About: Ted

BELLVILLE, Texas – Every gambler knows that once the dice go into the air, the numbers might not roll their way. That was the case for bareback rider Winn Ratliff and bull rider J.T. Moore, both of whom scored qualified rides on their first trips out of the chute Saturday night at the Austin County Fair and Rodeo. Ratliff’s 80-point ride on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Booger would have allowed the Leesville, La., cowboy to finish second in bareback riding. Moore’s 80-point ride on Mo Betta’s 507 would have held up for third place in bull riding. In both cases, the house won some of its money back from the cowboys. “The re-ride I had was a (Mo Betta) horse named Darth that’s been to the National Finals,” said Ratliff, 29, a four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “Bill Tutor was 84.5 points at Rosenberg (Texas) last weekend. I’ve had some history with that horse, and I’ve seen that horse a lot. When I knew he was the re-ride, I rolled the dice and took that gamble. “That’s rodeo. If it was easy, everybody would do it.” By accepting the re-rides, those 80-point rides were erased. Had Ratliff stayed with his, he would have pocketed $1,121. Instead, Darth had a bad day, and the tandem matched moves for just 74 points. That was good enough for fifth place. He gambled to make $350 more and lost $800. “If you’ve got a horse that’s been to the NFR, you want that shot if you’re a competitor,” he said. “I came here to win this rodeo. When I had a free opportunity to get on another horse, I took it.” Moore’s third-place finish would have netted him roughly $1,100. He gambled to win $800 more, then bucked off his re-ride bull and lost it all. That’s why it can sometimes be a difficult decision for cowboys to accept another chance. But rodeo is a gamble. In the three roughstock events, half the score comes from the animals they ride. In Ratliff’s case, the big black horse was supposed to be better than he was Saturday night in Bellville. That’s just part of the game. For his sake, though, the Louisiana cowboy is just happy to be back to work doing what he loves. He suffered a shattered pelvis two and a half years ago and is just getting back to where he can compete again. “I feel really confident in my health,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of questions if I’m going hard again next year and try to make it back to the NFR, but I’m going to pray about it. I’ve really enjoyed being home. That’s the one blessing when you’re injured; you get to spend a lot of family time. I’ve got a 3-year-old daughter, and she needs her daddy, and I’ve got a little boy on the way in December. “I’m blessed in what I’ve accomplished as a bareback rider. I’m enjoying every moment and having fun. But my priorities have changed, and it’s time to be a family man and a daddy.” Sure, there is disappointment in Ratliff’s voice, but he understands the game well. He also knows his roles in both fatherhood and rodeo have changed over the years. He’s content with that. “I’m thankful I get to go home, and there’s another rodeo next week,” Ratliff said. Austin County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 11-13 Bellville, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Tim Murphy, 81.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Buckle Up, $1,480; 2. Zach Hibler, 79.5, $1,121; 3. Blade Elliott, 77.5, $807; 4. Sandro Ferretti, 74.5, $538; 5. Winn Ratliff, 74, $314; 6. Tyler David Johnson, 73, $224. Steer wrestling: 1. Jacob Talley, 3.4 seconds, $1,665; 2. Heath Thomas, 4.5, $1,448; 3. (tie) A.D. Davis II and Lucas Brasfield, 4.6, $1,122 each; 5. (tie) Sam Powers and Dylan Shroeder, 4.7, $688 each; 7. Dakota Stermer, 5.2, $392; 8. Justin Shaffer, 5.4, $145. Team roping: 1. Cory Kidd V/Martin Lucero, 4.7 seconds, $2,162; 2. Caleb Mitchell/Seth Smithson, 4.9, $1,880; 3. (tie) Garett Chick/Ross Ashford and Landon McClaugherty/Case Swaim, 5.0, $1,457 each; 5. Tanner Tomlinson/Corey Hedrick, 5.1, $1,034; 6. Shane Phillip/John Phillip, 6.2, $752; 7. Reno Cash Stoebner/Daniel Braman IV, 10.0, $470; 8. Manny Eguesquiza Jr./York Gill, 14.0, $188. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Parker Kempfer, 79 point on United Pro Rodeo’s Awsome Sauce, $1,502; 2. Taygen Schuelke, 74, $1,149; 3. Mason Laviolette, 71, $839; 4. Dusty Hausauer, 69, $574; 5. Curtis Garton, 68.5, $353; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Cody Lawrence, 8.4 seconds, $2,140; 2. (tie) De Andre Jackson and Justin Smith, 8.6, $1,722 each; 4. Lane Livingston, 8.8, $,1,303; 5. Justin Macha, 9.0, $1,024; 6. (tie) Austin Atkinson and Wyatt Imus, 9.5, $605 each;87. Coley Salge, 9.8, $186. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Chloe Gray, 16.18 seconds, $2,630; 2. Kelly Carrington, 16.19, $2,236; 3. Tiany Schuster, 16.20, $1,841; 4. (tie) Tasha Welsh and Melinda Edwards Dunn, 16.26, $1,447 each; 6. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.27, $921; 7. Jennifer Kalafatic, 16.31, $658; 8. (tie) Ericka Nelson, Taci Bettis and Jill Wilson, 16.32, $460 each; 11. Alex Lang, 16.35, $329; 12. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Ivy Hurst, 16.39, $132 each. Steer roping: First round: 1. (tie) J. tom Fisher and Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2 seconds, $925 each; 3. Cole Patterson, 10.3, $633; 4. Tony Reina, 10.4, $489; 5. Trenton Johnson, 10.8, $314; 6. (tie) Mike Chase and Travis Mills, 10.9, $87 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Laramie Allen and Brodie Poppino, 10.0 seconds, $925 each; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 10.7, $489; 4. Trenton Johnson, 10.9, $489; 5. Corey Ross, 11.0, $314; 6. Cody Lee, 11.2, $175. Average: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 21.5 seconds on two runs, $1,519; 2. Trenton Johnson, 21.7, $1,257; 3. John E. Bland, 22.3, $995; 4. Mike Chase, 23.0, $733; 5. Bryce Davis, 23.1, $471; 6. Travis Mills, 23.5, $262. Bull riding: 1. Brody Yeary, 87.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Wonder Boy, $1,978; 2. Denton Fugate, 85, $1,523; 3. (tie) Jeff Askey and Jesse Petri, 77, $938; 5. Parker McCown, 76.5, $483; 7. Clayton Sellars, 76, $353; 7.  Continue Reading »

BELLVILLE, Texas – Wheeler is a town of 1,600 people in the Texas Panhandle. It’s dry and rugged, and it’s home to many cowboys. Tim Murphy has lived there for three months, and that’s because he wanted to compete in rodeo for a living. On Friday night during the second performance of the Austin County Fair and Rodeo, he matched moves with United Pro Rodeo’s Buckle Up for 81.5 points to take the bareback riding lead. “This is my first time in Bellville, but like it,” said Murphy, 21, originally from Simpsonville, S.C. “It’s a little bit humid, but I like it. I used to be used to humidity, but I’ve already gotten use to life in Wheeler.” He has just begun his second season competing on his permit, a training ground for young cowboys who want to eventually compete in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “I don’t think I’m ready to get my rookie card just yet,” he said. “I’m going to go one more year on my permit just to get the feel for things and make sure I’m ready.” If his ride Friday night were any indication, Murphy is taking his lessons quite well. He’s living and traveling with Zach Hibler, the 2018 PRCA Rookie of the Year. It’s proved to be beneficial for the South Carolinian by birth. “He’s a really good coach,” Murphy said of Hibler, who is second in Bellville with a 79.5-point ride. “He has helped me a lot the last few months and really progressed my bareback riding a bunch.” That’s the key for the two young cowboys. Good or bad, every experience offers an opportunity to learn. Maturation is a great thing, but it can’t be rushed. That’s why Murphy will continue to compete on his permit to allow his brain and his body to grow into the position of professional bareback rider. It’s not an easy life. Through most of the summer, cowboys are on the road for several weeks at a time. Whether it’s being strapped to wild bucking horses or sitting in a vehicle for 10 hours straight, bareback riding is hard on the body. “I just love doing it,” he said. “We work out and try to stay in the best shape we can.” And on Friday night, Murphy experienced the verbal crowd that packed into the Austin County Fairgrounds to see him and other contestants compete. “Man, it’s an awesome crowd,” Murphy said. “They’re active, and I like it when a crowd gets into the rodeo.” That means he’s likely to return. Austin County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 11-13 Bellville, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Tim Murphy, 81.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Buckle Up; 2. Zach Hibler, 79.5; 3. Blade Elliott, 77.5; 4. Sandro Ferretti, 74.5; 5. Tyler David Johnson, 73; 6. (tie) Paden Hurst and Luke Wozney, 70. Steer wrestling: 1. Jacob Talley, 3.4 seconds; 2. Heath Thomas, 4.5; 3. (tie) A.D. Davis II and Lucas Brasfield, 4.6; 5. Sam Powers, 4.7; 6. Dakota Stermer, 5.2; 7. Justin Shaffer, 5.4; 8. Tom Uttermark, 6.2. Team roping: 1. Cory Kidd V/Martin Lucero, 4.7 seconds; 2. Caleb Mitchell/Seth Smithson, 4.9 3. (tie) Garett Chick/Ross Ashford and Landon McClaugherty/Case Swaim, 5.0; 5. Tanner Tomlinson/Corey Hedrick, 5.1; 6. Shane Phillip/John Phillip, 6.2; 7. Stratton Lopez/Ronnie Lopez, 12.1; 8. Manny Eguesquiza Jr./York Gill, 14.0. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Parker Kempfer, 79 point on United Pro Rodeo’s Ausome Sauce; 2. Taygen Schuelke, 74; 3. Dusty Hausauer, 69; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Cody Lawrence, 8.4 seconds; 2. (tie) De Andre Jackson and Justin Smith, 8.6; 4. Lane Livingston, 8.8; 5. Justin Macha, 9.0; 6. Austin Atkinson, 9.5; 7. Coley Salge, 9.8; 8. Trenton Smith, 9.9. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Chloe Gray, 16.18 seconds; 2. Kelly Carrington, 16.19; 3. Tiany Schuster, 16.20; 4. (tie) Tasha Welsh and Melinda Edwards Dunn, 16.26; 6. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.27; 7. (tie) Ericka Nelson, Taci Bettis and Jill Wilson, 16.32; 10. Alex Lang, 16.35; 11. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Ivy Hurst, 16.39. Steer roping: First round: 1. (tie) J. tom Fisher and Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2 seconds, $925 each; 3. Cole Patterson, 10.3, $633; 4. Tony Reina, 10.4, $489; 5. Trenton Johnson, 10.8, $314; 6. (tie) Mike Chase and Travis Mills, 10.9, $87 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Laramie Allen and Brodie Poppino, 10.0 seconds, $925 each; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 10.7; 4. Trenton Johnson, 10.9, $489; 5. Corey Ross, 11.0, $314; 6. Cody Lee, 11.2, $175. Average: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 21.5 seconds on two runs, $1,519; 2. Trenton Johnson, 21.7, $1,257; 3. John E. Bland, 22.3, $995; 4. Mike Chase, 23.0, $733; 5. Bryce Davis, 23.1, $471; 6. Travis Mills, 23.5, $262. Bull riding: 1. Brody Yeary, 87.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Wonder Boy; 2. Denton Fugate, 85; 3. (tie) Jeff Askey and Jesse Petri, 77; 5. Parker McCown, 76.5; 6. Clayton Sellars, 76.

BELLVILLE, Texas – For 27 years, Martin Lucero has been one of the best heelers in team roping. He’s qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 16 times in his career. But at age 50, he’s contemplating his next step in the sport. “I’m getting older now, and I’m not sure I’m going to run hard next year,” said Lucero, who stopped the clock in 4.7 seconds Thursday night to take the team roping lead at the Austin County Fair and Rodeo with his header, Cory Kidd V of Statesville, N.C. “I’m still on the fence about it. I’ve got two daughters, one that’s a junior in high school and one that’s in second grade, so I like being home, too. “It’s nice to be able to come to a good rodeo like this and still go home.” It was an easy decision to make the seven-hour trip to Bellville. “These rodeos have gotten better as far as the added money,” Lucero said, referring to the local money that’s mixed with contestants’ entry fees to make up the purse. “You can win a lot more money than we used to.” Bellville’s rodeo takes place in the second week of the 2019 rodeo season, so this is a good way to catch some early money and get a jump on the field if possible. That’s one of the reasons Kidd likes competing at this event. “I catch; I’m winning now, and I’ve won it before,” said Kidd, who set the arena record of 3.8 seconds two years. “They get a bunch of people. It’s a good atmosphere, and I like it.” Kidd and Lucero don’t compete together often, but they made an exception for a few Texas rodeos this time of year. While Kidd is from North Carolina, he spends quite a bit of time at Lucero’s home, so it was a natural fit. “Some people are ready to go home and rest after the regular season ends, but I’m ready to get back after it,” Kidd said. “You never know; the money you win here might be what pushes you over the edge and gets you to the NFR.” Lucero knows that as well as anyone. He’s been to Bellville’s rodeo almost all of his nearly three decades of competing, and he’s won the title before “This is a good rodeo, and it’s a good one that’s in our circuit,” he said of the Texas Circuit. I like the set-up, and it gets a good crowd every night. This is a new year, and the circuit finals is obviously the goal. As hard as it is to win in this competitive circuit, it’s good to win early.” Austin County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 11-13 Bellville, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Blade Elliott, 77.5 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Booger; 2. Sandro Ferretti, 74.5; 3. Tyler David Johnson, 73; 4. (tie) Paden Hurst and Luke Wozney, 70; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Heath Thomas, 4.5 seconds; 2. Lucas Brasfield, 4.6; 3. Sam Powers, 4.7; 4. Dakota Stermer, 5.2; 5. Tom Uttermar, 6.2; 6. T.J. Hall, 7.3. Team roping: 1. Cory Kidd V/Martin Lucero, 4.7 seconds; 2. Caleb Mitchell/Seth Smithson, 4.9 3. (tie) Garett Chick/Ross Ashford and Landon McClaugherty/Case Swaim, 5.0; 5. Tanner Tomlinson/Corey Hedrick, 5.1; 6. Shane Phillip/John Phillip, 6.2; 7. Manny Eguesquiza Jr./York Gill, 14.0; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding: No qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Cody Lawrence, 8.4 seconds; 2. De Andre Jackson, 8.6; 3. Lane Livingston, 8.8; 4. Austin Atkinson, 9.5; 5. Coley Salge, 9.8; 6. Trenton Smith, 9.9; 7. Carson Jeffrey, 10.1; 10. Reno Gonzales, 10.3. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Chloe Gray, 16.18 seconds; 2. Kelly Carrington, 16.19; 3. Tiany Schuster, 16.20; 4. Melinda Edwards Dunn, 16.26; 5. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.27; 6. (tie) Ericka Nelson, Taci Bettis and Jill Wilson, 16.32; 9. Alex Lang, 16.35; 10. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Ivy Hurst, 16.39; 12. Jimmie Smith, 16.41. s Steer roping: First round: 1. (tie) J. tom Fisher and Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2 seconds, $925 each; 3. Cole Patterson, 10.3, $633; 4. Tony Reina, 10.4, $489; 5. Trenton Johnson, 10.8, $314; 6. (tie) Mike Chase and Travis Mills, 10.9, $87 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Laramie Allen and Brodie Poppino, 10.0 seconds, $925 each; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 10.7; 4. Trenton Johnson, 10.9, $489; 5. Corey Ross, 11.0, $314; 6. Cody Lee, 11.2, $175. Average: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 21.5 seconds on two runs, $1,519; 2. Trenton Johnson, 21.7, $1,257; 3. John E. Bland, 22.3, $995; 4. Mike Chase, 23.0, $733; 5. Bryce Davis, 23.1, $471; 6. Travis Mills, 23.5, $262. Bull riding: 1. (tie) Jeff Askey, on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Junior, and Jesse Petri, on Mo Betta Rodeo’s 507, 77 points; 3. Clayton Sellars, 76; no other qualified rides.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Haley Ganzel was just 4 years old when she decided on her career. She didn’t really know it at the time, but the love affair with trick riding blossomed quickly as she watched her uncle, Shawn Brackett, practice. So, she got the right training. At age 5, she worked her first rodeo. A year later, she worked her first event in ProRodeo. Now she will bring her talents to Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock presented by the Kubota Center of Oklahoma, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Claremore Expo Center. The event serves as a fundraiser for Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma. “I’m so excited, because I get to have all my family there,” said Ganzel, who lives in Collinsville, Okla., just 24 miles west of Claremore. “It’s going to be a fun event right here close to home.” Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock features many of the top bareback riders, saddle bronc riders and bull riders in rodeo, but it’s also going to be the perfect place for Ganzel to show off her roman riding talent. She will also share the stage with Cody Sosebee, one of the top rodeo clowns in the game. In fact, both Sosebee and Ganzel are up for year-end awards in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Sosebee is one of five nominees for Clown of the Year. Ganzel, with her partner, Lindy Nealey, is nominated for Dress Act of the Year as The Cowgirl Sweethearts. “It’s such an honor to be nominated,” Ganzel said. “My uncle worked the NFR four times and was never nominated, so I realize what a special honor this is. Everyone on that list has really paid their dues. “To be on that list with all those people and the legends is amazing.” She has paid hers since she was a youngster, but that’s because she fell in love with trick riding. She began roman riding when she was 8, riding on the backs of ponies. She and her partner started when Ganzel was 10 and Nealey was 13, then began working in earnest five years later. “I didn’t know I loved it so much until I got my team four years ago,” she said of the two horses on which she stands and rides. “That makes it so much better.” Sosebee has been nominated for Clown of the Year seven times and last year was selected to be the barrelman at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “I am very humbled by it, because I automatically thought of the guys who had come before me who had never been selected to work the finals,” he said. “There’s no way to describe it, because the guys voted for it. I can take that with me forever. “It 10 times everything for me. It was 10 times more work than I thought. It was 10 times more fun than I thought. I just tried to soak it all up. I knew I was getting to do something special.” Now he returns to Claremore to help entertain fans during one of the coolest events to hit Rogers County this year. That’s just what everybody needs.

DUNCAN, Okla. – Through much of their careers, Nathan Harp and Wacey Munsell have been considered two of the best in their field. Their business is rodeo, and they are two of the greatest athletes in the game. As bullfighters, they use their bodies, athleticism and any other means necessary to keep everyone in the arena safe during bull riding. It’s a dangerous task, but they’re up for it. That’s why Munsell and Harp have been selected to be the bullfighters for the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. It is the second straight year the two will work inside the arena together, but both have been part of the regional finale multiple times before. By being selected, it is recognition that the two men are very good at their jobs. The primary duty is to protect the cowboys directly after they dismount the bull, whether by sure-fire escape after a qualifying ride or by the animal’s discharge. But there are others in the arena, and it’s the bullfighters’ task to keep them all out of harm’s way. “The quality of cowboys in our circuit is really good,” said Munsell, 32, of Ulysses, Kan. “If you can make the circuit finals, I think you could do just as well at the NFR. As a bullfighter, getting votes from that quality of cowboy means a lot. It’s a big honor.” It takes true athleticism to handle a bullfighter’s load effectively. They will work together, gain the animals’ attention and finish by utilizing their athletic ability to remain out of harm’s way. Both men have worked some of the biggest events in ProRodeo. Both were raised in the region, so they comprehend the talent level that sits inside the Prairie Circuit. It doesn’t get much better than seeing all the top cowboys competing inside Stephens County Arena. “What makes the circuit finals great is the quality, both contestants and stock,” Munsell said. “There are a lot of horses and bulls that have been to the NFR, so you know we’re going to have top-quality stock. The circuit usually produces really good cowboys, and a lot are NFR caliber. “When you have that, it makes for a great rodeo.”