Monthly Archives: March 2019

GUYMON, Okla. – Robbie Hodges takes his job seriously, even though it’s a bit of an oxymoron for a rodeo clown. “I love to look up and see the contestants watching my acts,” said Hodges, who will be funnyman/barrelman during the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “I love for them guys to like what I’m doing. That’s my meter of what I judge my performance by, the guys that go to 120 rodeos a year. I try to bring something different. Every performance to me is different. My (attention deficit disorder) is so bad that I couldn’t handle it if I did it any other way or if I tried to go by a certain script every time.” When rodeo regulars like Hodges’ work, then there’s a good indication the crowd will, too. That’s the main reason the Georgia man has long been considered one of the very best entertainers in ProRodeo. He’s been nominated as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s clown of the year, entertainer of the year and the Coors Man in the Can, which recognizes the best barrelmen in the business. “I love to work the barrel,” said Hodges, who was selected as the barrelman for the 2010 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “That’s the most important aspect of being a barrelman, not necessarily the comedy but being there to help protect the bull riders and the bullfighters. If you’re going to be a barrelman, go get those guys. That’s been my reputation.” It’s one that was forged in rodeos in the Southeastern United States, where Hodges got his start in the late 1990s. His strong Georgia accent is an avenue of pride, but so is the work he does inside the arena. “I worked a lot of (Florida) rodeos in Okeechobee and Kissimmee, and that was a very mean place to learn,” he said. “When you leave there, you’d better be ready. Them bulls will just keep coming at you.” But being inside the specialized barrel isn’t the only thing Hodges has done in rodeo. In fact, he rode bareback horses for 16 years before he started wearing greasepaint and making crowds laugh at his antics. “I was always the guy who played tricks on everybody around me, doing things to make everybody else laugh,” Hodges said. “Everybody told me I needed to do it. “I called a local stock contractor in Georgia about working some rodeos. The next thing I know I was doing five rodeos, then the next year, 20. I’m very lucky.” He also is very talented, and a key ingredient in his work is how he interacts with the crowd. “I tried to back off a lot of the traditional stuff,” he said. “A lot of my stuff is audience participation.” That aspect of his performance allows Hodges to showcase a natural talent of being funny in a moment’s notice. Through observances and being keenly aware of what’s going on during each performance, he not only celebrates rodeo, he helps engage fans into the game with his humor. It’s a trait he’s held tightly since a youngster. In addition to sharing his life with the crowd while in the arena, he also realizes he can provide a special gift with individualized attention. “What would it have been like if you were a kid and one of the great sports heroes came up and talked to you at the game?” he asked. “I try to do that. I want at least one person to come up and say, ‘Hey, that guy came up and talked to me.’ “When I’m in the arena, I am larger than life. I’m the attention. I love to take that and give that back to someone. When I was a kid in about the fourth or fifth grade, I was bullied pretty bad. I try to pick out a kid and sit with them. I always think that it would’ve been great if that had happened to me when I was a kid, so I want to give that to someone.”

Midwestern-based livestock producer takes bull riding to the Middle East PRINCETON, Minn. – For years, Rice Bull Riding Co. has made a name for itself across the Midwest producing world-class bull riding events. Dave Rice has now taken his showcase halfway around the world. Rice is producing the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival Bull Riding events across Saudi Arabia, and they are gaining popularity each day that he, his crew and a few dozen bull riders are there. “In late November, we received an email, then a follow-up phone call from a company in Saudi Arabia that said they wanted to speak with us regarding bringing a bull riding event to Saudi Arabia at the request of the Camel Club,” Rice said. “At first, we thought this must be a prank.” Subsequent communications revealed the reality of the situation. In January, a Saudi contact flew to Minnesota to meet and finalize the details of the contract. Two days later, Rice was bound for the Middle East to see the site, meet the Saudi team and figure out how to make the massive venture take place. “I was excited at the opportunity and very worried about how to make it all work,” he said. There were plenty of logistical hurdles to clear. Because of confidentiality agreements, Rice had to find enough bull riders to make the trip. Most didn’t have passports, so he and his staff handled the heavy task of getting 24-hour expedited passports done. “Luckily we got this done because we had an invitation letter direct from the Department of Ministry listing all the bull riders and staff that were coming over,” Rice said this month from Saudi Arabia. “We also had to have an arena. The original plan was to ship my brand-new W-W area I just had built. Unfortunately, due to the size, it would have to go port to port by ship and would never make it in time.” Rice returned to Saudi Arabia a month prior to the event and worked with a welding shop there. Even though workers spoke no English, they were able to manufacture the arena in a week. They also manufactured additional pens, alleys and gates, since the bulls needed to stay on site during the festival. “Our biggest challenge was getting the bulls, since they have specific quarantine and lots of import permit requirements in order to be sent to Saudi Arabia,” he said. Curt Check Bucking Bulls was contracted to handle all the purchasing, vaccinations, quarantine and other paperwork necessary. Check and Cody Halverson hauled the bulls from the USDA facility in Illinois to Chicago, where Rice had chartered a cargo plane to fly the bulls to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “We had 20 custom wooded crates built to hold the bulls,” Rice said. “They loaded three bulls per crate, and they had room to lay down and have access to food for the flight over in a climate-controlled environment of 67 degrees. “Since the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have no formal agreement regarding cattle being imported back to the U.S., these 60 bulls are now permanent residents of Saudi Arabia. After this event is over, they will live on a ranch in Saudi Arabia.” That should work out fine, since Rice plans to produce more events there. “Having these bulls already here, along with the new arena, will open many new opportunities for Rice Bull Riding Co. here,” he said. The company was founded in 1997 and is operated by Rice, his wife, Christina and son Dalton. It was named the National Federation of Professional Bull Riders’ Producer of the Year in 2015 and ’18. Rice provides a personal experience to each show he produces, having been a bull rider for several years. While oversees, Rice has enlisted the help of 14 staff members: Production crew, bullfighters and entertainers. There are 27 bull riders who are part of the action. It takes a talented staff to pull something of this magnitude together; each performance features pyrotechnics, video and lighting and two large digital screens for replays. “Our first performance was for the president of the Camel Club, which is putting on this event,” he said. “They had wonderful feedback and support for the show and made sure I knew this event is only the beginning for Rice Bull Riding Co. in Saudi Arabia.” From Princeton, Minnesota, to the Middle East, it’s been quite a journey already.

GUYMON, Okla. – Having raised four boys, Sherry Stonecipher looks for a change of pace every May during the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. That’s when she and her husband, Ken – a longtime member of the rodeo committee – host most, if not all, the visiting queens that are in town for the festivities. For most years, they are just one of several families to host the girls. In 2017 and ’18, all the ladies stayed at the Stonecipher residence. “For me, I get to mother girls, and it’s a different experience,” she said. “It’s like a big girls’ weekend. I get to watch girl movies. I get to have girl chit-chat. I get to talk about girl stuff instead of guy stuff. It’s like a big slumber party.” No wonder she looks forward to the week of the rodeo, with performances set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. Two years ago, there were 17 queens in Texas County for the goings-on. They all packed hat boxes, clothes, boots, makeup and other necessities needed during their stay and crammed them into the home on the north side of town. “That was probably one of my best memories during my year as Miss Rodeo Oklahoma,” said Taylor Spears, the 2017 Miss Pioneer Days Rodeo and 2018 Miss Rodeo Oklahoma. “Sherry was just gleaming when all the girls moved stuff in. You’d think people would be upset, but she wasn’t. She told us, ‘You girls are the daughters I always dreamed of having that I never got to have.’ “It was so fund to spend the week with her.” That’s what many of the visiting queens say, whether they’re from Oklahoma or Idaho. They find out that rodeo royalty is a big part of the Pioneer Days Rodeo experience. “I know lots of places that don’t have the queens, but we’ve built it up in Guymon,” said Becky Robinson, who has overseen the queen program for the rodeo committee since 2008. “I line up places for them to stay and line up sponsors to feed them. We don’t want them out a lot of money, so I have everything sponsored. They spend a lot of money to get here.” It’s become a passion for Robinson, and she shares it with her family. In fact, she and her sister, Gina Horner, take their mother to Las Vegas so they can experience the Miss Rodeo America pageant during the National Finals Rodeo each December. “I just enjoy working with the girls,” Robinson said. “They’re all really good ambassadors, and I’ve stayed friends with them. I still have girls from way back contact me. It’s just part of the rodeo family.” Because of the sport’s gypsy lifestyle, contestants, queens and personnel can be away from home for several weeks – even months – at a time. They depend on their rodeo family, and the feelings are felt across the industry. The caravan hits the Oklahoma Panhandle over the first weekend in May. “Rodeo is not just an athletic competition; it’s a sport that has pageantry and tradition, and rodeo queens bring all that to the arena,” Ken Stonecipher said. “Not only do they bring beauty to the arena, but they also bring horsemanship, rodeo knowledge and the ability to interact with the fans. “I couldn’t imagine having a rodeo without them.” Many in Texas County agree. Businesses support the queens while they’re in town, primarily because they believe in the importance of the rodeo and also of what it takes to promote the sport. Queens not only display flags in the arena and share their love of horses, but they make their way around town for days leading up to the rodeo performances, spouting words of encouragement while also serving as ambassadors to the game. A few years ago, 24 queens made their way to Guymon, the most Robinson has ever had. There has been at least a dozen most years. For this year, Robinson said, 10 are committed so far. “But I could have 17, 18 or 19 before I know it,” she said with a laugh. “Word spreads pretty quickly, then we’ll start getting more and more before long.” It’s quite a statement that the young ladies want to be part of Pioneer Days Rodeo. “Until the queens come to Guymon, the truly don’t know what to expect,” Spears said. “I overheard Miss Rodeo Idaho say she had heard about Guymon. “I grew up admiring the caliber of cowboys that get to compete at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. To be the Guymon queen and represent Guymon for the year I did goes beyond my wants and desires. It’s a phenomenal opportunity to represent something bigger than myself. It was so awesome going to schools where they speak 23 different languages and interact with the students. It made me proud that I get to represent this group of people.” Three of the last five years, Miss Rodeo America has been to Guymon and stayed at the Stoneciphers’ home: 2015 winner Lauren Heaton (Oklahoma); 2018 titlist Keri Sheffield (Florida); and the 2019 Miss Rodeo America, Taylor McNair (Mississippi). “The reason we do this is to support the rodeo,” Sherry Stonecipher said. “We know bringing the queens is an element that adds to the rodeo experience.” The Stoneciphers have noticed the bond that develops between the women who share their home during those few days each spring. While Ken Stonecipher spends most of the week at the rodeo grounds, he has been able to share in the experiences on a limited basis. “When they travel, these state queens rarely get to stay with each other,” he said. “By staying in one place, they all form great friendships with each other. They really like all being in the same spot It gives them an opportunity to hang out and build on those relationships with the other  Continue Reading »

ALVA, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State University women’s rodeo team is making a statement early in the spring portion of the season. The Rangers have won the first two rodeos of the semester, first at Kansas State University a few weeks ago, then this past weekend at Fort Scott (Kansas) Community College. They parlayed event titles by barrel racer Ashlyn Moeder of Oakley, Kansas, and breakaway roper Taylor Munsell of Arnett, Oklahoma, into the top finish. In addition, Moeder finished just ahead of teammate Kayla Wilson of Quincey, Illinois, who made two consistent runs in the eastern Kansas community to place second. By claiming the first two team titles of the semester, Northwestern moved to third place in the Central Plains Region standings. “Going back to back is very big for us, because it brought us higher in the standings,” said Wilson, who posted runs of 12.86 to finish third in the opening round and 12.96 to finish third in the championship round. “We get to close in on second place.” The goal, now, is to continue to push forward. Only the top two teams in the region advance to the College National Finals Rodeo, and there are just four events remaining on the 2018-19 campaign. The top three individuals in each event also advance, so it all serves as an important incentive for the team members. “I’m pretty proud of my mare,” Wilson said. “When we were at K-State, we knocked down the third barrel, so it was great for us to have two consistent runs together.” She’s had Penny since high school, and the horse carried her to the National High School Finals Rodeo two years ago. Now the two are trying to make it work in college rodeo. Wilson and Moeder were joined in the short round by Natalie Berryhill of Remus, Michigan, who won the first round with a 12.67-second run; an overturned barrel in the short round, and the resulting 5-second penalty, knocked Berryhill out of placing overall. Munsell, who finished second at The American a week and a half ago, snuck into the short round with a 2.8-second run, then finished second in the short round with the same time. Her two-run cumulative time of 5.6 seconds helped her earn a tie of the title. Goat-tier Megan Turek of St. Paul, Nebraska, finished fifth in the short round and average. “Our women’s team is pretty strong,” Wilson said. “We’ve got girls in goats that are consistent, and breakaway ropers like Taylor that can pick up points. It shows the hard work we put in practice every day and how dedicated we are to what we do.” The Northwestern men were led by Bridger Anderson, a sophomore from Carrington, North Dakota, who added to his lead in steer wrestling. He has dominated the standings this season, owning a lead of 252.5 points over the field. In a tight bulldogging, he finished in a tie for fourth place in the opening round with a 4.5-second run. He followed that 2ith a 4.1 to win the championship round and the average. Brent Woodward of Dupree, South Dakota, placed in the first round. Tie-down roper Bo Yaussi of Udall, Kansas, won the opening round but missed his short-round calf. Still, his points helped the Rangers stay in the No. 3 position in the region. Wilson found her way to Northwestern during her senior year in high school after visiting with former Ranger Dylan Schulenberg of Coal Valley, Illinois. She considered her options, then during a campus visit two years ago, she found Alva to her liking. “I loved the rodeo program and the business program at Northwestern,” Wilson said. “I enjoyed the town, so I thought it was a good fit for me.” Now she hopes to build on the successes of the first two rodeos of the semester to see how things wind up at the conclusion of the season. She credits a positive mental game taught by coach Stockton Graves has been advantageous. “He tells us that our confidence is the key,” Wilson said. “He gives us a lot of good advice and tells us the harder we work, the better we do. We all work hard, so I think that’s why we’re successful as a women’s team.” It shows.

Justin Thigpen dominates CINCH Timed Event Championship on its 35th anniversary GUTHRIE, Okla. – Seventeen days before the opening round of the CINCH Timed Event Championship, Justin Thigpen took a call from the Lazy E Arena inviting him to be a replacement for the injured JoJo LeMond. Fifty hours after he roped his first steer, the Waycross, Georgia, cowboy became just the 15th man to win the “Ironman of ProRodeo” in the event’s 35th year. What’s even bigger is that he became the third rookie in that time to claim the title and the top prize: Leo Camarillo won it in the first year in 1985, and Mike Beers was the next newcomer to do it a year later. “I’ve wanted to come here for years,” said Thigpen, a 19-time International Professional Rodeo Association champion who has won titles in the all-around, tie-down roping, heading and steer roping. “I’ve dedicated my life to roping. I’m’ so glad I got to prove to myself that I can do it and that I belong here.” Yes, he does, and he proved it to the well-educated Lazy E crowd from the opening kickoff. He was strong and steady and placed in the first three rounds – second in the first two performances and first on Saturday afternoon. He also packed a heavy dose of prizes and money, $107,000. It’s the richest weekend of competition he’s ever earned. “By far,” he said. “Wow. What a great event. I’m honored that they had me. The crowd is just amazing; they respect the horsemanship it takes and the cowboys. There’s not another event that’s dedicated to the roping and bulldogging like this event.” Twenty of the best all-around, timed-event cowboys in the game test their skills in this unique challenge, where each man must compete in heading, heeling, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and steer roping in order to complete a round. The biggest paydays come in the 25-run aggregate. Thigpen finished in 341.9 seconds to collect the top prize of $100,000, then added his money in the rounds to get his total. K.C. Jones, a five-time CTEC champion from Burlington, Wyo., finished second in 412.0, which was worth $25,000. “Justin’s rodeoed for a long time,” said Jones, who has pocketed $493,500 in CTEC cash in his career. “He’s got a good arena, and he gets to rope a lot in the wintertime. I come out of Wyoming, and I go to south Georgia to get out of the weather. Once he got invited to come here, we got together and practiced. “There are a ton of good rodeos down there, but they’re just in a different association. He’s competed, but he’s lived in the wrong part of the country for a lot of people to notice.” They’re noticing now. In fact, Thigpen had secured his championship after the 24th run of his weekend. He held a 63.8-second advantage after the 23rd event, then added to it in steer wrestling, one of his signature disciplines. The worst a cowboy could get in the CTEC is a 60-second run, the equivalency of a no-time. Therefore, the big check had his name etched on it before he made his final run of the weekend. “When I came to bulldogging, my buddy that helped me all weekend, Matt McGee, told me, ‘Hey, don’t back off now. You’ve got a job to do,’ ” he said. “That’s the mentality we take. That’s the dedication in the practice pen. Let it show off in the arena.” It was definitely a learning situation for Thigpen, who had never attempted a steer roping run before he accepted the invitation. Now that he understands he will be back in this arena as the defending champion, Thigpen plans to work more on that event and heeling – they are the two he doesn’t do often at rodeos. For his first time inside the massive arena, he took all the challenges the CTEC offers and handled them in dominating fashion. It can be a grueling test of each athlete’s physical and mental endurance. “I run a lot of cattle and compete at the rodeos, so I felt like it was to my advantage physically just running them back to back to back,” Thigpen said. “I know a lot of guys here who just run at one event most of the time. It was nothing for me at that end of it. “As far as the mental side of it, I told myself so many times this week, ‘Stay smooth, stay in the game; don’t get ahead of the game if you draw a cow that is stronger. Still do your job, get a time and go on to the next one.’ ” It worked, and he has the right mental game to handle this event for years to come. He knows just what to consider as he trains and plans for next March and the 2020 CINCH Timed Event Championship. “Don’t get over-confident, and don’t take it for granted,” he said. “Live for this moment, but you better practice and you better be ready for next year. It’s an event like no other, and it ain’t for the faint of heart. “You’ve got to go at them. The pen is big, the cattle are strong. You’ve got to bear down and do your job every time you nod your head.  There’s not a layup in this thing.” That’s what helps make it the most unique event in Western sports. First round: 1. Jordan Ketscher, 60.7 seconds, $3,000; 2. Justin Thigpen, 72.1, $2,000; 3. Brent Lewis, 73.9, $1,000. Second round: 1. Marcus Theriot, 73.6 seconds, $3,000; 2 Justin Thigpen, 75.7, $2,000; 3. Clayton Hass, 78.3, $1,000. Third round: 1. Justin Thigpen, 52.6 seconds, $3,000; 2. Clayton Hass, 60.4, $2,000; 3. Rhen Richard, 61.1, $1,000. Fourth round: 1. Rhen Richard, 49.1 seconds, $3,000; 2. Cash Myers, 57.1, $2,000; 3. Cody Doescher, 58.0, $1,000. Fifth round: 1. Trevor Brazile, 45.8 seconds, $3,000; 2 Clay Smith, 47.7, $2,000; 3. Brent Lewis,  Continue Reading »

Texan sets three Lazy E Arena records Sunday morning to win $11,000 GUTHRIE, Okla. – One man’s misfortune can turn the tide quickly at an event like the Jr. Ironman Championship. When leader Trevor Meier of Garden City, Kansas, failed to secure a catch during his heeling run Sunday morning, that opened the door for Tyler West to walk through. The Mertzon, Texas, cowboy did just that, parlaying the fastest round of the weekend into the 12-run aggregate championship. “The first day, I took a 60 in heeling,” West said, referring to the 60-second run, the equivalency of a no-time at the Jr. Ironman and the CINCH Timed Event Championship. “The momentum went my way yesterday, and I kept going with it today.” Yes, it did. He started off with a 6.5-second run in heading, then closed out the championship by being strong in his final three runs of the three-day event. He set two more arena records in the process, a 6.3 in heeling and the round time of 32.2 seconds. In all, he pocketed $11,000 – all earned Sunday. With the victory, he earned an invitation to compete in the World Champion Rodeo Alliance semifinals, which takes place in May at the Lazy E Arena. “That’s awesome,” he said. “That’s a lot of money to win. It’s just an honor to be able to go.” It’s also an honor to win the title at the third Jr. Ironman. “It’s a dream for a young cowboy that wants to rodeo professionally one day,” said West, a 19-year-old cowboy who attends Southwest Texas Junior College on a rodeo scholarship. “Words can’t describe what this means to me for my future.” Though he watched his lead slip away with a tough run in his 11th event of the season, Meier was still content with finishing second. He won Friday’s first round and the runner-up, pocketing $6,000 when all was done. “The big thing is staying consistent every run,” said Meier, 19, a freshman at Garden City Community College who plans to transfer to Oklahoma Panhandle State University when the time comes. “Just one steer will get you, so you can’t let one run affect your next one.” It was a busy weekend for all the contestants, but none more than Meier. After competing in Saturday’s second round, he traveled to Fort Scott, Kansas, to compete at the college rodeo. He and his partner placed fifth in the first round in the southeast Kansas community but skipped today’s championship round in order to compete at the Lazy E. “This is a good platform to go to the next level, a good stepping stone to learn how to have a good mental game.” A strong mental approach helped West come through the final round unscathed. He loves the opportunity to compete in multiple events and hopes to show that in ProRodeo for years to come. “I look up to Trevor Brazile,” West said of the winningest cowboy in the game, a seven-time CTEC titlist who owns the record for most Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world championships. “He has 24 gold buckles, and he has great character. I look up to him.” It’s a good place to start.   Jr. Ironman first round: 1. Trevor Meier, 49.8, $1,000. Jr. Ironman second round: 1. Hiyo Yazzi, 39.0 seconds, $1,000. Jr. Ironman third round: 1. Tyler West, 32.2 seconds, $1,000. Jr. Ironman average: 1. Tyler West, 179.6 seconds, $10,000; 2. Trevor Meier, 199.3, $5,000; 3. Dillon Jones, 213.7, $2,000.

Georgia cowboy has a nice cushion heading into the final round of the 2019 CTEC GUTHRIE, Okla. – The lessons that Justin Thigpen has gained over the first two days of his first CINCH Timed Event Championship will hopefully be carried over for years to come. He has held the lead at this year’s “Ironman of ProRodeo” since Friday night’s second round, and he just built onto it Saturday. He has roped, tied and wrestled 20 animals in 261.8 seconds. That’s impressive for anyone, but especially a CTEC rookie. What’s more impressive is that Thigpen has a nice cushion: A 76.8-second lead over the No. 2 cowboy, five-time titlist K.C. Jones of Burlington, Wyo. “This is great,” said Thigpen, 35, of Waycross, Georgia. “There are a lot of tough competitors, a lot of world champions here. It’s a learning curve for me. I know some things I should have done better, but you can’t beat yourself up. It’s a 10-round fight, and you’ve just got to go for it every time.” Right now, he is throwing haymakers at the field. He has placed in three of four rounds – he finished second in Rounds 1 and 2 and won Saturday afternoon’s third round. Heading into Sunday’s final round, he has already pocketed $7,000. He has a strong background. He is a 19-time world champion in the International Professional Rodeo Association, having earned titles in the all-around, heading, tie-down roping and steer wrestling – those are just three of the five event that make up the CTEC format. “One thing I’d do different to prepare for this is more steer tripping,” he said of single steer roping. “We practice pretty hard all the time, minus the steer tripping. For me, it’s just to stay after it, trip some more steers and maybe be a contender next year.” He’s proven to be a contender this year and has been strong in the events in which he competes regular and has managed his way through steer roping and heeling. “We ride a bunch of horses and train colts around the house, so I get my share of heeling,” he said. “The key here is just to compete on your head of stock. You’re not roping against those other guys. You’re competing on that cow you have in the chute.” That mentality is paying off quite well for Thigpen. He finished fourth in the fourth round, but only the top three times in each round earn pay. Rhen Richard of Roosevelt, Utah, won Saturday night’s performance, posting a 49.1, the fastest round of the competition. “This is the best all-around round I’ve ever put together,” said Richard, who has earned $4,000 so far. “I had a good round started three or four times, and I finally finished a round. “Hopefully we can put a good round together again tomorrow.” It could make a difference in his final income from this weekend’s championship. He utilized his fast round to move into sixth place in the average. If he were to hold that spot, it would be worth $5,000. Of course, the goal is to come away with the title and the $100,000 top prize. Right now, though, Thigpen has a pretty sold avenue to earning that. “This is awesome,” Richard said. “There aren’t many guys that can say they’ve even entered the Timed Event, so it’s a blessing to be here.” The story in the Jr. Ironman continues to be Kansas cowboy Trevor Meier, who has a cumulative time of 107.3 seconds after eight runs. He has four more runs to make during the final round Sunday morning. Saturday’s second round was controlled by Hilo Yazzie, who set a Jr. Ironman record with a 39.0-second round. For that, the New Mexico cowboy pocketed $1,000. He also moved to No. 3 in the average with a cumulative time of 131.2 seconds. Should he remain in that spot when the event concludes, he would add $2,000; the winner will earn $10,000, with $5,000 going to the runner-up. Third round: 1. Justin Thigpen, 52.6 seconds, $3,000; 2. Clayton Hass, 60.4, $2,000; 3. Rhen Richard, 61.1, $1,000. Fourth round: 1. Rhen Richard, 49.1 seconds, $3,000; 2. Cash Myers, 57.1, $2,000; 3. Cody Doescher, 58.0, $1,000 Average leaders: 1. Justin Thigpen, 261.8 seconds; 2. K.C. Jones, 338.6; 3. Cody Doescher, 345.1; 4. Jess Tierney, 348.8; 5. Cash Myers, 359.1; 6. Rhen Richard, 360.0; 7. Erich Rogers, 370.2; 8. Paul David Tierney, 387.7. Jr. Ironman second round: 1. Hiyo Yazzi, 39.0 seconds, $1,000; 2. Tyler West, 49.3; 3. Trevor Meier, 57.5. Jr. Ironman average leaders: 1. Trevor Meier, 107.3 seconds; 2. Dillon ones, 118.3; 3. Hiyo Yazzi, 131.2.

GUTHRIE, Okla. – Justin Thigpen continues to be impressive during his first CINCH Timed Event Championship. The all-around hand from Waycross, Georgia, posted a 52.6-second round to win the third performance, worth an additional $3,000. He also extended his lead in the average, having roped, tied and wrestled 15 animals in 200.4 seconds, almost 29 seconds faster than the No. 2 man, Clayton Hass. Hass, a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, also finished second in the go-round, finishing in 60.4 seconds. Those are the top two fastest rounds so far through the three rounds of the “Ironman of ProRodeo.” The story in the Jr. Ironman continues to be Kansas cowboy Trevor Meier, who has a cumulative time of 107.3 seconds after eight runs. He has four more runs to make during the final round Sunday morning. Saturday’s second round was controlled by Hilo Yazzie, who set a Jr. Ironman record with a 39.0-second round. For that, the New Mexico cowboy pocketed $1,000. He also moved to No. 3 in the average with a cumulative time of 131.2 seconds. Should he remain in that spot when the event concludes, he would add $2,000; the winner will earn $10,000, with $5,000 going to the runner-up. Third round: 1. Justin Thigpen, 52.6 seconds, $3,000; 2. Clayton Hass, 60.4, $2,000; 3. Rhen Richard, 61.1, $1,000. Average leaders: 1. Justin Thigpen, 200.4 seconds; 2. Clayton Hass, 229.2; 3. Jordan Ketscher, 254.7; 4 Jess Tierney, 257.9; 5. K.C. Jones, 267.4; 6. Paul David Tierney, 270.9; 7. Marcus Theriot, 282.2; 8. Erich Rogers, 283.4. Jr. Ironman second round: 1. Hiyo Yazzi, 39.0 seconds, $1,000; 2. Tyler West, 49.3; 3. Trevor Meier, 57.5. Jr. Ironman average leaders: 1. Trevor Meier, 107.3 seconds; 2. Dillon ones, 118.3; 3. Hiyo Yazzi, 131.2.

Thigpen utilizes strong round finish to be atop CINCH Timed Event Championship GUTHRIE, Okla. – Justin Thigpen didn’t look much like a replacement on Friday, the opening day of the CINCH Timed Event Championship. He roped, tied and wrestled 10 animals in 147.8 seconds and owns the average lead after two go-rounds of the “Ironman of ProRodeo.” That’s not too shabby for a man that just learned he was competing two and a half weeks ago. “This is just what I thought it would be,” said Thigpen, a 19-time International Professional Rodeo Association champion from Waycross, Georgia. “You’ve got to stay focused, stay determined and just do your job. It’s what we grew up wanting to do. “We rope every day in the practice pens. I compete in three events at just about every rodeo I go to. As far as going one right after the other, I’m just used to it.” He proved it by being solid over the first two rounds. What’s more, he already has earned money at this year’s CTEC: He put together a 75.7-second round Friday night to finished as the runner-up in the go-round; that was worth $2,000. He was 2.1 seconds being the second-round winner, Marcus Theriot of Poplarville, Mississippi. “Winning a round is always great,” said Theriot, who is second in the average, 2.4 seconds behind Thigpen. “You get your fees back, but my goals are a lot higher this year. I like being on top. Now it’s time to stick to the plan, be steady and try to make no big mistakes. You just can’t panic, no matter what happens. “Me and Thigpen are two of the major all-around guys in the Southeast. It’s pretty cool seeing him do good as a rookie.” The Georgia cowboy definitely isn’t playing the game like a newcomer. In addition to his success in the arena – he’s won IPRA titles in heading, tie-down roping and steer wrestling – he also is a stock contractor that produces IPRA events in the Southeast. This is his first foray into single steer roping. “I think having the success I’ve had helps,” Thigpen said. “The tripping is the newest thing, but I’m a student of the game. As soon as I found out I was coming, I went to studying and practicing. I want to get more experienced at it. “Doing all these events day in and day out, you know how to pace yourself and what to look forward to so you don’t have to scramble. Before I left home, Daddy said, ‘You’ve got to bear down and get a time on every run if you want to be successful at the end.’ ” Through his first 10 runs at his first CINCH Timed Event Championship, Thigpen has accomplished that mission. First round: 1. Jordan Ketscher, 60.7 seconds, $3,000; 2. Justin Thigpen, 72.1, $2,000; 3. Brent Lewis, 73.9, $1,000. Second round: 1. Marcus Theriot, 73.6 seconds, $3,000; 2 Justin Thigpen, 75.7, $2,000; 3. Clayton Hass, 78.3, $1,000. Average leaders: 1. Justin Thigpen, 147.8 seconds; 2. Marcus Theriot, 150.2; 3. Cody Doescher, 157.9; 4. Clayton Hass, 168.8; 5. Clay Smith, 170.7; 6. Jordan Ketscher, 181.6; 7. Jess Tierney, 182.2; 8. Erich Rogers, 187.1. Jr. Ironman first round: 1. Trevor Meier, 49.8, $1,000; 2. Dillon Jones, 54.1; 3. Cole Walker, 55.5.

The story of the 2018 CINCH Timed Event Championship has rolled over into this year’s “Ironman of ProRodeo.” Jordan Ketscher of Squaw Valley, California, roped, tied and wrestled five animals in 60.7 seconds to win the first round and take the aggregate lead into Friday evening’s second go-round, which begins at 7:30 p.m. That’s just the first storyline of this year’s 35th anniversary of the CTEC, a unique championship that features all five timed-event disciplines. Another sub-plot could be titled “The Replacements.” Justin Thigpen, who replaced JoJo LeMond in this weekend’s field, sits second in the standings with 72.1 seconds, while Brent Lewis, a CTEC veteran who last competed in 2002 and replaced the inured Trell Etbauer last week, sits third in 73.9. In the Jr. Ironman Championship, Trevor Meier of Garden City, Kansas, won the first round Friday morning by finishing in 49.8 seconds – the younger contestants do not compete in steer roping. He was four seconds faster than Dillon Jones, while Cole Walker finished third. First round: 1. Jordan Ketscher, 60.7, $3,000; 2. Justin Thigpen, 72.1, $2,000; 3. Brent Lewis, 73.9, $1,000. Jr. Ironman first round: 1. Trevor Meier, 49.8, $1,000; 2. Dillon Jones, 54.1; 3. Cole Walker, 55.5.

REXBURG, Idaho – Garrett Smith’s return to bull riding’s elite is complete. After missing a portion of the 2018 season – and last year’s National Finals Rodeo – Smith proved his point last week by winning the first round of his series at RodeoHouston with a 93-point ride on Lyndal Hurst’s Yellow Hair. It helped propel the Idaho cowboy into Houston’s semifinals, which take place March 13-14. “I’ve been wanting to get on that bull for a long time, and I finally got on and made it work,” said Smith, the 2017 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association bull riding champion who spent a portion of that campaign atop the world standings before suffering a knee injury at the NFR. “He’s been around longer than I have, and it all worked out.” The ride was just the next step for the Idaho cowboy. Injuries were the only reason he didn’t advance to the NFR a season ago. Still, he finished 23rd in the world standings. “I got hurt in the third round of the (2017) NFR,” he said. “I finished the finals, then had surgery in January. I returned way too early. I got on in Logandale (Nev.), so I waited three months and was supposed to wait six. The first couple went pretty good, so I went on. I went to Cloverdale (British Columbia) in May, and I got stepped on again. “I had another surgery, then had to wait about a week or so. The bad thing is I got on a roll, rodeoed three months, and the day after I cracked the top 15, broke my pelvis at the Cour de Lane (Idaho) Xtreme Bulls.” While he didn’t need surgery, he was limited to crutches for six weeks. That caused atrophy in his muscles, so he underwent some physical therapy under the guidance of the Justin Sportsmedicine program, an athletic training system funded by the Justin Boot Co. “They were awesome,” Smith said of the sportsmedicine team. “They checked all the muscles and knew what wasn’t working. I put me on some stretching using bands. When you’re young and don’t think anything can hurt you, you don’t realize what those muscles do and how they can hurt you. When they quit working, you find out in a hurry.” He did, which is why he just lingered near the top 15 in the world standings and didn’t move past it. Alas, he is already on the move in 2019. While his 93-point ride was worth $3,000, the confidence it provided was even more valuable. “Still finishing the year strong and in the top 25 was so important,” Smith said. “Just being healthy is big. It’s pretty cool when you can get off a bull and not hurt. It’s been challenging, trying to figure out how to ride through the pain, then realizing I’m getting on the right track with being healthy. “Hopefully I’ll be a little smarter in the way I ride and the way I get off and don’t have to go through any more injuries.”  

Lazy E Arena marks 35th anniversary of the CINCH Timed Event Championship GUTHRIE, Okla. – The debate was simple and pointed: Who is the greatest all-around, timed-event cowboy in rodeo? It happened in 1984 between two Lazy E Arena officials and a couple of other cowboys, and that conversation sparked the idea of the CINCH Timed Event Championship. A few months later, Leo Camarillo won the first title in 1985, and the legend of the “Ironman of ProRodeo” was established. This week, the Lazy E will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the CTEC in fine fashion, featuring the 20 best all-around, timed-event cowboys in the game today. “I just grew up thinking about the Timed Event since I was old enough to be a fan,” said Trevor Brazile, the winningest cowboy in ProRodeo and CTEC history. “I’d get to see guys I’d watched at rodeos and see how versatile they were. “I look up to a lot of those guys that competed at the Timed Event, the Paul Tierneys and the Jimmie Coopers. I looked at their tenacity. They were tough and raw.” That’s because the CTEC demands it, and Brazile knows. He owns 24 world championships in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and is the record holder for the most CTEC titles with seven. He also is one of just 14 men in the event’s history to have won the title, and six of those will be in the field for the competition, set for Friday-Sunday at the Lazy E. The weekend also includes the Jr. Ironman Championship, a specialized event for 10 youngsters ranging in age 15-20 competing in three rounds: 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. Sunday. The CTEC begins at noon and 7:30 p.m. the first two days and kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday. What makes it so unique is that each cowboy must compete in all five timed events – heading, heeling, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and steer roping – to conclude a round. There are five rounds, and the CTEC is conducted over just three days, so it’s a rugged test of each man’s mental capacity and physical fortitude. “It takes someone who is pretty passionate about the Timed Event to want to be part of it or the Jr. Ironman,” said Jess Tierney, the 2017 champion from Hermosa, South Dakota. “You have to have that passion and courage, because you’ve got to be willing to put yourself out there. You could do something that’s embarrassing, but you can’t let that stop you. You’ve got to just keep pushing forward. “It’s the fact that you’ve got to face some trials and figure some things out if you want to eventually be successful.” Tierney is the third member of his family to win the prestigious title, joining his four-time champion father, Paul, and two-time winning brother, Paul David. They all know the trials and tribulations that come with the CTEC. So does the defending champion, Jordan Ketscher, who won the title in just his second year in the field. He returns for the third time just 12 months after winning the top prize, $100,000. “They started something that’s going to keep going for generations to come,” Ketscher said. “It gives timed-event guys a chance to show off what they can do. What’s cool, too, is there’s a fan base that understands why we come to it and appreciate that we don’t excel in every event, but they enjoy coming to watch us. “They didn’t just create something for contestants; they created a fan base that enjoys watching it.”

Saskatchewan cowboys Byrne, Roy to be featured The Washboard Union MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan – The entertainment value heading to Mosaic Place in June is about to increase. The Professional Bull Riders Moose Jaw Powered by Young’s Equipment will take place 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the arena and will not only feature the top bull riders in Canada and a concert by The Washboard Union, the Canadian Country Music Group of the Year Juno Awards nominee. “Alpha Bull is like no other show we have ever been part of,” the band said in a statement. “Bull riding, explosions, lights and topped with The Washboard Union live together under one roof. It ought to be illegal.” It’s quite legal, and it’s the perfect setting as the province rolls into warmer summer nights. Now in its sixth year, the PBR Moose Jaw has become a must-see event in Saskatchewan. “It’s one of those events that guys look forward to throughout the year,” said Tanner Byrne, the 38th-ranked bull rider in the PBR from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. “Chad (Besplug of Alpha Bull) puts on totally different events than other bull ridings, and it gets guys fired up. It’s more of a rock ‘n’ roll concert show. “I know it’s going to be cool to ride in that one, knowing how much effort he puts into the production.” That’s the Alpha Bull calling card. As a former bull rider, Besplug brings that experience to the table during the production. He wants the cowboys to enjoy it as much as the fans. “Moose Jaw is a hometown crowd for me,” said Aaron Roy of Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, who has been part of the PBR’s premier tour and now sits No. 6 in the PBR Canada standings. “They always have an amateur event there. Now with Alpha Bull, you have the band there, too, you get two highly entertaining shows. “It’s an all-star package. You’ll get to watch all that and top it off with good music.” The PBR was established 27 years ago and has grown exponentially over that time. What started out as the top 20 bull riders in rodeo has developed into a world-wide event, with contestants coming from a variety of countries. The various tours are so big, many contestants can focus on PBR events to gain points. The ultimate is the premier tour, now called the Unleash the Beast Tour. The goal for each of the cowboys is to earn the points to play for the biggest pay in the game. Both the Saskatchewan bull riders have been there. While Byrne is one of the ranked cowboys on the top tour, he’s still 15th in PBR Canada. “The PBR in Canada has been growing immensely over the last couple years with the introduction of the Unleash the Beast Tour,” Byrne said. “There is a lot more money and incentive. You have a better chance to make it on tour by competing in Canada. “Chad started the Alpha Bull events. The more events the better. You have a shot at more money, so you don’t have to travel down to the U.S. to get your name out there.” That’s something Besplug understands, and it’s why he wants to help grow the sport in Canada. “Chad has been around bull riding a long time,” Roy said. “He knows it and knows how to put on a show. He’s trying to make it feel like it’s action all the time. He’s getting more events, and people are going to more of his events because they like how he puts them on.” It also helps that Moose Jaw is so close to home for both Saskatchewan cowboys. They know they have a chance to earn some good money, compete at a high-energy event and be able to improve their status in the PBR. “When Chad started doing these events, it gave us a new avenue to go to, and it made everybody else try to step up and produce more events and do more for us riders to get us to come,” Byrne said. “It’s cool to see. Moose Jaw is just three hours from my house. It’s a world-class event I don’t have to fly to, and I get to ride in front of my home-province fans.”