News and Notes from the Rodeo Trail, Aug. 11
by ProRodeo.com | Aug 12, 2014
It was a tough weekend for bull riders, as many have suffered injuries which will keep them out for varying amounts of time. Sage Kimzey, currently second in the world standings, suffered an adductor strain in his groin at the Lovington Xtreme Bulls event on Aug. 5, and is on a 10-day doctor release. Ty Wallace, who currently sits eighth in the world, has a fractured pelvis and is expected to miss a good deal of time. Corey Navarre suffered his second concussion in three weeks in Lawton, Okla., and is out indefinitely. Cody Campbell is still battling a strain and contusion on his left ankle, and is listed as out until a follow-up with the Justin Sportsmedicine Team, while Jacob O’Mara has a sprained thumb on his left (riding) hand that will keep him out of action for the time being.
The Northwest Montana Fair, in Glasgow, partnered with the Soldiers Memorial Fund to give back to combat veterans and their families on Aug. 5 by offering a free tour of Flathead Lake. The Montana Civil Air Patrol Cadets were among those on the boat to lend a hand. “It’s very important for us to just take a moment during all of our celebrations and all of our festivities, and honor those who have served,” Northwest Montana Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell said. The tour lasted two hours and cruised along the west shore of Flathead Lake. Also, Aug. 15 has been designated Wounded Warrior night at the Northwest Montana Fair in Kalispell, and veterans showing military identification will receive free entry and a food voucher.
Bullfighter Lance Brittan has announced that he will be retiring from rodeo following the Elk City (Okla.) Rodeo Aug. 29-31. Brittan has been a PRCA bullfighter since 1996. He was the Wrangler Bullfight Tour world champion in 1999, and served as the bullfighter at both the RAM Prairie and Mountain States Circuit Finals.
The Chief Joseph (Ore.) Days rodeo committee announced two more awards for this year’s rodeo. Saddle bronc rider Max Filippini, of Battle Mountain, Nev., won this year’s Harley Tucker Series award, and Jake Thompson of Joseph was named Volunteer of the Year. The Harley Tucker award goes to the cowboy or cowgirl who places the highest in a series of four Northwest rodeos. Filippini placed fourth in bronc riding at the Union Livestock Show, tied for third at the Elgin Stampede, took a fourth place at the St. Paul Rodeo and ended up fourth overall in the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo.
On Aug. 7, Pendleton (Ore.) Mayor Phillip Houk cut the ribbon for the unveiling of a statue of George Fletcher, a popular cowboy in the area at the turn of the 20th century. Fletcher’s skills as a horseman made him a crowd favorite at the 1911 Pendleton Round-Up. Despite coming in second, the crowd dubbed Fletcher the “People’s Champion” and collected more than $700 (nearly $17,000 in today’s dollars) to give to him after his defeat. The 7-foot statue was created by Jerry Werner of Tumalo, Ore., and sits on Main Street in Pendleton.
PRCA trick roper Loop Rawlins, of Tucson, Ariz., failed to advance to the semifinal round of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Judges Howard Stern, Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum were impressed by his performance during the Aug. 5 quarterfinal round at Radio City Music Hall in New York, but Judge Mel B had reservations about Rawlins advancing, and on Aug. 6 Rawlins was sent home. Rawlins was the second PRCA trick roper to be a contestant on America’s Got Talent, following Anthony Lucia, who reached The Vegas Round in 2010.
PRCA team roper Logan Medlin, who was crowned the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champion team roping heeler the last two years at the College National Finals Rodeo, was named “Greatest Greyhound,” an award given to the best male athlete at Eastern New Mexico each season. Medlin was awarded the honor after a vote taken by all coaches, and select staff members at the university. He defended his team roping title with Billy Bob Brown, of Tarleton State University, as the pair won the four-head average in 26.0 seconds at the 2014 CNFR.
In an effort to draw more top cowboys and cowgirls for this year’s competition, the 10th annual Lynden PRCA Rodeo is moving to a pair of midweek dates, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 12-13, at the Northwest Washington Fair and Events Center.
Courtesy of PRCA