Monthly Archives: October 2017

ALTUS, Okla. – Shane Smith knew he had to have something special if he were to win in the Central Plains Region of college rodeo. He has it with Duck, a 12-year-old gelding he brought with him from his home in Wimborne, Alberta, to Western Oklahoma State College. The two came together strong this past weekend to win the tie-down roping title the Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo in Alva. “I drew a couple of good calves, and that really helps,” said Smith, a sophomore. “My horse worked really good.” He acquired Duck half a dozen years ago and began training the little sorrel. His work is paying off, and it’s proof that good ropers need to be good horsemen if they are going to find success in rodeo. It also helps that Smith trusts his mount. “I feel like I can score a lot better on him than most other horses,” he said. “It gives me a good start and a good advantage.” He won both rounds, stopping the clock in 9.5 seconds to claim the opener. He then blistered an 8.4-second run in the championship round to win the two-run aggregate by more than a second – that’s a big victory in events timed to the 10th of a second. Just as important, Smith was joined in the short round by teammate Colton Kofoed of Evanston, Wyo., who finished in a three-way tie for fifth place in the opening round. “I think we’ve got a really good men’s team,” he said, noting that they face some of the toughest competition in college rodeo while competing in the Central Plains Region. “The competition is good every weekend, so it’s going to be a challenge every time.” Shayna VanDerLeest knew that before she arrived in Altus. The freshman from Morrison, Ill., opted to compete at WOSC when she saw the facilities the school had for its rodeo program. She put them to use in Alva by placing in both rounds of goat tying and finishing fourth in the average. “On my long-round run, I knew it was a good one because it felt really smooth,” said VanDerLeest, who stopped the clock in 6.1 seconds to finish in a tie for third place in the round. “I didn’t expect it to be that good. “I’ve been looking forward to making it to a couple of short goes, and now I got my first one down.” She found success again in the final round, tying down her goat in 7.9 seconds to finish sixth in the round. It was a strong note to end the four-rodeo, fall portion of the 2017-18 season. Like Smith, VanDerLeest knew she would get the opportunity to mature as a cowgirl because of the school’s commitment to the program. “I decided to come to school here because they had a lot of the programs I wanted in an ag school, but their rodeo facilities and practice schedule are amazing,” she said. “Comparing it to the other schools I was considering, this was the best.” Now she and the others are getting their tutelage from a couple of professional cowboys in head coach Jess Tierney, a six-time National Finals Steer Roping qualifier and the reigning Timed Event Championship winner, and Jace Crabb, who has had outstanding success in team roping. “Jess is doing a fantastic job for us, and that makes me happy that I chose this place,” VanDerLeest said. “In practice, he is very encouraging. He knows all of us have the potential to make the short goes. He also helps us in practice. If we’re not at our full potential, he can help make the change.” That comes from experience, and the WOSC contestants are getting a big dose of it. Whether it’s practice or just taking other steps necessary, Tierney and Crabb are providing the team with an advantage. “I think Jess is really good on the mental aspect and helps you learn how to win,” Smith said. “You have to have a good mindset when you go to a rodeo. You can’t win if you’re second-guessing yourself.” Smith proved that in Alva.

Texan wins BFO-Austin crown and extends lead in Pendleton Whisky World Standings AUSTIN, Texas – Weston Rutkowski was out for vengeance Saturday night during Bulltober Fest presented by Rodeo Austin, and he took it out on a couple of Spanish fighting bulls. The Texan’s weekend started with some bad luck when his gear bag was stolen on Friday night as he prepared for the event. Rutkowski had to scramble to find replacement equipment. He returned to his College Station, Texas, home to get as much gear as possible. His parents delivered an old pair of cleats, and he borrowed enough other things to have himself properly armored and ready to compete against some of the baddest Spanish fighting bulls in the game. “It was a big event, and I needed to put my foot down on the gas pedal, but I was running pretty hot.” said Rutkowski, who pushed his season earnings to more than $42,000 and increased his lead in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings. He won his first-round bout with an 87-point fight to advance to the championship round. That’s where he showcased his dominance, almost hovering across the Rodeo Austin Fairgrounds dirt with Rockin’ B & Magnifica’s Cabeza Dura for 91.5 points to win the championship. “My first bull came out, and I went to his right horn right off the bat, and I could tell he was going to be good,” he said. “He came to me the whole bullfight. He was a great bull, but a younger bull, so he didn’t know a lot and took the fakes real hard. “My short-round bull was a little hotter.” Cabeza Dura burst out of the chute and went directly for Rutkowski, who made a flat-footed jump over the bull. From then on, the two combatants went head-to-head for a controlled-yet-wild 40 seconds. “I threw a fake, and as soon as he went past, he swapped ends,” Rutkowski said of the bull immediately turning around and re-engaging the bullfighter. “That’s when I knew I had the best bull of the night. “That’s what we train for all year. When you are matched with a bull like that, you better take advantage of him.” It was a big night for freestyle bullfighting. Not only were there high scores all evening long, but a large crowd gathered at the arena for the wild action. “For a first-year event, it was really good,” Rutkowski said. “The crowd was packed in there, and it was a great atmosphere all around.” Other than having all his gear stolen, it was a fairly successful trip to Texas’ capital city. His frustration eventually turned into the motivating factor he needed to come out on top of a talented field of the BFO’s best. Even though he will have to invest a few thousand dollars to replace his gear, he has found the silver lining. “After I looked for that stuff for an hour, I realized it was gone,” he said. “It’s not the gear that makes you; it’s who you are as a bullfighter. You have to take the punches and roll with it.” That’s a solid assessment, in the bullfighting arena and life in general. RESULTS Round 1: 1. Toby Inman, 80.5 points; 2. Alex McWilliams, 79.5; 3. Tanner Zarnetski, 77. Round 2: 1. Dayton Spiel, 87.5 points; 2. Ray Carlson, 86; 3. Beau Schueth, no score. Round 3: 1. Justin Josey, 86 points; 2. Zach Call, 83; 3. Kris Furr, 82. Round 4: 1. Weston Rutkowski, 87 points; 2. Schell Apple, 82; 3. Evan Allard, 80.5. Championship round: 1. Weston Rutkowski, 91.5 points on Rockin’ B & Magnifica’s Cabeza Dura; 2. Justin Josey, 89.5; 3 Toby Inman, 86; 4. Dayton Spiel, 84.5. Best trick: Schell Apple with the Superman.

ALVA, Okla. – Stockton Graves likes what he sees in the Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo team. “Both the men and the women are doing outstanding,” said Graves, who witnessed the Rangers men dominate their hometown rodeo this past weekend to win the championship and move into first place in the Central Plains Region. “We consistently have had quite a few kids make the short round all season long and have done well across the board.” The men’s team score 805 points, the most it’s earned through four rodeos this season. They were led by Riley Wakefield of O’Neill, Neb., who earned points in all three of his events: team roping heeling, steer wrestling and tie-down roping. He won the all-around title, as did women’s team member Jenny Massing of Ponoka, Alberta, who earned points in goat-tying and breakaway roping. Of the men’s points, the lion’s share came in steer wrestling – Alva is already being likened to Checotah, Okla., which is the Steer Wrestling Capital of the World. Cody Devers of Perryton, Texas won both rounds and the average to lead the bulldoggers; Maverick Harper of Stephenville, Texas, placed second and Wakefield third. “Cody has been a big benefit to the team,” Graves said. “His goal is to win the region, and that’s what he’s doing. Everybody else is just following suit.” Also in the mix were Talon Roseland of Marshalltown, Iowa, who finished fifth, and Bridger Anderson of Carrington, N.D., placed sixth. “I didn’t realize we were doing so good until I saw that we had seven out of 10 bulldoggers in the short round,” Graves said. “I’m really proud of them, because they put it all together.” That seemed to be the theme, but it was vital for both the men and women in their races toward the regional title. The men now own a 113.33-point lead over the second-place team and will have a four-month break before returning to competition in late February. Wakefield and his header, Jayden Johnson of Casper, Wyo., finished second in team roping, and Wakefield also captured points for finishing in a three-way tie for fifth place in tie-down roping. He was joined in the short round by fellow tie-down ropers Ethan Price of Leedey, Okla., who finished third in the opening round, and Harper, who placed third in the opener and sixth overall. “I think the main difference in this year’s team are the multi-event cowboys – Riley, Maverick, Bubba (Allred of Kanarraville, Utah) and Ethan – have done a great job of getting points in multiple events,” Graves said. “That helps so much.” For the women, Massing earned the bulk of her points in breakaway roping. She placed in both rounds and finished tied for fourth in the average. She also finished in a tie for fifth in the first round of goat-tying. Cassy Woodward of DuPree, S.D., led the barrel-racing contingent by finishing third in both rounds and the average. Ashlyn Moeder of Oakley, Kan., placed twice and finished fourth, while Sara Bynum of Beggs, Okla., placed second in the opening round. “Jenny has really come around this year,” Graves said. “I think she’s improved most in barrel racing, because she’s got a new horse. Goat-tying has been her main event, but she’s roping really well, too. It’s all coming together for her.” It seems to be coming around for all the Rangers, and they hope to keep the momentum going their way when the spring portion of the season begins in February.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – There is one good reason Cody Sosebee has been nominated five times as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Clown of the Year. He’s funny. “I’ve always said that it doesn’t matter what you’re selling, if people don’t buy into you, they’re not going to buy what you’re selling,” said Andy Stewart, a ProRodeo announcer who will be the voice of Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock presented by the Kubota Center of Oklahoma. “That’s where Cody is one of the best; he’s such a likeable guy. What you see in the arena is him all the time. He’s not afraid to make fun of himself.” That’s a key ingredient that Sosebee brings to the table at the inaugural event, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov 4, at the Claremore Expo Center. “Maybe someone in the crowd is feeling bad about themselves, maybe their job or their body or their marriage,” Stewart said. “When Cody steps into the arena, people tend to relax and think, ‘I feel comfortable with him; he’s just like us.’ Through making fun of himself, we’re laughing at ourselves. That’s a very unique trait that he has that makes him a really special clown.” In addition to his clowning nomination, the former competitor also has been nominated for the PRCA Comedy Act of the Year two of the past three seasons. But there’s much more to Sosebee than meets the eye. Over his lifetime, he’s competed in nearly every rodeo event possible and was at the top of his game in bareback riding. It’s part of the life growing up in a family that was heavily involved in rodeo. His father was a pickup man, so Sosebee has been part of the sport as long as he can remember. “I got into clowning by accident by filling in for guys,” said Sosebee, from the tiny community of Charleston, Ark., just 25 miles east of Fort Smith, Ark. “I didn’t know where I was going to go with my rodeo career when I quit riding barebacks, and it turned into a good living. I get to see the world.” A born competitor, the clown has made the adjustments he needed to get the true fix after a lifetime of being part of the contest. “I’ve always been a competitor in anything I did, from football to basketball to when I was in freestyle bullfighting,” said Sosebee, who has been selected to work as the barrelman at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. “I miss putting my hand in the riggin’ and nodding my head to be 80 points to win the rodeo, but I’m a realist. I’m 43 years old. While most of the guys I rodeoed with have slowed down and have found jobs, I get to be in the arena and get to make a living in rodeo doing something I love.” Sosebee also plays to his strengths. Bigger than many in the game, he showcases a true athleticism that is rarely seen among men of his stature. It’s comedy at the purest level. “Having the ability to laugh at myself is probably my biggest strength,” he said. “I don’t take anything too serious. When I’m watching a comedian, the funniest thing I see is when they’re honestly open and having a good time.” That’s why Sosebee has excelled as one of the premier rodeo clowns in the game.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – It takes a special person to stand toe to toe with a raging bull. Five men who possess that personality will be part of Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock presented by the Kubota Center of Oklahoma, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov 4, at the Claremore Expo Center. In addition to the action of bull riding and saddle bronc riding, this event that supports the Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma will also feature freestyle bullfighting through the Texas Greasepaint Tour. “This is going to feature Mexican fighting bulls and five guys all going head to head,” said Danny Mathews, president of the tour. Though not new to rodeo, freestyle bullfighting is going through a resurgence. It’s a classic example of man vs. beast, similar to the days of the gladiators. It’s high energy and dangerous, as the athletes try to maneuver around the agile bulls while staying just out of harm’s way. “Traditionally we’ve see bulls that weigh 700 to 800 pounds, but the ones we will have in Claremore are going to be 1,300 to 1,400 pounds,” said Jerry Don Galloway, the association’s vice president and one of the original men on the Wrangler Bullfight Tour in the early 1980s. “These bulls are bigger, faster and hotter, and this has gotten bullfighting to where it’s like a danger zone.” The five combatants are all Oklahomans, and they will battle for the title at the inaugural Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock: Ray Carlson, Tanner Brantley, Colton Moler, Dylan Idleman and J.F. Roch. Each will battle their bulls for the mandatory 40 seconds. A horn will sound at that point, and the bullfighter will then have another 20 seconds to put the finishing touches on his bout. Scores are based on a 100-point scale, with half being for the bullfighter and half for the animal. “The original bullfighting tour was started in 1981, because the highlight of every rodeo was the last bull out every night would turn out to be a fighting bull,” Galloway said. “We just cut the sheets and went straight to the showcase by having these bullfights. “It’s 60 seconds of run for your life.” The action will be extreme, but that’s what drives the bullfighters. They know in order to win events like this, they must get as close to danger as possible. One misstep could prove costly. Wrecks are likely to happen, but that’s the draw for fans who want to see quality bullfights. “This will be my first trip to Claremore,” Galloway said. “I think it’s going to be a really fun event.”

CLAREMORE, Okla. – It’s the match-ups that oftentimes make up the best story lines for cowboys who ride bucking horses and bulls for a living. There will be some outstanding ones at Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock presented by the Kubota Center of Oklahoma, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov 4, at the Claremore Expo Center. The event, which benefits the Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma, will feature some of the best athletes in the sport. Not all of them are the cowboys. “It’s an honor to be part of the contractors that are coming,” said Cody May, who is with Lightning C Cattle Co., a Claremore bull company who has had several award-winners among its herd. “We will be joining some of these other contractors that have had animals selected to the NFR several times. “It’s an elite thing. Not everybody gets to take their bulls to this event. I’m expecting some great things out of this event.” Lightning C will be joined by three other top contractors: Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, Big Rafter Rodeo and bull specialist Scott Burruss. All have had their animals at the National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale. The mix of those contractors will make each ride a spectacle. With each ride being judged on a 100-point scale, half the score comes from the animal, and the other half comes from the rider. When the two are in sync, it makes for a wild night. “I like to see our bulls ridden for a lot of points,” May said. “It makes me think I’m doing my job well, especially if the score is 90 points or above. But you also want to test the cowboys, so you’re going to see some big buckoffs, too. That’s just part of the game. “To me, I want to see guys win rounds, win the world titles on my bulls.” That’s why organizer David Petty is bringing in so many livestock producers. He knows the more top-quality animals that are in the mix, the better the action is going to be. It’s attractive to the cowboys and to the fans alike. “We wanted to focus on the bronc riding and bull riding, because they are cornerstone events in rodeo,” Petty said. “These animals that will be in Claremore will be the best of the best, and that’s exciting.” Yes, it is.

DUNCAN, Okla. – Hardy Braden had a fairly comfortable lead in the regional saddle bronc riding standings coming into the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. Colt Gordon took Braden out of his comfort zone by winning the first two go-rounds and closing the gap. But Braden put the finishing touches to a terrific campaign on Saturday night at the Stephens County Arena. He matched moves with New Frontier Rodeo’s Toy Box for 84.5 points to win the third go-round. When Gordon bucked off a ride later, that secured Braden’s second year-end championship and third circuit finals average title. “Colt made it a scary race,” said Braden, 28, of Welch, Okla. “I knew he had a good one tonight, and I knew this race was going to be tight. It’s fun and it sure gets your motor running. A guy wants to do his best, but when you have that kind of pressure, you either deal with it or you don’t. “I like to deal with pressure.” Braden won $6,531 in Duncan and pushed his 2017 circuit earnings to $25,603. “My whole goal was to try to make the circuit finals, and things over the summer went great,” he said. “We came in good. I drew one horse this weekend that wasn’t the most desirable, but I tried to make the best of it. I couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s just going to boost me right into the NFR.” For the first time in his eight-year career, he has earned the right to compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s world championship that takes place Dec. 7-16 in Las Vegas. For now, though, he’s going to celebrate the circuit title and placing his name alongside some of the greatest bronc riders in the sport’s history. “Back when my dad was riding at the circuit finals, you had a bunch of guys that were going to the NFR regularly,” said Braden, whose father, Butch, was a circuit finals’ qualifier before he became a pickup man. “I think it seemed like it slacked off there for a little while, but we’re starting to see it coming back. Plus we’ve got some young guys that are coming up that will be at the NFR before too long.” Steer wrestler Stockton Graves is no stranger to the NFR. He’s been there seven times. For now, though, he focuses on competing in the circuit. On Saturday night, he earned his sixth year-end title and seventh average championship. He won the round with a 4.2-second run. That’s not too bad for a 38-year-old cowboy. “I don’t feel like a kid anymore,” said Graves of Alva, Okla. “I am just glad to be able to bulldog with these guys. I’m blessed to come in and have a good circuit finals. Duncan’s been great to me.” Yes, it has. He has won four straight year-end titles, and the last four average championships came inside the Stephens County Arena. It’s like a home away from home. Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Oct. 19-21 Duncan, Okla. Bareback riding: First round: 1. Garrett Shadbolt, 79.5 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Super Soaker, $1,802; 2. Jared Keylon, 79, $1,351; 3. (tie) Blaine Kaufman and Justin Pollmiller, 78, $676 each. Second round: 1. Steven Dent, 84.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s High Motion, $1,802; 2. Garrett Shadbolt, 78.5, $1,351; 3. Blaine Kaufman, 76.5, $901; 4. Nate McFadden, 75, $450. Third round: 1. Steven Dent, 83.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Pebbles, $1,802; 2. Blaine Kaufman, 80, $1,351; 3. (tie) Jared Keylon and Caine Riddle, 79.5, $676 each. Average: 1. Steven Dent, 237 points on three rides, $2,702; 2. Garrett Shadbolt, 235, $2,027; 3. Blaine Kaufman, 234.5, $1,351; 4. Jared Keylon, 231.5, $676. Year-end champion: Steven Dent. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Stockton Graves, 3.9 seconds, $1,802; 2. Jacob Edler, 4.5, $1,351; 3. J.D. Struxness, 4.8, $901; 4. Trell Etbuer, 5.1, $490. Second round: 1. Tanner Bruner, 4.0 seconds, $1,802; 2. Cole Edge, 4.3, $1,351; 3. Jule Hazen, 4.6, $901; 4. Blake Mindemann, 4.8, $450. Third round: 1. Stockton Graves, 4.2 seconds, $1,802; 2. Blake Mindemann, 5.0, $1,351; 3. Jule Hazen, 5.1, $901; 4. Trever Nelson, 5.5, $450. Average: 1. Stockton Graves, 13.6 seconds on three runs, $2,702; 2. Blake Mindemann, 16.0, $2,027; 3. Brady McFarren, 16.1, $1,351; 4. Jule Hazen, 16.2, $676. Year-end champion: Stockton Graves. Team roping: First round: 1. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 5.9 seconds, $1,802 each; 2. (tie) Casey Hicks/Braden Harmon and Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 6.4, $1,126 each; 4. Blake Hughes/Brady Norman, 6.5, $450. Second round: 1. Brett Christensen/Dawson McMaster, 4.7 seconds, $1,802 each; 2. Dylan Gordon/Hunter Koch, 5.4, $1,351; 3. Zac Small/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.6, $901; 4. (tie) Blake Hughes/Brady Norman and Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, $225 each. Third round: 1. Brett Christensen/Dawson McMaster, 5.1 seconds, $1,802; 2. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 5.7, $1,351; 3. Jesse Stipes/Jake Smith, 5.8, $901; 4. Zac Small/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.9, $450. Average: 1. Jesse Stipes/Jake Smith, 18.4 seconds on three runs, $2,702; 2. Casey Hicks/Braden Harmon, 19.6, $2,027; 3. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 20.2, $1,351; 4. Zac Small/Buddy Hawkins II, 21.9, $676. Year-end champions: Andrew Ward and Reagan Ward Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Colt Gordon, 83 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Birthday Suit, $1,802; 2. Hardy Braden, 82.5, $1,351; 3. Jake Finlay, 79, $901; 4. Preston Kafka, 78, $450. Second round: 1. Colt Gordon, 79.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Pop a Top, $1,802; 2. Shade Etbauer, 78, $1,351; 3. (tie) Dalton Davis and Hardy Braden, 77.5, $676 each. Third round: 1. Hardy Braden, 84.5 points on New Frontier Rodeo’s Toy Box, $1,802; 2. Tyrel Larsen 84, $1,351; 3. Dalton Davis, 80, $901; 4. Jake Finlay, 79, $450. Average: 1. Hardy Braden, 244.5 points on three rides, $2,702; 2. Tyrel Larsen, 234.5, $2,026; 3. Dalton Davis, 232.5, $1,351; 4. Preston Kafka, 219, $676. Year-end champion: Hardy Braden. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. (tie) Tyler Milligan, Cody Quaney and Ryan Jarrett, 8.1 seconds, $1,351 each;  Continue Reading »

The best men from Bullfighters Only will be showcased at Bulltober Fest AUSTIN, Texas – The chute flies open, and the pounding hooves of a Spanish fighting bull race toward the animal’s intended target. Those sounds mark the beginning of the bout, and it’s the drawing card for the best in Bullfighters Only to showcase their athleticism. It’s what fans will experience during Bulltober Fest presented by Rodeo Austin, set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Rodeo Austin Fairgrounds. The stand-alone BFO event will feature 12 of the top bullfighters in the game all vying for their share of the $25,000 purse. This is the greatest showcase of action in all of extreme sports, because it’s a true man-vs.-beast competition. “You just have to go out and beat your bull,” said Weston Rutkowski, the reigning BFO world champion who also sits No. 1 in the standings. “Everything else will take care of itself after that.” Rutkowski is just one of the 12. They will make up four three-man bouts, and the winners will advance to that evening’s championship round where the lion’s share of the money will go to the BFO-Austin champion. “I’m very excited about Austin,” said Beau Schueth, the No. 4 man in the standings from O’Neill, Neb. “It will be an awesome event, like all of our stand-alone bullfights. There’s an opportunity to make big moves in the standings. “Winning Austin could change anybody’s season and move them up into the running for the world championship.” Before the BFO came on the scene, the rewards for bullfighters were small. Now with the explosion of Bullfighters Only, the athletes are finding great benefits for showcasing their talents. “You know when you get there that you have to show out just to get in the championship round,” said Justin Josey, the 14th-ranked man from Apache, Okla. “You need to be at your very best at these stand-alone bullfights. You can’t fool around, you have to go out there to win.” That’s a powerful attitude, but it’s a winning one that every man in the field must have. Going head-to-head with an athletic and agile Spanish fighting bull is dangerous business and bullfighters must utilize every ounce of ability and effort to come out on top. “Every great guy in the BFO is going to be there,” Schueth said. “It’s not like going up against a few of the best guys; they’re all there. It definitely ups the ante and makes you bring your A game.” CONTESTANTS Weston Rutkowski Toby Inman Schell Apple Beau Schueth Kris Furr Justin Josey Zach Call Tanner Zarnetski Evan Allard Dayton Speil Ray Carlson Alex McWilliams

DUNCAN, Okla. – Just like a superhero, Steven Dent makes the switch from a man in a walking boot to a champion bareback rider. Hampered by a broken foot that occurred at a California rodeo a month ago, Dent uses the walking boot to move around until it’s time to ride. He changes into his riding boots and limps onto the bucking chute to get to work. He made it work Friday night, matching moves with Beutler & Son Rodeo’s High Motion for 84.5 points to win the second round of the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. He earned $1,802 and pushed his circuit-leading standings total to $22,058. Not bad for a man with a broken left foot. “It’s cutting down on my working out,” said Dent, an eight-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Mullen, Neb. “I can’t jog or ride a bike. Riding is about the only thing that doesn’t hurt it.” By riding High Motion, he was reunited with an old friend. He’s been on the veteran bucking horse two times before and recalls vividly winning the Elk City, Okla., rodeo a decade ago. She comes from a strong bloodline: her sire, Commotion, was a three-time Bareback Horse of the Year and has a statue of him in Elk City. “She’s probably one of the first Commotion colts that became a superstar and went to the NFR,” Dent said. “She’s a little older now. I don’t think they buck her as much, but I think she had a pretty exceptional day.” It was the perfect redemption from Dent’s first-round ride. He decided to try out a new rigging and new riding glove, and that didn’t work. His hand did not stay locked into position, and that caused him to ride very conservative just to stay on. “Frankly, I felt stupid,” he said. “I went back to my rigging that I’d been riding with and winning with. I’ll ride with it until the 10th round of the NFR. Hopefully it’ll help me to ride the way I’ve been riding. “I think this is the best I’ve ever rode. I think I can still ride better. Ten years ago I made my first finals, and I was 21, not 31. I wanted to make the finals (this year), because I feel like I ride better now and, mentally, I’m a lot stronger now.” With age comes experience, and he’s got a ton of confidence heading to Las Vegas in a month and a half for ProRodeo’s grand finale. But first, he has to finish some business in Duncan. “I’ve never won the circuit title in bareback riding,” Dent said. “This is the first time I’ve been in this position in bareback riding. I’ve never been to the National Circuit Finals.” He has a great opportunity before him to reach that goal and get off to a good start to the 2018 regular season. “This last year I was playing from behind all year, so I thought it would be fun to win some early money and play from ahead,” he said with a laugh. Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Oct. 19-21 Duncan, Okla. Bareback riding: First round: 1. Garrett Shadbolt, 79.5 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Super Soaker, $1,802; 2. Jared Keylon, 79, $1,351; 3. (tie) Blaine Kaufman and Justin Pollmiller, 78, $676 each. Second round: 1. Steven Dent, 84.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s High Motion, $1,802; 2. Garrett Shadbolt, 78.5, $1,351; 3. Blaine Kaufman, 76.5, $901; 4. Nate McFadden, 75, $450. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Stockton Graves, 3.9 seconds, $1,802; 2. Jacob Edler, 4.5, $1,351; 3. J.D. Struxness, 4.8, $901; 4. Trell Etbuer, 5.1, $490. Second round: 1. Tanner Bruner, 4.0 seconds, $1,802; 2. Cole Edge, 4.3, $1,351; 3. Jule Hazen, 4.6, $901; 4. Blake Mindemann, 4.8, $450. Team roping: First round: 1. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 5.9 seconds, $1,802 each; 2. (tie) Casey Hicks/Braden Harmon and Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 6.4, $1,126 each; 4. Blake Hughes/Brady Norman, 6.5, $450. Second round: 1. Brett Christensen/Dawson McMaster, 4.7 seconds, $1,802 each; 2. Dylan Gordon/Hunter Koch, 5.4, $1,351; 3. Zac Small/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.6, $901; 4. (tie) Blake Hughes/Brady Norman and Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, $225 each. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Colt Gordon, 83 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Birthday Suit, $1,802; 2. Hardy Braden, 82.5, $1,351; 3. Jake Finlay, 79, $901; 4. Preston Kafka, 78, $450. Second round: 1. Colt Gordon, 79.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Pop a Top, $1,802; 2. Shade Etbauer, 78, $1,351; 3. (tie) Dalton Davis and Hardy Braden, 77.5, $676. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. (tie) Tyler Milligan, Cody Quaney and Ryan Jarrett, 8.1 seconds, $1,351 each; 4. Trent Creager, 8.2, $450. Second round: 1. L.D. Meier, 8.2 seconds, $1,802; 2. Tyler Milligan, 8.5, $1,351; 3. Cody Quaney, 8.8, $901; 4. (tie) Bryson Sechrist and Jerome Schneeberger, 9.7, $225. Barrel racing: First round: 1. Michelle Darling, 16.03 seconds, $1,824; 2. Tracy Nowlin, 16.04, $1,368; 3. Carley Richardson, 16.07, $912; 4. Cayla Small, 16.09, $456. Second round: 1. Carley Richardson, 15.66 seconds, $1,824; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 15.84, $1,368; 3. Korrina Lynn Hughes, 16.03, $912; 4. Tamara Reinhardt, 18.06, $456. Bull riding: First round: 1. Garrett Wickett, 86 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Make My Day, $1,952; 2. Trevor Kastner, 82.5, $1,501; 3. Guthrie Murray, 73, $1,051; no other qualified rides. Second round: 1. Jeston Mead, 85 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s 4K, $2,477; 2. Guthrie Murray, 73.5, $2,027; no other qualified rides. Steer roping: First round: 1. Dee Kyler Jr., 12.9 seconds, $1,692; 2. Mike Chase, 13.1, $1,269; 3. Kelton McMillen, 13.3, $846; 4. Shorty Garten, 14.0, $423. Second round: 1. Brodie Poppino, 11.7 seconds, $1,692; 2. (tie) Mike Chase and Trenton Johnson, 12.1, $1,057; 4. J.P. Wickett, 12.7, $423. Third round: 1. Ralph Williams, 10.5 seconds, $1,692; 2. Kelton McMillen, 11.7, $1,269; 3. Dee Kyler Jr., 12.5, $846; 4. Shorty Garten, 13.3, $423. Average: 1. Dee Kyler Jr., 38.2 seconds on three runs,  Continue Reading »

CLAREMORE, Okla. – 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 Claremore as the voice of Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock presented by the Kubota Center of Oklahoma, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov 4, at the Claremore Expo Center. It will benefit the Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma. “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.” Part of the attraction to him is that he’s a fan of the sport. In addition to announcing ProRodeos, Stewart has been the arena voice and a television commentator for bull ridings. He’s also a fan of the animals and truly understands the man-vs.-beast mentality that comes with events like this. “This is going to be a lot of fun, and these guys are going to be riding for good money at a good time of year for them,” 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.” Now he gets to add Rogers County, Oklahoma, to his list.

DUNCAN, Okla. – Saddle bronc rider Colt Gordon loves to rodeo close to home, and it doesn’t get much closer than the Stephens County Arena. Gordon earned his first paycheck ever at the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo during Thursday’s first go-round when he rode Silver Creek Rodeo’s Birthday Suit for 83 points. He qualified for the finale the first time in 2016 but didn’t find the pay window until this year’s championship. “This means a lot,” said Gordon, 20, of Comanche, Okla., just 10 miles south of the arena. “This is something I’ve been working on and working for, so I’m super proud to be here.” He should be. He pocketed $1,802 for winning the round and pushed his season circuit earnings to $15,039. He sits second in the standings behind Hardy Braden of Welch, Okla., who finished half a point behind Gordon. Braden’s lead is more than $5,000 heading into the final two nights of the season, but Gordon has serious confidence after Thursday. “Birthday Suit is just jam up and is nice every time,” Gordon said. “It’s just an all-around good horse, and you can’t beat him.” Deep down, he’d like to overtake Braden for the year-end championship. If that’s not possible, though, Gordon would like to earn the average title; the year-end and average champions in each event in each of the 12 circuits advance to the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, which takes place next April in Kissimmee, Fla. “I showed up to win the (year-end) title,” Gordon said. “My main goal is to go to Kissimmee, get a good start on next year and go to the (National Finals Rodeo).” While this was Gordon’s first circuit finals payout, steer wrestler Stockton Graves of Alva, Okla., earned another of dozens. Graves wrestled his animal to the ground in 3.9 seconds to win the round. The first-place money moved him to within $410 of the No. 1 man, J.D. Struxness of Appleton, Minn. “The standings are tight between four or five of us,” Graves said. “The main thing is to get some money and get to Florida. I had a great steer; they’re going to win a lot of money on that steer this weekend.” Graves is a seven-time NFR qualifier who now focuses much of his time on coaching the rodeo program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He led the pack in the bulldogging money, which included two of his former students: Jacob Edler of Dacoma, Okla., finished second in the round, and Struxness placed third. “Alva was represented well,” said Graves, who rode his former horse, Peso, through much of the year and is riding this weekend. “I sold him to J.D. right before the (NFR) last year. Luckily I still get to ride him. “I didn’t have a great summer, but I made the circuit finals and have a chance to win the circuit.” That’s the chance everyone wants when they get to Duncan. Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Oct. 19-21 Duncan, Okla. Bareback riding: First round: 1. Garrett Shadbolt, 79.5 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Super Soaker, $1,802; 2. Jared Keylon, 79, $1,351; 3. (tie) Blaine Kaufman and Justin Pollmiller, 78, $676 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Stockton Graves, 3.9 seconds, $1,802; 2. Jacob Edler, 4.5, $1,351; 3. J.D. Struxness, 4.8, $901; 4. Trell Etbuer, 5.1, $490. Team roping: First round: 1. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 5.9 seconds, $1,802 each; 2. (tie) Casey Hicks/Braden Harmon and Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 6.4, $1,126 each; 4. Blake Hughes/Brady Norman, 6.5, $450. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Colt Gordon, 83 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Birthday Suit, $1,802; 2. Hardy Braden, 82.5, $1,351; 3. Jake Finlay, 79, $901; 4. Preston Kafka, 78, $450. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. (tie) Tyler Milligan, Cody Quaney and Ryan Jarrett, 8.1 seconds, $1,351 each; 4. Trent Creager, 8.2, $450. Barrel racing: First round: 1. Michelle Darling, 16.03 seconds, $1,824; 2. Tracy Nowlin, 16.04, $1,368; 3. Carley Richardson, 16.07, $912; 4. Cayla Small, 16.09, $456. Bull riding: First round: 1. Garrett Wickett, 86 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Make My Day, $1,952; 2. Trevor Kastner, 82.5, $1,501; 3. Guthrie Murray, 73, $1,051; no other qualified rides.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – When good money is up for grabs, cowboys will find a way to get it. That’s why 50 of the top bull riders and saddle bronc riders in rodeo will make their way to northeast Oklahoma in three weeks to compete in the Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock presented by the Kubota Center of Oklahoma, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov 4, at the Claremore Expo Center. “There will be a lot of activity around town in celebration of Will Rogers’ birthday, and we thought this would be a great way to bring the cowboys to town and put on a heck of a show,” said David Petty, the event’s organizer who noted it will be in conjunction with Mickey Perry’s Bucking for Kids. “We’re going to have 25 bull riders and 25 bronc riders and several stock contractors so that we have as many good bucking bulls and horses as possible. “This is also a way we can give to the Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma, which will receive a portion of the proceeds from the event.” Promoters are in the process of receiving entries, but there has been high interest from regular qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The list of contestants should be released in the next week, but it should be a who’s who of the greatest stars in the game. A big reason for that is the prize money and this time of year. The contestants will battle for their share of the purse, which is expected to be $7,500 in each event. Based on the entry fees of the 25 men in each event, which is mixed in with the committee-raised money, the winner will earn $3,500. That’s incentive for cowboys who make their living riding bucking animals. “We want the best cowboys we can get,” said Petty, noting that tickets can be purchased at buy.ticketforce.com. “We want to put on the best show possible. This will be a high-energy event that is loaded with action from start to finish. We’ve got the best personnel in rodeo helping us produce an amazing event, so I’m very excited about what everyone is about to experience.” The competition will include freestyle bullfighting, where five athletic men will duel face to face with aggressive and agile fighting bulls that are bred specifically for this kind of fight. But that’s just a small part of the entertainment puzzle; the action will be called by Andy Stewart, who has been nominated for Announcer of the Year numerous times; he will be joined by entertainer/clown Cody Sosebee, a four-time nominee for Clown of the Year. “When you want to produce the best event, you’ve got to bring in the best,” Petty said. “Andy is one of my favorite announcers and brings a ton of energy. Cody is just plain funny, and he has some of the greatest acts in rodeo. It’s going to be highly entertaining.” That, of course, is the primary goal. Just as importantly, though, is the competition. With the best cowboys battling the best animals in rodeo, it all adds up to a great evening in Claremore.

DUNCAN, Okla. – To say Ryan Jarrett has been on a hot streak might just be a bit of an understatement. Jarrett, an 11-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier and the 2005 all-around world champion from Comanche, Okla., just concluded one of the best regular-season campaigns of his 14-year career. He earned a little more than $96,000 in tie-down roping and returns to Las Vegas No. 8 in the world standings. Of that, nearly $20,000 came in the Prairie Circuit, which is made up of contestants and rodeos in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. He is No. 1 in the regional standings and hopes to secure his third year-end championship at the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. He arrives with some valuable momentum having just secured a share of the tie-down roping crown at the All American ProRodeo Finals, pocketing just shy of $13,000 last week alone. That money counts toward the 2018 season, so Jarrett is already establishing himself for next year. He’ll have the opportunity to do that again this week in Duncan, just a 15-minute drive from his home. He will be one of more than 100 of the top circuit contestants who will be part of the three performances. There are two purposes for the contestants. The goal for many is to earn the year-end championship; others will vie for the average title, which is given to the contestants in each event who put together the best three-round cumulative scores or times. The year-end and average titlists advance to the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, which takes place next spring in Kissimmee, Fla. Jarrett has played on that stage, just as he has at about every major rodeo in North America. He’s won the Calgary (Alberta) Stampede, RodeoHouston and the average title at the NFR. It’s just the next step in the cycle that has been Jarrett’s ProRodeo career, one that began with him Resistol Rookie of the Year title in steer wrestling. A year later, he qualified for the NFR in both bulldogging and tie-down roping. He won the tie-down roping average championship and earned his first gold buckle. Since then, he’s continued to be one of the elite cowboys in the game.

BELLVILLE, Texas – For only being their third rodeo of competing together, Clayton Van Aken and Richard Durham are doing quite well. They have placed in two of three rodeos, including a 4.8-second run during Saturday’s final performance of the Austin County Fair and Rodeo. The tandem finished fourth in Bellville and pocketed $1,184 each. “We had a good steer, and Clay did a good job of turning him for me so he was easy just to catch,” said Durham, a two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier in heeling from Henrietta, Texas. “Clayton ropes really good. He gets to them real fast and makes my job where I just need to catch.” Van Aken, from Descanso, Calif., is leaning on his experienced partner through the beginning of this season – the 2017 regulars season concluded two weeks ago, so cowboys and cowgirls are already trying to earn their stripes for the 2018 NFR. Durham has been around the game for some time. The 32-year-old Texan first began competing in ProRodeo 14 seasons ago. He qualified for ProRodeo’s grand finale in 2005 and ’09. “I just didn’t want to break the barrier,” Van Aken said, referring to the rule about not allowing the steer a long enough head start; failure to do so would’ve meant a 10-second penalty added to their time. “If I do what I do, we’re going to win money because he’s going to catch.” That’s a lot of confidence, but the young Californian has learned quickly what to expect out of Durham. The road to the NFR has changed since he last qualified; now money earned at year-end championships will count toward next year’s finale. “With the All American Finals money and the circuit finals money counting for the world standings, we’re trying to get off to a good start to the season,” he said. And, of course, it’s nice to earn money in Bellville, where he has competed a number of times through his career. “I haven’t been here in several years,” Durham said. “In the past, I never missed it. It’s just a great rodeo, the committee is great, and it’s a great setup. Austin County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 12-14 Bellville, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Anthony Thomas, 81 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Rainmaker, $1,545; 2. Bill Tutor, 79.5, $1,170; 3. Taylor Broussard, 77, $77.5; 4. Blade Elliott, 75, $562; 5. Kirk St. Clair, $328; 6. Winn Ratliff, 79, $234. Steer wrestling: 1. Jacob Talley, 4.0 seconds, $1,773; 2. Matt Reeves, 4.2, $1,542; 3. Morgan Grant, 4.3, $1,310; 4. Stan Branco, 4.6, $1,079; 5. (tie) Brandon Harrison and Dylan Schroeder, 4.9, $732 each; 7. Tyler Waguespack, 5.0, $385; 8. Jacob Edler, 5.3, $154. Team roping: 1. Jake Orman/Will Woodfin, 3.9 seconds, $1,946; 2. Andrew Livingston/Twister Cain, 4.5, $1,692; 3. Tanner Green/Shawn Turner, 4.7, $1,438; 4. Clayton Van Aken/Richard Durham, 4.8, $1,184; 5. (tie) Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres and Tyler Waters/Caleb Anderson, 5.0, $804 each; 7. Quisto Lopez/Trey Carter, 5.5, $423; 8. (tie) Tee Luttrell/Corey Hendrick and Lee Kiehne/Rich Skelton, 6.1, $85. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Audy Reed, 84 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Tombstone, $1,805; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 80, $1,138; 3. (tie) Leon Fountain and Aaron Lide, 77, $821 each; 5. Dawson Hay, 76, $383; 6. (tie) Cort Scheer and Isaac Diaz, 75.5, $137 each. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Cooper Mathews, 7.7 seconds, $2,140; 2. Tanner Green, 8.1, $1,861; 3. Justin Smith, 8.6, $1,582; 4. Trenton Smith, 8.7, $1,302; 5. (tie) Clint Nyegaard and Jackson Massey, 8.9, $884 each; 7. (tie) Chantz Webster and Dennis Luetge, 9.1, $326 each. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Alex Lang, 14.57 seconds, $2,326; 2. Cassidy Kruse, 14.67, $1,977; 3. K.L. Spratt, 14.74, $1,628; 4. Lisa Thornton, 14.75, $1,395; 5. Kelly Bruner, 14.84, $1,163; 6. (tie) Blythe Beshears and Kylan Shaw, 14.87, $698; 8. Kelley Carrington, 14.89, $465; 9. Shelley Morgan, 14.95, $407; 10. (tie) Robyn Herring and Tammy Fischer, 14.97, $320 each; 12. Fallon Taylor, 14.98, $233. Steer roping: First round: 1. Garrett Hale, 8.9 seconds, $1,117; 2. (tie) Bryce Davis and Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2, $698 each; 4 (tie) Mike Chase and Ralph Williams, 10.4, $140 each. Second round: 1. Jim Locke, 9.5 seconds, $1,117; 2. Landon McClaugherty, $838; 3. Roger Branch, 9.7, $559; 4. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.0, $279. Average: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 20.2 seconds on two runs, $1,676; 2. Rocky Patterson, 21.0; $1,257; 3. Trevor Brazile, 21.7, $838; 4. Bryce Davis, 21.8, $419. Bull riding: 1. Boudreaux Campbell, 85.5 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s No. 414, $1,871; 2. (tie) Travis Smith and Clayton Foltyn, 84.5, $1,219 each; 4. Sage Kimzey, 84, $680; 5. Dylan Vick, 82.5, $397; 6. Randy Myers, 80.5, $283.

BELLVILLE, Texas – In his first trip to the Austin County Fair and Rodeo, Jacob Talley found Bellville to his liking. On Friday night during the second rodeo performance, he knocked his animal to the ground in 4.0 seconds to take the steer wrestling lead with one night remaining in this year’s championship. He took advantage of a little education and made it work to his benefit. “That was the second run on that steer,” said Talley, a 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Keatchie, La. “Gary Gilbert ran that steer (Thursday) night and said (the steer) stopped on him, but everybody said he was supposed to be good on the ground if you could catch him.” Talley did everything he was supposed to. He’s trying to get off to a fast start on the 2018 regular season after finishing 18th when the 2017 campaign closed on Sept. 30. “I’m focused on making the NFR again in 2018,” he said, referring to finishing among the top 15 bulldoggers in the game. “After finishing 18th, that’ll light a fire under you where you don’t ever want to do that again. “We had a good year, but the reality is we fell short of our end goal. The main thing I’m going to do is practicing every day and be at the gym every day.” His breakout season was in 2016 when he earned that coveted trip to the Nevada desert to compete at ProRodeo’s grand finale. While there, he pocketed $25,654 – that’s nothing to sneeze at, but it’s a far cry from where he wanted to be. Fellow Louisianan Tyler Waguespack earned nearly $200,000 over the same 10 nights in Las Vegas. That’s why success in Bellville is important for Talley. Not only did he enjoy the hospitality the volunteer committee offered, he thought the atmosphere was simply electric. “This is my first time but it’s a good rodeo,” he said. “It’s like those small-town football games where the whole town comes out and pack it out.” They came to see a show, and Talley did his part to put it on. He knew the steer was solid, and he had a lot of trust in his mount, Viper, a 15-year-old sorrel gelding. “My horse is working good,” Talley said. “’I think that was kind of a factor in not making the finals this year. There were six weeks in the northwest at the end of the year where I didn’t ride him; he was a little sore, so I bounded around from horse to horse. “He’s starting to feel good again, so everything’s starting to come together.” That’s good timing as he makes his plans for the 2018 NFR. Austin County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 12-14 Bellville, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Anthony Thomas, 81 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Rainmaker; 2. Bill Tutor, 79.5; 3. Winn Ratliff, 79; 4. Paden Hurst, 77.5; 5. Blade Elliott, 75; 6. (tie) Clint Laye and Kenny Haworth, 71. Steer wrestling: 1. Jacob Talley, 4.0 seconds; 2. Matt Reeves, 4.2; 3. Morgan Grant, 4.3; 4. Stan Branco, 4.6; 5. Tyler Waguespack, 5.0; 6. Jacob Edler, 5.3; 7. (tie) Rowdy Parrott, Josh Clark and Cade Staton, 5.5 each. Team roping: 1. Jake Orman/Will Woodfin, 3.9 seconds; 2. Andrew Livingston/Twister Cain, 4.5; 3. Tanner Green/Shawn Turner, 4.7; 4. Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.0; 5. Quisto Lopez/Trey Carter, 5.5; 6. Tee Luttrell/Corey Hendrick, 6.1; 7. Chuck Butler/Dale Martin Jr., 7.0; 8. Chuck Doebbler/Randal Eggemeyer, 7.7. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Audy Reed, 84 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Tombstone; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 80; 3. Leon Fountain, 77; 4. Dawson Hay, 76; 5. (tie) Cort Scheer and Isaac Diaz, 75.5. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Cooper Mathews, 7.7 seconds; 2. Tanner Green, 8.1; 3. Justin Smith, 8.6; 4. Trenton Smith, 8.7; 5. Clint Nyegaard, 8.9; 6. Chantz Webster, 9.1; 7. Cooper Raley, 9.2; 8. B Braxton Laughlin, 9.3. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Cassidy Kruse, 14.67 seconds; 2. Lisa Thornton, 14.75; 3. Kelly Bruner, 14.84; 4. (tie) Blythe Beshears and Kylan Shaw, 14.87; 6. Kelley Carrington, 14.89; 7. Shelley Morgan, 14.95; 8. (tie) Robyn Herring and Tammy Fischer, 14.97 each; 10. Fallon Taylor, 14.98; 11. Sydni Blanchard, 14.99; 12. Brittany Grant, 15.05; 8. Amanda Cupp, 15.10; 9. Katelyn Scott, 15.11; 10. (tie) Ari-Anna Flynn and Chaney Speight, 15.17 each; 12. Kimmi Byler, 15.18. Steer roping: First round: 1. Garrett Hale, 8.9 seconds, $1,117; 2. (tie) Bryce Davis and Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2, $698 each; 4 (tie) Mike Chase and Ralph Williams, 10.4, $140 each. Second round: 1. Jim Locke, 9.5 seconds, $1,117; 2. Landon McClaugherty, $838; 3. Roger Branch, 9.7, $559; 4. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.0, $279. Average: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 20.2 seconds on two runs, $1,676; 2. Rocky Patterson, 21.0; $1,257; 3. Trevor Brazile, 21.7, $838; 4. Bryce Davis, 21.8, $419. Bull riding: 1. Boudreaux Campbell, 85.5 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s No. 414; 2. (tie) Travis Smith and Clayton Foltyn, 84.5; 4. Sage Kimzey, 84; 5. Dylan Vick, 82.5; 6. Denton Fugate, 78.

BELLVILLE, Texas – Audy Reed is just 22 years old, but he’s wise beyond his years. Part of that is a university education in saddle bronc riding while attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University, the best-known bronc riding school in all of rodeo. Part of it is traveling with experienced cowboys. Combined, Chet Johnson, Tyler Corrington and Cort Scheer have 12 qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale that takes place in Las Vegas each December. Reed is now heading to the Nevada desert for the first time, having qualified 15th in the world standings. Before he heads west, though, he moved into the saddle bronc riding lead at the Austin County Fair and Rodeo in Bellville after posting an 84-point ride on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Tombstone. “This is a good set up, and the crowd is really good,” he said. “You also have great hospitality; plus, it’s in Texas, and you can’t beat that.” Spoken like a true Texan. Reed was raised near Spearman, Texas, in the extreme northern portion of the state’s Panhandle. Now he’ll be one of the many Texans in the field in Vegas. “Going to the NFR is everyone’s goal every year,” said Reed, who finished 24th in 2016. “I’m just glad to be going. I have a good traveling group, and they’ve all been there. You want to be the high score in the van, and to beat those guys, you sure have to ride good; it doesn’t happen very often.” Johnson handles much of the business in the group, so that takes a load off the other three. He’s also the most experience; now 37, Johnson is a four-time NFR qualifier. “We’ve looked at it, and I think Chet’s rookie year was the same year I was in kindergarten,” Reed said with a bit of a chuckle. “It’s good to have those guys that know the ropes.” Because of their lessons, he’s living out his dreams that he’s had since he was a little boy riding just about anything he could. “I knew what I wanted to do from a young age,” he said. “A lot of guys that have rodeoed a lot longer have never gotten to go to the NFR. When stuff falls your way, you just appreciate it. You’ve got to have a lot of luck.” It takes a lot of luck and a great amount of talent. Reed had it before he attended college at Bronc Rider U in the Oklahoma Panhandle, just a 45-mile drive from home. There he was taught by some of the greatest cowboys in the history of the game: Robert Etbauer, a two-time world champion; Billy Etbauer, a five-time world titlist; and Dan Etbauer and Craig Latham, both of whom were multiple-time NFR qualifiers. “Anyone that wants to be a bronc rider goes to school there,” Reed said. “They’ll figure it out there. You either rise to the top or just stay where you’re at. It’s a good atmosphere, and you have a lot of good guys that are there to help you.” Austin County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 12-14 Bellville, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Winn Ratliff, 79 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Bar Maid; 2. (tie) Clint Laye and Kenny Haworth, 71; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Matt Reeves, 4.2 seconds; 2. Morgan Grant, 4.3; 3. Tyler Waguespack, 5.0; 4. Jacob Edler, 5.3; 5. Cade Staton, 5.5; 6. Riley Duvall, 5.8; 7. Termaine Dubose, 5.9; 8. Matt Cupp, 6.2. Team roping: 1. Andrew Livingston/Twister Cain, 4.5 seconds; 2. Tanner Green/Shawn Turner, 4.7; 3. Tee Luttrell/Corey Hendrick, 6.1; 4. Chuck Butler/Dale Martin Jr., 7.0; 5. Manny Egusquiza/Daniel Braman, 10.5; 6. Cole Frey/Reid Halbert, 14.9; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Audy Reed, 84 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Tombstone; 2. Dawson Hay, 76;3. Cort Scheer, 75.5; 4. Take Owens, 74.5; 5. Treyson Antonick, 71; 6. Chet Johnson, 70.5; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Cooper Mathews, 7.7 seconds; 2. Tanner Green, 8.1; 3. Justin Smith, 8.6; 4. Trenton Smith, 8.7; 5. Clint Nyegaard, 8.9; 6. Chantz Webster, 9.1; 7. Cooper Raley, 9.2; 8. B Braxton Laughlin, 9.3. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Lisa Thornton, 14.75; 2. Blythe Beshears, 14.87; 3. Shelley Morgan, 14.95; 4. (tie) Robyn Herring and Tammy Fischer, 14.97 each; 6. Fallon Taylor, 14.98; 7. Brittany Grant, 15.05; 8. Amanda Cupp, 15.10; 9. Katelyn Scott, 15.11; 10. (tie) Ari-Anna Flynn and Chaney Speight, 15.17 each; 12. Kimmi Byler, 15.18. Steer roping: First round: 1. Garrett Hale, 8.9 seconds, $1,117; 2. (tie) Bryce Davis and Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2, $698 each; 4 (tie) Mike Chase and Ralph Williams, 10.4, $140 each. Second round: 1. Jim Locke, 9.5 seconds, $1,117; 2. Landon McClaugherty, $838; 3. Roger Branch, 9.7, $559; 4. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.0, $279. Average: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 20.2 seconds on two runs, $1,676; 2. Rocky Patterson, 21.0; $1,257; 3. Trevor Brazile, 21.7, $838; 4. Bryce Davis, 21.8, $419. Bull riding: 1. Boudreaux Campbell, 85.5 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s No. 414; 2. Sage Kimzey, 84; 3. Tyler Bingham, 77.5; 4. Koby Radley, 74.5; no other qualified rides.

DUNCAN, Okla. – For much of his seven-year career, Hardy Braden’s focus was on the Prairie Circuit, a regional tour made up primarily of contestants and rodeos in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. It’s home to Braden, who lives in the northeastern Oklahoma community of Welch. He attended both Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College and Oklahoma Panhandle State University on rodeo scholarships. Riding saddle broncs in the circuit has made sense. He returns to 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. This marks his sixth qualification to the regional finale, and he’s excited to return. “My goal this year was to make sure I got my rodeo count,” he said, referring to a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rule that stipulates cowboys and cowgirls compete in at least 15 Prairie Circuit rodeos in order to qualify for end-of-the-year honors. “Last year I missed my rodeo count by one, so I wasn’t eligible.” Braden won the average championship in Duncan a year ago. Had he been eligible, he would have advanced to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla. He didn’t make the trip. This year, though, he not only got to plenty of circuit events, he did pretty well at most of them. Of the seven bronc riding titles he won in 2017, six were in the Prairie Circuit. He has earned $19,000 in the region and owns the No. 1 spot heading into the finale. More importantly, his lead over the No. 2 man – Colt Gordon of Comanche, Okla. – is more than $5,600. Braden still needs a solid performance in Duncan if he hopes to claim his second year-end championship. “The circuit finals is even more important now since the money at the finals counts toward the world standings,” he said, pointing out that money earned at the 2017 Prairie Circuit Finals will count toward the race to the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “For me, it’s a celebration to the end of the year. Everybody works hard to ride good, and now the chances of you getting on a decent horse are good there. You get to show up and show off.” Braden has shown off quite a bit this year. Nationally he has earned more than $100,000 and will compete at the NFR for the first time. He will be among an elite few that advance to ProRodeo’s grand championship, set for Dec. 7-16 in Las Vegas, which features only the top 15 from each event. By competing in Duncan, he will have a preview of what it will be like for 10 nights inside the Thomas & Mack Center on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus. “For somebody that’s going to his first NFR, it’s going to be a good time for me to refresh my muscle memory in Duncan,” Braden said. “The ultimate deal at the circuit finals is to make the RAM finals in Florida, but I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity.” He has the right mind set as he prepares for two of the biggest rodeos of his life.

ALTUS, Okla. – Haven Meged knew attending Western Oklahoma State College would be a benefit to his rodeo career. Early October in Miles City, Mont., typically features cold weather. The winter can be long and brutal, so Meged knew being in southwestern Oklahoma would offer plenty of opportunities to hone his roping skills. He proved it this past weekend by dominating the tie-down roping at the Oklahoma State University rodeo in Stillwater. “Winning that rodeo helps out a lot, because it gets you to where you want to be at the end of the year, the college finals,” said Meged, a sophomore tie-down and team roper. “It just keeps the ball rolling, and you realize you have a chance to make it. You just keep pecking away at each rodeo.” Stillwater was the third of 10 rodeos in the Central Plains Region, and it was a big experience for WOSC ropers. Not only did Meged claim the title, but Colton Kofoed of Evanston, Wyo., finished as the runner up. They were joined in the championship round by Shane Smith and J.T. Adamson, the latter of whom finished fifth in the opening round but failed to mark a score in the finale. “There was about a foot of mud in the arena when I ran my first calf, but I had a really good calf,” Kofoed said. “I just made a solid run and tried not to make any mistakes.” It worked. He finished third in the opening round, then handled a big, tough calf in the short round to finish in a tie for fourth in the round. His two-run cumulative time of 21.7 seconds gave the Wyoming cowboy the runner-up finish. “It was really big for our guy’s team, because Haven and I finished first and second,” Kofoed said. “I’d really like to see us take all three calf ropers to the college finals.” In college rodeo, the top two teams in the region advance to the College National Finals Rodeo, which will take place next June in Casper, Wyo. The top three contestants in the region standings also qualify. The men weren’t the only ropers to find success in Stillwater. Makayla Mack won the first round in breakaway roping, then suffered a no-time in the final round. Still it was a solid showing for WOSC. “I had a really good calf, and my horse was working good and scoring solid,” said Mack of Christmas, Fla. “I was able to use a great calf. It was a little sticky, and the weather was a pretty big influence on the weekend. “Missing my calf in the short round was very frustrating, because I had a good calf. I didn’t rope to my full potential. I just didn’t rope aggressive like I should.” It’s all a learning experience, even for the greatest ropers in the sport. For Western Oklahoma State, coach Jess Tierney and his assistant, Jace Crabb, are the guiding forces. “Jace just told us to go out there and rope sharp and take care of business,” Meged said. “What Jess does with us is helps us get mentally strong in the practice pen.” Kofoed agreed. “I’ve learned more from Jess in the first few weeks of school than I learned from anybody else in my life,” he said. “He breaks you down on what you’re doing, then he builds you up. He doesn’t try to change your roping style like a lot of coaches, but he wants to make your style better. He pushes us and makes us match each week. It’s a really fun environment.” That’s a vital part of the sport. Yes, the competition is always there, but cowboys and cowgirls have a true passion for the game, and that’s always the driving force. But having fun and having the opportunities to compete are valuable, too. “This school has probably one of the best facilities I’ve ever seen at a college rodeo, and I visited a lot of schools,” Kofoed said. “From the facilities to the rodeo program, it’s the best I’ve seen.” That says a lot about the future of rodeo at WOSC.

ALVA, Okla. – Talon Roseland has seen the best steer wrestlers in the Central Plains Region compete for the top honors in all of college rodeo. Now a senior at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Roseland has placed himself in that category. He is the No. 2 man in the region behind teammate Cody Devers, but Roseland is gaining ground. He did so this past weekend by winning the bulldogging title at the Oklahoma State University rodeo in Stillwater. “This helps, because the points will help me in qualifying for the college finals,” said Roseland of Marshalltown, Iowa. “I think I’ve made the short round most of the time I’ve been to Stillwater, and now I’ve got a buckle with Pistol Pete on it.” He’s talking about the OSU mascot, but the buckle is just one aspect of the rewards he received with the crown. He moved to within 15 points of Devers, of Perryton, Texas. They are among eight Rangers who are in the top 15 of the standings. Roseland opened the competition with a 5.5-second run, good enough for fourth in the first round. He then posted a 4.8 in the championship round to win the two-run aggregate by six-tenths of a second. Devers, who finished in a tie for second place overall, won the hort round with a 4.6-second run. They were joined in the final round with several other Rangers, including fellow bulldogger Ethan Price of Leedey, Okla., who finished third in the opening round. Other key Northwestern cowboys were Maverick Harper of Stephenville, Texas, who finished fourth in tie-down roping, and Grayson Allred of Kanarraville, Utah, who finished second in both rounds and the average in team roping with his partner, Sam Stamper of OSU. When the points were tallied, Northwestern had finished second for the second time in a row. Through each of the first three rodeos, the Rangers men have been among the top two all season. “As a team, I expect us to win the region and get a good team out to the college finals,” Roseland said. “I think we can get some things done there. I’d like for us to have all the year-end champions in all the timed events and dang sure send three bulldoggers to the finals.” The top two teams in each region advance to the College National Finals Rodeo, which will take place next June in Casper, Wyo. The top three individuals in each event also qualify. That’s why it’s important for each member of the team to get as many points as possible at each regional rodeo. The Northwestern women finished the OSU rodeo in a tie for first place. The Rangers were led by Jenny Massing of Ponoka, Alberta, who won the short round and finished second in the two-run aggregate in goat-tying. Massing didn’t place in the first round with an 8.2-second run, but she was half a second faster than the field with a 7.1 in the championship round. Other Rangers who earned points were breakaway ropers Ashlyn Moeder of Oakley, Kan., who finished fifth and Alyssa Gabrielson of Perham, Minn., who placed sixth. Taylor Munsell of Arnett, Okla., finished in a tie for fifth in the opening round but was unable to earn a qualified time in the short round. It’s proof that the hard work in practice is paying off for the men and the women. “Probably the greatest thing that Stockton does is he always has good steers to run, and we can run as many as we want,” Roseland said of Northwestern rodeo coach Stockton Graves. “He has ways for us to improve ourselves. “We have weekly jackpots, which gives us a chance to compete. Getting behind the barrier in competition never hurts you and always makes you better because of it.” It seems to be the secret to Northwestern’s rodeo success.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – One of the special nuances of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo is its unique Linderman Award, which is given to the contestant that does well in both timed and roughstock events. It’s similar to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Linderman Award, which is given annually to the cowboy that earns the most money in three events, with two being on one side of rodeo and the third being on the other. It’s named after Bill Linderman, who won six world titles combined between bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling. “It’s a neat deal, because cowboys are diverse and can do multiple events,” said Sterling Crawley, the 2017 Waller County Linderman winner who earned the title during Saturday’s final performance. “I hadn’t roped calves in 10 years, then I started roping this past winter. I bought a little horse to play around with at the house, and I figured I’d enter here and give it a shot.” He means that somewhat literally. By winning the Linderman, he won an automatic rifle and follows in the footsteps of his big brother, Jacobs, who won a rifle a year ago competing in the same events. Crawley competed in tie-down roping and finished his run, but his time wasn’t fast enough to finish among the top eight. He then dismounted his horse and quickly prepared to get on his saddle bronc, Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Jumpin John, which he rode for 80.5 points. That was good enough for fifth place and a check worth $482. “We’ve roped since we were little kids, so this was pretty cool,” said Sterling Crawley, 26, of Stephenville, Texas. A week ago, he put the wraps on one of the best regular seasons of his career. He finished the 2017 campaign ninth in the world standings with nearly $93,000 in earnings. He is headed to his fourth Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which takes place in December in Las Vegas. “This year’s been a complete blessing,” he said. “We just tried to stay the course and stay steady the whole year. That was fun, because I got on a fun horse of Pete Carr’s. That helps make it fun.” He has officially kicked off the 2018 season, which serves as a jump-start to his run at the NFR – that’s rodeo’s richest rodeo, where go-round winners earn more than $26,000 per night for 10 rounds. Of course, he’s made Hempstead’s rodeo a regular part of his schedule for much of the last decade. “I came here before it was PRCA sanctioned,” Crawley said. “When I was in high school, I came here. It’s always been fun. The atmosphere has always been good here, and it’s just gotten better. It’s not far from home, and the horses are usually good, so we want to be sure to compete in Hempstead.” It worked pretty well again this year. Waller County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 5-7 Hempstead, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Justin McDaniel, 83 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Coal Thunder, $1,884; 2. Jake Brown, 82, $1,444; 3. (tie) Clint Laye and Zach Hibler, 80, $879 each; 5. Blade Elliott, 79, $440; 6. Winn Ratliff, 77, $314; 7. (tie) Lane MGehee and Evan Jayne, 76, $220 each. Steer wrestling: 1. Matt Reeves, 3.6 seconds, $2,119; 2. Clayton Hass, 3.8, $1,842; 3. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Morgan Grant, 3.9, $1,428 each; 5. (tie) Billy Bugenig, Jacob Talley and Blake Doyle, 4.0, $737 each; 8. Justus Whitcher, 4.1, $184. Team roping: 1. Lane Ivy/Budy Hawkins II, 4.2 seconds, $2,520; 2. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 4.4, $2,255; 3. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.6, $1,990; 4. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Noguiera, Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, Tyler Waters/Caleb Anderson and Clayton Van Aken/Richard Durham, 4.8, $1,327 each; 8. (tie) Caleb Smidt/Coleby Payne, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, Tanner Green/Shawn Turner and Jake Orman/Will Woodfin, 5.0, $298 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Showgirl, $2,064; 2. Bradley Harter, 84, $1,583; 3. Chet Johnson, 83, $1,170; 4. Isaac Diaz, 81.5, $757; 5. Sterling Crawley, 80.5, $482; 6. Cody Anthony, 80, $334; 7. Wyatt Casper, 79.5, $275; 6. (tie) Garet Aldridge and Heith DeMoss, 79, $103 each. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Clay Long, 7.5 seconds, $2,551; 2. Marcos Costa, 7.7, $2,218; 3. Justus Whitcher, 8.0, $1,886; 4. Blane Cox, 8.4, $1,553; 5. (tie) Kody Mahaffey and Ike Fontenot, 8.6, $1,054 each; 7. Justin Macha, 8.7, $555; 8. Adam Gray, 9.1, $222. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Kelly Bruner, 14.47 seconds, $2,480; 2. Taylor Jacob, 14.72, $2,108; 3. Taci Bettis, 14.80, $1,736; 4. Jennifer Sharp 14.82, $1,488; 5. Rainy Pratt, 14.91, $1,240; 6. Morgan Breaux, 14.92, $868; 7. Sara Withers, 14.96, $620; 8. Amanda Cupp, 14.97, $496; 9. Lacy Kimball,14.98, $434; 10. Michelle Alley, 15.05, $372; 11. Jessi Wade, 15.11, $310; 12. Jackie Whitcher, 15.14, $248. Steer roping: First round: 1. Tuf Cooper, 10.1 seconds, $1,018; 2. (tie) Mike Chase and Cash Myers, 10.7, $755 each; 4. (tie) Jarrett Blessing and Ryan Willberg, 10.9, $404 each; 6. (tie) Trevor Brazile and Jess Tierney, 11.7, $88 each. Second round: 1. Trevor Brazile, 8.9 seconds, $1018; 2. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.0, $842; 3. (tie) Tuf Cooper and J. Tom Fisher, 10.8, $579 each; 5. Cody Lee, 10.9, $316; 6. Rocky Patterson, 11.0, $175. Third round: 1. Trevor Brazile, 9.1 seconds, $1,018; 2. Lawson Plemons, 9.4, $842; 3. (tie) Mike Chase, Jarrett Blessing and Ryan O’Rourke, 10.1, $491 each; 6. (tie) Rocky Patterson and J.P. Wicket, 88 each. Average: 1. Trevor Brazile, 29.7 seconds on three runs, $1,527; 2. Mike Chase, 32.1, $1,263; 3. Rocky Patterson, 33.5, $1,000; 4. Jarrett Blessing, 34.2, $737; 5. J. Tom Fisher, 34.6, $474; 6. Jess Tierney, 37.0, $263. Bull riding: 1. Clayton Sellers, 83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Son of Sam, $2,941; 2. (tie) Markus Mariluch and Tristan Mize, 82, $1,975 each; 4. Foster McCraw, 80, $1,105; 5. Jeffrey Joseph Ramagos, 78.5, $718; 6. Denton Fugate, 75, $525; 7. Dakota Nye, 71.5, $428; no other qualified  Continue Reading »

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Buddy Hawkins is a glass-half-full kind of person. Finishing the 2017 regular season 16th in the world standings – one spot out of qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – can oftentimes be a deflating feeling. That’s not the case for Hawkins, a 2013 NFR heeling qualifier from Columbus, Kan., who finished just $3,000 out of advancing to Las Vegas in December. “I may have ended up 16th, but that’s not down to me,” he said. “I finished the 2016 season 47th, so 2017 was up. If we move up that much, we’ll be wearing gold in 2018.” He had that mentality on Friday night during the second performance of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, and it worked. He and his header, Lane Ivy of Dublin, Texas, stopped the clock in 4.2 seconds to take the team toping lead in Hempstead. “Buddy makes my job a whole lot easier,” said Ivy, who finished the 2017 season 20th in the heading world standings. “I don’t have to worry about handling the steers as good for him; he just cleans anything I turn.” In team roping, the header tries to rope the steer’s horns, then turns the steer to allow his heeler to take a good shot. All this happens in a virtual blink of an eye. “Roping’s so fast now that if you want to win, it’s full contact all the time,” Ivy said. Now just a year into their partnership, things are looking up for the duo. The regular season ended last Saturday, so their run in Hempstead was the first of the 2018 season. Even though the world champions for 2017 won’t be crowned until December, there will be several thousand dollars won by many contestants before the grand finale begins. “We didn’t rope as good as we’re able to in the winter,” Hawkins said, reflecting on the team’s close call this past season. We finally got into the top 15 as a team in July, but in the end, we didn’t do what we’re capable of. If we’d done everything we could and came up short, then we might be more disappointed, but we didn’t do what we needed to do.” But the new campaign offers a new beginning; Ivy and Hawkins are off to a hot start. “This is a really good rodeo with good money,” Ivy said of the purse, which features $5,000 in added (committee) money per event and per side in team roping. “I’ve finished second here before, plus what we will win this year. It’s been good.” He pointed out that it’s important to do well all year. That’s the best route to making the NFR, and the rodeo trail is long and winding. That’s why it’s vital that the teammates understand their roles and know what it takes to win at an elite level. They’re off to a good start, so now it’s making everything come together the best way possible. “In our business, the best way I can describe heeling to sports people is we’re the goaltender,” Hawkins said. “We can go months on end without allowing a goal, but that doesn’t guarantee us the win. My partner is the offensive guy, and he’s got to score for us. “I had the best spin tonight. We had a strong steer, and he spun the best steer. That’s what set us up here.” Waller County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 5-7 Hempstead, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Justin McDaniel, 83 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Coal Thunder; 2. Jake Brown, 82; 3. (tie) Clint Laye and Zach Hibler, 80; 5. Winn Ratliff, 77; 6. Lane MGehee, 76; 7. Paden Hurst, 74; 8. Kirk St. Clair, 71. Steer wrestling: 1. Matt Reeves, 3.6 seconds; 2. Clayton Hass, 3.8; 3. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Morgan Grant, 3.9; 5. (tie) Billy Bugenig, Jacob Talley and Blake Doyle, 4.0 each; 8. Justus Whitcher, 4.1. Team roping: 1. Lane Ivy/Budy Hawkins II, 4.2 seconds; 2. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 4.4; 3. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.6; 4. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Noguiera and Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 4.8 each; 6. (tie) Caleb Smidt/Coleby Payne, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, Tanner Green/Shawn Turner and Jake Orman/Will Woodfin, 5.0 each; 10. Justin Lovell/B.J. Dugger, 5.1. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Showgirl; 2. Bradley Harter, 84; 3. Chet Johnson, 83; 4. Isaac Diaz, 81.5; 5. Wyatt Casper, 79.5; 6. Garet Aldridge, 79; 7. Curtis Garaton, 77; 8. Will Smith, 76.5. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Clay Long, 7.5 seconds; 2. Marcos Costa, 7.7; 3. Justus Whitcher, 8.0; 4. Blane Cox, 8.4; 5. (tie) Kody Mahaffey and Ike Fontenot, 8.6 each; 7. Justin Macha, 8.7; 8. Adam Gray, 9.1. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Kelly Bruner, 14.47 seconds; 2. Taylor Jacob, 14.72; 3. Jennifer Sharp 14.82; 4. Rainy Pratt, 14.91; 5. Morgan Breaux, 14.92; 6. Sara Withers, 14.96; 7. Amanda Cupp, 14.97; 8. Kimball Lacy,14.98; 9. Michelle Alley, 15.05; 10. Jessi Wade, 15.11; 11. Jackie Whitcher, 15.14; 12. Fallon Taylor, 15.17. Bull riding: 1. Clayton Sellers, 83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Son of Sam; 2. (tie) Markus Mariluch and Tristan Mize, 82 each; 4. Foster McCraw, 80; 5. Jeffrey Joseph Ramagos, 78.5; 6. Denton Fugate, 75; 7. Dakota Nye, 71.5; no other qualified rides.

EAGLE, Colo. – The honors keep coming for the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo. Two weeks ago, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association recognized Eagle rodeo as one of the top five medium size rodeos of the year with nominations for the year-end award. This week, the fair board learned its rodeo is also nominated for Mountain States medium rodeo of the year. “It’s been an amazing year for us,” said Hanna Albertson, chairwoman of the fair and rodeo’s advisory committee. “Both of these nominations mean quite a bit to us. We have a hard-working crew made up mostly of volunteers that puts in a lot of hours and effort into making our fair and rodeo successful. “By being recognized at this level, it’s a testament to the hard work we’ve done. The county staff deserves a lot of credit for what they have done and the support they provide us every year. Each of them is a valuable part of our team.” The Mountain States Circuit is made up of contestants and rodeos primarily in Colorado and Wyoming. The nominations come from voting PRCA members, so it’s always an honor to be recognized in that capacity. “We are extremely blessed to work with some of the best in the business, from our stock contractor, Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, to our announcer, Scott Grover,” Albertson said. “There are so many people who help make our rodeo very good, and I’m glad that others see it, too.” Pete Carr has been nominated for the sixth time for Stock Contractor of the Year. Three members of his crew – pickup man Jeremy Willis, bullfighter Clay Heger and secretary Sandy Gwatney – are also up for the end-of-the-year awards, which will be announced Wednesday, Dec. 6, during the PRCA Awards Banquet, in conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Gwatney won the Secretary of the Year award in 2016. “For us to be nominated alongside those names and in a category with four other great rodeos is amazing to me,” Albertson said. “By being nominated for medium rodeo of the year, the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo is one of the top 20 rodeos of all sizes in 2017. That is incredible. “It is a telling statement for not only the people who work hard for our rodeo every year but also for the people of this community and the sponsors that help make it so great. We couldn’t do it without them.”

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – A new season offers new opportunities and, sometimes, provides a chance at redemption. With the 2017 regular season ending this past Saturday, many of ProRodeo’s biggest stars are kicking off their 2018 campaign at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. For steer wrestler Clayton Hass, missing the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the first time in four years has left a bad taste in his mouth. He tried to cleanse his palette Thursday night during the first performance with a 3.8-second run to take the early lead. “It’s always nice to get off to a good something, and it’ll probably win something,” said Hass of Terrell, Texas, who finished 17th in the 2017 world standings, just $647 short of the 15th spot; that would have secured his fourth consecutive NFR bid. “Missing it by $600 ticked me off a little bit. “Hopefully we’ll get a little better this winter and get stronger, then come back in full force and be better than it was this year.” Saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley was at the other end of the spectrum. He just capped off his best regular season, earning more than $184,000. His redemption will come in December, when he hopes to close out the campaign in Las Vegas with a second gold buckle, which would match the one he earned in 2015. “I haven’t even thought about the term regular season,” said Crawley of Boerne, Texas, who rode Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Showgirl for 86 points to take the early lead. “For me, it’s always one rodeo season. I had a great regular season last year, and I came up one bronc short, so I could care less. The regular-season lead sounds really good, but it’s not what I’m after.” Crawley carried the lead into the 10th and final night of the 2016 NFR, then was bucked off. He finished with a cumulative score of 662 points on eight rides, but four other men had scores through nine rides. That pushed the Texan down the NFR average, which pays a bonus to the top cumulative times through all 10 rounds. He finished $2,831 shy of world champion Zeke Thurston and fell to No. 2. “This year I’ve got nothing to lose, so it’s a fun place to be,” Crawley said. “The chase isn’t over until the 10th round is over.” It’s critical to do well in Las Vegas, where go-round winners can pocket more than $26,000 each night. The average champion will add more than $67,000. And in a sport where dollars equal championship points, it’s vital to find success in Sin City. “Anyone could walk out of there with the world title,” he said, referring to the big dollars that are available at the NFR. “You must have a presence at the NFR to walk out of there with the gold buckle … a round presence and an average presence. That’s what I’m going for.” Both Crawley and Hass have been regulars at Hempstead’s rodeo. It’s close to home – two hours for Crawley and four for Hass – and it’s always nice to kick-start the new season at a good-money rodeo. It helps to find success on the opening night, too. “That run wasn’t textbook by any means,” Hass said. “I stayed pulling on my right arm, stayed hustling and it worked out. I’ve had some success here before. It’s good to get started like this at the first rodeo of the year” Crawley has excelled in spite of some limitations. He suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee about a month ago and is riding through the pain. He will compete this week and next, then begin the building blocks he’ll need to compete at the NFR. “In two weeks, I’ll take a break for a month and a half, let my knee heal up all the way and be 100 percent by December,” he said. Maybe it’s just being cowboy tough, but he wasn’t about to let the injury stop him from competing in Hempstead. “This is a great rodeo; I love Waller County,” he said. “It’s got a good turnout, and they’re trying to make it a better event every year. I’m just a fan. “If the environment’s right, it makes you want it that much more, and that environment is right here. You have a great dance, a great hospitality, and Pete Carr brings great bucking horses.”   Waller County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 5-7 Hempstead, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Clint Laye, 80 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Big Lights; 2. Paden Hurst, 74; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.8 seconds; 2. Riley Duvall, 4.8; no other qualified times. Team roping: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Noguiera, 4.8 seconds; 2. (tie) Caleb Smidt/Coleby Payne and Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 5.0 each; 4. Kolten Schmidt/Tyler Worley, 5.8; 5. Anthony Lucia/Colton Brittain, 6.6; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Showgirl; 2. Isaac Diaz, 81.5; 3. Garet Aldridge, 79; 4. Will Smith, 76.5; 5. Toby Collins, 75; 6. Matt McCloy, 68. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Clay Long, 7.5 seconds; 2. Caleb Smidt, 9.2; 3. King Pickett, 10.8; 4. Lane Livingston, 12.1; 5. Jason Bell, 23.6; no other qualified times. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Morgan Breaux, 14.92 seconds; 2. Kimball Lacy,14.98; 3. Michelle Alley, 15.05; 4. Jaime Barrow, 15.52; 5. Kimberly Hintz, 16.30; 6. Kelly Tovar, 20.11; 7. Zoe Brama, 20.14; 8. Brooke Rix, 20.22; 9. Jodee Mill34, 20.82; 10. Megan Mariluch, 21.08. Bull riding: 1. Clayton Sellers, 83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Son of Sam; 2. (tie) Markus Mariluch and Tristan Mize, 82 each; no other qualified rides.

BELLVILLE, Texas – The Austin County Fair and Rodeo offers quite a bit more than a chance for cowboys and cowgirls to win good money. It also offers a lot of fun – for contestants, fans and sponsors. From the great fair atmosphere to the carnival rides to a championship-caliber rodeo, a great deal is happening at Bellville’s rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12-Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Austin County Fairgrounds. “The atmosphere there is great,” said Chuck Swisher, one of the bullfighters who will work the rodeo. “It’s a stock show and rodeo. It’s cool to have the whole community come together and make such a great event. “It’s a rodeo crowd. They know what’s going on, who to cheer for, what pays the rent there. It’s a really good crowd every night and a lot of fun. They also have a good concert every night.” That’s true. This year’s fair will feature headliners Daryle Singletary on Thursday, Tracy Lawrence on Friday and the Charlie Daniels Band on Saturday. “I think what makes it the most fun is that it’s a good ol’ fashioned fair and rodeo,” said Kelly Kaminski, a two-time world champion barrel racer from Bellville. “The committee takes care of the contestants. The hospitality is great. When you rodeo and you’re coming in from a long way away, it’s nice to not have to worry about supper.” Kaminski has never had to worry about that at her hometown rodeo, but she’s been on the rodeo trail enough to understand the necessity that comes with outstanding hospitality. But what cowboys and cowgirls also get is an opportunity to play the game in front of amazing fans. This year’s list of entries has increased by more than 60, so that says quite a bit about Bellville’s rodeo. “The atmosphere around here is a little Germanic,” she said. “A lot of old families that have settled here are German, Czech and Polish. We’ve got just about everything under the sun. There’s a lot of fun to be had, and this is their time to shine. “It’s really an Oktoberfest feel to this fair and rodeo, and that makes it a lot of fun.” That includes the rodeo, which regularly features many of the biggest names in the sport. Caleb Smidt, who won the all-around title in his hometown of Bellville last year, earned the 2015 tie-down roping world championship, and he is heading to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the fourth time in five years – the only year he missed the finale was in 2014 after suffering an injury. He is just one of many NFR veterans who are expected to be in Bellville, but that’s just what fans have come to expect. “It really is a great little rodeo,” Kaminski said.