About: Ted

ALVA, Okla. – Maverick Harper is as confident as he’s ever been in his rodeo career, and it comes at a good time. The Northwestern Oklahoma State University cowboy is competing at the College National Finals Rodeo for the first time, and he likes the opportunities that are before him when the action takes place Sunday, June 10-Saturday, June 16, in Casper, Wyo. But it’s not just an individual confidence; he sees great things for both the Northwestern men and women’s teams. “I don’t see how we couldn’t be competitive,” he said, referring to the men’s team of six cowboys competing in seven events and the women’s squad of four competing in five events. “Everybody on our team is capable of winning a national championship in their event.” Harper, a senior from Stephenville, Texas, won the team roping-heading title in the Central Plains Region, joining his heeling partner, Tanner Nall of Colcord, Okla., for the top spot in the circuit made up primarily of college teams from Oklahoma and Kansas. Harper also finished second in the region’s all-around race, so he will also compete in tie-down roping at the college finals. He and Nall will be joined in Casper by tie-down roper Ethan Price of Leedey, Okla., who finished second in the region. Also in the mix are a trio of steer wrestlers: Talon Roseland of Marshalltown, Iowa, the regional champ; Cody Devers of Perryton, Texas, who finished second; and Bridger Anderson of Carrington, N.D., the fourth-place bulldogger. For the women, Jenny Massing of Ponoka, Alberta, finished second in both goat tying and the all-around race, so she will also compete in barrel racing. Taylor Munsel of Arnett, Okla., finished second in breakaway roping, while Brandi Hollenbeck of Hutchinson, Kan., earned the spot on the team by finishing fifth. Sara Bynum of Beggs, Okla., won the regional title in barrel racing and hopes to carry over that success to Casper. “Seeing the arena does help,” said Bynum, a senior making her third trip to the college finals. “The ground is always a little bit different every year, so you don’t know what to expect. I think the mental game is easier after you’ve been there a couple times.” She blazed through the 10-event season on her talented 8-year-old paint mare, Loretta. Bynum knows her success runs through the talented horse’s legs. “I think the biggest thing is to go out there and have fun,” she said. “I need to take care of my horses and take care of me, then I need to let it all fall where it does. The big thing is to not to try to do too much. I’ve had to learn that if I just go and enjoy what I do, I usually do better.” She also realizes what kind of talent will be wearing those black and red NWOSU vests. “Having a full team back at the college finals says a lot about Northwestern rodeo and about Stockton (Graves, the rodeo coach),” Bynum said. “He does a very good job recruiting, and having a full team back at the finals gives us a chance to do well as a team. “I think we have the potential to win it all. We have the right girls, and we have a lot of talent going this year for both teams.” The CNFR finalists earned the right to compete in Wyoming by finishing the region race among the top 3 in the standings. Only the top two teams in the men’s and women’s divisions advance, so that’s why Northwestern is able to have two full teams comping for the top prizes in the sport. What they’ve gained through schooling in Alva has definitely paid off. “Stockton doesn’t know a lot about barrel racing, but he knows how to win regardless of what rodeo event you’re in,” Bynum said, noting that Graves is a seven-time steer wrestling qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “He helps any way he can, and he knows the mental game of a big stage. He knows what comes into play and what will keep you competitive.” At the intercollegiate level of any sport, the mental approach to the game is vital. “One of Stockton’s key things is learning how to win,” Harper said. “It doesn’t always take a fast run to win. It’s knowing your stage and knowing what you have to do.” That has worked through the rigors of the regular season. He plans to take that same approach when he competes in both events in Casper.

Celebrated rodeo clown joins Sanders, Hilton as award-winners working rodeo ESTES PARK, Colo. – Justin Rumford is just naturally funny, and that’s a good thing. He’s a comedian by nature, something he picked up years ago on his family’s Kansas ranch. Now he is the preeminent funnyman in professional rodeo, having been named the Clown of the Year five times in the past six years. Rumford will lend his talents and his comedic poetry to Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 5-Tuesday, July 10, at Granny May Arena inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. “We’re bringing Justin back because he’s the fans’ favorite every time he’s here,” said Mark Purdy, chairman of Estes Park Western Heritage Inc., a group of volunteers that works with the town of Estes Park to produce the annual rodeo. “He’s funny, engaging and makes our rodeo better just because he’s here.” Deep in his roots, Rumford is a third-generation stock contractor. Rodeo is in his blood. He’s roped and bulldogged; he’s ridden broncs and fought bulls; he’s even driven the semi-tractor trailers that haul prized steads. Now he’s living a dream. “This clowning deal is the best thing I’ve ever had,” said Rumford, who lives Ponca City, Okla., with his wife, Ashley, and their triplets, Livi, Lola and Bandy. “It’s something in rodeo that I can have a lot of longevity in. There’s not just a ton of risk, and it’s something I enjoy so much.” He isn’t the only award-winning piece of the Rooftop Rodeo equation. Of course, the rodeo is a winner, named six times as Rodeo of the Year, and this year will also feature two other 2017 honorees: Secretary of the Year Amanda Corley Sanders and Music Director of the Year Josh “Hambone” Hilton – Hilton is the first person to ever be recognized in that category. “We’ve had Amanda and ‘Hambone’ working Rooftop for several years, and both are integral parts of what we do in producing this rodeo every year,” said Ben Vigil, president of Western Heritage. “They handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes things that must happen for a rodeo to be successful in this day and age, but they are relatively unseen. Still, none of our success happens without people like that on your team.” Like Rumford, Sanders and Hilton were raised around rodeo. Each provides a laundry list of experiences to their duties, and the cowboys have rewarded them for it. While they tend to handle their tasks under the cover of darkness, Rumford happily welcomes his place in the spotlight. “People want to laugh at each other more than they want to laugh at something,” Rumford said. “When I’m in the arena, I’m saying the same stuff I’d say if I wasn’t clowning. “It’s just me being me.” That’s all anybody in Estes Park wants.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The dirt on their faces said something about Conner and Sterling Pharr. They’re having fun on the rodeo trail with their daddy, Tim. So is he, for that matter. He has set up his rodeo schedule around his sons’ education; not that school’s out for the summer, the boys jumped in the rig with him. On Sunday night, Pharr proved how much fun he’s having by roping and tying his calf in 7.9 seconds to win the tie-down roping on the final night of the 2018 Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo. “This is the second run on these calves, and they missed her the first time,” said Pharr, the No. 38 man in the world standings heading into Memorial Day weekend. “There wasn’t much to know. You can’t really make a game plan, so you just wing it.” Improvising worked for the Resaca, Ga., cowboy. He pocketed $1,659 in Claremore; when added to his earnings for finishing second at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo to kick off May, Pharr has earned more than $4,400 in Oklahoma this month. “There were four guys going after me, so I knew if I’m under 9.4, I’m in the money,” he said. “It’s still a competition between you and your calf. Some of the calves tonight really ran, and my wasn’t so fast, so it gave me an advantage.” Pharr and the boys left their Georgia home and arrived 670 miles later in Fort Smith, Ark., in time for him to compete Sunday morning there. They then traveled another 125 miles to Claremore to partake in the four-time PRCA Small Rodeo of the Year. It’s a lot of miles, but it’s important for Pharr to have that time with his kids; Conner is 7; Sterling, 5. “There’s nothing more important to me than family,” he said. “They just got out of school, so I just loaded them up, and here we go. I’ve got them for two weeks, then their junior rodeo finals is June 9. “Whatever I can do to have them with me is what I do. I have a great family and a lot of support behind me, and they’re more than willing to help me.’ With Conner and Sterling right here with him, Tim Pharr has found a winning formula. Will Rogers Stampede Claremore, Okla. May 25-27 Bareback riding:1. Jamie Howlett, 83.5 points Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s River Blast, $1,225; 2. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Tanner Aus, 81.5, $798 each; 4. Lane McGehee, 81, $456; 6. (tie) Justin Pollmiller and Jared Keylon, 80.5, $223. Steer wrestling: 1. Shane Frey, 3.7 seconds, $1,951; 2. Matt Reeves, 4.3, $1,697; 3. (tie) Jason Tapley and Blake Mindemann, 4.4, $1,315 each; 5. (tie) Kyle Whitaker and Jule Hazen, 4.5, $806; 7. John Kloeckler, 4.7, $424; 8. Hunter Washburn, 4.8, $170. Tie-down roping: 1. Tim Pharr, 7.9 seconds, $1,659; 2. Trent Creager, 8.4, $1,443; 3. Riley Pruitt, 8.7, $1,226; 4. Shane Hanchey, 9.1, $1,010; 5. (tie) Cole Bailey and Tyler Milligan, 9.4, $685 each; 7. Cody Quaney, 9.6, $361; 8. Scot Meeks, 9.7, $144. Saddle bronc riding 1. Louie Brunson, 85 points on Pete Carr ProRodeo’s Django, $1,365; 2. Colt Gordon, 84, $1,034; 3. Joe Lufkin, 83.5, $744; 4. Dalton Davis, 83, $496; 5. (tie) Wyatt Casper, Tyrel Larsen and Roper Kiesner, 80, $165 each. Team roping: 1. Dalton Turner/Heath Williams, 5.4 seconds, $1,729; 2. Cody Graham/Jason Stroup, 5.8, $1,504; 3. Cory Kidd V/Caleb Anderson, 5.7, $1,278; 4. Quentin Sawyer/Jordan Reynolds, 6.0, $1,052; 5. Brenten Hall, 6.1, $927; 6. Jesse Stipes/Jake Smith, 6.2, $601; 7. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 6.4, $376; 8. Branden Duff/Jeff Brown, 6.5, $150. Barrel racing: 1. Jessica Routier, 17.11 seconds, $1,905; 2. Jody McKay, 17.20, $1,633; 3. Stevi Hillman, 17.25, $1,361; 4. Tiany Schuster, 17.27, $1,179; 5. Kylie Weast, 17.28, $907; 6. Cheyenne Kelly, 17.33, $726; 7. Ericka Nelson, 13.37, $544; 8. Ali Armstrong, 17.38, $363; 9. Sandy McElreath, 17.50, $272; 10. Sabra O’Quinn, 17.54, $181. Clem McSpadden Tub-Handle Classic Steer roping: First round: 1. Roger Branch, 10.7 seconds, $1,554; 2. Will Gasperson, 10.9, $1,286; 3. Tony Reina, 11.3, $1,018; 4. Cody Lee, 11.9, $750; 5. Mike Chase, 12.2, $482; 6. Trenton Johnson, 12.5, $268. Second round: 1. Corey Ross, 9.9 seconds, $2,554; 2. Mike Chase, 11.8, $1,286; 3. Brady Garten, 12.0, $1,108; 4. Rocky Patterson, 12.4, $750; 5. Martin Poindexter, 12.7, $482; 6. (tie) Vin Fisher Jr. and Cody Lee, 13.1, $134 each. Third round: 1. Tuf Cooper, 10.1 seconds, $1,554; 2. J.P. Wickett, 10.7, $1,286; 3. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.8, $1,018; 4. Corey Ross, 10.9, $750; 5. Brady Garten, 11.8, $482; 6. Jim Locke, 12.0, $268. Average: 1. Cody Lee, 39.7 seconds on three runs, $2,331; 2. Roger Branch, 41.2, $1,929; 3. Trenton Johnson, 45.7, $1,527; 4. Billy Good, 48.8, $1,125; 5. Kelton McMillen, 50.3, $723; 6. Corey Ross, 20.8 seconds on two runs, $402. Bull riding: 1. Lane Clark, 86.5 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Lloyd Did WHAT, $1,458; 2. (tie) Boudreaux Campbell and Kole Bowman, 86, $950 each; 4. Dusti Boquet and Shane Proctor, $420; 6. Cullen Telfer, 82.5, $221.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Matt Reeves just missed his seventh qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo a season ago. He doesn’t want to do that again. On Saturday night during the second performance of the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, Reeves wrestled his steer to the ground in 4.3 seconds to move into second place in the bulldogging race. “With one day left at this rodeo, I should win something,” said Reeves of Cross Plains, Texas. “I don’t know if I’ll (finish) second, but I’ll win something. “The horses worked outstanding. The start is really fast. I took a chance and was a little behind at the start. The steer let me catch up to him fast.” Shane Frey of Duncan, Okla., leads steer wrestling in Claremore with a 3.7-second run, so moving into the No. 2 spot is important to Reeves. He understands that placing throughout the season gives him the best shot earning a better living. In rodeo, money not only helps pay the bills, but dollars equal championship points. At the conclusion of the regular season, only the top 15 on the money list in each event advance to the NFR, ProRodeo’s grand finale. When the campaign comes to a stop on the 10th night in Las Vegas, the contestants with the most money won will be crowned world champions. “Last year was the first year I hauled this horse all the time,” said Reeves, who finished 21st in the world standings in 2017. “We had some issues toward the end of the year. I had some distractions with us having our second kid coming, but you can’t be distracted and win. That’s just life. “I’m going to try not to do that again. My hope is to have enough money by Dodge City (Kan., the first of August) to have qualified for the NFR before we got up north, then we’re just fighting for position when we get there.” Reeves has already had a pretty successful 2018. He won the bulldogging title at The American, a stand-alone event that has been unsanctioned by any association. While the $433,000 he earned the end of February will count for a lot of things in his life, it doesn’t work toward his place in the world standings. He was 13th in the PRCA world standings heading into this weekend. “That money didn’t really affect how I rodeo,” he said. “We did get another trailer so I could haul five horses, which makes it easier to go with guys. But the majority of that money … we bought some cows and bought a cube feeder; my kids can go to college debt-free, and I’ve got some retirement.” For now, though, he’s just enjoying his life on the rodeo trail. Will Rogers Stampede Claremore, Okla. May 25-27 Leaders through second performance Bareback riding:1. Jamie Howlett, 83.5 points Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s River Blast; 2. Taylor Broussard, 81.5; 3. Lane McGehee, 81; 4. (tie) Justin Pollmiller and Jared Keylon, 80.5; 6. Mark Kreder, 78. Steer wrestling: 1. Shane Frey, 3.7 seconds; 2. Matt Reeves, 4.3; 3. (tie) Jason Tapley and Blake Mindemann, 4.4; 5. Jule Hazen, 4.5; 6. John Kloeckler, 4.7; 7. Hunter Washburn, 4.8; 8. (tie) Cody Doesher and Tristan Martin. Tie-down roping: 1. Trent Creager, 8.4 seconds; 2. Riley Pruitt, 8.7; 3. Shane Hanchey, 9.1; 4. (tie) Cole Bailey and Tyler Milligan, 9.4; 6. Cody Quaney, 9.6; 7. Scot Meeks, 9.7; 8. Layton Little, 10.0. Saddle bronc riding 1. Louie Brunson, 85 points on Pete Carr ProRodeo’s Django; 2. Colt Gordon, 84; 3. (tie) Wyatt Casper and Tyrel Larsen, 80; 5. Bradley Harter, 78.5; 6. (tie) Jake Finley and Clint Lindenfield, 76. Team roping: 1. Dalton Turner/Heath Williams, 5.4 seconds; 2. Cory Kidd V/Caleb Anderson, 5.7; 3. Quentin Sawyer/Jordan Reynolds, 6.0; 4. Brenten Hall, 6.1; 5. Jesse Stipes/Jake Smith, 6.2; 6. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 6.4;76. (tie) Dilan Rucker/Whitney DeSalvo, Will Clark/Tanner Ward and Adam Wallace/Tyler Young, 6.6. Barrel racing: 1. Jody McKay, 17.20 seconds; 2. Stevi Hillman, 17.25; 3. Tiany Schuster, 17.27; 4. Kylie Weast, 17.28; 5. Cheyenne Kelly, 17.33; 6. Ericka Nelson, 13.37; 7. Ali Armstrong, 17.38; 8. Sandy McElreath, 17.50; 9. Sabra O’Quinn, 17.54; 10. Skyla Whitters and Kynder Starr, 17.58. Bull riding: 1. (tie) Boudreaux Campbell, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Kracker Jack, and Kole Bowman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Tequila Worm, 86 points; 3. Cullen Telfer, 82.5; 4. Chase Hamlin, 78; 5. Sage Kimzey, 75; no other qualified rides.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Louie Brunson has been ever so close to qualifying for ProRodeo’s grand finale, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. If he keeps riding like he did Friday night at the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, he might make it there yet. Brunson matched moves with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Django for 85 points to take the early lead in saddle bronc riding. “That’s a nice little horse that’s good to get on,” said Brunson, 32, of New Underwood, S.D. “This dang sure helps my confidence. He kind of pumped his head a little bit, which made it tough to work my rein, but the hard part was to not have too much fun. He was so nice, I just didn’t want to fall off him.” While the smile was wide, the spur stroke was solid. In rodeo’s classic event, cowboys must spur the horse from the animal’s neck to the back of the cantle on the saddle. When done in perfect rhythm with the bronc’s bucking motion, scores get high. That’s exactly what happened for Brunson. “I’ve been staying pretty close to home,” he said. “When I’ve gone, it’s been good, but this dang sure is a good start to my summer.” Now he’ll have to hold out through the final two performances to see if his score holds up to claim the Claremore title. For now, though, he holds a 6.5-point lead over the No. 2 man, Bradley Harter of Loranger, La. Is this his time to make a big move to finally make it to Las Vegas in December? “We’ll see how things go in June,” Brunson said. “If things keep going good, I’ll stay out on the road and see what happens. “I’d like to make the finals. That’s a huge goal, but taking care of my family comes first.” With priorities like that, Brunson is already winning. Will Rogers Stampede Claremore, Okla. May 25-27 Leaders through first performance Bareback riding:1. Lane McGehee, 81 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Sundowner; Colton Delgado, 67; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Shane Frey, 3.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Jason Tapley and Blake Mindemann, 4.4; 4. Jule Hazen, 4.5; 5. John Kloekler, 4.7; 6. Hunter Washburn, 4.8; 7. (tie) Cody Doesher, Tristan Martin and Eric Manos, 4.9. Tie-down roping: 1. Trent Creager, 8.4 seconds; 2. Riley Pruitt, 8.7; 3. Shane Hanchey, 9.1; 4. (tie) Cole Bailey and Tyler Milligan, 9.4; 6. Cody Quaney, 9.6; 7. Scot Meeks, 9.7; 8. Layton Little, 10.0. Saddle bronc riding 1. Louie Brunson, 85 points on Pete Carr ProRodeo’s Django ; 2. Bradley Harter, 78.5; 3. Jake Finley, 76; 4. Jacob Lewis, 73; 5. Mason Laviolette, 66; 6. Joey Sonnier, 65. Team roping: 1. Cory Kidd V/Caleb Anderson, 5.7 seconds; 2. Quentin Sawyer/Jordan Reynolds, 6.0; 3. Brenten Hall, 6.1; 4. Jesse Stipes/Jake Smith, 6.2; 5. Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 6.4; 6. (tie) Dilan Rucker/Whitney DeSalvo and Adam Wallace/Tyler Young, 6.6; 8. Blake Deckard/Cody Heflin, 6.8. Barrel racing: 1. Jody McKay, 17.20 seconds; 2. Stevi Hillman, 17.25; 3. Tiany Schuster, 17.27; 4. Kylie Weast, 17.28; 5. Cheyenne Kelly, 17.33; 6. Ali Armstrong, 17.38; 7. Sandy McElreath, 17.50; 8. Sabra O’Quinn, 17.54; 8. Kynder Starr, 17.58; 10. Savannah Pearson, 17.60. Bull riding: 1. (tie) Boudreaux Campbelll, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Kracker Jack, and Kole Bowman, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Tequila Worm, 86 points; 3. Sage Kimzey, 75; no other qualified rides.