ProRodeo Sports News - April 3, 2020

Second Chance at Life

At age 13, team roper spent 10 days in a coma

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

2

FOURCHAMPIONS.

Congratulations on your impressiveWrangler NFR victories.

WESLEY THORP

SAGE KIMZEY

CLAYTON BIGLOW

STETSON WRIGHT

CONTENTS

APRIL 3, 2020 VOLUME 68, NO. 7

Reliving a perfect bull ride Wolfman for a 100-point bull ride in 1991, now builds modi- fied wheelchairs. 40 Wade Leslie, who teamed with Growney’s

Former PRCA bull rider Wade Leslie drives in his motorized chair. Photo courtesy Wade Leslie

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

4

INSIDE

14 2020 prca world 42 2020 rookies 42 2020 permit 44 2020 circuits STANDINGS COVER 6 in his words 8 brain teasers 10 he said-she said 12 grille 18 short round 48 prca notes

Second Chance at Life

Atage 13, team roper spent 10days inacoma

Cowboys sharing during downtime Six-time PRCA World Champion Bull Rider Sage Kimzey and other Pro- Rodeo cowboys are spending plenty of time at home among family, and they’re posting those experiences on social media. 34

Team roping heeler Jared Fillmore hangs out at home during a hiatus as ProRodeos are postponed or canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ProRodeo Sports News

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 ad- ditional 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.

PHONE: 719.593.8840 FAX: 719.548.4889 TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PSN, CALL: 800.RODEO.4U (800.763.3648) SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS

James Phifer photo

PRCA members: 719.528.4747 Nonmembers: 800.763.3648 _______________ To advertise in the PSN , call: 719.528.4779 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS 101 ProRodeo Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ©2020, PRCA Properties Inc. , a

PRCA CEO George Taylor MEDIA DIRECTOR

Don’t miss a moment from this season or last. Go to prorodeo.com to check out past issues of ProRodeo Sports News.

Scott Kaniewski PRCA ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATOR Carol Lawrence CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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.

Tracy Renck Matt Naber Amber Baillie ADVERTISING MANAGER Nathan Vodehnal

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

5

ProRodeo.com

DIRECTOR’S CUT SCOTT KANIEWSKI

A different time for rodeo and our cowboys T his space should be all about some of the spring’s biggest rodeos or about cowboys jockeying for position among the Top 15 before the summer months. cowboys are out of work too. So this edition of ProRodeo Sports News is centered around the cowboy as a person, as a friend, as a ranch hand, as a family man. Social media was a big help. Want to know what Tyson

This magazine should be previewing the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo and have coverage of RodeoHouston and Rodeo Austin. It should be about impressive accomplishments in the rodeo world, and we’ve seen plenty so far this season – bareback rider TimO’Connell’s ProRodeo record-tying ride of 94 points aboard Northcott Macza’s Stevie Knicks instantly comes to mind. But the fact of the matter is it isn’t about rodeo. At all. Not in the sense of rodeo as a sport that cowboys do for a living. This time, this space is designated to rodeo as a way of life. And not just this space, but this entire edition of ProRodeo Sports News . When rodeos began cancelling and postponing because of COVID-19, we at PSN immediately turned our thoughts to, “Well, what are we going to put in the magazine and online at ProRodeo.com?” The answer was somewhat easier than we thought. We actually don’t have to focus on rodeos. Instead, we can focus on people – ProRodeo cowboys, yes, but more as people than as cowboys. What are they doing with their time away from the sport? In many ways, like many people around the country,

Durfey is doing? Check out Facebook (@tysondurfey). Want to know what Tuf Cooper is up to? Go find him on Instagram (@tufcooper). How about six-time world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey? Instagram (@sagekimzey). One thing we at PSN did was ask StetsonWright, the reigning all-around world champion, to talk to us and the fans on Facebook. So, he did. He went live on the PRCA’s Facebook page (@prcaprorodeo). You can check it out here: https://bit.ly/2UyAepW Want to hear from the PRCA CEOGeorge Taylor? He did a video interview withThe Cowboy Channel. You can watch it in its entirety here: https://bit.ly/2JvkMF2 We all love rodeo. That’s a given. But rodeo – like much of our daily activities – has taken a backseat to quarantining ourselves and trying to stay safe as the pandemic continues around the globe. Hopefully, sooner rather than later this space will be back to rodeo coverage in its athletic, professional form. Most importantly that would mean rodeo, the U.S. and the world would be back to a sense of normalcy. But for the time being, maybe we – as so many of us are being forced to do – can use this time to take a breath and look at life a little differently.

Scott Kaniewski is the Media Director at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He previously served more than two years as the editor of ProRodeo Sports News. He has nearly two decades of experience in sports journalism, with the last few being consumed by ProRodeo.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

6

BRAIN TEASERS TAKE YOUR SHOT

ANSWERS ON PAGE 39

Face to Face

Here’s a look at a mix of five rodeo clowns. Can you match their normal face to their made-up one?

1

2

3

4

5

A

B

C

D

E

Word Search California Cool

While multiple rodeos were canceled due to COVID-19, it doesn’t mean PSN can’t highlight winners from some 2019 California rodeos. Find the winners of the 2019 Oakdale (Calif.) Saddle Club Rodeo and the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up. Cowboys who won more than one event at both rodeos appear for each win. Names may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

1. Find the 2019 winners from Oakdale . BB: Devan Reilly SW: Hunter Cure TR: Luke Brown/Jade Corkill SB: Jesse Wright TD: Westyn Hughes GB: Megan Champion BR: Aaron Williams 2. Find the 2019 winners from Red Bluff. BB: Logan Patterson SW: Stetson Jorgensen/Hunter Cure TR: Spencer Mitchell/Cody Doescher

L I M X F G K N H P C V K C Z N X B U J V P V R O E W N A N H W N O U Z Q E X R L Z W E G X N E G L S E H G U H N Y T S E W V H A S J Z J O R A A H Z P R K K Z L N V F F Y G L J D T A T U N X N H S P E N C E R M I T C H E L L A D S C C D T P Z J H H G A R F J E N N I D R I E R R H N E I A P O R C E Z E R O G T N O Q L C U E A G H V C T O H L S S S T G T E N E X F O H T M A O M A J T L N S E N I W B W L W P D R T N P M D Y N N I E E P E O B K I J X N D C K E U I E U O H M R W R B A B D L E K A Z V R I K H O N S S E Y R E Y S H Y L Y Z N T Y L H L E T N T R I J I J E I D O I N Y D N A M L G L Z A E R L W G B R P L L A N I E U O M D R I U Q T Y L Q H X T K T V M L N F O C D C O K L S S F E I T C Q Y T D S D O Y L E H O S K I N S T N X E R U C R E T N U H L U K E B R O W N C E K P S C Q E R J S Q J K P J I C X L J R I Z T Y T E R R E I F J K B D F E C I F S W D U G

SB: Zeke Thurston TD: Dane Kissack GB: Nellie Miller BR: Trey Benton

BONUS QUESTIONS 1. Find the all-around winner from Oakdale.

2. Find the specialty act from Red Bluff.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

8

10 QUESTIONS He Said – She Said Who knows team roping heeler Billie Jack Saebens better, his wife and barrel racer, Ivy, or fellow team roper, Tyler Wade?

Billie Jack

Ivy

Tyler

TYLER

BILLIE JACK

IVY

WHO IS HIS FAVORITE HORSE TO RIDE?

Kevin

Sugar

Kevin

WHO IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

Clay O’Brien Cooper

Me

Clay O’Brien Cooper

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Taco Bell

In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Ivy

Me

Billie

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE TYPE OF PIZZA?

Pepperoni and onions

Sausage and onions

Pepperoni and onions

WHAT WAS HIS FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECT?

Gym

Math

Math

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE BIG-SCREEN MOVIE?

Venom

The Equalizer

The Cowboys

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE HOLIDAY?

Fourth of July

Fourth of July

Fourth of July

10 WHAT RODEO (NON-NFR) IS ON HIS BUCKET LIST TO WIN?

Pendleton

Pendleton

– Courtesy of Ted Harbin Pendleton

ProRodeo Sports News 11/7/2014

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

10

ProRodeo Sports News 1/10/2020

m

ProRodeo.com

11

PSN: How was your second trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo different than the first one? Luke: It was more relaxing this past year. I wasn’t as nervous, and I was a little more focused and more prepared to try and win some money. I was scared to death the first time. I had never been to the Finals before, not even as a spectator. I wanted to go to the Wrangler NFR the first time as a contestant, so I didn’t know what to expect. I’d watched it on TV since I was 10 years old, but I wanted to see it in person for the first time when I rode into the arena through the alley in the grand entry, not from the stands. PSN: What was it like being a major player in the world title race all the way until the end and then finishing second? Luke: It was unbelievable; I never believed I would have a chance to be a world champion. When it came down to the last day, it was a close race, and to be there with the quality of headers I was roping with was probably the second-scariest moment of my life. The first one was the first time I went to the Wrangler NFR in 2008. PSN: You’re the second Wrangler NFR qualifier from South Carolina (the last one being steer wrestler Charles Thompson in 1977). Can you tell us how you got started roping in a southeastern state? Luke: There’s a lot of roping in South Carolina. The people down the road from us started one of the first roping clubs in the state at the Big Willow Roping Arena. My dad went down there to watch one day, and the next week he was down there roping. I started going with him, riding my pony, and before long, I was roping also. Right about that time, team roping really started getting big around there, so I got started at the right time. PSN: Tell us about your family. Luke: My dad, Luke, and my mom, Debbie, own a construction company in South Carolina, and I have two younger brothers. Jay is 32, and Cody is 25. They all work for the company. PSN: You’ve roped with some handy heelers in your PRCA career, including Martin Lucero, Jade Corkill and Allen Bach. How do you go about finding your partners? Luke: Well, I lucked into roping with Allen at the end of 2007. I was roping with York Gill, and I wasn’t doing a very good job for him, so he decided to go home and finish his last semester of college after Cheyenne (Wyo). Chad Masters had talked to Allen about it, and Allen didn’t need but a little bit more money to secure his spot in the Finals. I called and talked to him and went to practice with him, and that was my turning point right there. Roping with Jade worked out like a fairy tale. We had buddied together all year and were really good friends, so when it came time for the Finals, we were about the last two who didn’t partner up, so it worked out great. Martin and I got to practice a lot together in the winter of 2008. We got to know each other, and last winter at Austin, Texas, we got to rope together. He is the greatest partner a guy could ask for. He takes care of everything. He does our entering, our trades in PROCOM and most of the driving; you have to beat him to the gas pump or buy him dinner when he’s not paying attention because he’s always trying to pay for everything. He’s always trying to do more than he’s supposed to. He’s an awesome person to be around, and people like him are few and far between. PSN: You have said that roping with Allen Bach was one of the greatest things that ever happened to you. Can you share why? Luke: He never has a negative attitude. If I missed a few, he would always tell me, “Our time will come.” He would say that we’re practicing hard and that good things come to the guys who practice and try hard. He taught me not to get caught up in the mental game of rodeo, and when you’re missing and not drawing well, it’s easy to get down. I got to learn how to treat roping like a job. You work at it all day, and when you get to a rodeo, you’re prepared. He always says it’s just a rodeo and that there’s life outside of rodeo. He’s the happiest guy in the world. PSN: Tell us about your horses, Slim Shady and P.J. Luke: In the summer of 2007, my horse got sick and foundered, so my good friend Keven Daniel let me use Slim Shady. I liked him, so I bought him from Keven. He’s been a blessing, and getting on that horse was another pivotal moment in my career. I bought P.J. in the summer of 2009 from Justin Parish. They both are a lot alike. I can ride one in a round at San Antonio and then switch and ride the other one. It helps keep them fresh, and I don’t have to push one or the other hard. PSN: If you could offer any piece of advice to a young team roper wanting to start traveling full time in the PRCA, what would it be? Luke: Take the first $2,000 you’re going to spend going down the road and spend it on learning from the best, like Chad Masters, Allen (Bach) or Martin (Lucero), and really listen to what they have to tell you. They’ll teach you how to win, how to ride your horse and how to handle cattle right. PSN: Living with World Champion Chad Masters had to be great. Do you feed off each other in the practice pen and traveling down the road? Luke: In the fall of 2007, I was lucky enough to live with Chad Masters for about eight months. I knew everything that I was doing wasn’t good enough. I could win here or there, but I wasn’t consistent. He helped me in every way possible, from the way I rode my horse, to my roping style. I changed everything so I could handle things the way Chad, Trevor Brazile and Jake Barnes do. I went to listening and not arguing, and it helped me 100 percent. I bought a place not too far from him this past fall. PSN: What was the last movie you went to see? Luke: It’s Complicated . PSN: What’s the one thing you refuse to eat? Luke: Any kind of fish, including shellfish. PSN: If you had to put money on a PRCA header in an arm wrestling match, who would it be? Luke: Todd Arthur, he’s big and strong!

LUKE BROWN

When you think about the state of South Carolina, you wouldn’t usually associate it with team roping. But as chance would have it for South Carolina’s Luke Brown, a trip his father took to a neighbor’s house led to Brown getting his start at a small roping club. He worked to hone his craft and has now become an elite header, qualifying for the last two Wrangler National Finals Rodeos and finishing second in the world in 2009. Brown credits his success to the great mentors he’s surrounded himself with and eagerly takes their advice and experience to heart.

12 12

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020 SN 2/19/2010

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.co

COWBOY GRILLE WITH MATT NABER

A lot has changed for team roping header Luke Brown since he was originally featured in the “Cowboy Grille” 10 years ago. The South Carolina cowboy has grown into a ProRodeo powerhouse, with 12 consecutive trips to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and more than $2.23 million in career earnings. ProRodeo Sports News gave the 45-year-old cowboy a look at his past “Cowboy Grille,” and while some things have changed, he’s still the same Luke Brown fans have come to know.

How was your 12th trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo different from the first one? Luke: Man, I don’t know that it’s any different, but I know the place better and the plan of attack a little bit better now. It’s still nerve-racking and as hard as you can imagine roping for that kind of money every night. How do you feel about your chase for the world title? Luke: I’ve been close a couple of times. It’s great to make a living roping, but as for the world title, if it’s ever my turn that would be awesome. All I can do is try. Looking back at your start, did you think you’d be where you are today? Luke: No, and it’s still hard for me to believe that I get to rodeo for a living. It was one thing to make the first NFR, but to make a living the last 12 years doing what I love to do is amazing. If you hadn’t found success in ProRodeo, what would you be doing now? Luke: Well, my dad has a construction company and that’s what I did before I rodeoed. I’m sure that’s where I would be. How has your family grown in the last 10 years? Luke: I married my wife, Lacy, in 2011 and our daughter, Libby, is 6 now. A lot has changed since 2010. It’s more fun getting

LUKE BROWN

to rodeo with them, they go everywhere I go. I don’t think I would want to rodeo if they couldn’t come. How has competing in ProRodeo impacted your life in the last 10 years? Luke: I rodeoed my whole life since I was a kid, but by doing it for a living I have met some amazing people. I made some of my best friends. It’s a different lifestyle and everyone takes care of everyone the best they can. I’ve gotten to go to new places and ride some great horses too, and that wouldn’t have happened had I not rodeoed for a living.

Tell us about your past roping partners, what was it like roping with them? How do you go about finding partners now compared to 10 years ago? Luke: I have been lucky with some great partners. I roped with Martin (Lucero) for four years, then Kollin (VonAhn) for four years, Jake Long for three years and Paul Eaves last year. Now I’m with Patrick Smith. Those are all exceptionally great guys in the arena and in life. Sharing that experience with those guys at the NFR and roping with the best in the world sure makes heading a lot easier. I’ve learned something from every one of them about life and about team roping. Is roping with Allen Bach still one of the greatest things to ever happen to you? Luke: Allen Bach has been a huge part of getting me over the hump to get to the NFR, and we are still great friends. He’s a great mentor for me and a lot of people. I owe him a lot. How have your other horses compared to Slim Shady and P.J.? Luke: I still own Slim, he’s retired and just hangs out in the pasture around the house. I have ridden a lot of good horses since then and have been lucky on the horsepower. I got a horse in 2012 who has been my cornerstone horse, named Cowboy. He was kind of Slim Shady’s replacement, and I’ve had some other ones that were good too, but those two are my favorites. Has your advice for young team ropers wanting to start traveling full time in the PRCA changed? Luke: I still agree with it. The people who do it for a living know the fundamentals. The best advice is to learn from a pro. It takes so much longer to figure out on your own

how to fix bad habits. But if you go straight to the source and learn it right away, you can cut your learning experience time in half. Since moving to Texas and being around guys who make a living roping, I learn something every day. Surrounding yourself with the right people is super important. You live down the road from Chad Masters now, right? Are you still friends? Luke: Yeah, I live about two miles down the road from him, and we rope together almost every day. Ten years ago, we asked what the last movie you went to see was. Do you remember what it was? What’s the last one you saw now? Luke: I don’t remember that movie ( It’s Complicated ). The last one I saw now I have seen quite a few times, Seven Days in Utopia . It’s a really good golf movie and relates so much to what we do every day with the mental game of team roping. Has your opinion on seafood changed since 2010? Luke: I still hate seafood. Which PRCA header would win in an arm-wrestling match now? Luke: Oh, I remember that! I would like to see Clayton Hass.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

13

2020 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Unofficial as of March 31, 2020. For the 2020 season (Oct. 1, 2019-Sept. 30, 2020), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 85; team roping, 65; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 85; barrel racing, 100; and bull riding, no limit. Bull riders can count Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.

ALL-AROUND 1. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla...................... $50,819 2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................. 49,796 3. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah........................ 21,946 4. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss............................... 15,035 5. Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss................... 13,133 6. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah...................... 11,425 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa....................... $73,306 2. Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah............................. 51,000 3. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas............... 36,979 4. Mason Clements, Draper, Utah....................... 36,059 5. Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D....................... 35,528 6. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif...................... 35,220 7. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas...................... 35,060 8. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn...................... 28,167 9. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La............................... 27,923 10. Wyatt Bloom, Belgrade, Mont........................ 23,566 11. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D................................. 23,546 12. Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta.............. 21,633 13. Cole Reiner, Kaycee, Wyo............................... 20,916 14. Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas. 17,854 15. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La.................. 17,540 16. Logan Patterson, Kim, Colo........................... 16,800 17. Jesse Pope, Marshall, Mo.............................. 16,541 18. Paden Hurst, Huntsville, Texas....................... 15,309 19. Anthony Thomas, Houston, Texas.................. 14,385 20. Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas........................ 14,383 STEER WRESTLING 1. Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas................. $77,580 2. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev............................. 34,477 3. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La............................... 33,508 4. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta.................... 31,187 5. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.................... 31,123 6. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont.............................. 27,144 7. Jacob Edler, State Center, Iowa...................... 25,535 8. Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, S.D.......................... 22,049 9. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan........................ 19,968 10. Jule Hazen, Ashland, Kan............................... 18,840 11. Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho............................ 18,330 12. Bridger Anderson, Carrington, N.D................. 17,442 13. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D..................................... 15,734 14. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas.......................... 15,579 15. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho.............. 15,377 16. Shayde Etherton, Borden, Ind........................ 15,198 17. Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss....................... 15,020 18. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss........................... 13,109 19. Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La............................. 12,959 20. Cade Staton, Jonesboro, Texas...................... 12,378 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C.......................... $67,825 2. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla........................ 45,676 3. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla.................... 36,213 4. Clay Ullery, Valleyview, Alberta....................... 30,908 5. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas................... 28,071 6. Charly Crawford, Stephenville, Texas............. 27,980 7. Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz............................ 25,385 8. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif.......................... 21,231 9. Kolton Schmidt, Barrhead, Alberta................. 20,218 10. Kal Fuller, Bozeman, Mont.............................. 17,873 11. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont............................... 17,544 12. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla......................... 17,414 13. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn...................... 15,888 14. Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta...................... 14,828 15. Tate Kirchenschlager, Yuma, Colo.................. 14,372 16. Jeff Flenniken, Caldwell, Idaho....................... 14,119 17. Lane Ivy, Dublin, Texas................................... 12,802

STEER ROPING 1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas....................... $21,180 2. Billy Good, Wynnewood, Okla........................ 16,539 3. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas.............. 16,469 4. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D........................... 13,130 5. Shay Good, Abilene, Texas............................. 11,774 6. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas........................ 11,270 7. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas........... 10,905 8. Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan.............................. 10,261 9. Martin Poindexter, Comanche, Texas.............. 10,061 10. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla........................... 9,486 11. Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla........................ 8,985 12. Corey Ross, Liberty Hill, Texas......................... 8,147 13. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas.............................. 7,898 14. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas............................. 7,718 15. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................... 7,667 16. Jason Evans, Glen Rose, Texas........................ 7,572 17. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas.............................. 7,441 18. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas......................... 7,103 19. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla............................ 6,886 20. Trey Sheets, Pine Bluffs, Wyo.......................... 6,137 BULL RIDING 1. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.................... $67,463 2. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La............................... 56,912 3. Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas............ 48,831 4. Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Australia...................... 46,546 5. Levi Gray, Dairy, Ore...................................... 39,479 6. J.T. Moore, Alvin, Texas................................. 37,740 7. Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho.................... 36,339 8. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla.............................. 34,286 9. Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho.............................. 32,356 10. Denton Fugate, Niangua, Mo.......................... 32,127 11. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas............................... 30,670 12. Parker McCown, Montgomery, Texas............. 29,289 13. Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas.................... 28,650 14. Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo.............................. 28,617 15. Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah..................... 24,096 16. Colten Fritzlan, Rifle, Colo.............................. 21,489 17. Laramie Mosley, Satanta, Kan........................ 20,317 18. Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho.......................... 20,107 19. Hawk Whitt, Thermopolis, Wyo...................... 19,790 20. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas................ 19,248 *2020 BARREL RACING (Through March 31, 2020) Barrel racing standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings. 1. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas...........$59,889 2. Jimmie Smith, McDade, Texas........................52,617 3. Hailey Lockwood, Cotulla, Texas.....................41,441 4. Jill Wilson, Snyder, Texas................................29,850 5. Ivy Hurst, Springer, Okla.................................26,811 6. Tillar Murray, Fort Worth, Texas......................23,751 7. Ryann Pedone, Sunset, Texas.........................21,519 8. Carly Taylor, Anderson, Tenn...........................21,424 9. Taylor Langdon, Aubrey, Texas........................19,980 10. Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas...........................18,913 11. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla....................18,692 12. Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas...................18,355 13. Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Texas..........................18,189 14. Brittany Barnett, Stephenville, Texas...............17,031 15. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas......................16,997 16. Kathy Grimes, Medical Lake, Wash.................14,051 17. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D............................13,939 18. Ivy Saebens, Nowata, Okla..............................13,909 19. Emily Miller, Weatherford, Texas.....................13,492 20. Cindy Smith, Lovington, N.M..........................13,073

18. Garrett Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas.................. 12,295 19. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla......................... 12,005 20. Bradley Massey, Perry, Fla............................. 11,502 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Joseph Harrison, Marietta, Okla................... $60,360 2. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev................................. 45,676 3. Jake Edwards, Ocala, Fla................................ 30,675 4. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla................................. 30,559 5. Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M............................. 26,225 6. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan............................ 24,573 7. Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo................................. 23,638 8. Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas........................... 20,218 9. Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan................. 17,414 10. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo............................... 15,972 11. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas.............. 15,888 12. Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark........................... 15,866 13. Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas............................ 15,547 14. Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif.............................. 15,472 15. Shay Dixon Carroll, La Junta, Colo................. 14,828 16. Reagan Ward, Edmond, Okla.......................... 14,760 17. Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz........................ 13,832 18. Dillon Wingereid, Stephenville, Texas............. 12,589 19. Dustin Davis, Terrell, Texas............................ 12,295 20. Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla........................... 12,244 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas...................... $119,645 2. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo........................... 47,305 3. Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah........................... 45,910 4. Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah................................ 43,435 5. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D..................... 40,317 6. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D.................................. 34,533 7. Jacobs Crawley, Stephenville, Texas............... 29,402 8. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta.................... 27,580 9. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah....................... 24,389 10. Sterling Crawley, Huntsville, Texas................. 23,227 11. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif............................. 22,800 12. Taygen Schuelke, Newell, S.D........................ 21,004 13. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia................ 20,517 14. Tegan Smith, Winterset, Iowa........................ 18,842 15. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont................... 16,573 16. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta.................. 15,225 17. Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah........................... 15,102 18. Lane Schuelke, Newell, S.D............................ 14,327 19. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas....................... 13,932 20. Layton Green, Meeting Creek, Alberta............ 13,768 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M........................ $130,701 2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................. 42,535 3. Caddo Lewallen, Morrison, Okla..................... 37,153 4. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla....................... 35,560 5. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas................. 29,047 6. Catfish Brown, Collinsville, Texas................... 28,057 7. Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas......................... 27,146 8. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas.......................... 25,289 9. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb................................ 21,663 10. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont...................... 21,563 11. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas........................... 21,527 12. Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas............................ 19,810 13. Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas............................ 19,076 14. Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas.................... 19,030 15. Bryson Sechrist, Apache, Okla....................... 17,367 16. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas........................... 16,761 17. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La........................... 15,897 18. Justin Smith, Leesville, La............................. 15,776 19. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas.................... 14,397 20. Andrew Burks, Kiln, Miss............................... 14,042

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

14

DRIVEN TO DO MORE

PROUD TO BE THE OFFICIAL OFF-ROAD VEHICLE OF PRCA

Out here the days start before sunrise, and they don’t end until the job is done. Polaris ® RANGER ® is born from a determination to never compromise; the passion and purpose which drives you, also drives us. Powerful, capable, comfortable — for 20-years strong, RANGER ® is the most trusted utility side-by-side in the world.

WARNING: The Polaris® RANGER® can be hazardous to operate and is not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate.Passengers must be at least 12 years old. Drivers and passengers should always wear helmets, eye protection, and seat belts. Always use cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All drivers should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. Polaris ® is a registered trademark of Polaris Industries Inc. ©2019 Polaris Industries Inc.

VISIT POLARISRANGER.COM

ProRodeo Sports News 1/10/2020

ProRodeo.com

15

“TAXES ARE THE LAST THING ON A COWBOY’S MIND- LET RODEOTAX HELP YOU WITH THAT.” TUF COOPER PRCA TIE-DOWN ROPER 2017 World Champion All-Around

DUSTY TUCKNESS PRCA BULLFIGHTER 10x Bullfighter of the Year “IT’S GOOD TO KNOW YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT KNOWS THE INS AND OUTS OF OUR INDUSTRY TO HAVE FOR MY TAXES!”

855.376.3785

ProRodeo Sports News 3/20/2020

ProRodeo.com

16

© 2019 COORS BREWING CO., GOLDEN, CO • BEER CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY ®

OUT HERE, LEGENDS ARE MADE.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/20/2020

ProRodeo.com

17

PRCA CEO Taylor talks rodeo, pandemic with Cowboy Channel Pandemic News SHORT ROUND

PRCA maintains communication about COVID-19 The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is sensitive to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially with the recent positive cases identified in the United States. The PRCA felt it was critical to communicate and put some additional structure around its plans for the 2020 PRCA Rodeo season. This is an incredibly fluid and dynamic situation. The PRCA is committed to being responsible, thoughtful and transparent in its work with the communities and its membership that are engaged. The health and safety of athletes, officials, fans and event hosts is a priority. The PRCA is monitoring official information on COVID-19 from health authorities and assessing the possible impact on the ProRodeo family. Ultimately this is not a decision of the PRCA. The PRCA policy, with our committees, is to continue to monitor the situation and to follow the advice of the CDC and directives from local public health authorities. To help provide PRORODEO fans, members and athletes with information on the virus and how it is affecting our sport, the PRCA is maintaining a webpage with the latest updates. That webpage can be found at http://www.prorodeo.com/covid-19

G eorge Taylor, CEO of the PRCA, gave an inside glimpse to The Cowboy Channel about the affect the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is having on PRCA rodeos and ProRodeo in general. “It really changes the way you do your work and how everything has begun to evolve,” Taylor told The Cowboy Channel via video interview, March 30. “We got a call last Wednesday night (March 25) at about 5 p.m. when the governor (of

Colorado) announced and asked everybody to stay home starting (March 26) at 6 a.m. We were scrambling to figure out how we could carry on business with as many people as possible from our home offices (in Colorado Springs).” Taylor also addressed the impact COVID-19 has had on the PRCA season. “The way things are currently going, we think we are going to be fine, but we plan for a number of scenarios,” Taylor said. “Those scenarios would be what happens if we start May 1? What happens if we start June 1, July 1? Then things really start getting

Taylor

crazy if you move that out another 30 days. Thirty to 60 days we can handle pretty easily in partnership with our athletes and all of our members, but when you start getting out 120 days, it really changes the picture to be sure.” Taylor also discussed the possibility of the PRCA season extending beyond Sept. 30, the final day of the regular season. “Right now, I would say there isn’t anything that you don’t think about,” he said. “What we like to say is we hope and pray for the best and we plan for the worst. We have to be thinking about all those scenarios, how they play out and how to make all this work.” Catch the full interview at ProRodeo.com.

With PRCA rodeos on hold due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, cowboys have plenty of time on their hands. Sterling Crawley, a six-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2012-13, 2016-19), will use some of his free time to interact with ProRodeo fans at 5 p.m. (MT), April 3 on the PRCA Facebook page (@PRCAProRodeo). Don’t forget to like the page and don’t miss out! To see old Facebook Live interviews (including one with reigning all-around champion Stetson Wright, who interacted with fans on March 27) click the video section on PRCA’s Facebook page. Crawley on PRCA Facebook live

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

18

ONLINE: For more ProRodeo events and full results, go online at www.prorodeo.com O LINE: For more Pr R d o events and full re ults, go to ww .prorode .c m

Cole Elshere delivering beef as stores run short

BY THE NUMBERS 14 Bull riders Wacy Cathey (1976, 1978-79, 1981- 91) and Ted Nuce (1982- 95) each qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 14 times, an event record. 24 The number of times steer wrestler Roy Duvall qualified for the Wrangler NFR, 1966-86, 1990-91, 1994, an event record. He won world championships in 1967, 1969 and 1972. Duvall was inducted with the inaugural class to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979 in Colorado Springs, Colo. 73 The record number of career round wins for Trevor Brazile combined McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. Brazile’s last round win came in Round 10 of the 2018 Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas. That round win propelled him to his PRCA-record 14th all- around world title and 24th gold buckle. Brazile made it 25 career gold buckles after winning the 2019 NFSR in November in Mulvane, Kan. from the Wrangler NFR and the Clem

Stores near South Dakota saddle bronc rider Cole Elshere were running out of beef because of the COVID-19 epidemic. But Elshere, a ProRodeo saddle bronc rider, is doing his best to keep his neighbors well fed. “With this epidemic going on, the stores aren’t keeping up,” Elshere said. As of March 30, it remained uncertain when things would return to normal. “We will try to keep growing and run more cattle through our program and have our supply meet the demand,” Elshere said. “It feels like a blessing to be able to help out.” The 30-year-old cowboy started selling packaged beef from his herd last fall at elshereranch.com under the name Elshere Ranch Beef. “We raised cattle forever and decided that the beef we get to enjoy is something a lot of people don’t get to experience, and so we hold some steers back to feed out and sell locally,” Elshere said. “Once COVID-19 hit, the stores sold out of beef, so I put a Facebook ad out there and we sold everything we had. We’re booked out through May.” Elshere estimated he’s delivered beef to 40 homes and has about a dozen more families in line. His beef gets processed in Sturgis, S.D., and USDA inspected before he can deliver. “You get peace of mind knowing you have your freezer stocked to last all year and knowing where the beef was raised and how it was treated is something

Photo courtesy Cole Elshere

you don’t always get,” Elshere said. “In the store you don’t know where it comes from, but I know which pasture the steers were fed in. South Dakota has outstanding grassland for cattle and beef.” Elshere is a three-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2012-14). “We’ve just started calving out here, so I guess I normally stop rodeoing this time of the year anyway,” Elshere said. “It hasn’t affected us too much yet. We have 800 calves coming. It will be a busy couple of months around here for sure.”

Broussard keeping busy with horses, crawfish

PRCA rodeos might be at a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic, but bareback rider Taylor Broussard has a back-up plan. While competing in ProRodeo is the primary way many cowboys make a living, Broussard is back working at Acadia Crawfish Co. in Crowley, La. “I worked there off and on for quite a while, and whenever I’m home, when they are needing me over there, I go over

“Whenever I sit down to eat, I eat a bunch of crawfish,” Broussard said. “I can eat 10 pounds for sure.” Broussard made his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut in 2019. He earned a coveted bid to the Finals on Sept. 29, the last day of competition of the regular season. Aboard Diamond G Rodeo’s Fifty Shades of Bay, Broussard won the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, Calif., and earned $4,611,

Broussard

there,” he said. “I haven’t had to go there in a while, but with all this downtime, I have just been riding a bunch of horses and going over there and working.” Broussard’s father, Scott, has been the sole owner of Acadia Crawfish for more than two decades.

locking up a spot in Las Vegas in December. Broussard placed in one round at the Finals – Round 2 – where he was sixth with an 87-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Scarlet Fever. Broussard finished 15th in the world standings with $93,502.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

19

PRORODEO COWBOYS

James Phifer photo

As soon as his arm was out of its sling, Jared Fillmore returned to roping the dummy.

Making the most

BY MATT NABER A t age 13, Jared Fillmore and a group of friends a rural Utah road late in the evening. From nowhere, a car going 55 mph struck Fillmore and a friend from behind and grazed two others. were walking along

When they brought him in, he had severe brain trauma. I remember thinking, ‘Is he going to make it?’ We had to pray and put it in God’s hands.” Seven years later, the 20-year-old team roping heeler just took home $25,000 from The American.

NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE

The car shattered Fillmore. “I flipped up onto the window, flew forward and drug my face across the asphalt,” he said. “I broke my neck, my back and every limb except my left arm, but I broke my left collarbone and bones in my face.” His friend was less fortunate. “She and I were life-flighted to the hospital,” he said. “She died two days later, but she was brain dead immediately.” While aspects of the injuries linger, the hardest part was facing his friend’s death. “He had no idea what happened, and when he

The damage was fatal for his friend that was struck and landed Fillmore in a coma for 10 days. “There was a good chance I would die,” the Utah cowboy said. “I had 32 broken bones and needed brain surgery. They told me there was a good chance I would never ride a horse again or walk and talk again.” Needless to say, his doctors didn’t think he’d ever swing a rope again, but that was the last thing his mom, Angie, was thinking about. “Honestly, we didn’t know if Jared was going to make it,” Angie said. “It was just so unreal.

Jared Fillmore recovers from near-death experience to succeed in ProRodeo

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

20

found out his friend passed away it was hard and rough for Jared,” Angie said. “He wasn’t sure why she was taken and not him.” Fillmore had been part of an accelerated national baseball team and had qualified for the National Little Britches Rodeo. At the time, it seemed his rodeo dreams would never be more than just dreams. “I broke my right arm so bad that I couldn’t throw a baseball,” he said. “My bone was sticking through my skin.” Fillmore was in a coma for 10 days at the Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. He underwent two brain surgeries with Dr. Marion “Jack”Walker, a neurosurgeon famous for separating conjoined twins. A plate was implanted in his head and he had plastic surgery on his face. “He had a lot of broken bones, and the ROAD TO RECOVERY

Clay Guardipee photo While still competing on his permit, team roping heeler Jared Fillmore placed second in the Shoot- Out round at The American with header Colby Lovell. The duo took home $25,000 each.

“We said it was good he had horses after his accident because that pulled him out of despair.” Horses are often used in therapy of all varieties, and Fillmore’s was no different. “I’m big on horsemanship because they helped me through that recovery,” he said. “Horses were my way out.” His parents agreed, having watched how getting back in the saddle also helped him get back in the saddle of life.

main thing was he had bleeding on the brain,” said Fillmore’s dad, James. Doctors initially thought Fillmore would be in the hospital for about 10 weeks, but he didn’t like that plan. “He was so determined, he got out of there in three weeks,” Angie said. His armwas in a sling for about five months. While doctors had to connect his right arm and shoulder to his vertebrae, pinching his nerves around his shoulder and back (something he still suffers from), it didn’t stop him from picking up a rope as soon as he was out of the sling. “He started throwing the rope forever, over and over again,” Angie said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

James Phifer photo Fillmore is the first in his family to compete in rodeo. His fascination with horses began at a young age and helped him through his rehabilitation.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

21

PRORODEO COWBOYS

James Phifer photos Fillmore competes on a 12-year-old sorrel horse he bought from Paul Eaves one month before The American. Eaves called the horse Jingles, but Fillmore jokingly calls him Hangover since Colby Lovell’s horse is named Bartender.

grandfather would take him to a field where Fillmore would sit and watch horses run. “The thing that’s amazing with Jared is he didn’t have anyone to teach him to rope, so he had to put himself out there and get people to help him, people like Steve Young,” James said. “Everything he’s done, he’s done on his own. I could provide the opportunities, but I couldn’t help him be what he wanted.” Young, Fillmore’s roping mentor, feels the same way. “Someone like me, Colby Lovell or others had someone (in rodeo) there 24/7 when they were young,” Young said. “Jared didn’t, and that’s an achievement in my eyes.” Fillmore’s first horse, Piko, was bought at auction for $250. He began roping when he was 10. Initially, he learned from reading books and watching others. He attended one of Young’s team roping schools at 13. “He was wanting to go at it 100 mph,” Young said. “I knew he had some athletic ability, and from that day on he was at my house in the rain, snow or shine. …There’ve been a lot of days I wanted to sit in the house and it wasn’t fun to go out and rope, but Jared would be in the driveway, and I

FROM PAGE 21

“For the first year or so he wasn’t the same person,” James said. “I think they (horses) are just therapeutic all around.” Fillmore eased back into a normal routine with half-days and then full-time schooling. He went on to graduate with honors. “I just kept pushing hard everywhere in my life and to make sure I use the most of it,” Fillmore said. His first time back on his horse came despite still relying on crutches and with one arm in a sling. His parents weren’t exactly happy about it. But with them in the house, he saddled his horse with one hand. “Before I got on, my mom walked down and started crying and dad said no at first, but then he finally said yes if I put on a baseball helmet,” Fillmore said. “I told him there’s no way you’re going to keep me from living my life.” GETTING INTO IT Before the accident, Fillmore faced a different hurdle as the first in his family to compete in rodeo. He got the rodeo bug as a young child after seeing his neighbors practice tie-down roping. On other occasions, his

ProRodeo Sports News 4/3/2020

ProRodeo.com

22