Upgrades continue for fairgrounds
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – In the 1989 Universal Studios’ movie “Field of Dreams,” Kevin Costner’s character heard the whispering echoes of the same phrase: “If you build it, they will come.” The Waller County Fair Board has had the same sound reverberating for years, and members of the organization have acted upon that. The upgrades for […]
Circuit bulldogging race is tight
DUNCAN, Okla. – Since the inception of the PRCA’s circuit system 47 years ago, the Prairie Circuit has been a hotbed for steer wrestling. Not only are there some outstanding homegrown bulldoggers, but men from out of the area – and even out of the United States – make their way to the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region […]
Concerts add nice flavor to fair
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The popularity of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo concert series has only continued to blossom over the years. “We’ve been very lucky over the years to have people who are diligent in bringing in great concerts,” said Paul Shollar, president of the Waller County Fair Board. “We’ve had Cody Johnson here […]
Traul ropes victory in Colby
ALVA, Okla. – Jaci Traul put a little more student into her role as a student-athlete during her performance this past weekend at the Colby (Kansas) Community College rodeo. Traul took a cerebral approach to her job and came away with the breakaway roping championship. She roped her first calf in 2.5 seconds to finish […]
Local fair continues to grow
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The Waller County Fair Board is expanding the community’s annual exposition, and that means bigger opportunities for fairgoers at this year’s event. The Waller County Fair and Rodeo will begin Thursday, Sept. 26, and continue through Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. It’s two days longer than years […]
Dessel returning to circuit finals
DUNCAN, Okla. – Much has changed since Allan Dessel worked his first Prairie Circuit Finals. That was in 2010, when the rodeo was in Park City, Kansas, and Dessel was teaching school in Soper, Oklahoma. In 14 years since, he has moved back to his native Iowa and operates a bookkeeping business, all while still […]
Larsen rolls to Salt Lake City win
SALT LAKE CITY – Orin Larsen is on the outside looking in. He’s qualified nine straight times for the National Finals Rodeo and entered this week of competition 16th on the money list; only the top 15 in the world standings in each event earn the right to play for the sport’s biggest pay this […]
Rangers ride strong at K-State
ALVA, Okla. – The new Central Plains Region 10-event season kicked off in a different location and a different feel, but the Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo team came out with two titles, strong finishes and a boatload of confidence. Senior Emmett Edler of State Center, Iowa, earned his first all-around championship at the Kansas […]
Utah roper is all business
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. […]
Wilson still planning to Cash in
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 […]
CPRA Finals coming to town
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, […]
Horse pull shows off equine power
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 […]
Rodeo to celebrate community
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 […]
Yerigan adds flavor to rodeo
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, […]
Utah owns the gold standard
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 […]
Loden has right touch for rodeo
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 […]
They’re just clowning around
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 […]
Producer makes the right calls
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 […]
Changing for the better
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 […]
Rodeo provides more for fans
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 […]
Gray wins Gooding Pro Rodeo
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 […]
Brennan in position for rodeo gold
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 […]
A taste of Mexico in rodeo
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 […]
Kipp wrestles Gooding lead
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, […]