Monthly Archives: June 2017

GUNNISON, Colo. – As a RAM 1500 pickup, “Tuffy is rugged and durable. But that’s not why it has the moniker. Tuffy is the Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink’s transportation truck that was bought to help breast cancer patients get to their out-of-town medical appointments safely and comfortably. In the Gunnison valley, it usually means there are mountain passes to navigate. “We purchased Tuffy last fall because we saw a need in our community,” said Heidi Sherratt Bogart, executive director of Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink. “Because we have patients who need to travel to their appointments and treatments, we wanted them to be able to have a dependable vehicle to make the trips. “It’s because of our community and the generosity of the people here that we’re able to do that. Tuffy helps relieve some of the stress that comes with being a breast cancer patient.” Patients agree. “I was very shaken up about getting diagnosed with breast cancer at 74,” said Loline Sammons, who utilized Tuffy multiple times a week for six weeks while undergoing radiation treatment in Montrose. “Tough Enough to Wear Pink did other things for us, too, but the pickup was really crucial.” Most often, Sammons’ daughter, Michelle Lehmann, drove her mom to the treatments. The 112-mile round trips were made more comfortable because of the new pickup, but there was much more to it. There was peace of mind. “Working with people who you can turn to when you need help for what you’re going through … you just can’t explain it to anyone else,” Sammons said. “They have been absolutely wonderful. Heidi is an absolute doll, and I can’t tell you what a blessing Tough Enough to Wear Pink is. They raise so much money every year, and it helps so many people.” She was diagnosed in mid-February and was in surgery on Feb. 28. She continues to have a strong outlook, thanks in large part to a sense of humor that has lasted through so many radiation treatments. It’s an enduring spirit that is so vital to the oftentimes overwhelming battle with breast cancer. “My grandson who is going to college down in Texas called someone at Tough Enough to Wear Pink that got the process started for me,” she said. “I’m so thankful that he did.” Stephanie Shrieves is also thankful for Tough Enough to Wear Pink and Tuffy. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in May 2016, a few months before the pickup was purchased. Still, she’s found use for it. “I had my surgeries at Rose Medical Center in Denver,” Shrieves said. “I’ve had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. “The truck has been so awesome for us. We’ve used it to go back and forth to Denver to make all my appointments. I had three surgeries, and after each surgery, I was allowed to come back to Gunnison, but I had to go back once a week for regular appointments.” Having a brand-new pickup helps make that 400-mile round trip over multiple mountain passes that much easier. “There were no real worries about whether I’d break down,” she said. “It gives people options to have whatever treatment they choose to do. Living in Gunnison right now, we don’t have a lot of those options. The pickup also gives a little piece of mind knowing there is a good, sound vehicle to get you to your appointments and treatments.” But the local Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign did so much more for Shrieves and her family. “There are integrative therapies available, where people can get massages and other things,” she said. “I think having the truck is one less thing to stress about. Tough Enough to Wear Pink was able to give to me and my family during my first surgery, and that was huge. That took a lot of the stress away. It allows you to focus on the treatments and getting better instead of how you’re going to take care of expenses and other things. “All the people who are involved in Tough Enough to Wear Pink are very passionate about the program, making it successful and taking care of patients who are going through different treatments of cancer. It’s nice to have people fighting in my corner.”

EAGLE, Colo. – The cool mountain air that surrounds this picturesque community serves as a refreshing outlook for some of the greatest athletes in rodeo. That includes the animals that are part of the exciting Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19-Saturday, July 22, at Johnette Phillips Arena on the Eagle County Fairgrounds. Nothing says that better than the bucking athletes from Pete Carr Pro Rodeo. Over the years, world records have been established in Eagle. Scores are typically higher because the animals perform so well here. But there’s more than that that goes into producing a world-class event, and that’s where the seasoned Carr crew comes in. “We love having Pete here, and we’ve been really happy to have the best stock in the world at our rodeo,” said Hanna Albertson, chairwoman of the fair and rodeo’s advisory council. “We know what Pete’s going to bring each year, and it’s the best of the best.” No other stock contractor in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association has had more animals selected to buck at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in the last four years. All of them have bucked at the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, and they’ve made their mark. But so has the hard-working Carr crew that makes everything happen. “I feel very honored that we have such a world-renowned stock contractor in Eagle,” Fair Manager Tanya Dahlseid said. “He’s been a great help to us every year. I firmly believe he’s made this event very spectacular.” Spectacular comes in the frame of amazing animal athletes in action inside Johnette Phillips Arena. Eight years ago, Washington cowboy Ryan Gray tied a PRCA record with a 94-point ride. The past two years, bareback riders have won this rodeo on Carr’s great MGM Dirty Jacket. In 2015, Richmond Champion scored 90 points on MGM Dirty Jacket to win the title. A year ago, Coloradoan Joel Schlagel earned the championship with an 89-point ride on the two-time PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year. “There’s literally not another horse like him,” Champion said two seasons ago. Actually, there are, and Carr has a bunch of them. Over the years, three other Carr horses have earned Bareback of the Year titles: Real Deal, Big Tex and MGM Deuces Night. More importantly, there are dozens of other top-caliber animals that will be part of the mix in Eagle. “During the week of our rodeo, Pete and his crew come in and take over in a good way,” Albertson said. “He gets things to where everyone wants it. It’s extremely helpful, and I think that’s one of the reasons we have such a successful rodeo.”

Rodeo will begin sooner, with gates opening at 5 p.m., ProRodeo starting at 7 p.m. ESTES PARK, Colo. – Everyone’s time is valuable, and the organizers of Rooftop Rodeo understand that as well as anyone. It’s the reason the six performances of the rodeo will move up half an hour to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5-Monday, July 10, at Granny May Arena in Estes Park. “We’ve started the rodeo at that time forever,” said Mark Purdy, chairman of Estes Park Western Heritage Inc., a group of volunteers that works with the town of Estes Park to produce the annual rodeo. “We have decided to change because of our changing demographics and because we’ll have better lighting. Families want to be done earlier so they can get their kids home sooner.” That mindset is working wonders for anyone who wants to enjoy a world-class competition mixed with family-friendly entertainment. “Rooftop Rodeo has a very proud history of having a great crowd every night,” said Ben Vigil, president of Western Heritage. “Our fans really get into the rodeo and the fun that comes with it, and we have looked closely at this over the years. “With so many tourists having so many things going on, we wanted to make sure they can enjoy the daytime activities that we have around here and still enjoy a great rodeo. We also want to make it easier on the locals that come to our rodeo.” The rodeo offers a full evening of entertainment. Each two-hour performance will feature athletic cowboys and cowgirls competing on equally athletic animals. Fast horses and wild rides are just pieces to the puzzle that comes with Estes Park’s rodeo. “The key to a good rodeo is to have great rides and fast times, but it should be fun and entertaining to the fans,” said Purdy, noting that the gates open and the behind-the-chutes tours start at 5 p.m.; mutton busting will begin at 5:30 p.m.; and the Rodeo Evening Kickoff Show kicks off at 6:30 p.m. – the tours are available to those who specifically purchase Behind The Chutes tickets. “We’ve got a great stock contractor in the Cervi family, and we believe we have one of the best rodeos in the country. “We have had great support from this community over the years, and we want it to be a two-way street. We want the community and the tourists to equally enjoy the rodeo we bring to town every July.” That takes a great deal of work to make it happen, and dozens of volunteers put in the man hours each year to make Rooftop Rodeo so grand. Over the last two decades, the event has been recognized as one of the best in the country. “We want the fans and the contestants alike to love Rooftop Rodeo,” Vigil said. “We want the cowboys and cowgirls to come to town, enjoy everything that Estes Park has to offer and say that we are one of their favorite rodeos every year. “I can’t say enough about everyone who makes this thing happen. The volunteers are some of the most dedicated people I know, ant their work is greatly appreciated. The cowboys and fans don’t always see all the work that goes into it, but I know they appreciate it, too.”

Cody Stampede will be the first of several big events for Bullfighters Only The Cody (Wyo.) Stampede is one of the most established events in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, with a history that dates back nearly 100 years. It’s also the kick-off point for Bullfighters Only’s summer run that includes more than a dozen events from June through mid-September. The namesake town of showman “Buffalo” Bill Cody is the perfect venue for freestyle bullfighting, the most extreme of all Western sports. “Last year was our first year touring to rodeos,” said Aaron Ferguson, the BFO’s founder and CEO. “We learned so much and we’re excited to go back and put on an even better shows in Cody and everywhere we go. “Cody is special because we’ve got Dusty Tuckness competing in front of his hometown crowd.” Tuckness is the seven-time and reigning PRCA Bullfighter of the Year from nearby Meeteetse, Wyo., and he leads the Pendleton Whisky BFO World Standings with $20,000 in earnings. He also is the reigning Cody Stampede BFO champion. “It’s always great to come back home to not only compete but also work the rodeo as a whole,” Tuckness said. “To be able to bring the BFO along makes it that much better.” Tuckness is a Bullfighters Only pioneer, a group of elite bullfighters that have been part of the BFO since its inception back in 2015. Because Cody is just 30 miles from Meeteetse, it’s the perfect place for Tuckness to showcase his tremendous athleticism in front of his friends and family. 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 think it’s going to be a really good event this year,” Ferguson said of the Cody bullfight. “Our contractor, WAR Fighting Bulls, just moved to Montana and has an awesome pen of bulls. We’ve got a good lineup of bullfighters again this year as well.” That lineup includes the reigning world champion, Weston Rutkowski of Haskell, Texas. “When I got to Cody last year, I didn’t know what to expect,” said Rutkowski, the No. 2 man in the standings. “Just being a kid from west Texas, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. But I learned just how big that rodeo is, that people come from all over the world to see it. “It was very eye-opening to see how much people loved it. It’s telling of how big the bullfights can really be.” That’s the kind of reception the bullfighters began seeing at all of their summer rodeos, and there’s no reason to expect anything different this year. Bullfighters Only will also have events virtually every week through early September. “After Cody, we’re hitting a lot of other great rodeos, starting with Vernal (Utah) being the next major stop,” Ferguson said of the July 6-8 event. “It’s one of the coolest rodeos in Utah. The crowd likes to have fun, and it’s a rowdy place which makes for good bullfights.” The BFO will then have a two-day stop in Colorado Springs, Colo. during the annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo before a mini stand-alone bullfight in Fortuna, Calif., on July 14. “We will have three, three-man bouts in the first round, and the winners advance to the short round,” Ferguson said. “It’s an amazing setting, too, with massive Redwood trees in the background.” After the event in northern California, Bullfighters Only returns to the rodeo schedule. You can find the full schedule and more at www.BullfightersOnly.com. Injury Report Three of Bullfighters Only’s top men are on the sidelines as they recover from injury. Ross Hill of Muscle Shoals, Ala., and Nathan Harp of Tuttle, Okla., are out for four to six months with ACL injuries, and Cody Greer of Pryor, Okla., is out at least another six weeks after suffering a broken tailbone at the Cavender’s Cup.

GUNNISON, Colo. – The volunteers that organize the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo work hard annually to make it one of the best. “One of the biggest things we have is our stock contractor, Stace Smith,” said Margo Patton Blair, president of Cattlemen’s Days. “Stace Smith is one of the greatest producers in rodeo, and the proof is in the number of times he’s been named stock contractor of the year.” For 11 straight years – from 2004 to 2014 – Smith was named the No. 1 livestock producer in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He and his crew will return to Gunnison for this year’s rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13, to Saturday, July 15, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “The record speaks for itself,” said Andy Stewart, the longtime announcer of the Cattlemen’s Days rodeo. “Stace Smith Pro Rodeo has great production and a really good crew. Everybody that works for Stace is a professional; it increases the quality of production, which I feel is extremely important in the world of rodeo.” Rodeo is a combination of family-friendly entertainment and world-class competition, and the Smith crew works hard to make sure all aspects are handled well. “We’re in the business to entertain crowds and put on a good rodeo,” said Cody Kidd, general manager for Smith’s firms, which also includes Smith, Harper & Morgan. “We try to bring the best stock we can to every rodeo we do, because we want to attract the best cowboys and give them the best shot to win. The other part of what we do is that we’re entertainment, which is why we have pyrotechnics and a laser light show.” Virtually every year, more than a dozen Smith animals are selected to perform at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It’s that type of superstar animal athlete power that helps draw the top contestants to Gunnison. “Stace Smith has great stock,” Stewart said. “That firm is extremely well known throughout the industry. The main thing I like about Smith Pro Rodeo is the pride they take into what they do. He’s going to come out and put on the best show possible. “Those guys definitely have a sense of professionalism and pride in what they do.” The staff also works with some of the greatest bucking animals in the game. Last year, Smith had seven horses and seven bulls that performed at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. That’s the type of animal power that fans get to see in Gunnison every year. “The stock is always great there,” Stewart said. “The mountains offer an awesome setting, and the animals love the weather. They are lights out every night.” And when the lights go down on the final night of the rodeo each year, fans know they got something special out of Cattlemen’s Days and Stace Smith Pro Rodeo.

EAGLE, Colo. – Justin Rumford can’t remember the first time he was horseback; that happens when one grows up cowboy. The Kansas-bred cowboy has done everything imaginable when it comes to rodeo. He was the third generation of his family’s stock contracting business, and there isn’t a task he can’t handle or hasn’t tried. “I’ve been involved in rodeo my whole life,” said Rumford, the reigning five-time Clown of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “I’ve never done anything else, and I’ve never wanted to do anything else. I’ve always wanted to be successful. A (few) years ago when I started this venture, I knew if I really worked hard and tried really hard that I could get to the top in a hurry. “This clowning deal is the best thing I’ve ever had. It’s something in rodeo that I can have a lot of longevity in. There’s not a ton of risk, and it’s something I enjoy so much.” He will have that passion with him for the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19-Saturday, July 22, at Johnette Phillips Arena on the Eagle County Fairgrounds. “People want to laugh at each other more than they want to laugh at something,” he said. “When I’m in the arena, I’m saying the same stuff I’d say if I wasn’t clowning. It’s just me being me.” That’s just Rumford’s personality shining through, and it’s been a big hit across the country. “He is so well known, and I find him very entertaining,” said Hanna Albertson, chairwoman of the fair and rodeo’s advisory council. “I think Eagle County is going to enjoy having such a big name with our clown. “He seems like the kind of person who is genuinely funny.” He continues to be one of the most sought-after rodeo clowns in the game. But there are many reasons behind it. “I have seven acts,” Rumford said. “At a lot of rodeos I work, there are lots of performances, so I like to change it up. I’m not a specialty act; I’m a clown act. “I’m constantly trying to think of new stuff.” Whether it’s “Fat Elvis” on a mini bike or the Rumford rendition of Spiderman, the acts are a big part of the entertainment value. But he’s the perfect all-around entertainer, a man who understands the timing that comes with rodeo. It’s all part of making the production come across as seamless as possible. If there is any downtime in the competition, Rumford is on hand to engage the crowd. It’s a vital piece of the keeping the family-friendly entertainment part of each performance. “I think my specialty is walking and talking and being in the arena,” he said. “I feel like I can connect with the crowd pretty good. Even when my microphone isn’t on, I’m still talking to fans. You can do a lot without saying a word.” That’s an integral part of being a clown; sharing a particular move or a flashing glance in the right direction. As a clown with a bit of a bigger build, it is primary target of comedy is himself. “People want to laugh at each other more than they want to laugh at something,” Rumford said. “When I’m in the arena, I’m saying the same stuff I’d say if I wasn’t clowning. It’s just me being me.”

ALVA, Okla. – For the second straight year, two Northwestern Oklahoma State University steer wrestlers finished among the top 10 at the College National Finals Rodeo. Joby Allen of Alva and Cody Devers of Perryton, Texas, finished fourth and 10th, respectively, at last week’s finale in Casper, Wyo. Allen had a four-run cumulative time of 23.5 seconds to finish in a tie for fourth overall; he also added points by finishing in a tie for fourth in the second round and placing third in the championship round. “It took me a little while to get rolling on it,” said Allen, who dominated the final few rodeos to win the Central Plains Region title. “I didn’t have a run that I liked until the short round. “They had been 7.8 and 11.0 on the steer I had in the short round. That was the only run of the four that my feet hit good on the ground and I was able to turn the steer back.” He stopped the clock in 4.6 seconds, which moved him up in the final aggregate standings. “The biggest deal in Casper is scoring sharp and catching all your cattle,” he said. “I feel like I didn’t have a great finals, but I still ended up fourth.” Like Allen, Devers will have an opportunity to return to Casper next year. He qualified for the college finals a year ago while competing at Garden City (Kan.) Community College, then upped his game this year with a top-10 finish in his junior campaign. “I had a good steer on the first won and ended up tying for the first-round win,” said Devers, who was 3.7 seconds in the opening round. “I didn’t draw real well after that. By the time we got down to the short go, I had to push a little too much, which caused me to break the barrier.” By not allowing the steer the appropriate head start, Devers was penalized 10 seconds, pushing his run to 14.4 seconds. “It cost me from finishing fourth in the average,” he said. “Winning the round was a big confidence booster. I placed in a couple rounds last year, so this was the first time for me to win a round at the college finals.” The Northwestern men finished 13th overall – there were 58 schools that scored points, so the Rangers were among the top teams. Header Dylan Schulenberg of Coal Valley, Ill., also earned points by placing in the first round. The Rangers women had points from barrel racer Sara Bynum of Beggs, Okla., and goat-tier Tearnee Nelson of Faith, S.D.; both ladies placed in the third round. Northwestern had two strong teams in Casper, but the bulldoggers gathered the lion’s share of the Rangers points. A year ago, J.D. Struxness of Appleton, Minn., won the college steer wrestling title, while Jacob Edler of State Center, Iowa, finished second. “If you want to better yourself in steer wrestling, you come to Alva, and you’ll be better than when you came here,” Allen said. “The announcer said Alva is going to be the steer wrestling capital of college rodeo, and I think that’s the truth.” It all goes back to what happens on a daily basis around the Northwestern campus. Cowboys and cowgirls train hard to prepare for each rodeo, each chance at competition. It’s instilled in them by rodeo coach Stockton Graves. “He’s always really positive and promotes winning,” Devers said. “He wants you to be the best you can. If you ask, he’ll tell you anything you need. He lets you go out there and compete and win. He coaches you in the practice pen and lets muscle memory and all that practice work kick in when you get in the arena.” It’s paying off. Even though the Rangers didn’t finish atop the heap, at least they gained another learning experience through their rodeo education. “Finishing fourth this year makes me want to work harder, go back next year and come back with the national title,” Allen said. “It makes me want to get better.”

Longtime volunteers reflect on the history of Estes Park’s marquee event ESTES PARK, Colo. – There’s a reason why Rooftop Rodeo is considered one of the best ProRodeos in the country. “It’s the people that made this organization fun to be in,” said Gary Cleveland, a longtime member of Western Heritage Inc., a group of volunteers that works with the town of Estes Park to produce the annual rodeo. “Their thoughts are for the benefits of the cowboys and the people in attendance. “That’s what really draws me. There’s no showboating by anybody. It’s a real team effort to have something so good.” After 20 Rooftop Rodeos, Cleveland has retired from the committee and will be a spectator for the 2017 edition of Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5-Monday, July 10, at Granny May Arena in Estes Park. But Cleveland knows the undertone of the local rodeo, as do many others who have been on the committee for several years. “Our committee works really well with each other and seems to have a very good time doing it,” said Sean Murray, a 24-year member of Western Heritage. “Of course, if we didn’t enjoy it, we wouldn’t be there.” That resonates across the board, and the residents, tourists and contestants who make it to Estes Park in early July are the beneficiaries. “The rodeo means tradition, which is very important to me,” said Jo Adams, now in her 26th year on the rodeo committee. “When I was a kid, Estes Park was deemed the Horse Capital of the World. It’s gone away from that, but I can see now that it’s coming back. “The rodeo is a good way to introduce a total Western lifestyle to people, and that makes me feel good.” Rodeo, as a sport, is a tip-of-the-hat to the days of yesteryear, when livestock was such a vital part of everyday lives. As with everything, the sport has evolved, but its roots are firmly planted in its past. “Rodeo and horses have always been my passions,” said Amy Vigil, who is celebrating her 19th year with Western Heritage and will honor her 20th rodeo in a few weeks. “We just have so much fun with this. Watching the committee, the volunteers and the rodeo grow together is just phenomenal. “You can’t find a better group of people, and we’re all best friends.” That common thread has paid off rather well. Over the last two decades, Rooftop Rodeo has regularly been recognized as one of the top events in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. That falls on the committee that organizes the rodeo, but it also serves as a reflection of the town of Estes Park. “The rodeo brings a lot of people into Estes Park,” said Chief Jenista, who has been associated with Rooftop Rodeo for 27 years. “We have the tourists, but I think the rodeo brings prestige, especially when the rodeo was No. 1 for so long. “When I go someplace, people have heard about Rooftop. That says a lot about the rodeo.” For those that have been in Estes Park most of their lives, the rodeo has been part of them for decades. “It’s traditional family entertainment,” Adams said. “I think it’s a step out of the hectic, everyday pace and shows what you can do with animals and the respect for animals. “Rooftop is just part of Estes Park, and it has been for 91 years.” And for volunteers, being part of that history is rewarding. It takes a dedicated group of people willing to put in long hours to make each year go off without a hitch, but each volunteer believes in the end result. “Estes Park is where I grew up,” Cleveland said. “I was a baby when we went up there. Growing up in that aspect of that town, you try to find something to give back to that town. The rodeo is a way I could give back to the town by volunteering my time and energy to an event that benefits the town. “It makes you feel good.” It shows every July, just as it has for 91 years.

GUNNISON, Colo. – For a man who spends much of his life on the rodeo trail, entertainer Keith Isley feels right at home inside the arena. “I thoroughly enjoy watching people have a good time and enjoy what I do or what I say,” said Isley, 59. He is one of the most decorated clowns in rodeo, and he will be part of the festivities during the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13, to Saturday, July 15, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “Just seeing people enjoy it and have a good time,” he said. “Sometimes later in the year, you’ll get home and have some letters for you and have some pictures of you that kids have drawn. “It’s the little things that really make me feel like I’m accomplishing something.” He has accomplished much. He’s been named the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Clown of the Year six times, the Coors Man in the Can five times, the PRCA Comedy Act of the Year six times and PRCA Specialty Act of the Year three times. For three straight years, from 2009-11, he won the funnyman’s trifecta: Clown of the Year, Coors Man in the Can and Comedy Act of the Year. In addition to being one of the best funny men in the business, he also has some of the top acts in rodeo. He’ll have it all with him when he arrives in Gunnison. “I enjoy what I do, and it’s a lot of fun when you’ve got a good crowd and a good announcer,” said Isley, who will work Cattlemen’s Days with announcer Andy Stewart, a top five announcer each year. “When you see people with smiles on their faces, and then people come up to you and appreciate what you do, that makes what we do a lot more worthwhile.” Isley sees a lot of smiles and has for much of his professional life. Though he was considered a class clown, being a comedian didn’t come easily. “Oh, it was natural if I knew you, but if I didn’t know you, it was really hard,” he said. “When I started the comedy, that was really hard for me to get used to because I didn’t know those people watching me.” He has since overcome his stage fright to become one of the most sought-after entertainers in the game. There’s good reason for it, too. Part of a good clown’s job is to fill any down time that could some during the event. If there’s a pause in the action, Isley knows it’s his turn to step up to the plate. “I like to play on the crowd,” he said. “I like to have fun with people that like to have fun.” It works, but Isley has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. He loves working with animals and allowing them to steal the show. When it’s all put together, it’s an award-winning showcase that reaches so many people. “Back in 1999, I worked a rodeo in Belle Foursche (S.D.); during the trick riding act, I was talking to the announcer and was just looking around,” he said. “That’s when I saw the contestants standing all around the arena just watching.” When Isley left town, he reflected on that image and still considers it one of his greatest honors. Later that year, he earned was named the Specialty Act of the Year for the first time. “Since then, I’ve won it a few times,” Isley said. “I’ve undoubtedly been the most blessed man who’s ever bought a PRCA membership.” The fans are blessed, too.

Hard Grass Bronc Match to pit top cowboys vs. great horses in big money event POLLOCKVILLE, Alberta – They crave good horses and the opportunities to cash in when the rides go well. Now the top saddle bronc riders in North America will converge on this tiny hamlet for the Hard Grass Bronc Match, set for 6 p.m. Saturday, July 29. “We figured it would be fitting to have an event out here where we’re in the heart of cattle country,” said Tyler Kraft, an event organizer who serves as manager of the Calgary Stampede Ranch near Hanna, Alberta. “We went to different bronc ridings in North Dakota and South Dakota and really thought this would be good for this part of Alberta. “In our area, we have around 1,500 bucking horses. Why would we be driving 1,000 miles when we could put on one here?” The event will feature 30 of the best bronc riders in the world, from world champions to regulars at both the National Finals Rodeo and the Canadian Finals Rodeo. With $25,000 included in the committee purse and mixed with entry fees, the winner should walk away from Pollockville with at least $10,000 stuffed in his jeans. “I love bronc matches,” said Zeke Thurston, a second-generation bronc rider and the reigning world champion from Big Valley, Alberta. “They’re awesome, and when you can get one that counts for the world standings, then it’s even better.” The Hard Grass Bronc Match will be co-approved by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. That means money earned in Pollockville will count toward qualifications for both the CFR and the NFR. That’s an important piece of the puzzle for the bronc riders that make their living one bucking horse at a time. “From a bronc rider’s standpoint, anytime you can watch that many horses get bucked in a day is a pretty good day,” said Thurston, whose father, Skeeter, was a multiple-time qualifier to both the NFR and CFR. “I like the way it pays out, and whatever you win goes in both standings. They have lots of bull riding events that count for the standings, so it’s cool that you can have a lot of bronc ridings like that, too.” The event will feature many of the top bucking broncs in the game today, horses that have performed at the Calgary Stampede and other large rodeos, including the two finales. “Speaking on behalf of the Calgary Stampede Ranch, we’re going to be bringing the heat,” Kraft said. “We’ll also have Big Stone Rodeo (of Cessford, Alberta) there helping bring some great horses.” Each of the 30 cowboys will ride in the first round, with the top eight scores advancing to the championship round. When the final-round field is set, the cowboys will then pick the horses out of a list of 12 available that they want to face for the chance to win the short go and the title. The cowboy with highest score will select first, then the rest will choose according to how they placed. “Bronc matches are pretty awesome,” said Dustin Flundra, a three-time Canadian champion from Pincher Creek, Alberta, who owns three NFR qualifications and the 2014 Calgary Stampede bronze. “Now that they’re starting to count for the standings makes them more attractive to the contestants. “We know bull ridings have worked on their own, but there are a lot of people that aren’t necessarily bull riding fans but they like watching bucking horses. Now we’re going to showcase those high-caliber horses, and the best cowboys in North America are going to come.” That combination will make it a spectacular event, but so will the setting. Pollockville is home to about 10 people and is a little more than two hours east of Calgary. “About the only thing in the whole town is a 500-capacity dance hall, and there’s a big lean-to off it,” Kraft said. “We figured it would be neat to do it in the open prairie.” Stands have been purchased, and organizers will utilize a Priefert arena set-up. That will make it homey and fun for fans who want to watch something special happen inside the portable fencing. “It’s pretty exciting that we’re going to have more and more of these things and that people can enjoy,” Thurston said. “It’s an exciting time, especially for the world of rodeo.” Bronc matches are nothing new to rodeo, but what sets the Hard Grass Bronc Match apart from most is that the money counts for both the premier rodeo associations in North America. The event in Sentinel Butte, N.D., counts for the PRCA world standings. “It’s a lot like the Wildwood Bronc Busting that Roddy Hay puts on,” Flundra said of the early June event in Wildwood, Alberta. “Like Roddy’s event, the horses will be amazing. There will be a lot of horses that have been to both the NFR and the Canadian Finals, and a lot have been to one or the other. “The cowboys will be of the same kind of caliber. That makes for some pretty good watching.”

VIP tickets will allow some fans a different experience for Estes Park rodeo ESTES PARK, Colo. – How popular is Rooftop Rodeo? The popular box seats are often sold out before the rodeo begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5-Monday, July 10, at Granny May Arena in Estes Park. So the Town of Estes Park developed another avenue beginning this year. “We were looking at the fact that our box seats sell so well,” said Rob Hinkle, director of the Community Services Department with the Town of Estes Park. “We realized people are looking for a more exclusive experience. The town created the VIP Experience, which allows patrons a tour of the rodeo grounds before the show, access to the exclusive VIP patio at the west gate, dinner at the hospitality tent, access to a bartender and specially reserved stadium seating. “While watching the event, you will be taken care of by a designated bartender, providing you with drinks at additional charge,” said Mark Purdy, chairman of Estes Park Western Heritage Inc., a group of volunteers that works with the town of Estes Park to produce the annual rodeo. “We have only 26 VIP tickets available for each night, but I think it’s an awesome opportunity for people who want that experience.” VIP Experience tickets are $100 apiece. “This offers VIP guests a chance to meet our volunteers and the cowboys that come to town to compete,” said Ben Vigil, president of Western Heritage. “It also allows them a special seat where they can see all the action.” It’s about creating something special for those guests. “We want this to have a special ambiance for those guests,” Hinkle said. “It’s a new experience to the rodeo that’s much different than you’d get from our general admission seats. “It provides convenient access to our hospitality tent, which traditionally has been reserved for our volunteers and the cowboys.” For now, guests can enjoy access to the area just outside the west gate, a popular viewing spot for staff members and cowboys in the past.

Western artist to be part of TETWP Songwriter Concert and Auction CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. – The creative mind of Bradley Chance Hays is always at work. Whether he’s working a young horse in the round pen or putting his thoughts on canvas, Hays sees something different than most. He’s more than a cowboy artist; he’s a cowboy and an artist, mixing his two loves into one livelihood. He will be right at home during the Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink Songwriter Auction and Concert, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, at the Mountaineer Square Conference Center in Crested Butte. “Chance will be doing live art during that event, and we’re very happy to have him be part of this experience,” said Heidi Sherratt Bogart, executive director of Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink. “This is always a great event that helps us raise funds for our campaign to battle breast cancer. “Because of the generosity of so many people over the years, we have given over $1 million in services and equipment to Gunnison Valley Hospital for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.” Hays was raised in Rolla, Kan., a tiny burg of about 400 people in southwest Kansas. He attended nearby Oklahoma Panhandle State University on a rodeo scholarship, then earned his bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma State University. But his training came much earlier in life. The son of an art teacher and a cowboy, the mixture of passions has been part of Hays’ life from the beginning. “I can’t say one’s any more important than the other, because it takes off of it to make a piece of art,” Hays told Cowboys & Indians magazine in 2015. “Taking an hour before I go to a meeting to exercise my horse and watch the sun come up in the morning has always been just as important as picking up my paintbrush to make the painting.” Hays is just one of the artists who will be in Crested Butte that evening. Songwriter Dean Dillon, a highly decorated songwriter and member of the Gunnison TETWP board, headlines the concert and auction and will be joined by fellow artists Trent Willmon, Liz Rose and Dillon’s talented daughter, Song Dillon. “Our Songwriter Concert and Auction is a wonderful way to showcase some amazing talent that comes in especially for this, so having Chance be part of it will just add a different kind of art to this event,” Sherratt Bogart said. For Hays, the appeal of his art comes through each step he takes on a horse and through the strokes of his brush. It isn’t about making money for himself; it’s about sharing his love for the Western lifestyle. “If someone buys a horse that I trained to rope on, I’m not selling something I bought and traded,” he told Cowboys & Indians. “I made that horse. When someone buys one of my paintings, I thought about something, and I made the painting.” For more information about Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink and the Songwriter Concert and Auction, log on to www.GunnisonTETWP.com.

Harris will bring his old-school clown act to the fans at Rooftop Rodeo ESTES PARK, Colo. – Cliff Harris earns a living making other people laugh. As a rodeo clown, he lives for those moments when the crowd is engaging thoroughly enjoying all that the sport encompasses. He will do that as his alter ego, “Hollywood Harris,” during the six performances of Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5-Monday, July 10, at Granny May Arena in Estes Park. “Anybody that does this just loves to do it,” said Harris, a Texan who moved to Florida in 1970. “If you don’t love it, then you burn out and find something else to do. But even at your worst day, it’s still a fun job.” Not only is he a true entertainer, he also has passed along his lessons to his son, Brinson, who goes by the nickname “Brinson James the Entertainer.” While keeping up with his son’s antics has served Cliff Harris well, he likes the opportunities that come when he can showcase his own talents. “Five or six years ago, I got hurt at an event, and he took over the next night,” Harris said. “Now I’m excited to be getting back to the big rodeos.” That includes Rooftop, which has been recognized as one of the top events in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association over the past few decades. “I actually worked the Estes Park rodeo back in the late ’90s,” he said. “It was hot that year, but, man, what a beautiful town. I’m looking forward to coming back.” He should. In addition to the picturesque setting that is the town of Estes Park, Rooftop Rodeo has become a hot ticket for the biggest and brightest stars in the game. With Colorado-based Cervi Rodeo producing the rodeo and providing the bucking horses and bulls, there are plenty of opportunities for cowboys and cowgirls to collect big cash. Harris provides that extra zip of comedy and entertainment that mixes so well with the world-class competition of rodeo. “I’m more on the old-school art of clowning,” he said. “I use more pantomime instead of microphone talk. I really enjoy crowd-participation skits. They can go good, and then they can go fantastic. It’s going to be funny no matter what, but sometimes it’s just over-the-top funny because of the personalities we have in the crowd.” And with an interactive crowd that Rooftop Rodeo is known to have, Harris should be the perfect match for this year’s event.

DALLAS – Being innovative is just part of the brand at Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, and the Dallas-based livestock producer is taking another step in that direction with the 2017 Pete Carr Pro Rodeo Big Truckin’ Series. Contestants in each of the nine rodeo events – bareback riding, steer wrestling, heading, heeling, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, bull riding and steer roping– will be part of the 13-event series of Carr rodeos, beginning with the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Frontier Days and PRCA Rodeo, which is taking place this week in Weatherford, Texas. “Contestants who earn money at our rodeos from Weatherford to Hempstead (Texas) have a chance to win their respective events in the series,” owner Pete Carr said, noting that the final rodeo of the series is set for Oct. 5-7. “The event winners at the end of the series will win a Rtic cooler and will get to draw for a RAM 1500 pickup.” The cooler presentation and pickup drawing will take place Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Rusk County PRCA Rodeo in Henderson, Texas. “We’re going to keep track of the standings on our website, PeteCarrProRodeo.com,” Carr said. “I’m pretty excited about this series and what it means for the contestants and those rodeo committees. We have a lot of great rodeo committees we’re involved with each year, and I think it’s great they will be part of the series.” Dollars equal points, so the contestants in each discipline with the most money won during the series will earn the Rtci coolers and the opportunity to be on site in Henderson for the pickup drawing. 2017 PETE CARR PRO RODEO BIG TRUCKIN’ SERIES Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Xtreme Bulls, Weatherford, Texas, June 6 Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Frontier Days and PRCA Rodeo, Weatherford, Texas, June 7-10 Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, Big Spring, Texas, June 15-17 West of the Pecos Rodeo, Pecos, Texas, June 21-24 Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, Eagle, Colo., July 19-22 Deep South PRCA Rodeo, Winnsboro, La., Aug. 3-5 Lea County Xtreme Bulls, Lovington, N.M., Aug. 8 Lea County Fair and Rodeo, Lovington, N.M., Aug. 9-12 Crossett Riding Club PRCA Rodeo, Crossett, Ark., Aug. 9-12 Four States Fair Xtreme Bulls, Texarkana, Ark., Sept. 13 Four States Fair and Rodeo, Texarkana, Ark., Sept. 14-16 Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo, Stephenville, Texas, Sept. 22-24 Waller County Fair and Rodeo, Hempstead, Texas, Oct. 3-5

BFO champ wins second Canadian title; Schiffner earns bull riding victory MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan – Texan Weston Rutkowski has learned to love Canada. “Beau Schueth and I were talking about the fact that we don’t mind coming up here,” said Rutkowski, the reigning Bullfighters Only world champion who won the BFO event this weekend in conjunction with the Professional Bull Riders Moose Jaw Powered by Young’s Equipment at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw. “We just want to make sure everyone else stays home.” He laughed, but Rutkowski has done quite well in Canada. He won the title at the Chad Besplug Invitational in Claresholm, Alberta, earlier this year, then padded his wins north of the border with an 85-point bout with a bull named Mad Bandana. Scott Schiffner of Strathmore, Alberta, won the bull riding title with his 86.5-point ride on Friday night. No scores during Saturday’s second day of competition were able to surpass that earned by the two-time Canadian champion. “It was a cool event,” Rutkowski said. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I bet there were almost 4,000 people there. Once they hit the music to the bullfights, the crowd reacted instantly. “These bullfights are awesome. When you’re in the arena, you can sure feed off the crowd.” It was an interesting couple of days for the west Texas man. He competed at a Bullfighters Only event Friday in Decatur, Texas, which is 40 miles northwest of Fort Worth, Texas. He and Schueth then spent most of Saturday traveling. They landed in Regina, Saskatchewan, at 4 p.m. and arrived at their hotel in Moose Jaw an hour later. After a little down time, they headed off to the arena to compete in their second freestyle bullfight in less than 24 hours. “I’d never seen that bull before, but he had one up horn and one down horn,” Rutkowski said. “He was a sweetheart. There were four guys entered, and I was the fourth guy out.” As the bull rushed out of the chute, the bullfighter crossed the animal up with a fake, and the bull quickly spun back around and faced Rutkowski. “Once he swapped ends, I felt like he would be pretty good,” he said. “I was pretty wore out from getting beat up the night before and a long day of flights. I was able keep my legs up underneath me through the end.” In freestyle bullfighting, scores are based on a 100-point scale. Half the score comes from the bull, which can earn up to 50 points based on its quickness, aggression and willingness to stay with the bullfighter; men can earn up to 50 points per fight on their ability to exhibit control and style while maneuvering around or over the animal. Rutkowski didn’t fare nearly as well in Decatur as he did in Moose Jaw, but he knows that’s just part of what it means to be a bullfighter. “That’s what I love about bullfighting,” he said. “One minute you’re on top of the world, and the next you’re underneath the bull. I’ve had a few rough goes, but it’s good to get a win underneath my belt. I’m going to take about a month to get healed up, but then I’ll be back at it again.”

Wyoming man earns 2nd straight win at BFO Cavender’s Cup in Decatur DECATUR, Texas – Dusty Tuckness is a busy man, one of the most sought-after cowboy protectors in ProRodeo. But Bullfighters Only is an important part of the Wyoming man’s life. He’s one of the original founders of the company, and he loves to compete in freestyle bullfights when his schedule allows. He’s pretty good at it, too, and he proved it Friday night during the Bullfighters Only Cavender’s Cup Presented by Bodyguard Bumpers at the Wise County Fairgrounds. He posted the two highest-scoring fights of the night and earned his second straight BFO stand-alone bullfight title. “Being able to have a couple of open weekends so that I could go to Lewiston (Idaho) and Decatur was pretty special to me,” said Tuckness, who moved into the No. 1 spot in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings. “To come out with the win at both events is a blessing.” Tuckness posted an 89.5-point score with WAR Fighting Bulls’ Triggerman in the first round. He was then matched in the championship round with the other four winners, Schell Apple, who was 86.5; SuperCamp qualifier Dayton Spiel, who tied legend Lance Brittan with an 87 but advanced by tie-breaker; Tanner Zarnetski, 86.5; and Toby Inman, 89. “I had a nice bull in the first round,” Tuckness said. “He was the one you wanted to draw. He was hot and on you, but he was honest. I got to dress him up a little bit. “At the end, I got bogged down (in the dirt), and he ran over me, but I got up and got a good sell to end the fight.” Tuckness then posted a 90-point fight with Destructor, owned by Brett Hall and Miguel Nunes. It was even more impressive considering that he set a BFO-record 94.5-point fight just two weeks ago in Lewiston, Idaho “Destructor is a big black-and-white paint, and he stayed hooked up with me the whole time,” he said. “He let me get away with everything I wanted to the whole time. We fought hard for 45 to 50 seconds.” The $10,000 Tuckness pocketed pushed his season earnings to $20,000 and gives him a solid lead in the standings. That’s good, because his job as a cowboy protector at ProRodeos will cause him to miss out on some of the upcoming BFO events. He’ll need every advantage he can get as he battles through the BFO’s second season. “Now we’ve got a busy summer run of rodeos, and this win will help me stay in the standings a little longer,” Tuckness said. While the Wyoming man won the event, a key story line out of Decatur was Dayton Spiel. He competed earlier this year in one of the BFO Development Camps. He did well enough there to advance to this weekend’s Fit-n-Wise SuperCamp, where he advanced as a qualifier into the Cavender’s Cup. By finishing second overall, Spiel not only pocketed a decent payday but also announced his presence among the best in Bullfighters Only. “I thought the event went really good,” Tuckness said. “We had some weather issues throughout the day, but still had a good crowd. Even with the weather, the people still showed up and had a great time.” So did Tuckness, and he has the hardware to show it. RESULTS Round 1: 1. Schell Apple, 86.5 points; 2. Ely Sharkey, 83; 3. Cody Greer, no score. Round 2: 1. (tie) Dayton Spiel and Lance Brittan, 87 points each; 3. Zach Arthur, 83. Round 3: 1. Dusty Tuckness, 89.5 points; 2. Tate Rhoads, 87; 3. Jimmy Essary, 82. Round 4: 1. Tanner Zarnetski, 86.5 points; 2. (tie) Weston Rutkowski and Noah Krepps, 85.5. Round 5: 1. Toby Inman, 89 points; 2. Beau Schueth, 88; 3. Jon Roberts, 84. Final round: 1. Dusty Tuckness, 90 points; 2. Dayton Spiel, 89; 3. Toby Inman, 85; 4. Tanner Zarnetski, 84; Schell Apple, 83.5.

Schiffner earns redemption on known bull, hopes to score again Saturday MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan – Scott Shiffner wanted a little payback with Pound The Alarm, an athletic red and white paint bull that has a great history. Schiffner got it Friday night with an 86.5-point ride to take the lead after the opening night of the Professional Bull Riders Moose Jaw Powered by Young’s Equipment at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw. “That bull’s been to the PBR World Finals,” said Schiffner, 37, of Strathmore, Alberta. “He was raised here, then went down to the (United) States. I got on him before he went down to the states, and he bucked me off back when he was pretty young. “It’s good that we’re even.” Yes, it is. The high marking puts him in the No. 1 position heading into the final night of the two-day competition. But like many of the bull riders in the mix, he paid two entry fees and will ride again Saturday. “If everything goes well, I have a chance to win first and second,” said Schiffner, a two-time Canadian bull riding champion and a PBR Canada champion. “The nice thing about this event is that I have a chance to do that.” His first appearance on Pound the Alarm came four years ago, when the young bull bucked off the 16-time Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier. On Friday, though, the Mosaic Place crowd saw the redemption ride for a proud Canadian champion. “It was an excellent crowd,” he said. “They were energetic and into it. They understand the Western way of life and rodeo, so it’s entertaining for us to be able to perform in front of a crowd like that.” Schiffner wasn’t the only big winner Friday in Moose Jaw. Jordynn Swanson won the first night of the Bullfighters Only qualifier that was part of the event, scoring 82 points during his freestyle bullfight. In the match, Swanson utilized his athleticism to maneuver close to and around the equally athletic and agile Spanish fighting bull, which was bred for that type of fight. Like bull riding, scores are on a 100-point scale, with half coming from each the man and the beast. “I thought my bull was really going to come out there pretty good, and I felt like I was setting him up for a good fake, but some lights went off, and he buggered away,” said Swanson, 24, of Virden, Manitoba. “I would’ve liked to have more heat, but you just have to go at bulls like this and make them hot.” The ideal bull would stay close to the bullfighter, but when that doesn’t happen, then the man must make things work. That’s just what Swanson did. He will compete on night No. 2, which begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. “It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever fought in front of in my life,” he said. “It was my first PBR event and my first BFO event. By far, it’s on the top of my list as the coolest and loudest and most fun.”

DUNCAN, Okla. – Tracy Nowlin needed everything the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo could offer last October. Nowlin knew she didn’t have a chance to win the circuit championship, so her only hope at qualifying for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo was to walk away from Stephens County Arena with the average title. She accomplished that goal, rounding the pattern in a three-run cumulative time of 48.36 seconds; it guided her to Kissimmee, Fla., in April, where she won the first round at the RNCFR. This year, it seems, Nowlin is hoping to avoid those last-minute heroics. She has a substantial lead in the Prairie Circuit barrel racing standings, having earned $9,500 through May 21. She owns a lead of nearly $4,400 over the reigning circuit champ, Emily Miller of Weatherford, Okla. If everything goes as she hopes, Nowlin will be the No. 1 cowgirl when she enters the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19-Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. Of her earnings so far this year, the biggest chunk came in the Oklahoma Panhandle, where Nowlin – of Nowata, Okla. – won the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo title. She placed in both rounds to win the average and pocketed $4,820. It’s the biggest circuit rodeo so far this season, but there are plenty of other big events set for the rest of the region season. “I think I have the circuit finals made, but it would be a dream come true to win the circuit,” said Nowlin, who earned more than $6,300 in Duncan last October. She finished the campaign with $17,706, and already this year has more than half that with most of the circuit season left. In fact, she had accumulated her $9,500 through just six events. More importantly, she is the biggest money-earner of all competitors in the circuit, made up of rodeos and contestants primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. Behind her tie-down roper Ryan Jarrett of Comanche, Okla., who has earned more than $7,700. He owns a lead of more than $2,200 over the No. 2 man, Bryson Sechrist of Apache, Okla. Other leaders are all-around cowboy Trell Etbauer of Goodwell, Okla.; bareback rider Anthony Thomas of Palestine, Texas; J.D. Struxness of Appleton, Minn.; header Brett Christensen of Alva, Okla.; heeler Dawson McMaster of Madison, Kan.; saddle bronc rider Joe Lufkin of Sallisaw, Okla.; bull rider Brad Harris of Udall, Kan.; and steer roper Chet Herren of Pawhuska, Okla., who has a lead of just $33 over traveling partner Rocky Patterson of Pratt, Kan., a four-time world champion. The 2017 circuit champions won’t be crowned until October in Duncan, but it will be a big race over the next four and a half months to see what happens.

ALVA, Okla. – Ten Rangers are ready to ride for college rodeo’s most coveted title. Six men and four women from the Northwestern Oklahoma State University have earned the right to compete at the College National Finals Rodeo, set for June 11-17 at the Casper (Wyo.) Events Center. “Having 10 going to the college finals shows how great the program is in Alva and what a great coach Stockton (Graves) is,” said Edgar Fierro, a heeler from Hennessey, Okla., who qualified with his partner, Kass Bittle of Kremlin, Okla. “It shows Stockton’s ‘Let’s go win’ attitude. That attitude goes through us, and that’s the way it showed this year.” Bittle and Fierro advanced to the CNFR by winning the Central Plains Region team roping title, a feat shared by steer wrestler Joby Allen of Alva. They will be joined on the men’s team by header Dylan Schulenberg of Coal Valley, Ill.; tie-down roper Mason Bowen of Bullard, Texas; and steer wrestler Cody Devers of Perryton, Texas. The Rangers women will be represented barrel racers Ashlyn Moeder of Oakley, Kan., and Sara Bynum of Beggs, Okla., along with goat-tiers Tearnee Nelson and Katy Miller, both of Faith, S.D. Miller finished third in the region to qualify outright, and the other three were added to the team since the Northwestern women finished second in the region and earned the right to have a full squad in Casper. “Having that many make it to the finals means quite a bit for the rodeo program here at Northwestern,” said Bittle, who just wrapped up his freshman year in Alva. “I think it helps build the program for the future. The more times we have big numbers going to the college finals puts out a good reputation for us.” But the goal, of course, is to leave Casper with championships. A year ago, steer wrestler J.D. Struxness won the college title, followed closely by the runner-up, teammate Jacob Edler. The Rangers finished second in the men’s team standings. “The college finals is a big deal, but you can’t overthink it,” Bittle said. “I feel like we’ve got a really good chance. We’ve got a really good women’s team. As for the guys, we’ve got a lot of talent going up there. I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out.” While Miller was the only qualifier for the women’s team, the others were among the top 10 in their respective events. Nelson finished fourth in goat tying, while Moeder was fifth and Bynum tied for eighth in barrel racing. The six men advanced on their own. While Allen, Bittle and Fierro earned regional titles, Devers, Bowen and Schulenberg were runners-up. “I think the men’s team is going to have a great chance,” Fierro said. “I think the guys are just as hungry for it as I am, and I think we’re going to do pretty good.” It comes down to putting in the work ahead of time to make sure they arrive in Casper as prepared for the competition as possible. “I go to the practice pen about 7 (a.m.), roping on some horses,” Fierro said. “I’ll rope on some colts during the day when it’s hot, then I’ll get on good horses and rope some more in the evening.” That’s the work ethic it takes to be successful at that level, but there’s much more than work that goes into being a top-notch rodeo athlete. “Stockton works with our mental game so much,” Fierro said. “He teaches us how to win, and he prepares us for the mental side of the rodeo life. I think that’s what makes us successful.” Bittle agreed. “Stockton is a heck of a guy who has been around and done so much,” said Bittle, pointing out the coach’s seven NFR qualifications. “I’m a team roper, but the things you learn from him can apply to any event. He’s been in every setup and every situation you can think about. “The mental game is as much of rodeo as anything else, and I think Stockton helps that with everybody, no matter what event they do.” Now the Rangers hope it translates into a solid college finals. They will have a week of competition to find out.