ProRodeo News

ProRodeo Cowboys World Standings - All-Around

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:07:43 GMT

Xtreme Bulls Standings

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:07:43 GMT

Steer wrestlers participate in costume jackpot

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

SCARY STUFF: Several bulldoggers participated in a Halloween jackpot roping in Henrietta, Texas, organized by World Champion Mickey Gee and Mitch Mahoney. From left to right: Josh Purcell as “Bobby Joe,” Dean Phelps as “Joe Bob,” Todd Suhn as “Hula Girl,” Casey Martin as “Jessica Simpleton,” Matt Reeves as “Richard Simmons,” Hunter Cure as “Tinkerbell,” Jake Hettinger as “Rodeo Queen,” Mickey Gee as “Pregnant Granny Mikaela,” Justin Rumford as “Elvis” and Bill Pace as “Batman.” Suhn won the steer wrestling and best costume, and all contestants competed in two rounds wearing their costumes.

Bull rider donates hair to “Locks of Love”

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Oklahoma bull rider Blake Rowan gets his hair cut off for a donation to “Locks of Love.”

By Ruth Nicolaus/Special to ProRodeo.com

MUSKOGEE, Okla. – “We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy, like the hippies out in San Francisco do.” These words, made famous in the song “Okie from Muskogee” by Merle Haggard, aren’t true for one Muskogee resident, PRCA bull rider Blake Rowan.

Last week Rowan, 23, got his first haircut in 20 months. Why the long, shaggy hair? Especially for a bull rider, when rodeo cowboys aren’t known for long hair? For Rowan, it is a gift to someone less fortunate. He had let his hair get a bit long in the spring of 2008, and one night, while watching a St. Jude commercial, it struck a chord with him and he thought, “I’ve let it get this long, I think I’ll grow it out and donate it.”

Rowan did a bit of research and found out that “Locks of Love,” an organization that provides hairpieces to children with long-term hair loss, accepted hair.He also discovered that the hair had to be ten inches long before it could be donated. So he started on his mission, and caught some flack for it, too.

“My grandpa, he is 100 percent old school, ex-military, and he said, ‘Grandson, you look so much better with short hair.’” And Rowan’s bull riding buddies teased him, too.

“They’d joke with me,” Rowan said. “They would say, “If you’re not doing good in the bulls, you could get into the barrel racing.”

But as people understood his mission, they became more accepting.

“They think it’s great,” Rowan said. “I actually had two people at a rodeo tell me they were going to do the same thing.”

Rowan has been a bull rider since 1998. He competed in the Oklahoma Junior Rodeo Association. He went on to get his PRCA permit and then card.He was the Dodge Prairie Circuit Finals bull riding champion in 2008.

Now, the bull rider is on his second head of hair for donation. Just last week his aunt cut off all 10 ½ inches, and Rowan plans to repeat his gift.

“I’ll start over from scratch,” he said. “As long as I can keep producing hair, I’ll keep donating it.”

PRCA Properties retains 776 Original Marketing

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Properties Retains 776 Original Marketing To Execute National Sales Program

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Properties Division of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) has retained 776 Original Marketing to design and direct a National Sponsorship and Licensing Sales Program on behalf of the PRCA. The agreement is effective immediately and will run through 2010.

The PRCA, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., is the largest and oldest rodeo-sanctioning body in the world. The recognized leader in professional rodeo, the PRCA is committed to maintaining the highest standards. The PRCA, a membership-based organization, sanctions more than 600 rodeos annually, and there are nearly 30 million fans in the U.S. The PRCA showcases the world’s best cowboys in premier events through the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour presented by Justin Boots, and its subsequent Justin Boots Playoffs and Championships; the Seminole Hard Rock Xtreme Bulls presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, the PRCA’s bull riding tour; and the world-renowned Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Action from PRCA-sanctioned rodeos and its premier events appears on ESPN2, ESPN Classic and ESPN Deportes. Each year, PRCA-sanctioned rodeos raise more than $26 million for local and national charities.

“As we expand our marketing and branding initiatives, the affiliation with an outside sales support agency was imperative. We look forward to working with 776 Original Marketing and the opportunities they will bring to our organization,” said Sean Daniels, Vice President, PRCA Properties, Inc.

“Rodeos and cowboys have an inextricable link to the fabric of American culture and 776 Original Marketing is proud to be associated with the premier Western lifestyle property worldwide. We look forward to our partnership with the PRCA and its collection of sanctioned events, including the celebrated Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas,” said Jim Grice, 776 Original Marketing Managing Partner, Sales and Licensing.

PRCA Official Sponsors include many of the most recognized and popular brands in the consumer products, lifestyle, travel, leisure and apparel industries, including:

The American Quarter Horse Association
AT&T
Boyd Gaming Corporation
B&W Trailer Hitches
Coors Brewing Company
Dodge
Justin Boots
Las Vegas Events
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Montana Silversmiths
Priefert Rodeo & Ranch Equipment
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco
Wrangler

776 Original Marketing is a full service marketing and events company founded and managed by a team of professionals with more than 100 years of national and international experience in all areas of sports, event and entertainment marketing.

2009 WNFR qualifiers list and team roping pairs

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Dodge Great Lakes Circuit Finals results

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kyle Whitaker won the all-around title at the Dodge Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, which concluded on Nov. 14 in Louisville, Ky. The Chambers, Neb., cowboy won prize money in the steer wrestling and tie-down roping. He also competed in the saddle bronc riding. Pictured here, Whitaker’s father, Chip, is hazing for Whitaker, who finished fourth in the steer wrestling average in 8.4 seconds on two head. Justin Morehouse won the steer wrestling average with a time of 13.9 seconds on three head.

Dodge Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo
Louisville, Ky., Nov. 12-14
All-around cowboy: Kyle Whitaker, $3,070, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and tie-down roping.
Bareback riding: First round: 1. Tim Wilkinson, 84 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Carson City, $1,293; 2. (tie) Josh Chase, Kyle Brennecke and Josh Shackleford, 80, $646 each. Second round: 1. Tanner Aus, 84 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Chippewa Cherry, $1,293; 2. Tim Wilkinson, 83, $970; 3. Kyle Brennecke, 82, $646; 4. Josh Shackleford, 81, $323. Third round: 1. Bo Casper, 84 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s East Coast Otis, $1,293; 2. (tie) Josh Shackleford and Bee Jay Scott, 83, $808 each; 4. (tie) Andy Carter and Kyle Brennecke, 82, $162 each. Average: 1. Tim Wilkinson, 247 points on three head, $1,939; 2. (tie) Josh Shackleford and Kyle Brennecke, 244, $1,212 each; 4. Tanner Aus, 237, $485.
Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Chad Taylor, 3.8 seconds, $1,293; 2. Larry Holt II, 4.0, $970; 3. Kyle Whitaker, 4.3, $646; 4. Bob Loosenort, 5.1, $323. Second round: 1. Justin Morehouse, 4.2 seconds, $1,293; 2. Travis Hancock, 4.7, $970; 3. Quentin Vickers, 4.8, $646; 4. Wade Steffen, 5.8, $323. Third round: 1. Adam Strahan, 3.6 seconds, $1,293; 2. Kyle Whitaker, 4.1, $970; 3. Justin Morehouse, 4.5, $646; 4. Ty Standley, 4.9, $323. Average: 1. Justin Morehouse, 13.9 seconds on three head, $1,939; 2. Bob Loosenort, 16.8, $1,454; 3. Chad Taylor, 48.7, $970; 4. Kyle Whitaker, 8.4 seconds on two head, $485.
Team roping: First round: 1. Ben Ray/Jason Stroup, 5.4 seconds, $1,293 each; 2. Cody Graham/Gabe Gwaltney, 5.5, $970; 3. Troy Kitchener/Chad Mathes, 6.0, $646; 4. Jeff Crouch/Chad Day, 6.6, $323. Second round: 1. Troy Kitchener/Chad Mathes, 5.7 seconds, $1,293 each; 2. Ben Ray/Jason Stroup, 7.1, $970; 3. Aaron Chamley, 10.0, $646; 4. Wayne Knutson/Chad Martin, 11.1, $323. Third round: 1. Chris Camerer/J.L. Johnston, 4.5 seconds, $1,293 each; 2. Austin Nettleship/Scott Conlee, 4.8, $970; 3. Wayne Knutson/Chad Martin, 5.0, $646; 4. Ben Ray/Jason Stroup, 5.1, $323. Average: 1. Ben Ray/Jason Stroup, 17.6 seconds on three head, $1,939 each; 2. Troy Kitchener/Chad Mathes, 18.1, $1,454; 3. Chris Camerer/J.L. Johnston, 27.0, $970; 4. Aaron Chamley/David Cannon, 31.5, $485.
Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Marc Huver, 78 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Domino, $1,293; 2. Wade Sundell, 77, $970; 3. Roy Toney, 76, $646; 4. Cody Rud, 75, $323. Second round: 1. Lyle Welling, 74 seconds on J Bar J Rodeo’s First Dance, $1,293; 2. Kirk Nelson, 69, $970; 3. Cody Rudy, 65, $646; 4. Byron Gilliland, 63, $323. Third round: 1. Lyle Welling, 76 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Blood Stain, $1,293; 2. Marc Huver, 74, $970; no other qualified rides. Average: 1. Lyle Welling, 221 points on three head, $1,939; 2. Marc Huver, 152 points on two head, $1,454; 3. Cody Rud, 140, $970; 4. Kirk Nelson, 138, $485.
Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Matt Kenney, 7.6 seconds, $1,293; 2. Kyle Whitaker, 9.0, $970; 3. Josh Foutch, 9.3, $646; 4. T.J. Hobson, 9.4, $323. Second round: 1. Kadin Boardman, 9.3 seconds, $1,293; 2. (tie) Josh Foutch and Jeremy Olson, 9.4, $808 each; 4. Ben Madsen, 10.0, $323. Third round: 1. Cody McCartney, 8.7 seconds, $1,293; 2. (tie) Skyler Moore, Wade Werkheiser and Matt Kenney, 9.5, $646 each. Average: 1. Matt Kenney, 28.1 seconds on three head, $1,939; 2. Josh Foutch, 28.4, $1,454; 3. Wade Werkheiser, 31.4, $970; 4. Kadin Boardman, 32.1, $485.
Barrel racing: First round: 1. Tammy Whyte, 15.85 seconds, $1,293; 2. Bobbie Jo Bohlman, 15.88, $970; 3. Sue Berg, 16.07, $646; 4. Adriane Kochie, 16.12, $323. Second round: 1. Bobbie Jo Bohlman, 15.90 seconds, $1,293; 2, Donna Irvin, 15.91, $970; 3. Adriane Kochie, 15.95, $646; 4. Sue Berg, 16.03, $323. Third round: 1. Tammy Whyte, 15.69, $1,293; 2. Briana Reynolds, 15.96, $970; 3. Donna Irvin, 16.00, $646; 4. Bobbie Jo Bohlman, 16.02, $323. Average: 1. Bobbie Jo Bohlman, 47.80 seconds on three runs, $1,939; 2. Briana Reynolds, 48.18, $1,454; 3. Adriane Kochie, 48.22, $970; 4. Donna Irvin, 48.28, $485.
Bull riding: First round: 1. Justin Kennedy, 80 points on Western Trails Rodeo’s No. 11, $1,293; 2. Sunshine Schwartz, 78, $970; 3. (tie) Josh Carlson and Matt Pojanowski, 75, $485 each. Second round: 1. Matt Pojanowski, 83 points on Mid-States Rodeo’s No. 345, $1,293; 2. Chris Clover, 81, $970; 3. Jeep Steenhoek, 73, $646; no other qualified rides. Third round: 1. Dusty Elkinton, 82 points on Universal Rodeos’ L47, $1,293; 2. Waylon Hiler, 75, $970; 3. Chris Clover, 69, $646; no other qualified rides. Average: 1. Matt Pojanowski, 158 points on two head, $1,939; 2. Dusty Elkinton, 152, $1,454; 3. Chris Clover, 150, $970; 4. Justin Kennedy, 80 points on one head, $485.
Total payoff: $116,354. Stock contractors: Three Hills Rodeo, Universal Rodeo, Mid-States Rodeo, Dakota Rodeo, Western Trails, Barnes Pro Rodeo MJM Rodeo and J Bar J Rodeo. Rodeo secretary: Courtney Morehead. Officials: Harry Rose, George Gibbs and Dewitt Forrest. Timers: Marla Morehead and Lindsey Morehead. Announcer: Roger Mooney. Specialty act: Jerry Diaz. Clowns/bullfighters: Ben Meyer and Jeremy Muntz. Barrelman: Robbie Hodges. Chute boss: Chuck Kite. Flankmen: David Morehead, Marty Barnes, Brian Laturner, Mark Dressen, John Walters and Mark Johnson. Pickup men: Jacob Morehead and Fred Kreder.

Dodge Mountain States Circuit Finals

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Josh Peek claimed the all-around title at the Dodge Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, which was held Nov. 13-14 in Denver, Colo. The Pueblo, Colo., cowboy finished third in the tie-down roping average with a time of 29.2 seconds on three head. He also competed in the steer wrestling. Pictured here, Peek receives his trophy saddle from John Cavey.

Hughes, Griffin repeat as champions at Dodge Mountain States Circuit Finals

DENVER – Kyle Hughes and Jake Griffin took different paths to manage it, but both repeated as champions at the Nov. 12-14 Dodge Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco.

Hughes, of Olney Springs, Colo., won the first round and placed second in round two of the steer wrestling – completing each run in 4.2 seconds – then wrapped up the average title with a safe run of 6.3 seconds in the finale. His time of 14.7 seconds on three head edged Seth Brockman of Wheatland, Wyo., by two-tenths of a second.

Griffin, of Powell, Wyo., won the final round of the saddle bronc riding with a 79-point ride on Harry Vold’s Pine Cone, and that was good enough to hold off Tate Owens and Colin Stalley for the title. Griffin scored 229 points on three head.

Pueblo, Colo., cowboy Josh Peek, who is qualified for next month’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in both steer wrestling and tie-down roping, put the finishing touches on his third Mountain States all-around title, and second in two years, by winning the circuit finals with $2,313.

The other champions were bareback rider Craig Wisehart (245 points on three head), team ropers Jay Tittel and Cole Cooper (18.7 seconds on three head), tie-down roper Chase Johnston (27.8 seconds on three head), barrel racer Julie James (49.0 seconds on three head) and bull rider Jake Booco (242 points on three head).

Dodge Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo
Denver, Nov. 12-14

All-around cowboy: Josh Peek, $2,313, steer wrestling and tie-down roping.
Bareback riding: First round: 1. Micky Downare, 83 points on Burns Rodeo Company’s Blue Duck, $1,157; 2. Craig Wisehart, 79, $867; 3. Heath Ford, 78, $578; 4. David Streweler, 77, $289. Second round: 1. David Streweler, 83 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Vitalix’s Mighty Mary, $1,157; 2. Craig Wisehart, 80, $867; 3. Cole McCall, 76, $578; 4. Monte Downare, 75, $289. Third round: 1. Craig Wisehart, 86 points on Harry Vold Rodeo Company’s Little Linda, $1,157; 2. Tyrel Nelson, 79, $867; 3. Micky Downare, 78, $578; 4. Karlon Knudson, 76, $289. Average: 1. Craig Wisehart, 245 points on three head, $1,735; 2. (tie) Micky Downare and David Streweler, 235, $1,084 each; 4. Nathan Graves, 222, $434.
Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Kyle Hughes, 4.2 seconds, $1,157; 2. Kyle Callaway, 4.4, $867; 3. Clayton Morrison, 4.8, $578; 4. Garrett Henry, 5.9, $289. Second round: 1. Seth Brockman, 4.1 seconds, $1,157; 2. Kyle Hughes, 4.2, $867; 3. (tie) Clayton Morrison and Casey Dorenkamp, 5.0, $434 each. Third round: 1. (tie) Garrett Henry, Zach Crofoot and Dennis Hepp, 4.2 seconds, $867 each; 4. Seth Brockman, 4.4, $289. Average: 1. Kyle Hughes, 14.7 seconds on three head, $1,735; 2. (tie) Seth Brockman and Kyle Callaway, 14.9, $1,084 each; 4. Garrett Henry, 26.6, $434.
Team roping: First round: 1. Pake Younger/Hank Bounds, 5.0 seconds, $1,157 each; 2. Jay Tittel/Cole Cooper, 5.3, $867; 3. Ty Blasingame/J.W. Borrego, 5.4, $578; 4. Pat Grieve/Chad Braun, 5.7, $289. Second round: 1. Miles Kobold/Bret Trenary, 4.8 seconds, $1,157 each; 2. C.J. Scheller/Joe Roderick, 5.8, $867; 3. Grant Scheer/Mark Kersting, 5.9, $578; 4. (tie) Pat Grieve/Chad Braun and Jay Tittel/Cole Cooper, 6.3, $145 each. Third round: 1. Pake Younger/Hank Bounds, 5.6 seconds, $1,157 each; 2. C.J. Scheller/Joe Roderick, 6.2, $867; 3. Jay Tittel/Cole Cooper, 7.1, $578; 4. (tie) Miles Kobold/Bret Trenary and Pat Grieve/Chad Braun, 10.7, $145 each. Average: 1. Jay Tittel/Cole Cooper, 18.7 seconds on three head, $1,735 each; 2. C.J. Scheller/Joe Roderick, 19.3, $1,301; 3. Miles Kobold/Bret Trenary, 21.6, $867; 4. Pake Younger/Hank Bounds, 22.2, $434.
Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Tate Owens, 85 points on Burch Rodeo Company’s Bottle Rocket, $1,157; 2. Seth Glause, 79, $867; 3. Travis Nevius, 78, $578; 4. (tie) Jake Griffin and Shell Roberson, 76, $145 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Raytom Meiers on Harry Vold Rodeo Company’s Sun Devil, Wace Snook on Burch Rodeo Company’s Broken Kettle and Colin Stalley on Harry Vold Rodeo Company’s Springboard, 81 points, $867 each; 4. Townsend Prince, 76, $289. Third round: 1. Jake Griffin, 79 points on Harry Vold Rodeo Company’s Pine Cone, $1,157; 2. Colin Stalley, 74, $867; 3. Tate Owens, 70, $578; no other qualified rides. Average: 1. Jake Griffin, 229 points on three head, $1,735; 2. Tate Owens, 222, $1,301; 3. Colin Stalley, 221, $867; 4. Shell Roberson, 151, $434.
Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Trevor Thiel, 8.6 seconds, $1,157; 2. Willie Roberts, 8.8, $867; 3. Josh Peek, 9.5, $578; 4. Chase Johnston, 10.6, $289. Second round: 1. Chase Johnston, 8.0 seconds, $1,157; 2. Josh Peek, 9.2, $867; 3. Willie Roberts, 9.4, $578; 4. Talon Cooper, 9.8, $289. Third round: 1. Troy Hubbard, 7.7 seconds, $1,157; 2. Jeremiah Peek, 8.0, $867; 3. Joe Colletti, 9.1, $578; 4. Chase Johnston, 9.2, $289. Average: 1. Chase Johnston, 27.8 seconds on three head, $1,735; 2. Troy Hubbard, 28.7, $1,301; 3. Josh Peek, 29.2, $867; 4. Willie Roberts, 30.7, $434.
Barrel racing: First round: 1. Brenda Seely, 16.32 seconds, $1,157; 2. Laura Lambert, 16.39, $867; 3. Diann Bukowski, 16.45, $578; 4. Shali Lord, 16.46, $289. Second round: 1. Mandy Teichert, 16.27 seconds, $1,157; 2. Julie James, 16.29, $867; 3. Priscilla Medina, 16.33, $578; 4. Christy Loflin, 16.34, $289. Third round: 1. (tie) Julie James and Shali Lord, 16.19 seconds, $1,012 each; 3. Amanda Welsh, 16.22, $578; 4. Laura Lambert, 16.31, $289. Average: 1. Julie James, 49.01 seconds on three runs, $1,735; 2. Shali Lord, 49.10, $1,301; 3. Laura Lambert, 49.17, $867; 4. Mandy Teichert, 49.37, $434.
Bull riding: First round: 1. Jarrod Ford, 85 points on Burns Rodeo Company’s Preditor, $1,157; 2. Jake Booco, 80, $867; 3. Joe Smith, 79, $578; 4. Tyler Willis, 77, $289. Second round: 1. Clayton Savage, 84 points on Burns Rodeo Company’s After Shock, $1,157; 2. Jarrod Ford, 82, $867; 3. Cody Gardner, 81, $578; 4. Brady Menge, 78, $289. Third round: 1. Jake Booco, 86 points on Triple V Rodeo Company’s Babe, $1,157; 2. Clayton Savage, 82, $867; 3. Cody Gardner, 73, $578; no other qualified rides. Average: 1. Jake Booco, 242 points on three head, $1,735; 2. Cody Gardner, 229, $1,301; 3. Jarrod Ford, 167 on two head, $867; 4. Clayton Savage, 166, $434.
Total payoff: $104,085. Stock contractors: Burns Rodeo Company, Burch Rodeo Company, Powder River Rodeo, Harry Vold Rodeo Company, D&H Cattle, Southwick’s Rocky Mountain Rodeo, Tripe V Rodeo Company and Cervi Championship Rodeo. Rodeo secretary: Haley Schneeberger. Officials: Tom Peterson, Alan Jordan and Steve Knowles. Timers: Amanda Corley and Lauranne Smith. Announcer: Randy Schmutz. Clowns/bullfighters: Dusty Tuckness and Mark Gill. Barrelman: J.W. Winklepleck. Flankmen: Various. Chute boss: Leon Vick. Pickup men: Scott McClain and Billy Ward.

Rodeo news & notes, Nov.16

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Gold card member Hill dies at age 79
Arnold Hill, a gold card member who rode bulls when the PRCA was still known as the Cowboys’ Turtle Association, died Nov. 13 in Canadian, Texas. Hill started riding bulls at the age of 12, following in the footsteps of older brothers Clinton and Clayton Hill. His riding career took him through the short grass country of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma. Arnold was an avid cowboy who also worked for the Beutler Brothers hauling the rodeo stock and working on the ranch in Elk City, Okla. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. Fourth St., Canadian, TX 79014.

PRCA tie-down roper Miller dies in truck accident
PRCA tie-down roper Spencer Miller, 24, died Nov. 15 from injuries suffered when his Ford truck went off the road 19 miles east of Pueblo, Colo. Miller, a resident of Calhan, Colo., was the son of Bill Miller, Penrose Equestrian Center General Manager and a member of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo committee in Colorado Springs.

PRCA signs multi-year agreement with Pro Fantasy Rodeo
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) has entered into a multi-year agreement and endorsed Pro Fantasy Rodeo as the Official Fantasy Rodeo Game of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

“The collaboration with Pro Fantasy Rodeo is a great marketing tool to increase our fan base and give fans a connection to the contestants,” said Sean Daniels, vice president, PRCA Properties, Inc. As the Wrangler NFR has been sold out for more than 20 years, Pro Fantasy Rodeo is another method for fans to become a part of the event without physically being in Las Vegas.

Since its inception six years ago, Pro Fantasy Rodeo has paid out more than $660,000 and averaged more than 3,000 players the past few years. The payout for the 2009 Wrangler NFR game is $109,500.

The object of the game is to pick a team that will earn the most money during the Wrangler NFR. With a salary cap of $550,000, players must recruit a team with a contestant from each event. Players can also recruit multiple teams or become a promotional partner and recruit other players. The promotional partner with the most teams will win a trip to the Wrangler NFR. Players must be 18 years or older, and entries are accepted online at profantasyrodeo.com or can be mailed or faxed or follow the link on prorodeo.com.

Tom Thumb Texas Stampede has familiar faces in winner’s circle
While the $80,000 Tom Thumb Texas Stampede in Dallas was not a PRCA event this year, it managed to stand as a pretty good summing up of what happened in the 2009 PRCA regular season, which concluded a month ago.

The Nov. 13-14 event at the American Airlines Center featured only roughstock events and barrel racing. All of the four-head roughstock titles were won by the PRCA regular-season leaders – bareback rider Clint Cannon (342 points), saddle bronc rider Jesse Kruse (332) and bull ruder J.W. Harris (264.5, edging Bobby Welsh by a half-point). Two-time World Champion Sherry Cervi won the barrel racing.

Johnson’s Canadian Finals draw proves more congenial this time
EDMONTON, Alberta – Wyoming saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson had mixed feelings when he learned he drawn legendary Miss Congeniality for the last round of the $1.27 million Canadian Finals Rodeo, Nov. 12-15.

On the one hand: Miss Congeniality is a two-time USSTC Saddle Bronc Riding Horse of the Year (2005, 2007), a horse capable of giving him the just the sort of big score he needed to win his first CFR.

On the other hand? Miss Congeniality had knocked him silly at the 2008 CFR.

“I had a flashback to last year,” Johnson told the Canadian Press, “to when I was about two jumps out of the chute and laying there in the dirt and watching her buck away. So, I was a little nervous, yeah.”

This time, Johnson made it all the way to the eight-second whistle, scoring 86 points to finish second to Dustin Flundra (86.75) and put the finishing touches on the six-head average title.

Kyle Bowers edged fellow Canadian Dusty LaValley and 2004 World Champion Kelly Timberman for the bareback riding championship despite suffering a separated shoulder during his 84-point ride in the final round.

The other champions in the Rexall Arena were steer wrestler Cody Cassidy, team ropers Travis Gallais and Kevin Schreiner, tie-down roper Alwin Bouchard, barrel racer Gaylene Buff and bull rider Brett Thompson.

Lane Frost documentary selected for Digital Film Festival
Producer/Director David Wittkower’s film about World Champion Bull Rider Lane Frost and the legendary bull Red Rock will be the Official Selection, kicking off the 2nd annual Digital Film Festival in Paso Robles, Calif., Nov. 20-24.

The Challenge of Champions: The Story of Lane Frost and Red Rock is an 82-minute documentary film that covers the great duel between Frost and Red Rock. Their special seven-match series in 1988 captured the attention of die-hard rodeo fans and those totally new to the sport. Tragically, Frost, who was an iconic rodeo athlete and personality, was killed in the arena following a bull ride at Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days 20 years ago this past July. He was 25.

The film won distinction as the Best Western Documentary at the 48th Wrangler Awards in Oklahoma City earlier this year. Commentary in the film is provided by Lane’s parents, Clyde and Elsie Frost, rodeo stock contractor and owner of Red Rock John Growney, sportscaster George Michael, Frost’s traveling partner, Tuff Hedeman, author Jeff Coplon, journalist Kendra Santos, photographer Sue Rosoff and actor Luke Perry, who portrayed Frost in the 1994 feature film 8 Seconds.

Wittkower’s other films have won more than 24 awards. His titles include Drive of a Champion: The Joe Beaver Story and Cowboy Up: Inside the Extreme World of Bull Riding.

There will be a Q&A after the 7:30 p.m. (PT) showing of the film. Guests will include Wittkower, Growney, Santos, Rosoff and Perry. More information about the festival can be found on the Web at: www.thePDFF.com.

Patterson wins world title with 10th-round comebac

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rocky Patterson placed in four of five rounds Friday night at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, pocketing $12,985 on the evening and moving within $6,790 of Scott Snedecor for the top spot in the PRCA World Standings.

Rocky Patterson (right) received the championship saddle from PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman after winning his first career world title at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., Saturday night. Patterson defeated Scott Snedecor by $1,431 after winning the 10th round and finishing third in the NFSR average.

Round-By-Round Results, table format
Average Leaderboard

GUTHRIE, Okla. – Winning the 10th round at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping was nice, but Rocky Patterson was convinced after action had concluded at the Lazy E Arena that he would be returning to his Pratt, Kan., home with a second place finish.

A few friends of his weren’t so sure.

“I’ve got some friends who keep track of everything, and after it was over, they came down and told me, ‘I think they (the announcers) are wrong,’” Patterson said. “They said I had won it by $1,000 or $1,500 or something. You don’t want to let yourself believe it. It gave me a little hope, though.”

Before Scott Snedecor rode out of the chutes for his 10th-round run, the last of the event, it was announced that a time of 14.9 seconds or better – essentially, placing in the round – would give him his second consecutive world title. Snedecor stopped the clock in 13.5 seconds, placing fourth in the round and seemingly locking up the gold buckle.

But with Patterson finishing third in the average – good for $11,322 – and Snedecor finishing eighth and out of the average money, Patterson won with a season total of $80,923. Snedecor finished with $79,492.

“I was shocked,” said Patterson, who placed in seven of the 10 rounds and pocketed $31,283 in Guthrie.

The dramatic finish capped off an exciting return of the NFSR to the Lazy E Arena, which had not hosted the event since 2000. The return to Guthrie coincided with a return to the NFSR by the Davis family and its third-generation representative, Bryce.

Davis was the only cowboy to record times on all 10 head in Guthrie, giving the 29-year-old the average title in his first NFSR appearance.

After Patterson missed his eighth-round steer, Davis knew the title would be his if he could only catch and tie his final two steers. When Round 10 came, Davis used the advice of his father, two-time world champion and 1988 NFSR average winner Jim, to help get past his nerves.

“Dad’s always told me that I’ve run so many cattle at home, you just worry about the start,” Bryce Davis said. “Once you get the start down, the rest is just reaction to the situation. I thought my last steer at Waco (where Davis finished second at the Heartland ProRodeo Steer Roping Championships to qualify for the NFSR) was the toughest steer I’d ever run until tonight.”

It had been a tough year personally for Davis, who had to deal with the death of his 24-year-old sister, Samantha, earlier in the year due to a heart ailment, as well as his wife suffering a miscarriage. The average win proved to be a galvanizing moment for Davis and the roughly 30 members of his family – including his father – who were in attendance.

Davis jumped from 10th to sixth in the PRCA World Standings, the best finish of his career.

Two-time Steer Roping World Champion Trevor Brazile earned $26,510 in his two days in Guthrie to lift his season earnings to $288,588 and move a step closer to his record-tying seventh all-around gold buckle. He will enter the Dec. 3-12 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with a lead of $144,638 over second place Clint Robinson in the all-around world standings and will compete in both the tie-down roping and team roping.

Sixth round: 1. Chance Kelton, 11.1 seconds, $6,008; 2. (tie) Chet Herren and J.P. Wickett, 12.1, $4,167 each; 4. Vin Fisher Jr., 12.8, $2,519; 5. Landon McClaugherty, 13.4, $1,550; 6. Rocky Patterson, 13.9, $969.

Seventh round: 1. Leo Campbell, 10.9 seconds, $6,008; 2. Cash Myers, 11.8, $4,748; 3. Neal Wood, 12.3, $3,585; 4. Chet Herren, 12.4, $2,519; 5. Scott Snedecor, 12.8, $1,550; 6. Bryce Davis, 13.6, $969.

Eighth round: 1. Scott Snedecor, 9.2 seconds, $6,008; 2. Trevor Brazile, 10.0, $4,748; 3. Chance Kelton, 10.2, $3,585; 4. Cash Myers, 10.5, $2,519; 5. Bryce Davis, 10.7, $1,550; 6. Vin Fisher Jr., 11.2, $969.

Ninth round: 1. Vin Fisher Jr. 10.2 seconds, $6,008; 2. (tie) Trevor Brazile and Cash Myers, 10.5, $4,167 each; 4. Chet Herren, 10.7, $2,519; 5. (tie) Landon McClaugherty and Shane Suggs, 11.6, $1,260 each.

10th round: 1. Rocky Patterson, 11.3 seconds, $6,008; 2. Chance Kelton, 11.9, $4,748; 3. Cash Myers, 13.2, $3,585; 4. Scott Snedecor, 13.5, $2,519; 5. Bryce Davis, 13.7, $1,550; 6. Shane Suggs, 14.5, $969.

Average: 1. Bryce Davis, 137.9 seconds on 10 head, $18,972; 2. Chance Kelton, 110.3 on nine head, $14,994; 3. Rocky Patterson, 117.8, $11,322; 4. J.P. Wickett, 118.1, $7,956; 5. Vin Fisher Jr., 118.3, $4,896; 6. Trevor Brazile, 100.5 on eight head, $3,060.

Steer roping race gets tighter at NFSR
Nov.13, 2009

More about the 2009 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping

GUTHRIE, Okla. – After five rounds of the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, the race for the world title has been blown wide open, setting up an intriguing final night of roping Saturday night at the Lazy E Arena.

Trevor Brazile won the first and fourth rounds Friday night and is leading the average race with a time of 59.2 seconds on five head. He totaled an evening-best $14,535 in earnings, moving ahead of Cody Lee and Vin Fisher Jr. for third in the PRCA World Standings.

But the man currently with the inside track is Rocky Patterson. The two-time NFSR average champion is just 1.6 seconds behind Brazile for second place in the average, and he made up more than half of the $15,000 deficit between himself and Scott Snedecor, who came into Guthrie at the top of the standings but is 12th in the average race at the halfway point.

Patterson placed in four of five rounds Friday night, including second-place finishes in each of the first two rounds, and collected a total of $12,985 on the night.

The Pratt, Kan., cowboy said that even though he was able to close the gap on Snedecor, he knows the hard-charging Brazile is still in his rear-view mirror.

“I’ve still got to back in there and try to win the go-rounds – the first three rounds or so tomorrow,” Patterson said. “Trevor’s won so much, he’ll be sneaking up on you. You can’t back off and rope for the average, or he’ll blow by you.”

Patterson and Brazile are two of only four cowboys who have made qualified runs in each of the first five rounds, joining Vin Fisher Jr. and first-time NFSR qualifier Bryce Davis, who won Round 3. But while the payoff for the average winner ($18,972) remains a lucrative goal for them and the group of five who have recorded times on four head, roping safe is unlikely to win much go-round money.

“In that last round, I made as good a run as I made all night (10.5 seconds), and then they kind of beat me up and knocked me down to fourth (in the round),” Patterson said.

Round-By-Round Results, table format
Average Leaderboard

Results

First round: 1. Trevor Brazile, 10.1 seconds, $6,008; 2. Rocky Patterson, 11.9, $4,748; 3. Chance Kelton, 12.4, $3,585; 4. Vin Fisher Jr., 12.5, $2,519; 5. Shane Suggs, 12.9, $1,550; 6. Landon McClaugherty, 13.8, $969.

Second round: 1. Cody Lee, 10.4 seconds, $6,008; 2. Rocky Patterson, 10.6, $4,748; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 12.1, $3,585; 4. (tie) Bryce Davis and Dan Fisher, 12.4, $2,035 each; 6. J.P. Wickett, 12.5, $969.

Third round: 1. Bryce Davis, 10.5 seconds, $6,008; 2. Scott Snedecor, 11.5, $4,748; 3. (tie) Chet Herren and J.P. Wickett, 11.6, $3,052; 5. Landon McClaugherty, 11.9, $1,550; 6. Trevor Brazile, 12.1, $969.

Fourth round: 1. Trevor Brazile, 10.5 seconds, $6,008; 2. Leo Campbell, 10.7, $4,748; 3. Cody Lee, 11.1, $3,585; 4. Neal Wood, 12.1, $2,519; 5. Vin Fisher Jr., 13.2, $1,550; 6. Rocky Patterson, 13.3, $969.

Fifth round: 1. Chance Kelton, 9.8 seconds, $6,008; 2. Dan Fisher, 10.3, $4,748; 3. J.P. Wickett, 10.4, $3,585; 4. Rocky Patterson, 10.5, $2,519; 5. Trevor Brazile, 10.9, $1,550; 6. Cash Myers, 11.4, $969.