ProRodeo Sports News - January 10, 2020

Cool Flicks Best Images of 2019

INSIDE • Remembering Hall of Fame

Bullfighter Wick Peth

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CONTENTS

JANUARY 10, 2020 VOLUME 68, NO. 1

Tops in Texas Circuit Cham- pions of the Texas Circuit were crowned in Waco at the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo where the pay- out broke $200,000. 36

Bareback rider Jake Brown gives a thumbs-up dur- ing his victory lap at the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Ro- deo in Waco, Jan. 4. Brown earned nearly $7,000. James Phifer photo

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36 Waco, Texas RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo STANDINGS INSIDE 6 in his own words 8 cowboy grille 10 brain teasers 12 he said-she said 18 short round 42 results 50 prca notes 14 2020 prca world 44 2019 circuits RODEOS

PRCA Picture Pages PRCA photog- raphers offer their top shots from the 2019 season, captur- ing the sport of rodeo from 22 their unique perspectives from behind the lens. Bull rider Travus Partridge battles to stay on Bar-T Rodeo’s Do It at the Cache County Fair and Rodeo in Logan, Utah, Aug. 9. James Fain photo

COVER

A Time to Heal

get back on the rodeo trail for the 2020 season. 38

Cool Flicks Best Imagesof2019

Cowboys injured at the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo are resting up and getting ready to

INSIDE •Remembering HallofFame

Bullfighter WickPeth

Jordan Tye makes a run as the sun sets behind him at the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo, July 2. Matt Cohen photo

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.

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Garrett not short on talent and proving it in 2020 IN THEIR OWN WORDS SHORTY GARRETT I had a great-uncle named Shorty that my mom thought quite a lot of. He was her uncle. My real name is Delbert after my dad’s dad. Shoot, most people don’t know my real name. They’ve been calling me Shorty since I was born. It’s pretty cool to have the kind of If we’re not enjoying it, we may as well not be doing it. He made that pretty clear right away. He’s a pretty good mentor to have. I went out there (to Las Vegas for the Saddle bronc rider Shorty Garrett has a storied family history in rodeo. Not only is Garrett the great-great nephew of nine-time world champ and ProRodeo Hall of Famer Casey

Finals) this year. I only got to go a couple nights, but two days in Vegas when you’re not rodeoing is plenty. The last time I had been was when I

family history I have. Of course, I grew up on a ranch my whole life. You just grow up

Tibbs, but he’s also had two uncles win bareback riding world titles, plus other ties to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Garrett finished 18th in the 2019 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings after earning a career-best $76,494. The 5-foot-8, 27-year- old is using last season’s success as motivation to reach his first Wrangler NFR. The last few years, Garrett has traveled with seven-time Wrangler NFR qualifier Isaac Diaz and 2019 Wrangler NFR-average winner Brody Cress. Garrett leads the early 2020 world standings in saddle bronc riding with $15,269.

around that lifestyle, and I can’t imagine growing up any other way. When I was in first grade, I remember writing down goals, and they were to be a world champ at the NFR. I didn’t know which event. At that time when I was little, I had uncles that rode barebacks, then I had uncles that rode broncs and my dad rode bulls. My uncle Chuck was a pick-up man at the Finals in ’99. My half-brother J.D. Garrett made the Finals in ’02 in bareback riding. Guys got it all around you, so you feel if you don’t do it, you’re going to get made fun of. Isaac (Diaz) is so positive. The last two years rodeoing with him, I could see myself change big time. I used to put a lot of pressure on myself – I need to do this, I need to do that. Rodeoing with Isaac has helped me a lot to stay positive and keep moving forward. Everything has worked tremendously since I jumped in the rig with him. Having fun is all part of it. That’s why we do it.

was very little watching (my uncles Mark and Marvin Garrett). I always thought I wouldn’t go until I made it. But this year I thought I’m going to break that deal and see what it’s like. I’m really glad I did because it’s just another rodeo. Of course, I’m quite a bit older so I can take stuff in. It’s definitely the biggest rodeo, it’ll dang sure get you going. You realize it’s not unachievable that you can dang sure get there. It was awesome (to see Cress win the average). That’s what keeps us so good together, we’re all so happy for each other to do well and striving for each other. It’s a team deal. We’re all competing and trying to make each other better, but at the same time, we’re happy to see one another do well. There’s a long way to go yet this season, but that start really gets a guy kicked off right and gets your motor going to keep on hustling through it, try to uphold that spot and see if a guy can carry it all the way through.

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COWBOY GRILLE WITH TRACY RENCK

What was last season like for you? Bridger: I went to a lot more rodeos than I had in the past. I tried to hit the trail as much as I could. I won more than I had in previous seasons, but I felt like I made some mistakes I could have cleaned up and won a lot more. Still, I was satisfied and felt like I grew a lot in my steer wrestling and set myself up to go rodeo this year. What was it like to have a $4,077 payday at the qualifier at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver, Dec. 18-19? Bridger: That was good. I went in and had a good, smooth rodeo, and I was fortunate to come out on top. It was a good start to the year as I get ready for the winter rodeos. What horses are you using this season? Bridger: I’m riding my horse, Whiskers. I got him from Tyler and Jackie Schau from Diamond S Performance Horses. He’s 10 years old and a racehorse from off the track. Whiskers is a big, tall horse with a pretty strong build. He’s a racehorse, but he’s really calm and he’s easy to ride and he makes my job pretty easy. What are you goals for 2020? Bridger: Like every cowboy rodeoing for a living, my goal is to make the NFR and win a world championship. If you have any other goals, you’re selling yourself short. Are you college rodeoing? Bridger: Yes. I’m in the spring of my junior season at Steer wrestler Bridger Anderson, 21, a native of Carrington, N.D., is coming off a career-best year in 2019 after finishing 43rd in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $37,856. With the 2020 PRCA season under way, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Anderson has high hopes that he can qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. As of Jan. 6, he was ninth in the world standings.

BRIDGER ANDERSON

Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva. I have made the College National Finals Rodeo twice, and I won the national championship last year (in Casper, Wyo., in June). That was an awesome achievement. That was one of my major goals for the year. It was nice to get that down, and hopefully we can do it again. How did you get involved with rodeo? Bridger: My dad (Glenn) team roped and trained horses and my mom (Robin) team roped and was a breakaway roper. When I was 3 years old, we were watching the NFR one night and my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said I wanted to be a paleontologist during the day and a steer wrestler at night. I’ve kind of given up on the dinosaur digging gig.

Do you have any brothers or sisters? Bridger: I have two sisters – Cedar, 19, and Dawsyn, 16. Cedar goes to school with me. She is a sophomore and competes on the Northwestern Oklahoma State rodeo team (in breakaway roping and goat tying), and Dawsyn is a golfer. Why did you pick steer wrestling? Bridger: I don’t know. It’s just what I wanted to do and what I want to keep doing. Did you play any other sports growing up? Bridger: I played middle linebacker in football (at Carrington High School) and I wrestled for a long time. I played football and wrestled for three years in high school, and then I retired from both before my senior year. I wrestled at 170 pounds for three years. I won the 170-pound state title in Class B as a junior. I was wrestling to rodeo, so I retired from other sports. What’s your favorite restaurant? Bridger: I would probably say two – Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse and Pappadeaux’s. At Pappadeaux’s I get the blackened mahi mahi with white wine sauce. What’s your go-to movie? Bridger: My favorite movie is Lonesome Dove . My middle name is McCrae. I think I’ve seen that movie as many times as you can watch a six-hour movie. Do you have a favorite sports team?

Bridger: I root for the Minnesota Vikings. Jimmy Kleinsasser played tight end for the Vikings for 13 years (1999-2011), and we grew up 10 miles from him. He went to Carrington High School. We are pretty good friends with his parents. What was your favorite Halloween costume? Bridger: I was a hippie last Halloween and that was fun, but I think my favorite was being a cowboy four different times. I wasn’t very creative, but I liked being a cowboy.

What would your life be like if cellphones didn’t exist? Bridger: I don’t know. I’m pretty active on my cellphone and social media. I’m not very good for directions so I use it quite a bit for that.

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BRAIN TEASERS TAKE YOUR SHOT

ANSWERS ON PAGE 51

Then & Now

Can you match these adorable kids’ photos with the current PRCA contestants? Some don’t look quite the same.

1

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A

B

C

D

E

Word Search

Find the winners from the 2019 Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, and the winners from the 2019 National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. Cowboys who won more than one event at both rodeos appear once for each win. Names may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

Winter Run

1. Odessa, Texas, winners: BB: Taylor Broussard SW: Matt Reeves TR: Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz

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

SB: Preston Burr TD: Tyson Durfey GB: Michelle Alley SR: JoJo LeMond BR: Parker McCown

2. Winners from Denver: AA: Daylon Swearingen BB: Clint Laye SW: Ty Erickson TR: Clay Smith/Jake Long

SB: Spencer Wright TD: Cooper Martin GB: Jennifer Sharp BR: Brody Yeary

BONUS QUESTIONS 1. Who won the all-around in Odessa in 2019? 2. What timed-event cowboy won the all- around in Denver in 2019?

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10 QUESTIONS He Said – She Said

Who knows bull rider Jeff Askey better, his wife, Tianti, or his traveling partner, Bayle Worden?

Jeff

Tianti

Bayle

BAYLE

JEFF

TIANTI

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE ON-THE-ROAD SNACK?

Snickers

Cookies

Taco Casa

DOES HE HAVE ANY RODEO SUPESTITIONS?

Won’t talk to Caleb Sanderson at NFR

Won’t talk to best friend Caleb Sanderson at NFR

No

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Coffee

Sweet tea

Sweet tea

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Tianti

Tianti

Me

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE HOLIDAY?

Christmas

Fourth of July

Fourth of July

IS HE AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?

Early bird

Early bird

Early bird

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RODEO?

Cody, Wyo.

Cody, Wyo.

Cody, Wyo.

WHO IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

Bill Tutor

Jerome Davis

Me

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RODEO WIN?

Texas circuit

Prescott, Ariz.

Prescott, Ariz.

12 WHAT IS HIS HIGHEST BULL RIDE AND WHERE?

Denver, 91 pts.

El Paso, 91.5 pts.

– Courtesy of Ted Harbin El Paso, 91.5 pts.

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2020 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Unofficial as of Jan. 6, 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...................... $12,061 2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................... 8,576 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La............................... $9,990 2. Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta................ 8,737 3. Cole Reiner, Kaycee, Wyo................................. 8,586 4. Anthony Thomas, Houston, Texas.................... 7,925 5. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas................. 7,765 6. Yance Day, Tahlequah, Okla.............................. 7,430 7. Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas.......................... 6,865 8. Tanner Phipps, Dalton, Ga................................ 5,390 9. Zach Hibler, Wheeler, Texas.............................. 5,286 10. Paden Hurst, Huntsville, Texas......................... 5,251 11. Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D......................... 5,046 12. Luke Wozney, Powell, Wyo.............................. 4,737 13. Mike Fred, Wamego, Kan................................. 4,419 14. Craig Wisehart, Kersey, Colo............................ 3,392 15. Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont......................... 3,184 16. Chad Rutherford, Lake Charles, La................... 2,990 17. Blade Elliott, Saint Ignatius, Mont.................... 2,972 18. Logan Patterson, Kim, Colo............................. 2,795 19. Tyler Waltz, Martin, Tenn.................................. 2,733 20. Tyler Berghuis, Atwater, Minn.......................... 2,703 STEER WRESTLING 1. Cade Goodman, Waelder, Texas..................... $7,669 2. Kalane Anders, Bayard, Neb............................. 6,652 3. Shawn Downing, Saco, Mont........................... 6,054 4. Jacob Edler, State Center, Iowa........................ 5,880 5. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif............................ 5,000 6. Dylan Schroeder, Waller, Texas........................ 4,683 7. Payden McIntyre, Douglas, Wyo...................... 4,656 8. Cade Staton, Jonesboro, Texas........................ 4,417 9. Bridger Anderson, Carrington, N.D................... 4,077 10. Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La............................... 3,975 11. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont................................ 3,910 12. Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif......................... 3,784 13. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La................................. 3,748 14. Trever Nelson, Kiowa, Okla............................... 3,727 15. Jason Thomas, Benton, Ark............................. 3,306 16. Denell Henderson, Damascus, Ark................... 3,117 17. Levi Rudd, Chelsea, Okla.................................. 2,788 18. Kodie Jang, Townsville, Australia..................... 2,738 19. Matt Deskovick, Ramona, Calif......................... 2,562 20. Justice Johnson, Bismarck, N.D....................... 2,529 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla.................... $7,029 2. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.......................... 6,918 3. Cyle Denison, Iowa, La..................................... 5,595 4. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif............................ 5,259 5. Bradley Massey, Perry, Fla............................... 4,583 6. Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C............................. 4,538 7. Lathen Bryant, Stephenville, Texas................... 4,370 8. Pat Boyle, Shandon, Calif................................. 4,306 9. Garett Chick, Salado, Texas.............................. 4,179 10. Delon Parker, Worden, Mont............................ 4,011 11. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga........................... 3,706 12. Cooper White, Hershey, Neb............................ 3,650 13. Quisto Lopez, Beeville, Texas........................... 3,529 14. Casey Tew, Billings Mont.................................. 3,460 15. Ty Blasingame, Casper, Wyo............................ 3,281 16. Kal Fuller, Bozeman, Mont................................ 3,113 17. Aaron Macy, Post, Texas.................................. 3,071 18. Chace Thompson, Knox City, Texas.................. 2,925 19. Lane Ivy, Dublin, Texas..................................... 2,920 20. Gavin Foster, Elmore City, Okla......................... 2,743

TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan............................ $8,057 2. Colton Brittain, Rockwall, Texas....................... 7,180 3. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev................................... 6,918 4. Lane Mitchell, Bolivar, Tenn.............................. 5,595 5. Levi Tyan, Wallace, Neb................................... 4,874 6. Britt Bockius, Shady Grove, Fla........................ 4,583 7. Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla................................... 4,538 8. Jared Hixon, Bakersfield, Calif.......................... 4,306 9. Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas.................. 4,179 10. Ryan Zurcher, Powell, Wyo.............................. 4,011 11. Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz.......................... 3,885 12. Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil .. 3,706 13. Jason Hill, Ashburn, Ga.................................... 3,558 14. B.J. Dugger, Comfort, Texas............................. 3,529 15. Kasper Roy, Mossleigh, Alberta........................ 3,113 16. Jason Johe, San Luis Obispo, Calif.................. 3,071 17. Tyson Thompson, Munday, Texas.................... 2,925 18. Dillon Wingereid, Stephenville, Texas............... 2,920 19. Clay Futrell, Union Grove, N.C.......................... 2,787 20. Daniel Reed, Allen, Okla................................... 2,743 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D................... $15,269 2. Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas.......................... 14,095 3. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia................ 13,113 4. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo........................... 12,294 5. Cort Scheer, Homedale, Idaho........................ 10,372 6. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D.................................... 9,261 7. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont..................... 7,373 8. Sterling Crawley, Huntsville, Texas................... 6,836 9. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas........................ 6,009 10. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La............................. 5,682 11. Parker Kempfer, Melbourne, Fla....................... 5,428 12. Lane Schuelke, Newell, S.D.............................. 5,404 13. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas......................... 5,369 14. Chet Johnson, Douglas, Wyo........................... 5,267 15. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta.................... 5,176 16. Riggin Smith, Winterset, Iowa......................... 4,997 17. Taygen Schuelke, Newell, S.D.......................... 4,779 18. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D........................ 4,661 19. Jarrod Hammons, Stephenville, Texas.............. 4,243 20. Chuck Schmidt, Keldron, S.D........................... 3,996 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M.......................... $14,925 2. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La........................... 13,647 3. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb................................ 12,482 4. Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas............................ 12,408 5. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas............................ 8,381 6. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont........................ 7,733 7. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas................... 7,722 8. Catfish Brown, Collinsville, Texas..................... 6,137 9. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La................................. 5,746 10. Ike Fontenot, Ville Platte, La............................. 5,583 11. Colt Papy, Henrietta, Texas............................... 5,579 12. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas............................. 5,493 13. Andrew Burks, Kiln, Miss................................. 5,247 14. Marcos Costa, Menard, Texas.......................... 4,797 15. J.C. Malone, Plain City, Utah............................ 4,131 16. Colton Farquer, Oakdale, Calif.......................... 4,088 17. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas............................. 4,063 18. Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas................................ 4,036 19. Tyler Prcin, Alvord, Texas................................. 3,957 20. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................... 3,945

STEER ROPING 1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas....................... $19,559 2. Shay Good, Abilene, Texas............................... 9,456 3. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D............................. 8,904 4. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas................ 7,774 5. Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan................................ 7,172 6. Billy Good, Wynnewood, Okla.......................... 7,015 7. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas............................. 6,862 8. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla........................... 6,751 9. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas............. 6,270 10. Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla........................ 6,236 11. Martin Poindexter, Comanche, Texas................ 6,200 12. Trey Sheets, Pine Bluffs, Wyo.......................... 6,137 13. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.......................... 5,143 14. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................... 5,036 15. Corey Ross, Liberty Hill, Texas......................... 4,769 16. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas.............................. 4,388 17. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla............................ 4,263 18. Jason Evans, Glen Rose, Texas........................ 4,176 19. Ora Taton, Rapid City, S.D................................ 3,906 20. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas......................... 3,835 BULL RIDING 1. Laramie Mosley, Satanta, Kan...................... $18,900 2. J.T. Moore, Alvin, Texas................................. 18,248 3. Parker McCown, Montgomery, Texas............. 12,290 4. Braden Richardson, Jasper, Texas.................... 9,937 5. Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas.............. 9,809 6. Hawk Whitt, Thermopolis, Wyo........................ 9,047 7. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La................................. 8,280 8. Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho............................ 7,700 9. Denton Fugate, Niangua, Mo............................ 7,668 10. Wyatt Gregg, Belle Fourche, S.D...................... 6,621 11. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla................... 6,423 12. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas.................. 5,487 13. Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Australia........................ 5,419 14. Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho...................... 5,308 15. Foster McCraw, Navasota, Texas...................... 5,170 16. Lon Danley, Tularosa, N.M............................... 5,159 17. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas................................. 4,730 18. Jacob O’Mara, Baton Rouge, La....................... 4,576 19. Tyler Hessman, Beaver, Okla............................ 4,436 20. Jesse Flores, Valinda, Calif............................... 4,423 *2020 BARREL RACING (Through Jan. 6, 2019) 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...........$14,882 2. Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Texas..........................12,939 3. Taylor Langdon, Aubrey, Texas........................11,055 4. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas......................10,110 5. Ivy Hurst, Springer, Okla.................................10,012 6. Alex Lang, Harper, Texas...................................8,717 7. Margaret Poloncic, Gillette, Wyo.......................7,912 8. Lisa Thornton, Plum, Texas...............................6,240 9. Hailey Lockwood, Cotulla, Texas.......................5,309 10. Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas.............................5,115 11. Ashley Castleberry, Montgomery, Texas............4,763 12. Victoria Williams, Kiln, Miss..............................4,613 13. Jill Wilson, Snyder, Texas..................................4,407 Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D..............................4,407 15. Tillar Murray, Fort Worth, Texas........................4,307 16. Leia Pluemer, Bosque Farms, N.M. ..................4,300 17. Lucy Bowns, Evanston, Wyo.............................4,258 18. Margo Crowther, North Fort Myers, Fla. ...........4,160 19. Cassidy Champlin, Pilot Point, Texas.................4,105 20. Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas.....................4,054

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Former world champion Peebles out after surgery Sidelined SHORT ROUND

I n 2015, Steven Peebles claimed the PRCA bareback riding world title. Unfortunately, since 2016, the Redmond, Ore., cowboy’s career has been sabotaged by injuries. Peebles’ latest setback came Jan. 6 when he had surgery in Bend, Ore., to repair a bulging disc in his neck. “Throughout last year I was having some neck issues a little bit, and they were off and on,” said Peebles, 30. “After the rodeo season was done in the fall and I was doing some work, my neck was just killing me all the time. I rode (at an unsanctioned PRCA rodeo Dec. 21 in Billings, Mont.), and I don’t know if it was whiplash during the ride or what. When I got off, everything was normal, and then as soon as I was walking out of the arena, I felt nerve spasms all through my neck. By the time I left the rodeo, it was bad. I could hardly hold my head up. I got home and had an MRI and found out that I had an almost entire disc shoot out the back of my neck into my spinal cord. It was intolerable pain.” Peebles said the surgery has alleviated the pain, and he’s expected to be out of action for at least two months. “They removed (the damaged) disc and put like a spacer deal in there to make up where the disc was, and in front of that they put in a plate and four screws to fuse the joint,” Peebles said. “I have never had neck issues in my career before. I was sore after the surgery, but I’m feeling a lot better. I have to wear a neck brace for a month. Then, I will be doing therapy to get my neck strong and should be ready to rodeo again in March. If I’m feeling good by then I will go and if I need more time, I will take more time.” Staying healthy has been a nightmare for Peebles. In the spring of 2019, he had elbow surgery on his right (riding) arm. A short time later, Peebles suffered a broken fibula in his right leg. Peebles suffered the injury following his ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Roll The Credits at the Redding (Calif.) Rodeo, May 18. In July, in Casper, Wyo., Peebles tore his abdominal muscle from his pelvis and had to miss another month. In 2016, Peebles broke his back in an ATV accident. That injury The logos for the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the 2020 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping have been released. The 2020 Wrangler NFR will be Dec. 3-12 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The 2020 Clem McSpadden NFSR is slated for November at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane. NFR, NFSR logos set

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

Steven Peebles, seen at the 2015 Wrangler NFR, is out injured.

led to him having back surgery and shoulder surgery in 2017. He battled chronic injuries in 2018 and had more injuries a year ago. Peebles, a seven-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2009-15), isn’t ready to retire. “I really want to make the Finals at least one more time,” Peebles said. “It’s just so frustrating to deal with all these injuries. It seems like every time I get healthy, I get scared because I’m worried something else is going to happen again. My health has been terrible. I just want to have a healthy season where I can make the Finals.” In 2015, Peebles won the world title and the Wrangler NFR average. He earned $234,054, more than any contestant at that Finals, and earned the RAM Top Gun Award. Peebles’ money earned at that Wrangler NFR was the most by a bareback rider until Clayton Biglow surpassed it with $243,891 in earnings at the 2019 Wrangler NFR.

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ONLINE: For more ProRodeo events and full results, go online at www.prorodeo.com

Crawley battling two nagging leg injuries

BY THE NUMBERS

$2.97M The combined amount of official prize money earned by the 2019 world champions – all-around champ Stetson Wright ($297,923); bareback rider Clayton Biglow ($425,823); steer wrestler Ty Erickson ($234,491); team roping header Clay Smith ($268,820); team roping heeler Wesley Thorp ($249,181); saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston ($347,056); tie-down roper Haven Meged ($246,014); barrel racer Haley Kinsel ($290,020); bull rider Sage Kimzey ($480,797); and steer roper Trevor Brazile ($128,552). $243K The amount of money, $243,891, earned by bareback rider Clayton Biglow at the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which established the record for most money won by a contestant in a single event at the Wrangler NFR – not counting ground money. Biglow won the world championship, Wrangler NFR average and RAM Top Gun Award in Las Vegas. The previous top amount earned in a single event at the Wrangler NFR was $234,054 by bareback rider Steven Peebles while winning the 2015 world championship.

Veteran saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley is trying to shake off the injury bug. The 2015 PRCA world champion is dealing with a nagging strained quadriceps and a knee injury on his left leg. “On the outside of my knee, I did something at the NFR (Dec. 6, Round 2),” said Crawley, 31. “I thought it was something

Crawley finished third in the

round and earned $15,654.

“I just got off the horse, and my leg was swollen up on the outside of my knee,” Crawley said. “I didn’t remember hitting anything, and it still has a big knot on the left side of my knee. (Justin Sportsmedicine) looked at it. It is just painful when I bend my leg back. I just iced it during the NFR, and

Crawley

small and I was icing it. It’s still swollen from the NFR. I was extremely sore at the Texas Circuit Finals (Jan. 2-4, in Waco). “I was trying to grit through it and do my best, and I’m going to take two weeks off now. I think with two more weeks off and only going to one or two (rodeos) a weekend it should heal up. It’s nothing major, it’s just painful when I ride.” Crawley initially injured his quads and left knee following his 84.5-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Hammer Stone in Round 2 at the Wrangler NFR at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

I thought it would heal up with a couple weeks off before the Texas Circuit Finals and it still hurt, so I’m going to take a couple more weeks off.” Crawley finished ninth in the 2019 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $191,935. He finished fifth in the Wrangler NFR average and earned $70,923 in Vegas. The Boerne, Texas, native is a nine-time qualifier for the Wrangler NFR – 2011-19. Crawley expects to return to action Jan. 19 at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver. “Injuries are just part of what we do,” Crawley said.

Meged, Erickson feted back home in Montana

PRCA 2019 world champions Haven Meged (tie-down roping) and Ty Erickson (steer wrestling) were recently named MontanaSports. com 2019 co-male athletes of the year. Meged had a memorable rookie season, winning the world championship, the PRCA | Resistol Rookie of the Year award and the

Wrangler NFR average title.

The 21-year-old finished the season with $246,013 and earned $126,135 at the Wrangler NFR. Erickson, meanwhile, finished atop the 2019 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $234,491 to claim his first world title. Erickson earned $88,410 at the 2019 Wrangler NFR.

TV coverage of Fort Worth and Denver rodeos

The Cowboy Channel will broadcast the final day of the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event in Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 22 at 8:30 p.m. (ET). The Fort Worth event is Jan. 21-22 and

is the first Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event of 2020. On Jan. 26, the finals of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver will air live at 4 p.m. (ET).

ONLINE: For more ProRodeo events and full results, go to www.prorodeo.com

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

OUT HERE, LEGENDS ARE MADE.

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Best of

Top Images PRCA photographers were asked to submit their favorite photos they captured during the 2019 season, and they responded. We hope you enjoy

reliving them as much as we did.

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2019

Bull rider Riker Carter goes head over heels after battling with Western Ro- deos’ Jack B Quick, as bullfighter Erick Layton readies to intervene at Caifornia Rodeo Salinas, July 19. Phil Doyle photo

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IMAGES OF 2019

Bull rider Jeff Askey rides Corey and Lange Rodeo’s War Dance at the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo, July 3. Matt Cohen photo

Saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley competes at the Mineral Wells (Texas) PRCA Rodeo, May 11.

Joe Duty photo

Bareback rider Trenten Montero hangs on to Burch Rodeo’s Wild Fire during the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up, Sept. 13. Billie-Jean Duff photo

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IMAGES OF 2019

Saddle bronc rider Brody Cress had an 87-point ride

on Dakota Rodeo’s Richie’s High to split the win at the Great Plains Xtreme Broncs Match in Herreid, S.D., May 31. Alaina Stangle photo

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Bull rider Austin Covington gets bucked off Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Damn Straight at the Sisters (Ore.) Rodeo, June 8. Bob Click photo

Steer wrestler Tony Martinez competes at the Cle Elum (Wash.) Round Up, July 26. Molly Morrow photo

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IMAGES OF 2019

Bull rider Reid Barker got hung up after being bucked off United Pro Rodeo’s Diamond Cutter at Los Fresnos (Texas) Rodeo, Feb. 15. Bullfighter Blake Miller jumped in to try and protect Barker.

William Kierce photo

Bareback rider Morgan Wilde celebrates after his 82-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Naughty Temptation at the Gem State Classic Pro Rodeo in Blackfoot, Idaho, Sept. 3.

Amanda Dilworth photo

Team roping heeler Jake Long makes a catch in the rain during the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo in May. Dale Hirschman photo

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Bullfighter Josh Rivinius jumps in to protect a bull rider at the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Premier Rodeo in September. Rivinius joined the PRCA in 2002. Clay Guardipee photo

A bull gets restless in the chute during the Weekley Brothers Davie (Fla.) Pro Rodeo, Sept. 7. David Rosenfield photo

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IMAGES OF 2019

Ty Rumford won the Green Valley Farms competition with a 6.2-second run that ended in a wave of dirt in Wantage, N.J., May 25. Renee Deal photo

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Luke Jesse McKay, who competed on his permit in 2019, was bucked off Four Star Rodeo’s Lucky Charm at the Lake County Round-up in Lakeview, Ore., Sept. 2.

Roseanna Sales photo

Miss Rodeo California 2019 Madison Wagner goes in for a high-five with a fan at the Lakeside (Calif.) Rodeo, April 26. Andrea Kaus photo

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IMAGES OF 2019

Steve Simmers didn’t make the winners’ circle but he was unharmed after being bucked off Big Bend Last Stand Rodeo in Coulee City, Wash., in May. Bill Lawless photo Rodeo’s Crooked Sky at the PRCA

Trick rider Madison McDonald performs for the crowd at the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, Calif., in September. Gene Hyder photo

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Clay Heger and Aaron Hargo move to protect bull rider Jeston Mead from Powder River Rodeo’s Roulette during the Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche, S.D., July 14.

Jim Svoboda photo

Calgary Stampede’s Click Clackin got the better of Sage Kimzey, but bullfighter Monty Phillips kept Kimzey safe at the Hand Hills Lake Stampede in Craigmyle, Alberta, June 2.

Billie-Jean Duff photo

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Brody Cress wins all three rounds Clean Sweep BY MATT NABER M aking a clean sweep after switching circuits isn’t a typical outcome. But saddle bronc rider Brody Cress is far from typical. Fresh off winning the average at his third consecutive RAM TEXAS CIRCUIT FINALS RODEO

ALL-AROUND COWBOY Tanner Green, TOP SCORES

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the only saddle bronc rider to win Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days three years in a row won all three rounds at his first RAMTexas Circuit Finals Rodeo inWaco, Jan. 4. The Wyoming cowboy’s first week of the 2020 calendar year was worth $16,502 between his Waco win ($9,252) and his performance at the New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball in Gillette, Wyo., where he posted the top ride in Round 1 and placed second in the finals to earn $7,250. “I’ve been able to get stuff reset from the Finals,” said Cress, who previously competed in the Mountain States Circuit. “I wasn’t riding the way I wanted to, so it’s nice to work on things and get to where it felt better.” Cress had ridden all three of his Waco draws before, most recently his Round 3 bronc – Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Big Tex. During Round 8 of the 2019Wrangler NFR, Cress and Big Tex combined for an 86.5-point ride. Less than a month later they made it an 88-point win for Round 3 inWaco. He also won Round 1 inWaco with 87.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Hammer Cocked and Round 2 with 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Orange Crush. A few days before hitting Waco, Cress rang in the new year by winning the first round in Gillette with 89 points on Burch Rodeo’s Knock Out John and placed second in the final round with an 86.5-point ride. “The five (broncs) I got on after the Finals were better than the ones I got on during the Finals,” Cress said. “I moved down here because I knew there was an opportunity to get on broncs that had been to the NFR or were going to the NFR. Getting on horses that allow you to win all three rounds is a big reason I came to this circuit.” Switching to the Texas circuit also had logistical benefits because Cress travels with Isaac Diaz and Shorty Garrett. “It’s great to get in with guys like that and work on getting better, and I feel ready for 2020,” Cress said. Ranking sixth in the 2019 Texas Circuit standings meant winning the average at the finals was the only way for Cress to qualify for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. “It’s outstanding to ride against the caliber of guys in the Texas circuit and get the ball rolling,” Cress said. “I know the circuit didn’t count (for the world standings), but it’s still money in your pocket to set yourself up to go rodeo on. It’s good to get the ball rolling for the start of the year and I’m excited for the winter rodeos now.” Cress missed the RAMNCFR last year due to an ankle injury, but he made it there via the Mountain States Circuit in 2015 and 2018. Rodeo won’t be the only thing Cress is working on in the coming months. He’s one semester away from completing his master’s degree in ag and consumer science from Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas. “I want to rodeo for as long as I can because you can only do it for so long, then I’ll have the degree there for when I need it,” Cress said.

$2,570, tie-down roping and team roping BAREBACK RIDING

Green

1. Jake Brown ................ 258.5 pts. on 3 2. Will Lowe ..................................... 258 3. Leighton Berry ............................. 253 STEER WRESTLING 1. Matt Reeves ................ 12.6 sec. on 3 2. Sam Powers ............................... 14.6 3. Heath Thomas ............................ 15.7 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Lovell/ R. Ashford ... 16.3 sec. on 3 2. L. Brown/D. Wingereid ............... 20.9 3. C. Masters/W. Thorp ................... 26.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Cress .................. 263 pts. on 3 2. Jacobs Crawley ............................ 247 3. Isaac Diaz .................................... 235 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. John Douch ................. 24.9 sec. on 3 2. Sterling Smith ............................. 25.8 3. Charlie Gibson ............................ 26.2 STEER ROPING 1. Trevor Brazile .............. 36.1 sec. on 3 2. Scott Snedecor ........................... 36.3 3. J. Tom Fisher .............................. 45.9 BULL RIDING 1. Jeff Askey .................. 171.5 pts. on 2 2. Parker McCown .................. 86.5 on 1 3. Toby Collins ................................... 86

James Phifer photo

Saddle bronc rider Brody Cress won the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo in his first year with the Texas Circuit.

Complete results/Page 42

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WACO, TEXAS

VIDEO

IN BRIEF BLACK GOLD, TEXAS TEA

BRAZILE UPS THE ANTE Trevor Brazile extended his records in the Texas Circuit with the most steer roping titles, 10, and claimed the top spot for most steer roping average wins. Previously, he was tied with Scott Snedecor with four wins, but Brazile upped that to five (1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2020).

The RAM Texas Circuit Finals Ro- deo posted its biggest total payout with $202,096, nearly doubling the total since 2015 when the payout was $135,671.

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WRANGLER NFR WRAP-UP

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Dan Hubbell Saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter, 38, will miss six months of competition after suffering an avulsion to his left hamstring at his 11th Wrangler NFR. His surgery on Dec. 28 found that his hamstring had separated 4 inches from the pelvic bone. Wrangler NFR injuries won’t hold back 2020 plans On the Mend BY MATT NABER A lifelong dream and years of practice can be gone in an instant when injury strikes. It’s not a matter of if, but when, in ProRodeo, and to be knocked out of competition at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the worst possible time to be the Wrangler NFR. Harter initially tore his hamstring in the spring and sat out the month of May. During Harter’s Dec. 28 surgery, Dr. Tandy Freeman determined the injury could have happened at any time and that Harter’s hamstring had separated 4 inches from the pelvic bone.

“Come to find out after the surgery that I was operating on borrowed time,” Harter said. “Being face-to-face with the best surgeon in the world telling you that you can’t compete anymore is heart wrenching.” Harter is wearing a brace that extends from his ribs down through his hip to his knee and ankle. “It’s terrible,” Harter said. “I can’t really sit down. I just lay sideways, and it’s a constant thing.” Harter estimated he’ll be in the brace for about six weeks and that it will take six months for a full recovery. “It would be tough, but my family, friends, sponsors and Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund – I wouldn’t be able to do it without any of them,” Harter said. “With the PRCA and everyone out there calling to check on you and helping out – rodeo is a big world, but it’s a tight-knit world, and it’s cool to see everyone there to help out.”

put on the sideline. Several cowboys are on the road to recovery after incurring injuries at the 2019Wrangler NFR. Saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter, 38, missed the final seven rounds of his 11thWrangler NFR after suffering an avulsion to his left hamstring in Round 2. He went on to compete in Round 3 despite the pain. “Believe it or not it’s still like a bad dream, it’s like a nightmare,” Harter said Jan. 7. “I have been bucked off a thousand times before, and more violently. “For two weeks solid (after the Finals) I had a dream every night, and in my dream, I sat out two rounds and came back to ride, and then I’d wake up and realize it was a dream.” Despite missing most of the competition, Harter earned $28,192 at

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RADLEY MAKES MOST OF TIME OFF

INJURY STATUS Number of injuries treated at the Wrangler NFR the past five years.

Bull rider Koby Radley, 21, missed the final three rounds of his second consecutive Wrangler NFR because of a concussion suffered in Round 7 when he was bucked off and had the back of his head stepped on by his re-ride bull 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Relentless. Radley also received four stitches in his forehead from the impact of his head hitting the inside of his helmet. “My helmet was a life saver there,” Radley said. “It just knocked me silly pretty good. Then I took those (concussion) tests the next couple days and I didn’t pass the tests, so I watched the last three rounds and came home and went hunting. I’m good to go now.” Radley said there will be no impact on his 2020 season. “Concussions are a 10- to 12- day deal,” Radley said. “You’re fine afterwards, but if you get hit in the head again that’s where the problems come up, and I didn’t want to take the chance of

• 2015 – 543 • 2016 – 534 • 2017 – 582 • 2018 – 657 • 2019 – 792

Number of injuries treated for the season over the last five years.

• 2015 – 1,200 • 2016 – 1,300 • 2017 – 1,437 • 2018 – 1,541 • 2019 – 1,498

missing the season.” At the time of his injury, Radley was third in the average and had won $80,795. “I had a good Finals up to that point, so I wasn’t going to try to be too greedy,” Radley said. “I definitely wanted to finish, but the momentum was good and that is

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Steve Gray Bull rider Koby Radley, 21, credited his helmet for keeping him safe from a worse injury than the concussion he suffered during Round 7.

part of riding bulls. I was thankful for how much I’d won up until that point, but that’s part of the game we play.”

FOSS AVOIDS SURGERY

Bareback rider Austin Foss, 27, missed the final two rounds due to a separated right shoulder he suffered during Round 8, Dec. 12. Although he tied for second place in Round 8 with 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Full Baggage, his celebration was cut short. “I had a pretty good Finals all things considered,” Foss said of his $33,692 won in Las Vegas. “But in the eighth round my hand came out of the rigging and I fell out at the right spot. It was tough luck, and there’s not a whole lot a guy can do about it. It’s one of those deals you have to let it heal.” Foss had an X-ray the following morning, and Freeman determined surgery was unnecessary. “Not having to go under a knife is nice,” Foss said. “I’m at 85% of range of motion now and been doing physical therapy and rehab, but I’ll miss my circuit finals. I’m just not ready, but I have the whole year ahead of me.” Foss doesn’t anticipate that his time out of action in early January will impact his 2020 season and estimated being ready to compete in Denver or Rapid City later this month.

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee Bareback rider Austin Foss, 27, separated his right shoulder in Round 8 of the Wrangler NFR. He is expecting to return in time for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver.

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