News & Notes from the Rodeo Trail, June 12
The Reno Rodeo PRCA Xtreme Bulls Division 1 event will be livestreamed by www.WranglerNetwork.com at 7 p.m. (PT) June 15. WranglerNetwork.com also will be livestreaming the Reno Rodeo at 7 p.m. each day from June 16-24 … For comedian cowboy Bill Martin, the integrity of cowboys is shown in the work they do and the care they provide. It’s that base that became the driving force for the Cowboys Who Care Foundation, a non-profit organization he and his wife, Michele, founded a few years ago. “The hat means honor, bravery and kindness,” Martin said. “Our sole mission is financial support, smiles and free cowboy hats for boys and girls who have cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.” As a foundation board member, Pete Carr is heavily involved in the charity, one he believes in. He’s sharing that passion with rodeo fans across the country with fundraising raffles at every event his firm produces, like the Big Spring (Texas) Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, June 15-17, at the Big Spring Rodeo Bowl. Patrons wishing to donate can purchase the raffle tickets for a 24-quart, soft-shell canvas cooler and official Pete Carr Pro Rodeo merchandise: one ticket is $2, two for $5, four for $10 and eight for $20. All proceeds go to the Cowboys Who Care Foundation (www.CowboysWhoCare.org).
Speaking of the Big Spring (Texas) Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, the historic Big Spring (Texas) Rodeo Bowl is getting a facelift. “It was just time for some major TLC and some remodeling,” said Dane Driver, a longtime member of the volunteer committee that produces the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo. “Our focus this year is giving back to our rodeo bowl. We’ve been lucky enough to receive some grants and give the bowl the facelift we are all proud to see. This is our 84th year, and the bowl is about as old as the rodeo.” The work will be done in the nick of time for the rodeo, which has a long legacy in this west Texas town.
The 69th annual College National Finals Rodeo kicked off June 11 with the Bulls Broncs & Breakaway performance. Nearly 400 contestants have made their way to Casper, Wyo., after having qualified by competing at rodeos in 11 different geographic regions. Each of them will have three opportunities in their events and hope to be among the Top 12 that advance to the Championship Finals on June 17, where national champions will be crowned.
As the years and weather have worked their troubling magic over the dirt inside Granny May Arena in Estes Park, Colo., the ground inside the complex began to erode. This spring, the Town of Estes Park invested $125,000 to improve the ground footing and make the arena an even better showcase for the community and events that utilize the facility. “We have a completely new footing,” said Rob Hinkle, Community Services director for the Town of Estes Park. “It took about 10 days to complete, and we used roughly 70 dump trucks of footing.” That’s good news for all who use the arena, including Rooftop Rodeo, set for July 5-10.
Jim D. Painter, who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in steer wrestling in 1959-60, 1962, 1965, passed away at his home in McAlester, Okla., on March 30. He was 84. His primary event was steer wrestling, as well as being a premier hazer at rodeos like Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days. Painter’s best finish in the world standings was fourth in 1960.
Former PRCA cowboy Jerome Lee (Buck) Howard passed away May 25. He was 62. Howard started his rodeo career competing at the Cowtown Rodeo in Woodstown Pilesgrove, N.J., as a bull rider and bareback rider.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The town really gets behind us and it is quite a celebration in Belle Fourche, it is about American as you can get.”
– Chairman of the Black Hills Roundup Justin Tupper told the ProRodeo Sports News about the upcoming Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche, S.D., July 1-4.
Courtesy of PRCA