ProRodeo Sports News 2023 Year-End Edition

MORRIS WALKER The Cotulla, Texas cowboy turned early youth rodeo success into a berth in the 1962 NFR. Riding his RCA Calf Roping Horse of the year Winslow, they won or placed at many of the biggest rodeos in the country. Following rodeo, he built a successful ranching business in South Texas. Morris was born a cowboy, lived the life of a cowboy and died a cowboy. OLIN YOUNG A superb all-around athlete, Olin approached everything he did with the skill of a craftsman. He used his attention to detail to help him win two steer roping world titles. Also, in 1971 he became the first cowboy to win four tie-down roping aggregate titles at the NFR. BOBBY CLARK Oklahoma’s Hall of Famer, Bobby teamed up with his hall of fame inductee brother Gene to work the biggest rodeos of their era. From Madison Square Garden to Pendleton, Oregon, and North throughout Canada to Mexico and Cuba, they thrilled crowds with their new, innovative clown acts, that are still copied today. LARRY MAHAN Although his records may not stand anymore, Oregon’s Larry Mahan will be remembered as one of the greatest cowboys of all time. He started his professional career at 14 and developed an individual talent for all three rough stock events. He used his skill to capture six world all around titles and two bull riding world titles. Larry overcame his natural shyness to become the best living advertisement in the history of rodeo: personable and articulate, with a recognizable, respected and identifiable name. C.R. BOUCHER C.R.’s career spanned more than three decades. He was one of the most versatile cowboys in ProRodeo history. Contestant, chute boss, NFR pickup man and board member were just a few of the titles he held. The Montanan won the steer wrestling world championship in 1964 and the NFR aggregate in 1961. He competed or worked in every NFR city – Dallas, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Las Vegas. JOHN FARRIS A PRCA member since 1959, John competed in all three riding events and the tie-down roping from 1959-1975. He worked for every Wrangler NFR from 1967 in one capacity or another. John worked as the saddlehorse boss, assistant rough stock chute boss and as the timed event chute boss for 17 years. Well respected and liked by all, he dedicated most of his life to rodeo. SHERRY COMBS JOHNSON Oklahoma cowgirl Sherry Combs Johnson qualified for the NFR 12 times, the first coming in 1959 and the last coming in 1991 in Las Vegas, a span of four decades. 1962 was probably the highlight of her storied career when she and her famous horse Red won the World Barrel Racing Championship. Earlier this year, before her death, she joined her sister Florence Youree and her world champion horse Star Plaudit “Red” in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. DON MAYO Bitten by the rodeo bug at 12 years old, he read an article in Life Magazine about Casey Tibbs and was determined to become a rodeo star. His dreams came true ten years later qualifying for the first of three NFRs in a row, finishing as the 1962 reserve world champion in bareback riding. In 1963, leading the world standings, he was involved in a car wreck that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Don was an inspiration to many for his toughness, grit and his ability to overcome setbacks. PASSAGES OF 2023

PHIL SUBLETT Born in Nacogdoches, Texas, Phil was born swinging a rope. He rodeoed his entire life, starting in steer wrestling at the arena that still stands in front of his home. Traveling with many of the era’s best steer wrestlers, he qualified for the 1977 NFR in Oklahoma City, ending up 6th in the year-end standings. TRENTEN MONTERO Trenten passed away Aug. 30, due to injuries suffered during a ride on Aug. 10 at the Owyhee County Rodeo in Homedale, Idaho. He was 31. Born into a Northern Nevada ranching family, rodeo was a natural transition for Trenten. A lot of time and hard work paid off in 2019 with a qualification among the top fifteen bareback riders in the world. His NFR experience was highlighted by his Round 2 ride of 90.5. DUANE BRUCE Duane and his brother Winston turned many hours of practice into lucrative rodeo careers. He was the first Canadian Intercollegiate All Around and Saddle Bronc Riding champion. Qualifying for the 1963 NFR was icing on the cake for Duane. The Bruce name will always be remembered in the history of the sport. BOB WILEY Bob Wiley, who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo five times from 1961 65 in tie-down roping, passed away Aug. 19. He was 87. Wiley was the reserve world champion in 1963 at the NFR in Los Angeles. After his rodeo days were done, Wiley had a distinguished career in law enforcement as the Tulare County, California Sheriff. The Bob Wiley Detention Facility near Visalia is named in his honor. WALT GARRISON Garrison, a Super Bowl-winning running back for the Dallas Cowboys and a member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, passed away Oct. 11. He was 79. Garrison was a star fullback for the Cowboys from 1966-74. He played 119 regular season and 13 playoff games for the Cowboys and still ranks fourth on the club’s all-time list for average yards per rush and is ninth in career rushing yards. He was a cowboy in the literal sense, performing in rodeos during the off season. MITCH TERRELL Terrell passed away Sept. 27 at 62. A prominent name in the Texas rodeo community as a cowboy and owner of the T-N-T Rodeo Company. Mitch was well known for going above and beyond to ensure the well-being of individuals and livestock he cared for. He didn’t always say a lot, but when he did, he meant it. He provided others with a superb example of what it takes to succeed. BO ASHORN Bo’s rodeo career started at the ripe old age of 12 at the Houston Rodeo. Little did he know then that that first taste of rodeo would lead to a long and distinguished career as a professional bull rider. Never one to miss a good time, this two-time NFR bull rider counted Phoenix, AZ, The Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA, and Los Angeles, Ca among his many championships.

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

ROOSTER REYNOLDS Born into a famous Montana rodeo family, Rooster was destined to be a cowboy. After achieving success in high school and amateur rodeo associations, he qualified for the NFR in steer wrestling in 1995. He took Las Vegas by storm winning the NFR steer wrestling average, ending up third in the year end standings. CHUCK SWANSON After an honorable discharge from the US Army, Chuck returned to his childhood home of Bear Creek, Montana and resumed the Western lifestyle he loved. For years he was a hunting guide, broke wild horses, and went on to qualify several times for the NFR in Saddle Bronc Riding. When he semi retired as a competitor, he became a well-respected rodeo judge, judging major rodeos including the NFR.

JIM SMITH NFR Steer Wrestler Jim Smith found his true calling when he purchased a three-year-old gelding he called Old Colt. Jim rodeoed from 1961 to 1974. He mounted and hazed for numerous bulldoggers throughout the years at RCA rodeos and the NFR with his great bulldogging team Hoddy and Old Colt. RAYMOND WESSEL This Kansas bull rider qualified for the NFR in 1994 and 1996, after finishing sixteenth in 1991 and being injured in 1992-93. Known as a good-hearted tough guy who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, he was one of the best bull riders of his time. Raymond won the Prairie Circuit Finals three times and the year-end title twice.

ProRodeo Sports News January 2024

ProRodeo Sports News January 2024

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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