RODEO REQUIRES POLITICS

By Ruth Nicolaus
Posted Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Checotah, Okla. (July 21, 2009) – In the dictionary, next to the definition of steer wrestling is a picture of the Duvall family.

The Duvalls, from Checotah, Oklahoma, have spawned three generations of steer wrestling cowboys.

Second generation cowboy Spud Duvall is working on adding another entry to the Duvall family dictionary: diplomat.

He’s qualified for the National Finals Rodeo twice, pro rodeo’s world championship, and has won over $500,000 during his rodeo career.

But it’s more than horses and steers that Spud deals with. He not only competes in rodeo but is a decision maker in the sport.

He serves on two boards in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association, working to make the sport better.

Even though he grew up in a steer wrestling family, it didn’t interest him till he was a senior in high school. Sports filled his free time, and then he got burned out. He started team roping a bit, and then turned his attention to steer wrestling.

He got his PRCA membership in 1994, graduated from college in 1997, and has qualified for and competed at the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, the regional championship, five times.

Now he is a steer wrestling representative, the “lightning rod” for other steer wrestlers in the PRCA, the man they call when issues arise. And just this January, he was appointed to the PRCA’s board of directors, a nine person board that deals with pro rodeo issues affecting PRCA members across the nation.

He’s found that politics does play out in rodeo. People think cowboys are “just a bunch of free roaming guys who play in the dirt (steer wrestle) for a living,” Spud says. But that stereotype isn’t true. “You’d be surprised. There are a lot of politics involved in the rodeo game.” He’s also learned that diplomacy helps. “If you’re going to get results, you have to sell your idea and get other people on your side.” With over 500 rodeo committees and 5,000 active members, there are a lot of differing opinions. “It’s almost impossible to make everyone happy but that’s what we strive for,” Spud said.

Cell phones, internet and email have made communication as a board member easier. Spud takes part in monthly conference calls as a representative.

As an event representative, Spud is compensated for his time, but that makes him take his job even more seriously. “I feel more obligated since I’m paid. If somebody has an issue or a complaint, I listen.”

It’s a lot of extra time and patience, dealing with problems and issues. But he does it to make the sport better. “I like it,” he said of being a board member. “If I can do things and make improvements, I’m benefitting the sport.” And he’s securing a sport for the third generation of Duvalls. His nephew Riley, age 17, is a high school steer wrestler, and Spud and his wife have a baby on the way. “Especially when I look at my nephew coming up and future generations, I’m doing what I can to keep our sport growing and continuing to get better.”

Upcoming pro rodeos in the Prairie Circuit include: Nebraska’s Big Rodeo July 22-25 (Burwell, Nebr.), Kaw Valley Rodeo July 23-25 (Manhattan, Kans.), Wahoo Saddle Club Rodeo July 23-25 (Wahoo, Nebr.), the Barber County Rodeo July 24-25 (Hardtner, Kans.), and Jayhawker Roundup Rodeo July 27-29 (Hill City, Kans.), the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo July 29-August 1 (Abilene, Kans.), Kansas' Biggest Rodeo July 30-August 1 (Phillipsburg, Kans.), the Dodge City Roundup July 29-August 2 (Dodge City, Kans.), Lawton Rangers Rodeo August 5-8 (Lawton, Okla.), and the 101 Wild West Rodeo August 6-8 (Ponca City, Okla.)

About the PRCA’s circuit system:

In 1975, the PRCA recognized the need for an award system for cowboys who chose to compete closer to home because of family and professional commitments.

The Association created the PRCA’s circuit system, consisting of 12 geographic regions that include as few as one state or as many as 13. Each PRCA cowboy in the United States chooses a home circuit at the beginning of the year or is assigned to one that corresponds with his home address. Cowboys compete for points throughout the year and points earned within his circuit are applied toward the standings of his respective circuit.

Each circuit’s top cowboys in each event qualify for that circuit’s “Finals” at the end of the season. After all 12 circuit finals are completed, the top regular-season cowboys in each event and the winners of the circuit finals qualify for the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, held in Pocatello, Idaho.

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.