Category Archives: Uncategorized

DALLAS – When bareback rider J.R. Vezain was paralyzed, the reality of rodeo injuries emerged again on Sept. 22, 2018. Vezain suffered a broken back that required surgery and has left him paralyzed from the waist down at this point. He is undergoing rehabilitation in Houston and will continue that beyond his time in southeast Texas. All the while, expenses that come with his injury will keep adding up. “The rodeo industry is one big family, and when one of our family members is down, we all need to pick them up,” said Pete Carr, owner of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo. “We put on rodeos, so my heart told me that the next rodeo we produce could be a benefit rodeo for the Vezain family. All the proceeds from the Stampede at the Ike rodeo in West Monroe (La.) will go directly to J.R. and Shelby.” In addition to serving as stock contractor for two dozen events nationwide, Pete Carr Pro Rodeo produces the Stampede at the Ike, which will take place Jan. 4-5. “J.R. is a tremendous athlete and a remarkable young man,” Carr said. “He was closing out the regular season when the injury happened. He actually finished 14th and qualified for his sixth NFR. I’ve seen some posts made about his work in rehab, and having known J.R. for several years, I’m not surprised with his overall strength and faith during this challenging time.” “This was an opportunity for our whole crew and partner Buckshot Sims of the Deep South Rodeo in Winnsboro (La.) to show our support for J.R. and his wife.” Vezain is undergoing rehabilitation at the TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital and will remain there for a few more weeks. His treatment will continue after that, and the Cowley, Wyo., cowboy is weighing options for where it will take place. He’d like to return closer to home if possible. “Every time we run our hand in, there’s a chance of something like this happening,” Vezain told the PRCA in late September. “You can have two attitudes: You can either look to blame and get mad and ask why, or you can make the most of it and find the positive and start working to get better. This has been humbling. I’m at a loss for words to see how many friends I truly have and everybody who has stepped out to help me out. “The calls, the fundraising came together so fast, and all I can say is thank you to everybody. I do believe the good Lord will make something good from this, and I will be a walking miracle here before too long. I want to be the story that changes lives for the better. That, to me, is way more exciting and more important than any gold buckle that can be won.”

Bullfighters Only brings a showcase of danger, excitement at Hartman Arena WICHITA, Kan. – Bullfighters Only will invade central Kansas on Saturday, as the world’s top freestyle bullfighters compete in the BFO Wichita Invitational at Park City’s Hartman Arena. As has been the case the last two years, the race for the world championship is getting tight. Heading into the Wichita Invitational, Weston Rutkowski owns a $5,000 lead over Toby Inman, while Kris Furr is just $3,000 behind him. Inman, who owned the top spot for a majority of the season, now finds himself trailing with a big purse on the line at Hartman Arena. “The 15 athletes set to compete in Wichita are the ones who have been performing the most consistently all season long” said Luke Kaufman, Bullfighters Only’s production manager. Rutkowski understands the race because he has been atop the standings each of the past two seasons. While he’s fallen a bit behind his normal pace in 2018, the reigning BFO champion overtook the lead two weeks ago in North Carolina. “My preparation won’t change,” Rutkowski said. “Instead of me being No. 2 or No. 4, the standings say I’m sitting first. It doesn’t matter until the champion is crowned in Las Vegas this December.” Kris Furr’s outlook is much the same. He has been among the top 3 in the standings all season, but there is no denying that he could use a boost going into December’s BFO Las Vegas Championship. “I try not to think about it too much, but if I can go in there and win, it will definitely set me up really good,” Furr said. “Last year when we got to Vegas, everything had to fall my way for me to catch Weston. Winning Wichita would definitely help me be in position. “This is going to be hard to win. It’s going to come down to who is the best bullfighter on Saturday.” This is a true gladiator competition – man vs. beast in a showcase of amazing athleticism, animal aggression and acrobatic feats by the greatest bullfighters in the business. Scores are based on a 100-point scale, with half the score coming from how aggressive the animal is and the other half from the bullfighter’s ability to remain in control while maneuvering around, and, jumping over the bull. The event will also play host to the inaugural BFO Total Feeds Cattle Battle. It will feature five stock contractors, with each entering a team of four fighting bulls to be judged. The top bull team will take home $10,000. “We want the stock contractors to bring the bulls that guys have the best chance to win on,” Kaufman said. “You’re going to see great bullfights across the board because the bulls will be fresh.” The bullfighters agree. “A lot of bulls you have to fight aren’t particularly fun,” Rutkowski said. “These will be the ones that guys can really show off on. It’ll be a demonstration of a true bullfighting match.” Furr has been around bull riding organizations that have had bull team competitions, so he knows what bullfighters can expect. “By adding the two scores together, you’re allowing the bulls that you can score high on win,” he said. “It’s really going to help the sport. It will help draw more bullfighters and keep the good ones healthier all year long.” After being sidelined for a year and a half, BFO pioneer Ross Hill returned to action in July with a vengeance. He won three events in a row – Salinas, Calif., and Washington events in Kennewick and Ellensburg, before a tough match-up in Lewiston, Idaho, against Costa’s Spitfire threw off the streak. “I don’t feel like I’ve been in a slump at all,” he said. “I haven’t fought more than nine bulls this year. I finished second once, then I got run over in Charlotte (N.C.). Rubbing is racing, as they say in NASCAR, and that’s part of bullfighting. I’ve just got started on my roll. “It’s like rolling the dice; you’ve got to lose some to win it all.” It’s more than a gamble, though. Bullfighters Only has reignited the fire that is freestyle bullfighting. Part of the attraction comes from the excitement and overall entertainment value that comes from the BFO’s live event production. ‘Bullfighting has been around for a long time, but nobody is putting on the production we’re doing.” Kaufman said. “We’re putting on a world-class bullfight, so we want to have a world-class production to go along with it. You won’t see Conor McGregor without a substantial show around him, and our athletes deserve the same.” Kaufman grew up around event production and was involved in the formation of the now-defunct freestyle bullfighting league, Ultimate Bullfighting. The platform has been noted by BFO founder Aaron Ferguson as one of the original inspirations for Bullfighters Only. “People want to be entertained,” he said. “Even though the BFO is the most dangerous sport in the world, you have to captivate people other ways, too. We want to keep it fun and energetic, and our shows are very fast-paced.”

DUNCAN, Okla. – Steer wrestling is nothing new to Blake Mindemann. He grew up in a bulldogging family and took to it in high school in the early 2000s. Now the 33-year-old cowboy who grew up in nearby Apache, Okla., is heading to the National Finals Rodeo for the first time in his 14-year career. On Thursday night during the first round of the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, he three his steer in 3.8 seconds to win on opening night at Stephens County Arena. “That steer was good,” said Mindemann of Blanchard, Okla. “I didn’t know much about him, but he looked really good, and he was as good as he looked.” He earned $1,851 and pushed his circuit earnings to $18,269. That moved him into the lead in the year-end race, just $194 ahead of the defending world champion, Tyler Pearson of Louisville, Miss. “It would be awesome to win the year-end title,” Mindemann said. “If I could do that, I’d get to go to Kissimmee (Fla.) again.” He’s talking about the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, and only the year-end and average champions from each circuit advance to the national championship. That event will take place in late March. “That’s a great rodeo to win a bunch of money. I just need to go knock a couple more down this week and see what happens.” Money is big in rodeo. Not only does it pay bills, but dollars equal points. Only the top 12 on the money list in each event from rodeos primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska advance to this weekend’s championship, and the highest money winner in each discipline will be crowned year-end titlist. He has a lot of help, from his black bulldogging horse to his hazer, two-time world champion Hunter Cure. “Hunter is sure good to have on the other side,” Mindemann said. “The horse actually belongs to Johnny Asher. I’ve had him, hauled him and trained him like he was mine. We’re partners on him, and he’s a good horse. “Both horses worked good, and Hunter did a great job hazing.” Having all that in his corner has Mindemann’s confidence at an all-time high. “Everything feels good, and the horses are clicking,” he said. “I’ve just got to try to make some money and run some steers. “Winning’s always fun.” Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Oct. 18-20 Duncan, Okla. Bareback riding: First round: 1. Will Martin, 83 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Jason’s Pride, $1,832; 2. Jared Keylon, 81.5, $1,374; 3. Blaine Kaufman, 80, $916; 5. (tie) Garrett Shadbolt and Steven Dent, 77, $229 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Blake Mindemann, 3.8 seconds, $1,851; 2. Stockton Graves, 4.4, $1,388; 3. Riley Duvall, 4.7, $925; 4. Jule Hazen, 5.3, $463. Team roping: First round: 1. Dylan Gordon/Chase Boekhaus, 4.6 seconds, $1,851; 2. (tie) Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, 5.2, $1,157; 4. Cole Markham/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.6, $463. Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Steven Dent, 80 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Night Latch,l $1,851; 2. Hardy Braden, 78.5, $1,388; 3. Roper Kiesner, 78, $925; 4. (tie) Clint Lindenfeld, Preston Kafka and Dalton Davis, 76, $154 each. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Ryan Jarrett, 8.0 seconds, $1,851; 2. Trent Creager, 8.5, $1,388; 3. Tyler Milligan, 8.8, $925; 4. Luke Potter, 9.3, $463. Barrel racing: First round: 1. Dona Kay Rule, 15.55 seconds, $1,851; 2. Kyle Wast, 15.61, $1,388; 3. Hollie Etbauer, 15.76, $925; 4. Emily Miller, 15.85, $463. Bull riding: First round: 1. Tyler Hessman, 86.5 points on Big Rafter’s Outback Pharmacy, $1851; 2. Nathan Hatchel, 84, $1,388; 3. Jeston Mead, 82.5, $925; 4. Brett Custer, 82, $463.

ALVA, Okla. – The deep red dirt that filled the arena at the Oklahoma State University rodeo this past weekend in Stillwater just got darker and thicker as the weekend wore on. “It was bad,” said Bo Yaussi, a sophomore all-around cowboy at Northwestern Oklahoma State University from Udall, Kan. “The first performance was great. Then it rained, it got deep, and it rained again. It was pretty muddy, but everybody had to rope in it.” Yaussi did better than most. He placed fourth in the opening round with a 9.3-second run. He finished second in the championship round and the average, scoring big points for himself and the Rangers. “My theory on short rounds is to leave the arena leading it and make the rest come get me,” he said. “There were three guys after me, and the next guy to rope was long. The second to last guy beat me, and the last guy to rope, the guy that won the long round, missed.” His plan paid off, but he also had some help. Three Rangers tie-down ropers were in the short round, and all three placed: Jeremy Carney placed fourth in the final round and the average, while Levi Walter placed fifth in both rounds and the average.” Yaussi transferred Northwestern from North Central Texas College in Gainesville, and he’s now gotten his feet wet in the Central Plains Region. He is second in the tie-down roping standings, just behind teammate Riley Wakefield, and is 12th in the steer wrestling standings. “This is a very tough region,” the Kansan said. “Team roping has been really tough, and there are a lot of freshman calf ropers that are roping really good. Bulldogging has also been very tough in this region. “I’m from this area, so I know these arenas. It’s almost like rodeoing on my home turf.” Aided by another solid performance in Stillwater, the Northwestern men’s team sits No. 2 in the Central Plains Region. The Rangers found limited, yet adequate success this past weekend. Sophomore Bridger Anderson, who qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo last season, placed in both rounds of steer wrestling and finishing as the runner-up. Bradley Ralph won the first round and was sixth in the short round to finish sixth overall. Jace Rutledge tied Anderson and two other cowboys for a four-way tie for fifth place in the opening round. Anderson leads the bulldogging standings, while Ralph sits third. Header Taylor Munsell finished fifth in team roping with her partner, Ean Price of Garden City (Kan.) Community College, while the Rangers team of Levi Walter and Jayden Johnson placed sixth overall. For the Northwestern women, barrel racers Kayla Copenhaver (first) and Baillie Wiseman (third) placed in the opening round. They were unable to have fast enough times in the final round to place overall. But there are seven rodeos remaining on the 2018-19 season, one more set for Oct. 25-27 in Alva. That’s part of the attraction to compete at Northwestern for Yuassi. “I wanted to go to a good all-around school, and I wanted to go to a place where I could get better at bulldogging,” he said. “You can’t go to a better place for that than Alva. Plus, it’s two and a half hours closer to home.” Northwestern has been considered the top school in college rodeo for steer wrestling, thanks in large part to coach Stockton Graves, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier and Rangers alumnus. “Stockton’s got the mental game down,” Yaussi said. “He’s been there and done that, and he knows how to win. Everything he says is from experience. He’s at bulldogging practice every day with us. He puts in a lot of work.” Now in just his second year of college eligibility, he plans to compete for Northwestern for his final three years. Still, he has some big ideas for this year. “My personal goal for this year is to make the college finals in calf roping and team roping,” Yaussi said. “We’re hanging right in there for the year-end championship. For the team, I would love to win the region. We’ve just got to keep going strong.”

CLAREMORE, Okla. – After viewing it for the first time, organizer David Petty knew he wanted to make Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock a better experience for everyone. That’s the plan for this year’s event, which is presented by the Kubota Center of Oklahoma, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Claremore Expo Center. This year’s festivities will include all three rodeo roughstock events: Bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. “I wanted to make it a true roughstock event,” said Petty, noting that the proceeds will be used to benefit Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma. “I had a few guys call me wanting to include that to our show, so we decided to make it happen. We will add $5,000 in each of the events, which helps us attract the top contestants.” That money will be mixed with the contestants’ entry fees to make up the total purse. But that’s not all that’s available. The event will also feature the Kubota Challenge Shootout, a head-to-head match with between two cowboys in each discipline. “We’ll take the winner, then we’ll have a drawing of all the rest that are left, whether they placed second or bucked off right in out of the chute,” he said. “Whoever we draw will be part of the shootout, and it will be winner-take-all for the shootout’s $1,000 purse.” That’s a unique feature to this world-class event. Dozens of the greatest stars in the game will put their names in the hat to battle for those dollars. But Petty also upped the ante by adding celebrated rodeo clown Cody Sosebee and trick rider Haley Ganzel to the show to make for a better overall experience for the contestants, fans and sponsors. “We do this for the community, and we want everyone to enjoy a night out in Claremore,” Petty said. “Cody has been nominated for PRCA Clown of the Year many times and was the barrelman at the National Finals Rodeo. He’s naturally funny. “Haley is from Collinsville, and she does an amazing roman riding act that I think people from around here are going to love. She has been nominated for Act of the Year, which tells you that the cowboys love her act – they’re the ones who nominated her.” In addition to the top cowboys and elite entertainers, Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock will have Andy Stewart calling the action. Stewart is recognized as one of the greatest announcers in the game. He has been nominated 10 times for Announcer of the Year. “Andy adds so much to every event he works,” Petty said. “He understands our sport as well as anyone, and he knows about all the contestants. He helps make the overall production of our event even better.” That’s just what fans in Claremore want to see. “The word that came to us from the management staff at the expo and local residents is that it was one of the best events they’ve ever seen in the expo,” he said. “We want to keep making it better every year.” They’re already planning to do that in Year 2.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The inaugural Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock was a homecoming of sorts for several of the 2017 contestants, but it was more than that for two. Kade Alberty, a bull rider who grew up in Claremore, and Hardy Braden, a saddle bronc rider from nearby Welch, Okla., walked away from last year’s event with at least a share of the championship in their discipline. Alberty split the title with Andrew Alvidrez of Seminole, Texas, while Braden earned the bronc riding title outright. This year’s event – which is presented by the Kubota Center of Oklahoma and will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Claremore Expo Center – will also benefit the Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma and will include bareback riding. “It was quite an honor to actually win it since it was the first time to put it on,” said Braden, a 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “I’m happy for it to be successful, and am really glad they’re having it again this year.” He was one of several top cowboys in Claremore last fall, but organizers expect that number to increase this year with the inclusion of bareback riding. While the inaugural Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock was a hit 12 months ago, there is great anticipation for Oct. 27. “It’s a really great thing for Claremore to have,” Braden said. “It’s something to go to after the regular season that has a good payout, and it’s about the right time before the finals for a good shot to get on good animals.” The purse will also be attractive to contestants. Organizers are including $5,000 in local money in each event, which will be added to entry fees to make up the purse. That will offer the cowboys a chance at a nice payday. In addition, the winners of each event will then be matched by one of the other cowboys in the field via random draw in the Kubota Challenge Shootout. The winner of that showdown in each event will earn $1,000, winner take all. That just adds to the intrigue of the event. But there’s more incentive for the cowboys. Organizers plan to use multiple livestock providers, most of whom have been recognized on a national level for the ability of their bucking horses and bulls. “The amount of different people that bring stock there is great,” Braden said. “That’s what attracts me to it. No matter whose herd you draw out of, you’re going to draw into the best pen of horses they have. “With four or five stock contractors bringing their best stuff, it makes it really good for us, but it’s also good for the fans. They’re really going to enjoy it.”

BELLVILLE, Texas – Every gambler knows that once the dice go into the air, the numbers might not roll their way. That was the case for bareback rider Winn Ratliff and bull rider J.T. Moore, both of whom scored qualified rides on their first trips out of the chute Saturday night at the Austin County Fair and Rodeo. Ratliff’s 80-point ride on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Booger would have allowed the Leesville, La., cowboy to finish second in bareback riding. Moore’s 80-point ride on Mo Betta’s 507 would have held up for third place in bull riding. In both cases, the house won some of its money back from the cowboys. “The re-ride I had was a (Mo Betta) horse named Darth that’s been to the National Finals,” said Ratliff, 29, a four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “Bill Tutor was 84.5 points at Rosenberg (Texas) last weekend. I’ve had some history with that horse, and I’ve seen that horse a lot. When I knew he was the re-ride, I rolled the dice and took that gamble. “That’s rodeo. If it was easy, everybody would do it.” By accepting the re-rides, those 80-point rides were erased. Had Ratliff stayed with his, he would have pocketed $1,121. Instead, Darth had a bad day, and the tandem matched moves for just 74 points. That was good enough for fifth place. He gambled to make $350 more and lost $800. “If you’ve got a horse that’s been to the NFR, you want that shot if you’re a competitor,” he said. “I came here to win this rodeo. When I had a free opportunity to get on another horse, I took it.” Moore’s third-place finish would have netted him roughly $1,100. He gambled to win $800 more, then bucked off his re-ride bull and lost it all. That’s why it can sometimes be a difficult decision for cowboys to accept another chance. But rodeo is a gamble. In the three roughstock events, half the score comes from the animals they ride. In Ratliff’s case, the big black horse was supposed to be better than he was Saturday night in Bellville. That’s just part of the game. For his sake, though, the Louisiana cowboy is just happy to be back to work doing what he loves. He suffered a shattered pelvis two and a half years ago and is just getting back to where he can compete again. “I feel really confident in my health,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of questions if I’m going hard again next year and try to make it back to the NFR, but I’m going to pray about it. I’ve really enjoyed being home. That’s the one blessing when you’re injured; you get to spend a lot of family time. I’ve got a 3-year-old daughter, and she needs her daddy, and I’ve got a little boy on the way in December. “I’m blessed in what I’ve accomplished as a bareback rider. I’m enjoying every moment and having fun. But my priorities have changed, and it’s time to be a family man and a daddy.” Sure, there is disappointment in Ratliff’s voice, but he understands the game well. He also knows his roles in both fatherhood and rodeo have changed over the years. He’s content with that. “I’m thankful I get to go home, and there’s another rodeo next week,” Ratliff said. Austin County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 11-13 Bellville, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Tim Murphy, 81.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Buckle Up, $1,480; 2. Zach Hibler, 79.5, $1,121; 3. Blade Elliott, 77.5, $807; 4. Sandro Ferretti, 74.5, $538; 5. Winn Ratliff, 74, $314; 6. Tyler David Johnson, 73, $224. Steer wrestling: 1. Jacob Talley, 3.4 seconds, $1,665; 2. Heath Thomas, 4.5, $1,448; 3. (tie) A.D. Davis II and Lucas Brasfield, 4.6, $1,122 each; 5. (tie) Sam Powers and Dylan Shroeder, 4.7, $688 each; 7. Dakota Stermer, 5.2, $392; 8. Justin Shaffer, 5.4, $145. Team roping: 1. Cory Kidd V/Martin Lucero, 4.7 seconds, $2,162; 2. Caleb Mitchell/Seth Smithson, 4.9, $1,880; 3. (tie) Garett Chick/Ross Ashford and Landon McClaugherty/Case Swaim, 5.0, $1,457 each; 5. Tanner Tomlinson/Corey Hedrick, 5.1, $1,034; 6. Shane Phillip/John Phillip, 6.2, $752; 7. Reno Cash Stoebner/Daniel Braman IV, 10.0, $470; 8. Manny Eguesquiza Jr./York Gill, 14.0, $188. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Parker Kempfer, 79 point on United Pro Rodeo’s Awsome Sauce, $1,502; 2. Taygen Schuelke, 74, $1,149; 3. Mason Laviolette, 71, $839; 4. Dusty Hausauer, 69, $574; 5. Curtis Garton, 68.5, $353; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Cody Lawrence, 8.4 seconds, $2,140; 2. (tie) De Andre Jackson and Justin Smith, 8.6, $1,722 each; 4. Lane Livingston, 8.8, $,1,303; 5. Justin Macha, 9.0, $1,024; 6. (tie) Austin Atkinson and Wyatt Imus, 9.5, $605 each;87. Coley Salge, 9.8, $186. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Chloe Gray, 16.18 seconds, $2,630; 2. Kelly Carrington, 16.19, $2,236; 3. Tiany Schuster, 16.20, $1,841; 4. (tie) Tasha Welsh and Melinda Edwards Dunn, 16.26, $1,447 each; 6. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.27, $921; 7. Jennifer Kalafatic, 16.31, $658; 8. (tie) Ericka Nelson, Taci Bettis and Jill Wilson, 16.32, $460 each; 11. Alex Lang, 16.35, $329; 12. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Ivy Hurst, 16.39, $132 each. Steer roping: First round: 1. (tie) J. tom Fisher and Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2 seconds, $925 each; 3. Cole Patterson, 10.3, $633; 4. Tony Reina, 10.4, $489; 5. Trenton Johnson, 10.8, $314; 6. (tie) Mike Chase and Travis Mills, 10.9, $87 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Laramie Allen and Brodie Poppino, 10.0 seconds, $925 each; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 10.7, $489; 4. Trenton Johnson, 10.9, $489; 5. Corey Ross, 11.0, $314; 6. Cody Lee, 11.2, $175. Average: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 21.5 seconds on two runs, $1,519; 2. Trenton Johnson, 21.7, $1,257; 3. John E. Bland, 22.3, $995; 4. Mike Chase, 23.0, $733; 5. Bryce Davis, 23.1, $471; 6. Travis Mills, 23.5, $262. Bull riding: 1. Brody Yeary, 87.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Wonder Boy, $1,978; 2. Denton Fugate, 85, $1,523; 3. (tie) Jeff Askey and Jesse Petri, 77, $938; 5. Parker McCown, 76.5, $483; 7. Clayton Sellars, 76, $353; 7.  Continue Reading »

BELLVILLE, Texas – Wheeler is a town of 1,600 people in the Texas Panhandle. It’s dry and rugged, and it’s home to many cowboys. Tim Murphy has lived there for three months, and that’s because he wanted to compete in rodeo for a living. On Friday night during the second performance of the Austin County Fair and Rodeo, he matched moves with United Pro Rodeo’s Buckle Up for 81.5 points to take the bareback riding lead. “This is my first time in Bellville, but like it,” said Murphy, 21, originally from Simpsonville, S.C. “It’s a little bit humid, but I like it. I used to be used to humidity, but I’ve already gotten use to life in Wheeler.” He has just begun his second season competing on his permit, a training ground for young cowboys who want to eventually compete in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “I don’t think I’m ready to get my rookie card just yet,” he said. “I’m going to go one more year on my permit just to get the feel for things and make sure I’m ready.” If his ride Friday night were any indication, Murphy is taking his lessons quite well. He’s living and traveling with Zach Hibler, the 2018 PRCA Rookie of the Year. It’s proved to be beneficial for the South Carolinian by birth. “He’s a really good coach,” Murphy said of Hibler, who is second in Bellville with a 79.5-point ride. “He has helped me a lot the last few months and really progressed my bareback riding a bunch.” That’s the key for the two young cowboys. Good or bad, every experience offers an opportunity to learn. Maturation is a great thing, but it can’t be rushed. That’s why Murphy will continue to compete on his permit to allow his brain and his body to grow into the position of professional bareback rider. It’s not an easy life. Through most of the summer, cowboys are on the road for several weeks at a time. Whether it’s being strapped to wild bucking horses or sitting in a vehicle for 10 hours straight, bareback riding is hard on the body. “I just love doing it,” he said. “We work out and try to stay in the best shape we can.” And on Friday night, Murphy experienced the verbal crowd that packed into the Austin County Fairgrounds to see him and other contestants compete. “Man, it’s an awesome crowd,” Murphy said. “They’re active, and I like it when a crowd gets into the rodeo.” That means he’s likely to return. Austin County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 11-13 Bellville, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Tim Murphy, 81.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Buckle Up; 2. Zach Hibler, 79.5; 3. Blade Elliott, 77.5; 4. Sandro Ferretti, 74.5; 5. Tyler David Johnson, 73; 6. (tie) Paden Hurst and Luke Wozney, 70. Steer wrestling: 1. Jacob Talley, 3.4 seconds; 2. Heath Thomas, 4.5; 3. (tie) A.D. Davis II and Lucas Brasfield, 4.6; 5. Sam Powers, 4.7; 6. Dakota Stermer, 5.2; 7. Justin Shaffer, 5.4; 8. Tom Uttermark, 6.2. Team roping: 1. Cory Kidd V/Martin Lucero, 4.7 seconds; 2. Caleb Mitchell/Seth Smithson, 4.9 3. (tie) Garett Chick/Ross Ashford and Landon McClaugherty/Case Swaim, 5.0; 5. Tanner Tomlinson/Corey Hedrick, 5.1; 6. Shane Phillip/John Phillip, 6.2; 7. Stratton Lopez/Ronnie Lopez, 12.1; 8. Manny Eguesquiza Jr./York Gill, 14.0. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Parker Kempfer, 79 point on United Pro Rodeo’s Ausome Sauce; 2. Taygen Schuelke, 74; 3. Dusty Hausauer, 69; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Cody Lawrence, 8.4 seconds; 2. (tie) De Andre Jackson and Justin Smith, 8.6; 4. Lane Livingston, 8.8; 5. Justin Macha, 9.0; 6. Austin Atkinson, 9.5; 7. Coley Salge, 9.8; 8. Trenton Smith, 9.9. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Chloe Gray, 16.18 seconds; 2. Kelly Carrington, 16.19; 3. Tiany Schuster, 16.20; 4. (tie) Tasha Welsh and Melinda Edwards Dunn, 16.26; 6. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.27; 7. (tie) Ericka Nelson, Taci Bettis and Jill Wilson, 16.32; 10. Alex Lang, 16.35; 11. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Ivy Hurst, 16.39. Steer roping: First round: 1. (tie) J. tom Fisher and Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2 seconds, $925 each; 3. Cole Patterson, 10.3, $633; 4. Tony Reina, 10.4, $489; 5. Trenton Johnson, 10.8, $314; 6. (tie) Mike Chase and Travis Mills, 10.9, $87 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Laramie Allen and Brodie Poppino, 10.0 seconds, $925 each; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 10.7; 4. Trenton Johnson, 10.9, $489; 5. Corey Ross, 11.0, $314; 6. Cody Lee, 11.2, $175. Average: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 21.5 seconds on two runs, $1,519; 2. Trenton Johnson, 21.7, $1,257; 3. John E. Bland, 22.3, $995; 4. Mike Chase, 23.0, $733; 5. Bryce Davis, 23.1, $471; 6. Travis Mills, 23.5, $262. Bull riding: 1. Brody Yeary, 87.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Wonder Boy; 2. Denton Fugate, 85; 3. (tie) Jeff Askey and Jesse Petri, 77; 5. Parker McCown, 76.5; 6. Clayton Sellars, 76.

BELLVILLE, Texas – For 27 years, Martin Lucero has been one of the best heelers in team roping. He’s qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 16 times in his career. But at age 50, he’s contemplating his next step in the sport. “I’m getting older now, and I’m not sure I’m going to run hard next year,” said Lucero, who stopped the clock in 4.7 seconds Thursday night to take the team roping lead at the Austin County Fair and Rodeo with his header, Cory Kidd V of Statesville, N.C. “I’m still on the fence about it. I’ve got two daughters, one that’s a junior in high school and one that’s in second grade, so I like being home, too. “It’s nice to be able to come to a good rodeo like this and still go home.” It was an easy decision to make the seven-hour trip to Bellville. “These rodeos have gotten better as far as the added money,” Lucero said, referring to the local money that’s mixed with contestants’ entry fees to make up the purse. “You can win a lot more money than we used to.” Bellville’s rodeo takes place in the second week of the 2019 rodeo season, so this is a good way to catch some early money and get a jump on the field if possible. That’s one of the reasons Kidd likes competing at this event. “I catch; I’m winning now, and I’ve won it before,” said Kidd, who set the arena record of 3.8 seconds two years. “They get a bunch of people. It’s a good atmosphere, and I like it.” Kidd and Lucero don’t compete together often, but they made an exception for a few Texas rodeos this time of year. While Kidd is from North Carolina, he spends quite a bit of time at Lucero’s home, so it was a natural fit. “Some people are ready to go home and rest after the regular season ends, but I’m ready to get back after it,” Kidd said. “You never know; the money you win here might be what pushes you over the edge and gets you to the NFR.” Lucero knows that as well as anyone. He’s been to Bellville’s rodeo almost all of his nearly three decades of competing, and he’s won the title before “This is a good rodeo, and it’s a good one that’s in our circuit,” he said of the Texas Circuit. I like the set-up, and it gets a good crowd every night. This is a new year, and the circuit finals is obviously the goal. As hard as it is to win in this competitive circuit, it’s good to win early.” Austin County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 11-13 Bellville, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Blade Elliott, 77.5 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Booger; 2. Sandro Ferretti, 74.5; 3. Tyler David Johnson, 73; 4. (tie) Paden Hurst and Luke Wozney, 70; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Heath Thomas, 4.5 seconds; 2. Lucas Brasfield, 4.6; 3. Sam Powers, 4.7; 4. Dakota Stermer, 5.2; 5. Tom Uttermar, 6.2; 6. T.J. Hall, 7.3. Team roping: 1. Cory Kidd V/Martin Lucero, 4.7 seconds; 2. Caleb Mitchell/Seth Smithson, 4.9 3. (tie) Garett Chick/Ross Ashford and Landon McClaugherty/Case Swaim, 5.0; 5. Tanner Tomlinson/Corey Hedrick, 5.1; 6. Shane Phillip/John Phillip, 6.2; 7. Manny Eguesquiza Jr./York Gill, 14.0; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding: No qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Cody Lawrence, 8.4 seconds; 2. De Andre Jackson, 8.6; 3. Lane Livingston, 8.8; 4. Austin Atkinson, 9.5; 5. Coley Salge, 9.8; 6. Trenton Smith, 9.9; 7. Carson Jeffrey, 10.1; 10. Reno Gonzales, 10.3. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Chloe Gray, 16.18 seconds; 2. Kelly Carrington, 16.19; 3. Tiany Schuster, 16.20; 4. Melinda Edwards Dunn, 16.26; 5. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.27; 6. (tie) Ericka Nelson, Taci Bettis and Jill Wilson, 16.32; 9. Alex Lang, 16.35; 10. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Ivy Hurst, 16.39; 12. Jimmie Smith, 16.41. s Steer roping: First round: 1. (tie) J. tom Fisher and Vin Fisher Jr., 10.2 seconds, $925 each; 3. Cole Patterson, 10.3, $633; 4. Tony Reina, 10.4, $489; 5. Trenton Johnson, 10.8, $314; 6. (tie) Mike Chase and Travis Mills, 10.9, $87 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Laramie Allen and Brodie Poppino, 10.0 seconds, $925 each; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 10.7; 4. Trenton Johnson, 10.9, $489; 5. Corey Ross, 11.0, $314; 6. Cody Lee, 11.2, $175. Average: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 21.5 seconds on two runs, $1,519; 2. Trenton Johnson, 21.7, $1,257; 3. John E. Bland, 22.3, $995; 4. Mike Chase, 23.0, $733; 5. Bryce Davis, 23.1, $471; 6. Travis Mills, 23.5, $262. Bull riding: 1. (tie) Jeff Askey, on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Junior, and Jesse Petri, on Mo Betta Rodeo’s 507, 77 points; 3. Clayton Sellars, 76; no other qualified rides.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Haley Ganzel was just 4 years old when she decided on her career. She didn’t really know it at the time, but the love affair with trick riding blossomed quickly as she watched her uncle, Shawn Brackett, practice. So, she got the right training. At age 5, she worked her first rodeo. A year later, she worked her first event in ProRodeo. Now she will bring her talents to Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock presented by the Kubota Center of Oklahoma, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Claremore Expo Center. The event serves as a fundraiser for Child Advocates of Northeast Oklahoma. “I’m so excited, because I get to have all my family there,” said Ganzel, who lives in Collinsville, Okla., just 24 miles west of Claremore. “It’s going to be a fun event right here close to home.” Claremore’s Extreme Roughstock features many of the top bareback riders, saddle bronc riders and bull riders in rodeo, but it’s also going to be the perfect place for Ganzel to show off her roman riding talent. She will also share the stage with Cody Sosebee, one of the top rodeo clowns in the game. In fact, both Sosebee and Ganzel are up for year-end awards in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Sosebee is one of five nominees for Clown of the Year. Ganzel, with her partner, Lindy Nealey, is nominated for Dress Act of the Year as The Cowgirl Sweethearts. “It’s such an honor to be nominated,” Ganzel said. “My uncle worked the NFR four times and was never nominated, so I realize what a special honor this is. Everyone on that list has really paid their dues. “To be on that list with all those people and the legends is amazing.” She has paid hers since she was a youngster, but that’s because she fell in love with trick riding. She began roman riding when she was 8, riding on the backs of ponies. She and her partner started when Ganzel was 10 and Nealey was 13, then began working in earnest five years later. “I didn’t know I loved it so much until I got my team four years ago,” she said of the two horses on which she stands and rides. “That makes it so much better.” Sosebee has been nominated for Clown of the Year seven times and last year was selected to be the barrelman at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “I am very humbled by it, because I automatically thought of the guys who had come before me who had never been selected to work the finals,” he said. “There’s no way to describe it, because the guys voted for it. I can take that with me forever. “It 10 times everything for me. It was 10 times more work than I thought. It was 10 times more fun than I thought. I just tried to soak it all up. I knew I was getting to do something special.” Now he returns to Claremore to help entertain fans during one of the coolest events to hit Rogers County this year. That’s just what everybody needs.

DUNCAN, Okla. – Through much of their careers, Nathan Harp and Wacey Munsell have been considered two of the best in their field. Their business is rodeo, and they are two of the greatest athletes in the game. As bullfighters, they use their bodies, athleticism and any other means necessary to keep everyone in the arena safe during bull riding. It’s a dangerous task, but they’re up for it. That’s why Munsell and Harp have been selected to be the bullfighters for the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. It is the second straight year the two will work inside the arena together, but both have been part of the regional finale multiple times before. By being selected, it is recognition that the two men are very good at their jobs. The primary duty is to protect the cowboys directly after they dismount the bull, whether by sure-fire escape after a qualifying ride or by the animal’s discharge. But there are others in the arena, and it’s the bullfighters’ task to keep them all out of harm’s way. “The quality of cowboys in our circuit is really good,” said Munsell, 32, of Ulysses, Kan. “If you can make the circuit finals, I think you could do just as well at the NFR. As a bullfighter, getting votes from that quality of cowboy means a lot. It’s a big honor.” It takes true athleticism to handle a bullfighter’s load effectively. They will work together, gain the animals’ attention and finish by utilizing their athletic ability to remain out of harm’s way. Both men have worked some of the biggest events in ProRodeo. Both were raised in the region, so they comprehend the talent level that sits inside the Prairie Circuit. It doesn’t get much better than seeing all the top cowboys competing inside Stephens County Arena. “What makes the circuit finals great is the quality, both contestants and stock,” Munsell said. “There are a lot of horses and bulls that have been to the NFR, so you know we’re going to have top-quality stock. The circuit usually produces really good cowboys, and a lot are NFR caliber. “When you have that, it makes for a great rodeo.”

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Landon McClaugherty has been one of the top all-around cowboys in rodeo for a long time, and he approaches the game the best way possible. He focuses on one event at a time, even if he’s making multiple runs in a single day. That came in quite handy Saturday night during the final performance of the 2018 Waller County Fair and Rodeo, when he roped and tied his calf in 7.2 seconds to win the tie-down roping in Hempstead. “They had great calves this year,” said McClaugherty of Tilden, Texas. The calf roping was really tough, so I just used the calf I had to the best of my abilities. I didn’t really know much about him. He looked really good, so I just ran at him like he was a good one, and it worked out.” By winning the crown, he pocketed $2,292. That will move him into a nice position early in the 2019 season, which began Oct. 1 and runs through next Sept. 30. It’s a good way to start the new season. He finished last season No. 34 in the all-around standings, 25th in the steer roping standings. He also placed in a round of steer roping in Hempstead on Saturday morning. That enabled McClaugherty to finish second in the all-around race at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. Clayton Hass of Stephenville won the all-around title by winning steer wrestling and also placing seventh in team roping with partner Boogie Ray. Hass pocketed $3,050 and also earned an AR15 rifle for being the all-around champ. “Any check is a good check,” said McClaugherty, who has to pay an entry fee for every event in which he competes. “When you’ve got that much invested in fees, you’ve got to win something. Entering in more than one event gives you more chances to win money. That’s always a plus.” He typically adds team roping to his competitive mix, but because his partner couldn’t make the trip, McClaugherty had to opt out of that event. Still, he was able to secure a key win with the help of his equine partner, Chigger, a 19-year-old flaxen maned sorrel mare. “She’s the only calf roping horse I’ve got,” he said. “She’s just pretty honest. She scores good and stops straight, and that just lets you rope.” That’s something the Texas cowboy needs, no matter the event. Waller County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 4-6 Hempstead, Texas All-around cowboy: 1. Clayton Hass, $3,050 in team roping and steer wrestling. Bareback riding: 1. Bill Tutor, 83 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Bright Lights, $1,874; 2. R.C. Landingham, 82, $1,419; 3. Winn Ratliff, 79, $1,022; 4. Paden Hurst, 78.5, $681; 5. Zach Hibler, 77, $397; 6. (tie) Leighton Berry and Tim Murphy, 73.5, $142 each. Steer wrestling: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds, $2,032; 2. Jason Thomas, 3.7, $1,767; 3. Rowdy Thomas, 4.4, $1,502; 4. Cade Staton, 4.5, $1,237; 5. Kodie Jang, 4.6, $972; 6. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Matt Reeves, 4.8, $574 each; 8. (tie) Bill Pace and Blake Mindemann, 4.9, $88 each. Team roping: 1. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 4.6 seconds, $2,762; 2. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.8, $2,471; 3. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz and Caleb Mitchell/Seth Smithson, 5.0, $2,035 each; 5. (tie) Laramie Allen/McCoy Profili and Lightning Agueilera/Ty Arnold, 5.4, $1,453 each; 7. Clayton Hass/Boogie Ray, 5.6, $1,017; 8. Garett Chick/Ross Ashford, 5.8, $727; 9. Chance Oftedahl/Iceman Miller, 5.9, $436; 10. Brandon Gonzales/Michael Tash, 6.3, $145. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Miss Congeniality, $1,816; 2. Wyatt Casper, 83.5, $1,392; 3. (tie) Garet Aldridge and Isaac Diaz, $878 each, 82; 7. Dean Wadsworth, 77.5, $424; 6. Jarrod Hammons, 74, $303; 7. Josh Davison, 73, $242; 8. Parker Fleet, 72.5, $182. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Landon McClaugherty, 7.2 seconds, $2,292; 2. Austin Atkinson, 7.5, $1,993; 3. Cory Solomon, 7.9, $1,694; 4. Monty Lewis, 8.0, $1,395; 5. Shane Hanchey, 8.1, $1,096; 6. Ty Harris, 8.2, $797; 7. Scott Kormos, 8.3, $498; 8. Ricky Canton, 8.4, $199. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Cheyenne Wimberley, 14.54 seconds, $2,632; 2. Taci Bettis, 14.59, $2,237; 3. Angela Ganter, 14.72, $1,842; 4. Stephanie Fryar, 14.75, $1,579; 5. Jimmie Smith, 14.78, $1,316; 6. Jill Wilson, 14.80, $921; 7. Janet Staton, 14.84, $658; 8. Zoe Braman, 14.88, $658; 9. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Becky Maass, 14.91, $428 each; 11. Jennifer Sharp, 14.96, $329; 12. Tammy Fischer, 14.98, $263. Steer roping: First round: 1. Trevor Brazile, 9.3 seconds, $1,127; 2. Jason Evans, 9.8, $932; 3. Vin Fisher Jr., 9.9, $738; 4. J.P. Wickett, 10.2, $544; 5. Roger Branch, 10.5, $350; 6. Blake Deckard, 10.8, $194. Second round: 1. (tie) Jeff Wheelis and Tuf Cooper, 10.5 seconds, $1,030 each; 3. Trey Wallace, 11.2, $738; 4. Chet Herren, 11.9, $544; 5. Landon McClaugherty, 12.1, $250; 6. Kelton McMillen, 12.8, $194. Third round: 1. Travis Mills, 9.8 seconds, $1,127; 2. Shay Good, 10.1, $932; 3. J. Tom Fisher, 10.5, $738; 4. Jason Evans, 10.6, $544; 5. Trevor Brazile, 10.8, $350; 6. (tie) Vin Fisher Jr. and Neal Wood, 11.7, $97 each. Average: 1. Jason Evans, 33.6 seconds on three runs, $1,690; 2. Trevor Brazile, 34.3, $1,399; 3. Blake Deckard, 39.5, $1,107; 4. Brian Garr, 40.3, $816; 5. Chet Herren, 40.5, $525; 6. Fred Brown, 45.2, $291. Bull riding: 1. Bayle Worden, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Kracker Jack, $2,538; 2. (tie) Scottie Knapp and Denton Fugate, 84, $1,692 each, 4. (tie) Dakota Louis and Cody Rostockyj, 83.5, $761 each; 6. (tie) Dalan Duncan and Jeff Askey, 83, $381 each; 8. Aaron Pass, 82.5, $254.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – For Bill Tutor, the pressure of competition never really leaves. He’s just fine with that. Five days ago, he wrapped up the 2018 regular season by earning nearly $120,000 through Sept. 30. He’s No. 5 in the bareback riding world standings and is headed to his second straight Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. But it all started over on Friday night during the second performance of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, where he matched moves with Bright Lights of the Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo string for 83 points to take the bareback riding lead in Hempstead. “That horse is fast and electric, and you’ve really got to keep up with her,” said Tutor, 27, of Huntsville, Texas. “I felt like I was a touch behind, like I was trying to catch up the whole time. It was a battle. I wasn’t in as complete control as I wanted to be, but it’s good to be sitting first.” He’ll have to wait for Saturday night’s final performance to see if his score holds up for the win, but he recognizes that getting a good start on the 2019 regular season is vital, even if he hasn’t quite completed this campaign – he will compete in ProRodeo’s championship over 10 December nights in Las Vegas, which features the greatest purse in the game. It’s where the world champions will be crowned. “This time of year is important to me,” he said. “It’s hard, because you just get done. I went to 100 rodeos this past year, and you’ve got to continue it the next weekend. Getting a jump on the new year is big to me, so I’m not going to let that advantage slip away from me. “The season never really ends. These are good rodeos going on right now, and they’re in my backyard. November will be the time for me to rest a little bit and let the body heal.” Tutor has much to look forward to yet in 2018. Nightly go-round winners will pocket more than $26,000 over the 10-night championship. He has a big chance at a big payday in the Nevada desert, but he has business to tend to first. “You’ve got to look forward to next season,” Tutor said. “The goal is to make it back to the finals in 2019, and you’ve got to capitalize on the opportunities you have, and those are right now.” It’s also important for Tutor to maintain his level of competitiveness as he prepares for the NFR. “Even now, you have to do your best every ride,” he said. “It’s a confidence game. If you’re riding good your confidence is high. I want to be very confident heading into the finals.” If Friday night is any indication, Tutor is as ready as he needs to be for ProRodeo’s grand finale. Waller County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 4-6 Hempstead, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Bill Tutor, 83 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Bright Lights; 2. Winn Ratliff, 79; 3. Paden Hurst, 78.5; 4. Zach Hibler, 77; 5. Leighton Berry, 73.5; no other qualified scores Steer wrestling: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.4 seconds; 2. Jason Thomas, 3.7; 3. Rowdy Thomas, 4.4; 4. Cole Staton, 4.5; 5. Kodie Jang, 4.6; 6. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Matt Reeves, 4.8; 8. Blake Mindemann, 4.9. Team roping: 1. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 4.6 seconds; 2. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.8; 3. Caleb Mitchell/Seth Smithson, 5.0; 4. Laramie Allen/McCoy Profili, 5.4; 5. Clayton Hass/Boogie Ray, 5.6; 6. Garett Chick/Ross Ashford, 5.8; 7. Chance Oftedahl/Iceman Miller, 5.9; 8. Brandon Gonzales/Michael Tash, 6.3; 9. Joe Beaver/Cody Thornton, 6.6; 10. Chuck Doebbler/Randall Eggmeyer, 6.7. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Miss Congeniality; 2. Garet Aldridge, 82; 3. Dean Wadsworth, 77.5; 4. Jarrod Hammons, 74; 5. Parker Fleet, 72.5; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Monty Lewis, 8.0 seconds; 2. Shane Hanchey, 8.1; 3. Ty Harris, 8.2; 4. Scott Kormos, 8.3; 5. Ricky Canton, 8.4; 6. Bobby Abernathy, 8.5; 7. Tuf Cooper, 8.6; 8. Cooper Mathews, 8.7. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Chenne Wimberley, 14.54 seconds; 2. Lauren Crawley, 14.56; 3. Taci Bettis, 14.59; 4. Angela Ganter, 14.72; 5. Jimmie Smith, 14.78; 6. Jill Wilson, 14.80; 7. Janet Staton, 14.84; 8. Zoe Braman, 14.88; 9. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Becky Maass, 14.91; 11. Jennifer Sharp, 14.96; 12. Tammy Fischer, 14.98. Bull riding: 1. Bayle Worden, 86 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Kracker Jack; 2. (tie) Scottie Knapp, Dakota Louis and Cody Rostockyj, 83.5; 5. (tie) Dalan Duncan and Jeff Askey, 83; 7. Aaron Pass, 82.5; 8. Gavin Michel, 82.

HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Along the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia, lies the coastal city of Townsville. It’s a long way from Hempstead, but the Waller County Fair and Rodeo is just where Kodie Jang wanted to be on opening night of the rodeo. On Thursday night, the Australian steer wrestler tossed his steer to the ground in 4.6 seconds to take the early bulldogging lead. “I hope that hangs on and gets a check before the weekend’s over,” said Jang, 25. The young cowboy began wrestling steers nearly five years ago in Australia. He quickly moved to the United States to compete at Western Texas College in Snyder. He hasn’t stopped since and has only returned to his homeland for Christmas 2015. “It’s hard to be away from my mom, dad, little brother and grandparents,” he said. “But I’m out here chasing my dreams.” He’s working his way up. He traveled the rodeo trail for the 2018 season with veteran Matt Reeves, a six-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Cross Plains, Texas. He even rode Reeves’ horses; he kick-started his 2019 season in Hempstead on Roy, a talented sorrel gelding Reeves’ wins at The American in February and at the Calgary (Alberta) Stampede in July. “I’m traveling with him again this year,” Jang said of Reeves. “I ride his horses, and they’re phenomenal. Matt’s been there and done that, and he’s really positive. When times are tough, he keeps me going. “It’s important for me to be with him. He’s been everywhere. He’s been places I want to go, and he helps me along the way. I’m very thankful he lets me ride his horses.” When he began the 2018 season a year ago, Jang’s goals were to qualify for the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo, which takes place each July in Waco, Texas. He earned the right to battle at the regional championship, but he’s got bigger plans for the 2019 season. “I actually went out rodeoing with Matt and a couple of other guys just to get my feet wet and experience life on the rodeo trail,” he said. “Now that I’ve met that goal to qualify for the circuit finals, I’m going to bear down and try to make the (NFR).” Jang’s feet are plenty wet, and he proved that Thursday night at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo.   Waller County Fair and Rodeo Oct. 4-6 Hempstead, Texas Bareback riding: 1. Zach Hibler, 77 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Rosemary; 2. Leighton Berry, 73.5; no other qualified scores Steer wrestling: 1. Kodie Jang, 4.6 seconds; 2. Matt Reeves, 4.8; 3. Sam Powers, 6.1; 4. Heath Thomas, 6.3; 5. Don Payne, 13.6; no other qualified times. Team roping: 1. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 4.6 seconds; 2. Laramie Allen/McCoy Profili, 5.4; 3. Joe Beaver/Cody Thornton, 6.6; 4. Charley Crawford/Cole Davison, 9.7; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Dean Wadsworth, 77.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Red Root; 2. Jarrod Hammons, 74; 3. Parker Fleet, 72.5; no other qualified rides. Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Ricky Canton, 8.4 seconds; 2. Troy Reese Jr., 9.3; 3. Ty Heath Iselt, 9.5; 4. Bo Pickett, 9.8; 5. Jayce Johnson, 10.8; 6. Colton Stone, 13.0; 7. Clay Long, 14.5; no other qualified times. Barrel racing leaders: 1. Jennifer Sharp, 14.96 seconds; 2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 15.00; 3. Halyn Lide, 15.07; 4. Tasha Welsh, 15.57; 5. Lynette Clyde, 19.65; 6. Sydney Surin, 20.20; no other qualified times. Bull riding: 1. Dakota Louis, 83.5 points on PR Rodeo’s Roulette; 2. Dalan Dunca, 83; 3. Gavin Michel, 82; no other qualified scores.

BELLVILLE, Texas – They’re small, but they’re mighty. The Austin County Fair’s rodeo committee consists of just 14 members, but they care about one thing: They want Bellville’s rodeo to be one of the very best in southeast Texas every year. The annual rodeo – set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11-Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville – is well on its way, thanks in large part to the hard-working few who handle all the heavy lifting leading up to rodeo week. “We need every one of our volunteers to make this happen,” said Ricky Huff, chairman of the committee. “They’re all important to us. The one thing we’ve done over the years is pick the hard workers and someone who knows what’s going on.” Both traits have created a solid foundation that dates back decades. Huff has been part of the group for 32 years, so he has seen a great deal in those three-plus decades. His experience comes in handy, but he knows he can lean on all the others when the time comes. From gathering sponsorships to preparing the arena, there are many tasks that take place in order to produce a world-class rodeo. Each member of the committee takes great pride in all that happens in Bellville every October. As soon as last year’s event ended, the group gathered together to begin the planning for this year’s rodeo. “We work year around,” said Dusty Kendrick, a longtime member of the rodeo committee. “We take on big projects from time to time, and when we do, we call people together. We don’t waste time. We get the job done, and everybody goes home.” Teamwork is the key, and that’s the approach every person takes to each task. While some may not be comfortable working with sponsors, there are others that take up the slack. Plus, there are other things that might need attention. “Some people just can’t ask for money,” Huff said. “As long as they’re hard workers, we’ll let them do some of the other things while we get the sponsors and get all the banners and flags made. We’ll let them do the work they can handle.” It’s that mindset that allows the 14 members of the committee work together as a cohesive unit. It’s why Bellville’s rodeo remains a success.

DUNCAN, Okla. – There are many things to describe Greg Simas. He’s a husband and father. He’s a Marine. He’s a rodeo announcer It’s the latter that plays quite well in this community every October. For the third straight year, Simas will be the voice of the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. “For me, being a fan of rodeo, the Prairie Circuit Finals is a mini-NFR,” he said of ProRodeo’s grand finale, which features the top 15 from the world standings in each event. “You’re going to see some of the best cowboys in the game – world champions, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers and many that will be NFR qualifiers. “When you work the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, the odds are you have a contestant in every event that has been or will be going to the NFR. That’s exciting.” Simas isn’t from this part of the world. He was raised in northern California and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He now lives in Danville, Pa., with his wife, Jen, and their three sons, Tyler, Riley and Kaden. Rodeo is how he makes a living and supports his family, but there’s more to it. Simas is more than a fan. He returns for the second straight year as the voice of the regional finale, and he brings the emotion and knowledge to the game that fans in Duncan expect when they see the best of the best in action. “What’s great is the level of competition in Duncan,” he said. “Then you take the contestants and add all the great stock contractors, and you have NFR-caliber livestock. For me and the rodeo fans – for those who can’t make it to Vegas in December for the NFR – they can go to the Stephens County Arena and see some world-class caliber entertainment.” It’s true, but it helps that Simas’ voice helps provide a championship feel to the competition and entertainment. Maybe it’s his years of service as a Marine, where he also learned to ride bulls. Maybe it’s that his father was a competitor in California. Most likely, though, it’s because of his love for the game. “Every rodeo I’ve worked outside of the Northeastern part of the United States, I’ve been asked to come back,” Simas said. “I’m very proud to have overcome the stereotype that people in that part of the country don’t know rodeo as well. The dedication and commitment I learned in the Marine Corps has kept me charging forward. While there are hours of homework on the contestants and livestock involved in the game, Simas has found joy in every aspect of his job. It’s a telling tribute to his passion. “Every announcer says that we have the best seat in the house,” he said. “I agree with that. For me, though, it’s like golf in a way. There’s nobody that could ever perfect it. “When I leave a rodeo, there’s always something I learn from. I can have the best performance in my life, but I leave knowing I can do even better the next time. As long as I stay humble and gracious about the opportunities God provides for me, then I think I can always find a way to get better.” Those sentiments are why he has established himself as bona fide announcer in ProRodeo. His mentality and preparation make him the perfect fit for the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo.

ALVA, Okla. – Even before he made his decision on what university to attend, Devin Olson knew he wanted to be a steer wrestler. He was watching The American semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas, a year and a half ago and met Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo coach Stockton Graves. That meeting led the Taylors Falls, Minn., cowboy to choose Northwestern and make the move 800 miles from home to Alva. “I went home and looked up his name, and it turned out he was the coach here,” Olson said. “I decided that’s where I wanted to go, because he was the one person who was really good at steer wrestling.” He made the right decision and was one of several cowboys behind the Northwestern men’s team title this past weekend at the Southeastern Oklahoma State University rodeo in Durant, Okla. Olson joined fellow bulldoggers Jace Rutledge, Bo Yaussi and Bridger Anderson in the championship round of that event alone. In all, Northwestern held 11 spots in the short round in the men’s race and another five spots in the women’s division. “I think we can be a really good team,” said Olson, a sophomore. “I know that Bridger is really good. We have so many other good steer wrestlers on this team. I think our steer wrestling group is the best in the nation.” He may be right. Anderson won the bulldogging in Durant; he finished in a three-way tie for second in the opening round, then won the short-go with a 4.2-second run, which was more than half a second ahead of the runners-up. His two-run cumulative time of 8.9 seconds scored the Carrington, N.D., sophomore his first victory of the new season. Rutledge placed in both rounds and finished third overall, while Yaussi finished in a tie for second in the final round to move up to fifth in the average. Olson was one of three men who had a 4.7-second run to finish in a tie for second place in the long round. “’My first run was pretty good, but there were a couple of things I’d like to tweak,” Olson said. “I got out really well on my second run, but when I went to hook the nose, I fell back and it took a bit to get him thrown.” Yaussi, a recent transfer to Northwestern, also scored points in tie-down roping. He won the first round with an 8.6-second run but failed to secure a time in the championship round. Riley Wakefield placed high in both rounds to win the tie-down roping title. Wakefield also added 25 points in team roping, heeling for Southeastern’s Denton Halford. The two finished in a tie for fourth place in the first round but suffered a no-time in the short round. Heeler Jeremy Carney was the biggest points earner in team roping for the Rangers, winning the first round with his partner, Laramie Warren of Southeastern. They finished third in the short round and third overall. The Northwestern tandem of Kass Bittle and Cole Koppitz finished in a tie for second in the short round and placed third overall. Header Tyler Munsell and her partner, Garden City Community College’s Ean Price, were third in the opening round and finished sixth overall. Heeler Tanner Nall, roping with Ethan Griffin of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, placed in a tie for sixth place in the first round. Makayla Mack led the women’s team by finishing third in both the short round and average inn breakaway roping. Melissa Couture clocked in at 2.6 seconds to finish in a tie in the opening round. Natalie Berryhill finished second in the first round of barrel racing with a 16.68-second run, while Trinity St. Andrews finished sixth in the short round and average. Goat-tier Megan Turek had a 9.2-second run in the first round to finish in a three-way tie for third, but she was saddled with a no-time in the short round. Like the other Rangers, Olson has two rodeos under his belt to kick off the new season. He knows he has the support of his teammates and Graves to push him on to the next eight events, two more coming in the fall semester. He’s also got the help from another teammate, his horse, Jimmy. “My goal at the beginning of the year was to make myself a better steer wrestler, be more competitive and be more consistent in all my runs,” he said. “I want to put in good competitions and make the NFR. “Jimmy is 27 years old. This will be the fourth year I’ve had him. He puts you in the same spot every single time. This past year, I’ve really clicked with him. I know what he’s going to do. At that age, he’s going to be consistent.”

Bullfighters Only to be part of Charlotte Motor Speedway race-day experience CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Bullfighters Only is teaming up with Speedway Motorsports to showcase freestyle bullfighting to NASCAR fans for the first time in the sports’ history. On Sunday, Sept. 30, nine of the BFO’s top athletes will be featured at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Bank of America ROVAL 400. Three qualifying rounds of bullfights will take, with the winner of each advancing to the Hooey Championship Round at 12:15 p.m. Eastern Time. “At Charlotte Motor Speedway, we’re all about providing added value for our fans, and partners like Bullfighters Only help elevate our major event weekends to new heights,” said Greg Walter, executive vice president of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “With horsepower on display on the track and bull power in the Fan Zone, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy here at America’s Home for Racing.” The roster is highlighted by veterans Ross Hill, Toby Inman, Kris Furr and two-time reigning world champion Weston Rutkowski. The solid cast of the sport’s rising stars includes Chance Moorman, Tucker Lane and Riley McKetterick, who will all make a bid for the coveted Charlotte title. “This is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Bullfighters Only and Speedway Motorsports,” said Aaron Ferguson, founder and CEO of Bullfighters Only. “BFO fits perfect with NASCAR because there’s so much crossover between the two sports and our fans. They’re both high powered and dangerous, with a good chance of seeing some big-time wrecks.” Bullfighters Only is the premier freestyle bullfighting organization in North America that features the most elite athletes in the sport. It’s a gladiator event, man vs. beast in a battle of athleticism, wit and danger. Bullfighters have 60 seconds to engage an agile and aggressive bull that was bred for this kind of fight. Each move is countered, and points tell the tale. Bouts are judged on a 100-point scale, with half the points coming from the bull’s aggressiveness, and the rest coming from the bullfighter’s ability to stay close to the bull while maneuvering around and, sometimes, over the animal. “I think it’s pretty cool that we have an opportunity to show our sport off to NASCAR fans,” said Kris Furr, the fourth-ranked bullfighter in the BFO Pendleton Whisky World Standings. Furr is from Hamptonville, N.C., right in the heart of NASCAR country. “It’s probably the best merger we can have in my opinion.” It is appropriate that BFO’s first presentation is taking place at this particular race, where for the first time, drivers will battle for Victory Lane by maneuvering around a one-of-a-kind playoff road course. “People are excited about it,” Furr said. “It’s good to come out to the East Coast and will be an opportunity for a lot of people to see BFO for the first time. Some of my family and friends will finally get to come and watch me compete.” There is no denying that Bullfighters Only has reignited mainstream interest in freestyle bullfighting, and the popularity is only growing. The Charlotte event will serve as a pilot for potential event partnerships between Bullfighters Only and Speedway Motorsports in 2019 and beyond. Speedway Motorsports Inc. is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports activities in the United States. The company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates eight first-class racing facilities in significant markets across the country. “I think that this is going to open up a bigger and broader fan base for myself and for the BFO,” Furr said. “Being part of these events, you’ve got the opportunity to draw more fans and more sponsors.” CONTESTANTS Weston Rutkowski Toby Inman Ross Hill Beau Schueth Kris Furr Justin Josey Riley McKettrick Tucker Lane Chance Moorman

BELLVILLE, Texas – Every good team needs a good coach and the perfect leader on the field. The Austin County Fair and Rodeo has a very good team. The volunteer committee, which works hard all year to produce Bellville’s rodeo, works closely with award-winning announcer Boyd Polhamus through each of the three rodeo performances, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11-Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville. “Boyd’s like the quarterback of our rodeo; he keeps it going,” said Dusty Kendrick, a longtime member of the rodeo committee. “The people love an announcer that’s on horseback and gets involved with the crowd. “What I like about Boyd is that he follows it like a movie script. He’s got the opening of the rodeo down to the second. Everybody knows what they’re supposed to do.” Polhamus is a four-time Announcer of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association who has announced the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 21 times in a distinguished career. This year, though, his role in Las Vegas will change; he takes over as the general manager of the NFR. That means he will oversee the production for each of the 10 rounds of ProRodeo’s grand finale. “I think he’ll be good at it,” Kendrick said. “Unless you’re involved in rodeo, you don’t really understand what he’s going to be doing. If you go out to Vegas, you realize he’s got his hands full putting on a production like that.” While the schedule in the Nevada desert is hectic for Polhamus, his focus most of the year is on being the voice of rodeos like Bellville. “What I like about Boyd is that he does his homework and knows what our fans like,” said Ricky Huff, chairman of the rodeo committee. “If something happens in the arena, he might interview a contestant. He keeps it going for us.” While in Bellville, Polhamus will work with a hard-working committee and a talented staff of personnel to make sure fans see a wonderfully produced rodeo. That includes production director John Gwatney, secretary Sandy Gwatney, video board director Dawn Petty, sound director Josh “Hambone” Hilton and Maury Tate, the owner of the livestock production company, Mo Betta Rodeo. Also in the mix will be bullfighters Dusty Tuckness and Chuck Swisher and clown Cody Sosebee. Nearly all have received PRCA honors: Tuckness is the reigning Bullfighter of the Year; Hilton won the inaugural Sound Director of the Year in 2017; Sandy Gwatney was the 2016 Secretary of the Year; and John Gwatney, Swisher and Sosebee have worked the NFR. “When people see those awards, they want to come out and see that production,” Huff said. “I think it’s great that those kinds of people are involved in our rodeo.” The production is a major part of the show. Hilton’s sound works in conjunction with Polhamus’ announcing, which is timed with the action in the arena. It’s all caught by the video board’s camera operators. “I think the crowd likes the way our rodeo is produced,” Kendrick said. “We’ve got to put on aa really good rodeo, but we’ve got a star on the stage at the fairgrounds, and he’s going to be going on, so we want our fans to enjoy a good rodeo, then be able to take in the concert. “The way John, Boyd and Hambone keep the rodeo running gives them time to get out of the stands and over to the stage for the show. I think everybody appreciates that about our rodeo. It makes us feel good that we’re putting on a good, quality production.”

the Oct. 18-20 championship. (COURTESY PHOTO)[/caption] DUNCAN, Okla. – A rod and four screws is what holds Joe Lufkin’s lower left leg together. Lufkin, the 2013 saddle bronc riding year-end champion in the Prairie Circuit, had led the region standings much of the year. He held more than a $7,000 advantage when the regular season concluded in mid-September. But he was concerned his injury would keep him from riding in the championship, the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. Would that be enough to allow Hardy Braden of Welch, Okla., or Tyrel Larsen of Weatherford, Okla., the opportunity to catch him? “I don’t have to worry about that anymore,” said Lufkin, 25, of Sallisaw, Okla. “The doctor said I should be good to ride. He said it may hurt, but unless I get stepped on, I won’t reinjure my leg by riding.” Lufkin was injured Sept. 7 in Puyallup, Wash., and surgeons there operated the next day. That metal rod is attached to his left tibia to hold the bone together. But Lufkin’s injury was a compound fracture, meaning the fibula also was broken. That’s where his concern was regarding a return to bronc riding. But doctors are confident that rod will protect both bones. “I didn’t even need a cast,” he said. “I was put in a walking boot, and they gave me crutches. I’ve been able to walk on it in the boot without the crutches.” Now he’ll have the chance to ride without them, too. That’s a good thing. Lufkin has competed strongly all season. He earned nearly $45,000 this season, with more than $17,000 coming in the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region. The key was consistency; though he had a few wins at some small rodeos, he placed at nearly every event in which he competed inside the circuit’s borders. That’s vital for success. Now he’s forced the hands of Braden and Larsen. One of them must win every round and the average in Duncan in order to catch him, and Lufkin can’t earn any money. In rodeo, dollars equal championship points, so the cowboy with the most money won at the conclusion of the season will be crowned year-end champion. “I won it in 2013, when I was on my PRCA permit,” Lufkin said. “It’s your home circuit, so winning it is great. I got to go to the (RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo), which was in Guthrie (Okla.) that year. My whole family got to go.” The year-end and circuit finals average champions earn the right to compete at the RNCFR, which now takes place each April in Kissimmee, Fla. “I placed at a lot of the bigger rodeos, like Elk City (Okla.) and Dodge City (Kan.), which helped a lot,” he said. “I won a little bit of money at every circuit rodeo I went to, so that was big.” Now he hopes to limp to the year-end championship, but not without producing a bit of a bang in Duncan to prove his broken leg won’t slow him down much. “My goal is to go in there and compete,” Lufkin said. “Duncan has been a good spot for the circuit finals. It’s a good facility, and that arena is nice. We had out high school finals there, so it’s almost like competing at home.” It’s a four-hour drive from Sallisaw to Duncan, but that’s OK. Lufkin hopes for any advantage he can get.

DUNCAN, Okla. – For the past four months, Kylie Weast has traveled the country chasing her gold buckle dreams. She’s competed at rodeos in Arkansas and Washington and every state in between, following a family tradition that is three generations deep. As a barrel racer, she follows in the footsteps of her grandparents, Dale and Florence Youree, in showing great horses in the most profound way she can. Now she’s competing a little closer to her Comanche, Okla., home during the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. “I had never gone (on the rodeo trail) hard enough to qualify for the circuit finals before,” saidr Weast, who is the fourth member of her family to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “Obviously the circuit finals are held 20 minutes from my house. I regret not going more to qualify for them, because they are in my backyard.” She’s going now, celebrating another big milestone in a whirlwind year that has seen her earn nearly $100,000 rounding the cloverleaf barrel-racing pattern in rodeo, $23,262 in the Prairie Circuit. Now she will lead a pack of 12 ladies in the Oklahoma-Kansas-Nebraska region to the finale. In December, Weast will be part of that exclusive field at the NFR. “I needed that money from all those circuit rodeos to count for the world standings,” said Weast, who had earned $99,917 heading into the final week of the 2018 regular season, which concludes Sept. 30. “It worked out well. I’m excited to be competing in Duncan at the circuit finals. My family will get to come see me.” Her family knows the game well. Florence Youree qualified for the first NFR in 1959 and numerous subsequent championships. Weast’s mother, Renee Ward, earned an NFR bid in 1985, and older sister, Janae, was a three-time qualifier who won the world championship in 2003. Now they’ll be in attendance to see Weast run for the circuit championship. She leads the barrel racing standings and is $6,247 ahead of the No. 2 cowgirl, 2016 regional titlist Emily Miller of Weatherford, Okla. “The things I’m looking forward to is that the circuit finals pays so well, and I get to go home every night,” the Comanche cowgirl said. “I’ll also have my family and friends there, all those people that have been following me from this rural community will have a chance to see what it’s about and at a championship event. “The really cool thing is that if you win the year-end title or the average at the circuit finals, you get the chance to go to Florida. That’s a big plus. You get a chance to earn all that money that counts for next year. You also get a chance to take your family to Florida and have some fun while you are there.” The two champions from each circuit advance to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, which takes place each spring in Kissimmee, Fla., just a few miles from Walt Disney World. For now, though, her focus is on finishing the circuit season strong in her backyard.

The year-end awards in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association have expanded, adding the Timer of the Year honor to this year’s ballot. Also on the ballot for the first time is Photographer of the Year, an award that has been given annually for the past 19 years; it is now decided on a vote of the membership instead of by the PRCA communications department. Congratulations to all the nominees; being a finalist is a huge accomplishment.  ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR Andy Stewart Bob Tallman Mike Mathis Wayne Brooks Will Rasmussen DRESS ACT OF THE YEAR Bobby Kerr John Payne Haley Ganzel and Lindy Nealey Rider Kiesner Tomas Garcilazo CLOWN OF THE YEAR Cody Sosebee J.J. Harrison John Harrison Justin Rumford Keith Isley BULLFIGHTER OF THE YEAR Clay Heger Cody Emerson Cody Webster Dusty Tuckness Nathan Jestes COMEDY ACT OF THE YEAR Cody Sosebee Gizmo McCracken John Harrison Johnny Dudley Keith Isley MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Benje Bendele Chuck Lopeman Jill Franzen Loden Josh “Hambone” Hilton Mark Evans PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Dan Hubbell Greg Westfall James Phifer Matt Cohen Robby Freeman STOCK CONTRACTING FIRM OF THE YEAR Cervi Championship Rodeo Frontier Rodeo Pete Carr Pro Rodeo Powder River Rodeo Stace Smith Pro Rodeos SECRETARY OF THE YEAR Amanda Corley-Sanders Brenda Crowder Eva Chadwick Haley Bridwell Sandy Gwatney TIMER OF THE YEAR Allison France Amy Muller Jayme Pemberton Kim Sutton Shawna Ray SMALL RODEO OF THE YEAR Claremore, Okla. Clovis, N.M. Huntsville, Texas Monte Vista, Colo. Yuma, Colo. MEDIUM RODEO OF THE YEAR Amarillo, Texas Belle Fourche, S.D. Coleman, Texas Estes Park, Colo. Stephenville, Texas LARGE INDOOR RODEO OF THE YEAR Corpus Christi, Texas Denver, Colo. Fort Worth, Texas Rapid City, S.D. San Antonio, Texas LARGE OUTDOOR RODEO OF THE YEAR Cheyenne, Wyo. Deadwood, S.D. Dodge City, Kan. Ogden, Utah Pendleton, Ore. PICKUP MAN OF THE YEAR Chase Cervi Jason Bottoms Jeremy Willis Josh Edwards Shandon Stalls Shawn Calhoun Will O’Connell

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The cowboys have spoken: The Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo is one of the best in the country. For the fourth straight year, Stephenville’s rodeo has been nominated for Medium Rodeo of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Only five committees are up for the honor in each of four categories, so that means it is one of the top 20 out of about 700 rodeos annually. “I think we’re nominated again because of the committee we have together,” said Chad Decker, chairman of the volunteer committee that organizes the rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, and Saturday, Sept. 29, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Lone Star Arena. “We have such a strong competitive spirit about us. We’ve got all sorts of people on the committee, from businessmen to past world champions to people who just love rodeo. We strive to put on a rodeo that we would like to go to and something we would like to continue to put on our books. Our committee is fully committed to working 365 days a year and making it the best Cowboy Capital of the World Rodeo every year.” As one of the final rodeos of the 2018 regular season and having a large purse, Stephenville’s rodeo is an attractive stop for ProRodeo’s greatest stars as they try to secure their qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. But it’s also a hot spot because of the rodeo’s relationship with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, which has six nominations for Stock Contractor of the Year. “Last year, Ty Murray told me that, bar none, we had the rankest set of horses he’d seen in his life, much less on a Friday performance,” Decker said of Murray, a nine-time PRCA world champion and a ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee. “That’s why we have Pete Carr back year after year. We know what we do on our end to put on a rodeo is minimal to what he does every day. “Pete and his crew have the rest covered. The whole crew is such a pleasure to work with.” This weekend’s rodeo will also feature John Harrison, who will be the clown, barrelman and entertainer for all three performances of the Cowboy Capital of the World Rodeo. He has been named Coors Man in the can twice and is a three-time winner of the PRCA’s Comedy Act of the Year. “We’re looking forward to having John this year,” Decker said. “I have seen him at the NFR and at the awards ceremony, and he’s winning everything but the grandstands. I’ve seen him work a couple of times, but this is the first time he’s been at our rodeo. When you hear his name and know what’s about to happen, everybody stops what they’re doing and watches his act. It’s that good.” So is the production and the outstanding bucking stock that will be part of Stephenville’s rodeo. Carr has had more animals selected to perform at the NFR over the last five years than any other stock contractor in the PRCA. Many of those animals will be inside Lone Star Arena this coming weekend. “If you don’t have Pete Carr Pro Rodeo in your Rolodex to put on your show, you’re missing out,” Decker said.

BELLVILLE, Texas – The contestants who make the Austin County Fair and Rodeo part of their schedule recognize the hard work the volunteers put in to make it a successful event. The proof came last year when the barrel racers in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association recognized Bellville’s rodeo as one of the best in Texas. They named it one of the top four in the Justin Boots Best Footing Awards in the Texas Circuit. “It’s because that committee has worked really hard,” said Tammy Fischer, a six-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Ledbetter, Texas, who is closing in on her seventh trip to Las Vegas in December. “For years, the ground has been notoriously deep, but they reworked the arena and have made it so much better. “They went the extra mile to mix in some clay with the sand, and they drag the arena after every six runs. That helps us all have a chance to win money no matter when we run.” And that’s why the women who voted selected the Austin County Fair’s rodeo as the third best in the state. Bellville finished behind Stephenville and Fort Worth, both of which are indoor facilities and don’t have to deal with the elements as much. But the women of the WPRA took notice, and they made their votes count. Many will be in Bellville for the rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11-Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Austin County Fairgrounds. “Because they put forth such great effort to fix it, it was possible to place all the way across, whether you were in slack or whether you were running on Saturday night,” said Fischer, who placed in a tie for 10th a year ago. “There was a time that you usually had to be in Bellville on the last night to get a check. The more they worked the ground and watered the ground that week, the better the ground got. “It’s the same weekend as the All American Finals in Waco, so the majority of us need to be in slack. For them to work hard and fix it is so important.” It’s also vital to kick start the 2019 rodeo season. The existing regular season will end Sept. 30, so the new campaign begins in October. With Bellville being such an early-season event, the cowgirls want to get a fast start to set up their winter run of rodeos. “It’s the beginning of the year, and everybody wants to get that early money,” she said. “You want to have a chance to be in the top three or four so you can get into San Antonio and Houston. There’s just not that many rodeos that count for the world standings, and we will enter those big winter rodeos in January, so we need every opportunity we can get.” That’s the main reason why the ladies honored the volunteers who are part of the Bellville rodeo experience. “They care,” Fischer said. “They don’t care just about barrel racing; they care about every event. Now we run from the other end of the arena, and the men’s timed events are from that end, too. It’s about making it better for everybody. You wish every committee was like that.”