PRORODEO Sports News - July 26, 2024

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

ProRodeo Sports News 7/26/2024

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