ProRodeo Sports News - November 16, 2018

Lending a Hand Carr, PRCA create donation option for Vezain R OUND THE SHORT

BY THE NUMBERS

The number of times ProRodeo Hall of Famer Ty Murray qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in three events. He qualified in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding from 1990-94. Since 2011, it has taken a minimum of $146,941 to win the RAM Top Gun Award. Winners since the RAM Top Gun Award was established in 2010: team roper/tie-down roper Trevor Brazile (2010, $211,509); bareback rider Kaycee Feild (2011, $179,327); barrel racers Mary Walker (2012, $146,941) and Sherry Cervi (2013, $155,899); bull rider Sage Kimzey (2014, $175,466); bareback rider Steven Peebles (2015, $234,054); steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack (2016, $213,218); tie-down roper Marcos Costa (2017, $195,519). The 2010 NFR, the inaugural year of the RAM Top Gun Award, was the only year that money earned in multiple events counted in Top Gun standings. The last year someone other than Trevor Brazile won back- to-back all-around world championships. ProRodeo Hall of Famer Joe Beaver won consecutive all-around world titles in 1995-1996. Tuf Cooper is the reigning all- around world champion and leads the all-around stand- ings heading to Las Vegas.

In the last month, the rodeo community has united for J.R. Vezain and his wife, Shelby. Vezain was injured in late September when a horse reared and fell backwards on top of him at a rodeo in southeast Texas. He suffered spinal fractures and has suffered from a lack of mobility from the waist down. He underwent therapy at the TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital in Houston and has seen progress since his surgery. He has since transferred to a rehab hospital in Salt Lake City and hopes to walk again.

Pete Carr Pro Rodeo and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association are calling on rodeo committees across the country to give to the Vezains. The PRCA has created a link to giving so committees and individuals can support the six-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo bareback riding qualifier. “If every PRCA committee, most in which J.R. has competed over the years, could look into their hearts and give a couple hundred bucks, that would be a wonderful start toward his hospital bills and a new path for the Vezains,” said Pete Carr, owner of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo. Several benefits to help offset medical costs have popped up for Vezain, and there is a call for more to happen. Carr and the PRCA have developed another fundraising opportunity for PRCA committees. “Because rodeo is a big family, we wanted to reach out to all of our family members, including the 700-plus committees that produce rodeos every year,” Carr said. “We wanted to provide an outlet for those committees to donate as much as they can or as much as they wish to benefit J.R. and his family.” Carr and his team will produce a benefit rodeo for the Vezains at the Stampede at the Ike rodeo, scheduled for Jan. 11-12 at West Monroe, La. “As a stock contractor, committeeman and contestant, I understand what can happen in the rodeo arena,” Carr said. “This hit me pretty hard, so I want to do as much as we possibly can to help J.R. He’s got a long road ahead of him, and he’s going to need all the help he can get.” PRCA CEO George Taylor echoed those sentiments. “The rodeo community is a tight-knit group that takes care of its own,” Taylor said. “The PRCA appreciates the initiative of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo to reach out to the committees and the community within rodeo in hopes of doing what we know they are capable of to help care for J.R.” Anyone interested in donating to help Vezain and his family as he moves forward in his rehabilitation can do so by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/support-for-the-vezain-family. Wrangler Gold Buckle Gala on tap The Wrangler Gold Buckle Gala is scheduled for Dec. 3 at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas honoring the 2018 Legend of ProRodeo Keith Martin. RSVP no later than Nov. 26. Reserve your tickets by calling 719.528.4732 or buy online at https://squareup.com/store/prorodeo-hall-of-fame. 6 p.m. doors open – silent auction; 7 p.m. welcome, invocation, dinner; 7:45 p.m. silent auction closes; 8 p.m. live auction; 8:20 p.m. Legend of ProRodeo Award. All times are Pacific. Tickets are on sale for $100 a person or $900 for a table of 10. Tickets must be purchased by Nov. 26. For more information or to be added to the Gala mailing list email stadken@prorodeo.com or call 719.528.4732. All proceeds benefit the ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/16/2018

ProRodeo.com

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