Daily Archives: January 24, 2010

Denver

Courtesy of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo – By Susan Kanode of Cowgirl Imaging

J.J. Elshere couldn’t have been any happier
with his performance at the 104th edition of the Ntational Western Stock
Show Rodeo.

The Quinn, S.D., bronc rider was the high money winner at the
2010 rodeo after having won money in every round of competition. Elshere won
the first round, tied for first in the second round and tied for fifth in
the finals. When all of the total were added up, he had 242 points on three
rides, ahead of fellow South Dakotan, Jeff Willert, who had 237 points.

Elshere had a seven-point lead on the field coming into the
finals with 167 points. Behind him was another South Dakota bronc rider and
former Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion Chad Ferley
with 161.

Ferley made an outstanding effort on Calgary Stampede’s horse
named Lunatic Fringe, but failed to have his feet in the correct position
when the horse left the bucking chute so was disqualified. Basically all
Elshere needed was a qualified ride and the title was his.

Trevor Brazile is pursuing his eighth world champion all-around
title with a vengeance. He won the all-around title here collecting $11,961
in tie-down and team roping. The bulk of that money, $11,299 came in
tie-down where he also won the championship.

He competed in the team roping last Sunday and then was in
tie-down roping on Monday and Tuesday. He left Denver to go rope at the Fort
Worth Stock Show & Rodeo where he was also successful, then flew back here
for the finals. (read more)

POCATELLO — Mayor Brian Blad said the city will do what it can in the future to make sure the Gate City continues hosting the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo.

    “That is why I’m here,” he said Friday evening while holding a foam plate with steak on it.

    Blad, who he is in his first term as mayor, was one of the many guests who showed up at the Pocatello Frontier Rodeo Association’s Dueling Pianos, one of the  local rodeo committee’s many fundraisers. The event took place in one of the Bannock County fairground show rooms and aimed to raise money for the annual DNCFR….(see more)

During his high school days in the mid 1990s, Chris Harris conjured up the greatest of excuses to skip classes when the Stock Show Rodeo was bucking in Fort Worth.

“I’d even have my dad’s secretary call me in sick,” Harris said. “I was skipping school 17 and 18 years ago so I could be here, and today, I’m still just as excited to be here.”

Harris, a 33-year-old, six-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier whose father, Chris, is a longtime state senator from Arlington, displayed his enthusiasm for Fort Worth’s storied rodeo in dramatic fashion by pacing the bareback bronc riding field with a score of 80.

Harris took the first-round lead as one of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s biggest shows of the year kicked off its 17-day, 30-performance run Friday night at Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum.

Taking the opening-performance lead was a moral victory for Harris, an Itasca resident who underwent surgery last June to repair his right shoulder which supports his riding arm. After the operation, Harris said he was advised by notable rodeo sports physician Tandy Freeman that he might be forced to retire.

“When I woke up, Tandy told me that he wasn’t making any promises,” Harris said. “So, I just prayed a lot and kept the faith that everything would work out fine. Now, it’s clear that the Lord has a purpose for me.” (read more)