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News and Notes from the Rodeo Trail, June 29

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin presented members of ProRodeo Team Oklahoma with certificates of thanks May 13 for their contributions in promoting the state and its many attractions. The delegation was taken on a tour of the State Capitol by Sen. Eddie Fields which included a photo op in the Senate Chambers for (standing, left to right) PRTO co-founder Bill Pearson, steer roper Rod Hartness, Sen. Fields, barrel racer Tana Poppino, bullfighter Andy Burelle, PRTO secretary Randa DePew and steer roper Ralph Williams; PRTO co-founder Jan Pearson is seated. Photo courtesy Bill Pearson.

The Wrangler Network (www.wranglernetwork.com) will have coverage live from the Ponoka (Alberta) Stampede on June 30 and July 1. Coverage of the final three performances of the rodeo will air June 30 at 1 p.m. (MT), with the finals and showdown round July 1 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. (MT), respectively. The Cody/Yellowstone (Wyo.) Division 2 Xtreme Bulls event will air live June 30 at 7 p.m. (MT), as will the first performance of the Cody Stampede July 1 at 8 p.m. (MT).

Jim Wise, a two-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo as a saddle bronc rider who also worked as a bullfighter and rodeo clown – sometimes during rodeos in which he was competing – died June 20 at his home in Loveland, Colo. He was 80. When Wise qualified for his first NFR in 1961, he won nine rodeos, including the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque, and ended up 12th in the world standings. He went back to the NFR in 1966, finishing 11th in the world.

Lyle David Horn, a Gold Card member, tie-down roper and steer roper, passed away June 25 in Fort Collins, Colo. He was 54. Horn joined the PRCA in 1983 and in his career he won $20,898 in calf roping and $2,154 in steer roping. Horn’s job outside of rodeo was as a Colorado state brand inspector.

The late rodeo champion Earl W. Bascom (1906-1995) became the first bull and bronc rider and the only cowboy artist ever inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame at ceremonies June 17 in Calgary, Alberta. Bascom, born in Vernal, Utah, rodeoed from 1916 to 1940 and had memberships in the early-day Cowboys’ Turtle Association (precursor to the PRCA), the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association and the National Police Rodeo Association. He went on to become a rodeo producer, stock contractor, hazer, rodeo clown, bullfighter, pickup man, announcer and one of the sport’s great innovators. Among his inventions were three that have greatly influenced modern rodeo and are still used today – high-cut chaps, the hornless bronc saddle (1922) and the first one-handed bareback riggin’ (1924). “With this induction, Bascom’s incredible achievements will be shared with all Canadians in perpetuity,” said Mario Siciliano, president of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Jim Wise

Jim Wise

A bronze statue of Kathleen McClintock, the 1929 Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up Queen, was unveiled June 27 on Main Street in Pendleton. Medford sculptor Georgia Bunn created the McClintock bronze referencing an 8-by-10-inch photo obtained from the family. Bunn joined about 60 others to watch Pendleton Mayor Phillip Houk and three family members pull away a covering to reveal the rodeo queen outfitted in fringed skirt and vest, hat and knee-high boots and clutching a rope in her hand. The statue of McClintock, who passed away in 1998 at the age of 90, joins Pendleton Round-Up legends George Fletcher – the first black man to compete at the rodeo – and Jackson Sundown – the 1916 Pendleton all-around champion – on Main St.

Sheridan WYO Rodeo officials have announced the release of a new website at www.sheridanwyorodeo.com. It includes more complete and timely information, photos and video footage, ticket information, an updated calendar of events, a list of past champions, volunteer information, links to partner sites and more. “Our new website captures the fun, the action and the adventure of the best rodeo in the west, the annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo,” board member Zane Garstad said. The 85th edition of Sheridan WYO Rodeo runs July 6-12.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin presented members of ProRodeo Team Oklahoma with certificates of thanks May 13 for their contributions in promoting the state and its many attractions. The delegation was taken on a tour of the State Capitol by Sen. Eddie Fields, which included a photo op in the Senate Chambers for PRTO co-founders Bill and Jan Pearson, steer ropers Rod Hartness and Ralph Williams, barrel racer Tana Poppino, bullfighter Andy Burelle and PRTO secretary Randa DePew.

Don and Delores West, residents of Belle Fourche, S.D., since 1965, have been named the Grand Marshals for the July 4 Black Hills Roundup Parade. The couple have been long-standing supporters of the rodeo, and Delores taught both Mark and Marvin Garrett in her third and fourth grade Sunday school classes at First Congregational church years ago. Mark will join Marvin in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame when he is inducted Aug. 8.

Greg Kesler, owner of Kesler Rodeo, will be Grand Marshal for the Medicine Hat (Alberta) Exhibition and Stampede Parade July 23. Kesler is also the guest of honor at a private luncheon for approximately 300 people, which follows the parade. The Kesler family has been providing stock for the Medicine Hat Stampede for more than 40 years.

Dewey "Frosty" Kinsey

Dewey “Frosty” Kinsey

PRCA bull rider and saddle bronc rider Dewey “Frosty” Kinsey, who served gallantly in World War II, died April 11, 2014, in Marshall, Texas. He was 89. As a soldier in the U.S. Army, Kinsey took part in the D-Day invasion, surviving the brutal battle on the beach at Normandy. He was later wounded as his regiment advanced through Germany, taking a sniper’s bullet to the shoulder. He received the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service. When he returned to the U.S. after the war, he began a long career in rodeo, while also working as a ranch hand, oilfield worker and truck driver.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I always joked the Reno Rodeo started my career because when I came here as a rookie, I only had a couple hundred bucks in my pocket and then I got second in the short go and sixth in the average and didn’t have to go home. To win those silver spurs was always on my bucket list. I’ll be proud to put those spurs on my mantle.

-Six-time Wrangler NFR bareback rider Steven Peebles talking about winning his first Reno Rodeo title.

Courtesy of PRCA

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