Monthly Archives: August 2025

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Members of the Waller County Fair Association have come up with a winning formula that helps make the annual exposition so successful every year. Youth is the primary mission, and the youngsters’ triumphs feed the Waller County Fair, which takes place Thursday, Sept. 25-Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. “Everybody wants to be the winner, but a lot of kids are here for the fair experience and to have fun,” said Sherry Roesner, the fair manager and the association’s secretary. “The parents tell us, ‘We just want our kids to have that experience.’ “They’re not necessarily worried about being the grand champion or the reserve champion, but they come for the friendship and the camaraderie. They may not even go to the carnival, because they’ll be down in the barn with all their friends.” The fun and fellowship are the cornerstones laid years ago by 4H and FFA groups in southeast Texas, and the competition shines because of it, especially in livestock showing. Many of the youth involved in the local expo have been exposed to a variety of experiences. “We have very stiff competition because the majority of our people go to all the major shows,” Roesner said. “Our fair is during the State Fair of Texas, so sometimes people are trying to decide what animal they’re going to take to the state fair. Most people stay here. “Showing is constant, and some of these families travel all over to these shows every weekend. They do it with cattle and pigs and whatever, but it’s pretty big around here. The showmanship is unreal.” That just adds to the level of competition that is featured in Hempstead every fall. “You have to get a quality calf to compete at the level of our fair,” said Bobby Coursey, the fair association’s president. “To add to that, these kids are doing their homework and working with their animals. It goes back to the heritage of our county. We all grew up in Waller County, so it’s a little bit of pride to our county roots. You grew up in livestock, so you’re instilling that into our youth. “It teaches them work ethic and all the good stuff that comes with that.” It’s character-building, and organizers are creating other opportunities with the growth of competition and the development of new projects. One that’s still recent is the Pen of Two show, where a kid will acquire two heifers that match as much as possible. “You want them to look alike, be the same size, potentially be bred to have a calf about the same time,” Roesner said. “They’re wild, just two heifers out in the pasture. They bring them up here and put in a pen, where two judges will score the cattle. There also is a record-keeping judge so you can explain how much you spent, how much were the vet bills, the rent, the feed, etc. “You have to put in a record book everything you can think of that you would have in a cattle operation, then you use that in the interview you do. At a lot of places, it’s called the Commercial Pen of Heifers, but ours is the Pen of Two.” While showing the Pen of Two is a bit different in that the animals aren’t halter-broke nor led into the pen, it’s still a chance for young people to develop skills that should be beneficial to them as they mature. “These kids are putting their hearts and souls into those animals,” Coursey said. “Along with our regular livestock show, it’s hands-down second to none. I would say we’re probably the toughest county in the state as far as the depth of quality that we have. “You could take a steer or heifer out of our regular halter division, haul them to a major show and do well.” The great support the youth receive from the county, sponsors and buyers just magnifies the quality of showing that happens at the fair. “We have very tough competition,” Coursey said. “We have cattle, rabbits, poultry, swine, goats, lambs, and we have families that have showed that are going to start breeding animals. That is the heart and soul of our fair.”

SALT LAKE CITY – Kelsie Domer is scrambling. Heading into this week of rodeos, the reigning world champion breakaway roper is on the outside looking in. She’s 18th in the world standings and needs to move up at least three places if she’s going to defend her gold buckle during the National Finals Breakaway Roping this December. She’s taking every opportunity available to secure her spot among the top 15 by the end of the regular season, which concludes Sept. 30. It’s just one of the reasons she’ll be at Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5; Saturday, Sept. 6; and Monday, Sept. 8, 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 number-crunching time for rodeo’s elite. The top cowboys and cowgirls are all battling for those cherished 15 positions that compete for rodeo’s gold. Every dollar counts, and the purse at Utah’s Own Rodeo is a big reason why there are nearly 500 contestants who have entered the competition. Local organizers are throwing in $10,000 an event, an increase of $30,000 over last year. Those dollars are mixed with contestants’ entry fees to make up the overall purse. The winners in each event should win about $4,000, and that could mean all the difference between competing in Las Vegas in December or staying home. Domer is a 10-time titlist in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association; all but the 2024 championship came before breakaway roping joined the sport’s mainstream. She’s a versatile cowgirl, having also won gold buckles in tie-down roping and the all-around. Her focus in recent years has been on breakaway, though. The discipline has been around for decades, but it burst onto the ProRodeo scene in 2019. The first breakaway finals – which takes place in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo – occurred in 2020. It’s been growing ever since. This is a huge step for the WPRA. When Domer won her first world championships in tie-down roping and the all-around in 2012, she earned just less than $7,000 … for the year. When she claimed gold last season, she pocketed more than $168,000. That’s a significant pay increase over a dozen years. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, the 2023 world champ, owns the breakaway roping single-season earnings record with $197,706. She and Domer are just two titlists expected to compete in Salt Lake City. They will be joined by Sawyer Gilbert, who won in 2021, and Erin Johnson, a three-time winner. They understand it’s a big opportunity at some big-time Utah cash with just weeks left on the 2025 schedule.

Utah’s Own Rodeo gives kids a chance to participate with mutton bustin’ SALT LAKE CITY – Before they ever climb into the chutes, adrenaline fills their little bodies. Part of it is excitement. Part of it is knowing they are about to ride a wild animal in front of thousands of fans. Just like the men who stand just a few feet away, the competitors want to be part of the spectacle and the thrill of rodeo. They want to hear the crowd scream. They want to feel the explosion underneath them as their mount explodes into the arena. They also want the prize presented to the winning ride each night. Maybe after that, they’ll get some ice cream or maybe a Crumbl Cookie and possibly enjoy the carnival rides at the Utah State Fair. It’s part of a day in the life of mutton busters at Utah’s Own Rodeo. set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5; Saturday, Sept. 6; and Monday, Sept. 8, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “Mutton bustin’ is always a fan-favorite in rodeo, and ours is no exception,” said Jacee Lancaster, livestock director for the Utah State Fair and the production manager for the rodeo. “We have a really good rodeo, but I think the loudest ovations we get on any night are when the kids are riding sheep. Everybody is into it, and the kids will do the things kids do. Some will be pretty shy and quiet, but you’ll also get the ones who want to show off. That makes it really enjoyable.” Sign-ups will take place at Tractor Supply stores along the Wasatch Front. There is no age requirement, but mutton busters must weigh less than 50 pounds in order to ride. “We are very excited to partner with Tractor Supply to help us get our mutton busters signed up,” said Nicki Claeys, the fair’s deputy executive director and marketing director. “Having partners like Tractor Supply helps us in everything we do at the Utah State Fair, and we are excited to see how our relationship develops. “Having the sign-ups this way allows anyone who is interested to sign their child up at any of the Tractor Supplies around Salt Lake City and beyond. I think it’s a partnership we can build on.” Unlike other riding events that are marked on an eight-second limit, mutton bustin’ is more about who can ride the longest as well as the best. The Utah’s Own Rodeo formula is also unique with a “shotgun start,” meaning all chute gates open at the same time. “I think that just adds to the excitement of the mutton bustin’,” Lancaster said. “It’s fun to see all these kids who get to compete right along side world champions and other rodeo stars, and everybody always looks forward to it.”

Emergency personnel to be celebrated during Utah State Fair event SALT LAKE CITY – Any time emergency personnel are called, they know they could put their lives on the line.   First responders do it anyway. “They’re heroes, and we need to honor them for their commitment,” said Jacee Lancaster, livestock director for the Utah State Fair and the production manager for Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo. “In light of recent events, we really need to praise the men and women who take those calls, so we’re going to honor them on the first night of our rodeo.” That will be the opening performance of the rodeo, which begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. Other performances will take place at the same time Saturday, Sept. 6, and Monday, Sept. 8. While this is an annual celebration of emergency personnel, fair officials are ramping up their efforts since two Tremonton-Garland police officers were killed and a third and his service dog were injured during a recent shooting in Tremonton, about 70 miles north of Salt Lake City. Sgt. Lee Sorensen and officer Eric Estrada lost their lives in the altercation. “This has to be a tough time for first responders,” Lancaster said. “It’s scary. The officers were just doing their jobs, and then this tragedy happened. It blows my mind to even think about.” Friends, loved ones and law enforcement officers were left devastated. Other first responders were, too. News like this makes everyone in the community emotional. “I know at least three officers that were called out to the incident because of this, so it hits on a personal level with me, too,” Lancaster said. “I think it hits with so many people, because we all know a police officer or a firefighter – or any first responder – that will drop what they’re doing and be on the scene as fast as they can.” Any first responder who wants to attend Friday’s rodeo will be admitted free with the appropriate identification. The invitation also extends to any person in the military with appropriate I.D. There will be an opening to the show dedicated to honoring the heroes who step into harm’s way, those who protect and serve, those who battle blazes, those who triage patients at the scene of something horrific. “Most of us can’t even imagine what it’s like, but every first responder has a calling to do this,” Lancaster said. “We have to honor them. We have to celebrate them for stepping up when others can’t.”

Stuntwomen to showcase talents during Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo SALT LAKE CITY – The pageantry that is professional rodeo is exposed through incredible action and amazing athleticism. Men and women display their talents across various disciplines through competition, and all of that is accentuated by entertainers. They are people like comedian Cody Sosebee and the trick-riding tandem of Shelby Pierson and Bella Da Costa, who showcase their acrobatics while horseback. The trio of superstars will be part of Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5; Saturday, Sept. 6; and Monday, Sept. 8, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “We just get along real well,” Da Costa said of her relationship with Pierson. “Our families get along well, and it’s really fun being out there with her. We’re very uplifting with each other, which makes it really easy. We know our horses, and we know each other. We know the show we’re going to do.” It’s an invigorating experience for the two ladies from Alberta. While each is independently credentialed, their work together has brought out something spectacular in their performances. “Bella and I have been traveling together, especially the last few years,” said Pierson, a six-time Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Contract Act of the Year, a three-time Canadian trick-riding champion and a nominee for PRCA Dress Act of the Year. “I think we want each other to do well, and we’re having fun while doing it. I think that shows in our act a lot. “We both push each other to be better and try harder tricks and go faster, which is also great. It’s a very positive performing environment.” That zeal will be evident through all three performances inside the Days of ’47 Arena, because both ladies bring that type of energy to the shows. Pierson and Da Costa developed their love for trick riding as youngsters who had an affection for horses. “I started trick riding when I was 8 years old,” Pierson said. “My Grade 1 teacher was actually a professional trick rider, and I grew up on my family’s ranch, so I was always riding and involved with horses. She sparked my interest, and I started doing lessons and performing that same year. “I just love it. I have always loved horses, the Western culture and the way of life. I love it because I get to travel and meet so many amazing people, and it’s a fun job to have.” Her partner echoed those sentiments. “I stated when I was 5 years old,” said Da Costa, also a Canadian champion. “I’d seen it at a rodeo, and I told my mom, ‘I want to do that.’ She thought I was completely crazy and was like, ‘No way in heck am I letting my daughter hang off the side of a running horse.’ “So, we went to move cows the next day, and I started hanging off the side of my horse. She kept giving me trouble, but I wouldn’t listen. Over time, I finally got lessons. I’ve stuck with it the whole way.” It’s not just the two performers who work as partners; they also will share the arena with their horses, which have been trained to work in this capacity. Each lady will have three mounts ready for Salt Lake City. “I have my main horse, and I will use her as much as I can,” Da Costa said. “But if there’s just the slightest thing that doesn’t feel right, I’ll switch to a different horse. They all run different. Some are faster, some are slower. They hold me different in tricks.” It takes great trust to lay off the side of a galloping horse or do just about any trick the ladies do. “You can’t do this on just any horse,” Pierson said. “They’re all specially trained, and they’re all amazing.” It’s taken years of work by both Pierson and Da Costa to get to this level, but their act is something many would love to witness in person. The fans at Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo will have that chance. “I enjoy performing and enjoy getting to meet everyone, and we oftentimes get to meet little kids and see how they react,” Da Costa said. “It reminds me of how I looked up at other trick rider when I was little, and now I get to have people look at me the same way I looked at her.” Da Costa and Pierson not only engage audiences, but they’re sharing their love for trick riding and entertaining others in the process.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – No tall building stands without beams to support it. The same can be said for the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, a 10-day exposition 45 minutes northwest of Houston. While the foundation is decades old and solid, the key factor for the event’s success is within the beams that surround it – those businesses and individuals that support it. “None of these companies or individuals have any obligations to our fair,” said Susan Shollar, the chairwoman for the auction committee. “They see what we do. They see what type of people these kids turn into because of the fair, and they want to support that.” It’s an ongoing trend for the expo, which takes place Thursday, Sept. 25-Saturday, Oct. 4. Renovations have been made across the complex over the years. Much of that has to do with an impressive capital campaign, but nothing happens at the fairgrounds without people who want to be involved. “Sponsorships and capital campaign are two different things, and the building, the add-ons and all that stuff doesn’t come from corporate sponsorships,” said Dustin Standley, the sponsorship chairman. “There is some crossover with some sponsors who are involved with the capital campaign, but they are separate deals altogether. “I have a hard time determining one sponsor is different than any other. I treat everybody the same, whether you’re a $500 sponsor or a $5,000 sponsor. You’re one of our partners in what we do.” Partnership is an important word to Standley and the Waller County Fair Association. They realize for businesses and individuals to invest in something so magnificent, there needs to be a solid relationship. Partners are valuable to the overall mission, and most have been involved every year for a long time. “We do that by giving them a package, then we deliver on what we’ve promised in that package,” Standley said. “Their expectations of what they want when they come to the event are met so they can have their companies advertised and get to entertain their guests, their customers and their employees. “These partners want to build within the youth of our Waller County organization. They want to put money into our fair and see our kids grow.” The cornerstone of any community event is having people willing to do that. In order to have world-class events at the rodeo arena or great artists during the concerts or commit to helping fund the scholarship program, it takes financial backing. “The level of support we get across the board – whether at the auction or showing up to watch the kids at the sale or event he participants who come through the back gate for the PRCA Rodeo – is incredible,” Standley said. “You have to have that, but we’re also blessed because we have people who are paying their hard-earned dollars to come watch the entertainment and have fun at the carnival, too.” Those are just pieces to the puzzle for the fair association. There’s so much that goes into producing the exposition, and a look at the schedule reveals all the happenings that take place in late September and early October in Hempstead, the seat of the county with roughly 65,000 people. The work for the youth involved in the fair goes well beyond that. Most have been laboring all year to prepare to show their exhibits, and the culmination is the Junior Livestock & Exhibit Auction at noon Saturday, Oct. 4. “Last year, we raised in excess of $1.4 million at our auction,” Shollar said. “In comparison, we were at $402,000 in 2005. In 2015, we were at $707,000. In 2018, we hit the $1 million mark. Since 2021, we’ve been at $1.3 million or higher. Our goal this year is $1.5 million.” That’s a big adjustment over the last two decades, but it’s reflective on the community. One thing that’s stayed the same is the number of lots for sale, which averages at 220. “We haven’t increased our total sale earnings by increasing the number of lots we sell,” Shollar said. “We’ve done it by having the best supporters in the state of Texas.” There are big dollars invested in Waller County youth, but the fair organizers have taken it a step further with a bonus bid that helps raise more funds for the scholarship program. That comes with taking an animal up for bid; when that animal is sold, the price is set by the buyer. The animal is then auctioned off at a decreasing value. “We have a lot of people who want to be involved and want to give back to the kids, but a lot of times the bids for these exhibits are much bigger than they are able to give,” Shollar said. “By doing this, we’re giving them an opportunity to be part of it. Usually we raise $100,000 for that lot, and all that money goes into the scholarship fund.” It’s proof of the supportive nature the folks in Waller County have for the fair, the rodeo and the community’s youth. “The people who support us are very community-minded,” she said. “We also treat our buyers right and let them know we are very appreciative of them. We keep them informed. The individual exhibitors will send letters prior to the auction inviting them, then they’ll send out thank yous after it’s over “We just want our supporters to know that we appreciate them.”

Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo will feature rodeo champions in September SALT LAKE CITY – There is a grand history of finding gold in the Beehive State. Sure, miners located it around Salt Lake City, but there’s another branch of the element that is prevalent in Utah: Rodeo gold. It comes from being the best in a given task every year, and there’s quite a bit of that across the state. Take the 2024 season, for example. ProRodeo dished out 10 world championship gold buckles, and three of them reside in Utah with bareback rider Dean Thompson of Altamont, saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright of Beaver and bull rider Josh Frost of Randlett. “I was waiting for it to sink in, but when that buckle showed up, that was when I realized that was what I was waiting for,” he said of the wearable trophy, which he has donned since it arrived at his home several months ago with his name engraved on it. In his mind, it’s an award that is meant to be worn. “I go with this theory, which I learned from Robert Etbauer: He said, ‘If I worked my whole life to win this buckle. I’m going to work the rest of my life wearing it every single day,’ ” Frost said of his former coach at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. “That’s where I am. I stuck her on my belt the night it showed up.” Gold is a vital element. It’s valuable, and the shine may dull, but the thrill of earning gold through competition is tough to beat. Ask an Olympic champion or any other athlete that strives for it. The only way to earn it is to beat an elite field. In rodeo, that happens every week. There are 17 world champions – accounting for 38 gold buckles – scheduled to compete at Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5; Saturday, Sept. 6; and Monday, Sept. 8, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. From eight-time world champion Stetson Wright, who has returned to action on a blaze of glory after being on injured reserve for the 2024 season, to defending breakaway roping titlist Kelsie Domer, the elite will compete at Salt Lake City in early September. Nearly 500 cowboys and cowgirls put their name in the hat to be part of a proud rodeo. Part of that is the chance to battle with the best, but another deciding factor is the increase in local dollars. Utah State Fair’s rodeo features $10,000 included in each event, and that money is then added to the contestants’ entry fees to make up the total purse. It’s an overall increase of $30,000 to the payout. That’s also why, in addition to the world titlists, there are 80 other National Finals Rodeo qualifiers. This is a major event to kick off the final month of the 2025 regular season. Many in the Salt Lake City field are battling for one of the spots at the NFR, which features only the top 15 contestants in each event when the season concludes Sept. 30. “This rodeo’s such an amazing event,” said Thompson, 23, who is among the top 10 on the bareback riding money list. “It’s one of the last ones where guys have a chance to make that push for the NFR. The competition there is phenomenal for that reason.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – The annual Cattlemen’s Days celebration does more for the community than most people realize. Sure, this is a chance to reconnect with friends and family while also enjoying all the comforts that come with a county fair. Cattlemen’s Days also offers plenty of entertainment, from great food selections to the carnival to the ProRodeo. It’s valuable to the people who live in this Rocky Mountain town or call Gunnison County home. Still, Cattlemen’s Days goes way beyond that. The annual festival is week-long boom to the businesses in town, from full hotels and restaurants to busy fuel stops and vibrant local shops. “In doing the math, we can figure that the economic impact to Gunnison for Cattlemen’s Days is worth millions of dollars,” said Kevin Coblentz, a longtime member of the organizing committee and a local business owner. “The food vendors were making between $2,000 and $4,000 a night just during the rodeo time. “Every dollar that comes from Cattlemen’s Days is spent right here. Sure, we put on Cattlemen’s Days for this community, but the benefit to the community extends a lot further than just what happens at the fairgrounds.” These are building blocks, not only for the celebration but also for the people that support it. When a community thrives, local thrive. There’s a reciprocating effect to it, too. “I’d say per pound, our 4H sale is one of the biggest in the state,” Coblentz said, referring to the total dollars in relation to the number of animals shown. “We’ve always had some amazing support for our Junior Livestock Auction.” The auction is one of the few remaining that sell by the pound instead of by the head.   “We’ve had a lot of our kids that have funded their education by selling livestock,” he said. “They totally paid for their college education from that.” It’s a tell-tale sign of the importance of Cattlemen’s Days. The event is organized by a core group of volunteers who pride themselves on being community-minded. “I’ve asked around, and I believe we are the only stand-alone rodeo – small or medium sized – that is totally funded by our ticket sales, our liquor sales and our sponsorships,” he said. “Other than a city grant we receive every year, we are totally funded by our own hustle.” It also helps that the PRCA rodeo is the only Western event in Gunnison that is nationally televised. Cattlemen’s Days has been aired on The Cowboy Channel and its app for several years. “We’ve also made it to where Cattlemen’s Days has no administrative costs to it. There are no paid employees. We pay an accounting firm to do our taxes. Our officers used to get a stipend to help with general expenses – like postage – that comes our way, but we don’t do that anymore. All of that money goes right back to the community, scholarships and other things that are important to us.” That’s the mindset that has helped festival organizers give back to the county residents and why Cattlemen’s Days is such an asset to the Gunnison Valley.

GOODING, Idaho – It’s only fitting that the final night of the 100th celebration of the Gooding Pro Rodeo featured an arena-record-tying ride by possibly the winningest cowboy of this generation. Eight-time world champion Stetson Wright rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Fool for 90 points Saturday night to tie an arena record established 12 years earlier … by his father, Cody Wright. The result was the saddle bronc riding victory at the Gooding Pro Rodeo. “I didn’t really get to rodeo with my dad,” Stetson Wright said. “That was something Rusty and Ryder did, so the closest thing I can do is try to tie records and do what he did and try to do it better. He set the bar pretty high. To be able to tie an arena record with him is pretty awesome, especially one that’s been held for that long. “You don’t get too many rodeos these days where the record’s held for that long, and just to top it off and have it be with my dad, that’s super special. In and out of the arena and every aspect of my life, he’s my hero, my idol, what I look up to. I’m going to cherish this moment forever.” He made it memorable for many reasons. When he was awarded his championship buckle, Wright went directly to Summit Pro Rodeo’s J.D. Hamaker, then handed the livestock producer the trophy after autographing it. “He just liked the horse and was 90 on one of our horses, and he thought enough of it to give the buckle to me,” Hamaker said. “He could have taken it home and put it in his trophy room. “He’s just a quality guy.” Wright has a lot of trophies. The whole family does, but Stetson Wright owns five all-around world championships, two bull riding gold buckles and a saddle bronc riding title. The family is synonymous with rodeo excellence: brother Ryder is a three-time bronc riding world champ, dad Cody has two and uncles Spencer and Jesse also have reached that elite status. There’s no pressure to follow in their footsteps, but there’s the stress they put on themselves to excel. If they need any motivation beyond that, they just look at one another. “I rodeo with the top-end guys,” Stetson Wright said. “I know they’re my brothers, but Ryder right now is riding with a back injury, and it’s kind of crazy what he’s done with it. Rusty’s riding with a torn up knee, and he’s got a femur bruise. Then Statler, he’s had some bumps and bruises all year long, and they seem to be adding up. “When them guys are ahead of me in the world standings, I just look over there and think, ‘Dude, you’ve got to be a cowboy; you’ve just got to cowboy up, because they’re not complaining about it.’ “Every little injury I’ve had, it seems like it’s not even a big deal because you’ve just got to ride through it. You don’t hear them talking about it. I’ll brag on them and tell you how tough they are because I get to see it every single day. They give me no option other than to get better.” Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 13-16All-around cowboy: Wacey Schalla, $1,031 in bareback riding and bull riding. Bareback riding: 1. Richmond Champion, 87.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Stevie Nicks, $6,874; 2. Cooper Cooke, 87, $5,270; 3. Sage Allen, 86.5, $3,895; 4. (tie) Mason Stuller and Jess Pope, 86, $2,062 each; 6. (tie) Wacey Schalla and Clay Jorgenson, 85.5, $1,031 each; 8. (tie) Jacek Frost, Donny Proffit and Tanner Aus, 85, $229 each. Steer wrestling: 1. Riley Duvall, 3.4 seconds, $4,746; 2. Will Lummus, 3.6, $4,188; 3. Riley Westhaver, 3.7, $3,629; 4. (tie) Cody Devers and Rowdy Parrott, 3.8, $2,792 each; 6. (tie) Tristan Martin, Landris White and Talon Roseland, 3.9, $1,954 each; 9. (tie) Jacob Edler, Trisyn Kalawaia and Garrett Oates, 4.0, $1,117 each; 12. (tie) Don Payn and Darcy Kersh, 4.1, $279. Team roping: 1. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 4.0 seconds, $5,272; 2. (tie) Kolton Schmidt/Chase Tryan and Tyler Tryan/Denton Dunning, 4.3, $4,393 each; 4. (tie) Brodi Jones/Cody Burnside, Cory Kidd V/Will Woodfin, Clint Summers/Jade Corkill and Dustin Egusquiza/J.C. Flake, 4.5, $2,987 each; 8. (tie) Kavis Drake/Denim Ross and Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 4.6, $1,933 each; 10. Korbin Rice/Cooper Freeman, 5.0, $1,406; 11. (tie) Dylin Ahlstrom/Dan Scarbrough, Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 5.1, $996 each; 14. Riley Kittle/Landen Glenn, 5.5, $427; Cyle Dennison/Lane Mitchell, 5.6, $351. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Stetson Wright, 90 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Fool, $6,768; 2. Mitch Pollock, 89, $5,189; 3. (tie) Statler Wright and Zac Dallas, 88.5, $3,158; 5. Tanner Butner, 87.5, $1,579; 6. (tie) Damien Brennan, Lefty Holman and Ben Andersen, 87, $902 each.   Breakaway roping: 1. (tie) Aubryn Bedke, Kash Gay and Brooke Bruner, 2.1 seconds, $5,531 each; 4. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Beau Peterson and Hali Williams, 2.2, $2,709 each; 7. (tie) Jessi Everett and Rylee George, 2.3, $1,609 each; 9. Shayla Hall, 2.4, $1,355; 10. Bradi Good, 2.5, $1,185; 11. (tie) Martha Angelone, Erin Johnson, Taylor Raupe and Kinlie Brennise, 2.6, $762 each; 15. Brittany Truman, 2.7, $339. Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) John Douch and Riley Webb, 7.4 seconds, $5,067 each; 3. Cody Craig, 7.7, $4,343; 5. 4. Bryce Derrer, 8.2, $3,619; 5. (tie) Seth Hall, Shad Mayfield, Bo Pickett and Chet Weitz, 8.4, $2,714 each; 9. Shane Hanchey, 8.5, $1,810; 10. (tie) Tyler Calhoun and Brushton Minton, 8.6, $1,357 each; 12. Hagen Houck, 8.8, $1,086; 13. Tom Crouse, 8.9, $734; 14. (tie) Justin Brinknerhoff, Britt Bedke and Chase Webster, 9.0, $302 each. Barrel racing: 1. Summer Kosel, 16.66 seconds, $6,740; 2. (tie) Halyn Lide, Kassie Mowry and Anita Ellis, 16.72, $4,381 each; 5. LaTricia Duke, 16.74, $2,696; 6. (tie) Hayle Gibson-Stillwell and Tayla Moeykens, 16.75, $1,853 each; 8. Jordan Driver, 16.78, $1,516; 9. Caitlyn White, 16.87, $1,348; 10. Katie Halbert, 16.88, $1,179; 11. Katelyn Scott, 16.90, $$1,011; 12. Julia Johnson, 16.93, $842; 13. Carlee Otero,  Continue Reading »

GOODING, Idaho – The bleachers shook. The thousands inside Andy James Arena created an explosion of sound, and it was all directed at a local cowboy. Mitch Pollock still lists his hometown as Winnemucca, Nevada, but he’s been a southern Idaho bronc busting fan-favorite for the better part of the last decade. His Friday night 89-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Joker Poker to take the lead at the Gooding Pro Rodeo. “A lot of bronc rider say, every time we go to a rodeo this time of year, it sounds like Mitch’s hometown,” said Pollock, 32, a 2019 National Finals Rodeo qualifier who has finished among the to 50 in the saddle bronc riding world standings each of the last seven years. “I’m so lucky, and I’ve surrounded myself in such a great community. “I’m part of the Magic Valley, so we have Filer; that’s a hometown rodeo. I go to Burley, and my wife’s family is from that area, so that’s a hometown rodeo. I’m a Caldwell ambassador, so that’s like a hometown rodeo. Then I come to Gooding, and I went to school with a bunch of kids from Gooding and know a bunch of these farmers from up here; they treat me like one of their own. I’m very fortunate to be part of such a great state.”  There’s a lot of pride in those words. There was also a lot of excitement. Word around rodeo is the Korkow’s red-roan bucker is growing into a superstar. Pollock knew that, and when the random draw chose Joker Poker as his match-up, he knew it was time to go to work. “It’s a great feeling,” said Pollock, who sits 27th on the money list, about $45,000 behind the No. 15 man in the world standings. “I like that nervous. It’s not a bad nervous feeling; it’s good. It means I have a chance to win, but at the same time, I have to be able to slow things down, get my mind right and just know that what I’ve been doing and preparing for will go through and be worth it.” It was valuable both mentally and fiscally. Organizers in Gooding have increased the local dollars mixed into the purse, so the payout should be substantial. “That could be a game-changer for me,” he said. “I’m winning money in Burley, sitting second there. I’m winning money in Caldwell, and I’m going to pull a fairly good check here. All of the sudden, I can have a $15,000 week, and now things are changing because of the tour standings. “There’s a lot that can happen, so that’s why I say never count me out. I’m a stubborn Basque, so you can never count me out.” His family me have originated from the Basque Country in southwestern Europe, but he’s quite at home in southern Idaho.  Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 13-16Bareback riding: 1. Richmond Champion, 87.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Stevie Nicks; 2. Cooper Cooke, 87; 3. Sage Allen, 86.5; 4. (tie) Mason Stuller and Jess Pope, 86; 6. (tie) Wacey Schalla and Clay Jorgenson, 85.5; 8. (tie) Jacek Frost, Donny Proffit and Tanner Aus, 85. Steer wrestling: 1. Riley Duvall, 3.4 seconds; 2. Will Lummus, 3.6; 3. Riley Westhaver, 3.7; 4. (tie) Cody Devers and Rowdy Parrott, 3.8; 6. (tie) Tristan Martin, Landris White and Talon Roseland, 3.9; 9. (tie) Jacob Edler, Trisyn Kalawaia and Garrett Oates, 4.0. Team roping: 1. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 4.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Kolton Schmidt/Chase Tryan and Tyler Tryan/Denton Dunning, 4.3; 4. (tie) Brodi Jones/Cody Burnside, Cory Kidd V/Will Woodfin, Clint Summers/Jade Corkill and Dustin Egusquiza/J.C. Flake, 4.5; 8. (tie) Kavis Drake/Denim Ross and Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 4.6; 10. Korbin Rice/Cooper Freeman, 5.0. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Mitch Pollock, 89 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Joker Poker; 2. (tie) Statler Wright and Zac Dallas, 88.5; 2. Tanner Butner, 87.5; (tie) Damien Brennan, Lefty Holman and Ben Andersen, 87; 8. Kade Bruno, 86.5; 9. Tegan Smith, 86.5; 10. (tie) Sawyer Eirikson, Logan Hay, Reed Neely and Brody Cress, 85.5.   Breakaway roping: 1. (tie) Aubryn Bedke, Kash Gay and Brooke Bruner, 2.1 seconds; 4. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Beau Peterson and Hali Williams, 2.2; 7. (tie) Jessi Everett and Rylee A George, 2.3; 9. Shayla Hall, 2.4; 10. Bradi Good, 2.5; 11. (tie) Martha Angelone, Erin Johnson, Taylor Raupe and Kinlie Brennise, 2.6; 15. Brittany Truman, 2.7. Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) John Douch and Riley Webb, 7.4 seconds; 3. Bryce Derrer, 8.2; 4. (tie) Seth Hall, Shad Mayfield, Bo Pickett and Chet Weitz, 8.4; 8. Shane Hanchey, 8.5; 9. (tie) Tyler Calhoun and Brushton Minton, 8.6. Barrel racing: 1. Summer Kosel, 16.66 seconds; 2. (tie) Halyn Lide, Kassie Mowry and Anita Ellis, 16.72; 5. LaTricia Duke, 16.74; 6. (tie) Hayle Gibson-Stillwell and Tayla Moeykens, 16.75; 8. Jordan Driver, 16.78; 9. Caitlyn White, 16.87; 10. Katie Hlbert, 16.88; 11. Katelyn Scott, 16.90; 12. Julia Johnson, 16.93; 13. Carlee Otero, 16.96; 14. Tricia Aldridge, 1697; 15. Julie Plourde, 16.99.. Bull riding: 1. Ky Hamilton, 87.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s 883; 2. Trevor Reiste, 87; 3. Jordan Spears, 86.5; 4. Cutter Kaylor, 86; 5. Luke Mackey, 85; 6. Billy Quinlan, 83.5; 7. Qynn Andersen, 83; no other qualified rides.

GOODING, Idaho – Things are coming together nicely for Nevada team ropers Brodi Jones and Cody Burnside. They just started competing together in ProRodeo this year, though they’ve been friends most of their adult lives. But this is different, and the smiles on their faces revealed their 4.5-second run to put them atop the leaderboard during Thursday’s performance of the Gooding Pro Rodeo after making.    “We knew that steer was slow, so to take a fair shot at winning money, it’s always a question,” said Cody Burnside, 28, of Mesquite, Nevada. “I knew when (Jones) got out and had him stuck we had a chance. I just had to do my job and finish the run. Anytime we go 4.5, that’s the run we try to make. “We’re grateful we drew a good steer and my partner was able to get a good start. When they go left that good, I have a real good chance to finish the run and hopefully win the money.” The bulk of teams were yet to run, but Jones and Burnside set the standard to beat. In fact, that was the winning time in the Gooding arena a year ago. Getting a good start is imperative That job sits on the header, and Jones made the best one. “I called the guys that had that steer back in Castle Rock (Colorado), and everybody was telling me it was real slow,” said Jones, 29, of Wells, Nevada. “I knew I was going to have to see my start and keep the steer in front of me. I tried to the best job for my heeler that I could do.” To be that fast, it all had to work well. A key to the success was the horsepower both men. Coincidentally, both have ties back to Jones. “This is actually a horse I bought from Brody 12 years ago,” Burnside said of Denny, a buckskin gelding. “He’s 17 years old and is Hollywood Dun It-bred horse. He’s just been super good since Day 1.” Jones knows a few things about equine flesh. He’s likes what he has in Nala, a 13-year-old bay mare. “She’s amazing,” Jones said. “She’s pretty special to me, and I’m hoping she’s bred this year and hoping to get a baby out of her.” This is the phase of life the cowboys are in. They know while in Gooding that they are competing against the sport’s elite, men who have competed at the National Finals Rodeo and have won world championships. Their friendship goes well beyond just being partners, but their enjoying the tandem they’ve put together. “This is our first year, but we high school rodeoed together and kind of grew up together,” Burnside said. “It’s been a long time coming for us to ProRodeo together.” Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 13-16Bareback riding: 1. Richmond Champion, 87.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Stevie Nicks; 2. Sage Allen, 86.5; 3. (tie) Mason Stuller and Jess Pope, 86; 5. Wacey Schalla, 85.5; 6. (tie) Jacek Frost and Tanner Aus, 85; 8. (tie) Mason Clements and Tilden Hooper, 84. Steer wrestling: 1. Riley Duvall, 3.4 seconds; 2. Will Lummus, 3.6; 3. Riley Westhaver, 3.7; 4. Cody Devers, 3.8; 5. (tie) Tristan Martin and Landris White, 3.9; 7. (tie) Jacob Edler, Trisyn Kalawaia and Garrett Oates, 4.0; 10. Don Payne and Darcy Kersh, 4.1. Team roping: 1. Brody Jones/Cody Burnside, 4.5; 2. Riley Kittle/Landen Glenn, 5.5; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zac Dallas, 88.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John; 2. Tanner Butner, 87.5; (tie) Lefty Holman and Ben Andersen, 87; 5. Kade Bruno, 86.5; 6. (tie) Sawyer Eirikson, Logan Hay, Reed Neely and Brody Cress, 85.5; 10. (tie) Cash Wilson and Q McWhorter, 85.   Breakaway roping: 1. (tie) Aubryn Bedke,Kash Gay and Brooke Bruner, 2.1 seconds; 4. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Beau Peterson and Hali Williams, 2.2; 7. (tie) Jessi Everett and Rylee A George, 2.3; 9. Shayla Hall, 2.4; 10. Bradi Good, 2.5; 11. (tie) Martha Angelone, Erin Johnson, Taylor Raupe and Kinlie Brennise, 2.6; 15. Brittany Truman, 2.7. Tie-down roping: 1. John Douch, 7.4 seconds; 2. Bryce Derrer, 8.2; 3. (tie) Seth Hall, Shad Mayfield, Bo Pickett and Chet Weitz, 8.4; 7. (tie) Tyler Calhoun and Brushton Minton, 8.6; 9. Hagen Houck, 8.8; 10. Tom Crouse, 8.9. Barrel racing: 1. Summer Kosel, 16.66 seconds; 2. (tie) Halyn Lide, Kassie Mowry and Anita Ellis, 16.72; 5. LaTricia Duke, 16.74; 6. (tie) Hayle Gibson-Stillwell and Tayla Moeykens, 16.75; 8. Jordan Driver, 16.78; 9. Caitlyn White, 16.87; 10. Katie Hlbert, 16.88; 11. Katelyn Scott, 16.90; 12. Julia Johnson, 16.93; 13. Carlee Otero, 16.96; 14. Tricia Aldridge, 1697; 15. Julie Plourde, 16.99.. Bull riding: 1. Trevor Reiste, 87 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Carharts and Lac; 2. Jordan Spears, 86.5; 3. Cutter Kaylor, 86; 4. Luke Mackey, 85; 5. Billy Quinlan, 83.5; no other qualified rides.

GOODING, Idaho – Zac Dallas had a little taste of what it takes to win a world championship when he qualified for last year’s National Finals Rodeo. It was his first trip to ProRodeo’s grand finale, and he’s trying to make sure it’s not his last. He entered this week No. 8 in the world standings with $144,434, and he stands a great chance to add to it. He rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John for 88.5 points Wednesday night to take the saddle bronc riding lead at the Gooding Pro Rodeo. “I had that horse at the same exact (performance) here at Gooding last year, and I was 87.5,” said Dallas, 23, of Las Cruces, New Mexico. “Last year I got behind one jump, but this year I stayed ahead of it, and it felt a lot better. It felt better, and I think the horse was just as good today. I just rode it better.” It showed, but it also helped Dallas to be familiar with the bronc. “John Forbes raised that horse, and he’s a buddy of mine,” he said. “J.D. Hamaker has him, and he’s a good bronc.” The key for success as an athlete is to make sure the fundamentals are strong. “That’s what gets you to the top for the bronc riding,” Dallas said. “Make a good spur out, lift on your rein, stay back and set your feet. It doesn’t matter what horse you have or where you are; if you do things, you’re probably going to get a score and win money.” That’s the name of the game. This is what the cowboys and cowgirls do for a living, and dollars equal championship points. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event when the regular season concludes advance to the NFR. That’s where the world champions will be crowned and handed gold buckles. “Since I started riding broncs, my goal is to win a world title,” Dallas said. “That was my goal last year. That’s my goal this year. I’m getting close as I can during the regular season to get me in range to win that at the NFR.” Richmond Champion has been to the NFR nine times in his career. He’s been in that battle for rodeo’s gold, and he’s been matched with some of the greatest bucking horses over his 11-year career. One of those is Macz Pro Rodeo’s Stevie Nicks, which has been recognized as one of the most electric bareback broncs in the sport. The two matched for the third time Wednesday, and Champion posted an 87.5-point ride to take the bareback riding lead in Gooding. “It’s anybody’s game, but anytime you can get on Stevie Nicks for 87.5 to kick off a rodeo, you’re feeling good about your chances at a good check,” said Champion, 32, a nine-time NFR qualifier from Stevensville, Montana. The Gooding rodeo features three livestock producers who bring some of their top bucking animals to town. Many have been featured at the NFR. “That’s the beauty of everything we’re seeing in these rodeos that get so good and the scores get so good,” Champion said. “It’s not one guy trying to make it with what they have. They’re reaching out and letting everybody bring their better stock in, and that makes rodeos like Gooding great.” He has seen rodeo evolve over time. He first qualified for the NFR in 2014, and the money is definitely greater than it was a decade ago. He sits 19th in the world standings, so every dollar he can earn right now is important. The Gooding rodeo has a big purse, which is attractive, but there are other reasons cowboys arrive in southern Idaho. “The community is in it from the time you show up to the time you leave,” he said. “You know the crowd’s into it. I’ve been seeing the ‘Beer Worthy’ girls for a decade now. “Just this week, there are so many big rodeos a guy can go to, but I don’t think anybody chose not to come to Gooding. I can think of other rodeos where they could have been, and the cowboys chose to be here. They should be proud of that.” Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 13-16Bareback riding: 1. Richmond Champion, 87.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Stevie Nicks; 2. Sage Allen, 86.5; 3. Mason Stuller, 86; 4. Tanner Aus, 85; 5. (tie) Mason Clements and Tilden Hooper, 84; 7. (tie) Taylor Broussard, Cole Reiner and Waylon Bourgeois, 84; 10. Nick Pelke, 81.5. Steer wrestling: 1. Riley Duvall, 3.4 seconds; 2. Will Lummus, 3.6; 3. Riley Westhaver, 3.7; 4. (tie) Tristan Martin and Landris White, 3.9 each; 6. (tie) Jacob Edler, Trisyn Kalawaia and Garrett Oates, 4.0. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zac Dallas, 88.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John; 2. (tie) Lefty Holman and Ben Andersen, 87; 4. Kade Bruno, 86.5; 5. (tie) Sawyer Eirikson, Logan Hay, Reed Neely and Brody Cress, 85.5; 9. Q McWhorter, 85; 10. Layton Green, 84.   Breakaway roping: 1. Delaney Kunau, 3.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Kaydin Finan and Talia Seaward, 3.1; 4. Roanie Kasel, 3.3; 5. Oakley Crane, 4.4; 6. Olivia Wosnik, 4.6; 7. Kallie Roeser Foust, 12.3; 8. Summer Williams, 12.5; 9. Danielle Lowman, 12.6; 10. Haley Sage, 13.2.  Bull riding: 1. Trevor Reist, 87 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Carharts and Lac; 2. Jordan Spears, 86.5; 3. Cutter Kaylor, 86; 4. Billy Quinlan, 83.5; no other qualified rides.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – When Q Taylor and Tanner Butner left southeastern New Mexico earlier this week, they had to like their 88-point rides sitting atop the saddle bronc riding leaderboard. When the dust cleared Saturday night at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, they finished tied for fourth. It got a bit Western in Lovington on the final night of the nine-day exposition, with Stetson Wright and Brody Cress sharing the victory with 91-point rides. “Oh, yeah, I’m having lots of fun,” said Wright, 26, an eight-time world champion from Beaver, Utah. “These last couple of weeks, I’ve seemed to hit my groove in bronc riding again. The bull riding clicked was fast coming back, but the bronc riding was so slow. I finally just started creeping up, winning and getting on horses like that.” Wright matched moves with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Northern Exposure to set new standard. Two rides later, Wells scored big during his rematch with Carr’s Larry Culpepper – he was 90 on the red roan at Pecos, Texas, in June. “Larry is a legendary bronc,” Wells said of the bronc that’s bucked at the National Finals Rodeo six times. “I probably watched Cort Scheer win a round at the 2019 NFR on that horse a thousand times when I was younger. It’s an honor to put your saddle on him. A bronc like that doesn’t come around too often. He’s a special horse.” Each man pocketed $7,299, big earnings with less than two months remaining in the regular season. Wright entered this week 14th in the world standings with nearly $115,000 in earnings. He’s atop the money list in both the all-around ($366,668) and bull riding ($299,521). In Saturday’s bull riding, Wright was bucked down by Carr’s Hostel Take Over. He suffered a concussion. Before he wrapped his hand to the bull, he was happy with his bronc ride. “That was everything that I wanted,” Wright said of his matchup with Northern Exposure. “I didn’t have high expectations on that horse coming in. It’s a young one. They’ve had some low scores, and most of the guys buck off. I just gave him a little more rein, and I was hoping it would help. It looks like it did. I’m just pumped up to be here.” He sat out all of the 2024 campaign with a hamstring injury. It was the first time in five years that someone other than Wright had earned the PRCA all-around world title. He’s back in the hunt for a sixth, and being back on the rodeo trail has been the perfect medicine. “I got super hungry (to compete again),” Wright said. “I got so deprived of it, I couldn’t even think straight. Everybody told me that I should be done that I should hang it up and find a new career. I couldn’t wrap my head around that. I just kept dreaming I’d be back in these situations, these moments. This was everything. “A ride like that is what I shoot for every day. That’s what all these guys are out here doing. I’m just glad to be part of it.” While he competed at his first NFR a year ago, Wells understands the sentiment. Having the opportunity to test his skills on a horse he’s already found success was just icing on the cake. While he was 90, Wells finished second to Tanner Butner. Larry Culpepper, however, guided Zeke Thurston to 92 points to win Oakley, Utah, and Sage Newman to 88.5 to win the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City. This was the bronc’s third victory in a row. “To have him here in Lovington where they’ve got a pile of money up in a one-header, you want to have a bucker like that,” Wells said. “I just showed up trying to be aggressive and glad to hang out. He actually bucked a lot harder than the first time.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10All-around cowboy: Coleman Proctor, $8,749 in team roping and steer roping. Bareback riding: 1. Cole Franks, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pink Smoke, $8,037; 2. (tie) Roedy Farrell, Bradlee Miller, Waylon Bourgeois and Dean Thompson, 86, $3,885 each; 6. Richmond Champion, 85, $1,340; 7. Jayco Roper, 84.5, $1,072; 6. (tie) Toby Deudney and Orin Larsen, 84, $402 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Gary Gilbert, 3.7 seconds, $2,879; 2. Riley Duvall, 4.0, $2,503; 3. Jacob Daniell, 4.1, $2,128; 4. (tie) Bray Armes, Trevor Duhon and Grady Payne, 4.4, $1,377 each; 7. Brandon Harrison, 4.6, $626; 8. Tucker Allen, 4.7, $250. Second round: 1. (tie) Gary Gilbert, Jacob Edler and Tyke Kipp, 4.0 seconds, $2,503 each; 4. Justin Shaffer, 4.2, $1,752; 5. (tie) Jake Shelton and Garrett Oates, 4.4, $1,189 each; 7. (tie) Marc Joiner, Cole Walker and Jacob Daniell, 4.6, $292 each. Average: 1. Gary Gilbert, 7.7 seconds on two runs, $4,318; 2. Jacob Daniell, 8.7, $3,755; 3. (tie) Jake Shelton and Grady Payne, 9.4, $2,010 each; 5. Chance Howard, 10.0, $2,065; 6. Marc Joiner, 10.2, $1,502; 7 Jacob Edler, 10.4, $939; 8. Colt Honey, 10.9, $375. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Blane Cox, 9.0 seconds, $3,052; 2. Ryan Thibodeaux, 9.2, $2,654; 3. Tyler Calhoun, 9.4, $2,256; 4. (tie) Chet Weitz and Marty Yates, 9.5, $1,658 each; 6. (tie) Paden Bray, Tyson Durfey and Austin Lawrence, 9.7, $663 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Kincade Henry and Quade Hiatt, 8.2 seconds, $2,853 each; 3. Marty Yates, 8.3, $2,256; 4. Ty Harris, 8.7, $1,857; 5. Monty Lewis, 9.4, $1,459; 6. Cade Wallis, 9.5, $1,061; 7. (tie) Lane Livingston and Brody Stallard, 9.6, $464 each. Average: 1. Marty Yates, 17.8 seconds on two runs, $4,577; 2. Kincade Henry, 18.4, $3,980; 3. Blane Cox, 18.9, $3,383; 4. Ty Harris, 19.3, $2,786; 5. Cole Clemons, 20.2, $2,189; 6. Paden Bray, 20.3, $1,592; 7. Pecos Tatum, 20.58, $995. 8. Bryce Derrer, 20.7, $398. Breakaway roping: First round: 1. Taylor Munsell, 2.2 seconds, $2,566; 2. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney and Hali Williams, 2.3, $2,016 each;  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – If there were a time machine, it may have appeared at the Lea County Fair during Friday’s third performance of the PRCA rodeo. In the mid-2000s, a young mare named Riverboat Annie was making a name for herself as one of the elite bucking horses in ProRodeo. She was the 2007 reserve world champion bareback horse and was selected to buck at the National Finals Rodeo for 10 straight years. She didn’t retire; she just changed jobs. Now 24, she’s the matriarch of the Pete Carr Pro Rodeo breeding program and has raised a herd of bucking babies. One of them is the spitting image of Momma, right down to the way the two perform in the arena. “That horse is really cool,” said Cole Franks, who rode Pink Smoke for 87.5 points to take the bareback riding lead in Lovington. The first time they ever bucked that horse, it was for a gender-reveal for (fellow bareback rider) Anthony Thomas. They bucked it with a dummy, and it was awesome. “From that moment on, I just couldn’t wait to get on that thing. It was fun, but a little bit harder than I expected.” It worked in Franks’ favor, and even he recognized the similarities between the two generations of buckers. “Riverboat wasn’t real tall, but she was built like a tank,” said Franks, a three-time NFR qualifier from Clarendon, Texas. “That’s about how he is, too. He’s built really well.” A red roan gelding, Pink Smoke is just 6, so he’s got some room to grow, both physically and mentally. The instinct is there. Of course, Riverboat Annie was just 6 years old when she was recognized as the second-best bareback horse in the sport 18 years ago.   The high-marked ride came at a good time for Franks, who entered the week ninth in the world standings with $116,626. He needs to keep adding to his totals if he wants to remain in the hunt for the world championship. Only the top 15 in the world standings at the end of the regular season advance to the NFR, where the gold buckles are handed out to the titlists. “As good as this rodeo pays, finishing second would be just fine with me,” he said. “Sure, I want to win, but a check’s a check.” Every dollar is vital, but so is performing well. That can be a struggle with less than two months remaining in the season, especially for bareback riders. They’ve been on dozens of bucking horses over he last few weeks alone. “Everybody’s hurting a little bit,” Franks said. “My forearm huts. My neck hurts. My hip hurts. Everything hurts. “If I don’t have much of a chance of winning money this time of year, especially when I’m hurting like I am, I’ve just got to take a day off. It’s no use getting on a bucking horse for free.” He’s sore, but he toughed it out Friday night. The rewards outweigh the pain any day. Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cole Franks, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pink Smoke; 2. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois and Dean Thompson, 86; 4. Richmond Champion, 85; 5. Jayco Roper, 84.5; 6. Orin Larsen, 84; 7. Zach Hibler, 83.5; 8. (tie) Jacek Frost and Jacob Lees, 82. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Gary Gilbert, 3.7 seconds; 2. Riley Duvall, 4.0; 3. Jacob Daniell, 4.1; 4. (tie) Grady Payne, Trevor Duhon and Bray Armes, 4.4; 7. Brandon Harrison, 4.6; 8. Tucker Allen, 4.7. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Gary Gilbert, Jacob Edler and Tyke Kipp, 4.0 seconds; 4. Justin Shaffer, 4.2; 5. (tie) Jake Shelton and Garrett Oates, 4.4; 7. (tie) Marc Joiner and Jacob Daniell, 4.6. Average leaders: 1. Gary Gilbert, 7.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Jacob Daniell, 8.7; 3. (tie) Jake Shelton and Grady Payne, 9.4; 5. Marc Joiner, 10.2; 6. Jacob Edler, 10.4; 7. Colt Honey, 10.9; 8. Riley Westhaver, 11.4 Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Blane Cox, 9.0 seconds; 2. Ryan Thibodeaux, 9.2; 3. Tyler Calhoun, 9.4; 4. (tie) Chet Weitz and Marty Yates, 9.5; 6. (tie) Paden Bray and Austin Lawrence, 9.7; 8. Joel Harris, 9.8. Second round leaders: 1. Kincade Henry, 8.2 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 8.3; 3. Ty Harris, 8.7; 4. Monty Lewis, 9.4; 5. Cade Wallis, 9.5; 6. Lane Livingston, 9.6; 7. Blane Cox, 9.9; 8. Cole Clemons, 10.3. Average leaders: 1. Marty Yates, 17.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Kincade Henry, 18.4; 3. Blane Cox, 18.9; 4. Ty Harris, 19.3; 5. Cole Clemons, 20.2; 6. Paden Bray, 20.3; 7. Pecos Tatum, 20.58. Tanner Green, 23.8; 8. Tom Crouse, 23.8. Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. Taylor Munsell, 2.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney and Hali Williams, 2.3; 4. (tie) Timber Allenbrand and Madalyn Richards, 2.4; 6. (tie) Jessi Everett and Macy Young, 2.6; 8. (tie) Shacie Marr, Jackie Crawford and Tibba Smith, 2.7. Second round leaders: 1. Haiden Thompson, 2.3 seconds; 2. Cheyanne McCartney, 2.7; 3. Hali Williams, 2.8; 4. (tie) Taylor Munsell and Bailey Bates, 3.0; 6. Neelley Armes, 3.1; 7. Madalyn Richards, 3.3; 8. Ariana Varischetti, 3.9; 9, Taylor Raupe and Kayce Edwards, 4.1. Average leaders: 1. Cheyanne McCartney, 5.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Hali Williams, 5.1; 3. Taylor Munsell, 5.2; 4. Madalyn Richards, 5.7; 5. Neelley Armes, 6.0; 6. Ariana Varischetti, 6.7; 7. Kayce Edwards, 9.5; 8. Taylor Raupe, 9.7; 9. (tie) Haiden Thompson and Bailey Bates, 15.5; 5. Maddy Deerman, 15.7; 6. Timber Allenbrand, 2.4 seconds on one run; 7. (tie) Jessi Everett and Macy Young, 2.6; 9. Janae Todacheenie, 3.2; 10. Jayden Rodriguez, 3.3.  Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. (tie) Tanner Butner, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Chilly Winds, and Q Taylor, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Roots, 88 points; 3. Ben Andersen, 86.5; 4. Isaac Diaz, 86; 5. Zac Dallas, 85; 6. (tie) Shorty Garrett and Cooper Thatcher, 84.5; 7. Weston Patterson, 83.5; 8. Lefty Holman, 82. Team roping: First round  Continue Reading »

Sosebee to expose his personality for fans at Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo SALT LAKE CITY – The first thing fans will notice about Cody Sosebee is his dialect He’s from western Arkansas, and his roots shine in conversation, as does his personality. Sosebee has a unique flair about him, which is why he’s so good at what he does. As one of the most sought-after clowns and entertainers in ProRodeo, he will lend his talents and southern drawl to Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5; Saturday, Sept. 6; and Monday, Sept. 8, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “I’m really pumped to work that rodeo,” said Sosebee, 53, of Charleston, Arkansas. “It’s my first time there, and I’m anxious to get to entertain in front of the great fans. Utah has possibly the best rodeo fans in the world. All the rodeo clowns want to work Utah rodeos because of the beautiful setting and the wild fans.” He will get to for three September nights during the Utah State Fair. Sosebee not only provides comedy relief during the rodeo but also showcases his talents in other ways. Packed into his larger-than-life persona – and a body to match – are boundless amounts of energy, fan-loving acts and knee-slapping comedy. “I think I bring a sense of energy to an event, and I try to bring a new level of energy,” he said. “I try to bring a high level of energy to your show. I think rodeo competes with other extreme sports, and I think we’re in a class of entertainment like those. “When people come to an event, they want to see the level of high energy for the entire two hours they’re there, and that’s what I want to give them.” The rodeo will feature world-class competition, with many of the top cowboys and cowgirls battling for the big bucks in the state’s capital city. Alas, it’s more than a contest. Rodeo features family-friendly entertainment, which is where Sosebee enters the picture. A former bareback rider, he transitioned from the game and onto the stage. He went from spurring bucking horses to showing off talents with his antics and acts. The most intriguing thing about Sosebee is that he’s just being himself, and it works. Over his lifetime, he’s been nominated more than 20 times for PRCA Clown of the Year and Comedy Act of the Year, winning the last in 2018. That was a year after he was selected to work as the barrelman at the National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale. It was a tribute bestowed upon him by the top bull riders in the game. “Jokes are the unfortunate situations of other people, but you can’t hardly tell some jokes anymore for fear of upsetting some people,” Sosebee said. “I’ve changed my jokes in my acts to being about me; everything’s about me. I laugh at myself. I’m a big, chubby, dancing guy. I look funny when I walk. I sound funny when I talk. It’s OK to laugh at yourself.” Sosebee’s self-deprecating humor appeals to the throngs of people who enjoy his talents. If he’s laughing at himself, others are laughing right along with him.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Horsepower is vital for every cowboy, but it’s a major component to success when it comes to rodeo. Ask Marty Yates. He’s had his share of top horses, which have helped guide him to 10 National Finals Rodeo qualifications over the last 11 years. He’s got another one in Snoop, a 6-year-old gelding that helped push him into tie-down roping’s top spot with two big runs Thursday at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. “This brown horse is the key,” said Yates, 31, of Stephenville, Texas. “I scored good, but he just gave me a great throw and gave me a good go from the stirrup. He’s just so easy to rope on. He’s going to be a lot of fun.” Snoop is a bit of a prodigy, still young but able to do some amazing things. Speed is vital in the timed events, and the brown bombshell made things happen quickly. Yates is tied for third place in the first go-round after posting a 9.5-second run Thursday morning. He followed that with an 8.3 in the nightcap and has a six-tenths of a second lead on the field with two days remaining at Lovington’s rodeo. “I’ve placed here and there, whether it be a round or in the average,” Yates said. “I’ve almost always left with some money out of the Lea County Fair.” Those dollars are important. Only the top 15 contestants on the money list in each event when the season concludes Sept. 30 will advance to the NFR, the sport’s Super Bowl that takes place over 10 days in Las Vegas. A year ago, for example, Yates won the second round and finished fifth in the aggregate race in southeastern New Mexico to pocket $5,300. He returned to the finale after missing it in 2023. Yates is 10th in the world standings with $105,155. That seems like a lot, but it’s relative. Two cowboys – Riley Webb and Shad Mayfield – sit 1-2 on the money list but have also earned $100,000-plus more than Yates. It just takes more money than it used to in order to play for the biggest pay in the game, so taking advantage of good calves and cashing in when opportunities allow “I didn’t know a whole lot about that calf,” Yates said. “This is just the second time these were ever even roped. They were fresh this morning. “I got a really good start. My horse worked really good and gave me the advantage.” It all comes back to the equine partner. The better the horses are, the better the runs can be. Even at just 6, Snoop is proving to be an asset. “We’ve been seasoning him on our way to Vegas,” Yates said. “We’ll get to do some more seasoning out there on him. “It’s cool to be able to have a year like this. The last couple of years were kind of a struggle. I made the finals once out of the last two years, but I was just never confident about any of my roping. I’ve finally got a horse that actually wants to do it, and I can be competitive again.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Richmond Champion, 85 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Cat Ballou; 2. Orin Larsen, 84; 3. Jacek Frost, 82; 4. Weston Timberman, 81.5; 5. Cole Reiner, 78; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Gary Gilbert, 3.7 seconds; 2. Riley Duvall, 4.0; 3. Grady Payne, 4.4; 4. Brandon Harrison, 4.6; 5. Tucker Allen, 4.7; 6. (tie) Jake Shelton and Riley Westhaver, 5.0; 8. Zane Cline, 5.2. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Jacob Edler, 4.0 seconds; 3. Justin Shaffer, 4.2; 4. Jake Shelton, 4.4; 5. Marc Joiner, 4.6; 6. Shane Frey, 4.8; 7. Grady Payne, 5.0; 8. Colt Honey, 5.1. Average leaders: 1. Gary Gilbert, 7.7 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Jake Shelton and Grady Payne, 9.4; 4. Marc Joiner, 10.2; 5. Jacob Edler, 10.4; 6. Colt Honey, 10.9; 7. Riley Westhaver, 11.4; 8. Ty Cochrane, 13.8 Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Blane Cox, 9.0 seconds; 2. Tyler Calhoun, 9.4; 3. (tie) Chet Weitz and Marty Yates, 9.5; 5. (tie) Paden Bray and Austin Lawrence, 9.7; 7. Joel Harris, 9.8; 10. Cole Clemons, 9.9. Second round leaders: 1. Kincade Henry, 8.2 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 8.3; 3. Ty Harris, 8.7; 4. Monty Lewis, 9.4; 5. Cade Wallis, 9.5; 6. Lane Livingston, 9.6; 7. Blane Cox, 9.9; 8. Cole Clemons, 10.3. Average leaders: 1. Marty Yates, 17.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Kincade Henry, 18.4; 3. Blane Cox, 18.9; 4. Ty Harris, 19.3; 5. Cole Clemons, 20.2; 6. Paden Bray, 20.3; 7. Tanner Green, 23.8; 8. Tom Crouse, 23.8. Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. Taylor Munsell, 2.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney and Hali Williams, 2.3; 4. Timber Allenbrand, 2.4; 5. (tie) Jessi Everett and Macy Young, 2.6; 7. Shacie Marr, 2.7; 8. Weslynn Reno, 3.1; 9. (tie) Janae Todacheenie and Codie Harmon, 3.2. Second round leaders: 1. Haiden Thompson, 2.3 seconds; 2. Cheyanne McCartney, 2.7; 3. Hali Williams, 2.8; 4. (tie) Taylor Munsell and Bailey Bates, 3.0; 6. Jade Mitchell, 4.8; 7. (tie) Martha Angelone and Maddy Deerman, 12.3; 9. Shacie Marr, 15.4. Average leaders: 1. Cheyanne McCartney, 5.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Hali Williams, 5.1; 3. (tie) Haiden Thompson and Bailey Bates, 15.5; 5. Maddy Deerman, 15.7; 6. Timber Allenbrand, 2.4 seconds on one run; 7. (tie) Jessi Everett and Macy Young, 2.6; 9. Janae Todacheenie, 3.2; 10. Jayden Rodriguez, 3.3.  Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Tanner Butner, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Chilly Winds; 2. Isaac Diaz, 86; 3. (tie) Shorty Garrett and Cooper Thatcher, 84.5; 5. Bryan Huey, 79; 6. Levi Mines, 77; 7. Jake Finlay, 76; 8. Gus Galliard, 74. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Cody Snow/Hunter Koch and Roan Oldfield/Jake South, 5.1 seconds; 3. Jr. Dees/Coleby Payne, 5.3; 4. Jeff Flenniken/Buddy Hawkins II,  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – It wasn’t choreographed, but Gary Gilbert was certainly involved in a dance just before his steer wrestling run Wednesday night. It was during the first performance of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, and his horse, Pop Rocks, was more interested in performing pirouettes in the timed-event box. Gilbert settled his partner down, then put the hammer down, stopping the clock in 4.0 seconds. It was the fastest run of the night and of the second round so far, and it pares well with his first-round leading 3.7-second run. “The horse was sore the last month after a wreck in Pecos (Texas),” Gilbert said of the 9-year-old sorrel gelding. “I didn’t take him to the vet initially. Then did, so he hasn’t been anywhere. I’ve been busy working at home, but I should have practiced to where he had some confidence. I guess he probably thinks it’s still hard, so it took me a little bit to get him set. “He worked good this morning, but since I didn’t practice, I didn’t get to build him back up.” Once everything calmed down at the starting block, the two blasted into the arena chasing the brindle steer. Once Gilbert caught the cow, he knocked it on its side despite not finishing the run quite as well as he would have liked, missing the nose and just throwing the animal to the ground with just its horns. “He just stopped and caught me, and it set me back a bit,” said Gilbert, 39, of Paradise, Texas. “I knew I needed to be fast, so I just tried it.” Originally from South Dakota, he left home two decades ago to attend Eastern Wyoming College before transferring to West Texas A&M in Canyon. He’d never planned to stay in the Lone Star State, but he’s still there. Every dollar he can get out of Lovington can help him toward his 2025 goals. “If I predict it, I don’t think I win worse than third (in the aggregate),” he said. “I should place in both rounds. I guess the hard decision is if I’m going to go to Hermiston (Oregon) or not.” There are dozens of rodeos this week, and there are a handful that are considered tour rodeos. Lovington is one, and so is Hermiston. Both also offer big purses, so this is a good chance to gain some ground in the world standings. Still, it’s a day’s drive, and the cost of diesel and other expenses add up. Gilbert has a few goals he wants to accomplish, namely to finish high enough in the standings to get into some of the biggest winter rodeos like Houston and San Antonio. He has some ground to make up, though. He’s outside the top 50, and only the best 40 from this year get into Houston in 2026. He wants to gain enough ground to secure his spot in those lucrative events. Runs like he made Wednesday will go a long way toward that. He and Pop Rocks will also get to work on how to better work in the timed-event box. “I started him when he was 7, but then I took a year off because I was hurt,” Gilbert said. “He’s finding it, but it’s been slow. He’s been good. He’s just a cool horse.” He’ll make the perfect dance partner after all. Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Richmond Champion, 85 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Cat Ballou; 2. Orin Larsen, 84; 3. Jacek Frost, 82; 4. Weston Timberman, 81.5; 5. Cole Reiner, 78; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Gary Gilbert, 3.7 seconds; 2. Riley Duvall, 4.0; 3. Grady Payne, 4.4; 4. Brandon Harrison, 4.6; 5. Jake Shelton, 5.0; 6. Zane Cline, 5.2; 7. Marc Joiner, 5.6; 8. Jay Williamson, 6.8. Second round leaders: 1. Gary Gilbert, 4.0 seconds; 2. Jake Shelton, 4.4; 3. Marc Joiner, 4.6; 4. Shane Frey, 4.8; 5. Grady Payne, 5.0; 6. Cody Cabral, 5.3; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Gary Gilbert, 7.7 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Jake Shelton and Grady Payne, 9.4; 4. Marc Joiner, 10.2; 5. Riley Duvall, 4.0 seconds on one run; 6. Brandon Harrison, 4.6; 7. Shane Frey, 4.8; 8. Zane Cline, 5.2 Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Blane Cox, 9.0 seconds; 2. Chet Weitz, 9.5; 3. Paden Bray, 9.7; 4. Joel Harris, 9.8; 5. Cole Clemons, 9.9; 6. Kincade Henry, 10.2; 7. Ty Harris, 10.6; 8. Hayden Ford, 11.2. Second round leaders: 1. Kincade Henry, 8.2 seconds; 2. Ty Harris, 8.7; 3. Blane Cox, 9.9; 4. Cole Clemons, 10.3; 5. Paden Bray, 10.6; 6. Landyn Duncan, 11.1; 7. Tanner Green, 12.0; 8. Hayden Ford, 13.0. Average leaders: 1. Kincade Henry, 18.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Blane Cox, 18.9; 3. Ty Harris, 19.3; 4. Cole Clemons, 20.2; 5. Paden Bray, 20.3; 6. Tanner Green, 23.8; 7. Dean Holyan, 28.5; 8. Jake Shelton, 29.2. Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney and Hali Williams, 2.3 seconds each; 3. Timber Allenbrand, 2.4; 4. (tie) Jessi Everett and Macy Young, 2.6 each; 6. Janae Todacheenie, 3.2; 7. Jayden Rodriguez, 3.3; 8. Maddy Deerman, 3.4; 9. Georgia Shields, 4.7; 10. Bailey Bates, 12.5. Second round leaders: 1. 1. Haiden Thompson, 2.3 seconds; 2. Cheyanne McCartney, 2.7; 3. Hali Williams, 2.8; 4. Bailey Bates, 3.0; 5. Jade Mitchell, 4.8; 6. (tie) Martha Angelone and Maddy Deerman, 12.3. Average leaders: 1. Cheyanne McCartney, 5.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Hali Williams, 5.1; 3. (tie) Haiden Thompson and Bailey Bates, 15.5; 5. Maddy Deerman, 15.7; 6. Timber Allenbrand, 2.4 seconds on one run; 7. (tie) Jessi Everett and Macy Young, 2.6; 9. Janae Todacheenie, 3.2; 10. Jayden Rodriguez, 3.3.  Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Isaac Diaz, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck; 2. (tie) Shorty Garrett and Cooper Thatcher, 84.5; 4. Levi Mines, 77; 5. Slade Keith, 70; 6. 7. Cayden McFadden, 69; Oistin Charleston, 68; no other qualified  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Nobody could blame J.R. Stratford for having payback on his mind when he arrived in southeastern New Mexico. He’d been matched with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Cowtown earlier this year, and things didn’t go well. His August Redemption Tour paid off with a 90-point ride to win Tuesday’s Lea County Xtreme Bulls title and big stack of money. “That bull threw me off in the short go in San Angelo (Texas), and it was really fast,” said Stratford, 22, a 2022 National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Byers, Kansas. “I was embarrassed and wanted a rematch. I don’t think I’ve slept much since the draw came in (and showed) that I had him.” The adrenaline rush exploded. Stratford was the second-to-last competitor, and Australian rookie Qynn Andersen had already posted an 88. Stratford counted every move the 5-year-old black bull threw at him. When the dust settled, Stratford earned $13,113. It was a nice payday for the Kansas cowboy’s first time in the storied Jake McClure Arena. “I’d either been hurt or just didn’t enter, so this year it was cool to make it out here,” he said. “These stand-alone bull ridings are huge, and the Xtreme Bulls finale is huge. I wasn’t sitting very good in the standings, so this win will bump me right back up there. Hopefully I can finish the year strong.” The dollars made a significant difference. He moved from 17th to ninth in the Xtreme Bulls standings; he also jumped four spots to seventh on the bull riding money list. He sat out with injury in 2023 and finished last year’s campaign 19th, so any momentum this time of year is good. “It’s a big one-header Xtreme Bulls event,” Stratford said. “You don’t see that very often. To win a check like this most of the time, you’ve got to get on four or five bulls.” With less than two months remaining on ProRodeo’s regular season, he made a necessary step toward making a return to Las Vegas. “After you know you’ve got a good bull drawn, you’ve just got to get out of your own way,” he said. “Let your body do what you’ve trained it to, then trust in yourself and the Lord.” Lea County Xtreme BullsLovington, N.M.Aug. 5, 20251. J.R. Stratford, 90 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Cowtown, $13,113; 2. Qynn Andersen, 88, $10,053; 3. Boudreaux Campbell, 86.5, $7,431; 4. Robbie Taylor, 85.5, $4,808; 5. Tyce Willis, 85, $3,060; 6. Grayson Cole, 84.5, $2,186; 7. Ramon De Souza, 83, $1,748; 8. Bryce Jensen, 73, $1,311.

Garcilazos will showcase Mexican tradition and talent in Gooding GOODING, Idaho – One of the most unique audiences in professional rodeo is known for its raucous reactions to the athletic exploits and heart-stopping wrecks that happen during the Gooding Pro Rodeo presented by Idaho Ford Dealers. The throngs of folks have energized Andy James Arena after witnessing 90-point rides or arena-record barrel racing runs. They’ve gasped when a steer wrestler has taken a tumble during a bulldogging run. It’s more than the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, though. The cheers for Tomas Garcilazo echoed off the grain elevators when the Mexican-born charro performed in Gooding last August, and they increased when his 11-year-old son, Louis, and wife, Justine, joined him on the arena floor. “For us, it’s an honor to be part of this year’s centennial,” Garcilazo said. “To be part of the celebration as an ambassador of my legacy and my Hispanic heritage is an honor to be part of the great production. It’s another big thing on my resume.” The ovations rang across the town of about 3,500 people, which is why the Garcilazos return for this year’s event, set for Thursday, Aug. 14-Saturday, Aug. 16, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 13. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at the Gooding County Fairgrounds. “Tomas and his family were a huge hit last year, which made the decision to sign them to a two-year contract even better,” said Don Gill, the manager of the fair and rodeo. “I was pretty sure it was going to be good, but the reaction we got from our amazing crowd was bigger than I anticipated. What Tomas does stands on its own, but when he adds the family into the show, it’s pretty hard to top.” That’s true. Garcilazo 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. He is a third-generation of his family to be a Mexican horseman and man of other talents that have been passed down from one family member to another via La Cherreria, a skill performed only by the Mexican charro. “I can watch Tomas all day long and not get tired of it,” said Garrett Yerigan, who will join Steve Kenyon as the two announce this year’s celebration. “He’s such a craftsman. His talent is unlike any other, and we get to watch Louis in his career blossoming and flourishing. It’s amazing to see how it’s been passed down to Louis.” Garcilazo is continuing the tradition by sharing his expertise with his sons; in addition to Louis, Tomas and Justine also have two younger boys, Gaspar, 4, and Ulyesse, 2. Whether all will join the family business remains to be seen, but Louis has taken to it well and has developed his own flair. His addition creates a spice of life to the Garcilazo acts. Justine then adds to the pageantry of the shows. All dressed in true Mexican regalia, they provide a bit of a lesson on the charro’s place in history and the beauty of a horse. The Garcilazos take great pride in their equine counterparts, which have their own talents and levels of showmanship. “Tomas is a tremendous horseman, and the things he can do with his horses prove that,” Gill said. “The thing I have noticed is that Justine and Louis work with the horses really well, too. It’s not just something that Tomas does by himself; the entire family is very talented.” The horses are not just mounts; they’re partners. They shine, which is a testament to their training and the care they receive. The passion Tomas Garcilazo and his clan have for their part of rodeo is presented to entertain many people. Their eager to make their return to southern Idaho and experience all Gooding has to offer. “It’s amazing the way the crowd accepts us and embraces us,” Garcilazo said. “To have that reception is incredible. That’s what encourages us to do better, and we’re looking forward to being one of the stars on that stage.”

DODGE CITY, Kan. – A fast-moving, high-wind storm passed over Dodge City less than an hour before the scheduled start of the championship round of Roundup Rodeo. It dumped rain, but more than anything, created havoc on the biggest annual event in southwest Kansas. Roundup organizers worked closely with PRCA officials and the rodeo’s stock contractor, Frontier Rodeo Co., to decide the best plan of action for all involved. “The decision to cancel the event was the hardest decision I have ever had to make,” said Steve Deges, president of Dodge City Roundup Inc., the volunteer-based committee that produces the rodeo. “It did not come lightly and was discussed with many, PRCA office, the judges, contractors, contestants, ground crews and many more.” The pomp and circumstance that comes with the short round and the crowning of champions was replaced by disappointed cowboys, cowgirls, fans, the committee and others who are on hand for the event. The results were reworked so the entire payout was distributed, but because of the way the PRCA’s system worked, it took some time. Roundup typically features one go-round for the three roughstock events, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding, with the top 12 scores advancing to Championship Sunday. In the short round, they will battle for another round payout, and the top two-ride cumulative score will win the Roundup buckle and the lion’s share of the money. In the timed events, all contestants had the opportunity to compete in two rounds, with each having a payout for the top placers. At that point, the fastest 12 two-run aggregate times qualify for the short round. The top times in the third round will be paid out, and the contestant with the best three-run cumulative time will be crowned champion. Without the final performance, the roughstock events paid the purse on one ride. After the first round ended Saturday, bronc busters Ryder Sanford, Shorty Garrett and Tom Webster shared the top score of 85.5 points. They were scheduled to each make $2,652. Because of the payout adjustment, each man collected $6,470. The biggest winners out of Dodge City were tie-down roper Kyan Wilhite, who placed in both rounds and won the aggregate title, collecting $9,675, and steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack, a five-time world champion who also placed in both rounds to win the average championship and $9,112. Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.July 30-Aug. 3All-around cowboy: Seth Hall, $2,218 in tie-down roping and team roping. Bareback riding: 1. Jayco Roper, 88.5 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Ranch & Co Time, $7,544; 2. (tie) Bradlee Miller and Garrett Shadbolt, 88, $5,029 each; 4. (tie) Roedy Farrell and Sam Petersen, 85.5, $2,263 each; 6. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois and Jess Pope, 85, $1,132 each; 8. Tanner Aus, 84.5, $754. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Talon Roseland, 3.5 seconds, $3,709; 2. (tie) Kyler Dick, Will Lummus, Garrett Oates and Tyler Waguespack, 3.7, $2,500 each; 6. Emmett Edler, 3.8, $1,290; 7. Seth Peterson, 4.0, $806; 8. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Grady Payne, 4.1, $161 each. Second round: 1. Tristan Martin, 3.2 seconds, $3,709; 2. Levi Rudd, 3.3, $3,226; 3. Cody Devers, 3.5, $2,742; 4. Darcy Kersh, 3.8, $2,258; 5. Riley Westhaver, 3.9, $1,774; 6. (tie) Ty Allred and Tyler Waguespack, 4.0, $1,048 each; 8. Jay Williamson, 4.1, $323. Average: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.7 seconds on two head, $5,564; 2. (tie) Cody Devers and Kyler Dick, 7.9, $4,475 each; 4. Levi Rudd, 8.2, $3,387; 5. Emmett Edler, 8.4, $2,661; 6. (tie) Talon Roseland and Seth Peterson, 8.6, $1,572 each; 8. (tie) Grady Payne and Trisyn Kalawaia, 8.7, $242 each. Team roping: First round: 1. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 4.7 seconds, $3,745 each; 2. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.9, $3,256; 3. (tie) Luke Brown/Trey Yates, Cory Kidd V/Will Woodfin and Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 5.2, $2,279 each; 6. (tie) Blake Barnes/Latham Dickson, Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, Brandon Farris/Braden Harmon, Walker Smith/Will Smith, Peyton Walters/Tyson Thompson and Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 5.3, $407 each. Second round: 1. J.C. Yeahquo/Ross Ashford, 4.1 seconds, $3,745 each; 2. Ryon Joe Boatright/Jett Hillman, 4.8, $3,256; 3. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 5.0, $2,768; 4. Jr. Dees/Seth Hall, 5.2, $2,279; 5. (tie) Cody Snow/Hunter Koch and Klay Yaussi/Kash Yaussi, 5.3, $1,547 each; 7. (tie) Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell and Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 5.4, $570 each. Average: 1. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 10.7 seconds on two head, $5,617 each; 2. Cory Kidd V/Will Woodfin, 10.8, $4,885; 3. (tie) Cody Snow/Hunter Koch and Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 10.9, $3,786 each; 5. Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 11.1, $2,687; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 11.3, $1,954; 7. J.C. Yeahquo/Ross Ashford, 11.5, $1,221; 8. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 11.6, $488. Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Shorty Garrett, on Frontier Rodeo’s Maple Top, Ryder Sanford, on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Colorado Kool-aid, and Tom Webster, on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sweet Sue, 85.5 points, $6,470 each; 4. (tie) Isaac Diaz and Lefty Holman, 85, $2,496 each; 6. Brody Cress, 84.5, $1,387; 7. Roper Kiesner, 81, $1,109; 8. (tie) Shea Fournier, Brady Hill and Cauy Masters, 80.5, $277 each. Breakaway roping: First round: 1. Erin Johnson, 2.4 seconds, $3,158; 2. Alli Masters, 2.5, $2,707; 3. Timber Allenbrand, 2.6, $2,256; 4. (tie) Aspen Miller and Beau Peterson, 2.8, $1,729 each; 6. Taylor Munsell, 2.9, $1,203; 7. Whitney Profili, 3.0, $902; 8. (tie) Mataya Eklund, Samantha Haardt, Alex Loiselle and Winter Williams, 3.1, $338 each. Second round: 1. Chenoa Vandestouwe, 1.9 seconds, $3,158; 2. Chloe Lambert, 2.6, $2,707; 3. Shalee King, 2.7, $2,256; 4. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, 2.8, $1,955; 5. (tie) Jordan Jo Hollabaugh and Cheyanne McCartney, 2.9, $1,353 each; 7. Braylee Shepherd, 3.0, $902; 8. Kinlie Brennise, 3.1, $601; 9. (tie) Jackie White and Bandee Winn, 3.2, $376 each. Average: 1. Beau Peterson, 6.1 seconds on two head, $4,737; 2. Braylee Shepherd, 6.4, $4,060; 3. (tie) Taylor Munsell and Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, 6.5, $3,158 each; 5. Cheyanne McCartney, 6.6, $2,256; 6. Jackie White, 6.7, $1,804; 7. Timber Allenbrand, 7.2, $1,353; 8. (tie) Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Winter Williams and Kinlie Brennise, 7.3, $677 each. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Andrew Burks, 8.5 seconds, $3,870; 2. Hunter Herrin, 8.9, $3,365; 3. (tie) Brodey Clemons and Brushton Minton, 9.6, $2,608 each; 5. (tie) Marcos Costa  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Much has changed in Jayco Roper’s life over the last year and a half. Just four months after his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo in December 2023, Roper suffered an injury that put his 2024 campaign on hold. He returned to the game and won a few here and there, but there was more going on outside the sport. He got married about a year ago, and he and Breana welcomed twin girls, Avery Jeanette and Josie Ann, in December. They were tiny and born a little early, but the circumstances around Jayco Roper’s life had changed in a big way. “They’re definitely motivating to me,” said Roper, a 24-year-old bareback rider from Oktaha, Oklahoma. “They really push me to ride better, and I just know they’re at home watching old dad, so I’ve got to give them a show.” He put on a powerful performance for them and the rest of a sold-out crowd during Saturday’s fourth performance of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. Roper rode Championship Pro Rodeo’s Ranch & Co. Time for 88.5 points to win the first round and secure the top spot heading into Sunday’s final go-round. “I didn’t know too much about the horse,” he said, noting that the animal’s owner gave some necessary details before he made the ride. “I’ve never been on it, but Will O’Connell said he was really good. It turned out to be true. “My elbow has been hurting really bad, and when he’s one floating underneath you like that, it really don’t put much pressure on your elbow. I was really glad he had that trip.” It was an electric night of rodeo at Roundup Arena. Not only was the audience into the action, but so were the cowboys. Roper led the way, but two other NFR qualifiers, Bradlee Miller and Garrett Shadbolt, were just a half point off the lead. Of the 12 contestants who have qualified for Sunday’s finale, five rode Saturday. Other than his injury-riddled season last year, Roper has been in the upper echelon of bareback riders for several years. He finished 19th in 2022, which was painstakingly close to advancing to Las Vegas. The NFR features only the top 15 on the money list when the regular season ends. He was 36th a year ago, but he’s rebounded in fine fashion. Heading into this week of rodeos, he was 10th in the world standings with nearly $110,000 in earnings. By winning the opening round, Roper snagged $3,022 and will join the other short-round qualifiers in trying to test their talent vs. some of the rankest bucking horses in rodeo. It will make for a wild final night of rodeo in Dodge City. Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.July 30-Aug. 3Bareback riding leaders: 1. Jayco Roper, 88.5 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Ranch & Co. Time, $3,021; 2. (tie) Garrett Shadbolt and Bradlee Miller, 88, $2,015 each; 4. (tie) Roedy Farrel and Sam Petersen, 85.5, $907 each; 6. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois and Jess Pope, 85, $453 each; 8. Tanner Aus, 84.5, $302; 9. Cole Franks, 84; 10. Gavin French, 83.5; 11. Andy Gingerich, 82; 12. Wacey Schalla, 80.5. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Talon Roseland, 3.5 seconds, $3,427; 2. (tie) Kyler Dick, Will Lummus, Garrett Oates and Tyler Waguespack, 3.7, $2,309 each; 6. Emmett Edler, 3.8, $1,192; 7. Seth Peterson, 4.0, $745; 8. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Grady Payne, 4.1, $149 each. Second round leaders: 1. Tristan Martin, 3.2 seconds, $3,427; 2. Levi Rudd, 3.3, $2,980; 3. Cody Devers, 3.5, $2,533; 4. Darcy Kersh, 3.8, $2,086; 5. Riley Westhaver, 3.9, $1,639; 6. (tie) Ty Allred and Tyler Waguespack, 4.0, $968 each; 8. Jay Williamson, 4.1, $298. Average leaders: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.7 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Cody Devers and Kyler Dick, 7.9; 4. Levi Rudd, 8.2; 5. Emmett Edler, 8.4; 6. (tie) Seth Peterson and Talon Roseland, 8.6; 8. (tie) Trisyn Kalawaia and Grady Payne, 8.7; 10. Darcy Kersh, 9.;0; 11. Brandon Harrison, 9.1; 12. (tie) Shayde Etherton and Garrett Oates, 9.2. Oates advances to championship round based on tie-breaker. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 4.7 seconds; 2. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.9; 3. (tie) Luke Brown/Trey Yates, Cory Kidd V/Will Woodfin and Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 5.2 each; 6. (tie) Blake Barnes/Latham Dickson, Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, Brandon Farris/Braden Harmon, Walker Smith/Will Smith, Peyton Walters/Tyson Thompson and Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 5.3 each. Second round leaders: 1. J.C. Yeahquo/Ross Ashford, 4.1 seconds, $3,474; 2. Ryon Joe Boatright/Jett Hillman, 4.8, $3,021; 3. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 5.0, $2,568; 4. Jr. Dees/Seth Hall, 5.2, $2,114; 5. (tie) Cody Snow/Hunter Koch and Klay Yaussi/Kash Yaussi, 5.3, $1,435 each; 7. (tie) Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell and Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 5.4, $529 each. Average leaders: 1. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 10.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Cory Kidd/Will Woodfin, 10.8; 3. (tie) Cody Snow/Hunter Koch and Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 10.9; 5. Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 11.1; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 11.3; 7. J.C. Yeahquo/Ross Ashford, 1.5; 8. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 11.6; 9. Jhett Trenary/Gralyn Elkins, 11.7; 10. Peyton Walters/Tyson Thompson, 11.9; 11. Marcus Marriott/Jarrett Peek, 17.2; 12. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 17.3. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. (tie) Ryder Sanford, on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Colorado Kool-Aid, Shorty Garrett, on Frontier Rodeo’s 015, and Tom Webster, on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sweet Sue, 85.5 points, $2,652 each; 4. (tie) Isaac Diaz and Lefty Holman, 85, $1,023 each; 6. Brody Cress, 84.5, $568; 7. Roper Kiesner, 81, $454; 8. (tie) Shea Fournier, Cauy Masters and Brady Hill, 80.5, $114 each; 11. (tie) Waitley Sharon, Talon Elshere and Trent Burd, 80. Only 10 bronc riders will make it to the championship round because of the three-way tie for 11th.   Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. Erin Johnson, 2.4 seconds, $2,707; 2. Alli Masters, 2.5, $2,301; 3. Timber Allenbrand, 2.6, $1,895; 4. (tie) Aspen Miller and Beau Peterson, 2.8, $1,489 each; 6. Taylor Munsell, 2.9, $947; 7. Whitney Profili, 3.0, $677; 8. (tie) Mataya Eklund, Samantha Haardt,  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – One of the fascinating aspects of rodeo is the variety it brings to sports. Not only are their different events – both timed events where the fastest runs win and roughstock events that are based on judges scores – but there are different levels. Hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls are on the road all summer long chasing their chance at world championships, and the only way to grab rodeo’s gold is playing in the sport’s grand finale, the National Finals Rodeo. Alas, only the top 15 on the money list at the end of the regular season get that chance. Oklahoma team ropers Mason Appleton and Rance Doyal are in that hunt. Appleton is the 26th-ranked header, while Doyal is No. 29 in heeling. They need some big-time money over the final two months of the 2025 campaign to secure their first bids to Las Vegas in December. They’re trying to make that move by virtually locking themselves into Championship Sunday at Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. “To win this would be really cool,” said Doyal, 21, of Kenefic, Oklahoma. “I had a chance a couple years ago and slipped a leg in the short round, so to come back and have a chance to redeem myself is something I’m looking forward to.” This is an important rodeo for the tandem. Not only does it have NFR implications, but both cowboys are in the Prairie Circuit, which is made up of contestants and events primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. They need to earn enough money at those regional rodeos to secure their bid at the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, which will take place in November at Mulvane, Kansas. “Until today, the Kansas run (this week) and the circuit rodeos haven’t been good to us,” said Appleton, 21, of Chelsea, Oklahoma. “We need to do good this week. We’re at Phillipsburg (Saturday) night, then back over here Sunday.” In rodeo, dollars equal points, and this week is a great opportunity to collect on both fronts. Every penny earned can help the pair collect the points necessary to compete in Mulvane and Las Vegas. The key is to limit mistakes, take advantage of drawing good steers and making the best of the cows that aren’t as desirable. After having a good draw in the opening round – “We probably had the best steer,” Doyal said of their morning run – they just made sure to catch their second steer during Friday’s performance. “He wasn’t my favorite run,” Appleton said. “We made a good run this morning, so we were just trying to catch, get by this one and hope they draw us another good one for the short round.”  They’ve proven to be prolific when they’ve been matched with a good cow. Appleton and Doyal set a world record in late June with a 3.2-second run in Idaho. They’ve been the talk of team roping ever since. “It all depends on the steer we get,” Doyal said, noting that the team will be more aggressive on good steers. “Whenever you have one you know you can’t win first on, then you’ve just got to back off and make the best of the steer.” Good runs and good steers help ignite rodeo dreams. Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.July 30-Aug. 3Bareback riding leaders: 1. Roedy Farrel, 85.5 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Sum Buck; 2. Waylon Bourgeois, 85; 3. Tanner Aus, 84.5; 4. Cole Franks, 84; 5. Andy Gingerich, 82; 6. Wacey Schalla, 80.5; 7. (tie) Nick Pelke and Tucker Carricato, 79; 9. Clay Jorgenson, 76; 10. Quintonn Lunsford, 75; 11. Gauge McBride, 62. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Will Lummus and Garrett Oates, 3.7 seconds; 3. Seth Peterson, 4.0; 4. (tie) Shane Frey and Trell Etbauer, 4.2; 6. (tie) Mike McGinn, Gavin Soileau, Riley Duvall and Chase Crane, 4.4. Second round leaders: 1. Darcy Kersch, 3.8 seconds; 2. Riley Westhaver, 3.9; 3. Ty Allred, 4.0; 4. (tie) Gus Franzen, Shayde Etherton and Jake Holmes, 4.2; 7. Rhett Witt, 4.3; 8. Sawyer Strand, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. Seth Peterson, 8.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Darcy Kersh, 9.;0; 3. (tie) Shayde Etherton and Garrett Oates, 9.2; 5. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Mike McGinn, 9.3; 7. Gus Franzen, 9.8; 8. Tucker Allen, 10.4; 9. Sawyer Strand, 10.5; 10. Nick Guy, 11.1; 11. Riley Westhaver, 11.3; 12. Ryan Shuckburgh, 11.6. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 4.7; 2. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.9; 3. (tie) Cory Kidd V/Will Woodfin and Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 5.2; 5. (tie) Blake Barnes/Lathan Dickson, Andrew Ward/Jake Long, Peyton Walters/Tyson Thompson and Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 5.3. Second round leaders: 1. J.C. Yeahquo/Ross Ashford, 4.1 seconds; 2. Ryon Boatright/Jett Hillman, 4.8; 3. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 5.0; 4. (tie) Cody Snow/Hunter Koch Klay Yaussi/Kash Yaussi, 5.3; 6. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Lane Mitchell, 5.4; 8. Cory Kidd/Will Woodfin, 5.6. Average leaders: 1. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 10.7 seconds on two runs; 2. Cory Kidd/Will Woodfin, 10.8; 3. (tie) Cody Snow/Hunter Koch and Mason Appleton/Rance Doyal, 10.9; 5. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 11.3; 6. J.C. Yeahquo/Ross Ashford, 1.5; 7. Jhett Trenary/Gralyn Elkins, 11.7; 8. Peyton Walters/Tyson Thompson, 11.9; 9. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 17.3; 10. Jesse Stipes/Cordell Collins, 21.4; 11. Jesse Boos/Reed Boos, 27.1; 12. Ryon Boatright/Jett Hillman, 4.8 seconds on one run. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. (tie) Ryder Sanford, on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Colorado Kool-Aid, Shorty Garrett, on Frontier Rodeo’s 015, and Tom Webster, on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sweet Sue, 85.5 points; 4. (tie) Isaac Diaz and Lefty Holman, 85; 6. Brody Cress, 84.5; 7. (tie) Shea Fournier and Brady Hill, 80.5; 9. (tie) Waitley Sharon and Trent Burd, 80; 11. Gus Gaillard, 79; 12. Tejay Angland, 78. Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. Erin Johnson, 2.4 seconds; 2. Alli Masters, 2.5; 3. Aspen Miller, 2.8; 4. Taylor Munsell, 2.9; 5. Whitney Profili, 3.0; 6. (tie) Samantha Haardt, Winter Williams, Mataya Eklund and Alex Loiselle, 3.1. Second round leaders: 1. Chenoa VandeStouwe, 1.9 seconds; 2.  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Shorty Garrett arrived in Dodge City with high expectations with his expected dance partner, a high-scoring Frontier Rodeo horse named Frontier Medicine. There was a mix-up with the computerized portion of the draw. Instead of being matched with a horse he scored 86 points on three months ago in Guymon, Oklahoma, Garrett learned that his mount was a colt. “They had the name wrong on the horse, and I have no clue what 015 is other than it’s a bareback,” said Garrett, who made the most of his situation with an 85.5-point ride on the young horse to move into a share of the saddle bronc riding lead at Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. “That’s the first time it’s ever been in the broncs. “All that was just sprung on me. Had I known that was what I had, I wouldn’t have come get on him, so it’s kind of a good accident to happen.” He’s a virtual lock to return to Ford County for Sunday’s championship round, which features the top 12 contestants in each event from the four preliminary performances. Here’s the thing about his experience, though: Garrett might not be in Dodge City if it weren’t for his friend, Issac Diaz, a seven-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier who won Roundup 10 seasons ago with a record 93-point bronc ride. “My traveling partner won this rodeo, and he insists that we need to be here every year, so I tag along,” Garrett said with a laugh. “It ain’t very often that mistakes like that go the way you need them to, but this time it did. I’m pretty happy it did.” He’s battling hard with just two months remaining on ProRodeo’s regular season. He’s been one of the sport’s elite bronc busters for the past seven years. Though he’s been to the NFR just one time in 2020, Garrett has finished among the top 20 in the world standings every years since 2019; that was the first of three times he finished 18th on the money list, finishing in that spot in 2022 and last year. While that’s great for the resume, only the top 15 advance to the NFR, and he’s eager to return. His only visit came during the COVID season, when the championship took place in Arlington, Texas. He has yet to play for the biggest pay in the sport at its Las Vegas home. He has accumulated about $60,000 so far this season and sits 22nd in the world standings. “It’s a good time of the year to be hot,” said Garrett, 32, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota. “There’ are a lot of rodeos out there with a lot of money added, and a guy can make a big move right now. Anybody in the top 30 right now can make an outstanding move these next couple of months. “Rodeos are getting bigger. Every one of them is just stepping up the game and wants to be a better rodeo, and they’re bringing up the pot, too.” Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.July 30-Aug. 3Bareback riding leaders: 1. Roedy Farrel, 85.5 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Sum Buck; 2. Waylon Bourgeois, 85; 3. Tanner Aus, 84.5; 4. Cole Franks, 84; 5. Andy Gingerich, 82; 6. Wacey Schalla, 80.5; 7. (tie) Nick Pelke and Tucker Carricato, 79; 9. Clay Jorgenson, 76; 10. Gauge McBride, 62. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Will Lummus, 3.7 seconds; 2. Seth Peterson, 4.0; 3. Shane Frey, 4.2; 4. (tie) Mike McGinn, Gavin Soileau and Riley Duvall, 4.4; 7. Eli Lord, 4.6; 8. Justin Shaffer, 4.7. Second round leaders: 1. Darcy Kersch, 3.8 seconds; 2. Riley Westhaver, 3.9; 3. Ty Allred, 4.0; 4. (tie) Gus Franzen and Jake Holmes, 4.2; 6. Tanner Brunner, 4.5; 7. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Seth Peterson, 4.6. Average leaders: 1. Seth Peterson, 8.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Darcy Kersh, 9.;0; 3. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Mike McGinn, 9.3; 5. Gus Franzen, 9.8; 6. Tucker Allen, 10.4; 7. Nick Guy, 11.1; 8. Riley Westhaver, 11.3; 9. Ryan Shuckburgh, 11.6; 10. Jake Holmes, 12.2; 11. Winsten McGraw, 12.6; 12. Royce Johnson, 13.1. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Cory Kidd V/Will Woodfin and Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 5.2; 4. (tie) Blake Barnes/Lathan Dickson, Andrew Ward/Jake Long and Peyton Walters/Tyson Thompson, 5.3; 7. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 5.6; 8. Jesse Stipes/Cordell Collins, 5.7. Second round leaders: 1. J.C. Yeahquo/Ross Ashford, 4.1 seconds; 2. Ryon Boatright/Jett Hillman, 4.8; 3. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 5.0; 4. (tie) Cody Snow/Hunter Koch Klay Yaussi/Kash Yaussi, 5.3; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 5.4; 7. Cory Kidd/Will Woodfin, 5.6; 8. Wheston Jones/Lane Reeves, 5.7. Average leaders: 1. Cory Kidd/Will Woodfin, 10.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 10.9; 3. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 11.3; 4. J.C. Yeahquo/Ross Ashford, 1.5; 5. Jhett Trenary/Gralyn Elkins, 11.7; 6. Peyton Walters/Tyson Thompson, 11.9; 7. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 17.3; 8. Jesse Stipes/Cordell Collins, 21.4; 9. Jesse Boos/Reed Boos, 27.1; 10. Ryon Boatright/Jett Hillman, 4.8 seconds on one run; 11. Wyatt Nelson/Jonathan Torres, 4.9; 12. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 5.0. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. (tie) Ryder Sanford, on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Colorado Kool-Aid, and Shorty Garrett, on Frontier Rodeo’s 015, 85.5 points; 3. (tie) Isaac Diaz and Lefty Holman, 85; 5. Brody Cress, 84.5; 6. (tie) Shea Fournier and Brady Hill, 80.5; 8. (tie) Waitley Sharon and Trent Burd, 80; 10. Gus Gaillard, 79. Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. Erin Johnson, 2.4 seconds; 2. Alli Masters, 2.5; 3. Aspen Miller, 2.8; 4. (tie) Samantha Haardt and Winter Williams, 3.1; 6. Jackie White, 3.5; 7. Summer Williams, 3.6; 8. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, TiAda Gray, Shelbie Rose, Kashley Van Petten and Mable McAbee, 3.7. Second round leaders: 1. Shalee King, 2.7 seconds; 2. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, 2.8; 3. (tie) Bandee Winn and Jackie White, 3.2; 5. Tomi Womack, 3.4; 6. Kelsey Hallin, 3.5; 7. Brett Woolsey, 3.6; 8. Morgan Kessler, 3.7. Average leaders: 1. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, 6.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Jackie  Continue Reading »