ProRodeo Sports News - October 14, 2022

BY PRCA STAFF T he Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association recognizes the distinguished finalists for the 2022 PRCA Veterinarian of the Year Award. Veterinarians play an integral role in ProRodeo. This award, created in 2010, honors veterinarians who have dedicated their lives in support of the health and welfare of our ProRodeo livestock. Veterinarians are nominated by PRCAmembership and must exhibit an extraordinary commitment to the health and welfare of our livestock. A review and selection committee made up of advocates and industry experts carefully consider the merits of each nominee and their contributions to the sport of rodeo. The nominees are also judged on the number of years they’ve been involved in rodeo, as well as their community involvement. The recipient of the 2022 PRCA Veterinarian of the Year Award will be announced later this month and officially recognized at the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas Dec. 1. Three finalists in running for PRCA award Veterinary nominees PRCA AWARDS

DR. TIM EASTMAN Salinas, Calif. Nominated by California Rodeo Salinas Eastman’s family has volunteered with California Rodeo Salinas for generations, so it’s no surprise Eastman himself began volunteering with the rodeo when he was a child. He became the Director of the California Rodeo Association in 2005 and leads a team of 12 volunteers who forego pay for the duration of the rodeo. Eastman owns Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic and has housed and rehabilitated injured livestock at his own expense. Dr. Eastman personally evaluates the livestock and leads tours of the rodeo grounds for elected officials, media and visiting rodeo officials, to educate and share best practices, in

Eastman

Ford

Veneklasen

well as assisting the Fresno Chaffee Zoo with the care and surgery of their animals. Ford received his DVM fromUCDavis School of Veterinary Medicine and owns Ford Veterinary Surgery Center. DR. GREGG VENEKLASEN Canyon, Texas Nominated by Frontier Rodeo Company A practicing veterinarian for the last 40 years, Veneklasen has worked with the Frontier Rodeo Company for fifteen years. He cares for many of their top bucking horses, ensuring they are healthy and able to compete at a top level. He has also cloned some of their award-winning bucking horses in an effort to keep the genetics viable for years to come. Veneklasen is known to many contestants and stock contractors as Dr. Rodeo and is given credit for single handedly revolutionizing the bucking horse industry. The careers of some the greatest bucking horses were in danger of being cut short because of injuries or other ailments but Dr. Veneklasen dedicated his career and practice to helping these equine athletes through injections, supplements, nutrition, and rehabilitation. He received his DVM from Colorado State University and owns and operates Timber Creek Veterinary Hospital.

keeping with the rodeo’s mission to preserve and promote the traditions of the west. He is active in Boy Scouts, Hope, Horses and Kids and has spent twenty years mentoring young equine veterinarians. He received his DVM and his Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine fromUCDavis School of Veterinary Medicine. DR. TROY FORD Clovis, Calif. Nominated by Clovis Rodeo Association Dr. Ford has been a practicing veterinarian for nearly 40 years. He is the official veterinarian for the Clovis Rodeo and is the consulting and assistant veterinarian for Fresno Humane Animal Services for hoof stock animals. Ford has earned a reputation as a hands-on vet, always looking out for the health and wellness of rodeo livestock without losing sight of the spirit of competition and the betterment of rodeo. Raised on his family’s ranch, Ford worked in the Clovis Arena every April stripping chutes through high school. Because of his ranch background, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the arena. His community involvement includes supporting 4-H and FFA, the Clovis and Fresno Police Departments, as

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ProRodeo Sports News 10/14/2022

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