PRCA’s new made-for-TV Champions Challenge to debut in Redding, Calif.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – As part of its ongoing commitment to increasing the popularity of the cowboy sport, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will launch a special made-for-TV series of Champions Challenge rodeos this year on Great American Country (GAC), featuring 10 top competitors in each event and the sport’s best livestock.
There will be four Champions Challenge rodeos aired in a one-hour format in 2013, starting with the May 18Redding (Calif.) event, which will air at 5 p.m. (ET) on July 7 and then be rebroadcast at 9 a.m. on July 13. Subsequent events will be held in Amarillo, Texas; Kissimmee, Fla., and Winnie, Texas. (See full schedule below.)
Each of these events, except for Kissimmee, will be held in conjunction with a regularly-scheduled PRCA rodeo and will offer $80,000 in additional prize money which, at least initially, will not be counted in the world standings.
“You have the best guys going against the best stock in a one-head event,” said four-time World Champion Bareback Rider Bobby Mote. “From the competitor’s standpoint that’s exciting, knowing you are going against the best in every rodeo. And it’s a great opportunity for the fans to watch the same guys in each broadcast. It’s difficult to promote the sport when you might be seeing 12 totally different guys from one telecast to the next. That’s why the (Wrangler) NFR is so unique. You are seeing the 15 best guys every night. The Champions Challenge is a step in the right direction for the sport.”
Commitments have been received from all eight reigning PRCA World Champions – All-Around Cowboy Trevor Brazile, Bareback Rider Kaycee Feild, Steer Wrestler Luke Branquinho, Team Roper (Header) Chad Masters, Team Roper (Heeler) Jade Corkill, Saddle Bronc Rider Jesse Wright, Tie-down Roper Tuf Cooper and Bull Rider Cody Teel.
“This is the future of ProRodeo on television,” says PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman. “Over the last 70 years, we’ve tried to figure out the optimal method for TV coverage, and now we know: Showcasing our top athletes – contestants and livestock – is our greatest opportunity to create a new fan base as well as to reward our existing fans, by ensuring they see the best of the best.”
The top seven finishers in each event from the 2012 world standings were automatically invited to participate. Two of the remaining three spots will go to whoever is leading the 2013 world standings and the 2013 Wrangler Million Dollar Tour standings 30 days before each Champions Challenge event.
The last spot will be awarded to the host rodeo’s defending champion. If, as is the case with Kissimmee, there is no defending champion, the final spot will go to the highest-ranked competitor in the 2013 standings who is not already in the field.
The format will be a 10-person, single-round rodeo with the wins going to the fastest times and highest scores.
GAC’s team of announcers for the series is the same one that works the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo each December with Jeff Medders, Joe Beaver and Butch Knowles in the booth and Suzanne Alexander handling interviews and feature inserts.
Medders has announced the Wrangler NFR for the past 19 years while Knowles, who won the 1987 NFR saddle bronc riding average title, has been providing expert commentary for 24 years and eight-time World Champion Beaver for the last four years. Alexander joined the team in 2011, working the nightly pre-NFR reports from the ProRodeo Fan Zone.
Medders, Knowles and Beaver have all received the PRCA’s Excellence in Broadcast Journalism Award.
CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE SCHEDULE
Location Date Air date/time (ET) Re-broadcast
Redding, Calif. May 18 July 7 (5 p.m.) July 13 (9 a.m.)
Amarillo, Texas Sept. 18 Oct. 6 (5 p.m.) Oct. 12 (9 a.m.)
Kissimmee, Fla. Oct. 5 Oct. 20 (5 p.m.) Oct. 26 (9 a.m.)
Winnie, Texas Oct. 30 Nov. 10 (5 p.m.) Nov. 16 (9 a.m.
1. Young paramedic earns healthy paycheck in Alexandria
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Having completed work on becoming certified as a paramedic and gotten through a spate of injuries – to himself and his horses – that challenged all of his medical expertise, Marshall Leonard seems ready to establish himself on the ProRodeo trail.
Leonard and his new mare, Juin, combined to put down a time of 8.8 seconds on the first run of slack on Jan. 18 and then waited until the following night to find out that it had stood up for the tie-down roping win at the Amicus Club PRCA Rodeo.
The Shongaloo, La., cowboy finished a tenth-of-a-second ahead of Payden Emmett to earn a check for $1,047, which wasn’t just his biggest check since buying his card in 2010, but more than all of his previous earnings combined.
Leonard shared the title at the 2009 Springhill (La.) PRCA Rodeo on his permit and earned a check in the average at the 2010 Dixie Nationals in Jackson, Miss., before largely stepping away from PRCA competition the last two seasons.
“I had horse trouble last year and probably only went to four (PRCA) rodeos,” Leonard said. “My first horse had EPM (an infection of the central nervous system) and had to have surgery. She came out of it OK, but didn’t perform the same. Then my second horse needed an operation for knee problems.”
Of course, Leonard had his own knee problems. Leonard underwent surgery on his right knee several years ago and “never let it heal properly.” When he re-aggravated the injury last year, he took his own medical advice and cut way back on his schedule, competing mostly in amateur events and jackpots.
The enduring bit of consolation he could take from last year was Juin. He bought the horse from Shawn Poag of Harlton, Texas, last February and worked with her all year to develop a rapport, an understanding of what was expected of her.
“I probably won $20,000 with her at amateur ropings,” Leonard said, “and when I finished first in the average at a big roping at the end of October I thought it might be the right time to go hard (in PRCA rodeos). She really surprised me to the point she was ready. She’s by far the best I’ve ever stepped across. Seth Emerson, Jeff Chapman and I are going to try to hit it pretty good this winter.”
The other champions at the Rapides Parish Coliseum were bareback rider Ross Coleman (83 points), rookie steer wrestler Brandon Harrison (4.8 seconds), permit team ropers Spencer Griffith and Jacob Griffith (5.8 seconds), saddle bronc rider Cody DeMoss (82 points) and bull rider Chandler Bownds (89 points). DeMoss was also the all-around champion, having finished second in the team roping with Rance Gantt.
For Bownds, on the comeback trail after injuries knocked him out of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last year, it was his second win in as many weeks. He had earlier captured the SandHills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, with that same score of 89.
2. Sasser shows spunk with three titles in Lakeland
LAKELAND, Fla. – Harold “Spunk” Sasser’s hometown of San Antonio, Fla., is best known for its annual Rattlesnake Festival and his rodeo arena 14 miles down the road in Lacoochee is near a giraffe ranch and the Florida Pioneer Museum.
Sasser is a steady contributor to the local economy in his own way – albeit less colorfully – operating youth rodeos, clinics, summer camps and one-day schools in Lacoochee and in the arena just outside his front door in San Antonio.
Over 30 years as a PRCA cowboy, Sasser has built up a lot of arena cred – 29 qualifications to the Ram Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo and 16 trips to the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo – and it does not hurt his business one bit that he is still out there competing at a high level.
Sasser’s been going to the Lakeland ProRodeo Classic – about 25 miles from home – since he was on his permit in the early 1980s and has won numerous all-around, steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping titles in the Lakeland Center. This time, at age 47, he took away three titles in one go.
He had a 3.9-second run on his 18-year-old horse Peanut Butter to win the steer wrestling, paired with header Dillon Bird to win the team roping in 6.5 seconds and that all added up to a win in the all-around competition with total earnings of $1,631.
“I’ll continue to compete as long as I’m sound and I’m still enjoying it,” Sasser said. “I relate my success to experience and good horses. I have a bunch of good guys who go with me and it’s still a lot of fun.
“It’s not as hectic as it used to be, because I don’t calf rope any more. Guys used to kid me about getting to the rodeo an hour or an hour-and-a-half before the rodeo because I had to warm up four horses, including the hazing horse. But I’ve always liked the competition and camaraderie. I’m kind of the go-to guy when you need to know about a steer or need a horse to ride.”
The other champions in this $23,868 rodeo were bareback rider Dustin Smith (80 points), saddle bronc riders Cole Bilbro and Justin Caylor (77 points each), tie-down roper Brad Hartt (8.0 seconds), bull rider Steven Campbell (85 points) and barrel racer Christi Torborg (13.72 seconds).
3. News and notes from the rodeo trail
Bull rider Brett Stall delivered the big highlight during the first week of the National Western Stock Show Rodeo in Denver, completing a 93-point ride on Burns Rodeo’s Ice T in the first round to tie the arena record set by Kanin Asay in 2009. With an 85-pointer in round two, Stall leads the average as well with 178 points. That has him exactly on the same pace as Shane Proctor, who won in 2011 after being 178 on two, and also last year’s champion, Seth Glause … Through Jan. 19, attendance at the National Western Stock Show was up four percent from a year ago to nearly 300,000 … The annual Cowboy Downhill ski event in Steamboat Springs, Colo., got through its 39th rendition Jan. 21 with almost all of the competing PRCA members suffering nothing much more than bruised pride. Steer wrestler Blake Knowles of Heppner, Ore., won the slalom event by 3.7 seconds over saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer of Elsmere, Neb., while French bareback rider Evan Jayne – no surprise here – won the Stampede and the honor of surviving the best wreck went to bareback riderRichie Champion of The Woodlands, Texas. Champion donated his prize package to saddle bronc rider Kobyn Williamsof DeBerry, Texas, who broke a collarbone during the day’s festivities. Steamboat Motors donated $1,000 to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund and the Steamboat Springs Resort is going to donate the profits from its Cowboy Downhill merchandise sales to JCCF … A ranch, three cowboys and a Cowboy: The Jan. 17 Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame induction ceremony in the Fort Worth Stockyards honored 14-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Sandy Kirby, Justin Sportsmedicine Medical Director Dr. Tandy Freeman, the late stock contractor Tommy Steiner, the Fort Worth-based Edwards Ranch and former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Randy White, who was cited for his contributions in promoting the Western lifestyle … Four-time Wrangler NFR steer wrestling qualifier Sean Mulligan suffered a torn ACL at the SandHills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas, and is deciding whether to rehab and use a brace or undergo surgery … A nearly 14-foot-high sculpture of three-time (1998-2000) PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year Commotion has been received at the Beutler Rodeo Hall at the Old Town Museum in Elk City, Okla. Commotion was born and raised on the Beutler Ranch and owned by Bennie Beutler and Ed Gaylord. Beutler commissioned the work by artist T.D. Kelseyat Billings (Mont.) Bronze and it took more than a year to complete. The formal dedication will come over the Labor Day weekend when the Elk City Rodeo of Champions celebrates its 75th anniversary … Xtreme Bulls Tour contestants and rodeo queens will be at Rapid City, S.D.’s Main Street Square from 10-11:30 a.m. on Jan. 26 to sign autographs and help promote the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo … The Gerry (N.Y.) Volunteer Fire Department Rodeo was named “The Cowboys’ Favorite” during the recent Ram First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo in Harrisburg, Pa. “We must be doing something right,” Rodeo Chairman Tom Atwell told the Gerry Post-Journal, “and this award speaks to the dedication to our department and all of our volunteers.”… Officials of the Montana State Fair Rodeo in Great Falls are prepared to invest more money in advertising to lure more fans from southern Alberta to attend their event July 26 through Aug. 3. The state’s Office of Tourism has pledged to commit $10,000 to the effort if local funds can be raised to match that amount … The Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo team and coach Stockton Graves are mourning the loss of Rylee Miller, 21, who died Jan. 14 when her sport utility vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a tractor-trailer.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“(The Wrangler NFR) was everything I had always dreamed of and more. I had been there to watch before and even that sent chills up my spine. You don’t realize how awesome it is until you’re actually there (competing). It’s nice that I can wear my NFR coat around to show that I accomplished something, but my goal is still to go for that gold buckle.”
– Bareback rider J.R. Vezain telling the Casper Star-Tribune about his debut at the Finals in Las Vegas last month.
5. Next Up
Jan. 17 National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, Denver, ongoing
Jan. 22 PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour Division 2 event, Fort Worth, Texas, begins
Jan. 24 Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show, Fort Worth, Texas, begins
Jan. 25 PRCA Championship Rodeo, Lincoln, Neb., begins
Jan. 25 PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour event, Rapid City, S.D., begins
Jan. 25 New Mexico Stampede, Rio Rancho, N.M., begins
Jan. 25 Mississippi Championship Rodeo, Tupelo, begins
Jan. 25 Williston (Fla.) ProRodeo begins
Jan. 25 Homestead (Fla.) Championship Rodeo begins
Jan. 26 Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo, Rapid City, S.D., begins
6. 2013 PRCA WORLD STANDINGS
Through Jan. 22, 2013
Bareback Riding
1. George Gillespie IV, Placerville, Calif. $5,263
2. Jake Halverson, Decatur, Texas 5,240
3. Matthew Smith, Leesville, La. 4,999
4. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore. 4,651
5. Jake Brown, Hillsboro, Texas 4,273
6. Orin Larsen, Twin Falls, Idaho 3,611
7. Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas 3,444
8. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D. 3,004
9. Clint Cannon, Waller, Texas 2,984
Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo. 2,984
11. Tray Chambliss III, Waller, Texas 2,913
12. D.V. Fennell, Lake Charles, La. 2,675
13. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La. 2,619
14. Dustin Smith, Rome, Ga. 2,564
15. Casey Breuer, Mandan, N.D. 2,523
16. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. 2,362
17. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas 2,334
18. Steven Anding, Athens, Texas 2,272
19. Jared Smith, Cross Plains, Texas 2,217
20. Chase Erickson, Helena, Mont. 2,138
Steer Wrestling
1. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont. $5,509
2. Cooper Shofner, Huntsville, Texas 5,000
3. Shayde Etherton, Borden, Ind. 4,844
4. Derek Stewart, Hearne, Texas 4,163
5. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La. 3,729
6. Jule Hazen, Ashland, Kan. 3,664
7. Weston Taylor, Perryton, Texas 3,661
8. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga. 3,050
9. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla. 3,033
10. Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo. 2,936
11. Tanner Milan, Cochrane, Alberta 2,859
12. Ethen Thouvenell, Napa, Calif. 2,801
13. Juan Alcazar Jr., Kissimmee, Fla. 2,711
14. Morgan Grant, New Waverly, Texas 2,690
15. Chance Howard, Cedarville, Ark. 2,639
16. Jason Schaffer, Broadus, Mont. 2,475
17. Bill Pace, Stephenville, Texas 2,417
18. Brad McGilchrist, Marysville, Calif. 2,413
19. Todd Suhn, Hermosa, S.D. 2,349
Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif. 2,349
Kyle Broce, La Junta, Colo. 2,349
Team Roping (header)
1. B.J. Campbell, Aguila, Ariz. $6,589
2. Justin Davis, Madisonville, Texas 5,881
3. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas 5,068
4. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. 4,750
5. Bradley Massey, Perry, Fla. 4,505
6. Turtle Powell, Stephenville, Texas 4,410
7. Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D. 4,357
8. Zayne Dishion, Bishop, Calif. 4,183
9. Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore. 3,913
10. Clay White, Shandon, Calif. 3,876
11. Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas 3,762
12. Justin Lovell, Grapeland, Texas 3,736
13. Brad Hamilton, Pollok, Texas 3,587
14. Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M. 3,282
15. Levi Simpson, Claresholm, Alberta 3,229
16. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. 3,135
17. Blaine Vick, Dublin, Texas 3,106
18. Bryce Palmer, Milton-Freewater, Ore. 3,078
19. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas 2,944
20. Nathan McWhorter, Telephone, Texas 2,767
Team Roping (heeler)
1. Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas $6,071
2. JoJo LeMond, Andrews, Texas 5,389
3. Tommy Zuniga, Centerville, Texas 5,068
4. Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz. 4,750
5. Shane Hester, Lakeland, Fla. 4,505
6. Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb. 4,357
7. Jim Ross Cooper, Monument, N.M. 3,913
8. John Chaves, Los Alamos, Calif. 3,876
9. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas 3,762
10. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. 3,736
Michael Fortenberry, Groveton, Texas 3,736
12. Tyler McKnight, Wells, Texas 3,646
13. Jhett Johnson, Casper, Wyo. 3,504
14. Randall Richards, Bedias, Texas 3,491
15. John Robertson, Polson, Mont. 3,229
16. Jake Pianalto, Rose, Okla. 3,135
17. Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. 3,078
18. Twister Cain, Gonzales, Texas 2,767
19. Tim Ross, Lipan, Texas 2,755
20. Zak Richardson, Westville, Fla. 2,733
Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah $6,933
2. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah 5,482
3. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La. 4,985
4. Tyrel Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba 4,345
5. Mert Bradshaw, Eagle Point, Ore. 3,436
6. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D. 3,096
7. Troy Crowser, Whitewood, S.D. 2,990
8. Dean Wadsworth, Ozona, Texas 2,881
9. Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D. 2,830
10. Chuck Schmidt, Keldron, S.D. 2,603
11. Nick Laduke, Livermore, Calif. 2,540
12. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb. 2,397
13. Mike Johnson, Adair, Okla. 2,292
14. Brady Nicholes, Hoytsville, Utah 2,079
15. Louie Brunson, Interior, S.D. 2,076
16. Eddie Parlier, Johnson City, Tenn. 1,983
17. Bryan Hammons, Victoria, Texas 1,826
18. Curtis Garton, Kaitaia, New Zealand 1,805
19. Tol Cawley, Crockett, Texas 1,716
20. Ryan MacKenzie, Homedale, Idaho 1,618
Tie-down Roping
1. Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas $9,556
2. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla. 6,600
3. Caleb Smidt, Yorktown, Texas 5,616
4. Dane Kissack, Spearfish, S.D. 4,663
5. Barrett Threadgill, Hallettsville, Texas 4,564
6. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas 4,088
7. Jesse Clark, Portales, N.M. 3,776
8. Blake Hirdes, Turlock, Calif. 3,668
9. Justin Macha, Needville, Texas 3,570
10. Will Blomberg, Sweet Water, Texas 3,050
11. Jade Conner, Iowa, La. 2,948
12. Cody McCartney, Ottawa Lake, Mich. 2,939
13. Boe Brown, Harrold, S.D. 2,910
14. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas 2,904
15. Cedric Martin, Wharton, Texas 2,795
16. J.D. Kibbe, Portales, N.M. 2,734
17. Morgan Grant, New Waverly, Texas 2,669
18. Seth Childers, Cameron, Texas 2,602
19. Trent Walls, Stephenville, Texas 2,505
20. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev. 2,374
Steer Roping
1. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas $11,207
2. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 7,247
3. Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas 5,941
4. Joe Wells, Cisco, Texas 5,084
5. Kim Ziegelgruber, Edmond, Okla. 4,935
6. J. Paul Williams, Burbank, Okla. 4,705
7. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas 4,276
8. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla. 4,232
9. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas 3,570
10. Tim Abbott, Midland, Texas 3,361
11. Coy Thompson, Whitewood, S.D. 3,017
12. Walter Priestly, Robstown, Texas 2,525
13. Shorty Garten, Pawhuska, Okla. 2,420
14. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas 2,262
15. Rod Hartness, Pawhuska, Okla. 2,169
16. Jarrett Blessing, Paradise, Texas 2,151
17. Neal Wood, Needville, Texas 2,106
18. Mike Outhier, Utopia, Texas 2,037
19. Shane Suggs, Granbury, Texas 2,005
20. Will Gasperson, Decatur, Texas 1,837
Bull Riding
1. Scottie Knapp, Albuquerque, N.M. $15,618
2. Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo. 10,685
3. Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, Texas 9,993
4. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo. 9,474
5. Cooper Davis, Jasper, Texas 8,204
6. Ardie Maier, Timber Lake, S.D. 6,325
7. Tate Stratton, Kellyville, Okla. 5,791
8. Reese Cates, Monticello, Ark. 5,315
9. Cole Echols, Elm Grove, La. 5,203
10. Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo. 4,535
11. Blaine Skaggs, Hubbard, Ore. 4,487
12. Friday Wright II, Moss Point, Miss. 4,179
13. Ty Clearwater, LaCygne, Kan. 4,153
14. Jeff Askey, Martin, Tenn. 4,116
15. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash. 3,975
16. Cody Rostockyj, Hillsboro, Texas 3,696
17. Steven Campbell, Carthage, Texas 3,687
18. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas 3,279
19. Parker Greenwood, Big Piney, Wyo. 3,088
20. Neil Holmes, Houston, Texas 2,712
*2013 Barrel Racing (through Jan. 22, 2013)
Barrel racing standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings.
1. Fallon Taylor, Whitesboro, Texas $16,007
2. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas 6,874
3. Kenna Squires, Fredonia, Texas 6,672
4. Jane Melby, Burneyville, Okla. 6,152
5. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas 5,727
6. Kelley Carrington-French, Boston, Ga. 4,619
7. Jymmy Kay Cox, Gonzales , Texas 3,821
8. Kay Blandford, Sutherland Springs, Texas 3,749
9. Lee Ann Rust, Stephenville, Texas 3,656
10. Cassie Moseley, Cedar Lane, Texas 3,565
11. Kassidy Dennison, Tohatchi, N.M. 3,298
12. Rainy Graham, Gardendale, Texas 3,272
13. Jenna Marie Moore, Johnson City, Texas 3,227
14. Jaime Hinton, Ceres, Calif. 3,166
15. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz. 3,151
16. Kendra Dickson, Aubrey, Texas 3,128
17. Mary Walker, Ennis, Texas 2,986
18. Tana Renick, Kingston, Okla. 2,819
19. Linda Vick, Hesperia, Calif. 2,710
20. Tammy Fischer, Ledbetter, Texas 2,693
7. 2013 PRCA Xtreme Bulls Standings
Unofficial through Jan. 22, 2013
1. Scottie Knapp, Albuquerque, N.M. $11,944
2. Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo. 10,594
3. Blaine Skaggs, Hubbard, Ore. 8,353
4. Cooper Davis, Jasper, Texas 4,750