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Wisconsin Steer Wrestler Loves North Platte

by Justin Shaw | Jun 18, 2015
Ruth Nicolaus

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (June 17, 2015) – Nick Guy loves North Platte. Not that the Wisconsin cowboy wants to move there, but he sure loves spending a couple days there every June.

The 32-year-old cowboy leads the first go-round in the steer wrestling after the first day of competition at the 2015 Buffalo Bill Rodeo, and it’s not the first time he’s won money in town.

Guy was the 2013 Buffalo Bill Rodeo co-champion, as well as winning several checks at the rodeo before.

“North Platte has been good to me,” the Sparta, Wis., cowboy said. “It just seems like this time of year I hit a lick and get rolling. It’s a good time to start winning. North Platte is such a big rodeo, with 92 entries (in the steer wrestling), the go-rounds will pay almost $2,000, and that’s big money.”

Guy, who qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2010 and 2014, is currently ranked 12th in the world standings, and this is his best rodeo year yet.

“I have about $22,000 won, and that’s way more than I’ve ever had won this time of year,” he said. “I had a good winter, and was able to capitalize at a couple bigger rodeos.”

He won at San Angelo and San Antonio, Texas, this winter, as well as Rapid City, S.D., and others. “I won a check about everywhere I went. They weren’t huge (checks), but I had a good winter.”

He’s traveled less this winter, making him less road-weary and ready to hit the road. “I’m fresh, and I’ve been home a little bit lately.”

He’s also flown to rodeos more than he has in the past, which means he borrows horses when he gets to a rodeo, and pays a 25-percent “mount-out” fee to the owner of the horse if he wins money, but that’s OK. “If you can get on a good horse, it’s worth it.”

In North Platte, Guy rode his own horse, Tucker. The twenty-year-old gelding has been his mount since college, and because of his age, Guy is riding him less. “If I can keep the hauling down on him, and keep the rodeos down, he still works really, really good.” Tucker goes with Guy to rodeos where he’s done well at, and in addition to North Platte, Guy will ride him at Cheyenne, Wyo., and Pendleton, Ore.

In the bareback riding, David Peebles took the early lead with a score of 83 points on the Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. horse Bartender.

Like Guy, Peebles is having an exceptional year. Injuries kept him from fulltime competition last year, with a torn hamstring and broken wrist, and prior to 2014, broken ribs, and problems with shoulders and hips kept him from rodeo. “This year, I’ve felt really good and been able to stay out on the road, and it’s been turning out really good,” he said. “I’m very thankful.”

The Redmond, Ore., cowboy is the younger brother of six-time Wrangler NFR qualifier Steven Peebles, and the older brother shares his wisdom with the younger. “He’s the biggest help,” David said. “I couldn’t ask for any better brother, and I’m lucky to have an older brother like that to learn so much from. It’s a huge blessing to have somebody like that.”

After the morning and evening competition, other leaders are saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson, Sheridan, Wyo. (83 points), team ropers Colt Braden, Dewey, Okla., and Chad Evans, Fourland, Wyo. (5.9 seconds), and barrel racer Cheryl Wallace, Broken Bow, Neb. (17.74 seconds). Bull rider John Jacobs, Timber Lake, S.D., was the only cowboy to make the eight second buzzer tonight. The first go-round in the tie-down was completed after tonight’s performance, and Marcos Costa, Childress, Texas, had the fast time in the go-round with an 8.1 second run.

Two Nebraskans sit in second place after tonight’s rodeo. Riley Pruitt, Gering, had an 8.2 second time in the tie-down roping, which positions him well for a potential average win. Elsmere’s own Cort Scheer, the 2014 Reserve World Champion saddle bronc rider, scored 84 points, just two points behind the leader, Chet Johnson.

The 2016 Miss Rodeo Nebraska was crowned, with the crown going to Emily Taylor. Taylor, a resident of Battle Creek, graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism and an emphasis in advertising and public relations.

The second of four nights of rodeo takes place June 18 at 8 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to show awareness of breast cancer, and proceeds will be donated to the Callahan Cancer Center in North Platte. Tickets are $15 for adult general admission and upper grandstand and $7 for kids. Reserved seating in the lower grandstand is $20 per ticket. For more information, visit NebraskalandDays.com.

Courtesy of PRCA

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