PRORODEO Sports News - July 26, 2024

Sizzling Ride Landingham delivers 94-point trip to win Calgary Stampede title

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WORN & RAISED TO WIN.

RYDER WRIGHT 2X WORLD CHAMPION

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CONTENTS

JULY 26, 2024 VOLUME 72, NO. 15

NFR Open for Business Penrose Event Center. NFR saddle bronc rider Sage Newman swept the first and second round and the finals to earn a $19,000 check. 30 The NFR Open powered by RAM crowned cham pions July 13 at Norris

Hector Cardona, competing for Team Mexico, shocked a stout bull riding field at the NFR Open by winning the national championship. Ryan Jae photo

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INSIDE

6 Manager’s Message 8 Hot Takes 10 Grille 30 Colorado Spgs., Colo. NFR Open 38 Casper, Wyo. 40 Calgary, Alberta 48 Sheridan, Wyo. 50 Elko, Nev. 52 Salinas, Calif. Xtreme Bulls 54 Nampa, Idaho 56 Spanish Fork, Utah Xtreme Bulls 58 Salinas, Calif. 60 Ogden, Utah 62 Spanish Fork, Utah 64 Salt Lake City, Utah RODEOS

Alexis Cady photo Bareback rider Kade Sonnier captured the title at the Silver State Stampede in Elko, Nev., with an 89-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire. He earned $4,759 for his eight seconds of work. Elko provides key payday The Silver State Stampede was a solid stop on the NFR Playoff Series trail and bareback rider/bull rider Wacey Schalla made the most of his op portunity. The Resistol Rookie earned a $10,839 payday, powered by his victory in bull riding, which netted him more than $10,000. 50

COVER

ProRodeo Sports News PRCA CEO Tom Glause MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS (ISSN 0161-5815; USPS 469-620) is published semimonthly by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919-4301. PERIODICALS postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colo. , and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to ProRodeo Sports News , P. O. Box 469025, Escondido, CA 92046. Subscription rate: $45 for one year, 12 issues. Disclaimer: The ProRodeo Sports News carries advertising as a service to PRCA members and PSN readers. However, publication of advertisements in the PSN does not in any way, whether expressed or implied, commit the PSN to guarantee or warrant any of the merchandise or livestock advertised.

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Sizzling Ride Landingham delivers 94-point trip to win Calgary Stampede title

Tracy Renck PSN EDITOR & DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Tanner Barth PRCA ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver MEDIA REPORTER Alex Dodd SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Jessica Butterly

Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ©2024, PRCA Properties Inc. , a

R.C. Landingham captured the first Calgary Stampede bronze of his ProRodeo career with a 94-point ride on C5 Rodeo’s Virgil.

marketing service and subsidiary of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information retrieval system, without permission in writing from PRCA Properties Inc.

Calgary Stampede photo by Covy Moore

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MANAGER’S MESSAGE TRACY RENCK Inaugural trip to Calgary was one for the memory banks

T here’s no question the Calgary Stampede is one of the most storied and lucrative rodeos on the PRCA circuit. Writing about the Stampede remotely is doable, but there’s nothing like covering the rodeo in person. This scribe made his inaugural trip to Calgary to cover the the final three days – July 12-14 – of the Stampede. After flying from Denver to Calgary International Airport my adventure began with picking up my rental car and heading to my hotel, I was immediately taken back with what I noticed. My car’s speedometer went to 260 and when I

Canada – which was helpful to say the least. All this led to my reason for being in Calgary – the Stampede. And it was quite the experience. The crowds were massive. Organizers with the Calgary Stampede confirmed the 2024 edition of the event brought 1,477,953 spectators to the Stampede grounds, surpassing the 2012 attendance record of 1,409,371. The Stampede dubs itself as ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’ and it was. The hospitality was great and the final three days of the Stampede the crowds were 20,000-plus at GMC Stadium. “This was my first time here and the Stampede is just awesome,” saddle bronc riding winner Kade Bruno said. “The crowds are outstanding. It was great to be a part of for sure.” Joining Bruno in the winner’s celebration at the Stampede, which paid out $1.85 million at the Playoff Series Rodeo, were bareback rider R.C. Landingham; steer wrestler Ty Erickson; team ropers J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin Von Ahn; tie-down roper Haven Meged; barrel racer Leslie Smalygo; Breakaway Roper Kelsie Domer and bull riders Chase Dougherty and Jeff Askey. It is safe bet that all those champions will be competing Dec. 5-14 at the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. In 2023, every single Calgary winner qualified for the NFR except steer wrestler Scott Guenthner, who was in partial retirement. Following the completion of the Final Four Showdown Round July 14, I also took in some chuckwagon races for good measure – which was a sight to behold. The entire trip is one I will not soon forget. It is easy to see why fans come in droves to watch the Calgary Stampede and why contestants cherish getting to compete at this legendary rodeo.

jumped on the highway I wanted to keep up with the fellow cars – and the speed limit was 100. I like race cars, but this might be a little fast even for me. That’s when I did some quick math and realized the 260 on the odometer converted to 161 MPH and 100 KPH is equal to 62 MPH. Oh, and gas prices were so cheap – $1.58 – I couldn’t believe my eyes. Then, I found out that gas in Canada is typically measured in liters and gas prices are listed in Canadian cents per liter. Thus, gas was $5.98 a gallon. Yikes. And bathrooms are not bathrooms – they are called washrooms. A washroom is a room with toilets and sinks while a bathroom is a room that also has a bathtub or shower. That’s not what a bathroom is in America – but the two definitions make sense. On the flip side, $1 American is worth $1.38 in

Tracy Renck is the Manager of Communications and Media. He previously served three years as the editor of the ProRodeo Sports News , and before that he spent seven years as a media coordinator at the

PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism.

Saddle bronc rider Kade Bruno, left, and steer wrestler Ty Erickson crack open champagne to celebrate win events at the Calgary Stam pede on July 14. Calgary Stampede photo by Covy Moore ning their respective

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Trend Setter

“People said the last time I got on (Virgil) he just had a nice trip.

For the second time in three months, the matchup lived up to its hype – this

(Landingham won the Red Bluff Round-Up in April with 92.5-point ride). This time he sure bucked hard and tested me a lot more and I just kept

time on an even bigger stage. Bareback rider R.C. Landingham had an electric 94-point ride on C5 Rodeo’s legendary horse Virgil to capture the coveted Calgary Stampede title before a

crowd of 20,000-plus at GMC Stadium. Landingham, 33, cherished winning the Calgary Stampede for the first time in his career, collecting $50,000.

gassing it. I knew if I got to the whistle we were going to win.”

NEXT ON TAP DODGE CITY ROUNDUP RODEO Where: Dodge City, Kan. When: July 31- Aug. 4

Broadcast Schedule: The Dodge City Roundup Rodeo will be broadcast on The Cowboy Channel and stream live on the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App, July 31-Aug. 4 DOUGLAS COUNTY FAIR AND RODEO Where: Castle Rock, Colo. When: August 2-4 Broadcast Schedule: The Douglas County Fair and Rodeo will be broadcast on The Cowboy Channel and stream live on the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App, Aug. 2-4. FARM-CITY PRO RODEO Where: Hermiston, Ore. When: August 7-10 Broadcast Schedule: The Farm-City Pro Rodeo will be broadcast on The Cowboy Channel and stream live on the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App, Aug. 7-10. are subject to change. For complete broadcast schedule visit https://bitly.ws/3hK9m

HOT TAKES

On the Move Resistol Rookie tie-down roper Cole Clemons is making the most of his first full season in ProRodeo. Clemons is coming off the biggest win of his career at the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, July 20. Clemons won the average with 23.3 seconds on three head. The three runs in Nampa earned him $9,729. As of July 24, he finds himself inside the Top 15 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Hailey Rae photo Tie-down roper Cole Clemons captured the average title at the Snake River Stampede after clocking a 7.7-second run in the finals.

534 $40,586,068 MONEY WON BY COWBOYS IN THE 2024 SEASON NUMBER OF PRCA-SANCTIONED RODEOS IN THE 2024 SEASON AS OF JULY 25

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COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Boyd: My buddy’s grandpa had a steer staver sitting out in his pasture when we were kids, and we really wanted to know what it was. So, he taught us how to steer wrestle that way and the rest took care of itself. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Boyd: I think I will be able to make a career out of it. I don’t think there was a definite point where I thought you know what I think I made it. It’s just been something I’ve been working at for a really long time. Why did you decide steer wrestling would be your event? Boyd: I thought it was the coolest event from the start. It’s pretty wild to be jumping off a horse onto a steer going that fast. I rode a little saddle bronc too, but I didn’t think it was near as fun as steer wrestling. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Boyd: I rode saddle bronc horses in high school and did it a little bit in college as well. I soon found out I was a lot better at steer wrestling than I was at riding broncs. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this season? Boyd Sawyer, 26, finds himself in the hunt for Resistol Rookie of the Year honors as we end the month of July. The Thedford, Neb., steer wrestler is 48th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $24,990 as of July 24. His biggest payday came in mid-May when he finished third at the Redding (Calif.) Rodeo, where he pocketed $3,135.

BOYD SAWYER

Boyd: I ran out of Permit years that I could use, but I had always kind of been waiting. I had a plan where I wanted to win an amateur title then move on to the pros. So, I won a couple amateurs titles and figured that it was probably time to try and be an adult. What have you learned during your Resistol Rookie season? Boyd: I’ve learned that horsepower matters a lot and who you have hazing can make all the difference. You also have to have a very short-term memory because you’re going to so many rodeos back-to-back to-back. If you make a bad run or something happens you have to be able to move on fast. Who’s someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Boyd: I always looked up to Dean Gorsuch when I was growing up because he was a Nebraska guy that did really well. Tagg From and Jason Johnson are two guys who really helped me a lot as well. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? Boyd: That’s an easy one for me, I’d love to win Pendleton (Ore.). I’ve never been there before but I’m planning to go there this year. What’s your favorite movie? Boyd: I would have to say Tombstone . What’s your go-to restaurant before or after a rodeo? Boyd: I really like Arby’s, but I’m the only one in the group that really likes it. I really like their roast beef sandwich. What’s the first vehicle you drove? Boyd: The first one I owned was a 1999 Ford F-250. Do you have a favorite candy? Boyd: I think I’d have to go with Heath bars. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? Boyd: I like to fish and hunt quite a bit in my downtime. Coyotes are probably my favorite thing to hunt. What’s your favorite holiday? Boyd: I would have to say Christmas just because of the meaning behind it.

What type of music do you like listening to? Boyd: I like to listen to a little bit of everything when it comes to music. I don’t really have a specific artist or genre that I listen to.

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Proud sponsor of NFR Playo Series, National Finals Rodeo, and Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale

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10 QUESTIONS WITH KYNNLEY HERRINGTON

He Said – She Said Who knows 2019 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion Haven Meged better? His wife, 2023 Breakaway Roping World Champion Shelby Meged, or his traveling partner, Wrangler NFR tie-down roping qualifier Zack Jongbloed?

HAVEN

SHELBY

ZACK

ZACK

HAVEN

SHELBY

WHAT MOVIE WOULD HE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN IN?

The Cowboys

The Cowboys

Lonesome Dove

WHO IS HIS FAVORITE RODEO ATHLETE?

Trevor Brazile

Trevor Brazile

Trevor Brazile

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA?

Facebook

Instagram

Instagram

WHAT IS HIS GO-TO KARAOKE SONG?

“Hells Bells” by AC/DC

Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon”

“Neon Moon”

WHAT IS HIS DREAM VACATION?

Any beach

Virgin Islands

Hawaii

WHAT CELEBRITY WOULD HE MOST LIKE TO MEET?

George Strait

John Wayne

Megan Fox

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Definitely Shelby

Me

Haven

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE TYPE OF FOOD?

Steak and Corn

Steak and Corn

Steak and Corn

WHAT (NON-NFR) RODEO WOULD HE MOST LIKE TO WIN?

Pendleton

Houston

Cheyenne

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Lemonade

Sprite

Shirley Temple

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WORD SEARCH TRY YOUR LUCK

ANSWERS ON PAGE 116

Find the winners from the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Rodeo and the Strathmore (Alberta) Stampede in 2023. Cowboys or cowgirls who won more than one event at both rodeos appear once for each win. Names may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Summer Success 1. Find the winners from Dodge City, Kan.: BB: Cole Franks SW: Olin Hannum TR: Curry Kirchner/Billie Jack Saebens and Pedro Egurrola/JC Flake SB: Brody Cress TD: Paul David Tierney GB: Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi SR: Cody Lee BR: Deklan Garland 2. Find the winners from Strathmore, Alberta: BB: Clint Laye SW: Harley Cole TR: Brady Chappel/Tee McLeod SB: Logan Hay

O TXNI AMOBHZ IOVDKDEHEW FEHKBCESQAOOOYVJ EVPXB XXCURRYKIRCHNERVUDAOO QCYAHNAGOLYDBDBYTNUNA BMIHDVLDTEI EQKEVTALTS SQNUHDTVYYQERGAZMLDGL KAUDOONZKC J ZMGUTBRAME UTMLVB I TEOHZTCCRQAVNK I YVSFHLYELNAAGOBKGIAN DCSQEYCCREXDPDODLNDQA AUFKLEHTPYMYYPPHYATBM WTJ SNEBEASKCAJEILLIBL OFSVQAMELVRDLWRLCKECL RVALORRUGEORDEPOUERE I P IVFCEGFSKQZACOSLDNVH GMGIPPESEAKSKMWDSZES I HMUNNAHNI LOXEGVAI EYTV GZQGRZMF J FOZARUDRAGDE CTERKFAMYCNCLFPTYALYT LLDSRQPBCJDHOYFLDAMJ S IZZONOTIZZOPYNATTIRBX

TD: Beau Cooper GB: Stevi Hillman BR: Edgar Durazo

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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Pine City Rodeo

Minnesota

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Entry 8/14 - 8/16, ReEntry 8/26 AUG 30, 31 FRI, SAT, & SUN SEPT 1

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2024 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Official as of July 25, 2024. For the 2024 season (Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 80; team roping, 80; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 80; barrel racing, 100; breakaway roping,100; and bull riding, 125. Bull riders can count Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.

ALL-AROUND 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. .......................... $186,153 2. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. ........................... 90,036 3. Wacey Justin Schalla, Arapaho, Okla. ................ 82,557 4. Jake Cooper Clay, Sapulpa, Okla. ...................... 75,372 5. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D. ............................. 74,408 6. Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas ........................ 65,800 7. Marcus Theriot, Lumberton, Miss. ................... 60,598 8. Brushton Minton, Witter Springs, Calif. ............. 55,475 9. Zane Kilgus, Pryor, Okla. ................................... 51,276 10. Cole Walker, Sparta, Tenn. ............................... 47,789 11. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla. ........ 45,436 12. Chance Oftedahl, Pemberton, Minn. ................ 42,409 13. Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb. .......................... 37,251 14. Chet Weitz, London, Texas .............................. 35,971 15. Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas ........................... 35,126 16. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas ......................... 34,746 17. Seth Hall, Albuquerque, N.M. ......................... 33,327 18. Clay Clayman, Highlandville, Mo. .................... 32,664 19. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb. ......................... 30,713 20. Cody Stewart, Janesville, Calif. ....................... 28,976 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo. ........................ $169,741 2. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas ................ 136,140 3. Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah ..................... 133,004 4. Rocker Shane Steiner, Weatherford, Texas ...... 132,803 5. R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif. .................. 128,028 6. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho ............................ 114,377 7. Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb. .................... 102,826 8. Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas ......................... 102,157 9. Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho .............................. 96,169 10. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La. .................. 93,423 11. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. ...................... 91,672 12. Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont. ....... 91,253 13. Weston M. Timberman, Columbus, Mont. ....... 84,194 14. Bradlee Miller, Huntsville, Texas ...................... 79,466 15. Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo. ............................... 77,238 16. Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis. .............................. 73,077 17. Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La. .............. 67,741 18. Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont. .......................... 67,449 19. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba .......................... 63,781 20. Bronc Marriott, Grantsville, Utah ..................... 56,702 STEER WRESTLING 1. Dalton Massey, Hermiston, Ore. .................... $146,112 2. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev. .............................. 114,967 3. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho ............... 108,503 4. Don Payne, Stephenville, Texas ....................... 101,638 5. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss. ............................ 94,221 6. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont. ................................ 92,337 7. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn. ............................ 83,205 8. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan. .......................... 77,007 9. Tucker Allen, Ventura, Calif. ............................. 71,182 10. Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla. ............................. 68,098 11. Stephen Culling, Fort St. John, B.C. ............... 65,563 12. Jacob Edler, Alva, Okla. ................................... 64,092 13. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La. ............................... 62,922 14. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore. .......................... 59,432 15. Scott Guenthner, Consort, Alberta ................... 56,508 16. Cash Robb, Altamont, Utah ............................. 55,266 17. Walt Arnold, Coleman, Texas ........................... 52,146 18. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla. ........................... 50,533 19. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas ....................... 50,507 20. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La. ............................. 47,209 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga. ........................$120,643 2. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla. .................... 114,784 3. J.C. Yeahquo, Mandaree, N.D. ......................... 114,093 4. Jake Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. .......................... 97,512 5. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz. ....................... 92,407 6. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. ............................ 81,887 7. Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla. .......................... 81,363 8. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla. ........................... 80,687 9. Brenten Hall, Jay, Okla. ...................................... 75,218 10. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas ................................ 74,734 11. Jake Cooper Clay, Sapulpa, Okla. .................... 67,226 12. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C. ............................. 67,029 13. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala. ............................. 65,842 14. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif. .......................... 64,395 15. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. ..................... 63,825

16. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. ........................ 61,846 17. Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D. ...................................... 60,434 18. Dawson Graham, Wainwright, Alberta ............ 59,478 19. Lightning Aguilera, Athens, Texas ................... 57,654 20. Cyle Denison, Iowa, La. ................................... 55,673 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D. ................................. $114,784 2. Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil ... 113,778 3. Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas ............. 103,291 4. Douglas Rich, Herrick, Ill. ................................. 97,512 5. Colter Todd, Willcox, Ariz. ................................. 92,407 6. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan. ............................... 84,801 7. Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M. ............................... 81,887 8. Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla. ............................... 81,559 9. Kaden Michael Profili, Jacksonville, Texas ......... 78,591 10. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas ............... 74,734 11. Coleby Payne, Stephenville, Texas ................... 71,846 12. Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla. ........................... 70,971 13. Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla. ...................... 69,488 14. Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo. ..................................67,226 15. Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas ............................ 66,406 16. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. ................................ 64,424 17. Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas ................................ 62,253 18. J.C. Flake, Milsap, Texas .................................. 61,808 19. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. ................................. 61,653 20. Dillon Graham, Wainwright, Alberta ................. 58,235 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho ............................ $176,262 2. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia ................. 170,142 3. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif. ............................ 166,515 4. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont. ...................... 145,249 5. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas ............................ 143,254 6. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta ................... 131,877 7. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah ............................. 126,537 8. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah ............................ 113,439 9. Zac Dallas, Las Cruces, N.M. ........................... 104,755 10. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo. .......................... 104,124 11. Logan Hay, Wildwood, Alberta ....................... 103,199 12. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta ...................... 99,531 13. Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La. ............................ 99,093 14. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo. .............................. 93,292 15. Ben T. Andersen, Eckville, Alberta .................... 93,138 16. Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta ......... 89,214 17. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D. .................................. 66,767 18. Lucas Macza, High River, Alberta .................... 66,076 19. Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta ..................... 65,910 20. Riggin Smith, Winterset, Iowa ........................ 59,060 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. .......................... $181,088 2. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas ........................... 172,492 3. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont. ...................... 144,338 4. Riley Mason Webb, Denton, Texas .................. 139,166 5. John Douch, Huntsville, Texas ......................... 119,510 6. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas ...................... 118,057 7. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La. ........................... 102,877 8. Tuf Case Cooper, Decatur, Texas ........................ 94,966 9. Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas ...............80,010 10. Joel Braden Harris, San Angelo, Texas ............. 76,845 11. Dylan Hancock, San Angelo, Texas .................. 76,278 12. Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas ............................. 75,130 13. Cole Clemons, Lipan, Texas ............................. 71,958 14. Bryce Derrer, Portales, N.M. ........................... 69,752 15. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla. ........................... 64,211 16. Beau Cooper, Stettler, Alberta .......................... 61,901 17. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas ............................ 61,250 18. Macon Murphy, Keatchie, La. .......................... 61,114 19. Luke Potter, Maple City, Kan. ........................... 58,802 20. Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo. ............................... 58,125 STEER ROPING 1. Cole Patterson, Pawnee, Okla. ......................... $71,612 2. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas .............. 57,052 3. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas ............................ 55,539 4. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas ........................... 47,418 5. Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas .......................... 46,845 6. John E. Bland, Okarche, Okla. ........................... 43,940 7. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas ............................... 43,177 8. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D. ............................. 42,254

9. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas ........................... 38,643 10. Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla. ..................... 33,575 11. Billy Good, Wynnewood, Okla. ........................ 33,287 12. Logan Cole Currie, Wharton, Texas ................. 31,340 13. Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla. ...................... 27,297 14. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla. ......................... 27,007 15. Cooper Mills, Saint John, Wash. ..................... 26,228 16. Reo Lohse, Kaycee, Wyo. ............................... 25,152 17. Trent Sorey, Pendleton, Ore. ........................... 24,133 18. Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla. .......................... 23,181 19. Tanner Stec, Bassett, Neb. .............................. 21,406 20. Dalton Walker, Clyde, Texas ............................. 21,369 BULL RIDING 1. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah ............................. $192,978 2. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore. ......................... 160,405 3. Creek Walker Young, Rogersville, Mo. ............. 146,805 4. Clayton Sellars, Wildwood, Fla. ........................ 136,221 5. Hayes Weight, Goshen, Utah ........................... 132,067 6. T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore. ........................................ 119,459 7. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho ............... 119,314 8. JR Stratford, Byers, Kan. ................................. 104,851 9. Cooper James, Erda, Utah ............................... 104,450 10. Jeter Don Lawrence, Council Hill, Okla. ......... 102,320 11. Jace Trosclair, Chauvin, La. ........................... 101,198 12. Luke Mast, Hutchinson, Kan. ........................... 96,710 13. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas ................................ 90,376 14. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla. ........................ 88,125 15. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa ............................. 87,221 16. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla. ................... 83,725 17. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho ............ 79,048 18. Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah ........................... 78,645 19. Wacey Justin Schalla, Arapaho, Okla. .............. 77,873 20. Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas ..................... 76,841 BARREL RACING 1. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Texas .................. $101,709 2. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. ............................. 89,905 3. Abby Phillips, Marshall, Texas ........................... 86,933 4. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas .............................. 86,268 5. Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla. ......................... 84,863 6. Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas ............................. 83,282 7. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla. ..................... 82,602 8. Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla. ............................. 80,392 9. Ashley Castleberry, Montgomery, Texas ............ 80,209 10. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas ....................... 78,815 11. Sara Winkelman, Big Lake, Minn. .....................71,795 12. Halyn Lide, China Spring, Texas ...................... 70,215 13. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas ........................... 66,860 14. Jymmy Kay Cox, Ruidoso Downs, N.M. .......... 63,105 15. Megan McLeod-Sprague, Marsing, Idaho ....... 56,786 16. Chloe Gray, Yatesville, Ga. ................................55,461 17. Sissy Winn, Chapman, Texas ........................... 55,367 18. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas ......... 54,369 19. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D. .......................... 49,233 20. Andrea Busby, Millsap, Texas .......................... 48,576 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, Texas ............. $106,722 2. Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla. ................................ 89,836 3. Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz. ......................... 78,710 4. Josie Conner, Iowa, La. ..................................... 72,850 5. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Miles City, Mont. .......... 69,821 6. Maddy Deerman, Hope, N.M. ............................ 65,480 7. Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas ............... 64,384 8. Hali Williams, Comanche, Texas ........................ 54,464 9. Macy Young, Wittmann, Ariz. ............................ 54,335 10. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, Texas ............................ 50,239 11. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, Texas ....... 50,111 12. Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas .............................. 50,060 13. Rickie Fanning, Spearfish, S.D. ...................... 47,721 14. Kendal Pierson, Wardlow, Alberta .................... 43,918 15. TiAda Gray, Portales, N.M. .............................. 40,369 16. Tacy Webb, Midway, Texas .............................. 40,131 17. Rylee A. George, Oakdale, Calif. ...................... 39,592 18. Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan. ................ 37,390 19. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, Texas ......................... 33,822 20. J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas ................... 32,455

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LEAD, DON’T FOLLOW.

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SHORT ROUND Myers Passes B utch Myers, the 1980 PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler and 12 time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, passed away July 24 in Athens, Texas. He was 78. Myers qualified for the NFR in steer 1980 world champion steer wrestler was 78

in the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

“He was a huge, positive influence and inspiration,” said Murray, whose mom Joy was Butch’s sister. “When I was a kid, I got to see him going to the NFR and winning a world championship. The first year I won the all-around (world championship) in 1989, it was between me, him and Clay O’Brien Cooper. Butch was a cowboy to the core. He was competitively roping calves until the day he died.” Butch won his first trophy saddle in

wrestling from 1980-87, 1989, 1995 and 1997, and once in tie-down roping in 1989. “I think my brother Rope and my sister,

After spending the last two years in retirement, Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Killer Bee passed away on July 10. Killer Bee strung together a remarkable career as a PRCA bareback and saddle bronc horse. Upon retirement after the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Killer Bee entered the breeding program and died due to pregnancy complications at 19 years old. “She was a once in a lifetime horse,” Rhett Beutler, partner at Beutler & Son, told the ProRodeo Sports News. “You’re going to go through a lot of horses to find one that gives what she gave every time, and has the longevity, awards and spectacular outs she had.” Tygh, and I want to remember our father, not only for his achievements in the arena, but also how he touched other people in rodeo through his (rodeo) schools,” said son Cash. “I think the legacy of dad is family and rodeo and not only trying to achieve his own success but inspire others and teach others. He also was very proud of the fact that his kids and grandkids all competed in rodeo. We were all consumed with rodeo.” Butch Myers has quite the rodeo family tree. His late wife, Fanchone, was a barrel racer and former Miss Rodeo Kansas and his sons, Rope and Cash, were PRCA standouts as well. Daughter Tygh also was an all-around rodeo hand. Rope was a steer wrestler, and nine-time NFR qualifier (1995 2001 and 2003-2004), highlighted by him winning the 2001 PRCA World Championship. Cash is a seven-time NFR qualifier – six in steer wrestling (2000-2003, 2005, and 2008) and once in tie-down roping in 2001. He also qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping eight times in (2002, 2005-2009, 2021-22). Butch’s nephew is legendary ProRodeo Hall of Famer Ty Murray, and his grandson is tie-down roper Quade Hiatt, who 11th Myers

Killer Bee earned top bareback horse of the 2018 and 2020 NFRs and top saddle bronc horse of the 2013, 2014 and 2022 NFRs. She also won PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year honors in 2019, top bareback horse of Round 3 at the 2019 NFR and top saddle bronc horse of Round 4 and Round 9 of the 2022 NFR. Killer Bee’s last ride proved a memorable one in Round 9 of the 2022 NFR. In her last out, Dawson Hay tied the Round 9 record with a 92-point ride in front of a packed house at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. After the ride, Killer Bee trotted around the arena for one last standing ovation. Little Britches competition at age 11. He also was champion steer wrestler, calf roper, and bareback rider throughout high school and college. Myers obtained a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in Fort Collins and then obtained a master’s degree in agricultural education from Kansas State University in Manhattan. Myers obtained his PRCA card in 1968, but he couldn’t compete hard, so he turned in his card. For years, Myers’ priorities were finishing his education and raising a family while competing in local and open competition. Myers returned to the PRCA in 1980 and proceeded to win the world title with $44,708. He also won the steer wrestling average championship at the NFR in 1986 and 1997. During the ‘97 NFR in Vegas, Myers set the average record on 10 head at 43.3 seconds at 52 years old. Myers broke the average record he set in 1986 at 44.3 seconds on 10 head. In 2001, Rope joined his father as an NFR steer roping average record holder with a 37.4-second time on 10 head.

Premier bucking horse Killer Bee passes at 19

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PRCA announces wealth management partner The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership.

BY THE NUMBERS $14K The amount of money ($14,923) earned by Clayton Sellars by winning the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Xtreme Bulls July 20. Sellars claimed the victory with his 85.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Gladiator’s Hammer. $16K The amount of money ($16,368) earned by Luke Mast on the way to winning the California Rodeo Salinas Big Week Bull Riding Xtreme Bulls on July 18. $1.85M The payout of the 2024 Calgary Stampede, which ran from July 5-14 at GMC Stadium, making it one of the richest PRCA regular season rodeos during the 2024 season and a key stop on the NFR Playoff Series.

has announced Cedar Gap Wealth Management as ‘An Official Wealth Management’ partner of the PRCA and National Finals Rodeo for a three-year term. This collaboration is to promote the sport of rodeo and help guide athletes down the right financial path now and in the future. “We are incredibly excited about this sponsorship because it allows us to support the hardworking cowboys and cowgirls who dedicate their lives to this sport,” said Michael Hull, founding partner and senior wealth advisor at Cedar Gap Wealth Management. PRCA Chief Marketing Officer Paul Woody Nominations are now being accepted for the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association’s Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was created to recognize PRCA members who have dedicated their lives to the rodeo industry for their commitment, work and contributions. Any active member (or active life member) of the PRCA may nominate eligible contract personnel members for the award. In recognition of the support that PRCA-sanctioned rodeos contribute to local, regional, and national charities, Hesston by Massey Ferguson presents the Sowing Good Deeds contest. The contest is a chance to recognize and share the stories of rodeo teams across the country who are doing good in their communities. Five finalists are selected from the nominations and one rodeo committee will win a Massey Ferguson tractor. The winner is announced during the Wrangler

“We are happy to welcome Cedar Gap Wealth Management into the fold. Their expertise in wealth management will be invaluable to our athletes, helping them navigate their financial journeys both during and after their rodeo careers.” Cedar Gap Wealth Management is an independent private wealth management team, concentrating on helping clients pursue and achieve the financial objectives needed to fulfill their life goals. CGWM clients range from self-made business owners to corporate executives and entrepreneurs to retirees, encompassing industries such as oil & gas, farming & ranching, healthcare, and more. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on July 31. Nominees must have been a PRCA member for 15 years and may not have won a yearly contract personnel award within 15 years of the date of nomination (life members may be nominated even if they are not actively renewed). Nomination letters of 500 words or less can be mailed to the PRCA, 101 ProRodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 or emailed to sgibson@prorodeo.com.

Donita Barnes Award nominations sought

Sowing Good Deeds contest open

NFR gala in December.

The contest is open to all PRCA sanctioned rodeo committees, regardless of size. Participating rodeo committees must apply for the Sowing Good Deeds program and meet certain criteria. Participating rodeos will receive a Hesston by Massey Ferguson Sowing

ONLINE: For more ProRodeo events and full results, go to www. prorodeo.com

Good Deeds banner to hang in their arena. Entries are due Sept. 1, 2024. Go to this link to enter https://www. masseyferguson.com/en_us/discover-mf/mf community/community/sowinggooddeeds.html

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and working cowboys everywhere OFFICIAL HAT OF THE PRCA

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Wild Ride Bull rider Ky Hamilton returned to action at the Calgary Stampede. Hamilton qualified for the semifinal round but was bucked off by Macza Rodeo’s Wreckiciled. – Calgary Stampede photo by Covy Moore

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Pikes Peak Prosperity

NFR OPEN

The NFR Open powered by RAM at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is one of the biggest rodeos of the ProRodeo regular season with $1 million in payouts to contestants, livestock and other PRCA members. PAGES 32-37

The nine winners of the NFR Open were presented with championship buckles and saddles at the conclusion of the finals at Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Kristen Schurr photo

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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

NFR OPEN

Hayes goes back-to-back at NFR Open Repeat Riches

BY TANNER BARTH T he last 24 months have been a dream come true for Hayden, Colo., bareback rider Keenan Hayes. In December, he became the first Resistol Rookie to win a PRCA Bareback Riding World Championship. It wouldn’t have been possible without his success at the 2023 NFR Open powered by RAM at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Fast forward to July and it almost felt like Déjà vu. Hayes advanced out of Pool B with 162 points on two head after winning the second round with an 85-point ride on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Lightning. That set the stage for the nine-man short round on championship Saturday. Hayes drew Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped and the duo combined for an 89-point trip and yet another national championship. He said while that horse is more of a veteran in the sport, she always provides contestants with the opportunity to earn money. “That horse is awesome, it’s been around for a lot of years,” said Hayes, 21. “I’ve seen all the best guys in the world get on her and it was finally my turn today. I was stoked to have her, she’s one of the horses you know you can win a rodeo on.” Hayes’ three rides in the Centennial State earned him $16,000, keeping him inside the top five of the PRCA | RAM World Standings with two months remaining in the ProRodeo regular season, which ends Sept. 30. It marked back-to-back years that Hayes has struck paydirt in his home state, he hopes the end result comes up the same in 2024. “I remember back when it was an amateur rodeo when I was younger. We would travel down here for it and watch it when we could,” Hayes said. “So, it’s pretty cool to find a way to win it twice in a row. “Because a big win like this gives you a ton of momentum going into the rest of the month and really the rest of the season for that matter. It’s a good confidence boost and promotes you to go finish the season off strong.” Ultimately, it comes down to digging deep for the final two months of the season and trying to shake off the injury bug. “This year I’m kind of beat up a little bit after the Fourth of July, but we are still bearing down and going at it,” Hayes explained. “We still got a lot of rodeos left to go this season, but we will get healed up and keep going down the road.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Hector Cardona ($23,000, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Cardona

1. Keenan Hayes ........................ 89 pts. 2. Taylor Broussard .......................... 87 3. Donny Proffit ............................. 84.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Scott Guenthner ................... 3.5 sec. 2. Gage Hesse .................................. 3.9 3. Dalton Massey ............................. 4.7 (Tie) Cameron Morman ............... 4.7 TEAM ROPING 1. K. Driggers/J. Nogueira ........ 4.4 sec. 2. D. Begay/C. Todd ......................... 4.5 3. E. Rogers/P. Eaves ....................... 4.9 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Sage Newman ........................ 88 pts. 2. Ira Dickinson ................................ 87 3. Statler Wright ............................ 86.5 (Tie) Quintin McWhorter ............ 86.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Bodie Mattson ...................... 7.6 sec. 2. Paul David Tierney ....................... 7.9 3. Cole Walker ................................. 8.3 BARREL RACING 1. Jessica Routier ................. 16.59 sec. 2. Chloe Gray ............................... 16.68 3. Lisa Lockhart ........................... 16.77 BULL RIDING 1. Hector Cardona ......... 164 pts. on 2 * 2. Hayes Weight ............................. 91.5 3. Payton Fitzpatrick ......................... 88 * No qualified rides in finals, Cardona named NFR Open winner based on average

Ryan Jae photo

Complete results/Page 86

Keenan Hayes won back-to-back NFR Open titles with this 89-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped during the finals.

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NFR OPEN

Driggers/Nogueira stay hot Kristen Schurr photo Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira won the team roping title at the NFR Open with a 4.4-second run in the finals. Each cowboy earned $16,000.

Team roping header Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira nearly missed the championship round during the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. The duo missed the catch in the opening round of competition in Pool B. But only two teams from their group (Erich Rogers/Colter Todd and Tanner Pallesen/Max Kuttler) successfully roped two head. A blazing 4.6-second run in the second round gave Driggers/Nogueira the fastest time in the pool and sent them to the finals via the tiebreaker. “We’re just very blessed,” Driggers added. “It was kind of a freak accident that we got to come back. We were first out tonight, and we wanted to make the best run that we could.” Driggers and Nogueira took advantage of their opportunity with a 4.4-second run in the finals to win the event and take home another big check.

“This is awesome. I’ve been very blessed to be having a good career,” Nogueira said. “I want to give all of the glory to God because he’s been blessing me so much. We have to put in hard work and have faith. But without Him, we can’t do anything.” Driggers already has two world titles from 11 trips to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and Noguiera has three gold buckles from 10 NFR qualifications. But until Saturday, neither boasted a national championship at the circuit finals. “That’s awesome.” Nogueira said. “It’s unbelievable to get to compete for that much money at this amazing event that they put on. I’m excited and glad to get that win.” The duo hauled in $16,000 each, with $3,000 from the second-round win and $13,000 from the championship round.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

BY ALEX DODD

Partial retirement not stopping Guenthner

Maple Leaf Circuit steer wrestler Scott Guenthner has only competed in four rodeos this year but made the most of his opportunity at the NFR Open powered by RAM at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Guenthner mainly sticks to the circuit, to spend time with his family and work on his ranch in Canada. But he made exceptions for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, RodeoHouston, the Calgary Stampede and the NFR Open. Guenthner got the best bang for his buck during the championship round of the NFR Open with a 3.5-second run to win the rodeo and $13,000. “I just came down here because I qualified for this on the circuit,” Guenthner said. “I semi-retired to be home with my family and work on the ranch. So, I’ll be going home to the ranch and rodeoing in Canada the rest of the summer.” He pulled in $4,125 for his efforts in Pool C. He tied for third in the first round with a 5.0-second run. He won the second round with a 3.8-second time. The two times were enough to push him into the final with 8.8 seconds on two head. On Saturday, Guenthner had his work cut out for him after Gage Hesse opened with a 3.9-second run. “I was actually like, ‘Oh shucks, this just got really tough in a quick hurry.’ But I knew I had a good steer,” he recalled. “I knew he didn’t try really hard on the run in, so I knew I needed to get a good start, and it worked out, I guess. “They hadn’t done much on the steer, but from the tracks I’d seen, I thought I had a really good chance.” Guenthner’s haul this past weekend would’ve convinced a lot of cowboys to throw their hat back in the ring to chase a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification. But Guenthner already boasts four NFR appearances and prefers spending time with his family in Canada to life on the road. “I’d do 10 hours (on the road) in Canada, but it’s different when you don’t cross that border,” Guenthner said. “When you’re still in Canada, you feel like you could be home if you had to be, and it’s a lot nicer.”

Kristen Schurr photo Scott Guenthner made the most of his time in Colorado Springs, Colo. He wrapped up the steer wrestling win with a 3.5-second effort in the championship round.

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