Hayle Gibson-Stillwell and Piper Rewrite the Calgary Stampede Record Book

Hayle Gibson-Stillwell delivered one of the defining performances of the 2026 Calgary Stampede on Sunday.

Gibson-Stillwell and her mare, Buncha Dinero (aka Piper) completed the barrel pattern in 16.56 seconds during te July 12 semifinals, producing the fastest run of the week and one of the quickest times ever seen in Calgary.

The run did more than move Gibson-Stillwell forward in the competition.

It quickened a standard that had already been challenged earlier in the week, illustrating the extraordinary level of horsepower and precision on desplay at this year’s Stampede. At this level, records are not falling becuase riders are taking reckless chances. They are falling because small improvements in a horse’s stride, footing, positioning, and responsiveness can separate an excellent run from a historic one.

However, despite posting the fast time, Gibson-Stillwell did not officially leave Calgary with the 2026 Calgary Stampede Barrel Racing Champion title.

That distinction still belongs to Hailey Kinsel, who ultimately secured the Stampede title. Calgary’s format, built around qualifying rounds, seminfinals, and a winner-takes-all final, means that times from earlier rounds don’t always carry the same weight as performances in the championship round. Kinsel’s consistency across te entire structure, combined with a clutch performance wen it mattered most, allowed her to claim the title even without the single fastest run of the week.

It is a reminder that Calgary is not simply about speed.

It is about timing, consistency, and delivering under the highest pressure moment of the rodeo.

The Stampede places competitors in front of a large international audience, significant prize money and one of the most recognizable crowds in western sports. Horses must manage the noise, travel ground conditions and repeated high-pressure runs while remaining physically and mentally sharp.

That makes Piper’s performance particularly significant, even without the official championship title record atached.

Successful barrel racing is often discussed as though the rider simply chooses the fastest horse. In reality, elite runs depend on a partnership built through conditioning, veterinary and farrier care, hauling strategy, confidence and thousands of decisions made before the horse enters the arena.

A 16.56 second result represents years of preparation compressed into less than 17 seconds on an international stage.

Adding another layer to the story, Piper and Kinsel’s legendary mare, Sister, share bloodlines. The connection highlights how breeding proframs continue to shape the upper tier of barrel racing, where elite genetics, careful development and experienced riders combine to produce horses capable of competing at the highest level.

That conversation around bloodlines naturall leads to some of the most respected names in the industry: Sherry Cervi & Mel Potter. Their breeding program has beome synonymous with producing elite barrel horses that consistently perform at the highest levels of the sport. Cervi, a multi-time world chhampion, and Potter have built their program on a deep understanding of what it takes to win - not just in terms of speed, but in durability, mindset, and consistency under pressure.

Thier horses are not accidental standouts. They are the result of intentional crosses, careful selection and years of experience competing at the very top. When you see horses like Piper and Sister sharing lineage and rising to the biggest stages, it reinforces what programs like Cervi and Potter’s have proven for years: great horses are built long before they ever enter the arena.

The performance also creates a strong promotioanl opportunity for women’s rodeo.

Barrel racing consistently produces some of rodeo’s most recognizable athletes and most shareable moments. A visibly fast run, whetehr or not it becomes the official arena record or championship title earner, gives broadcasters, events, and sponsors content that can travel well beyond established rodeo audiences.

The Calgary Stampede is formatted to reward complete performances and championship formats for major rodeos shape outcomes and how the next generation of elite horses, often connected by bloodlines, contine to push the limits of what is possible.

At one of rodeo’s largest stages, Hayle Gibson-Stillwell and Piper delivered a run that captured attention and re-wrote the history book of Canada’s most iconic rodeo. But it was Hailey Kinsel and her iconic mare Sister who left with the title - proving that in Calgary, the fastest run doesn’t always tell the whole story, but it does write a good one.

What Rodeo Job Titles Actually Mean ... And How Many Exist Across the Industry

The Houston LIvestock Show & Rodeo creating a Chief Operating Officer/ General Manager role is a big signal, but it also raises a bigger question: What do these titles actually mean in rodeo, and how common are they across the country?

How Rodeo Leadership Is Structured

Unlike traditional corporations, professional rodeo is not one unified company. It is a mix of:

• Nonprofit rodeo committees

• Fair & livestock show organizations

• City or county-run events

• Private stock contractor businesses

• Sanctioning bodies like the PRCA

Because of that, job titles vary widely depending on the size and structure of the rodeo leadership roles tyupically break down.

Executive director/ceo

This is the most common top leadership role in rodeo.

• Oversees the entire organization

• Reports to a board of directors

• Responsible for long-term strategy, finances, and mission

• Common in nonprofit rodeos and livestock shows

Examples: Houston Rodeo (CEO), San Antonio Rodeo (CEO), Fort Worth Stock Show (President/GM Hybrid)

Estimated across the U.S.: Roughly 150-250 rodeos and livestock shows have a full-time Executive Director or CEO-type role.

General Manager (GM)

This role focuses more on operations and execution.

• Runs day-to-day event logistics

• Oversees staff, vendors, and production

• Often reports to the CEO or board

• Common in mid-size to large rodeos

In some organizations, the GM is the top leader. In others, they are second-in-command.

Estimated across the U.S.: Approximately 75-100 rodeos have a formal General Manager role.

chief operating officer (CO)

This is still relatively rare in rodeo.

• Oversees operations across multiple departments

• Aligns logistics, production, and execution

• Usually exists only in very large, complex organizations

• Often paired with a CEO or President

Houston creating a COO role is notable because it reflects a more corporate-style structure.

Estimated across the U.S.: Likely fewer than 10-20 rodeos have a true COO position.

Combined coo / general manager roles

Some large rodeos combine these responsibilities into one position, like Houston just did.

• Oversees both the strategy execution and daily operations

• Acts as the bridge between leadership vision and event delivery

• Requires experience in sponsorship, ticketing, operations, and production

Estimated across the U.S.: Probably fewer than 10 organizations operate with this combined structure.

Why Most Rodeos Do Not Have These Roles

Tha majority of rodeos in the U.S. are smaller, volunteer-driven events.

• Many rely on committees instead of full-time executives

• Leadership is often part-time or seasonal

• Budgets do not support multiple C-level positions

Out of the 600+ PRCA-sanctioned rodeos and hundreds more independent events:

• Only a small percentage operate like full-scale businesses

• Even fewer have corporate-style leadership structures

What’s Houston’s Recent Move Really Signals

Houston is not the norm - it’s top tier.

Events like Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Denver, and Calgary operate more like major entertainment companies than traditional rodeos. They manage:

• Multi-week events

• Millions of attendees

• Large sponsorship portfolios

• Concert series

• Year-round programming

At that scale, having a COO or GM is not optional - it is necessary.

The Big Picture

Across the entire professional rodeo lanscape in the United States:

• Executive Director / CEO Roles: ~ 150-250

• General Manager roles: ~ 75-150

• COO roles: ~10-20

• Combined COO/GM roles: fewer than 10

That means true corporate-style leadership exists in only a small fraction of rodeo organizations.

The Significance of These Numbers

Rodeo is evolving.

The biggest events are becoming complex business operations that require leadership with experience in:

• Spnosorship and partnerships

• Ticketing and revenue strategy

• Event production

• Guest experience

• Operations management

Houston’s new role is not just about one hire, though. It signifies that the top end of rodeo is moving toward a more structured, professional business model, while the majority of rodeos still operate on tradition, volunteers, and community leadership.

Both models matter.

But understanding the difference is key to understanding where the industry is headed.

Lanita Peirce Just Gave Rodeo the Kind of Story Sports Fans Remember

Lanita Peirce winning the 2026 Cody Stampede barrel racing title at 76 years yooung is the kind of rodeo story that should travel far beyond the arena.

Peirce won Cody on Famous Wahini with a 17.06-second run and earned $11,308. Even more remarkable, BarrelRacing.com reported that it had been 33 years since she last made a run at the Wyoming rodeo.

This isn’t just a good run, this is a full-circle western sports moment.

Rodeo often talks about grit, longevity, toughness, and staying power. Peirce’s win puts all of those words into one clean example. At an age when most athletes in most sports are decades removed from serious competition, she entered one of the most recognizable rodeos in the country and won.

Barrel racing is not a ceremonial event. It is fast, technical, physically demanding, and brutally unforgiving. The ride has to make decisions in fractions of a second. The horse has to stay honest, explosive, balanced, and locked in. One tipped barrel, one wide turn, one bad approach, and the run is gone.

This win also reminds people that the horse industry isn’t built only around youth and novelty. Experience matters. Timing matters. Horse sense matters. The relationship between rider and horse matters. A story like this gives rodeo fans something deeper than a result sheet. It gives them a champion to cheer for.

While on paper this might be a competitive rodeo result, it is also a story about horsemanship, patience, and what it means to keep showing up. It also gives marketing value to the sport. Rodeo needs stories that casual fans can understand quickly. “A 76 year-old barrel racer wins Cody Stampede” is immediately compelling. You don’t need to know the standings, bloodlines, or qualifying systems to recognize that this is special.

Cowboy Christmas is Already Changing the Barrel Racing Conversation

Cowboy Christmas is officially moving from preview mode into results mode, and the barrel racing race is already getting sharper.

At Greeley Stampede, Ceily Simpton won the finals with a 17.13-second run, while Raelin Jurgens won the average with 51.93 seconds on three head. Greeley is one of the early tone-setters of the Fourth of July run. A strong finish there can give a cowgirl more than money. It can give her confidence, momentum, and a stronger position heading into one of the most demanding weeks of the season.

But Greeley is only one piece of the map.

Early Cowboy Christmas results also show Hayle Gibson-Stillwell leading at St. Paul, BryAnna Haluptzok leading at Oakley, Hailey Kinsel leading at Mandan, and Kellie Jorgensen leading at Livingston. Those names are spread across several rodeos, but together they tell the real story: the summer run is happening now.

For barrel racers, this week is brutal and valuable at the same time. The schedule is packed, the hauling is intense, and horses have to stay sharp through different ground conditions, arena setups, and travel demands. A fast time is never just a fast time. It is the result of horse management, timing, confidence, and decision-making under pressure.

That is why Cowboy Christmas is one of the most important stretches in professional rodeo. It can push someone closer to the National Finals Rodeo conversation or make the rest of the summer feel much more urgent.

For That Western Life, this is the kind of rodeo story worth covering closely because it helps fans understand how the season is built. The NFR field does not appear out of nowhere in the fall. It is shaped through weeks like this, where every run, every check, and every horse decision matters.

The headline is simple: barrel racing’s summer run is already moving.

And the cowgirls who capitalize now may be the ones we are still talking about in December.

Reno Rodeo is Giving Barrel Racing Fans a Reason to Pay Attention

The summer rodeo run is starting to get serious, and Reno Rodeo is already producing the kind of barrel racing numbers that deserve attention. The Reno Rodeo is one of the richest rodeos in the west and a must-enter rodeo for many contestants attempting to make the National Finals Rodeo - evident by the emphasis World Champion Tie-Down Roper Shad Mayfield put into using the Reno Rodeo as a launch of his debut back to competitive rodeo post hip surgery.

In the second round of Reno, Catherine Asmussen clocked a 16.76-second run to take control of the field, followed by Hayle Gibson-Stillwell with a 16.88 and Carlee Otero with a 16.94. In a sport where hundredths of a second can separate a check from a missed opportunity, those numbers matter. In fact, the first round leader, Jodee Miller Pedone, sits with a 16.98-second run that is nearly a quarter of a second slower than the round two leaders. Otero currently sits first in the Reno average by 0.12 seconds.

Gibson-Stillwell currently sits number 4 in the WPRA world standings, with Carlee Otero at 6th.

Asmussen will be another one to watch as she seems to heat up in the northwest, placing 8th at Eagle Rodeo (Idaho) and 5th at the Silver State Stampede (Nevada). Regardless, she’s setting herself up well if she is a Wilderness Circuit competitor. Learn more about the PRCA & WPRA Circuits HERE.

Reno is one of the major summer rodeos that can help shape confidence, standings movement, and public awareness before the Fourth of July run hits full speed. For barrel racers, a strong performance in Reno can create momentum at exactly the right time.

Barrel racing is also one of the easiest rodeo events for newer fans to understand. The clock does not leave much room for debate. Fast is fast. Clean is clean. And when the times get tight, every turn becomes part of the story.

Source: WPRA News

Cowboy Christmas Is Where the NFR Race Starts to Get Expensive

That point usually arrives somewhere between late June and the Fourth of July.

In rodeo, they call it Cowboy Christmas. The name sounds charming, almost quaint, like a dusty holiday built around truck stop coffee, fireworks, and a stack of entry confirmations. In reality, it is one of the most economically consequential stretches of the professional rodeo season.

For roughly ten days, contestants can run at a concentration of high-paying rodeos that rarely exists anywhere else on the calendar. Greeley. Ponoka. St. Paul. Cody. Prescott. Livingston. Red Lodge. Oakley City. Molalla. Belle Fourche. Basin City. Benalto. And a long list of smaller but strategically useful rodeos that can turn one good week into a season-altering swing.

This is not just the busy part of the year.

This is the part where the math starts to get serious.

The NFR Cutline is not a feeling. It is a number.

The National Finals Rodeo takes the Top 15 in each event at the end of the regular season. That phrase, “Top 15,” gets used so often t can lose its weight. But the number required to get there is substantial.

Heading into the 2025 National Finals Rodeo, the No. 15 cutoff in major PRCA/WPRA events generally landed between about $100,000 and $145,000 in regular-season earnings. The low end was breakaway roping, where No. 15 Macy Young entered with $100,028. Steer wrestling’s No. 15, Gavin Soileau, entered with $105,899. Team roping headers and heelers were just above that, at $114,736 and $111,672, respectively. Tie-down roping required $126,957. Bareback riding required $129,951. Bull riding required $138,918. Saddle bronc riding was the highest of this group, with No. 15 Lefty Holman entering at $144,872. Barrel racing’s published 2025 field showed Katelyn Scott in the No. 15 position with $130,763.

Put another way: across those nine NFR event categories, the 2025 average No. 15 threshold was roughly $122,644.

That is the number Cowboy Christmas begins to chase.

A contestant who wins $25,000 to $35,000 over the Fourth of July run has not merely had a good week. They may have banked 20% to 30% of what it took, on average, to make the NFR in 2025.

That is why this stretch matters.

Why the Fourth of July pays differently

The rodeo economy is not evenly distributed.

There are rodeos that matter because of prestige. There are rodeos that matter because of history. There are rodeos that matter because of geography - don’t forget, contestants are still battling for year-end circuit finals as well. And then there are rodeos that matter because the checks are large enough to alter a contestant’s season in one trip.

Cowboy Christmas is where all of those things stack.

St. Paul Rodeo in Oregon says contestants compete for nearly $500,000 in prize money, with top competitors taking home individual winnings as large as $10,000. Cody Stampede, according to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, draws 800-900 contestants and has a payout of more than $400,000, while also being a one-header rodeo, which means contestants can compete once and keep moving. Greeley Stampede has recently been reported as paying more than $400,000 as well. Ponoka Stampede’s format can produce large individual outcomes, especially through its finals and showdown structure.

That structure is why Cowboy Christmas is not only about talent. It is about logistics.

A contestant has to draw well, compete well, drive all night, manage horses, manage injuries, hit the right set of rodeos, and make the kind of decisions that do not show up in a results sheet. Do you chase the biggest check? Do you take the rodeo that fits your horse? Do you skip a rodeo to keep one fresh? Do you enter a smaller stop because it is on the route and the odds are better?

The standings reward money. But Cowboy Christmas tests judgment.

The case studies

Halyn Lide

In 2024, barrel racer Halyn Lide became a clean example of what this stretch can do.

Lide was the highest-earning barrel racer over Cowboy Christmas, with reported earnings of roughly $32,550 across the Fourth of July run. Her money came from major stops including Ponoka, Greeley, and Oakley, Utah. She won Greeley and Oakley, and also picked up a go-round win at Ponoka.

The result was not just a good week. It changed the way people talked about her season.

By late November, The Cowboy Channel framed Lide as a first-time NFR qualifier and pointed back to her Cowboy Christmas earnings as a major piece of that climb. That is the function of this run: it turns “watch her” into “she is in the race.”

For fans, that is the moment to pay attention. Not in December, when the back numbers are already assigned. In July, when a contestant starts putting pressure on the bubble.

Emily Beisel

Emily Beisel offers the veteran version of the same story.

In 2024, Beisel finished just behind Lide among Cowboy Christmas barrel racing earners, with $30,211. The breakdown is the important part: $17,460 at Ponoka, $11,086 at St. Paul, and $1,665 at Red Lodge.

That kind of week does two things. First, it moves money into the standings quickly. Second, it confirms a competitor’s summer strategy.

Beisel was not an unknown name. She was already one of the sport’s proven winners. But Cowboy Christmas can serve veterans differently than rookies. For a new name, it creates attention. For a veteran, it creates separation.

In a season where the No. 15 barrel racing cutoff was around $130,000 the following year, a $30,000 Fourth of July run represents nearly a quarter of that benchmark.

That is not momentum as a metaphor. That is momentum as arithmetic.

Riley Webb

Tie-down roper Riley Webb delivered the 2025 version.

Webb reportedly won $32,537 during Cowboy Christmas 2025, with checks at Cody, St. Paul, Killdeer, Basin City, Livingston, and Greeley. The largest piece came from St. Paul, where he won $16,235. He also added $5,090 at Basin City, $4,599 at Greeley, and $4,376 at Cody.

Compare that to the 2025 NFR tie-down roping cutoff: Shane Hanchey entered the NFR at No. 15 with $126,957. Webb’s Fourth of July run alone was equal to roughly 25.6% of that threshold.

That is the scale of the opportunity.

A single week cannot make an NFR season by itself. But a week like that can change the pressure of every rodeo that follows. It can move a contestant from chasing the bubble to defending a position. It can make a sponsor notice. It can make media start writing the name differently. It can make every check in August and September feel like a step toward Las Vegas rather than a rescue mission.

What fans should watch

Cowboy Christmas is not only about who wins the famous rodeos. Sometimes the more interesting story is who places everywhere.

A roughstock rider who wins one major rodeo can make a leap. A timed-event contestant who places at five stops may do even more damage. A barrel racer who gets through Ponoka, Greeley, St. Paul, and a smaller rodeo with clean runs can suddenly become impossible to ignore.

The names to watch are not only the world No. 1s. They are the contestants sitting from roughly No. 12 to No. 25 in the standings before the run begins.

That is the volatile zone.

A contestant already inside the Top 10 can use Cowboy Christmas to build distance. A contestant sitting just outside the Top 15 can use it to break in. A rookie can use it to become a storyline. A veteran can use it to remind everyone that summer rodeo is not won by hype, but by cashing checks in places most fans only see as dots on a map.

Why this matters for rodeo media

For That Western Life, Cowboy Christmas is exactly the kind of stretch that deserves more attention.

Rodeo coverage often gets loudest when champions are crowned. But the more interesting story often starts earlier, when the standings are still unsettled and the sport has not yet agreed on who matters.

This is where the NFR race begins to sharpen.

This is where unknown names become dangerous.

This is where good horses become famous.

This is where a contestant can go from “having a decent year” to “we need to talk about them.”

And this is where fans can learn to watch rodeo differently.

The Fourth of July run is not just a holiday tradition. It is a market correction. It rewards the contestants who can win, travel, manage risk, and keep performing when the sport asks the most from them in the shortest window.

By the time December arrives, the NFR field can feel inevitable.

In July, it is still being built.

10 Rodeos For Your Summer 2023 Bucket List

These rodeos offer a great summer experience and a chance to see some of the top cowboys and cowgirls compete. Many of these events also offer additional activities such as concerts, parades, and other festivities that add to the overall experience. Again, it's always a good idea to research the event before attending to ensure that it meets your preferences and interests.

Pendleton Round Up

pendleton, oregon

The Pendleton Round-Up is an annual rodeo event held in Pendleton, Oregon, USA. The event takes place over four days in mid-September and features a range of professional rodeo competitions, including bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, among others.

Founded in 1910, the Pendleton Round-Up is one of the oldest rodeos in the United States and has a long history of showcasing top rodeo talent and preserving the western way of life. In addition to the rodeo events, the Pendleton Round-Up also features a variety of other activities and entertainment, including live music, a parade, a western-themed art show, and food and drink vendors.

Pendleton, Oregon is located in the heart of the Columbia River Plateau and is known for its western heritage and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Pendleton Round-Up is a major cultural and tourism attraction in Pendleton and is known for its small-town charm and warm hospitality, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Round-Up & Happy Canyon (@pendletonroundup_hc)

Cheyenne Frontier Days

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo is an annual rodeo event held in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is one of the largest and most well-known rodeos in the world, attracting top rodeo athletes and thousands of visitors each year. The event typically takes place over ten days in July and features a variety of rodeo events, including bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and barrel racing.

In addition to the rodeo events, the Cheyenne Frontier Days also offers a wide range of other activities and entertainment, including concerts, carnival rides, parades, western-themed exhibitions, and food and drink vendors. The event has a rich history dating back to 1897, and it has become a beloved tradition for many rodeo fans and Western enthusiasts.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cheyenne Frontier Days (@chefrontierdays)

Calgary Stampede

Calgary, Alberta, canada

The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition, and festival held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The event takes place for ten days in July and features a wide range of activities and attractions, including professional rodeo competitions, live music and entertainment, carnival rides and games, agricultural exhibitions, and a variety of food and drink vendors.

The Stampede is considered one of the largest rodeos in the world, attracting top rodeo athletes from around the globe who compete for a share of a significant prize money purse. The rodeo events include bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and barrel racing, among others.

Beyond the rodeo events, the Calgary Stampede is also known for its unique western-style experiences, including the daily parade of floats, marching bands, and various performers dressed in cowboy attire. The event is a significant cultural and tourism attraction in Calgary and has become a beloved tradition for many Canadians and visitors from around the world.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Calgary Stampede (@calgarystampede)

Sisters Rodeo

Sisters, oregon

The Sisters Rodeo is an annual rodeo event held in Sisters, Oregon, USA. The event takes place over four days in June and features a range of professional rodeo competitions, including bull riding, barrel racing, steer roping, and team roping, among others.

Founded in 1940, the Sisters Rodeo has a long history of showcasing top rodeo talent and preserving the western way of life. In addition to the rodeo events, the Sisters Rodeo also features a variety of other activities and entertainment, including live music, a parade, a western-themed art show, a kids rodeo, and food and drink vendors.

The Sisters Rodeo prides itself on being a family-friendly event that celebrates the unique heritage and culture of the American West. It is known for its small-town charm and warm hospitality, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sisters Rodeo (@sistersrodeo)

Greeley Stampede

Greeley, Colorado

Greeley, Colorado is a city located in Weld County in northern Colorado, USA. It is known for its rich agricultural history, as well as its vibrant arts and culture scene.

One of Greeley's biggest events is the annual Greeley Stampede, a ten-day festival that takes place in late June and early July. The Greeley Stampede features a range of activities and entertainment, including professional rodeo competitions, live music, carnival rides and games, food and drink vendors, and western-themed exhibitions.

In addition to the Greeley Stampede, the city of Greeley offers a range of other attractions and amenities, including several parks and nature areas, a thriving downtown district, and a variety of museums and cultural institutions. Greeley is also home to the University of Northern Colorado, a public research university that offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Greeley Stampede (@greeleystampede)

Cody Stampede Rodeo

Cody, Wyoming

The Cody Stampede is an annual rodeo event held in Cody, Wyoming, USA. The event takes place over four days in early July and features a range of professional rodeo competitions, including bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, among others.

Founded in 1919, the Cody Stampede has a long history of showcasing top rodeo talent and preserving the western way of life. In addition to the rodeo events, the Cody Stampede also features a variety of other activities and entertainment, including live music, a parade, a western-themed art show, and food and drink vendors.

Cody, Wyoming is known as the "Rodeo Capital of the World," and the Cody Stampede is one of the city's biggest events. It is known for its small-town charm and warm hospitality, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. In addition to the rodeo, Cody offers a range of other attractions and amenities, including the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum, the Yellowstone Regional Airport, and access to nearby outdoor recreation areas such as Yellowstone National Park and the Shoshone National Forest.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cody Stampede Rodeo (@codystampederodeo)

Snake River Stampede

Nampa, Idaho

The Snake River Stampede is an annual rodeo event held in Nampa, Idaho, USA. The event takes place over five days in mid-July and features a range of professional rodeo competitions, including bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, among others.

Founded in 1913, the Snake River Stampede is one of the oldest rodeos in the United States and has a long history of showcasing top rodeo talent and preserving the western way of life. In addition to the rodeo events, the Snake River Stampede also features a variety of other activities and entertainment, including live music, a parade, a western-themed art show, and food and drink vendors.

Nampa, Idaho is located in the heart of the Treasure Valley and is known for its rich agricultural history and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Snake River Stampede is a major cultural and tourism attraction in Nampa and is known for its small-town charm and warm hospitality, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Snake River Stampede Rodeo (@srsrodeo)

California Rodeo Salinas

Salinas, california

The California Rodeo Salinas is an annual rodeo event held in Salinas, California, USA. The event takes place over four days in mid-July and features a range of professional rodeo competitions, including bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and barrel racing, among others.

Founded in 1911, the California Rodeo Salinas is one of the largest rodeos in California and has a long history of showcasing top rodeo talent and preserving the western way of life. In addition to the rodeo events, the California Rodeo Salinas also features a variety of other activities and entertainment, including live music, a parade, a western-themed art show, and food and drink vendors.

Salinas, California is located in the heart of the fertile Salinas Valley and is known for its agricultural heritage and scenic beauty. The California Rodeo Salinas is a major cultural and tourism attraction in Salinas and is known for its small-town charm and warm hospitality, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by California Rodeo Salinas (@carodeosalinas)

Sheridan WYO Rodeo

Sheridan, wyoming

The Sheridan WYO Rodeo is an annual rodeo event held in Sheridan, Wyoming, USA. The event takes place over four days in mid-July and features a range of professional rodeo competitions, including bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, among others.

Founded in 1931, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo is one of the largest rodeos in Wyoming and has a long history of showcasing top rodeo talent and preserving the western way of life. In addition to the rodeo events, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo also features a variety of other activities and entertainment, including live music, a parade, a western-themed art show, and food and drink vendors.

Sheridan, Wyoming is located in the heart of the scenic Bighorn Mountains and is known for its western heritage and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo is a major cultural and tourism attraction in Sheridan and is known for its small-town charm and warm hospitality, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sheridan WYO Rodeo (@sheridanwyorodeo)

Ellensburg Rodeo

Ellensburg, washington

The Ellensburg Rodeo is an annual rodeo event held in Ellensburg, Washington, USA. The event takes place over four days in early September and features a range of professional rodeo competitions, including bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, among others.

Founded in 1923, the Ellensburg Rodeo is one of the oldest and most historic rodeos in the United States and has a long history of showcasing top rodeo talent and preserving the western way of life. In addition to the rodeo events, the Ellensburg Rodeo also features a variety of other activities and entertainment, including live music, a parade, a western-themed art show, and food and drink vendors.

Ellensburg, Washington is located in the heart of the Kittitas Valley and is known for its western heritage and scenic beauty. The Ellensburg Rodeo is a major cultural and tourism attraction in Ellensburg and is known for its small-town charm and warm hospitality, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ellensburg Rodeo (@ellensburgrodeo)

Cowgirls Create Their Own Easter on the Road

April 5, 2021 (San Angelo, Texas) - Former That Western Life podcast guest, Jimmie Smith, proved just how important the meaning of community and God is in the western life when this young, dynamic barrel racer, organized a potluck dinner for Easter Sunday at the San Angelo Rodeo.

Rodeo is one of those unique sports where the camaraderie and family bonds are strong. You’ll often times see competitors helping their competition, offering trades to help their schedules, and assisting each other in any way possible - it’s just the Cowboy Way! This Easter Sunday, after a long year of cancelled rodeos and uncertainty, to come together in this way was a beautiful testament to the world of rodeo!

Here’s some posts from social media!

Jessie Routier shared this post on Facebook.

Kelly McGee Kaminski shared this post on Facebook.

Calgary Stampede is ON for 2021!

Ivy Conrado-Saebens makes a barrel racing run on her mare, JLo, at the 2019 Calgary Stampede. In Alberta, one of the early, major blows of the COVID-19 pandemic was the cancellation of the Calgary Stampede in 2020. PHOTO BY AZIN GHAFFARI/POSTMEDIA/FILE

April 5, 2021 (Alberta, Canada) - The National Post announced last week that not only is the Calgary Stampede back on for 2021, but that a private member’s bill passed unanimously in the Canadian legislature to make rodeo the province’s official sport. With large agricultural routes, rodeo is thought to have arrived in Calgary via a spillover of the American West.

The Calgary Stampede is one of the five largest rodeos in the world and the province of Alberta was hit hard when they had to cancel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As they move towards the 2021 event, perhaps modified as many other rodeos are forcing to do, it’s a relief to see rodeo return to the rural communities who rely on them economically.

First Ever Rodeo Related Club on Clubhouse - That Rodeo Life

Saturday, March 6, 2021 - The That Western Life team is so excited to announce that we officially have the FIRST rodeo related club on Clubhouse - That Rodeo Life! While we love our That Western Life name, our blog operated under a variety of different names depending on whether the topics are related to agricultural, ranching, fashion, advocacy, etc. This Club will play host to some amazing rooms dedicated to networking, growing your brand name, marketing your rodeo, and event-specific room breakdowns!

Join us on the app today and shoot us a message either on here or at That Western Life on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to start a conversation about a room collaboration today!

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.

Posted at 10:45 am PST on Dona Kay Rules official instagram. Click to see more comments.

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.

That Western Life Podcast

PRCA Futures; New Year's Resolutions for Professional Rodeo

During the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo held in Las Vegas, Nevada, every December, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) takes the time to meet, present and educate rodeo committees and employees throughout the country at the PRCA’s Annual Convention. Join the That Western Life Podcasting team as they dig deeper into new hires and unofficial resolutions of the PRCA in 2019!

PRCA Convention

The PRCA Convention starts with the Chief Executive Office, George Taylor, giving his first ever address. His vision is very big, bringing in new people to help grow the PRCA, members and fans.

• Numbers were down last year.
  This concerning with the PRCA’s membership, the PRCA rodeos, even.

• Money was up from PRCA’s sponsors.
  This is exciting as this is what adds purse monies into our finals and into individual rodeos which, in turn, increases contestants.

• There were more fans here and there.
  New areas where we can watch rodeo such as the ProRodeo TV streaming app.

• Returning permits are going up.
  We aren’t losing out on contestants that are getting injured and moving forward.

Prediction: Membership will increase with the semi-retirement of Trevor Brazile, the King of the Cowboys.

George Taylor definitely comes across as more CEO, whereas his predecessor, Karl Stressman, came across as more cowboy. Both gentleman have worked very hard in their positions to promote the professional sport of rodeo. TWL Host Rachel was our on the ground correspondent at the convention thanks to the Lakeside Rodeo of San Diego.

George Taylor; the CEO’s Address at the PRCA Convention

For his first time addressing the entire membership that he’s been at the helm of, George Taylor is taking PRCA and his job as CEO by storm. He appears and looks to be fearless, one foot in front of the other to get things done. While there may have been a lot of conversation and uncertainty on social media as Taylor doesn’t come to the CEO position as a former rodeo athlete.

Just like the NFL or NBA, whose commissioners didn’t compete at the professional level for the sports that they have, Taylor can walk the walk and talk the talk. He’s coming in with an outside perspective it is giving him the ability to think outside of the box to the future of the PRCA.

Karl Stressman; Career in Review

Karl Stressman’s initiatives were to support contestants being able to stay local or regional and making it less of a financial burden to be a PRCA cardholder and have success. He promoted the 12 regional Circuit Finals and the National Circuit Finals.

A champion of the All American ProRodeo series, which was an association in the rodeo heavy states of Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, Stressman was able to get larger purses for those finals. For a rodeo to count, it must be $30,000 or less added money to any rodeo in the country. Contestants got 50 points for competing in an All American ProRodeo and then a point for every dollar won at those. Their finals, held in Waco, Texas, the second week in October but 2018 was the last year of those finals.

Finals dollars from the 12 Ram Circuit Finals, the Ram National Circuit Finals, and the All American ProRodeo Series counted in the world standings as of the 2017 seasons, but will no longer count in 2019. The 2018 season was the last of the two seasons that the finals money counts toward the world standings making it a very small “wink in time.”

These smaller finals allowed contestants to win more money to gain access to the limited-access rodeos like Rodeo Houston.

Mexican Rodeo Federation Addition

Stressman assisted creating the Mexican Rodeo Federation into the Ram National Circuit Finals as if they are their own circuit. When Stressman left office last year, he had Rodeos sanctioned in Brazil, Mexico and Canada that counted towards the world standings. Two contestants from each event came to Kissimmee, Florida, to compete for those finals.

Marcus Costa was the first Brazilian to win the tie-down roping in the 2017 world title. He also won the Top Gun award that year, joining Junior Noguiera (team roping heeler) to push for Brazilian success in timed events. It’s great to see rodeo expand and to watch people find success in professional rodeo.

What’s next for Karl Stressman?

Currently working with USTRC, we are interested to see what he will do with that association. They have over 30,000 members and over 100 qualifying events. It’ll be fun to watch to see how that grows and changes in the future. They have already joined forces with the WSTR, proving that being united in the sport of rodeo is the way to grow exponentially, which you can see through their discount in getting the memberships together.

New Hires to the PRCA: Anthony Bartkowski

Anthony Bartkowski has announced a focus on recruiting the grass roots organizations into the professional ranks and athlete development. Being an educator, host Lisa Lageschaar is a former teacher and firmly believes in the youth as the future of the PRCA. This will go hand-in-hand with the PRCA’s youth camps.

Director of Athlete Development and Animal Welfare

Bartkowski comes from all the rough and tumble sports like boxing and wrestling, he’s an outside force to be reckoned with when it comes to professional athlete events. A unique thing for him, is that he’ll be overseeing the operations of the livestock welfare - it should be interesting to see how he handles protestors before Houston or the NFR. Protestors have been seen at a variety of rodeos, even smaller Texas circuit rodeos not just in large, typically liberal cities.

We know the great care our animals receive and having someone like Anthony to be taking care of it. As the new CEO, Taylor needs to stay on top of the avalanche as Ringling Brothers ended their over 100 year run. How do we make sure that this fate doesn’t fall to rodeo? Is rodeo facing the same fate?

Director of Athlete Development

What can professional rodeo do for their contestants?

Rodeo really wants to go into mainstream sports but, unlike mainstream sports, rodeo doesn’t have teams with individual public relations teams to help them. Will there be an online platform to help educate those contestants remotely to help them carry themselves into the new era of rodeo?

At the PRCA convention they talked about the new website with in-depth information on contestants, the bucking stock, and the analysis of what a match up could look like. These stats can help you have prediction and game analysis going into an event which allows fans to have more investment into each match-up or a loyalty to a competitor. A lot of work, but it’ll be well worth it.

PRCA Rodeo Additions

The American Goes PRCA

Thanks to George Taylor, the famous 2-day one million dollar rodeo is now sanctioned with the PRCA as of 2019. Slated for March 2nd and 3rd, it’s going to pay out a lot of money to now count for the world standings.

How will it count:

• Contestants can still qualify in through the qualifying events in all events.

• As a qualifications based rodeo, money won won’t count for the current Ram Texas Circuit Finals.

• If a cowboy has purchased a PRCA card before the American, they are now eligible to count their winnings at the American towards the world standings.

• Only $50,000 for first place will count for the world standings.

• Any place below that, all of their money earned will count towards the world standings.

• February 25 through March 1 is the qualifier; that isn’t a PRCA rodeo. AT&T Stadium winnings will count.

How does this factor in? Look at the event of steer wrestling, one of the most evenly distributed standings, the number 16 cowboy for 2018 was around $80,000 won for the year. Can you imagine what $50,000 is going to do right there? It’s almost going to solidify them a spot in the WNFR.

Prediction: It’ll take more money to qualify for the 2019 National Finals Rodeo.

Rodeo Houston (Texas) and Pike’s Peak or Bust (Colorado) rodeos have both come back to the PRCA.

New Permit Cardholders

JB Mauney and Jess Lockwood, two very successful Professional Bull Riders, got their permits for the 2019 season. Unfortunately, they can’t get in to these limited entry rodeos with big money. This will be the a heated Resistol Rookie of the Year battle. Once they have won the $1,000 on their permit to get their Rookie card, the money will count towards the world standings. Will they stick it out?

The follow the track of Shane Proctor who came back to PRCA full time with saddle bronc and bull riding after riding in the PBR. Increasing entries, he’ll be competing for the All Around title which is unique on the roughstock end. The last one to do so was Ty Murray, who won 7 all around titles and 2 bull riding championships, the last one in 1993.

PRCA’s New Safe Sport Initiative

Seventeen pages front and back, this is something that the PRCA is taking very seriously. A code of conduct of how you should be acting when you are representing the professional sport of rodeo and the PRCA, with the actions if you break those rules. Outlining all the types of misconduct, it allows the PRCA to take further action from there.

It’s not just PRCA members, it’s also contractors, volunteers, internal committee members, PRCA rodeo committee members, sponsors, event attendees, and more. The first case example may be the Cody Nite Rodeo Association with a story that broke right after the 2018 WNFR.

Wrangler Steps Down from Exclusive Clothing Sponsorship

In 2018, Wrangler was still the title sponsor of the PRCA and the NFR but they stepped down from the exclusivity clause. Competition is healthy and keeps us striving and working for the next level. This now gives us some room for growth, and gaining the partnership with Cinch and more, it opens up healthy competition shows that we are going to grow money and, in turn, grow the sport. It takes money to grow in every aspect.

Cinch jumped in to be a sponsor immediately, which has been fun to watch how that develops and changes the marketing schematic for prorodeo. Not just that, Cinch had six endorsees that became world champions in 2018.

If you could make one rule for the PRCA?

Lisa Lageschaar: Jerk down rule clarification.

Did Tuf Cooper really jerk the calf down between ten and two? It was hard to tell, the announcers didn’t explain that on the television, and it needs to be analyzed and looked over to make sure it doesn’t put limitations on our sport. This look would be great for both our contestants and our animals.

1. Tuf did a great job explaining what happened for everyone at home on his Facebook.

2. Eliminating gray area is very important for the preservation of our sport.

Katie Schrock: Ground money should count in the NFR only for all events.

Bull riding is the only event at the WNFR where ground money counts. What this means, is that if not all six payout slots are filled after the round with only 1 to 5 covered rides, than the additional money is spread out throughout the contestants that got a qualified time. This added money doesn’t count towards the All Around standings, just that event.

In the team roping at the NFR in round six, there was only five legal catches in one run, and if ground money had counted it potentially could have shook up the standings. (Further investigation says that it wouldn’t have in this particular rare case, but, theoretically, it could in the future!)

If you could make up a rule for the PRCA and WPRA, what would it be?

Drop it in the comments below or send us a message on any social media platform or email us at thatwesternlifeusa@gmail.com! Give us five stars in a review, tell your friends, and help us get bigger and better for you the fans!

Theme Song: Doin’ Me by Trevor Tagle

Follow That Western Life on Social Media

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | eNewsletter | Podcast

The First Ever That Western Life Podcast

What you need to know about the hosts, plus recapping the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo!

What is the That Western Life Podcast?

This podcast is going to take someones naive interest in a culture and help them explore the trials and tribulations of the western lifestyle. We are here to share the amazing, funny, educational and unique people and animals that are in rodeo and the western lifestyle. We can’t wait to see what we can do to help those in the sport of professional rodeo into more mainstream ways.

Make sure to subscribe today, tell your friends and leave a review!

Meet the Hosts

Rachel Owens-Sarno - San Diego County, California

I’m excited to jump into the world of podcasting and to continue promoting a lifestyle and sport I love with lots of fun, humor, knowledge and facts!

Read more about Rachel here.

Lisa Lageschaar - Weatherford, Texas

“I am still that horse-crazed kid at heart, but over time, have developed my love of horses into a love for every person involved with and every industry linked to horses. I have been presented with numerous opportunities through the western industry, and it is my goal to give back in any way I can to continue to grow and develop knowledge and passion for horses, rodeo, agriculture, and the western way of life as a whole.”

Read more about Lisa here.

Katie Schrock - Pacific Northwest

“I have always maintained to be an approachable and knowledgeable source of information for the western lifestyle whether it be ranching, farming or rodeo. I want to help keep those interested informed on the western lifestyle and not only the importance of these industries but to preserve the culture.”

Read more about Katie here.

2018 National Finals Rodeo Recap

The National Finals Rodeo starts significantly earlier than most people anticipate the 10-day Super Bowl of rodeos starting. With award shows, the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) convention, and the kick-off party of the Back Number Ceremony. The theme for 2018’s finals was that there could have been any number of stories that could have competed for screen time for Hollywood with the amazing stories that developed and came forward!

J.R. Vezain, a PRCA bronc rider who found himself in a horrific accident that resulted in him being in a wheelchair, he had qualified a spot for the WNFR in the top 15. Unable to compete, Will Lowe took that vacant spot as the 16th place in the world standings. Not only was Vezain included each night in the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund injury update but he was also recognized by the legendary King of the Cowboys, Trevor Brazile, recognizing the inspiration that he has been with his positivity. When he rolled up on to stage at the back number ceremony the crowd went wild! A great light for Christ, he and his wife, Shelby, have continued to be an inspiration!

The western industry is striving and one can see that in the payout of the Number 10 in the World Series Team Roping, happening throughout the NFR in Las Vegas, paid out $376,000 to first place. It was around $2.3 million in that round alone! That’s where we got to see NFR Team Roper Trey Yates watch his grandpa Dick Yates win that money in the Number 10 Round Win. Trey is at his first ever NFR which adds to the added royalty legacy of his grandfather, dad and aunt who are the first family trifecta to qualify for the NFR in one year.

Ten rounds of fast-paced action with a lot of money up for grab! Round payout is $84,615.38 total, paid out to six places over the ten rounds in each event. The average pays out $253,846.15 to the top eight per event. First place winning a round is over $26,000 which can bring a person from 14th to 1st in the world; albeit they would have to be close top to bottom. Noteworthy is that the bull riding has ground money if not all rides are completed in the round.

RAM Top Gun & Bull Riding

Chase Dougherty came on hot in the last 7 rounds of the NFR. He won almost $30,000 more in the RAM Top Gun Award. An award given by RAM Trucks for winning the most money in one event. It was a horse race up until the last few rounds between the barrel racers and Chase Dougherty. Over ten days, Chase cashed $318,266.13 (unofficially) at the NFR including the average. When it came down to Round 10 if only 3 or less riders stayed on their bull, as long as one of those was Chase and one wasn’t Sage, Chase would have won the world. Sage stayed on, won the round and won the world!

2019 Predictions; Sage Kimzey wasn’t 100% at the finals and the 2019 season started last year. Could Chase Dougherty or Sage’s kid brother, Trey, take the 2019 title?

Trey Kimzey set a new record in 2018 as a Permit Holder Earnings. Sage is out to catch Don Gay’s 8 World Championships in the NFR. Sage knows how to stay on and ride - one of the most talented in professional bull riding in the country.

Clayton Bigelow & Virgil

An astounding moment at the 2018 NFR was Clayton Bigelow's Round 5 ride on Virgil! An impressive, big gray bucking horse, left the crowds and the judges speechless! If you want to  talk about athletes showing up at the NFR, C5 Rodeo’s Virgil tied the arena record in 2017 with Tim O’Connell, then came back in 2018 to set the arena record at 93. There are only 10 rides in the PRCA period that are 93 or 94; this ride is now one of those.

Wade Sundell - Bareback World Champion

In the round where Clayton Bigelow set the arena record, Wade Sundell on Medicine Woman had a 92 point ride. Keeping pace with that record setting ride kept him in the world title chase. He split round 7 with Chase Brooks. He came to perform and rode at the top of his game, placing in eight of the rounds. One of those bucking horses came from Get Smart who was named the bareback horse of the NFR. He’s been eight times to the NFR and won the American!

This was on top of the rough year that Wade had where he lost his home to a fire. This was a huge explanation point on the end of the year on the road!

If you have never heard of Wade Sundell or are new to rodeo, check out this song by Chance Danison (WARNING: explicit!) that kind of gives you a sample of how Wade got the name “Wild Wade.”

Will Lummus & Grinder with KC Jones

KC Jones is a 9 time qualifier in the steer wrestling but wasn’t competing in the same capacity as he has done in the past; he was the hazer for first-time qualifier Will Lummus. A Mississippi cowboy, he did his darndest to make the steer wrestling exciting this year! Will’s horse Grinder was at its first NFR, and can be a challenging venue for a horse new to the NFR but he handled it with poise. However, he would let out some of his personality with a few bucks every time that Will dismounted to wrestle a steer.

Tie Down Roping; Caleb Smidt & Tyson Durfey

Prior to the 2018 finals, the 2016 World Champion Tyson Durfey had the unfortunate loss of his number one horse Nikko, after a complication in a displaced colon colic surgery on November 23rd. Anyone who knows rodeo or horses, knows how important those horses are not just as a partner in a working environment but also to family. He rode his back up horse, Mitch, and ended up winning some good money! Durfey and Mitch even got the win at the Tuf Cooper’s Tying the Knot Invitational Roping over Trevor Brazile.

Caleb Smidt won the first round and the world title after what may have been the roughest family months. He lost his brother and sister-in-law on the night of their wedding when their helicopter crashed, killing all three involved, which made national news. Throughout the rodeo, Caleb’s family held up signs every single night that said, “God is still good.” To add more emotion to this story, he gave that round one buckle win to his father-in-law to thank him for what he has done for him in his life in the past year as he had also lost his father shortly after the 2017 NFR.

Barrel Racing; Hailey Kinsel’s Sister

A horse that never weakened, Hailey Kinsel and her palomino mare Sister, fired hard every single run, clinching the world title in Round 9. Hailey was saying that Sister had nothing left to prove and so she pulled out TJ, the big gelding she ran college rodeo on and even filled her WPRA permit. It was a great nod to the horse that helped build her professional career!

Kelly Bruner, a veterinarian, qualified on her main mount Susie, who is a gelding, but he wasn’t feeling the Thomas & Mack arena. Susie didn’t want to turn the first barrel so she ran a couple of young horses, and she won rounds on a horse named French Zone. People who don’t give up who are also working a full time job while managing rodeoing and winning enough money to make the NFR.

Another contestant, making it to the NFR in a limited number of rounds, is Nellie Miller and her mare Sister. Utilizing “professional planning” and winning when it counts; when she won the 2017 World Title it was on one of the lowest rodeo number counts.

Trevor Brazile, The King of the Cowboys, Kind of Rides Away

“The Cowboy Rides Away,” will Trevor Brazile really be “done?” Will we see him back, qualifying on a limited number of regional to Texas rodeos or maybe with his son or daughter? If he can make it on a limited number of rodeos and it doesn’t affect his family and involvement with his kids’ sport; he’s going to do it. Knowing that he had to do as well as he did in the 10th round in order to win the average title making the count 24 world titles. In an emotional statement to the camera, his legacy will continue to grow and build. It was a great moment for him, his family and all of his fans. He’s made a big impact in the lives of so many rodeo people!

What an amazing National Finals Rodeo and what a great 2019 rodeo season we have coming up! Make sure you subscribe on iTunes, leave a rating, tell your friends, and check out more of our articles! We want to hear from you! Send us a message on any social media platform or at thatwesternlifeUSA@gmail.com.

Theme Song: Doin’ Me by Trevor Tagle

Follow That Western Life on Social Media

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | eNewsletter | Podcast

National Finals Rodeo Update - Round 6

Las Vegas, Nevada (December 11, 2018) - Round 6 kicks off the start of the second half of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s Super Bowl of Rodeos. Unlike in main sports, there was no break for the cowboys and cowgirls buttoning down their Resistol cowboy hat every night - firing on day 6 of 10 in front of a sold out crowd at the Thomas & Mack Arena.

Steer Wrestling

The fastest sport in rodeo, there’s been major shake up!

• Curtis Cassidy may have entered the 60th NFR sitting in first place in the steer wrestling standings but the event with the smallest spread entering the NFR has proven to have the most shake ups. It’s still anyone’s game! Our projections have Cassidy finishing 3rd in the World after the average is handed out.

• Mr. Consistent, Mississippi cowboy Will Lummus is the fastest in the average, joining six others who have recorded a time in all six rounds so far (Tyler Waguespack, Blake Knowles, Bridger Chambers, Tanner Brunner, Nick Guy & Riley Duvall). With $59,512.81 earned at the NFR and placing first in the average, he’s projected to finish the season with over $233,000 and (unofficial projection) winning the World title.

• Not far behind in the projected 2018 World Championship race, 2016 World Champion Tyler Waguespack.

Team Roping

Round 6 is the achilles heel for many of the teams, it should be interesting to see how they recover for Round 7.

• Only 5 teams recorded times in Round 6.

• There was a 15.6 second spread between the first place team and the fifth place team.

• The battle between top 2 teams Driggers/Nogueira and Smith/Eaves is TIGHT - you won’t want to miss this!

Saddle Bronc

• If Ryder Wright slips over the next few rounds, keep an eye on Cort Sheer and Wade Sundell.

Tie-Down Roping

• Nine cowboys have recorded a time in all six rounds so far.

• The Average is projected with Ryle Smith, Caleb Smidt, and Rhen Richard (pay attention to Rhen in the all-around).

• If the NFR ended today, Ryle Smith would be your projected World Champion, reserve as Caleb Smidt with less than $8,000 between the two. The tie-down roping is going to be tight as we finish up!

RAM Top Gun Award

Awarded to the contestant who wins the most money one one event (sorry all-around cowboys!) at the end of the NFR. If you didn’t think that the barrel racing was tough, how about Amberleigh Moore and Hailey Kinsel sitting one and two respectively in the standings for the Top Gun award. They’re setting blistering fast barrel patterns as Moore has moved from 13th to a projected 4th with Kinsel still holding onto that first place position. Kinsel is less than $25,000 away from breaking the $300,000 year-end mark.

###

All of the information in this article is unofficial results and are not the product nor any relation to the official Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. All information belongs to That Western Life and Western Insights Media, LLC.

National Finals Rodeo Update - Round 5

Las Vegas, Nevada (December 11, 2018) - The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is in full swing in the bright light city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Every year, the rodeo community convenes on the city to showcase western heritage in a variety of ways; youth rodeo competitions, team roping competitions, permit challenges, rookie recognition, leather working, fashion, and the latest in equine and bovine technology. Halfway through the 10 heated rounds of the Super Bowl of Professional Rodeo, there have been numerous big stories to share!

Barrel Racing Heats Up

Heading into the NFR, two-time qualifier Hailey Kinsel and her dynamite six year-old palomino mare “Sister,” named the 2018 American Quarter Horse Association Barrel Horse of the Year, were on track to coast to a gold buckle. Nothing comes easy at the National Finals Rodeo, however, and the random draw order of go on the ground has proven an equalizer for the contestants.

Winning Round 1, Kinsel started the way every racing fan expected; first. She blasted onto the ProRodeo season in 2017 when she won RFD-TV’s The American and a chunk of the million-dollar qualifier incentive. That run was the most money ever won in a single barrel race at the time. She then beat the Thomas & Mack barrel racing record at the 2017 National Finals at a blistering 13.11 seconds; a whopping 2 tenths of a second faster than the previous record set that finals.

Bottom of the ground proved costly for Kinsel and Sister, placing her out of the money in Round 2 and 3, and then a knocked barrel in the 4th Round meant she was dropped in the average. With a field of amazing horses knocking on the door for the world title, it seemed that she may not be able to recover for a large enough chunk of the NFR average money.

Chasing her most notably is Nellie Miller who is riding another horse named Sister, a blue roan quarter horse from the state of California. Miller was the 2017 World Champion and her Sister was the 2017 AQHA Horse of the Year. Consistency is key and she qualified for a the NFR on a limited number of rodeos. Sister’s consistency shows her as one of the biggest threats in the NFR race as she should garner a large chunk of the average money.

In March of 2018, Oregon’s Amberleigh Moore’s mare “Paige,” who set the NFR arena on fire at her NFR debut in 2016 almost knocking off Mary Burger for the World Title, was pulled out injured after Houston Rodeo. The off time almost proved costly as Moore entered the NFR in the 13th (out of 15 potential spots) position. The Thomas & Mack is nicknamed “Paige’s Play Pen” for a reason though as the Darkelly mare came in rested and hungry to compete.

Placing second, second, first and third in the first four rounds of the NFR, she had earned $83,346.15 and was leading the average, which pays out $67,269.23 for first place. This moved her to second in the world, just over $5,000 behind Kinsel. Round 5 proved to be the Achilles Heel and with a knock of the first world, she dropped herself in the average and moving Moore to a projected 4th place including average payout.

What do you think will happen in the barrel racing? Do you think Kinsel and Sister will start firing on all cylinders and gain top of the ground advantage in the draw? What about Miller and her Sister? Will consistency be key for the returning World Champion?

All Around Title - Richard Not So Undercover Anymore

Dark horse Rhen Richard from Utah is proving to not be so sneaky in the race for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s All Around cowboy. The only competitor entered in two events, team roping and tie-down roping, Richard has yet to win a round but has consistently placed in four of a potential 10 rounds (two runs a night for two events in five rounds). He’s earned a total of $35,467.94 in NFR payout already, second only to Trevor Brazile who, thanks to a second and first place win in two rounds, has earned $47,102.56. Brazile, a 23-time World Champion, kicked off the NFR by announcing his retirement from competitive rodeo to send more time at home with his family, is now leading the All Around race over brother-in-law Tuf Cooper, the 2017 World Champion and 2x Tie-Down World Champion.

If Richard continues to be consistent with times, he may be receiving a large check at the pay window for the NFR average.

Eliminator Pen Bucking Horses the Star of the Show

Thanks to diligent efforts by stock contractors and non profits like Bronc Riding Nation, the bucking horse may be the star of the 2018 National Finals Rodeo. In Round 3, every rodeo fan across the country new for a fact that Powder River would be at the Gold Buckle zone at the South Point Saturday night as long as Tim O’Connell, the reigning bareback World Champion and current number one in the world, stayed atop the 2017 Bareback Horse of the Year Craig at Midnight.

The large gray bucking horse, a product of Feek Tooke’s “Born to Buck” program, put on a show. Tim O’Connell laughed afterwards saying he only got a few jumps at the end of the ride where he got to earn points; Craig [At Midnight] was garnering all the points for the round! In rough stock, there are two judges with each judge awarding points out of a possible 25 for each the rider and the horse for a total of 100 points.

In Round 5, it was C5 Rodeo’s Virgil, another big gray bucking horse, that stole the show with Clayton Bigelow who went BIG for a 93 point, arena-record setting ride! The magnificence of these animals are just beginning to be showcased and we can’t wait to see the eliminator pen in the finals for another go!

###

All of the information in this article is unofficial results and are not the product nor any relation to the official Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. All information belongs to That Western Life and Western Insights Media, LLC.

ProRodeo Strategy (4/6/18): RNCFR Semi's & Finals Prep

Kissimmee, Florida (April 6, 2018) - The Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Florida, April 3rd through the 6th, promises to change the PRCA's World Standings. Here's some quick notes from the strategy room as we look at what the first two rounds alone potentially did to the World Standings. Please note that these standings are not official nor guaranteed 100% accuracy; they are simply observations. 

More money stands to be won as the Top 8 contestants advance Sunday to a clean slate semi-finals round, which is then followed with the Top 4 advancing to the Finals round.

Confused on the RNCFR? Read more here.

Bareback:

1. Clayton Biglow has won $6,245 with a round win at the RNCFR this weekend. This moves him from 21st in the world standings to 12th.

2. Reigning World Champion Tim O’Connell has won $10,992 with placings in 2 rounds of the RNCFR. This moves him from 13th to approximately 6th.

3. Some people didn’t move, and they are probably okay with that! Those people won money at the RNCFR in either one round or two, but are still locked into their world standing position.
   Caleb Bennett - 1st
   Mason Clements - 2nd
   Jake Brown - 4th
   Shane O’Connell - 5th

4. Steven Dent won $1,801 and moved from 18th to approximately 16th in the world.

5. Columbia River Circuit Qualifier Steven Peebles has won $3,412 and has moved from 36th to approximately 25th.

Advancing to the Semi-Finals: Tim O'Connell, Clayton Bigelow, Shane O'Connell, Mason Clements, Jake Brown, Wyatt Denny, Steven Dent, and J.R. Vezain.

Steer Wrestling:

1. Louisiana Cowboy Jacob Talley has placed in two rounds and is sitting third in the aggregate heading to the semi-finals with $4,459 won. This moves him from 5th to approximately 2nd in the world standings.

2. Chason Floyd has won the most of any contestant at the Circuit Finals this weekend with $12,508 total, moving him from 18th in the world to approximately 7th.

3. With $6,254 in a round win, Kyle Irwin moves from 17th in the world to approximately 9th.

4. Jacob Shofner has moved one marker from 12th to approximately 11th in the world standings.

5. Billy Bugenig makes the biggest jump for the steer wrestling event in the world standings, moving from 31st to approximately 18th with $7,012 won through two rounds of the RNCFR

Advancing to the Semi-Finals: Billy Bugenig, Kyle Irwin, Jacob Talley, Beau Clark, Chason Floyd, Bridger Chambers, Blake Mindemann, Sean Santucci, and Jacob Shofner.

Team Roping:

1. Trey Yates moves from 12th to approximately 10th in the heeling world standings with $1,327 won.

2. Through the assistance of a round win and $6,254 won, Kyle Lockett moved from 26th to approximately 11th in the world standings.

3. Keven Daniel makes the second biggest move in the world standings of all team ropers, moving from 21st to approximately 12th in the heading, thanks to $4,738 won.

4. Brad Culpepper moved from 20th in the world standings to approximately 13th via $4,738 won.

5. The biggest move by all team ropers so far in the world standings due to the monies won at the RNCFR is header Blake Teixeira who won a round ($6,254) to move from 21st to approximately 15th.

Top 8 Advancing to the Semi-Finals: Thad Ward/Olin Pulham, Logan Olson/Matt Kasner, Andrew Ward/Reagan Ward, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, Ty Blasingame/Trey Yates, Jesse Stipes/Jake Smith, Marcus Theriot/Clint Summers, and Dustin Bird/Chase Tryan. 

Saddle Bronc:

1. Jacobs Crawley and Brody Cress both won money, keeping them at one and two in the world respectively. Although their positions didn’t change, Cress was able to chip away at the substantial lead seen by Crawley.

2. Wade Sundell moved from seventh to approximately third in the world standings by placing in both rounds of the RNCFR ($6,728).

3. Joey Sonnier won $6,918 between two rounds to move from 15th to approximately 10th in the world standings.

4. Both Ryder Wright and Taos Muncy moved approximately one placing to 13th and 12th respectively.

5. JJ Elshere moved from 17th to approximately 14th in the world standings.

Top 8 Advancing to Semi-Finals: Joey Sonnier III, Jacobs Crawley, Wade Sundell, Taos Muncy, Isaac Diaz, J.J. Elsewhere, Brody Cress, and Ray Hostetler.

Tie Down Roping:

1. Jake Pratt of Washington has moved one placing from 4th to approximately 3rd in teh world standings.

2. Three cowboys stayed in the same world standing spot despite winning money. Those were Tuf Cooper, Tyson Durfey, and Matt Shiozawa placing 5th, 6th and 13th respectively.

3. Sterling Smith moved from 9th to approximately 7th in the world standing.

4. Ryan Jarrett’s round win moved him from 15th to approximately 12th in the world standings.

5. Reno Gonzales of New Mexico’s winnings of $3,412 moved him from 30th to 22nd.

Top 8 Advancing to Semi-Finals: Seth Hall, Tyson Durfey, Tuf Cooper, Sterling Smith, Trey Young, Matt Shiozawa, Ryle Smith, and Riley Pruitt

Bull Riding:

1. Sage Kimzey continues to dominate in his bull riding career, winning money in both rounds of the RNCFR totaling $9,097. This brought him over the $100,000 mark which is the fastest he’s ever reached it in a season he mentioned in an interiview with the PRCA.

2. Parker Breding of Montana won a round of the RNCFR to move from 5th to approximately 2nd in the world standings.

3. Chase Dougherty of Oregon may have been a rookie a year ago, but he’s no rookie in 2018; he’s won $3,601 to move from 16th to 12th in the world.

4. Brady Portenier has won $2,843 to move from 23rd to approximately 20th.

5. Jeff Bertus makes the biggest jump of the bull riders, winning $2,464 to move from 50th in the world standings to 39th.

Top 8 Advancing to Semi-Finals: Sage Kimzey, Aaron Williams, Parker Breding, Brady Portenier, Chase Dougherty, Lon Danley, Dayton Swearingen, and Jeff Bertus.

Barrel Racing:

Top 8 Advancing to Semi-Finals: Shelly Anzick, Teri Bangart, Taci Bettis, Jessica Routier, Alexis Baratka, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Nikki Hansen, and Kathy Petska. 

###
These are just observations noted by the information provided on ProRodeo.com; these numbers are not official nor considered accurate. 

Understanding ProRodeo's Circuits and the RNCFR

(Last updated October 17, 2022) - The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is organized in a slightly complicated fashion into circuits and tours that can be very confusing to those who have no idea about the road to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. In 2022, the That Western Life podcast sat down with NFR Steer Wrestler and NFR Open Qualifier Cody Cabral and RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo saddle bronc qualifier Joe Harper to discuss circuits, tours, rodeo counts, strategy and more in a more in-depth breakdown with contestants regarding the circuits, tours, finales, and national rodeos that the PRCA hosts. Click the link below to learn more.

ProRodeo Circuits

Why circuits?

You can liken the circuit idea, which started in 1975, to the motto of the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association of the “Weekend Cowboys” (although the PRCA dubs them the “weekend warriors” – a little more intense). These are people who are able to keep a Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, job and still be able to go rodeo on the weekend and qualify for a finals-eque rodeo.

What are the geographical regions of each of the circuits?

Graphic found online.

• Columbia River Circuit – Located in the northwest consisting of Washington, Oregon, the northern tip of Idaho and parts of Montana.

• California Circuit – The state of California.

• Wilderness Circuit – Located east of California, it includes the majority of Idaho, Nevada and Utah.

• Montana Circuit – The state of Montana.

• Mountain States Circuit – Includes Wyoming and Colorado.

• Turquoise Circuit – Includes the states of New Mexico and Arizona.

• Badlands Circuit – Includes North and South Dakota.

• Prairie Circuit – Includes Nebraska, Oklahoma and Kansas.

• Texas Circuit – The state of Texas.

• Great Lakes Circuit – Includes the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Kentucky.

• First Frontier Circuit – Is the northeastern most part of the United States and includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. With thirteen states, it's the circuit that holds the most states within it's boundaries.

• Southeastern Circuit – Includes everything in the southeastern part of the United States which includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas.

• Mexican Rodeo Federation (added in 2016) - The Mexican Rodeo Federation has 15 PRCA co-approved rodeos and will be eligible to send two champions in each event to compete at the RNCFR. Source.

• Maple Leaf Circuit (added in 2018) - The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association rodeos will allow competitors to earn Maple Leaf Circuit points, with two champions in each event earning spots to compete at the RNCFR. Source.

How does a contestant pick a circuit?

The contestant picks their circuit based off of their preference or off their home address. Meaning that if I am from Louisiana, I could compete in the Southeastern Circuit as my home circuit or I could choose, say, the Wilderness Circuit (or any other circuit for that matter) for my "home" circuit. If a contestant does not determine a separate circuit, the PRCA will allocate them in the circuit that their home address resides in. 

Ram  National Circuit Finals Rodeo (RNCFR) is now known as the NFR Open held in Colorado

At the end of the season, each of the circuits will have their own respective Circuit Finals rodeo. These finals are held with some in November of the competing year (remember that the ProRodeo Season runs from October through September) and other in February or March of the next year. The contestants for the finals are competing for the top spot at their circuit finals, as well as the overall top spot in the season standings. These top two contestants will represent their Circuit at the NFR Open held in July in Colorado.

These finals have been held in the past in Idaho before moving to Oklahoma in 2011. In 2015, it moved to Kissimmee, Florida, where they have added more sponsor money for the contestants to win - thus the reasoning for the big move to a not so stereotypical rodeo area. The PRCA expected a surge in rodeo’s fan base as they tapped into an exciting tourist location that is loaded with theme parks and other exciting adventures (not unlike the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Viva Las Vegas!). They are also a heck of a lot closer for all of the Texas cowboys (who compete in circuits all over the country) than, say, Nevada. It will be harder for the northern contestants to make it, but a chance for nice weather for a winter-ish rodeo is more than exciting for these contestants.

Unfortunately, Kissimmee didn’t provide the draw they expected and announced with new PRCA CEO Tom Glause, the RNCFR was rebranded as the NFR Open to match that of “The Open” in tennis. The reasoning was to create a more mainstream sports branding so that fans would understand the event as a top tier competition. Televised through the Cowboy Channel, the NFR Open was hosted at Pike’s Peak or Bust rodeo in July for the first time in 2022.

Not everyone has the time, nor money, to travel the large tours that the big names (think Trevor Brazile, Tuf Cooper, Bobby Mote, Kaycee Fields, etc.) compete on all around the United States. The circuit system allows a huge opportunity for these people to be rewarded for their time, dedication, and hard work to the sport and it's sponsors. Don't be confused though, the big name contestants will most likely qualify in a circuit for the Ram National Circuit Finals so you will get to see some of the fan favorites competing against the Weekend Warriors.

One of the great attributes of the circuit system is that it allows a younger cowboy or a "weekend warrior" to find success through the ranks, winning larger and larger purses to help fund them down the rodeo trail. It is not a surprise to see someone win enough money through the circuit system to put them on a the national tour and a run for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

As of 2016, monies won at each of the twelve circuit finals and the Ram National Circuit Finals counts towards the PRCA's world standings for that next year. Doesn't make sense? Here's the breakdown: 
- Compete in circuit rodeos in 2016
- Qualify to respective circuit finals in 2016 or 2017 (depending on the circuit finals timing)
- Win either your circuit finals or finish the season #1 in the standings for your circuit to qualify for the National Circuit Finals - This money counts toward the 2017 World Standings
- Win money at the 2016 National Circuit Finals (held April 2017 in Florida) - Count the money towards the 2017 World Standings.

This has been an added benefit for competitors to stay closer to home, saving money on gas and travel time. An ever-changing beast, the circuit systems opened up in 2017 to include one new circuit based off the Mexican Rodeo Federation. Stay tuned over the next few years as the PRCA looks to include potentially Canada, Brazil, and more to the RNCFR. 

Advancing through the Circuit Finals

All 28 competitors (two from each of the fourteen circuits) compete in two preliminary rounds over the course of two days. In this tournament style finals, the top eight contestants from each event advance to the semifinals. For the semifinals, competitors will see a clean slate start where the previous times and scores will be thrown out. After one semifinal round, the top four for each event advance to the championship round. 

The championship round is the "Wrangler Round" where contestants again see a clean slate start with previous times and scores thrown out. Contestants are now competing for the RNCFR title and any of the four who qualify to this championship round are eligible to win. 

Stay tuned to the Wrangler Network and the PRCA to find out how your circuit contestants placed at the 2017 Ram National Circuit Finals. 

###

This article was originally published on the blog PNW Country Girl and updated and reposted via their permissions.
Updated April 5, 2021 to include circuit additions and updates.  

Tiany Schuster 'Bumped' From #1 Back Number Spot

Las Vegas, Nevada (October 25, 2017) - The much anticipated back numbers were released for the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo held in Las Vegas at the beginning of December. Excitement for the official listing of the WNFR back numbers is to find out "who will be number 1?" The back numbers are based upon the amount of money earned towards the finals, with both cowboys and cowgirls competing for that elusive spot. 

Only three cowgirls have ever held the elusive number one position. Those three cowgirls are Mary Burger, Sherry Cervi, and Charmayne James. It was assumed that the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo would be the inclusion of a fourth cowgirl to earn the number one back number: Tiany Schuster of Texas.

Fans thought wrong.

The reason this number is so minimal is because the odds are stacked against them as cowgirls are technically only eligible to compete in one event in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (girls barrels), which is co-sanctioned through the Women's Professional Rodeo Association. Cowboys, however, are eligible to compete in any of the seven other events, as well as all around monies won. 

In a record setting season, Tiany was as much as $100,000 ahead of her second place competitor in her event.  Hot on the pursuit, it was her goal for that number one back number and to be only the fourth cowgirl to hold the position. 

So on October 25th, when the listing was created, the social world was inspired by the move of the PRCA to reserve the number 58 back number for the 58 victims of the mass killing at a Las Vegas country music concert. An honorable move, it may have proved for enough of a distraction from some other peculiar on the back number standings. 

1. Tuf Cooper (All Around, Calf Roping, Team Roping, Steer Roping) 
2. Tim O'Connell (Bareback)
3. Trevor Brazile (All Around, Calf Roping, Team Roping, Steer Roping) 
4. Jacobs Crawley (Saddle Bronc) 
5. Tiany Schuster (Girls Barrels - WPRA Co-Sanctioned)

In a strange mix of events, the PRCA took the monies won at Calgary (Canada), Houston (Texas), and the WPRA Finals money off all the girls' totals. They also took the money won at Xtreme Bulls events (the PRCA's version of the PBR) off the bull riders' totals. 

In a post on Facebook, Schuster addressed the problem, stating:

"Ya know perhaps that money shouldn't count. Fine. But don't change the way things have always been awarded and done... Yeah I busted my butt and stayed out there, thinking I was ahead. I was not very happy when I got that, 'Oh by the way...' phone call TWO days before the end of the season. Why wait to the last minute? Why was this such a big secret and why the last second change of venue? No one will answer those questions. It is the 11th year of the 10 year contract. Lots of changes. Just saddens me to know that no matter what, WPRA members have no ground to stand on because we are 'invited guests.' Y'all want to talk about all the woulda shoulda coulda money if it all counted, it would be over $325,000 and there is NO American money for me. ...now we know, don't ever expect something because it will, inevitably, be taken from you. Lots of girls worked hard for rankings. Not just me. To only have it taken from them as well. State flags won't get to be carried, while others moved to the end of the list.... but life goes on... actions speak louder than words and numbers don't lie." 

The reason for not counting rodeos like Calgary or Houston is because they don't have team roping at the event, putting those competitors at odds in the final count for the back number race. With that being said, this should have been known information at the start of the season, not with a few days left in the end. 

After all of this, Schuster's fire should be burning more than ever and, if she's firing on all cylinders like she did with her arena-record setting performance in Calgary, she will be putting in quite a performance at Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. 

**REVISED UPDATE**OCTOBER 27, 2017**

Released from the Women's Professional Rodeo Association on October 26, 2017. 

###

That Western Life is a news media company focused on bringing the latest news in the rodeo, ranching, agriculture, agvocacy and western lifestyle to those interested. Join our mailing list today to be updated and follow us on all social media platforms. The opinions expressed on this site are that of the authors alone and do not represent That Western Life or Western Insights Media. 

Cover photo taken and owned by the Calgary Sun (Canada).