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June 03rd, 2021

6/3/2021

Rodeo Clown Reunion
Where Laugh-Getters & Cowboy Savers Relive the Past

The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo is the destination for the 23rd Rodeo Clown Reunion.  It is  a time for retired bullfighters, funnymen and barrelmen to gather and reminisce, don their only familiar baggy britches and personal make-up, and spend time doing what they did “back in the good old days”.  They sign autographs, perform old acts and kibbitz with the fans.  When they have a few minutes to catch their breath in between gigs, they visit with other honorees and tell stories of earlier arena days and things that happened they well remember and other rodeo clowns who are no longer with us.

The purpose of the Rodeo Clown Reunion is to show these seniors that we are grateful for what they did in the rodeo arena entertaining the audience and saving the bull riders from serious harm and more.  Their abilities to promote a rodeo and put a smile on the spectators faces is so important to the success of an event and we are grateful for their years in this profession and their willingness to entertain.

On August 6th, the honorees will be at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame with programs, acts, and autographs.  It will be a day which anyone can spend with these characters and cowboy heroes, asking questions and learning about the life of a rodeo clown.  How did they happen to choose this profession?  How dangerous is it to stand in front of a raging bull and keep the bull riders from harm?  Is the barrel really a safe haven when a bull is charging?

August 7th and 8th the honorees will be in Castle Rock at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo assisting in many annual venues including the mutton busting, and autographing and performing in their rodeos at 7 PM on Saturday, and 1 PM on Sunday.

When I wrote the book on their history, “Fearless Funnymen, The History of the Rodeo Clown”, I attended the 6thRodeo Clown Reunion that was held in Roseburg, Oregon.  Karl Doering, a retired rodeo clown, had started the gathering in 1974 at Roseburg, during the Umpqua Valley Rodeo, and it was held there every three years.  Retired laugh-getters, bullfighters and barrelmen came from all parts of the country and spent 3 or 4 days with rodeo fans, members of the Roseburg community and were wined and dined as well as participating in the rodeo and their annual parade.  Unfortunately, Karl passed away, and various ones kept it going.  The year I attended was the last year it was held at Roseburg.

Jack Saulls, a PRCA Columbia Circuit committeeman, held it in Moses Lake, WA, in 1992, with the same agenda.  I also attended this Reunion.  The numbers were dwindling and a meeting of the honorees decided to let go of it in the northwest.  They suggested some of the attendees from the middle of the country should see if they could have one near the center of the U.S.  I volunteered to help and we chose Guthrie, Oklahoma and the ‘89er Days Rodeo held at the Lazy E Arena in 1993.  By the time it was held I realized I was ramrodding the affair, and having a heck of a good time doing it.  Since then, I have been the chairman of 15 total Rodeo Clown Reunions held twice in Colorado Springs during the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo;
Rodeo de Santa Fe three times, Deadwood Days of ’76  twice, and one year at rodeos at Springdale, AR; Stephenville, TX; Pendleton RoundUp; Sheridan, WY; Dodge City, KS;  Coffeyville, KS and during the Day of the Cowboy weekend at the Stockyards at Fort Worth.

During the years the Reunion has been held we adjust the events, other than the rodeo, to suit the area.  At Deadwood we traveled to Mount Rushmore and Chief Crazy Horse Monuments in addition to the rodeo.  In Guthrie, OK we toured the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and had a Clown-Mule Race at Remington Park, the local pari-mutual horse track in Oklahoma City.  At Moses Lake we traveled to the Grand Coulee Dam by bus.  At Dodge City we caravanned to the town of Greensburg, that had just been totally demolished by a tornado, with a pickup full of books the honorees had gathered together to help start a new library for the ravaged community.

We have second generation rodeo clowns attending today.  Greg Doering the son of Karl (deceased), has attended each reunion since it’s inception.  Other families attending are:  Jerry Wayne Olson, a third generation rodeo clown, who followed in the footsteps of his deceased dad, Jerry, and grandfather, LaRue Olson;  Other two-generation honorees are: Don Bowman and his twin step-sons Dan & Pat Ariaz;  Melvin Fields and son Devlin,  and  John Clark and son, Kelly.   Dixie Reger Mosley, the only woman rodeo clown who clowned for 12 years and was also a charter member of the Girls Rodeo Association.  So far, forty-four rodeo clowns have registered from 17 states and Canada.  Their accumulated years in the rodeo arena as a funnyman, bullfighter or barrelman add up to 939 years.

Every honoree’s story is different in some way.  A few retired after 5 decades in the arena.  Others retired earlier due, some due to injury and others had a variety of reasons for moving on.  Some concentrated on being funny and fighting bulls.  Others were more inclined to fight bulls while others got their adrenalin rush by hearing the audience laugh.  Regardless of how they spent their years in the arena the one common denominator is they have all continued to keep their sense of humor.

Come join us, you’ll be glad you did.  For more information regarding the upcoming Rodeo Clown Reunion contact me at email:  rodeogal@airmail.net.

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May 27th, 2021

5/27/2021

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George Doak, Bullfighter-Funnyman, Passes

George Doak was always quick to say the 28 years he was in rodeo were the ‘best years of his life’!  George passed away peacefully on the evening of April 27th, with his wife by his side after an illness of several months.  When George could no longer talk on his phone the rodeo world knew George was in trouble.  His funeral was held at 2PM, May 18, 2021, at the Lone Star Cowboy Church, at 21627 Eva Street, Montgomery, TX 77356.

George was born in 1937 and raised by his aunt and uncle in Fort Worth.  At the age of eight when asked what he wanted to do when he grew up he quickly answered, “Be the best rodeo clown in the world!”.  Many a rodeo hand, during his 28 year era, will tell you he made his 8 year-old dream come true.

He began his rodeo career in 1953 at Mesquite, Texas, when he and two high school friends were riding bareback horses and bulls.  His friend ‘hung up’ and George went to his rescue.  After several years in college learning to be a mechanical engineer, for his aunt and uncle, he gave it up and went to Cowtown, New Jersey, for Howard Harris where he fought bulls through 1960.  The Cowtown, New Jersey Rodeo was on television in 1958 and the entire country watched George fight bulls.

He joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1961 and booked 21 rodeos including Walla Walla, Ellensburg, Pendleton and Lewiston, the Big Four in the northwest.  They had watched him on television earlier, and knew how good he was.  From that introduction to professional rodeo he was hired from one end of the country to the other, and border to border.  He spent ten years traveling with Junior Meek, a bullfighter, too.  In 1971 he worked the National Finals Rodeo, and again in 1977.  In 1979 he helped put the Wrangler Bullfights together and judged various events including the 1981 Wrangler Bullfight Finals.  He also worked the National High School Finals three times, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Finals in 1969, and received numerous awards along the way.  He retired in 1981 at Pendleton, Oregon, where he fought bulls for 19 years.

He was inducted in to the Pendleton RoundUp Hall of Fame in 1983, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame that year, too.  He was inducted to the Rodeo Hall of Fame in the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2001, and the Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame in Stephenville, TX, in 2002.  He became the President of the Rodeo Cowboy Alumni organization in 2004 and held that office for ten years.

George and Quail Dobbs, clowned the American Bi-Centennial Rodeo, in Philadelphia, PA in 1976.  George put Quail’s make-up on him the first time he clowned.  George and Junior Meek performed at the Royal Easter Rodeo in Sydney, Australia in 1971.  In 1977 he was made an Honorary Shriner by the Ardmore, OK, Shriner Club, the first person to get this award by that chapter.  He appeared in the Academy Award Winning Documentary Film of 1972, “The Great American Cowboy”.  He was a judge for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in 1988 and 1989.

George had three boys, George Jr., Steve and Mike. He married Reada Vincik  in 1998 and they lived in Montgomery, Texas.

George never left rodeo or his rodeo friends.  It was not unusual to see George at numerous cowboy reunions that were held in various places throughout the country, rodeos across the nation, Rodeo Clown Reunions, and inductions at the various Halls of Fame for rodeo persona.  George worked for Cavender’s Western Stores, and enjoyed working for friend, Bunky Boger, retired bullfighter, who created the TicTacToe Chicken that was featured in various casinos across the nation.  After all, George, thought a lot of his rubber chicken that was his constant companion on the rodeo road.

George is survived by his wife, Reada Kay Doak; sons George Doak, Jr and wife, Laquitta and Michael Doak and wife Laura; Step-son Derron Vincik and wife Amy, step-daughter Lenece Smith and husband Raymond Smith Jr; grandchildren:  Colby Doak, Cassie Hamlin, Samantha Doak, Amberly Andress, Nicolas Doak, Jordan Johnson, Katelyn Macalla, Kelsey Vincik, Kingsley Vincik. Skye Smith and Steele Smith; great-grandchildren Jett & Jake Doak, Chase Hamlin, Ballie Sessom, Gage & Brielynn Andress and Royer and Amberi Doak, plus many other loved ones.

George was preceded in death by his son, Steven Lyle Doak.

Memorials for George should be sent to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, at 101 ProRodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 and/or the Rodeo Cowboy Alumni, Scholarship Fund, 6064 Appleton Rd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105.

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April 20th, 2021

4/20/2021

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2020 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Held April 17, 2021

How great to get back to our previous normal, or as close to it as we can.  Although they had to wait a year, due to the pandemic, to honor the Inductees to  the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction.  It was a perfect spring day in Texas.  I headed out early to beat the traffic on I-35 and once I got behind the Brahma bulls being transported to Billy Bob’s of Texas, the largest honky-tonk in the World, I knew every things would be OK.  I pulled in to the parking lot at River Ranch on the south side of the Fort Worth Stockyards and hurried in to see old friends.

After Cowboy Church and a tasty lunch the Induction Ceremonies began with   Darrell Barron, President, thanking everyone for coming and commented that his pro-active Board of Directors were the reason  the entire event was so successful.  Dennis Singleton from the Fort Worth City Council spoke briefly and commended the group and rodeo for it’s patriotism, it’s friendship and camaraderie.

Although the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame golf tournament on Thursday, sponsored by Little Red’s Saloon, was hampered by inclement weather with lots of lightning and thunder  the teams with 144 players realized there was no way they could play, it was decided to draw to determine the winner.

The following Awards recipients were:
Johnny Boren Award:  It was President Barron that presented it to Andra Beatty who worked diligently with High school rodeo teams, and also rode roughstock.
Resistol Horizon Scholarship Honoree Recipients were:  Chisum Allen, Brinlee Freeman & Trace Harris
Special Logan Adams Scholarship recipient was Riley Harris and the Special Leonard Fluitt Scholarship recipient was Landris White.

Steven Kenyon, rodeo announcer and television personality on the Cowboy Channel, was the Master of Ceremonies, and was assisted by Ashley Polson, Miss North Texas High School Rodeo Association; Kendall Pearse the 2020/2021 Miss Rodeo North Texas Fair; and Cheyan Bland, 2020/2021 Miss Teen Rodeo North Texas Fair.

Inductee Honorees were:
Empty Saddle (deceased):  Jasbo Fulkerson,  outstanding rodeo clown that originated the barrel, he worked many rodeos including Fort Worth & Madison Square Garden.  He was killed in 1949 in a truck accident; & Foy & Jody Reynolds, owners of Rockin’ R Rodeos, and Jody was an RCA trick rider.
Rodeo Organization:  Tarleton State University Women’s Team for 1969, 1970, & 1971.  They were National Champions when they won the NIRA Womens Team three years in a row over all college women’s teams in the U. S.  Those on the team were:  Karen Walls, Sally Preston, Angie Watts Averhoff, Vicki Higgins Emerson, Connie Wilkinson Wood, Sharon Harrison Youngblood and Martha Tompkins Jordan.
Rodeo Animal:  Roughstock: Bodacious, 1995 & 1995 PRCA Bull of the Year, owned by Sammy Andrews.  The bull died in 1999.
Rodeo Animal:   Timed Event:  A steer wrestling horse named Free Malone or “Jocko” .  He carried 14  champions to  a World title, in 15 years,  and was steer wrestling horse for over 100 riders. Jocko was owned by Lloyd Hodges and  lived to be 38.
Gold Card:  Roy Angermiller, RCA National Finals steer wrestler many times, winning the Texas Circuit steer roping twice and tying the fastest steer at two PRCA National Finals steer roping; & Jim Houston, PRCA 1964 & ‘65 Bareback World Champion, and  a successful riggin’ maker.
Western Heritage Award:  Jerry Hill, when President of the Texas Professional Rodeo Association to merge with the Central Rodeo Association  to merge, which they did  then they formed the United Professional Rodeo Association (UPRA)  to include 1600 contestants  and 280 rodeos. Becky Frazier was also inducted as she worked along side Jerry in these endeavors.
Rodeo Personnel:  Dollie Beutler Riddle, a trick rider for years, and is still a rodeo secretary for Beutler & Son Rodeo Company; & Vannie Halliday, pickup man for Harry Vold for many years, then worked for Mack Altizer and Walls Rodeo, among many others.
Women’s Contestants:  Trina Powers Hadley, a team roping heeler; & Nancy Gault Mayes, a successful barrel racer who learned under Wanda Bush.
Men’s Contestants:  Royd Doyal, PBR & PRCA NFR bull rider; Casey McGlaun was a roughstock rider who won the 1984 Texas PRCA Circuit Finals All-Around, and runner-up in the bull riding later he successfully trained roping horses; Matt Austin,  PRCA bullrider winning the World Championship & NFR average in 2005;  Leonard Fluitt, 1979 Steer Wrestling Rookie of the Year and a three-time qualifier to the Texas Circuit Finals; Jason Jeter, PRCA NFR bareback rider numerous times who was second in 2002 and won the average;  Pete Hawkins, PRCA NFR bareback rider in late 1990s and early 2000s and was runner-up to the world championship in 1999.

For those who left before it was over, as Pete Hawkins said, “Their loss.”  For those of us who stayed we have decided that Pete should make a career  move and be a comedian on  TV – He’s hilarious!

These inductees did many, many things in the world of rodeo, but to keep it brief only their major wins and activities are mentioned here.  Go to the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Facebook or website for more information.

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April 14th, 2021

4/14/2021

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The Rodeo World Mourns the Loss of Derek Clark

Derek Clark, of Colcord, OK.,  passed away April 8th, 2021, after a lengthy illness.  He was a fourth generation professional rodeo cowboy and fifteen year National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc qualifier.  Derek was the first-born to Duke and Donna Kay Beals Clark, on September 3, 1960. He followed his dad, Duke and his grandfather, Charley Beals’ rodeo careers as a roughstock rodeo contestant.  His great-grandfather, Monroe Veach was a rodeo producer, trick roper, and founded Veach Saddlery in Trenton, MO. in 1919.

Derek won the 1978 Oklahoma High School Saddle Bronc title; the 1984 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Saddle Bronc title, and twelve Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Circuit titles, plus the 1991 Dodge National Circuit Finals Bronc Riding Championship.  He was Reserve PRCA Saddle Bronc World Champion in 1990.

His grandparents, Charley & Imogene Beals, received a telephone call, while touring in Australia, when Derek won the saddle bronc riding at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1986.  He qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo fifteen times from 1983 through 1999, only missing 1984 and 1997.  He won the various PRCA Series Saddle Bronc Championships sponsored by Copenhagen/Skoal for  three years; Dodge for seven years; Coca Cola twice; and Coors for three years and was a member of the Winston Tour Series for 1985 and 1986.  Derek also won the Denver National Western Rodeo in 1983, 1989 & 1991 and the Great Lakes Circuit All-Around Champion, 1998.

The handsome saddle bronc rider was voted Coors Fans Favorite Cowboy in 1993, and had a twenty year career as a professional rodeo competitor.  He was also involved in the PRCA Board of Directors (1998 – 2005) and the NFR Committee Board (1999 through 2005).  He was a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for six years and became the Chairman in January, 2005.  He was forced to resign in August due to injury sustained at the Springdale, Arkansas PRCA Rodeo in July of that year.

Derek’s commitment to professional rodeo never waned.  He followed his grandfather’s advice by collecting every bit of rodeo memorabilia and photographs and making friendships with numerous rodeo competitors. Charley told him, “When your rodeo career is over those are your rewards.”

Derek was inducted in to the Rodeo Historical Society Rodeo Hall of Fame, located in the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, at Oklahoma City,  in 2018.  He proudly followed his grandfather Charley Beals, inducted in 2010.   Derek was quoted as saying “He sacrificed a lot for me and my brothers to be able to rodeo.”   His grandmother, Imogene Veach Beals received the Tad Lucas Memorial Award and his great-grandfather, Monroe Veach was inducted in 1993.

Derek is survived by his three children, son Chase, and daughters Chelsea and husband Reece Roberts, and Dally Kay Clark;  Toni Mathis, his devoted companion of many years; his parents, Duke and Donna Kay Clark, and brothers, Doug and wife Linda & Drew and wife Darby, plus nieces & nephews; great-aunts Letty McAlister and Peggy Robinson and families; and extended families.  Derek was also inducted in to the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, in Fort Worth, and several other rodeo halls.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 24, at 11 AM at the Oliver Angus Ranch Arena, 11811 Douglas Cemetery Road, Gentry, Arkansas 72734.  It is located near the XNA Regional Airport in Northwest Arkansas.  Derek’s final resting place will be the Clark-Beals Ranch Memorial Park, Colcord, OK.

Author’s  addition:
My association with Derek’s family has been over the last 30 plus years.  Charley Beals, his grandfather, saw something in me when I went to my first gathering at the National Finals Rodeo to research and interview people for my first book on rodeo history.  He introduced me to many rodeo champions, rodeo clowns, cowboys and cowgirls.  It was he and wife, Imogene that recommended me to write articles for The Ketch Pen for 3+ years.  Imogene and I were rodeo traveling partners for over 15 years, after Charley died.  We traveled to New York, Florida,  Pendleton RoundUp, Cheyenne Frontier Days and many other major rodeos and gatherings in between.  Imogene, daughter Donna Kay and I went to the big island, Hawaii to the Parker Ranch Rodeo.

My family is small, theirs was not.  I spent lots of time with them and will say I was amazed and so blessed to be included in such a family that has such a tremendous commitment to rodeo and to each other.  When we would run in to Derek, or his brother, Doug, at some distant rodeo where they were entered, they often shook their head in wonder.  Derek once told his parents, he thought his grandmother got to more rodeos than he did.  Derek has now rejoined Charley and Imogene, God bless them all.

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March 18th, 2021

3/18/2021

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“Old Stuff” - - Newly Found

Well even in a pandemic, time can get away from me!  Sorry I haven’t changed my Blog for so long.  I hope this will be of interest to you.  I find that although things change, sometimes they don’t.

I found the following in an old magazine, as an advertisement for Levi Strauss & Company, by Lynn Downey, the Levi Strauss Historian.  Around the pictures of three styles of Levi jeans were these facts:  1.  It takes approximately 213 yards of thread to make a pair of jeans.  2.  Many of the extras in silent movie cowboy films of the 1910s wore their own jeans while shooting, as they had been real working cowboys and wore denim as a matter of course.  3.  The blue jean was invented in 1873 by Levi Strauss and his partner Jacob Davis.  They were the first to put rivets in men’s denim work pants, and patented this process on May 20, 1873.  4.  The word denim comes from the French “serge de Nimes,” referring to a fabric that originated in Nimes, France.  5.  The first printed use of the word “denim” in England was in 1695.  6.  The first printed use of the word “denim” in America was in 1964.  7.  In 1789, George Washington toured a fabric mill in Beverly, Massachusetts, where he saw denim being woven.  8.  In the Fall 1964 issue of the magazine American Fabrics declared:  “Throughout the industrialized world denim has become a symbol of the young, active, informal, American way of life.”

In a June 15, 1958 Rodeo Sports News an article on  “How to Upset a Rodeo Secretary”.  It was written back in the day that the contestants had to pay their entry fee to the secretary and after each go-round they would go check the board, by the desk or where ever the secretary performed her job.  They also were paid by the secretary after the rodeo was over.  There was much interaction between the contestants and the secretary.

One unknown secretary responded to the Rodeo Information Commission by saying, “Honestly, have you ever seen a job that is so completely thankless as the job of secretarying?”  There are times when I feel like judge, jury and executioner all rolled into one.  The boys come in and look at the books after a go-round is finished and glare at me if they didn’t win and growl, ‘What kind of a judge are you hiring?’  It doesn’t do a bit of good to say I didn’t hire him.  Then another comes in shouting, ‘Who in the h_ _ _ _ cut those steers.  Did you tell them to cut out No. 77? He’s the best steer in there.’  The next one comes in screaming:  ‘That dirty so-and-so told me to take a long rein on that horse.  You knew better than that, why didn’t you tell me?’  Then someone is sure I must have set that other guy up, he just couldn’t have accidentally drawn up so good.   Then there are the ones who do accidentally draw up the way they want.  They come around smirking smugly and say, ‘You’re a pretty good kid,’ and think their manly charms have bowled me over and that I really did fix it up for them.”

She went on complaining with another paragraph full of problems and finished with –
“When the rodeo was over, one man, Buddy Groff, made a special trip to the office to thank me sincerely for all my trouble.  And he had caused me no trouble at all!  Believe it or not, that was the only time anyone ever thanked me.  If Buddy Groff ever wants to run for president of the United States, I will drop everything and go campaigning for him!”          End of article.

Well, those days are long past so I am told.  The secretaries have little contact with the contestants any more since so much entering and payoffs are computerized.  They enter by computer, they can find results on social media, their winnings are sent to them.  But secretaries are still very important to a rodeo and their responsibilities are vast.  I was also told by a long time secretary that one thing in that article was still true.  “We very seldom get thanked for the job we do.”

I’m sure some of you heard that Jackie Crawford, the new World Champion Breakaway Roper, at the PRCA National Finals Rodeo in December, 2021, made one head catch that was illegal, but the judges didn’t catch it and gave her a score.  Jackie went to the judges and told them what she had done that they did not see, and then she got a ‘No score’ on that run.  Even with that happening she still won the title.

Fifty years before in 1970,  a similar situation happened to Loretta Manual Schuler, a World Champion Barrel Racer, (1963 & 1967).  Loretta was using Martha Tompkins Jordan’s, 4 year old barrel racing horse, ‘Cowhand Breeze’.  As they started their run for the fourth go-round the horse raced around the first barrel just fine but ducked just before the second barrel and went straight for the last barrel.  The judges did not see the mistake and gave her a time. Loretta  went to the judges and admitted she had not run the barrel pattern properly.  The judges then gave her a ‘No time’.

Loretta split the first round with Anita Kilgore, then won rounds 5, 7, 8 and 10 with a 4th in rounds 2 and 6, and a 2nd in round 9.  This cost Loretta  winning the average, for that year, but those things happen.  When talking with a good friend of Loretta’s, Judie Fields said “Well Loretta has always been as honest as the day is long.  I’m not surprised.”

Judges are human, they occasionally miss an infraction or error that happens, but generally it is not brought to their attention by the erring contestant.  No doubt, the contestant  considers it a lucky break.  However, once in a while, you have that person that believes admitting they made an error, even if it isn’t caught by the judges, is more important to them than winning.
Until next time . . . . . . . . .

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December 16th, 2020

12/16/2020

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THE 2020 NATIONAL FINALS RODEO IN TEXAS
December 3 through 10, 2020

Ninety-two days is all it took for the ‘powers that be’ in Arlington and Fort Worth, Texas and the PRCA put together a winning Finals!  When PRCA was notified that Las Vegas Events had decided not to hold the 2020 National Finals in “The City that Never Sleeps” Texas stepped forward and put together a National Finals that will go down in the history of rodeo.
In the midst of a pandemic of great size that had been affecting the entire world for the better part of 2020 professional cowboys and cowgirls were trying to stay afloat with the rodeos that didn’t cancel for this year, but it wasn’t enough.  If anyone thinks being a rodeo cowboy or cowgirl isn’t a drain on the pocketbook, they don’t know rodeo.  They have to pay an entry fee at every rodeo they attend in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, which is the top level of professionalism in the sport.  They also have to pay their own way with travel expenses, such as fuel, food, motels, cafes, and to keep their animal partners sound which requires vet bills and more.

Everyone was trying to follow the recommended advice given by the State on how to protect yourself and your family from getting the dreaded Corona Virus.            But rodeo was suffering.  The PRCA kept track of the rodeos being held, and by late summer it was determined that at least 14 million dollars had been paid out by rodeos in the organization.  Word was beginning to spread that there would be a National Finals Rodeo.  But Las Vegas was not where it would be held, in spite of the fact they have a contract with the PRCA for a few more years.  Thomas & Mack Stadium, where the National Finals has been held since 1985, is on the campus of University of Las Vegas, and was just too small for a Finals to be held that could follow the rules of the pandemic by social distancing.  But PRCA, the Cowboy Channel, who has a contract with PRCA to film their rodeos, and people in Texas got busy, putting together a program that they hoped would work.  The only problem they had was will the spectators, fans and cowboys and cowgirls come?

The National Finals Rodeo itself was housed at Globe Life Field, the Texas Rangers baseball stadium, newly built in Arlington.  The Cowboy Christmas, a trade show that attracts many people in addition to the fans of rodeo, was held in the Fort Worth Convention Center.  The PRCA Convention was housed at the Omni Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, directly across the street from Cowboy Christmas. The Junior National Finals, was held in the historic Stockyard Coliseum, which was built in 1908, and held the first indoor rodeo in 1918.  At night the Coliseum held the Watch Party, which was for people who did not have tickets to the rodeo, to watch the National Finals Rodeo on a huge screen.  Billy Bob’s, the Largest Honky Tonk in the World, was the scene of several events held, including The Gala, which was an evening of fun and food, honoring the PRCA Legend of Rodeo, Bob Tallman, long-time announcer that  announced his 26th National Finals Rodeo at Globe Life Field, covered rodeos for umpteen  years and has been awarded the Announcer of the Year by PRCA  ten times, plus he’s done so much more for rodeo.  Also held there were the National Finals Ladies Luncheon, and the World of Rodeo Gathering which were all ticketed events.

The National Finals Rodeo was handled as expertly as it had ever been handled.  The timing was quick and kept everyone’s attention.  The big television screens not only added information about each contestant, and the judging, and kept each event’s top scoring contestants listed.  Parking was adequate, entrances were efficient, and the facility itself offered plenty of seating (47,000) so social distancing could be done, and room to get around.  Although the cost of tickets was a little more than the preceding year, which was expected since such a short time was given for the time in which to purchase them.  Overall, it was a huge success and most in the Fort Worth-Arlington-Dallas area will admit more people came than was expected.

AND THE WINNERS WERE - - - - - -
Stetson Wright, age 21, from Milford, Utah, won the 2020 All Around World Championship title.  He was entered in the Saddle Bronc and the Bull Riding Event at the National Finals and had won $305,360 prior to the Finals, which was almost twice the amount won by those next cowboys vying for the title – Tuf Cooper, with $179,412; Clay Smith, $159,699 and Trevor Brazile with $94,803.  Stetson also became the World Champion Bull Rider this year.

The Bareback Riding event was won by Kaycee Fields, of Genola, Utah with approximately $277,000.  The Average was won by Jess Pope of Marshall, Missouri.

The Steer Wrestling event was won by Jacob Edler, of State Center, Iowa and he also won the Average with approximately $200,510.  Edler and Stetson Jorgensen, of Blackfoot, Idaho, had the shortest time – 3.3 seconds in the 6thgo-round.  In  the 9th go-round three steer wrestlers, Matt Reeves, Jacob Talley and Tyler Waguespack won 1st place with a time of 3.5 seconds.

The Team Roping event and Average was won by header Colby Lovell, of Madisonville, TX,  and heeler Paul Eaves, of Lonedell, MO.  They won the last three go-rounds and splitting the 9th go-round with Chad Masters and Wesley Thorp.  The shortest time during the Finals was in the 5th go-round by Clay Smith, of Broken Bow, OK and Jade Corkill, of Fallon, NV with a 3.6 second run

The Saddle Bronc event was won by Ryder Wright, of Beaver, Utah who won five go-rounds, and the Average.  It was announced his earnings were $358,470 for the year.  Wyatt Casper, of Pampa, TX, last years champ was second and Brody Cress of Hillsdale, WY was third.

The Tie Down Roping event was won by Shad Mayfield, of Clovis, NM.  Shad did not have a good National Finals but came into it with $198,399.  He was only $231 ahead of Hunter Herrin who had a good Finals.  Shane Hanchey, of Sulphur, LA, won the Average.  Herrin roped in 6.8 and 6.9 seconds in the 6th and 7th go-rounds.  The only other score of 6.9 was Tuf Cooper in the 9th round.

The Barrel Racing event was won by Hailey Kinsel, of Cotulla, TX, which was her 3rd consecutive World Championship title.  She also won the Average with 170.95 seconds in ten runs.  Kinsel also received the RAM Top Gun Award by winning the most money of any competitor at the National Finals, with $270,615.39.  The times were mainly in the 17 second area, until the 5th go-round when Kinsel had 16.92 seconds.  She followed that in the 7th through 10th round with 16+  seconds times.  The only two other barrel racers to have runs that fast were Emily Miller, of Weatherford, OK, with 16.85 & 16.75 second runs in the 7th and 8th go-rounds, and Stevi Hillman of Weatherford, TX won the 10th round with a run of 16.79 beating Kinsel who had 16.88.  Hailey Kinsel finished her year with $349,076 as the Wrangler National Finals Barrel Racing Champion and Average Champion, and the 2020 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer.

The Bull Riding event was won by Stetson Wright, of Milford, Utah.  He won four go-rounds during the Finals and ended up with approximately $267,000 in the event.  Average was won by Ty Wallace of Colbran, CO.

Women’s Breakaway Roping held for the very first time during the National Finals was held at 10AM in the Globe Life Field on Dec. 7, 8 & 9.  With four rounds each the first two days.  Then two rounds on Dec. 9th , then the top eight, then the top four.  The World Champion was Jackie Crawford of Stephenville, TX.  It was announced there was a purse of $185,000 in this event.
The 2020 Wrangler NFR Payout was as follows:
Go Rounds Average
1st - $26,231 1st - $67,269
2nd - $20,731 2nd - $54,577
3rd - $15,654 3rd - $43,154
4th - $11,000 4th - $31,731
5th - $6,769 5th - $22,846
6th - 4,231 6th - $16,500
7th - $11,423
8th - $6,346

I would like to dedicate this Blog to my friend, William MacLeod, who lives in Nova Scotia and is an avid fan of rodeo and especially Breakaway Roping.

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November 05th, 2020

11/5/2020

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Help!!!!

I am researching and am having much difficulty finding out who the announcers were for the
1923, 1924, 1926, 1927 & 1929 Madison Square Garden Rodeos. I have most of the Programs
and Day Sheets from this era but they don’t mention who the announcer was for those years.
Can anyone help me with this problem?

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August 05th, 2020

8/5/2020

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Wrestling The World,
The Life & Times Of World Rodeo Champion Jack Roddy

By Katie Cooney

Jack Roddy’s life has primarily been rodeo, and he has succeeded to get to the top. He became the World Champion Steer Wrestler in 1966 & 1968. He has been inducted to the Rodeo Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, and received the Ben Johnson Memorial Award there as well. He was inducted to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979, their first year, at Colorado Springs. He has won many other rodeo awards, and been the first to do certain things in rodeo, or done them the most times. Jack is a true All Around Cowboy and has personally done so much to protect and improve rodeo.

This tell-all will surprise many long time fans. Jack is of Irish heritage, and his father was not easy to deal with, but Jack wrestled with him until they found a common ground. Jack has represented rodeo in many ways; by being the Steer Wrestling Director, being part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Board of Directors turning rodeo into a multi-million dollar sport. He has represented rodeo against PETA and other groups working under the guise of protecting animals, in such a manner that proved rodeo protects their animals better than most and should never be accused of abusing them. After all, the stock used in rodeo is their ‘bread and butter’.

Jack has had many other endeavors through his life, such as running bars in San Francisco and San Jose, CA. He has managed ranches, has wrestled against reforms that almost broke the United States beef industry. He also worked to protect ranchers and ranching in so many ways, and most people were never aware these problems even existed.

The cowboy, Jack, attended Cal Poly, and won top rodeo awards in the NIRA. When the school had their rodeo grounds taken away from them Jack was approached to help raise funds to build new facilities. Not only did he succeed in doing so, he brought much more financing than was expected and needed.

He has had his share of injuries in the arena. He also had the loss of friends in the arena, as well. He and Dale Smith bought a ranch near Brentwood, California, on which Jack lived and managed the ranch. It was well-situated for people in the San Francisco Bay area, and he built a top rated golf course on the ranch. The beautiful setting could manage cattle, and an occasional roping and steer wrestling in the arena. He could also hold a major gathering such as a barbeque in a covered area, area/arena, which he did for the Rodeo Historical Society one year.

Jack has had a diverse life, and even took good friend, Chris Cox, well-known horse trainer, and an entourage, including a film crew to Ireland to visit relatives still living there. He made a documentary of the trip which he shared with friends. He eventually found his life partner, Donna, and they are an excellent team.

Unfortunately, he has also had to wrestle with the double-cross of a trusted partner. He discovered a young man which he had befriended and considered family, had stolen a large sum of money from Jack. But the financial losses have only strengthened Jack’s ability to wrestle with right and wrong. These are the things that shaped his integrity and belief in doing the right thing. This is the honest story of a Champion.

Katie Cooney is the author of this account of her friend Jack’s life experiences. She also attended Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, and comes from Irish farming roots. She has traveled the world and photographed and written about a multitude of things she has seen. She earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling and MBA in Global Business. She consults in marketing and sales in the San Francisco Bay area and lives in San Jose with her husband, and two dogs. You can order the book by going to Amazon.com.

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June 23rd, 2020

6/23/2020

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Cowboy Protection Association
Skipper Voss “Let’s Get Western” 2020 Tour
June 13 At Jacksboro, Texas • Sheriff’s Posse Arena

This gathering did “Get Western!!”; with bullfighters and bull riders challenged by bulls with a whole lot of attitude!

Michael Griffin, the ramrod and creator of this affair, explained the program. Two bullfighters to a team faced 10 bulls coming out of the chutes individually with bull riders challenged to stay on for 8 seconds. There were three teams. As long as the bull rider rode, the team stood back preparing where to be when needed and watching the bull’s every move. When the bull rider ‘left’ the bull the team jumped in and protected the rider. Only one bull rider, in 30 bull rides, rode until the whistle. Needless to say, the teams had their work cut out for them.

There were three teams of two bullfighters. Team 1: Brandon Gipson from New Mexico & Nigel Harvey from New Mexico. Team 2: Tyler Theissen from Texas & Mason Sheldon from Kansas. Team 3: Tristan Seargeant, Texas and Jacob Welker from Kansas. Watching from the grandstand was fun since the bulls left the chute with an attitude, and once the bull rider left his back, he attempted to stomp and horn the rider, then he focused on the bullfighters, and was NOT ready to leave the arena. For several bulls it was necessary for the cowboy on horseback to rope the bull and attempt to drag him reluctantly out the arena gate. I will say, the bullfighters were quite good and no one was injured severely. Several went over the fence head first, to escape the bull’s wrath. The horse and rider in the arena were challenged by the bulls several times, but they stayed just a hair away from those treacherous sharp horns.

After each of the three teams worked their ten bulls each team was given a Cross Bred fighting bull to work. This was also exciting to watch as these bulls were definitely there to destroy their opponents. These bulls and the bucking bulls were supplied by Norris Dalton Bucking Bulls.

The Cowboy Protection Association held their first Ring of Fire and honored Skipper Voss, Jerry Don Galloway, Kirby Burney, David Burnham, Wick Peth (deceased) and Tom Feller. These recognized bullfighters were all outstanding bullfighters in their day.

After that part of the program, four United Bullfighters Association bullfighters were each given a Mexican fighting bull to ‘play’ with for 40 seconds, then an additional 20 seconds should they choose to continue. The bullfighters were: Jeffrey Wheelock of North Platte, Nebraska; Tyler Washburn of White Cloud, Michigan; Lane McWilliams of Missouri; and Colt Carlisle of San Saba, Texas. Penthouse Fighting Bulls provided the &UBF Mexican fighting bulls.

Lane McWilliams was first and came out ready for anything; in short order the bull got the upper-hand and roughed him up a bit. He made it to the fence and got out of the bull’s way, but it was evident he got ‘the short end of the stick’. Although the medics on hand came in to the arena, he walked out with them. Jeffrey Wheelock had a good run and stayed with the bull, just out of his way, and scored well. Colt Carlisle also challenged his bull, and stayed just out of reach. The winner was Tyler Washburn who overtook his bull, working circles around him and became the winner.

Separate judges were scoring the teams, the four UBA bullfighters, and the bull riders. The Cowboy Protection winning team was Tristan Seargeant and Jacob Welker who got $5,000 . The only bullrider, who rode to the whistle was Brandon Christian, winning $3,000. The Freestyle Bullfighting winner was Tyler Washburn who won $1,100.

Sponsors for this event include: Humps & Horns Magazine, Number JUAN Tequila, Stride Out Ranch & Rodeowear, Punchy as Hell Brand & Buckles, Cowboy World, and Real Rodeo TV.

After the bullfighters versus the bulls events ended Kris Gordon provided great musical entertainment. AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.

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May 28th, 2020

5/28/2020

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The First Ever “Riggin’ Rally” At Steiner’s Rockin’ X S Ranch

Cowboys left to right: Tilden Hooper, Rocker Steiner, Richmond Champion, Bobby Steiner, Sid Steiner, Kaycee Feild. Photo courtesy of Rodrigo Donoso

People in rodeo know at least a couple of the five-generation Steiner family. They have helped make rodeo what it is today. And if anyone can ‘buck’ the coronavirus pandemic (pardon the pun), it is this family. May 23rd Steiner’s Rockin’ X S Ranch, near Weatherford, TX, held the first ever ‘ Riggin’ Rally’ with seventeen of the top bareback riders in PRCA. Announcers Bob Tallman and Anthony Lucia handled the microphones, and promoted a constant report on scores. In typical Tallman fashion the backgrounds of these young, dynamic and dedicated bareback riders were shared with the audience throughout the evening.

Several of the riders competed at the Cave Creek, AZ Rodeo the night before, which was on the Cowboy Channel, but they weren’t going to miss this event, no matter what! Rodeo competitors are tired of waiting out this dreaded pandemic, and aching to compete! It’s not that the cowboys or Steiners have ignored the demands to distance themselves, stay at home, and avoid crowds. Governor Abbott of Texas had announced he was approving rodeos before this event. It’s time to begin to get back to normal.

After the arena dirt was worked to the max, by no other than Sid Steiner, 2002 World Champion Steer Wrestler, and the sun was sinking in the west, Steely Steiner (Sid and Jamie’s daughter) carried the American flag on her beautiful dapple grey horse around the arena.

They stood at attention in the middle of the arena while we bowed our heads in prayer and all sang the National Anthem. Everyone has missed the atmosphere and that song these past months.

Once all seventeen riders were introduced, the four chutes were filled with great looking bucking horses. They were so sleek and handsome it was like looking at pristine show horses, but, boy, could they buck! The judges were Butch Kirby and Buddy Reynolds, both PRCA judges. Chute bosses were handled by Darrell Barron and Mark Baker. And where was Bobby Steiner, 1973 World Champion Bull Rider? At the chutes, taking care of business, of course.

The Long Round:
½. Richmond Champion, Stevensville, MT – John Wayne, Rockin’ XS - 90 points
½. Clint Laye, Cadogan, Alberta – Hot Valley, Rockin’ XS – 90 points
3 Jess Pope, Marshall, MO – Walker, Smith Pro Rodeo – 89.5 pts.
4. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, TX – Borrowed Money, Rockin’ XS – 86 pts.
5. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, TX – Sun Catcher, Rockin’ XS – 85.5 pts.
6. Clayton Biglow, Clements, CA - Paper Clip, Rockin’ XS – 85 pts.
7/8. Will Lowe, Canyon, TX – Josey, Scotty Lovelace – 84 pts.
7/8. Bill Tutor, Huntsville, TX – Blue Moon, Rockin’ XS – 84 pts.
9. Kaycee Feild, Genola, UT – Robins Best, Rockin’ XS – 83 pts.
10/11. Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, SD (formerly Australia) – PWR Pro’s Joe Exotic – 82.5 pts.
10/11. Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, MT – Salsa, Rockin’ XS – 82.5 pts
12. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, IA – Yellowstone, Rockin’ XS – 82 pts.
13. Zach Hibler, Wheeler, TX – Metallica, Rockin’ XS – 80.5 pts.
14/15. Cole Reiner, Kaycee, WY – The Gauge, Rockin’ XS – 80 pts.
14/15. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, LA – Echo Ridge, Rockin’ XS – 80 pts.
16. Mason Clements, Draper, UT – Thin Lizzie, SR Rodeo – 77 pts.
17. Jake Brown, Cleveland, TX – Smoke Jumper, United Pro Rodeo – 0 pts.

The top scoring eight came back for the short-go, and added their two scores to determine the winner.

The Short Round:
1. Richmond Champion - Pow Wow Rocks, united Pro Rodeo – 90.5 pts.
2. Clayton Biglow – Confused Vegas, Big Rafter Rodeo – 90 pts.
3. Will Lowe – Colorado Kool Aid, Rockin’ XS – 88 pts.
4. Clint Laye – Chrome Cowboy, Rockin’ XS – 87 pts
5. Jess Pope – Mrs Julian, Big Rafter Rodeo – 86.5 pts.
6. Tilden Hooper – Adams Pet, Steve Wagaan – 84.5 pts.
7. Leighton Berry – Dear Rodeo, Scotty Lovelace – 83.5
8. Bill Tutor – Happy Trails, United Pro Rodeo – 0 pts.

Aggregate:
1. Richmond Champion – 180.5 pts - $10,000, plus a $15,000 belt buckle donated by Steiners
Made by B-J Buckles, Preston Johnson (grandson of long time competitor or stock
contractor, Bernis Johnson
2. Clint Laye – 177 pts - $7,500
3. Jess Pope – 176 pts - $5,000
4. Clayton Biglow – 175 pts - $4,000
5. Will Lowe – 172 pts - $3,000
6. Tilden Hooper – 170.5 pts - $2,000
7. Leighton Berry – 169 pts - $1,500
8. Bill Tutor – 84 pts - $1,000

Each rider, not winning money, received $500 for competing in this event. No entry fee was required.

Rocker Steiner, age sixteen, (son of Sid and Jamie) gave an exhibition bareback ride on a wild paint horse. Did he make the 8 second whistle? You bet he did! He became a Wake Board Champion when he was only 9 years old and held the title for 2013. But these days Rocker is itching to be old enough to join PRCA, which is eighteen. He wants to compete in bareback riding with the best.

This event was a tribute to the following deceased important people of rodeo: Tommy & Beverly Steiner, deceased parents of Bobby, who produced rodeos across the country, and were innovators of having movie cowboys and western musicians to entertain their outstanding rodeos; Benny Binion, entrepreneur and major supporter of rodeo and the person that got the National Finals moved to Las Vegas in 1985; and Lewis Feild, three time All-Around Cowboy of the World (1985-1987) and 1985 and 1986 World Champion Bareback Rider, father of Kaycee Feild, riding at this event.

The Steiners are gathering some mighty good bucking horses and have chosen to use a Grated Coconut bred stallion for their foundation stock. Grated Coconut is being inducted to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame this year. Other rodeo stock contractors had some of their National Finals quality bucking horses there, as well.

Sponsors for the first ever “Riggin’ Rally” were: Resistol, Polaris, Hooey, Steiner Ranch Steak House, Ronnie Campbell, Ariat, PWR PRO, Capri Campers, Crown Royal, Jerry Durant GMC, Cinch, Barstow Rodeo Equipment, Vaqueros Café & Cantina & Yellowstone ( television program on Paramount).

The Chuckwagon Feed was donated by the Steiner family. The entertainment during, and after the bareback riding, was Bobby Kerr and his Amazing Mustangs, 2017 Specialty Act of the Year and Tommy Shane Steiner and Drew Womack, providing the music.
The following morning, at Rockin’ XS Ranch, all the bareback riders were having coffee and discussing the event the night before. One cowboy said, “This is the first time I have ever felt like I did at a competition, except when I’m at the National Finals.” The other riders all had to agree, -- it was something special.

A good time was had by all, and everyone that attended can hardly wait until 2021 for the 2nd “Riggin’ Rally”.

This event was filmed by Cowboy Channel, with Janie Johnson interviewing the competitors. Check your local listings for the date it will be shown.

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The First Ever “Riggin’ Rally” At Steiner’s Rockin’ X S Ranch

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