Telling the storyteller
Yes, I’m a storyteller, and it’s awesome to be such. But one of my greatest joys comes prior to the storytelling, when I’m involved in the reporting and information-gathering. That’s when I get to hear of others’ passions and, in essence, allow them to tell me their stories first. Today I’ve visited with two contestants […]
Here’s the home for Home of the Champions
The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino has a rich winning history, hosting marvelous events – from belt-defining boxing matches to country music awards and everything in between. It has even hosted one of the tour finales in ProRodeo a decade ago. Proximity places it in a direct line to the Thomas & Mack Center, just […]
Six NWOSU cowboys vying for college titles
ALVA, Okla. – There is a lot of individualism in the world of rodeo; the man-vs.-beast mentality calls for it. But college rodeo has a distinct team atmosphere, and all individual accomplishments can benefit the group. Sometimes team titles can be won or lost on a single ride or run. That’s what Stockton Graves is […]
Regional rewards
There are a lot of great teams who will compete for the men’s national championship next week at the College National Finals Rodeo. I’ll step out on a limb and say I like the chances of teams from the Central Plains Region during the week-long competition in Casper, Wyo. You see, in addition to the […]
Reflecting on the past with a grip on the future
A few weeks ago, my mother-in-law toted a box out of her storage area, returning it to my wife because, well, it belongs here, not there. I hauled the box to our basement, which also serves as my office, and I’m glad I did. The box contains several dozen magazines, most of which bear the […]
A Stitch in time
The last time I’d visited with Christina Richman was during the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. That was two months ago, and she was caring for her rascally partner, a barrel horse named Stitch. Since then, the pair has done quite well. In fact, as her friend Sandy Gwatney termed it, Richman […]
Sharing my passion for rodeo with others
One of the great things I get to do in my job is take a rodeo neophyte and explain my passion for the sport. That happened last Thursday while announcer Scott Grover and I visited with Mike Collier during the Good Day Tulsa segment on Tulsa’s Channel 8 as we promoted the Will Rogers Stampede […]
Don’t forget to pass the roll
Matt Bright got out of his pickup, stretched a bit, then walked back to open the door to his camper. That’s where he stopped. With his hand on the door, Bright’s head slumped a bit. He stormed back to the front of the truck, grabbed his phone and headed to the Will Rogers Roundup Club […]
Keylon makes move toward first NFR qualification
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Over his eight-year career, Jared Keylon has reached many of his goals while riding bareback horses. During Sunday’s final performance in Claremore, Keylon crossed another one on his list. The cowboy from Uniontown, Kan., matched moves with Rafter H Rodeo’s Roany Pony for 75 points to win the 66th edition of the […]
Youthful Howell proving to be quite the veteran
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Tie-down roper Will Howell is young, but he’s got the confidence of a crafty veteran. That was quite an advantage Saturday night during the second performance of the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, where Howell posted an 8.6-second run to move in to second place in the four-day rodeo. He’s the closest […]
Bronc riders make move for the Claremore title
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Jesse James Kirby wants to feel the bright lights of Las Vegas as a first-time saddle bronc rider at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Jacobs Crawley wants to return to ProRodeo’s championship event. They both made positive moves on Friday during opening night of the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, posting identical […]
We’re rolling toward that summer run
The summer season is coming soon. Rodeos in the Prairie Circuit are in full swing. Congrats to Jeanne Anderson, who won last week in Abbyville. Next week is chocked full of rodeos in our region: Fort Smith (Ark.), Hugo, Ada, Bennington, Strong City, Licking (Mo.) and Conway (Ark). There will be lots of opportunities for […]
Loving care
Spending this past weekend on the Carr Pro Rodeo ranch gave me a new perspective of just what it takes to care for the amazing animal athletes that are part of our sport. Much of the heavy lifting belongs to the man in charge of the day-to-day operations; at Carr Pro Rodeo, that is Jeff […]
The competition has begun
The 66th edition of the Will Rogers Stampede began Thursday morning with a full day of slack. I haven’t received any results yet, but here is a quick photo so you know it’s coming.
Plenty of high-flying action on tap for Claremore rodeo
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rodeo is America’s original extreme sport, and every year its greatest athletes make their way to Rogers County to fight for the thousands of dollars in prize money available at the Will Rogers Stampede. This year marks the 66th anniversary of Claremore’s rodeo, and the producers of the annual event are making […]
Dreaming like cowboys dream
Scoot is a beautiful palomino who performs really well. Jeff Collins says you can head and heel on him, and he’s easy to work with. Ted is nearly 45 years old and hasn’t been horseback since he was 16. But I stepped up on Scoot like I meant business, even if I damn near overshot […]
Bridgeport rodeo finds great success with Carr
BRIDGEPORT, Texas – Folks in Wise County, Texas, know a thing or two about rodeo. After all, some of rodeo’s best live right there in the 923-square-mile region. Those educated fans got to see quite a high quality show last weekend during the Butterfield Stage Days PRCA Rodeo. From newcomers like barrel racer Stevi Hillman […]
Oklahoma family ready to rodeo together
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Many people associated with rodeo talk about the family atmosphere the sport fosters. None know that any more than the Poppino clan of Big Cabin, Okla.: Tana, Marty and Brodie. Rodeo is in their blood as well as their bloodline, and they travel the country chasing their gold buckle dreams. They also […]
Standings leaders eager to qualify for Duncan
DUNCAN, Okla. – Hunter Herrin has been one of the best tie-down ropers in ProRodeo much of his eight-year career. After winning the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo and placing at the Chisholm Trail Stampede in Duncan, Okla., the first weekend of May, he’s surged into the lead in the Prairie Circuit’s tie-down roping standings. […]
Becoming eligible
Steer roper Chad Decker of Stephenville, Texas, will remember the Butterfield Stage Days PRCA Rodeo for a long time. You see, Decker is competing on his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association permit, and permit-holders aren’t eligible to become card-carrying members of the association until they earn enough money in the trying-out stage of competition. Decker finished […]
MGM Deuces Night steals show at Guymon rodeo
GUYMON, Okla. – The newest pen of Carr Pro Rodeo bucking bulls made a statement, but MGM Deuces Night stole the show at the 2012 Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. “When I heard callbacks for this rodeo, I was screaming out loud and running around like a little girl,” Vezain said of the great Carr Pro […]
Animals drawing big names to Bridgeport rodeo
BRIDGEPORT, Texas – The greatest cowboys know they have earned that status by testing their skills on the greatest animals in ProRodeo. That’s one big reason why some of the biggest names in the sport will be in Bridgeport this weekend for the Butterfield Stage Days PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday […]
World champions walk away with Guymon titles
GUYMON, Okla. – The Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo has been the place where champions play. In 2012, Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena was better known as the place where champions win. Of the 10 disciplines, five winners from this year’s event own gold buckles that are awarded to world champions. As always, this year’s championship […]
Panhandle reflections
The Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo means more to me than being just a great event; it’s also about seeing old friends and sharing my passions. I’ve been to that awesome rodeo eight of the last 10 years; I’m tied to it for many reasons, and I’m proud of that. For the 2006 Pioneer Days […]