ProRodeo Sports News 2023 Year-End Edition

PRCA AWARDS BANQUET

2023 PRCA AWARD WINNERS Honored Webster wins fourth straight Bullfighter of the Year award Nutrena Horses of the Year presented by AQHA • Stylish “Bugsy”- owned by Shane Hanchey (Tie-Down Roping) • Eds Famous Bar “Eddie” – owned by Tanner Milan (Steer Wrestling) • Mr Joes Shadow Bar, “Joe” – owned by Clint Summers (Team Roping Header) Photographer of the Year • Click Thompson Music Director of the Year • Josh Hilton Clown of the Year • John Harrison

BY TANNER BARTH S ince joining the PRCA in 2011, Cody Webster has accomplished just about everything you could think of in the sport of rodeo, but the accolades just continue to pile up. He added to that at the 2023 PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Resort & Casino on Dec. 6. Webster collected his fourth straight PRCA Bullfighter of the Year award in front of a sellout crowd. It was all smiles for the Oklahoma bullfighter after accepting the honor. He said every time he walks across that stage with a buckle in his hand it’s a dream come true. “This is my 11 NFR and fourth straight bullfighter of the year award,” said Webster, 31. “It doesn’t even feel real, I still feel like I’m a young kid walking into the place. I really just enjoy what I get to do every single day. I’m just a kid smiling out here, that’s really the only way I can explain it.” It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Webster in 2023. The veteran bullfighter suffered a serious injury at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rodeo, that forced him to miss time inside the arena. He said it’s par for course for bullfighters because they know the danger every time, they step foot inside the arena. “Aches and pains are just something we deal with, but that deal up at Cheyenne this year was a lot more serious,” he said. “There’s some permanent damage. It still hurts to get up in the morning, but we know when we walk in there, we have to keep these guys safe whatever the cost is. “It’s a yearly reminder walking into Cheyenne on what can happen. At the end of the day, I’m just thankful for the life I get to live, and how God has blessed me,” Webster said. “Rodeo and bullfighting have given me everything I got. A ranch, a life, and a beautiful life at that. It can’t be replicated, and it’s only earned. I just want to say thanks to the sport of rodeo for what we get to do.”

• Kadabra King, “Turbo” - owned by Patrick and Christi Smith (Team Roping Heeler) • Son of a Glow “Junior” – owned by Slade Wood (Steer Roping) • Fame Fire Rocks, “Poprocks” – owned by Mission Ranch LLC (Barrel Racing) • No Wimpy Turns, “Onna” - owned by Shelby Boisjoli (Breakaway Roping) • Baby Hes Hot, “Baby” – owned by Tyler Kraft (Pickup Horse)

Timer of the Year • Molly Twitchell

Dress Act of the Year • Bobby Kerr

Comedy Act of the Year • John Harrison

Small Rodeo of the Year • Gem State Classic Pro Rodeo — Blackfoot, Idaho Medium Rodeo of the Year • Home of Champions Rodeo — Red Lodge, Mont.

John Justin Standard of the West Committeeman of the Year • Wade Garrett

Pendleton Whisky Let ‘Er Buck Stock of the Year • Bareback Riding: Night Crawler, Pickett Pro Rodeo • Saddle Bronc Riding: Xplosive Skies, Calgary Stampede • Bull Riding: Bayou Bengal, Pete Carr Pro Rodeo Media Award: Excellence in Broadcast Journalism • 100 Rodeo in 100 Days – Cowboy Channel (Karlee Peterson Executive Producer) Media Award: Excellence in Multimedia Journalism • Sports Illustrated Rodeo Polaris Remuda Awards • Stock Contractor: Burch Rodeo • Rodeo Committee: Douglas County Fair & Rodeo | Castle Rock, Colorado Hesston Sowing Good Deeds • Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo | Gunnison, Colorado

Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year • Rodeo Rapid City — Rapid City, S.D.

Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year • Pendleton Round-Up — Pendleton, Oregon

Pickup Man of the Year • Josh Edwards

Bullfighter of the Year • Cody Webster

Announcer of the Year • Anthony Lucia

Secretary of the Year • Eva Chadwick

Veterinarian of the Year • Tim Eastman

Stock Contractor of the Year • Frontier Rodeo

Coors Man in the Can • John Harrison

Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Life Achievement • Scott Walton

ProRodeo Sports News 12/22/2023

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