ProRodeo Sports News - November 2, 2018

The official publication of the Professonal Rodeo Cowboys Association

Roping on the Prairie RAM PCFR Keys Kissimmee Run

ProRodeo Sports News 11/2/2018

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2, 2018 – VOLUME 66, NO. 22

Dazzling Displays

Circuit finals rodeo in Duncan dishes dollars

30 Jared Keylon rides Frontier Rodeo’s Big

League for 84.5 points and the

second-round win in Duncan, Okla. Fly Thomas photo

NUMBERS GAME Taking a look at the road to the Wrangler NFR by the numbers. 52

TOP STOCK Find out who the best bucking stock were for the 2018 PRCA season. 40

MORE IN THIS ISSUE

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INSIDE

30 Duncan, Okla. RAM Prairie Circuit Finals 32 Loveland, Colo. RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals 6 in his own words 8 cowboy grille 12 he said, she said 14 brain teasers 16 time capsule 18 short round 59 results 70 notes 73 prca business RODEOS

Garrett Uptain posts an 82-point ride on Burch Rodeo’s Good Luck Chuck to win the first round of the RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo in Loveland, Colo., Oct. 25.

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STANDINGS

Ty Stockton photo

10 2018 PRCA world 64 circuits

Sports News ProRodeo

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

THE COVER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER George Taylor PSN EDITOR Scott Kaniewski ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tracy Renck Matt Naber Cassie Emerson Amber Baillie ADVERTISING MANAGER Nathan Vodehnal

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS 101 ProRodeo Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ©2018, PRCA Properties Inc., a marketing service and subsidiary of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information retrieval system, without permission in writing from PRCA Properties Inc.

Roping on the Prairie RAM PCFR Keys Kissimmee Run

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Tie-down roper Cody McCartney posts a 9.1-second run in Duncan, Okla.

Fly Thomas photo

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IN HIS OWNWORDS: JEFF ASKEY BULL RIDER EAGER FOR RETURN TO LASVEGAS

Bull rider Jeff Askey, 30, will make his second trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 6-15, after finishing the 2018 regular season with $107,387, enough to place him sixth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Askey’s first trip to the NFR came in 2016. But a broken arm and a broken shoulder blade in 2017 limited his time on the rodeo trail and prevented him from qualifying last year. The Pennsylvania native who now lives in Athens, Texas, is ready to get back to the Thomas & Mack Center.

messing with stuff, making it a little better as we go. It’s on 10 acres out in the country. I have leased land on each side of it. I have about 115 acres if you count the leased land. I bought the property in June of last year, about the same week I broke my arm. I painted a room or two, did some projects like that while I was hurt. I felt good late in the fall. I got healed from the shoulder blade, but there was nothing to go to until January. Some people, when they take time off, they like to get on practice bulls, stuff like that. Some people worry about it if they’ve been off a few months. I’ve never been like that. It seems like if I’m off a few months for an injury, I’ll come back and be riding like I was when I got injured. I never worry about it. I just jump back in the mix of things. I feel like if you’re unsure about it, then you’re mentally beating yourself. My first NFR experience was a blast. I didn’t have a very good Finals, but the experience was awesome. I’m looking forward to going back and doing a little better on the competition side and taking in the experience, taking in the sites and experiencing the social side of things. How do I catch the guys ahead of me? That’s simple, stay on. That’s the same mentality. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first day of the season in October or the last day of the season in Round 10, your mission is to always stay on. It doesn’t matter who has what won or who has what lead. At the end of the day, you’re not going to advance in the standings or financially if you don’t stay on your bull. You can’t worry about what the other person is doing or how much they have, because your job is the same every time.

I n Pennsylvania, I grew up around horses and I had a friend whose dad rode bulls. He started riding bulls at junior rodeos, and I hung out with him all the time. He had a junior rodeo at his house, which was about 15 minutes frommy house. I was 13. I went there and entered that junior rodeo and never looked back. I was hooked as soon as I got on. I was like, I’ve got to go buy the stuff. When I got on that first one, I was using borrowed spurs, borrowed everything. I got done that day and I was shopping for rope, chaps and all the stuff. I was hunting it all up and ordering it all. By the next rodeo I was ready to go. I broke my arm the first week of June in 2017. That took me out until mid-August. I rodeoed about a month, then broke my should blade. I missed the height of the summer run and then the little fall run. It’s always frustrating because you want to be out there riding, winning money, making a living. At the same time, I was trying to get some stuff done. I bought my first house, so I had some stuff I could work on and spend time on. My house isn’t the Taj Mahal, but I like it. I’m always tinkering with it,

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GRILLE COWBOY

Steer wrestler Brendan Laye, 28, of Consort, Alberta, had a solid season in 2018, winning Steer Wrestling PRCA | Resistol Rookie of the Year, thanks to earning $30,767. His biggest win came at the Fallon County Fair & Rodeo in Baker, Mont., in August when he earned $7,948. Laye, who stands 6-foot and weighs 200 pounds, is a cousin to Clint Laye, a bareback rider who qualified for the 2015 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

WITH TRACY RENCK PSN

You’re headed to your third Canadian Finals Rodeo (Oct. 30-Nov. 4). What led you to rodeo more in the PRCA this year? Brendan: I have been around guys like Curtis Cassidy, Scott Guenthner and Tanner Milan, guys like that. I had not been able to make it work to go down to any (in the United States), and this year I wanted to go with those guys and go to some other rodeos down there (in the U.S.). I was happy to be able to do it. It was neat to be able to see some other parts of the States and new places and go to good rodeos. Who was your primary horse during the 2018 season? Brendan : I mainly used Curtis Cassidy’s Tyson, the horse that got horse of the year in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. It makes it easier when you can ride a good one like that. It seems like anybody can win on that horse, and it makes your job easier. I have traveled with Curtis the last three years, and he’s helped me. Being around all those guys taught me how to rodeo and how to win and to have the right mindset to have success. What was your rookie PRCA season like? Brendan: This season was a good learning experience for me competing against the best guys in the world, and I gained a lot of confidence. To get the experience and have a little bit of success was good. I was happy to win rookie of the year, that was a bonus. I’ve never been to the Thomas & Mack Center (in Las Vegas). I’m excited to go accept my buckle there during the NFR and see what it is like. What led you down the steer wrestling path?

Brendan: There were so many people in our area and in our family who steer wrestled, like my dad, Mark, and grandpa, Alex. My grandpa was a multi-event cowboy. He won the steer wrestling CPRA world title in 1964, and I looked up to him. I grew up around rodeo. There were also a lot of my friends and family who were steer wrestling when I was growing up, and I practiced with them and learned from them. Did you do any other events besides steer wrestling? Brendan: I started out riding saddle bronc horses in high school, but growing up around so many other steer

wrestlers and having it in my family, I always knew I wanted to eventually be a steer wrestler. What was it like to have that nearly $8,000 payday this past season in Baker, Mont.? Brendan: That was a great rodeo. I rode Hunter Cure’s Zoom horse there. It was nice to finally feel like I did good against all those other talented guys. It gave me a lot of confidence, and it was a good payday.

Where’s your favorite place to go to get a cup of coffee? Brendan: You always have to get your Tim Hortons coffee every once in a while. What’s your favorite type of food to eat? Brendan: Probably a steak sandwich. When you’re not rodeoing, what are you doing? Brendan: I work on the family ranch at home. We have a cow-calf operation. Did you play hockey growing up?

Brendan: Yes. I played hockey since I was little. That was the main thing I did other than rodeo. I played right wing. I enjoyed hockey because it was fast-paced, had lots of excitement and I got to play with my buddies. I stopped playing hockey at the end of high school and got into rodeo more. Who was your favorite hockey team? Brendan: I didn’t really have a favorite team necessarily, but for some reason I liked the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. What’s your favorite thing to watch on TV? Brendan: I enjoy watching the hockey playoffs and Major League Baseball playoffs. What is the make of truck you are driving down the road? Brendan: I have a Dodge RAM 3500 dually.

Do you do any hunting, fishing, anything like that? Brendan: More hunting than fishing. We mostly do a lot of whitetail and mule deer hunting, and we also hunt for elk and moose.

LAYE

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2018 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Official as of Oct. 17, 2018. For the 2018 season (Oct. 1, 2017-Sept. 30, 2018), official rodeo limits were as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 100; team roping, 75; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 100; barrel racing, 100; and bull riding, no limit. Bull riders can count Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.

ALL-AROUND 1. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas......................... $216,127 2. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas....................... 188,678 3. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah.................... 137,179 4. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif............................ 110,274 5. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb............................. 109,006 6. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta.................... 93,237 7. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla........ 82,868 8. Jordan Ketscher, Squaw Valley, Calif.............. 71,659 9. Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss................... 64,759 10. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev............................. 60,005 11. Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas.................. 59,712 12. Seth Hall, Albuquerque, N.M.......................... 58,754 13. Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas.......................... 52,394 14. Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore.................. 51,351 15. Chance Oftedahl, Pemberton, Minn................ 49,216 16. Cody Doescher, Oklahoma CIty, Okla.............. 47,556 17. Chant DeForest, Wheatland, Calif................... 39,837 18. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D..................................... 37,945 19. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla.......................... 37,554 20. Adam Rose, Willard, Mo................................ 37,259 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa..................... $187,250 2. Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah................... 172,428 3. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif.................... 135,166 4. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba....................... 130,655 5. Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas.......................... 119,835 6. R. Champion, The Woodlands, Texas........... 119,819 7. Kaycee Feild, Spanish Fork, Utah................. 111,022 8. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb............................. 109,420 9. Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas...................... 101,403 10. Mason Clements, Springville, Utah................ 99,536 11. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas...................... 95,192 12. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D................................. 91,558 13. Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D................... 80,163 14. J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo............................... 78,376 15. Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev............................. 77,497 16. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas............................... 70,017 17. Clint Laye, Cadogan, Alberta.......................... 68,638 18. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn...................... 67,793 19. Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo................... 66,712 20. Ty Taypotat, Regina, Saskatchewan................ 59,636 STEERWRESTLING 1. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta................ $106,009 2. Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss....................... 97,625 3. Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta.................. 92,325 4. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont.............................. 89,662 5. Will Lummus, West Point, Miss..................... 86,958 6. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan........................ 84,527 7. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas.......................... 83,711 8. Bridger Chambers, Stevensville, Mont........... 81,178 9. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La............................... 80,717 10. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.................... 79,584 11. Blake Mindemann, Blanchard, Okla................ 78,092 12. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla........................... 77,643 13. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore......................... 75,458 14. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala........................... 75,333 15. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis.................................... 74,706 16. Tanner Milan, Cochrane, Alberta.................... 72,957 17. Cole Edge, Durant, Okla................................. 70,876 18. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D................. 69,629 19. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif.......................... 60,663 20. Chason Floyd, Buffalo, S.D............................. 59,828 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.................... $115,345 2. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga....................... 114,952 3. Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla.................... 106,396 4. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont............................... 96,990 5. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif.......................... 91,863 6. Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla.................... 88,868 7. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn...................... 85,342 8. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz..................... 84,837

9. Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz...................... 84,044 10. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C............................ 83,102 11. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash....................... 81,554 12. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas............................... 73,145 13. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz..................... 68,354 14. Lane Ivy, Dublin, Texas................................... 67,458 15. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah...................... 65,232 16. Spencer Mitchell, Orange Cove, Calif............. 62,906 17. Jeff Flenniken, Caldwell, Idaho....................... 61,826 18. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla......................... 61,008 19. Kolton Schmidt, Barrhead, Alberta................. 59,347 20. Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D.......................... 58,299 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. J. Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil ... $115,936 2. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo............................. 115,345 3. Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas.................. 106,396 4. Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla................ 104,515 5. Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo................................. 98,439 6. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla................................. 93,133 7. Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz.............................. 91,294 8. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas.............. 88,173 9. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan............................ 83,102 10. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash...................... 80,361 11. Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla......................... 79,467 12. Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont............................. 68,284 13. Cole Davison, Stephenville, Texas.................. 66,252 14. Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan................. 64,451 15. Quinn Kesler, Holden, Utah............................ 61,349 16. Tyler McKnight, Wells, Texas.......................... 60,834 17. Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash........................ 59,847 18. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas.................... 57,260 19. Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla............................ 57,107 20. Reagan Ward, Edmond, Okla.......................... 57,050 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas.................. $168,101 2. Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah......................... 165,078 3. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas..................... 124,740 4. Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah......................... 123,607 5. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta................ 112,637 6. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo......................... 111,588 7. Clay Elliott, Nanton, Alberta.......................... 104,176 8. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa...................... 103,309 9. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb............................ 101,843 10. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas............. 98,748 11. CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah..................... 89,325 12. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah............................. 81,903 13. Joey Sonnier III, New Iberia, La..................... 79,114 14. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M.............................. 78,790 15. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont................... 76,141 16. J.J. Elshere, Hereford, S.D............................. 75,774 17. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah....................... 73,767 18. Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah................................ 73,573 19. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La........................... 65,457 20. Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas.......................... 52,912 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La....................... $136,577 2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas........................... 134,768 3. Tyson Durfey, Weatherford, Texas................ 126,518 4. Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash.......................... 94,294 5. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif.............................. 93,768 6. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas......................... 92,772 7. Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan.............................. 91,938 8. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas........................... 89,971 9. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas................. 86,675 10. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas.................... 86,483 11. Reese Riemer, Stinnett, Texas........................ 85,428 12. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho................... 84,153 13. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah...................... 83,373 14. Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas................ 79,083 15. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla........................ 77,552 16. Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas............................ 77,059 17. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas........................... 76,969

18. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla....................... 67,040 19. Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas......................... 66,963 20. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas.......................... 62,752 STEER ROPING 1. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas........................... $89,427 2. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas........... 70,845 3. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo...................... 62,295 4. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan........................... 62,225 5. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas......................... 59,641 6. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas........................ 54,968 7. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas....................... 50,360 8. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas............................ 48,401 9. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas........................... 44,717 10. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla......................... 43,786 11. Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla..................... 43,624 12. Jarrett Blessing, Paradise, Texas.................... 43,560 13. Will Gasperson, Decatur, Texas...................... 42,636 14. Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas.............................. 42,002 15. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas............................ 41,106 16. Roger Branch, Wellston, Okla........................ 40,225 17. Jim Locke, Miami, Texas................................ 37,042 18. Corey Ross, Liberty Hill, Texas....................... 33,631 19. Shay Good, Midland, Texas............................ 28,457 20. Jason Evans, Glen Rose, Texas...................... 26,134 BULL RIDING 1. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.................. $297,026 2. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont........................ 185,476 3. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La............................. 114,588 4. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho.......... 109,737 5. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore....................... 109,349 6. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas............................. 107,387 7. Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas.......... 106,431 8. Garrett Tribble, Bristow, Okla....................... 102,226 9. Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah................... 101,583 10. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas.............. 100,932 11. Cole Melancon, Liberty, Texas........................ 99,973 12. Koby Radley, Montpelier, La........................... 97,258 13. Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah................................ 96,163 14. Eli Vastbinder, Union Grove, N.C.................... 95,114 15. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla.............................. 94,396 16. J.W. Harris, Goldthwaite, Texas...................... 93,769 17. Elliot Jacoby, Fredericksburg, Texas............... 92,183 18. Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif........................ 91,009 19. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla................. 90,863 20. Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho.................... 86,419 *2018 BARREL RACING (Through Oct. 1, 2018) Barrel racing standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings. 1. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas..........................$192,834 2. Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif.......................146,826 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas.............137,267 4. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D............................123,516 5. Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas..................110,232 6. Taci Bettis, Round Top, Texas.........................103,692 7. Kylie Weast, Comanche, Okla..........................101,715 8. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D.............................98,704 9. Ivy Conrado, Hudson, Colo...............................98,385 10. Tammy Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas.....................91,277 11. Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas............................90,515 12. Tracy Nowlin, Nowata, Okla.............................90,496 13. Amberleigh Moore, Salem, Ore.......................89,127 14. Jessica Telford, Caldwell, Idaho......................88,342 15. Carman Pozzobon, Aldergrove, B.C. ..............86,947 16. Carley Richardson, Pampa, Texas...................83,011 17. Teri Bangart, Olympia, Wash...........................82,060 18. Jessi Fish, Franklin, Tenn................................78,993 19. Kellie Collier, Hereford, Texas..........................78,264 20. Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas...........................68,197

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Find your way around Las Vegas, Cowboy Christmas and the Thomas & Mack Center. No tickets to the rodeo? We’ve got you covered with the locations for the live satellite feeds. Get daily results and World Standings, while checking out the bios of your favorite contestants. Follow our bloggers, news feed and social channels to stay in the know. We couldn’t do this without our supporters. Check out the sponsors and hotels that make the Wrangler NFR what it is.

Plan your day, find entertainment and check out What’s Hot. Search for your favorite exhibitor at the Las Vegas Convention Center. All the details you need, including information on the Junior NFR and the NFR Ticket Exchange. Check out daily highlights, videos and our NFR Playlist. Follow the ten days of action inside the Wrangler Rodeo Arena.

The NFR App is free and available on the iPhone App Store and Google Play Store.

NFR EXPERIENCE . COM

/L AS V EGAS NFR

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10QUESTIONS

HE SAID – SHE SAID

Who knows tie-down roper Marshall Leonard, better, his wife, Brie, or his traveling partner, Randall Carlisle?

MARSHALL

WIFE BRIE

PARTNER RANDALL

BRIE

RANDALL

MARSHALL

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE ON-THE-ROAD SNACK?

Chex Mix

Beef jerky

Beef jerky

WHO WOULD PLAY HIM IN A MOVIE?

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone

John Wayne

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Brie

Me

Brie

WHAT’S HIS SUPERSTITION?

Don’t wear yellow

Don’t wear yellow

Don’t wear red

WHO IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

His dad

My dad

Tyson Durfey

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RODEO WIN?

Casper

Casper

Casper

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM?

LSU

Golden State

Golden State Warriors

IS HE A GOOD DRIVER?

No

Yes

Yes

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Chili’s

Chili’s

Steak House

12 IS HE AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?

Early Bird

Early Bird

Early Bird

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BRAIN TEASERS

ANSWERS ON PAGE 72

THEN & NOW Can you match these adorable future rodeo stars’ photos with the current PRCA contestants? Some don’t look quite the same.

5

1

3

2

4

B

D

A

C

E

WORD SEARCH 2018 NFSR 1. Find the 2018 qualifiers for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping.

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

Tony Reina Chet Herren

Tuf Cooper Scott Snedecor Chris Glover Rocky Patterson

Brodie Poppino Jarrett Blessing Will Gasperson Bryce Davis Cody Lee

Trevor Brazile Vin Fisher Jr. J. Tom Fisher Garrett Hale

2. Find these 2018 NFSR contract personnel. John Gwatney, chute boss Butch Braden, arena usher Sandy Gwatney, secretary

Tammy Braden, timer Shelly Baumann, timer Jill Franzen, music director

Bonus question Who will be announcing the NFSR this season at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kan.?

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TIME CAPSULE

T here were many world champions before the formation of the National Finals Rodeo in 1959, but the NFR was the first for- malized Super Bowl for professional rodeo. It should come as no surprise that many of the first NFR qualifiers went on to have successful careers, and some are forever enshrined in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, which opened in 1979. Twenty of the 1959 NFR competitors were among the inaugural class of inductees. Of the first NFR’s competitors, 39 are in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Sixty years after the first NFR, two of the multi-event qualifiers have yet to be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame – Jim Tescher and Leonard Block. Original First-Timers First NFR in 1959 featured many rodeo notables

Barrel racers weren’t included in the induction classes to ProRodeo HOF until 2017. However, Mildred Farris was inducted in 2006 for her contributions as an NFR secretary (five times), assistant secretary (five times) and timer (15 times). She also won the Secretary of the Year eight times and served on the PRCA Contract Personnel Executive Council from 1988-2002. She also carried the American flag at the NFR’s opening ceremony for 17 years. Her contributions to rodeo extended into the GRA/WPRA where she served as director, vice president and president from 1965-71. KEY * – Won the world ** – Won the average # – Won both the average and the world Note: Numbers following names indicate year competitor was inducted into ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Following are the competitors at the 1959 National Finals Rodeo:

BAREBACK RIDING #Jack Buschbom – 1979 John Hawkins – 1979 Jim Shoulders – 1979 Ralph Buell Walt Mason Guy Weeks – 2001 Clyde Frost Bernis Johnson Benny Reynolds – 1993 Don L. Wilson Elliott Calhoun Bert France Frank Rhoades Eddy Akridge – 1979 Buddy Peak STEER WRESTLING *Harry Charters – 2015 Tom Nesmith – 2015 James Bynum – 1979 **Willard Combs Wilbur Plaugher – 1990 Harley May – 1979 Milt Simon Doyle Cobler Billy Hale Don Feddersen Danny Daniels Jim Painter

Sherry Combs Wanda Bush – 2017 Martha Ann Symons Billie Ann Evans Manuelita Mitchell Betty Ray Florence Youree STEER ROPING *Everett Shaw – 1979 Shoat Webster – 1979 Troy Fort – 1979 Sonny Davis – 1979 Howard Haythorn Joe Snively **Jim Snively Dale Smith – 1979 Harry Lynn BULL RIDING Bob Wegner – 2015 #Jim Shoulders – 1979 Joe Green Bill Rinestine Benny Reynolds – 1993 Bob Sheppard Jim Charles Pete Crump Duane Howard – 2008 Wayne Lewis Ed LeTourneau Harry Tompkins – 1979 Ronnie Rossen – 2007 Freckles Brown – 1979 Bob Cullison Joe Bergevin Dell Haverty Merle Lee Davis Leonard Block John Dalton Buddy Groff

Casey Tibbs at the 1959 NFR.

DeVere Helfrich photo

TIE-DOWN ROPING *Jim Bob Altizer – 1979 Dale Smith – 1979 Dean Oliver – 1979 **Olin Young – 1979 Sonny Davis – 1979 Jake Bogard Tom Nesmith – 2015 Glen Franklin – 1979 Bobby Goodspeed Lee Cockrell Monroe Tumlinson

Claude Henson/Choc Hamilton Doad Hex/Leon Bright Lewis Garcia/Don Nichols Frank Ferreira Sr./Bill Erickson Leonard Block/Earl Nelson Billy Hamilton/Carl Woodson Sherman Sullins/Sonny Tureman (1979) Dave Boynton/Ray Miller SADDLE BRONC RIDING

*Casey Tibbs – 1979 Winston Bruce – 1989 Enoch Walker – 2017 Deb Copenhaver – 1992 Marty Wood – 1991 J.D. McKenna Guy Weeks – 2001 **Jim Tescher Lyle Smith Bob A. Robinson – 2006 Bill Feddersen Les Johnson Tom Tescher Jim Roeser Duane Howard – 2008

Mel Potter T.B. Porter Rex Beck Herschel Romine

John Hatley Tater Decker Jim Tescher TEAM ROPING Fred Darnell/Joe Glenn (2007) #Jim Rodriguez Jr. (1979)/**Gene Rambo (1989) Duane Reece/Bronc Curry Les Hirdes (2001)/Al Hooper Dan Branco/Harold Mattos Art Arnold/Ted Ashworth Dale Smith (1979)/John Clem

BARREL RACING Mildred Farris – 2006 #Jane Mayo Jo Ann Crosby Janet Dudley Sissy Thurman Billie McBride – 2018

Fay Ann Horton Sis Armstrong

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R OUND THE SHORT

BY THE NUMBERS

The number of times Necklace, owned by Harry Vold, won the Top Bareback Horse of the National Finals Rodeo Award, a PRCA record. Necklace won the honor in 1964, 1966, 1968 and 1970.

On Sept. 22, veteran bareback rider J.R. Vezain suffered a broken back while competing at the Pasadena (Texas) Livestock Show & Rodeo when he was riding Frontier Rodeo Company’s Brazos Bash. The injury has left Vezain, a five-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2012-14 and 2016- Helping J.R.Vezain PRCA donates Wrangler NFR package for fundraiser

2017), with mobility issues from the waist down. He underwent surgery and is rehabilitating in Houston. Expenses from the injury continue to add up. As a result, the J.R. & Shelby Vezain Aid fundraiser has been established. It began Nov. 1 and will conclude at 9 p.m. (CT), Nov. 10. Vezain and his wife, Shelby, who live in Melstone, Mont., are expecting their first child in May. To participate in the auction go to www.32auctions.com/ VezainAid The PRCA contributed a 2018 NFR Package to the auction. To bid on that item go to https://www.32auctions. com/organizations/46422/auctions/57071/auction_ items/1531332 The package includes 2018 NFR Gold Buckle

The PRCA-record number of rounds

tie-down ropers Dave Brock (1978) and Cody Ohl (2001, 2013) won in single years at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The year that the team roping event was held at the National Finals Rodeo for the first time, and it has been part of the NFR ever since. Before 1962, team roping finals were held in Clayton, N.M. (1959), Scottsdale, Ariz. (1960) and Santa Maria, Calif. (1961).

J.R. Vezain

seating tickets for two people for Round 10 at the Thomas & Mack Center, Dec. 15, when the world champions will be crowned. The package also consists of MGM Hotel room lodging for two nights – Dec. 14 and Dec. 15. It also includes two 2018 PRCA NFR Jackets, a PRCA official NFR Pin, NFR ball cap, NFR Gear Bag, NFR program and an NFR tin sign signed by all 2018 contestants.

Complete, up-to-date rodeo results, at prorodeo. com

ProRodeoTV.com livestreaming Wilderness, Great Lakes finals ProRodeoTV.com will livestream the Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo, from Heber City, Utah, Nov. 1-3. The livestream begins at 9 p.m. (ET) nightly. The RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo on ProRodeoTV.com will livestream Nov. 8-10 in Louisville, Ky. The livestream begins at 7:30 p.m. (ET) each night. For more information about ProRodeoTV.com go to http://prorodeo.com/prorodeo/tv/online-streaming-schedule.

$425,000

TOTAL PAYOUTATTHE CLEM M C SPADDEN NFSR, NOV. 2-3

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Barrett to receive Donita Barnes Award posthumously The late Hadley Barrett, a legendary rodeo announcer and ProRodeo Hall of Famer, was named the recipient of the 2018 PRCA Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award, Oct. 24. Barrett passed away March 2, 2017. He was 87. “I think the word lifetime denotes a lot right there, and the PRCA and his affiliation with the PRCA was his lifetime,” said Michelle Corley, Hadley’s daughter. “Over the years, everybody he worked with became his family. I believe that he is looking down and feeling extremely humbled and proud that everybody in (the PRCA) thought that way about him. He was a man who did not need honors, but he was a man who appreciated honors, each one with such heartfelt gratitude.” Barrett will be recognized for receiving the Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award at 6 p.m. (PT), Dec. 5, during the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas. The award was created to recognize PRCA members who have dedicated their lives to the rodeo industry for their commitment, work and contributions. Any active member of the PRCA may nominate eligible contract personnel members for the award. Nominees must have been a PRCA member for a minimum of 15 years and cannot have won a yearly contract personnel award within 15 years of the date of nomination. The last rodeo Barrett announced was the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, which ran Feb. 9-26, 2017. Barrett was named PRCA Announcer of the Year in 1983, 1985, 1989 and 2002. He worked five National Finals Rodeos (1968, 1976, 1979, 1983 and 2008) and the 1967 National Finals Steer Roping. He also called the action at the Canadian Finals Rodeo seven times. Other winners of the Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award are: Donita Barnes (2011); Art and Linda Alsbaugh (2012); Fred and Norma Dorenkamp (2013); Quail Dobbs (2014); Cotton Rosser (2015); Karen Vold (2016); and Jim and Julie Sutton (2017).

Hadley Barrett

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

NFR contract personnel selected The contract personnel for the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo were chosen through a selection process. The NFR barrelman will be John Harrison, while the NFR alternate barrel- man was a tie between Cody Sosebee and Dennis Halstead. The NFR bullfight- ers selected were Cody Webster, Dusty Tuckness and Nate Jestes. The NFR pickup men selected were Matt Twitchell and Chase Cervi, with the alternate being Jason Bottoms. 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 today by calling 719.528.4732 or buy online at https://squareup.com/store/prorodeo-hall-of- fame. At 6 p.m., the 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. PRCA CEO Taylor to be honored by WPRA The WPRA recently announced its contract award winners. First-year PRCA CEO George Taylor will be honored with the Outstanding Individual Award that is given to a person for his or her contributions to the WPRA. Each winner will be officially recognized during

the annual WPRA Star Celebration, Dec. 6 at 11:45 a.m. (PT) in the Grand Ballroom of the South Point Hotel and Casino. Ticket is required to attend the WPRA Star Celebration. Contact the WPRA office at 719.447.4627 for more information. Greeley Stampede Hall nominations open The Greeley Stampede is accepting applications for the 2019 Hall of Fame class. Inductees into the Hall of Fame may include, but not be limited to, vol- unteers, affiliated organizations, contract personnel and others who have made a significant contribution to the success and prestige of the Greeley Stampede. Nominations may be for yourself or someone you know. Nominations will be open until Dec. 31. Inductees to the 2019 Hall of Fame will be selected by a review committee and announced after Feb, 5. Applications to the Hall of Fame can be found at greeleystampede.org/p/halloffame. The inaugural class of inductees included Art Parker, the Farr Family, Hadley Barrett and Tom Mawson. Plans developing for historic Gerry rodeo Plans for next summer’s celebration of the Gerry (N.Y.) Fire Department’s 75th annual PRCA Rodeo, July 31 through Aug. 3, got a valuable assist from local officials who met with the rodeo planning committee to discuss helping in promoting the historic event. Those officials included New York Sen. Cathy Young; Assemblyman Andy Goodell; Dan Heitzenrater, executive assistant to County Executive George Borrello; and Susan Rowley, Constituent Specialist for Young. The meeting was chaired by rodeo chairman Tom Atwell. The rodeo committee will continue to meet monthly and will share additional details as plans develop. Information concerning the rodeo, including photos and its history, is available at www.gerryrodeo.org.

$27,347

AMOUNT PAIDTOTHE AVERAGEWINNERATTHE NFSR

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Bareback rider R.C. Landingham tips his hat during the Grand National Rodeo at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Landingham won the average at the Oct. 12-20 rodeo. Matt Cohen photo

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PRAIRIE CIRCUIT FINALS

video

BY MATT NABER S witching circuits and switching mounts brought tie-down roper Cody McCartney to the winner’s circle at the RAMPrairie Circuit Finals Rodeo for the first time in his eight years of PRCA competition. Although he didn’t place in any of the rounds, he claimed the average by three-tenths of a second thanks in part to riding 2018 PRCA | AQHA Tie-down Roping Horse of the Year Little Smart Leo (Big Time), owned by McCartney’s lifelong friend, Tyler Milligan. “It was pretty crazy,” said McCartney, 28. “I couldn’t believe it. When you win the average you usually place in some rounds. I was one out in the first two rounds and didn’t want to press it in the last round. I just wanted to go make a good run. I didn’t think I would win the average. It was weird how it worked out, but I’m glad for it.” Riding Milligan’s horse was sort of like good karma coming full circle for McCartney. “I’ve known Cody for what seems like forever,” Milligan said, TOPS AT DUNCAN— October 18-20 ALL-AROUND COWBOY Steven Dent $6,447 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Jared Keylon ............. 251 pts. on three 2. Will Martin .................................. 239.5 3. Steven Dent ................................ 237.5 4. Mark Kreder ................................ 228.5 BigWin bareback riding and saddle bronc riding

McCartney takes tie-down roping crown in Duncan

adding he lets McCartney ride his horse whenever he asks. “He’s the one who actually told me about the horse (Big Time) and that he was for sale.” McCartney’s horse, Jackpot, got sick after the first round, so he asked to ride Milligan’s horse for the final two rounds. After the mount change, McCartney messed up his string a bit in the second round, leaving him in fifth place as the final round began. “Big Time’s awesome and makes roping easy, I’ve ridden him a lot,” McCartney said. “He’s well-deserving to win Horse of the Year because a lot of guys ride him and have success on him. He’s the kind of horse where if you didn’t win any money, nine times out of 10 it’s because of something you did and not something the horse did.” After two rough runs and a sick horse, McCartney had no idea luck was going to be on his side. “There are a lot of good ropers in the Prairie Circuit and several NFR qualifiers,” McCartney said. “But some guys ahead of me didn’t draw well.” Claiming the average in 27.4 seconds was worth $2,776. More importantly, it means a shot at the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo. Before his win in Duncan, Okla., Oct. 20, McCartney was ranked eighth in

STEER WRESTLING 1. Riley Duvall ............ 13.8 sec. on three 2. Cody Devers ................................. 15.6 3. Tyler Pearson ................................ 15.8 4. J.D. Struxness .............................. 16.6

TEAM ROPING 1. Gordon/Boekhaus .... 16.2 sec. on three 2. N. Sartain/A. Rogers ..................... 17.1 3. C. Markham/B. Hawkins II ............ 21.2 4. C. Kirchner/J. Hillman ......... 9.9 on two

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tie-down roping in the Prairie Circuit with $9,819. Milligan also fared well with Big Time, placing third in the average in 28.0 seconds. “Cody’s a great horseman and always gets the best out of every horse he rides,” Milligan said. “For him to win that was a big deal, and I was happy for him.” Aside from the confidence boost, winning the RAMPCFR isn’t going to impact McCartney’s approach to the freshly minted 2019 season. “I was going to rodeo either way, but it’s nice to have some confidence and money won early in the year,” McCartney said. “I hope to win some more in the next month or two and get in San Antonio and the bigger winter rodeos.” RAMBLIN’ MAN “When I got done roping that night (at the RAMPCFR) I had a text frommy mom and dad, they’re excited to go to Florida in the spring,” McCartney said. “I’m originally fromMichigan, so it’ll be a good time for them to get out of there.” McCartney left his home state to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant and remained there since graduating in 2012. “Michigan isn’t where you want to live if you want to rodeo,” McCartney laughed. The Wolverine State may be better known for hockey and muscle cars, but the McCartney family preferred the saddle over skates or cars. His dad, Jim, competed in team roping and tie-down roping with a stint in the PRCA, and the family is known for training horses. “It’s nice up there in the summer, but in the winter it’s dang-sure cold and

$49,804. McCartney’s rodeo endeavors were put on the backburner after breaking his ankle at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up in April 2017. “I hadn’t gone as much since then, but I’m hoping to again this year,” McCartney said. “I’ll be roping every day, for sure.” Missing out on so much competition halted his 2017 winnings at $3,400 but he returned in 2018. “It’s been a year-and-a-half and my ankle is feeling like I can practice and work at it without limping the next day,” McCartney said. “It was dang-sure aggravating, I would step on a little rock and it looked like my leg was going to fall off.” Switching circuits this year was a matter of logistics for McCartney. The trek to Great Lakes Circuit rodeos from his home in Durant, Okla., was conflicting with his horse show schedule. “Everyone needs a second job if you rodeo, so I’m lucky mine lets me rope and do the stuff I enjoy,” McCartney said of his work alongside Gary Wells at stock shows such as the AQHAWorld Show in Oklahoma City in November. With the RAMNCFR on his spring schedule, McCartney’s looking ahead and setting new goals. “I’d love to make the NFR just like anyone else would, that’s No. 1 for sure,” he said. “You just need good horses and have good people around you who are positive and want to see you succeed. I’ve got a pretty good horse and I’m good friends with Shane Hanchey, he’s helped my roping too.” Milligan believes in his friend. “He dang sure had tough luck, but he’s set up this year to go to Kissim- mee when it counts and should have a real good year this year,” Milligan said.

you really have to want to rope to go out there,” McCartney said. “It’s a lot of work but I really enjoy the horses and seeing them progress and riding them.” The McCartney family has an indoor arena, so roping was a year-round activity. “If you don’t have an indoor arena up there in the winter you’re not going to do much roping with a couple feet of snow on the ground,” McCartney said. The last time McCartney had success at the circuit level, he hit the rodeo road hard. In 2012, he topped the Great Lakes Circuit for tie-down roping with $13,408. His best season to date was in 2016 when he ranked 24th in the world standings with

Placing third in the first round and tying for first in the second round put steer wrestler Riley Duvall ahead of the pack in the average with 13.8 seconds on three head at the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. Fly Thomas photo

Complete results on Page 59

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Hardy Braden ............ 242 pts. on three 2. (tie) Tyrel Larsen ........................ 222.5 Clint Lindenfeld .......................... 222.5 4. Steven Dent ................................ 220.5

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Cody McCartney ..... 27.4 sec. on three 2. Caddo Lewallen ............................ 27.7 3. Tyler Milligan ................................ 28.0 4. Cole Bailey .................................... 34.6

STEER ROPING 1. Kelton McMillen ...... 51.8 sec. on three 2. Mike Chase ................................... 57.0 3. Ralph Williams ............................. 64.0 4. Brodie Poppino ................. 22.3 on two

BULL RIDING 1. Brett Custer .............. 246 pts. on three 2. Trevor Kastner ................... 172 on two 3. Tyler Hessman ............................... 169 4. Nathan Hatchel .................... 84 on one

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