News and Notes from the Rodeo Trail, Nov. 8
by ProRodeo.com | Nov 08, 2016
The Fourth Annual PRCA Judges and Sponsors Team Roping to benefit the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund was held Nov. 5-6, in Perrin, Texas, at the Robertson Hill Ranch. The fundraiser included a No. 12 handicap roping, a Pro-Am and a PRCA judges and sponsors roping. PRCA judge Gary Case organizes the event each year, with many PRCA judges, members and PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman participating. Winners included Jim Coffman and veteran PRCA heeler Jett Hillman, PRCA World Champion Header David Motes and Audie Morris in the Pro-Am and PRCA Judges Tommy Zant and Chuck Hoss in the judges and sponsors roping. Alfonso Gonzales and Larry Cox came out on top in the No. 12 roping. PRCA Announcer Terry Starnes volunteered his time to announce the event, which raised more than $5,000 for the JCCF.
Thomas “Tommy” W. Charters Jr., a rodeo clown, steer wrestler and team roper, and grandson of 1959 World Champion Steer Wrestler Harry Charters, died of natural causes Oct. 23. He was 48. Charters lived in Caldwell, Idaho, and was a 10-year member of the PRCA (1997-2006). He received equipment, set up pens and took care of the livestock at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas for the last 10-plus years. A celebration of life was held Oct. 29. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com.
For the second consecutive year, rodeo fans will be able to utilize the complimentary Cowboy Christmas Express for access to the Las Vegas Convention Center, in addition to the nightly round-trip NFR Express service to the Thomas & Mack Center, for the Wrangler NFR. Running Dec. 1-10, the Cowboy Christmas Express will provide round-trip shuttle service from eight hotel properties to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Service commences at 8:30 a.m. and continues to 4:30 p.m. each day from the following hotel partners: Caesars Palace, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Golden Nugget, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, Orleans, South Point and Treasure Island.
The Oregon Trail Rodeo, the PRCA event held each August at the Fairgrounds in Hastings, Neb., announced that Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Bobby Rust, and Nate Allen, was named Committee Member of the Year.
The 27th Casey Tibbs Foundation dinner, Nov. 5 in Fort Pierre, S.D., drew 180 people. The dinner raises funds for the Foundation, which includes the Museum and Conference Center.
California Rodeo Salinas salutes veterans each July during Military Day at the rodeo, but this November the association would like to engage social media fans in a promotion to salute veterans online and raise money for a local charity – Monterey Bay Veterans, Inc (MBV). California Rodeo Salinas has partnered with MBV for the past five years as part of the Wrangler National Patriot Program, a nationwide program that raises funds for military causes, and allows rodeo committees to choose local charities to support. There have been various fundraisers in the past, including dinners at local restaurants and raffles, to raise funds for MBV, but this year rodeo fans can post photos of the veterans in their lives to the rodeo’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts between Nov. 2-16, and California Rodeo Salinas will donate $1 for every unique post to MBV, up to a maximum of $500. Participants should use the hashtag #carodeosalutesveterans and try to include the military branch, years of service, rank and any other significant details about the veteran that is near and dear to their hearts. To learn more about California Rodeo Salinas’ involvement in the Wrangler National Patriot Program visit: www.carodeo.com/events/2017/wrangler-national-patriot-program-2017. The links to each of the rodeo’s social media pages are below:
Facebook: facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas
Instagram: instagram.com/carodeosalinas
Twitter: twitter.com/CaliforniaRodeo
The Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center board approved a lease with the Farm-City Pro Rodeo recently. The board had examined a 50-year lease last week that would grant the mercantile area outside the rodeo grounds to the Farm-City Pro Rodeo for a one-time payment of $50. After city and county officials expressed concerns about how cutting such deals would affect EOTEC’s financial viability, the revised lease approved was a 30-year lease for $500 per year. The lease acknowledged the rodeo board’s plans to make significant improvements to the property, and to allow EOTEC to use the mercantile area for events when the rodeo is not using it.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I have as a good a shot as anybody, because I need to win $30,000 to catch them. And, that’s what … fourth or so in the average (payout); that’s not asking much.”
-Steer wrestler Matt Reeves talking with rodeo radio host Rob Matthews about the wide open steer wrestling competition at the WNFR
Courtesy of PRCA