STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Matt Bright is a rising star in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
So is Alberta Child.
Bright is a 26-year-old bareback rider from Azle, Texas, who finished the 2009 season 18th in the world standings, just three magnificent spots from the year-end championship, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He also won the average title at the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo during the American Royal in Kansas City, Mo.
Alberta Child is a 6-year-old mare that won a 2-year-old bucking horse futurity in 2006 and caught the eye of Pete Carr, owner of Carr Pro Rodeo.
Together the two matched moves for 85 points to win the title at the Cowboy Capital of the World Rodeo at Lone Star Arena the second weekend of June in Stephenville.
“I purchased this mare in North Dakota in 2006,” Carr said. “She came out of Hylo, Alberta, Canada. We have just eased her around the ranch and let her grow up. This is really the first year she is getting to go to some rodeos, and if she keeps drawing well, it looks like she is on her way to being around for a while.”
Alberta Child isn’t the only bronc that made its way to Carr Pro Rodeo and the winner’s circle from the north country. Andrew Couts learned that well with his 80-point ride atop Corner Guard to win the Stephenville rodeo.
“That mare came out of Canada last year, and we had to put her on the truck and go to rodeos,” Carr said. “It really takes animals from up north about a full year to acclimatize and become acclimated to the southern part of the world, especially when it’s 115 degrees in Pecos in June.
“We should start to see even better performances from Corner Guard as the year develops.”
While Glen Clark won the steer wrestling and the $1,000 check that went with it, there were plenty of winners at the Cowboy Capital of the World Rodeo. Colby Lovell and Kory Kootz won team roping; George Rowland won tie-down roping; Tammy Bruso won barrel racing; and Rod Hartness won steer roping.
And there was plenty of magic involved in the making of titles at the three-day rodeo. Just ask Tyler Shelstad of Franktown, Colo., who rode Lights Out for 86 points to win the crown.
“I bought this bull at the NFR bucking bull sale this year and believed it was one of the better bulls in the sale,” Carr said. “In Stephenville, he threw Bonner Bolton off the first night, and that’s not easy to do. He is just really starting to settle down and is developing into one of our better bulls. I was happy for the kid from Colorado. He made a heck of a bull ride and was supposed to win first.”
