ProRodeo Sports News May 3, 2019

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

Larry Smith photo

ELRA BEUTLER & JIGGS BEUTLER – STOCK CONTRACTOR The Beutler name has been part of professional rodeo for decades, from the onset of Beutler Brothers Rodeo Co. in 1929 to the collaboration of Beutler & Son Rodeo Co. Elra and his son, Jiggs, were some of the foremost rodeo promoters in the business. “They (Elra and Jiggs) worked rodeo all their lives, and they put me into the (ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2010),” Bennie Beutler said. “They should have gone in long before I ever did. They did a heck of a lot more than I ever did and had it a lot tougher. The rodeos we still have in this day and age, they are the ones who had them. The rodeo business has been very good to the Beutlers.” Lynn Beutler, Elra’s brother, was inducted into the inaugural ProRodeo Hall of Fame class in 1979. Elra passed away in 1987 at the age of 90. Jiggs died in a tractor accident in 1980 at the age of 55.

DEAN GORSUCH – STEER WRESTLER Gorsuch, a steer wrestler with two world titles, eight qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, two Tour titles and $1.3 million in career earnings, has certainly earned his spot in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “I’m still beside myself, and I still can’t believe it,” Gorsuch said. “It’s very humbling and amazing.” The Nebraska cowboy started his PRCA career in 2002 and rapidly rose to ProRodeo stardom as he made his first Wrangler NFR qualification in 2005 and won his first world title in 2006. He went on to qualify again ever year from 2008 through 2013, picking up his second world title in 2010. “I started crying,” Gorsuch said about the day he found out about his induction. “To be in there with the people I looked up to so much like Steve Duhon, Ote Berry and Roy Duvall, it’s so amazing and I dang sure don’t put myself with them.”

DeVere Helfrich photo

James Fain photo

DOUG “DROOPY” BROWN – BULL RIDER Whether he believes it or not, Brown will soon be surrounded by the legends he’s always admired. Brown won the 1969 bull riding world championship with $27,610. It was one of 13 total NFR qualifications – five in bull riding and eight in saddle bronc riding (though one year he did not compete due to injury). All that success landed Brown a Hall of Fame selection. “I’m having an exceptional day today,” said Brown, 73. “I guess it means that the 20-some years I put in on the road rodeoing did make a difference in other people’s lives and in my life. I’m glad other people noticed.” Brown pointed out that on the 50th anniversary of his world championship, he’s headed to the Hall. “It’s been 50 years,” he said. “It’s a huge surprise.” Brown, of Silverton, Ore., will be inducted among some of his heroes. “I’m a little overwhelmed because there are legends in there,” Brown said. “I think I was a good cowboy, but I was never a legend, so I’m very pleased.”

LARRY PEABODY – BAREBACK RIDER Peabody, a Montana native, made a short but steady climb in rodeo to his 1984 world title. Soon after, he moved on to being a cattle rancher. Within three years of becoming a member, Peabody had qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo. He went on to make five total, all consecutive, and crowned it with the 1984 bareback riding championship. Peabody also won the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit bareback riding year-end title four times and the all-around once. In 1981, his first NFR trip, he set the NFR record with an 89-point ride on Growney’s Dreamboat Annie. He also split the NFR average in 1983 and finished the season in third place. “I think it’s great,” Peabody said. “For me, I think there are better cowboys out there. It’s just an honor to be selected.” Peabody rodeoed some after 1984, but mostly his focus changed. “It seemed like after I won the world I never had the drive to want to rodeo hard again and win it again,” he said. “I had a family. I wanted to be there. I like cattle so I started ranching more or less. Your life changes, so you go and do what you think is best at the time.”

ProRodeo Sports News 5/3/2019

ProRodeo.com

37