2024 PRORODEO Media Guide

STOCK CONTRACTORS

Working behind the scenes long before the rodeo begins until the last animal is loaded up, stock contractors may be the most overlooked people in rodeo production. While cowboys get most of the recognition, the livestock at PRCA rodeos play a vital role in the success of the contestants. In roughstock events, the cowboy’s riding ability produces half of the score and the animal’s ability to buck powerfully and skillfully earns the other half. The stock contractors’ primary goal is to ensure that the animal athletes of ProRodeo are healthy, properly cared for and fit to perform. This job includes tasks familiar to all ranchers: breeding livestock with the desired characteristics, loading and transporting animals safely and providing veterinary care. Rodeo stock contractors also have sport-specific jobs, including working behind the chutes to ensure safety for both people and animals, and caring for animals during the rodeo. The value of top bulls can reach $60,000 or more and a first-rate bucking horse can sell for $80,000 or more. But the animals are more than a monetary investment - they become valued members of stock contractors’ families. Stock contracting companies that want to supply livestock for PRCA-sanctioned rodeos agree to follow rules that ensure the humane treatment of rodeo animals. Below are PRCA card-holding stock contractors as of March 17, 2023.

4L Rodeo Stock contractor: Charlie Lowry

was presented to the 4L-Lowry Family. In 2024 the partnership between 4L & Diamond S was dissolved. Lowry now once again has returned to his original status as 4L Rodeo producing rodeos in the southeast. WEBSITE : www.4LRodeo.com Ace’s High Pro Rodeo Owner: Craig Wentz LOCATION: Prosser, Wash. All American Rodeo Co. Owner: Donna Kennard LOCATION: Piffard, N.Y. BACKGROUND : In early 2005, an exciting new chapter began for All American Rodeo. With the retirement of Ron and Kathy Martin, Sam Swearingen purchased All American Rodeo’s assets and became the company’s sole owner. Swearingen had successfully competed in ProRodeo as a saddle bronc rider for nearly 30 years. Since then, he has continued his commitment to rodeo as the owner of the fastest growing rodeo company in the northeastern U.S. and Canada. Each year, Swearingen and his staff produce more than 100 award-winning performances in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, West Virginia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. All In Pro Rodeos Stock contractors: Alex Hauser and Wes Ibrahimi LOCATION: Winchester, Calif., and Raymond, Calif. BACKGROUND: Pat O’Maley got into stock contracting in 1981, and joined the PRCA in 2002 when he bought out Gilbert Rodeo Company and renamed it Slash T Rodeo. In 2013, the O’Maleys transitioned their ownership to Drew Blessinger, who renamed it Superior Pro Rodeo. In 2015, his

LOCATION: Summerville, Ga. BUCKING STOCK OF THE YEAR: Palm Springs, 2011; Cat Ballou, 2012. BACKGROUND: 4L Rodeo is a family-owned and operated firm founded by Charlie Lowry. Lowry obtained his PRCA contestant card in 1974. He qualified for the NFR in ’78 and ’79 in the calf roping and in ’81 in the steer wrestling riding the same horse named Ralph in both events. Lowry holds 16 year-end titles in the Southeastern Circuit. In 1981 Charlie won the steer wrestling and the all-around titles at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, pocketing $18,000. At that time, the most money ever won at a single regular season rodeo. In 1985 Lowry started his own stock contracting business producing 5 events his first year of business. In 1997 Lowry’s 4L Rodeo Company was inspected and approved by the PRCA. In 1998 4L sent their first head of stock to the NFR, a big black brahman bull, branded 747. In 2009 Lowry and David Simpson joined to form 4L & Diamond S Rodeo. This partnership worked as a team with Lowry primarily staying in the southeastern part of the country producing rodeos while Diamond S manager, Scott Pickens, leased bulls to various stock contractors west of the Mississippi River. During this partnership, 4L & Diamond S Rodeo were awarded BUCKING STOCK OF THE YEAR: Palm Springs in 2011, Cat Ballou in 2012. OTHER NOTABLE LIVESTOCK: Big Iron was voted the No.2 PRCA Bull in 2010 and 2011. Other bulls and horses have been awarded Stock of the Year for the PRCA Southeastern Circuit. OTHER NOTABLE AWARDS: In 2002 and in 2012 Lowry was awarded the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Stock contractor of the Year. In 2018 the WPRA Lifetime Family Heritage Award

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STOCK CONTRACTORS