Riley inching closer to the pay window at Claremore rodeo
CLAREMORE, Okla. – In essence, Ricky Riley’s life changed several years ago when he moved from his native New Mexico to Checotah, Okla. The steer wrestler wanted to be one of the best, so he decided to learn from the best, and every one of them seemed to be from that small eastern Oklahoma community […]
Photos from Claremore
Go to www.WillRogersStampede.com and take a look at the photos we’ve got so far from the rodeo in Claremore.
Brazile snares Claremore steer roping title
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Trevor Brazile owns the most prestigious record in ProRodeo with his eight all-around world championships. He’s closing in on several more. Brazile, of Decatur, Texas, has earned 14 gold buckles in his 15-year Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association career, including three tie-down roping titles, two steer roping championships and a team roping-heading victory. […]
Whew …
What a busy and wonderful day in Claremore, where competition has begun for the 65th edition of the Will Rogers Stampede. Announcer Scott Grover and I were part of the KITO morning broadcast in Vinita, Okla., then we stopped in wonderful Chelsea, Okla., to have breakfast with our dear friend, Donna McSpadden. We hung out […]
Gone but not forgotten
Kansas City Royals great Paul Splittorff died today after a battle with oral cancer and melanoma. He was an original Royal, drafted in 1968, and he played all 14 years in Kansas City. Even after he retired from playing, he stayed with the game and has served as one of the voices of the Royals […]
Tornado outbreak
I’m getting the rig packed and ready to head to Claremore, Okla., for the 65th edition of the Will Rogers Stampede. Of course, I’m well aware of the severe weather throughout this region of the world, just two days removed from the deadly tornado that hit Joplin, Mo., and killed at least 123 people. Although […]
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 65th anniversary of Claremore’s rodeo, and the producers of the annual event are making […]
The future’s so Bright …
When Matt Bright won the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo in the Oklahoma Panhandle earlier this month, it was a great sign for the Tennessee cowboy who now lives near Fort Worth, Texas. Bright suffered a fracture of his lumbar spine last December when the Carr Pro Rodeo horse Real Deal rared in the chute during […]
Learning curve …
Casey Sisk has always been a cowboy. That’s just the way of life for the Corona, N.M., man, who is still looking for his breakout season in ProRodeo. Sisk is hot on the rodeo trail this season, traveling the circuit with some of the best in the business: Cody Taton, the 2009 Wrangler National Finals […]
Olson’s act is mighty special for Will Rogers Stampede
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Jerry Wayne Olson is an entertainer who loves it when thousands of people crowd around an arena to watch him work. But that’s not his favorite part of being a specialty act in ProRodeo. “I just love being around the horses and livestock and being able to do what you do,” said […]
I don’t have the words
I’m a writer. I make a living putting words together in order to tell stories, share experiences and arouse passions. There are no words that will take away the pain of loss, and in the case of the family and friends of Kim Asay, I offer my prayers and my heart to you in her […]
Hall family is a big part of Will Rogers Stampede history
CLAREMORE, Okla. – There’s a lot of history in the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, and Dell Hall has seen his share. Hall is the owner of Rafter H Rodeo Livestock Co., and he’s been the stock contractor for the Claremore annual rodeo since 1975, his first year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “Claremore […]
Toney anxious to bring great rodeo back to his hometown
LAMONI, Iowa – There’s something about the rodeo dust on the rodeo trail that gets into a cowboy’s blood. That’s the life Talton Toney lives, whether it’s on his place just north of Lamoni or while producing bull ridings, barrel races and rodeos throughout the Midwest. It’s a lifestyle, too, and something Toney carries proudly […]
Ellick, Rivinius returning ‘home’ to fight bulls in Claremore
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Greek Ellick Sr. lives here, just like many members of his family. Originally from Verdigris, this part of Oklahoma is home. Before retiring to the Claremore Nursing Home, he was a rodeo clown and a spur maker, recognized as one of the best in the country. Now his son, Greek Ellick Jr., […]
Tough as (thumb) nails
Many of the great storylines in rodeo are about the overall toughness of the cowboys and cowgirls that are part of the sport. They know how to work hard, and they realize that hard work is what it takes to be successful. They have the mindset it takes to block out the pain in order […]
Congratulations to Trevor Brazile
Trevor Brazile became the first $4 million cowboy, surpassing the mark this weekend. See the story HERE.
Mortons carry a strong legacy with Will Rogers Stampede
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Bob and Alice Morton knew they’d be part of the Rodeo Legends Banquet produced by the Will Rogers Roundup Club. They’ve been part of the organization for nearly 35 years, so being involved comes with the territory. When they learned they were part of the inductees into this year’s hall of fame […]
World champs part of the featured act at Claremore rodeo
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Trevor Brazile is a record-breaking world champion cowboy. For folks in northeast Oklahoma, he’s also one aspect of the record 564 entries at this year’s Will Rogers Stampede, which will feature 26 world championships and dozens of qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer roping. […]
Bendele’s sleight of hand makes for sweet sounds of rodeo
CLAREMORE, Okla. – When Benje Bendele clicks his fingers, something magical usually happens. Ah, the life of the preeminent sound and effects man in ProRodeo. If it happens in the arena, the speakers rumble with a complementary sound. It’s a split-second, a click and a style that has led the Texan to many of the […]
McCracken brings split personality to Claremore rodeo
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Dale McCracken has multiple personalities, but it’s not a disorder. It’s quite the opposite, really. Like a superhero donning his cape, McCracken covers his face with greasepaint and enters the world of his alter-ego, Gizmo, the funnyman/barrelman who has entertained rodeo crowds for much of his life. It’s as if Dale drives […]
Guymon rodeo a winning homecoming for many cowboys
GUYMON, Okla. – The Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo has always served as a reunion, of sorts, for ProRodeo athletes with ties to the Oklahoma Panhandle. Winning the good money available is just a nice benefit, and several contestants reaped the rewards of returning “home” the first weekend of May. “They do a good job with […]
Guymon winners get wrapped up in Carr’s Dirty Jacket
GUYMON, Okla. – The Masters has the green jacket. Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo has Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket. Either way, it’s a winning combination. Charl Schwartzel earned the green jacket at Augusta National Golf Course in April; Matt Bright and Dirty Jacket danced across the Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena dirt Sunday, May 8, […]
Lowe in position to win Guymon for second straight year
GUYMON, Okla. – Two nights before the start of the 2010 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, world champion bareback rider Will Lowe was presented his trophy belt from his win at last year’s Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. He ripped off his light brown leather belt, unfastened one of his three gold buckles and placed it on […]
To win in Guymon, cowboys need a Dirty Jacket
GUYMON, Okla. – Bareback rider Matt Bright knew something special was going to happen Sunday afternoon at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. “As many years as I’ve been coming to Guymon, they’ve won that rodeo on that horse,” he said of Dirty Jacket of Carr Pro Rodeo. “That’s one of the best horses in the […]