Western Wishes is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year

Davis takes over lead in steer roping standings

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.”