News and Notes from the Rodeo Trail, June 15
by ProRodeo.com | Jun 15, 2015
ProRodeoLive’s Steve Kenyon will be broadcasting live from the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo this week, providing coverage of the Reno Xtreme Bulls event June 18, and the first three full performances of the Reno Rodeo June 19-21. ProRodeoLive will also broadcast the final weekend of the Reno Rodeo, June 25-27, with PRCA rodeo announcer Chad Nicholson anchoring the coverage. Rodeo fans can hear the live broadcasts by logging on to www.prorodeolive.com or by downloading the Live365.com app. Several events can also be heard on Rural Radio Sirius XM Channel 80.
The Reno Xtreme Bulls event June 18 will also be available on the Wrangler Network, with coverage starting at 7 p.m. PT. Fans can log on to www.wranglernetwork.com.
Rodeo announcer Butch Thurman had a special evening June 12 when he was invited to give the commencement address at his alma mater, Blue Mountain Community College, in Pendleton, Ore. Thurman gave the address to 440 graduates – the biggest class in BMCC history – and then was surprised with BMCC’s first-ever honorary degree. Thurman attended BMCC from 1979-81, but began a career in radio before graduating. President Camille Preus came on stage and awarded Thurman his honorary degree. “I’m still in shock; I wouldn’t be standing here today without this college,” Thurman said.
PRCA bullfighter Aaron Ferguson and several of his colleagues have started a new company called Bullfighters Only. The company “puts anything and everything bullfighting under one roof,” and hopes to be a central location for bullfighters. The company’s website – bullfightersonly.com – offers everything from an online store to buy gear to information about bullfighting schools and advice and guidance for young bullfighters. In addition to Ferguson, the new company also includes PRCA bullfighters Aaron Hargo, Cody Webster, Darrell Diefenbach, Nathan Harp, Chuck Swisher, Nate Jestes, Wacey Munsell, Weston Rutkowski and Dusty Tuckness.
Frontier Rodeo owner Jerry Nelson has become an equity partner in the Premier Basketball League, and his team, the Shreveport-Bossier City Mavericks, has formally joined the league for the 2015-16 season. The Mavericks are the defending and four-time champions of the American Basketball Association, and just completed an undefeated season. “I am excited to be joining the PBL not only as the owner of the Mavericks, but also as an equity partner in the organization,” Nelson said. “Joining the PBL provided an opportunity to elevate our level of competition, and also to partner with an established league that has brand name credibility across the country.”
A pair of WNFR bull riders got nicked at rodeos this past weekend. Zack Oakes – currently 18th in the world standings – was bucked off Smith, Harper & Morgan Rodeo’s Rondo at the Coleman (Texas) PRCA Rodeo, and his face took the brunt of the bull’s force. “I got stabbed with a horn,” said Oakes, 32. “I received 20 (total) stitches on my chin, my face and my head. It was a blood bath.” Trevor Kastner suffered a left knee contusion at the Parker County Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo in Weatherford, Texas. Both Oakes and Kastner are expected to compete at the Reno (Nev.) Xtreme Bulls event June 18.
Charles “Chas” Kane, winner of the 1997 “Top Hand Award” from the Museum of the American Cowboy, and a member of the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame, died June 4 in Sheridan, Wyo. He was 83. Kane roped in rodeos throughout his life, and was a well-known member of the Western community.
Rodeo author Mary McCashin’s new book Bulls, Broncs & Buckles is now available for purchase in the iTunes Store and at amazon.com.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s enjoyable for me to come back and watch this. It’s good to see the up-and-coming kids in lots of events. I’m sure I’ll see them down the road in the pro ranks in just a few years. It’s neat to watch the process. It’s neat to watch them take the same path I did.”
-Seven-time WNFR tie-down roper Matt Shiozawa telling the Idaho State Journal why he likes to come back to his home state to watch the Idaho State High School Rodeo Finals.
Courtesy of PRCA