ProRodeo Sports News - February 19, 2021

Trail Blazed Myrtis Dightman helped pave way for African Americans

INSIDE – Catching up with Sylvester Mayfield

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THEY’RE BLOODLINES. THEY’RE NOT SEAMS.

Bill Wright & Family Milford, UT

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 19, 2021 VOLUME 69, NO. 4

Rapid Work through Rodeo Rapid City, where the payout exceeded $200,000 to cowboys in the Mount Rushmore State. 30 The ProRo- deo winter run ran

Jess Pope rides Sankey Pro Rodeo and Phenom Genetics’ Prairie Rose for 89.5 points at Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.), Feb. 5. Jackie Jensen photo

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INSIDE

6 Director’s Cut 8 Grille 10 Hot Takes 12 Brain Teasers 14 He Said-She Said 16 Social Media Spotlight 20 Short Round 44 Results 52 PRCA Notes

RODEOS

30 Rapid City, S.D. 32 San Antonio Xtreme Bulls

RODEOS 18 2021 PRCA World 19 2021 PRCA Tour 46 2020 Circuits STANDINGS COVER

Casey Martin photo

Saddle bronc rider Will Stites celebrates at the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo, Oct. 25.

From racehorses to saddle broncs head to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo for the first time in April. 40

First Frontier Circuit saddle bronc rider Will Stites grew up in the racehors- ing industry. The Pennsylvania cowboy, who still trains racehorses, will

ProRodeo Sports News

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Trail Blazed Myrtis Dightman helped pave way for African Americans

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PRCA CEO George Taylor MEDIA DIRECTOR

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

INSIDE – Catching up with Sylvester Mayfield

Bull rider Myrtis Dightman (left) was an inspiration to African American cowboys throughout ProRodeo. PRCA ProRodeo photo illustration by Carol Lawrence

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DIRECTOR’S CUT SCOTT KANIEWSKI

Dollars will flow during season’s final weekend T he announcement that the ProRodeo Tour Finale is moving to California Rodeo Salinas this season with at least a $500,000 payout must have cowboys overjoyed. The final weekend of the season has always been one

and had a payout of $471,100. The winner in each event took home $7,500 for finishing first in the finals. Three winners – steer wrestler Curtis Cassidy, saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright and bareback rider Richmond Champion – took home more than $17,000 each. Of the seven cowboys to cash in as winners, only one failed to earn more than $10,000. That’s a lot of dough from one rodeo. But Puyallup wasn’t on the final weekend of 2018. It came early in September. Last season, we saw how the Tour Finale in Rapid City, S.D., on the ultimate weekend of the regular season could impact the world standings. StetsonWright used the win at the Tour Finale in saddle bronc riding to jump five spots from outside the Top 15 to 13th. That booked his spot in the Wrangler NFR in a second event – he also qualified in bull riding – and ultimately helped lead him to his second consecutive all- around world championship. Tie-down roper Tyson Durfey also used the Finale as a catapult to the NFR, jumping from 20th to 12th in the world standings after the win. But the Tour Finale last year didn’t pay as much as it will this season. The payout in 2020 hovered around $300,000. With another $200,000 going to competitors in Salinas, the Tour Finale will again rank among the top 10 highest-paying rodeos of the 2021 season. And that’s a pretty good way to spend a (final) weekend.

of last chances to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo by breaking into the Top 15 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. But rarely has the final weekend carried so much weight. California Rodeo Salinas will run Sept. 23-26. The Top 24 contestants in the ProRodeo Tour standings in each event qualify for the Finale. In 2019, the last season to not be marred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the final weekend of the season saw 14 rodeos finish between Sept. 27-29. The total payout over that weekend added up to $796,188. Now, add in a payout of $500,000 from the Tour Finale in Salinas and that final weekend could exceed $1.2 million. By September, hopefully this pandemic talk is all under wraps because of vaccines. That would mean rodeos would be back in full swing and that final weekend would play an even bigger role than it has in the past. Rodeos like the American Royal Pro Rodeo in Kansas City, Mo., the Sheriff ’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, Calif., the Omaha (Neb.) River City Rodeo and the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo in Stephenville, Texas, would perfectly compliment the Tour Finale. In 2018, the Tour Finale took place in Puyallup, Wash.,

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.

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COWBOY GRILLE WITH TRACY RENCK

How did you get your start in rodeo? Gage: I grew up in Prospect Valley, Colo., near Keenesburg. (Keenesburg is 40 minutes from Greeley.) I came to Western Texas College just to go to school, and I had never rodeoed before. I crossed paths with Kodie Jang and he taught me how to bulldog. Kodie was working in Snyder and would practice at the school. I didn’t know anything, and then one thing led to another and I started entering rodeos. The first college rodeo I entered was the second steer I ever jumped. It didn’t go well. Does it seem crazy to you how far you’ve come in less than three years? Gage Hesse didn’t follow the normal rodeo path. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound steer wrestler initially thought he was going to play college football but decided against that and chose to attend Western Texas College in Snyder. A chance meeting with steer wrestler Kodie Jang changed Hesse’s career path. He started steer wrestling with Jang and walked on the Western Texas rodeo team. Fast-forward to 2021, and Hesse, 22, is in the top 25 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

GAGE HESSE

Gage: Yes. I really didn’t have any idea what steer wrestling was. I wanted to play college football at Western College University in Gunnison (Colo.). I played linebacker at Weld Central High School. I just decided to go to Western Texas College. I already have my welding certificate. I’m still at Western Texas College (as a junior). I’m majoring in petroleum technology. I’ll be done this year. Where did you get your big win this year? Gage: I did well at the (RAM) Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo (in Loveland, Colo., in October). I finished second in the average. What’s been the key to your rodeo success? Gage: The Jackson family (in Keenesburg) has allowed me to ride a good horse of theirs, and that’s been the key to everything I’ve done. The horse’s name is Ace and he’s really good. This year I’m going to try and rodeo pretty hard. I would love to qualify for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. That’s on my to-do list. That would be awesome if I could do that, keep going up from there and qualify for the National Finals Rodeo one day. Who is your favorite non-rodeo athlete? Gage: (Kansas City Chiefs quarterback) Patrick Mahomes. Where’s your go-to place to eat? Gage: Chicken Express. I get the No. 1 (four Express Tenders) and a sweet tea. What’s your favorite movie? Gage: I would probably say Young Guns . I’ve seen that movie a lot. What’s the last concert you attended? Gage: Shania Twain. I saw her in Greeley a few years back. She put on a good show. What make of truck do you drive? Gage: A Dodge RAM 3500. What do you binge watch on TV? Gage: We watch a lot of old rodeos of guys steer wrestling. We watch a lot of stuff like that on The Cowboy Channel. I watch myself and see what I’m doing, and then I try to pick up things from other steer wrestlers and use them to try and make myself better. What rodeo is on your bucket list to compete at? Gage: Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days. That would be great to compete there.

What’s the coolest place you’ve been in your rodeo career? Gage: I would say Deadwood S.D. That’s a really cool place. What’s your favorite holiday?

Gage: Christmas. I enjoy being around family. I have a younger brother, Gunner, who is 16.

What was your favorite cartoon as a kid? Gage: Bob the Builder . What do you do when you’re not rodeoing? Gage: I love to go hunting and fishing. I usually go hunting for coyotes, deer, ducks and geese. I fish for anything. If I’m not rodeoing, I’m probably hunting and fishing.

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ProRodeo Sports News 8/7/2020

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Bareback rider Garrett Shadbolt rode the Cervi Brothers’ Womanizer – normally a saddle bronc horse – for 85.5 points at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Switch-eroo

“I think it made a big difference. He was pushing his nose ahead looking for the halter, and it wasn’t there. It changed the way he bucked and made him leap forward with his nose out.”

NEXT ON TAP

Young Gun At just 18, J.R. Stratford won Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.) with a 93.5-point ride on New Frontier Ro- deo’s High Expecta- tions, Feb. 6. Stratford took home $4,315 for the victory. Clay Guardipee photo

146TH SILVER SPURS RODEO Where: Kissimmee, Fla. When: Feb. 19-21 Broadcast schedule: Streams on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App, Feb. 19-20, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 21, 2 p.m. What to know: The 146th edition of the Silver Spurs Rodeo will have cowboys making a swing trip to the East Coast where several Florida rodeos will play valuable roles in the race to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. THE AMERICAN Where: Cowboy Channel and the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App, March 6, 7:30 p.m.; March 7, 3 p.m. What to know: The American plays a key role in qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Winners take home a minimum of $100,000, with $50,000 of that counting toward the PRCA | RAM World Standings. All times Eastern. Arlington, Texas When: March 6-7 Broadcast schedule: The

HOT TAKES

ON THE RISE DUSTIN BOQUET Bull riding

The Louisiana native jumped into the lead in the PRCA | RAM

World Standings in bull riding after winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Xtreme Bulls. Boquet leads with $18,061.

43

NUMBER OF PRCA-SANCTIONED RODEOS IN THE 2021 SEASON AS OF FEB. 16

$3,583,249

MONEY WON BY PRCA COWBOYS IN THE 2021 SEASON

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BRAIN TEASERS TAKE YOUR SHOT

ANSWERS ON PAGE 53

Face Off Can you match the two PRCA cowboys whose faces were blended into one shot? You have three chances.

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4

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1

2

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B

A

C

Word Search

On the March

Find the winners from 2020 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz., and The American in Arlington, Texas. Cowboys who won more than one event at both rodeos appear for each win. Names may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

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

1. Find the winners from Tucson. BB: Tanner Aus SW: Eli Lord TR: Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler SB: Jesse Wright TD: Westyn Hughes

GB: Stevi Hillman BR: Ky Hamilton

2. Find the winners from The American. BB: Kaycee Feild SW: Matt Reeves TR: Luke Brown/Joseph Harrison SB: Wyatt Casper TD: Shad Mayfield GB: Stevi Hillman BR: Joao Ricardo Vieira/Sage Kimzey BONUS QUESTIONS 1. Who was the announcer in Tucson, Ariz.? 2. Who were the pickup men at The American?

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ProRodeo Sports News 1/8/2021

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10 QUESTIONS He Said – She Said

Who knows NFR bull rider Koby Radley better, his wife, Shellie, or his traveling partner, Dustin Boquet?

Koby

Shellie

Dustin

DUSTIN

KOBY

SHELLIE

WHO’S HIS RODEO IDOL?

Donnie Gay

Donnie Gay

Donnie Gay

WHO WAS HIS FAVORITE BULL TO RIDE?

Big Stone’s Spotted Demon

Spotted Demon

Spotted Demon

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK?

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Shellie

Me

Koby

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE MOVIE?

Happy Gilmore

Step Brothers

Step Brothers

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Taco Bell

Taco Bell

Taco Bell

WHAT RODEO (NON-NFR) DOES HE WANT TO WIN?

The American

California Rodeo Salinas

Cheyenne

IS HE A PHONE CALL OR A TEXT GUY?

Phone call

Phone call

Phone call

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE THING TO HUNT?

Ducks

Ducks

Ducks

14 WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA?

Facebook

Facebook

– Courtesy of Ted Harbin Snapchat

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PROUD TO BE THE OFFICIAL OFF-ROAD VEHICLE OF PRCA

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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

VIDEO

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2021 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Unofficial as of Feb. 16, 2021. For the 2021 season (Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021), 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. Marcus Theriot, Lumberton, Miss...................... $15,968 2. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah....................... 15,479 3. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La.................................... 14,966 4. Clovis Crane, Lebanon, Pa..................................... 8,018 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La..................... $10,929 2. Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb........................... 7,603 3. Will Lowe, Amarillo, Texas..................................... 7,526 4. Cole Reiner, Kaycee, Wyo...................................... 7,492 5. Tim Kent, Chambersburg, Pa................................. 6,618 6. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn.. ........................... 6,441 7. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas....................... 6,426 8. Wyatt Bloom, Belgrade, Mont................................ 6,303 9. Jordan Pelton, Halliday, N.D.. ................................ 5,829 10. Tanner Phipps, Dalton, Ga.. ................................... 5,318 11. Chad Rutherford, Hillsboro, Texas......................... 5,049 12. Jacob Raine, Mount Pleasant, Tenn....................... 5,025 13. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba................................. 4,918 14. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla..................................... 4,730 15. James Carter, Monroe, Mo.. .................................. 4,596 16. Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan........................................ 4,489 17. Zack Brown, Red Bluff, Calif.. ................................ 4,341 18. Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas................................ 4,325 19. Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah..................................... 4,301 20. Mike Solberg, Sunnynook, Alberta......................... 4,296 STEER WRESTLING 1. Jacob Edler, Alva, Okla......................................... $8,183 2. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La............................ 7,140 3. Marc Joiner, Loranger, La...................................... 6,796 4. Jake Kraupie, Bridgeport, Neb.. ............................. 6,580 5. Gary Gilbert, Springtown, Texas. ........................... 6,174 6. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan.. ............................. 5,725 7. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn................................... 5,630 8. Jake Stocking, Salina, Utah. .................................. 5,041 9. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La...................................... 4,762 10. John Leinaweaver, Aspers, Pa.. ............................. 4,458 11. Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta.......................... 4,449 12. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss.. ................................ 4,443 13. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D............................................. 4,400 14. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif...................... 4,341 15. Maverick Harper, Iowa, La.. ................................... 4,141 16. Dalton Massey, Hermiston, Ore.. ........................... 4,035 17. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La.................................... 3,995 18. Gabe Burrows, Dodge City, Kan............................. 3,910 Sterling Lambert, Fallon, Nev................................. 3,910 20. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis............................................ 3,895 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Marcus Theriot, Lumberton, Miss...................... $11,374 2. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas. ................................... 11,069 3. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla.......................... 10,554 4. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz............................. 8,882 5. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga................................. 7,184 6. Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla........................................ 6,956 7. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn.............................. 5,953 8. Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla.. .............................. 5,905 9. Cooper White, Hershey, Neb.................................. 5,632 10. Hayes Smith, Central Point, Ore............................. 5,423 11. Brenten Hall, Jay, Okla........................................... 5,268 12. Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore.............................. 5,053 13. Quinn Kesler, Holden, Utah.................................... 4,889 14. Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz.............................. 4,827 15. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn.................................. 4,782 16. Brady Tryan, Huntley, Mont.................................... 4,634 17. Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla............................ 4,576 18. Radley Day, Volborg, Mont.. .................................. 4,078 19. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash............................... 4,035 20. Cyle Denison, Iowa, La.. ........................................ 3,931 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Joseph Harrison, Marietta, Okla......................... $10,822 2. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla....................................... 10,554 3. Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas............................. 8,882 4. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas. .......................... 8,547 5. Cole Curry, St. Francisville, La............................... 7,466 6. Lane Mitchell, Bolivar, Tenn................................... 7,184 7. Brye Crites, Welch, Okla.. ...................................... 6,258

BULL RIDING 1. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La................................... $18,061 2. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah. .................................. 17,575 3. Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Australia............................ 11,904 4. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah....................... 10,492 5. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont................................ 10,255 6. Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho...................................... 9,118 7. Trey Benton III, Richards, Texas. ........................... 8,454 8. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash...................... 8,216 9. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla......................... 7,905 10. Creek Young, Fort Scott, Kan................................. 7,902 11. Corey Atwell, Moravian Falls, N.C.......................... 7,792 12. Maverick Potter, Waxahachie, Texas. ..................... 7,584 13. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas....................................... 7,144 14. Austin Beaty, Bedford, Va.. .................................... 7,024 15. Nathan Hatchel, Hennessey, Okla........................... 7,000 16. Hawk Whitt, Thermopolis, Wyo.. ........................... 6,503 17. Chris Bechthold, Booker, Texas.............................. 6,431 18. Levi Gray, Dairy, Ore.............................................. 6,072 19. Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho............................... 6,050 20. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla...................................... 5,571 BARREL RACING Barrel racing and breakaway roping 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. Stephanie Fryar, Waco Texas. ............................. $16,606 2. Tiany Schuster, Krum Texas.................................. 13,891 3. Ivy Saebens, Nowata, Okla. .................................. 13,537 4. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas. ............................... 13,421 5. Jimmie Smith, McDade, Texas................................ 8,925 6. Victoria Williams, Kiln, Miss................................... 8,609 7. Amanda Welsh, Gillette, Wyo.................................. 7,860 8. Christina Mulford, Franklinville, N.J. ...................... 7,695 9. Lori Todd, Willcox, Ariz........................................... 7,619 10. Kelley Carrington-French, Boston, Ga. ................... 7,519 11. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla....................................... 7,243 12. Emily Miller, Weatherford, Okla............................... 7,210 13. Jodi Goodrich, Stanfield, Ore.................................. 7,038 14. Margo Crowther, North Fort Myers, Fla................... 6,330 15. Kellie Collier, Hereford, Texas.................................. 6,275 16. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas. ............... 6,217 17. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas.............................. 6,186 18. Kathy Grimes, Medical Lake, Wash......................... 5,866 19. Jordan Briggs, Chilton, Texas. ................................ 5,686 20. Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mont. ................................. 5,400 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. Samantha Fulton, Watford City, N.D...................... $4,902 2. Rylie Smith, Whitsett, Texas................................... 4,181 3. Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo..................................... 3,999 4. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, Texas. ..................... 3,323 5. Kelsie Chace, Cherokee, Okla.................................. 2,901 6. Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D. ............................ 2,763 7. Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas..................... 2,588 8. Nicole Baggarley, Las Cruces, N.M.. ....................... 2,537 9. Jordan Fabrizio, Canyon, Texas............................... 2,158 10. Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas................................... 1,847 11. Hope Luttrell, Prineville, Ore................................... 1,563 Willow Nicholas, Baggs, Wyo................................. 1,563 13. Kirby Eppert, Seneca, Neb.. .................................... 1,416 14. Randi Holliday, Chouteau, Okla............................... 1,321 15. Megan Burbridge, Tremonton, Utah........................ 1,230 16. Katie Mundorf, Mullen, Neb.................................... 1,150 17. Haley Kiehne, Magdalena, N.M.. ............................. 1,132 18. Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla. ..................................... 1,127 Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas........................ 1,127 20. Amber Crawford, Springtown, Texas....................... 1,054

8. Trevor Nowlin, Casa Grande, Ariz........................... 6,255 9. JC Flake, Laramie, Wyo.. ....................................... 6,038 10. Tucker White, Hershey, Neb................................... 5,632 11. Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif............................. 5,268 Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont.................................... 5,268 13. Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla.......................... 5,065 14. Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash................................ 5,053 15. Colby Siddoway, Honeyville, Utah.......................... 4,889 16. Scot Brown, Columbia, Pa..................................... 4,863 17. Morgan Jones, Town Creek, Ala............................. 4,782 18. Justin Viles, Cody, Wyo......................................... 4,634 19. Taylor Williams, Volborg, Mont.............................. 4,078 20. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash.............................. 4,035 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La.. ................................. $15,535 2. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo................................. 10,083 3. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont.. ........................ 8,956 4. Tegan Smith, Winterset, Iowa................................ 7,285 5. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah......................... 7,256 6. Treyson Antonick, Overton, Texas.......................... 6,707 7. Jacobs Crawley, Stephenville, Texas...................... 6,134 8. Chet Johnson, Douglas, Wyo................................. 5,936 9. Jacob Kammerer, Philip, S.D.. ............................... 5,740 10. Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla................................ 5,699 11. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas................................... 5,663 12. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah............................... 5,279 13. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D.......................................... 5,201 14. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah.................................... 5,145 15. Will Stites, Jonestown, Pa.. ................................... 5,090 16. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia........................ 4,742 17. Logan Cook, Alto, Texas. ....................................... 4,735 18. Joe Harper, Paradise Valley, Nev............................ 4,633 19. Tyrel Larsen, Weatherford, Okla............................. 4,620 20. Chuck Schmidt, Keldron, S.D................................. 4,576 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas. ............................. $18,565 2. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M.................................. 15,286 3. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont.. ......................... 14,253 4. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla.............................. 10,240 5. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La.................................... 10,204 6. Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan.................................... 10,043 7. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas............................ 9,240 8. Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, Alberta................................ 8,841 9. Ike Fontenot, Ville Platte, La.. ................................ 8,371 10. Michael Otero, Weatherford, Texas........................ 7,898 11. Justin Smith, Leesville, La..................................... 6,892 12. Catfish Brown, Collinsville, Texas. ......................... 6,787 13. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah. ...................... 6,637 14. Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas. ............................... 6,376 15. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La.. ................................ 6,357 16. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla.. ................................ 6,240 17. Marcos Costa, Iretama, Brazil ............................... 5,818 18. J.R. Myers, Felton, Pa............................................ 5,471 19. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas. ....................... 5,075 20. Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas................................ 5,071 Preston Pederson, Hermiston, Ore.. ...................... 5,071 STEER ROPING 1. Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan.................................. $17,872 2. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas.................................. 17,532 3. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D................................. 13,787 4. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas................................. 13,197 5. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas............................. 11,460 6. Shay Good, Abilene, Texas................................... 10,144 7. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas. ................. 7,806 8. John E. Bland, Turkey, Texas.................................. 7,761 9. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla................................. 7,496 10. Corey Ross, Liberty Hill, Texas. ............................. 6,610 11. Martin Poindexter, Comanche, Texas..................... 6,214 12. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas............................... 5,965 13. Roger Branch, Wellston, Okla................................ 4,809 14. Cash Myers, Athens, Texas.................................... 4,704 15. J.P. Wickett, Sallisaw, Okla.. .................................. 4,665 16. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan................................... 4,553 17. Jim Locke, Miami, Texas........................................ 4,319 18. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas.................................... 4,201 19. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo.. ........................... 4,079 20. Tuf Case Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................ 3,783

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Unofficial as of Feb. 16, 2021. The Tour Standings will be a points-based system for contestants at each qualifying Tour Rodeo. Points will be distributed for placings 1-40 at the conclusion of the rodeo. 2021 PRORODEO TOUR STANDINGS

17. Kash Deal.................................................117.13 18. Brady Hill. ................................................112.12 19. Cash Wilson.............................................105.61 20. Ryder Wright..............................................98.72 21. Mason Laviolette........................................97.96 Cable Wareham..........................................97.96 K’s Thomson..............................................97.96 24. Layton Green..............................................91.95 JJ Elshere...................................................91.95 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Zack Jongbloed........................................505.59 2. Catfish Brown. .........................................500.00 Shad Mayfield..........................................500.00 4. Kyle Lucas................................................300.00 Caleb Smidt..............................................300.00 6. Shane Hanchey........................................272.26 7. Clint Robinson. ........................................238.16 8. Michael Otero...........................................204.15 Preston Pederson. ...................................204.15 Trenton Smith. .........................................204.15 11. .Ryan Jarrett. ............................................200.00 12. Marty Yates..............................................155.59 13. Marcos Costa...........................................130.41 14. Blake Ash.................................................129.46 15. Trent Creager. ..........................................123.29 16. Coley Salge..............................................123.03 17. Lucas Potter.............................................120.71 18. Haven Meged...........................................120.25 19. Jase Staudt..............................................116.71 20. Ty Harris...................................................112.32 21. Adam Gray...............................................107.92 22. Blane Cox.................................................101.05 23. Tanner Green..............................................94.64 Timber Moore. ...........................................94.64 Tuf Case Cooper ........................................94.64 BULL RIDING 1. Josh Frost................................................630.41 2. J.R. Stratford. ..........................................500.00 3. Ruger Piva. ..............................................454.49 4. Parker Breding.........................................350.00 5. Stetson Dell Wright..................................304.31 6. Fletcher Jowers........................................279.58 7. T.J. Gray...................................................250.00 8. Jace Trosclair...........................................225.00 Boudreaux Campbell................................225.00 10. .Cole Fischer. ............................................162.46 11. Braden Richardson..................................148.72 12. Maverick Potter........................................141.85 13. Creek Young.............................................130.41 14. Alex Cardozo............................................121.28 Jeston Mead. ...........................................121.28 16. Clayton Sellars.........................................116.71 17. Jacob O’Mara...........................................104.49 Jeff Askey.................................................104.49 .TJ Schmidt...............................................104.49 20. Billy Quillan................................................91.43 Dustin Boquet............................................91.43 Laramie Mosley..........................................91.43 Caleb McMillan. .........................................91.43 24. Brody Yeary. ..............................................83.89 Trey Kimzey................................................83.89

9. Tyler Wade...............................................200.00 10. .Jon Peterson............................................162.46 11. Clay Smith................................................155.59 Garrett Rogers. ........................................155.59 13. Clay Tryan. ...............................................153.10 14. Aaron Macy..............................................134.98 15. Brandon Webb.........................................130.41 16. Clay Ullery................................................125.84 17. Tyler Waters.............................................116.71 Nick Sartain..............................................116.71 19. Rhen Richard...........................................107.92 Monty James. ..........................................107.92 21. Jaguar Terrill............................................104.80 22. Colby Lovell. ............................................101.05 Garrett Tonozzi.........................................101.05 24. Jr. Dees......................................................94.53 25. Joe Schmidt...............................................88.33 Jason Burson.............................................88.33 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Travis Graves. ..........................................500.00 Trevor Nowlin...........................................500.00 3. Paden Bray...............................................300.00 Justin Davis. ............................................300.00 Chase Tryan. ............................................300.00 Joseph Harrison.......................................300.00 7. Ryan Motes..............................................233.14 8. Ross Ashford...........................................211.91 9. Trey Yates.................................................200.00 10. .Riley Curuchet..........................................162.46 11. Jade Corkill. .............................................155.59 Jake Minor...............................................155.59 13. Jake Long. ...............................................153.10 14. Jason Johe...............................................134.98 15. Kollin VonAhn..........................................130.41 16. Jake Edwards...........................................125.84 17. Coleby Payne. ..........................................116.71 Richard Durham.......................................116.71 19. Tye Reddell. .............................................107.92 Jeremy Buhler..........................................107.92 21. Sid Sporer................................................104.80 22. Paul Eaves................................................101.05 Tyler McKnight.........................................101.05 24. Matt Zancanella..........................................94.53 25. Chuck Graham...........................................88.33 Corey Hendrick. .........................................88.33 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1.. Cody DeMoss...........................................500.00 Stetson Dell Wright..................................500.00 3. Jacobs Crawley........................................484.98 4. Ben Andersen...........................................317.81 5. Chase Brooks...........................................300.00 6. Tegan Smith.............................................251.68 7. Jake Watson.............................................225.00 8. Taos Muncy..............................................213.34 9. Mitch Pollock...........................................205.88 10. .Brody Cress. ............................................200.00 11. Cole Elshere.............................................191.44 12. Kolby Wanchuk........................................175.00 13. Jesse Bail.................................................162.46 Kobyn Williams........................................162.46 15. Wyatt Casper............................................148.72 16. Jacob Kammerer......................................120.25

BAREBACK RIDING 1.. Will Lowe.................................................606.23 2. Jess Pope.................................................561.51 3. Jayco Roper.............................................496.43 4. Mike Solberg............................................425.00 5. Cole Reiner...............................................343.69 6. Wyatt Denny. ...........................................257.79 7. Chase Vossler. .........................................250.00 Tanner Aus...............................................250.00 9. Will Martin. ..............................................227.74 10. .Tim O’Connell. .........................................221.20 11. Jacob Lees...............................................187.55 12. Jamie Howlett..........................................178.06 13. Trenten Montero. .....................................175.54 14. Chad Rutherford......................................169.22 15. Logan Patterson.......................................160.84 16. Caleb Bennett...........................................143.09 17. Taylor Broussard......................................141.85 18. Paden Hurst.............................................141.12 19. Clay Jorgenson........................................136.51 20. Ben Kramer..............................................120.70 21. Mike Fred.................................................109.19 22. Job Dunlavey. ..........................................104.49 Tilden Hooper...........................................104.49 24. Connor Hamilton......................................103.06 25. Hunter Carter. ..........................................100.56 STEER WRESTLING 1.. Jake Kraupie.............................................524.66 2. Will Lummus............................................500.00 3. Zack Jongbloed........................................440.10 4. Gabe Burrows..........................................300.00 Sterling Lambert .....................................300.00 6. J.D. Struxness..........................................252.56 7. Joseph Guze. ...........................................250.00 8. Luke Branquinho......................................210.87 9. Cade Staton..............................................200.00 10. .Nick Guy...................................................186.77 11. Ty Erickson. .............................................154.40 Bridger Anderson.....................................154.40 Tristan Martin...........................................154.40 Colt Honey. ..............................................154.40 15. Curtis Cassidy..........................................144.81 16. Clayton Hass............................................143.20 17. Maverick Harper.......................................141.85 18. Kalane Anders..........................................141.57 19. Joe Wilson...............................................139.04 20. Jesse Brown. ...........................................125.84 21. Stetson Jorgensen...................................120.26 22. Jacob Edler..............................................118.02 23. Denver Roy..............................................112.32 Kyle Irwin.................................................112.32 25. Justice Johnson.......................................107.27 TEAM ROPING (HEADING) 1.. Dustin Egusquiza.....................................500.00 John Gaona..............................................500.00 3. Brenten Hall. ............................................300.00 Hayes Smith.............................................300.00 Chad Masters...........................................300.00 Erich Rogers. ...........................................300.00 7. Aaron Tsinigine. .......................................233.14 8. Clint Summers.........................................211.91

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SHORT ROUND Glen Alan Phillips steps down as NFR general manager A Job Well Done

W rangler National Finals Rodeo General Manager Glen Alan Phillips has stepped down, effective immediately, Las Vegas Events announced Feb. 11. The Wrangler NFR is scheduled this year for Dec. 2-11 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Hired in April 2020, Phillips served as the general manager for the NFR throughout that year and during the event’s 10-day run in Arlington, Texas – a move precipitated by Las Vegas’ inability to host a fully-ticketed event. “Serving as the general manager of the Wrangler NFR was both challenging and fulfilling,” Phillips said. “However, my current role at the

challenges for everyone in the sport of rodeo – and especially for those involved in the production of the Wrangler NFR. We wish him well and extend our appreciation for his time that he served in this role.” “The National Finals Rodeo is the Super Bowl of Western sports and ProRodeo,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “Glen Alan, in his first year, demonstrated his professionalism and teamwork

implementing a significant venue change less than 90 days before the event. We will miss his leadership and be cheering him on as he does his work with the American Royal in Kansas City.” A new replacement will be searched for immediately. The new general manager will work closely with the PRCA, Las Vegas Events and the NFR Committee on all aspects of rodeo production. Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the $10 million purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle.

Phillips

American Royal in Kansas City will require my full attention going forward. We are in the middle of a new building campaign that will enable the American Royal to be a year-round agriculture epicenter. The NFR is the Super Bowl of rodeo and will continue to set the standard in our industry.” “Glen Alan served dutifully in his role as general manager,” LVE President Pat Christenson said. “2020 presented so many

Denver complex renovation delayed

Optimism about 2021 Cheyenne In the recently released 2020 Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days report, CEO Tom Hirsig kept open the possibility of the event returning this summer after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the event that had run for 123 consecutive summers. “We are optimistic for 2021, this will be a year it takes the whole community to get on board to make Cheyenne Frontier Days happen,” Hirsig wrote in the report. “We are looking forward to a great 125th celebration honoring the legendary Chris LeDoux.”

Denver must delay some of its plans to renovate and expand the National Western Center campus as it wades through the financial troubles brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, The Denver Post reported recently. City officials plan to use $274 million in bonds – yet to be approved by the City Council – for long-planned early-phase upgrades and expansions to the National Western Center and the Colorado Convention Center. But later phases at the National Western Center including a new 10,000-seat arena, an exposition hall and a public market in the to- be-renovated 1909 Stadium Arena are on hold, Denver Chief Financial Officer Brendan Hanlon told The Post . City officials had planned for that later work, worth an estimated $528 million, to be paid for

with a public-private partnership.

In May, the city paused the idea, and on Feb. 16, Hanlon said straightforwardly that the price tag is “just a bridge too far right now” for the general fund, because the city’s share likely would have been hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming years. Denver, however, remains committed to the entire plan for the center that has been in the works for years, according to Hanlon and Tykus Holloway, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of the National Western Center. City officials will need to decide in the coming months how best to fund the marquee work. Because funding wasn’t secure for those phases there was never a clear timeline for completion, said Jenna Espinoza, spokeswoman for Holloway’s office.

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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

Beutler & Son’s bareback horse Wonderland passes away at 19 Beutler & Son Rodeo’s

BY THE NUMBERS 3 The number of cowboys who have won the National Finals Rodeo average in two events in the same year. The list consists of Don McLaughlin (tie-down roping, steer roping, 1960); Ace Berry (bareback riding, team roping, 1972) and Phil Lyne (tie-down roping, bull riding, 1972) 8 The number of career Xtreme Bulls Division 1 victories by Sage Kimzey, tying him with Matt Austin for the Division 1 record for career wins. $20K The combined amount of money ($20,105) earned by Dustin Boquet at his two career Division 1 Xtreme Bulls wins in Fort Worth, Texas ($13,555) in 2020 and San Antonio ($6,550) on Feb. 14.

bareback horse Wonderland, who competed at the National Finals Rodeo 10 times, passed away Feb. 7 from pleuropneumonia. She was 19. Wonderland competed at every NFR from 2008-17. She was the daughter of Beutler & Son’s ProRodeo Hall of Fame horse Commotion. “She was in the rank pen of horses most of the time at the NFR because if you stubbed your toe, she would buck you off,” Bennie Beutler said. “If you rode her you would usually win first or second, and the bigger the rodeo the better she bucked. She was like Commotion. In her prime, we bucked her 15 to 18 times a year.” One of Wonderland’s top performances came in Round 10 of the 2009 NFR at the Thomas & Mack Center

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Dan Hubbell

hard every time. She was honest every time you bucked her. On the ranch, she wasn’t wild, but she wouldn’t let you pet on her. She was pretty quiet and pretty low key. She kept to herself and always had her four or five mares that she ran with. We got one baby out of her, and we named her Wonder Woman.”

in Las Vegas, when Bobby Mote had an 88.5-point ride on her to win the round and clinch his third world championship. “Every time you bucked her, she did the same thing,” Rhett Beutler said. “She was going to buck

George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bulls scheduled for May The 43rd Annual George Paul Memorial is back this season under the banner of the PRCA. While Del Rio, Texas, has played host to numerous events over the years, there is still but one George Paul. The George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding will take place May 21-22 at 8 p.m. (CT). This change will alleviate existing conflicts for The 44th Annual George Paul will return to its normal dates in April for 2022. In addition, the move will allow further government ordinances and advisements to take full effect and allay concerns due to COVID-19 following the cancellation of the 2020 GPMBR. This year’s event will be aired live on The Cowboy Channel in its entirety, starting at 8 p.m. nightly. Rafter G Rodeo will again serve as the primary stock contractor. contestants at rescheduled PRCA events, which will allow the top contestants in the PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour to attend as many events as possible.

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