News and Notes from the Rodeo Trail, February 12
WranglerNetwork.com will livestream the Brighton Field Day Festival & Rodeo in Okeechobee, Fla., beginning at 3 p.m. (ET), Feb. 16, and 3 p.m., Feb. 17.
The PRCA, in partnership with the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and Hidden Springs Youth Ranch in San Antonio, will organize Rodeo Camp 2018, March 12-16. For anyone curious about the sport of rodeo, here is the chance to learn what it takes to be a rodeo contestant. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 8-18. The instructors are professional rodeo contestants, and there’s no cost, but space is limited. Reserve a spot today at www.prorodeo.com/youthrodeo.
Singer-songwriter Daryle Singletary passed away Feb. 12 at his home in Lebanon, Tenn., east of Nashville. He was 46. Singletary’s stone-country vocals paired with unapologetically traditional tunes, earning him a string of hits in the mid-90s, including “I Let Her Lie” and “Too Much Fun.” Singletary sang the national anthem Dec. 8 before Round 2 of the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Singletary, who was also an avid hunter, is survived by his wife, Holly; two sons, Jonah and Mercer; two daughters, Nora and Charlotte; his parents, Roger and Anita Singletary; and brother Kevin Singletary. An official cause of death has yet to be determined.
John James Sumerlin, a former PRCA saddle bronc rider, bull rider and rodeo judge, passed away Jan. 24 in Walla Walla, Wash. He was 74. After his discharge from the military, Sumerlin was living in Joseph, Ore. It was there working as a ranch hand that he decided he wanted to rodeo. Initially, he got on some saddle bronc horses, but changed that to riding bulls. In later years, he took up team roping and judging rodeos. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Howard F. Beissinger, a PRCA Gold Card member, and a member of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame, passed away Feb. 6 in Hamilton, Ohio. He was 94. Beissinger also produced rodeos throughout the Midwest in partnership with Don Hight, a South Dakota cowboy Beissinger admired. Beissinger was well known in the rodeo world to the cowboys and cowgirls, as well as stock contractors and officials. He was also a member of the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame and the Butler County (Ohio) Sports Hall of Fame. He was known for his tough, no-nonsense approach to his profession. A memorial service will be held at the Webb-Noonan-Kidd Funeral Home in Hamilton, Ohio, March 10.
As thousands of people flocked to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo this past weekend, there was one special group that toured the grounds Feb. 10. Families of the ministry H.I.S. BridgeBuilders got to escape their troubles and tour the rodeo grounds. BridgeBuilders is an urban missionary organization that breaks the cycle of poverty by confronting the spiritual needs of the less fortunate and resolving the material realities that prevent them from flourishing. Executive Director Mel Fechner said the organization was founded about 10 years ago. “We focus on education, health, employment and spiritual development,” he said Feb. 12 on KENS5.com. Thanks to generous supporters, the families got a behind-the-scenes tour of different areas of the rodeo.
The Greeley (Colo.) Stampede, which takes place June 22 through July 4, is accepting applications to fill a seasonal receptionist and ticket staff positions. The receptionist is responsible for providing excellent customer service by answering phone calls, greeting visitors at the Stampede office front desk and supporting the day-to-day operations of the Stampede staff. Supervision for this position is provided by the Office Operations Manager, Julie Reinert. As part of the ticket staff, individuals will be responsible for assisting customers over the phone and in person to sell tickets to the various Greeley Stampede events. Ticket staff positions begin in May, and there are multiple openings within the ticket staff. Apply online at www.greeleystampede.org/p/jobs. For questions or more information about the positions, e-mail julie@greeleystampede.org for the receptionist and tawnya@greeleystampede.org for ticket staff.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“He’s getting a little age to him, but he’s feeling better than he ever has. He’s seasoned, and now I’m getting seasoned. This horse has been with me since I was a little kid.”
– Steer wrestler Dakota Eldridge, a five-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and two-time average winner at the WNFR (2015, 2017), said in a Ted Harbin press release about his horse, Rusty, a 19-year-old sorrel gelding.
Courtesy of PRCA