News and Notes from the Rodeo Trail, February 20
WranglerNetwork.com will livestream the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo, beginning at 7 p.m. (CT), Feb. 20-22, and 7:30 p.m., Feb. 23. It will also stream the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls at 1 p.m., Feb. 24, and the finals of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 24. ProRodeoLive.com will broadcast the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 23 and the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls at 1 p.m., Feb. 24, and the finals of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 24. WranglerNetwork.com will also livestream La Fiesta de los Vaqueros from Tucson, Ariz., beginning at 2 p.m. (MT) Feb. 24-25.
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.
San Angelo (Texas) rancher, businessman, philanthropist and pilot Richard Mayer was honored Feb. 16 with the 2018 Gold Spur Award. The award is given annually to one individual on the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo committee for going beyond the call of duty as a volunteer. The San Angelo Rodeo took place Feb. 2-4 & 14-16. Mayer began his involvement with the San Angelo rodeo in 1974. His charge was to organize the arena, the bucking chutes, the gates for timed events, the grandstand for rodeo officials, and most of all, the dirt. “This dirt is sacred for Mr. Mayer,” said rodeo announcer Boyd Polhamus Feb. 16. Every year, two weeks before the rodeo start date, tons and tons of dirt is trucked in and laid on the arena floor. The task of provisioning the dirt has become an annual tradition in San Angelo. Today’s rodeo is more sophisticated than it was in 1974, and Mayer has kept the arena up with the times, working out details with city of San Angelo officials over the years.
On Feb. 18, the Chicks N Chaps organization held its 5th Annual Women’s Rodeo Clinic in Tucson, Ariz., during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. The Chicks N Chaps mission, vision and values is helping women, men and the families who are affected by breast cancer. The organization was founded by a small group of Montanans whose lives had been profoundly impacted by breast cancer, and who were all passionate about the sport of rodeo and its heritage. Chicks N Chaps is dedicated to helping communities raise money for local individuals and families impacted by breast cancer while promoting the sport of rodeo and the Western lifestyle. According to an article on www.tucsonnews.com Feb. 18, over the past four years, Chicks N Chaps has raised upwards of $20,000 for the Tucson community.
The Greeley Stampede announced its 2018 Superstars Concert Series Lineup including Grammy award-winner Darius Rucker, platinum recording artist Dustin Lynch, Roots and Boots Tour 90’s Electric Throwdown featuring Sammy Kershaw, Collin Raye and Aaron Tippin, chart-topping Aaron Watson, and more to be announced. Lynch is scheduled to play June 22, Darius Rucker June 23, Roots and Boots featuring Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin, and Collin Raye June 30, and Aaron Watson July 1. Stampede Superstars Concert Package tickets will be available Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. (MT). The Superstars Concert package gives fans the opportunity to see all five concerts for one low price. Packages are only $80 or $110 (depending on ticket location). Package prices, based on availability, increase May 1. Individual concert tickets go on sale March 15 for $35 and $45 each (depending on ticket location). “When compared to other events, you just can’t beat the value of our Superstars Concert Series ticket packages,” said Greeley Stampede Night Show Chairman Trent Johnson. “There is truly not a bad seat in the house, so seeing five shows for one low price, a price you’d normally pay to see one concert elsewhere, just can’t be beat.” The Greeley Stampede takes place June 22-July 4. The Greeley Stampede ticket outlets are as follows: call 970.356.7787 or visit the Stampede Ticket Office in Island Grove Park at 600 North 14th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631. Go online at www.greeleystampede.org or stop by any Colorado King Soopers location or call TicketsWest 24/7 at 866.464.2626 or online at www.ticketswest.com.
Martin Louis Richter Jr., a PRCA Gold Card member and a bareback rider, passed away Feb. 14, he was 64. Richter also was a tireless volunteer for the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo where he served on the board of directors and executive committee. He was instrumental in starting the Stock Show’s Calf Scramble that his son, Martin, now co-chairs. Better known as “Marty,” he was born Aug. 4, 1953, in Fort Worth. A cowboy and horseman from the beginning, Richter spent childhood summers with his uncle S.L. starting racehorses and later working as an order buyer at cattle auctions across Texas. During his rodeo career, Richter enjoyed working for his lifelong friend Billy Minick and his rodeo stock contracting company. In 1978, Richter retired from professional rodeo when he married Mary Martha Edwards. He was a proud father to his three children Mary Margaret, Meredith and Martin. In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Calf Scramble Scholarship Fund or the Windy Ryan Memorial Roping Scholarship Fund, in his memory, is suggested.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I was really excited to get into San Antonio, especially my rookie year. This is a big stepping stone in my career. Then to get to take a victory lap here, that was fun.”
– Bull rider Clayton Sellars said in a press release after tying Clayton Foltyn for the first-round win in Bracket 4 of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Feb. 16, with an 82-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Black Ice.
Courtesy of PRCA