News and Notes from the Rodeo Trail, Sept. 19
by ProRodeo.com | Sep 19, 2016
Commotion, one of the greatest bucking horses of all time, passed away on Sept. 7 at the Beutler & Son ranch near Elk City, Okla. He was 25. Commotion, a 1,300-pound bay stallion who stood at 16.1 hands, was voted the top bareback horse at his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 1997. He went on to win the next three Bareback Riding Horse of the Year awards, 1998-2000, when he was part of the Beutler and Gaylord Rodeo Company string. He made 10 consecutive trips (1997-2006) to the WNFR before retiring in his prime at the 2006 WNFR at the age of 15. Two rounds were won on him at the WNFR.
ProRodeoLive will be airing live coverage of the Sept. 23-25 Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo in Stephenville, Texas. The Sept. 23-24 performances begin at 7 p.m. (CT), with the final perf airing at 2 p.m. Sept. 25, at www.prorodeolive.com.
Doug Turner, a former PRCA tie-down roper, passed away Sept. 8 at Salinas (Calif.) Valley Memorial Hospital. He was 54. Turner joined the PRCA in 1987 and competed many years in the Sierra (now California) Circuit. He was born Sept. 25, 1961, in San Luis Obispo, where he lived for many years, before returning to Salinas. Online condolences may be made at www.struveandlaporte.com.
Bareback rider R.C. Landingham will miss the remainder of the PRCA regular season, which concludes Sept. 30, with a left knee injury. “I was riding in the short round at Pendleton (Sept. 17) and I smashed my knee between my horse and the pick-up men,” Landingham said. “I think my meniscus has a tear in it. I took a 10-day (doctor release, through Sept. 28), just to see how it feels, but it’s not really getting any better, so I’m probably going to get it looked at it in the next day or two in Redding, (Calif.).” Landingham, who has qualified for the WNFR for the first time this season, is fifth in the Sept. 19 WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings with $104,678.
The St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo started its “Beyond the Boots” night and fundraising activities in 2011, and since then it has generated nearly $90,000 for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The 2016 donation was $21,493. St. Paul Rodeo designates an entire performance to raise funds and awareness for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund and the Justin Sportsmedicine Team. In addition to those funds, the rodeo held a live auction at its Hall of Fame Barbecue and a drawing at its trail ride. All of the tips from the famous Tack Room Saloon are also donated to JCCF.
Marty Barnes, owner of Barnes Rodeo, was recently inducted into the Iowa High School Rodeo Association Hall of Fame. Barnes was presented a plaque during the Moville High School Rodeo in recognition of his achievements within the sport of rodeo on all levels. Barnes competed in the IHSRA from 1976-79. He was also a member of the Iowa State University rodeo team from 1981-84.
Former PRCA saddle bronc rider Cody Angland is now the Saddle Bronc Riding Director for the Australian Professional Rodeo Association. Angland finished in the top 25 of the PRCA world standings in 2011-12.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s a dream come true, and I’ve wanted one of these buckles for a long time. This is truly one of the best rodeos you can win, because of all the stuff they give you, and because they appreciate you. It’s one of the toughest places to win because of the elements, and I’m going to be proud wearing the buckle.”
-Shane Erickson, who won the all-around title at the Pendleton Round-Up, explaining to radio host Butch Thurman what the victory meant.
Courtesy of PRCA