Monthly Archives: August 2020

Bull team competition will be a featured piece of Ultimate Bullfighters Challenge GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – They aren’t the biggest animals in Western sports, but what they do in the arena more than makes up for their lack of size. They are Spanish fighting bulls, and they were bred to be part of the Ultimate Bullfighter Challenge presented by Pump & Pantry, set for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Thompson Food Open Air Arena at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. In the decades of freestyle bullfighting, all who participate understand the necessity to have a great animal be part of the mix. The UBF, however, is taking it a full step further with its bull team competition, which will be part of the state fair event this coming weekend. Six stock contractors from around the country will have three bulls each, and the cumulative bull scores will be tallied together; the bull team with the highest score will be crowned champion and earn the lion’s share of the $25,000 purse. “I think this is set up to be an exceptional event,” said J.B. Mauney, a two-time PBR world champion bull rider who is involved with Lights Out Fighting Bulls and is a UBF shareholder. “We set up the shows and try to do it as smooth as we can. “With the bull team competition, it’s set up to showcase the best bulls. We’re going to have high scores, because the bulls are just that hot.” It’s a nice mix of athletic talent, both human and bovine. With scores based on a 100-point scale, men can earn up to 50 points per fight based on their ability to showcase control and style while maneuvering around and, sometimes, over the animal; a bull can earn up to 50 points based on its quickness, aggression and willingness to stay in the fight. “All contractors are paying fees, and there’s added money involved,” stock contractor Chad Ellison said, referring to sponsorship dollars that help make up the total purse. “It pays four places. All the contractors have a different strategy, but you don’t want to take bulls that are so hard the bullfighters can’t get by them “You win the deal off the combined bull scores, so it’s unique. If you wreck your guy out and the judges don’t see but a few seconds of your bull, that will probably hurt your score.” Ellison will have a couple of the top bulls in the game in Grand Island, including Blue Duck and Smoke N Mirrors. “They’re two different types of bulls, but they’re both good,” he said, noting that Blue Duck is owned by his wife, Brandee. “When we got him, you could tell Blue Duck was really mean and would be hard to handle. People that have fought him have either been a lot of points or been wrecked out. “Smoke N Mirrors doesn’t get too excited, but every time they’ve drawn him, they’ve been in the high 80s or low 90s. He’s pretty honest and comes pretty hard.” The bull teams will add a different yet exciting element to the freestyle bullfight. Mauney, who has been around the animals all his life, enjoys the aspects of working with the fighting bulls. He just understands they take a special touch. “If I’m not riding bulls, I’m messing with bulls,” he said. “It takes a different kind of person to work with bulls. You’ve got people that work with normal beef cattle, and you’ve got to be pretty handy to do that. Step over to the bucking bull side of things, and you’ve got to be quite a bit handy to mess with those. “When it comes to fighting bulls, you’ve got to have your head on a swivel and know what you’re doing, because one mistake and it’ll end up a bad deal.” There will be nearly two dozen of those beasts in the mix at the Nebraska State Fair. The men who tangle with them are in search of big points, which can result in big money. “Not only are these bulls really mean, they’re extremely smart,” Mauney said. “I’d never get in front of them like those bullfighters do. They are very handy, and it’s amazing to see the guys do what they do. They’re matched up against a fighting bull like that, and they make it look smooth, make it look easy. “Then you see somebody get hooked, and it’s a different story.” Either way, there’s incredible action in store in Grand Island this weekend.

UBF Challenge at Nebraska State Fair to feature top bullfighters, elite fighting bull competition GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Not many would stare a beast in the eyes. Fewer yet would tangle with it. But 18 men will get that opportunity this coming weekend during the Ultimate Bullfighter Challenge presented by Pump & Pantry, set for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Thompson Food Open Air Arena at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. This is the ultimate man-vs.-beast contest, a gladiator sport that features men willing to overcome any fears while testing their athletic talents in the arena while equally athletic and agile animals attack at will. “I love the mentality of me vs. the beast, and that’s what I love about bullfighting,” said Sage Seay, the No. 1 man in the UBF from Hackberry, Louisiana, a community tucked amongst swamps, bayous and lakes in Cajun Country. “I’m not going against Justin Josey or Beau Schueth. I’ve got to fight my bull for a minute, and that bull’s there for a job. I love a good fist fight. I feed off it.” With scores based on a 100-point scale, men can earn up to 50 points per fight based on their ability to showcase control and style while maneuvering around and, sometimes, over the animal; a bull can earn up to 50 points based on its quickness, aggression and willingness to stay in the fight. In fact, the bull aspect of the sport is such a major part of the show that UBF has developed a fighting bull competition, which will also be an added element of the Nebraska State Fair show. Six stock contractors from around the country will have three bulls each, and the cumulative bull scores will be tallied together; the bull team with the highest score will be crowned champion and earn the lion’s share of the $25,000 purse. “There will be two bulls in the long round and one bull in the short round from each bull team,” said J.B. Mauney, a two-time PBR world champion bull rider who is involved with Lights Out Fighting Bulls and is a UBF shareholder. “Grand Island should be one of the best events we have all year. When you put up your own money to enter bulls, you don’t want to bring a mediocre one. The heat will be there.” Men put their lives on the line through bouts with fast, agile, hoof-pounding machines. It’s the measure of a man that will face any adversity and find a way through every step, and a contest to identify that man is heading to Grand Island this weekend. “These have been standout events, especially when you mix the bull power with these great bullfighters,” Mauney said, noting that a UBF event took place a month ago in nearby Palmer, Nebraska. “At that event, we had a 91.5 and a 90.5. For people that don’t know freestyle bullfighting, it’s equivalent to a 90-point bull ride. “Fans are going to see the best bulls from each of the contractors, so the bullfighters are going to see the heat. These guys better be on their toes.”

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Since the day he was born, Sage Seay has been an athlete. Proof existed through his childhood, where he was the MVP as a senior at Nederland (Texas) High School just outside Beaumont. His exploits landed him a football scholarship at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a stone’s throw from his home in Hackberry, Louisiana. He no longer hunts down quarterbacks or tackles receivers; he’s in a more devastating game than football ever allowed, but he’s using his background to his advantage as one of the premier athletes in the Ultimate Bullfighters organization. “I really believe football actually helps me out now with training, the mental game and how I break down film to get better,” said Seay, 24, the No. 1 man in the UBF standings. “I taught myself how to fight bulls by watching film and just experiencing it through trial and error. The first bull I ever fought was at a fair in Sulphur, Louisiana, and I had no idea what I was doing. “I just envisioned that I was the running back and he was the linebacker, and I just ran away from him. Over time, I’ve learned the art of the game of freestyle bullfighting and have just loved it.” He and 17 other men will show off their skills at the Pump & Pantry Ultimate Bullfighter competition, set for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Thompson Food Open Air Arena at Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. “It’s going to be damn good, and I’m ready for it,” Seay said. “To square up to a bull for a minute, and that bull has a shot to kill you, it doesn’t get any better than that. I’m not there for that bull to fight me. I’m there to fight that SOB. He’s going to get everything I’ve got. I want that bull to know when I leave that arena that he’ll never want to see me again.” It’s a fighter’s mentality that’s part of Seay’s outlook on life. He shined in football and was a versatile athlete at Nederland High. As a junior, he played strong safety and receiver, two positions that rely heavily on athleticism. As a senior, he took over as the team’s quarterback and was named the most valuable player for District 22-5A and area newspapers in Port Arthur, Texas, and Beaumont. “I actually had nothing to do with rodeo growing up,” he said. “I played football my whole life. My dad rodeoed, and my brother rodeoed a little bit, and we always grew up working cows. I lived right across the state line with my mom; we lived there during the school year and lived in Hackberry in the summer. “I blew my knee out my sophomore season at McNeese, and they just wrote me off. I went to six or seven doctors, and they said I was pretty much done. I got in with Dr. (James) Andrews in Pensacola (Florida) and had a four-and-a-half-hour surgery. He repaired everything.” That was just the start. It was followed by months of intensive rehabilitation, defined by his will to improve. That’s what it takes to return to excellence after having a joint rebuilt, and there was no stopping Seay after that. “As I was going through rehab, I wasn’t ready to hang up the cleats yet, and freestyle bullfighting came across my Facebook feed,” he said. “I got a shot, and I took it. In October, it will be two years since I got into bullfighting.” He’s matured quite rapidly in a sport that was rather foreign to him just a few seasons ago. It’s not a game for the timid either. Bullfighters match their skills against agile and aggressive bulls. Bouts are a minute long, but only the fit and fanatical are able to survive. It takes months of training one’s body to prepare for what bullfighters experience in that 60 seconds. “We don’t have to do this; we get to do this,” Seay said. “It’s fun, but it’s a job. When you stop having fun, especially in this sport, I believe your done. “When I take a good shot, I get ticked off. I want to get back in the middle of the ring, square that sucker up and give him everything I have left. You’re going to win or lose. You’re not going to win every one of them, and that’s the consequence I’m willing to pay.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – At rodeos all across this land, Andy Stewart’s voice has resonated across the grandstands and into the back pens to tell the tales of the sport. Stewart has been a mainstay at the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3-Saturday, Sept. 5, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. Over the years, Stewart has been recognized as one of the very best in the business. He’s gained accolades and prestige, and this past December, his voice cascaded across Las Vegas as one of three announcers of the National Finals Rodeo. “That meant everything to me,” said Stewart, an 11-time nominee for the PRCA’s Announcer of the Year. “To earn that goal of being able to get behind the microphone at the pinnacle of our sport is very humbling. “It was everything I had hoped for. It was magical that first night I got to be on the microphone.” The magic exists because he is a student of the game. He knows the cowboys, the animals, the events. He understands that some fans may have more knowledge of the game than others, but he explains the details in a way that it’s enjoyable for all involved. “Andy is the voice of our rodeo, and we are proud to share in his successes,” said Kevin Coblentz, president of the volunteer committee that produces the annual event. “The fact that we got to hear him at the National Finals is a big deal. “Only three announcers are asked to be part of the NFR each year, and out of the hundreds of announcers that make a living in rodeo, he was recognized as one of the very best. He added to the NFR experience, and everybody there got to see why we know we have a gem in Gunnison.” While 2019 was magical, this year has been considerably more tumultuous. The COVID-19 pandemic turned the world on its side and rolled it in the dirt. Event cancelations started in March and continue still. Cattlemen’s Days may be delayed, but it continues with limited seating because of regulations. Still, the show goes on. “I’ve always said that those big rodeos are great, but the lifeblood of our organization is those medium and small rodeos in these small communities around America,” Stewart said. “That’s a testament to the true love that these committees have for these rodeos that come to their towns. That speaks volumes for the fan base for rodeo and how bit it is in the communities we go to. “I’m so thankful for committees like Gunnison, who have worked hard to move their rodeo and make it happen, and the community showed up in a big way. That shows how much they appreciate ProRodeo.” Stewart knows what it takes to work at an elite level. He works many of the biggest rodeos in the country. One reason is because of his energetic, booming voice. Another is the extra work he puts ahead of each rodeo performance so that he can be the perfect voice of the fans. For every hour he’s on the microphone, Stewart spends many more going through biographies and background and looking over all the important statistics of each competitor in the show. He understands what it takes to compete at an elite level, and he wants fans to realize it, too. It is, after all, the perfect mix of world-class competition and true family-friendly entertainment. “I know it will be limited fans, but The Cowboy Channel will be there, so people will be able to watch the rodeo,” he said. “It will get some nationwide coverage, which will help the rodeo’s sponsors and help a community that is eager for something big to happen … this year especially.”

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – There’s a value to everything in life, and the growth of the human spirit is treasured. For members of the Waller County Fair Association, their annual fair and rodeo is a major part of life in the region northwest of downtown Houston. With the human spirit fully engaged, the association’s board has decided to push through for this year’s fair and rodeo, set for Saturday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. “We fully comprehend the impact of the global pandemic,” said Matt Hyatt, chairman of the WCFA’s board. “What we also understand is that many things in our lives have been impacted beyond the coronavirus and that it is important to have our fair and rodeo.” While there may be limitations associated with COVID-19, the Waller County Fair and Rodeo will look remarkably similar to previous years; much of that has to do with its spacious outdoor setting, but it’s also a sign of perseverance by a community. “We just have to have our fair and rodeo,” said John Schluens, one of the association’s rodeo committee captains. “With so many regulations placed on us because of COVID, the people around here need that escape. We’ve had so many cancelations because of the pandemic; we just couldn’t cancel the biggest event in this county.” The fair’s rodeo has been recognized as one of the best in the region, and organizers are expecting a tremendous turnout of competitors who are itching to take their shot at the money available. “Every community has been impacted by this, but we’ve been very fortunate with the sponsors that have still come out and supported our event,” Hyatt said. “We’ve made the necessary adjustments, but we are moving forward in order to restore a sense of pride and a sense of normalcy to this community. “The kids and parents have done everything they can. We need to provide the platform to finish the goal. Of course, if people can’t make it out this year, we look forward to having them back in 2021.” The expo will kick off its eight-day run on opening Saturday with a bull riding and a freestyle bullfighting competition that begins at 7 p.m. Glen Templeton will follow with the first of four outdoor concerts that take place in the arena. Two days later, the annual Waller County Team Roping will take place. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, eight of top 12 tie-down ropers will battle in the seventh annual Calf Roping Eliminator Match, which features a $10,000 purse. That action begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by the Invitational Calf Roping. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, the inaugural WPRA Invitational Ladies Breakaway Roping feature most of the top female ropers in the game. The PRCA rodeo will help wrap up a busy week of activities in Hempstead beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1-Saturday, Oct. 3. Each performance will be followed by a concert in the arena afterward, with Randall King opening the weekend on Thursday, followed by John Stork on Friday and Josh Ward on Saturday. “We take a great deal of pride in what this community offers, and we want to give back,” Hyatt said. “It’s especially important to do that this year. “Just like every profession, lots of people have been out of work, including contestants, pickup men, bullfighters, announcers and clowns. They are very appreciative to be in Hempstead this year.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – Of the nearly 400 ProRodeo contestants who are scheduled to compete in Gunnison this year, a fourth of them have played on the sport’s grandest stage, the National Finals Rodeo. “When I saw our list of entries, I was floored by the numbers we’re getting and the amount of the top cowboys in the game,” said Kevin Coblentz, president of the committee that produces the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, set for Thursday, Sept. 3-Saturday, Sept. 5, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “We’re going to have the cream of the crop here. It’s very exciting.” The sheer number of cowboys and cowgirls is the most the town has seen in decades. It’s a tip of the cap to the volunteer committee that has gone above and beyond to help produce this 120th consecutive rodeo in a community well known for its agriculture roots. Beyond that, though, there’s a golden flair that has been achieved in Gunnison. Of the cowboys and cowgirls on the list to compete in the mountain community, 25 of them are world champions; they represent 46 gold buckles. “It’s impressive to me to see who we have coming,” Coblentz said. “If you wear a gold buckle in professional rodeo, you had to earn it. Now, those people are trying to win another one this year, and they’re including Gunnison on their schedules.” The biggest name in the batch is reigning six-time world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey, who is well on his way to establish a new mark in bull riding world titles; he is chasing eight-time titlist Donnie Gay. But he’s not the only contestant in the game with multiple gold buckles. Gunnison will also host Sherry Cervi, a four-time barrel racing champ; Tuf Cooper, a four-time winner with titles in tie-down roping and the all-around race; three-time bareback riding world champion Tim O’Connell; two-time team roping winners Patrick Smith, Chad Masters and Matt Sherwood; and four other two-time titlists, steer wrestler Hunter Cure, saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy, tie-down roper Caleb Smidt and barrel racer Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. “We not only have more contestants this year than we’ve ever had, but we’re going to have more world titlists here than ever,” Coblentz said. “That says quite a bit about what the contestants are looking for. We feature a good purse, and we are on a weekend that works well for them to make Cattlemen’s Days. “When you can draw the who’s who of rodeo to town, it shows the work we’ve done as a community is paying off. We may have had to wait for this year’s rodeo, but I think it’s going to be well worth it.”

GUYMON, Okla. – At just 33 years old, Isaac Diaz is the living embodiment of Garth Brooks’ song “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old).” A professional saddle bronc rider since his college days 15 years ago, Diaz still chases those white lines and great bucking horses that drive his dreams and his passion for rodeo. They brought him to Sunday’s final performance of the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, and it paid off rather well. “One thing I’ve learned with getting older is the competition is getting younger,” said Diaz, a six-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Desdemona, Texas. “That’s why I travel with young, motivated guys. These guys keep me working out and staying fit and really driving at it. “Especially with this pandemic, we couldn’t possibly live a better life.” Diaz rode Frontier Rodeo’s Yellowstone for 89 points Sunday afternoon to finish second in the saddle bronc riding, just a half-point behind the winning ride made by Chase Brooks on Friday night. For his work, Diaz pocketed $2,750. All that will go a long way toward his efforts to return to the NFR for the seventh time. A sports hernia suffered last spring kept him out of ProRodeo’s finale this past December. The money earned in the Oklahoma Panhandle will push Diaz past the $40,000 mark and will have him ever so close to the top 10 in the world standings. “I had that horse one other time and it really good,” Diaz said “It wasn’t quite this good. I told Shorty (Garrett) before this that I had to draw her one more time to decide if that was my favorite horse, and now that I’ve done that, I can confirm that it is my favorite horse. “Frontier is my favorite stock contracting firm. It’s one thing to have great animals, but it’s another thing that they’re willing to do whatever to help you. They’re supportive of us, and they want to see us win. That makes a big difference.” While Diaz moved into second place, a couple of other cowboys earned a share of victories in their respective events. Tie-down roper Justin Smith stopped the clock in 7.5 seconds Sunday afternoon to win the second round and share the average title with Hunter Herrin; bull rider Koby Radley was 90 points on Frontier’s Lookin’ Up to share the bull riding victory with Ty Wallace. Smith pocketed $7,559, while Radley left Guymon with $3,313. Diaz drove away from Texas County with the satisfaction of another solid run at a big rodeo on the 2020 season. “I almost went to school here,” he said, referring to Oklahoma Panhandle State University in nearby Goodwell. “I traveled for a long time with Taos (Muncy), Tyrel (Larsen) and Cody (Taton, all three of whom are Panhandle State graduates), so we always come to this rodeo. It’s the bronc riding capital of this region. “I’ve never won this rodeo. I’ve finished third, fourth and placed down the line, and now I’m second. I want one of those (trophy) belts with those conchos on it, so hopefully one day I’ll get them.” He’s still riding like he’s in the prime of his life, so he should have several opportunities to claim that prize. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo Aug. 21-23 All-around cowboy: Tuf Cooper, $6,388 in steer roping and tie-down roping. Bareback riding leaders: 1. Jake Brown, 89 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s New Scarlet, $3,334; 2. Kaycee Field, 87.5, $2,555; 3. (tie) Tray Chambliss, Richmond Champion and Cole Reiner, 87, $1,296 each; 6. Clayton Biglow, 86, $556; 7. Tim O’Connell, 85.5, $444; 8. (tie) Pascal Isabelle and Garrett Shadbolt, 85, $167 each. Team roping: First round: 1. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 4.2 seconds, $2,506 each; 2. Luke Brown/Patrick Smith, 4.8, $2,179; 3. (tie) Cody Snow/Junior Nogueira and Chad Masters/Wesley Thorp, 5.2, $1,689 each; 5. (tie) Cooper White/Tucker White and J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 5.3, $1,035 each; 7. Jaxson Tucker/Cole Davison, 5.4, $545; 8. (tie) Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith and Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 5.5, $109 each. Second round: 1. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 4.4 seconds, $2,506; 2. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Marty Yates and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 4.5, $2,016; 4. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 4.6, $1,526; 5. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.9, $1,199; 6. Laramie Allen/Truman Magnus, 5.0, $872; 7. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 5.2, $545; 8. (tie) Cody Snow/Junior Nogueira, Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 5.3, $73 each. Average: 1. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 9.9 seconds on two runs, $3,760; 2. Cody Snow/Junior Nogueira, 10.5, $3,269; 3. Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith, 10.8, $2,779; 4. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 11.0, $2,288; 5. Chad Masters/Wesley Thorp, 11.2, $1,798; 6. J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 11.3, $1,308; 7. (tie) Jake Orman/Brye Crites and Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 11.5, $572 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. (tie) Chase Crane and Clayton Hass, 4.0 seconds, $1,680 each; 3. (tie) Taz Olson, Walt Arnold, Blake Knowles, Eli Lord, Dalton Massey, Cade Goodman and Tanner Brunner, 4.1, $636 each. Second round: 1. Blake Knowles, 3.5 seconds, $1,798; 2. (tie) Trell Etbauer and Dirk Tavenner, 3.7, $1,446 each; 4. Dylan Schroeder, 3.8, $1,094; 5. Mike McGinn, 3.9, $860; 6. Bridger Anderson, 4.1, $660; 6. Jacob Edler, 4.2, $391; 8. (tie) J.D. Struxness, Blake Mindemann and Payden McIntyre, 4.3, $52 each. Average: 1. Blake Knowles, 7.6 seconds on two runs, $2,696; 2. Trell Etbauer, $2,345; 3. (tie) Walt Arnold and Chase Crane, 8.6, $1,817 each; 5. Jacob Edler, 8.8, $1,290; 6. (tie) J.D. Struxness and Clayton Hass, 8.9, $762; 8. (tie) Newt Bush, Tanner Brunner, Trever Nelson and Bridger Anderson, 9.0, $59 each. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Chase Brooks, 89.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Delta Force, $3,587; 2. Isaac Diaz, 89, $2,750; 3. Rusty Wright, 88.5, $2,033; 4. Spencer Wright, 87, $1,315; 5. (tie) Allen Boore, Kolby Wanchuk, Jake Watson and CoBurn Bradshaw, 86, $568 each. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Marty Yates, 8.1 seconds, $3,101; 2. (tie) Ryan Thibodeaux and Caleb Smidt, 8.2, $2,494 each; 4. Shane Hanchey, 8.3, $1,888; 5. (tie) Hunter Herrin, Riley Pruitt and Quay Howard, 8.5, $1,079  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Frontier Rodeo’s bull Big Don had a nasty reputation, but that didn’t matter to Ty Wallace, who mastered the beast for 90 points Saturday night to take the bull riding lead at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. “I’ve seen that bull a handful of times this year, and he’s been awesome,” said Wallace, a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Collbran, Colorado. “He’s one of Frontier’s top five bulls, and I was just happy to come to Guymon and get on a bull like that. “It always feels better when it works out.” Josh Frost, a graduate of nearby Oklahoma Panhandle State University, had jumped into the lead with an 88.5-point ride on Frontier’s Magic Trick, but then Wallace and Big Don worked their own magic. He will have to wait for the outcome of Sunday’s final performance to see if the score holds up for the Pioneer Days Rodeo title and the cherished trophy buckle awarded to each year’s champions. “It always helps when the bull bucks hard,” he said. “When they buck that hard, you don’t really have time to think; you just react. I’d say 70 percent is mental. I can sure beat myself up mentally knowing that bull was hard to get away from. It runs through your head, and you try to block it out. I’m just thankful these bullfighters were there and are awesome.” With a little more than a month left in ProRodeo’s regular season, Wallace was 13th in the world standings heading into this week of rodeos. Every dollar counts, so he knows having a good check at Oklahoma’s only ProRodeo Hall of Fame event will be important. “Being right there on the bubble with a month left in the season, it definitely helps,” said Wallace, noting that only the top 15 on the money list at the end of the regular season advance to the NFR. “It makes you forget about the standings, and you can just go enjoy yourself and not be pressured.” Steer wrestler Bridger Anderson has felt a little pressure. He’s been among the top 15 all season, but he’s dipped to 11th heading into this week. That’s why he ran his first steer Thursday afternoon, then sprinted to an airplane for a short hop to Amarillo, Texas, to catch a second flight that day en route to Denver then on to Kalispell, Montana. “I got to the arena at Kalispell just as they were running the first bulldogging steer in slack after the performance,” said Anderson, the reigning college steer wrestling champion from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. “The next morning, we drove to Burley (Idaho), then I got up early this morning to get on a flight to get back here for tonight.” Five planes in two days, but he’s placing in Burley and is placing in both the second round and two-run aggregate in Guymon. He posted a 4.1-second run Saturday night for fifth in the round and a tie for fifth place in the average “It would mean a lot to pick up some money here,” he said. “It would be a great place to keep climbing up the world standings and the (Prairie) Circuit standings, hopefully at least hold the position.” All he hoped for was an opportunity, and he got it. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo Aug. 21-23 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Jake Brown, 89 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s New Scarlet; 2. Kaycee Field, 87.5; 3. (tie) Tray Chambliss and Richmond Champion, 87; 5. Clayton Biglow, 86; 6. Tim O’Connell, 85.5; 7. (tie) Pascal Isabelle and Garrett Shadbolt, 85. Team roping: First round: 1. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 4.2 seconds, $2,506 each; 2. Luke Brown/Patrick Smith, 4.8, $2,179; 3. (tie) Cody Snow/Junior Nogueira and Chad Masters/Wesley Thorp, 5.2, $1,689 each; 5. (tie) Cooper White/Tucker White and J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 5.3, $1,035 each; 7. Jaxson Tucker/Cole Davison, 5.4, $545; 8. (tie) Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith and Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 5.5, $109 each. Second round: 1. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 4.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Marty Yates and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 4.5; 4. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 4.6; 5. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.9; 6. Laramie Allen/Truman Magnus, 5.0; 7. (tie) Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 5.3. Average: 1. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 9.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith, 10.8; 3. Chad Masters/Wesley Thorp, 11.2; 4. J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 11.3; 5. (tie) Jake Orman/Brye Crites and Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 11.5; 7. Chris Francis/Cade Pasig, 12.0; 8. Brit Ellerman/Trey Johnson, 17.1. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. (tie) Chase Crane and Clayton Hass, 4.0 seconds, $1,680 each; 3. (tie) Taz Olson, Walt Arnold, Blake Knowles, Eli Lord, Dalton Massey, Cade Goodman and Tanner Brunner, 4.1, $636 each. Second round: 1. Blake Knowles, 3.5 seconds; 2. Dirk Tavenner, 3.7; 3. Dylan Schroeder, 3.8; 4. Mike McGinn, 3.9; 5. Bridger Anderson, 4.1; 6. Jacob Edler, 4.2; 7. (tie) J.D. Struxness, Blake Mindemann and Payden McIntyre, 4.3. Average: 1. Blake Knowles, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Walt Arnold and Chase Crane, 8.6 each; 4. Jacob Edler, 8.8; 5. (tie) J.D. Struxness and Clayton Hass, 8.9; 7. (tie) Newt Bush, Trever Nelson and Bridger Anderson, 9.0. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Chase Brooks, 89.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Delta Force; 2. Rusty Wright, 88.5; 3. Spencer Wright, 87; 4. (tie) Allen Boore and Kolby Wanchuk, 86; 6. Jake Finlay, 85; 7. Leon Fountain, 81; 8. Kole Ashbacher, 80. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Marty Yates, 8.1 seconds, $3,101; 2. (tie) Ryan Thibodeaux and Caleb Smidt, 8.2, $2,494 each; 4. Shane Hanchey, 8.3, $1,888; 5. (tie) Hunter Herrin, Riley Pruitt and Quay Howard, 8.5, $1,079 each; 8. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Blake Ash, 8.7, $135 each. Second round: 1. Tyler Prcin, 7.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Reese Reimer and Cody McCartney, 7.9; 4. (tie) Cody Huber and Tuf Cooper, 8.0; 6. Bryson Sechrist. 8.2; 7. (tie) Hunter Herrin and Adam Gray, 8.3. Average: 1. Hunter Herrin16.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Tuf Cooper, 17.0; 3. (tie) Cody  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Hailey Kinsel may not be leading barrel racing at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, but she made a statement during Saturday afternoon’s second performance. Kinsel, the two-time reigning world champion from Cotulla, Texas, posted the fastest run of the round, a 17.35, to move into third place. With two performances remaining in the postponed 2020 version of the Oklahoma Panhandle’s rodeo, she is in a good situation to make money. She sits second in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s world standings, about $13,000 behind the top-ranked cowgirl, two-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, who has already competed and will finish out of the money. This is an opportunity for Kinsel to close the gap on the leader. The Texas cowgirl isn’t a stranger to big performances in ProRodeo. She and her main mount, Sister, own the two gold buckles for a reason, but they’ve just added to their lore. Just three weeks ago at Dodge City, Kansas, Kinsel and Sister rounded the cloverleaf pattern in 16.63 seconds, setting the new record for the fastest run on a standard pattern. “I love the champions ahead of me that set a pace for it,” Kinsel said in a recent interview. Saturday afternoon’s performance reached temperatures in the mid-90s, but the action was just as hot. Four-time world champion bareback rider Kaycee Feild took the lead with an 87.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Scarlett Belle. It’s just a half-point better than two other cowboys, Richmond Champion and Tray Chambliss. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo Aug. 21-23 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kaycee Field, 87.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Scarlett Belle; 2. (tie) Tray Chambliss and Richmond Champion, 87; 4. Clayton Biglow, 86; 5. (tie) Pascal Isabelle and Garrett Shadbolt, 85; 7. Will Martin, 82; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Mike Solberg, 81. Team roping: First round: 1. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 4.2 seconds, $2,506 each; 2. Luke Brown/Patrick Smith, 4.8, $2,179; 3. (tie) Cody Snow/Junior Nogueira and Chad Masters/Wesley Thorp, 5.2, $1,689 each; 5. (tie) Cooper White/Tucker White and J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 5.3, $1,035 each; 7. Jaxson Tucker/Cole Davison, 5.4, $545; 8. (tie) Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith and Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 5.5, $109 each. Second round: 1. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 4.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Marty Yates and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 4.5; 4. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 4.6; 5. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.9; 6. Laramie Allen/Truman Magnus, 5.0; 7. (tie) Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 5.3. Average: 1. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 9.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith, 10.8; 3. Chad Masters/Wesley Thorp, 11.2; 4. J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 11.3; 5. (tie) Jake Orman/Brye Crites and Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 11.5; 7. Chris Francis/Cade Pasig, 12.0; 8. Brit Ellerman/Trey Johnson, 17.1. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. (tie) Chase Crane and Clayton Hass, 4.0 seconds, $1,680 each; 3. (tie) Taz Olson, Walt Arnold, Blake Knowles, Eli Lord, Dalton Massey, Cade Goodman and Tanner Brunner, 4.1, $636 each. Second round: 1. Blake Knowles, 3.5 seconds; 2. Dirk Tavenner, 3.7; 3. Dylan Schroeder, 3.8; 4. Mike McGinn, 3.9; 5. Jacob Edler, 4.2; 6. (tie) J.D. Struxness, Blake Mindemann and Payden McIntyre, 4.3. Average: 1. Blake Knowles, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Walt Arnold and Chase Crane, 8.6 each; 4. Jacob Edler, 8.8; 5. (tie) J.D. Struxness and Clayton Hass, 8.9; 7. (tie) Newt Bush and Trever Nelson, 9.0. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Chase Brooks, 89.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Delta Force; 2. (tie) Allen Boore and Kolby Wanchuk, 86; 4. Leon Fountain, 81; 5. (tie) Kash Deal and Clint Lindenfield, 79; 7. Cole Elshere and Treyson Antonick, 78. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Marty Yates, 8.1 seconds, $3,101; 2. (tie) Ryan Thibodeaux and Caleb Smidt, 8.2, $2,494 each; 4. Shane Hanchey, 8.3, $1,888; 5. (tie) Hunter Herrin, Riley Pruitt and Quay Howard, 8.5, $1,079 each; 8. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Blake Ash, 8.7, $135 each. Second round: 1. Tyler Prcin, 7.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Reese Reimer and Cody McCartney, 7.9; 4. (tie) Cody Huber and Tuf Cooper, 8.0; 6. Bryson Sechrist. 8.2; 7. Adam Gray, 8.3; 8. J.W. Kirkham, 8.4. Average: 1. Tuf Cooper, 17.0 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Cody McCartney and Cody Huber, 17.1; 4. Caleb Smidt, 17.2; 5. Marty Yates, 17.6; 6. Marcos Costa, 17.7; 7. Colt Papy, 18.2; 8. Adam Gray, 18.3. Barrel racing: First round: 1. Shelley Morgan, 17.11 seconds; 2. Wenda Johnson, 17.27; 3. Hailey Kinsel 17.35; 4. Shannon Lillard, 17.42; 5. (tie) Kelly Yates and Stephanie Fryar, 17.47 each; 7. (tie) Ilyssa Riley, Tracy Nowlin and Paige Jones, 17.49; 10. Jill Wilson, 17.51. Bull riding leaders: 1. Toby Collins, 86 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Wild Shot; 2. Lon Danley, 79.5; 3. (tie) Dustiin Martinez and Colton Byram, 76; 5. Wyatt Rogers, 71; no other qualified rides.

GUYMON, Okla. – About seven seconds into his eight-second ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Night Fist during Friday’s first performance of the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, Tray Chambliss was in a bind. “I felt my glove slipping out of my rigging; it was do or die right then,” said Chambliss, 30, of Fort Davis, Texas. “It was, ‘Gas it even harder and stay ahead of the horse or safety up,’ but there ain’t no money in safetying up.” It worked to the tune of 87 points and the bareback riding lead in the Oklahoma Panhandle for the Alabama-born cowboy who moved to Texas about a decade ago to learn more about the craft and what it means to compete in ProRodeo. Though he’s never qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, Chambliss was a rising star in the game. Four years ago, an injury forced him to the sidelines, and he slowed down his schedule considerable since. He skipped the 2017 season altogether, then got on just 17 horses in 2018-19 combined. “In one of the oddest years ever, I decided to go pretty hard,” he said, noting that his Friday night ride on the powerful Frontier horse was his 10th of the season, which he started in early June. “You have to want to do this. If you don’t want it, you better not come, because you’re either going to get hurt or it’s going to be for nothing. “There are a lot of other guys that want it as bad or worse than you do, and they’re going to be working hard to make it happen.” While he’s not old by any stretch of the imagination, some cowboys in their 30s struggle in bareback riding because of the physical toll it takes on their bodies. With his time away from the arena, Chambliss knows he’s got plenty of years left. Besides, there’s also mind over matter. “I don’t think age has anything to do with it,” he said. “I think your circumstances, where you are in life and where the good Lord is speaking to you is where you’re at. One of my good friends and mentors, Clint Cannon, didn’t make the finals until he was 31.” Cannon then qualified for the NFR five times, and Chambliss still believes he has the ability to make it to ProRodeo’s biggest stage. “I don’t want to be the guy on his death bed who knew he had the talent and ability and just didn’t keep trying,” he said. “I don’t want to have any regrets.” He doesn’t regret returning to Guymon after four years away from the Oklahoma Panhandle, especially knowing he was matched with Night Fist. “She was really electric,” Chambliss said. “I didn’t ask anybody about her, because I didn’t want a bunch of people’s opinions about her. I had a game plan: Visualize my ride and do everything perfect.” It worked out just fine. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo Aug. 21-23 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Tray Chambliss, 87 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Night Fist; 2. Clayton Biglow, 86; 3. Will Martin, 82; 4. Kash Wilson, 80; no other qualified rides Team roping: First round: 1. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 4.2 seconds, $2,506 each; 2. Luke Brown/Patrick Smith, 4.8, $2,179; 3. (tie) Cody Snow/Junior Nogueira and Chad Masters/Wesley Thorp, 5.2, $1,689 each; 5. (tie) Cooper White/Tucker White and J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 5.3, $1,035 each; 7. Jaxson Tucker/Cole Davison, 5.4, $545; 8. (tie) Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith and Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 5.5, $109 each. Second round: 1. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 4.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Marty Yates and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 4.5; 4. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 4.6; 5. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.9; 6. Laramie Allen/Truman Magnus, 5.0; 7. (tie) Paul David Tierney/Thomas Smith and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 5.3. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. (tie) Chase Crane and Clayton Hass, 4.0 seconds, $1,680 each; 3. (tie) Taz Olson, Walt Arnold, Blake Knowles, Eli Lord, Dalton Massey, Cade Goodman and Tanner Brunner, 4.1, $636 each. Second round: 1. Blake Knowles, 3.5 seconds; 2. Dirk Tavenner, 3.7; 3. Dylan Schroeder, 3.8; 4. Mike McGinn, 3.9; 5. Jacob Edler, 4.2; 6. (tie) J.D. Struxness, Blake Mindemann and Payden McIntyre, 4.3. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Chase Brooks, 89.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Delta Force; 2. (tie) Allen Boore and Kolby Wanchuk, 86; 4. Leon Fountain, 81; 5. Kash Deal, 79; 6. Ross Griffin, 77.5; 7. Cash Wilson, 75; 8. Mason Loviolette, 71. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Marty Yates, 8.1 seconds, $3,101; 2. (tie) Ryan Thibodeaux and Caleb Smidt, 8.2, $2,494 each; 4. Shane Hanchey, 8.3, $1,888; 5. (tie) Hunter Herrin, Riley Pruitt and Quay Howard, 8.5, $1,079 each; 8. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Blake Ash, 8.7, $135 each. Second round: 1. Tyler Prcin, 7.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Reese Reimer and Cody McCartney, 7.9; 4. (tie) Cody Huber and Tuf Cooper, 8.0; 6. Bryson Sechrist. 8.2; 7. Adam Gray, 8.3; 8. J.W. Kirkham, 8.4. Barrel racing: First round: 1. Shelley Morgan, 17.11 seconds; 2. Wenda Johnson, 17.27; 3. Shannon Lillard, 17.42; 4. (tie) Kelly Yates and Stephanie Fryar, 17.47 each; 6. (tie) Ilyssa Riley, Tracy Nowlin and Paige Jones, 17.49 each. Steer roping: First round: 1. Landon McClaugherty, 11.5 seconds, $1,670; 2. (tie) Corey Ross, Scott Snedecor and Cole Patterson, 11.7, $1,094 each; 5. Mike Chase, 12.6, $518; 6. Cody Doescher, 13.0, $288. Second round: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2 seconds, $1,670; 2. Landon McClaugherty, 10.4, $1,382; 3. Roger Branch, 10.7, $1,094; 4. Jace Bland, 11.1, $806; 5. Taylor Santos, 11.2, $518; 6. Tuff Hardman, 11.6, $288. Third round: 1. Tuf Cooper, 10.3 seconds, $1,670; 2. Martin Poindexter, 10.5, $1,382; 3. Trevor Brazile, 10.7, $1,094; 4. Trey Wallace, 11.5, $806; 5. Clay Smith, 11.8, $518; 6. Cody Lee, 12.2, $288. Fourth round: 1. Scott Snedecor, 9.6 seconds, $1,670; 2. Jace Bland, 10.1, $1,382; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 10.8, $1,094; 4. Roger Branch, 10.9, $806; 5. Trevor Brazile, 11.1, $518; 6. Mike Chase, 11.2, $288. Average: 1. Clay Smith, 53.0 seconds on four head, $3,339; 2. Cole Patterson, 57.6, $2,764; 3. J. Tom Fisher, 58.5, $2,188; 4. Jess Tierney, 67.0, $1,612;  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Five years ago, the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo was decorated with its highest honor when it was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. It’s just gotten better since then, and that bodes well for this year’s event, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug 22; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “We feel pretty fortunate that we’re able to put on a rodeo in this trying year,” said Mitch Egger, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “We have been diligent to make sure Pioneer Days Rodeo happened this year, and we’re excited for the competition to begin.” The contest begins Tuesday, Aug. 18, with steer roping and barrel racing. It will continue through the final performance on that Sunday afternoon. This year’s rodeo features more than 800 entries, further proof that America is eager to get back to normal after struggling for months through the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Roughly half of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s nearly 700 events have been affected by the virus. Guymon’s rodeo was postponed until this week, three and a half months behind its traditional dates. “We had originally hoped to have our rodeo in May as we’ve always done, but that just wasn’t possible given the climate at the time,” Egger said. “We found dates that would work for most everybody associated with the rodeo, and we decided to just go for it. “The good news for us is that everybody is hungry for the competition, for the entertainment and to just celebrate what Pioneer Days is all about here in Guymon and this region.” This year marks the 88th year for Pioneer Days, which began in the 1930s as a way to direct people to town during the “Dust Bowl” era and make it a community celebration. It has continued into the next century and continues to thrive. “We’ve been very blessed to have so much support for this event,” said Ken Stonecipher, a longtime rodeo committee member. “Many of our longtime sponsors have stuck with us this year, and we appreciate that. “Because of the sponsors that are part of our rodeo, we’re able to really showcase a great rodeo to this community. We also get to expose the cowboys to the people here and show them what makes this place special.” Across the nation and around the world, the pandemic has featured a wave of destruction and discontent. Schools closed, events canceled and life stopped for most. The new normal is an adjustment to daily life, but like the Pioneer Days celebration itself, there comes a time to reflect on what things were like not so long ago. “We had to cancel our college rodeo in April, and we had to postpone our rodeo that was supposed to be a week later,” Egger said. “Rodeo needed Guymon to happen, and we need this rodeo. It’s something we need to do to celebrate together.”

Local residents, sponsors step up to allow Cattlemen’s Days to happen GUNNISON, Colo. – In the last two weeks since the fundraising campaign was initiated, many people have come out to advocate the 120th consecutive edition of the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo. “The support we’ve seen is nothing sort of amazing,” said Kevin Coblentz, president of the volunteer committee that produces Cattlemen’s Days, set for Thursday, Sept. 3-Saturday, Sept. 5, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “We have had people donate to this cause in so many ways that it’s just unbelievable. I’ve had people just hand me cash, drop by and hand me a check worth thousands of dollars or send money through the mail. “When a community has had 119 straight years of rodeo like Gunnison has, it’s hard to just let it go. We believed this would happen, and apparently, so did many other people in Gunnison County. It wouldn’t have happened without everybody’s support.” Each year, Cattlemen’s Days volunteers go about the task of gathering sponsorships for the annual rodeo. COVID-19 made that difficult, so the committee opted to try something different in the form of a GoFundMe page. Word was spread about the rodeo’s need for funds, and tens of thousands of dollars have been raised. “The part about our GoFundMe page that excites me is that we’re giving that money directly to the contestants,” Coblentz said. “Because we will not be able to have fans – unless we receive a variance that allows for a limited crowd – we knew we needed to make up the traditional financial support we get from ticket sales and concessions sales. “It’s just amazing to me that we were able to raise that much money in just two weeks, but I knew the local community would help make this thing happen. Everybody around here knows how important the rodeo is to Gunnison’s legacy.” The financial support didn’t end there. On Tuesday, the town of Gunnison announced a $23,500 sponsorship, while the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association has ponied up serious money to make sure the rodeo happens in 2020. “What I’ve learned over the last two weeks that we’ve pushed this fundraising effort is that people care about Cattlemen’s Days rodeo and the tradition we have here,” he said. “We have felt that there was something special with our rodeo, and now we have proof that others feel the same way.” The committee is working closely with The Cowboy Channel to have the rodeo broadcast nationwide on the network and worldwide via The Cowboy Channel app. In addition, it is spreading the word to the cowboys and cowgirls who make their livings in rodeo. “We’re expecting a record number of contestants to be at our rodeo this year,” Coblentz said. “While we may not have a crowd or much of a crowd, I think the hospitality that these contestants will see in Gunnison will bring them back for years to come. We’re excited about that.”

GUYMON, Okla. – Truth be told, Wyatt Casper wasn’t quite sure what to do with the $600,000 he earned in March for winning The American. He’s figuring it out pretty quickly. “We bought us some land and put us a house out there,” Casper said of his spread near Miami, Texas, about 80 miles northeast of Amarillo, Texas. “We’re building our forever home. My brother-in-law bought a ranch out there, and he has 12,000 acres. I figured whenever I was home, I’d be able to ride some horses and be able to train some horses for my wife to run barrels on.” His is a much different lifestyle than it was even a year ago. Because The American offered such an amazing purse, only a portion of his take counts toward the ProRodeo world standings. Casper was awarded $100,000 for winning the saddle bronc riding total and $500,000 for being one of just two contestants to win after going through the qualifier ranks. Each qualifier that wins the top prize in his or her respective event is eligible for the $1 million side pot. Both Casper and New Mexican tie-down roper Shad Mayfield were the two qualifiers to claim the titles. However, of the $100,000 first-place prize, only $50,000 actually counts on the PRCA’s money list. Still, it’s a hefty sum, and of the seven winners, five still lead the world standings five months later. Only Mayfield, Casper and bareback rider Tim O’Connell have crossed the $100,000 mark in season earnings, though. The roper sits atop the earning standings with $151,364, but Casper is right on his tail with $143,643. O’Connell just crossed the threshold this past week and sits at $105,531. “I’d really like to go into the NFR winning the most money,” Casper said of the National Finals Rodeo, which features only the top 15 contestants in each event as they battle for world championships. “A lot of people are asking why I need to go win more money. This is what we do to make a living, so I want to try to get the getting while the getting’s good.” He hopes to keep adding to his total at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug 22; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. It’s the closest ProRodeo to his childhood home of Balko, Oklahoma, just 45 miles east of Guymon. “We weren’t dedicated to going to the rodeo every year, but I watched it a few times,” Casper said. “I went to the carnival a few times, but that’s really I remember from my childhood. “It’s the closest rodeo to home for me, and I know I’ll have a bunch of family and friends there watching it. It’s one of the bigger ones that weekend, so it’ll be nice to get a good check out of there.” The way the season’s gone, he has a great chance. Even if The American didn’t count, he has earned $93,643, which would still give him the world standings lead. Instead, he owns a lead of nearly $70,000 over the No. 2 man, 2017 world champion Ryder Wright. “Bronc riding is a lot like a roller coaster,” Casper said. “There are a lot of ups and downs. In years past, I was getting on horses that weren’t as good as the ones I’m getting on now. “I’ve been getting on good horses, and my confidence is through the roof. I’m just out here having fun.”

GUYMON, Okla. – Since 2015, no livestock producer in ProRodeo has received more accolades than Frontier Rodeo. Based near the northwest Oklahoma community of Freedom, Rodeo Manager Heath Stewart has developed the perfect combination of amazing animal athletes and entertaining production to engage fans nationwide. It’s why Frontier Rodeo has been named the PRCA’s Stock Contractor of the Year each of the past five seasons and why it’s the primary livestock producer in charge of operating Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug 22; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “Heath and the rest of the Frontier crew do an amazing job with our rodeo,” said Mitch Egger, chairman of the volunteer committee that organizes the rodeo. “We typically have seven days of competition, and they handle everything very well. This year’s rodeo will feature one less day, but it’s just as much of a big task, if not more this year. We expect as many contestants, so instead of running all of our barrel racing slack on Friday, we’re going to run that Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. “That should help things run as smoothly as possible. We’ll have steer roping those two days and barrel racing those nights. We’re also going with just two rounds instead of finishing out the weekend with a progressive third round in tie-down roping, team roping and steer wrestling. That should make it a little smoother, too.” That’s because the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has delayed Pioneer Days from its traditional first-weekend-of-May dates to late August. It also has forced the cancelation of many other rodeos nationwide, so the opportunities for cowboys and cowgirls has been greatly diminished. When rodeos are available, the number of contestants has been high. Rodeos that have taken place in this region have seen contestant entries at a record pace, but the volunteers that make Pioneer Days Rodeo happen are used to that. Nearly 1,000 cowboys and cowgirls make their way to the Oklahoma Panhandle every year, and this year should be no different. Timed-event contestants will all compete in two go-rounds to help the process, but it’s still a labor-intensive workload for volunteers and Frontier crew. “We know they can handle it,” Egger said. “Just to have a rodeo in a year like this is amazing, and we’ve worked hard to make it happen. Of course, it’s always a nice feeling to know we’ve got Heath and his team with us. “It’s also nice to know the types of animals that will be in Guymon that week.” Over the last decade, Frontier Rodeo has had three animals named top stock seven times. Medicine Woman has been the PRCA’s Saddle Bronc of the Year four times, while Maple Leaf earned that title once. Full Baggage has twice been named the Bareback Horse of the Year. “That’s another great rodeo we’re excited to go to,” said bareback rider Orin Larsen, the 2019 reserve world champion who earned one of his two college titles while attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University. “The committee does a lot of work to make it happen. It’s close to my heart, having gone to college in Goodwell (Oklahoma). “It’s a rodeo I really want to win. I’ve placed a couple of times, but that’s about all the luck I’ve had. I know when we get there, we’ll see horses like Gun Fire, Full Baggage and Showstomper … all the monsters. You have a chance to get on fire-breathing dragons and spur them, and you can do really good.”

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Dodge City Roundup Rodeo has a grand history for having the best athletes in the game. This year was pretty special, highlighted by a high-scoring championship round Sunday night. Bull rider Roscoe Jarboe was a highlight reel of his own, tying the arena record with a 93-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Magic Poison. For his week in Dodge City, he pocketed $8,173. But he was just one of nine champions crowned at Roundup Arena on the final night of competition. He was joined by bareback rider Orin Larsen, steer wrestler Dalton Massey, saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright, tie-down roper Ty Harris, barrel racer BryAnna Haluptzok and two team-roping tandems, Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick and Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley. “This rodeo is awesome, and the horses are awesome,” said Wright, the 2017 world champion who is now 22 years old. “I just want to say thanks to this committee and everybody that had a hand in having this rodeo this year. It means a lot to us cowboys who are stuck at home and not being able to rodeo. “When we’re sitting at home, we’re not getting paid. It’s hard to pay bills when you’re not rodeoing.” He can cover plenty of bills after his run in western Kansas. Wright matched moves with Frontier’s Big News for 92 points, the same score his older brother, Rusty, had on the same horse a year ago to win the prestigious title. For his efforts, Ryder Wright pocketed $5,616. But he wasn’t alone in that. A lot of cowboys and cowgirls found big paydays in Dodge City. Roundup Rodeo featured a record purse, paying out $401,285. “I’ve been coming to this rodeo for a long time, and it’s a really hard rodeo to win,” said Larsen, who also posted a 92-point ride to win the bareback riding title. “Frontier brings the A string of horses. It’s tough to win this one, but once you win it, it feels pretty dang good.” Larsen earned the biggest pay in his event after his high-marked ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped. He added $7,574 to his season earnings and well placed in the top 10 in the world standings. “Anytime you’ve got a Pickett horse by your name, you know you’ve got something that’s really fun, really bucky and gives you a shot to win,” said Larsen, who finished second in the world standings a season ago. “This is really great to add this win.” With the title comes the historic Roundup buckle, a wearable trophy that is sought-after by the best in the game. “This one’s been on my bucket list,” said Wright, who becomes yet another member of his storied bronc riding family to win the Dodge City crown. “You’ve got to win rodeos like this to win that gold buckle, so it’s nice to win the big ones.” Dodge City Roundup Rodeo Dodge City, Kan. July 29-Aug. 2 All-Around cowboy: Blake Deckard, $3,955 in tie-down roping and steer roping. Bareback riding: First round: 1. Jamie Howlett, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Southern Star, $3,353; 2. Orin Larsen, 87, $2,571; 3. (tie) Chad Rutherford and Nate McFadden, 86, $1,555; 5. (tie) Jesse Pope, Kaycee Feild and Garrett Shadbolt, 85; 8. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Zach Hibler and Spur Lacasse, 84, $112 each; Finals: 1. Orin Larsen, 92 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped, $1,650; 2. (tie) Kaycee Field and Jamie Howlett, 88.5, $1,075 each; 4. (tie) Caleb Bennett and Jesse Pope, 88, $475 each; 6. Garrett Shadbolt, 86, $250. Average: 1. Orin Larsen, 179 points on two rides, $3,353; 2. Jamie Howlett, 176.5, $2,571; 3. Kaycee Field, 173.5, $1,900; 4. Jesse Pope, 173, $1,229; 5. Caleb Bennett, 172, $782; 6. Garrett Shadbolt, 171, $559; 7. Spur Lacasse, 162, $447; 8. (tie) Nate McFadden and Chad Rutherford, 86, $168 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Dirk Tavenner, 3.6 seconds, $3,307; 2. Luke Branquinho, 3.8, $2,876; 3. (tie) Hunter Cure and Clayton Hass, 3.9, $2,229 each; 5. (tie) Tanner Brunner and Cody Devers, 4.1, $1,366 each; 7. Dalton Massey, 4.2, $719; 8. (tie) Blake Knowles, Tory Johnson and Eli Lord, 4.6, $96 each Second round: 1. (tie) Jacob Talley and Stetson Jorgensen, 3.7 seconds, $3,092; 3. (tie) Will Lummus, Dalton Massey and Kodie Jang, 3.8, $2,013; 6. Jace Melvin, 4.0, $1,150; 7. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Jacob Edler, 4.1, $503 each. Finals: 1. Stetson Jorgenson, 3.9 seconds, $1,639; 2. (tie) Tom Littell and Dalton Massey, 4.0, $1,215 each; 4. Ryan Shuckburgh, 4.3, $791; 5. (tie) Blake Mindemann, Jacob Edler and Jace Melvin, 4.6, $264 each. Average: 1. Dalton Massey, 12.0 seconds on three runs, $4,961; 2. Stetson Jorgensen, 12.4, $4,313; 3. Ryan Shuckburgh, 13.6, $3,667; 4. Tom Littell, 13.7, $3,020; 5. Jace Melvin, 13.8, $2,373; 6. Luke Branquinho, 14.0, $1,725; 7. Jacob Edler, 14.1, $1,078; 8. Dakota Eldridge, 14.3, $431. Team roping: First round: 1. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.2 seconds, $3,399 each; 2. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 5.6, $2,956; 3. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 5.7, $2,512; 4. (tie) Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, 5.8, $1,847 each; 6. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 5.9, $1,182; 7. (tie) Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley and Britt Smith/Jake Smith, 6.1, $517 each. Second round: 1. Matt Sherwood/Trey Yates, 4.3 seconds, $3,399; 2. J.B. James Jr/Brock Hanson, 4.5, $2,956; 3. Lightning Aguilera/Michael Fortenberry, 5.0, $2,512; 4. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 5.2, $2,069; 5. Cory Kidd/Clay Futrell, 5.5, $1,626; 6. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 5.7, $1,182; 7. Kai Fuller/Reagan Ward, 5.9, $739; 8. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 6.0, $256. Finals: 1. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 6.0 seconds, $1,515; 2. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 6.1, $1,212; 3. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 6.3, $960; 4. Luke Brown/Patrick Smith, 7.2, $707; 5. Coy Rahlmann/Ryan Von Ahn, 15.4, $455; no other qualified runs. Average: 1. (tie) Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley and Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 18.1, $4,766 each; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 18.8, $3,769; 4. Luke Brown/Patrick Smith, 19.8, $3,104; 5. Coy Rahlmann/Ryan Von Ahn, 24.8, $2,439; 6. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 12.3 seconds on two runs, $1,773; 7. (tie) Bubba Buckaloo/Cole Davison and Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 12.6, $776 each. Saddle bronc riding: First round:  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Over his 21-year career, Nick Sartain has done many great things in ProRodeo. He’s won several of the largest rodeos in the sport, and he’s earned six qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo. He even won the heading world championship 11 seasons ago. But he’s never won the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. “I’ve finished second here three or four times, but I’ve never actually won it,” said Sartain 41, of Bandera, Texas. “It’s been good to me every time I’ve been here. It’s one of my all-time favorite rodeos. I’ve come back as the high team (best two-run aggregate score heading to the championship round) two or three times, so hopefully this time is the lucky charm.” He and his heeler, Blaine Vick, will carry the lead into Sunday’s final round after a terrific Saturday at Roundup Arena. They posted a 5.6-second run to finish second in the opening round, then were 6.2 during the final preliminary performance at Kansas’ largest rodeo. So far, each cowboy has earned just shy of $3,000. “This rodeo’s so good, and the committee is amazing and goes out of its way to add so much money,” Sartain said. “It’s just one of the best rodeos around, and with this COVID stuff, it’s definitely one of the best this year. It’s one of the few that has a short round, so it’s important to get both steers caught and get back to the short round.” He and Vick just began teaming this season, and the pandemic may have slowed their opportunities. Still, they don’t look at any of the negatives, and that’s a good thing. “It’s great roping with Nick,” Vick said. “He’s got so much confidence that it rubs off on you. If I miss one or I miss two, he’s never down on you. The confidence he possesses has really improved my roping.” Now they’ll take that confidence into the final round as they chase that coveted buckle awarded to Dodge City champions. “That’s the one I’ve always wanted,” Vick said. “Nick told me four times on the way over that he’s never won it, but I’ve never won it either. I’ve been close two years, and it’s definitely one you want to win. “You just have to appreciate the committee and the town of Dodge City for stepping up and having this one. This is the last big rodeo this season; you can win $10,000 here. There’s not that many rodeos this year, so we’re thankful we get to do what we love at such a great rodeo with amazing hospitality and a lot of added money.” Dodge City Roundup Rodeo Dodge City, Kan. July 29-Aug. 2 Bareback riding: First round: 1. Jamie Howlett, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Southern Star, $3,353; 2. Orin Larsen, 87, $2,571; 3. (tie) Chad Rutherford and Nate McFadden, 86, $1,555; 5. (tie) Jesse Pope, Kaycee Feild and Garrett Shadbolt, 85; 8. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Zach Hibler and Spur Lacasse, 84, $112 each; 11. Paden Hurst and Clayton Biglow, 83. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Dirk Tavenner, 3.6 seconds, $3,307; 2. Luke Branquinho, 3.8, $2,876; 3. (tie) Hunter Cure and Clayton Hass, 3.9, $2,229 each; 5. (tie) Tanner Brunner and Cody Devers, 4.1, $1,366 each; 7. Dalton Massey, 4.2, $719; 8. (tie) Blake Knowles, Tory Johnson and Eli Lord, 4.6, $96 each Second round: 1. (tie) Jacob Talley and Stetson Jorgensen, 3.7 seconds, $3,092; 3. (tie) Will Lummus, Dalton Massey and Kodie Jang, 3.8, $2,013; 6. Jace Melvin, 4.0, $1,150; 7. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Jacob Edler, 4.1, $503 each. Average leaders: 1. Dalton Massey, 8.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Luke Branquinho, 8.4; 3. Stetson Jorgenson, 8.5; 4. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Kodie Jang, 9.0; 6. Zack Jongbloed, 9.2; 7. Ryan Shuckburgh, 9.3; 8. Jacob Edler, 9.5; 9. Tom Littell, 9.7; 10. Kalane Anders, 10.1; 11. Denell Henderson, 10.4; 12. Weston Taylor, 10.5. Team roping: First round: 1. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.2 seconds, $3,399 each; 2. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 5.6, $2,956; 3. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 5.7, $2,512; 4. (tie) Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Cale Markham/Cody Doescher, 5.8, $1,847 each; 6. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 5.9, $1,182; 7. (tie) Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley and Britt Smith/Jake Smith, 6.1, $517 each. Second round: 1. Matt Sherwood/Trey Yates, 4.3 seconds, $3,399; 2. J.B. James Jr/Brock Hanson, 4.5, $2,956; 3. Lightning Aguilera/Michael Fortenberry, 5.0, $2,512; 4. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 5.2, $2,069; 5. Cory Kidd/Clay Futrell, 5.5, $1,626; 6. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 5.7, $1,182; 7. Kai Fuller/Reagan Ward, 5.9, $739; 8. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 6.0, $256. Average leaders: 1. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 11.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 12.1; 3. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 12.3; 4. (tie) Jake Orman/Brye Crites, Bubba Buckaloo/Cole Davison and Luke Brown/Patrick Smith, 12.6; 7. (tie) Cole Markham/Cody Doescher, Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 12.7; 10. Jr. Dees/Coleby Payne, 12.8; 11. (tie) Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, Coy Rahlmann/Ryan Von Ahn and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 13.0. (The teams of Rahlmann/Von Ahn and Schmidt/Koch advance to championship round via tiebreaker) Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Zeke Thurston, 85.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Bay Watch, $2,902; 2. (tie) Taos Muncy and Jade Blackwell, 84, $1,935 each; 4. Ryder Wright, 83.5, $1,064; 5. (tie) Brody Cress, Cole Elshere and Chase Brooks, 83, $516 each; 8. (tie) Ross Griffin, Jacobs Crawley, Spencer Wright and Parker Kempfer, 82.5, $73 each; 12. Jake Finlay, 81.5. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. (tie) Riley Pruitt and Shad Mayfield, 8.1 seconds, $3,023 each; 3. Haven Meged, 8.3, $2,390; 4. Reid Zapalac, 8.5, $1,968; 5. (tie) Catfish Brown and Cooper Martin, 8.6, $1,336 each; 7. Reese Riemer, 8.7, $703; 8. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Cade Swor, 8.8, $141 each. Second round: 1. Zack Jongbloed, 7.9 seconds, $3,234; 2. (tie) Kincade Henry and Bo Pickett, 8.0, $2,601; 4. Ty Harris, 8.1, $1,968; 5. (tie) Cody McCartney, L.D. Meier, Ben Robinson and Jax Clegg, 8.3, $914 each. Average leaders: 1. Ty Harris, 17.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Haven Meged, 17.3; 3. Cooper Martin, 17.4; 4. Ike Fontenot, 17.8; 5. Shad Mayfield, 18.4;  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Kodie Jang needed something positive to come his way. Sitting 36th in the world standings and not having many rodeos at which to compete because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the 27-year-old Australian steer wrestler was hungering for circumstances to roll his way. It happened during Friday’s third performance of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. “I get to ride really good horses of Matt Reeves and travel with really good guys,” said Jang, who knocked his steer to the ground in 3.8 seconds to move into a three-way tie for third place in the second round and also move into a tie for fourth place in the aggregate with a two-run cumulative time of 9.0 seconds. Reeves is a seven-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier who leads the world standings this season, and he’s been known to have some of the top bulldogging horses in the sport. He is the captain of the ship of traveling partners, which also includes Cade Staton and Jacob Edler, the latter of whom sits fifth in the world standings. “Having Matt with us is really important, because he’s been there and done so much,” Jang said. “He’s been to places you want to go if you want to be a success.” In fact, Reeves is the reigning NFR average champion, one of the most prestigious prizes in rodeo that is awarded to the cowboy that has the best cumulative time or score over 10 nights in Las Vegas. Earlier this year, though, Reeves and others in the sport were hit hard with the sudden death of his top horse, an 8-year-old bay mare he called Rattle. She was the 2019 PRCA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. “Losing her was definitely hard on all of us emotionally,” said Jang of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. “She was an amazing animal. It seemed like no matter who you put on her, they won. She let everyone win. “Matt’s horse, Roy, is great. We’ve won a lot of money on him the past three years.” In fact, Jang and Edler rode Roy toward the top of the Dodge City leaderboard Friday – Edler is eighth in the aggregate, and only the top 12 times advance to Sunday’s championship round. “I’m not going to count my chickens, but I’d for Edler or me to come out on top,” Jang said. “This is one of the best rodeos of the year. It’s one of the few two-headers we go to, and the money’s awesome.” Dodge City Roundup Rodeo Dodge City, Kan. July 29-Aug. 2 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Jamie Howlett, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Southern Star; 2. Orin Larsen, 87; 3. (tie) Chad Rutherford and Nate McFadden, 86; 5. Jesse Pope, 85; 6. (tie) Caleb Bennett and Zach Hibler, 84; 8. Paden Hurst, 83; 9. (tie) Craig Wisehart and Cole Reiner, 82.5; 11. (tie) Ty Breuer and Richmond Champion, 82; 9. Joel Schlegel, 78.5; 10. (tie) Trenton Montero and Tim O’Connell, 77; 12. Anthony Thomas, 75. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Dirk Tavenner, 3.6 seconds; 2. Luke Branquinho, 3.8; 3. (tie) Hunter Cure and Clayton Hass, 3.9 each; 5. Dalton Massey, 4.2; 6. (tie) Blake Knowles, Eli Lord, 4.6 and Tory Johnson, 4.6. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Jacob Talley and Stetson Jorgensen, 3.7 seconds; 3. (tie) Will Lummus, Dalton Massey and Kodie Jang, 3.8; 6. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Jacob Edler, 4.1; 6. (tie) Tyke Kipp, Zack Jongbloed and Shade Etherton, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. Dalton Massey, 8.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Luke Branquinho, 8.4; 3. Stetson Jorgenson, 8.5; 4. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Kodie Jang, 9.0; 6. Zack Jongbloed, 9.2; 7. Ryan Shuckburgh, 9.3; 8. Jacob Edler, 9.5; 9. Tom Littell, 9.7; 10. Kalane Anders, 10.1; 11. Denell Henderson, 10.4; 12. Weston Taylor, 10.5. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.2 seconds; 2. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 5.7; 3. (tie) Cale Markham/Cody Doescher and Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 5.8; 5. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 5.9; 6. (tie) Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley and Britt Smith/Jake Smith, 6.1; 8. (tie) Blake Teixeira/Jerren Johnson and Bubba Buckaloo/Cole Davison, 6.3. Second round leaders: 1. Matt Sherwood/Trey Yates, 4.3 seconds; 2. J.B. James Jr/Brock Hanson, 4.5; 3. Lightning Aguilera/Michael Fortenberry, 5.0; 4. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 5.2; 5. Cory Kidd/Clay Futrell, 5.5; 6. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 5.7; 7. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 6.0; 8. Bubba Buckaloo/Cole Davison, 6.3. Average leaders: 1. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 12.1 seconds on two runs; 2. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 12.3; 3. (tie) Jake Orman/Brye Crites and Bubba Buckaloo/Cole Davison, 12.6; 5. Cole Markham/Cody Doescher, 12.7; 6. (tie) Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, Coy Rahlmann/Ryan Von Ahn and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 13.0; 9. Britt Smith/Jake Smith, 13.3; 10. Curry Kirchner/Chad Mathes, 13.6; 11. Ken McKibben/Riley Pedro, 14.1; 12. Adam Wallace/Cody Southerland, 14.8. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 85.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Bay Watch; 2. Taos Muncy, 84; 3. Ryder Wright, 83.5; 4. (tie) Brody Cress and Cole Elshere, 83; 6. (tie) Ross Griffin, Jacobs Crawley and Spencer Wright, 82.5; 9. Jake Finlay, 81.5; 10. Cody DeMoss, 81; 11. (tie) Brady Hill and Dusty Hausauer, 80.5. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Riley Pruitt, 8.1 seconds; 2. Haven Meged, 8.3; 3. Reid Zapalac, 8.5; 4. (tie) Cooper Martin and Catfish Brown, 8.6; 6. Reese Riemer, 8.7; 7. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Cade Swor, 8.8. Second round leaders: 1. Zack Jongbloed, 7.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Kincade Henry and Bo Pickett, 8.0; 4. Ty Harris, 8.1; 5. (tie) Cody McCartney, L.D. Meier and Ben Robinson, 8.3; 8. (tie) Marcos Costa, Adam Gray and Jake Pratt, 8.5. Average leaders: 1. Ty Harris, 17.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Haven Meged, 17.3; 3. Cooper Martin, 17.4; 4. Ike Fontenot, 17.8; 5. Blake Deckard, 18.5; 6. Ryan Jarrett, 18.6; 7. Glenn Jackson, 18.7; 8. Reid Zapalac, 18.8; 9. Ben Robinson, 19.2; 10. Will Howell, 19.3; 11. Marty Yates, 19.6; 12. Bo Pickett, 19.9. Barrel racing: First round leaders: 1. BryAnna Haluptzok, 16.94 seconds; 2. Emily Miller, 16.95; 3. Jordon Briggs, 16.99; 4. Kathy Grimes, 17.10; 5. Sarah Rau, 17.12; 6. Erin  Continue Reading »