Monthly Archives: July 2017

VERNAL, Utah – Beau Schueth finally got what he’s been looking for over the last 11 months. “It definitely feels good to finally get a win,” said Schueth, who earned the Bullfighters Only-Vernal championship, which took place in conjunction with the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. “That’s pretty huge.” Schueth opened the three-day bullfights by matching moves with 12X and Costa’s Portuguese Power for 85.5 points. He then held on with the highest bullfighter score to win the tie-breaker over Dayton Spiel of Parade, S.D., to claim the title – Spiel posted his 85.5-point fight on Saturday, the final night of the competition. “I thought I had a good bullfight, but I didn’t know if 85.5 points would hold up,” said Schueth, 25, of O’Neill, Neb. “Now that I’ve got the W, I’m looking to keep things rolling through the next few weeks.” Once the powerful black bull locked in on Schueth, the fight was on. “He was a real stout black bull,” he said. “I like starting them with a fake to my right. Just looking at him, I didn’t think he was going to really blow through (the fakes) hard, so I knew it was going to be a tight bullfight the whole time. Luckily I had a back fake out of there after I made a couple of rounds and step-throughs.” As the fight progressed, Schueth was the aggressor and continued to keep the bull within firing range. That’s important in freestyle bullfighting, because half the score is based on the animal, its willingness to stay in the fight and its aggressiveness. Schueth’s final maneuver – the one he was “selling” the fight on to hopefully impress the judges even more – was to be his patented spine grind, in which the he jumps over the bull and lightly touches the animal’s back with his cleats; it’s much like how skateboarders and snowboarders grind on a rail. “He got my drag foot and flipped me over,” Schueth said. “At least I got over him, but I would’ve liked it better if I’d been able to land on my feet. “He was definitely a fun little bull, but you know you’re going to fight good ones when Manuel (Costa) brings the pen.” The weekend marked BFO’s first trip to Vernal. By being out the first night, Schueth noticed that the crowd didn’t know what to expect at first. That changed quickly. “Once they figured out what we were doing, they really got into it,” he said. “They loved it. It was cool to see how much they got into it. That was awesome.” RESULTS Round 1: Beau Schueth, 85.5 points; 2. Weston Rutkowski, 82; 3. Zach Arthur, 75. Round 2: 1. Evan Allard, 78 points; 2. Travis Gidley, 73.5; 3. Ely Sharkey, 70.5. Round 3: Dayton Spiel, 85.5 points; 2. Justin Josey, 83; 3. Kris Furr, 75.

EAGLE, Colo. – When the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign was established in ProRodeo 13 years ago, it was to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. For some communities, the campaign is about giving locally and fighting all levels of cancer. That’s the case with the TETWP at the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, which takes place Wednesday, July 19-Saturday, July 22, at the Eagle County Fairgrounds. “We partner with the Shaw Regional Cancer Center, and it’s really amazing that we get to benefit its patients,” said Hanna Albertson, chairwoman of the fair and rodeo’s advisory committee. “I think it’s important that we give back locally.” It is, and those at the cancer center in nearby Edwards, Colo. “The Eagle County Fair and Rodeo came to us seven years ago about partnering when they started the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign,” said Christine Albertson, community outreach and events manager for the center. “They donate funds raised on Friday (July 21), with 50 cents from each ticket sold going to Shaw. Some of the kids want to donate their proceeds from the animals they show at the fair.” Christine Albertson has been with Shaw since 2012, and in that time, Tough Enough to Wear Pink has contributed $27,785 to the cancer center. That money is utilized in various ways to assist patients with their treatments. “We get funding through a lot of entities, but we appreciate the relationship we have with the fair and rodeo,” she said. “The rodeo attracts lots of people from all over, and funding is a great asset. The money helps with patients who need extra services. It helps with our social workers, nutritionist and other areas. “The money is definitely needed for those patient services.” That includes Jack’s Place, a 12-room cancer caring home. “Patients come and stay on a pay-what-you-can philosophy,” Christine Albertson said. “They can come with their caregiver. We get a lot of patients from out of town. They might have five days of treatment, and this lodge allows them to stay without spending so much money.” There are also services for patients using Jack’s Place: yoga, meditation, acupuncture. There also is a full kitchen, so the patients can take groceries and prepare their own food. “It’s just a nice place to relax, especially in the wintertime when it’s snowing.” Some of the benefits are because of the generosity of so many who give to the cancer center, including the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – There are many reasons why Dodge City Roundup Rodeo is considered one of the best. Five years ago, the annual event was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Over the years, it has been recognized as Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Rodeo of the Year nine times. Each August, hundreds of the sport’s greatest stars converge on the community to be part of the high-flying, big-money action. This year’s rodeo is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 6, at Roundup Arena. The kick-starter to the weeklong festivities will be Bulls Night Out, which features Xtreme Bulls and Bullfighters Only’s freestyle bullfighting on Tuesday, Aug. 1. “I think we focus on pleasing three groups of people,” said Jeff Dodson, a 16-year volunteer on the rodeo committee that produces the annual event. “First of all, we want to put on a good show for the crowd. We get the best contestants, and we want to give the fans something special to experience. “We want to please the contestants, so we want to have the best grounds and the best stock available along with a good payout. We also want our sponsors to say they’re glad to be part of this. You want to keep your sponsors coming back year after year and getting behind you.” Dodson joined Roundup in 2002. A year later, he was one of the directors. Most of his tenure, he has been the guy sitting atop the timed-event chute helping with that aspect of the competition: Once the animal is loaded, he waits for the contestant’s nod to release the animal into the arena. “I joined Roundup because most of my friends are involved with it,” he said. “I love the sport. It’s a good way to get involved without being a competitor.” He is one of many volunteers who help with all the behind-the-scenes work that comes with producing one of the biggest events in southwest Kansas. “Volunteers are the cornerstone to what we do at Roundup Rodeo,” said Dr. R.C. Trotter, the volunteer committee’s president. “It takes a great amount of man hours to get the arena set up, to make sure all the fine details are covered and to have each performance be successful.” It’s working. Last year, the event was recognized as one of five nominees for PRCA Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year. On top of that, the rodeo is one part of the community celebration, Dodge City Days. “I feel great about that nomination and the fact that I’m part of something special,” said Dodson, who works for Kansas Feeds. “It’s an honor and a thrill to be part of Roundup. It’s a lot of hard work, but when it’s over, you realize that you were part of it. You see the full stands and the huge crowd that loves the rodeo; I get to say that I was part of it.”

ESTES PARK, Colo. – For Cort Scheer, there is nothing better than being on the rodeo trail. “I’m having fun again,” said Scheer of Elsmere, Neb. “We’re back in the old traveling group again. We’re laughing, we’re golfing, we’re fishing. I give God all the glory; I got a lot closer to God this year. “I’m really excited, and I’m having a blast.” It showed Sunday night during the fifth performance of Rooftop Rodeo, where he rode Cervi Rodeo’s Shot Glass for 82.5 points to move fifth place in saddle bronc riding. With one performance remaining in this year’s event, he stands a good chance to add to his season earnings in Estes Park. “When you draw good horses like that, and it’s just fun,” he said. “Half the battle is drawing good horses; the rest of it is just getting lucky and staying on.” He’s more than lucky. Scheer is good. He’s a five-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier who has finished No. 2 in the world standings twice. He’s and an established veteran of the game, and so is Shot Glass. “He’s been a good horse for a long time,” he said. “I was really happy to get on him. My job was just to take care of business.” If he remains in that same position when the rodeo concludes Monday, Scheer will add about $1,300 to his pocket. He can use every dollar possible; he is 25th in the world standings with $27,629, but only the top in the standings in each event at the conclusion of the regular season advance to the NFR, ProRodeo’s grand championship that takes place each December in Las Vegas. “We’ve been going up and down the road hoping we know where we’re going and hoping the family can find us,” he said with a laugh. “ Scheer and several other cowboys took the 2016 season away from rodeo, but now he’s back with a vengeance. He realized that while he was away from the game, he still had a great opportunity to hone his skills. “Last year all I did was get on good horses everywhere I went, and it helped with my confidence,” he said. “Now I don’t have to worry about anything. It makes a guy ride good when all he gets on is good horses.” That included Sunday night in Estes Park. “I’ve only been here maybe five times,” Scheer said. “I love this place. This is one of the prettiest places in the world. We golfed two miles north of here, and it’s one of the nicest courses I’ve ever hit. “The committee around here bends over backwards for you. It’s great.” Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 5-10, 2017 Leaders through third performance Bareback riding: 1. Jake Brown, 84.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Rose Puff; 2. Steven Dent, 873; 3. (tie) Buck Lunak and Orin Larsen, 81.5; 5. (tie) Dantan Bertsch, Seth Hardwick and Zach Hibler, 81. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Billy Bugenig, 3.8 seconds, $1,573; 2. Cody Doescher, 3.9, $1,302; 3. Wade Sumpter, 4.0, $1,031; 4. Blaine Jones, 4.1, $760; 5. (tie) Justice Johnson and Errol Frain, 4.4, $380 each. Second round leaders: 1. Blaine Jones, 3.5 seconds; 2. Blare Romsa, 3.7; 3. Cody Cabral, 3.9; 4. (tie) Cody Pratt, Cameron Morman and Billy Bugenig, 4.0; 7. (tie) Baylor Roche and Hunter Cure, 4.1. Average leaders: 1. Blaine Jones, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Billy Bugenig, 7.8; 3. Cody Cabral, 8.6; 4. (tie) Cody Pratt and Hunter Cure, 8.7; 6. Baylor Roche, 8.8. Team roping: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.7 seconds; 2. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins, 5.1; 3. Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 5.2; 4. Ty Blasingame/Tanner Luttrell, 5.3; 5. (tie) Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher and Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.4. Saddle bronc riding 1. Layton Green, 84.5 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Payback; 2. Hardy Braden, 84; 3. (tie) Tanner Lockhart and Brody Cress, 83.5; 5. Cort Scheer, 82.5 points; 6.  (tie) Colt Gordon and Roper Kiesner, 82. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Cooper Martin, 7.8 seconds; 2. Westyn Hughes, 8.0, $1,314; 3. (tie) Tim Pharr, Jake Pratt and Tuf Cooper, 8.1, $767 each; 6. (tie) Tyler Prcin and Lane Livingston, 8.2, $137 each. Second round leaders: 1. Taylor Santos, 7.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Blane Cox and Westyn Hughes, 7.8; 4. (tie) Justin Smith, Scott Kormos, Cimarron Boardman and Caleb Smidt, 7.9. Average leaders: 1. Westyn Hughes, 15.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Caleb Smidt, 16.5; 3. Jake Pratt, 16.8; 4. Sterling Smith, 17.6; 5. Robert Mathis, 17.9; 6. Blane Cox, 18.0. Barrel racing: 1. Taci Bettis, 17.36 seconds; 2. Kelley Schnaufer, 17.48; 3. Christine Laughlin, 17.51; 4. Tammy Fischer, 17.56; 5. Sidney Forrest, 17.58; 6. Ashley Shafer, 17.59; 8. (tie) Shelby Janssen and Kaylee Burnett, 17.66; 10. Ari-Anna Flynn, 17.68. Bull riding: 1. Scottie Knapp, 87 points on Cervi Brothers’ Po-Boy; 2. Remi Wildeman, 83; 3. (tie) Tyler Ray Viers and Hawk Whitt, 81; 5. Trevor Reiste, 79; 6. Garrett Uptain, 77.   -30-

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Bareback rider Jake Brown has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo each of the past two seasons. He credits his success to just one philosophy: Have fun. “If I take care of business and ride like I know how, I think I have a chance to win the gold buckle,” he said of the trophy awarded to world champions. “Don’t overthink anything. I just need to go out and ride bareback horses, have fun every time and see how the cards fall.” It’s been a pretty solid formula since 2015. He sits fourth in the world standings with more than $71,000 in earnings so far this season, and he’s looking to add to it at Rooftop Rodeo. He took the bareback riding lead Saturday night after riding Cervi Rodeo’s Rose Puff for 84.5 points. “She’s been around a long time,” said Brown, 27, of Cleveland, Texas. “I got on that horse in 2010, and I knew she was good. She’s proven herself for 15 years. I expected a good horse, and that’s exactly what she was.” That’s the kind of rides he needs if he wants to continue to climb the standings ladder. He is about $45,000 behind the bareback riding leader, reigning world champion Tim O’Connell. Having success in Estes Park can go a long way: The winner can expect a payout in excess of $6,000. “I’d say the biggest difference in my riding the last few years is I’ve gotten a lot more confident,” Brown said. “I’m staying calm and riding the horse they give me, not trying to overdo anything. I just want to relax and have fun every time.” Two more performances remain at Rooftop Rodeo, so Brown will have to wait until it concludes Monday to see how he finishes. Still, that kind of score should put the Texan in position to cash a big check. “This is awesome weather,” he said, referring to the cool mountain temperatures in Estes Park. “I like it when you don’t sweat very much, and up here it’s great. They have a great crowd, a great rodeo. It’s hard to beat this.” He’s certainly going to try while competing in the most physically demanding event in rodeo. “I guess I’ll keep doing it until I’m not winning anymore,” Brown said with a laugh. “The main thing is I love it. If I’m having fun, I just want to keep doing it. Right now, I’m having a blast.” Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 5-10, 2017 Leaders through third performance Bareback riding: 1. Jake Brown, 84.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Rose Puff; 2. Steven Dent, 873; 3. (tie) Buck Lunak and Orin Larsen, 81.5; 5. (tie) Dantan Bertsch, Seth Hardwick and Zach Hibler, 81. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Billy Bugenig, 3.8 seconds, $1,573; 2. Cody Doescher, 3.9, $1,302; 3. Wade Sumpter, 4.0, $1,031; 4. Blaine Jones, 4.1, $760; 5. (tie) Justice Johnson and Errol Frain, 4.4, $380 each. Second round leaders: 1. Blaine Jones, 3.5 seconds; 2. Blare Romsa, 3.7; 3. Cody Cabral, 3.9; 4. (tie) Cody Pratt, Cameron Morman and Billy Bugenig, 4.0; 7. (tie) Baylor Roche and Hunter Cure, 4.1. Average leaders: 1. Blaine Jones, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Billy Bugenig, 7.8; 3. Cody Cabral, 8.6; 4. (tie) Cody Pratt and Hunter Cure, 8.7; 6. Baylor Roche, 8.8. Team roping: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.7 seconds; 2. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins, 5.1; 3. Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 5.2; 4. Ty Blasingame/Tanner Luttrell, 5.3; 5. (tie) Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher and Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.4. Saddle bronc riding 1. Layton Green, 84.5 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Payback; 2. Hardy Braden, 84; 3. (tie) Tanner Lockhart and Brody Cress, 83.5; 5. (tie) Colt Gordon and Roper Kiesner, 82. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Cooper Martin, 7.8 seconds; 2. Westyn Hughes, 8.0, $1,314; 3. (tie) Tim Pharr, Jake Pratt and Tuf Cooper, 8.1, $767 each; 6. (tie) Tyler Prcin and Lane Livingston, 8.2, $137 each. Second round leaders: 1. Taylor Santos, 7.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Blane Cox and Westyn Hughes, 7.8; 4. (tie) Justin Smith, Scott Kormos, Cimarron Boardman and Caleb Smidt, 7.9. Average leaders: 1. Westyn Hughes, 15.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Caleb Smidt, 16.5; 3. Jake Pratt, 16.8; 4. Sterling Smith, 17.6; 5. Robert Mathis, 17.9; 6. Blane Cox, 18.0. Barrel racing: 1. Taci Bettis, 17.36 seconds; 2. Kelley Schnaufer, 17.48; 3. Christine Laughlin, 17.51; 4. Tammy Fischer, 17.56; 5. Sidney Forrest, 17.58; 6. Ashley Shafer, 17.59; 8. (tie) Shelby Janssen and Kaylee Burnett, 17.66; 10. Ari-Anna Flynn, 17.68. Bull riding: 1. Scottie Knapp, 87 points on Cervi Brothers’ Po-Boy; 2. Remi Wildeman, 83; 3. (tie) Tyler Ray Viers and Hawk Whitt, 81; 5. Trevor Reiste, 79; 6. Garrett Uptain, 77.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Billy Bugenig is a four-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Each time he’s competed in steer wrestling at ProRodeo’s grand finale in Las Vegas, he did so on the back of Dashs Dapper Star, a horse he calls Wick and owns with fellow bulldogger Wade Sumpter. On Friday night during the third performance of Rooftop Rodeo, Wick put Bugenig back in the position the cowboy needed, and the result was a first-round leading 3.8-second run. “Wick’s been around for years,” Bugenig said of powerful sorrel gelding that was named the PRCA/AQHA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year in 2010 and ’11. “He’s old now. I told him maybe one more good year, then he could retire, but he’s still looking good and working good.” It showed in Estes Park. The Ferndale, Calif., cowboy took advantage of a good steer. Now he’ll wait through Saturday mornings non-performance competition – known as “slack” in rodeo terms – to see how his time falls in the first round. He will then compete on his second steer on Saturday night. “I had a good run, but it could’ve been a little faster,” Bugenig said. “He kind of hit on a leg, but we’ll take it. I don’t know how much it’ll win, but it’ll be good.” At Rooftop Rodeo, steer wrestlers and tie-down ropers compete in two go-rounds. The top finishers in each round will earn payouts, then the top times in the two-run aggregate will also cash in. And every dollar counts in rodeo, where there are no guaranteed earnings. Dollars equal points, and the top 15 cowboys in the standings in each event at the conclusion of the regular season advance to the NFR. Bugenig would like to return for a fifth time. Heading into this week’s competition, he sits 41st in the standings, so he has some room to make up. “As long as I’m doing this, it’s going to be a priority for me to go to the NFR,” he said. “When I’m done, I’ll be done. I’ve got a few good years left in me hopefully.” Part of the reason he’s down in the standings is that he spent time working at his home in northern California. “We just headed out at Reno (Nev.), then I had a decent Fourth (of July run), so hopefully we’ll get rolling,” Bugenig said. “It’s good to have confidence in your horse and being able to catch up. When you back in (the timed-event box) and are confident, that means everything.” Most of the $19,500 he’s won this year has come in the last month, but that’s because of a rough and tumble few weeks of traveling many miles and competing in several rodeos in a short amount of time. “It’s good to get out of the heat,” he said about returning to Estes Park for the second straight year. “July is a busy month for us, so to be able to come up here for a couple of days in the cool weather feels pretty good. “It’s a great committee here. They try to do better every year. That’s what we like are people who are trying to get better and help us. It’s a great rodeo and great weather, and we’re glad to be here.” Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 5-10, 2017 Leaders through third performance Bareback riding: 1. Buck Lunak, 81.5 points on Cervi Brothers’ Silence of the Lambs; 2. Dantan Bertsch, 81; 3. Evan Jayne, 79; 4. Tyler Scales, 78; 5. Bill Tutor, 77.5; 6. (tie) Luke Creasy and Shane O’Connell, 75; 8. (tie) Mike Solberg and Jessy Davis, 73. Steer wrestling: 1. Billy Bugenig, 3.8 seconds; 2. Cody Doescher, 3.9; 3. (tie) Justice Johnson and Errol Frain, 4.4; 5. Hunter Cure, 4.6; 6. Jarrett New, 4.8; 7. (tie) Beau Clark and Kane Butcher, 5.1. Team roping: 1. Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 5.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher and Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.4; 4. (tie) Casey Adams/Riley Pedro and Kolton Schmidt/Dugan Kelly, 5.9; 6. Caleb Smidt/B.J. Dugger, 6.2; 7. Philip Schuman/Marcus Banister, 11.8; 8. (tie) Chad Masters/Travis Graves and Rhett Anderson/Quinn Kesler, 14.8. Saddle bronc riding 1. Layton Green, 84.5 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Payback; 2. (tie) Colt Gordon and Roper Kiesner, 82; 4. Cody DeMoss, 81; 5. Tyler Turco, 79; 6. (tie) Andy Clarys and Jake Finley, 77; 8. (tie) Louie Brunson and Garrett Buckley, 76.5. Tie-down roping: 1. Westyn Hughes, 8.0 seconds; 2. Tim Pharr, 8.1; 3. Reese Riemer, 8.4; 4. Caleb Smidt, 8.6; 5. Seth Hall, 9.0; 6. Tweety McBride, 9.6; 7. Catfish Brown, 10.2; 8. Bailey Young, 10.5. Barrel racing: 1. Shelby Janssen, 17.66 seconds; 2. Ari-Anna Flynn, 17.68; 3. Ivy Conrado, 17.79; 4. Ranette Taylor, 18.16; (tie) 5. Jeni Cerise and Chris Gibson, 18.23; 7. Amanda Freese, 18.32; 8. Kelly Tovar, 18.34. Bull riding: 1. Scottie Knapp, 87 points on Cervi Brothers’ Po-Boy; 2. Remi Wildeman, 83; 3. (tie) Tyler Ray Viers and Hawk Whitt, 81; 5. Trevor Reiste, 79; 6. Shawn Bennett Jr., 65; no other qualified rides.

EAGLE, Colo. – There is something brilliant Glenda Wentworth experiences every year during the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo. “I love seeing people bringing in their projects they’ve been working on and seeing the pride and excitement they have when they get here,” said Wentworth, an Eagle County Extension agent in family and consumer science. “You get a sense of community. You get to know people and what their talents are and what their skills are.” It all commences Wednesday, July 19-Saturday, July 22, at the Eagle County Fairgrounds. “It really makes your life more rewarding,” she said. “With some of these people, you only see them once a year. Eagle County is so spread out, so I don’t always see some of the people. That sense of community is what I love about the county fair.” All the hours leading up to the four days of activities are worth it by the time the fair comes, especially for those in the extension office. “The rodeo is a huge draw for people around here, but there’s so much we have to offer all over the fairgrounds,” Wentworth said. “Hopefully some of them will hit us in the open class; we’d sure like them to take a tour through there. “If they can do the whole thing, it makes it more of a fair and rodeo.” That is true. There are numerous classes of exhibits, the carnival, the fair food and the rodeo, so taking in every aspect makes for a wonderful experience, especially in Rocky Mountains. “I came out to Eagle County the first time in 1981 and have been here full time since 1983,” she said. “I’ve been with the extension office for 19 years. “We came here for our own personal business, a horseback-riding business. We love living here and love the climate. Because we don’t have a lot of family around, you tend to have a lot of close relationships with friends.” And those friends include the open-class exhibitors. There’s something about developing relationships with people, even if she only sees them once a year. “In the open class, photography is our biggest category,” Wentworth said. “There are a lot of people that take a lot of good pictures, and they submit them. “But we have a lot of other good exhibits, like vegetables and crops to jams and jellies. It makes for a wonderful fair.” Yes, it does.

CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. – The Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign is the strongest of its kind in the country. The local organization is closing in on $2 million in earnings, and its biggest fundraiser of the year will take place next week with the TETWP Songwriter Concert and Auction, set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Mountaineer Square Conference Center in Crested Butte. “This is a fun night to celebrate Tough Enough to Wear Pink,” said Heidi Sherratt Bogart, executive director of Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink. “It is also a very important night for our local organization. “This is a great way to enjoy some great music and help support local breast cancer patients. We’ve spent almost $1 million for Gunnison Valley Hospital over the years, and we are about to purchase a 3D tomosynthesis machine, which is a higher-level mammogram for those who need better imaging technology due to breast density.” The machine costs $360,000, but the benefits can go a long way. Digital tomosynthesis of the breast is different from a standard mammogram in the way a CT scan of the chest is different than a standard X-ray. What might be just as impressive is that Gunnison Valley Health is teaming with Radiology Imaging Associates to provide reads in Gunnison valley. No other rural hospital in Colorado has access to a team of radiology specialists like RIA. “This is the most money we’ve spent as far as Gunnison Valley Hospital,” Sherratt Bogart said. And the giving will continue, thanks to those who support the campaign. One of the biggest is accomplished songwriter Dean Dillon, who is one of the Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink board members. He will be the headliner of all the songwriters that are part of the concert and auction and will be joined by his daughter, Song Dillon, Trent Willmon and Liz Rose. The main factor in all the events that are part of Tough Enough to Wear Pink is to raise money that will be used in the Gunnison valley. “We are extremely proud of what we’ve been able to do right here,” Sherratt Bogart said. “This is a grass-roots, volunteer organization, and the people of this community have been absolutely incredible to help us accomplish some amazing goals in our small, rural town.” The funds have been beneficial to so many. This past winter, with financial assistance from TETWP, the hospital hired Betsy Welsh, an oncology nurse navigator. Welsh works directly with patients and assists them with many aspects of their treatment: explaining medications, assisting with nutrition and coordinating necessary services. One of the newest Tough Enough to Wear Pink programs is “Make it a Great Day!,” which helps local residents who are diagnosed with breast cancer by providing them coupons that enables them to use the integrative therapy services of the WellBeing Connection. “One of our volunteers, Edie Gibson, was diagnosed with breast cancer and endured a double mastectomy,” Sherratt Bogart said. “We wanted to honor her, so we created this program. Edie always said, “Make it a great day” on her voicemail and emails, and we believe in sending this very positive message to the community.” TETWP pledged $3,600 to kick-start the program. WellBeing Connection, which runs in conjunction with the hospital, consists of practitioners, teachers, physicians, nurses, therapists, acupuncturists, nutritionists, counselors, pastors, intuitives, coaches, trainers, artists, dancers, green builders, adventure guides and other caregivers that have come together to help the awareness of the array of well-being support in the area. “Many of these therapies have been proven to help cancer patients stay strong mentally and physically while they are going through surgeries and treatments,” Sherratt Bogart said. “I love that it’s another form of care we can provide to cancer patients in the Gunnison valley.”

DODGE CITY, Kan. – From kill pen to the main stage, Kyzer Stoddard has proven that his horses have a miraculous story to tell. He and his six partners will get that opportunity at Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 6, at Roundup Arena. “I bought my first trick horse, Sugar, out of a kill pen, and she still travels with me,” said Stoddard, 24, of Rexburg, Idaho. “My second one came out of a kill pen, too, and they’re the two that really started my bigger career. “With those two, I trick rode and Roman rode.” His act just kept climbing from there, and that’s why Dodge City Roundup Rodeo is bringing him to town for this year’s festivities. He will be an added piece of the entertainment pie that is Roundup, one of the most recognized events in ProRodeo. “We’ve seen the things that Kyzer does, and it’s just incredible,” said Dr. R.C. Trotter, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “He is a true horseman in every sense of the word, and he shows all the skills, whether it’s trick riding, Roman riding or his liberty horse act.” What’s more spectacular is that Stoddard utilizes just six horses. Each of his animals can do all aspects of the show and all are part of the six-up Roman riding act that is highlighted by the team jumping an obstacle in the middle of the arena. In addition, he doesn’t use the assistance of a ribbon that many trick riders use while performing the stunts on horseback. “My favorite thing to do is jumping my six-up,” Stoddard said. “It’s something that very few people do. The old-timers used to do it, but they did it differently because they utilized a fence to keep their horses going in a straight line toward the jump. “I jump my horses in the middle of the arena. It’s taken many hours of training to teach those horses to line up with the jump. That’s my greatest satisfaction, because it’s something nobody else has done.” And it’s something fans have enjoyed. From Wild West shows to rodeos, Stoddard has showcased his talents and the talents of his team across the country. Now he brings that showcase to a ProRodeo Hall of Fame event. “Working Dodge City means a lot to me,” he said. “It’s satisfying to talk to your friends in the specialty act world, and they’re excited for you because they know what kind of rodeo it is. I’m honored that the rodeo committee there believes in my act enough to bring me to town.” He grew up in a rodeo family and competed in virtually every event growing up in Idaho. He was an all-around champion, but then he fell for the love of entertaining and training these specialized animals. “It’s definitely a love for my horses and the training that keeps it all going,” Stoddard said. “It makes it all possible for me to spend time with my horses, train and do a job that I love. The best part is probably the time you spend with your horses and those huge gaining moments when you’ve been working on something tirelessly. “When it comes together and when you get to a performance and make the crowd cheer, it’s a pat on the back being able to accomplish something like that.” It’s a talent the Idaho man possesses, but the benefits fall on the fans who flock Roundup Arena. Watching well-trained horses do things they love is a joy. “Most trainers say you need to pick one act for each horse to do,” Stoddard said. “I’ve really been lucky with those six horses, because they’ve been able to do it all.”

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Scottie Knapp knew two things about his bull during Thursday’s second performance of the Rooftop Rodeo. “Someone told me he was good and that he was a calf,” Knapp said of Cervi Brothers’ Po-Boy, a 4-year-old black and white spotted bull. “I knew he was a little young and pretty ornery.” That’s just the way the New Mexico cowboy likes it. “I think it should always be reading and reacting,” he said. “Thinking is hesitation; hesitation is the first cause of failure. For me, it works out better when I don’t know the bulls.” He proved that point with an 87-point ride to take the Rooftop Rodeo lead. While four performances remain in Estes Park, he sits in the driver’s seat for the title. “I’m definitely feeling confident and feeling good,” said Knapp, who qualified to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the first time this past December. “Hopefully it’ll keep fueling me to keep pushing forward.” He needs it. He is not inside the top 20 in the world standings, and only the top 15 at the conclusion of the regular season advance to ProRodeo’s grand finale in December. “I had a good start to the season, but I had a tough spring and a tough start to the summer,” he said. “I’ve had a few injuries I’ve been battling and just coming back from that. I’ve had to get my groove back. I feel good now.” He’s healthy and enjoying being on the rodeo trail, especially for stops like Rooftop Rodeo. “I love it here,” Knapp said. “I love the country; I love the atmosphere. It’s a good rodeo and good hospitality, and the fans are great. The bulls are usually always awesome. “This is God’s country, and we’re doing God’s work, so it’s all around us.” That’s the right attitude to have, especially in Estes Park. Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 5-10, 2017 Leaders through second performance Bareback riding: 1. Dantan Bertsch, 81 points on Cervi Brothers’ Fire Easy; 2. Evan Jayne, 79; 3. Tyler Scales, 78; 4. Bill Tutor, 77.5; 5. (tie) Luke Creasy and Shane O’Connell, 75; 6. Mike Solberg, 73; 7. Ben Hall, 64; 8. Shon Gibson, 62. Steer wrestling: 1.  Cody Doescher, 3.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Justice Johnson and Errol Frain, 4.4; 4. Jarett New, 4.8; 5. Beau Clark, 5.1; 6. Kodie Jang, 5.3; 7. Chance Howard, 5.4; 8. Levi Rudd, 6.8. Team roping: 1. Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard, 5.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher and Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.4; 4. Casey Adams/Riley Pedro, 5.9; 5. (tie) Chad Masters/Travis Graves and Rhett Anderson/Quinn Kesler, 14.8; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding 1. Layton Green, 84.5 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Payback; 2. (tie) Colt Gordon and Roper Kiesner, 82; 4. Cody DeMoss, 81; 5. Tyler Turco, 79; 6. Andy Clarys, 77; 7. Louie Brunson, 76.5; 8. (tie) Jesse Bail, Joe Lufkin Samuel Kelts and Kobyn Williams, 76. Tie-down roping: 1. Reese Rioemer, 8.4 seconds; 2. Seth Hall, 9.0; 3. Catfish Brown, 10.2; 4. Blaine Konkel, 10.5; 6. Joe James, 11.5; 7. Chase Johnston, 12.6; 8. Joey Dickens, 12.3. Barrel racing: 1. Shelby Janssen, 17.66 seconds; 2. Ari-Anna Flynn, 17.68; 3. Ivy Conrado, 17.79; 4. Ranette Taylor, 18.16; 5. Jeni Cerise, 18.23; 6. Amanda Freese, 18.32; 7. Kenna Kaminski, 18.62; 8. Lauren Guntle, 18.66. Bull riding: 1. Scottie Knapp, 87 points on Cervi Brothers’ Po-Boy; 2. Remi Wildeman, 83; 3. Tyler Ray Viers, 81; 4. Trevor Reiste, 79; no other qualified rides.

Young South Dakotan is excited to be part of Bullfighters Only season VERNAL, Utah – Dayton Spiel is just 22 years old, but he made quite an impression in his first Bullfighters Only competition a month ago. Spiel finished as the runner-up at the BFO Cavender’s Cup in Decatur, Texas. What makes it more impressive is that it was just his first freestyle bullfighting competition ever. He’s about to embark on his second event with the BFO this week in conjunction with the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, with performances beginning at 7 :30 p.m. Thursday, July 6-Saturday, July 8, at Western Park in Vernal. “I showed up one time, and now I’ve got to prove to everybody that I can stick around and hopefully do it for the whole tour,” said Spiel, who lives in the tiny town of Parade, S.D., a community of 10 people on the Cheyenne River Reservation. “I’m going to make a statement, and I hope it’s a good statement.” He is part of the Bullfighters Only Developmental Camp system, where top athletes are selected from around the country to train with the BFO’s top athletes. Spiel advanced to the BFO Super Camp, which took place the week after Memorial Day in Decatur. He won a qualifying competition to be part of the Cavender’s Cup, where he faced Bullfighters Only’s greatest stars, including the famed bull Chute Boss. “Freestyle bullfighting is a rush, and the atmosphere with that group of guys is outrageous,” he said. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced, and you can beat it. The environment you are in and the talent involved with BFO is unbelievable.” Spiel was raised around rodeo. His father was a saddle bronc rider, and he and his brothers have ridden broncs and bulls. He found his way to protection bullfighting by chance. “I jumped in the practice pen in junior high,” he said. “I fought a bull riding in my seventh-grade year because a guy got hurt. I’ve been doing cowboy protection, but I wanted to learn more about freestyle, so I went to a school with (BFO pioneer) Nate Jestes. He told me about the BFO. “To be part of BFO right now and to be the first Super Camp selectee is amazing. That’s something I’ll probably hold onto forever.” He brings a natural touch to the game and a size advantage never seen before in bullfighting at 6-foot-5-inches tall. “To the untrained eye, he’s a big guy, but he’s super athletic,” said Weston Rutkowski, the reigning BFO world champion. “The thing I like most is that the kid wants it. Anytime you give him some advice, he takes it, goes home and works on it. He comes back even more skilled than before. “I think he’s got a great future in the BFO. I think he’s got the right mindset and wants it bad enough that he will prove he is out here to stay.” Freestyle bullfighting is a true man-vs.-beast game of skills, courage and the ability for a bullfighter to use his own athleticism against an athletic and quick Spanish fighting bull that is bred for this kind of fight. By growing up on a ranch, the long, tall cowboy has a solid foundation. “Dayton has been around livestock his entire life and is able to read and react,” BFO Founder Aaron Ferguson said. “Any time you’re around animals, it helps you read them and how they move.” Spiel put his talents to the test in Vernal. The competition features three three-man bullfights, one for each night of the rodeo. The high score from all three nights will receive a cash bonus. “I’ve been working hard,” he said. “I’ve been able to put in two-a-days when I’m not working cowboy protection, and on those days that I am fighting bulls, I’m still working out at least once a day. I’d say I’m definitely more mentally ready, so we’ll see how it goes.” Now he hopes all that work pays off. Not only will he be competing this week in Utah, he will be part of a small stand-alone event next week in Fortuna, Calif. “It’s still new, so it all hasn’t really hit me yet,” Spiel said. “I want to prove to myself that the first time wasn’t a fluke. My goal is to be in Las Vegas this winter and run at a world championship. “But I’m still a little star struck that I’m in that elite group of guys. I never thought I’d be in there, and it’s so amazing.” So is Dayton Spiel.

EAGLE, Colo. – Just as the blood that courses through her veins helps keep Jenny Leonetti alive, so does 4H. It was her foundation, something that allowed her to develop a strong personality and a passion for agriculture. It’s what guided her to a career, now as the 4H Extension Agent for Eagle County. When the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo kicks off later this month, Leonetti’s passion will be on full display. “The county fair is the culmination of a year’s worth of work for these kids,” said Leonetti, who was involved in 4H from age 5 to 18, most of which was in Eagle County. “The kids who show steers get their animals in the fall, then show them the next year. It’s a strong commitment.” Most of the 4H’ers will be involved in the exhibits that take place Tuesday, July 11-Saturday, July 22, though the horse shows are scheduled for Saturday, July 8, and Sunday, July 9. “During the main week of the fair that begins Monday, July 16, we will have all of our main livestock shows,” she said. “We wrap up the week with our Junior Livestock Auction, which begins at 1 p.m. on July 22. “We have a very big Junior Livestock Auction. If the animals are market ready, they can be part of the auction. Many of these kids are going to college and having their college paid for from the proceeds of the livestock sale.” It is a just reward for years of hard work caring for something else. “We have a lot of kids that live in town that don’t have land to raise their animals,” Leonetti said. “We have two community barns – one in Gypsum and one in Eagle. These kids have an opportunity to raise an animal and bring it to the fair to show. “To me, that’s really awesome to see them involved in the aspect of agriculture.” She knows better than most. Not only has she experienced it every day the last 14 years as an extension agent in Eagle County, she lived it and loved it as a youth. “The 4H experience was great for me,” she said. “It’s why I went to college to be a 4H agent. I am very grateful for what 4H did in my life.” Now she’s seeing others receive similar benefits. “I love seeing the life skills 4H instills in these kids,” Leonetti said. “You see the end results of all their hard work and so many life skills. To see what 4H is doing in their lives is really neat for me to see. “I see it when the kids get out of 4H and they come back, they attribute their success back to 4H.” There’s a reason for that, said fair board member Loyd Gerard. “I think the biggest thing with 4H is that the kids and their parents are learning how to take care of animals, but it’s also about being together and having family values,” said Gerard, a third-generation Eagle County rancher. “I think that’ something that’s missing from today’s society. “The kids can make a little money for college. That’s important. I’ve had the opportunity to see these kids grow up, get married and have kids still active in 4H. It’s pretty neat watching these kids grow and blossom.” Just as the animals and other projects need care, so does the youth. That’s why 4H is such a vital part of the community. “I think of all the kids being winners,” he said. “I think there are a lot of kids that put in a lot of hard work and don’t have grand champions, but they still win because of the lessons they received.”

ESTES PARK, Colo. – At Rooftop Rodeo, every cowboy and cowgirl has a chance to “Ride for the Bucks.” It’s a longstanding tradition in which the top score or fastest time of each event in0 each performance will win a $100 bill. Oklahoma City cowboy Cody Doescher earned two of them Wednesday on opening night of Estes Park’s rodeo. “It’s awesome,” said Doescher, who sits 16th in the all-around and 33rd in the heeling world standings. “The committee here is great and put up that money for us. If a guy does good in the performance but may be a little too long (on time), he can still get some fuel money out of this deal. It may not count for the standings, but every dollar helps going down the road.” In rodeo, dollars equal points, and the contestants in each event with the most money earned at the conclusion of the 2017 season will be crowned world champions. There are no guarantees in the sport, and only the top finishers will cash in. Doescher has a good chance to earn some big-time money in Estes Park. He leads the first round of steer wrestling after a 3.9-second run. He followed that by making a 5.4-second team roping run with his heading partner, Marcus Theriot of Poplarville, Miss. “We had a good Fourth (of July) run,” Doescher said. We drew some tough steers in team roping and got by a couple of tough steers. We had a tough one right there tonight. My partner reached a long way, did a good job and let me heel him fast. “I had a good steer in bulldogging. I got a really good start, and it worked out really good.” This is the first year he and Theriot have teamed together. Theriot is just 20 years old and still new to ProRodeo, but he already is a college champion; he won the all-around and tie-down roping titles at the 2016 College National Finals Rodeo. “This has been a great year,” Doescher said. “The partnership between Marcus and me just fell into our laps. It works out really good because we both bulldog and we both team roping. Marcus is really hand and is a great cowboy. “I think we have a good chance at the NFR. I think I have a partner that’s going to give me a lot of chances. If I can do my part, I think we should make it.” There is a lot of rodeo to take place over the next two and a half months of the 2017 season, and that opens the door wide for the Oklahoma man. He’s off to a good start at Rooftop Rodeo and will return Monday to make his second-round run in steer wrestling. “This is probably my sixth or seventh time here,” he said. “The hospitality is great, the setup is good and the steers are usually good. Everybody on the committee is so good to us here. There are free plug-ins and stalls, and it’s nice to stay up here in the cool weather. “I’ve won a couple rounds in team roping and haven’t done a whole lot in bulldogging. I’ve picked at them a little bit, but I’ve never really dominated here. Hopefully this year we can step it up a little bit.” He’s off to a great start. Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 5-10, 2017 Leaders through first performance Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Luke Creasy, on Cervi Rodeo’s Show Me the Money, and Shane O’Connell, on Cervi Rodeo’s Blood Bath, 75 points; 3. Ben Hall, 64; Shon Gibson, 62; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1.  Cody Doescher, 3.9 seconds; 2. Justice Johnson, 44.; 3. Jarett New, 4.8; 4. Levi Rudd, 6.8; 5. Tom Lewis, 16.2; no other qualified times. Team roping: 1. Marcus Theriot/Cody Doescher, 5.4 seconds; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding 1. Layton Green, 84.5 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Payback; 2. (tie) Colt Gordon and Roper Kiesner, 82; 4. Louie Brunson, 76.5; 5. (tie) Jesse Bail and Joe Lufkin, 76; 7. Brady Nicholes, 73.5; 8. Will Smith, 71. Tie-down roping: 1. Reese Rioemer, 8.4 seconds; 2. Seth Hall, 9.0; 3. Catfish Brown, 10.2; 4. Chase Johnston, 12.6; 5. Tate Wyly, 19.3. Barrel racing: 1. Shelby Janssen, 17.66 seconds; 2. Jeni Cerise, 18.23; 3. Amanda Freese, 18.32; 4. Kenna Kaminski, 18.62; 5. Lauren Guntle, 18.66; no other qualified times. Bull riding: 1. Tyler Ray Viers, 81 points on Cervi’s Hammer Time; 2. Trevor Reiste, 79; no other qualified rides.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Dale McCracken has multiple personalities, but it’s not a disorder. It’s quite the opposite, really. Like a superhero donning his cape, McCracken covers his face with greasepaint and enters the world of his alter-ego, Gizmo, the funnyman/barrelman who has entertained rodeo crowds for much of his life. It’s as if Dale drives and Gizmo does all the work, but it works well for McCracken. “The guy that wears the makeup gets paid better, that’s for sure,” said McCracken, who will be one of the featured acts at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9-Saturday, Aug. 12, at Jake McClure Arena; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 8. “The name came along several years ago. I worked on a music show in Branson (Mo.) for about eight years, and there you’ve got to have a stage name. “So with all the gizmos and gadgets I had, they came up with the name, ‘Gizmo, the Ozarks Greatest Inventor.’ So instead of selling a particular act, I sell a character.” That character carries on several personas, but they’re all comedic. During much of the rodeo, he’ll do what is called the “walk and talk,” sharing his comedy with the audiences each night of the three-performance rodeo. “We’ve got a lot of stuff planned for Lovington,” said McCracken, still referring, possibly, to his multiple personalities. “It’s been awhile since we’ve been there, but we’ve got a lot of friends and fans there. It’s always good to go to a rodeo where you see a bunch of fans. “The big thing we do is the ‘walk and talk,’ and we work it from the hello to the end. I’ll bring out a lot of characters throughout the rodeo, because I think if you come for more than one night, you should see the different characters.” McCracken joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1992 and has earned several honors in that time: he’s worked several PRCA circuit championships and has been a nominee for the association’s Comedy Act of the Year. At each rodeo, there are a variety of duties for McCracken. As a comedian, he will interact with the crowd throughout each performance and put on skits that tend to leave fans in stitches. During bull riding, he continues to provide comedic relief as well as a necessary tool for the bull riders, bullfighters and others that are in the arena. “First of all when I’m in the barrel, my best friend is Jesus, and my second best friend is the barrel,” he said. “It’s your safe haven there a lot. It also has its important part for cowboys and bullfighters to use, a place for them to go in the arena if they’re in a bind. That barrel is like that one tree out in the middle of the desert that gives you a little protection.” And it’s also a heavy object with which some of the feistier bucking beasts love to play. So what’s it like for McCracken to be hit with that much force? “It’s like getting into an aluminum trashcan and put into the back of a pickup going down the road at 35 miles per hour,” he said. “Then when you get up to speed, you have your buddy throw you out of the pickup, and you just bounce along down the road. “The first time they hit you, it’s like a carnival ride. Then they hit you again, and it’s more like a car accident that turns into a carnival ride. It’s a pretty exciting tilt-o-whirl.” So is McCracken’s life as a rodeo clown. He spends many weeks on the road, working events in several states, but he loves what he does. He enjoys the crowds and the excitement that comes with rodeo, and loves to see the smiles and hear the laughter. “I really enjoy seeing people have a good time,” McCracken said. “Maybe there’s a guy that’s had it pretty rough, is struggling some. If we can just get him to the rodeo and use our last American heritage sport to help him forget his troubles, then he’s had a good night, and we, as a rodeo, have had a good night, too. Laughter is pretty good medicine, and the way things are right now, everybody needs a shot.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – The Gunnison valley is rooted in agriculture, and there’s no better display of it than Cattlemen’s Days 4H exhibits and shows. “The livestock shows not only allow the generations to come together and build upon that foundation, but it’s just part of our community,” said Shelby Rundell-Le, one of three Gunnison County Extension agents. “Kids learning from previous generations just helps them grow their character and their personal life skills while keeping agriculture vital in the valley.” That’s not just the extension agent talking. Rundell-Le and her sister, Karla Rundell, were 4Hers growing up in Gunnison, and both are involved in Cattlemen’s Days. “Coming back to Gunnison and working in the office, I have gained a greater appreciation for the hard work that goes into the 4H program,” she said. “When I’m able to work with a kid and their face lights up with excitement and pride, you just can’t beat the feeling you get.” Rundell-Le spends half her time with the 4H programs in the county and half her time in family and consumer sciences. This time of year, however, is nearly 100 percent working with the youngsters. Over the next couple of weeks, she’ll spend most of her hours at the Fred Field Western Center, which is the epicenter for all things Cattlemen’s Days. “The general projects play a huge role in the program,” Karla Rundell said, referring to projects like science, leather crafts, wood working and nutrition. “The Gunnison County Extension teaches the youth involved in 4H. It goes beyond learning responsibility and caring for and completing their projects. “The extension office strives to teach the youth about the value of citizenship, confidence and life skills that last them a lifetime. I think 4H gives youth in Gunnison valley the opportunities to grow and bloom into successful individuals.” It’s a lot of work, but it’s a labor of love. “I want to show kids that there are people out there that are genuinely interested in their success as a person as I experienced,” she said. “In regard to the livestock shows, they are a chance for the kids to bring their projects they’ve been working on for several months and exhibit them. “They get to show how much they’ve grown as an individual with their projects, and they get a chance to meet industry professionals. It gives them experience talking with people, justifying their animal with the judge. They get to learn more about their projects.” That’s the primary idea behind 4H. Every step of the process is a learning opportunity, and some of the greatest attributes involve the hard work that comes with each project – whether it’s quilting or photography or showing animals. It all comes to fruition every July when the community gathers. “Cattlemen’s Days is that time of year where everybody gets together and just has a good time,” Rundell-Le said. “Some haven’t seen each other in months, so they are able to sit back, relax, enjoy the shows, enjoy the rodeo and build memories.”

Bullfighters Only to be a big part of Vernal’s Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo VERNAL, Utah – The crowds that come to the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo thoroughly enjoy their yearly rodeo experience. They will get an even bigger thrill this year with the addition of Bullfighters Only competition each night. Performances begin at 7 :30 p.m. Thursday, July 6-Saturday, July 8, at Western Park in Vernal. “I’m excited to go and be part of that,” said Beau Schueth, who will be one of nine bullfighters in the ring. “It’s a really good rodeo, and I’m looking forward to seeing another part of Utah.” The Vernal fans have been described as fun-loving and rowdy. That makes for the perfect fit for Bullfighters Only, which has revitalized freestyle bullfighting and brought it back to its rightful place in the mainstream of extreme Western sports. “With us going to Vernal, I don’t know what to expect, but I know I have a job to do,” said Weston Rutkowski, the reigning world champion and the No. 2 man in the BFO Pendleton Whisky World Standings. “I need to get in there, get to work, control my bull and end it with a bang.” That’s the focus of the freestyle bullfighters. Not only are they some of the greatest athletes in all sports, but they are matched against some amazing bovine stars. 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. Freestyle bullfighting is not new to rodeo, and the Bullfighters Only has created public demand for the sport. The events feature man vs. beast in a head-to-head battle inside an arena. The bullfighters utilize their tremendous athleticism to try to outwit and outmaneuver equally athletic bulls. It’s no wonder why it will be a great mix with the fans in Vernal. “When the fans are loud, it’s the perfect combination,” Schueth said. “When the crowd is really it to it, it makes you want to put out a better bullfight. “We are going for good money and against the best guys, so it helps fuel your adrenaline when the crowd gets rowdy.” The stop in Vernal is the next on a series of rodeo runs that has bullfighters chasing the 2017 Bullfighters Only world championship. Just like traditional rodeo, dollars equal points, and only the top contestants at each stop earn money. The man who earns the most money at the conclusion of the season will earn the crown. That’s just what Rutkowski did in the BFO’s inaugural season of 2016. He was solid through the campaign, then closed out the year with two key victories in Las Vegas – at the BFO Roughy Cup and at the BFO Las Vegas Championship. Even though he is the runner-up at this point in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings, Rutkowski has a big target on his back. That’s why performing well at each step along the way is vital for each bullfighter. “In reality, bullfighting has nothing to do with the other guys,” Rutkowski said. “If you can’t beat your bull, then you’re not going to win a bullfight. That’s what I love about the BFO; I’m going against the greatest bullfighters in the world, and if I slip up, they’re going to beat me. “One thing that’s cool about this sport is that every bull is a different story. It depends on how you tell the story that matters.” CONTESTANTS Weston Rutkowski Beau Schueth Zach Arthur Ely Sharkey Evan Allard Travis Gidley Kris Furr Dayton Spiel Justin Josey

GUNNISON, Colo. – Andy Stewart looks at his job from many angles. He is a researcher, a statistician and an entertainer. He has the unique ability to put it all together as one of the top emcees in professional rodeo, an eight-time nominee for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Announcer of the Year. He will bring his talents to Gunnison as the voice of Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13, to Saturday, July 15, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “I feel that production is extremely important in the world of rodeo,” said Stewart, now in his 22nd year in the PRCA. “If people get a $20 ticket, then we need to give them $40 worth of entertainment and get the most bang for their buck.” It’s something fans have come to expect with Cattlemen’s Days over the years. “It’s one of my favorite rodeos,” he said. “The people are wonderful, and the scenery is beautiful. There’s a lot of history there, too and you get treated extremely well. “For those guys to put enough trust in me to bring me in there to be part of that rodeo is a thrill.” It comes down to the wild action that is the Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo. Take last year’s winners, which included two-time world champion saddle bronc rider Cody Wright and two other Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers: steer wrestler Jacob Talley and bull rider Tim Bingham. The list of contestants annually reads like a who’s who among the sport’s elite. That just adds to the atmosphere in Gunnison. “It turns up the level of competition as well,” he said. “Hunger is a major motivator; it’s a financial motivation for these guys. They’ve got families, they’ve got bills, they’ve got things that they’ve got to pay.” Stewart knows what it takes to work at an elite level. He works many of the biggest rodeos in the country, including the legendary Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rodeo. One reason is because of his energetic, booming voice. Another is the extra work he puts ahead of each rodeo performance so that he can be the perfect voice of the fans. For every hour he’s on the microphone, Stewart spends many more going through biographies and background and looking over all the important statistics of each competitor in the show. He understands what it takes to compete at an elite level, and he wants fans to realize it, too. It is, after all, the perfect mix of world-class competition and true family-friendly entertainment. “I do this because of the people and the lifestyle,” he said. “You’re not going to find a better bunch of people. I have so many friends and extended family all over the country because of rodeo. “The people are what make rodeo so special. Rodeo offers me the opportunity to go to a lot of places I don’t normally go and see a lot of things I don’t normally see.”

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Cowboys and cowgirls know a good thing when they see it. Just look at Rooftop Rodeo, an Estes Park original set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5-Monday, July 10, at Granny May Arena in Estes Park. This year, the rodeo features 761 entrants hoping to walk away with the coveted championship. “This is the second largest entry list we’ve seen in our 91-year history,” 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. “I think that says something about our rodeo, but more importantly, it says something about Estes Park as such a welcoming community.” As tourists have known for decades, this community of less than 6,000 has a magnificent history of being accompanying to visitors. Cowboys and cowgirls have learned that, too. Over the last two decades, Rooftop Rodeo has been nominated multiple times for Rodeo of the Year for its size; it boasts of five such titles. “Some of that has to do with our purse,” said Vigil, noting that there is $62,000 in added money that is mixed with entry fees to make up the total purse. “But we’ve also got a great Colorado stock contractor that does an outstanding job with our rodeo.” That’s Cervi Rodeo, based just east of Greeley, Colo. The firm has been around for five decades, and the patriarch, Mike Cervi, was a two-time Stock Contractor of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Now the firm rests firmly in the hands of his sons, Binion and Chase, the latter of whom was named the 2016 Pickup Man of the Year. “We have a great relationship with the Cervis, and I think they make our rodeo better,” said Mark Purdy, chairman of Western Heritage. “The number of our entries has shot up considerably each of the past three years that the Cervis have been part of Rooftop Rodeo.” The end result is producing an event that everyone can enjoy. Whether it’s cowboys and cowgirls chasing the big money or the crowd enjoying the antics of funnyman Cliff “Hollywood” Harris to the beauty of the majestic mountains that surround Granny May Arena, there is plenty to offer. “We want everyone who leaves the arena each night to have thoroughly enjoyed their experience,” Purdy said. “That’s what rodeo is all about.”

DODGE CITY, Kan. – There’s not much Andy Burelle won’t do in order to entertain a crowd. He spent most of his rodeo career as a bullfighter, a man willing to throw his body into harm’s way in order to keep everyone around him safe. He’s won numerous freestyle bullfighting world championships and has been called one of the best most of his career. Now 40 years old, Burelle has kept the greasepaint but changed posts inside the arena. He will be the clown/entertainer at this year’s Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 6, at Roundup Arena. “Clowning was something I thought would be fun to try,” he said. “I was hanging out in Cody (Wyo.), and I thought I’d do some clowning at the Cody Night Rodeo. I found out it was much harder than anything I’d ever imagined, and I liked the challenge of it.” By accepting that challenge, Burelle has taken a new alter-ego. But his experience as a bullfighter has been a big help to him in his existing role. “I think the biggest thing in my 15 years in ProRodeo is sitting in on the production meetings and realizing how many moving parts there are and how to fit them all in,” Burelle said. “You get a feel for how it needs to go.” That’s a major part of every part of the rodeo performance. There will be highs and lows, and it is the entertainer’s job to make sure each transition is seamless. Burelle will work closely with announcer Boyd Polhamus to keep the rodeo fans on the edges of their seats and enjoying the experience. As a bullfighter, he’s worked many of the biggest events in the world, but he’s never been to Dodge City Roundup until this year. “It makes me a little nervous, but it’s a big stage to be on,” he said. “I’ve worked rodeos from Calgary (Alberta) to Salinas, California, and I’ve been to some of the biggest rodeos in the world fighting bulls. This is probably the biggest thing I’ve done with a microphone on.” It’s a big step for Burelle, but the Roundup committee is excited to have him. “We are pretty happy to have Andy coming to Dodge City Roundup this year,” said Dr. R.C. Trotter, president of the volunteer committee that produces the annual event. “Andy has done a lot of amazing things in his rodeo career, and I think our crowd in Dodge City is really going to like what he does. “He adds a new dimension, and with his experience as a bullfighter, he has the tools to reach our audience.” In addition to a host of acts he’ll perform at Roundup Arena, Burelle has studied improvisational comedy and understands how important physical comedy is to a clown. “I think physicality is my best attribute,” he said. “I’m still young enough to be able to do things. Being funny is something I’ve had to work with. I’ve had to learn to make fun of myself.” It’s working, and he is excited for what he can bring to the fans in western Kansas.

A former Miss Rooftop Rodeo has taken the next step in her career. Alex Hyland, a 22-year-old from Windsor, Colo., won the Miss Rodeo Colorado pageant this past week in Greeley, Colo. Her reign will begin Jan. 1, so the has begun her campaign as Miss Rodeo Colorado Lady-in-Waiting. Hyland – who was Miss Rooftop Rodeo in 2012 – won the horsemanship, speech and appearance awards. She is the daughter of Peter and Nancy Hyland and is a recent graduate of Colorado State University-Pueblo. Hyland was a cum laude honoree in mass communication and hopes to work in the rodeo industry. While in college, she served as director of external affairs for the Associated Students’ Government. She also helped re-organize the rodeo team, where she served as the group’s president.

CODY, Wyo. – The reigning Bullfighters Only world champion has regained his form. Weston Rutkowski showcased his true talent during Friday’s BFO competition in conjunction with the Cody/Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls, matching moves with WAR Fighting Bulls’ War Machine for 86.5 points. He upended the BFO Pendleton Whisky World Standings leader Dusty Tuckness, who earned the championship in Cody a year ago. It also moved Rutkowski to within reach of Tuckness’ standings lead heading into a stretch of rodeo runs that will make up most of the summer. “I feel like I handled business, but there were a few things I would change if I could,” Rutkowski said. “He was wanting to blow through my first two fakes, so I knew if I kept hitting him, he would end up quitting. “I was playing a chess game to stay close enough to keep him firing but trying to stay out of his way.” After a couple of solid fakes, Rutkowski made a round to keep the bull close, then set up another fake. As the bull charged again, the bullfighter allowed the animal to slide by with a cape maneuver – as the bull steamed past, Rutkowski held his left arm over the animal as if it were passing through a matador’s cape. The moves kept coming, with the tandem circling once followed by Rutkowski throwing another fake. As the bull moved past, the bullfighter kept circling with the bull to maintain that contact. But War Machine took control quickly. “I got caught trying to keep that bull engaged,” he said, explaining how War Machine had him scrambling up the fence. “Sometimes you get where you can’t get out. Fortunately, I was able to get back in the fight and make my sell.” Rutkowski closed the bout by cross-jumping the bull and showing the big crowd in Cody that he’s no longer suffering from groin and calf injuries that had plagued him late in the spring. “I’m 100 percent, but that was after I took all of June off,” he said. “I needed it. I was able to do a lot of light workouts and rehab. “I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a good summer.”