Rangers kick off season in Colby
ALVA, Okla. – When Stockton Graves walks to the practice arena in this Oklahoma community, he can’t help but smile. This is hallowed ground for Graves, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier who attended college at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Two years ago, he returned to campus to coach the rodeo team at his […]
Corley following his life’s passion
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – There was a time when Randy Corley rode bucking beasts. From horses to bulls, the rodeo lifestyle was in his blood at a young age. These days, Corley talks about and shares just why it’s still a passion all these years later. You see, Corley is one of the elite announcers […]
Fair explodes on opening Saturday
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The Waller County Fair and Rodeo has long been a destination point for folks in southeastern Texas because of the overall entertainment packed into 10 days. Fair and rodeo organizers have stepped it up for 2013, including a major move on opening weekend. The opening Saturday night of the fair will feature […]
Big Tex ready for another big show
TEXARKANA, Ark. – There’s a lot to love about Big Tex. Just ask some of the top cowboys in the game, who will provide grand details about the athletic, 13-year-old bay gelding owned by Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo. “I’ll take that horse anywhere I’m at,” said saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell, who rode Big […]
Parade focuses on U.S. military
AMERICAN ROYAL WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED MAKE AMERICA FREE KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The American Royal’s mission is to promote and celebrate the excellence in agricultural progress and develop future generations of leaders through agrarian values, disciplines and expressions of skills. The American Royal Parade, set for 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. […]
Aussie sport comes to ‘The Ride’
McCOY TAKES VIEWERS ON AN ADVENTURE WITH EQUINE FUN OF CAMPDRAFTING The first time Cord McCoy witnessed the Australian sport of campdrafting, it was while competing at a bull riding event “down under.” His return to the equine sport came a little closer to home in Kiowa, Colo., home of the newly created United National […]
Carr providing power to Texarkana
TEXARKANA, Ark. – Just a few miles east of historic State Line Avenue sit another piece of Texarkana history: the Four States Fair and Rodeo. The history returns again this year, with Pete Carr and his crews coming to town to produce the annual rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18-Saturday, Sept. 21, at […]
Worth a million dollars
In my line of work, I get to learn about some pretty cool things. Just minutes ago, I had a request from Marissa Muncy, wife of two-time world champion saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy, who wrote, “I’m pretty sure Taos is over his million dollar mark in the PRCA. Do you know who I’d talk […]
Isley’s comedy coming to rodeo
HIGHLY DECORATED ENTERTAINER IS READY TO BE PART OF AMERICAN ROYAL RODEO KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Keith Isley is one of the most decorated clowns in rodeo. Now Isley will bring his brand of funny to the American Royal Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, […]
Carr animals add to Arkansas attractions
JONESBORO, Ark. – Northeastern Arkansas is filled with the majesty and beauty that rests in the picturesque landscape that flows like the Mississippi River. Come mid-September, the attractiveness magnifies with the powerful bucking beasts from Texas-based firms Carr Pro Rodeo and Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, which will produce awesome athleticism that is on display […]
Alice Ruth (Elder) Summers – 1911-2013
My grandmother died this morning in what I would call a celebration of a wonderful life. She was 102. Just a week ago, all eight of her living children were with her as we honored the recent marriage of Cheyenne, one of her 26 grandchildren. My mother – the oldest of five daughters and the […]
Bergeron fights to save lives
BULLFIGHTER BATTLES THE BEAST TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AT AMERICAN ROYAL RODEO KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kenny Bergeron is one of the most decorated bullfighters in rodeo. The south Louisiana man has been nominated as Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Bullfighter of the Year each season since 2008. In that time, he’s been chosen by the […]
‘The Ride’ features great horses
HOST McCOY HONORS A REINING LEGEND, LEARNS MORE ABOUT CLYDESDALES When decorated reining horse sire Colonels Smoking Gun died two months ago after a bout with laminitis, he left behind a great legacy. His life and his lineage is just one part of the Sept. 9 episode of “The Ride with Cord McCoy,” which airs […]
Graves at home in the Prairie Circuit
DUNCAN, Okla. – Stockton Graves has had a special place in his heart for the Prairie Circuit. Graves got his start in professional rodeo competing at events close to his Newkirk, Okla., home, those primarily within the borders of the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region. Now 34 years old, he has qualified seven times for the Wrangler National […]
Carr banks on bucks in Jonesboro
JONESBORO, Ark. – Any great sporting event needs a combination of superlatives in order to be successful: Great athletes and phenomenal action. That’s just what happens when Pete Carr and his staff of experts produce a rodeo, and it’s what fans have come to expect. The combination will be in plain view during the NEA […]
Prayers needed for bronc rider
The first post I noted on Facebook today was from Troy Crowser, who posted a request for prayers for friend and fellow saddle bronc rider Chuck Schmidt. An update came through friends via Cole Elshere’s page, which reported early Saturday morning that Schmidt suffered two broken vertebras in his neck, the C6 and C7. For […]
Fall Festival is about to kick off
American Royal preparing for its annual celebration, numerous festivities KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The excitement around the American Royal complex is building. It’s a regular occurrence this time of year in the West Bottoms. Volunteers and personnel are buzzing with anticipation of the 2013 Fall Festival, which takes place Sept. 3-Nov. 16. “This will be […]
Elite ropers converge on Lazy E
GUTHRIE, Okla. – Over the last eight years, just three men have laid claim to the title of World Champion Steer Roper. With just one month left in the 2013 regular season, all three are in position to be part of the 2013 championship event, the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, set for 7:30 […]
Head injury sidelines Combs’ dreams
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story appears in the August edition of Women’s Pro Rodeo Today, the official publication of the WPRA. With her heart, her spirit and her mind all focused in on the same goal for this season, Liz Combs set out on her summer run chasing her gold buckle dreams and a shot at […]
‘The Ride’ takes a tour of Texas
Nestled along the east side of Ray Roberts Lake in north Texas is a stream of athletic horses and the training complexes that serve as their home. It’s where many of the top reining horse trainers handle their business. “It’s really become a reining horse mecca,” said Tim McQuay, owner of McQuay Stables and one […]
The American changing face of rodeo
The talk in the world of rodeo today concerns the news of RFD-TV’s The American, a one-day event that will pay $2 million on March 2 at Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium. The announcement came during a live news conference, which featured Randy Bernard, the CEO and president of Rural Media Group; Stephen Jones, the COO […]
McCoy gives viewers the reins
Champion trainer Hendricks showcased on next episode of ‘The Ride’ Dell Hendricks is the premier reining horse trainer in the world, and there’s a good reason for it. In his established career, Hendricks has earned more than $1.4 million in the National Reining Horse Association winnings. In addition, he raises, trains and shows a number […]
McCoy focuses on rodeo youth
‘The Ride’ features the top young talent in the sport during IFYR showcase Fifteen years ago, teenage brothers Jet and Cord McCoy were the talk of the town in Shawnee, Okla., host of the annual International Youth Finals Rodeo. The brothers McCoy already were big names in the sport, and they added to it in […]
Cover story, cover photo
Every news agency works very hard to present its top news to its constituency. The same is being said by the communications staff at the PRCA, a small group of people who work very hard to prepare the news and information for the magazine, ProRodeo Sports News, and its website, ProRodeo.com. In addition, the staff […]