Monthly Archives: August 2024

Wrights, other state superstars have a proven rodeo track record SALT LAKE CITY – Over the course of ProRodeo history, there have been 10 Utah world champions who account for 29 gold buckles. They’re men like Lewis Feild and his son Kaycee, who own 11 combined – Lewis is a three-time all-around titlist and a two-time bareback riding winner, while Kaycee has six bareback riding crowns. Both are in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Throw in bull rider Blue Stone and bareback rider Lan LaJeunesse, who each have two championships, and the Beehive State has had some rodeo talent. In the current stage of the sport, no name is more popular than Wright. The family from Beaver County, Utah, has amassed 14 Montana Silversmiths gold buckles over a lifetime of elite competition. Saddle bronc rider Cody Wright started it off in 2008 when he won his first world title; he followed with a second two years later. Younger brother Jesse – who, alongside twin Jake, competed at several National Finals Rodeos – won gold in 2012, and another brother, Spencer, claimed the title in 2014. The second generation is continuing to take the sport by storm. Cody’s oldest three sons, Rusty, Ryder and Stetson, have all been to multiple NFRs, and the youngest, Statler, is on pace to compete in Las Vegas for the first time this December. Stetson is an eight-time world champion, having earned the last five all-around titles, the 2020 and 22 bull riding crowns and the 2021 bronc riding buckle. Ryder won bronc riding gold in 2017 and 2020. It’s that type of talent that will be on display at Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “That rodeo is huge for our circuit,” Ryder Wright said of the Wilderness Circuit, which is made up primarily of rodeos and contestants in Utah and southern Idaho. “It’s big toward the gold buckle even. There’s a lot of money there, and we love going there. You’ve got good horses, good money and good crowds. You can’t beat Utah rodeos.” Ryder Wright is seventh in the world standings with more than $170,000 in earnings. He’s an eight-time NFR qualifier who won the aggregate title in 2020. He was the second of Cody’s sons to earn a trip to Las Vegas – older brother, Rusty, was the first to qualify in 2015, and Ryder followed a year later and hasn’t missed a finale yet. He is also the defending bronc riding champion at Utah’s Own Rodeo. “Any dollar counts toward a gold buckle,” he said of the big purse available in Salt Lake City. “I won my first gold buckle by $1,200, and I lost my third one by about the same. Any amount of money helps, and those good-sized rodeos just make it that much better.” Rusty Wright has sat out about two months with a torn groin but is expected to be back in action by September. Stetson Wright, who suffered a badly torn hamstring last year, has opted to sit out this season. Statler Wright is having the best season of his young career but would like to continue to add to his annual salary through the final few weeks of the season, which ends Sept. 30. “It feels a lot better being in this position than what I’m used to doing,” said Statler Wright, who is ninth on the saddle bronc riding money list with more than $135,000. “I’m used to trailing, but I am giving myself a little bit of a cushion but no room to sleep on it.” He finished his rookie campaign 20th on the 2022 money list and was 19th a year ago. That’s a close margin considering only the top 15 in the world standings advance to the NFR. His winning percentages have increased, and that tabulates into a great opportunity to battle for a gold buckle in December. “Stetson and I sat down at the end of last year and talked about it,” Statler Wright said. “We realized my goals weren’t where they were supposed to be. My goals last year and the year before were trying to make the finals. This year, I switched up my goals. I am going to try to win the world title. “I don’t like participation trophies, so we’re going to try to get that gold buckle. Anything less than that, I think, is a failure, so we’ll just keep going at it until it happens.” That’s the kind of mentality it takes to earn rodeo’s gold. Utah’s Own Rodeo features $10,000 in local money per event that is mixed with the contestants’ entry fees to make up the entire purse. Only a small percentage of contestants will earn a check, so the payout will be substantial. “Utah rodeos are my favorites,” Statler Wright said. “You can’t really beat them. I love the crowds there and being close to home. It’s awesome.”

Three-time Sound Director of the Year puts talents on display at state fair SALT LAKE CITY – A couple of decades ago, Jill Franzen Loden was trying to find her own way in the rodeo world. Raised on a spread in central Wyoming, her family operates Powder River Rodeo, a livestock contracting company that produces rodeos across North America. She grew up around the game and has worked hand-in-hand with her folks, Hank and Lori, and her brother, John, and his wife, Cara. While in high school, she dabbled in producing the sound for rodeos, which was helped considerably by the relationship the family had with the late Chad Nicholson, who spent his lifetime announcing rodeos and being a major part of each production. Over her time in the business, she has gone from cassette tapes and compact discs to an elaborate digital system that allows her to adjust on the fly with the simple click of a computer mouse, and the results are fascinating. She will return for the 21st time to serve as the sound director for Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “It’s been really fun to see that rodeo grow,” said Loden, a three-time winner of the PRCA’s Sound Director of the Year. “The rodeo itself is fun with the state fair, and it’s a fun little environment. It’s more of a city crowd, but they definitely seem to enjoy it.” Rodeo is equal parts world-class competition and family-friendly entertainment. Utah’s Own Rodeo is unique in its timing, which just enhances the stakes. By being that time of year, it’s one of the last remaining events on ProRodeo’s regular season, thereby making each ride and run intriguing. Cowboys and cowgirls will be battling to finish the campaign among the top 15 on the money list in their respective events to secure qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo. That’s why a who’s who of elite contestants will make their way to Salt Lake City. Loden takes all of that into consideration as she prepares to go to work inside the massive stadium at the Utah State Fairpark. “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,” she said. “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. “I love to travel. I love rodeo. This job found me; I didn’t find it.” It’s the perfect fit. Garrett Yerigan understands that. A two-time PRCA Announcer of the Year, Yerigan and Loden work together in Salt Lake City and have a powerful connection when it comes to putting on a show for the crowd. “Jill is one of a kind,” said Yerigan, now in his third year of public address for Utah’s Own Rodeo. “There is nobody in this business that enjoys their job more than her. If you are able to watch her body language during the show, she’s rocking out just as much as anybody else in the grandstands, and I think that’s infectious. “When she’s having fun like she always does, it portrays to my job, to the clown’s job and ultimately to the fans. There’s a reason she’s won the accolades she has, and it’s super great to be part of the fair with her.”

Merritt, Landis to showcase their talents during Utah’s Own Rodeo SALT LAKE CITY – Matt Merritt and Donnie Landis have played on some of the biggest stages of rodeo, but there’s something unique about being at the Utah State Fair. “In that part of America, there are some great rodeo fans,” said Merritt, who will be one of two rodeo clowns entertaining the crowds that pack the stands at Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “Some of the best places to rodeo are in Utah. In Austin, Texas, everybody on the street corner is a team roper, and they think they know about rodeo in a lot of places, but they don’t watch or cheer for it there. In Salt Lake, you get a good mix of rodeo fans and novelty fans, so you get a good, loud audience that makes the rodeo that much better.” Merritt will show off his talents during the Friday and Saturday performances, while Landis will take over controls for the final performance the following Monday. They each bring unique talents and experiences; Landis has been clowning for more than 50 years and has twice been selected as the barrelman at the National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale that takes place each December at Las Vegas. Merritt has been recognized multiple times as one of the elite entertainers in ProRodeo, having been nominated for PRCA Clown of the Year. He’s traveled extensively over the course of his career, and though he doesn’t have the miles or the years as that of Landis, Merritt has a distinct flavor to working a crowd while also understanding the importance of a rodeo production. “My comedy is definitely off the hip,” Merritt said. “I have gimmicks that I use, but typically what I’m saying and what I’m doing is off the cuff. “I tried telling jokes I found on the internet. They’re funny, and they have a punch line. I had a car act, and I had a dog that dug holes and did all these things. I realized that as soon as I started those acts that people would kind of turn me off because they had a phone in their hand, and they knew there was a joke coming, So, I just started shooting from the hip.” It’s paid off in many ways. Events like Utah’s Own Rodeo can be a major drawing card, especially for families looking for quality entertainment at low cost. While most major sports are now charging families hundreds of dollars for a night out, rodeo is keeping its prices affordable so more people can enjoy the show. “Rodeo is the last affordable sport or venue of any kind, and families get to come and experience just the real joy of watching what we do,” said Merritt, originally from northern Louisiana but now living in North Carolina. “Where I’m from, rodeo was like any other sport like baseball, football or basketball. It wasn’t crazy or different or weird, so my buddies rode bulls, and I dabbled in steer riding and chute-dogging when I was a little kid.” That same phrase can be heard in the Beehive State. The popularity of rodeo helped create the arena at the Utah State Fairpark. The stadium seats more than 10,000 people. It’s the perfect setting to help get fans into the action, which will feature many of the top cowboys and cowgirls in ProRodeo. “It’s one thing for us to realize what a classy facility it is,” Merritt said. “It is probably one of the nicest places in rodeo. The audience gets to feel like they’re indoors while we get to feel like we’re outdoors and free, all that rodeo is supposed to represent.” The state’s history in the sport is strong, and Utah’s Own Rodeo is just carrying on a longstanding tradition.

Summit to bring in other contractors to make Utah’s Own Rodeo better SALT LAKE CITY – J.D. Hamaker and his partners are maestros of sorts. A horseman by trade, he is co-owner of Summit Pro Rodeo alongside Daniel Beard and Byron Juma, and they are the livestock producers of Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. It’s their job to not only produce the three-day affair, but also to help make music with the contestants and put on a concert for the thousands who will pack into the stadium. Summit owns some of the best animals in ProRodeo, and the owners of the organization understand the importance of making the competition magnificent. The best way to do that is to have the most even set of livestock possible in each event. “We’re just trying to keep the quality of the rodeo up all the way through,” said Hamaker, a former bronc buster who got into the stock-contracting business a few years ago by happenstance. “We’ll have a load of horses from Muddy Creek, which is Chancey Wilson out of South Dakota, and we’ll have Kirsten Vold come in with a load of horses. “If we didn’t have them, it would be my good ones mixed in three performances with the next 50 head not being as quite as good. It will get the level of the entire rodeo up to the same level.” When it all comes together, it’s a better opportunity for the cowboys and cowgirls who depend on the sport to make a living, which, in turn, makes for a better show for the fans. Combined, every layer must be orchestrated in a way that is appealing for everybody. “The rodeo made a stock-contractor change last year, and Summit Pro Rodeo did a phenomenal job,” said Garrett Yerigan, who will announce the rodeo for the third straight year. “It was my first experience working with Summit, and I was very impressed. The horses and bulls all performed very well. Both ends of the equation – from crowds to livestock – are really something people should pay attention to with this rodeo.” Nearly 400 contestants have put their names in the hat to compete in Salt Lake City in early September, and they will be chasing for their share of the money that’s featured. The Utah State Fair has $60,000 in local cash, which will be added with the contestants’ entry fees to make up the overall purse. With that kind of money available, it’s vital for every contestant to have a chance to win money. What they don’t want is a drawing contest, where the guy with the best horse, bull or steer is most likely going to win. They want the animal they’ve been matched with via random draw to give them a good opportunity at cashing in. When Hamaker rode bucking horses, cowboys knew there were just a handful of top animals in the mix, and the contestants that drew them were likely going to lead the way to the pay window. “The trend has been where the stock contractor will bring in sub-contractors,” he said. “Your best can only go to so many places, so we get sub-contractors to help with that when we can.” The days of a single contractor providing all bucking stock for a rodeo are quickly fading away. The bigger the event, the bigger the need for great animal athletes. Even Summit Pro Rodeo understands this and uses a similar approach to the business: Beard and Hamaker have the broncs, and Juma handles the bull power. “Byron is pretty much the bull half of the company,” Hamaker said. “It helps separate the pressure, so it’s not just one load on one person. That’s kind of the way rodeo has gone. It seems like most every company in the United States right now has two guys, a bull guy and a horse guy. Very few companies have one guy that has the horses and the bulls.” Summitt produces 14 rodeos a year and provides animals at several other events. The firm produces the National High School Finals Rodeo and some college rodeos, so it’s a bit hectic from June to October. It’s come full circle for Beard, Juma and Hamaker, the latter of whom quit rodeoing and built a business before even considering the idea of having bucking animals. “My boys grew to the point where they wanted to start rodeoing,” he said. “We started putting a few horses together for them to practice on, and then there were some of their friends around that wanted to get on, so we’d get a few more. “Pretty quick, we had enough horses to start contracting some high school and junior rodeos they were going to. We bought out an amateur company, then bought out a professional company, and it just escalated.” That growth and development is why Summit Pro Rodeo has grown into a powerful company. In 2020, the firm won the PRCA’s Remuda Award, which is given to the stock-contracting company that has the most consistent pen of bucking horses. There’s a good chance Summit can win the award again. “What I appreciate is their ability to sort of swallow their pride and bring in the help of other contractors to that rodeo,” Yerigan said. “They weren’t there to make themselves look like the greatest ever. They were there trying to make the rodeo look like it was the greatest ever.”

Utah’s Own Rodeo moving third performance to Monday evening SALT LAKE CITY – With less than a month remaining on the professional rodeo regular season, organizers of Utah’s Own Rodeo have made a decision they hope will help more contestants make their way to Salt Lake City in early September. “The Utah State Fair board of directors is optimistic that moving the rodeo to Monday will it grow,” said Jacee Lancaster, the livestock director for the Utah State Fairpark & Event Center. “We realized it was a struggle for contestants to make their way to our rodeo that weekend. We wanted to ensure that they could get here without as big of a headache, so we moved our final performance from Sunday to Monday.” Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. The primary obstacle is the Washington State Fair Rodeo. Preliminary go-rounds take place Sept. 5-7, and the top 12 in each event qualify for the championship round, which takes place Sunday, Sept. 8. The drive from Puyallup, Washington, to Salt Lake City will take about 13 hours, which leaves no time to compete at both events. Flights out of either Seattle or Portland might help, but they would be limited. “I’ve never competed at the state fair rodeo,” said Statler Wright, 20, a saddle bronc rider from Beaver, Utah, who is closing in on his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. “We entered it last year, but we got up over the short round in Puyallup. This year I think we’ve got it set up to where we can go no matter what.” There are more than 20 rodeos across North America that weekend, including big-money events in Salt Lake City; Puyallup; Lewiston, Idaho; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Abilene, Texas; and Fort Madison, Iowa. Cowboys and cowgirls will try to make it to as many stops as possible as they close in on the final few weeks of the season. It’s imperative that they gather as much cash as possible before Sept. 30; only the top 15 on the money list in each event will advance to the NFR, the sport’s premier event and grand finale that will feature the biggest pay in the game. Puyallup is the first stop in the Cinch Playoffs, and contestants who qualify for that event must compete in order to advance to the finale in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “We understand how important all these other rodeos are to the contestants, so we want to be as accommodating as possible,” Lancaster said. “It’s a hectic time of year in rodeo, and they’re all scrambling to earn as much money as possible and get the qualifications they need. “Our fans deserve to see the very best cowboys in rodeo, and we think this will be the best way possible for us to attract them to town that weekend.” Historically, Utah’s Own Rodeo was the only event in the state that conducted a Sunday performance. By changing the dates, the event will follow suit with the dozens of other Utah PRCA rodeos that take Sunday off. “Rodeo is a way of life in this part of the world, and a lot of families came out and enjoyed their days together at our rodeo,” Lancaster said. “We hope that since we’re starting our Monday rodeo a little earlier that those same families will be able to enjoy an evening at the rodeo. “It’s going to be a special night, and I think we’re going to see a lot of world champions and other NFR qualifiers at the state fairgrounds.”    

Utah bareback riders know big things happen at Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo SALT LAKE CITY – For Utah men who ride bucking horses, competing at the state capital is important to their heritage and their legacy. “It’s a rodeo that’s in my backyard that I look forward to being at, and they’ve done such a dang good job putting it together,” said bareback rider Mason Clements, 32, of Spanish Fork, Utah. “I love being there in front of my hometown crowd. They’re starting to bring some awesome stock there, and people want more rodeo after the Days of ’47.” While Salt Lake City hosts a summer celebration for the Days of ’47 each July, the spectacle that is part of the Utah State Fair each September is a reflection of the importance rodeo has across the Beehive State. Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “When the fair comes around, it brings people back out and makes for a great live crowd,” Clements said. “When you experience this rodeo, you know how good it really is.” Big crowds and quality entertainment help make the rodeo an important stop during ProRodeo’s regular season, which ends the final day of September. With contestants scrambling in the final month to earn the right to compete at the National Finals Rodeo, doing well in Salt Lake City the first weekend of that month is vital. “Salt Lake City is an awesome rodeo,” said Dean Thompson, who is closing in on his second straight NFR qualification. “I’ve got history there. I went to Puyallup (Washington) last year hoping to do good and ended up doing no good. I had to scramble to make it to Salt Lake, ended up splitting first, and that’s what pushed me – along with winning Pendleton (Oregon) – to the NFR. “Salt Lake is awesome because you’re going to see all the best guys in the world because they’re going to be scrapping to make it to the finals.”  The State Fair of Utah also holds a big place in Thompson’s heart for other reasons. Now 22, he was raised near Altamont, Utah, on a farm where the family raises sheep. Like so many exhibitors during the exposition, he has shown animals and understands the prestige that comes with raising and grooming sheep. Just getting the nod to show an animal at the state fair is a huge honor for youngsters in FFA and 4H. “I like to go there for the fair, too,” he said. “It’s our state fair, and it’s well-celebrated. It’s an awesome rodeo and fun to be part of.” Caleb Bennett was raised in Tremonton, Utah, and never got into the fair as an exhibitor. He’s been one of the elite bareback riders in ProRodeo for most of the last 15 years. He qualified for the first of 10 trips to the NFR in 2012. He’s been crowned champion of Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo multiple times, most recently in 2021. “It’s been a good rodeo for me in the past,” said Bennett, 35, now living in Corvallis, Montana. “It adds really good money, and there’s really good opportunities. The horses are awesome. It’s just one of those rodeos that is rolling right into crunch time in the season, so it’s one of those you don’t want to miss.” The opportunities are key. Part of the equation for cowboys that ride bucking horses is being matched with top stock. Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo will have Wyoming-based Summit Pro Rodeo as its primary livestock producer, and Summit will bring in Muddy Creek ProRodeo and Vold Pro Rodeo to help maintain a high quality of bucking stock. “That makes it really fun, because you get to show off all your style and your talent,” said Clements, who is scratching and clawing late this season to secure a sixth trip to Las Vegas in December. “When you get horses there that really love to show off their styles and their talents, it makes it fun for everybody. You know you’re not going to have a bad ride there at all.” With the season on the line, the toughest bronc busters in rodeo will be in Salt Lake City to test their mettle on great horses in front of big crowds eager to watch the top talent perform.

GOODING, Idaho – When T.J. Gray arrived in this community Saturday night for a rematch with a bull he knew well, he had a little help. “The crowd is absolutely electric,” said Gray, 23, of Dairy, Oregon. It’s a pretty small stadium, but it sounds like you’re in a big arena. The crowd loves it here. On top of that, my sponsor, M2 Ranch, is one of the main sponsors here I had my sponsor (Jeff Miller) jump up and pull my bull rope, and that made it a little bit more special.” It all came together on the final night of the Gooding Pro Rodeo, where Gray rode Macza Pro Rodeo’s Big River for 90 points to win the bull riding title and nearly $6,000. That will push his earnings past $150,000, where he sits fifth in the world standings with six weeks remaining in ProRodeo’s regular season. Gray has been riding a hot streak through the summer. His biggest victory came at the Daddy of ‘em All, the Cheyenne (Wyoming) Frontier Days, but he has cashed in a great deal this season. That included sharing first place in St. Paul, Oregon, where he matched moves with Big River the first time for 85.5 points. “I knew I had a good bull,” Gray said. “I knew I should ride him, so it just put a cap on the whole night.” It’s a nice change from the roll of bad luck he experienced earlier this season. “I’ve been very blessed,” he said. “I spent a lot of time earlier this year where I was getting real down on myself and wondering if the good times will ever come. I just had to trust in God, and, yeah, they sure did come. They ain’t over yet. We’ve got a lot more good times coming in the future.” He’s well on his way to his first National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale that features only the top 15 contestants in each event. It’s the biggest rodeo in the world with highest payouts in the sport. He’s already in contention for that elusive world championship. “You always believe it’s possible as a bull rider,” Gray said. “That’s something you’re always looking at and thinking is possible. When it comes more into view, you get more and more excited and your faith at that being the outcome starts to rise.” Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 14-17All-around champion: Wacey Schalla, $2,171 in bareback riding and bull riding.  Bareback riding: 1. Cole Reiner, 91 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail, $5,499; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 89, $4,216; 3. Keenan Hayes, 88.5, $3,116; 4. Cole Franks, 88, $2,016; 5. Wacey Schalla, 87.5, $1,283; 6. (tie) Cooper Cooke and Sam Petersen, 86, $825 each; 7. (tie) Lane McGehee, Jacek Frost, Clay Jorgenson, Weston Timberman and Kade Sonnier, 84.5, $110 each. Steer wrestling 1. Payden McIntyre, 3.4 seconds, $4,175; 2. (tie) Cash Robb and Clayton Hass, 3.5, $3,438 each; 4. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Ty Erickson and Dirk Tavenner, 3.7, $2,292 each; 7. (tie) Gavin Soileau, Laramie Warren, Trisyn Kalawaia and Eli Lord, 3.9, $1,351 each; 11. (tie) Tanner Brunner and Levi Rudd, 4.0, $614 each.  Team roping 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.5 seconds, $4,984; 2. (tie) Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp and Chad Masters/Wyatt Cox, 4.6, $3,655 each; 6. Colby Siddoway/Keegan Cumbie, 4.8, $2,658; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.9, $2,326; 8. Rhett Anderson/Jared Fillmore, 5.0, $1,994; 9. (tie) Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Coy Rahlman/Tyler Pearson, 5.2, $1,495 each; 11. (tie) Brodi Jones/Arye Espenscheid and Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 5.3, $1,080 each; 13, Cam Jensen/Clayton Symons, 5.4, $665; 14. Jr. Dees/J.C. Flake, $498; 15. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 5.9, $332.   Saddle bronc riding: 1. Damian Brennan, 89 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Me Mojo, $6,148; 2. Cash Wilson, 88, $4,713; 3. (tie) Zac Dallas and Jake Finlay, 87.5, $2,869 each; 5. Wyatt Casper, 86, $1,434; 6. Parker Fleet and Ryder Wright, 85.5, $922 each; 8. Dawson Dahm, 85, $615. Breakaway roping: 1. Hali Williams, 1.9 seconds, $6,275; 2. (tie) Kacie Wiersma, Madalyn Richards and Aspen Miller, 2.0, $4,078 each; 5. (tie) Addy Hill, Martha Angelone, Beau Peterson, Aubryn Bedke, Shelli Scrivner and Cadee Williams, 2.1, $1,621 each; 11. (tie) Hope Thompson, Sarah Angelone and Tiffany Schieck, 2.2, $784; 14. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Timber Allenbrand, Amanda Terrell and Eryn Maddock, 2.3, $196 each. Tie-down roping: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.5 seconds, $5,076; 2. Chisum Allen, 8.2, $4,399; 3. Haven Meged, 8.3, $4,061; 4. Colton Farquer, 8.5, $3,384; 5. (tie) Blane Cox, Jake Hannum and Zack Jongbloed, 8.6, $2,707; 8. (tie) Trevor Hale, Seth Hall, Beau Cooper and Marcos Costa, 8.7, $1,565; 12. (tie) Bo Pickett and Paden Bray, $846 each, 9.0; 14. Joel Harris, 8.9, $508; 15. (tie) Cash Hooper and Tom Crouse, 9.0, $169 each. Barrel racing: 1. Kassie Mowry, 16.76 seconds, $6,847; 2. (tie) Jordon Briggs and Carlee Otero, 16.79, $4,964 each; 4. Chelsea Moore, 16.82, $3,423; 5. Keyla Costa, 16.86, $2,739; 6. Ashley Castleberry, 16.87, $2,054; 7. Emily Beisel, 16.88, $1,712; 8. Andrea Busby, 16.92, $1,541; 9. (tie) Toria Madsen, Sharin Hall, Steely Steiner and Tiany Schuster, 16.95, $1,113 each; 13. (tie) Morgan Backstrom and Halyn Lide, 16.98, $599 each; 15. Katelyn Scott, 17.00, $342. Bull riding: 1. T.J. Gray, 90 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Big River, $5,922; 2. Jeter Lawrence and Hayes Weight, 87, $3,948 each; 4. Stephan Tonita, 85.5, $2,171; 5. Dalton Rudman, 84, $1,382; 6. (tie) Trevor Reiste and Wacey Schalla, 83.5, $888 each; 8. (tie) Jeff Bertus and Jace Trosclair, 83, $296 each.

Garcilazos will bring award-winning charro showmanship to Utah State Fair SALT LAKE CITY – Tomas Garcilazo is best known as a showman; deep down, though, he’s a competitor who not only loves the spotlight but thrives in it. Just like his family before him, Garcilazo is not only carrying on the legacy of La Cherreria – a skill performed only by the Mexican charro – he is passing int down to the fourth generation, his sons, Louis, Gaspar and Ulysse. While the smallest two of the trio are still too young to showcase their talents, 10-year-old Louis is very involved in the family business. “He’s a fourth-generation as a charro,” said Tomas Garcilazo, who will have his family performing at Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “I’m a charro. My background is competition. A charro is a horseman, a Mexican horseman that has a skill with a rope and, of course, with the horses, and I passed it on to my son. It is my goal, and it’s a treasure because it is my heritage, and we want to preserve those roots and culture. We don’t want to let it die. “Part of my pride is that he has to have his background as a competitor. He has already competed a couple of times in the all-around charro style, which is comprised by seven events, and he’s doing really good. That foundation is important for me, because I don’t want him to just be a performer on the stage. I want him to be a competitor. I want him to break his own colts, to build them, to make them, to have the communication with them so he can understand how important the tradition is.” The Garcilazos have been recognized as having incredible animals that are part of their lives. That means they take pride in their daily work with their equine partners and with the development of their own skills. Justin Garcilazo is more than a wife and a mother. She is a vital part of the program and an important piece of every rodeo performance. Oftentimes, she is called into the arena to help present a taste of Americana or join her family on stage. “Altogether, this is a message to the kids, to the girls, because my wife is performing as a female and my son as a boy,” Tomas Garcilazo said. “He’s projecting himself to encourage the new generation and to encourage me as a senior just to keep up with him. We travel 365 days a year, all year long, and this is our pride.” Though the competitive fire burns inside the 55-year-old man originally from Mexico City, Garcilazo is sharing his dreams and his passion with thousands of fans at rodeos across North America. He has been recognized four times as PRCA Act of the Year and has performed dozens of times at the National Finals Rodeo. The family is excited to return to Salt Lake City this September. “It’s a beautiful stadium because it’s surrounded by the beautiful bleachers the beautiful (fair) grounds,” he said. “Utah, to me, is the best state for specialty acts. They cheer. They give their hearts to us. All of Utah gives us amazing crowds.” It’s another big stop for the family that lives on the rodeo trail and shares a passion with one another. The boys will be raised in a well-rounded home with a Mexican father and a French mother who not only share a worldly life but have a deep-rooted love affair with the history of the American West. “Something that’s really important to us is that from head to toes, we have the Western-style and charro-style, which are very beautiful and unique,” Tomas Garcilazo said. “My wife is going to carry the American flag, and we feel so proud to do that because it’s the best flag in the world. My horses’ tack, our outfits and the handle of the horse, beauty has to be the one thing in the mind and in the picture. This is also something we take great pride in.” He would love to see the life of a charro continue through the ages and in the hearts of his own children, but neither Tomas nor Justine has any interest in demanding anything out of their sons. They will teach them the traditions and the passions they have for horses, but it will be up to the boys to decide their own paths in life. “I think traveling together is the best that we can offer them,” Tomas Garcilazo said. “If they’re home, then we miss that big gap of time of developing and growing by doing. When they grow up, they can choose to do whatever they want, but in the meantime, they are willing to do this because they see other kids, other rural kids and cowboys and cowgirls doing this, too. “Louis gets excited and likes performing. I don’t push him. He develops that taste and desire to perform. He likes the reward, the attention. As a kid, they all want to have the attention, and they have it when they perform in the arena.”

GOODING, Idaho – It’s been 22 years since an Australian has won a saddle bronc riding world championship. Damian Brennan wants to change that, and he’s in a great position to do it. He is third in the world standings with $176,365, and there are still six weeks remaining in the regular season. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event qualify for the sport’s grand finale, the National Finals Rodeo, which takes place in December at Las Vegas. “The last two years, I’ve been on the bubble, so it’s nice this year to know I’ve got (the NFR) made right now,” said Brennan, 25, of Injune, Queensland. “We’re still trying to get a few world titles, so I’m going to keep going as hard as possible and hopefully finish strong.” Brennan took a positive step toward that with an 89-point ride Korkow Rodeos’ Me Mojo to take the bronc riding lead at the Gooding Pro Rodeo. “I’ve seen Wyatt Casper the other day in Ogden (Utah) get on it, and it was really good for him there,” Brennan said of the horse. “He was 86.5, and I think he was honestly a touch better tonight. That horse is getting better and better, so that’s a really young up-and-comer from Korkows. “T.J. (Korkow) has got a great set of horses, and they get bucked a lot. They keep performing every time, so he’s got a really good string of horses.” The Aussie is in his third year in ProRodeo. Two seasons ago, he was named the Resistol Saddle Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year and finished the season 16th in the world standings – that’s just one spot away from playing for the biggest pay in Las Vegas. Last year he advanced to his first NFR, where he earned nearly $170,000 over 10 nights and finished the campaign fourth on the money list with $296,495. While there, he watched fellow countryman Ky Hamilton win the bull riding world title. This year, he wants to climb the bronc riding mountaintop and leave Las Vegas with rodeo’s gold. “Ky had an outstanding NFR last year, and I was pumped to be there with him,” Brennan said. “It was a pretty fun time. “We’ll keep rodeoing a few more years and, yeah, probably go back (to Australia) one day and live a steady life. It’ll be good.” He’d love to do it with a Montana Silversmiths’ gold buckle in his trophy case. Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 14-17Bareback riding: 1. Cole Reiner, 91 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 89; 3. Keenan Hayes, 88.5; 4. Cole Franks, 88; 5. Wacey Schalla, 87.5; 6. Cooper Cooke, 86; 7. (tie) Lane McGehee, Jacek Frost, Clay Jorgenson and Kade Sonnier, 84.5. Steer wrestling 1. Payden McIntyre, 3.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Cash Robb and Clayton Hass, 3.5; 4. Bridger Anderson, Ty Erickson and Dirk Tavenner, 3.7; 7. Gavin Soileau, Laramie Warren, Trisyn Kalawaia and Eli Lord, 3.9; 11. Tanner Brunner and Levi Rudd, 4.0.  Team roping 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp and Chad Masters/Wyatt Cox, 4.6 second; 6. Colby Siddoway/Keegan Cumbie, 4.8; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.9; 8. Rhett Anderson/Jared Fillmore, 5.0. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Damian Brennan, 89 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Me Mojo; 2. Cash Wilson, 88; 3. Zac Dallas, 87.5; 4. Wyatt Casper, 86; 5. Dawson Dahm, 85; 6. Logan Hay, 84; 7. Noel Johnson, 83.5; 8. (tie) Traylin Martin and Kole Ashbacher, 81.5; 10. (tie) Brady Hill and Stran Nielson, 81. Breakaway roping: 1. Hali Williams, 1.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Kacie Wiersma, Madalyn Richards and Aspen Miller, 2.0; 5. (tie) Addy Hill, Martha Angelone, Beau Peterson, Aubryn Bedke, Shelli Scrivner and Cadee Williams, 2.1; 11. (tie) Hope Thompson, Sarah Angelone and Tiffany Schieck, 2.2; 14. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Timber Allenbrand and Eryn Maddock, 2.3. Tie-down roping: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.5 seconds; 2. Chisum Allen, 8.2; 3. Haven Meged, 8.3; 4. Colton Farquer, 8.5; 5. (tie) Blane Cox, Jake Hannum and Zack Jongbloed, 8.6; 8. Trevor Hale, Seth Hall, Beau Cooper and Marcos Costa, 8.7; 12. Bo Pickett, 9.0; 13. (tie) Cash Hooper and Tom Crouse, 9.0; 15. Chase Webster, 9.3. Barrel racing: 1. Kassie Mowry, 16.76 seconds; 2. (tie) Jordon Briggs and Carlee Otero, 16.79; 4. Chelsea Moore, 16.82; 5. Keyla Costa, 16.86; 6. Ashley Castleberry, 16.87; 7. Emily Beisel, 16.88; 8. Andrea Busby, 16.92; 0. (tie) Toria Madsen, Sharin Hall, Steely Steiner and Tiany Schuster, 16.95; 13. (tie) Morgan Backstrom and Halyn Lide, 16.98; 15. LaTricia Duke, 17.03. Bull riding: 1. Jeter Lawrence, 87 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Rosco; 2. Stephan Tonita, 85.5; 3. (tie) Trevor Reiste and Wacey Schalla, 83.5; 5. (tie) Jeff Bertus and Jace Trosclair, 83; 7. Mason Moody, 80; 8. Ethan Skogquist, 75.

GOODING, Idaho – Since he was a child, Tyke Kipp has had the same dream of being one of the best cowboys to have ever competed. He’s given it a shot for much of his 11-year career. As one of the first steer wrestlers competing Thursday during the opening performance of the Gooding Pro Rodeo, he set the mark for all the others to beat when he stopped the clock in 4.2 seconds. It was a positive move in the right direction. “Right now I think I’m 50th in the world, but I’m not too far out of 30th,” said Kipp, 31, of Lordsburg, New Mexico. “My goal this year was obviously to make the (National Finals Rodeo), but if not that, then try to be in the top 32.” Being among the top this year will allow Kipp the opportunity to compete in the big, indoor rodeos through the winter months. Some only take the top 32 in each event, so being in that mix gives him a better shot of earning even more money next season. It’s all about development and building for the future. Steer wrestling is one of the toughest events. The difference between first and 50th is always tight, and it will come down to the final weekend of the regular season to decide how they finish on the money list. “I believe there are a hundred guys entered here in Gooding,” Kipp said. “I hope this (4.2-second run) wins good, but the best 100 in the world are entered here. I guess we’ll have to see how it all shakes out.” Everybody bulldogs well, so the difference could come down to the horsepower. For his part, Kipp relies on Tommy, which is hauled by his traveling partner, Logan Kenline of Penrose, Colorado. “That horse is just super easy,” Kipp said. “He’s easy to ride, and he’s really fast, but the biggest thing is how good he is in the (starting) box. Our game is a game of inches, and you’ve got to have a horse that really reacts off your hand, and he does.” What’s it going to take to secure a spot at the NFR by being among the top 15 bulldoggers on the money list? “Just keep making good runs like that throughout the rest of the year here in the fourth quarter,” he said. “Hopefully speed things up, and hopefully that will get me over the hump.” Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 14-17Bareback riding: 1. Cole Reiner, 91 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 89; 3. Keenan Hayes, 88.5; 4. Cooper Cooke, 86; 5. Lane McGehee, 84.5; 6. Bradlee Miller, 84; 7. Mason Clements, 83; 8. (tie) Orin Larsen and Ethan Crouch, 82. Steer wrestling 1. Tyke Kipp, 4.2 seconds; 2. Stephen Culling, 4.4; 3. Logan Kenline, 4.7; 4. (tie) Dalton Massey and Ryan Schuckburgh, 5.1; 6. Gage Hesse, 15.2; no other qualified runs. Team roping 1. Rhett Anderson/Jared Fillmore, 5.0 seconds; 2. Brodi Jones/Arye Espenscheid, 5.3; 3. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 6.9; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zac Dallas, 87.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John; 2. Wyatt Casper, 86; 3. Noel Johnson, 83.5; 4. Traylin Martin, 81.5; 5. (tie) Brady Hill and Stran Nielson, 81; 7. Leon Fountain, 80.5; 8. Sterling Crawley, 80 Breakaway roping: 1. Hali Williams, 1.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Kacie Wiersma, Madalyn Richards and Aspen Miller, 2.0; 5. (tie) Addy Hill, Martha Angelone, Beau Peterson, Aubryn Bedke and Shelli Scrivner, 2.1; 10. (tie) Hope Thompson, Sarah Angelone and Tiffany Schieck, 2.2; 13. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Timber Allenbrand and Eryn Maddock, 2.3. Tie-down roping: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.5 seconds; 2. Chisum Allen, 8.2; 3. Haven Meged, 8.3; 4. Colton Farquer, 8.5; 5. (tie) Blane Cox, Jake Hannum and Zack Jongbloed, 8.6; 8. Trevor Hale, Seth Hall, Beau Cooper and Marcos Costa, 8.7. Barrel racing: 1. Kassie Mowry, 16.76 seconds; 2. (tie) Jordon Briggs and Carlee Otero, 16.79; 4. Chelsea Moore, 16.82; 5. Keyla Costa, 16.86; 6. Ashley Castleberry, 16.87; 7. Andrea Busby, 16.92; 8. (tie) Toria Madsen, Sharin Hall, Steely Steiner and Tiany Schuster, 16.95; 12. (tie) Morgan Backstrom and Halyn Lide, 16.98; 14. LaTricia Duke, 17.03; 15. Stephanie Fryar, 17.11. Bull riding: 1. Jeter Lawrence, 87 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Rosco; 2. Stephan Tonita, 85.5; 3. Trevor Reiste, 83.5; 4. Jeff Bertus, 83; 5. Mason Moody, 80; 6. Ethan Skogquist, 75. no other qualified rides.

GOODING, Idaho – The life of a bucking-horse rider isn’t always glamourous. There are all-night drives and bad convenience-store food, and there are nights that broncs don’t do their jobs. When the opportunities rise, the elite cowboys take advantage it. “It’s been a little slow the last couple of weeks, but to have a horse that you can show off on and feel good about your riding and gain some confidence is great,” said Cole Reiner, who rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail for 91 points Wednesday night to take the bareback riding lead at the Gooding Pro Rodeo. “You think when you qualify for the (National Finals Rodeo) for the first time, you think you’re never going to have a lack of confidence or have a bad day. “Sometimes even the top guys need a good horse underneath you to feel good and ride good, and that’s the opportunity that horse gives you.” Game Trail has been selected to buck at the NFR, the sport’s grand finale. Reiner’s been there each of the last four years and is actually on the bubble for qualifying for a fifth straight time. He is 15th in the world standings with $86,178, and only the top 15 on the money list at the end of the regular season advance to the championship. He needs everything to go his way in the final eight weeks of the season to secure another trip in December to Las Vegas. “I’ve got another great horse on Friday in Canby (Oregon), and that’s going to be my week,” said Reiner, 25, of Buffalo, Wyoming. “I just want to stay healthy, stay feeling good and stay really positive for the rest of the year.” Of course, his confidence was boosted days before he arrived in this southern Idaho hamlet. He learned over the weekend that he’d been matched with Game Trail, a horse he’d ridden for 87 points during the fifth round of the 2023 NFR. “It sounds bad when you say I had to settle for fifth place in Vegas, but it’s still good money, and I’m still grateful to be there,” he said. “That is one of the top 10 horses in the world right now and to have a Wyoming bucking horse and a guy from Wyoming to be 91 in Gooding is pretty special. I’m getting into the second time around on that horse, but that’s a great one for guys to be able to really show off on.” He won’t rest on his laurels. In fact, he’s got his mind on being in the middle of a long race, and Reiner has his gas pedal mashed to the floor. “I’m entered in a lot of rodeos, and I’m 15th in the world right now,” said Reiner, who trails the world-standings leader, Keenan Hayes, by $95,000. “Every dollar counts right now. This time I’m on the offensive. I don’t know if it something a lot of guys love to do, but I like the idea of putting it all on my shoulders and being the chaser. I’m going to get in the top 10 before it’s all said and done.  “I have a chance to get within striking distance of Keenan at No. 1. I’m making sure that I keep that in mind and keep that kind of mindset and then riding is super key. I’m really looking forward to the next seven or eight weeks.” Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 14-17Bareback riding: 1. Cole Reiner, 91 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail; 2. Keenan Hayes, 88.5; 3. Cooper Cooke, 86; 4. Lane McGehee, 84.5; 6. Mason Clements, 83; 7. Taylor Broussard, 81.5; 8. Richmond Champion, 81. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zac Dallas, 87.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John; 2. Wyatt Casper, 86; 3. Noel Johnson, 83.5; 4. Traylin Martin, 81.5; 5. Brady Hill, 81; 6. Leon Fountain, 80.5; 7. Sterling Crawley, 80; 8. (tie) Bailey Small and Ross Griffin, 74.5. Breakaway roping: 1. Addy Hill, 2.1 seconds; 2. Shai Schaefer, 2.7; 3. Brylee Smith, 2.9; 4. Janey Nicholson, 3.0; 5. Dally Mendenhall, 4.4; 6. Sidney Nelson, 11.9; 7. Jetta Bott, 12.0; 8. Marvel Murphy, 12.6; 9. Jessica Brinkerhoff, 12.8; no other qualified runs. Bull riding: 1. Stephan Tonita, 85.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Big River; 2. Trevor Reiste, 83.5; 3. Jeff Bertus, 83; 4. Mason Moody, 80; no other qualified rides.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – This may be Weston Timberman’s first year in ProRodeo, but he doesn’t ride like a rookie. He proved as much during Saturday’s final performance of the Lea County Rodeo, matching moves with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Secrets Out for 89.5 points to win the bareback riding in Lovington. At the highest-paying rodeo in Lea County Fair history, he pocketed $8,425 and pushed his season earnings to more than $102,000. “I knew a little bit more about that horse than most everybody else,” said Timberman, 20, a two-time intercollegiate national champion from Columbus, Montana. “That’s a pretty new horse to Pete (Carr), and she really hasn’t been around that much.” Carr said the powerful bay mare is about 5 years old and has been bucked through this summer run of rodeos, and just like Timberman, she’s showing some amazing things for such a young horse. “She’s pretty stout for a 5-year-oild and is just figuring this stuff out,” Timberman said. “I knew she was going to come together today and she was going to do it, and she did.” Timberman boosted his lead in the Resistol Rookie of the Year standings and has an advantage of more than $50,000 over the No. 2 bareback rider, his former teammate at Clarendon (Texas) College, Wacey Schalla. The two of them, the sole representatives for the Texas Panhandle school, put on a show at the College National Finals Rodeo in June, and they repeated in Lovington this week. Schalla, the No. 1 cowboy in the rookie all-around and bull riding races, won the titles in both the rodeo’s bull riding and the Lea County Xtreme Bulls on Tuesday night. Schalla is 10th in the bull riding world standings, while Timberman entered the week of competition 13th on the bareback riding money list.  “This has been a grindstone,” Timberman said. “Everybody’s buckling down and trying to solidify that spot for the finals. I couldn’t feel better right now. I feel healthy, and everything’s awesome. I couldn’t be more excited.” This time of year is a bit overwhelming at times. Cowboys travel thousands of miles and compete at multiple rodeos a week. With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, they are chasing every dollar possible, because only the top 15 on the money list on Sept. 30 will advance to the National Finals Rodeo. “Last year I watched my traveling partner, Sam Peterson, come here and hardly place, and he was like 87 (points),” Timberman said. “This is my first time coming here. I knew what the caliber of horses were going to be, and everybody knows this is a big stop for a lot of guys. To come out on top with these great horses and great cowboys is a great feeling.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding: 1. Weston Timberman, 89.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Secret’s Out, $8,425; 2. Leighton Berry, 88, $6,459; 3. Garrett Shadbolt, 87.5, $4,774; 4. (tie) Jacob Lees and Orin Larsen, 86.5, $2,528 each; 6. (tie) Bradlee Miller and Waylon Bourgeois, 86, $1,264 each; 8. Nick Pelke, 85.5, $843. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds, $3,052; 2. (tie) Walt Arnold, Chance Howard and Tyler Scheevel, 4.1, $2,256 each; 5. Talon Roseland, 4.2, $1,459; 6. Sam Powers, 4.3, $1,061; 7. Eli Lord, 4.4, $663; 8. (tie) Shane Frey, Cameron Haumea, Tyke Kipp and Paul Melvin, 4.5, $66 each. Second round: 1. Tyler Waguespack and Cash Robb, 3.9 seconds, $2,853 each; 2. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Don Payne, 4.0, $2,056 each; 5. (tie) Matt Jodie, Will Lummus, Cody Devers and Chance Howard, 4.1, $862 each. Average: 1. Clayton Hass, 7.6 seconds on two runs, $4,577; 2. Chance Howard, 8.2, $3,980; 3. (tie) Tyke Kipp, Cash Robb and Walt Arnold, 8.5, $2,786 each; 6. Matt Jodie, 9.2, $1,592; 7. Eli Lord, 9.3, $995; 8. Cody Devers, 10.0, $398. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. (tie) Hagen Houck and Cory Solomon, 9.0 seconds, $3,084 each; 3. (tie) Bryce Derrer and Gio Piloto, 9.2, $2,223 each; 5. Kincade Henry, 9.4, $1,578; 6. Brushton Minton, 9.6, $1,147; 7. (tie) Marcos Costa and Trevor Hale, 9.7, $502 each. Second round: 1. Marty Yates, 8.2 seconds, $3,299; 2. Cash Hooper, 8.6, $2,869; 3. Trevor Hale, 8.8, $2,438; 4. Kater Tate, 8.9, $2,008; 5. Zane Kilgus, 9.5, $1,578; 6. (tie) Austin Lawrence and Cash Fretwell, 9.7, $932 each; 8. (tie) Marcos Costa and Brody Stallard, 9.8, $143 each. Average: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.5 seconds on two runs, $4,948; 2. Kincade Henry, 19.3, $4,303; 3. Marcos Costa, 19.5, $3,657; 4. Brushton Minton, 19.7, $3,012; 5. (tie) Marty Yates and Gio Piloto, 20.0, $2,044 each; 7. Tom Crouse, 20.2, $1,076; 8. Cory Rowland, 20.6, $430. Breakaway roping: 1. (tie) Kelsie Domer and Josie Conner, 2.1 seconds, $7,201 each; 3. (tie) Shiloh Napp and Bailey Bates, 2.5, $4,537 each; 5. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Nicole Hadley, Winter Williams and Kassidy Dennison, 2.6, $2,318 each; 9. (tie) Sequin Brewer and Bailey Currie, 2.7, $1,480; 11. (tie) Jackie Crawford and Blyth Beshears, 2.8, $1,085 each; 13. Christi Braudrick, 2.9, $789; 14. (tie) Rylee Abel, Baili Herring, Kaitlyn Harwell and Shayla Smith, 3.1, $247 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Brody Cress, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket, $8,235; 2. (tie) Lefty Holman and Bailey Small, 87, $5,490 each; 4. Gus Galliard, 86.5, $3,019; 5. Jake Finlay, 86, $1,921; 6. (tie) Weston Patterson and Logan Hay, 85.5, $1,235; 8. Allen Boore, 85, $823. Team roping: First round: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.8 seconds, $2,928 each; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2, $2,546; 3. Manny Egusquiza Jr./Evan Arnold, 4.7, $2,164; 4. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 4.9, $1,782; 5. Wawa Ben JR./Brandon Ben, 5.1, $1,400; 6. Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard, 5.2, $1,018; 7. (tie) Jake Clay/Trey Yates, Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden and Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 5.3, $297 each. Second round: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.7 seconds, $2,928; 2. (tie) Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins and Jr. Dees/J.C. Flake. 4.1, $2,164 each; 5. Wyatt Bray/Paden Bray, 4.3, $1,400;  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Over the course of his 13-year career, Marty Yates has seen a lot of success. He’s made nine straight trips to the National Finals Rodeo with multiple top-five finishes in the world standings. His best finish came in 2020, when he finished in the tie-down roping money list. He’s won some of the biggest rodeos in the game, but there are a couple of titles that have eluded him: the world championship and the championship at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. Yates won’t win this year either, but he put on a show during Friday’s third performance at storied Jake McClure Arena in Lovington, stopping the clock in 8.2 seconds to take the second-round lead. Combined with his 11.8-second run during the opening round Friday morning, he is in position to place in the two-run aggregate. That opens the door at the right time. “This rodeo sure has gotten good,” said Yates, 30, of Stephenville, Texas, who missed out on the NFR last year but is well on his way to qualification No. 10. “It’s become a great stop for us. I had a little tough luck (Friday) morning; I had a calf that kicked a little bit, and then came back on a really good one. I just did my job and made a nice run and am going to get paid a little bit for it. “It’s nice to come to these two-headers and have two chances at good calves.” The Lea County Fair Board has increased its portion of the purse to $25,000 per event. That, combined with the contestants’ entry fees, will make the overall payout, so Yates is looking to take home some serious cash out of southeastern New Mexico. This isn’t the first time he’s had success. Over his roping career, he has earned a lot of money in Lovington.  “I know I’ve won checks just about every year I’ve been here,” Yates said. “I can’t recall the year, but I tied my second one in 7.2 (seconds). I don’t know, but it’s got to be pretty close to the arena record right here, so that was a pretty good highlight for me in Lovington. “It’s always been good to me, so it’s always been a good stop on our trail.” It’s been a solid season for the Texan. He is sixth in the world standings with more than $120,000 in earnings heading into this week of rodeos. Still, he trails the leader, New Mexican Shad Mayfield, by $80,000. Yates still has seven weeks remaining on the regular season and a trip to the NFR to surpass that total and walk away with rodeo gold. “A lot more luck goes into it than a guy thinks,” he said. “The horses are the biggest part of our game. If you don’t have a good horse, you can’t do anything no matter how good you rope. With some luck that my horses stay together and I keep roping good, things will work out. The NFR will obviously be the deciding factor.” That’s because go-round winners will pocket more than $30,000 a night for 10 go-rounds. Big things happen in the Nevada desert. “There’s so much money added out there that as long as you have a chip and a chair, you’re going to have a chance,” Yates said. “Hopefully, I’ll finish off this regular season and look forward to being back in Vegas this year.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 88 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Shady Nights; 2. Garrett Shadbolt, 87.5; 3. (tie) Jacob Lees and Orin Larsen, 86.5; 5. Bradlee Miller, 86; 6. Nick Pelke, 85.5; 7. Dean Thompson, 83.5; 8. Richmond Champion, 82. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Walt Arnold, Tyler Scheevel and Chance Howard, 4.1; 5. Sam Powers, 4.3; 6. Eli Lord, 4.4; 7. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Cameron Haumea, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Don Payne, 4.0 seconds; 3. (tie) Matt Jodie, Will Lummus, Cody Devers and Chance Howard, 4.1; 7. (tie) Clayton Hass, Riley Duvall and Brady Reneau, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Chance Howard, 8.2; 3. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Walt Arnold, 8.5; 5. Matt Jodie, 9.2; 6. Eli Lord, 9.3; 7. Cody Devers, 10.0; 8. Riley Duvall, 10.9. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 9.0 seconds; 2. Bryce Derrer, 9.2; 3. Kincade Henry, 9.4; 4. Brushton Minton, 9.6; 5. (tie) Trevor Hale and Marcos Costa, 9.7; 7. Tom Crouse, 10.1; 8. Chet Weitz, 10.7. Second round leaders: 1. Marty Yates, 8.2 seconds; 2. Cash Hooper, 8.6; 3. Trevor Hale, 8.8; 4. Kater Tate, 8.9; 5. Zane Kilgus, 9.5; 6. (tie) Austin Lawrence and Cash Fretwell, 9.7; 8. (tie) Marcos Costa and Brody Stallard, 9.8. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Kincade Henry, 19.3; 3. Marcos Costa, 19.5; 4. Brushton Minton, 19.7; 5. Marty Yates, 20.0; 6. Tom Crouse, 20.2; 7. (tie) Chet Weitz and Cash Fretwell, 20.9. Breakaway roping leaders: 1. (tie) Kelsie Domer and Josie Conner, 2.1 seconds; 3. Bailey Bates, 2.5; 4. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Winter Williams and Kassidy Dennison, 2.6; 7. Bailey Currie, 2.7; 8. (tie) Jackie Crawford and Blyth Beshears, 2.8; 10. Christi Braudrick, 2.9; 11. Rylee Abel, 3.1; 12. (tie) Jordan Muncy and Devyn Dennison, 3.3; 14. Haley Mason, 3.5; 15. Kadin Jodie, 3.6; 13. Annie Winters, 4.5; 14. (tie) Lari Dee Guy and Teagan Miller, 12.10. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Brody Cress, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket; 2. Lefty Holman, 87; 3. Gus Galliard, 86.5; 4. Jake Finlay, 86; 5. (tie) Weston Patterson and Logan Hay, 85.5; 7. Allen Boore, 85; 8. (tie) Ryder Sanford and Riggin Smith, 84.5. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.8 seconds; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2; 3. Manny Egusquiza/Evan Arnold, 4.7; 4. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 4.9; 5. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben,  Continue Reading »

Sport has changed through the years, and Gooding Pro Rodeo celebrates it GOODING, Idaho – The sport of rodeo dates back to the 1800s, when drovers from opposing ranches tested their talents against one another in an empty lot in a small town in the American West. A trio communities lay claim to hosting the first rodeo: Pecos, Texas; Prescott, Arizona; and Deer Trail, Colorado. The best hands on any ranching operation could rope just about anything and ride the wildest of horses. The talk spread, and bragging rights were at stake. Over time, the competitions became a must-see event. Long before the NFL, the NHL and Major League Baseball began charging admission for their exhibitions, rodeo was one of the spectacles that drew fans. Much has changed over the last century and a half. Rodeo involved into an overall entertainment package. Cowboys with a bit of flair began performing acts with a taste of the Old West mixed in. Brass bands added an element of sound, much like the organists at Wrigley Field in Chicago or Fenway Park in Boston. Two and a half decades ago, the brass was replaced by CDs and cassettes, which were mixed with updated music and vibrant sounds. Now in the 2020s, the sport is a showcase of Americana mixed with modern times, and the entertainment value has been enhanced. Fans will get to experience it at the Gooding Pro 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. Tickets for Friday and Saturday night are already sold out, but there is still space for the opening two nights. “In Gooding, we still believe in all the great things about rural America,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo manager. “The Western way of life has always been important around here, and we celebrate our heritage with our rodeo. For those of us who grew up around here, the Gooding Pro Rodeo is a chance to look at our past while enjoying what we have today.” Decades ago, cowboys would arrive in a community and make themselves at home any way possible for a few days of competition. They’d sleep in tents or in their vehicles, which pulled two-horse trailers, or folks in town would offer bedrooms on occasion. Once the rodeo ended, they’d move on to the next rodeo. Nowadays, contestants spend many thousands of dollars for specialized rigs with living-quarters trailers that can haul several horses, and they pull into town with these specialized apartments-on-wheels and get whatever rest they can. They may be in Canby, Oregon, during the day, then compete that night in Gooding, before heading on to Baker, Montana, as soon as they’re done. Outside of Gooding County, there are 40 other PRCA events taking place across North America the same week. This is a busy time as cowboys and cowgirls traverse the highways and interstates chasing every dollar they can win, because that’s important. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event at the end of the regular season advance to the National Finals Rodeo in December. Regionally, only the top 12 advance to the Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo, which features contestants and rodeos primarily from Utah and southern Idaho and takes place in early November at Heber City, Utah. “We recognize that this is a hectic time for the contestants, which is why we do everything possible to attract them to Gooding,” Gill said. “We offer a lot of prize money, thanks to our great supporters, and we try to give them all the amenities that we possibly can. “A big deal in rodeo is having the kind of livestock the contestants can win on. Whether it’s good calves and steers or great bucking horses and bulls, that’s what the cowboys and cowgirls want, and we do everything we can to provide that for them.” Of course, the Gooding Pro Rodeo wouldn’t be what it is without the fans, which creates a special ambiance for everyone who arrives at the fairgrounds for the fun. The electricity that comes out of the stands is infectious, and the contestants feed off that energy. “There’s no other rodeo like it,” said saddle bronc rider CoBurn Bradshaw, a four-time NFR qualifier from Beaver, Utah. “It’s awesome to just go there. It’s a different environment in Gooding, and it’s worth the trip just to be ‘Beer Worthy.’ ”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – For most of the past decade and a half, cowboys knew they had a chance to be at least 90 points when they rode Dirty Jacket. Whether the big bay gelding was in bareback riding or saddle bronc riding, every man that was matched with the horse knew they had a big chance to win the rodeo. Ten years ago, he was one of the best buckers in the business. He was the 2014 and 2015 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year. In 2013, he had the second-most votes for the same honor and had the third-most votes the year before that. For 12 straight years, the prolific equine bucking machine was the standard in rodeo, having earned consecutive trips to the National Finals Rodeo. The sport’s grand championship features only the top 15 contestants in each event from the regular season, and they select the 100 animals in each roughstock event they want to ride. That’s elite status for animal athletes, and Brody Cress knows a thing or two about that. He’s made seven straight NFRs and won three of them. He and Dirty Jacket matched moves for 89 points during Thursday’s second performance of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, and Cress jumped into the saddle bronc riding lead because of it. “That’s the first time that I’ve got to get on him,” said Cress, 28, of Hillsdale, Wyoming. “I’ve got to see him a lot. I grew up getting to watch that horse in the bareback riding at the NFR, and he’s just so memorable for that giant jump he used to have right out of the chute. It’s definitely one to be able to check off my bucket list, one that I’ve wanted to be able to get on for a long time, so I’m glad I fwas able to finally. The horse is now 20 years old and earlier this year was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame alongside Pete Carr, who owns the horse and Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, the livestock producer in Lovington. The accolades keep coming, and the beneficiaries have always been the cowboys that ride him. “He felt like he knew exactly what he was doing,” said Cress, the No. 9 bronc rider on the money list with more than $127,000 in earnings this year. “I knew coming here today that I just had to get a good mark-out, get a start and just be aggressive and just keep doing what I’ve been doing, and he’s going to do his job. It worked out.” Cress has been on a hot streak. Last week, he competed at three events and won two of them: Dodge City, Kansas, and Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. He also finished third in Castle Rock, Colorado, collecting just shy of $22,000 in just 40 seconds of work. “I’ve definitely been blessed by the drawing gods to get some good horses,” he said. “I’ve got two awesome horses coming the rest of this week. “I definitely have the horses to show up and win if I do my job. I’ve just got to stay focuse, stay positive and keep the ball rolling.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 88 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Shady Nights; 2. Jacob Lees, 86.5; 3. Nick Pelke, 85.5; 4. Dean Thompson, 83.5; 5. Richmond Champion, 82; 6. Tanner Aus, 81.5; 7. Kashton Ford, 78; 8. Tilden Hooper, 59.5. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds; 2. Walt Arnold, 4.1; 3. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Cameron Haumea, 4.5; 5. Tucker Allen, 4.9; 6. (tie) Winsten McGrw and Matt Jodie, 5.1; 8. Zach Hamar, 5.3. Second round leaders: 1. Tyke Kipp, 4.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Matt Jodie, Will Lummus and Cody Devers, 4.1; 5. (tie) Clayton Hass and Riley Duvall, 4.2; 7. Gus Franzen, 4.3; 8. (tie) Walt Arnold and Jacob Talley, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Walt Arnold, 8.5; 4. Matt Jodie, 9.2; 5. Cody Devers, 10.0’ 6. Riley Duvall, 10.9; 7. Tyler Pearson, 11.1; 8. Laramie Warren, 11.6. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 9.0 seconds; 2. Bryce Derrer, 9.2; 3. Kincade Henry, 9.4; 4. Brushton Minton, 9.6; 5. (tie) Trevor Hale and Marcos Costa, 9.7; 7. Tom Crouse, 10.1; 8. Chet Weitz, 10.7. Second round leaders: 1. Cash Hooper, 8.6 seconds; 2. Trevor Hale, 8.8; 3. Kater Tate, 8.9; 4. Zane Kilgus, 9.5; 5. Austin Lawrence, 9.7; 6. (tie) Marcos Costa and Brody Stallard, 9.8; 8. Kincade Henry, 9.9. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Kincade Henry, 19.3; 3. Marcos Costa, 19.5; 4. Brushton Minton, 19.7; 5. Tom Crouse, 20.2; 6. Chet Weitz, 20.9; 7. Kater Tate, 21.3; 8. Cory Solomon, 21.6. Breakaway roping leaders: 1. (tie) Kelsie Domer and Josie Conner, 2.1 seconds; 3. Bailey Bates, 2.5; 4. (tie) Maddy Deerman and Kassidy Dennison, 2.6; 6. Jackie Crawford, 2.8; 7. (tie) Jordan Muncy and Devyn Dennison, 3.3; 9. Kadin Jodie, 3.6; 10. Annie Winters, 4.5; 11. (tie) Lari Dee Guy and Teagan Miller, 12.10; 13. (tie) Jayme Marcrum and Bradi Good, 12.2; 15. (tie) Hope Thompson and Janae Todacheenie, 12.3. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Brody Cress, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket; 2. Lefty Holman, 87; 3. Gus Galliard, 86.5; 4. Jake Finlay, 86; 5. Weston Patterson, 85.5; 6. Allen Boore, 85; 7. Ryder Sanford, 84.5; 8. Parker Kempfer, 82.5. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.8 seconds; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2; 3. Manny Egusquiza/Evan Arnold, 4.7; 4. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 4.9; 5. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben, 5.1; 6. Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard, 5.2; 7. Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 5.3; 8. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 5.4. Second round leaders: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.7 seconds; 2. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili. 4.1; 3. Cash Fretwell/Creed West, 4.5; 4. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 5.2; 5. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 5.4; 6. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben, 6.6; 7.  Continue Reading »

With multiple livestock producers, contestants assured to have a good draw GOODING, Idaho – When organizers of the Gooding Pro Rodeo started looking at something to set them apart from other events of its stature, they realized one important thing. “We knew we needed to have the kind of stock, both in the timed events and the roughstock events, that will draw the cowboys to town,” said Don Gill, manager of the fair and rodeo, the latter of which will take place 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. Gill and his posse went to work. While the rodeo has a primary stock contractor in Wyoming-based Summit Pro Rodeo, Gill brings in two other livestock producers, Korkow Rodeos and Macza Pro Rodeo, to ensure that all contestants have the best opportunity to cash in when they arrive in southern Idaho. “This is something we’ve done since we started having multiple contractors,” Gill said. “I wanted to make sure I bought them in and paid them. We wanted to make it worth it to the stock contractors to make the trip to Gooding.” Why is it so important? “We know it takes a combination of great cowboys and great animals to make for big scores and fast times, so the better the stock we have, the better the rodeo we’re producing,” he said. “We want the cowboys to be in Gooding and compete for the prize money we put up. “By doing that, we are ensuring we have the best show possible for the fans. When the fans are happy, then everybody else is happy.” That’s because the Gooding Pro Rodeo is more than a community event; it’s a regional happening, something thousands of people look forward to each summer. They pack the stands all four nights, and they get into the action. Everyone that comes to Gooding understands what it means to be “Beer Worthy.” The crowd is enthusiastic, whether they see a 90-point ride or a wreck in steer wrestling. The “Beer Worthy” section of fans on the west side of the arena will stand wielding signs if they think something is worthy of a cold beverage. While the cowboys and cowgirls are eager to be involved in the unique tradition, the animals are rewarded with plenty of hay, good grain and a cold drink of water when they’re done. “In our three roughstock events last year, the winning cowboys earned their titles on animals from different livestock producers,” said Gill, helps bring in the roping calves while Summitt Pro Rodeo takes care of the steers for bulldogging and team roping. “I love that we have such a solid group of stock contractors that makes our rodeo so good.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – A glance is about all that Leighton Berry gives the bareback riding world standings. He knows his place. He knows he has a really good chance to return to the National Finals Rodeo for the fourth time in five years. He is third on the money list with $145,349. He also knows that the world champion will be handed to the man who finishes the year atop that list. While a big chunk of that will come by playing for the biggest pay in the sport this December, Berry wants to continue to pad his earnings any way possible. “I’ve been up since 3:30 this morning catching planes, trains and automobiles to get down here to Lovington, New Mexico,” said Berry, 25, of Weatherford, Texas. “Even though we had two days to do it, we’re coming from Strathmore, Alberta, so that was 13 hours to Salt Lake City, then a plane to Dallas and a plane to Midland (Texas). “A good friend of mine left a car at the airport (in Midland), and it’s a two-hour drive here, but we got here just in the nick of time.” Why was it so important? Berry was matched with Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Shady Nights, a 16-year-old bay gelding that has been selected 11 times to perform at the NFR. The two danced across the Jake McClure Arena dirt for 88 points, good enough for the Texan to take the lead in bareback riding at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. “Lovington’s an awesome rodeo,” he said. “I really like coming over here, because you see these yellow chutes, and you get a different visual.” Few other rodeos offer yellow bucking chutes, but the best known is the NFR, where the yellow panels and chutes make for a lasting memory. For cowboys that play at that level, yellow is the perfect color that leads to gold buckles, the awards given to world champions. “You also get to get on Pete Carr bucking horses and Cullen Pickett horses, so that fires you up,” Berry said. “It fires you up, and then you get the rodeo committee that steps up and adds a lot more money than they ever have.” Lovington’s rodeo nearly doubled it’s local contribution to the rodeo’s purse since last year, and that’s made a lasting impact on the contestants who compete for a living. The opportunity for a big payday is enough to make cowboys like Berry figure out any way possible to make sure they’re in southeastern New Mexico in time to ride. Already this year, he’s won Texas rodeos in Houston, Weatherford, Helotes, Henderson and Pecos. He’s also been champion in Clovis, California; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Billings, Montana. It’s a continuation of a strong start to an excellent career, one in which he first qualified to the NFR in 2020 and finished the year ninth in the world standings. An injury took him out of the mix the next year, but he still finished 23rd. He was third in 2022 and sixth last year, so he’s certified himself as one of the elite bareback riders in ProRodeo. “I had one of my all-time favorite horses in Shady Nights, and he was phenomenal today,” Berry said. “I knew I’d probably be anywhere from 88 to 90, and being the first performance, you’ve got to set the bar high. You’ve got guys coming swinging for the fences. I may not win it, but I’m going to get a good check. Lord willing, it’ll stay hooked for first, but if not, I came down here to win a check, and I think that’s going to happen.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 88 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Shady Nights; 2. Jacob Lees, 86.5; 3. Nick Pelke, 85.5; 4. Dean Thompson, 83.5; 5. Tanner Aus, 81.5; 6. Kashton Ford, 78; 7. Tilden Hooper, 59.5; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds; 2. Walt Arnold, 4.1; 3. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Cameron Haumea, 4.5; 5. Tucker Allen, 4.9; 6. (tie) Winsten McGrw and Matt Jodie, 5.1; 8. Zach Hamar, 5.3. Second round leaders: 1. Tyke Kipp, 4.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Matt Jodie and Will Lummus, 4.1; 4. Clayton Hass, 4.2; 5. (tie) Walt Arnold and Jacob Talley, 4.4; 7. Ty Bauerle, 4.5; 8. Landris White, 4.6. Average leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Walt Arnold, 8.5; 4. Matt Jodie, 9.2; 5. Zach Hamar, 13.0; 6. Justin Shaffer, 29.2; 7. Will Lummus, 4.1 seconds on one run; 8. Jacob Talley, 4.4. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Bryce Derrer, 9.2 seconds; 2 Kincade Henry, 9.4; 3. Brushton Minton, 9.6; 4. Trevor Hale, 9.7; 5. Chet Weitz, 10.7; 6. Blane Cox, 11.8; 7. Chance Oftedahl, 12.6; 8. Garrett Jacobs, 13.6. Second round leaders: 1. Cash Hooper, 8.6 seconds; 2. Trevor Hale, 8.8; 3. Kincade Henry, 9.9; 4. (tie) Brushton Minton and Blane Cox, 10.1; 6. Chet Weitz, 10.2; 7. Landyn Duncan, 11.6; 8. Dontae Pacheco, 11.7. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Kincade Henry, 19.3; 3. Brushton Minton, 19.7; 4. Chet Weitz, 20.9; 5. Blane Cox, 21.9; 6. Bryce Derrer, 24.0; 7. Chance Oftedahl, 34.0; 8. Chris McCuistion, 34.4. Breakaway roping leaders: 1. (tie) Kelsie Domer and Josie Conner, 2.1 seconds; 3. Bailey Bates, 2.5; 4. Maddy Deerman, 2.6; 5. Jackie Crawford, 2.8; 6. Jordan Muncy, 3.3; 7. Kadin Jodie, 3.6; 8. Lari Dee Guy, 12.10; 9. (tie) Jayme Marcrum and Bradi Good, 12.2; 11. (tie) Hope Thompson and Janae Todacheenie, 12.3; 13. TiAda Gray, 13.1; 14. Aspen Miller, 13.9. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Weston Patterson, 85.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Watch the Night; 2. Allen Boore, 85; no other qualified rides. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.8 seconds; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2; 3. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 4.9; 4. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben, 5.1; 5. Devon  Continue Reading »

Garcilazos continue long-time La Cherreria tradition at Gooding Pro Rodeo GOODING, Idaho – The Garcilazo family is made up of showmen – and a show-woman – who not only love to entertain but also have passion for tradition. It drives them across North America and beyond as they perform incredible horsemanship and other talents that have been passed down from one family member to another via La Cherreria, a skill performed through the generations only by the Mexican charro. Tomas Garcilazo learned the skills as a youngster from his elders, and he’s passing them down to his own sons, Louis, Gaspar and Ulyesse. Tomas’ wife, Justine, also is involved in the production, and the family affair will be a big part of the Gooding Pro 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. “On my mother’s side, they are all charros,” Garcilazo said. “I grew up competing all my life. I picked my skill with a rope and had a vision to develop this with the horses. “It’s a way of developing my dream. My rope, as a child, was a toy. Now, I develop the artistry with a rope in such an extensive way. It takes time, effort, patience and the (willingness to) develop all the desires to succeed in horse and roping skills.” Tomas Garcilazo is a third-generation charro, and while the littlest two of their sons are a bit young to step into the limelight, Louis is not only comfortable in the arena but has already developed the talents to be a featured part of the family’s heritage. “When you bring someone to provide a treat, it’s nice because you contribute something to the community,” said Garcilazo, who has been selected to perform the opening act at the NFR more than a dozen times and has been named the PRCA’s Dress Act of the Year four times. “It’s going to bring more people together.” That thought is why organizers of the Gooding Pro Rodeo wanted to bring the Garcilazos to town. “We have the most amazing fans in rodeo,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo’s manager. “They are the reason we exist, but they’re also why the contestants continually talk about the Gooding Pro Rodeo. We draw the top cowboys and cowgirls because of the support we receive, and everybody talks about our crowd. “We want that excitement to continue year after year, so we work very hard to bring in the top talent we can. Tomas has been an incredible performer for decades, and with his family involved in his acts, it just ups the ante for us and for our fans. It’s something they’re not only going to enjoy, but it’s also something nobody wants to miss.” The Garcilazos present a fascinating display of specialized roping and horses that are as magnificent as the Mexican-style outfits the family wears. Their equine partners shine in the spotlight, a testament to their training, mixed with the care the Garcilazos give them and the raw, athletic talent they possess. While rodeo is a Western sport, it’s roots trace back to when much of the American Southwest was part of the Mexican territory. It’s that foundation that has been the guiding force for the family. It’s a love affair by which Tomas Garcilazo has built a life, not only for himself but for the next generation. “Being in the entertainment business, you get to see the different traditions and different people from different personalities,” he said. “When you develop something with passion with your heart and express this on stage, it shows. When I see a performer, when they do these with their heart, it shows right away. I have a lot of passion for what I do, and I hope everyone sees that.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – As soon as Wacey Schalla turned 18, he opted to test the waters in ProRodeo. It’s a good thing he did. During his freshman season at Clarendon (Texas) College, he won both the all-around a bull riding national championships during the College National Finals Rodeo a month and a half ago in Casper, Wyoming. By then, he was already taking the PRCA by storm as a bareback rider and bull rider. That trend continued Tuesday. Schalla won the first round and shared the championship-round victory to claim the aggregate title at the Lea County PRCA Rodeo Xtreme Bulls, worth $13,509. By doing so, he jumped three spots in the bull riding world standings and is cascading his way to the National Finals Rodeo. “I’ve been really close to winning this Xtreme buckle at about two others,” said Schalla of Arapaho, Oklahoma. “The only one I won was in Palmer, Alaska, which is pretty special to me, but this one to get the buckle just tops it off.” He began the evening of bull-riding only by riding Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Richard Slim for 89.5 points to win the opening round. In the short round, he matched moves with Salt River Rodeo’s Crawfish for 88 points to claim the crown. Much has changed for the Oklahoma youngster in the few weeks since he claimed the intercollegiate titles, but his consistency has been key. “It’s been a blast,” he said. “When I bought my card as soon as I turned 18, I knew I could have a run at making the finals. It’s definitely looking a lot brighter now, so I’m excited.” He should be. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event advance to the NFR, ProRodeo’s grand finale that takes place over 10 days each December in Las Vegas. Not only is he in strong contention to play for the biggest pay in the game as a bull rider, he’s 29th in the world standings in bareback riding. He’s well within reach of making the finale in two events. That experience paid off Tuesday, when he had to get on two of the toughest bulls in ProRodeo. “I’d say it’s just as easy because I’m used to getting on two head a day, and let me tell you: That bareback riding wears you out way more than this does,” Schalla said with a laugh. “I know that’s why I get on more than one in the practice pen to be ready for stuff like this.”  Practice makes perfect, but Schalla is spending more time competing than rehearsing. There’s no need to get on any more than necessary this time of year, so making the right moves is more muscle memory at this stage of the game. Schalla said he had to hustle to produce a qualified ride on his first bull, Richard Slim, and that helped him stay firmly in place when it came to his short-round ride on Crawfish. “That little Richard Slim is just a calf of Pete Carr’s, and that bull has a little something to him,” Schalla said. “He don’t get rode very often. I got bucked off him earlier this year in San Angelo, so it was dang sure good to get him rode.” Lea County Xtreme BullsLovington, N.M.Aug. 6, 2024First round: 1. Wacey Schalla, 89.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Richard Slam, $4,180; 2. Jackson Ward, 85.5, $3,277; 3. Jace Trosclair, 85, $2,503; 4. Avery Mullins, 84.5, $1,729; 5. Jax Mills, 81.5; no other qualified rides. Championship round: 1. (tie) Wacey Schalla, on Salt River Rodeo’s Crawfish, and T.J. Gray, on Rafter H Rodeo’s Wicked Sensation, 88 points, $2,752 each; 3. Avery Mullins, 87, $1,806; 4. Jace Trosclair, 86.5, $1,290. Average: 1. Wacey Schalla, 177.5 points on two rides, $6,576; 2. (tie) Avery Mullins and Jace Trosclair, 171.5, $4,426 each; 4. T.J. Gray, 88 points on one ride, $2.491; 5. Jackson Ward, 85.5, $1,631; 6. Jax Mills, 81.5, $1,201; no other qualified rides.

Landingham hoping to continue streak of good fortune at Gooding Pro Rodeo GOODING, Idaho – Bareback rider R.C. Landingham has never lived in Gooding County, but it’s a good place to call home when the opportunities arise. “I’ve spent time there, and when I go through Idaho rodeoing, that’s one of the places I hang out at because my good buddy, Kash Wilson, lives there,” said Landingham, 33, of Hat Creek, California. “Kelly Wardell lives right down the road from there in Shoshone, and I spent some time there with him, too. “Kelly’s helped me out a lot over the years, basically just learning ow to ride bareback horses in the beginning and working out the kinks when I’ve gone through things. He’s really good at breaking down the event, picking things apart and helping you fix things you’re trying to fix.” Landingham is expected to return for the Gooding Pro 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. He’s riding a hot streak as the rodeo season rolls into August, and he hopes it continues. He is fourth in the world standings with less than two months remaining in the regular season and has virtually locked himself into position to make his fifth qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. So far this year, he’s won titles at lucrative stops in Reno, Nevada; Red Bluff, California; and Calgary, Alberta. “This year’s been pretty unreal,” said Landingham, who has earned nearly $140,000 already this season. “Throughout your career, you have a checklist of rodeos you want to get won, and I’ve gotten to check off quite a few. I got to set the arena record (92.5 points on C5 Rodeo’s) Virgil in Red Bluff, and I got the win in Reno; I’ve had luck in Reno, but I’d never won it. “I got the win in Calgary. Those are rodeos you want to win, and to actually get that done so soon in one season has been pretty incredible.” For the second time in three months, he rode Virgil – the big, gray bucker that’s twice been named PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year – to win the $50,000 shootout round in Calgary. “I’ve been rodeoing for 15-16 years, and Virgil’s been in the draw at a lot of rodeo’s I’ve been to,” Landingham said. “When I had him in Red Bluff, being the hometown rodeo and being able to get on that horse has been an incredible opportunity in itself. When I got off him at Red Bluff, I thought I’d never get to get on him again. “Because I won the 12-man round at Calgary, I got to be the first pick for the four-man round, so I picked him. I’ll never expect to get on him again, but any chance to get on that horse is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To be 94 points on him there is something that guys dream about for their entire careers. You go down that list, and there’s not very many guys that ever got that accomplished. It will always be something special to remember.” Every step of this year’s journey has continued to build confidence in the California cowboy. Every ride has built confidence, and he’s hoping to carry that and a healthy body through the final few weeks of the ProRodeo season. He expects to be battling for the title in Gooding in mid-August. “It’s the people there that make me want to come back,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of friends and family close by there. It’s a really good rodeo that has worked hard to improve its quality every year. It’s a good, central location for that time of year, and it’s an easy one for guys to enter. They want to keep improving it, and that just makes it easier to throw your name in there.” Of course, he hopes to put on a show to prove to the large crowds that pack the arena that he’s “Beer Worthy.” “You’re either going to have to make a really good ride or have a really good wreck to be ‘Beer Worthy,” ” Landingham said. “At least when you do it in Gooding, you get to go on the sideline and have a drink with somebody.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – During her reign as Miss Rodeo America, Emma Cameron will have traveled approximately 50,000 miles as the official ambassador of ProRodeo. None, though, will be as sweet as those she maneuvers in her home state of New Mexico. She will return to the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday. “There aren’t many places you can go where rodeo so purely relates to the life story as it does here in New Mexico,” Cameron told New Mexico Magazine earlier this year. “Everywhere in the country has rodeo, but in New Mexico, it truly translates to the people here and the life here.” From Santa Fe, Cameron was crowned the New Mexico High School Rodeo Association’s queen in 2016. A year later, she won the National High School Rodeo Association queen title, becoming the first New Mexican to win the crown in nearly 50 years. She graduated with honors from Cornell University and worked as a commodity risk management analyst in the Midwest before taking a job as a diagnostic technical specialist in the animal-health industry in the Southwest. After serving her role in ProRodeo, she plans to attend law school. For now, though, she is going to events across North America representing the sport she loves. “You hit the ground running, and you have that whole last week of the (National) Finals in Vegas,” Cameron said. “Then right after the new year, you get on the road to Denver and have to learn as you go. The support system behind Miss Rodeo America makes it a really smooth, enjoyable transition, so I’ve been really grateful for that. “You learn so much that you didn’t know, not only about rodeo and how rodeos work, but also about yourself and how you see the world and what you want to do. It’s a really phenomenal experience.” Her reign will end this December, when the next Miss Rodeo America is crowned in Las Vegas during the pageant held in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo. “It’s really a dream come true,” Cameron told the Albuquerque Journal. “I’ve been doing pageants for 15 years now. It was really special because I remember the moment when I was a child meeting Miss Rodeo USA. “It’s my turn to carry that torch.”

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Life on the rodeo trail can be special at times. Cowboys make a living eight seconds at a time and get to travel the country doing it. Life on the rodeo trail can be rugged at times. When the results one is seeking aren’t there, cowboys are away from home, and it’s a test of will and fortitude. Since he began competing in ProRodeo six seasons ago, Jess Pope has experienced both sides of that equation. I’m not going to lie: Two weeks ago, I was over it,” said Pope, 25, of Waverly, Kansas. “I wasn’t drawing good, and I was sore. Being able to come home for three days and reboot and rodeo close to home brought it all back. I know I ride really good, and I just have to have them underneath me.” Them? Those are the bucking horses he rides, and he’s matched with them via a random draw. The better the horse, the better the opportunity. He took advantage of that Sunday night during the championship round of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. “When I get them underneath me, I’ve got to take advantage of them, and I felt like I did this week. I’m excited to finish the year.” He rode Championship Pro Rodeo’s Hooey Rocks for 91 points to win the short go-round, which catapulted him to the top in the two-ride aggregate and the Roundup title. That’s a big deal for any contestant; it’s a bigger deal for a Kansas-born-and-raised cowboy. During a few days in western Kansas, Pope earned $6,605. Sitting 20th in the world standings, every dollar counts. Only the top 15 on the money list at the end of the regular season advance to the National Finals Rodeo. Once there, Pope has been dominant. He won three straight NFR titles, the third of which helped him earn the 2022 world championship. Last December, he finished second in the average in Las Vegas; over his four trips to ProRodeo’s grand finale, he’s finished no worse than third. Now, he’s got the Roundup buckle to go along with his NFR average and world championship trophies. “It’s the history that I have here at this rodeo to be close to home, and to have my family and friends here with me means a lot to get that buckle that I’ll get to take home and cherish,” Pope said. “I’ve got junior high and high school buckles from here, and it will be really fun to be able to make a little picture-profile thing to put all my buckles together.” He may need to add a special addition for all his trophies. In addition to his title in Dodge City, he finished third in Phillipsburg, Kansas, and won the title in Dalhart, Texas. He pocketed more than $11,000 this week alone. “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going,” he said. “I’m not where I want to be in the world standings, but this week really helped, and I sure feel good about it. I think it’ll keep going good.” Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.July 31-Aug. 4, 2024All-around champion: Coleman Proctor, $1,853 in team roping and steer roping. Bareback riding: First round: 1. Rocker Steiner, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s High Heels, $3,163; 2. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, Dean Thompson and Jess Pope, 85, $1,792 each; 5. Weston Timberman, 84.5, $738; 6. Sam Petersen, 84, $527; 7. Mason Clements, 83, $422; 8. (tie) Cooper Cooke, Jacek Frost and Bradlee Miller, 81, $105 each. Final round: 1. Jess Pope, 91 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Hooey Rocks, $1,650; 2. Mason Clements, 88, $1,250; 3. (tie) Sam Peterson and Waylon Bourgeois, 87, $750 each; 5. Weston Timberman, 85.5, $350; 6. (tie) Dean Thompson and Rocker Steiner, 84.5, $125 each. Average: 1. Jess Pope, 176 points on two rides, $3,163; 2. Rocker Steiner, 172.5; 3. Waylon Bourgeois, 172, $1,792; 4. (tie) Mason Clements and Sam Peterson, 171, $949; 6. Weston Timberman, 170, $527; 7. Dean Thompson, 169.5, $422; 8. Kade Sonnier, 164, $316. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Ty Bauerle, 3.8 seconds, $3,473; 2. (tie) Jacob Edler and Tyler Waguespack, 4.0, $2,793 each; 4. Brady Reneau, 4.1, $2,114; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3, $1,661; 6. (tie) Kalane Anders, Gage Hesse, Tyke Kipp, Will Lummus, Isaiah Na’auao-Asing and Tyler Pearson, 4.4, $377 each. Second round: 1. Quade Potter, 3.6 seconds, $3,473; 2. 2. Will Lummus, 3.8, $3,020; 3. Kyle Irwin, 3.9, $2,567; 4. Cody Devers, 4.0, $2,114; 5. Sam Goings, 4.1, $1,661; 6. Bridger Anderson, 4.2, $1,208; 7. (tie) Winsten McGraw, Tanner Brunner and Travis Munro, 4.3, $352 each. Final round: 1. Bridger Anderson, 3.6 seconds, $1,276; 2. Dakota Eldridge, 3.7, $1,056; 3. Will Lummus, 3.8, $836; 4. Justin Shaffer, 4.4, $616; 5. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Kalane Anders, 4.5, $308 each. Average: 1. Will Lummus, 12.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Dakota Eldridge, 13.3, $4,530; 3. Kalane Anders, 13.6, 3,850; 4. Jacob Edler, 13.8, $3,171; 5. Bridger Anderson, 14.1, $2,491; 6. Ty Bauerle, 14.4, $1,812; 7. Tyler Wageuspack, 14.5, $1,132; 8. Justin Shaffer, 14.9, $453. Team roping: First round: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.9 seconds, $3,547 each; 2. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 5.2, $3,085; 3. Tyler Tryan/Logan Moore, 5.4, $2,622; 4. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 5.5, $2,159; 5. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 5.6, $1,697; 6. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 5.7, $1,234; 7. (tie) Trey Blackmore/Whip Peterson and Clint Summers/Jake Long, 5.8, $540 each. Second round: 1. Reno Stoebner/L.J. Yeahquo, 4.7 seconds, $3,547; 2. Wyatt Muggli/Casey McCleskey, 4.9m $3,085; 3. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 5.1, $2,622; 4. Trey Hall/Cale Morris, 5.4, $2,159; 5. Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin, 5.5, $2,159; 6. Tyler Tryan/Logan Moore, 5.7, $1,234; 7. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 5.8, $771; 8. Shay Carrol/Jace Helton, 6.0, $308. Final round: 1. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 5.5 seconds, $1,240; 2. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 6.2, $1,026; 3. Wheston Jones/Blake Barnes, 6.9, $813; 4. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, $599; 5. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 7.7, $385; 6. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 8.0, $214. Average: 1. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 18.5 seconds on three head, $5,321 each; 2.  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Growing up in the western Oklahoma hamlet of Arnett, breakaway roper Taylor Munsell made many trips to compete at Roundup Arena. She’s done well at youth rodeos and the amateur rodeos in the storied complex, but she’s never done well at Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. Her luck may be changing this year. She roped her first calf Saturday morning in 2.5 seconds to finish the opening round in a three-way tie for first, then stopped the clock in 3.0 seconds that evening. Her two-run cumulative time of 5.5 seconds puts her in the No. 2 spot heading into Championship Sunday, just half a second behind the leader, McKenna Brennan. They will battle it out for the Roundup title along with 10 other breakaway ropers. “It almost feels like a hometown arena to me,” said Munsell, 27, now living in Alva, Oklahoma, where she won the 2019 intercollegiate championship while competing for Northwestern Oklahoma State University. “It’s so nice. It’s close to home, so my whole family gets to come and watch.” Arnett is just two hours south of Dodge City, so it’s an easy drive for folks who have supported rodeo. Munsell travels tens of thousands of miles a year chasing her rodeo dreams, and she’s pretty good at it. In addition to the college title, she has qualified for the National Finals Breakaway Roping each of the past three years finishing among the top 10 in the world standings each time. She rolled into western Kansas as the No. 2 cowgirl on the money list with $93,225, about $13,500 behind the leader, Jackie Crawford. Munsell has already added $1,924 for her first-round finish and is looking to add to it. Every cent counts when it comes to rodeo, where dollars equal championship points. The top 15 money-earners at the end of the regular season punch their ticket to the finale, which takes place in December at Las Vegas. She’s a virtual lock to return for the fourth straight year to Sin City, but having a good final night at Roundup would be rather beneficial when it comes to battling for rodeo’s gold in four months. “That would be super important,” Munsell said of finishing strong in Dodge City. I’m in a great spot, where I want to be. I get to go right before (Brennan), but I’ve got a pretty good jump on everybody below me, too. I can make a good run and set the pace and let her come beat me if she wants to. However the cards lay, it’ll pay good either day.” She will entrust much of the work on her equine partner, Colonel, the horse she rode during the 2021 and 2023 breakaway finals. The 12-year-old sorrel gelding has been a guiding force for much of Munsell’s success, but she’s also had some other talented horses in her stable.  “Luckily the way I was raised, I learned to ride a horse for what they were and not what I wanted them to be, and I feel like that’s benefitted me a lot,” she said. “I have three great horses that work completely differently, but they serve me in the ways I need them to. I figured out how to make it work and win on them.” Like a lioness lurking to grasp her pray, Munsell is putting herself into position to claim the coveted Roundup buckle. “I like chasing,” she said. “It’s a lot more fun.” Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.July 31-Aug. 4, 2024Bareback riding: First round: 1. Rocker Steiner, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s High Heels, $3,163; 2. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, Dean Thompson and Jess Pope, 85, $1,792 each; 5. Weston Timberman, 84.5, $738; 6. Sam Petersen, 84, $527; 7. Mason Clements, 83, $422; 8. (tie) Cooper Cooke, Jacek Frost and Bradlee Miller, 81, $105 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Ty Bauerle, 3.8 seconds, $3,473; 2. (tie) Jacob Edler and Tyler Waguespack, 4.0, $2,793 each; 4. Brady Reneau, 4.1, $2,114; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3, $1,661; 6. (tie) Kalane Anders, Gage Hesse, Tyke Kipp, Will Lummus, Isaiah Na’auao-Asing and Tyler Pearson, 4.4, $377 each. Second round: 1. Quade Potter, 3.6 seconds, $3,473; 2. 2. Will Lummus, 3.8, $3,020; 3. Kyle Irwin, 3.9, $2,567; 4. Cody Devers, 4.0, $2,114; 5. Sam Goings, 4.1, $1,661; 6. Bridger Anderson, 4.2, $1,208; 7. (tie) Winsten McGraw, Tanner Brunner and Travis Munro, 4.3, $352 each. Average: 1. Will Lummus, 8.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Jacob Edler, 8.4; 3. Kalane Anders, 9.1; 4. Ty Bauerle, 9.5; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 9.6; 6. Cody Devers, 9.7; 7. (tie) Quade Potter and Kyle Irwin, 9.8; 10. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Bridger Anderson, 10.5; 12. (tie) Grant Peterson and Cash Robb, 11.2. Because of the tie-breaker, Cash Robb advances to the championship round Team roping: First round: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.9 seconds, $3,547 each; 2. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 5.2, $3,085; 3. Tyler Tryan/Logan Moore, 5.4, $2,622; 4. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 5.5, $2,159; 5. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 5.6, $1,697; 6. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 5.7, $1,234; 7. (tie) Trey Blackmore/Whip Peterson and Clint Summers/Jake Long, 5.8, $540 each. Second round: 1. Reno Stoebner/L.J. Yeahquo, 4.7 seconds, $3,547; 2. Wyatt Muggli/Casey McCleskey, 4.9m $3,085; 3. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 5.1, $2,622; 4. Trey Hall/Cale Morris, 5.4, $2,159; 5. Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin, 5.5, $2,159; 6. Tyler Tryan/Logan Moore, 5.7, $1,234; 7. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 5.8, $771; 8. Shay Carrol/Jace Helton, 6.0, $308. Average leaders: 1. Tyler Tryan/Logan Moore, 11.1 seconds on two runs; 2. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 11.3; 3. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 11.9; 4. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 12.1; 5. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 12.8; 6. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 13.3; 7. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 13.0; 8. Max Kuttler/Dylan Ahlstrom, 13.7; 9. Wheston Jones/Blake Barnes, 14.0; 10. Chad Masters/Wyatt Cox, 15.0; 11. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 15.9; 12. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 16.1.   Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Gus Galliard, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Big Cloud, $3,325; 2. Brody Cress, 87, $2,549; 3. Isaac Diaz, 85, $1,884; 4. Colt Gordon, 84, $1,219;  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Team ropers Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira have had a lot of success competing together over the years. They won world championships in 2021 and 2022 and are the No. 1 tandem in the world standings this week with about $130,000 in earnings each. They’ve also had a lot of success at the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, an event they won together in 2019. While winning another Roundup buckle would be nice, they will take what they can get. Driggers and Nogueira stopped the clock in 5.1 seconds during Friday’s third performance to take the second-round lead. They are ninth in the aggregate with one night remaining in the preliminary rounds, so they are on the bubble to return to Championship Sunday. “We’re always looking at everywhere we compete at, we want to win first,” said Nogueira, the 2016 all-around world champion and the first Brazilian team roper to ever qualify for the National Finals Rodeo. “We’d like to win it again, but we didn’t have a great run (Friday) morning. If we come back here and make another good run, we have a chance.” Anytime the two are roping together, they have a chance. They have excelled in ProRodeo since they first teamed eight years ago. Driggers is 34 of Hoboken, Georgia, and he’s been to the National Finals Rodeo 11 times since 2011. Nogueira is 33 from Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil, and he’s qualified for the last 10 NFRs, most of them with Driggers leading the way. They’ve remained consistent over time, but there have been changes in rodeo since they first competed at ProRodeo’s grand finale in Las Vegas. The key component is seen in the payouts. There was a time that contestants were hoping to get close to six figures before they arrived at the NFR; now, it’s a staple, and it will likely take $100,000 or more just to earn the trip – only the top 15 contestants on the money list in each event qualify for the championship. “In the roping, all the rodeos are paying really well,” Nogueira said. “We know a lot of rodeos are adding more money. That makes a huge difference, and that’s great for us. It’s going to take a lot more money than it before just to make the finals.” Roundup is one of those lucrative rodeos that offers a big payout; Nogueira and Driggers have earned their fair share over the years. They’ve won multiple go-rounds and have another chance to do it again. “That’s good to get a good check out of here,” Nogueira said. “Hopefully we’ll keep our fingers crossed and we can make it back (to the short round). We’ve got to go to Castle Rock (Colorado) in the morning, then go to the Spicer Grip (in Hereford, Texas) Sunday morning, and hopefully we can come back over here. “Sometimes you just have to make a run and see what we can come up with.” Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.July 31-Aug. 4, 2024Bareback riding leaders: 1. Rocker Steiner, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s High Heels; 2. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, Dean Thompson and Jess Pope, 85; 5. Weston Timberman, 84.5; 6. Sam Petersen, 84; 7. Mason Clements, 83; 8. (tie) Cooper Cooke, Jacek Frost and Bradlee Miller, 81; 11. (tie) Darien Johnson and Kade Sonnier, 80. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Jacob Edler, 4.0 seconds; 2. Brady Reneau, 4.1; 3. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3; 4. (tie) Kalane Anders, Will Lummus, Gage Hesse and Isaiah Na’auao-Asing, 4.4; 8. Shawn Musil, 4.6. Second round leaders: 1. Quade Potter, 3.6 seconds; 2. 2. Will Lummus, 3.8; 3. Kyle Irwin, 3.9; 4. Sam Goings, 4.1; 5. Bridger Anderson, 4.2; 6. (tie) Winsten McGraw and Tanner Brunner, 4.3; 8. (tie) Trevor Nelson, Jacob Edler, Jesse Brown, Chance Howard, Ty Cochrane and Jarek VanPetten, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. Will Lummus, 8.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Jacob Edler, 8.4; 3. Kalane Anders, 9.1; 4. Dakota Eldridge, 9.6; 5. (tie) Quade Potter and Kyle Irwin, 9.8; 7. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Bridger Anderson, 10.5; 9. Grant Peterson, 11.2; 10. Grady Payne, 12.4; 11. Jarek VanPetten, 13.4; 12. Colt Honey, 13.9. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.9 seconds; 2. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 5.2; 3. Tyler Tryan/Logan Moore, 5.4; 4. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 5.5; 5. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 5.6; 6. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 5.7; 7. (tie) Trey Blackmore/Whip Pop Peterson and Clint Summers/Jake Long, 5.8; 4. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 5.9; 5. Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, 6.3; 6. Hagen Peterson/Chase Tryan, 6.4. Second round leaders: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 5.1 seconds; 2. Trey Hall/Cale Morris, 5.4; 3. Riley Kittle/Will Woodfin, 5.5; 4. Tyler Tryan/Logan Moore, 5.7; 5. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 5.8; 6. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 6.1; 7. Wheston Jones/Blake Barnes, 6.5; 8. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 6.6. Average leaders: 1. Tyler Tryan/Logan Moore, 11.1 seconds on two runs; 2. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 11.3; 3. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 11.9; 4. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 12.1; 5. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 12.8; 6. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 13.0; 7. Wheston Jones/Blake Barnes, 14.0; 8. Chad Masters/Wyatt Cox, 15.0; 9. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 15.9; 10. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 16.1; 11. Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, 17.3; 12. Nelson Wyatt/Johnathan Torres, 17.4.   Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Gus Galliard, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Big Cloud; 2. Brody Cress, 87; 3. Colt Gordon, 84; 4. Tegan Smith, 83; 5. Jake Finlay, 82.5; 6. (tie) Parker Fleet and Logan Cook, 82; 8. Darcy Radel, 81.5; 9. (tie) Jackson Ford and Weston Patterson, 81; 11. (tie) Cooper Thatcher and Tucker Bourdet, 80.5. Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Ashley Goforth and Erin Johnson, 2.5 seconds; 3. Layni Masters, 2.6; 4. Kaitlyn Ricke, 2.7; 5. (tie) McKenna Brennan, Timber Allenbrand and Shayla Hall, 2.9; 8. (tie) Kamie Landolfi and Addie Weil, 3.1; 10. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, 3.2. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) McKenna Brennan and Danielle Lowman, 2.1 seconds; 3. TiAda Gray, 2.4; 4. (tie) Chenoa Vandestouwe and Martha Angelone, 2.7; 6. Shelby Whiting, 2.8; 7.  Continue Reading »