Rumford just himself in the arena
GUYMON, Okla. – Peering through the reflective glass at his past, Justin Rumford was a comedy act waiting to happen. As a high-schooler in south-central Kansas, his actions oftentimes proved to be a mix of his small-town raising, a life lived on the rodeo trail and a hunger for a good time. He carried that […]
A Gooding look at the future
Futurity will showcase rising talent among broncs, cowboys alike GOODING, Idaho – Rodeo fans in southern Idaho have always had an affection for saddle bronc riding, the sport’s classic event. The organizers of the Gooding Pro Rodeo are offering another opportunity to see more bronc busting by hosting the Dirty Rotten Buckers, set for 2 […]
Canadians break NFR bank
Cinch bronc busters combine for big earnings and a world title It was a good year to be a Canadian saddle bronc rider competing at the 2022 National Finals Rodeo. For just the second time in the history of the championship event, six bronc busters from north of the 49th Parallel earned the right to […]
Jestes, Webster are ready to fight
GUYMON, Okla. – In a typical day, Nathan Jestes’ life is pretty unassuming. He’s a husband to Bridget and a daddy to Harper, 2, and Channing, 6 months. There isn’t much to tell about the Wyoming man until you see him change into his superhero outfit, a jersey outfitted with his sponsors and enough padding […]
It’s a marriage made in Haven
Cinch stars Boisjoli, Meged to tie the knot, intertwine their roping lives Shelby Boisjoli always believed she’d marry a cowboy. Raised near the town of Langdon, Alberta, just outside Calgary, Boisjoli and her two sisters were raised around horses and cattle while building a fascinating resume of athletic achievements. It served as the catapult for […]
Trimble makes a big move at KSU
ALVA, Okla. – In just a few days in mid-February, Northwestern Oklahoma State University senior Jaden Trimble went from nowhere to somewhere in the Central Plains Region’s heading standings. That’s how fast things can change when fortune is on one’s side in team roping. While competing with Cale Morris of Western Oklahoma State College, Trimble […]
Cervi grew up in the game
Cinch cowgirl shares her passion with the next generation Children’s dreams tend to take on their own roads, serving as pathways to accomplishing their passions whether the kids know it or not. Backyard football games turn into organized contests. Over time, a handful of youngsters will realize their dreams of being Super Bowl champions. For […]
Stars ready for Bullnanza’s return
GUTHRIE, Okla. – Ask any of the bull riders competing in this day and age, and most can explain the history of the sport. Dozens of bull riders will be carrying on that legacy and testing their talents at Bullnanza presented by Lane Frost Brand, which is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, and […]
Bullnanza repeats Lazy E history
GUTHRIE, Okla. – For Oklahomans who grew up around rodeo, the Lazy E Arena is a storied complex that generates decades worth of memories. It was built in time to produce the 1984 National Finals Steer Roping to take place in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo, which was housed at the Myriad Arena in […]
Oh, chute! Guymon steps up
GUYMON, Okla. – Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena is classic and timeless, a natural bowl created by the landscape to offer spectators a perfect venue. While it serves as the perfect setting for the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, it has been in need of a facelift or two over the years. It has received another […]
Bullnanza returning to Lazy E
GUTHRIE, Okla. – When the idea of Bullnanza came about in the late 1980s, it was a way to get the best bull riders together on one stage and showcase their talents. One of the primary organizers was an Oklahoma world champion named Lane Frost, who served as the contestant director for that first event […]
Cowboys Cinch gold in Vegas
Smidt, Waguespack, Thurston add to their world-title collections LAS VEGAS – Caleb Smidt can be quiet and unassuming, preferring to stay in the shadows until he’s called to action. Much like a special forces’ sniper, his shots are deadly. The proof shines in gold four times over. Just weeks ago, he secured his fourth National […]
O’Connell finishes NFR strong
LAS VEGAS – Three-time world champion Tim O’Connell was standing at the South Point Hotel and Casino awaiting his time to go on stage and receive his ninth-round go-round buckle. His phone indicated a message, one that revealed the 10th-round draw for bareback riders. He peaked down, scrolled for a second and saw he’d been […]
Aus closes out a solid NFR
LAS VEGAS – There were moments during the National Finals Rodeo where bareback rider Tanner Aus was just shaking his head. He had trouble matching his bronc in the third round, then had more trouble the next night when his left foot slipped below the animal’s shoulder on the first jump out of the chute. […]
Pope clinches world title
LAS VEGAS – Before the celebratory beer could flow, Jess Pope’s tears displayed just what it means to be named a world champion. “It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid,” said Pope, who won his third straight National Finals Rodeo average championship and dominated the 10 days of competition in Las […]
Franks caps NFR with big ride
LAS VEGAS – Cole Franks has spent the last two ProRodeo seasons traveling with three-time world champion bareback rider Tim O’Connell and Jess Pope, who clinched his first gold buckle this season. “I’ve just got to complete the trifecta and have all of us in the rig wearing gold buckles,” said Franks, 21, of Clarendon, […]
Struxness makes more NFR cash
LAS VEGAS – J.D. Struxness just finished a rough and rugged 10 days at the National Finals Rodeo, but his work isn’t done. “There’s no time off,” said Struxness, originally from Milan, Minnesota, now living in Perrin, Texas, with his fiancé, Jayden, and their daughters, Everlee and Lilly. “There are some (Texas) Circuit rodeos I […]
Aus places after a rough ride
LAS VEGAS – Everything about Tanner Aus’ ride on Calgary Stampede’s Annual News looked good until it didn’t. It didn’t feel good for Aus, and it only got worse. Annual News was part of Thursday’s eliminator pen of bareback horses. It was a fistfight from the time the horse left the chute until the big […]
O’Connell claims Round 9 win
LAS VEGAS – For the first time in more than two years, bareback rider Tim O’Connell won a go-round at the National Finals Rodeo. It’s been a rarity in the career of the three-time world champion from Zwingle, Iowa. His last title came during Round 2 of the 2020 NFR in Arlington, Texas. On Friday […]
Pope handling NFR pressure
LAS VEGAS – With one night left in the 2022 ProRodeo campaign, Jess Pope is on the verge of his first world championship. He battled through the rigors of the regular season and entered the National Finals Rodeo second in the bareback riding world standings. He then met every challenge he’s faced over the first […]
Struxness rolling into Round 10
LAS VEGAS – A big part of rodeo is the random draw on the animals with which the cowboys are matched for each night. While the steers, calves, bulls and broncs are placed in pens to make them as even as possible. Still, there are some animals that stick out as the better ones. It’s […]
Shadbolt gains 2nd NFR check
LAS VEGAS – Whew! Garrett Shadbolt needed that. It’s been a rough National Finals Rodeo. He collected just his second paycheck of this year’s championship with an 87-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s William Wallace to finish third in Friday’s ninth go-round. That was worth $17,255 and pushed his Las Vegas earnings to $47,308. He […]
Pope tackles another round check
LAS VEGAS – As rodeo relates to other sports, it’s hard to put a comparison for bareback riders. Sure, steer wrestlers are the linebackers of football, and tie-down ropers are akin to 3-point shooters in basketball, but bareback riders? “I think it is every sport of a major athlete combined into one,” said Pope, who […]
Struxness paid for 3rd straight night
LAS VEGAS – Sometimes the best heroics in sports come with second-half rallies. Steer wrestler J.D. Struxness is having one of those experiences at the National Finals Rodeo. After collecting just one paycheck through the first five rounds, he placed for the third straight night with a 4.3-second run to finish in a tie for […]