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NEON RODEO'S
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SHE'S HERE!!!. COME MEET CAITLYNNE GRACE KELLY
Prayer Requests
Lee Akin. head injuries, please pray for a full recovery. Also pray for his wife,family and friends that they'll have peace of mind during this time
Ashley Andrews Miss Rodeo North Dakota - Fighting Hodgkins Disease
Judy Von Hemmel - Has been diagnosed with cancer of the Liver. Please pray for healing. as well, please pray for peace of mind for Judy as well as her family. Husband (Sarge on the Bull Sheet) is also recuperating from shoulder surgery
Wednesday April 4,2007
Professional Bull Riders... At Albuquerque, N.M. .......First round - Kasey Hayes, Liberal, Kan., 90, 7,000; Kody Lostroh, Longmont, Colo., 89.5, 5,000; Scott Schiffner, Strathmore, AB, 87.75, 3,000; Guilherme Marchi, Brazil, 87, 2,000...... ..Second round - Adriano Moraes, Brazil, 88.25, 2,730; Jason Bennett, Honeygrove, Texas, 88, 1,560; Mark Lopes, Pioneer, Calif., 88, 1,560; Hayes, 87, 780..... ..Third round - Beau Hill, West Glacier, 90, 2,730; Mike Lee, Decatur, Texas, 89.5, 1,950; Luke Snyder, Raymore, Mo., 88.5, 1,170; Moraes, 88, 780..... ..Championship round - Marchi, 92.25, 2,730; Moraes, 89.25, 1,950..... ..Total score and money won - Moraes, 265.5, 32,520; Marchi, 265.25, 20,524; Hayes, 264, 19,092; Lostroh, 255.5, 10,400..... ....Built Ford Tough Series point standings - Justin McBride, Elk City, Okla., 6,657.5; J.B. Mauney, Mooresville, N.C., 5,840.25; Guilherme Marchi, Brazil, 3,870.25; Jason Bennett, Honeygrove, Texas, 3,455.25; Mike Lee, Decatur, Texas, 3,179.5. 8, Beau Hill, West Glacier, 3,116.75.
Cattlemen host 20th annual rodeo.. By CHRIS MEGGINSON / Sports Editor In its 20th year of opperation, the Shelby County Cattlemen Association’s Rodeo looked to extend its reputation in the rodeo world as one of the most contestant friendly shows in the southeast. “We always have a good turnout of contestants, because we have such a good fan base,” said rodeo chairman Tony Berry of Montevallo. One such contestant returned for his 10th year at the rodeo in the Shelby County Exhibition Center. Lance Etherdige, the three-time defending national champion for bareback bronc riding, caught the crowd’s attention as he came thundering from the gate laying flat on the back of a bucking Houston Solution. He held on for the ride and earned 76 points to win first in the event for the fifth consecutive year. “The crowd is what makes the rodeo,” Ethridge said. “For a small town like this, this is a perfect size arena that serves the purpose to have a good rodeo and give people something to bring their families to, because it’s good clean entertainment.” The rodeo brings in a variety of contestants such as Etheridge, who is gaining national success, or local prospects such as Mary English and Phillip Kelce. English, a graduate student at the University of Montevallo for speech and language pathology, competed Friday night in front of the hometown crowd in the breakaway roping competition and returned Saturday as a spectator. “I enjoy it, because everybody comes to support you, but at the same time I get nervous in front of a home crowd when I may not somewhere else,” English said. Kelce, a Calera resident who was appearing in his 11th Shelby County Rodeo, and his teammate Judah Flemming of Bessemer led the team roping event entering Saturday evening, but was edged out to finish second. “We go all over, but it’s kind of fun to come back. It’s our hometown rodeo and it’s always been a good paying rodeo,” Kelce said. It’s not only been good paying to Kelce, but to all of its winners, earning the Shelby County Rodeo the award for largest payout for a rodeo its size last year, according to Cloley Gilmer of Tri County Rodeo. Also during the rodeo, Thomas Reeves’ grand champion steer from the Shelby County Junior Beef Show was raffled off. Mid-State Farmers Co-Op purchased the steer from Reeves for $1,500 per 1.5 pounds of beef. Raffle money and extra proceeds went to the Cattlemen’s association to help promote beef programs in the county, according to Cattlemen president Dr. Stansel Handley.
Current all-around champ cashes checks in Huntsville and Laughlin By Brett Hoffman The Huntsville Item Defending world all-around champion Trevor Brazile double dipped last weekend to pick up some extra prize money. The Decatur cowboy earned more than $11,000 at Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association shows Laughlin, Nev., and Huntsville, all within a week while competing with a lower-body injury. In recent months, Brazile has nursed a nagging injury to the area where his left groin muscle is attached to his pelvis. “My injury is getting a lot better and I’m practicing now,” Brazile said. From January through March, Brazile entered mainly larger rodeos such as Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston, shows that ran about two weeks, but required a cowboy to make only three or four runs. But last week, he flew to and from rodeos in Laughlin and Huntsville. “It was pretty smooth, working two rodeos,” Brazile said. “It wasn’t too bad.” At the Laughlin River Stampede, Brazile earned $2,185 in team roping and $2,849 in tie-down roping. At the Walker County Fair and Rodeo, he pocketed $4,281 in tie-down roping and $1,756 in team roping. Brazile was among numerous world-class competitors who entered the Huntsville rodeo, partially because its organizing committee put up extra prize money in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping. “I’ve always liked that rodeo,” Brazile said of the Walker County Fair and Rodeo. “You get to rope three head, the ground is awesome and the stock contractor, which was Stace Smith this year, has always cared enough to bring good stock for the timed-event competitors. The rodeo had some of the best sets of calves that I’ve seen this year.” The Huntsville rodeo hired Stace Smith of Athens for the first time. Smith was named as the PRCA’s top stock contractor in 2004, ’05 and ’06 and he also commands respect from bronc and bull riders. For example, the Huntsville rodeo drew famous roughstock riders such as former National Finals Rodeo qualifier James Boudreaux of Jasper, who finished second in bareback riding and earned $1,040. In the weekly PRCA world standings released on April 2, Boudreaux ranked ninth in the 2007 bareback world-title race with $20,821. In the world all-around race, Brazile led Colorado cowboy Josh Peek, $37,925 to $35,673. Last month, Brazile more than proved that he’s on the mend by winning the Wrangler Timed Event Championship, an annual show in Guthrie, Okla., that features 20 world-class cowboys who compete in tie-down roping, steer wrestling, steer roping, team roping heading and heeling. Brazile won the title after turning in a record 25-run time of 281.7 seconds and earned $69,000. Though the earnings from the Oklahoma show will not count in the PRCA standings, they will provide working capital he needs in a sport that requires even its stars to pay soaring livestock and road costs.
When Adriano Moraes won the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Tour stop last weekend in Albuquerque, the defending world champion had three obstacles to overcome: a delayed flight that caused him to miss competing in the first round on March 30, the pain from landing in his head after jumping off of his bull on March 31 and a nagging back injury that persisted throughout the three-day show that concluded April 1. But Moraes, a Brazilian who lives near Tyler, won the Ty Murray Invitational after turning the highest aggregate score and he earned $32,520. No one stayed on all four bulls, which gave Moraes the opportunity to win though he arrived too late to compete in the opening performance. In the title race, Moraes edged Brazilian Guilherme Marchi, 265.50 to 265.25, after both men made qualified rides on three bulls. “Riding is a struggle,” Moraes said. “To win you have to stay sharp, stay committed and pay attention to every single bull that you get on.”
Briefly::: Former National Finals qualifier Cash Myers of Athens earned $1,745 after tying for first in the tie-down roping second round in Huntsville. ... Jeff Chapman, another former NFR qualifier from Athens, earned $2,077 after tying for first in the tie-down roping first round in Laughlin, Nev. ... The Dogwood Classic PRCA Rodeo is April 13-14 in Palestine; the Angelina County Benefit Rodeo is April 25-28 in Lufkin and the Elder Dodge Henderson County PRCA Stampede is April 27-28 in Athens. The Lone Star Quarter Horse Show is scheduled April 6-8 at the Henderson County Fairpark Complex in Athens. The Mesquite Championship Rodeo in Mesquite, billed as the world’s most famous weekly rodeo, opens its 50th season on the weekend of April 6-7.
Walker County Fair and Rodeo All-around cowboy: Trevor Brazile, $5,160, tie-down roping and team roping. Bareback riding: 1. Steven Dent, 86 points on Carr Pro Rodeo’s River Boat Annie, $1,373; 2. James Boudreaux, 84, $1,040; 3. (tie) Zach Dishman and Trey Fisher, 81, $624 each; 5. (tie) Ryan Stutes and William Pittman, 80, $250 each. Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Jason Lahr, 3.8 seconds, $1,818; 2. Todd Suhn, 4.0, $1,505; 3. Kyle Drushel, 4.4, $1,191; 4. Britt Walters, 4.5, $878; 5. John Martin, 4.7, $564; 6. Chancy Larson, 4.8, $314. Second round: 1. Ricky Riley, 3.7, $1,818; 2. (tie) Casey McMillen and Stockton Graves, 4.2, $1,348 each; 4. Wyatt Carney, 4.3, $878; 5. (tie) Chancey Larson, Mark Wendler and Spud Duvall, 4.4, $293 each. Third round: 1. (tie) Chancey Larson and Tyler Karney, 4.2 seconds, $1,662 each; 3. Ken Lewis, 4.3, $1,191; 4. (tie) Josh Peek, Glen Clark and Kirby Kaul, 4.4, $585 each. Average: 1. Chancey Larson, 13.4 seconds on three head, $2,727; 2. Glen Clark, 14.3, $2,257; 3. Todd Suhn, 14.5, $1,787; 4. Josh Peek, 15.7, $1,317; 5. Britt Walters, 16.1, $846; 6. Wyatt Carney, 17.6, $470. Team roping: First round: 1. Logan Olson/Kinney Harrell, 5.1, $1,341 each; 2. (tie) Matt Tyler/Richard Durham and Clay Tryan/ Walt Woodard, 5.2, $994 each; 4. Chuck Doebbler/Marty Murphy, 5.3, $647; 5. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 5.7, $416; 6. Jake Kropik/Wade Clayton, 6.0, $231. Second round: 1. Travis Tryan/Michael Jones, 4.7, $1,341 each; 2. (tie) Gibbs Keeton/Josh Debord and Justin Lovell/Cole Bigbee, 5.5, $994 each; 4. (tie) B.J. Thompson/Ike Perkins, Mitch Coleman/Houston Hutto and Shane Philipp/John Philipp, 5.5, $432 each. Third round: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 4.9 seconds, $1,341 each; 2. Clay Tryan/Walt Woodard, 5.2, $1,110; 3. Tommy Edens/Coby Jones, 5.6, $879; 4. Joe Beaver/Nick Simmons, 5.8, 647; 5. Charles Pogue/Rich Skelton, 6.1, $416; 6. Cody Odell/Twister Cain, 6.4, $231. Average: 1. (tie) Charles Pogue/Rich Skelton and Cody Odell/Twister Cain, 18.6 on three head, $1,838 each; 3. Matt Tyler/Richard Durham, 18.7, $1,318; 4. Justin Lovell/Cole Bigbee, 19.0, $971; 5. Bubba Strait/Jory Levy, 19.3, $624; 6. Todd Arthur/Walter Donnell, 21.4, $347. Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Jermiah Diffee on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Ginger Snap, Red Lemmel on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Roany and Steven Dent on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Wasp, 83 points, $1,097 each; 4. Scott Keogh, 81, $520; 5. Heith DeMoss, 79, $303; 6. (tie) J.W. McCuistion, Justin Browning and Mike Outhier, 78, $72 each. Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Justin Maass, 7.8 seconds, $1,910; 2. Rod Hardesty, 9.0, $1,581; 3. (tie) Ricky Canton and Justin Macha, 9.2, $1,087 each; 5. (tie) Josh Peek and Kenneth McCullough, 9.3, $461 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Cash Myers and Cade Swor, 7.8 seconds, $1,745 each; 3. (tie) Jade Conner and Steven Catalani, 8.0, $1,087 each; 5. Barrett Threadgill, 8.1, $593; 6. Cody Ohl, 8.2, $329. Third round: 1. Trevor Brazile, 7.9 seconds, $1,910; 2. Bubba Paschal, 8.0, $1,581; 3. Scott Kormos, 9.4, $1,251; 4. Randall Carlisle, 9.6, $922; 5. John Bankhead, 9.8, $593; 6. Trent Creager, 10.0, $329; Average: 1. Bubba Paschal, 26.2 on three head, $2,865; 2. Trevor Brazile, 27.4, $2,371; 3. Scott Kormos, 27.6, $1,877; 4. Trent Creager, 27.9, $1,383; 5. Clay Cerny, 30.1, $889; 6. Justin Macha, 30.3, $494. Barrel racing:1. Naomi Smith, 17.16, $1,840; 2. Tammy Key-Fischer, 17.32, $1,577; 3. Maegan Reichert, 17.34, $1,315; 4. Darlene Kasper, 17.40, $1,139; 5. Sharin Hall Grant, 17.50, $876; 6. Susan Simms, 17.57, $701; 7. Kay Blandford, 17.59, $526; 8. Pamela Deaver, 17.63, $351; 9. (tie) Liz Pinkston and Linsay Knaff, 17.69, $219 each. Bull riding: 1. Chance Smart, 91 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Wild Berry, $1,843; 2. (tie) Beau Schroeder and Cody Harden, 81, $1,201 each; 4. Kyle Blank, 77, $670; 5. Clifton Clary, 74, $391; 6. (tie) Chad German and Jason Beck, 72, $140 each. Steer roping: First round: 1. J.R. Magdeburg III, 11.3 seconds, $1,218; 2. J.D. Yates, 11.5, $1,008; 3. Leo Campbell, 11.9, $798; 4. (tie) Rod Hartness and Bryce Davis, 12.0, $483 each; 6. Jason Cooper, 12.6, $210. Second round: 1. J.P. Wickett, 9.6 seconds, $1,218; 2. Lawson Plemons, 10.7, $1,008; 3. Brent Bennett, 11.4, $588; 4. Martin Poindexter, 11.8, $378; 5. Don Hall, 11.9, $210. Third round: 1. Leo Campbell, 9.2, $1,218; 2. Cash Myers, 10.0, $1,008; 3. Marty Jones, 11.1, $798; 4. J.D. Yates, 11.3, $588; 5. Rich Skelton, 11.4, $378; 6. Rocky Garnett, 12.0, $210. Average: 1. J.D. Yates, 37.3 on three head, $1,827; 2. Cody Lee, 41.6, $1,512; 3. Jason Cooper, 44.8, $1,197; 4. Cole Evans, 45.3, $882; 5. Vin Fisher Jr., 47.5, $567; 6. Cody Garnett, 53.6, $315. Total payoff: $144,073.
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Monday, April 2, 2007
Be on the look out for "RANK" a new documentary film about bull riding. The doc. film by director John Hyams follows such competitors as Mike Lee, and Justin McBride. Due in stores on April 3 2007.
Top clown of '06, Isley says rodeo requires different kinds of humor By DOMINIKA MASLIKOWSKI/ - Keith Isley had always been the class clown in school, but being funny in front of a rodeo crowd was different. Isley got into the rodeo at 14 and rode bulls and bucking horses for years. He'd grown up on a tobacco farm in North Carolina, a state where cowboys made a living off cattle and performed in rodeos on weekends. Then a rodeo clown in North Carolina dislocated his soldier, and suddenly Isley was asked to step in. “I was the only one there with make-up and they expected me to be funny,” he said. “I was terrified.” That was nearly two decades ago, and long before Isley was named the PRCA specialty act and rodeo clown of 2006. He overcame his nerves and performed the act he'd picked up by watching other clowns. Isley admits he still gets nervous - especially before going in front of a new crowd - but said these days he feels as comfortable as he did when he made jokes in front of his classmates. He's tongue-tied and stumbling for words when speaking at a Kiwanis luncheon, but said during a rodeo his make-up gives him a screen behind which he's more at ease. His act Sunday at the Laughlin River Stampede featured antics with his tan dog, Cooter Brown, jumping over a broom handle or atop a trash bin while he pantomimed in oversized Wrangler overalls. During the rest of the rodeo, he kept his eye on bull and horse riders, ready to assist if any got hurt, and exchanged comic dialogue with the emcee. Before the rodeo Isley takes 20 minutes in a trailer parked by the animal stalls to put on thick white ovals around his eyes and red stars on his cheeks. He says the best part of his job is watching people respond with a smile. “Because when you smile,” he said, “you're feeling good.” He says different parts of the country have unique brands of humor. In Montana or Colorado, for example, he can pick on Californians for a laugh, while Oklahoma or Alabama are the butt of his jokes when he's in the Golden State. In the south, he picks on northerners. But everybody laughs when he's in a barrel that's rammed by a bull. The wireless microphone he's had since the mid-1980's has made it easier to relate to his audience, and he's able to joke beyond the “screaming and hollering” of past rodeo clowns. He doesn't rehearse, but goes over certain tricks with his animals. Mostly, he said, when you're working with animals, you've got be ready to improvise.
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Thursday, March 29.2007
A glamorous life it's not.. By Tom Waddill Sports Editor Feel the wind in your hair, see the country from coast to coast, entertain on a nightly basis and listen to the crowd roar. That’s a glamorous glimpse into the life of a professional rodeo cowboy. Here’s another view of what a cowboy goes through while out on the road: long, tiring road trips from Buckeye, Ariz., to Goliad, Texas, flat tires, broken barriers, 10-second penalties, missed paydays, cross-country plane rides and nights sleeping in the parking lot of the Cattlemen’s Arena in Okeechobee, Fla. It’s not so glamorous a life when put that way. Bryan Fields, a professional steer wrestler from Conroe, has been on the road for nearly 10 years. He says the life of a pro rodeo cowboy can be lumped somewhere in between the two above descriptions. There are lots of highs and lows, peaks and valleys, ups and downs, but for someone with rodeo in their blood, the good times far outweigh the bad. “It’s not a bad living in Texas,” Fields said Wednesday after the first go-round at the Walker County Fair Pro Rodeo. “This time of the year, there’s Houston and San Antonio, we’ll go to Denver and Florida a couple of times. “I’ll be around the house quite a bit, but then I’ll be gone for about five weeks. Then from the end of June until the middle of September, I’ll stay gone if all goes well. We’ll go to Reno, then on over to Greeley, Colorado, to Wyoming and up in the Northwest.” When he’s at it full time, Fields says he logs more than 70,000 miles on the road annually. That doesn’t count the plane rides to the far-off events on the West and East coasts. Summertime is the busiest for cowboys and cowgirls. “On the Fourth of July, I try to make five or six rodeos in a week,” Fields said while taking care of his horse, Fizzbomb. “I’ll try to hire somebody to drive the truck or we’ll charter a plane with some of the other guys. I just flew back from Laughlin, (Nev.) and I’ll fly back out there for the last performance Sunday. Pretty soon, we’ll drive out to San Francisco.” Fields struck out Wednesday in the first go-round of the slack rodeo in Walker County. His 16-second time placed him far out of the money, but he’ll be back on his horse this morning, ready to go again, trying to earn a spot in one of this year’s two nightly performances, which are scheduled Friday and Saturday. The top 24 contestants from rounds one and two of tie-down, steer wrestling and team roping will advance and compete during performances Friday and Saturday where the money is better, and the crowd bigger. Fields says that’s the goal at every rodeo, to cash a check, stack up the receipts and try and earn one of the prestigious spots in the year-ending National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. “There’s not much money in it,” Fields said honestly. “Pretty much the only way to make money is to make it to the finals.” Fields has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, the Super Bowl for professional cowboys and cowgirls, five times. That’s the ultimate for every bulldogger, tie-down roper, barrel racer and bull rider. “That makes it all worth it,” Fields said. “You wonder about it during the year if it’s worth it, but when you get there it is.” Some cowboys like Fields have learned to live with the disappointment that comes with a “no time,” the monotony of a long tour of West Texas and the pressure that comes with trying to deliver a peak performance even when one is exhausted and ready to fall out. Others like Carthage tie-down roper Tye Pride give the pro circuit a shot and decide it’s not for them. Pride, 27 and a graduate of Stephen F. Austin University, roped full time for several months last year. “I’m not going to do that again,” Pride said while still sitting atop his horse Wednesday. “I like doing it, but for me, it’s more of a pastime, kind of like playing golf.” This year, Pride is staying close to home, trying to earn a few checks, doing what he still loves to do. He’s just not doing it full time anymore. “I did that last year, and it was too hectic for me,” Pride said after a “middle-of-the-pack” finish that netted him no dollars Wednesday. “It costs too much money. “Everybody out here can rope. The competition is rough and the expenses are fierce,” he added. “Horses cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000, rigs are $200,000 for really nice ones, there are fees to get into the rodeos, diesel is very expensive and you’ve got to eat.” For some, the price is too high — and the payoffs too low — to live the life of a pro rodeo cowboy. For others, all of that comes in a day’s work
Gaffney enjoying retirement in Corrales By GARY HERRON/OBSERVER SPORTS EDITOR It wasn't that long ago that Corrales resident Michael Gaffney was one of the best bullriders around. Now 37 and retired for two years - "35's about right," he quipped - he has a firm handshake, is a bit bowlegged, and appears young enough to get carded if he tries to buy beer. Fortunately for Gaffney, or "G" as they call him, he managed to stay fairly healthy in a dangerous sport that put him near the million-dollar mark in career earnings when he hung his chaps up for good. Such wasn't the case for Lane Frost, depicted in the movie about the sport, "8 Seconds," nor for one of Gaffney's traveling partners, Brent Thurman, who was stepped on by one of the beasts in the 10th round of the National Finals in Las Vegas in 1994. "That's a wake-up call," Gaffney said, remembering a conversation with co-founding Professional Bull Riders executive Cody Lambert (who really didn't write poetry, as he was shown doing in "8 Seconds," Gaffney noted). "That's the first time I didn't want to ride bulls, when I lost my buddy," he said. "You've got to be about half-crazy - but I never considered myself crazy," Gaffney said. The sport has a way of weeding out the cowboys who aren't very good; they need to win or place to earn money and it gets expensive traveling the country from event to event. "It's way too dangerous; it's not a hobby," he said. He'll be at Tingley Coliseum this weekend to take in the annual Ty Murray Invitational; in fact, he'll provide commentary on the Versus network on Sunday when the finals take place. Each day (Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 6 and Sunday at 2) fans will see "two hours of the best guys in the world," Gaffney promised. It's the 14th stop for the PBR Tour, and the 45 riders entered, he said have been taking a beating on a weekly basis. "You can imagine the pain tolerance bullriders have," he said. "They all have injuries." Gaffney wasn't exempt for aches and pains: He's had a cracked sternum, "snapped jaws" and a bruised heart; both shoulders have been repaired after rotator cuff injuries. Of course, the successes outweighed the agony: Gaffney was the Rookie of the Year in 1990, the PBR world champ in 1997, and knew when it was time to quit. Today, he compares that highlight to hitting a home run in a final at-bat, or catching a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl before calling it quits. Gaffney retired after scoring 96.5 on "Little Yellow Jacket," which tied a PBR record for the highest score. Although he enjoyed most of the pursuits his buddies enjoyed while growing up in Cloudcroft (Class of 1987), where Gaffney played football and basketball and ran track, once he was put atop a steer at the age of 4 he was hooked. "Your competition is the bull; at the end of the day, there's nobody to blame but yourself," he said, sounding like he's writing a country song. As he got older and stronger and more successful during his high school days, he was offered a scholarship to Western Texas College in Snyder. Although he never obtained his bachelor's degree, choosing to turn pro - he went on to have a 15-year career - and leave college, he does have an associate's degree. He showed just how smart he was when he helped found the PBR; he's on the board of directors. "It's the only stand-alone event" in rodeo, he said, explaining how the multi-event rodeos always saved the bullriding for last - and how PBR has become successful by offering only bullriding, building up the purses, plus the national attention via TV. He and his wife of nearly 18 years, Robyn, are adding a second story to their home in Corrales. Robyn, a childhood sweetheart of Gaffney's and originally from Grants, is a physician at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. The couple have a 3-year-old daughter to keep them busy when they're home. Although he's off the bulls for good, that doesn't mean he's turned into a girly boy. Gaffney enjoys snow-boarding, scuba-diving and piloting his own 1957 Bonanza airplane, which he often takes to PBR events. When time permits, he enjoys hunting, or fishing with Robyn and her parents. Bullriding provided a good living for Gaffney, who now can look back and say, "As a whole, you generally need to enjoy what you do to be productive." It's not a pain-free existence now, almost three years after his last ride. "It's a constant battle," he said, when asked if he wakes up still hurting. "I still take pretty good care of myself; I exercise regularly." He has a set of exercise equipment only a few steps from his desk on the second story. So, despite the occasional aches and pains, it's been a great life. And, now, that's no bull.
Bull rider living his rodeo dream Cowboy has won five events this year and is on way to second title 11:15 PM CDT on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 As a child, Justin McBride says he would stay awake at night thinking about making a living riding bulls. "But I always thought that was a stretch. It's like playing in the NFL. Every kid wants to do it, but not that many can," he said. But McBride never let go of his early vision, even though at times it seemed unreachable. Now his childhood dream has come true in a big way. He won the Professional Bull Riders title in 2005 and is storming toward his second championship. He is regarded by many as the top bull rider going down the road, no matter what organization. McBride, 28, continues to reign over the Built Ford Tough world standings, extending his lead to 904 points over J.B. Mauney after winning last week's Cabela's Shootout in Omaha, Neb. It was his fifth event championship this year, and he is on the edge of breaking his record of six series wins in a season. "I told my wife that I'd win eight [tour stops] this year, but I told [fellow rider] J.W. Hart that I could win 10, so I guess I'll shoot for eight," joked McBride. After earning $42,095 in Omaha, he has totaled $140,000 from first-place finishes at three of the last four tour stops. He also won New Orleans on March 4 and Kansas City on March 11. He's amassed $3,342,031 in career earnings. McBride says his success has been determined by the outstanding bulls he has drawn. Considering his 70 percent riding percentage, he could deliver the 10-win goal by November and the PBR World Finals. Leading going into the championship round Saturday, he topped his winning performance by marking a 90-point ride aboard Chad Berger, Ryken and Hawks' bull Scaredy Cat, which gave him 265.5 points on three bulls, 5.75 points ahead of Beau Hill. McBride also says his good health has been a key in his winning run. "I'm feeling great now," he said. "That's a real big part of winning." It wasn't always like that. He's suffered a collapsed lung, a busted shoulder and a broken leg, but that never stopped him. "I can't quit bull riding until I win a world title," he vowed more than once before he did it in 2005. "He's a guy who has come really close to winning a championship a number of times, and I've seen how it can ruin guys because they want it so badly," said PBR president Ty Murray. "But Justin learned from his mistakes, he made adjustments, and that's what it took. He showed it's more than just physical ability – it's the heart of a champion." Now he's looking toward his second world championship and another $1 million bonus. A long way from his early childhood dream. Big wins in Austin: Three area rodeo hands took titles at RodeoAustin, which ended Saturday. Bull rider Bryan Richardson of Dallas was the top money winner, earning $10,655. He is returning after an injury sidelined him most of last year. His victory moved him to seventh in the world standings. Barrel racer Annesa Self of Valley View took home $4,449. The two-time Mesquite Championship Rodeo champion has moved to seventh in the world standings with $20,948 in season earnings. After winning $5,270 at the recent Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, Idaho, Chris Harris of Itasca returned to Texas to walk off with $8,060 and the bareback riding title. He's fifth in the world standings with $23,512 in earnings for the year. Auctions benefit Akin: The first of three online benefit auctions for seriously injured bull rider Lee Akin brought in $12,465. The high-selling lot was two embryos with paternal bloodlines to the stellar bull Big Bucks, which were donated by Don Brown and sold to Sadie Bonsall for $2,000. A second auction was completed Saturday, and a third that began Tuesday will run through Saturday at www.thebreeders connection.com. Donations can be sent, payable to Pro Bull Riding Outreach, to: American Bucking Bull, Inc., attn: Lee Akin Benefit, 713 NE Hwy 66, Sayre, OK, 73662.
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Wednesday,March 28. 2007
Finally have a computer that is up and running and a tad faster. Now, lets see if anyone even notices that NR is being updated again *LOL*
LAUGHLIN - It happened in a matter of seconds: the steer was released into the arena followed by two ropers on horses who quickly maneuvered around the animal and, with two swift moves, roped its head and hind legs. The steer fell to the ground as the riders pulled the rope taut between them. To cowboys watching the team roping event from the bleachers of the Laughlin Event Arena Tuesday afternoon, the strategy of competition has become second nature. You just have to be fast, said Calvin Taylor of El Paso, Texas, who competed earlier in the day. “One guy heads the steer and one guy ropes the two back feet,” Taylor said. The objective is to complete the maneuver as quickly as possible. But team roping isn't as simple as it sounds; one contestant said it is the most difficult event in rodeo. Professional team roper Jhett Johnson used football terminology to describe the maneuver. The header is like the quarterback of the team and the heeler is like the receiver, Johnson said. The Casper, Wyo., native who recently won first place in the George Straight Team Roping Classic in San Antonio, Texas, usually competes as a heeler. “Once (the header) goes left then I get in time with steer,” he said. “When his hind feet come off the ground, that's when I throw the rope down under.” At 5.2 seconds, Johnson's team came in third Tuesday in the slack competition, the first of two rounds of competition in the 13th Annual Laughlin River Stampede PRCA Rodeo. His final score will be determined by averaging Tuesday's score with the score he receives Friday, his next day of competition. Slack competitions were scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday to accommodate more than 600 contestants who traveled from throughout the country, as well as Canada and Australia, to showcase their skills. Including seven traditional events, the rodeo officially begins Thursday and continues through Sunday. Almost $250,000 in prizes are available for the top contestants in team roping, bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping and bull riding. Jena Morga, executive director of the Laughlin Tourism Committee, said the competition seems to get bigger every year, attracting some of the country's top cowboys. Some said they attend rodeos for the thrill of competition and others said they enjoy meeting people from different parts of the country. Rodeos are the best part of the cowboy lifestyle, according to Bobby Baize, a team roper from El Paso, Texas. “Every day's a holiday, every meal's a picnic and every night's New Year's Eve,” he said. For more information and tickets, contact Honeycutt Rodeo Company at 800-308-2253... By ALICE POPOVICI/The Daily News
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Casper team roper Jhett Johnson won the George Strait Team Roping Classic on Saturday, winning more than $84,000 in the process. Johnson teamed with Nick Sartain of Yukon, Okla., to record a combined time of 16.84 seconds on three head. "It was amazing," Johnson said Tuesday. "For guys that rope for a living, it's the biggest one-day roping and payoff we can go to." Johnson made it pay off by taking home the top prize, which included a new truck and trailer. More than 600 teams competed in the event. Johnson and Sartain were one of the top 50 teams the first day, which gave them the right to compete in Saturday's finals, consisting of three runs for each team. The timing for Johnson couldn't have been better. A two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Johnson had an appendectomy on Feb. 5 in Stephenville, Texas. "I was supposed to lay off six weeks, and the sixth week was the week before the George Strait (Classic)," Johnson said. Johnson spent four weeks on his couch after the surgery, but obviously the layoff didn't hurt him. The George Strait Classic victory was only Johnson's second event since returning to action. Johnson and Sartain's time was 0.14 seconds ahead of brothers Jay and Randon Adams of Logandale, Nev., who finished second with three runs in 16.98 seconds. ..By the Star-Tribune staff
New rodeo association in the works By JOE KUSEK Of The Gazette Staff Somebody thinks the PRCA is vulnerable. While the governing body of professional rodeo starts its search for a new commissioner, now comes an announcement of the formation of a new rodeo league. The Pro Rodeo League, according to its press release, "Will offer a new rodeo system that will showcase athletes and allow fans across the country to see their favorite contestants through a specified season." The PRL is still two years away, according to organizers. The plan is to have six teams representing major cities to compete in head-to-head competitions and earn a championship title for one of the cities. The concept is to create new rodeo fans in major metropolitan areas. Each team will consist of five contestants in each of the standard rodeo events - bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, team roping and bull riding. Some of pro rodeo's top rodeo athletes have made a commitment to the PRL, including former tie-down world champion Fred Whitfield. "This has the potential to take our sport to a new level," said Whitfield, an eight-time PRCA world champion and member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. "They are going to give fans a consistent way to follow rodeo and grow the sport." A draft system will be used to determine each team. The schedule will include stops in each team's home city to allow fans to follow both their team and individual contestants. The first draft is scheduled to take place early in 2008 with the season starting later that year. The cities involved have yet to be announced. "We've looked at the positive and the negative aspects of rodeo and organized by building on the positive," said Truman Wright, PRL president. Wright is based in Houston. "We believe that it is the most exciting sport in our country and by utilizing the team concept and by educating people, we will build the fan base." Those involved have been planning the PRL for four years and have consulted with contestants and stock contractors on the rodeo side. Wright said the PRL will also be bringing in experts from other professional athletic leagues.
Good news for Montana rodeo competitors. Earlier this year, the PRCA and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association reached a three-year sanctioning agreement. That means money won at Canadian rodeos will count in the PRCA world standings. The agreement also opens up more spots for non-Canadians for the Canadian Finals Rodeo in November. Starting this year, there will be seven spots available for those not from up north. Five of the seven positions will be determined by the CPRA standings and the other two will come from the Canadian Tour. The number of outside competitors allowed to compete at the CFR had been a sticking point between the two rodeo organizations. Last year, seven-time world champion Dan Mortensen qualified for his first CFR, held annually in Edmonton. Two Americans - Washington tie-down roper Tyson Durfey and Nebraska barrel racer Lisa Lockhart - won Canadian titles. The number of Canadian rodeos required for non-Canadian contestants has also been trimmed to 15, compared to 17 last year. According to Dwayne Erickson of the Calgary Herald, the 15 Canadian rodeo limit should bring more Americans north, along with the factor that the PRCA is limiting competitors to 70 counting rodeos in 2007. Some events were allowed up to 100 last year, giving Americans more time to work Canadian rodeos.
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Tues. March 27.2007
Just testing
Sunday, November 5,2006
I want to send my best wishes and prayers out to the family and friends of Shane Drury. Shane went to shake hands with the Lord and Ride in Heavens rodeo on the morning of 10/31/06. Shane you will be sorely missed, Your courage and your faith have been an ispiration to many. Ride with Jesus buddy
For more info. please see Shane Drury's website
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Tuesday, October 3.2006 2:00pm cst
Wow, I actually found more than ten minutes to jump on the computer. felt like a good time to do one of my few and far between updates.
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I can't believe Caity is going to be a year old in 28 days. Just doesn't seem possible. She is at that stage where everything is a wonder. She'll turn a peice of paper over a thousand times and inspect it over and over...Taylor is growing like crazy still. So much bigger than most kids her age. But she's still Pa Pa's little girl.
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Thursday, September 7,2006.
Wow, I have a chance to update a little earlier today. Not by much, but I'll take it. Ryan is in Ava,MO. today. They are having the Missouri Fox trotter world show this week. Today they are showing versatility with cutting, roping, barrel racing, and I think reigning. Ryan fell in love with the smooth gait of the foxtrotter (although I think he'd take a Paso Fino over a trotter if he HAD to choose). He's been lining up a few clients, so the training biz is starting to look up.. I can't believe Caity is already ten months old. She is the sweetest thing. Still tiny, but growing regularly. She loves to dance to music, and sometimes I can catch her singing to herself. The words are always the same, Ma ma, Da da, Pa Pa. We are trying to get her to say Tay, or even Sissy, but she's not quite ready yet. She's going to be walking befor she is a year old, I'm pretty sure. She doesn't crawl much, just enough to get herself someplace where she can pull herself up and stand.. Taylor is her normal precotious 4 yr old self. Always asking questions. Sometimes a little more nosy than I would like. She wants to know what other people are doing all the time. She's getting to be such a big girl, and I mean size. She's taller than most kids her age. 42 inches tall and 42 pounds. I had a doctor the other day tell me that I had better save up money to buy basketball shoes when she gets older. I have no doubt that Tay will play some sort of sport. She constantly wants to know if she's old enough to play this sport or that. She really wants to get into soccer. We are thinking about it, but not sure if she has enough of an attention span to listen to a coach and learn how to play.
Well, better get to the good stuff. I've found quite a bit today, so I'll go to the Quick read format today
But first, right click this link and ask it to open in a new window...Vold loses top horse
Todays quick read has news from Alaska, as well as a good amount of results..CLICK HERE PLEASE
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Saturday, September 2,2006 - 1:36pm cst
Craig takes the early lead at rodeo.. Bull riders score on the low end
By JON GUDDAT-Daily Record - Ellensburg,WA
The 84th installment of the Ellensburg Rodeo started off with some consistent scoring for the bareback riders, while judges consistently scored the bull riders low to end in Friday night’s events. Arkansas bull rider Clint Craig ended up leaving Ellensburg leading the first round — with a 73 — a considerably low score given the fact that Craig won Ellensburg in 2004 with a 90-point ride. “I’ll take it right now,” Craig said of his round-leading score. “It probably won’t win first, but it might get me back here on Monday.” Monday’s final round is another chance for Craig to earn a big chunk of change while also earning a few tour points for the summer tour finale. “That’s what you look for, to get to the short round because that’s when they give away the big money,” he said. Craig bested a field of quality riders such as Steve Woolsey, Wesley Silcox and reigning world champion and current world leader Matt Austin, all who got no scores. Opening the evening was Forest Bramwell’s 86 on Calgary Stampede’s London Mist. Not only was it a good night for Bramwell, but his three traveling partners — Will Lowe, Royce Ford and Wes Stevenson — will most likely be back in Monday’s short round as well. Lowe was close behind with an 83, Ford had an 82 and Stevenson — who has won Ellensburg two years in a row - left town Friday night with an 80. “We’re all best friends but when we nod our head in the arena we’re all fighting for first place, “ Stevenson said. “When you get that many guys that are winning, four guys really feed off of each other.” In the tie-down roping, cowboys had a difficult time getting into the single digits as five of the eight qualified times were at 10 seconds or slower. However, Colbert’s Tyson Durfey charged into the lead by a large margin with an 8.4-second run, some seven tenths of a second faster than Ty Sturza, who competed in high school rodeos in Washington before moving to Hermiston, Ore. Nate Baldwin, out of Rigby, Idaho was the only other cowboy under 10 seconds with a 9.7. Ricky Canton, who won Ellensburg in 2004, leads the average so far this weekend with 20.6 on two head, although official average results weren’t available by press time. In the team roping, the Mikey Fletcher and Bobby Blaize team took the lead in the second round, tying their steer in 6.1 seconds, however, the duo is out of the average due to their no time in Thursday first-round slack. Two guys in the hunt for the Ellensburg buckle, however, are Turtle Powell and Richard Durham, whose 6.3 on Friday puts them at 11.8 on two. Steven Campbell’s 4.6 leads the second round in steer wrestling. He’s three tenths of a second ahead of Barry Kreikemeier in the go-round. In the saddle bronc riding, Ryan Mackenzie leads a three-brother charge for Monday’s short go. Mackenzie’s 80 is pretty likely to get him back here for the finals, while brothers Josh (75) and Sam (76) may have some difficulties. Jake Griffin’s 78 and Glen O’Neill’s 77 rounded out some of the better scores on Friday. In the barrel racing, Barbra West’s 17.42 looked pretty difficult to beat on Friday, which it was. However, Shelly Anzick decided to do the next best thing in crossing the line with the exact same time for a share of the second-round lead. West, however, has the edge in the average, with 35.06 on two, with Anzick a blink behind in 35.29. West may have recent history on her side, though, as the Oak Harbor cowgirl won here last year. Anzick, though, has a better shot at the National Finals Rodeo, as she is just two places out of the top 15. Another cowgirl in the mix for second-go money is Tana Poppino, whose 17.54 puts her in third. Poppino is currently 12th in the world this week. Saturday brings a full day of rodeo action with the regular rodeo getting started at 12:45 p.m. A few hours after that completes the Xtreme Bulls invade Ellensburg once again for an 8 p.m. start.
Riders go to the Xtreme, An Xtreme 50 grand up for grabs
By JON GUDDAT-Daily Record - Ellensburg,WA
Xtreme Bulls comes back to the place where it all started four years ago with the Ellensburg tour stop at 8 o’clock tonight. Born from a prototype bull riding event right here in 2002, the Xtreme Bulls tour has dramatically increased the earnings of bull riders, including last year’s world champion, Matt Austin. Austin won the Xtreme Bulls last year on his way to a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-record $320,766 and his first world title. Austin again is the man to beat this year as he leads both the Xtreme Bulls and world standings, however, it isn’t in the same dominant fashion as 2005. Austin comes into Ellensburg with a $400 lead on Travis Sellers in the Xtreme standings and has won $123,000 total thus far this year, some $21,000 ahead of second place Sonny Murphy, who will also be in Ellensburg tonight. In fact, all the big, well-known names will be here, including 2004 and 2000 world champions Dustin Elliott and Cody Hancock. Last year’s overall and bull riding rookie of the year Steve Woolsey, who finished second behind Austin in 2005 and is seventh this year despite battling injuries, and traveling partner Wesley Silcox, who was eighth in the world in 2005 and third this year, will both be here as well. Mike Moore, who won the Xtreme Bulls title in 2003 will be here, too. Moore is still fighting to get back to the National Finals Rodeo as his last trip to Las Vegas was 2003. Jarrod Ford, last year’s bull riding winner, is hopeful of winning Ellensburg two years in a row. But what about the stock? Ellensburg has brought in some of the best including Flying 5’s Flack Jacket and Spotted Jacket, Big Bend’s Hi Jinx and Burns Rodeo’s Super Jet. Let’s not forget hometown Beard Rodeo’s Hemi and Bacca. Bacca is reserved for the last rider in the final round tonight. “They try hard to bring in several different contractors,” Elliott said a couple hours before boarding a plane from home in North Platte, Neb., on Friday morning. “They do a real good job.” Both Moore and Ford were quoted by prorodeo.com reporter Mike Welsh as saying that Bacca is as close to being a sure thing as possible. Ford got the honor of riding Bacca last year. “I’ll take him again,” he told prorodeo.com. “He’s just a good bull that you’re going to be close to 90 every time and if you do things right, you’ll ride him.” Moore agreed. “That bull has been good for a long time,” Moore also told prorodeo.com. “He’s been the bull that a guy wants to get on.” Up for grabs is $50,000. Every one of the 40 riders gets a ride in the first round before the cut is made for the short-go. For guys like Moore, a big payday could secure a return trip to NFR. More locally, Goldendale’s JC Bean and Tonasket’s Zack Oakes are in the same boat. Oakes is a two-time NFR qualifier, finishing in fifth last year and sixth in 2004. He sits two spots out of the NFR’s cut — the top 15 — in 17th place. Bean is one spot behind Oakes in 18th place with $53,000 won so far this year, a career high. After coming close to an NFR qualification in 2004, Bean fell off the map a bit last year, but has continued to stay in the hunt as the summer season winds down. Bean won nearly $13,000 in Lexington, Ky., during the Cowboy Christmas Fourth of July run, leaving town as the only rider to cover all three bulls, including previously unridden, Texas, of Harland Robertson Rodeo Company. The Xtreme Bulls tour is coming to a close soon, too. After tonight’s stop, contestants will find themselves in Kissimmee, Fla., on Oct. 7 for the final tour stop before the Xtreme Bulls Finals on Oct. 27 in Indianapolis. This week’s Xtreme stop is also preferred for cowboys beyond the money aspect. For guys like Elliott, he’s up in today’s Ellensburg Rodeo just hours before his ride tonight. “It’s nice that we can come to one town and get in an Xtreme and (summer) tour rodeo,” he said.
Miss Rodeo North Dakota recovers
Imagine going from one of your life's highs... to one of your lows. Miss Rodeo North Dakota Ashley Andrews did. One month after being crowned she found out she had cancer, Hodgkin's disease. It's a good day for Ashley Andrews and Teedo... After six months of chemotherapy, Andrews' cancer is now in remission. (Ashley Andrews/ Miss Rodeo North Dakota) "I found out on August ninth I went into remission and so it was a complete weight off my shoulders and I feel like a new person again. " (Britni Moon) While fighting cancer, Andrews still lived her childhood dream of being Miss Rodeo North Dakota. (Ashley Andrews/ Miss Rodeo North Dakota) "It was a balancing act but I just did my best to focus on everyday, taking everyday as it came, and trying to get everything accomplished. And I had a lot support and a lot of help behind me to accomplish everything I had to get done." (Britni Moon) Andrew encourages others to follow their dreams. After her battle with cancer she shares the power of a positive attitude. (Ashley Andrews/ Miss Rodeo North Dakota) "Ah, the one thing that sticks with, no matter what you're doing in life, you're going to face setbacks, but no matter how big the setback is, you really can overcome it and you can really accomplish anything you put your mind to. " (Britni Moon) Andrews says having Hodgkin's has made her stronger physically and mentally... traits that may help her achieve another dream Miss Rodeo America. Near Mandan, Britni Moon, KX News. Andrews will compete for Miss Rodeo America, November twenty-fifth. The competition is being held in Las Vegas.
Monday, August 14. 2006. 5:30pm cst
Beaver ties down some money -By Annie Fowler, Herald staff writer
HERMISTON -- Joe Beaver has earned more money in the sport of rodeo than any other cowboy, but lately, the only money the Texas cowboy has seen was leaving his pocket. Friday, Beaver got back on the winning track, posting the top time in tie-down roping during the third round of the Farm-City Pro Rodeo. Beaver's time of 7.9 seconds earned him the night's go-round money, but his time on two (21.2 seconds) wasn't enough to qualify him for tonight's finals. "I've been on the biggest dry streak the last two years," said Beaver, who last qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in 2002. "I was at the end of my rope. Maybe this will help turn it around. This 7.9 is like a 6.5 -- I haven't tied anything down in two weeks." At 40 years old, Beaver wears a brace on his left knee and has to wrap his groin before competing, but when you are sitting 17th in the PRCA standings and the top 15 make it to the NFR, every advantage helps. "I'd like to make it to the NFR in both events (tie-down roping and team roping) one more time," said Beaver, who has earned more than $2,6 million in his 21 years on the PRCA circuit. Chad Ferley is sitting third in the PRCA saddle bronc standings, and added more to his winnings after winning Friday's performance with an 85, taking the top position away from Morgan Forbes, who had an 84 on Thursday. Ferley's first ride on Alibi was a dud, with the horse not performing up to standards. On his reride, he drew Big Ugly, but after 8 seconds, the horse was a thing of beauty to the South Dakota cowboy. "I'd been on him before and made money then, too," said Ferley, who drove 21 hours from New Mexico to compete. "He's a good horse. I was a little nervous because he bucks pretty hard, but it worked out well." Friday's saddle bronc event also featured the Coco-Cola Showdown, where Shaun Stroh was eligible to win a $500 bonus for a legal ride on Loadstone Jade. Stroh made the ride and scored a 78. It was good enough for the bonus money, but not good enough for tonight's final. "It's a nice 'thanks for coming,'" said Stroh, who's sitting 14th in the PRCA standings. "It's nice to get something like that when you don't win any money. It takes $100 just to fill the truck with gas." Cimmaron Gerke took over second place in the bareback competition with an 84 on Juvenile Quest, and trails lead Andy Martinez by two points going into the finals. "I'd seen the horse quite a bit, but I'd never been on him before today," Gerke said. "It's nice to come here knowing you have a good horse. I'm in the top 15 right now, but I'd like to win a little more money to make sure I make to the NFR." Gerke finished fourth in the bareback world standings last year despite missing nearly half of the season after having surgery on his right elbow less than a week after the 2004 NFR. "I have an elbow brace and that has made all the difference," said Gerke, who has been injury free this year." Cash Myers was the top man in the steer wrestling, turfing his steer in 4 seconds. He has a top time of 9.8 on two head going into the finals. In the team roping, Chad Masters and Cole Bigbee are the leaders going into the finals with an 11.6 after clocking a 5.6-second run on their second go. There were only three legal bull rides Friday, and all three moved into tonight's final, led by Zeb Lanham's 81 on El Wapo.
Splish Splash:Die-hard PBR fans enjoy two-night show- Jimmy Ivey
After a Friday night show of the PBR’’s Battle of the Bulls, only the faithful came back for a Saturday night show, which was delayed over an hour due to rain at the Parker County Sheriff’’s Posse Arena. Ryan McConnel of Cortez, Colo. and McKennon Wimberly of Cool, Texas were the big money winners at the end of the weekend. Both bull riders were the only riders from the entire weekend to last eight seconds on two different bulls. Both rides were on Friday night and both came from the first section of riders. McConnel got into the championship round of Friday night’’s event after taking a 73.5 off the board and taking advantage of a re-ride. In his re-ride, McConnel scored an 83.5. Wimberly advanced to the championship round with an 80-point ride in the long go. The Friday night show was highlighted by several big names from the PBR, including world champion Ednei Caminhas, who currently lives in Denton. Caminhas rode eight seconds aboard Stray Cat in the long go, but took a 73.5 score off the board and went for a higher score in a re- ride. Caminhas did not last the necessary eight seconds for his re-ride. In the championship round Friday, Wimberly scored the highest score of the weekend aboard Missfire, scoring an 88.5. Three bulls later, McConnel scored an 86 aboard Lost in Paradise, giving him a one and a half point advantage over Wimberly heading into Saturday night’’s competition. Rains on Saturday began in Weatherford around 5 p.m. and did not go away until late Saturday evening. The rain stopped around 6 p.m., but were back again shortly after 7 p.m. The rains did not let up until around 8:30 p.m., which was when the decision to go ahead and buck bulls was made. Shortly after the show started, the rains resumed and continued for most of the evening. It was not until Austin Ambrose of Fletcher, Okla. lasted eight seconds aboard Bigger Man, seven bulls into the night, that the first score was recorded. Only seven bull riders lasted eight seconds aboard their bulls Saturday night. None of the 10 riders brought back for the championship round Saturday posted a score. The evening was seen by a number of fans with umbrellas, ponchos, and even a snorkel, goggles and a pair of flippers. McConnel won $4,006.64 for his 169.5 score from Friday night. Wimberly won $3,592.16 for his 168 score from Friday night. Travis Briscoe of Edgewood, N.M. finished third with an average score of 86.5 from the long go Friday night and won $2,763.20. Chris Herring of Jones, Okla. finished fourth overall with an average score of 85 from the long go Saturday and won $1,934.24. Ambrose and his 84 Saturday night won him $1,215.81. Chance Lundrum of Crowley, Texas won $580.27 for his 83.5 score Friday night in the long go. Brian Herman of Victoria, Texas and Brad Harris of Udall, Kan. split the seventh and eighth place money for their score of 83. Harris was the last man to get a score from a bull Saturday night. Herman earned his score Friday night. Both earned $276.32.
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Sunday, August 13,2006. 4:50pm cst
Bootheel Rodeo battles through muddy conditions
SIKESTON, MO. —— Heavy rains during the day made for a very muddy rodeo grounds at the 54th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. Despite the less-than-optimal conditions, the show went on as rodeo cowboys vied for the cash prizes. In the bareback riding event, Scott Drennan and J.T. Taylor tied with 79 points. Bo Casper took third with 74 points. In the saddle bronc riding, Steve Dollarhide finished in first with 84 points. Tyler Corrington got 81 points to take second place and Dusty Hausauer finished in third with 76 points. In the bull riding, Matt Austin went unchallenged to take the first place score of 76 points. In tie down roping, Trent Creager finished in first place with a time of 10.1 seconds. Scott Shelton took second with a time of 10.2 seconds. In steer wrestling, Bob Loosenort took first with a time of 4.1 seconds. Brad Morgan took second in 4.8 seconds and Jason Bowen finished in third with a time of 5.9 seconds. In the team roping competition, Chad Saunders and Chad Harper captured the first place prize with a time of 6.5 seconds. In barrel racing, Marne Loosenort took first with a time of 17.41. Donna Kalish finished in second with a time of 18.02.
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PRCA Missoula
Bareback - Ryan Gray, 86, 1,335; Cimmaron Gerke, 82, 870; Dale Stoller, 82, 870; Andy Martinez, 80, 485; Andy Bolich, 78, 2,83; Cleve Schmidt, 75, 101; John Collins, 75, 101.
Saddle bronc - Anthony Bello, 86, 1,467; Justin Arnold, 83, 955; Jess Martin, 83, 955; Cody Wright, 82, 533; Scott Miller, 81, 311; Jake Costello, 80, 222.
Bull riding - Levi Hendrickson, 80, 1,373; Craig Dalgarno, 76, 894; Richard Bird, 76, 894; Brett Crump, 75, 499; Beau Hill, 70, 249; Tyler Taillon, 70, 249.
Steer wrestling - Josh Clark, 3.7, 1,653; Shawn Downing, 3.8, 1,225; Josh Boka, 3.8, 1,225; Will Stovall, 4.0, 798; Bryant Mikkelson, 4.1, 513; Jaren Whitman, 4.2, 95; Jesse Peterson, 4.2, 95; Jesse Langston, 4.2, 95.
Team roping - Logan Olson-Cody Hintz, 4.8, 1,845; Mark Salmond-Sam Levine, 5.0, 1,368; J.P. Holland-Dustin Ostrum, 5.0, 1,368; Jason Handy-Chase Gauger, 5.1, 891; Derick Fleming-Kory Mytty, 5.2, 572; Brant Davis-Jim Cole, 5.3, 318.
Tie-down roping - J.C. Crowley, 9.1, 1,714; Dustin Bird, 9.5, 1,419; Ross Walburger, 9.6, 1,123; Jack Vanderlans, 9.8, 827; Bryant Mikkelson, 10.1, 532; Bruce Sabers, 10.5, 295.
Barrel racing - Shelly Anzick, 16.1, 1,037; Darcy Mapston, 16.14, 889; Lorie Dinagan, 16.2, 740; Maria Gee, 16.21, 568; Cally Goyins, 16.21, 568; Mikell Hougen, 16.33, 395; Mercede Knudson, 16.52, 296; Heather Hart-Schwenke, 16.58, 172; Peggy Schluter, 16.58, 172; Holly Costello, 16.62, 98.
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PRCA Glendive
Bareback - Derry McLane, Bozeman, 83, 653; Dustin Reeves, Owanka, S.D., 79, 490; Dan Miller, Raleigh, N.D., 76, 326; Zane Forster, Richardton, N.D., 74, 81; John Collins, Lewistown, 84, 81.
Saddle bronc - Ryan Elshere, Elm Springs, S.D., 80, 699; Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., 76, 524; Levi Wolf, Killdeer, N.D., 75, 349; Jordan Harmon, Twin Bridges, 72, 174.
Bull riding - Jorey Dahners, Carson, N.D., 70, 465; Cole Burman, Glendive, 70, 465; Ty Smith, Belt, 65, 266.
Tie-down roping - J Billingsley, Glasgow, 10.0, 722; Brett Fleming, Worden, 10.5, 541; Preston Billadeau, Parshall, N.D., 11.2, 361; Ty Wilcox, Absarokee, 11.3, 180.
Steer wrestling - Tyler Haugen, Sturgis, S.D., 5.7, 836; Cory Albin, Sidney, 5.9, 627; Bryant Mikkelson, Buffalo, 6.2, 418; Clayton Morrison, Dickinson, N.D., 7.0, 209.
Team roping - Tate Dempewolf, Lindsay-Alex Watson, Geyser, 6.0, 646; Devin McGrath, Piedmont, S.D.-T.J. Ruland, Wall, S.D., 6.6, 484; Brady Williams-Joe Nelson, Creighton, S.D., 7.3, 323; Dan Nelson, Creighton, S.D.-Jeff Nelson, Philip, S.D., 7.8, 161.
Barrel racing - Cally Goyins, Helena, 17.65, 657; Pamela Rolph, Camp Crook, S.D., 17.7, 524; Donna Leibrand, Peerless, 17.7, 529; Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.74, 400; Mikell Hougen, Melstone, 17.83, 314; Darcy Mapston, Geyser, 17.87, 228; Holly Costello, Newell, S.D., 17.95, 143; June Tibbetts, Terry, 18.0, 57.
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Cody Nite Rodeo
Saturday
Bareback - no qualified rides....Tie-down roping - Marty Miller 11.4, Josh Fieldgrove 11.6....Breakaway roping - Jessie Coy 3.0, Kim Burkhart 4.4....Saddle bronc - J.C. DeSaveur 77, Shawn Moulton 71....Team roping - Justin Jarrett-Clark Hufty 9.0, Vern Decker-Ben Williams 10.2....Barrel racing - Amanda Jarrett 18.75, Jen Rhinehart 19.15...Bull riding - Jeff Gideon 76, Clayton Lane 73.
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Saturday, August 12,2006. 3:30 pm cst
Good greif, I knew I'd been gone for a long time but didn't realize how long. No I didn't fall off a cliff. I was just having some aggrivating problemswith my internet access.
Grabbing Life by the Horns.. Ex-Dairy Farmer Finds Happiness in Bull Market
By Eli SaslowWashington Post Staff Writer
There's no room for fear in this business, so Johnny Williams limps onto a field filled with 1,800-pound bulls. He wears jeans and a collared shirt, because that's how he always dresses, even if it is 95 degrees. A large bag of animal feed sits on Williams's shoulder as he trudges through the heat. He's vulnerable out here, and he knows it. A cast covers his left foot, which fractured in two places after a bull rammed him into a fence four weeks ago. Beneath his shirt, Johnny's muscular, 56-year-old body is weathered and bruised. "You work out here," he said, "and you're going to get beat up." On this Thursday afternoon in July, Johnny drops his feedbag, lifts his head and cups his hands over his mouth and mustache. He screams out his signature gathering call, the one his dad taught him 50 years ago. "Yum. Yum. Yummy!" Johnny cries, and about a dozen bulls rush toward him. They stop and gather around the food Johnny dropped on the ground. Every day, this is one of Johnny's favorite moments. Like a proud father, he steps back, gnaws on a toothpick and admires his rodeo bucking bulls. They look more powerful than ever before, he says, and their hides shine in the sunlight. He refers to each bull by a name, not a brand number. On some days, Johnny ignores his better judgment and reaches out to pet one. Johnny loves these animals, he says, no matter how many times they threaten to gore and kill him. Almost everything good about his life traces back to the 400 cattle that roam his 48 acres of farmland in Union Bridge, Md., 50 miles north of Washington. Before the bulls, Johnny was an out-of-luck dairy farmer on the verge of selling his land and filing for bankruptcy. Now, 15 years later, he's the patriarch of a burgeoning family business called the J Bar W Ranch, which raises some of the best rodeo bucking bulls in the country and hosts 20 bull-riding events each year. It's an upset story, and cowboys tell it at rodeos from Massachusetts to Oklahoma: Johnny Williams, a gentle, patient man who lived thousands of miles from the heart of rodeo country, bought a cheap bucking bull at an auction in 1989 for his 18-year-old son to ride. Johnny studied the breeding process. He obsessed over the health of his bulls. And a decade later, Johnny had filled his whole farm just east of Frederick with bucking bulls so fierce and athletic that the best cowboys from Wyoming and Texas marveled at their nastiness. "If you had told me back then that this little thing we were doing would ever get to this level, I would have died a happy man," Johnny said. "You can't beat this right here. It's like a dream every day." Johnny is the only East Coast contractor regularly used by the Professional Bull Riding Association, and his bulls have often bucked off riders on ESPN. At the J Bar W Ranch, he divides his best bucking bulls into two pens located about 50 yards behind the house where he lives. One pen is filled with 30 bulls so renowned that rodeos across the country lease them for several thousand dollars almost every weekend; the other is reserved for about 40 up-and-coming bulls that buck regularly at regional shows. Bulls that fail to buck are usually sold off to smaller farms. "It's sad," Johnny's said, "because some of them probably go to McDonald's. It's a lot better to be with us right here." The bucking bulls at J Bar W Ranch are considered top athletes, and they're pampered as such. A bucking performance lasts a maximum of eight seconds, but it strains every muscle in the bull's body. In between weekend rodeos, the bulls rest in relative luxury. Each bull eats about 80 pounds of food each day, and a private nutritionist named Rick Lawrence monitors their diets. He packs complete nourishment into about 75 percent of the usual amount of food, which keeps the bulls muscular and slender. During their lazy off-days, Johnny's bulls feast, roam open fields and breed in pastures filled with cows. Their bodies are meticulously cared for. After a bull named Shock And Awe hurt his back at a rodeo last year, Williams hired three chiropractors to massage the bull's muscles. One after another, the chiropractors climbed on top of the ranch's rodeo bucking chutes -- a one-bull pen that's only a few feet wide -- and studied the curves of Shock And Awe's back. "The animals have it pretty good around here," said Lisa Williams, Johnny's daughter and the ranch's business manager. "Honestly, they probably have it better then we do." Work days at the ranch start before 5 a.m., when Johnny wakes up in a house that stands shorter than the cornfields surrounding it. It's a tiny structure -- a bedroom, a kitchen, a living room and a basement -- but the entire Williams family exists inside. Johnny lives upstairs with his wife, Diane. His son, Sonny, lives in the basement with his wife, Rebecca. Lisa lives in a house down the street, but she spends her days here working out of a makeshift office in the living room. They all work right on top of each other, which would probably result in some fighting if they had time for things like that. "But around here," Sonny said, "there's something you have to do just about every minute." The family operates a fence constructing business. It sells bulls, cows, calves and, sometimes, bull semen. It hosts a rodeo at the J Bar W Ranch every other Saturday night in the summer. Then it hosts another dozen rodeos during the winter at the Carroll County Agriculture Center & Shipley Arena in Westminster. All of that work amounts to a bunch of distractions compared to taking care of the bulls, Johnny said. Four hundred cattle -- about half of them cows and calves -- scatter across five farms in the area. One afternoon in June, Johnny puts on his black cowboy hat and climbs into his pickup truck, determined to check on almost every animal he owns. He notices a dejected cow standing apart from her herd and guesses she has lost a calf, so Johnny searches for the animal in the woods. At another farm, a bull named Tabasco lies sheepishly on the ground. "He's usually a wild one, so he must be sick," Johnny said. He calls a local vet for help, but Johnny ends up making his own diagnosis: a wounded horn infected by rainfall. Working with bulls is generally more peaceful than dangerous, Johnny said, with one notable exception: Before every road trip to a rodeo, Johnny and Sonny must lure the traveling bulls out of the pens and into a trailer. Each time they remove one bull from the pen, the rest of the herd fights to establish a new pecking order. "You get smacked around a lot if you're not careful," Johnny said, "and you just bumped if you're paying attention." And if Johnny and Sonny are particularly lucky, they scamper away from the fighting bulls and leap over a fence, avoiding injury altogether. Then Johnny, Sonny or one of their friends climbs behind the wheel of a trailer and drives the bulls around the country, often to Florida, Massachusetts or Ohio. The trailer travels almost every week, and it logs about 40,000 miles in a typical year. In the last decade, Johnny has made more than 60 road trips to Texas and Oklahoma. "It's funny to hear people talk about retiring, because that word isn't really in our family vocabulary," Johnny said. "I won't ever retire. I'd like to take a trip in the car for a couple of weeks sometime, maybe get away from here and drive out west. That'd be real nice. "Then I'll come home and get back to work." Johnny believes hard work is a blessing, because his life once spiraled for a fate much worse. In the 1970s, he divorced his first wife, gained sole custody of their three children and tried to balance running a dairy farm with raising Lisa, Sonny and Regina. He slaved at both endeavors, but fell short of his own standards. He couldn't let Sonny play high school football, because the father needed his son's help in the fields; Johnny couldn't manage his huge plot of farmland, and he couldn't afford to hire help. He sold off half of his farm in the mid 1980s, and he contemplated selling the rest. Johnny cared more about being a good father than a good farmer, and that instinct saved his land. In 1989, Sonny said he wanted to try riding rodeo bulls, so Johnny used the little money he had to buy a menacing bull at a stock show for about $2,000. Johnny built two bucking chutes for Sonny and his friends at J Bar W Ranch, and the father and son agreed they'd stumbled on something they liked. Sonny rode bulls for 10 years in the rodeo, qualifying for the national finals three times. Johnny, whose run-down farm had counted a total of three calves as its livestock in the late 1980s, devoted himself to raising rodeo bulls. He bought a handful of heifers -- virgin cows -- with bloodlines that traced back to bucking bulls. Then Johnny leased a few rodeo bulls for 30 days and bred them to his heifers. He studied his bulls' genetics and learned that certain bulls tended to buck better coming from either the right or left side of a ring. He bucked his bulls for the first time when they turned 2 years old, then let them rest before the prime of their careers -- usually between ages 4 and 8. An all-white bull with lopsided horns named Cosmo became J Bar W Ranch's best breeder, elevating Johnny's rodeo stock to national acclaim. Cosmo now has three sons that rank amongst the top 50 bucking bulls in the country, including two -- Superman and Countersink -- that are often listed in the top 10. Superman is worth as much as $40,000, but Johnny refuses to sell him. After all, if the bull bucks impeccably, bonuses and prize money could make him worth 10 times that much. A straw of Superman's semen sells to other breeders for more than $200, and that price could escalate quickly if the bull continues to develop during the next two years. "The most amazing part of this is that we're still on the way up," Johnny said. "Sometimes I don't even know what these bulls can do. They're full of surprises." Johnny leans against the fence of a bucking shoot on a Saturday night in July and watches a bull named Tornado jolt into the rodeo ring at the J Bar W Ranch. Snot blasts out of the bull's nose, and his hind legs spring five feet off the ground. An unlucky kid from Martinsville, W. Va. named Nathan Catlett holds on for about three seconds, then tumbles off the bull and lands on his head. A crowd of about 2,000 people claps politely, but Tornado is hardly done. Instead of trotting out of the ring and into his pen, the bull paws the dirt and eyes the crowd. A rodeo clown enters the ring to chase Tornado back to his pen, but the bull charges the clown and chases him up a fence. Five more men enter the ring, and Tornado holds his ground. The bull struts across the ring and threatens to gore a horse. Finally, after another 10 minutes pass, a man drives his four-wheeler into the ring. This is the battle a bull never wins, Johnny said, because even the fiercest 2,000-pound animal runs scared from a loud machine that races at 40 mph. But Tornado eyes the four-wheeler, lowers his head and charges into the machine. He dents the front bumper and sends the wheels rolling backward. The crowd gasps. The driver throws the four-wheeler into reverse and pulls away from the bull. Johnny chuckles as he watches, and he spits a piece of hay out of his mouth. Almost every man around him is terrified, but Johnny's lips spread into a wide smile. He has a confession to make, he said. He always roots for the bulls. "Truth is," Johnny says, "I'm a sucker for the underdog."
~~~
Richland County rodeo results - Sidney, MT.
Rodeo enthusiasts were given the opportunity to see some of the world’’s finest cowboys, cowgirls and rough stock Aug. 3-4 at the Richland County Fair and Rodeo. The PRCA event was produced by Powder River Rodeo, LLC. Final results are as follows.
Bareback Riding: 1. Joe Gunderson, Agar, S.D., 78, $1,083.00; 2/3/4 (tie) Zane Forster, Richardton, N.D., Donald Miller, Raleigh, N.D., and James Thompson, Mandan, N.D., 74, $541.50 each.
Steer wrestling: 1/2 (tie) Ivan Tiegen, Camp Cook, S.D., and Tom Hanson, Dunn Center, N.D., 3.9, $1,390.92; 3/4 (tie) Joshua Clark, Belgrade, and Shawn Downing, Townsend, 4.4, $866.04; 5. Shannon Blixt, Helena, 4.6, $472.39; 6 (split) Ken Holland, Dillon, and Alan Hougen, Melstone, 4.8, $131.22
Saddle Bronc: 1. Jesse Wilson, Kyle, S.D., 77, $1,112.93; 2/3 (tie) Jake Hayworth, St. Anthony, Idaho, and Red Lemmel, Faith, S.D., 76, $725.09 each; 4/5 (tie) Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., and Danny Martin, Red Owl, S.D., 74, $320.39; 6. (split) Ryan Mapston, Belt; Jesse Martin, Dillon, and Louie Brunson, Interior, S.D., 73, $56.21
Tie-Down Roping: 1/2 (tie) Bryant Mikkelson, Buffalo, and Shane Eberline, Lander, Wyo., 9.1, $1,202.10; 3. Jayce Johnson, Torrington, Wyo., 9.9, $861.89; 4. Brett Fleming, Worden, 10.0, $635.08; 5. Jade Lyon, Meadow, S.D., 10.7, $408.26; 6. Billy Gallino, Wasta, S.D., 10.8, $226.81
Team Roping: 1. Scot Strauser, Havre, and Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo., 5.4, $1,487.70; 2. Alfred Hansen, Dickinson, N.D., and Seth Weishaar, Belle Fourche, S.D., 5.8, $1,231.20; 3. Cody Tew, Belgrade, and Sid Sporer, Cody, Wyo., 6.0, $974.70; 4. Tate Dempewolf, Lindsey, and Zane Williams, Hammond, 6.6, $718.20; 5. Brian Rasmussen and Dallas Rasmussen, Sidney, 7.0, $461.70; 6. Jason Handy, Scobey, and Chase Gauger, Bozeman, 7.1, $256.50
Barrel Racing: 1. Mercede Knudson, Bozeman, 17.86, $992.88; 2. Heather Hart-Schwenke, Harlem, 17.90, $851.04; 3. Maria Gee, Stanford, 17.91, $709.20; 4. Darae Larson, Belt, 17.93, $614.64; 5/6 (tie) Shirlee Parini, Laurel, and Phyllis Brosz, Shepherd, 18.08, $425.52; 7. Donna Leibrand, Peerless, 18.16, $283.68; 8. Cally Goyins, Helena, 18.18; $189.12; 9. Toni Shaw, Minot, N.D., 18.21, $141.84; 10. (split) Lauren Watson, Geyser, and Holly Costello, Newell, S.D., 18.24, $47.28
Bull Riding: 1. Cole Burman, Glendive, 84, $1,018.88; 2. Cody Buller, Glendive, 83, $771.88; 3. Steven Lambert, Bozeman, 82, $555.75; 4. Tyler Taillon, Great Falls, 79, $370.50; 5. Beau Hill, West Glacier, 75, $216.13; 6. Ian Pennington, Sidney, 74, $154.38
~~~
Driving force: Jaycee wives choose to embrace rodeo
Leonna Heuring
SIKESTON, MO. —— Throughout the past 54 years, the Sikeston Jaycees have pulled off one successful rodeo after another. But one has to wonder just how successful the annual events would be if it weren’’t for the real driving force in these men’’s lives —— their women. ““I try to be as supportive as I possibly can,”” said Rose Harper, who is married to this year’’s Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Chair Chris Harper. During rodeo week, Harper will usually take supper to her husband at the rodeo grounds. ““I’’ll bring him a big sweet tea because he can use a cold drink —— and a little caffeine,”” Harper said. Knowing her husband has a lot of responsibilities as chair, Harper even offered this year to pick up a sign for display at the rodeo. She recalled the day she took her husband’’s truck and drove to the sign place. ““I thought I was only picking up a little banner. When I got there, they told me to back up the truck (for loading),”” Harper said. Then about 20 large metal signs were loaded into the bed of the truck. ““They were hanging off and sliding out, and I thought, ‘‘I’’m going to go to jail,’’”” Harper said about driving through town with the truck full of signs. Leann Balcer came to the aid of her husband one year when he forgot the meet and greet passes; he’’d left them at home. ““He called in a panic, and I made a rush trip to the rodeo grounds,”” Balcer recalled. Balcer has done other ““running”” for her husband and the Jaycees before. One year they needed a tent and she searched around town to find one. ““Other than that, I just try to keep his jeans clean,”” Balcer said. But Wendy Cox knew what she was getting into when she married her husband, Jimmy, 24 years ago. The two started dating when she was 16, and Jimmy was an up-and-coming Jaycee. ““His dad was a past rodeo chair and he was working in concessions. We went out and helped him run the snowcone stand,”” Cox said. For years, Cox and her husband worked in the concessions. In 2000, he served as rodeo chair, and today they work in the sponsors building. ““My thing was jump in with both feet and help them out —— and that doesn’’t work for some of the wives. That was my way of doing it,”” Cox said. The couple have four children ranging in age from 9 to 23 who can be found helping around the rodeo grounds. ““We made it part of our life. It’’s for the kids’’ lives. Hopefully, one day if they come back here, they’’ll be involved. Jimmy was second generation Jaycee. Maybe my kids will be third generation,”” she said. With four children ranging in age from 1 to 15, it’’s kind of hard not to have a stressful week during rodeo, Harper said. Plus, three of the four children have birthdays before, during and after the week of the rodeo. ““He’’s really great though and tries to be there,”” Harper said about her husband. ““It’’s going pretty smooth though and he’’s not having any problems.”” For Balcer, her introduction to the rodeo was a little different. Balcer and her husband, Scott, moved to Sikeston from Illinois about 15 years ago. ““He got in the Jaycees to meet people, and we’’ve made great friends through the Jaycees,”” Balcer said. Over the past 15 or so years Balcer’’s husband, Scott, has been involved with the Jaycees and the rodeo, he’’s missed family events such as reunions or vacations. The Balcers have two sons ages 12 and 16. ““When the kids were younger, it was tough for me (during rodeo week). School starts around the same time, and I work. I’’d have to get school supplies and register the kids for school,”” Balcer said. Like many of the Jaycee wives, Balcer hasn’’t seen her husband much this week or the previous, but it’’s OK, she said. ““I’’m real proud of what they do,”” Balcer said. And that seems to be the running theme among the wives. ““We know it’’s coming up and we just don’’t sweat about it,”” Balcer said. ““The rodeo does so much for the community.”” The experienced Jaycee wives advised women whose spouses or boyfriends are just getting into the rodeo scene to have a little patience and understanding. ““I was kind of northern girl when we moved here, I had no clue about rodeos. Now I think I enjoy it more because I understand it,”” Balcer said ““And as the kids get older, you get more relaxed.”” Plus, it’’s not like the Jaycees are out there having fun the entire time, Balcer said. ““They work their butts off,”” Balcer said. ““Those guys are out there working and not playing —— and do it all year round.”” Cox said she would like to see other spouses or significant others get involved with the rodeo. ““This is a very important part of the community. It’’s a very important event for the Jaycees ... It puts so much back into the community,”” Cox said. Harper has endured the rodeo for the past 10 or so years, and it’’s always been OK, she said. ““I like to come out here (to the rodeo) and enjoy it,”” Harper said. ““I’’m just his wife —— not his mom. I can’’t tell him what to do. This is his hobby and he enjoys it so much and he works so hard.”” Besides, Harper said, her husband could have a worse hobby. ““He’’s doing a good thing for the community,”” Harper said with a bit of pride. ““It’’s so selfless.””
~~~Beau Lindley Fund
Send donations to:
Professional Bull Riders Outreach
PO Box 619
Wickenburg, AZ 85358
Please put Beau Lindley in the memo but make checks payable to PBRO.
Taylor Anne, Age 2
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