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LOVINGTON, N.M. – There was a stretch earlier this season where defending world champion bareback rider Jess Pope was struggling. It may have been the gold buckle hangover or maybe he just wasn’t being matched with the right livestock. He needed things to change; over the last couple of months, they have. He proved it with an 87-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Redzilla to move into second place at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. “I was really excited to have that,” he said of the sorrel bucking machine. “That horse and I had some issues in Weatherford (Texas) this year and about had some issues tonight, but it ended up working out pretty good. I’m pretty pleased with it.” While Pope finished second, there were others who won their events on the final night of Lovington’s rodeo: saddle bronc rider Damien Brennan was 89.5 on Carr’s High Dive; barrel racer Wenda Johnson stopped the clock in 17.34 seconds; team ropers Chad Masters and Trey Yates were 9.8 seconds on two runs; and Taylor Santos won the all-around title for the second straight year. As for Pope, he sits 12th in the world standings with a little more than $84,000 in earnings. He’d like to jump up the standings considerably by the time the NFR rolls around, but most of all, he needs to secure his bid for Las Vegas; only the top 15 in the world standings at the conclusion of the regular season advance to the finale. “Generally, it’s No. 1,” he said referring to his spot on the money list by the time he arrives in the Nevada desert in December. “This year I’m looking at being in the top 10 to see how the cards lay out to make it into the top five and see what chance I have at whatever else.” Once he gets to the NFR, he shines. He first qualified in 2020 and won the 10-ride aggregate title and earned more than $170,000. A year later, he collected $230,000 at the NFR and added another average title. Last year, he went three for three with victories at ProRodeo’s grand championship and added his first world championship – he won another $230,000 in Las Vegas and finished the year with just shy of $400,000 Over that stretch, he snagged $951,000, with $632,153 coming at the finale. That’s his honey hole, but he’s had pretty good luck in Lovington. He’s placed second twice and earned almost $8,000 doing so. “I really like Lovington,” said Pope, a 24-year-old newlywed from Waverly, Kansas. “I had some tough luck the first time I ever came; I tore my hamstring. Other than that, I’ve won a pretty good check out of here every year I’ve been.” It helps to draw good horses, and he did that with Redzilla, powerful red horse that has bucked five times at the NFR. It’s not just the Carr string that’s been in Lovington this week, though. The livestock producer has also had several other stock contractors provide their best animals to the mix. “That says a lot about Pete,” Pope said. “There are a lot of contractors that won’t sub-lease things, and Pete realizes that with better the production, the better horses you have across the board, you’re going to get more cowboys. “It just makes your rodeo all the better. He has a great string of bucking horses, but when you get 40 guys to enter, it’s hard to put 40 top-notch horses together out of one firm, so it’s really cool that he brings other people in.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 9-12All-around cowboy: Taylor Santos, $5,804 in tie-down roping and steer roping. Bareback riding: 1. Richmond Champion, 88.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped, $5,922; 2. Jess Pope, 87, $4,540; 3. Tim O’Connell, 85.5, $3,356; 4. (tie) Sam Petersen, Jacob Lees Mason Clements and Ty Pope, 84, $1,333 each; 5. Chad Rutherford, 83.5, $592. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Riley Westhaver, 3.7 seconds, $2,034; 2. Tyler Pearson, 4.0, $1,769; 3. Gus Franzen, 4.1, $1,503; 4. (tie) Joshua Hefner and Remey Parrott, 4.2, $1,105 each; 6. Laramie Warren, 4.3, $707; 7. Darcy Kersh, 4.5, $442; 8. (tie) Mitch Hutto and Tristan Martin, 4.6, $88 each. Second round: 1. Riley Duvall, $2,033; 2. (tie) Heath Thomas and Laramie Warren, 3.7, $1,636 each; 4. Mason Couch, 3.9, $1,238; 5. Cody Devers, 4.0, $973; 6. (tie) Don Payne and Cash Robb, 4.2, $575 each; 8. Trisyn Kalawaia, 4.3, $177. Average: 1. Laramie Warren, 8.0 seconds on two runs, $3,051; 2. Remey Parrott, 8.7, $2,653; 3. Josh Hefner, 9.0, $2,255; 4. (tie) Heath Thomas and Tristan Martin, 9.1, $1,658 each; 6. (tie) Trisyn Kalawaia and Rowdy Parrott, 9.4, $862; 8. Mitch Hutto, 10.2, $266. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Trevor Hale, 8.7 seconds, $3,002; 2. Jake Pratt, 8.8, $2,611; 3. Marcos Costa, 8.9, $2,219; 4. Cory Solomon, 9.1, $1,827; 5. Caleb Smidt, 9.2, $1,436; 6. Shane Hanchey, 9.5, $1,044; 7. Garrett Jacobs, 9.6, $653; 8. (tie) Dylan Hancock and Kalai Nobriga, 10.2, $131 each. Second round: 1. Riley Webb, 7.2 seconds, $3,002; 2. (tie) Tuf Cooper, Taylor Santos and Quade Hiatt, 8.0, $2,219 each; 5. Dylan Hancock, 8.1, $1,436; 6. Tom Crouse, 8.2, $1,044; 7. Kody Mahaffey, 8.3, $653; 8. (tie) Ty Harris and Luke Potter, 8.5. Average: 1. Cory Solomon, 18.1 seconds on two runs, $4,503; 2. Trevor Hale, 18.2, $3,916; 3. Dylan Hancock, 18.3, $3,328; 4. Luke Potter, 19.5, $2,741; 5. Caleb Smidt, 19.6, $2,154; 6. Marcos Costa, 20.0, $1,566; 7. Lane Livingston, 20.1, $979; 8. Riley Webb, 20.4, $392. Breakaway roping: 1. Rylee George, 2.0 seconds, $5,631; 2. Brighton Bauman, 2.1, $4,505; 3. Maddy Deerman, 2.2, $3,660; 4. Kayelen Helton, 3.4, $2,815; 5. Taylor Munsell, 2.5, $2,252; 6. Josie Conner, 2.6, $1,689; 7. (tie) Christi Braudrick, Lindsey Baker and Hailey Schafer, 2.8, $1,267 each; 10. Madalyn Richards, 3.0, $985; 11. (tie) Macy Davenport and Madison Outhier, 3.3, $774 each; 13. (tie) Mackenzie Watkins, Alex Loiselle and Bailey  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Being raised by a man who hauls calves to rodeos was the perfect training ground for Cory Solomon. One of his jobs in the family business was to break in fresh calves, animals right out of the pasture that had never been roped. Most competitions prefer a few runs on their cattle, but not all. His schooling came in quite handy Friday during the third day of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. He roped and tied two calves – 9.1 in the first round (to sit fourth) and 9.0 in the second round – to take the tie-down roping aggregate lead heading into the final night of Lovington’s rodeo. “It’s probably because they have fresh cattle,” said Solomon, 33, a nine-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Prairie View, Texas. “I roped a lot of them growing up, because my dad hauled cattle and we rotated them a lot, so I was always breaking in fresh cattle.” That helped him develop a really fast game on the ground, the work of flanking the animal and tying three legs together. He’s well known for being one of the top cowboys in tie-down roping when he’s got his hands on the animal. “This is a good time to turn things around,” he said of having success in Lea County. Solomon is 14th in the world standings, which is a good thing. Only the top 15 at the conclusion of the regular season advance to the NFR, but he’d like to give himself a little more breathing room before the campaign closes Sept. 30. Doing well in southeast New Mexico would be beneficial. It helped before. He won inside Jake McClure Arena in 2017, advanced to the NFR and finished seventh in the final world standings. He hopes to utilize that momentum again as he heads into the final few weeks. He knew after his first-round run that he just needed to be solid during Friday’s performance. “The guys that missed in the first round didn’t have anything to worry about and could just go for broke,” Solomon said. “The cattle are also in a set, and most of those top five or six times weren’t today. We have to work with what we have as far as the cattle. “We have 7.2 (second) winning (the second round) and 8.0 up there, so my mind frame was to lock the average down. Where I’m at in the standings, I wanted that average check because it’s going to be the biggest one. I didn’t need to be too fast. I just wanted to run a couple calves just to get in the groove.” He may have found his groove, and just like he did six seasons ago, he’s hoping a Lovington title leads to better things later this year. Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 9-12Bareback riding leaders: 1. Richmond Champion, 88.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped; 2. Tim O’Connell, 85.5; 3. (tie) Sam Petersen and Jacob Lees, 84; 5. Chad Rutherford, 83.5; 6. (tie) Mason Clements and Jayco Roper, 83; 8. Kade Sonnier, 82.5. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Riley Westhaver, 3.7 seconds; 2. Laramie Warren, 4.3; 3. Mitch Hutto, 4.6; 4. (tie) Jordan Holland and Trisyn Kalawaia; 6. Heath Thomas, 5.4; 7. Billy Boldon, 5.9; 8. Tucker Alberts, 6.3. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Heath Thomas and Laramie Warren, 3.7 seconds; 3. Cody Devers, 4.0; 4. Don Payne, 4.2; 5. Trisyn Kalawaia, 4.3; 6. Tristan Martin, 4.5; 7. (tie) McLane Arballo and Bridger Anderson, 4.6. Average leaders: 1. Laramie Warren, 8.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Heath Thomas, 9.1; 3. Trisyn Kalawaia, 9.4; 4. Mitch Hutto, 10.2; 5. Bridger Anderson, 11.6; 6. Tucker Alberts, 11.7; 7. Tucker Allen, 11.8; 8. Billy Boldon, 21.2. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 8.7 seconds; 2. Jake Pratt, 8.8; 3. Marcos Costa, 8.9; 4. Cory Solomon, 9.1; 5. Caleb Smidt, 9.2; 6. Shane Hanchey, 9.5; 7. Garrett Jacobs, 9.6; 8. Dylan Hancock, 10.2. Second round leaders: 1. Riley Webb, 7.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Tuf Cooper and Quade Hiatt, 8.0; 4. Dylan Hancock, 8.1; 5. Tom Crouse, 8.2; 6. Ty Harris, 8.5; 7. Hagen Houck, 8.6; 8. King Pickett, 8.7. Average leaders: 1. Cory Solomon, 18.1 seconds on two runs; 2. Trevor Hale, 18.2; 3. Dylan Hancock, 18.3; 4. Caleb Smidt, 19.6; 5. Marcos Costa, 20.0; 6. Lane Livingston, 20.1; 7. Riley Webb, 20.4; 8 Westyn Hughes, 20.9. Breakaway roping: 1. Rylee George, 2.0 seconds; 2. Brighton Bauman, 2.1; 3. Maddy Deerman, 2.2; 4. Taylor Munsell, 2.5; 5. Josie Conner, 2.6; 6. (tie) Christi Braudrick and Hailey Schafer, 2.8; 8. (tie) Macy Davenport and Madison Outhier, 3.3; 10. (tie) Mackenzie Watkins, Alex Loiselle and Bailey Jay, 3.4; 13. (tie) Tibba Smith, Taylor Hanchey. Shalee King and Jenna Caldarola, 3.5. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Logan Hay, 88.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Little Bit; 2. (tie) Tanner Butner and Lefty Holman, 87; 2. Sage Newman, 85; 3. (tie) Ryder Wright and Stu Wright, 84; 5. Stetson Wright, 83.5; 6. Kolby Wanchuk, 83; 7 Clint Franks, 81.5; 8. Dean Wadsworth, 79. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 4.5 seconds; 2. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.6; 3. Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.9; 4. Nelson Wyatt/Chase Tryan, 5.0; 5. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins, 5.1; 6. Tanner Baldwin/Tanner Luttrell, 5.2; 7. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 5.5; 8. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 5.6; 8. (tie) Rawley Ben Jr./Hiyo Yazzi and Wyatt Imus/Caleb Anderson, 5.9; 6. (tie) Wyatt Bray/Josh Patton and James Arviso/Caston Weidenbener, 6.2; 8. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.6. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.0 seconds; 3. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 4.1; 4, Chad Weitz/Cutter Thomison, 4.2; 5. Keven Daniel/Travis Graves, 4.3; 6. (tie) Peyton Holliday/Kolton Good and Clint Summers/Jake Long, 4.4; 8. Justin Mascarenas/Pace Blanchard, 4.6. Average leaders: 1. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 10.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Tanner Baldwin/Tanner Luttrell, 10.9; 3. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 11.6; 4. Chad Weitz/Cutter Thomison, 11.9; 5. Wyatt Kent/Jacob Auza, 13.2; 6.  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – A year ago, Logan Hay was setting the rodeo world on fire. He’d set a new world record with a 95.5-point saddle bronc ride in his native Alberta, then qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time. He continued his hot streak, earning $200,000 in 10 days and finishing the campaign third in the world standings. $340,000. Fast forward to August 2023: Hay is in chase mode with hopes of returning to ProRodeo’s grand finale again in December. He’s 31st in the world standings, and only the top 15 at the conclusion of the regular season on Sept. 30 will make Las Vegas. “I had to take two months off,” said Hay, who suffered a broken bone in his arm during a strange horse-riding wreck in May. “I’m going to be rodeoing as hard as I can the next couple months, so a check out of here will get me rolling again.” He gave himself a great chance with an 88.5-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Little Bit to take the bronc riding lead at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. “When I was on the couch, I watched a lot of The Cowboy Channel, and I saw Chase Brooks get on him in Oakley (Utah),” said Hay, the oldest of three boys sired by Rod Hay, a 20-time NFR qualifier in bronc riding. “I said right there (that) I really wanted to get on him. He’s a little horse and really electric; those kind really suit me. I’m a short guy myself, so I get along with some of them smaller, electric horses. “I had to come a long ways to come here, but I knew when I had that one I was coming.” The horse is an important piece of the equation. Based on a 100-point scale, judges score up to 50 points for how well the animal bucks and 50 points for how well the cowboy spurs in rhythm with the horse’s bucking motion. For a man coming off injured reserve, every ride matters. “In rodeo, it’s not if you get hurt, it’s when,” said Hay, 26, of Wildwood, Alberta. “You just have to take it. It’s really frustrating when it happens, especially in a deal like that where it was a freak accident. I’m just happy that it wasn’t worse than it was and that I’m back doing what I love again.” Following in the footsteps of a legend may not have been a choice, but he’s happy to be doing it. His dad won eight Canadian titles and was crowned the champion of the famed Calgary Stampede four times. Logan joined him as a Calgary titlist last year, and middle brother Dawson won it in July. “Ever since I was little, I wanted to do it,” Logan Hay said. “We tried some other events, rode some steers and roped in the pasture, but it’s always been bronc riding. Since Day 1, it’s what I wanted. When you make a good ride, you don’t feel sore at all. There’s no better feeling than riding a real bucking horse like that. “I had to bear down today. That horse doesn’t look like it, but that little guy was all there. Today I was dang sure hustling. If you set your rein down or think about hesitating, that one will buck you off and make you feel silly.” There’s nothing silly about Hay; he’s the top dog in Lovington. Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 9-12Bareback riding leaders: 1. Richmond Champion, 88.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped; 2. Tim O’Connell, 85.5; 3. (tie) Sam Petersen and Jacob Lees, 84; 5. Chad Rutherford, 83.5; 6. Jayco Roper, 83; 7. Kade Sonnier, 82.5; 8. Dean Thompson, 81.5. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Riley Westhaver, 3.7 seconds; 2. Heath Thomas, 5.4; 3. Billy Boldon, 5.9; 4. Tucker Allen, 6.5; 5. Bridger Anderson, 7.0; no other qualified times. Second round leaders: 1. Heath Thomas, 3.7 seconds; 2. Cody Devers, 4.0; 3. Don Payne, 4.2; 4. Tristan Martin, 4.5; 5. (tie) McLane Arballo and Bridger Anderson, 4.6; 7. (tie) Justin Simon and Jay Williamson, 4.7. Average leaders: 1. Heath Thomas, 9.1 seconds on two runs; 2. Bridger Anderson, 11.6; 3. Tucker Allen, 11.8; 4. Billy Boldon, 21.2; 5. Riley Westhaver, 3.7 seconds on one run; 6. Cody Devers, 4.0; 7. Don Payne, 4.2; 8. Tristan Martin, 4.5. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 8.7 seconds; 2. Jake Pratt, 8.8; 3. Shane Hanchey, 9.5; 4. Garrett Jacobs, 9.6; 5. Dylan Hancock, 10.2; 6. (tie) David Trahan and Kincade Henry, 10.5; 8. Hunter Herrin, 11.0; Second round leaders: 1. Riley Webb, 7.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Tuf Cooper and Quade Hiatt, 8.0; 4. Dylan Hancock, 8.1; 5. Tom Crouse, 8.2; 6. Ty Harris, 8.5; 7. Walker Akins, 8.8; 8. Trevor Hale, 9.5. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Dylan Hancock, 18.3; 3. Riley Webb, 20.4; 4. (tie) Quade Hiatt and Chad Weitz, 21.0;7. Hunter Herrin, 22.8; 8. Walker Akins, 23.4. Breakaway roping: 1. Rylee George, 2.0 seconds; 2. Brighton Bauman, 2.1; 3. Maddy Deerman, 2.2; 4. Kassidy Dennison, 2.4; 5. Taylor Munsell, 2.5; 6. Josie Conner, 2.6; 7. (tie) Macy Davenport and Madison Outhier, 3.3; 8. Alex Loiselle, 3.4; 9. Taylor Hanchey, 3.5; 10. MaryBeth Beam, 3.7.   Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Logan Hay, 88.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Little Bit; 2. (tie) Tanner Butner and Lefty Holman, 87; 2. Sage Newman, 85; 3. (tie) Ryder Wright and Stu Wright, 84; 5. Stetson Wright, 83.5; 6. Kolby Wanchuk, 83; 7 Clint Franks, 81.5; 8. Dean Wadsworth, 79. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 4.5 seconds; 2. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.6; 3. Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.9; 4. Nelson Wyatt/Chase Tryan, 5.0; 5. Tanner Baldwin/Tanner Luttrell, 5.2; 6. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 5.5; 7. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 5.6; 8. (tie) Rawley Ben Jr./Hiyo Yazzi and Wyatt Imus/Caleb Anderson, 5.9; 6. (tie) Wyatt Bray/Josh Patton and James Arviso/Caston  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Like any sport, rodeo has its share of frustrations. Take Heath Thomas, for example. Things hadn’t gone his way through the first 10 months of the ProRodeo season. He is outside the top 50 in the world standings, and he just wants to earn money wrestling steers. He stands a good chance after Wednesday’s first performance of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. Thomas dropped his steer in 3.7 seconds to take the second-round lead; combined with his first-round run of 5.4 seconds, he also has the aggregate lead with three performances remaining. “I had a good steer this morning, laid him down and made a good run,” said Thomas, 30, of Hemphill, Texas. “I drew a decent chance this (evening) and made it work.” It was like a weight was lifted off the cowboy’s shoulders. Riding the horse FedEx, owned by his hazer Cade Staton, Thomas took advantage of everything that came his way. He realized that the luck of the draw was on his side, but he had to make sure he did his part. It’s something he’s been doing most of his life. “I started rodeoing when I was knee high to a grasshopper; I was little bitty,” he said. “I didn’t start bulldogging until I was big enough to throw one down, and I haven’t stopped.” There’s passion in the game, and it’s what helps during those all-night drives between rodeos. Cowboys might compete Wednesday night in Lovington then drive through the darkest hours to be at the next stop in time to run steers at 8 a.m. “It’s been a rough year, but it’s been turning around good lately,” Thomas said. “I just hope to keep the ball rolling. Hopefully (his time) gets me a little out of (the second round) and a little out of the average.” Contestants earn paychecks in each of the two rounds, and the top times will collect money in the two-run aggregate. That gives them three chances at the big payday available in Lea County. “Everybody you can name, I promise you they’ll be running at it the next three days just like I did,” he said. “We’ve already run our two, so now it’s their turn to try to beat it. That’s the plus side about being the first ones out. You set your time; now they’ve got to come try to beat it.” Lea County Fair and RodeoLovington, N.M.Aug. 9-12Bareback riding leaders: 1. Richmond Champion, 88.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped; 2. Tim O’Connell, 85.5; 3. Sam Petersen, 84; 4. Chad Rutherford, 83.5; 5. Kade Sonnier, 82.5; 6. Cole Franks, 80; 7. Yance Day, 78; 8. Andy Gingerich, 71. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Riley Westhaver, 3.7 seconds; 2. Heath Thomas, 5.4; 3. Billy Boldon, 5.9; 4. Tucker Allen, 6.5; 5. Bridger Anderson, 7.0; no other qualified times. Second round leaders: 1. Heath Thomas, 3.7 seconds; 2. Bridger Anderson, 4.6; 3. Cade Staton, 4.7; 4. Justin Shaffer, 4.8; 5. Cameron Morman, 4.9; 6. Tucker Allen, 5.3; 7. Billy Boldon, 15.2; no other qualified times. Average leaders: 1. Heath Thomas, 9.1 seconds on two runs; 2. Bridger Anderson, 11.6; 3. Tucker Allen, 11.8; 4. Cade Staton, 4.7 seconds on one run; 5. Justin Shaffer, 4.8; 6. Cameron Morman, 4.9; 7. Billy Boldon, 15.2; no other qualified runs. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 8.7 seconds; 2. Jake Pratt, 8.8; 3. Shane Hanchey, 9.5; 4. Garrett Jacobs, 9.6; 5. Dylan Hancock, 10.2; 6. (tie) David Trahan and Kincade Henry, 10.5; 8. Hunter Herrin, 11.0; Second round leaders: 1. Quade Hiatt, 8.0 seconds; 2. Dylan Hancock, 8.1; 3. Trevor Hale, 9.5; 4. David Trahan, 11.5; 5. Hunter Herrin, 11.8; 6. Jake Pratt, 15.4; 7. Garrett Jacobs, 22.6; no other qualified times. Average leaders: 1. Trevor Hale, 18.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Dylan Hancock, 18.3; 3. Qude Hiatt, 21.0; 4. David Trahan, 22.0; 5. Hunter Herrin, 22.8; 6. Jake Pratt, 24.2; 7. Garrett Jacobs, 32.2; 8. Shane Hanchey, 9.5 seconds on one run. Breakaway roping: 1. Taylor Munsell, 2.5 seconds; 2. Madison Outhier, 3.3; 3. Taylor Hanchey, 3.5; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Tanner Butner, 87 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Egyptian; 2. Sage Newman, 85; 3. (tie) Ryder Wright and Stu Wright, 84; 5. Stetson Wright, 83.5; 6. Kolby Wanchuk, 83; 7 Clint Franks, 81.5; 8. Dean Wadsworth, 79. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.9 seconds; 2. Tanner Baldwin/Tanner Luttrell, 5.2; 3. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 5.5; 4. (tie) Rawley Ben Jr./Hiyo Yazzi and Wyatt Imus/Caleb Anderson, 5.9; 6. (tie) Wyatt Bray/Josh Patton and James Arviso/Caston Weidenbener, 6.2; 8. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.6. Second round leaders: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.0 seconds; 2. Tanner Baldwin/Tanner Luttrell, 5.8; 3. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 6.1; 4. Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 9.5; 5. James Arviso, 10.0; 6. Wyatt Bray/Josh Patton, 15.5; no other qualified times. Average leaders: 1. Tanner Baldwin/Tanner Luttrell, 10.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 11.6; 3. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 13.6; 4. 4. Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 14.4; 5. James Arviso/Caston Weidenbener, 16.2; 6. Wyatt Bray/Josh Patton, 21.7; 7. (tie) Rawley Ben Jr./Hiyo Yazzi and Wyatt Imus/Caleb Anderson, 5.9 seconds on one run. Steer roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Cole Patterson and Rocky Patterson, 12.6 seconds; 3. Mark Milner, 14.2; 4. Paul Patton, 17.4; 5. Trevor Hale, 17.9; 6. Roger Branch, 20.2; 7. J.D. Barnes, 21.6; no other qualified times. Second round leaders: 1. Will Eddleman, 16.6; 2. Cole Patterson, 19.1; 3. Don Ed Eddleman, 21.0; no other qualified times. Third round leaders: 1. Roger Branch, 13.3 seconds; 2. Jarrett Holliday, 15.1; 3. Don Ed Eddleman, 15.6; 4. Rocky Patterson, 15.8; 5. Mark Milner, 16.2; 6. Cole Patterson, 16.3; no other qualified times. Average leaders: 1. Cole Patterson, 48.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Rocky Patterson, 28.4 seconds on two runs; 3. Mark Milner, 30.4; 4. Roger Branch, 34.5; 5. Don Ed Eddleman, 36.6; 6. Jarrett Holliday, 15.1 seconds on one run; 7.  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – For Coy Pollmeier, just competing in the Lea County Xtreme Bulls was exciting. Winning it put the Kansas cowboy over the top. “I’m still trying to take it all in,” said Pollmeier, who posted the highest-marked ride Tuesday night at Jake McClure Arena, but he also was the only man in the field to ride two bulls. “I’ve been dreaming to get one of these Xtreme Bulls Division I buckles since I’ve been ProRodeoing. A couple of my buddies have won this bull riding in the past. I felt like it was always a special one for us.” Each year, the Lovington bull riding is recognized as one of the toughest in professional rodeo, featuring the PRCA’s elite bull riders. World champions have won this title, and others have tried. It’s a prestigious title. Pollmeier started off the night with an 86-point ride on Salt River Rodeo’s Train Station to finish seventj in the opening round. He then matched Stockyard Rodeo’s powerful Ground Assault jump for jump for 91 points to win the championship round and the title. It was worth $10,088. “This time of year, we all get spread out, but everybody comes to this Xtreme Bulls,” said Pollmeier, 23, of Fort Scott, Kansas. “No matter where they are, they all come down to Lovington. Everybody in the top 20 was here plus other great guys, not to mention the caliber of bulls we got on. This is probably the best set of bulls we’re going to get on this year.” Of the 36 bull riders in the field, only nine earned qualified rides in the first round. Laramie Mosley of Palestine, Texas, won the opener with a 90-point ride on Stockyards’ Cheddar Biscuit, followed closely by Australian Ky Hamilton. In the championship, only Pollmeier and Hayes Weight stayed on the required eight seconds – because only nine cowboys rode, three others were selected to compete in the short round via random draw, and Hayes was one of those even though he failed to mark a qualified ride in the long round. The night, though, belonged to the Kansan. Following in the footsteps of his father, Pollmeier opted to ride bulls. He had some things to overcome to start with, but he has managed. He finished 47th a year ago and will move into the top 35 with his win in Lea County. “When I was little, I didn’t really get into the sheep riding; I was a little scared,” he said, the crack of a smile showing. “A little later, they had some junior rodeos in Fort Scott, and one day I got the courage to get on a Holstein calf. I remember riding hop loping across the arena, and I’ve been doing it ever since.” He’s got the support of his family, and younger brother Tate has picked up the bug. The two plan to travel together next year during Tate Pollmeier’s rookie season. “Here toward the end of the year, I’m starting to get my qualifications up,” he said, referring to being higher in the world standings, which offers more opportunities. “I’m not getting into a bunch (of Division I Xtreme Bulls). I didn’t really expect to get into this one. Luckily I did.” Fortune finds the strong, and Pollmeier found the fortune in Lovington. Lea County Xtreme BullsLovington, N.M.Aug. 8, 2023First round: 1. Laramie Mosley, 90 points on Stockyards Rodeo’s Cheddar Biscuit, $3,363; 2. Ky Hamilton, 89.5, $2,578; 3. (tie) Trey Holston, Trey Kimzey and Jack Gilmore, 88.5, $1,308 each; 6. Brody Yeary, 87.5, $560; 7. Coy Pollmeier, 86, $448; 8. Grayson Cole, 85.5, $336. Championship round: 1. Coy Pollmeier, 91 points on Stockyards Rodeo’s Ground Assault, $4,035; 2. Hayes Weight, 84.5, $3,438; no other qualified rides. Average: 1. Coy Pollmeier, 177 points on two rides, $5,605; 2. Laramie Mosley, 90 points on one ride, $4,297; 3. Ky Hamilton, 89.5, $3,176; 4. (tie) Trey Holston, Trey Kimzey and Jack Gilmore, 88.5, $1,432 each; 7. Brody Yeary, 87.5, $747; 8. Grayson Cole, 85.5, $560.

Gooding Pro Rodeo recognized as Wilderness Circuit’s best large rodeo GOODING, Idaho – There are few, if any, rodeos across North America that have the atmosphere that’s found over four August nights in this town of 3,700 people. Gooding Pro Rodeo is a spectacle, an event that draws out the greatest of everything that’s part of the event, the best cowboys and cowgirls, the best bucking animals and the best fans. The people who come to town to either compete in or work at the rodeo realize one thing: They will be entertained by people who pay to be entertained. It all adds up to something special during the Gooding Pro Rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance on Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. When award-winning announcer Steve Kenyon speaks, people not only listen, but they also will celebrate his voice and the action that takes place inside the arena on the Gooding County Fairgrounds. When Jill Franzen Loden clicks her computer to the affect or music that has made her the PRCA Sound Director of the Year, it will match the energy throughout the complex. “We’ve built something really good over the years, especially the last 20 or so that we’ve been a ProRodeo,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo’s manager. “We’ve brought in the right people to help us put on the kind of show that is worthy of the folks who buy tickets and want to be part of our rodeo. This is for them as much as it is anybody else. “We’ve got fantastic sponsors who understand our vision, and it’s continuing to work.” The proof is in the recognition the event has received. This past fall, Gooding Pro Rodeo was named the Large Rodeo of the Year in the Wilderness Circuit, a series of rodeos primarily in Utah and southern Idaho. It was the second straight year for the honor, and there’s a good chance that trend will continue. The 2022 edition of the rodeo was record-breaking in regards to attendance and broadcasting viewership. It’s looking pretty good for this year; with both the Friday and Saturday performances being sold out already, organizers are preparing for even bigger numbers this August. “Last year, we sold out three of our four nights, and that was after we’d added 1,000 seats,” Gill said. “We paid out over $200,000, which is another record for us. The contestants came for the money, and they found it.” Gill and others also utilize the help of three livestock producers: Summit Pro Rodeo, Macza Pro Rodeo and Korkow Rodeos. That ensures that bareback riders, saddle bronc riders and bull riders will have a good opportunity to cash in when they get to this southern Idaho gem. “I love this rodeo,” said bull rider Garrett Smith, a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Rexburg, Idaho. “This is just a cowboy’s rodeo. “This is one of the funnest rodeos we have going. Everyone wants to come here, and everyone knows about the Gooding Pro Rodeo.” That sentiment is shared by many others, whether they ride bucking broncs or manhandle cattle. “For being such a small town, this is one of the coolest rodeos we go to all year just because of the atmosphere,” said Montana steer wrestler Ty Erickson, the 2019 world champion. “They pack the stands every night, and they like to have a good time.” When all the pieces fit, the puzzle makes for a brilliant picture, and the folks in Gooding have something to brag about because of it.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Brody Cress didn’t allow himself time to stress out about the test he was to face during Sunday’s championship round at the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. Cress won the first go-round, riding Frontier Rodeo’s No. 777 for 87.5 points. That was the first stage of things to come for the saddle bronc rider. The next phase was learning of being matched with Frontier’s Miss Ellie, an established bucker that had gotten the better of Cress in their three previous match-ups. “It was in my head a lot today,” he said of his thoughts leading up to the evening’s performance. “We had to go over to Castle Rock (Colorado) to get on a horse today, then hustle over here, so that did help a little bit. I was able to get warmed up on that other horse, then you’re in such a hurry to get here. “We got here, and the horses were already loaded. You don’[t have time to just sit around and think about it. You just trust yourself and trust the process you’ve been doing.” It worked; Cress rode Miss Ellie for 88 points to finish second in the final round and first in the two-ride aggregate, earning his first Roundup buckle. “This rodeo is awesome,” said Cress, 27, a six-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Hillsdale, Wyoming. “It’s one I’ve been coming to since I got my card. I’ve never even been able to finish up near the top here. I’ve made the short round a few times. “It started off with a good ride to win the first round, then coming back for a dogfight on Miss Ellie, so be able to pull that off after she bucked me off three times feels awesome.” In all, he pocketed $7,646 in western Kansas, which will push his season earnings to more than $90,000. Heading into the weekend, he was 11th in the world standings but hopes to climb up the money list through the final two months of the regular season. “When you look at the depth of talent in bronc riding right now, it’s insane,” he said. “There are 40 guys that could end up in the top 15 at the end of the year. You can’t take your foot off the gas at all, and you’ve got to take every chance you can to get every win and get your money. I’m sitting further down the list in the world standings than I would like. “I’d like to be in the top two or three guys, so I’ve got a lot of room to make up, and I’m going to put it all out there every time.” Cress is traveling with fellow bronc rider Lefty Holman, a two-time NFR qualifier. The two combatants feed off each other, which, they hope, helps build them through each step of the campaign. Only the top 15 contestants in each event when the regular season closes Sept. 30 will advance to ProRodeo’s grand finale. “There’s always room for improvement,” Cress said. “Last week I got bucked off three horses and had a terrible week, so I’ve already improved off that. I’m looking for constant improvements. I don’t ever want to get complacent and feel like I’m where I need to be, so I’m constantly working. Lefty and I do a great job of working out, rehabbing and preparing for the horses we have, so we’re just going to keep going and keep the momentum rolling.” Momentum has been on Shelby Boisjoli’s side since June. She’s holding onto it, claiming the breakaway roping championship in Dodge City. She was consistently fast, placing in the first and final rounds and just finishing out of the money in the second-go. She won Sunday’s round by stopping the clock in 2.3 seconds to win the overall title with a three-run cumulative time of 8.2 seconds. “This is my first time coming to Dodge City, so this is the first time getting to see what Dodge City is all about,” said Boisjoli, a three-time qualifier to the National Finals Breakaway Roping from Stephenville, Texas. “I think it’s a great rodeo, and the crowd’s awesome. I love it here.” She collected just shy of $6,000 and moved herself into contention to take the lead in the breakaway roping world standings. She was second heading into the weekend, but she may have done just enough to catch Hali Williams, another Texas lady who has been atop the money list since March. “It’s been a crazy summer, and I’ve just been trying to pluck away and make the best runs I can everywhere I go,” she said. “I didn’t come into the summer with super high expectations, and it’s been everything and more so far.” Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.Aug. 2-6, 2022All-around cowboy: Paul Tierney, $11,119, tie-down roping and team roping. Bareback riding: First round: 1. Cole Franks, 86.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Big League, $3,216; 2. Myles Carlson, 86, $2,465; 3. Tim O’Connell, 85.5, $1,822; 4. (tie) Andy Gingerich, Jayco Roper and Chad Rutherford, 85, $822 each; 7. (tie) Kyle Bloomquist and Ty Pope, 84, $375 each. Finals: 1. (tie) Cole Franks, on Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire, and Jayco Roper, on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Big Show, 88 points, $1,450 each; 3. Jess Pope, 87.5, $900; 4. Chad Rutherford, 87, $600; 5. Myles Carlson, 86, $350; 6. Andy Gingerich, 84.5, $250. Average: 1. Cole Franks, 174.5 points on two head, $3,216; 2. Jayco Roper, 173, $2,465; 3. (tie) Chad Rutherford and Myles Carlson, 172, $1,501 each; 5. Jess Pope, 171, $750; 6. Andy Gingerich, 169.5, $536; 7. Tim O’Connell, 168.5, $429; 8. Taylor Broussard, 164.5, $322. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Gage Hesse, 3.5 seconds, $3,932; 2. Jule Hazen, 3.8, $3,419; 3. Jace Melvin, 4.0, $2,906; 4. Cyler Dowling, 4.2, $2,393; 5. Cade Staton, 4.3, $1,881; 6. (tie) Cameron Morman, Don Payne, Dylan Schroeder and Justin Shaffer, 4.4, $641 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Jacob Talley and Jarek VanPetten, 3.7 seconds, $3,676 each; 3. Olin Hannum, 3.9, $2,906; 4. (tie) Travis Munro,  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – In the Flint Hills of Kansas, Council Grove is not known as a hotbed for rodeo, but Beau Peterson might be changing that mindset. She grew up there and competed across the state in a variety of events. She’s roped calves and tied goats and done just about any event possible inside Roundup Arena in this western Kansas community. She has grown into one of the top breakaway ropers and returned to this storied complex Saturday night for her chance at the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. “I’ve spent a lot of weekends here at high school rodeos,” said Peterson, 23, a 2022 qualifier to the National Finals Breakaway Roping in Las Vegas. “To have some success at the ProRodeo definitely means a lot.” Only the top 15 in the world standings at the conclusion of the regular season advance to the national finals, and Peterson hopes to return again this year. First, though, she’d like to stake her claim to the title at the biggest rodeo in her home state. She roped her calf in 2.7 seconds to finish fifth in the second go-round. More importantly, it moved her to eighth in the two-run aggregate and earned her a spot in Sunday’s championship round; only the top 12 cowboys and cowgirls from the four preliminary days of competition earn a spot in final-night field. “I’m having some success here and there, enough to keep me going,” said Peterson, who is 17th in the world standings with about two months left in the regular season. “I’m just looking forward to having a big August and September to finish the season strong.” That’s exactly how she earned her spot in the breakaway roping finals last year. She capitalized on a solid run through the end of the season to secure her bid for Sin City. She’ll need a little magic to return, but doing well in Dodge City can go a long way to helping her. She’s also familiar with the region for another reason: She was a standout at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma, which is two hours southwest of Dodge City. In fact, she was the 2019 national champion goat-tier while at Panhandle State. “Robert Etbauer and Shelbie Rose are great coaches, and there’s a big family atmosphere out there,” Peterson said. “We got to rope every day. I made a lot of horses and made a lot of connections. It was just a great place for me to be, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a college.” “Making horses” is rodeo slang for self-training a horse, something she’s done. Missy, a 9-year-old speedster, is proof. “A good horse is everything,” she said. “Our job is a lot easier when we have a good horse underneath us. That mare that I’m riding is really nice, and she’s pretty solid. I’ve ridden her for about three years now. She was actually my goat horse in college, so she’s really stepped up and made a great breakaway horse for me. “I trained her, so I take a lot of pride in her.” She also has pride in her roping skills, and they might just carry her to the Dodge City Roundup title. Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.Aug. 2-6, 2022Bareback riding: First round: 1. Cole Franks, 86.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Big League, $3.216; 2. Myles Carleson, 86, $2,465; 3. Tim O’Connell, 85.5, $1,822; 4. (tie) Jayco Roper, Andy Gingerich and Chad Rutherford, 85, $822 each; 7. (tie) Ty Pope and Kyle Bloomquist, 84, $375 each; 9. Jess Pope, 83.5; 10. Taylor Broussard, 83. (The three tied for 11th place were dropped, so only 10 will advance to the championship round) Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Gage Hesse, 3.5 seconds, $3,932; 2. Jule Hazen, 3.8, $3,419; 3. Jace Melvin, 4.0, $2,906; 4. Cyler Dowling, 4.2, $2,393; 5. Cade Staton, 4.3, $1,881; 6. (tie) Cameron Morman, Don Payne, Dylan Schroeder and Justin Shaffer, 4.4, $641 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Jarek VanPetten and Jacob Talley, 3.7 seconds, $3,676 each; 3. Olin Hannum, 3.9, $2,906; 4. (tie) Tyler Scheevel, Tyler Wageuspack, Travis Munro and Tyler Pearson, 4.0, $1,624 each; 8. (tie) Stephen Mullins, Blake Knowles and Stan Branco, 4.1, $114 each. Average leaders: 1. Jule Hazen, 8.1 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Olin Hannum and Cameron Morman, 8.6; 4. (tie) Jarek VanPetten and Don Payne, 8.7; 6. Kalane Anders, 8.8; 7. Dirk Tavenner, 9.0; 8. (tie) Gage Hesse and Stan Branco, 9.1; 10. (tie) Tyler Scheevel and Justin Schaffer, 9.3; 12. Brandon Volker, 9.4. Team roping: First round: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 5.0 seconds, $3,633 each; 2. (tie) Jake Clay/Kollin VonAhn and Wyatt Imus/Caleb Anderson, 5.3, $2,922 each; 4. Brye Crites/Rance Doyal, 5.4, $2,211; 5. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/JC Flake and Korbin Rice/Jake South, 5.6, $1,501 each; 7. Garrett Tonozzi/Jace Davis, 5.7, $790; 8. Zack Woods/Gavin Foster, 5.9, $316. Second round: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.2 seconds, $3,633; 2. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 4.3, $3,159; 3. (tie) Jr. Dees/Ross Ashford and Paul David Tierney/Tanner Braden, 4.4, $3,448 each; 5. (tie) Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, Clint Summers/Jake Long and Nelson Wyatt/Chase Tryan, 4.5, $1,2648. Cole Smith/Reed Boos, 4.8, $316. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 11.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Garrett Tonozzi/Jace Davis, 11.6; 3. Kyon Kreutzer/Clancey Kreutzer, 11.7; 4. (tie) Brye Crites/Rance Doyal and Jake Clay/Kollin VonAhn, 11;9; 6. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 12.2; 7. Curry Kirchner/Billie Jack Saebens, 12.8; 8. Cory Kidd/Lane Mitchell, 13.0; 9. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 14.2; 10. Tyler Hobert/Shannon Frascht, 14.3; 11. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 14.8; 12. Cooper White/Tucker White, 18.0. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Brody Cress, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s No. 777, $3,198; 2. (tie) Wade Sundell, Jake Finlay and Ryder Wright, 85, $1,812 each; 5. Shea Fournier, 84.5; 6. Isaac Richard, 84; 7. (tie) Sterling Crawley and Gus Gaillard, 83, $373 each; 9. (tie) Lefty Holman, Tegan Smith and Isaac Diaz, 82.5. (The four tied for 12th place were dropped, so only 11 will advance to the championship  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – The Lea County Fair and Rodeo is more than a community gathering; it’s a true spectacle in every form of the word. With admission at just $10 per person, the entertainment value is tremendous. From the carnival rides to the rodeo to the nightly concerts, the Lea County Fairgrounds in Lovington is hopping from opening night on Friday, Aug. 4, until the final ride closes down Saturday, Aug. 12. “I love seeing all those families coming together to be part of our fair,” said Kris Allen, chairman of the Lea County Fair Board. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the rodeo or a concert, you can see the families enjoying their time at the fair together. Watching those exhibitors showing their livestock or putting their exhibits on display, seeing the fiddle contest, watching the kids running around with their grandparents … it a big deal to me. “Being able to see the success of it all coming together is the best part for me.” There are many working pieces into each step of producing an exposition of this magnitude. The fair board has its hands in it all, and they rely heavily on hundreds of hours of volunteer help to make sure everything comes off without a hitch. Whether they’re setting up for the concerts, organizing the livestock sales or bringing in the right clown and acts for the rodeo, there are many considerable tasks. “This is my third year on the fair board,” said Kyle Johnston, who owns a welding business and also farms in Lea County. “I showed livestock, and my brother and sister showed. My dad was on the fair board for 25 years. We’ve been a big part of it, and it’s been a big part of our lives also.” Johnston serves as chairman of the rodeo committee and also serves on the livestock and sales committees. He has the opportunity to work with many people each year by being part o the process. Like a lot of folks in this New Mexico county, rodeo is a part of who he is and what he’s done. He began competing as a youth and continued through college. That experience comes in handy. “It’s a good deal, and I’m just trying to help out,” he said. “Being new to the chairman role on the rodeo committee, I’m learning about it as I go. I’ve got some good people who are part of the committee that make it work.” The people involved are a key reason the fair and rodeo is so successful every year. The PRCA portion of the rodeo will feature many of the top hands in the sport, world champions like Stetson Wright, who is the defending saddle bronc riding champion in Lovington. Volunteers work closely with sponsors to make sure top stars will want to compete for Lea County cash. That combination is why the concert series continues to be a valuable piece of the puzzle. This year’s concerts will feature: With the opportunity to showcase such stars, it’s no wonder so many thousands of people make sure to experience the Lea County Fair and Rodeo each year. It’s become a masterpiece that nobody wants to miss. “I never saw myself as chairman of the fair board,” Allen said. “Things changed, and when I was voted in, I was honored and humbled by it. I really like serving and giving back to Lea County and the communities. To be able to work with all the people gives me a chance to learn something all the time. The fair board is amazing. The fairgrounds staff are amazing. “They support me and have my back, and I’ve got them back.” All the work pays off during the nine-day exposition, when smiles are spread across thousands of faces a day and people are heard laughing around the fairgrounds. Families and friends reunite, and people gather together to honor their lives and their history.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Injuries heal, but that doesn’t mean a competitor is ready to get back into the action. Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright understands that. He missed most of July because of a rib issue suffered the end of June, and he returned to action two weeks ago without much luck. “This time around, (getting back into the rhythm) wasn’t very easy,” said Wright, 25, a two-time world champion and seven-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Beaver, Utah. “I’ve been having a little bit of trouble the last couple of weeks, but I feel like I’m getting things picked up and getting the ball rolling again.” He proved that Friday night, riding Championship Pro Rodeo’s Magic Stick for 85 points to move into a three-way tie for second place at Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. It will secure another spot in the rodeo’s championship round, which features only the top 12 contestants in each event during a special showcase Sunday night. “I’d seen some videos of that horse,” said Wright, the 2020 champion who has joined a parade of his family members that have claimed the Roundup title over the years. “It looked like he was going to pretty nice, so I was happy to have him.” The Wrights are the first family of bronc riding. His father, Cody, was a two-time world champion who has five children, and two of them are world titlists: Ryder and Stetson, who owns four all-around, two bull riding and one saddle bronc riding gold buckles. Two other Wrights, Cody’s brothers Jesse (2012) and Spencer (2024), also own the top prize given annually to the sport’s best. A handful of them have also claimed the Dodge City trophy belt buckle, something they all cherish. Cody Wright, Jesse Wright, Rusty Wright and Ryder Wright have all walked away with the prominent prize. Ryder Wright would like to add another one and continue to get back on track with his 2023 season; his time away from the game dropped him to 15th in the world standings. Western Kansas earnings can go a long way to helping him climb back up the money list. “The big thing is the mind game,” he said. “This game is 90 percent mental, and the rest is in your head. If that doesn’t go right, nothing goes right. “You have to be doing everything right for the whole eight seconds. If you stub your toe on a bucking horse, you’re probably not going to recover. There’s a lot going on; you have to lift on your rein, stay back, set your feet and have to do a lot right in order to make a good ride.” Even world champions can struggle. “My past couple NFRs are prove of that,” Wright said. “I didn’t ride like I know how, and it shows. You’ve got to show out every single day. I think the biggest thing comes in the mental game. I know how to ride broncs, and my body knows how to ride broncs, but sometimes my brain gets the better of me.” When Wright is on his game, though, he’s hard to beat. Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.Aug. 2-6, 2022Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cole Franks, 86.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Big League; 2. Tim O’Connell, 85.5; 3. (tie) Jayco Roper, Andy Gingerich and Chad Rutherford, 85; 6. Ty Pope, 84; 7. Jess Pope, 83.5; 8. (tie) Jacob Lees and Will Lowe, 83; 9. Dean Thompson, 82; 11. (tie) Bil Tutor and Jacek Frost, 81. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Gage Hesse, 3.5 seconds; 2. Jule Hazen, 3.8; 3. Jace Melvin, 4.0; 4. Cyler Dowling, 4.2; 5. (tie) Cameron Morman and Dylan Schroeder, 4.4; 7. Stockton Graves, 4.5; 8. (tie) Kalane Anders and Brandon Volker, 4.6. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Jarek VanPetten and Jacob Talley, 3.7 seconds; 3. Olin Hannum, 3.9; 4. (tie) Tyler Scheevel and Tyler Wageuspack, 4.0; 6. (tie) Stephen Mullins, Blake Knowles and Stan Branco, 4.1. Average leaders: 1. Jule Hazen, 8.1 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Olin Hannum and Cameron Morman, 8.6; 4. Jarek VanPetten, 8.7; 5. Kalane Anders, 8.8; 6. Dirk Tavenner, 9.0; 7. (tie) Gage Hesse and Stan Branco, 9.1; 9. Tyler Scheevel, 9.3; 10. Brandon Volker, 9.4; 11. (tie) Cyler Dowling and Benjamin Robinson, 11.2. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Dustin Equsquiza, 5.0 seconds; 2. Jake Clay/Kollin VonAhn, 5.3; 3. Brye Crites/Rance Doyal, 5.4; 4. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 5.6; 5. Garrett Tonozzi/Jace Davis, 5.7; 6. Zack Woods/Gavin Foster, 5.9; 7. (tie) Kyon Kruetzer/Clancey Kreutzer and Payden Emmett/Lucas Falconer, 6.1. Second round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.2 seconds; 2. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 4.3; 3. Jr. Dees/Ross Ashford, 4.4; 4. Cole Smith/Reed Boos, 4.8; 5. Kyon Kreutzer/Clancey Kreytzer, 5.6; 6. Garrett Tonozzi/Jace Davis, 5.9; 7. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 6.0; 8. (tie) Cooper White/Tucker White, Curry Kirchner/Billie Jack Saebens and Brye Crites/Rance Doyal, 6.5. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 11.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Garrett Tonozzi/Jace Davis, 11.6; 3. Kyon Kreutzer/Clancey Kreutzer, 11.7; 4. (tie) Brye Crites/Rance Doyal and Jake Clay/Kollin VonAhn, 11;9; 6. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 12.2; 7. Curry Kirchner/Billie Jack Saebens, 12.8; 8. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 14.2; 9. Cooper White/Tucker White, 18.0; 10. Coy Rahlmann/Jonathan Torres, 18.3; 11. Casey Hicks/Steve Orth, 20.2; 12. Clay Holz/Matt Zancanella, 21.2. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Brody Cress, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s No. 777; 2. (tie) Wade Sundell, Jake Finlay and Ryder Wright, 85; 5. Sterling Crawley, 83; 6. (tie) Lefty Holman, Tegan Smith and Isaac Diaz, 82.5; 9. (tie) Riggin Smith, Parker Fleet, Will Pollock and Stu Wright, 81.5. Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. Kenzie Kelton, 2.3 seconds; 2. Kelsie Domer, 2.5; 3. Alex Loiselle, 2.7; 4. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli, Josey Murphy, Quincy Sullivan Christi Braudrick, 2.8; 8. (tie) Kassidy Dennison and Brooke McLemore, 2.9; 10. (tie) Erika Frost and Kashly VanPetten, 3.0. Second round leaders: 1. KeAnn Hayes, 2.3 seconds; 2. Erin Johnson, 2.4; 3. Alli Masters, 2.6; 4. Quincy Sullivan, 2.7; 5. (tie) Alex Loiselle  Continue Reading »

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Taylor Santos is just 28 years old, but he has a firm grasp of the history involved in the sport of rodeo. He knows that the annual event in Lovington not only dates back many decades, but he realizes also the legacy established years ago still looms largely over the region. Santos is a student of the game, the fourth generation of his family to be part of rodeo, but he was a fan first. He will defend his all-around and tie-down roping titles at this year’s edition of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9-Saturday, Aug. 12, at Jake McClure Arena; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 8. “I had never gone south during that week of rodeo until I started tripping steers,” said Santos, a tie-down roper and steer roper from Creston, California. “Before that, I’d stay up north. When I started roping steers, I went south, because there’s a lot of money down that way. It’s a little warmer, but it sure is nice to drive to one rodeo and do both events.” Those two events paid quite well in Lovington. Santos – a two-time qualifier to the National Finals Rodeo who has also advanced to the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping twice – won the first round, placed in the second round and won the aggregate in tie-down roping; he also placed in two rounds and the average in steer roping. By the time the week had come to a close, Santos had earned $11,442, with about $7,600 coming in calf roping. “Any time you can win a rodeo, it’s a big deal,” he said. “It’s gotten so tough, especially since I bought my card in 2016, because there are fewer guys doing multiple events. It’s gotten so specialized now, so everything has just gotten tougher. “When you’re able to win a major rodeo like that, one that has so much tradition, it means a lot. I’ve gotten to know more tradition since I started roping steers, because those guys understand that and talk about it. Getting to hear the stories and getting to know more about that part of rodeo is really nice.” Last August, the Lea County Fair and Rodeo paid out thousands to its winners, and Santos was one of 14 people who claimed gold in Lovington. There were five cowboys – Tyler Waguespack, Hunter Cure, D.J. Joos, Tyke Kipp and Cimarron Thompson – who shared the steer wrestling title, and the tandem of Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira claimed the team roping crown. Other winners were bareback rider Chad Rutherford, breakaway roper Madalyn Richards, steer roper Slade Wood, barrel racer Savannah Woodfin, bull rider Josh Frost and saddle bronc rider Stetson Wright, the four-time and reigning all-around world champion who also owns two bull riding gold buckles and one saddle bronc riding title. “It’s awesome to win the all-around at a rodeo like that,” Santos said. “I think I got Stetson at Sheridan (Wyoming) and Lovington last year; those were two major rodeos where I was able to compete with him. I had to win a lot of money to even compete with him, which just shows how dominant he is.” Kipp, the only New Mexico bulldogger to share in the title, was excited to claim the win at the biggest rodeo in his home state. “Career-wide, this is probably my best win so far, and I’ve been rodeoing awhile,” said Kipp, 30, of Lordsburg. “I’ve always had good luck (in Lovington), even back at the high school rodeos. … “It’s always good to do (well) at the home-state rodeos, especially this one.” Winning the Lea County Fair and Rodeo title is a dream for many contestants, and each year several realize it. That’s why they keep coming back and why hundreds will make their way to southeastern New Mexico again this August.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Cole Franks has some fond memories of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, some of which are approved by his mother; some are not. “It’s cool to come here to this rodeo and do good, especially with the history with it,” said Franks, 22, the 2021 Roundup Rodeo champion bareback rider. “I’m just excited to be back.” That’s the Darla Franks-approved version. The other story comes from years ago when his father, Bret, was still riding bucking horses. The family came to Dodge City to see him compete, and Cole and his older brother, Clint, found their way into trouble. “We broke into the beer stand, and I drank my first beer when I was pretty little,” he said with a bit of a smirk. “When I was a kid, you remember this one the most because you were hearing stories about Dodge City, and then I told everybody that I drank my first beer at this rodeo.” That was 2004; Cole Franks was 3 years old; the next day, the proud toddler told his pastor and another church member about his beer-drinking experience. The Texan hopes to continue his hot streak at the hottest time of the year. He rode Frontier Rodeo’s Big League for 86.5-points to take the first-round lead at the historic Roundup Arena, the biggest rodeo in Kansas and one of the richest events in ProRodeo. “I’d been on him one time before, and we were 85 or 86 in Montgomery, Alabama,” said Franks, a two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Clarendon, Texas. “I knew it would be a really good ride and a lot of fun. It’s good to come to big rodeos and get on good horses.” Franks will likely earn a nice first-round payday, but the biggest aspect of his ride is his qualification to Sunday’s championship round, which will feature only the top 12 contestants in each event through the four preliminary performances. Two years ago when he claimed his first Roundup buckle, Franks won the first round, the short round and the overall title. That was a magical season, one that saw him win the intercollegiate all-around, bareback riding and team titles for Clarendon College, which is coached by his dad. Cole Franks also was named the Resistol Rookie of the Year, qualified for his first NFR and finished third in the world standings. He returned to Las Vegas last year and finished the campaign fourth on the money list. With two months remaining in ProRodeo’s regular season, he’s a bit behind his goals of finishing among the top 15. He is 21st in the world standings with $58,000. A good run this week could catapult him into the sweet spot, and he’d be good with that. Franks spent two months on injured reserve while receiving treatments for a neck injury, but he understands just what needs to happen in the final weeks of the of 2023 to see himself back in the Nevada desert come December. “My neck feels good, especially when you’re winning,” he said. “It’s getting better; it’s taking some time, so I just have to deal with it. You have to power through mainly. When you know you have something good, you forget about the pain.” Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.Aug. 2-6, 2022Bareback riding leaders: 1. Cole Franks, 86.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Big League; 2. Tim O’Connell, 85.5; 3. (tie) Jayco Roper, Andy Gingerich and Chad Rutherford, 85; 6. Ty Pope, 84; 7. Jess Pope, 83.5; 8. Jacob Lees, 83; 9. Dean Thompson, 82; 10. Bil Tutor, 81; 11. (tie) Donny Proffit, Quinton Lee Lundsford and Mark Kreder, 79. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Gage Hesse, 3.5 seconds; 2. Jace Melvin, 4.0; 3. Cyler Dowling, 4.2; 4. Cameron Morman, 4.4; 5. Stockton Graves, 4.5; 6. (tie) Kalane Anders and Brandon Volker, 4.6; 8. (tie) Nick Guy, Dirk Tavenner and Olin Hannum, 4.7. Second round leaders: 1. Olin Han num, 3.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Stephen Mullins, Blake Knowles and Stan Branco, 4.1; 5. (tie) Cameron Morman, Ty Cochrane and Kalane Anders, 4.2; 8. Dirk Tavenner, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Olin Hannum and Cameron Morman, 8.6 seconds on two runs; 3. Kalane Anders, 8.8; 4. Dirk Tavenner, 9.0; 5. (tie) Gage Hesse and Stan Branco, 9.1; 7. Brandon Volker, 9.4; 8. Cyler Dowling, 11.2; 9. Colt Honey, 11.3; 10. Stetson Jorgensen, 11.9; 11. Blake Knowles, 12.9; 12. Mason Couch, 13.0. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Dustin Equsquiza, 5.0 seconds; 2. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 5.6; 3. Garrett Tonozzi/Jace Davis, 5.7; 4. Zack Woods/Gavin Foster, 5.9; 5. Kyon Kruetzer/Clancey Kreutzer, 6.1; 6. (tie) Ben Jordan/Scott Lauaki and Corben Culley/Blayne Horne, 6.2; 8. Curry Kirchner/Billy Jack Saebens, 6.3. Second round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.2 seconds; 2. Jr. Dees/Ross Ashford, 4.4; 3. Cole Smith/Reed Boos, 4.8; 4. Cooper White/Tucker James White, 6.5; 5. Garrett Tonozzi/Jace Davis, 5.9; 6. Dustin Equsquiza/Levi Lord, 6.0; 7. (tie) Cooper White/Tucker James White and Curry Kirchner/Billy Jack Saebens, 6.5. Average leaders: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 11.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Garrett Tonozzi/Jace Davis, 11.6; 3. Kyon Kreutzer/Clancey Kreutzer, 11.7; 4. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 12.2; 5. Curry Kirchner/Billie Jack Saebens, 12.8; 6. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 14.2; 7. Cooper White/Tucker James White, 18.0; 8. Coy Rahlmann/Jonathan Torres, 18.3; 9. Clay Holz/Matt Zancanella, 21.2; 10. Cooper Bruce/Wyatt Kanan, 21.7; 11. Camden Hoelting/Dawson McMaster, 27.1; 12. Jr. Dees/Ross Ashford, 4.4 seconds on one run. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Brody Cress, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s No. 777; 2. (tie) Wade Sundell and Jake Finlay, 85; 4. Sterling Crawley, 83; 5. (tie) Lefty Holman and Tegan Smith, 82.5; 7. (tie) Riggin Smith, Parker Fleet and Will Pollock, 81.5; 10. Ryder Sanford, 80; 11. (tie) Trent Burd and Logan Cook, 79. Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. Kenzie Kelton, 2.3 seconds; 2. Kelsie Domer, 2.5; 3. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli, Josey Murphy and Quincy Sullivan, 2.8; 6. Kassidy Dennison, 2.9; 7. Erika Frost, 3.0; 8. (tie) Bethany Stallons and Taylor Raupe, 3.1;  Continue Reading »

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Olin Hannum has been around rodeo all his life. He was born into it, the son of a five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and a longtime administrator in the PRCA. His father, Jack, earned a spot at the NFR in tie-down roping in 1977, then followed that with four trips in six years in steer wrestling. Olin Hannum followed in his dad’s footsteps, as did his younger brother, Jake. On Wednesday night during the first performance of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, Olin Hannum grappled his steer to the ground in 3.9 seconds to lead the second go-round and the aggregate with a two-run cumulative time of 8.6 seconds. “I knew I had a pretty good steer,” said Hannum, 45, a three-time NFR qualifier from Malad City, Idaho. “(Fellow bulldogger) Dirk Tavenner had him this morning (posting a 4.7-second run). I knew he was going to let off a little bit, and he ended up stopping a lot more than I thought. I got him caught, and he was good after that.” Hannum qualified for ProRodeo’s grand finale in 2011, 2016 and 2017. It was during his inaugural trip to the NFR that he was boosted by his first victory at Roundup Arena. Originally from Utah and now living in southeastern Idaho, he rarely makes the trip to Kansas. “I’ve only been here twice, and I won it the first time I came,” he said. “I’m not sure where my (cumulative) time will fall, but I suspect I’ll be back for the short round.” Only the top 12 contestants in each event through the first four preliminary performances will advance to Sunday’s championship round. That’s where the 2023 Roundup champions will be crowned. He’ll return to southwest Kansas for that final round and his shot to add another Dodge City buckle to his trophy case. The climate is a much different experience for the cowboy, whose hometown is experiencing high temperatures in the 70s and low 80s this week; it has been in the triple digits in Ford County. “The heat does add a little flavor,” said Hannum, who is 37th in the world standings with $35,000. “The horses are tired; they’ve been traveling, so the humidity will get to the horses sometimes. It plays a big role with the animals as well as the people.” Nonetheless, he made his opening-day experience count. He reflects on that victory from a dozen years ago and would love to strap another Roundup buckle to his belt. “It’s pretty awesome, because every old Western talks about Dodge City,” he said. “Most of us that really love old Westerns in movies and books, we’ve heard about this our whole life. It’s pretty awesome to be here in a pretty historical town, a historical rodeo and be able to compete at a high level.” Dodge City Roundup RodeoDodge City, Kan.Aug. 2-6, 2022Bareback riding leaders: 1. (tie) Jayco Roper, on Frontier Rodeo’s Bottom Line, and Andy Gingerich, on Frontier Rodeo’s Short Night, 85 points; 3. Jacob Lees, 83; 4. Dean Thompson, 82; 5. (tie) Donny Proffit, Quinton Lee Lundsford and Mark Kreder, 79; 8. Lane McGehee, 73. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Gage Hesse, 3.5 seconds; 2. Jace Melvin, 4.0; 3. Cyler Dowling, 4.2; 4. (tie) Nick Guy, Dirk Tavenner and Olin Hannum, 4.7; 7. (tie) Stan Branco and Dakota Eldridge, 5.0. Second round leaders: 1. Olin Han num, 3.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Stephen Mullins, Blake Knowles and Stan Branco, 4.1; 5. Dirk Tavenner, 4.3; 6. Eli Lord, 4.9; 7. (tie) Reed Kraeger and Winsten McGraw, 5.0. Average leaders: 1. Olin Hannum, 8.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Dirk Tavenner, 9.0; 3. (tie) Gage Hesse and Stan Branco, 9.1; 5. Cyler Dowling, 11.2; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, 11.9; 7. Blake Knowles, 12.9; 8. Dakota Eldridge, 13.6; 9. Stephen Mullins, 19.1; 10. Logan Lemmel, 21.2. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 5.6 seconds; 2. Ben Jordan/Scott Lauaki, 6.2; 3. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 10.0; 4. Clay Holz/Matt Zancanella, 10.2; 5. Cooper White/Tucker James White, 11.5; 6. Cooper Bruce/Wyatt Kanan, 11.9; 7. Brit Ellerman/Jorge Luis Cruz, 17.5; 8. Kooper Shane Huddleston/Zachary Cash Nicholson, 22.7. Second round leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.2 seconds; 2. Jr. Dees/Ross Ashford, 4.4; 3. Cole Smith/Reed Boos, 4.8; 4. Cooper White/Tucker James White, 6.5; 5. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 6.6; 6. Cooper Bruce/Wyatt Kanan, 9.8; 7. Clay Holz/Matt Zancanella, 11.0; no other qualified times. Average leaders: 1. Pedro Egurrola/J.C. Flake, 12.2 seconds on two runs; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 14.2; 3. Cooper White/Tucker James White, 18.0; 4. Clay Holz/Matt Zancanella, 21.2; 5. Cooper Bruce/Wyatt Kanan, 21.7; 6. Jr. Dees/Ross Ashford, 4.4 seconds on one run; 7. Cole Smith/Reed Boos, 4.8; 8. Ben Jordan/Scott Lauaki, 6.2; 9. Brit Ellerman/Jorge Luis Cruz, 17.5; 10. Kooper Shane Huddelston/Zachary Cash Nicholson, 22.7. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Brody Cress, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s No. 777; 2. Sterling Crawley, 83; 3. Lefty Holman, 82.5; 4. Riggin Smith, 81.5; 5. (tie) Dylan Hancock and Stetson Wright, 76.5; 7. Chance Masters, 71; no other qualified rides. Breakaway roping: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli and Josey Murphy, 2.8 seconds; 3. Erika Frost, 3.0; 4. (tie) Bethany Stallons and Taylor Raupe, 3.1; 6. (tie) Kiley Dalchow and Nicole Hadley, 3.4; 8. Amber Coleman, 3.6. Second round leaders: 1. Bethany Stallons, 3.0 seconds; 2. Shelby Boisjoli, 3.1; 3. Kendal Pierson, 3.2; 4. (tie) Amber Coleman and Hannah Cline, 3.4; 6. Nicole Hadley, 3.5; 7. Josey Murphy, 4.1; 8. Rebekah Davis, 4.5; 9. Taylor Raupe, 5.2; 10. Cassidy Weber, 11.9. Average leaders: 1. Shelby Boisjoli, 5.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Bethany Stallons, 6.1; 3. (tie) Josey Murphy and Nicole Hadley, 6.9; 5. Amber Coleman, 7.0; 6. Taylor Raupe, 8.3; 7. Rebekah Davis, 8.9; 8. Linsay Rosser Sumpter, 17.1; 9. Cassidy Weber, 24.9; 10. Erika Frost, 3.0 seconds on one run; 11. Kendal Pierson, 3.2; 12. (tie) Kiley Dalchow and Hannah Cline, 3.4.   Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Haven Meged, 8.8 seconds; 2.  Continue Reading »

Idaho cowboy cashes in with a big-money ride in Dodge City DODGE CITY, Kan. – Growing up in the tiny town of Monteview, Idaho, Tristen Hutchings didn’t have a lot. He was raised around rodeo and found a passion for riding bulls. That love affair carried him to a magical 2022 season, one in which he finished third in the final world standings after and explosive run at the National Finals Rodeo. Over that 10 days in Las Vegas, he won four go-rounds pocketed more than $250,000 and pushed his season earnings to just shy of $380,000. He gained experience. He gained confidence. He gained a boatload of Nevada money. “I didn’t grow up with much money, so it’s nice having it,” said Hutchings, who added $4,653 to his bank account after winning the Dodge City Xtreme Bulls on Tuesday night. “I’ve been holding on to it. You don’t have a chance to get on NFR-caliber bulls all the time, and we had five, six, maybe seven of them out tonight.” He matched moves with Frontier Rodeo’s Jackpot, a fitting name for the gambling bull rider Hutchings is turning out to be. With his early-week payday, he moved up one spot to sixth in the 2023 world standings with $124,761. It is the second Xtreme Bulls title he’s won this year; he also claimed the crown in late June at Clear Lake, South Dakota. “You never know if you’re going to win one of these when everybody else is riding so well,” he said. “We had the top 40 in the world here tonight, but that bull and I matched up well together and it ended up working really good.” He did a bit of homework on Jackpot before he had the chance to wrap his hand in the bull rope. By watching videos shown to him by fellow bull rider Josh Frost, Hutchings gained some insight. It’s just like a professional team scouting its upcoming opponent. “Josh showed me two videos on him, and he was really good both times,” Hutchings said. “Just was even more excited for me to get on him than I was. I could see why; he was a blast.” With so much money won by early August, he hopes to have secured a second straight bid to the NFR, ProRodeo’s grand finale that features only the top 15 contestants in each event at the conclusion of the regular season. With that, he’s going to rodeo closer to his Idaho home over the next few weeks to secure something else that is special to him. “Winning our circuit is a pretty big goal of mine,” Hutchings said of the Wilderness Circuit, a series of rodeos and contestants primarily in Utah and southern Idaho. “We have Stetson (Wright), Ky (Hamilton), Josh Frost and Hayes Weight, and four of the five of us finished in the top four in the world standings last year. “It took almost $50,000 just in our circuit to win it last year, so if I could come out on top there, it would be tremendous.” It’s just one of many big-time goals for the 23-year-old bull rider, but he’s proven capable of much more. Dodge City Roundup Xtreme BullsDodge City, Kan.Aug. 1, 20231. Tristen Hutchings, 88.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Jackpot, $4,653; 2. Trey Kimzey, 88, $3,567; 3. Chance Schott, 85, $2,637; 4. Stetson Wright, 84.5, $1,706; 5. Creek Young, 81, $1,086; 6. Luke Mast, 80, $776; 7. Mason Moody, 79, $620; 8. Canyon Bass, 78, $465.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – With a nod to the pioneers that made southeastern New Mexico their homes, the lifeblood for folks in this part of the world remains what it was decades ago: Ranching, oil and natural gas. Many of the communities in Lea County were founded in the early 1900s. The epicenter is Hobbs, the largest community in the vertically driven plot of land that makes up about 4,400 square miles, boasting of a population of 40,000 souls. It became a boomtown with the discovery of oil and gas in 1927. As an extension of that, the Lea County Fair and Rodeo is perfect experience for the communities. The exposition recognizes the wildcatters who made their way in search of “black gold” and the riches that come with it, but more it salutes the foundation of the county, the hard-working folks that built the platforms and toiled in the dirt and raised the cattle. Along the way, those layers of excellence were showcased through the livestock shows and rodeos. It’s why decades after it was established, the county fair continues to strive for excellence. Jimmie Cooper was raised in Lea County and spent countless days at the fairgrounds in Lovington, home of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 12. “My mom and dad always loved Lea County, so I naturally loved it,” said Cooper, a world champion cowboy from Monument, New Mexico. “I think the one thing Lea County has done is taught a lot of people how to work hard to try to make a living. It’s not a bad thing; it’s pretty nice to have a work ethic.” Cooper competed in tie-down roping, team roping and steer wrestling and in 1981 was crowned the PRCA’s all-around champion. He is one of just a handful of men to have qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in three events. That’s why he has been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s Rodeo Hall of Fame. Before he was the standard in ProRodeo, Cooper had seen or heard about legends that came from Lea County. They were men like Jake McClure and Troy Fort, who are also enshrined with Cooper. Roy Cooper is also one of the sport’s legend; all joined with dozens of other greats to prove of the mettle that is born in the southeastern most territory in New Mexico. “When I was growing up, Roy was outstanding,” Jimmie Cooper said of his cousin, who is a year older. “I was never really good as a youngster. I always looked up to Roy and looked up to him and followed him. When I was in college, I started stepping it up. By that time, Roy had already won a world’s championship in the calf roping. If you know somebody or are related to somebody that has success, you can follow in their path and work real hard like they did, and hopefully you can get it yourself. “When you love something and aren’t that good at it, you almost want it worse. I loved roping and rodeo. When I finally had a little success, it motivated me more and more. I was fortunate enough that I was able to attain some of my dreams.” He had seen it in others, and he was building something for himself and for his family. He and his wife, Shryl, made sure to pass that along to their three children, twin sons Jim Ross and Jake and daughter Jill. All have found success in rodeo. “When my twin sons were 2 years old, my wife and I decided it would be a good time to come back to Lea County and try to raise them the way I was raised,” Jimmie Cooper said. Much of the county was built on a dream of wealth or greatness, and many continue to find it in some fashion through a strong work ethic and a foundation laid in their communities. They are offered the chance to celebrate it once a year during the fair and rodeo. “We used to go up there one Sunday a month for play days when I was a kid,” Cooper said. “I’ve been going to that arena since I was probably 10 years old. I have a lot of great memories there.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – When Karen and Karole Kemper were youngsters in southern Lea County, they followed their mother’s lead and became involved with arts and crafts. All three ladies showed their talents at the county festival. Their mother, 89-year-old Joyce Kemper, is still planning to show during this year’s Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 12, at the fairgrounds in Lovington. Three generations have been part of the annual expo, including Karen Jackson’s granddaughter, Jillian Lockwood, who is getting all her valuables ready for this year’s showcase inside the Yucca Building on the fairgrounds. That’s where arts, crafts, gardening and many other exhibits will be on display, and it’s a chance for fairgoers to enjoy another aspect of the fair and its contributors. “I like promoting the ability to create things out of different materials with your hands,” said Karole Hunt, the youngest of the two Kemper girls. “What the kids make these days qualifies as a lost art. There’s a bit of a surge in sewing and using sewing machines, and I like being able to promote that. At the quilt store (for which she works), we encourage people to put their creations in the fair.” There’s so much involved in the local fair, which is more of a regional exposition. With the PRCA rodeo, the other activities at Jake McClure Arena and the concert series, the Lea County Fair and Rodeo draws visitors from the Texas Panhandle, West Texas and a big portion of southeastern New Mexico. But there’s a great deal that expresses the local flair and the importance of showcasing exhibitors, whether it’s through the various livestock shows or the crafts displays in the Yucca Building. The fourth generation of the Kemper clan is involved in showing at the fair, while the third branch of the family tree focused on other things. With Jillian involved, it allows her great grandmother, her grandma and her great-aunt a chance to share their love affair with crafting. “A lot of work goes into those projects they make and the produce that they grow,” Jackson said. “I’m always amazed, because I definitely don’t have a green thumb. The canning and highlighting a different aspect of those exhibits than what I’ve done is great to see. I like to see people’s creativity in the different things. The handiwork that some people do and seeing what these young kids can do is very interesting to me. I enjoy it all.” It’s almost as if the exhibits in the Yucca Building are a tip of the cap to the generations that made life what it was many decades ago. The skills come from a time when people made their own clothes, canned their own food and blanketed themselves with quilts that were hand-made. As times have changed, many of those skills have been pushed to the backburner. “It’s not so much about showing off the talents but showing other people that you can make your own and make it unique so you don’t have to buy everything,” Hunt said. “Mom inspired us to keep sewing alive. “I’m more arts and crafty. I have shown clothes and made a dragonfly out of recycled materials. I have done a wall-hanging and cross-stitched. I entered sweepstakes a few years ago with my mother’s help with canning and baking.” While there are opportunities for children to be involved through 4H, the fair also offers older folks the chance to showcase their wares and talents. For Jillian, the expo allows her to express her creativity while also being able to do all the other aspects of the fair. “She enters her 4H projects like sewing, and she has won the sweepstakes in her division,” Jackson said of her granddaughter. “She also shows livestock; her dad showed livestock when he was younger but not in Lea County. “My sister is the one that helps Jillian with showing. It’s something they like to do together.” It fits in fine with Hunt’s personality. “I’m the sewing aunt, so she does all her sewing projects with me and the other entries with my sister and her other grandmother,” Hunt said. “I have one granddaughter that sews, but she lives in Amarillo (Texas), so working with her regularly is difficult, and she can’t show in Lea County.” More than anything, though, Hunt and Jackson are just carrying on a tradition while passing on the knowledge they have gained to the next generations. That might be one of the greatest parts of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. “I really do like seeing the tradition continue,” Jackson said. “My mother is a beautiful seamstress. She doesn’t quilt much, but she’s made clothes for everyone. She started when she was really young, and she’s just continued to do it.” Even as she nears 90, Joyce Kemper still has something to show to the folks at the local fair. Just down the aisle, her great-granddaughter’s work is on display, too. That’s where the generations collide in the most unique way.

Gooding Pro Rodeo to help raise awareness for Heroes and Horses GOODING, Idaho – Micah Fink has a fiery personality, one that guides him to help others. It came in handy as a Navy SEAL, a true warrior during the years he was in service for the country. His charm is even more fitting now that he’s the CEO and founder of Heroes and Horses, an organization that helps veterans as they transition out of fighting mode and back into society. Heroes and Horses has teamed with the Gooding Pro Rodeo to raise awareness to its program and to support the sport that is closely associated with the organization. Fink and others with the group will be on hand for the rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. “We are a horse-based program, and we have our own beef program,” Fink said. “We have about 75 head of horses we are raising, including all the ground-up training, and wild mustangs. “I think we’re tied to the rodeo culture and community. We have a guy who graduated our program last year that is riding bareback horses now. The partnership with the rodeo made sense to us.” Fink will also speak at the Tough Enough to Wear Pink luncheon that coincides with the rodeo; that event is set for 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18, and he hopes to convey a message that will reach every person. “In every age and every time, humanity is presented with really great challenges,” he said. “It’s undeniable that we are in the midst of facing immense challenges. My hope is when I share, they realize that everyone is looking for someone to provide answers and insights and rescue us from this sea of stupidity. “You have to act; you have to take action. If the doctor tells you that you have to lose weight, you have to act. We can make the changes. When enough people begin doing that, the whole system changes. It starts with one person at a time. I hope people are inspired in whatever it is to take action on behalf of their own lives.” The purpose of Heroes and Horses is to take veterans that are having a difficult time now that they are no longer serving the country and help them via a highly intense, 41-day program that has them riding horses through the wilderness on an adventure that allows the students to wade through all that has gone on in their lives while also giving them hope to change the direction. The organization’s mission is to “un-program the programed … to offer combat veterans with an alternative solution for defining and approaching their physical and mental scars – a solution that does not include prescription medicines or traditional psychotherapy but rather the opportunity to use tools to redefine their purpose, rediscover their inner-strength and maximize their potential by taking ownership of their lives for the first time since leaving service.” There are some significant numbers that Heroes and Horses is trying to correct, most notably how veterans are dealing with the changes in their lives since being in combat. “It is estimated that 155,000 veterans have committed suicide since 2005,” Fink said. “Our government spent $92 billion between 2012 and the end of 2020 trying to help soldiers through medicine. Students in the past have been on prescriptions with high numbers as high as 32 a day. They are still making the choice, because that’s the choice that is being offered to them. “They’re making a mistake, because they’re participating in a highly funded but failed systems where the solutions have become the problem.” Managing everyday life can be a tough task for anyone, much less former combatants who have seen the horrors of war. Numbing those experiences doesn’t help, Fink said. The participants that have gone through the Heroes and Horses classes are learning how to better handle the situations that arise. “Life is supposed to be difficult,” Fink said. “You’re supposed to feel it; you’re supposed to experience it. Then life becomes every experience they need. They experience the curriculum. That’s what the transition is. Some get it in just a few days of their journey, but some don’t get it until near the very end. “Take ownership of your life and realize that everything that is occurring is an opportunity to deconstruct yourself, where you come to the truth of who you are. It happens on horseback; it happens in the intensive and immersive morning routines over 41-days. They go through all these things to come to the conclusion that they can manage.” In order to grow, the mindset must change. Service men and women sign up to fight for their government, to go into combat if necessary. They know what it means to be warriors and follow orders; when those guidelines are no longer there, then there is a period of adjustment that must take place. That’s how Heroes and Horses helps. “It’s a much different thing to fight for yourself,” Fink said. “I’ve seen the most ardent warriors, really hardened individuals, be the weakest person when it comes to fighting for themselves. That’s the heroes journey. “They are completely terrified of the death that will come in their own lives. When we open a 41-day program, it’s a 41-day ritual. They’ve never ridden horses. You’ve got to be in the mindset, because it gets real quiet inside of your head. There are no cell phones for the first three weeks. “We are spending time with ourselves but learning to listen with our hearts. What horses and the morning routines teach us is how to feel. The secret is always in the feeling. The war begins between the head and the heart. The mind is always trying to reinforce its own correctness, so we have to teach ourselves how  Continue Reading »

After 20 years as president, longtime volunteer will step down DODGE CITY, Kan. – For many, Dr. R.C. Trotter is synonymous with Roundup Rodeo. A family physician in Dodge City for four decades, Trotter has built a medical practice, raised a family and been a major influence on folks around him. While doing so, he shared his passions with those closest to him, and he will pass along a legacy for generations to follow. “My son, Gavyn, is going to be 10, and his goal is to be president of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo,” said Trotter’s oldest daughter, Shannon Hare. “He’s written it down multiple times. You know you’re leaving a legacy and presenting it to your grandkids when that’s what they talk about.” Trotter has done that and more over the years with Roundup. This year’s event – set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 6, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 – will be his last as president of the volunteer-run organization. Trotter is retiring after 20 years leading a group that has dedicated itself to producing one of the best ProRodeos in North America. In all, he has committed 40 years of his life to Kansas’ biggest rodeo, a staple of the Dodge City Days celebration. His first 20 years was as a volunteer doc on site. “I was trained in sports medicine and saw the need for a physician at the rodeo,” Trotter said. “For the first four years, I bought my own ticket and hung out with the EMTs.” Within time, a small building was erected to help treat cowboys, cowgirls and others that needed a physician’s care; it’s still in use today. By the early 2000s, Trotter was asked to be an officer with Roundup, and by 2003, he had the reins in his hands. “It’s kind of sad that he’s retiring, because it’s change,” Hare said. “I know 20 years is a long time, and he’s done what I think he meant to do. His vision for the rodeo is in place. I think it’s time for him to step down.” In his time with Roundup, the rodeo has blossomed. It’s one of the top events in ProRodeo regarding contestant numbers and total payout. He credits the sponsors and fans for the success, but there’s more to it. In just its 35th year, Roundup Rodeo was enshrined into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs in 2012. Trotter was on hand then, just as he is now. The commitment that comes with volunteerism is special. “I remember when we were little, and he would take us with him and we would just sit on the fence,” said Courtney Bauer, the middle child of R.C. and Mary Trotter. “We got to see how everything happens behind the scenes: The preparation of all of the staff, the number of people it took to make it happen. You don’t realize what all goes into putting on a rodeo, and I’d bet half of them don’t get to see the rodeo at all. “My children got to spend some time back there, too. We wanted to repeat it for them, because it’s helpful for them to learn what it’s all about. They’re not watching the rodeo for sheer entertainment. They’re city kids; we don’t live on a farm, and we don’t have cattle. It’s created another generation of families that understand rodeo.” Not when there’s work to be done. Trotter has been the top dog, but there have been many worker bees over the years. Sometimes it’s a family thing, with the labor being done by one generation to another. Sometimes it’s just one person’s passion. Trotter wanted to see the rodeo take the next step, and it has. “To take something like Roundup, the goal is always to make it as great as he could possibly make it,” said Seth Trotter, the youngest and the couple’s only son. “A little bit of him was so driven to be a perfectionist. He was the one getting out on the road and visiting other rodeos to see how they do it, he was always driven to make it the best.” His kids watched it growing up, and now his grandchildren are seeing the benefits to hard work and fortitude. “His drive and his passion are really what makes him special,” Hare said. “He puts everything into rodeo, especially Roundup Rodeo. It became his passion, and I don’t know why. He got involved through sports medicine, and then he just wanted to see it grow. It was so neat to watch it.” Trotter founded Family Practice Associates of Western Kansas 40 years ago, and it remains the oldest independent medical practice in Dodge City. As a man who feeds off his passions, treating patients and caring for others remains a vital part of who he is and what he’s about.  “Dad has a passion for what he loves to do,” Bauer said. “He’s still working full time as a doctor, because he says every day he gets up and is excited to go to work. “For 41 years, he’s been volunteering. He’s given his time away for free … actually, he’s paid in to it. He actually spends his money to do things. If he loves something so much, he can’t stand to see it not get better every day. It’s the same with Roundup as it is with his practice.” From watching him dodge livestock while rushing into the arena to treat an injured contestant to seeing their father in the clown act, there are memories the Totter kids will have for a lifetime. “When I was in middle school, I would go with Dad to the arena, just the two of us,” Seth Trotter said. “It was just him and me, something we did on those hot summer nights. I’ll never forget it.” For Hare, it comes down to seeing her dad ride in the  Continue Reading »

Montana group offering a variety of dancehall music to Gooding Pro Rodeo GOODING, Idaho – For most of its existence, the Exit 53 band stayed pretty close to its home in Hardin, Montana. The four-person group is expanding its reach a little more and will be playing after the final three performances of the Gooding Pro Rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. “We’ve been all over Montana, Wyoming, into North Dakota, but the Gooding trip will be the farthest trip yet,” said Landa Uffelman, the lead vocalist and guitar player, who will share stage with her bandmates, lead guitarist Gary Lehman, who also handles vocals; bass guitar player Gale Link; and drummer Tyson Bouwens “We’ve been branching out more this year. We’ve been getting away from the wedding scene and more into the shows. It’s been a lot of fun. We’ve been able to travel a little bit more and hit some of the fairs. It’s worth going to Gooding to us being that it’s a three-day trip, and we’re excited about it.” Exit 53 considers itself a “high energy country and classic rock band that appeals to a wide audience by playing an extensive range of music,” and its focus is on music that allows patrons the opportunity to dance. It was established about 14 years ago, with Lehman part of the original group. Uffelman joined forces two years later; the foursome finds itself busy most weekends. “Our bass player has been with us about seven or eight years, and our drummer just retired a little bit ago, so Tyson has been with us for a year and a half,” she said. “We’ve been able to work well together. The music side of it is just a portion of being in a band; being able to get along is also a big part of it.” While country music is the group’s niche, the bandmates have no trouble getting into some solid classic rock. Whether its “Kerosene” by Miranda Lambert or “What’s Going On” by Four None Blondes, Exit 53 plays covers that keep audiences enthralled. “We all just love playing music,” Uffelman said. “We’ll have as much fun playing in the garage as we do on stage. As long as we’re making music, we’re having fun. The best part of playing in front of a crowd is the response. You play off the crowd. You can change the entire show if they’re having fun and dancing along.” It’s a good fit for rodeo organizers and the fans that come to be entertained. “We pride ourselves on having a great overall experience,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo’s manager. “Having Exit 53 will definitely enhance the experience our fans are going to have.”

Gooding offers a reunion for former College of Southern Idaho greats   GOODING, Idaho – For many of ProRodeo’s greatest stars, their summertime visit to this community of 3,700 souls is a refreshing stop on a busy regular season. For others, it’s a return to their old stomping grounds, the intercollegiate homes that helped propel them toward the top of the sport’s stratosphere. There are former members of the rodeo team at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, and there’s a laundry list of elite cowboys and cowgirls that are proud alumni of the institution. “Going back to Gooding is a little reunion for me,” said bareback rider Orin Larsen, an eight-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Ingles, Manitoba, and the 2013 college champion while at CSI. “You run into old college classmates and old friends that you may not have seen in many years, or your run into some that you see year after year. “I’ve always had a lot of support in southern Idaho. They treated me very well. It’s like coming back to a second home.” He plans to make the trip for the Gooding Pro Rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. The college is represented in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame by two multi-time world champion bronc riders in Shawn Davis (a three-time titlist and former coach at CSI) and Cody Wright (a two-time winner). The latter, who was inducted earlier this month into the Colorado Springs shrine, also passed along his affection to two brothers, 2014 world champion Spencer Wright and 2012 titlist Jesse Wright, and Cody Wright’s oldest son, Rusty. Combined, they have 17 NFR qualifications and status to folks in Twin Falls. There are also a few other Golden Eagles that have played on the sport’s biggest stage, including bareback rider Mason Clements, bronc rider Mitch Pollock and cowgirl Cassie Bahe, who advanced to the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2020. “It was a pretty easy decision for me to choose to go to school there,” said Larsen, who also won the 2014 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association crown after transferring to Oklahoma Panhandle State University. “They practiced a lot, and that was real important to me. I got the reference from Kelly Wardell, and that was back before he was coaching. He’s been with me since Day 1 of my career. He was in the vicinity. “The College of Southern Idaho always had a great rodeo program, but I liked that they didn’t just give away opportunities; they treated it that you had to earn it through practice and earn it through the competition. That drove me to be better.” Pollock had no intentions of being part of CSI’s rodeo team when he arrived on campus more than a decade ago. He’d begun his college career playing baseball in Pendleton, Oregon, and transferred to Twin Falls in order to give himself a chance after a shoulder injury. Still unable to make it work, he opted to test his skills in rodeo. “I transferred to the College of Southern Idaho, and after a year and a half of catching bullpens and not seeing my baseball career progress, I decided to step over to the expo center to start rodeoing for Cody DeMers and Steve Birnie,” said Pollock, a 2019 NFR qualifier. “I was 21 years old when I got on my first bucking horse. I’d been on horses before, but I’d never tried to ride a bucking horse. “I stepped off with a big smile on my face, and I knew what I was going to do the rest of my life. I love the Twin Falls area. It’s a little prettier than Nevada.” Pollock is from Winnemucca, Nevada, but he’s lived in Twin Falls since his college days. He and his wife, Jordan, have made a home there. Like all the others, he loves the opportunity to compete in Gooding. “That’s a cool damn rodeo for being such a small community and being able to put on such a large event,” he said. “The atmosphere and the community that supports that rodeo is why I love it so much. They’re farmers and ranchers, and they follow rodeo. They watch it on The Cowboy Channel. They treat me like I’m a hometown kid. When (announcer) Steve Kenyon calls my name in Gooding, I can hear all my family and friends, and they’re excited to watch me. It’s something special. “They’re all involved in every ride, every ride, and then there’s the ‘Beer Worthy’ section. I think because everybody is so involved in that rodeo is why the atmosphere is like it is. Even if someone gets bucked off, the crowd is still there. If someone misses in team roping, they’re still there.” Best known for the section of ladies that hands out beer to a great ride, a great run or a great wreck, the Gooding Pro Rodeo is all about atmosphere. The fans love it, and the contestants love watching and interacting with the fans. “They’ve always improved or tried to improve every year,” Larsen said. “You can’t talk about Gooding and not talk about the ‘Beer Worthy’ section. I’ve actually never been beer worthy, but one of my goals is to be beer worthy at least once.” It’s definitely a drawing card for the sport’s biggest stars. “It’s just super special to get to perform at that rodeo,” Pollock said. “Even if I get bucked off, I’m still looking for that ‘Beer Worthy’ sign. There’s nothing better than getting off your horse and drinking an ice cold beer right there.”

Rodeo honored by barrel racers for having the best ground in the circuit GOODING, Idaho – The best racehorses in the world are adaptable, able to perform at a high level no matter the conditions. The better the foundation, though, the better the chance to see something special on the track. In the world of rodeo, the racehorses are jockeyed by women who run their mounts through a cloverleaf pattern, showing the tremendous speed and whirlwind turning capacity of the equine stars. The appraisal of such horses can be phenomenal, with some horses being valued in six figures. Because of that, the ladies in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association show their appreciation to rodeos that take special care of their ground by honoring them with the annual Justin Best Footing Awards. For each of the past three years, Gooding Pro Rodeo has been recognized as having the best ground in the Wilderness Circuit, a series of rodeos primarily in Utah and southern Idaho. It’s an honor local organizers hope continues during this year’s event, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. “When you win an award like that the first time, it makes you feel really good about what you’re doing with your rodeo,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo’s manager. “You take pride in that, and you want to build on it. Now that we’ve won it three years in a row, we have set a standard that we want to reach every year. We want to have the best ground in the circuit. Heck, we want to have the best ground in rodeo.” It shows. In 2021, Ivy Saebens rounded the pattern in 16.89 seconds to set a new arena record. Saebens, a five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, matched that time a year ago. It was a fascinating feat, but she finished second. Michelle Darling of Medford, Oklahoma, posted a 16.88-second run to open the rodeo with the lead, one she didn’t relinquish. She left Gooding with a new record and a story she’ll tell for years to come. “That was my first time there, and I was up in slack after that first night,” Darling said, referring to the extra competition that took place after the Wednesday performance and allowed for nearly 80 extra barrel racers to make runs in Gooding. “People stayed around for slack and cheered us on. “The ground was really good. I don’t know what they did to make their ground so good, but whatever it was worked. I think what makes that rodeo special to me is the added money and good ground.” “Added money” refers to the local dollars that are mixed with contestants’ entry fees; combined, they make up the entire purse. By winning the rodeo, Darling pocketed nearly $4,300 in this southern Idaho gem. “My horse (Martini) really liked the ground there, because it made it really fast,” she said. The barrel racers take a variety of details into consideration when it comes to year-end awards. As with any vote, it comes down to a majority for the decision to be made. What works for one horse and rider may not work for another. The consensus is the determining factor. “It’s tough, because everybody is different,” Darling said. “My horse could have worked great, but consistently fast times shows us good ground. Awarding one would be from consistent, fast ground. You can recognize that when girls are clocking and outrunning their own times.” That seems to be the norm at the Gooding Pro Rodeo, and barrel racing’s best are reaping the rewards.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Since its inception, the Lea County Xtreme Bulls has been one of the toughest competitions to win. There have been 10 editions of the stand-alone bull riding, which kicks off the PRCA portion of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. Each year, a different bull rider wins the crown. Kanin Asay, a five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, was the first Xtreme Bulls titlist inside Jake McClure Arena in 2012; he’s been followed by the very best the sport has to offer. The greatest bull riders in ProRodeo will converge on Lovington for this year’s Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8. They will battle for one of the most elusive crowns in the sport at one of the most cherished locations. With the fair and rodeo’s grand history, winning the Xtreme Bulls title is high on the priority list for the top contestants. Jeff Askey, also a five-time NFR qualifier, is the most recent titlist. He claimed the championship last August and is in position to possibly repeat the feat, becoming the first to have ever done so. “I’ve won second at a bunch of (Division 1 Xtreme Bulls events), and I’ve won a pile of Division 2 Xtreme Bulls, but I’ve never one of the Division 1 events,” Askey said last year. He took the title and nearly $11,000 out of Lovington. It propelled him not only to another NFR but also to the No. 6 position in the final world standings. It was a banner year for the Athens, Texas, cowboy. He did it on a night that is memorable. Dallas-based Pete Carr Pro Rodeo is the livestock producer in Lovington, and Carr usually has a stacked deck of bull riding’s biggest bovine stars. Since bulls win most of the time, there have been moments where not many cowboys stayed on for the mandatory eight seconds. That wasn’t the case in 2022, where more than half a dozen cowboys made the whistle. “I’ve never seen an Xtreme Bulls short round go like this,” Askey said. “It’s pretty common for guys to ride one, two, three or four bulls in these short (rounds). I’ve never seen them ride eight or night bulls and it get that tough. “Normally if you win the long round and fall off in the short go, you might hold on to an average check, but after enough rides I thought, ‘Heck, I better stay on, or I might not win nothing.’ ” Over the first 10 years, Lea County Xtreme Bulls has crowned big names, like world champion Sage Kimzey, who won it in 2017. Of the titlists, only 2016 winner Colten Jesse has not played on ProRodeo’s biggest stage, the NFR, which features just the top 15 cowboys in the world standings at the conclusion of the regular season. “Everybody likes to watch the bull riding to see who’s going to get in a wreck,” said Kyle Johnston, the rodeo committee chairman for the Lea County Fair Board. “That’s just human nature. It’s a great event, and we have a lot of people who enjoy coming to the bull riding.” Lea County Xtreme Bulls is a must-see event, and the cowboys know it, too. They’ll all put their names in the hat to have a chance, and someone will become the 11th champion this August.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – When Jimmy Joe Campbell was a little boy, he looked in awe as his father and grandfather worked around the Lea County Fairgrounds. A lifelong county resident, Campbell lives at the house in which he was raised east of Lovington. Like so many youths in the region, he made his way to the Lea County Fair and Rodeo every year, where he got to see the work his predecessors put in on a daily basis. They were the county’s employees, but he is carrying on a family legacy by volunteering his time for the annual exposition. “My dad was over the maintenance of the facility year-round, and my grandfather took care of the ground specifically for the rodeo,” Campbell said. “My grandfather was there when Troy Fort was there. Troy’s the one who got him to come to work there during the rodeo.”   Fort, a two-time world champion tie-down roper, was a Lovington original and a major influence on many cowboys from that part of the world. He was one of the first cowboys ever inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979. As the generations passed, the commitment to supporting the fair and rodeo have continued. Campbell is the superintendent for the 4H horse show and serves on the rodeo committee. His work will be reflected during this year’s exposition, from Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 12. The rodeo is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday at Jake McClure Arena; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday of the fair. “I actually showed sheep when I was younger,” said Campbell, who won the breed’s showmanship one year. “It proved to me that hard work pays off at the end. You stay committed, and it’ll all pay out in the end.” He’s passing down his love affair for the fair and rodeo onto his sons, Skylar, 20, and Kelton, 18. He and his wife, Brandy, have raised their sons around the belief that hard work is not only essential, but also it pays dividends. Jimmy Joe Campbell is a farrier and day-worker for ranchers that need help. He’s shared that lifestyle with the next generation of his family. “My boys were with me when they were in diapers,” said Campbell, now in his 15th year as a volunteer with the expo. “When they were older and horseback, I wasn’t afraid to take them with me for day-work. That instilled a work ethic in them. “My youngest son has four head of horses that he rides and works on, so now he has his own day-working business. These ranchers have been calling him for two years now.” It’s the passing of a lifestyle more than an internship. People like Campbell – who cares for animals and spends long days in the saddle – make up the fabric of the rugged terrain in southeastern New Mexico. He learned it from his father and grandfather, and he’s passing it down to his boys. “The commitment my dad and grandfather had was always 100 percent,” he said. “That’s with any occupation; if you’re going to do it, put everything into it and love what you do. If you do that, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Campbell’s passion for the fair and rodeo comes from the history of the event and the people involved. He’s been around long enough to have seen multiple generations involved in showing animals and preparing exhibits. He did it, and he worked with his sons as they did it. It’s a piece of who Jimmy Joe Campbell is and why he continues to volunteer for the fair and rodeo. “To me, the livestock show and the kids showing is the highlight of everything,” he said. “Just watching the kids do their job with the animal. You can tell the ones that put in the time. For us, it’s a family deal. My oldest showed until he was 18; that was 10 years. My youngest one is still showing. “Every afternoon, all four of us were down there in the barn working with their animals. They knew what they needed to do, and they weren’t afraid to work at it.” It’s something they learned from their parents, but Mom and Dad got something out of it, too. “The family time is what I really enjoyed,” Campbell said.  

Bareback rider missed Gooding Pro Rodeo in 2022; he’s eager to get back     GOODING, Idaho – Over the last decade that he’s ridden bucking horses for a living, Richmond Champion has only missed the Gooding Pro Rodeo a couple of times. One was last year, when a neck injury sidelined the bareback rider from much of the 2022 season. He missed the National Finals Rodeo for just the second time since his breakout season in 2014, and he had to skip some rodeos he doesn’t like to miss. One of those was in Gooding County, Idaho. He plans to return to the Gooding Pro Rodeo, set for Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Aug. 19, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena. Tickets are on sale now at www.GoodingProRodeo.com. “I don’t know if there’s a word to describe that rodeo,” said Champion, a seven-time NFR qualifier from Stevensville, Montana. “I’ve been going there for 12 years now. It’s always one of my favorites. It’s not Calgary. It’s not Cheyenne. “It’s Gooding, and it’s perfect. It’s got the ‘Beer Worthy.’ There’s not a guy coming up that’s not excited about going to Gooding and try to ride good enough that the crowd wants to give him a beer when he gets done.” The “Beer Worthy” section is just one aspect of the unique crowd that makes the professional rodeo so special. There’s much more to it than the ladies lining up the brews a few yards from the timed-event chute; it’s an entertaining group of folks who come to the rodeo to be entertained. “They pack it out every night, and that crowd is really into it,” Champion said. “They have a dance afterwards. You want to go park your rig there for the weekend, turnout of every other rodeo and just stay in Gooding.” The Texas-raised bareback rider has been one of the best in the business for the past nine seasons. During his third campaign in ProRodeo, he set the rodeo world on fire by winning the bareback riding title at the inaugural The American, an event that features a $2 million purse; half that going to winner or winners that had earned their spot in the championship through a series of qualifying events. Champion was the lone qualifier win his event in 2014, therefore earning $1 million by the time the day came to an end. He followed that up with a series of victories, including titles at big rodeos in Spanish Fork, Utah; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Dodge City, Kansas. He is a two-time titlist at the Calgary Stampede, one of the richest rodeos in the world. He earned $100,000 each in 2017 and 2018. Over his career, Champion has earned around $3 million. He’s won NFR go-rounds and has been crowned the titlist at some of the biggest rodeos across North America. He’s never claimed the championship in Gooding, though, and he’d like to change that. “The timing of that rodeo is great,” he said. “It’s right there with Caldwell and Burley (Idaho) and all those other rodeos going on. In all reality, it’s the staple of that week. You want to get there; you want to do it at the end of the week there preferably because then you can just hang out in Gooding. “You have to talk about the horses and the money. It’s a great opportunity for a guy that time of year on the bubble (to make the NFR) or someone just wanting to add some money to his pocket. That’s what it’s there for.”