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SALT LAKE CITY – Kash Gay has a couple of big goals she wants to accomplish as a breakaway roper. The first, of course, is to qualify for the Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo, which will take place this fall in Heber City, Utah; if she can win the year-end championship, that would be a bonus. The second is to raise awareness for Kash Gay Equine Insurance, a business she operates. “Competing is like being a traveling billboard,” said Gay, 22, of Plain City, Utah, a community of 8,300 souls about 45 minutes north of Utah State Fairpark. “Rodeo is great for business. Everywhere I go, I feel like I get more, so right now I’m just trying to get my name out there.” She’s also excelling. Gay roped her calf in 2.1 seconds during Saturday’s second performance of Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo to take the breakaway roping lead. She will await the results of Monday’s final performance to see where she ends up. “I knew the calf was fast,” said Gay, who won New Plymouth, Idaho, last month and sits fourth in the circuit standings – only the top 12 in each event when the region’s regular season comes to a close advance to the championship. “I knew he was good, started strong and ran straight. He was actually out here last night, so I texted the girl that ran him, got a video and made a game plan from there.” The homework paid off, and she’s in a great position to take some big-time cash out of Salt Lake City this weekend. That’s big, because dollars equal championship points in rodeo. Heading into her runs at the Utah State Fair, Gay had accumulated $8,873. A victory inside the Days of ’47 Arena would vault her to second place. She’d still be a long ways behind the season leader, Addy Hill of Thatcher, Utah, but it provides Gay with the motivation she needs to push through the final few weeks. The Wilderness Circuit is made up of rodeos and contestants primarily from Utah and southern Idaho. The year-end and finale-aggregate champions from each region advance to the national circuit finals rodeo, which is the NFR Open that takes place each July in Colorado Springs. “I’ve been working for it all yar, and that would mean the world to me,” she said. “That’s what I’m going for.” Now in just her sophomore season in ProRodeo, Gay is well equipped to qualify for her second straight regional championship “I’ve actually grown up with horses my whole life, and I’ve roped since I was a little kid,” she said. “My dad rodeoed a lot, and I’ve just picked it right up.” Her venture to the state fair is already paying off, and she still has a chance to sell a little insurance while she’s at it. Utah’s Own PRCA RodeoSept. 6. 7 and 9Salt Lake CityBareback riding: 1. Bradlee Miller, 87 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Hillbilly; 2. Sam Petersen, 85; 3. Tilden Hooper, 84; 4. (tie) Darien Johnson and Gauge McBride, 83 each; 6. Richmond Champion, 82.5. Steer wrestling: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 3.6 seconds; 2. Jesse Brown, 3.9; 3. Olin Hannum, 4.4; 4. (tie) Eric Logan and Jake Stocking, 4.5 each; 6. (tie) Chet Boren and Hazen Smith, 5.0 each. Team roping: 1. (tie) Hagen Peterson/Chase Tryan and Rhen Richard/Coby Drake, 6.2 seconds each; 3. Ben Jordan/JR Gonzalez, 6.6; 4. Cole Eiguren/Tyler Eiguren, 7.0; 5. Travis Whitlow/Tyler Whitlow, 10.2; 6. Howard Hutchings/Scott Lauaki, 10.8. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cash Wilson, 88 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Fool; 2. Jake Finlay, 87.5; 3. Ryder Wright, 86.5; 4. (tie) Ira Dickinson and Statler Wright, 84.5 each; 6. (tie) Allen Boore and Traylin Martin, 84 each. Tie-down roping: 1. Britt Bedke, 8.8 seconds; 2. (tie) Jake Hannum and Jase Staudt, 8.9 each; 4. Colton Kofoed, 9.5; 5. Rylee Rogers, 11.3; 6. Seth Hall, 13.3. Breakaway roping: 1. Kash Gay, 2.1 seconds; 2. (tie) Zoie Bedke and Peggy Garman, 2.3 each; 4. (tie) Kaydin Finan, Harley Meged and Jill Tanner, 2.4 each. Barrel racing: 1. McKenna Coronado, 17.01 seconds; 2. Caitlyn White, 17.37; 3. Anita Ellis, 17.44; 4. Katelyn Scott, 17.47; 5. Haylee Woodward, 17.51; 6. Amanda Butler, 17.52. Bull riding: 1. Miles Johnson, 82 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Mighty Merle; 2. Braden Richardson, 80.5; no other qualified rides.

SALT LAKE CITY – Cash Wilson’s dreams of competing at the National Finals Rodeo may have to wait, but he understands that’s just part of the game he plays. He looked like a contender for the world title after posting an 88-point ride on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Fool during Friday’s first performance of Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo to take the saddle bronc riding lead. “I’m still quite a long shot to make the NFR this year, but I just had a rough winter and tore my (medial collateral ligament) and didn’t ride very good this (past) winter,” said Wilson, 23, of Wall, South Dakota. “Things are finally rolling again. I’m back in my old saddle and ready for the new year.” Wilson has accumulated more than $62,000 and sits 27th in the world standings, but only the top 15 on the money list in each event at the conclusion of the regular season advance to Pro Rodeo’s grand finale. To put it into perspective, Ryder Sanford has earned more than $107,000 and sits 16th this week, on the outside looking in. Still, this is how Wilson makes a living, so every dime he can muster over the final three weeks of the regular season will be good. “I knew that horse I had was a really good draw and really bucked,” said Wilson, who was part of the 2021 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association men’s championship team while competing at Clarendon (Texas) College and finished second individually the next season while at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. Cowboys are matched with their animals via a random draw. In the early days of the sport, cowboys would draw their horse out of the hat. With modern technology, those draws are computer generated. “That was a really outstanding horse,” he said. “I’m really thankful to have a good draw. It felt really good, but I never felt like I was ever safe. It felt like I was almost bucked off every jump. “I could have rode it a touch better, but it was still good. It was a lot of fun.” He credited the owners of Summit, a Wyoming-based livestock contractor that is producing this rodeo, which is part of the Utah State Fair. The company also provides stock for nearly two dozen other rodeos throughout the year, and cowboys have learned to trust Summit’s bucking animals for a chance to win. “They had a great set of horses tonight,” Wilson said. “When you get broncs like that, it makes it really fun.” While his plans to play for the biggest pay in rodeo at the NFR have been dashed, he still has some zealous goals for the 2024 campaign. “I want to make $100,000 this year toward the standings,” he said. “It’s just a small goal after I figured that I was kind of an outside shot to make the NFR. That would be a good short-term goal for right now, so I just need to keep riding and keep getting better every ride.” Utah’s Own PRCA RodeoSept. 6. 7 and 9Salt Lake CityBareback riding: 1. Bradlee Miller, 87 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Hillbilly; 2. Tilden Hooper, 84; 3. Darien Johnson, 83; 4. Richmond Champion, 82.5; 5. Mason Stuller, 79; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 3.6 seconds; 2. Jake Stocking, 4.5; 3. (tie) Chet Boren and Hazen Smith, 5.0 each; 5. Talon Roseland, 5.4; no other qualified runs. Team roping: 1. Howard Hutchings/Scott Lauaki, 10.8 seconds; 2. Rhett Anderson/Jared Fillmore, 11.0; 3. Bryan Rasmussen/Jay Johnson, 24.0; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cash Wilson, 88 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Fool; 2. Ira Dickinson, 84.5; 3. Riggin Smith, 83.5; 4. Stran Nielson, 77; 5. Luke Logan, 70; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping: 1. Jase Staudt, 8.9 seconds; 2. Colton Kofoed, 9.5; 3. Seth Hall, 13.3; 4. Kolbey Hughes, 16.0; 5. Tom Simpson, 18.5; 6. Zane Brackett, 19.6. Breakaway roping: 1. Peggy Garman, 2.3 seconds; 2. Harley Meged, 2.4; 3. Makayla Boisjoli, 2.5; 4. Jessica Johnson, 3.1; 5. Codi Anne Judkins, 12.0; no other qualified runs. Barrel racing: 1. Sandy Bywater, 17.58 seconds; 2. Jordan Argyle, 17.68; 3. Lexie Goss, 17.77; 4. Kelsey Larsen, 18.04; 5. Katelyn Udy, 18.13; 6. Stephanie Kunz, 18.41. Bull riding: 1. Miles Johnson, 82 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Mighty Merle; 2. Braden Richardson, 80.5; no other qualified rides.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The changes for the Waller County Fair and Rodeo keep coming. “We are one of the few fairs, if not the only one, in southeast Texas that has two pro rodeos, the CPRA Finals and the PRCA rodeo,” said Paul Shollar, president of the Waller County Fair Board. “It benefits everybody involved, from our vendors to the members of our community by giving them more. Because of that, we’re actually extending our fair two days. “We’re starting off Thursday instead of Saturday and will have three full nights of the CPRA Finals. We’ve got a lot more going on during our opening weekend than we’ve ever had before, and that’s going to be a good deal for everyone.” The Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association is made up of contestants and events primarily from southeast Texas, said Darrell Petry, the organization’s president and a longtime rodeo cowboy. For the past several years, the CPRA has conducted its finals in Angleton, Texas, but has made the move to Waller County starting this year. Its three-day championship will feature the top 15 contestants in the association’s standings from each event and will take place Thursday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. “We’ve been thinking for the last couple of years about getting a more centralized location,” said Petry of Cheek, Texas. “Hempstead came up, and they’ve developed that complex, covered it, added new stalls, and we were like, ‘It’s more central to most of our rodeos.’ “We thought it was phenomenal.” So, the move was made, and it’s going increase the overall exposure for exposition to 10 days, from Sept. 28-Oct. 5. The covered rodeo arena was introduced to the community a year ago, and it’s been a successful development. “We just thought it was a smart move for us to get there to that new place,” Petry said. “It’s attracted a lot of people to our organization. I think it’s really helped our membership tremendously. Our membership shot up because of the location. We think we’re going to grow from this.” The idea behind the newly covered arena was to make it available throughout the year for a variety of events to utilize. Everything seems to be going according to plan. Because of the opportunities available, plenty of people want to take advantage of the facilities, which include the addition of 102 stalls, additional RV hookups, a new wash rack for animals and an updated sound system. “I was talking to Clint Sciba and Dustin Standly, and we decided to not do anything temporary,” Shollar said. “We decided we’re going to build it and said, ‘Let’s just go and build it to where when we’re done, we can say that’s going to be here for our grandkids.” It’s being noticed. “We just saw an opportunity to grow our association and make it that much better and elevate it,” Petry said. “It’s not that Angleton was bad, because we really appreciated them and what they’ve done for us, but the contestants were just ecstatic that we were changing locations, plus we’re right outside of Cypress and all those outlets. It’s a great partnership.” Waller County has a longstanding tradition in the sport of rodeo, and fans make their way to see the action that takes place inside the complex. The CPRA Finals will just enhance that. While the PRCA is the most identifiable association in the sport and will crown world champions at the National Finals Rodeo in December, the CPRA is home to some outstanding talent. Among the CPRA leaders expected to compete each of three days of competition are a handful of cowboys and cowgirls that have played on the sport’s biggest stages. Petry is one of them. “When you’re done and don’t want to travel and stay gone for five or six months out of the year and you have families, these guys want to work but still want to rodeo,” he said. “This give them great competition, and they can still go to work. They can get off work on Fridays, and probably still make a few rodeos. It’s convenient, and it’s guys that still have the talent but don’t want to travel as much. “The competition is great, and they still get that competitive feel.” The CPRA is the perfect association for families from this part of the state. Now, everyone feels right at home for the organization’s championship event at the Waller County Fairgrounds.

SALT LAKE CITY – There’s beauty in the sheer force of power draft horses possess. These equine marvels put the true meaning of horsepower to work, toting tons of freight at a time. Their expertise will be on display during the horse pull, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Admission is free with an $8 admission to the Utah State Fair. “You’ll pretty much see only Belgians at the state fair,” said Justin Palmer, a draft-horse trainer and driver from South Jordan, Utah. “That’s because they’ve got the breeding down through generations and generations.” There are two classifications that will be on display. Two horses weighing 3,500 pounds or less combined will be in the lightweight class. Two-horse teams weighing over that limit are in the heavyweight division. Palmer and his family will be involved with both, and they love working with the powerful beasts. “It’s a family affair,” he said. “My grandpa actually did it, then my dad did it. I think my great-grandpa did it, too. I was working three teams of horses for my dad at, like, 12 years old. I’ve got pictures of my little brother; he was not knee-high driving horses. We’ve done it literally our whole lives.” They’ll be part of an expected couple dozen teams involved in the state fair horse pull. The teams not only show off the pure power of their equine partners but also demonstrate just how much the animals love to be part of the competition. “What a lot of people don’t realize is these horses are so jacked up to do this job,” Palmer said. “They want to do this. I work with these horses every day. They’re trained to do this. They love to do this.” It’s something fans will enjoy seeing. Feats of strength have been part of the landscape for centuries, and there’s no better display of brawn than watching these phenomenal athletes work at the Utah State Fair. “Until you’re standing there next to the heavyweight team we have, Leroy or Turbo, you don’t realize just how massive they are,” Palmer said. “The lightweights are going to hook on to anywhere from 9,500 pounds to 10,000 pounds, and the heavyweights are going to hook on somewhere from 10,000 to 11,000 pounds. “It’s going to be impressive.”

Utah State Fair event will honor specific groups during each performance SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah State Fair’s primary focus is on celebrating the state’s youth, providing opportunities for many who qualify to show their exhibits during the exposition. While the focus is on families, entertainment and the festivities, there are ways to help honor those in the community that help build toward the future while also recognizing the past. Utah’s Own Rodeo realizes that, which is why each of the three performances will feature specific beneficiaries over the course of the weekend. The rodeo is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City; tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. The rodeo will target three honorees: Friday will be Patriot Night, and attendees are urged to wear red, white or blue to recognize those that have served, either through the military or by being a first-responder. Saturday will be Utah Foster Care Night, and purple will be the choice to show support for foster-family guests Monday will be Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night, and that color is a way to honor breast-cancer research. “We really want to celebrate all these people during the rodeo to show how much it means to us to have them be at fairpark and to enjoy a night out at the state fair,” said Jacee Lancaster, the livestock director for the Utah State Fairpark & Event Center. “Rodeo is a very patriotic sport, so it’s a natural fit for us to honor those that have served and put their lives on the line.” The evening specific to the Beehive State is that Saturday, where the rodeo will recognize Utah Foster Care and what it does for individuals and families. The organization “believes every child deserves a safe home with a loving family,” according to verbiage on its website. “Foster families are part of an extended team of child-welfare experts and other foster families dedicated to the care of abused and neglected children.”   While many youngsters are involved in the various livestock shows and other 4H and FFA exhibits, the rodeo is stepping up to showcase something special close to home. “That night is big for us,” Lancaster said. “We’ve worked closely with Utah Foster Care to help get the word out. They have an urgent need for foster families, and we believe in what they are trying to do for the youth in our state.” Children come from varied backgrounds, Utah Foster Care wrote on its website. Most have a history of abuse or neglect, and their ages vary from newborns to teenagers. “They come from every part of the state and every race, region and socio-economic group,” the organization wrote. The final performance of the rodeo will be the fair’s way of honoring those that have been in a fight with cancer. While Pink Night is specific toward breast cancer, virtually everyone has been affected by all variations of the deadly disease. “Pink Night has been part of rodeo for several years, and it’s always been focused on the fight against breast cancer and cancer in general,” Lancaster said. “It’s not just the patients who need our support; the families are also in that fight, too, so we want to honor them and honor what they’ve been through, while also raising awareness and funds for the fight against cancer.”

Talented announcer makes the right calls when it comes to state fair event SALT LAKE CITY – When Garrett Yerigan walks around Utah State Fairpark, the sights, sounds and smells are familiar. “They just bring that special feel,” said Yerigan, the voice of Utah’s Own Rodeo who will call the action during this year’s affair, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City; tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “It’s like a family feel, at least to me. When you set foot on the grounds, you can feel the 4H and FFA livestock shows and their families over there helping ensure the success of the exhibitors. When you look out there across the grandstands, you see families that come to the rodeo. If you walk on the midway looking for something to eat, you see a bunch of families, so it’s just a really cool atmosphere to be part of. It also ties the whole state together.” This is one of several state-fair rodeos for Yerigan, who was raised around the sport by two competitors: His bulldogging father, Dale, an 11-time International Professional Rodeo Association world champion and the organization’s general manager, and Kathy, who qualified several times for the IPRA’s championship. Garrett Yerigan was just a couple weeks old when attended his first rodeo. The passion and the love for the game just soared from there. He was about 6 or 7 when he began announcing, and by age 12, he was calling the shots at a once-a-month barrel race. It wasn’t long before he was announcing the Oklahoma High School Finals Rodeo in his home state. “I wholeheartedly believe this is what God put me on Earth to do,” Yerigan said of his announcing career. Divine intervention helped with his God-given talent, but Yerigan also takes to his craft as any professional. He works hard at the job, and it shows in his preparation. This will be his third year as Utah’s Own Rodeo announcer, but it will be his first time on the microphone by himself. Each of the previous two years, he worked alongside veteran Mike Mathis, and the tandem made each transition seamless. Mathis, though, died this past December, but his memory will continue to live inside the arena. “I don’t know how many years Mike was there, but he was such an integral part from not just being the announcer, but that he has his finger on the pulse of Salt Lake City,” said Yerigan, the 2021 and 2022 PRCA Announcer of the Year. “He knew everybody around there, and he knew how things operate. “It will be a major void there, because he still had a lot of knowledge that I am still trying to figure out in my short time there. It will be a little bit somber at times when we all show up and Mike’s not there with us. I enjoyed the two years I got to work with Mike. I thought our styles complemented each other. Any time you get to stand alongside a guy that’s been the places he’s been, done the things he’s done, seen the places he’s seen, there’s always wisdom you can pick up.” That wisdom comes in handy. Each experience lays the foundation that can be used at a later time. It’s something Yerigan has been doing since he was a child. “Garrett is one of the most intelligent guys you’ll ever meet,” said Matt Merritt, one of the clowns who will be working Utah’s Own Rodeo. “He has a lot of talent, and he’s very well-spoken. He doesn’t miss a beat.” That’s vital, especially when it comes to rodeo production. Yerigan must understand the ins and outs of every performance, from the bucking stock to the cowboys and cowgirls in the competition. He can explain the match-ups and the talented hands getting ready to perform, and he does so in a way that makes it easy to understand by the audience, whether they’re rodeo-savvy or just out for an enjoyable evening at the Utah State Fair. “That rodeo has a lot of history and tradition,” said Yerigan, who now lives in Weatherford, Texas. “The combination of it being a fair rodeo and being a Utah rodeo, it’s got such a recipe for success. Anybody that’s been to a state fair rodeo knows there’s just something a little extra in the air with the family feel and the lights and sounds of the carnival and the smells of the food. “When you add the reputation of Utah crowds with their energy, it’s a really fun event. They’ve been having great growth the last couple of years, so it’s cool to see that rodeo on the rise and getting some attraction from not just the fans but the contestants as well.”

Wrights, other state superstars have a proven rodeo track record SALT LAKE CITY – Over the course of ProRodeo history, there have been 10 Utah world champions who account for 29 gold buckles. They’re men like Lewis Feild and his son Kaycee, who own 11 combined – Lewis is a three-time all-around titlist and a two-time bareback riding winner, while Kaycee has six bareback riding crowns. Both are in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Throw in bull rider Blue Stone and bareback rider Lan LaJeunesse, who each have two championships, and the Beehive State has had some rodeo talent. In the current stage of the sport, no name is more popular than Wright. The family from Beaver County, Utah, has amassed 14 Montana Silversmiths gold buckles over a lifetime of elite competition. Saddle bronc rider Cody Wright started it off in 2008 when he won his first world title; he followed with a second two years later. Younger brother Jesse – who, alongside twin Jake, competed at several National Finals Rodeos – won gold in 2012, and another brother, Spencer, claimed the title in 2014. The second generation is continuing to take the sport by storm. Cody’s oldest three sons, Rusty, Ryder and Stetson, have all been to multiple NFRs, and the youngest, Statler, is on pace to compete in Las Vegas for the first time this December. Stetson is an eight-time world champion, having earned the last five all-around titles, the 2020 and 22 bull riding crowns and the 2021 bronc riding buckle. Ryder won bronc riding gold in 2017 and 2020. It’s that type of talent that will be on display at Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “That rodeo is huge for our circuit,” Ryder Wright said of the Wilderness Circuit, which is made up primarily of rodeos and contestants in Utah and southern Idaho. “It’s big toward the gold buckle even. There’s a lot of money there, and we love going there. You’ve got good horses, good money and good crowds. You can’t beat Utah rodeos.” Ryder Wright is seventh in the world standings with more than $170,000 in earnings. He’s an eight-time NFR qualifier who won the aggregate title in 2020. He was the second of Cody’s sons to earn a trip to Las Vegas – older brother, Rusty, was the first to qualify in 2015, and Ryder followed a year later and hasn’t missed a finale yet. He is also the defending bronc riding champion at Utah’s Own Rodeo. “Any dollar counts toward a gold buckle,” he said of the big purse available in Salt Lake City. “I won my first gold buckle by $1,200, and I lost my third one by about the same. Any amount of money helps, and those good-sized rodeos just make it that much better.” Rusty Wright has sat out about two months with a torn groin but is expected to be back in action by September. Stetson Wright, who suffered a badly torn hamstring last year, has opted to sit out this season. Statler Wright is having the best season of his young career but would like to continue to add to his annual salary through the final few weeks of the season, which ends Sept. 30. “It feels a lot better being in this position than what I’m used to doing,” said Statler Wright, who is ninth on the saddle bronc riding money list with more than $135,000. “I’m used to trailing, but I am giving myself a little bit of a cushion but no room to sleep on it.” He finished his rookie campaign 20th on the 2022 money list and was 19th a year ago. That’s a close margin considering only the top 15 in the world standings advance to the NFR. His winning percentages have increased, and that tabulates into a great opportunity to battle for a gold buckle in December. “Stetson and I sat down at the end of last year and talked about it,” Statler Wright said. “We realized my goals weren’t where they were supposed to be. My goals last year and the year before were trying to make the finals. This year, I switched up my goals. I am going to try to win the world title. “I don’t like participation trophies, so we’re going to try to get that gold buckle. Anything less than that, I think, is a failure, so we’ll just keep going at it until it happens.” That’s the kind of mentality it takes to earn rodeo’s gold. Utah’s Own Rodeo features $10,000 in local money per event that is mixed with the contestants’ entry fees to make up the entire purse. Only a small percentage of contestants will earn a check, so the payout will be substantial. “Utah rodeos are my favorites,” Statler Wright said. “You can’t really beat them. I love the crowds there and being close to home. It’s awesome.”

Three-time Sound Director of the Year puts talents on display at state fair SALT LAKE CITY – A couple of decades ago, Jill Franzen Loden was trying to find her own way in the rodeo world. Raised on a spread in central Wyoming, her family operates Powder River Rodeo, a livestock contracting company that produces rodeos across North America. She grew up around the game and has worked hand-in-hand with her folks, Hank and Lori, and her brother, John, and his wife, Cara. While in high school, she dabbled in producing the sound for rodeos, which was helped considerably by the relationship the family had with the late Chad Nicholson, who spent his lifetime announcing rodeos and being a major part of each production. Over her time in the business, she has gone from cassette tapes and compact discs to an elaborate digital system that allows her to adjust on the fly with the simple click of a computer mouse, and the results are fascinating. She will return for the 21st time to serve as the sound director for Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “It’s been really fun to see that rodeo grow,” said Loden, a three-time winner of the PRCA’s Sound Director of the Year. “The rodeo itself is fun with the state fair, and it’s a fun little environment. It’s more of a city crowd, but they definitely seem to enjoy it.” Rodeo is equal parts world-class competition and family-friendly entertainment. Utah’s Own Rodeo is unique in its timing, which just enhances the stakes. By being that time of year, it’s one of the last remaining events on ProRodeo’s regular season, thereby making each ride and run intriguing. Cowboys and cowgirls will be battling to finish the campaign among the top 15 on the money list in their respective events to secure qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo. That’s why a who’s who of elite contestants will make their way to Salt Lake City. Loden takes all of that into consideration as she prepares to go to work inside the massive stadium at the Utah State Fairpark. “I know the ins and outs of rodeo so well that when it came to putting music to rodeo, I wanted to have the timing,” she said. “I know when I’ve got the right sound to go with something. I love messing with the crowd and getting the crowd involved. Listening to the announcer, I want to be the exclamation point at the end of his sentence. “I love to travel. I love rodeo. This job found me; I didn’t find it.” It’s the perfect fit. Garrett Yerigan understands that. A two-time PRCA Announcer of the Year, Yerigan and Loden work together in Salt Lake City and have a powerful connection when it comes to putting on a show for the crowd. “Jill is one of a kind,” said Yerigan, now in his third year of public address for Utah’s Own Rodeo. “There is nobody in this business that enjoys their job more than her. If you are able to watch her body language during the show, she’s rocking out just as much as anybody else in the grandstands, and I think that’s infectious. “When she’s having fun like she always does, it portrays to my job, to the clown’s job and ultimately to the fans. There’s a reason she’s won the accolades she has, and it’s super great to be part of the fair with her.”

Merritt, Landis to showcase their talents during Utah’s Own Rodeo SALT LAKE CITY – Matt Merritt and Donnie Landis have played on some of the biggest stages of rodeo, but there’s something unique about being at the Utah State Fair. “In that part of America, there are some great rodeo fans,” said Merritt, who will be one of two rodeo clowns entertaining the crowds that pack the stands at Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “Some of the best places to rodeo are in Utah. In Austin, Texas, everybody on the street corner is a team roper, and they think they know about rodeo in a lot of places, but they don’t watch or cheer for it there. In Salt Lake, you get a good mix of rodeo fans and novelty fans, so you get a good, loud audience that makes the rodeo that much better.” Merritt will show off his talents during the Friday and Saturday performances, while Landis will take over controls for the final performance the following Monday. They each bring unique talents and experiences; Landis has been clowning for more than 50 years and has twice been selected as the barrelman at the National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale that takes place each December at Las Vegas. Merritt has been recognized multiple times as one of the elite entertainers in ProRodeo, having been nominated for PRCA Clown of the Year. He’s traveled extensively over the course of his career, and though he doesn’t have the miles or the years as that of Landis, Merritt has a distinct flavor to working a crowd while also understanding the importance of a rodeo production. “My comedy is definitely off the hip,” Merritt said. “I have gimmicks that I use, but typically what I’m saying and what I’m doing is off the cuff. “I tried telling jokes I found on the internet. They’re funny, and they have a punch line. I had a car act, and I had a dog that dug holes and did all these things. I realized that as soon as I started those acts that people would kind of turn me off because they had a phone in their hand, and they knew there was a joke coming, So, I just started shooting from the hip.” It’s paid off in many ways. Events like Utah’s Own Rodeo can be a major drawing card, especially for families looking for quality entertainment at low cost. While most major sports are now charging families hundreds of dollars for a night out, rodeo is keeping its prices affordable so more people can enjoy the show. “Rodeo is the last affordable sport or venue of any kind, and families get to come and experience just the real joy of watching what we do,” said Merritt, originally from northern Louisiana but now living in North Carolina. “Where I’m from, rodeo was like any other sport like baseball, football or basketball. It wasn’t crazy or different or weird, so my buddies rode bulls, and I dabbled in steer riding and chute-dogging when I was a little kid.” That same phrase can be heard in the Beehive State. The popularity of rodeo helped create the arena at the Utah State Fairpark. The stadium seats more than 10,000 people. It’s the perfect setting to help get fans into the action, which will feature many of the top cowboys and cowgirls in ProRodeo. “It’s one thing for us to realize what a classy facility it is,” Merritt said. “It is probably one of the nicest places in rodeo. The audience gets to feel like they’re indoors while we get to feel like we’re outdoors and free, all that rodeo is supposed to represent.” The state’s history in the sport is strong, and Utah’s Own Rodeo is just carrying on a longstanding tradition.

Summit to bring in other contractors to make Utah’s Own Rodeo better SALT LAKE CITY – J.D. Hamaker and his partners are maestros of sorts. A horseman by trade, he is co-owner of Summit Pro Rodeo alongside Daniel Beard and Byron Juma, and they are the livestock producers of Utah’s Own Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. It’s their job to not only produce the three-day affair, but also to help make music with the contestants and put on a concert for the thousands who will pack into the stadium. Summit owns some of the best animals in ProRodeo, and the owners of the organization understand the importance of making the competition magnificent. The best way to do that is to have the most even set of livestock possible in each event. “We’re just trying to keep the quality of the rodeo up all the way through,” said Hamaker, a former bronc buster who got into the stock-contracting business a few years ago by happenstance. “We’ll have a load of horses from Muddy Creek, which is Chancey Wilson out of South Dakota, and we’ll have Kirsten Vold come in with a load of horses. “If we didn’t have them, it would be my good ones mixed in three performances with the next 50 head not being as quite as good. It will get the level of the entire rodeo up to the same level.” When it all comes together, it’s a better opportunity for the cowboys and cowgirls who depend on the sport to make a living, which, in turn, makes for a better show for the fans. Combined, every layer must be orchestrated in a way that is appealing for everybody. “The rodeo made a stock-contractor change last year, and Summit Pro Rodeo did a phenomenal job,” said Garrett Yerigan, who will announce the rodeo for the third straight year. “It was my first experience working with Summit, and I was very impressed. The horses and bulls all performed very well. Both ends of the equation – from crowds to livestock – are really something people should pay attention to with this rodeo.” Nearly 400 contestants have put their names in the hat to compete in Salt Lake City in early September, and they will be chasing for their share of the money that’s featured. The Utah State Fair has $60,000 in local cash, which will be added with the contestants’ entry fees to make up the overall purse. With that kind of money available, it’s vital for every contestant to have a chance to win money. What they don’t want is a drawing contest, where the guy with the best horse, bull or steer is most likely going to win. They want the animal they’ve been matched with via random draw to give them a good opportunity at cashing in. When Hamaker rode bucking horses, cowboys knew there were just a handful of top animals in the mix, and the contestants that drew them were likely going to lead the way to the pay window. “The trend has been where the stock contractor will bring in sub-contractors,” he said. “Your best can only go to so many places, so we get sub-contractors to help with that when we can.” The days of a single contractor providing all bucking stock for a rodeo are quickly fading away. The bigger the event, the bigger the need for great animal athletes. Even Summit Pro Rodeo understands this and uses a similar approach to the business: Beard and Hamaker have the broncs, and Juma handles the bull power. “Byron is pretty much the bull half of the company,” Hamaker said. “It helps separate the pressure, so it’s not just one load on one person. That’s kind of the way rodeo has gone. It seems like most every company in the United States right now has two guys, a bull guy and a horse guy. Very few companies have one guy that has the horses and the bulls.” Summitt produces 14 rodeos a year and provides animals at several other events. The firm produces the National High School Finals Rodeo and some college rodeos, so it’s a bit hectic from June to October. It’s come full circle for Beard, Juma and Hamaker, the latter of whom quit rodeoing and built a business before even considering the idea of having bucking animals. “My boys grew to the point where they wanted to start rodeoing,” he said. “We started putting a few horses together for them to practice on, and then there were some of their friends around that wanted to get on, so we’d get a few more. “Pretty quick, we had enough horses to start contracting some high school and junior rodeos they were going to. We bought out an amateur company, then bought out a professional company, and it just escalated.” That growth and development is why Summit Pro Rodeo has grown into a powerful company. In 2020, the firm won the PRCA’s Remuda Award, which is given to the stock-contracting company that has the most consistent pen of bucking horses. There’s a good chance Summit can win the award again. “What I appreciate is their ability to sort of swallow their pride and bring in the help of other contractors to that rodeo,” Yerigan said. “They weren’t there to make themselves look like the greatest ever. They were there trying to make the rodeo look like it was the greatest ever.”

Utah’s Own Rodeo moving third performance to Monday evening SALT LAKE CITY – With less than a month remaining on the professional rodeo regular season, organizers of Utah’s Own Rodeo have made a decision they hope will help more contestants make their way to Salt Lake City in early September. “The Utah State Fair board of directors is optimistic that moving the rodeo to Monday will it grow,” said Jacee Lancaster, the livestock director for the Utah State Fairpark & Event Center. “We realized it was a struggle for contestants to make their way to our rodeo that weekend. We wanted to ensure that they could get here without as big of a headache, so we moved our final performance from Sunday to Monday.” Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. The primary obstacle is the Washington State Fair Rodeo. Preliminary go-rounds take place Sept. 5-7, and the top 12 in each event qualify for the championship round, which takes place Sunday, Sept. 8. The drive from Puyallup, Washington, to Salt Lake City will take about 13 hours, which leaves no time to compete at both events. Flights out of either Seattle or Portland might help, but they would be limited. “I’ve never competed at the state fair rodeo,” said Statler Wright, 20, a saddle bronc rider from Beaver, Utah, who is closing in on his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. “We entered it last year, but we got up over the short round in Puyallup. This year I think we’ve got it set up to where we can go no matter what.” There are more than 20 rodeos across North America that weekend, including big-money events in Salt Lake City; Puyallup; Lewiston, Idaho; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Abilene, Texas; and Fort Madison, Iowa. Cowboys and cowgirls will try to make it to as many stops as possible as they close in on the final few weeks of the season. It’s imperative that they gather as much cash as possible before Sept. 30; only the top 15 on the money list in each event will advance to the NFR, the sport’s premier event and grand finale that will feature the biggest pay in the game. Puyallup is the first stop in the Cinch Playoffs, and contestants who qualify for that event must compete in order to advance to the finale in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “We understand how important all these other rodeos are to the contestants, so we want to be as accommodating as possible,” Lancaster said. “It’s a hectic time of year in rodeo, and they’re all scrambling to earn as much money as possible and get the qualifications they need. “Our fans deserve to see the very best cowboys in rodeo, and we think this will be the best way possible for us to attract them to town that weekend.” Historically, Utah’s Own Rodeo was the only event in the state that conducted a Sunday performance. By changing the dates, the event will follow suit with the dozens of other Utah PRCA rodeos that take Sunday off. “Rodeo is a way of life in this part of the world, and a lot of families came out and enjoyed their days together at our rodeo,” Lancaster said. “We hope that since we’re starting our Monday rodeo a little earlier that those same families will be able to enjoy an evening at the rodeo. “It’s going to be a special night, and I think we’re going to see a lot of world champions and other NFR qualifiers at the state fairgrounds.”    

Utah bareback riders know big things happen at Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo SALT LAKE CITY – For Utah men who ride bucking horses, competing at the state capital is important to their heritage and their legacy. “It’s a rodeo that’s in my backyard that I look forward to being at, and they’ve done such a dang good job putting it together,” said bareback rider Mason Clements, 32, of Spanish Fork, Utah. “I love being there in front of my hometown crowd. They’re starting to bring some awesome stock there, and people want more rodeo after the Days of ’47.” While Salt Lake City hosts a summer celebration for the Days of ’47 each July, the spectacle that is part of the Utah State Fair each September is a reflection of the importance rodeo has across the Beehive State. Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “When the fair comes around, it brings people back out and makes for a great live crowd,” Clements said. “When you experience this rodeo, you know how good it really is.” Big crowds and quality entertainment help make the rodeo an important stop during ProRodeo’s regular season, which ends the final day of September. With contestants scrambling in the final month to earn the right to compete at the National Finals Rodeo, doing well in Salt Lake City the first weekend of that month is vital. “Salt Lake City is an awesome rodeo,” said Dean Thompson, who is closing in on his second straight NFR qualification. “I’ve got history there. I went to Puyallup (Washington) last year hoping to do good and ended up doing no good. I had to scramble to make it to Salt Lake, ended up splitting first, and that’s what pushed me – along with winning Pendleton (Oregon) – to the NFR. “Salt Lake is awesome because you’re going to see all the best guys in the world because they’re going to be scrapping to make it to the finals.”  The State Fair of Utah also holds a big place in Thompson’s heart for other reasons. Now 22, he was raised near Altamont, Utah, on a farm where the family raises sheep. Like so many exhibitors during the exposition, he has shown animals and understands the prestige that comes with raising and grooming sheep. Just getting the nod to show an animal at the state fair is a huge honor for youngsters in FFA and 4H. “I like to go there for the fair, too,” he said. “It’s our state fair, and it’s well-celebrated. It’s an awesome rodeo and fun to be part of.” Caleb Bennett was raised in Tremonton, Utah, and never got into the fair as an exhibitor. He’s been one of the elite bareback riders in ProRodeo for most of the last 15 years. He qualified for the first of 10 trips to the NFR in 2012. He’s been crowned champion of Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo multiple times, most recently in 2021. “It’s been a good rodeo for me in the past,” said Bennett, 35, now living in Corvallis, Montana. “It adds really good money, and there’s really good opportunities. The horses are awesome. It’s just one of those rodeos that is rolling right into crunch time in the season, so it’s one of those you don’t want to miss.” The opportunities are key. Part of the equation for cowboys that ride bucking horses is being matched with top stock. Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo will have Wyoming-based Summit Pro Rodeo as its primary livestock producer, and Summit will bring in Muddy Creek ProRodeo and Vold Pro Rodeo to help maintain a high quality of bucking stock. “That makes it really fun, because you get to show off all your style and your talent,” said Clements, who is scratching and clawing late this season to secure a sixth trip to Las Vegas in December. “When you get horses there that really love to show off their styles and their talents, it makes it fun for everybody. You know you’re not going to have a bad ride there at all.” With the season on the line, the toughest bronc busters in rodeo will be in Salt Lake City to test their mettle on great horses in front of big crowds eager to watch the top talent perform.

GOODING, Idaho – When T.J. Gray arrived in this community Saturday night for a rematch with a bull he knew well, he had a little help. “The crowd is absolutely electric,” said Gray, 23, of Dairy, Oregon. It’s a pretty small stadium, but it sounds like you’re in a big arena. The crowd loves it here. On top of that, my sponsor, M2 Ranch, is one of the main sponsors here I had my sponsor (Jeff Miller) jump up and pull my bull rope, and that made it a little bit more special.” It all came together on the final night of the Gooding Pro Rodeo, where Gray rode Macza Pro Rodeo’s Big River for 90 points to win the bull riding title and nearly $6,000. That will push his earnings past $150,000, where he sits fifth in the world standings with six weeks remaining in ProRodeo’s regular season. Gray has been riding a hot streak through the summer. His biggest victory came at the Daddy of ‘em All, the Cheyenne (Wyoming) Frontier Days, but he has cashed in a great deal this season. That included sharing first place in St. Paul, Oregon, where he matched moves with Big River the first time for 85.5 points. “I knew I had a good bull,” Gray said. “I knew I should ride him, so it just put a cap on the whole night.” It’s a nice change from the roll of bad luck he experienced earlier this season. “I’ve been very blessed,” he said. “I spent a lot of time earlier this year where I was getting real down on myself and wondering if the good times will ever come. I just had to trust in God, and, yeah, they sure did come. They ain’t over yet. We’ve got a lot more good times coming in the future.” He’s well on his way to his first National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale that features only the top 15 contestants in each event. It’s the biggest rodeo in the world with highest payouts in the sport. He’s already in contention for that elusive world championship. “You always believe it’s possible as a bull rider,” Gray said. “That’s something you’re always looking at and thinking is possible. When it comes more into view, you get more and more excited and your faith at that being the outcome starts to rise.” Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 14-17All-around champion: Wacey Schalla, $2,171 in bareback riding and bull riding.  Bareback riding: 1. Cole Reiner, 91 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail, $5,499; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 89, $4,216; 3. Keenan Hayes, 88.5, $3,116; 4. Cole Franks, 88, $2,016; 5. Wacey Schalla, 87.5, $1,283; 6. (tie) Cooper Cooke and Sam Petersen, 86, $825 each; 7. (tie) Lane McGehee, Jacek Frost, Clay Jorgenson, Weston Timberman and Kade Sonnier, 84.5, $110 each. Steer wrestling 1. Payden McIntyre, 3.4 seconds, $4,175; 2. (tie) Cash Robb and Clayton Hass, 3.5, $3,438 each; 4. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Ty Erickson and Dirk Tavenner, 3.7, $2,292 each; 7. (tie) Gavin Soileau, Laramie Warren, Trisyn Kalawaia and Eli Lord, 3.9, $1,351 each; 11. (tie) Tanner Brunner and Levi Rudd, 4.0, $614 each.  Team roping 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.5 seconds, $4,984; 2. (tie) Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp and Chad Masters/Wyatt Cox, 4.6, $3,655 each; 6. Colby Siddoway/Keegan Cumbie, 4.8, $2,658; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.9, $2,326; 8. Rhett Anderson/Jared Fillmore, 5.0, $1,994; 9. (tie) Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard and Coy Rahlman/Tyler Pearson, 5.2, $1,495 each; 11. (tie) Brodi Jones/Arye Espenscheid and Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 5.3, $1,080 each; 13, Cam Jensen/Clayton Symons, 5.4, $665; 14. Jr. Dees/J.C. Flake, $498; 15. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 5.9, $332.   Saddle bronc riding: 1. Damian Brennan, 89 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Me Mojo, $6,148; 2. Cash Wilson, 88, $4,713; 3. (tie) Zac Dallas and Jake Finlay, 87.5, $2,869 each; 5. Wyatt Casper, 86, $1,434; 6. Parker Fleet and Ryder Wright, 85.5, $922 each; 8. Dawson Dahm, 85, $615. Breakaway roping: 1. Hali Williams, 1.9 seconds, $6,275; 2. (tie) Kacie Wiersma, Madalyn Richards and Aspen Miller, 2.0, $4,078 each; 5. (tie) Addy Hill, Martha Angelone, Beau Peterson, Aubryn Bedke, Shelli Scrivner and Cadee Williams, 2.1, $1,621 each; 11. (tie) Hope Thompson, Sarah Angelone and Tiffany Schieck, 2.2, $784; 14. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Timber Allenbrand, Amanda Terrell and Eryn Maddock, 2.3, $196 each. Tie-down roping: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.5 seconds, $5,076; 2. Chisum Allen, 8.2, $4,399; 3. Haven Meged, 8.3, $4,061; 4. Colton Farquer, 8.5, $3,384; 5. (tie) Blane Cox, Jake Hannum and Zack Jongbloed, 8.6, $2,707; 8. (tie) Trevor Hale, Seth Hall, Beau Cooper and Marcos Costa, 8.7, $1,565; 12. (tie) Bo Pickett and Paden Bray, $846 each, 9.0; 14. Joel Harris, 8.9, $508; 15. (tie) Cash Hooper and Tom Crouse, 9.0, $169 each. Barrel racing: 1. Kassie Mowry, 16.76 seconds, $6,847; 2. (tie) Jordon Briggs and Carlee Otero, 16.79, $4,964 each; 4. Chelsea Moore, 16.82, $3,423; 5. Keyla Costa, 16.86, $2,739; 6. Ashley Castleberry, 16.87, $2,054; 7. Emily Beisel, 16.88, $1,712; 8. Andrea Busby, 16.92, $1,541; 9. (tie) Toria Madsen, Sharin Hall, Steely Steiner and Tiany Schuster, 16.95, $1,113 each; 13. (tie) Morgan Backstrom and Halyn Lide, 16.98, $599 each; 15. Katelyn Scott, 17.00, $342. Bull riding: 1. T.J. Gray, 90 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Big River, $5,922; 2. Jeter Lawrence and Hayes Weight, 87, $3,948 each; 4. Stephan Tonita, 85.5, $2,171; 5. Dalton Rudman, 84, $1,382; 6. (tie) Trevor Reiste and Wacey Schalla, 83.5, $888 each; 8. (tie) Jeff Bertus and Jace Trosclair, 83, $296 each.

GOODING, Idaho – It’s been 22 years since an Australian has won a saddle bronc riding world championship. Damian Brennan wants to change that, and he’s in a great position to do it. He is third in the world standings with $176,365, and there are still six weeks remaining in the regular season. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event qualify for the sport’s grand finale, the National Finals Rodeo, which takes place in December at Las Vegas. “The last two years, I’ve been on the bubble, so it’s nice this year to know I’ve got (the NFR) made right now,” said Brennan, 25, of Injune, Queensland. “We’re still trying to get a few world titles, so I’m going to keep going as hard as possible and hopefully finish strong.” Brennan took a positive step toward that with an 89-point ride Korkow Rodeos’ Me Mojo to take the bronc riding lead at the Gooding Pro Rodeo. “I’ve seen Wyatt Casper the other day in Ogden (Utah) get on it, and it was really good for him there,” Brennan said of the horse. “He was 86.5, and I think he was honestly a touch better tonight. That horse is getting better and better, so that’s a really young up-and-comer from Korkows. “T.J. (Korkow) has got a great set of horses, and they get bucked a lot. They keep performing every time, so he’s got a really good string of horses.” The Aussie is in his third year in ProRodeo. Two seasons ago, he was named the Resistol Saddle Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year and finished the season 16th in the world standings – that’s just one spot away from playing for the biggest pay in Las Vegas. Last year he advanced to his first NFR, where he earned nearly $170,000 over 10 nights and finished the campaign fourth on the money list with $296,495. While there, he watched fellow countryman Ky Hamilton win the bull riding world title. This year, he wants to climb the bronc riding mountaintop and leave Las Vegas with rodeo’s gold. “Ky had an outstanding NFR last year, and I was pumped to be there with him,” Brennan said. “It was a pretty fun time. “We’ll keep rodeoing a few more years and, yeah, probably go back (to Australia) one day and live a steady life. It’ll be good.” He’d love to do it with a Montana Silversmiths’ gold buckle in his trophy case. Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 14-17Bareback riding: 1. Cole Reiner, 91 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 89; 3. Keenan Hayes, 88.5; 4. Cole Franks, 88; 5. Wacey Schalla, 87.5; 6. Cooper Cooke, 86; 7. (tie) Lane McGehee, Jacek Frost, Clay Jorgenson and Kade Sonnier, 84.5. Steer wrestling 1. Payden McIntyre, 3.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Cash Robb and Clayton Hass, 3.5; 4. Bridger Anderson, Ty Erickson and Dirk Tavenner, 3.7; 7. Gavin Soileau, Laramie Warren, Trisyn Kalawaia and Eli Lord, 3.9; 11. Tanner Brunner and Levi Rudd, 4.0.  Team roping 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Brye Crites/Tyler Worley, Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp and Chad Masters/Wyatt Cox, 4.6 second; 6. Colby Siddoway/Keegan Cumbie, 4.8; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.9; 8. Rhett Anderson/Jared Fillmore, 5.0. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Damian Brennan, 89 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Me Mojo; 2. Cash Wilson, 88; 3. Zac Dallas, 87.5; 4. Wyatt Casper, 86; 5. Dawson Dahm, 85; 6. Logan Hay, 84; 7. Noel Johnson, 83.5; 8. (tie) Traylin Martin and Kole Ashbacher, 81.5; 10. (tie) Brady Hill and Stran Nielson, 81. Breakaway roping: 1. Hali Williams, 1.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Kacie Wiersma, Madalyn Richards and Aspen Miller, 2.0; 5. (tie) Addy Hill, Martha Angelone, Beau Peterson, Aubryn Bedke, Shelli Scrivner and Cadee Williams, 2.1; 11. (tie) Hope Thompson, Sarah Angelone and Tiffany Schieck, 2.2; 14. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Timber Allenbrand and Eryn Maddock, 2.3. Tie-down roping: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.5 seconds; 2. Chisum Allen, 8.2; 3. Haven Meged, 8.3; 4. Colton Farquer, 8.5; 5. (tie) Blane Cox, Jake Hannum and Zack Jongbloed, 8.6; 8. Trevor Hale, Seth Hall, Beau Cooper and Marcos Costa, 8.7; 12. Bo Pickett, 9.0; 13. (tie) Cash Hooper and Tom Crouse, 9.0; 15. Chase Webster, 9.3. Barrel racing: 1. Kassie Mowry, 16.76 seconds; 2. (tie) Jordon Briggs and Carlee Otero, 16.79; 4. Chelsea Moore, 16.82; 5. Keyla Costa, 16.86; 6. Ashley Castleberry, 16.87; 7. Emily Beisel, 16.88; 8. Andrea Busby, 16.92; 0. (tie) Toria Madsen, Sharin Hall, Steely Steiner and Tiany Schuster, 16.95; 13. (tie) Morgan Backstrom and Halyn Lide, 16.98; 15. LaTricia Duke, 17.03. Bull riding: 1. Jeter Lawrence, 87 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Rosco; 2. Stephan Tonita, 85.5; 3. (tie) Trevor Reiste and Wacey Schalla, 83.5; 5. (tie) Jeff Bertus and Jace Trosclair, 83; 7. Mason Moody, 80; 8. Ethan Skogquist, 75.

Garcilazos will bring award-winning charro showmanship to Utah State Fair SALT LAKE CITY – Tomas Garcilazo is best known as a showman; deep down, though, he’s a competitor who not only loves the spotlight but thrives in it. Just like his family before him, Garcilazo is not only carrying on the legacy of La Cherreria – a skill performed only by the Mexican charro – he is passing int down to the fourth generation, his sons, Louis, Gaspar and Ulysse. While the smallest two of the trio are still too young to showcase their talents, 10-year-old Louis is very involved in the family business. “He’s a fourth-generation as a charro,” said Tomas Garcilazo, who will have his family performing at Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7, with the final performance at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake City. Tickets can be purchased at UtahStateFair.com/tickets. “I’m a charro. My background is competition. A charro is a horseman, a Mexican horseman that has a skill with a rope and, of course, with the horses, and I passed it on to my son. It is my goal, and it’s a treasure because it is my heritage, and we want to preserve those roots and culture. We don’t want to let it die. “Part of my pride is that he has to have his background as a competitor. He has already competed a couple of times in the all-around charro style, which is comprised by seven events, and he’s doing really good. That foundation is important for me, because I don’t want him to just be a performer on the stage. I want him to be a competitor. I want him to break his own colts, to build them, to make them, to have the communication with them so he can understand how important the tradition is.” The Garcilazos have been recognized as having incredible animals that are part of their lives. That means they take pride in their daily work with their equine partners and with the development of their own skills. Justin Garcilazo is more than a wife and a mother. She is a vital part of the program and an important piece of every rodeo performance. Oftentimes, she is called into the arena to help present a taste of Americana or join her family on stage. “Altogether, this is a message to the kids, to the girls, because my wife is performing as a female and my son as a boy,” Tomas Garcilazo said. “He’s projecting himself to encourage the new generation and to encourage me as a senior just to keep up with him. We travel 365 days a year, all year long, and this is our pride.” Though the competitive fire burns inside the 55-year-old man originally from Mexico City, Garcilazo is sharing his dreams and his passion with thousands of fans at rodeos across North America. He has been recognized four times as PRCA Act of the Year and has performed dozens of times at the National Finals Rodeo. The family is excited to return to Salt Lake City this September. “It’s a beautiful stadium because it’s surrounded by the beautiful bleachers the beautiful (fair) grounds,” he said. “Utah, to me, is the best state for specialty acts. They cheer. They give their hearts to us. All of Utah gives us amazing crowds.” It’s another big stop for the family that lives on the rodeo trail and shares a passion with one another. The boys will be raised in a well-rounded home with a Mexican father and a French mother who not only share a worldly life but have a deep-rooted love affair with the history of the American West. “Something that’s really important to us is that from head to toes, we have the Western-style and charro-style, which are very beautiful and unique,” Tomas Garcilazo said. “My wife is going to carry the American flag, and we feel so proud to do that because it’s the best flag in the world. My horses’ tack, our outfits and the handle of the horse, beauty has to be the one thing in the mind and in the picture. This is also something we take great pride in.” He would love to see the life of a charro continue through the ages and in the hearts of his own children, but neither Tomas nor Justine has any interest in demanding anything out of their sons. They will teach them the traditions and the passions they have for horses, but it will be up to the boys to decide their own paths in life. “I think traveling together is the best that we can offer them,” Tomas Garcilazo said. “If they’re home, then we miss that big gap of time of developing and growing by doing. When they grow up, they can choose to do whatever they want, but in the meantime, they are willing to do this because they see other kids, other rural kids and cowboys and cowgirls doing this, too. “Louis gets excited and likes performing. I don’t push him. He develops that taste and desire to perform. He likes the reward, the attention. As a kid, they all want to have the attention, and they have it when they perform in the arena.”

GOODING, Idaho – Since he was a child, Tyke Kipp has had the same dream of being one of the best cowboys to have ever competed. He’s given it a shot for much of his 11-year career. As one of the first steer wrestlers competing Thursday during the opening performance of the Gooding Pro Rodeo, he set the mark for all the others to beat when he stopped the clock in 4.2 seconds. It was a positive move in the right direction. “Right now I think I’m 50th in the world, but I’m not too far out of 30th,” said Kipp, 31, of Lordsburg, New Mexico. “My goal this year was obviously to make the (National Finals Rodeo), but if not that, then try to be in the top 32.” Being among the top this year will allow Kipp the opportunity to compete in the big, indoor rodeos through the winter months. Some only take the top 32 in each event, so being in that mix gives him a better shot of earning even more money next season. It’s all about development and building for the future. Steer wrestling is one of the toughest events. The difference between first and 50th is always tight, and it will come down to the final weekend of the regular season to decide how they finish on the money list. “I believe there are a hundred guys entered here in Gooding,” Kipp said. “I hope this (4.2-second run) wins good, but the best 100 in the world are entered here. I guess we’ll have to see how it all shakes out.” Everybody bulldogs well, so the difference could come down to the horsepower. For his part, Kipp relies on Tommy, which is hauled by his traveling partner, Logan Kenline of Penrose, Colorado. “That horse is just super easy,” Kipp said. “He’s easy to ride, and he’s really fast, but the biggest thing is how good he is in the (starting) box. Our game is a game of inches, and you’ve got to have a horse that really reacts off your hand, and he does.” What’s it going to take to secure a spot at the NFR by being among the top 15 bulldoggers on the money list? “Just keep making good runs like that throughout the rest of the year here in the fourth quarter,” he said. “Hopefully speed things up, and hopefully that will get me over the hump.” Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 14-17Bareback riding: 1. Cole Reiner, 91 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 89; 3. Keenan Hayes, 88.5; 4. Cooper Cooke, 86; 5. Lane McGehee, 84.5; 6. Bradlee Miller, 84; 7. Mason Clements, 83; 8. (tie) Orin Larsen and Ethan Crouch, 82. Steer wrestling 1. Tyke Kipp, 4.2 seconds; 2. Stephen Culling, 4.4; 3. Logan Kenline, 4.7; 4. (tie) Dalton Massey and Ryan Schuckburgh, 5.1; 6. Gage Hesse, 15.2; no other qualified runs. Team roping 1. Rhett Anderson/Jared Fillmore, 5.0 seconds; 2. Brodi Jones/Arye Espenscheid, 5.3; 3. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 6.9; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zac Dallas, 87.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John; 2. Wyatt Casper, 86; 3. Noel Johnson, 83.5; 4. Traylin Martin, 81.5; 5. (tie) Brady Hill and Stran Nielson, 81; 7. Leon Fountain, 80.5; 8. Sterling Crawley, 80 Breakaway roping: 1. Hali Williams, 1.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Kacie Wiersma, Madalyn Richards and Aspen Miller, 2.0; 5. (tie) Addy Hill, Martha Angelone, Beau Peterson, Aubryn Bedke and Shelli Scrivner, 2.1; 10. (tie) Hope Thompson, Sarah Angelone and Tiffany Schieck, 2.2; 13. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Timber Allenbrand and Eryn Maddock, 2.3. Tie-down roping: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.5 seconds; 2. Chisum Allen, 8.2; 3. Haven Meged, 8.3; 4. Colton Farquer, 8.5; 5. (tie) Blane Cox, Jake Hannum and Zack Jongbloed, 8.6; 8. Trevor Hale, Seth Hall, Beau Cooper and Marcos Costa, 8.7. Barrel racing: 1. Kassie Mowry, 16.76 seconds; 2. (tie) Jordon Briggs and Carlee Otero, 16.79; 4. Chelsea Moore, 16.82; 5. Keyla Costa, 16.86; 6. Ashley Castleberry, 16.87; 7. Andrea Busby, 16.92; 8. (tie) Toria Madsen, Sharin Hall, Steely Steiner and Tiany Schuster, 16.95; 12. (tie) Morgan Backstrom and Halyn Lide, 16.98; 14. LaTricia Duke, 17.03; 15. Stephanie Fryar, 17.11. Bull riding: 1. Jeter Lawrence, 87 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Rosco; 2. Stephan Tonita, 85.5; 3. Trevor Reiste, 83.5; 4. Jeff Bertus, 83; 5. Mason Moody, 80; 6. Ethan Skogquist, 75. no other qualified rides.

GOODING, Idaho – The life of a bucking-horse rider isn’t always glamourous. There are all-night drives and bad convenience-store food, and there are nights that broncs don’t do their jobs. When the opportunities rise, the elite cowboys take advantage it. “It’s been a little slow the last couple of weeks, but to have a horse that you can show off on and feel good about your riding and gain some confidence is great,” said Cole Reiner, who rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail for 91 points Wednesday night to take the bareback riding lead at the Gooding Pro Rodeo. “You think when you qualify for the (National Finals Rodeo) for the first time, you think you’re never going to have a lack of confidence or have a bad day. “Sometimes even the top guys need a good horse underneath you to feel good and ride good, and that’s the opportunity that horse gives you.” Game Trail has been selected to buck at the NFR, the sport’s grand finale. Reiner’s been there each of the last four years and is actually on the bubble for qualifying for a fifth straight time. He is 15th in the world standings with $86,178, and only the top 15 on the money list at the end of the regular season advance to the championship. He needs everything to go his way in the final eight weeks of the season to secure another trip in December to Las Vegas. “I’ve got another great horse on Friday in Canby (Oregon), and that’s going to be my week,” said Reiner, 25, of Buffalo, Wyoming. “I just want to stay healthy, stay feeling good and stay really positive for the rest of the year.” Of course, his confidence was boosted days before he arrived in this southern Idaho hamlet. He learned over the weekend that he’d been matched with Game Trail, a horse he’d ridden for 87 points during the fifth round of the 2023 NFR. “It sounds bad when you say I had to settle for fifth place in Vegas, but it’s still good money, and I’m still grateful to be there,” he said. “That is one of the top 10 horses in the world right now and to have a Wyoming bucking horse and a guy from Wyoming to be 91 in Gooding is pretty special. I’m getting into the second time around on that horse, but that’s a great one for guys to be able to really show off on.” He won’t rest on his laurels. In fact, he’s got his mind on being in the middle of a long race, and Reiner has his gas pedal mashed to the floor. “I’m entered in a lot of rodeos, and I’m 15th in the world right now,” said Reiner, who trails the world-standings leader, Keenan Hayes, by $95,000. “Every dollar counts right now. This time I’m on the offensive. I don’t know if it something a lot of guys love to do, but I like the idea of putting it all on my shoulders and being the chaser. I’m going to get in the top 10 before it’s all said and done.  “I have a chance to get within striking distance of Keenan at No. 1. I’m making sure that I keep that in mind and keep that kind of mindset and then riding is super key. I’m really looking forward to the next seven or eight weeks.” Gooding Pro RodeoAug. 14-17Bareback riding: 1. Cole Reiner, 91 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail; 2. Keenan Hayes, 88.5; 3. Cooper Cooke, 86; 4. Lane McGehee, 84.5; 6. Mason Clements, 83; 7. Taylor Broussard, 81.5; 8. Richmond Champion, 81. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zac Dallas, 87.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John; 2. Wyatt Casper, 86; 3. Noel Johnson, 83.5; 4. Traylin Martin, 81.5; 5. Brady Hill, 81; 6. Leon Fountain, 80.5; 7. Sterling Crawley, 80; 8. (tie) Bailey Small and Ross Griffin, 74.5. Breakaway roping: 1. Addy Hill, 2.1 seconds; 2. Shai Schaefer, 2.7; 3. Brylee Smith, 2.9; 4. Janey Nicholson, 3.0; 5. Dally Mendenhall, 4.4; 6. Sidney Nelson, 11.9; 7. Jetta Bott, 12.0; 8. Marvel Murphy, 12.6; 9. Jessica Brinkerhoff, 12.8; no other qualified runs. Bull riding: 1. Stephan Tonita, 85.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Big River; 2. Trevor Reiste, 83.5; 3. Jeff Bertus, 83; 4. Mason Moody, 80; no other qualified rides.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – This may be Weston Timberman’s first year in ProRodeo, but he doesn’t ride like a rookie. He proved as much during Saturday’s final performance of the Lea County Rodeo, matching moves with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Secrets Out for 89.5 points to win the bareback riding in Lovington. At the highest-paying rodeo in Lea County Fair history, he pocketed $8,425 and pushed his season earnings to more than $102,000. “I knew a little bit more about that horse than most everybody else,” said Timberman, 20, a two-time intercollegiate national champion from Columbus, Montana. “That’s a pretty new horse to Pete (Carr), and she really hasn’t been around that much.” Carr said the powerful bay mare is about 5 years old and has been bucked through this summer run of rodeos, and just like Timberman, she’s showing some amazing things for such a young horse. “She’s pretty stout for a 5-year-oild and is just figuring this stuff out,” Timberman said. “I knew she was going to come together today and she was going to do it, and she did.” Timberman boosted his lead in the Resistol Rookie of the Year standings and has an advantage of more than $50,000 over the No. 2 bareback rider, his former teammate at Clarendon (Texas) College, Wacey Schalla. The two of them, the sole representatives for the Texas Panhandle school, put on a show at the College National Finals Rodeo in June, and they repeated in Lovington this week. Schalla, the No. 1 cowboy in the rookie all-around and bull riding races, won the titles in both the rodeo’s bull riding and the Lea County Xtreme Bulls on Tuesday night. Schalla is 10th in the bull riding world standings, while Timberman entered the week of competition 13th on the bareback riding money list.  “This has been a grindstone,” Timberman said. “Everybody’s buckling down and trying to solidify that spot for the finals. I couldn’t feel better right now. I feel healthy, and everything’s awesome. I couldn’t be more excited.” This time of year is a bit overwhelming at times. Cowboys travel thousands of miles and compete at multiple rodeos a week. With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, they are chasing every dollar possible, because only the top 15 on the money list on Sept. 30 will advance to the National Finals Rodeo. “Last year I watched my traveling partner, Sam Peterson, come here and hardly place, and he was like 87 (points),” Timberman said. “This is my first time coming here. I knew what the caliber of horses were going to be, and everybody knows this is a big stop for a lot of guys. To come out on top with these great horses and great cowboys is a great feeling.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding: 1. Weston Timberman, 89.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Secret’s Out, $8,425; 2. Leighton Berry, 88, $6,459; 3. Garrett Shadbolt, 87.5, $4,774; 4. (tie) Jacob Lees and Orin Larsen, 86.5, $2,528 each; 6. (tie) Bradlee Miller and Waylon Bourgeois, 86, $1,264 each; 8. Nick Pelke, 85.5, $843. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds, $3,052; 2. (tie) Walt Arnold, Chance Howard and Tyler Scheevel, 4.1, $2,256 each; 5. Talon Roseland, 4.2, $1,459; 6. Sam Powers, 4.3, $1,061; 7. Eli Lord, 4.4, $663; 8. (tie) Shane Frey, Cameron Haumea, Tyke Kipp and Paul Melvin, 4.5, $66 each. Second round: 1. Tyler Waguespack and Cash Robb, 3.9 seconds, $2,853 each; 2. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Don Payne, 4.0, $2,056 each; 5. (tie) Matt Jodie, Will Lummus, Cody Devers and Chance Howard, 4.1, $862 each. Average: 1. Clayton Hass, 7.6 seconds on two runs, $4,577; 2. Chance Howard, 8.2, $3,980; 3. (tie) Tyke Kipp, Cash Robb and Walt Arnold, 8.5, $2,786 each; 6. Matt Jodie, 9.2, $1,592; 7. Eli Lord, 9.3, $995; 8. Cody Devers, 10.0, $398. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. (tie) Hagen Houck and Cory Solomon, 9.0 seconds, $3,084 each; 3. (tie) Bryce Derrer and Gio Piloto, 9.2, $2,223 each; 5. Kincade Henry, 9.4, $1,578; 6. Brushton Minton, 9.6, $1,147; 7. (tie) Marcos Costa and Trevor Hale, 9.7, $502 each. Second round: 1. Marty Yates, 8.2 seconds, $3,299; 2. Cash Hooper, 8.6, $2,869; 3. Trevor Hale, 8.8, $2,438; 4. Kater Tate, 8.9, $2,008; 5. Zane Kilgus, 9.5, $1,578; 6. (tie) Austin Lawrence and Cash Fretwell, 9.7, $932 each; 8. (tie) Marcos Costa and Brody Stallard, 9.8, $143 each. Average: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.5 seconds on two runs, $4,948; 2. Kincade Henry, 19.3, $4,303; 3. Marcos Costa, 19.5, $3,657; 4. Brushton Minton, 19.7, $3,012; 5. (tie) Marty Yates and Gio Piloto, 20.0, $2,044 each; 7. Tom Crouse, 20.2, $1,076; 8. Cory Rowland, 20.6, $430. Breakaway roping: 1. (tie) Kelsie Domer and Josie Conner, 2.1 seconds, $7,201 each; 3. (tie) Shiloh Napp and Bailey Bates, 2.5, $4,537 each; 5. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Nicole Hadley, Winter Williams and Kassidy Dennison, 2.6, $2,318 each; 9. (tie) Sequin Brewer and Bailey Currie, 2.7, $1,480; 11. (tie) Jackie Crawford and Blyth Beshears, 2.8, $1,085 each; 13. Christi Braudrick, 2.9, $789; 14. (tie) Rylee Abel, Baili Herring, Kaitlyn Harwell and Shayla Smith, 3.1, $247 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Brody Cress, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket, $8,235; 2. (tie) Lefty Holman and Bailey Small, 87, $5,490 each; 4. Gus Galliard, 86.5, $3,019; 5. Jake Finlay, 86, $1,921; 6. (tie) Weston Patterson and Logan Hay, 85.5, $1,235; 8. Allen Boore, 85, $823. Team roping: First round: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.8 seconds, $2,928 each; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2, $2,546; 3. Manny Egusquiza Jr./Evan Arnold, 4.7, $2,164; 4. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 4.9, $1,782; 5. Wawa Ben JR./Brandon Ben, 5.1, $1,400; 6. Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard, 5.2, $1,018; 7. (tie) Jake Clay/Trey Yates, Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden and Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 5.3, $297 each. Second round: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.7 seconds, $2,928; 2. (tie) Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins and Jr. Dees/J.C. Flake. 4.1, $2,164 each; 5. Wyatt Bray/Paden Bray, 4.3, $1,400;  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Over the course of his 13-year career, Marty Yates has seen a lot of success. He’s made nine straight trips to the National Finals Rodeo with multiple top-five finishes in the world standings. His best finish came in 2020, when he finished in the tie-down roping money list. He’s won some of the biggest rodeos in the game, but there are a couple of titles that have eluded him: the world championship and the championship at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. Yates won’t win this year either, but he put on a show during Friday’s third performance at storied Jake McClure Arena in Lovington, stopping the clock in 8.2 seconds to take the second-round lead. Combined with his 11.8-second run during the opening round Friday morning, he is in position to place in the two-run aggregate. That opens the door at the right time. “This rodeo sure has gotten good,” said Yates, 30, of Stephenville, Texas, who missed out on the NFR last year but is well on his way to qualification No. 10. “It’s become a great stop for us. I had a little tough luck (Friday) morning; I had a calf that kicked a little bit, and then came back on a really good one. I just did my job and made a nice run and am going to get paid a little bit for it. “It’s nice to come to these two-headers and have two chances at good calves.” The Lea County Fair Board has increased its portion of the purse to $25,000 per event. That, combined with the contestants’ entry fees, will make the overall payout, so Yates is looking to take home some serious cash out of southeastern New Mexico. This isn’t the first time he’s had success. Over his roping career, he has earned a lot of money in Lovington.  “I know I’ve won checks just about every year I’ve been here,” Yates said. “I can’t recall the year, but I tied my second one in 7.2 (seconds). I don’t know, but it’s got to be pretty close to the arena record right here, so that was a pretty good highlight for me in Lovington. “It’s always been good to me, so it’s always been a good stop on our trail.” It’s been a solid season for the Texan. He is sixth in the world standings with more than $120,000 in earnings heading into this week of rodeos. Still, he trails the leader, New Mexican Shad Mayfield, by $80,000. Yates still has seven weeks remaining on the regular season and a trip to the NFR to surpass that total and walk away with rodeo gold. “A lot more luck goes into it than a guy thinks,” he said. “The horses are the biggest part of our game. If you don’t have a good horse, you can’t do anything no matter how good you rope. With some luck that my horses stay together and I keep roping good, things will work out. The NFR will obviously be the deciding factor.” That’s because go-round winners will pocket more than $30,000 a night for 10 go-rounds. Big things happen in the Nevada desert. “There’s so much money added out there that as long as you have a chip and a chair, you’re going to have a chance,” Yates said. “Hopefully, I’ll finish off this regular season and look forward to being back in Vegas this year.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 88 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Shady Nights; 2. Garrett Shadbolt, 87.5; 3. (tie) Jacob Lees and Orin Larsen, 86.5; 5. Bradlee Miller, 86; 6. Nick Pelke, 85.5; 7. Dean Thompson, 83.5; 8. Richmond Champion, 82. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Walt Arnold, Tyler Scheevel and Chance Howard, 4.1; 5. Sam Powers, 4.3; 6. Eli Lord, 4.4; 7. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Cameron Haumea, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Don Payne, 4.0 seconds; 3. (tie) Matt Jodie, Will Lummus, Cody Devers and Chance Howard, 4.1; 7. (tie) Clayton Hass, Riley Duvall and Brady Reneau, 4.2. Average leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Chance Howard, 8.2; 3. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Walt Arnold, 8.5; 5. Matt Jodie, 9.2; 6. Eli Lord, 9.3; 7. Cody Devers, 10.0; 8. Riley Duvall, 10.9. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 9.0 seconds; 2. Bryce Derrer, 9.2; 3. Kincade Henry, 9.4; 4. Brushton Minton, 9.6; 5. (tie) Trevor Hale and Marcos Costa, 9.7; 7. Tom Crouse, 10.1; 8. Chet Weitz, 10.7. Second round leaders: 1. Marty Yates, 8.2 seconds; 2. Cash Hooper, 8.6; 3. Trevor Hale, 8.8; 4. Kater Tate, 8.9; 5. Zane Kilgus, 9.5; 6. (tie) Austin Lawrence and Cash Fretwell, 9.7; 8. (tie) Marcos Costa and Brody Stallard, 9.8. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Kincade Henry, 19.3; 3. Marcos Costa, 19.5; 4. Brushton Minton, 19.7; 5. Marty Yates, 20.0; 6. Tom Crouse, 20.2; 7. (tie) Chet Weitz and Cash Fretwell, 20.9. Breakaway roping leaders: 1. (tie) Kelsie Domer and Josie Conner, 2.1 seconds; 3. Bailey Bates, 2.5; 4. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Winter Williams and Kassidy Dennison, 2.6; 7. Bailey Currie, 2.7; 8. (tie) Jackie Crawford and Blyth Beshears, 2.8; 10. Christi Braudrick, 2.9; 11. Rylee Abel, 3.1; 12. (tie) Jordan Muncy and Devyn Dennison, 3.3; 14. Haley Mason, 3.5; 15. Kadin Jodie, 3.6; 13. Annie Winters, 4.5; 14. (tie) Lari Dee Guy and Teagan Miller, 12.10. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Brody Cress, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket; 2. Lefty Holman, 87; 3. Gus Galliard, 86.5; 4. Jake Finlay, 86; 5. (tie) Weston Patterson and Logan Hay, 85.5; 7. Allen Boore, 85; 8. (tie) Ryder Sanford and Riggin Smith, 84.5. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.8 seconds; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2; 3. Manny Egusquiza/Evan Arnold, 4.7; 4. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 4.9; 5. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben,  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – For most of the past decade and a half, cowboys knew they had a chance to be at least 90 points when they rode Dirty Jacket. Whether the big bay gelding was in bareback riding or saddle bronc riding, every man that was matched with the horse knew they had a big chance to win the rodeo. Ten years ago, he was one of the best buckers in the business. He was the 2014 and 2015 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year. In 2013, he had the second-most votes for the same honor and had the third-most votes the year before that. For 12 straight years, the prolific equine bucking machine was the standard in rodeo, having earned consecutive trips to the National Finals Rodeo. The sport’s grand championship features only the top 15 contestants in each event from the regular season, and they select the 100 animals in each roughstock event they want to ride. That’s elite status for animal athletes, and Brody Cress knows a thing or two about that. He’s made seven straight NFRs and won three of them. He and Dirty Jacket matched moves for 89 points during Thursday’s second performance of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, and Cress jumped into the saddle bronc riding lead because of it. “That’s the first time that I’ve got to get on him,” said Cress, 28, of Hillsdale, Wyoming. “I’ve got to see him a lot. I grew up getting to watch that horse in the bareback riding at the NFR, and he’s just so memorable for that giant jump he used to have right out of the chute. It’s definitely one to be able to check off my bucket list, one that I’ve wanted to be able to get on for a long time, so I’m glad I fwas able to finally. The horse is now 20 years old and earlier this year was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame alongside Pete Carr, who owns the horse and Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, the livestock producer in Lovington. The accolades keep coming, and the beneficiaries have always been the cowboys that ride him. “He felt like he knew exactly what he was doing,” said Cress, the No. 9 bronc rider on the money list with more than $127,000 in earnings this year. “I knew coming here today that I just had to get a good mark-out, get a start and just be aggressive and just keep doing what I’ve been doing, and he’s going to do his job. It worked out.” Cress has been on a hot streak. Last week, he competed at three events and won two of them: Dodge City, Kansas, and Sentinel Butte, North Dakota. He also finished third in Castle Rock, Colorado, collecting just shy of $22,000 in just 40 seconds of work. “I’ve definitely been blessed by the drawing gods to get some good horses,” he said. “I’ve got two awesome horses coming the rest of this week. “I definitely have the horses to show up and win if I do my job. I’ve just got to stay focuse, stay positive and keep the ball rolling.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 88 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Shady Nights; 2. Jacob Lees, 86.5; 3. Nick Pelke, 85.5; 4. Dean Thompson, 83.5; 5. Richmond Champion, 82; 6. Tanner Aus, 81.5; 7. Kashton Ford, 78; 8. Tilden Hooper, 59.5. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds; 2. Walt Arnold, 4.1; 3. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Cameron Haumea, 4.5; 5. Tucker Allen, 4.9; 6. (tie) Winsten McGrw and Matt Jodie, 5.1; 8. Zach Hamar, 5.3. Second round leaders: 1. Tyke Kipp, 4.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Matt Jodie, Will Lummus and Cody Devers, 4.1; 5. (tie) Clayton Hass and Riley Duvall, 4.2; 7. Gus Franzen, 4.3; 8. (tie) Walt Arnold and Jacob Talley, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Walt Arnold, 8.5; 4. Matt Jodie, 9.2; 5. Cody Devers, 10.0’ 6. Riley Duvall, 10.9; 7. Tyler Pearson, 11.1; 8. Laramie Warren, 11.6. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 9.0 seconds; 2. Bryce Derrer, 9.2; 3. Kincade Henry, 9.4; 4. Brushton Minton, 9.6; 5. (tie) Trevor Hale and Marcos Costa, 9.7; 7. Tom Crouse, 10.1; 8. Chet Weitz, 10.7. Second round leaders: 1. Cash Hooper, 8.6 seconds; 2. Trevor Hale, 8.8; 3. Kater Tate, 8.9; 4. Zane Kilgus, 9.5; 5. Austin Lawrence, 9.7; 6. (tie) Marcos Costa and Brody Stallard, 9.8; 8. Kincade Henry, 9.9. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Kincade Henry, 19.3; 3. Marcos Costa, 19.5; 4. Brushton Minton, 19.7; 5. Tom Crouse, 20.2; 6. Chet Weitz, 20.9; 7. Kater Tate, 21.3; 8. Cory Solomon, 21.6. Breakaway roping leaders: 1. (tie) Kelsie Domer and Josie Conner, 2.1 seconds; 3. Bailey Bates, 2.5; 4. (tie) Maddy Deerman and Kassidy Dennison, 2.6; 6. Jackie Crawford, 2.8; 7. (tie) Jordan Muncy and Devyn Dennison, 3.3; 9. Kadin Jodie, 3.6; 10. Annie Winters, 4.5; 11. (tie) Lari Dee Guy and Teagan Miller, 12.10; 13. (tie) Jayme Marcrum and Bradi Good, 12.2; 15. (tie) Hope Thompson and Janae Todacheenie, 12.3. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Brody Cress, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket; 2. Lefty Holman, 87; 3. Gus Galliard, 86.5; 4. Jake Finlay, 86; 5. Weston Patterson, 85.5; 6. Allen Boore, 85; 7. Ryder Sanford, 84.5; 8. Parker Kempfer, 82.5. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.8 seconds; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2; 3. Manny Egusquiza/Evan Arnold, 4.7; 4. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 4.9; 5. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben, 5.1; 6. Devon McDaniel/Walt Woodard, 5.2; 7. Seth Hall/Pace Blanchard, 5.3; 8. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 5.4. Second round leaders: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.7 seconds; 2. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili. 4.1; 3. Cash Fretwell/Creed West, 4.5; 4. Coy Rahlmann/Ross Ashford, 5.2; 5. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 5.4; 6. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben, 6.6; 7.  Continue Reading »

Sport has changed through the years, and Gooding Pro Rodeo celebrates it GOODING, Idaho – The sport of rodeo dates back to the 1800s, when drovers from opposing ranches tested their talents against one another in an empty lot in a small town in the American West. A trio communities lay claim to hosting the first rodeo: Pecos, Texas; Prescott, Arizona; and Deer Trail, Colorado. The best hands on any ranching operation could rope just about anything and ride the wildest of horses. The talk spread, and bragging rights were at stake. Over time, the competitions became a must-see event. Long before the NFL, the NHL and Major League Baseball began charging admission for their exhibitions, rodeo was one of the spectacles that drew fans. Much has changed over the last century and a half. Rodeo involved into an overall entertainment package. Cowboys with a bit of flair began performing acts with a taste of the Old West mixed in. Brass bands added an element of sound, much like the organists at Wrigley Field in Chicago or Fenway Park in Boston. Two and a half decades ago, the brass was replaced by CDs and cassettes, which were mixed with updated music and vibrant sounds. Now in the 2020s, the sport is a showcase of Americana mixed with modern times, and the entertainment value has been enhanced. Fans will get to experience it at the Gooding Pro Rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 15-Saturday, Aug. 17, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 14. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. Tickets for Friday and Saturday night are already sold out, but there is still space for the opening two nights. “In Gooding, we still believe in all the great things about rural America,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo manager. “The Western way of life has always been important around here, and we celebrate our heritage with our rodeo. For those of us who grew up around here, the Gooding Pro Rodeo is a chance to look at our past while enjoying what we have today.” Decades ago, cowboys would arrive in a community and make themselves at home any way possible for a few days of competition. They’d sleep in tents or in their vehicles, which pulled two-horse trailers, or folks in town would offer bedrooms on occasion. Once the rodeo ended, they’d move on to the next rodeo. Nowadays, contestants spend many thousands of dollars for specialized rigs with living-quarters trailers that can haul several horses, and they pull into town with these specialized apartments-on-wheels and get whatever rest they can. They may be in Canby, Oregon, during the day, then compete that night in Gooding, before heading on to Baker, Montana, as soon as they’re done. Outside of Gooding County, there are 40 other PRCA events taking place across North America the same week. This is a busy time as cowboys and cowgirls traverse the highways and interstates chasing every dollar they can win, because that’s important. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event at the end of the regular season advance to the National Finals Rodeo in December. Regionally, only the top 12 advance to the Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo, which features contestants and rodeos primarily from Utah and southern Idaho and takes place in early November at Heber City, Utah. “We recognize that this is a hectic time for the contestants, which is why we do everything possible to attract them to Gooding,” Gill said. “We offer a lot of prize money, thanks to our great supporters, and we try to give them all the amenities that we possibly can. “A big deal in rodeo is having the kind of livestock the contestants can win on. Whether it’s good calves and steers or great bucking horses and bulls, that’s what the cowboys and cowgirls want, and we do everything we can to provide that for them.” Of course, the Gooding Pro Rodeo wouldn’t be what it is without the fans, which creates a special ambiance for everyone who arrives at the fairgrounds for the fun. The electricity that comes out of the stands is infectious, and the contestants feed off that energy. “There’s no other rodeo like it,” said saddle bronc rider CoBurn Bradshaw, a four-time NFR qualifier from Beaver, Utah. “It’s awesome to just go there. It’s a different environment in Gooding, and it’s worth the trip just to be ‘Beer Worthy.’ ”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – A glance is about all that Leighton Berry gives the bareback riding world standings. He knows his place. He knows he has a really good chance to return to the National Finals Rodeo for the fourth time in five years. He is third on the money list with $145,349. He also knows that the world champion will be handed to the man who finishes the year atop that list. While a big chunk of that will come by playing for the biggest pay in the sport this December, Berry wants to continue to pad his earnings any way possible. “I’ve been up since 3:30 this morning catching planes, trains and automobiles to get down here to Lovington, New Mexico,” said Berry, 25, of Weatherford, Texas. “Even though we had two days to do it, we’re coming from Strathmore, Alberta, so that was 13 hours to Salt Lake City, then a plane to Dallas and a plane to Midland (Texas). “A good friend of mine left a car at the airport (in Midland), and it’s a two-hour drive here, but we got here just in the nick of time.” Why was it so important? Berry was matched with Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Shady Nights, a 16-year-old bay gelding that has been selected 11 times to perform at the NFR. The two danced across the Jake McClure Arena dirt for 88 points, good enough for the Texan to take the lead in bareback riding at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. “Lovington’s an awesome rodeo,” he said. “I really like coming over here, because you see these yellow chutes, and you get a different visual.” Few other rodeos offer yellow bucking chutes, but the best known is the NFR, where the yellow panels and chutes make for a lasting memory. For cowboys that play at that level, yellow is the perfect color that leads to gold buckles, the awards given to world champions. “You also get to get on Pete Carr bucking horses and Cullen Pickett horses, so that fires you up,” Berry said. “It fires you up, and then you get the rodeo committee that steps up and adds a lot more money than they ever have.” Lovington’s rodeo nearly doubled it’s local contribution to the rodeo’s purse since last year, and that’s made a lasting impact on the contestants who compete for a living. The opportunity for a big payday is enough to make cowboys like Berry figure out any way possible to make sure they’re in southeastern New Mexico in time to ride. Already this year, he’s won Texas rodeos in Houston, Weatherford, Helotes, Henderson and Pecos. He’s also been champion in Clovis, California; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Billings, Montana. It’s a continuation of a strong start to an excellent career, one in which he first qualified to the NFR in 2020 and finished the year ninth in the world standings. An injury took him out of the mix the next year, but he still finished 23rd. He was third in 2022 and sixth last year, so he’s certified himself as one of the elite bareback riders in ProRodeo. “I had one of my all-time favorite horses in Shady Nights, and he was phenomenal today,” Berry said. “I knew I’d probably be anywhere from 88 to 90, and being the first performance, you’ve got to set the bar high. You’ve got guys coming swinging for the fences. I may not win it, but I’m going to get a good check. Lord willing, it’ll stay hooked for first, but if not, I came down here to win a check, and I think that’s going to happen.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 7-10Bareback riding leaders: 1. Leighton Berry, 88 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Shady Nights; 2. Jacob Lees, 86.5; 3. Nick Pelke, 85.5; 4. Dean Thompson, 83.5; 5. Tanner Aus, 81.5; 6. Kashton Ford, 78; 7. Tilden Hooper, 59.5; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds; 2. Walt Arnold, 4.1; 3. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Cameron Haumea, 4.5; 5. Tucker Allen, 4.9; 6. (tie) Winsten McGrw and Matt Jodie, 5.1; 8. Zach Hamar, 5.3. Second round leaders: 1. Tyke Kipp, 4.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Matt Jodie and Will Lummus, 4.1; 4. Clayton Hass, 4.2; 5. (tie) Walt Arnold and Jacob Talley, 4.4; 7. Ty Bauerle, 4.5; 8. Landris White, 4.6. Average leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 7.6 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Walt Arnold, 8.5; 4. Matt Jodie, 9.2; 5. Zach Hamar, 13.0; 6. Justin Shaffer, 29.2; 7. Will Lummus, 4.1 seconds on one run; 8. Jacob Talley, 4.4. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Bryce Derrer, 9.2 seconds; 2 Kincade Henry, 9.4; 3. Brushton Minton, 9.6; 4. Trevor Hale, 9.7; 5. Chet Weitz, 10.7; 6. Blane Cox, 11.8; 7. Chance Oftedahl, 12.6; 8. Garrett Jacobs, 13.6. Second round leaders: 1. Cash Hooper, 8.6 seconds; 2. Trevor Hale, 8.8; 3. Kincade Henry, 9.9; 4. (tie) Brushton Minton and Blane Cox, 10.1; 6. Chet Weitz, 10.2; 7. Landyn Duncan, 11.6; 8. Dontae Pacheco, 11.7. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.5 seconds on two runs; 2. Kincade Henry, 19.3; 3. Brushton Minton, 19.7; 4. Chet Weitz, 20.9; 5. Blane Cox, 21.9; 6. Bryce Derrer, 24.0; 7. Chance Oftedahl, 34.0; 8. Chris McCuistion, 34.4. Breakaway roping leaders: 1. (tie) Kelsie Domer and Josie Conner, 2.1 seconds; 3. Bailey Bates, 2.5; 4. Maddy Deerman, 2.6; 5. Jackie Crawford, 2.8; 6. Jordan Muncy, 3.3; 7. Kadin Jodie, 3.6; 8. Lari Dee Guy, 12.10; 9. (tie) Jayme Marcrum and Bradi Good, 12.2; 11. (tie) Hope Thompson and Janae Todacheenie, 12.3; 13. TiAda Gray, 13.1; 14. Aspen Miller, 13.9. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Weston Patterson, 85.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Watch the Night; 2. Allen Boore, 85; no other qualified rides. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.8 seconds; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2; 3. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 4.9; 4. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben, 5.1; 5. Devon  Continue Reading »

With multiple livestock producers, contestants assured to have a good draw GOODING, Idaho – When organizers of the Gooding Pro Rodeo started looking at something to set them apart from other events of its stature, they realized one important thing. “We knew we needed to have the kind of stock, both in the timed events and the roughstock events, that will draw the cowboys to town,” said Don Gill, manager of the fair and rodeo, the latter of which will take place Thursday, Aug. 15-Saturday, Aug. 17, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 14. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. Gill and his posse went to work. While the rodeo has a primary stock contractor in Wyoming-based Summit Pro Rodeo, Gill brings in two other livestock producers, Korkow Rodeos and Macza Pro Rodeo, to ensure that all contestants have the best opportunity to cash in when they arrive in southern Idaho. “This is something we’ve done since we started having multiple contractors,” Gill said. “I wanted to make sure I bought them in and paid them. We wanted to make it worth it to the stock contractors to make the trip to Gooding.” Why is it so important? “We know it takes a combination of great cowboys and great animals to make for big scores and fast times, so the better the stock we have, the better the rodeo we’re producing,” he said. “We want the cowboys to be in Gooding and compete for the prize money we put up. “By doing that, we are ensuring we have the best show possible for the fans. When the fans are happy, then everybody else is happy.” That’s because the Gooding Pro Rodeo is more than a community event; it’s a regional happening, something thousands of people look forward to each summer. They pack the stands all four nights, and they get into the action. Everyone that comes to Gooding understands what it means to be “Beer Worthy.” The crowd is enthusiastic, whether they see a 90-point ride or a wreck in steer wrestling. The “Beer Worthy” section of fans on the west side of the arena will stand wielding signs if they think something is worthy of a cold beverage. While the cowboys and cowgirls are eager to be involved in the unique tradition, the animals are rewarded with plenty of hay, good grain and a cold drink of water when they’re done. “In our three roughstock events last year, the winning cowboys earned their titles on animals from different livestock producers,” said Gill, helps bring in the roping calves while Summitt Pro Rodeo takes care of the steers for bulldogging and team roping. “I love that we have such a solid group of stock contractors that makes our rodeo so good.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – As soon as Wacey Schalla turned 18, he opted to test the waters in ProRodeo. It’s a good thing he did. During his freshman season at Clarendon (Texas) College, he won both the all-around a bull riding national championships during the College National Finals Rodeo a month and a half ago in Casper, Wyoming. By then, he was already taking the PRCA by storm as a bareback rider and bull rider. That trend continued Tuesday. Schalla won the first round and shared the championship-round victory to claim the aggregate title at the Lea County PRCA Rodeo Xtreme Bulls, worth $13,509. By doing so, he jumped three spots in the bull riding world standings and is cascading his way to the National Finals Rodeo. “I’ve been really close to winning this Xtreme buckle at about two others,” said Schalla of Arapaho, Oklahoma. “The only one I won was in Palmer, Alaska, which is pretty special to me, but this one to get the buckle just tops it off.” He began the evening of bull-riding only by riding Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Richard Slim for 89.5 points to win the opening round. In the short round, he matched moves with Salt River Rodeo’s Crawfish for 88 points to claim the crown. Much has changed for the Oklahoma youngster in the few weeks since he claimed the intercollegiate titles, but his consistency has been key. “It’s been a blast,” he said. “When I bought my card as soon as I turned 18, I knew I could have a run at making the finals. It’s definitely looking a lot brighter now, so I’m excited.” He should be. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event advance to the NFR, ProRodeo’s grand finale that takes place over 10 days each December in Las Vegas. Not only is he in strong contention to play for the biggest pay in the game as a bull rider, he’s 29th in the world standings in bareback riding. He’s well within reach of making the finale in two events. That experience paid off Tuesday, when he had to get on two of the toughest bulls in ProRodeo. “I’d say it’s just as easy because I’m used to getting on two head a day, and let me tell you: That bareback riding wears you out way more than this does,” Schalla said with a laugh. “I know that’s why I get on more than one in the practice pen to be ready for stuff like this.”  Practice makes perfect, but Schalla is spending more time competing than rehearsing. There’s no need to get on any more than necessary this time of year, so making the right moves is more muscle memory at this stage of the game. Schalla said he had to hustle to produce a qualified ride on his first bull, Richard Slim, and that helped him stay firmly in place when it came to his short-round ride on Crawfish. “That little Richard Slim is just a calf of Pete Carr’s, and that bull has a little something to him,” Schalla said. “He don’t get rode very often. I got bucked off him earlier this year in San Angelo, so it was dang sure good to get him rode.” Lea County Xtreme BullsLovington, N.M.Aug. 6, 2024First round: 1. Wacey Schalla, 89.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Richard Slam, $4,180; 2. Jackson Ward, 85.5, $3,277; 3. Jace Trosclair, 85, $2,503; 4. Avery Mullins, 84.5, $1,729; 5. Jax Mills, 81.5; no other qualified rides. Championship round: 1. (tie) Wacey Schalla, on Salt River Rodeo’s Crawfish, and T.J. Gray, on Rafter H Rodeo’s Wicked Sensation, 88 points, $2,752 each; 3. Avery Mullins, 87, $1,806; 4. Jace Trosclair, 86.5, $1,290. Average: 1. Wacey Schalla, 177.5 points on two rides, $6,576; 2. (tie) Avery Mullins and Jace Trosclair, 171.5, $4,426 each; 4. T.J. Gray, 88 points on one ride, $2.491; 5. Jackson Ward, 85.5, $1,631; 6. Jax Mills, 81.5, $1,201; no other qualified rides.