Monthly Archives: September 2021

DUNCAN, Okla. – Even though he’s nearing the age of a senior citizen, Keith Isley can still showcase the gift of athleticism from time to time. It’s the nature of his job. He’s a rodeo clown, and physical comedy is part of Isley’s routine. But his training to be a man who wears makeup and do silly things in the rodeo arena came long before he ever thought of doing anything comedically. Isley was raised in rodeo in a time when bullfighters were a combination of clowns, comedians and bullfighters, the latter in place to serve as protector for all during bull riding. He just picked up the rest later in life. “Back in that time of rodeo, you were expected to do some comedy and fight bulls, too,” he said. “Now I’m in my 60s, so I don’t get as close to the bulls as I used to. The brain says I’m willing, but the body definitely says I’m not able.” He’s still quite able to entertain a crowd, something he does nationwide all year long. He returns to the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14-Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. He’s a natural fit for the regional finale, which features only the top 12 contestants from the circuit, made up of rodeos and contestants from primarily Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. He has learned how to be funny and how to do acts that not only entertain but also show off the skills God provided him. Over the last 40 years, no other clown in the PRCA has received as many accolades as Isley, who has been named Specialty Act of the Year five times, Comedy Act of the Year six times, Clown of the Year six times and Coors Man in the Can five times, including last year when he earned the honor at the PRCA Awards Banquet in Fort Worth, Texas. “The acts were tough to come by for me, because I was not interested in the acts in the beginning,” said Isley of Goldston, North Carolina. “I was not interested in being funny. I was interested in protecting cowboys and getting people out of a bind.” He’s developed his schtick over time, and it works quite well. He figured it out; I’s a mixture of influences that have packaged themselves into the smart-aleck with a Carolina accent and a quick-hitting attention to detail. He also understands the necessity of utilizing physical comedy. “You can get someone to tell a joke, but a comedian will know how to make it funny,” Isley said. “Before each rodeo and during the national anthem, I say a little prayer. I thank God for giving me the talent and giving me the opportunity to make people laugh and have a good time. Everybody has problems at some point in their life. If you can make people laugh, at that point, they will have forgotten their problem.”

ALVA, Okla. – Emmett Edler may have arrived at Northwestern Oklahoma State University as the little brother of an alumnus who is also the reigning ProRodeo world champion steer wrestler, but he’s already making a name for himself. Edler, a freshman on the Northwestern rodeo team, placed in both rounds to finish third in the bulldogging aggregate at the opening rodeo of the 2021-22 Central Plains Region season in Colby, Kansas. He stopped the clock in 4.7 seconds to finish fifth in the first go-round, then was 4.4 to share the short-round victory. “It was a pretty cool experience,” said Edler, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound 19-year-old from State Center, Iowa. “It was definitely what I was wanting for my first college rodeo. It’s anybody’s game if I can keep my head level and go out there and do what I’ve been practicing for. “I drew good steers and did the best I could on them.” That was certainly part of his advantage, but he had others, including the horses he rode in northwest Kansas. In the opening round, he rode a horse trained by his brother that just happens to share the same name, Jacob. In the championship round, when Jacob became a bit of trouble in the timed-event box, Edler jumped on Pearl, a horse owned by competitor Cooper Slavin of Oklahoma Panhandle State University. “Jacob decided not to work so well, so I had to make a horse change,” Edler said. “Pearl is super automatic, and I knew that horse would get me in position to make the best run I could make.” That happened, with teammate Tyler Scheevel hazing. Of course, it helps that Edler followed in the footsteps of his brother, Jacob Edler, who was the reserve national champion steer wrestler for the Rangers in 2016, the same year the older Edler’s teammate, J.D. Struxness, won the college title. “I really wanted to get better in bulldogging, and if I wanted to do that, then Northwestern is the place to be,” Emmett Edler said. “(Coach) Stockton (Graves) is here to sharpen you up and perfect anything you’re unsure about. We’ve got plenty of good, strong steers here and guys willing to come to practice and help everybody out.” Edler wasn’t the only Ranger to find success in Colby. Fellow bulldogger Isaiah Naauao from Haiku, Hawaii, advanced to the championship round, where his 5.6-second run was worth a fifth-place finish. Tie-down roper Brandon Hittle of Topeka, Kansas, finished third in the short round and the aggregate, while fellow calf roper Kade Chace of Cherokee, Oklahoma, placed fourth in the first go-round. Edler, though, knew the thing he brought to the table upon his arrival in Alva this fall was being as consistent as possible through each run. It all comes from a solid foundation and an old-school work ethic he gained from living on the family farm in Iowa. “Farming made a huge impact on me,” he said. “Working on the farm, we worked long days, and you’re expected to work right along side everyone else; you better be working harder than the guy next to you. That’s the same way I approach bulldogging.”

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – When members of the Waller County Fair Board came up with the idea for The Eliminator tie-down roping competition seven years ago, directors were just seeking to do something unique for fans in southeast Texas. They continue to pursue something extraordinary and, in recent years, have added an invitational ladies breakaway roping that is sanctioned by the WPRA, the same organization that sanctions barrel racing in ProRodeo. The Eliminator has turned into a big deal, not only for those in attendance but also for the big-name cowboys that make it part of their annual schedules. Take this year, for example: Defending world champion Shad Mayfield has confirmed his place in the lineup, and he will be joined by seven other top-tier ropers. That includes local cowboy Cory Solomon of Prairie View, Texas, and world champions Shane Hanchey and Caleb Smidt, both of whom have ties to the region; Smidt lives Bellville, Texas, and Hanchey, originally from Sulphur, Louisiana, but now lives in Carmine, Texas. Also in the mix are 2019 world champion Haven Meged, 2017 world titlist Marcos Costa and National Finals Rodeo qualifiers Ty Harris and Marty Yates. All eight cowboys are among the top 10 in the world standings and are virtual locks to compete at this year’s NFR. Hanchey has been part of The Eliminator competition since its inception in 2014, and there’s a good reason. “I’ve made the trip over before I moved to Carmine, but I did that every year mainly for the fact that it’s something different and something us calf ropers look forward to,” said Hanchey, who sits atop the world standings this year who is gearing up for his 12th NFR. “It’s a different type of roping, and you’re going against the best guys in the world.” The Eliminator – which offers $15,000 in added money – will be featured Tuesday, Sept. 28, and will be a big night of competition; the evening will include an open tie-down roping, which also draws a lot of the big names. “I’ve never won The Eliminator, but I finished second twice,” Hanchey said. “I’ve won the open roping a couple of times, though.” The 2021 regular season will conclude the end of September, and it’s been a long season for the cowboys that have been on the road making a living at rodeo. Still, it’s a refreshing stop to return to Hempstead for those that have been involved with it. “The last thing a lot of us want to do is rope, especially coming from the (ProRodeo) Tour Finale in Salinas (California),” Hanchey said. “At the end of the day, we rope for a living, and what the committee there has done to grow that thing is great financially for us. When a committee has put that much into it, we want to show our support.” Breakaway roping will take place Wednesday, Sept. 29, and will feature many of the top cowgirls. This year marks the second straight season for the National Finals Breakaway Roping, which will take place in conjunction with the NFR at Las Vegas in December. Money earned in Hempstead will count toward the 2022 season. That’s the case for all the contestants heading to town to compete at the ProRodeo, set for Thursday, Sept. 30-Saturday, Oct. 2. Hundreds of contestants will try to kick off their 2022 campaign with a strong start at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. Two years ago, for example, steer wrestler Jacob Edler placed high in Hempstead, then parlayed that into his first NFR qualification 2020 and eventually his first world championship. “I really like our timing with the rodeo season,” said John Schluens, co-captain of the fair board’s rodeo committee. “Coming right off the end of the regular season, these cowboys are in good shape, and a lot of them are hungry to get a good start to the next year. We offer them that. “October is a great time to be in southeast Texas, and they all recognize that. We don’t just draw cowboys from Texas; we get cowboys from all over the country.”

DICKINSON, N.D. – Sage Newman is having the kind of year every saddle bronc rider wants, especially now in just his third year in ProRodeo. He’s No. 11 in the world standings and is in position to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time. He helped his cause a bit Saturday afternoon by sharing the bronc riding victory at the Wild Rides Rodeo Dickinson at the Stark County Fairgrounds. “It’s nice to be drawing good horses and stay on a roll,” said Newman, 23, of Melstone, Montana. “I try not to think about it too much. We’re just riding broncs and having fun. I don’t look at the standings. I’m just having fun doing what I’m doing.” He rode Macza Pro Rodeo’s Surprise Party for 83 points to split the victory with Jacob Kammerer of Phillip, South Dakota, who rode Macza’s AKA; each man pocketed $1,529 for their work in western North Dakota. That will push Newman’s season earnings past the $77,000 mark and further help in his bid to advance to ProRodeo’s grand finale this December under the bright lights of Las Vegas. Only the top 15 contestants in each event at the conclusion of the regular season earn their opportunities to ride for the biggest prize money in the game. “I’ve had a blessed year; I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Newman said. “My end-of-the-year goal is to be in the top 15. That’s still what I’m striving for to get to the yellow bucking chutes.” Rodeo has been part of his life most of his life, and he’s continuing to live his dream on the road one bucking horse at a time. Of course, he always has plenty of people to lean on, especially in a family like his. “The support system I have is amazing,” he said. “The family and friends that help me get up and down the real. I couldn’t do this without my family.” Wild Rides Rodeo KilldeerSept. 18, 2021Dickinson, North DakotaBareback riding: 1. Tristan Hansen, 81 points on Macza’s Dirty Looks, $1,393; 1. Zachariah Phillips, 77, $1,055; 3. Nate McFadden, 76, $760; 4. Tucker Zingg, 73, $506; no other qualified rides. Breakaway roping: 1. Sloan Anderson, 2.1 seconds, $1,717; 2. Randa Calbaugh, 2.2, $1,421; 3. Brandi Guttormson-White, 2.3, $1,125; 4. Hailey Kleemann, 2.4, $829; 5. (tie) Bethanie Shofner and Kristy Lawrence, 2.6, $415 each. Steer wrestling: 1. Joe Nelson, 4.0, $1,329; 2. Travin Bauman, 4.1, $1,100; 3. Wynn Schaack, 4.6, $871; 4. (tie) Tyler Thorson and Jake Kraupie, 4.7, $527 each; 6. Cameron Morman, 4.8, $299. Team roping: 1. Radley Day/Taylor Williams, 5.1, $1,567; 2. Shawn Bessette/Jacob Goddard, 5.2, $1,297; 3. Cint Gorrel/Cody Smith, 5.9, $1,027; 4. (tie) Bodie Mattson/Cash Hetzel and Clay Ullery/Matt Zancanella, 6.1, $622 each; 6. Nate Horner/Wyatt Maglike, 6.2, $270. Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Sage Newman, on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Big Surprise, and Jacob Kammerer, on Macza Pro Rodeo’s AKA, 83 points, $1,529 each; 3. K’s Thomson, 78, $949; 4. Dusty Hausauer, 76, $633; 5. Kash deal, 74.5, $369; 6. (tie) Brand Morgan and Houston Brown, 74, $132 each. Tie-down roping: 1. Joe Schmidt, 8.6 seconds, $1,411; 2. Ty Hedrick, 8.7, $1,167; 3. Jesse Medearis, 9.4, $924; 4. Jason Lawrence, 10.5, $681; 5. Jason Schaffer, 11.3, $438; 6. Trey Young, 12.2, $243. Barrel racing: 1. Molly Otto, 17.39 seconds, $869; 2. Erin Williams, 17.43, $744; 3. Nicole Bice, 17.48, $620; 4. Jessica Routier, 17.47, $537; 5. Nikki Hansen, 17.61, $414; 6. MacKenzie Benson, 17.67, $331; 7. (tie) Jenna Humble and Carey Rivinius, 17.90, $207 each; 9. Heather Crowley 17.93, $124; 10. Lindsay Homer, 18.56, $83. Bull riding: 1. Coleman Entze, 79 points on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Happy Hour, $2,396; 2. Clayton Savage, 77, $2,041; no other qualified rides.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Getting off to a good start is the best way to win the race. In the case of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, a good start ensures the potential success of the annual exposition. Take Saturday, Sept. 25, for example. If the lineup of activities and acts is any indication of the 2021 fair and rodeo, then it should be an excellent time at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. At the rodeo arena, the night will be highlighted by the Extreme Bull Riding and Freestyle Bullfighting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. It will feature 20 bull riders in an invitational competition and eight professional bullfighters that will be matched with athletic and agile Mexican fighting bulls. “We actually did this last year as a trial run, and it turned out really good,” said Paul Shollar, co-chairman of the Waller County Fair Board’s rodeo committee. “Sadie Lynn King will also come in and carry the flag during the national anthem on the back of a bull, and we will have her junior trick riders perform as an intermission act. “We’ve got it set up to be a lot of fun. We’re going to have King String Bulls as our contractor, and I’m bringing in these Mexican fighting bulls from over from Louisiana. I think one of the coolest things is that we’re going to have Miles Hare as our judge for both the bull riding and the bullfights.” Hare is a ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee that fought bulls at the National Finals Rodeo six times during his storied career. He also is a two-time freestyle bullfighting world champion in the Wrangler Bullfight Tour. But that’s not the only big-time action taking place at the fairgrounds. The opening Saturday will feature Kody West on stage at around 9 p.m., and Jon Wolfe will go on stage around 11 p.m. “We are truly excited to bring Jon Wolfe and Kody West to the Waller County Fair,” said Sharon Burger, the entertainment committee chairwoman for the fair board. “Kody West is an up-and-coming artist, and Jon has been selling out concerts all over the state.” All that makes for an enjoyable day at the regional exposition, but there’s an added local flavor that will be featured at the Wagon Wheel on the fairgrounds. Presley Phillips of Hempstead will be the featured artist. “We watched this girl grow up and sing in talent shows around the county for years,” Burger said. “She was an exhibitor at our fair growing up and a member of the 4H. We are honored to have her back at the Wagon Wheel this year. “Coming back from the fair we had last year and the pandemic, we are excited and thrilled to bring outdoor music venue back to Waller County. After having a scaled-back version of the fair and rodeo in 2021, the fair board is planning a full-fledged campaign to bring as much joy to the region as possible this fall. “We were one of the only fairs in southeast Texas that had a fair last year,” Shollar said. “We were pretty glad to continue to add the bull riding and bullfights to this year’s show and present it on our first Saturday. I think it will continue to be a hit.”

DUNCAN, Okla. – A year ago, header Andrew Ward of Edmond, Oklahoma, and heeler Buddy Hawkins of Columbus, Kansas, knew of the possibilities that could come their way if they were to win the Prairie Circuit’s team roping year-end championship. They realized everything and more. After winning the heading and heeling titles, the tandem went on to compete together at the National Finals Rodeo, where they won just shy of $100,000 in 10 days. They both finished fifth in the world standings in their respective disciplines. Then this past spring, they took their regional title to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, where they won again. They placed in the first two rounds and finished third in the two-run aggregate, then dominated the semifinals and finals to pocket $19,706. That financial boon has been a key reason they are in line to return to the NFR, set for December in Las Vegas. They also lead the regional competition again heading into the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14-Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. The race for the team roping titles will come down to the final three days of the circuit season in southern Oklahoma. Both Ward and Hawkins own leads of just $1.26 over the No. 2 cowboys in the standings: header Curry Kirchner of Ames, Oklahoma, and Austin Rogers of Crescent, Oklahoma. But that’s just the top two in each discipline. Take this into consideration: Ward and Hawkins have each pocketed $12,723 in the region made up of rodeos and contestants primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. The top five headers includes C.J. Yeahquo ($12,279), Jake Clay ($12,140) and Coleman Proctor ($10,484); the top heelers include Jim Ross Cooper ($12,309) and L.J. Yeahquo ($12,279). All will be in the mix during the three rounds in Duncan. Cooper and the Yeahquos all earned a good portion of their money at the largest rodeo in the circuit in Dodge City, Kansas. Ward and Hawkins, together, and Proctor also collected paychecks in western Kansas. The Yeahquos also won in Abilene, Kansas, that week, and Cooper placed there. Just a week before that, Kirchner and Rogers finished second in Burwell, Nebraska, while Cooper, Ward and Hawkins all captured nice paydays in Lawton the second week of August. They’ve all battled through a rugged summer run. With just a few weeks left before the circuit finale in southern Oklahoma, all know they’ll have to put on quite a show inside the building at the Stephens County Fairgrounds if they hope to walk away with the year-end title.

From ranching to rodeo, Wyoming country artist tells his life through song Chancey Williams sees himself as much more than a musician or a country artist. He’s a rancher and a cowboy who happens to love playing music, and his songs reflect his lifestyle and his raising. He’s also an athlete, a two-time state champion wrestler at Moorcroft High School in his hometown in northeastern Wyoming. He combined it all and rode broncs professionally for a while. He qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo, then went to Casper (Wyoming) College and the University of Wyoming to compete in rodeo. He’s ridden at the College National Finals Rodeo twice and has been a winner at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, the biggest event in his home state. He knows what it means to be horseback and what it’s like to get bucked off a scary bronc, and fans can hear it in the tunes he plays with his group, Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band. “I’ve always felt like if I put out songs about cowboy, about rodeo, I’ve got to be an ambassador for the sport,” Williams said. “My lingo and lyrics have got to be accurate to represent the rodeo world. There’s been a lot of people in country music who sing about cowboys; the one thing I love about it the most is that I can back it up. “It wasn’t like I just kind of rode broncs. Having the background and experience in rodeo backs up the stuff I’m singing about.” Oh, he knows. He was the first artist since the late Chris LeDoux to perform at the Cheyenne Frontier Days after also being a contestant. Williams has a lifetime of ranching and rodeo to help vocalize his lyrics. “My dad was a rancher, and my mother was a school teacher,” he said, noting that his father, Dennis, also was a bronc rider. “I really didn’t play music growing up. “Our main focus growing up was rodeo and wrestling. I went to college to rodeo, and I just assumed I would rodeo forever. To go to college rodeos, I had to pick a degree, but I wasn’t really focused on music or anything other than bucking horses.” That’s pretty much the way of life for those who raise families in rural Wyoming. Moorcroft is a community of less than 900 people, and it’s in the second least populated county in the least populated state. Everybody there knows everybody, and it was the perfect way for Williams to grow up. Being raised on a ranch teaches humility, the benefit of hard work, a respect and compassion for animals and a love for community. During the cold of a Wyoming winter, Williams and his brothers were most often in the wrestling room. If it was wrestling season, that’s what they did. Dennis Williams was a 1969 state champion while wrestling for Moorcroft; his brothers both competed at the state tournament, just as he had done. In fact, Chancey Williams’ brother, Charlie, wrestled in college and coaches the program at Moorcroft High; he’s led the Wolves to nine state titles. So, how did music come his way? He started a band for fun in high school and entered a talent show with a friend, Travis DeWitt. The two continued to perform while in college, making a little extra cash, some of which was likely used for rodeo entry fees. “All growing up through elementary school, the music teacher would always give me the main part,” he said. “She kind of favored me, which made me want to be a performing. Me and a couple of buddies got together, and it went from there. People just started hiring us. We weren’t good, but we had a band. We figured out we could make some money; maybe we could do this through college and not have to have a job.” While some entertainers have gained popularity a bit quicker than Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band, he likes the steady roll of his career. As a Cinch endorsee, he wears cowboy every day, and his rise to more fame has come at a pace that is befitting of such. He’s played fairs and honkytonks. He’s opened for big-name artists and seen his music rise up the charts. “It’s that feeling of performing in front of people,” he said. “Just the crowd’s reaction is what drives you.  I guess it’s the same thing if you were getting on bucking horses; it’s in front of a crowd that you hope likes what you’re doing. Singing or riding broncs, it’s the physical part of it is appealing to me. “Now that I write most of my stuff, it’s neat to see people singing the songs that I write.” Some of it is going one better. A few years ago, the University of Wyoming came up with a slogan, “The World Needs More Cowboys,” and Williams realized the slogan needed an anthem. He wrote it, and now that song has continued spread the same message. Whether it’s played before a rodeo or during a Williams concert or at halftime of a Wyoming football game, people are excited to hear about the world needing more cowboys, even if they’re cowgirls, too. “The Wyoming marching band will play that song,” he said. “They sent me the score they had worked up for a marching band. It’s pretty neat. That’s pretty special; there are a lot of artists that have written a hit song that has been played by a marching band, but this is pretty cool for me. “It’s not the act of being a cowboy; it’s about the life of being a cowboy. It’s about standing up for what you believe in, not getting pushed around. It’s about a respectful, good person, and we call those people cowboys in our industry.” He’s certainly a cowboy, and the fact that he has a guitar on stage instead of a horse doesn’t change that.  Continue Reading »

DICKINSON, N.D. – This part of the country knows a thing or two about rodeo. It’s part of the fabric that makes up western North Dakota, where ranchlands and agriculture are everyday life. It stems from 4H and FFA programs and builds into a passion, a dream and a sport, the most popular of all Western sports. This is where Fettig Pro Rodeo was founded decades ago and why Alicia Fettig still carries the flag and a large herd of incredible bucking animals. She’s ready to show it all off during the Wild Rides Rodeo Dickinson, set for 2:30 pm. Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Stark County Fairgrounds in Dickinson. “This is special to me because this is where I’m from,” said Fettig, who owns a ranch just outside of Killdeer and also runs horses on her family’s property just south of Golden Valley, North Dakota. “This is what my grandfather founded so many years ago, and I’m glad that I can carry on that tradition.” Wild Rides Rodeo Dickinson is a one-day rodeo, with competition beginning Saturday morning. There are hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls who have tossed their names in the hat to compete for the prize money available. That money is vital. In rodeo, dollars equal points, and only the top 15 on the money list in each event when the regular season concludes Sept. 30 will advance to the National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale that takes place at Las Vegas and December; it’s where the world champions for 2021 will be crowned. The Dakotas is well known for its prowess in rodeo, especially saddle bronc riding, which will feature 24 cowboys all battling for that Dickinson title. They’ll be matched with an impressive squadron of Fettig horses, but the contractor is doing one better: Fettig is also bringing in Alberta-based Macza Pro Rodeo, which has been recognized for having some of the best horses in ProRodeo. In fact, Macza’s Get Smart was named the 2019 Saddle Bronc of the Year, just a few months removed from being named the top bronc at the 2018 NFR. “I’m really thankful that Ward (Macza) was able to come here and stay here to bring horses to these rodeos,” Fettig said, noting that Macza and Pete Carr Pro Rodeo had animals featured at the two days of rodeo in Killdeer earlier in the month. “He’s got some really great bucking horses, and that just helps make our rodeo better.” The combined forces and bronc power is a big reason so many top contenders in saddle bronc riding will make their way to Dickinson on Saturday. That includes Dusty Hausauer, an NFR qualifier, who has a great chance to win his hometown rodeo.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The people of Waller County needed something. They’d been stuck in isolation for months, and a reprieve was in order Enter the community’s biggest event, the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. It was the perfect escape from the monotony that had come through the early months of the pandemic. “First off, we were blessed that our governor allowed things to open up sooner than many other states,” said Matt Hyatt, president of the Waller County Fair Board. “The next thing that happened was that we as a board decided to push forward with our fair and rodeo. We believed then, just as we believe now, that it was important for the people in our communities to have our fair and rodeo last October.” That dedication to serving the community paid off. With the help of a faithful group of sponsors, there were concerts, livestock shows, exhibits and all the activities at the rodeo arena, from the PRCA rodeo to the popular Eliminator competitions. “We felt an obligation to help as many as possible through the pandemic in our control, like food vendors, beverage companies, entertainment, rodeo companies and all the people that are in that industry,” said Mike Higgins, vice president of the fair board. “Those that help put on our rodeo – our announcer, our sound director, our pickup men, our rodeo secretary, timers, clown, bullfighters – and the contestants live on what they do at the rodeo. “We were looking out for them, too.” The 2020 fair and rodeo wasn’t a full exposition. Because of the pandemic, some items were pared down a bit, but the fair board continued to push forward and have as many events and exhibits as possible to provide an outlet to the community and to allow its people to celebrate. “It will be nice to have our carnival back and going, along with the natural flow of people enjoying their fair experience,” Higgins said. “I’m very proud of what we accomplished a year ago. The families, the kids … they needed that. We needed that. “This community needed to feel the excitement that comes with having the county fair and our local rodeo. Every community was impacted by COVID, and our community was blessed with sponsors that still supported our event. We were able to let the kids finish the projects they started, and they were excited to show them, too. Yes, this is a community event, but really, it’s always been about the kids.”

DICKINSON, N.D. – There are so many fascinating aspects of a rodeo. Todd Pettigrew loves them all. Pettigrew is a rodeo clown and entertainer from Sedalia, Missouri, and he will be one of the featured pieces to the Wild Rides Rodeo Dickinson, set for 2:30 pm. Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Stark County Fairgrounds in Dickinson. “I just love the atmosphere of a rodeo … the people, the contestants, the audience, the committee,” he said. “It just suits my way of life. I believe this is what the good Lord put me on this Earth to do.” He may be right. Pettigrew grew up around rodeo in central Missouri. His father was a team roper, and as a child, Pettigrew rode steers and junior bareback horses. Once he got into high school, he qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo as a bareback rider, finishing among the top 20 in the country. “After that, I became a bullfighter, and I fought professionally in the PRCA for five or six years,” Pettigrew said. “In 2008, I was selected to work the Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo.” That’s the regional competition that features contestants and rodeos from most of the Midwest states; only the top 12 in each event in the region advance to the circuit finals, so his job was to keep everyone safe during the bull riding. It’s a task that relies on the bullfighters’ athleticism to keep anyone I n the arena out of harm’s way, including himself and the bull riders. The transition, then, seemed natural to move on to clowning. He uses his athleticism a lot less, but he brings a new technique to the game: he utilizes his comedic prowess. It’s a vital part of any rodeo, which is an equal mix of fantastic competition and family-friendly entertainment. “I like to make people laugh,” he said. “It gives me enjoyment to see people with a smile on their face. I try to play off the situation that happens in the arena. I try to make it come naturally. “I’m definitely not a scripted guy.” By not following a certain path, he allows the events of the performance come to him. That could be something from the competition or a play on words with the announcer. It might even include some of the goings-on in the crowd, which makes for a delightful night of comedy for everyone to enjoy. The key, of course, is to make sure those that are watching the show are enjoying it. They’ll see some incredible athletic feats, from a fast steer wrestling run to a big ride in saddle bronc riding. Pettigrew’s job, then, is to be an accent point to it all and bring out everyone’s funny bone when the opportunities allow. He looks at being a rodeo clown as his calling, and he’s probably right.

KILLDEER, N.D. – When Ty Breuer left his home Friday afternoon, he said goodbye to his wife, Kelli, and three children, knowing full well that he won’t see them much, if at all, for the rest of the month. He had put his name in the hat to compete at 24 rodeos in 29 days, so his month of September means many miles and a lot of time on the road. He has a goal to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo for the seventh time in his career – he earned his sixth bid last year but was unable to compete at ProRodeo’s grand finale because of an injury. Now, though, the Mandan, North Dakota, cowboy has a bit of work to do. He entered this week of rodeo 22nd in the world standings, but only the top 15 on the money list at the conclusion of the regular season on Sept. 30 will advance to the NFR, set for Dec. 1-11 in Las Vegas. He took a step forward Friday night by winning the bareback riding title at the Wild Rides Rodeo Killdeer with an 87-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Roxanne. That was worth $1,415 and helped close the gap to earn his spot. “I’m doubled up here and there, so I’m going to have to pick and choose (which horse to ride) at some of them, but I’m going to try to make the rest that I can,” said Breuer, who pushed his season earnings past $44,000. With just four weeks left in the regular season, he sits on the bubble, knowing it’s make-it-or-break-it time if he’s going to advance to the richest rodeo in the world, which features a $10 million purse and pays go-round winners more than $27,000 per night for 10 rounds. “I’ve been in this situation a couple of times, and every time it’s come out to work in my favor,” he said. “Hopefully it does again this year. The main thing is that there are so many highs and lows this month that a guy can’t get on the lows, because if you get on that low spell, you’ll keep going down. You’ve got to stay on that high spell even if you don’t do good. You’ve just to go on to the next one and give it everything you’ve got. “I think if a guy can keep placing and drawing good horses at the rest of these rodeos, he’s going to have a shot to get in there, but it’s going to take some luck, too.” This rodeo is also unique in that it’s the last event for the Badlands Circuit’s regular season, so earnings here can help Breuer collect all-important cash to try to win the year-end championship again; he’s done it several times over the years. The circuit is made up of cowboys and events primarily in the region, which consists of North Dakota and South Dakota. “It seems like if a guy can get within $1,000 of the leader going into the circuit finals, you can catch them once you get there,” Breuer said, noting the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo will take place Oct. 8-10 in Minot, North Dakota. “I think I’m pretty close to that now. “It’s always nice to come to a rodeo close to home.” Killdeer, a community of less than 1,000 people in western North Dakota, is just two hours from the cowboy’s home. He may have said goodbye to his wife and kids that afternoon, but he was allowed a little more time with his parents and grandfather while in Dunn County. “It was actually pretty fun,” he said. “My dad, my grandpa and me drove up here in the van together and visited the whole way up and never even turned the radio on. That’s what I enjoyed the most about it.” Over the next four weeks, those visits will be done with phone calls or FaceTime chats, so he may as well enjoy whatever he can get, and it may have been the perfect thing to spark a solid run of competition. Wild Rides Rodeo KilldeerSept. 3, 2021Killdeer, North DakotaBareback riding: 1. Ty Breuer, 87 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Roxanne, $1,415; 2. Tanner Aus, 86, $1,072; 3. Nate McFadden, 81, $772; 4. Clay Jorgenson, 85, $515; 5. Tyler Berghuis, 74, $300; 6. Tucker Zingg, 73, $214. Breakaway roping: 1. (tie) Morgan Foss and Talli Pokomy, 2.1 seconds, $1,475 each; 3. (tie) Amber Carson, Lacey Hewitt and Jackie Crawford, 2.2, $961 each; 6. (tie) Sarah Verhelist, Brooklyn Berg, Rickie Engesser and Taylor Munsell, 2.3, $257 each. Steer wrestling: 1. Sterling Lee, 3.9 seconds, $1,247; 2. (tie) Logan Lemmel and Tyler Thorson, 4.0, $925 each; 4. Tyler Byrne, 4.2, $602; 5. (tie) Carson Good, Colby Anders and Danger Wheeler, 4.3, $201 each. Team roping: 1. Braden Pirrung/Coley Nicholis, 5.7 seconds, $1,663; 2. Caden Camp/Delon Parker, 5.8, $1,376; 3. Reece Weber/Matt Kasner, 6.1, $1,089; 4. Chasyn Ystaas/Chad Ystaas, 7.7, $803; 4. Brady Tryan/Justin Viles, 9.8, $516; 6. (tie) Cooper Brott/Riley Wakefield and Guy Howell/Levi O’Keeffe, 10.7, $145 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cole Elshere, 83 points on Fettig pro Rodeo’s U B Rockin, $1,740; 2. (tie) Ty Manke, Tate Thybo and Jacob Kammerer, 79.5, $967 each; 5. Cash Wilson, 77, $369; 6. Chuck Schmidt, 76.5, $264.   Tie-down roping: 1. Cody Darnell, 7.0 seconds, $1,329; 2. Myles Kenzy, 7.6, $1,100; 3. Kane Gjermundson, 8.0, $871; 4. Thane Lockhart, 8.2, $642; 5. Lane Day, 8.5, $412; 6. Trey Young, 9.0, $229. Barrel racing: 1. Kailee Webb, 17.05 seconds, $889; 2. Jessica Routier, 17.26, $762; 3. Summer Kosel, 17.34, $635; 4. Terri Kaye Kirkland, 17.37, $551; 5. Lindsay Kruse, 17.41, $423; 6. Lakken Bie, 17.48, $339; 7. Ashley Day, 17.69, $254; 8. Ellie Bard, 17.70, $169; 9. Lindsey Horner, 17.74, $127; 10. (tie) Kristi Steffis and TK Leibrand, 17.75, $42 each. Bull riding: 1. Jeff Bertus, 82 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Who Done It, $2,634; 2. Corey Maier, 81, $2,244;  Continue Reading »

KILLDEER, N.D. – Last December, Cole Elshere was searching for answers. He was at the National Finals Rodeo for the fourth time in his career, and he was excited to be there. Once there – at the NFR’s one-time home at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas – things did not go his way. He rode just one of the 10 horses he got on, but he failed to collect a paycheck through the week and a half of ProRodeo’s super bowl. He watched replays of his ride. He looked at every angle, deciphered every move he had made. He was embarrassed and frustrated, and doing so poorly on the sport’s biggest stage just made him miserable. Still, every day he showed up with his trademark smile, prayed and hoped things would change. They didn’t, and it was the richest rodeo in the game. Ryder Wright, for example, earned just shy of $250,000 over those 10 nights in north Texas, so there was plenty of opportunity for Elshere, a 31-year-old bronc buster from the tiny hamlet of Faith, South Dakota. He finally found the answer just two months ago, when doctors revealed a bulging disc in Elshere’s neck, which pinched a nerve and didn’t allow for the cowboy to grip his bronc rein, much less lift on it to give himself the bet chance to cash in. “I had to get an injection in the bulged disc so it would take the pressure off my nerve so I would quit having pinched nerves,” he said. “It was making my hand so I couldn’t squeeze.” Since the injection in July, he’s also been doing physical therapy to help loosen the muscles in his neck, which also had become a deterrent to his riding style. It’s paying off, and he proved it Thursday night by riding Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Mid Knight Train for 85 points to win the bronc riding title at the Badlands Iron Cowboy Rodeo at the Killdeer Rodeo Grounds. “They were saying that horse was going to be really nice, but when he came out there, you could tell he was going to be a little bit more than just nice,” Elshere said. “He had a lot of fire to him, and he was bucking so hard and making me hustle just to make a bronc ride and stay on. Whenever you’re having to fight to make it work, you know the judge are going to mark a bunch of points.” That ride was worth $2,019 and pushed the South Dakota cowboy up a spot in the Badlands Circuit standings. As one of 29 bronc riders in the competition, it made for a nice trip to North Dakota to get on a Texas bucking horse. In fact, the event’s producer, Alicia Fettig of Fettig Pro Rodeo, enlisted the assistance of Carr and Alberta-based Macza Pro Rodeo to help make for tremendous bucking power in Killdeer. “She wants the best for the cowboys,” Elshere said of Fettig. “To make it an even pen with that many bronc riders per night, she brought in more contractors to make us all have a chance at winning. “That’s what good contractors do.” Badlands Iron Cowboy RodeoSept. 2, 2021Killdeer, North DakotaBareback riding: 1. Zachariah Phillips, 86 points on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Ninety Proof, $1,823; 2. Tanner Aus, 83, $1,382; 3. Anthony Thomas, 80, $995; 4. Clay Jorgenson, 79, $663; 5. (tie) Andy Gingerich and Nate McFadden 74, $332 each. Breakaway roping: 1. Joey Williams, 1.9 seconds, $2,024; 2. (tie) Taylor Engesser and Rickie Engeser, 2.0, $1,628 each; 4. (tie) Kasie Kautzman and Syerra C.Y. Christensen, 2.2, $1,100 each; 6. Kirby Eppert, Sarah Morissey, Tanegai Ziverberg, Jessica Maglike and Jennifer Belkham, 2.3, $264 each. Steer wrestling: 1. Jason Reiss, 3.5 seconds, $1,472; 2. Caden Camp, 3.9, $1,218; 3. (tie) Landon Richard Silversten and Colten Herbert, 4.3, $838 each; 5. Kyle Callaway, 4.4, $457; 6. Bryn Roy, 4.6, $254. Team roping: 1. Brady Tryan/Justin Viles, 5.0 seconds, $1,751; 2. Reece Weber/Matt Kasner, 6.1, $1,523; 3. Clint Gorrell/Cody Smith, 6.7, $1,294; 4. Jade Schmidt/Jade Nelson, 6.9, $1,066; 5. Tucker Dale/Jesse Fredrickson, 7.7, $838; 6. Nate Norner/Wyatt Maglike, 7.9, $609; 7. Peter John Bennett/Brandt Ross, $381; 8. (tie) Jared Odens/J.D. Gerard and Brent McInerney/Tanner McInerney, 8.9, $76 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cole Elshere, 85 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Mid Knight Train, $2,019; 2. Taygen Schuelke, 82.5, $1,548; 3. (tie) Brody Wells and Jade Blackwell, 79.5, $942 each; 5. Lane Schuelke, 79, $471; 6. Dusty Hausauer, 76, $337; 7. (tie) Brand Jackson Morgan and Houston Garrett Brown, 75, $236. Tie-down roping: 1. Chase Lako, 8.0 seconds, $1,533; 2. (tie) trey Young and Rance Marshall Johnson, 8.2, $1,137; 4. Thanne Lockhart, 8.7, $740; 5. Joe Schmidt, 9.8, $4,76; 6. Clint Kindred, 10.0, $264. Barrel racing: 1. Kailee Webb, 17.43 seconds, $1,076; 2. Heather Crowley, 17.46, $922; 3. Kristen Zancanella, 17.52, $768; 4. Ashley Day, 17.57, $666; 5. (tie) Terri Kaye Kirkland and Lakken Bice, 17.58, $461 each; 7. (tie) Lexi Bagnell and Allison Pauley, 17.68, $265 each; 9. Erin Williams, 17.77, $154; 10. (tie) Lindsay Kruse and Jenna Humble, 17.81, $51 each. Bull riding: 1. Dylan Rice, 86 points on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Air Tight Alibi, $1,974; 2. Levi Walter Schoenbaum, 85, $1,513; 3. Casey Fredricks, 82.5, $1,119; 4. Dalton Wright, $724; 5. Boudreaux Campbell, 81.5, $461; 6. Corey Maier, 81, $329; 7. Jeff Bertus, 79, $263; 8. Riggin Shippy, 75, $197.