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June 06th, 2019

6/6/2019

Casey Tibbs Exteme Bronc Match
June 1, 2019
Fort Pierre, South Dakota

Casey Tibbs, the most charismatic, handsome and natural saddle bronc rider to ever compete in professional rodeo was from the Fort Pierre, South Dakota, area.  He was one of ten kids, the youngest, born in 1929.  It was tough for mom and dad to keep them all fed and clothed, but the family didn’t think they were different than any of their neighbors.  Times were tough in those days, for just about everyone. Casey’s dad was excellent with horses and he and a friend gathered untamed horses, broke them, and sold them. Casey and the other boys in the family were involved in breaking the horses way to young, but everyone had to work. Out of this beginning Casey became the “best damn bronc rider that ever lived!”

Because of his success in riding broncs and becoming the Champion of Saddle Bronc Riding five times (1951-1954 & 1959), the All-Around Champion twice (1951 and 1955) and the Bareback Riding Champion in 1951, the town of Fort Pierre, South Dakota, has honored their rodeo ‘son’  by building a first-rate museum there and holding the Casey Tibbs Match of Champions yearly.

My good friend, of many years, Dr. Charles “Bud” Townsend, phoned me and asked me to drive him from Canyon, Texas, his home town, to Fort Pierre, South Dakot, a for the June 1st Matched Bucking. It only took long enough for the words to leave my throat to accept the offer.  Bud had offered to sponsor and give the bronze ‘Tornado’ to the winner.  Bud will be 90 years old in November, and he wanted to personally present the trophy to the winner.

We left Canyon, Texas, on May 30th and headed north.  As we drove to South Dakota, traveling through the sandhills of Nebraska, we were in awe of the beautiful countryside Mother Nature had created.  The rolling hills were high with grass and as green as an emerald!  The spring, this year, had been good to this part of the country, and it only got more beautiful as we neared Fort Pierre.

We spent two days getting to know the towns, Fort Pierre and Pierre, divided by the Missouri River,  and the people who live there.  What wonderful people we met.  We spent hours at the Casey Tibbs Museum looking at the displays and reading the history of rodeos held in the state, and those cowboys and cowgirls from South Dakota, who had contributed so much to the sport of rodeo and had brought home Championship after Championship, especially in saddle bronc riding.

The Casey Tibbs Extreme Bronc Match – 2019 was held at the Casey Tibbs Arena in Fort Pierre on Saturday night.  A steak dinner kicked off the festivities.  Since I had been there six years earlier I was aware the dinner was served with plastic silverware.  Try cutting a thick steak with a plastic knife!?!  We had borrowed silverware from our hotel, and were darn glad we had, as we looked around the tables and saw so many men sharing their pocket knives with others at their tables.  Jim Korkow offered his knife to Glee Nett from Cheyenne, and commented he didn’t think he’d used it since he cut the head off a rattlesnake. Glee, a ranch girl, didn’t flinch and chuckled as she cut her steak.

Glee heads up the Children’s Western Wishes Program who had two youths whom they were honoring at the event.  The premise of the program is to bring those they honor, children with needs and who live in the vicinity, to enjoy a rodeo experience and give them gifts provided by sponsors.

Between the sections of the Matched Bucking were Mini Bronc Riders on small horses.  Ryggan Labley, age 7, of Burke, South Dakota, bucked off his wild Shetland as it raced across the arena toward the grandstand, but it didn’t phase him when he bucked off. He got up, dusted himself off, grabbed his cowboy hat, and headed back to the chutes, smiling from ear to ear. The winner was Taos Weborg, age 11, from St. Charles, SD with a score of 58.  Others in the event were: Tyson Hill, of White River, SD, age 13; Talon Ping, of Highmore, SD, age 11; Tyler Tvedt, of Estelline, SD, age 12; and Lucas Arcoren, of Blunt, SD, age 12.  Our bronc riders of tomorrow!

The bucking stock was provided by Sutton Rodeo, Burch Rodeo, Three Hills Rodeo and Korkow Rodeo.  It couldn’t have been any better.  All four rodeo companies brought their best broncs to this event and as a spectator I heard many comments that they had never seen better bucking.

The contestants were thirty of the top riders from professional rodeo.  Judges scored the riders from 68 to 83 in the first section.  Only six buck-offs, and only four flags were  thrown on the ground (infraction of some sort that disqualified the rider – usually not marking the bronc out of the chute).  The contestants were:  Lane Schuelke of Newell, SD; Jade Blackwell of Rapid City, SD; Kash Deal of Dupree, SD; Taygen Schuelke of Newell, SD; Tegan Smith of Winerset, Iowa; Shorty Garrett of Eagle Butte, SD; Stetson Wright of Milford, UT; Jace Blackwell of Hermosa, SD; Kaden Deal of Eagle Butte, SD; Chase Brooks, of Deer Lodge, MT;  Wyatt Casper of Pampa, TX; Cole Pateneaude of Eagle Butte, SD; J. J. Elshere of Hereford, SD; Tim Ditrich of Shingle Springs, CA; Jacob Lewis of Stephenville, TX; Josh Davison of Miles City, MT;  Ty Manke of Rapid City, SD; Brady Hill of Onida, SD; Spencer Wright of Milford UT; Jeremy Meeks of Scenic, SD; Louie Brunson of New Underwood, SD; Lefty Holman of Visalia CA; Jacobs Crawley of Boerne, TX; Bradley Harter of Loranger, LA; Jesse Kruse of Great Falls, MT; Taos Muncy or Corona, NM; Wade Sundell of Boxholm, IA; Jesse Wilson of Martin, SD; and Ryder Wright of Milford, UT.

The riders who went on to the Short Go were: Lefty Holman and Chase Brooks with scores of 83, (Lefty’s score of 83 was on a re-ride).  Next was J.J. Elshere with an 82.5 score, Stetson Wright, Wade Sundell and Ryder Wright had scores of 82, and Spencer Wright and Tegan Smith both got an 81 score. Only two points difference between the top eight.  The competition was fierce.

The results of the Short Go and the top 8 were:  Ryder Wright got a 64 score, which gave him a re-ride on a Three Hills bronc named Mona Lisa, and he did not mark her out.  Tegan Smith of Somerset, Iowa, bucked off Prom Nite a Sutton Rodeo bronc; Chase Brooks of Deer Lodge, Montana bucked off Lunatic from Hell by Burch Rodeo.  J. J. Elshere of Hereford, South Dakota got an 82 on Korkow’s Bad Onion.  Stetson Wright got an 83 score on Meat Cracker of Korkow Rodeo.  Spencer Wright got an 84 score on South Point from Sutton Rodeo.  Lefty Holman scored 85 on Onion Ring, Korkow’s bronc that was the best bareback bronc at the Houston rodeo earlier this year.  And the high scorer and winner was Wade Sundell, the current PRCA World Champion, from Boxholm, Iowa, with an 86 score on Burch Rodeo’s bronc named Maria Bartiroma.

Bud Townsend presented to Wade Sundell the bronze, ‘Tornado’ by Tony Chytka, artist from Belle Fourche, SD.  This was Wade’s third year in a row to win the Casey Tibbs Bucking Match.  He’s a showy rider,  and doesn’t hesitate to jump off his bronc and wave to the audience, once the 8 second whistle blows.  Kind of reminds me of Casey Tibbs sixty or more years ago.  He certainly gives the fans a tremendous show.

Bud and I are now home, back in Texas, and we have so many wonderful memories of our journey to Fort Pierre and the Casey Tibbs Matched Bucking.  If you haven’t made a trip to Fort Pierre, SD, and attended this Matched Bucking, you should.  It is worth the trip.  For information about next year’s event you can always call 605-494-1094 or go to www.caseytibbs.com. If you are in the area go visit the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center museum, you’ll be glad you did.

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Madison Square Garden Rodeo - 1939

5/3/2019

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I found an old article on the rodeo in Madison Square Garden, in New York City, which I have always named the ‘Unofficial predecessor to the National Finals Rodeo.' There are many similarities in that both rodeos were events every cowboy wanted to go to, if he could.  It was the longest rodeo going and if a cowboy was half-good at his event he could make some money – hopefully.  It was a spectacle in New York City with all these cowboys and cowgirls in their fancy boots and ten gallon hats.  Many of the native New Yorkers were curious and would try and corner one of the western set and ask all kinds of questions.  So is the National Finals in Las Vegas with all the neon lights and cowboys and cowgirls in their fancy boots and big hats and many other visitors to ‘the city that never sleeps’ have never encountered a cowboy or cowgirl and they too are curious.

There were some ways the two rodeos weren’t alike. The National Finals Rodeo has always been only available to the top fifteen cowboys, in each event, that had won the most money each year.  The Madison Square Garden Rodeo was open to anyone who could get there and pay their entry fee.  But regardless of the differences it was an event cowboys and cowgirls always wanted to attend.

I found in an old Colliers magazine an article about the 1939 Madison Square Garden Rodeo and thought I’d share some of the writing with you.  REMEMBER this was written almost seventy years ago, so some of the thinking about rodeo has changed a great deal.  The reporters were in awe of rodeo and certainly were not as familiar with it as they wanted to be.
Here goes, enjoy:

“Rodeo performers are unlike any other amateurs in sport.  They risk their lives for a little prize money and a title, paying their own expenses and entry fees.  But there are thrills aplenty; that’s what they like.”

The last night of the rodeo Madison Square Garden was packed.  The barebacked bronco contest had been run and the cowboys had done some roping; there had been a mounted basketball game, and cowgirls had done some clever riding. Now there was an anticipatory silence as the loud-speaker announced the saddle bronco-riding contest.  After twenty-eight days of competition six cowboys were so closely matched that any one of them could win.  It isn’t dangerous to ride a bronco without a saddle, but with a saddle you’re supposed to stick on and keep your feet in the heavy stirrups and that isn’t as easy as sitting in a rocking chair.

The chutes were at the east end of the Garden. Behind them were the corrals where the broncos stayed until it was time to lead them into the chute.  A chute is a fenced enclosure about seven feet long and three feet wide.  Now these broncos were led, pushed and cajoled into the chutes, and saddled. These were the toughest horses in the show; they had been kept for the final night.  I was down there by the chutes with Harry Knight.  When a cowboy was mounted Harry would say, “Ready?”  If the cowboy was ready he’d nod his head or yell, “Let ‘er go, Harry!”  Then the gate would swing open and the horse would roar out.

Two things are important in riding a bucking bronco with a saddle.  First is the grip you take on the rein, which is actually a heavy rope halter.  If you grab the rope too near the horse’s head, he’ll throw his head down and you’ll go over his head.  If you hold the rope too far back he’s apt to toss his head up sharply, you’ll lose your balance and tumble off backward.  The second important thing is to get into rhythm with the horse immediately.  If you become part of his motion so that you synchronize with his leaps and so that you absorb the jolting when he lands, as he absorbs it, then you’re all right.

Eight of the cowboys had done their stuff.  The last man was up now, and Harry Knight and I peered through the white boards of the fence.  “This is Hell’s Angel, a good horse,” Harry said.  The horse was large, about twelve hundred pounds.  His eyes were flecked with red glints and he was trembling a little.  “He doesn’t look like a good horse to me,” I said to Harry.

“When I say good horse I mean tough horse,” Knight laughed. “He’s a terror, this Hell’s Angel.  He’s a buckin’ fool.  No one’s been able to stay on him this show but Paul Carney, and there’s nothing he can’t stay on.”  The cowboy who was to ride Hell’s Angel started to climb the fence to mount the horse. On his chaps were emblazoned the letters W. W.

“Who’s this, Harry?” I asked.  “Walter Winchell?”  Harry laughed, “Hey, Ward, meet a friend of mine.  This is Ward Watkins from Colorado.  Ward, give him a good ride like you did at Phoenix that time.” Watkins, darkly handsome, grinned and said: “Sure, Harry, I’ll ride him dizzy.”  He climbed into the saddle and grabbed the halter.  He settled himself, trying to get into the rhythm of the horse.

Three judges mounted and looked toward the chute. Each rider must stay on ten seconds. Form counts as well as ability. The three judges were Earl Thode of Casa Grande, Texas, former All-American cowboy champion; Leo Murray of Fort Worth, Texas, another champion; and Herman Linder of Alberta, one time champion of Canada.  The three judges looked toward Harry and Harry called, “All set, Ward?”

Ward Watkins grinned, flipped his cigarette away, and called cheerfully, “Let ‘em ride.”

As the gate swung open the horse dashed out and gave a tremendous leap forward and upward.  His head came down and Ward fell forward on his neck.  Another surge upward and another and now Ward had slipped out of the saddle but his left foot stayed in the stirrup.

The three judges tore after the bronco.  The horse was still bucking and between bucks was galloping madly and dragging Ward Watkins. The three judges on horses tried desperately to head Hell’s Angel off, but he swerved this way and that and now a hundred cowboys, some on foot and others on horses, had run out and had surrounded Hell’s Angel.  Finally by their sheer weight of numbers they stopped him.

Two men in white hurried out with a stretcher. Interns from the near-by Polyclinic Hospital are always at the rodeo.  Someone in the crowd screamed, the rest of us stood there frozen.  I looked down and there at my feet was the cigarette that Ward Watkins had so casually flipped away, still smoking. The stretcher was carried out, and Harry Knight and I walked to the side of the arena and started for the lobby. A white-faced photographer whose eyes were dull said: “That’s a tough way to earn a buck.”

We walked through the chute.  A cowboy was leaning against the corral fence, doubled over a little as though he had been hit in the stomach.  He said to no one in particular, “I’d have given two years pay not to have seen that.”  Outside we met Twain Clemens, once a great contestant and now half owner of the rodeo. His face was grim.  I said, “Twain, why not get that horse and shoot it?” He looked surprised, “I never thought of that,” he said, slowly.  Harry Knight said flatly, “Wasn’t the horses fault.  Horse didn’t know any better.”  “It would make us feel better if we shot the horse,” I said.  They just shook their heads.

We walked out of the Garden and across the street to the hotel where the cowboys lived.  We went to the bar and ordered drinks.  We tried to stop thinking about Ward Watkins.  A cowboy came in and said gruffly, “He’s still alive.”  Heads were raised in hope and amazement.

A month later he walked out of the hospital, limping a little and wincing a bit when he moved an arm – but he was alive. And he was back the following year and rode Hell’s Angel again.

In 1939, 188 cowboys made it to Madison Square Garden.  So did forty cowgirls.  Some of them were wide-eyed youngsters seeing New York for the first time.  Some were veterans.  There was bearded Ben Greenough of Red Lodge, Montana, who sat on the top of the chutes each night watching his two sons and two daughters perform.  They call him “Pack-Saddle Ben” out West and he confesses to being seventy-two.  There are 105 rodeos held under the auspices of the Rodeo Association of America.  Points scored in any of these count in the final compilation to decide the world’s champion.  The Garden rodeo is the grand climax of the so-called Suicide Circuit.

When the show was over, some of the boys came in. (I’m presuming he is referring to the bar at the hotel across the street)  Winners of various events had saddles with them that they’d won and some had checks, too.  Some looked unhappy.  They were the ones that hadn’t won any prize money.  They’d come from Arizona or Colorado to New York and had paid their own way.  They’d paid their hotel bills too, and now they had to go back to work as cowhands so they could do it all over again next season.  Some of them didn’t have enough money to check out of the hotel, but those who had won took care of that.  It’s like that with the rodeo performers.

They are the greatest amateur athletes in the world. Technically they are professionals. Other sports have all their expenses paid.  Rodeo performers aren’t sent by anyone.  Some of them have to hitchhike to New York for the big show.  Some of them borrow their next year’s pay so they can make the trip.  Why? So they can wear a belt buckle on which is embossed:  “World Champion Steer Wrestler," or so their saddle will be stamped, “World’s Champion Bronco Rider." They want the thrill of competing and beating their fellow cowboys.

Paul Carney was the 1939 world’s champion.  He won $8,641.  Those who won as much as a thousand dollars were doing well.  Nine tenths of the contestants don’t win anything, but they come back each year to try again if they can beg or borrow a stake. In addition to traveling and living expenses each contestant has to pay an entry fee.

Many of them thumb their way to New York for the big event.  Last year Dan Stuart rode from Tucson, Arizona, across the country on a burro. Tony Thomas of Hugo, Oklahoma, came on horseback, while Erby Mundy and John Elfic pooled their resources, bought a small car, built a trailer, and drove from Lewiston, Idaho, with two horses and a donkey as passengers.  Some work their way across the continent, others ride the freights.

And so when it’s over they leave New York finally, most of them dead broke.  They get back home as best they can, but what of it?  They have something to talk about during the winter months.  They re-live Ward Watkins’ ride a thousand times; they tell of Paul Carney’s great work on the saddled broncos and they talk of how Fritz Truan tossed those steers around.  They chuckle about that little blond cashier they met and they drop notes to a cigarette girl who fluttered a pair of dark eyelashes at them.  Then they go back to work to get a stake so they can do it all over again next year.
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Lots of things in rodeo have changed since this condensed article was written in 1940, but some things haven’t changed.  I doubt if any one would dare call the cowboys and cowgirls amateurs in Las Vegas.  Those that qualify for the National Finals know they will have enough money to get home, even if they don’t do well.  But many things have changed in the sport of rodeo since this was written.

But there are still cowboys who just want the challenge of staying on the bronc for 8 seconds, or scoring well in the calf roping, or doggin’ a steer in a few seconds –  or having the best barrel racing time regardless of the prize money. Overall the cowboy or cowgirl makes their decision as to whether they will compete or not.  No one makes them do it.  Their independent and choose where to go and what to enter.  But they probably will go and enter – they love the sport of rodeo, regardless of the outcome.  Those things will never change.

New Topic

By the way, Deer Trail, Colorado, is holding their 150th Anniversary Rodeo this year.  Their first rodeo was in 1869 and they held a bronc riding at a 4th of July Community Picnic with cowboys and broncs from area ranches.  The winner was Emile Gardenhire, from England, who was working on one of the nearby ranches.  He won a suit of clothes.

The Deer Trail Rodeo this year has a theme of “Cheers to 150 Years”.  It will be held on July 5th& 6th at the Deer Trail Rodeo Grounds. Friday the activities will begin at 4:30 Mutton Bustin’, followed by 5:30 Rodeo and Free Concert.  Saturday’s activities will begin with a parade at 1PM, and 4:30 Mutton Bustin’, followed by the 5:30 Rodeo, and Concert by Casey Donahue Band.

The Rodeo this year is going to have a Matched Bronc Riding open to anyone with $1000 prize money.  This is to commemorate the first event held in 1869. Other events will be bareback riding, breakaway roping, barrel racing, bull riding, calf roping, mixed team roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and team roping.  There is $350 prize money in each event, and, of course, an entry fee, which I did not get.  You can call the Town of Deer Trail at 303-769-4464 for more information about the event.  See you there!!

Deer Trail was started by the Kansas Pacific Railroad when they built a railway station for homesteaders to transport their grain, livestock and eggs to sell.  Today’s population is 546 (as of 2010, but it is growing) but in the 1920s it had grown to have two banks, five grocery stores, and three hotels plus the school and churches.  Today there are two gas stations there, that are active, a museum, 2 churchs and a museum.

If anyone needs reservations try motels in Limon 35 miles east, or Byers, Strasburg or Denver to the west.

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Wow, Rodeo Austin Was Tops In Every Way!

3/28/2019

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Last night five other gals and I went to the Austin Rodeo and Concert with Martina McBride and had a great time.  There is so much to offer at Rodeo Austin  it is a great way to spend the day, or evening, and you won’t be disappointed.

I was asked to give a talk to the staff and the Board of Directors of Rodeo Austin back in January about the history of rodeo.  I found the staff very educated and enthusiastic about rodeo and their responsibilities to put on the best rodeo each year.  Rob Golding has been the CEO for the last three years and has done a super job.  Rodeo Austin joined PRCA in 1989 and has become 9thin the country out of over 600 rodeos, by total committee purse (according to the 2018 Media Guide) which is $340,000.

My ladies last night had such an enjoyable time, and I am the only consummate rodeo person in the bunch.  I thought it would be interesting to include what the other five had to say about Rodeo Austin and their evening.  We started off with an incredible dinner in the Founders Club. We had an opportunity to visit, over dinner, with one of the Executive Board members, who answered question after question about the history of Rodeo Austin.  The rodeo ran smoothly from beginning to end.  Although a medical staff was available there was not one time they had to help a competitor or an animal.

Beutler & Son Rodeo, under the direction of Benny Beutler, and sister, Dolly Riddle, who runs the Secretaries Office, do such an exceptional job.  They happen to be part of a three generation stock contracting company so they know exactly how to do it right.  Andrews Rodeo guru Sammy Andrews assisted with his stock, too.  The Rodeo Austin volunteers are a tremendous group and are everywhere!  If you need to ask a question about anything within the grounds there is a volunteer within a short distance to help you.

The concert with Martina McBride was excellent.  I must say the acoustics in the stadium have improved a great deal and she gave a tremendous show.  The stage and musicians were in place in quick time after the rodeo. Martina is a tremendous singer and so personable you feel she is singing directly to you.

My friends had different opinions of what was their favorite part of the evening and I want to share them with you:
Pam commented on how much she enjoyed the bull riding, although the bulls were rank and not easy to stay on for 8 seconds.  Parker Breding, a second generation bull rider, won and what a ride he did have getting an 84.50 score.  Pam also commented how much she enjoyed the comedy of Justin Rumford, the rodeo clown.  He is hilarious and keeps the laughs coming from beginning to end.  I might add the barrelman, and bullfighters, were so efficient in doing their jobs, they make bullfighting look easy. It is NOT!  An extra added attraction at the end of the bull riding event was a free-style bullfight with a couple of bulls that were just hankering for a fight with someone.  Well done!

Melissa showed horses in her youth butdid not competed in rodeos.  She was a part of the ‘rodeo family’ growing up, and the entire evening brought back so many memories about the western way of life.  She couldn’t pinpoint a highlight, saying it was all too good!

Debbie loved the bronc riding and understanding if the horse does not do his part or stumbles, the judges can give the rider an option of a re-ride.  There were only two in last night’s performance.  One in the saddle bronc riding, and one in the bull riding.

Anne Marie was so impressed with the cowboys and how they travel from all over the country to compete.  Cowboys last night were from Canada, ID, MT, LA, CO, NV, ND, WY, WI, SD, OK, PA, NY, AL, FL, NE, UT, GA, MN, NM, MO, IA, and all over Texas.  Which means Rodeo Austin is very important on the competing cowboys PRCA rodeo road to winning enough to be eligible for the PRCA National Finals by year’s end.
Nikki said that the highlight of the evening for her was watching all the events and learning, from the great announcers, Wayne Brooks and Randy Corley, the rules and how a judge scores.  For example, if a bronc rider does not spur the bronc, in the shoulder, on the first jump out of the chute he is disqualified.  Another rule she learned was that when the calf is tied, it has to stay tied six seconds, after the rider leaves the calf and returns to his saddle, to be considered a qualified tie.

My highlight was taking five friends who are not considered to be rodeo fans to our great rodeo.  To see them enjoy themselves in everything we got to do last evening thrilled me.  Rodeo Austin has definitely added so much to the world of professional rodeo. Immersing my days with rodeo facts, historically and in the present, I was so pleased to see so many names that are at the top of the PRCA events boards.  The WPRA barrel racers were superb.  My focus these days are on the barrel racers since I am currently writing a book on the history of their event, which is fascinating, I was impressed by so many National Finals competitors competing at Rodeo Austin!

I also think the way the Mutton Bustin’ is held, with each and every rider being helped up by a volunteer and taken back to the sidelines is comforting to the kids even though they may have had a rough ‘buck-off’ at the end of their ride, no one seemed any worse for wear.  Randy Corley talking with the winner and having fun with all of them at the end was fun for all!  The Steer Wrestlers last night were all from the upper part of our country and Canada, except for one lone Nevada cowboy. The leader in Steer Wresting is Tanner Brunner with a 3.2 second time.  Harley Cole of Okotoks, Alberta, Canada came closest with a 3.7 second run.  The tie down ropers had a bad evening trying to catch Michael Otero that had a 7.7 second score to lead the event.  Closest to him was Caddo Lewallen of Morrison, OK with 9.4 second time.  Team ropers were competing against a first place time of 4.2 seconds and Rich Skelton, of Llano,  along with header, Nelson Wyatt of Clanton, AL; they tied the first place time.  Dr. Charles Graham, of Elgin, TX, was introduced and should be.  He was the 2018 PRCA Veterinarian of the Year and has always supported this fine rodeo. Miss Rodeo Texas was present and she and the Bullfighters, Barrelman, and Justin Rumford were all signing autographs after the rodeo.

I can’t say enough about Rodeo Austin.  They have many additional things to do and see on the grounds.  Riding the carnival rides, eating all the neat foods offered at the concession stands, and the pig races, Oh my!  One thing I am sorry I didn’t have time to see were the Trick Riders that performed in the Wild West Show next door to the rodeo arena.  The talents of these performers are amazing.

The proceeds from this venue is dedicated to scholarships to area students.  Each night I attended one of the scholarship recipients was there and introduced on the big screen over the arena.  What a wonderful important choice by Rodeo Austin.

Change your plans!  Or if you have no plans from now through Saturday, get tickets and head for Rodeo Austin.  Go to their website and check it all out.  You will have more fun than you can imagine.  WE DID!  AND YOU WILL, TOO!

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January 22nd, 2019

1/22/2019

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2019 – Barrel Racing

A New Year is here.  In twelve months a year starts out as new, like an infant, and within 365 days, we say farewell to it as if we celebrate it’s demise.  It sinks into our  memory and another new year dawns.  When you consider that each year, like  2019, goes through it’s ‘life’s cycle’ in 365 days – no wonder there is so much going on and so little time to do everything we want to do during each year!!

Presently, I am researching and working on putting together a new book on the history of rodeo barrel racing.  I have made great strides — so far, but have much more to do.  My goal is to fill this book with information from the beginning of the event, and all the changes that occurred, until the day it goes to press.

The pages will be filled with interesting history, information on some of the horses that have had the experience of being a barrel horse, and information about some of the women who have been instrumental in ‘raising the bar’ in barrel racing to a new level.  The Appendix will include important information statistically and historically that any one interested in the sport will want to know.

Since having the privilege of being involved in the history of rodeo for over thirty two years and having written books on various events and happenings in rodeo, you would think it would be easy.  But this book is one I have been  attempting to write for several years.  Patience is something that I don’t have much of.  However, doing the best at writing the history takes a great deal of patience.  Often I find that  information and people who can give me what I need are discovered in the least expected places.  Often I don’t even realize what I need until it happens!

Sometimes it takes much longer and definitely more effort than I expect, or even imagine to do a subject justice.  But I thoroughly enjoy what I do.   It also takes help from many people in many different ways to complete a project and be ready to be published.

It’s a  known fact, before this book is complete and goes to press I will be talking with people I haven’t even met yet, and traveling to places I didn’t know I needed to go in search of information that I may never find. (Of course, at times that obscure information just pops up in front of me.  Sadly, sometimes after the book has been published, and too late to be included.)

Meanwhile, I will be going to rodeo-related events throughout the year, and occasionally will be distracted by a new interest, not related to my current book.  But I will always go back to the history of barrel racing until I am satisfied to have found what I want to be in the book.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me in this project up to this time, and thanks to those of you I haven’t even met yet, and those that will inspire me to include things that need to be included.  Thank you to photographers who have given me photographs of barrel racing and to those I haven’t received yet.  It takes so much to make a book complete and I can’t do it without all these people.

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A Wild Time Of Year For The Western World

11/21/2018

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There are times of the year when things “really do become western” and that starts in the fall.  What with regular fall rodeos, circuit finals, and inductions in various Halls. Then we top it off with the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps!!!  There is never a ‘down time’ in rodeo and the western world, but I love this time of year.  There is such excitement in the air – along with a few snowflakes, and cooler weather.

I attended the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame induction, Nov. 1st, which is a ‘must go’ every year.  Those that attend and the inductees are such a delight, as are the beautifully decorated tables that fill the ballroom at Will Rogers Center in Fort Worth.  Although I can’t think of one candidate that was not worthy of induction in all the years I have been attending, this year was outstanding.

I was extremely impressed with them all, however this year the Hall has gone international. Does this mean they will have to change their name?  Dr. Angelika Trabert from Germany was inducted.  Born with no legs and only three fingers on one hand she became an outstanding horsewoman having started with equitherapy and a lifelong love of horses. She has competed in six World Championships, five European Championships and five Paralympic Games, winning 26 medals. Her wins and honors are vast, but additionally she is an anesthesiologist.  She is a humanitarian and went to Guinea, West Africa and started Sundjata, a nonprofit humanitarian organization for handicapped children in Guinea.

Camilla Naprous, performs with her family’s stunt team, The Devil’s Horsemen. She rode Roman style on her ponies in front of ten thousand people in Wembley Arena in London when only eight years old.  She and her family provide horses, carriages, tack, riders and horsemasters to international films, television programs and more.  She has trained many actors and actresses in horsemanship. She has served as horsemaster on the acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones.  She also writes and choreographs live performances at their equestrian theatre in England.

Caroline Lockhart (deceased) was a journalist, homesteader and cattle queen. Born in 1871 she grew up to be a female reporter for a Boston newspaper and provided expose’s and profiles, including Buffalo Bill.  In 1904 she was in Montana, writing about the Blackfoot Indians, and decided to move there. She became friends with Buffalo Bill and many Westerners.  She purchased the Cody Enterprise newspaper, co-founded the Cody Stampede rodeo, and later went to her homestead the L Slash Heart Ranch in the Pryor Mountains of Montana which grew to 6,000 acres and marketed her steers in Omaha.  She died in 1962.

Sherry Cervi, a competitive cowgirl that made her mark in barrel racing. She joined the Womens Professional Rodeo Association when she was twelve and began rodeoing professionally, as did her mother before her.  She qualified for the National Finals Rodeo at nineteen and won Reserve World Championship and became the World Champion in 1995.  She won her second World title in 1999.  She is the highest earning barrel racer in the history of the sport having won over $3 million dollars in 2016.  She has formed the Sherry Cervi Youth Championships which holds annual youth barrel races in California, Arizona and Minnesota.  Sherry admits much of her barrel racing success has been because of the outstanding horses that she partnered with during her career.

Diane Scalese is an engraver of spurs, bridle bits, buckles, conchas and firearms in steel, silver, gold, brass and platinum.  She attended Montana State University as an art major and started Sweetwater Silversmith in 1986.  She studied engraving from vintage western tack and decided to make the engraving the focus of each piece and improved on it.  She has taught engraving and done many demonstrations across the world. She was the Academy of Western Artists Engraver of the Year in 2003.

Kathleen Moody received the Mary Jane Colter Award.  She rode her first horse at four and found she enjoyed drawing horses. She received her first Breyer horse at seven, starting a collection of model horses that inspired her to become a model horse creator.  She has done many one-of-a-kind model horses for customers.  She worked for Walt Disney Studios, and began sculpting her own original horses.  Since then she has branched out on her own and eventually worked with Breyer. Moody’s pieces offer a positive influence to young women spreading confidence and joy through the power of positive play.

Brooke Wharton received the Mitzi Lucas Riley Award.  Wharton is 6thgeneration of the W. T. Waggoner family and has horses in her blood.  Her family history was totally involved with cattle and horses.  In 2013 she became assistant manager of the Waggoner Ranch overseeing breeding, training and beyond.  However her most fascinating experience was competing in the Mongol Derby, an equestrian endurance race.  Riding semi-wild horses, the course is different each year but extends 600+ miles across Mongolia in varying terrain.  Wharton tied for 6th, out of 42 international riders, making her the first American and tied as the first woman to cross the finish line that year. There is no wonder why the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame attracts so many to their Induction Ceremony with such amazing inductees.

A week later was the Rodeo Historical Society Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, and of course, I was there.  Two days of activities in this amazing museum that has captured the essence of the west from it’s inductees, to the art and collections of memorabilia of rodeo and the western world.  The candidates that are picked to be on the ballot each year are voted on by the membership of the Rodeo Historical Society.

Those inducted this year were:  Bobby Berger, of Pearsall, TX, a roughstock rider that is one of only three cowboys who have qualified for the PRCA National Finals rodeo in all three roughstock events – bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. He qualified for 13 National Finals Rodeos and was the Saddle Bronc Champion in 1977 and 1979.  He also won the Bull Riding Average in 1969 and 1971 and the Saddle Bronc Average in 1980.

Derek Clark, is a fourth generation rodeo competitor that went to the National Finals 15 years in Saddle Bronc Riding.  He won Reserve Champion in 1990, and won various Circuit Finals and various Series Finals too many times to list.  He also served on the PRCA Board of Directors from 1998 to 2005, resigning only when he suffered a serious injury serving as a pickup man.

Steve Duhon grew up knowing how to ride and started competing in high school.  He also played football at LSU and was a skilled athlete.  However, he gave up the opportunity to play football to rodeo. He competed in all timed events but steer wrestling was his best event.  He was the Steer Wrestling Rookie of the Year in 1985.  He won the Steer Wrestling World Championship in 1986, 1987 and 1993.  He qualified for the NFR eight times.  He set an NFR record steer wrestling time with a run of three-seconds flat in 1986, that has been tied, but never surpassed.

Bill Duvall was a steer wrestling horse trainer par excellence. He also was a steer wrestler and a hazer.  He helped many steer wrestlers win the world by riding the horses he had trained.  He and brother Roy  held many steer wrestling schools to help young cowboys get started.  They also established the Duvall Steer Wrestling Jackpot at Checotah, OK.

Jim Bob Feller was a rodeo clown for 51 years, so far.  He is still clowning at the famous Mesquite (TX) Rodeo most weekends.  He was the barrelman for the Wrangler Bullfight Finals in 1991, '98 and ’99.  He also worked the Ram National Circuit Finals in 1993, and the Texas and Turquoise Circuit Finals numerous times.  He worked many different rodeos but Sidney, Iowa; Albuquerque, NM; and Tucson, AZ he worked many years.

John W. Jones, Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps in rodeo.  He was the 1981 Overall Rookie of the Year for PRCA, and his dad had been the 1956 Rookie of the Year.  He qualified for the NFR ten times in steer wrestling winning the average in 1998 and the Championship in 1984, '88 and '89.  His dad had won the World title in 1970.  He also competed in all timed events throughout his career.

Two deceased inductees were honored: James Cathey, a photojournalist that was instrumental in helping the Girls Rodeo Association get started and was their photographer, and their first public relations person starting their magazine Powder Puff and Spurs, which helped to spread the word of their new organization across the U.S.  He also was considered a premier rodeo photojournalist for High School and National Intercollegiate Rodeo Associations in their earliest stages.  His family has donated his entire body of work to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.  Cathey died in 1978.

Lester A “Les” Gore, from Montana, won the Amateur Bronc Riding at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1946.  He won the Bareback Riding and Steer Wrestling at an RCA rodeo in Las Vegas. Gore won events at many of the top rodeos in the country during his era.  At one point he scored on 73 bulls in a row.  He qualified for the National Finals in 1963 and again in 1965.  He was instrumental in helping form the National Old Timer Rodeo Association, now called the Senior Pro Rodeo Association. He won the National Bareback and All-Around titles before retiring at the age of 64 in the Senior Pro group.

Elaine Agather, a banker for JP Morgan Chase, was the recipient of the Tad Lucas Memorial Award.  Tad was a trend setter and a cowgirl respected by all her peers in the “Golden Age of Rodeo”.  Elaine holds that same respect and is on the Board of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and helped raise funds to build their building in Fort Worth. She is also on the Board of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and has ridden in the Grand Entry every year but one since 1992, which is over 900 times.  She also is considered the Best Dressed Cowgirl in the Fort Worth-Dallas area during rodeo time with her vintage (Nudie-style) and elegant western clothes with lots of sparkles and bling.

The Ben Johnson Memorial Award was presented to Clyde Frost, a rodeo contestant born in Colorado that competed in all events and won some All-Around honors, but went to the first National Finals Rodeo in 1959 in the bareback riding event.  He went to five National Finals Rodeos in bareback riding and two in Saddle Bronc Riding. Since their son, Lane Frost’s death, they have given thousands of Bibles in his name to organizations and individuals. They have also been responsible for several scholarships that are given in his name.

The next direction I’m headed is to the PRCA National Final Rodeo in Las Vegas, December 6th through the 15th.  It is ten nights of action from the top fifteen cowboys and cowgirls in the following events:  Bareback Riding; Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding; Team Roping; Tie Down Roping; Barrel Racing; and Bull Riding.  It is always amazing to watch the ‘cream of the crop’ perform.  There are very few mistakes, but they do happen from time to time.

These contestants have labored all year to get to this ‘Super Bowl’ of rodeo and have put thousands of miles on their vehicles, or in the air, and some have hauled their equine partners down just as many miles. They have made sacrifices all year long to be one of the top fifteen in their events and their families have made just as many sacrifices.  They have missed birthdays and anniversaries for those loved ones.  And often when finally getting to get a few hours of rest and hopefully sleep they know how much they miss their families back home. Some have sustained injuries that should have taken them out of the ‘game’ but they refused to quit, in spite of pain, or worse.  December 15thwill tell the tale and reveal the 2018 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association World Champions in each event.  There will be some unexpected losses and some surprising wins.  But regardless of the outcome few will quit going down the rodeo road next year.  It is in their blood to keep trying to win that elusive gold buckle. They just know next year they will ride better or have a better timed event time. Their adrenalin flows when they are competing and it is a feeling like no other. GOOD LUCK TO THE COWBOYS & COWGIRLS THAT HAVE CHOSEN THIS WESTERN WAY OF LIFE AND HAVE SUCCEEDED IN BEING THE TOP OF THE 2018 CROP!!

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September 26th, 2018

9/26/2018

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Brent Thurman Memorial Bull Riding 2018
The Last Ride

There was a hot time in Dripping Springs, Texas. last Friday and Saturday nights when the Brent Thurman Memorial Bull Riding was held at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center.  People came from all directions to attend this bittersweet, yet exciting event – it was STANDING ROOM ONLY!

This was the 20thYear the Brent Thurman Memorial Bull Riding had been held.  This was to be the last one.  In addition to the Bull Riding, there was a Cowboy Reunion and Auction of Friday night with Jake Hooker and the outsiders.  On Saturday it began with an Exceptional Rodeo, from 5:30 to 6:30, sponsored by the Brent Thurman Foundation for ‘Brent’s Kids’.  The ‘kids’ could ride Bucky the Bull, rides horses, try roping, pet the ponies, and more.  After the bull riding was over, there was a dance featuring The People’s Choice Band.

The bull riding was exciting, with 40 riders from all across Texas and two from Brazil.  The bulls were provided by twelve different stock contractors, and were quite lively and ready to perform.  The introduction of the bull riders was done like the Professional Bull Riders do and feature them with lots of fireworks!  The announcer was Creed Roberts, the bullfighters were; Ace Lloyd, Todd Yarbrough, Winston Derby, Cody Patton and Chris Hammack.

Well known former bullfighter, barrelman and continuous funnyman, Leon Coffee, was featured, along with laugh-getter David Haffelder.  Leon put Brent on his first bull, when he was only 8 years old, told Brent’s mother, Kay Thurman.   Leon was not only a bullfighter but a long-time friend of the family.

Chance Lopez of Karnes City, TX won first; Ralph Benson of Atkins, TX won 2nd; Sterling Furr of Boerne, TX won 3rd; McKennon Wimberley of Stephenville, TX won 4th; and 5th place was won by Zack Miles of Gonzales, TX.

The stock was furnished by the following people; BP Cattle Company, Bailey Kays Bad Boys, Silent 7, Curry Creek, Shumaker, Murph and Donahoe, Shane Davis, Edward Martinez, JD Nix, Cooper/Skruggs, Covenant Rodeo and Shane Davis 2.

Brent was born March 3, 1969, and joined PRCA in 1988.  He was 5’9” and weighed 148 pounds. He was an up-and-coming bull rider from Dripping Springs, Texas. In 1993 Brent first qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, which meant he was one of the top fifteen bull riders in the country.  When the Finals ended after 10 go-rounds he was 6thin the World.  He placed in the National Finals in four go-rounds.  He won a second, a fourth, tied for third and fourth place, and in the 8thgo-round he tied for first and second with Mark Cain.  Brent made over $25,000 at the Nationals Finals that year.  His best payoff that year was Denver with a $4,901 total.  He finalized that year in PRCA with $69,465.

            Brent Thurman, age 25, made the National Finals, for the second time,  in 1994. Again he was one of the top fifteen bull riders in the world!  In the 10thand last round he drew Growney Brothers bull, Red Wolf, and was bucked off.  He received cranial and facial fractures.  He was wearing a protective vest, but unfortunately, the injuries were above it. Six days later, December 17th, he died of these injuries.  His death was the only one that has occurred at the National Finals Rodeo because of injuries sustained at the Finals in its fifty eight year history.

The Hill Country Sun, July/August issue, of a magazine from Dripping Springs had an article on Brent and said, “He’s known as a gentleman who never met a stranger, the guy who made you feel like you were his best friend.  The one you wanted to hang out with, who always had a grin on his face.  He was one of the good guys, and a hero to many. Brent Thurman is not be forgotten . . not ever.

His legacy as a compassionate and driven young man has left many treasured memories and a permanent reminder of what goodness and selflessness is all about.  Brent Thurman truly cared about and loved people and life beyond measure with real enthusiasm.  ‘He lived everyday of his life exactly like he wanted.  Brent lived more in 25 years than I could if I lived to be 100,’ says his mother, Kay.”

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September 05th, 2018

9/5/2018

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A Whoppin’ Good Time Was Had By All!!

I can’t believe it is September already. How time does fly when you are having fun. Our Rodeo Clown Reunion this past summer was one we won’t soon forget. The former rodeo clowns that attended were all ready to have a good time — and that we did. Our sponsors and the Fort Worth Stockyards couldn’t have been nicer or done more for us. The temperatures were ranging above 100 degrees all three days and off and on we were always able to slip in the Coliseum and barrels of cold water was there for us. But most of the time we were out with the crowds enjoying the western flavor of the historic Fort Worth Stockyards!

Forty-five laugh-getters and bull-baiters showed up. Forty-four men and Dixie Reger Mosley, the only woman rodeo clown who did it for thirteen years, all had a great time. The crowds during The National Day of the Cowboy were the greatest. It was evident they came prepared to have fun. The day started with different venues all over the Stockyards and Reunion-goers were here — there — and everywhere. Cow milking contests – mustache contests – face painting — music! Until . . . it was time for the parade. Then all forty-four piled on two low trailers and followed the Texas Longhorn Herd down Exchange Blvd. past Main Street and back to Billy Bob’s Texas.

After that, the Rodeo Clown Reunion laugh-getters got in front of the Coliseum and juggled, kidded with the audience, posed for hundreds of photos. They even had a stick horse rodeo and challenged the children to run against celebrities in the audience. A panel of rodeo clowns from Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, and New York were interviewed by the Announcer of the Rodeo about their lives and their unique professions as bullfighters, barrelmen and funnymen.

We all chowed down on catered dinners in the Coliseum both Friday and Saturday evenings before the rodeo. The food was sponsored by Riscky’s, and the fearless funnymen and their significant others raved about the food. During the rodeo, our Reunion rascals put on a couple of acts for the audience both nights. You see, although some have been away from the rodeo arena for a long, long, long time, they haven’t forgotten their timing nor their eagerness to entertain. They all carried an abundance of red noses, in their pockets, to share with the children they met.

After the rodeo, most of the ‘older set’ went back to the hotel, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and either crashed or sat in the large lobby and visited and told stories of “the good old days.” Up early and back in the lobby for a tasty breakfast the next morning, and more fun to be had. Some of the younger (and I’m talking 50 and over) went to Billy Bob’s Texas for some dancing and more. The comments the next day were ‘They’d never seen anything like it!” How great is that?

We even had a Ladies Luncheon, which is held strictly for the ladies that accompany their former rodeo clowns to this venue. After all, many of these ladies were the ones that had to stay at home with the children while the men worked rodeo to rodeo all over the place. They were entertained by Devon Dawson, a Fort Worth western diva who has an amazing repertoire of western music, plus songs she has written, which were perfect for this group. Also Teresa Burleson, the 2017 Lady Poet of Texas, recited some of her creations, to the delight of everyone there.

You see, this is an event that entices those former rodeo clowns that commit to come early and stay late. Although it was a three-day event, some were there for six days. It is so good to see friends from across this great nation that have a background of entertaining rodeo audiences and saving cowboys from harm or worse. It is also a great time to meet new people, they might have heard about for years, but were at different rodeos across the nation and their paths never crossed - - until the Rodeo Clown Reunion.

Our sponsors were the greatest. Some have been giving us gifts to give away for years. We do appreciate their participation in our event. Thanks to everyone that attended the reunion, those that came to the Fort Worth Stockyards for The National Day of the Cowboy, and those that we interacted with in some way while there. Until the next one . . .

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April 24th, 2018

4/24/2018

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Rodeo Clown’s Often Face Danger While In The Arena

The 2018 Rodeo Clown Reunion is being held in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards July 27 through 29. It is shaping up to be a great venue with lots of variety. And we are so pleased to be there on the National Day of the Cowboy, the 28th!

The Rodeo Clown Reunion honors those characters that have spent their time in the rodeo arena fighting bulls and entertaining the crowd with their acts and humor. But the profession does have the problem of physical injuries. Many of these seniors sustained broken bones and wrecks you would not believe. When interviewing these former rodeo performers it is natural to ask if they ever incurred any serious injuries. Their answer is always, “No, I never did.” But in reality most have had more disastrous mishaps than you can count.

Just think for a bit, about the bullfighter trying to keep the bull rider from getting hurt so the rider can reach the fence or get out of harms way. The bullfighter actually puts his body in front of a bull to keep the bull rider safe. Some bulls weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Being run over by 2,000 pounds can’t happen without an injury or two. It may be a broken bone, a horn that can rip the skin or getting stomped on or even worse. These brave souls have all suffered some kind of injury and lots of aches or pains. But they still had to work, even if they were hurting. They only got paid when they work.

One bullfighter had the reputation of always jumping a bull during each performance. At one performance as he jumped over the bull’s head, the bull raised his head, at a very inopportune time. His horn scraped the clown, between his legs, as he sailed past the bull’s head. The bullfighter’s adrenalin was running so high he really didn’t realize what had happened. When he finished the rodeo he went to the rodeo clown dressing room and while taking off his makeup, he got up out of a plastic chair he was sitting in, and it was full of blood! The bull’s horn had done more damage than he realized. His buddy rushed the bullfighter to the hospital where four dozen stitches were required - in a very sensitive area. The doctor sternly told him “No more bullfights until you heal”. Later that night the bullfighter’s friend snuck him out of the hospital and they went on down the rodeo road. Two weeks later he was at his next rodeo fighting bulls. However, he did not attempt to jump a bull for the next few rodeos.

It isn’t just the bullfighters that get injured. The laugh-getters often use gun powder or some other type of explosive for some of their acts. Once in a while the wrong amount is used, and the explosion they planned would be larger than they expected. One old rodeo clown had an explosion go off next to his leg. He spent many months having skin-grafts and recuperating. When he finally got back to work in the arena a reporter asked him if he was able to walk OK. His answer was, “I don’t know, I never walked too good before the explosion!” Of course he was being funny, but who knows?

The animals that rodeo clowns have used in their acts have ranged from donkeys, to dogs, to chickens. Buffalo, chimpanzees and even a lion were also used by a few brave souls. Early day rodeo clowns would stop at nothing to get a laugh out of their audience.

One creative thinker designed a washtub to sit in–atop a bronc. He sprinkled lots of talcum powder in the bottom of the tub, for effect. When the bronc was let out of the chute he bounced across the arena on top the bronc with powder flying all around. It was very effective and got lots of laughs from the audience. Once at the Fort Worth rodeo his bronc went to close to the box seats and sprinkled talcum powder all over the city dignitaries sitting there! The rodeo clown stayed so bruised and battered by the bouncing in the tub no one ever copied his act. These laugh-getters have got to be tough as nails!

There is a saying among all rodeo clowns, whether they are a bullfighter, barrelman or funnyman – “It isn’t a matter of are you going to get hurt, it’s when and how bad”.

Come to the Historic Stockyards in Fort Worth Rodeo Clown Reunion and meet these amazing, tough rodeo clowns of the past. It is held the last weekend in July – 27, 28 & 29. For more information contact Chairman Gail Woerner, at: 512-426-8668 or [email protected] or www.stockyardsrodeo.com.

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March 29th, 2018

3/29/2018

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Rodeo Clown Reunion Celebrates
National Day Of The Cowboy At Fort Worth Stockyards!!

If you are anywhere near Fort Worth on the National Day of the Cowboy, July 28th, you’ll want to head directly to the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. The Rodeo Clown Reunion will be there in full force. In fact, they will be at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo and many other activities in the Stockyards for the 27th, 28th and 29th of July. The Fort Worth Stockyards is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the First Indoor Rodeo which was held in the Historic Cowtown Coliseum. Make your plans early because you won’t want to miss this unique experience.

Rodeo Clowns include bullfighters, barrelmen and laugh-getters. They were all called rodeo clowns back in the beginning. The title continued for many years because these paradoxical funnymen were expected to do it all. They had to fight bulls to keep cowboys safe and entertain the audience with their acts and animals. In today’s rodeo arena the bullfighters are considered athletes, and the responsibility of entertaining the audience with laughter is not their responsibility. The laugh-getters are often the barrelman, and provide the comedy relief. Just as other professions have evolved they to have become specialists.

The Reunion includes anyone who spent time legitimately in the rodeo arena as a bullfighter, barrelman or laugh-getter. Those who are attending are from all over the United States and Canada, and range in age from 50 to 92. Although many started their rodeo career as a competitor they found that their greatest adrenalin rush was from handling the bull so the bullrider could get to safety and/or hearing the audience laugh at their ridiculous antics and animal acts.

The purpose of the Reunion is to honor these amazing old-timers from yesteryear for their feats at saving cowboys and entertaining and to let them know how much they are appreciated. They will don their old costumes and make-up and entertain fans at the rodeos and throughout the day in the Stockyards. They will also be signing autographs, having their pictures taken with fans, and so much more.

Make your reservations for the Stockyards at Fort Worth to celebrate the National Day of the Cowboy. For further information about the Rodeo Clown Reunion contact Chairman, Gail Woerner at: [email protected] or 512-426-8668, or visit www.StockyardsRodeo.com.

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Fannye Lovelady, the Cowboys’ Turtle Angel

2/12/2018

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In 1985 Fannye Lovelady, of Phoenix, AZ, was given Woman of the Year honor by the Rodeo Historical Society. Willard Porter, who wrote The Wild Bunch magazine for the Society had written her about her association with the Cowboys’ Turtle Association (CTA). In a letter she wrote to Porter, in part, this is what she told about her involvement with the Cowboys’ Turtle Association.

“In 1940 the Turtles were not getting their mail to catch up with them, nor their dues monies sent in until months later. They decided they needed a permanent address and someone to take care of their office. - - - I all ready had a good job with the Arizona Industrial Commission and I knew the Turtle salary for a month wouldn’t equal what I was making for a week at AIC but I was terribly interested in the Turtles. I resigned my job and set up the CTA office in the sunroom of my home. It consisted of one file cabinet, a cardex file and a little brown book with the names of some of the cowboys and dues they paid, a half-filled box of membership cards and buttons. The checking account amounted to $6,000 and a savings account with nearly $16,000 were turned over to me.

The war was in full swing at the time and the odds really were against rodeo cowboys. Gasoline and tires were being rationed and you needed coupons to get them. If a cowboy ran out of gasoline coupons, he was out of luck. With so much traveling for a cowboy, he would use up his coupons way to fast. I got many stranded cowboys calling who had run out of gasoline and coupons. Luckily I knew farmers who would give me their coupons, then I would call the service station to guarantee that I would send them the coupons and to give the cowboy some gas to get to the rodeo. Scheduling rodeos was quite difficult due to telephone priorities. All calls to directors and committees to get rodeo approvals and prize lists was done late at night.

The media also projected an almost anti-American image against the rodeo cowboy, insinuating they should be on the front line and not in a rodeo. It was amazing how many boys that were in the rodeos were actually in the service and others worked in defense plants. Because of the press the general public called the boys ‘Four F-ers”. The turnout for rodeos, however, was very good, especially if they were near a base. The fans consider rodeo a great entertainment. It was a difficult time, but we made it despite the media and to the delight of the fans.

I was asked about the changes after January, 1945. A general meeting was held in Denver, during the Stock Show and Rodeo. At these meetings the larger rodeos would have representatives to present their prize lists to our CTA directors for approval. Should there be any new rules, any unfair business practices or new business, it was all taken care of at these meetings. The subject came up about changing the Turtles name. Some felt the name was confusing and it might be better to change it. At this meeting were only directors, representatives and committeemen. I suggested we have a luncheon so that all CTA members could attend and express their views on changing the name. The announcer made an announcement during the rodeo that evening that the luncheon would be held the next day and that all members were invited. I also suggested that a field man be hired who was familiar with rodeos. Someone who could get along with people and could travel to different rodeos throughout the country to keep track of what was going on, to resolve any differences and to make sure the rodeos were operating smoothly. I could not operate the office effectively without limiting my time to travel. We were getting to the point that cowboy representation was needed on the spot. The field man would report his findings to my office or to the directors of the association so corrections could be made.

The luncheon was held and we had a rather large turnout. Toots Mansfield served as president since Everett Bowman was not present. Changing the name took up most of the time. RCA was suggested, but there were pros and cons about it. Rodeo Cowboy Association seemed most fitting, but would it be confused with Radio Corporation of America, also called RCA? The boys suggested waiting until the rodeo in Houston, which would take place a few weeks later. Many more CTA cowboys would be there and there would be more to vote.

----------It was decided in the Houston meeting when the name was changed, that the main headquarters be changed from Phoenix to a more centralized location in the U.S. to also accommodate the Canadian boys. It would move temporarily to Denver until a suitable location could be found. Toots wanted me to move to Denver, but I said “No”.

Everett Bowman resigned and Toots called me again, asking me to stay on long enough at least to show the new field man something about the business, which I agreed to do.

The new man showed up and immediately wanted me to turn over the books, plus the checking and savings accounts to him. I told him I wasn’t turning over anything to him until I received a telegram from each and every one of my directors giving me permission to do so. I was determined to take good care of those books and the money, which then was up to $8,000.00 in checking and $19,000 which was invested in U. S. Government War Bonds. (I had suggested taking the savings account and investing it in the war bonds to Everett and he received full approval from the directors to do so.)

The new field man immediately called for an audit of all the books and money from the inception of the association in 1936!

The audit was completed and the auditors gave their report with amazement. Even with the mail problems and dues being hauled around for four years all over the country until an office was established, they only found a seven cent error. That, in itself, said so very much for the boys and the integrity they had. They had turned in every dime.

It was a lively, busy time, and I am proud to have worked for such an association, and now I’m even prouder over being honored by you folks.

I look forward to attending the ceremony.
Sincerely, Fannye Lovelady.”

People like this are the backbone and why rodeo has survived and thrived since the very first horse bucked off a cowboy until today when the leaders in rodeo are talking about taking rodeo ‘digital’. She was dedicated to the Turtles and ran their office with efficiency and precision, without being concerned with a large salary. My hat is off to the Rodeo Historical Society for giving her this honor. I am all for progress in rodeo, and will be first person in line to vote for better money and better conditions, for everyone involved in rodeo from the greenest rookie to the sage-old cowboys still involved..

This entire letter was printed in my book “The Cowboys’ Turtle Association, The Birth of Professional Rodeo. Page 201 - 205

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Fannye Lovelady, the Cowboys’ Turtle Angel

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2019 – Barrel Racing

​A Whoppin’ Good Time Was Had By All!!

Rodeo Clown’s Often Face Danger While In The Arena

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A Whoppin’ Good Time Was Had By All!!