Struxness riding high to Vegas
MILAN, Minn. – It’s been eight years since J.D. Struxness earned his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. From a 21-year-old college student to a family man and father of two little girls, a great deal has changed for the Minnesota cowboy who makes his living wrestling steers and chasing his rodeo dreams. “We’ve […]
Late heroics propel Pope to NFR
WAVERLY, Kan. – The edge is a tricky place to be. One step in the right direction can build confidence and sustain hope. One awkward step can spell disaster. Jess Pope was on that ledge most of the 2024 rodeo season. In fact, it wasn’t until the final few weeks of the ProRodeo campaign that […]
Proctor in line for two world titles
PRYOR, Okla – When Coleman Proctor qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time a decade ago, he was on Cloud 9, an exhilarating feeling he’d only dreamed about. So many things have changed over time, but there’s something familiar for the Pryor team roping header as he prepares for his ninth trip […]
Champion slides into 9th NFR<
STEVENSVILLE, Mont. – Richmond Champion’s sigh of relief could be heard down the Bitterroot Valley. After a year of rodeo and countless battles with bucking horses that outweigh him by hundreds of pounds, the bareback rider held his breath as the regular season came to a close. He knows only the top 15 men on […]
Lees eager for 2nd straight NFR
CALDWELL, Idaho – As he has matured, Jacob Lees has learned what it takes to excel as a professional bareback rider. “I feel like I’m really consistent, and I know how to handle a lot of different horses now,” said Lees, 28, originally from Caldwell but now living in Boyd, Texas, with his wife of […]
Broussard ready for NFR fight
ESTHERWOOD, La. – Taylor Broussard burst onto the ProRodeo scene a decade ago and was quickly identified as a rising star. He proved it in 2019 with his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale that takes place over 10 December nights. He finished the campaign 15th in the world standings […]
Casper ready for NFR business
MIAMI, Texas – Wyatt Casper is a businessman who has no problem with the hard work it takes to succeed. He toils in a profession that requires dedication, time-commitment and travel. He’s pretty good at it. The business? Rodeo. His occupation? Saddle bronc rider. Why does he do it? To best care for his family, […]
Franks ready for NFR redemption
CLARENDON, Texas – At just 23 years of age, Cole Franks has accomplished a great deal in the world of rodeo. Three seasons ago, he won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s bareback riding and all-around championships while helping Clarendon College to the men’s team national title. He then became the Resistol Bareback Riding Rookie of […]
Rangers have success at home
ALVA, Okla. – Home may be where the heart is, but it’s often the most difficult place to play. The Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo teams hosted the Central Plains Region teams this past weekend at the Alva Dome, and while there was some rough-sledding, there were a handful of Rangers who found success. “That […]
Yeahquo wins OSU rodeo crown
ALVA, Okla. – When L.J. Yeahquo to transfer to Northwestern Oklahoma State University, he did it for two primary reasons. “I want to complete my MBA, get my master’s degree in business in April, and continue to rodeo,” said Yeahquo, a graduate student and team roping heeler on the Rangers rodeo team from Mandaree, North […]
Hometown hero wins circuit title
DUNCAN, Okla. – Things had to go Ryan Jarrett’s way if he was to win another Prairie Circuit tie-down roping championship. They did. Jarrett placed in Friday’s second round and won the third to claim the aggregate title during his three days of competition at the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, earning $6,267 […]
Breakaway race gets tighter
DUNCAN, Okla. – The race for the region’s breakaway roping championship just got a little tighter. Cheyanne McCartney of Kingston, Oklahoma, entered the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo with a $516 advantage over Taylor Munsell of Alva, Oklahoma. After the opening two nights of competition, both ladies have earned go-round wins and share […]
Devers has love affair in Duncan
DUNCAN, Okla. – Five days ago, Cody Devers wasn’t thinking much about wrestling steers. He was getting married to Brecklyn, so there were higher priorities in his life, but he couldn’t help but think of the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. “I asked her to start dating me here about three or four […]
Fair’s auction remains a success
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Susan Shollar has seen this before, but she’s still amazed. During the junior livestock and exhibition auction at this year’s Waller County Fair and Rodeo, donors spent $1,469,500 on the animals and other exhibits over the course of the Oct. 5 sale at the fairgrounds in Hempstead. “It’s amazing to me, because […]
Bull riders eyeing regional title
DUNCAN, Okla. – When it comes to a gladiator-like event in rodeo, nothing gets closer than bull riding. Cowboys weighing close to 150 pounds will test their mettle on bulls 10 times or more than their body size. It’s a game of man vs. beast, athletes all. The bulls have the advantage, of course, because […]
Rodeo heading in right direction
HENDERSON, Texas – When Ryan Ellis looks around at the Rusk County Expo Center this week, he reflects on the things that mean the most to him. He’s directing traffic, trying to get everything in order for the Black Gold Stampede, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday at the complex in Henderson. The two […]
Carr helps build a strong rodeo
HENDERSON, Texas – Everyone needs a dose of honesty, a quick response to something important. Friends are great, but so are advisors. When businessmen work together, they can forge relationships that last for years, such is the case with Pete Carr and the organizers of the Black Gold Stampede, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. […]
Solomon wins hometown title
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – When Dorothy said it in the “Wizard of Oz,” it made for a good movie in the 1930s. When Cory Solomon says it now, he means it. There’s no place like home, and he proved it Saturday night during the final performance of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. He roped an […]
Texan rides to Hempstead lead
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Bodee Lammers has always been athletic, and a decade ago, it took him to west Texas to play football at Sul Ross State University. After a year, he had an opportunity to test his hand at being a bronc buster. He was hooked, and he’s been chasing that rodeo high ever sense. […]
Aussie making a run in rodeo
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Things don’t always go as planned. Teams don’t always win. The guy doesn’t always get the girl. When Darcy Kersh arrived in town for the first performance of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, he had envisioned a solid night of calf roping and bulldogging. He didn’t think he’d break the barrier […]
Eck ready to fly at circuit finals
DUNCAN, Okla. – Bryce Eck is a bareback rider, but he takes to his trade with a workmanlike approach to business. It’s worked. He is the No. 1 bareback rider heading into the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17-Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Stephens County Arena in […]
McCartney has eyes on the prize
DUNCAN, Okla. – Cheyanne McCartney has found contentment out of a frustrating 2023 rodeo season. After three straight qualifications to the National Finals Breakaway Roping in Las Vegas, McCartney will not return to defend her aggregate championship at the South Point Equestrian Center. She will, however, be the No. 1 cowgirl heading to the Chisholm […]
Edler paces Rangers to victory
ALVA, Okla. – Emmett Edler has started the Central Plains Region season on fire, and he doesn’t seem to be cooling off anytime soon. Edler, who won the all-around championship in Manhattan, Kansas, to kickstart the campaign, won three titles this past weekend to lead Northwestern Oklahoma State University to the men’s team title at […]
Kiesner inching closer to title
DUNCAN, Okla. – The aches and pains that Roper Kiesner felt were getting the better of him. He needed – and took – a break from the game of rodeo. He did that for more than a couple years before returning to action late in the 2023 season. Now at age 30, he’s at the […]