Hibler finds fun in rush for the NFR
WHEELER, Texas – The final few weeks of September correlated into the final few days of ProRodeo’s 2021 regular season, and Zach Hibler was in the middle of a tornado known as the “NFR Bubble.” He was driving, flying, scrambling to find success at as many rodeos as possible in order to qualify for the […]
Mental approach helps Duvall win
ALVA, Okla. – Sometimes competitors just need to make a call for help. Kerry Duvall did that after struggling at the first three rodeos of the 2021-22 Central Plains Region season, and the freshman tie-down roper at Northwestern Oklahoma State University has already seen the benefits. He made two solid runs to win the overall […]
Kaufman takes 2 titles in Duncan
DUNCAN, Okla. – Bareback riding is the toughest event in rodeo. The cowboys wedge their hands in a rigging, which is cinched tightly to a horse’s back. They use specially designed gloves that lock their hands onto the rigging, thereby locking themselves on the animal. The ride is meant to be done in rhythm with […]
Munsell, Monster win circuit titles
DUNCAN, Okla. – For true competitors, losing often is a mountainous motivator. It was certainly the case for breakaway roper Taylor Munsell of Arnett, Oklahoma, on Friday night. Munsell failed to get a time in Thursday’s opening round of the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo at the Stephens County Arena. She turned things […]
Experience pays off for Kansan
DUNCAN, Okla. – Now in his third qualification to the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, Jarek VanPetten has learned a thing or two about the Stephens County Arena. “I think the key tonight was getting a good start,” said VanPetten, who knocked his steer to the ground in 4.4 seconds to win the […]
Title race to be settled in Duncan
DUNCAN, Okla. – Just $146 separates Ryan Jarrett, the all-around standings leader in the Prairie Circuit, and the No. 2 man, Paul David Tierney. That means the race for the most coveted title in the region will come down to the three performances of the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 […]
Greenfield takes the win at OSU
ALVA, Okla. – Kaden Greenfield was just 3 years old when is father, Shawn, first made the National Finals Rodeo as one of the top 15 steer wrestlers in the PRCA. “I was alive for all of his seven qualifications to the NFR, but the only one I remember was his last year when he […]
Circuit finale hosts NFR qualifiers
DUNCAN, Okla. – When the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals commences later this week, it will be a preview of ProRodeo’s grand championship, the National Finals Rodeo. First and foremost, it’s the regional finale for the Prairie Circuit, which is made up of rodeos and contestants primarily from Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. But there […]
Franks’ fire is burning with Cole
Bareback rider hopes to add to college and rookie titles at the NFR Bret Franks had just made his third National Finals Rodeo in four years in December 2000, proving his place as one of the elite saddle bronc riders of the time. His wife, Darla, was pregnant – very pregnant – with their second […]
OPINION: Thinking of the Lathams and stories of Craig
It was a dry December, not particularly cold, when my wife-to-be and I went to the Lathams’ place near Goodwell, Oklahoma. It was a common visit for longtime friends. My wife had known all the families around Goodwell for a long time, and I’d become acquainted through the newspaper stories I’d written. With Lynette at […]
Boisjoli living a rodeo dream
Alberta cowgirl heading to National Finals as the No. 1 roper Shelby Boisjoli had already clinched her second straight qualification to the National Finals Breakaway Roping before the regular season came to an end, but that didn’t stop her from closing out the campaign on a high note. Boisjoli won the ProRodeo Tour Finale in […]
2021 was fair’s high-water mark
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The rains came to town in waves through the final few days of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, but so did fair-goers. “You can’t do anything about the rain; that’s Mother Nature’s job, but we were certainly pleased with how many people showed up for all the activities in spite of […]
Kansans team for Durant roping title
ALVA, Okla. – Camden Hoelting and Austin Lampe had been waiting for the moment for quite some time. Both are juniors at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and they’ve gone to more than a dozen rodeos over their first two years of competing in college rodeo; still, they’d never earned an event title until this past […]
Wadsworth collects a wad of cash
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Dean Wadsworth’s life is changing fairly rapidly. Just a few years ago, he attempted to ride 130 saddle bronc horses. That’s a lot, but that’s the mindset Wadsworth has had most of his ProRodeo career. He wanted to give himself as many chances to make money as possible. He made some nice […]
Hibler stays on a roll in Hempstead
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – The last month of Zach Hibler’s life has been a bit of a blur. He’s been in a race to qualify for his first National Finals Rodeo, and it’s been one heck of a challenge. The NFR features only the top 15 contestants in each event, and Hibler’s been right around that […]
Bulldogger, bull rider lead Hempstead
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Trey Green wasn’t content with the way the 2021 ProRodeo season ended. He battled to the very end with hopes of qualifying for the Texas Circuit Rodeo, which features only the top 12 in each event and features rodeos and contestants primarily from within the Lone Star State. Instead, he finished just […]
Isley taking his gift to Duncan
DUNCAN, Okla. – Even though he’s nearing the age of a senior citizen, Keith Isley can still showcase the gift of athleticism from time to time. It’s the nature of his job. He’s a rodeo clown, and physical comedy is part of Isley’s routine. But his training to be a man who wears makeup and […]
Edler making a name for himself
ALVA, Okla. – Emmett Edler may have arrived at Northwestern Oklahoma State University as the little brother of an alumnus who is also the reigning ProRodeo world champion steer wrestler, but he’s already making a name for himself. Edler, a freshman on the Northwestern rodeo team, placed in both rounds to finish third in the […]
Specialty events heat up rodeo
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – When members of the Waller County Fair Board came up with the idea for The Eliminator tie-down roping competition seven years ago, directors were just seeking to do something unique for fans in southeast Texas. They continue to pursue something extraordinary and, in recent years, have added an invitational ladies breakaway roping […]
Newman pads his NFR chances
DICKINSON, N.D. – Sage Newman is having the kind of year every saddle bronc rider wants, especially now in just his third year in ProRodeo. He’s No. 11 in the world standings and is in position to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time. He helped his cause a bit Saturday afternoon […]
Ropers in a tight race for titles
DUNCAN, Okla. – A year ago, header Andrew Ward of Edmond, Oklahoma, and heeler Buddy Hawkins of Columbus, Kansas, knew of the possibilities that could come their way if they were to win the Prairie Circuit’s team roping year-end championship. They realized everything and more. After winning the heading and heeling titles, the tandem went […]
Fair gets kick start on 1st Saturday
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Getting off to a good start is the best way to win the race. In the case of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, a good start ensures the potential success of the annual exposition. Take Saturday, Sept. 25, for example. If the lineup of activities and acts is any indication of […]
Bronc power key to local rodeo
DICKINSON, N.D. – This part of the country knows a thing or two about rodeo. It’s part of the fabric that makes up western North Dakota, where ranchlands and agriculture are everyday life. It stems from 4H and FFA programs and builds into a passion, a dream and a sport, the most popular of all […]
Williams is all cowboy and more
From ranching to rodeo, Wyoming country artist tells his life through song Chancey Williams sees himself as much more than a musician or a country artist. He’s a rancher and a cowboy who happens to love playing music, and his songs reflect his lifestyle and his raising. He’s also an athlete, a two-time state champion […]