1. Oh Baby! Woodard and Brevik rope Waco title
WACO, Texas – A baby named All American? With a last name of Woodard, if dad gets his way.
Coming off the biggest win of his 10-year PRCA career, team roping heeler Travis Woodard of Stephenville, Texas, joked that his upcoming first-born child just might be named in honor of his Oct. 13 championship.
The cowboy and his heading partner, Calvin Brevik of Durango, Colo., won the team roping title at the All American ProRodeo Finals, presented by Pendleton Whisky and held Oct. 7-13 at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas.
“We just found out from the doctor that this baby is going to cost $10,000, and I might just have won that much to cover it,” said Woodard, the son of 1981 and 2007 world champion team roping heeler Walt Woodard.
In fact, he did. With a time of 4.8 seconds in the final round, Woodard and Brevik racked up a total of $12,079 each in Finals earnings.
“If you plan ahead, things seem to go wrong, so I heel off reaction, and the steer was slow so I immediately went into catch mode and it worked,” Woodard said. “It’s a great night for us.”
The Finals competition is the culmination of the All American ProRodeo Series, for cowboys and cowgirls who compete in at least 30 PRCA-sanctioned rodeos with added money of $30,000 or less. That amounted to 432 rodeos in the 2012 regular season, which ended last month.
The series attracts a mixture of contestants ranging from rookies to seasoned pros. During the week-long Finals competition, 30 competitors in each event are narrowed down to nine, who compete in the tournament-style semifinal round. Four in each event then advance to the final round – in which the top scorer takes the title.
This year’s Oct. 13 final round was a nail-biting experience, from top world pros missing their mark, to a new arena record being set, to a rookie taking home his first championship.
The world’s leading bull rider, Cody Teel, couldn’t stay on his bull for the required eight seconds during either the semifinal or the final round – but neither could nearly any other bull rider. Texan Brant Atwood, who just bought his card on Sept. 19, managed to earn the only score in the final round, with an 86-point ride.
“Nobody scoring in the semis made us look stupid and lit a fire under me so I was not going to fall off in the final (round), no matter what,” said the 25-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas.
Another Texan competitor, barrel racer Mary Walker, posted an arena record of 15.72 seconds during her final-round ride on her eight-year-old bay horse, Perculatin “Latte.”
Other winners in Waco included: bareback rider Seth Hardwick (83 points), steer wrestler Stockton Graves (4.0 seconds), saddle bronc rider Luke Butterfield (79 points) and tie-down roper Seth Childers (7.6 seconds).
2. McClaugherty’s consistency leads to Waco win
WACO, Texas – Landon McClaugherty didn’t win any rounds at the All American ProRodeo Steer Roping Finals on Oct. 10, and he’s just fine with that.
What the 31-year-old did accomplish was taking the average title as the only cowboy to rope four steers. His total time of 47.4 seconds on four head earned him a total of $4,681.
“I guess I drew four pretty good steers that allowed me to catch them and tie them down quickly,” he said. “The biggest deal was that the steers were tough in that smaller building; they were a little older and really strong. I got lucky with my four steers and took advantage of it.”
McClaugherty rode a 13-year-old horse named Boots whom he bought from Vin Fisher Jr. just a little while ago. It was just the duo’s third rodeo together, but they worked together smoothly.
“A lot of steer ropings are outside at bigger arenas, so at a smaller one like this your horse has to be really good and react much faster than at some of the bigger arenas,” McClaugherty said of his new ride. “You don’t have as much time to set the run up and run the steer down when you are indoors, and you need to be quicker to have everything work out in your favor.”
Everything sure worked out in the Tilden, Texas, roper’s favor this time. Heading into the fourth round, McClaugherty knew all he had to do was catch and tie his steer.
“The fourth round was really tough, so I wasn’t going to try to place in the round or anything; I wanted to score good and catch him and see what happened with the average,” he said.
3. Newcomer Davis making big impact
BELLVILLE, Texas – Cooper Davis has been a busy young man the last couple of weeks. His name might not be one that people recognize quite yet, but that is sure to change if he can continue his torrid pace of success in his new PRCA career.
The 18-year-old bull rider from Jasper, Texas, bought his PRCA card on Sept. 24 and has won two of the first five rodeos he has entered.
After taking the title at Hempstead, Texas, with a 91-point ride on Lancaster & Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Coffee, Davis followed up by winning at the Austin County Fair and Rodeo in Bellville, Texas, a week later.
“I’m just trying to keep a cool head and ride my bulls, but it is pretty exciting though,” Davis said of his quick success. “That bull in Bellville started out by getting a lot of air to the left and after about four seconds he went back to the right hard.”
Davis’ 87-point trip on Mo Betta Rodeo Company’s No. 869 earned him $1,467. Combined with the $1,561 he earned at Hempstead, the 2013 season is off to a great start.
Along with starting his journey into the world of rodeo, Davis is simultaneously beginning college at Panola College in Carthage, Texas. The freshman is juggling his responsibilities as well as he can.
“It’s tough trying to balance your school and trying to go to rodeos; it’s definitely a challenge,” he said. “I don’t know if the two are going to work together well or not yet, but right now I’m trying to do both.”
Although he has some conflicts, Davis makes it very clear that he intends to hit the rodeo trail hard in his rookie season.
“I’m going to hit the road and try to make it to the (Wrangler) NFR this year and I’m also hoping to go for the Rookie of the Year title,” Davis said. “I’ve got some big goals, and I’m going to try to fill them.”
Other winners at the $67,818 rodeo in Bellville were all-around cowboy Justin Maass, bareback rider Bill Tutor (83 points), steer wrestler Jack Hodges (4.7 seconds), team ropers Zayne Dishion/Jade Corkill and Calvin Brevik/Travis Woodard (4.7 seconds each), saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley (76 points), tie-down roper Barrett Threadgill (8.9 seconds), barrel racer Fallon Taylor (16.04 seconds) and steer roper Chet Herren (21.2 seconds).
4. Lohse breaks through at Mountain States steer roping
STERLING, Colo. – Reo Lohse picked a fine time to win his first average title at a PRCA rodeo.
The Kaycee, Wyo., steer roper was the only cowboy to tie all six of his steers at the Ram Mountain States Steer Roping Finals, putting together six clean runs in 94.5 seconds this past weekend.
Lohse took home nearly $3,000 and punched his ticket to the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping next spring in Torrington, Wyo.
“The last several places I went, my horse had really been working good,” said Lohse, who bought his horse, Tank, from a hometown neighbor. “The six-head roping, I thought that would be a pretty good deal for me. It was kind of right up my alley – just go tie them all down and don’t make any big mistakes.”
After placing in each of the first four rounds and missing a paycheck in the fifth, Lohse knew heading into the sixth and final run that he was the only cowboy still in the hunt to catch and tie all six steers.
“It was a big weekend; it’s the first average I’ve ever won at a ProRodeo,” Lohse said. “It put a cap on the year.”
Randy Mekelburg, the only other roper to catch and tie at least five steers, finished second.
• For full results of last week’s PRCA rodeos, visit www.prorodeo.com.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Just riding one takes a toll on your body. It’s the most brutal sport there is. It takes top-notch athletes to do it, and you’ve got to give everything you’ve got to get on two of them like that. But the adrenaline is running so much; it doesn’t faze you, really.”
— Bareback rider Clint Cannon telling the Waco Tribune about the physical toll riding takes at the All American ProRodeo Finals.
5. Next Up
Oct. 18 NILE ProRodeo, Billings, Mont., begins
Oct. 18 Ram Prairie Circuit Finals, Duncan, Okla., begins
Oct. 18 Rusk County PRCA Rodeo, Henderson, Texas, begins
Oct. 18 Trinity Valley Exposition Fair & Rodeo, Liberty, Texas, begins
Oct. 19 Grand National Rodeo, San Francisco, Calif., begins
Oct. 19 California Circuit Finals, Lancaster, Calif., begins
6. News and notes from the rodeo trail
In last week’s release, the contract personnel for the 2012 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo were listed – with one exception. Timer Kim Sutton was unintentionally left out, but she will be in Las Vegas making her third trip to the WNFR as a timer … Cowboys, cowgirls, bullfighters, a rodeo clown and rodeo queens all pitched in to make the Wild West Rodeo an unforgettable event for special-needs children in Minot, N.D. The rodeo happened on Oct. 5 as a part of the Ram Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo and saw 35 children participate in modified rodeo events. Rodeo clown and barrelman J.J. Harrison was happy with the event, telling rodeo publicist Ruth Nicolaus, “It’s a powerful thing for me, because it’s easy to lose sight of the important things. Kids in general are the future of our sport, of the western lifestyle, of rodeo. Any time you get a chance to give back, that’s important.” … Mike Mathis, a PRCA announcer known as “Mr. Rodeo,” underwent major heart surgery on Oct. 8 in Lufkin, Texas. Mathis reportedly had a triple-bypass operation and as of Oct. 9 was listed in stable condition. According to Lufkin Lions Club President Keven Ellis, Mathis was “doing well.” … Dr. J Pat Evans, who founded the Justin Sports Medicine Program in 1980 and revolutionized the care of those in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, was inducted into the 2012 class of the Whitworth Heritage Gallery Hall of Fame in Spokane, Wash., on Oct. 6. He attended Whitworth College in the early 1950s and went on to become the team physician for the Dallas Cowboys (1970-89) and Dallas Mavericks (1980-92) … All three categories of the Badlands Circuit Livestock of the Year were awarded to Sutton Rodeo Company. The Onida, S.D., stock contractor won with the same three animals last year for the categories of bareback horse, saddle bronc horse and bull. Nine-year-old Crystalyx was the bareback horse, eight-year-old Chuckulator was the saddle bronc and six-year-old Crystal Springs took honors as the bull of the year … The Breckenridge, Colo., Town Council has green-lighted the PRCA rodeo that debuted in the summer of 2012 for another run in 2013. Breckenridge Mayor John Warner said the rodeos “really did go off well” and that he “thinks this is a decision that will work.” The rodeo series is slated to begin in June and will run over 11 weekends in the summer of 2013 … The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo announced the addition of country music artist Clay Walker to its 2013 lineup. Walker, a Texas native, will kick off the first night of the rodeo on Feb. 7 and will perform immediately following the 7 p.m. PRCA rodeo … Jason Jensen of Norwich, N.D., was honored with the Ben Kobza Award for his contributions to rodeo in the Badlands Circuit. The award is given each year to a person in the circuit who has supported rodeo and greatly contributed to the success of rodeo in the Badlands Circuit.
7. 2013 PRCA World Standings leaders
BB: Matthew Smith……………..$3,540
SW: Shayde Etherton……………$2,426
TR-1: Zayne Dishion .…………$4,183
TR-2: Michael Fortenberry…….$2,879
SB: Mert Bradshaw..………….$2,412
TD: Caleb Smidt..………………$3,950
BR: Cody Rostockyj…………….$3,420
SR: Cody Lee….…………………$4,934
8. 2013 PRCA World Standings
Unofficial as of October 15, 2012.
For the 2013 season (Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 70; team roping, 85; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 75; barrel racing, 100; and bull riding, 125. Bull riders can count earnings at PRCA Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.
2013 PRCA WORLD STANDINGS
Bareback Riding
1. Matthew Smith, Leesville, La. $3,540
2. George Gillespie IV, Placerville, Calif. 2,558
3. Tray Chambliss III, Waller, Texas 2,299
4. Steven Anding, Athens, Texas 1,923
5. Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas 1,758
6. Tyson Thompson, Bradley, Calif. 1,707
7. D.V. Fennell, Lake Charles, La. 1,322
8. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore. 1,260
9. Ethan Assmann, Alta, Iowa 1,244
10. Orin Larsen, Twin Falls, Idaho 1,241
11. Taylor Price, Huntsville, Texas 1,170
12. Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas 1,166
13. Richie Champion, The Woodlands, Texas 1,074
14. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. 955
15. Teddy Athan, Livermore, Calif. 893
16. Jake Halverson, Decatur, Texas 865
17. Brian Leddy, Roll, Okla. 833
18. Tyrel Nelson, Bernard, Iowa 776
19. Evan Jayne, Marseille, France 769
20. Heath Ford, Slocum, Texas 530
21. Taylor Price, Huntsville, Texas 530
Steer Wrestling
1. Shayde Etherton, Borden, Ind. $2,426
2. Bill Pace, Stephenville, Texas 2,417
3. Brad Johnson, Reva, S.D. 1,818
4. Weston Taylor, Perryton, Texas 1,721
5. Derek Stewart, Hearne, Texas 1,515
6. Ethen Thouvenell, Napa, Calif. 1,505
7. Wade Kunze, Beggs, Okla. 1,496
8. Jack Hodges, Stephenville, Texas 1,488
9. Sterling Wallace, Justin, Texas 1,419
10. Brent Lassetter, Elm Mott, Texas 1,347
11. Miles Switzer, Morro Bay, Calif. 1,191
12. Jarrett Rasmussen, Valentine, Neb. 1,160
13. Tooter Silver, Quitman, Ark. 1,160
14. Trell Etbauer, Gruver, Texas 1,160
15. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla. 1,124
16. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga. 1,116
17. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas 1,103
18. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif. 964
19. Alan Frierson, O’Brien, Fla. 923
20. Brad McGilchrist, Marysville, Calif. 878
Team Roping (header)
1. Zayne Dishion, Bishop, Calif. $4,183
2. Justin Lovell, Grapeland, Texas 2,879
3. Nathan McWhorter, Telephone, Texas 2,767
4. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas 2,327
5. Calvin Brevik, Durango, Colo. 2,160
6. Kaston Peavy, Bay Minette, Ala. 2,084
7. Clay White, Shandon, Calif. 1,864
8. Turtle Powell, Stephenville, Texas 1,693
9. Brad Hamilton, Pollok, Texas 1,672
10. Blake Hirdes, Turlock, Calif. 1,619
11. Bradley Massey, Perry, Fla. 1,593
12. Tyler Magnus, Mason, Texas 1,568
13. Ty Blasingame, Ramah, Colo. 1,568
14. Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D. 1,545
15. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas 1,545
16. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. 1,545
17. Levi Grantham, Paso Robles, Calif. 1,516
18. Adam Rose, Willard, Mo. 1,473
19. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas 1,406
20. Justin Davis, Madisonville, Texas 1,406
Team Roping (heeler)
1. Michael Fortenberry, Groveton, Texas $2,879
2. Twister Cain, Gonzales, Texas 2,767
3. Randall Richards, Bedias, Texas 2,327
4. Travis Woodard, Stockton, Calif. 2,160
5. John Chaves, Los Alamos, Calif. 1,864
6. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. 1,693
7. Bret Gould, Lufkin, Texas 1,672
8. Jordan Ketscher, Squaw Valley, Calif. 1,619
9. Zak Richardson, Westville, Fla. 1,593
10. Shane Hester, Lakeland, Fla. 1,593
11. Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas 1,568
12. Shawn Brown, Llano, Texas 1,568
13. Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb. 1,545
14. Tyler McKnight, Wells, Texas 1,545
15. Billy Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. 1,545
16. Ronnie Garcia, San Luis Obispo, Calif. 1,516
17. Gabe Gwaltney, Carthage, Mo. 1,473
18. Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas 1,406
19. Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas 1,406
20. Wes Miller, Stephenville, Texas 1,377
Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Mert Bradshaw, Eagle Point, Ore. $2,412
2. Dean Wadsworth, Ozona, Texas 1,788
3. Nick Laduke, Livermore, Calif. 1,719
4. Tyrel Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba 1,641
5. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah 1,468
6. Michael Maher, Warwick, Queensland 1,468
7. Brady Nicholes, Hoytsville, Utah 1,380
8. Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas 1,354
9. Bryan Hammons, Victoria, Texas 1,266
10. Louie Brunson, Interior, S.D. 1,031
11. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D. 1,031
12. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La. 1,026
13. Curtis Garton, Kaitaia, New Zealand 1,021
14. Ryan Bestol, Hyannis, Neb. 957
15. Eddie Parlier, Johnson City, Tenn. 884
16. Jeremy Melancon, Huntsville, Texas 840
17. Kobyn Williams, Haughton, La. 732
18. Roy Johnson, Etna, Calif. 608
19. Ty Kirkland, Lufkin, Texas 590
20. Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla. 583
Tie-down Roping
1. Caleb Smidt, Yorktown, Texas $3,950
2. Barrett Threadgill, Hallettsville, Texas 2,514
3. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas 1,929
4. Bryce Barnes, Las Vegas, Nev. 1,818
5. Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas 1,802
6. Josh Eirikson, Bandera, Texas 1,582
7. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif. 1,532
8. Cameron Elston, Ramona, Calif. 1,505
9. Cedric Martin, Wharton, Texas 1,482
10. Zeb Chapman, Lafayette, Ga. 1,426
11. Don Coffell, Iredell, Texas 1,417
12. Kenneth McCullough, Prairie View, Texas 1,260
13. Jade Conner, Iowa, La. 1,224
14. Justin Lane, Lancaster, Calif. 1,191
15. K.C. Miller, San Luis Obispo, Calif. 1,150
16. Brock McLemore, Cyril, Okla. 1,129
17. Cole Bailey, Okmulgee, Okla. 1,129
18. Justin Macha, Needville, Texas 1,107
19. Blake Hirdes, Turlock, Calif. 968
20. Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif. 952
Steer Roping
1. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas $4,934
2. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla. 4,232
3. Joe Wells, Cisco, Texas 3,292
4. Bryce Davis, Abilene, Texas 2,894
5. Coy Thompson, Whitewood, S.D. 2,838
6. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas 2,215
7. Walter Priestly, Robstown, Texas 2,212
8. Rod Hartness, Pawhuska, Okla. 2,169
9. Neal Wood, Needville, Texas 2,106
10. Mike Outhier, Utopia, Texas 2,037
11. Kim Ziegelgruber, Edmond, Okla. 2,022
12. Shane Suggs, Granbury, Texas 2,005
13. Will Gasperson, Decatur, Texas 1,747
14. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas 1,411
15. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas 1,233
16. Jason Evans, Huntsville, Texas 1,084
17. Slick Ellis, Alvin, Texas 842
18. Brady Garten, Claremore, Okla. 758
19. Dan Fisher, Andrews, Texas 710
20. Chris Fleet, Axtell, Texas 710
Bull Riding
1. Cody Rostockyj, Hillsboro, Texas $3,420
2. Ty Clearwater, LaCygne, Kan. 2,940
3. Friday Wright II, Moss Point, Miss. 2,708
4. Parker Greenwood, Big Piney, Wyo. 2,503
5. Sammy Matthews, Springville, Calif. 2,357
6. Tate Stratton, Kellyville, Okla. 2,328
7. Jeff Askey, Martin, Tenn. 1,918
8. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas 1,802
9. Brant Atwood, Fort Worth, Texas 1,756
10. Reese Cates, Monticello, Ark. 1,702
11. Cooper Davis, Jasper, Texas 1,644
12. Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo. 1,567
13. Neil Holmes, Houston, Texas 1,307
14. Clayton Foltyn, Winnie, Texas 1,194
15. Clayton Savage, Casper, Wyo. 1,125
16. Corey Navarre, Weatherford, Okla. 1,105
17. Cody Samora, Cortez, Colo. 1,105
18. Luis Antonio Blanco, Dallas, Texas 1,022
19. Robey Condra, Dayton, Texas 994
20. Dylan Vick, Escalon, Calif. 932
*2013 Barrel Racing (through October 15, 2012)
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. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas $4,737
2. Britany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas 3,312
3. Fallon Taylor, Whitesboro, Texas 3,046
4. Rainy Graham, Gardendale, Texas 2,754
5. Savanah Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas 2,405
6. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz. 2,055
7. Layna Kight, Canton, Texas 1,863
8. Kendra Dickson, Aubrey, Texas 1,782
9. Sheena Robbins, Fresno, Calif. 1,761
10. Karen Little, San Saba, Texas 1,685
11. Jymmy Kay Cox, Gonzales, Texas 1,667
12. Tana Renick, Kingston, Okla. 1,459
13. Stephanie Harris, Itasca, Texas 1,386
14. Tammi Reynolds, Troy, Texas 1,371
15. Brianna Trepanier, Agua Dulce, Calif. 1,370
16. Cassie Moseley, Cedar Lane, Texas 1,297
17. Whitney Baker, Russellville, Ark. 1,286
18. Jane Melby, Burneyville, Okla. 1,244
19. Benette Barrington-Little, Ardmore, Okla. 1,216
20. Lauren Cox, Cotulla, Texas 1,149
The PRCA, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., is the largest and oldest professional rodeo-sanctioning body in the world. The recognized leader in ProRodeo, the PRCA is committed to maintaining the highest standards. The PRCA, a membership-based organization, sanctions approximately 600 rodeos annually, and there are nearly 30 million fans in the U.S. The PRCA showcases the world’s best cowboys in premier events through the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour presented by Justin Boots, the Justin Boots Playoffs and Championships, the PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour and the world-renowned Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Action from PRCA-sanctioned rodeos and its premier events appears on Great American Country (DISH Network 165, DirecTV 326) and Pursuit (DISH Network 240, DirecTV 604). Each year, PRCA-sanctioned rodeos raise more than $26 million for local and national charities. www.prorodeo.com
Editor’s Note: The information enclosed in this release is courtesy of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) for media use. However, if you reprint any of the following information verbatim in your publication, or if you read it verbatim on a radio broadcast, please mention that the information is courtesy of the PRCA.