ProRodeo Sports News - October 18, 2019

It’s All Jake Brown cashes in big as Waco pays off

ProRodeo Sports News 10/18/2019

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THE FREEHAND IS FOR HOLDING

SAGEKIMZEY WORLDCHAMPION BULL RIDER

CONTENTS

OCTOBER 18, 2019 VOLUME 67, NO. 20

Bull rider Joseph McConnel won the RAM Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo in Prescott Valley, Ariz., with 246 points on three head, Oct. 4-5.

William Kierce photo

West Gem Finals Rodeo had cowboys securing berths to the 2020 RAM NCFR. 32

The RAM Turquoise Circuit

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INSIDE 8 hot takes 10 cowboy grille 12 brain teasers 14 he said, she said 16 social media 22 short round 52 results 64 prca notes

RODEOS

30 Waco Texas 32 Prescott Valley, Ariz. 36 Lancaster, Calif. 38 Minot, N.D. 20 2019 prca world 58 2019 circuit STANDINGS

Gene Hyder photo Steer wrestler Dakota Eldridge won the average in Lancaster, Calif., at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo. Cali cowboys head south California Circuit cowboys gathered for the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo in Lancaster in October to try and earn berths to the RAM National Finals Circuit Rodeo that will be in Kissimmee, Fla., in April. 36 Way cool payout in Waco, Texas Cowboys looking for a jumpstart to the 2020 season got a big boost of cash at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo in Waco with a total payout of more than $250,000. 30

COVER

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It’s All Jake Brown cashes in big as Waco pays off

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Bareback rider Jake Brown rode Pickett Rodeo’s Top Flight for 91.5 points and the win at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo in Waco, Oct. 12. James Phifer photo

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Wrangler NFR debut has bareback rider psyched IN HIS WORDS TRENTEN MONTERO

I kept telling myself I was not going to look at the standings until it was all over. But that got harder and harder as the year went by. I ended up looking at them quite a bit the last couple weeks. I made it to three rodeos and won a little more than $1,000 that last weekend. I went to Omaha, Neb., Mona, Utah, and San Bernardino, Calif. The nerves (at those rodeos) came more so

it kind of reminded me when I was a rookie, first starting out, trying to get my fees paid and going from weekend to weekend. It’s nice to get to spend a little bit of time at home and get rested and healed up. But at the same time there’s a part of me that wishes I was riding there tomorrow. It’s not bad, there’s definitely plenty to keep myself occupied so I’m not thinking about it all the

At 27, Trenten Montero is headed to his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 5-14. The bareback rider fromWinnemucca, Nev., finished the 2019 regular season in 14th place in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $80,757. Montero is living in Billings, Mont., with his wife, Maria, who is in graduate school studying occupational therapy. But the Nevada-born cowboy is eager to get to Vegas and represent his home state. In a family full of rodeo competitors, only Montero’s great-aunt had reached the Finals until he accomplished the feat. Among his victories in 2019 were the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo. Those two victories paid Montero a combined $23,004.

about an hour before the rodeo. By the time I was getting out of the chutes I was all business, wasn’t really thinking of anything except what I had to do right then. I started off the season sitting pretty good in the standings. I had a good winter, then had a few minor injuries in February and fell out of the Top 15. I always felt like I had a chance the whole year. I guess the big turning point for my season was when I won St. Paul. Then, less than a week after that I won Colorado Springs and that got me solidly into the Top 15. I think that’s when it started becoming real, sitting in the middle of the Top 15 in the middle of July. I’d never been in the Top 15 that late in the year. That’s when I knew that this was going to probably be my year. My longtime partner Luke Creasy had some problems with injuries. So I hopped in with a few other guys. I also went by myself for a good part of the summer. I traveled with some younger guys – Hunter Carlson and Jacob Lees. It was fun. It was nice to hop in with younger guys because

time.

It seems like I’m always on the road even when rodeo season is over. I had my cousin’s wedding last weekend. I’m also going deer hunting in another week in Nevada with my dad and brother. I’ve been doing a lot of fishing and been hitting the gym to stay in shape. I’ve also got a couple rodeos to go to. My whole family is really excited for me. They’ve supported me in my whole career, even when I was having trouble and barely scraping to get by and when I was injured. They kept believing I’d get there eventually. I know my dad (Glynn) was watching the standings the whole year through. I think he was even more excited than I was. It’s exciting to qualify and be fromNevada because Nevada is so sparsely populated there haven’t been a whole lot of us who have been there. It’s a huge honor to represent my home state and Vegas. I know (saddle bronc rider) Mitch Pollock and I are both real excited to be the first people to represent Winnemucca riding at the Finals.

MGMRESORTS.COM/NFR

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RAM NCFR bound

“I did not win many rodeos, but I was able to place almost every weekend.”

Tie-down roper Trey Young earned his second trip to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo after winning both the Badlands Circuit year-end title and the RAM Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo at the State Fair Center in Minot, N.D., Oct. 6. Young won the third round of the four-round event and placed in every other round for a final score of 37.0 seconds on four head.

– TREY YOUNG

$57M The total anticipated 2019 PRCA rodeo payout ($57,656,454), including WPRA, Wrangler NFR and the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping. JCCF auction The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund will hold a silent auction at the South Point Hotel & Casino Exhibit Hall, Dec. 3-4. It will be Dec. 3 from 12:30- 4 p.m. (PT) and Dec. 4 from 12:30- 4:30 p.m. with the auction ending and check out starting at 3 p.m.

HOT TAKES

Money Hike Over the last four seasons, cowboys trying to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo have had to win more money on average just to get to Las Vegas. Every event’s money rose to make the Top 15 in the 2019 season. Bull riding led the way, with guys having to earn at least six figures to head to the $10 million rodeo. The No. 15 spot in bull riding – locked up by Trey Kimzey on the season’s final weekend – earned $108,106. Over the last four seasons, on average, the amount needed to qualify for the Wrangler NFR rose $17,671 across the seven categories.

20 NUMBER OF PRCA-SANCTIONED RODEOS IN THE 2020 SEASON AS OF OCT. 17 $1,359,833

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? Payton: I was happy with how the season went, especially for just going to (Montana) Circuit rodeos. I didn’t really branch out. I mainly went to Montana Circuit rodeos and co-sanctioned rodeos, and I was pleased. How has your bull riding career come to this point? Payton: I didn’t really even high school rodeo until my senior year. I didn’t go to college; I just went to work. I took my time getting my (PRCA) card. I was on my (PRCA) permit in 2016 and was just shy of filling it, and I dislocated my right shoulder, my free arm, and that ruined my 2016 year. I had to get surgery on it. In 2017, I didn’t rodeo in the PRCA, and then in 2018, I filled my permit and finished second in the Montana Circuit. Did you have any family members involved in rodeo? Payton: My dad (Brett) and uncle (Zane Fitzpatrick) rodeoed in the Montana Circuit a little bit, and then I kind of baby stepped my bull riding career. How cool was it to qualify for the RAM NCFR last year? Payton Fitzpatrick, a 24-year-old bull rider from Polson, Mont., about an hour north of Missoula, had a solid rookie season. He earned $30,283, which placed him fourth in the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings. After suffering a right shoulder injury in 2016, Fitzpatrick, 5-foot-11, 168 pounds, had a slow climb to his rookie year and is focusing on trying to qualify for his second trip to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, April 2-4. Fitzpatrick leads the Montana Circuit with $24,229. The RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo is Jan. 10-12 in Great Falls. Fitzpatrick and his wife, Katelynn, were married Sept. 14.

PAYTON FITZPATRICK

Payton: The stars aligned pretty much. I would not have been going if things would not have fallen perfectly. Parker Breding ran away with the Montana Circuit like he usually does. He won the circuit finals and year-end, and when that happens, they take the runner-up from the year-end, so I snuck in there. I had a poor RAM NCFR, and I’m really hoping I can go again because I didn’t get done what I wanted to down there. When you’re not rodeoing what are you doing? Payton: I jump jobs quite a bit, it just depends on the season. In the summer, I work construction in Bozeman. In the fall, I will pick up some day work at a few ranches, and we have a small ranch here at home we run. What’s your favorite restaurant? Payton: Applebee’s. I usually get a bacon cheeseburger with water to drink. What’s your favorite candy? Payton: A Snickers bar. What’s your favorite holiday? Payton: I would say Thanksgiving. That’s when all the family gets together. I have one brother, Grey, 22. What TV show do you love watching? Payton: That ’70s Show . What’s your favorite movie? Payton: Lonesome Dove . That movie stands alone, in my opinion. Do you prefer texting or calling people on your cellphone? Payton: I like to call people and get things taken care of. I don’t like to wait. How would your life be different if cellphones didn’t exist? Payton: As sad as it is, it would probably change my life quite a bit. That’s the one thing I asked my dad all the time, ‘How in the heck did you guys enter and travel and get around without a cellphone?’ He said they did just fine, and I know I would have had a heck of a time. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

Payton: Looney Tunes . Do you hunt and fish? Payton: I love hunting elk the most, by far. I’ve been hunting forever. My go-to place to fish is below the house here at Flathead Lake. It has good bass fishing. You can catch them all day. Who is your favorite musician? Payton: I like red-dirt music. I would have to say Cody Jinks is my favorite singer.

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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.

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Word Search

Find the winners from the 2018 editions of the RAM Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo in Heber City, Utah, and the RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo in Davie, Fla. Cowboys who won more than one event at both rodeos appear once for each win.

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

2018 winners in Heber City, Utah: BB: Morgan Wilde SW: Stetson Jorgensen TR: Pace Freed/Jade Anderson SB: Jake Wright

TD: Kenneth Winn GB: Andrea Jones BR: Tyler Bingham

2018 winners in Davie, Fla.: BB: Winn Ratliff SW: Gary Gilbert TR: Bart Brunson/Wesley Brunson

SB: Bradley Harter TD: Justin Thigpen GB: Sabra O’Quinn BR: Dustin Boquet

BONUS QUESTIONS 1. Who was the all-around cowboy at the 2018 RAM WCFR? 2. Who was the all-around cowboy at the RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2018?

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10 QUESTIONS He Said – She Said Who knows reigning world champion header Clay Smith better, his wife, Taylor, or his team roping partner, Jade Corkill?

Clay

Taylor

Jade

JADE

CLAY

TAYLOR

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE ON-THE-ROAD SNACK?

Gummy Candy

Anything Gummy

Peach Rings

IS HE SUPERSTITIOUS?

No

No

No

WHO IS HIS FAVORITE HORSE THAT HE’S RIDDEN?

Marty

Marty

Marty

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE HOLIDAY?

Christmas

Christmas

Christmas

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE KIND OF MUSIC?

Prime Country

Old Country

Old Country

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE MOVIE?

Quigley Down Under

Quigley Down Under

Quigley Down Under

IS HE AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?

Night Owl

Night Owl

Night Owl

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE RODEO?

Houston

Wrangler NFR

San Antonio

WHAT WAS HIS FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECT?

Agriculture

Science

Science

14 WOULD HE RATHER TEXT OR CALL?

Call

Text

– Courtesy of Ted Harbin Text

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ProRodeo Sports News May 2019

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SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

The Quiz STETSON JORGENSEN

#WranglerNFR rookie steer wrestler Stetson Jorgensen made three statements to ProRodeo Sports News — two truths and a lie. Our Instagram fans guessed which was the lie. A. He rodeos with a Winnie dog. 35% B. He won the state bull riding championship in high school. 35% C. He hates country music. 30%

What’s not true? C Jorgensen actually does enjoy country music, with ’90s country music being his favorite. Stay tuned to our social outlets to catch up with some athletes leading into the #NFSR.

TAG US

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OUT HERE, LEGENDS ARE MADE.

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RUMP’S RODEO PARTY

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Hosted by 8x World Champions, Don Gay, Joe Beaver and TV Host Dan Miller NIGHTLY RECAP OF THE RODEO ACTION

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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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Honeycutts receive Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award Honored SHORT ROUND

Contract personnel for the 2020 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo and the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping have been selected and are listed below. The pickup men, bullfighters and/or barrelman could change to the alternate depending on selections for the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The RAM NCFR is scheduled for April 2-4 in Kissimmee, Fla. The public performances are Friday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. (ET), and Saturday, April 4, 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The NCFSR dates are tentatively set for April 24-26 in Torrington, Wyo. A lifetime of commitment to the rodeo industry earned husband and wife Roy and Virginia Honeycutt the 2019 PRCA Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement ward, Oct. 14. Virginia, the longtime matriarch of the rodeo-oriented Honeycutt family, passed away Dec. 1. She was 76. Roy and Virginia started the Honeycutt Rodeo Company in 1976 in Alamosa, Colo. They traveled across the country and the world producing rodeos. Their son, Jerry, now heads up the Honeycutt Rodeo Company. “I don’t know what to say,” said Roy, 82. “This is emotional. It is great to receive this honor. I’m very excited. This is a big deal.” The Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Roy at the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel & Casino on Dec. 4. “I teared up this morning when I found out my mom and dad were receiving this award,” Jerry said. “This is cool. They spent their lifetime in the rodeo business, and it was good to them, and they get recognized with this award. It’s special. My brother and sister and I are so proud of our parents. We are elated that they are getting this award.” In 1886, Honeycutt’s great-grandparents homesteaded to Alamosa from New York. Virginia was the daughter of Walt and Alice Alsbaugh. Walt Alsbaugh was a legendary PRCA stock contractor who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in

Secretary: Amanda Sanders Asst. Secretary: Jessi Franzen Timers: Molly Twitchell, Cathy Wieferich Pickup Men: Duane Gilbert, Jason Bottoms; Alternate: Brent Sutton Bullfighters: Aaron Hargo, Evan Allard; Alternate: Mike Driver Barrelman: JJ Harrison. Alternate: Cody Sosebee Music Director: Benje Bendele NCFSR SELECTIONS 1990. Virginia’s brother, Art Alsbaugh, and his wife, Linda, were the recipients of the 2012 Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award. “I was involved with my father-in-law, and I appreciated that so much,” Roy said. Virginia and Roy met in 1963 and were married 55 years. As a former rodeo contestant and producer, Roy took things he liked and incorporated them into his own outfit. He once put on a wild west show in Japan with ProRodeo Hall of Famer Casey Tibbs. Virginia was a part of every aspect of rodeo. She was a flag girl, barrel racer, rodeo timer, secretary and stock contractor’s wife. Since 1976, Honeycutt Rodeo has been one of the few rodeo stock contractors to have been a part of every National Finals Rodeo. The Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize PRCA members who have dedicated their lives to the rodeo industry for their commitment, work and contributions.

Contract personnel named for NCFR and NCFSR

Announcer: Jim Thompson Secretary: Rowena Nelson Timers: Marien Woner, DeeDee Dickinson Music Director: Brandy Edmonds

RAM NCFR SELECTIONS Announcers: Roger Mooney, Bob Tallman

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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

Polaris Ranger Remuda Award winners announced

BY THE NUMBERS $185K The amount of money

The winning stock contractor for the 2019 Polaris Ranger Remuda Award was Powder River Rodeo based out of Riverton, Wyo. The Polaris Ranger Remuda Award for the rodeo committee went to the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo. The PRCA’s annual Remuda Awards go to the stock contracting firm and rodeo committee that provide the best, most consistent pen of bucking horses, creating the best opportunities for contestants to score well. This was Powder River Rodeo’s first time capturing the Remuda Award. “This is super humbling, and we are awfully tickled,” said John Franzen of Powder River Rodeo. “This is a lifetime achievement for my folks (father, Hank, and mother, Lori). The best thing about the Remuda Award is what it’s supposed to mean, having the best overall herd of bucking horses. We take pride in having the kind of horses that everybody who comes to the rodeo has a chance on. We want to have horses that win first place in the first performance, middle performance or last performance. It is really nice to have our peers recognize us for the effort that we put into it. This is just as good or better than winning a horse of the year award as far as us as a company because this recognizes not one of your horses, but all of your horses.” The award was also a first for the St. Paul Rodeo, which has been part of the PRCA since 1936. “This is a cool deal, and it is especially great for us because it is very difficult over the Fourth of July to put together a great set of

bucking horses,” said Cindy Schonholtz, general manager of the St. Paul Rodeo. “Our livestock boss, Matt Weishoff, works with our main stock contractor, Tim Bridwell, to get a set of horses through the various stock contractors we use. For a town of 425 (people) we have the 10th- most added money of regular-season rodeos, and it is a source of pride for our community and for our members and volunteers. We will certainly be happy to bring that award home from Vegas for all of our hard work.” The 2019 St. Paul Rodeo was July 2-6 and paid out $375,112. The Remuda Award winners will be honored at the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Dec. 4. Powder River Rodeo is operated by Hank and Lori Franzen and their family. They started their breeding program in 1986. Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight was the 2016 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year and the top bareback horse at the 2017 Wrangler NFR. Powder River Rodeo’s bareback horse Khadafy Skoal was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2012. “It was really emotional for us to win this Remuda Award,” John said. “We’re a family-run business. My folks started this company from the ground up. Our horses are what we do it for and what we love about the rodeo business. They are the true heroes, and they are the reason we got to where we are now.”

($185,577) earned by Ryder Wright at the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which was the most by a saddle bronc rider at the NFR. Wright, who won the world championship in 2017, comes to the 2019 Wrangler NFR atop the saddle bronc riding PRCA | RAM World Standings with $224,488. $570K The amount of money ($570,501) earned by Trevor Brazile during his career competing at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, tops on the all-time NFSR earnings list. Brazile will make his 22nd appearance at the NFSR at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Nov. 22-23. Scott Snedecor, the reigning two-time world champion, is second on the list with $407,633. $1.2M The amount of money ($1,279,436) tie-down roper Billy Etbauer earned during his 21 career appearances at the Wrangler NFR. That puts Etbauer third on the all-time NFR career earnings list behind, Trevor Brazile, his brother-in-law, who is No. 1 with $1,971,305 and No. 2 Cody Ohl at $1,401,384.

ProRodeo Zone back at Wrangler NFR The ProRodeo Zone will be back at the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 5-14. The ProRodeo Zone is outside the Thomas & Mack Center. Before each round, fans can check out the shopping and entertainment 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. For Wrangler NFR tailgaters, there are plenty of experiences at the ProRodeo Zone, such as photo opportunities. Fan photo opportunities within the zone this year include the Selfie Stand – easy to capture all of the Thomas & Mack within the background of your photo. Another photo opportunity is taking a photo with the 1959 bucking chutes from the first NFR when it was in Dallas. Fans also will have a chance to receive NFR ticket upgrades and NFR tickets for the remaining rounds.

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SNAPSHOT

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Swirling Color A color guard presents the flags

before a performance at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo in Waco, Oct. 9. – James Phifer photo

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DUSTIN BIRD

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HEART O’ TEXAS FAIR & RODEO WACO, TEXAS

J.T. Moore wins $13K at three rodeos in one day Moore Cash BY MATT NABER W inning $13,000 in a single day is cause for celebration any time of the year. Maybe more so when it’s the second week of the new season. Bull rider J.T. Moore kicked off the 2020 season with

ALL-AROUND COWBOY Tuf Cooper, TOP SCORES

$13,013 won across three ProRodeo competitions in his home state, most notably the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo in Waco for $10,245, Oct. 12. That same day he also split the win with longtime friend and traveling partner Parker McCown at the Austin Co. Fair & Rodeo in Bellville, Texas, for $2,043 and placed fourth at the Guadalupe County Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Seguin, Texas, for $725. “I didn’t really know how the format was going to work out (inWaco), but I knew I had to ride everything I got on, and it dang sure helped me out a bunch and gave me a big head start (in the 2020 world standings),” Moore said. “It’s a confidence-booster, and I’m dang sure blessed.” Moore was the only cowboy to cover all three of his bulls inWaco. Nobody else made more than one successful ride. “I showed up knowing I would ride every bull, but I didn’t think I would win a rodeo this big so early in the season or my career,” Moore said. “I was happy just experiencing it.” Moore placed second in the first round with an 84.5-point ride and third in the second round with 80 points to lead the Group 2 qualifiers. He went on to win the final round and the rodeo with an 85-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s JohnnyThunder with the only qualified ride. “JohnnyThunder bucked me off in Del Rio, Texas, so that was a rematch,” Moore said. The Alvin, Texas, cowboy had a steady stream of wins during the 2019 season, including the 71st Annual PRCA Rodeo in Crossett, Ark., with a 90.5-point ride on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co.’s Cactus Jack, June 1, and the Division 2 Qualifying Event Xtreme Bulls in Lewiston, Idaho, with a 90-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & PhenomGenetics’ Lil Man, Sept. 4. Aside from breaking his jaw in Hugo, Okla., in June and missing a month of competition, the 2019 season went well for Moore. “I could have done way better, but I did do better than I have,” Moore said. “There’s always room for improvement.” At 23, Moore has rapidly climbed the ProRodeo ranks, finishing 10th in the 2018 bull riding PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings with $17,588 and closing the 2019 season ranked 25th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $71,276. Now, he’s leading the pack in the 2020 world standings. “It definitely gave me a big head start,” Moore said, adding that he will compete throughout the fall and winter as he works toward the 2020Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “Before, I’d win a chunk of change and not take the next two weeks seriously, but now I need to stay consistent and ahead. I will go as hard as I possibly can.”

$2,575, tie-down roping and steer roping BAREBACK RIDING

Cooper

1. Jake Brown ......................... 91.5 pts. 2. Leighton Berry .............................. 89 3. Tyler Berghuis ............................... 87 STEER WRESTLING 1. (Tie) Cade Staton ........ 12.8 sec. on 3 Cade Goodman .......................... 12.8 3. Denell Henderson ....................... 13.1 TEAM ROPING 1. Egusquiza/Long .......... 13.3 sec. on 3 2. C. Snow/C. de la Cruz ................. 14.2 3. C. Smith/J. Corkill ...................... 14.8 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Cole Elshere ........................ 87.5 pts. 2. Lane Schuelke ............................... 86 3. Treyson Antonick ....................... 85.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Riley Pruitt .................. 22.8 sec. on 3 2. Shane Hanchey .......................... 23.0 3. Shad Mayfield ............................ 25.4 BARREL RACING 1. Brittany P. Tonozzi .... 47.49 sec. on 3 2. Dona Kay Rule ......................... 47.69 3. Ivy Hurst .................................. 47.72 STEER ROPING 1. Trevor Brazile .............. 19.6 sec. on 2 2. Thomas Smith ........................... 20.0 3. Jess Tierney ............................... 20.2 BULL RIDING 1. J.T. Moore .............................. 85 pts. *No other qualified rides

James Phifer photo

Complete results/Page 54

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Two The number

of times tie-down

roper Riley Pruitt was faster than the previ- ous Waco record of 7.1 seconds. Pruitt made a 6.7-sec- ond run in the second round and a 6.8-second run in the final round to win the average. $7K Winning Round 1, Round 2 and the aver- age earned team rop- ers Dustin Egusquiza and Jake Long $7,028. 28 The num- ber of ties across all events among cow- boys who won money during the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo in Waco.

J.T. Moore was the only cowboy to cover all three of his bulls at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo in Waco.

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Unlikely Champ RAM TURQUOISE CIRCUIT FINALS RODEO

ALL-AROUND COWBOY Seth Hall $5,637 TOP SCORES

tie-down roping and team roping BAREBACK RIDING

Hall

1. Evan Betony .............. 221.5 pts. on 3 2. Earl Tsosie Jr. .............................. 209 3. Tolman Moore ..................... 116 on 2 STEER WRESTLING 1. Trey Nahrgang ............ 14.5 sec. on 3 2. Jace Melvin ................................ 15.8 3. Trevor Duhon ............................. 17.3 TEAM ROPING 1. Blackmore/Hall ............ 23.0 sec. on 3 2. E. Rogers/L. Siggins .................. 24.9 3. T. Richards/N. Sarchett .............. 27.7 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Leon Fountain .............. 232 pts. on 3 2. Taos Muncy ................................. 223 3. Creighton Curley ................. 154 on 2 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shad Mayfield ............. 24.4 sec. on 3 2. Kyle Dutton ................................ 26.3 3. John P. Etcheverry ..................... 27.4 STEER ROPING 1. Corey Ross ................. 44.4 sec. on 3 2. Garrett Hale ................................ 45.2 3. Chance Kelton ............................ 25.7 BULL RIDING 1. Joseph McConnel ......... 246 pts. on 3 2. Tanner Willis ......................... 85 on 1 3. Lon Danley .................................... 77

Complete results/Page 53

Bareback rider Evan Betony won the average and Turquoise Circuit year-end titles, thanks to earning $6,020 at the RAM TCFR in Prescott Valley, Ariz.

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PRESCOTT VALLEY, ARIZ.

2 The number of cowboys – team roping heeler Seth Hall and saddle bronc rider Leon Fountain – who won the average at the RAM Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo and have qualified for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo before.

Betony wins average, year-end

BY TRACY RENCK W hen considering favorites to win the 2019 RAMTurquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo, bareback rider Evan Betony’s name probably would not have made many lists. The Tonalea, Ariz., cowboy bought his PRCA card Oct. 3 – the day before the RAMTCFR began in Prescott Valley, Ariz. He was 10th in the 2019 PRCA | RAMRodeo Permit Standings with $9,707. Well, Betony defied the odds. Betony, 20, won the three-head average at the RAM TCFR with 221.5 points, besting second-place finisher Earl Tsosie Jr. by 12.5 points. “I just tried to do the best that I could,” said Betony, who was competing at the RAMTCFR for the first time. “It was a great experience.” Betony placed third in the first round, won the second with a 79.5-point ride on Salt River Rodeo’s Grit Your Teeth and clinched the average crown aboard Salt River Rodeo’s Up &Away in the third round. “When I got off the pickup man (after the third- round ride), it didn’t hit me that I won, and then I heard the crowd get loud and it hit me,” said Betony, who was the last cowboy to ride in the third round. “I surprised myself. And then when I was taking off my gear, I had a sudden burst of emotion.” Betony earned $6,020 in Prescott Valley – easily the biggest payday of his career. That effort also helped him win the Turquoise Circuit year-end title with $16,581. By way of his two victories, Betony qualified for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., April 2-4. “I’m excited to get to go (to Kissimmee),” Betony said. “I’ve only traveled as far as Texas. It will be one for the books for me to go to Kissimmee. I plan on winning it. It will just come down to how bad I want it.” Betony grew up around rodeo. His father, Philbert, and uncles competed as bareback riders. Evan’s older brother, Wyatt, 23, also has competed in the PRCA as a bareback rider and bull rider. “I enjoy the intensity of bareback riding, and the fight to make the ride,” the 5-foot-7, 140-pound Betony said. “It’s unlike anything else I have ever done.” Betony plans to ProRodeo full time in 2020, and his earnings at the RAMTCFR gave him a boost to achieve that goal. “I know for sure I’m going to compete in the Turquoise Circuit again,” Betony said. “I recently got a job in construction, and when I’m not working, I’m working out and exercising so I can stay mentally prepared to compete in rodeo. I’m excited to see what I can do (in the 2020) season.”

IN BRIEF

William Kierce photo

FOUNTAIN HEADED BACK TO RAM NCFR Leon Fountain, above, is headed back to the RAM NCFR thanks to winning the average at the RAM TCFR with 232 points on three head. A year ago, at the RAM NCFR in Kissimmee, Fla., Fountain won the first round with an 87-point ride on Hi Lo ProRodeo’s Billie and earned $6,254. Fountain earned $5,329 in Prescott Valley, Ariz., high- lighted by winning Rounds 2 and 3. MAYFIELD ROLLING A week after clinching his first bid to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, tie-down roper Shad Mayfield kept his foot on the throttle. The Clovis, N.M., cowboy won the average at the RAM TCFR in 24.4 seconds on three head. Mayfield earned $7,482 for his per- formance. Mayfield finished the 2019 regular season PRCA | RAM World Standings in 13th with $90,421.

William Kierce photo

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