ProRodeo Sports News - January 25, 2019

Bo Knows Cowboys Rope in Cash at RAM CRCFR

ProRodeo Sports News February 2019

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Saddle bronc rider Jesse Kruse rides Kesler Championship Rodeo’s Willow Brook for 83.5 points and the second-round win at the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo, Jan. 12. Kruse also won the average. Kirt Steinke photo

CONTENTS JANUARY 25, 2019 – VOLUME 67, NO. 2

On the Circuit Montana Circuit crowns champions in Great Falls

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WIN EARLY Money pocketed to start the season can pay off late in the chase for a Wrangler NFR berth. 26

PICK A PARTNER As the new season kicks off, new pairings form among top team roping duos. 22

MORE IN THIS ISSUE

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INSIDE

6 in his own words 8 cowboy grille 10 he said-she said 12 brain teasers 18 short round 44 results 54 prca notes 55 prca business

RODEOS

32 Odessa, Texas 34 Harrisburg, Pa.

RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo 36 Great Falls, Mont. RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo 38 Yakima, Wash. RAM Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo 40 Fort Worth, Texas Xtreme Bulls

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Steer wrestler Matt Reeves, seen here competing Jan. 10, won the average at the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, with 9.6 seconds on two head. Dudley Barker photo

Sports News ProRodeo

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS (ISSN 0161-5815; USPS 469-620) is published semi-monthly by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919- 4301. PERIODICALS postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colo., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to ProRodeo Sports News , P.O. Box 469025, Escondido, CA 92046. Disclaimer: The ProRodeo Sports News carries advertising as a service to PRCA members and PSN readers. However, publication of advertisements in the PSN does not in any way, whether expressed or implied, commit the PSN to guarantee or warrant any of the merchan- dise or livestock advertised.

STANDINGS

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

14 prca world

THE COVER

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

Tie-down roper Bo Pickett competes at the RAM Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo, Jan. 13.

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Molly Morrow photo

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IN HIS OWNWORDS: JESSE PETRI FAST START HAS BULL RIDER EYEINGVEGAS

T exas is a really good place to rodeo from. Texas is a central area, you can get to different places in a good amount of time. From Florida it’s hard to get to places quickly. I think 2018 was an all right year. I got a late start because I broke my leg the summer before that in Hamel, Minn. A bull stepped on me and broke both bones in the lower part of my leg. I had surgery. It took at least five months for me to come back and get on bulls. It took me a while to get my confidence back and to get to riding like I do. I won a couple big rodeos. But this year will be one to remember for sure. I don’t remember what time of year it was, but there was a point in time where I knew I was where I needed to be, the injury was behind me – it happened – and I was ready to move ahead. I think one rodeo that stands out that I won last year is Dodge City, Kan. I was riding everything for those few weeks. I won in Eagle, Colo., then I won Dalhart, Texas, and then Dodge City. It was pretty cool because in the long round in Dodge City I was 84 on this nice bull, then in the short round I was 90 on this bull that really bucks that went to the NFR – Frontier Rodeo’s After With a full season ahead, bull rider Jesse Petri is set on making the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the first time. The 21-year-old, Florida native is off to a good start. As of Jan. 25, Petri ranked fifth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $16,084. After moving to Texas for school and switching to the Texas Circuit, Petri qualified for the 2019 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., about an hour from where he grew up and where his family lives. Petri now lives in Palestine, Texas.

All. It felt really good. I probably won $30,000 in those three weeks. It felt like I was right where I needed to be. I wanted to keep it rolling and try to make a comeback and make the NFR. It didn’t happen, it wasn’t meant to be. This year will be my year. Those weeks were a lot of fun. I think that momentum has carried over. I feel really good, better than I ever have. I started off in Bonifay, Fla., a couple days into the new season. I won $4,000 there. I went to some smaller Texas rodeos and won about $2,500 at those. Then I went into the Texas Circuit Finals and I won about $4,500 and got a spot at the RAM Finals in Kissimmee, Fla. That’ll be a good place to make some money. I’m really excited. That’s going to be a big opportunity for me. It’s a place where I won a lot of money growing up. I know a lot of people around there. It’ll be nice to be down there competing and trying to win some big bucks. It’ll be neat for my family to be there and watch me because they don’t get to go everywhere I get to go. It’s nice for them to go to some of those closer rodeos and especially that big RAM Finals. I think everybody will enjoy it. Being able to qualify for the RAM Finals out of the Texas Circuit really means a lot because it has a lot of the stock that comes straight from the NFR. Everybody calls it the mini-NFR because all the cowboys and stock that are there come from Vegas. It’s kind of the best of the best. My traveling partner Clayton Sellars started at the beginning of the year in 2018 and went to everything he could go to. That’s what we’re doing this year. Like I said, I had a late start last year. But once I got rolling it was a lot of fun. We got to see a lot of places and win some cool rodeos, we both got to be 90 points for the first time, and we met a lot of nice people on the way. I think it’s just getting started for us.

Not licensed to use PRCA marks

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GRILLE COWBOY

Kellan Johnson, 20, of Casper, Wyo., is a team roping header and the son of five-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo-qualifying team roping heeler Jhett Johnson (2005-07, 2009, 2011). Kellan joined the PRCA in February 2017 and earned a career-best $22,279 in 2018. Kellen has higher expectations for 2019.

WITH TRACY RENCK PSN

How has your rodeo career gone since you joined the PRCA? Kellan: It has been great. My rookie year (2017) I got to enter Cheyenne (Wyo.) (Frontier Days) for the first time, and last year I had a decent year. So far this year, I’m winning my circuit (Mountain States) and I’m in the top 50 in the world going into the winter run, so it has been good. I really like to carry on what my dad has done, and I would love to make the NFR and then chase a gold buckle. Who are you going to rope with this year? Kellan: This winter I’m going to rope with J.C. Flake, and when Guymon, Okla., (Pioneer Days, April 29-May 5) comes around, I will start roping with my little brother, Carson, who will be 18 in February. How young were you when you started your rodeo career? Kellan: When I was little, I got to be around my dad a bunch. I was swinging his ropes when I was about 4 years old. Then I started roping when I was 8 and I started competing when I was 9. Rodeo has meant everything to our family. How big of an influence has your father been on you? Kellan: My dad has been a big part of my life. In the rodeo world, he knows a lot of people, so if you are going some place and you need a place to stay, he knows who is around there. He also helps me with fundamentals and the mental game. He has always been strong about staying positive no matter what is going on. What events did you do growing up? Kellan: I (tie-down) roped a little bit in junior high and high school, but when I got to Gillette (Wyo.) College I thought I better just stick to team roping. Almost your entire family does team roping as a heeler, why did you choose to be a header? Kellan: My uncle Justin (Johnson) is a (PRCA) header, and he helped me a lot with my heading. Everyone else in my family was a heeler, so I always got a lot more runs because if they needed someone to rope, I always got to head. I have to say I was not a very good heeler. I never got the hang of it. I thought if I wanted to rope, I might as well try being a header, and I really liked it. I really enjoy being the captain of the team, so to speak. What was it like winning the College National Finals Rodeo last year in your hometown of Casper with your partner Trey Yates? Kellan: A lot of my family and coaches and high school teachers got to be there, and

it was exciting. That was our plan to win it. It is hard to put into words what it meant to win a national championship in your hometown. This year, I’m going to continue to rope for Gillette College. I will be roping with my cousin, Jerren Johnson. What is your favorite restaurant? Kellan: I like Olive Garden. When I’m there I get their seafood alfredo. Who is your favorite non-rodeo athlete? Kellan: I would say LeBron James. I really like him. He has a cool swagger about him, and he’s a leader. Every team he’s played for, he’s left better than when he got there. When you’re not rodeoing what do you like to do? Kellan: I play basketball for fun and throw the baseball around. I also like to do ranch work, feeding cows and helping my dad with that stuff. Where’s the coolest place you have been in your rodeo travels? Kellan: I would say Chicago. It was sweet. It was a different culture and it was a cool place to be. What is your go-to karaoke song? Kellan: That’s a good question. I would say “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell. That’s an old-

school song, but I know the words to that song and I enjoy it. What were your favorite cartoons to watch as a kid?

Kellan: SpongeBob SquarePants and Tom and Jerry . What was your favorite Halloween costume? Kellan: I loved dressing up as John Travolta’s character (Danny Zuko) from Grease . I loved combing my hair back and looking like him. What is your favorite movie to watch? Kellan: The Sandlot . I always felt that movie described how my brothers and I were when we were younger. We were always getting into mischief and messing around. My youngest brother is Kress, and he’s 10 years old.

KELLAN JOHNSON

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10QUESTIONS

HE SAID – SHE SAID

Who knows bull rider Eli Vastbinder better, his wife, Paige, or his traveling partner, Koby Radley?

ELI

WIFE PAIGE

PARTNER KOBY

PAIGE

KOBY

ELI

WHAT IS HIS BIGGEST FEAR?

Me

Losing

Losing

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE THING TO HUNT?

Deer

Coyote

Deer

IS HE AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?

Night owl

Night owl

Night owl

IF NOT BULL RIDING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

Cowboy

Team roper

Team roper

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Chili’s

Chili’s

Chili’s

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE CANDY?

Reese’s Cups

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Reese’s Cups

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE MOVIE?

Lonesome Dove

Step Brothers

Lonesome Dove

WHOS IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

Tuff Hedeman

Tuff Hedeman

Tuff Hedeman

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Eli

Me

Me

10 WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RODEO WIN?

9th round 2018 NFR

9th round 2018 NFR

9th round 2018 NFR

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BRAIN TEASERS

ANSWERS ON PAGE 98

THEN & NOW

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

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1

3

2

4

E

B

C

D

A

WORD SEARCH February Fun

The 2019 rodeo season closes the books on another month, as January ends. But the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas, which runs Jan. 25-Feb. 9 and Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.), Jan. 25-Feb. 2, help carry the season into February. 1. Find the winners from the 2018 Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas. BB : J.R. Vezain SW: Tyler Pearson TR: Matt Sherwood/Walt Woodard

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

SB: Jacobs Crawley TD: Shane Hanchey GB: Amberleigh Moore BR: Trevor Kastner

2. Find the winners from the 2018 Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.). BB: Tyler Nelson SW: Chason Floyd TR: Steven Duby/Evan Arnold SB: Ty Manke

TD: Tyler Milligan GB: Bobbi Grann BR: Cole Elshere

BONUS QUESTIONS 1. Who won the 2018 SWELS – Xtreme Bulls? 2. Who won the All-Around at Rodeo Rapid City last year?

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2019 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Unofficial as of Jan. 25, 2019. For the 2019 season (Oct. 1, 2018-Sept. 30, 2019), official rodeo limits were as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 85; team roping, 65; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 85; barrel racing, 100; and bull riding, no limit. Bull riders can count Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.

ALL-AROUND 1. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss............................. $12,386 2. Hank Hollenbeck, Molt, Mont........................... 9,181 3. Chance Oftedahl, Pemberton, Minn.................. 8,874 4. Delon Parker, Worden, Mont............................ 8,586 5. Darren Morgan, Fort Ann, N.Y.......................... 8,002 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La................ $16,413 2. Jared Keylon, Uniontown, Kan....................... 15,921 3. Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, Texas.................... 14,793 4. Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas............................ 14,592 5. Trenten Montero, Winnemucca, Nev............... 13,235 6. Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont.......................... 12,904 7. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La............................... 12,804 8. Blake Smith, Zap, N.D.................................... 12,719 9. Pascal Isabelle, Okotoks, Alberta.................... 11,642 10. R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif................. 11,116 11. Mark Kreder, Collinville, Okla.......................... 11,131 12. Matthew Smith, Saraland, Ala........................ 11,032 13. Logan Patterson, Kim, Colo............................. 9,682 14. Jesse Pope, Marshall, Mo................................ 8,912 15. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas........................ 8,815 16. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif........................ 8,618 17. Tanner Phipps, Dalton, Ga................................ 8,500 18. Blade Elliott, Centreville, Ala............................. 8,487 19. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa........................... 8,363 20. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D................................... 8,058 STEERWRESTLING 1. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D............... $12,918 2. Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta.................. 12,279 3. Blake Mindemann, Blanchard, Okla................ 12,026 4. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.................... 11,193 5. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La............................... 11,036 6. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho.............. 10,517 7. Jacob Edler, State Center, Iowa........................ 9,994 8. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla............................. 9,531 9. Chason Floyd, Buffalo, S.D............................... 9,006 10. Bridger Chambers, Stevensville, Mont............. 8,894 11. Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas..................... 8,472 12. Gary Gilbert, Springtown, Texas....................... 7,952 13. Cody Metsker, Taylorville, Ill............................. 7,875 14. Blaine Jones, Templeton, Calif.......................... 7,729 15. John Leinaweaver, Orrtanna, Pa....................... 7,502 16. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont................................ 6,871 17. Tanner Milan, Cochrane, Alberta...................... 6,599 18. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif................. 6,590 19. Don Payne, Stephenville, Texas........................ 6,355 20. Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas.................... 6,230 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn.................... $12,025 2. Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla...................... 11,774 3. Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas..................... 10,879 4. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif.......................... 10,659 5. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas............................... 10,130 6. Eric Fabian, Gansevoort, N.Y............................ 9,425 7. Jacob Dagenhart, Statesville, N.C..................... 8,654 8. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga........................... 8,005 9. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss................................. 7,817 10. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D....................................... 7,511 11. Brady Tryan, Huntley, Mont.............................. 7,161 12. Will Clark, Erin, Tenn........................................ 7,120 13. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.......................... 7,118 14. Tyrell Moody, Letcher, S.D............................... 6,989 15. Pace Freed, Chubbuck, Idaho........................... 6,811 16. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn............................ 6,395 17. Tanner Saunders, Hudson, N.C........................ 6,188 18. Ryan Reed, Modesto, Calif............................... 6,066 19. Chris Francis, Las Vegas, N.M.......................... 6,059

STEER ROPING 1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas....................... $20,718 2. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas........................ 18,624 3. Roger Branch, Wellston, Okla.......................... 9,266 4. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas.............................. 9,221 5. Shay Good, Abilene, Texas............................... 9,026 6. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................... 9,011 7. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo........................ 8,360 8. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas............. 8,303 9. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D............................. 5,776 10. Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan................................ 5,551 11. Ora Taton, Rapid City, S.D................................ 5,347 12. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla........................... 5,215 13. Travis Mills, Gillette, Wyo................................. 5,062 14. Will McBride, Ogallala, Neb.............................. 4,909 15. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas......................... 4,807 16. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas............................. 4,802 17. Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla....................... 4,737 18. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas.............................. 4,576 19. Billy Good, Wynnewood, Okla.......................... 4,477 20. Bill Benson, Laurel, Mont................................. 4,372 BULL RIDING 1. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont........................ $31,071 2. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla................. 26,811 3. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas............................... 20,560 4. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla.............................. 17,770 5. Jesse Petri, Athens, Texas.............................. 16,084 6. Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho.......................... 15,723 7. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa............................ 14,633 8. Lon Danley, Tularosa, N.M............................. 14,359 9. Elijah Mora, Wiggins, Colo............................. 11,359 10. Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah..................... 10,877 11. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La................................. 9,481 12. Cole Melancon, Liberty, Texas.......................... 9,337 13. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D...................................... 9,256 14. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla........................ 9,083 15. Dylan Hice Vick, Escalon, Calif......................... 8,561 16. Scottie Knapp, Edgewood, N.M........................ 7,703 17. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore........................... 7,580 18. Payton Fitzpatrick, Polson, Mont...................... 7,573 19. Nic Lica, Garden City, Mich.............................. 7,510 20. Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas...................... 7,270 *2019 BARREL RACING (Through Jan. 25, 2019) Barrel racing standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings. 1. Ivy Conrado, Nowata, Okla............................$19,983 2. Cheyenne Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas.......14,725 3. Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mo. ............................14,636 4. Ericka Nelson, Century, Fla..............................13,939 5. Sabra O’Quinn, Ocala, Fla................................13,938 6. Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas..........................12,323 7. Kristen Spratt, Lysite, Wyo..............................12,049 8. Kylie Weast, Comanche, Okla..........................11,521 9. Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas..............................10480 10. Dona Rule, Minco, Texas...................................9,750 11. Jennifer Sharp, Richards, Texas........................9,547 12. Jimmie Smith, McDade, Texas..........................9,347 13. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D..............................9,174 14. Leia Pluemer, Las Lunas, N.M...........................8,451 15. April Masterson, Lincoln, Vt..............................8,397 16. Taci Bettis, Round Top, Texas............................8,074 17. Chloe Gray, Yatesville, Georgia..........................8,068 18. Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif.........................7,961 19. Michelle Alley, Madisonville, Texas....................7,869 20. Tonia Forsberg, Fillmore, Calif...........................7,548

20. Kal Fuller, Bozeman, Mont................................ 6,025 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla................ $13,113 2. Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas.................... 11,774 3. Jake Edwards, Fort Ann, N.Y.......................... 11,076 4. Hunter Koch, Walters, Okla............................ 10,879 5. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas.............. 10,659 6. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas.................... 10,130 7. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D..................................... 9,999 8. Zack Mabry, Piedmont, Ala............................... 8,654 9. J. Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil ......... 8,005 10. Wesley Brunson, Terry, Miss............................ 7,636 11. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.............................. 7,118 12. Rory Brown, Edgemont, S.D............................ 6,989 13. Jade Anderson, Genola, Utah........................... 6,811 14. Chase Boekhaus, Rolla, Kan............................. 6,745 15. Brad Culpepper, Sylvester, Ga.......................... 6,395 16. James Arnold, Midway, Texas.......................... 6,316 17. Monty Joe Petska, Turlock, Calif...................... 6,066 18. Cade Passig, Las Vegas, N.M........................... 6,059 19. J.C. Flake, Laramie, Wyo.................................. 5,869 20. Kory Mytty, Lolo, Mont.................................... 5,738 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas.................... $23,267 2. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas....................... 22,466 3. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont................... 22,091 4. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La........................... 17,742 5. Joey Sonnier III, New Iberia, La..................... 10,990 6. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah....................... 10,290 7. Cole Elshere, Faith S.D..................................... 9,953 8. Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont......................... 9,181 9. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia.................. 8,668 10. Dean Wadsworth, Buffalo Gap, Texas............... 8,605 11. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas............... 8,518 12. Clovis Crane, Lebanon, Pa............................... 8,410 13. Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla............................... 7,403 14. Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M.............................. 7,280 15. Leon Fountain, Socorro, N.M........................... 6,880 16. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M................................ 6,768 17. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah............................... 6,542 18. J.J. Elshere, Hereford, S.D............................... 6,463 19. Joe Farren, Cottondale, Fla............................... 6,308 20. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D........................ 6,291 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas.......................... $34,524 2. Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas.................... 19,437 3. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas........................... 10,653 4. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas.................... 10,500 5. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La........................... 10,067 6. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga.......................... 9,804 7. Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan................................ 8,810 8. Tim Naylor, Hancock, Md................................. 8,502 9. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont........................ 8,351 10. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas..................... 8,012 11. Jordan Ketscher, Squaw Valley, Calif................ 7,939 12. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif................................ 7,812 13. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla......................... 7,780 14. Clint Kindred, Oral, S.D.................................... 7,318 15. Blake Ash, Aurora, Mo..................................... 7,313 16. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas............................ 6,982 17. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif............................ 6,603 18. Bradley Chance Hays, Whitefish, Mont............. 6,312 19. Cooper Mathews, Cleburne, Texas................... 6,132 20. Justin Smith, Leesville, La............................... 6,072

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TAKING RESERVATIONS DECEMBER 17, 2018

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R OUND THE SHORT Out of Action Three-time champ O’Connell out six months with injury Winning the bareback riding world title for a third consecutive year came at a cost for Tim O’Connell that will have him out of competition for six months. During Round 10 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Iowa cowboy posted an 87-point ride on J Bar J’s All Pink and went home with his third consecutive gold buckle, but the ride also saw him suffer a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum of his left (free) arm. O’Connell said the injuries would keep him out until summer.

BY THE NUMBERS

The estimated number of people expected to attend the 123rd Annual Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo between Jan. 18 and Feb. 9, according to TV station NBC 5 Dallas- Fort Worth. The rodeo begins Jan. 25.

The amount of money bull rider Dallee Mason earned for capturing the title at the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls in Fort

“A lot happened after the whistle,” O’Connell said. “I got flipped and turned and my shoulder yanked in the wrong direction. I didn’t think it was that bad, but I think I had injuries that gave it enough to take it the rest of the way.” In wrapping up his third consecutive gold buckle, O’Connell won $132,551 at the Finals and finished the season with $319,801. He also split the average title with Steven Dent, each of them finishing with 849.5 points on 10 head. It

O’Connell

Worth, Texas, Jan. 22-23. The Idaho

was O’Connell’s third consecutive Wrangler NFR average title. After returning home from the Wrangler NFR, O’Connell, 27, had an X-ray and an MRI and the results sent to Dr. Tandy Freeman of Justin Sportsmedicine. O’Connell was targeting the Fourth of July run as his return date to be back in the chutes. “I’m at peace with it,” O’Connell said. “It gives me time to be with my family, but I have no doubt in my mind that I can make the NFR in that time span.”

cowboy earned $11,800 during the 2018 season.

The amount of money steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack has earned the last three PRCA seasons – 2016- 18. The Gonzales, La., cowboy won world championships in 2016 and 2018.

Farewell performances for bullfighters Barry, Wilson When the curtain dropped on the RAM Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo, Jan. 13, it spelled the end of the careers of bullfighters Rowdy Barry and Ryan Wilson. Barry, 52, bought his PRCA card in 1986. The Washington native worked the National Finals Rodeo in 1999 and the Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo 18 times. He also worked the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo multiple times as well as the Canadian Finals Rodeo. “I was attracted to the bulls when I was young,” said Barry, who has lived in Kennewick, Wash., for 25 years. “It seems like my career has gone by in the blink of an eye, and I loved every minute of it. I think I was 13 years old when I went to my first bull fighting school, put on by Skipper Voss, and when I turned 16 I knew I wanted to be a bullfighter.” Wilson, 33, joined the PRCA in November 2006 and worked the RAM Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo four times. Growing up, Wilson was on the opposite end of the spectrum from Barry. “I was a city kid,” Wilson said. “I wasn’t raised around rodeo ever. I watched the movie 8 Seconds and I wanted to try bullfighting. ... I had great teachers in Rowdy, Rob Smets, Donnie Griggs and Danny Newman. It was an amazing career, I couldn’t ask for anything more. Just meeting the people in rodeo meant so much to me. It is one big family.”

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NUMBER OF PRCA-SANCTIONED RODEOS INTHE 2019 SEASON SO FAR

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Seven PRCA cowboys surpass career-earnings milestones Seven PRCA cowboys surpassed career lifetime-earn- ings milestones by the end of the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Rhen Richard, who finished third in the 2018 All-Around race, surpassed $1 million thanks to winning $48,288 as a team roping header and $89,256 as a tie-down roper at the Wrangler NFR. Combined, the events pushed the 29-year-old Utah cowboy’s earnings to $1,030,464 after a decade of ProRodeo competition. “It’s taken me 10 years, so that’s not good,” Richard joked. “There’s not a ton of guys who can say they’ve done it, and hopefully I can do it again in five years instead of 10 years because I’m dang sure not going to rodeo for 10 more years.” Team roping header Luke Brown surpassed the $2 million mark, upping his career earnings to $2,042,131. Of the thousands of cowboys to compete in the PRCA, only 30 had surpassed $2 million in career earnings. Brown was surprised to learn he hit that milestone after winning $71,135 at the 2018 Wrangler NFR. “It’s unbelievable,” the 44-year-old cowboy said. “It takes a lot of luck and a lot of driving.” Brown credited the first of his 11 consecutive Wrangler NFR qualifications as being the most important point in his journey to earning $2 million. “I’ve had a lot of luck at the Finals,” Brown said. “It’s amazing to make a living with my rope much less surpass $2 million. I remember the first time I passed it, my wife (Lacey) had a cake made that said ‘Millionaire’ on it. I’ve spent every dollar of it, but it’s cool to say you’ve done it. Some of the great- est team ropers alive have done it and it’s cool to be part of it.” Also crossing the $1 million threshold were: • Bull rider Joe Frost – $1,194,016 • Team roping heeler Junior Nogueira – $1,121,669 • Tie-down roper Caleb Smidt – $1,100,371 • Steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack – $1,053,169 • Steer wrestler Ty Erickson – $1,001,087 Richard credited the final rodeos of the 2018 regular season as being the most pivotal since they granted him his first Wrangler NFR qualification. “I’d been close so many times and never got it, and to make it is a big deal to me,” Richard said. “They weren’t the biggest wins, but winning when you need to win is pretty important. It’s an honor to do it and I’m pretty blessed.” The seven successful cowboys will soon be joined by more as the 2019 season heats up. The following 2018 Wrangler NFR qualifiers are on the cusp of surpassing a milestone during the 2019 season: • Bull rider Sage Kimzey – $1,829,933 • Steer wrestler Curtis Cassidy – $1,812,547 • Saddle bronc rider CoBurn Bradshaw – $986,297 • Tie-down roper Marty Yates – $978,400 • Bareback rider Richmond Champion – $954,514

SKIING VIDEO

$4,087,146 Directors are appointed for three-year terms by the Round-Up and Happy Canyon Corporations to promote the rich history and heritage of these two community organiza- tions. Hart will serve as a director of facility management for the organization. White- Zollman will serve as the grants and website director. West will direct the annual Hall of Fame banquet which kicks off Round-Up/Happy Canyon week in September with the introduction of the Hall of Fame inductees. McDonald will serve as the publicity director. Wolfe wins twice at Cowboy Downhill Before 2018, steer wrestler Colin Wolfe had never competed in the Cowboy Downhill in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Now, it’s a favorite stop for him – and for good reason. A year after winning the slalom timed-event competition, the Wenatchee, Wash., cowboy doubled his pleasure by winning the slalom event in 27.4 seconds and the stam- pede race Jan. 21. “It was a cool experience to win both,” said Wolfe, 33. “I don’t think that happens very often. After going last year, I learned that I needed to do a couple of things differently this time around. In that (stampede) race when you’re all crowded together you have to find a way to not get tangled up with everybody. It is one big free-for-all and I just tried to keep my distance from people, so they didn’t tangle me up.” There were 97 contestants from Denver’s National Western Stock Show and Rodeo who entered the Downhill, and more than 25 legends and friends who competed, some who have been attending the event for more than 30 years. The winner of the best wreck was Brooke Wallace, Miss Rodeo Kansas 2019. The Cowboy Downhill is held in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver and began in 1975. The Downhill has become a fundraiser for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, which provides financial assistance to injured PRCA cowboys. Saddle bronc rider Tyrell J. Smith retires Saddle bronc rider Tyrell J. Smith is ready to move on to the next chapter of his life. Smith, 32, who joined the PRCA in 2006 as a bull rider and saddle bronc rider and made his lone appearance at the Wrangler NFR in 2012, is at peace with his decision. “In roughstock, all those kids are getting younger, and there a lot of them who ride really good and are coming up,” said Smith, who competed in only saddle bronc riding from 2007. “I put 13 years in just rodeoing hard and I put a lot of stuff on the backburner. I figured it was time to be at home more.” Smith and his wife, Janelle, live in Sand Coulee, Mont., outside Great Falls. In retirement, Tyrell is headed down a new career path. “I’m going into law enforcement,” said Smith, who earned $497,134 in ProRodeo. “I’m headed to the police academy in April.” Pendleton Round-Up HOF appoints directors The Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up Hall of Fame recently appointed directors. The new directors are Steve Hart, Casey White-Zollman, Mary French West and Jordan McDonald.

• Steer wrestler Hunter Cure – $948,926 • Steer wrestler Nick Guy – $937,467 • Team roping header Clay Smith – $919,435

MONEYWON BY PRCA COWBOYS INTHE 2019 SEASON

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SNAPSHOT

Bullfighter Dusty Tuckness uses the barrel to hold off a bull during the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, Jan. 9. Dudley Barker photo

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PARTNERS

VIDEO Smith & Long

Prominent team ropers change partners for 2019 Switching Gears

BY TRACY RENCK W ith ProRodeo’s winter run underway, many team ropers devise plans to qualify for the 2019Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. That plan can involve switching partners – and that’s exactly what many prominent cowboys decided to do. Before winning world championships at the 2018Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas at theThomas &Mack Center, partners Clay Smith (header) and Paul Eaves (heeler) decided they would part ways. Now, Smith is roping with Jake Long and Eaves is with header Luke Brown, Long’s former partner. “I’m excited about it, and I think it is going to be good,” said Smith, who has roped with Long before. “We’re hoping we can win as much as we can, and it is going to be fun. Jake and I get along good, and we’ve had a decent amount of success already. We’re ready to get going.” Long agreed. “I’m excited (to be with Clay),” said Long, who has qualified for the Wrangler NFR eight times (2010-12, 2014-18). “He’s wearing the gold buckle right now, and he’s clearly proved he knows how to win and is the best guy going right now. I know if I do my job we will do well together.” Long will again be riding his horse, Colonel, who has won Team Roping- Heeling PRCA | AQHAHorse of the Year the last three years. “I think we both have great horses, he has a great horse in Marty and

I have Colonel,” Long said. “It is like being a race car driver with a nice race car, it makes your job easier. When you have the horsepower under you, it gives you a lot more confidence.”

Brown also weighed in about his new partnership with Eaves. “It’s going to be good,” Brown said. “I think all the switching was good for everybody, and I’m looking forward to 2019.” Likewise, Aaron Tsinigine and Trey Yates, who teamed to win the average at the 2018Wrangler NFR with a 69.6-second time on 10 head, have different full-time partners. Tsinigine, who won a world championship in 2015, is roping with Kyle Lockett. Yates, meanwhile, has teamed with JoJo LeMond. Tsinigine and Lockett began last season roping together, but Lockett decided to go home before the summer run. “We have roped a lot together, and I feel good about (roping with him in 2019),” Tsinigine said. “We won Denver last year and plugged along. Kyle was 15th in the world and has kids at home, and he decided to go home. Kyle has not been to the NFR since 2005. He’s been home taking care of his family, and it would be cool if I could rope with him at the NFR because he was my idol growing up. I grew up watching him rope at the NFR on TV. It would be nice if I rope with him at the NFR.” Lockett, who joined the PRCA in 1996, has qualified for the Wrangler NFR seven times (1997-98, 2000-03, 2005). Lockett, of Ivanhoe, Calif., finished a career-best second in the heeler world standings in 2002 behind ProRodeo Hall of Famer Rich Skelton. Skelton has teamed up with 2017

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PRCA | Resistol All-Around Rookie of the Year NelsonWyatt. Yates, who made his Wrangler NFR debut in 2018, is upbeat about joining forces with LeMond. LeMond has qualified for the Wrangler NFR in team roping three times (2008-10) and was an injury replacement for Jake Barnes in 2015. That year he and partner Junior Nogueira placed in eight rounds and finished third in the average. LeMond also has qualified for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping four times – 2013, 2015-17. “JoJo and I roped together back in 2016 in the Northwest and did decent,” said Yates, 23. “He and I are good friends. He’s a cool guy and one of the most talented guys with a rope, period. It doesn’t matter what event, and he’s hungry again. He wants to be at the top, and I feel lucky to be heeling for him. It is going to be a lot of fun.” Trevor Brazile, who won his PRCA-record 24th world championship when he took home the All-Around gold buckle at the 2018Wrangler NFR, will team rope with seven-time champion

of the world and ProRodeo Hall of Famer Clay O’Brien Cooper on a limited schedule. Brazile team roped last year with heeler Patrick Smith. Brazile and Smith won world championships while roping together in 2010. Smith, who also was a team roping heeler world champ in 2005 with Clay Tryan, has teamed up with Charly Crawford, a nine-time Wrangler NFR qualifier – 2005-07, 2009-10, 2012-14, 2017. In 2016, header Levi Simpson and heeler Jeremy Buhler made history by becoming the first all-Canadian team to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. They made more history by becoming the first world champions in the heading and heeling from Canada. For 2019, Simpson and Buhler have split up. Simpson is with Cole Davison, who finished 11th in 2018 while roping with Tyler Wade at the Wrangler NFR. Buhler has paired with fellow Canadian Kolton Schmidt, who qualified for the 2016 Wrangler NFR, finishing 10th in the world standings.

NEW DUOS A glance at some new team roping pairs for the 2019 season. • Clay Smith/Jake Long • Luke Brown/Paul Eaves • Charly Crawford/Patrick Smith • Trevor Brazile/Clay O’Brien Cooper • Kolton Schmidt/Jeremy Buhler • Nelson Wyatt/Rich Skelton • Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett • JoJo LeMond/Trey Yates • Tyler Wade/Billy Jack Saebens • Levi Simpson/Cole Davison • Bubba Buckaloo/Hunter Koch • Bart Brunson/Trace Porter • Matt Sherwood/Tyler Worley

Heeler Paul Eaves, the 2018 world champion, top left, is now roping with Luke Brown, top right. Aaron Tsinigine, bottom right, who won the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo average with partner Trey Yates, has switched partners to Kyle Lockett. Yates, bottom left, will campaign with header JoJo LeMond, a Wrangler NFR qualifying team roper and four-time Clem McSpadden NFSR qualifier. PRCA ProRodeo file photos

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Photo by karenkellyphotography.com

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Strong January can help in qualifying for Wrangler NFR Coming in Hot QUICK START

BY MATT NABER

JAKE BROWN – BAREBACK RIDING Age: 29 Hometown: Cleveland, Texas Joined PRCA: 2008 Career earnings: $621,616

“Usually I start right after the season ends because in October, conveniently, there are quite a few in Texas. Then, right after January, right after the NFR, I like to go pretty good because I like riding bucking horses and it takes a little pressure off you. If you can get the ball rolling fast it’s a lot easier to keep momentum than trying to catch everyone come June and July. “I’ve been blessed to keep healthy, I try to stay in shape and take care of myself the best I can and make business decisions while I’m rodeoing to go to the right places.

Starting the season with a strong lead makes the rest of the year less stressful. If a cowboy is in the top 20 at the end of January, it puts them in a better place to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo or the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. Although it’s not unheard of for cowboys to rapidly climb the PRCA | RAM World Standings in the final months of the season, having a position at the top makes it easier to brush it off when things go wrong. Some cowboys consistently kick off the season with a strong lead. Among them are Joe Frost, Jake Brown, Luke Brown and Cody Lee, who have ranked among the top 20 around the end of January and went on to qualify for the Finals each of the last three years. These early starters shared their thoughts on the importance of getting a fast start.

“I think if you win $20,000-30,000 the first two or three months you have some weight off your shoulders come summertime to not 100 percent depend on how summer goes. You never know, you could go a month of not drawing good horses or horses that fit you very well. But if you have a little bit built up, it won’t be as big of a deal. “I like to spread them out over the year rather than mashing in as many as I can in three or four months. ... It opens you up to go to the rodeos you want to go to, you don’t have to go to everything – you can just go to your favorite ones.”

CODY LEE – STEER ROPING Age: 43 Hometown: Gatesville, Texas Joined PRCA: 1998 Career earnings: $883,563 “I think it helps greatly to get a great start. It’s easier than playing catch-up at the end. Up until this year, we had San Antonio in February, and if you had a good San Antonio it made your whole year go really, really easy and you could coast through it. But if you don’t, it seems like you’re roping for the bottom 15 spots instead of the Top 15 spots. “Living in central Texas, we can practice more in the winter than the northern guys. We have a bit of an advantage in the fall since we have a few rodeos in the fall and can run a lot of practice cattle to prepare for the Finals, and then the first few rodeos make it a lot easier. “It also helps you mentally. If you have one bad rodeo you can brush it off and don’t put near as much pressure on yourself. It seems like it’s easier to win when you want to and don’t have to. It seems like when you have to win you put a lot more pressure on yourself and it’s a lot easier to make a mistake. “It’s a lot easier to get lucky at the beginning than it is at the end.”

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