‘Redemption time’
Thumbing through old issues of ProRodeo Sports News has become a fascinating hobby of mine recently. Yeah, I’m nostalgic, and I’m not afraid to admit it. Just the other day, I remember that I was quoted in one of the stories published in the May 16, 2001, issue. There, on Page 14 in Troy Schwindt’s […]
Rodeo money on the Prairie
The three-week run of rodeos in the Prairie Circuit is at its midway point with events scheduled this week. It began last week in Woodward, Okla., and Pretty Prairie, Kan. This week there are rodeos in Burwell, Neb.; Wahoo, Neb.; Manhattan, Kan; Hardtner, Kan.; and Mitchell, Neb. The big run of high-dollar rodeos closes out […]
Roundup gets Tough for local organization
DODGE CITY, Kan. – Mary Trotter’s recent heart surgery did nothing to diminish her support for the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign that works alongside the annual Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. In fact, the procedure might have stoked a bigger fire for Trotter’s passion for the Circle of Hope, a Dodge City organization that […]
Tour helps draw the very best to Lovington
LOVINGTON, N.M. – A tour system was established in ProRodeo more than a decade ago to showcase some of the greatest events in the sport. It continues today and is a major drawing card for cowboys and cowgirls who make their livings traveling the rodeo trail. The Wrangler Million Dollar Tour features 25 rodeos that […]
MGM Deuces Night ignites Dent’s win streak
LOVINGTON, N.M. – Over the course of two weeks from the end of June into July, Steven Dent won $25,685. He was the big winner during ProRodeo’s Cowboy Christmas, the time of year around the Fourth of July holiday that features some lucrative rodeos with great payouts. When it all came together, Dent had catapulted […]
Cool Runnings in Eagle is karma for Scheer
EAGLE, Colo. – Cort Scheer has worked his way up the saddle bronc riding world standings. That’s no easy task, even for the best in the game. It’s a tougher task for Scheer, who missed a good portion of the 2011 ProRodeo season after suffering a torn knee ligament, just a few months removed from […]
Eagle’s setting, Carr animals entice cowboys
EAGLE, Colo. – Ask any contestant what makes the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo special, they’ll talk about the setting, the crowds and the great bucking animals. Whatever it is, the annual event is quite successful, and it’s just getting better with age. “It’s awesome for a lot of reasons, but partly because it’s Colorado,” […]
Carr breeding program helping local rodeo
LOVINGTON, N.M. – Mercedes Benz knows what it takes to manufacture some of the world’s greatest automobiles. Pete Carr knows the manufacturing is much different, but he’s got a pretty good idea what it takes to produce the world’s greatest animal athletes. That’s why the Carr Pro Rodeo breeding program is such a big deal […]
Hey, Kaycee, let’s visit
If I need a loan, all I have to do is check in with the Bank of Kaycee Feild. In the last eight months, Feild has won three of the most prestigious bareback riding titles in the sport: The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, RodeoHouston and the Calgary Stampede. In those three rodeos alone, Feild has […]
Bull riding’s best will be part of Xtreme Bulls
LOVINGTON, N.M. – The Lea County Fair and Rodeo has become known as a place that draws the very best contestants in ProRodeo. It’s about to get even better. Forty of the top bull riders in the country will take part in the inaugural Lea County Xtreme Bulls, set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, […]
Norton reflects on two decades in Dodge City
DODGE CITY, Kan. – Jerry Norton is a world champion, a motivational speaker and a doting father. He also has been a fixture every summer in Dodge City, where he serves as a bullfighter and ambassador for Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1-Sunday, Aug. 5, at Roundup Arena. The 2012 edition of […]
That Prairie gem is quite Pretty
This week folks in south-central Kansas will have the opportunity to experience a wonderful tradition: The Kansas Largest Night Rodeo. It’s better known as the Pretty Prairie rodeo, and it’s nestled near bigger Kansas cities Wichita and Hutchinson. It’s a great event in small community, and I was blessed to be associated with it for […]
We have them to thank
Sometimes we don’t give nearly enough recognition to those who make our jobs easier. First and foremost, I have to take my hat off to Jim Bainbridge with the PRCA, who does yeomen’s work as the association’s media director. If I ever need anything – and I’m always in need of something – I just […]
Peterson cherishes his role with Carr crew
EAGLE, Colo. – Much has changed in the world of rodeo since Paul Peterson first saddled a horse and stepped on. As the world evolves and time passes, the Western lifestyle follows suit. Every July, he’s been a fixture as a pickup man in Eagle. In fact, he was one of very best at his […]
Fair a great place to see daily entertainment
LOVINGTON, N.M. – There aren’t many places where a person can watch pigs race, be enthralled by magic and experience the comedy and talent of a ventriloquist. There are even fewer places where they can do that all for just $6. But that’s the reality of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, which will have […]
A grand day for $100 grand
The champions in six events will be crowned this afternoon at the Calgary Stampede, and each will be awarded $100,000. It’s a big day in Alberta, and today’s field includes world champions, Canadian champions, NFR qualifiers and previous winners of the prestigious title. Unfortunately the field doesn’t include all those that earned the right to […]
Record crowds part of local fair experience
LOVINGTON,N.M.– Maybe it was the concerts. Maybe it was the rodeo. Maybe it was the overall entertainment experience. Whatever IT was, it worked at the 2011 edition of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, which had a record attendance of 97,928. “I always go back to the cost of admission,” said Dean Jackson, chairman of […]
Dirty Jacket a bright spot for bareback riders
EAGLE,Colo.– Clint Cannon hated to admit it, but 2012 wasn’t panning out to be what he had hoped. “I just felt like I couldn’t find that niche where I could get over the barrier,” said Cannon, a three-time bareback riding qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. That changed the last week of June inPecos,Texas, […]
Payne brings a charge to Roundup Rodeo
DODGE CITY,Kan.– John Payne is a cowboy, and he’s quite proud of it. So when he has faced adversity, Payne has tackled it head on, just like most other cowboys. When he was electrocuted and brought back to life 39 years ago, he dealt with it. It was a life-changing event that led to his […]
Mid-summer classics
Just an hour and a half south of where I live, the top players in Major League Baseball are playing in the All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. I have some very dear friends in attendance, and it brings me, a lifelong Royals fan, great pride in knowing the team is hosting […]
Carr bulls attractive to rodeo’s top cowboys
EAGLE, Colo. – A great bull ride is equal parts bucking beast, equal parts athletic cowboy. When it comes together, fans walk away from the arena mesmerized, and they’ll talk about it for weeks to come. That’s what fans expect when they get to the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, […]
Winning attitude
The opening performance of Pool B at the Calgary Stampede wasn’t too kind on steer wrestler Stockton Graves. Graves, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Newkirk, Okla., posted a 17.1-second run on his first animal. He made up for it on Day 2, though, with a 3.8-second run. That was good enough to […]
Lerwill will jump-start Dodge City Roundup
DODGE CITY, Kan. – Troy Lerwill is a combination of thing: athlete, daredevil, comedian. It wraps together quite nicely in a package called “Showman.” It will all be on display during the five performances of the 2012 Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1-Sunday, Aug. 5, at Roundup Arena. “Troy is […]
Fair’s volunteers a vital part of its success
LOVINGTON, N.M. – With nearly 98,000 people walking through the gates at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo last year, organizers realized one thing. “We learned a lot last year, but we also realize we’ve got a pretty good group of volunteers helping us every year,” said Dean Jackson, chairman of the Lea County Fair […]