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Chase Brooks rides Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s High Dive for 86.5 points to finish the opening round in fourth place. He’s just a point off the lead, and he will be one of 11 saddle bronc riders competing for the championship Friday night. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Every sports fan loves it when games come down to the wire to decide the winners. Competitors love it, too. Saddle bronc riding at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo is going to be decided during a showdown at Friday night’s championship round. Just three and a half points separates the 11 men who will compete for the San Angelo title. “At a lot of rodeos, it’s just gambling, and there are a lot of factors,” said Chase Brooks, who rodeo Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s High Dive for 86.5 points during Thursday’s 10th performance; he finished fourth in the first round and secured his spot in the finale. “First, we had to get the right horse, and then we both have got to have the right day. So, you just show up do what we do all year, and I figure it’s going to lay the way God has it planned.” It seems simple. It isn’t. Brooks qualified for the National Finals Rodeo six straight years beginning in 2018. Injuries have sidelined him enough the last two years that he stayed home in December. His faith and a young family have been his saving grace when he wasn’t able to ride broncs. “A couple years of injuries slowed me down, but every time I was hurt, I got to spend more time at home with the girls, and I was fortunate for that,” said Brooks, 31, originally from Deer Lodge, Montana, but now living in Brock, Texas, with his wife, Cara, and their two daughters, C.J. and Cecile. “There’s always a reason He puts us somewhere. I think Him giving me a break like that was maybe the best thing that could ever happen to me.” It shows in the arena. Thursday was the second trip for High Dive inside CRC Roofers Coliseum. Canadian Kolby Wanchuk was 85.5 points on the powerful bay on the opening weekend. “I’d been on that horse a few years ago when he was still kind of young, still kind of wild,” said Brooks, who entered this week’s competition sixth in the world standings. “He really didn’t know what he was doing. I saw that Kolby had him earlier, and the horse was really good that day. I figured he’d matured and figured it out. He showed up, and I was happy I matched it.” Four-time world champion Zeke Thurston won the opening round with an 87.5-point ride on Carr’s Uptuck. Brooks is just a point behind, and his fourth-place check was worth $2,610. The big money will come Championship Friday. “The energy’s high in that building,” he said of the coliseum. “It’s a little bit smaller than the big, indoor rodeos like Houston, so the crowd really amplifies a bit more than other places. It fills up, and they have all the lights and the pyro. It’s a really cool setting, and it fires a guy up.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot, $7,128; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5, $5,465; 3. Luke Thrash, 88, $4,039; 4. Wacey Schalla, 87.5, $2,614; 5. Wyatt Warneke, 87. $1.663; 6. Kade Sonnier, 86.5, $1,188; 7. (tie) Jayco Roper, Cooper Cooke, Bradlee Miller and Clayton Biglow, 86, $416 each; 11. (tie) Rocker Steiner and Kade Berry, 85.5. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. J.D. Struxness, 4.3 seconds, $4,794; 2. Tory Johnson, 4.4, $4,169; 3. (tie) Dalton Massey, Logan Mullin, Laramie Warren and Jacob Daniell, 4.6, $2,605 each; 7. (tie) Tyler Waguespack, Evan Spady, Cimarron Thompson and Tristan Martin, 4.7, $365 each. Average leaders: 1. Cody Devers, 13.4 seconds on three runs; 2. Jesse Brown, 14.1; 3. Colin Fox, 14.2; 4. (tie) Cimarron Thompson and Chase Crane, 15.3; 6. Tyler Waguespack, 13.4; 7. Colt Honey, 15.6; 8. Grant Peterson, 15.7; 9. (tie) Tony Aska and Coy Johnson, 16.4; 11. Trace Harris, 16.5; 12. J.D. Struxness, 17.0. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds, $4,828; 2. (tie) Brodey Clemons, Pax Vogel and Cash Enderli, 8.7, $3,569 each; 5. Richard Newton, 9.0, $2,309; 6. (tie) Trevor Hale, Tom Crouse and Quade Hiatt, 9.1, $1,050 each. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Brodie Mattson, 27.7; 5. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 6. Dylan Hancock, 28.6; 7. (tie) Cash Enderli and Colton Suther, 28.8; 9. Brodey Clemons, 28.9; 10. Sterling Smith, 29.1; 11. Cory Solomon, 29.3; 12. Pax Vogel, 29.4. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck, $7,118; 2. (tie) Mitchie Story and Damian Brennan, 87, $4,745 each; 4. Chase Brooks, 86.5, $2,610; 5. Lefty Holman, 86, $1,661; 6. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Joe Macqueen, 85.5, $1,068 each; 8. (tie) Kade Bruno and Blake Steuck, 85, $356 each; 10. (tie) Ryder Sanford and Tyrel Roberts, 84; 12. (tie) Darcy Radel, Wyatt Casper, Kole Ashbacher and Rusty Wright, 83.5.The final round will only feature the top 11. The four men in 12th place will not advance. Breakaway roping: Second round leaders: 1. Megan Powell, 2.0 seconds, $4,300; 2. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert, Kirby Rawlinson, Hailey Hall, Tibba Smith, Millie Greenwood and Bradi Good, 2.1, $2,078 each; 8. Kinlie Brennise, 2.2, $967; 9. (tie) Amy Ohrt, Jenna Caldarola and Danielle Lowman, 2.3, $752 each; 12. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney and Delani Beatty, 2.6, $484 each; 14. (tie) Zoie Bedke and Maddy Jacobs, 2.7. $269. Average leaders: 1. Danielle Lowman, 4.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Delani Beatty, 4.6; 3. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney and Cadee Williams, 4.8; 5. Amy Ohrt, 5.0; 6. Tibba Smith, 5.1; 7. Jenna Caldarola, 5.2; 8. (tie) Kirby Rawlinson and Adisyn Henderson, 5.3; 10.  Continue Reading »

BIG SPRING, Texas – What do an American Idol and Red Dirt royalty have in common? They’ll be part of this year’s concert series during the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo. John Foster – who finished as the runner-up in Season 23 of “American Idol” last spring – will kick off two nights of music and dance Friday, June 5, in the concert pavilion at the Surge Energy Rodeo Bowl. This year’s concerts will also feature a double-headliner Saturday, June 6, with Jason Boland & The Stragglers alongside William Clark Green. Both concerts will follow the performances of the rodeo, which begin at 7:30 p.m. “Our concerts this year are the perfect match with our rodeo changing its dates to the first weekend in June,” said Cash Berry, chairman of the volunteer rodeo committee that produces the annual event. “I know our Saturday night is going to be exceptional. Jason Boland and William Clark Green have a huge following, but to also get John Foster is a big deal for our community.” Foster’s style blends a rich voice with strong ties to classic country music. Since his rise on television, he has performed 10 times at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Though he was a student at Louisiana State University while on “American Idol,” Foster has taken a break from studies to chase his musical dreams. “ ‘American Idol’ has consistently produces so many stars in the music industry,” Foster told TV Insider. “I was inspired to audition in hopes that I can become one of the successful musicians that the show has produced her its 23-year history.” The program has produced several top artists, highlighted by Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson and Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood, both of whom made it big through country music. Others have followed suit, like Scotty McCreery, who won Season 10. Boland and the band have been playing Red Dirt music for better than 25 years, a true pioneer to the movement. Boland & The Stragglers released their first album in 1999, and anyone who has listened to the genre has certainly heard the high-energy anthem “Pearl Snaps.” Those that know Red Dirt music have likely paid close attention to the rest of the band’s collection. Like Boland & The Stragglers, Green has generated a substantial following since he first began playing years ago. He cut his teeth on the music industry by being part of the live-music scene in Lubbock, Texas, and it’s taken off. His seventh album, Watterson Hall, released in March. “Like every record I’ve done, this record is a biography, but it doesn’t have breakup songs or first-love songs, because that’s not where I’m at,” Green told Billboard. “My mom always said, ‘Follow your heart and you’ll never go wrong,’ so I just wrote what I know.” Fans have come to follow and love what the Texas-born artist has created. The folks in Big Spring are about to prove why.

Steer wrestler Cody Devers slides onto his steer during Wednesday’s 5.0-second run to move into the aggregate lead at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. He’s ridden his “green” horse, JoJo, all three rounds and has a nearly two-second advantage. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Raising young ones isn’t for the faint of heart, but the love that comes through it shows. Cody Devers doesn’t have children, but he’s been training horses all his life. The same combination of love and aggravation comes with it. He’s experienced a little bit of that with his steer wrestling horse, JoJo, a 9-year-old gray mare he’s been riding for more than a year. “My mare just had surgery at the end of last year, and she was out to the very beginning of this year,” said Devers, 30, a two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Perryton, Texas. “It just took a little while. She’s never really been to any of these buildings and never had all the outside noise coming in. She’s still green, and we weren’t quite clicking.” JoJo is green like a banana. It still looks similar, but it’s not yet ripe enough to enjoy. That may be changing. She’s been put through the ringer at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo and has pushed her way to the top. Devers competed for the third time during Wednesday’s ninth performance, stopping the clock in 5.0 seconds. That – combined with his 4.1-second run to finish in a tie for third place in the opening round and a 4.3-second run to finish just out of the money – pushed Devers to the top spot with a three-run cumulative time of 13.4 seconds. He has locked his place for Championship Friday, when the winners will be crowned inside CRC Roofers Coliseum. “I knew I had a good steer tonight, and I knew I just needed to stay out of my own way and not mess him up,” said Devers, who has earned $3,231 already in Tom Green County. “I just needed to lay that steer over and make it back to the short round in a good spot.” That was easier said than done. Devers made sure to give the steer the appropriate head start, which added to the mystery. The steer stepped left a little, which tightened the gap where the bulldoggers dismounts his horse. “My mare runs pretty tight anyway, and that makes catching him a little bit trickier,” he said. “That steer actually tried more than I was really game-planning, and my hazer (Garrett Curry) did a great job leaving him pretty straight. He’s also a very light steer, so I was just trying to lift the entire time.” Devers owns the aggregate lead by almost two seconds over the field and will await the results of Thursday’s 10th round to see where he stands heading into Friday’s short round. He likes his chances with the gray mare guiding the way. “Her first rodeo was Tucson, Arizona, last year,” Devers said of the February event, which is outdoors in the Arizona desert. “She made the short round there, but I didn’t ride her anywhere else until the (Prairie) Circuit rodeos in the spring. She worked really good. I have a lot more confidence in the outdoors, but now that we’ve been to these indoor rodeos, she’s matured and is kind of figuring out. “I’m really proud of her.” Devers and his family acquired the horse from roper JoJo LeMond, who made the NFR and the National Finals Steer Roping. The mare was just 3 years old and had already been tried in team roping and cutting. Devers’ mother, Sabrina, tried to work the gray into becoming a barrel-racing mount, but that didn’t work too well. “She loves to run,” he said. “She was great on barrels, but she’d get to running so fast that she can’t physically turn. So, we decided that, ‘You know what, if you want to run like that, we’ll put you in bulldogging.’ “I got to start bulldogging on her, and she decided she didn’t like barrels as much.” It certainly has shown in San Angelo. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5; 3. Luke Thrash, 88; 4. Wacey Schalla, 87.5; 5. Wyatt Warneke, 87; 6. (tie) Jayco Roper, Cooper Cooke and Clayton Biglow, 86; 9. Kade Berry, 85.5; 10. (tie) Taylor Broussard, Cole Hollen and Devon Moore, 84.5; 10. (tie) Colton Clemens, Lane McGehee, Cooper Filipek and Ben Kramer, 84. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. J.D. Struxness, 4.3 seconds; 2. Tory Johnson, 4.4; 3. (tie) Dalton Massey, Logan Mullin, Laramie Warren and Jacob Daniell, 4.6; 7. (tie) Tyler Waguespack, Evan Spady, Cimarron Thompson and Tristan Martin, 4.7. Average leaders: 1. Cody Devers, 13.4 seconds on three runs; 2. (tie) Cimarron Thompson and Chase Crane, 15.3; 4. Tyler Waguespack, 13.4; 5. Colt Honey, 15.6; 6. Grant Peterson, 15.7; 7. (tie) Tony Aska and Coy Johnson, 16.4; 9. Trace Harris, 16.5; 10. J.D. Struxness, 17.0; 11. Ty Allred, 17.5; 12. Tad Williams, 17.7. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Brodey Clemons and Cash Enderli, 8.7; 4. Richard Newton, 9.0; 5. (tie) Trevor Hale, Tom Crouse and Quade Hiatt, 9.1; 8. (tie) Beau Cooper and Sam Lewis, 9.2. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Brodie Mattson, 27.7; 5. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 6. Dylan Hancock, 28.6; 7. (tie) Cash Enderli and Colton Suther, 28.8; 9. Brodey Clemons, 28.9; 10. Sterling Smith, 29.1; 11. Cory Solomon, 29.3; 12. Shane Hanchey, 29.6. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck; 2. (tie) Mitchie Story and Damian Brfennan, 87 points; 4. Lefty Holman, 86; 5. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Joe Macqueen, 85.5; 7. Kade Bruno, 85; 8. Ryder Sanford,  Continue Reading »

If you look as this cover photo of the June 2008 Western Horseman close enough, you will see that Billy Etbauer’s gold buckle shines. It’s attached to the first Guymon Pioneer Days championship belt he earned in 2002. Even now, 24 years after he won one, the five-time world champion saddle bronc rider still wears one of his Guymon belts every day. It’s part of who he is. (PHOTO BY DARRELL DODDS, COURTESY OF WESTERN HORSEMAN)   GUYMON, Okla. – On the cover of the June 2008 issue of Western Horseman, five-time world champion Billy Etbauer sits astride a buckskin stallion his family owned. The image is a perfect contrast of the denim Etbauer was known to wear and horse’s golden hide. As if it were meant to accentuate the colors, Etbauer’s blue is highlighted by one of his five world championship gold buckles. It’s affixed by his 2002 Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo title belt, one of two he earned in a distinguished career that included 21 consecutive qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo. “I love that belt,” said Etbauer, still one of the most recognized bronc riders in ProRodeo history alongside his brothers, Dan and Robert, and their late traveling partner and friend, Craig Latham. “It’s the whole scenario, with Guymon being kind of the hometown rodeo. If you’re fortunate enough to win one, it’s pretty special. You pick your size, and it comes with super nice conchos on it to boot.” The belts are not only stylish but also practical. Many rodeos offer buckles to their victors, but Pioneer Days gives winners something on which to showcase those prizes. Each belt features conchos that reflect the event, the year and the rodeo, so it’s a wearable trophy that can last the test of time. Take retired bareback rider Mark Gomes, the 1998 world champion who won his Guymon crown in 2001. “I’ve had that thing 25 years, and I still wear it,” said Gomes, who also helped produce Pioneer Days Rodeo over the years. “That’s my dress belt. I’m honored to wear it. At the time, that was one of the nicest prizes going. Everybody had a buckle, but nobody had anything to hang it on.” A new round of titlists is just around the corner with this year’s Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. The cherished belts are created annually by Dan Wheelock with Anchor Heart Rawhide & Leather in Gruver. “Back in the day, there wasn’t many rodeos that gave a prize at all,” said Bret Franks, a three-time NFR qualifier originally from Guymon. “I always thought that belt deal was just very prestigious. If you looked around in my day, all of your peers might have a Salinas buckle on or an NFR buckle on, but they had that Guymon belt on, too.” Franks earned his in 1997, the same year qualified to the NFR for the first time. He followed that up with two more trips to Las Vegas in 1998 and 2000. He had that Pioneer Days belt on when he arrived. “I wanted one pretty bad,” he said. “That belt reflected a lot of meaningful stuff. That was the first time I ever got on Bobby Joe Skoal. That’s the greatest horse during my time rodeoing, and so to do it at my hometown rodeo. A lot of people still wear theirs.” While most trophies fit nicely in a case, the Guymon keepsake fits perfectly through the loops on the waistband of jeans. It serves as a regular reminder of cherished memories. “That particular year at that rodeo was when I had Sheep Tick,” Gomes said of the Harry Vold Rodeo Co. horse that flipped on him 10 months before inside the bucking chutes at Cheyenne, Wyoming, causing Gomes’ pelvis to break in three spots. “That was a pivotal moment in my career to face that demon. “That was a very personal, special win. I’m a huge fan of Guymon and always have been. That belt will always be special to me.” While Gomes uses his on special occasions, that’s not always the case for cowboys. “When I wean them from being my good belt, then I just turn them into work belts,” said Etbauer, who won his second Guymon title in 2008. “I haven’t had another belt on in forever. Since I got my first Guymon belt, I’ve never put another belt on.” It’s a note to the durability and craftmanship of the leather, but it’s also a sign of how honored many of ProRodeo’s top contestants are to have them. There might come a time when the leather and silver conchos need to be redone, because regular wear will do that to just about any material. “They’re going to wear out when you’re wearing them every day,” Franks said. “I’m going to have mine redone. Ken Stonecipher wants to take my conchos and have Montana Silversmiths redo them, because they’re kind of shoddy looking. I don’t know if I want that. I like having them looking old.” Franks earned his belt 29 years ago. He’s raised two children since then and has a couple of grandsons. He’ll likely still be wearing that Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo belt for years to come.

Hazen Sparks, a sophomore at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, roped and bulldogged his way to two titles this past weekend in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He won the all-around and steer wrestling championships and placed in tie-down roping. (PHOTO BY DALE HIRSCHMAN)   ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University cowboy Hazen Sparks has been waiting on his turn to pounce. It came this past weekend at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo in Weatherford, where he won steer wrestling, finished sixth in tie-down roping and claimed the men’s all-around championship. “It’s about time,” said Sparks, a sophomore from Talihina, Oklahoma. “I started the year off really slow, just like last year, but I screwed together a good weekend. I feel like I went there and did my job. The horses were good. I rode my calf horse, the one that won (Central Plains) Horse of the Year last year, and I rode Nathan Duvall’s bulldogging horse. “I had Sam Daly hazing for me on his horse, and he’s done a good job.” Horsepower is vital in rodeo. Just after the teams completed their performances two weeks ago in Garden City, Kansas, Sparks’ calf roping horse came down with an illness. The good news came when his primary equine partner recovered in time for the trip to Weatherford. “I haven’t been getting to rope too much here lately,” Sparks said. “I hadn’t roped a calf since the long round in Garden City, so Saturday morning was the first calf on her since Garden City, and she went out there and worked good.” He roped two calves that day. He made an 11.7-second run during the morning session to place fifth in the first round, then was 11.4 in the nightcap to place sixth in the championship round and sixth overall. Bulldogging is where everything came together, though. He finished fifth in the opening round, then won the short round with a 4.1-second run to take the overall title. “Me and Nathan’s horse get along pretty good together,” he said. “He can get the start (on the steers) and run you slick up their backs every time. He gives you a good go.” That final-round run was dominating. It pushed him to victory by nine-tenths of a second over teammate Tydon Tsosie of Crownpoint, New Mexico, who was second in both rounds and the aggregate. The 150 points Tsosie earned pushed him to No. 2 in the Central Plains standings behind Duvall, a junior from Henryetta, Oklahoma. All-around cowboy Riley Smith of Poteau, Oklahoma – who made the short round in saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling – placed in both rounds and finished fourth in the bulldogging race, while Duvall finished tied for third in the opening round. Graduate student Emmett Edler was among five Northwestern steer wrestlers in the short round. Tie-down roper Carter Anderson of Merriman, Nebraska, also gathered some important points in his push to be among the top three in the region when the season concludes in two weeks. He placed third in the final round and fourth overall. Team roping heelers Colter Snook of Ford, Kansas, and Jacob Curtis of Gravette, Arkansas, both made the final round; Snook remains in third place in the regional standings. Breakaway roper Y’Leigh Yarbrough led the Rangers women by placing in both rounds. Her 3.2-second run was enough to finish in a tie for second place in the first round, and she also snagged sixth in the final round to finish fourth overall. Goat-tier Tyra Tsosie, also of Crownpoint like her twin brother, made the short round. The Northwestern teams will venture to Hays, Kansas, this week before wrapping the season the following weekend in Guymon, Oklahoma. Only the top two teams and the top three individuals in each event will advance to the College National Finals Rodeo, which takes in June at Casper, Wyoming. This will be the final push to see which Rangers will qualify. “I came into the spring with not a single point,” Sparks said. “I’ve been kind of chipping away, making every short round this spring, but I just haven’t been able to capitalize at any of them until this weekend. I dang sure have to go out and do the same thing at these next two.” He’s putting the pressure on himself to perform at a high level, but those are also the expectations Sparks has on himself. “Since the beginning of the spring, I know I’m going to have to win and get points at all of these rodeos to have a chance. I’ve been running steers in the practice pen to make rodeo runs. It’s been mostly a mental thing for me; I’ve had to fight my mental game more than anything. “I’m backing in there with more pressure than the rest of the guys, because I’m coming from the bottom of the pack where I have to win to get some points out of each rodeo. I’m trying to keep my head clear, just go out and do my job. That’s what I’ve been working on myself most.”

Rookie Noah Lee rides Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Shakin Dominos to win Sunday’s San Angelo Xtreme Bulls title. Lee, the 18-year-old son of 2004 PBR world champion Mike Lee, is No. 1 in the Xtreme Bulls standings and in the top 20 of the PRCA world standings. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Just three months after his 18th birthday, second-generation bull rider Noah Lee has made a significant living in ProRodeo. He just added to it Sunday afternoon, riding Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Shakin Dominos for 89 points to win the San Angelo Xtreme Bulls championship at CRC Roofers Coliseum. With that, he padded his bank account by $13,372. “I didn’t realize I won that much money,” said Lee, whose father, Mike Lee, was a PBR world champion in 2004. “I love the Xtreme Bulls, because they get me really excited. It’s just like riding in the old-school PBRs back in the old days, how my dad used to ride. It reminds me of when I used to go with my dad and be in the locker rooms.” Nostalgia plays a heavy role on creating energy, and riding bulls is just part of that for Noah Lee. He began the year on his PRCA permit and won immediately. His first ProRodeo event was Bullnanza in Guthrie, Okla., and he won it. That was nearly $13,000 in his pocket and filled the requirements of his permit. “I made the mistake of entering four other rodeos, so I ended up winning like $20,000 on my permit,” he said. “Then I bought my card after them four rodeos.” He’s earned better than $61,000 in two and a half months, but only $42,336 count toward the world standings, where he has moved up to be among the top 20 bull riders in ProRodeo. He’s also moved to the No. 1 position in the Xtreme Bulls standings with his San Angelo victory. “I just try to stay humble,” said Lee, who stands 5-foot-2 and weighs 114 pounds. “I don’t like to talk about how I’m going to do, because I don’t know how I’m going to do. I’m just going to stay focused and keep going, try to get everything rode.” It’s a process that’s working so far. Lee has ridden 11 of 15 bulls he’s attempted this season, scoring 73 percent of the time. His Sunday victory marked the sixth time he’s won, and he’s had high-marked rides in each situation. He was 90.5 to win Bullnanza and 91.5 to win the Xtreme Bulls title in Wharton, Texas. He was also 91 in both Goliad, Texas, and Fresnos, Texas, then posted an 89.5-point ride to win in Waxahachie, Texas. In March, Lee rode six of seven bulls and earned $28,964 by finishing third place or better at six rodeos. His April isn’t shaking out to be too shabby, either. He scored 88.5 points on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s Sky Bandit this past Friday night and sits second at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. He will compete inside the storied coliseum for the third time this coming Friday night during the championship round, opening the opportunity to win both the Xtreme Bulls and rodeo’s bull riding titles in the same week. “I just try to stay calm and talk to God,” Lee said. “He lets me know I’m safe, and I feel Him with me. I just like to talk to God and clear my mind, and He clears it for me. I’m not nervous or anything. I just like to stay calm. It’s a better way to live life. “I’m really excited to come back Friday. I’m in San Angelo for all this next week; I’ll be back here Saturday for the Cinch Chute-Out, too.”  San Angelo Xtreme Bulls April 12 1. Noah Lee, 89 points on Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Shakin Dominos, $13,372; 2. Ethan Bayous, 85, $10,296; 3. Ernie Coursin, 84, $7,659; 4. (tie) Mason Moody and Cullen Telfer, 83.5, $4,143 each; 6. Jake Gardner, 83, $2,386; 7. Trevor Reiste, 81, $1m946; no other qualified rides.

Shelley Morgan has to wait out the final two preliminary performances next Wednesday and Thursday to see if she will advance to the short round of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. She sits third in the two-run aggregate aboard Bee, a 9-year-old buckskin gelding. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Shelley Morgan may be a competitor, but there are bigger things in her life. Faith and family are at the top of that list, but not far behind are the horses she cares for. It’s why she’s done so well as a barrel racer. She’s had some good ones in her career, which includes five qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo, where she also won the 2022 average title. She rode Short Go during her first trip to Las Vegas in 2009, then it was Kiss’ turn. The 12-year-old sorrel mare was voted as one of the top barrel racing horses in the game in 2020, the same year the mare was named the WPRA’s Horse with the Most Heart. In her last venture to Nevada two Decembers ago, Morgan also utilized another percolator in Bee, a 9-year-old buckskin mare. On Saturday afternoon, Morgan and Bee put together a 14.24-second run to move into the money and improve their chance at returning to the championship round next Friday. “She just came off a two-week break, so she should be feeling really good,” said Morgan of Eustace, Texas. “She ran good (Saturday).” During Saturday night’s eighth performance, all-around cowboy Wacey Schalla did some magic. He scored 87.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Whisky Trip to move into third place on the bareback riding leaderboard. About two hours later, he rode Rafter H Rodeo’s Time Machine for 86 points to move into a tie for fourth place in bull riding. Schalla finished last season second in the all-around race. He was fifth in the bareback riding world standings and fourth in bull riding with a combined income of $741,428. Already this season, he has earned almost $100,000 riding bucking horses and $30,000 riding bulls. He’s joining Morgan as one of the contestants that is making a big move in San Angelo. Combined with a 16.13-second run in the opening round two weeks ago, Morgan moved into third place in the two-run aggregate. She’d like to stay there by the time next weekend rolls around, because only the top 12 cumulative scores advance to the short round. She likes her chances inside CRC Roofers Coliseum. “I think she’s quite fast, but she’s really quick,” Morgan said. “I think these small setups suit her because she’s so quick. She’s also pretty honest most of the time. All I could do is just push her up in times, and she accelerates quick, which is what I think helps her in setups like this.” The times between Rounds 1 and 2 vary considerably, because the opener took place in Spur Arena. LaTricia Duke posted the fastest time that Sunday, stopping the clock in 15.69 seconds. Having a well-rounded horse who can handle those differences is beneficial. “These horses see all different things out here, so she should be pretty accustomed to changing from one thing to the next,” Morgan said. “She’s fast enough to be good in any set up. I just think when you put her in a small building that her quickness pays off sometimes.” Is Bee the kind of horse that can get Morgan back in Sin City this December? She likes the mare a lot, but with Kiss on the sidelines for an undetermined amount of time, she’s not sure it’s in Bee’s best interest. “We came out strong this season, then we got on the struggle bus a little bit,” she said. “We’ve said we’re going to make a plan after San Angelo, but I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I have several young horses, and the future is uncertain where Kiss is concerned. I do have Bee, which is really nice, but barrel racing has gotten to where you really need more than one horse out there.” The younger horses just need more time, so she’s also considering focusing her attention to that. As a horsewoman, the overall goal is going to be toward the betterment of her equine partners. “Whether we hit the road hard and take them with us or we hang back and try to get them really good at the barrel races and all the smaller rodeos is still to be determined,” Morgan said. “We just want to do right by the horses.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5; 3. Wacey Schalla, 87.5; 4. Wyatt Warneke, 87; 5. (tie) Jayco Roper and Cooper Cooke, 86; 7. Kade Berry, 85.5; 8. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Cole Hollen, 84.5; 10. (tie) Colton Clemens, Lane McGehee, Cooper Filipek and Ben Kramer, 84. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. J.D. Struxness, 4.3 seconds; 2. Tory Johnson, 4.4; 3. (tie) Dalton Massey, Logan Mullin, Laramie Warren and Jacob Daniell, 4.6; 7. (tie) Evan Spady, Cimarron Thompson and Tristan Martin, 4.7. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Cimarron Thompson and Chase Crane, 15.3 seconds on three runs; 3. (tie) Grant Peterson, 15.7; 4. (tie) Tony Aska and Coy Johnson, 16.4; 6. Trace Harris, 16.5; 7. J.D. Struxness, 17.0; 8. Ty Allred, 17.5; 9. Tad Williams, 17.7; 10. Logan Mullin, 18.4; 11. Cade Goodman, 5.0; 11. Cole Pugh, 19.8; 12. Traver Johnson, 20.7. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Brodey Clemons and Cash Enderli, 8.7; 4. Richard Newton, 9.0; 5. (tie) Trevor Hale, Tom Crouse and Quade Hiatt, 9.1; 8. (tie) Beau Cooper and Sam Lewis, 9.2. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Brodie Mattson, 27.7; 5. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 6. Cash Enderli and Colton Suther, 28.8;  Continue Reading »

Breakaway roper Megan Powell finishes off her 2.0-second run to take the second-round lead during Friday’s sixth performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – John Rae Powell is a bit of a roping legend in Texas. He’s a Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee, and nearly 11 years after his death, he may still have a little bit of influence in rodeo. His granddaughter, Megan Powell, needed some prayers answered during Friday’s sixth performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo if she was going to have any chance at big money. “I would say he probably had a hand in that,” she said after posting a 2.0-second run to take the second-round lead inside CRC Roofers Coliseum. “It was either him or the roping gods or God Himself, because somebody probably had a helping hand in that run. I’ll take all the luck I can get. “I didn’t have the perfect run that I needed in the first round, and I knew pretty much the average was out of the question. It’s been a tough round so far, so I knew I needed to be aggressive and take the first shot possible.” She did. Arizonan Danielle Lowman won the first round last week and pocketed $4,300. That kind of money is what draws contestants to San Angelo every spring. In rodeo, dollars equal points, so the more money earned in a given season is beneficial to championships. If she can parlay a big check in Tom Green County into more down the road, she hopes to earn her first qualification to the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo. “I feel like rodeo, unfortunately, has taken just a little of the back burner for me,” said Powell of Hawley, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of San Angelo. “I’m a registered nurse, so I’ve been working on my career a little bit and focusing on just going full force into adulthood. “That comes with some hard choices. Big wins like this will help me be able to hopefully get down the road a little bit more and one day make the circuit finals.” Powell was one of three contestants in Friday’s field who moved into a round lead. Barrel racer Morgan Addison punched her ticket to Championship Round with a 14.17-second run to take the second round lead; she is second in the two-run aggregate. Steer wrestler J.D. Struxness, the 2024 world champion from Milan, Minnesota, stopped the clock in 4.3 seconds to move into the third-round lead. His three-run cumulative time of 17.0 seconds has him in sixth place overall with a solid chance to return for the short round. “It’s a fast start, and them steers are really running in that building there in San Angelo this year, so you definitely need a horse,” said Struxness, who lives in Perrin, Texas, with his wife, Jayden, and their two daughters. “In these progressives and short rounds, it’s a big deal just to get back to the short round. The average is going to be on four head, so a lot can happen.” Struxness has a horse he can trust in Ice, an 8-year-old gray gelding. He also trusts the hazing horse, Jenny, which was ridden Friday night by Struxness’ cousin, Tyler Scheevel. “Ice is really coming in and settling in,” Struxness said. “The haze horse has been working well, too.” He qualified for the first of seven trips to the National Finals Rodeo in 2016, the same year he won the intercollegiate bulldogging title. Like Struxness, Powell used college rodeo as a proving ground, attending New Mexico Junior College. She’s now continuing a passion for the game that has been part of her since birth. “I come from a rodeo family,” she said, noting that her cousin, Tibba Smith, is second in the breakaway roping average. “My dad is a longtime calf roper, and then there’s my grandfather. I grew up roping with both of them pretty much my entire life.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5; 3. Wyatt Warneke, 87; 4. (tie) Jayco Roper and Cooper Cooke, 86; 6. Kade Berry, 85.5; 7. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Cole Hollen, 84.5; 9. (tie) Colton Clemens, Lane McGehee, Cooper Filipek and Ben Kramer, 84. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. J.D. Struxness, 4.3 seconds; 2. Tory Johnson, 4.4; 3. (tie) Logan Mullin, Laramie Allen and Jacob Daniell, 4.6; 6. (tie) Evan Spady, Cimarron Thompson and Tristan Martin, 4.7. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Cimarron Thompson and Chase Crane, 15.3 seconds on three runs; 3. (tie) Grant Peterson, 15.7; 4. (tie) Tony Aska and Coy Johnson, 16.4; 6. J.D. Struxness, 17.0; 7. Ty Allred, 17.5; 8. Logan Mullin, 18.4; 9. Traver Johnson, 20.7; 10. Tyke Kipp, 21.0; 11. Cody Harmon, 24.2; 12. Cody Harmon, 24.2. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Brodey Clemons and Cash Enderli, 8.7; 4. Richard Newton, 9.0; 5. (tie) Trevor Hale and Quade Hiatt, 9.1; 7. (tie) Beau Cooper and Sam Lewis, 9.2; 8. Britt Bedke, 9.3. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Brodie Mattson, 27.7; 5. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 6. Cash Enderli and Colton Suther, 28.8; 8. Brodey Clemons, 28.9; 9. Cory Solomon, 29.3; 10. Shane Hanchey, 29.6; 11. Michael Otero, 29.8; 12. Britt Bedke, 30.0. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck; 2. (tie) Mitchie Story and Damian Brfennan, 87 points; 4. Lefty Holman, 86; 5. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Joe Macqueen, 85.5; 7. Kade Bruno, 85; 8. Ryder Sanford, 84; 9. (tie) Darcy Radel, Wyatt Casper, Kole Ashbacher and Rusty Wright, 83.5. Breakaway roping: Second round leaders: 1. Megan Powell, 2.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert, Hailey Hall, Millie Greenwood, Tibba Smith and Bradi Good, 2.1; 7. Kinlie  Continue Reading »

Cimarron Thompson made a businessman’s run during Thursday’s fifth performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo and moved into a tie for the steer wrestling lead. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Just before he backed into the timed-event box, Cimarron Thompson slapped hands with his hazer, Nebraskan Tyler Ravenscroft. There was an opportunity looming, and the interaction was a vote of confidence for the tandem. Thompson made it work with a 4.7-second lead. He sits fifth in the third go-round, but, most importantly, he moved into a share of the overall lead with Oklahoman Chase Crane; both men have a three-run cumulative time of 15.3 seconds. “I was just trying to get the cleanest fall I could,” said Thompson, a 39-year-old steer wrestler from Hobbs, New Mexico. “I knew we got a good start and caught up in a decent spot, so I could probably slow down right there and not rush anything to put myself in a bind.” He’d secured his position a week and a half ago during the first two rounds of competition. There were 174 bulldoggers in the mix over two days of competition. Only the top 80 cowboys in the two-run aggregate advanced to one of the 10 performances, and Thompson was among the leaders with a cumulative time of 10.6 seconds. That included his first-round victory, when he stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds; it was worth $4,794. “That is an awesome deal there,” Thompson said. “You know you’re playing with house money. The funny thing is that I was 3.8 last year in one of the rounds, and it didn’t even place.” This is a different year with different cattle. He’s seen his share of situations over the course of his career, which began in 2009. He’s also ridden various kinds of horses, but he likes what he has in Rain Man, a 16-year-old sorrel gelding that has a personality that fits his name. “I started him off the track, and he’s a little bit finicky,” Thompson said. “He’s a really good horse, and he really came into his own last year. He finally got out of his own way and allowed him to be better. That horse was kind of blackballed for a while because he used to be crazier than he is now. He’s just a little bit fractious. “It may be politically incorrect: He’s very intelligent, but yet he’s also on the other spectrum of things. He’s actually maturing. That horse is just kind of a winner.” San Angelo is just Thompson’s fourth rodeo this season, but he’s earned money at all but one. He’d like to add a little more, and he’ll get that chance during the short go-round, which will crown this year’s champions April 17 inside CRC Roofers Coliseum. “This rodeo is just a different vibe than most rodeos,” he said. “It’s loud, and it starts fast, and it’s a high-caliber rodeo, where everything just seems a little bit more intense. With as fast as the start is here, there’s less room for error. You just try to go unconscious and then hope you get a good one.” Thompson’s subconscious mind is doing high-quality work in West Texas. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5; 3. Wyatt Warneke, 87; 4. (tie) Jayco Roper and Cooper Cooke, 86; 6. Kade Berry, 85.5; 7. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Cole Hollen, 84.5; 9. (tie) Colton Clemens, Lane McGehee and Cooper Filipek, 84; 12. Keenan Hayes, 83.5. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Tory Johnson, 4.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Logan Mullin, Laramie Allen and Jacob Daniell, 4.6; 5. (tie) Evan Spady, Cimarron Thompson and Tristan Martin, 4.7; 8. Tony Aska, 4.8. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Cimarron Thompson and Chase Crane, 15.3 seconds on three runs; 3. Grant Peterson, 15.7; 4. (tie) Tony Aska and Coy Johnson, 16.4; 6. Ty Allred, 17.5; 7. Logan Mullin, 18.4; 8. Traver Johnson, 20.7; 9. Tyke Kipp, 21.0; 10. Cody Harmon, 24.2; 11. Evan Spady, 24.3; 12. Emmett Edler, 26.1. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Brodey Clemons and Cash Enderli, 8.7; 4. (tie) Trevor Hale and Quade Hiatt, 9.1; 6. (tie) Beau Cooper and Sam Lewis, 9.2; 8. Britt Bedke, 9.3. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Brodie Mattson, 27.7; 5. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 6. Cash Enderli and Colton Suther, 28.8; 8. Brodey Clemons, 28.9; 9. Cory Solomon, 29.3; 10. Shane Hanchey, 29.6; 11. Michael Otero, 29.8; 12. Britt Bedke, 27.3. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck; 2. (tie) Mitchie Story and Damian Brfennan, 87 points; 4. Lefty Holman, 86; 5. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Joe Macqueen, 85.5; 7. Kade Bruno, 85; 8. Ryder Sanford, 84; 9. (tie) Darcy Radel, Wyatt Casper, Kole Ashbacher and Rusty Wright, 83.5. Breakaway roping: Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert, Hailey Hall, Millie Greenwood, Tibba Smith and Bradi Good, 2.1 seconds; 6. Kinlie Brennise, 2.2; 7. Amy Ohrt, 2.3; 8. Zoie Bedke, 2.7; 9. Karrigan Graves, 2.9; 10. (tie) Josie Goodrich, Rylee George and Jackie Crawford, 3.2; 13. Haiden Thompson, 3.3; 14. Libby Winchell, 3.6; 15. Erin Johnson, 3.8. Average leaders: 1. Amy Ohrt, 5.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Tibba Smith, 5.1; 3. Haiden Thompson, 5.4; 4. (tie) Jackie Crawford and Rylee George, 5.7; 6. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert and Kinlie Brennise, 5.8; 8. Karrigan Graves, 6.0; 9. Bradi Good, 6.1; 10. Libby Winchell, 7.0; 11. Zoie Bedke, 7.3; 12. Josie Goodrich. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 3.5 seconds; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 3.7; 3. Chad Masters/Jace Helton, 3.8; 4. Kavis Drake/Denim Ross, 4.1; 5. J.C. Yeahquo/Logan Moore, 4.2; 6. (tie) Cory Kidd/Carson Johnson and Mason Appleton/Sid Sporer, 4.4; 8. Jace Bland/Truman Magnus, 4.5. Average leaders: 1. Ketch Kelton/Paden Bray,  Continue Reading »

Big things are happening with the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo with changing its dates to the first weekend in June. That will open opportunities for contestants and the community, featured in local barrel racer Liz Herrin’s run during last year’s rodeo. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN)   BIG SPRING, Texas – The tagline is intentional and points to the intended growth of the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo. “New Dates. New Energy. Same Tradition.” Howard County’s annual rodeo is upgrading its schedule with a move to early June starting this year. It will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4-Saturday, June 6, at the Surge Energy Rodeo Bowl. “I think everybody is excited about this change,” said Scot Herrin, a longtime member of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “We think this is going to allow for us to have a little bit cooler weather. Probably the biggest thing is that we’re going to be able to accommodate the contestants’ schedule better.” That’s become more important over time. Some of the biggest rodeos have moved their dates. The Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, has historically happened in mid-July. It’s now mid-June. That means cowboys and cowgirls from the Midwest and South will make their way to the Northwest sooner. “This is going to be our 92nd year of rodeo in Big Spring,” said Cash Berry, the committee’s chairman. “We’ve been around a long time, but the last few years have seen us grow quite a bit. We increased our ‘added money’ and that helped attract more contestants, so we’re just doing the things we need to do to keep growing and keep this rodeo going for years to come.” In 2022, the committee increased its commitment to the payout from $16,000 to $45,000. Those dollars are mixed with the contestants’ entry fees to make up the overall purse. The date change is also a significant maneuver that will reach across all levels of rodeo. West Texas is known for its affiliation with intercollegiate rodeo. Howard College is part of the newly formed Caprock Region, and within a short drive, rodeo programs are found at Texas hubs in Lubbock, Odessa, Snyder, Canyon, Alpine, Abilene, Weatherford, San Angelo and Ranger. For years, Big Spring’s rodeo coincided with the College National Finals Rodeo, and that also affected the entries. Unlike traditional sports under the umbrella of the NCAA, intercollegiate cowboys and cowgirls can also compete professionally. Bareback rider Bradlee Miller finished third at the college finals last June, then competed at his second straight National Finals Rodeo in December. “With us having our rodeo two weeks earlier, it allows those college-finals qualifiers to also be in Big Spring,” Berry said. “We want our rodeo to be a good proving ground for the up-and-coming contestants as much as we want to have the big names here.” The big names are part of the rodeo annually. World champions like Shad Mayfield, Jacobs Crawley and Lari Dee Guy were in the mix in 2025, just to name a few. Cody Teel and J.B. Mauney won bull riding titles inside the Rodeo Bowl. “A lot of our roughstock riders come through college rodeo, but we’ve been lucky enough to draw a lot of the top guys that regularly go to the NFR,” Herrin said of the NFR, the sport’s grand championship that features only the top 15 contestants from each event. “By making these dates where they are, we have a great chance to attract all of them. “We know that’s just part of what it takes to keep this thing going for another 90 years.”

Ally Bradley competes in the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships event recently in Steamboat Springs. Women’s ranch bronc riding will be part of this year’s Cattlemen’s Days celebration. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL MAGILL)   Cattlemen’s Days bringing female bronc riding to Gunnison   GUNNISON, Colo. – In the rough-and-tumble world of rodeo, there aren’t many competitors tougher than women who ride bucking horses. “Their toughness and their willingness to get right in there with the boys is what excites me,” said Kaitlynn Hayes, owner of Rocky Mountain Mini Broncs and KH Bucking Horses, the firm bringing the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships event to Gunnison as part of the annual Cattlemen’s Days celebration. “Those ladies are tougher than most of the guys that I know. They’re definitely tougher than I am. That’s why I own the broncs.” This added show – which will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at Fred Field Western Center – will be part of the card that includes the return of the Mini Broncs, which had its inaugural run in Gunnison a year ago. The idea was the brainchild of Kevin Coblentz and Karla Rundell, longtime associates of Cattlemen’s Days. He recognized the history of women’s bronc riding and thought bringing this event to town would be a great way to partner with female-owned businesses to bring a unique Western event to town. “It’s women supporting women,” Coblentz said. “I’d love to have all eight of our VIP booths to be highlighted by businesses that are run by women. I think this will be a great way to bring everything together and to support not only women, but (also) the ladies in our community that are doing some amazing things.” Females riding broncs has a history that extends beyond the last century. It became an official event at the Cheyenne (Wyoming) Frontier Days in 1906. A decade later, more than 20 rodeos nationwide included it. While there were hills and valleys through the generations, a group of bronc riders, ropers and barrel racers formed the Girls Rodeo Association in 1948. The GRA is now known as the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, which sanctions barrel racing and women’s timed events: breakaway roping, team roping and tie-down roping. The ladies riding broncs locally are involved with the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships, which was established in 2016. “Gunnison will be one of the first tour stops for the 2027 season,” said Michelle McElroy, who operates the association. “I think we should have some (Australians) and Canadians that will be down that week. We have our U.S. Finals in Steamboat (Colorado) the Fourth of July weekend, and a lot of girls come down for that summer run up till Cheyenne Frontier Days (which begins July 17. “After Steamboat, we will know who is going to Cheyenne. (Competitors from) Mexico, Europe and Australia would have already been chosen by then.” It’s adding an international flair to an already entertaining celebration, the culmination being the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, which takes place Thursday, July 9-Saturday, July 11. “We’ve got an award-winning rodeo, and the committee takes a lot of pride in what we produce,” Coblentz said. “By being able to team with Kaitlynn, putting on something that’s unique for Gunnison but also inspiring. I don’t know if you’re going to find anyone tougher than these ladies.” Hayes found that out last July, when she produced the mini broncs. She hopes for a good turnout of competitors in both events, and she’d love to kick start a new tradition for Cattlemen’s days. “I do Cheyenne for (the association) and other events I’m called to do,” Hayes said. “All the girls like our horses, so they keep calling us back. “I love the Gunnison committee and how involved everybody is. They understand that without what we’re doing with the kids, it’s a chance to really grow interest in rodeo. What that committee is putting into it is awesome, and now with wanting to include the women, it’s like bringing the whole family dynamic together.”

Wyatt Casper rides Gossip Girl to win the 2025 Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo title. Casper, the 2024 National Finals Rodeo average champion, spent much of his youth competing at Hitch Arena in Guymon. (PHOTO BY DALE HIRSCHMAN)   GUYMON, Okla. – Before he won the intercollegiate saddle bronc riding title or qualified five straight years for the National Finals Rodeo, Wyatt Casper roped many steers inside Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. It was nothing for Casper and his family to make the 50-mile drive from their place near Balko, Oklahoma, to the Guymon stadium for a little competition. The Oklahoma Panhandle is 5,600 square miles, but making a trip from Beaver County to Texas County is an everyday occurrence for many. “I’ve been going to that arena for a long time,” said Casper, 29, now living in Miami, Texas, with his wife, Lesley, and their two kids, Cooper, 7, and Cheyenne, 6. “I can’t tell you how many steers I’ve roped in that arena, but it’s been a pile of them.” The Panhandle is different. The terrain is rugged, and so are the people who inhabit it. Guymon is the epicenter, a community of more than 12,000 souls and the Texas County seat. Traveling an hour for groceries is nothing new to the folks who live in Beaver and Cimarron counties. “When you’re from out there, you actually know how to travel, how to get in a vehicle and go somewhere, because there ain’t nothing close to you,” said Casper, who is expected to be one of more than 1,000 contestants returning for this year’s Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3. “Everywhere we had to go – high school rodeos, junior high rodeos – it was a long way from us.” It apparently didn’t burn him out. He now travels tens of thousands of miles a year pursuing rodeo’s gold as one of the sport’s elite bronc busters. When he ventures back to the Panhandle, he will do so as the defending champion of Pioneer Days Rodeo. “Guymon is not very far from the house, and I’ve been going there for a long time,” he said. “I was second there once, and I’ve placed numerous times. To finally get the win there last year was awesome.” He was riding a wave of momentum that stemmed from one of the biggest victories of his career. Casper won the 2024 NFR average; behind the world championship, it is the second-most prestigious title in the game. He held that energy until August, when he fractured his left medial malleolus, the prominent ball joint at the end of the tibia. He was just inside the top 15 in the bronc riding world standings when the injury occurred, so he tried to power through as much as possible – only the top 15 on the money list at the end of the regular season qualify for the NFR. “The first doctor I went to said my ankle wasn’t displaced, so I didn’t need surgery,” Casper said. “I stayed in the walking boot; I was pretty adamant on doing what the doctor said so it didn’t screw up. My original plan was to take two weeks off and let it start healing a little before I got on again. I went to the vet the next week to get some horses checked out, and I had him do an X-ray on my ankle. “It turns out that it was displaced by two centimeters, so I wasted a week.” He went back to competition anyway, competing at the Xtreme Bronc Finals 12 days after the injury. That’s when he opted to have the ankle surgically repaired. In all, he spent five weeks on injured reserve during a critical stretch of lucrative rodeos and spent the final days of the 2025 season scrambling to earn another trip to Las Vegas. “When I got injured, I thought I was in a good enough spot (to remain in the top 15) at the time,” Casper said. “Looking at it more, I was like, ‘I need to go win $10,000 more.’ I just fell short of it.” It was by a small margin. Casper finished the year with $143,139, but Californian Lefty Holman edged him for the 15th spot at the NFR by $1,734. “It was very frustrating to be that close,” Casper said. “I wish I could have gotten the surgery done earlier, but they misdiagnosed me at first and didn’t think I needed pins. It turns out that I needed pins, and it was a big fiasco. There was a lot of time wasted that would have allowed me to come back earlier. “Nobody can say I didn’t try. It wasn’t from a lack of effort. I didn’t feel like I rode as good as I should have been, and I didn’t draw as good. I still had plenty of opportunities, but it just didn’t work out.” There’s a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Casper didn’t let the frustration slow him. Instead, he turned up the heat. He began the campaign on a winning streak, highlighted by a big victory on the season’s opening weekend in New Town, North Dakota, where he won the Brad Gjermundson Extreme Bronc title and nearly $40,000. “Missing the NFR was a real kick in the pants, and I don’t want to ever sit at home and watch the NFR again until I retire,” he said. “That’s the plan. I’m going to keep my foot on the pedal and take advantage of the rodeos that I can win money at. I want to get in a good enough spot where I don’t have to sit at home in December ever again.” When he’s not on the road, he’s back at his place near Miami training colts and riding horses. It’s what cowboys do. The folks in this neck of the woods  Continue Reading »

Tibba Smith ropes her calf in 2.1 seconds to share the second-round lead at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. She’s also second in the two-run aggregate and has almost clinched her spot in the April 17 championship round. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – When she’s not working as an insurance adjuster or handling secretarial duties at a Lone Star Region intercollegiate rodeo or representing others as the breakaway roping director for WPRA’s Western Region, Tibba Smith is probably riding and roping. “Yeah, I stay real busy,” said Smith of Hobbs, New Mexico. No matter where work takes her, she’s still a cowgirl at heart. She has shown that over the past several days at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. She roped her way into a virtual lock for the championship round on Friday, April 17, with her 2.1-second run during Sunday’s fourth performance. In fact, she was one of two ladies to pull off a 2.1 on a fast track inside CRC Roofers Coliseum, joining Bradi Good of Abilene, Texas. The difference for Smith was her first-round run of 3.0 seconds last week in Spur Arena, moving the New Mexican to second in the aggregate race with a two-run cumulative time of 5.1 seconds – she is one-tenth of a second behind the leader, Amy Ohrt of Victoria, Texas. “I think the key was that I got a really good start,” Smith said. “I really wanted to be about 1.9, but the calf let up just a little bit, so it took extra time for the (string) to break off (the saddle horn). It was still a great run.” Another advantage was her horse, Rocketman. She spent the last couple of seasons preparing the young, bay gelding to compete at a high level. “He’s still a little bit green,” she said. “I picked him out as a 2-year-old running in the pasture. He could move so fast. He’s little-strided, but he’s fast. I bought him from some really good friends in Florida; they called me and told me they were going to sell him. I loped a couple circles, stopped him and wrote a check for him. “We’ve been seasoning him. I went out for about a month last summer and took him. I was jus going to ride him at just some places and get him ready, because I have another horse. Well, he started doing great, so I ended up just riding him most of the summer.” Rocketman’s transition to the game shows. The bay speedster wasn’t the only young athlete to show his stuff Sunday. John Crimber closed out the show with a 90-point ride on New West Rodeo Productions’ Payday to take the bull riding lead. “That bull felt really good,” said Crimber, 20, of Sunset, Texas. “It just drifted into me while sucking back, and I really like bulls that do that. When they come up under you and just buck hard, I fit those bulls really good.” Crimber is a rookie in ProRodeo but is the No. 1 bull rider in the PBR’s premier tour. His father, Paulo, was best known for his talent in the PBR, but he also advanced to the 2004 National Finals Rodeo and won the average championship that December. His son might be following in those footsteps. “I’ve always dreamed of riding in these big rodeos, and this is a cool little rodeo arena,” John Crimber said. “I’ve heard about this rodeo, but I’ve never been here before. It was a really cool experience to be riding in such a great venue like this. “It was really loud and packed. It was a beautiful Easter Sunday for sure.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5; 3. (tie) Jayco Roper and Cooper Cooke, 86; 5. Kade Berry, 85.5; 6. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Cole Hollen, 84.5; 8. Cooper Filipek, 84; 9. Keenan Hayes, 83.5; 10. (tie) Toby Deudney and Gauge McBride, 83; 12. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Daxtyn Feild, 82. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Tory Johnson, 4.4 seconds; 2. Jacob Daniell, 4.6; 3. (tie) Evan Spady and Tristan Martin, 4.7; 5. Tony Aska, 4.8; 6. Gavin Soileau, 5.2; 7. Seth Peterson, 5.3; 8. Chase Crane, 5.1. Average leaders: 1. Chase Crane, 15.3 seconds on three runs; 2. Grant Peterson, 15.7; 3. Tony Aska, 16.4; 4. Ty Allred, 17.5; 5. Tyke Kipp, 21.0; 6. Cody Harmon, 24.2; 7. Evan Spady, 24.3; 8. Emmett Edler, 26.1; 9. Peter Haas, 28.0; 10. Logan Kenline, 28.3; 11. James Mann, 31.0; 12. Tanner Milan, 32.2. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Brodey Clemons and Cash Enderli, 8.7; 4. (tie) Trevor Hale and Quade Hiatt, 9.1; 6. (tie) Beau Cooper and Sam Lewis, 9.2; 8. Joel Harris, 9.4. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Brodie Mattson, 27.7; 5. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 6. Cash Enderli and Colton Suther, 28.8; 8. Brodey Clemons, 28.9; 9. Cory Solomon, 29.3; 10. Shane Hanchey, 29.6; 11. Michael Otero, 29.8; 12. 12. Zack Jongbloed, 34.5. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck; 2. (tie) Mitchie Story and Damian Brfennan, 87 points; 4. Lefty Holman, 86; 5. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Joe Macqueen, 85.5; 7. Kade Bruno, 85; 8. Ryder Sanford, 84; 9. (tie) Darcy Radel, Wyatt Casper, Kole Ashbacher and Rusty Wright, 83.5. Breakaway roping: Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Hailey Hall, Millie Greenwood, Tibba Smith and Bradi Good, 2.1 seconds; 5. Kinlie Brennise, 2.2; 6. Amy Ohrt, 2.3; 7. Zoie Bedke, 2.7; 8. Karrigan Graves, 2.9; 9. (tie) Josie Goodrich, Rylee George and Jackie Crawford, 3.2; 12. Haiden Thompson, 3.3; 13. Erin Johnson, 3.8; 14. Jimmie Smith, 3.9; 15. Peggy Garman, 11.8. Average leaders: 1. Amy Ohrt, 5.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Tibba  Continue Reading »

Leighton Berry rides Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot for 92 points Saturday afternoon to take the bareback riding lead at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Leighton Berry has plenty of accolades under his belt. He’s a four-time qualifier to the National Finals Rodeo. He’s won the Texas Circuit and most of the major rodeos in the Lone Star State, including the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. On Saturday, he returned to Tom Green County with his sights set on winning the bareback riding title again. “San Angelo has always been good to me,” said Berry, 27, of Weatherford, Texas. “To tell you the truth, I’ve always been fond of this exact performance, the Saturday matinee. “The main reason why I started entering for this performance was that it’s three and a half hours from my house. I can leave at 8 in the morning, be down here, ride, and then be home for dinner. Every year that I’ve been in this (performance), I’ve always had (a horse) that got me back to the short round.” He did that again and more. He ignited CRC Roofers Coliseum with a 92-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot to take the first-round lead in bareback riding. “Last year, my good friend, Cole Reiner, had Tator Tot, and it was all Korkow’s A-string horses, so we entered the same to see if that would happen this year,” said Berry, who last won San Angelo in 2023. “I didn’t necessary know that Korkow horses were going to be in this (performance) again, but when you’ve been doing something for a couple of years and have had success, you just want to keep doing it. “I’ve done well on Korkow horses, Pete Carr horses and Macza horses. Every time I’m in this matinee, luck always seems to shift my way, and I pluck a good one to get back.” Tator Tot was more than a spud for Berry. “I put my thumb on that horse about two years ago when I first started to see her come around,” Berry said. “Korkow horses tend to be the type that the more they get bucked, the better they get. Every time I saw that horse in person, it just seemed like she got a little bit better.” Tator Tot was first selected to buck at the NFR in 2024 and promptly guided Rocker Steiner to the sixth-round victory with an 89-point performance. She was 6 years old at the time. Now two years older, her maturity shined Saturday in guiding Berry back to town for Championship Friday, which will feature the top 12 contestants in each event from the preliminary performances battling for titles. “Anytime you can draw one like that, whether it’s the 10th round at the NFR or the long round at San Angelo, it just gets your motor going,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about that horse all week and what it might feel like. She exceeded my expectations by a mile. “I think she knows whenever the stakes are up, and I think she feels the energy from that coliseum. I’ve always said that San Angelo gives me similar vibes to the NFR, but the fans down here are big, true rodeo fans, and they understand the game. They know when they watch a good ride, so when you feel people get on their feet and start making some noise for you, it means something a little different here.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 92 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Tator Tot; 2. Cole Reiner, 88.5; 3. (tie) Jayco Roper and Cooper Cooke, 86; 5. Kade Berry, 85.5; 6. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Cole Hollen, 84.5; 8. Keenan Hayes, 83.5; 9. Toby Deudney, 83; 10. (tie) Ethan Mazurenko and Daxtyn Feild, 82; 12. Carson Hildre, 80. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Tory Johnson, 4.4 seconds; 2. Jacob Daniell, 4.6; 3. Tristan Martin, 4.7; 4. Tony Aska, 4.8; 5. Gavin Soileau, 5.2; 6. Seth Peterson, 5.3; 7. Logan Kenline, 5.8; 8. James Mann, 5.9. Average leaders: 1. Grant Peterson, 15.7 seconds on three runs; 2. Tony Aska, 16.4; 3. Ty Allred, 17.5; 4. Tyke Kipp, 21.0; 5. Cody Harmon, 24.2; 6. Peter Haas, 28.0; 7. Logan Kenline, 28.3; 8. James Mann, 31.0; 9. Tory Johnson, 36.9; 10. Colin Fox, 8.2 seconds on two runs; 11. Cody Devers, 8.4; 12. Jacob Daniell, 8.5. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 8.5 seconds; 2. Brodey Clemons, 8.7; 3. Quade Hiatt, 9.1; 4. (tie) Beau Cooper and Sam Lewis, 9.2; 6. Joel Harris, 9.4; 7. Zaine Mikita, 10.1; 8. Tom Simpson, 10.3. Average leaders: 1. Beau Cooper, 26.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Joel Harris, 27.3; 3. Sam Lewis, 27.5; 4. Cole Clemons, 28.2; 5. Colton Suther, 28.8; 6. Brodey Clemons, 28.9; 7. Cory Solomon, 29.3; 8. Zack Jongbloed, 34.5; 9. Hunter Herrin, 39.2; 10. Ty Harris, 41.9; 11. Quade Hiatt, 42.2; 12. Semaj Collins, 45.3. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 87.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Uptuck; 2. (tie) Mitchie Story and Damian Brfennan, 87 points; 4. Lefty Holman, 86; 5. Kolby Wanchuk, 85.5; 6. Kade Bruno, 85; 7. Ryder Sanford, 84; 8. (tie) Darcy Radel, Wyatt Casper, Kole Ashbacher and Rusty Wright, 83.5; 12. (tie) Cooper Lane and Dawson Hay, 81. Breakaway roping: Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Hailey Hall and Millie Greenwood, 2.1 seconds; 3. Amy Ohrt, 2.3; 4. Karrigan Graves, 2.9; 5. Rylee George, 3.2; 6. Haiden Thompson, 3.3; 7. Erin Johnson, 3.8; 8. Jimmie Smith, 3.9; 9. Peggy Garman, 11.8; 10. Keylie Tatum, 12.1; 11. Timber Allenbrand, 12.3; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Amy Ohrt, 5.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Haiden Thompson, 5.4; 3. Rylee George, 5.7; 4. Karrigan Graves, 6.0; 5. Rin Johnson, 8.8; 6. Hailey Hall, 14.1; 7. Millie Greenwood, 14.4; 8. Peggy Garman, 14.5; 9. Keylie Tatum, 15.3; 10. Jimmie Smith,  Continue Reading »

Tie-down roper Joel Harris dismounts his horse during Friday’s 9.4-second run to take the third-round and aggregate lead at his hometown event, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. (PHOTO BY JENNINGS RODEO PHOTOGRAPHY)   SAN ANGELO, Texas – Joel Harris is a little biased toward his hometown event, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. “It’s the best rodeo in the world in my opinion,” said Harris, 23, a two-time National Finals Rodeo tie-down roping qualifier from this city of 100,000 folks. “It definitely has the best rodeo fan. I’ve witnessed it firsthand, rodeo after rodeo. I know what the fans are about. “It’s not just me that says that San Angelo has the best fans in the world; a lot of cowboys think that. For it to be my hometown is pretty special. He brought the audience to its feet during Friday’s opening performance at the CRC Roofers Coliseum, taking the third-round lead with a 9.4-second run. He knows the chances of placing in the round are slim but has roped and tied three calves in 27.3 seconds. The cowboys with the top 12 three-run cumulative scores will advance to Championship Friday, where winners will be crowned April 17. He stopped the clock in 8.3 seconds the opening round, which took place this past Monday at Spur Arena. All tie-down ropers, team ropers and steer wrestlers competed in two go-rounds at the first of the week, and the top two-run cumulative times advanced to the progressive rounds, which take place over the 10 preliminary performances at the coliseum. “I think the new format is great,” said Harris, who placed in the opening round, pocketing $2,939 in San Angelo cash already. “It makes it a lot easier for the cowboys to be able to get around to other rodeo and gives everyone an opportunity to rope in a (performance) at San Angelo. “You have to earn it (by advancing), but it’s up to the ropers to get here. Hopefully once you get here, you perform well.” He has done that throughout his young career, especially the last two seasons. Harris, who is 18th in the world standings, finished 2025 at the No. 4 tie-down roper in the world standings with nearly $335,000 in earnings. Of that, $193,931 came during the NFR. He won $149,095 at the 2024 finale; his two combined trips to rodeo’s Super Bowl were worth more than $340,000. He averaged $17,151 per round he has roped inside the storied Thomas & Mack Center. Maybe his years of being inside the tiny confines of San Angelo’s coliseum have helped. What has spurred him on this week has been Django, a powerful bay he owns with his brother, Ty, a seven-time NFR qualifier. “We bought him a year and a half ago, and he’s just such a good horse,” Joel Harris said. “He gives me so many good opportunities to win. Anytime I’m having questions about what horse to ride, I know I can get on him, and he’s going to give me a really good chance every time.” He was certainly glad to have Django in a building he knows so well. “It was great,” he said. “I would have liked to have performed better, but there’s a good chance I’ll get to rope again the short round. That’s just another run I get to make in front of the home crowd.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo April 3-18 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Taylor Broussard, 84.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Lonestar; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 82; 3. Carson Hildre, 80; 4. Jade Taton, 79; 5. Clay Stone, 74; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Cimarron Thompson, 3.8 seconds, $4,794; 2. Colin Fox, 4.0, $4,169; 3. (tie) Cody Devers and Jude Leonards, 4.1, $3,231 each; 5. (tie) Riley Duvall, Don Payne and Seth Peterson, 4.2, $1,667 each; 8. Cade Goodman, 4.3, $417. Second round: 1. Chase Crane, 3.6 seconds, $4,794; 2. Colt Honey, 3.8, $4,169; 3. (tie) Jacob Daniell and Ty Erickson, 3.9, $3,231 each; 5. (tie) Quentin Branden and Peter Haas, 4.0, $1,980 each; 7. (tie) Jesse Brown and Kall Mayfield, 4.1, $730 each. Third round leaders: 1. Tristan Martin, 4.7 seconds; 2. Gavin Soileau, 5.2; 3. Tyke Kipp, 6.3; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Tyke Kipp, 21.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Colin Fox, 8.2 seconds on two runs; 3. Cody Devers, 8.4; 4. Cash Robb, 8.7; 5. Ty Allred, 9.0; 6. Tristan Martin, 9.1; 7. (tie) Grant Peterson and Rowdy Parrott, 9.2; 9. Jesse Brown, 9.3; 10. Nick Guy, 9.4; 11. Paul Melvin, 9.5; 12. Gavin Soileau, 9.6. Team roping: First round: 1. Stefan Ramone/Kelby Frizzell, 3.9 seconds, $3,842 each; 2. J.C. Yeahquo/Logan Moore, 4.3, $3,341; 3. Jayse Tettenhorst/Belden Cox, 4.5, $2,840; 4. (tie) Bridger Ketcham/Kaden Prince and Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.6, $2,088 each; 6. (tie) Lyvan Gonzalez/Daryan Gonzalez and Ketch Kelton/Paden Bray, 4.8, $1,086 each; 8. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 4.9, $334. Second round: 1. Stefan Ramone/Kelby Frizzell, 3.9 seconds, $3,842 each; 2. J.C. Yeahquo/Logan Moore, 4.3, $3,341; 3. Jayse Tettenhorst/Belden Cox, 4.5, $2,840; 4. (tie) Bridger Ketcham/Kaden Prince and Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.6, $2,088 each; 6. (tie) Lyvan Gonzalez/Daryan Gonzalez and Ketch Kelton/Paden Bray, 4.8, $1,086 each; 8. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 4.9, $334. Second round: 1. Conley Kleinhans/Kyler Kanady, 3.9 seconds, $3,842 each; 2. (tie) Kavis Drake/Denim Ross, Dustin Egusquiza/JC Flake, Tee McLeod/Trey Yates and Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 4.1, $2,589 each; 6. (tie) Jaxon Hill/Jessen James and Kolton Schmidt/Chase Tryan, 4.2, $1,086 each; 8. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 4.3, $167 each. Third round leaders: 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 3.7 seconds; 2. Riley Kittle/Cole Curry, 5.4; 3. Seth Hall/Nicky Northcott, 9.4; 4. Billy Bob Brown/Blaine Vick, 9.9; 5. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 18.4; no other qualified times. Average leaders: 1. Riley Kittle/Cole Curry, 20.8 seconds on three runs; 2. Seth Hall/Nicky Northcott, 24.7; 3. Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 4. Ketch Kelton/Paden Bray, 9.2; 5. Stefan Ramone/Kelby Frizzell, 9.3; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.5; 7. Clint Summers/Jade  Continue Reading »

The first rodeo in Estes Park, Colorado, took place in 1908, ties to the community’s Western heritage. Rooftop Rodeo will celebrate its 98th year this July but not without recognizing its history. In this image, Rooftop Rodeo Queen Suzanne Thompson poses in the arena in 1963. (PHOTO wm_2006.013.316 COURTESY OF ESTES PARK MUSEUM)   Rooftop will celebrate its 98th year during six-day festival in July ESTES PARK, Colo. – For most of Colorado’s existence, Rooftop Rodeo has been a fixture in Estes Park. The Centennial State celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2026. That’s 150 years of history, and much of it has involved cowboys. The heritage will be honored during the 98th year of Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Monday, July 6-Saturday, July 11, at Granny May Arena inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. Roping and riding expertise existed in this mountainous terrain long before that August 1876 day. Vaqueros once corralled stray livestock in what was then the Mexican Territory. Their handiwork was passed on to settlers who were making their way west as the country expanded from shore to shore. In fact, the first recognized rodeo took place in Deer Creek, Colorado, in 1869, seven years before statehood. By that time, cattle operations were growing. Colorado ranches were formed and transformed. Whether on the Plains toward the east or high in the Rocky Mountains, the cowboy way of life was integral in what has become modern day. The legacy remains, and the Western way of life is still important to that. “Estes Park is a vibrant community with a lot of diversity,” said Rob Hinkle, the Town’s Director of Events & Visitor Services. “The history of ranches in Estes Park goes back to the 1800s. Even as we have grown and become a major attraction for tourists, we have held on to that Western heritage. “Because of our history, Rooftop Rodeo is an important part of who we are as a town.” Rodeo first hit the Estes Valley in 1908, and Rooftop Rodeo made its debut two decades later. The early days featured a makeshift arena, where horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches and vehicles formed in a circle to make the “pen.” That was a tale of the times; most roundups took place in temporary housing, of sorts. Granny May Arena, the existing home of Rooftop Rodeo, was built in the 1950s and has been host to many festivities, from equestrian shows to horseraces to skijoring and rodeo. The grandstands were rebuilt in 2010, and the grounds and footing were redeveloped in 2017. “Estes Park has one of the best rodeo facilities in the state of Colorado,” said Cindy Schonholtz, the Rooftop Rodeo coordinator. “The Town of Estes Park has invested in making this a great venue for everyone. It’s great for contestants and offers amazing views for the fans. It’s absolutely beautiful.” For 98 years, rodeo history has been made in Larimer County, Colorado. It continues to thrive because of it, which is why the town is ready for picturesque summer nights at Granny May Arena.   Gates for Rooftop Rodeo open at 5 p.m. Monday, July 6-Saturday, July 11, with the preshow beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the rodeo beginning at 7 p.m. For more information about Rooftop Rodeo, which is a Town of Estes Park signature event, or to order tickets online, log on to www.RooftopRodeo.com. Other ticket inquiries may be made by contacting the Town of Estes Park Events office at events@estes.org or (970) 586-6104.

Construction crews have begun the development of Chute Heavens, which is specialized seating above the bucking chutes at RCB Arena inside Stampede Park in Claremore. The seating will be for the biggest supporters of the Will Rogers Stampede. (COURTESY PHOTO)   CLAREMORE, Okla. – Construction crews have returned to Stampede Park. For the last several years, organizers have continued to make improvements on the infrastructure around RCB Bank Arena, home of the Will Rogers Stampede, which takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, May 22-Sunday, May 24; gates open at 6 p.m., with mutton bustin’ and other entertainment beginning at 7. “Our latest update is the construction of our ‘Chute Heavens,’ ” said David Petty, a longtime director of the rodeo. “In essence, this is sponsor and VIP seating for our biggest supporters. They will have private access, and it’s a chance for them to see the rodeo from a premier location. “It works out with the timing of this enhancement, because we expect everything to be ready for our 80th Will Rogers Stampede.” This is an opportunity to celebrate greatness. For more than a decade, Claremore’s rodeo has been recognized as one of the best in the PRCA. It’s been named Small Rodeo of the Year six times. It’s popularity has blossomed with that, and it’s grown in classification, now one of the medium-size ProRodeos. It’s more than “divine intervention.” Making renovations like this have been a community working together to make something that was great even better. “This is going to elevate the experience for our VIPs and sponsors,” Petty said. “We’ve got the ‘Chute Heavens’ set up a little set back but still over the bucking chutes, so everyone up there will get to see behind the scenes of what happens at our rodeo.” The area will feature 12 suites, with each providing seating for 15 people. Volunteers will offer finger foods and provide access for a cash bar. It’s an opportunity for the rodeo’s partners to enjoy their contributions to the rodeo’s success, and it serves as another sign of intentional growth through the Interlocal Rodeo Arena Cooperative. It’s another phase of ongoing improvements to the facility. “With the creation of the coop, we’ve been able to make significant infrastructure upgrades over the last five years,” Petty said. “We’ve also had other partnerships that have come through. Our hospitality barn, which is a 40-foot-by-60-foot pavilion, was made possible by the Cherokee Nation. We’ve had some amazing supporters, like Frank Robson. Of course, the coop isn’t what it is today without our chairman, Louie Gardner “There’s been a lot of work done over the years, from new parking lots, a new announcer’s stand, a new office for our rodeo secretary, new restrooms that have air conditioning, new RV plugs and new pens. It’s certainly brightened up this facility.” One of the keys to the rodeo’s success is in the community support. To pay that back, the upgrades that have been made are to improve the fan experience. The Will Rogers Stampede continues to give spectators the best bang for their bucks. “The community has really banded together, and they have a rodeo they can be very proud of,” said Scott Grover, the voice of the stampede since 2005.

Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire has been recognized as one of the best bucking horses in rodeo. The mare was named the 2022 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year and helped cowboys to the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo title three years in a row through 2024. Gun Fire is one of many elite animals from Frontier, the 11-time Stock Contractor of the Year.   GUYMON, Okla. – When Frontier Rodeo was established 35 years ago, it was simply an idea. It’s become an award-winning reality. For 11 straight years, it has been honored as the PRCA’s Stock Contractor of the Year. Other accolades have graced the company, too. From Big Bucks being named the PBR’s Bull of the Year in 2005 to Gun Fire’s Bareback Horse of the Year title in 2022, Frontier has had five animals win nine year-end achievements. That excellence will be on display at Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “They understand the game,” said saddle bronc rider Weston Patterson, a 2025 National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Waverly, Kansas. “They know the difference in good-quality stock and common-quality stock, and I think that’s why everybody goes to all their rodeos. You know you’re going to have a chance to get on good bucking horses and be around a great group of guys. “They’re not just good guys; they’re good cowboys. They’re just all-around good people, and they’re the type of contractor that will take care of you.” The company’s origins may be in southeast Texas, but its foundation is in the Plains. Nelson found northwest Oklahoma to his liking and purchased his first plot of land in 1997. The firm is spread over 10,000 acres near Freedom, Oklahoma. That’s where Medicine Woman was born in 2003. As she grew, she developed into one of the greatest bucking horses ever. Medicine Woman was the Saddle Bronc of the Year in 2011, ’14, ’15, ’16 and was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2022, a year and a half after she was retired from bucking and just a few months after her death. In 2015, NFR veteran Issac Diaz won two rodeos on the mare, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Dodge City, Kansas. He realized then the importance of having a horse of her caliber. “Just to be able to draw a horse like that twice in a year is amazing,” Diaz said then. That’s a fairly common theme for cowboys who are matched with Frontier animals. That’s why Maple Leaf was the top bronc in 2013 and why Full Baggage was the Bareback Riding Horse of the Year in 2011 and ’13. “Frontier is a powerhouse when it comes to stock contracting,” said Wyatt Casper, a five-time NFR qualifier who grew up in the Oklahoma Panhandle community of Balko. “Their horses are great, and they’re not content with where they’re at. They’re working at it every day to get better. Their genetics go back far enough that they’re breeding good stock. “That’s a really good crew to be around, and they know what good horses are.” So do the thousands of fans who pack into Hitch Arena in Guymon every May. Casper felt that on Gossip Girl, a horse then owned by Kirsten Vold Rodeo. Casper scored 88.5 points on the strong bay to win the 2025 Pioneer Days Rodeo title. “I knew I had a pretty good chance to win,” Casper said last year. “Gossip Girl has been good. I was coming up here pretty confident that we had a pretty good horse.” Frontier Rodeo acquired Vold and renamed the company Double J. With that, the Frontier team added more power to its already proven herd of \bucking animals, 17 of which were selected to perform at the NFR in December. “That’s going to be a great deal for Frontier,” Casper said. “Kirsten did a great job with that program, and with them being able to add those genetics to the herd. It’s going to be nothing but positive. I’m excited to see where they take it.” In addition to Pioneer Days, the Frontier team produces many of the top events in ProRodeo, like Cody (Wyoming) Stampede; Spanish Fork (Utah) Fiesta Days; Dodge City Roundup; Buc Days in Corpus Christi, Texas; and The American. On top of that, there are several smaller events that are part of the Frontier resume. “I think that Vold card is going to affect them greatly,” Patterson said. “I think at the smaller rodeos they have in the Prairie Circuit, they’re going to see more guys just knowing they have a good chance of getting on quality stock. I think that’s going to be a big deal on what Frontier Rodeo has to come in the near future.” Pioneer Days Rodeo is known for high scores, fast times and high-energy entertainment, and much of that is thanks to its association with another Oklahoma icon, Frontier Rodeo.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University junior Sam Daly earned his first intercollegiate title this past weekend, picking up the steer wrestling championship in Garden City, Kansas. (PHOTO BY DALE HIRSCHMAN)   ALVA, Okla. – In the Nebraska Sandhills, Sam Daly is one of about 400 people who live in McPherson County. It’s sparse, inhabited mostly with prairie grasses and livestock. It’s cattle country in the Cornhusker State, and it’s home for Northwestern Oklahoma State University steer wrestler Sam Daly. It’s where he learned what it takes to be a cowboy, and he’s putting it to use for the Rangers. Daly shared the first-round victory, then posted a 3.8-second for the fastest of the rodeo to win the championship round and the aggregate title this past weekend at the Garden City (Kansas) Community College rodeo. It was his first intercollegiate victory. “It’s cool, because it’s something I ain’t done before,” said Daly, a junior transfer from Tryon, Nebraska. “It was fun going out there and being able to be fast on two (steers) and win it. “I drew two good steers and blew the barrier out twice.” Getting a good start is imperative in the timed events, where contestants begin behind a barrier rope that allows the cattle to get the appropriate head start. With teammate Hazen Sparks of Talihina, Oklahoma, serving as the hazer, Daly capitalized on horsemanship and teamwork to grab the title and wrap enough points to move into fifth place in the Central Plains Region. The goal for all contestants is to finish among the top three in the standings at the close of the regular season in order to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo, which takes place in June at Casper, Wyoming. Northwestern holds down four of the top five positions in the points race. “Alva’s not very far of a move from where I was,” said Daly, who transferred from Pratt (Kansas) Community College. “I knew Emmett (Edler) was going to be the assistant coach, and we knew each other from high school. I just thought it would be a good place to go where I’d be able to bulldog a bunch and hopefully get better.” It seems to be working, but so is his horse, Rogue, an 11-year-old gelding. The sorrel was just one of the keys to Daly’s success in western Kansas. “There are a lot of good guys in our region,” he said. “There were a lot of good steers this weekend, and it just came down to scoring and horsepower.” Daly was one of nine Rangers in Sunday’s short round. Three other steer wrestlers were in that crew, including Tydon Tsosie of Crownpoint, New Mexico, who placed in both rounds and finished third. Sparks placed third in the opening round before being saddled with a no-time, and Riley Smith of Poteau, Oklahoma, was 6.5 seconds in the long round to advance among the top 12 in the championship field. Heeler Colter Snook of Ford, Kansas – the No. 3 man in the regionals standings – secured the team roping victory while competing with Dexton Hoelting of Western Oklahoma State College. The tandem placed fourth in the first round, then tied for the short-round win to take the top spot in the two-run average. Tie-down roper Carter Anderson of Merriman, Nebraska, placed sixth in the first round. The Rangers women were led by goat-tier Payton Dingman, who stopped the clock in 6.6 seconds to share the first-round victory. She was 6.3 in the finale and placed second overall. With the 155 points she gained, the Pryor, Oklahoma, sophomore moved into the Central Plains lead. Breakaway ropers  Saddie Hammond of Avondale, Colorado, and Savannah Greenfield of Lakeview, Oregon, were 2.9 seconds each and finished in a six-way tie for fifth place in the opening round. The Northwestern men and women have just three events remaining in the season to accrue the points necessary to compete at the college finals. For Daly, that means taking a clichéd approach to competition, focusing on each run as it comes. “I’m just going to let whatever happens happen,” he said. “All the steers are going to be really good at these next couple of rodeos. It’s just going to come down to going out there, getting your hands on the steer and making the run happen.” It’s a process that worked in Garden City, so he may as well let it roll.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University steer wrestler Nathan Duvall went from worst to first during Sunday’s championship round at the Fort Scott (Kansas) Community College rodeo. Duvall, shown in this image from last fall in Stillwater, Oklahoma, was atop the race but was followed by teammates Tydon Tsosie and Emmett Edler. (PHOTO BY EMILY VILLEIUX)   ALVA, Okla. – On paper, Nathan Duvall didn’t think he had much of a chance. It might be a good thing his skin is thicker than that. He stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds during Sunday’s championship round of the Fort Scott Community College rodeo to not only win the day but also the steer wrestling title in southeast Kansas. “I thought I was out of it, so I took a start,” said Duvall, a junior at Northwestern Oklahoma State University from Henryetta, Oklahoma. “I drew a steer that they hadn’t done any good on him. I watched video, and he looked like he had a lot of action.” It all went back to the beginning. Steers – and all timed-event cattle – are given a head start. Contestants must begin behind a barrier line that is only tripped when the animal has the correct advantage. If a cowboy or cowgirl leaves too early, the barrier will break resulting in a 10-second penalty. Timing it perfectly means the chest of the horse hits the barrier at the same time it releases. That’s where Duvall was Sunday afternoon. “I was pretty into it,” he said with a laugh. “That steer did have a lot of action.” The combination made for the fastest time of the rodeo. It made up some serious time. Of the 12 bulldoggers in the short go-round, Duvall’s 6.0-second run in the first round was the slowest. By making such a quick second run, he blew past all the others into the top spot. Right behind him, though, were sophomore Tydon Tsosie of Crownpoint, New Mexico, and graduate student Emmett Edler of State Center, Iowa. Tsosie was the runner-up in the opener with a 4.7 and finished third in the final round to place second overall, while Edler’s 4.7-second run in the short run helped him to second in the round and third in the aggregate. “All of us bulldoggers showed out,” Duvall said, pointing out that 16 Northwestern contestants made up 17 positions in the championship round. Proof was in the field. Half the steer wrestlers in the short round were Rangers. Grady Aasby of Highmore, South Dakota, and Sam Daly of Tryon, Nebraska, placed in the first go-round but failed to record times on their second steers. Hazen Sparks of Talihina, Oklahoma, was also in the final round. “We were there to take their money,” Duvall said. “We’ve been having really good practices, and everybody’s been showing up and lifting each other up. That helps out a lot.” Sparks gathered points by winning the first round of tie-down roping. Carter Anderson of Merriman, Nebraska, was fifth in the first round and sixth overall. Team roping heelers Sage Bader of Kim, Colorado, and Colter Snook of Ford, Kansas, placed in the opener. Bader, who roped with Mattox Moyer of Oklahoma State University, won the first round after posting a 6.0-second run. Snook finished sixth with a 7.8-second run roping with Dexton Hoelting of Western Oklahoma State College. Saddle bronc rider Riley Smith of Poteau, Oklahoma, also made the final round for the Rangers. Northwestern was fourth in the men’s team race, while the women’s team finished third overall. Breakaway roper Kinlyn Yadon of Otterkein, Indiana, led the way for the Rangers women; she won the short round with a 2.4-second run and moved up to second in the aggregate. Bleu Hall of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, finished fourth in both rounds and the average. Sarah Pita of Middle Grove, New York, and Y’Leigh Yarbrough of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, joined their teammates in Sunday’s round. Goat-tier Payton Dingman padded her lead in the Central Plains Region standings. Dingman, a sophomore from Pryor, Oklahoma, placed fourth in both go-rounds and finished third overall. Tyra Tsosie of Crownpoint capitalized on two solid runs to finish sixth in both the short round and the aggregate. Like Dingman, Duvall increased his lead in the standings. He entered the competition in Fort Scott as the top dog, then added 120 points to his resume. He has accumulated 610 points and holds a 245-point lead over Edler, the No. 2 man, with four events remaining on the schedule. With each opportunity, Duvall will continue to lean on his primary partner, Turnpike, an 11-year-old palomino gelding that he acquired from his cousin, four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Riley Duvall. “I took him to his first rodeo,” Nathan Duvall said. “He taught me a lot from teaching him. We’ve just been made for each other.” The Rangers return to action the final weekend of March, then will have four rodeos in five weeks. A season ago, Duvall placed in the final four rodeos while competing at Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma, and earned his spot at the College National Finals Rodeo. “My goal is to win the region,” he said. “That’s the reason I came back to college. Last year, I ended up fourth (at the college finals,), so I want to do better than I did last year.” Striving for excellence is a winning formula.

Travis Hamblen carries his family’s legacy with him every day. It’s the foundation for Hamblen Hats, and it’s part of the company’s logo. From loving cowboy hats as a youngster his passion for building and repairing them, his passion continues. (PHOTO BY IN THE WILD WONDER PHOTOGRAPHY)   Hamblen Hats’ Flying H stands for hope, heritage and history AULT, Colo. – It’s the brand that smiles back, but there’s more to the Hamblen Hats logo than meets the eye. “That H stands for hope, heritage and history, and then the Flying H is the hard work part of it,” said Travis Hamblen, the company’s founder and owner. “I get to tell everybody that when I put it on their hats.” The foundation for that mindset is deeply rooted not only in the company but in Hamblen himself. It’s something that was passed on to him from the generations that came before. With the logo, he is honoring his late-grandfather, Sam Hamblen, and his parents, Cliff and Carol Hamblen. “When we first started, I reached out to Matt Charboneau, who has done graphic designs for four generations of us,” Travis Hamblen said. “I told him I wanted to build an iconic logo that doesn’t scream hats, like the Nike swoosh logo, where when somebody sees it, they recognize, ‘Just Do It!’ as a brand.” Charboneau nailed it. So has Hamblen, still holding onto his family birthright and passing it along to his sons, Braxton, 18, and Kason, 16. “I can’t say enough about my Grandpa Sam’s legacy,” Hamblen said. “Part of what got me into hats was Grandpa Sam.” That story goes back to when Hamblen was about the age of his sons. Situations arose, and he opted to drop out of high school. He was working full time and planning to take over the family business, but his grandfather intervened. “Grandpa says, ‘Listen, I dropped out of school at 13 when my dad died, and that was one of the things that I never finished in my life,’ ” Hamblen recalled. “He said, ‘I quit because I had to, and I regret it every day. If you go back to school, I’ll buy you the best hat I can find.’ “He went and bought me a 200X felt hat when I graduated high school. That was my first good hat and where everything started. I realized that hats are my love language.” It’s been a love affair ever since. The passion derived from that moment eventually guided Hamblen to create his hat company. He had been shaping hats since age 13, taking his own and adjusting or fixing them over a tea kettle’s steam. “I realized I really like shaping hats, and I’m good at this,” he said. That’s what happens when there’s affection for what one’s doing. After attending an event in Texas and being around hat-makers and cowboys, he opted to build the brand. Hamblen Hats began in a 24-foot trailer with a showroom in the front and hats in the back. “My grandpa and my family helped me remodel that trailer into a little, mobile showroom,” Hamblen said. “This all started in the fall of 2019 and into the winter of 2020.” It didn’t take long before he opened a “brick-and-mortar” store in Ault, a community of about 3,000 in north-central Colorado. Even though Grandpa Sam wasn’t in the best of health, he made it to his grandson’s opening, despite the fact that the date coincided with a family member’s first birthday. “I didn’t plan things very well, and everybody was at that party,” Hamblen said. “Later on that evening, my grandpa showed up, and I got to introduce everybody to my Grandpa Sam. It was important to me because of the morals and ethics of Grandpa Sam’s story. “I can’t say enough about Grandpa Sam’s legacy.” It’s been a deciding factor into what Travis Hamblen has become and why he takes such pride in his work. Just three months after the grand opening, he left his shop in a rush, trying to get to his grandfather’s side at the hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. “I dropped everything and drove like a banshee,” he said. “I got to hold my grandpa’s hand and pray with him and thank him for everything that he taught me throughout my life. “I got to have the closure that I’d never had before with something like that.” Grandpa Sam’s lessons continue daily. It’s what drives Hamblen to not only create but to innovate. The Flying H on every Hamblen Hat stands for everything he holds dear while also recognizing the legacy that was handed to him by those he has loved the most.

Johnny Dudley is an accomplished clown and rodeo entertainer, and he will have his first Oklahoma Panhandle experience during this year’s Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. (PHOTO BY JOSH HOMER   GUYMON, Okla. – The sunsets in the Oklahoma Panhandle have something spectacular about them. Whether it’s a combination of the atmosphere, the relative flatness of the Plains or the dust that invigorates the region, Johnny Dudley will get to experience it during the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. “That’s one of the places I’ve never been to, but I’m looking forward to it because I know I’m going to work with a great crew,” said Dudley, 47, of Aubrey, Texas. “Andy Stewart is (one of the announcers), and one thing I know about working with Andy is that I don’t have any problems. He’s going to make sure we have a great show no matter what.” That’s part of the production value that comes with the Richest Rodeo in Oklahoma, with Stewart and hometown cowboy Ken Stonecipher on the microphones. They’ll work closely with the man who goes by the moniker “Backflip,” a well-recognized rodeo clown and entertainer. He will provide a unique approach to his comedy and antics in the arena and collaborate with Stewart, Stonecipher and the crew from Frontier Rodeo to ensure the fans get an experience that will rival a sunset. “I’m more of a safe clown, a hybrid-type of clown,” Dudley said. “I’m not really an old-school clown, but I’m also not one of these cheerleading entertainers. I’m a little bit of both, and I think that my blend of comedy kind of spans multiple generations. I can relate to the young kids, but my old-school comedy and my old-school upbringing – piggybacking off Rudy Burns and Lecille Harris – also gets me in with the older crowd.” Dudley’s purpose is to coincide with the competition while also serving as a comedy relief for the thousands of fans that help make the Guymon rodeo such a showcase. He can help the transitions between events, rides and runs become seamless, and he uses humor to do it. There are also the acts that he hopes will keep the audience in stiches. “I now have the act, ‘Cow Patty,’ which is the act Jim McLain had for a long time, and I would watch those old VHS tapes of Rodeo Bloopers and see that act in Guymon,” he said of the shows produced by Rodeo Video that were released on VHS cassettes decades ago. “That was the first time I ever saw the Guymon rodeo, and there were a bunch of videos of ‘Cow Patty.’ “I remember watching that and thinking, ‘That’s a cool act.’ Now, I own it.” “Cow Patty” will be back at Hitch Arena for the first time since McLain was a regular fixture in Guymon. It’s quite fitting that a man who goes by “Backflip” is making it happen. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Dudley has been entertaining for better than 20 years. His work has transitioned over time. “I don’t know if the comedy part of what I do has progressed as much as the timing of how I do it,” Dudley said. “One thing I pride myself on – and something a lot of announcers and producers have come to me about – is my timing. It’s knowing the right joke for the right situation, and I pay attention to what else is going on in the arena. “I’m able to divide my arena situational awareness. I know what’s going on at all times. I know who’s about to compete. I know when to say a joke and when not to say a joke. If Shad Mayfield is next up, it’s pretty important for me to know that a world champion is up and to stay out of the way. I don’t think I’m funnier than I was 10 years ago, but the timing and placement is where I’m excelling.” For that, peers in the PRCA have honored him. Dudley has been nominated for Clown of the Year and Act of the Year, and in 2019, he was named the Coors Man in the Can for his work as a barrelman. That award and other accolades are nice, but they don’t define the husband and father of two. “For people that don’t know me personally, I’m not an outgoing guy,” he said. “I’m not one of those little jitterbugs that’s just trying to entertain all the time. I’m just kind of a laid-back guy, but whenever I put that clown makeup on, I transform, like a superhero. “The thing that stands out to me is booking a rodeo back. If I work a rodeo, and that rodeo hires me back, that’s the biggest honor I can get.” That’s an achievement that pays dividends, and Dudley is ready to show the folks in the Oklahoma Panhandle what he’s got in Year 1 at Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo.

Riley O’Rourke has found a honey hole with the Will Rogers Stampede in Claremore, Oklahoma. He leads the charge for the Clem McSpadden Tub Handle Classic, the richest steer roping rodeo in Oklahoma, after winning that championship each of the past two years. He is also the 2025 Steer Roping Rookie of the Year and the reserve world titlist. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN)   CLAREMORE, Okla. – Most professional cowboys have a place that fits them better than most of the others. In fishing terms, they’re honey holes. RCB Bank in Stampede Park at Claremore is such a place for steer roping phenom Riley O’Rourke, the 2025 Rookie of the Year who finished the campaign second in the world standings. He has won a Will Rogers Stampede championship each of the past three seasons, collecting $11,500 along the way. “That’s about as close to a hometown rodeo as I get,” said O’Rourke, 21, of Skiatook, Oklahoma, a 40-minute drive west of the arena. “I won the all-around the first year (2023), and then I won the steer roping the last two years.” The rodeo – with paid performances set for 8 p.m. Friday, May 22-Sunday, May 24 – actually kicks off Thursday, May 21, with the Clem McSpadden Tub Handle Classic, the richest steer roping rodeo in Oklahoma with the seventh-largest payout in the country. This year’s event, set for 1 p.m., will feature the event’s top hands all chasing money that will feature $10,500 in local dollars, which are added to the contestants’ entry fees to make up the overall purse. “In our part of the world, Clem was a legend as an announcer and an ambassador to rodeo who announced our rodeo for many years,” said David Petty, a longtime director of the rodeo. “Clem announced the Will Rogers Stampede for 62 years and loved steer roping, so about eight years ago, we decided to name our steer roping competition after him and feature it.” Steer roping is older than the sport of rodeo. Ranchers were using the techniques of the event while caring for cattle long before the first documented competition took place nearly a century and a half ago. When a cowboy was alone on the range and had to treat a sick cow, he had to utilize his rope to lay the animal down and secure it so he could administer medicine. The “World’s First Rodeo,” the West of the Pecos Rodeo in west Texas, is cited to have begun in 1883 when drovers from differing ranch operations began discussing who was the better roper. On July 4, the contest happened near the town courthouse. Steer roping remains an important part of the Pecos rodeo, as well as others in places like Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Pendleton, Oregon. “Until I was 12, I lived in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, which they call the ‘Steer Roping Capital of the World,’ ” O’Rourke told the PRCA. “There wasn’t anybody who roped calves or anybody who team roped; everybody tripped steers. Since I started roping when I was 12 or 13, all I wanted to do was trip steers.” Things have changed in time. He competed two years on his PRCA permit, a training ground for up-and-coming ProRodeo cowboys. He won Claremore’s all-around the first year, then won the Tub Handle Classic the second year. Adding a third title in Rogers County was just a nice dose of extra cheese on the supreme pizza that is O’Rourke’s early tenure as a steer roper. Going into last season’s final round of his first qualification to the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping in Mulvane, Kansas, O’Rourke was in position to claim a world championship. He laid down a run of 9.1 seconds in the 10th round and put the pressure on the top dog in the fight, Cole Patterson. “I had a lot of confidence until Cole tied one in 8.5,” O’Rourke said. “I knew it was close going into the last round, and I thought if I could win or split the round, I’d have a pretty good chance. For about 37 seconds, I really thought I had a chance, and then he nodded. “The whole year was pretty good from beginning to end. I felt like I won pretty much everywhere I went, and it was a lot of fun.” The Tub Handle Classic is not only a big-time stop for the world’s best steer ropers, but it also serves as a qualifier to the Ben Johnson Memorial Steer Roping, which takes place June 18-21 in Pawhuska. The limited-entry event will also feature the top two ropers in each of the three Claremore go-rounds as well as the top four in the aggregate that weren’t among the top 30 to qualify. O’Rourke once untied calves during the Johnson roping, but he’s been part of the competition the last two and placed both times. He hopes to be among the elite by the time June rolls around, but he knows the Will Rogers Stampede is another avenue should the need arise. “Everybody’s got a favorite rodeo like Cheyenne and what not,” he said. “Claremore is one of my favorites, just because I seem to win pretty good there.”

Northwestern Oklahoma State’s Tyra Tsosie won the goat-tying championship at the Kansas State University rodeo this past weekend in Manhattan, Kansas. The sophomore transferred to the Rangers rodeo team in the fall semester to join her twin brother, Tydon, who was already at Northwestern. (PHOTO BY DALE HIRSCHMAN)   ALVA, Okla. – Tyra and Tydon Tsosie grew up together around the Navajo Nation. Always competitors, they never backed down from a challenge. Rodeo has always been a way of life for the twins from Crownpoint, New Mexico. For a year, though, they separated. Tyra made her way to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, along the state’s border with the Texas Panhandle. Tydon ventured to Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and the “Bulldogging Capital of College Rodeo” was perfect for the steer wrestling hopeful. The twins were reunited last fall when Tyra Tsosie transferred to be part of the Rangers rodeo team. Her avenue to Alva paid off this past weekend, when she won the goat-tying title at the Kansas State University rodeo, the first of the next six events in the Central Plains Region that took place in Manhattan, Kansas. She stopped the clock in 7.3 seconds to finish in a tie for third in the opening round, then sped to a 6.7-second run to win the championship round and the aggregate title. “It’s a pretty cool start to the spring semester,” said Tsosie, a sophomore who also competes in breakaway roping for the Rangers. “My horse worked great. She did her job, but she always does her job.” That’s Bit-O-Honey, a 13-year-old sorrel mare Tsosie has had since the animal was a filly. “My mom named her after my grandpa’s favorite candy,” Tsosie said. “I grew up with her. She’s an all-around horse. I have taken her to junior rodeos. She wasn’t my first goat horse, but I’ve always had her. She ended up learning goats, and now she’s my main horse; she’s my breakaway horse, too.” Familiarity is important. It’s why she rides a mare she’s ridden most of her life and why she opted to transfer to the Alva institution and sit out the first three rodeos of the season because of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s transfer rules. The first Central Plains event in which she competed was the Northwestern rodeo in early November. “I came here because my brother goes to school here,” she said. “I visited during my spring break last year, and I really like he practice facility, the coach, the team … just how they do things. I thought it’d be more fun with my brother here, too.” Tydon Tsosie has already accumulated points for the Northwestern men, winning the first round in Stillwater last fall. His sister one-upped him in Manhattan. “I just tried to be smooth and do my part,” Tyra Tsosie said. “I did it on my first run, and then the second run went really good.” She led the way for the Rangers women. She was joined in the short round by fellow goat-tier Payton Dingman of Pryor, Oklahoma, and a quartet of breakaway ropers: River Hamaker of Leon, Iowa; Brylee Zook of Garnett, Kansas; Trista Regner of Apple Valley, California; and Maggie King of Granville, New York. King, Regner and Zook all gathered points in Manhattan. King and Zook were each 2.5 seconds to finish the opening round in a four-way tie for fifth place. Both placed in the final performance and the aggregate – Zook was sixth in the short round and sixth overall, while King posted a 2.6-second run to finish second in both. Regner won the first round with a 2.2-second run. A couple of cowboys from the Northwestern men’s team took top honors. Heeler Colter Snook of Ford, Kansas, won the rodeo while roping with header Dexton Hoelting of Western Oklahoma State College. They were third in the first round with a 7.3-second run and won the final round with a 7.5. Meanwhile, Nathan Duvall of Henryetta, Oklahoma, dominated bulldogging, sharing the first-round win and taking the second round to claim the overall prize. Assistant coach Emmett Edler also garnered some steer wrestling points. He posted a 5.3-second run to finish fifth in the opener, then was 4.3 to place third in the short round and the aggregate. Payden Nusser of Alva was 5.2 to finish fourth in the first round, while Hazen Sparks of Talihina, Oklahoma, was 5.3 to finish fifth on Championship Sunday. Tie-down ropers Carter Anderson of Merriman, Nebraska, and Kerry Duvall of Oakdale, California, were solid. Duvall placed in a tie for fifth in the long round, and Anderson took advantage of sneaking into the finals by placing fifth in the round and sixth in the average. Freshman Riley Smith of Poteau, Oklahoma, made the short round in saddle bronc riding and finished with two solid rides. In all, 14 Rangers were part of the final performance. Northwestern finished second in the men’s team standings. It was proof to Tyra Tsosie that she made a good decision to transfer. “Eastern was a lot smaller of a team,” she said. “I think there were about 15 or 20 girls on the team, but at Alva, there’s a lot more girls. We have good athletes in every event.” That’s a testament to the tradition established years ago, one that continues under coach Cali Griffin, who was not in Manhattan while tending to other responsibilities. “I didn’t really know Cali until I met her during my visit at spring break last year,” Tsosie said. “She’s a good coach, and you can see that from watching her during practice, during the rodeo and being there for the team. Since she wasn’t there, the team was there for each other, and we had Emmett (Edler) there with us, too. Everybody stepped up and helped.” That’s what teams do. “I’m really proud of them for stepping up and helping each other while I was gone,” Griffin said. “I’m lucky to have this group of  Continue Reading »