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ALVA, Okla. – Megan Turek hasn’t capitalized on circumstances as well as she would like this season for the Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo team. She’s hoping it all changed this past weekend in Manhattan, Kansas, where she made two solid goat-tying runs to finish second at the Kansas State University rodeo. It more than doubled her points on the 2019-20 season and moved her up two spots to seventh in the Central Plains Region standings. “I had made a few mistakes in the (first) round, but thankfully it all worked out,” said Turek, a junior from St. Paul, Nebraska. “Hopefully it’ll set the tone for the rest of the spring.” That’s vital if she intends to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo in June. There are five events remaining on the regional schedule, and she’ll need to finish among the top three in the standings at the campaign’s conclusion if she is to advance. Turek stopped the clock in 7.0 seconds to place in a tie for fourth in the opening round. She was then 6.8 seconds to finish second in the championship round and the two-run aggregate. “The goats were pretty tricky, so you had to be pretty aggressive with them and make sure you had them all tied,” she said. “It was more about being smart. You had to do all the fundamentals correctly.” It’s also an experience to compete in historic Weber Arena. “It’s definitely different, and a lot of goat horses don’t work there,” Turek said. “I don’t know why, but a lot of horses were cutting girls off. I knew mine wouldn’t, but it took quite a few girls out. It’s fun, especially when it’s packed full. It’s a neat building you don’t see everywhere.” She has quite a bit of trust in her equine partner, Bugs, a 16-year-old sorrel gelding that has served as a ranch horse for the family in Nebraska. “He drew the short stick and gets to be a goat horse,” she said with a laugh. “He’s not really nice, but he works for me.” Turek wasn’t the only Ranger to collect points in Manhattan. She was joined by barrel racer Kayla Wilson of Quincy, Illinois, who finished third in the first round, fourth in the short round and second place overall. A trio of steer wrestlers also grabbed points, led by Colt Madison of Whiting, Iowa, who finished second in the aggregate. He was followed by Jace Rutledge of Harrisonville, Missouri, who placed fourth, and Bradley Ralph of Wann, Oklahoma, who finished in a tie for first in the opening round and placed sixth overall. Bo Yaussi of Udall, Kansas, earned some valuable points in tie-down roping, placing in both rounds and finishing in a tie for fourth in the average. Meanwhile Kass Bittle of Krimlin, Oklahoma, was solid in his two runs with partner Sam Goings of Oklahoma Panhandle State University to finish second in team roping, while the team of Brandon Hittle of Topeka, Kansas, and Jayden Laubhaun of Follett, Texas, finished second in the first round and sixth overall. Daniel Durkes of Eskridge, Kansas, and Cole Koppitz of Alva finished fifth in the opening round. For Turek, the strong start to the spring portion of the season is a good indication, but she understands what’s ahead of her and the rest of the team. “I’ll keep practicing hard, keep working at it and keep a good mindset,” she said. “We have a lot of girls that are really good in all the events, so we just need them to fall together on the last few weekends of the season. I know, for sure, that we have the girls to do it.”

GUYMON, Okla. – The Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo is returning to the national stage, just where it belongs. The Cowboy Channel will air the 2020 rodeo, and local committee organizers have signed a three-year contract to extend the coverage of Oklahoma’s only ProRodeo Hall of Fame event. It will be the first time since 2004 that Pioneer Days Rodeo – set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena – will be televised nationally. “With the contract with The Cowboy Channel, we’ll actually have the opportunity to increase our added money for this year and, hopefully, beyond,” said Mitch Egger, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. Added money is the financial support put up by the local committee. It is mixed to the contestants’ entry fees to make up the total purse in each event. Rural Media Group, which owns The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV, agreed to a multi-year contract with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association last September. With the PRCA’s financial investment into Pioneer Days Rodeo, that will offer more enticements for the cowboys to make their way to the Oklahoma Panhandle for the first weekend in May. “I think it’s great that the PRCA and us will be giving back to the cowboys and cowgirls, because they’re the ones who make it happen,” Egger said. “I think this TV deal speaks to the size and importance of our event in the rodeo community as well as its importance in the local community. It lets people around Guymon know that this is still one of the predominant rodeos in the circuit.” It has been for more than two decades. It became part of the ProRodeo Tour in 1999 and was a major stop on the tour for several years. In fact, it remained a tour event even after the television contract was downsized in 2005. To return to a national television audience offers the community and all of the region to promote itself. “Being on national TV is everything for exposure,” said Jada Breeden, director of the Guymon Chamber of Commerce. “When you think of all the people that get to have a sneak peak into our town, it’s incredible. They will get to find out how amazing the people in this community are.” That sentiment has been around for decades. Maybe it’s an extension of those who survived the dust bowl days of the 1930s, there is a defining character to the area once known as “No Man’s Land.” “Having our rodeo on TV shows the cowboy spirit and rodeo is still alive and well,” Egger said. “We’re pretty isolated out here, but to put on an event like this in the Oklahoma Panhandle is a big deal, considering the people across the country that will be watching it.”

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Bryson Sechrist has shown great promise in the world of professional rodeo. Three seasons ago, he finished the campaign 21st in the tie-down roping world standings with nearly $70,000. He was just six spots out of reaching the sport’s pinnacle, the National Finals Rodeo, which features only the top 15 contestants in each event. The year before, he finished 18th in the world standings, pocking just shy of $60,000 in the 2016 season That’s a considerable sum, but each mile driven and each missed opportunity took a toll on the young cowboy. He stayed closer to his home in Apache, Oklahoma, competing at regional rodeos and battling for the Prairie Circuit title. All the while, a hunger grew in his stomach. He’s trying to feed it this year. On Friday night, he roped and tied his calf in 7.9 seconds to win the final round of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. What’s more impressive is that he was ninth heading into the championship round. Between his solid run and some poor luck on those above him in the race, it worked out to his benefit. “I stayed home for a while last year,” said Sechrist, who earned $12,616 in this west Texas community of more than 100,000 people. “I missed the finals a couple of years ago, so I regrouped and decided to let it roll in 2020.” It’s rolling. With the win, he will move into the top 20 in the ProRodeo world standings. It’s often important to get a good start to the season, and the winter rodeos in Texas are a good place to make that happen. “It means a lot to win this rodeo,” he said. “I’ve been coming here for years. This is the first year I’ve made the short round, and I’m glad it worked out.” It was a bit of a relief for the 27-year-old cowboy, who threw his first loop at a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event in 2011. He understands the importance of stepping up when the opportunities allow, just as they did Friday. “I had a really good calf that was fast-handling, and that was more of my style,” Sechrist said. “I was a tick late, so I just wanted to make it more of a practice run. With that calf being like he was, I knew if I set it up, she’d be really good on the ground. “This is huge. This is one of the toughest rodeos to win. Winning this one here, where calf roping is such a big deal, has been one of my goals.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding: First round: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl, $3,727; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5, $2,857; 3. Austin Foss, 87, $2,112; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86, $1,366; 5. (tie) Richmond Champion and Taylor Broussard, 85, $745 each; 7. Tyler Berghuis, 84.5, $497; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper, Chad Rutherford, Clayton Biglow and Jamie Howlett, 84, $93 each. Final round: 1. Clayton Biglow, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Painted River, $1,650; 2. (tie) Chad Rutherford and Richmond Champion, 86.5, $1,075 each; 4. Jamie Howlett, 86, $600; 5. Taylor Broussard, 85.5, $350; 6. (tie) Tim O’Connell and Leighton Berry, 84, $125 each. Average: 1. Clayton Biglow, 173 points on two rides, $3,727; 2. (tie) Richmond Champion and Leighton Berry, 171.5, $2,484 each; 4. (tie) Chad Rutherford and Taylor Broussard, 170.5, $1,118 each; 6. (tie) Jamie Howlett and Tim O’Connell, 170, $559 each; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Kody Lamb, 166, $186 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds, $3,284; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9, $2,855; 3. (tie) Stockton Graves and Sterling Humphry, 4.1, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3, $1,356 each; 7. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4, $500 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Cameron Morman and Matt Reeves, 3.9 seconds, $3,070 each; 3. (tie) Cade Staton and Chance Howard, 4.0, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1, $1,356 each; 7. Jesse Brown, 4.2, $714; 8. (tie) Luke Branquinho, Sterling Lambert and Cade Goodman, 4.3, $95 each. Final round: 1. Matt Reeves, 3.7 seconds, $1,769; 2. Cade Staton, 5.0, $1,464; 3. Cody Harmon, 5.2, $1,159; 4. Tanner Brunner, 5.3, $854; 5. Ty Erickson, 5.6, $549; 6. Josh Clark, 6.6, $305; Average: 1. Matt Reeves, 12.4 seconds on three runs, $4,926; 2. Cade Stanton, 14.3, $4,283; 3. Tanner Brunner, 14.5, $3,641; 4. Cody Harmon, 14.6, $2,998; 5. Ty Erickson, 15.2, $2,356; 6. Josh Clark, 16.0, $1,713; 7. Taz Olson, 20.9, $1,070; 8. Trell Etbauer, 31.9, $428. Team roping: First round: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds, $3,742; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8, $3,010 each; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9, $2,034 each; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1, $1,302; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2, $813; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3, $163. Second round: 1. Jaxon Tucker/Jake Clay, 3.5 seconds, $2,742; 2. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7, $3,254; 3. (tie) Erich Rogers/Paden Bray and Lane Ivy/Dillon Wingereid, 3.8, $2,522 each; 5. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9, $1,546 each; 7. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0, $813; 8. (tie) Dale Martin Jr./Garrett McQueen and Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3, $163 each. Final round: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 4.8 seconds, $1,697; 2. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 4.9, $1,404; 3. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 5.4, $1,112; 4. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 6.6, $819; 5. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 7.6, $527; 6. Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 9.9, $293. Average: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 13.7 seconds on three runs, $5,613; 2. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 15.3, $4,881; 3. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 15.4, $4,149; 4. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 15.9, $3,417; 5. Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 18.2, $2,694; 6. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 19.4, $1,952; 7. Brenton Hall/Chase Tryan, 24.5, $1,220; 8. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 8.3 seconds on two runs, $488. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Clayton Biglow grew up on a ranch in northern California, and he’s known since Day 1 that he was going to be a cowboy. He dreamed of being a world champion, just like every other little boy who was raised around rodeo. He fulfilled it in 2019, winning the bareback riding world championship. Now, he has his eyes set on his second straight gold buckle. He took a move toward that Thursday night during the 10th performance of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. He rode Northcott Macza’s Time Machine for 84 points to move into a four-way tie for eighth place in the opening round. It was worth a bit of money ($93), but the reward comes by qualifying for Friday’s championship round at Foster Communications Coliseum. A year ago, he scored 85 points to finish in a tie for fourth in the first round, then posted an 89.5-point ride to finish runner-up in the short round and third place in the average. In all, he left west Texas with just shy of $5,000. He stands a good chance to do that again. San Angelo’s final round is well known for big rides and big scores, and it’s a big deal to the rodeo-savvy crowd that packs into the coliseum each night. Biglow knows what it means to post big scores. In 2018, he set the National Finals Rodeo record with a 93-point ride on the fifth night. This past December, he matched it on the final night of the 2019 season. With that, he earned $243,891 over 10 nights in Las Vegas, winning the RAM Top Gun award for having earned the most money over that stretch while also claiming the NFR average title (and breaking the record) and world title. At just 25 years of age, the Clements, California, bronc buster finished the season with $425,843. Of course, much of that came in the Nevada desert, where he won four go-rounds outright and was part of a three-way tie in another. Only bull rider Sage Kimzey, now a six-time world champion, earned more money in ProRodeo than Biglow did last year. It was the fourth straight NFR appearance for Biglow, who was the 2016 Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year. He is a second-generation hand, following in the footsteps of his father, Russ, who rode bareback horses and competed in team roping. Now, he hopes to add more San Angelo cash to his pockets Friday night. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding: First round: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl, $3,727; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5, $2,857; 3. Austin Foss, 87, $2,112; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86, $1,366; 5. (tie) Richmond Champion and Taylor Broussard, 85, $745 each; 7. Tyler Berghuis, 84.5, $497; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper, Chad Rutherford, Clayton Biglow and Jamie Howlett, 84, $93 each; 12. (tie) Bill Tutor and Cauy Pool, 83.5. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds, $3,284; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9, $2,855; 3. (tie) Stockton Graves and Sterling Humphry, 4.1, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3, $1,356 each; 7. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4, $500 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Cameron Morman and Matt Reeves, 3.9 seconds, $3,070 each; 3. (tie) Cade Staton and Chance Howard, 4.0, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1, $1,356 each; 7. Jesse Brown, 4.2, $714; 8. (tie) Luke Branquinho, Sterling Lambert and Cade Goodman, 4.3, $95 each.  Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tait Kvistad, Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9; 5. Tanner Brunner, 9.2; 6. Cade Staton, 9.3; 7. (tie) Josh Clark and Cody Harmon, 9.4; 9. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 10. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7. Team roping: First round: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds, $3,742; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8, $3,010 each; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9, $2,034 each; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1, $1,302; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2, $813; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3, $163. Second round: 1. Jaxon Tucker/Jake Clay, 3.5 seconds, $2,742; 2. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7, $3,254; 3. (tie) Erich Rogers/Paden Bray and Lane Ivy/Dillon Wingereid, 3.8, $2,522 each; 5. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9, $1,546 each; 7. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0, $813; 8. (tie) Dale Martin Jr./Garrett McQueen and Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3, $163 each. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 8.3; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 8.9; 4. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 9.1; 5. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 9.3; 6. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 9.9; 7. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 10.0; 8. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4; 10. Wyatt Imus/Joseph Harrison, 10.5; 11. Blake Hirdes/Wyatt Hansen, 11.2; 12. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 11.8. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide, $3,494; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 88, $2,679; 3. Carter Elshere, 85.5, $1,980; 4. Cody DeMoss, 85, $1,281; 5. Jesse Wright, 84.5, $815; 6. (tie) Allen Boore, Rusty Wright and Kolby Wanchuk, 84, $466 each; 9. (tie) Tegan Smith, Spencer Wright and Garrett Buckley, 83.5; 11. Leon Fountain, 83. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds $4,899; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.4, $4,260; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Bryson Sechrist, 7.5, $3,301 each; 5. L.D. Meier, 7.7, $2,343; 6. (tie) Blane Cox and Marcos Costa, 7.8, $1,384 each; 8. Bo Pickett, 7.9, $426. Second round: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds, $4,899; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1, $4,260; 3. (tie) Riley Pruitt and Ike Fontenot, 7.4, $3,301 each; 5. Cooper Martin, 7.5, $2,343; 6. (tie) Kincade Henry and Cory Solomon, 7.6, $1,384 each; 8. (tie) Blane Cox and Lucas Potter, 7.8, $213 each. Average leaders: 1. Blane Cox, 15.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Caleb Smidt, 16.0; 3. (tie) Dakota Felton and Kincade  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – It took nine performances countless other runs, but the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo has already paid out nearly $90,000. There are still nights – and more paychecks – to be made before this year’s event comes to a close. That’s what it’s like to compete in ProRodeo in this west Texas community, which has a passion for the sport like few others in the country. The biggest winner after Wednesday’s performance was tie-down roper Lane Livingston of Seymour, Texas, who won the opening round of tie-down roping. He roped and tied his calf in 7.2 seconds on the opening night of the rodeo, and his score held up to lead the way in the first round. For that, he collected $4,899. Livingston did not have as good of a run in the second round, and therefore will not finish the preliminary rounds among the top 12; he will not compete in Friday’s championship round, so at least he made a nice payday in San Angelo this year. Spencer Mitchell and Cesar de la Cruz won the first round of team roping, stopping the clock in 3.7 seconds. That was worth $3,742. They were solid in their second-round run and will compete Friday night. The second round of timed events – steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping and barrel racing – will conclude Thursday. Reigning world champion steer wrestler Ty Erickson won the first round with a 3.8-second bulldogging run. He competed the opening weekend of the stock show and rodeo. His 5.8-second run in the second round was off the pace, but he’s holding in the two-run aggregate to run for the title Friday. The first round of barrel racing came to a close several weeks ago, and the ladies from the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association have been making their second runs over the past three weeks. Wenda Johnson won the first round with a 15.78-second run. She is expected to compete again in Thursday’s 10th performance. Once that is complete, the field for Friday’s championship round will be set. It’s a fast-and-furious run to the championships at this year’s San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5; 3. Austin Foss, 87; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86; 5. (tie) Richmond Champion and Taylor Broussard, 85; 7. Tyler Berghuis, 84.5; 8. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 10. (tie) Bill Tutor and Cauy Pool, 83.5; 12. Spur Lacasse, 82. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds, $3,284; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9, $2,855; 3. (tie) Stockton Graves and Sterling Humphry, 4.1, $2,213 each; 5. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3, $1,356 each; 7. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4, $500 each. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Cameron Morman and Matt Reeves, 3.9 seconds; 3. (tie) Chance Howard and Cade Staton, 4.0; 5. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1; 7. Jesse Brown, 4.2; 8. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tait Kvistad, Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9; 5. Tanner Brunner, 9.2; 6. Cade Staton, 9.3; 7. (tie) Josh Clark and Cody Harmon, 9.4; 9. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 10. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds, $3,742; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8, $3,010 each; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9, $2,034 each; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1, $1,302; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2, $813; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3, $163. Second round leaders: 1. Jaxon Tucker/Jake Clay, 3.5 seconds; 2. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7; 3. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 4. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9; 6. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0; 7. Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3; 8. (tie) Gavin Foster/Daniel Reed, Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, Steven Duby/Jason Duby and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 8.3; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 8.9; 4. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 9.1; 5. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 9.3; 6. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 9.9; 7. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 10.0; 8. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4; 10. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 11.8; 11. J.B. James Jr./Brock Hanson, 12.5; 12. Billy Bob Brown/Chad Williams, 12.9. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 88; 3. Carter Elshere, 85.5; 4. Cody DeMoss, 85; 5. Jesse Wright, 84.5; 6. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk, Rusty Wright and Allen Boore, 84; 9. (tie) Tegan Smith and Spencer Wright, 83.5; 11. Leon Fountain, 83. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds $4,899; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.4, $4,260; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Bryson Sechrist, 7.5, $3,301 each; 5. L.D. Meier, 7.7, $2,343; 6. (tie) Blane Cox and Marcos Costa, 7.8, $1,384 each; 8. Bo Pickett, 7.9, $426. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1.; 3. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 5. Cooper Martin, 7.5; 6. (tie) Cory Solomon and Kincade Cullen Henry, 7.6; 8. (tie) Blane Cox and Luke Potter, 7.8. Average leaders: 1. Blane Cox, 15.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Caleb Smidt, 16.0; 3. (tie) Dakota Felton and Kincade Cullen Henry, 15.4; 5. (tie) Cooper Martin and Sterling Smith, 16.6; 7. Reid H. Zapalac, 16.7; 8. Jake Pratt, 16.8; 9. (tie) Bryson Sechrist and Stetson Vest,16,9; 11. Ty Harris, 17.0; 12. (tie) Reese Riemer and Monty Lewis, 17.1. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Tiany Schuster, 14.05 seconds; 2.Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.10; 3. Shannon McReynolds, 14.20; 4. Kim Schulze, 14.24; 5. (tie) Haley Wolfe and Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 14.26; 7. (tie) Kathy Grimes and Lindsay Sears, 14.27; 9. (tie) Lexie Goss and Randee Prindle, 14.30.  Continue Reading »

Honored rodeo clown Lecile Harris died in his sleep overnight, leaving a lasting legacy for so many people that have been part of this sport for so many years. He was 83. I’d met Lecile 25 years ago when he was performing at the Dodge City (Kansas) Roundup Rodeo, and I was working at the newspaper there. I got to know him better a few years later in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. We were in the same group in the rodeo’s golf tournament. It was the greatest round of golf I’ve ever played, and not because of how well I shot or how well our team did. The group consisted of Lecile, the great Hadley Barrett, my friend Russell and a couple of cowboys that have become dear friends. Because of all their years working arenas together, Hadley and Lecile kept us in stitches for 18 holes. I laughed so hard that my sides ached for days. Hadley would set him up, and Lecile would just keep rolling. They were a magical team. It’s a memory I hope to always remember. Until we meet again, rest well, Lecile Harris. You’ve earned it.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – The San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo has become a bit of a honey hole for saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston. Over the previous three years, he has earned $10,864, including a spectacular run in 2019. He won the first round, placed in the final round and finished second overall, pocketing $6,798 in the process. It was one of the guiding forces that led to his second world championship in four years. He’ll add to that total this year. “You’ve got to stay consistent at these rodeos, especially when you get on more than one horse,” said Thurston, who rode Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide for 90 points in Saturday’s matinee to take the lead. “To do good helps out. I’ve done pretty well there before.” That familiarity helps, but so does riding good bucking horses. Though he wasn’t sure what to expect out of Rising Tide, he found out quickly the horse has some moves. Part of the learning curve comes with the Hampton firm being new to ProRodeo. “That horse had some really good things about it,” said Thurston, 25, of Big Valley, Alberta. “She bucked really good and had some direction changes. It was just action-reaction. That little horse was really bucking. Usually if you’re 90 and things are going right, it’s all happening pretty fast.” He may have earned good cash early in the season a year ago, but he really added to it over the course of the regular season and the National Finals Rodeo. He finished the campaign with $347,056, with more than $170,000 of it coming in Vegas this past December. “Being a two-time world champion is awesome,” he said. “I always dreamed I’d win the world title, and for it to happen as fast in my career was amazing. Everybody dreams of it, and they very seldom get one. To do it more than once is incredible.” Thurston, though, has proven why he has those opportunities. He first qualified for the NFR in 2015 to close out his rookie campaign. He won the world title a year later and hasn’t missed a chance to battle for the gold buckle since. He’s finished among the top five in three of the last four seasons. His Saturday ride was just the fifth horse he’s been on since the new year, so he’s just getting started. “I feel like I’ve been riding good, but (Saturday) was the first one I’ve been on that really bucked,” Thurston said. “The draw’s a big part of that. Because there are so many guys that ride so good and so consistently, you’ve got to have the right dancing partner.” He found that and more inside Foster Communications Coliseum. “San Angelo is not just any rodeo,” he said. “They put on a good production, an they’ve got lots of pyro and lights to start the rodeo. It seats quite a few people, but it’s always full, even on Saturday afternoon. I’ve never been to that rodeo when they had extra seats. “It’s a really good rodeo.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5; 3. Austin Foss, 87; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86; 5. Richmond Champion, 85; 6. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 8. (tie) Bill Tutor and Cauy Pool, 83.5; 10. Spur Lacasse, 82; 11. Jesse Pope, 81; 12. Jade Taton, 80. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9; 3. Stockton Graves, 4.1; 4. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3; 6. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4; 8. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Jason Thomas, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. Cameron Morman, 3.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Chance Howard and Cade Staton, 4.0; 4. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1; 6. Jesse Brown, 4.2; 7. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9 seconds on two runs; 3. Tanner Brunner, 9.2; 4. Cade Staton, 9.3; 5. Cody Harmon, 9.4; 6. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 7. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7; 10. (tie) Scott Guenthner and Heath Thomas, 10.0; 12. Joe Nelson, 10.1. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3. Second round leaders: 1. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7 seconds; 2. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 3. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9; 5. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0; 6. Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3; 7. (tie) Gavin Foster/Daniel Reed, Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, Steven Duby/Jason Duby and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 8.3; 3. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 9.1; 4. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 9.3; 5. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 9.9; 6. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 10.0; 7. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4; 9. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 11.8; 10. J.B. James Jr./Brock Hanson, 12.5; 11. Billy Bob Brown/Chad Williams, 12.9; 12. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 14.2. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 88; 3. Carter Elshere, 85.5; 4. Cody DeMoss, 85; 5. Jesse Wright, 84.5; 6. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Rusty Wright, 84; 8. Tegan Smith, 83.5; 9. Leon Fountain, 83; 10. (tie) Jacob Lewis and Riggin Smith, 82.5. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.4; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Bryson Sechrist, 7.5; 5. L.D. Meier, 7.7; 6. (tie) Blane Cox and Marcos Costa, 7.8; 8. Bo Pickett, 7.9. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1.; 3. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 5. (tie) Cory  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – As a child growing up in Texas, Matt Reeves recalls the days of traveling to the stock shows around his home state. For the last 17 years, he’s returned to his old haunts to compete in ProRodeo, and he’s done pretty well at it. In fact, he’s still finding success in these historic events and proved as much this weekend at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. “I’ve had a lot more success rodeoing at all these events than I did stock showing,” said Reeves, who posted two runs in a cumulative time of 8.7 seconds to take the overall steer wrestling lead. “I’ve never won Angelo; that’d be a cool thing to win.” He was solid during his first round, posting a 4.8-second run to give himself a chance. On Sunday afternoon, he posted a 3.9-second run to share the second-round lead with Cameron Morman. Now, he will return to Foster Communications Coliseum to compete in the championship round, set for Friday, Feb. 14. He credits a great deal of his success to his horses, Roy and Rattle; both have been instrumental in some of his seven National Finals Rodeo qualifications. Rattle, an 8-year-old bay mare, did much of the heavy lifting last year and was named the PRCA AQHA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. She then guided Reeves to the 2019 NFR average championship; he earned $103,641 in Las Vegas last December and finished the year with $183,181, good enough for sixth place in the world standings. “Rattle’s actually been 3.9 twice in the second round in Angelo,” said Reeves, 41, of Cross Plains, Texas, just 100 miles northeast of San Angelo. “Cameron rode her last weekend, so the mare’s splitting first.” There’s something special about that horse, and Reeves is reaping the benefits of it. In addition to doing well in west Texas, he also placed in Denver and Fort Worth, Texas. “That mare’s just different,” he said. “It’s easier than it was. Roy is unreal. He’s just longer-strided, a little straighter. He’s a great horse, but she’s just better. At my age, I think this horse is just stretching out the career a little bit more.” He’s had a pretty stellar career. He’s done well in San Angelo before, but he’s hoping this is the year he gets that breakthrough he wants. “Angelo has a small arena, but it’s a packed house, and it doesn’t matter when you’re there,” Reeves said. “The crowd knows rodeo. It’s like Fort Worth was at the old arena. They’ve got a lot of people that watch slack. It’s a neat rodeo. “Rodeo is still their sport here, and it’s a big deal to them. When you come to Angelo, you still feel that rodeo is the No 1 sport in America.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Leighton Berry, 87.5; 3. Austin Foss, 87; 4. Tim O’Connell, 86; 5. (tie) Richmond Champion and Taylor Broussard, 85; 7. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 9. (tie) Bill Tutor and Cauy Pool, 83.5; 11. Spur Lacasse, 82s. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9; 3. Stockton Graves, 4.1; 4. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3; 6. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4; 8. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Jason Thomas, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Cameron Morman and Matt Reeves, 3.9 seconds; 3. (tie) Chance Howard and Cade Staton, 4.0; 5. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Tanner Brunner, 4.1; 7. Jesse Brown, 4.2; 8. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. Matt Reeves, 8.7 seconds on two runs; 2. (tie) Tait Kvistad, Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9; 5. Tanner Brunner, 9.2; 6. Cade Staton, 9.3; 7. (tie) Josh Clark and Cody Harmon, 9.4; 9. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 10. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2; 8. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett and Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3. Second round leaders: 1. Jaxon Tucker/Jake Clay, 3.5 seconds; 2. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7; 3. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 4. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Clint Summers/Douglas Rich, 3.9; 6. Trey Blackmore/Kory Bramwell, 4.0; 7. Jake Orman/Daniel Braman, 4.3; 8. (tie) Gavin Foster/Daniel Reed, Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, Steven Duby/Jason Duby and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 4.4. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens, 8.3; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 8.9; 4. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 9.1; 5. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 9.3; 6. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 9.9; 7. Cory Smothers/Brandon Gonzales, 10.0; 8. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4; 10. Jaguar Terrill/Travis Woodard, 11.8; 11. J.B. James Jr./Brock Hanson, 12.5; 12. Billy Bob Brown/Chad Williams, 12.9. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on Hampton Pro Rodeo’s Rising Tide; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 88; 3. Carter Elshere, 85.5; 4. Cody DeMoss, 85; 5. Jesse Wright, 84.5; 6. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk, Rusty Wright and Allen Boore, 84; 9. (tie) Tegan Smith and Spencer Wright, 83.5; 11. Leon Fountain, 83. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.4; 3. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Bryson Sechrist, 7.5; 5. L.D. Meier, 7.7; 6. (tie) Blane Cox and Marcos Costa, 7.8; 8. Bo Pickett, 7.9. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1.; 3. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 5. Cooper Martin, 7.5; 6. (tie) Cory Solomon and Kincade Cullen Henry, 7.6; 8. (tie) Blane Cox and Luke Potter, 7.8. Average leaders: 1. Blane Cox, 15.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Caleb Smidt, 16.0; 3. (tie) Dakota Felton and Kincade Cullen Henry, 15.4; 5.  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Tim O’Connell missed last year’s San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, and he’s glad to return. On Friday night, he rode United Pro Rodeo’s Pow Wow Rocks for 86 points to move into second place in bareback riding at Foster Communications Coliseum and is a virtual lock to compete in the championship round next Friday, Feb. 14. “The ride was good,” said O’Connell, a three-time world champion from Zwingle, Iowa. “She took a scoot for about three seconds and was a third of the way down the pen when she broke. Once she did, it was a dog fight. “I just made a businessman’s ride.” He sits second overall with five nights of preliminary rounds remaining. Once those conclude next Thursday, the top 12 times or scores in each event will advance to the final round. That’s when the champions will be crowned in San Angelo. O’Connell would like to be one of the contestants to earn that title. Through all of the success he’s had in his young career – in addition to the three gold buckles, he has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo each of the past six years – he’s only advanced to the short round one other time. “This is the one rodeo that’s eluded me in my career,” he said, referring to having some sort of success in a given arena. “But they’re going to give me another shot. I don’t need the best horse. I just need a chance.” Once given that opportunity, he’s proven he does quite well. He sits No. 1 in the world standings with just more than $18,000 earned. Most of that came with his second-place finish in Denver last month, where he pocketed $14,664. He also earned money in Des Moines, Iowa, and has pocketed more than $3,000 so far in Fort Worth, Texas, with the championship round set there for Saturday night. “The year’s been great, and it’s nice to rodeo in the winter again,” said O’Connell, who was injured on the final night of the 2018 NFR, had surgery on his riding shoulder and rehabbed until mid-June; he then went on to earn more than $100,000 in three months an 10 days to return to Vegas in December. “I’m having fun and have been enjoying riding bucking horses. I think the injury relit a passion. I re-fell in love with why I do this.” O’Connell not only put on a show at the end of the regular season, but he then earned $147,923 in 10 nights in the Nevada desert. He finished third in the world standings and, for the first time in three years, watched someone else leave Las Vegas with the gold buckle. “That has crazy-motivated me,” he said. “I’m happy for Clayton (Biglow), because he deserved to win the world title. I have goals and aspirations to be the best ever, so going a year without winning a world title motivates me to be better, to push myself harder. I want to work so that at the end of the 10th night in Vegas, I’m the one stepping out with the world title. “It’s tough. It’s as filthy as it’s ever been when you look at rank bareback riders. But that’s the way it should be. We may be a small group, but we’re mighty.” After spending a good portion of 2019 away from the game and with his wife, Sami, and son, Hazen, O’Connell has gained a new affection for time with his family. That’s why the two have joined him this winter and are enjoying moments on the rodeo trail, along with fellow bareback rider Jesse Pope of Marshall, Missouri. “Having them experience this with me is great,” he said. “I don’t have to miss them like I normally would.” And they got to experience the vibrant crowd that San Angelo offers every year. That’s another reason why he’s excited to ride another bucking horse next week. “The coliseum is a smaller version of the one in Denver, and they jam pack it,” O’Connell said. “They get the sound up and the pyro, and it’s energetic. The people love rodeo. They get your motor running. It’s weird, because I usually get fired up at rodeo’s I’ve one good at, but I really like this rodeo even though I’ve never done that well. It’s got to be something about that crowd.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Tim O’Connell, 86; 3. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 5. Bill Tutor, 83.5; 6. Spur Lacasse, 82; 7. Jesse Pope, 81; 8. Jade Taton, 80; 9. Tim Murphy, 79.5; 10. Kash Wilson, 79; 11. Kyle Charley, 78; 12. (tie) Pascal Isabelle, Lane  McGeehee and Paden Hurst, 77. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Taz Olson, 3.9; 3. (tie) Tait Kvistad and Dalton Massey, 4.3; 5. (tie) Ryan McKay Nettle and Jacob Talley, 4.4; 7. (tie) Gary Gilbert and Jason Thomas, 4.5. Second round leaders: 1. Cameron Morman, 3.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Chance Howard and Cade Staton, 4.0; 4. Dakota Eldridge, 4.1; 5. Jesse Brown, 4.2; 6. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Dalton Massey and Jacob Talley, 8.9 seconds on two runs; 3. Cade Staton, 9.3; 4. Cody Harmon, 9.4; 5. Ty Erickson, 9.6; 6. (tie) Taz Olson, Bridger Anderson and Jule Hazen, 9.7; 9. (tie) Scott Guenthner and Heath Thomas, 10.0; 11. Joe Nelson, 10.1; 12. Justin Shaffer, 10.2. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Cesar de la Cruz, 3.7 seconds; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.8; 4. (tie) Laramie Allen/Whit Kitchens and Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 3.9; 6. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Coleby Payne, 4.2; 8. Manny Equsquiza Jr./York Gill, 4.3. Second round leaders: 1. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7 seconds; 2. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 3. (tie) Dawson  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Kolton Schmidt and Hunter Koch have quite a few things in common. Both have earned one qualification to the National Finals Rodeo: Schmidt in 2016; Koch last December. Both are Canadian Professional Rodeo Association champions, with Schmidt winning the heading title in 2013, and Koch claiming the heeling crown last year. Now, they’re roping for the title at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. On Saturday, they put in two solid times and share the top spot in the aggregate standings with another team, Brenten Hall and Chase Tryan. Schmidt and Koch were 5.0 seconds Saturday afternoon to sit third in the first round, then followed that with a 5.4-second run to hold on to sixth place in the second round. That 10.4-second cumulative time on two runs puts them in a good position to return to Foster Communications Coliseum on Feb. 14 to compete in the championship round. “We caught two steers, and that’s big,” said Schmidt, who indicated another tie between the two: Koch is dating Schmidt’s sister. “It’s early in the rodeo, and I don’t think the rounds will stay to where we can place in both, but we were hoping to make the short-go. That’s what we came here to do, and I’m pretty excited to get it done.” It’s a good start to the season for the two ropers who joined forces last October with hopes of returning to the NFR together in December. Last year, Schmidt roped with Jeremy Buhler, a fellow Canadian who earned the 2016 heeling world title, while Koch made the NFR with two-time world champion header Matt Sherwood. “I’m really excited about the partnership,” said Schmidt of Barrhead, Alberta. “The guy heels great, and I think it’s going to be a good fit. I trust him, so all I have to do is catch the steers on my end and turn them so he can do his job. That’s the mentality I have.” He should. He and Koch sit 14th in their respective disciplines early in this new season. They have eight more months to remain among the top 15 if they hope to return to Las Vegas and compete for that elusive world championship. “The great thing about Hunter is that he’s a great guy who is grounded,” Schmidt said of Koch, who lives in Vernon, Texas. “He’s very talented and works hard. He has a good mindset. Really, he’s got all the right stuff.” That’s what it takes to win in ProRodeo … well, that and a little luck. Still, both men have proven they have tremendous talent, and they were able to showcase it in San Angelo on a Saturday. “If I want to get back to the NFR, I need to keep my horses right and keep my head on straight,” he said. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We don’t want to let the highs get too high or the lows get too low. I just want to do my job and let my partner do his.” If they can do that, success will quickly follow. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Chad Rutherford, 84; 4. Bill Tutor, 83.5; 5. Spur Lacasse, 82; 6. Jade Taton, 80; 7. Tim Murphy, 79.5; 8. Kash Wilson, 79; 9. Kyle Charley, 78; 10. (tie) Pascal Isabelle, Lane  McGeehee and Paden Hurst, 77. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Heath Thomas, 4.6; 3. Bridger Chambers, 5.1; 4. Scott Guenthner, 5.2; 5. Cody Cabral, 5.8; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 6.3; 7. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dirk Tavenner, 7.9. Second round leaders: 1. Cameron Moorman, 3.9 seconds; 2. Dakota Eldridge, 4.1; 3. (tie) Sterling Lambert, Luke Branquinho and Cade Goodman, 4.3; 6. Austin Courmier, 4.4; 7. Tyler Waguespack, 4.6; 8. Will Lummus, 4.7. Average leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 9.6 seconds on two runs; 2. Scott Guenthner, 10.0; 3. Heath Thomas, 10.0; 4. Dakota Eldridge, 10.4; 5. Cody Cabral, 10.7; 6. Tyler Waguespack, 12.5; 7. Cameron Morman, 13.4; 8. Dirk Tavenner, 14.3; 9. Stetson Jorgensen, 15.0; 10. Will Lummus, 16.5; 11. Cade Goodman, 21.8; 12. Bridger Chambers, 32.3. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1 seconds; 2. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.5; 3. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 5.0; 4. Cody Snow/Paul Eaves, 5.1; 5. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 5.5; 6. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 9.4; 7. Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, 9.8; 8. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 14.3. Second round leaders: 1. Dustin Eguesquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7 seconds; 2. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 3. Levi Simpson/Shay Carroll, 4.8; 4. Brenton Hall/Chase Tryan, 4.9; 5. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 5.0; 6. Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 5.4; 7. Cody Snow/Paul Eaves, 9.6; 8. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan and Kolton Schmidt/Hunter Koch, 10.4 seconds on two runs; 3. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 14.4; 4. Cody Snow/Paul Eaves, 14.7; 5. Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley, 24.0; 6. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 3.7 seconds on one run; 7. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 3.8; 8. Reno Cash Stoebner, 4.1; 9. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.5; 10. Levi Simpson/Shay Carrol, 4.8; 11. Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, 9.8; 12. Tyler Wade, Billie Jack Saebens, 14.4. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 88 points on Lancaster & Jones ProRodeo’s Total Equine Ruffy; 2. Carter Elshere, 85.5; 3. Jesse Wright, 84.5; 4. Kolby Wanchuk, 84; 5. Jacob Lewis, 82.5; 6. (tie) Isaac Diaz and Brody Cress, 82; 8. (tie) Sterling Crawley and Ben Andersen, 81; 10. Chase Zweifel, 80; 11. (tie) Dean Wadsworth and Jade Taton, 79.5. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds; 2. Blane Cox, 7.8; 3. (tie) Ty Harris, Westyn Hughes and Catfish Brown, 8.2; 6. Jake Pratt, 8.3; 7. Rhen Richard, 8.7; 8. Andrew Burks, 8.9. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. Marty Yates, 7.1.; 3. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 5. Blane Cox, 7.8; 6. Tyler Milligan, 7.9; 7. Zach  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Just 50 days ago, Stetson Wright of Milford, Utah, left the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas with the most cherished prize in the game: the all-around world championship gold buckle. On Sunday afternoon, he staked claim to another unique title: He became the first cowboy in history to win the San Angelo Xtreme Bulls. As one of just two cowboys to ride two bulls inside Foster Communications Coliseum, he walked away with the championship and $5,476. Xtreme Bulls was an added attraction to the tradition that is the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, and 30 of the top bull riders in ProRodeo took their shot at claiming the title. Wright rode his first bull, Stace Smith’s Heartache & Grease, for 84 points to finish eighth in the opening round. That earned him a spot in the 10-man championship round, where he matched moves with Rafter H Rodeo’s Left Lane for 87.5 points. His two-ride aggregate was worth the lion’s share of the cash he earned in San Angelo on Sunday. It’s been a remarkable ride for the 20-year-old cowboy, the third son born to two-time world champion saddle bronc rider Cody Wright. He’s also the third son to qualify for the NFR, though he took a different path that also aligned him with that all-around race. While he followed the family genetics and competes in bronc riding, Stetson Wright proved to be quite a bull-riding hand early in his career: He finished the 2019 season No. 3 in the bull riding world standings. He also became the fifth person in his family to win rodeo’s gold, not only joining his dad but also his uncles, Jesse and Spencer, and his older brother, Ryder. Dallee Mason, a 32-year-old bull rider from Weiser, Idaho, set the standard as the third cowboy to compete, scoring 91 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Nose Bender to win the first round. Sage Kimzey, the reigning six-time world champion from Strong City, Oklahoma, won the short round with an 88-point ride on Rafter H’s Bet on Black. As the only other cowboy to cover two bulls, Kimzey finished second and earned $4,863 in the process. Mason finished third. San Angelo Xtreme Bulls Feb. 2 First round: 1. Dallie Mason, 91 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Nose Bender, $1,963; 2. Roscoe Jarboe, 89.5, $1,505; 3. (tie) Parker McCown, Brady Portenier an Cole Meloncon, 88, $763 each; 6. Josh Frost, 86.5, $327; 7. Aaron Williams, 86, $262; 8. Stetson Wright, 84, $196. Championship round: 1. Sage Kimzey, 88 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Bet on Black, $2,355; 2. Stetson Wright, 87.5, $2,006; no other qualified rides. Average: 1. Stetson Wright, 171.5 points on two rides, $3,271; 2. Sage Kimzey, 170.5, $2,508; 3. Dallee Mason, 91 points on one ride, $1,854; 4. Roscoe Jarboe, 89.5, $1,199; 5. (tie) Parker McCown, Brady Portenier and Cole Meloncon, 88, $582 each; 8. Josh Frost, 86.5, $327.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Every year as a child, Ty Harris made his way to the Foster Communications Coliseum to see his rodeo heroes perform. He dreamed of competing inside the historic building and chasing the title at his hometown event, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. Now 21 and just a month and a half removed from competing at his first National Finals Rodeo, he has given himself a chance, “This is an awesome experience and a better experience than roping anywhere else,” said Harris, who roped and tied his calf in 8.8 during Friday’s second performance of the rodeo; that, combined with his 8.2-second run on Thursday, gave the local cowboy the overall lead with a two-run total of 17.0 seconds. “It’s exhilarating. Having so many people here that I know, it puts a lot of pressure on you, but I love it; I crave that.” He’s proven that over the years, just not so much at home. This is his first time to be in such a position at the stock show and rodeo, and he’s over the top about it. “To be leading this rodeo is awesome,” said Harris, who finished ninth in the 2019 world standings and sits third as of this week in ProRodeo. “There are 170 other really good ropers that are in this thing. I hope I get a chance to come back on (Feb.) 14th.” He’s talking about the championship round in two weeks. Only the top 12 contestants in each event through the preliminary rounds get a chance at one more and a shot at the coveted San Angelo title. There are plenty of opportunities to be passed in the two-run aggregate race, but his time should still allow him to advance to the short round, based on recent history. Plus, Harris is riding a wave of fearlessness. At the NFR, he placed in four go-rounds, including wins on the fifth and sixth nights, and pocketed just shy of $90,000 in 10 days. “It was an amazing experience to get to go there to compete and with that much money,” he said. “I didn’t have the best finals, but I was pleased with it and really hungry to do even better this year. “It helped, because now I know mentally that you can compete with those guys and have success. It helps with your confidence. I’ve had confidence, but it helps knowing that I belong with the Shane Hancheys, the Trevor Braziles, the Tuf Coopers and the Marty Yateses.” He’s earned it, because nothing in rodeo is handed to the men and women who play the game. It’s long hours in the practice pen, the gym and on the road to make a living in a sport driven by passion. “I just want to rope as good as I can as long as I can and give myself an opportunity to make as many NFRs as I can,” Harris said. “There are a lot of amazing calf ropers – a lot of incredible cowboys in every event – that have never won a gold buckle, but that’s every rodeo guy’s dream. If I didn’t have that dream and goal, it would be pretty dumb of me to rodeo for a living. “I’m blessed to get to do this every day and make a living doing it.” San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Chad Rutherford, 86; 3. Tilden Hooper, 84; 4. Spur Lacasse, 82; 5. Kash Wilson, 79; 6. Pascal Isabelle, 77; 7. (tie) Jacob Lees and Anthony Thomas, 76. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Heath Thomas, 4.6; 3. Bridger Chambers, 5.1; 4. Scott Guenthner, 5.2; 5. Cody Cabral, 5.8; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 6.3; 7. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dirk Tavenner, 7.9. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1 seconds; 2. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.5; 3. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 5.5; 4. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 9.4; 5. Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, 9.8; 6. Tyler Wade/Billie Jack Saebens, 14.4; 7. Quisto Lopez/B.J. Dugger, 14.6; no other qualified runs. Second round leaders: 1. Levi Simpson/Shay Carroll, 4.8 seconds; 2. Brenton Hall/Chase Tryan, 4.9; 3. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 5.0; 4. Garrett Chick/Walt Woodard, 19.5; no other qualified runs. Average leaders: 1. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 10.4 seconds on two runs; 2. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 14.4; 3. Reno Cash Stoebner, 4.1 seconds on one run; 4. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.5; 5. Levi Simpson/Shay Carrol, 4.8; 6. Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, 9.8; 7. Tyler Wade, Billie Jack Saebens, 14.4; 8. Quisto Lopez/B.J. Dugger, 14.6. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 88 points on Lancaster & Jones ProRodeo’s Total Equine Ruffy; 2. Kolby Wanchuk, 84; 3. (tie) Isaac Diaz and Brody Cress, 82; 5. Sterling Crawley, 81; 6. Dean Wadsworth, 79.5; 7. Nat Stratton 78.5; 8. Jake Finlay, 78. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Ty Harris, Westyn Hughes and Catfish Brown, 8.2; 5. Ike Fontenot, 12.2; 6. Tyan Thiboeaux, 12.7; 7. Adam Gray, 19.0; no other qualified runs. Second round leaders: 1. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Ike Fontenot and Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 4. Zach Jongbloed, 8.3; 5. Ty Harris, 8.8; 6. Adam Gray, 9.2; 7. Ryan Thibodeaux, 9.5; 8. Lane Livingston, 10.1. Average leaders: 1. Ty Harris, 17.0 seconds on two runs; 2. Lane Livingston, 17.3; 3. Ike Fontenot, 19.6; 4. Ryan Thibodeaux, 22.2; 5. Adam Gray, 28.2; 6. Justin Smith, 7.0 seconds on one run; 7. Riley Pruitt, 7.4; 8. (tie) Catfish Brown and Westyn Hughes, 8.2; 10. Zach Jongbloed, 8.3. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 14.26 seconds; 2. Amanda Harris, 14.48; 3. Margo Crowther, 14.50; 4. Tara Carr, 14.55; 5. Shelby Bates, 14.57; 6. Shelby McCamey, 14.60; 7. Christine Laughlin, 14.67; 8. Kelsey Knight, 14.75; 9. Angela Ganter, 14.77; 10. (tie) J.J Baldwin and Mary Jo Camera, 14.81. Average leaders: 1. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 30.49 seconds  Continue Reading »

SAN ANGELO, Texas – For some cowboys, just missing out on qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo would be reason to sulk when the regular season came to a close. Instead, Kody Lamb was reinvigorated. “If I had been younger, it may have hurt,” said Lamb of Sherwood Park, Alberta. “But with the injuries I’ve had the last couple of years, it was fantastic to have a year go that well. It certainly stoked the fire in me to do that well. I’ve just got to keep rolling and keep trying to ride better.” He did that Thursday in the opening night of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. Lamb rode Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl for 88 points to take the early bareback riding lead. That score should be enough to have him return to Foster Communications Coliseum for the championship round, set for Friday, Feb. 14. “I hope it gets me back, but the boys are riding so good, so I don’t know if an 88 is going to hold up,” he said. The chances of his return are likely, though. A year ago, Lamb scored 85 points to finish third in the opening round. He followed that with ah 89-point ride to finish third in the short round and finished second overall. He left San Angelo with more than $7,400 in earnings. “The last couple of years, outside of San Angelo, I’ve had trouble to make money at these winter rodeos,” said Lamb, a two-time qualifier to the Canadian Finals Rodeo who finished 20th last season in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association – only the top 15 contestants in each event advance to the NFR. “I know the old timers say that any money you win before Reno (Nevada in late June) is just a bonus, but winter rodeos pay so much now that a guy can set himself up for a really good year by having a really good winter. That’s what I’ve tried to focus on.” Although the 2020 season is quite new and there are still eight months remaining in the regular season, the Canadian sits third in the bareback riding world standings. His Thursday score should hold up for a solid payday, and there’s more opportunity to earn San Angelo cash on the horizon. Between now and his mid-February ride, Lamb will hit more of the winter rodeos to try to wrangle as much money as he can. “San Angelo has some of the greatest fans ever,” said Lamb, who attended college in Hobbs, New Mexico, and Stephenville, Texas, on rodeo scholarships. “That building is always electric, and everybody that’s in there is really knowledgeable. They know when they see a good ride.” That’s what they should expect over the next few weeks in San Angelo. San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Jan. 30-Feb. 14 Bareback riding leaders: 1. Kody Lamb, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hometown Girl; 2. Tilden Hooper, 84; 3. Spur Lacasse, 82; 4. Kash Wilson, 79; 5. Pascal Isabelle, 77; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.8 seconds; 2. Heath Thomas, 4.6; 3. Dakota Eldridge, 6.3; 4. Tyler Waguespack, 7.9; 5. Cameron Morman, 9.5; 6. Cade Goodman, 17.5; no other qualified runs. Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Reno Cash Stoebner/Colton Brittain, 4.1 seconds; 2. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 4.4; 3. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 4.5; 4. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 5.5; 5. Tate Kirchenschlager/Ross Ashford, 9.8; 6. Tyler Wade/Billie Jack Saebens, 14.4; 7. Quisto Lopez/B.J. Dugger, 14.6; no other qualified runs. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Kolby Wanchuk, 84 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Line Wart; 2. Sterling Crawley, 81; 3. Mat Stratton 78.5; 4. Jake Finlay, 78; 5. Jake Watson, 77; 6. Luke White, 70; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Lane Livingston, 7.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Ty Harris, Westyn Hughes and Catfish Brown, 8.2 seconds; 5. Ike Fontenot, 12.2; 6. Tyan Thiboeaux, 12.7; 7. Adam Gray, 19.0; no other qualified runs. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 14.26 seconds; 2. Amanda Harris, 14.48; 3. Kelsey Knight, 14.75; 4. Angela Ganter, 14.77; 5. Janie Johnson, 14.82; 6. Natalie Bland, 15.07; 7. Kiley Dalchow, 15.22; 8. Debbie Bloxom, 15.27; 9. Ashley Harvey, 17.18; 10; Amanda Slaughter, 19.57. Average leaders: 1. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 30.49 seconds on two runs; 2. Amanda Harris, 30.84; 3. Kelsey Knight, 31.18; 4. Angela Ganter, 31.22; 5. Janie Johnson, 31.38; 6. Natalie Bland, 31.69; 7. (tie) Kiley Dalchow and Debbie Bloxom, 31.94; 9. Ashley Harvey, 33.91; 10. Amanda Slaughter, 36.00; 11. Cheyenne Allan, 35.34; 12. Nicki Zimmerman, 41.59. Bull riding leaders: 1. Elliot Jacoby, 86.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Snake Ears; no other qualified rides.

Renowned barrelman recognized in Vegas for protecting bullfighters LAS VEGAS – Barrelman Andy North is the most respected man in Bullfighters Only, and that respect comes from the men he protects. “Andy is a man who has perfected his craft,” said Aaron Mercer, the 2019 BFO World Champion from Calgary, Alberta. “He reads cattle and reads the situation, and he’ll move when the bull makes the move to put a guy in a bad position. All of a sudden, he is there and saves your ass. “He’s a man with a purpose. When he speaks, you listen.” North is more than a man in a barrel, an enticing target for Spanish fighting bulls to hit. No, North is part bullfighter, part man in the can. He’s done both for years, and he can read the bulls as well as, if not better than, the men he’s there to protect. During the BFO’s year-end championship in Las Vegas, North took part in his 1,000th BFO bullfight, a milestone that may never be matched unless he’s the one who does it. It’s a telling tale about his passion for the game while seeing – and feeling – the action up close and personal. “I think it speaks so much for the BFO,” said North of Piedmont, Oklahoma. “I’ve fought 1,000 BFO fights, and I haven’t fought all of them. I think it’s awesome for Bullfighters Only and me personally for me to fight that many bulls for one organization “I don’t know how many barrelmen could say they have 1,000 bullfights for their career, much less for one organization. To be asked to come to these events consistently is a good feeling because of the company you’re with, the men fighting bulls and their abilities. It’s a blessing to get to do it over and over.” It was only fitting that North’s 1,000th bout came with Weston Rutkowski in the arena at the Tropicana Las Vegas. Rutkowski won the first three BFO world championships, and North has been in the barrel for a majority of his fights. “For North, that’s a milestone in his career,” said Rutkowski of Haskell, Texas. “For me, it was satisfying, something I’ll take with me for my entire career.” He did it while donning North’s well-known orange jersey instead of Rutkowski’s typical colors. “Putting on orange was me saying, ‘Thank you,’ ” Rutkowski said. “It was me saying North has my respect and always will. I put away the green jersey, where it wasn’t about me, and put it more on a guy that does so much more than he gets credit for.” That’s just the way North handles his business. He understands freestyle bullfighting, and he’s thankful for its resurgence because of the BFO, showcasing the extreme sport in a way that is wrapped in beautiful production and provides an entertaining show for all who attend. “I love bullfighting,” he said. “I love what we do. I like to see those bulls and how each bull has his own personality, how they want to fight. I like to see these kids coming up through the ranks. I’ve gotten to see a lot of talent come through. When you see that, you realize you are part of something special.” North is best known for making big-time saves when the bulls are taking it to the bullfighters. He uses handles attached to the inside to lift the barrel and then shuffles his feet to get in position. His speed inside of the barrel is unparalleled and his commitment to making the save often results in undesirable circumstances. “I’m fortunate to be able to pull off some moves that a bullfighter does, but I’m doing it in a barrel with twice as many steps at half the speed,” North said. “It’s fun when you do it. When I’m watching a bullfight, I’m watching their technique, watching where the bull is. When those two things get out of line, it’s a pretty good indicator of when I need to move. That’s why those saves seem so big. “Have a helmet on has emboldened me. I feel like my head is protected, and I’m confident in my abilities and know where that barrel is going to end up. It’s a high-risk high-reward kind of thing.” The bullfighters appreciate it. “Andy North’s job is as important as having a good bull for a high score,” Rutkowski said. “He can step in and change the way an injury can happen. You can slip, and North can make a few steps and take the bull away from you. “He can’t stop every wreck from happening, but without North in the arena, there’d be a lot more wrecks.”

FORT WORTH, Texas – After competing at Tuf Cooper’s New Year’s Eve Roping and Concert a year ago, Tyson Durfey was pretty certain the event would continue. It will on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at Cowtown Coliseum in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. “Just based on the number of people that were there, the ones that came from all over the United States, I thought there would be more,” said Durfey, the 2016 tie-down roping world champion from Weatherford, Texas. “Last year was such a cool experience to get to be at the roping. The event was tough, because there are so many of the top guys there. “We were celebrating his marriage. It was neat to see people from all parts of America that came to watch it, see the roping and enjoy the concert.” Durfey was the inaugural winner of the roping, and that helped add to his experience, but he also got to spend it with his wife and then-2-year-old daughter, Praise. “Praise was having so much fun, and we were dancing together to Aaron Watson. I let her meet Tuf, and it was a completely family-friendly environment,” he said. “There was tons of action and a great concert. It is the perfect spot you want to take the family for New Year’s Eve.” The roping begins at 7:30 p.m., and the concert featuring Jarrod Morris and Shae Abshier and the Nighthowlers is set to start at 9:30 p.m. The evening is set up to be an event people of all ages can enjoy. “When we came up with this idea, we wanted to make sure our friends and family members that had kids knew they were welcome,” said Cooper, a four-time world champion from nearby Decatur, Texas. “We just wanted to add to it and make it a fun atmosphere for everyone. After coming off the stress that happens at the NFR, we wanted to close out the year with a good time and a great competition.” That’s going to be the case, with the roping featuring 27 of the top tie-down ropers in the game. Durfey and Cooper are just two of the men who own gold buckles that will be part of the competition; they will be joined by Trevor Brazile, Shane Hanchey, Marcos Costa, Monty Lewis, Junior Nogueira and the 2019 titlist, Haven Meged, who attends Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. The rest of the field will be packed with many contestants that have been NFR qualifiers, while others are recognized as the upper-echelon of tie-down ropers in rodeo today. “I didn’t know what to expect when we got there,” Durfey said of last year’s event. “I was lucky enough to be the champion, and I signed autographs for 45 minutes, people coming into the arena to meet with us. It was a completely packed house. “I knew at that point that there were people that loved Tuf, loved (Cooper’s wife) Tiff and loved country music. I knew in the back of my mind that it would be a continuing thing every year.” Thousands of people showed up last year, and organizers are expecting a bigger crowd this year. “The fan support was just amazing,” Durfey said. “I think it’s a fun event, and I’m sure all the cowboys that are competing in it this year are already looking forward to it. I know between us and the fans, it’s going to be a great night.”

LAS VEGAS – Tanner Brunner has made 20 runs inside the Thomas & Mack Center, but he’s capitalized just three times over the course of his two straight National Finals Rodeo qualifications. It’s been a struggle, and there were some frustrations that came into play over the last 10 days in the Nevada desert. But each missed opportunity was a learning opportunity, and the lessons started to come full circle by Saturday night’s 10th go-round. “I’m just going to try to build on that and take it into next year,” Brunner said after posting his fastest run of the rodeo, a 3.8-second marking that resulted in a tie for second place. “Hopefully I can get back here again and show what I’ve learned. I just hope to use the momentum of that run to keep rolling into next year.” It also was his biggest paycheck: $18,192. He left Las Vegas with $34,962 and placed in two rounds; he also finished fifth in Thursday’s eighth round. “There are a lot of little things that go into making good runs every night,” said Brunner, 26, of Ramona, Kansas. “I hope to come back next year and put them all together.” He finished 2019 with the best campaign of his young career with $109,912, nearly $12,000 more than he earned a year ago. He had a lot of help, especially from his hazer, NFR veteran Sean Mulligan. The two would talk before every go-round and formulate a game plan, and it finally paid off in the final three nights of the season. “He has been here for 15-plus years consecutively,” Brunner said of Mulligan. “He has about as much experience as anybody in this building, and I trust his opinion. We come together with a plan according to the steer every night and go from there. “It takes a lot to know what either is feeling on either side of the (timed-event) box, so we have to combine it so that we have a plan that works.” The NFR is a tough place to play. The stakes are high, and the pressure that builds inside those yellow chutes can be intense. Each run he makes allows Brunner the opportunity to learn more about the game and about how to play it at an elite level. “The biggest thing I learned was persistency,” he said. “You just have to keep your head down and keep going at them every night. I want to take everything I’ve learned and just use it to better myself next year.”

LAS VEGAS – There wasn’t much luck for Riley Duvall in the City of Entertainment through most of the 2019 National Finals Rodeo. That changed as the final few rounds bore on, and he found a way to get a big payday in Las Vegas. On Saturday night, he wrestled his steer to the ground in 10.1 seconds to close out his 10 nights in the Nevada desert. It was his slowest run of the NFR, but it was the most profitable. “I wasn’t nervous all day, and there was one steer I didn’t want to draw; that was the one I drew,” said Duvall, who finished the championship by wrestling 10 steers in a cumulative time of 54.8 seconds to finish second in the aggregate behind Texan Matt Reeves. “On that steer, they have been a no-time, 14 seconds and (Tyler) Waguespack had been 4.7, but Wags gets by the bad ones way better than I do. “I just wanted to hold on, throw him down and get my money.” It was a heck of a payday, too. By finishing second in the average, he pocketed $54,577 and pushed his NFR earnings to $80,231. He had placed in just one round – a third-place finish on the fifth night – but stayed consistent. It paid off. “That hasn’t sunk in,” said Duvall, a three-time NFR qualifier from Checotah, Oklahoma. “I had won ($15,654) over nine rounds, and I more than tripled. My wife will be happy.” So will Checotah, the Steer Wrestling Capital of the World. Despite the struggles in Las Vegas, he found some things he wants to work on for next season and, hopefully, next year’s finale. “I’m not very happy with how this went,” he said. “I want to come back next year and win $100,000 by Round 6. I’m going to go to the practice pen and definitely get better.”

LAS VEGAS – At 23 years old, Colt Gordon is a student of saddle bronc riding. His first trip to the National Finals Rodeo was quite a classroom, and he gained some valuable lessons over the 10-day championship. It came to fruition on Saturday night, when he rode Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Top Hat for 87.5 points to finish sixth in the 10th and final go-round. “That is the highlight of my NFR,” said Gordon of Comanche, Oklahoma. “We will be back next year to hopefully make it all go that way.” Top Hat has been around for years and has been one of the best over that time. The long-maned paint has guided many cowboys to the pay window and likely will continue that trend as long as it’s performing at an elite level. “I’ve been waiting to get on that horse for years,” Gordon said. “I’ve been watching her and thinking how nice it would be to get on her. To get on her here in the last round was great. It allowed me to pick up the pace and do what I came to do: show everybody I’m going to be here, and I’m going to be back next year.” It marked just the third time in 10 rounds that the Oklahoma cowboy earned Las Vegas money in his inaugural run at the NFR. He learned just how difficult it can be to compete in the pressure-packed championship. In all, he earned just $21,564, but he gained a boatload of experience. “You just have to keep everything simple,” he said. “A guy can get to overthinking everything trying to win more than just doing his job, doing what he likes to do and just having fun. I felt like I had everything together, and it just didn’t go my way. “You never quit learning. There is always an opportunity to improve. You have to keep an open mind and just keep trying to be better. You try to make everything perfect, but there is no such thing as perfect.” As the NFR closed, he returned to southern Oklahoma and will celebrate his season, one in which he earned $112,635. They can talk about the sights of Vegas and competing inside the storied Thomas & Mack Center, which has hosted 35 of ProRodeo’s grand championships. “My sponsors have supported me, but no one has my back like my family,” Gordon said. “To have them in the stands, just to have them here knowing that somebody is there for me, that is a huge thing to me. “It has probably been harder on them than it has been for me. They love it, and they are my biggest fans, but they are 100 percent ready to be back next year, and so am I.”

LAS VEGAS – The smile returned to Tim O’Connell’s face on Saturday night after he concluded the toughest test in his sport, the National Finals Rodeo. The three-time world champion had seen is dreams dashed for a fourth straight a couple days before, so there was disappointment. Still, he finished the 10-day championship off with a bang, riding Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Flight for 91.5 points to finish second in the final round. “I didn’t win as much as I did last year, but I just shattered Kaycee (Feild’s) average record, which stood for years,” said O’Connell of Zwingle, Iowa, now living in Marshall, Missouri. “But then 10 minutes later, Clayton (Biglow) shattered my record … by 15 points. “Averaging 87 points for 10 nights straight? That’s how I ride. I ride smart; I ride aggressive. This was Clayton’s year. I only rodeod for three months and I still finished third in the world, so I’ll take it.” A riding-shoulder injury he suffered in the 10th round of the 2018 NFR cost him all but three months of regular-season competition, be he returned to action in late June as a man on a mission. “Finishing third wasn’t my goal, wasn’t my aspiration, but that’s life,” he said. “I’m happy with what I accomplished this year. It is bittersweet not winning a round out here, but I left it all out there ever single night. This was just the best group of bareback riders I’ve ever seen in this arena.” It also featured a large number of great bucking horses, of which Top Flight was one. “She brought it tonight,” O’Connell said of the bay. She gave me every opportunity to get after her, and she gave it right back to me. It was a great-feeling ride. It was a great way to end my 2019 season. I started the 2019 season with a buck-off, and I ended it with a 91.5.” In all, he pocketed $147,923 in Las Vegas, with $54,577 coming by finishing as the runner-up in the aggregate race, where he rode 10 horses for a cumulative score of 871.5 points. That was better than Feild’s mark set in 2011 of 860.5, but it was 15 points behind Biglow, who won both the average and world titles. O’Connell finished the year with $261,091. It was a solid campaign, which gave new meaning to his resilience. “This year has rekindled my love for the game,” he said. “Having it taken away from me was the best thing that has ever happened to me, because I was only seeing these buckles and that gold. “I feel like I lost the love of rodeo. I truly love riding bucking horses. I love to compete at the highest level against the best guys in the world. But it was a great ride this year. I got to do a lot of things I normally don’t do. I have one month off, and I’m going to spend it with my wonderful wife and beautiful son.” He’s earned it.

LAS VEGAS – Richmond Champion made a great ride on the final night of the National Finals Rodeo, but it didn’t earn him a dime in round money. He finished seventh in the 10th round Saturday, and only the top six in each round earn money. His 87.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Faded Night was a half-point out of the money. But he more than made up for it by his consistency throughout the week. He rode 10 horses for a cumulative score of 86.0 points and finished third in the aggregate standings. That was worth $43,154. He finished his fifth NFR with $108,154 and the season fourth in the world standings with $238,983. “Faded Night was good, and I was pumped to have her,” said Champion of The Woodlands, Texas, now living in Stevensville, Montana, with his wife, Paige. “I had her in the 10th round last year and finished second on her. “I messed her up at Fort Worth this year, so on a personal note, I wanted to ride her better than I did there. I did that. I felt the strongest I’ve ever felt here on 10 head. Did it pay the way I wanted it to? No. Did it pay bad? Not at all.” But the NFR is paved by Montana Silversmiths gold buckles, awarded to the world champions in each event. The best way to do that is to earn big money in Las Vegas. While his earnings over the last 10 days was substantial, he was well off the pace for the hardware he wanted; world champion Clayton Biglow pocketed nearly $250,000 in 10 days to claim that crown. “You want to win the world championship,” Champion said. “Year No. 5 wasn’t it, so I’m thinking year No. 6 will definitely be the one. “This dream of a gold buckle is what makes you sad or makes you happy. It’s the defining piece that I’ve been chasing. I feel like I’m on the right track. You couldn’t hope for a better champion than Clayton Biglow this year. I’m happy for him. We’ll go back to work and go after it next year.”

LAS VEGAS – When Tanner Aus took a no-time on his first horse of the National Finals Rodeo, he didn’t know what to expect the rest of the championship. It turned out pretty well for Aus, competing in Las Vegas for the fourth time in his career. “That was a lesson I learned in 2016; you can have a bad round and be out of the average and still have a good finals,” he said. “You just have to keep swinging for the fence. I had another good horse tonight. It was fun. I’m sad it’s over.” On the final night of the 2019 season, he rode Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Egyptian for 88.5 points to finish fifth in the 10th round, worth $6,769. He also found his way into the aggregate payout, riding nine horses for a cumulative score of 783, which was worth an additional $6,346. In all, he exited Las Vegas with $91,865 and pushed his season earnings to $173,460. It was the second-best NFR and season he’s ever had, and scoring big points on the final night was a big factor in it all. “I had been on that horse one other time in Licking, Missouri, in June 2018,” said Aus of Granite Falls, Minnesota. “He was pretty young then, and she was more colt-like. He had a monster trip the first time he was out, so I was pretty happy to see that I had him. “He was a little more than I expected tonight. I don’t really know if it was my focus or the atmosphere, but he was hard to track. He felt wild and was really fun.” Aus and others do this because of the fun, but also because they’re good at it and can make a living doing so. Rodeo’s not an easy lifestyle, but it’s one filled with passion. Being one of the elite cowboys in the game gives him the chance to make good money in a short time, and averaging nearly $9,200 a day for 10 days in Vegas is a good thing. “I’m very thankful that I get to do this,” he said. “I do it for a living, but the money is secondary. I couldn’t do this without the support of my family. I’m thankful to be here. I’m still feeling good after 10 nights, and I’m eager to start the 2020 season. “We will just try to keep it rolling and keep riding bucking horses.”

Round 10 Bareback riding: 1. Clayton Biglow, 93 points on Northcott Macza’s Stevie Knicks, $26,231; 2. Tim O’Connell, 91.5, $20,731; 3. Trenten Montero, 89.5, $15,654; 4. Orin Larsen, 89, $11,000; 5. Tanner Aus, 88.5, $6,769; 6. Tilden Hooper, 88, $4,231; 7. Richmond Champion, 87.5; 8. Clint Laye, 85; 9. Steven Dent, 84.5; 10. Ty Breuer, 84; 11. Taylor Broussard, 82; 12. Kaycee Feild, Caleb Bennett and Jake Brown, NS. 15. Austin Foss, INJ. Average standings: 1. Clayton Biglow, 886.5 points on 10 head, $67,269; 2. Tim O’Connell, 871.5, $54,577; 3. Richmond Champion, 860, $43,154; 4. Orin Larsen, 857.5, $31,731; 5. Tilden Hooper, 851, $22,846; 6. Clint Laye, 840.5, $16,500; 7. Trenten Montero, 839, $11,423; 8. Tanner Aus, 783 on nine, $6,346; 9. Kaycee Feild, 770.5; 10. Caleb Bennett, 696 on eight; 11. Steven Dent, 680.5; 12. Ty Breuer, 594.5 on seven; 13. Taylor Broussard, 576.5; 14. Austin Foss, 563.5; 15. Jake Brown, 434 on five. World standings: 1. Clayton Biglow, $425,843; 2. Orin Larsen, $296,404; 3. Tim O’Connell, $261,091; 4. Richmond Champion, $238,983; 5. Tilden Hooper, $238,239; 6. Kaycee Feild, $232,320; 7. Caleb Bennett, $208,902; 8. Tanner Aus, $173,460; 9. Clint Laye, $170,416; 10. Trenten Montero, $170,296; 11. Jake Brown, $133,415; 12. Austin Foss, $126,587; 13. Ty Breuer, $120,911; 14. Steven Dent, $103,799; 15. Taylor Broussard, $93,502. Steer wrestling: 1. Dakota Eldridge, 3.5 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Bridger Chambers and Tanner Brunner, 3.8, $18,192 each; 4. (tie) Will Lummus and Cameron Morman, 3.9, $8,885 each; 6. Matt Reeves, 4.0, $4,231; 7. Hunter Cure, 4.1; 8. (tie) Ty Erickson and Tyler Waguespack, 4.4; 10. Stetson Jorgensen, 4.5; 11. Tyler Pearson, 7.5; 12. Kyle Irwin, 8.3; 13. J.D. Struxness, 8.5; 14. Riley Duvall, 10.1; 15. Scott Guenthner, NT. Average standings: 1. Matt Reeves, 48.4 seconds on 10 head, $67,269; 2. Riley Duvall, 54.8, $54,577; 3. Bridger Chambers, 55.2, $43,154; 4. Tyler Pearson, 57.8, $31,731; 5. Ty Erickson, 62.7, $22,846; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, 66.6, $16,500; 7. Dakota Eldridge, 68.5, $11,423; 8. Hunter Cure, 75.9, $6,346; 9. Kyle Irwin, 89.1; 10. Tyler Waguespack, 39.0 on nine; 11. Cameron Morman, 42.4; 12. J.D. Struxness, 50.3; 13. Scott Guenthner, 67.0; 14. Will Lummus, 34.6 on eight; 15. Tanner Brunner, 46.1. World standings: 1. Ty Erickson, $234,491; 2. Bridger Chambers, $217,362; 3. Stetson Jorgensen,   $197,246; 4. Tyler Pearson, $196,904; 5. J.D. Struxness, $190,137; 6. Matt Reeves, $183,131; 7. Tyler Waguespack, $177,925; 8. Dakota Eldridge, $177,834; 9. Riley Duvall, $166,194; 10. Hunter Cure, $164,914; 11. Will Lummus, $163,382; 12. Scott Guenthner, $148,853; 13. Cameron Morman, $140,576; 14. Kyle Irwin, $134,934; 15. Tanner Brunner, $109,911. Team roping: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.1 seconds, $26,231 each; 2. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.4, $20,731; 3. Erich Rogers/Kyle Lockett, 4.5, $15,654; 4. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 4.7, $11,000; 5. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 6.8, $6,769; 6. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 9.4, $4,231; 7. Luke Brown/Paul Eaves, 11.6; 8. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 12.7; 9. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 14.3; 10. Matt Sherwood/Hunter Koch, 20.4; 11. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, Clay Tryan/Jake Long, Ty Blasingame/Travis Graves, Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison and Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, NT. Average standings: 1. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 43.8 seconds on nine, $67,269 each; 2. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 56.7, $54,577; 3. Luke Brown/Paul Eaves, 59.3, $43,154; 4. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 93.0, $31,731; 5. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 44.4 on eight, $22,846; 6. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 47.3, $16,500; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 50.1, $11,423; 8. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 54.9, $6,346; 9. Matt Sherwood/Hunter Koch, 62.5; 10. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 68.1; 11. Erich Rogers/Kyle Lockett, 60.8 on seven; 12. Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, 54.2 on six; 13. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, 36.9 on five; 14. Ty Blasingame/Travis Graves, 20.3 on four; 15. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 27.2 on three. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $268,820; 2. Cody Snow, $256,938; 3. Kaleb Driggers, $240,923; 4. Brenten Hall, $237,061; 5. Riley Minor, $207,707; 6. Chad Masters, $196,067; 7. Luke Brown, $182,093; 8. Coleman Proctor, $153,241; 9. Tate Kirchenschlager, $147,225; 10. Clay Tryan, $147,222; 11. Tyler Wade, $135,856; 12. Ty Blasingame, $132,220; 13. Erich Rogers, $128,634; 14. Matt Sherwood, $124,704; 15. Jake Cooper, $103,851. World standings (heelers): 1. Wesley Thorp, $249,181; 2. Junior Nogueira, $238,243; 3. Chase Tryan, $234,480; 4. Jade Corkill, $226,946; 5. Brady Minor, $207,707; 6. Joseph Harrison, $198,816; 7. Paul Eaves, $186,600; 8. Ryan Motes, $158,089; 9. Kyle Lockett, $153,364; 10. Jake Long, $150,954; 11. Tyler Worley, $142,677; 12. Cole Davison, $134,371; 13. Travis Graves, $133,896; 14. Hunter Koch, $132,807; 15. Caleb Anderson, $103,050. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 91 points on The Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s RodeoHouston’s Womanizer, $26,231; 2. Jake Watson, 89.5, $20,731; 3. (tie) Ryder Wright, Zeke Thurston and Dawson Hay, 88.5, $11,141 each; 6. (tie) Rusty Wright and Colt Gordon, 87.5, $2,115 each; 8. Jacobs Crawley, 86.5; 9. (tie) Spencer Wright and Jesse Wright, 85; 11. Chase Brooks, 82; 12. Sterling Crawley, Mitch Pollock, Bradley Harter and J.J. Elshere, NS. Average standings: 1. Brody Cress, 840.5 points on 10, $67,269; 2. Spencer Wright, 762.5 on nine, $54,577; 3. Rusty Wright, 756, $43,154; 4. Zeke Thurston, 699.5 on eight, $31,731; 5. Jacobs Crawley, 646.5, $22,846; 6. Jake Watson, 610.5 on seven, $16,500; 7. Jesse Wright, 588.5, $11,423; 8. Dawson Hay, 523 on six, $6,346; 9. Chase Brooks, 516.5; 10. Colt Gordon, 416.5 on five; 11. Sterling Crawley, 407; 12. Ryder Wright, 348.5 on four; 13. J.J. Elshere, 252 on three; 14. Mitch Pollock, 171.5 on two; 15. Bradley Harter, 86.5 on one. World standings: 1. Zeke Thurston, $347,056; 2. Brody Cress, $286,372; 3. Ryder Wright, $273,129; 4. Spencer Wright, $258,015; 5. Rusty Wright, $241,153; 6. Jake Watson, $236,406; 7. Dawson Hay, $197,747; 8. Chase Brooks, $194,681; 9. Jacobs Crawley, $191,935; 10. Sterling Crawley, $156,722; 11. Jesse Wright, $155,159; 12. Bradley Harter, $127,543; 13. Mitch Pollock, $125,196; 14. J.J. Elshere, $119,004; 15. Colt Gordon, $112,635. Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Adam Gray, 7.1 seconds, $23,481 each; 3. Marty Yates, 7.7, $15,654; 4. Tyson Durfey, 7.9, $11,000; 5. Haven Meged, 8.0, $6,769; 6. Tyler Milligan, 8.1, $4,231; 7. Michael Otero, 8.7; 8. Shad Mayfield, 10.6; 9. (tie) Caleb Smidt  Continue Reading »

LAS VEGAS – Clayton Biglow was a virtual lock for the bareback world championship even before the final night of the National Finals Rodeo began. He put an exclamation mark on it Saturday night, tying his own arena record with a 93-point ride on Northcott Macza’s Stevie Knicks to win the 10th round, set an NFR average record by riding 10 horses in a cumulative score of 886.5 points and pocketing an event-best $243,891 to win the RAM Top Gun award and a new pickup. “It’s been a long 10 days, but it’s been a great 10 days,” said Biglow, 23, of Clements, California. “I had great nights, but Orin (Larsen) and all those guys had great nights. It came down to the 10th round. If I would have fallen off that, Orin would have had the gold buckle wrapped up. “The bareback riding is unreal. It was a cage fight every single night. I couldn’t have done it without those guys. I couldn’t have done it without the great horses I got on. I couldn’t have done it without my family. I am truly blessed with people who surround me.” Over 10 nights in Vegas, he proved why he is a world champion. He won four go-rounds outright – that alone was worth $105,000. He also was part of a three-way tie for the sixth round, and he place on two other nights. That’s plain domination. “I love Clayton to death,” said Larsen, who finished as the reserve world champion. “He’s a great guy and a great champion. He has a lot of titles under him, but there is not one person who is prouder of him than I am.” Well, maybe his family was prouder, but the men that shared his locker room and tried to beat him this week celebrated Biglow’s victory. “It was a magical way to end that, but that’s what I wanted to do,” he said. “I wanted to win the round, whether it was 93 or 89. I wanted first place, especially with the Top Gun award. Coming in, you get so caught up winning a gold buckle. At least, I did. I told myself, ‘Go win that Top Gun; you win that, you are going to win a world title. That is guaranteed.’ “Tonight, I thought, ‘Forget about that world title, make the best spur ride and give it everything you’ve got. Do what you’ve been doing all year long and go win the round. Put this Top Gun in concrete.’ I’m glad I did.” By doing so, he pushed his season earnings to $425,843 and he finished behind six-time world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey, who pocketed $55,000 more through the campaign. “The money is awesome, and this place pays so good; it helps a guy make a living, but I came for this right here,” Biglow said, pointing to his Montana Silversmiths gold buckle. “I didn’t come here for any other reason. Obviously, money is great, and the Top Gun is awesome, and I love it, but any guy in this rodeo is here for one reason only, and it is to win that gold buckle. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was 10 years old.” He can wake up now; the dream has come a reality.

LAS VEGAS – Orin Larsen is the 2019 reserve world champion bareback rider, but it’s not the title he wanted. Like every other contestant in the field, he had hoped to claim the Montana Silversmiths gold buckle awarded to the world champion. He ran into a buzz saw in Californian Clayton Biglow, who won five rounds and earned more than $240,000 in the 10 days of the National Finals Rodeo. Still, Larsen did quite well himself, placing in six rounds, including the fourth-round victory, and pocketed $122,962 in the process. He finished the year with $296,404. “This is definitely a personal best for me,” said Larsen of Inglis, Manitioba, now living in Gering, Nebraska, with his wife, Alexa. “This is the finals where you are pretty sorry to say goodbye. It’s been an emotional roller coaster for me throughout the years. God definitely delivered on all of our prayers inside and outside the arena. We are fortunate for that.” Part of that had to do with his brother, Tyrel, and Tyrel’s wife, Chaney. They are expecting their second child, a little boy who was diagnosed with spina bifida in utero. Chaney Lathem and the baby underwent surgery earlier this week in Baltimore, and the prognosis for both is great. “It was huge,” Orin Larsen said. “Anytime one of your own family members is in some sort of stress or some sort of trouble, it’s harder to focus because you care and love them so much. To be able to stick your nose to the grindstone and grind out putting God first is big. His faith and healing are first. He has everything handled. “Once I realized that and my wife told me that, it was go-time.” While it was man vs. beast, Larsen knew he was in a race for the world title with Biglow, who was dominant over the past 10 nights. Biglow finished nearly $130,000 ahead of Larsen on the money list. “I love Clayton to death,” Larsen said. “He is a great guy and a great champion. He has a lot of titles under him. There is not one person prouder of him that I am. “I rode my best all year, but I don’t think I rode the best in my career. I feel like we are just getting warmed up. The more I progress throughout my craft and my skill, the more excited I am for next year.”