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HEMPSTEAD, Texas ŌĆō The last time Buck Lunak competed at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, things didnŌĆÖt go so well.
ŌĆ£I came here two years ago, and they threw me off,ŌĆØ said Lunak, a bareback rider from Cut Bank, Mont. ŌĆ£IŌĆÖm glad to come back and do good. It means a lot. ItŌĆÖll help me get my qualifications up for this year, so IŌĆÖll be able to go to some bigger winter rodeos and get my shot to end up in the top 15.ŌĆØ
He posted an 84-point ride on Pete Carr Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Outa Sight on Saturday night to win the title and $1,951. That should be the perfect kick-start to the new season, which began Oct. 1 in Hempstead.
HeŌĆÖll have a solid calendar year to maintain his spot among the very best in order to qualify for 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sportŌĆÖs grand finale that features only the top 15 contestants from each regular season. It would be a first for the eight-year pro from the Blackfeet Nation.
ŌĆ£I went out a little bit last year, but I was hurt for about four years in a row,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£IŌĆÖm a Native American and a cowboy, and if I can make a living off a horse, then thatŌĆÖs the greatest thing in the world. I love bareback riding. ItŌĆÖs wild and control; itŌĆÖs everything. If you can make a job out if, thatŌĆÖs what I want to do. I want to do this great.ŌĆØ
He was pretty great on the final night of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, and so was his dance partner, Outa Sight, which has been selected to buck at the NFR four times.
ŌĆ£I know that everybody here wanted that horse, so I was pretty happy to have her by my name,ŌĆØ Lunak said. ŌĆ£I just knew it was supposed to be good to ride. SheŌĆÖs bred out big and has the looks you want, so I was pretty excited.
ŌĆ£ThatŌĆÖs the type of horse you want to get on. SheŌĆÖs big and showy. SheŌĆÖs got the reputation, so all youŌĆÖve got to do is show up and do your job.ŌĆØ
It worked out just fine for Lunak.
Waller County Fair and Rodeo
Oct. 1-3
Hempstead, Texas
Bareback riding: 1. Buck Lunak, 84 points on Pete Carr Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Outa Sight, $1,951; 2. Bill Tutor, 83.5, $1,496; 3. Winn Ratliff, 82.5, $1,105; 4. Jake Brown, 81, $716; 5. (tie) Matt Bright, Evan Jayne and Heath Ford, 80, $347 each; 8. Richmond Champion, 78, $195.
Steer wrestling: 1. Stan Branco, 4.1 seconds, $2,011; 2. Cody Doescher, 4.2, $1,748; 3. Ryan Bothum, 4.3, $1,486; 4. Logan Glendhill, 4.4, $1,224; 5. (tie) Josh Clark and Tyler Gibson, 4.5, $830 each; 7. Clayton Hass, 5.0, $437; 8. Wade Steffen, 5.1, $175.
Team roping: 1. Wes Kent/Scott Webster, 4.3 seconds, $3,204 each; 2. Rowdy Riekan/Justin Price, 4.5, $2,866; 3. Will Clark/Kolby Miller, 4.7, $2,529; 4. Shane Philipp/John Philipp, 4.8, $2,192; 5. Luke Brown/Martin Lucero, 4.9, $1,855; 6. Cord Crowell/Trey Carter III and Kelsey Parchman/Matt Kasner, 5.2, $1,349 each; 8. Tyler Wade/Kinney Harrell, 5.3, $843; 8. (tie) Tee Luttrell/Clay Sieber, Logan Olson/Jordan Olson and Jake Orman/James Arnold, 5.4, $225 each.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Nick LaDuke, on Pete Carr Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Ginger Snap, and Bradley Harter, on Pete Carr Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Fiesta Savy, 79 points, $1,823 each; 3. Sam Spreadborough, 77, $1,170; 4. (tie) Justin Caylor, Jacobs Crawley and Sterling Crawley, 76, $528 each; 7. (tie) Isaac Diaz, Alex Wright and CoBurn Bradshaw, 73, $161 each.
Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 8.0 seconds, $2,248; 2. Houston Hutto, 8.2, $1,955; 3. (tie) Dennis Luetge and Cimarron Boardman, 9.0, $1,515 each; 5. Robert Mathis, 9.2, $1,075; 6. Josh Eirikson, 9.7, $782; 7. (tie) Ace Slone, Bradley Bynum and Clint Singleton, 10.0, $228 each.
Barrel racing leaders: 1. Benette Little, 14.90 seconds, $2,666; 2. Jackie Jatzlau, 14.93, $2,266; 3. Mary Burger, 15.05, $1,866; 4. Andrea Cline, 15.09, $1,600; 5. Kelly Bruner, 15.12, $1,333; 6. Jaime Hinton, 15.14, $933; 7. Kelly Clifton, 15.21, $666; 8. Ahnna Peterson, 15.22, $533; 9. Martha Wright, 15.23, $467; 10. Raylene Cox, 15.31, $400; 11. Jenna Beaver, 15.33, $333; 12. Janet Staton, 15.35, $267.
Steer roping: First round: 1. (tie) Vin Fisher Jr., and Trey Sheets, 9.9 seconds, $897 each; 3. Scott Snedecor, 10.0, $643; 4. Ralph Williams, 10.6, $474; 5. Chet Herren, 11.0, $305; 6. Leo Campbell, 11.2, $169. Second round: 1. Lawson Plemons, 9.9 seconds, $981; 2. Tony Reina, 10.4, $812; 3. Guy Allen, 10.6, $643; 4. Corey Ross, 10.7, $474; 5. Coy Thompson, 11.3, $305; 6. J. Tom Fisher, 11.4, $169. Third round: 1. Roger Branch, 9.8 seconds, $981; 2. JB Whatley, 10.1, $812; 3. J. Tom Fisher, 10.2, $643; 4. Brian Garr, 10.4, $474; 5. C.A. Lauer, 10.6, $305; 6. Dan Fisher, 11.0, $169. Average: 1. Scott Snedecor, 33.8 seconds on three head, $1,472; 2. Trey Sheets, 35.2, $1,218; 3. Cody Lee, 36.4, $964; 4. Chet Herren, 38.2, $711; 5. John Bland, 39.0, $457; 6. Tony Reina, 39.1, $254.
Bull riding: 1. Jeffrey Joseph Ramagos, 85 points on Pete Carr Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Red One, $2,200; 2. Tim Bingham, 83.5, $1,686; 3. Eli Vastbinder, 81, $1,246; 4. (tie) Troy Garcia, 79.5, $807; 5. (tie) Ardie Maier, Bayle Worden and Dustin Boquet, 79, $391 each; 8. (tie) Lucas Guilbeau and Reagan Avery, 71, $110 each.
HEMPSTEAD, Texas ŌĆō ThereŌĆÖs only one thing better than competing together for saddle bronc riding brothers Jacobs and Sterling Crawling: Winning together.
ŌĆ£ItŌĆÖs great that we both ride broncs because we have two chances, and the rest just have one,ŌĆØ said Sterling Crawley, a two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Stephenville, Texas.
The two cowboys moved toward the top of the leaderboard on Friday night during the second performance of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo. Sterling rode Pete CarrŌĆÖs Northern Spy, while Jacobs matched moves with CarrŌĆÖs Disco, both scoring 76 points to move into a three-way tie for second place with Justin Caylor of Sulphur Springs, Texas.
ŌĆ£I want the best for him and to have success,ŌĆØ Jacobs Crawley said of his younger brother. ŌĆ£Anytime we can split like that, I like seeing him win. I just want to catch him.ŌĆØ
Jacobs Crawley is a five-time NFR qualifier now living in Burney, Texas. He won the coveted average championship at ProRodeoŌĆÖs grand finale in 2013 and has proven to be one of the elite bronc riders in the game for several years.
Both Crawleys have seen past success at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead, which is a big reason why they return every October. But there are other reasons.
ŌĆ£I love this rodeo,ŌĆØ Sterling said. ŌĆ£IŌĆÖve watched it improve every year, and the way youŌĆÖre treated here is phenomenal.ŌĆØ
For men who make a living on the rodeo trail, being able to compete close to home is big.
ŌĆ£Hempstead is a great rodeo and a Texas rodeo,ŌĆØ Jacobs said. ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖre from Texas, so itŌĆÖs good for our circuit, plus PeteŌĆÖs got good horses for us to get on. They have great crowds, and they love the rodeo here.
ŌĆ£I also love this rodeo because weŌĆÖve just come off some of the highest pressure rodeos at the end of the year. This is nice because itŌĆÖs a new season; itŌĆÖs a new page. WeŌĆÖre all starting from scratch, and there are a lot of rodeos to be had. You get to enjoy bronc riding in the most organic form.ŌĆØ
Of course, doing well at a big-money rodeo to kick start the 2016 season is important, too.
ŌĆ£It means a whole bunch, because things have been rough this year after I came back from my groin injury,ŌĆØ Sterling said. ŌĆ£ItŌĆÖs nice to come to the first rodeo of the year and do good.ŌĆØ
Waller County Fair and Rodeo
Oct. 1-3
Hempstead, Texas
Bareback riding: 1. Winn Ratliff, 82.5 points on Pete CarrŌĆÖs Classic Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Touched By An Angel; 2. Jake Brown, 81; 3. (tie) Matt Bright and Evan Jayne, 80; 5. Richmond Champion, 78.5; 6. Scotty NeSmith, 78; 7. Kody Lamb, 77.5; 8. David Clapp, 76.
Steer wrestling: 1. Stan Branco, 4.1 seconds; 2. Cody Doescher, 4.2; 3. Ryan Bothum, 4.3; 4. Logan Glendhill, 4.4; 5. (tie) Josh Clark and Tyler Gibson, 4.5; 7. Clayton Hass, 5.0; 8. Wade Steffen, 5.1.
Team roping: 1. Wes Kent/Scott Webster, 4.3 seconds; 2. Will Clark/Kolby Miller, 4.7; 3. Shane Philipp/John Philipp, 4.8; 4. Luke Brown/Martin Lucero, 4.9; 5. Cord Crowell/Trey Carter III, 5.2; 6. Tyler Wade/Kinney Harrell, 5.3; 7. (tie) Tee Luttrell/Clay Sieber and Jake Orman/James Arnold, 5.4; 9. Clayton Hass/Cody Doescher, 5.5; 10. Tyler Waters/Steve Northcott, 5.6.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sam Spreadborough, 77 points on Pete CarrŌĆÖs Classic Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Sky Bow; 2. (tie) Justin Caylor, Jacobs Crawley and Sterling Crawley, 76; 5. (tie) Isaac Diaz, Alex Wright and CoBurn Bradshaw, 73; 8. (tie) Kobyn Williams and Joe Harper, 70.
Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 8.0 seconds; 2. Houston Hutto, 8.2; 3. Cimarron Boardman, 9.0; 4. Josh Eirikson, 9.7; 5. (tie) Ace Slone, Bradley Bynum and Clint Singleton, 10.0; 8. Cooper Raley, 11.7.
Barrel racing leaders: 1. Benette Little, 14.90 seconds; 2. Jackie Jatzlau, 14.93; 3. Mary Burger, 15.05; 4. Andrea Cline, 15.09; 5. Kelly Bruner, 15.12; 6. Jaime Hinton, 15.14; 7. Kelly Clifton, 15.21; 8. Ahnna Peterson, 15.22; 9. Martha Wright, 15.23; 10. Jenna Beaver, 15.33; 11. Janet Staton, 15.35; 12. Holly Fenoglio, 15.37.
Bull riding: 1. Jeffrey Joseph Ramagos, 85 points on Pete Carr Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Red One; 2. Tim Bingham, 83.5; 3. Eli Vastbinder, 81; 4. Troy Garcia, 79.5; 5. (tie) Ardie Maier and Dustin Boquet, 79; 7. (tie) Lucas Guilbeau and Reagan Avery, 71.
HEMPSTEAD, Texas ŌĆō Stan Branco makes no bones about his 2015 ProRodeo season.
ŌĆ£I just wasnŌĆÖt bulldogging good enough,ŌĆØ said Branco, a 29-year-old steer wrestler from Chowchilla, Calif.
He kicked off his 2016 season on the right foot Thursday night with a 4.1-second run to take the early lead at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo in Hempstead.
ŌĆ£I rodeoed most of ŌĆÖ15 and came home early,ŌĆØ he said. I wasnŌĆÖt winning like I needed to. If I start off winning now, itŌĆÖll hopefully start the year off right and I wonŌĆÖt be home in December next year.ŌĆØ
Each regular season runs Oct. 1-Sept. 30, and only the top 15 on the money list in each event advance to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December. ItŌĆÖs not only the cream of the crop in the sport, but it also features the biggest purse in rodeo.
ŌĆ£ThatŌĆÖs where you make money,ŌĆØ said Branco, who earned a spot among the elite steer wrestlers at the NFR in 2013 and finished the season ninth in the final world standings. ŌĆ£It took a lot of money to make it to the NFR this year. The money is really spread out, and a lot of guys can dang sure bulldog.ŌĆØ
In fact, steer wrestling might be one of the toughest events in which to qualify for the finale, so getting an early start is key. Of course, competing in top form is also a must in the discipline, where proper technique often is matched with powerful men.
ŌĆ£Bulldogging used to be the place to get the aggression out,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£IŌĆÖm trying to get some of that back. I roped calves and team roped my whole life, and bulldogging is something more like football.ŌĆØ
Standing 6-foot-4, Branco weighs in at 260 pounds, and he looks like he could easily fit into an NFL lineup.
ŌĆ£The biggest thing for me before was the fight of it,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£I need to get some of that back.ŌĆØ
It seems as though heŌĆÖs well on his way.
Waller County Fair and Rodeo
Oct. 1-3
Hempstead, Texas
Bareback riding: 1. Winn Ratliff, 82.5 points on Pete CarrŌĆÖs Classic Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Touched By An Angel; 2. Matt Bright, 80; 3. Richmond Champion, 78.5; 4. Scotty NeSmith, 78; 5. Kody Lamb, 77.5; 6. Anthony Thomas, 74.
Steer wrestling: 1. Stan Branco, 4.1 seconds; 2. Cody Doescher, 4.2; 3. Logan Glendhill, 4.4; 4. Clayton Hass, 5.0; 5. Wade Steffen, 5.1; 6. Shayde Tree Etherton, 5.5; 7. Wyatt Carney, 6.3; 8. Daryl Joe Elliott, 7.0.
Team roping: 1. Cord Crowell/Trey Carter III, 5.2 seconds; 2. Clayton Hass/Cody Doescher, 5.5; 3. Tyler Waters/Steve Northcott, 5.6; no other qualified times.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sam Spreadborough, 77 points on Pete CarrŌĆÖs Classic Pro RodeoŌĆÖs Sky Bow; 2. (tie) Isaac Diaz, Alex Wright and CoBurn Bradshaw, 73; no other qualified rides.
Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Ace Slone, 10.0 seconds; 2. Trent Walls, 16.0; 3. Riley Lambert, 26.4; no other qualified times.
Barrel racing leaders: 1. Brittany Grant, 15.40 seconds; 2. Tiffani Sonnier, 15.44; 3. Shelby Garcia, 15.68; 4. Jennifer Epps, 15.71; 5. Jill Tanner, 15.74; 6. Susan Liggitt, 15.88; 7. Lauren Davang, 20.63; 8. Sydni Blanchard, 21.21; 9. Sherrylynn Johnson, 22.24.
Bull riding: 1. Tim Bingham, 83.5 points on Lancaster & Pickett RodeoŌĆÖs Cash Daddy; 2. Ardie Maier, 79; no other qualified rides.
DUNCAN, Okla. ŌĆō Robbie Hodges takes his job seriously, even though itŌĆÖs a bit of an oxymoron for a rodeo clown.
ŌĆ£I love to look up and see the contestants watching my acts,ŌĆØ said Hodges, who will be funnyman/barrelman during the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15-Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan.
ŌĆ£I love for them guys to like what IŌĆÖm doing. ThatŌĆÖs my meter of what I judge my performance by, the guys that go to 120 rodeos a year. I try to bring something different. Every performance to me is different. My (attention deficit disorder) is so bad that I couldnŌĆÖt handle it if I did it any other way or if I tried to go by a certain script every time.ŌĆØ
When rodeo regulars like HodgesŌĆÖ work, then thereŌĆÖs a good indication the crowd will, too. ThatŌĆÖs the main reason the Georgia man has long been considered one of the very best entertainers in ProRodeo. HeŌĆÖs been nominated as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys AssociationŌĆÖs clown of the year, entertainer of the year and the Coors Man in the Can, which recognizes the best barrelmen in the business.
ŌĆ£I love to work the barrel,ŌĆØ said Hodges, who was selected as the barrelman for the 2010 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. ŌĆ£ThatŌĆÖs the most important aspect of being a barrelman, not necessarily the comedy but being there to help protect the bull riders and the bullfighters. If youŌĆÖre going to be a barrelman, go get those guys. ThatŌĆÖs been my reputation.ŌĆØ
ItŌĆÖs one that was forged in rodeos in the Southeastern United States, where Hodges got his start in the late 1990s. His strong Georgia accent is an avenue of pride, but so is the work he does inside the arena.
ŌĆ£I worked a lot of (Florida) rodeos in Okeechobee and Kissimmee, and that was a very mean place to learn,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£When you leave there, youŌĆÖd better be ready. Them bulls will just keep coming at you.ŌĆØ
But being inside the specialized barrel isnŌĆÖt the only thing Hodges has done in rodeo. In fact, he rode bareback horses for 16 years before he started wearing greasepaint and making crowds laugh at his antics.
ŌĆ£I was always the guy who played tricks on everybody around me, doing things to make everybody else laugh,ŌĆØ Hodges said. ŌĆ£Everybody told me I needed to do it.
ŌĆ£I called a local stock contractor in Georgia about working some rodeos. The next thing I know I was doing five rodeos, then the next year, 20. IŌĆÖm very lucky.ŌĆØ
He also is very talented, and a key ingredient in his work is how he interacts with the crowd.
ŌĆ£I tried to back off a lot of the traditional stuff,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£A lot of my stuff is audience participation.ŌĆØ
That aspect of his performance allows Hodges to showcase a natural talent of being funny in a momentŌĆÖs notice. Through observances and being keenly aware of whatŌĆÖs going on during each performance, he not only celebrates rodeo, he helps engage fans into the game with his humor.
ItŌĆÖs a trait heŌĆÖs held tightly since a youngster. In addition to sharing his life with the crowd while in the arena, he also realizes he can provide a special gift with individualized attention.
ŌĆ£What would it have been like if you were a kid and one of the great sports heroes came up and talked to you at the game?ŌĆØ he asked. ŌĆ£I try to do that. I want at least one person to come up and say, ŌĆśHey, that guy came up and talked to me.ŌĆÖ
ŌĆ£When IŌĆÖm in the arena, I am larger than life. IŌĆÖm the attention. I love to take that and give that back to someone. When I was a kid in about the fourth or fifth grade, I was bullied pretty bad. I try to pick out a kid and sit with them. I always think that it wouldŌĆÖve been great if that had happened to me when I was a kid, so I want to give that to someone.ŌĆØ
ThatŌĆÖs a fascinating part about how Hodges goes about his business. He understands his role as part of the rodeo production, and he wants to add to it. He wants fans to be part of the rodeo experience and to go home after each of the three performances in Duncan knowing they enjoyed the show.
Rodeo is a unique mix of family-friendly entertainment and world-class competition. Hodges has lived both sides of it, and he sees each show through the audienceŌĆÖs eyes. He also knows how special it is to work the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo.
ŌĆ£That is the Prairie Circuit, and those are real cowboys out there,ŌĆØ he said, recognizing the fact that a number of qualifiers for the finale also are NFR regulars. ŌĆ£You get to work with the best, and thatŌĆÖs always great.ŌĆØ
HEMPSTEAD, Texas ŌĆō Timber Moore likes competing in The Eliminator at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo.
On Tuesday night, the four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Aubrey, Texas, put the wraps on his second straight title in the unique competition that featured eight NFR qualifiers owning 13 world championships.
ŌĆ£There are a lot of guys that rope great that were here,ŌĆØ said Moore, who earned $5,000 for the victory. ŌĆ£I swapped horses and was riding my good horse in the second half, and he was making stuff happen. I drew good, and luckily it all worked out in my favor.ŌĆØ
The event featured three world champs: Fred Whitfield, who has seven gold buckles, Cody Ohl (6) and Shane Hanchey (1). Hanchey and Moore return to the NFR this December, as do the other four cowboys in the mix: Marty Yates, Caleb Smidt, Hunter Herrin and Cory Solomon.
All eight competed in the first round, with the bottom two times being eliminated. Over the remaining rounds, the slowest individual times were dropped, which is the key to The EliminatorŌĆÖs format. It was a great precursor for the fairŌĆÖs rodeo, which is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday in the same arena at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead.
As the competition unfolded, it became a race in the final round between Moore and Ohl, who owns a record 52 NFR wins on his impressive resume. Ohl roped first and put together a blazing time of 7.4 seconds.
ŌĆ£Knowing how fast youŌĆÖve got to be sure makes it a lot easier,ŌĆØ said Moore, who followed with a 6.9-second run, the fastest time in the two years of the competition. ŌĆ£Knowing I had to go fast, I just had to take some chances.ŌĆØ
With ProRodeoŌĆÖs grand championship still two months away, The Eliminator allowed the cowboys the opportunity to make pressure-packed runs. Now theyŌĆÖll spend the remaining weeks fine-tuning their talents to compete for the biggest purse in the sport.
ŌĆ£ItŌĆÖs a fast start, and you have to tie them fast,ŌĆØ Moore said of The Eliminator. ŌĆ£It kind of prepares me, but weŌĆÖre still so far off that IŌĆÖve still got more preparing to do before I get there.ŌĆØ
HEMPSTEAD, Texas ŌĆō Matt Shiozawa is heading to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the eighth time in his career, but an injury over the weekend will sideline the Chubbock, Idaho, cowboy for TuesdayŌĆÖs Eliminator at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo in Hempstead.
Shiozawa suffered an ankle injury on the final weekend of the 2015 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association regular season. Since his priority is to be ready for the NFR in December, he is unable to compete in Waller County.
The Eliminator is to feature eight of the top tie-down ropers in the game all competing in knockout rounds in Hempstead. All eight will compete in the opening round, with the bottom two times eliminated from the competition. Every subsequent round will feature the slowest single time eliminated.
ShiozawaŌĆÖs replacement will be Cody Ohl, a seven-time world champion from Hico, Texas, who has 20 NFR qualifications under his belt. He will be joined by eight-time champ Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas.
They will be matched against six other cowboys that are heading to the 2015 NFR, including 2013 world champion Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, La.; Cory Solomon of Prairie View, Texas; Hunter Herrin of Apache, Okla.; Marty Yates of Stephenville, Texas; Caleb Smidt of Bellville, Texas; and defending champion Timber Moore of Aubrey, Texas.
The action begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. ŌĆō Every year keeps getting better for bareback rider Casey Breuer.
Now in his third year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the 23-year-old cowboy finished his 2015 season among the top 25 in the world standings. More importantly, he closed out his campaign on a high note by winning the American Royal PRCA Rodeo.
ŌĆ£This year was a lot of ups and downs,ŌĆØ said Breuer, of Mandan, N.D. ŌĆ£It started out really slow, then it picked up. From June through August, I went on a pretty good stretch where I was pulling checks and rodeo was fun. The last three or four weeks, itŌĆÖs been tough.ŌĆØ
It got much better Saturday night. Riding Frontier RodeoŌĆÖs Cross Fire during the final performance of this yearŌĆÖs championship, Breuer and the strong sorrel danced across the Hale Arena dirt for 85 points. For that, he pocketed $1,839.
ŌĆ£It feels good to finish with a win for the year to build some momentum for next year,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£With this sport, you have to be consistent all year if you want to be on top. You donŌĆÖt want to waste any opportunities.ŌĆØ
ThatŌĆÖs important, especially for a man who is about to add to his family in a little more than a month. On Oct. 30, Breuer will marry his high-school sweetheart, Brooke, in Mandan. Once the nuptials are complete, heŌĆÖll go back to work making a living on the rodeo trail.
Still young in the game, he is taking the lessons learned while traveling with three friends, all of whom can now lay claim to being qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sportŌĆÖs year-end championship that features only the top 15 contestants in each event: brother Ty Breuer, who went to Vegas in 2013; Joe Gunderson, who qualified in 2010; and Tanner Aus, a 2015 finalist.
ŌĆ£Ty and Tanner started traveling together when they started,ŌĆØ Casey Breuer said. ŌĆ£I was lucky enough to jump in with them and Joe.
ŌĆ£Joe got hurt earlier this year, and Tanner ended up making it. Me and Ty got close, but close doesnŌĆÖt count much in this sport.ŌĆØ
No, it doesnŌĆÖt, but finishing among the sportŌĆÖs elite allows Breuer a fresh start on the 2016 season. With a new bride thatŌĆÖs part of his life, thereŌĆÖs little wonder why heŌĆÖs so excited for new beginnings.
American Royal Rodeo
Sept. 25-26
Kansas City, Mo.
Bareback riding: 1. Casey Breuer, 85 points on Frontier RodeoŌĆÖs Cross Fire, $1,839; 2. (tie) Kyle Brennecke and Devan Reilly, 81, $1,226 each; 4. George Gillespie, 80, $674; 4. Clint Cannon, 79, $429; 6. (tie) Ethan Assman and Will Lowe, 78, $276 each; 7. (tie) Luke Creasy and Mason Clements, 76, $92 each.
Steer wrestling leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.2 seconds, $2,400; 2. (tie) Ryan Bothum, and J.D. Struxness, 4.0, $1,930 each; 4. Casey Martin, 4.1, $1,461; 5. Ryan Swayze, 4.2, $1,147; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3, $835; 7. (tie) Jule Hazen, Josh Clark and Jacob Edler, 4.5, $243 each.
Team roping leaders: 1. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 3.6 seconds, $2,992; 2. Luke Brown/Kollin VohAnh, 4.1, $2,677; 3. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, Miles Baker/Dustin Serarcy and Joe Bach/Jim Ross Cooper, 4.2, $2 ,047 each; 6. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 4.5, $1,417; 7. (tie) Jeremy Hemmann/Jeff Brown, and Ryan Von Ahn/J.W. Beck, 4.6, $,945 each; 9. (tie) Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves and Jake Barnes/Junior Nogueira, 5.1, $157 each.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Chad Ferley, 85 points on Dakota RodeoŌĆÖs Groovy, $2,109; 2. Bradley Harter, 84, $1,617; 3. David Martin, 83, $1,195; 4. (tie) Taos Muncy and Hardy Braden, 82, $633; 4. Dalton Davis, 81, $352; 7. (tie) Chuck Schmidt and Jesse James Kirby, 79, $246.
Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 7.9 seconds, $2,140; 2. Caleb Smidt, 8.0, $$1,861; 3. Dillon Holder, 8.3, $1,582; 4. Ryan Jarrett, 8.4, $1,303; 5. Tuf Cooper, 8.5, $1,023; 6. (tie) Monty Lewis and Clay Brown, 9.0, $605; 8. Cody Quaney, 92, $186.
Barrel racing leaders: 1. Kimmie Wall, 14.30 seconds, $2,107; 2. Vickie Carter, 14.34, $1,791; 3. Deb Guelly, 14.48, $1,475; 4. Carmel Wright, 14.53, $1,264; 5. Jeanne Anderson, 14.55, $1,054; 6. Layna Kight, 14.56, $738; 7. Laura Kennedy, 14.63, $567; 8. Calyssa Thomas, 14.66, $422; 9. Marne Loosenort, 14.67, $290; 10. (tie) Trula Churchill and Sherry Cervi, 14.68, $290 each; 12. Ashley Bauer, 14.69, $211.
Bull riding: 1. Corey Atwell, 88 points on Frontier RodeoŌĆÖs Big Money, $2,096; 2. Dallee Mason, 85, $1,607; 3. Trevor Reiste, 81, $1,188; 4. John Young, 79, $768; 5. Kody DeShon, 76, $489; no other qualified rides.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. ŌĆō Saturday afternoonŌĆÖs performance of the American Royal PRCA Rodeo was Chad FerleyŌĆÖs last shot at making the 2015 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
ŌĆ£I had to come here and do good to have a legit shot to stay in the top 15,ŌĆØ said Ferley, a two-time world champion from Oelrichs, S.D.
The pressure didnŌĆÖt seem to bother the veteran saddle bronc rider. He matched moves with Dakota RodeoŌĆÖs Groovy for 85 points to take the lead at the American Royal. He is virtually guaranteed a solid payday in Kansas City, but he will have to wait out SaturdayŌĆÖs evening performance to know for sure where he will finish the rodeo.
ŌĆ£It worked out, and itŌĆÖll be up to the other guys this weekend; this is my last rodeo this year,ŌĆØ he said.
Ferley entered the week No. 15 in the world standings with $58,490. Only the top 15 in the world standings advance to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the year-end championship that takes place in December in Las Vegas.
Heading into Saturday nightŌĆÖs final performance, though, Ferley had already dropped to 16th, when Tyrel Larsen of Ingles, Manatoba, earned enough money in Omaha, Neb., on Thursday to move past Ferley by $700.
The saddle bronc riding champion at the American Royal can win up to $2,300, depending on the final breakdown on the purse. While Ferley is done for the 2015 regular season, Larsen is scheduled to compete in Omaha (for the second time this week) on Saturday night and in Apache, Okla., on Sunday. There still are others in the mix to make a move, including 2012 world champion Jesse Wright of Milford, Utah.
With the biggest pay in the game in Las Vegas in a couple of months, itŌĆÖs important to full-time cowboys to earn a spot in the top 15. What would that mean to Ferley?
ŌĆ£It kind of sucks to finish right there out of it,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£Honestly it would be my own fault. I didnŌĆÖt go to very many rodeos this year. I rodeoed pretty easy and just had fun.ŌĆØ
There were a lot of reasons for the 35-year-old cowboy to stay back in South Dakota much of this year. He and his wife, Jessica, have two daughters, ages 4 and 10 months.
ŌĆ£I rodeoed a little harder this fall because I was in a position where I needed to,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£I stayed home more and spent a little more time with my family.ŌĆØ
Ferley and his wife have been married since 2007 but waited to have children because of the life he lives on the rodeo trail.
ŌĆ£I went out and rodeoed hard for quite a few years and waited to have kids,ŌĆØ Ferley said. ŌĆ£I wanted to try to be home more when I had kids. Now IŌĆÖm slowing down just a little bit because of that.ŌĆØ
Still, riding broncs as one of the best cowboys in the game is how he puts food on the table and how he pays his electricity bill. He needs to be on the road to make sure those things are accomplished. ThereŌĆÖs no place to do it better than at the NFR.
ŌĆ£ThatŌĆÖs the kicker in the deal,ŌĆØ he said, noting that the payout in Vegas is at an all-time high starting this December. ŌĆ£It pays so much better now, not that it didnŌĆÖt pay great before. ItŌĆÖs twice as good now. You can make up that money pretty fast in one round.
ŌĆ£You can go in 15th in the world standings and have a really good shot at winning the world title now. You can win almost twice as much money at the finals as you can rodeoing all year.ŌĆØ
ThatŌĆÖs why heŌĆÖs in a solid position to return to Vegas for the ninth time in his championship career. ThatŌĆÖs why he made his trip to Kansas City on Saturday count.
American Royal Rodeo
Sept. 25-26
Kansas City, Mo.
Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Kyle Brennecke, on Frontier RodeoŌĆÖs Miss Garrett, and Devan Reilly, on Frontier RodeoŌĆÖs Lizzard Medicine, 81 points; 3. George Gillespie, 80; 4. Clint Cannon, 79; 5. (tie) Ethan Assman and Will Lowe, 78; 7. (tie) Luke Creasy and Mason Clements, 76.
Steer wrestling leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Ryan Bothum, and J.D. Struxness, 4.0 each; 4. Casey Martin, 4.1; 5. Ryan Swayze, 4.2; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3; 7. (tie) Jule Hazen, Josh Clark and Jacob Edler, 4.5.
Team roping leaders: 1. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 3.6 seconds; 2. Luke Brown/Kollin VohAnh, 4.1; 3. Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, 4.2; 4. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 4.5; 5. (tie) Jeremy Hemmann/Jeff Brown, and Ryan Von Ahn/J.W. Beck, 4.6 each; 7. (tie) Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves and Jake Barnes/Junior Nogueira, 5.1.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Chad Ferley, 85 points on Dakota RodeoŌĆÖs Groovy; 2. Bradley Harter, 84; 3. Taos Muncy, 82; 4. Dalton Davis, 81; 5. Chuck Schmidt, 79; 6. Doug Aldridge, 78; 7. Tyrel Larsen, 75; 8. Evan Hecht, 73.
Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 7.9 seconds; 2. Caleb Smidt, 8.0; 3. Dillon Holder, 8.3; 4. Ryan Jarrett, 8.4; 5. Tuf Cooper, 8.5; 6. Monty Lewis, 9.0; 7. Kadin Boardman, 9.3; 8. Cade Swor, 9.6.
Barrel racing leaders: 1. Kimmie Wall, 14.30 seconds; 2. Vickie Carter, 14.34; 3. Deb Guelly, 14.48; 4. Carmel Wright, 14.53; 5. Jeanne Anderson, 14.55; 6. Layna Kight, 14.56; 7. Laura Kennedy, 14.63; 8. Calyssa Thomas, 14.66; 9. Marne Loosenort, 14.67; 10. (tie) Trula Churchill and Sherry Cervi, 14.68.
Bull riding: 1. Corey Atwell, 88 points on Frontier RodeoŌĆÖs Big Money; 2. Dallee Mason, 85; 3. Trevor Reiste, 81; 4. John Young, 79; 5. Kody DeShon, 76; no other qualified rides.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. ŌĆō Timber Moore didnŌĆÖt have much to stress about when he arrived at the American Royal PRCA Rodeo on Friday night.
HeŌĆÖs won more than $105,000 during the 2015 ProRodeo season and sits second in the world standings. HeŌĆÖs assured himself of a fourth trip to Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as the No. 2 tie-down roper on the money list.
None of that stopped him from trying to win in Kansas City. The 29-year-old cowboy roped and tied his calf in 7.9 seconds to take the early lead at the American Royal with two more performances remaining ŌĆō at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Hale Arena inside the American Royal complex.
ŌĆ£IŌĆÖve already placed in Omaha, and now IŌĆÖm winning Kansas City; it feels great to finish the year strong,ŌĆØ said Moore of Aubrey, Texas. ŌĆ£Hopefully things will keep going this way and try to win the world this year. Maybe weŌĆÖll keep picking away at them during the finals if things go my way.ŌĆØ
The NFR is rodeoŌĆÖs super bowl and features just the top 15 contestants in each event in the year-end championship. This yearŌĆÖs finale features an unprecedented purse, with go-round winners earning more than $26,000 each for 10 straight nights.
Making the NFR is imperative for rodeoŌĆÖs stars that make their living in the game they love. Yes, he made a good living this year, but traveling expenses covered a big portion of that money. There are no guarantees in rodeo; cowboys and cowgirls not only cover their own expenses, but they also must pay fees in order to compete.
ŌĆ£My yearŌĆÖs been great, but I owe it all to Colonel,ŌĆØ Moore said of his horse, an 11-year-old sorrel gelding. ŌĆ£He got a little sore during the summer, but heŌĆÖs been great all year. Without him, it wouldnŌĆÖt be possible.ŌĆØ
Moore competed Thursday in Omaha during the River City Rodeo, then made the short commute to the West Bottoms on Friday. He returns to Omaha on Saturday for another PRCA event, ending his season after traveling to 71 rodeos all across the country. Having a solid mount is key to any cowboyŌĆÖs success.
ŌĆ£HeŌĆÖs got a good mindset,ŌĆØ he said of Colonel. ŌĆ£HeŌĆÖs a little smaller, more compact. HeŌĆÖs real quick footed and wants to stop fast and be quick. He makes things happen. Anymore the calf roping is so tough youŌĆÖve got to cut time off where you can, and he allows you to do it.ŌĆØ
American Royal Rodeo
Sept. 25-26
Kansas City, Mo.
Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Kyle Brennecke, on Frontier RodeoŌĆÖs Miss Garrett, and Devan Reilly, on Frontier RodeoŌĆÖs Lizzard Medicine, 81 points; 3. George Gillespie, 80; 4. Ethan Assman, 78; 5. (tie) Luke Creasy and Mason Clements, 76; 7. Tim OŌĆÖConnell, 75.
Steer wrestling leaders: 1. Clayton Hass, 3.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Ryan Bothum, and J.D. Struxness, 4.0 each; 4. Casey Martin, 4.1; 5. Ryan Swayze, 4.2; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3; 7. (tie) Jule Hazen, Josh Clark and Jacob Edler, 4.5.
Team roping leaders: 1. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 3.6 seconds; 2. (tie) Jeremy Hemmann/Jeff Brown, and Ryan Von Ahn/J.W. Beck, 4.6 each; 4. (tie) Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, and Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 5.1 each; 6. Cale Markham/Billie Jack Saebens, 5.5; 7. Ty Bach/Allen Bach, 5.7; 8. Jesse Stipes/Tyler Worley, 6.2.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Dalton Davis, 81 points on Salt Creek RodeoŌĆÖs Campfire; 2. Chuck Schmidt, 79; 3. Tyrel Larsen, 75; no other qualified rides.
Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 7.9 seconds; 2. Caleb Smidt, 8.0; 3. Dillon Holder, 8.3; 4. Ryan Jarrett, 8.4; 5. Tuf Cooper, 8.5; 6. Monty Lewis, 9.0; 7. Kadin Boardman, 9.3; 8. Cade Swor, 9.6.
Barrel racing leaders: 1. Vickie Carter, 14.34 seconds; 2. Deb Guelly, 14.48; 3. Jeanne Anderson, 14.55; 4. Layna Kight, 14.56; 5. Laura Kennedy, 14.63; 6. Calyssa Thomas, 14.66; 7. Marne Loosenort, 14.67; 8. (tie) Trula Churchill and Sherry Cervi, 14.68; 10. Ashley Baur. 14.69.
Bull riding: 1. Corey Atwell, 88 points on Frontier RodeoŌĆÖs Big Money; 2. Dallee Mason, 85; 3. Trevor Reiste, 81; 4. John Young, 79; 5. Kody DeShon, 76; no other qualified rides.
DUNCAN, Okla. ŌĆō For 24-year-old Brodie Poppino, there are a lot of goals he has set for his ProRodeo career.
In his two seasons in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, he has accomplished some of them. In 2013, he was the steer roping rookie of the year and qualified for the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. In 2014, he returned to the circuit finals and also qualified for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping.
This year, heŌĆÖs closing in on another major goal: Winning the Prairie Circuit title.
ŌĆ£To me, the Prairie Circuit is really important, especially in steer roping without a whole bunch of rodeos out there for us,ŌĆØ said Poppino of Big Cabin, Okla. ŌĆ£Oklahoma and Kansas are some of the bigger areas in the steer roping industry. To me, itŌĆÖs more of a prestigious deal to be able to go to those events, and the chance to compete for the circuit title is big.ŌĆØ
The Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15-Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Stephens County Arena in Duncan. It will feature just the top 12 contestants in each event who have qualified through the regular season on the Prairie Circuit, made up primarily of events in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. Steer roping, which will feature the top 15 cowboys, is set for 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
Poppino is No. 1 in the standings with $13,449 and owns a $2,000 lead over the No. 2 man, Mike Chase of McAlester, Okla. The No. 3 man is Rocky Patterson, a three-time world champion from Pratt, Kan. They are among three circuit finalists who also have competed at the NFSR, joining J.P. Wickett of Sallisaw, Okla.; Ralph Williams of Skiatook, Okla.; Chet Herren, Brady Garten and Rod Hartness of Pawhuska, Okla.; and Brady Garten of Claremore, Okla.
ŌĆ£ThereŌĆÖs good money up in Duncan, plus if you with them or get the chance to go to Torrington (Wyo.),ŌĆØ Poppino said of the site for the Ram National Circuit Finals Steer Roping. ŌĆ£ThatŌĆÖs a big deal in the steer roping world. Plus, the majority of the Prairie Circuit guys are NFSR qualifiers ever year. That makes our circuit finals as prestigious as any event we can go to.ŌĆØ
That sentiment is echoed by all the contestants who will make their way to Duncan in mid-October. Poppino is among nine contestants who will all enter the finale in the standings lead, joined by bareback rider Caine Riddle of Vernon, Texas; steer wrestler Stockton Graves of Alva, Okla.; header Coleman Proctor of Pryor, Okla.; heeler Jake Long of Coffeyville, Kan.; saddle bronc rider Steven Dent of Mullen, Neb.; tie-down roper Jerome Schneeberger of Ponca City, Okla.; barrel racer Kim Couch of Rattan, Okla.; and bull rider Sage Kimzey of Strong City, Okla.
ŌĆ£This year IŌĆÖve got a chance to win the circuit,ŌĆØ Poppino said. ŌĆ£IŌĆÖve got two goals in that regard, to win the average in the circuit finals and to win the year-end title. ThatŌĆÖs an achievement everybody wants to do, and IŌĆÖm just blessed to be in that position.ŌĆØ
He is a second-generation circuit finals qualifier. Both his mother, barrel racer Tana, and his father, steer roper Marty, have been to the finale. Tana Poppino also is a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier.
ŌĆ£My dad has always stayed home and worked and just went to a handful of rodeos a year to try to make it to the circuit finals,ŌĆØ Brodie Poppino said. ŌĆ£He stays home and supports mom and me. HeŌĆÖs the backbone to everything we do.
ŌĆ£He does a lot of the tuning on the horses. IŌĆÖm the roper; heŌĆÖs the trainer. MomŌĆÖs attitude and optimism is just unreal. She can pick me up and make me feel unbeatable.ŌĆØ
That type of support is a major contributor to PoppinoŌĆÖs success. He loves the idea of carrying on a family tradition in Duncan.
ŌĆ£ItŌĆÖs really cool to go to a deal like that,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£The people in Duncan appreciate us and show us that. They want us to be there. The people are super good to the cowboys.ŌĆØ
It all adds to the championship atmosphere that people in southern Oklahoma have come to expect.
ALVA, Okla. ŌĆō Northwest Kansas always will be home to Laine Herl.
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University cowboy found a homecoming quite to his liking this past weekend, winning the steer wrestling title and helping guide the Rangers men to the team title at the Colby (Kan.) Community College rodeo.
ŌĆ£Everybody had a great week,ŌĆØ said Herl, a senior from Goodland, Kan., just 40 miles west of Colby. ŌĆ£Everybody was focused. WeŌĆÖve got a really talented team this year.ŌĆØ
The Northwestern men scored 550 points to beat reigning Central Plains Region champion Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Herl contributed 150 to that total by placing in both go-rounds, winning the championship round and the average title. In all, he grappled two steers to the ground in 9.8 seconds, finishing nine-tenths of a second ahead of teammate Jacob Edler.
ŌĆ£It means a lot to win that rodeo,ŌĆØ Herl said. ŌĆ£My family was able to be there, and just to start off the season on a good note was big. ItŌĆÖs great to start off the season with a win and hopefully keep plugging along to win the region and make the college finals.ŌĆØ
Herl was one of three Rangers to win Colby titles, joined by tie-down roper Bryson Seachrist and barrel racer Sara Bynum. Seachrist won both rounds and the average title; he downed his first calf in 8.7 seconds, then followed that with an 8.6-second run in the short round.
Bynum, who paced the way for the womenŌĆÖs team that finished second overall in Colby, won the first round with a 16.58-second run. She followed that with a 17.26 to place in the short round and clinch the title.
They were just a few of many Rangers that placed in Colby: Goat-tiers Leremi Allred and Tearnee Nelson; header Hunter Munsell and his partner, Sawyer Barham as well as heeler Wade Perry; steer wrestlers Joby Allen and Brock White; bull riders Marcell Jacob and Weston Wilson; and bareback rider Austin Graham.
ŌĆ£I think weŌĆÖre just smarter about how we go about stuff,ŌĆØ Herl said. ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖve added some good guys this year, and that makes it a lot better.ŌĆØ
Another valuable asset is how the team prepares. All attribute much of their success to coach Stockton Graves, a Northwestern alumnus who is a seven-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
ŌĆ£HeŌĆÖs been there at the highest level, so he knows what it takes to win,ŌĆÖ Herl said. ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖre having some up-tempo practices. WeŌĆÖre running more steers on the ground and focusing on the little stuff so when it comes down to it, youŌĆÖre making the same run time and time out. WeŌĆÖre working on the basics.
ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖre starting up the matches. With that, weŌĆÖre learning what to do in certain situations, so come short-go time at a college rodeo, youŌĆÖre not panicking. You know youŌĆÖve been in the same place in a match before, so it helps a lot.ŌĆØ
It paid off this last weekend in northwest Kansas.
American Royal a big stop for top contestants on final weekend of regular season
KANSAS CITY, Mo. ŌĆō The scramble is on.
The last week of the 2015 ProRodeo regular season has begun, and contestants are scripting their plans for the mad rush that comes with trying to finish the campaign among the top 15 in the world standings in order to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the year-end championship that takes place in December in Las Vegas.
ItŌĆÖs a mixture of ŌĆ£Last Man StandingŌĆØ and ŌĆ£Planes, Trains & AutomobilesŌĆØ as those cowboys and cowgirls battle for all the money they can muster. In rodeo, dollars not only pay bills but also stand as championship points; the contestants in each event who earn the most money will be crowned world champions.
There are more than 20 sites designated for this week, with the American Royal PRCA Rodeo being the most prestigious. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.
ŌĆ£This is almost like a wildcard game in the NFL or Major League Baseball,ŌĆØ said Andy Stewart, the eventŌĆÖs announcer. ŌĆ£These guys might have one shot left to make it to the NFR. ItŌĆÖs so important, because I have seen guys that go to rodeos like Kansas City that have that much money in the purse and being at the end of the season that they can win enough money and get to the NFR.
ŌĆ£ThatŌĆÖs the difference between ending your season and having a shot at winning the NFR average title or winning the world title.ŌĆØ
Bareback rider Luke Creasy is one of those cowboys scrambling over the final few days of the regular season. Last week, he was at a rodeo every day, crisscrossing several states in the process: Iowa to Texas to New Mexico to Oregon. Flights and all-night drives are just part of the game, especially when he needs to earn thousands of dollars in order to move up from 20th into the top 15 on the money list.
ŌĆ£In Pasadena (Texas), I made a little money there on a little horse that didnŌĆÖt have a day, but getting a check in the bank always helps boost the mind a little,ŌĆØ said Creasy, a native Canadian now living in Lovington, N.M. ŌĆ£All the other rodeos that IŌĆÖm going to, IŌĆÖm hoping to cash in.
Creasy has been near the top of the standings most of the season. In fact, he was among the top 10 when he suffered a broken fifth metacarpal bone in his right (riding) hand over the summer and had surgery to repair the ailment. Once he was released by doctors to ride again, heŌĆÖs been going ever since. As of last Friday, he needed to make about $25,000 in the final 10 days of the season if he had any hope of qualifying for the NFR for the first time.
ŌĆ£ThereŌĆÖs a lot of money out there,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£ItŌĆÖs all vital. ItŌĆÖs going to be a held-breath kind of week. IŌĆÖm hoping and trying my best to make it. All roads have led me here.ŌĆØ
ProRodeo features thousands of contestants, with hundreds battling for the coveted world championships. Only the best 120 in the game get the chance to compete at the NFR, which features the largest purse in the sport over 10 nights in Las Vegas. There are dozens of contestants on the bubble who need big checks at all the rodeos taking place on the final weekend.
ŌĆ£I was in the top five a lot of the year, then things happened,ŌĆØ said Creasy, who has finished among the top 25 three times in the past five years; he finished the 2014 campaign 17th in the standings, just two spots out of qualifying. ŌĆ£Now IŌĆÖm in a very familiar spot. I just need to do the best I can and have a little luck come my way.ŌĆØ
That makes Kansas City an important stop for rodeoŌĆÖs elite.
HEMPSTEAD, Texas ŌĆō The rodeo committee that organizes the annual event during the Waller County Fair and Rodeo keeps its focus simple: Continue to improve.
That mindset works for everyone involved, from those who work behind the scenes to the cowboys that are in the middle of the competition to the fans who want to see a good show. It all comes together from Thursday, Oct. 1-Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead.
ŌĆ£We have increased our purse every year,ŌĆØ said Paul Shollar, co-chairman of the Waller County Fair BoardŌĆÖs rodeo committee. ŌĆ£We do that because this is rodeo country, and we know the people who come to our fair and rodeo want to see the greatest cowboys in the world in Hempstead.ŌĆØ
The quality of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo is virtually unmatched in this region of Texas. In fact, itŌĆÖs downright comparable to any of the large rodeos that are across North America.
ŌĆ£From our stock contractor to hospitality, we really want every cowboy and cowgirl who comes to our fair and rodeo to see this rodeo as one of the best in the country,ŌĆØ said Chad Kersh, a member of the rodeo committee.
To that end, the rodeo committee has enlisted the help of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, the largest stock contracting firm in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Each of the past two seasons, no other contractor has had more animals selected to perform at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. HeŌĆÖs been the stock contractor in Hempstead since the rodeo transitioned to the PRCA a few years ago.
ŌĆ£What we love about Pete Carr is that he has the kind of stock that attracts world champions and regular NFR qualifiers,ŌĆØ said Clint Sciba, the fair boardŌĆÖs president and co-chairman of the rodeo committee. ŌĆ£ThereŌĆÖs a reason that Pete has been nominated for stock contractor of the year for the third year. He shouldŌĆÖve won it already. HeŌĆÖs been the best stock contractor in rodeo for a long time.ŌĆØ
Just look at the reigning champion in Hempstead as proof to the elite contestants that come to town every fall. Most of the 2014 winners have been to the NFR, including bareback rider Clint Cannon of Waller, Texas, who won his hometown rodeo for the first time in his career after scoring 87 points on CarrŌĆÖs Night Bells.
Steer wrestler Darrell Petry, tie-down roper Matt Shiozawa and heeler Kinney Harrell have all played on the biggest stages of the game. But so have the animal athletes that guided the champions to victory in the roughstock events. Night Bells has been to the NFR six times, while Line Man has been recognized as one of the top bulls; he guided Casey Huckabee to the bull riding title with a 90-point ride.
Jacobs Crawley won the saddle bronc riding championship on CarrŌĆÖs Icycle, a horse that is showing great promise.
ŌĆ£We want our fans to know that year in and year out, weŌĆÖre going to work hard to put on a great rodeo,ŌĆØ Shollar said. ŌĆ£They deserve it.ŌĆØ
STEPHENVILLE, Texas ŌĆō The people who organize StephenvilleŌĆÖs ProRodeo have a common theme they adhere to every year.
ŌĆ£We take pride in our town being the Cowboy Capital of the World,ŌĆØ said Chad Decker, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo. ŌĆ£If you wear that crown, you have to produce. I have a very good group of people on the committee that are more than willing to go the extra mile to be as successful as we can be.ŌĆØ
They will show it off during this yearŌĆÖs event, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at Lone Star Arena. ItŌĆÖs a fabulous way to close out the 2015 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association regular season.
ŌĆ£We have the largest population of rodeo cowboys per square foot in the world,ŌĆØ Decker said. ŌĆ£TheyŌĆÖve been on the road battling it out, and for them to come home from being on the road all year, they get to close out their year right in their own backyard.
ŌĆ£I think itŌĆÖs something they enjoy, especially now that weŌĆÖve got our money up. I look at it as a homecoming for these guys.ŌĆØ
As one of the final events of the season, the Stephenville rodeo will be a major stop for many top cowboys and cowgirls, even those that donŌĆÖt live in Erath County. It will feature the largest purse of any rodeo that weekend that is open to all contestants. ThatŌĆÖs just one of many major attractions for the top players in the game.
ŌĆ£We have the best stock contractor in rodeo with Pete Carr,ŌĆØ Decker said of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, a Dallas-based livestock firm that has been nominated as PRCA stock contractor of the year each of the past two seasons. ŌĆ£He has tremendous livestock, and itŌĆÖs something all these guys want to compete on. ThatŌĆÖs important.ŌĆØ
ItŌĆÖs also a crowd-pleaser for fans. They realize that a number of contestants will need to collect nice paydays in Stephenville if they want to advance to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the season-ending championship that features only the top 15 contestants in each event.
ŌĆ£ThatŌĆÖs what makes my Sunday afternoon crowd so big,ŌĆØ Decker said. ŌĆ£With Stephenville being a rodeo town, we cater to most of our spectators, who are rodeo people. They understand whatŌĆÖs on the line. It makes it more interesting for the crowd, because they know whatŌĆÖs at stake for the guys.ŌĆØ
The crowd also wants to be entertained, which is a big part of all three performances inside Lone Star Arena. This yearŌĆÖs event will feature Boyd Polhamus, a three-time PRCA announcer of the year who has worked the NFR 18 times, and Troy ŌĆ£The Wild ChildŌĆØ Lerwill, who has been named the PRCA specialty act of the year six times.
The committee also will feature a special dedication each performance, starting with American Hero Night on Friday. The family of Chris Kyle is heavily involved in the planning, and one local recipient will be honored during the performance.
ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖre going to take $2 off every ticket sold at the gate and donate it to this person, and the rodeo will be matching every dollar,ŌĆØ Decker said. ŌĆ£The business of Stephenville will be chipping in what they can for gift cards to this recipient to make their life easier. ItŌĆÖs giving back. WeŌĆÖre going to take care of them.ŌĆØ
He has dubbed SaturdayŌĆÖs performance as ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖre going to get Western Night,ŌĆØ with the focus on CarrŌĆÖs production and animal athletes. The evening will close with a concert from West Texas-based artist Jake Hooker.
In addition to the final performance closing out ProRodeoŌĆÖs regular season on Sunday, the rodeo committee will be showcasing its primary mission, raising funds for its scholarship foundation.
ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖre in a unique area where Stephenville and Erath County are split between two regions in the Texas High School Rodeo Association,ŌĆØ Decker said. ŌĆ£Right before each of the PRCA events, weŌĆÖre going to have a match between every winner of those events battling for a $1,000 scholarship in every event.
ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖre doing something thatŌĆÖs never been done before. Hopefully weŌĆÖre setting the groundwork to be trailblazers for others to follow.ŌĆØ
ItŌĆÖs just what fans would expect in the Cowboy Capital of the World.
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. ŌĆō After years apart, the Mid-South Fair and the Rodeo of the Mid-South are together again.
ThatŌĆÖs a major plus for fair-goers and rodeo fans, which can enjoy all the family fun that comes with the overall experience.
ŌĆ£One of the things that makes our rodeo special is the fact that this year its back with the fair,ŌĆØ said Lecile Harris, organizer of the annual rodeo, set for set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Landers Center in Southaven. ŌĆ£I moved the dates of the rodeo from April back to September so it could be with the fair.
ŌĆ£ItŌĆÖs indoors at one of the most up-to-date venues. ItŌĆÖs a beautiful coliseum, and itŌĆÖs got all the sound, electronics and light show to help make for great production of the rodeo.ŌĆØ
It all adds to the mix of the rodeo, which will be produced by the crew of Pete CarrŌĆÖs Classic Pro Rodeo, one of the top companies in professional rodeo. Each of the past two seasons, the Carr firm has been nominated as stock contractor of the year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Last year, Carr earned contractor of the year honors in the WomenŌĆÖs Professional Rodeo Association.
ŌĆ£I have so much confidence in Pete Carr and his company that once they drive up and once the crew goes to work, I donŌĆÖt have to worry about that part of the rodeo,ŌĆØ said Harris, a longtime rodeo clown that has been named PRCA clown of the year four times; he also is enshrined in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
ŌĆ£I donŌĆÖt have to worry about the production of the rodeo once. I never have to worry about his crew, and I donŌĆÖt have to worry about the stock. HeŌĆÖs got some of the best livestock in rodeo. I know when Pete and his crew get here, itŌĆÖs going to be first class and everythingŌĆÖs going to be done right.ŌĆØ
That is a winning formula for rodeo fans and the cowboys and cowgirls who make a living in the sport. The Mid-South Rodeo falls on the final weekend of the 2015 regular season, making Southaven an even bigger destination for contestants all vying to finish among the top 15 in each event to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
ŌĆ£I think a lot of the cowboys that are on the bubble (for making the NFR) will show up in Southaven,ŌĆØ Harris said.
A key ingredient will be the Carr animals. Each of the past two season, no other stock contractor in the PRCA has had more animals selected to the year-end championship, which takes place in December in Las Vegas.
That kind of animal athletes makes rodeos like Southaven an important stop along the rodeo trail.
ŌĆ£PeteŌĆÖs got an eye for horses, and heŌĆÖs surrounded himself with people who know what theyŌĆÖre talking about,ŌĆØ said saddle bronc rider Heith DeMoss, a six-time NFR from Heflin, La. ŌĆ£You want to go to PeteŌĆÖs rodeos, because youŌĆÖre going to get on something.ŌĆØ
When itŌĆÖs mixed in with a strong production, a modern facility and great rodeo action, itŌĆÖs the perfect home for fans.
HEMPSTEAD, Texas ŌĆō Neal McCoy has twice been named entertainer of the year, and his showmanship is one reason why he will be the featured entertainer at the Waller County Fair and Rodeo.
The exposition, set for Friday, Sept. 25-Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead, will include four top-flight concerts, with McCoy closing the fair on Oct. 3.
ŌĆ£We have worked to get the kinds of acts that everyone will enjoy when they come to our fair and rodeo,ŌĆØ said Steven Pfeiffer, the Waller County Fair BoardŌĆÖs entertainment committee chairman. ŌĆ£IŌĆÖm very excited about our concert lineup from start to finish.ŌĆØ
All associated with the event should be excited. The series begins Texas-born artist Aaron Watson, who released his most recent album, ŌĆ£The Underdog,ŌĆØ earlier this year. Watson, who released the rodeo hit ŌĆ£July in CheyenneŌĆØ in 2013, has been around the music industry for better than 15 years. He will perform Saturday, Sept. 26.
Jeff Woolsey, who grew up on the north side of Houston, was raised around traditional country music. He started his own band at age 19, and throughout the 1990s, he and his band were big hits on the dancehall circuit. The group was the 1994 band of the year in the Houston area. After a few years away from the trade, he returned to the music scene in less than a decade ago playing the music he loves. He takes the stage Thursday, Oct. 1.
Country legend John Conlee has been a top act for decades with memorable hits like ŌĆ£Rose Colored Glasses,ŌĆØ ŌĆ£Miss EmilyŌĆÖs Picture,ŌĆØ ŌĆ£Common Man,ŌĆØ ŌĆ£IŌĆÖm Only in It for The LoveŌĆØ and ŌĆ£Got My Heart Set on You,ŌĆØ just to name a few. He performs Friday, Oct. 2.
ŌĆ£We have a strong group of entertainers coming to town, from traditional country with Jeff Woolsey and John Conlee to Aaron Watson, who has been taking country music by storm,ŌĆØ said Dustin Standley, the fair boardŌĆÖs sponsorship chairman. ŌĆ£ItŌĆÖs very exciting for us to have this kind of show for the people who come to our fair.ŌĆØ
McCoy, who won his entertainer of the year awards in 1998-99, has released 34 singles to country radio. He had back-to-back No. 1 singles with ŌĆ£No Doubt About ItŌĆØ and ŌĆ£WinkŌĆØ in 1993. He had three platinum albums and several top-10 hits in the 1990s and 2000s.
In addition to the concerts of top artists, the newly remodeled Ole Wagon Wheel dance hall will feature dances throughout the week:
EDITORŌĆÖS NOTE: Guest columnist Graeme Menzies is a director of marketing communications at the University of British Columbia and was the director of communications at the Vancouver (British Columbia) 2010 Winter Olympics. Born in Alberta, he now lives in Vancouver.
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association has announced that it is replacing its old logo with something new, but a lot of cowboys are saying, ŌĆ£Whoa!ŌĆØ
Some of that reaction was probably anticipated. For those in the design business, resistance to new logos is almost a proverb, and examples are logos disasters are plentiful. Ad Age magazine cites the 2010 re-launch of The GapŌĆÖs iconic logo as one of the most colossal brand missteps in recent history. But there are plenty of other examples: the London 2012 Olympic Games logo (cost: $800,000) was widely lambasted; more recently, the University of CaliforniaŌĆÖs updated monogram was ridiculed as ŌĆ£an aerial view of a flushing toilet.ŌĆØ
What about the CPRA? Is its new rodeo logo a no-go?
The announcement boasted that the new logoŌĆÖs stylized hat represented both genders and honored Western heritage. Fans of the old logo have been left wondering what that means. Was there a problem with the cowboy image ŌĆō was the cowboy too masculine? Surely there was no serious concern that the cowboy image failed to represent western heritage. What about the bold red Canadian maple leaf? Did someone think it was un-Canadian to be so blatantly patriotic?
Members of the CPRA, which has 1,400 members and sanctions more than 50 rodeos in Canada each year, were confused. Some were downright angry. Ted Stovin, a former bull rider and the main force behind the website EverythingCowboy.com, felt so strongly about the logo change he posted a lengthy blog about it, even including dozens of examples of how other sports organizations represent themselves through graphic design. Response to his article came fast and furious.
CPRA member Mac McKie wrote that the new logo communicates nothing about Canada and ŌĆ£as far as rodeo, only resembles an abused hat after the rodeo dance.ŌĆØ
Jake Vold, whose family has a proud multi-generational rodeo reputation, was a just as flustered by the move.
ŌĆ£I canŌĆÖt believe they took away the maple leaf,ŌĆØ said Vold, a bareback rider that has qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Others complained that the new logo looks too much like the city of CalgaryŌĆÖs ŌĆ£Heart of the New WestŌĆØ logo, doesnŌĆÖt represent rodeo sports, is too bland, fails to leverage the history and brand equity of the old design, and ŌĆ£will look like hell on a belt buckle.ŌĆØ Ouch!
Are these criticisms legitimate, or is this proverbial resistance that one comes to expect?
Yes and no, said Marty Yaskowich, vice president of strategy at DDB, a renowned communications and design agency in Vancouver, British Columbia.
ŌĆ£Brand design is definitely one of the most challenging areas of marketing because there will always be differing opinions on what looks good,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£You really have to separate the subjective from the strategic. The real question, when evaluating the logos, is whatŌĆÖs the strategy behind it?ŌĆØ
Yaskowich, whose cousin is two-time PBR Canadian champion bull rider bull rider Aaron Roy and who has experience working with major international and iconic Canadian brands, said much of the criticism could be ameliorated if the strategy for the change was more transparent.
ŌĆ£There could have been a strategic decision to create a new public-facing logo that is more about promotion of dynamic, exciting, rodeo events while also creating a more accessible and friendly brand to attract a broader audience,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£There may be a strategic rationale for the change ŌĆ" there may be business reasons behind this, but they are not immediately clear.ŌĆØ
I like the old logo. It has the unsophisticated charm that only a legitimately established organization can pull off; that kind of old-school authenticity is hard to come by these days. But youŌĆÖd get no argument from me if, like the Toronto Maple LeafŌĆÖs logo, it was given a periodic design refresh.
Feedback from CPRA members may have had an effect.
ŌĆ£The old CPRA logo has not changed,ŌĆØ said Dan Eddy, the CPRAŌĆÖs general manager. He noted that the Pro Rodeo Canada logo is a brand of the CPRA.
While not categorically contradicting the original intent to replace the old one entirely, EddyŌĆÖs comment holds out some hope that the beloved old logo may not be on its way to the slaughterhouse after all.
Graeme Menzies is an international marketing and communications professional, who also is the author of The Rodeo Guide for City Slickers.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. ŌĆō There is one good reason Cody Sosebee has been nominated five times as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Clown of the Year.
HeŌĆÖs funny.
ŌĆ£IŌĆÖve always said that it doesnŌĆÖt matter what youŌĆÖre selling, if people donŌĆÖt buy into you, theyŌĆÖre not going to buy what youŌĆÖre selling,ŌĆØ said Andy Stewart, a ProRodeo announcer who will be the voice of the American Royal PRCA Rodeo this year. ŌĆ£ThatŌĆÖs where Cody is one of the best; heŌĆÖs such a likeable guy. What you see in the arena is him all the time. HeŌĆÖs not afraid to make fun of himself.ŌĆØ
ThatŌĆÖs a key ingredient that Sosebee brings to the table at this yearŌĆÖs rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Hale Arena inside the American Royal complex.
ŌĆ£Maybe someone in the crowd is feeling bad about themselves, maybe their job or their body or their marriage,ŌĆØ Stewart said. ŌĆ£When Cody steps into the arena, heŌĆÖs making fun of himself and cracking jokes about the problem heŌĆÖs having. People tend to relax and think, ŌĆśI feel comfortable with him; heŌĆÖs just like us.ŌĆÖ
ŌĆ£Through making fun of himself, weŌĆÖre laughing at ourselves. ThatŌĆÖs a very unique trait that he has that makes him a really special clown.ŌĆØ
This isnŌĆÖt the first time Sosebee has worked the American Royal. In fact, heŌĆÖs been a regular at some of the biggest events in the country, including rodeos in Cheyenne, Wyo.; Dodge City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; and the Calgary (Alberta) Stampede.
In addition to his clowning nomination, the former competitor also has been nominated for the PRCA Comedy Act of the Year two of the past three seasons. But thereŌĆÖs much more to Sosebee than meets the eye. Over his lifetime, heŌĆÖs competed in nearly every rodeo event possible and was at the top of his game in bareback riding.
ItŌĆÖs part of the life growing up in a family that was heavily involved in rodeo. His father was a pickup man, so Sosebee has been part of the sport as long as he can remember.
ŌĆ£I got into clowning by accident by filling in for guys,ŌĆØ said Sosebee, who also owns a barbecue restaurant in his hometown of Charleston, Ark., just 25 miles east of Fort Smith, Ark. ŌĆ£I didnŌĆÖt know where I was going to go with my rodeo career when I quit riding barebacks, and it turned into a good living. I get to see the world.
ŌĆ£I live in a community with one four-way stop, and I get to go to a lot of other great places where as soon as you pull into town, you are considered a rock star for a week.ŌĆØ
A born competitor, the clown has made the adjustments he needed to get the true fix after a lifetime of being part of the contest.
ŌĆ£IŌĆÖve always been a competitor in anything I did, from football to basketball to when I was in freestyle bullfighting,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£I miss putting my hand in the rigginŌĆÖ and nodding my head to be 80 points to win the rodeo, but IŌĆÖm a realist. IŌĆÖm 43 years old. While most of the guys I rodeoed with have slowed down and have found jobs, I get to be in the arena and get to make a living in rodeo doing something I love.ŌĆØ
Sosebee also plays to his strengths. Bigger than many in the game, he showcases a true athleticism that is rarely seen among men of his stature. ItŌĆÖs comedy at the purest level.
ŌĆ£Having the ability to laugh at myself is probably my biggest strength,ŌĆØ he said. ŌĆ£I donŌĆÖt take anything too serious. When IŌĆÖm watching a comedian, the funniest thing I see is when theyŌĆÖre honestly open and having a good time. I want the fans to see that IŌĆÖm a real person and IŌĆÖm having fun, and they can have fun with me.ŌĆØ
ThatŌĆÖs why Sosebee has excelled as one of the premier rodeo clowns in the game. ThatŌĆÖs why the volunteer committee is bringing him to town. ItŌĆÖs another key reason the American Royal is always at the top of the game.
TEXARKANA, Ark. ŌĆō The high-flying action of the 71st Four States Fair and Rodeo wonŌĆÖt be limited to the midway.
The exposition will be home to a world-class rodeo, featuring the top athletes in the game. That includes the great animals from Pete CarrŌĆÖs Classic Pro Rodeo and the graceful ŌĆō yet comedic ŌĆō motorcycle antics of Troy Lerwill. ItŌĆÖs all set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16-Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Four States Fair Entertainment Center in Texarkana.
ŌĆ£Troy has never been in our area, and I think everyone will love him here,ŌĆØ said Lisa Barr, vice president of the fair and rodeo. ŌĆ£He will be the specialty act and our clown during the rodeo. WeŌĆÖre excited to have him.ŌĆØ
Lerwill is one of the most honored clowns in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, having been honored with the comedy act of the year six times.
ŌĆ£Troy is one of the funniest guys out there, not just in rodeo,ŌĆØ said Pete Carr, owner of the Dallas-based livestock firm. ŌĆ£I try to get him as often as I can because he brings a whole new dimension to each show. HeŌĆÖs the best entertainer in rodeo because of how he handles the crowd.
ŌĆ£Then you add his motorcycle act into the mix, and itŌĆÖs just over-the-top. Everybody wants to come back the next day just to see it again.
The motorcycle act involves LerwillŌĆÖs alter-ego, ŌĆ£The Wild Child,ŌĆØ who jumps a Bloomer trailer and a Ram pickup in a showcase of comedy mixed with athleticism.ŌĆØ
Carr knows quite about quality. Each of the past two seasons, he has been nominated as PRCA stock contractor of the year. Over that same time, he also has had more bucking horses and bulls selected to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo than any other contractor.
ŌĆ£I think Pete Carr has a fabulous rodeo company, and everybody on his staff puts on a wonderful rodeo,ŌĆØ Barr said. ŌĆ£ItŌĆÖs professional, and the crew just works great with us.
ŌĆ£When they get to town, they take the pressure off us. You donŌĆÖt have to worry about things or if everythingŌĆÖs in place. They take care of it all and produce an outstanding rodeo.ŌĆØ
ThatŌĆÖs just one aspect of the Carr brand. The crew of professionals put a priority on top production for fans while having the type of animal athletes that are attractive to rodeo cowboys. That helps make the Four States Fair and Rodeo a vital stop for the top contestants in the game.
ŌĆ£Pete brings outstanding rodeo livestock to our rodeo year after year,ŌĆØ Barr said. ŌĆ£A lot of people donŌĆÖt understand that the animals are as much of our rodeo as the cowboys and cowgirls.ŌĆØ
In addition to its traditional kids night on Wednesday, in which children get in free with an adult admission, the fair will feature a Colt Ford concert after FridayŌĆÖs rodeo.
ItŌĆÖs a great way to celebrate family-friendly entertainment in Texarkana.
Eliminator, 8-Second Bareback Shootout to showcase top rodeo athletes
HEMPSTEAD, Texas ŌĆō The very best contestants in professional rodeo make their way to southeast Texas in the early fall every year.
Part of the attraction is the Waller County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1-Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead. It offers an outstanding purse and a great opportunity to show off the sportŌĆÖs top animal athletes.
It also is home to a couple of incredible added events in the Eliminator, an eight-man tie-down roping challenge, and the 8-Second Bareback Shootout, which will feature two two-man teams of the top bareback riders in the game going head-to-head.
The Eliminator will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, while the 8-Second Bareback Shootout will be part of the Friday, Oct. 2, performance of the rodeo.
ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖre bringing together many of the top cowboys in these events to showcase them for our great crowds,ŌĆØ said Chad Kersh, a member of the Waller County Fair BoardŌĆÖs rodeo committee. ŌĆ£We have invited great cowboys to be part of these events this year, and I think everyone is really going to enjoy this aspect of our rodeo.ŌĆØ
ItŌĆÖs true. The Eliminator will feature the best of the best in tie-down roping, including world champions like Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas, and Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, La. They will be joined by Cory Solomon of Prairie View, Texas; Caleb Schmid of Bellville, Texas; Matt Shiozawa of Chubbuck, Idaho; Hunter Herrin of Apache, Okla.; Marty Yates of Stephenville, Texas; and Timber Moore of Aubrey, Texas.
ŌĆ£We will have several go-rounds, with all eight competing in the first round,ŌĆØ said Paul Shollar, co-chairman of the rodeo committee. ŌĆ£The slowest time in each round is eliminated, and weŌĆÖll get down to where we have the final two guys roping for the championship in the final round.ŌĆØ
Whitfield is an eight-time world champion, while Hanchey won the gold buckle in 2013. Of the others, Herrin and Shiozawa are heading to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the eighth time in their careers, while Moore has secured his fourth, Solomon his third, and Yates and Schmid their second. Moore also is the reigning champion of The Eliminator
Both events will feature a $10,000 purse.
ŌĆ£We wanted to give these guys something big to rope and ride for,ŌĆØ said Dustin Standley, the fair and rodeoŌĆÖs sponsorship chairman. ŌĆ£These types of special events, in conjunction with our PRCA rodeo, gives us the opportunity to continue to state that Waller County is a rodeo community and that this is the place to be every fall.ŌĆØ
The 8-Second Bareback Shootout will feature homegrown cowboy Clint Cannon of Waller, Texas, and Richmond Champion of The Woodlands, Texas, riding against Will Lowe of Canyon, Texas, and Evan Jayne of Rockwall, Texas. The team with the best aggregate score will take home the lionŌĆÖs share of the purse.
Cannon has secured his fifth NFR qualification, while Champion is coming off the most successful bareback riding years in 2014, in which he not only qualified for the NFR but also won $1 million at The American. Lowe, a three-time world champion, is battling for his 14th trip to Las Vegas, while Jayne, who is originally from Marseille, France, has been atop the world standings for much of the summer and has secured his first NFR qualification.
ŌĆ£This is an awesome way for us to showcase the kind of rodeo talent that comes to our fair and rodeo every year,ŌĆØ Shollar said. ŌĆ£Both events were a big hit last year, so weŌĆÖve expanded both of them. I know these are two events that fans are really going to love.ŌĆØ


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Purchase my 2003 Audi Quattro TT in June 2010 and took it to the local Audi dealer to look it over. Been taking it there for problems since. They never looked at my timing belt or recommended that I have it replaced. I understand that replacement should have been done at 7 years. Timing belt just broke and ruined my engine. Are they at least partially responsible?
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Posted| Updated
Argentina has defeated France 10-6 in the first rugby union Test in Buenos Aires, hanging on grimly in the closing minutes to record their second straight victory over the French.
Topics: rugby-union, argentina, france
The sun shone on the traditional ceremony marking Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday on Saturday, with husband Prince Philip by her side for the first time, having abandoned the saddle for a place beside her in the royal coach.
Topics: royal-and-imperial-matters, united-kingdom
Posted| Updated
England rugby union coach Clive Woodward has praised his team's defensive effort in Saturday night's 15-13 win over New Zealand in Wellington.
Topics: rugby-union, england
An Emirati who has 63 children has married for the 12th time in a bid to ensure his place in the Guinness Book of Records with 100 offspring, a newspaper reported Saturday.
Topics: offbeat, united-arab-emirates
Posted| Updated
Australian winger Wendell Sailor finally silenced his critics when he scored one of Test rugby's most amazing solo tries against Wales on Saturday.
Topics: rugby-union, australia, united-kingdom, wales
Posted| Updated
Wales captain Martyn Williams felt his team had let another golden opportunity slip in their 30-10 defeat by Australia on Saturday.
Topics: rugby-union, australia, united-kingdom, wales
Unidentified assailants launched a mortar attack on a US military headquarters in Ramadi, west of the capital Baghdad setting the building on fire, an Arab television station reported on Sunday.
Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, iraq
Queensland Federal Labor frontbencher, Craig Emerson says there should not be a purge of those who have undermined Simon Crean, if Mr Crean wins tomorrow's leadership ballot.
A union leader who is helping establish a labor movement in East Timor has criticised the attitudes of some Australian employers.
Posted| Updated
Researchers from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) have been urged to get out of Canberra to collect information on Australia's worst drought in 100 years.
Topics: drought, canberra-2600
Twenty-seven people will be charged with drink driving after a booze bus operation along the Tullamarine Freeway overnight.
Posted| Updated
The Federal Opposition leader, Simon Crean, says he expects to achieve a clear victory tomorrow against his rival, Kim Beazley, when the party holds its leadership ballot.
Topics: federal-government, alp, australia
Posted| Updated
Lance Armstrong has mastered the mountain-specialists in the sixth stage of the Dauphine Libere to retain his overall lead.
One of Kim Beazley's strongest supporters is refusing to concede defeat, but agrees it is more likely Simon Crean will win tomorrow's ballot for the Federal Labor leadership.
Posted| Updated
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is warning company directors to make careful decisions this year regarding their corporation's taxation.
Posted| Updated
The world's second-largest car builder, the Ford Motor Company, turned 100-years-old yesterday.
Topics: automotive, history, united-states
A ceasefire deal in Liberia seems further away than ever, after the two main rebel groups again insisted President Charles Taylor step down.
Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, liberia
Posted| Updated
Australian golfer Brett Rumford holds a three shot lead over the field after the third round of the St Omer Open in France.
Posted| Updated
Andy Roddick has defeated world number one Andre Agassi to move through to the final of the Queen's Club tennis tournament in London.
Posted| Updated
Thousands of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran early on Sunday on a fifth night of pro-democracy demonstrations, but most kept to their cars for fear of attack by roaming hardline Islamic vigilantes.
ACT deputy Opposition leader Bill Stefaniak says he fears for the future of the Warehouse Circus if it cannot find a new home within the month.
Topics: youth, arts-and-entertainment, states-and-territories, act
Shadow Tourism Minister, Jodeen Carney, says the Northern Territory is getting left behind by the rest of Australia when it comes to promoting tourism.
Topics: tourism, states-and-territories, nt
Posted| Updated
Local favourite and world superbike leader Neil Hodgson has grabbed pole position for the British round of the championship on Sunday.
Topics: superbikes, united-kingdom
Posted| Updated
World champion Valentino Rossi will start Sunday's Catalunya Grand Prix from pole position as he sets his sights on equalling Australian legend Mick Doohan's career record of 54 wins.
A newly-formed lobby group is calling for public submissions on the proposed legislative changes to allow same-sex couples to adopt.
Topics: gays-and-lesbians, adoption, laws, tas


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Veronica Rayne sucking off a hairy food addict Dude
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Simple yet stylish, the long sleeved black dress by Vero Moda boasts pleat detail to the front neckline. A regular length that is perfect for any occasion, this slightly stretchy, super soft dress is finished with 3/4 length sleeves. - E.D
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Critical Read
What: A report titled "Federal Telework – Return on Taxpayer Investment." The report cites research from Global Workplace Analytics and the Telework Research Network.
Why: The study compares data from the Office of Personnel Management's annual "Status of Telework in the Federal Government" report as well as data collected by the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
The report estimates that federal telework, if implemented effectively, could save taxpayers nearly $14 billion per year.
To arrive at that number, the authors calculated -- "based on a cautious set of assumptions" -- the impact of telework on real estate, absenteeism, employee turnover, productivity, transit subsidies, continuity of operations and health care.
The report attributes the largest chunk of that potential savings to productivity increases of between $3.5 billion and $5.8 billion for the 882,000 federal employees who are eligible for telework and who say they would do it if allowed, and assumes a rate of teleworking equivalent to about the same 2.2 days per week utilized currently.
The report also calculates dollar-value savings for annual environmental impact, carbon savings equivalents and financial impact on federal employees themselves, and adds all those factors together for a total financial impact of about $14 billion.
Download the report here.
About the Author
Frank Konkel is a former staff writer for FCW.
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The outgoing speaker helped push forward data and transparency measures that have opened up the House of Representatives to the American people.
The Census Bureau announced plans to fold in new technology and third party data into its 2020 population count, but questions remain about the viability of the Bureau's enterprise IT.
A technology roadmap can help agencies reap the benefits FITARA has to offer. Here are the four stages of a successful effort.
In the newest Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, feds show they're feeling better than they have over the past few years – but there's still room for improvement, especially in mission-critical IT.
The General Services Administration's Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract will anchor the agency's NS 2020 telecommunications strategy.
House and Senate both approve a measure to maintain funding at fiscal 2015 levels through Dec. 11.
The aviation regulator missed a Congressional deadline to develop rules of the sky-ways for drones.
Agency heads, acquisition officers and even CIOs don't need to be hard-core techies. FCW's four-part look at the expertise that's really required to make federal IT run.
FCW recognizes 14 individuals having an outsized impact early in their careers.
Much like FERS being better than CSRS, potentially, I think Govt employees know if the Govt is pushing for it there's something wrong with it. It's 2014, we all know the benefit has to mostly be to the administration if they're allowing it. But hey, if you're looking for a lot of slack time or getting home projects done, I hear it's awesome. Ride the wave baby!
Teleworking IS the biggest productivity KILLER in the Federal Government in the DC region. If the people in real world ever saw how this program is abused by the Feds they would be storming the Capitol with torches and pitchforks. Explain this work ethic to an electrician in Indiana working 52 hours a week to make ends meet.
The issues is much of the cost is transferred to the employee. They won't pay for the high speed internect connection required, won't supply printers, fax machines etc. The employee will be providing all of that and will hafe to pay for the electricity.
I don't telework as it would not save me any money, it would cost me money. I did an entire analysis on it and I would spend more on heating/cooling my house being home and not even save enough on gas for a whole tank. I work 2 miles from home.
Increased productivity = Feds telling their contractor to do get work done over night so the Feds can have time with their families and still claim credit for the work getting done before the morning meeting.
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Sidney Gelber Auditorium Dedication
The Sidney Gelber Auditorium, formerly SAC Auditorium, was named in honor of Stony Brook's former provost and professor of philosophy. The dedication ceremony on April 9, 2015 included remarks by his former colleagues and students and was hosted by Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dennis N. Assanis.
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October 8, 2015, 11:20 PM
Seniors Lane Andersen, Jesse Dobson, Logan Black and Jack McGinley won't appear in a game's scoring summary. But they are the major reason Ridgefield is undefeated headed into Friday's showdown with Hockinson that could very well decide the league title.
October 7, 2015, 3:32 PM
October 6, 2015, 11:15 PM
Kaitlin Wilkinson says it is really simple.
October 6, 2015, 11:12 PM
Spudders stay atop 2A GSHL with win over Hockinson
October 6, 2015, 11:06 PM
HOCKINSON -- The Ridgefield girls soccer team got the jump on its rival on Tuesday.