Bull rider Mario Ramirez of Morgan Hill, Calif., is sidelined with a broken left arm.

In Country Television has notified the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association that it has been unable to reach a fair and reasonable agreement with DirecTV for continued airing of their ProRodeo coverage.

Officials at In Country remain optimistic that they will find a suitable resolution for both parties, but until that time, the Wrangler Million Dollar Gold Tour and the All American ProRodeo Finals will be seen exclusively on Dish Network.

The PRCA continues to work with In Country regarding potential solutions for expanding coverage.

Dish has a special phone line to assist PRCA fans who would like to convert to their service at 888.216.9987.

ProRodeoLive signs two-year extension with PRCA to air Wrangler NFR audiocasts

Steve Kenyon has signed a two-year contract extension with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to air live audiocasts of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on his ProRodeoLive.com website.

Kenyon, recipient of the 2009 PRCA Media Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism, is entering his fourth year of providing live audio coverage of each round of the Wrangler NFR, Dec. 2-11. Clint Corey, the 1991 world champion bareback rider, and Wade Wheatley, an NFR qualifier in team roping, will again provide color commentary.

ProRodeoLive.com also broadcasts live audio webcasts from the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, Idaho, the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo, the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rodeo, the Pendleton (Ore.) Roundup, the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo, the Justin Boots Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash., and the Justin Boots Championships in Omaha, Neb.

Rodeo clown Nash rolls out the barrel to celebrate National Day of the Cowboy

In an effort to bring national attention to his Bullying Hurts program, veteran rodeo clown Marvin Nash has started walking his 160-pound barrel the 130 miles from Washington, D.C., to the Cowtown Rodeo, where he works each week at Woodstown Pilesgrove, N.J.

Nash departed the nation’s capital July 14 and will average 12-15 miles a day so that he arrives at Cowtown on July 24 to celebrate National Day of the Cowboy, passing through Baltimore and Philadelphia on Highway 1 along the way.

The Bullying Hurts program, in its eighth year, enlists local organizations (such as Rotary, Kiwanis or local law enforcement) to act as sponsors for teenagers who mentor elementary school students about the danger of bullying and how to combat it if someone starts bullying them.

PRCA contract personnel make visit to children’s hospital

A couple of PRCA contract personnel brightened the day for a western Minnesota youth during the Hamel (Minn.) Rodeo and Bull Ridin’ Bonanza.

Thirteen-year-old Luke Savage of Murdock, Minn. has acute myelogenous leukemia and will be confined to Amplatz Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis for six months. On July 9, PRCA announcer Davie Kimm and PRCA bullfighter Anthony Moore took time from working the Hamel rodeo to visit him in the hospital.

His mother and father, Emmy and Doug, said Luke was touched by their visit. “It was a great inspiration to him,” Emmy said. “Being cooped up has been hard. He has family coming in and out, but to have some role models and really great people come in and take the time to share what they do. That’s special.”

Kimm and Moore, along with Hamel committeeman Dennis Vee, brought Luke a Hamel rodeo t-shirt, belt buckle, autographed poster and other rodeo memorabilia.

The eighth-grade student just began learning to rope through the 4-H Western Heritage program and loves rodeo. “He’s always dreamed of doing this kind of stuff,” Emmy said. “He loves rodeo and watching it, so to have these guys come in was fun for him.”
– Courtesy of Ruth Nicolaus

News and notes from the rodeo trail …

On parallel paths: Jake Wright of Hurricane, Utah, leads the PRCA rookie standings in saddle bronc riding, the early favorite to claim the event’s Rookie of the Year Award won last year by his twin brother, Jesse …

More brother stuff: ProRodeo Hall of Famer Roy Cooper’s three sons, Clint, Clif and Tuf, are 14th, 15th and 16th in the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour standings in tie-down roping, separated by $936 …

Brothers III: Utah team roping brothers Kaden and Rhen Richard won their third PRCA title together July 12-18, capturing the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo in Casper with a time of 11.5 seconds on two head …

After a down year in 2009, attendance at the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo rebounded for its 75th anniversary, drawing about 43,000 fans for its Fourth of July week spectacle …

The World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, Ariz., and the Tucson Rodeo Parade were the only two events in the state to receive Special Recognition awards from Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer July 13 during the 30th annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Tucson, Ariz. …

The Tucson Rodeo Committee has elected Bill Schurg chairman of its board of directors. Schurg, a professor and equine specialist at the University of Arizona, has been a volunteer board member on the Committee since 2003. He will serve a three-year term as chairman …

The Monterey County (Calif.) Historical Society has introduced limited edition note cards honoring the 100th anniversary of California Rodeo Salinas. Each $12.50 packet contains an assortment of 12 California Rodeo photos from the Society’s collection with envelopes. For further information, call 831.757.8085 …

The Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne is displaying 50 photos and posters on the history of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo through Aug. 28. For additional details visit the website wyomuseum.state.wy.us …

A new exhibit at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute in Pendleton, Ore., “Tall in the Saddle: 100 Years of the Pendleton Round-Up,” will be on display through January 2011. It features more than 400 artifacts. For more information, call 541.966.9748 or visit www.tamastslikt.org …

Former Reno (Nev.) Rodeo director and secretary/treasurer John Rhodes died June 24 at age 80…

Canadian roughstock rider Logan Hodson picked up a rare double at the Taber (Alberta) Pro Rodeo, July 15-17, earning wins in both bucking-horse events. Hodson, 25, won the bareback riding with an 84.5-point score on Kesler Championship Rodeo’s Alley Ways and topped the saddle bronc riding with 82.5 points on Kesler Rodeo’s Instant Request.

Injury report: Jason Miller, the 2007 world champion steer wrestler, has a July 26 appointment with Dr. Tandy Freeman to determine when he will be able to return to competition. “He’s either going to release me (to go back to work) or fix me,” Miller said. Miller fractured a bone in his left shoulder and suffered a partially torn rotator cuff June 11 and was instructed by Dr. Freeman to take at least four weeks off during which he should not even ride a horse …

Rod Hay, who leads the PRCA World Standings in saddle bronc riding, had staples removed from his left leg July 12 in a Calgary, Alberta, hospital and his recovery from a shattered femur seems to be on schedule. “I’ll go back and see (the doctor) in three or four weeks, and hopefully I can start putting some weight on it. I can start bending it now.” …

Bull rider Kris Newman suffered a concussion at the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo in his hometown of Casper, Wyo., July 15 and doctor released out of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo the following night.

ProRodeoLive.com Britten Banners Montana Silversmiths

Mayor Mike Moncrief has declared May 4 as W.R. Watt Day in Fort Worth.

Watt became secretary and general manager of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in 1973, and then took over as president and general manager in 1978, when his father, W.R. Watt Sr., died after 31 years at the helm.

Under Bob Watt’s leadership, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo experienced record growth, expanding from 12 to 24 days at the Will Rogers Coliseum. Livestock entries have increased by more than 50 percent, going from 14,560 animals shown in 1978 to more than 22,000 in 2010.

The number of livestock auctions has grown from seven to 17, with sales receipts increasing more than six fold from $744,000 to more than $5 million.

The Stock Show currently hosts nearly 1 million visitors each year, up from 610,000 in 1978.

Watt is a native of Fort Worth. He grew up at the Stock Show under the guidance of his father, who was president of the show from 1946 until his death in 1977.

“Bob’s leadership skills along with his passion for the Stock Show and the city of Fort Worth have left a legacy for future leaders of the show,” said Stock Show Chairman Edward P. Bass. “His contributions will help guide the organization to continued success. He is a true friend of the city, of agriculture and rodeo.”

Bradford Barnes takes over as the new president and general manager of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

World champion saddle bronc rider McLean honored with statue

Kenny McLean, the 1962 world champion saddle bronc rider, will be honored posthumously by his hometown of Okanagan, British Columbia when city officials unveil a life-size bronze statue of him May 8 in Centennial Park.

McLean qualified for the National Finals Rodeo nines times as a saddle bronc rider (1961-65, 1967-69, 1971) and once as a tie-down roper (1972), winning the saddle bronc average title three times (1964, 1968, 1971).

Considered one of Canada’s greatest all-around cowboys, McLean had 13 major Canadian national titles in his career, second only to Rod Warren’s 14. He won four all-around championships and individual titles in saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling.

McLean is a member of the Canadian Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and received the Order of Canada.

Funding for the statue is being derived from the sale of 100, 18-inch replicas and a limited edition painting by First Nation artist Roy Henry Vickers.

McSpadden added to Claremore (Okla.) Wall of Fame

ProRodeo Hall of Fame announcer Clem McSpadden will be honored with a place on the Claremore (Okla.) Wall of Fame when it is opened to the public April 26 at the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum.

The grand opening of this permanent exhibit is part of Destination Claremore Week, April 23-May 1, which is designed to promote the city and its attractions.

McSpadden was a state legislator and U.S. Congressman in addition to being a legendary rodeo announcer and general manager of the National Finals Rodeo for 18 years (1967-84).

He is joined on the Wall of Fame by such notables as Will Rogers, singer Patti Page, past CEO of JC Penny W.R. Howell and playwright Lynn Riggs, who wrote Green Grow the Lilacs, the inspiration for Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical Oklahoma!

Barnes’ son accepts basketball scholarship from University of Hawaii

Shooting guard Bo Barnes, the son of seven-time World Champion Team Roping Header Jake Barnes, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Hawaii.

Bo Barnes averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and two steals a game last season while leading Westwind Prep International in Phoenix to a 30-3 record and a spot in the state 2A finals.

Before attending Westwind, the 6-foot-4 Barnes starred at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Christian, where he averaged 19 points a game and shot 55 percent from three-point range.

Barnes chose Hawaii over Iowa State and became the fifth recruit signed by first-year Rainbow Warriors coach Gib Arnold.

Speaking of neck problems – three-time and reigning world champion bareback rider Bobby Mote had neck surgery earlier this week in Dallas. He had been suffering from numbness in his arm and after a rough ride in the semifinals on Pocatello for the DNCFR, where his arm went numb on the back of a bareback horse, he decided it was time to get it fixed. They were able to relieve the pressure on the nerves in his neck that was getting pinched and causing the numbness. He is hoping to be back by June.

And like they say traveling partners stick together and that couldn’t have been more true this week with Ryan Gray, one of Bobby’s traveling partners, also having surgery in Dallas. Ryan had knee surgery to repair some torn meniscus and then Ryan’s wife Lacy took care of both following their surgeries. I think she definitely deserves a gold star for taking care of those two.

I am sure all of you know by now that Trevor Brazile and his beautiful wife Shada welcomed a little girl into the world on April 1. Her name is Stella Bell so congrats to them.

Another interesting note that is on the PRCA’s homepage (www.prorodeo.com) is that the sixth of seven Wright brothers won money in Auburn, Calif. The Etbauer brothers entertained rodeo fans for years and now we all can look forward to the Wright brother clan, who is lead by world champion Cody Wright. Keep an eye on those guys.

Speaking of Etbauers, Billy is on the verge of surpassing $3 million in career earnings. What an amazing feat and to have done it almost all in just one event of saddle bronc riding. Yes, I said almost as Billy has a little over $1,000 of his career earnings that came from team roping. Keep an eye on prorodeo.com for information on when he hits that mark.

Until next time,
Codi

Former Xtreme Bulls Tour champion Mike Moore will be featured on a national telecast of Athlete 360 on the FOX Network next month. The series, which aired regionally last year, takes an inside look at sports medicine and the procedures that are often required to allow athletes to continue competing. Moore’s segment will air May 24-30.

Broadcast schedule (.pdf)

Dr. Mark Adickes, a Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman and Harvard-educated orthopedic surgeon, will host the show, explaining how surgery techniques have improved. He will interview past and current elite athletes about their bodies, and give weekend warriors and parents alike a true inside look at sports.

For more details about the Athlete 360 and Serious Fun Productions visit their Web site at www.seriousfun.tv and to view a preview of the show go the production company’s Facebook page at http://alturl.com/n4xd
Gray sets knee surgery for April 27

Ryan Gray, the bareback riding world standings leader and co-world record holder, is scheduled to undergo surgery on his right knee April 27 in Dallas. Dr. Tandy Freeman will repair tears in the meniscus and extract any loose particles he discovers in the joint. Dr. Freeman will also set a program of rehabilitation for the torn tendons in Gray’s hand. Gray expects he will miss only 1-2 weeks of competition as a result of the knee procedure. His traveling partner, three-time and reigning World Champion Bareback Rider Bobby Mote, will undergo a second battery of tests this week in Dallas before Dr. Freeman determines a course of treatment for Mote’s foraminal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord opening). Mote won the first two rounds of the April 7-10 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, Idaho, before the acute whiplash he suffered riding Kesler Championship Rodeo’s Spanish Pair in the semifinals pinched nerves in his neck.

The Brazile watch …

Despite a frustrating weekend at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up, Trevor Brazile remains in reach of breaking his own all-around cowboy record for surpassing $100,000 in earnings at the earliest point in the season. With his $741 in tie-down roping money at Red Bluff, Brazile has total all-around earnings of $91,553 and rodeos this week at Clovis, Calif., and Lufkin, Texas, to get him the $8,447 he needs to hit six figures. Brazile surpassed $100,000 in season earnings in Tulsa, Okla., on May 14, 2006, the earliest that any all-around cowboy has hit that milestone by a margin of five weeks (also Brazile, in 2008). A year ago, he reached April 20 with total earnings of $53,366. Brazile did manage to cut $232 off Stran Smith’s lead in the tie-down roping world standings and is now just $1,250 out of first place. And for those eagle-eyed fans who notice that Brazile’s total earnings in team roping, tie-down roping and steer roping come to $368 more than his all-around total – it is not a mistake. Brazile, limited to 70 all-around rodeos in his season count, as opposed to 100 in tie-down roping, opted to unofficial the all-around at Henderson, Texas, where he won, that’s right, $368 in the tie-down roping.

Rodeo Austin breaks 10 records despite down economy

The 73rd annual Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo shattered records in 10 categories last month despite a still-struggling economy. For the first time, both Rodeo Austin (with concerts) and carnival sales reached all-time highs. Rodeo Austin went up 10.2 percent with total attendance of 67,586, and carnivals grew by 6.2 percent. Other records were surpassed in overall fairgrounds attendance (up 13.1 percent), parking revenue (3.4), official concessionaire sales (17.9), commercial exhibit sales (15.2), fairground food and exhibit sales (48.8), trade sponsorship (34.5) and youth participation (5). The total contribution from all Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo sources to its education programs is anticipated to exceed $1.5 million this year.

Veteran PRCA pickup man honored with poster image at Mandan, N.D.

The Mandan (N.D.) Rodeo Days Committee publicity poster for the July 2-4 Cowboy Christmas event features veteran PRCA pickup man Jim Wilson, who has worked the rodeo for 14 years. The print of Wilson, with artwork by Deb Knuth, is the seventh in a series of posters over the years highlighting great moments, notable contestants and contract personnel. Wilson, of Alzada, Mont., started working as a pickup man when he was 18 years old and has been a PRCA member since 1994.

Kenny Stanton, a 15-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier as a bull rider and bareback rider, will be featured in an iconic 33-by-9-foot glass-and-porcelain tile mosaic on the new Western Heritage parking garage located at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.

Artist Mike Mandel from the Boston area was commissioned to execute the art project which will feature six images meant to capture the spirit of Fort Worth’s heritage. The project is estimated to be completed by the middle of next month.

Stanton’s image was taken from a photo at the 1965 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo in which he was riding stock contractor Tommy Steiner’s bull No. 19.

Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up history lives within its grand marshals

The Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up’s Westward Ho! Parade will be led by five men who represent families with 100 years of involvement with the rodeo. Jim Rosenberg, the oldest living president of the Round-Up Association, will mount up with Bill Burke, Gary Burke, Jesse Jones Jr. and Carl Sampson – the four chiefs of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation – to lead the centennial procession on Sept. 17.

The five men were introduced to the Round-Up and Happy Canyon Board of Directors April 3 at the annual Introduction Party held at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

“When I look at these five men, one word comes to mind: greatness,” Round-Up Director Billy Lorenzen said. “I’m flattered and humbled that I am in the company of such greatness. As a small child, I remember my father always spoke of all of them with the utmost respect.”

First saddle bronc riding champion at Calgary Stampede honored

Tom Three Persons, the winner of the first Calgary Stampede saddle bronc riding competition in 1912, will be among a dozen new members inducted into the Lethbridge (Alberta) Sports Hall of Fame at its annual banquet on May 1.

After a lengthy competitive career, Three Persons became a wealthy rancher on the Blood Tribe reservation raising Hereford cattle, thoroughbred horses and supplying bucking stock to rodeos in southern Alberta until his death in 1949.

He was inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1983.

Economic impact of San Angelo (Texas) Rodeo may surpass $30 million

Estimates for the economic impact to the San Angelo, Texas, metro area from this year’s San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo are expected to surpass $30 million.

The 10-day event in February drew a record number of stock show entries – nearly 10,300 – and had what is believed to be the largest field of rodeo competitors this season for a PRCA rodeo, said Justin Jonas, executive director of the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association.

“There’s no doubt we should be able to hit $30 million impact,” Jonas said.

“Last year we were at $26 million, and attendance for the events only grew.”

Jonas said there has been an upward trend of the economic impact to the city since 2007 because of the passing of the half-cent sales tax in 2004. The new buildings near the San Angelo Coliseum have allowed the stock show to increase its numbers, rivaling entry numbers from San Antonio and Houston – two of the biggest stock shows in the nation.

With a win in the steer roping average at the Young County PRCA Rodeo in Graham, Texas, on March 27, Bryce Davis took over the lead in the world standings for the first time in his career.

Davis, the son of two-time World Champion Steer Roper Jim Davis, finished second in the first round at Graham and had a time of 35.5 seconds on three head to defeat runner-up Dan Fisher by 2.0 seconds.

Davis, of Abilene, Texas, earned $2,964 at Graham and another $651 for finishing in a tie for third in the second round at the Walker County Fair & Rodeo in Huntsville, Texas. That was enough to push him past Vin Fisher Jr. into first place in the world standings.

Cruise, Witherspoon reportedly set to star in rodeo film

The Los Angeles Times has reported that Tom Cruise has entered into negotiations with Sony Pictures to star in the film Paper Wings as a rodeo champion who falls in love with a talented young country singer, to be played by Reese Witherspoon.

No writer or director has been attached to the project yet, but the Times reports that Will Smith will produce the film through his Overbrook Entertainment company and would like to hire Gabriele Muccino, who directed Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness and Seven Pounds.

Western Wishes celebrates 15th anniversary with song, events

Western Wishes is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year with special events in Texas and California.

The outreach program utilizes Western heritage stars and grants wishes to children and adults facing adversity. A Western Wishes tribute song, “Here in This Place,” by Brian Lumley, will be premiered at the events. A video of the song also is planned, starring Western industry stars.

The first event will be held May 19 at the Steiner Ranch Steak House in Austin, Texas, with the second event set for May 22 at the Fess Parker Vineyards, in Santa Ynez, Calif. The late Parker was a friend of Western Wishes and had planned to attend, but passed away on March 18.

Scheduled guests in Austin are Larry Mahan, Tuff Hedeman, Clyde and Elsie Frost, Kelly Frost Macy, Tuf Cooper, Stran and Jennifer Smith, Bobby Steiner and Sid Steiner.

Steve Ford, President Gerald Ford’s son, will be the keynote speaker at the Santa Ynez event, and Luke Perry also is scheduled to attend.

“I couldn’t write a check big enough to the great hearts in the rodeo, roping, bull riding and horse world who have given of themselves to Western Wishes,” said Donnalyn Quintana, Western Wishes president/founder. “This is the only way to pay tribute to them all.”

Visit westernwishes.org for more information, and check out Amazon.com to purchase “Here in This Place.”

Veteran saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter wasn’t about to let a little thing like a disappointment at RodeoHouston get in his head. He just got out on the road again March 19-21 and went about the business of winning paychecks.

After failing to make it out of his Super Series bracket at RodeoHouston, Harter won at the Rio Grande Livestock Show & Rodeo in Mercedes, Texas, and the Goliad County Fair PRCA Rodeo in Goliad, Texas. He also tied for second place at the DeRidder (La.) Lions Club PRCA Rodeo.

It all added up to $3,089, a little more than three times what he banked at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

Pendleton Round-Up seeking ex-champions to attend centennial rodeo

The Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up committee is engaged in a little pre-rodeo roundup. They are trying to contact all former champions so they might consider attending this year’s centennial celebration, Sept. 15-18.

Past champions will receive a registration package, which will include admission to a welcome breakfast, four dinners with Western entertainment, a pair of tickets to all four days of the rodeo, two tickets to a night at Happy Canyon and a gift bag from Pendleton’s sponsors.

Contact Nancie Paxton at 541.276.6662 or 817.304.5888 for details.

Christophersen nominated for North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame

Steer wrestler Bob Christophersen, who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo six times in the 1970s and won the NFR average in 1971 and 1975, has been nominated for induction into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, along with long-time PRCA all-around hand Lee Selland, the late John “Buzz” Fredericks and the late Ralph Klein.

The NDCHF’s 200 trustees will begin voting in mid-April, and induction ceremonies will be held June 26 in Medora, N.D.

An eight-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Duarte ($1,000,210) ranks fifth in career bull riding earnings behind Tuff Hedeman ($1,243,648), B.J. Schumacher ($1,195,350), Cody Hancock ($1,129,826) and Ted Nuce ($1,128,590).

Ty Murray and Jesse Bail, the only other bull riders to have more than $1 million in career earnings, are all-around hands who are well ahead of the bull-riding specialists on the list because they consistently banked checks in other roughstock events.

Murray earned more than $500,000 in each of the three events, led by his $727,591 in bull riding. At the end of 2009, Bail had $770,488 as a bull rider and $794,350 as a saddle bronc rider.

Proctor/Long big winners at George Strait Team Roping Classic
Longtime partners Coleman Proctor and Jake Long beat 468 other teams at the March 12-13 George Strait Team Roping Classic in San Antonio with a time of 14.93 seconds on three head and each won $79,815 cash along with a truck, horse trailer, saddle, buckle, Resistol roping bag and Wrangler jacket.

“I don’t know when this is going to sink in, but it’s pretty incredible,” Long said. “Coleman and I have been friends since we were knee-high to a grasshopper, and to do this together is probably the most special thing that has ever happened to us.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Proctor said. “We’ve been to this roping for so many years, and we’ve dreamed about this for so long.”

Brothers Riley and Brady Minor, of Ellensburg, Wash., finished second and banked $31,926 each.
Total awards at this 28th annual event reached nearly $700,000, including prize money of $478,500.

Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame inducts seven
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame will add seven inductees to its ranks in ceremonies this October in Calgary, Alberta – Floyd Peters, Phil Doan, Gordon Doan, Everett Vold, Clayton Hines, Edith Malesh, and Harvey Northcott’s Canadian champion saddle bronc horse Wyatt Earp.

Peters, of Cardston, Alberta, won the Canadian steer decorating championship in 1945 and three consecutive Canadian tie-down roping championships from 1945 to 1947. He is one of only two cowboys to win a Canadian championship in both of those timed events, along with 1993 CPRHF inductee Kenny McLean.

ProRodeo Livestock video available for free
A 20-minute video, titled ProRodeo Livestock, is available free of charge to rodeo enthusiasts through the PRCA Industry Outreach Department in Colorado Springs, Colo. The educational video covers rodeo history, livestock care, PRCA stock contractors’ born-to-buck breeding program and PRCA rules that govern the safety of animals in competition.

PRCA stock contractors Dona Vold Larsen (Triple V Rodeo Company) and Jim Korkow (Korkow Rodeos) speak in the video, and several cowboys talk about the athletic ability of bucking horses and bulls and also discuss rodeo equipment.

Three-time and reigning World Champion Bareback Rider Bobby Mote, 2006 World Champion Bull Rider B.J. Schumacher and 19-time Wrangler NFR saddle bronc qualifier Rod Hay are among the cowboys featured in the video.

Representatives of rodeo committees, rodeo clubs, Western youth groups and other organizations wishing to get a copy of the free video may call PRCA Industry Outreach Director Cindy Schonholtz at 719.593.8840 or e-mail requests to animalwelfare@prorodeo.com.

RodeoHouston was his first rodeo back and he appeared to have returned in top condition turning in an 80-point ride to finish in a four-way tie for first in the first round of Super Series V. He will compete again on Monday and Tuesday night (March 15-16) in Houston, in hopes of finishing in the top four money earners in bracket V to advance to the semifinal round either on March 17 or 18. He collected $875 on his first ride. For more information on Will visit www.willlowe.net.