ProRodeo Sports News - January 20, 2023

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An official publication of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association

Circuit Salute Zane Kilgus cashes

in at RAM First Frontier Circuit

ProRodeo Sports News 1/20/2023

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ALL-AROUND. ALL WRIGHT.

Congratulations to Stetson Wright for winning the 2022 All-Around and 2022 Bull Riding World Titles.

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CONTENTS

JANUARY 20, 2023 VOLUME 71, NO. 2

Bull rider Hawk Whitt celebrates his 89-point ride on Brookman Rodeo’s Stir Crazy in round two at the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo. Whitt was the rodeo’s top money earner at $12,199.

Jackie Jensen photo

Montana Mojo Contestants claimed honors in the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo Jan. 12-14 in Great Falls. One of the winners included 2019 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion Ty Er ickson. 28

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16 2023 PRCA World STANDINGS COVER 28 Great Falls, Mont. Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo 30 Harrisburg, Pa. First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo 32 Odessa, Texas 34 Fort Worth, Texas Xtreme Bulls 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Grille 12 He Said-She Said 14 Social Media 18 Short Round 40 Results INSIDE RODEOS

Casey Martin photo Clown Dusty Myers, in the barrel, and bullfighter Ethan Johnson attempt to redirect a bull out of the arena during the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo in Harrisburg, Pa. First Frontier takes center stage With crowds in attendance, cowboys and cowgirls competed for their share of the $210,171 purse at the PA Farm Show Complex. Bareback rider Tim Kent was the top single-event money earner, collecting $13,199 in bareback riding. 30

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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.

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Circuit Salute Zane Kilgus cashes

in at RAM First Frontier Circuit

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

Zane Kilgus was the year-end all-around cowboy, tie-down roping and team roping heading champion after his performance at the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo in Harrisburg, Pa. Casey Martin photo

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EDITOR’S LETTER TRACY RENCK

Pope’s humility is refreshing in today’s ‘me-sports’ world

W hen interviewing bareback rider Jess Pope on the night of Dec. 10 at theThomas &Mack Center in Las Vegas, his emotions were raw. Moments earlier he had just won his inaugural PRCAWorld Championship with $390,620. In the process, Pope denied Kaycee Feild the opportunity to extend his PRCA BarebackWorld Championship record to seven world titles. Feild finished second with $316,490. Pope also won his third consecutive NFR average title with 860 points on 10 head. Only ProRodeo Hall of Famer Bruce Ford (1979-80, 1982, 1987) and Feild (2011-14) have won more NFR bareback riding average titles than Pope. There’s no question about it – Pope is a rodeo superstar. However, what makes Pope so easy to root for, like a lot of PRCA cowboys, is his humility. Fresh off his banner world championship season, Pope was competing at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver on Jan. 12-13. Pope failed to advance to the semifinals of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. Pope had a 76-point ride on Cervi Championship

refreshing. Pope wasn’t playing the blame game or being the narcissistic victim. “Winning the gold buckle was really awesome (on Dec. 10) and the next day it starts over again for the next year,” said Pope, 24. “Rodeo is the luck of the draw. Sometimes you draw really good ones and sometimes you draw the middle of the pen. I thought I rode good, but the other guys showed up and did their jobs and I can’t be mad about it.” Pope certainly isn’t playing his world championship superstar card. “You still have to wake up and be the same person,” Pope said. “I just wear a different buckle on my belt now. I wake up and still day work, run cows every day, check them and feed them and be a good family man and enjoy the time I get on Earth while I can, and I get to rodeo and that’s the best thing I could ever dream of.” Not surprising, capturing a coveted gold buckle was a mission he started years ago, and it is far from accomplished. “Everybody who is rodeoing, their goal is to win a gold buckle,” Pope said. “From the time I was a little bitty kid I wanted one and I didn’t want just one I wanted multiple. It is no different than a player winning a Super Bowl or a player winning a World Series in baseball.” Except in Pope’s case, unlike NFL and MLB players, he’s not worried about his brand. What you see is what you

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.

Rodeo’s Freshman 15 and his two-ride total of 156.5 points failed to finish in the top three in his bracket to move him to the semis on Jan. 21 at the Denver Coliseum. Pope had an 80.5-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Grin & Bare It on Jan. 12 at the Playoff Series rodeo. Pope not moving on in Denver was surprising, but his reaction was so

get – a true American cowboy.

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COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

Cash Enderli, 22, has his sights set on big goals during his ProRodeo rookie season. The Liberty, Texas, tie-down roper is off to a promising start. Enderli not only leads the Resistol Rookie race but is at the top of the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $13,656 already earned in 2023. In October, he won his first RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo title. Most recently, he finished second at the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, adding $4,542 to his name.

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Cash: I feel like I got my start in the sport of rodeo when I was born. My dad told my mom that this one is going to rodeo. As long as I can remember I’ve been riding horses. I used to run barrels and poles when I was younger. Then when it came time that I couldn’t do that anymore I started roping calves when I was about nine years old. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Cash: We used to always watch the NFR, and I was roping at youth events at that point. I think I was probably 11 years old when I thought you know what I’m going to make the NFR. I made it a goal right then and there that it was something I wanted to do. Why did you decide tie-down roping would be your event? Cash: Where I’m from you either team rope or you ride bulls, I kind of went the other direction. My dad got a calf roping horse when I was younger, and I got a ton of practice in doing that. I roped steers a little bit as well, but I’ve always liked roping calves better. Who’s someone you look up to in the sport of rodeo?

CASH ENDERLI

Cash: Someone that really had a big impact on my horsemanship and roping is Mike Arnold. I used to go over to his house when I was in high school every Wednesday and I’d ride however many horses he needed me to ride. He really helped me out a lot and I look up to him. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? Cash: Everybody wants to win the National Finals Rodeo, but for me I think Cheyenne (Wyo.) would be a super cool one. I’d like to win them all, but it’s probably the Daddy of ‘Em All for me. What have your learned during your rookie season? Cash: I think one of the most important things I’ve learned is don’t beat yourself. It’s a mental game out here, you just have to stay confident. Back in the box like you’re there to win first every time. Why did you decide to buy your PRCA card at this point in your career?

Cash: I amateur rodeoed for a while and did college as well to get my mental game down, which wasn’t much different. Then I decided you know what I’m 22, I think I’m ready to get my card and go for the rookie title. What’s your favorite restaurant? Cash: My favorite restaurant would have to be CiCi’s Pizza all the way. They have a buffet, where you can go in there and eat as much pizza and cinnamon rolls as you want for $10. Do you have a favorite sports team? Cash: I don’t watch a ton of sports, but if I had to choose a team, I’d go with my hometown Houston Astros. Do you have a favorite candy? Cash: A Milky Way candy bar is definitely my go-to candy. What was the make and model of your first car?

Cash: The first vehicle that I drove was a 2005 Dodge RAM 2500. My dad passed it down to me as soon as I got my license. What’s your favorite TV show or series? Cash: I have a couple that I really like. I like Cheers, Breaking Bad , and probably Friends . What’s your favorite holiday? Cash: I’d probably have to go with Thanksgiving. We get the whole family to come down and my grandparents know how to cook good. What type of music do you like listening to? Cash: I’m a fan of the old country music. Guys like Ronnie Milsap and George Jones. What do you enjoy doing in your downtime from rodeo? Cash: It all kind of circles around horses for me, when I’m not roping, I always have a young horse that I’m working on at home.

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WORD SEARCH TRY YOUR LUCK

ANSWERS ON PAGE 48

Find the winners from the 2022 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.). 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. Winter Run 1. Find the winners from San Antonio, Texas: BB: Kaycee Feild SW: J.D. Struxness TR: Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres SB: Stetson Wright TD: Tuf Cooper

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

GB: Hailey Kinsel BR: Sage Kimzey

2. Find the winners from Rapid City, S.D.: BB: Garrett Shadbolt SW: Blake Knowles TR: Jake Cooper/Sid Sporer SB: Shorty Garrett/Riggin Smith

TD: Dallen McIntire GB: Ari-Anna Flynn BR: Tristan O’Neal/JR Stratford

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2022 YEAR-END EDITION

$203,508

SHOW ME THE MONEY Cowboys set records with pre-NFR cash

$378,340

Shad Mayfield

$227,878

Stetson Wright

$253,191

Kaleb Driggers

$227,878

Stetson’s World Wright up to seven world titles after 2022 NFR

Sage Newman

Junior Nogeuiera

INSIDE • Fournier takes top spot at Permit Finals in Waco, Texas

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10 QUESTIONS

Bull rider Ernie Courson finished 20th in the 2022 PRCA | RAM World Standings. As we bring back by popular demand He Said | She Said, sponsored by Single to Saddled, we wanted to see who knows Ernie bet ter – his traveling partner/bull fighter Mike Driver or his wife Elizabeth.

A Dating App Designed by Country Singles, for Country Singles.

He Said/She Said

Ernie

Elizabeth

Mike

MIKE

ERNIE

ELIZABETH

WHO IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

Stetson Wright

WHICH IS HIS FAVORITE BULL TO RIDE?

Big Rafter’s Trunk Monkey

Trunk Monkey

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Monster

Mountain Dew

Dr Pepper

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Elizabeth

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Red Lobster

WHAT NON-NFR RODEO DOES HE MOST WANT TO WIN?

Cheyenne

AT WHAT RODEO DID HE WIN THE MOST LAST YEAR?

Davie

Davie, Fla.

Davie

IS HE A PHONE CALL OR TEXT GUY?

Phone call

WH0’S HIS FAVORITE WWE WRESTLER?

Steve Austin

The Rock

Roman Reigns

12 WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM?

Miami

University of Miami

– Courtesy of Ted Harbin Miami

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SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

14 ProRodeo Sports News 1/20/2023

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PROUD TO BE THE OFFICIAL OFF-ROAD VEHICLE OF PRCA

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2023 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Unofficial as of Jan. 18, 2023. For the 2023 season (Oct. 1, 2022-Sept. 30, 2023), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 75; team roping, 75; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 75; barrel racing, 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. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala.. .............................. $15,390 2. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah....................... 14,712 3. Brush Minton, Witter Springs, Calif.. ................... 13,543 4. Drew Carnes, Hornell, N.Y.................................... 11,739 5. Chet Weitz, London, Texas................................... 11,023 6. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas. ............................. 10,774 7. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla................................. 9,779 8. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D............................................. 9,484 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah....................... $16,542 2. Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb......................... 14,984 3. Luke Barlow Thrash, Bastrop, La......................... 13,735 4. Tim Kent, Chambersburg, Pa............................... 13,372 5. Jacek Lane Frost, Browns Valley, Calif................. 12,456 6. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo.. ............................. 11,634 7. Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho................................. 10,588 8. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif.. ......................... 10,495 9. Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas............................. 10,464 10. Bradlee Miller, Huntsville, Texas........................... 10,153 11. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla..................................... 9,723 12. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D......................................... 9,670 13. Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis...................................... 9,520 14. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho. ................................. 9,032 15. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore................................. 8,732 16. Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont............................... 8,539 17. Matthew Smith, Saraland, Ala................................ 8,428 18. Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah. ................... 8,302 19. Bronc Marriott, Woods Cross, Utah....................... 8,184 20. Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La.................................... 8,089 STEER WRESTLING 1. Joshua Hefner, Knoxville, Tenn.......................... $13,219 2. Tucker Allen, Oak View, Calif................................ 11,684 3. Travis Munro, Townsville, Australia...................... 11,256 4. Jacob Edler, Alva, Okla........................................... 9,471 5. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont.. ................................... 9,149 6. Jake Nelson, Whitehall, Mont.. .............................. 8,595 7. Olin Ellsworth, Warrensburg, N.Y........................... 8,386 8. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La.................................... 8,378 9. Gavin Soileau, Bunkie, La.. .................................... 8,336 10. Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif............................... 8,281 11. Levi Rudd, Chelsea, Okla.. ..................................... 8,060 12. Wyatt Jurney, Las Cruces, N.M.............................. 7,758 13. Cash Robb, Altamont, Utah.................................... 7,525 14. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D......................... 7,521 15. Blake Brown, Spanish Fork, Utah........................... 7,432 16. Marc Joiner, Loranger, La...................................... 6,925 17. Cody Metsker, Taylorville, Ill.................................. 6,676 18. Cody Cabral, Hilo, Hawaii....................................... 6,670 19. Juan Alcazar Jr., Okeechobee, Fla.......................... 6,462 20. Justin Kimsey, Kennewick, Wash........................... 6,425 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala.. .............................. $11,111 2. Manny Egusquiza Jr., Hico, Texas........................ 10,125 3. Hagen Peterson, Delta, Utah.................................. 9,226 4. Pedro Egurrola, Florence, Ariz.. ............................. 9,208 5. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla................................. 8,865 6. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont.. ................................ 8,539 7. Lightning Aguilera, Athens, Texas.......................... 8,476 8. Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M................................ 7,780 9. Chace Thompson, Knox City, Texas. ...................... 7,515 10. Clint Keller, Winston Salem, N.C............................ 7,247 11. Cole Thomas, Emelle, Ala.. .................................... 7,152 12. Darren Morgan, Fort Ann, N.Y................................ 6,956 13. Clay Ullery, Valleyview, Alberta. ............................. 6,514 14. Kreece Thompson, Munday, Texas......................... 6,432 15. Tyler Jackson, Salem, Ark...................................... 6,386 16. Jade Schmidt, Rapid City, S.D.. ............................. 6,320 17. Andrew Livingston, Stephenville, Texas................. 6,110 18. T.C. Hammack, Chiloquin, Ore.. ............................. 5,900 19. Clayton Van Aken, Yoder, Wyo............................... 5,884 20. Brady Barretine, Enigma, Ga.................................. 5,483

TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Ike Folsom, Dillon, Mont...................................... $9,695 2. J.C. Flake, Laramie, Wyo.. ..................................... 9,691 3. Dylin Ahlstrom, Hooper, Utah. ............................... 9,226 4. Evan Arnold, Stephenville, Texas. .......................... 9,138 5. Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark................................... 8,974 6. Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas................... 8,865 7. Drew Carnes, Hornell, N.Y...................................... 8,547 8. Coleby Payne, Stephenville, Texas......................... 8,476 9. Clay Green, Pine Grove, La.. .................................. 8,405 10. Morgan Jones, Town Creek, Ala............................. 8,060 11. Tyler McKnight, Pollok, Texas................................ 7,780 12. Tyson Thompson, Munday, Texas.......................... 7,515 13. Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D.. .................................. 7,263 14. Josh Hamby, Viola, Ark.......................................... 6,386 15. Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D..................................... 6,271 16. Britt Bockius, Moorehaven, Fla.............................. 6,143 17. Seth Smithson, Ackerly, Texas............................... 6,110 18. Corey Hendrick, Bedias, Texas............................... 6,005 19. Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore.. ........................... 5,900 20. Craig Stevens, Tallahassee, Fla.. ............................ 5,483 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo................................... $22,614 2. Jacobs Crawley, Stephenville, Texas.................... 20,232 3. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D........................... 19,393 4. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas............................. 18,290 5. Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La.................................. 17,237 6. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho................................... 16,231 7. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta........................ 15,506 8. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah....................... 14,375 9. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont........................... 13,158 10. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo................................. 12,554 11. Jesse Kruse, Fromberg, Mont.............................. 12,074 12. Logan James Hay, Wildwood, Alberta.................. 11,647 13. CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah. ......................... 11,036 14. Parker Fleet, Axtell, Texas...................................... 9,798 15. Josh Davison, Miles City, Mont.............................. 9,570 16. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah................................... 9,025 17. Clovis Crane, Lebanon, Pa..................................... 8,897 18. Dean Wadsworth, Buffalo Gap, Texas. ................... 8,863 19. Houston Garrett Brown, Miles City, Mont............... 8,796 20. Reed Neely, Sanger, Calif....................................... 8,391 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Cash Enderli, Liberty, Texas............................... $13,088 2. Andrew Burks, Kiln, Miss..................................... 13,039 3. Richard Newton, Portales, N.M............................ 12,464 4. Owen Wahlert, Grover, Colo................................. 12,260 5. Riley Mason Webb, Denton, Texas....................... 12,041 6. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho......................... 11,553 7. Joel Braden Harris, San Angelo, Texas................. 10,938 8. Michael Otero, Lowndesboro, Ala........................ 10,881 9. Brush Minton, Witter Springs, Calif.. ................... 10,009 10. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas............................ 9,677 11. Dillon Hahnkamp, Melrose, Mont........................... 9,454 12. Monty Lewis, Hereford, Texas................................ 9,345 13. Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas........................ 8,967 14. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla.. ............................ 8,703 15. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb.. .............................. 8,299 16. Lucas Potter, Maple City, Kan.. .............................. 8,209 17. Marcos Costa, Iretama, Brazil................................ 8,144 18. Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas.................................... 7,353 19. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas.................................. 7,186 20. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont.. ........................... 6,709 STEER ROPING 1. Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan.................................. $24,697 2. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D................................. 23,267 3. Reo Lohse, Kaycee, Wyo.. ................................... 21,609 4. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas.................................. 18,499 5. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif................................ 16,682 6. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas. ............... 16,518 7. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas............................. 14,790 8. Tanner Stec, Bassett, Neb.................................... 12,252 9. Ora Taton, Rapid City, S.D.................................... 12,191 10. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas. ............................. 11,986 11. Cash Myers, Kaufman, Texas............................... 11,050 12. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo.. ......................... 10,718 13. Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla................................ 10,154

14. Trenton L. Johnson, Blue Mound, Kan................. 10,015 15. Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas...................................... 9,829 16. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla.................................. 9,282 17. Travis Mills, Gillette, Wyo.. .................................... 9,114 18. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas...................... 8,166 19. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas................................... 8,106 20. Wade Shoemaker, Greeley, Colo.. .......................... 8,016 BULL RIDING 1. Colton Byram, Mound City, Kan......................... $26,208 2. Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kan............................... 26,023 3. Grayson Cole, Fredonia, Pa.................................. 25,002 4. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas..................................... 23,913 5. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas.................................... 19,362 6. Jack Gilmore, Ironton, Mo................................... 18,793 7. Ernie Courson Jr., Okeechobee, Fla...................... 18,729 8. Koby Radley, Montpelier, La.. .............................. 17,668 9. TJ Gray, Dairy, Ore............................................... 17,636 10. Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla.. .......................... 14,345 11. Cole Fischer, Jefferson City, Mo........................... 13,881 12. Chance Schott, Mclaughlin, S.D........................... 13,487 13. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa. ................................ 13,286 14. Coy Thorson, Fergus Falls, Minn.. ....................... 13,217 15. Ethan Paul Skogquist, Elk River, Minn.. ............... 12,817 16. T Parker, Winnie, Texas........................................ 12,372 17. Hawk Whitt, Thermopolis, Wyo.. ......................... 12,198 18. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho................... 12,161 19. Jestyn Jax Woodward, Custer, S.D...................... 10,913 20. Cole Wagner, Valier, Mont.................................... 10,212 BARREL RACING Barrel racing and breakaway roping standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings. 1. Ilyssa Riley, Hico, Texas...................................... $15,583 2. Erin Wetzel, Plant City, Fla.. .................................. 14,796 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas. ............. 13,728 4. Ivy Hurst, Springer, Okla....................................... 13,325 5. Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas................................. 12,814 6. Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas............................... 11,508 7. Stephanie Fryar, Waco, Texas. .............................. 10,572 8. Kelly Allen, Stephenville, Texas............................. 10,177 9. Fonda Melby, Backus, Minn.................................. 10,157 10. Abigail Knight, Charlo, Mont.................................. 9,904 11. Christina Mulford, Franklinville, N.J........................ 9,573 12. Latricia Mundorf, Three Rivers, Texas..................... 9,552 13. Sissy Winn, Chapman Ranch, Texas....................... 9,398 14. Abby Pursifull, Arthur City, Texas............................ 9,316 15. Sara Winkelman, Big Lake, Minn.. .......................... 9,077 16. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. . ................................ 8,436 17. Austyn Tobey, Bemidji, Minn................................... 8,384 18. Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho. .................................. 8,377 19. Leia Pluemer, Fillmore, Calif.. ................................. 8,227 20. Jordan Briggs, Tolar, Texas..................................... 7,947 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. Hali Williams, Comanche, Texas. ........................ $13,852 2. Josie Conner, Iowa, La. ........................................ 11,756 3. Heather McLaughlin, Ernelle, Ala............................ 9,009 4. Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D.. ................................ 8,952 5. Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas................................... 8,824 6. Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas..................... 8,792 7. Madison Outhier, Fulshear, Texas............................ 8,500 8. Syerra Christensen, Kennebec, S.D......................... 7,789 9. Shai Schaefer, Lake Creek, Texas............................ 7,186 10. Cheyenne Chamberlain, Fort Ann, N.Y..................... 6,624 11. Sloan Anderson, Whitehorse, S.D........................... 6,448 12. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Canyon, Texas. .................. 6,267 13. Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo..................................... 6,107 14. Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan. ....................... 5,999 15. Tiffany Schieck, Floresville, Texas........................... 5,883 16. Aspen Miller, Santa Fe, Texas.................................. 5,593 17. Kelsey King, Honey Brook, Pa................................. 5,350 18. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, Texas................................. 5,314 19. Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla....................................... 4,845 20. KeAnn Hayes, Blanchard, Okla................................ 4,223

• For the latest PRCA Playoff Series and PRCA Circuit standings, go to https://bit.ly/39WQQSs

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Hall of Famer Leon Coffee named parade marshal Legend Recognized

A legendary rodeo clown will be honored as the grand marshal for this year’s Downtown Rodeo Parade to kick off the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Leon Coffee, who is a ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee and PRCA Clown of the Year back in 1993, was named the grand marshal of the parade, which will take place on Saturday morning, Feb. 25. Coffee has been a part of RodeoHouston since 1993, in which he has become a fan favorite. The parade will be preceded by the Rodeo Run, which includes a 5K timed and untimed race. “Leon Coffee is an icon and fan-favorite of the Rodeo, with 2023 being his 30th anniversary as our Barrelman and friend, it makes him the perfect candidate to lead our parade as Grand Marshal,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said. “From entertaining rodeo fans year after year, to now riding in our parade as Grand Marshal, we’re so excited to acknowledge Leon and his ongoing commitment to our Show.”

William Kierce photo

Rapid City Rush holding Rodeo and Ag Night The Rapid City (S.D.) Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, announced

premiere entertainers and has headlined or performed at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Wild Bill Days, Black Hills Stock Show, National Western Stock Show and the South Dakota State Fair. The new song and accompanying video will debut before the starting lineups are announced and before the team takes the ice for the national anthem. During the game, there will be appearances from cowboys, cowgirls and rodeo queens and the pregame party will be in the famous Cowboy Bar before the game. The pregame party begins at 4:30 p.m., is free to attend for those with a ticket to the game and will feature a live performance from the Dugan Irby Band. The Rush will wear specialty rodeo-inspired jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Western Legacy Foundation. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a special Rodeo Hat Trick Package that includes a ticket to the Rodeo and Ag Night game, a ticket to Broncs for Breakfast on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the James Kjerstad Event Center at 10 a.m. and a ticket to Rodeo Rapid City on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m.

today the details for the team’s third annual Rodeo and Ag Night. Rodeo and Ag Night will take place on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7:05 p.m. (MT) and prior to the game, the team will unveil a new Rush anthem, recorded and performed by local artist Brandon Jones and the Brandon Jones Band. This season, the evening has been

expanded and renamed to Rodeo and Ag Night. The team was awarded ECHL Theme Night of the Year for the first version of Rodeo Night, in January 2021. The Rush will celebrate rodeo, the state sport of South Dakota, and acknowledge and honor the agriculture business that is the leading industry in the state. The Rush will also continue their partnership with the annual Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo Rapid City, which are set to begin the following week. Brandon Jones brings his powerful, rustic voice and his Black Hills country sound to the Rush in the form of a new song, written and recorded specifically for the team. The Black Hills native and self-described Rush fan is one of the Midwest’s

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

Saddle bronc rider Statler Wright had a rough ride on Western Winnemucca (Nev.) Xtreme Broncs on Dec. 31. Tough Out Rodeos’ 63 at the

BY THE NUMBERS 4 The PRCA-record number of NFR bareback riding titles won by Bruce has won three NFR average titles in a row in his first three NFR appearances. 1972 The year cowboys Ace Berry and Phil Lyne won National Finals Rodeo average titles in two events each. Berry was the bareback riding and team roping average champion – with partner John J. Miller – and Phil Lyne was the tie down roping and bull riding average winner. $1.1M The total payoff – $1,085,84 – of the 2022 Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo. The 2023 Playoff Series rodeo runs from Jan. 20 through Feb. 4. Ford and Kaycee Feild. Bareback rider Jess Pope

Gini Roberge photo

The circuit system is an integral part of the PRCA. Every PRCA contestant belongs to a circuit and has an opportunity to advance to a national championship in the multimillion-dollar arm of the association. It affords opportunities to cowboys who may not have the circumstances that allow them to be on the road for thousands of miles a year. But make no mistake, these cowboys are as good as they come. They also make up the majority of the PRCA’s membership. In 1975, the PRCA created a system that breaks up the United States into 12 circuits. Here is the list of the purses from the most recent 12 RAM Circuit Finals Rodeos. Circuit Finals Rodeos payouts listed for 2022

CFR Texas

Payout $296,299 247,018 237,059 220,175 217,508 212,481 210,171 208,739 194,622 192,253 189,562

Montana

Southeastern Great Lakes

Badlands Col. River

First Frontier

Prairie

California Wilderness Turquoise Mtn. States

186,477 * Includes GBR, LBA & SR as of 1/18/2023

Greeley Stampede continues scholarships Since 2001, the Greeley Stampede Foundation

their pursuit of higher education,” said Nyla Bristow, Greeley Stampede Foundation Chairman in a press release. The 2023 scholarships will be awarded to graduating Weld County high school seniors based on the student’s academics, volunteer or work experience, extracurricular activities, and leadership. Applications and more information on each scholarship is available at www.greeleystampede.org/p/scholarships. The completed online scholarship must be submitted by midnight on Feb. 28, 2023. Email Nyla Bristow at scholarships@greeleystampede.org with questions regarding the high school scholarship program.

has given academic scholarships to graduating Weld County high school seniors to support the events mission to strengthen our community. Overall, the Foundation has funded $735,540 to 642 well deserving students since its inception. The Foundation has grown over the years from their first scholarship given for $500 to the recent $50,000 awarded annually. For 2023, the Foundation is again increasing the high school scholarship fund to $62,500 to award twenty-five $2,500 scholarships. “We are really pushing to increase our impact on the community to show support for our students and

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V I S I T U S I N L A S V E G A S , D OW N T OW N S U M M E R L I N & O U R B O O T H A T T H E C OW B O Y C H A N N E L C OW B O Y C H R I S T M A S

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Pennsylvania Power With full crowds watching, contestants competed for their share of the $210,171 purse at the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo in Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 12-14. – Casey Martin photo

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Wiser Caleb Bennett keeps maintaining winning ways Efficient BY DAGIN RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News TOP SCORES GREAT FALLS, MONT.

RAM MONTANA CIRCUIT FINALS

TOP MONEY EARNER Hawk Whitt ($12,199, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

I n sports, athletes don’t have the luxury of turning back the clock. It becomes a game of chess, utilizing strategy and self-awareness to execute in a shrinking window. Bareback rider Caleb Bennett finds himself here, aiming to keep his successful ProRodeo career alive for a chance to reach the pinnacle. “I want to rodeo smarter, not harder. I’d really like to spend more time at home and with my wife (Savannah) and enjoying stuff like that,” said the 34-year-old. “At the same time, I’m not ready to be done with the sport of rodeo.” The strategy is already paying dividends, as he captured a win in his first stop of the season at the RAMMontana Circuit Finals Rodeo in Great Falls. Bennett rode his way to victory for the second-straight year with 253 points on three head, bringing home the $3,660 prize. He focused on stringing good rides together, knowing consistency was critical. “Just one horse at a time. I drew really, really good horses. I was pretty tickled for each one of them,” Bennett said. “I didn’t exactly capitalize on the last two horses the way that I could have but still managed to get by them and do what I needed to do to get the win.” Bennett, a Utah native, made the move to western Montana about three years ago. He’s enjoyed the transition to the Montana Circuit, noting the quality of horses in the area. The cowboy believes the circuit finals in the Four Seasons Arena for three nights creates a special environment. “Up here, in that arena, and those horses with J Bar J and Sankey, they just have an amazing herd of animals,” Bennett said. “The culmination of all of them over three nights makes for an action-packed event. It’s just awesome to be a part of.” The 10-time NFR qualifier recently completed another stint in Las Vegas, admitting it may have been the worst Finals showing of his career. Bennett finished ninth in the average while placing in just one round, winning a mere $16,063. This season he’s fueled by redemption, craving the opportunity to prove why he’s been one of the best bareback riders over the last decade. “It’s about moving forward from that. I’m not ready to be done, I’m ready to keep rolling,” said Bennett. “Get back there this year and show them why I deserve to be there. Take advantage of good ones and my good health.” Bennett boasts an impressive career, displaying remarkable consistency. He stands roughly $150,000 shy of the $2 million career earnings mark, notching numerous top-10 finishes along the way. A world title remains the only thing missing, something he’s set his sights on from the beginning. “That’s a dream come true. I’ve been there enough now to know it takes the right one underneath you and the stars to align in the right way. That’s all I can keep doing,” Bennett said. “I have to put the grind foot down and keep chasing it. I’m hoping and praying that in the next couple of years it’s my time.”

Whitt

1. Caleb Bennett. ...............253 pts. on 3 2. Trevar McAllister....................... 243.5 3. Tristan Hansen.......................... 242.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Ty Erickson.................. 12.7 sec. on 3 2. Jake Nelson................................ 14.3 3. Austin Whitehouse...................... 14.9 TEAM ROPING 1. D. Bird/I. Folsom. ........ 18.3 sec. on 3 2. M. Kobold/J. Viles. ..................... 21.8 3. C. Berquist/L. Williams............... 23.3 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jesse Kruse...................235 pts. on 3 2. Josh Davison............................... 229 3. Qwint Stroh. ........................ 154 on 2 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Dillon Hahnkamp......... 27.3 sec. on 3 2. Haven Meged.............................. 28.8 3. Shay Keller. ................................ 33.1 BARREL RACING 1. Abigail Knight............ 38.95 sec. on 3 2. Cierra Erickson. ........................ 39.52 3. Maggie Poloncic....................... 39.75 BULL RIDING 1. Hawk Whitt.................174.5 pts. on 2 2. Parker Breding....................... 83 on 1 3. Connor Murnion. ........................... 82

Complete results/Page 41

Clay Guardipee photo Veteran bareback rider Caleb Bennett had an 86-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Wise General on the way to winning the average at the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo.

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HARRISBURG, PA.

Win has Cole setting sights on first NFR Aspirations BY JOLEE JORDAN, Special to ProRodeo Sports News RAM FIRST FRONTIER CIRCUIT FINALS

I f it has anything to do with a bucking bull, pretty much just count Grayson Cole in. Whether it’s raising them, owning them, feeding them, the Fredonia, Pennsylvania cowboy is all about it. “I just love bucking bulls,” Cole said. He owns a handful of his own and has watched them buck at ProRodeos over the years. “I love everything about them. I pretty much drive my girlfriend crazy.” He’s also pretty handy when riding them. Cole picked up his second straight average title during the 2023 RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo held once again at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Jan. 12-14. The rising star of bull riding rode all three bulls he attempted, picking up 250.5 points on three head to clinch the championship and $9,751. The big push at the Finals allowed him to leap from fourth to his second consecutive year end title. Cole claimed two round wins and was second in the middle go round, keeping his point totals ahead of Mazinho Jeremias, who also managed to cover all three of his bulls while in Harrisburg. “The first one is a bull fromCowtown that I got on a few years ago when they first started bucking him, I think he was three,” Cole said of Nates Minion. “He was out of the left-hand delivery back then and he got me down early.” Cole exacted revenge in Harrisburg, putting up 80.5 points on the bull. In the second round, he drew a bull fromAll American Rodeo, a company he lives and works with when not on the road, calledThe Punisher. In his first time drawing the bull, Cole managed 84 points. Despite a big lead going into the final go round, Cole needed another qualified ride and drew a tough out in the First Frontier Circuit’s Bull of the Year, Modified Hou fromCowtown Rodeo. “I was really excited to draw him. Nobody’s gotten by him up here, he’s unridden in the PRCA,” Cole noted. “My buddy got on him earlier this year and he told me, ‘there’s something to him.’ “I tried to just go in open minded and it worked out.” His final score of 86 points allowed him to easily coast to the average win. At just 23 years old, Cole has already accomplished some major feats in bull riding including qualifying to the PBRWorld Finals and, of course, the NFR Open powered by RAM, the national championship of ProRodeo’s circuit system. Only the circuit champions and winners from each of the circuit finals rodeos qualify to compete at the event now held in conjunction with Pikes Peak or Bust in Colorado Springs, Colo. in July. The catalyst of his second FFCFR title was a disappointing summer, which brought him home from the rodeo road a bit early. “I tried to make the NFR last year,” Cole explained. “But about halfway through the summer, things fell apart. So, after the NFR Open, I headed home to try to make some circuit rodeos and get the circuit finals made again. “I was hoping that could help me jumpstart the new year.” So far, Cole has executed his plan perfectly. The circuit finals was his third rodeo win of the 2023 season. The earnings gathered up with money won during a busy fall have him second in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with nearly $25,000 won already. Cole was right back on the road after the FFCFR with stops planned in Fort Worth and South Carolina in the following week alone.

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Tim Kent ($13,091, bareback riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Kent

1. Tim Kent ...................... 230 pts. on 3 2. Krandall Conn .................... 128 on 2 STEER WRESTLING 1. Olin Ellsworth ............ 12.7 sec. on 3 2. AJ Williams ............................... 15.9 3. Chad Stoltzfus . ......................... 20.8 TEAM ROPING 1. Z. Kilgus/D. Carnes .... 16.8 sec. on 3 2. D. Morgan/B. Bockius ............... 23.4 3. J. Mota/A. Mota ................ 13.0 on 2 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Clovis Crane . ............... 224 pts. on 3 2. Will Stites .......................... 129 on 2 3. Kaul Runfola .............................. 127 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Zane Kilgus ................ 32.1 sec. on 3 2. Trent Turner .............................. 41.0 3. Drew Carnes ............................. 43.5 BARREL RACING 1. Christina Mulford ..... 41.88 sec. on 3 2. Jen Merriman . ........................ 43.09 3. April Masterson ...................... 43.11 BULL RIDING 1. Grayson Cole ............ 250.5 pts. on 3 2. Mazinho Jeremias ...................... 225 3. Sawyer Sibley ................... 82.5 on 1

Complete results/Page 42

Casey Martin photo

Bull rider Grayson Cole has lofty goals for 2023 and they were helped along by him winning the average at the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo, including an 80.5-point ride on Cowtown Rodeo’s Nates Minion.

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