STOLEN SADDLE LEADS TO BETTER RIDING

Posted Thursday, August 27, 2009

STOLEN SADDLE LEADS TO BETTER RIDING

Kansas Cowboy Leads the Region’s Saddle Bronc Riding Rankings

Ashland, Kans. (August 27, 2009) – For saddle bronc rider Jesse James Kirby, a theft last autumn opened a door of opportunity.

Kirby, Dodge City, Kansas, is ranked as the number one saddle bronc rider in the Prairie Circuit standings, a regional division designated by the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association to rodeos in Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

And when his bronc riding saddle was stolen last September from the backseat of a pickup in Pasadena, Texas, it was a good thing. “In a way it was a blessing in disguise,” Kirby said. “It made me try different saddles out and I really found one that fit my style. I’ve been riding it all year long and have been winning consistently and at some of the bigger rodeos.”

And that he has. Kirby has won money at Prairie Circuit rodeos this year in Lawton, Duncan, and Freedom, Okla., and Dodge City, Abilene, Phillipsburg and Coffeyville, Kans.,

So the $1,800 he had to spend on a new saddle was well worth it. He attributes his good year in part to a style of saddle that fits his riding better. “I’ve been riding rank horses with it and it’s made it a lot easier,” Kirby said.

At the Dodge City and Abilene rodeos this summer, Kirby tied for first place with Billy Etbauer, the legendary five time PRCA World Champion saddle bronc rider from Edmond, Okla. The 28 year old bronc rider said it was humbling to be mentioned in the same sentence as the 46 year old Etbauer, a perennial fan favorite and all around nice guy. Kirby joked with him about tying, and Etbauer told him, “you’ve got a lot more years left on you and I don’t.” For Kirby, Etbauer is his role model. “It’s just an honor to be riding with Etbauer. He’s a super, super nice guy and I’ve idolized him ever since I started riding broncs.”

Kirby considers Dodge City home, even though he lives in Ashland, about 50 miles southeast of Dodge. He graduated from high school in Dodge and attended Vernon College in Vernon, Texas, and Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, earning a degree in ag business. Right now, rodeo is his job. When he has time off, he helps his dad with his construction business, and he’s started a small business of his own. “I picked up a hobby of building log beds, tables and benches when I have time off,” he said.

But as for now, rodeo is his main focus. Kirby will compete at about 100 rodeos this year, and with his number one ranking, is guaranteed a spot at the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kansas City this October.

And as for his western-sounding name? “My friends call me Jesse but at the rodeos I like to be (called) Jesse James,” Kirby said. I have four older sisters. I’m the baby boy and dad figured I’d have to be an outlaw to survive them all. So that’s why I was named after an outlaw.”

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Upcoming pro rodeos in the Prairie Circuit include: the River City Roundup Sept. 24-26 (Omaha, Neb.), the Tulsa State Fair Oct. 8-10 (Tulsa, Okla.), and the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Oct. 22-24 (Kemper Arena, Kansas City).

About the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kansas City:

The American Royal will host the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo October 22-24, 2009 at Kemper Arena in Kansas City. There, Prairie Circuit cowboys and cowgirls will compete to earn a berth at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (DNCFR), held annually every April in Pocatello, Idaho. Two competitors from each event, the year end champion and the aggregate champion, will go on to represent the Prairie Circuit at the DNCFR.