Anderson celebrates first NFR bid
CARRINGTON, N.D. – Every step that Bridger Anderson has taken in his 22 years on Earth has led to this moment: His first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. From being horseback before he can even remember to winning the state championship in wrestling just a few years ago, he had a solid background and […]
Larsen working for world title
INGLIS, Manitoba – In western Manitoba, Kevin and Wanda Larsen instilled a strong work ethic in their four children. It continues to pay off. For Orin Larsen, he’s worked to become one of the best bareback riders in professional rodeo. He’s earned that distinction over the years, now a six-time qualifier to the National Finals […]
O’Connell likes his spot at the top
ZWINGLE, Iowa – Bareback rider Tim O’Connell is back in his rightful place: Atop the world standings heading into the sport’s world series, the National Finals Rodeo. O’Connell is a three-time world champion from Zwingle who had his streak of consecutive gold buckles interrupted last year. An injury forced him to miss all but three […]
Aus is rested, ready for NFR
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. – For every tunnel he passed, bareback rider Tanner Aus knew there was something awaiting him when the darkness cleared. That’s the thing about tunnels: They only last so long. Some are long and winding – much like the 2020, COVID-infected ProRodeo season. Others are short and pass quickly. Through each phase […]
Dreams come true for Edler
Iowa farm boy proves to be a cowboy while earning first NFR qualification STATE CENTER, Iowa – Four falls ago, Jacob Edler was beat up and worn down. He’d experienced the roller coaster that is the sport of rodeo. The top of the mountain came in June 2016, when he finished as the reserve college […]
Biglow hopes to defend world title
CLEMENTS, Calif. – Clayton Biglow wasn’t quite sure if he would be allowed to defend his bareback riding world championship. A year ago, he pocketed nearly $250,000 over 10 December nights at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which propelled him to the coveted Montana Silversmiths gold buckle and just shy of $426,000 in season earnings. […]
Ditto: Edler wins two in a row
DUNCAN, Okla. – Jacob Edler arrived at Stephens County Arena with a purpose in mind. Mission accomplished. In his fourth appearance at the Chisholm Trail RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, Edler won both go-rounds and the aggregate and pocketed $5,898, earning his first qualification to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo next spring in Kissimmee, […]
Shadboldt takes circuit lead
DUNCAN, Okla. – When he arrived at the Stephens County Arena, bareback rider Garrett Shadboldt knew he was in a race for a regional championship. He trailed standings leader Blaine Kaufman by $352 heading into this weekend’s Chisholm Trail RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. That changed in the opening night of the two-round regional championship, […]
Blackfoot rodeo earns nomination
BLACKFOOT, Idaho – While the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on so much of the world, organizers of the Gem State Classic Pro Rodeo pressed forward to make sure the event happened. “Cowboys don’t quit, and neither did we,” said Valorie Blanchard, chairwoman of the volunteer committee that produces the event. “It was a hard […]
Solomon’s win was big for local fair
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Over the course of his career, Cory Solomon has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo six times and has proven the rodeo talent available in Waller County, Texas. Each fall, he returns home to be part of the region’s best exposition, the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, just a few miles from […]
Top hands heading to Duncan
DUNCAN, Okla. – The greatest rodeo stars in the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region are converging on Duncan this week to battle for elusive championships. The Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo – set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16-Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Stephens County Arena – will host those tremendous athletes and will issue the […]
Guymon earns rodeo nomination
GUYMON, Okla. – Even though it was delayed by nearly three months, the cowboys that competed were quite pleased with the 2020 version of the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. The volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo has been nominated by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Medium Rodeo of the Year. It’s a big tip […]
Scarlet’s Web dies at 19
Storied bronc had a distinguished career with 13 NFRs, six round wins DALLAS – For most of her life, Scarlet’s Web was one of the greatest bucking horses in rodeo. She will be remembered as such by the men who rode her for hundreds of thousands of dollars over her lifetime. The Pete Carr Pro […]
Keisners to reunite in Duncan
Rider, Roper to showcase individual talents at Prairie Circuit Finals DUNCAN, Okla. – Before he became one of the top saddle bronc riders in the Prairie Circuit, 26-year-old Roper Kiesner was a jack-of-all-trades showman and part of the Kiesner Family’s Wild West Review. He and his brother, Rider, were part of the traveling circus that […]
Fair’s concerts to have a rodeo flair
HEMPSTEAD, Texas – For several years, the Waller County Fair and Rodeo has prided itself on amazing concerts that close down many nights of the exposition. Though about half of the traditional fair and rodeo events are taking a one-year hiatus, the concerts continue to be a vital part of the entertainment cog that is […]
Battling in bullfighting’s mecca
Top names in the UBF will fight for Southern Classic title in tiny Bowersville BOWERSVILLE, Ga. – At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much to this tiny hamlet of less than 500 people in northeastern Georgia. Over the last couple of years, though, it has become the mecca for freestyle bullfighting in the […]
Fair’s heartbeat is still strong
Waller County to celebrate 75th fair and rodeo while focusing on kids HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Although appearances will be considerably different, the heart of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo will still beat this fall. The COVID-19 global pandemic has forced cancelations of events around the world, but the Waller County Fair Association is pushing […]
Stephenville is ready for rodeo
STEPHENVILLE, Texas – There was never any hesitation in the minds of the committee members that organize Stephenville’s annual ProRodeo. “It was something from Day 1 when this stuff with COVID started, we wanted to have the rodeo,” said James Andrea, president of the volunteers that work hard all year to have the Cowboy Capital […]
Carr team a big help to Stephenville rodeo
STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The people in this neck of the woods know a thing or two about the sport of rodeo. Stephenville is, of course, the Cowboy Capital of the World, a testament to the dozens of elite rodeo stars that live in Erath County. Some claim it as a secondary home, like world champion […]
Duncan fighting for circuit finals
DUNCAN, Okla. – When the COVID-19 global pandemic hit hard six months ago, doubts were cast across all professional sports. Rodeo has taken as big a hit as any, with cancelations becoming the norm for the cowboys, cowgirls and personnel who make their living in the game. But there’s a resilience that’s been defined through […]
OPINION: NFR offers a home-run experience
After weeks of speculation and ill-advised social media teases, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association has found a home for the 2020 National Finals Rodeo at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. “When George (Taylor, the PRCA’s CEO) brought the idea to us, we thought it was a little farfetched,” said […]
Bronc buster snares a share of title
GUNNISON, Colo. – When Tanner Butner designated 2020 to be his rookie campaign in ProRodeo, he had no idea what was in store. A global pandemic hit, and his once promising season turned into a year of delays, cancelations and setbacks. Still, the saddle bronc rider sits No. 4 in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s […]
Larsen spurs to the top in Gunnison
GUNNISON, Colo. – Orin Larsen had every reason to be excited about his Friday night ride at the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo. He matched moves with Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s JBC Bent Rail Sourdough for 88 points to move into a tie for the bareback riding lead with rookie Cole Reiner, who earned his 88 […]
That’s one dynamic duo
Simpson, Carroll snag the top spot on Night 1 of Cattlemen’s Days GUNNISON, Colo. – In the final month of ProRodeo’s regular season, Levi Simpson is trying to be as greedy as possible. Simpson, the 2016 world champion header from Ponoka, Alberta, sits 13th in the world standings and would like to move up by […]