Monthly Archives: November 2023

WAVERLY, Kan. – There are times the belt that holds a gold buckle can get tight and suffocating. It’s happened to the greatest of athletes. Jess Pope experienced it early this year. It was less like a trophy and more like a noose. The pressure that comes with being the reigning world champion can be  Continue Reading »

PERRYTON, Texas – During his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo, steer wrestler Cody Devers was just trying to hold everything together. He’d suffered a partially torn pectoral ligament in his right shoulder a month before the finale in Las Vegas. He was excited to finally play on ProRodeo’s biggest stage, and he wasn’t  Continue Reading »

MILAN, Minn. – Some folks just get by with a little help from their friends. Professional rodeo cowboys thrive in those situations. Steer wrestler J.D. Struxness is a prime example. He had a goal of making it back to the National Finals Rodeo on his horse, Izzy, an 11-year-old sorrel mare. Things were going well,  Continue Reading »

PRYOR, Okla. – Trying to find one word to describe Coleman Proctor is a bit perplexing. He’s a husband, a father, a cowboy, a partner, a broadcaster and a podcaster. He’s also one of the greatest team roping headers of his generation, proven through multiple qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and his six  Continue Reading »

CARRINGTON, N.D. – It’s crazy how things work out. Take Bridger Anderson as an example. He had competed all year and was inching closer to a second National Finals Rodeo qualification. In order to secure that bid, he had hoped to compete at the Cinch Playoff Series Championship, which featured the top 12 contestants from  Continue Reading »

ZWINGLE, Iowa – In the fall of 2014, Tim O’Connell was a 23-year-old cowboy about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. He had qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time and had a limited idea of what to expect when he arrived in Las Vegas that December. He’d never felt  Continue Reading »

WINNSBORO, La. – Some of the greatest bronc busters in Louisiana history are giving back to the next generation of superstars. Led by brothers Cody and Heith DeMoss of Heflin, a free bareback riding and saddle bronc riding school will take place Dec. 27-29 at the Franklin Parish Activity Center in Winnsboro. The clinic has  Continue Reading »

GRANITE FALLS, Minn. – Some veteran athletes utilize tricks of the trade to excel. Tanner Aus has that in his back pocket should he ever need it. Now 33 years old, he’s the oldest bareback rider heading to this year’s National Finals Rodeo. It’s the eighth time in nine years that he’s finished the regular  Continue Reading »

INGLIS, Manitoba. – Winning a world championship is never easy. In rodeo, it takes amazing athletic feats and a little bit of luck. Orin Larsen has been close to claiming that Montana Silversmiths gold buckle. In 2019, he finished just behind titlist Clayton Biglow. Three years prior to that, he was third in the final  Continue Reading »

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Growing up in northern British Columbia, Stephen Culling didn’t have the typical childhood of a rodeo cowboy. “My parents are both wildlife biologists,” said Culling, 29, a professional steer wrestler for Fort St. John who has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time. “We had some pretty  Continue Reading »

ALTAMONT, Utah – Dean Thompson isn’t an ordinary first-year rodeo cowboy. He entered 2023 with a boatload of confidence, a swagger he carried through the season while also building upon it. Now, he’s heading to ProRodeo’s grand championship, the National Finals Rodeo, which takes place Dec. 7-16 in Las Vegas. “After having such a great  Continue Reading »

STEVENSVILLE, Mont. – In the last 10 years, bareback rider Richmond Champion has missed the National Finals Rodeo just twice; ailments had kept him out of action both times. Coming off an injury that forced him to the sidelines in 2022, he rebounded strong. He returned to the game in late-December, then battled through this  Continue Reading »

MIAMI, Texas – Always confident in competition, Wyatt Casper doesn’t deny the shimmers of doubts that crossed his mind a few months ago. A nagging injury – a torn right hamstring – haunted him again July 4. He’d just gone through the same pain a year earlier but tried to come back too soon and  Continue Reading »

WEATHERFORD, Texas – In some ways, Leighton Berry was destined to be one of the world’s greatest bareback riders. He is a second-generation bronc buster. Twenty years ago, his father, Kirby, was wrapping up a pretty steady career. Now, Kirby Berry is busy watching both Leighton and younger brother Kade spur bucking horses across the  Continue Reading »

Organization continues to take strides forward with new officers DODGE CITY, Kan. – Since its inception nearly 50 years ago, Dodge City Roundup Rodeo has not only served the community, but it has done so with a solid base of volunteers. Roundup’s members donate their time and talents to help produce one of the top  Continue Reading »

Cinch personality is able to share rodeo passion through announcing Anthony Lucia grew up in rodeo, the son of one of the best-known entertainers in the sport’s history. His raising taught the youngest son of Tommy Lucia the importance of timing and preparation. From 2010-13, Anthony Lucia trick-roped in Las Vegas during National Finals Rodeo  Continue Reading »