Monthly Archives: May 2024

BIG SPRING, Texas – Jeff Askey has a little secret: He likes west Texas in June. Why? He’s found a honey hole in Howard County. It’s called the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, and it’s ripe with opportunities for the greatest cowboys and cowgirls in the sport. Askey is definitely one of them. He’s an elite bull rider with six qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo. This past December, he earned $104,000 in Las Vegas and finished the year eighth in the world standings. Part of what’s earned Askey his last two NFR bids came in Big Spring. He won the title two years ago and finished second last year. He plans to return for this year’s event, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, at the Rodeo Bowl. “It’s a decent circuit rodeo and one I enjoy going to,” said Askey, 36, of Athens, Texas. “Pete Carr has a lot of good bulls, and it’s one of those rodeos I always look forward to. You stand a good chance to win some good money. Not a lot of guys go to it.” That’s about to change. Volunteers who produce the annual rodeo are doing all the right things to attract more cowboys and cowgirls to town for the competition. Committee members have increased the overall purse exponentially over the last couple of years, and that includes a raise in local dollars this year. The Big Spring rodeo offers $5,000 in “added money” per event, which is mixed with contestants’ entry fees to make up the overall payout. The popularity of Big Spring is growing among the contestants who make their livings in the sport. In addition to playing on the biggest stages of ProRodeo, Askey loves the idea of the smaller events that established the sport’s credibility. He competes in the Texas Circuit, which are events and contestants primarily from the Lone Star State. Money earned at circuit rodeos counts toward those standings, and the top 12 in each event will advance to the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo in October. “A lot of guys have skipped over that rodeo because there are rodeos out West, but I try to put off leaving until the end of June so I can get to Big Spring,” Askey said. “It’s on my way, so why not try to get some circuit money earned?” Organizers are planning on a growing number of contestants for this year’s event and for that trend to continue as the payout increases. Between the big money up for grabs and the incredible animal athletes from Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, there are great incentives for cowboys and cowgirls to make their way to Howard County. “That’s an area of the country that is known for cowboy, people that gave their lives to rodeo,” said Sam Powers, a third-generation cowboy from Sonora, Texas, who is the reigning all-around champion in Big Spring who just got married this past weekend. “If it’s within three hours of the house, my dad’s been there and my granddad’s been there. It’s like a family tradition to go there.” It’s just one of the reasons why the talented cowboy loves Big Spring. “I won my first check there,” he said. “That was my first PRCA rodeo. I love the community and the people who live around Big Spring. It’s two and a half hours from my house, so it’s not hard to go to one in west Texas. “It’s also a good rodeo in the circuit. You can make a pretty good move if you have success there.” Powers is a timed-event cowboy. He competes in steer wrestling, steer roping, team roping and tie-down roping. Askey is from the other end of the spectrum. They both have a competitive nature, but they have different approaches to how they play the game. Powers hauls multiple horses to each rodeo and will ride a different one depending on the discipline. Askey is matched with his bull via a random, computer-generated draw. In each case, both men must rely on their animals and their own talents to find success. Carr and his team will have animals in each event that give everyone as equal an opportunity as possible. “Pete and (operations manager) Billy Jones have put together a good set of bulls, the kind you want to get on,” Askey said. “They buck hard, and you have a chance to score a lot of points. You don’t really have eliminators or junk; it’s just really good rodeo-, cowboy-type bulls.” For the competitors, all they want is a chance. Fans understand they get to see amazing things in the arena, and the top talent will make sure they are part of an event that gives them the right opportunities. “There are a lot of cowboys that come from that area,” Powers said. “It’s a cowboys’ rodeo, and it’s a rodeo that doesn’t do anything but try to get better all the time. I wish there were more rodeos in Texas that would do the work that Big Spring does to get better. You can tell a lot about a rodeo that puts in that much work to just get better.”

PECOS, Texas – Rodeo’s history is much like those west Texas cattle drives: Both came right through Pecos. Two well-known drovers working for outfits that were making their way through town on their respective journeys had earned reputations of being excellent ropers. The exchanges from their cohorts led to a competition to establish the bragging rights for the best cowboy in the Old West. That hot, summer day in 1883 became the launching pad for a sport that still thrives in 2024. The proof of that comes with this year’s edition of the West of the Pecos Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26-Saturday, June 29, at Buck Jackson Arena in Pecos. It is the home of “World’s First Rodeo,” which is not only a nod to the sport but also recognition for a community that truly cares about its place. “The fact that Pecos and Reeves County can hang on to such a tradition where it all began in 1883 is something the community is most proud of,” said Brenda McKinney, a longtime member of the volunteer committee that organizes the annual event. “It’s a piece of history that we claim. It’s a proud moment for Pecos and Reeves County.” Much has changed over the 141 years since that steer roping was held in Pecos, about where the Reeves County Courthouse and the Reeves County Law Enforcement center sit today. Tens of thousands of cowboys have tried their hands to see if they had what it takes to win this historic rodeo. Not many were up to the task, primarily because the greatest names in the sport were always part of the competition. Pecos came to be about 10 years before that first competition. It was the crossroads for the Chisholm Trail, Goodnight-Loving Trail and the Butterfield Overland mail route. Pecos became a supply town, and the rodeo eventually followed. It is now home to one of the top events in the PRCA, the premier sanctioning body for the sport. It has been nominated for Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year on multiple occasions and was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2008. Its status is legendary. For the folks who were raised around the West of the Pecos Rodeo, it’s just home. It’s a chance to relive their childhoods and celebrate their heritage. McKinney has her own legacy with the rodeo. She is the third generation of her family involved in the planning and production of the West of the Pecos Rodeo, and she has passed that along. Her son, Clay Ryon, is the committee’s chairman. “It was a very big deal for my dad and my grandfather, so carrying on that tradition just meant a lot fur our family, which included my brothers and me,” she said. “The sport of rodeo is very near and dear to my grandfather’s and my dad’s hearts.” Her grandfather, Marcos Martinez Sr., and her dad, Marcos Martinez Jr., established the foundation that continues into the fourth generation. Her brothers, Jimmy and Marcos Joe, were also heavily involved, as was her husband, Clay. “My dad was involved with the rodeo committee for many years,” Brenda McKinney said. “He was a county commissioner, and the area where the arena is now was in his precinct. He was instrumental in getting a lot of things done when they were building those grounds.” She speaks of the rodeo and her family’s legacy of being involved with it, but she’s not alone. There are hundreds of others throughout west Texas that share her sentiments and her passion for the West of the Pecos Rodeo. The week of the rodeo is not just a chance to reunite with old friends and classmates; it’s a time to celebrate the community’s history and the importance of rodeo in it. “What brings me so much pride is the fact that we’ve grown the rodeo into the production that it is today,” McKinney said. “For a community of our size to put on a production as we do and have the top cowboys and cowgirls perform at our rodeo is very humbling and makes you very proud.”

BIG SPRING, Texas – Justin Rumford was a cowboy before he was born. It seems impossible to consider, but it was just a way of life the family from southern Kansas His grandfather, Floyd, was a cowboy who passed his love for the Western way of life to his sons, Bronc and Tommy. Justin Rumford is a member of the family’s third generation continuing his life in rodeo, albeit a little differently than he’d ever imagined. Nowadays, he’s one of the premier entertainers in ProRodeo, a 10-time PRCA Clown of the Year. All this came from a boy who could do, and would do, about anything involved with rodeo. He’s driven truck, picked up broncs, flanked horses and bulls, competed in multiple events and organized the back pens at rodeos across North America. No matter the tasks at hand, he was always an entertainer, the man who held court in any setting and exhumed uproarious laughter from his audience, typically full of cowboys and others who were behind the scenes. His audiences have grown, from a dozen or so to thousands who fill the stands. He’ll be a major piece of the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, at the Rodeo Bowl. “That’s the Quail Dobbs legacy here in Big Spring,” said Dane Driver, a fourth generation of his family to be involved in the local event. “For years after Quail quit, the rodeo clowns didn’t get asked to come to Big Spring; they were told they were coming to Big Spring because Quail said so. Out of respect to the time Quail spent in that arena, they all came. “I’m looking forward to having Justin at our rodeo. This will be his first time in Big Spring, and I’m excited for the people here to see him in person. He’s an entertainer.” Rumford is, and he takes full advantage of the gifts provided him, from his funny personality to his large build. He’s a master at self-deprecation, but he’s also a tremendous athlete who can bring out the giggles in anyone because of the things he can accomplish in his big frame. “When I found out I was getting to work Big Spring, I was pretty excited,” said Rumford, the father of triplets with his wife, Ashley. “Those are my people. I really enjoy a rodeo crowd.” Folks in Howard County understand the sport. Many are cowboys and cowgirls themselves, so they comprehend all the finite details that go into the competition and the overall entertainment of a rodeo. The community is celebrating the event’s 90th year this June. “I really respect people that have stuck it out that long,” Rumford said. “When you look at history, the wars, COVID, the good and the bad with money, the oil-field booms and busts, and you still have people that stick their necks out every year to make sure their community has a rodeo, that’s some special stuff. “No matter what, it’s our job to put on a good show for those people.” That’s an important factor in rodeo production. Yes, it’s a competition, with hundreds of contestants showing up at the Rodeo Bowl with hopes of collecting the big money that’s up for grabs. For those in the community, though, it’s a couple of hours of high-quality, family-friendly entertainment. Rumford will work closely with the local organizers, livestock producer Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, sound director Josh “Hambone” Hilton and announcer Anthony Lucia to put on the kind of show that fans will talk about well after the final bull is bucked. “We have a chemistry that is very special,” said Lucia, now in his third year as the rodeo’s emcee. “We grew up together. Working with Justin is like being reunited with an old friend, and we have a ton of fun and great back and forth. “We both have the same goal, and that’s to make sure the audience has the absolute best time they possibly can have.”

PECOS, Texas – The grandstands that overlook Buck Jackson Arena hold many stories that have been told over the last century and a half. The greatest to have ever competed in rodeo have played the game here. World champions shined their gold buckles in this west Texas dirt. The history of the sport resides within this community, and more than 140 years after it began, the sport’s elite make their way to the West of the Pecos Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26-Saturday, June 29 Why?. “It ain’t because of the weather, because we know it’s going to be hot,” steer wrestler Riley Duvall said with a laugh. “It gets hot there, but it’s a special place. I love rodeos like that. I love those old, established rodeos that still care about the cowboys. They still want you in Pecos, and they still want you to do good. “That rodeo committee treats you great. It’s awesome to be able to go there and compete and know the history that’s happened there.” Duvall is part of rodeo royalty. He is the third generation from a bulldogging family who has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, and he’s done it four times over a distinguished career. “One thing that draws us to Pecos is it’s an old-school, cowboy rodeo,” said Duvall, 32, of Checotah, Oklahoma. “They have long (starting) boxes and a big arena, and it’s typically a great bulldogging. The money’s always good, and that committee goes above and beyond. That committee makes it worth your time to go down there. “I haven’t missed it in a long time.” There are dozens of rodeos across North America during the same time, but the big names know the importance of being in Pecos the end of June. They mark it on their calendars and put a star next to it. “It’s one of the biggest rodeos that weekend, and it’s a good rodeo,” said bull rider Dustin Boquet, 30, a three-time NFR qualifier from Bourg, Louisiana, who will defend his Pecos title this year. “The stock’s really good, and the added money is great.” A year ago, he earned nearly $5,000 inside the storied arena, matching moves with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Whiskey on Ice for 89.5 points. Based on a 100-point scale, half the score comes from how well the animal bucks; the other half is based on how well the cowboy rides it. That combination worked out quite well for Boquet, who finished the season with more than $105,000 in earnings and 19th in the world standings. It was a solid finish to a good season, but only the top 15 on the money list advance to the NFR. This year, he is eighth in the standings, all while missing several weeks to an injury. He’s expected to return to action by June 1. “It’s great to think that rodeo’s still going on that dadgum long,” he said. “Getting the win last year started my hot streak, and that helped me ride good the rest of the year.” With the title and the money, Boquet also collected one of the most recognized prizes in ProRodeo. “That’s a pretty sweet buckle,” he said. Duvall has yet to win one himself, but he’d love to add one to his trophy case. “Pecos has always been really good to me,” Duvall said. “I usually place in one of the rounds. I won the first round last year and had a chance to win the rodeo, but it’s still been a good rodeo for me. If you score good and do your job, it’s a good spot to make some money.” It’s reasons like that and many more that ProRodeo’s superstars return to the West of the Pecos Rodeo every summer.

BIG SPRING, Texas – As Mike Mathis spoke, his voice revealed a gravely sound and a passion for rodeo. The sounds he made were undeniable. When Mathis spoke, there was an air of contentment, and the sound of his voice reverberated the Old West. For many, Mathis was the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, his voice resonating with their love affair for the local shindig. “He was the voice of the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo,” said Dane Driver, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual event, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, at the Rodeo Bowl. “Mike’s personality was as big as his voice. He was a true, genuine friend, and he was the epitome of a true Southern gentleman. “Mike announced rodeos because he loved rodeos, not because he couldn’t do anything else.” Mathis, a 2013 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee, died this past December in Las Vegas. A voice that many associated with the sport of rodeo was silenced, and an icon in the industry is now remembered. Though Anthony Lucia enters his third year as Big Spring’s rodeo announcer, Mathis’ memory lives on for thousands of people who made the annual event a big part of their lives. “It was an honor to come in after Mike Mathis, whose tenure in Big Spring was long and fruitful,” said Lucia of Weatherford, Texas. “I don’t want to say I fill his shoes, because I could never do that, but now with his passing, following in his footsteps makes it that much more special knowing that he announced that rodeo for so long.” Mathis owned a master’s degree in finance and had served as executive vice president of Lufkin (Texas) National Bank in his hometown before turning his attention to rodeo. He became a member of the PRCA in 1983 and announced many big events, including the National Circuit Finals Rodeo, the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo, the National Finals Steer Roping and was an alternate for the 1994 National Finals Rodeo. He called rodeos nationwide but had an affinity for events in the Lone Star State. The admiration was mutual. “He’s not the only announcer I remember here, but he’s the most vivid,” said Driver, who indicted that a special celebration for Mathis will take place during this year’s event. “After I came back from college, I’ve been back for 20 years, and most of that time was all Mike. We were always trying to grow that spectator experience, and he helped with that. Mike’s personality was as big as his voice.” As this year’s rodeo commences in mid-June, there will be many sounds coming from the Rodeo Bowl. Horses and hooves will resonate with a cheering crowd and cowboys battling for the big bucks in Big Spring. There is where Mike Mathis’ voice will echo across the Plains of west Texas.

Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo celebrates 90 years of history BIG SPRING, Texas – The history of rodeo in this part of west Texas is long and lush, with cowboy tales dating back to the 1800s and an informal gathering of ranch hands in Big Spring nine decades ago. This is where seven-time world champion Toots Mansfield played the game as a superstar and where a cowboy named Herbert Frizzell got his revenge on a bully rodeo judge named “Buck” Jones during the second night of the 1949 Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo. When the dust settled that warm night, Jones was dead, as was an innocent bystander, a cowboy named “Sonny” Myers, who was hit by a stray bullet intended for Jones. Dane Driver is the fourth generation of his family to be involved with producing the rodeo. It started with his great-grandfather, Ira Driver, who was a founding member of the rodeo committee. He passed his passion for the sport to his son, E.P., who shared it with his son, Skipper, Dane’s dad and a Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee. The youngest of those men is a big part of this year’s Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, at the Rodeo Bowl. The event is celebrating its 90th year, and the history lessons that come with the rodeo are a big reason why this community continues to commemorate its past. Tumbleweed Smith understands the importance of rodeo on Big Spring’s landscape. He’s a local personality that has reported about the goings-on with the Western way of life. He created an audio documentary in the 1980s as a way to look back at the first 50 years of the cowboy reunion and rodeo. “We just met together and decided to have a rodeo,” Charlie Creighton, another of the event’s founders, told Smith in the documentary. “We organized and sold stock, bought 20 acres and built grandstands and corrals. After the first show, we paid it off pretty well.” The country had been in a landslide because of the Great Depression. Life was easing back toward normal, but folks had no place to go. There were six shows over three days: three matinees and three evening performances. There were good crowds, and people seemed anxious for some place to go. Admission was 45 cents. “If we’d charged 50 cents, we would have had to pay tax, so we dropped it to 45 and didn’t have to be bothered with the tax,” Creighton said. The first rodeo took place in a makeshift arena near what is now Howard College. “Spectators sat in their cars, which were parked around to make a neutral arena for the performers,” Creighton told Smith for the documentary. “That’s all the fence we had.” It wasn’t long before the arena was built. About 15 years later, though, organizers decided to make an upgrade, and the Rodeo Bowl was created. The first rodeo in it took place in 1950 with great fanfare. The governing board sold the previous arena to move to the Rodeo Bowl. “Town was building quite a bit,” Creighton said. “They wanted to build for a building addition, so we decided to sell that and move out. Money was one of the real reasons we did it. It put us in shape to build this present Rodeo Bowl.” Over 90 years, much has changed both locally and in the sport of rodeo. The foundation of the sport, which dates back to the Cowboy Era for which west Texas is so well known, still thrives. It’s why rodeo cowboys and cowgirls build their dreams in the Western lifestyle and why events like the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo continue to thrive.

Bronc futurity, horse sale and barrel race coming Memorial Day weekend GOODING, Idaho – The first Dirty Rotten Buckers bucking horse futurity in Gooding was a huge success last year, and everyone around town has been anticipating this year’s event. What most didn’t know, though, was that organizers were just adding to the fun. “We’ve known for a long time that people love coming to the Gooding Pro Rodeo, but we learned something new last spring,” said Don Gill, manager of the fair and rodeo. “We found a lot of people were very interested in the Dirty Rotten Buckers futurity. We also had some interest in expanding it.” That’s exactly what’s happening over Memorial Day weekend. The futurity will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 25, and will feature two levels of competition. The first is an opportunity for stock contractors to show off their horses, which will be vying for a large payout that includes $7,500 in added money, which is local dollars that are mixed with entry fees to make up the overall purse. The second contest will be between the cowboys, who also will be competing for their share of the purse that also includes $7,500 in added money. “This is a great chance to see the next superstars in rodeo, whether we’re talking about the horses or we’re talking about the bronc riders,” Gill said. “You may very well get a chance to see a future world champion.” The Women of the Wild West will also be heavily involved in the weekend experience. The organization will have its horse sale Sunday, May 26; the preview will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the sale will begin at 2 p.m. There will be a trade show featuring vendors, live music, a VIP lounge and warmup barrel races that begin at 7 p.m. that evening. “We’re going to have over 20 vendors on site,” Gill said, noting the event is presented by Dan and Kalena Webb with Every Which Way Performances Horses. “This whole weekend is set up for people to just enjoy the nice holiday weekend at the fairgrounds and have a good time together.” Festivities will conclude with the Women of the Wild West 5D Barrel race, with competition beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27. It will have $25,000 in added money, which, like the bronc match, will be mixed with entry fees for the overall purses in the various divisions. The highest prize pool will be the open 5D race, which will have a $150 fee per entry and $17,000 in added money. For more information, contact Jamie Lancaster at (435) 227-6435 or Danny Thomason at (208) 539-1743. “It’s a great way to get a taste of what everyone will experience with the Gooding Pro Rodeo this summer,” Gill said, pointing out the rodeo takes place Aug. 14-17. “I think it’s just going to give us all the jolt we need in anticipation of rodeo week.”

GUYMON, Okla. – He comes from the most recognizable families in rodeo today, but Statler Wright is still building his resume. He added another defining moment during Sunday’s final performance of the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, riding Frontier Rodeo’s Watch Kitty for 87.5 points to win saddle bronc riding at Oklahoma’s only ProRodeo Hall of Fame event. “I love coming here, because it’s always fun,” said Wright, 20, of Beaver, Utah. “The hospitality is really good, and it’s one of my favorite rodeos to come to always. The crowd is always good, and we get to get on good bucking horses.”  Statler Wright is the youngest of four sons sired by two-time saddle bronc riding world champion Cody Wright, and he’s the only one who has yet to taste the fruitful gains that come with qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo. Oldest sibling Rusty was the first to qualify, followed by Ryder, who has added two bronc riding gold buckles to the family’s trophy case. The third son of Cody and ShaRee is the hottest topic in ProRodeo. Stetson Wright is a 24 and already owns eight world championships: five straight all-around crowns, two bull riding titles and the 2021 saddle bronc riding gold buckle. In his inaugural season in ProRodeo in 2022, Statler Wright finished 20th in the world standings and second in the race for Resistol Rookie of the Year. Last year, he moved up a spot to 19th. Only the top 15 on the money list at the end of each regular season earn the right to play for the biggest money in the game in December at Las Vegas. He is giving himself a chance to join his legendary family, which also boasts of world champion bronc riders in uncles Jesse and Spencer. He has earned more than $75,000 this season, including the $3,920 he earned with his Sunday ride inside Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “I’d watched my brother, Ryder, get on that horse, and he was 88 points on her in Cody, Wyoming, in 2018,” Wright said. “I asked Ryder what to go for as far as rein; he told me, and it worked out real good.” The bronc rein is the cowboy’s best friend, and the right measurement makes the difference between money and dust. The rein provides a leverage point that allows the bronc rider the opportunity to spur the animal in rhythm with the horse’s bucking motion. For Wright, it added up to big bucks in the Oklahoma Panhandle. “It was really fun,” he said. “She’s really strong. It was a lot of work, but I guess if you just keep things rolling, it’ll end up in your favor. “It really gives me a boost, especially going into the summer. I’m real confident in my saddle and all my equipment, so I just want to keep things rolling.” Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days RodeoMay 3-5Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Jess Pope, on Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News, and Dean Thompson, on Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire, 90 points, $3,149 each; 3. Kade Sonnier, 88.5, $2,020; 4. (tie) Garrett Shadbolt and Donny Proffit, 87.5, $1,069 each; 6. (tie) Cole Franks and Orin Larsen, 87, $535 each; 8. Kashton Ford, 86.5, $356. Team roping: First round: 1. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 6.4 seconds, $2,397 each; 2. Paul David Tierney/Billie Jack Saebens, 6.7, $2,085; 3. (tie) Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves and Adam Rose/Gralyn Elkins, 6.8, $1,459 each; 6. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 6.9, $834; 7. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Kreece Thompson/Cooper Freeman and Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 7.0, $243 each. Second round: 1. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 6.9 seconds, $2,397 each; 2. Jhett Trenary/Jake South, 7.4, $2,085; 3. Corben Culley/J.D. Yates, 7.5, $1,772; 4. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.6, $1,459; 5. Zack Woods/Gavin Foster, 7.7, $1,147; 6. Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 7.9, $834; 7. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 8.4, $521; 8. (tie) Payden Emmett/Jace Davis and Britton Grinstead/Scott Daily, 8.5, $104 each. Third round: 1. Adam Rose/Gralyn Elkins, 5.9 seconds, $2,397; 2. Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 6.3, $2,085; 3. Paul David Tierney/Billie Jack Saebens, 6.4, $1,772; 4. J7 Brand/Tyson Thompson, 6.7; 5. Aaron Tsinigine/Denton Dunning, 6.9; 6. Jake Cooper/Chase Graves, 7.1; 8. Kreece Thompson/Cooper Freeman, 7.5$365. Average: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 22.6 seconds on three runs, $3,596; 2. Kreece Thompson/Cooper Freeman, 24.3, $3,127; 3. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 27.4, $2,658; 4. J7 Brand/Tyson Thompson, 27.6, $2,189; 5. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 27.8, $1,720; 6. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 28.1, $1,251; 7. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 32.4, $782; 8. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 33.6, $313. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Bridger Anderson, 4.0 seconds, $2,516; 2. Trell Etbauer, 4.1, $2,188; 3. Justin Shaffer, 4.4, $1,860; 4. (tie) Emmett Edler, Mason Couch and Jacob Edler, 4.6, $1,203 each; 7. (tie) Justice Johnson and Cody Devers, 4.7, $383 each. Second round: 1. Jake Shelton, 3.8 seconds, $2,516; 2. Jake Nelson, 4.3, $2,188; 3. Quint Bell, 4.5, $1,860; 4. (tie) Cody Devers, Chase Crane and Darcy Kersh, 4.6, $1,203 each; 7. Tyke Kipp, 4.8, $547; 8. (tie) Jace Melvin and J.D. Struxness, 4.9, $109 each. Third round: 1. Tyler Scheevel, 4.1 seconds, $2,516; 2. (tie) Ty Baurele and J.D. Struxness, 4.3, $2,024 each; 4. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Riley Westhaver, 4.4, $1,368 each; 6. Logan Kenline, 4.5, $875; 7. Travis Munro, 4.6, $547; 8. Cash Robb, 4.7, $219. Average: 1. Bridger Anderson, 14.5 seconds on two runs, $3,774; 2. Travis Munro, 14.6, $3,282; 3. Jake Nelson, 15.0, $2,790; 4. (tie) Ty Bauerle and J.D. Struxness, 15.3, $2,051 each; 6. Rowdy Parrott, 15.4, $1,313; 7. Tyke Kipp, 16.2, $8321; 8. Coy Johnston, 16.5, $328.   Saddle bronc riding: 1. Statler Wright, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Watch Kitty, $3,920; 2. Traylin Martin, 86, $3,005; 3. Riggin Smith, 85.5, $2,221; 4. (tie) Brody Wells and Garrett Long, 85, $1,176 each; 6. Skinny Parsons, 84.5, $653; 7. (tie) Chase Brooks, Logan Cook, Zac Dallas and Jake Clark, 84; 7. Sam Martin, 82, $229 each. Breakaway roping: First round: 1. (tie) Montana Brown and Amanda Coleman, 2.4 seconds, $1,963 each; 3. (tie) Tiffany Schieck and Jill Tanner, 2.5, $1,415 each; 5. (tie) Mataya Eklund,  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – The dirt under Bridger Andeson’s feet inside Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena is familiar. Yes, he’s originally from Carrington, North Dakota, and now lives near Stephenville, Texas, but he returned to his old stomping grounds this week for the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo and has found success. He hopes it continues. “It’s been a good rodeo,” said Anderson, the 2019 college national champion steer wrestler from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, just 170 miles east. “I think we have well over 100 bulldoggers, and that makes it a tough bulldogging and a good bulldogging. We ended up winning the first round.” That 4.0-second run made Wednesday was worth more than $2,500 and served as a starting point. He was then 5.3 seconds Thursday and came into the four weekend performances tied for the lead with Cody Devers of Perryton, Texas. After making a 5.2-second run Saturday afternoon, Anderson owns the three-run aggregate with 14.5 seconds. “It’s a little fresher pen of cattle,” he said, referring to steers that hadn’t been run much prior to this rodeo. “I made a business run today on the steer we had. Hopefully we end up somewhere decent. There are a lot of good bulldoggers and good steers left, so we’ll see how it shakes out.” Anderson has competed in Hitch Arena since his freshman year in college. He earned three qualifications to the College National Finals Rodeo and would have made it four had COVID not forced the cancellation to the 2020 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association season. He made up for it a little in ProRodeo by earning a bid to his first National Finals Rodeo that year. He returned to ProRodeo’s grand finale this past December and excelled. He earned nearly $121,000 over 10 days in Las Vegas and finished the year seventh in the world standings with $206,450. Like everyone who makes a living on the rodeo trail, he’d love to return to the NFR, but he has some ground to make up. He’s not among the top 50 on the money list. There is no concern in the way he handles his business, though. Anderson knows it’s a long season that requires patience and stamina to be among the best. He still has some aspirations he wants to accomplish, especially when they’re well within reach. “Guymon gives away a really cool belt, and one of these times, I want to win that belt,” Anderson said. Devers will run his third steer Sunday afternoon. Like Anderson, Devers is one of several bulldoggers with ties to Northwestern competing in Guymon this week. In Saturday afternoon’s performance alone, five of the 10 steer wrestlers have attended the Alva school. “Northwestern Oklahoma State University has a pretty solid bulldogging program under (coach) Stockton Graves,” Anderson said. “I lived in Alva for six or seven years, and Guymon was not too far away, so it’s nice to be back in this part of the country. “This rodeo is continuing to try to get better. It’s a rodeo that every year just tries to get a little better, and they were putting on a great rodeo already. It’s cool to see them try so hard and put on a great rodeo.” Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days RodeoMay 3-5Bareback riding leaders: 1. (tie) Jess Pope, on Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News, and Dean Thompson, on Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire, 90 points; 3. Kade Sonnier, 88.5; 4. (tie) Garrett Shadbolt and Donny Proffit, 87.5; 6. (tie) Cole Franks and Orin Larsen, 87; 8. Kashton Ford, 86.5. Team roping: First round: 1. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 6.4 seconds, $2,397 each; 2. Paul David Tierney/Billie Jack Saebens, 6.7, $2,085; 3. (tie) Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves and Adam Rose/Gralyn Elkins, 6.8, $1,459 each; 6. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 6.9, $834; 7. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Kreece Thompson/Cooper Freeman and Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 7.0, $243 each. Second round: 1. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 6.9 seconds, $2,397 each; 2. Jhett Trenary/Jake South, 7.4, $2,085; 3. Corben Culley/J.D. Yates, 7.5, $1,772; 4. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.6, $1,459; 5. Zack Woods/Gavin Foster, 7.7, $1,147; 6. Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 7.9, $834; 7. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 8.4, $521; 8. (tie) Payden Emmett/Jace Davis and Britton Grinstead/Scott Daily, 8.5, $104 each. Third round leaders: 1. Paul David Tierney/Billie Jack Saebens, 6.4 seconds; 2. J7 Brand/Tyson Thompsoin, 6.7; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Denton Dunning, 6.9; 4. Jake Cooper/Chase Graves, 7.1; 5. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 7.6; 6. Chet Weitz/Clay Futrell, 7.8; 7. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 8.0; 8. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyle, 9.2. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 22.6 seconds on three runs; 2. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 27.4; 3. J7 Brand/Tyson Thompson, 27.6; 4. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 27.8; 5. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 33.6; 6. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 34.4; 7. Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 43.8; 8. Chet Weitz/Clay Futrell, 53.7. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Bridger Anderson, 4.0 seconds, $2,516; 2. Trell Etbauer, 4.1, $2,188; 3. Justin Shaffer, 4.4, $1,860; 4. (tie) Emmett Edler, Mason Couch and Jacob Edler, 4.6, $1,203 each; 7. (tie) Justice Johnson and Cody Devers, 4.7, $383 each. Second round: 1. Jake Shelton, 3.8 seconds, $2,516; 2. Jake Nelson, 4.3, $2,188; 3. Quint Bell, 4.5, $1,860; 4. (tie) Cody Devers, Chase Crane and Darcy Kersh, 4.6, $1,203 each; 7. Tyke Kipp, 4.8, $547; 8. (tie) Jace Melvin and J.D. Struxness, 4.9, $109 each. Third round leaders: 1. Tyler Scheevel, 4.1 seconds; 2. (tie) Ty Baurele and J.D. Struxness, 4.3; 4. Justin Shaffer, 4.4; 5. Logan Kenline, 4.5; 6. Cash Robb, 4.7; 7. (tie) Logan Mullin and Gus Franzen, 4.9. Average leaders: 1. Bridger Anderson, 14.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Jake Nelson, 15.0; 3. (tie) Ty Bauerle and J.D. Struxness, 15.3; 5. Rowdy Parrott, 15.4; 6. Tyke Kipp, 16.2; 7. Coy Johnston, 16.5; 8. Gus Franzen, 17.0.   Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Traylin Martin, 86 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Smoke Wagon; 2. Skinny Parsons, 84.5; 3. (tie) Chase Brooks, Logan Cook, Zac Dallas and Jake Clark, 84; 7. Sam Martin, 82; 8. Thayme Elshere, 81.5. Breakaway roping: First round: 1. (tie) Montana Brown and Amanda Coleman,  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Kade Berry has spent a lifetime looking up to his big brother. The siblings are four years apart. Leighton Berry is 24 years old and has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo three times over the last four years. He’s also No. 1in the bareback riding world standings. Kade Berry is 20 years old and in his rookie season in ProRodeo. He is 40th on the money list and hoping to work his way up. He’s also fifth in the race to be crowned Resistol Rookie of the Year. He’s following in the footsteps of his older sibling and their father, Kirby, who also rode bareback horses. The youngest of the three took things upon himself during Friday’s first performance of the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo by riding Frontier Rodeo’s Cross Fire for 85.5 points to take the early lead. “That horse has been around a long time from Frontier Rodeo Co., the nine-time and I think reigning stock contracting firm of the year,” said Berry of Weatherford Texas. “I was pretty excited to have that horse, especially with the pen of horses that were out. I thought I had a little better chance than most guys. “Cross Fire really does buck. Whenever you get on a big ol’ Heath Stewart bucker rolling in there with a big ol’ fat neck, it gets exciting to put your rigging on a horse like that. Hopefully we stick up there on the leaderboard and take some money home.” He has three remaining performances to wait out to see where he lands, but Guymon will feature many of the top cowboys and cowboys in the sport. More than 1,100 contestants entered the competition and are battling for the big bucks in the Oklahoma Panhandle. It’s big enough that the primary contractor, Frontier, brought in two other livestock providers to ensure an outstanding contest. “With as many performances as they have and the two matinees, they need good horses to put on the rodeo here, so they bring in Will O’Connell and Championship (Pro Rodeo) and Kirsten Vold with Vold Rodeo,” Berry said. “They all bring a pretty good herd themselves, and it gives every guy a fair shot at some paychecks.” That’s the name of the game in rodeo. Money not only takes care of the bills and expenses that come with traveling North America to play the game, but dollars equal championship points. Only the top 15 on the money list at the end of the regular season advance to the NFR. Pioneer Days Rodeo is celebrating its 92nd year. It’s “Where the Champions Come to Play the First Weekend in May.” “That’s a long time to have this one,” Berry said. “It’s a very unique arena with the bowl and the concrete stands. Whenever you show up, you pull in from the top of the hill, and you get to see the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo right there. There’s not many rodeos like it anymore.” The rugged terrain of the Oklahoma Plains can be rough to handle. This is where the Dust Bowl thrived and led to the creation of this community celebration. The dry land is a testament to the fortitude of the people who live in the region once known as “No Man’s Land.” Just as the rodeo began, a storm blazed through and dampened the arena, but it didn’t dampen the crowd or the competition. “It’s cool to show up here, especially when the fans come out and support the rodeo,” Berry said. “It’s a very neat rodeo.” Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days RodeoMay 3-5Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kade Berry, 85.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Cross Fire; 2. Payton Lackey, 81.5; 3. Andy Gingerich, 69; 4. Weston Timberman, 68; no other qualified rides. Team roping: First round: 1. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 6.4 seconds, $2,397 each; 2. Paul David Tierney/Billie Jack Saebens, 6.7, $2,085; 3. (tie) Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves and Adam Rose/Gralyn Elkins, 6.8, $1,459 each; 6. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 6.9, $834; 7. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Kreece Thompson/Cooper Freeman and Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 7.0, $243 each. Second round: 1. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 6.9 seconds, $2,397 each; 2. Jhett Trenary/Jake South, 7.4, $2,085; 3. Corben Culley/J.D. Yates, 7.5, $1,772; 4. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.6, $1,459; 5. Zack Woods/Gavin Foster, 7.7, $1,147; 6. Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 7.9, $834; 7. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 8.4, $521; 8. (tie) Payden Emmett/Jace Davis and Britton Grinstead/Scott Daily, 8.5, $104 each. Third round leaders: 1. Jake Cooper/Chase Graves, 7.1 seconds; 2. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 7.6; 3. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 8.0; 4. Rodrigo De Lima/J.C. Flake, 10.6, 5. Cole Smith/Reed Boos, 12.4; 6. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 15.7; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 22.6 seconds on three runs; 2. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 27.8; 3. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 24.4; 4. Jake Cooper/Chase Graves, 14.9 seconds on two runs; 5. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 15.2; 6. Cooper White/Tucker White, 16.6; 7. Kreece Thompson/Cooper Freeman, 16.8; 8. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 17.9. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Bridger Anderson, 4.0 seconds, $2,516; 2. Trell Etbauer, 4.1, $2,188; 3. Justin Shaffer, 4.4, $1,860; 4. (tie) Emmett Edler, Mason Couch and Jacob Edler, 4.6, $1,203 each; 7. (tie) Justice Johnson and Cody Devers, 4.7, $383 each. Second round: 1. Jake Shelton, 3.8 seconds, $2,516; 2. Jake Nelson, 4.3, $2,188; 3. Quint Bell, 4.5, $1,860; 4. (tie) Cody Devers, Chase Crane and Darcy Kersh, 4.6, $1,203 each; 7. Tyke Kipp, 4.8, $547; 8. (tie) Jace Melvin and J.D. Struxness, 4.9, $109 each. Third round leaders: 1. Ty Baurele, 4.3 seconds; 2. Logan Kenline, 4.5; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 5.1; 4. Jake Nelson, 5.3; 5. Tyke Kipp, 5.6; 6. Tyrel Cline, 16.5; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Jake Nelson, 15.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Ty Bauerle, 15.3; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 15.4; 4. Tyke Kipp, 16.2; 5. Logan Kenline, 20.2; 6. Tyrel Cline, 35.5; 7. (tie) Bridger Anderson and Cody Devers, 9.3 seconds on two runs.   Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Skinny Parsons, 84.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Popsicle; 2.  Continue Reading »

BIG SPRING, Texas – Organizers of the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo are dipping in to an old bag of tricks to help celebrate the event’s 90th year. Two decades ago, Big Spring’s marquee event developed their after-the-rodeo concerts and dances. It was a rather small affair that has transitioned into shows at the Franklin & Son Pavilion, a place that not only allows for plenty of room to dance but also enjoy the overall experience. “Because it’s the 90th year, we’re bringing Aaron Watson back, and we think it will work out really good,” said Derek Wash, a member of the volunteer group that produces the cowboy reunion and rodeo. “When we started it, we got Aaron three out of four years. One of the only times we sold that fair barn out was Aaron Watson. “We’ve never had a bad turnout with Aaron Watson. You’re going to have a more wholesome show. He represents what we represent: God, country and cowboys.” Watson will close out the weekend with his concert set to follow the Saturday, June 22, rodeo performance, but he’s not the only show in town. The rodeo, which begins Thursday, June 20, will be highlighted by another Texas artist; Kevin Fowler will perform Friday, June 21. Both artists were born in Amarillo, Texas. Fowler began playing in rock bands in his home state, then transitioned into a solo act in the early 2000s. In addition to putting his talent on stage, Fowler also has had other artists find success with songs he has written. “We’ve never had Kevin, but we’ve tried to get him several times,” Wash said. “He’ll bring a party crowd with him when he performs Friday night. “Aaron brings a party, too. He is classic. You can dance the night away both nights. We have consistently made upgrades to our concert pavilion, and it is a sight to be seen in Big Spring.” The concerts began as an added piece to the entertainment package, but they’ve become a major part of the rodeo weekend in Howard County. Top Texas Country artists like Randy Rogers, Pat Green, Stoney LaRue and Casey Donahew have showcased their talents over the years. Watson and Fowler will just add their own stylings to this year’s shows. “I built my career at the honkytonks,” Watson said. “There are a lot of people out there who like what I do, so for them – and for myself – I’m going to keep pushing forward.” That fits right into the theme of the weekend. Tickets are on sale now, with prices running at $10 for Friday’s show and $20 for Watson’s concert Saturday. VIP tables are $250 for Friday and $350 for Saturday. “We have the most affordable show you can talk about here in Big Spring,” Wash said. “These concerts are a point of pride around here. To have things here at that price, it’s amazing, especially with artists like this in your own back yard.”