ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 1, 2019

Gold Hunt History will

be made with NFSR champ

Complete steer roping preview/30

Father-son act at 2019 NFSR/32

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THE FREEHAND IS FOR HOLDING

SAGEKIMZEY WORLDCHAMPION BULL RIDER

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 VOLUME 67, NO. 21

Cool States Rodeo paid out plenty to cowboys looking to earn their way to next year’s RAM Na- tional Circuit Finals Rodeo. 46 The RAM Moun- tain States Circuit Finals

Tie-down roper Darnell Johnson won the third round in 9.5 seconds to help secure the aver- age in Loveland, Colo., Oct. 26, to win the RAM MSCFR.

Ty Stockton photo

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INSIDE 8 hot takes 10 cowboy grille 12 brain teasers 14 he said, she said 22 short round 52 results 64 prca notes

RODEOS

44 Duncan, Okla. Prairie Circuit Finals 46 Loveland, Colo. Mountain States Circuit Finals 20 2019 prca world 58 2019 circuit STANDINGS

Josh Homer photo

Saddle bronc rider Isaac Diaz competed at the NILE Pro Rodeo in Billings, Mont., Oct. 17. Gateway to The American The NILE Pro Rodeo was one of a couple rodeos that were qualifiers to The American. Read about those and the Cinch Roping Fiesta in San An- gelo, Texas, in the Rodeo Roundup. 48 Earning a spot in Kissimmee The RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo in Duncan, Okla., paid out nearly $200,000 and helped circuit cowboys lock up spots for next year’s RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. 44

COVER

Gold Hunt History will

be made with NFSR champ

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, 24 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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Complete steer ropingpreview/30

Father-son act at 2019NFSR/32

Charles Weir steer roping at Cheyenne Frontier Days 1914. The 2019 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping will be Nov. 22-23 at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kan. Photo by M.B. Marcell, Library of Congress

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Bullfighter achieves lifelong goal with Finals nod IN HIS WORDS EVAN ALLARD

W hen they finally called and said, ‘Congratulations, you’ve been selected to work the NFR,’ I remember throwing a fist pump. It finally happened. Every little kid that played pretend rodeo in the yard has dreamed of rodeoing at the NFR, and finally I’m going. It set in instantly, and it still is right now. I’m glad that it’s still a month away. I don’t want to lose this feeling. I know the minute we get to Vegas, in the blink of an eye it’ll be over. It’s definitely worth the wait. If the rodeo would’ve started the day they called me, it would be over, and that wouldn’t have been any fun. If there’s anything to preparing, in my opinion, for an event like this, it’s like preparing two teams to go to the Super Bowl – they’ve played all year long, they’re in shape, they know what they’re doing, they’ve been doing it all their life, just like I’ve been fighting bulls all my life. Nothing really changes physically. What I think is going to separate guys not just this year but forever – like the quarterback that goes to four straight Super Bowls and never wins and the quarterback that wins every time he goes – are you ready mentally and emotionally for that stage? Fighting bulls is fighting bulls, but fighting bulls at that stage is a whole lot different from a Wednesday-night rodeo where you’ve got rain and cold and there are 50 people in the crowd. I grew up in the country. My grandpa was a cattleman.

I had cowboys inmy family but not rodeo cowboys. Rodeo was nothing that any of my immediate family had any background in. We have a ProRodeo in Vinita, and every year my family and I would go to the rodeo. Usually we wouldn’t get to stay until the bull riding on Wednesday andThursday becauseMommakes you go to bed. But Friday and Saturday I’d sure stay. All I wanted to do was be the rodeo clown. I

Bullfighter Evan Allard is heading to his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 5-14. Born and raised in Vinita, Okla., the 30-year-old has been working toward that first performance under the lights in the Thomas &Mack nearly his entire life. Though his family didn’t have a ProRodeo background, Allard grew up wanting to do nothing but be a rodeo clown and bullfighter. He’s evolved from starting as a freestyle bullfighter to becoming one of the best bullfighters in the PRCA. Next month, he’ll join Cody Webster and Dusty Tuckness in protecting the Top 15 bull riders in the sport’s biggest-paying rodeo. This year, he also started Hookin A Ag Air, a crop-dusting business he runs when he’s not rodeoing during the summer.

didn’t know there was a difference between the rodeo clown and the bullfighter. I was a kid. I didn’t even know one was wearing the microphone. All I knewwas I wanted to be out there telling jokes andmessing with the bulls. As I started learning the difference between the bullfighter and rodeo clown, I happened to have what it take physically, athletically to be a bullfighter. It seems like all the good rodeo clowns started as bullfighters and worked their way into the clown position. Fromwhat few people I knew that knew anything about it said that’s the route I needed to go. So, I started fighting bulls, and here I am. Cody and Dusty signed for my PRCA permit. I filled my permit the first year, and late in that year I got the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo and Rodeo Austin a year into my career. That’s when I knew I made the right decision to quit my job and pursue my career to fight bulls. Every day I get to live a vacation, to an extent. I get to travel around, I’m not tied to a 9-to-5 job. I get to travel and vacation to make my living doing what I love to do.

MGMRESORTS.COM/NFR

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Doubling Up

“As for the money, I’m going to use it to help pay for college. I’m glad my family was here to watch, and I have to give a shoutout to my travel partner, saddle bronc rider Ian McGivney for

Bull rider Garrett Uptain won the RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo for the second straight year in the all- around and bull riding, Oct. 26. Uptain has good plans for how he’s going to spend the $8,498 he won in bull riding and saddle bronc riding and knew who to direct his thanks to.

pulling my bull rope.” – GARRETT UPTAIN

Xtreme Victory Saddle bronc rider Jake Finlay earned $12,696 by winning the

Brad Gjermundson Extreme Broncs in New Town, N.D., Oct. 19. The Australian native won Round 2 at the competition with an 87.5-point ride on Burch Rodeo’s Frontier Justice and placed third in the final round with 85.5 points to win the average with 252 points on three head. No surprise, but that kind of win has Finlay among the early leaders in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. As of Oct. 29, Finlay was second in the standings with $13,113.

HOT TAKES

Never Too Soon The 2020 season is only a month old, but 24-time world champion Trevor Brazile is back at it in the steer roping. Brazile, who will enter the 2019 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping in first place in the world standings, is in first place again in the 2020 season. Brazile leads the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $15,385. Heading into the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Brazile announced he would no longer be rodeoing full time. He’s maintained a full schedule for steer roping, however, and it shows. Brazile picked up $4,832 of his earnings in the 2020 season at the Cinch Roping Fiesta in San Angelo, Texas, Oct. 26-27. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee Trevor Brazile, seen here at the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping in Torrington, Wyo., in April, is off to a strong start in the 2020 season.

32 NUMBER OF PRCA-SANCTIONED RODEOS IN THE 2020 SEASON AS OF OCT. 29

$2,343,931

MONEY WON BY PRCA COWBOYS IN THE 2020 SEASON

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OUT HERE WE DON’T MEASURE SPACE IN SQUARE FEET, WE MEASURE IN ACRES

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The Official Whisky of the PRCA

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

Pendleton ® Blended Canadian Whisky. 40% Alc./Vol. (80 proof). ©2019 Proximo, Jersey City, NJ. Please drink responsibly. LET’ER BUCK and the bucking horse logo are registered trademarks of The Pendleton Round-Up Association. PENDLETON is a registered trademark of Pendleton Woolen Mills.

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TRACY RENCK

What was the 2019 season like for you? Maverick: It started out well down in Texas where I’m from, and I won about five or six rodeos. I went north and it stayed healthy. I kept moving forward and was blessed with how good a season I had. I loved everything I was able to experience. What win meant the most for you last season? Maverick: I would say the Division 2 Xtreme Bulls in Castle Rock (Colo., Aug. 1). (Potter won the event with an 86.5-point ride on Honeycutt Rodeo’s Dennis and earned $3,751). Did you always want to be a PRCA bull rider? Maverick: My dad (DK) and uncle (Russell Sheehan) rodeoed, and I started when I was like 10. I played baseball and all that stuff before. But we owned cows and would get on them, and that gave me more of an adrenaline rush than baseball did. From there on out, my dad and uncle helped me out. I also have a cousin, Jaron Sheehan, who bought his (PRCA) permit this past summer. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Maverick: I have a little sister, Harley, 15, and an older brother, Dylanger, 21. Harley runs barrels, and Dylanger was a wrestler. What does 8 seconds feel like to you? Maverick: It’s a dream. I love it. The adrenaline about it is hard to explain. There’s nothing like it. Are you battling any injuries right now? Maverick Potter, a 19-year-old bull rider from Waxahachie, Texas, had a strong 2019 PRCA season while on his permit. The bull rider earned $53,720, placing him second in the PRCA | RAM Rodeo Permit Standings. Potter’s biggest payday came when he earned $4,710 at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up, April 21. Now, the 5-foot-10, 130-pound cowboy is focusing on qualifying for the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

MAVERICK POTTER

Maverick: I have compartment syndrome in my right thigh, so I’m out for a minute, but I should come back strong. The injury happened when a bull pulled me over his head and caught me with both horns across my legs and my right one swelled up more than my left one. I expect to be healthy enough so I can compete in the Permit (Members of the Year) Challenge (at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas, Dec. 5). I’m excited to go. One of my goals this season was competing at the Permit Challenge. It would mean a lot to me if I could win the Permit Challenge. You bought your PRCA card in September. What are your plans for the 2020 season? Maverick: My expectations are to win rookie of the year and make it to the NFR. I just have to stay healthy and work out and keep my head straight. Where’s your favorite restaurant to eat? Maverick: I really like crawfish, and there’s a place in Chandler (Texas) called Wade’s Place. The most crawfish I have ever eaten is probably six or seven pounds. I always get sweet tea to drink. What’s your favorite candy? Maverick: (Nestlé) Crunch bar. How would your life be impacted if cellphones didn’t exist? Maverick: It would change quite a bit because I use my phone to enter rodeos now. What type of social media do you use the most? Maverick: I have Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. I like Facebook because it has my mom (Patta) and all my family on there, and I can keep them updated with what I’m doing. Who is your favorite sports team? Maverick: I don’t watch sports that much, but if I had to pick a favorite team and player it would have to be the New England Patriots and Tom Brady. Who is the coolest person you’ve met in the PRCA? Maverick: Probably Steve Woolsey (a seven-time Wrangler NFR qualifier in bull riding). I watched him when I was little, and I got to meet him. He was cooler than a fan. What is your go-to TV show right now? Maverick: I would have to say Peaky Blinders on Netflix. That’s a cool show. What is your favorite song you like to listen to? Maverick: “Breakdown” by Tom Petty. What do you do when you’re not rodeoing? Maverick: I own some bucking bulls and haul them to different places to rodeos. Right now, I have like 50 bulls and 100 cows. I take the bulls to smaller rodeos, and my buddies and I also practice on the bulls I have.

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BRAIN TEASERS TAKE YOUR SHOT

ANSWERS ON PAGE 61

Then & Now

Can you match these adorable kids’ photos with the current PRCA contestants? Some don’t look quite the same.

1

2

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A

B

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D

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Word Search More Than Average

Find the top six in the average from the 2018 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping and winners from the RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo in Louisville, Ky. Cowboys who won more than one event at both rodeos appear once for each win. Names may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

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

Top six in the average in Mulvane, Kan., in 2018 1. Scott Snedecor 2. JoJo LeMond 3. Trevor Brazile 4. John E. Bland 5. Bryce Davis 6. Rocky Patterson Winners in Louisville, Ky., in 2018 BB: Tanner Aus SW: Fenton Nelson TR: Cody Graham/Jason Stroup

SB: Wade Sundell TD: Luke Madsen GB: Lacinda Rose BR: Jimy Marten

BONUS QUESTIONS 1. Who were the announcers at the 2018 NFSR? 2. Who were the bullfighters at the 2018 RAM GLCFR?

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10 QUESTIONS He Said – She Said

Who knows Landon McClaugherty better, his wife, Brittany, or his traveling partner, Vin Fisher Jr.?

Landon

Brittany

Vin

VIN

LANDON

BRITTANY

WH0 IS HIS FAVORITE NON-RODEO ATHLETE?

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

WH0 IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

Cody Ohl

Joe Beaver

Joe Beaver

WHAT’S HIS BIGGEST CAREER RODEO WIN?

Pendleton

Pendleton

Pendleton

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Whataburger

Whataburger

Whataburger

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE MOVIE?

Tombstone

Tombstone

Tombstone

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Brittany

 Me

Me

WHAT IS THE NAME OF HIS FAVORITE HORSE?

Ice

Ice

Keeper

WHAT DOES HE BRING TOO MUCH OF ON THE ROAD?

Shampoo

Clothes

Clothes

14 WHAT WAS HIS FAVORITE THING TO HUNT?

Hogs

Hogs

– Courtesy of Ted Harbin Hogs

ProRodeo Sports News 11/7/2014

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ProRodeo Sports News May 2019

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2019 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Official as of Oct. 14, 2019. For the 2019 season (Oct. 1, 2018-Sept. 30, 2019), official rodeo limits were as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 85; team roping, 65; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 85; 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.

ALL-AROUND 1. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah.................... $182,999 2. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla...................... 161,364 3. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas......................... 145,190 4. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas........................... 136,025 5. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb............................. 101,577 6. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah...................... 94,653 7. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah.............................. 82,732 8. Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas.......................... 72,714 9. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas......................... 72,047 10. Daylon Swearingen, Rochelle, Ga................... 70,920 11. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas.............. 66,979 12. Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas.................. 65,388 13. Cody Doescher, Webbers Falls, Okla.............. 62,883 14. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D..................................... 56,378 15. Chance Oftedahl, Pemberton, Minn................ 50,613 16. Seth Hall, Albuquerque, N.M.......................... 48,893 17. Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss................... 44,243 18. Riley Warren, Stettler, Alberta........................ 42,375 19. Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla...................... 41,037 20. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga........................ 39,609 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif.................. $181,952 2. Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah........................... 176,205 3. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba....................... 173,442 4. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas.................... 137,559 5. R. Champion, The Woodlands, Texas........... 130,829 6. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa....................... 113,168 7. Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont..................... 110,973 8. Clint Laye, Cadogan, Alberta........................ 107,954 9. Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas........................ 95,068 10. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb............................... 93,799 11. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore......................... 92,895 12. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D................................. 88,699 13. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn...................... 81,595 14. Trenten Montero, Winnemucca, Nev............... 80,757 15. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La.................. 79,271 16. Mason Clements, Draper, Utah....................... 77,526 17. Zach Hibler, Wheeler, Texas............................ 72,734 18. Logan Patterson, Kim, Colo........................... 72,183 19. Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore...................... 71,756 20. Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta.............. 68,345 STEER WRESTLING 1. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont.......................... $146,081 2. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas........................ 104,568 3. Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta................ 102,750 4. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.................... 97,130 5. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho.............. 90,220 6. Will Lummus, West Point, Miss..................... 86,395 7. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla........................... 85,963 8. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala........................... 83,472 9. Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss....................... 83,109 10. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn........................... 82,829 11. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev............................. 81,103 12. Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas................... 79,490 13. Bridger Chambers, Stevensville, Mont........... 79,028 14. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D................. 76,704 15. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan........................ 74,950 16. Josh Clark, Belgrade, Mont............................ 73,276 17. Josh Garner, Live Oak, Calif........................... 71,594 18. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis.................................... 69,852 19. Tanner Milan, Cochrane, Alberta.................... 67,471 20. Blake Mindemann, Blanchard, Okla................ 66,596 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.................... $150,512 2. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga....................... 118,455 3. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla....................... 104,318 4. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont............................. 103,165 5. Ty Blasingame, Casper, Wyo........................ 101,490 6. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash....................... 97,649 7. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn...................... 95,529 8. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif.......................... 95,054

9. Brenten Hall, Jay, Okla................................... 88,927 10. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C............................ 84,939 11. Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz............................. 76,204 12. Tate Kirchenschlager, Yuma, Colo.................. 75,738 13. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz..................... 73,999 14. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas............................... 73,394 15. Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M........................ 73,191 16. Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla...................... 70,996 17. Spencer Mitchell, Orange Cove, Calif............. 65,443 18. Tanner Baldwin, Vail, Ariz............................... 64,008 19. Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla.................... 63,768 20. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala............................. 62,150 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. J. Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil ... $115,775 2. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas.................. 109,166 3. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev............................... 108,638 4. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.......................... 106,896 5. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla............................... 103,165 6. Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif.............................. 98,730 7. Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla.................. 98,278 8. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash...................... 97,649 9. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo............................... 89,447 10. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas.............. 87,296 11. Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont............................. 86,345 12. Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas........................... 84,307 13. Caleb Anderson, Mocksville, N.C.................... 72,390 14. Cole Davison, Stephenville, Texas.................. 71,909 15. Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark........................... 71,190 16. Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla.................. 68,941 17. Paden Bray, Granbury, Texas.......................... 67,014 18. Nano Garza, Las Cruces, N.M......................... 66,195 19. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D................................... 62,095 20. Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas.............................. 59,647 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah....................... $224,488 2. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta................ 176,991 3. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas.................... 121,012 4. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah..................... 120,105 5. Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah......................... 118,192 6. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont................. 116,283 7. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas........... 114,427 8. Jake Watson, Hudson’s Hope, B.C............... 108,791 9. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo......................... 105,872 10. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta.................. 100,311 11. Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nev................... 99,542 12. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La........................... 99,351 13. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah........................... 96,505 14. Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla........................ 91,071 15. J.J. Elshere, Hereford, S.D............................. 90,811 16. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas....................... 89,786 17. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia................ 76,612 18. Delbert Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D.................... 76,494 19. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb.............................. 72,813 20. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah........................ 71,301 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas....................... $131,900 2. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont.................... 119,879 3. Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas.......................... 112,878 4. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas........................... 105,592 5. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La......................... 102,197 6. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif........................ 101,407 7. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas.................. 101,316 8. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb................................ 99,535 9. Michael Otero, Weatherford, Texas................. 97,693 10. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas.......................... 97,649 11. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla....................... 97,474 12. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas........................... 92,173 13. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M............................ 90,421 14. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah...................... 88,661 15. Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan.............................. 86,260 16. John Douch, Huntsville, Texas....................... 82,773 17. Justin Smith, Leesville, La............................. 78,560

18. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas................... 77,316 19. Marcos Costa, Menard, Texas........................ 72,949 20. Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas.................... 71,109 STEER ROPING 1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas....................... $71,845 2. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas........................ 59,844 3. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas............................. 55,846 4. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas....................... 50,803 5. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas.............. 45,106 6. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas........... 42,836 7. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla......................... 40,886 8. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan........................... 40,814 9. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas............................ 40,422 10. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas............................ 39,310 11. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D........................... 39,033 12. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo...................... 38,337 13. Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan.............................. 38,251 14. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas........................... 35,312 15. Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla...................... 34,835 16. Shay Good, Abilene, Texas............................. 34,399 17. Jason Evans, Glen Rose, Texas...................... 33,828 18. Trenton Johnson, Blue Mound, Kan............... 33,753 19. Roger Branch, Wellston, Okla........................ 33,616 20. Brady Garten, Oologah, Okla.......................... 33,235 BULL RIDING 1. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.................. $245,455 2. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah...................... 152,422 3. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla............................ 149,116 4. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla............... 129,191 5. Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah................... 127,527 6. Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas.......... 126,771 7. Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho..................... 123,975 8. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas.............. 122,277 9. Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif...................... 121,588 10. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah............................ 119,561 11. Jordan Hansen, Ponoka, Alberta.................. 114,747 12. Koby Radley, Montpelier, La......................... 114,605 13. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas............................. 113,709 14. Daylon Swearingen, Rochelle, Ga................. 111,851 15. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla...................... 108,160 16. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont........................ 105,746 17. Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho.............................. 95,032 18. Cole Melancon, Paris, Texas........................... 84,654 19. Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho.................... 80,569 20. Garrett Tribble, Slick, Okla.............................. 80,182 *2019 BARREL RACING (Through Oct. 3, 2019) 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. Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif...................$154,611 2. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas..........................148,867 3. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D..........................146,352 4. Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo.................................111,776 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas...........105,503 6. Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas.................105,335 7. Emily Miller, Weatherford, Okla.......................98,145 8. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D...........................96,582 9. Dona Rule, Minco, Texas.................................96,507 10. Ericka Nelson, Century, Fla..............................93,433 11. Ivy Conrado, Nowata, Okla..............................93,269 12. Amberleigh Moore, Salem, Ore.......................93,059 13. Jennifer Sharp, Richards, Texas......................91,754 14. Cheyenne Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas.......90,361 15. Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mo. ............................88,936 16. Leia Pluemer, Las Lunas, N.M.........................79,058 17. Brittany Barnett, Joliet, Mont..........................76,433 18. Carly Taylor, Andersonville, Tenn.....................72,300 19. Jimmie Smith, McDade, Texas........................65,088 20. Jessica Telford, Caldwell, Idaho......................64,064

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Marty Melvin was a 9-time NFR qualifier Passing SHORT ROUND

M arty Michael (Chip) Melvin, a nine-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo, Melvin, who qualified for the NFR in 1983-89, 1991 and 1996, finished a career-best second in the PRCA world standings in 1985 and was third in 1988. In 1989, he won the average at the NFR with a time of 57.7 seconds on 10 head, placing fifth in the world standings. “I like to ride, but it takes more out of me,” the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Melvin said in the 1986 PRCA media passed away Oct. 18 in Paradise, Texas, after battling cancer. He was 59.

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

Marty Melvin qualified for the NFR in 1983-89, 1991 and 1996.

guide. “My life expectancy in rodeo won’t be as long if I keep riding. ... Everybody tells me my best event is steer wrestling because of my size.” Melvin won the Linderman Award in 1983-84. Melvin earned $762,108 in his PRCA career – $721,887 in steer wrestling, $30,806 in bull riding and $9,414 in bareback riding.

all under the M4 brand. He was inducted into the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Hall of Fame in Fort Pierre, S.D., in 1992. Melvin lived his life as a Christian who put his faith before his rodeoing. He was born on Aug. 24, 1960, in Chamberlain, S.D., to Warren and Donna (Maher) Melvin and shared his birthday with his dad. He grew up in Holabird, S.D., and graduated from Highmore High School in 1978. He grew up playing football, wrestling and rodeoing. Melvin was born into rodeo. His mom was a trick rider. She met Warren at one of his grandfather’s rodeos. Melvin’s grandfather, Bill Maher, had a rodeo string in the 1940s and ‘50s. Melvin attended South Dakota State University in Brookings on a wrestling scholarship and competed for the rodeo team riding bulls and bareback horses, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. He qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo four times. He earned a bachelor of science degree in geography in 1983. Melvin was preceded in death by his father Warren and mother Donna. He is survived by wife, Judy; son, Paul; daughters Marilyn and Katlyn; granddaughter, Elizabeth; sister, Michel Melvin and brother, Monte Melvin.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Melvin, joined the PRCA in November 1979. He was the all-around champion at the 1979 Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo and the bull riding average winner. Melvin was the Badlands Circuit year-end champion in all-around in 1979 and 1981-82 and steer wrestling in 1981. Melvin, 22 at the time, won the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days all-around title in 1983. Melvin was hired as a “Marlboro Man” in the 1980s for cigarette ads though he never smoked. Later in life he worked as an actor in a TV series and music videos. He also loved horse racing. In 1991, he married Judy Painter. They ranched near Keller, Texas, before moving near Paradise, Texas, and raising red Angus cattle and prized Quarter Horses bred and trained for rodeo success,

Melvin

Sowing Good Deeds finalists announced

Hesston by Massey Ferguson is pleased to announce the five PRCA rodeos that have been named as Sowing Good Deeds award finalists. The grand prize is a Massey Ferguson tractor worth $35,000. The winning PRCA rodeo committee will be announced at the 2019 PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Dec. 4.

The PRCA committee finalists are: • Gunnison (Colo.) Cattlemen’s Days • Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo • California Rodeo Salinas • Reno (Nev.) Rodeo • Home on the Range Champions Ride Saddle Bronc Match, Sentinel Butte, N.D. For more information, visit http:// hesston.com/sowinggooddeeds/

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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

Wrangler NFR barrelman, pick-up man, bullfighters

BY THE NUMBERS 6

The barrelman, pick-up man and bullfighters for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas were announced by the PRCA, Oct. 18. They are as follows: Bullfighters Cody Webster

Dusty Tuckness Evan Allard

personnel for the Dec. 5-14 Wrangler NFR and the Nov. 22- 23 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping were announced Sept. 18. To see those selections visit https://bit.ly/2C59yDg.

The number of rounds steer roper Arnold Felts won at the 1993 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, a PRCA record. Felts, who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2016, won Rounds 3 through 8 in 1993, also an NFSR record for most consecutive rounds won. The 2019 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping is fast-approaching – Nov. 22-23 at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane. $224K The amount of money, $224,488, earned by Ryder Wright during the 2019 PRCA regular season, a record for saddle bronc riding. Wright’s total – before he competes in the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 5-14 – is more than saddle bronc riders Chad Ferley ($204,432) and Spencer Wright ($205,388) won during their world championship seasons in 2013 and 2014, respectively. $10.4M The combined payout for the PRCA Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the NFSR at $10,425,000 is rodeo’s biggest payout.

Barrelman

John Harrison

Pick-up Men Shawn “TooTall” Calhoun Matt Twitchell

The rest of the contract

Wrights featured on ‘60 Minutes’ The Wrights, one of ProRodeo’s most well-

known families, will be featured on CBS’ “60 Minutes” Sunday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. (ET). The news show filmed the Wrights during the 2019 season at their home in Milford, Utah, and at rodeos, including the Pony Express Rodeo in Eagle Mountain, Utah. The Wrights have won numerous saddle bronc riding world championships and will be aiming for more at the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 5-14. Among those featured in the piece is Cody Wright, who won world titles in 2008 and 2010. Cody’s son Ryder won the 2017 world title and will be entering the 2019 Wrangler NFR in the top spot in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $224,488, the most money earned by a saddle bronc rider before the Finals. Jake Wright, Jesse’s twin brother and one of Cody’s brothers, is a seven-time qualifier for the Wrangler NFR. Jesse, another seven-time qualifier, won the world title in 2012. Spencer Wright, Cody’s brother, won the 2014 world title. Rusty Wright, another of Cody’s sons and brother to Ryder and Stetson, has qualified three

times.

Stetson, at 20 years old the youngest of the Wrights competing in ProRodeo and Cody’s son, heads into the Finals as the leader in the all- around and in second place in the bull riding. In addition to Stetson competing in the bull riding and Ryder in the saddle bronc riding at the 2019 Wrangler NFR, Spencer enters the saddle bronc riding in fourth place in the standings, Rusty in fifth and Jesse in 13th.

The ProRodeo Zone returns to the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 5-14. The ProRodeo Zone is outside the Thomas & Mack Center nightly. Fans can check out the options in the ProRodeo Zone, which opens at 4:30 p.m. (PT) before each performance, and one hour after each performance. Admittance is free. There are plenty of experiences at the ProRodeo Zone like seeing rodeo celebrity Dale Brisby, who will be in the ProRodeo Zone every night from 5:30-6:30 (PT). At 5:30 p.m., he will be on stage. From 6-6:30 p.m. he will sign autographs at the RAM booth. Fans also will have a chance to receive Wrangler NFR ticket upgrades and Wrangler NFR tickets. Brisby to appear at ProRodeo Zone

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SNAPSHOT

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Mad Dash A kid sprints toward a pile of shoes at the Indiantown (Fla.) Rodeo youth boot scramble Oct. 19. – Jessica Burns photo

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DUSTIN BIRD

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4205 River Green Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096 (877) 525-4384 HS19P007AG ©2019 AGCO Corporation. Massey Ferguson is worldwide brand of AGCO. Hesston is a brand of AGCO. AGCO, Massey Ferguson and Hesston are trademarks of AGCO. All rights reserved.

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WORK HARD IN SILENCE. LET SUCCESS MAKE THE NOISE.

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NFSR PREVIEW

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee Trevor Brazile heads into the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping in first place in the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

BY TRACY RENCK J ust before the start of the 2018Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Trevor Brazile announced the 2018 season was his last for rodeoing full time so he could spend more time with his family – wife, Shada, son, Treston, 11, and daughters, Style, 9, and Swayzi, 4. Well, Brazile proved through his 2019 abbreviated schedule his greatness in steer roping doesn’t have an expiration date. Brazile enters the ClemMcSpadden National Finals Steer Roping first in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $71,845. He has a $12,001 lead over second-place Vin Fisher Jr. ($59,844). Tuf Cooper ($55,846) and J. Tom Fisher ($50,803), Vin’s younger brother, are third and fourth in the standings, respectively. The NFSR will be at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Nov. 22-23. “This year has definitely been different, but as far as steer roping goes it is really not much different from what I’ve done in the past,” Brazile said. “Anywhere between 20 and 30 is what I have done in the past. That’s all I could fit in with the other events being my primary focus. It really didn’t Lucky 7?

Brazile eyes 7th steer roping gold buckle

change much in the steer roping. I was still able to go to those events that I normally went to and still stay home. It was a good fit for me.” Brazile’s top steer roping paydays in 2019 came at the San Angelo (Texas) Roping Fiesta in October 2018, where he earned $11,100, and the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up in September 2019, where he took home $8,124. Brazile said adjusting to semi-retirement hasn’t been difficult. “I miss it (competing full time), but I go to Cheyenne (Wyo.) and Pendleton (Ore.) and some of the bigger stuff,” he said. “So, No. 1, I got to see the guys I was used to seeing on a daily basis, and No. 2, I was able to get my competition fix as far as that goes. I really thought I was going to miss it a lot more than I did. I’ve kind of put in my time and I was ready for the transition, I think.” This is Brazile’s 22nd NFSR qualification. He’s won six NFSR gold buckles (2006-07, 2011 and 2013-15). Brazile has won a PRCA-record 24 gold buckles – a PRCA-record 14 in all-around (2002-04, 2006-15, 2018), tie-down roping (2007, 2009-10) and team roping (2010). “I really love the venue, and I’ve been seasoning a horse all year and

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CLEM MCSPADDEN NATIONAL FINALS STEER ROPING WHEN: 7:30 p.m. (CT), Nov. 22; 7:30 p.m. (CT), Nov. 23 WHERE: Kansas Star Arena, Mulvane, Kan. COST: Tickets from

$28, available at www. kansasstarcasino.com

WHAT’S AT STAKE: Top 15 steer ropers vying for a world championship and a share of $425,000.

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee Vin Fisher Jr. will be competing at his 16th NFSR and enters the event in second place.

I feel like he’s getting finished,” Brazile said. “So, I’m excited about getting to the Kansas Star and this great event for us. I want to be ready for it. It would be cool to win a seventh gold (in steer roping). It would make it a nice round number to get to 25.” Guy Allen has won a PRCA- record 18 steer roping gold buckles. He’s followed by Everett Shaw and Brazile, who are tied for second with six each. “Preparation, being able to not have to think through and be able to know I have prepared and practiced enough that it’s just second nature,” Brazile said about the key for him being clutch in his career. “I don’t have to outthink anything when we get in those situations.” At this NFSR, Brazile is planning to ride Trick, 8, or J.R. Magdeburg III’s horse, Raider. “Trick is a young horse that I have been training this year,” Brazile said. “I rode Raider at the NFSR last year, and hopefully he will be ready where I will be

Snedecor said. “I have quite a bit of catching up to do, but I’m really looking forward to the Finals.” Snedecor plans on riding Possum, the horse he rode to capture his past two world championships. Possum is owned by Stephen Stransky. Snedecor also will have his horse, Game Time, 8, in Mulvane. Fisher Jr. also is looking forward to the NFSR. “I think this year’s steer roping Finals is going to be an awesome event to watch,” Fisher Jr. said. “I think it’s kind of cool Trevor and Tuf are brothers-in-law, and J. Tom and I are right there, and Landon (McClaugherty) is coming from fifth – and there’s nobody who ropes a steer as fast as him.” Cooper, a four-time world

PRCA 2019 STEER ROPING STANDINGS (Unofficial as of Oct. 25)

1.Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas.............. $71,845 2.Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas............... 59,844 3.Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas. ................... 55,846 4.J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas............... 50,803 5.Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas...... 45,106 6.Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas... 42,836 7.Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla................. 40,886 8.Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan................... 40,814 9.Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas. .................. 40,422 10.Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas.................. 39,310 11.Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D................. 39,033 12.Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo.. ......... 38,337 13.Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan.. ................. 38,251 14.Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas................. 35,312 15.Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla............ 34,835

champion – three in tie-down roping (2011-12, 2014) and one in all-around (2017) – is shooting for his first NFSR title. “I just need to keep working hard on making improvements and realize how blessed I am to qualify for another steer roping finals,” said Cooper, 29. Counting the Wrangler NFR and the NFSR – Brazile has totaled a PRCA-record 73 round wins – 35 in steer roping, second only to Allen’s 48. “There are a lot of variables in steer roping,” Brazile said. “So when you have a chance to win, you need to capitalize because there are some things you can’t control in the event as far as certain things in the draw. When you do have the opportunity, even if you’re in the average, you need to capitalize by placing in those rounds as you go.”

able to choose between those two, whichever I feel best on going into it.” A year ago, Brazile finished third in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $105,118. Scott Snedecor ($122,931) and Cooper, Brazile’s brother-in- law, ($113,157) finished first and second, respectively. Snedecor is returning to his 18th NFSR as the reigning two-time champion. He has won four steer roping world titles – the first two in 2005 and 2008. Snedecor finished sixth in the 2019 regular season with $42,836. “It would be awesome if I could do it again (win a world championship),”

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NFSR THE PATTERSONS

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee Steer roper Rocky Patterson, shown competing during the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping in April in Torrington, Wyo., qualified for the NFSR for the 25th time this year and the first with his son, Cole. Rocky and Cole Patterson qualify together for first time Family Affair

BY TRACY RENCK L ike father, like son.

Rocky and Cole are the first father-son combination to qualify for the NFSR since 2013, when Dan Fisher, and his sons, Vin Fisher Jr., and J. Tom Fisher accomplished the feat. The Fishers also did it in 2010. “I don’t know if it has totally set in that I will be competing with my dad (at the NFSR),” said Cole, 24. “That first night (Nov. 22) I

Rocky Patterson, a four-time steer roping world champion, will compete with his son, Cole, for the

first time at the ClemMcSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Nov. 22-23. Rocky, who won world titles in 2009-10, 2012 and 2016, qualified in the No. 8 spot in the 2019 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $40,814. Cole finished 13th with $38,251. “This is special,” Rocky said. “It was fun getting to travel with him this summer. I didn’t make the (NFSR) my rookie year, so he’s ahead of me.” Rocky

know it will hit fully. This is a dream come true. Vin Fisher told me that the years he qualified with his dad were the best experiences of his life, and he wishes he had it back. He told me to not take it for granted. I’m sure it will be exciting.” The Pattersons live in Pratt, Kan., which is 90 minutes fromMulvane. Rocky will be making his 25th NFSR appearance – second only to the Cole

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