They come from all over the country with the same thing in mind: winning a national title. That’s what is at stake once again in Pocatello, Idaho, at the 22nd Annual Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, March 19-22, with nearly 200 of the PRCA’s top contestants doing battle for national glory.
Each of the 12 PRCA circuits will be well-represented at Holt Arena on the campus of Idaho State University, and this year’s list of contestants is a who’s-who of ProRodeo. Seven world champions are among the 189 contestants, as are 10 past or reigning DNCFR champions.
The event’s only defending champion will be team roper Colt Braden of Dewey, Okla., who won last year’s title with Jake Long. This year, Braden will rope with heeler Kollin Von Ahn of Sac City, Iowa, as they represent the Prairie Circuit and Braden looks to become the DNCFR’s first repeat champion since bareback rider Deb Greenough and team ropers Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper accomplished the feat from 1995-96.
While there is some pressure on Braden, the grandson of past National Finals Steer Roping qualifier Frank Braden, he’s excited about the opportunity to win another title.
“It was a great experience,” Braden said of his 2007 victory. “I went up there pretty much as a rookie, and I think I’m a lot more prepared and ready this year to go up there because I know what the setup is and kind of what the steers and times are going to be like. Last year, I just went up there cold turkey and knew that I had to catch and do my best, but I didn’t know what it was going to be like.
“I feel more confident this year going there, knowing what I’ve got to do and what I’ve got to be (time-wise) to win something like that.”
Braden, who won a collegiate title at Northeastern Oklahoma State University in 2002, said he hasn’t decided which horse he’ll ride this year and may get his young 7-year-old horse Norman in the mix. Despite a new partner and possibly a new horse, Braden is confident in his chances this year and would love to duplicate the experience he enjoyed a year ago.
“It’s unbelievable,” Braden said. “The only other thing I’ve ever won like that was the college finals, and there’s nothing that compares to the DNCFR. It’s just a phenomenal feeling when you win it, and it really doesn’t hit you until you get home and everybody’s calling and wanting to talk to you. Then you finally get the truck that you won, and you’re like, ‘Wow, I actually did this.’”
As in past years all DNCFR champions will receive a one-year lease to a Dodge truck, a great perk for contestants who spend much of the year on the road. Another cowboy who knows what it’s like to win the DNCFR is steer wrestler Stockton Graves, who won the 2006 DNCFR.
He’ll be back in Pocatello this year representing the Prairie Circuit along with Braden and is excited about having a chance to win another DNCFR title.
“It’s a great deal, and that’s why I try to make the circuit finals every year and make Pocatello every year,” said Graves, of Newkirk, Okla. “I was lucky enough to win the average at the circuit finals and go to Pocatello this year. Those trucks are nice, and there’s good money up there. Pocatello is a super place, and it seems like they like to have the DNCFR.”
This year’s field is once again filled with talent at every turn and in every event, and world champions are numerous.
Reigning and two-time World Champion Bareback Rider Bobby Mote of Culver, Ore.; and reigning World Champion Bull Rider Wesley Silcox of Payson, Utah, highlight a group of seven world champs in the DNCFR field. They’re joined by World Champion steer wrestlers Luke Branquinho of Los Alamos, Calif. (2004) and Mickey Gee of Wichita Falls, Texas (1999); team ropers Matt Sherwood of Queen Creek, Ariz. (2006) and Patrick Smith of Midland, Texas (2005); and bull rider Cody Hancock of Taylor, Ariz. (2000).
Sherwood also is the only world champion cowboy in the field to have also claimed a DNCFR title, doing so in 2005.
Follow all the action at www.prorodeo.com. Click on the link for the DNCFR!
2008 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo Contestant List
The following is the competitor field for the 2008 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo as of March 17, 2008:
Bareback riding
Steven Anding, Crossroads, Texas, Texas
Noah Bayes, Adrian, Ore., Columbia River
Andy Bolich, Belgrade, Mont., Montana
Matt Bright, Loudon, Tenn., Southeastern
Larry Carter, Marshall, Mo., Great Lakes
Bob Cross, Browns Mills, N.J., First Frontier
Jessy Davis, Payson, Utah, Wilderness
Kaycee Feild, Elk Ridge, Utah, Wilderness
Heath Ford, Greeley, Colo., Mountain States
Jared Green, Socorro, N.M., Turquoise
Joe Gunderson, Agar, S.D., Badlands
Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas, Texas
Marv Hurley, Bakersfield, Calif., California
Brian Leddy, Leedey, Okla., Prairie
Tom McFarland, Wickenburg, Ariz., Turquoise
Scott Montague, Rapid City, S.D., Badlands
Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., Columbia River
Dustin Murray, Midwest City, Okla., Prairie
Scotty NeSmith, Russellville, Tenn., Southeastern
Scott Owens, Toston, Mont., Montana
Terry Lee Owens Jr., Lexington, N.C., First Frontier
Josh Shackleford, McGee, Mo., Great Lakes
Tim Shirley, Bailey, Colo., Mountain States
Tyson Thompson, Merrill, Ore., California
Steer wrestling
Joe Bell Sr., Greensboro, Md., First Frontier
Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., California
Jacob Burks, Lancaster, Wis., Great Lakes
Kyle Callaway, Gillette, Wyo., Mountain States
Matt Deskovick, Ramona, Calif., California
Shawn Downing, Silver Star, Mont., Montana
Ronnie Fields, Oklahoma City, Okla., Prairie
Mickey Gee, Wichita Falls, Texas, Texas
Matt Gilbert, Camp Crook, S.D., Badlands
Josh Granell, Havre, Mont., Montana
Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., Prairie
Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore., Columbia River
Nick Griffith, Donville, Ala., Southeastern
Seth Hadlock, Liberty, Utah, Wilderness
Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., Columbia River
Casey McMillen, Craig, Colo., Mountain States
Brad Morgan, Brandon, Miss., Southeastern
Damian Padilla, Rio Rico, Ariz., Turquoise
Matt Reeves, Pampa, Texas, Texas
Craig James Smith, West Haven, Utah, Wilderness
Ivan Teigen, Camp Crook, S.D., Badlands
Kirk Trumpower, Clear Spring, Md., First Frontier
Clayton Tuchscherer, Cortaro, Ariz., Turquoise
Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., Great Lakes
Team roping (Heading)
Paul Beckett, Laramie, Wyo., Mountain States
Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore., Columbia River
Billy Joe Berry, Rainsville, Ala., Southeastern
Colt Braden, Dewey, Okla., Prairie
Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas, Texas
Jerod Farella, Newcastle, Wyo., Mountain States
Daniel Green, Oakdale, Calif., California
Wayne Knutson, Clifton Hill, Mo., Great Lakes
Shaw Loiseau, Coleman, S.D., Badlands
J.B. Lord, Piedmont, S.D., Badlands
Richard Lowe, Tucson, Ariz., Turquoise
David Motes, Tolar, Texas, Texas
Carmine Nastri, Ballston Spa, N.Y., First Frontier
Matt Robertson, Stephenville, Texas, Montana
Adam Rose, Willard, Mo., Great Lakes
Nick Sartain, Alva, Okla., Prairie
Matt Sherwood, Queen Creek, Ariz., Wilderness
Colby Siddoway, Argyle, Texas, Wilderness
Chuck Smith, Townsend, Del., First Frontier
Justin Spence, Modesto, Calif., California
Jake Stanley, Hermiston, Ore., Columbia River
Russ Sullivan, Peralta, N.M., Turquoise
Jimmy Tanner, Tifton, Ga., Southeastern
Cody Tew, Belgrade, Mont., Montana
Team roping (Heeling)
Randon Adams, Logandale, Nev., Wilderness
Jade Anderson, Goshen, Utah, Wilderness
Evan Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., California
Jeff Brown, Joplin, Mo., Great Lakes
T.J. Brown, Payson, Ariz., Turquoise
Russell Cardoza, Knights Ferry, Calif., Columbia River
Tommy Crane, Whitewood, S.D., Badlands
Shannon Frascht, Alva, Okla., Prairie
Derick Freeman, Dadeville, Ala., Southeastern
Levi Garcia, Albuquerque, N.M., Turquoise
Todd Hampton, Chowchilla, Calif., California
Coby Jones, Gatesville, Texas, Texas
Kyle Lawrence, Dover, Fla., Southeastern
Kory Mytty, Lolo, Mont., Montana
Ryan Powell, Porterville, Calif., Great Lakes
Shawn Quinn, Schuylerville, N.Y., First Frontier
John Robertson, Polson, Mont., Montana
Patrick Smith, Midland, Texas, Texas
Ryon Tittel, Pueblo, Colo., Mountain States
Dean Tuftin, Prineville, Ore., Columbia River
Kollin Von Ahn, Sac City, Iowa, Prairie
Chad Wahlert, Fort Morgan, Colo., Mountain States
Joe Williams, Perkiomenville, Pa., First Frontier
Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D., Badlands
Saddle bronc riding
Chad Alesky, Monroeton, Pa., First Frontier
Rusty Allen, Eagle Mountain, Utah, Wilderness
Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., California
Everett Ashurst, Douglas, Ariz., Turquoise
Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn., Great Lakes
Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., Montana
Isaac Diaz, Davie, Fla., Texas
Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D., Badlands
Alan Frierson, O'Brien, Fla., Southeastern
Curtis Garton, Sulphur, La., Southeastern
Jake Griffin, Powell, Wyo., Mountain States
Jake Hayworth, St. Anthony, Idaho, Montana
Weston Ireland, Sallisaw, Okla., Prairie
Mike Johnson, Tampa, Fla., First Frontier
Red Lemmel, Faith, S.D., Badlands
Ben Londo, Pendleton, Ore., Columbia River
Sam MacKenzie, Jordan Valley, Ore., Columbia River
Matt Marvel, Winnemucca, Nev., California
Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., Turquoise
Mike Outhier, Utopia, Texas, Texas
Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., Prairie
Colin Stalley, Riverton, Wyo., Mountain States
Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., Great Lakes
Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, Wilderness
Tie-down roping
Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, Wilderness
Marty Becker, Edmonton, Alberta, Montana
Jesse Egan, Gridley, Calif., California
Shane Erickson, Terrebonne, Ore., Columbia River
Tyler Fagerhaug, Wessington Springs, S.D., Badlands
Bud Ford, Everman, Texas, Texas
Brad Goodrich, Hermiston, Ore., Columbia River
Todd Graff, Ainsworth, Neb., Badlands
Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., Prairie
Bill Huber, Albia, Iowa, Great Lakes
Chad Johnson, Cut Bank, Mont., Montana
Matt Kenney, Onawa, Iowa, Great Lakes
J.D. Kibbe, Portales, N.M., Turquoise
Rick Kieckhefer, Prescott, Ariz., Turquoise
Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas, Texas
Will Laduke, Gillette, Wyo., Mountain States
Wes Lockard, Susanville, Calif., California
J.R. Myers Jr., Felton, Pa., First Frontier
Garrett Nokes, McCook, Neb., Prairie
Joe Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., Mountain States
Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, Wilderness
Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga., Southeastern
Tony Wells, Wilmar, Ark., Southeastern
Chuck Smith, Townsend, Del., First Frontier
Barrel racing
Jeanne Anderson, White City, Kan., Prairie
Kappy Allen, Austin, Texas, Texas
Sarah Attea-Sinatra, Alden, N.Y., First Frontier
Sandi Brandli, Mauston, Wis., Great Lakes
Diann Bukowski, Falcon, Colo., Mountain States
Kelly Carr, Henryville, Ind., Great Lakes
Stacy A. Dial, Vista, Calif., California
Stacy J. Dial, Livingston, Ala., Southeastern
Jana Griemsman, Piedmont, S.D., Badlands
Renee Morgan, Avondale, Colo., Mountain States
Brittany Hofstetter, Portales, N.M., Turquoise
June Holeman, Arcadia, Neb., Prairie
Nancy Hunter, Neola, Utah, Wilderness
Kelli Kamm, Stanfield, Ore., Columbia River
Lindsay Knaff, Winston, Mont., Montana
Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., Badlands
Kathee Martin, Elgin, Ariz., Turquoise
Shelley Murphy, Helena, Mont., Montana
Rachael Myllymaki, Simi Valley, Calif., California
Jodi Rush Cuccurullo, Carrollton, Texas, Texas
Debbie Stahl, Pendleton, Ore., Columbia River
Carrie Thompson, Morton, Miss., Southeastern
Robin Weaver, Mahaffey, Pa., First Frontier
Tracee Young, Delta, Utah, Wilderness
Bull riding
Thomas Bert, Modesto, Calif., California
Richard Bird, Cut Bank, Mont., Montana
Jay Dunford, Menoken, N.D., Badlands
Luke Haught, Weatherford, Texas, Texas
Jeremy Gilreath, Sebeka, Minn., Great Lakes
Terrance Granger, Tuba City, Ariz., Turquoise
Cody Hancock, Taylor, Ariz., Turquoise
Shawn Hogg, Odessa, Texas, Texas
Josh Johnson, Douglas, Wyo., Mountain States
Tyler Johnston, Bridger, Mont., Montana
Justin Kennedy, La Porte City, Iowa, Great Lakes
Nathan Klassen, Wagoner, Okla., Prairie
Cameron Bland, Glen Flora, Texas, Southeastern
Poncho Limas, Weatherford, Okla., Prairie
Brandon Manning, Birdsboro, Pa., First Frontier
Colin McTaggart, Las Vegas, Nev., California
Joe Meling, Pendleton, Ore., Columbia River
Tyler Miller, McClure, Pa., First Frontier
Clayton Savage, Cheyenne, Wyo., Mountain States
Jerry Shepherd, Nephi, Utah, Wilderness
Wesley Silcox, Payson, Utah, Wilderness
Spencer Slaughter, Jackson, La., Southeastern
Dustin Smith, St. Paul, Ore., Columbia River
Charles Zoss, Forestburg, S.D., Badlands
Copyright 1996 - 2008 Rodeo Attitude, LLC., All rights reserved.