Monthly Archives: February 2020

Texan has the target on his back as he prepares for the 2020 Jr. Ironman GUTHRIE, Okla. – Tyler West had a slip on the third run of the 2019 Jr. Ironman, but he didn’t let that get him down. He battled back over the final two days of the competition, producing an event-record 32.2-second third round to win the championship. That wherewithal proved to be beneficial, and he will return to defend his title at this year’s event, set for March 13-15 at the Lazy E Arena. “When I think about winning it last year, it makes me want to win it again,” said West of Mertzon, Texas, a sophomore at Southwest Texas Junior College. “The first day wasn’t a good day, taking a 60 (second run). I realized I needed to just have fun. I realized it was just like going to rodeos and doing what I love to do. “Having fun carries into winning.” In both the Jr. Ironman and the CINCH Timed Event Championship, a 60-second run is the equivalent to a no-time. For West, that happened on his first heeling attempt, the third of 12 runs he made over the weekend. But his perseverance was a building-block for the cowboy. He finished his freshman year in Uvalde, Texas, as the reserve national champion in steer wrestling at the College National Finals Rodeo. “It’s just proof that hard work pays off,” he said of his second-place finish at the College National Finals Rodeo last June. “When you give your all to something, you can expect big things. I wasn’t expecting to finish second, but I was doing the best I could do. I was thankful for how it all happened.” He’ll bring that back to this year’s Jr. Ironman as one of four cowboys to return from the 2019 edition: reserve titlist Trevor Meier of Garden City, Kansas; Rylen Sutherland of Benton, Kentucky; and Quade Hiatt of Canyon, Texas. Meier, who led the race after Round 2, suffered a 60 in heeling on the final day. He finished as the runner-up. “I’m glad I get a second chance to redeem myself,” he said. “It would be really nice to come out first instead of second.” Like West, Meier competes in three of the four Jr. Ironman disciplines in college, where he is a sophomore at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. He doesn’t look at last year as a bad outcome; it was a learning opportunity. “Probably the best thing I learned was keeping your head up for every run,” Meier said. “Even if something doesn’t go right, you just roll on. “The thing I’m looking forward most to is being there with Cooper (Slavin), my cousin. It’ll be good to experience it with him.” Meier and Slavin (of Goodwell, Oklahoma) are actually two sets of cousins in this year’s field of 10 young cowboys; they are joined by Sutherland and his cousin, Kolton Powell of Benton, Kentucky. “Cooper and I are close enough in age that we competed at Little Britches Rodeos, junior high and high school, and we’ve roped against each other a bunch,” Meier said. “Living down here close to him, we get to practice together quite a bit.” That practice will come in handy, as will the work done by every cowboy in this elite field. The Jr. Ironman is a tremendous challenge, battling through four timed events: heading, heeling, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. It’s a test of talent, horsemanship and mental fortitude over three days of competition. Each round will pay the winners $750, but the biggest earnings come in the 12-run aggregate, with the winner collecting $10,000. The incentive is well worth the challenges each man will face. “The biggest thing about that event is that being consistent wins in the long run,” West said. 2020 Jr. Ironman Championship Contestants Tyler West – Mertzon, Texas                                                 Trevor Meier – Garden City, Kansas Rylen Sutherland – Benton, Kentucky                                   Quade Hiatt – Canyon, Texas Denton Good – Long Valley, South Dakota                           Dalton Hartle – Rochester, Indiana Cooper Slavin – Goodwell, Oklahoma                                   Kolton Powell – Benton, Kentucky Tee Mcleod – Waldeck, Saskatchewan                                 Sam Morgan – Southwest Ranches, Florida

GUYMON, Okla. – Deep down, Justin Rumford is a cowboy, and rodeo has been part of his life since the day he was born. Through his years handling various duties for his family’s stock contracting firm to his time spent on the rodeo trail, his comedic nature has shined a spotlight on the game and his own personality. Now he has parlayed that into the perfect job. He returns to Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo for the second time in four years. As the reigning eight-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Clown of the Year, Rumford will be one of the featured pieces of the rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “I competed in the ProRodeo at Guymon seven times in steer wrestling and a few other times when I was in college,” said Rumford, a third-generation cowboy now living in Ponca City, Oklahoma. “I always liked Guymon, because it seems to be the main takeoff for rodeo for the spring and summer run.” He started competing as a youngster growing up in Abbyville, Kansas. His grandfather, Floyd, founded Rumford Rodeo Co. His dad, Bronc, was an all-around champion who took over the stock contracting firm, and Justin joined in the family business. In his lifetime, he’s done just about everything possible in the sport, but he’s found his calling dressed in baggy clothes and wearing greasepaint. It’s the perfect combination of a witty personality raised on rodeo. “This clowning deal is the best thing I’ve ever had,” Rumford said. “It’s something in rodeo that I can have a lot of longevity in. There’s not a ton of risk, and it’s something I enjoy so much.” It shows in and out of the arena, a place he knows like the back of his hand. He’s roped and wrestled, ridden bucking horses and fought bulls. He’s been a flankman and a truck driver, and he’s loved every minute of it. “I’ve been involved in rodeo my whole life,” he said. “I’ve never done anything else, and I’ve never wanted to do anything else. I’ve always wanted to be successful. A (few) years ago when I started this venture, I knew if I really worked hard and tried really hard that I could get to the top in a hurry.” He did. In just his second year as a full-time rodeo clown, he won the PRCA’s top award. He’s followed that the four years since, and he continues to be one of the most sought-after rodeo clowns in the game. But there are many reasons behind it. “I have seven acts,” Rumford said. “At a lot of rodeos I work, there are lots of performances, so I like to change it up. I’m not a specialty act; I’m a clown act. “I’m constantly trying to think of new stuff.” Whether it’s “Fat Elvis” on a mini bike or the Rumford rendition of Spiderman, the acts are a big part of the entertainment value. But he’s the perfect all-around entertainer, a man who understands the timing that comes with rodeo. It’s all part of making the production come across as seamless as possible. If there is any downtime in the competition, Rumford is on hand to engage the crowd. It’s a vital piece of the keeping the family-friendly entertainment part of each performance. “I think my specialty is walking and talking and being in the arena,” he said. “I feel like I can connect with the crowd pretty good. Even when my microphone isn’t on, I’m still talking to fans. You can do a lot without saying a word.” That’s an integral part of being a clown; sharing a particular move or a flashing glance in the right direction. As a clown with a bit of a bigger build, it is primary target of comedy is himself. “People want to laugh at each other more than they want to laugh at something,” Rumford said. “When I’m in the arena, I’m saying the same stuff I’d say if I wasn’t clowning. It’s just me being me.” He looks forward to returning to the Oklahoma Panhandle to entertain, this time in front of some of the most knowledgeable rodeo fans in the country. It will be a different type of experience, but it will still be all Rumford comedy. “I totally adjust everything,” he said. “You don’t want to push somebody on what they want to hear. When you’re in die-hard rodeo country, you have to feel it out and see what happens. “In Guymon, they’re rodeo-savvy, but they like to party. They are my kind of people.”

GUTHRIE, Okla. – Championship dreams begin early for rodeo cowboys. It may happen the first time they put on the distinguishable hats or the first time they swing their ropes. It may happen the first time they nod their heads in competition or win their first buckles. Whatever served as the incubator long ago is now the driving force behind years of hard work in search of that elusive world championship. Ask Haven Meged, who was just 21 years old when he won his first Montana Silversmiths gold buckle in tie-down roping this past December. Or ask Clay Smith, who was 28 when he won his second straight heading world title three months ago. Or ask Justin Thigpen, who, at age 37, won the CINCH Timed Event Championship in his first year of competing at the “Ironman of ProRodeo” last March. He will have his chance to defend that title over a three-day, five-round championship fight March 13-15 at the Lazy E Arena. “I enjoyed the event last year,” said Thigpen of Waycross, Georgia. “You have to work five events every day, and it’s a test. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. I love the idea of getting to work all your events.” Outside of single steer roping, he’s a regular competitor in the other events, and it showed last year when battled through the most unique challenge in rodeo – each man must compete in each of the five timed events (heading, heeling, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and steer roping) per round for five rounds, stretched out over just three days. The weekend also is a celebration. The CINCH Fan Zone will have autograph sessions after the 7:30 p.m. performances on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14. It will also feature a bar, games, giveaways, a lounge area to watch each performance live, a photo booth and the CINCH Kids Dummy Roping. The competition, though, is a grueling examination of each man’s physical attributes and mental fortitude. Because of that, it’s one of the toughest events to win in Western sports. “I think having the success I’ve had helps,” said Thigpen, a 17-time International Professional Rodeo Association world champion. “The steer roping is the newest thing, but I’m a student of the game.” His studies paid off, and he owns the hardware to prove it, just like Meged and Smith, two others in this field of 20 amazing cowboys that won gold in 2019. All are set for the battle to commence in mid-March. Though Meged is a first-timer in this group, he knows quite a bit about it. He was in the inaugural Jr. Ironman field and is that event’s first graduate into the CTEC. “I’m excited to compete with K.C. Jones,” said Meged of Miles City, Montana. “I used to rope with him a lot, and he perfected my tie. To compete against those guys in that field is really awesome. “Coming off the momentum of the world title is awesome. You get on a roll, and it’s no different than anything else. You’ve got to keep it simple. It comes down to us taking care of the things we can control.” That mindset worked for Thigpen, just as it did for Smith in his first year competing in 2014. Smith was in position to win the title on the final day that year but settled for second place. It was still one heck of a showing for a cowboy that was called to be an injury replacement just days before the first round began. In fact, it may have been the catalyst he needed in his career. Since then, he has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo each of the past five years. For his part, Thigpen didn’t rest on his laurels or the $107,000 he earned last March. He utilized the money while building a house, then went back to work. In addition to his competition schedule, he also operates a livestock production company, putting on rodeos primarily in the Southeast. “Not much has really changed since last year,” he said. “I go to rodeos throughout the whole country. We pretty much stayed with the same routine: We just continue to do what we love.” That passion speaks to what drives each of the competitors in this year’s field. It’s a love of the game while chasing the dreams of winning the CINCH Timed Event Championship. CINCH Timed Event Championship Contestants Justin Thigpen – Waycross, Georgia                                     K.C. Jones – Burlington, Wyoming Erich Rogers – Round Rock, Arizona                                    Shank Edwards – Tatum, New Mexico Clay Smith – Broken Bow, Oklahoma                                    Paul David Tierney – Oklahoma City Jess Tierney – Hermosa, South Dakota                                Lane Karney – Creston, California Marcus Theriot – Poplarville, Mississippi                               Cody Doescher – Webbers Falls, Oklahoma Clayton Hass – Stephenville, Texas                                      Kyle Lockett – Visalia, California JoJo LeMond – Andrews, Texas                                            Jordan Ketscher – Squaw Valley, California Cody Cabral – Hilo, Hawaii                                                    Trell Etbauer – Goodwell, Oklahoma Haven Meged – Miles City, Montana                                     Taylor Santos – Creston, California Seth Hall – Albuquerque, New Mexico                                  Thomas Smith – Barnsdall, Oklahoma Jr. Ironman Championship Contestants Tyler West – Mertzon, Texas                                                 Trevor Meier – Garden City, Kansas Rylen Sutherland – Benton, Kentucky                                   Quade Hiatt – Canyon, Texas Denton Good – Long Valley, South Dakota                           Dalton Hartle – Rochester, Indiana Cooper Slavin – Goodwell, Oklahoma                                   Kolton Powell – Benton, Kentucky Tee Mcleod – Waldeck, Saskatchewan                                 Sam Morgan – Southwest Ranches, Florida

ALVA, Okla. – Megan Turek hasn’t capitalized on circumstances as well as she would like this season for the Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo team. She’s hoping it all changed this past weekend in Manhattan, Kansas, where she made two solid goat-tying runs to finish second at the Kansas State University rodeo. It more than doubled her points on the 2019-20 season and moved her up two spots to seventh in the Central Plains Region standings. “I had made a few mistakes in the (first) round, but thankfully it all worked out,” said Turek, a junior from St. Paul, Nebraska. “Hopefully it’ll set the tone for the rest of the spring.” That’s vital if she intends to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo in June. There are five events remaining on the regional schedule, and she’ll need to finish among the top three in the standings at the campaign’s conclusion if she is to advance. Turek stopped the clock in 7.0 seconds to place in a tie for fourth in the opening round. She was then 6.8 seconds to finish second in the championship round and the two-run aggregate. “The goats were pretty tricky, so you had to be pretty aggressive with them and make sure you had them all tied,” she said. “It was more about being smart. You had to do all the fundamentals correctly.” It’s also an experience to compete in historic Weber Arena. “It’s definitely different, and a lot of goat horses don’t work there,” Turek said. “I don’t know why, but a lot of horses were cutting girls off. I knew mine wouldn’t, but it took quite a few girls out. It’s fun, especially when it’s packed full. It’s a neat building you don’t see everywhere.” She has quite a bit of trust in her equine partner, Bugs, a 16-year-old sorrel gelding that has served as a ranch horse for the family in Nebraska. “He drew the short stick and gets to be a goat horse,” she said with a laugh. “He’s not really nice, but he works for me.” Turek wasn’t the only Ranger to collect points in Manhattan. She was joined by barrel racer Kayla Wilson of Quincy, Illinois, who finished third in the first round, fourth in the short round and second place overall. A trio of steer wrestlers also grabbed points, led by Colt Madison of Whiting, Iowa, who finished second in the aggregate. He was followed by Jace Rutledge of Harrisonville, Missouri, who placed fourth, and Bradley Ralph of Wann, Oklahoma, who finished in a tie for first in the opening round and placed sixth overall. Bo Yaussi of Udall, Kansas, earned some valuable points in tie-down roping, placing in both rounds and finishing in a tie for fourth in the average. Meanwhile Kass Bittle of Krimlin, Oklahoma, was solid in his two runs with partner Sam Goings of Oklahoma Panhandle State University to finish second in team roping, while the team of Brandon Hittle of Topeka, Kansas, and Jayden Laubhaun of Follett, Texas, finished second in the first round and sixth overall. Daniel Durkes of Eskridge, Kansas, and Cole Koppitz of Alva finished fifth in the opening round. For Turek, the strong start to the spring portion of the season is a good indication, but she understands what’s ahead of her and the rest of the team. “I’ll keep practicing hard, keep working at it and keep a good mindset,” she said. “We have a lot of girls that are really good in all the events, so we just need them to fall together on the last few weekends of the season. I know, for sure, that we have the girls to do it.”

GUYMON, Okla. – The Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo is returning to the national stage, just where it belongs. The Cowboy Channel will air the 2020 rodeo, and local committee organizers have signed a three-year contract to extend the coverage of Oklahoma’s only ProRodeo Hall of Fame event. It will be the first time since 2004 that Pioneer Days Rodeo – set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena – will be televised nationally. “With the contract with The Cowboy Channel, we’ll actually have the opportunity to increase our added money for this year and, hopefully, beyond,” said Mitch Egger, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. Added money is the financial support put up by the local committee. It is mixed to the contestants’ entry fees to make up the total purse in each event. Rural Media Group, which owns The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV, agreed to a multi-year contract with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association last September. With the PRCA’s financial investment into Pioneer Days Rodeo, that will offer more enticements for the cowboys to make their way to the Oklahoma Panhandle for the first weekend in May. “I think it’s great that the PRCA and us will be giving back to the cowboys and cowgirls, because they’re the ones who make it happen,” Egger said. “I think this TV deal speaks to the size and importance of our event in the rodeo community as well as its importance in the local community. It lets people around Guymon know that this is still one of the predominant rodeos in the circuit.” It has been for more than two decades. It became part of the ProRodeo Tour in 1999 and was a major stop on the tour for several years. In fact, it remained a tour event even after the television contract was downsized in 2005. To return to a national television audience offers the community and all of the region to promote itself. “Being on national TV is everything for exposure,” said Jada Breeden, director of the Guymon Chamber of Commerce. “When you think of all the people that get to have a sneak peak into our town, it’s incredible. They will get to find out how amazing the people in this community are.” That sentiment has been around for decades. Maybe it’s an extension of those who survived the dust bowl days of the 1930s, there is a defining character to the area once known as “No Man’s Land.” “Having our rodeo on TV shows the cowboy spirit and rodeo is still alive and well,” Egger said. “We’re pretty isolated out here, but to put on an event like this in the Oklahoma Panhandle is a big deal, considering the people across the country that will be watching it.”

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Bryson Sechrist has shown great promise in the world of professional rodeo. Three seasons ago, he finished the campaign 21st in the tie-down roping world standings with nearly $70,000. He was just six spots out of reaching the sport’s pinnacle, the National Finals Rodeo, which features only the top 15 contestants in each event. The year before, he finished 18th in the world standings, pocking just shy of $60,000 in the 2016 season That’s a considerable sum, but each mile driven and each missed opportunity took a toll on the young cowboy. He stayed closer to his home in Apache, Oklahoma, competing at regional rodeos and battling for the Prairie Circuit title. All the while, a hunger grew in his stomach. He’s trying to feed it this year. On Friday night, he roped and tied his calf in 7.9 seconds to win the final round of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. What’s more impressive is that he was ninth heading into the championship round. Between his solid run and some poor luck on those above him in the race, it worked out to his benefit. “I stayed home for a while last year,” said Sechrist, who earned $12,616 in this west Texas community of more than 100,000 people. “I missed the finals a couple of years ago, so I regrouped and decided to let it roll in 2020.” It’s rolling. With the win, he will move into the top 20 in the ProRodeo world standings. It’s often important to get a good start to the season, and the winter rodeos in Texas are a good place to make that happen. “It means a lot to win this rodeo,” he said. “I’ve been coming here for years. This is the first year I’ve made the short round, and I’m glad it worked out.” It was a bit of a relief for the 27-year-old cowboy, who threw his first loop at a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event in 2011. He understands the importance of stepping up when the opportunities allow, just as they did Friday. “I had a really good calf that was fast-handling, and that was more of my style,” Sechrist said. “I was a tick late, so I just wanted to make it more of a practice run. With that calf being like he was, I knew if I set it up, she’d be really good on the ground. “This is huge. This is one of the toughest rodeos to win. Winning this one here, where calf roping is such a big deal, has been one of my goals.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding: First round: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl, $3,727; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5, $2,857; 3. Austin Foss, 87, $2,112; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86, $1,366; 5. (tie) Richmond Champion and Taylor Broussard, 85, $745 each; 7. Tyler Berghuis, 84.5, $497; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper, Chad Rutherford, Clayton Biglow and Jamie Howlett, 84, $93 each. Final round: 1. Clayton Biglow, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Painted River, $1,650; 2. (tie) Chad Rutherford and Richmond Champion, 86.5, $1,075 each; 4. Jamie Howlett, 86, $600; 5. Taylor Broussard, 85.5, $350; 6. (tie) Tim O’Connell and Leighton Berry, 84, $125 each. Average: 1. Clayton Biglow, 173 points on two rides, $3,727; 2. (tie) Richmond Champion and Leighton Berry, 171.5, $2,484 each; 4. (tie) Chad Rutherford and Taylor Broussard, 170.5, $1,118 each; 6. (tie) Jamie Howlett and Tim O’Connell, 170, $559 each; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Kody Lamb, 166, $186 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds, $3,284; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9, $2,855; 3. (tie) Stockton Graves and Sterling Humphry, 4.1, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3, $1,356 each; 7. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4, $500 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Cameron Morman and Matt Reeves, 3.9 seconds, $3,070 each; 3. (tie) Cade Staton and Chance Howard, 4.0, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1, $1,356 each; 7. Jesse Brown, 4.2, $714; 8. (tie) Luke Branquinho, Sterling Lambert and Cade Goodman, 4.3, $95 each. Final round: 1. Matt Reeves, 3.7 seconds, $1,769; 2. Cade Staton, 5.0, $1,464; 3. Cody Harmon, 5.2, $1,159; 4. Tanner Brunner, 5.3, $854; 5. Ty Erickson, 5.6, $549; 6. Josh Clark, 6.6, $305; Average: 1. Matt Reeves, 12.4 seconds on three runs, $4,926; 2. Cade Stanton, 14.3, $4,283; 3. Tanner Brunner, 14.5, $3,641; 4. Cody Harmon, 14.6, $2,998; 5. Ty Erickson, 15.2, $2,356; 6. Josh Clark, 16.0, $1,713; 7. Taz Olson, 20.9, $1,070; 8. Trell Etbauer, 31.9, $428. Team roping: First round: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds, $3,742; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8, $3,010 each; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9, $2,034 each; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1, $1,302; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2, $813; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3, $163. Second round: 1. Jaxon Tucker/Jake Clay, 3.5 seconds, $2,742; 2. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7, $3,254; 3. (tie) Erich Rogers/Paden Bray and Lane Ivy/Dillon Wingereid, 3.8, $2,522 each; 5. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9, $1,546 each; 7. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0, $813; 8. (tie) Dale Martin Jr./Garrett McQueen and Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3, $163 each. Final round: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 4.8 seconds, $1,697; 2. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 4.9, $1,404; 3. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 5.4, $1,112; 4. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 6.6, $819; 5. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 7.6, $527; 6. Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 9.9, $293. Average: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 13.7 seconds on three runs, $5,613; 2. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 15.3, $4,881; 3. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 15.4, $4,149; 4. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 15.9, $3,417; 5. Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 18.2, $2,694; 6. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 19.4, $1,952; 7. Brenton Hall/Chase Tryan, 24.5, $1,220; 8. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 8.3 seconds on two runs, $488. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Clayton Biglow grew up on a ranch in northern California, and he’s known since Day 1 that he was going to be a cowboy. He dreamed of being a world champion, just like every other little boy who was raised around rodeo. He fulfilled it in 2019, winning the bareback riding world championship. Now, he has his eyes set on his second straight gold buckle. He took a move toward that Thursday night during the 10th performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. He rode Northcott Macza’s Time Machine for 84 points to move into a four-way tie for eighth place in the opening round. It was worth a bit of money ($93), but the reward comes by qualifying for Friday’s championship round at Foster Communications Coliseum. A year ago, he scored 85 points to finish in a tie for fourth in the first round, then posted an 89.5-point ride to finish runner-up in the short round and third place in the average. In all, he left west Texas with just shy of $5,000. He stands a good chance to do that again. San Angelo’s final round is well known for big rides and big scores, and it’s a big deal to the rodeo-savvy crowd that packs into the coliseum each night. Biglow knows what it means to post big scores. In 2018, he set the National Finals Rodeo record with a 93-point ride on the fifth night. This past December, he matched it on the final night of the 2019 season. With that, he earned $243,891 over 10 nights in Las Vegas, winning the RAM Top Gun award for having earned the most money over that stretch while also claiming the NFR average title (and breaking the record) and world title. At just 25 years of age, the Clements, California, bronc buster finished the season with $425,843. Of course, much of that came in the Nevada desert, where he won four go-rounds outright and was part of a three-way tie in another. Only bull rider Sage Kimzey, now a six-time world champion, earned more money in ProRodeo than Biglow did last year. It was the fourth straight NFR appearance for Biglow, who was the 2016 Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year. He is a second-generation hand, following in the footsteps of his father, Russ, who rode bareback horses and competed in team roping. Now, he hopes to add more San Angelo cash to his pockets Friday night. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding: First round: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl, $3,727; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5, $2,857; 3. Austin Foss, 87, $2,112; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86, $1,366; 5. (tie) Richmond Champion and Taylor Broussard, 85, $745 each; 7. Tyler Berghuis, 84.5, $497; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper, Chad Rutherford, Clayton Biglow and Jamie Howlett, 84, $93 each; 12. (tie) Bill Tutor and Cauy Pool, 83.5. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds, $3,284; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9, $2,855; 3. (tie) Stockton Graves and Sterling Humphry, 4.1, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3, $1,356 each; 7. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4, $500 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Cameron Morman and Matt Reeves, 3.9 seconds, $3,070 each; 3. (tie) Cade Staton and Chance Howard, 4.0, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1, $1,356 each; 7. Jesse Brown, 4.2, $714; 8. (tie) Luke Branquinho, Sterling Lambert and Cade Goodman, 4.3, $95 each.  Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tait Kvistad, Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9; 5. Tanner Brunner, 9.2; 6. Cade Staton, 9.3; 7. (tie) Josh Clark and Cody Harmon, 9.4; 9. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 10. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7. Team roping: First round: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds, $3,742; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8, $3,010 each; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9, $2,034 each; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1, $1,302; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2, $813; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3, $163. Second round: 1. Jaxon Tucker/Jake Clay, 3.5 seconds, $2,742; 2. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7, $3,254; 3. (tie) Erich Rogers/Paden Bray and Lane Ivy/Dillon Wingereid, 3.8, $2,522 each; 5. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9, $1,546 each; 7. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0, $813; 8. (tie) Dale Martin Jr./Garrett McQueen and Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3, $163 each. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 8.3; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 8.9; 4. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 9.1; 5. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 9.3; 6. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 9.9; 7. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 10.0; 8. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4; 10. Wyatt Imus/Joseph Harrison, 10.5; 11. Blake Hirdes/Wyatt Hansen, 11.2; 12. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 11.8. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide, $3,494; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 88, $2,679; 3. Carter Elshere, 85.5, $1,980; 4. Cody DeMoss, 85, $1,281; 5. Jesse Wright, 84.5, $815; 6. (tie) Allen Boore, Rusty Wright and Kolby Wanchuk, 84, $466 each; 9. (tie) Tegan Smith, Spencer Wright and Garrett Buckley, 83.5; 11. Leon Fountain, 83. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds $4,899; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.4, $4,260; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Bryson Sechrist, 7.5, $3,301 each; 5. L.D. Meier, 7.7, $2,343; 6. (tie) Blane Cox and Marcos Costa, 7.8, $1,384 each; 8. Bo Pickett, 7.9, $426. Second round: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds, $4,899; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1, $4,260; 3. (tie) Riley Pruitt and Ike Fontenot, 7.4, $3,301 each; 5. Cooper Martin, 7.5, $2,343; 6. (tie) Kincade Henry and Cory Solomon, 7.6, $1,384 each; 8. (tie) Blane Cox and Lucas Potter, 7.8, $213 each. Average leaders: 1. Blane Cox, 15.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Caleb Smidt, 16.0; 3. (tie) Dakota Felton and Kincade  Continue Reading »

Honored rodeo clown Lecile Harris died in his sleep overnight, leaving a lasting legacy for so many people that have been part of this sport for so many years. He was 83. I’d met Lecile 25 years ago when he was performing at the Dodge City (Kansas) Roundup Rodeo, and I was working at the newspaper there. I got to know him better a few years later in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. We were in the same group in the rodeo’s golf tournament. It was the greatest round of golf I’ve ever played, and not because of how well I shot or how well our team did. The group consisted of Lecile, the great Hadley Barrett, my friend Russell and a couple of cowboys that have become dear friends. Because of all their years working arenas together, Hadley and Lecile kept us in stitches for 18 holes. I laughed so hard that my sides ached for days. Hadley would set him up, and Lecile would just keep rolling. They were a magical team. It’s a memory I hope to always remember. Until we meet again, rest well, Lecile Harris. You’ve earned it.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – It took nine performances countless other runs, but the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo has already paid out nearly $90,000. There are still nights – and more paychecks – to be made before this year’s event comes to a close. That’s what it’s like to compete in ProRodeo in this west Texas community, which has a passion for the sport like few others in the country. The biggest winner after Wednesday’s performance was tie-down roper Lane Livingston of Seymour, Texas, who won the opening round of tie-down roping. He roped and tied his calf in 7.2 seconds on the opening night of the rodeo, and his score held up to lead the way in the first round. For that, he collected $4,899. Livingston did not have as good of a run in the second round, and therefore will not finish the preliminary rounds among the top 12; he will not compete in Friday’s championship round, so at least he made a nice payday in San Angelo this year. Spencer Mitchell and Cesar de la Cruz won the first round of team roping, stopping the clock in 3.7 seconds. That was worth $3,742. They were solid in their second-round run and will compete Friday night. The second round of timed events – steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping and barrel racing – will conclude Thursday. Reigning world champion steer wrestler Ty Erickson won the first round with a 3.8-second bulldogging run. He competed the opening weekend of the stock show and rodeo. His 5.8-second run in the second round was off the pace, but he’s holding in the two-run aggregate to run for the title Friday. The first round of barrel racing came to a close several weeks ago, and the ladies from the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association have been making their second runs over the past three weeks. Wenda Johnson won the first round with a 15.78-second run. She is expected to compete again in Thursday’s 10th performance. Once that is complete, the field for Friday’s championship round will be set. It’s a fast-and-furious run to the championships at this year’s San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5; 3. Austin Foss, 87; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86; 5. (tie) Richmond Champion and Taylor Broussard, 85; 7. Tyler Berghuis, 84.5; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 10. (tie) Bill Tutor and Cauy Pool, 83.5; 12. Spur Lacasse, 82. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds, $3,284; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9, $2,855; 3. (tie) Stockton Graves and Sterling Humphry, 4.1, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3, $1,356 each; 7. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4, $500 each. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Cameron Morman and Matt Reeves, 3.9 seconds; 3. (tie) Chance Howard and Cade Staton, 4.0; 5. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1; 7. Jesse Brown, 4.2; 8. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tait Kvistad, Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9; 5. Tanner Brunner, 9.2; 6. Cade Staton, 9.3; 7. (tie) Josh Clark and Cody Harmon, 9.4; 9. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 10. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds, $3,742; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8, $3,010 each; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9, $2,034 each; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1, $1,302; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2, $813; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3, $163. Second round leaders: 1. Jaxon Tucker/Jake Clay, 3.5 seconds; 2. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7; 3. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 4. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9; 6. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0; 7. Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3; 8. (tie) Gavin Foster/Daniel Reed, Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, Steven Duby/Jason Duby and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 8.3; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 8.9; 4. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 9.1; 5. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 9.3; 6. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 9.9; 7. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 10.0; 8. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4; 10. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 11.8; 11. J.B. James Jr./Brock Hanson, 12.5; 12. Billy Bob Brown/Chad Williams, 12.9. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 88; 3. Carter Elshere, 85.5; 4. Cody DeMoss, 85; 5. Jesse Wright, 84.5; 6. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk, Rusty Wright and Allen Boore, 84; 9. (tie) Tegan Smith and Spencer Wright, 83.5; 11. Leon Fountain, 83. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds $4,899; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.4, $4,260; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Bryson Sechrist, 7.5, $3,301 each; 5. L.D. Meier, 7.7, $2,343; 6. (tie) Blane Cox and Marcos Costa, 7.8, $1,384 each; 8. Bo Pickett, 7.9, $426. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1.; 3. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 5. Cooper Martin, 7.5; 6. (tie) Cory Solomon and Kincade Cullen Henry, 7.6; 8. (tie) Blane Cox and Luke Potter, 7.8. Average leaders: 1. Blane Cox, 15.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Caleb Smidt, 16.0; 3. (tie) Dakota Felton and Kincade Cullen Henry, 15.4; 5. (tie) Cooper Martin and Sterling Smith, 16.6; 7. Reid H. Zapalac, 16.7; 8. Jake Pratt, 16.8; 9. (tie) Bryson Sechrist and Stetson Vest,16,9; 11. Ty Harris, 17.0; 12. (tie) Reese Riemer and Monty Lewis, 17.1. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Tiany Schuster, 14.05 seconds; 2.Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.10; 3. Shannon McReynolds, 14.20; 4. Kim Schulze, 14.24; 5. (tie) Haley Wolfe and Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 14.26; 7. (tie) Kathy Grimes and Lindsay Sears, 14.27; 9. (tie) Lexie Goss and Randee Prindle, 14.30.  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – As a child growing up in Texas, Matt Reeves recalls the days of traveling to the stock shows around his home state. For the last 17 years, he’s returned to his old haunts to compete in ProRodeo, and he’s done pretty well at it. In fact, he’s still finding success in these historic events and proved as much this weekend at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. “I’ve had a lot more success rodeoing at all these events than I did stock showing,” said Reeves, who posted two runs in a cumulative time of 8.7 seconds to take the overall steer wrestling lead. “I’ve never won Angelo; that’d be a cool thing to win.” He was solid during his first round, posting a 4.8-second run to give himself a chance. On Sunday afternoon, he posted a 3.9-second run to share the second-round lead with Cameron Morman. Now, he will return to Foster Communications Coliseum to compete in the championship round, set for Friday, Feb. 14. He credits a great deal of his success to his horses, Roy and Rattle; both have been instrumental in some of his seven National Finals Rodeo qualifications. Rattle, an 8-year-old bay mare, did much of the heavy lifting last year and was named the PRCA AQHA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. She then guided Reeves to the 2019 NFR average championship; he earned $103,641 in Las Vegas last December and finished the year with $183,181, good enough for sixth place in the world standings. “Rattle’s actually been 3.9 twice in the second round in Angelo,” said Reeves, 41, of Cross Plains, Texas, just 100 miles northeast of San Angelo. “Cameron rode her last weekend, so the mare’s splitting first.” There’s something special about that horse, and Reeves is reaping the benefits of it. In addition to doing well in west Texas, he also placed in Denver and Fort Worth, Texas. “That mare’s just different,” he said. “It’s easier than it was. Roy is unreal. He’s just longer-strided, a little straighter. He’s a great horse, but she’s just better. At my age, I think this horse is just stretching out the career a little bit more.” He’s had a pretty stellar career. He’s done well in San Angelo before, but he’s hoping this is the year he gets that breakthrough he wants. “Angelo has a small arena, but it’s a packed house, and it doesn’t matter when you’re there,” Reeves said. “The crowd knows rodeo. It’s like Fort Worth was at the old arena. They’ve got a lot of people that watch slack. It’s a neat rodeo. “Rodeo is still their sport here, and it’s a big deal to them. When you come to Angelo, you still feel that rodeo is the No 1 sport in America.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5; 3. Austin Foss, 87; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86; 5. (tie) Richmond Champion and Taylor Broussard, 85; 7. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 9. (tie) Bill Tutor and Cauy Pool, 83.5; 11. Spur Lacasse, 82s. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9; 3. Stockton Graves, 4.1; 4. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3; 6. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4; 8. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Jason Thomas, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Cameron Morman and Matt Reeves, 3.9 seconds; 3. (tie) Chance Howard and Cade Staton, 4.0; 5. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1; 7. Jesse Brown, 4.2; 8. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tait Kvistad, Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9; 5. Tanner Brunner, 9.2; 6. Cade Staton, 9.3; 7. (tie) Josh Clark and Cody Harmon, 9.4; 9. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 10. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3. Second round leaders: 1. Jaxon Tucker/Jake Clay, 3.5 seconds; 2. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7; 3. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 4. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9; 6. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0; 7. Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3; 8. (tie) Gavin Foster/Daniel Reed, Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, Steven Duby/Jason Duby and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 8.3; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 8.9; 4. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 9.1; 5. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 9.3; 6. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 9.9; 7. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 10.0; 8. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4; 10. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 11.8; 11. J.B. James Jr./Brock Hanson, 12.5; 12. Billy Bob Brown/Chad Williams, 12.9. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 88; 3. Carter Elshere, 85.5; 4. Cody DeMoss, 85; 5. Jesse Wright, 84.5; 6. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk, Rusty Wright and Allen Boore, 84; 9. (tie) Tegan Smith and Spencer Wright, 83.5; 11. Leon Fountain, 83. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.4; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Bryson Sechrist, 7.5; 5. L.D. Meier, 7.7; 6. (tie) Blane Cox and Marcos Costa, 7.8; 8. Bo Pickett, 7.9. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1.; 3. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 5. Cooper Martin, 7.5; 6. (tie) Cory Solomon and Kincade Cullen Henry, 7.6; 8. (tie) Blane Cox and Luke Potter, 7.8. Average leaders: 1. Blane Cox, 15.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Caleb Smidt, 16.0; 3. (tie) Dakota Felton and Kincade Cullen Henry, 15.4; 5.  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – The San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo has become a bit of a honey hole for saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston. Over the previous three years, he has earned $10,864, including a spectacular run in 2019. He won the first round, placed in the final round and finished second overall, pocketing $6,798 in the process. It was one of the guiding forces that led to his second world championship in four years. He’ll add to that total this year. “You’ve got to stay consistent at these rodeos, especially when you get on more than one horse,” said Thurston, who rode Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide for 90 points in Saturday’s matinee to take the lead. “To do good helps out. I’ve done pretty well there before.” That familiarity helps, but so does riding good bucking horses. Though he wasn’t sure what to expect out of Rising Tide, he found out quickly the horse has some moves. Part of the learning curve comes with the Hampton firm being new to ProRodeo. “That horse had some really good things about it,” said Thurston, 25, of Big Valley, Alberta. “She bucked really good and had some direction changes. It was just action-reaction. That little horse was really bucking. Usually if you’re 90 and things are going right, it’s all happening pretty fast.” He may have earned good cash early in the season a year ago, but he really added to it over the course of the regular season and the National Finals Rodeo. He finished the campaign with $347,056, with more than $170,000 of it coming in Vegas this past December. “Being a two-time world champion is awesome,” he said. “I always dreamed I’d win the world title, and for it to happen as fast in my career was amazing. Everybody dreams of it, and they very seldom get one. To do it more than once is incredible.” Thurston, though, has proven why he has those opportunities. He first qualified for the NFR in 2015 to close out his rookie campaign. He won the world title a year later and hasn’t missed a chance to battle for the gold buckle since. He’s finished among the top five in three of the last four seasons. His Saturday ride was just the fifth horse he’s been on since the new year, so he’s just getting started. “I feel like I’ve been riding good, but (Saturday) was the first one I’ve been on that really bucked,” Thurston said. “The draw’s a big part of that. Because there are so many guys that ride so good and so consistently, you’ve got to have the right dancing partner.” He found that and more inside Foster Communications Coliseum. “San Angelo is not just any rodeo,” he said. “They put on a good production, an they’ve got lots of pyro and lights to start the rodeo. It seats quite a few people, but it’s always full, even on Saturday afternoon. I’ve never been to that rodeo when they had extra seats. “It’s a really good rodeo.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5; 3. Austin Foss, 87; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86; 5. Richmond Champion, 85; 6. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 8. (tie) Bill Tutor and Cauy Pool, 83.5; 10. Spur Lacasse, 82; 11. Jesse Pope, 81; 12. Jade Taton, 80. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9; 3. Stockton Graves, 4.1; 4. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3; 6. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4; 8. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Jason Thomas, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. Cameron Morman, 3.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Chance Howard and Cade Staton, 4.0; 4. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1; 6. Jesse Brown, 4.2; 7. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9 seconds on two runs; 3. Tanner Brunner, 9.2; 4. Cade Staton, 9.3; 5. Cody Harmon, 9.4; 6. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 7. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7; 10. (tie) Scott Guenthner and Heath Thomas, 10.0; 12. Joe Nelson, 10.1. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3. Second round leaders: 1. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7 seconds; 2. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 3. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9; 5. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0; 6. Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3; 7. (tie) Gavin Foster/Daniel Reed, Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, Steven Duby/Jason Duby and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 8.3; 3. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 9.1; 4. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 9.3; 5. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 9.9; 6. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 10.0; 7. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4; 9. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 11.8; 10. J.B. James Jr./Brock Hanson, 12.5; 11. Billy Bob Brown/Chad Williams, 12.9; 12. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 14.2. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 88; 3. Carter Elshere, 85.5; 4. Cody DeMoss, 85; 5. Jesse Wright, 84.5; 6. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Rusty Wright, 84; 8. Tegan Smith, 83.5; 9. Leon Fountain, 83; 10. (tie) Jacob Lewis and Riggin Smith, 82.5. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.4; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Bryson Sechrist, 7.5; 5. L.D. Meier, 7.7; 6. (tie) Blane Cox and Marcos Costa, 7.8; 8. Bo Pickett, 7.9. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1.; 3. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 5. (tie) Cory  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Tim O’Connell missed last year’s San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, and he’s glad to return. On Friday night, he rode United Pro Rodeo’s Pow Wow Rocks for 86 points to move into second place in bareback riding at Foster Communications Coliseum and is a virtual lock to compete in the championship round next Friday, Feb. 14. “The ride was good,” said O’Connell, a three-time world champion from Zwingle, Iowa. “She took a scoot for about three seconds and was a third of the way down the pen when she broke. Once she did, it was a dog fight. “I just made a businessman’s ride.” He sits second overall with five nights of preliminary rounds remaining. Once those conclude next Thursday, the top 12 times or scores in each event will advance to the final round. That’s when the champions will be crowned in San Angelo. O’Connell would like to be one of the contestants to earn that title. Through all of the success he’s had in his young career – in addition to the three gold buckles, he has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo each of the past six years – he’s only advanced to the short round one other time. “This is the one rodeo that’s eluded me in my career,” he said, referring to having some sort of success in a given arena. “But they’re going to give me another shot. I don’t need the best horse. I just need a chance.” Once given that opportunity, he’s proven he does quite well. He sits No. 1 in the world standings with just more than $18,000 earned. Most of that came with his second-place finish in Denver last month, where he pocketed $14,664. He also earned money in Des Moines, Iowa, and has pocketed more than $3,000 so far in Fort Worth, Texas, with the championship round set there for Saturday night. “The year’s been great, and it’s nice to rodeo in the winter again,” said O’Connell, who was injured on the final night of the 2018 NFR, had surgery on his riding shoulder and rehabbed until mid-June; he then went on to earn more than $100,000 in three months an 10 days to return to Vegas in December. “I’m having fun and have been enjoying riding bucking horses. I think the injury relit a passion. I re-fell in love with why I do this.” O’Connell not only put on a show at the end of the regular season, but he then earned $147,923 in 10 nights in the Nevada desert. He finished third in the world standings and, for the first time in three years, watched someone else leave Las Vegas with the gold buckle. “That has crazy-motivated me,” he said. “I’m happy for Clayton (Biglow), because he deserved to win the world title. I have goals and aspirations to be the best ever, so going a year without winning a world title motivates me to be better, to push myself harder. I want to work so that at the end of the 10th night in Vegas, I’m the one stepping out with the world title. “It’s tough. It’s as filthy as it’s ever been when you look at rank bareback riders. But that’s the way it should be. We may be a small group, but we’re mighty.” After spending a good portion of 2019 away from the game and with his wife, Sami, and son, Hazen, O’Connell has gained a new affection for time with his family. That’s why the two have joined him this winter and are enjoying moments on the rodeo trail, along with fellow bareback rider Jesse Pope of Marshall, Missouri. “Having them experience this with me is great,” he said. “I don’t have to miss them like I normally would.” And they got to experience the vibrant crowd that San Angelo offers every year. That’s another reason why he’s excited to ride another bucking horse next week. “The coliseum is a smaller version of the one in Denver, and they jam pack it,” O’Connell said. “They get the sound up and the pyro, and it’s energetic. The people love rodeo. They get your motor running. It’s weird, because I usually get fired up at rodeo’s I’ve one good at, but I really like this rodeo even though I’ve never done that well. It’s got to be something about that crowd.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Tim O’Connell, 86; 3. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 5. Bill Tutor, 83.5; 6. Spur Lacasse, 82; 7. Jesse Pope, 81; 8. Jade Taton, 80; 9. Tim Murphy, 79.5; 10. Kash Wilson, 79; 11. Kyle Charley, 78; 12. (tie) Pascal Isabelle, Lane  McGeehee and Paden Hurst, 77. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9; 3. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3; 5. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4; 7. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Jason Thomas, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. Cameron Morman, 3.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Chance Howard and Cade Staton, 4.0; 4. Dakota Eldridge, 4.1; 5. Jesse Brown, 4.2; 6. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9 seconds on two runs; 3. Cade Staton, 9.3; 4. Cody Harmon, 9.4; 5. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 6. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7; 9. (tie) Scott Guenthner and Heath Thomas, 10.0; 11. Joe Nelson, 10.1; 12. Justin Shaffer, 10.2. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2; 8. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3. Second round leaders: 1. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7 seconds; 2. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 3. (tie) Dawson  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Just 50 days ago, Stetson Wright of Milford, Utah, left the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas with the most cherished prize in the game: the all-around world championship gold buckle. On Sunday afternoon, he staked claim to another unique title: He became the first cowboy in history to win the San Angelo Xtreme Bulls. As one of just two cowboys to ride two bulls inside Foster Communications Coliseum, he walked away with the championship and $5,476. Xtreme Bulls was an added attraction to the tradition that is the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, and 30 of the top bull riders in ProRodeo took their shot at claiming the title. Wright rode his first bull, Stace Smith’s Heartache & Grease, for 84 points to finish eighth in the opening round. That earned him a spot in the 10-man championship round, where he matched moves with Rafter H Rodeo’s Left Lane for 87.5 points. His two-ride aggregate was worth the lion’s share of the cash he earned in San Angelo on Sunday. It’s been a remarkable ride for the 20-year-old cowboy, the third son born to two-time world champion saddle bronc rider Cody Wright. He’s also the third son to qualify for the NFR, though he took a different path that also aligned him with that all-around race. While he followed the family genetics and competes in bronc riding, Stetson Wright proved to be quite a bull-riding hand early in his career: He finished the 2019 season No. 3 in the bull riding world standings. He also became the fifth person in his family to win rodeo’s gold, not only joining his dad but also his uncles, Jesse and Spencer, and his older brother, Ryder. Dallee Mason, a 32-year-old bull rider from Weiser, Idaho, set the standard as the third cowboy to compete, scoring 91 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Nose Bender to win the first round. Sage Kimzey, the reigning six-time world champion from Strong City, Oklahoma, won the short round with an 88-point ride on Rafter H’s Bet on Black. As the only other cowboy to cover two bulls, Kimzey finished second and earned $4,863 in the process. Mason finished third. San Angelo Xtreme Bulls Feb. 2 First round: 1. Dallie Mason, 91 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Nose Bender, $1,963; 2. Roscoe Jarboe, 89.5, $1,505; 3. (tie) Parker McCown, Brady Portenier an Cole Meloncon, 88, $763 each; 6. Josh Frost, 86.5, $327; 7. Aaron Williams, 86, $262; 8. Stetson Wright, 84, $196. Championship round: 1. Sage Kimzey, 88 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Bet on Black, $2,355; 2. Stetson Wright, 87.5, $2,006; no other qualified rides. Average: 1. Stetson Wright, 171.5 points on two rides, $3,271; 2. Sage Kimzey, 170.5, $2,508; 3. Dallee Mason, 91 points on one ride, $1,854; 4. Roscoe Jarboe, 89.5, $1,199; 5. (tie) Parker McCown, Brady Portenier and Cole Meloncon, 88, $582 each; 8. Josh Frost, 86.5, $327.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Kolton Schmidt and Hunter Koch have quite a few things in common. Both have earned one qualification to the National Finals Rodeo: Schmidt in 2016; Koch last December. Both are Canadian Professional Rodeo Association champions, with Schmidt winning the heading title in 2013, and Koch claiming the heeling crown last year. Now, they’re roping for the title at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. On Saturday, they put in two solid times and share the top spot in the aggregate standings with another team, Brenten Hall and Chase Tryan. Schmidt and Koch were 5.0 seconds Saturday afternoon to sit third in the first round, then followed that with a 5.4-second run to hold on to sixth place in the second round. That 10.4-second cumulative time on two runs puts them in a good position to return to Foster Communications Coliseum on Feb. 14 to compete in the championship round. “We caught two steers, and that’s big,” said Schmidt, who indicated another tie between the two: Koch is dating Schmidt’s sister. “It’s early in the rodeo, and I don’t think the rounds will stay to where we can place in both, but we were hoping to make the short-go. That’s what we came here to do, and I’m pretty excited to get it done.” It’s a good start to the season for the two ropers who joined forces last October with hopes of returning to the NFR together in December. Last year, Schmidt roped with Jeremy Buhler, a fellow Canadian who earned the 2016 heeling world title, while Koch made the NFR with two-time world champion header Matt Sherwood. “I’m really excited about the partnership,” said Schmidt of Barrhead, Alberta. “The guy heels great, and I think it’s going to be a good fit. I trust him, so all I have to do is catch the steers on my end and turn them so he can do his job. That’s the mentality I have.” He should. He and Koch sit 14th in their respective disciplines early in this new season. They have eight more months to remain among the top 15 if they hope to return to Las Vegas and compete for that elusive world championship. “The great thing about Hunter is that he’s a great guy who is grounded,” Schmidt said of Koch, who lives in Vernon, Texas. “He’s very talented and works hard. He has a good mindset. Really, he’s got all the right stuff.” That’s what it takes to win in ProRodeo … well, that and a little luck. Still, both men have proven they have tremendous talent, and they were able to showcase it in San Angelo on a Saturday. “If I want to get back to the NFR, I need to keep my horses right and keep my head on straight,” he said. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We don’t want to let the highs get too high or the lows get too low. I just want to do my job and let my partner do his.” If they can do that, success will quickly follow. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 4. Bill Tutor, 83.5; 5. Spur Lacasse, 82; 6. Jade Taton, 80; 7. Tim Murphy, 79.5; 8. Kash Wilson, 79; 9. Kyle Charley, 78; 10. (tie) Pascal Isabelle, Lane  McGeehee and Paden Hurst, 77. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Heath Thomas, 4.6; 3. Bridger Chambers, 5.1; 4. Scott Guenthner, 5.2; 5. Cody Cabral, 5.8; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 6.3; 7. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dirk Tavenner, 7.9. Second round leaders: 1. Cameron Moorman, 3.9 seconds; 2. Dakota Eldridge, 4.1; 3. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3; 6. Austin Courmier, 4.4; 7. Tyler Waguespack, 4.6; 8. Will Lummus, 4.7. Average leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 9.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Scott Guenthner, 10.0; 3. Heath Thomas, 10.0; 4. Dakota Eldridge, 10.4; 5. Cody Cabral, 10.7; 6. Tyler Waguespack, 12.5; 7. Cameron Morman, 13.4; 8. Dirk Tavenner, 14.3; 9. Stetson Jorgensen, 15.0; 10. Will Lummus, 16.5; 11. Cade Goodman, 21.8; 12. Bridger Chambers, 32.3. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1 seconds; 2. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.5; 3. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 5.0; 4. Cody Snow/Paul Eaves, 5.1; 5. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 5.5; 6. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 9.4; 7. Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, 9.8; 8. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 14.3. Second round leaders: 1. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7 seconds; 2. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 3. Levi Simpson/Shay Carroll, 4.8; 4. Brenton Hall/Chase Tryan, 4.9; 5. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 5.0; 6. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 5.4; 7. Cody Snow/Paul Eaves, 9.6; 8. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4 seconds on two runs; 3. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 14.4; 4. Cody Snow/Paul Eaves, 14.7; 5. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 24.0; 6. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7 seconds on one run; 7. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 8. Reno Cash Stoebner, 4.1; 9. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.5; 10. Levi Simpson/Shay Carrol, 4.8; 11. Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, 9.8; 12. Tyler Wade, Billie Jack Saebens, 14.4. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 88 points on Lancaster & Jones ProRodeo’s Total Equine Ruffy; 2. Carter Elshere, 85.5; 3. Jesse Wright, 84.5; 4. Kolby Wanchuk, 84; 5. Jacob Lewis, 82.5; 6. (tie) Isaac Diaz and Brody Cress, 82; 8. (tie) Sterling Crawley and Ben Andersen, 81; 10. Chase Zweifel, 80; 11. (tie) Dean Wadsworth and Jade Taton, 79.5. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds; 2. Blane Cox, 7.8; 3. (tie) Ty Harris, Westyn Hughes and Catfish Brown, 8.2; 6. Jake Pratt, 8.3; 7. Rhen Richard, 8.7; 8. Andrew Burks, 8.9. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1.; 3. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 5. Blane Cox, 7.8; 6. Tyler Milligan, 7.9; 7. Zach  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Every year as a child, Ty Harris made his way to the Foster Communications Coliseum to see his rodeo heroes perform. He dreamed of competing inside the historic building and chasing the title at his hometown event, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. Now 21 and just a month and a half removed from competing at his first National Finals Rodeo, he has given himself a chance, “This is an awesome experience and a better experience than roping anywhere else,” said Harris, who roped and tied his calf in 8.8 during Friday’s second performance of the rodeo; that, combined with his 8.2-second run on Thursday, gave the local cowboy the overall lead with a two-run total of 17.0 seconds. “It’s exhilarating. Having so many people here that I know, it puts a lot of pressure on you, but I love it; I crave that.” He’s proven that over the years, just not so much at home. This is his first time to be in such a position at the stock show and rodeo, and he’s over the top about it. “To be leading this rodeo is awesome,” said Harris, who finished ninth in the 2019 world standings and sits third as of this week in ProRodeo. “There are 170 other really good ropers that are in this thing. I hope I get a chance to come back on (Feb.) 14th.” He’s talking about the championship round in two weeks. Only the top 12 contestants in each event through the preliminary rounds get a chance at one more and a shot at the coveted San Angelo title. There are plenty of opportunities to be passed in the two-run aggregate race, but his time should still allow him to advance to the short round, based on recent history. Plus, Harris is riding a wave of fearlessness. At the NFR, he placed in four go-rounds, including wins on the fifth and sixth nights, and pocketed just shy of $90,000 in 10 days. “It was an amazing experience to get to go there to compete and with that much money,” he said. “I didn’t have the best finals, but I was pleased with it and really hungry to do even better this year. “It helped, because now I know mentally that you can compete with those guys and have success. It helps with your confidence. I’ve had confidence, but it helps knowing that I belong with the Shane Hancheys, the Trevor Braziles, the Tuf Coopers and the Marty Yateses.” He’s earned it, because nothing in rodeo is handed to the men and women who play the game. It’s long hours in the practice pen, the gym and on the road to make a living in a sport driven by passion. “I just want to rope as good as I can as long as I can and give myself an opportunity to make as many NFRs as I can,” Harris said. “There are a lot of amazing calf ropers – a lot of incredible cowboys in every event – that have never won a gold buckle, but that’s every rodeo guy’s dream. If I didn’t have that dream and goal, it would be pretty dumb of me to rodeo for a living. “I’m blessed to get to do this every day and make a living doing it.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Chad Rutherford, 86; 3. Tilden Hooper, 84; 4. Spur Lacasse, 82; 5. Kash Wilson, 79; 6. Pascal Isabelle, 77; 7. (tie) Jacob Lees and Anthony Thomas, 76. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Heath Thomas, 4.6; 3. Bridger Chambers, 5.1; 4. Scott Guenthner, 5.2; 5. Cody Cabral, 5.8; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 6.3; 7. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dirk Tavenner, 7.9. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1 seconds; 2. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.5; 3. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 5.5; 4. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 9.4; 5. Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, 9.8; 6. Tyler Wade/Billie Jack Saebens, 14.4; 7. Quisto Lopez/B.J. Dugger, 14.6; no other qualified runs. Second round leaders: 1. Levi Simpson/Shay Carroll, 4.8 seconds; 2. Brenton Hall/Chase Tryan, 4.9; 3. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 5.0; 4. Garrett Chick/Walt Woodard, 19.5; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 10.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 14.4; 3. Reno Cash Stoebner, 4.1 seconds on one run; 4. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.5; 5. Levi Simpson/Shay Carrol, 4.8; 6. Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, 9.8; 7. Tyler Wade, Billie Jack Saebens, 14.4; 8. Quisto Lopez/B.J. Dugger, 14.6. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 88 points on Lancaster & Jones ProRodeo’s Total Equine Ruffy; 2. Kolby Wanchuk, 84; 3. (tie) Isaac Diaz and Brody Cress, 82; 5. Sterling Crawley, 81; 6. Dean Wadsworth, 79.5; 7. Nat Stratton 78.5; 8. Jake Finlay, 78. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Ty Harris, Westyn Hughes and Catfish Brown, 8.2; 5. Ike Fontenot, 12.2; 6. Tyan Thiboeaux, 12.7; 7. Adam Gray, 19.0; no other qualified runs. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 4. Zach Jongbloed, 8.3; 5. Ty Harris, 8.8; 6. Adam Gray, 9.2; 7. Ryan Thibodeaux, 9.5; 8. Lane Livingston, 10.1. Average leaders: 1. Ty Harris, 17.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Lane Livingston, 17.3; 3. Ike Fontenot, 19.6; 4. Ryan Thibodeaux, 22.2; 5. Adam Gray, 28.2; 6. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds on one run; 7. Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 8. (tie) Catfish Brown and Westyn Hughes, 8.2; 10. Zach Jongbloed, 8.3. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 14.26 seconds; 2. Amanda Harris, 14.48; 3. Margo Crowther, 14.50; 4. Tara Carr, 14.55; 5. Shelby Bates, 14.57; 6. Shelby McCamey, 14.60; 7. Christine Laughlin, 14.67; 8. Kelsey Knight, 14.75; 9. Angela Ganter, 14.77; 10. (tie) J.J Baldwin and Mary Jo Camera, 14.81. Average leaders: 1. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 30.49 seconds  Continue Reading »