About: Ted

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Tilden Hooper has nothing to prove in the world of rodeo. At 36 years old, he’s a nine-time qualifier to the National Finals Rodeo – his first came in 2008; his most recent was 2022. He’s won some of the biggest rodeos across North America and been a shining example of toughness and grit. A dozen years ago, he had surgery on his neck, an injury that afflicts many bareback riders. He managed it over the years and continued to excel. After his most recent trip to Las Vegas 15 months ago, trouble had brewed again long enough. He opted to sit out most of the 2023 campaign for a little R & R and see how things looked this season. Based on his showing during Thursday’s 10th performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, Hooper is back to riding at an premier level. He matched moves with J Bar J Rodeo’s River Bugs for 85.5 points to finish seventh in the opening round of bareback riding and, maybe more importantly, secure his spot in Friday’s championship round. “The first time I won this rodeo (in 2011), most of the guys I rode against tonight were fifth-graders,” said Hooper, originally from Carthage, Texas, but now living in Fort Worth. “I’d like to show them that I can still do it by winning it again this year.” “The crowd here in San Angelo … they know what they’re looking at, and they appreciate what we’re doing. In that little building, there’s a lot of energy, and it’s a place I’ve had pretty good luck at in the past.” He actually fed off the electricity in the crowd even before the ride began. River Bugs was causing an issue in the chute, and the horse was leaning on a leg. The veteran waited until the bronc was on a more even keel, then nodded to begin the eight-second ride. “These horses … they’re wild animals, and they’re gong to do that,” he said. “The energy in this busing is huge, and they can feel that. She wasn’t trying to hurt me; she was just moving up and down on the side of the chute. “When they’re good like that, you don’t really mind fighting around with them in (the chute) when they do that outside the chute.” Hooper kicked off his season at a January qualifier for The American that took place in Las Vegas. He did well enough there to get into the field at The American, which took place last month in Arlington, Texas. Those were his first two rodeos since taking the break from competition last winter. Hooper’s first PRCA rodeo was last week in Logandale, Nevada, so Thursday was just his second ride of the season that counts toward the world standings. “That horse gets underneath herself, then the gets stalled out,” Hooper said. “She’s just fun to ride and gives you a chance to show off.” Friday’s finals round will feature only the top 12 contestants in each event from the preliminary performances. The Texas-born cowboy understands the importance of staying on top of his game when it comes time to battle for another San Angelo title. “When you get (stock contractors) like Pete Carr, Cullen Pickett and Sparky Dreesen in the pen, you’re going to have some great horses,” Hooper said. “That short round I usually one where you can be a lot of points.” San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier, $7,710; 2. R.C. Landingham, 87, $5,911; 3. (tie) Jacob Lees and Wyatt Maines, 86.5, $3,598; 5. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86, $1,542; 7. Tilden Hooper, 85.5. $1,028; 8. Kennan Hayes, 85. $771; 9. (tie) Bodee Lammers and Luke Thrash, 84.5. (Because of ties, only 10 will advance to the championship round) Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds, $6,554; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7, $5,700; 3. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Tyler Waguespack, 3.8, $4,417 each; 5. (tie) Don Payne, Trisyn Kalawaia and Talon Roseland, 3.9, $2,280 each; 8. Gavin Soileau, 4.0, $570. Second round: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds, $6,127 each; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7, $4,845; 4. Grady Payne, 3.8, $3,990; 5. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9, $2,707 each; 7. Chance Howard, 4.1, $1,425; 8. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2, $1,42 each. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Don Payne, 8.5; 3. Cole Walker, 8.7; 4. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 6. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, 9.3; 8. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 9. Mike McGinn, 9.5; 10. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 11. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard, Gus Franzen and Landris White, 9.8 (Howard and White advance to the final round via the tiebreaker). Team roping: First round: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.8 seconds, $5,721; 2. (tie) Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili and Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.0, $4,602 each; 4. (tie) Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.1, $3,201 each; 6. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2, $1,244 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Derrick Begay/Colter Todd and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.6 seconds, $5,348 each; 3. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7, $4,229; 4. (tie) J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin and Jake Clay/Trey Yates, 3.8, $2,736 each; 7. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9, $1,244; 7. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach Varian, Wade Smith/Zach Varian and Slade Wood/Nathan Walker, 4.0, $166 each. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Cory Kidd V/Tanner Braden, 8.4; 3. James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez, 8.7; 4. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorpe, 8.9; 5. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 9.4; 6. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 9.7; 7. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 9.9; 8. (tie) Cash Duty/Ross Ashford and Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray, 10.1; 10. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 10.8; 11. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 11.0; 12. Billy Bob Brown/Josh Patton, 12.0. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sage Newman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Code  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – For cowboys who make their livings eight seconds at a time, it’s exciting when they get ready to ride inside Foster Communications Coliseum. The building is packed for every performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, and there is an electricity that is not only evident, but also engaging. It’s one of the reasons why so many want to do battle in this west Texas community. Another is the chance to ride great animals. Take Wyatt Casper and Ryder Sanford, who both rode Montana bucking horses during Wednesday’s ninth performance to share the saddle bronc riding lead; they’re tied with Sage Newman, who competed earlier in the rodeo. Casper matched moves with J Bar J Rodeo’s Hell on Hooves, while Sanford scored big on J Bar J’s Dirty Lizard; both were 87.5 points. “I’ve seen him a handful of times; a bunch of my buddies have been on him,” said Sanford, the 2023 Resistol Rookie of the Year who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time last season. “When you look in the dictionary of a bucking horse, he is the perfect build for one. You just throw your saddle on him, and it sits where it needs to go.” That made for a nice night in front of an electrified crowd ready for the competition. “There’s a lot of energy,” he said. “I love the fans that are there. They get you pumped up.” This was just Sanford’s second trip to San Angelo, but Casper is now a veteran. Texas-based livestock producer Pete Carr Pro Rodeo is the primary stock contractor, but Carr enlists the services of several other firms to bring their top stock to Tom Green County. There was a bit of familiarity in the air for Casper, who had been matched with Hell on Hooves earlier in his career. “It helps a lot” to have been on the animal, said Casper, a four-time NFR qualifier from Miami, Texas. “That’s one of Sparky’s great horses.” He was talking about Sparky Dreesen, who owns J Bar J. In all, there have been 14 livestock companies that have bucked horses and/or bulls at San Angelo’s rodeo. “We wouldn’t be here without these great stock contractors and their great horses,” said Casper, who is fourth in the world standings with nearly $60,000 in earnings so far this year. “I’ve been coming to this rodeo for a lot of years, and now we’re just one step closer to getting that win.” The final preliminary performance concludes Thursday, and the top 12 contestants in each event will advance to Friday’s championship round, where the titlists will be crowned. Wednesday’s competition closed out the opening round in four events; first-round winners were steer wrestler Jacob Edler, tie-down roper Riley Webb, team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord, and breakaway roper Madelyn Richards. Elite cowboys and cowgirls compete to make a living, so the payout is vital. Not only that, but dollars equal points, so the only way to move up in the standings is to keep winning cash. Sanford, who finished 14th on the money list in 2023, is 15th already this year. Casper has had a great year, but he still trails the leader, Australian Damian Brennan, by $65,000. “I always like coming out on the winter and starting out hot,” the Texan said. “(You) try to get a little money won, and you’re trying to get out there in front. It seems like if you can just keep the hammer down in the summer, everything usually works out pretty decent.” San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier; 2. R.C. Landingham, 87; 3. (tie) Jacob Lees and Wyatt Maines, 86.5; 5. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86; 7. Bodee Lammers, 84.5; 8. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Jayco Roper and Wacey Schalla, 84; 11. (tie) Cole Franks and Clayton Biglow, 83.5. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds, $6,554; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7, $5,700; 3. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Tyler Waguespack, 3.8, $4,417 each; 5. (tie) Don Payne, Trisyn Kalawaia and Talon Roseland, 3.9, $2,280 each; 8. Gavin Soileau, 4.0, $570. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7; 4. Grady Payne, 3.8; 5. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9; 7. Chance Howard, 4.1; 8. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Don Payne, 8.5; 3. Cole Walker, 8.7; 4. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 6. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, 9.3; 8. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 9. Mike McGinn, 9.5; 10. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 11. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard, Gus Franzen and Landris White, 9.8. Team roping: First round: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.8 seconds, $5,721; 2. (tie) Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili and Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.0, $4,602 each; 4. (tie) Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.1, $3,201 each; 6. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2, $1,244 each. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Derrick Begay/Colter Todd and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.6 seconds; 3. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7; 4. (tie) J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II and Jake Clay/Trey Yates, 3.8; 6. Mason Appleton/Cooper Freeman, 3.9; 7. (tie) Wade Smith/Zach Varian and Slade Wood/Nathan Walker, 4.0. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Cory Kidd V/Tanner Braden, 8.4; 3. James Arviso/J.R. Gonzalez, 8.7; 4. Shay Carroll/Jace Helton, 9.4; 5. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 9.7; 6. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 9.9; 7. (tie) Cash Duty/Ross Ashford and Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray, 10.1; 9. Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, 10.8; 10. Curry Kirchner/Jake Edwards, 11.0; 11. Jake Clay/Trey Yates, 13.9; 12. Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, 14.0. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Sage Newman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Code Blue, Ryder Sanford, on J Bar J Rodeo’s Dirty Lizard, and Wyatt Casper, on J Bar J Rodeo’s Hell  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – The biggest moment of Dean Thompson’s career came a year ago when he arrived in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Matched with Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire, the 2022 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year, Thompson let it all hang out at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. The result was a 92.5-point ride to win the bareback riding and bolster the rookie’s confidence, which was paid off with his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. “It’s going to be tough to be over 92.5 ever,” said Thompson of Altamont, Utah. “You don’t get that many chances to get on that caliber of horse. You get that opportunity just going to Guymon that you can get on a horse that is a career-defining moment. When I look at guys like Kaycee Feild and Will Lowe, guys that we idolize, it’s crazy because you know Guymon is going to be one of the rodeos to give you a chance to do that.” There are other moments awaiting at this year’s Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Why? Because Frontier, the event’s primary livestock producer, is a nine-time PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year. More importantly, the Freedom, Oklahoma-based outfit brings other contractors to town, including Championship Pro Rodeo and Vold Rodeo Co. Combined, the three companies accounted for one-tenth of the 300 head of bucking stock that was selected to perform at the 2023 NFR. “I think it shows some class that Frontier brings in other stock contractors to a rodeo like Guymon,” said saddle bronc rider Weston Patterson of Waverly, Kansas, a three-time Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier who attended Clarendon College in the Texas Panhandle. “They’re not afraid to bring their best ones and have everybody else bring their best ones. “It makes for an even pen when you have multiple stock contractors bringing their best stuff.” It also makes for some fantastic action, and it’s one of the reasons why the top cowboys in the game make their way to the Oklahoma Panhandle every spring. It’s “Where the Champions Come to Play the First Weekend in May.” “It’s not just the stock that Frontier brings; it’s also the show they put on,” said Thompson, who finished the 2023 campaign 13th in the world standings; he is eighth so far this season. “Walking away from that experience I had in Guymon last year, I’m so much more mature, so much better of a bareback rider and a much better person.” Patterson is 38th on the bronc riding money list and knows he can use his experience in Guymon as a catapult both regionally and in the world standings. “Last year was my first year to go to Guymon, and it’s a great rodeo,” he said. “We love going to Frontier rodeos. The crew is a blast; they’re good people and good to be around, and they haul some of the best stock in rodeo. Atmosphere at their rodeos is outstanding and always has good energy. “That’s what us cowboys thrive on.”

ALVA, Okla. – Kade Stokes moved from the East Coast to the Plains to further his education and become a better bull rider. He’s gaining ground on both lessons of his life. This past weekend, Stokes won the first round and finished second overall at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo in Weatherford. It was the biggest hit of the season for the cowboy from Landrum, South Carolina. “The long round went pretty good, and it paid off in the average,” said Stokes, who added 110 points to his season total and moved up to a tie for seventh in the Central Plains Region standings. ”It was really big. I’d never been 82 points at a college rodeo, and to be able to do that on a Bennie Beutler bull was pretty cool.” Only six bull riders scored in the opening round, and only one rode two bulls. “It gives me a ton of confidence, so I can use that in the final two rodeos of the year,” he said. The Central Plains will wrap it’s 10-event season with rodeos at Hays, Kansas, this coming weekend and at Guymon, Oklahoma, the final weekend of April. That means there are just two more chances to gather the points necessary to finish on top. Only the top two teams and the top three individuals in each event will advance to the College National Finals Rodeo, which takes place June 9-15 in Casper, Wyoming. “We’ve got two rodeos left, so I’d like to keep scoring points,” Stokes said. “I’d like to get enough points so I don’t have to sweat about it.” While the Rangers’ bull rider scored his first points of the season, six Northwestern steer wrestlers all added points to their season. All-around talent Jacob Haren of Callaway, Nebraska, placed in both rounds and won the aggregate title, while Kade Chace of Cherokee, Oklahoma, utilized a third-place finish in the championship round to place third overall. Cam Fox of Tulsa placed second in the opener and fifth in the short round to finish fifth overall, and Trisyn Kalawaia of Waiakea, Hawaii, finished sixth in both rounds and the average. Emmett Edler won the first round with a 4.1, the fastest run of the weekend. Tevin Cowan of Harrold, South Dakota, was 5.1 to finish third in the opening round. Kansas team ropers Colter Snook of Dodge City and Rhett Murray of Alma finished third in the first round after posting a 6.3-second run. Breakaway roper Ella Rauch of Herrick, Illinois, placed fifth in the first round, while goat-tier Dale Lee Forman of Ree Heights, South Dakota, and barrel racer Savannah Greenfield of Lakeview, Oregon, made the short round in their respective events. The Rangers men finished third in the team standings and kept progressing up the standings. Meanwhile, Stokes – who transferred to Northwestern from Howard College in west Texas to study animal science before changing his major to agriculture business – has found the right frame of mind to close out his season, thanks to coach Stockton Graves. “His mental approach is all about having the right mindset on winning,” Stokes said of his coach. “If you go in with a winning attitude, you give yourself a better chance to win.”

SAN ANGELO, Texas – This west Texas community has been a gracious host to some of the top ropers in the business; Kelsie Domer has been one of the recipients of that friendliness. This weekend, however, is her first time to rope during the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo inside Foster Communications Coliseum. It’s an exciting venture from the Oklahoma cowgirl now living in Dublin, Texas, and she added her name to the event’s record books after posting a 1.7-second run during Saturday afternoon’s seventh performance. “Today was a lot of fun,” said Domer, who leads the second round; combined with her 3.2-second run from Friday night, she is tied for fourth in the aggregate race with a two-run cumulative time of 4.9 seconds. ”It seems like it’s been a while since I had a really good run like that, so it was nice to get that feeling again.” She has a lifetime of excellent runs. Domer owns nine WPRA world championships, three of which came in breakaway roping before its popularity blossomed. She won crowns in 2017-19 when a season’s worth of earnings crested around $50,000. The first year of “ProRodeo breakaway roping” came in 2020, when the event began being added to full rodeos. That was also the first year of the National Finals Breakaway Roping. The reigning titlist, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, earned nearly $200,000. Domer is a true roping talent, also having won a WPRA title in tie-down roping in 2018. She also has five all-around crowns to her resume and is a two-time qualifier to the breakaway finals, 2021 and 2023 in Las Vegas. This is the first year breakaway roping is part of San Angelo’s rodeo, and the biggest names in the sport have come out to test their talents. With just a handful of cowgirls yet to compete during the final two nights of preliminary performances Wednesday and Thursday, Domer is in great position to return for Championship Friday, the short go-round that will feature only the top 12 scores and times. It’s where the titles will be handed out April 19. “I’ve been to San Angelo a few times because we used to have some good jackpots here,” she said. “I’ve also been to the Roping Fiesta that’s outside in the big arena, but I’d never been inside the coliseum until now. When you can compete in an atmosphere like that, it’s always super fun. “The stands are packed here, and they’re rodeo fans, especially calf roping fans in this part of the world. It’s fun to have engaged fans that are excited for me to be there. It’s definitely loud in there, so it’s always fun to rope in those situations.” It’s also fun to compete on Little Man, an 18-year-old chestnut gelding she purchased five years ago. She credited him for stopping the clock so fast. “He’s very quick across the line and fast footed,” Domer said of Little Man. “Of course, he stops hard, too, but the way he gets across the line and gives me a shot … that’s the biggest deal in breakaway roping. “I didn’t love my draw. He was strong. I was longer (Friday), so I knew I had to be a lot faster today. I guess it made it easier, because (the calf) gave me one choice, and I had to be fast.” Team ropers Dustin Egusquiza of Marianna, Florida, and Levi Lord of Sturgis, South Dakota, had an exceptional Saturday. They stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds in the matinee to take the first-round lead, then they were two-tenths faster in the nightcap to share the second-round lead. They have a one-second advantage in the two-run aggregate heading into Friday’s short round. “We were between laying up or going at one, and I just told (Egusquiza), ‘We’re better off going at him,’ ” said Lord, the heeler. “We seem to thrive on going fast.” It seems to be working. Each man has earned more than $50,000 so far this season and sits third in their respective world standings. “I’ve always had the same plan when it comes to these setups,” Egusquiza said. “Mine and Levi’sw run has been a lot more consistent this year. It’s made for a really fun first start to the year.” San Angelo Stock Show and RodeoApril 5-19Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cooper Cooke, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Buffalo Soldier; 2. R.C. Landingham, 87; 3. Jacob Lees, 86.5; 4. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Will Norstrom, 86; 6. Bodee Lammers, 84.5; 7. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Jayco Roper and Wacey Schalla, 84; 1-. (tie) Cole Franks and Clayton Biglow, 83.5; 12. (tie) Jess Pope and Weston Timberman, 83. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Jacob Edler, 3.6 seconds; 2. Cole Walker, 3.7; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.8; 4. (tie) Don Payne and Trisyn Kalawaia, 3.9; 6. Gavin Soileau, 4.0; 7. (tie) Matt Reeves and Jay Williamson, 4.1. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Rooster Yazzie and Trever Nelson, 3.6 seconds; 3. Ty Erickson, 3.7; 4. Grady Payne, 3.8; 5. (tie) Heath Thomas and Adam Musil, 3.9; 7. Chance Howard, 4.1; 8. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Tanner Brunner, Tyke Kipp and Wade Steffen, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Don Payne, 8.5; 3. Cole Walker, 8.7; 4. Trever Nelson, 8.9; 5. Gavin Soileau, 9.0; 6. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.2; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, 9.3; 8. Heath Thomas, 9.4; 9. Mike McGinn, 9.5; 10. Jake Nelson, 9.6; 11. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Justin Schaffer, Chance Howard, Gus Franzen and Landris White, 9.8. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.8 seconds; 2. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 4.0; 3. Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith, 4.1; 4. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves, Devon Johnson/Boogie Ray and Max Kuttler/Cashton Weidenbener, 4.2; 7. (tie) Cory Kidd V/Tanner Braden and Kolton Schmidt/Landen Glenn, 4.3; 6. (tie) Jesse Boos/Jace Steenhoek, Garett Chick/Lane Siggins, Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Peyton Walters/Brandon Gonzales, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Derrick Begay/Colter Todd and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.6 seconds; 3. Chace Thompson/Chad Williams, 3.7; 4.  Continue Reading »