The long and hard Fourth of July run of rodeos across the western U.S. saw some outstanding performances from Wyoming’s pro rodeo cowboys who wear the colors of Team Wyoming under a sponsorship contract with the state’s tourism office. It is the only signed agreement in the U.S. between a state agency and professional rodeo athletes.
The 2004 world champ in bareback riding is co-champion of the 2010 Prescott, Arizona rodeo which is touted as the oldest event of its kind in the country. Kelly Timberman of Mills, Wyoming scored an 86 in Prescott to strike the pay window for $4,800. Kelly won the Williams Lake, British Columbia rodeo that paid $3,200 and was in fine spirits after his July 3 outing for 84 points at the Cody Stampede netting another $1,400:
Kelly_cody
Timberman bounced up to #10 in the world standings following his “Cowboy Christmas” performances collecting nearly $16,000.
Midwest, Wyoming steer wrestler Les Shepperson showed his mettle by winning the Greeley (Colorado) Stampede over the Fourth and doing so with a strained MCL in his right knee. Les is now 31st in the world standings.
Gillette’s Chet Johnson is working with a similar injury situation only his MCL issue is with the left knee. Nonetheless, Johnson won the Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche spurring to score 87 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Sundown to snare $3,700. He gathered another $ 1,100 at St. Paul, OR and is currently 34th in the bronc riding world standings.
Kanin Asay of Powell won the championship round of the Cody-Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls event in Cody, July 5. Asay pocketed a total of $7,700 toward his attempt to make the national finals in Vegas come December. We anxiously await the July 25 broadcast on ESPN2 of the Cody event.
Gillette bull rider Bobby Welsh has jumped to 20th in the world standings following a Cowboy Christmas dash that included a third-place finish at St. Paul, Oregon where Welsh scored an 88-point ride. The three other Team Wyoming bull riders – Clayton Savage of Casper, Asay, and Seth Glause of Rock Springs – are each within striking distance of the Top 15 holding down positions 25, 30 and 37 respectively.
Glause is a two-event cowboy and left the Cody Stampede pleased with his 86-point bronc ride that provided a paycheck of $5,000:
Seth_cody
Casper’s Jhett Johnson (heeler) has joined forces with the man who leads all headers thus far in 2010. Turtle Powell of Texas and Johnson will be throwing with gusto to get a national finals team roping bid. Johnson is currently in the #25 spot. The pair won third and more than $60,000 at the recent Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping Classic in Reno. Unfortunately that cash doesn’t count in the world standings race.
Showing posts with label Kanin Asay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kanin Asay. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Kaycee a Must See
We’ve been road warriors for about six weeks now covering the progress and completion of “Good Ride Cowboy” – a life-and-a-half size bronze of Chris LeDoux spurring Stormy Weather to a world championship. Artist/sculptor Mike Thomas of Buffalo, WY placed a replica in bronze of LeDoux’s favorite Guild guitar as base of the piece which weighs in at 3,500 pounds. Lori Hogan and Kristin Phipps of our staff helped out at the dedication ceremony Saturday in Kaycee where the population of 300 was multiplied by ten. LeDoux fans, friends and family came together for what Western Underground guitarist Mark Sissel aptly termed a “reunion.”
Lori and Kristin took a lot of pictures and we’d like to share them here:
Chris LeDoux Park Tribute
Our Mike McCrimmon is providing video footage to GAC (Great American Country) for airing by the network’s popular host, and big Chris LeDoux fan, Storme Warren on his show called “Headline Country.” We’ll let you know when to watch for that. In the meantime, Mike put together some shots for you to enjoy:
LeDoux sat
Once the tarp was pulled away it was clear that Chris LeDoux will live forever and his fans including Garth Brooks still ache to be in the presence of Chris’ smile or an unwitting participant in one of his practical jokes.
Chris LeDoux Memorial Park is not hard to find in downtown Kaycee. Please stop by, rest and reflect, the next time you’re in the vicinity. No doubt a LeDoux tune will come to mind. For me it was “Tougher than the Rest.”
Rest in Peace Wyoming cowboy. We miss you very, very much.
Our office has coupled the “Tribute to Chris LeDoux” DVD with a new one chronicling the making of the bronze. If you are interested in obtaining the collector’s set contact us or call the Chris LeDoux Memorial Foundation directly at: 307-738-2322.
Cowboy Catch-Up
The big news so far this summer rodeo season, in terms of the men who carry on smartly for Team Wyoming, is injury. Jason Miller, the 2007 world champion steer wrestler, broke a bone in his shoulder and suffered a partial tear of a rotator cuff when a steer stopped short on him during a run at Cody. Jason is taking six weeks off and has been told by Justin Medicine’s Dr. Tandy Freeman not to haze either if he expects to heal enough to compete again this year. Miller has a good attitude and is keeping his chin up. “Things could be a lot worse. Six weeks or six months isn't the end of the world for me. I will back at them sooner or later and with a vengeance,” Miller wrote me in an email. Jason will have Dr. Freeman’s crew check things over early at Cheyenne Frontier Days and if the outcome is positive he’ll return to action for CFD. If not, surgery would be the appropriate course to follow.
Kanin Asay, who won the bull riding at the national finals last December, is nursing a bad tear to his right palm sustained when stepped on in a chute a few weeks ago in Canada. The Powell, Wyoming bull rider feels ready to go for Cowboy Christmas starting in a few days and running through the Fourth of July – actually July 5 at the Xtreme Bulls event in Cody. The draws and dates over much of Cowboy Christmas aren’t pleasing to Asay and he, Bobby Welsh and Chance Smart won’t be able to let their seats cool on the plane they’ve chartered to make a run at the Top 15.
The lone Team Wyoming player in that coveted Top 15 headed into Cowboy Christmas is Mills, Wyoming man Kelly Timberman. The 2004 world champion bareback rider is in the 13th spot and ready to make his move upward.
Lori and Kristin took a lot of pictures and we’d like to share them here:
Chris LeDoux Park Tribute
Our Mike McCrimmon is providing video footage to GAC (Great American Country) for airing by the network’s popular host, and big Chris LeDoux fan, Storme Warren on his show called “Headline Country.” We’ll let you know when to watch for that. In the meantime, Mike put together some shots for you to enjoy:
LeDoux sat
Once the tarp was pulled away it was clear that Chris LeDoux will live forever and his fans including Garth Brooks still ache to be in the presence of Chris’ smile or an unwitting participant in one of his practical jokes.
Chris LeDoux Memorial Park is not hard to find in downtown Kaycee. Please stop by, rest and reflect, the next time you’re in the vicinity. No doubt a LeDoux tune will come to mind. For me it was “Tougher than the Rest.”
Rest in Peace Wyoming cowboy. We miss you very, very much.
Our office has coupled the “Tribute to Chris LeDoux” DVD with a new one chronicling the making of the bronze. If you are interested in obtaining the collector’s set contact us or call the Chris LeDoux Memorial Foundation directly at: 307-738-2322.
Cowboy Catch-Up
The big news so far this summer rodeo season, in terms of the men who carry on smartly for Team Wyoming, is injury. Jason Miller, the 2007 world champion steer wrestler, broke a bone in his shoulder and suffered a partial tear of a rotator cuff when a steer stopped short on him during a run at Cody. Jason is taking six weeks off and has been told by Justin Medicine’s Dr. Tandy Freeman not to haze either if he expects to heal enough to compete again this year. Miller has a good attitude and is keeping his chin up. “Things could be a lot worse. Six weeks or six months isn't the end of the world for me. I will back at them sooner or later and with a vengeance,” Miller wrote me in an email. Jason will have Dr. Freeman’s crew check things over early at Cheyenne Frontier Days and if the outcome is positive he’ll return to action for CFD. If not, surgery would be the appropriate course to follow.
Kanin Asay, who won the bull riding at the national finals last December, is nursing a bad tear to his right palm sustained when stepped on in a chute a few weeks ago in Canada. The Powell, Wyoming bull rider feels ready to go for Cowboy Christmas starting in a few days and running through the Fourth of July – actually July 5 at the Xtreme Bulls event in Cody. The draws and dates over much of Cowboy Christmas aren’t pleasing to Asay and he, Bobby Welsh and Chance Smart won’t be able to let their seats cool on the plane they’ve chartered to make a run at the Top 15.
The lone Team Wyoming player in that coveted Top 15 headed into Cowboy Christmas is Mills, Wyoming man Kelly Timberman. The 2004 world champion bareback rider is in the 13th spot and ready to make his move upward.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Music from Moorcroft
If you grow up in a place where there are only two people per square mile you can sing as loud and often as you want and not really cause much of a stir, except maybe with the cattle. Chancey Williams is singing for crowds now as frontman for Chancey Williams & The Younger Brothers Band. They played the big saloon on Frontier Park every night of the 2009 Cheyenne Frontier Days. A new CD is getting attention and a regular gig in Las Vegas is a far cry from the open country around the town of Moorcroft in northeastern Wyoming’s Crook County.
Like a lot of Wyoming kids, Chancey was raised on rodeo. He rode broncs all of high school, three years at Casper College, and one year at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.
The band started in Moorcroft and continued to grow in popularity and skill. Chancey kept up with the books and graduated from UW with a master’s degree in Public Administration. He is definitely administering to the public now in a country-rock sort of way.
We visited with Chancey after a set at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas last week:
To stay on top of what’s happening with this up and coming group from Wyoming go to: www.theyoungerbrothersband.com
Bull Fight at the WYO Corral
There’s a new posse in town. Wyoming has three bull riders who are in the top ten of the world standings. A bullfighter from Meeteetse has a good shot at being named to work the national finals in December. Quite the foursome – Kanin Asay and Dusty Tuckness from Park County; Bobby “Red Boots” Welsh from Gillette and Clayton Savage of Casper. We had the chance to spend some time with the group before they competed at a special bull riding event at Wyoming’s State Fair in Douglas last week. Mr. Savage won the event, by the way. Our intrepid video-man Mike gives you an inside peek at this gang we’ll call Dusty & the Long Riders:
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
State Fair Play
The middle of the top ten bull riders in the world standings as of this week all call Wyoming home. Bobby Welsh, Kanin Asay and Clayton Savage are #4, #5 and #6 respectively with winnings ranging from $66,000 to $77,000 thus far. If you are a rodeo fan you know that money has gone to travel, food, and family. The chance to actually show a profit for the year is by placing in a few rounds at the national finals in December. Until then, it’s rodeo to rodeo – paycheck to paycheck.
If you can, plan a visit to the Wyoming State Fair this week to meet these young men and show them your support as they ready for the big dance in Las Vegas.
Bobby and Kanin have been a part of our state sponsorship program since their first national finals appearances and we know how proud they are to wear “Wyoming” red. Clay will be joining us, we believe, in short order.
Kanin likes the color purple and even wears a helmet of that shade. Our little “Wyoming” patches adorn that helmet and clashing red/purple aside, Kanin was threatened with a fine for sticking those home patches on his headgear. The Powell, WY man reached a compromise with the PRCA and continues to keep Wyoming on, and in, his noggin.
Bobby and his wife have three kids and boy did they need the cash that Cheyenne Frontier Days brought by Bobby sticking to all three draws. They live near Gillette, WY and are hoping to win enough in Las Vegas to purchase a nice, roomy, motorhome. Near the end of Frontier Days last month I looked in the rough stock riders “ready” area and saw Bobby reading a bible lesson to his fellow riders. He wasn’t preaching. He was proclaiming, and explaining, his beliefs. He is becoming a leader.
We first met Clayton as he was prepping to ride at the Evanston, WY rodeo a few summers back. He was pretty retro 1970s in his look and he clearly had talent in spades. I’ve heard a few of the experts say Clayton’s straight-armed riding style and his get-off (dismount) are liable to lead to injury. My assessment of the world these fellows live in is they know what works best for them. Clay told us he grew up riding the furniture at Mom’s house in Casper and there was no stopping what he was going to do once old enough.
We don’t have a pro football team here in Wyoming. There are no professional sports, at least at the highest level, other than rodeo. I like sports. I like to root for someone who wears my colors. The aforementioned bull riders get on for themselves naturally but I like to believe they’re riding for me too. I clap and holler when they win and feel bad when they buck off early. I worry for them because what they do is so dangerous. I know they are highly skilled and would not be where they are if they didn’t know how to keep themselves as safe as possible. I want them each to one day own a world champion’s buckle – maybe two, or three.
Come out to the state fair early Thursday. The bull riding event starts at 7 p.m. and will feature our young men headed to the national finals. At 3 p.m. we will be set up next to the Pepsi free entertainment stage. There will be freebies galore and a chance to meet the riders. They have free autograph sheets to give you along with a smile and a handshake.
As a special bonus, bullfighter Dusty Tuckness from Meeteetse is going to be with us. He joined the Wyoming team this year and has done numerous public appearances, and press interviews, since winter when he was fighting bulls at the big rodeos in Houston and Fort Worth. He is widely acknowledged as one of the best at his trade. Dusty is very popular with the fans, his rodeo colleagues and dare I say with the ladies. Blush. Dusty w
as an alternate at the national finals last year and could very well get the votes to make the A-team bullfighting crew in 2009. Of course, Dusty will be working Thursday night in the state fair rodeo arena helping his pals make it safely back to the chutes. Dusty and Kanin are close friends having been reared in the same county and garnering their rodeo chops at the rodeo arena in Cody.
See you in Douglas! Meet the boys. Pick up free DVDs and have fun listening and dancing to Wyoming’s own Chancey Williams and The Younger Brothers Band. Showtime is 3 p.m, Pepsi free entertainment stage, at the Wyoming State Fair.
If you can, plan a visit to the Wyoming State Fair this week to meet these young men and show them your support as they ready for the big dance in Las Vegas.
Bobby and Kanin have been a part of our state sponsorship program since their first national finals appearances and we know how proud they are to wear “Wyoming” red. Clay will be joining us, we believe, in short order.Kanin likes the color purple and even wears a helmet of that shade. Our little “Wyoming” patches adorn that helmet and clashing red/purple aside, Kanin was threatened with a fine for sticking those home patches on his headgear. The Powell, WY man reached a compromise with the PRCA and continues to keep Wyoming on, and in, his noggin.
Bobby and his wife have three kids and boy did they need the cash that Cheyenne Frontier Days brought by Bobby sticking to all three draws. They live near Gillette, WY and are hoping to win enough in Las Vegas to purchase a nice, roomy, motorhome. Near the end of Frontier Days last month I looked in the rough stock riders “ready” area and saw Bobby reading a bible lesson to his fellow riders. He wasn’t preaching. He was proclaiming, and explaining, his beliefs. He is becoming a leader.We first met Clayton as he was prepping to ride at the Evanston, WY rodeo a few summers back. He was pretty retro 1970s in his look and he clearly had talent in spades. I’ve heard a few of the experts say Clayton’s straight-armed riding style and his get-off (dismount) are liable to lead to injury. My assessment of the world these fellows live in is they know what works best for them. Clay told us he grew up riding the furniture at Mom’s house in Casper and there was no stopping what he was going to do once old enough.
We don’t have a pro football team here in Wyoming. There are no professional sports, at least at the highest level, other than rodeo. I like sports. I like to root for someone who wears my colors. The aforementioned bull riders get on for themselves naturally but I like to believe they’re riding for me too. I clap and holler when they win and feel bad when they buck off early. I worry for them because what they do is so dangerous. I know they are highly skilled and would not be where they are if they didn’t know how to keep themselves as safe as possible. I want them each to one day own a world champion’s buckle – maybe two, or three.
Come out to the state fair early Thursday. The bull riding event starts at 7 p.m. and will feature our young men headed to the national finals. At 3 p.m. we will be set up next to the Pepsi free entertainment stage. There will be freebies galore and a chance to meet the riders. They have free autograph sheets to give you along with a smile and a handshake.
As a special bonus, bullfighter Dusty Tuckness from Meeteetse is going to be with us. He joined the Wyoming team this year and has done numerous public appearances, and press interviews, since winter when he was fighting bulls at the big rodeos in Houston and Fort Worth. He is widely acknowledged as one of the best at his trade. Dusty is very popular with the fans, his rodeo colleagues and dare I say with the ladies. Blush. Dusty w
as an alternate at the national finals last year and could very well get the votes to make the A-team bullfighting crew in 2009. Of course, Dusty will be working Thursday night in the state fair rodeo arena helping his pals make it safely back to the chutes. Dusty and Kanin are close friends having been reared in the same county and garnering their rodeo chops at the rodeo arena in Cody.See you in Douglas! Meet the boys. Pick up free DVDs and have fun listening and dancing to Wyoming’s own Chancey Williams and The Younger Brothers Band. Showtime is 3 p.m, Pepsi free entertainment stage, at the Wyoming State Fair.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Xtreme Crowds
A family of five from New York told us they enjoyed their first rodeo so much at the July 4th Cody Stampede they stayed overnight and came back for the Xtreme Bulls event the next night. An extended family of seven from Mexico spoke little English but made it known they wanted to meet some pro rodeo cowboys and anxiously stopped by our booth area three or four times during the Cody-Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls hoping to get an autograph. They returned after the riding was completed and waited in line an hour before getting to meet bullfighter Dusty Tuckness of Meeteetse, WY and Wyoming bull riders Kanin Asay from Powell and Seth Glause from Rock Springs. Pictures were taken, hats and autograph sheets signed, questions answered.
‘Did you win?” more than one kid queried.
“No, but I tried,” said Glause.
One woman whispered to a friend. “My daughter likes country music so I want to get his autograph. I know he’s one of those singers,” she assured her pal. I passed this information on to Seth and he said, “Yeah, like I can sing.” He got a good chuckle out of the whole thing.
We only had two chairs therefore Kanin Asay was low on a stool during most of the fan gathering. That’s okay. He’s young. He also stood and signed and posed and laughed and answered questions for more than an hour. Then Kanin and his traveling partners headed up the road to the Calgary Stampede. They departed the Cody arena around 10pm.
A lot of new rodeo fans were made Sunday night in Cody. There was the group of thirteen from the UK and Australia attending their first rodeo. “How do you speak cowboy?” they asked our video man, Mike. Being a Casper, Wyoming native this was not a hard question to answer. “I don’t really know,” said Mike. “Just start every sentence with ‘Y’all’ and be sure to remove your hat when you first meet a lady. Also, don’t leave your hat on the bed. It’s bad luck.” .
You had to feel good watching all those folks waiting to meet our cowboys. And if you get the chance this year I hope you do the same. Rodeo people aren’t perfect but they sure are good. Manners matter to them. A handshake is a contract. And when they get bucked early, or miss a loop, they smile and say, “I tried.” And then they’ll try again.
Seth Glause and Kanin Asay may not have scored inside the Xtreme Bulls arena in Cody but they sure made some points with fans afterward. Our talented video person, Mike McCrimmon, has some highlights for you and they’ll come at you as follows:
1. Seth Glause in the Fourth of July Cody Stampede rodeo. He lands an 83-point ride and finishes in the money.
2. Kanin Asay staying on for 7.76 of the required eight seconds, July 4.
3. A batch of work from bullfighter Dusty Tuckness on July 4-5.
4. Kanin Asay and Xtreme Bulls ESPN television announcer Dan Miller (a Cody resident) before the competition on July 5.
5. Money-winning performances by Wheatland’s Tyler Willis and Casper’s Clayton Savage in the Cody-Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls championship round, July 5.
6. The fan gathering at and near our Wyoming Travel & Tourism booth after the Xtreme Bulls
event in Cody.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Cowboy Christmas in Canada
On this the most American of U.S. holiday weekends a growing number of pro rodeo contestants are spending their traditional “Cowboy Christmas” in Canada. It doesn’t hurt that there is a $100,000 pot of gold up for grabs in each of six events that comprise the Calgary Stampede’s championship round.
Gillette saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson is quite fond of competing in Canada. He took home a truckload of Canadian dollars last year. Well, that’s not entirely true. Johnson made so much money up north he opened a bank account there. Chet is in the first pool of bronc riders out in Calgary starting Friday. Kelly Timberman from Mills, and the 2004 world bareback champ, is in the first pool of men in his event.
The Calgary Stampede is by invitation only for contestants and two Wyoming bull riders are very happy to have received the call up to Canada. Bobby Welsh of Gillette and Kanin Asay from Powell are in the same pool of bull riders who will strive for their best outings of the year beginning July 7.
Asay had the chance to join the Calgary pool that opens July 3 but opted to stay in the states to compete in his hometown rodeo – The Cody Stampede. The only Wyoming edition of Xtreme Bulls is July 5th so that provides Asay a good opportunity to shine twice in front of his longtime fans and his family. Rodeo fans traveling to Cody this weekend will also see Meeteetse product Dusty Tuckness handling bull fighting chores. Dusty was proud host, along with his close friend Kanin, of a special bullfighting and bull riding event in Cody, June 14. Here’s a minute of the action as edited by our own Mike McCrimmon who saw his camera gain the affection of more than one horned critter:
Gillette saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson is quite fond of competing in Canada. He took home a truckload of Canadian dollars last year. Well, that’s not entirely true. Johnson made so much money up north he opened a bank account there. Chet is in the first pool of bronc riders out in Calgary starting Friday. Kelly Timberman from Mills, and the 2004 world bareback champ, is in the first pool of men in his event.
The Calgary Stampede is by invitation only for contestants and two Wyoming bull riders are very happy to have received the call up to Canada. Bobby Welsh of Gillette and Kanin Asay from Powell are in the same pool of bull riders who will strive for their best outings of the year beginning July 7.
Asay had the chance to join the Calgary pool that opens July 3 but opted to stay in the states to compete in his hometown rodeo – The Cody Stampede. The only Wyoming edition of Xtreme Bulls is July 5th so that provides Asay a good opportunity to shine twice in front of his longtime fans and his family. Rodeo fans traveling to Cody this weekend will also see Meeteetse product Dusty Tuckness handling bull fighting chores. Dusty was proud host, along with his close friend Kanin, of a special bullfighting and bull riding event in Cody, June 14. Here’s a minute of the action as edited by our own Mike McCrimmon who saw his camera gain the affection of more than one horned critter:
Seth Glause of Rock Springs is going to be on top of bulls going for the Cody crown in both the Stampede on the Fourth of July and the Cody-Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls the next day. That event will be taped by our friends from Winnercomm Sports, edited, and aired nationally on ESPN2 at 12:00pm mountain time, July 19. The Cody event will feature five bull riders who own world champion buckles. It is the first Xtreme Bulls ever to have that many champs in one setting. You can still grab a ticket at: www.codystampederodeo.com or by calling 1-800-207-0744. Ticket prices are $25 for general admission.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Short Pay
Friday’s trips to the pay window for Wyoming contestants in this 50th national finals were few and of the four-figure variety. Kelly Timberman split fifth & sixth in bareback riding to take $3,500 back to his hotel room. Lance Creek’s Jason Miller remained solid in the average with a run of 4.1 seconds winning $2,700. Miller is second in his aggregate total and a good finish tonight assures the family will be able to buy a lot of hay for the winter. Barring bad luck for Luke Branquinho, it is another gold buckle year for Jason’s traveling partner and closest friend.
Bobby Can Win
Gillette, Wyoming bull rider Bobby Welsh stayed on for a low score last night but as we’ve said a few times now, any score is a good one in the current state of national finals bull riding competition. Bulls throw the men off short of eight seconds more times than not. Welsh once again chose not to take a re-ride option and heads into tonight poised for a legitimate shot at a world championship. Chance Smart is up by less than $30K and is well behind Welsh in the average. J.W. Harris also has a chance to beat Chance. Therefore as exhibited in the best, and most exciting, finals it will come down to the last three rides.
Ty Stops By
Twenty years ago I stood on the old, rickety press deck at Cheyenne Frontier Days with a 19-year-old from Stephenville, Texas who had rodeo in his blood and dreamed of one day wearing a world champion’s gold buckle. Ten years later he’d won nine buckles; two in bull riding and a lucky seven All-Around titles. He is justly referred to today as “The King of the Cowboys.” I saw Ty Murray again last night as the Thomas & Mack Center crowd greeted several past All-Around Champions. There stood Dean Oliver, Larry Mahan, Joe Beaver and so many more of the biggest names in rodeo history. And when Ty came out from behind the smoke, the fans erupted. Ty was gracious enough to share some time with us afterward and said he still gauges the sport he loves by how it is perceived by the rest of us. “Rodeo’s making some good strides. I always look at this sport from a fans’ standpoint. We’re still seeing the great cowboys. We’re still seeing the tough competitors. Getting to watch a guy like Trevor Brazile; that’s inspiring. To see a guy that’s not only good but is that dedicated and works that hard at it,” Murray told us. My good friend, camera guru Mike, put together more of our interview with Ty and you can click below to both hear and see it. I have to admit my comfort level with Ty remains fine but his wife, Jewel, standing there next to us did give my normally calm nature some jitters. She is, I think, one of the most gifted singer/songwriters and poets of her – or any – era.
A Salute to LeDoux
The dedications have been many at the 50th annual national finals rodeo. Last night’s big-screen acknowledgment of Chris LeDoux would certainly rank up there for Wyoming folks and really everyone who loves rodeo and how Chris represented the sport and the American West to the world. You can click on the video clip below to absorb some of that special moment.
Friday’s trips to the pay window for Wyoming contestants in this 50th national finals were few and of the four-figure variety. Kelly Timberman split fifth & sixth in bareback riding to take $3,500 back to his hotel room. Lance Creek’s Jason Miller remained solid in the average with a run of 4.1 seconds winning $2,700. Miller is second in his aggregate total and a good finish tonight assures the family will be able to buy a lot of hay for the winter. Barring bad luck for Luke Branquinho, it is another gold buckle year for Jason’s traveling partner and closest friend.
Bobby Can Win
Gillette, Wyoming bull rider Bobby Welsh stayed on for a low score last night but as we’ve said a few times now, any score is a good one in the current state of national finals bull riding competition. Bulls throw the men off short of eight seconds more times than not. Welsh once again chose not to take a re-ride option and heads into tonight poised for a legitimate shot at a world championship. Chance Smart is up by less than $30K and is well behind Welsh in the average. J.W. Harris also has a chance to beat Chance. Therefore as exhibited in the best, and most exciting, finals it will come down to the last three rides.
Ty Stops By
Twenty years ago I stood on the old, rickety press deck at Cheyenne Frontier Days with a 19-year-old from Stephenville, Texas who had rodeo in his blood and dreamed of one day wearing a world champion’s gold buckle. Ten years later he’d won nine buckles; two in bull riding and a lucky seven All-Around titles. He is justly referred to today as “The King of the Cowboys.” I saw Ty Murray again last night as the Thomas & Mack Center crowd greeted several past All-Around Champions. There stood Dean Oliver, Larry Mahan, Joe Beaver and so many more of the biggest names in rodeo history. And when Ty came out from behind the smoke, the fans erupted. Ty was gracious enough to share some time with us afterward and said he still gauges the sport he loves by how it is perceived by the rest of us. “Rodeo’s making some good strides. I always look at this sport from a fans’ standpoint. We’re still seeing the great cowboys. We’re still seeing the tough competitors. Getting to watch a guy like Trevor Brazile; that’s inspiring. To see a guy that’s not only good but is that dedicated and works that hard at it,” Murray told us. My good friend, camera guru Mike, put together more of our interview with Ty and you can click below to both hear and see it. I have to admit my comfort level with Ty remains fine but his wife, Jewel, standing there next to us did give my normally calm nature some jitters. She is, I think, one of the most gifted singer/songwriters and poets of her – or any – era.
A Salute to LeDoux
The dedications have been many at the 50th annual national finals rodeo. Last night’s big-screen acknowledgment of Chris LeDoux would certainly rank up there for Wyoming folks and really everyone who loves rodeo and how Chris represented the sport and the American West to the world. You can click on the video clip below to absorb some of that special moment.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo: Round Eight
Not So Average
Steer wrestlers are dropping like flies, big ones, out of the competition for the big dollars doled out at the end of the national finals Saturday night. The average money is significant - $162,000 total with $43K for 1st, $35K 2nd and $27,500 for third and so on through eighth place. In the Friday night follies five doggers suffered no times in their runs. “Those steers weren’t as bad as we made them look,” said Jason Miller who had another great run and finished with a split of second and third places netting $11,660. The pen of steers used last night, thankfully for the last time here, took many steer wrestlers out of the average or aggregate time competition. Only three men – Miller, his traveling pal and close friend Luke Branquinho and former University of Wyoming rodeo team member Todd Suhn have times on all eight of their steers and are under a total of 40 seconds for all of them. Branquinho has a significant hold on 1st overall and a 1.3 second jump on Miller for the average. No question Luke has the edge in gaining another gold buckle. But in this year of extraordinary weirdness for the wrestlers, we shall see. It will be fun to watch. “We picked all of the steers so there isn’t anybody to blame but ourselves. It’s just so hard to say what they’ll do when they get in that little building,” Miller told me late last night after a rather hearty prime rib dinner. What did you expect he’d be chowing on? And yes, one of those four-legged critters out last night is apparently missing. I’m kidding so no need to call the animal rights hotline.
Brutal Bulls
You probably couldn’t see them on television, but Kanin Asay’s boots didn’t match last night. He wore a bigger one on the left foot and it had a slit down the inside so he could slide in without too much pain. He had that spare footwear from early this summer when he sprained the same ankle that got turned on him a couple of nights ago at the national finals. The boots stayed on and Kanin up to end last night as one of only two riders to get scores. “There wasn’t a bull out there that was easy to ride. Every single one has something about him,” said the Powell, Wyoming man. His had drop. “That straight shot he gave me was really hard to handle. He had more rolls and weird jumps than he normally does,” Asay noted. Kanin collected $13,000 for his work and is most thankful all the bull riders walked away from “eliminator” night relatively unscathed.
Cowboy Christmas
Our crack staff at the Wyoming Travel & Tourism office, board members, families and friends have been helping hand out Wyoming materials and introduce the cowboys we sponsor to visitors inside the huge “Cowboy Christmas” show in the Las Vegas Hilton Convention Center throughout the national finals. There are a number of Wyoming business people with booths there too. We’d like to introduce you to a couple of them in this story. Kathy Flickinger is with Cowboy Free Range Meat from Jackson Hole. Karen Roy and her husband started American Cowboy Coffee and are responsible for a new, and spirited, invigoration in the little town of Hartville, Wyoming.
Steer wrestlers are dropping like flies, big ones, out of the competition for the big dollars doled out at the end of the national finals Saturday night. The average money is significant - $162,000 total with $43K for 1st, $35K 2nd and $27,500 for third and so on through eighth place. In the Friday night follies five doggers suffered no times in their runs. “Those steers weren’t as bad as we made them look,” said Jason Miller who had another great run and finished with a split of second and third places netting $11,660. The pen of steers used last night, thankfully for the last time here, took many steer wrestlers out of the average or aggregate time competition. Only three men – Miller, his traveling pal and close friend Luke Branquinho and former University of Wyoming rodeo team member Todd Suhn have times on all eight of their steers and are under a total of 40 seconds for all of them. Branquinho has a significant hold on 1st overall and a 1.3 second jump on Miller for the average. No question Luke has the edge in gaining another gold buckle. But in this year of extraordinary weirdness for the wrestlers, we shall see. It will be fun to watch. “We picked all of the steers so there isn’t anybody to blame but ourselves. It’s just so hard to say what they’ll do when they get in that little building,” Miller told me late last night after a rather hearty prime rib dinner. What did you expect he’d be chowing on? And yes, one of those four-legged critters out last night is apparently missing. I’m kidding so no need to call the animal rights hotline.
Brutal Bulls
You probably couldn’t see them on television, but Kanin Asay’s boots didn’t match last night. He wore a bigger one on the left foot and it had a slit down the inside so he could slide in without too much pain. He had that spare footwear from early this summer when he sprained the same ankle that got turned on him a couple of nights ago at the national finals. The boots stayed on and Kanin up to end last night as one of only two riders to get scores. “There wasn’t a bull out there that was easy to ride. Every single one has something about him,” said the Powell, Wyoming man. His had drop. “That straight shot he gave me was really hard to handle. He had more rolls and weird jumps than he normally does,” Asay noted. Kanin collected $13,000 for his work and is most thankful all the bull riders walked away from “eliminator” night relatively unscathed.
Cowboy Christmas
Our crack staff at the Wyoming Travel & Tourism office, board members, families and friends have been helping hand out Wyoming materials and introduce the cowboys we sponsor to visitors inside the huge “Cowboy Christmas” show in the Las Vegas Hilton Convention Center throughout the national finals. There are a number of Wyoming business people with booths there too. We’d like to introduce you to a couple of them in this story. Kathy Flickinger is with Cowboy Free Range Meat from Jackson Hole. Karen Roy and her husband started American Cowboy Coffee and are responsible for a new, and spirited, invigoration in the little town of Hartville, Wyoming.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo: Round Seven
Miller’s Crossing
Wyoming’s world champion steer wrestler returned to top form last night to collect $10,000 and pass go in terms of gaining on the pack in the average race. Jason Miller notched a time of 3.6 seconds and third-place honors in the seventh round. He also moved up to third in the average and eclipsed the $100,000 mark in annual earnings. “I just haven’t been able to move out of the box very well until tonight,” Miller said. He feels better now. “I don’t want to get frustrated because there are a lot of chances and money left. It’s not over until Saturday night,” Miller advises. I’d ask for all the people back in Lance Creek to send their positive energy this way but I’m quite sure all eight of them are here. I know I saw five in the Thomas & Mack Center last night. The pen of steers used last night is the cowboy’s favorite group. Tonight’s group is the trickiest.
More Bucks For Bobby
Bobby Welsh of Gillette carried the Wyoming flag in the opening ceremonies of the seventh round and when his time to ride came at the end of the night he was stuck like glue scoring 85 to win second place and another $13,250. “He was really ‘droppie’ and tricky,” Welsh said of his draw. “I was glad he started coming around and getting a little easier.” By that time Bobby was a long way into the arena. He stayed square though and continues to climb the money ladder. Mike Moore won the round with a score just a half-point higher than Welsh. “I thought it would never happen,” said Moore afterward. He has had many injuries over the years and everyone behind the chutes was very happy to see Mike get the win. He came to Wyoming from Illinois to become a cowboy and Moore is a fine one. He also got his degree from the University of Wyoming and could very well choose a teaching profession back in the Chicago area after his rodeo career. You never know about bull riding at the national finals because the odds so favor the bulls. For example, only five riders were scored last night. Right now it is a race between leader Chance Smart, J.W. Harris and Bobby Welsh.
Kanin Carried Off
The Justin Medicine team always gets a lot of business by this time at the finals. The room was full much of the night with ice packing requirements and X-ray reviews. When Powell, WY bull rider Kanin Asay was carried off it looked a lot more serious. His face was twisted in a grimace and he was not walking on his own power. As the minutes went by we stood worried for the young man’s situation especially when considering the serious injuries he’d sustained early this summer. Best friend and alternate finals bullfighter Dusty Tuckness from Meeteetse walked out of the medical treatment facility and told us Kanin was okay and the injury was not that severe. We later spoke with Justin team leader, Dr. Tandy Freeman who said: “Kanin came off his bull and stepped pretty awkwardly on his left leg; felt a pop. He thought maybe he’d hurt his knee. We got him back to the training room where he got to feeling better. His ankle is swollen. It looks like he has a bad ankle sprain.” The doctor is quite sure Kanin can return to action tonight. And if he can, he will.
Wyoming Horse & Rider
Powder River Rodeo Company (Riverton) had a horse called Big Chill out last night marking the second time one of their animals was drawn by bronc rider Chet Johnson of Gillette. Chet won money again splitting third and fourth place and earning $8,500. Chet’s winnings total just under $20,000 at the finals so far. Kelly Timberman from Mills, WY also went to the pay window to collect $5,600 after topping bareback horse Dusty Dan from the Harry Vold Rodeo Co.
Wyoming’s world champion steer wrestler returned to top form last night to collect $10,000 and pass go in terms of gaining on the pack in the average race. Jason Miller notched a time of 3.6 seconds and third-place honors in the seventh round. He also moved up to third in the average and eclipsed the $100,000 mark in annual earnings. “I just haven’t been able to move out of the box very well until tonight,” Miller said. He feels better now. “I don’t want to get frustrated because there are a lot of chances and money left. It’s not over until Saturday night,” Miller advises. I’d ask for all the people back in Lance Creek to send their positive energy this way but I’m quite sure all eight of them are here. I know I saw five in the Thomas & Mack Center last night. The pen of steers used last night is the cowboy’s favorite group. Tonight’s group is the trickiest.
More Bucks For Bobby
Bobby Welsh of Gillette carried the Wyoming flag in the opening ceremonies of the seventh round and when his time to ride came at the end of the night he was stuck like glue scoring 85 to win second place and another $13,250. “He was really ‘droppie’ and tricky,” Welsh said of his draw. “I was glad he started coming around and getting a little easier.” By that time Bobby was a long way into the arena. He stayed square though and continues to climb the money ladder. Mike Moore won the round with a score just a half-point higher than Welsh. “I thought it would never happen,” said Moore afterward. He has had many injuries over the years and everyone behind the chutes was very happy to see Mike get the win. He came to Wyoming from Illinois to become a cowboy and Moore is a fine one. He also got his degree from the University of Wyoming and could very well choose a teaching profession back in the Chicago area after his rodeo career. You never know about bull riding at the national finals because the odds so favor the bulls. For example, only five riders were scored last night. Right now it is a race between leader Chance Smart, J.W. Harris and Bobby Welsh.
Kanin Carried Off
The Justin Medicine team always gets a lot of business by this time at the finals. The room was full much of the night with ice packing requirements and X-ray reviews. When Powell, WY bull rider Kanin Asay was carried off it looked a lot more serious. His face was twisted in a grimace and he was not walking on his own power. As the minutes went by we stood worried for the young man’s situation especially when considering the serious injuries he’d sustained early this summer. Best friend and alternate finals bullfighter Dusty Tuckness from Meeteetse walked out of the medical treatment facility and told us Kanin was okay and the injury was not that severe. We later spoke with Justin team leader, Dr. Tandy Freeman who said: “Kanin came off his bull and stepped pretty awkwardly on his left leg; felt a pop. He thought maybe he’d hurt his knee. We got him back to the training room where he got to feeling better. His ankle is swollen. It looks like he has a bad ankle sprain.” The doctor is quite sure Kanin can return to action tonight. And if he can, he will.
Wyoming Horse & Rider
Powder River Rodeo Company (Riverton) had a horse called Big Chill out last night marking the second time one of their animals was drawn by bronc rider Chet Johnson of Gillette. Chet won money again splitting third and fourth place and earning $8,500. Chet’s winnings total just under $20,000 at the finals so far. Kelly Timberman from Mills, WY also went to the pay window to collect $5,600 after topping bareback horse Dusty Dan from the Harry Vold Rodeo Co.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo: Round Six
Stock Rocks
Wyoming livestock performed at its peak in the bull riding to end the Tuesday night edition of the NFR in Las Vegas. Three different contractors - Burch from Rozet, Burns out of Laramie and Triple V near Casper - had an animal bucking. The world’s best bull riders could not make the eight-second stay. Chance Smart and Wesley Silcox both went down early as did Mike Moore who learned his trade at Casper College and the University of Wyoming. He was aboard “Q” owned by Bill and Dona Vold Larsen. Every bull in pro rodeo has a number and 007 is the one assigned “Q” thus associating him with the gadget man in all of the James Bond movies. One thing’s for sure; once a rider gets through on “Q” he is both shaken and stirred. Powell’s Kanin Asay made a nice move up the ladder last night by staying on for a 75.5 and fourth place. Only four riders made it to the eight-second horn. Asay sprang to fourth in the average and gathered $7,000 for the sixth-round effort which was enough to send his annual earnings into six figures for the year.
Billy Tops 200K
Rodeo’s most recognized face, Billy Etbauer, rode his bronc to first place in last night’s round and surpassed the $200,000 mark in annual earnings by winning the sixth round on a Wyoming-owned mare. The seven-year-old lost her back legs for a moment right out of the chutes but recovered and gave Billy Etbauer a superb trip. “He’s famous for being first or dirt. Billy will do everything he can to get all the buck possible out of a horse, so you always like to have Billy on your horses,” said ‘Fu Man Chu’ owner Hal Burns of Laramie. Etbauer remained focused after that staggered start. “We had to kind of rebuild again,” Etbauer said. Pretty incredible work for a fellow in his mid-40s competing against young bucks half his age. With typical humility after the rodeo Billy told me he is “tickled to death to be here.”
Les Cowboys Up
He could have let a tough night get to him. We all suffer a bad run now and then but it almost always is only recognized by a handful of folks. Monday Les Shepperson chased a steer around a rodeo arena packed with more than 17,000 people and viewed over national television. We’ve talked about the all-important average and Les wanted to get a time after not succeeding in his initial drop on the animal. Our Midwest, Wyoming steer wrestler finally caught the darn cow and toppled him after covering pretty much all the dirt out there. But the time clock had expired. Tuesday was another day and Les came out strong. He wrestled his steer for a time of 4.2 to split fifth and sixth place and got a check for $3,500. Now there’s a Wyoming Cowboy.
Exceptional Rodeo
It is a special day for kids from Las Vegas when they are able to participate in the Exceptional Rodeo. Cameraman extraordinaire Mike McCrimmon and I went to the event this year so that you could get a feel for it. Our on-camera guests include barrel racer Lindsay Sears, Todd Suhn who is a Nebraska steer wrestler and alum of the University of Wyoming and bullfighter Dusty Tuckness from Park County, Wyoming.
Wyoming livestock performed at its peak in the bull riding to end the Tuesday night edition of the NFR in Las Vegas. Three different contractors - Burch from Rozet, Burns out of Laramie and Triple V near Casper - had an animal bucking. The world’s best bull riders could not make the eight-second stay. Chance Smart and Wesley Silcox both went down early as did Mike Moore who learned his trade at Casper College and the University of Wyoming. He was aboard “Q” owned by Bill and Dona Vold Larsen. Every bull in pro rodeo has a number and 007 is the one assigned “Q” thus associating him with the gadget man in all of the James Bond movies. One thing’s for sure; once a rider gets through on “Q” he is both shaken and stirred. Powell’s Kanin Asay made a nice move up the ladder last night by staying on for a 75.5 and fourth place. Only four riders made it to the eight-second horn. Asay sprang to fourth in the average and gathered $7,000 for the sixth-round effort which was enough to send his annual earnings into six figures for the year.
Billy Tops 200K
Rodeo’s most recognized face, Billy Etbauer, rode his bronc to first place in last night’s round and surpassed the $200,000 mark in annual earnings by winning the sixth round on a Wyoming-owned mare. The seven-year-old lost her back legs for a moment right out of the chutes but recovered and gave Billy Etbauer a superb trip. “He’s famous for being first or dirt. Billy will do everything he can to get all the buck possible out of a horse, so you always like to have Billy on your horses,” said ‘Fu Man Chu’ owner Hal Burns of Laramie. Etbauer remained focused after that staggered start. “We had to kind of rebuild again,” Etbauer said. Pretty incredible work for a fellow in his mid-40s competing against young bucks half his age. With typical humility after the rodeo Billy told me he is “tickled to death to be here.”
Les Cowboys Up
He could have let a tough night get to him. We all suffer a bad run now and then but it almost always is only recognized by a handful of folks. Monday Les Shepperson chased a steer around a rodeo arena packed with more than 17,000 people and viewed over national television. We’ve talked about the all-important average and Les wanted to get a time after not succeeding in his initial drop on the animal. Our Midwest, Wyoming steer wrestler finally caught the darn cow and toppled him after covering pretty much all the dirt out there. But the time clock had expired. Tuesday was another day and Les came out strong. He wrestled his steer for a time of 4.2 to split fifth and sixth place and got a check for $3,500. Now there’s a Wyoming Cowboy.
Exceptional Rodeo
It is a special day for kids from Las Vegas when they are able to participate in the Exceptional Rodeo. Cameraman extraordinaire Mike McCrimmon and I went to the event this year so that you could get a feel for it. Our on-camera guests include barrel racer Lindsay Sears, Todd Suhn who is a Nebraska steer wrestler and alum of the University of Wyoming and bullfighter Dusty Tuckness from Park County, Wyoming.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo: Round Five
Miss C & Mr. Johnson
It was a match made in Wyoming. A great bucking horse and a great bronc rider. Chet Johnson wanted nothing more than to somehow have the luck to draw Wyoming’s Miss Congeniality, the pride of the Powder River Rodeo Company string out of Riverton, at the national finals. And he did. They paired last night for a beautiful, and classic, rock down the Thomas & Mack Center arena in Las Vegas. I saw Chet before the ride and his eyes actually shone. He looked like a little kid who found his first gift left on the pillow by the tooth fairy. He walked at a trot. I am quite sure the ankle pain that had been annoying him disappeared. If you love riding bucking horses you want nothing more than to have a shot at an animal like Miss C. Not that there are many like her. Actually none. No horse her size can get the air under it she does. She is so big in the chutes it can be very difficult for the rider to fit his legs down her flanks. The chute help has to pull in her rather large head at a 90 degree angle and then slowly let her even out before the gate can be opened. We are talking one big girl with an even bigger heart. “People don’t realize how strong she really is because she seems to move in slow motion. She’s a powerful horse and I was really excited to ride her,” said Johnson. “It’s a lot harder than it looks.” Chet handled her last night but it wasn’t easy. “She’s just ripping stuff away from you buck after buck. Judges don’t usually mark her as well as the faster and flashier horses but she is twice as hard to ride,” Johnson said. He rode to a share of third and fourth place, scored 85.5 and took home $8,500. “I won some money so it gets better from here,” bets Chet.
Still Standing
Halfway through the national finals all of the bull riders are still standing. So physically abused, it is a wonder to me how they manage to stay in one piece. But the even bigger game is upstairs. “Anybody who knows anything about bull riding knows what a head game it is,” says Hal Burns, stock contractor from Laramie. Burns can’t do anything to get in the head of Wyoming bull rider Seth Glause but if he could, he would. Seth can ride any of the bulls here but so far he’s been unable to get a score. We are all encouraging him every day and night. He will do it. Getting past the first one is the hard part. The lanky Rock Springs bull rider is at the finals for the first time. It can be overwhelming even for us duffers. We are talking about a 19-20 year old person. Come on. How did you handle Vegas at 20? And you didn’t have to get on a large, horned, bred to buck and spin animal. I know you’ll join me in sending good karma this way for Seth Glause.
Wyoming’s other two bull riders encountered interesting nights in Round 5. Kanin Asay had a great ride but a bad “get-off.” He is fine though. Just a horn to the right hip for a stinger. That’ll leave a mark. Kanin got a check for $10,000 scoring 87.5 and took the ending in stride. “I felt like I was moving a little too fast on him. I heard the whistle and I was going to go one way but he came up to me,” he recalls. Happily though the riders all walked out and that’s what counts.
Bobby Welsh made the whistle on a bull that sent him all along the chutes and to the other side from where they started. “He had a bad trip but made me work my tail off,” Welsh said. The score was a 53 with an option for a re-ride that Bobby chose not to take. “I just feel in my spirit I needed the score. It worked out two years ago. I was 62 and everybody but Donnie Gay thought I should have taken the re-ride. I have the same feeling I did then and it all worked out in the end,” Bobby assessed. He is fourth in the average, a slot ahead of the overall leader, Chance Smart. Welsh is now in second place in the world standings just $30,500 out of the top spot. Every scored ride, no matter the score, is of extreme value from now on out. Watch that average, or aggregate points, race. The totals there are very likely to crown the next world champion in bull riding.
Check Please
A couple of other Wyoming contestants were in the money last night. Steer wrestler Jason Miller began to get back on track finishing fifth with a 4.4 second run to win $4,300. And bareback rider Kelly Timberman also garnered a fifth-place check.
It was a match made in Wyoming. A great bucking horse and a great bronc rider. Chet Johnson wanted nothing more than to somehow have the luck to draw Wyoming’s Miss Congeniality, the pride of the Powder River Rodeo Company string out of Riverton, at the national finals. And he did. They paired last night for a beautiful, and classic, rock down the Thomas & Mack Center arena in Las Vegas. I saw Chet before the ride and his eyes actually shone. He looked like a little kid who found his first gift left on the pillow by the tooth fairy. He walked at a trot. I am quite sure the ankle pain that had been annoying him disappeared. If you love riding bucking horses you want nothing more than to have a shot at an animal like Miss C. Not that there are many like her. Actually none. No horse her size can get the air under it she does. She is so big in the chutes it can be very difficult for the rider to fit his legs down her flanks. The chute help has to pull in her rather large head at a 90 degree angle and then slowly let her even out before the gate can be opened. We are talking one big girl with an even bigger heart. “People don’t realize how strong she really is because she seems to move in slow motion. She’s a powerful horse and I was really excited to ride her,” said Johnson. “It’s a lot harder than it looks.” Chet handled her last night but it wasn’t easy. “She’s just ripping stuff away from you buck after buck. Judges don’t usually mark her as well as the faster and flashier horses but she is twice as hard to ride,” Johnson said. He rode to a share of third and fourth place, scored 85.5 and took home $8,500. “I won some money so it gets better from here,” bets Chet.
Still Standing
Halfway through the national finals all of the bull riders are still standing. So physically abused, it is a wonder to me how they manage to stay in one piece. But the even bigger game is upstairs. “Anybody who knows anything about bull riding knows what a head game it is,” says Hal Burns, stock contractor from Laramie. Burns can’t do anything to get in the head of Wyoming bull rider Seth Glause but if he could, he would. Seth can ride any of the bulls here but so far he’s been unable to get a score. We are all encouraging him every day and night. He will do it. Getting past the first one is the hard part. The lanky Rock Springs bull rider is at the finals for the first time. It can be overwhelming even for us duffers. We are talking about a 19-20 year old person. Come on. How did you handle Vegas at 20? And you didn’t have to get on a large, horned, bred to buck and spin animal. I know you’ll join me in sending good karma this way for Seth Glause.
Wyoming’s other two bull riders encountered interesting nights in Round 5. Kanin Asay had a great ride but a bad “get-off.” He is fine though. Just a horn to the right hip for a stinger. That’ll leave a mark. Kanin got a check for $10,000 scoring 87.5 and took the ending in stride. “I felt like I was moving a little too fast on him. I heard the whistle and I was going to go one way but he came up to me,” he recalls. Happily though the riders all walked out and that’s what counts.
Bobby Welsh made the whistle on a bull that sent him all along the chutes and to the other side from where they started. “He had a bad trip but made me work my tail off,” Welsh said. The score was a 53 with an option for a re-ride that Bobby chose not to take. “I just feel in my spirit I needed the score. It worked out two years ago. I was 62 and everybody but Donnie Gay thought I should have taken the re-ride. I have the same feeling I did then and it all worked out in the end,” Bobby assessed. He is fourth in the average, a slot ahead of the overall leader, Chance Smart. Welsh is now in second place in the world standings just $30,500 out of the top spot. Every scored ride, no matter the score, is of extreme value from now on out. Watch that average, or aggregate points, race. The totals there are very likely to crown the next world champion in bull riding.
Check Please
A couple of other Wyoming contestants were in the money last night. Steer wrestler Jason Miller began to get back on track finishing fifth with a 4.4 second run to win $4,300. And bareback rider Kelly Timberman also garnered a fifth-place check.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo: Round Four
Back To Back Jack
Two Wyoming bull riders, out one right after the other, collected more than $26,000 finishing first and third respectively in the Sunday night session of the NFR broadcast live nationally. “Relieved,” said Kanin Asay afterward. The Powell, Wyoming man felt out of sync in his previous outings. “My Mom says you’ve got to ride for 10 – try, try, and try until you know you’ve made it and so do the judges.” His bull chose not to cooperate and take the expected left turn out of the gate. Instead there was an immediate right away from Asay’s hand. “I felt really good getting around there but he eventually got me tipped into my hand. I didn’t freeze up. I did what I had to do to get back in the middle,” Asay explained. He is speaking and riding with clarity. Excellent sign for Kanin and his fans. Bad sign for the bulls yet to come. The 82.5 score was good for third and $10K. Right before Asay’s ride, the gate swung open for Gillette’s Bobby Welsh and his bull called North Star. “He had an off day. I was just matching him jump for jump and stayed aggressive, “said Welsh. He was top man with an 88-point-ride. Bobby was bucked off early the previous two times but didn’t let it bother him. “I feel like I’m riding great and there’s nothing sore on me. I’m going to finish out the week in glory,” he said with confidence. His $16,767 check for last night’s first-place finish catapults Welsh to the #2 spot in the world standings.
Fourth Time The Charm
Kelly Timberman won the world championship in bareback riding in 2004. He is from the Casper area and has become a fan, and media, favorite across the world of professional rodeo. The first three rides at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo netted no money for Timberman who is competing at his fifth finals. “There are always ups and downs at this rodeo. I’m an athlete. I’m going to push myself to be the very best and with those struggles come success if you work hard at it, “Timberman reflected. Last night he rode a horse from Beutler & Sons nicknamed South Point – after the casino where go-round buckles are presented every night. A score of 87.5 gave Kelly the win and a trip to South Point along with just under $17,000. “Judges like the horses that stay close and buck in tight circles near the chutes. The difference between those horses and this one is the quality of his bucking. He kicks so hard every jump,” Kelly said. He was a little dejected after the first three nights at the finals but looks to be back on track. “It’s a privilege to be here,” Kelly smiled wearing the bright green selection of his chaps custom-made by former Kaycee bareback rider Larry Sandvick.
On Willy
Yesterday we went out to the area where the contestants keep their trailers to visit with reigning world champion steer wrestler Jason Miller about Willy the Canadian horse. He is carrying three of the 15 steer wrestlers at the 2008 WNFR. When time allows we’ll have a video feature on this amazing 22-year-old that I think you will enjoy. There’s only one Willy and we hope you will come back to this blog to find out more concerning the King of Cool.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo: Round Three
Bullish Bookends
It was “eliminator” night in the bull riding competition Saturday night and only the first and last men out stayed on for eight-second rides. They matched scores as well with a 91.5 leaving the other thirteen out of the money including all three of the Wyoming contestants. One of the nasty bulls came from Wyoming. He goes by the nickname Twisted T in honor of his dad Classical T out of the Burns Rodeo Company stock from Laramie. Hal Burns says the young bull is related to their most famous animal, Mr. T, who bucked off all comers for a long time and was finally topped for a rider score in Cheyenne in 1989 on the same rainy day Lane Frost was killed. Twisted T is a five-year-old who has had some health problems that have necessitated the removal of one horn. Burns says the bull is coming into his prime and has a bright future. He’s only been ridden successfully once. There is a bull riding competition in Laramie, Wyoming named after Mr. T and the young twisted one was scored on there a couple of years back by Seth Glause. He is here at the finals for the first time, like Twisted T, and at age 19 is still giving his all to try and get his first score. Burns likes Glause’s competitive spirit. “He has a lot of ability and unlimited try. Seth does not open his hand. If he hits the ground he got thrown off,” Burns chuckles.
Star Treks
Many celebrities were spotted at the rodeo last night prior to the bulk of them heading to the big boxing match in town. Basketball greats Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, actor William Shatner of “Star Trek” and “Boston Legal” fame, to name a few. We are led to believe that was Captain Kirk’s niece sitting next to him.
The brightest star of all was Reba McEntire who sang the national anthem. Her career was launched by singing our country’s song at the NFR in Oklahoma City in 1974. She was actually first paid to sing in a Cheyenne, Wyoming hotel lobby when Reba was four years old and the family was in town for Frontier Days. She was handed a nickel to belt out “Jesus Loves Me.”
Miss Rodeo America
A few years ago we got to know Stacy Jo Johnson by taping her audition for a national television show. She got the part and switched lives with a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Stacy worked on the sidelines of a Cowboys home game and the cheerleader took on real cowboy life at the Johnson 99 Ranch west of Laramie. Stacy was always smiling and we knew then the University of Wyoming student would go far. She was as close as it comes to being named Miss Rodeo America this week in Las Vegas. Stacy finished the competition as First Runner Up and won three separate categories – Congeniality, Personality and Speech. All of Wyoming should be extremely proud of this young woman’s accomplishments. Hopefully after Stacy finishes school she’ll choose to stay in Wyoming. I can tell you from personal experience that she could contribute mightily to our state’s future.
It was “eliminator” night in the bull riding competition Saturday night and only the first and last men out stayed on for eight-second rides. They matched scores as well with a 91.5 leaving the other thirteen out of the money including all three of the Wyoming contestants. One of the nasty bulls came from Wyoming. He goes by the nickname Twisted T in honor of his dad Classical T out of the Burns Rodeo Company stock from Laramie. Hal Burns says the young bull is related to their most famous animal, Mr. T, who bucked off all comers for a long time and was finally topped for a rider score in Cheyenne in 1989 on the same rainy day Lane Frost was killed. Twisted T is a five-year-old who has had some health problems that have necessitated the removal of one horn. Burns says the bull is coming into his prime and has a bright future. He’s only been ridden successfully once. There is a bull riding competition in Laramie, Wyoming named after Mr. T and the young twisted one was scored on there a couple of years back by Seth Glause. He is here at the finals for the first time, like Twisted T, and at age 19 is still giving his all to try and get his first score. Burns likes Glause’s competitive spirit. “He has a lot of ability and unlimited try. Seth does not open his hand. If he hits the ground he got thrown off,” Burns chuckles.
Star Treks
Many celebrities were spotted at the rodeo last night prior to the bulk of them heading to the big boxing match in town. Basketball greats Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, actor William Shatner of “Star Trek” and “Boston Legal” fame, to name a few. We are led to believe that was Captain Kirk’s niece sitting next to him.
The brightest star of all was Reba McEntire who sang the national anthem. Her career was launched by singing our country’s song at the NFR in Oklahoma City in 1974. She was actually first paid to sing in a Cheyenne, Wyoming hotel lobby when Reba was four years old and the family was in town for Frontier Days. She was handed a nickel to belt out “Jesus Loves Me.”Miss Rodeo America
A few years ago we got to know Stacy Jo Johnson by taping her audition for a national television show. She got the part and switched lives with a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Stacy worked on the sidelines of a Cowboys home game and the cheerleader took on real cowboy life at the Johnson 99 Ranch west of Laramie. Stacy was always smiling and we knew then the University of Wyoming student would go far. She was as close as it comes to being named Miss Rodeo America this week in Las Vegas. Stacy finished the competition as First Runner Up and won three separate categories – Congeniality, Personality and Speech. All of Wyoming should be extremely proud of this young woman’s accomplishments. Hopefully after Stacy finishes school she’ll choose to stay in Wyoming. I can tell you from personal experience that she could contribute mightily to our state’s future.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Three Wyoming Bull Riders & A First Fighter
You’d have to really scour the record books to find the last time three Wyoming contestants made the finals in bull riding. So far I haven’t been able to see a match for it in the written record. They are fine young men and the one smallest in stature was tall dog at the pay window Thursday. Gillette bull rider Bobby Welsh started his quest for a world champion’s gold buckle by winning the first round of the 50th annual national finals rodeo in Las Vegas last night. Welsh rode a bull he’d never been on before and had fun. “He beat me out just a little bit but I recovered well and just kept going to his front end,” said Welsh. He knew a 90-point score would be possible if he stayed on after waiting a month for last night to arrive. “I’ve never been this excited early at the finals,” Bobby echoed in media interviews for audiences from Canada to Mexico after the night was over and the Welsh family had a little more than $16,000 to put in the bank. They’ve been traveling together all year. Bobby entered 92 rodeos and his wife barrel raced in about half that many. “We were really looking forward to tonight and weren’t disappointed.”
Kanin Asay, of Powell, was not able to make the eight and the aftermath looked a lot worse than the resulting torn shirt and upper arm cut. “I haven’t been on for awhile and didn’t ride like I should have,” said Asay. He was caught underneath the animal for a short time however he escaped mostly unscathed. “I’ll be good to go tomorrow,” he smiled.Kanin Asay: Round-One
Seth Glause appeared ready to finish his inaugural national finals appearance with a scored ride but lost his grip less than a half-second before the eight-second horn. The 19-year-old Rock Springs cowboy is the pride of Central Wyoming Community College’s rodeo team in Riverton. His coach, Rick Smith, is here in Vegas and is sure to be offering counsel before his young charge gives it a second go. Seth is proud bearer of the number 50 back number at this historic finals now a half-century old. Another Wyoming man was out in the bull riding competition and could not have been more anxious. “It was awesome,” said bullfighter Dusty Tuckness of Meeteetse. He was in the alternate slot and got called to duty because of the broken leg sustained by Darrell Diefenbach two months ago. Darrell asked to stay out for a few more days and until his return Dusty is planning to make the most of his first chance to work in the national finals arena.
Seth Glause: Round One
Les Gets More WYO Dough
Les Shepperson surely honored the path blazed by his Dad. Frank won the world in steer wrestling in 1975. Les, from Midwest, came out strong in his first-ever national finals run dispatching his steer in 4.2 seconds to earn nearly $5,800. Must be that lucky can of Copenhagen in his shirt pocket.
Les Shepperson: Round-One
A couple of other Wyoming contestants took home cash in the first round of the WNFR. Gillette’s Chet Johnson collected $2,700 for sixth in bronc riding and world champion steer wrestler Jason Miller pocketed $1,350 in a sixth-place split. Six Wyoming cowboys hold in high regard a state tourism office sponsorship and four of them won money in Las Vegas last night. If those odds were greeting gamblers out on The Strip the town powers-that-be could never afford to build all those new casinos.
Chet Johnson: Round-One
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Weathering the Storm
Done a Dirty
Bobby Welsh has the perfect build for a bull rider. He’s compact, close to the ground, and body balanced – above and below the beltline. This season most bulls are having trouble getting Bobby down early. The pride of Gillette holds a spot in the Top Five of all pro rodeo bull riders and has sights firmly set on another visit to the national finals in December. One of the David Bailey string called Gentle Ben was not so much gentle as downright nasty in the frontier days rodeo arena yesterday making a nifty move to toss Welsh a bit before the eight-second buzzer. “He did me a dirty right at the end there,” Welsh said. He’ll be back out today at Cheyenne trying for go-round money (#2) on Mr. Wilson.
Nose Job
Matt Bright went dark for a split second following his 79-point bareback ride yesterday at Cheyenne. A pickup man’s horse kicked Bright in the side of the nose popping it off center like a Mike Tyson roundhouse would have done in that boxer’s heyday. Bright, though battle-scarred, spent the rest of the rodeo displaying his hoof altered and cotton stuffed proboscis. “Cheap plastic surgery,” he remarked.
Asay Update
A Top Ten bull rider who is just coming into his own as one of the world’s best suffered serious injuries in Oregon early this month and initially Kanin Asay said he wanted to get back in the arena by the tour rodeo in Idaho come mid-August. Kanin’s brother Kaleb, who scored nicely in the saddle bronc competition at Cheyenne yesterday, now says Kanin plans to be ready to go by the famed Pendleton, Oregon tilt which starts September 10. I find that decision a wise one considering the extent of Kanin’s injuries and the need for a proper convalescence.
Bobby Welsh has the perfect build for a bull rider. He’s compact, close to the ground, and body balanced – above and below the beltline. This season most bulls are having trouble getting Bobby down early. The pride of Gillette holds a spot in the Top Five of all pro rodeo bull riders and has sights firmly set on another visit to the national finals in December. One of the David Bailey string called Gentle Ben was not so much gentle as downright nasty in the frontier days rodeo arena yesterday making a nifty move to toss Welsh a bit before the eight-second buzzer. “He did me a dirty right at the end there,” Welsh said. He’ll be back out today at Cheyenne trying for go-round money (#2) on Mr. Wilson.
Nose Job
Matt Bright went dark for a split second following his 79-point bareback ride yesterday at Cheyenne. A pickup man’s horse kicked Bright in the side of the nose popping it off center like a Mike Tyson roundhouse would have done in that boxer’s heyday. Bright, though battle-scarred, spent the rest of the rodeo displaying his hoof altered and cotton stuffed proboscis. “Cheap plastic surgery,” he remarked.
Asay Update
A Top Ten bull rider who is just coming into his own as one of the world’s best suffered serious injuries in Oregon early this month and initially Kanin Asay said he wanted to get back in the arena by the tour rodeo in Idaho come mid-August. Kanin’s brother Kaleb, who scored nicely in the saddle bronc competition at Cheyenne yesterday, now says Kanin plans to be ready to go by the famed Pendleton, Oregon tilt which starts September 10. I find that decision a wise one considering the extent of Kanin’s injuries and the need for a proper convalescence.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo-Round Six Recap
Asay Feels Better
Men hate to do it. Usually a woman has to force us, nearly at gunpoint, to go to the doctor but with a world championship in professional bull riding on the line, Kanin Asay is seeing Justin Sports Medicine docs every morning. The Powell, WY resident is wearing a brace on his left arm to help his elbow injury and performed self-massages in h
is Vegas hotel room earlier in the week. Now he heads to the medicine room at the Thomas & Mack Center where ice and jell is applied. A second treatment before the rodeo and some Tylenol and Asay is much better prepared to perform. “I’m sore and tired but heeling,” he said. One can observe a renewed sense of purpose in the young rider (21 years old) here in Vegas for his first appearance at the WNFR. “I still don’t feel like I’m at the national finals. From the very point in the season where I thought I had a chance to make it I decided to look at it like any other rodeo. It’s just ten days long and you get on the best bulls,” Asay remarked. He sat tall in the sixth round scoring an 84.5 and pocketing third place cash of $9,800. The bull turned back to the right, away from Asay’s hand allowing him to push on his rope which is a lot better than having to lift with that bad elbow.
UW on Willie
There are now three former University of Wyoming students using the same horse to drop from and wrestle steers at the national finals. Willie is obviously Wyoming’s choice to make a run at the champion’s buckle. Last night, Sean Mulligan came close to a record with his run of 3.2 seconds. Mulligan has a degree in agricultural business from the University of Wyoming. As a side note, Sean won Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2000. Casey McMillen who was born in Laramie and educated at both Casper College and UW is also aboard Willie. And Lance Creek’s Jason Miller is winning on Willie as well. Milller still lives in the “Cowboy State” while his fellow UW alums have moved elsewhere. Jason told me last night he found out from Willie’s owner that the horse carried doggers to $44,000 in winnings in the last two nights. Miller worked to garner fourth last night (4.1 seconds) and won $6,875. He is sticking to his game plan. “You have to get a good start in this short arena. You can’t back off the barrier. I’m going for money in every go-round. That’s the only way I’ll have a chance,” Miller said.
Men hate to do it. Usually a woman has to force us, nearly at gunpoint, to go to the doctor but with a world championship in professional bull riding on the line, Kanin Asay is seeing Justin Sports Medicine docs every morning. The Powell, WY resident is wearing a brace on his left arm to help his elbow injury and performed self-massages in h
is Vegas hotel room earlier in the week. Now he heads to the medicine room at the Thomas & Mack Center where ice and jell is applied. A second treatment before the rodeo and some Tylenol and Asay is much better prepared to perform. “I’m sore and tired but heeling,” he said. One can observe a renewed sense of purpose in the young rider (21 years old) here in Vegas for his first appearance at the WNFR. “I still don’t feel like I’m at the national finals. From the very point in the season where I thought I had a chance to make it I decided to look at it like any other rodeo. It’s just ten days long and you get on the best bulls,” Asay remarked. He sat tall in the sixth round scoring an 84.5 and pocketing third place cash of $9,800. The bull turned back to the right, away from Asay’s hand allowing him to push on his rope which is a lot better than having to lift with that bad elbow.Photo: Kanin Asay leaves the round with a score of 84.5. Credit: Mike McCrimmon
The numbers at the top of the world standings in bull riding are close. Only $35,000 separates the leading four spots with four rodeos remaining. Asay is in second place, $20,000 behind Wisconsin’s B.J. Schumacher. He was tossed quickly last night by a 1,900 pound bull owned by Burns Rodeo Company of Laramie. “He’s just a four-year-old. He’s athletic and strong with power,” said Hal Burns. The animal comes from the bloodline of a bull called “Best Bet” who was so, shall we say, so difficult that he was eventually banned by both the PRCA and PBR (Pro Bull Riders). This offspring is known as “Bo Alameda” in honor of its previous owner who raises bulls in Wyoming.
Photo: B.J. Schumacher gets tossed in round six. Credit: Mike McCrimmon
The numbers at the top of the world standings in bull riding are close. Only $35,000 separates the leading four spots with four rodeos remaining. Asay is in second place, $20,000 behind Wisconsin’s B.J. Schumacher. He was tossed quickly last night by a 1,900 pound bull owned by Burns Rodeo Company of Laramie. “He’s just a four-year-old. He’s athletic and strong with power,” said Hal Burns. The animal comes from the bloodline of a bull called “Best Bet” who was so, shall we say, so difficult that he was eventually banned by both the PRCA and PBR (Pro Bull Riders). This offspring is known as “Bo Alameda” in honor of its previous owner who raises bulls in Wyoming.Photo: B.J. Schumacher gets tossed in round six. Credit: Mike McCrimmon
UW on Willie
There are now three former University of Wyoming students using the same horse to drop from and wrestle steers at the national finals. Willie is obviously Wyoming’s choice to make a run at the champion’s buckle. Last night, Sean Mulligan came close to a record with his run of 3.2 seconds. Mulligan has a degree in agricultural business from the University of Wyoming. As a side note, Sean won Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2000. Casey McMillen who was born in Laramie and educated at both Casper College and UW is also aboard Willie. And Lance Creek’s Jason Miller is winning on Willie as well. Milller still lives in the “Cowboy State” while his fellow UW alums have moved elsewhere. Jason told me last night he found out from Willie’s owner that the horse carried doggers to $44,000 in winnings in the last two nights. Miller worked to garner fourth last night (4.1 seconds) and won $6,875. He is sticking to his game plan. “You have to get a good start in this short arena. You can’t back off the barrier. I’m going for money in every go-round. That’s the only way I’ll have a chance,” Miller said.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo- Round Five Recap
Good Brandie
It was a $9,800 night for Brandie Halls to end the halfway mark of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. She and trusty steed Slim gracefully maneuvered the barrel racing run in 14.02 seconds, finishing third in the 15-person field. Brandie, her husband and daughter, avoid the lights of Las Vegas. They stay pretty much to themselves here except for dutifully meeting obligations to sponsors. Brandie is shy but not around horses. She is a skillful trainer continually turning out quality animals from the family property east of Cheyenne. The Halls’ lead a faith-based existence and publicly exhibited their Christian beliefs at a horse-trough baptism during Cheyenne Frontier Days. While admittedly wont to avoid public engagements don’t for one minute doubt Brandie’s toughness and determination. She is performing this year with newly-engrained neck problems and came to Vegas in need of rotator cuff surgery. If you’ve felt the shoulder pain that comes with that injury imagine what she is going through in the arena every night.
Another tough customer of the strongest order is Powell bull rider Kanin Asay. He is bucking out every night with a left arm wracked in injury based at the elbow. He wraps his left hand on a massive bucking bull each night and did it twice last night – his second re-ride night of the finals. Asay scored a qualified ride (81 points) in that second tilt to finish fourth and win $6875.00. Oh, to be 21 again. Can you say invincible? Kanin is also a member of a deeply Christian family and was home-schooled his last two years of high school.
Photos: Brandie Halls, Kanin Asay and Jhett Johnson each qualifying in round five of the finals. Credit: Mike McCrimmon
Burch Buckle
Wyoming won a go-round buckle last night by way of the bucking skill exhibited by Burch Rodeo Company’s (Rozet, WY) Pinball Wizard. The seven-year-old gelding carried bareback rider Will Lowe to a winning ride of 89.5 points. “He’s been a good horse ever since we started him,” said owner Matt Burch of the ranch-raised animal. This is his first national finals. “When you get one out here all you want him to do is have a good day and buck as hard as he can,” Burch notes. Lowe liked the result: “I had never been on that horse. I’d seen him at Caldwell, Idaho and knew he was an outstanding horse. I knew he was going to buck and be something exotic. You don’t know exactly what, but he’s going to do something.”
Adios Doc
A long, illustrious, career in pro rodeo came to a stand-up conclusion last night with the retirement of Dr. J. Pat Evans. He is the man responsible for the Justin Sports Medicine program without which a lot of good cowboys would have been home mending fence long before their careers had the chance to come to fruition. The good doctor told us he knew he could help rodeo when he first started attending events and saw that the contestants were without medical assistance of any kind. “Heck, in Texas even the high school football teams had trainers and these pro athletes had no one,” Dr. Evans said. He revolutionized medical care for rodeo athletes. His name, and contribution to the sport, is of immeasurable value. He gave renewed health and vigor to thousands of contestants over the last 30 years and money was never a part of the equation.
It was a $9,800 night for Brandie Halls to end the halfway mark of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. She and trusty steed Slim gracefully maneuvered the barrel racing run in 14.02 seconds, finishing third in the 15-person field. Brandie, her husband and daughter, avoid the lights of Las Vegas. They stay pretty much to themselves here except for dutifully meeting obligations to sponsors. Brandie is shy but not around horses. She is a skillful trainer continually turning out quality animals from the family property east of Cheyenne. The Halls’ lead a faith-based existence and publicly exhibited their Christian beliefs at a horse-trough baptism during Cheyenne Frontier Days. While admittedly wont to avoid public engagements don’t for one minute doubt Brandie’s toughness and determination. She is performing this year with newly-engrained neck problems and came to Vegas in need of rotator cuff surgery. If you’ve felt the shoulder pain that comes with that injury imagine what she is going through in the arena every night.
Another tough customer of the strongest order is Powell bull rider Kanin Asay. He is bucking out every night with a left arm wracked in injury based at the elbow. He wraps his left hand on a massive bucking bull each night and did it twice last night – his second re-ride night of the finals. Asay scored a qualified ride (81 points) in that second tilt to finish fourth and win $6875.00. Oh, to be 21 again. Can you say invincible? Kanin is also a member of a deeply Christian family and was home-schooled his last two years of high school.
Turns out you can change horses in the middle of the stream. Casper team roper Jhett Johnson felt he had to make the switch and did so last night. “Sometimes you have to make a little change for the better,” said Johnson who ran a different horse, Pancho, for the first time at the national finals. Prior to that move, Jhett has always run steers in the Thomas & Mack Center arena on his gray horse, Smokie. “He just didn’t feel like he wanted to run in that building. He’s been there for more than twenty runs so he knows it’s fast. Either he can’t or did not want to give me 100 percent,” Johnson assessed. He rode the other horse in a lot of rodeos this year and decided the time was right to salvage the best possible finish. The strategy paid off enough to give Jhett and partner Keven Daniel a fighting chance down the stretch. They made a 5.3 second run and got fifth-place money totaling about $4,200 a piece.
Photos: Brandie Halls, Kanin Asay and Jhett Johnson each qualifying in round five of the finals. Credit: Mike McCrimmon
Burch Buckle
Wyoming won a go-round buckle last night by way of the bucking skill exhibited by Burch Rodeo Company’s (Rozet, WY) Pinball Wizard. The seven-year-old gelding carried bareback rider Will Lowe to a winning ride of 89.5 points. “He’s been a good horse ever since we started him,” said owner Matt Burch of the ranch-raised animal. This is his first national finals. “When you get one out here all you want him to do is have a good day and buck as hard as he can,” Burch notes. Lowe liked the result: “I had never been on that horse. I’d seen him at Caldwell, Idaho and knew he was an outstanding horse. I knew he was going to buck and be something exotic. You don’t know exactly what, but he’s going to do something.”
Adios Doc
A long, illustrious, career in pro rodeo came to a stand-up conclusion last night with the retirement of Dr. J. Pat Evans. He is the man responsible for the Justin Sports Medicine program without which a lot of good cowboys would have been home mending fence long before their careers had the chance to come to fruition. The good doctor told us he knew he could help rodeo when he first started attending events and saw that the contestants were without medical assistance of any kind. “Heck, in Texas even the high school football teams had trainers and these pro athletes had no one,” Dr. Evans said. He revolutionized medical care for rodeo athletes. His name, and contribution to the sport, is of immeasurable value. He gave renewed health and vigor to thousands of contestants over the last 30 years and money was never a part of the equation.
Photo: Wyoming fans demonstrate their support.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Round Four Recap
Nasty Bulls
Rank is a complimentary term in rodeo as applied to bulls. It means they are hard to ride. One will hop. Another jumps and spins. All will buck. The “eliminators” came to play at the national finals last night and made short work of all but two riders’ attempts to stay on board for
eight seconds. Wyoming bull riders Bobby Welsh and Kanin Asay got thrown early. Asay sustained a hyper-extended elbow at the Xtreme Bulls tour finale in Indianapolis. He healed enough to come back out for the circuit finals in Denver last month and won that event scoring a couple of 90-point rides. The injury seems to have resurfaced here in Vegas. Kanin was well taped along the left arm and wore a brace last night. When I asked him about his bull before the ride, Kanin’s succinct reply was: “Rank.” Asay was sent to the ground quickly and made a beeline for the Justin Medicine room. He came out supporting his left arm with his right and grimaced in what can best be described as excruciating pain. He will undoubtedly want to “buck up” and keep trying to work through this setback. We’ll have to see what difference a day will make.
Rank is a complimentary term in rodeo as applied to bulls. It means they are hard to ride. One will hop. Another jumps and spins. All will buck. The “eliminators” came to play at the national finals last night and made short work of all but two riders’ attempts to stay on board for
eight seconds. Wyoming bull riders Bobby Welsh and Kanin Asay got thrown early. Asay sustained a hyper-extended elbow at the Xtreme Bulls tour finale in Indianapolis. He healed enough to come back out for the circuit finals in Denver last month and won that event scoring a couple of 90-point rides. The injury seems to have resurfaced here in Vegas. Kanin was well taped along the left arm and wore a brace last night. When I asked him about his bull before the ride, Kanin’s succinct reply was: “Rank.” Asay was sent to the ground quickly and made a beeline for the Justin Medicine room. He came out supporting his left arm with his right and grimaced in what can best be described as excruciating pain. He will undoubtedly want to “buck up” and keep trying to work through this setback. We’ll have to see what difference a day will make. Photo: Kanin Asay tries to hang in for eight seconds with an injured arm. Credit: Rick Carpenter
Wyoming Collects More Cash
Three “Cowboy State” contestants loaded their pockets with money after the Fourth Go-Round. Barrel racer Brandie Halls of Carpenter rode Slim smoothly around the pattern for a 14.01 second finish and fourth place cash totaling about $6,900. Brandie is tenth in world standings as we near the halfway point here at the finals. Gillette’s Chet Johnson had a horse he saw buck out four times this year but had never ridden. Chet settled a solid seat and spurred clean finishing third with his 82.5 point bronc ride. Johnson is also in tenth position with six more rodeos remaining. He got paid nearly $9,800 last night. And bareback rider Kelly Timberman, of Mills, continued his winning ways notching a split of second and third place, paying him another $11,400. Timberman’s won $28,500 at the national finals – more than any other bareback rider – to put him number one in the average.
She’s the Best
A Wyoming-raised mare is the best bronc in pro rodeo this year. And Powder River Rodeo Company’s Miss Congeniality hasn’t even reached her prime. “She’s still a couple of years away from when most horses are at their best, so she’s definitely ahead of the pack,” said owner Hank Franzen. He and his wife saw the nine-year-old come into thi
s world and could not be more pleased with her development. Watching her throw off saddle bronc riders early is now most common. “She’s just so strong that if you’re a hair behind, she’ll just blow you out of there. For a mare to get that high in the air and drop, a lot of cowboys can’t stay with her,” Franzen said. Pros have been able to complete eight-second outings only three times all year. The bloodline is intact. Miss Congeniality has raised three colts already with another on the way. She fits her name off the field. “When not bucking she’s a big doll – good to be around – she doesn’t kick. She’s just gentle and not out to hurt anybody. Once she’s bucked she pulls no tricks. It’s just like here we go,” Franzen noted. This is Miss Congeniality’s second ‘Bronco of the Year’ title. She threw one of the greatest ever earlier at the finals when Billy Etbauer was sent flying. Miss Congeniality will make one last arena appearance this year in Saturday night’s finals.
Three “Cowboy State” contestants loaded their pockets with money after the Fourth Go-Round. Barrel racer Brandie Halls of Carpenter rode Slim smoothly around the pattern for a 14.01 second finish and fourth place cash totaling about $6,900. Brandie is tenth in world standings as we near the halfway point here at the finals. Gillette’s Chet Johnson had a horse he saw buck out four times this year but had never ridden. Chet settled a solid seat and spurred clean finishing third with his 82.5 point bronc ride. Johnson is also in tenth position with six more rodeos remaining. He got paid nearly $9,800 last night. And bareback rider Kelly Timberman, of Mills, continued his winning ways notching a split of second and third place, paying him another $11,400. Timberman’s won $28,500 at the national finals – more than any other bareback rider – to put him number one in the average.
She’s the Best
A Wyoming-raised mare is the best bronc in pro rodeo this year. And Powder River Rodeo Company’s Miss Congeniality hasn’t even reached her prime. “She’s still a couple of years away from when most horses are at their best, so she’s definitely ahead of the pack,” said owner Hank Franzen. He and his wife saw the nine-year-old come into thi
s world and could not be more pleased with her development. Watching her throw off saddle bronc riders early is now most common. “She’s just so strong that if you’re a hair behind, she’ll just blow you out of there. For a mare to get that high in the air and drop, a lot of cowboys can’t stay with her,” Franzen said. Pros have been able to complete eight-second outings only three times all year. The bloodline is intact. Miss Congeniality has raised three colts already with another on the way. She fits her name off the field. “When not bucking she’s a big doll – good to be around – she doesn’t kick. She’s just gentle and not out to hurt anybody. Once she’s bucked she pulls no tricks. It’s just like here we go,” Franzen noted. This is Miss Congeniality’s second ‘Bronco of the Year’ title. She threw one of the greatest ever earlier at the finals when Billy Etbauer was sent flying. Miss Congeniality will make one last arena appearance this year in Saturday night’s finals. Photo: Miss Congeniality bucks rider Billy Etbauer. Credit: Rick Carpenter
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Round Three Recap
Sir Lance Creek A Lot
Jason Miller has rolled up seven slots since his arrival in Las Vegas. He doesn’t strike me as superstitious but coming into the national finals Miller was 13th in steer wrestling’s world standings and must not have cared to stay there. He won the round last night – his first go-round win in pro rodeo’s Superbowl – and has tickled the pay window for more than $36,000 in three days. His 4.0 second run last night bested everybody. “I called a friend of mine that ran that steer earlier in the year and he told me about him. I didn’t feel like I made a real great run but I had a great steer so that paid off,” Miller said. The Lance Creek, Wyoming dogger has his parents with him at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. There is not a prouder couple to be found today. We’ve gotten to know Jason pretty well this past year and there’s no doubt his folks have a lot more to feel good about than how their son has performed in Vegas so far. They’ve raised a fine, grounded, man who is admired greatly by his peers. Miller is now #1 in the average at the national finals. He has risen to sixth in the world standings having thrown three steers here in a total of 11.4 seconds.
Kelly’s Heroes
“If you’re going to lose to somebody, that’s the way to do it,” exclaimed Mills, WY bareback rider Kelly Timberman after posting a score of 88.5 last night to claim a $13,000 payday. Young Justin McDaniel (or kid as Kelly calls him) climbed aboard a horse he saw Timberman, the 2004 world champ, handle at the Wrangler Tour stop in Omaha and McDaniel proved himself a quick study last night. He flew to a new Wrangler National Finals Rodeo record in his event, scoring a 91.5
One of the great things about pro rodeo is how much contestants help each other. Timberman is looked up to, as well he should be, by McDaniel and Kelly expends a good deal of time and effort offering advice to the next generation of
champions.
Glad to be Here
This is Christmas and Cowboy time in Las Vegas. All the hotels switch their in-house music systems over to country and the restaurants are full of people in western wear. Usually the brightest smiles, anticipatory glee, and pure joy come through the face of a child. Last night in the rodeo arena the most satisfied customer was a person brought in to see his first national finals. The rodeo announcers recognized him. He stood, tipped his hat, and smiled. That fan was a sprightly 99-years-old.
Jason Miller has rolled up seven slots since his arrival in Las Vegas. He doesn’t strike me as superstitious but coming into the national finals Miller was 13th in steer wrestling’s world standings and must not have cared to stay there. He won the round last night – his first go-round win in pro rodeo’s Superbowl – and has tickled the pay window for more than $36,000 in three days. His 4.0 second run last night bested everybody. “I called a friend of mine that ran that steer earlier in the year and he told me about him. I didn’t feel like I made a real great run but I had a great steer so that paid off,” Miller said. The Lance Creek, Wyoming dogger has his parents with him at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. There is not a prouder couple to be found today. We’ve gotten to know Jason pretty well this past year and there’s no doubt his folks have a lot more to feel good about than how their son has performed in Vegas so far. They’ve raised a fine, grounded, man who is admired greatly by his peers. Miller is now #1 in the average at the national finals. He has risen to sixth in the world standings having thrown three steers here in a total of 11.4 seconds.Photo: Jason Miller of Lance Creek, Wyoming takes a victory lap. Credit: Rick Carpenter
Jhett & Chet
Casper’s Jhett Johnson broke through after a couple of nights of losing seconds to team roping miscues. He and partner Keven Daniel put together a solid run of 5.3 seconds to finish sixth and catch a check for $2,600 apiece. It is still early in this 10-day affair. Jhett and Keven are sitting seventh in the average (total times so far) while several of the pairs ahead of them in earnings for the year have fallen back dramatically in terms of where they stand average-wise at the finals. 
Chet Johnson is pretty much over a bad cold that had him in bed for twelve hours overnight Friday. Last night he spurred Blazing Saddle to notch an 85 score and third place finish. The horse bucked toward a side rail at the end of his turn slowing down the finish, and score slightly. The Gillette, WY saddle bronc rider says the ride felt good and he is feeling much better. A check for $10,000 can’t hurt.
Photo: Chet Johnson rides with an 85 score. Credit: Rick Carpenter
Kelly’s Heroes
“If you’re going to lose to somebody, that’s the way to do it,” exclaimed Mills, WY bareback rider Kelly Timberman after posting a score of 88.5 last night to claim a $13,000 payday. Young Justin McDaniel (or kid as Kelly calls him) climbed aboard a horse he saw Timberman, the 2004 world champ, handle at the Wrangler Tour stop in Omaha and McDaniel proved himself a quick study last night. He flew to a new Wrangler National Finals Rodeo record in his event, scoring a 91.5
One of the great things about pro rodeo is how much contestants help each other. Timberman is looked up to, as well he should be, by McDaniel and Kelly expends a good deal of time and effort offering advice to the next generation of
champions.
Glad to be Here
This is Christmas and Cowboy time in Las Vegas. All the hotels switch their in-house music systems over to country and the restaurants are full of people in western wear. Usually the brightest smiles, anticipatory glee, and pure joy come through the face of a child. Last night in the rodeo arena the most satisfied customer was a person brought in to see his first national finals. The rodeo announcers recognized him. He stood, tipped his hat, and smiled. That fan was a sprightly 99-years-old.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Wrangler National Finals Rode - Looking Back at Round Two
Four Event Money
Wyoming contestants gathered paychecks in four events at the national finals last night. “I’m starting to make the turn and will get this thing figured out,” said Kelly Timberman of Mills who took fifth place money of $4,200 and is currently fifth in the bareback riding average. Jason Miller placed again dropping his steer in 3.8 seconds to collect close to $7,000 and fourth place honors. “My horse acted up a little in the box and I was just a hair slow getting out of there,” Miller told me. He had mentioned earlier in the day that we could expect a fast pen of steers and that was clearly accurate. A time of 4.1 did not pay in last night’s bulldogging competition. Miller holds the second spot in the average (or aggregate) and there’s where the best total at the end of this thing can serve to catapult a cowboy to the top. Carpenter’s Brandie Halls made a clean barrel racing run and won $4,200. And Bobbie Welsh, of Gillette, tied for fifth in bull riding to take away a $3,400 payday.
Missing Out & Making Do
As predicted by Chet Johnson, yesterday’s broncs were twisters of the highest order. They were downright rude tossing their riders with unkind regularity. But professionals don’t give up easily and eventually scores were obtained. Johnson looked back to see a pretty high mark initially and then noticed a flag that took away the score because he did not get his feet parked above the horse’s shoulders upon landing the first jump out of the chutes. It happens to the best. A violation of the mark-out rule hurts most when you’ve gone on to a classic spur like Johnson managed last night. He is not fretting and won’t look back. That’s an unwritten rule of rodeo. It is always better to smile and focus on the next one. You want that chance more than anything. And when your body is facing ten-to-one odds in terms of the animal’s weight to yours, you are also pretty darn satisfied to walk away healthy. Bronc rider Jeff Willert is the first contestant at this year’s Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo who did not get up after being stepped on following a very respectable outing. Justin Sports Medicine doctors ordered Willert sent to University Hospital and reported a bone in Willert’s upper leg is very likely broken.
Team Toast
Mornings can start at noon in Vegas so our office hosted an early breakfast with some trepidation yesterday. But WOW did Wyoming show. Stock contractors, contestants, Wyoming rodeo committee people and oh yes, the Governor and First Lady, all came out to share sustenanc
e and support the pro rodeo athletes who are here representing the “Cowboy State.” One of many just desserts out of the get-together was interaction between rodeo committees. They came away saying it was good to meet, talk, and learn more about one another. Sounds like the start of some good progress on the overall Wyoming rodeo scene. Casper team roper Jhett Johnson represented the athletes at the breakfast and he was very thankful for the support from the Wyoming Travel & Tourism office. “It’s truly an honor to have a whole state behind us. We meet people every day who are pulling for us – whether it went good or bad. Thank you and stay behind us. We’re doing all we can,” Johnson told the crowd.
Wyoming contestants gathered paychecks in four events at the national finals last night. “I’m starting to make the turn and will get this thing figured out,” said Kelly Timberman of Mills who took fifth place money of $4,200 and is currently fifth in the bareback riding average. Jason Miller placed again dropping his steer in 3.8 seconds to collect close to $7,000 and fourth place honors. “My horse acted up a little in the box and I was just a hair slow getting out of there,” Miller told me. He had mentioned earlier in the day that we could expect a fast pen of steers and that was clearly accurate. A time of 4.1 did not pay in last night’s bulldogging competition. Miller holds the second spot in the average (or aggregate) and there’s where the best total at the end of this thing can serve to catapult a cowboy to the top. Carpenter’s Brandie Halls made a clean barrel racing run and won $4,200. And Bobbie Welsh, of Gillette, tied for fifth in bull riding to take away a $3,400 payday.
Missing Out & Making Do
As predicted by Chet Johnson, yesterday’s broncs were twisters of the highest order. They were downright rude tossing their riders with unkind regularity. But professionals don’t give up easily and eventually scores were obtained. Johnson looked back to see a pretty high mark initially and then noticed a flag that took away the score because he did not get his feet parked above the horse’s shoulders upon landing the first jump out of the chutes. It happens to the best. A violation of the mark-out rule hurts most when you’ve gone on to a classic spur like Johnson managed last night. He is not fretting and won’t look back. That’s an unwritten rule of rodeo. It is always better to smile and focus on the next one. You want that chance more than anything. And when your body is facing ten-to-one odds in terms of the animal’s weight to yours, you are also pretty darn satisfied to walk away healthy. Bronc rider Jeff Willert is the first contestant at this year’s Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo who did not get up after being stepped on following a very respectable outing. Justin Sports Medicine doctors ordered Willert sent to University Hospital and reported a bone in Willert’s upper leg is very likely broken.
Photo: Chet Johnson in round two. Credit: Rick Carpenter
Team Toast
Mornings can start at noon in Vegas so our office hosted an early breakfast with some trepidation yesterday. But WOW did Wyoming show. Stock contractors, contestants, Wyoming rodeo committee people and oh yes, the Governor and First Lady, all came out to share sustenanc
e and support the pro rodeo athletes who are here representing the “Cowboy State.” One of many just desserts out of the get-together was interaction between rodeo committees. They came away saying it was good to meet, talk, and learn more about one another. Sounds like the start of some good progress on the overall Wyoming rodeo scene. Casper team roper Jhett Johnson represented the athletes at the breakfast and he was very thankful for the support from the Wyoming Travel & Tourism office. “It’s truly an honor to have a whole state behind us. We meet people every day who are pulling for us – whether it went good or bad. Thank you and stay behind us. We’re doing all we can,” Johnson told the crowd. Photo: Jhett Johnson speaks at Wyoming breakfast with Governor Dave Freudenthal in attendance. Credit: Rick Carpenter
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