ProRodeo Sports News - September 1, 2023

SHORT ROUND Red Steagall tabbed 2023 Legend of ProRodeo Annual Honor

R ed Steagall, who has had a 45-plus year entertainment career that has spanned the globe from Cow Camps to the White House, will add another line to his resume in 2023. Steagall has been named the 2023 Legend of ProRodeo. Steagall will be honored at the 18th annual Wrangler Gold Buckle Gala on Dec. 4 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Doors open at 6 p.m. (PT) with a reception and silent auction. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. with the live auction and program following dinner. “This is a tremendous honor to be recognized as a member of that family that has meant so much to me and been such a major part of my life,” Steagall said. “I’m proud to know that they accept me, and the rest of that community accepts me and I’m a part of the rodeo family.” Steagall’s career spanned the globe from Australia to the Middle East, to South America and to the Far East. He has performed for heads of state, including a special party for President Ronald Reagan at the White House in 1983, plus three overseas tours to the Middle East, the Far East, Europe, Australia, and South America. As a native Texan, Steagall enjoyed a career in Agricultural Chemistry after graduating from West Texas A&M University with a degree in Animal Science and Agronomy. He spent eight years as a music industry executive in Hollywood, Calif., and has spent the last 37 years as a recording artist, songwriter, and TV and motion picture personality. He currently ranches outside of Fort Worth, Texas, where in addition to his entertainment activities, he is involved in numerous horse related activities. As a songwriter, Steagall has had over 200 of his compositions recorded both by him and other artists. He also has recorded 26 consecutive singles that tracked on the national charts and released a total of 22 albums.

ProRoeo Hall of Fame photo After a 45-plus year entertainment career, Red Steagall will add another accolade to his name in 2023, being named the Legend of ProRodeo.

NFR bull rider Wessel passes away at 59

Bull rider Raymond Wessel, who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in 1994 and 1996, passed away Aug. 22 in Emporia, Kan. He was 59. Wessel finished seventh and 15th in the 1994

so this feels really good,” Wessel said in 1995. At the 1996 NFR, he placed in Round 4 with an 86-point ride on Harper and Morgan Rodeo Co.’s Death Valley Skoal. During Wessel’s career he also won Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1994 and was the third cowboy to ride Growney Brothers Rodeo’s standout bull Mr. T. Wessel also won the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo in 1987, 1989 and 1998. He was the Prairie

and 1996 world standings. He earned a career best $84,986 in 1994. At the 1994 NFR, Wessel won Round 7 with an 85-point ride on Growney Brothers Rodeo Co.’s T.Q. Hot Rocks and was victorious in Round 10 with an 85-point ride on “G” Rodeo’s Vee’s Own. Wessel also placed fourth in Round 3, and second in Round 8. He finished 10th in the average and earned $38,010 at the NFR. “I finished 16th in 1991 and was hurt the last two years,

Wessel

Circuit bull riding year-end champion in 1989 and 1995. Wessel earned $355,409 during his PRCA career. Wessel is survived by sons, Jake and Luke and daughter, Jayce.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/1/2023

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