Dallas stars in bronc riding
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 […]
Wright, Wells share victory
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 […]
Pink Smoke lights fire for Franks
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 […]
Clown to shine at state fair
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 […]
Young horse leads Yates to lead
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 […]
Gilbert spins to Lovington lead
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 […]
Revenge is sweet for Stratford
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 […]
Roundup pivots for championship
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 […]
Charro and family returns
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 […]
Life changes motivate Okie
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 […]
Ropers have eyes on 2 prizes
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 […]
Mistake pays off for Garrett
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, […]
Emcees to tag-team rodeo
Yerigan, Kenyon will join forces to announce the action in Gooding GOODING, Idaho – The eloquence of Steve Kenyon’s voice has reigned over the Gooding Pro Rodeo for more than two decades. His calls as the event’s emcee are as iconic as the rodeo itself. He’s been “Beer Worthy” since the vibrant signs were first […]
Artists bring life to concerts
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The Waller County Fair and Rodeo is an investment into the community and into future generations. As always, finding ways to benefit area youth is foremost in the minds of the members of the Waller County Fair Association, which organizes the annual exposition, but there’s so much more that goes into producing […]
Peterson stands tall in Dodge
DODGE CITY, Kan. – Seth Peterson began his ProRodeo career in 2021 as a permit-holder, a designation for young contestants trying to prove themselves. He became a card-carrying member of the PRCA two years later, and he competed primarily in the Mountain States Circuits, a region made up of rodeos and contestants from Colorado and […]
Cooper to be honored at rodeo
LOVINGTON, N.M. – The last words Clay Tom Cooper heard from his older brother involved a statement he already knew, but they brought to life the relationship the two have shared for a lifetime. “He told me, ‘I love you, and I respect you for always being honest with me,’ ” Clay Tom Cooper said. […]
3 time’s a charm for Benton
DODGE CITY, Kan. – Quade Benton is just 4 years old, but he’s willing to battle for what he wants. “I’m going to fight my daddy for those spurs,” he said. Daddy is Trey Benton, who has found some magic in western Kansas. For the second time in six years, he collected the spurs awarded […]
Top stock makes rodeo great
LOVINGTON, N.M. – In the classical ballet that is professional rodeo, having the right dance partner can make all the difference. It’s a big reasons hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls make their way to southeastern New Mexico for the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6-Saturday, Aug. 9; that also […]
Board hopes changes boost rodeo
LOVINGTON, N.M. – The volunteers who help organize Lovington’s annual rodeo do everything they can to make it as special as possible for everyone involved. That sometimes calls for adjustments to be made, and it’s the case for this year’s Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6-Saturday, Aug. 9; that […]
Event opening a helping door
Gooding Pro Rodeo teams with JAE Foundation on mental health GOODING, Idaho – The Gooding Pro Rodeo has always been about giving back. Whether it was to the community as part of the county’s annual celebration – this year marks the 100th Gooding County Fair and Rodeo – or to the contestants who battle throughout […]
Acts chop away at reaching fans
LOVINGTON, N.M. – Fairgoers in southeastern New Mexico have grown accustomed to a homegrown festivity. The Lea County Fair and Rodeo features nine days of entertainment, from Friday, Aug. 1-Saturday. Aug. 9. It’s an opportunity for local residents to enjoy all the activities, including the concerts, carnival, rodeo, livestock shows, other exhibits and plenty of […]
Rumford making Roundup return
DODGE CITY, Kan. – A couple of decades ago, Justin Rumford was engrossed in the tourism that is part of this western Kansas community. Tens of thousands of visitors arrive in Dodge City to relive history, the television series “Gunsmoke” and take a peek at what life was like for the early settlers and cowboys […]
Patton is bully on his specialty act
LOVINGTON, N.M. – Rodeo is unique. It’s competition, but it’s also entertainment. The Lea County Fair Board has recognized that, which is why there will be a couple of true entertainers for this year’s Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6-Saturday, Aug. 9; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, […]
Sale records are tough to beat
LOVINGTON, N.M. – Amber Groves smiles a bit as she reflects on the past two years at the Junior Livestock Sale at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. The emotion comes from watching the children succeed, seeing their parents’ pride and everyone on the fairgrounds knowing that a bunch of hard work has been justly […]