About: Ted

DUNCAN, Okla. – Yance Day’s life has changed considerably since he first started riding bareback horses. It’s about to change again. Day and his girlfriend are due to have a baby girl in November. He’ll need to keep padding his pocketbook in anticipation for her arrival, and he’ll have his chance to do so at the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13-Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. “Getting ready to have a baby has given me a whole new perspective on things,” said Day, 32, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. “I’m really excited about everything that’s coming my way and everything that’s happened. It makes me realize it’s not about me. I’ve got people that are counting on me.” As a rodeo cowboy, life has always been about what he can do on the back of a bucking horse. With a family in his future, his talents pave the way for how he pays for formula, baby food and diapers. He sits No. 2 in the Prairie Circuit’s bareback riding standings, but that comes with a bonus caveat: The leader, Nebraskan Garrett Shadbolt, has been focused on returning to the National Finals Rodeo and didn’t get to his minimum of circuit rodeos; that means Shadbolt is ineligible to win the year-end title. “I’d love to win the circuit,” Day said. “If I could do that, I could go to the national circuit finals (now called the NFR Open). I’d really like to win that, too.” This isn’t his first trip to Duncan, which has hosted the circuit finals every year since 2012. He just wants it to be his most memorable. Wisdom comes from age and experience, and he has that. With the bigger picture in front of him, he’s more focused on what he wants and how to achieve it. “In most of the years I’ve been to the circuit finals, I didn’t take care of business like I needed to,” he said. “I was just riding for myself.” He not only rides for a family, he has figured out every way he can care for others in his life, too. When he’s not riding bucking horses, he is driving a dump truck for his brother’s business. That, combined with success in the rodeo arena, has provided some financial rewards, and he’s not looking back now. The Prairie Circuit is made up of rodeos and contestants primarily from the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region. He won four titles at events in Manhattan, Kansas; Haysville, Kansas; Cheyenne, Oklahoma; Durant, Oklahoma; and an event in Wichita Falls, Texas, that also was co-sanctioned in the Prairie Circuit. “My plan this year was to stick around the circuit, make the circuit finals and get my qualifications up,” Day said, referring to being among the top 50 in the world standings so he can compete in big, indoor rodeos through the winter. “I wasn’t getting into any of those last year. “I’ve got my qualifications up, so I’m going to go to those big Texas rodeos in the winter and see what happens. If I hit a good lick over there, then I’m going to be chasing the NFR (qualification) hard. I’m looking forward to it; I’m hungry for it.”

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Tyler Ravenscroft had one goal in mind when he made the 300-mile drive from Durant, Oklahoma, to the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. He wanted to qualify to return to this part of the country next spring to compete at RodeoHouston, one of the biggest regular-season events in professional rodeo. He gave himself a great chance during the first performance of Hempstead’s rodeo Thursday night, wrestling his steer to the ground in 3.2 seconds. “I just wanted to be patient and use the cow that I was drawn,” said Ravenscroft, a senior at Southeastern Oklahoma State University from Nenzel, a hamlet of less than 20 people in north-central Nebraska. “I knew he was a really good steer. He went off in Stephenville (Texas) last week. I knew it was a good chance to get something done here.” All he did was set a new arena record, the first time the since the rodeo became associated with the PRCA more than a decade ago. He had a bit of help, though. His hazer was Sean Mulligan, his uncle and a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier who has also hazed at the NFR many other times throughout his established career. “That’s the fastest run I’ve ever had,” said Ravenscroft, 22, who is planning to make a run at his own NFR qualification in 2023; because this rodeo ends Oct. 1, the money earned in Hempstead counts toward next season’s standings. “I’m glad I got Sean to come down here for me. “I needed the best in the business.” Ravenscroft got that in more ways than one. Everything must go perfectly to post a run that fast, from Mulligan’s haze to getting a good start to riding the right horse. His is an 8-year-old sorrel mare named Cherry Bomb. “She’s one Sean and I started when I was a freshman in college,” he said. “She’s my pride and joy. She did so much, from getting the start to giving me confidence all through the run. I know she’s going to stand there (in the timed-event box), and she’s going to give me the best go she can.” That means running straight toward the steer so the bulldogger can jump from her back and onto the steer. Once there, Ravenscroft still had some work to do, and much of that was doing everything technically well. “I’ve been practicing the last couple of weeks of hustling to the (steer’s) nose, because I’ve been behind all the time,” he said. “As soon as I got my feet on the ground, I knew I wanted to go to the nose.” By doing so, he was able to utilize his momentum and that of the steer to turn the animal over on its side and stop the clock. The caveat is that the winner from the Waller County Fair and Rodeo will earn a spot in the RodeoHouston lineup next March. He had no time to celebrate, though. He and Mulligan quickly loaded their horses back in the trailer and headed north. They had nearly five hours to drive, and Ravenscroft is scheduled to compete at his hometown college rodeo Friday morning in Durant. He’ll need to pay close attention to the route, though, because he stands a great chance to return to the Houston area in five months. Waller County Fair and RodeoSept. 29-Oct. 1Hempstead, TexasBareback riding: 1. Bradlee Miller, 85 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Cool Change; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Tyler Ravenscroft, 3.2 seconds; 2. Cody Harmon, 4.3; 3. Justin Shaffer, 4.5; 4. Jeffrey Boriski, 5.1; no other qualified runs.   Team roping: 1. Wyatt Imus/Caleb Anderson, 11.3 seconds; Rusty Barnett/Michael Fortenberry, 14.2; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zac Dallas, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pretty Woman; 2. Reginald Lecourt, 78; 3. (tie) Isaac Diaz and Clint Franks, 72 points; no other qualified runs.   Tie-down roping: 1. James Berry, 9.8 seconds; 2. Benny Mosley, 14.4; 3. Jim Mike Hutto, 18,7; 4. Michael Otero, 20.7; no other qualified runs. Breakaway roping: 1. Taylor Hanchey, 2.2 seconds; 2. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, 2.6; 3. Cheyenne Britain, 2.8; 4. Lari Dee Guy, 3.7; 5. Beau Peterson, 5.3; 6. Jackie Crawford, 16.3. Barrel racing: 1. Ilyssa Riley, 15.51 seconds; 2. Kelly Allen, 15.58; 3. Sissy Winn, 15.68; 4. Molly Pritchard, 16.25; 5. J.J. Baldwin, 16.27; 6. Lauren Davang, 16.42. Bull riding: 1. T. Parker, 86.5 points on Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Mr. Quick; no other qualified rides.

BFO bullfighters will be part of their own border war at State Fair of Texas DALLAS – Inside Fair Park Coliseum on the grounds of the State Fair of Texas, history holds its breath and awaits the future. From roller derbies to professional hockey and basketball games, it was the epicenter of Dallas sports more than a half century ago. For many, its place in rodeo lore is well-established, the first home of the National Finals Rodeo from 1959-1961. In just days, it will be the home of the Bullfighters Only Red River Rumble, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, and will feature the top freestyle bullfighters in the sport battling head-to-head just like the Longhorns and Sooners will that Saturday morning. It’s Oklahoma vs. Texas, but the bovines involved in this battle are real. “I think it’s just cool to be part of the history of that coliseum,” said Weston Rutkowski, a four-time BFO world champion from Haskell, Texas. “With the NFR starting there in 1959, I grew up knowing all the rodeo greats that went to that coliseum and competed. “There’s so much history in that one building. It’s not only being from Texas, but knowing we’re part of an event that just adds to the history.” Team Texas and Team Oklahoma will feature five-man squads, and they will battle head-to-head in the opening round. Held in conjunction with the State Fair of Texas, this BFO event is as big as Big Tex standing guard over the fairgrounds. There will be five winners out of the opening round of competition, with the four bullfighters that posted the highest scores advancing to the championship round. Those four will then battle with the top animals from Penthouse Fighting Bulls to see which one will come out the victor and walk away from Dallas with the lion’s share of the prize money and the edge rolling into the BFO World Finals. “It’s pretty special to get to compete in that event,” said Austin Ashley of Purcell, Oklahoma, who will represent his home state in the bullfight. “I got to be part of it. It was such a cool event to have in that old coliseum where they had the NFR back in the day. “The crowd really gets into it, and the atmosphere was electric.” Expect that and more for this year’s showcase, which will feature established veterans mixed with some of bullfighting’s rising stars. Rutkowski is the winningest man in the field, but he will be joined by Beau Schueth, a past reserve world champion and a regular at BFO World Finals, and Aaron Mercer, a two-time world titlist. The format helps highlight the symphony of a freestyle bullfight, where men utilize their athletic skills and bull savvy while facing agile Mexican fighting bulls that were bred for this type of fight. Based on a 100-point scale, the bulls will score up to 50 points for their aggressiveness, athleticism and ability to stay in the fight, while the bullfighters will score up to 50 points for their performance to remain close to the animal while performing maneuvers around and sometimes over the bull. The Red River Rumble is also a chance to highlight the college rivalry that has been ongoing for more than 120 years. The event’s champion will be able to carry that title and all the bragging rights with them to their respective side of the Red River, which divides Oklahoma and Texas. “When you’re raised in Texas, you grow up hearing about the game,” Rutkowski said. “That weekend is well-known for being about OU vs. Texas. It goes with the demographic in this part of the world. “I have to hold my ground and represent Texas well.” Ashley knows it all too well. His hometown is just 19 miles from the University of Oklahoma, so he knows what the OU-Texas rivalry means. Transitioning it to the bullfighting ring is just his way of extending it in his favor. “It’s a pretty big honor to get to represent the state where I was born and where I grew up,” Ashley said. “It’s hard to describe all the emotions that go into it. “This is my home state. There’s a lot on the line for it.” This is also the last bastion of hope for title contenders and others hoping to make the December trip to Las Vegas to battle for the 2022 BFO world championship. “This is the last big-money event there is,” Ashley said. “It gives some of the guys that are a little lower in the standings one last shot to get a jump on the guys that are in the top five. “We’re going to fight a good set of bulls, and the talent is great on both sides.” That just adds to the intrigue of the Red River Rumble. “This is the last stop before the BFO World Championship at Resorts World in Vegas,” Rutkowski said. “There’s a lot riding on this event. If I’m going to win my fifth world title, or if someone else is going to win the world title, then it puts that person in a great position to do that. “A lot comes down to this event, but I expect noting less than for all those guys to show up and lay it all on the line.” Team TexasWeston RutkowskiAlex McWilliamsAaron MercerZach CallReynaldo Aguilar Team OklahomaAustin AshleyEly SharkeyTyler MansellCauy KrautConnor Larrivee

DUNCAN, Okla. – Team roping header Andrew Ward is a two-time national champion who would love to win a third. His paths took different circumstances, but his route remained the same: He first had to do well in his home region, the Prairie Circuit, in order to advance to the national circuit finals rodeo, now dubbed the NFR Open. Ward’s first crown came at the 2018 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, where he and his brother, Reagan, shared the event title; they were the year-end champions in the 2017 Prairie Circuit standings. In 2020, Andrew Ward teamed with veteran heeler Buddy Hawkins to win the circuit, then roped their way to the national titles in their respective disciplines. They’ll take their next steps at returning to the national circuit finale at the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13-Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. “We compete in such a great circuit, and this is a really good chance to going to Colorado Springs (for the NFR Open),” said Ward, 32, of Edmond, Oklahoma. “We prioritize going to our circuit rodeos.” That’s been the case for much of Ward’s career. He was 18 years old when he and Reagan first hit the rodeo trail, and they focused on competing at events close to home – the Prairie Circuit is made up of rodeos and contestants primarily from Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. They were regular qualifiers to the regional championship in Duncan, which features only the top 12 in the standings in each event. Ward and Hawkins lead the circuit standings with $26,518 each. They own a $6,000 lead over the No. 2 tandem, Paul David Tierney and Tanner Braden, so they’d like to have a good showing at the circuit finals and secure another year-end title. Only the circuit champions and the champions from three days of competition in Duncan advance to the national championship. Everything is progressing nicely for Ward and Hawkins. In addition to leading the circuit, they’re also third in the world standings. They’ve made the National Finals Rodeo each year they’ve been together; they also established a new 10-round aggregate record in winning the NFR average a year ago – it’s the second-most coveted title in round outside of winning a world championship. “We really aren’t concerned about the NFR yet,” Ward said “We get concerned about having a good event in Duncan, because we can build up our money for next year.” The 2022 regular season comes to a close Sept. 30, and money earned after Oct. 1 counts toward the 2023 world standings. “If we have a good week, we can win between $4,000 and $6,000,” he said. “If we can do that, we can win the year-end title and go to Colorado Springs next year. It’s a really big deal to set up your next season early.”

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The purpose of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo is simple: Provide an exposition for the communities in the region while also showcasing and giving back to the youth in the county. There are some traditional fair activities, like the rodeo, the livestock shows, the carnival and the concerts, but the Waller County Fair Association also has some hidden gems that remain a big part of the fair’s identity. From the Junior Fair Board to Ag Voyage and the Barnyard Buddies to Creative Living, every step of these ornamental aspects of the annual expo is vital to the growth and development of young people while also giving an outlet to others who want to be part of the fair and rodeo. “The Creative Living is important because it promotes hands-on learning of life skills that our young people are going to need later in order to become productive adults,” said Melissa Hegemeyer, chairwoman of Creative Living. “It is so important because with technology, electronic games and other innovations bombarding them, even the most elementary life skills tend to get pushed aside.” Placed in the Barbara Carpenter Building, Creative Living is home to non-animal exhibits, like baked goods, favorite recipes, decorated confections, canned goods, constructive clothing and accessories, needlework, creative arts and handicrafts, horticulture, photography, fine arts, collective hobbies and quilts. “In the open division, exhibitors ranch from preschool (as young as 3 years old) to golden living (62 and older), so we welcome all ages,” Hegemeyer said. “Our auction division is for 4H and FFA participants. The youth spend many hours creating marketable items to be judged, and winners in each age group make it to the Junior Livestock Auction. “It’s very important for us to continue to encourage our youth to learn the arts and crafts that make up family traditions. Being a 4H club manager for 12 years and being a part of the Creative Living building now for 20 years makes me so proud we continue to offer an environment that encourages the importance of hands-on learning and valuable life skills that are so vital for the youth of Waller County.” Now in its eighth year, Barnyard Buddies will take place 9 a.m-1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28. Barnyard Buddies offers Waller County special-needs students a way to enjoy a day at the fair. “It’s just great to see the smiles on their faces and them laughing and having a good time,” said Julie Abke, the chairwoman of the Junior Fair Board who oversees the Barnyard Buddies. “They do appreciate it, and they do like it.” The same can be said for those involved with Ag Voyage, which is a way of teaching youngsters about where their food sources come from and the importance of agriculture. There are many children within the school system that don’t have the ability to show animal, so Ag Voyage gives them the opportunity to understand about the importance of agriculture. “Because the fair’s all about education, we thought it would be nice to have an educational committee,” said Kristy Hyatt, chairwoman of the committee. “We will teach kids about different cuts of meat, where cotton comes from or what grain is used food-wise.” Young exhibitors are part of the foundation of a county fair, but there’s much more to it in Waller County. The fair association also works closely with teenagers who are part of the Junior Fair Board, a group of juniors and seniors who work with the Waller County Fair Board to help run the fair and other associated events. There are 38 teens involved this year. “The hope is for them to build up money to hopefully go to school, but we also want to help mentor them and have them come back when they get a little older and run the fair,” said Linda Randall, co-chair of the Junior Fair Board. “When the chairman of the Junior Fair Board and I started, we began doing livestock shows. “Last year, we were able to give out almost $40,000 in scholarships, with them raising their own money putting on these livestock shows and other events to raise money for these scholarships.” All the money the Junior Fair Board earns is returned in scholarship dollars. It’s also vital because the younger board members are hands-on in doing all the tasks it takes to produce an event the size of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. From setting up and getting the fairgrounds ready for the exposition to helping tear down once the event is over, there are many things to be done. “I’m here to see the kids be successful,” Randall said. “I want to help these kids learn the livestock aspect and see the livestock industry be as successful as it can be, and I want to see these kids come back and be able to help. “To be able to help these kids give back and watch their growth is why I’m here. That means the world to me.”