ProRodeo Sports News - January 19, 2024

Legend Passes Grated Coconut was a Six-Time PRCA Horse of Year

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AND THE LEGEND CONTINUES. 8X WORLD CHAMPION.

Congratulations, Stetson Wright, on adding another chapter to an amazing story.

WRANGLER.COM

CONTENTS

JANUARY 19, 2024 VOLUME 72, NO. 2

Montana’s Finest nearly $240,000 at the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo in Great Falls, Jan. 11-13. Leading the charge was Luke Gee, who won all-around cow boy honors and earned a rodeo-best $11,170, while competing in bull riding and steer wrestling. 30 Contestants competed for their share of

Resistol Rookie Bareback rider Weston Timberman acknowledges the crowd after his 83-point ride on J Bar J’s Ski Jacket on Jan. 12 at the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo. Timberman went on to win the average with 253 points on three head. Clay Guardipee photo

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INSIDE

6 Editor’s Letter 8 Grille 16 Social Media 20 World Standings 22 Short Round 28 Fort Worth, Texas Xtreme Bulls 30 Great Falls, Mont. Montana CFR 32 Harrisburg, Pa. First Frontier CFR 34 Uvalde, Texas 36 Odessa, Texas RODEOS

Casey Martin photo Bareback rider Tim Kent had a 78-point ride aboard Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Lovely Lexi to win round two of the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo. Kent won the average with 223 points on three head. First Frontier winners crowned Contestants vied for top honors and paychecks at the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo, which had a purse of $200,000-plus Jan. 11-13, in Harrisburg, Pa. Bull riding champion Nathan Bayous walked away after pocketing a rodeo-best $16,983. 32

COVER

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 additional 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.

Legend Passes Grated Coconut was a Six-Time PRCA Horse of Year

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RODEOS

PRCA CEO Tom Glause PSN EDITOR Tracy Renck PRCA ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver STAFF WRITER Tanner Barth SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Jessica Butterly

ProRodeo Hall of Fame bareback horse Grated Coconut, shown at the Calgary Stampede ranch in 2020, passed away at age 27. Billie-Jean Duff photo

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EDITOR’S LETTER TRACY RENCK

Saddle bronc riders Stetson Wright and Dawson Hay smile after splitting the win at the 2023 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Fort Worth is part of a lucrative Texas winter run that also includes stops in San Antonio and Houston. James Phifer photo

ProRodeo’s winter run already full steam ahead T he National Football League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball have one thing in common – an offseason. much – literally – to pass up. A year ago, Fort Worth paid out just under $1.1 million; San Antonio came in at $1.4 million and RodeoHouston was the PRCA’s highest-paying regular season rodeo at $1.9 million. For context, every 2023 Fort Worth champ qualified ProRodeo – not so much. The regular season ends Sept. 30, and the new year

begins Oct. 1.

for the NFR – paced by top money earners, bareback rider Rocker Steiner and steer wrestler Will Lummus at $27,080 each and all the San Antonio winners but one advanced to the NFR. Then, all the RodeoHouston winners qualified for the NFR, led by bull rider Ky Hamilton, who earned a rodeo best $67,750 and went on to capture his inaugural PRCA World Championship in Vegas in December in dramatic fashion. The theme is obvious – cashing in at these big, lucrative indoor Texas rodeos can help pave the way to a gold buckle. That’s why cowboys accept the grind that is the PRCA regular season with no real offseason. There’s no time for excuses. They want to chase the possible pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, which isn’t surprising at all for PRCA contestants. They seemingly live by the Code of the West, which has 10 principles to live by: • Live each day with courage • Take pride in your work • Always finish what you start • Do what has to be done • Be tough, but fair • When you make a promise, keep it • Ride for the Brand • Talk less and say more • Remember that some things aren’t for sale • Know where to draw the line If those principles don’t accurately describe a true

Going non-stop isn’t required based on rodeo limits in events and what makes the most sense for contestants. Yet, it is still hard to believe the record-breaking 2023 Wrangler NFR just ended on Dec. 16 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas and less than a month later the winter run was in full swing. The Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas – the first Playoff Series rodeo of 2024 – concluded Jan. 13. By that time, Denver was underway and finishes Jan. 21. The gap between Denver and the next key stop – doesn’t exist – the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo began Jan. 19 and finishes Feb. 3. Time to catch your breath after that – nope. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is Feb. as RodeoHouston is Feb. 27 through March 17. Granted cowboys don’t have to compete at Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston – but if making the Wrangler NFR is the mission – which it is for most competitors – they are a must to attend. Why? All of them are important stops on the 8-25. The train keeps on rolling down the tracks in Texas

Tracy Renck is the editor of the ProRodeo

Sports News. He previously served more than seven years as a media coordinator at the PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism with the last several consumed by ProRodeo.

Playoff Series. Qualifying for Puyallup (Wash.) and the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, S.D., in September can be game changers for contestants trying to make the NFR. Moreover, the payout at Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston is too

PRCA cowboy, I don’t know what does.

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COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

Ty Bauerle, 21, enters his Resistol Rookie season with high expectations for himself after winning over $36,000 on his PRCA Permit last year. In December, he put a stamp on the season by winning the 2023 Permit Members of the Year Challenge in Las Vegas. As of Jan. 12, the Jourdanton, Texas, steer wrestler sits second in the Resistol Rookie standings with already $4,428 to his name in 2024.

TY BAUERLE

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Ty: My grandfather on my dad’s side of the family rodeoed and so did my dad. Then my grandpa and my uncle rodeoed as well on my mom’s side. I didn’t really have a choice when it came to rodeo. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo?

Ty: I was eight or nine years old when I told my dad one day that I was going to rodeo for a living. I was playing baseball at the time and told him I didn’t want to play anymore. He asked me what I wanted to do then, and I said I wanted to rodeo. Why did you decide steer wrestling would be your event? Ty: Both my grandpas and my dad steer wrestled. So, it was something I was familiar with and comfortable with. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Ty: I team roped for a while growing up. I found out quickly though that I loved steer wrestling more than anything else. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career? Ty: There are probably two rodeos that I really want to win. I haven’t been to them before, but I’d like to win Salinas (Calif.) and I’d like to win the Pecos (Texas) rodeo as well. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this season? Ty: I’ve been wanting to do it for two years now. I finally got to where I’m done with college after this semester. I’ve always told everyone that when I’m done with college I’m going to go out and rodeo. What do you hope to learn during your Resistol Rookie season? Ty: I just hope I can continue to learn how to keep my head on straight and be able to complete day in and day out with these guys going down the road. Who’s someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Ty: My grandfather that used to rodeo is definitely someone that I look up to. As far as somebody that rodeos now, that would have to be Will Lummus. I’ve spent some time around him and he’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. What’s your favorite movie? Ty: I would have to say my favorite movie is probably something like Tombstone . What’s your go-to restaurant before or after a rodeo? Ty: I don’t know if I have a go-to restaurant. If we are being honest, I stop at gas stations and eat. It’s a heck of a lot cheaper. What’s the first vehicle you drove? Ty: The first vehicle that I ever drove was a 2014 Chevy that my grandfather had before me.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? Ty: We do travel quite a bit with rodeo, but when I’m not doing that, I’m probably hunting or working on the ranch. What’s your favorite holiday?

Ty: I would have to say my favorite holiday is probably New Years because it’s just the new start to a year. You get to start over and have a fresh perspective for the new year. What type of music do you like listening to? Ty: I’m a big fan of older country music. I really like guys like George Strait, Cody Jinks, and Waylon Jennings.

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Proud sponsor of NFR Playo Series, National Finals Rodeo, and Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale

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WORD SEARCH TRY YOUR LUCK

ANSWERS ON PAGE 44

Find the winners from the 2023 Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.) and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Cowboys or cowgirls who won more than one event at both rodeos appear once for each win. Names may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. February Fun 1. Find the winners from Rapid City, S.D.: BB: Tanner Aus SW: Billy Boldon TR: J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo SB: Shorty Garrett TD: Britt Bedke/Roy Lee GB: Kelly Allen/Bobbi Olson BR: Chance Schott 2. Find the winners from San Antonio, Texas: BB: Leighton Berry SW: Jesse Brown TR: Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord SB: Stetson Wright TD: Riley Pruitt GB: Kassie Mowry BR: Jeff Askey

YNTDYDADVLEYPYUZEOFWR RDHDJUTTOHCSECNAHCKLB RCQTDSZNWWAIVKOKBPGRP EKDEBTTIRBHUKI SXDRPDQ BPKYRICJTMINELLAYLLEK NCHQXNQG J XMLCAOPFNY I I OUQHAEYCJ LGRLHIYVFQLL TVTZNGHFNKTB I YBMBWELC HDHWQUAHDMNWORBE S S E J G GFGTWSBTZSOMIWOOHRENY IRIOUQHAEYJ LHOBSLYLHZ EYROLUTNXDEYAMJ EVDY J Z LYWGAIKNSYRJHEVFRSOMX EJNGXZBEPEOTQIZIKFRNQ VWOZVANRERP J L SRUUCQDM JHSKWZUAI SKOXSKNUSRLU RHTXS I EUXXR IUAQZVMPPA KSEKTRRS JDDCHKCBTDGYJ YVTTERRAGYTROHSERTFOQ QYSOVKSTBPVJWRLURTDIB CYEQKHBNBLZDFTRGEFSNJ

Dynamic Duo

Bull rider Ky Hamilton shines at NFR & Stetson Wright wins fifth all-around title

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HAUL IN A DAY’S WORK

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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

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2024 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Official as of Jan. 18, 2024. For the 2024 season (Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 80; team roping, 80; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 80; barrel racing, 100; breakaway roping,100; and bull riding, 125. Bull riders can count Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.

ALL-AROUND 1. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas .......................... $14,162 2. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D. ............................. 12,377 3. Scot Brown, Mount Joy, Pa. .............................. 10,155 4. Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas ........................ 10,025 5. Stetson Wright, Beaver, Utah .............................. 9,984 6. Chet Weitz, London, Texas .................................. 9,798 7. Seth Peterson, Wellington, Colo. ........................ 8,882 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho ........................... $20,637 2. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La. .................... 19,648 3. Bradlee Miller, Huntsville, Texas ........................ 17,707 4. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo. ............................ 16,818 5. Jaceklane Frost, Browns Valley, Calif. ................ 15,300 6. Mason Stuller, Veneta, Ore. ............................... 15,020 7. Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas ........................... 14,946 8. Weston Timberman, Columbus, Mont. .............. 14,172 9. Tim Kent, Chambersburg, Pa. ............................ 13,301 10. Ben Kramer, Max, N.D. .................................... 12,996 11. Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo. ............................... 12,933 12. Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La. .............. 12,513 13. Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis. ............................... 12,398 14. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas ................ 12,174 15. Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb. ................... 10,072 16. Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont. ............................ 9,592 17. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore. ........................... 9,146 18. Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D. ................... 9,000 19. Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont. ............................ 8,894 20. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla. ................................ 8,864 STEER WRESTLING 1. Shane Frey, Duncan, Okla. .............................. $13,299 2. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont. ................................ 12,413 3. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss. ............................. 11,453 4. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas ......................... 10,093 5. Grant Peterson, Livermore, Calif. ........................ 9,010 6. Gage Hesse, Keenesburg, Colo. .......................... 8,787 7. A.J. Williams, New Providence, Pa. .................... 8,685 8. Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla. ................................. 8,634 9. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D. ..................... 8,353 10. Chance Carlson, Alden, Minn. ........................... 8,017 11. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho ................ 7,987 12. Juan Alcazar Jr., Okeechobee, Fla. .................... 7,806 13. Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif. ......................... 7,633 14. Dalton Massey, Hermiston, Ore. ....................... 7,532 15. Cade Staton, Bastrop, Texas ............................. 7,466 16. Travis Munro, Townsville, Australia ................... 7,137 17. Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho ............................... 7,029 18. Boyd Sawyer, Thedford, Neb. ............................ 6,953 19. Kamry Dymmek, Kissimmee, Fla. ..................... 6,922 20. Paul Melvin, Paradise, Texas ............................. 6,643 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Manny Egusquiza Jr., Hico, Texas ................... $12,853 2. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont. ............................. 11,830 3. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla. ....................... 11,355 4. Brye Crites, Welch, Okla. ................................... 10,385 5. Coy Brittain, Rockwall, Texas .............................. 9,632 6. Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C. .............................. 9,165 7. Cody Reed, Jonesboro, Ark. ............................... 8,606 8. Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, S.D. ....................... 8,537 9. Bradley Massey, Perry, Fla. ................................. 8,306 10. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss. ................................ 7,973 11. Tanner Pallesen, Manila, Utah ........................... 7,679 12. Wyatt Bray, Stephenville, Texas ......................... 7,618 13. Blake Hirdes, Turlock, Calif. .............................. 7,529 14. Cyle Denison, Iowa, La. ..................................... 7,528 15. Payden Emmett, Ponca, Ark. ............................. 7,415 16. Eric Fabian, Gansevoort, N.Y. ............................ 7,057 17. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. ....................... 6,620 18. Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D. ........................................ 6,404 19. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. ......................... 6,187 20. Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas ............................. 6,114 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Evan Arnold, Stephenville, Texas ..................... $14,595 2. Ike Folsom, Dillon, Mont. .................................. 11,830

3. Jace McDaniel, Jonesboro, Ark. ........................ 11,440 4. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D. ..................................... 11,355 5. Clay Green, Pine Grove, La. ............................... 11,220 6. Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas ................................... 9,769 7. Kaden Profili, Jacksonville, Texas ....................... 9,685 8. Colton Brittain, Rockwall, Texas .......................... 9,632 9. Clay Futrell, Union Grove, N.C. ............................ 9,165 10. Zack Mabry, Piedmont, Ala. .............................. 9,004 11. McCoy Profili, Lola, Texas ................................. 8,921 12. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. ................................. 8,709 13. Trae Smith, Georgetown, Idaho ........................ 8,537 14. Denim Clinton Ross, Botha, Alberta .................. 8,041 15. Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark. ............................. 7,710 16. Mike George, La Grange, Calif. .......................... 7,529 17. Dustin Davis, Terrell, Texas ............................... 7,528 18. J.W. Borrego, Weston, Colo. ............................. 7,495 19. Tyler McKnight, Pollok, Texas ............................ 7,179 20. Derek Carey, Valley Falls, N.Y. ............................ 7,057 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho .............................. $25,722 2. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas .............................. 22,716 3. Qwint Stroh, Glendive, Mont. ............................ 20,644 4. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo. ............................. 20,422 5. Logan Cook, Alto, Texas .................................... 19,347 6. Parker Kempfer, Deer Park, Fla. ........................ 18,450 7. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah ............................... 17,344 8. Lucas Macza, High River, Alberta ...................... 16,832 9. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas ................. 15,145 10. Parker Fleet, Axtell, Texas ................................ 14,776 11. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah ............................ 13,682 12. Tanner Butner, Daniel, Wyo. ............................ 12,824 13. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont. ...................... 12,386 14. Dawson Dahm, Tomahawk, Alberta ................. 12,246 15. Riggin Smith, Winterset, Iowa ......................... 10,931 16. Ben Andersen, Eckville, Alberta ....................... 10,764 17. Logan Hay, Wildwood, Alberta ........................ 10,760 18. Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M. .............................. 9,945 19. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia ................... 9,666 20. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif. ............................... 9,472 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. ............................ $27,874 2. John Douch, Huntsville, Texas .......................... 16,689 3. Brushton Minton, Witter Springs, Calif. ............. 16,677 4. Chance Thiessen, Elk City, Okla. ........................ 14,391 5. Joel Harris, San Angelo, Texas .......................... 11,942 6. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas .............................. 11,760 7. Marcos Costa, Iretama, Brazil ............................ 11,341 8. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont. .......................... 9,710 9. Booker McCutchen, Harrison, Ark. ...................... 9,365 10. Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas ................... 9,305 11. Riley Webb, Denton, Texas ................................ 8,928 12. Bryce Derrer, Portales, N.M. .............................. 8,599 13. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D. ............................. 8,458 14. Chris McCuistion, Collinsville, Texas ................. 8,143 15. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La. ............................. 8,122 16. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb. ........................... 7,796 17. Zane Kilgus, Watsontown, Pa. ........................... 7,527 18. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La. ................................. 7,223 19. Colton Farquer, Oakdale, Calif. .......................... 7,206 20. Cole Walker, Sparta, Tenn. ................................. 6,626 STEER ROPING 1. Cole Patterson, Pawnee, Okla. ......................... $25,064 2. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas ........................... 19,139 3. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D. .............................. 18,419 4. Scott Snedecor, Needville, Texas ....................... 17,114 5. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas ............................ 14,622 6. Duck Benson, Colfax, Wash. .............................. 14,535 7. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas ................................ 14,020 8. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas .......................... 13,670 9. Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla. ...................... 12,901 10. Kyle Cauthorn, Poetry, Texas ........................... 12,581 11. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan. ........................... 12,285 12. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas .............................. 12,132 13. John Bland, Okarche, Okla. ............................. 11,811 14. Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas ........................ 11,614 15. Cooper Mills, Saint John, Wash. ..................... 11,258

16. John Clark, Pecos, Texas .................................. 8,523 17. Ryan Willberg, Lott, Texas ................................ 7,589 18. Wade Shoemaker, Greeley, Colo. ....................... 7,350 19. Ty Tillard, Douglas, Wyo. .................................. 7,237 20. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif. ............................ 7,199 BULL RIDING 1. Creek Young, Rogersville, Mo. ........................ $29,803 2. Mason Moody, Letcher, S.D. ............................. 24,458 3. Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla. ........................ 22,723 4. Jace Trosclair, Chauvin, La. ............................... 21,566 5. Hayes Weight, Goshen, Utah ............................. 19,828 6. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La. ................................. 19,294 7. Laramie Mosley, Palestine, Texas ...................... 18,024 8. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla. ..................... 16,627 9. Maverick Smith, Mountain. Grove, Mo. ............. 16,137 10. Stran Smith, Lantry, S.D. ................................ 15,200 11. T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore. ........................................ 15,166 12. Clayton Sellars, Wildwood, Fla. ....................... 14,838 13. Alex Cardozo, Graham, Texas .......................... 14,431 14. Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas ..................... 13,303 15. Luke Gee, Stanford, Mont. .............................. 13,141 16. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore. ......................... 12,698 17. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho ............. 12,178 18. Jax Mills, Montgomery, Texas ......................... 11,652 19. Jarett Evans, Newtown, Mo. ............................ 11,500 20. Cody Teel, Bryan, Texas ................................... 10,964 BARREL RACING 1. Katie Jo Halbert, Port Lavaca, Texas ............... $18,381 2. Abby Phillips, Marshall, Texas .......................... 15,137 3. Jymmy Kay Cox, Ruidoso Downs, N.M. ........... 12,626 4. Skyla Peters, Liberal, Kan. ................................ 12,417 5. Preslie Reid, San Angelo, Texas .......................... 8,526 6. Fonda Melby, Backus, Minn. ............................... 8,289 7. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas .......................... 8,066 8. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla. ...................... 7,520 9. Taylor Carver, Broxton, Ga. ................................. 7,365 10. Rainey Skelton, Llano, Texas ............................ 7,232 11. Ashley Castleberry, Montgomery, Texas ........... 7,005 12. Cheryl Kennedy, Bennett, Colo. ......................... 6,714 13. Kalli McCall, Lufkin, Texas ................................ 6,712 14. Oceane Veilleux, St. Alfred, Quebec City ........... 5,937 15. Tillar King, Fort Worth, Texas ........................... 5,329 16. Ericka Nelson, Century, Fla. .............................. 5,303 17. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas ............................ 5,115 18. Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas ............................ 5,016 19. Tessa Arnold, Coleman, Texas .......................... 4,981 20. Ann McGilchrist, Marysville, Calif. ................... 4,661 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. Addie Weil, Commerce, Texas ........................... $9,691 2. Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, Texas .................... 7,193 3. Willow Wilson, Baggs, Wyo. ............................... 7,048 4. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, Texas .......... 5,965 5. Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla. .................................. 5,746 6. Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas ................ 5,639 7. Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas ................................. 5,231 8. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D. .............................. 5,061 9. Chenoe Vandestouwe, Weatherford, Okla. .......... 4,662 10. TiAda Gray, Portales, N.M. ................................ 4,371 11. J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas .................... 4,305 12. MaryBeth Beam, Poetry, Texas ......................... 4,227 13. Tacy Webb, Midway, Texas ............................... 4,221 14. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, Texas ........................... 4,199 15. Brighton Bauman, Burleson, Texas ................... 4,022 16. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, Texas .............................. 3,981 17. KC-Gail Churchill, Waco, Texas ......................... 3,870 18. Britta Strain, Davie, Fla. .................................... 3,766 19. Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan. ................. 3,676 20. Nicole Baggarley, Las Cruces, N.M. .................. 3,668

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SHORT ROUND Austin Broderson on long road to recovery Rider injured

C anadian bareback rider Austin Broderson, 19, is on the long road to recovery after he suffered severe injuries after a freak accident following a ride aboard Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Jack Dupp at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, Jan. 15 in Denver. After the eight-second buzzer sounded, Broderson’s troubles began as his bareback riggin was slipping. Ultimately, Broderson ended up under the horse, still attached to the riggin, with the horse continuing to buck and run around the arena. Broderson, who is on his PRCA permit, was eventually cut loose, and medical personnel immediately tended to him, and he was taken from the arena to Denver Health Hospital. Broderson’s, parents, father, Steve and mother, Samantha, traveled all night from their home in Turin, Alberta, to be by their son’s side Tuesday morning. Samantha provided an update to the ProRodeo Sports News about her son’s injuries. “He has a fractured C-7 vertebrae; fractured hip and the other break is the nasal bone in his face and minor scrapes and bruises,” Samantha said to the PSN on Jan. 17. “He also has no feeling or movement in his left arm. They had to do surgery

Ric Andersen photo Bareback rider Austin Broderson, shown riding Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Jack Dupp at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, was involved in a freak accident after the eight second whistle and suffered severe injuries.

Stock contractor Binion Cervi concurred with Andrews “Rodeo is a dangerous sport, and nobody likes to see anything like that happen,” Cervi said. “For what did happen, I’m just thankful he is on the road to recovery. Samantha added that Austin is a second-year business student at Casper (Wyo.) College and competes for the rodeo team “The outreach has been so amazing,” Samantha said. “He has a lot of people out there praying for him and caring about him. He’s a tough cookie and stubborn and I know he’s going to push through. A GoFundMe page has been started for Austin.

(Jan. 15) and successfully put a stint in to restore blood flow to the left side of his arm. He’s not paralyzed. His vertebra in his neck is fractured, but his spinal cord is intact. “When Austin is awake, he’s trying to crack jokes and tell the doctors his pain level is 2 out of 10, which none of us believe. He’s trying to keep us pre-occupied and not worried, so that’s a good sign.” “We know that injuries are part of all sports. It’s a tragedy when it happens on your home field,” said Paul Andrews President and CEO of the National Western Stock Show. “The rodeo is an important part of our events, and we feel like we are part of the rodeo family. As such, our thoughts and prayers are with Austin, his family and everyone affected.”

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

Rodeo Passings

BY THE NUMBERS $11K The amount of money ($11,170) earned by bull rider and steer wrestler Luke Gee while competing at the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo, Jan. 11-13 in Great Falls. Gee won the average in bull riding with 236 points on three head. $12K The amount of money ($12,223) earned by Brodie Poppino in winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo steer roping event, which took place at the Uvalde (Texas) County Fairplex on Jan. 12. Poppino won the event with a 36.6-second time on three head. $16K The amount of money ($16,983) earned by bull rider Nathan Bayous during the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo, Jan. 11-13, in Harrisburg, Pa. Bayous won the average with 240 points on three head.

Circuit Finals that year, so I gave it a try. I should have trusted my first instinct.” A few seconds into the ride, a plate holding the original fracture in his arm bent, the bone separated, and it was back to the sidelines and a plaster cast. Haskins waited another year before testing the arm again, but it still wasn’t ready; it fractured for the third time in less than two years. “They finally did some bone grafting and by the 1981 Denver rodeo everyone thought the arm would hold together while I was riding,” Haskins said. “I was really worried when I climbed on my horse, but a few jumps later everything was still in one piece.” In addition to qualifying for the NFR, Haskins was the Mountain States Circuit Bareback Riding Director in 1981-82. Haskins rodeoed until 1993 before retiring after competing at that year’s National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver. After rodeo, Haskins worked as a carpenter and brick layer and general contractor, and he also ran a successful wild game processing plant in Maybell for several years. In his band, he played guitar, five string banjo, and fiddle. Haskins Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. (MT), Jan. 20 at the Moffat County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Craig. TERRY HAYES, STEER WRESTLER, OFFICIAL Terry Hayes, a longtime PRCA steer wrestler, ProRodeo official and longtime supporter of the Southeastern Circuit, passed away Jan. 7 in Opelika, Ala. He was 76. “If there’s one person who meant a whole lot to our (Southeastern) Circuit it would be Terry Hayes,” said longtime friend of Hayes and rodeo announcer Jerry Todd. On Jan. 7, Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo posted the following in Facebook: “A Special Smile, a Special Face... In our Hearts, a Special Place... Memories are a Gift to Treasure, Ours of You, WILL LAST FOREVER.” According to Todd, Hayes provided a lot of time-event cattle for rodeos in the southeastern U.S. Hayes’ wife Dottie was the 2021 WPRA Mildred Farris Secretary of the Year. His niece, Lindsey Hayes-Banks is an NFR barrel racing qualifier. A Celebration of Life will take place for Hayes at 2 p.m. (CT) on Feb. 10 at the Kick Back Ranch & Event Center in Ramer, Ala.

DAR HASKINS, NFR BAREBACK RIDER Bareback rider Dar Haskins, a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in 1984-85 and 1987, passed away Jan. 1. He was 66. “(Dar) was a good

guy,” said Dale Haskins, Dar’s brother, and former PRCA saddle bronc rider. “Tom Reeves tells the story that when he was just starting to rodeo, and he didn’t have any money and (Dar) was doing good

Haskins

he would make sure Tom had something to eat and took care of him and wouldn’t ever accept any money when Tom did win something and tried to pay him back. That’s just the kind of guy (Dar) was.” Reeves, an 18-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and 2001 PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion, was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2008. Dar Haskins finished a career-best 12th in the 1985 world standings. He also finished a career best seventh in the NFR average in 1987 with 729 points on 10 head. In 1984, he split third in Round 10 with a 76-point ride on Sutton Rodeo’s Air Wolf. The next year, he also split third in Round 8 with a 74-point ride on Sankey’s Leo. During the 1987 NFR, Haskins split third in Round 1 with a 76-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Flashing Jewel and fourth in Round 3 with a 77-point trip on Reg Kesler Rodeo’s Ace of Spades. He also split third in Round 6 with a 77-point ride on Growney Bros. Rodeo’s Dreamboat Annie. At the PRCA Circuit level, Haskins was Mountain States year-end champion in 1984 and he won the average at the Mountain States Finals Rodeo in 1984 and 1988. Dale Haskins was the Mountain States saddle bronc riding year-end champ in 1979 and 1982 and he was the Mountain States Finals Rodeo average winner in 1979. Dar was honing his skills in the practice pen in 1979 when a horse flipped over on him and broke his left foreman. “Six months later, the doctor told me he thought the arm was healed enough to ride again,” Dar said in a newspaper article. “It worried me a little because I wasn’t sure if he knew how much abuse a riding arm took, but I wanted to make the

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MEMORIAM GRATED COCONUT

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Grated Coconut competed at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo every year from 2002-09. He was named the PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year six times during that stretch (2003-2004, 2006-09). He also was the top bareback horse of the 2008 NFR.

Hall of Fame horse Grated Coconut passes away at 27 Legend Lost BY TANNER BARTH T he Calgary Stampede has lost a legend. G-65 Grated Coconut passed away peacefully at home on the Stampede Ranch near Hanna, Alberta. The superstar bareback horse was a remarkable 27 years old. “This horse truly lived a great life,” said Tyler Kraft, manager of the Stampede Ranch and Stock Contracting operations.

Canadian Champion Bareback Horse titles (2003-05 and 2007-09). “He was truly unbelievable. I had that horse in 2009 at the Calgary Stampede and the first jump out I got jerked down and ended up slapping him,” said Kaycee Feild, a six-time PRCA World Champion Bareback Rider. “I had a lot of respect for him, he was the real deal. I’d set my feet and it felt like I was standing up on him. I’ve never been on a horse quite like that.” G-65 Grated Coconut is a testament to the Born to Buck Breeding program of the Calgary Stampede Ranch. His mother, Coconut Roll, was a 10-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. His sire, Wyatt Earp of Northcott Rodeo, was voted Saddle Bronc Horse of the National Finals Rodeo in 1997 and 1998. Grated Coconut’s longevity is a testament to the care he received throughout his life at the Stampede Ranch and along the rodeo trail. His legacy is a testament to his unique character, strength, and spirit. Now, through his bloodlines, that legacy lives on with horses such as granddaughter Xplosive Skies, the 2023 Canadian and PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc Horse. Grated Coconut spent his final summer in 2023 doing what he’d done each year since retirement. Surrounded by his youngest offspring, the next generation of Born to Buck athletes, he roamed and grazed the wide open grasslands of the 23,000-acre Stampede Ranch under the bright blue Alberta sky. It is there where he will be laid to rest, forever remembered, and honored as truly one of the best.

“You don’t see many animals able to be that successful both inside and outside of the arena. I don’t think we will ever really know the value that he brought to the ranch. We can’t thank him enough for what he did for our brand.” Grated Coconut joined the PRCA in 2002 and became a dominant force during his career. Of his 114 total rodeo outings, 37 cowboys hit the dirt, 25 finished in first place, and 29 more finished in the money. If a cowboy was lucky enough to stay aboard for eight seconds, he usually cashed in. Grated Coconut was selected for the Wrangler NFR from 2002-09. His prowess in the arena earned him six PRCA World Championships (2003-04 and 2006-09), tying with the great Descent. He also earned six

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SNAPSHOT

Not Today Bull rider Collin Brooks, 18, couldn’t get a qualified ride aboard Cowtown Rodeo’s Fuzzy Bones during Round 2 of the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo. The rodeo took place Jan. 11-13 in Harrisburg, Pa.

– Casey Martin photo

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XTREME BULLS FORT WORTH, TEXAS

Fully Rested

PRCA XTREME BULLS

Creek Young captures glory in Xtreme Bulls BY TANNER BARTH S ometimes less is more and three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier Creek Young proved that on Jan. 17 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Young captured the second Division 1 Xtreme Bulls win of his career at the SWELS – Xtreme Bulls event. His first came back in 2021 at the Lovington (N.M.) Xtreme Bulls. He was one of just two cowboys to ride both bulls ran underneath him on his way to the title with 179.5 points on two head. The Rogersville, Mo., cowboy took a unique approach into his lead-up for Fort Worth. Young made the decision to spend time around home and let his body fully heal after the grueling 10 rounds at the NFR. In fact, he hadn’t climbed on a single bull since Round 10. The strategy seems to have paid off. “I like to give myself a little bit of a longer break than most guys,” said Young, 23. “I don’t go to Denver or Odessa (Texas). This is actually the first event I’ve been to besides the (Prairie) Circuit Finals Rodeo that counts toward the 2024 season and it’s definitely a great way to kick it off.” Young’s march toward the $21,835 payday he earned in Fort Worth began with a picture-perfect match up on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pegasus in the long round. He matched the bull jump for jump on his way to a 92-point trip, which ties for the highest-marked ride of his career. “I had never been on that bull before tonight. I saw him at the NFR a couple of times, Tristen Hutchings actually won a round on him at the NFR,” Young said. “It always feels good to crack the 90s and make a good bull ride on a bull that’s been to the Finals and proved itself.” The 10-man short round provided Young with yet another golden opportunity. Fulton Rutland was the only cowboy to cover his bull in the short round on night one, Jan. 16. They say lightning never strikes in one place twice, but it did inside Dickies Arena. Young drew the exact same bull as Rutland just 24 hours later. It was nearly déjà vu as Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Train Station led him to an 87.5-point ride and the Xtreme Bulls win. “I knew I had a pretty good chance to walkout with the win if I was able to get that bull rode,” Young said. “It’s an advantage being the last guy out. You just hope you can stay on, and the bull does his job.”

2024 TOUR STANDINGS

(Unofficial as of Jan. 19) 1. Creek Young, Rogersville, Mo.............. .............$21,835 2. Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla.............. .............19,952 3. Laramie Mosley, Palestine, Texas........... ...........16,309 4. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla........... ..........12,084 5. Jax Mills, Montgomery, Texas............... . ..............10,444 6. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho....10,281 7. Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Australia.............. . ............. 9,626 8. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore................. . ............... 9,418 9. Caden Bunch, Tahlequah, Okla................ ............... 8,533 10. T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore............................. ............................ 8,348 11. Wyatt Rogers, Rose, Okla..................... .................... 7,539 12. Hayden Harris, Tahlequah, Okla............ ........... 7,269 13. Dakota Hill, Bagwell, Texas................... ................... 7,194 14. Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho........... ........... 6,465 15. Guthrie Murray, Welch, Okla................. ................ 6,022

Complete results/Page 44

James Phifer photo

Creek Young was one of just two cowboys to cover both bulls at the SWELS – Xtreme Bulls in Fort Worth. He claimed the victory with 179.5 points on two head.

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GREAT FALLS, MONT.

Erickson adds to Montana Circuit titles Perfect Fit RAM MONTANA CIRCUIT FINALS

BY TRACY RENCK S teer wrestler Ty Erickson and the Montana Circuit have been a perfect fit for the last several years. That trend continued during the weekend of Jan. 11-13, during the RAM Mountain Circuit Finals Rodeo in Great Falls. Erickson, who won the 2019 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Championship, was a case study in perfection. The Helena, Mont., cowboy swept all three rounds to win the average and the year-end championships while competing at the Four Seasons Arena. “This is my sixth average title and I have won several year-end titles,” said Erickson, 33. “I have to give all the credit to my horse Crush. He worked so good up here. Everything came together.” Erickson’s six average titles at the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo is a new record. Erickson won his average crowns in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2023. Crush, 12, has been Erickson’s main horse since 2019. In Great Falls, the duo team upped to win Round 1 (4.3 seconds), Round 2 (4.2 seconds) and Round 3 (4.2 seconds) which vaulted him to average crown with 12.7 seconds on three head. “I absolutely make a concerted effort to go to my circuit rodeos,” said Erickson, an eight-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – 2014-19 and 2022-23. “Especially anymore with the circuit standings counting toward the world standings if a guy can go do well at the Circuit Finals it can give you a good jump for the next year. Then, with the NFR Open paying so much money, it is hard to not want to go to that.” With his performance in the Montana Circuit – Erickson qualified for the NFR Open powered by RAM, which will take place July 9-13 in Colorado Springs, Colo. “When I was first starting out, I never thought I would win the (Montana) Circuit this many times,” Erickson said. “I love steer wrestling. To me that is what is keeping me going now, my love for the sport.” This past December at the NFR, Erickson earned $69,884 in Las Vegas, thanks to splitting third in three rounds – Round 1 (4.3 seconds), Round 5 (3.7) and Round 8 (3.8). He finished 11th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $194,120. “My NFR was all right,” Erickson said. “I was so proud of the way my horse (Crush) worked. I was disappointed with the way I performed and how well he did. I felt like I left a little on the table and it is rodeo, and that kind of stuff happens. After that we came home and regrouped and went to practicing and this (the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo) was our first one back and I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out. “Everyone’s ultimate goal is to win a world championship and it came together for me in 2019 and I’m striving to get back there and do it again.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Luke Gee ($11,170, bull riding and steer wrestling) BAREBACK RIDING

Gee

1. Weston Timberman.......253 pts. on 3 2. Tristan Hansen..............................247 3. Richmond Champion....................243 STEER WRESTLING 1. Ty Erickson...................12.7 sec. on 3 2. Timmy Sparing............................14.8 3. Kolby Bignell................................23.3 TEAM ROPING 1. D. Bird/I. Folsom..........14.6 sec. on 3 2. R. Day/J. Bilby.............................20.7 3. G. Plenty/M. Trollinger...................9.2 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Tanner Butner................255 pts. on 3 2. Sage Newman...............................254 3. Jesse Kruse..................................241 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Ben Ayre.......................33.8 sec. on 3 2. Landon Williams..........................34.7 3. Bryce Bott....................................35.5 BARREL RACING 1. Tayla Moeykens..........38.81 sec. on 3 2. Heather Crowley........................39.65 3. Bailee Murnion..........................40.54 BULL RIDING 1. Luke Gee........................236 pts. on 3 2. Payton Fitzpatrick.................156 on 2 3. Gavin Knutson................................81

Complete results/Page 41

Clay Guardipee photo

Steer wrestler Ty Erickson competes during the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo in Great Falls. The Montana cowboy swept all three rounds and captured the Montana Circuit year-end and average titles.

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HARRISBURG, PA.

RAM FIRST FRONTIER CIRCUIT FINALS

Family Affair

With his son pushing him, Clovis Crane rides to title BY ALEX RILEY Special to ProRodeo Sports News I n 2021, Clovis Crane decided that he was done with professional rodeos. A broken ankle with ligament damage had left him hobbled for much of 2020. After the First Frontier Circuit Finals that year, Crane was mentally prepared to walk away from the sport he loved. His manager – also known as his 10-year-old son Coy – had other plans. “When I was off that year, he hated it. The next year, he was like, ‘Dad, I want to go. I really want to go.’ He was just wearing me out. I was like, ‘Dude, I’m not going to a rodeo and not ride. I don’t want to just go and hang out,’” Crane said with a laugh. “Finally, he just kept asking and I was like, ‘Screw it, I’ll get my card and you can go ride.’ It was more or less for him to ride than it is for me at this point. For me, I just need to take him and get him the experiences, so while I’m there, I ride. I end up going to 15 of them, so I can make the circuit finals.” For the second straight year, that persistent nudging has worked out well. The Lebanon, Penn., native got the 2024 season started off strong as he won the saddle bronc riding average crown and year-end championship at the RAM First Frontier Circuit for a second straight year. After finishing fourth in the opening round, Crane won the second and third rounds, making him the only cowboy to cover all three head. He posted 211 points and earned $8,262 for his 2024 ledger. Crane’s history with the First Frontier dates back to 2005 when he earned the circuit’s Rookie of the Year. Between the all-around, bareback, bull and saddle bronc categories, he now has 13 season titles and 12 average championships from the circuit. Crane still loves competing and winning is certainly fun, but it’s not the primary reason he still climbs into the chute. Even at such a young age, Coy’s passion for the sport already outpaces his father’s. As part of their trips to different circuit rodeos, Coy gets the opportunity to ride steers during the performance, giving him experience competing under the bright lights. “It’s a big thing for him to ride in front of all the people, and at Cowtown there’s 5,000 people and he rides there every week. That’s pretty big stuff for a 10-year-old to get to ride in front of all those people,” Crane said. With his daughter taking part in barrel racing, rodeo remains a family pastime that everyone in the Crane household gets to take part in. Along with his work as a thoroughbred horse trainer, Crane will continue to climb in the saddle, training horses by day and competing at rodeos during the evening. With his family’s support, and maybe a little pestering from his manager to tag along, there are no signs of slowing down. “There’s a lot of days where I’ll ride 30 head before I’ll ever go to the rodeo. I’ll train and ride 30 and then hop in the car and drive down to Cowtown two hours away and ride and come home and do it all over again,” Crane said. “I love to ride, I love to compete. I’m happy that I can do things that my family can be involved with.”

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Nathan Bayous ($16,983, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Bayous

1. Tim Kent........................223 pts. on 3 2. Jason Wilson................................220 STEER WRESTLING 1. A.J. Williams................22.4 sec. on 3 2. Cody Jones..................................28.7 3. Olin Ellsworth..............................32.3 TEAM ROPING 1. E. Fabian/D. Carey........19.3 sec. on 3 2. C. Smith/K. Brown.......................30.7 (Tie) W. Cameron/S. Brown.........30.7 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Clovis Crane..................211 pts. on 3 2. Will Stites.............................143 on 2 3. Ray Hostetler..................................82 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Zane Kilgus..................30.0 sec. on 3 2. J.R. Myers...................................37.5 3. Tyler Zebrovious..................18.7 on 2 BARREL RACING 1. Jaime Fowler.............42.40 sec. on 3 2. Jodi Lyn Colton..........................42.46 3. Brooke Klinger...........................42.59 BULL RIDING 1. Nathan Bayous...............240 pts. on 3 2. Michael Caruso...............................79 3. Brandon McDowell.........................76

Complete results/Page 41

Casey Martin photo Clovis Crane made it back-to-back RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals titles in Harrisburg, Pa. He wrapped up the average win with 211 points on three head.

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