Monthly Archives: September 2017

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Members of the Waller County Fair Board are innovative. They have to be, they believe, because they have an annual goal to give back. It’s not just providing the region with an excellent exposition that is the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, set for Saturday, Sept. 30-Saturday, Oct. 7. No, it’s about meeting a mission of giving to youth and scholarship. “We work to make sure we have a sturdy lineup for attractions,” said Dustin Standley, the fair board’s president. “We put on the PRCA Rodeo, which we keep adding to each year. But we’ve also been creative in other events we do, like the eliminators.” That’s true. The first is the Tie-Down Roping Eliminator, which features eight cowboys with excellent pedigrees – combined, they have nearly 100 qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and 36 world championships. It will take place Tuesday, Oct. 4. The following night will feature the Team Roping Eliminator; like Tuesday’s show, it will feature eight of the top teams in ProRodeo. All competitors will compete in the first round, with the slowest times being eliminated. That will continue in all subsequent rounds until champions are crowned each night. Those are just two of the innovative events that are part of the nine-day exposition. While there are plenty of traditional fair favors, there is something special when it comes to the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. Part of the innovation is getting the right acts at the right time to perform during the concerts. “This community looks forward to the concerts every year,” said Steven Pfeiffer, chairman of the Fair Board’s entertainment committee. “It’s something they can do with the carnival and the rodeo and everything else we have going on. The way we time it out, everything works together. “For $15 to get in the gate, you get to see all these acts. You can’t go anywhere else and get that kind of entertainment for that kind of money. We want to get good bang for our buck.” The concert lineup is spectacular, just as it has been for several years. Jason Cassidy, Shenandoah and Wade Bowen on Saturday, Sept. 30 Rick Trevino on Thursday, Oct. 5 Kevin Robinson and The Voice’s 2016winner Sundance Head on Friday, Oct. 6 Glen Templeton and Josh Ward on Saturday, Oct. 7. “Adding a third act to the first Saturday so we have three big-time acts allows us to start earlier,” Pfeiffer said. “We’re starting at 8:30 p.m. and going until 1 o’clock in the morning. It allows those that are a little older a chance to see Shenandoah hit the stage at 10 o’clock. They can stay if they want to see Wade Bowen, but it really gives us a chance to open it up to people of all ages to enjoy those concerts.” The key, he said, it to continue the fair’s giving. Every director involved understands the value behind all the work they put in to make the Waller County Fair and Rodeo such a regional showcase. “We do all these things because they are our successors,” Standley said of the youth. “If we don’t give them the platform for them to open their education, then we’re not doing them justice. “We have to give them the pathway. If we don’t give them the structure, then they have the opportunity to stray away. We want them to succeed.” That not only serves as the Waller County Fair and Rodeo’s mission, it is also a strong lesson in life. “We give money away to benefit our Waller County high school kids,” Pfeiffer said. “We’re really proud of the scholarships, giving back to the community and seeing the kids’ hard work. Watching those kids go through the show ring or the sell ring is amazing to see. “It truly makes me happy, makes me smile. That’s why I do this every year.”

BELLVILLE, Texas – With two world championships on her belt and two more reserve world titles, Kelly Kaminski could have her pick of many rodeos that are her favorites. “This is our hometown rodeo,” said Kaminski, who won barrel racing gold buckles in 2004-05 and was runner-up the two years previously. “It’s very special to me. I won this rodeo one year, and you would’ve thought I won the NFR. It was as I was up and coming and before I won the world, but it is still a special memory.” It should be, and she’s excited about this year’s rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12-Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville. There are many reasons behind it, from great action to the best personnel in the game. “There are a lot of special memories here, and we’ve had some great concerts and great country artists over the years at the fair,” she said. “Our little rodeo has some amazing talent that some folks in our county don’t even understand.” That talent includes the voice of the Bellville rodeo, Boyd Polhamus, a four-time PRCA Announcer of the Year who has called the action at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 21 times. He will work with John Harrison, a three-time Comedy Act of the Year winner; Dusty Tuckness, now the reigning seven-time Bullfighter of the Year; and Sandy Gwatney, the 2016 PRCA Secretary of the Year. “For a small rodeo like this, it’s really special,” Kaminski said. “What’s neat about rodeo is you can see the people up close. From a fan’s perspective, these are the people you admire or look up to in your sport. You can see people you’ve watched at a national level. That’s a pretty neat thing.” That’s what makes rodeo great, especially in Bellville, where the fans know the sport. They understand what it means to witness a world champion in action, and they show up to see the best in the world compete in their hometown. Kaminski has been one of the best during her storied career. She spends a great deal of her time now with the Junior NFR, an event that features youngsters competing in Las Vegas in conjunction with ProRodeo’s grand championship. She also spent a great deal of time this year on the road with her 19-year-old daughter, Kenna, who is running barrels just like Mom. “We’re very close, because I raised her on the road,” Kaminski said of her relationship with Kenna. “The girl can ride. Her horsemanship is outstanding, and she’s got a lot of talent with horses.” Some of that is genetics, but a big portion comes from the hard work Kenna has put in alongside her mother. Kelly Kaminski competed some over the summer, mostly on backup horses to help them get seasoned as the animals and Kenna learned the ropes of the rodeo trail. Now they’re back in southeast Texas. It’s home, a place Kelly Kaminski has lived for 26 years. She’s proud of the heritage that sits in Austin County, and she’s excited to be part of rodeo’s history. “The first time I went to the finals and came back as reserve (world champion), I got such a wonderful reception,” said Kaminski, one of just seven women to have won back-to-back gold buckles. “For me, it was really special because I felt like I put our town on the map. Bringing that attention to it and make my town proud really meant a lot to me.”

DUNCAN, Okla. – Great stories are not always championships realized and life happily ever after. Missy Long has a story to tell, and she will have the opportunity during the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association brunch held in conjunction with 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. The brunch will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Stephens County Arena Conference Center. Long lived in Duncan when she won the barrel racing world championship in 1969 at the age of 13, making her one of the youngest world champions in WPRA history. Only Ann Lewis (10) and LaTonne Sewalt (11) were younger. Long returned to the NFR a year later and finished 11th in the world standings. But life after her rodeo run wasn’t always as pleasant. A movie about her story, “Too Young To Drive,” is being made, and it will likely tell the tale of a woman who went from young world champion to a life with drugs, imprisonment and homelessness before she found the redemption through her faith. It’s one of the reasons why she will speak to WPRA members next month in Duncan, where she moved to as a youngster so she and her brother, Ricky, could pursue rodeo. Their father, Al Long, introduced his children to the Youree Horsemanship and Rodeo Camps near Addington, Okla., and the family quickly found a home in Stephens County. The Yourees directed Al and Missy Long to Joyce Burk Kernek, a Duncan cowgirl. Kernek had a nice sorrel, Leo Thistle, that Dale Youree believed would be a good fit for Missy Long. The Longs acquired the gelding, and Dandy helped carry Missy Long to the gold buckle. Though she has since moved away from Duncan, local organizers of the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo and members of the WPRA are excited about Missy Long’s return to town to share her story and how she has returned to the glory of her faith.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Barnyard Buddies isn’t just a big hit for the special-needs children involved in the day at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. The program – now in its fourth year and planned for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 – has become a place to be for other youth interested in helping the special-needs youngsters. “Last year we have 205 special-needs kids and 250 other kids from FFA, 4H, student councils and other organizations that came out and helped,” said Julie Abke, director with the Waller County Fair Board who oversees Barnyard Buddies. “We even had people from Tomball and Navasota, which are not in our county, that helped us out.” That’s saying something. Barnyard Buddies was established to give special-education students in the county a special day just for them at the fair. “It’s a spot that’s dear to my heart, because my mom was a special-ed teacher,” Abke said. “It’s something I wanted to see happen. “I just feel it’s good for these special-needs kids that have a chance to interact with the fair. It gives them a chance for them to do something they never get a chance to do.” Whether it’s enjoying the rides or getting up close with the animals, there are plenty of activities for the children involved. It’s important for them to gather all these experiences that so many people take for granted. “My family, we live on a farm, so animals are second nature to us,” she said. “We rodeo for a hobby. A lot of people don’t do it, so this is a new experience for so many people. “I just want this to get bigger and better every year. One of our sponsors is donating some ropes for the kids to have. The kids love the roping station.” From time to treats, there are a number of people who make sure to donate each year so it’s something special for each youngster. “It’s just great to see the smiles on their faces and them laughing and having a good time,” Abke said. “You just have to see it to believe it. “They do appreciate it, and they do like it. Last year the petting zoo brought a pony ride with it. What does my heart the best is seeing the smiles on the helpers’ faces. They’re happy do be doing what they’re doing, and that’s seeing these kids enjoying their day.”

The nominations for the 2017 PRCA awards were posted Thursday on both ProRodeo.com and WranglerNetwork.com. This year’s awards include a new category, Music Director of the Year, which includes nominees Andrew “Drew” Taylor, Brenda Winklepleck, Jill Franzen Loden, Josh “Hambone” Hilton and Randy “Stretch” Mayer. I’ve been blessed to work with someone or some entity from virtually every category, but there are many who are worthy of the nominations. I wish everyone great success. Lifetime Achievement Award Dan Hubbell James Svoboda Jim and Julie Sutton Mildred Klingemann Pete Burns (posthumously) Announcer of the Year Andy Stewart Bob Tallman Mike Mathis Randy Corley Wayne Brooks Bullfighter of the Year Brandon Loden Clay Heger Cody Webster Dusty Tuckness Nate Jestes Clown of the Year Cody Sosebee J.J. Harrison John Harrison Justin Rumford Keith Isley Comedy Act of the Year Bert Davis David Whitmoyer Gizmo McCracken Johnny Dudley Mark Swingler Dress Act of the Year Bobby Kerr Madison MacDonald One Arm Bandit & Co. Rider Kiesner Thomas Garcilazo Secretary of the Year Amanda Corley-Sanders Brenda Crowder Haley Bridwell Linda Alsbaugh Sandy Gwatney Stock Contractor of the Year Cervi Championship Rodeo Frontier Rodeo Pete Carr Pro Rodeo Powder River Rodeo Stace Smith Pro Rodeos Pickup Man of the Year Gary Rempel Jeremy Willis Shandon Stalls Shaun Calhoun Will O’Connell Small Rodeo of the Year Claremore, Okla. Coulee City, Wash. Elizabeth, Colo. Huntsville, Texas Monte Vista, Colo. Medium Rodeo of the Year Amarillo, Texas Coleman, Texas Deadwood, S.D. Eagle, Colo. Stephenville, Texas Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year Denver Fort Worth, Texas Nampa, Idaho San Angelo, Texas San Antonio Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year Caldwell, Idaho Cheyenne, Wyo. Dodge City, Kan. Ogden, Utah Pendleton, Ore.

ALVA, Okla. – It was a virtual clean sweep for the Northwestern Oklahoma State University men’s rodeo team. The Rangers had the winners in all three timed events this past weekend at the Colby (Kan.) Community College rodeo and earned the first team title of the new Central Plains Region season. Northwestern earned 503.3 points to outlast reigning national champion Oklahoma Panhandle State University by just 13.3 points to claim the crown. “We have a lot of great guys where we can get those team points stacked up,” said Riley Wakefield, a junior from O’Neill, Neb. “Since I first started, I’ve learned that every event matters. There are guys here that really show that well.” Competing in his first Central Plains rodeo of his career, Wakefield won the tie-down roping title in Colby, edging teammate Grayson Allred of Kanarraville, Utah, by just two-tenths of a second. Those two cowboys accounted for more than half the team points and bolstered the Rangers to a strong finish. They were joined in the winner’s circle by steer wrestler Cody Devers of Perryton, Texas, and team ropers Maverick Harper of Stephenville, Texas, and Tanner Nall of Colcord, Okla. “That’s probably the most exciting part, that the guys in our team delivered in different areas,” said Wakefield, who transferred after having a solid two-year career at Gillette (Wyo.) College. “By being able to win all three timed events, it shows that we have people who can pick up the slack in those events. It’s great to have people in all those events.” He roped and tied his first calf in 10.9 seconds, finishing fifth in the opening round. He then stopped the clock in 9.7 seconds to win the final round and overtake the average. When the top cowboys faltered in the championship round, Wakefield took a big step forward. Allred finished third in both rounds and moved up two spots with a two-run cumulative time of 20.8 seconds. “I’ve roped with ‘Bubba’ at all the practices in Alva, and he does a great job,” Wakefield said of Allred. “I think that makes us rope better, because we have that competition every day and get to rope with somebody that matches your skill level and helps you improve. “That’s one of the reasons I chose to come to school here. I knew there were guys here that were going to push me. I knew I would be getting around people that will make you better.” Harper and Nall were just two of five Rangers team ropers in the short round. They were joined by Cole Koppitz of Alva, Okla., and his partner, Cole Quaney of Cheney, Kan., and Allred, who roped with Sam Stamper of Oklahoma State University. Harper and Nall finished third in the opening round with a 7.4-second run, while Allred and Stamper stopped the clock in 8.0 to place fifth. The Harper-Nall tandem then won the final round with a 7.5, and their 14.9 cumulative time earned them the overall title. Allred-Stamper and Koppitz-Quaney were unable to secure a short-round time. Devers was dominant in steer wrestling. He won both rounds and posted the fastest run of the weekend in the championship when he scored a 3.7-second run. He accumulated 180 points all by himself. Talon Roseland of Marshalltown, Iowa, finished second, while Ethan Price of Leedy, Okla., was third. Harper placed fifth in bulldogging, and Allred finished sixth – not only did Allred make the short round in all three events, but he also scored points in each. What’s more impressive is that all five Northwestern bulldoggers placed. “Looking at our team and lineup, I have high hopes for all these rodeos,” Wakefield said. “We have so many guys that do multiple events so well. If two or three of us can step up and place along in multiple events, that’s just going to help us. Hopefully we can continue to have different guys deliver.” While the men earned the championship, the Rangers women put together a solid performance. Nine Northwestern cowgirls made the championship round, including Jennifer Massing, who made the short round and earned points in both goat tying and barrel racing. Massing, of Ponoka, Alberta, won the first round of barrel racing with a 16.92-second run, the fastest of the rodeo. She fell off pace a little in the final round but still finished second in the average. Sara Bynum of Beggs, Okla., finished second in the opening round, fourth in the short round and third in the average. Ashlyn Moeder of Oakley, Kan., finished in a tie for sixth, while Baillie Wiseman of Aztec, N.M., also earned her place in the championship. Massing also finished third in the average in goat tying, just a 10th of a second behind teammate Melissa Couture of Springdale, Ark., the runner-up. Meghan Carr finished fourth. Katy Miller of Faith, S.D., finished second in the opening round but failed to have a time in the short round. Aundrea Dufrane of Dawson, Minn., also advanced to the final round. Brittany Cudworth of Warwick, N.D., secured her breakaway-roping catch to ensure a top-three finish in the short round and average. After advancing to the championship with a 3.7-second run, Cudworth roped her calf in 12.4 seconds, but she was one of just three cowgirls to secure a short-round time. With that many Rangers in the final round, they gave themselves every opportunity to capitalize. “Through my experience, I’ve learned that if you make the short round at every rodeo, you’re going to end up good in the standings,” Wakefield said. “We just need to keep doing that, and I think it’s going to show in the long run.”

BELLVILLE, Texas – A little more than a decade ago, Maury Tate traded in his roping horse for a herd of bucking animals. He had transitioned from the life of a competitive tie-down roper into stock contractor, and he has no interest in looking back. That’s a good thing for the sport and for the Austin County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12-Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Austin County Fairgrounds. Tate’s Mo’ Betta Rodeo produces Bellville’s annual rodeo, and he does a pretty good job at it. It’s quite a bit different than when he traveled the rodeo circuit as a talented roper – among his credentials is claiming the National Circuit Finals Rodeo championship in 1991. “Being a stock contractor is a way to be involved in the sport,” said Tate, who runs the outfit with his wife, Nikki. “It’s really about the only way to be involved. I love the sport of rodeo and the people in it. “For me, the biggest thing is that I love the livestock. That is the most fun thing, taking new animals and getting them chute broke and getting them to handle and be around.” This is just the next phase of exciting times for the Mo’ Betta brand. Tate introduced the name three decades ago when he developed the Mo’ Betta clothing line, which featured brightly patterned Western shirts eventually popularized by country artist Garth Brooks. Now the Tates are well respected as stock contractors. “Mo’ Betta raises some of the best horses and bulls in the industry,” said Chuck Swisher, who will fight bulls in Bellville with Dusty Tuckness. “Maury knows his way around livestock very well. They keep the atmosphere laid back, because they know the guys they hire are going to do their jobs.” That’s an important aspect in rodeo production, and it’s a key factor in what makes the Austin County Fair and Rodeo such a successful event each year. “It’s a great rodeo, and they pack the stands every night,” Tate said. “I think one of the reasons it’s so great is the town of Bellville. It’s the county fair, and the whole community is very supportive of their town, their county and the kids. “All that fair is for its to raise money for kids, and everyone comes out to show their support for them.” In a similar fashion, Mo’ Betta Rodeo caters to contestants. It comes from Tate’s experience on that side of the game, and he has kept that idea in the forefront of his mission as he prepares for each performance. “As a contestant, I know what it’s like to drive all night to a rodeo, and when I get there I don’t have a chance to win,” he said, referring to the random draw that matches cowboy vs. livestock. “There were better cattle in the pen, and I didn’t draw one of them. “So I want the contestants to have as fair a shot as they can no matter what animal they draw. I want to make it as even as possible for everyone. That’s what the sport is about.” It’s a winning combination, and it’s a drawing card for some of the best in the game to make their way to Bellville. Because of other rodeos in the region – the All American ProRodeo Finale takes place in Waco, Texas, at the same time – it should open the door for many to make their way to Austin County. “We’d definitely like to draw some of those contestants to Bellville if they can make it work in their schedules, because they have a chance to earn some good money,” Tate said, referring to the $4,000 the committee has put into the purse that is mixed with entry fees to make the overall payout. “Before the schedule changed (to end Sept. 30), it used to be one of the last rodeos of the year. Now it’s one of the first rodeos of the new season (2018), and they can get off to a good start with a good showing in Bellville.” Over the course of the year, Mo’ Betta livestock will be featured in 200 rodeo performances. For Tate, the focus will always be on making each night of each rodeo the best it can be. “Maury wants to be successful not only for himself, but for everyone around him,” Tuckness said. That’s the meaning of being a cowboy, and it’s a key reason why Mo’ Betta Rodeo and the Austin County Fair continue to find success.

DUNCAN, Okla. – While rodeo is nothing new in this neck of the woods, there’s something quite special when rodeo hits the Stephens County Arena in October. That’s because Duncan is home to the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19-Saturday, Oct. 21. It’s not just another rodeo, though. This is the championship for the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region, and that means the best of the best earn their way to Stephens County every fall. How good are these cowboys and cowgirls? More than two dozen of those that are expected to compete have all played or will play on the grandest stage of theme all: The National Finals. “The thing about our circuit is that we have so many of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world competing at our circuit finals,” said Joe Henderson, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual finale. “People around here know rodeo, but they don’t get to see the caliber of contestants that will be here for the circuit finals.” The largest contingent is in steer roping, where eight cowboys have been part of the mix at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. From four-time world champion Rocky Patterson to multiple-time qualifiers Chet Herren, J.P. Wickett, Mike Chase and C.A. Lauer, the field for the Prairie Circuit’s steer roping championship is stacked. Also in the mix are NFSR qualifiers Cody Scheck, Shorty Garten and Ralph Williams. Steer wrestling will feature a quartet of NFR qualifiers, including seven-time finalist and Prairie Circuit champion Stockton Graves. He will be joined by three-time qualifier Jule Hazen and two cowboys who appeared in Vegas for the first time last year: J.D. Struxness and Riley Duvall. The team roping tandem of Coleman Proctor and Billie Jack Saebens – who lead their respective events in the circuit – also have NFR experience. Saebens is heading to Vegas for the second time, while this will mark Proctor’s fourth straight run for the gold. In bareback riding, seven-time NFR qualifier Steven Dent leads the standings, while fellow NFR qualifier Jared Keylon is set to return to the circuit finals. Keylon is a former circuit champ. The bronc riding field will include NFR veterans Cort Scheer and Tyrel Larsen, while Hardy Braden is set to compete in Vegas for the first time this December. “When you look at the list of contestants we have every year, this is really a great preview for the NFR,” Henderson said. “You’re not going to go to any place this close to home where you can see this many NFR cowboys and cowgirls competing in one building for three straight days. That’s what sets our rodeo apart from all the others.” Local cowboy Ryan Jarrett of nearby Comanche, Okla., leads the tie-down roping race, but also in the mix are nine-time circuit champ and 11-time NFR qualifier Jerome Schneeberger and one-time finalist Trent Creager. Bull riding should feature three-time qualifiers Trevor Kastner and Brennon Eldred. In barrel racing, two-time national finalist Jane Melby comes in toward the top of the circuit standings. She will be joined by her daughter, Cayla Small, a 2016 qualifier, and Jean Winters, who made the NFR in 2014. “The great thing we have in our circuit is not only some of the best in all of rodeo, but we have some great races that are going to come down to Saturday night before we decide our year-end champions,” Henderson said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and very exciting.”

BELLVILLE, Texas – Years before he was one of the most popular bullfighters in rodeo, Dusty Tuckness was a key fixture at the Austin County Fair and Rodeo. “Bellville was one of my very first PRCA rodeos I got to work,” said Tuckness, the reigning seven-time Bullfighter of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “It’s cool because of the fact that I was hired by Mo’ Betta Rodeo, which got their contracting card in 2006, about the same year I got my (PRCA membership) card.” He returns for the 11th time in 12 years – he had to miss one year because of an injury. The Wyoming man brings a boatload of talent to the Austin County Fairgrounds for the rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12-Saturday, Oct. 14. “Mo’ Betta gave me some of my first breaks, and the Bellville committee has always been so good to me,” he said. “It’s a good county fair and a good, solid rodeo committee. It’s in a good community, and it’s fun to come back and see where it all started.” He is one of two men in the arena whose jobs are to keep everyone safe during bull riding. They utilize their exceptional athleticism to distract the bulls once each rider hits the ground – whether it’s before the qualifying 8-second ride or after. It’s oftentimes a thankless job, but it’s necessary. He’s been so good, Tuckness has been selected to fight bulls at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo each of the past eight seasons. In Bellville, he will battle bovines alongside Oklahoman Chuck Swisher, who fought at the NFR with Tuckness in 2014. “Chuck is a good guy to have on the other side,” Tuckness said of his partner. “He’s fun to be around, and he has good fundamentals. We get along good in the arena together.” They need to. It’s vital that the two men can read the situation and react in collaboration in order to help keep everyone safe. Of course, having the opportunity to work a great event like the Austin County Fair and Rodeo is a bonus. “Bellville is a really awesome rodeo,” Swisher said. “It’s a cool venue with a really good crowd. It’s nice to be in that area of Texas at that time of year.” He also recognized that much of southeast Texas will need a full weekend of entertainment after the struggles that impacted the region after Hurricane Harvey blasted the area. “Hopefully we don’t have to swim around any bulls,” he said with a laugh. “This will be my fifth year going there now, and I always look forward to being there. It’s cool to have a whole community come together and make such a great event. It’s a sandy arena, so it’ll hold all that Harvey rain.” And like Tuckness, Swisher understands how important it is to have a solid partner in the arena. “The sport we’re in isn’t the safest sport, so you want to be able to work with a professional that handless business on their side,” Swisher said. “Tuck is always on point, so that helps me step up my game.” When the game is as dangerous as dancing with bulls, teamwork is the ultimate key. Tuckness and Swisher have it.

DUNCAN, Okla. – Greg Simas doesn’t come from this part of the country. He was raised in northern California, a stone’s throw from Sacramento. After serving six years in the U.S. Marine Corps, he has found a home in Danville, Pa. But that hasn’t stopped Simas from understanding rodeo’s history in mid-America. He knows well that real rodeo sits in the heartland. He knows the players, the game and, most importantly, how it all plays out when the best in the region get together for 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. “For me, being a fan of rodeo, the Prairie Circuit Finals is a mini-NFR,” he said of ProRodeo’s grand finale, which features the top 15 from the world standings in each event. “You’re going to see some of the best cowboys in the game – world champions, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers and many that will be NFR qualifiers. “When you work the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, the odds are you have a contestant in every event that has been or will be going to the NFR. That’s exciting.” Simas is more than a fan. He returns for the second straight year as the voice of the regional finale, and he brings the emotion and knowledge to the game that fans in Duncan expect when they see the best of the best in action. “What’s great is the level of competition in Duncan,” he said. “Then you take the contestants and add all the great stock contractors, and you have NFR-caliber livestock. For me and the rodeo fans – for those who can’t make it to Vegas in December for the NFR – they can go to the Stephens County Arena and see some world-class caliber entertainment.” It’s true, but it helps that Simas’ voice helps provide a championship feel to the competition and entertainment. Maybe it’s his years of service as a Marine, where he also learned to ride bulls. Maybe it’s that his father was a competitor in California. Most likely, though, it’s because of his love for the game. “Every rodeo I’ve worked outside of the Northeastern part of the United States, I’ve been asked to come back,” Simas said. “I’m very proud to have overcome the stereotype that people in that part of the country don’t know rodeo as well. The dedication and commitment I learned in the Marine Corps has kept me charging forward. “There is no way I could do this, though, if it wasn’t for my incredible wife, Jen, and our three boys, Tyler, Riley and Kaden. They give me the drive to keep pushing forward and doing my best each time.” While there are hours of homework on the contestants and livestock involved in the game, Simas has found joy in every aspect of his job. It’s a telling tribute to his passion. “Every announcer says that we have the best seat in the house,” he said. “I agree with that. For me, though, it’s like golf in a way. There’s nobody that could ever perfect it. “When I leave a rodeo, there’s always something I learn from. I can have the best performance in my life, but I leave knowing I can do even better the next time. As long as I stay humble and gracious about the opportunities God provides for me, then I think I can always find a way to get better.” Those sentiments are why he has established himself as bona fide announcer in ProRodeo. His mentality and preparation make him the perfect fit for the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo.

PENDLETON, Ore. – No other athlete in the Bullfighters Only has had a hotter summer run than Kris Furr. He captured another title earlier this week by winning BFO Pendleton, held in conjunction with the world-famous Pendleton Roundup. Furr kept Manuel Costa’s Portuguese Power engaged throughout the 60 seconds walked away from Happy Canyon with 87 points. “I like to keep the bull close the whole time,” said Furr, who threw a few fakes to the quick little black bull but mostly focused on making rounds. “If I feel like they’re getting away from me, I like to go back to them and get some rounds in. I want to keep their confidence high so they stay with me.” Furr edged the No. 4 man in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings, Beau Schueth, by one point in a true battle of the best in freestyle bullfighting. Dusty Tuckness, who has three wins under his belt this season, finished third. With his run in Pendleton, the Hamptonville, N.C., man earned his fourth Bullfighters Only victory this season. He has managed to remain consistent since jumping on tour in the spring. “Happy Canyon was crazy,” he said of the venue. “It was probably the craziest atmosphere I’ve been around. The crowd literally sits on top of you. They gear it more like a party over there, so it’s really wild. “It was a lot like a NASCAR race. It was a dark setting, so that really made it feel that way, too.” Furr knows a lot about NASCAR. His home is just 20 miles from Moorseville, N.C., which has been dubbed Race City USA. “Bullfighting is a lot like NASCAR in a way,” Furr said. “Fans don’t want to see you get hurt, but if you get knocked down, they don’t want to miss it.” Furr hasn’t been knocked down much this season, which is why he stands firmly inside the top 10 of the Pendleton Whisky World Standings. He hopes by staying on his feet, and keeping the bulls close, will enable him to make a run at that world championship by season’s end. PENDLETON RESULTS 1. Kris Furr, 87 points on Manuel Costa’s Portuguese Power; 2. Beau Schueth, 86; 3. Dusty Tuckness, 85; 4. Toby Inman 83; 5, Zach Call, 78; 6. Justin Josey, 71.

The National Finals Rodeo is going to be clear on safety starting with this year’s championship, set for Dec. 7-16 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Events sent out a news release earlier today about its new security policy that will regulate the sizes and types of bags that may be carried into the complex. It is being touted as the “Clear Bag” policy. Bags that will be permitted are: Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed (in inches) 12x6x12 One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed (in inches) 4.5×6.5, which is approximately the size of a hand. An exception will be made for diaper bags and medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose. Prohibited bags include but aren’t limited to Purses larger than a clutch Briefcases Backpacks, cinch bags, fanny packs that are not clear or exceed the size restriction Luggage of any kind Computer bags/ cases Camera bags/cases Binocular bags/cases or any bag larger than the permissible size More information can be found HERE. This will mark a big change for many that attend the NFR every year. It will be important that this information spreads over the next two months to help attendees plan.

LEWISTON, Idaho – Justin Josey is officially back among the best in the business with Bullfighters Only. Josey, who returned to freestyle bullfighting earlier this year after a nine-month hiatus, scored 89.5 points to win BFO-Lewiston, held in conjunction with the Lewiston Roundup. The Apache, Okla., man outlasted the No. 4 man in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings, Beau Schueth, by just half a point to claim the top prize. “I saw Beau’s fight, and I wasn’t sure I was going to be enough to beat that,” Josey said. “It’s nice to know you wowed enough people to win the whole bullfight.” He started off his bout with his back to the chute. As Manuel Costa’s Sid Vicious charged toward him, the Oklahoman jumped and allowed the bull to pass right between his legs. It was just the beginning of a solid minute of action. “I needed that,” Josey said. “Every win is a confidence-booster, whether it’s in the first round, the short round or the whole bullfight. Every instance you get to do something like that, you can gain a lot of ground.” He sits inside the top 20 in the standings and has realized just how much he loves the game. “Now this feels good and feels like it should rather than how it was a few months ago,” he said. “I had gotten to where I wasn’t really working at it. You can either not work at it and get bad quickly, or you can work at it and get better. “It’s every day, day in and day out. I feel like I’m more into it now than I’ve ever been.” While Josey is returning to the game, young Dayton Spiel of Parade, S.D., is continuing his rookie run in a solid way. Spiel began the season through the BFO Development Camps and worked his way up to the tour. On Friday night, he put together a solid 82-point fight to win the BFO stop in Fort Madison, Iowa. As both have learned, it takes dedication and a commitment to improving to make it in Bullfighters Only. “This is not a job you can just get by with,” Josey said. “You have to go after it if you want it. Anybody can be bull bait, but not everybody can be a bullfighter.” LEWISTON RESULTS 1. Justin Josey, 89.5 points; 2. Beau Schueth, 89; 3. Weston Rutkowski, 87; 4. Zach Call, 80; 5. Colt Oder, 75; 6. Tristan Seargeant, 71. FORT MADISON RESULTS 1. Dayton Spiel, 82 points; 2. Dusty Tuckness, 81; 3. Tanner Zarnetski, 78.

DUNCAN, Okla. – Even though he’s from the southeastern Oklahoma community of Soper, the area around Stephens County, Okla., will always be a home of sorts for rodeo clown John Harrison. “That part of the country is where my grandparents are from,” said Harrison, the three-time and reigning PRCA Comedy Act of the Year. “My grandfather is from Lawton, and my grandmother went to Marlow High School.” He returns to this comfortable neck of the woods for 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. It marks his second straight appearance at the regional championship for cowboys and rodeos primarily from Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. “Duncan is one of those happy places, because there’s where I was when I got the call to work the NFR last year,” he said of serving as the barrelman for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand championship that takes place every December in Las Vegas. “I was getting ready for the first performance when the call came in. I don’t even remember the first performance because I was so excited.” Harrison has been selected to work the NFR three of the last four years. It’s one of the biggest honors for men who make their living through comedy and working the barrel in bull riding. “It’s actually the greatest honor that there is,” he said. “It’s very humbling, because you know the amount of talent that’s there. It makes you feel good to know you’re respected by your peers enough to get that call.” But that’s just one aspect of who Harrison is. Yes, he has been named Coors Man in the Can twice; it’s recognition for his work inside the barrel. But he also has been nominated for PRCA Clown of the Year. Before he got into the business of being funny, Harrison was a talented trick rider and actually performed at the NFR as an opening act three times, 2001, ’02 and ’08. When the opportunity came for him to expand his showcase, Harrison took it and ran with it. Now he utilizes his athleticism in various ways in order to entertain rodeo fans from coast to coast. “Everything’s changed since I first started clowning,” said Harrison, 38, the grandson of 1962 world champion bull rider Freckles Brown. “I’m married and have a family and responsibilities. My whole life has changed.” It’s been pretty good. When possible, his wife, Carla, and their three children travel the rodeo circuit with him. When it’s not possible, Harrison knows his rodeo family will be there. He has carried his trick-riding abilities over, and it’s a big part of the comedy that Harrison delivers. That’s the key reaching fans with a variety of entertaining items. Whether it’s a trick riding display that will leave fans in awe or his parody of rodeo queens, Harrison has a lot of ammunition. “I do this for the love of the sport,” Harrison said. “Growing up with it, you enjoy it. Now I can actually make a living at it, so that helps.”

Nebraskan one of six men vying for Bullfighters Only title in Idaho city LEWISTON, Idaho – Zach Call is not where he wants to be in regard to the Bullfighters Only Pendleton Whisky World Standings. “I’m definitely not sitting anywhere close to where I want in eighth place in the standings,” said Call, 24, of Mullen, Neb. “Hopefully these next few bullfights, I can creep up a little more in the standings.” His first step will be this weekend during BFO-Lewiston, held in conjunction with the Lewiston Roundup. He will be one of six men who will battle for this year’s championship. His good friend and traveling partner, Beau Schueth of O’Neill, Neb., is also hoping Lewiston is a success story. “This stretch of BFO events has been a good opportunity to try to make up some ground on the top three guys, Weston (Rutkowski), Toby (Inman) and Dusty (Tuckness),” said Schueth, the No. 4 man in the standings. “We’ll have a little break before our stand-alone bullfight in Austin (Texas on Oct. 28). I want to get a little closer to them over these next few bullfights, then go into Austin with a chance to be No. 1.” The goal, of course, is to finish the season on the mountaintop and claim the BFO world championship. Rutkowski did it a year ago during Bullfighters Only’s inaugural season, but there are plenty of opportunities for many of the others to make a move to dethrone the Texan. It’s a good time to be part of the BFO. “We’ve been hanging out in Lewiston, and we’ve run into a lot of people who have talked about us,” Call said. “It’s pretty cool to know that our BFO name is definitely out there.” This marks the third time over in the last 12 months that Bullfighters Only has been to Lewiston. A year ago, BFO pioneer Nate Jestes won the first title in this town of city of 33,000 people. This past May, Tuckness won the first of two major stand-alone events when he claimed the Flexfit Invitational. “Because of the BFO, we’re getting to come to some of the biggest rodeos in the PRCA, ones that you wouldn’t normally get to go to,” Schueth said. “It’s an awesome rodeo and a nice little town, and it’s just been an awesome feeling. “I’ve had a good run at it. I’ve fought a lot of Spanish fighting bulls this summer and am really feeling good about it. I just need to keep solid, and everything else will take care of itself when we look at the standings.” A key to freestyle bullfighting is having the right kind of animal in the mix. Costa Fighting Bulls will provide some of the most athletic and aggressive fighting bulls in the game during the two-day Lewiston event. That will give the bullfighters every opportunity to score points, but it will also increase the danger factor. “We’ll have a couple of younger guys, and the bull power here is going to be really strong,” Call said. “It’s going to be a test for them to see how they handle it.” The hottest fighting bulls – the ones that are always charging the bullfighters – have been able to get the best men in the business down from time to time. It’s just another aspect of the sport that makes it so fascinating for fans. That’s also what draws the men to the game. They know they must test every ounce of ability, and having hot bulls in the mix is something they crave. It helps that the BFO regularly features the very best when it comes to bulls and bullfighters. “Those guys make you fight better when they’re there with you,” Schueth said. “You know they’re going to bring their best, so you’ve got to bring your best if you want to win. You just feed off each other. It makes everybody better and makes the bullfight better.” Call has been in the BFO mix for a little more than a year. He has proven his talents, finishing sixth in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings at the close of the 2016 season. “There were a lot of these guys that were teaching bullfighting schools when I first started out,” Call said. “I look at it as though if you work hard enough, your teachers become your rivals.” LEWISTON CONTESTANTS Beau Schueth Zach Call Colt Oder Weston Rutkowski Tristan Sargent Justin Josey

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The Waller County Fair and Rodeo lasts just nine days, but there’s a brilliant punch that is plugged into that time frame. For each day of the exposition, there is a core group of dedicated volunteers that put in many hours to make sure everything goes off well. For every concert, every rodeo performance or every ride on the carnival, many people have worked days, weeks, and even months for it all to happen. “The countless hours we put in just go unseen,” said Dustin Standley, president of the Waller County Fair Board, which helps produce the annual event, set for Saturday, Sept. 30-Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. “There are several board members that work year-round. From year to year, the amount of people we have at WCFA grows. It’s a large staff of people you see, and they’re all volunteer.” The fair board consists of nine executive directors, 17 directors, 38 associate directors and 22 junior fair directors. It takes each and every one of them to handle such a heavy work load. Standley likens the fair board to a pie; while there are many ingredients, it can come together to make the final piece taste just as awesome as the first cut. “A pie isn’t going to taste good with just crust or just filling,” he said. “You have to bring it all together and mix it up to make it work right. For our fair and rodeo, everybody doesn’t have to do the same thing. “We need each person to do what they do well so that when it comes together, it’s enjoyable for everybody.” No matter the job, our dedicated volunteers handle the duty. Preparatory work takes weeks to do, because directors understand that it’s more than a county fair in southeast Texas; the Waller County Fair and Rodeo is a regional exposition. “It all really starts long before the fair begins,” said Standley, who noted that daily work began in January. “We’ve been having multiple work days just to get prepared. During the week of the fair, it’s thousands of man hours that make the fair succeed. “It’s like a beehive; we all have a job, and we all know what we need to do. Everybody has a job and a position, and as long as we fulfill those jobs, it’ll all go off without a hitch.” It’s more than volunteers that make the fair and rodeo a success each year. The directors lean on sponsors to help cover the costs associated with a production of this size. After all, there are eight acts that will perform throughout the fair as well as the other activities that take place. The key objective is to help raise money for youth and scholarship, and it’s important to each person involved that more money is raised each year to fulfill that mission. “The main thing about the sponsorships is that our biggest goal is to adhere to our mission to youth and scholarship,” he said. “There is a cost of doing business. If you can’t cover your cost of doing business, then what your revenue is at the fair will have to cover that cost. “That means we are not doing justice to the kids in our area. We’ve done creative things with our sponsors that works.” That creativity has paid off. After the 2016 exposition, the fair board handed out more than $75,000 in scholarships. The goal for the 2017 edition is to better that. “When we go in to our fair week, our bottom-line dollar is at its minimum amount so we can maximize the dollars that go to our youth,” Standley said. “We’ve allowed our sponsors the freedom to tell us what they want, and we’re able to make it work for them and us. “With our fair and rodeo, it really is a collaborative effort.”

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Being a veteran, Dusty Tuckness knew just what was necessary during his bout last weekend at the Bullfighters Only event in conjunction with the Ellensburg Rodeo. The Meeteetse, Wyo., man massaged every point possible out of WAR Fighting Bulls’ Banana Mill to earn the Bullfighters Only-Ellensburg championship and remain among the top three in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings. “It worked out alright,” Tuckness said of his 83.5-point fight. “I handled my bull decent. I didn’t have the hottest bull, but I got a few things done with him.” He edged Beau Schueth of O’Neill, Neb., by half a point to claim the championship. Tuckness has now earned more than $21,000 and has earned his third BFO title this season – he also won stand-alone events earlier this year in Lewiston, Idaho, and Decatur, Texas. Battling Banana Mill, Tuckness used his experience to keep the bull close. The closer to danger the bullfighter gets, the more opportunities there are to score points. “He was one of the slower bulls, so it helped that I kept him corned up,” he said. “He kept getting distracted toward the outside, so I had to keep pushing him to stay close.” Tuckness used several maneuvers to do so. On a couple of occasions, he pulled off a move called a “cape,” in which the bullfighter side steps the bull; as the animal moved through, Tuckness draped his right arm across its back signifying a bull passing through a cape. With each step, though, the fans in Ellensburg remained on the edges of their seats. That’s just the way the competitors like it. “Everybody in Ellensburg really enjoyed the bullfights,” he said. “When we were signing autographs afterward, that’s all everybody was talking about. Many of them said that they liked it years ago when the bullfights were at Ellensburg and that they really liked it back with the BFO.” RESULTS 1. Dusty Tuckness, 83.5 points on WAR Fighting Bulls’ Banana Mill 2. Beau Schueth, 83 3. Zach Call, 78

BELLVILLE, Texas – When John Harrison first started as a showman in the 1990s, he was just looking to make a living in the rodeo industry. Now two decades later, he is one of the preeminent entertainers in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He is a four-time winner of the PRCA Comedy Act of the year and is a two-time winner of the Coors Man in the Can, recognizing the top barrelman in the game each year. Harrison will showcase that talent at the Austin County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12-Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville. “I’ve never been to Bellville, so I’m looking forward to it,” he said. Raised in Soper, Okla., to a rodeo family, Harrison began his entertaining career as a trick rider. He joined the PRCA in 1999, and within five years, he had transitioned to being a clown and barrelman. It provided greater opportunities and has allowed him the chance to showcase the funny side of his amazing abilities. “Everything’s changed since I first started clowning,” said Harrison, 38, the grandson of 1962 world champion bull rider Freckles Brown. “I’m married and have a family and responsibilities. My whole life has changed.” It’s been pretty good. When possible, his wife, Carla, and their three children travel the rodeo circuit with him. When it’s not possible, Harrison knows his rodeo family will be there in support and spirit. When it’s all combined, that life is why he is one of the top entertainers in the game today. He knows the awards are nice, but it’s the story behind them that makes it all better. The awards are based on votes by PRCA members, so it’s his peers that make the awards so memorable. “It’s the greatest honor that there is, and it’s very humbling because you know the amount of talent that there is in rodeo,” he said. “It makes you feel so good.” Three of the past four years, Harrison has been selected as the barrelman for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand championship that takes place over 10 December nights in Las Vegas. He brings that kind of talent and fortitude to the job in Bellville. “John is good, clean family fun,” said John Gwatney, chute boss at the Austin County Fair and Rodeo. “It’s his rodeo background, because he grew up in this sport. For us, he helps us with the timing of our production. When you know what needs to be done and have someone that doesn’t have a big ego, then he’s willing to do work and willing to do that for the production.” What Harrison does best is find the best ways to entertain the fans. Whether it’s engaging with them through his humor or showcasing his incredibly athletic ability, smiles are his greatest reward. “I like everybody to come to the rodeo and truly get away from the problems in their lives,” he said. “I want them to leave that stuff at home and come have fun. When they have fun, then it throws gas on the fire for me.” There should be plenty of flames in Bellville.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – In this part of Texas, rodeo is more than a sport. It’s a way of life for many. The Waller County Fair and Rodeo recognizes that in a big way. Not only is it home to an amazing Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event – set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5-Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead – but also it features rodeo-related events through much of the nine-day exposition. “We’ve made some changes to our ranch rodeos to kick off the fair weekend,” said Paul Shollar, co-chairman of the Waller County Fair Board’s rodeo committee. “We’ll have the women’s ranch rodeo on Friday (Sept. 28) and the men’s ranch rodeo on Saturday (Sept. 30). That’s become a big hit.” It’s just the start of big things inside the fairgrounds arena. The Little Britches rodeo takes place Sunday, Oct. 1, followed by the Waller County Team Roping on Monday, Oct. 2. The top cowboys in the game kick off with a couple of specialized events: The Tie-Down Roping Eliminator on Tuesday, Oct. 3, and the Team Roping Eliminator on Wednesday, Oct. 4. “We’ve invited eight of the best tie-down ropers in the world and eight of the top teams,” Shollar said. “Five of our eight tie-down ropers are world champions and account for 36 gold buckles. In team roping, we have 85 NFR qualifiers and a number of world champions. That says something about the kind of event we’re putting on with these eliminators.” The format is unique. Each contestant or team will compete in the first round with the slowest time being eliminated. Eliminations continue each round until the champion is crowned and earns the lion’s share of the purse – $10,000 in tie-down roping and $15,000 in team roping. “It’s for a big purse during the week,” Shollar said. “You have them competing back to back each night until we get the winner. It’s a fun format for us, for the cowboys and for the fans.” The elite cowboys and cowgirls will continue the show, with dozens of world championships and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers all competing during the PRCA rodeo. “We’ve got $5,000 added money per event,” he said of the committee purse that is mixed with contestants’ entry fees to come up with the total payout. “That has skyrocketed us to over 500 contestants. “We started as a ProRodeo six years ago, and the first thing we did was bring Pete Carr Pro Rodeo on board. That has been a wonderful relationship, and it’s another reason why we get so many of the top contestants. With us being one of the first rodeos of the new season, it was hard to bring roughstock riders. We don’t have that problem anymore.” Carr has been nominated as PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year five straight times and has some of the best bucking stock in the game. That’s attractive to the cowboys that ride bucking animals, especially since half the score is based on the animals’ performances. “Pete and his crew are unbelievable,” Shollar said. “They fit right in with us. They treat you with respect, like we’re just one of the guys. They include you on everything, and they know that rodeo is more than a sport; good production just makes it great entertainment.” That includes a couple of key factors with announcer Andy Stewart and clown/entertainer Gizmo McCracken, both of whom have received multiple nominations in their respective categories. “I think what makes our rodeo one of the best is the production,” said Dustin Standley, president of the Waller County Fair Board. “We put on the rodeo like it’s an attraction. It’s not just a rodeo. This is over the top and exciting.”

Reigning champ Yaussi to join nine others in battling for second Jr. Ironman title GUTHRIE, Okla. – The inaugural Jr. Ironman Championship was more than a showcase of excellence. It was a spectacle that had the greatest all-around stars in the game in awe. “I think the Junior Timed Event is really good,” said Trevor Brazile, the winningest all-around cowboy in the history of the sport. “I remember how excited I was when I was 18, and I came here to compete in this. To see the Junior Timed Event here and getting those young cowboys involved early – in being multi-event cowboys and not specializing – means a lot to me. “I hope to see some of those guys competing in the Timed Event in a few years. It gets in their blood early and lets them not be one-dimensional. For them to be able to reap the benefits of being a multi-event cowboy is fun to see. My hat’s off to the Lazy E for involving them.” The second edition is going to be even better. It seems it wasn’t just the fans and families who enjoyed watching the young athletes battle through, heading, heeling, tie-down roping and steer wrestling – four of the five disciplines involved in the CINCH Timed Event Championship. The upcoming Jr. Ironman will feature four cowboys that were part of the field last year, including the top three finishers – reigning champion Bo Yaussi, reserve champ J.D. Draper and Wyatt Hansen. Also in the mix is Myles Neighbors, who won the first of the three go-rounds this past March. Yaussi, of Udall, Kan., won the lion’s share of the cash, pocketing the $10,000 first-place prize. He also has the distinguished title of being the inaugural Jr. Ironman titlist and has already placed himself among the great champions in the Lazy E Arena’s 34-year history. “There were 10 awesome kids in this, but Bo Yaussi is a stud,” said Draper of Oakley, Kan. Both will have a chance to prove it again in front of a big audience at the Lazy E Arena come the first weekend of March. “This is an awesome experience, and I really liked it,” Draper said. “It’s good that we get to do all the events like this.” 2018 Jr. Ironman Championship Contestants Bo Yaussi – Udall, Kan.                                                      J.D. Draper – Oakley, Kan. Wyatt Hansen – Oakdale, Calif.                                          Chase Graves – Poplarville, Miss. Ty Eason – Sulphur Spring, Texas                                    Ryder Ladner – Kiln, Miss. Myles Neighbors – Bentonville, Ark.                                  Cully Morgan – Checotah, Okla. Laine Moore – Asbury, Alabama                                         Carson Good – Long Valley, S.D.