Three-way shuffle: New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma host this week’s premier rodeos
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Rodeos in three bordering Southwestern states highlight the week ahead as the regular season counts down its final two weekends.
The New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo, which held its first four performances from Sept. 11-14, resumes Sept. 17 with the first of the final four shows. Each day’s performance starts at 7 p.m. MT in Albuquerque’s Tingley Coliseum. The rodeo highlights the second-to-last weekend of the regular season as time dwindles for contestants to improve on their rankings or qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
In Albuquerque, cowboys and cowgirls are competing for a total purse of more than $225,000, with $12,000 of added money provided in each event. Beutler Brothers & Cervi Rodeo, as well as Cervi and Guidry Rodeo, are providing livestock for the rodeo.
About 265 miles south of Albuquerque is the Southwestern International PRCA Rodeo in El Paso, which runs from Sept. 16-21. Held outdoors at Cohen Stadium, the rodeo offers $7,000 in added money per event ($14,000 in team roping) and the award-winning livestock from Harry Vold Rodeo Company. The first five performances start at 7:30 p.m. MT, with the final show a matinee, scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
Drive 287 miles east of Albuquerque you’ll and arrive in Amarillo, Texas, home of the Tri-State Fair Pro Rodeo, Sept. 18-20 in the Amarillo National Center. There, competitors will battle for a total purse of nearly $175,000. The rodeo features added money of $4,900 in each event and $9,800 in team roping. It’s also the penultimate chance for steer ropers to claim earnings that apply towards the world standings and inclusion into the National Finals Steer Roping, Nov. 14-15 in Hobbs, N.M.
After Amarillo, the only steer roping event left to count will be the Heartland ProRodeo Championship, also in Amarillo, on Oct. 12.
Stace Smith, the three-time and reigning PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year, is bringing his livestock to Amarillo for all three performances that commence at 7 p.m. each day.
From Amarillo, stay on I-40 East and end up in Oklahoma City at the Oklahoma State Fair, Sept. 20-21. Beutler & Son Rodeo Company is providing livestock for the two-day event that offers $5,000 in added money per event. The Jim Norick Arena, the former home of the National Finals Rodeo (1965-78), plays host to both performances, starting at 8 p.m. CT each day.
The 2008 ProRodeo regular season – with the exception of the inaugural Heartland ProRodeo Series Championship in Waco, Texas (Oct. 3-11), the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour Championship in Dallas (Nov. 7-9), the Dodge Xtreme Bulls Tour Championship in Indianapolis (Oct. 24) and the Hurricane Ike-delayed San Patricio Pro Rodeo in Sinton, Texas (Oct. 17-18) – ends Sept. 30.
Trio captures Pendleton crowns for second time
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the second time, veteran tie-down roper Brad Goodrich, three-time World Champion Bareback Rider Will Lowe and timed-event cowboy Cash Myers emerged victorious from the prestigious Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up.
Goodrich, roping just a half hour away from his home in Stanfield, placed in two rounds and won the three-head average title a total time of 27.6 seconds. The 2004 Pendleton all-around and tie-down roping champion earned $8,998 for his efforts last weekend.
In 2006, Lowe won his third world title in record-setting fashion, setting his event’s single-season earnings record with $280,227. Along the way, he won the average title in Pendleton. This weekend, the Canyon, Texas, cowboy was at it again, claiming the Pendleton title and $10,458 after riding two horses for 172 points.
Lowe, who won the first round with an 88-point ride on Korkow Rodeos’ Strawberry Shortcake, finished five points ahead of Ryan Gray of Cheney, Wash.
Myers won his second straight all-around title, winning $3,742 in tie-down roping and steer roping.
Lowe wasn’t the only world champion to win a Pendleton title.
Scott Snedecor, the 2005 world champion steer roper, made a push for a second gold buckle in Pendleton by extending his lead atop the Crusher Rentals PRCA World Standings. Snedecor, of Uvalde, Texas, roped and tied three steers in 41.8 seconds to win the Pendleton title and $8,340. He leads two-time and reigning World Steer Roping Champion Trevor Brazile by $20,272.
While Snedecor solidified his spot at No. 1 in Pendleton, steer wrestler Casey Martin did his best to vault into the top 15 with a clutch victory in the northeastern Oregon town. Martin, of Sulphur, La., entered Pendleton in 22nd place in the world standings but improved to No. 16 after winning $7,865 by downing three steers in 16.4 seconds to win the average title.
Other Pendleton champs were team ropers Luke Brown of Rock Hill, S.C./Monty Joe Petska of Turlock, Calif., 20.9 seconds on three head, $4,690 each; saddle bronc rider Morgan Forbes of Kaycee, Wyo., $10,372; bull rider J.W. Harris of May, Texas, 179 points on two head, $10,848; and barrel racer Linzie Walker of Conway, Wash., 56.44 seconds on two runs, $8,310.
Ariat Playoff Series – Omaha Qualifiers List
The following is the list of qualifiers for the River City Roundup in Omaha, Neb., the third event of the four-rodeo Ariat Playoffs, which runs Sept. 25-27. By rule, each event’s top 11 competitors in Wrangler ProRodeo Tour standings, plus each event champion from the Puyallup (Wash.) Pro Rodeo, qualify for Omaha. The list is current as of Sept. 15, 2008:
Bareback riding
Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb.
Kaycee Feild, Elk Ridge, Utah
Royce Ford, Briggsdale, Colo.
Cimmaron Gerke, Brighton, Colo.
Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash.
Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas
Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas
Justin McDaniel, Porum, Okla.
Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore.
Tim Shirley, Conifer, Colo.
Kelly Timberman, Mills, Wyo.
Josi Young, Kimberly, Idaho
Steer wrestling
Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif.
Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta
Beau Franzen, Sidney, Mont.
Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb.
Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla.
Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore.
Gabe Ledoux, Kaplan, La.
Ken Lewis, La Junta, Colo.
Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo.
Cash Myers, Athens, Texas
Les Shepperson, Midwest, Wyo.
Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo.
Team roping (Heading)
Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Matt Funk, Hermiston, Ore.
JoJo LeMond, Andrews, Texas
Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash.
Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D.
Turtle Powell, Alpine, Texas
Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz.
Jake Stanley, Hermiston, Ore.
Colter Todd, Marana, Ariz.
Garrett Tonozzi, Fruita, Colo.
Travis Tryan, Billings, Mont.
Speed Williams, De Leon, Texas
Team roping (Heeling)
Randon Adams, Logandale, Nev.
Marty Becker, Edmonton, Alberta
Clay O’Brien Cooper, Morgan Mill, Texas
Broc Cresta, Petaluma, Calif.
Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz.
Travis Graves, Jay, Okla.
Kinney Harrell, San Angelo, Texas
Michael Jones, Stephenville, Texas
Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas
Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash.
Cory Petska, Lexington, Okla.
Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas
Saddle bronc riding
Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif.
Anthony Bello, Oakley, Utah
J.J. Elshere, Quinn, S.D.
Billy Etbauer, Edmond, Okla.
Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D.
Rod Hay, Wildwood, Alberta
Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo.
Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont.
Jess Martin, Dillon, Mont.
Ben Morrow, Grafton, Australia
Cody Taton, Newell, S.D.
Cody Wright, Milford, Utah
Tie-down roping
Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas
Jeff Chapman, Athens, Texas
Seth Childers, Cameron, Texas
Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas
Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla.
Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M.
Ryan Jarrett, Summerville, Ga.
Mike Johnson, Henryetta, Okla.
Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo.
Doug Pharr, Victoria, Texas
Stran Smith, Childress, Texas
Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas
Bull riding
Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo.
Howdy Cloud, Kountze, Texas
Brian Curtis, Belle Fourche, S.D.
J.W. Harris, May, Texas
Cory McFadden, Coleman, Texas
Zack Oakes, Elk, Wash.
Shawn Proctor, Tooele, Utah
B.J. Schumacher, Hillsboro, Wis.
Chance Smart, Philadelphia, Miss.
Jake Wade, Alamo, Nev.
Stormy Wing, Dalhart, Texas
Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah
Familiar names highlight annual ballot
Reigning champions from 10 of the 11 categories to determine the best contract personnel and committees in ProRodeo highlight the ballot for the 2008 Annual PRCA Awards Banquet.
Qualified contract personnel, stock contractors, rodeo committees and contestants have until Oct. 15 to turn in their ballots for the 2008 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association Year-End Awards. The winner in each category will be announced on Dec. 3 in Las Vegas at the annual awards ceremony at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa.
Boyd Polhamus (announcer); Haley Schneeberger (rodeo secretary); Stace Smith (stock contractor); Keith Isley (clown); Tomas Garcilazo (specialty act, dress); Troy Lerwill (specialty act, comedy); Clear Lake, S.D. (small outdoor rodeo); Deadwood, S.D. (medium rodeo committee); Cheyenne, Wyo. (large outdoor rodeo); and San Antonio (large indoor rodeo); are back among the 2008 nominees announced Sept. 12 to determine the best of the best in ProRodeo.
Since the creation of the Bullfighter of the Year award in 2004, the incomparable Joe Baumgartner won it all four times. However, there will be a new champion in 2008 after Baumgartner was not nominated for a fifth time.
Announcer
Wayne Brooks
Randy Corley
Mike Mathis
Boyd Polhamus
Bob Tallman
Bullfighter
Cory Wall
Darrell Diefenbach
Kenneth Bergeron
Michael Clay Collins
Travis Lee Adams
Clown
Rudy Burns
Lecile Harris
Keith Isley
Troy Lerwill
Mark Swingler
Specialty Act (Comedy)
Rudy Burns
John Harrison
Keith Isley
Troy Lerwill
Mark Swingler
Specialty Act (Dress)
Tomas Garcilazo
Tommy Lucia
Melissa Navarre
Amanda Payne
John Payne
Rodeo Secretary
Linda Alsbaugh
Sunni Deb Backstrom
Mildred Farris
Edie Longfellow
Haley Schneeberger
Stock Contractors
Andrews Rodeo Company, Inc.
Beutler & Son Rodeo Company
Classic Pro Rodeo, Ltd.
Harry Vold Rodeo Company
Stace Smith Pro Rodeos
Small Outdoor Rodeo of the Year
Bandera, Texas
Bay City, Texas
Clear Lake, S.D.
Estes Park, Colo.
Goliad, Texas
Medium Rodeo of the Year
Abilene, Texas
Bremerton, Wash.
Deadwood, S.D.
Huntsville, Texas
Ogden, Utah
Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year
Cheyenne, Wyo.
Pendleton, Ore.
Reno, Nev.
Salinas, Calif.
Springdale, Ark.
Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year
Denver, Colo.
Fort Worth, Texas
Houston, Texas
Jackson, Miss.
San Antonio, Texas
Wrangler Gala to honor McSpadden
Celebrating 50 years of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Wrangler Gold Buckle Gala also will pay homage to the late Clem McSpadden as the 2008 Wrangler Legend in festivities in Las Vegas.
The Gala gets underway at 7 p.m. PT on Dec. 1 at the South Point Hotel and Casino’s Grand Ballroom. Entertainment will be provided by Grammy Award- winning country music recording band Asleep at the Wheel.
McSpadden, a PRCA announcer for 60 years who also served as longtime Oklahoma state senator and former general manager of the National Finals Rodeo, died July 7 after a battle with cancer.
All proceeds benefit the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy. For details, call 719.548.4748.
Upcoming PRCA Rodeos
Badlands Circuit: Bowman County PRCA Rodeo, Sept. 20-21, Bowman, N.D.
First Frontier Circuit: Cowtown Rodeo, Sept. 20, Woodstown Pilesgrove, N.J.
Great Lakes Circuit: Carthage Saddle Club Rodeo, Sept. 19-20, Carthage, Mo.; National Cattle Congress, Sept. 19-21, Waterloo, Iowa; Lakes Region Horse Fest, Sept. 20-21, Little Falls, Minn.
Prairie Circuit: Dodge Xtreme Bulls Division II Qualifying Event, Sept. 19, Oklahoma City; Oklahoma State Fair PRCA Rodeo, Sept. 20-21, Oklahoma City; Enid Stampede, Sept. 20, Enid, Okla.
Southeastern Circuit: Four States Fair Rodeo, Sept. 17-20, Texarkana, Ark.; Southern Pro Rodeo, Sept. 20, Tylertown, Miss.
Texas Circuit: Southwestern International PRCA Rodeo, Sept. 16-21, El Paso; Amarillo Tri-State Fair & Rodeo, Sept. 18-20, Amarillo
Turquoise Circuit: New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo, Sept. 11-14, 17-20, Albuquerque
Wilderness Circuit: Lions Dixie Round-Up, Sept. 18-20, St. George, Utah
