ProRodeo Sports News - June 7, 2024

SHORT ROUND

Three-time NFR saddle bronc rider Holman passes Passages

S addle bronc rider John “Witch” Holman, a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in 1970-72, passed away May 29. He was 76. The charismatic Holman, who was one of the best-liked guys going down the road, finished 11th in the Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings, the precursor to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, in 1970 and was 12th in 1971 and 1972. “I have known John my whole life and my brother Jim and John were best friends,” said Rick Smith, PRCA Supervisor of Pro Officials. “He was one of the best guys. Heart of gold and kind. John was the greatest storyteller I ever heard ever. He had a great memory, and he just had a great way of telling the stories and he had lots of them. “He will be missed because he was a universally loved guy. He was a guy people gravitated to and he made you feel good when you talked to him.” Holman won his share of rodeos in his career, including the San Antonio Livestock Exposition in 1975, edging Shawn Davis by one point in the average. In 1970, Holman made his debut at the NFR in Oklahoma City, Okla., and placed in three rounds. In 1971, he won Round 4 with a 73-point ride and was fourth in Round 5. In 1972, he placed fourth in Round 8 and he split second in Round 10. That year he finished a career-best fifth in the NFR average with 567 points on nine head. Holman, a Kaycee, Wyo., native joined the RCA in 1967 and competed in saddle bronc riding and bull riding and earned nearly $6,000. A short time later, he was one of the best saddle bronc

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

John Holman qualified for the National Finals Rodeo three times (1970-72) and was the grandfather of Lefty Holman.

riders going down the road from 1970-72. Holman was born in Casper, Wyo., Sept. 25, 1947, to parents, Willard and Mary. Holman started breaking colts on his father’s ranch at the age of 11 and won the state high school saddle bronc title in 1965. He later received a scholarship to Casper (Wyo.) Junior College. Holman was the grandfather to saddle bronc rider Lefty Holman, a three-time NFR qualifier in 2020, 2022 and 2023.

Bareback rider and NFR judge Rogers passes at 90

Billy Wayne “Red” Rogers, a PRCA judge for 20 years including at the National Finals Rodeo, passed away May 27. He was 90. Rogers, who was inducted into the Texas Rodeo

While on the trail, Rogers traveled with cowboy greats such as Sam and John Neel, Bud Humphrey, Johnny Boren, Bernis Johnson, R.C. Bales, Jim Painter, Curly Hebb and Jim Bausch. In addition to his time working with the Steiners

Rogers

Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2004, was born in Gatesville, Texas, April 3, 1934. Rogers began his rodeo career at age 15 in 1949. He competed in high school, college and amateur rodeos in both Texas and New Mexico. He joined the PRCA, working for Tommy Steiner of Steiner Rodeo Company and Beutler & Sons rodeo stock contractors. A standout bareback rider, he stayed in the top 20 of the world standing for several years. At 21, Rogers survived a serious automobile accident and returned to rodeoing three years later.

and Beutlers, Rogers also cherished his great rodeo memories with June and Buster Ivory, Cotton Rosser, Bennie Beutler, Dan Russell and Harry Vold. In the Old Timers Rodeo Cowboys Association, he won the bareback riding in 1979 and placed second in the bull riding to win the All-Around at the Old Timers National Finals Rodeo. Rogers and his late wife, Kay, had one child, daughter, Tori House.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/7/2024

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