News & Notes from the Rodeo Trail, June 1
Bull rider Colten Fritzlan, who won the average at the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and finished third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, is going to be out for several weeks after injuring his left shoulder May 19. Fritzlan was bucked off a practice bull in Granbury, Texas. “When I got bucked off, I came down wrong on my left shoulder,” said Fritzlan, 21. “I suffered a dislocated left shoulder. I saw (Dr.) Tandy (Freeman) and he told me I have a partially torn labrum and some nerve damage.” Fritzlan, who was second in the world standings as of May 25 with $63,743, is hoping rest will get him ready to return by the Greeley (Colo.) Stampede, which begins June 24. Fritzlan’s big payday in the 2021 season came at The American on March 7 in Arlington, Texas. He earned $50,000 that counted toward the world standings with his 90.25-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Safety Meeting in the four-man Shoot-Out to win. A year ago, Fritzlan also was crowned the PRCA | Resistol Bull Riding Rookie of the Year. He clinched that honor by winning the average at the NFR at Globe Life Field with 605 points on seven head. Fritzlan earned $183,038 at the Finals, placing in all six rounds he made the whistle and highlighted by his Round 3 victory with an 89-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Angel’s Landing.
Slim Shady, the horse that laid the foundation for team roping header Luke Brown’s standout PRCA career, passed away May 15 at 28. Brown has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 13 times (2008-20), seven times riding Slim Shady. Brown earned more than $2 million aboard his iconic, game-changing sorrel. The Team Roping Journal first reported the news. Brown said Slim Shady never had any health problems. Brown buried Slim Shady under a huge oak tree on his ranch in Lipan, Texas. “He’s the best horse I will ever own, I believe,” Brown said. “He came at a perfect time for me. I had two head horses, and both passed away. I didn’t know if I liked (Slim Shady) very much when I got him, and I grew to love him. I don’t think I would have ever made the NFR the first time (in 2008) without that horse. I will forever be grateful for him.”
Sowing Good Deeds applications now open. This season, one rodeo committee has a chance to win a Massey Ferguson® tractor for the charitable work that committee does. As a proud sponsor of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, AGCO® Corporation, through its brands Hesston® and Massey Ferguson, recognize that PRCA-sanctioned rodeos contribute significant support for local, regional, and national charities and organizations. These charitable efforts by rodeo committees are making a positive impact on members of the various communities. Hesston and Massey Ferguson, through its Sowing Good Deeds initiative, want to raise awareness of these many local efforts and reward one PRCA committee each year whose impact goes above and beyond. Agco will share the stories of rodeo teams across the country who are Sowing Good Deeds in their communities and will reward one of those committees with a new tractor. The deadline to apply for the Sowing Good Deeds initiative is Sept. 15. The five finalists will be announced by Oct. 31. The Sowing Good Deeds initiative is open to all PRCA-sanctioned rodeo committees, regardless of size. Rodeos can enter at http://bit.ly/SowingGoodDeeds
Steer wrestler Robert “Leon” Bauerle, a seven-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo, passed away May 24. He was 82. Bauerle , of Dilley Texas, qualified for the NFR in 1962-63, 1966-67, 1969, 1973, and 1975. He finished a career-best fifth in the world standings in 1967. Bauerle lived a long, eventful life with many talents. Over the course of his life, he was a two-time Texas golden gloves winner, a rodeo winning career for five decades, owner of western motor car sales for three decades, owner, breeder, trainer of racehorses, and trained winning steer wrestling horse teams. He was an avid hunter, fisher and loved ranching. Bauerle was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Cyndi Bauerle; son, Brian; grandchildren Shyanne Bauerle, Tyler Bauerle, McKenzie Bauerle; sister, Joyce (Jimmie) Felps and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a world of friends. A special thank you and appreciation to The Heights of Atascosa for their care for the last three years. No services are scheduled at this time. Anyone who wishes to sign the guest book, share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.hurleyfuneralhome.com.
Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, Neb., has a new rodeo team coach. Wyatt Clark, of McCook, has been hired to lead the timed events, joining roughstock coach Aukai Kaai. Clark takes over the role of former MPCC rodeo team coach Garrett Nokes who passed away in February. “I’m excited for the opportunity,” Clark said in a May 28 article in thefencepost.com. “It’s a big gap to fill, but I’m going to do my best for the college, the kids and the community to keep the winning traditions going forward.”
The Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Old West Museum is pleased to announce the second annual Cheyenne Fitness Rodeo on Saturday, June 19 at 7 a.m. (MDT). This is a community event hosted by several small local gyms and will be held at the Lion’s Park Amphitheater. All proceeds from the Fitness Rodeo will benefit the CFD Old West Museum. In addition to supporting a local nonprofit, attendees will get to experience several gyms and types of workouts, all in one event. The participating local gyms are: H.I.I.T 30, Mary’s Fitness, Little Lotus, Evolve Fitness and Crossfit Frontier. Tickets for the Fitness Rodeo are available on the Cheyenne Fitness Rodeo Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/CheyenneFitnessRodeo and the CFD Old West Museum website at https://www.cfdrodeo.com/event/2nd-annual-cheyenne-fitness-rodeo/. Tickets must be purchased online. Tickets are $30 per person if purchased before June 1 and include a commemorative T-shirt. Any tickets purchased between June 1 and June 18 are $35 apiece. We recommend participants be at least 13 years old. Music will be provided by Rock on Wheels.
Courtesy of PRCA