ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2019

PRCA AWARDS BANQUET

10th Time

RodeoHouston again wins PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of Year

BY MATT NABER R odeoHouston claimed its 10th PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year Award at the PRCA’s annual awards banquet at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa’s Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas, Dec. 4. “This is fantastic, it’s been a while, and it’s great to once again be partnering with the PRCA,” said RodeoHouston President and CEO Joel Cowley. The manpower behind RodeoHouston and the generosity this iconic rodeo has exhibited over the years helped it stand out from its peers during the 2019 season. Boasting a $1,748,000 payout in 2019, Houston has donated more than $500 million to youth and education since 1932 thanks to an army of more than 35,000 volunteers and 108 committees. “It’s a bit of a phenomenon,” Cowley said. “Houston is the most giving and philanthropic city on the planet, and they give freely of their time and talent.” Houston won this award nine times (1991-96, 1998-99 and 2004) before the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo began its 14-year run of consecutive wins (2005-18). RodeoHouston also won the 2007 Remuda Award and was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2008. “It’s outstanding, and there are so many people who make RodeoHouston special,” Cowley said. “We have four committees for making sure the rodeo goes off without a hitch, fantastic contractors, and then we are blessed with great facilities.” Situated in NRG Stadium, the rodeo shares this 72,000-seat facility with the Houston Texans. But from the end of February through mid-March, it’s all about the rodeo. Each year RodeoHouston hosts more than 1.3 million guests, averaging 66,000 for each of the 20 days of competition. “We are truly honored,” Cowley said. “Our volunteers and contract personnel and staff are true professionals, and we have a great deal of fun.”

RodeoHouston was named PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year for the 10th time at the PRCA’s annual awards banquet at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa’s Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas, Dec. 4. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Steve Gray

2019 PRCA AWARD WINNERS • Purina Horses of the Year presented by AQHA – Little Smart Leo “Big Time,” owned by Tyler Milligan (tie-down roping); Do Get Famous “Rattle,” owned by Matt Reeves and Savanah Reeves (steer wrestling); Jewels Smoke Screen “Smoke,” owned by Brad Lands (team roping heading); DT Sugar Chex Whiz “Sugar,” owned by Dixon Flowers QH (team roping heeling); Mr. Blackburn Chex 113 “Dunny,” owned by Cole Patterson (steer roping); and High Valor “Valor,” owned by Dona Kay Rule (barrel racing). • John Justin Standard of the West Committeeman of the Year – Susan Thomas, Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo • Pendleton Whisky “Let ‘Er Buck” Stock of the Year – Nutrena’s Killer Bee, Beutler & Son Rodeo Co. (Bareback); Get Smart, Northcott Macza (Saddle Bronc); Hot & Ready, Harper & Morgan Rodeo (Bull) • Rodeo Photographer of the Year presented by Boot Barn – Dan Hubbell • Journalism Award presented by Boot Barn – The Cowboy Journal • Multimedia Broadcast Award presented by Boot Barn – NFR Extra • Polaris RANGER Remuda Awards – Powder River Rodeo (stock contractor); St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo (rodeo committee) • Hesston Sowing Good Deeds – Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

• Veterinarian of the Year – Dr. Eddie Taylor • Coors Man in the Can – Johnny Dudley • Clown of the Year – Justin Rumford • Timer of the Year – Shawna Ray • Secretary of the Year – Brenda Crowder • Dress Act of the Year – Bobby Kerr • Comedy Act of the Year – Justin Rumford • Small Rodeo of the Year – Blackfoot, Idaho • Medium Rodeo of the Year – Belle Fourche, S.D. • Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year – Houston, Texas • Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year – Pendleton, Ore. • Music Director of the Year – Josh “Hambone” Hilton

• Pick-Up Man of the Year – Matt Twitchell • Bullfighter of the Year – Dusty Tuckness • Announcer of the Year – Bob Tallman • Stock Contractor of the Year – Frontier Rodeo • Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement – Roy & Virginia Honeycutt

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2019

ProRodeo.com

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