COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – As shocked as he may have been about what he had just done, bull rider Tyler Willis still had the presence of mind to call home from the arena of the Heartland ProRodeo Championships Oct. 17.
“My mom had been a nervous wreck all week,” Willis said, “so I knew making that call was the first thing I had to do.”
Willis’ parents, Don and Tammy, had made it down to Waco, Texas, for the early rounds of the rodeo from their Wheatland, Wyo., ranch and were awaiting news on whether Willis had gotten past his Vernon (Texas) College teammate, Taylor Cowan, and won the PRCA Bull Riding Rookie of the Year Award.
When Willis finally called, it was with a double helping of good news. Not only had he won the rookie award, but he had won the ornamental buckle that goes to the Heartland ProRodeo champion.
“It was a pretty wild week,” Willis said. “(The rookie race) went back and forth until the semifinal round. I knew I had that won when Taylor got bucked off in the semifinals. He just walked right over, shook my hand, and said, ‘Congratulations.’ He took it a lot better than I would have.
“After that, I was just having fun. I couldn’t ask for anything else. I wasn’t thinking about winning the (Heartland) title. I never really thought I had a shot until I got to the short round.”
For that four-man final he drew Andrews Rodeo’s Slick Willy, “a bull that doesn’t get ridden much,” and who had twice bucked off one of Willis’ travel partners, Sam Wyatt. But Willis was equal to the challenge. He had the only successful ride of the finals, earning 84 points on Slick Willy.
Willis earned $7,500 for that ride, pushing his total for the week to $12,522 and allowing him to jump from 24th to 19th in the final regular-season PRCA World Standings.
Had Willis not lost more than a month of the season to an injury he suffered at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, he might well have qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Willis was knocked unconscious, had his cheekbone broken in three places and broke his eye socket in the wreck, requiring a plate and six screws.
Clint Cannon added more luster to his history-making season in Waco. He tied the arena record held by Dave Worsfold and Steven Peebles with an 89-point ride on Carr Pro Rodeo’s River Boat Annie in the finals to earn his 17th title of the PRCA season.
The $12,143 he banked for the week pushed his season total to $233,457, a PRCA regular-season earnings record for any individual event. It also sends Cannon into the Wrangler NFR with a lead of more than $63,000 over second place Bobby Mote.
Also greatly improving their position for the Dec. 3-12 Wrangler NFR were tie-down roper Ryan Jarrett and saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell.
Jarrett, the 2005 world champion all-around cowboy, moved from ninth place to third in the world standings after winning the Heartland final in 8.7 seconds and collecting $12,771 for the week.
Sundell tied his own arena record with an 89-point ride, set six days earlier, on Gold Buckle’s Special Time in the final. His rodeo-best earnings of $16,985 lifted from 12th place to fourth in the PRCA World Standings with $88,901.
The other Heartland ProRodeo champions were team ropers Luke Brown and Martin Lucero ($14,028 each) and steer wrestler Chancey Larson ($16,542).
The only competitor who was able to use the Heartland ProRodeo Championships to move into the field for the Wrangler NFR was steer wrestler Matt Reeves of Pampa, Texas. The $2,200 he earned in the first round at Waco jumped him all the way to 12th while bumping Gabe Ledoux out of the 15th – and final – spot in Las Vegas.
2. Team roping horses each claim fourth AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year award
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – Team roping heading horse Precious Speck, owned and ridden by Travis Tryan, and team roping heeling horse, Baileys Cooper Doc, owned and ridden by Randon Adams, both earned their fourth AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year honors.
Precious Speck, “Walt,” has taken top honors in 2003 and from 2007-2009, while Baileys Cooper Doc, “Diesel,” has claimed consecutive first-place honors since 2006.
Steer wrestling horse Rocks Eyes Opener, “Jessie,” owned by Lee Graves and ridden by Graves and Trevor Knowles, picked up a second Horse of the Year award. Jessie also got the top nod in 2007.
“When you back him in the box, he’s going to give you 110 percent every time,” said Graves, of Calgary, Alberta, who leads the PRCA World Standings with season earnings of $120,574.
Larneds Ricoche Doc, “Woody,” owned and ridden by Dan Fisher, was voted the steer roping AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Also picking up a second honor was barrel racing horse Rare Fred, owned by Ronald Martin and ridden by 2006 World Champion Mary Burger. “Fred” also was named AQHA/WPRA Horse of the Year in 2006.
In the tie-down roping, Big Smokin Wonder, “Pearl,” owned by Sid Miller and ridden by Cody Ohl, took its first AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year honor.
The rest of those recognized included steer wrestling – 2. Black Velvet Win “Streak,” owned by Richard and Leigh Ann Ramsey, ridden by Jeff Green, Shawn Greenfield, Travis Carnine, Dane Hanna, Cash Myers, K.C. Jones and Stockton Graves; 3. (tie) Latches Rockette, “8-Ball,” owned and ridden by Jake Rinehart and Docs Otoe Peppy, “Smarty,” owned and ridden by Billy Bugenig. Team roping heading – 2. Lite My Dynamite, “Sic Em,” owned by Treda LLC, ridden by Trevor Brazile; 3. BMG Custom Hotrod, “Bullseye,” owned by Chuck Crawford and Charly Crawford and ridden by Charly Crawford. Team roping heeling – 2. Take Aim N Fire, “Slim Shady,” owned and ridden by Justin Davis; 3. (tie) Freckles Taz, “Taz,” owned and ridden by Kinney Harrell and Boot Scootin’ Bingo, “Gambler,” owned by Dean Tuftin and ridden by Rich Skelton. Tie-down roping – 2. Eightys Sport, “Sweetness,” owned by Spur Resources 1, Ltd., ridden by Clint Cooper, Houston Hutto and Blair Burk; 3. Acre Te Run, “Oz,” owned by Justin Maass, ridden by Maass, Scott Kormos and Cimarron Boardman. Steer roping – 2. White Hot Ike, “Bullseye,” owned and ridden by Chance Kelton; 3. Happy San Doc, “Happy,” owned and ridden by Paul Patton. Barrel racing – 2. Judge Buy Cash, “Jethro,” owned by Frank and Lynne Mays, ridden by Brenda Mays; 3. Sugar Moon Express, “Martha,” owned and ridden by Lindsay Sears.
The top 25 timed-event contestants in the PRCA World Standings and the top 25 in WPRA NFR standings as of Oct. 5 are eligible to vote on those timed-event horses nominated for the 2009 AQHA/PRCA/WPRA Horse of the Year. Voting was conducted by phone on Oct. 6 through ProCom. Points were awarded as follows:
1=3 points
2=2 points
3=1 point
The animal with the most points is awarded AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year in each timed event category. Horses that are nominated must be AQHA registered horses, and anyone can nominate a horse.
3. Upcoming PRCA Rodeos
Oct. 23 First Chance Bonanza, Brookings, S.D., begins
Oct. 23 State Fair of Louisiana ProRodeo, Shreveport, La., begins
4. Next Up
Oct. 22 Dodge Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, Kansas City, Mo., begins
Oct. 22 Dodge Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo, Ogden, Utah, begins
Oct. 23 Dodge Prairie Circuit Finals Steer Roping, Bucyrus, Kan.
5. 2009 PRCA World Standings Leaders
AA: Trevor Brazile........... $262,078
BB: Clint Cannon............. $233,457
SW: Lee Graves…........... $120,574
TR-1: Chad Masters.......... $130,186
TR-2: Jade Corkill............. $120,714
SB: Jesse Kruse ................ $130,054
TD: Trevor Brazile............. $132,916
BR: J.W. Harris.................. $219,237
SR: Scott Snedecor.......... $61,839
6. 2009 PRCA World Standings
Unofficial as of Oct. 19, 2009.
For 2009, official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 70; team roping, 70; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 70; barrel racing, 70; and bull riding, 125. Bull riders can count Seminole Hard Rock Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.
All-around
1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas $262,078
2. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah 143,950
3. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo. 131,266
4. Ryan Jarrett, Summerville, Ga. 115,228
5. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta 107,594
6. Jake Hannum, Ogden, Utah 74,859
7. Cash Myers, Athens, Texas 69,640
8. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas 68,487
9. Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D. 55,214
10. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb. 51,984
11. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. 50,027
12. Beau Franzen, Sidney, Mont. 47,238
13. B.J. Campbell, Benton City, Wash. 43,208
14. Shank Edwards, Levelland, Texas 43,194
15. Olin Hannum, West Haven, Utah 42,713
16. Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb. 42,068
17. Marty Becker, Cardston, Alberta 42,042
18. Chance Kelton, Mayer, Ariz. 41,716
19. Clayton Foltyn, El Campo, Texas 39,551
20. Seth Glause, Rock Springs, Wyo. 37,780
Bareback Riding
1. Clint Cannon, Waller, Texas $233,457
2. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore. 170,339
3. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash. 138,591
4. Justin McDaniel, Porum, Okla. 124,284
5. Heath Ford, Greeley, Colo. 118,580
6. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas 103,162
7. Kaycee Feild, Elk Ridge, Utah 102,835
8. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas 92,438
9. Kelly Timberman, Mills, Wyo. 88,637
10. D.V. Fennell, Neosho, Mo. 69,929
11. Wes Stevenson, Lubbock, Texas 69,545
12. Royce Ford, Briggsdale, Colo. 68,918
13. Jared Smith, Williston, Fla. 62,070
14. Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore. 59,925
15. Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore. 57,769
16. Jared Keylon, Fort Scott, Kan. 54,431
17. Tim Shirley, Grant, Colo. 50,304
18. Matt Bright, Azle, Texas 44,249
19. Dusty LaValley, Crooked Creek, Alberta 41,551
20. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb. 40,220
Steer Wrestling
1. Lee Graves, Calgary, Alberta $120,574
2. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif. 112,553
3. Jake Rinehart, Highmore, S.D. 110,927
4. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta 96,950
5. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore. 77,737
6. Todd Suhn, Hermosa, SD 77,108
7. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb. 74,075
8. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas 73,945
9. Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore. 69,034
10. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo. 65,260
11. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore. 62,761
12. Matt Reeves, Pampa, Texas 61,395
13. Casey McMillen, Craig, Colo. 59,570
14. Joey Bell Jr., Athens, Texas 59,209
15. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla. 59,180
16. Gabe Ledoux, Kaplan, La. 58,812
17. Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo. 53,986
18. Ronnie Fields, Oklahoma City, Okla. 52,719
19. Ethan Thouvenell, Fallbrook, Calif. 49,806
20. Casey Martin, Sulphur, La. 49,312
Team Roping (header)
1. Chad Masters, Clarksville, Tenn. $130,186
2. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C. 105,442
3. Kelsey Parchman, Cumberland City, Tenn. 93,686
4. David Key, Caldwell, Texas 90,664
5. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 89,707
6. JoJo LeMond, Andrews, Texas 85,892
7. Travis Tryan, Billings, Mont. 85,503
8. Nick Sartain, Yukon, Okla. 80,397
9. Blaine Linaweaver, Leavenworth, Kan. 73,618
10. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn. 73,149
11. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. 67,316
12. Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore. 64,410
13. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz. 63,017
14. Steve Purcella, Hereford, Texas 62,643
15. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont. 62,303
16. Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga. 61,446
17. Ty Blasingame, Olney Springs, Colo. 57,242
18. Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore. 54,862
19. Justin Yost, Hico, Texas 53,059
20. Jay Adams, Logandale, Nev. 52,042
Team Roping (heeler)
1. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev. $120,714
2. Richard Durham, Morgan Mill, Texas 111,598
3. Patrick Smith, Midland, Texas 98,086
4. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas 90,989
5. Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas 90,500
6. Brad Culpepper, Ashburn, Ga. 85,754
7. Randon Adams, Logandale, Nev. 85,314
8. Michael Jones, Stephenville, Texas 84,884
9. Kollin VonAhn, Durant, Okla. 79,230
10. Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz. 71,118
11. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. 67,316
12. Russell Cardoza, Farmington, Calif. 64,410
13. Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla. 63,446
14. Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo. 59,482
15. Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif. 55,315
16. Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla. 51,272
17. Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas 50,615
18. Allen Bach, Weatherford, Texas 47,863
19. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah 47,123
20. Boogie Ray, Mabank, Texas 44,533
Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont. $130,054
2. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La. 100,383
3. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La. 89,295
4. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa 88,901
5. J.J. Elshere, Quinn, S.D. 86,906
6. Billy Etbauer, Edmond, Okla. 86,903
7. Bryce Miller, Buffalo, S.D. 84,893
8. Shaun Stroh, Dickinson, N.D. 82,159
9. Isaac Diaz, Stephenville, Texas 81,831
10. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas 75,164
11. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M. 74,399
12. Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif. 72,439
13. Dustin Flundra, Pincher Creek, Alberta 68,195
14. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah 67,652
15. Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D. 65,788
16. Dusty Hausauer, Dickinson, N.D. 62,586
17. Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo. 58,128
18. Rusty Allen, Eagle Mountain, Utah 52,434
19. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah 50,684
20. Tyrell Smith, Vaughn, Mont. 45,678
Tie-down Roping
1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas $132,916
2. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla. 100,780
3. Ryan Jarrett, Summerville, Ga. 92,615
4. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah 91,733
5. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas 87,387
6. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas 86,993
7. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho 84,052
8. Ryan Watkins, Dublin, Texas 83,009
9. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas 78,583
10. Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas 76,240
11. Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas 76,025
12. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash. 73,978
13. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla. 73,157
14. Monty Lewis, Hereford, Texas 70,297
15. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo. 66,005
16. Jake Hannum, Ogden, Utah 64,937
17. Stran Smith, Childress, Texas 61,993
18. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas 58,152
19. Kody Curry, Buna, Texas 56,466
20. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas 54,931
Steer Roping
1. Scott Snedecor, Uvalde, Texas $64,766
2. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan. 49,640
3. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas 42,501
4. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas 41,653
5. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 39,456
6. Shane Suggs, Granbury, Texas 34,732
7. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas 30,864
8. Chance Kelton, Mayer, Ariz. 27,865
9. Neal Wood, Guy, Texas 27,047
10. Bryce Davis, Abilene, Texas 26,868
11. Leo Campbell, Amarillo, Texas 26,712
12. Cash Myers, Athens, Texas 26,297
13. J.P. Wickett, Sallisaw, Okla. 26,121
14. Dan Fisher, Andrews, Texas 25,546
15. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla. 25,336
16. Will Gasperson, Decatur, Texas 25,234
17. Cody Scheck, Alva, Okla. 23,630
18. Guy Allen, Santa Anna, Texas 23,047
19. Rod Hartness, Pawhuska, Okla. 20,263
20. Buster Record Jr., Buffalo, Okla. 19,479
Bull Riding
1. J.W. Harris, May, Texas $219,237
2. Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah 108,444
3. Corey Navarre, Weatherford, Okla. 105,885
*4. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo. 92,799
5. Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo. 92,169
*6. Douglas Duncan, Alvin, Texas 81,628
7. Clayton Savage, Casper, Wyo. 81,410
8. Tate Stratton, Stanley, N.M. 80,604
9. Cody Whitney, Asher, Okla. 78,985
10. Colin McTaggart, Las Vegas, Nev. 78,834
11. B.J. Schumacher, Hillsboro, Wis. 77,996
12. Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D. 75,412
13. Howdy Cloud, Kountze, Texas 67,721
14. Cody Hancock, Taylor, Ariz. 66,483
15. Zack Oakes, Elk, Wash. 63,568
16. Wesley Silcox, Santaquin, Utah 63,021
17. Clint Craig, Mena, Ark. 62,288
18. Tyler Smith, Fruita, Colo. 59,491
19. Tyler Willis, Wheatland, Wyo. 54,769
20. Beau Schroeder, China, Texas 51,016
* Does not include their Xtreme Bulls earnings because they did not compete in the minimum of 40 regular-season PRCA rodeos
*Barrel racing (through Oct. 19, 2009)
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. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas $155,865
2. Mary Burger, Pauls Valley, Okla. 120,616
3. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta 114,239
4. Jordon Peterson, Chilton, Texas 84,481
5. Tiffany Fox, Fox, Okla. 82,025
6. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. 72,698
7. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz. 72,104
8. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore. 66,545
9. Sheena Robbins, Fresno, Calif. 65,523
10. Cassie Moseley, Farwell, Texas 64,727
11. Danyelle Campbell, Beaumont, Calif. 64,471
12. Tammy Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas 63,720
13. Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho 61,003
14. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas 53,811
15. P.J. Burger, Pauls Valley, Okla. 52,837
16. Savanah Reeves, Dublin, Texas 52,453
17. Terra Bynum, Colorado City, Texas 52,142
18. Rachael Ross, Murrieta, Calif. 50,802
19. Christina Richman, Glendora, Calif. 42,530
20. Nancy Hunter, Neola, Utah 41,867
The PRCA, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., is the largest and oldest rodeo-sanctioning body in the world. The recognized leader in professional rodeo, the PRCA is committed to maintaining the highest standards. The PRCA, a membership-based organization, sanctions more than 600 rodeos annually, and there are nearly 30 million fans in the U.S. The PRCA showcases the world's best cowboys in premier events through the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour presented by Justin Boots, and its subsequent Justin Boots Playoffs, the Seminole Hard Rock Xtreme Bulls presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, the PRCA’s bull riding tour; and the world-renowned Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Action from PRCA-sanctioned rodeos and its premier events appears on ESPN2, ESPN Classic and ESPN Deportes. Each year, PRCA-sanctioned rodeos raise more than $26 million for local and national charities. www.prorodeo.com
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