Monthly Archives: October 2009

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A record nine live performances of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 3-12, in Las Vegas will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN Classic. In addition, all 10 performances will be re-aired a minimum of two times, also on ESPN2 and ESPN Classic.

The TV schedule for the 51st Wrangler NFR is available on ProRodeo.com, along with a listing of Wrangler NFR local start times and other information for rodeo enthusiasts planning to attend or watch on TV from home.

The “Super Bowl of Rodeo” will feature a record payoff of $5.75 million to the sport’s elite athletes. The Top 15 contestants from the PRCA World Standings and the Top 15 barrel racers from the WPRA World Standings will contend for gold buckles inside the Thomas & Mack Center, which has sold out for more than 230 consecutive performances.  (read more)

Lee Kimber was in nappies when he experienced his first rodeos, driving around the nation in horse sleeper trucks with his parents, who were both national competitors.

He started riding poddy calves at seven, entered serious competition at 14 and since then has won numerous titles, including Australian team roping and rope and tie champion.

Along the way, the Lockington cowboy has competed with his father, brother and now his partner, Cherie O’Donoghue, also a national champion.

“Once it’s in your blood, it’s there,” says the 32-year-old.

“When I was younger I only wanted to win the Australian title, and then when I got that it was the Pro Tour, and then when I had that I just wanted to keep winning to stay on top.

“It’s like a drug, an addiction. My Dad used to say it’s hard to get to the top but it’s twice as hard once you get there.” (read more)

By JOE KUSEK Of The Gazette Staff | Posted: Monday, October 12, 2009 12:15 am

Lee Graves has won a lot of rodeos during his career.

The large Canadian was the world steer wrestling champion in 2005, setting the single-season earnings record for his event. He also won a National Finals Rodeo-record $126,412 during the 10 rounds in Las Vegas that same year.

Graves has won steer wrestling titles at most of the major rodeos, including Cheyenne and Cody, Wyo., and Reno, Nev. He’s also won the average at his hometown Calgary Stampede a few times.

“I’ve never won the bonus round. That’s one I need to get,” Graves said with a smile….(read more)

Brett Hoffman
Rodeo Insider

Trevor Brazile is working on winning two PRCA world all-around titles this month.

First, the Decatur cowboy is well on pace to earn a record-tying seventh world all-around title in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He has a commanding lead in the standings and he’s expected to cruise to a historical title victory at the December Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. A seventh gold all-around buckle would tie the record held by Ty Murray.

Second, Brazile began working on what could be a record eighth world all-around title last weekend.

How can that happen?

Well, all PRCA-approved rodeos beginning Oct. 1, with the exception of the Oct. 9-17 Heartland Pro Rodeo (read more)

Brett Hoffman
Rodeo Insider

Trevor Brazile is working on winning two PRCA world all-around titles this month.

First, the Decatur cowboy is well on pace to earn a record-tying seventh world all-around title in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He has a commanding lead in the standings and he’s expected to cruise to a historical title victory at the December Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. A seventh gold all-around buckle would tie the record held by Ty Murray.

Second, Brazile began working on what could be a record eighth world all-around title last weekend.

How can that happen?

Well, all PRCA-approved rodeos beginning Oct. 1 (read more)

By Clara Kilbourn – The Hutchinson News

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Competition is intense when there is a lot on the line, and that will be the situation at the Heartland ProRodeo Championships, Oct. 9-17 at the Heart O’ Texas Coliseum in Waco.

Berths to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 3-12, in Las Vegas are on the line because the competition in Waco is the last one of the 2009 season prior to the world championships. In addition, PRCA Rookie of the Year titles in two events are up for grabs.

Throw in that total prize money of $471,000 is at stake, along with the Heartland buckles, and it sets the stage for a fantastic showdown in the Lone Star State. Just ask Texan Matt Reeves. The steer wrestler is unofficially $1,810 from making the Wrangler NFR. He is in the 16th spot and eyeing the 15th hole, held by Louisiana’s Gabe Ledoux. The Top 15 in the PRCA World Standings at the end of the season qualify for the Wrangler NFR.

“The best thing about Waco is I control my own destiny,” Reeves said. “I just have to go win something, and I figure that if I win second one time, I’m in, and I have two steers to do that on.” (read more)

CALGAY, ALBERTA — Americans fared well in the Canadian Tour Championships, Oct. 2-4 at the Calgary Corral. However, Shane Schwenke and Mike Beers did a little something extra. The duo roped their steer in 3.4 seconds — believed to be the fastest recorded time in competition.

“Before they announced our time, I yelled at Mike, ‘How fast were we?’ said Schwenke, a header from Montana. “Mike laughed and said, ‘That was fast.’”

The two tied the Canadian record of 3.7 seconds in the semifinal round, but never dreamed they could be 3.4 in the same arena 45 minutes later.

“That 3.7 was the fastest I’d ever been in my life,” said Schwenke, 42, who was riding Canadian champion Murray Linthicum’s gray horse, Roller.

The PRCA-sanctioned world record of 3.5 seconds is shared by five teams and was most recently tied by JoJo LeMond and Randon Adams (read more)

By MELINDA MASON

Real women: “But by and large, we are a marvelous sex!” Although Rex Harrison was referring to men when he sang those lyrics in My Fair Lady, I think they really better describe women. I am constantly amazed at what women accomplish — not because women are supposedly the weaker sex and thus shouldn’t be expected to achieve, but because they succeed by overcoming life’s obstacles in such innovative ways. And many times, it’s through pure determination.

Five such women will be honored at the 34th annual National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon celebrating extraordinary women who helped shape the American West from the mid-1800s to the present. (read more)

By JOE KUSEK Of The Gazette Staff | Posted: Sunday, October 4, 2009 11:45 pm

Two rodeos into the winter season and Bobby Mote was already on crutches.

Mote suffered a broken left foot during a bareback ride at a PRCA rodeo in San Antonio, Texas.

“Horse ran me down the fence,” he said.

The two-time world champion could have headed home to heal in Culver, Ore. Instead, he opted to stay competing at the high-paying rodeos.

“Stopping was not an option,” Mote said firmly. “I was on crutches for a couple of weeks. It was a little uncomfortable but I could still ride.

“I told the pickup men to put me down easy,” he finished with a smile. (read more)