Dona Kay Rule Test Positive for COVID-19 and is OUT of the 2020 NFR
(December 3, 2020) - Rumors broke early Thursday morning of Round 1 of the National Finals Rodeo. Barrel Racer Dona Kay Rule, who enters the NFR sitting in third place, roughly $19,000 behind leader Britany Pozzi Tonozzi, tested positive for COVID-19 and, per the supposed PRCA restrictions, will not be allowed to compete.
In a post on Instagram, Dona thanks fans for their support and to let us know that she feels healthy with zero symptoms. Called up is Jessie Telford of Idaho who was sitting #16 in the world standings. Here’s a post she made around 8:49 PST on Instagram. Click the link below to see more of the commentary.
Here’s the rumors we know:
All the contestants were required to take a test.
It’s known that if they test positive, they are out for the remainder of the NFR.
Random athletes will be tested each day of the NFR.
This poses a number of questions in regards to what is happening in the WPRA and PRCA for the NFR. An inconsistency across the board and lack of transparency to fans could prove detrimental during an event so many hoped to see happen.
Season 6 is gearing up for the Top 5 Rodeo Sports Podcast That Western Life with co-hosts Katie Schrock, Rachel Owens-Sarno, Katie Surritt, and Joe Harper. Join us as we recap the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo & Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Annual Convention and dive into our predictions for 2024 with a preview of the 2024 podcasting season.
There’s been a new movement in the past year regarding rodeo athletes placing an emphasis on athlete as a big part of their budding career success. Natasha McCann grew up an athlete before a major injury sidelined her from her collegiate dreams. A resilient young lady, Natasha became a buckaroo riding colts and then, on the side, got her EMT license and worked in an ambulance. Her passion for fitness and the western life led her to become a 2023 COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 Recipient, as well as an athletic trainer for some of rodeos top athletes and a training coach with Champion Fitness Living.
Rookie Saddle Bronc Rider Q Taylor is on the hunt for his first National Finals Rodeo - no small feat for a first year professional rodeo cowboy! The 21 year-old Casper, Wyoming, native had a stellar permit year in 2022, and is one of the great young guns that the That Western Life podcast team is following through the 2023 season.
Currently sitting #2 in the Resistol Rookie Standings, Q dives into his upbringing, his rodeo strategy, and his hobbies/interests out side of the rodeo arena.
To sit down with the iconic brand of Wrangler has been on our podcast bucket list for quite some time and we were fortunate enough to have the Vice President and General Manager of Wrangler Western Wear on the podcast for a unique insight into rodeo’s largest apparel brand. Not only do we discuss the history of Wrangler, who they build their products after, but also their upcoming tends with Yellowstone and Coconut Cowboys. Additionally, we talk to them about the marketing behind the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and what that week is like for them as a team to prepare for the biggest stage in the western world.
When we first interview JR Robles after his amazing Wild Card Round win in Fort Worth for the Road to the Horse, we knew that we wanted to chat with him after his time in Kentucky. It seemed that JR was destined for greatness but the truth of that matter? None of us could have predicted what would happen next! While JR may not have won the entire event in Kentucky, he set the horse world on fire and put Road to the Horse back on the map in all of the best ways!
Kiah Twisselman Burchett is a sixth-generation rancher from San Luis Obispo, California, whose love for the beef industry took her to a job for the Beef! It’s What For Dinner team at the Kentucky Beef Council. There she was trained in media and the beef industry on a national and professional level - something that would come in handy when her entire life changed with just the shift of her mindset. From PEOPLE Magazine to The Kelly Clarkson Show to being the upcoming Keynote at the COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30’s first ever Girl Talk breakout session, Kiah is a positive light in the western industry helping people break toxic fad trends and changing their lives for the longterm and the better!
While this title may allude to all things breeding barns on our current trend of breeding season and derby/futurity horse preparation, this episode is so much more than this. Co-Host Katie Schrock first met Rachel Pozzi through online Facebook Group resources regarding sprint horses, Appaloosa's, and rodeo horses.
Rachel jumps on the show with Katie and TWL co-host Rachel Owens-Sarno to chat all things breeding, how to manage it, tips for the industry, how to price your foals, and Rachel (Pozzi's) thoughts on improving the horse industry as a whole.
As Rachel Pozzi says, "Your kids are fine, but your egos might not be!"
When it comes to the history of the American Cowboy, modern media has painted the picture to look one way when the reality shows that enslaved African Americans known as "Cow Boys" were truly the icons that changed the west, creating a unique equalizer post Emancipation Proclamation. Katie Surritt & Katie Schrock take a deep dive into the history of African American cow boys and the impacts they have had on the west, cattle drives, and rodeo as we know it.
Whitley Sharp is the manager and a partner of Outback Stallion Station in Idaho where they specialize in some of the best rodeo producing stallions in the country. Whitley is an avid barrel racer herself and was, prior to that, in communications and marketing for the western industry so it was the perfect blend to have it all in one space. Adding an impressive roster of stallions, while also building up their own personal roping and barrel racing herds, Whitley and her husband, Jared, are putting their names on the map!
Echoes from the Saddle; Great Whites, Great Cattle & Great Cowboys episode hosted by Katie Surritt and Katie Schrock, explores the fascinating history of Hawaiian cowboy culture, known as Paniolo. In this episode, the hosts delve into the unique blend of Hawaiian and Western influences that shaped the Paniolo way of life.
The hosts begin by acknowledging the challenges in researching Hawaiian history, emphasizing the reliance on oral traditions due to the lack of recorded history by the natives. They highlight the conflicting dates and historical uncertainties, underscoring their efforts to present the most accurate information.
The historical narrative starts in 1793 when Hawaii received its first cattle from Captain James Vancouver, a gift that marked the beginning of the Paniolo legacy. King Kamehameha I, the greatest King in Hawaiian culture, played a crucial role in the introduction of cattle to the islands. The cattle, initially considered imperialistic tools, soon multiplied, leading to chaos and havoc as they destroyed the islands.
Native Hawaiians faced many challenges in managing the wild and aggressive cattle. The introduction of rock walls proved ineffective, and the "Great Cattle Menace" era ensued. The cattle, similar to those used in California for sport against grizzlies, posed a serious threat to human lives and property.
The narrative shifts to King Kamehameha III, who recognized the need to control the cattle population. The hosts detail the innovative methods employed by Hawaiians, such as trap pits and bullock hunting, to manage the aggressive cattle. However, the cattle were not initially utilized for consumption; instead, efforts were made to reduce their population.
The turning point comes when King Kamehameha III invites vaqueros, the original cowboys, from California to teach Hawaiians their methods. The vaqueros introduce new techniques, including roping and cattle management, shifting the focus from lethal actions to utilizing cattle as a resource. The hosts spotlight John Palmer Parker, a key figure in ranching, who played a pivotal role in assimilating into Hawaiian culture and promoting cattle as a valuable asset.
The hosts emphasize the significance of the Paniolo in Hawaiian history, asserting that it's impossible to separate Hawaiian history from cowboy culture. The Parker Ranch, established by John Palmer Parker, becomes a symbol of the successful adaptation of cowboy culture in Hawaii. They also touch upon the transformation of Paniolo horses, bred specifically for their unique roles in herding cattle and assisting in the shipping process.
In conclusion, the Mahlo Paniolo podcast provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Hawaiian cowboy culture, highlighting its origins, challenges, and enduring impact on the islands. The hosts celebrate the Paniolo as a vital part of Hawaiian history, showcasing their resilience and ability to adapt while preserving their cultural identity.