PRCA Rodeo News and Notes June 17th, 2008

By Courtesy PRCA
Posted Monday, June 16, 2008

Weekend rodeo recaps
Ryan Gray certainly has things sorted out. The bareback rider from Cheney, Wash., recently made some equipment changes and those adjustments paid off with arena records at both the Sisters (Ore.) Rodeo and the Livermore (Calif.) Rodeo over the June 13-15 weekend.

“The past three months I have changed latigos, riggin’, spurs, gloves,” Gray said, “and been fightin’ my head with my equipment. I finally got everything the way I want it and it is working now, so that’s good.”

His 88-point ride on Big Bend Rodeo Company’s Faded Dice at the Sisters Rodeo on Saturday was an arena record, and he pocketed $4,133. Gray broke the record of 87 points set by Mark Gomes in 1999. Gray hit the 90-point mark at the Livermore Rodeo on Sunday aboard Growney Brothers’ Jenny’s Red Wine and collected $2,223. That broke the record of 89 points set by Chuck Logue 15 years ago.

Jenny’s Red Wine was a “showy horse that really got into the air,” Gray said, and Faded Dice also was a fortunate draw.

“She is one of the horses you love seeing your name next to, and she had an exceptional day,” Gray said.
The Texas Tech graduate and three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier is now poised for a strong Fourth of July run following the consecutive wins.

“It helps to feel like you’re riding well heading into the Fourth and you have everything working the way you want it,” Gray said.

Gray’s traveling partner, Jason Havens of Prineville, Ore., placed second at the Livermore Rodeo with an 87-point ride on Growney Brothers’ Witch Doctor and picked up a $1,704 paycheck.

Bull rider Steve Woolsey had a 94-point ride on Growney Brothers' #426 to win at Livermore, the highest roughstock score in any of the PRCA's 19 rodeos over the June 13-15 weekend.

Travis Tryan and Michael Jones won both rounds of the team roping and the average at the 48th Annual Daines Ranch Rodeo in Innisfail, Alberta, June 11-15, to earn $5,508 each and extend their lead in the Crusher Rentals PRCA World Standings.

Glause off to hot start at CNFR
Seth Glause of Central Wyoming College is off to a fast start at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. His 87.5-point ride on Triple V Rodeo's Q won the first round of the bull riding and a 72 point ride in the first round of the saddle bronc riding makes him a viable candidate for the all-around cowboy buckle.

University of Montana-Western's James Irish won the first round of the CNFR saddle bronc riding competition with an 81-point ride on Triple V Rodeo's Picture. Others first-round winners include team ropers Cole Dorenkamp/Josh Fillmore (Lamar College), tie-down roper Ryan Routier (Dawson Community College) and steer wrestler Bryce Stoltenberg (Northeast Community College).

Hall of Fame weekend
Tickets are available for the 2008 ProRodeo Hall of Fame induction weekend, July 11-12 in Colorado Springs, Colo., starting with the Cowboy Ball and culminating with the annual induction ceremony.

For the ProRodeo Hall of Fame Cowboy Ball and Dinner, tickets start at $60 per person and $110 per couple. The event starts at 6 p.m. July 11 at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and features entertainment from country performer Pake McEntire, the brother of legendary singer Reba McEntire.

The following day, the Hall of Fame’s garden area plays host to the induction ceremony, starting at 10 a.m. Tickets, which include lunch afterward, are $20 for adults, $18 for PRCA and Hall of Fame members and $10 for children ages 6-10. Children under 6 are free.

For more information, contact the ProRodeo Hall of Fame at (719) 528-4714.

This Weeks PRCA Rodeos
California Circuit: Lake Elsinore PRCA Rodeo, June 20-22, Lake Elsinore
First Frontier Circuit: Cowtown Rodeo, June 21, Woodstown Pilesgrove, N.J.
Great Lakes Circuit: Buffalo Championship PRCA Rodeo, June 19-21, Buffalo, Minn.; Piatt county Trail Blazers Rodeo, June 19-21, Monticello, Ill.; Jackson County Pro Rodeo, June 19-21, Bellevue, Iowa; Western Fest Stampede Rodeo, June 19-21, Granite Falls, Minn.

Montana Circuit: JS Rodeo PRCA Summer Solstice, June 20-21, Vaughn
Mountain States Circuit: Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series, June 20-21, Steamboat Springs, Colo..
Prairie Circuit: Buffalo Bill Rodeo, June 18-21, North Platte, Neb.; Muscogee Creek Nation Rodeo, June 20-21, Okmulgee, Okla.

Southeastern Circuit: Mountain Top Rodeo, June 20-21, Dahlonega, Ga.
Texas Circuit: Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse 54th Annual PRCA Rodeo, June 18-21, Cleburne; Parker County Frontier Days Pro Rodeo, June 18-21, Weatherford; Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, June 19-21, Big Spring; Coleman PRCA Rodeo, June 19-21, Coleman; Black Gold Pro Rodeo, June 19, Andrews; Shelby County Sheriff’s Posse PRCA Rodeo, June 20-21, Center; Red River Rodeo, June 20-21, Wichita Falls

Wilderness Circuit: Strawberry Days Rodeo, June 18-21, Pleasant Grove, Utah; The Great American West Rodeo, June 19-21, Logan, Utah; Dodge Xtreme Bulls Tour, June 19, Reno, Nev.; Reno Rodeo, June 20-28, Reno, Nev.; Wendy Wood Memorial PRCA Rodeo, June 20-21, Cedar City, Utah

Canada: Wainwright Stampede, June 19-22, Wainwright, Alberta; Sundre Pro Rodeo, June 20-22, Sundre, Alberta