ProRodeo Sports News - May 1, 2020

Bloom in Roofin’ Bareback rider proving to be jack-of-many trades

INSIDE • Eight elected to ProRodeo Hall of Fame for 2020

ProRodeo Sports News 5/1/2020

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FOURCHAMPIONS.

Congratulations on your impressiveWrangler NFR victories.

WESLEY THORP

SAGE KIMZEY

CLAYTON BIGLOW

STETSON WRIGHT

CONTENTS

MAY 1, 2020 VOLUME 68, NO. 9

Kicking Back

Scott Snedecor, left, plays washer pitch with his son, Colton, at home in Fredericksburg, Texas, April 25. William Kierce photo

with his family. 36

Four-time steer roping world champion Scott Snedecor is hanging out at home

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INSIDE

14 2020 prca world 48 2020 rookies 48 2020 permit 50 2020 circuits STANDINGS COVER 6 director’s cut 8 brain teasers 10 he said-she said 12 grille 18 short round 54 prca notes

Photo courtesy Josh Frost

Bloom in Roofin’ Bareback riderproving tobe jack-of-many trades

Readying for rodeo with rosin sauce Bull rider Josh Frost’s rosin is gaining popularity with other ProRodeo bull riders. Frost has perfected his secret recipe while away from rodeo due to injury and the COVID-19 pandemic. 30

INSIDE •Eightelected toProRodeo HallofFame for2020

Wyatt Bloom works on a shed roof at his place in Belgrade, Mont., April 26. Josh Homer photo

ProRodeo Sports News

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS (ISSN 0161-5815; USPS 469-620) is published semimonthly by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919-4301. PERIODICALS postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colo. , and ad- ditional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to ProRodeo Sports News , P. O. Box 469025, Escondido, CA 92046. Subscription rate: $45 for one year, 12 issues. Disclaimer: The ProRodeo Sports News carries advertising as a service to PRCA members and PSN readers. However, publication of advertisements in the PSN does not in any way, whether expressed or implied, commit the PSN to guarantee or warrant any of the merchandise or livestock advertised.

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PRCA CEO George Taylor MEDIA DIRECTOR

Scott Kaniewski PRCA ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver PHOTOGRAPHY COORDINATOR Carol Lawrence CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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DIRECTOR’S CUT SCOTT KANIEWSKI

Be sure to reach out to mom in some capacity “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” – GeorgeWashington S unday, May 10, is Mother’s Day. If you don’t have Facetime, Hangouts, Facebook Messenger. Heck, if you needed to, you could set up a Zoommeeting with Mom. The chance to call using cell phones, tablets and computers and talk to someone almost in person is amazing. Of course, many of our younger competitors have grown up with these capabilities, while many of our older members’ kids have grown up with those options. Throw in the quarantine issue and those apps become

it marked already, get it on your calendar – your digital calendar, your print calendar, the one with those cute puppies and beautiful sunsets that’s hanging on the wall almost more as a forgotten decoration than as something to remind you what day it is. We all know the relationship between Mom and her cowboys. She might not always be in the foreground, but she’s darn sure in the background. This Mother’s Day is going to have a different vibe. Heck, the whole world has a different vibe now. And that’s the reason this Mother’s Day is going to be more special than a lot of them. Hopefully most of you reading this will be celebrating with your moms in the comfort of your home or hers, surrounded by family. But for some of us that won’t be the case. With older moms we have to be safe and take their health into consideration.That’s the hard part, the balancing act.With the COVID-19 pandemic still weighing on plenty of minds, how do we know it’s OK to visit and letMomknow we love her? One of the greatest things about living in this technological age is how quick we can pick up a device and reach out and communicate with someone face to face –

Scott Kaniewski is the Media Director at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He previously served more than two years as the editor of ProRodeo Sports News. He has nearly two decades of experience in sports journalism, with the last few being consumed by ProRodeo.

that much more awe-striking. I haven’t seen my mom in over a month now, and it’s not because she lives on the other side of the country. She’s only 30 miles down the road. But at her age (no, Mom, I won’t reveal it) I wasn’t about to take a chance and put her at risk. With the amount of travel my colleagues and I did before quarantine set in, I would not want to endanger my mom after being around so many people. But thanks to technology, we’ve been able to visit each other in (virtual) person. Probably more importantly, she gets to see the grandkids. No, it’s not the same as hugging them or having them sit on your lap while you zone out during the fifth viewing of Despicable Me 3 , but it’s as good a replacement as we’re going to get until virtual reality is a readily available reality. Yes, video messaging in whatever capacity is stunning. But it’s nowhere close to as stunning as what our moms have pulled off in order to raise us. Let’s not forget that. Now, excuse me while I go set up a Zoommeeting for May 10. #StayHomeCowboyStrong

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BRAIN TEASERS TAKE YOUR SHOT

ANSWERS ON PAGE 55

Cowboys & Actors Here’s a look at five PRCA cowboys. Can you match their photos to one of these actors?

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2

3

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A

B

C

D

E

Word Search

Find the 2019 winners from the Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo and Rodeo Corpus Christi (Texas). Cowboys who won more than one event at both rodeos appear for each win. Names may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

On the Tour

1. Find the 2019 winners from Clovis. BB: Clayton Biglow SW: Dakota Eldridge

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

TR: Cody Snow TR: Hunter Koch SB: Ryder Wright TD: Blake Ash

GB: Jessie Telford BR: Jordan Spears 1. Find the 2019 winners from Corpus Christi. BB: Tanner Aus SW: Laine Herl TR: Tanner Tomlinson TR: Ty Arnold SB: Zeke Thurston TD: Seth Cooke GB: Dona Kay Rule SR: Landon McClaugherty BR: J.W. Harris BONUS QUESTIONS 1. Who was the all-around cowboy in Clovis? 2. Who was the all-around cowboy in Corpus Christi?

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10 QUESTIONS He Said – She Said Who knows saddle bronc rider Cole Elshere better, his wife, Kyndra, or his traveling partner, Chuck Schmidt?

Cole

Kyndra

Chuck

CHUCK

COLE

KYNDRA

WHAT WOULD HE DO IF NOT RODEOING?

Rancher

Rancher

Rancher

WHO IS HIS FAVORITE HORSE TO RIDE?

Lunatic Fringe

Lunatic Fringe

Lunatic Fringe

WHO IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

J.J. Elshere

J.J. Elshere

J.J. Elshere

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Water

Coffee

Coffee

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Cole

Me

Cole

WHAT WAS HIS FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECT?

Math

Math

Math

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM?

Pittsburgh Steelers

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys

WHO IS HIS FAVORITE NON-RODEO ATHLETE?

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE MOVIE?

Lonesome Dove

Legends of the Fall

Legends of the Fall

10 WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE CARD GAME TO PLAY?

Cribbage

Cribbage

– Courtesy of Ted Harbin Cribbage

ProRodeo Sports News 11/7/2014

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ProRodeo Sports News 1/10/2020

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PSN: You’re in contention to qualify for your first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. What was your breakthrough moment this year? Cort: RodeoHouston (March 2-20) was awesome for me this year. I drew really good horses and got a heck of a good start. I won about $10,000. That was the turning point where I started feeling good and riding well. PSN: What was your game plan for this year? Cort: Last year, I rodeoed hard and went to as many rodeos as I could. This year, I’m trying to rodeo smart and stay healthy. You ride so much better when you’re healthy. Not to jinx myself, but I’m feeling pretty dang good, not sore or anything. I’m also going to rodeo in Canada some. PSN: You listed Billy Etbauer as your rodeo idol. What about him do you most admire? Cort: The person he is; to be as successful as he is, and to be as cool as he is, is amazing. He’s one of us, and he has your back. PSN: Who is your dream draw? Cort: Lunitic Fringe of Burch Rodeo would be an awesome horse to draw. On his good days, you can’t beat him. That sucker is amazing. He’s a big ol’ paint stud. He jumps five feet in the air and cracks ’em. PSN: What is one strange thing that happened while you traveled this year? Cort: We went tandem skydiving near Sacramento when we were in California for the Red Bluff Roundup (in April). I was the last one out (of the plane). When my buddies went through the doorway, they flat disappeared. It was a sketchy feeling walking up there until I went out the door – and then it was the coolest thing I’ve done. I want to do it again. PSN: You attended Garden City (Kan.) Community College and Montana State University in Bozeman, and ended up at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell. What did you like about school in Goodwell, and did you get a degree? Cort: Yes, I got a degree in agricultural business. At Panhandle, there were a lot of guys to travel (to rodeos) with, and (rodeo coach) Craig Latham is one of those guys who wants you to get your education and succeed in college and the pros. He helps you figure out how to get down the road. PSN: Despite moving, you’re still a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan. How big a fan are you? Cort: I don’t cry when they lose or anything. My older sister (Kema) is the bigger fan. Everything in her house is Huskers. PSN: In football, Nebraska plays host to Texas on Oct. 16. With that in mind, what is your prediction for the Huskers’ regular season record? Cort: I’m going to say 10-2. A couple of teams might get lucky and beat us, but Texas is not going to be one of our losses. PSN: Xbox or PlayStation? Cort: PlayStation. When I was in Bozeman (at Montana State University) and it snowed, I dang sure didn’t open that door and go outside. I became the rankest Tiger Woods golfer you have ever seen. PSN: What else do you do for fun? Cort: I rope a lot with Danny Etbauer and work for him (in Guymon, Okla.).We’re pretty close. I have bought horses from him, and I ride horses for him. We’ll get some horses, and we’ll rope all day long. It’s a blast. (Note: Etbauer was a Wrangler NFR qualifier in the saddle bronc riding from 1988-97 and was selected to pick up at the Wrangler NFR in 2008.) PSN: What kind of music do you listen to when you drive? Cort: I’m kind of a rocker, but you have to have some Chris LeDoux in there. For rock, AC/DC is the ultimate. If it has a good beat, I can rock to it. PSN: What is your pet peeve? Cort: When someone sits in the passenger seat and puts their feet up on the dash so that I can’t see out of the side mirror; that annoys the heck out of me. PSN: What in rodeo has made you most proud? Cort: I won the rookie bronc riding at Cheyenne (in 2008). It was pretty dang cool. PSN: If you qualify for the Wrangler NFR, what is one of the first things you’ll do when you hit the Strip in Las Vegas? Cort: I’m kind of getting into blackjack. Isaac Diaz plays, and he has helped me quite a bit. We have sat and played blackjack until 4 in the morning, so I’m pretty sure I’m going to hit the blackjack tables. PS : You’re in contention to qualify for your first rangler ational Finals odeo. hat as your breakthrough o ent this year? Cort: odeo ouston ( arch 2-20) as a eso e for e this year. I dre really good horses and got a heck of a good start. I on about $10,000. That as the turning point here I started feeling good and riding ell. PS : hat as your ga e plan for this year? Cort: Last year, I rodeoed hard and ent to as any rodeos as I could. This year, I’ trying to rodeo s art and stay healthy. You ride so uch better hen you’re healthy. ot to jinx yself, but I’ feeling pretty dang good, not sore or anything. I’ also going to rodeo in Canada so e. PS : You listed Billy Etbauer as your rodeo idol. hat about hi do you ost ad ire? Cort: The person he is; to be as successful as he is, and to be as cool as he is, is a azing. e’s one of us, and he has your back. PSN: Who is your dream draw? Cort: Lunitic Fringe of Burch Rodeo would be an awesome horse to draw. On his good days, you can’t beat hi . That sucker is amazing. He’s a big ol’ paint stud. He jumps five feet in the air and cracks ’e . PS : hat is one strange thing that happened while you traveled this year? Cort: e ent tande skydiving near Sacra ento hen e ere in California for the ed Bluff oundup (in April). I as the last one out (of the plane). hen y buddies ent through the door ay, they flat disappeared. It as a sketchy feeling alking up there until I ent out the door – and then it as the coolest thing I’ve done. I ant to do it again. PS : You attended arden City (Kan.) Co unity College and ontana State niversity in Boze an, and ended up at klaho a Panhandle State niversity in ood ell. hat did you like about school in ood ell, and did you get a degree? Cort: Yes, I got a degree in agricultural business. At Panhandle, there ere a lot of guys to travel (to rodeos) ith, and (rodeo coach) Craig Latha is one of those guys ho ants you to get your education and succeed in college and the pros. e helps you figure out ho to get do n the road. PS : espite oving, you’re still a ebraska Cornhuskers fan. o big a fan are you? Cort: I don’t cry hen they lose or anything. y older sister (Ke a) is the bigger fan. Everything in her house is uskers. PS : In football, ebraska plays host to Texas on ct. 16. ith that in ind, hat is your prediction for the uskers’ regular season record? Cort: I’ going to say 10-2. A couple of tea s ight get lucky and beat us, but Texas is not going to be one of our losses. PS : Xbox or PlayStation? Cort: PlayStation. hen I as in Boze an (at ontana State niversity) and it sno ed, I dang sure didn’t open that door and go outside. I beca e the rankest Tiger oods golfer you have ever seen. PS : hat else do you do for fun? Cort: I rope a lot ith anny Etbauer and ork for hi (in uy on, kla.). e’re pretty close. I have bought horses fro hi , and I ride horses for hi . e’ll get so e horses, and e’ll rope all day long. It’s a blast. ( ote: Etbauer as a rangler F qualifier in the saddle bronc riding fro 1988-97 and as selected to pick up at the rangler F in 2008.) PS : hat kind of usic do you listen to hen you drive? Cort: I’ kind of a rocker, but you have to have so e Chris Le oux in there. For rock, AC/ C is the ulti ate. If it has a good beat, I can rock to it. PS : hat is your pet peeve? Cort: hen so eone sits in the passenger seat and puts their feet up on the dash so that I can’t see out of the side irror; that annoys the heck out of e. PS : hat in rodeo has ade you ost proud? Cort: I on the rookie bronc riding at Cheyenne (in 2008). It as pretty dang cool. PS : If you qualify for the rangler F , hat is one of the first things you’ll do hen you hit the Strip in Las Vegas? Cort: I’ kind of getting into blackjack. Isaac iaz plays, and he has helped e quite a bit. e have sat and played blackjack until 4 in the orning, so I’ pretty sure I’ going to hit the blackjack tables.

CORT SCHEER While some rodeo fans may not know saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer, it’s not a surprise to event representative Cody Taton that Scheer is in the top 10 of the PRCA World Standings. “He’s ridden well for a while,” Taton said. “People are just starting to notice him. He’s super nice and athletic.” The 24-year-old, who splits his time between Elsmere, Neb., and Guymon, Okla., finished 25 th in the 2009 PRCA World Standings. This year, he was fifth in the July 12 world standings with $57,135. hile so e rodeo fans ay not kno saddle bronc rider ort cheer, it’s not a surprise to event representative Cody Taton that cheer is in the top 10 of the orld tandings. “He’s ridden ell for a while,” Taton said. “People are just starting to notice him. He’s super nice and athletic.” The 24-year-old, ho splits his ti e between Elsmere, Neb., and Guymon, Okla., finished 25 th in the 2009 orld tandings. This year, he as fifth in the July 12 orld standings ith $57,135.

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PSN 7/23/2010

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COWBOY GRILLE WITH MATT NABER

Since he was first featured in the Cowboy Grille 10 years ago, saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in ProRodeo. With six qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2010, 2012-15, 2018) and more than $1.2 million in career earnings, the Nebraska cowboy is showing no signs of slowing down. In the last 10 years, Scheer bought his own place near Stephenville, Texas, where he can practice for ProRodeo competitions or just enjoy roping with friends. He will celebrate his 34th birthday on May 8 and is eager to resume competition once the COVID-19 pandemic settles down.

How has your approach to competing changed since 2010? Cort: I’m a lot more business savvy now. Back then I was young and hungry, I wanted to go everywhere and get on everything, but now it’s more of a business with a focus on staying healthy. If you don’t weigh in, you don’t get to wrestle. Do you think rodeoing smart is what has allowed you to stay highly competitive into your 30s? Cort: Yeah, I think so. I was fortunate with who I traveled with, Chet (Johnson), Tyler (Corrington) and Wade (Sundell), and some younger kids who filtered in too. But we have been together for 10 years, and that’s helped me out a bunch on knowing what horses to get on, what to do to your saddle and having someone with me who is willing to drive 20 hours straight to get on a horse, rather than someone who is there to party. Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic Fringe was your dream draw in 2010. Did you ever get to ride him? Cort: Tyler (Corrington) gets mad at me because I have been on all the good ones. I’ve been on him (Lunatic Fringe) four times, and he was a stud. Did you ever get to skydive again? Cort: No, I haven’t. I’ve been wanting to go but my girlfriend (Kortney Fisher) isn’t too crazy about heights. I dang- sure promise you skydiving’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I would love to do it again. Have you had a chance to use your Ag Business degree? Cort: Honestly, you kind of sit through those classes and wonder, ‘When will I use it?’ But I guarantee I used it. Rodeo is a business that involves talking to sponsors and committees, and it is marketing. Are you still a Nebraska fan? Cort: Oh, you’re darn right I am! It’s been tough, but we have a Frost Warning and we are coming on. What rides are you most proud of?

CORT SCHEER

Cort: It would be hard to put a pencil on any one thing. It was cool being 92 points on (Hi Lo ProRodeo’s) Larry Culpepper at the 2018 (NFR) Finals and winning Round 2. I spurred that horse good and went to him. Then there’s (Big Bend Rodeo’s) Kool Toddy at St. Paul (Ore.) last year, where I was 89. I love that horse, but that’s the best I got along with her. Kool Toddy is my favorite to get on and that was my favorite ride. What was the first thing you did when you hit the Strip in Las Vegas for your first NFR? Cort: I was pretty overwhelmed and didn’t know where to go or be, so I hung out with (Chad) Ferley and those guys, and they took me under their wing. The first thing I did was write down where I was supposed to be each day. We had to do autograph signings at the Aria (Hotel), and the night before, Cody Taton told me not to miss the autographs at 7 in the morning. I said, ‘Nobody will be there, that’s crazy.’ But I got up at 5 a.m., shaved and showered, and got to the Aria and there were tables against the wall. I was about 10 minutes late. I called Cody and said, ‘Dude, where is everyone?’ He laughed and said, ‘Dude, it’s not until 2 p.m.’ They got me, I got rookied. How do you approach the Wrangler NFR now?

Cort: I’m a lot more laid back. Before, I was hesitant and didn’t want to get bucked off since it’s on TV, and that makes you tight, but you ride best when you’re loose and having fun. How the week starts is the most important to me, that building will eat a guy up. If you go down, it’ll go worse. I want a rank spur out and a good third jump. If you do that, you will win a lot of money. What do you do for fun now? Cort: More of the above kind of deal, my girlfriend has a bunch of nice horses, and so I do a lot of work there at her place, and rope and ride my horses. If you do what you love for your job, you will never work a day, and I’ve got a smile on my face all day. What kind of music do you listen to while driving now?

Cort: My girlfriend hates it, but I listen to a lot of old country music. Before I get on, I listen to the old bread and butter of AC/DC to get my mind running and some Airbourne, too. Has your pet peeve changed? Cort: Now, it’s drivers that speed up and slow down – I can’t stand that when you got your cruise set; or when they have their lights in your mirror and stay on your rear end. That old answer was about Tyler Corrington, he’d have his boots off and his foot on the mirror out the window.

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Taylor: PRCA targets Memorial Day weekend for competition Sights on Season SHORT ROUND

P roRodeo is aiming for a Memorial Day weekend return to competition, RCA CEO George Taylor told The Cowboy Channel in an interview April 25. Taylor addressed several topics in the interview, including

Calgary Stampede canceled The Calgary Stampede announced April 23 in a press release that it would be canceling for 2020 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic after the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Alberta banned all gatherings of more than 15 people for an indefinite period of time. The city of Calgary also has declared a state of local emergency. “This is an extremely difficult announcement to share, but it is the right thing to do,” said Dana Peers, Calgary Stampede President & Chairman of Board. The Calgary Stampede has been around for 108 years, been through two World Wars, the Great Depression and a devastating flood. But the loss of this year’s Stampede is bigger than its not-for-profit organization. Many local businesses are part of the greater Stampede, from the restaurants, bars and hotels to the retailers, ride-share and taxi drivers who support Western culture throughout the city.

something Taylor discussed.

“The big focus of this is, ‘How do we get going?’” Taylor said. “What we are going to do as the PRCA is we’re looking to partner with PRCA rodeo committees to begin to understand what they can do to just say, ‘Yes.’ … These are challenging times. How can we supplement some of the things the local committees are trying to do, whether they have lost sponsors, their gate might be reduced substantially, or maybe we are just helping to try and give them a backstop of some additional funds. Taylor also touched on the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 3-12. The PRCA has met with officials for the Finals, including the National Finals Rodeo Committee. “We’re having regular conversations with them and we have gone to weekly meetings,” Taylor said. “Obviously, it’s really critical for Las Vegas to open back up.”

the affect the COVID-19 pandemic is having on PRCA rodeos and a timetable for the possible return of rodeos. “You know, sooner is better, for sure,” Taylor said. “We’re really hopeful Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) that we can get something started. We’re working very closely right now with Fort Smith (Ark.) and the local officials there in order to have a rodeo. Whether that means it is a fan-less event or reduced- occupancy style of event, that’s really our direction and what we are going to try to pull off because we do need to get the rodeo engine going and have everybody in these communities see some encouraging things. We are really excited about the potential of starting that on Memorial Day weekend.” The “Kick Open the Chutes” PRCA incentive plan, which will help rodeo committees, is also

Meged staying busy at Montana ranch There’s been no such thing

bed. It’s a full-time job out there at the ranch. We run 700 cows.” Meged hasn’t been practicing much since being in Miles City. “I’ve been breakaway (roping) a little bit, but I haven’t really tied any down yet,” Meged said. “I have just been trying to give everything a break.”

as downtime for reigning PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper Haven Meged. With rodeos on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meged has been hard at work at his family’s ranch in Miles City, Mont. “I’ve been staying busy

Meged

calving and branding now,” said Meged, 22. “My dad (Bart) keeps us busy all day. We don’t ever get inside until about 10 o’clock every night. By that time, you’re ready for

Meged’s main horse, 10-year-old Beyoncé, is the one he won the world title on during his magical 2019 season. He made his Wrangler NFR debut and earned $126,135.

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ONLINE: For more ProRodeo events and full results, go online at www.prorodeo.com O LINE: For more Pr R d o events and full re ults, go to ww .prorode .c m

BY THE NUMBERS 11 The number of times a cowboy has won two events in one night at the National Finals Rodeo since its inception in 1959. The last time it happened was in Round 8 of the 2014 NFR, when Trevor Brazile won team roping with heeling partner Travis Graves and shared the tie- down roping win with Matt Shiozawa. 21 The event record number of times saddle bronc rider Billy Etbauer qualified for the National Finals Rodeo. Etbauer, a ProRodeo Hall of Famer, won world championships in 1992, 1996, 1999- 2000 and 2004. 316 The number of people (256), animals (32) and rodeo committees (28) that will have been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame when the eight-member 2020 class is enshrined Aug. 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Hall opened in 1979.

VIDEO

Bruiser enjoying time on ranch

When you’re one of the baddest bucking bulls

a big ol’ sand hill. We call it the exercise pen and let him out there once or twice a day. You have to tie up the gate because he will end up all over the place if you don’t tie up those gates.” SweetPro’s Bruiser is a highly decorated animal athlete. He was the 2017 PRCA Bull of the Year and was second in 2018. Bruiser also was top bull of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2015, 2017 and 2019. At last year’s Finals, he was voted bull of the night for Round 8 after teaming with six-time reigning world champion Sage Kimzey for a 94-point ride to win the round. “He knows he’s Bruiser, 100%,” Roberts said. “He knows he’s the (baddest bull at the ranch).”

on the planet life is good.

That is the case for Powder River Rodeo’s SweetPro’s Bruiser, owned by H.D. Page of D&H Cattle. SweetPro’s Bruiser, 9, lives on the D&H Cattle Ranch in Dickson, Okla., with about 700 other bulls. Cash Roberts, H.D. Page’s stepson, is a handler of SweetPro’s Bruiser, and he talked to ProRodeo Sports News about what SweetPro’s Bruiser does on the ranch. “He looks in about as good of shape as he has been in in a long time,” Roberts said about the 1,800-pound beast. “He hangs out here at the ranch. He has a big ol’ sandbox he gets in, and he plays on

Rattle, Matt Reeves’ standout horse, passes away

Matt Reeves’ horse, Do Get Famous “Rattle,” the 2019 Steer Wrestling Purina Horse of the Year presented by AQHA, passed away April 17 of a ruptured stomach. She was 8. “It was just a freak deal,” said Reeves, 41. “Words don’t really describe (Rattle passing). There’s not really a way to say it. It’s one of those things. I have had some really good horses, and this

(out of grief).”

Reeves bought Rattle in August 2016 and started rodeoing on her Jan. 24, 2018. In a short time, Rattle was a superstar. She helped Reeves, a seven- time Wrangler NFR qualifier, win the NFR average for the first time in 2019 with a 48.4-second time on 10 head. In the 2020 PRCA season, Rattle

Reeves

one was the horse of the year. This is extremely hard and sad. The hazing horse that stayed with her every day for the past two years didn’t eat for two days

won a check at every rodeo she attended.

Rattle stood more than 14 hands tall and

weighed 1,000 pounds.

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THE BEST IS YET TO COME. bootbarn.com

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PRORODEO HALL OF FAME Elite Eight Hall will welcome octet in August C BY PSN STAFF ody Ohl, a six-time PRCA world champion, headlined an award-winning, eight-member class of inductees that will be enshrined in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo., Aug. 1. Ohl, who won five world championships in tie-down roping (1997-98, 2001, 2003 and 2006) and another in all-around (2001), will go into the Hall of Fame with renowned bareback horse Grated Coconut of Calgary Stampede, world champion bull rider Butch Kirby (1978), stock contractor Jim Sutton Jr., contract personnel Sunni Deb Backstrom, notable Randy Witte, the Ellensburg Rodeo and world champion barrel racer Martha Josey (1980).

CODY OHL Tie-down roper, all-around

At 46, the six-time world champion will add the title of ProRodeo Hall of Famer to his long list of accomplishments. “It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” Ohl said. “You dream of being a world champion your whole life, and it only gets to be real for so many. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame for a great career is pretty amazing.” After winning the 1994 PRCAOverall Rookie of the Year, the Texas cowboy collected six world champion buckles. He also qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 20 times (1994-2001 and 2003-14) and the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping three times (1999-2001). With $3.5 million in career earnings, Ohl is second only to Trevor Brazile in total money won in ProRodeo competition. Ohl’s 20 NFR qualifications tie him for second-most in tie-down roping with Fred Whitfield. Only Mike Johnson has more with 23. Perhaps Ohl’s most memorable run came in a round at the 2003Wrangler NFR when he clocked a time of 6.5 seconds, tying for the third-fastest time ever witnessed in ProRodeo. During his final trip to the Wrangler NFR, he won at least a share of first place in three rounds to extend his tie-down roping event record total to 52 round wins. Ohl also shares the record for most NFR round wins in a single year, and he did it on two occasions. Ohl won five rounds in 2001 and 2013. The only other tie-down roper to win five rounds in a single NFR was Dave Brock in 1978. “Just to be surrounded by the ones in this class (of inductees) and the ones continuing to go in means the world,” Ohl said. “The money and prizes were great, but without all the awesome fans none of it would be possible. Not only is it a great deal to be inducted, it’s awesome to have such a following.”

PRCA ProRopdeo file photo Cody Ohl won six world titles and qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 20 times and the National Finals Steer Roping three times. He’s headed to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

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GRATED COCONUT Bareback horse

Grated Coconut has no equal as a PRCA bareback horse. He was named Bareback Horse of the Year a PRCA-record six times – in 2003-04 and 2006-09 – and was the top horse of the National Finals Rodeo in 2008. “We’re excited to say the least,” Calgary Stampede’s Keith Marrington said. “For the Calgary Stampede, this is a great honor to have one of their animals recognized on the world stage. We retired him in 2010 because we needed to use his services to keep our program alive and (for) more years to come. He’s a very unique horse and the face of the Calgary Stampede breeding program. We’re just delighted to have him recognized by such a great organization as the PRCA. That’s the ultimate recognition when you retire and you go into the Hall of Fame, and you are recognized by your peers is pretty special.” Grated Coconut, 23, lives on the Calgary Stampede ranch in Hanna, Alberta. “He was special in and out of the arena,” Marrington said. “When he was in the arena, the guys knew anytime they drew Grated Coconut they had the opportunity to make money. He was that special horse. He was very consistent. He was athletic and honest. He would give the guys an opportunity to get out on him in a respectful style. He did his job and if guys did their job, they certainly had the opportunity to make money. Outside the arena, he was just a different horse, he was very gentle. The horse was halter broke. He has a great demeanor and has passed those genetics on to his offspring.” Grated Coconut was inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Hall of Fame (2012) and the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame (2013). BUTCH KIRBY Bull rider Gary William “Butch” Kirby started trick riding at 4 years old. He never really stopped, though his trick turned into staying on bulls for eight seconds at a time. Kirby won the 1978 PRCA world title in bull riding, earning $15,000 at the National Finals Rodeo that year, when roughstock world champions were decided by money won at the NFR. “I was a little bit surprised,” said Kirby, who turned 65 on April 24. “It’s an honor to be in this hall, especially because my heroes are in there. Kirby qualified for the NFR eight times (1973-75, 1977-78, 1980-82). In addition to his world title, he also finished third twice and fifth once. When his bull riding career ended, Kirby never left rodeo. Instead, he became a pro official for 25 years for the PRCA. When the Wrangler NFR comes around in December, it will mark Kirby’s 30th NFR as a judge. Originally born in Salem, N.J., Kirby made Stephenville, Texas, his hometown. In 1975, he and his brothers Sandy and Kaye were the first trio of brothers to qualify for the Finals in the same year, with Butch qualifying in bull riding, Kaye in bareback riding and Sandy in both of those events. All three were trick riders before going on to careers in ProRodeo.

Billie-Jean Duff photo Calgary Stampede’s Grated Coconut was the Bareback Horse of the Year a PRCA-record six times.

Lewis Portnoy photo Butch Kirby was the 1978 PRCA Bull Riding World Champion. He also finished in third twice and fifth once.

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PRORODEO HALL OF FAME JIM SUTTON JR. Stock contractor Sutton is the patriarch of Sutton Rodeo, and he and his wife, Julie, have a six- generation family operation still running strong. Sutton Rodeo is based in Onida, S.D. Jim and Julie were the recipients of the 2017 PRCA Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement Award. Sutton Rodeo has had three PRCAHorse of the Year awards: saddle bronc horse DeepWater in 1979, bareback horse Big Bud in 1985 and saddle bronc horse Chuckulator in 2012. Chuckulator also was the top saddle bronc horse of the 2012 NFR. Sutton Rodeo stock has been selected to perform at every NFR but one since the Finals’ inception in 1959. “It’s my birthday (today, April 20), so this was quite the gift,” said Sutton, 85. “This is something I really appreciate. I have been inducted into a half dozen halls of fame, and if there’s one I wanted to be in this would be it. This is the best award I have ever received.” Jim and Julie took the company to the next level with a focus on production and innovation. Jim began the Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo in 1978, a rodeo nominated 15 times for PRCA Indoor Rodeo of the Year, winning the award in 2002 and 2003. Jim originated the Wrangler Bullfights and the Bailey Bail-Off. He is famous for his pageantry and colorful rodeo openings, including the openings at the NFR in 1995 and 1996. Jim has been nominated four times as Stock Contractor of the Year. “I put up with 20 of the best bullfighters in the world for 20 years, I thought that was a pretty good feat,” Jim said. The roots of the Suttons being involved in the rodeo business can be traced to 1926 when the Edwin Sutton family – Edwin was Jim’s grandfather – began producing rodeos on the home ranch in Sully County, S.D. James H. Sutton Sr. took Sutton Rodeo to the next stage in the 1950s when he entered a partnership with Erv Korkow. As one of the first members of the Rodeo Cowboys Association, Sutton/Korkow stock performed at the first National Finals Rodeo in Dallas in 1959. James was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1982. “I don’t know anybody else I would rather follow,” Jim said. In 1968, Jim became a partner with his dad, forming Sutton Rodeo Company. SUNNI DEB BACKSTROM Contract Personnel Backstrom, of Congress, Ariz., is a 17-time NFR Secretary (1991, 2000, 2003, 2006-19). She has earned PRCA Secretary of the Year 10 times, more than any other recipient, for her outstanding work as a rodeo secretary. She served as the contestant office manager at the 2005 Finals and three times as an NFR timer (1975, 1980, 1984). Backstrom was at a loss for words when she was notified that she was going into the Hall of Fame as contract personnel. Her mother, Ellen, was inducted under the same category in 1995, making them the first mother and daughter to be inducted into the Hall. “My mom was the first woman inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame,” said Sunni Deb Backstrom, 61. “It was one of my proudest days. My entire life is the rodeo industry and always has been. It was my family’s life. It’s very overwhelming, I can’t tell you how much this means to me.” Ellen Backstrom was a four-time NFR secretary and was elected in the late ’70s to serve on the PRCA Board of Directors as contract personnel director, making her the only female to ever serve on the Board. She passed away March 22, 1988. “I can only aspire to be half as good as she was,” Sunni Deb Backstrom said. “She’s the epitome of a great rodeo secretary and loved the industry as much as I do. What I admired most about her was that she was so honest. She was really dedicated, smart and a forward-thinker.” Sunni Deb Backstrom received her first Rodeo Cowboys Association card in 1968 and her PRCA card in 1976. She works about 120 performances a year for prestigious rodeos such as Denver, San Antonio, Houston, Nampa, Idaho, and Waco, Texas. She has worked for Cervi Championship Rodeo since 1980.

Clay Guardipee photo Among Jim Sutton Jr.’s awards is the 2017 PRCA Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement Award.

Photo courtesy Sunni Deb Backstrom Sunni Deb Backstrom has been the NFR Secretary for the last 14 Finals.

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RANDY WITTE Notable Witte hasn’t been one to be at a loss for words. He spent a career putting them down on paper. But when he was notified he was going into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2020 as a notable, he wasn’t sure what to say. “That was the farthest thing on my mind,” Witte said. “I’m pretty much speechless. … It’s hard to sink in. I just told the rest of my immediate family. What a tremendous honor. It brings back a flood of memories.” Witte worked on the RCA news bureau and wrote for ProRodeo Sports New s for seven years before transitioning to “When I started out, I was going to be a bull rider,” Witte said. “I made some rides I was proud of. I had help from (Hall of Famer) Jerome Robinson. He taught me and other guys. But he was a lot more dedicated. In my case, it didn’t take me long to find my real course of life was rodeo writing not rodeo riding.” Witte, who lives in Peyton, Colo., worked in the RCA office in Denver leading the RCA news bureau. His job was to produce the weekly news release. He would also contribute to PSN , taking over as editor from 1976-77. Working at Western Horseman added to a career he thoroughly enjoyed. “I thought I had to go to where I could to tell the rodeo story,” he said. “It felt like I was doing good publicizing it the way I could. I got to meet past and present cowboys who were so interesting to talk to.” ELLENSBURG RODEO Committee Western Horseman , where he worked for 29 years – the last 17 as the publisher. His career revolved around rodeo, even if he didn’t make it as a bull rider.

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Randy Witte made a career of covering rodeo for more than 35 years.

$101,520 in prize money for an overall total of $469,974 – a staggering amount considering the population of Ellensburg is about 21,000. “Ellensburg is a small town, relatively speaking,” Morgan said. “The Ellensburg Rodeo is the biggest event in our town. It brings in a lot of revenue, and for a lot of businesses, that’s their big boom, Labor Day weekend.” Since 1998, three Ellensburg Rodeo directors have been awarded the prestigious John Justin Committeeman of the Year Award – Ken MacRae (1998), Joel Smith (2007) and Steve Adler (2013). “Our rodeo is 100% put on by volunteers, and our volunteers

With its centennial year on the horizon, the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo has another cause for celebration as a 2020 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee. “This is great news, we feel very honored,” said

Dan Morgan, Director for the Ellensburg Rodeo. “With everything going on lately, you know there’s been a lot of not-so-happy news out there right now, and it felt really good to get a call like this and brighten the day.” Since 1923 the Ellensburg Rodeo has grown into one of the largest ProRodeo competitions of the regular season. “The fact we have been around for almost 100 years is

are more important than anything to us,” Morgan said. “We have our board of directors, our top hands and then there’s hundreds of volunteers. You don’t really think about just how many people it takes until you go to the rodeo and see the same people year after year. I’ve seen the same people volunteer for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been here my whole life.”

special, and we’re trying to continue on the sport of rodeo for the contestants, the fans and for the stock, and to support the Western heritage of our county, our state and our country,” Morgan said. While the Ellensburg Rodeo boasted a $368,274 payout in 2019, it’s also home to the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale, which presented an additional

MARTHA JOSEY Barrel Racer

Josey was not only a world champion barrel racer but also competed in rodeo during the 1988Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, winning an individual bronze medal and helping TeamUSA capture the team title. Josey, who resides in Karnack, Texas, qualified for the NFR 11 times on four different horses across a span of four decades. She won her world title in 1980 on Sonny Bit O’ Both, the same year the duo also won the AQHAWorld Championship, a feat that hasn’t been matched. “I am so excited and just don’t know what to say, I am in shock,” the 82-year-old said. “I have received some great honors in the past, but this is among the very highest. It is a true honor to be included in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in the WPRA category alongside so many great athletes and personnel. “I thought when the WPRA inducted its first class (in 2017) it was just magnificent, and to get the call today is just wonderful. I am so honored.” Not only did she make a name for herself in the arena but also has given back to the sport through her clinics. She and husband, R.E., started conducting barrel racing clinics in 1967 at their ranch in Texas. Many of today’s world champions credit Martha Josey with helping them achieve their goals. Her clinics have grown to average more than 1,500 students annually. In addition, the Joseys have been involved in creating new and innovative barrel racing saddles, pads, protective boots, knot reins, and combination bits. The result has been increased safety and increased barrel racing skills. She can add ProRodeo Hall of Fame to the list of halls she has been inducted to, including the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, the National Cowboy andWestern Heritage Museum, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Ark-La-Tex Hall of Fame. The WPRA contributed to this report.

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Martha Josey competed in the Calgary Games and won the 1980 barrel racing world title.

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PRORODEO PREPARATION

Cowboys offer advice on rodeo prep during hiatus Practice Pens Photos courtesy Tim O’Connell Three-time bareback riding world champion Tim O’Connell has utilized weights and workout equipment at his home in Marshall, Mo., to stay fit while rodeos are on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BY TRACY RENCK W ith no exact date for PRCA rodeos to return because of

On getting on bucking horses I’ve seen a lot of people getting on horses, and I’m not saying that’s the wrong approach to do it, but if you’re getting on two horses once a month, what

good is that doing? For me, if I know if I have a shot to start setting a run up where I can go to three or four rodeos in a row, I might go the weekend before and get on a couple somewhere and feel my timing back out. Really for me, I’m at the point in my career that I don’t get on practice horses unless I’m about to get ready for the NFR, and I only get on a couple just to shake the rust off. I can do most of my stuff, truthfully, through visualization and my spur board and bucking machine. I can put myself, in my mind, on the rankest horse in the world on my spur board. I can make my body feel the things I need to feel.

the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, a couple questions facing PRCA cowboys are how much practicing should they do and what should they work on before the greenlight is given to return to the rodeo trail? ProRodeo Sports News talked to a variety of cowboys – multi-time world champions andWrangler National Finals Rodeo veterans – to see what their approach is during this unprecedented time. TIM O’CONNELL Marshall, Mo. • Three-time PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion (2016- 18), six-time Wrangler NFR qualifier (2014-19) I got kicked out of my gym (because of the pandemic), so my trainer brought me some dumbbells, some bands and jump rope, and he makes up workouts for me every day. I’m just staying in shape that way. I feel friggin’ good for this time of year. For me, it is a little bit different. When I first made the NFR I was pretty small. I weighed 145 pounds. Over the past four or five years, we have consistently been trying to add weight to my body. Now, I walk around about 160 pounds. Honestly, for me it is a battle to keep that good weight on. I feel really fast right now because I have been doing a lot of cardio workouts and I’ve been getting in some good workouts just with some dumbbells.

TREVOR BRAZILE Decatur, Texas • Brazile has won a PRCA-record 25 gold buckles – a record 14 in all-around (2002-04, 2006-15 and 2018), three in tie-down roping (2007, 2009-10), one in team roping (2010) and seven in steer roping (2006-07, 2011, 2013-15 and 2019) In the past, we have been home for a few days and there wasn’t time to make any big changes or something that needed to happen, whether it be within your horse or something

Brazile

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