ProRodeo Sports News - March 9, 2018

San Antonio Pays Out Nearly $1.5 million Top of the Charts

ProRodeo Sports News 3/9/18

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CONTENTS MARCH 9, 2018 – VOLUME 66, NO. 5

La Fiesta de Dinero Sunny winter days pay off in Arizona

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Bullfighter Wacey Munsell fends

off a bull during La

Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 25. Dan Hubbell photo

NEW TOUR The Wrangler ProRodeo Tour features 23 rodeos and kicks off in April. 40

GOOD MONTH RAM Badlands Circuit cowboy Jade Blackwell cashes in big during February. 42

MORE IN THIS ISSUE

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INSIDE

20 San Antonio, Texas 30 San Antonio, Texas Xtreme Bulls 34 Tucson, Ariz. 38 Fort Mohave, Ariz. Xtreme Bulls 6 in his own words 8 cowboy grille 12 he said, she said 14 spotlight 16 short round 48 results 60 prca notes 61 prca business RODEOS Jacobs Crawley rode for 88 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Hit Man in the second round of the Bracket 1 Semifinals at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Feb. 21. Crawley went on to win the San Antonio buckle. Greg Westfall photo THE COVER 10 2018 PRCA world 54 all american 56 circuits

Cory Solomon won the second round of Bracket 4 in 7.7 seconds at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Feb. 17. Greg Westfall photo

20

STANDINGS

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.

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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IN HIS OWNWORDS: LUKE CREASY

CREASY CUTTING BACK ON RODEOTOTEACH Bareback rider Luke Creasy is hoping to make his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification. But if it doesn’t happen that’s OK, too. Creasy, who was eighth in the 2018 PRCA World Standings as of March 5 with $24,144, isn’t rodeoing full time. Instead, the Texas Tech graduate is teaching sixth-grade English at Highland Middle School in Hobbs, N.M. The biggest reason for teaching and not being on the rodeo road full time: to be closer to his son, Cash, 6, and to spend more time with him. I’ve never had a real job in my life. I don’t know that I had to, but it feels good to have done it. With how this winter has gone I kind of wish I’d done it sooner. I’ve been feeling really good, and it’s been nice to go to some rodeos on the weekend and come back home and hang out with my son more on a regular basis and be there for him.

He goes to school four minutes from where I go to school. I go teach, he gets out of class 20 minutes before I’m done teaching. He likes coming to my classroom and drawing on the board. It’s nice I have a job that allows for a little bit of that. People I work with make it a great environment. This is my first teaching of any sort. I observed a classroom and had a bit of experience that way, but other than that I’ve just helped out with rodeo clinics. I’ve been working on various projects over the years, but right now, with how busy I’ve been, I’ve been lucky to get things graded and work on a few art projects I do on the side. I do pencil sketches and paintings. When the weekend comes around, I’ve

T he winter has been pretty good, I haven’t rodeoed very hard. That always helps when per horse, per rodeo you’re making consistent money. That’s a lot better than rodeoing insanely aggressive and averaging out OK. It’s nice to go where you deem necessary and making effective income. Come summer, I’ll be free to do more rodeo. I’ll

be entering some stuff during the week, which I haven’t been doing, so I don’t miss work. I’m not going to live on the road. I am a single father, so I want to spend as much time as possible with my son. I’ll organize things in a way that are good for him. It won’t be as aggressive maybe as in years past, but I’ll still be using my summers off to make an effective living rodeoing, for sure.

The artwork above is a sample of work from bareback rider Luke Creasy.

appreciated rodeo more now than I did before. It wasn’t that rodeo was becoming mundane, but I’d been doing the same thing for approximately 10 years, and all of a sudden, I changed the game for myself.

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GRILLE COWBOY

Rookie tie-down roper TY HARRIS was at the top of the 2017 RAMRodeo Permit Standings with $16,013. As of March 5, he also was leading the rookie standings with $11,018. The 19-year-old fromSan Angelo, Texas, is also doing well at the college level, competing on the Cisco (Texas) College rodeo team.

WITH MATT NABER PSN

You were at the top of the 2017 RAM Rodeo Permit Standings for tie-down roping, and now you’re at the top of the rookie standings. How are you doing it? Ty: I work hard, prepare and put myself in a position to win. You’re also fifth in the Southwest Region standings for college tie-down roping. Which one is harder to maintain a good position in? Ty: The ProRodeo standings aremore difficult. In ProRodeo you have tomake a great run tomakemoney. What’s it like to compete on the Cisco (Texas) College rodeo team? Ty: I really likemy coach and teammates, and it’s been a great experience. I live at home and go to class online, but I practice every day at my house and thenmeet up with the teamwhen there’s a competition. How does competing in college rodeo help your ProRodeo career? Ty: It’s a good confidence boost. You couldmake a good run at a ProRodeo and not win anything, so it’s good to get the feeling of winning something at a college rodeo. What are you majoring in and what are your plans for after college? Ty: I’mmajoring in ag business. I own two rental houses and I’m trying to get those built up, and after I get my degree I’ll rodeo for a living and then have the rental houses for backup. What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in ProRodeo so far? Ty: Qualifying for the RAMTexas Circuit Finals Rodeo. Tell us about your roping horse. Ty: Lately, I’ve been riding Biggy, he’s an 11-year-old American Quarter Horse. I also ride a horse named Iron that Walter Johnson owns. Iron is also 11 years old and an American Quarter Horse. Biggy is pretty easy, and I know he’s going to let me domy thing, but Iron is super fast and athletic and a good horse. How did you get into rodeo? Ty: My family has rodeoed some, but I’ve loved it since I was young. My parents weren’t into rodeo, and I got my first horse when I was 4 years old, and I just rode and rode and got more into it my whole life. I started roping when I was 5 years old, andmy dad (Walt) studied it and becamemy coach. I’ve loved roping and wanted to rope every day. Why do you compete in tie-down roping? Ty: It’s themost physically competitive, andmy skillset is set up for it. I’mnaturally pretty quick, and you have to be quick and strong. There are somany variables that it’s a tough sport. Which rodeos are you looking forward to the most? Ty: Rodeo Austin (Texas) and then in the summer we have the big ones like the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo, Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days and the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede. Who has been the biggest help in your roping? Ty: My dad, Walt Harris. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Ty: Froma rodeo standpoint, to not let your confidence come fromyour past rodeos, but fromyour past preparations. If you have the opportunity to win, you will. Be confident fromall the

practice you put in. Then outside the arena, if you don’t love it then it’s not the sport for you. You have to enjoy all the stuff that comes with it, like the driving, working on horses and entering. If you just do it for winning, you will have amiserable life because the whole process will be miserable for you. What do you do for good luck? Or, do you not believe in that? Ty: I don’t really believe in luck, it’s all hard work and practice. What’s your workout routine? Ty: I practice about 35 hours a week and I work out everymorning, too – I lift weights and do cardio and core stuff to get strong and explosive. Who’s your favorite musician? Ty: Tyler Childers (right). How do you like your barbecue? Ty: I like grilled sausage and ribs. What’s your favorite video game? Ty: Madden NFL 18 Aside from rodeo, what else are you really good at that people might not know about? Ty: Playing basketball, I played in junior high and high school as a point guard. TY HARRIS

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© 2017 Coors Brewing Co., Golden, CO

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Unofficial as of March 5, 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. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................$65,667 2. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif.............................. 40,799 3. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas......................... 40,092 4. Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas.................. 27,283 5. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah...................... 23,560 6. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss............................... 20,803 7. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla........ 16,262 8. Wesley Brunson, Terry, Miss.......................... 14,645 9. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash............... 14,468 10. Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss................... 14,328 11. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D..................................... 11,264 12. Chant DeForest, Wheatland, Calif..................... 9,340 13. McCoy Profili, Okeechobee, Fla........................ 8,754 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah....................$41,487 2. Mason Clements, Springville, Utah................ 33,845 3. Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas............................ 32,570 4. Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas........................ 32,333 5. Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D................... 29,122 6. J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo............................... 28,769 7. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D................................. 25,869 8. Luke Creasy, Hobbs, N.M............................... 24,144 9. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa......................... 22,001 10. Clint Laye, Pocatello, Idaho............................ 21,307 11. Evan Jayne, Marseille, France ....................... 19,637 12. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb............................... 19,355 13. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif...................... 18,659 14. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore......................... 18,134 15. Blade Elliott, Centreville, Ala........................... 17,213 16. Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas. 16,989 17. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn...................... 16,810 18. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas............................... 16,565 19. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba......................... 16,463 20. Jessy Davis, Power, Mont.............................. 14,295 STEERWRESTLING 1. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev............................$32,291 2. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La............................... 31,656 3. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.................... 29,843 4. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta.................... 28,697 5. Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss....................... 28,629 6. Cole Edge, Durant, Okla................................. 27,021 7. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla........................... 25,248 8. Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta.................. 22,121 9. Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas.................. 21,879 10. Jacob Shofner, Huntsville, Texas.................... 21,608 11. Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas................... 19,669 12. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D................. 19,223 13. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala........................... 18,540 14. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan........................ 17,954 15. Chason Floyd, Buffalo, S.D............................. 16,888 16. Cody Cabral, Hilo, Hawaii............................... 13,873 17. Taz Olson, Prairie City, S.D............................. 13,809 18. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La............................ 13,401 19. Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho............................ 12,992 20. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas...................... 12,661 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.......................$37,880 2. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C............................ 31,177 3. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif.......................... 29,823 4. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla......................... 29,101 5. Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla.................... 28,121 6. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala............................. 20,308 7. Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla...................... 20,212 8. Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C........................... 19,250 9. Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M........................ 17,670 10. Steven Duby, Melba, Idaho............................. 16,917 11. Lane Ivy, Adrian, Texas................................... 15,809 12. John Alley, Adams, Tenn................................ 15,582 13. Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D.......................... 15,232

STEER ROPING 1. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas..........$34,024 2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................. 30,703 3. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan........................... 24,619 4. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo...................... 22,075 5. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas............................ 18,525 6. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas......................... 15,268 7. Jarrett Blessing, Paradise, Texas.................... 14,665 8. Troy Tillard, Douglas, Wyo............................. 12,178 9. Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla..................... 11,265 10. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas............................ 10,844 11. Shay Good, Midland, Texas............................ 10,716 12. Will Gasperson, Decatur, Texas...................... 10,334 13. Ralph Williams, Skiatook, Okla......................... 9,651 14. Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas................................ 9,395 15. Chad Mathis, Morristown, Ariz......................... 9,061 16. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas............................. 8,517 17. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas.......................... 7,756 18. Brian Garr, Belle Fourche, S.D.......................... 7,308 19. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla............................ 5,610 20. Corey Ross, Liberty Hill, Texas......................... 5,522 BULL RIDING 1. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.....................$78,499 2. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla.............................. 57,241 3. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas................ 51,131 4. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont.......................... 44,562 5. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La............................... 44,093 6. Garrett Tribble, Bristow, Okla......................... 41,422 7. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla................. 37,741 8. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah.............................. 33,597 9. Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas.............................. 33,372 10. Lane Nobles, Gatesville, Texas....................... 25,203 11. Elliot Jacoby, Fredericksburg, Texas............... 23,533 12. Eli Vastbinder, Athens, Texas.......................... 22,763 13. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore......................... 22,184 14. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho............ 20,688 15. Michael Riggs Jr., Claxton, Ga........................ 19,106 16. Lon Danley, Tularosa, N.M............................. 18,825 17. Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah..................... 18,521 18. Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho.............................. 18,281 19. Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah................................ 17,920 20. Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas............ 17,419 *2018 BARREL RACING (Through March 5, 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. Amberleigh Moore, Salem, Ore.......................$64,190 2. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas............................ 58,332 3. Taci Bettis, Round Top, Texas......................... 37,817 4. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D............................ 34,562 5. Kylie Weast, Comanche, Okla.......................... 33,354 6. Kellie Collier, Hereford, Texas.......................... 29,514 7. Christine Laughlin, Pueblo, Colo..................... 28,886 8. Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas............................ 26,649 9. Carley Richardson, Pampa, Texas................... 24,172 10. Tiana Schuster, Krum, Texas......................... 23,539 11. Jessica Telford, Caldwell, Idaho.................... 17,443 12. Ericka Nelson, Century, Fla........................... 16,737 13. Lori Todd, Willcox, Ariz................................. 16,593 14. Tillar Murray, Fort Worth, Texas.................... 15,217 15. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas........... 15,171 16. Ivy Conrado, Hudson, Colo........................... 14,767 17. Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mo............................ 14,723 18. Carman Pozzobon, Aldergrove, B.C.............. 14,642 19. Sissy Winn, Chapman Ranch, Texas............. 12,629 20. Jennifer Barrett, Buhl, Idaho......................... 12,091

14. Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss............................... 14,493 15. Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss.............................. 14,336 16. Travis Dorman, Dade City, Fla......................... 14,202 17. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas......................... 13,943 18. Spencer Mitchell, Orange Cove, Calif............. 13,372 19. Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz............................. 12,828 20. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla......................... 12,808 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo..............................$37,880 2. Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla.................. 31,633 3. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan............................ 31,177 4. Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla.................. 29,101 5. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas.............. 26,133 6. Trace Porter, Leesville, La.............................. 25,865 7. Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M............................. 24,955 8. Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas.................... 20,212 9. Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore...................... 18,345 10. Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan................. 17,836 11. Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb.................................. 16,162 12. Clark Adcock, Smithville, Tenn....................... 15,582 13. Bradley Massey, Perry, Fla............................. 14,202 14. Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas............................ 13,943 15. Reagan Ward, Edmond, Okla.......................... 12,808 16. Evan Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif................ 12,635 17. Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif.............................. 12,598 18. Will Woodfin, Marshall, Texas........................ 12,544 19. Cody Hogan, Benton, La................................. 12,296 20. Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo................................. 12,198 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas.....................$63,794 2. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas............. 34,648 3. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo........................... 33,490 4. CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah..................... 33,140 5. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa........................ 32,698 6. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas....................... 27,515 7. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta.................. 27,039 8. Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah........................... 25,840 9. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb.............................. 19,348 10. Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla........................ 17,722 11. Joey Sonnier, New Iberia, La.......................... 16,430 12. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M.............................. 16,314 13. J.J. Elshere, Hereford, S.D............................. 15,946 14. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La........................... 15,746 15. Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla............................. 15,219 16. Shade Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla....................... 15,178 17. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D...................... 15,022 18. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La................................ 14,306 19. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah........................... 14,282 20. Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah........................... 13,551 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas...........................$42,824 2. Marcos Costa, Childress, Texas...................... 38,091 3. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La........................... 35,886 4. Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash.......................... 35,367 5. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................. 34,964 6. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas.................... 32,058 7. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas................. 31,627 8. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif.............................. 28,920 9. Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas......................... 24,867 10. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho................... 21,296 11. Cody Quaney, Cheney, Kan............................. 18,795 12. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla........................ 18,055 13. Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas................ 17,484 14. Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas.................... 16,758 15. Jordan Ketscher, Squaw Valley, Calif.............. 16,311 16. Jesse Clark, Portales, N.M............................. 16,237 17. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb................................ 15,853 18. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla....................... 13,478 19. Tyson Durfey, Weatherford, Texas.................. 13,419 20. Braxton Laughlin, Sulphur, La........................ 13,213

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10QUESTIONS

HE SAID – SHE SAID

Who knows South Dakota steer wrestler Taz Olson better, his wife, Amanda, or his traveling partner, Kody Woodward?

TAZ

WIFE AMANDA

PARTNER KODY

AMANDA

KODY

TAZ

WHO IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

Casey Olson

Casey Olson

Casey Olson

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM?

Oakland Raiders

Green Bay Packers

Oakland Raiders

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Ruby Tuesday

Western Sky Steakhouse

Texas Roadhouse

WHAT’S THE BEST THING TAZ COOKS?

Steak

Steak

Steak

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE MOVIE?

Old School

Grumpy Old Men

Grumpy Old Men

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Taz

Me

Me

WHO WINS A FIGHT BETWEEN BATMAN & SUPERMAN?

Superman

Batman

Superman

WHAT IS THE NAME OF HIS FAVORITE HORSE?

Riata

Lucky

Riata

WHAT TV SHOW DOES HE LIKE TO BINGE WATCH?

Big Bang Theory

Big Bang Theory

Big Bang Theory

12 WHAT’S THE BEST BOOK HE’S READ?

Harris and Me

Harris and Me

Lone Survivor

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SPOTLIGHT The PSN will be taking questions directly from the PRCA’s social media platforms to ask a cowboy your questions. Follow the PRCA on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for the chance to ask your favorite cowboys a question. SOCIAL MEDIA

your rides, and you have to remember what was bad about them, in order to make subtle corrections. So, getting on one after the other and focusing on improving on your weaknesses is what helps me.

If you could pick one horse to draw in a sudden-death scenario, which would it be and why? - Brian Walters Tanner: Well, I won in 2016 on Showstomper of Frontier Rodeo, and then I split the win in the third round of the Finals on C5 Rodeo’s Virgil. Another one of my favorites that’s really a standout is Straight Jacket of J Bar J Rodeo or Onion Ring of Korkow Rodeos. Those are probably four horses that I would love to get on any day of the week. If it was sudden death in a four-man and it came down to those four, I guess I’d be happy with any one of those. What advice would you give to all the young rodeo kids who are dreaming of competing at the WNFR?

What would you say is your biggest accomplishment in rodeo?

- Suzy Richter

Tanner: I have some great wins that I’m very proud of, but I’m hoping that my biggest accomplishment is still in front of me. No matter what happens, good or bad, you always seem to have a smile on your face. Where does that come from? - GayeLynn Currie Tanner: I just love the sport. I love bucking horses. You’re constantly surrounded by good people, and for the most part, you want your buddies to do well and they want you to do well. It creates a passion and a love for it. So, when you get to get on good bucking horses, and if you’re able to make a living, it’s

- Dominic

Tanner: You’ve got to stick with it. You have to make goals and you have to set priorities so that if there’s something you want, you got to keep reaching for it and be willing to make the sacrifices. It’s definitely an attainable goal if you stick with it, and if it’s something you want to do, just don’t quit. That’s what I tell most kids, just don’t quit.

TANNER AUS Three-time WNFR qualifier

something to be happy about.

What does your daily workout routine consist of?

If you could pick three bareback riders, past or present, to travel with, who would they be, and why? - Clay Guardipee Tanner: I would have loved to have traveled with Chris LeDoux and to get to know him because of the stories that I’ve heard, and of course because his music is just excellent entertainment all the time. He was a guy with a great attitude. A guy that really helped me out when I was younger was Wayne Herman. I remember watching him kick the spur board at a couple of schools that I went to long after he’d retired and thinking that it would have been a lot of fun to go down the road with him. He had a really great positive attitude. I think Lewis Feild, too, because some of the stories that I’ve heard from Kaycee and learning about the kind of man that he was. I never got to meet him, but I’ve heard some great stories and that he was a guy who always had a smile on his face no matter if the chips were down. There’s a lot to learn from a person like that.

- Peter Fager

Tanner: When I’m on the road, I try to do anything I can to get the blood pumping in the day. I try to work out on the days we have to ride. I do some high-intensity intervals, stuff like that. When I’m at home, I have a routine where I focus on a different part of the body every day. If I have a couple weeks off, I like to try to do that. I do a lot of strength training with weights and cardio to stay trim. When it comes to practice sessions, which method do you prefer, and why? - Colton Cooper Tanner: I think the best tool to practice is just getting on horses. There’s a lot of things that you can do for fundamentals and for mechanics, but when it comes down to it, we go to more than 100 rodeos a year. You have to be able to remember what was good about

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R OUND THE SHORT BY THE NUMBERS The number of Xtreme Bulls Division 1 Tour titles captured by Matt Austin, the most in Xtreme Bulls Division On The Mend

1. Next in line with six are J.W. Harris, B.J. Schumacher and Sage Kimzey. Kimzey won his sixth-career Xtreme Bulls Division 1 event in Fort Mohave, Ariz., March 3. The record number of capacity nights at the AT&T Center for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The 21-performance rodeo took place Feb. 8-25 and had more than 16,500 tickets sold for 18 of those performances. The San Antonio Rodeo produces an estimated economic impact of more than $250 million, according to a study conducted by Trinity University in San Antonio. The cost of the new Mosaic Arena that plays host to the Arcadia (Fla.) All-Fla Championship Rodeo, March 8-11. The venue with a covered arena has 7,796 seats – nearly one for every Arcadia resident – more than 107,000 square feet.

Sterling Crawley sidelined with broken collarbone Saddle bronc rider Sterling Crawley, a four-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, will likely be sidelined for six weeks while recovering from a broken right clavicle. Crawley suffered the injury following his 84-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Young Karma on Feb. 23 in the second round of the semifinals at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. “It was a regular ride,” Crawley said, “the horse was bucking, and it came around at the whistle and I came off about that same time. I just came down wrong and landed on my shoulder and hit my head and broke my collarbone. They were looking at my head for a concussion, and then when I went to pick up my saddle with my right arm I realized it was hurting. I had never ridden that horse before, I had only seen video of it

before, and when I came off after the whistle, I just came off kind of funny and got my shoulder whipped down first.” Dr. Tandy Freeman performed surgery on Crawley’s collarbone Feb. 27 at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas. “They put a plate and four screws in my collarbone,” said Crawley, 26. “They are thinking with the plate and the screws the collarbone will be stronger than just letting it come back on its own. I’m back at the house (in Weatherford, Texas) with ice on my collarbone and starting to recover.” Crawley earned $6,911 at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and was in second place in the 2018 PRCA World Standings as of March 5 with $34,648. “I’m going to miss some rodeos, but at least I will not be missing like three every weekend,” Crawley said. Crawley qualified for the WNFR in 2012-13, 2016-17. A year ago, he finished a career-best sixth in the world standings with $215,530.

Steer wrestler Thomas out with broken arm Steer wrestler Jason Thomas, who made his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut in 2016, will be out of action for up to 12 weeks after breaking his right arm during a practice run Feb. 15 in Stephenville, Texas. “I snapped my arm in half right above my elbow,” Thomas said. “I was on my way to go compete at San Antonio and stopped in Stephenville at my buddy’s place to run a couple of steers before going to San Antonio. On the run, I was a little wide and I missed my steer and I landed on my shoulder and I hit. I rolled and got up, but when I rolled I snapped my arm. I thought I just popped my shoulder out because my arm was dangling, and I got up and walked back to the end of the arena and then I knew it was bad, so I went to the emergency room.” On Feb. 19, Thomas underwent surgery at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

“When I had surgery, they put a titanium plate in my arm,” said Thomas, who lives in Archer City, Texas. “The plate is the length between my elbow and my shoulder. They told me I would be out for at least 12 weeks. I have minimal move- ment in my arm right now. I was having a good winter and I just have to bounce back from this and be ready by Reno, that’s my plan.” Thomas was 30th in the March 5 PRCA World Standings with $11,213. The Reno (Nev.) Rodeo takes place June 15-23. A year ago, Thomas finished 19th in the world standings with $67,294. He placed fifth in the world standings in 2016 with $205,137. He won Round 2 (3.5 seconds) and placed in three rounds of the WNFR to finish second in the average with a time of 49.8 seconds on 10 head.

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Mia Larocque photo

Bullfighters help Dave Mason after his 79.5-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Bulletproof in the first round in Tucson, Ariz. Mason won the average at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Fighting Through

Freestyle Bullfights on tap in Alabama PRCA Freestyle Bullfights will take place March 15-17 at the Southeastern Livestock Exposition in Montgomery, Ala., after the bull riding each night. The rodeo begins at 7 p.m. (CT) March 15-16, and has performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 17. The bullfights will take place after the 7 p.m. performance March 17. The contestants in the Montgomery bullfights will be Cody Emerson, Wayne Ratley and Dakota Knight. All three bullfighters will compete against one bull during each of the three performances. They will be competing for $6,000 in prize money. “There’s more adrenaline in this sport than there is in any sport in the world,” said Blue Jeanes, clown-bullfighter, representative-elect for the PRCA. “We’re hoping to have at least 15 events this year and maybe even more than that. We’re trying to grow the program and get the ball rolling and do it right. The bullfighting deal is growing, and there’s dang sure a market for it. We want ours to be the biggest and the best.” Myers 50th Anniversary event scheduled Butch Myers 50th Anniversary Clinic will be March 29 through April 1 at the NRS Arena in Decatur, Texas. On March 29, there will be a cowboy reunion and barbecue from 6:30-10 p.m. (CT). On March 30, there will be a clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On April 1, the clinic will run from 8:30-11 a.m. Butch Myers won the PRCA steer roping world championship in 1980, and his son, Rope, was the 2001 world champ. Butch Myers’ brother, Cash, qualified for the NFR six times as a steer wrestler. The NFR steer wrestling average record has been in the Myers family all but one year since the NFR has been in Las Vegas.

“I grew up at these schools and my father has had them ever since I’ve been alive,” Rope Myers said. “I’ve seen amazing boys and men of all ages and backgrounds come through these schools through the years. My dad has continued to innovate and change. I remember when video cameras were new, and you filmed onto VHS. My mom would film hours and hours of steer wrestling at big rodeos, and he would break that video down and look at it and start to recognize whether things that were being taught forever were successful in steer wrestling. Then, he has continued to change and grow and keep these schools relevant for 50 years.” Rope said that about 20 cowboys who attended his family’s clinics have gone on to compete at the NFR. “This is an opportunity to celebrate the amazing things my dad has done for the sport of rodeo,” Rope said. Ellensburg Arena to receive funding A capital budget spending plan recently passed by the Washington State House of Representatives included funding for the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo Arena. The capital spending plan allocates $100,000 for the rodeo arena project in the Washington State Department of Agriculture section of the budget dedicated to improving safety and access at fairs, according to a news release from Rep. Matt Manweller’s office. “This funding would get the ball rolling to make the Ellensburg Rodeo grounds ADA accessible and make needed repairs and upgrades,” Manweller said in a press release. “The rodeos and fairs in our region are important to our local economies. For the rodeos and fairs to continue to be a strong draw we want to make sure we have high-quality facilities.” The 2018 Ellensburg Rodeo is scheduled for Aug. 31 through Sept. 3.

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SNAPSHOT

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Saddle bronc rider Shade Etbauer flies out of the saddle on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Four Aces in the final go round at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 25. Etbauer won the first round and finished seventh in the average, taking home a total of $3,496. Dan Hubbell photo

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SAN ANTONIO & RODEO STOCK SHOW

The Palomino Patrol rides in the arena at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Feb. 10. Greg Westfall photo

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Show Time • Proctor/Saebens nab team roping title • Jacobs Crawley wows ‘hometown’ crowd • Ryle Smith hustles for tie-down victory • Big win in Tribble’s young bull riding career • Snedecor makes history in steer roping • Eldridge hoping win has him on a roll COVERAGE ON PAGES 22-27

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Video Stars Proctor and Saebens enjoy victory lap(s)

TOPS AT SAN ANTONIO — Feb. 8-25 BAREBACK RIDING “This is the biggest win of my career, as far as the regular season,” Proctor said. “Winning a go-round at the (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo) or a gold buckle would be the only way to top this. I’ve been coming to this rodeo since ’07, and I won second that year. I’ve had a chance to win it a couple times, just never came through.” The title was the first for both in San Antonio. BY SCOTT KANIEWSKI A fter winning the first round of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, team roping header Coleman Proctor realized he and heeler Billie Jack Saebens needed at least one more win. That was because Proctor’s wife didn’t record video of the teammates taking their victory lap. Proctor and Saebens came back for three more curtain calls – setting an AT&T Center record in the process – on their way to winning the title with $23,015 each.

“That one (victory lap) was pretty sweet,” Saebens said. Proctor and Saebens won rounds one and three. Then they won their semifinals run, stopping the clock in 3.7 seconds, besting the previous arena record of 3.8 set by Kaleb Driggers and Jade Corkill in 2012. Saebens was occupied with other things, he didn’t know that his name was being written down in the record books. “I was in the tunnel and didn’t know what was going on, and then he (Proctor) told me that,” Saebens said. “Last night was amazing,” Proctor said. “We didn’t have a very good steer. I told Billie he’s going to hit fast, he’s good on my end but not real good on your end. I asked if he had any suggestions to make his job easier and he told me not to worry about it, he’d handle it. He handled him in a big way. “That (arena record) is something really special, especially at a rodeo as historic as San Antonio. To have an arena record at the AT&T Center, that’s something you can really hold on to.”

STEER WRESTLING 1. Dakota Eldridge........................$23,081 2. Cole Edge...................................20,014 3. Jacob Shofner............................13,777 4. Tyler Waguespack.......................13,268

TEAM ROPING 1. C. Proctor/B.J. Saebens............$23,015 2. B. Buckaloo/J. Harrison..............21,863 3. N. Wyatt/T. Porter.......................14,978 4. T. Brazile/P. Smith.......................12,394

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jacobs Crawley........................$25,765 2. CoBurn Bradshaw.......................23,981 3. Zeke Thurston............................13,983 4. Cort Scheer................................11,010

1. Caleb Bennett...........................$22,169 2. Mason Clements.........................20,889 3. Richmond Champion..................11,725 4. Bill Tutor.....................................11,502

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SAN ANTONIO & RO DEO STOCK SHOW

Above: Team ropers Coleman Proctor, right, and heeler Billie Jack Saebens compete on the final night Feb. 24 before taking a victory lap (below). Greg Westfall photos

They capped off the event by tying with Bubba Buckaloo and Joseph Harrison for the fastest run in the finals in 3.9 seconds. The payout gave both ropers a marked boost in the 2018 PRCAWorld Standings. Saebens moved from 36th in the world to fourth in the team roping heeling standings. Proctor moved from 35th to fourth in the team roping heading standings. Proctor and Saebens each finished seventh in the 2017 world standings of their respective events. They are both in search of their first world titles. Winning in San Antonio can help keep them in the hunt for those gold buckles. “It’s huge, it gives us a world standing,” Proctor laughed. “We’ve had a great year so far, we won about $6,000 coming into San Antonio. But this is the benchmark of the winter. You capitalize here, it makes your spring run a little bit easier, a little bit simpler. It takes a lot of the pressure off to get the win and get the ball rolling early. It’s a huge win for us.” The pair thoroughly enjoyed their victory lap, and this time they can watch it again and again. “I told my wife after winning the first round and she didn’t film the victory lap, I said, ‘What do you mean? You know how many of those you’re going to get?’” Proctor joked. “I need to see my mane flowing.”

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Ryle Smith................................$18,928 2. Marty Yates................................18,705 3. Tuf Cooper..................................16,398 4. Cory Solomon............................12,114

STEER ROPING 1. Scott Snedecor......... 32.6 sec. on three 2. Tuf Cooper .....................................35.2 3. Garrett Hale .................................. 35.7 4. Chris Glover .................................. 35.9

BULL RIDING 1. Garrett Tribble...........................$34,574 2. Dustin Boquet.............................21,363 3. Trevor Kastner............................17,613 4. Sage Kimzey...............................17,502

Complete results on Page 48

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Crowd helps carry Crawley to buckle B efore he nods his head, Jacobs Crawley definitely notices the crowd inside the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The Boerne, Texas, saddle bronc rider considers the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo to be his hometown rodeo. And the fans in the arena apparently considers him their hometown competitor. With a raucous crowd behind him, Crawley won his first San Antonio buckle by riding for 87 points on Calgary Stampede’s Tokyo Bubbles – tying for the best score of the finals – earning him $25,765 and the title. “It’s nuts, I love it, it’s ridiculous,” Crawley said about the crowd. “I noticed it last year. Whenever (announcerWayne Brooks) does his wind up and cracks off Boerne and whenever Hadley (Barrett) did it last year it really is one of my favorite memories, second to last year. Hadley announcing the short round last year when I was 86, it was probably one of my best memories of rodeo, and now this one is right there with it.” Crawley, who was in first place in the 2018 PRCAWorld Standings before the rodeo concluded, has a noticeable lead as of March 5 with $63,794. His next closest competitor – brother, Sterling – has $34,648. Sterling is temporarily out of action after suffering a broken collarbone. “Everybody knows that if you can get hot here, you can make a lot of Quick run ropes victory for Smith R yle Smith is the first to admit he’s not the fastest tie- down roper in the world. If he’s shooting for a win in a competition, it’s often the average he’s after. He showed he could do both with his win at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, capping it off with a run of 7.1 seconds in the final round to bank $18,928. “I don’t tie a lot of calves in 7.1 or 7.2,” said the Oakdale, Calif., cowboy. “This was me out of my element. I’mmore of an outlast-them kind of guy, not a gunslinger. I don’t celebrate usually, but after that run I slapped my leg and was pretty excited, because that’s hard for me.” What made it more impressive was that Smith injured his right ankle at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas, in January during a steer wrestling run. Because of the injury, he didn’t rope for three weeks. “I just worked out and did physical therapy,” Smith said. “I practiced about three days before I came here. I just made it on. I’ve never had a whole lot of luck at this rodeo. It’s not my style of roping because it’s so fast.” Smith climbed from 22nd in the 2018 PRCA Tie-down Roping World Standings to eighth as of March 5. “It’s just a huge boost,” said Smith, who turned 31 two days before claiming the title. “It’s one of the biggest rodeos of the year. …There’s so much to be won.” Smith’s final run tied Marty Yates for the fastest run of the finals.

Saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley shakes hands with fans during his victory lap at the AT&T Center, Feb. 24. Greg Westfall photo

money quickly,” Jacobs Crawley said. “To be honest, I’m just really fortunate I was able to draw solid horses and use the opportunities. I didn’t imagine myself sitting here with a buckle in my hands.” Winning the San Antonio title ranks up there with the 2015 PRCA world title and his two Wrangler National Finals Rodeo average titles, Crawley said. “Pretty special,” said the 29-year-old. “… It’s a thirty-minute drive. I call it my hometown rodeo. It means a lot. This win is probably right behind my gold buckle and NFR average wins.”

Ryle Smith posted a time of 7.1 seconds on Feb. 24 to help secure the title at

the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo after winning a total of $18,928.

Greg Westfall photo

Smith pointed to his horse, Trouble, 15, as a key reason for the win. “My horse has taken me everywhere,” Smith said. “For him to be on the poster out front next year means a lot to me. I bought him when he was 3 years old. He and I have been through everything together.” Smith was stunned when he found out he had won. “When I threw my hands up, it got loud,” Smith said. “I saw 7.1, I thought, well I won second, I split whatever. But I guess I ended up winning by a hair.”

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SAN ANTONIO & RO DEO STOCK SHOW

STORIES BY SCOTT KANIEWSKI

Garrett Tribble rode Andrews Rodeo’s Double Vision for 90 points in the finals Feb. 24.

Greg Westfall photo

G arrett Tribble learned last year that there is no slowing down in bull riding. As a rookie in 2016, Tribble qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. But after going to about 100 rodeos, Tribble backed off the following year. It cost him, as he missed out on the 2017 WNFR. He won’t be looking for any down time this season, even after winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Tribble rode Andrews Rodeo’s Double Vision for 90 points in the finals in San Antonio, a ride that turned out to be worth more than $20,000 after only he and Dustin Boquet had qualified rides. Tribble won the San Antonio buckle after netting $34,754, including ground money. “This is really big,” said Tribble, 20. “It’s the biggest rodeo I’ve ever won and one I’ve been wanting to win for a long time. Things just have to go right, and they did.” Tribble was familiar with Double Vision. The pair teamed up for 86.5 Double Vision is no easy out, but Tribble was ready for the bull. “When I saw I had that bull drawn I was really happy,” the Oklahoma cowboy said. “I knew he was going to make me work for it every jump. He’s not easy by any means, but I’d been there once, so I knew what was coming.” The big score in San Antonio moved Tribble into sixth place in the 2018 PRCAWorld Standings. After missing out on the 2017WNFR when he finished 22nd, Tribble isn’t planning on letting it happen again this year. “The year before (2016) I wore myself out rodeoing,” Tribble said. “I was like, maybe if I take it easy a little bit before the summer run I won’t be so worn out by the end of the summer. My plan worked out well, but I was just a little bit short of making the Finals. I still could have done it, I just needed to stay on a few more bulls. “… I’m not going to take a break. I’m going to take this advantage as far as I can.” No time to rest for GarrettTribble points and a share of the win at the Amarillo (Texas) Tri-State Fair and Rodeo in the fall.

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