It’s a big “YEEHAW!!” for the sisterhood of ‘mature cowgirls’ this week, as we find our hero Mary Burger ahead of the competition in ProRodeo barrel racing by some $26,000 bucks! Hang an’ rattle Mary – we are wishing you safe travel and fast ground from here to the back side of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo!
Since we’re talkin’ barrel racers, we tip our ol’ Tri-State Stetson to South Dakota cowgirls Jill Moody and Lisa Lockhart, who are headin’ upward, at 12th and 14th respectively, in the PRCA standings.
Before we leave that subject, there’s a great Barrel Racing Clinic on the horizon in our region. Lynn Kohr will be teaching fine points of the event at the Dick Craft Arena in Broadus, Montana on August 17th and 18th. There’ll even be an jackpot with Roper Apparel awards. To learn more email photoexpress@rangeweb.net; call Kathy at (307)680-6219, or check out www.KohrQuarterHorses.com.
I often feel I kind’a neglect Nebraska in our news here, so I want’a let you know it’s not too late to enter the Cornhusker Breeders and Open Barrel Futurity scheduled for the Custer County Fairgrounds in Broken Bow on August 21 – 23. The event was organized in 2003 and continues to grow, attracting participants from more than 16 states, with 40-60 entries in each division of the futurity and 20-30 in the derby and maturity. Marlene at (308) 872-6998 will fill you in.
You might have noticed that when we talk rodeo here over the corral fence we kind’a claim bronc riding superiority for our own Tri-State country. It’s gratifying, therefore, to find Jesse Kruse out of Great Falls, Montana and Bryce Miller of Buffalo, South Dakota toppin’ the PRCA leader board in that event by a sizable amount. North Dakota hand Dusty Hausauer is close behind at 5th and South Dakota’s J.J. Elshere has 9th secured at this point.
Even though he doesn’t hail from our region, I must say I’m happy to see Taos Muncy scratching his way slowly to the top of the bronc riding standings! He showed so much promise reaching that first World Championship, only to do a very silly thing in the California Rodeo Wild Ride at Salinas last year, shattering a leg to smithereens…. Thankfully it seems to be workin’ right again, and hopefully that young cowboy can get back on track for the career he’s destined to have.
Elsewhere in the ProRodeo world our region is proudly heading toward the top standings with 3rd ranked Heath Ford from Greeley, Colorado in the bareback riding; 2nd ranked Dean Gorsuch from Gering, Nebraska in bulldogging; Billings, Montana header Travis Tryan at 3rd in his event and Wyoming bullriders Clayton Savage, Kanin Asay and Bobby Welsh crowding toward the top in their event, accompanied by South Dakota’s Jesse Bail – who’s also at 9th in All Around standings.
Still on the subject of bull riding, Wyoming’s Tyler Willis is leading the Rookie Standings there; with South Dakota’s 3rd generation rodeo great Taylor Cowan at 3rd. Another hot rookie for our region is Cort Scheer of Elsmere, Nebraska leading the bronc riding, while Gillette, Wyoming’s Trent Mills at 2nd in the Steer Roping rookie ranks. Way to go guys – all of you – keep the pressure on!!
Pride and prejudice may also show up when we talk about the rodeo stock produced in Tri-State Country . . . and Max Burch and his sons are major contributors to that roughstock quality. A great opportunity to see some of the best in action comes up August 7th as the 12th Annual Broncs & Bulls Rodeo, open to the world, happens at the Powder Rive r County Fairgrounds in Broadus, Montana. If you’ve a mind to enter call Mitch Roberts at (406) 427-5163 or Mike Williams at (406) 436-2685. And if you just want’a see some of the wildest action ever, simply head for the cow boy auction at 6 pm and on out to the rodeo at 7 pm….
Many of you have probably enjoyed the America’s Horse programming sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) on television. They’ve now expanded that to include internet coverage. You can find it at http://americashorse.tv/americashorse_channel.html. They’re covering the Federation Equestrienne Internationale (FEI) “World Reining Masters” in Oklahoma City, along with many other interesting events.
I’ve never found space here to congratulate Oregon vet Doug Corey for being added to the Unwanted Horse Coalition board recently. I met Doug when we judged Miss Rodeo America competition way back in 1985 and he’s been an integral part of animal welfare precautions and regulations within the PRCA in recent years.
Speaking of the Unwanted Horse Coalition, they’ve just released results from a recent study on Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue. Those findings can be seen at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org. The study is the first of its kind to assess the causes and magnitude of the unwanted horse population in the United States.
For a brief overview, here is some of what they say: “Results indicate that the problem of unwanted horses is perceived to be growing on many fronts. More than 90% of participants believe the number of unwanted horses, as well as those neglected and abused, is increasing. 87% of the participants indicate that in the past year, the issue of unwanted horses has become “a big problem,” compared with only 22% who said the problem was important three years ago. Respondents also report that the number of horses being euthanized is increasing.”
“In light of one of the worst economic downturns in U.S. history, the economy is considered to be a significant contributor to the unwanted horse problem,” the report continues. “The closing of the nation’s processing facilities, changes in breed demand/indiscriminate breeding, as well as the high costs of euthanasia and carcass disposal are also cited by respondents as major contributors.”
You can learn more by visiting http://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org/.
Looks like that’s the end of this ol’ lariat rope once more….
