Sunday, February 26, 2006
Sorry I Have Been Gone
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Youth in Rodeo-Steven Back
Steven Back
Steve got interested in rodeo as he watched the cowboys ride in the rodeos his sister had entered.After talking with them he joined KY Jr Rodeo and entered Division 1 Chute Doggin',Bareback Riding, and Steer Riding where he first rode right handed.He won Rookie of the year in 2000 and was the Reserve Champion Steer Rider.In 2001 he was KJRA Lazy S Rodeo Rookie of the Year and in 2002 he was KJRA Bull Riding Champion and Bareback Champion.He again captured the Bull Riding KJRA Championship in 2003.In 2004 He was the Lazy S Rodeo All Around Champion,Lazy S Bull Riding Champion,KJRA Bull Riding Champion and the 2004 KY Wrangler Division Champion,Wrangler Division National finals Qualifier and made the Wrangler All Star Team.That's quite a record for a rider of only 4 years.He also won the Non-Pro Bull Riding Championship and the All Around Bull riding Saddle on the Young Guns Bull Riding Tour.In 2005 he again qualified for the Finals in 2005.
Steve switched to left handed riding much like his sister's idol the great 4X World Champion Tuff Hedeman.If you look at his pictures you will see that he has incorporated the styles of both Tuff and Chris Shivers in his form.Steve is perfect bull rider size at 5'8" and 140 pounds but he still has three years to go to make it to the pros and he may end up as tall as Owen Washburn or Jody Newbury.Either way I know he will still stick a good ride on them.
Steve is the opposite of his sister in that he loves Math but is not into History or Science.When not competing he likes games and Play Station. His favorite Bull Rider is Tony Mendes and his favorite bull is Camo. He loves a good Pizza and listens to country music.He said his favorite movie is "Cowboy Up"
Steve will be riding this year in TN,ILL,KY and OK and he hopes to qualify for the Nationals.He hopes to make the CBR or PBR at 18.
Steve and Brittany have Cherokee blood from their paternal grandmother's side . Watch out guys as I can see now that Steve Back is going to join the ranks of the Donnie Gay,Tuff Hedeman and Matt Austin.You can visit Steve's website at: http://stevebackky.tripod.com/
Pictures in this report and that on Brittany were supplied by their mother Rachel Back.
Youth in Rodeo-Our Future Stars
I would like to highlight two of Kentucky's talented riders here.They are Steven and Brittany Back of Nortonsville,KY.
Brittany Back was born in Madisonville ,KY and began barrel racing in the 4-H circuit.At age eleven she learned about KYJr. Rodeo and began riding there also. She learned a lot after her first rodeo turned out to be not all she had wanted it to be. With help from college rodeo students ,the backing of her mother and brothers and additional help from her instructors at the 4-H camp Brittany began to improve.Soon she was placing in the top ten and her mom Rachel and brothers Steven and Daniel helped her buy a new horse.
In 2002 Brittany was the Hopkins County Hippology winner.In 2003 was the Pennyrile area 4-H horse show barrel racing champion, the Hopkins County 4-H barrel champion, Hopkins County 4-H High Point Winner, and finished in the top ten in poles in the Kentucky Jr. Rodeo Association.Brittany won trophies in the KJRA also.Unfortunately in 2003 she fell off of her horse at the Finals and broke her jaw; causing her to sit out the following season.She returned to action in 2005 and is now participating in KY High School rodeo.
She may only stand 5'2" but this dynamo is going to be one to reckon with when she graduates from high school and heads off to the PRCA. I am also going to predict that she ends up with one or more Rodeo Queen titles. She is bright,loaded with personality and already has the boys drooling.
Brittany likes to read and to run and loves attending bull ridings.Her favorite barrel racers are Kelly Kaminski and Charmayne James. She's a salad,steak and potatoes girl who loves Coca Cola.Her favorite music is country and her favorite movie is "Rodeo Girl."
In school she loves history while her least favorite subject is math
Her hero is 4 X World Champion Bull Rider Tuff Hedeman and her heroine is a great role model for her-her mother Rachel Back. Rachel is like Tuff's mom and sacrifices time and money to take Brittany and Steven to events all over the country.
Brittany and her family got her new horse by cleaning out stalls for his previous owner.He is an 8 year old App/Quarter gelding named Montana and he is loaded with heart.
Brittany is a sophomore in high school with a good head on her shoulders.She will be competing in TN,ILL,IN and KY this year and she hopes tomake it to the National Finals. I wish her the best of luck.
Just a Brief Note
These articles are out of chronological order.I wanted to post the most recent first.Then I added articles going back to the 2005 CBR, INFR,PRCA,PRCA Xtreme Bulls and PBR Finals. Hope to have all the back entries up in a few days; and the newest ones.
Among the new articles will be bios of some local JR and High School riders of note.Watch for stories on Steven and Brittanny Back complete with pictures.
NFR 2005-Austin Wins Bull Riding's Triple Crown!
The 23 year old bull riding phenomena from Wills Point, Texas added the third jewel to Bull Riding's Triple Crown at the NFR when he won the PRCA's World Championship. Austin also won the CBR's World Championship and the PRCA's Xtreme Bull's National Championship. But this was not all for Austin.During the regular season he broke the record for most earnings in one season for bull riding held by Oklahoma's Terry Don West and went on to best Ty Murray's record for most money earned in one season period with earnings of $320,765 all from bull riding while it took Ty three events to set the former $297,896 record.Matt who attends Hill College won the College National Finals Rodeo and the event title at the Xtreme Finals along with the aggregate at the NFR.He has set a record no other bull rider has even come close to; and watch out guys as Matt is going for All Around next year!
American Indian Participants in Pro Rodeo/Bull Riding.
Some carry Tribal Nation memberships; some carry just CDIB cards while others like so many out here are of American Indian descent without cards.The common thread-they all rodeo. The 2005 WNFR is now over but there were many of American Indian blood among the top 15 riders in the various events.Others who didn't make the cut were there to sign autographs or just to root their friends on. Also at the Country Christmas Trade Show were Kendra and Preston Williams of Sterling on Silver,an Indian owned business.The Inter tribal Agricultural Council had its annual symposium there .My friend Carmella Scott was there to represent her tribal council and she gave me a list of some of the riders who attended the symposium or signed autographs .Among them were INFR's World Champion Marty Hebb and PRCA's Butch Knowles who hosted the symposium kick-off party.
Tee Woolman, a member of the Cherokee Nation and Fred Whitfield,who is of Cherokee/Afro-American descent signed autographs along with the Choctaw Nation's Blair Burke and Marty Hebb. At IAC's Prime Rib Luncheon the following riders attended: Blair Burke,Ryan Mapston,Billy Etbauer,Trevor Knowles, Cash Myers (Chickasaw heritage) , Myron Duarte (Hawaiian), Shawn Greenfield, Zach Oakes, Matt Marvel, Ronnie Fields, Fred Whitfield, Jesse Bail, Charley Crawford, Bobby Mote,Ross Coleman and Wiley Petersen(Shoshone /Bannock).
Autograph sessions for all those recognized by the IAC were held .Barrel Man extraordinaire Flint Rasmussen was also part of the session along with the riders. According to Carmella the session went well and Rowdy Buechner, Darnell Tipton,Tee Woolman,Zack Oakes, Ronnie Fields,Fred Whitfield,Dakota Longbrake and Marty Hebb were there to represent the IAC while Carmella had Darnell,Dakota,and Marty acting as models for her later and bid callers at the Art Auction.
NFR Results
Although he didn't win the tie down title, and finished 13th in the average, Shoshone -Bannock/Japanese rider Matt Shiozawa won three consecutive rounds during the ten days and felt really good about his draws and the way his horse's performed. I expect good things from this rider in the future.
Blair Burke started hot but finished 11th in the average While World Champion Fred Whitfield added another buckle to his collection"Singing" Fred Whitfield won his seventh tie down roping title just $4000 ahead of his friend four time World Champion Cody Ohl. Along with his All Around several years ago Fred now has 8 World Championships.You can catch Fred singing on The American Cowboy CD where he does a great job on "Calf-Ropin' Son of a Gun." Whitfield has promised to return next year a she tries to tie Deal Oliver's all time record of 8 World Championships in tie-down roping.
There were a lot of rookies at this year's NFR and several stole the show from the veterans.It was 21 year old Ryan Jarrett from Summerfield.GA. who won the All Around title by earning $114,715 in calf roping and steer wrestling.Lee Graves finished second while defending champion Trevor Brazile was third.Jarrett has the same attitude as Matt Austin.Jarrett just goes steer for steer ,calf for calf while Matt takes it jump for jump aboard the bulls.Graves won the aggregate in steer wrestling.Jarrettt won the average in tie down roping.
It was the last event for as a team for Rich Skelton and Speed Williams .After winning 8 consecutive titles they have decided to go their separate ways.The team Roping Titles were won by the Clay Tryan(header) and Patrick Smith(healer).The team entered the NFR in first place, set the NFR arena record and tied the World Record with a 3.5 run in Saturday's round. The Cherokee Nation's Tee Woolman and partner Cory Petska won the average in team roping.
Kelly Timberman and Cimmaron Gerke tied for first in the aggregate in bareback bronc riding but it was Will Lowe who won the world title.
Canada's Lee Graves won the Steer Wrestling Title.
23 year old Jeffrey Willert won the saddle bronc title and set an event record with $278,168 in earnings.Willert nearly lost his everything two years back in Reno when a horse kicked him in the head and he suffered nerve damage and loss of sight in his left eye.The fact that he was able to return to riding let alone win this title shows the courage these modern day warriors have.Rod Warren was the aggregate winner.
Former teacher and barrel racer Kelly Kaminski won her second World title in a row aboard her great horse Rocky while Liz Pinkston won the average.
Matt Austin led the pack coming into the NFR and topped off his stellar year by winning the World Championship in bull riding along with the average.
Bull of the Year was one of my favorites; the great Smokeless War Dance owned by Broken Arrow Rodeos.This bull is the ultimate eliminator with 44 unridden trips prior to the NFR.Flint Rasmussen was C;own of the Year but announced prior to the NFR that he has signed an exclusive contract with the PBR for 2006.This was his eighth straight title and his seventh for Coors man in the Can.PRCA fans are sorry Flint has left them.Joe Baumgartner was Bullfighter of the year while Stace Smith was Stock Contractor of the Year.
Miss Congeniality was Saddle Bronc of the year while Real Deal was the Bareback Horse of the Year.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Colby Yates Wins Nashville ,TN Enterprise Event
There were no pyrotechnics at this PBR event and there were no autograph sessions for the fans but there was a lot of action.Two brothers from Charlotte,TN who have rode at Scott Littrell’s Circle 13 events tried there luck here. The first out was Trey Allen on Watermelon Spoke who took two leaps straight out then spun to the right away from Trey’s hand with lots of action. Trey scored 86. Brother Tye didn’t fare as well as Shadow of a Doubt, a really small bull, bucked him off right out of the chute.
Montana’s Beau Hill rode Frontier Rodeo’s Slim Shadow for 84 points as the bull spun to the left into Beau’s hand then reversed right at the end of the ride. Tommy Jones, an upcoming Tennessee rider scored 80 on a really awful bull named Dreamboat. In a BFTS event this would have been a reride! The bull had a loping, choppy buck as he barely faked right or left.
South Dakota’s Trinity Dunkelberger scored 86.5 aboard Dale Lyons’ Rudolph. Donnie Gay had some cute remarks to make about this bull. Rudolph spun to the left then reversed right in a low spin and Trinity made it look easy.
We even had a rider from as far away as Eden Prairie,Maine.I used to summer in Maine but never had heard of that town and was unable to find it on the map; and I didn’t get a chance to talk with Matt Dunsmore to ask him where it is. He only scored 79.5 on Mike Barber’s Caribou Snuff who took one leap out then went into a flat spin to the left away from Matt’s hand before reversing right into it. Again I thought this should have been a reride.I will say I am glad that the Enterprise series uses the traditional scoring method rather than the new way of quarter points the BFTS uses.Personally I do not like the new method.
Ronnie Maness of Henderson, TN. Scored 80 aboard Jett who spun to the left in front of the open chute.Jett had no timing and was flat with no kicks .Another ride that should have been a reride.
Jed Moore from Cheyenne, Wyoming scored 80 aboard Elmo who went into a fast but flat spin to the left and was almost a carbon copy of the previous ride. Riders whom the fans are familiar with as Tanner Girlietz,Thomas Bert, Colt Munden,and Craig Sasse all bucked off their bulls.Craig Jackson was awarded a reride when they opened the gate before he nodded aboard Clayton. Clayton was reloaded and took one leap out then went into a fast spin to the left and Craig lost his rope; flying out the back door.
Chance Riley was awarded a reride when Fear Factor fouled himself. The bull nearly flipped over on Chance.Chance had no luck as his reride bull did fall over and he bucked off the third bull but the judges missed the bull hipping himself.I don’t know if it was the guys opening the chute gates or what but more bulls hit them than normal.
I never got a moment to speak with Mike Collins .He drew Dan Russell’s Game Boy who took two huge leaps forward then spun to the left away from Mike’s hand with no timing to send Mike to the dirt early.McNasty had his usual trip as he sent Oklahoma’s Jason Creekmore to the dirt .McNasty was totally wild , jumping sideways.
Jay Morrow scored 65 and got a reride as Love Tap faked left then right then left again with no kick or real buck.His reride bull bucked straight down the arena with belly kicks and he scored 68 with another option.He bucked off his third bull on the fourth leap.
Klint Powell had the same luck as Chance Riley as No Satisfaction took a huge leap out and fell down.Klint got away and the bull was mad!He stood their pawing the ground wanting to get a piece of someone.Donnie joked about the bull being embarrassed.He drew Shadow Me as a reride and the little bull bucked straight-out of the chute totoss Klint off.
Another TN rider Cody Rhoda scored 87.5 as Punk spun to the right in a choppy spin leaping forward as he spun.Cody moved leap for leap and looked good.
Oklahoma’s Trevor Kastner scored 86 aboard Ringo who traveled out to the left then went into a fast left spin with lots of action.The crowd felt this ride deserved more points.
Marvin Nixon’s Uncle lawn hipped himself as Cord McCoy came out on him and Cord was given a reride.The reride bull went straight down the arena in a lope and turned right at the fence.Cord scored 60 with an option.His next reride was a little better with a much better score as the bull bucked straight towards the right then reversed to the left.Cord scored 81.5 as this bull had some action.
Arkansas’ Sam Medlock scored 88.5 in a great looking ride aboard Dirty Martini who spun to the lef tinto Sam’s hand then hesitated and jumped forward before returning to a left spin.Sam had perfect position and never bobbled.
Chicago’s Brady Menge scored 74 aboard Baby Mash and again this would have been a reride elsewhere as the bull didn’t do enough to give the rider a chance to score well.The bull made a wide circle to the right then traveled along the chutes beforereversing left at the end.
Colby Yates was great aboard Nixon’s Black Jack.The bull spun to the left into Colby’s hand with lots of drop and kick .Cody spurred aggressively and kept that free arm out in front.He scored 90 and was the leader going into the short go. I was disappointed that although he was advertised Jerry Nelson’s Bad Boys Toys was not at the event. Big Bucks was at Tuff Hedeman’s West Texas Shoot Out but Jerry still had great bulls here and all ten in the short go were from Frontier Rodeo.
Beau Hill made a great ride for 91 points aboard California Dreaming.I really like this bull.He went right into a fast spin to the left into Beau’s hand then reversed right with lots of kick and action.This put Beau into the lead in the event with 175 on two head.
Trinity Dunkelberger scored 86.5 aboard H2 to give him 173 on two putting him in third place in the event.H2 went into a super fast spin with good action that reminds me of Herrington’s Blueberry Wine.
Sam Medlock drew Rattler ,another good bull, and scored 86.5 to tie with Trinity for 3-4 in the event.Rattler took one leap out then spun to the left while Sam spurred aggressively. Colby Yates rode Society’s Child for 89.5 points which gave him the win with 180 points on two.The bull spun to the right away from Colby’s hand then reversed left into it as Colby made a text book ride.
It was good to see Terry Don West here with Dan Rustle’s Western Rodeo bulls.Terry had said on Friday that he has quit riding but that gleam was in his eyes Saturday and he admitted the desire is still there.I hope we do see Terry back riding.Meanwhile he is working with Dan and also raising his own bulls and running his own events. His Ultimate Bull riding will be held March 31&April 1 in Muskogee ,OK. And you can get more info by going to www.terrydonwest.com
Last minute word has it that this win will send Colby to the BFTS Tour.
PBR's Nashville,TN Enterprise Event Round One
One of the most under rated riders who is coming up in the ranks,Wesley Cryer scored 82.5 aboard Wild Side in the first round.Fans were upset as everyone thought the ride was worth a lot more.Maybe Wes just made it look too easy as the bull spun to the right into his hand with lots of action.Wes stayed in good position.Trapper got him in the short go as Wes was blown off as the bull made a fast and furious spinning leap to the right.This bull has power to burn.
Local hero Evan Rasch scored 84.5 aboard Frontier Rodeo's Slim Shadow. Another case of everyone second guessing the judges as Evan maintained perfect position as the bull spun to the left away from his hand.The bull had more action than some of the higher scoring ride bulls and Evan was centered and up on his bull rope. Like Wes,Evan fell victim to a beautiful bull with an ugly name in the short go.Slobber Knocker took two fast turns to the left away from Evan's hand with lots of power and Evan was down early.Evan's mother and father Johnnie and Ricky Rasch were there as well as brother Cory.Cory told me he expects to be back on the BFTS in another four weeks.He's feeling good and looking great.His dad is still into team roping and won an event last weekend.meanwhile Evan is working hard riding out horses when not competing.
Ananais Perreira and Jimmy Anderson tied at 170 for 2/3 in the standings. Ananais scored 83.5 aboard Jett in the long go and made another good ride aboard Hopper in the short go for 86.Hopper went into a left spin into Ananais' hand then jumped forward and out of the spin then reversed right then reversed left again.
Jimmy Anderson scored 83 aboard Stretch who spun to the left with good timing and action.Yet another score the crowd didn't like.It was a good ride and good trip but not as good as Stretch has been in the past. In the short go he drew Society's Child who is big and power packed.The bull spun to the right into Jimmy's hand then reversed right then reversed left then reversed right again with good timing and action.Jimmy scored 87 .
The only other rider to top two bulls was Jason Chisum who scored 84.5 aboard Peep Show who started to the right then hipped himself then spun to the left with lots of kick.In the short go he rode a new bull whose name may have been Roxbury Exit(at least it sounded as if that was what Razor Botkin called him)and scored 82.5 .The bull did not buck that good but it gave Jason 167 on two and he is currently in 4th place..Currently Jake Mann is 5th with 87.5 aboard Rudolph and Jarrod Ford is 6th with 87 aboard McNasty.Marcello Cruz scored 86 aboard Black Jack and is 7th while Kasey Hayes scored 85.5 aboard OJ and finished 8th.Evan Rasch was 9th aboard Slim Shadow for 84.5 and Wesley Cryer was 10th with his 82.5 aboard Free Ride.Tate Stratton was 11th with 81.5 aboard Sin Wagon and Lucas Guilbeau was 12th with 78.5 aboard Love Tap.
Tate told me he is concentrating on PRCA major rodeos and their Xtreme Bull Tour events this season in his quest to make it to the NFR. Both Wes Cryer and Evan Rasch said they hope to be high enough in the standings to make the next BFTS cut.
I was happily surprised to see Donnie Gay and Razor Botkin here as the Arena announcers ;having last seen them along with Andy Stewart at the CBR Finals in Jackson,MS.Even barrelman(minus the barrel tonight)Rocking Ryan was here.Too bad Donnie didn't recite or play his "God Bless the Rodeo Clowns" here as the bull fighters were dressed traditionally.
Terry Don West told me has has quit riding for good and is raising bulls and having his own events while also working with Dan Russell.Terry brought Dan's Western Rodeo bulls to Nashville.
Terry is having his Ultimate Bullriding Challenge at the Muskogee,OK. Fairgrounds March 31-April 1.Books open March 27th.No scores.This is a last man standing event where you ride as many for 8 as you can till you buck off.Entry fee is $100 and the event pays 10 places with $10,000 to the winner..For more information or call ins call:
918 652-8801.