cards fell, I got that chance. To get to step in the ring and get to compete with those guys was an honor. To be the first one and to be the new kid on the block was just a blessing to me.” He fared fairly well for not having been part of a freestyle bullfight in several years. “I wasn’t nervous and I wasn’t worked up,” he said. “I was just excited to have the opportunity to go out there and show my stuff.” When the ink dried, though, Hill took the top prize. He wasn’t able to put it into any type of season perspective, but there’s a reason for that. “I don’t rank my bullfights,” he said. “You conquer your bulls, and you don’t look any further than that. Don’t pride yourself on what was yesterday, because there’s another one next weekend. The 0only reason you want to look back is to keep it fresh for the future. None of your premier rodeo guys look at last weekend.” With the victory, Hill pushed closer toward the top three in the BFO standings. He sits fourth with just eight events remaining in the regular season, but he’s only $1,300 behind the leader, Jestes. “We’re just now getting cranked up for my season,” Hill said. “I’ve got three events coming up one right after another one, and I plan on winning three of them. My goal is to stick three W’s up on this Northwest run.” RESULTS First round: Cade Burns, 88 points Ross Hill, 87 Justin Josey, 85 Evan Allard, 84 Nate Jestes, 79 Zach Call, 77 Championship round: Ross Hill, 89.5 points Cade Burns, 86

Packed crowd at Caldwell Night Rodeo enjoys Bullfighters Only competition   CALDWELL, Idaho – Having served as a protection bullfighter for a few years, Cody Webster knows all about the raucous crowd at the Caldwell Night Rodeo. On Tuesday during the opening night of the five-night rodeo, Webster showed that crowd his tremendous athleticism during the Bullfighters Only tour competition that concluded the performance. He posted an 89.5-point fight on 12X Fighting Bulls’ Little Foot to claim the title. “It was awesome, and it was in front of a sold-out crowd,” said Webster of Wayne, Okla. “Caldwell, Idaho, is one of the premier rodeos in our sport. It was just a Tuesday night, and it was completely sold out. It was amazing. “I work this rodeo every year, but to bring the BFO in and add a new flair to it, the crowd loved it. I think they will be talking about it for a long time.” The four-man bullfight was just what the crowd needed. In addition to four of the top men in the world, it also featured the fighting bulls from former bullfighter Darrell Diefenbach. From the opening moment, the stage was set. “It was a pretty awesome night,” Webster said. “We had a really strong crowd, and the first bull out was a little red bull that will probably be a 24-point bull based on the 25-point scale the bull is judged on. That bull just set the tone, hooked Evan (Allard) and drug him around a little bit.” Allard, of Vinita, Okla., wasn’t the only one who struggled a little with his aggressive bull. Nathan Harp of Tuttle, Okla., also got knocked down a bit. Allard finished with 73 points, and Harp was 81. Dusty Tuckness of Meeteetse, Wyo., wrapped up a solid fight with an 86-point score. But the night belonged to Webster. “One of my good buddies, Nate Jestes, who leads our standings, had that little black bull at Reno, and I think he ended up winning the night,” Webster said. “He’s just a really good fighting bull. He runs the whole time and doesn’t really get away from you. “I had a really good, sweet fight. I broke him down pretty hard (with a fake) to get some separation and lined up a good jump to sell it.” It’s vital to have strong bulls in a fight. The better the bull, the better the score can be. But that also opens the door for potential danger. Both Allard and Harp went down, and their scores reflected that. “Nathan had kind of a bad go,” Webster said. “The bull got him caught and knocked down. When you get knocked down and take a shot, it usually takes a little out of you. “This was definitely the strongest set of four bulls we’ve had all year long. It was one of those cool nights everyone will remember. The tone was set early on and stayed that way the whole night.” He pocketed $1,500 for winning Caldwell and kept himself in contention for Bullfighters Only’s inaugural world championship. “It gives me another little bump to move up in the standings,” he said. “Most of all, just going out every week to do the best we can makes a difference for us.” CALDWELL RESULTS 1. Cody Webster, 89.5 points 2. Dusty Tuckness, 86 3. Nathan Harp, 81 4. Evan Allard, 73

GOODING, Idaho – The men of Bullfighters Only take danger to a new level. It’s one thing to face danger; it’s another thing to attack it and bring it to its knees. That’s what the Bullfighters Only competition will be about Saturday during the final night of the Gooding Pro Rodeo. Five men will compete in the freestyle-bullfighting battle for the title. “It’s crazy to think this is our actual first year and that we have so many events at these historic rodeos,” said bullfighter Chuck Swisher of Dover, Okla. “For my first year to walk into an arena with such prestigious awards, it’s a true honor for me to fight bulls there.” The award-winning Gooding Pro Rodeo has a grand history, and Bullfighters Only is just adding to the showcase of the world’s best. Freestyle bullfighting is not new to rodeo, and the Bullfighters Only has created public demand for the sport. The events feature man vs. beast in a head-to-head battle inside an arena. The bullfighters utilize their tremendous athleticism to try to outwit and outmaneuver the agile bulls. Now just a little more than a year old, Bullfighters Only is still in its infancy, but it has grown rapidly. The Gooding rodeo is the 21st stop on the BFO’s inaugural tour. “In my opinion, Bullfighters Only is the most elite set of guys that have ever been involved in freestyle bullfighting,” said Nate Jestes of Douglas, Wyo. “There hasn’t been a set of 15 guys that are as strong and as talented that are going down the road at this time. It’s not only the elite guys, but the elite bulls, too. “These are the kinds of bulls that allow us to showcase our abilities and our talents. We’re fighting bulls that are good, fun to fight and are fun to watch. I think that’s what sets Bullfighters Only apart from other freestyle events. It’s the best guys, it’s the best bulls, and it’s the best freestyle competition around.” Jestes leads the BFO standings with more than $19,000 in earnings, but his lead is slim. In bullfighting, dollars equal championship points, so every penny counts in a big way as the men battle their way toward the inaugural world championship. “I think it’s a good thing we’ve all done to bring the bullfights back to where they belong,” said Allard of Vinita, Okla. “It’s taken off because bullfighting is the greatest extreme sport in the world, and we have the best freestyle bullfighters alive all doing it right now.” With scores based on a 100-point scale, men can earn up to 50 points per fight based on their ability to exhibit control and style while maneuvering around or over an animal; a bull can earn up to 50 points based on its quickness, aggression and willingness to stay with the bullfighter. “What’s cool about Bullfighters Only is that the top 15 guys are part of what we call the Pioneer Project,” Jestes said. “It’s 15 of the sport’s best. We’re in it for each other and for the sport of freestyle bullfighting. No matter who wins, we’re happy for each other. It’s pretty amazing.” That’s a big deal to the bullfighters. “To me, Bullfighters Only is more like a group of brothers,” Swisher said of the top 15 bullfighters in the game that make up the BFO. “We all went in and are part of this team that helps in bringing the freestyle bullfights back in front of the fans. It’s something we’ve always wanted for so long. “Even before there was even a thought of the BFO, we always stuck together and stuck our necks out for each other. We push each other to get better, and now we put a name on it.” The men of Bullfighters Only have shared their passion with others, and now the world will see what true athleticism goes into freestyle bullfighting. CONTESTANTS Nate Jestes Chuck Swisher Zach Call Evan Allard Justin Josey

LOVINGTON, N.M. – J.D. Struxness has had an outstanding week on the rodeo trail. He put an exclamation point on it Saturday night by earning a share of the steer wrestling title at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. During the final performance of the 2016 exposition, Struxness wrestled his steer to the ground in 3.6 seconds. That, combined with his first-round run of 3.9, pushed the Minnesota cowboy to a 7.5-second cumulative time; he owns the bulldogging title with Shayde Tree Etherton, who competed earlier in the week. “Lovington’s a good rodeo,” said Struxness of Appleton, Minn. “Last year was my first year here. It’s a cool set up and looks like a good rodeo to win. This year I had the steers to do it on, and I’m glad I capitalized on it.” He did that all week. In all, the cowboy pocketed $10,894 this week and pushed his season earnings to nearly $56,000. That will move him inside the top 10 in the world standings and closer to the leader, Jason Thomas of Benton, Ark. Struxness needs to finish among the top 15 in the world standings to earn his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.” “It’d be great to make it to Vegas this year,” he said. “It would be an excellent start to my career; to be able to move right from college to that would be outstanding.” He finished the 2015 season 19th in the world standings. He returned to Northwestern Oklahoma State University to finish his collegiate rodeo career. He did that with a bang, earning the championship two months ago at the College National Finals Rodeo. If everything falls into place, he could be just the fourth cowboy in rodeo history to have won a collegiate title and world championship in the same discipline in the same calendar year. “Just missing (the NFR) last year put a fire in my belly,” he said. Struxness wasn’t the only man competing on the final night to have that fire in his belly. Both bareback rider R.C. Landingham of Hat Creek, Calif., and bull rider Cody Rostockyj of Lorena, Texas, are well within range of earning their first NFR qualifications, too. Rostockyj, who finished 29th last year and has been as high as 18th at the end of a season, rode Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Leroy Brown for 88.5 points to win the Lovington title and $5,464. “This is always a big rodeo that everybody wants to win,” the bull rider said. “It’s going to help a lot on the way to the NFR. You don’t want to count your chickens, but it gives you some cushion.” Landingham has been an NFR bridesmaid each of the past three seasons. In 2013 and ’14, he finished 16th in the world standings, just missing ProRodeo’s grand finale. A year ago, he placed 19th. He has a firm place on fifth place heading into the final month and a half of the regular season. He padded his earnings Saturday night by winning the bareback riding title in Lovington wi9th an 86-point ride on Carr’s Hometown Girl. “She’s a little horse, and I’m a bigger guy, so I didn’t fit her as good as other guys would,” Landingham said. “She felt outstanding and was really fun to ride, and the two of us together put up a pretty good score.” Like Struxness, Landingham has had a phenomenal week. He earned $8,170, with $5,154 in earnings from this southeastern New Mexico community. He has earned more than $87,000 this season, and that doesn’t include potential earnings from a rodeo in Hermiston, Ore. “I’m guaranteed (to go to the NFR) now,” he said. “I’m placing at every rodeo I’ve been to this week. Now I’m just going to be picky about what rodeos I go to and what horses I get on and finally go to the NFR. “It’s a big relief. I always felt like I was going to be there.” Now he knows for sure, and, like Struxness and Rostockyj, he has the Lea County Fair and Rodeo to thank for playing a role in it. Lea County Fair and Rodeo Lovington, N.M. Aug. 10-13 Bareback riding leaders: 1. R.C. Landingham, 86 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl, $5,154; 2. Kyle  Brennecke, 85, $3,951; 3. Chad Rutherford, 84, $2,921; 4. Tim O’Connell, 83, $1,890; 5. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Teddy Athan and J.R. Vezain, 82, $916 each; 8. (tie) Troy Vaira and Winn Ratliff, 80, $258 each. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Shayde Etherton, 3.7 seconds, $1,791; 2. (tie) Wyatt Jurney and J.D. Struxness, 3.9, $1,441 each; 4. Riley Duvall, 4.0, $1,090; 5. (tie) Monty Eakin and Matt Reeves, 4.1, $740 each; 7. (tie) John Franzen and Shane Frey, 4.2, $273 each. Second round leaders: 1. Josh Clark, 3.2 seconds, $1,791; 2. Josh Peek, 3.5, $1,558; 3. J.D. Struxness, $974; 4. (tie) Shayde Etherton and Dirk Tavenner, 3.8, $974; 6. Dean Gorsuch, 3.9, $623; 7. John Franzen, 4.1, $389; 8. Tanner Brunner, 4.2, $156. Average leaders: 1. (tie) J.D. Struxness and Shayde Etherton, 7.5 seconds on two runs, $2,512 each; 3. Dean Gorsuch, 8.2, $1,986; 4. John Franzen, 8.3, $1,6365; 5. Josh Peek, 8.5, $1,285; 6. Juan Alcazar Jr., 8.7, $935; 7. Josh Clark, 8.8, $584; 8. Matt Reeves, 9.3, $234. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Ryle Smith, 8.2 seconds, $2,258; 2. Josh Peek, 8.5, $1,963; 3. Westyn Hughes, 8.8, $1,669; 4. Sterling Smith, 8.9, $1,374; 5. Kooper Saiz, 9.2, $1,080; 6. Shank Edwards, 9.3, $785; 7. Ryan Jarrett, 9.6, $491; 9. (tie) Bryson Sechrist, Marcos Costa and Joseph Parsons, 9.7, $65 each. Second round leaders: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.6 seconds; 2. Marcos Costa, 8.3; 3. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Connor Hall, 8.7; 5. Reese Riemer, 8.8; 6. Timber Moore 8.9; 7. Sterling Smith, 9.0; 8. Cimarron Boardman, 9.1. Average leaders: 1. Sterling Smith, 17.9 seconds on two runs, $3,387; 2. Marcos Costa, 18.0, $2,945; 3. Westyn Hughes, 18.2, $2,503; 4. Reese  Continue Reading »

SIKESTON, Mo. – Bullfighting is more than a leap of faith for Beau Schueth, but he doesn’t mind jumping into the action. It paid off Friday night to the Bullfighter Only tour victory during the championship round in conjunction with the Sikeston Jaycee Boothill Rodeo. The O’Neill, Neb., man scored 89 points to win the title. “I’ve been in kind of a slump the last couple events I went to,” she said. “To finally get another win under my belt means a lot, and there’s no better place to do it than Sikeston. It’s an awesome rodeo, and the committee’s great. It’s just a fun time. This is my second year there, and I hope to be able to go back next year. “The crowd seemed really into it. When the crowd’s into it, that makes me want to do something crazier and fight harder for them.” It also helped that Schueth was matched with an aggressive bull that was on point throughout the fight with Hookin’ A Ranch’s Shed Hunter. With half the score coming from the animal, the Nebraskan knew he had an opportunity to take the title. “He’s a super-hot little bull,” Schueth said. “He was coming with it right out of the gate and for the first 20 seconds. Then it calmed down and settled into a grove. I got some step-throughs and started breaking him down. “Those are the ones you want, ones that are hot on your tail the whole time. I got a good up at the end to sell (the fight).” He earned his spot in the three-man championship round by eliminating Ross Hill in the tournament-style format. He was then matched with the other two winners, Chuck Swisher of Dover, Okla., and Weston Rutkowski of Haskell, Texas. “I had a good bull named Webster,” Schueth said of the bull he had been matched with for the first round. “Cody Webster raised him and fought him a lot. I knew he’d know the game a little bit. I just went out and made sure my fakes and rounds were solid. He was a lot of fun. I didn’t get my legs up fast enough on my jump, but it worked out; I just rolled out of it and sold (the fight) there.” With the fight, Schueth sits solidly in the top five of the Bullfighters Only standings. He’d like to cash in a little more before the BFO finale, which will take place Dec. 1-4 in Las Vegas. “I was planning on being one of the contenders for the BFO world championship, but I’ve fallen down in the standings,” he said. “Winning Sikeston helped bring that goal back. I just want to be in the mix with all the top bullfighters going, and so far, it seems like I’ve been able to do that. “It’s so much fun to be able to fight against guys you’ve watched and learned from. Now to compete with them and be on their level is an awesome feeling.” He’s earned that spot one bullfight at a time. SIKESTON RESULTS 1. Beau Schueth, 89 points 2. Chuck Swisher, 86 3. Weston Rutkowski, 84

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Every dollar matters to bareback rider Kyle Brennecke at this stage of the game. He set up a nice paycheck Friday night at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo with a wet and wild 85-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Painted River. That pushed him into the No. 1 spot heading into Saturday’s final performance. “It was really important,” said Brennecke of Stephenville, Texas, the No. 29 cowboy in the bareback riding world standings. “I needed it mentally and just for the rodeo, too. I’m sitting in a spot where I can’t stop going and I need to keep going. Riding good when you draw a good (horse) like that is very important this time of year.” Less than two months remain in the 2016 regular season, and he wants to capitalize at every turn; only the top 15 in the world standings at that point advance to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s premier championship. “This season has been better,” said Brennecke, now in his seventh season in ProRodeo. “I’ve done some things different this year. I’ve worked a little bit harder at it and took it a little more seriously. Here lately (success) has been on and off. I’ve just been trucking a long, and sometimes you’ve just got to run right through that wall they put in front of you.” Sometimes the wall is opened in the form of a quality partner. The Missouri-born cowboy found it in Painted River, a 7-year-old mare with a championship lineage – sire Korczak has been to the NFR multiple times, and dam River Boat Annie was the 2007 reserve world champion bareback horse. “My traveling partner, Tim O’Connell, won the short round at San Antonio on her,” Brennecke said. “He said, ‘She’s a really good horse, and she’s going to try no matter what.’ ” He was right. O’Connell knows a thing or two about bucking horses. He is the No. 1 bareback rider in the game with nearly $128,000 in earnings and has guaranteed his third straight NFR qualification. O’Connell was 83 points on Carr’s Good Time Charlie and sits in third place. “We click together pretty good, because we’re both pretty upbeat,” Brennecke said. “Sitting where he’s at and me looking up to that, it’s good to ride against somebody like that every day. It just keeps you stepping up instead of stepping back. “My goal is to make the finals; it always has been. The guy that’s at the top of his level like Tim is definitely a plus for me. You’re only as good as the people you ride against every day. It’s always good to ride against him every day.” Iron sharpens iron, and Brennecke hopes to continue his pearcing streak through the final six weeks of the season. Lea County Fair and Rodeo Lovington, N.M. Aug. 10-13 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kyle  Brennecke, 85 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Painted River; 2.; Tim O’Connell, 83; 3. (tie) Caleb Bennett and Teddy Athan, 82; 5. (tie) Troy Vaira and Winn Ratliff, 80; 7. (tie) Joel Schlegel and Richmond Champion, 78. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Shayde Etherton, 3.7 seconds; 2. Wyatt Jurney, 3.9; 3. (tie) Monty Eakin and Matt Reeves, 4.1; 5. (tie) Dean Gorsuch and Juan Alcazar Jr., 4.3; 7. Cody Cabral, 4.5; 8. (tie) Ross Mosher and Clayton Tuchscherer, 4.7. Second round leaders: 1. Josh Peek, 3.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Shayde Etherton and Dirk Tavenner, 3.8; 4. Dean Gorsuch, 3.9; 5. Wyatt Lindsay, 4.3; 6. (tie) Coltin Hill, Ryan Jarrett and Juan Alcazar Jr., 4.4; 6. (tie) Jace Melvin and Jake Rinehart, 4.5; 8. Gary Gilbert, 4.6. Average leaders: 1. Shayde Etherton, 7.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Dean Gorsuch, 8.2; 3. Josh Peek, 8.5; 4. Juan Alcazar Jr., 8.7; 5. Matt Reeves, 9.3; 6. Ross Mosher, 9.8; 7. (tie) Wyatt Lindsay and Blair Jones, 10.2. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Ryle Smith, 8.2 seconds; 2. Westyn Hughes, 8.8; 3. Sterling Smith, 8.9; 4. Kooper Saiz, 9.2; 5. Shank Edwards, 9.3; 6. Ryan Jarrett, 9.6; 7. (tie) Bryson Sechrist and Marcos Costa, 9.7. Second round leaders: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.6 seconds; 2. Marcos Costa, 8.3; 3. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Connor Hall, 8.7; 5. Reese Riemer, 8.8; 6. Timber Moore 8.9; 7. Sterling Smith, 9.0; 8. Cimarron Boardman, 9.1. Average leaders: 1. Sterling Smith, 17.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Marcos Costa, 18.0; 3. Westyn Hughes, 18.2; 4. Reese Reimer, 18.8; 5. Josh Peek, 19.5; 6. Timber Moore, 20.1; 7. Connor Hall, 20.7; 8. Kooper Saiz, 21.4. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Sam Spreadborough, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Cool Runnings; 2. Nat Stratton, 85; 3. (tie) CoBurn Bradshaw and Dean Wadsworth, 84; 5. Jacobs Crawley, 80; 6. (tie) Cole Elshere and Cody DeMoss, 79; 8. Doug Aldridge and Leon Fountain, 78. Steer roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Bryce Davis and J.P. Wickett, 9.5 seconds; 3. Shay Good, 9.6; 4. (tie) Cody Lee and Jess Tierney, 10.1; 6. Steve Wolf, 10.4. Second round leaders: 1. Rocky Patterson, 8.7 seconds; 2. J.P. Wickett, 9.6; 3. (tie) Jason Evans and Marty Jones, 9.8; 5. Landon McClaugherty, 9.9; 6. Roger Branch, 10.7. Third round leaders: 1. Garrett Hale, 9.1 seconds; 2. JoJo LeMond, 9.8; 3. Chet Herren, 10.2; 4. (tie) J.B. Whatley and Jess Tierney, 10.5; 6. Troy Tillard, 10.6. Average leaders: 1. J.P. Wickett, 32.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Shay Good, 32.8; 3. Jess Tierney, 33.4; 4. Jason Evans, 33.8; 5. Bryce Davis, 34.6; 6. Roger Branch, 37.2. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.4 seconds; 2. Chase Massengill/Daylan Frost, 4.6; 3. Tyler Wade/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 4.7; 5. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 4.8; 6. (tie) Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin and Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 4.9; 7. Colby Lovell/Travis Graves, 5.0; 8. Rhen Richard/Cole Davison, 5.2; 7. JoJo LeMond/Kory Koontz, 5.4; 8. Manny Egusquiza Jr./Daniel Braman, 5.5. Second round leaders: 1. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 4.3 seconds; 2. Nathan McWhorter/Dustin Davis, 4.4; 3.  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – CoBurn Bradshaw wasn’t exactly born to be a saddle bronc rider, but you can’t tell that by the way he rides. On Thursday night, he matched moves with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Cowtown for 84 points to take the lead at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. It was a nice change of pace for the cowboy who might finally see some success in this southeastern New Mexico community. “I’ve been here the last two years and haven’t done any good, so it feels good to be able to have some success here,” said Bradshaw of Beaver, Utah. “I had that horse a few years ago, and he was a little better to ride here than he was in San Angelo (Texas).” ProRodeo success has come quickly for the 21-year-old cowboy. As a high school star, he finished second at the National High School Finals Rodeo in both 2011 and ’12. A year later, he finished third. As a freshman at Western Texas College in 2014, he earned the national championship. Last year, he not only earned the Rookie of the Year title but also qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, where he earned just shy of $230,000 over 10 nights in Las Vegas. Bradshaw won the second and fifth rounds, placed in four others and finished with the second highest 10-round cumulative score. Not bad for a cowboy who didn’t start riding broncs until a few years ago, when he was beginning high school. He married into the famed bronc riding family, the Wrights, which consists of two-time world champion Cody Wright and his younger brothers, Jesse (the 2012 titlist) and Spencer (2014). Another brother, Jake, is a four-time NFR qualifier. Meanwhile Cody’s oldest son, Rusty, earned his first trip to Las Vegas last year with Bradshaw; in 2015, Rusty Wright finished third in the final world standings, while Bradshaw placed fourth. “I was good friends with Rusty in high school,” Bradshaw said. In fact, that’s how Bradshaw met his wife, Rebecca; Rusty asked Bradshaw to take his aunt to prom. They were married in 2013. Now he travels the rodeo trail chasing gold-buckle dreams with his in-laws. So far this season, he has earned more than $90,000 on the backs of bucking horses. He’d like to add more from the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. Lea County Fair and Rodeo Lovington, N.M. Aug. 10-13 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Caleb Bennett, 82 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Lady Gaga; 2. Troy Vaira, 80; 3. (tie) Jordan Petlon and Caine Riddle, 71; 5. Luke Creasy, 64; 6. John Killian, 62; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Shayde Etherton, 3.7 seconds; 2. Wyatt Jurney, 3.9; 3. (tie) Monty Eakin and Matt Reeves, 4.1; 5. Dean Gorsuch, 4.3; 6. (tie) Mike Garcia and Rowdy Parrott, 4.8; 8. Aaron Vosler, 5.2. Second round leaders: 1. Shayde Etherton, 3.8 seconds; 2. Dean Gorsuch, 3.9; 3. Wyatt Lindsay, 4.3; 4. (tie) Coltin Hill and Ryan Jarrett, 4.4; 6. (tie) Jace Melvin and Jake Rinehart, 4.5; 8. Gary Gilbert, 4.6. Average leaders: 1. Shayde Etherton, 7.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Dean Gorsuch, 8.2; 3. Matt Reeves, 9.3; 4. Wyatt Lindsay, 10.2; 5. Heath Thomas, 10.3; 6. Billy Bugenig, 11.0; 7. Sam Powers, 11.1; 8. (tie) Coltin Hill and Rowdy Parrott, 11.4. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Ryle Smith, 8.2 seconds; 2. Westyn Hughes, 8.8; 3. Sterling Smith, 8.9; 4. Kooper Saiz, 9.2; 5. Shank Edwards, 9.3; 6. Ryan Jarrett, 9.6; 7. (tie) Bryson Sechrist and Marcos Costa, 9.7. Second round leaders: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.6 seconds; 2. Marcos Costa, 8.3; 3. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Connor Hall, 8.7; 5. Reese Riemer, 8.8; 6. Timber Moore 8.9; 7. Sterling Smith, 9.0; 8. Cimarron Boardman, 9.1. Average leaders: 1. Sterling Smith, 17.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Marcos Costa, 18.0; 3. Westyn Hughes, 18.2; 4. Reese Reimer, 18.8; 5. Timber Moore, 20.1; 6. Connor Hall, 20.7; 7. Kooper Saiz, 21.4; 8. JoJo LeMond, 23.4. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 84 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Cowtown; 2. Cole Elshere, 79; 3. Doug Aldridge and Leon Fountain, 78 points; 5. Zeke Thurston, 77; 6. Ryan Mackenzie, 75; 7. Jesse James Kirby, 73; 8. Taos Muncy, 65. Steer roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Bryce Davis and J.P. Wickett, 9.5 seconds; 3. Shay Good, 9.6; 4. (tie) Cody Lee and Jess Tierney, 10.1; 6. Steve Wolf, 10.4. Second round leaders: 1. Rocky Patterson, 8.7 seconds; 2. J.P. Wickett, 9.6; 3. (tie) Jason Evans and Marty Jones, 9.8; 5. Landon McClaugherty, 9.9; 6. Roger Branch, 10.7. Third round leaders: 1. Garrett Hale, 9.1 seconds; 2. Chet Herren, 10.2; 3. (tie) J.B. Whatley and Jess Tierney, 10.5; 5. Troy Tillard, 10.6; 6. Brodie Poppino, 11.1. Average leaders: 1. J.P. Wickett, 32.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Shay Good, 32.8; 3. Jess Tierney, 33.4; 4. Jason Evans, 33.8; 5. Bryce Davis, 34.6; 6. Roger Branch, 37.2. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.4 seconds; 2. Tyler Wade/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 4.7; 3. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 4.8; 4. Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin4.9; 5. Colby Lovell/Travis Graves, 5.0; 6. Rhen Richard/Cole Davison, 5.2; 7. JoJo LeMond/Kory Koontz, 5.4; 8. Manny Egusquiza Jr./Daniel Braman, 5.5. Second round leaders: 1. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 4.3 seconds; 2. Nathan McWhorter/Dustin Davis, 4.4; 3. Cody Snow/Dugan Kelly, 4.6; 4. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.6; 5. J.D. Yates/Trey Yates, 4.9; 6. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 5.1, 7. Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin, 5.2; 8. (tie) Landon McClaugherty/Joel Galvan Jr. and Casey Gattis/Kirt Jones, 9.3. Average leaders: 1. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 9.1 seconds on two runs; 2. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 9.9; 3. Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin, 10.1; 4. Cody Snow/Dugan Kelly, 11.5; 5. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 4.3 seconds on one run; 6. Nathan McWhorter/Dustin Davis, 4.4; 7. Tyler Wade/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 4.7; 8. J.D. Yates/Trey Yates, 4.9. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Sarah Rose McDonald, 17.36 seconds; 2. Hailey Kinsel, 17.50; 3. Taylor Homuth, 17.51; 4.  Continue Reading »

Bullfighters Only will be featured on opening night of the Caldwell Night Rodeo   CALDWELL, Idaho – The life of a bullfighter is sometimes wild, sometimes exciting and all the time consumed by their passion. It takes a true love affair with the game to look a bull in the eyes and risk everything, escaping danger in the blink of an eye. That’s the reality for the men of Bullfighters Only, who will be part of opening night of the Caldwell Night Rodeo on Aug. 16. Four men will test their athleticism against equally athletic fighting bulls, with the winner claiming the prize at one of the most prestigious rodeos in the country. “I think it’s a good thing we’ve all done to bring the bullfights back to where they belong,” said Evan Allard, a world champion bullfighter from Vinita, Okla. “It’s taken off because bullfighting is the greatest extreme sport in the world, and we have the best freestyle bullfighters alive all doing it right now.” With scores based on a 100-point scale, men can earn up to 50 points per fight based on their ability to exhibit control and style while maneuvering around or over an animal; a bull can earn up to 50 points based on its quickness, aggression and willingness to stay with the bullfighter. “We’re trying to grow the sport and bring it back to the main stage,” said Dusty Tuckness, the six-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s bullfighter of the year from Meeteetse, Wyo. “We’ve got a great group of guys and great support. The fan base is growing. “There’s just so much excitement to freestyle bullfighting. It’s an event that hasn’t had a true world champion since 2000. Bullfighters Only is bringing that back while also keeping an eye out for the young talent. We want the best of the best. The main stage is where it belongs. The energy and the level of excitement are second to none.” Freestyle bullfighting is not new to rodeo, and the Bullfighters Only has created public demand for the sport. The events feature man vs. beast in a head-to-head battle inside an arena. The bullfighters utilize their tremendous athleticism to try to outwit and outmaneuver the agile bulls. Now just a little more than a year old, Bullfighters Only is still in its infancy, but it has grown rapidly. The Caldwell Night Rodeo is the 20th stop on the BFO’s inaugural tour. “It’s crazy to think this is our actual first year and that we have so many events at these historic rodeos,” said Chuck Swisher of Dover, Okla. The tour is just part of a grand collaboration of the world’s top bullfighters. “To me, Bullfighters Only is more like a group of brothers,” Swisher said of the top 15 bullfighters in the game that make up the BFO. “We all went in and are part of this team that helps in bringing the freestyle bullfights back in front of the fans. It’s something we’ve always wanted for so long. “Even before there was even a thought of the BFO, we always stuck together and stuck our necks out for each other. We push each other to get better, and now we put a name on it.” While the danger and the battles with athletic bovines are part of their makeup, the bullfighters also have a passion for competition. “I want Bullfighters Only to be part of every major event,” said Cody Webster of Wayne, Okla. “Freestyle bullfighting is what put me on the map, and we have a bunch of young bullfighters who have a lot of talent. I want us to get to where we provide an avenue for those young guys.” That’s happening already, with some amazing young talent who want to be involved in one of the greatest extreme sports. “The bulls drive me,” said Allard, who has been fighting bulls for 11 years. “Just knowing that you’re able to go head to head with one of the fiercest creatures alive and know that if everything goes right, you’re able to control him. “It’s the art itself that drives me.” That passion is what drives the men of Bullfighters Only. CALDWELL CONTESTANTS Cody Webster Nathan Harp Evan Allard Dusty Tuckness

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Success has always followed steer wrestler Dean Gorsuch to the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. “This has been a really good rodeo for me,” said Gorsuch, a two-time world champion bulldogger from Gering, a tiny community straight north of Lovington in the Nebraska Panhandle. “I like this rodeo. It’s a really long way from home, but it always feels like home when I’m here. You have those rodeos where you feel good.” That’s the case at Jake McClure Arena on the Lea County Fairgrounds. He won the championship in 2011 and has earned a bucket load of money in Lovington over the course of his career. He has a good chance to continue that trend this year. Gorsuch put together two quality runs Wednesday during the first day of the rodeo, scoring a 4.3 to lead the opening round, then following that with a 3.9-second run during the performance; he also leads the second round and the average with a two-run cumulative time of 8.2 seconds. “There are a bunch of good guys to go, and these back-to-back deals are awesome,” he said, referring to the opportunity timed-event cowboys have to make multiple runs in the same day; that allows them to move on to the next rodeo without having to double-back to Lovington, which just adds to the expense of rodeo. “I ran two good steers, and hopefully it’ll win some money.” He’ll wait through the final three days of competition to see where he sits when the curtain closes Saturday night, but he stands pretty tall so far. He should know; he’s a two-time world champion with eight qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – his two gold buckles came in 2006 and 2010. Leading into this week’s competition, he was 14th in the world standings with $42,416. He knew he had an opportunity to do well Wednesday evening, mainly because fellow steer wrestler Jace Melvin provided a little background on the steer – Melvin had competed on the same steer during the afternoon session. “I probably would have missed him if (Jace) hadn’t told me,” he said of the steer. “He was great once you get him.” Gorsuch gets most of his steers, but that doesn’t come without struggles. Rodeo is a humbling sport, and championships aren’t guaranteed. He hasn’t been to the NFR since 2013, when he was in the race for the world championship until the final round of the season. “I got hurt two years ago,” Gorsuch said. “I didn’t do very good last year, but I still wasn’t very confident. It felt like it still hurt at times, and I just never let things hang out. It feels like it’s coming together this year.” If the Lea County Fair and Rodeo is any indication, it certainly has. Lea County Fair and Rodeo Lovington, N.M. Aug. 10-13 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Troy Vaira, 80 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s First Kiss; 2. Jordan Petlon, 71; 3. Luke Creasy, 64; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Dean Gorsuch, 4.3 seconds; 2. Mike Garcia, 4.8; 3. Aaron Vosler, 5.2; 4. Trevor Knowles, 5.3; 5. Billy Bugenig, 5.4; 6. Seth Brockman 5.9; 7. (tie) Coltin Hill and Mike McGinn, 7.0. Second round leaders: 1. Dean Gorsuch, 3.9 seconds; 2. Coltin Hill, 4.4; 3. (tie) Jace Melvin and Jake Rinehart, 4.5; 5. Garry Gilbert, 4.6; 6. Rusty Hamilton, 4.9; 7. (tie) Billy Bugenig and Koty Rope Kamm, 5.6; 5. Jacob Shofner, 12.0; 6. Ryan Huxtable, 12.3; 7. Michael Bates Jr., 13.0; 8. Average leaders: 1. Dean Gorsuch, 8.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Billy Bugenig, 11.0; 3. Coltin Hill, 11.4; 4. Mike Garcia, 13.9; 5. Jake Rinehart, 17.8; 6. Jace Melvin, 4.5 seconds on one run; 2. Gary Gilbert, 4.6; 8. Rusty Hamilton, 4.9. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Ryle Smith, 8.2 seconds; Westyn Hughes, 8.8; 3. Shank Edwards, 9.3; 4. Reese Riemer, 10.0; 5. Cooper Martin, 10.7; 6. Michael Otero, 11.5; 7. Travis Lewis, 11.9; 8. Taylor Santos, 12.8. Second round leaders: 1. Shane Hanchey, 8.7 seconds; 2. Reese Riemer, 8.8; 3. Westyn Hughes, 9.4; 4. Cody McCartney, 9.6; 5. JoJo LeMond, 9.7; 6. Riley Pruitt, 9.8; 7. Garrett Hale, 10.1; 8. Taylor Santos, 10.8. Average leaders: 1. Westyn Hughes, 18.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Reese Reimer, 18.8; 3. JoJo LeMond, 23.4; 4. Taylor Santos, 23.6; 5. Ryle Smith, 26.3; 6. Cooper Martin, 27.2; 7. Stetson Vest, 33.7; 8. Clint Nyegaard, 34.0. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Doug Aldridge, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl, and Leon Fountain, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Corner Guard, 78 points; 3. Zeke Thurston, 77; 4. Jesse James Kirby, 73; 5. Taos Muncy, 65; no other qualified rides. Steer roping: First round leaders: 1. Shay Good, 9.6 seconds; 2. Steve Wolf, 10.4; 3. Jason Evans, 11.3; 4. John Clark, 11.7; 5. Shank Edwards, 12.6; 6. Martin Poindexter, 12.8; 7. Vin Fisher Jr., 13.4; 8. Roger Branch, 14.8. Second round leaders: 1. Jason Evans, 9.8 seconds; 2. Landon McClaugherty, 9.9; 3. Roger Branch, 10.7; 4. (tie) Shank Edwards and Martin Poindexter, 11.2; 6. Guy Allen, 11.6; 7. Shay Good, 11.8; 8. Dan Fisher, 16.3. Third round leaders: 1. Garrett Hale, 9.1 seconds; 2. Shay Good, 11.4; 3. Roger Branch, 11.7; 4. C.A. Lauer, 12.0; 5. Chance Kelton, 12.2; 6. Jason Evans, 12.7; 7. Guy Allen, 14.0; 8. Shank Edwards, 14.9. Average leaders: 1. Shay Good, 32.8 seconds on three runs; 2. Jason Evans, 33.8; 3. Roger Branch, 37.2; 4. Shank Edwards, 38.7; 5. Martin Poindexter, 24.0 seconds on two runs; 6. Guy Allen, 25.6; 7. Dan Fisher, 35.5; 8. Garrett Hale, 9.1 seconds on one run. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.4 seconds; 2. Tyler Wade/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 4.7; 3. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 4.8; 4. Colby Lovell/Travis Graves, 5.0; 5. Rhen Richard/Cole Davison, 5.2; 6. JoJo LeMond/Kory Koontz, 5.4; 7. Manny Egusquiza Jr./Daniel Braman, 5.5; 8. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 5.6. Second round leaders: 1.  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Just 15 minutes after his final ride of the night, Colten Jesse had already strapped his Lea County Xtreme Bulls trophy buckle on his belt. He earned the right to do that by dominating Tuesday night’s performance at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. Jesse won both go-rounds and the average championship to pocket $11,878. “It means the world, showing these guys what I’ve got,” said Jesse, 19, of Konawa, Okla. “I guess they know what I’m capable of, but it feels really good to show up here and show them that I’m here to get it on.” The victory pushed his season earnings to $35,600 and moves him into the top 25 in the bull riding world standings. More importantly, he moved into third place in the race for rookie of the year. “I knew (the rookie race) was going to be tough this year,” he said. “I started off kind of slow, then it started picking up in the summer. I’ve been fighting my head the last couple of weeks; I’ve had some minor injuries. I told myself when I woke up this morning to relax and have fun.” It worked out. Jesse won the first round with an 88-point ride on Salt River Rodeo’s Silence Reigns. He then matched moves with Lone Star of the Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo outfit for 90 points to win the championship round. “I felt like I made two good rides,” said Jesse, who was homeschooled and graduated early so he could compete in rodeo. “Drawing a good bull is half your score. You can’t win if you don’t have a good bull underneath you. I drew two really good ones and made the best of it.” Of course, having been rising through the ranks – from mutton busting to calf riding to steer riding and now competing in ProRodeo – he understands what it takes to find success in the arena. “I don’t really let those high-pressure situations get to me,” he said. “The competition is stiff; it always is at these Xtreme Bulls.” Fortunately he mastered the competition and his bulls Tuesday night. Lea County Xtreme Bulls Lovington, N.M. Aug. 9 First round: 1. Colten Jesse, 88.5 points on Salt River Rodeo’s Silence Reigns, $3,426; 2. Scottie Knapp, 87.5, $2,627; 3. (tie) Rorey Maier and Roscoe Jarboe, 83, $1,599 each; 5. (tie) Joe Frost and Sage Kimzey, 82, $685 each; 7. Jacob O’Mara, 81, $467; 8. Pistol Robinson, 80.5, $343. Final round: 1. Colten Jessie, 90 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Lone Star, $2,741; 2. Sage Kimzey, 87.5, $2,132; 3. Ardie Maier, 86, $1,599; 4. Tim Bingham, 84, $1,142; no other qualified rides. Average: 1. Colten Jessie, 178.5 points on two rides, $5,711; 2. Sage Kimzey, 169.5, $4,379; 3. Ardie Maier, 166, $3,235; 4. Tim Bingham, 162, $2,094; 5. Scottie Knapp, 87.5 points on one ride, $1,332; 6. (tie) Roscoe Jaraboe and Rorey Maier, 83, $857 each; 8. Joe Frost, 82, $571.

Mary Burger’s hot streak went has gone into a blistering pace for the 2016 season. By earning $5,863 last week, the 2006 world champion barrel racer pushed her season earnings to $185,439, surpassing Lindsay Sears’ regular-season earnings record from 2008. She placed in a round in Dodge City, Kan., and finished second in both Sidney, Iowa, and Phillipsburg, Kan. “I never dreamed this would happen, and it is just unbelievable,” Burger told the WPRA. “I just wanted to win a little money this year and have fun with my horse.” She’s won a lot, including more than $50,000 at RodeoHouston and $122,000 at the Calgary (Alberta) Stampede, of which $72,000 is mixed into her WPRA earnings – only half of the $100,000 prize money for winning the shootout round in Calgary counts for the standings. With the regular season concluding Sept. 30, she and her 7-year-old gelding, Mo, have more than a month and a half to add to their earnings. Burger owns a $91,005 lead over the No. 2 cowgirl, 2015 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo cowgirl Jackie Ganter. Burger also is a little more than $138,000 from the year-end mark Sears set eight seasons ago. With more than $26,000 being paid to the winner of each of the 10 go-rounds at the NFR, she stands a strong chance to surpass the Sears’$323,570.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – The championship round of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo has quite a reputation and being one of the best performances in ProRodeo. It lived up to it again Sunday, especially for bareback rider Tim O’Connell. “A lot of guys get nervous when they make the short round here, because this is probably the rankest short round you’ll ever see,” said O’Connell, who matched moves with JK Rodeo’s Molly for 86 points to win the round and clinch the overall title. The Iowa cowboy posted a 79-point ride in the first round and entered Sunday’s finale tied for 11th overall. He finished with 165 points on two rides to win the championship and pocket $4,551 in the process. The world standings leader just padded his lead, having pushed his earnings past $120,000 for the season. “There were guaranteed three horses that were in our E pen last year,” he said of the eliminator pen at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “The heat was out tonight, and I feel very blessed to get Molly for the third short round in a row here. That’s not a day off either. That’s how great the bucking horses that Frontier and Vold’s put here. She gave me the opportunity, the Lord blessed us and it was a great score. “There’s a trick to that horse, and I think I’ve got that figured out.” O’Connell has secured his third NFR qualification with an incredible season. The Roundup title marks the 11th championship he’s earned. He earned the national title at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo this past May and finished the 2015 season fourth in the world standings. But this marks just the first time in his young career that he’s claimed the title in Dodge City. “This is a great rodeo,” O’Connell said. “I was very blessed to come in the 11th hole. I didn’t know if it would be good enough to pull it through because of the heat that was out, but the good Lord had a plan, and I’m awfully tickled to get that buckle. “This is a very prestigious rodeo. In the three years that I’ve been here, they break arena records all the time. If you want to be a rank horse rider and be in the 90s, this is the place to be.”   Dodge City Roundup Rodeo Dodge City, Kan. Aug. 3-7 All-around cowboy: Cody Doescher, $6,457 in team roping and steer wrestling. Bareback riding: First round: 1. Wyatt Denny, 83.5 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Frisky Chicken, $2,901; 2. (tie) Evan Jayne and Blake Smith, 83, $1,934 each; 4. (tie) Jordan Pelton, Kyle Brenneke and Clayton Biglow, 82, $741 each; 7. (tie) Grant Denny and Bill Tutor, $338 each. Final round: 1. Tim O’Connell, 86 points on JK Rodeo’s Molly, $1,650; 2. Winn Ratliff, 84.5, $1,250; 3. Richmond Champion, 83, $900; 4. R.C. Landingham, 82.5, $600; 5. Grant Denny, 79.5, $350; 4. Evan Jayne, 78, $250. Average: 1. Tim O’Connell, 165 points on two rides, $2,901; 2. Winn Ratliff, 163.5, $2,224; 3. Richmond Champoin, 163, $1,644; 4. R.C. Landingham, 162.5, $1,064; 5. (tie) Grant Denny and Evan Jayne, 161, $580 each; 7. Blake Smith, 160.5, $387; 8. Clayton Biglow, 158.5, $290. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Ryan Swayze, 3.8 seconds, $2,846; 2. Shane Frey, 4.2, $2,475; 3. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Chancey Larson, 4.3, $1,918 each; 5. Trever Nelson, 4.5, $1,361; 6. (tie) Aaron Vosler, Jacob Talley and Jace Melvin, 4.6, $619 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Jacob Edler, Ryan Swayze, Joby Allen and Billy Bugenig, 4.2 seconds, $2,289 each; 5. Aaron Vosler, 4.3, $1,361; 6. Shane Henderson, 4.4, $990; 7. Jarret New, 4.5, $619; 8. Marcus Paul Theriot, 4.7, $247. Final round: 1. Jacob Talley, 4.2 seconds, $1,349; 2. Cody Harmon, 4.3, $1,116; 3. Cody Doescher, 4.6, $884; 4. (tie) Jake Johnson and J.D. Struxness, 5.2, $535 each; 6. Shane Frey, 5.7, $233. Average: 1. Jacob GTalley, 13.6 seconds on three runs, $4,269; 2. Aaron Vosler, 14.9, $3,712; 3. Cody Doescher, 15.0, $3,155; 4. Kyle Whitaker, 15.4, $2,598; 5. Shane Frey, 15.6, $2,042; 6. Ryan Swayze, 15.9, $1,485; 7. J.D. Struxness, 16.2, $928; 8. Cody Harmon, 16.7, $371. Team roping: First round: 1. Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 4.7 seconds, $2,426; 2. Colby Lovell/Travis Graves, 4.9, $2,110; 3. Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin, 5.1, $1,793; 4. (tie) Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens and Tom Richards/Evan Arnold, 5.3, $1,319 each; 6. (tie) Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll and Joel Bach/Cody Cowden, 5.6, $527 each. Second round: 1. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 5.1 seconds, $2,426; 2. (tie) Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens and Brooks Dahozy/Brandon Bates, 5.4, $1,951 each; 4. Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.8, $1,477; 5.Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 6.1, $1,160; 6. Bubba Buckaloo/Jake Smith, 6.2, $844; 7. Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll, 6.3, $527; 8. Justin Davis/Zane Bruce, 6.5, $211. Final round: 1. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 5.3 seconds, $870; 2. J.D. Yates/Trey Yates, 5.7, $720; 3. Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll, 6.1, $570; 4. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 11.3, $420; 5. Joshual Torres/Jonathan Torres, 11.6, $270; 6. Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, 16.1, $150. Average: 1. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves,17.3 seconds on three runs, $3,639; 2. Kolton Schmidt, 18.0, $3,164; 3. Coleman Proctor/Billy Jack Saebens, 22.0, $2,690; 4. Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 24.7, $2,215; 5. Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, 28.8, $1,740; 6. J.D. Yates/Trey Yates, 38.1, $1,266; 7. Brooks Dahoozy/Brandon Bates, 11.5 seconds on two runs, $791; 8. Nick Sartain/Gage Williams, 13.1, $316. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Spencer Wright, 85 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Jerry’s Delight, $2,615; 2. (tie) Chet Johnson and Clay Elliott, 84.5, $1,743 each; 4. (tie) Taos Muncy and Audy Reed, 83.5, $785 each; 6. (tie) Clay Stremler and Sterling Crawley, 82.5, $392 each; 8. Shade Etbauer, 81.5, $262. Final round: 1. Zeke Thurston, 89 points on Frontier Rodeo’s times Up, $1,650; 2. Chet Johnson, 87.5, $1,250; 3. Ryder Wright, 86.5, $900; 4. Spencer Wright, 83, $600; 5. Roper Kiesner, 82.5, $350; 6. Clay Elliott, 82, $250. Average: 1. Chet Johnson, 172 points on two rides, $2,615; 2. Zeke Thurston, 169.5,  Continue Reading »

SIDNEY, Iowa – One by one, Chuck Swisher watched the three other bullfighters go during the championship round of the Bullfighters Only stop at Sidney Iowa’s Championship Rodeo on Saturday night. He paid close attention to every move, every counter move and every score. As the last man to challenge his animal, Swisher knew exactly what he needed to do. “Thankfully I drew a good bull from Hookin A Ranch,” he said. “I actually won the bullfighting in Burlington (Colo.) on him last year. “I knew I had to capitalize on it. That’s the nice thing about going last; you can see what you have to fight to. I just wanted to beat my bull.” The fight started bright for the Oklahoma man, who jumped the bull as it burst out of the chute. He made a couple of rounds, then took the bull toward the fence to work some fakes in small spaces. As the two separated, Swisher re-engaged with the animal, threw a fake a little early and was knocked down. “It doesn’t matter how hard you throw a fake, if you throw it too early, it’s not going to work,” he said. “He got under my vest and knocked the air out of me pretty good. I knew that if I didn’t act hurt, I wouldn’t be hurt, so I just went straight back to the fight. “Usually a hooking doesn’t help you at all. If you get hooked, it’s going to affect your score in a bad way. So I just made a few more rounds, then jumped the bull from the barrel. I knew I had to do some big things, but I knew that even if I got last place, I wanted to beat my bull. Fortunately it worked to my advantage.” It was a busy week in southwest Iowa. Since competitor Evan Allard also served as a protection bullfighter during the rodeo and provided the fighting bulls, all nine men who were part of the Bullfighters Only competition pitched in to make sure everything was covered: feeding the bulls and sorting them for each night’s contest. “It seemed like I was busy all week,” said Swisher of Dover, Okla. “We wanted it to go as smooth as possible, so during the rodeo, I was in the back pens loading and flanking bulls. We all wanted it to be set up since Evan was working the rodeo. “That’s part of what the BFO is, working together and helping each other. We just had to step up to the plate.” With his victory, Swisher earned just less than $3,000 and moved up two spots to eighth in the Bullfighters Only standings. “Any win is a great win, but during the BFO tour, you need to capitalize on it when you can,” he said. “Nate (Jestes) and Weston (Rutkowski) have about $13,000 on me, so I just need to get the ball rolling with some more wins. It’s a great starting point for me in Sidney, and I just want to keep rolling with it. “It’s awesome, because if there wasn’t such a thing as the BFO tour, I would have spent this week sweating and working my tail off back in Oklahoma. Thankfully I got to fight two bulls and do the best that I could. I also get to take home a check and the buckle.” The Sidney stop featured three go-rounds with three bullfighters each night. The round winners advanced to Saturday’s short round, while the three men who were runners-up advanced to Friday’s wild card round. Cody Webster of Wayne, Okla., won on opening night, Swisher the second round and Ross Hill of Muscle Shoals, Ala., earned the third-round victory. Beau Schueth of O’Neill, Neb., earned his spot in the championship round by winning Friday’s bullfight, and the final night of the tour stop was done before a packed crowd at the rodeo that was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame just one year earlier. “That’s what’s so great about these competitions: even though we weren’t hired for this rodeo, we can still come to town and fight bulls,” Swisher said. “We have a chance to compete together and make some more money.” It definitely worked out that way for Swisher. SIDNEY RESULTS Chuck Swisher, 85 points Cody Webster, 83 Ross Hill, 80 Beau Schueth, 70

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Scottie Knapp knew nothing about his bull on Saturday night, but that didn’t stop the Albuquerque cowboy. Knapp matched every move the athletic bovine threw at him and won the first-round of bull riding with a 91-point ride at Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. “He doesn’t even have a name,” Knapp said. “Everybody said he was good. He was a little more than good; he was a bucker.” Scott Pickens with 4L and Diamond S Rodeo said the 3-year-old bull – which now has the name Last Cigarette – was raised on his Weatherford, Texas, ranch. He was fast and had a strong kick, which made for a solid performance for both bull and bull rider. “I had to keep moving; that’s the name of the game,” said Knapp, the No. 2 bull rider in the world standings with more than $79,000 in earnings. “The bull’s always moving, so you’ve got to keep moving, too. You can never weaken.” Much like his season, Knapp didn’t. He is well on his way to his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which features only the top 15 contestants in each event at the conclusion of the regular season. He finished as high as 19th in the standings, but that was three years ago. Now he’s having the best season of his career, and he’s adding to it at Roundup Rodeo. He will try to win the coveted title – and the prized championship trophy buckle – during Sunday’s championship round. “I’ll let tomorrow worry about itself,” said Knapp, 25. “I’m just taking in the moment right now. I’m just blessed to be part of this rodeo and be doing what I love. “This is a real prestigious rodeo. To be 91 points here, you can’t as for much more in this line of work or in our passion for bull riding. It’s truly a blessing and definitely one of my better rides this year, if not my best ride this year.” He began his love affair with rodeo at age 3, when he first started riding sheep. “Since then, it’s been my dream to be at the biggest rodeos and bull ridings in the world and going for gold buckles,” he said. “I’m just thankful to do that.” No matter what has happened or what the future holds, the humble cowboy keeps his mind in the right place. Maybe that’s why his season has been so strong. “I need to focus on what I came here to do, just keep hustling and trying,” Knapp said. “It would be awesome to win (the Roundup buckle). I’ve got an opportunity, so I’m going to let it all hang out. “I am just focused on what I’m doing: Riding bulls and having fun. The rest will all work out, and it’s in God’s hands. I can’t worry about that stuff.” Dodge City Roundup Rodeo Dodge City, Kan. Aug. 3-7 Bareback riding: First round and short-round qualifiers: 1. Wyatt Denny, 83.5 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Frisky Chicken, $2,901; 2. (tie) Evan Jayne and Blake Smith, 83, $1,934 each; 4. (tie) Jordan Pelton, Kyle Brenneke and Clayton Biglow, 82, $741 each; 7. (tie) Grant Denny and Bill Tutor, $338 each; 9. (tie) R.C. Handingham and Richmond Champion, 80; 11. (tie) Tim O’Connell and Winn Ratliff, 79. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Ryan Swayze, 3.8 seconds, $2,846; 2. Shane Frey, 4.2, $2,475; 3. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Chancey Larson, 4.3, $1,918 each; 5. Trever Nelson, 4.5, $1,361; 6. (tie) Aaron Vosler, Jacob Talley and Jace Melvin, 4.6, $619 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Jacob Edler, Ryan Swayze, Joby Allen and Billy Bugenig, 4.2 seconds, $2,289 each; 5. Aaron Vosler, 4.3, $1,361; 6. Shane Henderson, 4.4, $990; 7. Jarret New, 4.5, $619; 8. Marcus Paul Theriot, 4.7, $247. Average leaders and short-round qualifiers: 1. Ryan Swayze, 8.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Aaron Vosler, 8.9; 3. Kyle Whitaker, 9.1; 4. Jacob Talley, 9.4; 5. Shane Frey, 9.9; 6. Cody Doescher, 10.5; 7. (tie) J.D. Struxness and Juan Alcazar Jr., 11.1; 9. Marcus Paul Theriot, 11.2; 10. Billy Bugenig, 11.5; 11. Jake Johnson, 12.1; 12. Cody Harmon, 12.4. Team roping: First round: 1. Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 4.7 seconds, $2,426; 2. Colby Lovell/Travis Graves, 4.9, $2,110; 3. Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin, 5.1, $1,793; 4. (tie) Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens and Tom Richards/Evan Arnold, 5.3, $1,319 each; 6. (tie) Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll and Joel Bach/Cody Cowden, 5.6, $527 each. Second round: 1. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 5.1 seconds, $2,426; 2. (tie) Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens and Brooks Dahozy/Brandon Bates, 5.4, $1,951 each; 4. Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.8, $1,477; 5.Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 6.1, $1,160; 6. Bubba Buckaloo/Jake Smith, 6.2, $844; 7. Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll, 6.3, $527; 8. Justin Davis/Zane Bruce, 6.5, $211. Average leaders and short-round qualifiers: 1. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 10.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Brooks Dahozy/Brandon Bates, 11.5; 3. Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll, 11.9; 4. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 12.0; 5. Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, 12.7; 6. (tie) Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres and Nick Sartain/Gage Williams, 13.1; 8. Justin Davis/Zane Bruce, 13.7; 9. Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 16.5; 10. Nathan McWhorter/Dustin Davis, 17.1; 11. Bubba Buckaloo/Jake Smith, 18.5; 12. J.D. Yates/Trey Yates, 32.3. Saddle bronc riding: First round and short-round qualifiers: 1. Spencer Wright, 85 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Jerry’s Delight, $2,615; 2. (tie) Chet Johnson and Clay Elliott, 84.5, $1,743 each; 4. (tie) Taos Muncy and Audy Reed, 83.5, $785 each; 6. (tie) Clay Stremler and Sterling Crawley, 82.5, $392 each; 8. Shade Etbauer, 81.5, $262; 9. Zeke Thurston, 80.5; 10. Ryder Wright, 80; 11. Roper Kiesner, 79. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Marcos Costa, 8.4 seconds, $2,846; 2. Timber Moore, 8.5, $2,475; 3. Trell Etbauer, 8.8, $2,103; 4. Tylen Layton, 9.0, $1,732; 5. (tie) Cheyenne Harper and Blane Cox, 9.2, $1,175 each; 7. Cory Solomon, 9.3, $619; 8. Jerome Schneeberger, 9.4, $247. Second round: 1. Caleb Smidt, 7.7 seconds, $2,846; 2. Cory Solomon, 7.9, $2,475; 3. Bryson Sechrist, 8.0, $2,103; 4. (tie)  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – The draw for rodeo cowboys is a life of independence and competing in a sport they love. The draw is also a big part of the game, as cowboys are matched with their animals by a random draw. Those that draw the best animals sometimes win the most. That was the case for steer wrestler Ryan Swayze on Friday at Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. “I did draw two outstanding steers,” said Swayze of Freedom, Okla. It is paying off quite well for the veteran bulldogger, who posted a 3.8-second run Friday morning to lead the opening go-round, then followed it up during Friday’s third performance with a 4.2; the latter is in a three-way tie for first place in the second round with Jacob Edler of State Center, Iowa, and Joby Allen of Alva, Okla. Swayze’s two-run cumulative time of 8.0 seconds puts him in a nine-tenths of a second lead and has secured his spot in Sunday’s championship round, which features just the top 12 contestants in each event from the preliminary rounds. “I’ve had some success here,” he said. “It’s my circuit rodeo, so I’ve come here every year for probably 20 years. It’s about 60 miles from where I grew up. “It’s almost a hometown rodeo.” It certainly seems like it. Swayze has been a regular fixture at the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, so doing well in the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region is important to his rodeo schedule. Doing well in Dodge City – the largest event in the circuit in terms of overall payout – would be a big boost. Of course, he’d love to win the title and take home a beautiful championship buckle. “That would certainly be a career highlight for me,” Swayze said. “I hope I can come back and draw me a good steer on Sunday. He sits 23rd in the Prairie Circuit standings with nearly $1,700 in season earnings. With the potential for big earnings inside Roundup Arena, he could easily move into the top 10. “We go to a lot of the other smaller circuit rodeos,” he said. “A good week this week with (Kansas rodeos) Phillipsburg and Abilene going right along with this one, a circuit guy could absolutely make the circuit finals this week.” Swayze placed in one round a year ago and earned nearly $2,500; the 2015 steer wrestling champ, Stockton Graves, placed only in the short round and won the average title while pocketing more than $5,700. Those earnings helped Graves win the circuit title and earn a trip to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, which takes place each April in Kissimmee, Fla. “The real end prize is going to Florida,” Swayze said. “Winning a good check here and a little more along the way, and I could go in there with a good chance to win the year end title; that would be all that I could ask for.” He may as well ask for a Roundup buckle while he’s asking. Dodge City Roundup Rodeo Dodge City, Kan. Aug. 3-7 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Evan Jayne, on Frontier Rodeo’s Short Night, and Blake Smith, on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Hot Valley, 83 points; 3. (tie) Jordan Pelton and Kyle Brenneke, 82; 5. Tim O’Connell, 79; 6. Joel Schlegel  77; 7. George Gillespie, 75; 8. Kody Lamb, 73; 9. (tie) Colt Kitaif and Teddy Athan, 72; 11. Caine Riddle, 71; 12. Casey Breuer, 70. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ryan Swayze, 3.8 seconds; 2. Shane Frey, 4.2; 3. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Chancey Larson, 4.3; 5. Trever Nelson, 4.5; 6. (tie) Aaron Vosler, Jacob Talley and Jace Melvin, 4.6. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Jacob Edler, Ryan Swayze and Joby Allen, 4.2 seconds; 4. Aaron Vosler, 4.3; 5. Shane Henderson, 4.4; 6. (tie) Jacob Talley, Kyle Whitaker, Dan Barner and Matt Reeves, 4.8. Average leaders: 1. Ryan Swayze, 8.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Aaron Vosler, 8.9; 3. Kyle Whitaker, 9.1; 4. Jacob Talley, 9.4; 5. Shane Frey, 9.9; 6. Cody Doescher, 10.5; 7. J.D. Struxness, 11.1; 8. Jake Johnson, 12.1; 9. Cody Harmon, 12.4; 10. Cody Kroul, 12.5; 11. Trever Nelson, 12.6; 12. Tooter Silver, 13.2. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 4.7 seconds; 2. Colby Lovell/Travis Graves, 4.9; 3. Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin, 5.1; 4. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 5.3; 5. (tie) Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll, 5.6; 7. Nathan McWhorter/Dustin Davis, 5.7; 8. Garrett Tonozzi/Wyatt Cox, 5.8. Second round leaders: 1. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 5.1 seconds; 2. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 5.4; 3. Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.8; 4.Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 6.1; 5. Bubba Buckaloo/Jake Smith, 6.2; 6. Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll, 6.3; 7. Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, 7.1; 8. Nick Sartain/Gage Williams, 7.2. Average leaders: 1. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 10.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll, 11.9; 3. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 12.0; 4. Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, 12.7; 5. (tie) Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres and Nick Sartain/Gage Williams, 13.1; 7. Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 16.5; 8. Nathan McWhorter/Dustin Davis, 17.1; 9. Bubba Buckaloo/Jake Smith, 18.5; 10. J.D. Yates/Trey Yates, 32.3; 11. Colby Lovell/Travis Graves, 4.9 seconds on one run; 12. (tie) Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin and Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 5.1. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Chet Johnson, on Frontier Rodeo’s Griz, and Clay Elliott, on Frontier Rodeo’s Miss Ellie, 84.5 points; 2. (tie) Taos Muncy and Audy Reed, 83.5; 5. (tie) Clay Stremler and Sterling Crawley, 82.5; 7. Shade Etbauer, 81.5; 8. Zeke Thurston, 80.5; 9. Luke Butterfield, 77.5; 10. (tie) Louie Brunson and Jake Wright, 77; Taygen Schuelke, 75.5. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Marcos Costa, 8.4 seconds; 2. Timber Moore, 8.5; 3. Trell Etbauer, 8.8; 4. Tylen Layton, 9.0; 5. (tie) Cheyenne Harper and Blane Cox, 9.2; 7. Cory Solomon, 9.3; 8. Jerome Schneeberger, 9.4. Second round leaders: 1. Caleb Smidt, 7.7; 2. Cory Solomon, 7.9; 3. Bryson Sechrist, 8.0; 4. (tie) Sterling Smith and RileyPruitt, 8.2; 6. (tie) William Whayne Jr. and Seth Hall, 8.4; 8. Clint Cooper8.5. Average leaders: 1. Cory  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – As he rolls toward the final two months of his rookie season in ProRodeo, Clayton Biglow is making quite a name for himself. A month and a half ago, he finished the College National Finals Rodeo as the reserve bareback riding champion, falling just three points shy of the national titlist, Feather River (Calif.) College teammate Wyatt Denny. As of mid-July, Biglow was 11th in the world standings and, maybe more importantly, he is the No. 1 bareback rider in the race for the rookie title. A year ago, though, he was just a young cowboy learning the ropes that as a ProRodeo permit-holder. By the time he arrived in Lovington last August, he was virtually a seasoned veteran, and he showed it; Biglow matched moves with Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Scarlet’s Web for 87 points to share the title at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. “It was a little intimidating, especially for a guy like me,” Biglow said of the horse, a powerful and electric bay mare that has bucked at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 10 times. “When you see your name next to one of those really good horses, it gets your motor running. She felt amazing, exactly how I was hoping she’d feel. “Pete Carr’s got a hell of a string of horses.” He shared the title with three-time NFR qualifier Winn Ratliff, and they were just two of the 2015 titlists that are expected to return to the nationally recognized rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10-Saturday, Aug. 13, with the Lea County Xtreme Bulls set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9. The cowboys have come to expect good things out of Lovington’s rodeo, which has been a regular nominee for Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “I like this rodeo, because Pete has a bunch of good horses,” said Cody Wright, a two-time world champion who shared the saddle bronc riding title in Lea County with Cort Scheer. “That’s where you like to come. It looked like there were a lot of chances to win tonight; apparently there was a lot of chances every night. “That’s good, especially when I’ve got four people enter that I want to see win. I want to go where we all have a chance to win, and Pete’s rodeos are usually them. It seems to me the horses want to buck here in Lovington. It’s a good rodeo.” The Lea County Fair and Rodeo features a large purse, which is attractive to the contestants that make their livings on the rodeo trail. Of course, having success in a particular arena can go a long ways. That’s the case for the steer wrestling Shofner brothers, who all have fared well inside Jake McClure Arena. “This has been one of those rodeos we have a lot of confidence in,” said Cooper Shofner, who earned the title a year ago. “Jacob (Shofner) has placed here every year he’s been here, and I’ve placed most every year.” Whatever it is, hundreds of the top contestants in the game make their way to southeastern New Mexico every August. “It’s a combination of great stock, good money and great fans,” Wright said. “There are great people putting it on and making it good. Nobody wants to go to a sorry-run rodeo. You go to a few of them, so it’s nice to go to one that’s run well. It’s not boring. I’m sure it’s not sitting as a fan, because it’s not boring back here, and I’m just catching a glimpse of what’s going on in the arena.” Rodeo fans know the Lea County Fairgrounds is the place to see rodeo’s greatest stars, and they pack the stands every night to see it happen.