Monthly Archives: February 2017

BFO camps offer bullfighters more in-depth education about their sport Freestyle bullfighters now have a chance to step their game up to the next level. Bullfighters Only is conducting a series of camps over the next few months to help up-and-coming athletes hone their skills as they plan to participate in one of the most action-packed sport in existence. “We’re having Development Camps, and the top students from each of those camps will be invited to the BFO Super Camp,” said Aaron Ferguson, founder and CEO of Bullfighters Only. The Super Camp will take place May 30-June 3 in Decatur, Texas, and will be presented by Fit-n-Wise. Super Camp will be held in a professional sports setting with all of the same bells and whistles as an NFL training camp. Athletes will have the opportunity to work one on one with high-level coaches, trainers and nutritionists in a state-of-the-art facility. “The great thing about the BFO Super Camp is that it won’t cost anything for those bullfighters who are part of it,” Ferguson said. “They will train with the top bullfighters in the world and have a chance to qualify for the BFO event in Decatur on June 2nd.” BFO Decatur is a stand-alone event that will feature the top freestyle bullfighters in the game all battling for the $25,000 prize. More information on the event will be released soon. The first two BFO Development Camps are coming in a few weeks and are designed for intermediate and advanced freestyle bullfighters. The first is set for March 10-12 in San Bernadino, Calif., with world champion Lance Brittan and Ferguson as instructors. The second will be March 17-19 in Sikeston, Mo., with Ross Hill, Toby Inman and Schell Apple putting students through the paces. “The BFO Development Camps will focus on the technical aspects of our sport,” Ferguson said. “Experienced bullfighters will guide students by placing heavy emphasis on physical fitness, nutrition and the mental approach to the game. “On the final day of each camp, we will have BFO Discovery Day, where fans and beginners are introduced to the game through a crash course in Bullfighters Only 101. There will be a curriculum and hands-on training with a bull dummy and they may even get to face a live animal.” The deadline for both camps is midnight on Feb. 28. For more information and to sign up, visit BFO’s website, www.BullfightersOnly.com.

GUYMON, Okla. – The first rodeo Charlie Russell Larsen attended was during Pioneer Days last May. He was just 3 weeks old, and there’s a good chance he’ll return to Guymon every May for the event. He may not have been born in Texas County, but it’s very much who he is. He is the son of Chaney (Latham) and Tyrel Larsen, both Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduates. Mom was born in the Panhandle and raised near Goodwell. Charlie’s grandfather is Craig Latham, a nine-time saddle bronc riding qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo who served as the Panhandle State rodeo coach for several years. Dad is a professional bronc rider, too, and is hoping the 2017 season provides him a return trip to the NFR; he qualified in 2015. Tyrel Larsen will be one of dozens of bronc riders who will be part of the mix for the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “I like going every year because it feels like a hometown rodeo to me,” said Larsen, a former college champion. “I feel like I have a few hometown rodeos, but there you have people in the stands, from professors to neighbors to family friends. “There are a lot of memories in that arena, both good and bad. That was where Chaney and I had a bad wreck (in team roping), but I also won the bronc riding at the college rodeo there.” That’s why he likes returning “home,” even though he and his family live in Weatherford. “We try to spend three days there during Pioneer Days,” Larsen said. “It’s good to just hang out and see everybody again. It’s like a family reunion.” It’s definitely a homecoming for many who have ties to the region once known as No Man’s Land. Whether they attended Panhandle State or lived in the area, there’s are certain comforts of home when they arrive for the Pioneer Days Rodeo. Like Larsen, dozens of NFR qualifiers have ties to the region, including world champions Robert Etbauer, Billy Etbauer, Tom Reeves, Jeffrey Willert, Taos Muncy, Spencer Wright, Jhett Johnson and Rocky Patterson. All but Johnson and Patterson were bronc riders. Panhandle State is a proving ground for many of the top cowboys in the game. “A lot of bronc riders go to school there because of all the guys that have been through there,” Larsen said. “When I went to college, we had a bunch of really good guys on the team. When you won at practice, it really meant something. “It was like you were riding at a ProRodeo. That was a pretty big deal, because it was so competitive. You’re not so star struck knowing you could beat those guys. The more good guys you are around, the better you’re going to be in the long run.” Larsen has been pretty good. In 2014, he just missed the NFR by finishing 16th in the world. Last year he finished 25th despite missing action in July and August – two of the busiest and most lucrative months in the season. “I suffered a broken ankle and had surgery the end of June,” he said. “I came back the end of July, and that didn’t work, so I took a little more time off. I did that again, then in the last month of rodeo, I broke two saddles. I just didn’t have much luck last year.” He’s hoping his luck changes for the better in 2017. “I started off the year trying to get some redemption,” he said. “Then I realized I was trying too hard to make some things happen. If you don’t push so much, you don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Hopefully that will help.” He’s not complaining about his time away from the rodeo arena. In fact, he found the silver lining in time spent at home. “We got to spend lots of time together,” Larsen said. “It’s pretty nice, especially now that he’s about to start walking. He recognizes you. It’s pretty nice to come home to.” By the time Pioneer Days Rodeo kicks off, Charlie Larsen likely will be waddling his way around Hitch Arena like all other toddlers, and he’ll have plenty of family and friends to keep watch over him while Dad tries to win the Pioneer Days title, a prize that has eluded him. “It would be awesome to win that rodeo,” Tyrel Larsen said. “It would be like winning my hometown rodeo. So many guys that went to school there have won that title. It should be my time any year now, so I’m just waiting for it.”

Bullfighters Only will have a 15-man stand-alone event to benefit Roundup LEWISTON, Idaho – Because Bullfighters Only at the Lewiston Roundup was such a big hit last year, the rodeo’s organizers are taking it a step further in 2017. “There was an abundance of people who loved it and wanted more of it,” said Kirby Meshishnek, one of the directors of the Lewiston Roundup. “We’re always looking for ways to better serve the community and to bring in more money to benefit our rodeo.” Now they’re looking to Bullfighters Only help toward the bottom line while putting on a show that has had people talking for more than five months. The Lewiston Roundup Association donates thousands of dollars to charities in the quad cities region each year. “It was a hit on social media, and we’ve just had so many people talking about it,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to put on such a prestigious stand-alone bullfight with Bullfighters Only. They put on an awesome show.” They certainly did last year. On opening night, the 12X & Costa fighting bull called Spitfire beat up Ross Johnson during their fight, but that wasn’t the only time a bullfighter took a hit. “There are people that want to see wrecks, and with the Bullfighters Only, there are plenty of them,” Meshishnek said. “Everybody loves to watch a big wreck. During Roundup, a couple guys got hooked. On Saturday, Ross Hill tried to do a selfie with his phone and got plowed by the bull.” It’s enough incentive for Roundup directors to reach out to the BFO again. The stand-alone event will feature the world’s top 15 freestyle bullfighters battling for $25,000 in prize money. They will compete in five three-man brackets, with the five winners advancing to the championship round. The bullfighter that produces the highest-scoring bout in the final round will be crowned the BFO Lewiston champion. 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. Bullfighters Only is a true man-vs.-beast spectacular. Spitfire will once again be part of the draw – one of many revered 12X & Costa Fighting Bulls that will be on hand in Lewiston. “To me, it was a no-brainer to bring the BFO back,” Meshishnek said. “It’s a wild, action sport. I believe it’s brought a new excitement to our rodeo and our town.” Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased at www.lewistonroundup.com/bfo-event.

World’s best cowboys ready to fight for CINCH Timed Event Championship title GUTHRIE, Okla. – There is no other event like the CINCH Timed Event Championship of the World. It’s unique format features 20 of the greatest all-around timed-event cowboys of today, and they will compete in all five disciplines that make up the championship that’s been dubbed the “Ironman of ProRodeo” – heading, heeling, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and steer roping. “When you compete in so many different events, consistency is the biggest deal,” said Paul David Tierney, the reigning and two-time champion from Oral, S.D. “I’ve just got to keep reminding myself to stay calm and don’t get in a hurry.” The reason is because the Timed Event is a five-round slugfest that takes place at noon and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at the Lazy E Arena. Each contender will make 25 runs before it concludes, so it’s more like a battle of wills. The winner will be the cowboy who best handles the challenges over three days. “It’s such a tough event with all the different horses and the different events,” said Daniel Green, a two-time titlist from Oakdale, Calif. “You have to be able to adjust to all the different scenarios and challenges that come with it.” The Ironman allows team ropers to wrestle steers and gives steer wrestlers a chance to rope calves. While everyone in the field has experience in multiple events, few do more than one or two through the rigors of the rodeo trail. The Timed Event provides an opportunity to expand on their skills. “Roping and bulldogging is 50 percent mental and 50 percent physical, but winning is 90 percent mental,” said K.C. Jones, a five-time winner form Burlington, Wyo. “The Timed Event is a huge mental game, and I like that part of it.” This year’s festivities will include the inaugural Jr. Ironman Championship, which will feature 10 top cowboys who range in age from 15-20. The Jr. Ironman will begin at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. It’s an outstanding opening act for the greatest all-around timed-event cowboys in the world competing in the most challenging contest in the sport. They also will be on site to witness one of the greatest spectacles in Western sports history. “Just to be considered one of the best Timed Event guys is a special honor,” said Kyle Lockett, a two-time champ from Visalia, Calif. “You can’t get caught up in it. You’ve just got to go at one animal at a time. You can’t afford to screw up. “There’s stuff that’s going to happen. You can’t plan on anything until Sunday afternoon when everything is said and done.” It all adds up to a magnificent championship featuring world-class competition. It’s just what fans have come to expect.

BAY CITY, Texas – People in this community tucked near the Gulf of Mexico deserve to enjoy family-friendly entertainment. That’s the belief of the organizers of the Matagorda County Fair and Rodeo, which is why they work so hard to make this exposition one of the best in the region. “I think we’re a small-town event and that we have a very friendly atmosphere and environment,” said Julie Culver, the fair’s manager. “With our rodeo, we have some different things we do in addition to the PRCA events. We have local events that bring a lot of community activity.” It’s that local flavor that add so much to the county’s rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1-Saturday, March 3, at the Matagorda County Fairgrounds. “We have the carnival going outside, but inside, we have a great event,” Culver said. “We have a great producer who brings great stock, and we have a great announcer.” Dallas-based Pete Carr Pro Rodeo produces the event, and Andy Stewart is the in-house announcer. Both have received numerous nominations for year-end honors in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association; Carr for Stock Contractor of the Year and Stewart for Announcer of the year. Only five people in each category receive those nominations. “Everybody works together to pull it off,” she said. “They work very hard to make sure our event is very family-friendly, and that is important to us.” This year’s rodeo will feature the award-winning comedy of John Harrison, who will be the clown and entertainer for the three-night event. Harrison has been named Comedy Act of the Year each of the past three seasons. “We know he’s funny and that he’s won awards, but the big thing to me was that he has different acts,” Culver said. “For some of our rodeo fans who come to all three performances, they’ll get a chance to see a different act each night. We were looking to keep each performance fresh.” Part of that falls on the production from the Carr firm. Because rodeo is a mixture of entertainment and competition, having smooth transitions from one to the other is vital. Harrison, Stewart and Carr aren’t the only award-winning pieces of the rodeo puzzle. Sandy Gwatney is the reigning PRCA Secretary of the Year, and she returns to Bay City. Also in the mix are Clay Heger, a two-time nominee for Bullfighter of the Year, and Jeremy Willis, a two-time finalist for Pickup Man of the Year. “Pete and his crew area absolutely fabulous,” she said. “They work great with the directors, and they come in behind the scenes and help take care of things. They are all very easy-going people, but they’re very cautious about the cowboys’ safety and the safety of the stock. “The whole thing is very well-rounded. They bring good stock, and that helps bring the cowboys. They’ve been here a long time, so they know.” It’s made for a solid partnership that benefits the members of the community and the contestants that compete.

Chad Besplug Invitational adding to its excitement with Bullfighters Only CLARESHOLM, Alberta – Freestyle bullfighting exploded back onto the scene in 2016 thanks to the men of Bullfighters Only. The BFO created a buzz around the sport by showcasing the greatest talent in freestyle bullfighting history, and that detonation has spread into Canada. Three of the top athletes will be exhibiting their talent during the Bullfighters Only event in conjunction with the Chad Besplug Invitational, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Claresholm Agriplex. “I’m really excited to be able to go head-to-head with some great bulls in Claresholm,” said Weston Rutkowski, the No. 1 bullfighter in the world from Haskell, Texas. “I’ve never fought bulls up there, so it’s going to be another great new experience for me and for the BFO.” Rutkowski will be joined by Nebraskan Beau Scheuth, the fifth-ranked man in the standings, and Daryl Thiessen of Elm Creek, Manitoba. “This is really huge for Canada,” Thiessen said. “With Weston, Beau and me, it’s going to be a pretty deep bullfight. I’m excited for the people up here to see what this is all about.” A big part of Bullfighters Only’s success lies within the heart-stopping action that comes with the extreme danger in freestyle bullfighting. Men will try to stay within inches of the bulls, which are bred to be part of this type of fight. The most successful will keep the animal engaged closely while showcasing true athleticism to stay out of harm’s way. The more engaged the animal is, the likelihood for good scores increases. 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. “That’s what bullfighting is about,” said Thiessen, noting that fellow Canadian Aaron Ferguson founded the BFO and still serves as its CEO. “Aaron has found a way to bring freestyle bullfighting to the mainstream. He’s brought in a lot of outside fans, and the interest in the sport is growing. “It’s an exciting sport, and fans love it.” The excitement comes in the man-vs.-beast approach. Spanish fighting bulls are bred to be aggressive and agile, and it takes a true athlete to get close to the hoof-pounding beast while staying just far enough apart to stay out of harm’s way. “It’s 60 seconds with you and one bull,” Thiessen said. “By the end of the fight, one of you is going to know who won. It’s you vs. him. There are no other factors that play a part. You have to leave everything you’ve got in the arena if you want a chance to win. “To be in front of Canadian fans is going to be amazing. I’m pretty excited for this. I don’t want to get beat on my home turf, so there’s going to be lots of pressure to do well.”

From big scores to bigger wrecks, three Bullfighters Only events had it all The opening weekend of the 2017 Bullfighters Only season lived up to what everyone expected. With three events spread across North America, freestyle bullfighting’s best put on a show in Brighton, Fla.; Red Deer, Alberta; and San Angelo, Texas. “It was the perfect way to kick off our season,” said Aaron Ferguson, founder and CEO of Bullfighters Only. “We crowned our first three champions and had great crowds at all three events.” Daryl Thiessen of Elm Creek, Manitoba, won in Red Deer, while Toby Inman of Davis Junction, Ill., took the title in Florida. Zach Call – one of three men to fight in both Brighton and San Angelo – claimed the west Texas title. “When I saw the first bull come out in San Angelo, I knew they were going to be a great set,” said Call of Thedford, Neb. “I knew I was going to have to hold up my end of the deal if I wanted it to end well.” Call did his part, scoring 87.5 points to win San Angelo. Schell Apple of Fay, Okla., was second, while the No. 1 man in the BFO, Weston Rutkowski, was third. All three had solid bulls, animals that kept the action tight. In fact, Rutkowski’s bull got the better of him, hooking him in the corner and dropping him to the ground. “Some days are diamonds, then some days you get thrown against the wall, get beat up, get your vest and shirt ripped off you and have to go back to the fight,” he said. “It’s not how long you’re down but how you finish.” Like most bullfighters, Rutkowski wears a padded vest to protect his torso. The bull got its horn under the vest and ripped it from the bullfighter. Once Rutkowski regained his feet, he went back to the bull and finished the fight by jumping the animal. “I was going to jump him no matter what,” he said. “It’s a very humbling sport. One minute you can be on top of your game, and the next you can be under your bull.” Call didn’t have any problems with his animal, though. In fact, the two danced across the San Angelo Coliseum as if they’d rehearsed. Call remained in control during his fight, making several fakes to keep the aggressive Spanish fighting bull at bay. “As far as events go, that was one of the best I’ve ever been to,” Call said. “The crowd was really into it. While the fight was going on, it felt great. The bull was honest, but he was also extremely hot. He was blowing through all the fakes, so I was able to keep in control.” While his fight didn’t go as he would have hoped in his return to west Texas, Rutkowski realized just how special it was to compete at the historic stock show and rodeo. “Zach put on a great fight, and so did Schell (Apple),” Rutkowski said. “I’d rather go to a bullfight with guys like that, ones that are going to be great, especially with great bulls. “That crowd is a very knowledgeable crowd. They know what a good ride is and a good roping run. I’m not sure if they fully knew what to expect with the freestyle bullfights, but once they watched the first one they knew the danger factor and what all we were going to do.” Call, Rutkowski and Schell Apple, arrived in San Angelo on Saturday afternoon after flying in from Florida, where they had competed Friday night. That, too, was quite an experience for the bullfighters. A transportation mishap stalled the initial stock contractor, who was to have a trailer load of Spanish fighting bulls in Brighton. The replacements didn’t make it on time for the Friday bullfight, so Bullfighters Only opted for another option: cross-bred bulls that were already at the rodeo grounds for the Brighton Field Day Festival and PRCA Rodeo. “We fought big, scary swamp Brahmas that were in the back pens,” Rutkowski said. “There is a big difference between the cross-bloods and the Spanish bulls. With the cross-breeds, we can take the heart out of a bull with three or four fakes. The Spanish bulls are bred to fight, so they won’t quit you.” The difference could be seen in San Angelo. All three Spanish bulls battled through each 60-second bout, which made for excitement. “It’s not very often that I can hear a crowd, but I could definitely hear them after I got hooked down,” Rutkowski said. “It shows what a crowd can make a guy do. These people wanted to see a show, and there wasn’t anything that was going to stop us from putting one on.”

ALVA, Okla. – Sometimes things just go the right way. That happened for the Northwestern Oklahoma State University sister-brother tandem of Tearnee and Wylee Nelson, who scored a second-place finish in team roping this past weekend at the Kansas State University rodeo in Manhattan, Kan. The Nelsons won the first round with a 6.5-second run and overcame an obstacle in the process. “I really didn’t know what was going on until I watched the video,” Wylee Nelson said. “It turns out that Tearnee’s horse was bucking.” That didn’t deter the header, who turned the steer well enough for him to rope two legs. “It wasn’t good, but it was smooth,” Tearnee Nelson said about a run with no penalties. “Our horses are fresh. I hadn’t roped since (early January). Our second run was better. I had a lot more confidence.” As the last team to go, the siblings knew they needed to be smart in the short round. They watched several teams struggle, including several that failed to record a time. “We knew we just needed to go knock one down, and we’d be alright.” It worked. When Wylee caught just one leg, the five-second penalty meant the run was 11.9 seconds. They finished second in the round and average. It’s a solid start to the spring segment of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association season. “On the second run, I probably should have tracked over the steer a little more and made sure I caught two feet,” he said. “I’ve been roping quite a bit at home. We went to Denver and a couple of ProRodeos this winter and stayed sharp.” Now they need to keep that momentum rolling along the right track. The Central Plains Region is only halfway done at this point, and the contestants are all vying to finish among the top three in their respective events to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo. The Nelsons weren’t the only members of the Northwestern rodeo team to finish strong in Manhattan. Another Rangers tandem, Kass Bittle and Edgar Fierro, finished third in the opening round and sixth overall. All-around cowboy Maverick Harper made two solid runs to finish second in steer wrestling to lead a solid group there. In all, five Rangers earned points, with Grayson Allred (fourth) and Colten Madison (sixth) placing in the average. Riley Westhaver won the first round with a 4.7-second run, while Talon Roseland finished third in the round. Allred added points in tie-down roping. He placed in both rounds and finished fourth in the average. Taylor Donaldson finished sixth overall, while Mason Bowen won the first round. The Northwestern women placed third at K-State, and the men tied for third. In the women’s race, Katie Miller contributed solidly. Miller placed in both rounds of goat tying and placed in a tie for third in the average. Melissa Courture placed in a tie for fourth in the opening round. Ashlyn Moeder led the Northwestern barrel racers by placing in both rounds and finishing third in the average. Sara Bynum placed in a tie for fourth. Still, Tearnee Nelson led the way for the Rangers women, and it was nice to do it with her brother. “We’ve roped together since we were freshmen (in high school),” said Tearnee Nelson, who has been roping since she was about 10 years old. “I knew we had no points (in the standings), so we just needed to go make our run. It’s the same in all my events, so I really had nothing to lose.”

CLARESHOLM, Alberta – Each year, Chad Besplug wants to have something special for his event in his hometown. This year’s edition of the Chad Besplug Invitational will be no different, only he’s upping the ante even more with the inclusion of freestyle bullfighting. To make it even more special, the Bullfighters Only bouts will feature some of the top men in the world all hoping to take home the inaugural title in Claresholm. “Weston Rutkowski is the No. 1 bullfighter in the BFO for a reason,” said Besplug, a two-time Canadian champion bull rider who has also qualified for the PBR World Finals and earned the $100,000 prize at the Calgary Stampede. “He is a phenomenal athlete, and the things he can do in freestyle bullfighting amazes me.” Rutkowski of Texas is one of three men who will be part of the BFO competition; he will be joined by Nebraskan Beau Schueth, the No. 5 man in the BFO, and Daryl Thiessen of Elm Creek, Manitoba. “I’m excited to be competing in the bullfights in Canada,” said Thiessen, the lone Canadian to compete at the BFO Las Vegas Championship this past December. “I really think this event in Claresholm will be a home run.” It should. Just the nature of Bullfighters Only allows for it to be a hit. The fact that it’s tied in with the Chad Besplug Invitational is just another reason to love what happens inside the arena. “One thing we do is bring in some of the top animals in the game, whether it’s the bull riding or the bullfighting,” Besplug said. “We’re trying to get the top talent up from the U.S. We expect people to witness one of the toughest competitions they’ll see ever.” That bull riding talent includes top Canadian talent Scott Shiffner, world champion Wesley Silcox and Beau Hill, a PBR World Finals and National Finals Rodeo qualifier. It’s something that fans have come to expect. “The crowd that comes to this event is really educated about rodeo and bull riding,” Besplug said. “I want to get them off their feet. This is something they haven’t seen before, and I want them to experience just how exciting this is.” That can happen with the freestyle bullfights. Men will try to stay within inches of the bulls, which are bred to be part of this type of fight. The most successful will keep the animal engaged closely while showcasing true athleticism to stay out of harm’s way. The more engaged the animal is, the likelihood for good scores increases. 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. “I’m excited to go toe-to-toe with these bulls and show everyone up there what the BFO is all about,” Rutkowski said. “This is a big opportunity for me and for the BFO to be able to compete in Canada and at such a big event in Claresholm. “I think the fans are really going to enjoy it. It’s exciting. It’s fast-paced, and, man, it’s wild. There’s a good chance you’re going to see some wrecks, or at least some close calls, but that’s what bullfighting is all about. You’ve got to expose yourself to that kind of danger if you want to win.”

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Cort Scheer took advantage of opportunity Saturday night at the San Angelo Cinch Chute Out. Scheer rode his first horse of the night, Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Sweet Maria, for 85.5 points but was still a half point from advancing to the four-man round in saddle bronc riding. Chad Ferley won the eight-man round with an 88.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Real Fancy, but the two-time world champion suffered an injury shortly after the ride. Since Ferley couldn’t compete in the finale, Scheer took his place, then matched moves with C5 Rodeo’s Classic Bear for 88 points to win the title on the final night of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. That was worth $12,500 for the Elsmere, Neb., cowboy, a two-time reserve world champion and five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. He snuck past Louisianan Cody DeMoss, who was 87.5 points on Powder River Rodeo’s After Party to earn the San Angelo chute out title. But Scheer wasn’t the only contestant in the field to take advantage of the situations that surrounded them. Bull rider Douglas Duncan bucked off his bull, Lancaster and Jones’ Bandit, but only after the bull had come down on its front knees. That meant Duncan was awarded a reride. Matched with Carr’s Chaulk Outline, Duncan posted the highest-marked ride of the night with a 92.5. He needed every bit of it, because Chandler Bownds had posted a 91 on Carr’s Lineman. The difference in payout from first to second was $9,000, so it worked out quite well for Duncan. Barrel racer Tiany Schuster knocked over a barrel – and suffered a five-second penalty because of it – but advanced out of the eight-woman round into the sudden-death championship with the fourth-fastest time. She then rounded the cloverleaf pattern in 14.038 seconds in the finale to earn the title. In tie-down roping, two former world champions were the first to go in the four-man round, and both Shane Hanchey and Tuf Cooper posted blazing fast 6.77-second runs. The third cowboy, Marty Yates, then bettered the gold buckle tandem with a 6.68 to earn the big check. A trio of bareback riders scored big in the finale. Wyatt Denny, who rode Pickett’s Delta Glamorous; Bobby Mote, on Powder River’s Craig at Midnight; and Clayton Biglow, on Pickett’s Top Flight, all scored 88.5. Denny won the title based on how the tie-breaker, followed by Mote then Biglow. The San Angelo Cinch Chute Out promised big scores and fast times, and that’s exactly what the contestants provided the packed house. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Cinch Chute Out Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Wyatt Denny, on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Delta Glamorous, Bobby Mote, on Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight, and Clayton Biglow, on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Flight, 88.5 points (Denny wins $12,500 by tie-breaker, Mote earns $3,500 and Biglow $2,500); 4. J.R. Vezain, 87, $1,500 Barrel racing: 1. Tiany Schuster, 14.038 seconds, $12,500; 2. Trula Churchill, 14.182, $3,500; 3. Christine Laughlin, 14.562, $2,500; 4. Sarah Rose McDonald, 14.924, $1,500. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cort Scheer, 88 points on C5 Rodeo’s Classic Bear, $12,500; 2. Cody DeMoss, 87.5, $3,500; 3. Jacobs Crawley, 86.5, $2,500; Wade Sundell, 86, $1,500. Tie-down roping: 1. Marty Yates, 6.68 seconds, $12,500; 2. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Tuf Cooper, 6.77, $3,000 each; 4. Ty Harris, no time, $1,500. Bull riding: 1. Douglas Duncan, 92.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Chaulk Outline, $12,500; 2. Chandler Bownds, 91, $3,500; 3. (tie) Corey Maier and Marcus Mariluch, no score (Mariluch earned the third-place $2,500 by staying on longer, so Maier pocketed $1,500.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – The moment Painted River burst out of the chute Friday night, Chad Rutherford knew something special was happening. “She was outstanding,” Rutherford said of the 8-year-old Pete Carr Pro Rodeo mare. “I felt like I could be in the high 80s with that ride, but I never imagined it would be that high.” Rutherford and Painted River matched up for 91.5 points Friday night during the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo’s championship round and propelled the Lake Charles, La., cowboy to the top spot in bareback riding. He finished with 176 points on two rides and jumped from seventh to first with the highest marked ride of the rodeo. “I felt like I was in charge,” he said. “It was a great feeling the whole ride. I was just as aggressive as she was.” That ride was not only the highest marked ride of Rutherford’s career, but it stands as the highest marked bareback ride so far in the 2017 season. There are three cowboys that have posted 90s. With 91.5 points, it was also the highest marked of all roughstock rides early in the season. In all, he pocketed $6,953 and pushes his season earnings past the $24,000 mark. “This fires me up and pushes me to want to go on to the next one and just do just as good,” said Rutherford, who was fifth in the world standings heading into this week. “I know I can’t be 90 every time, it definitely builds your confidence up.” His confidence is sky high, and part of that is because he’s riding really well. He considers his style to be aggressive, and he thinks that’s been a big help to his season. He finished the 2016 campaign 24th in the world standings and hopes remain among the top 15 at season’s end to earn his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “I think one of the things that’s helped me is that I have great traveling partners this year,” Rutherford said of Bill Tutor, who has been on the verge of the NFR the past few years, and Evan Jayne, a two-time qualifier. “I’m staying very true to my nutrition and staying healthy. I’m just focused this year. “I feed off them, and they feed off me. I’ve always been a loner when it comes to traveling. Bill asked me last April if I wanted to haul with him. Getting in the van with him was probably the best thing I’ve done in my career.” The traveling posse makes a difference. Not only do they split expenses that come with the rodeo trail, but they also are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. It helps keep morale up even through the trying times that come with the sport. Of course, a big boost is getting on good horses. “I really didn’t know anything about Painted River,” said Rutherford, 25. “Bill had been on her at the Texas Circuit Finals (in January), and he said, ‘She’s a great horse, so just do what you do.’ It worked out great. “I have an aggressive riding style. I believe that’s a big key to why I’m doing as good as I am. It doesn’t matter what they run under me, I’m going to go after them aggressively.” That approach has paid off in San Angelo. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12, Feb. 15-17 Bareback riding: 1. Austin Foss, 89 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight, $4,679; 2. Orin Larsen, 87.5, $3,587; 3. (tie) Devan Reilly, Tyler Nelson and Ty Breuer, 86 points, $1,819 each; 6. Kelly Timberman, 85, $780; 7. Chad Rutherford, 84.5, $624; 8. Seth Hardwick, 83, $468. Final round: 1. Chad Rutherford, 91.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Painted River, $1,650; 2. Clint Laye, 88.5, $1,250; 3. Kelly Timberman, 87, $900; 4. Ty Breuer, 86.5, $600; 5. Kody Lamb, 86, $350; 6. Austin Foss, 83, $250. Average: 1. Chad Rutherford, 176 points on two rides, $4,679; 2. Ty Breuer, 172.5, $3,587; 3. (tie) Kelly Timberman and Austin Foss, 172, $2,183 each; 5. Clint Laye, 169.5, $1,092; 6. Orin Larsen, 166.5, $780; 7. Kody Lamb, 166, $624; 8. Will Martin, 161, $468. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dakota Eldridge, 3.3 seconds, $3,462 each; 3. (tie) Ty Erickson, Blake Knowles, Monty Eakin, Luke Branquinho and Justen Notes, 3.5, $1,771 each; 8. Stephen Culling, 3.6, $322. Second round: 1. David Hinman, 3.3 seconds, $3,704; 2. (tie) Baylor Roche, Dirk Tavenner, Josh Peek and Will Stovall, 3.5, $2,496 each; 6. (tie) Timmy Sparring, Clayton Hass, Nick Guy Todd Suhn and Rowdy Thames, 3.6, $483 each. Final round: 1. Baylor Roche, 3.0 seconds, $1,691; 2. (tie) Todd Suhn and Tyler Waguespack, 3.4, $1,360 each; 4. Blake Knowles, 3.6, $1,029; 5. Josh Peek, 3.9, $809; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 4.2, $588; 7. Trevor Knowles, 4.4, $368; 8. Dirk Tavenner, 4.5, $147. Average: 1. Baylor Roche, 10.2 seconds on three runs, $5,555; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 10.3, $4,831; 3. Todd Suhn, 10.8, $4,106; 4. Blake Knowles, 11.3, $3,382; 5. Josh Peek, 11.6, $2,657; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 12.2, $1,932; 7. (tie) Trevor Knowles and Dirk Tavenner, 12.6, $845 each Team roping: First round: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 3.8 seconds, $3,506; 2. JoJo LeMond/Quinn Kesler, 4.1, $3,049; 3. Bart Brunson/Trace Porter, 4.2, $2,592; 4. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 4.3, $2,134; 5. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz and Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 4.5, $1,448 each; 7. (tie) Shawn Besette/Sid Sporer, Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager and Cole Markham/Nick Simmons, 4.6, $356 each. Second round: 1. Derrick Begay/Clay O’Brien Cooper, 3.9 seconds, $3,506; 2. Nick Sartain/Justin Davis, 4.0, $3,409; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger and Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1, $2,362 each; 5. Brett Stuart/Wesley Moss, 4.2, $1,677; 6. John Alley/Clark Adcock, 4.3, $1,220; 7. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 4.4, $762; 8. (tie) Zac Small/Will Woodfin, Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan and Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.5, $102 each. Final round: 1. Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan, 5.5 seconds, $1,537; 2. Garrett Tonozzi/Bret Tonozzi, 5.7, $1,272; 3. Brandon Webb/Mickey  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – There’s a distinct Panhandle pride when it comes to rodeo in this area of Oklahoma. Cowboys live here, work here and attend school here. Over the years, there have been plenty of great ones with ties to Texas County, Okla. In fact, more than 40 cowboys and cowgirls that have made their home here at one time or another have competed on the grandest stage in the game, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Those that have moved on always return, especially for Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “Going to school for four years in Goodwell, you could see the whole community was excited when Pioneer Days would roll around,” said Clay Elliott, one of five Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo team alumni who competed at the 2016 NFR. “It’s a pretty cool community and everyone gets so involved in the rodeo. “I feel like I’m part of that community. It feels like a hometown rodeo, and I sure enjoy going there every year.” Elliott was one of three saddle bronc riders who competed in Las Vegas this past December, joined by Allen Boore and Jake Watson. The others were bareback rider Orin Larsen and bull rider Joe Frost. While he didn’t compete in Las Vegas, Panhandle State graduate Rocky Patterson claimed his fourth world championship last November at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. Expect all to be in the field for this year’s Pioneer Days Rodeo. “It has its unique style and its unique setup,” said Larsen, a two-time NFR qualifier from Inglis, Manitoba, who finished the 2016 season third in the world standings with $219,373 in season earnings, $81,077 of which came in Las Vegas. “The stock is usually really good there. It’s got its own special twist.” While Larsen had the best year-end salary, Watson, of Hope, British Columbia, had the best NFR earnings with more than $136,000. He finished fifth in bronc riding. Boore, of Axtell, Utah, won $107,097 in Las Vegas, while Frost, of Randlett, Utah, earned $100,538. Elliott, of Nanton, Alberta, rounded out the solid NFR with nearly $60,000. Patterson took home the biggest prize of them all with the world championship in his discipline. He set a new single-season earnings mark in steer roping with $142,432, including more than $57,000 at the finals. It was the biggest year of the 51-year-old Kansas cowboy’s career, one that included a solid finish in Guymon. When Pioneer Days Rodeo rolls around, it’s the perfect setting. Nearly 1,000 contestants make their way to the Oklahoma Panhandle during rodeo week. “Everybody’s still pretty hungry for rodeo, and that’s the biggest rodeo for that time of year,” Larsen said. “Winning that rodeo would be really sentimental to me.” It’s sentimental to any winner, but that’s specifically true for those that have lived in Texas County. Whether they represented Panhandle State at the College National Finals Rodeo or just utilized their college education at the NFR, they know there’s great support in the region once known as No Man’s Land. “There was almost as much pride in representing Panhandle State at the NFR as it was for me to be a Canadian at the NFR,” Elliott said. “They treated me so dang good in Goodwell – from the teachers to coaches to the old man at the elevator where I would buy my horse feed. To be part of that community is very special.” And that feeling is reciprocated by the community. “To us, all these cowboys and cowgirls are still part of the Panhandle, and we’re very proud of them,” said Earl Helm, chairman of the Pioneer Days Rodeo committee. “We’re still part of them. We want them to still feel at home when they come back here. “When they ride at the NFR, we’re very proud of them. We feel like we’re with them there, too.”

SAN ANGELO, Texas – The field is set for Friday’s final round to decide the champions for this year’s San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. The preliminary go-rounds concluded Thursday night with only a handful of competitors sneaking into the top 12 in the standings to secure their spots in the final round. Barrel racer Tiany Schuster of Krum, Texas, made the biggest impact; she posted a 14.17-second run to finish fourth in the second go-round. That was worth $3,088. That, matched with her first run, gave Schuster a two-run cumulative time of 29.96 seconds; she is one of just two cowgirls to have posted sub-30 second runs and sits second in the average. Schuster trails leader Amberleigh Moore by just six-hundredths of a second. Two bareback riders earned their way into the short round. Chad Rutherford of Lake Charles, La., rode Pickett Rodeo’s Scarlett Night for 84.5 points to finish seventh in the first round, worth $624. Morgan Wilde of McCammon, Idaho, rode Pickett’s Scarlette Belle for 82 points to finish just out of the money. He is ninth. Because of ties, only 11 bareback riders will compete Friday. Steer wrestler Will Stovall of Roberts, Mont., posted a 3.5-second run Thursday night to finish in a tie for second place in the second round. He earned $2,496 and also moved into a tie for eighth place in the average to earn his spot in the short round. Reigning steer wrestling world champion Tyler Waguespack leads his discipline with 7.0 seconds on two runs, while the brother tandem of Tate and Trevor Kirchenschlager lead team roping with an aggregate time of 9.8 seconds. Saddle bronc rider Joe Lufkin scored 83 points Wednesday night to win the first round and hold the lead heading into the short round. He has earned $3,466 so far. Oregonian bareback rider Austin Foss has the highest score of the rodeo so far, spurring Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight to 89 points last weekend. He won the first round and pocketed $4,679. He holds a point and a half lead over Canadian Orin Larsen heading into the championship round. Cody Quaney has held on to the tie-down roping lead. Quaney also won the second round, worth nearly $4,500. The Kansas man roped and tied two calves in 14.8 seconds to lead the pack into Friday night. Trey Benton III scored 88.5 points early in the rodeo to lead bull riding. Unlike all other disciplines, bull riding will feature just one go-round. Benton could still win the championship if his score holds out for the top spot through Friday. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12, Feb. 15-17 Bareback riding: 1. Austin Foss, 89 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight, $4,679; 2. Orin Larsen, 87.5, $3,587; 3. (tie) Devan Reilly, Tyler Nelson and Ty Breuer, 86 points, $1,819 each; 6. Kelly Timberman, 85, $780; 7. Chad Rutherford, 84.5, $624; 8. Seth Hardwick, 83, $468; 9. Morgan Wilde, 82; 10. (tie) Clint Laye and Will Martin, 81 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dakota Eldridge, 3.3 seconds, $3,462 each; 3. (tie) Ty Erickson, Blake Knowles, Monty Eakin, Luke Branquinho and Justen Notes, 3.5, $1,771 each; 8. Stephen Culling, 3.6, $322. Second round: 1. David Hinman, 3.3 seconds, $3,704; 2. (tie) Baylor Roche, Dirk Tavenner, Josh Peek and Will Stovall, 3.5, $2,496 each; 6. (tie) Timmy Sparring, Clayton Hass, Nick Guy Todd Suhn and Rowdy Thames, 3.6, $483 each. Average: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Baylor Roche, 7.2; 3. Todd Suhn, 7.4; 4. (tie) Josh Peek and Blake Knowles, 7.7 each; 6. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Cooper Shofner, 7.9 each; 8. (tie) Nick Guy, Dakota Eldridge, Will Stovall, David Hinman and Dakota Champion, 8.0 each. Team roping: First round: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 3.8 seconds, $3,506; 2. JoJo LeMond/Quinn Kesler, 4.1, $3,049; 3. Bart Brunson/Trace Porter, 4.2, $2,592; 4. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 4.3, $2,134; 5. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz and Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 4.5, $1,448 each; 7. (tie) Shawn Besette/Sid Sporer, Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager and Cole Markham/Nick Simmons, 4.6, $356 each. Second round: 1. Derrick Begay/Clay O’Brien Cooper, 3.9 seconds, $3,506; 2. Nick Sartain/Justin Davis, 4.0, $3,409; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger and Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1, $2,362 each; 5. Brett Stuart/Wesley Moss, 4.2, $1,677; 6. John Alley/Clark Adcock, 4.3, $1,220; 7. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 4.4, $762; 8. (tie) Zac Small/Will Woodfin, Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan and Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.5, $102 each. Average: 1. Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager, 9.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 9.9 seconds; 3. Chase Massengill/Kory Bramwell, 10.1; 4. Clayton Van Aken/Shawn Darnall, 10.3; 5. Seth Hall/Byron Wilkerson, 10.6; 6. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 10.9; 7. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 13.3; 8. Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger, 13.4; 9. Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan, 13.9; 10. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 14.5; 11. Ty Blasingame/Kollin VonAhn, 15.2; 12. Brandon Webb/Mickey Gomez, 15.5. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Joe Lufkin, 83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Miss Congeniality, $3,466; 2. Ryder Wright, 81, $2,657; 3. (tie) Magin Lane Montoya, Dalton Davis, Isaac Diaz and Layton Green, 80, $1,155 each; 7. CoBurn Bradshaw, 79.5, $462; 8. (tie) Zeke Thurston, Jesse Kruse and Cole Elshere, 78.5, $116 each; 11. (tie) Jacobs Crawley and Chuck Schmidt, 78 each. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. (tie) Michael Otero and Tuf Cooper, 7.0 seconds, $4,199 each; 3. Darnell Johnson, 7.5, $3,320; 4. (tie) Marty Yates, Hunter Herrin, Cade Swor, Catfish Brown and Tyler Milligan, 7.6, $1,562 each. Second round: 1. Cody Quaney, 7.0 seconds, $4,492; 2. Justin Smith, 7.1, $3,906; 3. (tie) Scott Kormos and Tim Pharr, 7.3, $3,027 each; 5. (tie) J.C. Malone and Lane Livingston, 7.4, $1,855 each; 7. (tie) Blane Cox, Seth Cooke and Trinton Downing, 7.5, $456 each. Average: 1. Cody Quaney, 14.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Tuf Cooper, 15.0; 3. Clint Singleton, 15.8; 4. Cooper Martin, 16.1; 5. (tie) Cade Swor, Derrick Elliott Traylor, Clint Robinson and Cimarron Boardman, 16.2 each; 9. Catfish Brown, 16.3; 10. (tie) Marcos  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – As July rolled into August last year, Joe Lufkin was among the top 15 saddle bronc riders in the game. He just needed to sustain that position through the rest of the season, and he would have been bound for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. A groin injury he suffered the first week of August essentially put an end to his bid. “That’s rodeo,” Lufkin said Wednesday night, shortly after his 83-point ride catapulted him into the lead at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. “I sat out for 10 days, and the first rodeo back was in Caldwell, Idaho. I ended up winning the long round at Caldwell, and I tried to keep it going the rest of the year. “I was right there on the bubble for making the NFR. I tried to see if I could tough it out. I finally just went home.” His bubble burst, but his confidence didn’t. The case in point was Wednesday’s ride aboard Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Miss Congeniality, an athletic bay mare that has been selected to buck at the NFR three times. “That’s just a good horse that’s been around for a while,” said Lufkin, 24, of Sallisaw, Okla. “She’s good to get on, the kind of horse you like to get on.” It doesn’t hurt that Lufkin is pretty good, too. Despite his injury last year, he still finished 20th in the world standings. He is a past Prairie Circuit champion and has finished among the top 25 each of the past two seasons. “It’s very important to do well in San Angelo,” he said. “This run in the winter sets you up so you can have your money built up for your summer run. Without having that extra money, it can get a little lean when you’re on the road through the summer as much as we are.” That money not only pays the bills and travel expenses, but dollars equal championship points. The contestants in each event with the most money won at season’s end will be crowned world champions. It’s a dream for most that compete in the sport, and it’s something Lufkin has been shooting for since he decided to do this for a living. “It’s always my goal to try to make the NFR,” he said. “I try not to overthink it and get ahead of yourself, then just try the best you can.” He has taken it easy so far this year. San Angelo marked just the sixth time this season he’s been on a horse. Lufkin wants to make sure that groin is healthy, and Wednesday’s ride gave him a little more confidence. He will now bring that attitude back to San Angelo Coliseum on Friday night for the championship round and the chance to walk away with this year’s title. “The crowd was big,” Lufkin said. “San Angelo is always a nice plays for us to come. The crowd is always big and into it. “My confidence is good. I always try to keep my confidence high, because rodeo is such a mental game. You have to stay on top of that.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12, Feb. 15-17 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Austin Foss, 89 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight; 2. Orin Larsen, 87.5; 3. (tie) Devan Reilly, Tyler Nelson and Ty Breuer, 86 points each; 6. Kelly Timberman, 85; 7. Seth Hardwick, 83; 8. (tie) Clint Laye and Will Martin, 81 each; 10. (tie) Jamie Howlett, Casey Breuer and Kody Lamb, 80 each; 11. (tie) Justin McDaniel, Joel Schlegel, Luke Creasy and Jordan Pelton, 79 each. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dakota Eldridge, 3.3 seconds, $3,462 each; 3. (tie) Ty Erickson, Blake Knowles, Monty Eakin, Luke Branquinho and Justen Notes, 3.5, $1,771 each; 8. Stephen Culling, 3.6, $322. Second round leaders: 1. David Hinman, 3.3 seconds; 2. (tie) Baylor Roche, Dirk Tavenner and Josh Peek, 3.5 each; 5. (tie) Timmy Sparring, Clayton Hass, Nick Guy Todd Suhn and Rowdy Thomas, 3.6 each. Average leaders: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Baylor Roche, 7.2; 3. Todd Suhn, 7.4; 4. (tie) Josh Peek and Blake Knowles, 7.7 each; 6. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Cooper Shofner, 7.9 each; 8. (tie) Nick Guy, Dakota Eldridge, David Hinman and Dakota Champion, 8.0 each; 12. (tie) Dirk Tavenner and Ty Erickson, 8.1 each. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 3.8 seconds, $3,506; 2. JoJo LeMond/Quinn Kesler, 4.1, $3,049; 3. Bart Brunson/Trace Porter, 4.2, $2,592; 4. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 4.3, $2,134; 5. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz and Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 4.5, $1,448 each; 7. (tie) Shawn Besette/Sid Sporer, Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager and Cole Markham/Nick Simmons, 4.6, $356 each. Second round leaders: 1. Derrick Begay/Clay O’Brien Cooper, 3.9 seconds; 2. Nick Sartain/Justin Davis, 4.0; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger and Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1 each; 5. Brett Stuart/Wesley Moss, 4.2; 6. John Alley/Clark Adcock, 4.3; 7. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 4.4; 8. (tie) Zac Small/Will Woodfin, Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan and Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.5. Average leaders: 1. Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager, 9.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 9.9 seconds; 3. Chase Massengill/Kory Bramwell, 10.1; 4. Clayton Van Aken/Shawn Darnall, 10.3; 5. Seth Hall/Byron Wilkerson, 10.6; 6. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 10.9; 7. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 13.3; 8. Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger, 13.4; 9. Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan, 13.9; 10. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 14.5; 11. Ty Blasingame/Kollin VonAhn, 15.2; 12. Brandon Webb/Mickey Gomez, 15.5. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Joe Lufkin, 83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Miss Congeniality; 2. Ryder Wright, 81; 3. (tie) Magin Lane Montoya, Dalton Davis, Isaac Diaz and Layton Green, 80 each; 7. CoBurn Bradshaw, 79.5; 8. (tie) Zeke Thurston, Jesse Kruse and Cole Elshere, 78.5 each; 9. (tie) Jacobs Crawley and Chuck Schmidt, 78 each. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Michael Otero and Tuf Cooper, 7.0 seconds, $4,199 each; 3. Darnell Johnson, 7.5, $3,320;  Continue Reading »

HICO, Texas – Each of Cody Ohl’s tie-down roping gold buckles came with a common theme. “In each of those world championships, I rode the best horse of that year,” said Ohl, who won six world titles overall, including his 2001 all-around crown. “One of those horses was the only one I rode at every rodeo I went to that year.” He might just have that again, thanks to his partnership with Joey Austin, president of Hooey Brands. Austin acquired a 12-year-old bay gelding the first of this year. Ohl has big plans for himself and his new horse, Hooey, for 2017. That next step will be at The American, a one-day rodeo scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas, that features a $2 million purse. The event will take place in AT&T Stadium and will include the greatest rodeo athletes in the game. After that, he will travel North America in hopes of making his 21st qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. Ohl has tested other horses since he rode the legendary Pearl, but he hasn’t found the right fit … until now. “I’d seen the horse (Hooey) last fall, and I got to ride him at my dad’s memorial roping,” said Ohl, 43, of Hico, who spent 2016 in the Elite Rodeo Athletes association. “I got to ride him at the ERA Finals (in November). My first calf wasn’t that good, but the next three runs went really well. It just felt like it was supposed to. “I had that feeling before when I had her (Pearl), but I haven’t been able to use her for three years. I’ve been searching for that feeling ever since. It’s just a long shot to get that feeling so quickly on a different horse, but Hooey had it.” Like Ohl, Austin knew there was something special about the horse. “I bought the horse from Kenneth Kelley, who has been training horses for a long time, and he felt like he had one of the best ones he’s ever made,” Austin said. “This horse is a throw-back, like a calf roping horse you’d see in the 1960s. He’s a ranchy, square-stopping bay with a roached mane and not a lot of chrome, which is just fine with me. “Cody has ridden some of the best calf horses of all time, so I’m confident he can get the maximum potential out of him. This horse should be seasoned enough that he can handle the bright lights, but he’s young enough that he doesn’t have many miles on him yet.” Ohl knows the need for great equine partners. They are, after all, the key for successful rodeo athletes.  Every world champion credits the mount that helped him earn gold. That’s why he’s so confident heading into the next chapter of his life. Still in his early 40s, time is running out, and he needs the perfect partner to help him reach his goals. “It’s not difficult to make the NFR if you’ve got the best horse,” Ohl said. “I love to rodeo. Over the last 10 years, there are a lot of rodeos I’ve cut out of my schedule. I’m just going to go back to them.” Because of his legendary pedigree, Ohl was invited to be in the field for The American. He has a shot at the $100,000 prize guaranteed to the winner in each event. “With going to the ERA last year, there are some big rodeos I’m not getting to enter because of the qualifications rules,” he said. “But I’m just looking at the big picture. I hadn’t been in the practice pen or gotten excited about going to practice until I got this horse. There are rodeos I’ll make this year that I haven’t been to in 13 years.” Being aggressive is nothing new to Ohl, but it’s a different approach than he’s taken in recent years. He’s making the rodeo circuit his priority, and he’s leaning on Hooey to not only get him back into contention, but also give him the best shot at a seventh gold buckle. “I feel like this is the horse that could get me back to where I want to be,” Ohl said.

Rutkowski returns to west Texas for BFO’s first stop in San Angelo SAN ANGELO, Texas – The sound of Weston Rutkowski’s voice gleams of west Texas. From that unmistakable drawl to the tone he uses, his regional pride is evident. He grew up in the burg of Haskell, a town of 3,300 people about two hours northeast of San Angelo. It’s home. He returns to the Plains on Saturday night to headline the Bullfighters Only competition Presented by Ken Schlaudt Custom Homes, held in conjunction with the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. Rutkowski will be one of three freestyle bullfighters to test their athleticism while going head to head with aggressive and agile Spanish fighting bulls. “This is huge for me,” said Rutkowski, the No. 1-ranked bullfighter in the game today. “Everyone wants to compete at home, so I’m really looking forward to it. Once I started fighting bulls, I never really got to go home and do it there.” He will now, and he will have the chance to show why he is considered one of the best in the business. West Texas isn’t just home for Rutkowski; it was a training ground in a way. He was a five-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, baseball, track and golf. Now he utilizes that same athletic ability but in a more dangerous fashion. “When they talk about football Friday nights, it’s a real thing,” he said. “It’s not just a story line. The town shut down, and everybody would go to the game.” That’s a drawing card for his opportunity to compete in San Angelo. He knows of the great crowds that fill the coliseum. He understands that folks want to see something exciting, and that’s why the stock show and rodeo is so popular. “When the rodeo’s in town, people pack in every night,” Rutkowski said. “They have such a prestigious event that people just flock to that arena.” Now they’ll get to see him in action and see what the buzz is all about. After nearly 20 years on the backburner, Bullfighters Only was the guiding force to bringing freestyle bullfighting back into the limelight. After a successful inaugural run in 2016, the BFO Presented by Ken Schlaudt Custom Homes is one of the first events of the new season. “I haven’t fought a bull since Vegas in December,” said Rutkowski, who earned more than $40,000 throughout the Bullfighters Only 2016 season. “I’m healthier than I’ve ever been, and I’ve been training hard. I’m ready for battle. I cannot wait to get back into the arena and go head-to-head.” It’s a fascinating event. A big part of Bullfighters Only’s success lies within the heart-stopping action that comes with the extreme danger in freestyle bullfighting. Men will try to stay within inches of the bulls, which are bred to be part of this type of fight. The most successful will keep the animal engaged closely while showcasing true athleticism to stay out of harm’s way. 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. Now Rutkowski will showcase his talent in front of fans who understand rodeo and will want to see the action of the BFO. “That is the heart of rodeo country,” he said. “They don’t need to put on a big concert, because they have very knowledgeable rodeo fans. They’ve been there, done that, and they expect a good show. “The Oklahoma guys have a stronghold on freestyle bullfighting, but I want to do my best to make sure everyone knows Texas still has a ballplayer in the game.”  

Bullfighters Only begins new season with its first event ever in Sunshine State BRIGHTON, Fla. – The Brighton Field Day Festival has a long history of exciting events, with 79 years of extreme entertainment. The organizers of the Field Day Festival and PRCA Rodeo are adding to that this year with three days of Bullfighters Only freestyle bullfighting competition. It takes place Friday through Sunday at Fred Smith Rodeo Arena and will feature nine of the top freestyle bullfighters in the world. “We have a lot of activities with our festival, and Bullfighters Only is a perfect fit for what we produce,” said Marvin Hines of the Seminole Tribe. “We are pulling out all the stops to make this the best freestyle event Florida has seen to date. It’s going to be great.” The Brighton event will kick off BFO’s 2017 season and is one of three events planned for this weekend. Bullfighters Only will also host events in Red Deer, Alberta, and San Angelo, Texas, on Saturday. WAR Fighting Bulls from Texas will provide the challengers that the fighters will face in hopes of claiming a lion’s share of the $10,000 payout. BFO paid upwards of $300,000 in prize money during the inaugural 2016 season. “I’m looking forward to visiting new towns and taking advantage of new opportunities,” said Toby Inman of Davis Junction, Ill. “Obviously getting back to places where we’ve been will be awesome, but this is a new year, and we are adding to our tour. “The fans are going to love what Bullfighters Only brings to the table.” Bullfighters Only has been growing freestyle bullfighting for the past two years. After 17 years away from the spotlight, freestyle bullfighting has surged back to the mainstream thanks to the presence of the BFO. The sport continues to grow. “This will be our first event in Florida,” Weston Rutkowski said. “The Sunshine State is very rodeo-savvy the fans will hold you accountable for your performance in the arena – good or bad.” A big part of Bullfighters Only’s success lies within the heart-stopping action that comes with the extreme danger in freestyle bullfighting. Men will try to stay within inches of the bulls, which are bred to be part of this type of fight. The most successful will keep the animal engaged closely while showcasing true athleticism to stay out of harm’s way. At Brighton, Rutkowski and Inman will be joined by seven others considered to be among the best in the business. 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 going to be a great event, and I’m really looking forward to showing everyone in Florida what sets Bullfighters Only apart from other bullfights.” Inman said.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Amberleigh Moore has a lot of faith in her young partner, a 7-year-old mare she calls Paige. “She’s taking me for the ride right now,” said Moore of Keizer, Ore. “Ever since I fell off, she’s hit a new gear. The rodeos I went to this week – Jackson (Miss.), Belton (Texas) and here – she’s taken off like she did in Vegas, and I’m literally just hanging on for the ride.” She held on pretty well, circling the cloverleaf pattern Sunday afternoon at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo in a rodeo-best 13.99 seconds. She owns the second-round lead and also sits No. 1 in the average with a two-run cumulative time of 29.90 seconds. It’s all been a whirlwind since she took a nasty spill last weekend in Fort Worth, Texas. As she came around the third barrel on the afternoon of Feb. 4, the latigo broke on her saddle. Shortly after Paige crossed the scoring line, Moore hit the dirt hard. She is still sore, but she’s been riding with a huge smile on her face. She won the rodeo in Belton this weekend and leads Jackson. All this coming shortly after her inaugural run at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, where she earned more than $187,000 in 10 days and catapulted to the No. 2 spot in the final world standings. “The momentum from last year is carrying over,” Moore said. “After Vegas, she got a month off. She hasn’t slowed down since the first run I put on her. That mare has not backed off one bit. “This is our third year on the trail, so this is the third time she’s been in these pens. She knows what she’s doing and where she’s at. From 2016 to 2017, she’s just a year older and a year stronger. She’ll be 8 years old in May, and I’ve just let her do this on her own.” It’s working, and now she’s made her plans to return to San Angelo on Friday for the championship round. “She took off from the alleyway, and she was smooth and fast,” she said of Sunday’s run. “Last year, I ran a 13.99 and (knocked down) the third barrel to win the second round and take the lead in the average. This year I made up for it. This year I was determined to run clean around the third barrel. “Last year I didn’t do any good at the winter rodeos. I tipped a lot of barrels. This year is setting up so it’s not so hard later in the year. If you can do well at these winter rodeos, it can set you up so that your summer run is easier.” In 2016, Moore scrambled to finish the regular season 15th in the world standings, taking the last qualifying spot for the NFR. She’d like to have an easier time making it back to Las Vegas in December, and she knows the road she needs to take. More importantly, she knows that Paige is the right speedster to get her back. She is 14th in the world standings with nearly $11,000 in earnings. “She’s one in a million,” Moore said her mare. “She gets bored being at home. She likes being out on the road with me.” It shows in every run the tandem makes. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12, Feb. 15-17 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Austin Foss, 89 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight; 2. Orin Larsen, 87.5; 3. (tie) Devan Reilly, Tyler Nelson and Ty Breuer, 86 points each; 6. Kelly Timberman, 85; 7. Seth Hardwick, 83; 8. Clint Laye, 81; 9. (tie) Jamie Howlett and Casey Breuer, 80 each; 11. (tie) Justin McDaniel, Joel Schlegel, Luke Creasy and Jordan Pelton, 79 each. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dakota Eldridge, 3.3 seconds each; 3. (tie) Ty Erickson, Blake Knowles, Luke Branquinho and Justen Notes, 3.5 each; 7. Stephen Culling, 3.6; 8. (tie) Baylor Roche and Justin Shaffer, 3.7 each. Second round leaders: 1. David Hinman, 3.3 seconds; 2. (tie) Baylor Roche, Dirk Tavenner and Josh Peek, 3.5 each; 5. (tie) Timmy Sparring, Clayton Hass, Nick Guy Todd Suhn and Rowdy Thomas, 3.6 each. Average leaders: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Baylor Roche, 7.2; 3. Todd Suhn, 7.4; 4. (tie) Josh Peek and Blake Knowles, 7.7 each; 6. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Cooper Shofner, 7.9 each; 8. (tie) Nick Guy, Dakota Eldridge, David Hinman and Dakota Champion, 8.0 each; 12. (tie) Dirk Tavenner and Ty Erickson, 8.1 each. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 3.8 seconds; 2. JoJo LeMond/Quinn Kesler, 4.1; 3. Bart Brunson/Trace Porter, 4.2; 4. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 4.3; 5. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz and Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 4.5 each; 7. (tie) Shawn Besette/Sid Sporer, Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager and Cole Markham/Nick Simmons, 4.6. Second round leaders: 1. Derrick Begay/Clay O’Brien Cooper, 3.9 seconds; 2. Nick Sartain/Justin Davis, 4.0; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger and Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1 each; 5. Brett Stuart/Wesley Moss, 4.2; 6. John Alley/Clark Adcock, 4.3; 7. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 4.4; 8. (tie) Zac Small/Will Woodfin, Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan and Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.5. Average leaders: 1. Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager, 9.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 9.9 seconds; 3. Chase Massengill/Kory Bramwell, 10.1; 4. Clayton Van Aken/Shawn Darnall, 10.3; 5. Seth Hall/Byron Wilkerson, 10.6; 6. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 10.9; 7. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 13.3; 8. Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger, 13.4; 9. Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan, 13.9; 10. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 14.5; 11. Ty Blasingame/Kollin VonAhn, 15.2; 12. Brandon Webb/Mickey Gomez, 15.5. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Ryder Wright, 81 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pendleton Whisky Django; 2. (tie) Magin Lane Montoya, Dalton Davis, Isaac Diaz and Layton Green, 80 each; 6. CoBurn Bradshaw, 79.5; 7. (tie) Zeke Thurston and Jesse Kruse, 78.5 each; 9. (tie) Jacobs Crawley and Chuck Schmidt, 78 each; 11. Wyatt Casper and  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Craig at Midnight is big and powerful. He stands at least 16 hands tall and weighs in excess of 1,800 pounds, and he’s the reigning Bareback Horse of the Year. On Saturday night at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, the athletic gray horse guided Austin Foss to an 89-point ride and the bareback riding lead through seven performances. It was the perfect horse at the perfect place for Foss, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Terrebonne, Ore. “When I saw his name next to mine (earlier this week when the draw was released), I just about dropped my phone,” he said. “It was a good feeling.” Foss has had great success inside San Angelo Coliseum before. Two years ago, he won both rounds to claim the bareback riding title. He earned more than $11,000 then, and that was one of the many events that earned him his third straight trip to Las Vegas and ProRodeo’s grand finale. “I got a really good feeling when that horse was coming in to the chutes,” Foss said. “He’s a lot more level-headed than the last time I got on him, and I’m not hurting like I was back then.” Their last meeting occurred at the 2013 NFR, and Craig at Midnight bucked off an ailing Foss, who was struggling with a herniated disc in his neck. The cowboy was forced to miss the final two rounds because of his injury. That wasn’t the case Saturday. “He bucked me off after the whistle, but we made it through,” Foss said. “He was really good tonight.” What makes the powerful gray so good? Foss said the horse is considered an eliminator because he’s so difficult to ride. Sometimes those horses have some nasty moves with their bucking motion. Sometimes they just overpower their rider. “He just bucks,” he said. “He just turns out of there and is so big, and he goes at it. He was pretty decent to ride tonight. He had just a few bumps to him, but I was able to manage them OK.” After sitting out the 2016 season, Foss is excited to be back on the ProRodeo trail. He is 45th in the world standings, but a strong performance in San Angelo can go a long ways in pushing him up the money list. “Having his name net to mine is a rung on the ladder for me,” Foss said. “It was a good feeling, and it gives you incentive to do your best and try your hardest. The long-term opportunity out there is something that can really catapult a guy right up there in the top 15 in the standings. “My confidence is really good, especially after that ride. Being able to ride a horse like that definitely shoots a guy’s confidence through the roof.” It worked two years ago, so he has no reason to doubt that it can happen again. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12, Feb. 15-17 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Austin Foss, 89 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight; 2. (tie) Devan Reilly, Tyler Nelson and Ty Breuer, 86 points each; 5. Kelly Timberman, 85; 6. Clint Laye, 81; 7. (tie) Jamie Howlett and Casey Breuer, 80 each. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dakota Eldridge, 3.3 seconds each; 3. (tie) Ty Erickson, Blake Knowles, Luke Branquinho and Justen Notes, 3.5 each; 7. Stephen Culling, 3.6; 8. (tie) Baylor Roche and Justin Shaffer, 3.7 each. Second round leaders: 1. David Hinman, 3.3 seconds; 2. (tie) Baylor Roche, Dirk Tavenner and Josh Peek, 3.5 each; 5. (tie) Timmy Sparring, Clayton Hass, Nick Guy Todd Suhn and Rowdy Thomas, 3.6 each. Average leaders: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Baylor Roche, 7.2; 3. Todd Suhn, 7.4; 4. (tie) Josh Peek and Blake Knowles, 7.7 each; 6. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Cooper Shofner, 7.9 each; 8. (tie) Nick Guy, Dakota Eldridge, David Hinman and Dakota Champion, 8.0 each; 12. (tie) Dirk Tavenner and Ty Erickson, 8.1 each. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 3.8 seconds; 2. JoJo LeMond/Quinn Kesler, 4.1; 3. Bart Brunson/Trace Porter, 4.2; 4. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 4.3; 5. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz and Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 4.5 each; 7. (tie) Shawn Besette/Sid Sporer, Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager and Cole Markham/Nick Simmons, 4.6. Second round leaders: 1. Derrick Begay/Clay O’Brien Cooper, 3.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger and Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1 each; 4. Brett Stuart/Wesley Moss, 4.2; 5. John Alley/Clark Adcock, 4.3; 6. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 4.4; 7. (tie) Zac Small/Will Woodfin, Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan and Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.5. Average leaders: 1. Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager, 9.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 9.9 seconds; 3. Chase Massengill/Kory Bramwell, 10.1; 4. Clayton Van Aken/Shawn Darnall, 10.3; 5. Seth Hall/Byron Wilkerson, 10.6; 6. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 10.9; 7. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 13.3; 8. Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger, 13.4. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Ryder Wright, 81 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pendleton Whisky Django; 2. (tie) Magin Lane Montoya, Dalton Davis, Isaac Diaz and Layton Green, 80 each; 6. Zeke Thurston, 78.5; 7. (tie) Jacobs Crawley and Chuck Schmidt, 78. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Michael Otero and Tuf Cooper, 7.0 seconds each; 3. Darnell Johnson, 7.5; 4. (tie) Marty Yates, Hunter Herrin, Cade Swor, Catfish Brown and Tyler Milligan, 7.6 each. Second round leaders: 1. Cody Quaney, 7.0 seconds; 2. Justin Smith, 7.1; 3. (tie) Scott Kormos and Tim Pharr, 7.3 each; 5. (tie) J.C. Malone and Lane Livingston, 7.4 each; 7. (tie) Blane Cox, Seth Cooke and Trinton Downing, 7.5 each. Average leaders: 1. Cody Quaney, 14.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Tuf Cooper, 15.0; 3. Clint Singleton, 15.8; 4. Cooper Martin, 16.1; 5. (tie) Cade Swor, Clint Robinson and Cimarron Boardman, 16.2 each; 8. Catfish Brown, 16.3. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Cassie Mowry, 14.20 seconds; 2. Laura Kennedy, 14.24; 3. Lindsay Sears,  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Ty Breuer hasn’t ventured too far from his home near Mandan, N.D., very often in February. “I usually don’t rodeo in the winter as much because we start calving back home,” said Breuer, a two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “We started calving a little bit later this year so I could go to some of these.” He’s taking advantage of it. On Friday night, he moved into a three-way tie for first place in bareback riding at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo with 86 points by matching moves with C5 Rodeo’s White Water; that score was equaled Friday by Tyler Nelson of Victor, Idaho, who spurred C5’s Night Life, and by Devan Reilly of Sheridan, Wyo., last Sunday on Touch of Class from the Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo firm. The trio sits atop a strong leaderboard in anticipation to the championship round, which takes place Friday, Feb. 17, and will feature the top 12 contestants in each event from the preliminary rounds. Breuer has been in the San Angelo short round before; Nelson hasn’t. “I haven’t really done that well here before,” said Nelson, who is 15th in the world standings “It’s always good to get a good start to the season. It gives you momentum through the year. I’ve drawn pretty well so far this year He did. In fact, the lion’s share of his 2017 earnings came recently in Fort Worth, Texas, where he placed in three of four go-rounds, finished fourth in the average and pocketed more than $5,200. He stands a good chance to catch some west Texas cash, thanks in part to his dancing partner Friday night inside San Angelo Coliseum. “I really had no idea what the horse was, but she was really good and a lot of fun,” Nelson said of Night Life. “She gave me a lot of time to expose myself. She’s a good example of a horse that doesn’t travel very far but gets up in the air. She lets you show off a little bit.” While Nelson knew little about his mount, Breuer has had success on White Water. “I’ve seen it a couple of times, and last year I got on him in Ponoka (Alberta) and was 86 points on him there,” Breuer said. “It’s always good to do well, especially in San Angelo. “I started out the season pretty good, but I haven’t been going to many rodeos. I had some luck in Rapid City (S.D.) and a little luck in Denver.” In fact, the North Dakota cowboy won the Rapid City title and earned $5,584 in the process. He sits seventh on the money list with $15,786, and he’ll need every dime. He’ll have to take time away from the rodeo trail as he handles the family’s cattle business back home. Of course, he’s riding a wave of momentum that carried him to the NFR for the second time this past December. He’d like to return again and, hopefully, make it a regular destination. “The NFR really helps and really drives a guy to get better,” Breuer said. “I didn’t really do what I wanted to there, so you just have to keep working at it.” Breuer added more than $43,000 in Las Vegas money by placing in four go-rounds. That’s a solid wage for 10 days of work, but it still left a bad taste in the cowboy’s mouth. Nelson, though, would just like to get the feeling of what it means to compete at ProRodeo’s grand finale. He has finished among the top 30 in the world standings each of the past two seasons and has hopes that 2017 is his breakthrough season. “I’m definitely going to reach for it this year,” he said. “I just need to stay healthy and draw good, and that can help you get to the top 15 to get to Vegas. “My confidence is as good as it’s ever been. I’m also enjoying it, which helps a bunch, too.” It certainly showed Friday night. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12, Feb. 15-17 Bareback riding leaders: 1. (tie) Devan Reilly, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Touch of Class, Tyler Nelson, on C5 Rodeo’s Night Life, and Ty Breuer, on C5 Rodeo’s White Water, 86 points each; 4. Kelly Timberman, 85; 5. (tie) Jamie Howlett and Casey Breuer, 80 each; 7. (tie) Justin McDaniel, Joel Schlegel, Luke Creasy and Jordan Petlon, 79 each. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dakota Eldridge, 3.3 seconds each; 3. (tie) Ty Erickson, Blake Knowles, Luke Branquinho and Justen Notes, 3.5 each; 7. Stephen Culling, 3.6; 8. Baylor Roche, 3.7. Second round leaders: 1. David Hinman, 3.3 seconds; 2. (tie) Baylor Roche, Dirk Tavenner and Josh Peek, 3.5 each; 5. (tie) Timmy Sparring, Clayton Hass, Nick Guy Todd Suhn and Rowdy Thomas, 3.6 each. Average leaders: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Baylor Roche, 7.2; 3. Todd Suhn, 7.4; 4. (tie) Josh Peek and Blake Knowles, 7.7 each; 6. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Cooper Shofner, 7.9 each; 8. (tie) Nick Guy, Dakota Eldridge, David Hinman and Dakota Champion, 8.0 each; 12. (tie) Dirk Tavenner and Ty Erickson, 8.1 each. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 3.8 seconds; 2. Bart Brunson/Trace Porter, 4.2; 3. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 4.3; 4. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz and Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 4.5 each; 6. (tie) Shawn Besette/Sid Sporer, Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager and Cole Markham/Nick Simmons, 4.6. Second round leaders: 1. Derrick Begay/Clay O’Brien Cooper, 3.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger and Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1 each; 3. 4. Brett Stuart/Wesley Moss, 4.2; 5. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 4.4; 6. (tie) Zac Small/Will Woodfin and Travis Tryan/Chase Tryan, 4.5; 8. Jr. Dees/Matt Zancanella, 4.6. Average leaders: 1. Tate Kirchenschlager/Trevor Kirchenschlager, 9.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Chase Massengill/Kory Bramwell, 10.1; 3. Clayton Van Aken/Shawn Darnall, 10.3; 4. Seth Hall/Byron Wilkerson, 10.6; 5. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 13.3; 6.  Continue Reading »

The excitement of the CINCH Timed Event Championship brings out the best GUTHRIE, Okla. – For many, John Wayne was the epitome of a cowboy: Rugged, tough, strong and charismatic. It was an attitude he portrayed on screen, but it was the perfect symbol of what it takes to be a real cowboy. Twenty men will bring that persona to central Oklahoma for the 33rd edition of the CINCH Timed Event Championship of the World, set for Friday, March 3-Sunday, March 5, at the Lazy E Arena. It is a coarse test of stamina, courage and talent for some of the greatest all-around cowboys who play the game today. “There’s not another event like it,” said Trevor Brazile, a seven-time Timed Event champion from Decatur, Texas. “It is the purest of timed-event contests, then you put it in a venue like the Lazy E, and it adds that much more of a cowboy contest.” It’s a five-round championship spread over just three days. There’s no rest for the weary, and each man must compete in all five timed-event disciplines – heading, heeling, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and steer roping – in every go-round. It’s a wild ride to the championship, where $100,000 will be paid to the winner with the best cumulative time on 25 runs. “It’s been the cowboy’s event since it started,” said Paul David Tierney, a two-time and the reigning champion from Oral, S.D. He should know. His father, Paul, is a four-time CINCH TEC titlist, and the youngest member of the family will also compete alongside his brother, Jess. They are the next generation of cowboys who can compete in this exclusive championship, known as the “Ironman of ProRodeo.” What makes the Timed Event more special this year is the inclusion of the Jr. Ironman Championship, which will feature 10 top cowboys who range in age from 15-20. “I think there are a few more people getting into it nowadays, so they can be able to do the Timed Event when they get old enough,” Tierney said, noting that the younger competitors will test their skills in heading, heeling, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. “I think that’s good for this event.” It is. The Jr. Ironman will begin at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. It’s an outstanding opening act for the greatest all-around timed-event cowboys in the world competing in the most challenging contest in the sport. “The competition is unmatched as far as the ability people have,” said Daniel Green, a three-time champ from Oakdale, Calif. “The single toughest thing you face is the course. It is the hardest thing to get by, the switching of the horses, the switching of events, the size of the cattle, the length of the score. All that put together is the toughest competition you will face.” That’s part of the attraction. It’s why men cross the country and invest into the challenge, and it’s why fans show up by the thousands for each performance. “Part of what makes the Timed Event so great is the fans,” said K.C. Jones, a five-time titlist from Burlington, Wyo. “They appreciate it, and that’s why they’re there. “To be successful there, it’s all about being prepared when you get there. If you’ve got a hole in your program, you’re in trouble. You need to be solid and prepared in all five events.” That’s going to be a valuable tool to all 20 men in the field. While the past champs have an edge, any cowboy can make a move toward the top at any given moment. “If you stub your toe, somebody’s going to be right there,” said Brazile, who also owns a PRCA record 23 world titles spread out over four disciplines: the all-around, tie-down roping, steer roping and heading. “You have to have your foot on the gas the whole time. “You have to be efficient in all five events. You can’t dabble. You better be on you’re A game for all of it.” That’s why he’s won more Timed Event titles than anyone else.

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Rotary Rodeo organizers have many objectives when it comes to their event. They want to entertain fans, produce a world-class competition and raise money for local causes in the area. With the help of Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, they will get that chance during the event, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, and Saturday, Feb. 11, at MS Horse Park in Starkville. “You’re not going to go anywhere else around here and see this caliber of contestants and this caliber of stock” said Bricklee Miller, an organizer with the Rotary Rodeo. “It’s going to make for an exciting rodeo. “This is the Rotary Club’s largest fundraiser, and the proceeds we get from this stay right here in this community.” That is the most important part of the event. Adults can purchase tickets for $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Children 12 and younger can get in for free Friday and for just $5 Saturday. “This is a family-friendly event,” Miller said. “In addition, on Saturday night from 5 to 6:30 (p.m.) on the arena floor, we will have pony rides and a petting zoo. It gives children opportunities a lot of them don’t get to do.” Being community-minded is a big part of the success for the Rotary Rodeo. “Besides the fact that these athletes are getting a chance to work at their sport, any revenues from this go back to help the community,” said Briar Jones, president of the Starkville Rotary Club. “We are able to contribute to 22 local causes and also youth activities, including a dictionary project that we do in Starkville to make sure all third-graders in the county receive dictionaries.” Supporting local causes is a longstanding tradition for the civic organization, but the rodeo goes beyond that. It will feature hundreds of the top players in the game, and many will be matched with the animal athletes from the Dallas-based Carr firm, which has five nominations for Stock Contractor of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Over the last four years, no other livestock firm has had more animals selected to perform at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s premier championship. “I know I’m going to have a top performance and that we’re going to have top stock that’s been at the National Finals Rodeo,” Miller said. “That’s going to give the contestants the best opportunity to have high-marked rides in the riding events and fast times in the timed events. That helps make it a fun event for the fans.” Fun is the name of the game, and that includes clown Gizmo McCracken, who has multiple nominations for PRCA Comedy Act of the Year. It’s the perfect fit for the Rotary Rodeo.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – If momentum is a key to success, Tyler Waguespack is on quite a roll. “Momentum is very important,” said Waguespack, the 2016 world champion steer wrestler who leads the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo with a two-run cumulative time of 7.0 seconds. “It seems like two years ago over the Fourth of July, I had a really good run, and I’ve been having solid weeks ever since. “It’s more about your confidence. Each time you back into the box, you know you’re capable of making the runs to compete at this level.” He proved it very well during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo this past December, where he placed in eight go-rounds – including a share of three round victories – and won the average title. He earned $213,218 in 10 nights, more than any other contestant in the field, and pushed his season total to just shy of $300,000. That’s not too bad for a man who was competing on ProRodeo’s biggest stage for just the second time in his career. “It’s pretty hectic at the NFR and really nerve-racking,” he said. “To come in the second year and win the world title is incredible. You get into a comfort zone by knowing what to expect more than anything.” Now he’s parlayed that momentum into a solid start to the 2017 season. He has earned a little more than $28,000 and is second in the world standings, just about $1,200 behind traveling partner Ty Erickson; another member of their posse is Clayton Hass, who sits fourth in the standings so far. All ride Cadillac, a two-time AQHA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. “We’ve been having a lot of luck for a while now, and I don’t really want to take my foot off the gas right now,” Waguespack said. “Ever since I was little, I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at. To ride a great horse like Cadillac just puts more fuel on the fire.” In addition to leading the rodeo, the Gonzalez, La., cowboy is one of two men who have posted the fastest time of the rodeo, a first-round tying 3.3-second run with a fourth traveling partner, Dakota Eldridge. Waguespack added a 3.7 on Sunday, and that has him seventh in the second round. Most importantly, he should easily return for the short go-round, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17. “In the first round, I was the second guy to go, and I wasn’t sure what to expect on the steer,” he said. “We were shooting blind but wound up good. For the second round, we were able to watch those steers go three times prior to today, and we made it work out. “This is the fifth time I’ve been here, and this is the fourth time for me. I really like this rodeo, and I’ve had a lot of luck before. It’s definitely a hot spot for me.” Waguespack is on a hot streak, so he may as well enjoy his hot spot when he can. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12, Feb. 15-17 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Devan Reilly, 86 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Touch of Class; 2. Kelly Timberman, 85; 3. Jamie Howlett, 80; 4. (tie) Justin McDaniel, Joel Schlegel and Luke Creasy, 79 each; 7. (tie) Shon Gibson and Jessy Davis, 76. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dakota Eldridge, 3.3 seconds each; 3. (tie) Ty Erickson and Blake Knowles, 3.5 each; 5. Baylor Roche, 3.7; 6. (tie) Kyle Whitaker, Jacob Talley and Jacob Shofner, 3.8 each. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Baylor Roche, Dirk Tavenner and Josh Peek, 3.5 each; 4. (tie) Timmy Sparring, Clayton Hass and Nick Guy, 3.6 each; 7. Tyler Waguespack, 3.7; 8. Trey Green, 3.8. Average leaders: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Baylor Roche, 7.2; 3. (tie) Josh Peek and Blake Knowles, 7.7 each; 5. Kyle Whitaker, 7.9; 6. (tie) Nick Guy and Dakota Eldridge, 8.0 each; 8. (tie) Dirk Tavenner and Ty Erickson, 8.1 each. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 4.6 seconds; 2. (tie) Cory Clark/Clint Summers and Jake Cooper/Brady Norman, 5.5 each; 4. Aaron Macy/Evan Arnold, 6.1; 5. Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin, 9.2; 6. Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger, 9.3; 7. Cory Kidd/Tyler Worley, 14.6; no other qualified runs. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger and Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1 seconds each; 3. Zac Small/Will Woodfin, 4.5; 4. Jr. Dees/Matt Zancanella, 4.6; 5. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 8.8; 6. Kolton Schmidt/Shay Carroll, 9.1; 7; Tyler Wade/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 13.7; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 13.3 seconds on two runs; 2. Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger, 13.4; 3. Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1 seconds on one run; 4. Zac Small/Will Woodfin, 4.5; 5. Jr. Dees/Matt Zancanella, 4.6; 6. (tie) Cory Clark/Clint Summers and Jake Cooper/Brady Norman, 5.5 each; 8. Aaron Macy/Evan Arnold, 6.1. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Ryder Wright, 81 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pendleton Whisky Django; 2. (tie) Magin Lane Montoya and Dalton Davis, 80 each; 4. Jacobs Crawley, 78; 5. (tie) Colt Gordon and Charlie Kogianes, 76 each; 7. Rusty Wright, 75.5; 8. (tie) Clint Hopping and Dustin Flundra, 75 each. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Michael Otero, 7.0 seconds; 2. Cody Quaney, 7.8; 3. Ryle Smith, 7.9; 4. Shank Edwards, 8.2; 5. Cory Solomon, 8.6; 6. Josh Peek, 8.7; 7. Timber Moore, 8.9; 8. Sterling Smith, 9.5; 4. (tie) Randall Carlisle and Matt Shiozawa, 10.9 each; 6. Blane Cox, 11.1; 7. Caleb Smidt, 14.2; no other qualified runs. Second round leaders: 1. Cody Quaney, 7.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Scott Kormos and Tim Pharr, 7.3 each; 4. J.C. Malone, 7.4; 5. Blane Cox, 7.5; 6. Chant DeForest, 7.6; 7. Chase Williams, 7.7; 8. Ace Slone, 8.0. Average leaders: 1. Cody Quaney, 14.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Josh Peek, 17.0; 3. Shank Edwards, 17.1; 4. Blane Cox, 18.6; 5. Riley Pruitt, 18.9; 6. Timber  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Ryder Wright finished last season as the fourth-ranked saddle bronc rider in ProRodeo, but he didn’t compete at the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo. He wasn’t old enough. The second-generation Wrangler National Finals Rodeo cowboy didn’t turn 18 until March, so he wasn’t eligible for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Once he was of age, he didn’t turn back, pocketing nearly $71,000 in six and a half months to earn his first NFR bid, where he put on a masterful performance. On Saturday night, Wright made the most of his first experience inside San Angelo Coliseum with an 81-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pendleton Whisky Django. That pushed him into the bronc riding lead after three performances. “I’d never seen that horse before, but I talked with (2015 world champion) Jacobs Crawley about him, and he said the horse was pretty good,” said Wright, the son of two-time world champion Cody Wright. “I just went at him like he was another horse. He was bucking good, and I rode good, so it worked out.” Yes, it did, but that’s been the case for the young bronc buster from Milford, Utah. In Las Vegas this past December, won the first four go-rounds, then earned another on the ninth night of the 10-round championship. In all, he won $141,154 in Sin City and tripled his season earnings, finishing the campaign with $211,758. That’s not bad for a cowboy who a season ago was still in high school. “I have more confidence in my riding after getting on the best horses in the world for 10 days in a row,” said Wright, who was one of six members of his family competing at the NFR, where he was joined by his dad, Cody; a brother, Rusty; two uncles, Jake and Jesse; and an uncle-in-law, CoBurn Bradshaw. “It went good for five rounds, and the other five rounds wasn’t so good.” That is the nature of bronc riding. Great rides can turn in to no-scores in the blink of an eye. Many cowboys wish they had as much fortune as he had in the Nevada desert. Since then, though, things haven’t quite gone his way. He’s earned just $6,821 so far in the 2017 season. Still, he’s 20th in the world standings and has seven full months remaining. “I haven’t won near as much as I’d like to,” Wright said, explaining that the new season actually began Oct. 1, 2016. “I got off to a slow start last fall. I won a little bit in Denver (in January), but not as much as I’d like. I’m just trying to get the ball rolling again.” Once it starts, there may be no stopping it. The short-term goal is to return to San Angelo Coliseum for the final round on Friday, Feb. 17, where champions will be crowned. “This is a cool rodeo with great fans,” he said. “I was excited to come here. It was packed, and it’s really loud and awesome. “Fans are what makes rodeo, and they have some good ones here.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12, Feb. 15-17 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Jamie Howlett, 80 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Ragin Angel; 2. (tie) Justin McDaniel, Joel Schlegel and Luke Creasy, 79 each; 5. Shon Gibson, 76; 6. Tilden Hooper, 75; 7. Grant Denny, 74; 8. Clint Cannon, 72. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dakota Eldridge, 3.3 seconds each; 3. (tie) Ty Erickson and Blake Knowles, 3.5 each; 5. Baylor Roche, 3.7; 6. (tie) Kyle Whitaker, Jacob Talley and Jacob Shofner, 3.8 each. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Baylor Roche, Dirk Tavenner and Josh Peek, 3.5 each; 4. (tie) Trevor Knowles and Blake Knowles, 4.2 each; 6. Josh Garner, 4.5; 7. Dakota Eldridge, 4.7; 8. Jacob Shofner, 5.6. Average leaders: 1. Baylor Roche, 7.2 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Josh Peek and Blake Knowles, 7.7 each; 4. Dakota Eldridge, 8.0; 5. Dirk Tavenner, 8.1; 6. Trevor Knowles, 8.2; 7. Josh Garner, 8.8; 8. Jacob Shofner, 9.4. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 4.6 seconds; 2. (tie) Cory Clark/Clint Summers and Jake Cooper/Brady Norman, 5.5 each; 4. Aaron Macy/Evan Arnold, 6.1; 5. Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin, 9.2; 6. Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger, 9.3; 7. Kory Kidd/Tyler Worley, 14.6; no other qualified times. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger and Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1 seconds each; 3. Zac Small/Will Woodfin, 4.5; no other qualified times. Average leaders: 1. Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger, 13.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Matt Sherwood/Joel Bach, 4.1 seconds on one run; 3. Zac Small/Will Woodfin, 4.5; 4. (tie) Cory Clark/Clint Summers and Jake Cooper/Brady Norman, 5.5 each; 6. Aaron Macy/Evan Arnold, 6.1; 7. Billy Bob Brown/Logan Medlin, 9.2; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Ryder Wright, 81 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pendleton Whisky Django; 2. (tie) Magin Lane Montoya and Dalton Davis, 80 each; 4. Rusty Wright, 75.5; 5. Clint Hopping, 75; 6. (tie) Audy Reed, Luke Butterfield and Nat Stratton, 74 each. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Michael Otero, 7.0 seconds; 2. Cody Quaney, 7.8; 3. Ryle Smith, 7.9; 4. Shank Edwards, 8.2; 5. Cory Solomon, 8.6; 6. Josh Peek, 8.7; 7. Timber Moore, 8.9; 8. Sterling Smith, 9.5; 4. (tie) Randall Carlisle and Matt Shiozawa, 10.9 each; 6. Blane Cox, 11.1; 7. Caleb Smidt, 14.2; no other qualified times. Second round leaders: 1. Cody Quaney, 7.0 seconds; 2. Scott Kormos, 7.3; 3. Chant DeForest, 7.6; 4. Chase Williams, 7.7; 5. Riley Pruitt, 8.1; 6. Josh Peek, 8.3; 7. Shank Edwards. 8.9; 8. Timber Moore, 13.8. Average leaders: 1. Cody Quaney, 14.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Josh Peek, 17.0; 3. Shank Edwards, 17.1; 4. Riley Pruitt, 18.9; 5. Timber Moore, 22.7; 6. Chant DeForest, 23.7; 7. Michael Otero, 7.0 seconds on one run; 8; Scott Kormos, 7.3. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Laura Kennedy, 14.24 seconds; 2.  Continue Reading »