RED BLUFF, Calif. – Crazy Eights is the name of a popular card game, but it also described J.R. Vezain’s wildly-successful weekend.
The Cowley, Wyo., bareback rider scored 88 points twice – winning both the Red Bluff Round-up, a silver stop on the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, presented by Justin Boots, and the Bucs Days ProRodeo in Corpus Christi, Texas – earning more than $13,000 in the process.
“It was a huge weekend for me; I got really good horses at both rodeos – both won a round at the NFR last year,” Vezain said of his luck drawing two top-caliber mounts. “The funny thing about it was, my traveling partner, R.C. Landingham, was 88 at Lakeside to win there. So the eights were all over the place for our rig.”
The horse Vezain drew in Red Bluff – Flying U Rodeo’s Comanchero – carried Will Lowe to a round win and, you guessed it, 88 points at the 2012 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Vezain knew exactly what he was in for when he saw his name next to Comanchero on the draw list.
“I get a big old smile on my face when I draw a horse like that,” he said. “I had never been on him, but I had seen a bunch of guys win rodeos on him, including at the NFR. I knew I had a great opportunity and didn’t waste it. It’s a great chance to see a bunch of points when you get a horse like that.”
Vezain covered Frontier Rodeo Company’s Times Up at Corpus Christi for his second win of more than $6,000 for the weekend. After making his first Wrangler NFR appearance last year, and now moving much closer to first place in the world standings, he is thinking big things for 2013.
“I think if you’re not telling yourself that it’s the year to win a world title, you’re kidding yourself, because you have to have that mindset that you can do it,” Vezain said. “When you’re hot, you’re hot, and you keep a positive attitude and every time you put your hand in the rigging you think you’re going to win.”
His goals remain clear, and winning July-type money in April is just adding to his bankroll and confidence.
“The big goal is being in the top 15 at the end of the season, so the more money you can put in your pocket early, the easier it is come the summer run,” Vezain said. “The faster you can earn enough to qualify for the NFR, the less stress on you later on; then you can ride free and easy and have a lot of fun.”
Other winners at the $248,196 Red Bluff rodeo were steer wrestler Stan Branco (21.0 seconds on four head), team ropers Calvin Brevik and Travis Woodard (23.9 seconds on four head), saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer (85 points), tie-down roper Tuf Cooper (36.5 seconds on four head), bull rider Cody Campbell (90 points) and barrel racer Trula Churchill (34.9 seconds on two runs).
2. Corpus Christi stopover gives Brazile a boost
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – While it isn’t surprising news that 17-time World Champion Trevor Brazile won an event at the Buc Days ProRodeo over the weekend, it may be somewhat unexpected for that event to have been tie-down roping.
Brazile’s 8.0-second run in Corpus Christi, Texas, just edged veterans Justin Maass and Fred Whitfield to earn the Decatur, Texas, cowboy a rare tie-down roping win.
It may sound silly to use the word “rare” when referring to Brazile taking a victory lap, but considering it was just his second win in the last calendar year in that event, it applies.
“This is a big boost,” Brazile told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. “I’ve probably gotten off to the slowest start in my career. You have years like that, but you just have to finish strong and this rodeo is really going to help.”
The win – which was only his second in tie-down roping in the past 12 months (Lynden, Wash., Aug. 25) – helped the rodeo legend in more ways than one. The $4,855 he earned moved him from 14th to eighth in the April 22 tie-down world standings. Brazile is looking to make it back to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in the event, which he failed to qualify for in 2012 – for the first time in 14 years.
The win also put him back into a familiar spot in the all-around standings. For the first time in a month Brazile overtook Rhen Richard for the top spot in the category in which he’ll look to collect his 11th gold buckle this December.
Struggling a bit heading into the spring season isn’t something the 36-year-old is worried about. He says that after a long career, he doesn’t feel much pressure these days.
“I used to, but 17 world championships later, if you’re still having to prove yourself – it’s just not really worth it,” said Brazile, who also placed 10th in team roping and won a round in the steer roping in Corpus Christi. “I’ve done all my goals and I’m just doing it now because I love the sport and I love winning.”
The other winners at the $193,116 rodeo were bareback rider J.R. Vezain (88 points), steer wrestler Shawn Dollery (4.3 seconds), team ropers Tyler Wade and Tyler McKnight (4.8 seconds), saddle bronc rider Tyler Corrington (88 points), steer roper Cody Lee (40.3 seconds on three head), bull rider Chandler Bownds (91 points) and barrel racer Taylor Jacob (13.40 seconds).
3. Just Wickett good at Chute Help NCFSR
TORRINGTON, Wyo. – J.P. Wickett is a timed-event representative on the PRCA Board of Directors and it’s hard to imagine how he might better have represented his event or his colleagues at the fourth annual Chute Help National Circuit Finals Steer Roping April 20-21.
Riding his prized 13-year-old red roan, Strawberry, Wickett was third in the six-head average, second in the semifinals and then battled to his first NCFSR title with a 12.2-second run in the final to edge local favorite Troy Tillard by a tenth of a second.
“I struggled a bit with the final steer,” said Wickett, of Sallisaw, Okla., “but when that happens you have to cowboy up and hold ‘em down. I’m not known as a real consistent roper. I’m usually in a hurry. I got lucky on that last one and got through it.
“What I got to do here this week was just a dream come true. Anybody here could have won it. All 30 of these guys can rope. They are not here because they can draw straws.”
To add weight to Wickett’s point about the depth of talent in the field, all six preliminary rounds were won by different men and 18 in the field of 30 took home at least one paycheck.
Wickett won the second round in a time of 11.2 seconds (“We had a good steer and Strawberry had his best run,” he said), but did not place in any of the other five preliminary rounds. He was able to advance – never mind his protestations – by being steadfastly consistent.
His time of 89.7 seconds on six head was less than a second behind Ora Taton for the second spot in the average standings.
Chance Kelton, of Mayer, Ariz., who won the fifth round, the average (83.9 seconds) and the semifinal, ended up the leading money winner with $8,952, while Wickett was second with $8,352 and Tillard, of Douglas, Wyo., was third with $5,290.
Thanks largely to Wickett’s contributions and those of 2012 NCFSR champion Rocky Patterson and Kim Ziegelgruber, the Prairie Circuit won the team championship for the third time in four years with total prize money of $14,944. The Turquoise Circuit was second with $10,246 and the Mountain States Circuit was third with $8,989.
Wickett is the third Prairie Circuit cowboy to win the NCFSR title, joining Patterson and Ralph Williams (2010). Trent Mills of the Mountain States Circuit won the event in 2011.
4. Ex-bulldogger, stock contractor Battles dies at 68
Charlie Battles, who qualified for the 1974 National Finals Rodeo as a steer wrestler and was later a successful PRCA stock contractor, died at his home in Sulphur, La., April 21 after a lengthy illness. He was 68.
Battles suffered a stroke on March 23, 2007, that left him partially paralyzed and with limited ability to speak. He had been bedridden in recent years.
Battles started his rodeo career upon his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1964. After winning three amateur championships, he joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1973. He had his best season as a professional in 1974 when he came through with a clutch performance at the Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco to qualify for the NFR and finish 14th in the world.
When his competition days were over, he started the Charlie Battles Rodeo Company stock contracting firm in Detroit, Texas. Battles had stock selected for the NFR 12 times (1991-97, 2000-04).
He is survived by his wife, Donna, who was a rodeo secretary and timer, and his sons, Coty and Lance, from a previous marriage. Both sons were PRCA contestants; Coty twice qualified for the NFR as a steer wrestler (1990-91).
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. April 26, at the “Old Hay Pasture Cemetery” (Mimosa Cemetery), in Sulphur, La.
5. Ex-PRCA member killed in West, Texas, explosion
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Former PRCA bareback rider William “Buck” Uptmor was among the 14 people who were killed – most of them first responders – in the explosion that destroyed a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, late on April 17.
Uptmor, 44, was trying to help a friend by getting some horses out of a pasture near the plant when the building exploded, injuring 200 people and leveling a five-block area of the town.
Also lost in the blast were West volunteer firefighters Robert and Doug Snokhous, who are cousins of former PRCA bull rider Gary Snokhous. Sixty people are still listed as missing.
Uptmor’s nephew Reagan Uptmore, 17, told the San Antonio Express-News that his uncle was the kind of man who always helped out in emergencies and was among the first to respond when word spread that there was a fire at the West Fertilizer Company.
“He went in at the wrong time,” Reagan Uptmore said. “He was a cowboy and he died with his boots on. He would do anything for anybody. He would swim across the ocean to help you.”
The former rodeo contestant, who won checks at Texas PRCA rodeos in Fort Worth, Hearne and Fairfield in 1990 while a permit holder, was well known in West, a community of about 2,800. He coached youth baseball and was on the board of the West Fair and Rodeo Association.
He was the drummer in the family band, Billy Uptmor and the Makers.
“You could look in the West phone book and literally pick any number, and they would know him,” family friend Shelly Moore told the Dallas Morning News.
Six-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Larry Ferguson lives 5.7 miles southwest of the blast site and says he lost five or six friends to the explosion, including Uptmor, whom he had known since he moved to West 18 years ago from Oklahoma.
“Buck gave me my first job out of rodeo,” Ferguson said. “I worked for him for about eight months, building fences, porches. He was the guy in town you called if you needed a job done like that. Everybody in town knew him.
“We were far enough away from the explosion that we (the Ferguson family) were all OK, but it affects us because we know those people. We know some of the first responders who died and we had a lot of good friends who lost their homes.”
Uptmor is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons.
A memorial website has been posted on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WestFirefighters#!/WestFirefighters) to honor those killed or injured in the blast. Country music legend Willie Nelson is donating all proceeds from an upcoming concert in Austin, Texas, to the West Volunteer Fire Department, according to a press statement released April 18.
Justin Maass, the 2012 tie-down roping reserve world champion, pledged to donate his earnings at the Bryan (Texas) Breakfast Lions Club PRCA Rodeo to the West relief fund and he ended up earning a share of first place ($1,195). When he tweeted about his plan before the rodeo, he asked people to consider matching his contribution.
“Two guys tweeted back and said they were in,” Maass said, “so we’re sending about $3,600 to West. The offer is still out there … anybody who wants to put up matching funds is encouraged to do that. They need the help down there.”
Monetary donations may be mailed to Pointwest Bank, 200 W. Oak St., or the State National Bank, 100 N. Main St. in West, or can be delivered online at www.pointwestbank.com via PayPal. Donations can be specifically targeted to several entities: Victims of the West Explosion General Fund, West Independent School District, Knights of Columbus and the West Rest Haven Nursing Home, which suffered extensive damage and had to evacuate 133 residents.
6. ProRodeoLive to air Wrangler NFR through 2015
ProRodeoLive.com and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association have agreed on a three-year contract extension which will assure the continuation of Steve Kenyon’s live webcasts of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo through 2015.
ProRodeoLive, the radio and Internet home of ProRodeo, is owned and operated by Kenyon, a PRCA member announcer from Pendleton, Ore. It has been producing exclusive live coverage of the PRCA’s premiere events, including the Wrangler NFR, since 2008.
This year, ProRodeoLive will be adding the Wrangler Champions Challenge to its broadcast schedule – the inaugural event May 18 in Redding, Calif., will be aired live – to go along with webcasts from the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up, Justin Boots Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash., Justin Boots Championships in Omaha, Neb., and the Xtreme Bulls Finale and Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo.
ProRodeoLive.com will be airing a simulcast from the Auburn (Calif.) Wild West Stampede Rodeo at 2 p.m. (PT) on April 27-28.
Kenyon received the PRCA’s Media Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism in 2009.
7. News and notes from the rodeo trail
Legendary rodeo reporter Dwayne Erickson, a two-time winner of the PRCA Excellence in Print Journalism Award (2003, 2012) and an inductee in both the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, died early this morning in a Calgary, Alberta, hospice. He was 75. Erickson first started covering rodeo as a cub reporter for the Edmonton Journal more than 50 years ago, learning the ropes from the likes of rodeo legends Harry Vold, Reg Kesler, Herman Linder and Keith Hyland before heading off on an adventure that would carry him to press rooms all over North America for the Journal and the Calgary Herald. He would establish himself as the preeminent rodeo journalist in Canada, his work published not only in the newspapers that employed him but also in the CPRA’s magazine, the ProRodeo Sports News and many other publications. He was universally respected for his wealth of knowledge, his skills as a writer and his unflagging work ethic. “Not to take any respect from other writers, but most people aren’t that familiar with the ins and outs of rodeo,” Canadian bull rider Scott Schiffner told the Calgary Herald. “Dwayne is, and that’s why he can put that touch on it, and make people feel like they’re actually there when they read his stories.” … Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association contestant and two-time National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association All-Around Champion Cowboy Ben Londo has been named the next coach of the storied Cal Poly Rodeo Program. Londo, who graduated from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo with a degree in Construction Management and has in recent years started his own construction company in Pendleton, Ore., will take the reins of the program on Sept. 1. The Cal Poly Mustangs Rodeo tradition has turned out a long list of successful professional rodeo contestants and industry leaders, including ProRodeo Hall of Famers Cotton Rosser, Jack Roddy, John W. Jones Jr., Tom Ferguson, John Miller and Chris Lybbert. Londo’s announcement as the next Cal Poly Rodeo coach was made April 18 during the 73rd annual Poly Royal Rodeo festivities … Two-time World Champion Steer Roper Roy “Tuffy” Thompson, who turned 80 last month, was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame on April 20 in the contestants category. Thompson was joined by 1977 PRCA Steer Wrestling Champion Larry Ferguson, 12-time National Finals Rodeo bareback riding qualifier T.J. Walter, seven-time NFR tie-down roping qualifier Mike McLaughlin, five-time NFR bull riding qualifier Joe Wimberly, two-time NFR barrel racing qualifier Sherry Altizer, 1976 NFR steer wrestling qualifier Larry Dawson and 1986 NFR barrel racing qualifier Jackie Bob Cox. Honored in the rodeo personnel category were bullfighter Michael “Smurf” Horton, announcer Mike Mathis and the late stock contractor Ray Mayo … Clay Tryan and Jade Corkill earned $11,000 apiece as the winners of the open division of the inaugural Broc Cresta Memorial Team Roping event April 16 at the Four Star Rodeo Ranch in Cottonwood, Calif. But that’s not really the story. The event was held as a fundraiser for a scholarship being created to honor Broc Cresta, the NFR team roper who died last July, and it turned out a major success. Stock contractor Jeff Davis, who organized the event, says that 104 teams took part in the pro-am division and 110 in the open division to raise about $20,000 for the scholarship fund. Eligibility criteria for the scholarship can be obtained by e-mailingbc42forever@yahoo.com … The St. Paul (Ore.) Board of Directors has donated $15,000 to the City of St. Paul for water and sewer maintenance as an acknowledgement of the stresses the annual Fourth of July rodeo places on the infrastructure with 50,000 visitors descending on a town of 428. “In actuality, it was almost like a gift from God,” MayorSteve Manners told the Statesman-Journal, “and in the next month we’ll spend that money repairing our infrastructure, to maintain quality drinking water. This sure did come at the right time.” … Rodeo competitors have even more reason to want to take part in the Harley Tucker Rodeo Series with the announcement that the series has doubled the amount of this year’s award to $3,000. A silver buckle will also be presented. This series has been going on for 44 years. Rodeo contestants must enter and compete in four Oregon rodeos to be considered eligible: the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show in Union, St. Paul Rodeo in St. Paul, Elgin Stampede in Elgin and Chief Joseph Days in Joseph. The cowboy or cowgirl winning the most points at the four rodeos will be declared the winner at the final Chief Joseph Days performance July 27. The Harley Tucker Rodeo Series also announces new sponsors, Farm Supply of Enterprise, Ore., and the six grandchildren of the late rodeo contractor Harley Tucker, who have joined the four rodeos with added money to make the award even more enticing to those on the rodeo circuit.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I named her Cher, after the singer. I’ve got a Willie and a Waylon, too. That was a kick I was on for a while.”
—Team roper Caleb Twisselman, talking about the horse he rode when he and Coleman Proctor broke the Oakdale (Calif.) Saddle Club Rodeo arena record with a 3.9-second run.
7. Next Up
April 24 Angelina County Benefit Rodeo, Lufkin, Texas, begins
April 25 Victoria (Texas) PRCA Rodeo begins
April 26 PRCA Stampede Rodeo, Athens, Texas, begins
April 26 Spring Classic Rodeo, Mesquite, Texas, begins
April 26 Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo begins (Wrangler MDT-Silver)
April 26 Kananaskis ProRodeo, Coleman, Alberta, begins
April 26 Minnesota Horse Exposition Rodeo, St. Paul, Minn., begins
April 27 Auburn (Calif.) Wild West Stampede begins
April 27 Springville (Calif.) Sierra Rodeo begins
8. 2013 PRCA World Standings leaders
AA: Trevor Brazile……….….…..$34,978
BB: Kaycee Feild…………………$44,303
SW: Casey Martin………….……..$44,585
TR-1: Landon McClaugherty.……..$30,128
TR-2: Travis Graves……………….$30,359
SB: Cody Wright………….……..$39,319
TD: Sterling Smith………………$36,586
BR: Josh Koschel………………..$50,577
SR: Chet Herren…………………$22,789
9. 2013 PRCA WORLD STANDINGS
Through April 22, 2013
All-around
1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas $34,978
2. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah 28,011
3. JoJo LeMond, Andrews, Texas 22,357
4. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta 16,191
5. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga. 13,610
6. Blake Hirdes, Turlock, Calif. 13,357
7. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif. 13,077
8. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash. 12,745
9. Jordan Ketscher, Squaw Valley, Calif. 10,592
10. Payden Emmett, Ponca, Ark. 9,873
11. Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D. 8,688
12. Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas 8,289
13. Alan Frierson, O’Brien, Fla. 8,196
14. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D. 7,468
Bareback Riding
1. Kaycee Feild, Spanish Fork, Utah $44,303
2. J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo. 38,992
3. Wes Stevenson, Lubbock, Texas 33,727
4. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore. 32,003
5. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore. 24,572
6. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas 21,338
7. Jared Smith, Cross Plains, Texas 20,161
8. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash. 20,024
9. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La. 18,703
10. Robert Landingham, Pendleton, Ore. 17,828
11. Clint Laye, Odessa, Texas 17,452
12. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D. 17,291
13. Clint Cannon, Waller, Texas 17,102
14. Jessy Davis, Power, Mont. 13,927
15. Seth Hardwick, Laramie, Wyo. 12,899
16. Matthew Smith, Leesville, La. 12,722
17. Evan Jayne, Marseille, France 12,127
18. George Gillespie IV, Placerville, Calif. 10,763
19. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa 10,615
20. Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo. 10,334
Steer Wrestling
1. Casey Martin, Sulphur, La. $44,585
2. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif. 31,041
3. Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo. 25,205
4. Straws Milan, Cochrane, Alberta 22,556
5. Jule Hazen, Ashland, Kan. 21,076
6. Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss. 20,236
7. Les Shepperson, Midwest, Wyo. 20,077
8. Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif. 20,000
9. Sean Mulligan, Coleman, Okla. 17,367
10. Clayton Moore, Pouce Coupe, British Columbia 16,099
11. Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo. 15,936
12. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore. 15,618
13. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev. 12,749
14. Casey McMillen, Redmond, Ore. 12,341
15. Cooper Shofner, Huntsville, Texas 12,106
16. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta 11,901
17. Wyatt Smith, Rexburg, Idaho 11,476
18. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb. 11,437
19. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. 11,316
20. Bray Armes, Gruver, Texas 11,128
Team Roping (header)
1. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas $30,128
2. Drew Horner, Plano, Texas 28,520
3. Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga. 27,252
4. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. 21,948
5. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont. 21,939
6. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont. 20,388
7. Justin Davis, Madisonville, Texas 19,733
8. Calvin Brevik, Durango, Colo. 18,272
9. Brock Hanson, Casa Grande, Ariz. 17,447
10. Nick Sartain, Dover, Okla. 17,241
11. Chace Thompson, Munday, Texas 17,154
12. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas 16,971
13. Nick Rawlings, Stephenville, Texas 15,169
14. Turtle Powell, Stephenville, Texas 14,775
15. Ty Blasingame, Ramah, Colo. 14,754
16. Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore. 13,581
17. Caleb Mitchell, Mason, Texas 13,107
18. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas 12,755
19. Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D. 12,683
20. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas 12,448
Team Roping (heeler)
1. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. $30,359
2. Tommy Zuniga, Centerville, Texas 30,128
3. Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan. 28,520
4. Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz. 23,347
5. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. 22,981
6. Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas 22,616
7. Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas 18,809
8. Travis Woodard, Stockton, Calif. 17,906
9. Tyler McKnight, Wells, Texas 17,644
10. Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla. 16,971
11. Chad Williams, Stephenville, Texas 13,996
12. Clay Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev. 13,848
13. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas 13,430
14. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas 13,083
15. Dugan Kelly, Paso Robles, Calif. 13,082
16. Jim Ross Cooper, Monument, N.M. 12,933
17. Kinney Harrell, Marshall, Texas 12,781
18. Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb. 12,683
19. Jaytin McCright, Canyon, Texas 12,182
20. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev. 12,039
Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah $39,319
2. Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn. 37,561
3. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb. 32,414
4. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah 28,944
5. Brad Rudolf, Winnemucca, Nev. 22,154
6. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D. 21,025
7. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M. 20,483
8. Troy Crowser, Whitewood, S.D. 16,554
9. Dawson Jandreau, Kennebec, S.D. 15,173
10. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas 14,827
11. Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D. 14,354
12. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas 13,540
13. Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas 13,296
14. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah 12,930
15. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas 12,494
16. Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont. 12,350
17. Cody Taton, Corona, N.M. 11,101
18. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La. 10,694
19. Will Smith, Marshall, Mo. 10,625
20. Brady Nicholes, Hoytsville, Utah 10,615
Tie-down Roping
1. Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas $36,586
2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas 36,227
3. Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas 32,834
4. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah 22,528
5. E.J. Roberts, Stephenville, Texas 22,079
6. Randall Carlisle, Castor, La. 21,141
7. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla. 19,125
8. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 18,901
9. Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas 18,741
10. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah 17,608
11. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash. 17,342
12. Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas 16,773
13. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho 15,780
14. Houston Hutto, Tomball, Texas 14,892
15. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas 14,610
16. Stetson Vest, Childress, Texas 14,554
17. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La. 14,532
18. Caleb Smidt, Yorktown, Texas 13,342
19. Monty Lewis, Hereford, Texas 12,916
20. Blair Burk, Durant, Okla. 12,549
Steer Roping
1. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla. $22,789
2. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas 20,770
3. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas 20,474
4. JoJo LeMond, Andrews, Texas 16,968
5. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas 16,435
6. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas 11,537
7. Jarrett Blessing, Paradise, Texas 10,955
8. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla. 10,951
9. Brent Lewis, Pinon, N.M. 9,903
10. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan. 9,799
11. Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas 9,465
12. Kim Ziegelgruber, Edmond, Okla. 9,326
13. Dan Fisher, Andrews, Texas 9,156
14. Brad Prather, Skiatook, Okla. 8,852
15. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 8,796
16. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas 8,523
17. Joe Wells, Cisco, Texas 7,827
18. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo. 7,333
19. Shane Suggs, Granbury, Texas 6,070
20. Tim Abbott, Midland, Texas 5,436
Bull Riding
1. Josh Koschel, Nunn, Colo. $50,577
2. Tyler Smith, Fruita, Colo. 41,863
3. Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo. 40,596
4. Corey Navarre, Weatherford, Okla. 35,578
5. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas 34,670
6. Trevor Kastner, Ardmore, Okla. 34,648
7. Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, Texas 30,607
8. Cole Echols, Elm Grove, La. 30,422
9. Cooper Davis, Jasper, Texas 29,297
10. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas 28,826
11. Tag Elliott, Thatcher, Utah 25,149
12. Cheyne Olney, Toppenish, Wash. 24,479
13. Cody Campbell, Summerville, Ore. 23,872
14. Howdy Cloud, Kountze, Texas 22,439
15. Tyler Willis, Wheatland, Wyo. 21,271
16. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo. 21,126
17. Jeff Askey, Martin, Tenn. 21,091
18. Scottie Knapp, Albuquerque, N.M. 18,340
19. Friday Wright II, Moss Point, Miss. 18,149
20. Clayton Foltyn, Winnie, Texas 17,299
*2013 Barrel Racing (through April 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 $35,569
2. Mary Walker, Ennis, Texas 33,983
3. Jane Melby, Burneyville, Okla. 31,498
4. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. 27,124
5. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas 25,830
6. Taylor Jacob, Carmine, Texas 25,522
7. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz. 22,908
8. Sabrina Ketcham, Yeso, N.M. 22,087
9. Shada Brazile, Decatur, Texas 21,953
10. Natalie Foutch, Eldora, La. 21,162
11. Sydni Blanchard, Albuquerque, N.M. 21,118
12. Annesa Self, Sanger, Texas 17,750
13. Kendra Dickson, Aubrey, Texas 16,012
14. Kenna Squires, Fredonia, Texas 13,867
15. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas 13,708
16. Cindy Smith, Hobbs, N.M. 13,565
17. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore. 12,615
18. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta 12,609
19. Jenna Marie Moore, Johnson City, Texas 11,412
20. Lee Ann Rust, Stephenville, Texas 10,994
10. 2013 Wrangler Million Dollar Tour Standings
Unofficial through April 22, 2013
Bareback Riding
1. J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo. $26,348
2. Kaycee Feild, Spanish Fork, Utah 23,133
3. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore. 16,972
4. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore. 14,137
5. Wes Stevenson, Lubbock, Texas 11,600
6. Clint Laye, Odessa, Texas 9,006
7. Caine Riddle, Vernon, Texas 7,842
8. Seth Hardwick, Laramie, Wyo. 7,082
9. Matt Lait, Stavely, Alberta 6,786
10. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash. 6,461
11. Morgan Heaton, Paradise, Utah 6,183
12. Jason Havens, Prineville, Ore. 6,050
13. Matt Bright, Azle, Texas 5,982
14. Jessy Davis, Power, Mont. 5,158
15. Chase Erickson, Helena, Mont. 5,102
16. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La. 5,093
17. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa 4,084
18. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas 3,641
19. Caleb Bennett, Morgan, Utah 3,534
20. R.C. Landingham, Pendleton, Ore. 3,193
Steer Wrestling
1. Casey Martin, Sulphur, La. $18,124
2. Clayton Moore, Pouce Coupe, British Columbia 15,311
3. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif. 14,819
4. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev. 10,601
5. Sean Mulligan, Coleman, Okla. 10,562
6. Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo. 9,051
7. Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss. 7,880
8. Rhett Kennedy, Chowchilla, Calif. 7,038
9. Wyatt Smith, Rexburg, Idaho 6,580
10. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb. 6,566
11. Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo. 6,147
12. Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo. 6,088
13. Chance Gartner, Pasco, Wash. 5,577
14. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore. 5,404
15. Straws Milan, Cochrane, Alberta 5,232
16. Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif. 5,165
17. Casey McMillen, Redmond, Ore. 5,045
18. Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah 4,913
19. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas 4,835
20. Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb. 4,690
Team Roping-Header
1. Drew Horner, Plano, Texas $21,209
2. Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga. 14,924
3. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas 14,246
4. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. 13,443
5. Justin Davis, Madisonville, Texas 10,784
6. Calvin Brevik, Durango, Colo. 9,774
7. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn. 9,007
8. Quincy Kueckelhan, Bonham, Texas 8,881
9. Ty Blasingame, Ramah, Colo. 7,934
10. Nick Rawlings, Stephenville, Texas 7,778
11. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas 6,080
12. Travis Tryan, Billings, Mont. 6,025
13. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont. 5,556
14. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas 5,395
15. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. 5,293
16. Brock Hanson, Casa Grande, Ariz. 4,558
17. Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore. 4,464
18. Levi Simpson, Claresholm, Alberta 4,421
19. Kelsey Parchman, Cumberland City, Tenn. 3,767
20. Brooks Dahozy, Window Rock, Ariz. 3,581
Team Roping-Heeler
1. Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan. $21,209
2. Tommy Zuniga, Centerville, Texas 14,246
3. Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz. 13,443
4. Clay O’Brien Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev. 10,784
5. Travis Woodard, Stockton, Calif. 9,774
6. Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont. 9,007
7. Justin Copp, Krum, Texas 8,881
8. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. 8,142
9. Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. 7,934
10. Derrick Peterson, Stillwell, Kan. 7,778
11. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev. 7,275
12. Kinney Harrell, Marshall, Texas 6,783
13. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan. 6,025
14. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas 5,834
15. Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla. 5,395
16. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. 5,293
17. Cole Davison, Madisonville, Texas 5,193
18. Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas 4,558
19. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas 4,464
20. John Robertson, Polson, Mont. 4,421
Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn. $17,112
2. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D. 15,704
3. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah 15,211
4. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb. 13,267
5. Brad Rudolf, Winnemucca, Nev. 11,708
6. Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D. 9,655
7. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah 9,346
8. Brady Nicholes, Hoytsville, Utah 8,461
9. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas 7,471
10. Cody Taton, Corona, N.M. 7,123
11. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M. 6,817
12. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas 6,777
13. Cody Angland, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia 6,756
14. Troy Crowser, Whitewood, S.D. 5,565
15. Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas 5,145
16. Chuck Schmidt, Keldron, S.D. 4,674
17. Dawson Jandreau, Kennebec, S.D. 4,253
18. Ty Atchison, Jackson, Mo. 3,684
19. Bryce Miller, Nelson, Neb. 3,421
20. Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont. 2,456
Tie Down Roping
1. E.J. Roberts, Stephenville, Texas $20,048
2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas 16,736
3. Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas 16,254
4. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas 13,573
5. Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas 10,071
6. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash. 8,937
7. Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas 8,585
8. Monty Lewis, Hereford, Texas 8,484
9. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla. 8,302
10. Bryson Sechrist, Apache, Okla. 7,654
11. Reese Riemer, Stinnett, Texas 6,692
12. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah 5,625
13. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 5,397
14. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas 5,396
15. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif. 5,306
16. Stetson Vest, Childress, Texas 5,005
17. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas 4,965
18. Houston Hutto, Tomball, Texas 4,803
19. Trent Creager, Stillwater, Okla. 4,516
20. Logan Hofer, Magrath, Alberta 4,435
Bull Riding
1. Josh Koschel, Nunn, Colo. $19,703
2. Tag Elliott, Thatcher, Utah 15,229
3. Trevor Kastner, Ardmore, Okla. 13,128
4. Cody Campbell, Summerville, Ore. 11,238
5. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas 9,086
6. Clayton Foltyn, Winnie, Texas 8,390
7. Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, Texas 8,385
8. Cooper Davis, Jasper, Texas 6,499
9. Tyler Smith, Fruita, Colo. 5,551
10. Travis Atkinson, Lehi, Utah 4,819
11. Cole Echols, Elm Grove, La. 4,814
12. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas 4,667
13. Ryan Shanklin, Rocksprings, Texas 4,458
14. Beau Schroeder, China, Texas 4,401
15. Ty Clearwater, LaCygne, Kan. 3,930
16. Jacob O’Mara, Baton Rouge, La. 3,879
17. Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo. 3,516
18. Ardie Maier, Timber Lake, S.D. 3,439
19. Wesley Silcox, Santaquin, Utah 3,426
20. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont. 3,344
11. 2013 PRCA Xtreme Bulls Standings
Unofficial through April 22, 2013
1. Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo. $36,842
2. Josh Koschel, Nunn, Colo. 28,071
3. Corey Navarre, Weatherford, Okla. 20,613
4. Howdy Cloud, Kountze, Texas 19,602
5. Tyler Smith, Fruita, Colo. 18,629
6. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas 15,662
7. Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah 14,526
8. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas 13,970
9. Tyler Willis, Wheatland, Wyo. 13,951
10. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo. 12,948
11. Dustin Elliott, North Platte, Neb. 12,079
12. Scottie Knapp, Albuquerque, N.M. 11,944
13. Cheyne Olney, Kennewick, Wash. 11,459
14. Blaine Skaggs, Hubbard, Ore. 8,353
15. Cody Campbell, Summerville, Ore. 7,425
16. Ryan Shanklin, Rocksprings, Texas 7,351
17. Cody Samora, Cortez, Colo. 7,318
18. Cole Echols, Elm Grove, La. 7,137
19. Cooper Davis, Jasper, Texas 7,117
20. Ardie Maier, Timber Lake, S.D. 7,077
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.
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 more than 30 million fans in the U.S. The PRCA showcases the world’s best cowboys by televising the sport’s premier events, including the Wrangler Million Dollar Gold Tour presented by Justin Boots, the Justin Boots Playoffs and Championships, Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, All American ProRodeo Finals, Champions Challenge, PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour and the world-renowned Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Great American Country
(DISH Network 165, DirecTV 326). Each year, PRCA-sanctioned rodeos raise more than $26 million for local and national charities. For comprehensive coverage of the cowboy sport, read the ProRodeo Sports News, the official publication of the PRCA, and for daily updates of news and results visit the PRCA’s official website, www.prorodeo.com.