ProRodeo Sports News - January 11, 2019

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The official publication of the Professonal Rodeo Cowboys Association

Click! Looking Back at 2018’s Best Photos

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In the Blink of a Shutter Photographers offer top pics of 2018

Specialty act Jerry Diaz, left, and Stacy Diaz perform at Rodeo Corpus Christi (Texas), April 29. Dudley Barker photo 32

CONTENTS JANUARY 11, 2019 – VOLUME 67, NO. 1

MORE IN THIS ISSUE

GIVING SEASON Bareback rider Bill Tutor and his wife, Ashlyn, ask for donations to JCCF, not wedding gifts. 30 TIME TO HEAL Competitors from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo recover from injuries. 20

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INSIDE

6 In his own words 8 cowboy grille 10 he said-she said 12 brain teasers 18 short round 42 results 50 prca notes 53 prca business

RODEOS

26 Waco, Texas RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo

Bull rider Cole Melancon rides United Pro Rodeo’s Apollo’s Ghost for 87 points to win the second round at the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo in Waco. Melancon also won the average, taking home $8,642. James Phifer photo

STANDINGS

14 prca world 44 circuit

THE COVER

Sports News ProRodeo

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS (ISSN 0161-5815; USPS 469-620) is published semi-monthly by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919- 4301. PERIODICALS postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colo., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to ProRodeo Sports News , P.O. Box 469025, Escondido, CA 92046. 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 merchan- dise or livestock advertised.

Click! Looking Back at 2018’s Best Photos

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER George Taylor PSN EDITOR Scott Kaniewski ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tracy Renck Matt Naber Cassie Emerson Amber Baillie ADVERTISING MANAGER Nathan Vodehnal

Bull rider Blaine Tibbals tries to hang on against Flying U Rodeo’s Kaui during the fourth performance of the Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo, June 3. Matt Cohen photo

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS 101 ProRodeo Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ©2019, PRCA Properties Inc., a marketing service and subsidiary of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information retrieval system, without permission in writing from PRCA Properties Inc.

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IN HIS OWNWORDS: ZEKE THURSTON RIDER KICKED OFF 2018WITH DENVERWIN

Zeke Thurston has had good luck at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. Last year, the 24-year- old saddle bronc rider from Big Valley, Alberta, won the winter rodeo, cashing in for more than $10,000 and

Outside the arena it was a big year for me, too. My wife, Jayne, and I had our first child. Lucy was born in August. I actually had to turn out of a couple rodeos that week. I got home from a bronc match and that night Jayne went into labor. Lucy has been so much fun. We’ve been very blessed and lucky. She’s a great baby. And she’s a great traveler. When she was about 3 weeks old, she and Jayne flew down to Puyallup, Wash., on the short-round day. From there we went to the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up and stayed there all week after making the finals in the bronc riding. Had a blast. Then we came home and went to a few fall rodeos in Canada. After that, we went to Nebraska to my grandparents’ place. My dad had some cows down there, so we helped run some cows and ship calves and then went to the Canadian finals, and from there we went to the NFR. We’ve been traveling nonstop. She’s great. At a month old, she had been to five or six states. Now, she’s been to 12 states and two provinces. After Denver, I usually fly back home. Then I take horses south to Texas for the winter. I go to a family friend’s place – John Rothwell’s (Rothwell qualified for the NFR in tie-down roping seven times over the 1970s and ’80s). We ride and rope. We’ll enter in the odd rodeo to rope for fun, see if we can’t make some money and qualify for the all-around. I really enjoy roping and riding young horses. It beats sitting around the hotel room during the winter. Just recently we went to Roundup, Mont., where they had a benefit for (injured bareback rider) J.R. Vezain. We went down there and supported him. I always look forward to after the NFR coming home and hanging out, taking it easy. I know some guys get home from the NFR and then go on holiday. That’s the last thing I want to do. I want to come home, hang out, ride my horses and rope, feed my cows. That’s my revamping time.

D enver was a big win for me. That time last year, I had come off the NFR and I hadn’t had a very good Finals. To come back to the first rodeo of the year and to win it – not only win a rodeo, but a big, prestigious rodeo – was pretty cool. I was tickled about that. Anytime you can start off with a win and build your confidence, it gets the ball rolling, because 95 percent of this sport is mental – 95 percent of any sport is mental. To get your confidence going that just carries on through the rest of the winter and the year. This Finals started off pretty good. I stayed consistent. They threw me off in two rounds, but I placed in the other eight rounds and had a chance to win the world. Can’t complain about that. I won two go-rounds, that was fun. That was the best pen of horses since I’ve been going out there that I’d seen. That’s only the last four years, but that was great stock, great bronc riding. Finishing third in the average and third in the world was huge. That’s a great Finals. You’re riding against the best riders in the world and the best broncs in the world. To have success and be able to compete at that level is a pretty good feather in your hat. setting him on a path to qualify for his fourth consecutive Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. At the Finals, he won nearly $150,000, finishing third in the average and third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $262,041. Not a bad Finals and not a bad season for the 2016 world champion.

Photo by karenkellyphotography.com

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GRILLE COWBOY

MASON CARTER, 22, of Checotah, Okla., is embarking on going full time on the ProRodeo trail this season. Carter, 5-foot-7, 170 pounds, loves competing in tie-down roping and steer wrestling. He grew up under the watchful eye of his grandfather, ProRodeo Hall of Famer and three-time World Champion Steer Wrestler Roy Duvall (1967, 1969, 1972), who qualified for the Wrangler NFR an event-record 24 times.

WITH TRACY RENCK PSN

How has your rodeo career gone so far since you joined the PRCA in September 2016? Mason: I just went to the (Prairie Circuit) rodeos in 2016, and then in 2017 I tried for rookie of the year in steer wrestling and I ended up second. Last year, I stayed around the house (in Checotah) and didn’t go to that many rodeos. I live with my grandpa Roy Duvall, and I was busy working and training horses. What was your introduction to rodeo like being part of the Duvall family tree?

Mason: I’ve roped since I was a little kid, and I won my first saddle when I was 9 years old. I’ve just kept rodeoing from there. Ever since I was little, I always wanted to bulldog, but my grandpa made we wait and wait because he said I wasn’t big enough. One day, he was gone hauling cattle and Bill, his brother, said today’s the day you steer wrestle. I jumped my first one that day when I was around 14 years old, and I’ve been going ever since. What was it like growing up in the Duvall family? Mason: I love it. It is a whole lot easier because there are so many people around who can tell you how to work through things and fix your mistakes. It helps a lot to be around people who have been there and done that. Riley (Duvall, a two-time qualifying steer wrestler for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo) is my cousin, and we always haze for each other. We’re always in the practice pen together, helping each other out. What are your rodeo plans for 2019? Mason: I’m just going to keep on entering and do the best I can do. I will be competing in Fort Worth (Texas) and Denver and Rapid City (S.D.). I’m going to go hard and rope calves this year. I’m also going to compete in all the (Prairie) circuit rodeos and bigger rodeos in steer wrestling. What is your favorite event: tie-down roping or steer wrestling? Mason: I like bulldogging just as much as I like tie-down roping, but tie-down roping suits me a whole lot better because I’m a little smaller. I think I can bulldog with any of the guys, but I know I can rope with all of them. What was it like winning the qualifier in tie-down roping for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver last month with an 18.0-second time on two head? Mason: That was a blast. I made a good run both days and it paid off. What horses are you using? Mason: I have a horse named Star for tie-down roping. He is 16 years old, and I’ve had him for 10 years. He’s amazing. I love him. My steer wrestling horse is King 2. He’s still good, but he’s getting a little older, he’s 24. My grandpa ran his last steer on that horse in 2007. What’s your favorite movie? Mason: Lonesome Dove . I love Westerns. There’s no telling how many times I’ve watched Lonesome Dove . My favorite TV show is Pigman . It’s about hog hunting, and I love hog hunting. What do you do when you are not rodeoing? Mason: I’m riding horses, working cows, feeding cows, catching cows for people. I’m always doing something. I’m always busy. I have plenty of stuff to do and when I run out of stuff to do, my grandpa finds me something to do. Do you have a favorite sports team? Mason : OU (University of Oklahoma) football. I watched them all the time (this past season). I figured they would have beat Alabama and advanced to the finals, but they came up a little short. What’s the last concert you attended? Mason: I saw Willie Nelson in Houston, I think it was two years ago. I thought it was a blast. The crowd was packed. It was insane. I loved his show. Who is your favorite musical artist? Mason: Kid Rock. I like so many of his songs, but “Cowboy” is my favorite. What do you do to pass time going down the road? Mason: We play (the card game) Pitch. I’m pretty good, especially if I get a good partner. My grandpa is a pretty good partner, but he always takes too big of a chance and I’m usually not ready for that. Where’s your go-to place to go eat? Mason: Texas Roadhouse. I get the steak and shrimp. Are you a dessert guy? Mason: Yes. I love chocolate cake. MASON CARTER

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10QUESTIONS

HE SAID – SHE SAID

Who knows tie-down roper Jake Pratt better, his wife, Rainy, or his traveling partner, Cody Craig?

JAKE

WIFE RAINY

PARTNER CODY

RAINY

CODY

JAKE

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Dr Pepper

WHAT IS HIS SUPERSTITION?

Hat on the Bed

Being Dirty

Hat on the Bed

WHO WOULD PLAY HIM IN A MOVIE?

John Wayne

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Rainy

WHAT WOULD HE BINGE WATCH ON NETFLIX?

The Ranch

Longmire

The Ranch

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RODEO WIN?

Caldwell

Tucson

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM?

Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE KIND OF PIZZA?

Pepperoni & Pineapple

Meat Lovers

Pepperoni & Pineapple

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Campus U-Tote-Em

10 IS HE AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?

Neither

Early Bird

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BRAIN TEASERS

ANSWERS ON PAGE 52

THEN & NOW

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

WORD SEARCH Warming to Winter Two of the winter’s biggest rodeos can help get competitors on the right track. The Sandhill Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, and the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver are two that can help lay the groundwork. 1. Find the 2018 winners from Odessa. AA: Clay Smith BB: Evan Jayne SW: Tom Lewis TR: Jake Cooper/Logan Medlin SB: (Tie) Brody Cress, Heith DeMoss TD: Marcos Costa GB: Taylor Langdon SR: Trevor Brazile BR: J.W. Harris 2. Find the 2018 winners from Denver. AA: (Tie) Jeff Johnson and Ty Talsma

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

BB: Caleb Bennett SW: Tyler Pearson TR: Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett

SB: Zeke Thurston TD: Shane Hanchey GB: Christine Laughlin BR: Chase Dougherty

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2019 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Unofficial as of Jan. 11, 2019. For the 2019 season (Oct. 1, 2018-Sept. 30, 2019), official rodeo limits were 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. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss............................. $12,386 2. Chance Oftedahl, Pemberton, Minn.................. 8,874 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Jared Keylon, Uniontown, Kan..................... $15,395 2. Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas............................ 14,592 3. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La.................. 13,370 4. Trenten Montero, Winnemucca, Nev............... 13,235 5. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La............................... 12,804 6. Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, Texas.................... 12,773 7. Blake Smith, Zap, N.D.................................... 12,719 8. R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif................. 11,116 9. Jesse Pope, Marshall, Mo................................ 8,912 10. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas........................ 8,815 11. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif........................ 8,618 12. Blade Elliott, Centreville, Ala............................. 8,487 13. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa........................... 8,363 14. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D................................... 8,058 15. Logan Patterson, Kim, Colo............................. 7,653 16. Tanner Phipps, Dalton, Ga................................ 7,256 17. Logan Corbett, Las Cruces, N.M...................... 6,655 18. Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev............................... 6,463 19. Morgan Wilde, McCammon, Idaho................... 6,441 20. Craig Wisehart, Kersey, Colo............................ 5,941 STEERWRESTLING 1. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D............... $12,918 2. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.................... 11,336 3. Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta.................. 11,131 4. Blake Mindemann, Blanchard, Okla................ 11,102 5. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La............................... 11,036 6. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho.............. 10,517 7. Chason Floyd, Buffalo, S.D............................... 9,006 8. Gary Gilbert, Springtown, Texas....................... 7,952 9. Cody Metsker, Taylorville, Ill............................. 7,875 10. Blaine Jones, Templeton, Calif.......................... 7,729 11. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla............................. 7,545 12. Jacob Edler, State Center, Iowa........................ 6,740 13. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif................. 6,590 14. Don Payne, Stephenville, Texas........................ 6,355 15. Beau Clark, Laramie, Wyo................................ 5,977 16. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas........................ 5,855 17. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn............................. 5,836 18. Bridger Anderson, Carrington, N.D................... 5,661 19. Heath Thomas, Hemphill, Texas....................... 5,633 20. Reed Kraeger, Elwood, Neb.............................. 5,394 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas................... $10,879 2. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn...................... 10,247 3. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas............................... 10,130 4. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss................................. 7,817 5. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif............................ 7,515 6. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D....................................... 7,511 7. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.......................... 7,118 8. Jacob Dagenhart, Statesville, N.C..................... 7,074 9. Tyrell Moody, Letcher, S.D............................... 6,989 10. Pace Freed, Chubbuck, Idaho........................... 6,811 11. Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla........................ 6,728 12. Will Clark, Erin, Tenn........................................ 6,494 13. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn............................ 6,395 14. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga........................... 6,227 15. Tanner Saunders, Hudson, N.C........................ 6,188 16. Ryan Reed, Modesto, Calif............................... 6,066 17. Chris Francis, Las Vegas, N.M.......................... 6,059 18. Dylan Gordon, Comanche, Okla........................ 6,015 19. Blake Hirdes, Turlock, Calif............................... 5,650 20. Joe Beaver, Okeechobee, Fla............................ 5,519

TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla................ $11,335 2. Hunter Koch, Walters, Okla............................ 10,879 3. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas.................... 10,130 4. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D..................................... 9,999 5. Wesley Brunson, Terry, Miss............................ 7,636 6. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas................ 7,515 7. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.............................. 7,118 8. Zack Mabry, Piedmont, Ala............................... 7,074 9. Rory Brown, Edgemont, S.D............................ 6,989 10. Jade Anderson, Genola, Utah........................... 6,811 11. Chase Boekhaus, Rolla, Kan............................. 6,745 12. Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas...................... 6,728 13. Brad Culpepper, Sylvester, Ga.......................... 6,395 14. James Arnold, Midway, Texas.......................... 6,316 15. Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil .. 6,227 16. Monty Joe Petska, Turlock, Calif...................... 6,066 17. Cade Passig, Las Vegas, N.M........................... 6,059 18. J.C. Flake, Laramie, Wyo.................................. 5,869 19. Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif................................ 5,650 20. Bronc Boehnlein, Riverside, Calif..................... 5,489 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas..................... $22,466 2. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas...................... 18,254 3. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont................... 16,353 4. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La........................... 16,180 5. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah....................... 10,290 6. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia.................. 8,668 7. Joey Sonnier III, New Iberia, La....................... 8,395 8. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D.................................... 7,963 9. Dean Wadsworth, Buffalo Gap, Texas............... 7,517 10. Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla............................... 7,403 11. Leon Fountain, Socorro, N.M........................... 6,880 12. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M................................ 6,768 13. Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M.............................. 6,695 14. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah............................... 6,542 15. J.J. Elshere, Hereford, S.D............................... 6,463 16. Joaquin Real, Santa Paula, Calif....................... 6,196 17. Logan Allen, Mount Ayr, Iowa.......................... 5,960 18. Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah.................................. 5,860 19. Keith Brauer Jr., Belleville, Ill............................ 5,646 20. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D........................ 5,615 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas.......................... $24,656 2. Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas.................... 16,795 3. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas.................... 10,500 4. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La........................... 10,067 5. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga.......................... 9,804 6. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas............................. 8,800 7. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas..................... 8,012 8. Jordan Ketscher, Squaw Valley, Calif................ 7,939 9. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif................................ 7,812 10. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla......................... 7,780 11. Clint Kindred, Oral, S.D.................................... 7,318 12. Blake Ash, Aurora, Mo..................................... 7,313 13. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas............................ 6,982 14. Cooper Mathews, Cleburne, Texas................... 6,132 15. Cody McCartney, Ottawa Lake, Mich................ 6,033 16. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb.................................. 6,002 17. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................... 6,000 18. Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas........................... 5,836 19. Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan................................ 5,626 20. Tyler Forsberg, Fillmore, Calif........................... 5,219 STEER ROPING 1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas....................... $19,026 2. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas........................ 18,624 3. Shay Good, Abilene, Texas............................... 9,026 4. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................... 9,011

5. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo........................ 7,951 6. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas.............................. 7,529 7. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas............. 7,486 8. Roger Branch, Wellston, Okla.......................... 6,610 9. Ora Taton, Rapid City, S.D................................ 5,347 10. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla........................... 5,215 11. Will McBride, Ogallala, Neb.............................. 4,909 12. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas......................... 4,807 13. Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla....................... 4,737 14. Bill Benson, Laurel, Mont................................. 4,372 15. Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan................................ 4,150 16. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D............................. 4,142 17. Travis Mills, Gillette, Wyo................................. 3,953 18. Van Hale, Snyder, Texas................................... 3,940 19. Trenton Johnson, Blue Mound, Kan................. 3,494 20. Tom Sorey, Pendleton, Ore............................... 3,483 BULL RIDING 1. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont........................ $20,191 2. Jesse Petri, Athens, Texas.............................. 15,456 3. Lon Danley, Tularosa, N.M............................. 14,359 4. Elijah Mora, Wiggins, Colo............................. 11,126 5. Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah..................... 10,877 6. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La................................. 9,481 7. Cole Melancon, Liberty, Texas.......................... 9,337 8. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla................... 9,227 9. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D...................................... 9,107 10. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas................................. 8,787 11. Dylan Hice Vick, Escalon, Calif......................... 8,561 12. Nic Lica, Garden City, Mich.............................. 7,510 13. Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas...................... 7,270 14. Brett Custer, Elk City, Okla................................ 7,191 15. Corey Atwell, Moravian Falls, N.C..................... 7,149 16. Garrett Uptain, Craig, Colo............................... 7,083 17. Clayton Savage, Yoder, Wyo............................. 6,715 18. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla................................ 6,632 19. Scottie Knapp, Edgewood, N.M........................ 6,614 20. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore........................... 6,585 *2019 BARREL RACING (Through Jan. 11, 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. Ivy Conrado, Nowata, Okla............................$19,983 2. Licinda Rose, Willard, Mo. .............................14,636 3. Ericka Nelson, Century, Fla..............................13,939 4. Kristen Spratt, Lysite, Wyo..............................12,049 5. Cheyenne Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas.......12,040 6. Sabra O’Quinn, Ocala, Fla................................11,963 7. Kylie Weast, Comanche, Okla..........................11,521 8. Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas..............................10480 9 Dona Rule, Minco, Texas...................................9,750 10. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D..............................9,174 11. Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas............................9,116 12. Leia Pluemer, Las Lunas, N.M...........................8,283 13. Chloe Gray, Yatesville, Georgia..........................8,068 14. Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif.........................7,961 15. Jimmie Smith, McDade, Texas..........................7,654 16. Tonia Forsberg, Fillmore, Calif...........................7,548 17. Stephanie Fryar, Waco, Texas............................7,120 18. Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas..............7,076 19. Taci Bettis, Round Top, Texas............................6,865 20. Emily Miller, Weatherford, Texas.......................6,775

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ProRodeo Sports News 1/11/2019

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R OUND THE SHORT

BY THE NUMBERS

The time in seconds tie-down roper Tanner Green recorded to break the Extraco Coliseum arena record in Waco, Texas, when he won the third round at the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo, Jan. 5. The prior record of 7.1 seconds was shared by Shane Hanchey (2015) and Marcos Costa (2017). The total attendance (169,171) for the 10 rounds of the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Re-rides • A caption on Page 49 in the Nov. 16 Digital PSN (December Print) misidentified the horse ridden by Bruce Ford at the 1982 NFR in Oklahoma City. The horse was Cremo. • A caption on Page 30 of the Dec. 21 Digital PSN (January Print) misidentified Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Ain’t No Angel. Also, in that edition, a caption on Page 112 misidenti- fied PRCA | AQHA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year Scooter.

ProRodeoTV.com will livestream CINCH World’s Toughest Rodeo stops during the 2019 PRCA season. The first stop to be streamed kicks off Friday and Saturday from Des Moines, Iowa, at 7:30 p.m. (CT). The complete livestreaming schedule for CINCH World’s Toughest Rodeo on ProRodeoTV.com is as follows: Weekend watching World’s Toughest Rodeo coming to ProRodeoTV.com

Date

Location

Broadcast

Jan. 11-12 Jan. 18-19 Jan. 25-26

Des Moines, IA 7:30 p.m. CT

Moline, IL

7:30 p.m. CT

St. Paul, MN 7:30 p.m. CT Indianapolis, IN 7:30 p.m. ET Cedar Rapids, IA 7:30 p.m. CT Columbus, OH 7:30 p.m. ET Nashville, TN 7:30 p.m. CT Cleveland, OH 7:30 p.m. ET Raleigh, NC 7:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 1-2 Feb. 8-9 Feb. 16 Feb 23.

March 1-2 April 13-14

Arena named for Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Fort Worth (Texas)-based Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Co. won the naming rights for the multipurpose arena under construction at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The arena is expected to be one of the region’s top tourist draws for a wide range of events. The new, $540 million facility, in one of the city’s signature areas, is now known as Dickies Arena. Philip Williamson, chairman and CEO, whose great-grandfather and grandfather helped found the company in 1922, said in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram it was a natural fit to gain the naming rights. Dickies Arena is expected to open in November 2019. In 2020, the arena, which has 14,000 seats, will become home to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, the event that led city, business and civic leaders to start working on a more modern and larger facility more than 25 years ago. The 2019 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is scheduled for Jan. 25-Feb. 9 at the Will Rogers Coliseum.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo concert lineup set The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and PRCA officials announced in October, a new, multi- year partnership that focuses on growing the sport of rodeo for the benefit of fans and contestants, with earnings from the RODEOHOUSTON® Super Series counting toward qualification for the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The 2019 rodeo is scheduled for Feb. 25-March 17. The concert lineup for the rodeo, which will take place at NRG Stadium, includes: Feb. 25, Kacey Musgraves; Feb. 26, Prince Royce; Feb. 27, Brooks and Dunn; Feb. 28, Luke Bryan; March 1, Cardi B; March 2, Turnpike Troubadours; March 3, Panic! At The Disco; March 4, Old Dominion; March 5, Camila Cabello; March 6, Luke Combs; March 7, Tim McGraw; March 8, Zedd; March 9, Kane Brown; March 10, Los Tigres del Norte; March 11, Zac Brown Band; March 12, Kings of Leon; March 13, Santana; March 14, Chris Stapleton; March 15, Cody Johnson; March 16, Brad Paisley; and March 17, George Strait featuring Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen.

NUMBER OF PRCA-SANCTIONED RODEOS INTHE 2019 SEASON SO FAR

ProRodeo Sports News 1/11/2019

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James Phifer photo

Clay Smith, right, and Jake Long ackowledge the crowd after winning the team roping title at the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo in Waco, Jan. 5. Hats Off

$3,157,416 Frank Moore directed arena work. One morning in 2001, Moore never arrived to oversee Dudley’s work. “Frank didn’t show up at Oh-Dark-Thirty,” Dudley said in a press release, “and I thought, if he trusts me to do it myself, I’ve made the grade.” Before Dudley became a director in 2001, he won the Top Hand Award, Paisley debuts video with PRCA footage Country music star Brad Paisley compares breakups to rodeos in his latest song, “Bucked Off,” a theme on which he doubles down on in the new video for the single, which was released recently. In the video, Paisley intersperses the fan-filmed footage with video of PRCA rodeo clips. Check out the video at http://bit.ly/BuckedOffOfficial. Dudley named to lead Red Bluff Round-Up Mike Dudley was elected as the president of the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up. Dudley, a resident of Red Bluff, has been helping with the Round-Up since 1991. That year, his dad, Harry, a long-time director on the Round-Up board, asked Mike to stop by the Tehama District Fairgrounds with a tractor to help with a job. Mike did, enjoyed it and returned for the next few years, doing “odds and ends and chores,” he said. A few years later, he began helping prepare the arena for competition.

given annually to a volunteer at the Round-Up who goes above and beyond the call of duty. Being president of the rodeo is an honor, he said. John Trede served as president before Dudley; before Trede, Dave Ramelli was president; and before Ramelli, it was Frank Moore. Dudley knows he has big shoes to fill, or, in his words, “I’ve got big Justin (Boots) to fill.” At elections, Trede was elected as first vice president; Mike Growney was elected as second vice president, and Paul Wood was re-elected as secretary/ treasurer. The 98th annual Red Bluff Round-Up will run April 19-21. Tickets are on sale at www.RedBluffRoundup.com. For more information, visit the website or call the office at 530.527.1000. PRCA Rodeo Camps on tap A PRCA rodeo camp in Fort Worth, Texas, will take place from 8 am. – 1 p.m. (CT), Jan. 27. All abilities welcome – ages 8-plus. Registration is required — http://bit.ly/PRCACampFW. Cowboy Downhill hits slopes Jan. 21 The Cowboy Downhill, which benefits the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, takes place Jan. 21 in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Direct questions to Amber Jacobs with JCCF at 719.528.4726 or ajacobs@prorodeo.com.

MONEYWON BY PRCA COWBOYS INTHE 2019 SEASON

ProRodeo Sports News 1/11/2019

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NFR RECAP

Ty Breuer was already injured when he arrived at his fourth Wrangler NFR. He over- extended his elbow in Round 3 and battled his way through until Round 9 when he was knocked out of competition for the final round. PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer

ProRodeo Sports News 1/11/2019

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Injured cowboys now on mend after Wrangler NFR RecoveryTime

INJURY STATUS Number of treatments at the Wrangler NFR the past four years.

of an overall soreness from hitting it hard and fast,” Foster said. “Then they get used to the pain and the adrenaline gets going.” Some of the injured competitors at the Wrangler NFR couldn’t finish the 10-day rodeo. By the final round, there were only 12 bareback riders competing, as Ty Breuer, Will Lowe and Bill Tutor were out with injuries. Bull rider Trevor Kastner also missed some action, as did bullfighter Nate Jestes. TY BREUER Breuer entered his fourthWrangler NFR with his right (riding) elbow already banged up. His Round 3 ride made matters worse. His brace wasn’t on tight enough and his elbow got over-extended. Breuer was knocked out of competition during Round 9 when he sprained that elbow on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Jason’s Pride. “I kept riding, but it was making the bottom of my hand numb and I couldn’t lift on my riggin’,” Breuer said.

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

BY MATT NABER G ambling isn’t limited to the casinos in Las Vegas. Every time a cowboy enters theThomas &Mack Center, there’s a chance he could win big or go broke, sometimes with serious injuries. The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo’s $10 million payout creates the highest stakes of the season, motivating ProRodeo’s best athletes to push their limits in pursuit of the world title. Broken bones, concussions, stitches and more are all part of the sport. There were 657 treatments for 45 athletes during

Number of treatments for the season over the last four years.

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

the 2018Wrangler NFR. Fortunately, the Justin Sportsmedicine team was on hand to tend to the world’s top cowboys. Cowboys can sway the odds in their favor by keeping ahead of injury with a combination of medical treatment and physical health. As in past years, the Justin Sportsmedicine crew at the Wrangler NFR consisted of 25 medical experts floating in and out with about a dozen on hand for each perf. “We’ve been doing really well over the last five years because we have consistent quality staff and the athletes are more aware of being fit and in shape while here (at the Wrangler NFR),” said Rick Foster, ProgramDirector for the Justin Sportsmedicine team. The number of treatments at the Wrangler NFR has increased in recent years, rising from 543 in 2015 to 657 in 2018. “It’s not that more guys are getting hurt, it’s just better record-keeping and athletes realizing they can get better quicker by treating little injuries,” Foster said. “They’re more aware that the physically better they are, the better they perform.” The number of treatments each season also has increased, rising the past four seasons from 1,200 in 2015 to 1,541 in 2018. “The guys are in as good of shape as ever, but the animals are better and the competition level is higher,” Foster said. The most treatments came during Rounds 8 and 9 during the 2015 and 2016 NFRs, respectively. Then in 2017 and 2018 it was Rounds 4 and 5, respectively. “Rounds 4 and 5 are when it’s more

Trevor Kastner suffered multiple injuries when he was bucked off and stepped on by United Pro Rodeo’s Meeko in Round 6. The Oklahoma cowboy was kept out of competition for the remainder of the Wrangler NFR. PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer

ProRodeo Sports News 1/11/2019

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Breaking his collarbone in Round 5 kept Bill Tutor out of the arena for the second half of the Wrangler NFR. The Texas bronc rider anticipates being ready to compete again by early February. PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer

Breuer had a similar injury at the 2013Wrangler NFR when he sprained his riding elbow in Round 8. He got back to the Wrangler NFR in 2016-18. Breuer won Round 6 in December. “I was just happy to get a round win,” Breuer said. “I knew how bad it was hurting me and that it wasn’t worth me getting on and hurting it worse than it was.” Breuer was preparing to compete at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver in January. “The Justin Sportsmedicine team is awesome, they’ve kept me going for as long as I have,” Breuer said. “None of the cowboys would be where they are without them.” WILL LOWE Lowe, a three-time world champion bareback rider (2003, 2005-2006), had to miss Rounds 9 and 10. The 35-year-old cowboy fractured his left (riding) wrist and hurt his hand when he was bucked off Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Killer Bee in Round 8. In a previous NFR, Lowe broke his leg during the first round but competed the entire time with it broken, Foster said.

“There’s nobody stronger and tougher than he is, but being involved with a riding extremity with the hand and wrist there’s not much you can do,” Foster said. TREVOR KASTNER Kastner also brought his share of past injuries to the table at the Wrangler NFR. The Oklahoma cowboy was unable to compete in the final four rounds due to a left shoulder sprain of the acromioclavicular joint, a shoulder separation and having his free arm stepped on when he was bucked off United Pro Rodeo’s Meeko in Round 6. “I got caught with a horn and it hit me on the outside of my shoulder,” Kastner said. “I was hoping I would be healthy enough to get on in the remaining rounds, but unfortunately I wasn’t.” Kastner worked with the Justin Sportsmedicine team every morning and evening for the remainder of the Wrangler NFR. “We were all optimistic, but further treatment and evaluations showed he wouldn’t be able to ride to his full potential,” Foster said. “He realized it wasn’t worth the risk, so he took that time off.” Kastner was hoping to be ready to compete at the Southwestern

ProRodeo Sports News 1/11/2019

ProRodeo.com

NFR RECAP

Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 25.

Fort Worth until a couple of days before the rodeo begins. “If I re-injure it, I could be out two or three more months, so I’m waiting as long as I can so the 2019 season isn’t hurt,” Solomon said. Clements initially injured his knee during an unsanctioned event in July and had to miss four weeks of ProRodeo competition. He chugged along through the regular season and the 2018Wrangler NFR before having ACL surgery Dec. 20. “We’re making a full recovery as we speak,” Clements said. “It’s coming back strong. Working out is a full-time job now since I can’t rodeo. I’m in the gym two to four times a day getting this thing strong and back to 100 percent again.” The dangers of rodeo aren’t limited to the competitors. Jestes, a bullfighter, suffered a Grade 3 upper hamstring muscle strain in the first round while protecting Dustin Boquet from Rafter HRodeo Livestock’s Left Lane. “Nate had one of the worst injuries with the severity of the hamstring tear,” Foster said. Jestes was scheduled to undergo surgery in New York City, where a specialist will perform the reconstructive surgery that includes implanting a donor tendon. Dr. Tandy Freeman from Justin Sportsmedicine will be on hand for the surgery. “Tandy said both tears are complicated fixes due to where they tore and how,” said Jestes, who could be out up to a year. “We as rodeo athletes couldn’t do what we do without Justin Sportsmedicine.”

BILLTUTOR

Tutor missed the final half of the Wrangler NFR when he broke his left collarbone in Round 5. In the round, Tutor nailed an 88-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Onion Ring to split third place with Steven Dent. wore off, I could feel the collarbone move when I breathed,” Tutor said. This was the Huntsville, Texas, cowboy’s second trip to the Wrangler NFR. Tutor went into surgery Dec. 18 in Dallas, where he was told he would have about six to eight weeks of recovery time. “I opted for a plate and screws, so it would heal fast,” Tutor said Jan. 4. “I’m a little over two weeks into it now and I’m feeling good and wanting to do too many things with it. It’s a painless and harmless recovery process.” Bareback rider Mason Clements and tie-down roper Cory Solomon, both 2018 NFR qualifiers, are taking time to recover, but are hoping not to miss much of the season. Clements expects to be out of competition until the beginning of April. Solomon was hoping to return to the rodeo scene in time for the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. But he won’t know if he can compete at “I got up and walked around, and after the adrenaline OTHER INJURIES

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ProRodeo Sports News 1/11/2019

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