News & Notes from the Rodeo Trail, August 7
ProRodeoLive.com will be broadcasting the Omak (Wash.) Stampede at 7 p.m. (PT), Aug. 10-12, and at 2 p.m., Aug. 13.
Dale Gilbert, the son of Diamond G Rodeos’ owner Steve Gilbert, passed away Aug. 2 in St. George, Utah. He was 55. Gilbert was born June 1, 1962. He is survived by wife, Patti and son, PRCA pickup man Keith (Aimee) Gilbert; daughter, Brandy Gilbert, and grandchildren, Kailey and Kaden.
Thomas “Tom” Kiplinger, a PRCA Gold Card member, passed away July 29 in McCook, Neb. He was 88. Kiplinger was born on Dec. 24, 1928, in McCook. He graduated from McCook High School in 1946, and graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., in 1950 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. Kiplinger was a member of the Colorado State University-Fort Collins rodeo team in the late 1940s.
For the past 121 years, Cheyenne, Wyo., has hosted a true celebration of Western heritage during Frontier Days. The 2017 rodeo took place July 22-30. Rodeo attendance was 94,267, compared to 93,238 in 2016. The final rodeo on Championship Sunday, July 30, had 12,419 fans.
The final numbers are still being tallied, but the July 19-22 Eagle (Colo.) County Fair & Rodeo outperformed projections and recorded sellout crowds. “We sold out Saturday (July 22) at 6:15 p.m. That was the first time ever. I think we had a good 150 people in line who didn’t get in and I felt bad for them,” Fair Manager Tanya Dahlseid told the Vail Daily. Overall, the rodeo recorded $130,478 in ticket sales and $94,500 in sponsorships. Dahlseid said 275 PRCA members competed in this year’s four nights of action.
On Aug. 5, dozens of participants took part in the fifth annual Exceptional Rodeo hosted by Eagle Mount of Great Falls (Mont.) and Special Olympics Montana. Those in attendance learned how to ride bulls, rope steers and barrel race. Volunteers included staff from Eagle Mount, Special Olympics and the Great Falls Voyagers. Rodeo personnel helping with the event included stock contractor Ike Sankey, rodeo announcer Jeff Marn, rodeo clown Donnie Landis, and rodeo royalty from around Central Montana.
The North Texas Fair and Rodeo in Denton announced the concert lineup for the 89th annual fair and rodeo. The fair runs Aug. 18- 26, with the rodeo taking place from Aug. 18-20. This year’s biggest acts are a mix of veterans and rising stars in the country music world. The Josh Abbott Band plays at 9:30 p.m. (CT) Aug. 18. Veteran country music star Travis Tritt plays at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 19. Cody Johnson plays at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 24, and Ryan Bingham plays at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 25. For reservations, visit the fair and rodeo’s website, www.ntfair.com. Patrons can print out their tickets and bring them to the gate. The North Texas Fairgrounds are located at 2217 N. Carroll Blvd.
The Inter-State Fair and Rodeo takes place Aug. 16-19 in Coffeyville, Kan. The first night of the rodeo will honor veterans. Anyone who wishes to bring pictures of a veteran they know can bring them for the ceremony. Pictures that are submitted will be put on a big screen on the first night of the rodeo.
Award-winning performer Tomás Garcilazo will be a part of the 74th annual Moses Lake Roundup (Aug. 17-19) for the first time in his career. Garcilazo was PRCA Dress Act of the Year in 2007 and 2012-13.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“This is a great deal and something you don’t ever think will happen to you. To see my accomplishments in the Hall with guys like Leo Camarillo, Tom Ferguson and Joe Alexander is really cool.”
– Team roper/tie-down roper/steer roper Mike Beers told the ProRodeo Sports News after being inducted in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame Aug. 5 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Courtesy of PRCA