Monthly Archives: June 2024

PECOS, Texas – Six months ago, team roping heeler Zane Pratt was recovering from a serious injury His right thumb got caught up in a coil of his rope. He suffered a broken thumb. It could have been worse. He had to get it fixed, then rehabilitated. It took time to get back to team roping again. He just returned to competition, and it’s already playing off. He and his header, Roan Oldfield, won the West of the Pecos team roping title while wrapping up the final performance of the “World’s First Rodeo” on Saturday night. “This is actually the second time we’ve roped together,” Pratt said of Oldfield of Seminole, Texas. “We roped at Big Spring last weekend and placed. (Oldfield) just does his job. He makes sure he catches him and just handles the steer really good, it makes my job easy.” Originally from California, he’s been “hanging around” the Stephenville, Texas, area helping another team roper, two-time and reigning world champion heeler Wesley Thorp. “I ride horses for Wesley, and I just amateur rodeo and have been (Texas) Circuit rodeoing,” said Pratt, 22, who is competing this season on his permit, which means he must earn a certain amount of money before he can become a full-fledged ProRodeo cowboy. “I plan on buying my (PRCA) card next year and trying to go on and win the rookie of the year.” Meanwhile, he’s getting a great education working for Thorp. “It just teaches me everything being around someone like that who has had that much success,” Pratt said. “He’s positive about everything and has that kind of attitude. Just being around him has helped me tremendously.” Team roping features to men riding two horses and roping one steer. The header tries to rope the steer’s horns, then turns the animal in a manner that sets up the heeler for a good shot. They were 7.0 seconds inside the large Buck Jackson Arena to finish fourth during Saturday morning’s first round, then were 8.2 in the evening. Their cumulative time of 15.2 seconds earned them the victory and $4,299 each. “This means a lot,” Pratt said. “We drew really good, and we just executed and used our steers. It just went according to plan really.” His Pecos earnings will go a long way toward helping him to his two goals: Qualify for the Texas Circuit Finals in October and the Permit Section Finals in December.  “When I broke my thumb right before Christmas, I just started back about a month ago, so the circuit finals is the goal,” he said. “My main goal is trying to get into the permit finals, and if I win that, get into Houston (next spring). West of the Pecos RodeoJune 26-29All-around cowboy: Shad Mayfield, $3,220 in steer roping, tie-down roping and team roping Bareback riding: 1. Leighton Berry, 87 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Fox Hole Gunner, $3,574; 2. Tilden Hooper, 86, $2,740; 3. Jess Pope, 85.5, $2,025; 4. Rocker Steiner, 83, $1,311; 5. (tie) Ty Pope and Cooper Filipek, 82.5, $715; 7. Cole Reiner, 81, $477; 8. Tim Murphy, 80.5, $357. Team roping: First round: 1. Jace Bland/Tyson Thompson, 6.1 seconds, $1,705; 2. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/Cory Petska and Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin, 6.7, $1,371 each; 4. Roan Oldfield/Zane Pratt, 7.0, $1,038; 5. Casey Tew/Cody Tew, 7.3, $815; 6. Quisto Lopez/Jayden Cisneros, 7.5, $593; 7. Jake Orman/Corey Hendrick, 7.9, $371; 8. (tie) Clay Tryan/Blaine Vick, Cash Duty/Clay Green and Zane Murphy/Colten Tate, 8.1, $49 each. Second round: 1. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 6.2 seconds, $1,705; 2. Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 6.7, $1,483; 3. Lightning Aguilera/Lane Mitchell, 7.0, $1,260; 4. Shad Mayfield/Faron Candelaria, 7.5, $1,038; 5. (tie) Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry and Roan Oldfield/Zane Pratt, 8.2, $704; 7. Quisto Lopez/Jayden Cisneros, 8.4, $371; 8. Casey Tew/Cody Tew, 8.6, $148.  Average: 1. Roan Oldfield/Zane Pratt, 15.2 seconds on two runs, $2,557; 2. (tie) Casey Tew/Cody Tew and Quisto Lopez/Jayden Cisneros, 15.9, $2,057; 4. Zane Murphy/Colton Tate, 16.8, $1,557; 5. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 16.9, $1,223; 6. Shad Mayfield/Faron Candelaria, 17.4, $890; 7. Cash Duty/Clay Green, 18.1, $556; 8. Bridger Ketcham/Kaden Prince, 18.3, $222.  Steer roping: First round: 1. Mike Chase, 12.4 seconds, $1,749; 2. Cole Patterson, 12.9, $1,521; 3. Reo Lohse, 13.0, $1,293; 4. Seth Schafer, 13.2, $1,064; 5. Brodie Poppino, 13.4, $836; 6. Slade Wood, 13.6, $608; 7. Cody Lee, 13.9, $380; 8. Cooper Mills, 14.0, $152. Second round: 1. Chet Herren, 12.2 seconds, $1,749; 2. Dan Fisher, 12.3, $1,521; 3. Logan Currie, 12.5, $1,293; 4. Tony Reina, 12.6, $1,064; 5. (tie) Thomas Smith and Martin Poindexter, 13.3, $722 each; 7. (tie) Conrad Hagen and Bryce Davis, 13.9, $266 each. Third round: 1. Cole Patterson, 11.2 seconds, $1,749; 2. Doug Pharr, 11.3, $1,521; 3. Shad Mayfield, 11.4, $1,293; 4. Jason Burson, 11.5, $1,064; 5. Vin Fisher Jr., 11.8, $836; 6. (tie) Logan Currie and Scott Snedecor, 12.9, $494 each; 8. Dalton Walker, 13.0, $152; Average: 1. Reo Lohse, 40.5, $2,623; 2. Cody Lee, 42.8, $2,281; 3. Slade Wood, 44.4, $1,939; 4. Scott Snedecor, 44.7, $1,596; 5. Cooper Mills, 45.1, $1,255; 6. Bryce Davis, 45.5, $912; 7. John Bland, 46.7, $570; 8. Tuff Hardman, 50.3, $228.   Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Jake Finley, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pretty Woman, and Sage Newman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Smoke on the Water, 86.5 points, $3,537 each; 3. Tanner Butner, 85, $2,269; 4. (tie) Clint Franks and Shorty Garrett, 83, $1,201; 6. Isaac Richard, 81.5, $667; 7. Tom Webster, 81, $534; 8. Blaise Freeman, 80.5, $400. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Kyan Wilhite, 8.7 seconds, $2,471; 2. Chet Weitz, 9.2, $2,149; 3. Monty Lewis, 9.3, $1,826; 4. Tanner Green, 9.8, $1,504; 5. Hunter Herrin, 9.9, $1,182; 6. Tyson Arledge, 10.3, $859; 7. Brody Stallard, 10.5, $537; 8. Cash Hooper, 10.6, $215. Second round: 1. Booker McCutchen, 8.8 seconds, $2,471; 2. Kyan Wilhite, 9.2, $2,149; 3. Gatlin Peck, 9.9, $1,826; 4. Marcos Costa, 10., $1,5040; 5. Cory Solomon, 10.1, $1,182; 6. Tyler Milligan, 10.4, $859; 4. Hunter Herrin, 10.5,  Continue Reading »

PECOS, Texas – Don’t be upset with Scott Snedecor for being a little greedy. With two West of the Pecos buckles already in his trophy case, he made a statement during Friday’s third performance that he’d like to win another. After making two solid runs during the morning session of competition, he secured his fastest run of the weekend, stopping the clock in 12.9 seconds. That moved him into the top spot with a three-run cumulative time of 44.7 seconds to take the aggregate lead. “My day was OK,” said Snedecor, 49, a four-time world champion steer roper from Fredericksburg, Texas. “My first one ran me down (the arena) a ways, and I was 14 (seconds) on him; my second won came back, and he stepped right on me. By the time I rode to him, I had to kick back and get my trip and dropped the ball a little bit and was a little longer. “I came back tonight with one that tried pretty hard, but I made a good run on him.” He won his first world championship in 2005, then followed that with gold buckles in 2008, 2017 and 2018. He’s qualified for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping 22 times and is about to add a 23rd. Over that stretch, he has won the steer roping aggregate title three times. He finished last season second in the world standings was third heading into this week of rodeos. “Pecos is one of the good rodeos, a good Texas rodeo,” Snedecor said. “It’s one of my favorite ones, because you run those cattle out there a ways. It’s more of a cowboy event in this big arena. You’ve got to read your steer while your running out them. Your horse has got to work good. It has great fans. “It’s a fun rodeo.” Horsepower is vital in all timed events, but having a good equine partner is critical in steer roping. The horse has to be equally athletic and strong to handle the type of pressure it faces in competition. Snedecor has a solid one in Goose, a 15-year-old bay gelding. “This horse has been a blessing,” he said. “I got it from Shorty Garten, and he was a little green when I got him. It took me about a year of getting him going – I almost gave up on him two or three different times throughout the year, but my wife kept saying that I had to go through the green-horse deal, and he was pretty pea-hearted with I stated, but he’s turned out to be one of the best.” When he’s not rodeoing, Snedecor trains horses, so working to make one better for himself is right up his alley. “I do like that side of it,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see. Up in South Dakota last week, there were six horses that I started training. To see them go to that level and do good at that level is just icing on the cake for me, but I enjoy the horsemanship of it, the learning, the skills … everything about a horse.” That mindset is why Snedecor is one of the best that’s ever played the game.  While he trusts horsepower, Josh Frost has to trust bull power. He knew he had that in full force by the time he arrived Friday in Pecos. He was matched with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Bayou Bengal, the 2023 PRCA Bull of the Year. Frost, a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Randlett, Utah, made it the ride of the rodeo so far. The two titans matched moves for 90 points, and Frost owns the lead heading into Saturday’s final performance. “I was pretty excited,” Frost said about match-up thrown together by random draw. “I’ve ridden him twice, and it was not in my favor the first time, and it was quick. The second time, I thought I had him figured out, and it was even quicker.” At most rodeos Bayou Bengal enters the arena out of a right-hand delivery, meaning the animal moves to its right initially. There are only left-hand deliveries at Buck Jackson Arena, so Frost liked his chances. “It changed it up a little bit, and it worked out in my favor,” he said. West of the Pecos RodeoJune 26-29Bareback riding: 1. Leighton Berry, 87 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Fox Hole Gunner; 2. Tilden Hooper, 86; 3. Jess Pope, 85.5; 4. (tie) Ty Pope and Cooper Filipek, 82.5; 6. Cole Reiner, 81; 7. Tim Murphy, 80.5; 8. Mason Stuller, 79.5. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Jace Bland/Tyson Thompson, 6.1 seconds; 2. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/Cory Petska and Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin, 6.7; 4. Casey Tew/Cody Tew, 7.3; 5. Quisto Lopez/Jayden Cisneros, 7.5; 6. (tie) Clay Tryan/Blaine Vick, Cash Duty/Clay Green and Zane Murphy/Colten Tate, 8.1; 4. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 8.7; 5. Clay Eggers/Joshua Smitherman, 12.6; 6. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 13.0; 7. Hagen Peterson/Chase Tryan, 13.9; 8. Jhett Trenary/Jake South, 15.3. Second round leaders: 1. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torre, 6.2 seconds; 2. Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 6.7; 3. Lightning Aguilera/Lane Mitchell, 7.0; 4. Shad Mayfield/Faron Candelaria, 7.5; 5. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 8.2; 6. Quisto Lopez/Jayden Cisneros, 8.4; 7. Casey Tew/Cody Tew, 8.6; 8. Zane Murphy/Colton Tate, 8.7.  Average leaders: 1. (tie) Casey Tew/Cody Tew and Quisto Lopez/Jayden Cisneros, 15.9 seconds on two runs; 3. Zane Murphy/Colton Tate, 16.8; 4. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 16.9; 5. Shad Mayfield/Faron Candelaria, 17.4; 6. Cash Duty/Clay Green, 18.1; 7. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 19.2; 8. Jace Brand/Tyson Thompson, 20.3.  Steer roping: First round leaders: 1. Mike Chase, 12.4 seconds; 2. Cole Patterson, 12.9; 3. Seth Schafer, 13.2; 4. Brodie Poppino, 13.4; 5. Cooper Mills, 14.0; 6. Scott Snedecor, 14.2; 7. (tie) Trenton Johnson and J. Tom Fisher, 14.4. Second round leaders: 1. Chet Herren, 12.2 seconds; 2. Dan Fisher, 12.3; 3. Logn Currie, 12.5; 4. Tony Reina, 12.6; 5. (tie) Thomas Smith and Martin Poindexter, 13.3; 7. Jarrett Blessing, 14.2; 8. Jett Fisher, 14.3. Third round leaders: 1.  Continue Reading »

GUNNISON, Colo. – There was something about the rural way of life that appealed to Tim Lehmann and Casey Connally. They had quite separate lives, but there was a form of unity founded in the Gunnison Valley and with the annual Cattlemen’s Days. They died mere days apart last November, and what they did for this community will be honored at this year’s celebration during the rodeo, set for Thursday, July 11-Saturday, July 13, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “Both Tim and Casey made an impact in this community in their own ways, the Cattlemen’s Days committee wanted to honor them alongside two other people who were a very big part of our celebration, Dale Irby and Brett Redden,” said Brad Tutor, president of the volunteer group that produces the annual event. Casey Connally will be honored during the Thursday performance of the rodeo. She was a volunteer with the Cattlemen’s Days, especially in the early stages of its Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign. An avid horsewoman who was born in Texas, she moved to Gunnison with her mother and sister in the early 1970s. “Her love of horses came from our mom,” said Lee Connally, Casey’s older sister. “Mom rode cutting horses when she was a teenager and in college until she met my dad. Casey and I grew up doing 4H gymkhanas and even competed in barrel racing for a short time in junior high and high school. Casey was more into it than me. “With Mom being a cutter, she brought Casey into the whole cutting thing, and Casey flourished at it. She was good at it and worked with horses most of her adult life.” Those experiences made her who she was, outgoing with lots of friends, positive and bubbly to those around her. She loved animals, especially horses, and shared her friendly, compassionate nature with those around her. In March 2022, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma and died Nov. 29, 2023. “Casey left her mark where she wanted, and she got to do what she did with horses,” Lee Connally said. “She did it well. She felt pretty content with her life when she left.” Celebrating her life and her personality during the rodeo’s pink night might be the perfect way to honor Casey Connally. Redden and Irby will be recognized during Friday’s performance of the rodeo, which is Patriot Night. Lehmann will be honored during Saturday’s Ranchland Conservation Legacy rodeo, and it’s just as fitting. He wasn’t raised in a ranching family, but he adjusted to that life very well. Born in Grand Junction, Colorado, Lehmann was an athlete who went to Mesa State College to play football. That’s where he met Michelle Sammons, who became his wife in 1993. She introduced him to the Sammons family ranch, where he worked alongside his father-in-law, Glen, and other members of the family. In fact, that’s where Tim and Michelle raised their children, Wyatt and Jessica, and where Tim grew into rancher, an advocate and a major member of the community. “I’m the fourth generation of my family to work on this ranch, and Jessica is the fifth,” Michelle Sammons Lehmann said. “I went to college and roped him and brought him back. He never left, and we built a life here on the ranch.” Jessica lives just two houses down from her folks and has worked with them all her life. She not only looked up to her father, she cherished all the time she had alongside him, whether it was horseback pushing cattle or fixing fence or just eating a meal together. “Dad had a great sense of humor,” Jessica said with a laugh. “He was also very ornery, and you had to have some tough skin if you were going to be around him.”  His personality was lively and infectious. It was what guided him into advocacy, first on the board for the Gunnison County Stockgrowers, then to the board of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. His biggest step, though, may have been helping his children and other youngsters through the 4H program in the valley. “He would meet somebody one time and become their best friend,” Jessica said. “He had a way of making everyone feel welcome. He had so many friends in the community; everyone knew him and respected him. Everyone looked at him for guidance. He was very prideful about this place, but he was also very ornery and witty, but that’s because he truly cared about people. “I strive to be like him. He was very empathetic for other people. He loved us very much and was a big family man. He was one of the biggest supporters and cheerleaders in our lives.” Her brother seconded the thought of his father’s love and support. “He dedicated his life to his family, ranching and lobbying for the agricultural industry,” Wyatt said. “He instilled so many values in us, but one of the most impactful was teaching us that helping people is one of the most noble professions. He gave me the desire to commit my life to helping people achieve a healthier lifestyle, non of which would have been possible without him.” Tim Lehmann died Nov. 15, 2023, after suffering a heart attack, and now a community will come together to remember him and celebrate his life in a way that would make him proud. “I love it, and I love talking about my father,” Jessica said. “To recognize him at something he was so involved in and at a place where so many people loved and appreciated him will be at is perfect.” The first few months after losing someone close can be tough, but the Lehmanns are working through their pain through recollections and love. This is a chance for their guiding light to shine. “We are a very private people and a little uncomfortable with this happening, but we are pleased that he is being recognized this way,” Michelle said. “It’s really an honor.”

PECOS, Texas – This time of year is a busy one for cowboys and cowgirls that make their livings in rodeo. It’s the start of the summer run, when they leave their homes and venture off to lands known and unknown chasing their gold-buckle dreams. For most Texans, it a chance to escape the heat, but before they do, they make sure to be part of the West of the Pecos Rodeo. Take Leighton Berry, a bareback rider from Weatherford, Texas. His initial plans had him at a rodeo up north, but things didn’t work out. When that happened, he turned the tide and put his name in the hat for the “World’s First Rodeo.” During Thursday’s second performance, he rode Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Fox Hole Gunner for 87 points to take the lead. “When our plans changed and we saw a day that not very many guys were out on a Thursday, we thought we’d see the Pete Carr crew out in west Texas,” said Berry, a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and the No. 3 man in the 2024 world standings with more than $93,000 in earnings. “Me and my traveling partner plucked two of their buckers, so we dang sure made the right decision to come out here. “This is my first one back since Weatherford (three weeks ago), and to get it kicked off like this – feeling good, body feeling good and mentally feeling strong – and now we just need to get the good draws going. We sure did that tonight. It feels good to be on top.” This isn’t the first year he’s been toward the top of the world standings. He first qualified for the NFR in 2020 and ended the campaign ninth on the money list. An injury sidelined Berry early in 2021 and he sat out six months. Once he returned that August, he went on a heater and finished 23rd. He returned to the NFR in 2022 and ’23 and finished among the top six. Born and raised in Weatherford, he’s a proud Texan who has had great success in the Lone Star State. This past March, he won RodeoHouston for the second straight year, adding $50,000 to his bankroll. It’s a nice payday, but even better, it allowed Berry a bit of comfort heading into the busiest time of the season. “It’s been a whirlwind of a year,” he said. “I got the repeat in Houston and got married to my wife, Kodi, and, man, things are rolling. I got a new business going, so God’s been really good, and I’ve been blessed to keep moving forward. And do what I’m doing. We’re ready to do the rodeo trail.” The wedding was followed by a nice honeymoon in Mexico. He and his bride were able to enjoy their time together before getting back to the business at hand. For now, Berry’s focus is strictly on rodeo’s world championship. “I’ve been in talks of a world-champion race every year I’ve been to the NFR, and the best I’ve done is third,” Berry said. “It’s a blessing that I can even get to the NFR. This year is just different in my mouth. I really want a gold buckle at the end of this thing, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.” West of the Pecos RodeoJune 26-29Bareback riding: 1. Leighton Berry, 87 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Fox Hole Gunner; 2. Cooper Filipek, 82.5; 3. Cole Reiner, 81; 4. Tim Murphy, 80.5; 5. Kash Martin, 77; no other qualified rides. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/Cory Petska and Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin, 6.7 seconds; 3. Clay Tryan/Blaine Vick, 8.1; 4. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 8.7; 5. Clay Eggers/Joshua Smitherman, 12.6; 6. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 13.0; 7. Hagen Peterson/Chase Tryan, 13.9; 8. Jhett Trenary/Jake South, 15.3. Second round leaders: 1. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torre, 6.2 seconds; 2. Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 6.7; 3. Lightning Aguilera/Lane Mitchell, 7.0; 4. Shad Mayfield/Faron Candelaria, 7.5; 5. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 8.2; 6. Clayton Eggers/Joshua Smitherman, 9.7; 7. Cash Duty/Clay Green, 10.0; 8. Cash Fretwell/ole Walker, 11.5.  Average leaders: 1. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 16.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Shad Mayfield/Faron Candelaria, 17.4; 3. Cash Duty/Clay Green, 18.1; 4. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 19.2; 5. Jace Brand/Tyson Thompson, 20.3; 6. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 20.5; 7. Cash Fretwell/Cole Walker, 20.5; 8. Clayton Eggers/Joshua Smitherman, 22.3.  Steer roping: First round leaders: 1. Cole Patterson, 12.9 seconds; 2. Seth Schafer, 13.2; 3. Brodie Poppino, 13.4; 4. Cooper Mills, 14.0; 5. (tie) Trenton Johnson and J. Tom Fisher, 14.4; 7. John Bland, 14.5; 8. Vin Fisher Jr., 14.8. Second round leaders: 1. Dan Fisher, 12.3 seconds; 2. (tie) Thomas Smith and Martin Poindexter, 13.3; 4. Jett Fisher, 14.3; 5. Cooper Mills, 16.2; 6. John Bland, 17.1; 7. Mark Milner, 17.2; 8. Keith Hudson, 19.2. Third round leaders: 1. Cole Patterson, 11.2 seconds; 2. Vin Fisher Jr., 11.8; 3. (tie) Cooper Mills and Martin Poindexter, 14.9; 5. John Bland, 15.1; 6. Mark Milner, 16.0; 7. Dan Fisher, 16.7; 8. J.D. Barnes, 20.0; Average leaders: 1. Cooper Mills, 45.1 seconds on three runs; 2. John Bland, 46.7; 3. Mark Milner, 57.9; 4. Cole Patterson, 24.1 seconds on two runs; 5. Vin Fisher Jr., 26.6; 6. Martin Poindexter, 28.2; 7. Dan Fisher, 29.0; 8. Marty Jones, 37.8.   Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Jake Finley, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pretty Woman, and Sage Newman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Smoke on the Water, 86.5 points; 3. Tanner Butner, 85; 4. Clint Franks, 83; 5. Isaac Richard, 81.5; 6. Tom Webster, 81; 7. Blaise Freeman, 80.5; 8. Chase Brooks, 80. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Monty Lewis, 9.3 seconds; 2. Tanner Green, 9.8; 3. Hunter Herrin, 9.9; 4. Tyson Arledge, 10.3; 5. Cash Hooper, 10.6; 6. Tyler Milligan, 10.9; 7. John Douch, 11.0; 8. Trenton Smith, 11.2. Second round leaders: 1. Gatlin Peck, 9.9 seconds; 2. Marcos Costa, 10.0; 3. Tyler Milligan, 10.4; 4. Hunter Herrin, 10.5; 5. Cash  Continue Reading »

PECOS, Texas – Three years ago, Haley Sage arrived at the West of the Pecos Rodeo with a new mount. “I raised him,” she said of Pretzel, a 10-year-old gray gelding. “He’s by our stud. I trained him, too, and the first rodeo I ever rode him at was Pecos.” Now in their fourth year working this historic rodeo together, they’ve teamed together quite nicely. They made two runs Thursday – she was 4.2 seconds and sits in a tie for sixth in the opening round that occurred during the morning session, then she posted a 3.2-second run in the opening performance of the 141st rodeo for a tie for third place in the second round – to lead the aggregate race. “I came back and drew a better calf,” said Sage of Datil, New Mexico. “I love this rodeo. I’ve been here every year since you guys added breakaway. It’s a great setup, and I wish more were like it.” She began her roping career about 11 years ago, and it carried her to a rodeo scholarship at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. After college, she went back to her family’s place in eastern New Mexico, where she continues to help on the ranch. Over that stretch, the popularity of breakaway roping has surged. The first year it was added to ProRodeo was 2020, and the first National Finals Breakaway Roping took place in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo that December. The first world champion was Jackie Crawford, who has 22 other WPRA titles; the Oklahoma-raised cowgirl now living in Stephenville earned a little more than $47,000 that year. In a sport where dollars equal championship points, that was a strong starting point. Because the 2020 campaign was hampered by the COVID pandemic, total payouts were low in all events, but they were especially small in breakaway roping. In the years since, more rodeos are including the event in their schedules, and the money shows. This past year, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged set a new earnings mark with nearly $198,000. “I was just 18 when they started it, so I’ve grown with the WPRA,” Sage said. “We really just thank all the committees that are adding all the money and having us.” What has drawn the cowgirl to the sport? “It’s fast, and (it takes) good horses; I just love it,” she said, pointing to her powerful gray gelding who is now in the prime of his career. “He showed that. He’s a little bigger, and this is a little longer score, so (we) kind of excel here.” While Sage was fast in breakaway roping, the husband-wife tandem of Marcos Costa and Keyla Costa proved to be just as speedy. Marcos Costa, the 2016 tie-down roping world champion, posted a 10.0-second run to take second-round lead; he’s also atop the aggregate race with a two-run cumulative time of 22.2 seconds. Keyla Costa posted a 17.62-second run and leads the only round of barrel racing by two-tenths of a second. The competition at the “World’s First Rodeo” is just beginning, with three more nights of action before deciding this year’s West of the Pecos champions. West of the Pecos RodeoJune 26-29Bareback riding: 1. Cooper Filipek, 82.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Wilson Sanchez; 2. Kash Martin, 77; no other qualified rides. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/Cory Petska and Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin, 6.7 seconds; 3. Clay Tryan/Blaine Vick, 8.1; 4. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 8.7; 5. Clay Eggers/Joshua Smitherman, 12.6; 6. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 13.0; 7. Hagen Peterson/Chase Tryan, 13.9; 8. Jhett Trenary/Jake South, 15.3. Second round leaders: 1. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torre, 6.2 seconds; 2. Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 6.7; 3. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 8.2; 4. Clayton Eggers/Joshua Smitherman, 9.7; 5. Hagen Peterson/Chase Tryan, 13.7; 6. Ben Jordan/ J.R. Gonzalez, 18.0; no other qualified runs.  Average leaders: 1. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 16.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 19.2; 3. Clayton Eggers/Joshua Smitherman, 22.3; 4. Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 24.4; 5. Hagen Peterson/Chase Tryan, 27.6; 6. (tie) Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin and Pedro Egurrola/Cory Petska, 6.7 seconds on one run; 8. Clay Tryan/Blaine Vick, 8.1.  Steer roping: First round leaders: 1. Cole Patterson, 12.9 seconds; 2. Cooper Mills, 14.0; 3. Marty Jones, 15.1; 4. J.D. Barnes, 19.6; 5. Paul Patton, 22.8; 6. Mark Milner, 24.7. Second round leaders: 1. Thomas Smith, 13.3; 2. Cooper Mills, 16.2; 3. Mark Milner, 17.2; 4. Keith Hudson, 19.2; 5. Ryne Hutton, 19.6; 6. Jody Rowland, 22.9. Third round leaders: 1. Cole Patterson, 11.2 seconds; 2. Cooper Mills, 14.9; 3. Mark Milner, 16.0; 4. J.D. Barnes, 20.0; 5. Marty Jones, 22.7; no other qualified runs; Average leaders: 1. Cooper Mills, 45.1 seconds on three runs; 2. Mark Milner, 57.9; 3. Cole Patterson, 24.1 seconds on two runs; 4. Marty Jones, 37.8; 5. J.D. Barnes, 39.6; 6. Thomas Smith, 13.3 seconds on one run; 7. Keith Hudson, 19.2; 8. Ryne Hutton, 19.6.   Saddle bronc riding: 1. Isaac Richard, 81.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s South Point Gambler; 2. Tom Webster, 81; 3. Gus Galliard, 78; 4. Darcy Radel, 77; 5. Ira Dickinson, 76.5; 6. Michael Womack, 75; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Tanner Green, 9.8 seconds; 2. Tyson Arledge, 10.3; 3. John Douch, 11.0; 4. Cody Burney, 11.9; 5. (tie) Marcos Costa and Trenton Smith, 12.2; 7. Word Hudson, 14.2; 8. Ryne Hutton, 14.4. Second round leaders: 1. Marcos Costa, 10.0 seconds; 2. Gio Piloto, 12.2; 3. Word Hudson, 12.4; 4. John Douch, 12.9; 5. Kolt Henderson, 13.0; 6. Weldon Watson, 13.9; 7. Ross Tucker, 15.5; 8. Austin Posey, 20.7. Average leaders: 1. Marcos Costa, 22.2 seconds on two runs; 2. John Douch, 23.9; 3. Word Hudson, 26.6; 4. Ross Tucker, 29.9; 5. Gio Piloto, 35.1; 6. Austin Posey, 44.0; 7. Tanner Green, 9.8 seconds on one run; 8. Tyson Arledge, 10.3. Breakaway roping: 1. Emilee Charlesworth, 3.1 seconds; 2. Hope Thompson, 3.4; 3. Jade Mitchell, 3.5; 4. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, 3.8; 5. Kelsie Domer, 4.0; 6.  Continue Reading »

Estes Park offers major attractions for the sport’s top cowboys, cowgirls ESTES PARK, Colo. – The heat of rodeo competition and the heat of summer collide during a lucrative series of events that surround the Fourth of July holiday. Hundreds of contestants will have a chance to cool their minds and bodies when they make their way to Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, July 5-Wednesday, July 10, at Granny May Arena inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. Like so many tourists who make their way to this town every summer, rodeo cowboys and cowgirls converge on the community to not only enjoy the scenery and atmosphere, but they also have their chance at big money. Take Shelley Morgan, a barrel racer from Eustace, Texas. She and her main mount, Kiss, have been running hot in their home state, so a trip to the cool mountain air is the perfect reprieve for the talented duo. Morgan is a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier who is sixth in the world standings heading into the holiday week. She must like Estes Park,” Morgan said of Kiss, a 10-year-old sorrel mare, on which she won Rooftop Rodeo last July. “She was feeling it that night.” The dynamic duo will return to Estes Park for this year’s rodeo with a repeat title in mind. Morgan, who finished third in the 2022 world standings after winning the aggregate championship at that year’s NFR, just missed the finale last year, placing 23rd overall – only the top 15 contestants on the money list in each event at the conclusion of the regular season advance to Las Vegas to run for the titles. The one thing barrel racers know is times will be fast at Granny May Arena. Morgan and Kiss set a new standard when they rounded the cloverleaf pattern in 15.84 seconds. “She did feel like she was running in Estes,” Morgan said. “You can feel when she’s not running and when she’s overrating the barrels. Did I feel like she was going to do that good? No, but I knew it was going to be fast. “I know she’s done good there before, so a lot of times you try to go where you know the horse likes that setup. I was second on the ground, so that helped some. We didn’t know what Estes was going to be like, because it had rained quite a bit in previous days.” The footing held up, and so did Morgan’s time. “I just tried to focus on my position and put her in the right spots,” she said. “It seems we do a lot better when I trust her and let her do her job.” Rodeo’s a unique sport in that the contestants must rely on animals to succeed. In the three roughstock events – bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding – scores are based on a 100-point scale, with half the score coming from the animal. Waylon Bourgeios and Richmond Champion shared the bareback riding title with matching 85.5-point rides, while Stu Wright posted an 87.5 to win saddle bronc riding. His nephew, Stetson, is the winningest cowboy competing today with eight gold buckles, five of which have come in the all-around category. Stetson Wright won Rooftop Rodeo’s bull riding, posting the highest marking of the six-day rodeo, an 88-point ride on Cervi Rodeo’s Theodore. In the timed events, the fastest runs in each discipline take the titles. The biggest names in ProRodeo make their way to Estes Park every summer. They want all the perks the town has to offer, and they want the big bucks that are available at Rooftop Rodeo. Gates for Rooftop Rodeo open at 5 p.m. Friday, July 5-Wednesday, July 10, with the preshow beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the rodeo beginning at 7 p.m. For more information about Rooftop Rodeo, which is a Town of Estes Park signature event, or to order tickets online, log on to www.RooftopRodeo.com. Other ticket inquiries may be made by contacting the Town of Estes Park Events office at events@estes.org or (970) 586-6104.

GUNNISON, Colo. – Organizers of the largest annual community event have been working diligently to include all facets of Cattlemen’s Days in one location. With that means making some changes, including the dates and general location of the Cattlemen’s Days carnival, set for Wednesday, July 3-Saturday, July 6, on the east side of Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “When the county built the affordable-housing complex, they placed in the area where our carnival used to be,” said Tyler Hanson, first vice president of the Cattlemen’s Days committee. “We moved it off site last year, but we really wanted it to be at the fairgrounds. Changing the dates of our carnival was really the only way we could make that happen. “We’re having the carnival set up on the east side, just east of the arena and grandstands area. That’s going to allow for the best option to have the carnival at the fairgrounds and for easy access to the rides from all directions.” It’s a modification, but it’s one Cattlemen’s Days organizers hope will offer the best benefit to those that love the rides and attractions that come with the carnival. A year ago, St. Peter’s Catholic Church allowed the carnival to take place in an empty block it owns a few blocks north of the fairgrounds. By bringing it back to the fairgrounds, committee members hope to enhance the overall experience of Cattlemen’s Days while also helping promote all that happens during the exposition. From the livestock shows to the 4H projects to the award-winning PRCA rodeo, a great community event takes place inside that complex. “We’re bringing in G&S Shows as our new carnival provider and are very excited about what that company is going to bring to town,” said Brad Tutor, president of the volunteer committee. “Our goal as a committee is to have the best entertainment possible, and I think doing things this way gives us that chance this year.” The carnival will be open 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, and Friday, July 5, and 2-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4, and Saturday, July 6. “We understand this is an adjustment, so we put a lot of thought into how we handle the carnival this year,” Tutor said. “There will be things going on that first weekend, like the 4H horse show, the royalty tryouts and ranch rodeo, so the carnival should fit right into that schedule.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – For decades, the annual Cattlemen’s Days celebration has been known for its livestock shows, 4H exhibits, the Watershed team ropings and barrel races, the carnival and, of course, the PRCA rodeo. The organizers of this year’s festivities have added something new to the mix: the Cattlemen’s Cowboy Golf Scramble, which will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at Dos Rios Golf Club in Gunnison. The deadline to enter is June 25. “We came up with this idea as a way to provide something new and different to Cattlemen’s Days,” said Karla Rundell, second vice president of the organization’s volunteer committee. “Since we’ve merged the Watershed barrel racing with the team roping on Wednesday night, that opened things up for our Tuesday. “Dos Rios has been a major sponsor for Cattlemen’s Days for years, and they have been great hosts to our contract personnel. We thought this would be a good way to give them some business back during the busy stretch of days during Cattlemen’s Days.” The fee is $100 per person, and each entrant’s name is placed in a hat. The four-person teams are matched together via a random draw. “Brian Turner suggested limiting it to 10 teams this first year and see how this plays out,” Rundell said of the Dos Rios golf pro. “He thought it would be a good way to start, and if it draws as good as we hope, we can always build on it for the future. “We decided to really make this tournament Western by placing the random draw in there. It’s similar to what happens at a lot of team ropings, so it’s a nice twist to something people have been doing for a long time. You won’t know what team you’re on until they are drawn. I think it’s going to make it a lot of fun.” It’s also going to open the door for new friendships. “It’s just different, but I think everyone will like it,” Rundell said. “It’s a great chance for people to have fun together on the golf course.”

PECOS, Texas – The crowds that attend this community’s annual rodeo pack themselves in over four nights each June. The same can be said for the cowboys and cowgirls who want to compete at this historic event. This year’s West of the Pecos Rodeo features than 500 contestants who have entered the rodeo for a chance at the big money available at the event. set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26-Saturday, June 29, at Buck Jackson Arena in Pecos. It’s going to be a who’s who in ProRodeo, with 102 qualifiers to the National Finals Rodeo, the National Finals Breakaway Roping or the National Finals Steer Roping. Of those, there are 21 world champions representing 64 gold buckles. Why? Because the West of the Pecos Rodeo buckle is a trophy they all crave. While rodeo’s gold is the most prestigious, there are some individual honors that carry high recognition, and winning the championship at the “World’s First Rodeo” is definitely one. Whether it’s bareback riders Clayton Biglow and Jess Pope or steer ropers like Scott Snedecor, Cole Patterson and J. Tom Fisher, the list of rodeo greats is long and powerful. The cowboys who are eager to compete inside that storied arena include tie-down ropers like Shad Mayfield and Marcos Costa or team ropers like reigning titlists Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp. But it’s the list of women who make up the most world champions. Hailey Kinsel is a four-time barrel racing winner, and there is a host of breakaway ropers – Jackie Crawford (23), J.J. Hampton (17), and Kelsie Domer and Lari Dee Guy (nine each) – who lead the charge These are people that make their living swinging a rope or riding bucking animals. There are no guarantees in rodeo. They have to beat most of the contestants in the field in their respective events to earn a paycheck, and they pay a fee in order to compete. Unlike other professional sports, there are no teams to pick up the tab on traveling expenses. Every penny counts, whether paying for fuel or building a qualification to the National Finals. In rodeo, dollars equal championship points. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event at the end of the regular season earn a spot in ProRodeo’s finale, and only the top earners when 2024 comes to a close will be crowned world champions. Just two years ago, Pope utilized his victory in Pecos to not only advance to the NFR but also walk away from Las Vegas with rodeo’s gold. A year before that, Kaycee Feild used it to catapult him to a record sixth bareback riding world title, and Patterson collected his first steer roping crown that year. The history at the West of the Pecos Rodeo is filled with greatness, and it continues this June.

BIG SPRING, Texas – Jace Bland’s heritage resides inside the Rodeo Bowl, though he had never competed in the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo before this year. His grandfather, Rich Anderson, served on the board for the volunteer committee that produces the rodeo. On Saturday night during the final performance of this year’s extravaganza, Bland and team roping partner, Tyson Thompson, stopped the clock in 4.1 seconds to not only win the event but also set an arena record. “We knew we had a great steer,” said Bland, 24, of Turkey, Texas. “It was a rerun, and it was a great cow. I was just blessed to get out on the barrier and get him caught, and I knew my man would clean him up.” It worked out just as they’d planned and practiced. For winning the event, they each pocketed $2,565, which will help them in multiple ways. Since both cowboys are from Texas, their regional money will count toward qualifying for the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo. Bland is No. 7 in the heading standings, and Thompson is 10th. “I just knew if I didn’t mess up, we were going to win, so I was a little bit nervous but got it done,” said Thompson, 27, of Munday, Texas. “The arena record is awesome. It’s exciting to get something like that, knowing the teams that have roped here, so it’s pretty neat.” This year featured the 90th anniversary of Big Spring’s rodeo, and this was the 74th year it has been conducted inside the Rodeo Bowl, a unique feature for this west Texas town. Winning in the fashion they did made for a memorable evening. “I’ve got some family that lives about 30 minutes from here,” Bland said. “They were here tonight, so this makes it even better.” The tandem is striving for greatness. The first step is to make sure the steer gets the appropriate head start. If not, then the team suffers a broken barrier, a roped line in front of the timed-event box that is tripped when the steer leaves on time. If the header leaves a little early, he will break the string that ties the barrier to the chute. Thompson loves the opportunities he’s been getting with Bland leading the way. “I enjoy it, because I know every time we’re getting out on the barrier, we have a good chance to win,” he said. “We’re plenty fast.” They proved it Saturday night, and they have the record to prove it. Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and RodeoJune 20-22All-around cowboy: Seth Hall, $3,530 in tie-down roping and team roping Bareback riding: 1. Tim Murphy, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Rockin The Boat, and Kash Martin, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Borrowed Money, 81 points, $1,494; 3. (tie) Jacob Lees and Luke Thrash, 78, $773; 5. Isaac Ingram, 77, $361; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Ryan Nettle, 4.3 seconds, $1,730; 2. Jay Williamson, 4.5, $1,504; 3. Dylan Schroeder, 4.7, $1,278; 4. Cimarron Thompson, 4.8, $1,053; 5. Gavin Soileau, 5.0, $827; 6. Gary Gilbert, 5.3, $602; 7. (tie) Matt Reeves and Skyler Woolls, 5., $263 each. Tie-down roping: 1. Seth Hall, 8.1 seconds, $2,638; 2. Klay Kirkes, 8.4, $2,294; 3. Cash Hooper, 8.8, $1,950; 4. Landyn Duncan, 9.4, $1,606; 5. Hayden Ford, 9.8, $1,261; 6. Jacob Walters, 10.0, $917; 7. Weldon Watson, 10.1, $573; 8. Word Hudson, 10.2, $229. Breakaway roping: 1. Macy Davenport, 2.2 seconds, $2,829; 2. (tie) Bailey Bates and Addison Elliott, 2.4, $2,193; 4. Baili Herring, 2.7, $1,698; 5. (tie) Jenna Caldarola, Lauren Hopkins, Jaden Usher, Tibba Smith, Jessica Tye and Haley Mason, 2.9, $766 each; 11. (tie) Jordan Hollabaugh, Lindsey Baker, Hali Williams and Kayelen Helton, 3.0, $159 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cooper Thatcher, 85 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Saya’s Eyes, $2,115; 2. Brody Cress, 84, $1,622; 3. Sam Martin, 82.5, $1,199; 4. Ean Price, 79.5, $776; 5. Jarrod Hammons, 79, $494; 6. (tie) Brandon Lansford and Chris Williams, 76, $317 each; 8. Tom Webster, 75, $212. Team roping: 1. Jace Bland/Tyson Thompson, 4.1 seconds, $2,565; 2. Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin, 4.8, $2,230. 3. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 5.1, $1,896; 4. Billy Reagan/Neil Jordan, 5.4, $1,561; 5. Roan Oldfield/Zane Pratt, 5.8, $1,227; 6. Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 6.4, $892; 7. Jim Breck Bean/Jasper Klein, 7.1, $558; 8. Corey Whinnery/Robert Murphy, 7.6, $223. Barrel racing: 1. Dena Kirkpatrick, 15.79 seconds, $2,141; 2. Jymmy Kay Cox, 15.88, $1,820; 3. (tie) Cheyenne Wimberley and Aspen Adams, 15.89, $1,392 each; 5. (tie) Deb Guelly and Tasha Welsh, 15.94, $910 each; 7. Shannon Griffin, 15.98, $535; 8. Caley Walkoviak, 16.00, $428; 9. Corley Cox, 16.04, $375; 10. LaTricia Duke, 16.05, $321; 11. (tie) Fallon Taylor and Gracen Harman, 16.13, $241 each. Bull riding: 1. Cody Teel, 84.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Brown Bomber, $2,428; 2. Lex Oakley, 82, $1,954; 3. Bryce Jensen, 69, $1,540; no other qualified rides.

BIG SPRING, Texas – It’s been 20 years since River Boat Annie burst onto the rodeo scene as one of the sport’s top bucking horses. She was a standout, the one the cowboys wanted to try. Known for her power, she was the driving force for many contestants on their way to championships. In 2007, she was named the reserve bareback horse of the year. She was selected to perform at the National Finals Rodeo 11 times. Now 23, her job is making and raising bucking babies. She last bucked in Las Vegas in 2014. The next year, her first standout colt, Painted River, followed suit, and countless others have kept the legacy rolling. Bareback rider Tim Murphy got to test that line of genetics and found it to his liking during Friday’s second performance of the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo. He rode Rockin The Boat for 81 points and holds the lead heading into Saturday’s final night. “Kade Berry got on that horse in Bay City (Texas) at the beginning of the year and was 82 points,” said Murphy, 26, of Cleveland, Texas. “I knew it was going to be good. I’d never seen a video of it, but it’s a colt from River Boat Annie, which is a pretty famous bucking horse from back in the day. It had good genetics, so I was expecting good things for sure. “She’s a pretty horse. She’s big and a little bit strong.” She and Murphy made things happen inside the historic Rodeo Bowl. The east Texas cowboy has played in that arena a lot over his lifetime. He competed at Western State College in nearby Snyder, Texas, which is an hour northeast of Big Spring. The Howard County Community College rodeo team conducted its annual rodeo in the same complex. Since finishing his education, Murphy has continued to chase his rodeo dreams across the Lone Star State and beyond. “I’ve rode in this arena more times that I can count on my two hands,” he said. “I’ve watched this rodeo grow into something huge, and now they’re having big, giant concerts over there. It’s turned into something spectacular. I hope it keeps growing. “I’ve had good lick here, and I’ve had bad luck here, but today, we had some good luck.” Riding bareback horses isn’t for the weak. Cowboys strap their rigging tightly to the animal’s back. Wearing specially designed gloves that have binds in them, they then wedge their hands into the suitcase handle-like rigging and are virtually locked onto the animal. “It’s a dogfight no matter what,” he said of riding bareback broncs. “Some are easier than others, but it feels so good to get tapped off on one. That’s why I do it. It’s a huge adrenaline rush, and it’s a feeling like no other.” Every ounce of positive energy he can get is crucial. Murphy is in position to catch a nice payday by the time the rodeo closes Saturday night. By then, he will be in El Paso, Texas, before venturing northwest to test his talents across the country. Winning Big Spring would definitely be motivation and momentum as head journeys forward. “That would be fantastic,” Murphy said. “I’m going to keep my fingers crossed and hope we pull it off, but a second or third will be fine for me, too.” Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and RodeoJune 20-22Bareback riding: 1. Tim Murphy, 81 on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Rockin The Boat; 2. (tie) Jacob Lees and Luke Thrash, 78; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Ryan Nettle, 4.3 seconds; 2. Jay Williamson, 4.5; 3. Dylan Schroeder, 4.7; 4. Gavin Soileau, 5.0; 5. Gary Gilbert, 5.3; 6. Matt Reeves, 5.4; 7. Heath Thomas, 5.6; 8. Rowdy Parrott, 7.3; 9. Ben Mitchell, 13.0; 10. Clay Guthrie, 15.1. Tie-down roping: 1. Seth Hall, 8.1 seconds; 2. Klay Kirkes, 8.4; 3. 3. Cash Hooper, 8.8; 4. Landyn Duncan, 9.4; 5. Hayden Ford, 9.8; 6. Jacob Walters, 10.0; 7. Weldon Watson, 10.1; 8. Word Hudson, 10.2. Breakaway roping: 1. Macy Davenport, 2.2 seconds; 2. Addison Elliott, 2.4; 3. Baili Herring, 2.7; 4. (tie) Jenna Caldarola, Lauren Hopkins, Jaden Usher, Tibba Smith and Haley Mason, 2.9; 9. (tie) Jordan Hollabaugh, Hali Williams and Kayelen Helton, 3.0; 12. (tie) Bradi Good and Bailey Jay, 3.1. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cooper Thatcher, 85 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Saya’s Eyes; 2. Jarrod Hammons, 79; 3. Chris Williams, 76; 4. Tom Webster, 75; 5. Darcy Radel, 73; 6. Blaise Freeman, 72.5; 7. Michael Womack, 79; 8. Joe Macqueen, 69. Team roping: 1. Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin, 4.8 seconds. 2. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 5.1; 3. Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 6.4; 4. Jim Breck Bean/Jasper Klein, 7.1; 5. Casey Tew/Cody Tew, 9.7; 6. Cody McCluskey/Jace Davis, 9.9; 7. Billy Bob Brown/Josh Patton, 10.7; 8. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 14.4. Barrel racing: 1. Dena Kirkpatrick, 15.79 seconds; 2. Jymmy Kay Cox, 15.88; 3. (tie) Cheyenne Wimberley and Aspen Adams, 15.89; 5. (tie) Deb Guelly and Tasha Welsh, 15.94; 7. Shannon Griffin, 15.98; 8. Caley Walkoviak, 16.00; 9. Corley Cox, 16.04; 10. LaTricia Duke, 16.05; 11. (tie) Fallon Taylor and Gracen Harman, 16.13. Bull riding: 1. Cody Teel, 84.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Brown Bomber; 2. Lex Oakley, 82; no other qualified rides.

GUNNISON, Colo. – For a great number of rodeo fans, the overall experience of competition and family-friendly entertainment makes for a great event. For others, they want to see the action. The better the contest, the more they like it. They’re eager to witness high-flying dismounts and body-bruising wrecks. They want 90-point rides and lightning-fast runs. It doesn’t get any faster than breakaway roping, which, for the first time, will be featured at this year’s Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, set for Thursday, July 11-Saturday, July 13, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “We’ve paid close attention to what’s been going on in rodeo the last few years, and the great group of people on our committee agreed it was time to add breakaway roping to our rodeo,” said Brad Tutor, president of the volunteer organization that produces Cattlemen’s Days each year. “Breakaway roping has just continued to grow in popularity. “We believe this is an event that people in the Gunnison Valley will be excited to see. It’s the fastest-paced of all the timed events, and it’s easy to follow. We’re looking forward to seeing what these ladies bring to Cattlemen’s Days.” Breakaway roping has been around for decades, but it’s gained steam in the traditional sense of professional rodeo only recently. The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association has been crowning breakaway roping world champions since 1974. The first breakaway title in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association was earned in 1969. From youth rodeo to college and even into the WPRA, breakaway was one of the few roping events for women. Sure, there are some who can tie-down calves, but the bulk of female calf ropers prefer to do it with a string holding their ropes around the saddle horn during the run. When the calf is roped correctly, the string will break when the slack comes out of the rope, and time is stopped. The best runs are typically done faster than three seconds, but audiences won’t be surprised to see several sub-two-second runs. At Houston, which is held inside the Houston Texans’ football stadium, the fastest run was by Arizona cowgirl Macy Young, who stopped the clock in 2.2 seconds. Another Arizona hand, Danielle Lowman, won both Fort Worth and San Antonio after posting 1.6-second runs. The opportunities for these cowgirls are increasing. Cattlemen’s Days isn’t the only big event to add breakaway to its schedule. Each offers a chance for the ladies to continue to make a living in rodeo in an event other than barrel racing, and it creates fan-friendly competition. When Jackie Crawford won the first ProRodeo world championship in 2020, she finished with a little more than $47,000; that season featured the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping, which has continued each campaign since. A year later, Sawyer Gilbert pocketed $72,000. Last year, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged cleared more than $181,000. “It’s crazy to think about the money we have now,” said Joey Williams, a breakaway roper from Volborg, Montana. “I didn’t breakaway a lot after college, because there just weren’t the opportunities. It’s so exciting for these younger girls. They’re going to have a goal when they’re 8 years old about going to the finals, and that was never the case for us. “I think it’s so cool the way breakaway roping is going.” The success is creating fans nationwide, including the Gunnison Valley. “Cattlemen’s Days is a community event, and we believe breakaway roping will fit right in with this celebration,” Tutor said.

BIG SPRING, Texas – The timing of breakaway roping’s growing popularity coincided with Jenna Caldarola’s love for the game she plays. She competed at Odessa (Texas) College, then transferred to another rodeo school, Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. There, though, she focused on her classes and opted out of competition. Becoming a nurse takes hard work, dedication and a caring nature. She comes by it naturally. Her grandfather and father are both surgeons, and her mother is a nurse. She still lives in Stephenville, works in Granbury, but she still competes on the weekends. Her venture to compete at the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo was right up her ally. She posted a 2.9-second run during Thursday’s first performance to take the breakaway roping lead heading into the final two days of competition. With hopes of qualifying for the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo, Caldarola has focused her attention on regional rodeos. With the Lone Star State being so big, there are a lot of opportunities, but not all of them are just three hours from her home. With $5,000 in “added” money from local organizers mixed with the entry fees of more than 65 ropers, there is a grand opportunity to win some big-time cash during the 90th anniversary of Big Spring’s rodeo. That’s one of the reasons she made the trip, but the other reasons are chasing a love for the game that she’s had for a long time. Breakaway roping has been around for decades, but it’s popularity has only grown in recent years. It’s first year on a big stage came in March 2019 at The American, a stand-alone event that features a $2 million payday in Arlington, Texas. In 2020, it was added to ProRodeo events, with the first National Finals Breakaway Roping taking place that December. While the sport was starting to fight its way into more and more ProRodeo events, Caldarola was in a different kind of battle. Jenna Caldarola was diagnosed with breast cancer. While the world was isolated because of COVID, she was fighting for her life and her future. There was surgery and chemotherapy and other treatments that not only ravaged the cancer but also the healthy cells. Because of the restrictions in place during the pandemic, her biggest supporters had to keep their distance. From surgery to the doses of drugs to the general care, Caldarola was isolated. It’s what her body needed, but her spirit pushed through. She’s now a cancer survivor and the leader after opening night in Big Spring. Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and RodeoJune 20-22Bareback riding: 1. Jacob Lees, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Silencer, and Luke Thrash, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Bay Delight, 78 points; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Jay Williamson, 4.5 seconds; 2. Dylan Schroeder, 4.7; 3. Gavin Soileau, 5.0; 4. Gary Gilbert, 5.3; 5. Rowdy Parrott, 7.3; no other qualified times. Tie-down roping: 1. Seth Hall, 8.1 seconds; 2. Klay Kirkes, 8.4; 3. Jacob Walters, 10.0; 4. Weldon Watson, 10.1; 5. Karson Kolacek, 11.9; 6. Ryan Thibodeaux, 13.8; no other qualified times. Breakaway roping: 1. Jenna Caldarola, 2.9 seconds; 2. Jordan Hollabaugh, 3.0; 3. Bradi Good, 3.1; 4. (tie) Rylee Strickland and Hannah Martin, 12.2; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Jarrod Hammons, 79 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Django; 2. Chris Williams, 76; 3. Tom Webster, 75; 4. Darcy Radel, 73; 5. Joe Macqueen, 69; no other qualified rides. Team roping: 1. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 5.1 seconds; 2. Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 6.4; 3. Billy Bob Brown/Josh Patton, 10.7; no other qualified times. Barrel racing: 1. Dena Kirkpatrick, 15.79 seconds; 2. Cheyenne Wimberley, 15.89; 3. Shannon Griffin, 15.98; 4. Lydia Bierschwale-Luce, 16.26; 5. Paige Callaway, 16.47; 6. Cashen Turner, 16.48; 7. Bailee Switzer, 21.27; 8. Sierra Scott-Williams, 21.39; 9. Kirstin Carlson, 23.03; 10. Amy Turner, 24.46. Bull riding: Lex Oakley, 82 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Machetee; no other qualified rides.

PECOS, Texas – Over the course of its history, the West of the Pecos Rodeo has had dozens of world champions claim the crown. Dirty Jacket ranks right up there with all of them, and he has a legacy of shining the brightest in Reeves County. Six times in his lifetime, the powerful bay gelding from Pete Carr Pro Rodeo has guided cowboys to the title in this west Texas community. It’s the standard of excellence fans have come to expect with the “World’s First Rodeo,” set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26-Saturday, June 29. He’s one of many great animals that have graced the Buck Jackson Arena dirt over the last 141 years, and he’s a champion’s dream. Some of the greatest cowboys have found amazing success on the back of the two-time PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year. Dirty Jacket won those titles in 2014-15, but he was making a name for himself long before that. He first bucked at the National Finals Rodeo in 2009, when he was just 5 years old. In 2012, bareback riders selected him as the third best bucker in ProRodeo. The next year, he was the reserve world champion bareback horse. Meanwhile, he was setting a standard in Pecos. Taylor Price was the first to win in 2013, scoring 88.5 points to do so. Two years later, Ryan Gray set the arena record with a 92-point ride, while Jamie Howlett was 88.5 to win in 2017. Kaycee Feild, the winningest cowboy ever in the event with six bareback riding world championships, scored 91.5 points to win Pecos in 2021. A year later, Jess Pope posted an 89-point ride inside the legendary arena on his way to his first world title. “That was my first time on him,” Pope said. “I was actually starting to get kind of worried about if I’d ever get on him; he’s getting up there in age. I didn’t know if I’d get on him before he retired.” Dirty Jacket is 20 years old and has been switched between bareback riding and saddle bronc riding over the years. He performed at the NFR 12 times in his career and helped cowboys to go-round titles. “He’s always been that good,” said Pope, a four-time NFR qualifier who won the aggregate at ProRodeo’s grand finale three straight years from 2000-2022. “That horse has a lot of try and a lot of heart; he is a special horse. Not many horses can be hauled like he has been and still do what he does at his age. “He’s got the biggest heart you’ll ever really see in a horse.” The honors keep rolling in for Dirty Jacket. Two months ago, the horse by legendary sire Night Jacket was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame alongside Pete Carr, who purchased Dirty Jacket as a colt from the Zinser Ranch in Michigan. Since he first bucked in May 2008, cowboys have scored 90 points or better often. “He’s like a ticking time bomb,” said saddle bronc rider Rusty Wright, a five-time NFR qualifier who won Eagle, Colorado, in 2019. “As soon as the gate opens, he explodes out of there. He’s a big, strong, solid horse, and you could feel his whole body just blow up out of there. He was showy and electric. Horses like that get you excited. Every single jump, you feed off the last jump; you just try to ride them better. “He’s now one of my favorite horses.” Rodeo fans in west Texas know what it means to see amazing world champions at the West of the Pecos Rodeo, and they’ve been able to witness one of the best equine stars rodeo has ever seen when Dirty Jacket performed.

CLARENDON, Texas – They almost pulled it off. Two Clarendon College cowboys put on a whale of a show during last week’s College National Finals Rodeo and left their mark on everyone in Casper, Wyoming. They came up just a few points short of claiming the men’s team title, but they’re pretty excited about being the runners-up. “I think it shows what Clarendon College is all about,” said Weston Timberman, a sophomore from Columbus, Montana, who won his second straight bareback riding crown. “It’s a no-joke school. If you go to Clarendon, you go there to ride bucking animals, and I think we’ve proven that time and time again. “It shows how dominant we can be coming out of Clarendon. If we had six guys at the college finals, we would be unstoppable.” The numbers prove his point. He was joined in Casper by Wacey Schalla, a freshman from Arapaho, Oklahoma, who qualified for the finale in both bareback riding and bull riding. Schalla finished as the titlist in both bull riding and the all-around, earning a spot in Saturday’s championship round in both events. Early on, nobody was in more control. He won each of the first three rounds of bull riding and shared the first-round victory in bareback riding with Timberman and Bradlee Miller of Sam Houston (Texas) State University. “The college finals went really good, and it will dang sure be a good head start heading into the summer,” Schalla said. “Weston Timberman and I cleaned house as much as we could.” That they did. In addition to sharing the opening-round victory, Timberman won the second round and finished second in the third. He tied for fourth in the final round to claim the aggregate championship. Schalla finished 11th in the second and third rounds of bareback riding, then joined Timberman in that tie for fourth in the short round to finish sixth in the aggregate. Though he didn’t cover his bull on the final night, he won the aggregate with 247.5 points on three rides, just one point ahead of Zeke Martinez of Wharton County (Texas) Junior College. “The all-around was a pretty big deal to me,” Schalla said. “That’s my goal next year in the PRCA … to win the all-around. To win the college finals’ all-around is a big help. “I love the bull riding, because that’s what I’ve been doing since I was young. I just started riding bareback horses at the end of my sophomore year in high school. Now, it’s a big priority to win the all-around, because I enjoy doing them both.” It was almost as if Timberman and Schalla worked in unison to build something special over the seven-day championship. “It was awesome,” Timberman said. “We came in there as a two-man team, and between the two of us ended up winning six rounds, two event national titles, the all-around title and a bunch of awards and saddles. It was a pretty cool thing to be part of, and we showed up when it mattered.” The duo added three more national championships to an already stellar program, which won team titles in 2021 and 2023. Combined, the Clarendon men have accumulated 10 titles since Bret Franks became coach in 2015. Saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper was the first in 2016, followed by Riggin Smith in 2019. Cole Franks won both the bareback riding and all-around crowns in 2021. Each titlist already has a billboard in Clarendon that sings the praises of their accomplishments. Timberman’s will probably have to be redone, but Schalla will have his likeness and pair of championships listed for all to see when they make it to the community in the Texas Panhandle. “Where I’m from is only two hours from Clarendon,” he said. “When I was 15 years old, I was getting on saddle bronc horses, so I’d go over there every week and practice with Bret. I knew I wanted to go there because of the practice facility and the opportunity that gives guys. “Bret is a great coach, and he’s going to help you out as much as he can.” Bret Franks rode broncs for a living and qualified for the National Finals Rodeo three times before he got into coaching. His first stop was at his alma mater at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he led the men to two national titles in 1997-98. His approach has worked for more than 25 years. “Bret has been there and done that, so if I have any questions with entering or anything else, I can trust him enough to help me out,” Schalla said. With Schalla and Timberman controlling the message, Clarendon College came close to pulling off the improbable win. The Bulldogs finished with 820 points, just 75 points shy of the champion, Tarleton State University of Stephenville, Texas. “We went into the short round leading it by a little bit,” Timberman said. “We had just me and Wacey in the short round, and Tarleton had five guys in the short round. We didn’t quite get it pulled off like we’d hoped, but I think it was still cool to prove a point with two guys.” Yes, it was.

ALVA, Okla. – Success as an athlete doesn’t always translate into the victories all dream about.  For Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s contingent of five contestants competing at the College National Finals Rodeo last week, there was some great success but only a trio came away with the actual awards. All-around cowboy Jacob Haren of Callaway, Nebraska, had the highest honor, finishing fourth in the nation in steer wrestling after placing in two of four go-rounds, and Trisyn Kalawaia of Waiakea, Hawaii, won the second round of bulldogging and placed in another. Cam Fox, a steer wrestler from Tulsa, finished sixth in both the first and third rounds. “We got two of us in the short round, but I think we bulldogged good all week,” said Kalawaia, who was also joined in Casper, Wyoming, by steer wrestler Emmett Edler of State Center, Iowa, and breakaway roper Lauren Hopkins of Lipan, Texas. “Jacob had some luck in the short round, and I didn’t.” No, he didn’t, but that’s what happens in competition. Kalawaia was among the leaders heading into Saturday’s championship round but was saddled with a no-time in the finale to fall to 12th overall. Haren finished in a tie for fifth in the final round, which bumped him up the standings. “The college finals went really good for me,” said Haren, who finished his senior year with a trip to the finale but is considering his options as a graduate assistant coach starting in the fall, which would allow him another year of eligibility. “The bulldogging steers were outstanding. Being able to ride Trisyn’s horse helped a lot. She’s really good, and having him hazing for me, it ended up working out. I drew some really good steers and took advantage of it.” Kalawaia’s horse, Rumor, is a 14-year-old brown mare that was named the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. When Haren rode, Kalawaia was his hazer; when Kalawaia rodeo, Edler hazed. While Haren and Kalawaia led the way for the men’s team, Fox scored some necessary points for the Rangers, who finished 16th overall. That’s saying something, considering that 54 colleges scored some points in Casper. While it wasn’t the finish any wanted out of this year’s championship, every run offers an opportunity to learn, whether it’s a round-winner or a no-time. “The thing I learned the most from this college finals was from my own failure,” Kalawaia said. “I knew I needed to be more aggressive and just capitalize right there, but it’s one of those deals that can happen. I just know that the next time I’m in that situation, I need to be dialed in a little bit more and not let the little mistakes affect me.” That’s important, because the Hawaiian cowboy has a bright future ahead of him. He is 24th in the ProRodeo steer wrestling standings and has a good chance to build on his season. He will be traveling in a buddy group that consists of Darcy Kersch, Marc Joiner, Travis Munro and National Finals Rodeo qualifiers Tristan Martin and Cody Devers, the last of whom is a Northwestern alumnus. They are embarking on an aggressive path they all hope ends with them being at the NFR this coming December in Las Vegas. The lessons he gained at his last college finals could be the motivating factor in what happens over the next few months. “The last couple of years at Alva have been awesome,” said Kalawaia, who transferred to Northwestern from Central Arizona College. “I definitely wouldn’t be in the position I am today if I hadn’t come to Northwestern. If you want to bulldog and get better at it, there’s no other place you want to be. “It’s changed my life by giving me the opportunity to work with the guys I’ve worked with and learn more about what I want to do. It set me up now to ProRodeo.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – The loss of a loved one is always tough. Folks in the Gunnison Valley were dealt a heavy blow during some of the coldest months of the year. Brett Redden and Dale Irby, both vibrant parts of the community and longtime supporters of the Cattlemen’s Days celebration, died a few months ago, leaving behind a grieving family and a town that mourns their losses as spring rolls into summer. “Dale and Brett were best friends in school,” said Wendy Redden, Brett’s sister. “They grew up together, ran together. They were both from ranching families at different ends of the valley. For them to pass away at about the same time, it was pretty tough.” Brett Redden died in early December; Irby passed seven weeks later. Their lives met at a crossroads decades ago, and that friendship remained intact. They will be honorary marshals at this year’s Cattlemen’s Days parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 13. “I think it’s neat that they are doing it this way,” said Jackson Irby, one of Dale’s two sons. “Dad did so much for this community and did so much for Cattlemen’s Days. He served many years on that board. What’s going to hit everybody the most this year is not having him being the ‘yup-yup’ man during the 4H auction. “Dad did a lot of the background work for mine and my brother’s 4H projects and even for my girls’ projects. Until I had kids, I didn’t realize how much he did for us. He was still doing it for my girls.” It’s the way Dale Irby and Brett Redden were raised and how they lived their lives. Both volunteered many years for Cattlemen’s Days, the community’s county fair, and served as that group’s president during their times on the executive board. “Dale and Brett were integral to Cattlemen’s Days,” said Brad Tutor, president of the volunteer group that is organizing this year’s festival. “They served our community for a long time, and they will be missed. I have no doubt in my mind that if they were here, they’d be involved with this year’s Cattlemen’s Days in some fashion.” In fact, Brett Redden was recognized last July as the Cattlemen’s Days’ Committeeman of the Year. He was awarded a pair of spurs for his dedication to the event. It’s a memory his family holds to tightly. “It’s so special that they gave him that award before he died,” Wendy Redden said. “If he were here, he’d be very humbled to be named the parade marshal, just as he was when he was awarded Committeeman of the Year. When he got those Montana Silversmiths spurs last year, he carried those spurs with him in his pickup everywhere he went. “He didn’t make a big deal of it, but he’d be sitting around and would quietly take that box out and would say, ‘Look at what I got.’ He’d be very humble about it and say that there’s probably more deserving people than him, but in my eyes, I don’t think there’s anyone more deserving.” While that’s a sister’s take, many others agree with her. As a kid, he was involved in ag-based programs, including FFA and 4H. He carried that same passion and love for his way of life into adulthood, and he did so alongside his longtime friend, Dale Irby. They were heavily involved in 4H and helping the next generation of ranchers and farmers thrive in that setting. “Dad’s favorite part of Cattlemen’s Days used to be the horseraces,” Jackson Irby said. “He was one of the judges and loved being part of that. He would be humbled and appreciate being named a parade marshal, but he wouldn’t think he deserved it. “Dad would do anything for anybody, but he wouldn’t want anybody to do that for him. He helped neighbors out even when he was dog tired. I think the thing everybody loved about him, too, was that he always had the best advice. I’ve had several people come up to me and say, ‘I didn’t realize what your dad did for me, but I really appreciate it now.’ ” The memories their friends and families have will live a long time. They will share them when they gather together, whether at a casual gathering or during Cattlemen’s Days every year. “The fact that those two are honorary parade marshals is a huge recognition,” Wendy Redden said. “Being a parade marshal is an elite message, and it shows the involvement both of them had in this community and for Cattlemen’s Days. It means a lot to the families.”

BIG SPRING, Texas – The good news is out. Hundreds of ProRodeo’s stars are aligning for this week’s Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at the Rodeo Bowl. Among them are nearly three dozen cowboys and cowgirls who have qualified for the National Finals Rodeo or the National Finals Breakaway Roping, and they are ready to put on a show. It’s a chance for them to collect some big-time cash as they begin their summer run. “We strive to be the kind of rodeo contestants want to come to,” said Cash Berry, president of the volunteer committee that produces the event, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary. “We’ve increased our added money as an incentive, and we’ve got Pete Carr as our stock contractor, so I think we’re doing all the right things.” It looks to be paying off. Among the contingent of athletes who have put their names in the hat to compete in Big Spring are 11 world champions, including team ropers Kaleb Driggers, Junior Nogueira, Patrick Smith and Wesley Thorp. They will be joined by bull rider Cody Teel, barrel racer Fallon Taylor and women’s roping titlists Martha Angelone, Shelby Boisjoili-Meged, Jackie Crawford, Lari Dee Guy and Hope Thompson. “I like to think it says something about what we’re doing when you have that many world champions who want to come to Big Spring,” Berry said. “Every one of them comes from Texas, so it brings us a lot of pride to know they want to be here.” This year’s purse features $5,000 in local dollars per event. That money is mixed with the contestants’ entry fees to make up the entire payout. Many of the hundreds of competitors who will make their runs or rides in Howard County rodeo for a living, so every penny counts. Money isn’t just how they take care of expenses and feed their families; it’s also how points are tabulated. Only the top 15 contestants on the money list in each event at the end of the season advance to ProRodeo’s grand finale in Las Vegas. The highest earners in each discipline when 2024 comes to a close will be crowned world titlists. Many of those sporting gold buckles also claimed the second-most prestigious title in rodeo: the National Finals average champion. The top hand during the 10-round championship is awarded the honor. There are four average winners – steer wrestlers Don Payne and Matt Reeves and team ropers Cody Snow and Tanner Tomlinson – who also will test their skills inside the Rodeo Bowl. “We love having the best in rodeo at Big Spring, and our fans know who they are,” Berry said. “We are rodeo-savvy out here, so seeing the top names competing here is a big deal to everyone.”

PECOS, Texas – It’s been four years since Anthony Lucia received the phone call that changed his life. “I had just gone full bore into announcing late the summer before, and to get that telephone call to be the announcer of the West of the Pecos Rodeo was special, to say the least,” said Lucia, a competitor and specialty act before handling the role of rodeo emcee. “That’s one of the top 25 rodeos in the country. “There is so much prestige that goes along with it. It’s one thing to be recognized and have accolades and be awarded on a national level, but then once you’re there and you get to experience it, you understand why. To be seen as worthy to announce that rodeo was a giant confident-boost for me.” He will return for 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. Lucia is excited about the opportunity to be the voice of the “World’s First Rodeo.” The folks in Pecos are just as enthusiastic to have Lucia, the 2023 PRCA Announcer of the Year. “There are rodeos, then there are iconic rodeos that have been around for years and years, and none of them compares to the West of the Pecos Rodeo,” he said. “It gives me great pride knowing that the first rodeo was held in Texas, the first rodeo that gave away trophies. While there’s a debate about the longest-standing rodeo, Pecos is recognized as the first because they gave awards away, and they actually had an organized rodeo.” The history continues into the 141st year, and Lucia stands as the platform for audiences to enjoy the legacy while also being part of the experience of modern-day rodeo. From Weatherford, Texas, Lucia was raised around rodeo, and he understands not only the sport’s origins in west Texas but also how it has blossomed over time. It falls on the folks who take the most pride in their event. “The people on the committee are really unbelievable in what they do for the community,” Lucia said. “They love the city of Pecos with all their hearts, and that’s what drives them to do what they do there and put on the kind of show they produce. They take care of the contestants, treating them above and beyond what anyone would expect. “It’s because they care not only about their town but also the people that come to visit their town because of the rodeo. It’s a bigger deal than so many people realize.” The folks who produce the rodeo work tirelessly behind the scenes well in advance of the four performances in late June. It’s a labor of love, evidenced by the fact that the committee is volunteer-based. It’s a thankless job, from gathering sponsorship support to hiring the right personnel to taking care of Buck Jackson Arena, one of the biggest in ProRodeo. Since Lucia is horseback all four nights, he has a great deal of space to manage. He’ll tarry as far east as he can get with his wireless microphone still working. “I love behind horseback; that’s my favorite place to be,” he said. “My horse definitely gets his workout for four days in a row. It’s a really big arena, but all the action takes place on one end: the timed-event chutes and the bucking chutes are right next to each other, so I’m pretty much in the upper third most of the time. “Of course, my job is to make everyone feel like they’re part of the show. Last year I got into a little bit of a bind with a bull. My horse panicked, and the bull was chasing us. My horse started bucking, and I lost my right stirrup, so I just stepped off because the next jump was going to buck me off anyway, and the bull was still in the arena; he was 20 feet in front of me. My horse actually got me and continued to buck and just stared at the bull, like I was going to protect him. That is a memory I will never live down, but I will also never forget.” It’s likely that the thousands of fans in attendance that evening have it locked into their recollections, too. Most that make their way to the stands understand what they see in the arena. They celebrate it in their own ways. They can get loud. “That crowd loves world champions, probably more than any crowd I go in front of year to year,” Lucia said. “They know who the world champions are and who the top competitors are, and you can tell that every night when we introduce them to start the rodeo. “The fans are so appreciative. A lot of the same people come every night, and for an announcer, it pushes you to get out of your comfort zone and try different things, finding different ways of explaining things so that it’s not the same old song and dance every night. We have a lot of repeat customers in Pecos. They’re there because they enjoy the competition.”  Rodeo is a lot like a dance: There’s a lot of action that happens over the two-hour shows, and somebody’s got to lead everyone else step for step. That’s Lucia’s job, and he puts his best foot forward in Pecos.

GUNNISON, Colo. – John Harrison didn’t become a rodeo entertainer for the accolades, but that hasn’t stopped his colleagues from handing them out. Harrison comes from a rodeo family and has been involved in the sport all his life. He’s been an entertainer longer than many in the game, first as a respected trick rider and now as a comedian and barrelman who is still up to his old tricks. They will be put on display during this year’s Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, set for Thursday, July 11-Saturday, July 13, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “We’ve had John here before, and he’s probably the top entertainer in rodeo right now,” said Brad Tutor, president of the volunteer Cattlemen’s Days committee, which produces the annual festival. “He’s funny. He’s talented. He’s really the right mix that we need for our rodeo. If you love to be entertained, he’s going to do it.” And those accolades? They come in many forms, but most of them come through the annual vote of PRCA members, who select the top dogs at the annual awards banquet each December in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo. Each of the last two years, Harrison has won the Triple Crown for rodeo entertainers: Comedy Act of the Year, Coors Man in the Can and Clown/Barrelman of the Year. It was the third time for winning comedy act, the sixth time for the Coors award and the second time to be named the PRCA’s top clown. For someone who travels the country entertaining crowds, there is pure joy in his heart. “If they’re having fun, you’re having fun,” Harrison said. “You feed off what they do.” That sentiment is why Harrison is so good. He’s been selected to work the NFR nine out of the last 10 years. That’s a tip of the cap from the bull riders who make their livings on the backs of bucking bovines. They don’t care that he’s funny; they want someone they trust will be in the right spot at the right time. Maybe it’s timing that comes naturally to Harrison, but he packs it into his nightly performances in a way that makes every show better. He can read situations and act accordingly. His personality shines in front of an audience, and he loves the banter that happens each night. Harrison was just 6 years old when he took his first trick-riding lessons, but there was more to his talent. He could do anything with a rope and was a master on horseback, even working in Roman riding, which features one man standing astride two horses with all three working together in unison. He has performed at the NFR 12 times in his lifetime. He was part of the opening act, doing tricks and stunts, in 2001-02 and again in 2008. He’s been in the barrel for most of the last decade. He’s taken his riding and horsemanship talents and thrown them in to the comedy realm of what he does. Several years ago, he acquired a comedic trick-riding act from rodeo legend Keith Isley, who worked Cattlemen’s Days just three years ago. The act continues to be a fan-favorite, but Harrison has also developed a liberty act that is anything but traditional. In fact, it’s so funny that it’s caught the attention of rodeo folks across the country. It falls in line with the way Harrison presents himself and his personality to those in attendance. While his acts are the backbone, he also handles the job of being a full-fledged entertainer seriously. He is well known for his “walk and talk,” a fixture that showcases his sense of humor and ability to read a situation at the drop of a hat. “I try to say I’m not scripted, and I really try to go off the cuff,” Harrison said. “I try to adapt to each announcer and adapt to each crowd. “To be able to adapt to that is important to what I do.” It’s why folks in Gunnison have continued to ask for him to return. “John is highly entertaining, and people remember that,” Tutor said. “He hasn’t been here since 2018, and I still have people talking to me about him. That’s why we wanted to bring him back. “John is good for our rodeo, and he’s great for our community.”

Volunteers are the spark that ignites the rodeo’s engine ESTES PARK, Colo. – Rooftop Rodeo isn’t just a community event. It’s a regional happening that reaches people globally, and it takes place for six straight summer nights – at 7 p.m. Friday, July 5-Wednesday, July 10, at Granny May Arena inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. Much of the reason for that is the large tourism base that attracts millions to town each year, but there’s more to it. Of the dozens of volunteers, many come from outside Estes Park and venture to town to help organize and produce the annual event. “I do it because we’ve got a great group of people that work together to put on an awesome rodeo,” said Meg McEachron, a volunteer since 2018 who lives in Berthoud, Colorado, where she trains horses and teaches riding lessons. “It’s fun to show our way of life to so many people who don’t normally get exposed to it.” She was raised in upstate New York, but she’s no East Coast prude. She was raised around livestock and has always understood a more Western way of life. “My grandfather was a horseman; he stopped riding before I was born, but I definitely heard his love for it my whole life,” she said. “I was fortunate enough to have really great neighbors who had horses, so I got to be involved with their horses and helped exercise them, which was a great way to learn about the Western lifestyle. “I went to my first rodeo when I was 11 or 12 – just a small one in upstate New York – and I fell in love with it.” Though McEachron makes a living with horses, she still takes the time to volunteer for Rooftop Rodeo and be around them even more in one of the most beautiful settings in the sport. “We have a strong volunteer base from other Colorado communities, and we need their help,” said Rob Hinkle, the community services director with the Town of Estes Park. “Estes Park is a small community, and July is one of the busiest months of tourism.” He estimated that 90 people a year donate their time, talent and energy to the rodeo. “The town would not be able to put on the rodeo without the help of all our volunteers,” he said. “It takes a committed group that meets for six months and then works the six-day rodeo. When this year’s rodeo ends, we will immediately start planning for next year. We hold a debrief meeting with all the volunteers, because we can always learn and improve. “It took over 1,900 hours of volunteer help to produce last year’s rodeo.” Brett Dennis puts in his share of time toward that. He works for UCHealth and lives in Firestone, Colorado, which is about 45 miles from the rodeo arena. He has been involved with Rooftop Rodeo since 2005. “I’ve always enjoyed the sport of rodeo, and then I had the opportunity to meet and get to know some people who were on the rodeo committee,” said Dennis, who is in charge of the timed-event chute, including serving as the man to trip the latch when a contestant is ready to compete. “I joined the committee, and, now, some of my closest friends are on that committee. “We not only truly enjoy the lifestyle the week of the rodeo, but we enjoy the year-round camaraderie of being part of that group of people.” McEachron, who is in charge of the production team and helps coordinate other aspects of the rodeo, said she loves the event but, like Dennis, loves the collaboration with others even more. It’s a true team setting, which is why the rodeo has been so successful over the years. “We’ve got a really great group of people who have stuck it out through all the changes we’ve had recently,” she said. “It’s just a fun group to be part of, and it’s really nice to have this group of people who wants to try hard and makes the show a little bit better for our fans and our contestants.” Dennis grew up in a farming community in Illinois. Even as a youngster, there was something about rural America that drew him to it. “When I was real little, the other kids would talk about wanting to be police officers and firefighters and doctors and lawyers,” he said. “I used to tell everybody I just wanted to be a farmer.” He may not be in the field planting crops or trying to guess the right time to sell his grain, but he loves being associated with Rooftop Rodeo. “I spend a lot of time in an office these days, so for one week, I play cowboy,” Dennis said. “It truly has to do with the friendships and relationships that we’ve made throughout the years. We have a good, strong group of highly motivated people to put on the best rodeo we can on a regular basis. “I think it’s cool to be part of something bigger than we are on a regular basis. I’ve got two young girls that have literally spent their entire lives going to the rodeo in Estes Park for a week in July.” Gates for Rooftop Rodeo open at 5 p.m. Friday, July 5-Wednesday, July 10, with the preshow beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the rodeo beginning at 7 p.m. For more information about Rooftop Rodeo, which is a Town of Estes Park signature event, or to order tickets online, log on to www.RooftopRodeo.com. Other ticket inquiries may be made by contacting the Town of Estes Park Events office at events@estes.org or (970) 586-6104.

Oklahoma rodeo company growing rapidly LEEDEY, Okla. – The first few months of any life feature incredible growth. From infancy to toddler, forms change shape as the foundation develops. From babies and foals to ideas and dreams, the day-to-day gains are magnificent. Will and Dusta O’Connell have experienced it two-fold over the last year. Their son, Jasper, just turned a year old, and so did the couple’s sole ownership of Championship Pro Rodeo, a livestock producer based in western Oklahoma. While Jasper has gone from crawling to walking to running, the rodeo company has taken even bigger strides, more than doubling the number of events it produces. “It’s rewarding, to say the least,” Will O’Connell said, noting that Championship Pro Rodeo will produce seven events in 2024, including new stops in Ponca, Nebraska; Belle Fourche, South Dakota; Vinita, Oklahoma; and the Converse County Xtreme Broncs in Douglas, Wyoming. “It says something to catch the eyes of people who see what we’re capable of doing. “Both Belle Fourche and Ponca have been around for a long time: This is Belle Fourche’s 105th year, and it’s the 56th year of the Days of ’56. For them to see something in us to make the change with only one year under our belts is a really big deal. It makes us feel like we’re doing something right.” Championship Pro Rodeo also produces events in Palestine, Illinois; Wahoo, Nebraska; and Madison, Indiana. By adding four rodeos to the schedule, the firm is gaining more popularity and prestige. It’s a step-by-step process that serves as a proving ground for the family that took the reins of the company a little more then a year ago. The O’Connells were raised around the sport. Dusta O’Connell is the daughter of Jennifer Spencer and well-known rodeo clown Ted Kimzey. The oldest of three children, she and her brothers, Sage and Trey Kimzey, were accomplished trick riders as youngsters. While Sage and Trey ride bulls professionally now, Dusta continues to perform and compete when opportunities arise. Will O’Connell is the son of Joann and Ray O’Connell, the latter of whom has been involved in rodeo production as a pickup man. Will O’Connell was a contestant, a pickup man and a bullfighter before becoming a livestock producer. By combining two lifetimes of rodeo background and know-how, the O’Connells are taking Championship Pro Rodeo up the ladder of success at a sharpened pace. “I had the opportunity to work for a lot of the best stock contractors in the PRCA,” Will O’Connell said. “The thing we’re putting into this company is the stuff I took from each one of those stock contractors. I got the opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t work, and I took little bits and pieces of what I liked, and that’s what I put together in our own production. “We strive to bring openings and closings and the product that keeps people entertained. It’s more than our livestock. You can have great horses and great bulls and great timed-event cattle, but if you don’t produce it in a way to sell it to people to keep them entertained, you’re not going to have a product to sell for very long.” It’s a commodity that’s for sale, not on sale, and the proof is showing up day after day. Last year alone, Championship Pro Rodeo had 14 animals chosen to perform at the National Finals Rodeo. For a man who works with his herd daily, there is great pride in the animal athletes the family has. Take The Crow, a powerful black horse that carried 2022 bareback riding world champion Jess Pope to 88.5 points and the victory in last December’s eighth round, which featured the hardest-to-ride broncs in rodeo. “I knew I had pretty good odds of having a good shot at winning,” Pope said six months ago. “I got on that horse in the short round at Dodge City (Kansas) and got along really well. I was pretty tickled about it.” In addition to the events the firm produces, Championship Pro Rodeo is featured at several other big events across the country, like Dodge City; Spanish Fork, Utah; Arcadia, Florida; Montgomery, Alabama; Corpus Christi, Texas; Salt Lake City; and The American. “These are rodeos that pay large amounts of money,” Will O’Connell said. “For them to win that kind of money on our stock means a lot to us.” It’s not just what the company has now that stands out. It’s what the O’Connells are doing to increase and improve their herd. “We’ve definitely been adding,” he said. “It’s like any major sport; if you’re consistently playing the same players, eventually players get old or get hurt or get worn out. If you’re not constantly looking for the next young superstar, you’re eventually going to have players that can’t play anymore. “Whether it’s horses or bulls or saddle horses, we’re always looking form something that’s capable of being the next superstar in our herd. Today’s highlight reel is tomorrow’s memory.” It’s a progressive approach to a game that’s more than a century old, but it’s why Championship Pro Rodeo continues to grow and prosper.

PECOS, Texas – In ProRodeo, there are just some trophies that cowboys are eager to show off. Obviously, the most prestigious is the gold buckle, awarded each year to that season’s world champions. Beyond that, there are only a handful that truly stand out, whether it’s the storied silver from the Cheyenne (Wyoming) Frontier Days or winning on the grass at the Pendleton (Oregon) Round-Up or owning the unique style of the Dodge City (Kansas) Roundup. One of the most prized is the West of the Pecos buckle, one that’s engraved by the sport’s history and sandblasted by the tens of thousands of cowboys that have toiled in this west Texas dirt. There’s a uniqueness to that buckle, and generations of world champions have had their jeans cinched by their Pecos medal, one that serves as a symbol that they have been the very best at the “World’s First Rodeo.” Hundreds of others will get their chance at this year’s West of the Pecos Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26-Saturday, June 29, at Buck Jackson Arena in Pecos. That includes a few residents that will test their skills in ways ProRodeo’s stars won’t by being part of events like the Hide Race, the Wild Cow Milking or the West of the Pecos Team Roping Classic. “Those local events are an opportunity for people to be part of the rodeo in a small way,” said Brenda McKinney, a longtime member of the volunteer group that produces the annual event. “If they’re not volunteers, they can say that they performed in the Wild Cow Milking or the Hide Race in the arena during the big West of the Pecos Rodeo. “It’s pride for them, too, that they can partake in some of the events and still be part of our performances.” While the team roping takes place days before the opening of the ProRodeo, the top 12 tandems return to compete in the performance on the final night of the rodeo. “It’s a big deal for our locals who win those events to get that West of the Pecos buckle,” McKinney said. “We’re very happy to have some local events. They’re always a big draw. The Hide Race has always been a big draw.” It’s an exciting tradition, especially for family members and friends of those competing. The Hide Race is consistently part of the Thursday night rodeo performance, while the Wild Cow Milking takes place Wednesday night. The bulk of the team roping will take place Saturday, June 22. “The team roping just continues to grow,” McKinney said. “Many years ago, the PRCA allowed locals to enter our rodeo, and we had a lot of local ropers that entered our PRCA team roping. When the PRCA changed that, we started the concept for the classic team roping a long time ago. “There have been a few rodeo committees that have followed suit. We’re pretty proud that we created something and hope it’s as successful for them as it has been for us.”

BIG SPRING, Texas – It’s been three decades since Pete Carr hung up his spurs and established himself as a businessman. As a youngster growing up in Dallas, he developed a passion for rodeo and life as a cowboy. He eventually traveled the country as a bareback rider, chasing his dreams while riding bucking horses across the country. In 1993, he developed a commercial construction business in his hometown, but he always found a way back to the sport he loved. He started dabbling in the game again, this time buying bucking animals. He went into business with other livestock producers, then jumped head first into the stock-contracting game in 2005. His first rodeo? The Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, which this year takes place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, at the Rodeo Bowl. “We were Pete’s first rodeo a long time ago,” said Dane Driver, vice president of the volunteer committee that produces the annual event. “With him comes professionalism and quality stock. The caliber of his personnel – whether it’s the chute boss or the timers or secretary or pickup men or even the guys in the back – it’s all top notch. “If you want your rodeo to be run and be a spectator event, it’s got to flow like a well-oiled machine, and that doesn’t happen by itself. That happens because of everybody that Pete brings with him to produce our rodeo.” This year marks the 20th Big Spring rodeo Carr and his team will produce. Over the last 10 years, no other livestock producer in ProRodeo has had more animals selected to perform at the National Finals Rodeo. What started as a pipe dream has turned into something magical, but it’s come from Carr’s work ethic and ability to hire the right people for the job. He’s been recognized as one of the top producers in the PRCA with 14 straight nominations for Stock Contractor of the Year. Closer to home, Carr was just inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame two months ago alongside one of his great bucking animals, Dirty Jacket, a 20-year-old bay gelding that was twice named the PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year. He’s had three other world champion bucking horses: Real Deal in 2005, Big Tex in 2010 and Deuces Night in 2012. A season ago, Carr’s Bayou Bengal was named the PRCA Bull of the Year. He’s had more than 300 animals selected to buck at the NFR over the last two decades, but that’s not all that happens in the arena. The Carr crew understands the importance great production to orchestrate a quality rodeo. “One thing I love about Pete is that he cares,” said Anthony Lucia, the 2023 PRCA Announcer of the Year who also calls the action in Big Spring. “We all care and we’re all working toward the same goals, but for Pete, it’s not just about his bucking horses and bucking bulls and making sure they buck. He has people in place to make sure he has the best stock, but then he trusts all of us to do our jobs. “At the heart of it all, it’s a show. It’s not just a rodeo. It’s a piece of entertainment, and Pete’s No. 1 goal is to make sure the fans and the competitors have the absolute best time.” That’s the part of the package that can’t be duplicated. It’s the primary reason the volunteer committee has had Carr as its rodeo producer the last 20 years. Fans want to be entertained, and contestants want a chance to win money in Big Spring. The Carr team, working closely with the local committee, makes that happen. “It’s so neat and fun for me when I get to work with guys like that, because Pete trusts me to do my job,” Lucia said. “He also builds confidence in those around him. It’s a great situation for us to be in as we put on this rodeo.”