Monthly Archives: July 2024

Acclaimed music director provides the right beats to make event stand out GOODING, Idaho – Jill Franzen Loden was just a teenager when she found her true passion, but she didn’t even know it yet. “I’ve been doing this for 24 years,” said Loden, now in her 18th year as the sound director for the Gooding Pro Rodeo. “Back when (the late) Chad Nicholson was announcing for my folks, his wife would do the music. He called one day and said his wife wouldn’t be able to do it, and my mom said, ‘Jill can do it.’ “I filled in when he needed me, then Chad said, ‘Why don’t I hire you for the summer to help with music at these shows.’ That’s how I got my start.” She did that for a few years while in high school, and it even served as a nice side gig while she was in college. Nicholson eventually opted out of doing sound altogether, and Loden picked up more work, even helping rodeos produced by her family’s stock-contracting firm, Powder River Rodeo. “Chad could hook me up, and Mom said they could use me at some of their shows,” she said. “I had a handful of rodeos that were my first ones, and I had my own little sound system. As I grew, I graduated college and started full time with it. I was really fortunate. I had big-time names like Hadley Barrett, Lecile Harris, Charlie Throckmorton, Hal Burns, Bennie Beutler and Don Gill that all gave me a chance when I first started. “It helped a lot.” Barrett and Harris have passed on, but she still works regularly with the others mentioned, including Gill, the fair and rodeo manager in Gooding, who is already busy preparing for this year’s rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 15-Saturday, Aug. 17, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 14. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. “It’s not just my family but also my extended rodeo family that is the biggest part of my success,” Loden said. “The people I’ve gotten to meet and the connections I’ve made is a huge part of what’s made me successful.” A lot of it, though, is the talent she possesses. No longer working with cassette tapes and CDs, she has a vast musical and sound library at her fingertips that are organized onto laptops. One click of a button allows Loden the opportunity to marry a sound or a song with what’s happening in the arena. It’s part gift and part understanding of rodeo production, a lifelong journey that comes with being part of the Franzen family. “I have always loved music,” she said. “I played piano and saxophone when I was younger, so I have a knack for it naturally. It’s not that I come from a musical family, but since I was a kid, you could play two beats of a song, and I could tell you what that song was. “I know the ins and outs of rodeo so well that when it came to putting music to rodeo, I wanted to have the timing. I know when I’ve got the right sound to go with something. I love messing with the crowd and getting the crowd involved. Listening to the announcer, I want to be the exclamation point at the end of his sentence.: It’s almost a calling. “This job found me; I didn’t find it,” Loden said, She makes the most intense multitasker look like a slacker, because she’s prolific at it. She’s been named the PRCA Sound Director of the Year three times since the award was brought into existence seven years ago. What makes that title so special isn’t just the buckle that comes with it. “That award means a lot because it comes from your peers and your colleagues who have aa chance to vote for whoever they want,” she said. “When they take the time to vote for you, it makes it feel like all the hard work and long drives and long days of setting up and tearing down are worth it. They’re appreciative of the hard work you’ve put in. “It doesn’t justify why we do this, but at the end of the day, you feel like you’re doing it for a reason.” Her work is definitely appreciated by the folks in Gooding. “Jill’s the best at what she does, and we are very blessed to have had her for so long,” Gill said. Take a situation last year, when a patron was handcuffed and escorted out of the stands by law-enforcement officers. Within moments, Loden played “In the Jailhouse Now.” “She has amazing timing when it comes to what’s happening at our rodeo,” Gill said. “She’s on top of her game right when the occasion calls for it.” Loden is tuned in to every aspect of the  rodeo, from the first bucking horse to the clown’s performance to the crowd’s reaction to what Gooding Pro Rodeo announcer Steve Kenyon says to the thousands in attendance. Everything she does is to make the overall sound of the evening the perfect fit for what the fans are experiencing. “Different music directors like to wear headsets or be set off away from the crowd a little bit,” Loden said. “I prefer to be part of the crowd and the interaction. When you’re out there and you’re hearing the live crowd and you can see the whole arena, you’re seeing what they’re seeing. That helps me be a better music director.”  

LOVINGTON, N.M. – When the top bull riders in ProRodeo arrive in southeastern New Mexico, they’ll have something big waiting for them. “We’re going to have an even bigger purse for the bull riding,” said Kyle Johnston, a member of the Lea County Fair Board and the rodeo committee chairman. Lea County Xtreme Bulls will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, and will feature the top cowboys in the game chasing their share of the $37,500 payday. It’s become quite a tradition for fans in this part of the country, the perfect way to kick off five days of rodeo action at the regional exposition. It is one of the top Xtreme Bulls events in the PRCA with regards to payout, and it’s only getting bigger. “Everybody likes a good bull riding,” Johnston said. “They want to see a wreck on top of seeing a guy ride one. The type of people that live in this area really enjoy coming to the Xtreme Bulls.” Why? It’s incredible action. Many of the bulls that will be in Lovington have been featured at the National Finals Rodeo. Added in that mix of athletic bovines will be some up-and-coming animals that will likely be invited to perform at this year’s NFR, set for December in Las Vegas. Dallas-based Pete Carr Pro Rodeo is the livestock producer, and Carr brings in the top bulls from other firms to ensure that it will be a night everyone will remember. “Everybody comes to this Xtreme Bulls,” said Coy Pollmeier, the defending champion from Fort Scott, Kansas. “No matter where they are, they all come down to Lovington. Everybody in the top 20 was here plus other great guys, not to mention the caliber of bulls we got on. This is probably the best set of bulls we’re going to get on this year.” That includes Carr’s Bayou Bengal, the 2023 PRCA Bull of the Year. Over his lifetime, the 7-year-old brindle has been ridden just three times, most recently when four-time NFR qualifier and two-time reserve world champion Josh Frost scored 90 points to win in Pecos, Texas. “That bull is super athletic,” said Trey Benton, a seven-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Richards, Texas. “It’s hard to believe that a 2,100-pound bull can get that high in the air; I bet you’d be able to drive under him when he’s bucking.” “I’ve never seen that bull have an off trip,” said Creek Young, the 2021 Lea County Xtreme Bulls champion from Nixa, Missouri. Last August, Pollmeier was the only cowboy in the field to ride two bulls. By winning the title, he pocketed more than $10,000. It was the biggest win of the 23-year-old cowboy’s young career. Two years before, Young capitalized on the momentum of winning the Lea County Xtreme Bulls title and the bull-riding crown at the Lovington rodeo that same week to advance to the first of three straight NFRs. “The fans can come to our bull riding and see the same guys that they see all the time on TV,” Johnston said. “They want to see the big names, and the big names come to Lovington. “People tell us all the time that they want to make sure we keep having the Xtreme Bulls, because it’s something they really enjoy.”

DODGE CITY, Kan. – It’s been about 10 months since his first one, but Hayden Harris finally secured his second event victory this year. This one might mean as much, if not more. Harris rode Frontier Rodeo’s County Jail for 88.5 points to win the Dodge City Roundup Xtreme Bulls title Tuesday night. “That bull’s been around awhile, and they’ve won a lot of money on him,” said Harris, 25, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. “When you get on a bull like that, you’ve just got to stay on him and make it count.” He did, earning nearly $5,400 in one night of bull riding at Roundup Arena. He also outlasted some of the top names in the world standings. Of the men in the mix, several have qualified for the National Finals Rodeo. It’s just another step up the ladder of success for the young Oklahoman, who hopes to add his name to that list of elite cowboys. “I started out riding sheep when I was 5 years old,” Harris said. “I just kept going from sheep to calves up the rankings until now.” Rodeo also helped him get an education. He was a three-time College National Finals Rodeo qualifier while competing at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. “Growing up I’ve competed everywhere, but in Oklahoma, they’ve got some stout competitors for sure,” he said. “Christie Braudrick is the coach there, and I’ve known her and her husband, Kyle, my whole life, so I just ended up going down there. When I was there, we had a bunch of bull riders and did pretty good in the bull riding.” It gave him the head start he needed once he decided to pursue the sport professionally. Harris is part of the Oklahoma Wildcatters, a member of the PBR teams competition. That has kept him busy and away from some ProRodeo events. No matter where he rides, though, he keeps his attention on the details. “I just need to keep knocking them down and riding my bulls, finish strong and look to next year,” Harris said. “One of the main parts about bull riding is keeping your mind sound, always be positive and look for the next thing. I’d love to win the world title but for sure make the (National Finals Rodeo), but I want to be able to provide for myself and for my family doing what I love instead of working 9 to 5. “I’ve nailed boards and stuff, and it’s a lot easier to stay on eight seconds than work eight hours.” Dodge City Roundup Xtreme BullsDodge City, Kan.July 30, 20241. Hayden Harris, 88.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s County Jail, $5,386; 2. Jate Frost, 86, $4,129; 3. (tie) Tyler Bingham and Mason Moody, 85.5, $2,514 each; 5. Creek Walker, 85, $1,257; 6. T.J. Gray, 84.5, $898; 7. (tie) Maverick Potter and Coy Pollmeier, 84, $628 each.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Tony Reina has been around ProRodeo for more than three decades. He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in tie-down roping in 2013 and has made five trips to the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. Reina added another prestigious title to his resume Tuesday, winning the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo’s steer roping crown. He roped three steers in a cumulative time of 37.2 seconds to win the aggregate championship. He also finished second in the opening round, earning $4,270 for his day in western Kansas. Dodge City Roundup RodeoSteer RopingJuly 30, 2024Steer roping: First round: 1. Cody Lee, 11.0 seconds, $1,802; 2. Tony Reina, 11.1, $1,567; 3. Vin Fisher Jr., 11.8, $1,332; 4. Luke Blanton, 12.4, $1,097; 5. (tie) Stratton Lopez, Cole Patterson, Brodie Poppino and Ryan Willberg, 13.5, $509 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Kyle Cauthorn and Jess Tierney, 10.2 seconds, $1,684 each; 3. Chet Herren, 10.3, $1,332; 4. Tanner Stec, 10.5, $1,097; 5. (tie) J. Tom Fisher, Tuff Hardman and Trenton Johnson, 10.6, $627 each; 8. (tie) John E. Bland and Jake Clay, 10.7, $78 each. Third round: 1. Chet Herren, 9.8 seconds, $1,802; 2. Will Eddleman, 9.9, $1,567; 3. Billy Good, 10.4, $1,332; 4. Tuff Hardman, 10.5, $1,097; 5. John E. Bland, 10.9, $862; 6. Ryan Willberg, 11.4, $627; 7. Brian Garr, 11.6, $392; 8. Coleman Proctor, 12.0, $157. Average: 1. Tony Reina, 37.2 seconds on three head, $2,703; 2. Vin Fisher Jr., 39.1, $2,350; 3. Will Eddleman, 41.7, $1,998; 4. Tuff Hardman, 42.5, $1,645; 5. Stratton Lopez, 43.2, $1,293; 6. Chet Herren, 20.1 on two head, $940; 7. John E. Bland, 21.6, $588; 8. Kyle Cauthorn, 23.5, $235.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – The primary beneficiary of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo has always been youth. From the time the fair’s gates open Friday, Aug. 2, until they close Saturday, Aug. 10, there are plenty of activities to give back to the next generation of county residents that hope to follow in the footsteps of those that led the way for them. The most identifiable aspect of the fairgrounds in Lovington isn’t the concert series or even the rodeo; it’s the livestock shows that allow so many young people the chance to mature and gain experiences through their raising of animals. “Our livestock show is going to be huge,” said Kris Allen, president of the Lea County Fair Board. “It just keeps getting bigger. Our sale went over $1 million last year, and that’s one of the key things we’re focusing on. Lea County businesses and ranches have stepped up so much over the years, and they’re giving back to our youth.” Amber Groves has been involved with the livestock shows most of her life. She is a member of the fair board, chairwoman of the livestock show committee and a livestock superintendent. In her youth, she showed animals and got into livestock judging. That paved the way for her to attend college at New Mexico State University. “I went to my first fair when I was an infant,” said Groves, now in her second year on the fair board. “My family has always been involved. My grandparents were involved in the very first buyers’ breakfast. I showed lambs, goats and horses.” The lessons she gained as a youngster continue to help her as an adult. When Lea County Commissioner Dean Jackson approached her about joining the fair board, Groves not only took to the role but found a way to build on her lifetime of experiences. “Showing livestock teaches youth so many lessons in life,” she said. “It teaches responsibility, money management and helps make for more well-rounded individuals. It creates comradery for people. Going to the fair and having fair friends is like having another family. “After the county fair, it’s the state fair and the eastern fair. When I was showing, I had friends from all over the state.” Each phase of showing is vital. Children work with untrained animals and help them be comfortable with all aspects necessary to show well. There are many hours that are involved, with handing the animals correctly to cleaning their pens to keeping them fresh and in the best possible showing shape. “I do credit showing with how I’m able to handle myself at my job and how I handle certain situations,” Groves said. “I’m definitely more humbled because of it, and I know how to manage my money, how to budget from it. “You can work hard, and you’re not always a winner, so you can learn by losing,” she said. “My life was very much involved in agriculture. Judging and showing got me through college and got me the resources to live fairly comfortably doing so. I got an education from judging, which made me choose my degree field, entomology. I work in the oilfield now, but that science degree got me here.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Several years ago, the organizers of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo entrusted the production of it’s ProRodeo to a rising star in the stock-contracting game. Pete Carr Pro Rodeo was established two decades ago, and Lovington’s marquee event was one of the first in the country to bring in the Dallas-based company. In the years since, Carr and his team of professionals have proven to be the perfect choice to produce the annual event, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7-Saturday, Aug. 10; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 6. “One thing we’ve realized over the years is that Pete Carr and his stock are very good,” said Kyle Johnston, chairman of the Lea County Fair Board’s rodeo committee. “We trust what those people are going to do, and they make it very entertaining for our fans. “Pete and his guys are very good to work with, and that makes it easier on us when it comes to putting on this rodeo.” Carr is one of the most recognizable and reputable names in the sport. There have been six world champion animals: Bareback horses Real Deal, 2005; Big Tex, 2010; Deuces Night, 2012; and Dirty Jacket, 2014-15. Bayou Bengal, which was named the 2023 PRCA Bull of the Year. Over that stretch, Carr has been nominated for PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year 14 times. Most recently, though, the biggest honors in the firm’s history came this past April. Pete Carr and Dirty Jacket were inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. “We’re pretty blessed to have Pete Carr coming back to our rodeo,” said Kris Allen, chairman of the Lea County Fair Board. “The quality of his livestock is hard to beat. You’re going to see high scores, and because of that, we’re going to draw good cowboys and cowgirls. “With the mixture of his livestock, you’re going to see good quality of entertainment.” That’s important, because folks in Lea County, New Mexico, know rodeo like few other regions. This is cowboy country, and most of the fans understand the ins and outs of the game better than most other rodeo crowds. They know what looks good and what to expect with the Carr crew running the production. The fair board has also increased its contribution to the overall purse. The rodeo will feature an increase of $100,000 from last year’s event, which helps Lovington have the largest “added money” payout of all the rodeos across North America that week. “We’re doing a lot of things to help entice the contestants to come to Lovington for our rodeo,” Johnston said. “Increasing our added money is one thing, but having Pete Carr as our stock contractor is another.”   It’s not just the Carr animals that help make an impact. The livestock producer also enlists other contractors, who bring in their best animals. Last year, for example, Richmond Champion won the bareback riding title on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped. Bull rider Trey Kimzey won the title on Stockyards Rodeo’s Cheddar Biscuit. Having the top bucking stock in rodeo is a big deal.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Over the decades of excellence at Lovington’s rodeo, there have been repeat winners and people who have found a redemption of sorts. Rodeo can be an unforgiving sport. A misfire during an eight-second ride or run can spell doom, but there’s always something graceful about it, too. The next opportunity offers a chance at the fastest time or the highest score. Trouble on Day 1 might mean grand success 24 hours later. Brilliance is well within range every day, and that’s just the way the game is played. A trio of specialists will have that opportunity during this year’s Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7-Saturday, Aug. 10; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 6. “We’re bringing back our clown (Zack Cook) and our specialty act, Jessica (Blair-Fowlkes), who were here with us last year, and we’re also bringing back Summer and Co. to perform on Saturday night of mutton bustin’ (Aug. 3) and the Xtreme Bulls,” said Kyle Johnston, a Lea County Fair Board member and chairman of the rodeo committee. “We’ve heard some good things about Cookie from other rodeos, so we’re looking forward to that. He’s still pretty new to this, so we’re excited to help him step up his game. I think we’re going to see some good things out of him.” Cook is just in his fifth year of clowning, and he came about the job auspiciously. He was working as a laborer for the Cody (Wyoming) Nite Rodeo when the producer asked him to step in as the clown. He’s been growing his repertoire ever since. “I’m still nervous every time I get ready to go in the arena,” he said, noting that he travels the country with his wife and daughter. “I always have anxiety, am stressed, am nervous. I’m anticipating what’s going to happen. If I didn’t feel that, I’d probably have to give this all up. As soon as I get out there and say that opening joke, then all that goes away.” Summer and Co. is a Lea County original featuring trick rider Summer Boyd and her daughters, Emmie, 9, and Jinsen, 7. Boyd and her husband, Seth, have lived in Lovington for the past decade. She and the girls travel the rodeo trail in order to entertain crowds and showcase their talents and the adorable fun of two youngsters following in their momma’s footsteps. “It means a lot to be able to work that,” Boyd said. “People say in our industry that a lot of times you never get hired at your hometown rodeo. To be acknowledged and to be part of the event means so much to us. It’s a rodeo we go and watch when we’re at home, so this means so much.” The family has been featured at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo the last few years, and it’s always a highlight for them and so many that attend the world-class rodeo. While packed into the storied Jake McClure Arena, they also will witness the incredible horsemanship of Blair-Fowlkes, whether she’s doing a trick-riding act, a Roman-riding act, a liberty act or showing off her patriotism through a little Americana during the rodeo introduction. “Jessica is just very good, and her acts are very entertaining,” Johnston said. “We had lots of comments from people that really enjoyed it. It’s going to be hard to top it.”

Jestes, Tuckness understand uniqueness of Gooding Pro Rodeo GOODING, Idaho – A decade ago, Nathan Jestes drove into this community for the first time to work as a bullfighter at the Gooding Pro Rodeo. “I remember pulling into town and wondering, ‘Where in the hell am I?’ ” said Jestes, a seven-time nominee for PRCA Bullfighter of the Year who has been selected to work the National Finals Rodeo four times. “Then the rodeo started. It’s a small community, but everybody comes to Gooding for a great time from all the surrounding communities. “As a rodeo athlete, you don’t necessarily hear the crowds, but you feel the energy. The atmosphere and energy inside that arena is something you’ve never felt before.” Jestes will return to work the Gooding Pro Rodeo for the 10th year and will be joined by Dusty Tuckness, a 10-time Bullfighter of the Year who has worked every NFR since 2009. They are excited to be part of the action, set for Thursday, Aug. 15-Saturday, Aug. 17, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 14. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. When the show begins, thousands pack into the Gooding County Fairgrounds for one of the best rodeos in the region. They will see some of the top bucking horses and athletic bulls in ProRodeo, and they’ll witness two of the greatest cowboy protectors in the sport. It’s a fantastic value for the endless entertainment possibilities. “It’s pretty cool to see how the rodeo’s grown in that small community,” said Tuckness, now in his sixth year at Gooding. “(Organizers) just put a lot of work into it, and it continues to grow. There are a lot of good rodeos that week, but if I had a pick, I’d pick Gooding every time.” The event is a different rodeo experience, even to the people who make a living in the sport like Tuckness and Jestes, who can feel the energy that comes out of the stands. Whether it’s dancing to the music or cheering for every ride and run, the people who come to enjoy the Gooding Pro Rodeo make it memorable. “Gooding is generally unique,” said Jestes of Douglas, Wyoming. “It’s a rodeo-knowledgeable crowd that loves to have fun. When the crowd knows what they’re watching and is having a good time, it transfers over to everybody: Contestants, the bullfighters, the other personnel and the members of the committee. “When you have fun doing your job, there’s no better place to be.” Make no mistake; Tuckness and Jestes take their jobs seriously. Their primary purpose is to help protect fallen bull riders and others in the arena during the final event of the night, and it takes a focused mind and an aggressive nature to make that happen. Both men will utilize their ability to read livestock and their athleticism to help draw the animals away from their targets. If there’s a wreck, they will jump into the middle of it, but most of their efforts seem almost choreographed. It’s like a little dance in the dirt, and it can be exquisite. “Nate and I work a little bit throughout the year, but come August and September, there aren’t too many rodeos we don’t work together,” Tuckness aid. “It’s good to work with a guy like Nate who’s got your back. When you go to those big rodeos like Gooding, that’s where everybody’s at. We have five or six weeks left in the regular season; everybody’s tired, but that’s when you’ve got to mash on the gas and finish strong.” Having that familiarity is helpful. “There’s nothing like it to me,” Jestes said. “Me and Tuck are good friends, and we fight a lot of rodeos together. We know what each other’s doing. It just makes our job that much easier in the arena. We are going to be at our spots, and we can anticipate each other in an instant. It’s hard to beat that kind of chemistry.” That’s true. “The best part is the people you work with,” said Tuckness of Meeteetse, Wyoming. “When you’ve got a good crew, it’s hard to call it work. At Gooding, they provide a great crew, from multiple award winners to great stock to everything that makes it run so smoothly. They get guys that want to put on the best show that week. It’s not just one thing; it’s the whole thing mixed together.” Of course, Gooding also where great work is rewarded by a special group of fans who offer up a “Beer Worthy” sign when they think something magnificent happens in the arena, whether it’s a fast time in team roping or a big buckoff in bronc riding. When Tuckness and Jestes make a big save, the signs are targeted directly on them. “Being ‘Beer Worthy’ means everything, because Gooding, Idaho, is the only place where you can be ‘Beer Worthy,’ ” Jestes said. “When you’re there, you want to be ‘Beer Worthy.’ ”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – The Lea County Fair and Rodeo featured a new attraction a year ago, and it might grow into one of the most popular pieces of the annual exhibition. The Lea County Fair Board will begin its second year of the peewee showmanship competition, featuring children between the ages of 5-8. It will take place during this year’s fair, set for Friday, Aug. 2-Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Lea County Fairgrounds in Lovington. “There are a couple of other county and regional shows that do this, so we wanted to see what it could do here,” said Dustin Gaskins, the agriculture teacher and FFA adviser at Eunice High School and a fair board member. “Last year, we showed in beef cattle with a bottle calf, so this year we started to implement it into other species.” This is a great opportunity for the youngsters to get their feet wet in showing animals instead of just watching their big brothers or big sisters have exhibits at the county fair. “We have younger siblings that go to the fair and see their older siblings able to show,” said Amber Groves, chair of the livestock committee and a livestock superintendent. “These younger kids are always involved in the work that is put in, but they weren’t getting to show. Now, they get to show the work they’ve put in. “My hope is that it grows in the future so that those kids feel included when they get to the fair.” For most families that show livestock, it’s just part of their daily lives. They already have animals for which they are caring, and developing the skills to show allow the younger generation to learn by doing. It’s a caregiver’s mentality; those animals are fed before their human counterparts and receive the best treatment possible. Livestock showing involves a little more tender, loving care for the particular animals involved. They have to be trained with a halter and lead rope and not be skittish around people. The animals’ calmness and demeanor go a long way when it is shown at the county fair. “We’re just trying to get some of the younger kids involved,” Gaskins said. “We want to help them get involved and get them hooked on showing before they’re of the age to do it full time.” Children must be in the third grade in order to join a 4H club, where they can be involved in a variety of activities. The pee wee show allows kids just a few years younger the opportunity to work with animals and put themselves in the spotlight. “Our goal is to help grow our numbers across the board and taking the pee wee group and growing them into regular showmanship,” he said. “We hope this will help grow our 4H numbers for our county. A lot of parents are really interested in it. We had a couple of parents who reached out to specific superintendents originally and were pushing for it; those superintendents brought it to us as a fair board. I think the parents are excited about it.” It’s just another step in the right direction for many rural families “I enjoy seeing the kids, the livestock,” Gaskins said. “Being an FFA adviser, I help a lot in the barns, and I get to see the kids grow. That’s the best part of the fair for me.”  

DODGE CITY, Kan. – The void that Jeff Lopp left behind has yet to be filled. It’s an empty space that his family hopes to one day occupy, but it’s still too soon. It’s an abandonment with which the community is handling. It’s a long-term relationship that’s been vacated since his death in late December. “Dad was a very generous man,” Jeffrey Lopp said of his father, a lifelong Dodge City resident and second-generation owner of Lopp Motors. “Any way that he could help somebody in need, he would. He had a very big heart, and it didn’t matter if it was in the community or an organization or one of the employees in need, he gave back to them.” Jeff Lopp was community-minded, a trait that was passed down to him by his father, Bill. It’s also something he shared with his son, who will continue the partnership Lopp Motors has had for decades with Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, which will take place at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 4, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. “My grandad jumped in with Roundup from the get-go,” Jeffery Lopp said of the rodeo’s inaugural run 47 years ago “It’s been a very strong tradition in our family. That’s something we were always very supportive of and very proud to be part of. We started from scratch just like Roundup did. “To see what it has become today and the name that it has for Dodge City is spectacular.” While the rodeo has been recognized as one of the best for decades – it has been named PRCA Rodeo of the Year nine times and is enshrined in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame – much of that has to do with the support it receives from the community. Thousands of fans flock to Roundup Arena each summer, which is an attractive feature for sponsors. Lopp Motors was on board long before the rodeo experienced such growth and has remained a vital cog in the wheel that brings hundreds of the sport’s top contestants to Dodge City. “What people don’t get is what goes on down at the arena when the actual rodeo performance isn’t going on,” Jeffrey Lopp said, referring to the high number of contestants who compete at Roundup. “To sit there and try to put a dollar amount on what is sitting out there in the parking lot during slack is absolutely mind-blowing. “On top of that, you look at all the people that give their time to help that rodeo thrive and strive to be better and don’t get near the accolades they should. They do it because they’re proud of it and what they do for Dodge City.” The economics of the rodeo are simple: Between the number of contestants that come to Ford County and the large fan base that watches the action, people are spending a bundle in this community while the rodeo is in town. “The rodeo is the single most promotional thing in Dodge City that people talk about year-round,” he said. “Inevitably when you’re having a conversation, something gets brought up abut the rodeo. It’s a staple. It’s something the community looks forward to.” It’s why the Lopp family has been a supporter for so many years. It was important four decades ago, and it’s still vital today. Lopp Motors has been part of the Dodge Rodeo/Ram Rodeo promotion, and it was something in which Jeff Lopp took great pride. “My dad loved this business,” Jeffrey Lopp said. “He lived the business probably 24/7. He was proud to be on the dealer council for Chrysler and give dealer feedback at the corporate level, and he took great pride in that. “He was listening to the problems that inevitably go on in any industry, and he was always looking for ways to move forward with that.” Jeff Lopp graduated from Dodge City High School and attended Dodge City Community College and Emporia State University. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, NASCAR and coaching youth sports. “One of his claims to fame is that he got to throw out the first pitch at a Royals baseball game,” Jeffrey Lopp said. “To this day, I still have that jersey hanging on my wall.” Reflections of a life well-lived are hard, especially just a few months after losing his father, but Jeffrey Lopp has a memory bank to cherish and an appreciation for his dad that is unmatched. The pain he feels is just a reminder of the love the two have shared. “I want him to be remembered for the person he was, how gracious he was and what he did for anybody and everybody,” he said.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – There are only two certainties in life: Birth and death. The aging process isn’t easy, and death isn’t only for the geriatric. Julie Pinkerton knows that as well as anyone in Ford County. She’s the executive director for Hospice of the Prairie and Prairie Home Health and has been with the two entities for 30 years. “We just had a meeting, and we were talking about the similarity of birth and death and how, indeed, when we entered this world, we were surrounded by peace, love, dignity and respect and how much attention is given to that new mom as she is birthing her baby,” Pinkerton said. “We talked about how similar that is to what we do as people walk through the dying process. “A lot of people ask us if that’s depressing and how we do it. As one of my coworkers said so eloquently, ‘The thing is the person is going to die whether we are there or whether we are not, so is it not better that we are there?’ I know that we are making that difference. While it can certainly be sad, it’s not depressing.” Hospice is intended to not only help the terminally ill through the final stages of their lives but to also assist the families and other loved ones who are affected by the impending deaths. Still, there’s so much more to what Pinkerton, her staff and their volunteers have to offer, and that includes Prairie Home Health. Both are beneficiaries of the Wrangler Tough Enough to Wear Pink fundraiser at Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 4, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. The money raised through the pink campaign will be used for the organizations’ patient needs fund. “Roundup has been a very important part of our community for decades, and one of the neat things that Roundup has always focused on is community services,” Pinkerton said. ”Their support of Circle of Hope has been phenomenal, and Hospice of the Prairie and Prairie Home Health has been part of that for many years to pass the hat on all types of things.” The opportunity for Prairie Home Health and Hospice of the Prairie came about with Circle of Hope being dissolved. Pinkerton and her staff of 25 individuals understand the importance of the money that will come from Roundup this August. They have more than 50 volunteers and serve about 150 hospice patients and 300 home-health patients each year. “These dollars that go into that fund are used to support patients and their families for things like electric bills, groceries and many other things, like equipment in their homes that would not typically be provided by hospice,” she said. “We also use the funds to help family members who may not live locally to be able to return home to see their loved ones before their loved ones’ end of life. “We might be able to find an airplane ticket, or it might be as simple as a family member of the patient that lives six hours away and simply doesn’t have enough money to buy gas or groceries to get here, nor do they have the money to have a place to stay when they get here just to be able so they could be with their loved one.”  Being able to utilize those funds in this way will help many families in a variety of ways. “While saddened that Circle of Hope dissolved, we are truly honored to be chosen to receive the funds that are raised,” Pinkerton said. “Those funds will go directly to the patient needs funds and will be only used for the special circumstances that hospice and home-health patients face. I think it’s an important thing for the community to know. Those funds are not gong to our general account for the organization to function. “It is very special.” As families mature, they are thrown into many variations of circumstances. Some deal with childhood illness, while others are battling other challenges. Organizations like Prairie Home Health and Hospice of the Prairie were established many years ago to help families who have those needs. Whether helping folks come to terms with the final days of a loved one’s life or helping the elderly age gracefully while still receiving the appropriate care, Pinkerton and her crew of dedicated workers are building memories while helping families. It’s their foundation, and it’s a fundamental approach to true giving. “I think it’s a calling,” Pinkerton said. She’s right.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – It gets plenty hot in this neck of the woods throughout the summer months, but that’s just part of living in a desert. Organizers of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo realize this is part of the equation when it comes to drawing the top contestants in rodeo to town, which is why they’ve invested in cold, hard cash as a way to fan away the heat and park themselves in Lovington during the second week of August. “We’ve seen a lot of turnouts, because you see a lot of rodeos up north that time of year,” said Kris Allen, the Lea County Fair Board’s president and member of the rodeo committee. “A lot of them still come down to Lovington, but I want them to know that making that trip down south is worth it. They can come here and get the big money that counts for Vegas.” This year’s rodeo is for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7-Saturday, Aug. 10; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 6. Hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls put their names in the hat to compete in Lea County, but there are several who opt out when the competition starts. They “turn out,” meaning they pay a small fine in order to skip the trip. The fair board is hoping the additional $100,000 investment into the rodeo purse will offer the right enticement to the contestants who make their living in the game and who strive to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo, which takes place in early December at Las Vegas. “Last year when we were at the PRCA convention, they brought up the issue of turnouts at all the rodeos,” said Kyle Johnston, a member of the fair board and chairman of the rodeo committee. “We looked at that, and we thought this was a way to get our turnout number down and get some more people come down this way and stay. We’re going to test it this year and see how it goes.” Allen said the fair board has recognized the importance of every dollar when it comes down to cowboys and cowgirls making decisions as to where they play the game. In rodeo, money doesn’t just pay for expenses and cover bills; it’s also how points are tabulated. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event at the end of the regular season advance to the NFR, where world champions will be crowned. “We are now going to be the third highest-paying rodeo in the circuit,” he said. “We are the highest-paid rodeo in the month of August. We want to continue to draw the top 10 in the world standings in regards to the cowboys and cowgirls.” The rodeo has done that consistently. In addition to increasing its contribution to the purse to $25,001 per event, the Lea County Fair Board is also increasing the Lea County Xtreme Bulls payout to $37,500 – that’s an increase of $7,500 over previous years, and it was already one of the best-paying stand-alone bull-riding events in the PRCA. “We’ve had a lot of comments from the contestants about how nice our facility is, and that it actually does cool off at night,” Johnston said. “We also have Pete Carr as our stock contractor, and he and his stock are very good. He makes our rodeo very entertaining, and his guys are great to work with.” Lovington’s rodeo has always been about putting on a good show while also catering to the contestants. Jake McClure is a Hall-of-Fame cowboy, and his name is emblazoned across the arena. Folks in southeastern New Mexico recognized the greatness that comes out of Lea County when they talk rodeo. The fair board wants that trend to continue. “Pete Carr provides the best livestock to our rodeo, and I think that tells the cowboys and cowgirls why they want to come to our rodeo,” Allen said. “You’re going to get high scores and fast times, and you’re going to see good cowboys and cowgirls. With the mixture of Pete’s livestock, you’re going to see a good quality of entertainment.” Fans will also see the best in the business battle for big bucks in Lea County. “The prior people that took care of this rodeo did a great job, and we’ve just seen the opportunity to maybe grow our rodeo a little bit,” Johnston said. “That’s a lot of extra added money, and it moved us up pretty high in the rodeo world.” That’s just where the Lea County Fair and Rodeo belongs.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – When members of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo committee reached out, the city of Dodge City answered in a big way. “The committee wanted to upgrade the main grandstands at the arena, and we felt that it was probably in our best interest as a community to help with the safety and longevity of the facility,” City Manager Nick Hernandez said. “We’ve been partnered with Roundup for decades in helping with funding for different projects, and this project – given the magnitude of it – was something that took us looking at a different approach given the size and being outside the normal budget that we work with. “With discussions, we looked at different client opportunities and made available a cost-share with Roundup and help them finalize their efforts.” The updated, aluminum bleachers across the main grandstands on the west side of the arena are now in place and are ready for this year’s Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 4, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. “A loan from a local bank got the project started, then we received a grant for $60,000 from the city and another level of matching funds have helped us finance the bleachers,” said Teresa Winger, secretary for the Roundup committee. “We have received a little over $44,000 in matching funds so far.” The original facilities at Roundup Arena were built nearly 50 years ago, but local organizers have done some major upgrades over the last few years to not only enhance the overall use of the complex but to make it safer. There are thousands of visitors who attend the annual rodeo, and the safety measures not only help make it a better experience for them but also for the contestants and their livestock partners. Each year, hundreds of contestants converge on Ford County to compete for big money and to win one of the most prestigious rodeos in North America. Dodge City’s rodeo has been recognized as one of the best over the years, being named the Rodeo of the Year nine times; it also has been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “I think Roundup Rodeo is pretty integral to the success of Dodge City and has long been a staple of our Dodge City Days,” Hernandez said of the annual community celebration. “The rodeo just brings somebody different to town. There are so many people from all across the United States – and across the world in some occasions – to participate and also view a world-class rodeo here in Dodge City.” Keeping the arena as a top-notch facility is also important, not just to the rodeo organizers but to members of the community as well. “I think they’re continually making improvements to the facility, and this just shows the commitment that the community and the city has for the rodeo and for Roundup Arena,” he said. “I think it shows that we anticipate this facility being around for a long time.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – Nicole Hadley had some things to prove. She arrived in this community a day before she was scheduled to rope, because she has an investigative mind. She wanted to see what the cattle looked like and prepare her mind for her breakaway roping run during Saturday’s final performance of the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo. That homework paid off, and Hadley stopped the clock in 1.8 seconds to share the victory at the first breakaway roping at Gunnison’s rodeo during it’s 124th celebration. “I wanted to get a feel for Gunnison since I’ve probably passed through her when I was a little tyke,” said Hadley of Goodland, Kansas. “I got to know the town of Gunnison, and we went downtown and went to an ice cream truck and at Mario’s Pizza.” She knew that Brighton Bauman of Burleson, Texas, had set the standard during her run Thursday morning, so Hadley threw caution to the wind and went for it. By sharing the title, Bauman and Hadley each collected $2,869, which will move the Kansas cowgirl into first place in the Mountain States Circuit standings. That’s saying something for a cowgirl that was teaching high school agriculture classes just a few months ago. “I actually didn’t start ProRodeoing until last year, so that was my rookie year,” she said. “I’ve been working on my set of horses I had … four really strong horses that are finished and ready to go. I decided I needed to chase my dreams, and I can always go back to teach when I was done.” She’s hoping that’s not anytime soon, but competing at the professional level of rodeo is hard. It wasn’t even available to breakaway ropers until the last few years. The first National Finals Breakaway Roping took place in 2020, and Hadley has some work to do if she ever wants to make it to that mountaintop. “My family has a row-crop farming operation, so they raise corn and wheat,” Hadley said. “I got started in rodeo because my dad grew up actually on the western side of Colorado in Cedaredge, so I was definitely very odd for our area.” She attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, then transferred to the University of Wyoming. At both schools, she was an all-around cowgirl, competing in multiple events. That education helped her transition into a life on the rodeo trail, and her goal for the 2024 campaign is to earn enough money to finish the year among the top 40 in the world standings; by doing that, she will qualify to compete in lucrative winter rodeos in Texas, like Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston. Once she saw the calf she had drawn for Saturday’s run, Hadley made a gameplan. “The calf was strong and was going to allow me to have that opportunity to make a really fast run on him,” she said. “About two hours before I roped, I just decided I was going to go fast, so I chose the fast horse, and everything worked in my favor. I’m super thankful for that.” That mount is Ginger, a 19-year-old sorrel mare she’s had for 12 years. “She’s been to the high school finals and the college finals, and now to the ProRodeos,” Hadley said. “She’s not the one I usually call on, but she’s definitely a horse I like to use on a faster setup where the scores are not long and the calves are pretty strong. “I watched (Friday) night, and I just had a gut feeling that she was the one I needed to ride, and I just went with it.” That gut feeling has her riding high on a Saturday night. Cattlemen’s DaysGunnison, Colo.July 11-13All-around cowboy: Paden Bray, $1,360 in team roping and tie-down roping. Bareback riding: 1. Rocker Steiner, 87 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Big Apple, $3,199; 2. Tilden Hooper, 85, $2,452; 3. Waylon Bourgeois, 84, $1,812; 4. Keenan Hayes, 82.5, $1,173; 6. Drake Amundson, 82, $746; 6. (tie) Cole Franks, Gavin French and Isaac Ingram, 81.5, $426 each. Steer wrestling: 1. Andrew Galloway, 4.6 seconds, $1,773; 2. Jacob Wang, 4.7, $1,542; 3. Jace Logan, 5.2, $1,310; 4. (tie) Garrett Guillot and Cimarron Thompson, 5.4, $964 each; 6. Seth Peterson, 5.7, $617; 6. Hadley Jackson, 6.1, $385; 7. Tate Kvistad, 7.6, $154. Team roping: 1. Jr. Dees/J.C. Flake, 5.1 seconds, $2,433; 2. (tie) Gary Haynes/Bryton Scheller and Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 5.5, $2,004 each; 4. Austin Crist/J.W. Borrego, 5.8, $1,574; 5. (tie) Clay Ullery/Tyce McLeod and Wyatt Bray/Paden Bray, 6.0, $1,360 each; 7. Corey Whinnery/Robert Murphy, 6.2, $1,145; 8. Brodi Jones/Arye Espenscheid, 6.6, $1,002; 9. Kory Bramwell/Calvin Brevik, 9.5, $859; 10. Blake Hirdes/Mike George, 10.6, $572. Breakaway roping: 1. (tie) Brighton Bauman and Nicole Hadley, 1.8 seconds, $2,869 each; 3. Nicole Baggarley, 1.9, $2,171; 4. (tie) Tiffany Schieck and Macy Young, 2.2, $1,706 each; 46. (tie) Kristy Stewart, Jordan Hollabaugh and Shayla Smith, 2.3, $827 each; 9. Brooke Ladner, 2.4, $543; 10. (tie) Beau Peterson and Jade Mitchell, 2.5, $427 each; 12. Kassidy Dennison, 2.6, $310.  Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Tegan Smith, on United Pro Rodeo’s Ropin Dreams, and Bailey Small, on Rafter G Rodeo’s Blue Velvet, 86.5 points, $2,132 each; 3. Coleman Shallbetter, 86, $1,368; 4. (tie) Jake Finlay and Gus Galliard, 85, $724 each; 6. Isaac Richard, 82, $402; 7. Skinny Parsons, 81.5, $322; 8. (tie) Weston Patterson and Caleb Brangham, 79.5, $121.  Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Brice Ingo, 8.7 seconds, $2,546 each; 3. (tie) Landyn Duncan and J.D. McCuistion, 9.3, $1,836 each; 5. (tie) Jayden Broussard and Riley Pruitt, 9.4, $1,125 each; 7. Hudson Wallace, 10.6, $592; 8. Bart Brunson, 11.1, $237. Barrel racing: 1. Jana Bean, 17.53 seconds, $2,679; 2. Fallon Taylor, 17.74, $2,277; 3. (tie) Tara Seaton and Shy-Anne Jarrett, 17.83, $1,741; 5. Rachel Huerkamp, 17.84, $1,340; 6. Sara Redden, 17.89, $938; 7. (tie) Lindsay McCuiston and Alex Odle, 17.96, $603; 9. Megan Albrecht, 17.98, $469; 10. (tie) Sarah Kieckhefer and Taylour Latham, 18.01,  Continue Reading »

GUNNISON, Colo. – This mountain town is a little bit out of the way for Andrew Galloway. He lives in Albuquerque and works as a farrier. He’s pretty busy with that, but he still finds time to wrestle steers, mostly in the Turquoise Circuit, a series of rodeos and contestants primarily from New Mexico and Arizona. He made the trip worth it by stopping the clock in 4.6 seconds during Friday’s second performance of the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo to take the bulldogging lead. “I love coming to this rodeo; I try to come every year that I can,” said Galloway, 33. “The committee’s great, and normally the cattle are super good here, so I really enjoy coming here.” He specializes in horses that need correction on their hooves. That helps keep him busy, so he’s a part-time rodeo cowboy. “I’ve been blessed enough to do some corrective stuff,” he said. “I do a lot of stuff with limonitic horses, founder and ring bone.” Those types of specialized jobs are necessary to horse owners. He served as an apprentice under renowned farrier Riley Henson, and he’s built on those lessons to serve his clients and their equine partners. When he’s on the rodeo trail, he rides a horse owned by fellow bulldogger Cimarron Thompson of Hobbs, New Mexico, who knocked his steer to the ground in 5.4 Friday and sits in a tie for third place. “I try to go to all my circuit rodeos and anything that’s co-approved,” Galloway said, noting that money won at the rodeo in Monte Vista, Colorado, will count toward the Turquoise Circuit standings. “Gunnison is close to Monte Vista this weekend, so I decided to enter and have a little bit of fun.” He hopes to open his schedule a little more starting next year to rodeo a little more and see what might happen. Of course, all success comes because he rides a good horse and has a solid hazer like Thompson lining out the steers for him. Bulldogging is the only event in rodeo where the athlete has a helper like that. “He sure puts them in my lap, and I think that’s one cool thing about the Turquoise Circuit, because everybody tries to help each other out,” said Galloway, who earned his first trip to the regional finale last year. He finished 10th in the circuit last season and has some work to do if he’s going to advance again this season. He’s 18th on the money list, and only the top 12 will move on. “I’d sure like to make it again,” he said. Cattlemen’s DaysGunnison, Colo.July 11-13Bareback riding: 1. Rocker Steiner, 87 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Big Apple; 2. Tilden Hooper, 85; 3. Waylon Bourgeois, 84; 4. 5. Keenan Hayes, 82; 5. (tie) Cole Franks, Gavin French and Isaac Ingram, 81.5; 8. Monte Downare, 81. Steer wrestling: 1. Andrew Galloway, 4.6 seconds; 2. Jacob Wang, 4.7; 3. (tie) Garrett Guillot and Cimarron Thompson, 5.4; 5. Seth Peterson, 5.7; 6. Hadley Jackson, 6.1; 7. Chisum Docheff, 10.3; Brady Reneau, 30.5. Team roping: 1. Jr. Dees/J.C. Flake, 5.1 seconds; 2. Gary Haynes/Bryton Scheller, 5.5; 3. Austin Crist/J.W. Borrego, 5.8; 4. Clay Ullery/Tyce McLeod, 6.0; 5. Corey Whinnery/Robert Murphy, 6.2; 6. Brodi Jones/Arye Espenscheid, 7. Kory Bramwell/Calvin Brevik, 9.5; 8. Blake Hirdes/Mike George, 10.6. Breakaway roping: 1. Brighton Bauman, 1.8 seconds; 2. Nicole Baggarley, 1.9; 3. Tiffany Schieck, 2.2; 4. (tie) Kristy Stewart and Shayla Smith, 2.3; 6. Brooke Ladner, 2.4; 7. (tie) Beau Peterson and Jade Mitchell, 2.5; 9. Kassidy Dennison, 2.6; 10. (tie) Payton Scalzo, Kinlie Brennise, Haley Mason and Winter Williams, 2.7.  Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Tegan Smith, on United Pro Rodeo’s Ropin Dreams, and Bailey Small, on Rafter G Rodeo’s Blue Velvet, 86.5 points; 3. (tie) Jake Finlay and Gus Galliard, 85; 5. Isaac Richard, 82; 6. Cauy Pennington, 79; 7. Kolt Ferguson, 77.5; 8. Carter Sandberg, 76.  Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Brice Ingo, 8.7 seconds; 3. (tie) Landyn Duncan and J.D. McCuistion, 9.3 seconds; 5. (tie) Jayden Broussard and Riley Pruitt, 9.4; 7. Bart Brunson, 11.1; 8. Stuart Hoar, 12.4. Barrel racing: 1. Jana Bean, 17.53 seconds; 2. Fallon Taylor, 17.74; 3. Tara Seaton, 17.83; 4. Shy-Anne Jarrett, 17.83; 5. Rachel Huerkamp, 17.84; 6. Sara Redden, 17.89; 7. Megan Albrecht, 17.98; 8. (tie) Sarah Kieckhefer and Taylour Latham, 18.01; 10. Kelly Yates, 18.06; 11. C.J. Vondette, 18.07; 12. Ryleigh Hauer, 18.08. Bull riding: 1. Luke Mackey, 87 points on Harper Morgan’s Can’t Get It Rig; 2. Brody Hasenack, 83.5; 3. Vinell Mariano, 80; no other qualified rides.

GUNNISON, Colo. – ProRodeo contestants must have short memories. They can’t celebrate the highs too much, and they can’t stay in the dumps when things don’t go their way. Even at just 20 years old, Rocker Steiner understands that as well as the most veteran of cowboys. Thirty hours after a rough day at the Calgary Stampede, Steiner turned the corner in a big way, riding United Pro Rodeo’s Big Apple for 87 points to take the bareback riding lead on Thursday’s opening night of the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo. “I had one bad ride with ahorse that nobody’s really ever heard of, (one that) turned back real tight in the chute and jumped away from me and started running away,” he said of his 64-point ride Wednesday afternoon before rebounding in Gunnison. “That’s the best part of rodeo. You have a bad horse, so you go on to the next one, and you get on a good one. “Today was a really good tune-up. I call it practicing (while) making money at the same time. That was a great practice for sure that you can win a lot of money on.” He and his traveling posse – two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Cole Franks of Clarendon, Texas, and Waylon Bourgeois of Church Point, Louisiana – left town en route to two Wyoming rodeos Friday and Saturday before the trio returns to Calgary for the championship round. Making a solid ride on a good horse in the Rocky Mountains is just what Steiner needs as he builds his confidence for Showdown Sunday in Alberta. “I’m taking this year a lot more serious than I have before,” said Steiner, a two-time NFR qualifier from Weatherford, Texas. “It’s not that I didn’t take the past two years previously, but maybe not exactly as seriously as I should.” He was a bit of a wunderkind in bareback riding. He took a different approach than most, and he’s been one of the best in the business since turning pro two seasons ago. He was the 2022 Resistol Rookie of the Year and has won at some of the biggest rodeos in the sport. He’s claimed NFR go-round titles and earlier this year staked claim to titles at large Texas indoor events in Fort Worth and San Antonio. He sits third in the world standings with earnings already near $110,000. “There’s just nothing else I want to do other than riding bareback horses,” he said. “It kinda calms all the noise around in my life.” He feels the same way about rodeo as his roommates on the road. Franks is 23 and is 11th in the world standings. Bourgeois is 25 and sits 18th. With only the top 15 contestants on the money list in each event at the conclusion of the regular season advancing to ProRodeo’s grand finale, Steiner is hoping all three will get to play for the biggest pay in the game this December in Las Vegas.” “Franky is going to be going to his third NFR, and Waylon’s going to be going into his first,” Steiner said. “It would mean a lot to me to be going down the road with Waylon when he makes his first NFR. That’s a journey I feel like we can share forever, because at my first finals, I didn’t get to do it with anybody, other than my dad. “I don’t have a lot of friends in this world, and I might not be the easiest guy to get along with, but the ones I do have, I love with all my heart. I’ll do anything for those two guys going with me this year, my closest friends, and I’ll do anything to get them to the finals with me.” Cattlemen’s DaysGunnison, Colo.July 11-13Bareback riding: 1. Rocker Steiner, 87 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Big Apple; 2. Tilden Hooper, 85; 3. Waylon Bourgeois, 84; 4. (tie) Cole Franks, Gavin French and Isaac Ingram, 81.5; 7. Kash Martin, 79; 8. Hayden James 75. Steer wrestling: 1. Jacob Wang, 4.7 seconds; 2. Garrett Guillot, 5.4; 3. Seth Peterson, 5.7; 4. Hadley Jackson, 6.1; 5. Chisum Docheff, 10.3; no other qualified runs. Team roping: 1. Gary Haynes/Bryton Scheller, 5.5 seconds; 2. Austin Crist/J.W. Borrego, 5.8; 3. Clay Ullery/Tyce McLeod, 6.0; 4. Corey Whinnery/Robert Murphy, 6.2; 5. Kory Bramwell/Calvin Brevik, 9.5; 6. Blake Hirdes/Mike George, 10.6; 7. Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 12.3; 8. Josh Kurfiss/Joey Menegati, 12.6 Breakaway roping: 1. Brighton Bauman, 1.8 seconds; 2. Nicole Baggarley, 1.9; 3. Tiffany Schieck, 2.2; 4. (tie) Kristy Stewart and Shayla Smith, 2.3; 6. Brooke Ladner, 2.4; 7. (tie) Beau Peterson and Jade Mitchell, 2.5; 9. Kassidy Dennison, 2.6; 10. (tie) Payton Scalzo, Kinlie Brennise, Haley Mason and Winter Williams, 2.7.  Saddle bronc riding: 1. Tegan Smith, 86.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Ropin Dreams; 2. (tie) Jake Finlay and Gus Galliard, 85; 4. Isaac Richard, 82; 5. Cauy Pennington, 79; 6. Carter Sandberg, 76; no other qualified rides.  Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) Landyn Duncan and J.D. McCuistion, 9.3 seconds; 3. (tie) Jayden Broussard and Riley Pruitt, 9.4; 5. Bart Brunson, 11.1; 6. Stuart Hoar, 12.4; 7. Luke Meier12.5; 8. Chase Webster, 14.5. Barrel racing: 1. Fallon Taylor, 17.74; 2. Tara Seaton, 17.83; 3. Rachel Huerkamp, 17.84; 4. Sara Redden, 17.89; 5. Megan Albrecht, 17.98; 6. (tie) Sarah Kieckhefer and Taylour Latham, 18.01; 8. Kelly Yates, 18.06; 9. Ryleigh Hauer, 18.08; 10. Codi Harman, 18.13; 11. Mackenzie McCuistion, 18.18; 12. Rayne Grant, 18.20. Bull riding: 1. Vinell Mariano, 80 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s -33; no other qualified rides.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – After 48 cowboys had failed, Trevor Reiste was in a position everyone wanted. He was the second-to-last bull rider to go at this year’s Rooftop Rodeo, and not one of his compadres had earned the eight-second qualifying ride. Reiste was matched with Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Midnight Flyer during Wednesday’s sixth performance. He hunkered down on the bull and wrapped his hand tightly to the bull rope that was strapped around the behemoth, preparing his body for the explosion of bovine flesh. Everyone knew what was at stake. A single qualified ride meant a boatload of Colorado cash to the cowboy. “I just try not to think about it,” said Reiste, 31, of Linden, Iowa. “I know I’ve got to ride my bull, so I just have to ignore the announcer and everybody else and don’t even try to pay much attention to the bulls before me. It’s tough sometimes, because they’re all my friends, and I want to do them good. I try to keep a clear mind and jus think about my bull and what I need to do.” It worked. Reiste and Midnight Flyer matched moves for 83 points, and the cowboy walked away from Estes Park with more than $18,000. Sitting 27th in the world standings heading into this week, Reiste has a plan for every dollar earned in this Rocky Mountain community. Atop the priority list is to use it toward a second qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. He earned his first seven seasons ago and has been eager to return to ProRodeo’s grand finale. He’s been among the top bull riders in the game for several years, but he’s just missed out on returning to Las Vegas. Only the top 15 contestants on the money list in each event advance to the NFR, and the Iowa cowboy is trying to climb that ladder of success. “I took a couple deep breaths before I slid up and nodded to kind of clear my head one last second before it all got started,” he said. “I had a really rough winter, so I’m just trying to make up for it now.” Momentum is big in any sport, and rodeo is no different. A few days before, Reiste pocketed about $11,000 in Oakley, Utah. “The more you think about each rodeo at a time, it seems to help keep you focused,” Reiste said. “I don’t think of it as a streak. I just focus on one bull at a time. When you feel good, you ride good.” He’s feeling pretty good about his experience this week in Estes Park. Rooftop RodeoJuly 5-10All-around cowboy: Jase Staudt, $2,494, tie-down roping and team roping.Bareback riding: 1. Clay Jorgenson, 83.5 points on The Cervi Brothers’ Easy Does It, $5,633; 2. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Donny Proffit, 81, $3,755 each; 4. (tie) Cooper Filipek and Lane McGehee, 80.5, $1,690 each; 6. Cole Franks, 80, $939; 7. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Wyatt Denny and Bodee Lammers, 79.5, $438 each.Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Wyatt Johnson, 3.9 seconds, $1,215; 2. Cole Trainor, 4.2, $1,006; 3. Kodie Jang, 4.3, $796; 4. Hadley Jackson, 4.6, $587; 5. Jacob Sterkel, 5.4, $377; 6. (tie) Gage Hesse and Kalane Anders, 5.6, $105 each. Second round: 1. Austin Eller, 3.7 seconds, $1,215; 2. Kodie Jang, 4.2, $1,006; 3. (tie) Cole Trainor, Zackery Woods and Zach Hamar, 5.0, $587 each; 6. Wyatt Johnson, 5.3, $209. Average: 1. Kodie Jang, 8.5 seconds on two head, $1,823; 2. (tie) Wyatt Johnson and Cole Trainor, 9.2, $1,351 each; 4. Kalane Anders, 11.4, $880; 5. Gage Hesse, 14.7, $566; 6. Grant Peterson, 15.2, $314.Team roping: First round: 1. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 5.1 seconds, $1,702 each; 2. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 5.2, $1,408; 3. Teagan Bentley/Matt Schieck, 5.4, $1,115; 4. (tie) Wyatt Murray/Rhett Nebeker and Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard, 5.6, $675 each; 6. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 6.0, $293. Second round: 1. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 5.1 seconds, $1,702 each; 2. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 5.5, $1,408; 3. Rio Nutter/Coy Johnson, 5.6, $1,115; 4. Jase Staudt/Jayden Johnson, 6.3, $822; 5. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 6.4, $528; 6. Todd Drommond/Levi Walter, 6.6, $293. Average: 1. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 11.1 seconds on two head, $2,553 each; 2. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 11.6, $2,113; 3. Jase Staudt/Jayden Johnson, 12.7, $1,672; 4. Teagan Bentley/Matt Schieck, 15.5, $1,232; 5. Nate Kirtley/Jett Hillman, 15.7, $792; 6. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 16.0, $440.Saddle bronc riding: 1. Lefty Holman, 81.5 points on The Cervi Brothers’ Cactus Flats, $5,668; 2. Carson Bingham, 80.5, $4,346; 3. (tie) Keene Justesen and Weston Patterson, 80, $2,645 each; 5. (tie) Shorty Garrett and Quintin McWhorter, 79.5, $1,134 each; 7. Statler Wright, 79, $756; 8. Wyatt Casper, 78.5, $567.Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Hayden Ford, 8.4 seconds, $1,675; 2. Trevor Thiel, 8.6, $1,386; 3. (tie) Cole Walker and Cash Fuesz, 8.8, $953 each; 5. Sterling Smith, 9.0, $520; 6. Ace Slone, 9.1, $289. Second round: 1. Gio Piloto, 7.9 seconds, $1,675; 2. Chance Wall, 8.2, $1,386; 3. (tie) Cash Fretwell and Connor Matheson, 8.4, $953 each; 5. (tie) Zack Kirkpatrick and Rodney Jackson, 8.5, $404 each. Average: 1. Hayden Ford, 17.3 seconds on two head, $2,512; 2. Cash Fretwell, 17.7, $2,079; 3. Connor Matheson, 18.1, $1,646; 4. Austin Lawrence, 18.4, $1,213; 5. Cash Fuesz, 18.6, $780; 6. Zaine Mikita, 18.8, $433.Barrel racing: 1. Kathy Grimes, 16.23 seconds, $3,925; 2. Sharin Hall, 16.33, $3,140; 3. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Laura Lambert, 16.41, $2,257 each; 5. Kelly Allen, 16.43, $1,570; 6. Madison McCaffity, 16.52, $1,178; 7. Sage Kohr, 16.60, $981; 8. Tillar King, 16.61, $883; 9. Jentry Vandenberg, 16.62, $785; 10. Sami Jo Buum, 16.63, $687; 11. Codi Harman, 16.67, $589; 12. CJ Vondette, 16.68, $491; 13. (tie) Madison Bean and Fallon Taylor, 16.70, $343 each; 15. (tie) Ashlyn Goven and Kelsey Lensegrav, 16.73, $98 each.Bull riding: * 1. Trevor Reiste, 85 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Vitalix Midnight Flyer, $18,202; no other qualified rides.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Weston Patterson is on the outside looking in, but he’s got lots of time to put himself in the right position by the time ProRodeo’s regular season comes to a close. “I’m right there in the top 35 in the world (standings),” said Patterson, 22, originally from Waverly, Kansas, but now living in the tiny western Oklahoma community of Hydro. “It’s a lot better than it was last year, so I’m really thankful for that. I’m just going to keep knocking them out one by one and hopefully be in running for the (National) Finals this fall.” He gave himself a shot during Tuesday’s fifth performance of Rooftop Rodeo. Patterson rode Cervi Brothers’ Trap Queen for 80 points and sits second in the bronc-riding race with one night remaining in Estes Park’s Rodeo. He’s 34th in the standings with $34,358. Most importantly, he has three months remaining on the regular season in order to put himself into position to play for the biggest pay in rodeo. Only the top 15 on the money list at the end of September qualify for the NFR, which takes place over 10 days in December at Las Vegas. “There’s a lot of money still to be won in the next two and a half months, so a guy definitely can’t get sour and start sweating it,” he said. That’s the maturing process that comes with competing in a sport like rodeo, where there are no guaranteed salaries, and every contestant must pay a fee in order to compete. Cowboys travel tens of thousands of miles in order to make ends meet. In Patterson’s case, he goes from one rodeo to another with three veterans, Jake Clark, Wyatt Casper and Kade Bruno; the latter two have six NFR qualifications between them.   “Especially with the guys I’m in with, I feel like I’ve grown, not just as a rider but also mentally,” Patterson said. “I’m a lot more confident, and I like the way it’s looking.” Having the right group of guys around him has made Patterson realize how important it is to not only try to ride as well as possible but to also keep a solid approach to the game when it doesn’t. “Jake has a very positive attitude, and that goes a long way when you’re out here all year,” he said of Clark, who is 47th in the standings this week. “Being on the road can be hard, but thee guys make it a lot easier – being around good, positive traveling partners that keep it cool, calm, relaxed and fun. It makes the season seem actually shorter than it can be.” Rooftop RodeoJuly 5-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Clay Jorgenson, 83.5 points on The Cervi Brothers’ Easy Does It; 2. Donny Proffit, 81; 3. (tie) Cooper Filipek and Lane McGehee, 80.5 each; 5. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Wyatt Denny and Bodee Lammers, 79.5 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Wyatt Johnson, 3.9 seconds, $1,215; 2. Cole Trainor, 4.2, $1,006; 3. Kodie Jang, 4.3, $796; 4. Hadley Jackson, 4.6, $587; 5. Jacob Sterkel, 5.4, $377; 6. (tie) Kalane Anders and Gage Hesse, 5.6, $105 each. Second round leaders: 1. Austin Eller, 3.7 seconds; 2. Kodie Jang, 4.2; 3. (tie) Zach Hamar and Zackery Woods, 5.0 each; 5. Wyatt Johnson, 5.3; 6. Kalane Anders, 5.8. Average leaders: 1. Kodie Jang, 8.5 seconds on two head; 2. Wyatt Johnson, 9.2; 3. Kalane Anders, 11.4; 4. Gage Hesse, 14.7; 5. Grant Peterson, 15.2; 6. Hadley Jackson, 17.8; no other qualified runs. Team roping: First round: 1. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 5.1 seconds, $1,702 each; 2. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 5.2, $1,408; 3. Teagan Bentley/Matt Schieck, 5.4, $1,115; 4. (tie) Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Wyatt Murray/Rhett Nebeker, 5.6, $675 each; 6. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 6.0, $293. Second round leaders: 1. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 5.1 seconds; 2. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 5.5; 3. Rio Nutter/Coy Johnson, 5.6; 4. Jase Staudt/Jayden Johnson, 6.3; 5. Todd Drommond/Levi Walter, 6.6; 6. Peter Bennett/Nick Nichols, 8.8. Average leaders: 1. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 11.1 seconds on two head; 2. Jase Staudt/Jayden Johnson, 12.7; 3. Teagan Bentley/Matt Schieck, 15.5; 4. Nate Kirtley/Jett Hillman, 15.7; 5. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 16.0; 6. Peter Bennett/Nick Nichols, 17.4; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Carson Bingham, 80.5 points on The Cervi Brothers’ Kiss My Ace; 2. Weston Patterson, 80; 3. (tie) Shorty Garrett and Q McWhorter, 79.5 each; 5. Statler Wright, 79; 6. Wyatt Casper, 78.5. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Hayden Ford, 8.4 seconds, $1,675; 2. Trevor Thiel, 8.6, $1,386; 3. (tie) Cash Fuesz and Cole Walker, 8.8, $953 each; 5. Sterling Smith, 9.0, $520; 6. Ace Slone, 9.1, $289. Second round leaders: 1. Chance Wall, 8.2 seconds; 2. Cash Fretwell, 8.4; 3. (tie) Rodney Jackson and Zack Kirkpatrick, 8.5 each; 5. Hayden Ford, 8.9; 6. (tie) Bryan Moon and Jeremiah Peek, 9.0 each. Average leaders: 1. Hayden Ford, 17.3 seconds on two head; 2. Cash Fretwell, 17.7; 3. Austin Lawrence, 18.4; 4. Cash Fuesz, 18.6; 5. Zaine Mikita, 18.8; 6. Jeremiah Peek, 18.9; no other qualified runs. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Sharin Hall, 16.33 seconds; 2. (tie) Laura Lambert and Shelley Morgan, 16.41 each; 4. Kelly Allen, 16.43; 5. Madison McCaffity, 16.52; 6. Sage Kohr, 16.60. Bull riding leaders: No qualified rides.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Austin Eller knew he needed to be fast. He struggled a couple days ago in the opening round of steer wrestling at the Rooftop Rodeo, so his only chance at making money in Estes Park was to be speedy during Monday’s fourth performance. Riding Dallas, a 16-year-old sorrel gelding he owns, Eller grappled his steer to the ground in 3.7 seconds to take the second-round lead after making the fastest run of the rodeo. “I had to be fast, and I had the steer to do it on,” said Eller, 30 of Glendo, Wyoming. “He was a bit slower, so I just tried to take advantage of the situation.” Meanwhile, he was also supporting his traveling partner, Australian Kodie Jang, who finished third in the opening round, sits right behind Eller in the second round and leads the two-run aggregate with a cumulative time of 8.5 seconds. They’re taking advantage of Dallas, a red racer with the right mindset to do things right when it comes to help cowboys wrestle steers. “I trained him, and Nick Guy rode him at the (National Finals Rodeo) last year,” Eller said. “He’s been a blessing. “I got him when he was 4, so I’ve had him for a while. I bought him and ranched on him for a couple of years. He was just a blowed-up team roping horse, so I ranched on him for a long time to get him to where I had more control of him. Now, he’s just dog-gentle. My kids ride around on him; he’s just a big pet.” A good horse helps cowboys go a long way. For their owners, there are many advantages. In addition to the potential of winning a big second-round payday at Rooftop Rodeo, Eller lets other bulldoggers ride Dallas and earns a percentage of their winnings. The better the horse, the more cowboys want the ride. In Guy’s case, the Wisconsin steer wrestler earned about $72,000 at the 2023 NFR, Eller took a nice piece of that pie by the time ProRodeo’s championship came to a close. Making the NFR is every cowboy’s dream, but they have to have a successful campaign to make it happen. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event at the conclusion of the regular season advance to Las Vegas in December. “I’m going pretty hard this year,” Eller said. “I want to make sure right now that I make the (Mountain States) Circuit Finals and just keep trying to get into everything where I can get qualified for all the winter rodeos so I can go harder next year. “I’ve stayed hooked, but I haven’t had near the success I wanted to out here.” The Mountain States Circuit is made up primarily of rodeos and contestants in Wyoming and Colorado, so doing well in Estes Park can go a long way to bolstering one of Eller’s goals. Known for being a big man’s rodeo event – Guy is 6-foot-3, 235 pounds – Eller is a bit more diminutive, but he doesn’t let that slow him down. Why does he do an event that is defined by brawn? “I started bulldogging when I was 16 years old on a dare,” he said. “Somebody told me I wasn’t tough enough, and I just started by proving them wrong and just fell in love with it. “Sometimes you might just get packed off, but on the good ones, if you do it right, it’s going to work, and it looks good, too.” Rooftop RodeoJuly 5-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Clay Jorgenson, 83.5 points on The Cervi Brothers’ Easy Does It; 2. Donny Proffit, 81; 3. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Wyatt Denny and Bodee Lammers, 79.5 each; 6. Keenan Hayes, 79. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Wyatt Johnson, 3.9 seconds, $1,215; 2. Cole Trainor, 4.2, $1,006; 3. Kodie Jang, 4.3, $796; 4. Hadley Jackson, 4.6, $587; 5. Jacob Sterkel, 5.4, $377; 6. (tie) Kalane Anders and Gage Hesse, 5.6, $105 each. Second round leaders: 1. Austin Eller, 3.7 seconds; 2. Kodie Jang, 4.2; 3. Zach Hamar, 5.0; 4. Wyatt Johnson, 5.3; 5. Kalane Anders, 5.8; 6. (tie) Avery Jamerman, Cody Pratt and Brian Snell, 6.2 each. Average leaders: 1. Kodie Jang, 8.5 seconds on two head; 2. Wyatt Johnson, 9.2; 3. Kalane Anders, 11.4; 4. Gage Hesse, 14.7; 5. Hadley Jackson, 17.8; 6. Austin Eller, 19.0; no other qualified runs. Team roping: First round: 1. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 5.1 seconds, $1,702 each; 2. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 5.2, $1,408; 3. Teagan Bentley/Matt Schieck, 5.4, $1,115; 4. (tie) Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Wyatt Murray/Rhett Nebeker, 5.6, $675 each; 6. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 6.0, $293. Second round leaders: 1. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 5.1 seconds; 2. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 5.5; 3. Rio Nutter/Coy Johnson, 5.6; 4. Jase Staudt/Jayden Johnson, 6.3; 5. Todd Drommond/Levi Walter, 6.6; 6. Jr. Dees/JC Flake, 9.2. Average leaders: 1. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 11.1 seconds on two head; 2. Jase Staudt/Jayden Johnson, 12.7; 3. Teagan Bentley/Matt Schieck, 15.5; 4. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 16.0; 5. Austin Barstow/Zach Varian, 21.8; 6. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 5.2 on one head; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Carson Bingham, 80.5 points on The Cervi Brothers’ Kiss My Ace; 2. (tie) Shorty Garrett and Q McWhorter, 79.5 each; 4. Statler Wright, 79; 5. Bailey Small, 78; 6. Ira Dickinson, 77. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Hayden Ford, 8.4 seconds, $1,675; 2. Trevor Thiel, 8.6, $1,386; 3. (tie) Cash Fuesz and Cole Walker, 8.8, $953 each; 5. Sterling Smith, 9.0, $520; 6. Ace Slone, 9.1, $289. Second round leaders: 1. Chance Wall, 8.2 seconds; 2. Cash Fretwell, 8.4; 3. (tie) Rodney Jackson and Zack Kirkpatrick, 8.5 each; 5. Hayden Ford, 8.9; 6. Jeremiah Peek, 9.0. Average leaders: 1. Hayden Ford, 17.3 seconds on two head; 2. Cash Fretwell, 17.7; 3. Austin Lawrence, 18.4; 4. Cash Fuesz, 18.6; 5. Jeremiah Peek, 18.9; 6. Colby Anders, 19.2; no other qualified runs. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Sharin Hall, 16.33 seconds; 2. Madison McCaffity, 16.52; 3. Sage Kohr, 16.60; 4. Tillar King, 16.61; 5. Jentry Vandenberg, 16.62; 6. Sami Buum, 16.63. Bull riding leaders: No qualified rides. 

ESTES PARK, Colo. – It was almost a year ago when header Jase Staudt and heeler Jayden Johnson began roping together. The two are making things work, even though they live seven hours apart. They stopped the clock in 6.7 seconds during Sunday’s third performance of Rooftop Rodeo; they sit third in the second go-round and second in the two-run aggregate with a cumulative time of 12.7 seconds. Estes Park was the perfect meeting point, and they’re taking advantage of it. “Last summer, I was looking for a partner for Cheyenne, and we went and roped there and did a little bit of good,” said Staudt, 27, of Saguache, Colorado. “We finished out the rest of the circuit rodeos through August and September together, and it went really good. “I love roping with Jayden, so it just made sense for us to start the year off this year and rodeo together.” Staudt has had more overall success, roping the all-around championships at the last two Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeos. Both are focused on regional rodeos; the Mountain States Circuit is made up of rodeos and contestants primarily from Colorado and Wyoming. It’s a good mix for the two cowboys. Johnson, whose father, Justin, competed in team roping for several years, and his uncle, Jhett, was the 2011 world champion heeler. “It’s been awesome roping with Jase,” said Johnson, 28, of Casper, Wyoming. “We clicked and did good, and then he called me again this year to see if I wanted to rope again, and I said, ‘Yeah, absolutely; let’s do it.’ ” Rooftop Rodeo is a major stop in the circuit, and this is a good chance for the tandem to pick up some big-time cash in just a few days. They love making their way to Estes Park every July. “This is a great place to be,” Staudt said. “It doesn’t get more beautiful, and they have nice stalls and great hospitality. The committee is great to everybody. It’s a pleasure to be here.” Is staying in the circuit their primary focus? “We both have pretty good jobs and stuff and have some ranch work that we need to do,” Staudt said. “He drives trucks and hauls a bunch of cattle, so we like going to these circuit rodeos.” Neither is ruling out making a run for world titles and qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo. “I would say (the circuit) is about good right now, especially with having ranch duties and other business stuff to do,” Johnson said. “The circuit is pretty easy to go to, especially when you make your own schedule. I thought I’d like to maybe one day try to make the NFR. I think it’d be a really fun, good experience.” Until then, they just hope to rope in a little Rocky Mountain money in Estes Park.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Snoopy got his name naturally. “He was always snooping, always in your pocket,” John Harrison said of the paint horse. “That’s the reason he got his name. He’s always wanting to know what you’re doing. He’d grab your hoodie on your sweatshirt and pull you backwards. I was like, ‘You’re the most annoying thing in the world.’ He’d aggravate the horse-shoer while getting his feet trimmed.” That trait turned into a job for Snoopy, though it wasn’t the one first intended. Harrison is an entertainer and clown, and he’s one of the most decorated in ProRodeo. He will be on hand for this year’s Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 4, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. “This act actually just kind of fell in my lap,” said Harrison, a trick-rider turned comedy act who utilizes his skills as a horseman to showcase not only his talents but those of his equine partners. “I bought this horse as a yearling years ago with the idea of using him for a trick-riding horse. He never got real tall, and he’s really round in the back, and he was really hard to break. “He liked to rare up, so I had (fellow trick-rider) Madison McDonald put a pattern on him once we finally got him broke, and she talked about how annoying he was, always pestering.”  That irritating personality became a gift. “My wife actually was the one who said, ‘He should be a trick horse, not a trick-riding horse,’ ” Harrison said of his wife, Carla. “I thought, ‘You’re exactly right.’ So then I came up with this idea. I originally wanted to do the act where a horse was loose in the arena and then runs to the middle, but then we’d have to do what we call ‘spot training,’ where we have to put down a piece of plywood or something like that. “I thought that was too staged, so I came up with the idea of him being a bucking horse, and he just starts chasing me. It’s a fun act to do.” It’s fun for him, and it makes for incredible comedy for the fans that come to the rodeo. It’s one of the reasons why Harrison is one of the most decorated funnymen in rodeo. Each of the past two seasons, he has won the three major honors at the PRCA Awards Banquet: Comedy Act of the Year, Coors Man in the Can and Clown 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. He will return to Roundup Rodeo for the second time in four years. He last appeared inside the legendary arena in 2021 and brought the crowd to its feet six straight nights. “Dodge City is one of those legendary rodeos you love to go to,” he said. “It’s a lot of work, and there are a lot of performances, but you get to see the best of the best go in front of. You get to work with the best, too, with (announcer) Boyd Polhamus and (sound director) Benje Bendele, and you get one of the best stock contractors with Frontier Rodeo. It’s going to be fast, and it’s going to be good. “It’s not just entertaining for the crowd, but it’s entertaining for me as well.” That’s part of the package fans get with a ticket to any night of Roundup Rodeo. While the primary draw is the world-class action that comes with one of the best ProRodeos in the country, there is a family-friendly entertainment value that comes with the sport. The volunteers that produce the annual rodeo not only want folks have a good night of fun, they want them to come back and see it again. While there will be fast runs and high scores, rodeo is not scripted. There are some wild things that happen from time to time, and nobody wants to miss that. Take a few situations that have happened with Snoopy in the last year. Harrison has a pretty good idea how he wants the “Liberty Act” to go, but working with animals can make for some last-minute adjustments, especially with a soul as direct as Snoopy’s. He’s trained to follow and harass whatever is in the arena, and that typically is Harrison. Therefore, the entertainer has to make sure other personnel know what is about to happen when Snoopy comes into view. “He will attack a moving target,” Harrison said with a laugh. “(Bullfighter) Dusty Tuckness learned that in Gooding, Idaho, last year. He was actually helping me with the act, and he ran out there to get my stuff for me, and the horse hadn’t laid down yet, and he started chasing Dusty, and Dusty was throwing bullfighting moves at him and couldn’t get away from him.” It made for a fun evening of comedy, though it was a bit frustrating for the animal’s trainer and primary target. “I finally had to go over and get the horse, and at first, I was a little mad, but then everybody’s laughing and saying it was great,” he said. “It made it memorable, and I think everybody really enjoyed it. Tuck was like, ‘I’m going to lease that horse for my bullfighting schools, because he’s all over you and won’t leave you, which would be great to train these kids wanting to fight bulls.’ ” It’s probably the highlight act of Harrison’s arsenal, which will get plenty of work over the six days he’s in western Kansas. “I’m not sure what I’ll do, but I’ll have that main act and throw in a few of the others to keep it fresh,” Harrison said. “The main thing is you want people to enjoy the show and want to come back, so we’ll do what  Continue Reading »

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Bareback riding can be tortuous on a cowboy’s body. Men wear specially designed gloves that have binds on the outsides, then they wedge those hands into a suitcase handle-like rigging that is strapped tightly around a bucking horse. When ready, they are virtually locked onto the animal, and every jump, kick and twist is felt while the cowboy tries to spur the bronc in rhythm with its bucking motion. Wyatt Denny knows all about it. Now in his 10th year riding bareback horses in ProRodeo, he’d felt every jerk, every whiplash-like reverberation to his spine that comes with the job. He’s a three-time qualifier to the National Finals Rodeo, but he hasn’t been back at ProRodeo’s grand finale in five seasons. “I’ve just been focusing on quality over quantity,” said Denny, 28, of Minden, Nevada, the 2015 Resistol Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year. “As bad as it sounds, I’m getting up there in age, and my body ain’t holding up as it used to. I’m cutting the smaller rodeos out, and I’m just putting all my eggs in these big baskets, these big rodeos like Estes Park, Sheridan (Wyoming) and all these others that are coming up.” That mindset is paying off. Denny rode Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Snafu for 79.5 points to take the bareback riding lead during Saturday’s second performance of Rooftop Rodeo. “I’m taking more time off now, trying to love it, and that’s what’s in it for me,” Denny said. “I have more time to work on my body, work on my mental game, fuel myself, get everything ready. That way, when I show up, I expect to win.” He’s freeing his mind, allowing his natural athleticism to follow that lead. He’s going back to the basics, the things that worked early in his career. With some mentoring from Kelly Wardell, a rodeo coach and former NFR bareback rider, Denny has found a new pot of gold in his rainbow. “What me and Kelly have gone over is setting that right foot up and go back to being the wild man, go back to that wild-man style,” Denny said. “That’s how I ride them. I’m not the kind of guy that’s going to get ahold of those horses. I need to be the wild man and just let it be free. “When I was a kid, I didn’t have much training, so when it came to spurring horses, it was wilder and much more exciting. I’ve adapted from that, and I need to go back to that.” He and his traveling partner, Shane O’Connell, competed Thursday in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, then spent that night at O’Connell’s place nearby. With a day in between, they opted for an early start for Rooftop Rodeo. “We were just sitting around Rapid City (South Dakota), and we thought, ‘Let’s just drive there and be tourists,’ ” he said. “That’s one of the things I like about rodeo. Riding bareback horses and the money and the buckles … all that stuff is cool, but when it goes away and when you leave rodeo, you’re going to forget about all that stuff, and all you have are memories like what we made in Estes Park.” Rooftop RodeoJuly 5-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Wyatt Denny, 79.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Snafu; 2. Owen Brouillette, 77; 3. Myles Carlson, 76; 4. Hunter Carlson, 74; 5. Shane O’Connell, 73; 6. Jayce Harrison, 70. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Wyatt Johnson, 3.9 seconds, $1,215; 2. Cole Trainor, 4.2, $1,006; 3. Kodie Jang, 4.3, $796; 4. Hadley Jackson, 4.6, $587; 5. Jacob Sterkel, 5.4, $377; 6. (tie) Kalane Anders and Gage Hesse, 5.6, $105 each. Second round leaders: 1. Zach Hamar, 5.0 seconds; 2. Avery Jamerman, 6.2; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Avery Jamerman, 27.2 seconds on two head; 2. Wyatt Johnson, 3.9 on one head; 3. Cole Trainor, 4.2; 4. Kodie Jang, 4.3; 5. Hadley Jackson, 4.6; 6. Zach Hamar, 5.0; no other qualified runs. Team roping: First round: 1. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 5.1 seconds, $1,702 each; 2. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 5.2, $1,408; 3. Teagan Bentley/Matt Schieck, 5.4, $1,115; 4. (tie) Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Wyatt Murray/Rhett Nebeker, 5.6, $675 each; 6. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 6.0, $293. Second round leaders: 1. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 5.1 seconds; 2. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 5.5; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Brayden Fillmore/Josh Fillmore, 11.1 seconds on two head; 2. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 5.1 on one head; 3. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 5.2; 4. Teagan Bentley/Matt Schieck, 5.4; 5. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 5.5; 6. Wyatt Murray/Rhett Nebeker, 5.6; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Chance Barrass, 76 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Rocket Sox; 2. (tie) Sam Martin and Coleman Shallbetter, 75 each; 4. Ean Price, 74.5; 5. Jake Schlattmann, 74; 6. Chris Williams, 72.5. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Hayden Ford, 8.4 seconds, $1,675; 2. Trevor Thiel, 8.6, $1,386; 3. (tie) Cash Fuesz and Cole Walker, 8.8, $953 each; 5. Sterling Smith, 9.0, $520; 6. Ace Slone, 9.1, $289. Second round leaders: 1. Rodney Jackson, 8.5 seconds; 2. Hayden Ford, 8.9; 3. Colby Anders, 9.1; 4. J.D. McCuistion, 9.6; 5. Colton Greene, 9.9; 6. Sterling Smith, 10.5. Average leaders: 1. Hayden Ford, 17.3 seconds on two head; 2. Colby Anders, 19.2; 3. Sterling Smith, 19.5; 4. Rodney Jackson, 26.6; 5. Cole Tierney, 31.9; 6. Clay Reiner, 35.6; no other qualified runs. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Sage Kohr, 16.60 seconds; 2. Jentry Vandenberg, 16.62; 3. Sami Buum, 16.63; 4. (tie) Ashlyn Goven and Kelsey Lensegrav, 16.73 each; 6. Shannon South, 16.74. Bull riding leaders: No qualified rides.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Chance Barrass knows to keep his visa handy. A saddle bronc rider from Yellowhead County, Alberta, he’s crossed the border a few times already this year, and he’s not done. A few days ago, he was competing in Ponoka, Alberta. A day or so later, he was in Oregon, all chasing his rodeo dreams. On Friday night, he rode Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Rocket Sox for 76 points to take the bronc riding lead at Rooftop Rodeo. “I try to go to as many rodeos down here as I can,” said Barrass, a 2021 Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier. “We’re pretty busy in Canada, but during the Fourth (of July Run) and in the winter, I try to spend quite a bit of time down here.” He’s trying to take advantage of any situation he can, because money is the name of the game. Cowboys first pay to play the game, issuing out entry fees, and they only earn money when the beat most of the field. That cash not only helps cover expenses and pay bills, but dollars equal championship points. Only the top 15 on the money list at the conclusion of the regular season advance to the National Finals Rodeo. For now, though, the third-year pro is hoping to secure enough earnings to finish among high enough in the world standings so he can qualify for some of the bigger, indoor events that take place January-April. Because he wasn’t able to compete in Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth or Denver, he’s behind the eight-ball rolling into the summer months. “I’d like to try to get into the top 40 in the world so I’m able to get into some of the bigger rodeos next winter when the new year comes,” Barrass said. “Of course, I’d also like to make the Canadian finals this year, too.” Injuries have sidelined the cowboy from western Alberta, but he’s feeling healthy and ready make a run at his goals for the year. At Alberta rodeos like Ponoka, Benalto, Calgary and Airdrie not only count toward the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association standings, they also add up for the PRCA, the premier rodeo sanctioning body whose earnings count toward bids to the NFR.  “Yeah, it’s pretty hard to figure a schedule out,” he said. “We had a little bit of time off this week, so we decided to enter a little run. We came back here from Eugene and Molalla (Oregon) last night. “We’re leaving right after this back to Alberta for Benalto next Wednesday, then we’ll come back down to the States again after that.” That’s what it takes for a cowboy to chase his dreams. Rooftop RodeoJuly 5-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Owen Brouillette, 77 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Billy Shakespeare; 2. Grant Worthington, 69; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Cole Trainor, 4.2 seconds; 2. Jacob Wang, 9.7; 3. Jace Mayfield, 10.2; no other qualified runs. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Coy Brittain/Michael Fortenberry, 5.1 seconds; 2. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 5.2; 3. Wyatt Murray/Rhett Nebeker, 5.6; 4. Brodi Jones/Arye Espenscheid, 8.1; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Chance Barrass, 76 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Rocket Sox; 2. Sam Martin, 75; 3. Ean Price, 74.5; 4. Jake Schlattmann, 74; 5. Chris Williams, 72.5; 6. Sam Weston, 70. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Kyle Dickens, 9.6 seconds; 2. Connor Matheson, 9.7; 3. Tate Teague, 10.5; 4. Rhett Nebeker, 11.8; no other qualified runs. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Sage Kohr, 16.60 seconds; 2. Kelsey Lensegrav, 16.73; 3. Heidi Tillard, 16.78; 4. Sierra Schlenker, 16.84; 5. Jayda Jameson, 17.10; 6. Maggie Poloncic, 17.11. Bull riding leaders: No qualified rides.

GUNNISON, Colo. – For folks traveling to Gunnison from the west for Cattlemen’s Days, the Colorado Department of Transportation has released an update regarding the U.S. Highway 50 bridge repairs over Blue Mesa Reservoir. The bridge will be open for 12 hours per day to one-lane traffic – led by a pilot car – from July 4-7. Starting Monday, July 8, it will return to being open just twice a day: 6:30-8:30 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. In addition, no large vehicles will be allowed to cross the bridge and must follow the County Road 26 detour. That will lead to a little traffic snarl for the Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo, set for Thursday, July 11-Saturday, July 13, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “We realize that this is a little bit of a snag in the plans of the contestants coming to Gunnison from the west,” said Brad Tutor, president of the Cattlemen’s Days committee. “It’s going to be an issue for cowboys and cowgirls hauling horses, and it’s also going to cause problems for people who are bringing their campers or RVs to town, but we are very pleased with the way the Lake City Cutoff (County Road 26) has been maintained and used. “It’s going to be a little bit of a delay, but it’s very manageable.” Westbound U.S. Highway 50 is the primary artery for folks traveling toward Montrose and beyond, but it’s not the only route. Because of the mountain paths, all motorists will need to allow for extra time while trying to make their way around the construction, which has been ongoing since April. “While we appreciate the Lake City Cutoff, we also realize there are some contestants who would not be as comfortable with making the trip across it,” Tutor said. “The alternatives coming from the west would be to either remain on Interstate 70 at Grand Junction to (U.S.) Highway 24 and come south there and back around to Gunnison. “Or you could go south at Montrose on (U.S. Highway) 550 to Durango and back around to Salida, then come back west. It’s going to come down to what contestants are most comfortable with.” For more information about the various routes, just click on the link: https://maps.cotrip.org/event/CDOT-16694727080BOTH/@-108.77246,38.99316,7?show=roadWork,expressLanes,roadReports,weatherWarnings.