Monthly Archives: May 2017

Bullfighters Only Cavender’s Cup will feature a full evening of action DECATUR, Texas – The action is intense and magnificent, but that’s exactly what the men expect when they are part of Bullfighters Only. Fifteen men will stare danger in the eyes as part of the Bullfighters Only Cavender’s Cup 2017 presented by Bodyguard Truck Accessories, set for 8 p.m. Friday, June 2, at the Wise County Fairgrounds. That’s what freestyle bullfighting is about, athletic men challenging their fears and testing their skills one-on-one with a Spanish fighting bull that is bred for this type of bout. Each fight is fast-paced and aggressive. The bullfighters use their natural instincts and tremendous athleticism to get as close as possible to the charging animals, their pointed horns and their pounding hooves. The BFO Cavender’s Cup 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 Decatur 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. Just two weeks ago, Dusty Tuckness posted a BFO-best 94.5-point score to win the stand-alone event in Lewiston, Idaho. He’ll be one of the men in the field that features reigning world champion Weston Rutkowski and a number of the top young guns in the game: Zach Call, Schell Apple and Beau Schueth. But they account for just one-third of the bullfighters in the mix that also will feature legend Lance Brittan, the 1999 world champion. It’s a mixture of rising stars and proven talent, and it’s what makes the event such a spectacular showcase. “It’s a two-hour, action-packed event where you have 15 of the best bullfighters of the world,” said Rutkowski of Haskell, Texas. “These televised, stand-alone events make bullfighting so much bigger. “There’s always a chance to see some big-time wrecks,” Rutkowski said. “That’s the good thing about events like this, because you get the top-quality guys. You’re going to have to step up out there and risk it all in order to win.” The fast-paced Bullfighters Only action is a true man-vs.-beast spectacular. CONTESTANTS Weston Rutkowski Noah Krepps Beau Schueth Dusty Tuckness Lance Brittan Toby Inman Zach Call Schell Apple Cody Greer Tate Rhoads Ely Sharkey Tanner Zarnetski Jim Essary Jon Roberts One qualifier BFO Super Camp

O’Connell, Jarboe claim event titles during Navy SEAL Foundation fundraiser ROSENBERG, Texas – Memorial Day is much more than back yards, barbecues and gatherings with friends. It’s more than kicking off summer, lounging by the pool or enjoying time on the lake. It was established to honor fallen heroes, those that have given everything in defense of the country. It’s the perfect time for the U.S. Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic, which took place this past weekend at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg. For the second straight year, the event included the U.S. Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Ultimate Challenge, a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association bareback riding and bull riding; it’s become quite a hit in professional rodeo. “The Danny Dietz Memorial Classic started out with some humble beginnings to honor the fallen SEALs and bring back the true meaning of Memorial Day,” said Patsy Dietz-Shipley, Dietz’s widow and co-founder of the classic. “This Memorial weekend as I watched and enjoyed the PRCA event, I realized we have accomplished our mission. “These hard men who ride these bulls and horses have a lot of similarities with our elite warriors … they are patriotic and love our country, they are passionate about the sport they do and they never quit. I can’t wait to see this event grow each year and see how the American people come together during such a special time like Memorial Day.” The Dietz Ultimate Challenge has become a go-to event for some of the best roughstock cowboys in ProRodeo. World champions and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers made up the 24-man field in each of the events. In fact, reigning world champion Tim O’Connell of Swingle, Iowa, scored 90 points to win the bareback riding title in Rosenberg. “That’s a pretty awesome horse,” he said of Pickett Rodeo’s Shady Nights. “I was very lucky to get Shady Nights. I’ve wanted to get on that horse for a long time. “I like that she blows to the left right (out of the chute). She did exactly what I figured she’d do. It was just perfect timing from the both of us and was a lot of fun. I really opened up and exposed myself, and she was jumping really high, probably at least two feet off the ground. It was a good match-up.” Bull rider Roscoe Jarboe, a 2016 NFR qualifier from New Plymouth, Idaho., won the bull riding championship with an 84-point ride on Rafter H Rodeo’s Feel The Noise. Both Jarboe and O’Connell pocketed $3,779 with their victories, but the biggest part of the weekend was being involved with the memorial event. “It’s very special,” O’Connell said. “I got to take one of the widows out into the arena to start it off. Being at an event like that puts everything into perspective. We can get on bucking horses because these guys have put their lives on the line to keep us free. “It’s like they say, ‘We are the land of the free because of the brave.’ I can’t thank the men and women of the armed forces enough, what they’ve seen and what they’ve been through so we get to live our lives the way we do. To have an event at the memorial for Danny Dietz is nice, but I think we should have more of them and not just Memorial Day weekend.” The Dietz Ultimate Challenge paid out more than $25,000 in just one Saturday. O’Connell likes that the event has a great response, but he expects it to continue growing in the years to come. “This event has grown so much in just its second year with the Resistol American feather campaign,” said Danny Quinlin, chairman of the event. “It amazes me how much the NSW community and the Gold Star families back and enjoy this event. We look forward to the continued growth of both the event and its fundraising mission for the Navy SEAL Foundation.” Clint Cannon – a five-time NFR qualifier from nearby Waller, Texas, and one of the Dietz Ultimate Challenge organizers – said there is great potential in the specialized bareback riding and bull riding aspect. “This is a great opportunity to show fans some of the greatest roughstock cowboys and some of the toughest cowboys in rodeo,” Cannon said. “When you have guys like Tim O’Connell, Caleb Bennett, (three-time world champion bull rider) Sage Kimzey all coming for one night, it says something to the people here. “This is a great event and a great partnership for the U.S. Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial and the PRCA. For me and my brother, Kirby, it’s just an honor to be part of such a special event in southeast Texas.”

A Montreal animal rights group is targeting a Quebec rodeo near the city of more than 4 million people. Taking advantage of its urban setting, the Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals launched a media and legal movement to condemn rodeo earlier this year. This past week, a law professor at the University of Montreal filed for an injunction on NomadFest Urban Rodeo, planned for the community in August. A petition has been created to show support for rodeo, and I urge you to sign it. Animal rights activists will continue to try to bring rodeo down. Most activists don’t understand the love and care that go into the animals used. They don’t comprehend the love these animals have to do their jobs. Most importantly, they don’t care to understand. They won’t care to be around a bucking horse that is excited to load in the trailer because it knows it will have a chance to buck. They will never see the look in a barrel horse’s eye as it prepares to run the pattern. They don’t understand that an athletic animal wants to be an athlete or that most horses like having a job to do. The Quebec rodeo is a great opportunity for urban-dwellers to touch base with their Western roots, no matter how deep they run. Rodeo is more than a sport; it’s a celebration of our Western lifestyle. Please take the time to sign the petition.

A change at the top is coming. Karl Stressman is leaving the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, retiring at the end of the year as commissioner of the sport’s premier sanctioning body. It will conclude his nine years with the PRCA after serving as director of event marketing for Wrangler Jeans and Shirts. “I sat down in the commissioner’s chair for the first time in September 2008, and I made a promise to myself that I would give my very best efforts each and every day to improve the sport of rodeo,” Stressman said in a PRCA news release. “I made myself another promise that I would stay at the PRCA as long as I enjoyed the job. Well it’s time to say goodbye.” There has been speculation of Stressman’s departure for a few months, and it seems there was a significant number of board members who had agreed to his ouster. Friday’s retirement announcement now opens the door for the next person to take over the leadership role. As of Friday, Stressman has placed the PRCA in a solid financial situation, several million dollars in the black. The PRCA has increased its bankroll nearly 10 times of what it was when he began the job in 2008. But there is still work to be done, and Stressman’s replacement needs to be the person to handle the heavy lifting that comes with the job. There are tasks that must be implemented to bring together a varied and large membership. The PRCA board will have the final say, but a workmanlike approach to the tasks at hand will go a long way in defining the association’s next leader and the future of the top organization in the sport. There is a need for a businessman or businesswoman who can handle the finer details of running the day-to-day operation. As we move forward in such a historically associated sport, we’ll need someone who is tech-savvy and can push the PRCA forward in that regard. The new leader must have a keen understanding of the sport and its legacy. In a sport that is defined by the passion of its members – contestants, stock contractors, contract personnel and committees – rodeo needs its next leader to not only understand the love affair but is willing to be dedicated to preserving it.

Town of Estes Park invests into improving footing at Granny May Arena ESTES PARK, Colo. – As the years and weather have worked their troubling magic over the dirt inside Granny May Arena, the ground inside the spectacular complex began to erode. This spring, the Town of Estes Park invested $125,000 to improve the ground footing and make the arena an even better showcase for the community and events that utilize the facility. “We have a completely new footing,” said Rob Hinkle, Community Services director for the Town of Estes Park. “It took about 10 days to complete, and we used roughly 70 dump trucks of footing.” That’s good news for all who use the arena, including Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5-Monday, July 10. “This was an impressive decision by the Town of Estes Park, and we’re excited to be able to take advantage of the new footing,” said Ben Vigil, president of Estes Park Western Heritage Inc., a group of volunteers that works with the town of Estes Park to produce the annual rodeo. “Footing is vital everything we do with Rooftop Rodeo. We take pride in treating the contestants with the greatest hospitality of any rodeo in the country, and this is just another way we can give them something special.” In addition, he said, the rodeo committee’s chutes crew is also making improvements to the area behind the chutes. Prior to the repairs done by Kiser Arena Specialists, there were problems with drainage. The former footing had eroded enough that users were close to the base. “It compacts well, and I think everybody is going to be happy with it,” said Hinkle, pointing out that there are about a dozen shows a year in the arena, including the annual rodeo. Rooftop Rodeo had nearly 800 entries last year, and virtually all of those contestants come in from all over North America. From top prize money to great hospitality, there are multiple reasons so many make their way to Estes Park every July. “Not only will the footing be better for the competition, but this also is a safety issue,” said Mark Purdy, chairman of Estes Park Western Heritage Inc. “We want to take care of the athletes, both human and animal. Having better footing allows us to do that. “I think having excellent footing is another incentive for these contestants to make Rooftop Rodeo part of their summer schedule.” For Hinkle, the decision to invest in the footing came down to making the arena better for everybody. “We were getting some comments from some shows that they didn’t particularly like the footing, so we really needed to put the effort in and spend the money to do it correctly,” he said. “We’ve got a depth of about 10 inches and have fixed the drainage. “I think it will be good not only for the rodeo but also for the other shows we’re doing.”

Wyoming bullfighter claims Lewiston title with best score ever in the BFO LEWISTON, Idaho – Dusty Tuckness was just excited to be in the mix for Saturday’s Bullfighters Only Flexfit Invitational Presented by the Lewiston Roundup Association. He proved it with two sensational fights and the highest marked bout in the Bullfighters Only history. He won the title after his 94.5-point bullfight with 12X and Costa Fighting Bulls’ Spitfire during the Hooey Championship Round. “That’s the kind of bull you want to draw, one you know you can win on,” said Tuckness of Meeteetse, Wyo. “Spitfire is the kind of bull that we train for. Those are the opportunities you want to have in this industry. “After I won my first round, it was on my mind to get the opportunity to fight the unfightable bull and just have fun with it. I did have a lot of fun.” He was one of 15 men who were part of the BFO Flexfit Invitational in Lewiston, which featured five three-man bouts. The winners from each of the five rounds advanced to the championship; Tuckness was joined by reigning BFO world champion Weston Rutkowski, Tate Rhoads, veteran Toby Inman and newcomer Kris Furr. Furr finished his first BFO event as the runner-up, scoring 89.5 in the championship round. “I’ve been watching Kris for a while on social media,” Tuckness said. “He has a great ground game and good fundamentals. The BFO is about showcasing the best talent out there. He showed up and did well. I’m excited to see what he’s going to bring to the BFO for years to come.” The night, though, belonged to the Idaho-born Tuckness. He won his round after posting an 87-point score, then advanced to the short round and a meeting with Spitfire, one of the premier fighting bulls in the game. The agile red bull lived up to his billing. As the bull charged out of the chute, Tuckness turned his back to the animal and pulled off a quick reverse to begin the bout. Spitfire stayed close to the man, pushing his horns in tight, but Tuckness remained just out of harm’s way. The tandem even danced along the wall of the arena, as Tuckness performed four straight fakes and allowed the bull to pass as he remained tight with the wall. Tuckness made a final round just after the 40-second buzzer sounded, then ended the fight. “It was really good to get my first BFO event for the year,” he said. “Being a stand-alone event and coming away with the ‘W’ is a blessing. I’m just thankful for not only for the opportunity but also to be part of this great event. “The Lewiston Roundup Association was awesome to us. My hat is off to the local sponsors and our year-round sponsors with the BFO. We wouldn’t be able to do this without those sponsors.” The bullfighters weren’t the only benefactors; the fans were treated to the extreme action that is freestyle bullfighting. “It was great all the way around,” Tuckness said. “It gave the crowd everything they wanted. It was a great crowd and they really got into it. They get behind these action sports. It’s a lot of fun to perform in front of a crowd like that.” The $10,000 prize he earned for winning the BFO Flexfit Invitational was also a big deal. It pushed him into second place in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings, just behind Rutkowski. “It was just a blessing and God’s timing more than anything,” Tuckness said. “I love my job, and it doesn’t matter where I’m at. It’s great to be able to have the support of your home state, but my mindset is to step out there with my best foot forward. “It’s about the time and work I’ve done at the gym prior to the events, and I just zone out when it’s time for me and my bull. I’ve got to take care of myself and get around my animal.”

Bareback riding, bull riding to be part of Danny Dietz Memorial Classic ROSENBERG, Texas – The uniqueness of the U.S. Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic has become a hit in the world of professional rodeo. The bareback riding and bull riding event is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg. It will feature the top 24 bareback riders and top 24 bull riders in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the premier sanctioning body in the sport and home to the greatest cowboys in the game. The PRCA was founded in 1929. The concept U.S. Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Ultimate Challenge was created by Waller, Texas, cowboys Kirby and Clint Cannon – Clint is a five-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier in bareback riding. They came up with the idea after organizers Danny Quinlin and Patsy Dietz enlisted the Cannons’ help in establishing a PRCA event with the Classic. Now in its second year, the cowboys will battle for the biggest paychecks paid out over the Memorial Day weekend, and the list of contestants is like a who’s who of the greatest men in the game in their respective events. That includes the defending world champions: Bareback rider Tim O’Connell and bull rider Sage Kimzey. Each of the 48 cowboys will make one ride, with those receiving the highest markings on the 100-point scale earning the prize money. Last year’s event winners earned $3,500 apiece, and that money counted toward the world standings – in rodeo, only the top 15 money-earners at the end of the regular season advance to the NFR, which boasts of a $10 million payout. “We wanted this to be a big deal for the Danny Dietz Memorial Classic and for the cowboys,” Kirby Cannon said. “Thankfully by working with such an amazing event, we’ve been able to make that happen.”

One of bullfighting’s best is returning to his birth state with Bullfighters Only LEWISTON, Idaho – Dusty Tuckness was born in Idaho 31 years ago, so the Gem State is always going to be home. It also marks his return to Bullfighters Only competition for the first time in eight months. He will be one of 15 men competing at the Bullfighters Only Lewiston Invitational, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the Lewiston Roundup Arena. “I was born in Idaho Falls, and my mom still lives in DuBois,” said Tuckness, one of the founding members of Bullfighters Only. “It’ll be good to get back up there and step around some fighting bulls.” The stand-alone bullfight will feature the world’s top 15 freestyle bullfighters battling for $25,000 in prize money. They will compete in 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. “I’m proud to be part of it,” Tuckness said. “This event is going to be fun, not only just compete but continue to build the product we’ve been putting out there. “These stand-alone events bring fans the whole sport of freestyle bullfighting. You get to see a little bit of everything: great bullfights, wrecks and the true nature of the sport. Now, because of the BFO, we’ve brought freestyle bullfighting back to a whole new level.” Not only is BFO-Lewiston an event that features bullfighting exclusively, it also is part of a national tour. In 2016, Bullfighters Only developed the first tour in 17 seasons, and the men involved are in the second year touring the country. “The events are going really well,” Tuckness said. “It’s developing into something that we’ve always wanted as bullfighters.” A veteran, Tuckness is the most decorated bullfighter in ProRodeo, but he knows just how special it is to be part of Bullfighters Only. As the reigning seven-time Bullfighter of the Year, he understands the future is bright for the sport. “I think the biggest change in the sport is that it’s back to the main stage,” Tuckness said. “Bullfighters Only putting on these stand-alone events allows bullfighters the chance to make a good living. “It’s changing for the younger generation. There are a lot of up-and-comers who want to freestyle, and BFO is creating opportunities to showcase their skills.” 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. Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased at www.lewistonroundup.com/bfo-event.

By Katie Lackey TwisTed Rodeo GUYMON, Okla. – Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo has been good to Trevor Brazile over the years, and he proved why Sunday afternoon. Trevor Brazile, the 23-time world champion from Decatur, Texas, had a stellar weekend in the Oklahoma Panhandle. He closed out his weekend Sunday with a 7.3-second run to win the third round of tie-down roping, which also pushed his three-run cumulative time to 23.1 seconds to win the average championship. Pioneer Days Rodeo marks his first big win of 2017. “It was a perfect draw for the scenario, because if you draw too good, you tend to back off,” Brazile said. “The fastest they had tied the calf was in 9.8 seconds. So I knew I had to be aggressive, and it fell together.” His tie-down runs weren’t the biggest news of the weekend, though; Brazile also claimed the all-around title with help from his other events, team roping and steer roping. “This rodeo has always been good to me,” Brazile said. “A lot of people don’t know I grew up 30 minutes from here in Gruver, Texas. I have a lot of ties to this area.” His efforts this weekend earned him $7,199, a solid start for his summer run. “I was maxed out due to qualifications at some of the bigger, winter rodeos, so I am excited to start going. And while he is on road, he will be in good company considering his traveling partners: three-time world champion tie-down roper Tuf Cooper and two-time world champion heeler Patrick Smith. “Patrick doesn’t have any choice because he is roping with me,” Brazile said. “But I like having Tuf in the rig with me because you know you never back off. You are around someone who is at the pinnacle of their career, the top of their game. It obviously brings you up. I think it is a good mix of youth and wisdom.” For now, Brazile will enjoy his win at a rodeo that is so close to home for him. “This is one of those rodeos that just kind of keeps the tradition alive,” Brazile said. “I love it.”

GUYMON, Okla. – Charly Crawford is playing the role of teacher in his team-roping partnership with Joseph Harrison. That happens with someone like Crawford, an eight-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifying header, is matched with a heeler that hasn’t played on ProRodeo’s grandest stage. “I believe it’s an awesome opportunity for me,” said Harrison of Overbrook, Okla. “He teaches me as we go along some of the things I don’t know.” His lessons continued during the final performance of the 85th Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo on Sunday afternoon, where the tandem stopped the clock in 8.2 seconds; it was just enough to secure a share of the victory. “I made a horse change,” said Crawford of Prineville, Ore. “I rode one of my wife’s horses in the first two (rounds). The steers were real fresh, and he’s real broke and real easy to ride. The steers usually get to running a little more in the third round, so I brought my good horse that can run pretty hard. “I did an OK job of heading, and Joe did a really good job of heeling.” Crawford and Harrison shared the victory with Brooks Dahozy and Tommy Zuniga. Both teams earned $2,934 after downing three steers in a cumulative time of 23.6 seconds. Crawford and Harrison each earned $3,389 in the Oklahoma Panhandle this week, adding a first-round paycheck to their total. “I was a little later than I wanted to be,” Crawford said. “The steer started trotting, then took off. The main thing was to salvage a run and make them come beat us.” When that didn’t happen, they earned the right to collect one of the trophy belts that are awarded to Pioneer Days Rodeo champions every year. This will be the second for Crawford, the first for Harrison. “It’s awesome,” Harrison said. “I’ve been coming to this rodeo for a long time, and it’s in my circuit. I have the opportunity to rope with Charly this year, and I’m super excited about it.” He should be. Not only will the money count toward the world standings, but it will go a long way in helping Harrison in the Prairie Circuit. He was not ranked heading into this weekend, but he leaves the Oklahoma Panhandle the No. 1 heeler in the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region. More importantly, it helps give the cowboys a lot of confidence heading into the summer run of rodeos. “This is a cool rodeo,” Crawford said. “We enjoy the long starts and the fresh steers. The committee does a great job.” That’s why they’ll continue to return. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo May 2-7 Results through the first performance All-around cowboy: Trevor Brazile, $7,199 in steer roping, team roping and tie-down roping. Bareback riding: 1. Clayton Biglow, 86.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Bar Code, $3,232; 2. Wyatt Bloom, 84.5, $2,478; 3. Jordan Petlon, 84, $1,832; 4. (tie) Tanner Phipps and Kash Wilson, 83.5, $970 each; 6. Jake Brown, 82.5, $539; 7. Luke Creasy, 82, $431; 8. Richmond Champion, 81.5, $323. Team roping: First round: 1. Clayton Hass/John Robertson, 5.9 seconds, $2,092; 2. (tie) Manny Egusquiza Jr./Daniel Braman IV and Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 6.2, $1,683 each; 4. Rowdy Rieken/Ace Pearce, 6.3, $1,274; 5. Blake Hughes/Cody Doescher, 6.7, $1,001; 6. Tyler Wade/Clint Summers, 6.8, $728; 7. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 6.9, $455; 8. (tie) Kellan Johnson/Jhett Johnson and Tylere Wojciechowski/Wesley Moss, 7.0, $91 each. Second round: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 5.4, $2,092; 2. Jr. Dees/Matt Zancanella, 5.8, 1,819; 3. (tie) Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II and Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 6.7, $1,410; 5. Logan Olson/Will Woodfin, 6.8, $1,001; 6. Brit Ellerman/T.J. Watts, 7.3, $728; 7. Cale Markham/Nick Simmons, 7.4, $455; 8. (tie) Wade Kreutzer/Kyon Kreutzer and Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 7.5, $91. Third round: 1. Tyler Wojciechowski/Wesley Moss, 5.7, $2,092; 2. Clay Smith/Jake Smith, 5.8, $1,819; 3. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 6.4, $1,547; 4. Brooks Dahozy/Tommy Zuniga, 6.7, $1,274; 5. (tie) Tyler Wade/Clint Summers and Brandon Webb/Kollin VonAhn, 7.0, $864 each; 7. Brian Dunning/Tad Sheets, 7.4, $455; 8. Jimmy Tanner/Jim Ross Cooper, 7.6, $182. Aggregate: 1. (tie) Brooks Dahozy/Tommy Zuniga and Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 23.6 seconds on three runs, $2,934 each; 3. Brit Ellerman/T.J. Watts, 23.9, $2,320; 4. Brett Christensen/Dawson McMaster, 24.4, $1,910; 5. Cole Cooper/Ryon Tittle, 24.8, $1,501; 6. Shay Carroll/Nano Garza, 27.5, $1,092; 7. Jimmy Tanner/Jim Ross Cooper, 28.1, $682; 8. Manny Equsquiza Jr./Daniel Braman IV, 28.9, $273. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Levi Rudd, 3.9 seconds, $1,758; 2. Ty Erickson, 4.4, $1,529; 3. Casey Martin, 4.5, $1,300; 4. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Cody Cabral, $956 each; 6. Tristan Martin, 4.8, $612; 7. (tie) Nick Guy, Tyler Pearson and Hunter Cure, 4.9, $178 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Jacob Talley, Hunter Crawford and J.D. Struxness, 4.2 seconds, $1,529 each; 4. Levi Rudd, 4.3, $1,070; 5. (tie) Justin Shaffer, Kyle Irwin and Tyler Waguespack, 4.4, $612; 8. Jon Ragatz, 4.5, $153. Third round: 1. Tyler Pearson, 3.4 seconds, $1,758; 2. Riley Duvall, 3.6, $1,529; 3. Trell Etbauer, 3.7, $1,300; 4. Jon Ragatz, 3.8, $1,070; 5. (tie) Ty Erickson, Mike Bates Jr. and Jacob Talley, 4.0, $612 each; 8. Tyler Waguespack, 4.1, $153 each. Aggregate: 1. Ty Erickson, 13.0 seconds on three runs, $2,638; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 13.1, $2,294; 3. J.D. Struxness, $1,950; 4. Jon Ragatz, 14.4, $1,606; 5. Casey Martin, 14.6, $1,261; 6. Tyler Pearson, 15.0, $917; 7. Justin Shaffer, 15.3, $573; 8. Cole Edge, 15.9, $229. Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Rusty Wright, on Powder River Rodeo’s Look Again, and Heith DeMoss, on Lancaster & Jones’ Total Equines Angel Fire, $3,056 each; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, 84.5, $1,961; 4. Tyler Corrington, 83.5, $1,269; 5. Jake Wright, Wyatt Casper and Joey Sonnier, 82, $615 each; 8. Tyrell Smth, 81.5, $246. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Jesse Clark, 7.3 seconds, $1,787; 2. E.J. Roberts, 7.6, $1,554; 3. Trevor Brazile, 7.7, $1,321; 4. Catfish Brown, 7.9, $1,088; 5. (tie) Marcos Costa, Joe Colletti, Riley Pruitt and Ryan Jarrett, 8.0, $505 each. Second round: 1. Tuf Cooper, 6.8 seconds, $1,787; 2. Tyson Durfey, 7.1, $1,554; 3.  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Rusty Wright knew he had a chance to change his fortunes in this Oklahoma Panhandle town. He did that Saturday night during the third performance of the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, matching moves with Powder River Rodeo’s Look Again for 87 points to take the saddle bronc riding lead. He’ll have to wait until Sunday’s final performance to see where his score lands, but he must like his chances to claim this coveted championship. “I’ve never actually had any luck until this year,” said Wright, a two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Milford, Utah, who now sits 20th in the world standings. “It was a little slow start coming back from my leg (injury). The past couple of weeks I’ve been drawing good and riding them good enough. I’m moving up the standings.” Wright suffered a broken leg late last season and just recovered in time to compete at the NFR. The lingering effects of the injury, though, carried over to 2017. His ride Saturday should help. The big brown horse jumped and kicked straight across the Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena, and Wright showed off that classic spur stroke to score the big points. “That horse jumps really high and kicks really hard,” he said. “He feels like he’s really bucking, but at the same time, it’s really smooth because you’re ahead of him and beating him to the ground.” The key in bronc riding is to have the heels of the boots to the front of the animal’s shoulders as the front hooves hit the ground. As the stroke moves to the back of the saddle then to the front again, a good ride looks like a rhythmic dance. “That’s the kind of horse that if you’re not ahead of him and have your feet set (above the horse’s shoulders) before he hits the ground, he’ll make you pay for it,” Wright said. “He’s a bucker, but he feels good if you’re doing everything right.” He was. But that’s become a staple for the Wright family. Rusty Wright travels the rodeo trail with his younger brother, Ryder, their father, Cody, and their uncle, Spencer. All have performed at the NFR: Cody Wright is a two-time world champion, and Spencer won the 2014 gold buckle. Ryder Wright won five of 10 go-rounds last year and finished fourth in the world standings. Now just 21, Rusty Wright is making quite a name for himself, but he understands that he’s had quite a bit of help in the process. He has three other uncles that ride broncs: Alex and twins Jesse and Jake. The twins also have been to the NFR, and Jesse won the 2012 world title. “It’s hard enough being away from home,” he said. “With these guys with you, it’s not as bad. When you’re not doing very good, they just make it better. My dad and all my uncles have been there and done that. When my brother and I need advice, they’re right there.” Family is important, but to a competitor, winning is also a vital part of the process. Rusty Wright knows that as well as anyone Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo May 2-7 Results through the first performance Bareback riding leaders: 1. Clayton Biglow, 86.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Bar Code; 2. Jordan Petlon, 84; 3. Tanner Phipps, 83.5; 4. Jake Brown, 82.5; 5. Luke Creasy, 82; 6. Mason Clements, 80.5; 7. (tie) J.C. Hester Jr., Tim O’Connell and Jamie Howlett, 80. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Clay Smith/Jake Smith, 5.8 seconds; 2. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 6.4; 3. Brooks Dahozy/Tommy Zuniga, 6.7; 4. (tie) Tyler Wade/Clint Summers and Brandon Webb/Kollin VonAhn, 7.0; 6. Brian Dunning/Tad Sheets, 7.4; 7. Jimmy Tanner/Jim Ross Cooper, 7.6; 8. (tie)Kellan Johnson/Jhett Johnson and Blake Deckard/Sawyer Barham, 8.0. Aggregate leaders: 1. Brooks Dahozy/Tommy Zuniga, 23.6 seconds on three runs; 2. Shay Carrol/Nano Garza, 27.5; 3. Jimmy Tanner/Jim Ross Cooper, 28.1; 4. Manny Equsquiza Jr./Daniel Braman IV, 28.9; 5. Kyle Letzelter, 29.4; 6. Will Clark/Tanner Ward, 32.9; 7. Blake Deckard/Sawyer Barham, 33.9; 8. Clay Smith/Jake Smith, 37.0. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Tyler Pearson, 3.4 seconds; 2. Riley Duvall, 3.6; 3. Trell Etbauer, 3.7; 4. Jon Ragatz, 3.8; 5. (tie) Ty Erickson, Mike Bates Jr. and Jacob Talley, 4.0; 8. Tyler Waguespack, 4.1. Aggregate leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 13.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 13.1; 3. Jon Ragatz, 14.4; 4. Casey Martin, 14.6; 5. Tyler Pearson, 15.0; 6. Cole Edge, 15.9; 7. (tie) Will Lummus and Trell Etbauer, 16.0. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Rusty Wright, 87 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Look Again; 2. CoBurn Bradshaw, 84.5; 3. Tyler Corrington, 83.5; 4. Jake Wright, 82; 5. Tyrel Smth, 81.5; 6. Hardy Braden, 81; 7. Leon Fountain, 80.5; 8. Cort Scheer, 79.5. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Caddo Lewallen, 7.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Trell Etbauer, 7.7; 4. Cimarron Boardman, 7.9; 5. (tie) Michael Otero and Ryan Jarrett, 8.0; 7. Cory Solomon, 8.1; 8. (tie) Tyson Durfey and Sterling Smith, 8.2. Aggregate leaders: 1. Ryan Jarrett, 23.3 seconds on three runs; 2. Shane Hanchey, 23.4; 3. Cory Solomon, 24.9; 4. Michael Otero, 25.1; 5. Tyson Durfey, 25.9; 6. Sterling Smith, 25.9; 7. Cimarron Boardman, 26.5; 8. Trell Etbauer, 26.9. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 17.20 seconds; 2. Stevi Hillman, 17.38; 3. Carmel Wright, 17.45; 4. Dona Kay Rule, 17.46; 5. (tie) Jodi Colton, Kelly Tovar and Cayla Small, 17.49; 8. Tiany Schuster, 17.50; 8. (tie) Lauren Magdeburg and Lake Mehalic, 17.53. Aggregate leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel 35.02 seconds on two runs; 2. Carmel Wright, 35.18; 3. Jodi Colton, 35.22; 4. (tie) Lake Mehalic and Tammy Fischer, 35.25; 6. Mary Walker, 35.34; 7. Carley Richardson, 35,36l 8. (tie) Dona Kay Rule and Kelly Tovar, 35.37; 10. Tiany Schuster, 35.38. Bull riding leaders: 1. Roscoe Jarbo, 84 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Apollo’s Gold; 2. Trevor Reiste, 84; 3. Boudreaux Campbell, 83; 4. (tie) Jeff Askey  Continue Reading »

By Katie Lackey TwisTed Rodeo GUYMON, Okla. – With only six rodeos under his belt this year, Ryan Jarrett has bounced back from a wrist injury with an opportunity to win Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. Jarrett, the 10-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, has spent some time on the sidelines because of wrist surgery he had done after the 2016 NFR. “I have been at home doing lots of work,” Jarrett said. “I am pretty excited to get back at it and go to all those rodeos.” His cumulative time of 23.3-seconds on three runs has set him up to take the lead in the tie-down roping after the second performance Saturday afternoon. There are still two performances left to go before Jarrett is able to officially clench the title. “It is real important,” Jarrett said about winning Pioneer Days. “They have lots of entries. The added money is good, and the rounds pay well. It will bring you up in the standings if you do good here.” He managed an 8.0-second run on his third calf. The run tied him for fourth place in the round. “I should have won money in that round. Eight (seconds) flat probably won’t win much; if it does, it will be at the bottom,” he said. “I have a pretty good chance to win the average.” Jarrett has always done well in the Oklahoma Panhandle. In 2009, he won the tie-down roping, but his success hasn’t come without support from his family. “It makes a lot of things possible,” Jarrett said. “If I need to be gone, I don’t really worry about anything; it is all taken care of. They are behind me 100 percent. They do whatever I need done to make it possible.” This support will be vital to Jarrett as he attempts to make another trip to the NFR. “There will be a lot more rodeos that I will go to around Oklahoma and in the circuit before I head out for the summer,” he said. “I won’t leave until June 10 or so where I will be gone for about 100 days. Jarrett is feeling hopeful about the money earned here propelling him to success into the summer months. “It gives me a pretty good boost,” he said. “I have been winning decent at some small rodeos, but this feels good.” Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo May 2-7 Results through the first performance Bareback riding leaders: 1. Clayton Biglow, 86.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Bar Code; 2. Jordan Petlon, 84; 3. Jake Brown, 82.5; 4. Mason Clements, 80.5; 5. (tie) J.C. Hester Jr. and Tim O’Connell, 80; 7. Tilden Hooper, 78.5; 8. Nate McFadden, 78. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Clay Smith/Jake Smith, 5.8 seconds; 2. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 6.4; 3. Tyler Wade/Clint Summers, 7.0; 4. Jimmy Tanner/Jim Ross Cooper, 7.6; 5. Kellan Johnson/Jhett Johnson, 8.0; 6. (tie) Wade Kreutzer/Kyon Kreutzer and Will Clark/Tanner Ward, 9.3; 8. Jr. Dees/Matt Zancanella, 13.1. Aggregate leaders: 1. Jimmy Tanner/Jim Ross Cooper, 28.1 seconds on three runs; 2. Manny Equsquiza Jr./Daniel Braman IV, 28.9; 3. Will Clark/Tanner Ward, 32.9; 4. Clay Smith/Jake Smith, 37.0; 5. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 40.1; 6. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 13.6 seconds on two runs; 7. Tyler Wade/Clint Summers, 13.8; 8. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 14.3. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Tyler Pearson, 3.4 seconds; 2. Jon Ragatz, 3.8; 3. (tie) Ty Erickson, Mike Bates Jr. and Jacob Talley, 4.0; 6. Tyler Waguespack, 4.1; 7. Cole Edge, 4.3; 8. Richard Coats, 4.4. Aggregate leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 13.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 13.1; 3. Jon Ragatz, 14.4; 4. Casey Martin, 14.6; 5. Tyler Pearson, 15.0; 6. Cole Edge, 15.9; 7. Will Lummus, 16.0; 8. Jacob Talley, 16.1. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. CoBurn Bradshawm 84.5 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Big Tex; 2. Jake Wright, 82; 3. Leon Fountain, 80.5; 4. Cort Scheer, 79.5; 5. Colt Gordon, 79; 6. Taos Muncy 77.5; 7. Shorty Garrett, 77; 8. Audy Reed, 76.5. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Caddo Lewallen, 7.5 seconds; 2. Shane Hanchey, 7.7; 3. Cimarron Boardman, 7.9; 4. (tie) Michael Otero and Ryan Jarrett, 8.0; 6. Cory Solomon, 8.1; 7. (tie) Tyson Durfey and Sterling Smith, 8.2. Aggregate leaders: 1. Ryan Jarrett, 23.3 seconds on three runs; 2. Shane Hanchey, 23.4; 3. Cory Solomon, 24.9; 4. Michael Otero, 25.1; 5. Tyson Durfey, 25.9; 6. Sterling Smith, 25.9; 7. Cimarron Boardman, 26.5; 8. Caddo Lewallen, 27.8. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 17.20 seconds; 2. Stevi Hillman, 17.38; 3. Dona Kay Rule, 17.46; 4. (tie) Jodi Colton, Kelly Tovar and Cayla Small, 17.49; 7. Tiany Schuster, 17.50; 8. (tie) Lauren Magdeburg and Lake Mehalic, 17.53; 10. Ari-Anna Flynn, 17.58; 6. (tie) Falon Jordan and Ali Armstrong, 17.60; 8. Taci Bettis, 17.62; 9. Cerei McCaffery, 17.65; 10. Sarah Kieckhefer, 17.66. Aggregate leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel 35.02 seconds on two runs; 2. Jodi Colton, 35.22; 3. (tie) Lake Mehalic and Tammy Fischer, 35.25; 5. (tie) Dona Kay Rule and Kelly Tovar, 35.37; 7. Tiany Schuster, 35.38; 8. Morgan Breaux, 35.40; 9. Lauren Magdeburg, 35.44; 10. Jaime Barrow, 35.73. Bull riding leaders: 1. Roscoe Jarbo, 84 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Apollo’s Gold; 2. Boudreaux Campbell, 83; 3. (tie) Jeff Askey and Kyle Ziegler, 82; 5. John Pitts, 80.5; 6. Joe Frost, 80; 7. Trevor Kastner, 77; 8. Corey Atwell, 82.

GUYMON, Okla. – Ty Erickson is coming off the best regular season of his career, where he won $93,000. He’s bettered that already in 2017, and it’s early May; there are still five months and dozens of lucrative rodeos ahead of him before the campaign closes Sept. 30. “It’s been weird, honestly,” said Erickson, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Helena, Mont. “I’ve been very fortunate, because I’ve done pretty well at every big rodeo we’ve gone to.” As of Friday night, he had earned more than $97,000 wrestling steers in ProRodeo. That includes $1,529 he earned in the first round of the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. He’ll likely add to it by weekend’s end, thanks in large part to his third-round run on the opening performance of Guymon’s Hall of Fame rodeo. Erickson wrestled his steer to the ground in 4.0 seconds; that, combined with his previous two runs, gives the Montana cowboy a three-run cumulative time of 13.0 seconds and a huge lead in the race to the average championship. He will now await the remaining three performances to see where he finishes his few days in the Oklahoma Panhandle. “Any rodeo you can win – whether it’s Guymon, Oklahoma; Helena, Montana; or San Antonio, Texas – each one you can win is pretty special,” he said. “There are so many good bulldoggers in the PRCA that it’s hard to win a rodeo, much less a check at a ProRodeo.” He got a little help from Outlaw, a horse owned by his traveling partner, Tyler Wageuspack, the reigning world champion steer wrestler. “We’ve been riding him at a lot of places this summer, and he’s been working great everywhere,” Erickson said. “I rode him every round in Guymon. I think I’ll get a decent check in the average, but we’ll see; there are a lot of good bulldoggers yet to go.” Still, he set a solid mark with his aggregate score. “There are so many good guys that still have to go that can be just as fast, so you just have to go at every one of them,” he said. One of those is Wageuspack, who is 9.0 seconds on two runs. After his race to the gold buckle last year, the Louisiana bulldogger sits second behind Erickson. The difference, however, is about $35,000. The tandem also travels with Clayton Hass, who finished the 2016 season as the reserve world champion all-around cowboy. “Having a good group of guys that you travel with is really important,” Erickson said. “If a guy’s not doing as well that weekend, you’ve got the other two there picking him up. It helps a guy win, too, and it’s been a lot of fun.” It’s been profitable, too. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo May 2-7 Results through the first performanceBareback riding leaders: 1. Clayton Biglow, 86.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Bar Code; 2. Jordan Petlon, 84; 3. Jake Brown, 82.5; 4. (tie) J.C. Hester Jr. and Tim O’Connell, 80; 6. Tilden Hooper, 78.5; 7. Nate McFadden, 78; 8. Devan Reilly, 75 Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 6.4 seconds; Tyler Wade/Clint Summers, 7.0; 3. Kellan Johnson/Jhett Johnson, 8.0; 4. Wade Kreutzer/Kyon Kreutzer, 9.3; 5. Manny Equsquiza Jr./Daniel Braman IV, 14.5; no other qualified times. Aggregate leaders: 1. Manny Equsquiza Jr./Daniel Braman IV, 28.9 seconds on three runs; 2. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 13.6 seconds on two runs; 3. Tyler Wade/Clint Summers, 13.8; 4. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 14.3; 5. Logan Olson/Will Woodfin, 14.4; 6. Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 14.6; 7. (tie) Kellan Johnson/Jhett Johnson and Brit Ellerman/T.J. Watts, 15.0. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Jon Ragatz, 3.8 seconds; 2. (tie) Ty Erickson, Mike Bates Jr. and Jacob Talley, 4.0; 5. Trever Nelson, 4.7; 6. Del Ray Kraupie, 5.0; 7. Will Lummus, 5.1; 8. T.J. Hall, 5.6. Aggregate leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 13.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Jon Ragatz, 14.4; 3. Will Lummus, 16.0; 4. Jacob Talley, 16.1; 5. Mike Bates Jr., 17.6; 6. T.J. Hall, 19.4; 7. Matt Reeves, 22.2; 8. Trever Nelson, 23.2. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. CoBurn Bradshawm 84.5 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Big Tex; 2. Jake Wright, 82; 3. Shorty Garrett, 77; 4. Audy Reed, 76.5; 5. Jace Lane, 75.5; 6. Clay Elliott, 74; 7. Alex Wright, 70; 8. Ben Englelman, 68. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Shane Hancheym, 7.7 seconds; 2. Cimarron Boardman, 7.9; 3. Cory Solomon, 8.1; 4. (tie) Tyson Durfey and Sterling Smith, 8.2; 6. Cade Swor, 8.6; 7. Marcos Costa, 89.9; 7. Bart Brunson, 9.2. Aggregate leaders: 1. Shane Hanchey, 23.4 seconds on three runs; 2. Cory Solomon, 24.9; 3. Tyson Durfey, 25.9; 4. Sterling Smith, 25.9; 5. Cimarron Boardman, 26.5; 6. Cade Swor, 29.4; 7. Robert Mathis, 31.5; 8. Bart Brunson, 32.2. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 17.20 seconds; 2. Stevi Hillman, 17.38; 3. Cayla Small, 17.49; 4. Lake Mehalic, 17.53; 5. Ari-Anna Flynn, 17.58; 6. (tie) Falon Jordan and Ali Armstrong, 17.60; 8. Taci Bettis, 17.62; 9. Cerei McCaffery, 17.65; 10. Sarah Kieckhefer, 17.66. Aggregate leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel 35.02 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Lake Mehalic and Tammy Fischer, 35.25; 4. Jaime Barrow, 35.73; 5. Billie Ann Harmon, 35.74; 6. Fallon Jordan, 35.79; 7. Ali Armstrong, 35.99; 8. (tie) Shali Lord and Angela Mikles, 36.01; 10. Sara Bynum, 36.10. Bull riding leaders: 1. Roscoe Jarbo, 84 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Apollo’s Gold; 2. Boudreaux Campbell, 83; 3. John Pitts, 80.5; 4. Joe Frost, 80; no other qualified rides.

Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo May 2-7 First-round results: Barrel racing: 1. Sindey Forrest, 17.40 seconds, $2,205; 2. Shea Durfey, 17.53, $1,890; 3. (tie) Tammy Fischer and Davie King, 17.56, $1,470 each; 5. Tracy Nowlin, 17.59, $1,040; 6. Britta Thiel, 17.60, $840; 7. Jessi Fish, 17.71, $630; 8. (tie) Lake Mehalic and Morgan Breaux, 17.72, $367 each; 10. (tie) Jodi Colton, Carmel Wright and Jackie Ganter, 17.73, $70 each.

GUYMON, Okla. – Pioneer Days Rodeo never ceases to amaze me, and this year’s event looks to be one of the best. That’s saying something about an event that was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame just a couple of years ago. But with 961 competitors who threw their hats into the ring just to be part of this event, the very best in the world are ready to showcase their talents on a grand stage. But Pioneer Days Rodeo is more than just a world-class competition; it also is a fun event for everyone in the family. Whether it’s fast times, big scores or high-flying dismounts, there are many wonderful things to expect inside Hitch Arena over the four performances this weekend. Take Justin Rumford, who in just a few short years at the craft has been recognized as one of the best clowns and entertainers in rodeo. You don’t want to miss his antics, and when you see him in action, you’ll realize just how special of a personality he is and what he offers to folks who attend the rodeo. The committee also will be giving away bicycles to youngsters that attend the Saturday matinee, and tickets for the 2 p.m. performance will be given at a discounted rate. In fact, the advanced-ticket pricing is available at all ticket outlets throughout the weekend, so rodeo-goers have the opportunity for great savings by purchasing those advanced tickets. Mixed in with forecasted brilliant weather, and there are several reasons anyone who wants to be entertained should make their way to Guymon this weekend. It’s worth the trip.

Steer wrestling: Second round: 1. (tie) Jacob Talley, Hunter Crawford and J.D. Struxness, 4.2 seconds, $1,529 each; 4. Levi Rudd, 4.3, $1,070; 5. (tie) Justin Shaffer, Kyle Irwin and Tyler Waguespack, 4.4, $612; 8. Jon Ragatz, 4.5, $153. Average leaders: 1. Levi Rudd, 8.2 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Ty Erickson and Tyler Waguespack, 9.0; 4. J.D. Struxness, 9.2; 5. Cody Cabral, 9.5; 6. Casey Martin, 10.0; 7. Kyle Irwin, 10.1; 8. Jon Ragatz, 10.6. Team roping: Second round: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 5.4, $2,092; 2. Jr. Dees/Matt Zancanella, 5.8, 1,819; 3. (tie) Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II and Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 6.7, $1,410; 5. Logan Olson/Will Woodfin, 6.8, $1,001; 6. Brit Ellerman/T.J. Watts, 7.3, $728; 7. Cale Markham/Nick Simmons, 7.4, $455; 8. (tie) Wade Kreutzer/Kyon Kreutzer and Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 7.5, $91. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 14.3 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Logan Olson/Will Woodfin and Manny Egusquiza Jr../Daniel Braman IV, 14.4; 4. Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 14.6; 5. Brit Ellerman/T.J. Watts, 15.0; 6. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 15.4; 7. Brett Christensen/Dawson McMaster, 16.1; 8. (tie) Cole Cooper/Ryon Tittle, Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II and Blake Hughes/Cody Doescher, 16.2. Tie-down roping: Second round: 1. Tuf Cooper, 6.8 seconds, $1,787; 2. Tyson Durfey, 7.1, $1,554; 3. (tie) Marty Yates, Tyler Prcin and Michael Otero, 7.2, $1,088 each; 6. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Shane Hanchey, 7.3, $405 each; 8. Chris Demases, 7.5, $155. Average leaders: 1. Ryan Jarrett, 15.3 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Cody Quaney, 15.7; 4. Trevor Brazile, 15.8; 5. (tie) Cory Solomon and Scott Kormos, 16.8; 7. Catfish Brown, 16.9; 8. Michael Otero, 17.1.

First round: 1. Cody Lee, 12.6 seconds, $1,938; 2. Brian Garr, 12.8, $1,604; 3. K.W. Lauer, 13.1, $1,270; 4. John Bland, 13.2, $936; 5. Coy Thompson, 13.6, $602; 6. Luke Bland, 14.0, $334. Second round: 1. Marty Jones, 11.4 seconds, $1,938; 2. Scott Snedecor, 11.7, $1,604; 3. Coy Thompson, 11.9, $1,370; 4. J. Tom Fisher, 12.2, $938; 5. (tie) Shay Good and Rocky Patterson, 12.4, $468 each. Third round: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 9.7 seconds, $1,938; 2. (tie) Chet Herren and Scott Snedecor, 9.9, $1,437 each; 4. Rocky Patterson, 10.1, $936; 5. Cody Scheck, 10.5, $602; 6. Mark Milner, 10.6, $334. Aggregate leaders: 1. Brian Garr, 41.0 seconds on three runs, $2,908; 2. Shay Good, 42.8, $2,406; 3. K.W. Lauer, 44.3, $1,905; 4. (tie) Darin Suit and Cody Scheck, 49.0, $1,153 each; 6. Billy Good, 50.6, $501.

1. Jesse Clark, 7.3 seconds, $1,787; 2. E.J. Roberts, 7.6, $1,554; 3. Trevor Brazile, 7.7, $1,321; 4. Catfish Brown, 7.9, $1,088; 5. (tie) Marcos Costa, Joe Colletti, Riley Pruitt and Ryan Jarrett, 8.0, $505 each.

Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Levi Rudd, 3.9 seconds, $1,758; 2. Ty Erickson, 4.4, $1,529; 3. Casey Martin, 4.5, $1,300; 4. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Cody Cabral, $956 each; 6. Tristan Martin, 4.8, $612; 7. (tie) Nick Guy, Tyler Pearson and Hunter Cure, 4.9, $178 each. Team roping: First round: 1. Clayton Hass/John Robertson, 5.9 seconds, $2,092; 2. (tie) Manny Egusquiza Jr./Daniel Braman IV and Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 6.2, $1,683 each; 4. Rowdy Rieken/Ace Pearce, 6.3, $1,274; 5. Blake Hughes/Cody Doescher, 6.7, $1,001; 6. Tyler Wade/Clint Summers, 6.8, $728; 7. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 6.9, $455; 8. (tie) Kellan Johnson/Jhett Johnson and Tylere Wojciechowski/Wesley Moss, 7.0, $91 each.

GUYMON, Okla. – The Pioneer Days Rodeo committee continues to roll with the punches. After a winter storm delayed the start of competition until Tuesday, steer ropers concluded three go-rounds. The committee, working with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, opted to keep the four-round format. The final round is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday. The first rounds of the other three men’s timed events – steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping – is scheduled to begin directly after. In Tuesday’s delayed start to the rodeo, Brian Garr of Belle Fourche, S.D., owns the lead with a three-run cumulative time of 41.0 seconds. That’s nearly two seconds faster than the runner-up, Shay Good of Midland, Texas. But it will come down to Wednesday’s final few rounds to decide the first champion of this year’s Pioneer Days Rodeo. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo May 2-7 Results Steer roping: First round: 1. Cody Lee, 12.6 seconds, $1,772; 2. Brian Garr, 12.8, $1,466; 3. K.W. Lauer, 13.1, $1,161; 4. John Bland, 13.2, $855; 5. Coy Thompson, 13.6, $550; 6. Luke Bland, 14.0, $306. Second round: 1. Marty Jones, 11.4 seconds, $1,772; 2. Scott Snedecor, 11.7, $1,466; 3. Coy Thompson, 11.9, $1,161; 4. J. Tom Fisher, 12.2, $855; 5. (tie) Shay Good and Rocky Patterson, 12.4, $428 each. Third round: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 9.7 seconds, $1,772; 2. (tie) Chet Herren and Scott Snedecor, 9.9, $1,314 each; 4. Rocky Patterson, 10.1, $855; 5. Cody Scheck, 10.5, $550; 6. Mark Milner, 10.6, $306. Aggregate leaders: 1. Brian Garr, 41.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Shay Good, 42.8; 3. K.W. Lauer, 44.3; 4. (tie) Darin Suit and Cody Scheck, 49.0; 6. Billy Good, 50.6; 7. Scott Snedecor, 21.6 seconds on two runs; 8. Rocky Patterson, 22.5.

After competing in Ada, Brittan is excited about his next step with BFO Lance Brittan returned to freestyle bullfighting after years away from the game, and he liked what he experienced. Brittan, the 1999 Wrangler Bullfight Tour world champion, was one of 15 men who were part of the Bullfighters Only Ada (Okla.) Invitational on April 22, and it marked the first time in about a decade he had been face-to-face with a bull that was bred for that kind of fight. “It was a little nerve-wracking, because I was in the first section,” said Brittan, 42, of Windsor, Colo. “I had just one bull to watch before it was my turn. It didn’t give me that security of watching several bulls and give me an opportunity to gauge what I was going to do. “But after that first pass with the bull, the butterflies were gone, and it was just second-nature. My instincts took over.” His instincts are strong. Brittan was among the very best in the game when the Wrangler Bullfights ended after the 2000 season. He continued to compete when opportunities allowed, but most of his focus was on protecting cowboys in bull riding. His return to the freestyle action was special, not only to him but also to the other competitors in Ada. “He reads bulls so good,” said Beau Schueth of O’Niell, Neb. “He can tell what they’re going to do, and he’s so smooth about it. It’s crazy how smooth he is with his fakes. He looked just as good as he did back in the day.” Schueth is one of the top men in the BFO, and he has studied all the greats in the game. It’s part of what makes the Nebraska man so good, and it’s why he marveled at sharing the arena with Brittan. “I’ve got a bunch of Wrangler Bullfight tapes from the NFR and have watched him on them,” Schueth said. “To be in the same arena as a legend is really cool. He was retired for years, and now that the freestyle bullfights are starting to come back and there’s a lot of money in it, it’s great to draw a guy like him and says a lot about the BFO.” Bullfighters Only regenerated a buzz about the sport two years ago and is in the middle of its second season. Texan Weston Rutkowski became the first tour-based world champion in 17 years last season, and the tour is stronger than ever. Ada was the first of several stand-alone events that will happen in 2017. All of it has been attractive for Brittan. “I’m definitely going to Lewiston (Idaho) and Decatur (Texas), and I’ve also gotten the call to go the Colorado Springs,” he said, referring also to the BFO event in conjunction with the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo at the base of the Rocky Mountains. “I expect more calls. I’ve talked it over with my family, and there’s no sense in bowing out of any of them. I’m putting in the work and getting back in shape.” He knows he’ll need it when it comes to the competition. “I’m excited about the talent that is coming up,” Brittan said. “I think the more I compete with them, the more refined their bullfighting will become. They’re fans of mine, and I’m fans of theirs. Some that watched me fight that night tried to do some of the same things I do in their bullfights. “That was a pretty cool feeling to be looked up to like that, but I look up to a lot of these guys by what they’ve accomplished.” Bullfighters Only also has showcased true innovation in the sport. There are more spectacular tricks coming from the young talent, and Brittan realizes he needs to add something like that to his repertoire. “I need another signature move,” said Brittan, who was the first bullfighter to do a flat-footed jump over a bull two decades ago. “I don’t want to copy what’s been done. “I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve. I’m doing some work on some things. As much working out as I’m doing, I’m excited that I felt as good being back in the arena as I did at my age.” Even at 42, he has exceptional athleticism, plus he brings decades of experience to the arena. “Just having a bullfighting legend come back and be part of this group is amazing,” Schueth said. ‘He brings a lot to the table plus he’s an awesome bullfighter.” But there are a good number of awesome bullfighters who are in the BFO. Brittan knows what he needs to do to succeed. “We all want to win,” he said. “If we can win in a flashy sort of way and people can walk out of there after seeing something they’ve never seen before, then that’s what we’re there to do. That’s exciting for us and for the fans.”

ALVA, Okla. – The snow that fell on Hitch Arena on short-round Saturday night in Guymon, Okla., played right into Joby Allen’s hands. “A lot of people hate that weather,” said Allen, who earned a share of the steer wrestling title at the Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo this past weekend and clinched the Central Plains Region title. “I just look at it that I have to deal with it. That’s my advantage. A lot of people don’t want to be there, but I’ll always remember that rodeo because it was snowing in the short go.” Allen was one of three Northwestern Oklahoma State University cowboys who won region titles in the 2016-17 season; the Alva cowboy was joined by the team roping tandem of header Kass Bittle of Kremlin, Okla., and heeler Edgar Fierro of Hennessey, Okla. They will advance to the College National Finals Rodeo in June, as will the women’s team, which finished second in the Central Plains this season. Other CNFR qualifiers are header Dylan Schulenberg of Coal Valley, Ill.; tie-down roper Mason Bowen of Bullard, Texas; and bulldogger Cody Devers of Perryton, Texas, who all finished second in their respective events – only the top three in each discipline advance to the finals. For the women, only goat tier Katy Miller of Faith, S.D., earned a spot at the college finale, but she will have three teammates join her in Casper, Wyo., in June because of the team’s runner-up finish in the region: Goat tier Tearnee Nelson of Faith; Jenny Massing of Ponoka, Alberta; and Ashlyn Moeder of Oakley, Kan. As has been the case for several years at Northwestern, the Rangers men were led in steer wrestling while competing in Guymon. Allen was one of three Northwestern bulldoggers to earn points, finishing fourth in the opening round, then dominating the championship round with a 5.6-second run in the snow and slop to share the event title with Denver Berry of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. “I knew I was 10 points behind Cody (Devers),” said Allen, who also saw teammates Talon Roseland of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Riley Westhaver of High River, Alberta, earn points in steer wrestling. “I just wanted to make sure I got out on the barrier on my first one, score sharp and go catch him and throw him down and make the short go. “I’d made nationals already, and the guy who owns this horse, Ryan Swayze, told me to just run one steer at a time. That’s been my game plan the last month.” Even as cliché as it sounds, it paid off. Allen earned at least a share of the title in each of the final three rodeos of the season to claim his championship. “We practice every day, and it takes a lot of dedication every day,” he said. “It means a lot to me. I brought back the region title to Northwestern and my hometown.” The Rangers also secured points from header Logan Wood of Prescott, Iowa, who finished fourth in the opening round and sixth in the average while competing with Blake Toliver of Kansas State University. Tie-down roper Ethan Price of Leedey, Okla., shared the short-round victory and finished second overall. For the women, breakaway roper Sami McGuire of Backus, Minn., held on to win the title in the Oklahoma Panhandle. She posted a 3.1-second time to finish runner-up in the first round, then was 3.4 for fourth in the championship. Here two-run cumulative time earned her the Panhandle State title by six-hundredths of a second. “It was an all-or-nothing sort of situation,” said McGuire, who was one of four Northwestern ropers to score points. “There was no pressure. I brought my young horse, so it was, ‘Make this about him. Make the best run you can that he gives you the best shot for.’ ” The other breakaway ropers to score points were Taylor Munsell of Arnett, Okla., who was 3.2 seconds to share the short-round victory and finish third overall; Sage Allen of Pawhuska, Okla., who was 3.6 to finish in a tie for fourth in the opening round; and Melissa Couture of Springdale, Ark., who was 3.7 to finish in a tie for sixth place in the first round. Neither Allen nor Couture had a time in the short round, but Allen still finished sixth overall. In goat tying, Miller won the long round with an 8.2-second run, then was hampered in the wetter conditions in the finale, where she finished sixth in the short round; her two-run cumulative time of 19.7 seconds helped the South Dakotan finish in a tie for third place. Massing was 9.1 seconds in the first round to place fourth, then suffered a no-time in the second round. The Rangers women did just enough to edge Panhandle State for the right to join regional champion Southeastern at the college finals. “Our women’s team is really tough, so it says a lot that our team is one of the best,” McGuire said. “I think they’ve all worked really hard all year, and they definitely deserve it.”

This week marks an anniversary for me. It was 10 years ago that I embarked on Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo with my new bride. We met there when I was covering the sport as the beat writer for The Oklahoman, the state’s largest newspaper based in Oklahoma City. She was on the rodeo committee and had lived in the region for 13 years. It’s always a homecoming for her, a proud graduate of Oklahoma Panhandle State University. But Pioneer Days is always special to me for many reasons, too. Besides meeting my bride in Guymon, it also is where I proposed to her during a Pioneer Days Rodeo fundraiser. The committee was the first ProRodeo to hire me as a media relations specialist, believing in me even when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself. On top of that, it’s annually one of the best rodeos I get to witness, with multiple stock contractors providing great bucking beasts and all the great timed-event contestants in the sport. I was there when Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s great Dirty Jacket bucked for the first time, and he guided Jared Schlegel to the 2008 title. I was there when the rodeo used to have a match bronc riding on Sunday afternoon, with the event’s winner then trying to outscore one of the famed foursome: Robert Etbauer, Billy Etbauer, Dan Etbauer or Craig Latham. I was there when team ropers used to compete on fresh muleys, making for some amazing fun and incredible roping. This year’s rodeo has 961 entries, a remarkable number. Based on my tabulations, there are 36 world champions in the field accounting for 97 gold buckles. Every performance will feature a big number of bucking horses and bulls that have been to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Mix that in with so many amazing cowboys and cowgirls, and you can see why it’s worth the price of admission to make it to one or more of the four performances, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. If you can’t be there, be sure to check out my friend, Steve Kenyon, on www.ProRodeoLive.com. He’ll bring you all the insights you may miss in a broadcast that is like no other.