Monthly Archives: April 2026

Cimarron Thompson made a businessman’s run during Thursday’s fifth performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo and moved into a tie for the steer wrestling lead. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Just before he backed into the timed-event box, Cimarron Thompson slapped hands with his hazer, Nebraskan Tyler Ravenscroft. There was an opportunity looming, and the interaction was a vote of confidence for the tandem. Thompson made it work with a 4.7-second lead. He sits fifth in the third go-round, but, most importantly, he moved into a share of the overall lead with Oklahoman Chase Crane; both men have a three-run cumulative time of 15.3 seconds. “I was just trying to get the cleanest fall I could,” said Thompson, a 39-year-old steer wrestler from Hobbs, New Mexico. “I knew we got a good start and caught up in a decent spot, so I could probably slow down right there and not rush anything to put myself in a bind.” He’d secured his position a week and a half ago during the first two rounds of competition. There were 174 bulldoggers in the mix over two days of competition. Only the top 80 cowboys in the two-run aggregate advanced to one of the 10 performances, and Thompson was among the leaders with a cumulative time of 10.6 seconds. That included his first-round victory, when he stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds; it was worth $4,794. “That is an awesome deal there,” Thompson said. “You know you’re playing with house money. The funny thing is that I was 3.8 last year in one of the rounds, and it didn’t even place.” This is a different year with different cattle. He’s seen his share of situations over the course of his career, which began in 2009. He’s also ridden various kinds of horses, but he likes what he has in Rain Man, a 16-year-old sorrel gelding that has a personality that fits his name. “I started him off the track, and he’s a little bit finicky,” Thompson said. “He’s a really good horse, and he really came into his own last year. He finally got out of his own way and allowed him to be better. That horse was kind of blackballed for a while because he used to be crazier than he is now. He’s just a little bit fractious. “It may be politically incorrect: He’s very intelligent, but yet he’s also on the other spectrum of things. He’s actually maturing. That horse is just kind of a winner.” San Angelo is just Thompson’s fourth rodeo this season, but he’s earned money at all but one. He’d like to add a little more, and he’ll get that chance during the short go-round, which will crown this year’s champions April 17 inside CRC Roofers Coliseum. “This rodeo is just a different vibe than most rodeos,” he said. “It’s loud, and it starts fast, and it’s a high-caliber rodeo, where everything just seems a little bit more intense. With as fast as the start is here, there’s less room for error. You just try to go unconscious and then hope you get a good one.” Thompson’s subconscious mind is doing high-quality work in West Texas. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5; 3. Wyatt Warneke, 87; 4. (tie) Jayco Roper and Cooper Cooke, 86; 6. Kade Berry, 85.5; 7. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Cole Hollen, 84.5; 9. (tie) Colton Clemens, Lane McGehee and Cooper Filipek, 84; 12. Keenan Hayes, 83.5. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Tory Johnson, 4.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Logan Mullin, Laramie Allen and Jacob Daniell, 4.6; 5. (tie) Evan Spady, Cimarron Thompson and Tristan Martin, 4.7; 8. Tony Aska, 4.8. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Cimarron Thompson and Chase Crane, 15.3 seconds on three runs; 3. Grant Peterson, 15.7; 4. (tie) Tony Aska and Coy Johnson, 16.4; 6. Ty Allred, 17.5; 7. Logan Mullin, 18.4; 8. Traver Johnson, 20.7; 9. Tyke Kipp, 21.0; 10. Cody Harmon, 24.2; 11. Evan Spady, 24.3; 12. Emmett Edler, 26.1. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Brodey Clemons and Cash Enderli, 8.7; 4. (tie) Trevor Hale and Quade Hiatt, 9.1; 6. (tie) Beau Cooper and Sam Lewis, 9.2; 8. Britt Bedke, 9.3. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Brodie Mattson, 27.7; 5. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 6. Cash Enderli and Colton Suther, 28.8; 8. Brodey Clemons, 28.9; 9. Cory Solomon, 29.3; 10. Shane Hanchey, 29.6; 11. Michael Otero, 29.8; 12. Britt Bedke, 27.3. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck; 2. (tie) Mitchie Story and Damian Brfennan, 87 points; 4. Lefty Holman, 86; 5. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Joe Macqueen, 85.5; 7. Kade Bruno, 85; 8. Ryder Sanford, 84; 9. (tie) Darcy Radel, Wyatt Casper, Kole Ashbacher and Rusty Wright, 83.5. Breakaway roping: Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert, Hailey Hall, Millie Greenwood, Tibba Smith and Bradi Good, 2.1 seconds; 6. Kinlie Brennise, 2.2; 7. Amy Ohrt, 2.3; 8. Zoie Bedke, 2.7; 9. Karrigan Graves, 2.9; 10. (tie) Josie Goodrich, Rylee George and Jackie Crawford, 3.2; 13. Haiden Thompson, 3.3; 14. Libby Winchell, 3.6; 15. Erin Johnson, 3.8. Average leaders: 1. Amy Ohrt, 5.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Tibba Smith, 5.1; 3. Haiden Thompson, 5.4; 4. (tie) Jackie Crawford and Rylee George, 5.7; 6. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert and Kinlie Brennise, 5.8; 8. Karrigan Graves, 6.0; 9. Bradi Good, 6.1; 10. Libby Winchell, 7.0; 11. Zoie Bedke, 7.3; 12. Josie Goodrich. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 3.5 seconds; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 3.7; 3. Chad Masters/Jace Helton, 3.8; 4. Kavis Drake/Denim Ross, 4.1; 5. J.C. Yeahquo/Logan Moore, 4.2; 6. (tie) Cory Kidd/Carson Johnson and Mason Appleton/Sid Sporer, 4.4; 8. Jace Bland/Truman Magnus, 4.5. Average leaders: 1. Ketch Kelton/Paden Bray,  Continue Reading »

Big things are happening with the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo with changing its dates to the first weekend in June. That will open opportunities for contestants and the community, featured in local barrel racer Liz Herrin’s run during last year’s rodeo. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN)   BIG SPRING, Texas – The tagline is intentional and points to the intended growth of the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo. “New Dates. New Energy. Same Tradition.” Howard County’s annual rodeo is upgrading its schedule with a move to early June starting this year. It will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4-Saturday, June 6, at the Surge Energy Rodeo Bowl. “I think everybody is excited about this change,” said Scot Herrin, a longtime member of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “We think this is going to allow for us to have a little bit cooler weather. Probably the biggest thing is that we’re going to be able to accommodate the contestants’ schedule better.” That’s become more important over time. Some of the biggest rodeos have moved their dates. The Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, has historically happened in mid-July. It’s now mid-June. That means cowboys and cowgirls from the Midwest and South will make their way to the Northwest sooner. “This is going to be our 92nd year of rodeo in Big Spring,” said Cash Berry, the committee’s chairman. “We’ve been around a long time, but the last few years have seen us grow quite a bit. We increased our ‘added money’ and that helped attract more contestants, so we’re just doing the things we need to do to keep growing and keep this rodeo going for years to come.” In 2022, the committee increased its commitment to the payout from $16,000 to $45,000. Those dollars are mixed with the contestants’ entry fees to make up the overall purse. The date change is also a significant maneuver that will reach across all levels of rodeo. West Texas is known for its affiliation with intercollegiate rodeo. Howard College is part of the newly formed Caprock Region, and within a short drive, rodeo programs are found at Texas hubs in Lubbock, Odessa, Snyder, Canyon, Alpine, Abilene, Weatherford, San Angelo and Ranger. For years, Big Spring’s rodeo coincided with the College National Finals Rodeo, and that also affected the entries. Unlike traditional sports under the umbrella of the NCAA, intercollegiate cowboys and cowgirls can also compete professionally. Bareback rider Bradlee Miller finished third at the college finals last June, then competed at his second straight National Finals Rodeo in December. “With us having our rodeo two weeks earlier, it allows those college-finals qualifiers to also be in Big Spring,” Berry said. “We want our rodeo to be a good proving ground for the up-and-coming contestants as much as we want to have the big names here.” The big names are part of the rodeo annually. World champions like Shad Mayfield, Jacobs Crawley and Lari Dee Guy were in the mix in 2025, just to name a few. Cody Teel and J.B. Mauney won bull riding titles inside the Rodeo Bowl. “A lot of our roughstock riders come through college rodeo, but we’ve been lucky enough to draw a lot of the top guys that regularly go to the NFR,” Herrin said of the NFR, the sport’s grand championship that features only the top 15 contestants from each event. “By making these dates where they are, we have a great chance to attract all of them. “We know that’s just part of what it takes to keep this thing going for another 90 years.”

Ally Bradley competes in the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships event recently in Steamboat Springs. Women’s ranch bronc riding will be part of this year’s Cattlemen’s Days celebration. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL MAGILL)   Cattlemen’s Days bringing female bronc riding to Gunnison   GUNNISON, Colo. – In the rough-and-tumble world of rodeo, there aren’t many competitors tougher than women who ride bucking horses. “Their toughness and their willingness to get right in there with the boys is what excites me,” said Kaitlynn Hayes, owner of Rocky Mountain Mini Broncs and KH Bucking Horses, the firm bringing the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships event to Gunnison as part of the annual Cattlemen’s Days celebration. “Those ladies are tougher than most of the guys that I know. They’re definitely tougher than I am. That’s why I own the broncs.” This added show – which will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at Fred Field Western Center – will be part of the card that includes the return of the Mini Broncs, which had its inaugural run in Gunnison a year ago. The idea was the brainchild of Kevin Coblentz and Karla Rundell, longtime associates of Cattlemen’s Days. He recognized the history of women’s bronc riding and thought bringing this event to town would be a great way to partner with female-owned businesses to bring a unique Western event to town. “It’s women supporting women,” Coblentz said. “I’d love to have all eight of our VIP booths to be highlighted by businesses that are run by women. I think this will be a great way to bring everything together and to support not only women, but (also) the ladies in our community that are doing some amazing things.” Females riding broncs has a history that extends beyond the last century. It became an official event at the Cheyenne (Wyoming) Frontier Days in 1906. A decade later, more than 20 rodeos nationwide included it. While there were hills and valleys through the generations, a group of bronc riders, ropers and barrel racers formed the Girls Rodeo Association in 1948. The GRA is now known as the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, which sanctions barrel racing and women’s timed events: breakaway roping, team roping and tie-down roping. The ladies riding broncs locally are involved with the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships, which was established in 2016. “Gunnison will be one of the first tour stops for the 2027 season,” said Michelle McElroy, who operates the association. “I think we should have some (Australians) and Canadians that will be down that week. We have our U.S. Finals in Steamboat (Colorado) the Fourth of July weekend, and a lot of girls come down for that summer run up till Cheyenne Frontier Days (which begins July 17. “After Steamboat, we will know who is going to Cheyenne. (Competitors from) Mexico, Europe and Australia would have already been chosen by then.” It’s adding an international flair to an already entertaining celebration, the culmination being the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, which takes place Thursday, July 9-Saturday, July 11. “We’ve got an award-winning rodeo, and the committee takes a lot of pride in what we produce,” Coblentz said. “By being able to team with Kaitlynn, putting on something that’s unique for Gunnison but also inspiring. I don’t know if you’re going to find anyone tougher than these ladies.” Hayes found that out last July, when she produced the mini broncs. She hopes for a good turnout of competitors in both events, and she’d love to kick start a new tradition for Cattlemen’s days. “I do Cheyenne for (the association) and other events I’m called to do,” Hayes said. “All the girls like our horses, so they keep calling us back. “I love the Gunnison committee and how involved everybody is. They understand that without what we’re doing with the kids, it’s a chance to really grow interest in rodeo. What that committee is putting into it is awesome, and now with wanting to include the women, it’s like bringing the whole family dynamic together.”

Wyatt Casper rides Gossip Girl to win the 2025 Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo title. Casper, the 2024 National Finals Rodeo average champion, spent much of his youth competing at Hitch Arena in Guymon. (PHOTO BY DALE HIRSCHMAN)   GUYMON, Okla. – Before he won the intercollegiate saddle bronc riding title or qualified five straight years for the National Finals Rodeo, Wyatt Casper roped many steers inside Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. It was nothing for Casper and his family to make the 50-mile drive from their place near Balko, Oklahoma, to the Guymon stadium for a little competition. The Oklahoma Panhandle is 5,600 square miles, but making a trip from Beaver County to Texas County is an everyday occurrence for many. “I’ve been going to that arena for a long time,” said Casper, 29, now living in Miami, Texas, with his wife, Lesley, and their two kids, Cooper, 7, and Cheyenne, 6. “I can’t tell you how many steers I’ve roped in that arena, but it’s been a pile of them.” The Panhandle is different. The terrain is rugged, and so are the people who inhabit it. Guymon is the epicenter, a community of more than 12,000 souls and the Texas County seat. Traveling an hour for groceries is nothing new to the folks who live in Beaver and Cimarron counties. “When you’re from out there, you actually know how to travel, how to get in a vehicle and go somewhere, because there ain’t nothing close to you,” said Casper, who is expected to be one of more than 1,000 contestants returning for this year’s Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3. “Everywhere we had to go – high school rodeos, junior high rodeos – it was a long way from us.” It apparently didn’t burn him out. He now travels tens of thousands of miles a year pursuing rodeo’s gold as one of the sport’s elite bronc busters. When he ventures back to the Panhandle, he will do so as the defending champion of Pioneer Days Rodeo. “Guymon is not very far from the house, and I’ve been going there for a long time,” he said. “I was second there once, and I’ve placed numerous times. To finally get the win there last year was awesome.” He was riding a wave of momentum that stemmed from one of the biggest victories of his career. Casper won the 2024 NFR average; behind the world championship, it is the second-most prestigious title in the game. He held that energy until August, when he fractured his left medial malleolus, the prominent ball joint at the end of the tibia. He was just inside the top 15 in the bronc riding world standings when the injury occurred, so he tried to power through as much as possible – only the top 15 on the money list at the end of the regular season qualify for the NFR. “The first doctor I went to said my ankle wasn’t displaced, so I didn’t need surgery,” Casper said. “I stayed in the walking boot; I was pretty adamant on doing what the doctor said so it didn’t screw up. My original plan was to take two weeks off and let it start healing a little before I got on again. I went to the vet the next week to get some horses checked out, and I had him do an X-ray on my ankle. “It turns out that it was displaced by two centimeters, so I wasted a week.” He went back to competition anyway, competing at the Xtreme Bronc Finals 12 days after the injury. That’s when he opted to have the ankle surgically repaired. In all, he spent five weeks on injured reserve during a critical stretch of lucrative rodeos and spent the final days of the 2025 season scrambling to earn another trip to Las Vegas. “When I got injured, I thought I was in a good enough spot (to remain in the top 15) at the time,” Casper said. “Looking at it more, I was like, ‘I need to go win $10,000 more.’ I just fell short of it.” It was by a small margin. Casper finished the year with $143,139, but Californian Lefty Holman edged him for the 15th spot at the NFR by $1,734. “It was very frustrating to be that close,” Casper said. “I wish I could have gotten the surgery done earlier, but they misdiagnosed me at first and didn’t think I needed pins. It turns out that I needed pins, and it was a big fiasco. There was a lot of time wasted that would have allowed me to come back earlier. “Nobody can say I didn’t try. It wasn’t from a lack of effort. I didn’t feel like I rode as good as I should have been, and I didn’t draw as good. I still had plenty of opportunities, but it just didn’t work out.” There’s a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Casper didn’t let the frustration slow him. Instead, he turned up the heat. He began the campaign on a winning streak, highlighted by a big victory on the season’s opening weekend in New Town, North Dakota, where he won the Brad Gjermundson Extreme Bronc title and nearly $40,000. “Missing the NFR was a real kick in the pants, and I don’t want to ever sit at home and watch the NFR again until I retire,” he said. “That’s the plan. I’m going to keep my foot on the pedal and take advantage of the rodeos that I can win money at. I want to get in a good enough spot where I don’t have to sit at home in December ever again.” When he’s not on the road, he’s back at his place near Miami training colts and riding horses. It’s what cowboys do. The folks in this neck of the woods  Continue Reading »

Tibba Smith ropes her calf in 2.1 seconds to share the second-round lead at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. She’s also second in the two-run aggregate and has almost clinched her spot in the April 17 championship round. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – When she’s not working as an insurance adjuster or handling secretarial duties at a Lone Star Region intercollegiate rodeo or representing others as the breakaway roping director for WPRA’s Western Region, Tibba Smith is probably riding and roping. “Yeah, I stay real busy,” said Smith of Hobbs, New Mexico. No matter where work takes her, she’s still a cowgirl at heart. She has shown that over the past several days at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. She roped her way into a virtual lock for the championship round on Friday, April 17, with her 2.1-second run during Sunday’s fourth performance. In fact, she was one of two ladies to pull off a 2.1 on a fast track inside CRC Roofers Coliseum, joining Bradi Good of Abilene, Texas. The difference for Smith was her first-round run of 3.0 seconds last week in Spur Arena, moving the New Mexican to second in the aggregate race with a two-run cumulative time of 5.1 seconds – she is one-tenth of a second behind the leader, Amy Ohrt of Victoria, Texas. “I think the key was that I got a really good start,” Smith said. “I really wanted to be about 1.9, but the calf let up just a little bit, so it took extra time for the (string) to break off (the saddle horn). It was still a great run.” Another advantage was her horse, Rocketman. She spent the last couple of seasons preparing the young, bay gelding to compete at a high level. “He’s still a little bit green,” she said. “I picked him out as a 2-year-old running in the pasture. He could move so fast. He’s little-strided, but he’s fast. I bought him from some really good friends in Florida; they called me and told me they were going to sell him. I loped a couple circles, stopped him and wrote a check for him. “We’ve been seasoning him. I went out for about a month last summer and took him. I was jus going to ride him at just some places and get him ready, because I have another horse. Well, he started doing great, so I ended up just riding him most of the summer.” Rocketman’s transition to the game shows. The bay speedster wasn’t the only young athlete to show his stuff Sunday. John Crimber closed out the show with a 90-point ride on New West Rodeo Productions’ Payday to take the bull riding lead. “That bull felt really good,” said Crimber, 20, of Sunset, Texas. “It just drifted into me while sucking back, and I really like bulls that do that. When they come up under you and just buck hard, I fit those bulls really good.” Crimber is a rookie in ProRodeo but is the No. 1 bull rider in the PBR’s premier tour. His father, Paulo, was best known for his talent in the PBR, but he also advanced to the 2004 National Finals Rodeo and won the average championship that December. His son might be following in those footsteps. “I’ve always dreamed of riding in these big rodeos, and this is a cool little rodeo arena,” John Crimber said. “I’ve heard about this rodeo, but I’ve never been here before. It was a really cool experience to be riding in such a great venue like this. “It was really loud and packed. It was a beautiful Easter Sunday for sure.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5; 3. (tie) Jayco Roper and Cooper Cooke, 86; 5. Kade Berry, 85.5; 6. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Cole Hollen, 84.5; 8. Cooper Filipek, 84; 9. Keenan Hayes, 83.5; 10. (tie) Toby Deudney and Gauge McBride, 83; 12. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Daxtyn Feild, 82. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Tory Johnson, 4.4 seconds; 2. Jacob Daniell, 4.6; 3. (tie) Evan Spady and Tristan Martin, 4.7; 5. Tony Aska, 4.8; 6. Gavin Soileau, 5.2; 7. Seth Peterson, 5.3; 8. Chase Crane, 5.1. Average leaders: 1. Chase Crane, 15.3 seconds on three runs; 2. Grant Peterson, 15.7; 3. Tony Aska, 16.4; 4. Ty Allred, 17.5; 5. Tyke Kipp, 21.0; 6. Cody Harmon, 24.2; 7. Evan Spady, 24.3; 8. Emmett Edler, 26.1; 9. Peter Haas, 28.0; 10. Logan Kenline, 28.3; 11. James Mann, 31.0; 12. Tanner Milan, 32.2. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Brodey Clemons and Cash Enderli, 8.7; 4. (tie) Trevor Hale and Quade Hiatt, 9.1; 6. (tie) Beau Cooper and Sam Lewis, 9.2; 8. Joel Harris, 9.4. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Brodie Mattson, 27.7; 5. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 6. Cash Enderli and Colton Suther, 28.8; 8. Brodey Clemons, 28.9; 9. Cory Solomon, 29.3; 10. Shane Hanchey, 29.6; 11. Michael Otero, 29.8; 12. 12. Zack Jongbloed, 34.5. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck; 2. (tie) Mitchie Story and Damian Brfennan, 87 points; 4. Lefty Holman, 86; 5. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Joe Macqueen, 85.5; 7. Kade Bruno, 85; 8. Ryder Sanford, 84; 9. (tie) Darcy Radel, Wyatt Casper, Kole Ashbacher and Rusty Wright, 83.5. Breakaway roping: Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Hailey Hall, Millie Greenwood, Tibba Smith and Bradi Good, 2.1 seconds; 5. Kinlie Brennise, 2.2; 6. Amy Ohrt, 2.3; 7. Zoie Bedke, 2.7; 8. Karrigan Graves, 2.9; 9. (tie) Josie Goodrich, Rylee George and Jackie Crawford, 3.2; 12. Haiden Thompson, 3.3; 13. Erin Johnson, 3.8; 14. Jimmie Smith, 3.9; 15. Peggy Garman, 11.8. Average leaders: 1. Amy Ohrt, 5.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Tibba  Continue Reading »

Leighton Berry rides Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot for 92 points Saturday afternoon to take the bareback riding lead at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Leighton Berry has plenty of accolades under his belt. He’s a four-time qualifier to the National Finals Rodeo. He’s won the Texas Circuit and most of the major rodeos in the Lone Star State, including the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. On Saturday, he returned to Tom Green County with his sights set on winning the bareback riding title again. “San Angelo has always been good to me,” said Berry, 27, of Weatherford, Texas. “To tell you the truth, I’ve always been fond of this exact performance, the Saturday matinee. “The main reason why I started entering for this performance was that it’s three and a half hours from my house. I can leave at 8 in the morning, be down here, ride, and then be home for dinner. Every year that I’ve been in this (performance), I’ve always had (a horse) that got me back to the short round.” He did that again and more. He ignited CRC Roofers Coliseum with a 92-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot to take the first-round lead in bareback riding. “Last year, my good friend, Cole Reiner, had Tator Tot, and it was all Korkow’s A-string horses, so we entered the same to see if that would happen this year,” said Berry, who last won San Angelo in 2023. “I didn’t necessary know that Korkow horses were going to be in this (performance) again, but when you’ve been doing something for a couple of years and have had success, you just want to keep doing it. “I’ve done well on Korkow horses, Pete Carr horses and Macza horses. Every time I’m in this matinee, luck always seems to shift my way, and I pluck a good one to get back.” Tator Tot was more than a spud for Berry. “I put my thumb on that horse about two years ago when I first started to see her come around,” Berry said. “Korkow horses tend to be the type that the more they get bucked, the better they get. Every time I saw that horse in person, it just seemed like she got a little bit better.” Tator Tot was first selected to buck at the NFR in 2024 and promptly guided Rocker Steiner to the sixth-round victory with an 89-point performance. She was 6 years old at the time. Now two years older, her maturity shined Saturday in guiding Berry back to town for Championship Friday, which will feature the top 12 contestants in each event from the preliminary performances battling for titles. “Anytime you can draw one like that, whether it’s the 10th round at the NFR or the long round at San Angelo, it just gets your motor going,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about that horse all week and what it might feel like. She exceeded my expectations by a mile. “I think she knows whenever the stakes are up, and I think she feels the energy from that coliseum. I’ve always said that San Angelo gives me similar vibes to the NFR, but the fans down here are big, true rodeo fans, and they understand the game. They know when they watch a good ride, so when you feel people get on their feet and start making some noise for you, it means something a little different here.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5; 3. (tie) Jayco Roper and Cooper Cooke, 86; 5. Kade Berry, 85.5; 6. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Cole Hollen, 84.5; 8. Keenan Hayes, 83.5; 9. Toby Deudney, 83; 10. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Daxtyn Feild, 82; 12. Carson Hildre, 80. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Tory Johnson, 4.4 seconds; 2. Jacob Daniell, 4.6; 3. Tristan Martin, 4.7; 4. Tony Aska, 4.8; 5. Gavin Soileau, 5.2; 6. Seth Peterson, 5.3; 7. Logan Kenline, 5.8; 8. James Mann, 5.9. Average leaders: 1. Grant Peterson, 15.7 seconds on three runs; 2. Tony Aska, 16.4; 3. Ty Allred, 17.5; 4. Tyke Kipp, 21.0; 5. Cody Harmon, 24.2; 6. Peter Haas, 28.0; 7. Logan Kenline, 28.3; 8. James Mann, 31.0; 9. Tory Johnson, 36.9; 10. Colin Fox, 8.2 seconds on two runs; 11. Cody Devers, 8.4; 12. Jacob Daniell, 8.5. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds; 2. Brodey Clemons, 8.7; 3. Quade Hiatt, 9.1; 4. (tie) Beau Cooper and Sam Lewis, 9.2; 6. Joel Harris, 9.4; 7. Zaine Mikita, 10.1; 8. Tom Simpson, 10.3. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 5. Colton Suther, 28.8; 6. Brodey Clemons, 28.9; 7. Cory Solomon, 29.3; 8. Zack Jongbloed, 34.5; 9. Hunter Herrin, 39.2; 10. Ty Harris, 41.9; 11. Quade Hiatt, 42.2; 12. Semaj Collins, 45.3. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck; 2. (tie) Mitchie Story and Damian Brfennan, 87 points; 4. Lefty Holman, 86; 5. Kolby Wanchuk, 85.5; 6. Kade Bruno, 85; 7. Ryder Sanford, 84; 8. (tie) Darcy Radel, Wyatt Casper, Kole Ashbacher and Rusty Wright, 83.5; 12. (tie) Cooper Lane and Dawson Hay, 81. Breakaway roping: Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Hailey Hall and Millie Greenwood, 2.1 seconds; 3. Amy Ohrt, 2.3; 4. Karrigan Graves, 2.9; 5. Rylee George, 3.2; 6. Haiden Thompson, 3.3; 7. Erin Johnson, 3.8; 8. Jimmie Smith, 3.9; 9. Peggy Garman, 11.8; 10. Keylie Tatum, 12.1; 11. Timber Allenbrand, 12.3; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Amy Ohrt, 5.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Haiden Thompson, 5.4; 3. Rylee George, 5.7; 4. Karrigan Graves, 6.0; 5. Rin Johnson, 8.8; 6. Hailey Hall, 14.1; 7. Millie Greenwood, 14.4; 8. Peggy Garman, 14.5; 9. Keylie Tatum, 15.3; 10. Jimmie Smith,  Continue Reading »

Tie-down roper Joel Harris dismounts his horse during Friday’s 9.4-second run to take the third-round and aggregate lead at his hometown event, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Joel Harris is a little biased toward his hometown event, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. “It’s the best rodeo in the world in my opinion,” said Harris, 23, a two-time National Finals Rodeo tie-down roping qualifier from this city of 100,000 folks. “It definitely has the best rodeo fan. I’ve witnessed it firsthand, rodeo after rodeo. I know what the fans are about. “It’s not just me that says that San Angelo has the best fans in the world; a lot of cowboys think that. For it to be my hometown is pretty special. He brought the audience to its feet during Friday’s opening performance at the CRC Roofers Coliseum, taking the third-round lead with a 9.4-second run. He knows the chances of placing in the round are slim but has roped and tied three calves in 27.3 seconds. The cowboys with the top 12 three-run cumulative scores will advance to Championship Friday, where winners will be crowned April 17. He stopped the clock in 8.3 seconds the opening round, which took place this past Monday at Spur Arena. All tie-down ropers, team ropers and steer wrestlers competed in two go-rounds at the first of the week, and the top two-run cumulative times advanced to the progressive rounds, which take place over the 10 preliminary performances at the coliseum. “I think the new format is great,” said Harris, who placed in the opening round, pocketing $2,939 in San Angelo cash already. “It makes it a lot easier for the cowboys to be able to get around to other rodeo and gives everyone an opportunity to rope in a (performance) at San Angelo. “You have to earn it (by advancing), but it’s up to the ropers to get here. Hopefully once you get here, you perform well.” He has done that throughout his young career, especially the last two seasons. Harris, who is 18th in the world standings, finished 2025 at the No. 4 tie-down roper in the world standings with nearly $335,000 in earnings. Of that, $193,931 came during the NFR. He won $149,095 at the 2024 finale; his two combined trips to rodeo’s Super Bowl were worth more than $340,000. He averaged $17,151 per round he has roped inside the storied Thomas & Mack Center. Maybe his years of being inside the tiny confines of San Angelo’s coliseum have helped. What has spurred him on this week has been Django, a powerful bay he owns with his brother, Ty, a seven-time NFR qualifier. “We bought him a year and a half ago, and he’s just such a good horse,” Joel Harris said. “He gives me so many good opportunities to win. Anytime I’m having questions about what horse to ride, I know I can get on him, and he’s going to give me a really good chance every time.” He was certainly glad to have Django in a building he knows so well. “It was great,” he said. “I would have liked to have performed better, but there’s a good chance I’ll get to rope again the short round. That’s just another run I get to make in front of the home crowd.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Taylor Broussard, 84.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Lonestar; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 82; 3. Carson Hildre, 80; 4. Jade Taton, 79; 5. Clay Stone, 74; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Cimarron Thompson, 3.8 seconds, $4,794; 2. Colin Fox, 4.0, $4,169; 3. (tie) Cody Devers and Jude Leonards, 4.1, $3,231 each; 5. (tie) Riley Duvall, Don Payne and Seth Peterson, 4.2, $1,667 each; 8. Cade Goodman, 4.3, $417. Second round: 1. Chase Crane, 3.6 seconds, $4,794; 2. Colt Honey, 3.8, $4,169; 3. (tie) Jacob Daniell and Ty Erickson, 3.9, $3,231 each; 5. (tie) Quentin Branden and Peter Haas, 4.0, $1,980 each; 7. (tie) Jesse Brown and Kall Mayfield, 4.1, $730 each. Third round leaders: 1. Tristan Martin, 4.7 seconds; 2. Gavin Soileau, 5.2; 3. Tyke Kipp, 6.3; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Tyke Kipp, 21.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Colin Fox, 8.2 seconds on two runs; 3. Cody Devers, 8.4; 4. Cash Robb, 8.7; 5. Ty Allred, 9.0; 6. Tristan Martin, 9.1; 7. (tie) Grant Peterson and Rowdy Parrott, 9.2; 9. Jesse Brown, 9.3; 10. Nick Guy, 9.4; 11. Paul Melvin, 9.5; 12. Gavin Soileau, 9.6. Team roping: First round: 1. Stefan Ramone/Kelby Frizzell, 3.9 seconds, $3,842 each; 2. J.C. Yeahquo/Logan Moore, 4.3, $3,341; 3. Jayse Tettenhorst/Belden Cox, 4.5, $2,840; 4. (tie) Bridger Ketcham/Kaden Prince and Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.6, $2,088 each; 6. (tie) Lyvan Gonzalez/Daryan Gonzalez and Ketch Kelton/Paden Bray, 4.8, $1,086 each; 8. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 4.9, $334. Second round: 1. Stefan Ramone/Kelby Frizzell, 3.9 seconds, $3,842 each; 2. J.C. Yeahquo/Logan Moore, 4.3, $3,341; 3. Jayse Tettenhorst/Belden Cox, 4.5, $2,840; 4. (tie) Bridger Ketcham/Kaden Prince and Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.6, $2,088 each; 6. (tie) Lyvan Gonzalez/Daryan Gonzalez and Ketch Kelton/Paden Bray, 4.8, $1,086 each; 8. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 4.9, $334. Second round: 1. Conley Kleinhans/Kyler Kanady, 3.9 seconds, $3,842 each; 2. (tie) Kavis Drake/Denim Ross, Dustin Egusquiza/JC Flake, Tee McLeod/Trey Yates and Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.1, $2,589 each; 6. (tie) Jaxon Hill/Jessen James and Kolton Schmidt/Chase Tryan, 4.2, $1,086 each; 8. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 4.3, $167 each. Third round leaders: 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 3.7 seconds; 2. Riley Kittle/Cole Curry, 5.4; 3. Seth Hall/Nicky Northcott, 9.4; 4. Billy Bob Brown/Blaine Vick, 9.9; 5. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 18.4; no other qualified times. Average leaders: 1. Riley Kittle/Cole Curry, 20.8 seconds on three runs; 2. Seth Hall/Nicky Northcott, 24.7; 3. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 4. Ketch Kelton/Paden Bray, 9.2; 5. Stefan Ramone/Kelby Frizzell, 9.3; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.5; 7. Clint Summers/Jade  Continue Reading »

The first rodeo in Estes Park, Colorado, took place in 1908, ties to the community’s Western heritage. Rooftop Rodeo will celebrate its 98th year this July but not without recognizing its history. In this image, Rooftop Rodeo Queen Suzanne Thompson poses in the arena in 1963. (PHOTO wm_2006.013.316 COURTESY OF ESTES PARK MUSEUM)   Rooftop will celebrate its 98th year during six-day festival in July ESTES PARK, Colo. – For most of Colorado’s existence, Rooftop Rodeo has been a fixture in Estes Park. The Centennial State celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2026. That’s 150 years of history, and much of it has involved cowboys. The heritage will be honored during the 98th year of Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Monday, July 6-Saturday, July 11, at Granny May Arena inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. Roping and riding expertise existed in this mountainous terrain long before that August 1876 day. Vaqueros once corralled stray livestock in what was then the Mexican Territory. Their handiwork was passed on to settlers who were making their way west as the country expanded from shore to shore. In fact, the first recognized rodeo took place in Deer Creek, Colorado, in 1869, seven years before statehood. By that time, cattle operations were growing. Colorado ranches were formed and transformed. Whether on the Plains toward the east or high in the Rocky Mountains, the cowboy way of life was integral in what has become modern day. The legacy remains, and the Western way of life is still important to that. “Estes Park is a vibrant community with a lot of diversity,” said Rob Hinkle, the Town’s Director of Events & Visitor Services. “The history of ranches in Estes Park goes back to the 1800s. Even as we have grown and become a major attraction for tourists, we have held on to that Western heritage. “Because of our history, Rooftop Rodeo is an important part of who we are as a town.” Rodeo first hit the Estes Valley in 1908, and Rooftop Rodeo made its debut two decades later. The early days featured a makeshift arena, where horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches and vehicles formed in a circle to make the “pen.” That was a tale of the times; most roundups took place in temporary housing, of sorts. Granny May Arena, the existing home of Rooftop Rodeo, was built in the 1950s and has been host to many festivities, from equestrian shows to horseraces to skijoring and rodeo. The grandstands were rebuilt in 2010, and the grounds and footing were redeveloped in 2017. “Estes Park has one of the best rodeo facilities in the state of Colorado,” said Cindy Schonholtz, the Rooftop Rodeo coordinator. “The Town of Estes Park has invested in making this a great venue for everyone. It’s great for contestants and offers amazing views for the fans. It’s absolutely beautiful.” For 98 years, rodeo history has been made in Larimer County, Colorado. It continues to thrive because of it, which is why the town is ready for picturesque summer nights at Granny May Arena.   Gates for Rooftop Rodeo open at 5 p.m. Monday, July 6-Saturday, July 11, with the preshow beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the rodeo beginning at 7 p.m. For more information about Rooftop Rodeo, which is a Town of Estes Park signature event, or to order tickets online, log on to www.RooftopRodeo.com. Other ticket inquiries may be made by contacting the Town of Estes Park Events office at events@estes.org or (970) 586-6104.

Construction crews have begun the development of Chute Heavens, which is specialized seating above the bucking chutes at RCB Arena inside Stampede Park in Claremore. The seating will be for the biggest supporters of the Will Rogers Stampede. (COURTESY PHOTO)   CLAREMORE, Okla. – Construction crews have returned to Stampede Park. For the last several years, organizers have continued to make improvements on the infrastructure around RCB Bank Arena, home of the Will Rogers Stampede, which takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, May 22-Sunday, May 24; gates open at 6 p.m., with mutton bustin’ and other entertainment beginning at 7. “Our latest update is the construction of our ‘Chute Heavens,’ ” said David Petty, a longtime director of the rodeo. “In essence, this is sponsor and VIP seating for our biggest supporters. They will have private access, and it’s a chance for them to see the rodeo from a premier location. “It works out with the timing of this enhancement, because we expect everything to be ready for our 80th Will Rogers Stampede.” This is an opportunity to celebrate greatness. For more than a decade, Claremore’s rodeo has been recognized as one of the best in the PRCA. It’s been named Small Rodeo of the Year six times. It’s popularity has blossomed with that, and it’s grown in classification, now one of the medium-size ProRodeos. It’s more than “divine intervention.” Making renovations like this have been a community working together to make something that was great even better. “This is going to elevate the experience for our VIPs and sponsors,” Petty said. “We’ve got the ‘Chute Heavens’ set up a little set back but still over the bucking chutes, so everyone up there will get to see behind the scenes of what happens at our rodeo.” The area will feature 12 suites, with each providing seating for 15 people. Volunteers will offer finger foods and provide access for a cash bar. It’s an opportunity for the rodeo’s partners to enjoy their contributions to the rodeo’s success, and it serves as another sign of intentional growth through the Interlocal Rodeo Arena Cooperative. It’s another phase of ongoing improvements to the facility. “With the creation of the coop, we’ve been able to make significant infrastructure upgrades over the last five years,” Petty said. “We’ve also had other partnerships that have come through. Our hospitality barn, which is a 40-foot-by-60-foot pavilion, was made possible by the Cherokee Nation. We’ve had some amazing supporters, like Frank Robson. Of course, the coop isn’t what it is today without our chairman, Louie Gardner “There’s been a lot of work done over the years, from new parking lots, a new announcer’s stand, a new office for our rodeo secretary, new restrooms that have air conditioning, new RV plugs and new pens. It’s certainly brightened up this facility.” One of the keys to the rodeo’s success is in the community support. To pay that back, the upgrades that have been made are to improve the fan experience. The Will Rogers Stampede continues to give spectators the best bang for their bucks. “The community has really banded together, and they have a rodeo they can be very proud of,” said Scott Grover, the voice of the stampede since 2005.