ProRodeo Sports News - January 26, 2018

Cowboys Set Records and Cash in at Denver Stock Up For Winter

ProRodeo Sports News February 2018

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SAGE KIMZEY

WORLD CHAMPION BULL RIDER

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1/10/18 4:29 PM

22 Winter Winnings Big checks earned at Denver Coliseum CONTENTS JAN. 26, 2018 – VOLUME 66, NO. 2

Team roping heeler Patrick Smith ropes at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver on Jan. 14. Greg Westfall photo

MEET & GREET CEO George Taylor answers questions after first week on the job. 16

WILD RIDE Lane Nobles wins $16,000 at Xtreme Bulls event in Fort Worth, Texas. 28

MORE IN THIS ISSUE

ProRodeo Sports News 1/26/18

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INSIDE

6 in his own words 8 cowboy grille 12 he said, she said 14 brain teasers 18 short round 40 results 52 prca notes 53 prca business

RODEOS

22 Denver, Colo. 28 Fort Worth, Texas Xtreme Bulls

30

STANDINGS

Daylon Swearingen’s 86-point ride on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Parker, Jan. 11, helped him win the RAM First Frontier Circuit year-end title. Casey Martin photo

10 2018 PRCA world 44 all-american 46 circuits

THE COVER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER George Taylor MEDIA DIRECTOR Justin Shaw PSN EDITOR Scott Kaniewski ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATOR Bryan Oller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 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.

Cowboys Set Records and Cash in at Denver Stock Up For Winter

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS 101 ProRodeo Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ©2018, PRCA Properties Inc., a marketing service and subsidiary of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information retrieval system, without permission in writing from PRCA Properties Inc.

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Zeke Thurston scored 85.5 points on Burch Rodeo’s Iron Maiden at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, Jan. 21. Greg Westfall photo

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IN HIS OWNWORDS: JACOB TALLEY

STEERWRESTLER TRADED IN CLEATS FOR BOOTS Steer wrestler Jacob Talley had more than a passing interest in the NFL’s NFC Championship Game on Jan. 21. Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson was Talley’s coach in high school. Talley was pulling for the Eagles, who defeated the Minnesota Vikings to advance to the Super Bowl. As of Jan. 25, Talley, of Keatchie, La., was ranked in the Top 5 in the PRCA World Standings and looking to get back to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER for the second time. Talley turned 27 Jan. 26. if I put the time and effort in I could make the NFR. So a couple years ago I started really practicing hard and getting ready to go after it. Missing out on the 2017WNFR was a hard one to swallow. You make it the year before and then come back and I was right there on the bubble. I went from 13th to 18th just about all year, back and forth. You’re struggling to stay in the Top 15. After I fell out I struggled to stay right there and kept slipping away. That’s one of those deals where it’s disappointing, but it’ll light a fire under you to

D oug Pederson coached at my high school (Calvary Baptist Academy) in Shreveport, La., for four seasons then jumped to the NFL. I was in school there all four years he was there. You would never have known he actually played in the NFL. He was a really good coach. …He was down-to-earth, and he was a great guy to play for. He was really good about coaching us, but he was also more of a mentor to you and more about shaping our lives and making us respectable, godly young men growing up. It’s crazy to think just a handful of years ago I was playing for him. To see somebody on that level – yeah, he played in the NFL, but then he came back home – who coached a high school team go straight to the NFL for a couple years coaching and becoming a head coach. Now he gets to coach in the biggest game there is. It’s not a big part of it, but it’s like we helped him get that start together. I didn’t text him, I figured he was getting overloaded with his fair share of those. After high school was when I started rodeoing. One of the first things I did was go to a steer wrestling school TomCarney puts on in northeastern Louisiana. The first time I ran a steer, he told me I could take it as far as I wanted to go depending on the amount of work I put into it. It took me awhile to figure it out. I played with it a little bit, circuit rodeoed trying to learn everything. I’m a competitive person, kind of a perfectionist. I knew

make sure that that doesn’t happen again. You’ll have a hard time finding somebody hungrier to qualify, especially since I didn’t have a very good Finals in 2016 when I made it out there. This year is going to be a lot different. The thing that hurt me more than anything was the horse I was riding, Viper, got a little sore for four or five weeks in the fall for the Northwest. I didn’t get to ride him, and I didn’t win very much. He’s healthy. I’ve had him back since the last week of September. I’ve done very well on him since he’s been back. I know when I back into the box no matter where it is I can win first, and he’s going to give me a chance to do that. I already have five wins this season, including my first Southeastern Circuit average title. Viper is a big reason why I’ll be heading to my first RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., in April. That’s exciting. I’ve never been to it, but it’s a big deal to get to do it. My parents, Jeff and Amy, and my brother, Eric, are a very supportive group and they want to be involved with everything I do. I think that helps too, having a close-knit family and being backed by the people who love you. I don’t have any plans to celebrate my birthday. I’m actually going to be running my second steer at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas, that night. A win would be a great way to celebrate, and that’s no joke.

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© 2017 Coors Brewing Co., Golden, CO

GRILLE COWBOY

Steer wrestler BEN KILBURG, 20, was at the top of the 2017 RAMRodeo Permit Standings thanks to winning the Hamel (Minn.) Rodeo & Bull Ridin’ Bonanza and the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo in Iron River, Mich., in July, and the Carson (Iowa) Community Rodeo in August. The Iowa cowboy is aiming to be the 2018 Rookie of the Year while competing on the Missouri Valley College rodeo team.

WITH MATT NABER PSN

You were at the top of the steer wrestling permit standings in 2017, how did you make it happen? Ben: It was really just taking advantage of good steers and traveling with good people whomotivatedme to domy best. We were always motivating each other, and it brought us a lot of good opportunities. What are your goals for your rookie year and how do you plan on achieving them?

Ben: I have the same goal as every other rookie. We all want to win it (rookie of the year). So, to be different, I have to do what they’re not – extra practices, go to the gymearly, and do whatever it takes to win and take advantage of good opportunities, but my goals can only get me so far. It’s God’s plan to see how I turn out, but I can prepare and domy best. If he wantsme to be the rookie of the year, that’s great. But if not, then there’s alwaysmore rodeos. Between now and the day you decide to retire from steer wrestling, what do you hope to achieve throughout your ProRodeo career? Ben: My biggest goal is tomake the NFR – well, I want to win the NFR – but I want to help someone newwhen I’m in that position to give back to the sport of rodeo that’s givenme a lot. I want tomake the NFR, take advantage of the NFR and help asmany people as I can along the way. How did you get into steer wrestling? Ben: The only way I got into rodeo was being surrounded by good people, and they got me into it. My brother bulldogged beforeme, and he tookme toWisconsin where I met Jon Ragatz and Jacob Burks. They got me started on everything. Jon hadme over to his house countless times. They’re both very successful bulldoggers, so I learned a lot from them. I went to Jon’s clinic when I was in eighth grade, so around that age, 14 or so. Who has been the biggest help in your rodeo career so far? Ben: That’s a hard question because bulldoggers are tight together. Anyone that has the opportunity to help you, nine times out of 10, they will. At the start of the 2017 season, I went tomy first ProRodeo of the year with Jon and Jacob, and Jacob hadme on a very good horse called Shooter, and that really helped. Those two had a big impact on everything. What’s the hardest part about steer wrestling? Ben: Handling steers on the ground. If you draw a strong one, you have to figure out how to win on him. What’s the easiest part about steer wrestling? Ben: Just closing your eyes and getting off the horse. Do you prefer to call it steer wrestling or bulldogging? Ben: Honestly, it doesn’t matter tome. Everyone I amaround calls it bulldogging, so that’s what we get, but the technical term is steer wrestling, so it really doesn’t matter. Who do you travel with? Which rodeos are you looking forward to competing at the most? Ben: I ampumped to go to Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, that’s a big one I’m really looking forward to going to. How does competing on the Missouri Valley College rodeo team help you in your ProRodeo efforts? Ben: I think it’s great to get out there and runmore steers in different places. College rodeo gives you contacts you can use when you go up the ranks. It (practicing with the team) calms your nerves and builds up your confidence. What are you studying in college? Ben: I’mdoublemajoring in ag business andmarketing. What do you do for fun? Ben: I really like hanging out with friends, we go play paintball and try to be as active as we can. What’s your favorite video game? Ben: I’ve got an Xbox 360, so I’mpretty out of date on games. But, I like “NCAA Football,” and they quit making those in 2014 or so. What food totally grosses you out? Ben: Sushi is really weird tome. I tried it before and it wasn’t as bad as it looks. What’s your favorite team? Ben: Iowa Hawkeyes What’s your favorite movie? Ben: Step Brothers Square-toe or traditional cowboy boots? Ben: Square-toe for sure. BEN KILBURG Ben: This last season I traveled with Fenton Nelson and CodyMetsker and it was a great group. Fenton had an awesome circuit finals and is going to Kissimmee (for the RNCFR in Florida), and Codymade sure we were entering good and has a good horse – well, they both have good horses, and they had themout for me.

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ProRodeo Sports News 1/12/18

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Unofficial as of Jan. 25, 2018. For the 2018 season (Oct. 1, 2017-Sept. 30, 2018), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 100; team roping, 75; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 100; 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. 2018 PRCA WORLD STANDINGS

ALL-AROUND 1. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif............................ $21,044 2. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla........ 15,206 3. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................. 14,634 4. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss............................... 13,367 5. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah...................... 10,043 6. Chant DeForest, Wheatland, Calif..................... 9,340 7. Wesley Brunson, Terry, Miss............................ 6,577 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas...................... $20,952 2. Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas............................ 19,911 3. Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D................... 18,190 4. Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah..................... 17,107 5. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif...................... 15,974 6. Blade Elliott, Centreville, Ala........................... 15,152 7. Luke Creasy, Hobbs, N.M............................... 12,947 8. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa......................... 12,015 9. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La............................... 10,825 10. Evan Jayne, Marseille, France ......................... 9,815 11. Clint Laye, Pocatello, Idaho.............................. 9,766 12. Kaycee Feild, Spanish Fork, Utah..................... 9,031 13. Tanner Phipps, Dalton, Ga................................ 8,702 14. Grant Denny, Minden, Nev................................ 8,692 15. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn........................ 8,569 16. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D................................... 8,510 17. Justin Pollmiller, Weatherford, Okla................. 7,733 18. James Carter, Monroe City, Mo........................ 7,589 19. J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo................................. 7,482 20. Jessy Davis, Power, Mont................................ 7,291 STEERWRESTLING 1. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta.................. $19,081 2. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla........................... 19,060 3. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La............................... 16,037 4. Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss....................... 12,710 5. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La............................ 12,607 6. Jason Thomas, Benton, Ark........................... 11,213 7. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif.......................... 11,148 8. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif.............................. 11,052 9. Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah.................................... 10,096 10. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala............................. 9,744 11. Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas.................... 9,396 12. Chason Floyd, Buffalo, S.D............................... 9,080 13. Jace Melvin, Bluff Dale, Texas.......................... 8,792 14. Taz Olson, Prairie City, S.D............................... 8,046 15. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas ....................... 7,993 16. Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho.............................. 7,979 17. Joe Brown, Oxford, Pa..................................... 7,789 18. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La...................... 7,344 19. Tanner Milan, Cochrane, Alberta...................... 7,179 20. Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas..................... 7,085 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla...................... $25,941 2. Lane Ivy, Adrian, Texas................................... 14,236 3. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C............................ 12,741 4. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla......................... 10,430 5. Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz........................ 8,939 6. Joshua Torres, Ocala, Fla................................. 8,753 7. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss................................. 8,584 8. Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss................................ 8,537 9. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla.......... 8,497 10. Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D............................ 8,177 11. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont............................. 8,057 12. Cody Snow, Los Olivos. Calif............................ 8,036 13. Shay Carroll, Hico, Texas................................. 7,742 14. Eric Fabian, Gansevoort, N.Y............................ 7,610 15. John Alley, Adams, Tenn.................................. 7,218 16. Tanner Baldwin, Vail, Ariz................................. 7,147 17. Ty Blasingame, Ramah, Colo............................ 7,142 18. Blake Teixeira, Tres Pinos, Calif........................ 7,055 19. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn............................ 6,990

STEER ROPING 1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas....................... $15,268 2. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas.............................. 8,367 3. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................... 8,026 4. Jarrett Blessing, Paradise, Texas...................... 7,043 5. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas.......................... 6,662 6. Brian Garr, Belle Fourche, S.D.......................... 6,546 7. Shay Good, Midland, Texas.............................. 5,952 8. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo........................ 5,878 9. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas............. 5,630 10. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla............................ 5,610 11. Corey Ross, Liberty Hill, Texas......................... 5,522 12. JoJo LeMond, Andrews, Texas......................... 5,484 13. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas............................. 5,468 14. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas.............................. 5,454 15. Dee Kyler Jr., Pawhuska, Okla.......................... 5,076 16. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan............................. 4,230 17. Trey Sheets, Cheyenne, Wyo............................ 4,025 18. Leo Campbell, Amarillo, Texas......................... 3,941 19. Kelton McMillen, Paden, Okla........................... 3,894 20. John Bland, Turkey, Texas................................ 3,810 BULL RIDING 1. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.................... $29,470 2. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla................. 22,342 3. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla.............................. 21,018 4. Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas.............................. 17,755 5. Lane Nobles, Gatesville, Texas....................... 16,129 6. Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah................................ 14,856 7. Michael Riggs Jr., Claxton, Ga........................ 14,506 8. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore......................... 13,351 9. Jimy Marten, Donahue, Iowa.......................... 12,831 10. Bayle Worden, Cooper, Texas......................... 12,709 11. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho............ 11,890 12. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas................ 10,737 13. Brody Yeary, Brock, Texas.............................. 10,590 14. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont.......................... 10,463 15. Eli Vastbinder, Athens, Texas.......................... 10,395 16. Mike Adams, Oxford, Pa................................... 9,188 17. Joseph Vazquez, Alamogordo, N.M.................. 8,882 18. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D...................................... 8,813 19. Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho......................... 8,484 20. Koby Radley, Montpelier, La............................. 8,295 *2018 BARREL RACING (through Jan. 25, 2018) 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. Taci Bettis, Round Top, Texas.........................$29,504 2. Kellie Collier, Hereford, Texas............................19,179 3. Carley Richardson, Pampa, Texas.....................15,403 4. Tiana Schuster, Krum, Texas.............................15,084 5. Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas..............................15,069 6. Kylie Weast, Comanche, Okla............................13,945 7. Ericka Nelson, Century, Fla...............................12,277 8. Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, N.D...........................11,990 9. Christine Laughlin, Pueblo, Colo.......................11,721 10. Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mo..............................11,008 11. Wendy Culberson, Okeechobee, Fla................10,451 12. Jennifer Barrett, Buhl, Idaho.............................9,932 13. Lori Todd, Willcox, Ariz.....................................9,857 14. Christina Mulford, Franklinville, N.J. ................9,840 15. Carmel Wright, Roy, Mont................................9,363 16. Kristen Spratt, Huntsville, Texas........................8932 17. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D...............................8898 18. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas...............................8530 19. Kaley Bass, Kissimmee, Fla...............................8,527 20. Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas....................7,357

20. Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M.......................... 6,980 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo............................. $25,941 2. Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan................. 16,263 3. Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M............................. 14,265 4. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan............................ 12,741 5. Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif.............................. 10,814 6. Reagan Ward, Edmond, Okla.......................... 10,430 7. Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont............................. 10,213 8. Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore........................ 9,950 9. Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb.................................... 9,107 10. Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla.............................. 8,753 11. Cody Pearson, Tucson, Ariz.............................. 7,742 12. Brady Norman, Springer, Okla.......................... 7,645 13. Jake Edwards, Fort Ann, N.Y............................ 7,610 14. Trace Porter, Leesville, La................................ 7,317 15. Clark Adcock, Smithville, Tenn......................... 7,218 16. Monty Joe Petska, Turlock, Calif...................... 7,055 17. Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo................................... 7,025 18. Richard Durham, Henrietta, Texas.................... 6,995 19. Brad Culpepper, Sylvester, Ga.......................... 6,990 20. Bradley Massey, Perry, Fla............................... 6,898 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas.................... $23,131 2. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo........................... 22,346 3. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas....................... 17,026 4. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas............. 16,966 5. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa........................ 13,873 6. Leon Fountain, Socorro, N.M......................... 12,939 7. Joey Sonnier, New Iberia, La.......................... 12,674 8. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta.................. 10,934 9. Chet Johnson, Douglas, Wyo......................... 10,225 10. Shade Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla......................... 9,898 11. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M................................ 9,809 12. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La............................. 9,056 13. Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont......................... 8,846 14. Tyler Baeza, Lake Charles, La........................... 8,511 15. Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla............................... 8,294 16. CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah....................... 8,246 17. J.J. Elshere, Hereford, S.D............................... 8,240 18. Troy Crowser, Whitewood, S.D......................... 8,148 19. Joe Farren, Cottondale, Fla............................... 7,739 20. Layton Green, Meeting Creek, Alberta.............. 7,712 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Marcos Costa, Childress, Texas.................... $29,393 2. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb................................ 15,052 3. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla........................ 14,264 4. Jesse Clark, Portales, N.M............................. 13,859 5. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La........................... 13,300 6. Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash.......................... 11,242 7. Tyson Durfey, Weatherford, Texas.................. 10,647 8. Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas............................ 10,216 9. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif................................ 9,992 10. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas............................ 9,829 11. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho..................... 9,620 12. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas................... 8,512 13. Reno Gonzales, Scott, La................................. 8,294 14. Cody Quaney, Cheney, Kan............................... 8,162 15. Nolan Conway, Browning, Mont....................... 8,057 16. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla.......... 6,709 17. Ike Fontenot, Ville Platte, La............................. 6,664 18. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................... 6,607 19. Seth Hall, Albuquerque, N.M............................ 6,378 20. Trent Creager, Stillwater, Okla........................... 6,345

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December 6 - December 15

GET YOUR 2018 ROOM & TICKET PACKAGES

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10QUESTIONS

HE SAID – SHE SAID

Who knows WNFR bull rider Ardie Maier better, his wife, Lacy, or his traveling partner/brother Corey?

ARDIE

WIFE LACY

PARTNER COREY

LACY

COREY

ARDIE

WHO IS HIS FAVORITE BULL TO DRAW?

Palm Springs

4L&Diamond S’s Palm Springs

Palm Springs

WHO IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

Bud Day

Bud Day

Bud Day

WHAT HAS BEEN HIS BIGGEST CAREER RODEO WIN?

San Antonio

San Antonio

San Antonio

DOES HE PREFER AMERICAN OR MEXICAN FOOD?

Mexican

Mexican

Mexican

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Coffee

Coffee

Coffee

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE ANIMAL TO HUNT?

Deer

Deer

Deer

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Ardie

Ardie

Me

WHAT HAS BEEN HIS WORST INJURY?

Crushed face

Crushed face

Crushed face

WHAT DOES HE BRING TOO MUCH OF WHEN TRAVELING TO RODEOS?

Brut Cologne

T-shirts

Brut Cologne

12 WHAT WAS HIS FAVORITE CHRISTMAS PRESENT?

Spotting scope

Spotting scope

Bull rope

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The Offic i a l Spi r i t of ProRodeo

Each batch of oak-barrel aged whisky delivers an uncommonly smooth taste and rich, complex flavor.

©2016 Hood River Distillers, Inc., Hood River, OR USA. Pendleton Blended Canadian Whisky, 40% Alc./Vol. The Bucking Horse Logo and Let’er Buck are registered trademarks of the Pendleton Round-Up Association. PENDLETON is a registered trademark of Pendleton Woolen Mills. Stay in control.® www.PendletonWhisky.com

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BRAIN TEASERS

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

5

1

3

2

4

E

B

C

D

A

WORD SEARCH Xtreme Bulls Best

Find the cowboys in the puzzle at the left. Words may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal and/or backward. 1. Find the top five finishers in the 2017 Xtreme Bulls Standings: • Sage Kimzey • Ty Wallace • Jordan Spears • Tristan Mize • Brennon Eldred 2. Locate the four cowboys that won at least five Xtreme Bulls Tour Titles before the start of the 2017 season. • Matt Austin • J.W. Harris • BJ Schumacher • Wesley Silcox 3. Along with Matt Austin, these are the two other cowboys tied for the most money won at a single Tour stop with $32,900. • Zach Oakes • Zack Brown BONUS QUESTIONS 1. Besides Sage Kimzey, who is the only other cowboy to win multiple Xtreme Bulls year-end titles? 2. Which cowboy won the inaugural Xtreme Bulls year-end title in 2003?

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

ANSWERS ON PAGE 84

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PRCA

PRCA CEO George Taylor

Taylor talks about his goals, visions for PRCA From the CEO New PRCA CEO George Taylor has an extensive business background with two of the biggest companies in the world. He officially joined the PRCA on Jan. 22 and sat down with ProRodeo Sports News for his first exclusive interview. W hat appealed to you about this job? It was really about an opportunity to do something different than I had done before and leverage past experiences into something new. I worked at IBM for 13

took time out of his first week on the job to answer questions with the ProRodeo Sports News . PRCA ProRodeo photo

What are the short-term goals you want the PRCA to achieve? If you really think about short-term, for me it’s about meeting people and listening. I didn’t grow up in the sport, so for me it is about really getting to know those people and getting to know what’s on their minds and understanding what differences we can make together. We are a member- driven organization so time with them is critical, but it is also about sponsors and our fans. Because at the end of the day, those constituencies have a big influence over where we go and how we move forward. So, for me, the biggest short-term goal is a listening tour – listening to all the stakeholders of ProRodeo. What would you say to someone who thinks your position should have a rodeo background? First, I can certainly respect that view, but would prefer to better understand the concern. I would say at the highest level, it is inspirational for me when people think that, because I want to be able to go out and make a difference, and it inspires me to show if we focus on what we all bring to the table we can get some great things done! Sometimes your greatest enemy in breaking new ground is proving to those who have benefited from business as usual that they can benefit again by investing in what’s next. Someone will. There was a time when business as usual was leading-edge. To me this speaks to where we can go, and what it’s all about. A favorite quote of mine shows the power of what can be. Mother Teresa said, “I can do things that you can’t do, and you can

years in a technology business before I went to Caterpillar, which was a heavy manufacturer business. That was a great experience! One of the things that appealed to me was I had a great interest in the sports and entertainment businesses, which grew out of the work I had done while at Caterpillar. I was responsible for Caterpillar’s NASCAR program and I found interacting with Cat customers in that competitive environment to be very rewarding. When I got the call about ProRodeo it was really a fascinating process to begin to go through. I had read a book, The Power of Who written by Bob Beaudine, and a concept was when thinking about your career, make sure that you do something you love, with people you love, in a place you love. That really became the evaluation criteria when we were evaluating opportunities. As we got to know the people in rodeo, it was amazing – a family we quickly grew to love. We were also impressed with how freely the membership and the organization discussed their faith. We feel incredibly humbled and blessed to have the opportunity with this great organization.

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do things that I can’t do. Together we can do great things.” I know I can do some things that a rodeo background person can’t do, they just haven’t had the experiences. But, I also know I don’t have rodeo experiences, so I realize that I have that need. I have no doubt that together we can do great things in the coming years. What’s your vision to make the PRCA bigger and better, including expanding its reach internationally? This starts with us jointly developing a longer-term vision together that grows the sport. That is about this listening tour, it’s about working with the staff, it’s about us doing some great things together. We have to continue to expand the customer experience in partnership with the committees, both physically and digitally. Digital is becoming an increasingly important part of that experience. We have to have web properties that people can use on their phones when they are at the rodeo, so it makes the physical experience better. But then when fans are away from rodeo, it gives us a way to keep them engaged in the sport with amazing content. That’s a big, important piece for me as we move forward overall, and I think expanding the reach of rodeo and the Western lifestyle, which is really appealing to broad, cross sections of people globally, is also important to focus on. There are also great growth opportunities in our existing markets. If you look at rodeos per capita, in our country, it is heavily weighted to the West. We have great opportunities to grow rodeo in our home base, but also, the work we are doing with Mexico and Brazil and continuing to expand. The reason those things are important is because as you increase your fan base, you increase your ability to drive revenue. This provides even more opportunities for our membership and sponsors. You’ve said you want input from members. How do you plan on going about that? I already started. I went to the Cowboy Downhill (in Steamboat Springs, Colo., Jan. 15) before I even started the job, and the reason I went there was to begin to hear from people. After I accepted the job offer, I interviewed every one of our board members, who represent large groups of the membership, to hear directly from them. I’ve also had individual emails that I have received, and even a letter written by a caring member. The process has begun. As we move forward, one of the things I’m going to ask the staff to think about is as we develop our broader growth initiatives, I want us to find a way to solicit

see in society today where we spend more time talking about what makes us different. Let’s focus on what we can agree on and go do it better than anyone else. I think that’s what made our country great and is what will continue to make this organization thrive. Explain how your business background benefits the PRCA? I worked for two great companies that had phenomenal brands, IBM and Caterpillar, and I had the responsibility to grow the brand of Caterpillar as a Chief Marketing Officer. In partnership with this team, we have to figure out how to keep growing the PRCA brand, a great historical organization that we are humbled to serve. Again, I talked about unity, but one of the challenges in business is bringing people around a common purpose and that’s what I did for my career. I think I can help the PRCA with that. The other thing that’s unique about the PRCA is that it’s everything from individual families, who are involved either as contestants or contractors, to massive companies that are sponsors. Caterpillar had independent businesses that owned their dealerships, and we also worked with strong, successful fortune 500 companies. My experience spans those types of issues. A lot of the work that we did around strategy and taking the business to the next level of profitability, that’s what I want to seek out. The PRCA is really a collection of businesses in that same way. I will look to leverage my relationships and experience as a NASCAR sponsor, working with ad agencies, developing shows and exhibits, driving licensed merchandise, digital businesses, etc. The focus is clearly to drive growth for the benefit of our membership. What was it like growing up in rural America? I grew up in Morton, Ill. Morton has about 13,000 people, and I think the values in small towns are really, really powerful, those things about faith, family, friends and working hard. I think for me, one of the great things as a parent raising children in a small town was really good because there’s a different accountability because everybody knows what you are doing. As a teenager we might not have appreciated it, but as a parent it was phenomenal. Morton is the Pumpkin Capital of the World and has an amazing harvest festival that is worth attending. I feel extraordinarily blessed to have grown up in a small town and have the work ethic that it produced.

How important is faith to you?

input – maybe digitally – as to what those things might be. This is a member-driven organization and I want people to feel like they have an opportunity to provide input. What are some of the experiences you are looking forward to in your first year? For me, it’s really about attending rodeos, being with the

I probably am always thinking about, “Am I living up to it?” I get inspiration from many quotes, but I think the core verse for me and my family is, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15. That really is how we try to evaluate and think of things. My son-in-law sent me an email about a month ago and it was really powerful. An excerpt from it reads: When I say, “I’m a Christian,” I’m not shouting, “I am saved!” I’m whispering, “I get

George Taylor and wife, Chris (middle). Top left, Taylor’s daughter Whitney with husband, Andrew, and son, Gage. Bottom left, Taylor’s son, Cameron. Top right, Taylor’s daughter Courtney with husband, Brad, and daugh- ters Emma (left) and Lylah. Bottom right, Aspen. Photos courtesy Taylor family

lost sometimes, that’s why I chose this way.” When I say, “I’m a Christian,” I don’t speak with human pride. I’m confessing that I stumble needing God to be my guide. When I say, “I’m a Christian,” I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on. Faith is something that’s very important to me and my family, and we strive to live with its core values every day.

membership and working

together to unify the organization. A risk for the PRCA and any organization is that they can become fractured if they don’t have a unifying, shared purpose. I’m really excited toward a goal that wins the hearts and minds of membership such that it begins to grow again. To be successful we cannot fall into the trap that we

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R OUND THE SHORT BY THE NUMBERS The number of cowboys who com- peted in the National Finals Rodeo and

Barrett tribute planned

were also bullfight- ers at the NFR. The list is comprised of Wilbur Plaugher (steer wrestler, 1959, 1962; bullfighter, 1972); Jerry Olson (steer wrestler, 1969; bullfighter, 1973);

Hall of Fame announcer to be honored at San Antonio rodeo

For three decades, ProRodeo Hall of Fame announcer Hadley Barrett was behind the microphone at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. But this year, the event will sound differently. Barrett passed away March 2, 2017, at the age of 87. At this year’s event, Wayne Brooks will assume Barrett’s position, joined by fellow ProRodeo Hall of Famer Randy Corley – the late announcer’s partner in the arena and son-in-law. Lauren Sides, the spokeswoman for the rodeo, told www.mySanAntonio.com a tribute video will be played in honor of Barrett on opening day, Feb. 8.

Greg Westfall photo

Frank Rhoades (bareback rider, 1959; bullfighter, 1971, 1977).

The number of NFR go-round

wins by bull rider Ted Nuce, a PRCA record for the event. Nuce won the 1985 world champion- ship. Don Gay and Tuff Hedeman are second and third behind Nuce on the NFR bull rider go-round win list with 16 and 15 wins, respectively. The total attendance at the 2018 National Western Stock Show in Denver, second only to the 100th anniversary year in 2006, when more than 725,000 people attended. The National Western Stock Show ran Jan.

Eva Scofield photo

Team roper Olin Ellsworth visits with 10-year-old Marissa Faust during the execptional rodeo at the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo in Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 11. Taking the Time

6-21. The rodeo portion was Jan. 11-21.

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

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Contestants compete in the stampede race at the 44th annual Cowboy Downhill event in Steamboat Springs, Colo., Jan. 15. Bull rider Kris Newman, of Casper, Wyo., far left wearing bright green chaps, won the race. Best crash of the day went to bareback rider Jamie Howlett, of Snyder, Texas. The Legends and Friends Race winner was Todd Fike.

Fred McClanahan Jr. photo

Ogden Pioneer Days gets gift from Jazz Last week, the Utah Jazz organization delivered 7,500 green stadium seats to Pioneer Stadium as a gift to Ogden for Pioneer Days. The seats were leftovers from renovations to the Vivint Smart Home Arena, home to the Utah Jazz. “I don’t know if there will be a finer outdoor stadium in the United States,” Pioneer Days committee chairman Alan Hall said in the Jan. 20 Standard-Examiner newspaper in Ogden. “It will be terrific.” In addition to the soon-to-be refurbished seats, the rodeo already has about 2,500 chair seats, giving it 10,000 in all by the time this year’s July 19-24 rodeo comes around, Hall said. About 100 volunteers responded Jan. 18-19 to sort parts and prepare the seats to be cleaned, coated and prepared for installation. Rodeo Austin’s entertainment lineup On Jan. 23, the lineup for the 2018 ProRodeo and Concert Series for Rodeo Austin (Texas) was released. The lineup is: Josh Turner (March 10); Duelo (Dia Del Vaquero) (March 11); Ludacris (March 12); Cody Johnson (March 13); Chris Janson (March 14); Young the Giant (March 15); Josh Abbott Band (March 16); Justin Moore (March 17); Tracy Lawrence (March 18); LANCO (March 19); Gladys Knight (March 20); Lee Brice (March 21); Dwight Yoakam (March 22); Turnpike Troubadours (March 23) and Kevin Fowler (March 24). All concerts will be at the Travis County Expo Center. Tickets can be purchased at www.RodeoAustin.com or by calling Wolfe snares win at Cowboy Downhill Before this year, steer wrestler Colin Wolfe had never competed in the Cowboy Downhill in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Now, he can’t wait to go back. The Wenatchee, Wash., cowboy won the slalom competition at the 44th annual Cowboy Downhill with a time of 25.86 seconds Jan. 15. “I always wanted to do the Cowboy Downhill, but I didn’t know how it worked or anything like that,” said Wolfe, 32, who also competed at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver for the first time in his career. “It was pretty cool to win it because it was a bucket-list item for me.” The Cowboy Downhill is held in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo and began in 1975. The Downhill has become a fund- raiser for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, which provides financial assistance to injured PRCA cowboys.

877.987.6487. Tickets start at $20. Rodeo Austin is March 10-24. Northwest College hosting Winter Social Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., will host a Rodeo Winter Social on Feb. 3. The event will be at the Cody Auditorium. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. (MT) with a social hour, followed by a prime rib dinner, along with traditional and silent auctions. The purchase of a $60 ticket includes dinner for two and a chance to win $1,000 in the reverse draw. Single tickets also are available. The event is sponsored by the Northwest Rodeo Council in support of the NWC rodeo program. The Winter Social is replacing the annual NWC Rodeo Gala. Tickets are available at the door or RSVP by calling NWC rodeo coach Del Nose at 307.527.6728. CFR finds new home in Red Deer The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association announced that it will be moving the Canadian Finals Rodeo from Edmonton, Alberta, to Red Deer, Alberta, this year. The 45th CFR will take place Oct. 30 through Nov. 4 in the ENMAX Centrium at Westerner Park. The CFR features top PRCA competitors, as the PRCA and CPRA co- sanction rodeos throughout the regular season that have a large impact on who qualifies for the CFR. Although Wolfe never competed in the Steamboat event before, he is no stranger to the slopes. “I grew up ski racing,” Wolfe said. “I started skiing when I was 2 years old and I’ve been skiing my entire life.” Wolfe was introduced to the sport of skiing as an infant because his family lived three miles from Mission Ridge Ski Area in Wenatchee. “It wasn’t anything that was tough,” Wolfe said about the slalom race at Steamboat. “But it’s so flat and short, you don’t really have enough time to build up speed because it’s only 30 seconds long. I was just trying to keep my cowboy hat on and it still came off when I went over the jump.” Wolfe, who beat bareback rider Wyatt Denny for the top slalom honor, plans on making a return trip in 2019 to defend his slalom crown in Steamboat. “It was such a good time skiing, I have to go back,” Wolfe said.

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SNAPSHOT

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Mike Adams had an 80-point ride on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Jack’s Sour Mash at the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo in Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 12.

Casey Martin photo

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Denver Dash

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NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

rom scoring big cash payouts to breaking arena records, cowboys put on a show at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. MORE COVERAGE PAGES 22-25 F

Horses run through the arena at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, Jan. 14. Greg Westfall photo

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Domination

Chase Dougherty’s preference for not knowing what his bulls are likely to do paid off well, as he raked in $8,262 and won the average at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, Jan. 21. Greg Westfall photo

TOPS AT DENVER — Jan. 11-21 ALL-AROUND COWBOY (tie) Jeff Johnston and Ty Talsma $5,042 each

BAREBACK RIDING 1. Caleb Bennett ........ 256.5 pts. on three 2. Clayton Biglow ............................ 255.5 3. Casey Colletti .............................. 254.5 4. Luke Creasy ................................... 252

STEER WRESTLING 1. Tyler Pearson .......... 11.6 sec. on three 2. Chason Floyd ................................ 12.5 3. Jason Thomas .............................. 12.9 4. Taz Olson ...................................... 13.6

TEAM ROPING 1. Tsinigine/Lockett .... 16.2 sec. on three 2. L. Brown/J. Long .......................... 16.3 3. S. Carroll/C. Pearson .................... 17.0 4. J. Johnston/T. Talsma ................... 18.9

Steer wrestling and team roping

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before, so I mimic them – they know how to keep it cool,” Dougherty said. Dougherty started to realize the Denver buckle was within his grasp after the second round, when he was third in the average and a mere nine points off the lead. “I said, ‘Well, I get one more, so I might as well try to win it,’” Dougherty said. Winning Denver will keep Dougherty’s approach the same. “It doesn’t really change anything other than boosting me in the standings,” he said. “It doesn’t change how I ride or enter, but if you rodeo like this, your confidence goes up a tremendous amount.” With Denver in the bag, Dougherty hit the road for the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas. “I’m so stoked for it,” Dougherty said. “I wish I was there tomorrow, but I have to wait five days, so I’ll go visit with my parents and exercise to get ready.” NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

Dougherty kicks off new year with $8,000 Mile High City win BY MATT NABER W hile most bull riders find out everything they can about the bulls they draw before climbing in the chutes, Chase Dougherty has an entirely different approach that paid himmore than $8,000 at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver on Jan. 21. “I didn’t know anything about any of the bulls and I prefer it that way,” Dougherty said. “It keeps you on your toes. My dad looks them up, but he doesn’t let me know what they do. If I know what they do, I make a game plan and then they do something else. If you can ride the one you got tonight same as the one before, you should be a good bull rider.” Dougherty tied for fourth in the second round and placed second in the final round to win the average with 252.5 points on three head. The win launched the Oregon cowboy from 44th to eighth in the world standings as of Jan. 22. “This is huge and a great kickstart to the year,” Dougherty said. “I did terrible here last year, so this gives me confidence going into the spring rodeos.” Despite his slow start in 2017, Dougherty picked up steam and claimed some major wins his rookie year, including the Horse Heaven Round-Up in Kennewick, Wash. “It’s the same thing every day, get on a bull and hope it works for the best,” Dougherty said. Dougherty ranked third in the 2017 Resistol Rookie Standings for

Shane Hanchey won the title in Denver, setting an arena record for the fastest three-head average at the rodeo with 23.0 seconds. ( Story on Page 27 ). Greg Westfall photo

bull riding and was 19th in the world standings with $72,754. Kicking off his sophomore year of ProRodeo competition by winning Denver was worth $8,262. “You put a lot of time and training and effort and traveling into it, and it’s nice to see it all pay off,” Dougherty said. The 19-year-old cowboy is still learning the ropes and has been following the examples set by Brady Portenier and Roscoe Jarboe, a two-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals

Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER.

“They’ve been here

Complete results on Page 40

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Zeke Thurston ....... 255.5 pts. on three 2. (tie) CoBurn Bradshaw ............... 249.5 Cort Scheer ................................ 249.5 4. Jesse Wright ................................. 246

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shane Hanchey ....... 23.0 sec. on three 2. Marcos Costa ............................... 24.1 3. Ryan Thibodeaux .......................... 24.3 4. Jake Pratt ..................................... 24.7

BARREL RACING 1. Christine Laughlin .. 46.24 sec. on three 2. Kylie Weast ................................. 46.26 3. Carley Richardson ...................... 46.28 4. Taci Bettis ................................... 46.29

BULL RIDING 1. Chase Dougherty ... 252.5 pts. on three 2. Brody Yeary ................................ 250.5 3. Shane Proctor ............................ 234.5 4. Two tied at .................................. 233.5

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