Leaving at the last minute
One thing I believe in regarding my business is that I need to do what I can to to fulfill the agreements I make. Sometimes, though, circumstances don’t allow for that. I was so excited to work the Waller County Fair and Rodeo in Hempstead, Texas, last week. It is a growing event, and I […]
Team ropers clinch Durant titles
ALVA, Okla. – Ethan McDowell and Dakota Koehn know each other pretty well. They grew up competing in rodeos together and have roped together off and on for much of their young lives. Now seniors at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, the team ropers are hoping to clinch their first qualifications to the College National Finals […]
Equine therapy helping wounded warriors
DUNCAN, Okla. – There is a passion burning deep inside Jan Smith, and the inferno is spreading. More importantly, it’s reaching those that need it the most. Smith owns Spirithorse Chisholm Trail Therapy Center in Comanche, Okla., and she is reaching out to those that have served and sacrificed for our country, those that have […]
Local helps kick start Waller County rodeo
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Tray Chambliss III worked diligently to get the shoulder brace off his right arm. His elbow was wrapped in sweat and tape, which didn’t help the process any. But Chambliss had a big smile. The Waller, Texas, bareback rider had just ridden Carr Pro Rodeo’s Collins Pride for 84 points to share […]
Storytelling
My dad died Thursday at the age of 80, and he’d lived a long life and shared many experiences with many people in those eight decades. Dad was a storyteller, and I guess that trait was passed along to me. I just do it a little differently than he did. He told jokes and tales […]
Rodeo to honor United States military
DUNCAN, Okla. – Sacrifice. Honor. Duty. Most take for granted the true nature of the United States military until something happens to those closest to us. That’s not the case at this year’s Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, which will have a large military presence during each of the three performances, set for […]
Home is where the rodeo is
It’s been a few years since I was in southeast Texas, but I’m back. It’s time for the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, which is in its second season as part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. It’s a pretty big draw for the first weekend of the 2013 season and will feature dozens of […]
Crawley wins Stephenville on Air Miles
STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley knew even before he arrived in Stephenville on Sunday afternoon that he had a chance to win the Cowboy Capital of the World Rodeo. “I’ve got Air Miles, so it ought to be pretty good,” Crawley said Saturday night. It was good. Crawley, a two-time Wrangler National […]
Cannon gets versatile bronc in Hempstead
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Clint Cannon of Waller, Texas, isn’t your typical bareback rider. He’s talented enough, proving that to the world with three trips to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and owning two RodeoHouston titles. This week, he’ll be matched with another NFR veteran, Carr Pro Rodeo’s Show Girl, during the Waller County Fair and […]
Durfey does well in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It’s about time. Tyson Durfey has been to the American Royal Rodeo almost every year since he was born nearly 28 years ago. He’s been in the field of Kansas City’s rodeo virtually every season since he turned pro in 2003. “This is the best luck I’ve ever had at the […]
Top-caliber cowboys shine
Muncy, Maier earn big money at American Royal on final day of the 2012 season KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Taos Muncy knows what it takes to compete in ProRodeo’s elite class. He’s a two-time and reigning world champion saddle bronc rider from Corona, N.M., and in two months will be competing at the Wrangler National […]
Armes moves closer to the NFR
Texas steer wrestler hoping his run Friday at American Royal qualifies him for Vegas KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For Bray Armes, the fate of his 2012 season came down to one run at the American Royal Rodeo. Armes is the 18th-ranked steer wrestler in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. He needs to move […]
Paving the rodeo road to Las Vegas
The first performance of the renewed and refined American Royal Rodeo begins at 7:30 tonight, and it promises to kick-start a fantastic finish to the 2012 ProRodeo season. Of the 13 rodeos this weekend that count for Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications, the Kansas City, Mo., event features the second largest purse – only the […]
Maass stays hot in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Justin Maass has been one of the hottest cowboys in the business much of this season. He leads the tie-down roping world standings with more than $138,000 in season earnings, heading to his seventh appearance at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. On Wednesday evening during competition at the American Royal Rodeo, […]
It’s a busy rodeo news weekend
If you can’t tell by the variety of stories I’ve posted lately, my schedule’s been rather full. It is an awesome blessing. It’s also nice that as I write, I can watch my 3-year-old daughter play – not many dads get that opportunity. Fortunately for us both, she goes to preschool three days a week; […]
Rodeo’s best coming to American Royal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The American Royal Rodeo begins its three performances tomorrow night, and the annual event is a showcase of the richest talent in the sport. This is where world champion’s come to play. Already this week, the some of the biggest names in the sport roped, raced and wrestled during Wednesday’s specialized […]
Rumford is a barrel of fun for circuit finals
DUNCAN, Okla. – Do you remember that guy that could make you laugh no matter what? Whether it was in the classroom or work site or just hanging out, he was always funny. Actions. Antics. Personality. It all came together in one package. Welcome to the world of Justin Rumford of Ponca City, Okla., who […]
Carr bringing quality livestock to Hempstead
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – When fair officials in Waller County wanted to take it’s rodeo to the next level, they had a short list of top stock contractors to consider. Atop that list was Dallas-based Carr Pro Rodeo. Pete Carr and his crew are in their second year of preparing a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event […]
Waller County gearing up for Vegas-type show
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – When Clint Sciba went to Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to watch the sports spectacle, he knew that’s what he wanted to see in his hometown. “My main basis on that deal was that if we were going to spend that much on a PRCA rodeo, I really wanted […]
It’s time to make it all count
There’s one performance left in Albuquerque, N.M., and it takes place tonight. Once the final results are in, it will help us get an idea of what happens in the world standings with just one week left in the 2012 season. The New Mexico State Fair Rodeo offers the biggest purse of all event that […]
Roundup Rodeo hosting PRCA rodeo camp
DODGE CITY, Kan. – Youth who have an interest in rodeo have an opportunity to learn even more about the sport. Dodge City Roundup Rodeo is hosting an event that’s part of the PRCA Championship Rodeo Camp Series from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Roundup Arena in Dodge City. The free training is […]
Kansas City is rodeo’s last chance
Contestants on the bubble hope American Royal pushes them toward the NFR KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is a major goal of every cowboy and cowgirl who has ever competed in the sport. There’s just one problem: Only the top 15 contestants in each event at the conclusion of the regular […]
Scholarships the main focus for fair board
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – If you ask him to describe the best part of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, Dustin Standley has a quick answer. “It all comes down to youth and educational support,” said Standley, the fair’s sponsorship chairman. “I think a lot of the guys on the fair board realized that if we […]
Rodeo is a family affair
From quality entertainment to a feeling of home, the American Royal is attractive KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For many, rodeo and family go hand in hand. Most contestants were raised in the sport and hold tight to familial values as they chase their rodeo dreams. More importantly, though, fans realize that rodeo is quality family […]