COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Etbauer name, legend in the cowboy sport for a generation, will be stamped in bronze this July when five-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Billy Etbauer and two-time World Champion Robert Etbauer are inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, heading a class of seven.

The Etbauers are joined by the late three-time world champion roughstock cowboy Frank Schneider, three-time PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year Khadafy Skoal, five-time NFR barrelman Jon Taylor, longtime rodeo administrator Hal Littrell and the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup, which has nine times been named the PRCA Rodeo Committee of the Year.

Billy Etbauer, of Edmond, Okla., is the only man in ProRodeo history to surpass $3 million in career earnings in a single event – one of only three men to reach that milestone, period – and he holds the record for most Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications by a roughstock cowboy (21) and most overall round wins at the NFR (51).

His five gold buckles came over a span of a dozen years (1992, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2004), with the last of them coming at the age of 41, making him the oldest world champion saddle bronc rider on record.

Elder brother Robert, of Goodwell, Okla., won his saddle bronc riding world championships in 1990 and 1991 and qualified for the NFR 12 times (1988-92, 1994-2000). For eight of those years the youngest Etbauer brother, Dan, qualified for the NFR with Billy and Robert; Dan qualified 10 times overall (Dan is not eligible for induction as a contestant, because the current criteria includes a minimum of one world title).
“What an honor,” Billy Etbauer said. “And for Robert and I to go in together is just another blessing. Being done (retired) wakes you up to how much fun you were having and getting to do what you absolutely love to do.

“To be fortunate enough for us to be able to do what we loved that much for a living, and to be able to do it together, you can’t say enough about that. Being able to rodeo with Robert and Danny and Craig (Latham, whom the Etbauers consider an honorary fourth brother), and having so much time together, it’s hard to explain how much that means as we look back on it. You couldn’t really ask for anything more.”

“What’s a big honor to me,” said Robert Etbauer, “is all the people who are there before me – Casey Tibbs and all the guys who cut a trail for us. It’s hard to believe. It seems to me I ought to still be riding and going. We had a lot of fun and met a lot of good people. That’s the best part of it.”

Schneider has this in common with the Etbauers: He too was part of a famous brother act in his era. Elder brother Johnie won two bull riding gold buckles outright (1929-30), shared a third with Smokey Snyder (1932) and captured the 1931 all-around world championship while Frank won back-to-back bull riding world titles (1933-34) and then a bareback riding title in 1935 for good measure.

Traveling to Sydney, Australia, in 1936, Frank Schneider won an international bulldogging competition against a field of top American, Canadian and Australian competitors. He also set a world record for steer decorating at the Los Angeles Rodeo in 1932 and won numerous saddle bronc riding titles, including San Francisco – establishing himself as a true all-around hand.

Frank said in an interview before his death in 1983 that his decision to rodeo was “probably environment,” because Johnie was a top rodeo cowboy and he started working for stock contractor Cliff Burrell at 13 years old. Now the former Caliente, Calif., resident has followed Johnie all the way to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame; Johnie was inducted in 1992.

“I’ll tell you what, it knocked my socks off when we heard,” said Nancy Moore, Schneider’s eldest daughter. “We were just back there in Colorado Springs last year for Burel Mulkey’s induction, and we’re so happy to know that we’ll be coming back this year. I just can’t explain what a thrill this is.

Frank Schneider on Joe Louis, Klamath Buckaroo Days, Klamath Falls, Ore. July 4-6, 1941. Photo by DeVere and courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
“My dad would be thrilled, and my mom, too. We’ve been hoping that he would get in at some point, but we just didn’t know. We’re so happy that he’ll get to join his brother and brother-in-law (Mulkey) in the Hall of Fame.”

For all of its 35 years, the Dodge City Roundup has been one of the elite rodeos of the PRCA. Eight of its nine Rodeo Committee of the Year awards came in the days when there was only one category covering all 600-plus PRCA-sanctioned rodeos.

Dodge City shared the award in 1985 with Phoenix and Santa Maria, Calif., and shared it again with Reno, Nev., in 1987, but claimed the award outright in 1986 and from 1988-92. Its ninth PRCA award came in 2001 when it was voted the Large Outdoor Rodeo Committee of the Year.

The rodeo is annually the centerpiece of the Dodge City Days Festival which is the second largest community event in the state of Kansas with a huge economic impact.

“There was always an amateur rodeo in Dodge City,” said Roundup President Dr. R.C. Trotter, “but in 1977 a group of local bankers and cattlemen decided to create a professional rodeo. From the start, they made a huge commitment to make it a very professional show with not only the best cowboys, but the best contract personnel, the best announcers and the best stock.

“The whole community comes together to make this rodeo what it has become. We have a core group of 50-60 and we have 400-500 volunteers the week of the rodeo. Something like this (the rodeo’s induction) will serve to reenergize us all. We are all so excited to be honored this way.”

Khadafy Skoal became the first Wyoming born-and-raised horse to be voted PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year in 1990 and went on to win the award twice more for Powder River Rodeo in 1995 and ’96. Starting in 1989, the blue roan gelding went to 16 consecutive NFRs and was voted Horse of the NFR in 1994, 1996 and 1999.

He also competed in 15 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeos (being named top bareback horse at the DNCFR a record five times) and 12 Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeos before being retired with his friend Skoal’s Frontier at the 2004 Wrangler NFR to the grassy fields of Riverton, Wyo., where he lives today at the age of 29.

“He means so much to us,” said Lori Franzen of Powder River Rodeo. “The horse put us on the map. We were a young company, and when you’re a young company in the PRCA, it takes a long time. You do a lot of struggling. You have to have a product, and you have to have something the people want to see, and Khadafy was that. He was electric, he was different, he was amazing, and people wanted to see him. He really helped us in the beginning, and (husband) Hank and I still say we owe an enormous amount of our success to him.”

Legendary bucking horse Khadafy Skoal lives life of retirement in Wyoming.
View video at Trib.com The Franzens bought Khadafy from Ray Sanborn of Big Piney, Wyo., but insisted on bucking him before writing the check.

“It was Lori and me and the hired man,” Hank Franzen said. “We put (Khadafy) in the bucking chute; Lori flanked him, I opened the bucking chute and picked him up. Lori, she had all whites in her eyes when them feet came up. He kicked up straight out of the chute right toward her. It was spectacular. We thought we had something special.”

Taylor, 70, was selected to be the NFR barrelman in 1974, 1979 and 1983 and served as the alternate in 1980-81. He was the PRCA Clown of the Year in 1979 and developed a reputation as one of the sport’s best-loved entertainers working major rodeo venues in Reno, Nev.; Fort Worth, Texas; Pendleton, Ore.; Ellensburg, Wash., and Prescott, Ariz.

He served on the PRCA Board of Directors from 1982-85 and has worked as the NFR saddle horse boss for 28 years.

“In the rodeo field, being a rodeo clown and doing all the things I’ve done with the Finals in the U.S. and Canada, I’ve made my goal,” said Taylor, who lives in Filer, Idaho. “This was always my goal.

“It was great to hear the news; I was flabbergasted really. I was nominated last year, but you just have to kind of wait and see what happens. This is a great honor that is put onto you as someone in rodeo.”

Littrell, who turns 80 on March 31, is known as “Mister Rodeo” in Colorado Springs with more than 50 years of service to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and a long record of support for the PRCA and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

A member of the Hall’s Board of Trustees from the beginning in 1979 to the present day, Littrell has been instrumental in helping secure monetary support for various projects and improvements for the Hall, most recently to update the museum’s lighting. He was selected in the Notables category.

“I was very surprised by the call (from PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman) and very honored to be considered in this group of outstanding people in rodeo,” Littrell said. “It’s a bit overwhelming. I guess you could call it the thrill of a lifetime.”

ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees are selected by a committee of former contestants and rodeo experts. More than 150 individuals are nominated each year, and selection is based on contributions to the sport of professional rodeo in any of seven categories: contestant, contract personnel, stock contractors, rodeo committees, livestock, media and notables/lifetime achievement.

Including this year’s inductees, 226 people, 27 animals and 18 rodeo committees have been selected for enshrinement in Colorado Springs since the Hall opened in 1979.

That sort of bargain hunting shouldn’t be necessary for a while.

Matthews, 24, put an 86-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Coffee Break March 4 to wrest the Avi River Stampede title away from Paul Coppini and traveling buddy Kaycee Rose by two points.

After winning $90 in his first four stops on the road – a day money check in Denver – Matthews headed home to Redwood Valley, Calif., with $1,583 and an immeasurable jolt of confidence.

“It is amazing … a great day,” Matthews said. “We drove straight over from (the rodeo in) Scottsdale and I was pretty excited to have the bull that (World Champion) Shane Proctor rode for 88 last week (at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz.).

“I did not want to waste an opportunity like that and it felt pretty good to get it done. Right now I’m wishing I’d bought my permit when I was 18 and started going to rodeos then. I love the sense of tradition and history at PRCA rodeos. It feels great to be a part of it.”

Matthews didn’t come from a traditional rodeo background. He grew up in California timber country in Mendocino County. His parents, Kai and Keli, weren’t too keen on the idea of his climbing on 1,700-pound bucking animals and he didn’t really get started in the sport until his sophomore year of high school.

His cousin, Earl Bauer, rode bulls and introduced Matthews to the sport at his practice pen in Covelo, Calif., 70 miles north of Matthews’ home, and took on the task of mentoring.

“My parents have kind of gotten used to the idea now,” Matthews said.

The other champions at the Mojave Crossing Event Center were bareback rider Clint Cannon (83 points), steer wrestler Trevor Duhon (8.7 seconds on two head), team ropers Aaron Tsinigine and Caleb Twisselman (9.3 seconds on two head), saddle bronc rider Chase Bennett (86 points), tie-down roper Jerrad Hofstetter (18.0 seconds on two head) and barrel racer Pamela Morrison (14.58 seconds). With a second-place finish at Parada del Sol in Scottsdale, Ariz., Hofstetter had earnings of $4,405, the high total for any contestant in this weekend’s six PRCA rodeos.

Cutter Parsons won the all-around title with $1,752 competing in steer wrestling and tie-down roping.

TIE-DOWN ROPING
Adam Gray said he was able to pay for college by competing in rodeos. On March 7, he advanced into the semifinals for a chance of winning $50,000. Gray said he can’t control what goes on, all he can control is himself.

“If I get a good run and make no mistakes, I’m happy with myself,” Gray said.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Adam Gray — Semifinal 2 – $5,500
Justin Macha — Semifinal 1 – $3,200
Matt Shiozawa — Semifinal 2 – $2,500
Cory Solomon — Semifinal 1 – $2,500

BAREBACK RIDING
For Jake Vold, his first time at RodeoHouston has been an exciting one. Vold said he has been looking forward to riding in Houston and it has been an awesome experience.

“I’ve been aiming to get here,” he said. “And I got here as soon as I could; it’s a huge deal.”

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Jake Vold — Semifinal 1 – $6,450
Brian Bain — Semifinal 2 – $4,500
Dusty LaValley — Semifinal 1 – $4,500
Morgan Heaton — Semifinal 2 – $1,550

TEAM ROPING
Erich Rogers and Kory Koontz have been roping together for two years, and during Super Series III, they roped their way into the semifinals. Koontz and Rogers entered the Championship Round in the leader position.

“Things didn’t go so good [during the Championship Round], and that’s just part of the game, but at least we had enough cushion to come back to the semifinals and keep advancing,” Koontz said.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Erich Rogers and Kory Koontz — Semifinal 1 – $11,000
Jake Barnes and Paul Eaves — Semifinal 2 – $10,800
Jake Cooper and Walt Woodard — Semifinal 2 – $6,400
Spencer Mitchell and Broc Cresta — Semifinal 1 – $5,000

SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Jesse Wright said he tries to win first every ride, and tonight he did just that, securing himself a spot in the semifinals. Joining him are his three brothers, Cody, Alex and Jake. He said it feels good to have his brothers in the semifinals with him.

“If one of us is going to be here, all of us should be here,” Jesse said.

Even though it will be a Wright family reunion in the semifinals, Jesse said competing against his brothers does not affect his performance in the arena.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Jesse Wright — Semifinal 2 – $8,300
Cody Wright — Semifinal 2 – $4,200
Alex Wright — Semifinal 1 – $3,500
Jake Wright — Semifinal 1 – $3,000

STEER WRESTLING
The 2011 RodeoHouston BP Super Series Steer Wrestling Champion, Stockton Graves, wrestled his way into the 2012 semifinals. Graves said he knew he had to get his steer down in less than
17 seconds during the Championship Round to advance, and when a cowboy is used to being fast, sometimes it is harder to go slow.

“A lot more mistakes can happen in 17 seconds than in 4 flat or 3.9 seconds,” he said.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Stockton Graves — Semifinal 2 – $7,000
Jake Rinehart — Semifinal 1 – $4,500
Clayton Hass — Semifinal 2 – $2,500
Wade Sumpter — Semifinal 1 – $2,500

BULL RIDING
Seth Glause said he does not get scared before a ride, but he does get a little nervous about some. Glause said he went into the ride fairly confident since he drew a bull he had been on before, but that did not mean it would be the same ride.

“They’re just animals and they have a mind of their own,” Glause said. “Tonight he turned back to the right instead of the left like last time.”

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Seth Glause — Semifinal 2 – $6,200
Beau Schroeder — Semifinal 1 – $3,700
Brent Menz — Semifinal 2 – $1,850
Bobby Welsh — Semifinal 1 – $1,450

BARREL RACING
Determination and her winnings of $8,700 sped Brittany Pozzi into the semifinals. Pozzi said that she would tell other aspiring barrel racers to never give up.

“I didn’t come from a rodeo family,” Pozzi said. “My parents didn’t know anything about horses, but I never gave up.”

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Brittany Pozzi — Semifinal 1 —$8,700
Nikki Steffes —Semifinal 2 —$4,500
Tana Poppino —Semifinal 2 —$2,500
Megan Reichert — Semifinal 1—$2,000

The top four from each event of the semifinal rounds will advance to the RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship, Saturday, March 17. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals will compete in the Wild Card Round, Friday, March 16, where the top two from each event will advance to the RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship. Each event champion will walk away with a $50,000 payout in addition to other winnings. The RodeoHouston BP Super Series continues through Saturday, March 17, with the Cinch RodeoHouston Super Shootout: North America’s Champions® presented by Crown Royal, on Sunday, March 18.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed approximately $283 million to the youth of Texas. The 2012 Show continues through March 18. For tickets and more information, visit www.rodeohouston.com.

TIE-DOWN ROPING
BP Super Series 1 Tie-Down Roping Champion Houston Hutto said he didn’t let the size of Reliant Stadium affect him. The Tomball, Texas, resident ended BP Super Series I with $6,200.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Houston Hutto — Semifinal 1 – $6,200
Justin Maass — Semifinal 1 – $2,650
Monty Lewis — Semifinal 2 – $4,200
Rhen Richard — Semifinal 2 – $2,200

BAREBACK RIDING
Bobby Mote came out on top in bareback riding, with a total $6,850 for all three rounds. Mote was the 2007 RodeoHouston BP Super Series Bareback Riding Champion, and said that winning again would be an amazing thing.

“This is a life-changing experience,” he said. “You can do a lot with $50,000 and it is also a huge motivation booster.”

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Bobby Mote — Semifinal 1 – $6,850
Winn Ratliff — Semifinal 1 – $1,950
Heath Ford — Semifinal 2 – $4,600
Zachary Dishman — Semifinal 2 – $3,050

TEAM ROPING
First place team ropers David Key and Rich Skelton left RodeoHouston BP Super Series I with $12,400 and will return to compete in a Semifinal Round. The duo said they know they must rely on one another in the arena to do well during their runs. Key said his partner allows him to do his job because Skelton he knows he can trust Key to rope his half of the steer.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
David Key and Rich Skelton — Semifinal 1 – $12,400
Mike Beers and Matt Funk — Semifinal 1 – $5,400
Keven Daniel and Chase Tryan — Semifinal 2 – $7,600
Brady Tryan and Justin Davis — Semifinal 2 – $7,000

SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Snyder, Texas, resident and native Australian, Sam Spreadborough held on for eight seconds and took the RodeoHouston BP Super Series I Saddle Bronc Riding Championship with him as he left Reliant Stadium Thursday night. Spreadborough ended the third round with a total of $7,400.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Jesse Bail — Semifinal 1 – $5,400
Bradley Harter — Semifinal 1 – $1,800
Sam Spreadborough — Semifinal 2 – $7,400
Jacobs Crawley — Semifinal 2 – $3,800

STEER WRESTLING
Riley Duvall, RodeoHouston BP Super Series I Steer Wrestling Champion, is following in the footsteps of his family, a legend in the world of steer wrestling. Riley said he was happy with his performance over the past three days, but was just thrilled to have done well as he did each night. He ended Super Series I with a champion title and $5,300.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Jule Hazen — Semifinal 1 – $2,500
Ben Shofner — Semifinal 1 – $2,500
Riley Duvall — Semifinal 2 – $5,300
Nick Guy — Semifinal 2 – $3,000

BULL RIDING
First-timer to RodeoHouston Ty Pozzobon took both the first and third rounds and came out on top as the Super Series I Bull Riding Champion, with a total of $7,500. He said he knew he belonged at RodeoHouston and that he would make it into the semifinals.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Tag Elliott — Semifinal 1 – $3,500
Chance Smart — Semifinal 1 – $2,500
Ty Pozzobon — Semifinal 2 – $7,500
Trey Benton — Semifinal 2 – $2,400

BARREL RACING
Lubbock, Texas, resident Bennette Little finished first in Super Series I Barrel Racing, with total earnings of $8,050.

Advancing to Semifinal Round:
Benette Little — Semifinal 1 – $8,050
Rylee McKenzie — Semifinal 1 – $2,500
Lisa Lockhart — Semifinal 2 – $5,550
Cassie Moseley — Semifinal 2 – $1,300

The top four from each event of the semifinal rounds will advance to the RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship, Saturday, March 17. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals will compete in the Wild Card Round, Friday, March 16, where the top two from each event will advance to the RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship. Each event champion will walk away with a $50,000 payout in addition to other winnings. The RodeoHouston BP Super Series continues through Saturday, March 17, with the Cinch RodeoHouston Super Shootout: North America’s Champions® presented by Crown Royal, on Sunday, March 18.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed approximately $283 million to the youth of Texas. The 2012 Show continues through March 18. For tickets and more information, visit www.rodeohouston.com.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Will Lowe is an accomplished, three-time bareback riding world champion, but days like Sunday have to even make him smile a little wider.

Lowe beat out a field that included essentially every big name in the event in rodeo, winning the finals with an 89-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Hollywood Hills, and netting $1,650.

As a result, Lowe, who took second place in the first round with an 85, took home the average title with a score of 174 points on two head. His average score was five points better than Kaycee Feild and Tilden Hooper, who tied for second.

“I just had a better day than those other guys did,” Lowe said. “You really never know what’s going to happen in this event and it’s like the movie Any Given Sunday, where any of us can go out and win it.”

Lowe, who also tied for the win in the short round at San Antonio, hauled in a total of $8,305 in Tucson alone.

“I was fortunate to be on top today and I just think the quality of bareback riders is extremely high and it’s a great event to compete in,” he said.

Other winners in Tucson included steer wrestler Ethan Thouvenell, team ropers Erich Rogers and Kory Koontz, saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell, tie-down roper Ryan Jarrett, barrel racer Reiney Hatch and bull rider Cody Samora.

The 2012 Downtown Rodeo Parade winners are:
Float Awards
Sweepstakes – H-E-B
Theme – International Committee
Originality – Fiesta Mart
Most Beautiful – La Michoacana Meat Market
Chairman’s Award – Telemundo
President’s Award – Supermercados Teloloapan

Trail Ride Awards
Top Trail Ride – Valley Lodge Trail Ride
Best Appearing Riders – Salt Grass Trail Ride, Wagon #7
Best Show Wagon – Sam Houston Trail Ride, Wagon #1

Runners also traveled through downtown to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run. The race, which began in 1988, had 15,001 participants, including Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President Skip Wagner and Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes.

All race entry fees are donated to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Fund. With its $400,000 donation in 2012, ConocoPhillips has contributed more than $3.3 million to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Educational Fund to date.

The top race finishers in the 10K race were:
Overall Male – Michael Reneau, St. Paul, Minn., 30:36
Overall Female – Mattie Suver, Lake Tapps, Wash., 35:11
Masters Male – Sean Wade, Houston, 32:04
Masters Female – Liza Hunter-Galavan, Houston, 36:07
Wheelchair Male – Ramiro Bermudez, Houston, 24:16
Wheelchair Female – Elizabeth Acosta, Houston, 59:05

Top 5K winners were:
Male – Kevin Donnelly, Baytown, Texas
Female – Sage Laxton, Kingwood, Texas

Costume contest winners were:
Best Dressed – Luis Garcia, Houston
Most Spirited – Elise Nellsch, Livingston, Texas

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed approximately $283 million to the youth of Texas. The 2012 Show runs Feb. 28 – March 18. For tickets, schedule and more information, visit www.rodeohouston.com.

The fifth and final bracket of competition came to a close during the Monday evening performance, Feb. 20. The field has been narrowed from 50 contestants in each event to 20 based on money won. Those 20 have been divided into two groups of semifinalist who will compete over the next four performances. Their money won thus far will be added to anything they win in the two round semifinals. The top five total money winners from the two semifinal brackets will advance to the finals slated for Feb. 25.

Melby climbed higher and higher in the results as the rounds went by. She finished third in the first round in a time of 14.71 seconds. Robyn Herring, who has been on a hot streak as of late, won the first round with a 13.99-second run. Melby would improve on her time and placing in the second round finishing second behind Brenda Mays. Melby stopped the clock in 13.92 seconds, while Mays won the round with a blistering time of 13.77. As the saying goes “the third time’s the charm,” held true for Melby who won the third round in a time of 13.96 seconds to move to the top of the money board and a shot at more money in the Alamo City.

Others advancing out of bracket V include Mays, Cassie Moseley and Herring.
Check back at www.wpra.com for more recaps and results.

San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
February 9-25, 2011

Bracket V
First round: 1. Robyn Herring, 13.99 seconds, $1,965; 2. Cassie Moseley, 14.14, $1,474; 3. Jane Melby, 14.17, $983; 4. Brenda Mays, 14.20, $491. Second round: 1. Brenda Mays, 13.77 seconds, $1,965; 2. Jane Melby, 13.92, $1,474; 3. Kay Blandford, 14.19, $983; 4. (tie) Cassie Moseley and Robyn Herring, 14.22, $245 each. Third round: 1. Jane Melby, 13.96 seconds, $1,965; 2. Cassie Moseley, 14.02, $1,474; 3. Brenda Mays, 14.29, $983; 4. Kay Blandford, 15.00, $491. Semifinal qualifiers (based on total earnings): 1. Jane Melby, $4,421; 2. Brenda Mays, $3,439; 3. Cassie Moseley, $3,193; 4. Robyn Herring, $2,211.

Bracket IV
First round: 1. Robin Montague, 14.04 seconds, $1,965; 2. Kaley Bass, 14.14, $1,474; 3. Sheena Robbins, 14.18, $983; 4. Savanah Reeves, 14.29, $491. Second round: 1. Robin Montague, 14.06 seconds, $1,965; 2. Brittany Pozzi, 14.07, $1,474; 3. Savanah Reeves, 14.16, $983; 4. Kaley Bass, 14.34, $491. Third round: 1. Brittany Pozzi, 13.70 seconds, $1,965; 2. Savanah Reeves, 13.96, $1,474; 3. Robin Montague, 14.06, $983; 4. Maegan Reichert, 14.12, $491. Semifinal qualifiers (based on total earnings): 1. Robin Montague, $4,913; 2. Brittany Pozzi, $3,439; 3. Savanah Reeves, $2,948; 4. Kaley Bass, $1,965.

Bracket III
First round: 1. Jana Bean, 14.01 seconds, $1,965; 2. Tana Renick, 14.25, $1,474; 3. Sherry Cervi, 14.34, $983; 4. Kenna Squires, 14.41, $491. Second round: 1. Kenna Squires, 13.92 seconds, $1,975; 2. Jana Bean, 13.93, $1,474; 3. Trula Churchill, 14.04, $983; 4. Tana Renick, 14.15, $491. Third round: 1. Jana Bean, 13.88 seconds, $1,965; 2. Linda Vick, 14.15, $1,474; 3. Sherry Cervi, 14.20, $938; 4. Tana Renick, 14.23, $491. Semifinal qualifiers (based on total earnings): 1. Jana Bean, $5,404; 2. (tie) Tana Renick and Kenna Squires, $2,456; 4. Sherry Cervi, $1,965.

Bracket II
First round: 1. Andrea Herron-Cline, San Antonio, Texas, 13.86 seconds, $1,965; 2. Carlee Pierce, Woodward, Okla., 13.93, $1,474; 3. Sabra O’Quinn, Ocala, Fla., 13.99, $982; 4. Benette Little, Springer, Okla., 14.28, $491. Second round: 1. Carlee Pierce, 13.82 seconds, $1,965; 2. Angie Meadors, Blanchard, Okla., 14.02, $1,474; 3. Andrea Cline-Herron, San Antonio, Texas, 14.05, $983; 4. (tie) Benette Little, Springer, Okla., and Callie Chamberlain, Colorado City, Texas, 14.07, $246. Third round: 1. Carlee Pierce, 13.81 seconds, $1,965; 2. Angie Meadors, 13.85, $1,474; 3. Callie Chamberlain, 14.11, $983; 4. Sabra O’Quinn, 14.13, $491. Semifinal qualifiers (based on total earnings): 1. Carlee Pierce, Woodward, Okla., $5,404; 2. Andrea Herron-Cline, San Antonio, Texas, and Angie Meadors, $2,948 each; 4. Sabra O’Quinn, $1,473.

Bracket I
First round: 1. (tie) Deb Renger, Okotoks, Alberta; Shelley Morgan, Canton, Texas; and Sammi Bessert, Loma, Colo., 14.2 seconds, $1,474 each. 4. Kelli Tolbert, Hooper, Utah, 14.26, $491. Second round: 1. Kelli Tolbert, Hooper, Utah, 14.05, $1,965; 2. Nikki Steffes, Vale, S.D., 14.07, $1,474; 3. Brittany Fleck, Mandan, N.D., 14.21, $983; 4. Sammi Bessert, Loma, Colo., 14.23, $491. Third round: 1. Sammi Bessert, Loma, Colo., 13.9, $1,965; 2. Nikki Steffes, Vale, S.D., 14.21, $1,474; 3. Shelley Morgan, Canton, Texas, 14.4, $983; 4. Deb Renger, Okotoks, Alberta, 14.42, $491. Semifinal qualifiers (based on total earnings): 1. Sammi Bessert, Loma, Colo., $3,930; 2. Nikki Steffes, Vale, S.D., $2,948; 3. (tie) Shelley Morgan, Canton, Texas, and Kelli Tolbert, Hooper, Utah, $2,456 each.

Smith, 23, rode 2011 PRCA Bareback Riding Horse of the Year Full Baggage for 87 points to win the Feb. 9-15 Dixie National Rodeo over a field that included 11 qualifiers from last year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

It is the biggest win of his four-year ProRodeo career, surpassing his second-place tie in this same rodeo a year ago, and gave him a huge jolt of confidence entering his first appearance in the $1.2 million San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on Feb. 19 (where he qualified for the semifinals by earning checks in two rounds).

“I don’t know what it is about Jackson that I have done so well there,” Smith said. “I’ve gone there every year since I bought my permit in 2008 and I always try to get on the Saturday night schedule. The last couple of years I’ve drawn well and I’ve had good results.”

Smith had mixed feelings when he learned he’d drawn Full Baggage of the Frontier Rodeo string. They were matched two years ago at Arcadia, Fla., and while Smith completed the ride, it wasn’t smooth and he only scored 74 points.

He remembered Full Baggage as “a kinda big, scary looking horse,” and he certainly knew how much the horse had improved since their last encounter.

“My approach was the same as last time,” Smith said. “I was still nervous. When the announcer’s talking about this being the Horse of the Year, you know you’re in for a tough time, but you also know you’ve got a real shot at putting up a big score.

“I’m glad the buzzer went off when it did because I wasn’t on him for a whole lot after that before I hit the dirt in a face plant.”

Smith, who was third in the PRCA bareback riding rookie standings in 2009, had his best season a year ago when he finished 42nd in the world with earnings of $18,265. The problem was that most of that earning came during the winter months.

He hit the road hard for two months in the summer without much of a return. That got him thinking that he might limit his competition mostly to rodeos in the Southeastern Circuit and see if he could repeat the circuit year-end title he won in 2009.

“But if I can follow Jackson with some checks in San Antonio, that could change things pretty fast,” Smith said. “We’ll just have to see what happens.”

Other champions at the Mississippi Coliseum were steer wrestlers Matthew Mousseau and Bray Armes (8.9 seconds on two head), team ropers Derrick Miller and Mark Luttrell (11.2 seconds on two head), saddle bronc rider Tyrel Larsen (87 points) and tie-down roper Fred Whitfield (17.0 seconds on two head), bull riders Cody Samora and Cody Rostockyj (86 points each) and barrel racer Robyn Herring (14.99 seconds).

Team Roping (header)

1. Shane Philipp, Washington, Texas $12,905

2. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas 12,890

3. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont. 12,235

4. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 11,842

5. Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore. 11,834

6. Ty St. Goddard, Browning, Mont. 10,793

7. Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga. 9,805

8. Dustin Davis, Texarkana, Texas 9,770

9. Spencer Mitchell, Colusa, Calif. 9,293

10. Travis Tryan, Billings, Mont. 8,948

11. Kelsey Parchman, Cumberland City, Tenn. 8,925

12. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn. 7,654

13. Tyler Magnus, Mason, Texas 7,569

14. Blaine Linaweaver, Leavenworth, Kan. 7,413

15. Nick Sartain, Dover, Okla. 7,253

16. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont. 6,477

17. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas 5,956

18. Manny Egusquiza Jr., Madison, Ga. 5,700

19. Garrett Tonozzi, Fruita, Colo. 5,677

20. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas 5,627

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Team Roping (heeler)

1. John Philipp, Washington, Texas $12,905

2. B.J. Campbell, Wickenburg, Ariz. 12,235

3. Patrick Smith, Midland, Texas 11,842

4. Kinney Harrell, Marshall, Texas 10,966

5. Clay O’Brien Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev. 10,921

6. Ryle Whitford, Browning, Mont. 10,793

7. Justin Copp, Justin, Texas 9,968

8. Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore. 9,343

9. Broc Cresta, Santa Rosa, Calif. 9,293

10. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas 8,043

11. Brad Culpepper, Poulan, Ga. 7,852

12. Kollin VonAhn, Durant, Okla. 7,253

13. Tyler Barton, Buckner, Ark. 7,169

14. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. 6,477

15. Cole Davison, Madisonville, Texas 6,086

16. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev. 5,984

17. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas 5,956

18. Brandon Bates, Valley Springs, Texas 5,642

19. Larry Hammons, San Antonio, Texas 5,590

20. Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla. 5,395

All-around

1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas $21,287

2. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas 10,819

3. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla. 9,902

4. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah 9,099

Bareback Riding

1. Wes Stevenson, Lubbock, Texas $27,193

2. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah 14,778

3. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La. 11,384

4. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb. 10,672

5. Jared Keylon, Uniontown, Kan. 9,164

6. Caleb Bennett, Morgan, Utah 9,080

7. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas 8,194

8. Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo. 7,854

9. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash. 6,484

10. Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas 5,262

11. Caine Riddle, Vernon, Texas 5,250

12. Matt Bright, Azle, Texas 5,095

13. Heath Ford, Slocum, Texas 4,827

14. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore. 4,819

15. Seth Hardwick, Laramie, Wyo. 4,807

16. Cimmaron Gerke, Odessa, Texas 4,648

17. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas 4,517

18. Evan Jayne, Marseille, France 4,441

19. Matthew Smith, Clinton, Miss. 4,341

20. Richie Champion, The Woodlands, Texas 4,241

Steer Wrestling

1. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif. $14,073

2. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo. 12,223

3. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb. 11,223

4. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta 9,538

5. Justin Blaine Davis, Argyle, Texas 9,240

6. Termaine Debose, Anderson, Texas 8,959

7. Les Shepperson, Midwest, Wyo. 8,890

8. Ben Goodman, Beaumont, Texas 7,668

9. Straws Milan, Cochrane, Alberta 7,537

10. Kyle Broce, La Junta, Colo. 7,360

11. Beau Clark, Belgrade, Mont. 7,005

12. Ethen Thouvenell, Napa, Calif. 6,744

13. Cody Harmon, Stephenville, Texas 6,673

14. Jake Shaw, Marshall, Texas 6,402

15. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla. 6,254

16. Ken Lewis, La Junta, Colo. 5,897

17. Casey McMillen, Redmond, Ore. 5,675

18. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore. 5,656

19. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. 5,602

20. K.C. Jones, Decatur, Texas 5,259

Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Cody Taton, Mud Butte, S.D. $22,526

2. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah 17,513

3. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D. 17,003

4. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah 14,945

5. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La. 11,032

6. Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas 9,012

7. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah 7,630

8. Joaquin Real, Woody, Calif. 7,410

9. Tyrel Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba 6,580

10. Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas 5,984

11. Kyle Thomson, Lundbreck, Alberta 5,734

12. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M. 5,615

13. Jesse James Kirby, Dodge City, Kan. 4,886

14. Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D. 4,712

15. Townsend Prince, Livermore, Colo. 4,412

16. Curtis Garton, Kaitaia, New Zealand 4,407

17. Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont. 4,212

18. Andrew Counts, Stephenville, Texas 4,028

19. Hambone Hammons, Victoria, Texas 3,654

20. James Irish, Lewiston, Mont. 3,649

Tie-down Roping

1. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb. $18,052

2. Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas 15,405

3. Jake Hannum, Plain City, Utah 13,292

4. Jared Kempker, Eugene, Mo. 13,037

5. Shank Edwards, Tatum, N.M. 11,891

6. Houston Hutto, Tomball, Texas 11,357

7. E.J. Roberts, Stephenville, Texas 10,572

8. Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash. 10,495

9. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas 9,159

10. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas 8,749

11. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas 8,278

12. Blake Huckabee, Center, Texas 8,185

13. Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla. 7,341

14. Codie Poe, Farmerville, La. 7,254

15. Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M. 6,363

16. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La. 6,228

17. Clint Carpenter, Wewoka, Okla. 6,015

18. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah 5,698

19. Ace Slone, Cuero, Texas 5,629

20. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas 5,406

Steer Roping

1. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla. $7,913

2. Cecil Wilson, Boise City, Okla. 4,674

3. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 4,671

4. Jay Peters, San Antonio, Texas 4,651

5. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas 4,498

6. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas 4,409

7. Buster Record Jr., Buffalo, Okla. 4,233

8. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas 4,120

9. Kim Ziegelgruber, Edmond, Okla. 3,666

10. Dan Fisher, Andrews, Texas 3,451

11. Guy Allen, Santa Anna, Texas 3,231

12. J.B. Whatley, Gardendale, Texas 2,447

13. Marty Jones, Hobbs, N.M. 2,150

14. J.P. Wickett, Sallisaw, Okla. 2,090

15. Ralph Williams, Skiatook, Okla. 1,764

Mike Outhier, Utopia, Texas 1,764

Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas 1,764

18. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla. 1,499

19. Coy Thompson, Whitewood, S.D. 1,423

20. Bryce Davis, Abilene, Texas 1,418

Bull Riding

1. Cody Samora, Cortez, Colo. $26,090

2. Brett Stall, Detroit Lakes, Minn. 20,661

3. Seth Glause, Cheyenne, Wyo. 16,401

4. Trevor Kastner, Ardmore, Okla. 14,559

5. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas 13,660

6. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas 12,254

7. Douglas Duncan, Alvin, Texas 11,893

8. Paul Coppini, Kuna, Idaho 10,951

9. Brent Menz, Delta, Mo. 10,227

10. Jacob O’Mara, Prairieville, La. 10,205

11. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas 10,054

12. Tate Stratton, Kellyville, Okla. 9,579

13. Riggin Phillips, McKinney, Texas 7,773

14. Tyler Willis, Wheatland, Wyo. 7,707

15. Trent Cormier, Houma, La. 7,495

16. Cody Rostockyj, Hillsboro, Texas 7,448

17. Clayton Foltyn, El Campo, Texas 7,036

18. Logan Knibbe, Rockdale, Texas 6,725

19. D.J. Domangue, Houma, La. 6,550

20. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo. 6,220

*2012 Barrel Racing (through Feb. 6, 2012)

Barrel racing standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings.

1. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas $31,050

2. Benette Barrington-Little, Ardmore, Okla. 27,151

3. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas 23,403

4. Nikki Steffes, Vale, S.D. 11,298

5. Paige Conrado, Hudson, Colo. 11,055

6. Callie Chamberlain, Colorado City, Texas 10,614

7. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas 8,135

8. Morgan Figueroa, Bandera, Texas 7,774

9. Emily Efurd, Pittsburg, Texas 7,665

10. Trula Churchill, Valentine, Neb. 7,187

11. Kendra Dickson, Aubrey, Texas 7,160

12. Linda Vick, Hesperia, Calif. 7,102

13. Pamela Capper, Cheney, Wash. 7,080

14. Kaley Bass, Davenport, Fla. 6,936

15. Aimee Kay, Bluff Dale, Texas 6,836

16. Jessi Eagleberger, Stringtown, Okla. 6,792

17. Jennifer Kent, Grand Cane, La. 6,299

18. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore. 6,245

19. Kay Blandford, Sutherland Springs, Texas 6,155

20. Tana Renick, Kingston, Okla. 5,938