I have been in Las Vegas for two weeks. Believe me, at the beginning of December it is a great time to be there. There is so much to do and see pertaining to the Wrangler National Finals. The top 15 contestants in all the rodeo events were competing for $6.5 million dollars in ten go-rounds held each night from December 4th through the 13th.
We arrived and attended the PRCA Cowboy Nation Awards Banquet on December 3rd when they announced all the top horses, personnel and rodeos of the year. It is a culmination of 365 days of dedication to professional rodeo by many, many cowboys and cowgirls and hands and I was proud to be there to witness those who earned those awards. These were those who were honored:
2014 AQHA Horses of the Year: Tie Down Roping – Dualin Demoan “Rambo”, owned by Hunter Herrin. Steer Wrestling – Landry’s Cadillac “Cadillac” owned by Frank Wallace. Team Roping (Head Horse) – El Tevo Cash “Tevo” owned by Brandon Beers.
Team Roping ( Heel Horse) Reyshines on Top “Rey” owned by Brady Minor. Steer Roping – Olee Roberto “Major” owned by Thomas Snedecor. WPRA Barrel Racing – Wonders Cowboy Dan “Cowboy” owned by H. Q. Bass.
More Awards:
2014 John Justin Standard of the West Committee Person of the Year, presented by Justin Boots – Mr. Bill Stephens, Crosson Arkansas PRCA Rodeo
2014 Pendleton Whisky Let’er Buck Bucking Stock of the Year – Bareback, Dirty Jacket owned by Pete Carr Pro Rodeo. Saddle Bronc Medicine Woman, owned by Frontier Rodeo. Bull, Cross the Wyoming Line, owned by Summit ProRodeo.
2014 PRCA Media Awards, presented by PRCA
Rodeo Photography, Larry Smith; Print Journalism, Sam Eifling; Broadcast Journalism, Dan Miller.
2014 Remuda Awards, presented by PRCA - Hermiston, Oregon PRCA Rodeo Committee and J Bar J
2014 Zoetis PRCA Veterinarian of the Year – Dr. J. Fred Rule
2014 Coors Man in the Can presented by Miller Coors – John Harrison
2014 Clown of the Year, presented by Miller Coors – Justin Rumford
2014 Secretary of the Year, presented by Ram – Haley Schneeberger
2014 Dress Act of the Year, presented by PRCA – Amanda & John Payne
2014 Comedy Act of the Year, presented by PRCA – John Harrison
2014 Small Rodeo of the Year, presented by PRCA – Claremore, OK
2014 Medium Rodeo of the Year, presented by PRCA – Deadwood, SD
2014 Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year, presented by PRCA – San Antonio, TX
2014 Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year, presented by PRCA – Cheyenne, WY
2014 Bullfighter of the Year, presented by Wrangler – Dusty Tuckness
2014 Announcer of the Year, presented by Montana Silversmiths, Wrangler, Boyd Gaming, Justin Boots – Wayne Brooks
2014 Stock Contractor of the Year, presented by Wrangler – Stace Smith Pro Rodeo
2014 PRCA Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement, presented by Ram – Quail Dobbs (deceased) and the honor was accepted by his son and daughter.
The following day I attended The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association 2014 Star Celebration at the South Point Hotel
Carolynn Vietor, WPRA President welcomed everyone and introduced Children’s Western Wish Foundation Winner – Kirsten Miller.
The 2014 WPRA Contract Personnel & Committee Winners were:
Announcer of the Year - Greg Simas
Judge of the Year – Wade Berry
Mildred Farris Secretary of the Year – Amanda Sanders
Sponsor of the Year – Platinum Coach
Stock Contractor of the Year – Pete Carr Pro Rodeo
Small Rodeo of the Year (rodeos with added money less than $5,000) – Wolf Point Wild
Horse Stampede
Medium Rodeo of the Year (rodeos with added money of $5,000 - $9,999) – Woodward
Elks Rodeo
Large Rodeo of the Year (rodeos with added money $10,000 or more) – Buffalo Bill
Cody Stampede
NFR Lifetime Achievement Award – Bob Tallman
Lifetime Family Heritage Award – Harper Bush Ranch
Media Award – Ted Harbin
Lenora Reimers’ Heritage Award – Wanda Harper Bush
Outstanding Individual of the Year – Karl Stressman
Justin Best Footing Awards
Badlands Circuit: First Place, Bowman County Pro Rodeo, Bowman, ND; Second Place, Sitting Bull Stampede, Mobridge, SD; Third Place, Range Days Rodeo, Rapid City, SD; Most Improved, Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo, Killdeer, ND
California Circuit: First Place, California Rodeo Salinas, Salinas, CA; Second Place, Kern County Sheriff Reserve Stampede Days Rodeo, Bakersfield, CA; Third Place, Ramona Rodeo, Ramona, CA; Most Improved, Tehachapi Mountain Pro Rodeo, Tehachapi, CA.
Columbia River Circuit: First Place, Central Point Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo, Central Point, OR; Second Place, Horse Heaven Round-Up, Kennewick, WA; Third Place, St. Paul Rodeo, St Paul, OR; Most Improved, Othello PRCA Rodeo, Othello, WA.
First Frontier Curcuit: First Place, Shawnee Mountain PRCA Rodeo, Shawnee on Delaware, PA; Second Place, Gerry Volunteer Fireman’s Rodeo, Gerry, NY; Third Place, Cecil County Fair and Pro Rodeo, Fair Hill, MD; Most Improved, Green Valley Farms, Wantage, NJ.
Great Lakes Circuit; First Place, American Royal ProRodeo, Kansas City, MO; Second Place, Pioneer city Rodeo, Palestine, IL; Third Place, Wisconsin River ProRodeo, Merrill, WI; Most Improved, Firemen’s Festival ProRodeo, Cottage Grove, WI.
Montana Circuit: First Place, Sanders County Fair & PRCA Rodeo, Plains, MT; Second Place, Central Montana Pro Rodeo, Lewistown, MT; Third Place, Livingston Roundup; Livingston, MT. Most Improved, Richland County Fair & Rodeo, Sidney, MT.
Mountain States Circuit; First Place, Greeley Stampede, Greeley, CO; Second Place, Larimer County Fair & Rodeo, Loveland, CO; Third Place, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Days, Colorado Springs, CO; Most Improved, Wyoming State Fair & Rodeo, Douglas, WY.
Prairie Circuit; First Place, Abbyville Frontier Days Rodeo, Abbyville, KS; Second Place, Wahoo Saddle Club PRCA Rodeo, Wahoo, NE; Third Place, Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo, Vinita, OK; Most Improved, Flint Hills Rodeo, Strong City, KS.
Southeastern Circuit: First Place, Cotton Blossom Roundup, Nashville, GA; Second Place, Florida’s Cowtown Rodeo, Okeechobee, FL; Third Place, Rotary Classic Rodeo, Starkville, MS; Most Improved, Northwestern Florida Championship Rodeo, Bonifay, FL.
Texas Circuit: First Place Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo, Stephenville, TX;
Second Place, San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo, San Angelo, TX; Third Place, West of the Pecos Rodeo, Pecos, TX; Most Improved, Big Spring Cowboy Reunion & Rodeo, Big Spring, TX.
Turquoise Circuit: First Place Helzapoppin PRCA Rodeo, Buckeye, AZ; Second Place, Avi River Stampede PRCA Rodeo, Fort Mohave, AZ; Third Place, 4th of July Youth Celebration and PRCA Rodeo, Window Rock, AZ; Most Improved, Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo, Yuma, AZ.
Wilderness Circuit: First Place, Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo, Spanish Fork, UT; Second Place, That Famous Preston Night Rodeo, Preston, ID; Third Place, Cassia County Fair & Rodeo, Burley, ID; Most Improved, The Days of ’47 Rodeo, Salt Lake City, UT.
Next they introduced each WNFR Top 15 Barrel Racers that each received a custom made and donated saddle by various sponsors. Kaley Bass, Fallon Taylor, Lisa Lockhart, Nancy Hunter, Britany Diaz, Michele McLeod, Mary Walker, Christine Laughlin, Sherry Cervi, Kassidy Dennison, Christy Loflin, Carlee Pierce, Trula Churchill, Samantha Lyne, and Jana Bean.
Scoti Flit Bar Rising Star Award, gifted from Lana Merrick went to the outstanding rookie horse, Eagle, ridden by Kassidy Dennison.
Horse with the Most Heart Award went to Rudy ridden by Brittany Diaz
WPRA Lifetime Membership Recognition was awarded to Marilyn Peterson, Carol Lake, Sue McFarlane and Terri Wood Gates.
And the rodeo hadn’t even begun.
I spent my days at various Trade Shows and my evenings in the Gold Card Room, which I enjoy hosting. It is a delight to see friends from across the country and Canada and we have more fun. Boyd Gaming is the sponsor for the Gold Card Room along with the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy. This year Bob Tallman and Will Rasmussen, and Miss Rodeo Canada, Katy Lucas, assisted me with the drawings for prizes and we had lots of laughs and gave away lots of good gifts. Good food, good company, and watching a great rodeo. You just can’t get any better than that!
Congratulations to all the new World Champions and Average Winners, it couldn’t have been any better.
And now – we are almost ready to celebrate Christmas. Please don’t forget the reason for the season, and my wish for each of you is that you can enjoy such a festive time with those you love. May 2015 be full of exciting rodeos, good health to each of you, and before we know it we’ll be at another Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. God Bless.
We arrived and attended the PRCA Cowboy Nation Awards Banquet on December 3rd when they announced all the top horses, personnel and rodeos of the year. It is a culmination of 365 days of dedication to professional rodeo by many, many cowboys and cowgirls and hands and I was proud to be there to witness those who earned those awards. These were those who were honored:
2014 AQHA Horses of the Year: Tie Down Roping – Dualin Demoan “Rambo”, owned by Hunter Herrin. Steer Wrestling – Landry’s Cadillac “Cadillac” owned by Frank Wallace. Team Roping (Head Horse) – El Tevo Cash “Tevo” owned by Brandon Beers.
Team Roping ( Heel Horse) Reyshines on Top “Rey” owned by Brady Minor. Steer Roping – Olee Roberto “Major” owned by Thomas Snedecor. WPRA Barrel Racing – Wonders Cowboy Dan “Cowboy” owned by H. Q. Bass.
More Awards:
2014 John Justin Standard of the West Committee Person of the Year, presented by Justin Boots – Mr. Bill Stephens, Crosson Arkansas PRCA Rodeo
2014 Pendleton Whisky Let’er Buck Bucking Stock of the Year – Bareback, Dirty Jacket owned by Pete Carr Pro Rodeo. Saddle Bronc Medicine Woman, owned by Frontier Rodeo. Bull, Cross the Wyoming Line, owned by Summit ProRodeo.
2014 PRCA Media Awards, presented by PRCA
Rodeo Photography, Larry Smith; Print Journalism, Sam Eifling; Broadcast Journalism, Dan Miller.
2014 Remuda Awards, presented by PRCA - Hermiston, Oregon PRCA Rodeo Committee and J Bar J
2014 Zoetis PRCA Veterinarian of the Year – Dr. J. Fred Rule
2014 Coors Man in the Can presented by Miller Coors – John Harrison
2014 Clown of the Year, presented by Miller Coors – Justin Rumford
2014 Secretary of the Year, presented by Ram – Haley Schneeberger
2014 Dress Act of the Year, presented by PRCA – Amanda & John Payne
2014 Comedy Act of the Year, presented by PRCA – John Harrison
2014 Small Rodeo of the Year, presented by PRCA – Claremore, OK
2014 Medium Rodeo of the Year, presented by PRCA – Deadwood, SD
2014 Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year, presented by PRCA – San Antonio, TX
2014 Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year, presented by PRCA – Cheyenne, WY
2014 Bullfighter of the Year, presented by Wrangler – Dusty Tuckness
2014 Announcer of the Year, presented by Montana Silversmiths, Wrangler, Boyd Gaming, Justin Boots – Wayne Brooks
2014 Stock Contractor of the Year, presented by Wrangler – Stace Smith Pro Rodeo
2014 PRCA Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement, presented by Ram – Quail Dobbs (deceased) and the honor was accepted by his son and daughter.
The following day I attended The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association 2014 Star Celebration at the South Point Hotel
Carolynn Vietor, WPRA President welcomed everyone and introduced Children’s Western Wish Foundation Winner – Kirsten Miller.
The 2014 WPRA Contract Personnel & Committee Winners were:
Announcer of the Year - Greg Simas
Judge of the Year – Wade Berry
Mildred Farris Secretary of the Year – Amanda Sanders
Sponsor of the Year – Platinum Coach
Stock Contractor of the Year – Pete Carr Pro Rodeo
Small Rodeo of the Year (rodeos with added money less than $5,000) – Wolf Point Wild
Horse Stampede
Medium Rodeo of the Year (rodeos with added money of $5,000 - $9,999) – Woodward
Elks Rodeo
Large Rodeo of the Year (rodeos with added money $10,000 or more) – Buffalo Bill
Cody Stampede
NFR Lifetime Achievement Award – Bob Tallman
Lifetime Family Heritage Award – Harper Bush Ranch
Media Award – Ted Harbin
Lenora Reimers’ Heritage Award – Wanda Harper Bush
Outstanding Individual of the Year – Karl Stressman
Justin Best Footing Awards
Badlands Circuit: First Place, Bowman County Pro Rodeo, Bowman, ND; Second Place, Sitting Bull Stampede, Mobridge, SD; Third Place, Range Days Rodeo, Rapid City, SD; Most Improved, Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo, Killdeer, ND
California Circuit: First Place, California Rodeo Salinas, Salinas, CA; Second Place, Kern County Sheriff Reserve Stampede Days Rodeo, Bakersfield, CA; Third Place, Ramona Rodeo, Ramona, CA; Most Improved, Tehachapi Mountain Pro Rodeo, Tehachapi, CA.
Columbia River Circuit: First Place, Central Point Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo, Central Point, OR; Second Place, Horse Heaven Round-Up, Kennewick, WA; Third Place, St. Paul Rodeo, St Paul, OR; Most Improved, Othello PRCA Rodeo, Othello, WA.
First Frontier Curcuit: First Place, Shawnee Mountain PRCA Rodeo, Shawnee on Delaware, PA; Second Place, Gerry Volunteer Fireman’s Rodeo, Gerry, NY; Third Place, Cecil County Fair and Pro Rodeo, Fair Hill, MD; Most Improved, Green Valley Farms, Wantage, NJ.
Great Lakes Circuit; First Place, American Royal ProRodeo, Kansas City, MO; Second Place, Pioneer city Rodeo, Palestine, IL; Third Place, Wisconsin River ProRodeo, Merrill, WI; Most Improved, Firemen’s Festival ProRodeo, Cottage Grove, WI.
Montana Circuit: First Place, Sanders County Fair & PRCA Rodeo, Plains, MT; Second Place, Central Montana Pro Rodeo, Lewistown, MT; Third Place, Livingston Roundup; Livingston, MT. Most Improved, Richland County Fair & Rodeo, Sidney, MT.
Mountain States Circuit; First Place, Greeley Stampede, Greeley, CO; Second Place, Larimer County Fair & Rodeo, Loveland, CO; Third Place, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Days, Colorado Springs, CO; Most Improved, Wyoming State Fair & Rodeo, Douglas, WY.
Prairie Circuit; First Place, Abbyville Frontier Days Rodeo, Abbyville, KS; Second Place, Wahoo Saddle Club PRCA Rodeo, Wahoo, NE; Third Place, Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo, Vinita, OK; Most Improved, Flint Hills Rodeo, Strong City, KS.
Southeastern Circuit: First Place, Cotton Blossom Roundup, Nashville, GA; Second Place, Florida’s Cowtown Rodeo, Okeechobee, FL; Third Place, Rotary Classic Rodeo, Starkville, MS; Most Improved, Northwestern Florida Championship Rodeo, Bonifay, FL.
Texas Circuit: First Place Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo, Stephenville, TX;
Second Place, San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo, San Angelo, TX; Third Place, West of the Pecos Rodeo, Pecos, TX; Most Improved, Big Spring Cowboy Reunion & Rodeo, Big Spring, TX.
Turquoise Circuit: First Place Helzapoppin PRCA Rodeo, Buckeye, AZ; Second Place, Avi River Stampede PRCA Rodeo, Fort Mohave, AZ; Third Place, 4th of July Youth Celebration and PRCA Rodeo, Window Rock, AZ; Most Improved, Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo, Yuma, AZ.
Wilderness Circuit: First Place, Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo, Spanish Fork, UT; Second Place, That Famous Preston Night Rodeo, Preston, ID; Third Place, Cassia County Fair & Rodeo, Burley, ID; Most Improved, The Days of ’47 Rodeo, Salt Lake City, UT.
Next they introduced each WNFR Top 15 Barrel Racers that each received a custom made and donated saddle by various sponsors. Kaley Bass, Fallon Taylor, Lisa Lockhart, Nancy Hunter, Britany Diaz, Michele McLeod, Mary Walker, Christine Laughlin, Sherry Cervi, Kassidy Dennison, Christy Loflin, Carlee Pierce, Trula Churchill, Samantha Lyne, and Jana Bean.
Scoti Flit Bar Rising Star Award, gifted from Lana Merrick went to the outstanding rookie horse, Eagle, ridden by Kassidy Dennison.
Horse with the Most Heart Award went to Rudy ridden by Brittany Diaz
WPRA Lifetime Membership Recognition was awarded to Marilyn Peterson, Carol Lake, Sue McFarlane and Terri Wood Gates.
And the rodeo hadn’t even begun.
I spent my days at various Trade Shows and my evenings in the Gold Card Room, which I enjoy hosting. It is a delight to see friends from across the country and Canada and we have more fun. Boyd Gaming is the sponsor for the Gold Card Room along with the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy. This year Bob Tallman and Will Rasmussen, and Miss Rodeo Canada, Katy Lucas, assisted me with the drawings for prizes and we had lots of laughs and gave away lots of good gifts. Good food, good company, and watching a great rodeo. You just can’t get any better than that!
Congratulations to all the new World Champions and Average Winners, it couldn’t have been any better.
And now – we are almost ready to celebrate Christmas. Please don’t forget the reason for the season, and my wish for each of you is that you can enjoy such a festive time with those you love. May 2015 be full of exciting rodeos, good health to each of you, and before we know it we’ll be at another Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. God Bless.
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