Randy Corley
Springville, California
World Champion Rodeo Announcer
County of Tulare – State of California
Whereas:
This year 2010 the Springville Area is celebrating 157 years of Historical Reflections and Western heritage; and
Whereas:
History tells us as early as the1830’s here among the rolling hills, the first cattle were introduced to Tulare County; and
Whereas:
Rodeo is a natural and important event, held in a community that is rich in natural wonders and beauty, provides family-style good old-fashioned Western fun-filled days; and
Whereas:
This special three day PRCA event pro-
vides entertainment, a variety of food, fun, dancing; and
Now, Therefore, be it resolved: We, the Springville Sierra Rodeo Committee, say “Howdy” and therefore proclaim April 23th, 24th & 25th 2010 to be a celebration of 62 years of Springville Rodeo and call upon the people of Springville, our neighbors to the East – Upper Tule; our neighbors to the West – Porterville; our neighbors to the South – Tule River Indian Reservation; and Our Tulare County friends of Western History, to join us as we celebrate our Cowgirl and Cowboy heritage.
ADOPTED this day, April 14, 2010 Springville Sierra Rodeo Committee
As one of the sport’s best-known personalities, Randy Corley has enjoyed two sides of rodeo, that of competitor and announcer. And while he had limited success in the arena himself, he has obtained mega-success outside it describing the action. Success that sends more honors and awards his way each year. Randy won another “Announcer of the Year” award at the 2003 National Finals Rodeo Corley began his rodeo career as a bareback and bull rider at amateur rodeos over twenty years ago. While he enjoyed the thrill of competing, he always had an interest in announcing that eventually won out. “I decided I could probably talk about it better than I could do it,” Corley said. Randy announces approximately 35 rodeos a year, and offers his expertise to several radio and television broadcasts. Corley and his wife, Michelle, have four grown children, Amanda, Kassi, Cole and Brittany, and Michelle tends the family’s ranch in Washington while he is away.
Originally started at the Springville Sierra Rodeo when the bad guys buried their stolen loot from the stagecoach robbery; kids 12 and under were encouraged to dig up the loot and keep what they found. This tradition continues at the rodeo performances on Saturday and Sunday sponsored by the Springville Chamber of Commerce, Citizen’s Business Bank, & Suncrest Bank where 200 or so silver dollar coins are scattered in the arena each day and kids 12 and under dig ‘em up and keep their treasure. A favorite with the kids.
The “Hide Race” is part of the fun beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, in advance of that night’s PRCA Rodeo Performance.
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
We Welcome Our Special Guests and Entertainers! US Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, Miss Rodeo California Markie Battaglia, Springville Rodeo Flag Drill Team, Boom Boom Johnson the Rodeo Clown, Darrell Diefebach Bullfighter, Jim Wallace & Music by Chapparral
Rodeo Parade Downtown Springville 2-3 p.m. on Sat., April 24th
U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard Performances in the Rodeo Parade and the Rodeo
photo Christy Brown
Rodeo time in Springville is accompanied by the everpopular parade through downtown Springville from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 24th. Cowboys, clowns, floats, music and more are part of the fun. Highway 190 is closed during the parade.
Boom Boom Johnson
Jim Wallace American Flag Parachute Jump
Markie Battaglia
Keeping the cowboys safe and the crowd entertained!
Miss Rodeo California 2010
Skydiving world record holder, Jim Wallace of Perris California, will open the Rodeo both days.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Music by Chaparral
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Springville Sierra Rodeo Schedule of Events
RODEO RESERVED SEATS $18 RODEO GENERAL ADMISSION Adults $12; 6-12 $6; 5 and under Free Reserved Seats $18, All Ages All 3 Performances
Friday, April 23rd
Free admission For US Military Personnel in Uniform
7 PM “Bunches of Bulls” 8:30 PM Country Music with “Chaparral” 9 PM Queen’s Coronation Dance Location: Rodeo Grounds
Bunches of Bulls and Dance - Friday, April 23 $12, Adults; $6, Children 6-12; Dance Only (after 9 p.m.), $5 Save $2 on Pre-Sale Rodeo Tickets at The Hamburger Stand in Springville, Allen’s Boot & Saddle Shop in Porterville, or by visiting www.rodeo49.com
FREE PARKING AT THE RODEO GROUNDS
Saturday - April 24th
7-8 AM Back Country Horseman Cowboy Breakfast at Rodeo Grounds 2 PM Rodeo Parade Downtown Springville 5 PM Local Events Hide Race & Silver Dollar Dig Jim Wallace parachutes into the arena 6 PM - P.R.C.A. RODEO Grand Entry 9 PM Dance at Rodeo Grounds
Sunday - April 25th
8 AM Rodeo Grounds Open 8 AM Back Country Horseman Cowboy Breakfast at Rodeo Grounds 10 AM Cowboy Church Services NOON Pre-Rodeo - Packing Contest Silver Dollar Dig Jim Wallace parachutes into the arena 2 PM P.R.C.A. RODEO Grand Entry “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day” Grand Entry Sponsored by Eagle Feather Trading Post Saturday & Sunday
Special Prizes Each Day! Justins, Resitol Hat & Gift from Lowe’s
Springville Rodeo Grounds 15 miles east of Porterville on Hwy. 190
www.Rodeo49.com Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Rodeo Parade Don Abbott has served the Springville Rodeo for many years. In 1987 he joined the Springville Rodeo Board as a Lion’s club Representative. He presided as President of the Board for eight years and still maintains a seat as a representative of the Lion’s Club. The son of a Montana migrant, Don was born in Southern California. He spent his childhood in the Santa Monica area. As a young man he started working for Gyroscope and TRW as a Supervisor of computers. While working Don met his future wife Dee and they were married in 1967. During this time, his family had a cabin in the Springville area. Don remembers going to the cabin 26 weekends a year. It seemed a natural move to relocate to Springville since they spent so much time there. In 1974 they made the move and have lived here ever since. After moving to Springville, Don bought into Woody’s Pack Station and operated the part of it now known as Balch Park Pack Station. Later Don went to work for the County Fire Department during the Carter
Don Abbott is 2010
PAST RODEO PRESIDENT DON ABBOTT IS HONORED AS 2010 GRAND MARSHALL Administration. He trained CETA crews on fire fighting basics. Don then joined the Hanford Fire Department and remembers being part of a Governor’s pack trip into Yosemite each year.
Grand Marshal Following years at the Fire Department Don made the move to Mountain Home and worked as a crew captain. During his fire fighting career he has trained soldiers at Fort Hood, Fort Lewis and in Montana. Don retired from CDF in 2000. Married for 43 years, Don and Dee have three children. Daughter Tammy resides in Van Nuys. Ann lives near home and works in Visalia at Chicago Title. She is married to Roger Kay, the lead singer for Sierra Storm. Don Jr. has followed in his father’s footsteps and works for CDF at Mountain Home.The Abbotts have been an asset to Springville as long as they have lived here. Don now owns North Plano Self Storage with hundred’s of storage spaces and covered RV parking places. Don has served his community for many years and is a joy to be around. The Springville Rodeo Association is proud and honored to have him serve as the 2010 Grand Marshall. For all his contributions to our town, the community and the Rodeo Board thanks him.
r u O y is r o ! ’ t s n i i h kick l l i t s
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Cowboy Up to the Cause on Sunday, April 25
The word rodeo is from the Spanish rodear (to turn), which means roundup. In the beginning there was no difference between the working cowboy and the rodeo cowboy. The advent of professional rodeos allowed cowboys, like many athletes, to earn a living by performing their skills before an audience. Many rodeo cowboys are still working cowboys and most have working cowboy experience. It wasn’t until the advent of the Wild West shows that cowgirls came into their own. By 1900 women were competing with the men in riding, marksmanship and trick roping. The growth of the rodeo brought about another type of cowgirl, the rodeo cowgirl. Women competed in all events, sometimes against other women, sometimes with the men. In today’s rodeos, men and women compete equally together only in
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
the event of team roping. In open rodeos, cowgirls compete in the timed riding events such as barrel racing, and most professional rodeos do not offer as many women’s events as men’s events. But, on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Springville Sierra Rodeo in the beautiful Sierra Foothills, we can all compete in the same event, “Are You Tough Enough to Wear Pink?” The objective of the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign launched in 2005 by Wrangler is to rally the rodeo and western industry around a cause that touches too
On Sunday, April 25th the Rodeo Board Tough Enough To Wear Pink booth will be open prior to the start of the rodeo. Let’s all bunch up at the booth and support this worthy cause. Plan on spending a wild, wooly and exciting weekend at the Springville Sierra P.R.C.A. Rodeo and this special Sunday event designed to bring awareness to our communities for this most critical competition in the fight to cure breast cancer! Let’s all join each other in Springville, Enough to Wear Pink? wearing pink to support this worthy We encourage all ticket holding spectators to wear pink on Sunday cause and the families of our communities fighting this disease. Due at the Springville Sierra Rodeo or to all the research that has been visit our booth sponsored by the Rodeo Board and purchase some- done, women now diagnosed with thing pink from a selection of items breast cancer are likely to survive for at least 20 years! (Cancer Research such as a shirt, hat, scarf or banUK). dana. All funds from the sales of Are you Tough Enough to Wear these items will be donated to a local organization to help detect and Pink? Cowboy Up to the Cause in provide treatment for breast cancer the Sierra! victims. many of our competitors, families and friends. And this means you, cowboys— are you Tough
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Prior Year Springville Sierra Rodeo Queens & Grand Marshals Grand Marshals
1958 Frank Negus 1959 Joe McDonald 1960 Carmah Hodges 1961 Clem Simpson 1962 Art Griswold 1963 Jack Fees 1964 Bill Radeleff 1965 Eda Spees 1966 Vernon Gill 1967 Perry Marlin 1968 Mark Borror 1969 Edith Crook 1970 Bud Lyman 1971 Jim Vaughn 1972 Monte Gifford 1973 Owen Rutherford 1974 Clyde Simpson 1975 Laurence Anderson 1976 Evelyn Snider 1977 Lawrence Unser 1978 lra Spees, Jr. 1979 Dan Hanggi 1980 Bud Hauert 1981 Esther Lowe 1982 Claude Brown 1983 Darwin Griswold 1984 Dorothy Dye 1985 Verne Long
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
1986 Herb & Goldie Brown 1987 Dick & Maxine Vernon 1988 Hazel Marlin 1989 Ken & Clara Rutherford 1990 Pete & Johnnie Stephens 1991 Jack & Verla Everett 1992 Dale & Betty Gill 1993 Virginia Radeleff 1994 Phil Brown 1995 Cliff Fitton 1996 Floyd Elliott 1997 Bud Feagins 1998 J. B. Gibson 1999 Milly Gann 2000 Tom Walker 2001 Bud Gililland 2002 Ken Fox 2003 Fred Collison 2004 Jim Bodley 2005 Bill Murphy 2006 Ed Mountain 2007 Emmy Kibler 2008 Thomas N. Baker 2009 Bill Johnson
Springville Sierra Rodeo Queens
1950 Coeta Gifford Reiger 1951 No Queen announced 1952 Judy Williams Putnam 1953 Barbara Rowland Reynolds 1954 Deanna Talbot 1955 Jackie Root 1956 Nancy Diffenbough Sims and Rose Cooper Taylor 1957 Claudia Haulman 1958 ]udy Bayless Cole 1959 Lynne Woods Weisenberger 1960 Linda Cooper Benjamin 1961 Mary Ann Beaver Lindsay 1962 Christine Frymire Focke 1963 Terry Strader Harris 1964 Dion Schwuist 1965 Karen Kerleyjaney 1966 Christine Kibler Brown 1967 Shelley Rose Keplinger 1968 Cinda Baker Morley 1969 JoWayne Brown Lyons 1970 Karen Nalbandian Waggoner 1971 Linda Gill Scott 1972 Vicki Forest Haley 1973 Karen Long 1974 Darnell Grant Trueblood 1975 Julie Lewis Robinson 1976 Tammy Lusby 1977 Christy Chesser Harmon 1978 Marlou Dens 1979 Maureen Cummings Goodin
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1980 Liz Hudspeth Changala 1981 Kris Mims 1982 Tracy O’Leary 1983 Diane Mahert Schuh 1984 Susan Ash 1985 Staci Sammann Wilkins 1986 Timmy Schoer 1987 Beth McCarter 1988 Chrisi Cheney 1989 Tonia Williams 1990 Kristy Davis 1991 Stephanie Manlove 1992 Tanya Castaneda 1993 Jennifer Turk 1994 Michelle Goodrich 1995 Krissey Aubuchon 1996 Emily Faria 1997 Bethany Todd 1998 Cathy Cooksey 1999 Renee Prescott 2000 Diana Prescott 2001 Jennifer Schlitz 2002 Megan Moody 2003 Kassi Corzine 2004 Laura Smith 2005 Jamie Changala 2006 Corey Ann Duysen 2007 Sydney Coletti 2008 Leah Herron 2009 Sonnie Shew
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Trevor Brazile 2009 Worlds Champion “All Around Cowboy” Professional 2009 Highlights Tied for first place in Round 5 of the tie-down roping with a time of 7.1 seconds and placed in three other rounds en route to clinching his second world championship in that event in three years and a record-tying seventh all-around gold buckle; placed in one round of the team roping with Patrick Smith. By earning his 11th world championship, Brazile moved into a tie for third place on the career list with Dean Oliver and Charmayne James All-around titles San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo World’s Oldest Rodeo (Prescott, Ariz.) Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo Cody (Wyo.) Stampede Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Lea County Fair & PRCA Rodeo (Lovington, N.M.) Sikeston (Mo.) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Farm-City Pro Rodeo (Hermiston, Ore.) Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo Canby (Ore.) Rodeo Lawton (Okla.) Rangers Rodeo Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo (Phillipsburg, Kan.) Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo (Abilene, Kan.) Deadwood (S.D.) Days of ‘76 Rodeo Ogden (Utah) Pioneer Days Rodeo Walker County Fair (Huntsville, Texas)
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Western Trade Show is popular feature of Springville Sierra Rodeo A popular feature of the Springville Sierra Rodeo is the Western Trade Show, with a selection of vendors offering items of interest to rodeo attendees. Look for their booths just outside the arena and enjoy shopping while you’re at the rodeo! If you would like a booth next year, contact information for the Springville Sierra Rodeo is available at www. rodeo49.com. Bunch up at the Tough Enough To Wear Booth on Sunday before the rodeo to buy your “pink” hat, shirt or bandana!
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Some of Our Vendors - Stop By & See Them Saturday & Sunday Ranae Clark - Handmade Jewerly, Clothing, Hats and Branded Home Decor Michelle Wallace - Ellen Hazelwood - Western Rinestone T-Shirts, Jewerly and Western Purses Paul Owens - Horse Shoe Art, Blankets, Rugs and Jewerly Debbie Stengel - Hand Made Cards, Leather Items, and Key Chains Andrea Sheer - Purses, Wallets and T-shirts Michelle - Down and Dirty Hat Co - Western Hats- mens, womens and kids Ignacio Vasquez - Western Hats etc. Patty Dycus - Toys,Childrens Jewerly, etc. Marianne Konda - Kountry Feed & Mercantile Wranglers, Traeger Pellet Grills, Farrier Supplies & Dried Food Mixes
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard It’s always an honor when the US Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard can join us at the Springville Sierra Rodeo and we’re glad to have them back again this year. The unit was formed aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow in 1967 and designated an official Mounted Color Guard by Headquarters Marine Corps in 1968. This is the only remaining Mounted Color Guard in the Marine Corps today. This elite military unit has performed throughout the Western United States, traveling as far as Memphis, Tenn. The Mounted Color Guard has received numerous national awards including Overall High Point Champion and Class Champion from the California National Association of Paraders from 1980-1985, 1989 and 1991 to 1997, and Overall Outstanding Equestrian Group from 1987 to 1989. The Mounted Color Guard no longer competes due to military regulations. In January 1985 the Mounted Color Guard made its first appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Since January 1990 the Mounted Color Guard has participated in the Tournament of
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Roses. The Mounted Color Guard has been given the extreme honor of the first military unit to lead the parade in 1990, 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2002. The Mounted Color Guard has also participated in events such as the Fiesta Bowl, Super Bowl Parades and Military Finals Rodeos. This unit is active with public schools and participates with the DARE Program and Good Citizenship Programs. The unit also sponsors and provides training for the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Mounted Color Guard in Sturgis, South Dakota. The Mounted Color Guard rides wild mustangs of Palomino color adopted from the Bureau of Land Management’s Adopt a Horse and Burro Program. The mounts are gentled and trained by the Marines. The BLM honored this unit by portraying it on the first edition of the BLM’s Wild Horse Trading Cards. The Mounted Color Guard members are active-duty marines who volunteer their time evening, weekends and holidays and perform these duties in addition to their regular duties.
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United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard
Cowboy Up in the Sierra, 62 Years & Still Going Strong!
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Healthy stock important part of the Rodeo Four Star Rodeo Company of Cottonwood, Calif., known for having some of the top bulls and bucking horses in professional rodeo, is providing stock for this year’s Springville Sierra Rodeo. For nearly two decades Four Star Rodeo Company has been producing rodeos throughout California, Oregon and Nevada. The company provides the livestock for more than 50 rodeos per year including the California Cowboys Pro Rodeo Association Finals, Senior Pro National Finals, Indian National Finals, California High School Rodeo State Finals, Silver State Invitational Rodeo and the All Indian World Finals. The company’s trademarks include dramatic openings, top notch contract personnel, and of course award winning livestock (animal athletes). Being athletic is usually found in your genes, the same is true in the animal world. Horsemen know that if you want a running horse, you look for running horse bloodlines, usually thoroughbred going back to great
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
sires such as Three Bars, Easy Jet or Bold Ruler. Should you want a cow horse you need quarter horse bloodlines perhaps going back to the great Doc Bar, King Fritz or Poco Lena. Well, if you want them to buck. That’s right, you want them to buck. Then you need a bucking horse in their bloodlines. Four Star Rodeo has built its reputation for bucking horses on the progeny of “Super Star” one of the company’s great bucking horses who has been the sire or grand sire to many of the horses in the herd. To be a really good horse, whether it be race horse, cow horse or bucking horse, they have to like what they do. That’s what makes them great, you can’t make a horse buck if he or she doesn’t want to. NO BULL ABOUT IT... Four Star Rodeo Company has tough bulls. Stock contractor and former bull rider Jeff Davis puts 20-some years of experience into providing the right kind of livestock that will match up with the rodeo’s contestants and has
earned a top reputation with rodeos he has drawn. for doing just that. Be ready for exciting, rockin’ and Davis has primarily worked as rollin’ rodeo when Four Star Rodeo a rancher but rodeo is in his blood. Company comes to town. A calf roper in high school, Davis joined the PRCA to work the pro circuit. Tragically, his career was cut short when a bull stepped on and broke his leg at age 21. While rodeo is not without its risks, the selection of a stock contractor is an important decision the Rodeo Committee must make each year and this year Four Star Rodeo Company made the cut. While cowboys may be the obvious stars of the rodeo arena, it is the stock contractor who supplies the livestock that either breaks or makes an event. The health and performance of the bucking animals often spell the difference between failure and success of a community rodeo. The cowboy may be first class, he also must rely on a strong showing by the animal as 50 percent of the contestants score is determined by the performance of the horse or bull
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
The Queen’s Chaps Sponsored by Kountry Feed
2009 Worlds Champion continued from page 9
Bell County PRCA Rodeo (Belton,
Colorado State Fair & Rodeo (Pueblo, Texas)
Custom Rodeo Queen Chaps Made by Joel Church of Porterville
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Colo.) Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo (Rosenberg, Texas) Bell County PRCA Rodeo (Belton, Texas) Rodeo de Santa Fe (N.M.) Livermore (Calif.) Rodeo Southwestern International PRCA Rodeo (El Paso, Texas) Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo (Silver City, N.M.) Eastland County ProRodeo (Ranger, Texas) Cowboy Capital of the World Pro Rodeo (Stephenville, Texas) Will Rogers Stampede (Claremore, Okla.) Tie-down roping titles Justin Boots Championships (Omaha, Neb.) Clark County Fair & Rodeo (Logandale, Nev.) Snake River Stampede (Nampa, Idaho) Farm-City Pro Rodeo (Hermiston, Ore.) Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo Molalla (Ore.) Buckeroo Rodeo Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo (Phillipsburg, Kan.) Guy Weadick Memorial Rodeo (High River, Alberta)
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Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo (Silver City, N.M.) Butterfield Stage Days Rodeo (Bridgeport, Texas) Kitsap County Fair & Stampede (Bremerton, Wash.) Eastland County ProRodeo (Ranger, Texas) Magic Valley Stampede (Filer, Idaho) Team roping titles - partner Patrick Smith Co-champion Pioneer Days Rodeo (Clovis, N.M.) Greeley (Colo.) Independence Stampede Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Ogden (Utah) Pioneer Days Rodeo Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo (Silver City, N.M.) Daines Ranch Rodeo (Innisfail, Alberta) Cowboy Capital of the World Pro Rodeo (Stephenville, Texas) Steer roping titles Matagorda Fair & Rodeo (Bay City, Texas) Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo (Silver City, N.M.) Will Rogers Stampede (Claremore, Okla.) Kitsap County Fair & Stampede (Bremerton, Wash.) Lewiston (Idaho) Roundup
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Welcome to the P. R. C. A. Introducing Our 2010 Springville Sierra Rodeo Board of Directors
Back Row: Frank Wittich - VFW, Linda Prentiss - At Large, Steve Ladrigan - Back Country Horsemen, Jerry Hall, Secretary - VFW Middle Row: Dennis Corzine, President - At Large, Tom Cole - Back Country Horsemen, Mike Brown - At Large, Frank Schlitz - At Large, Tim Shew - Lions Club.Front Row: Dianne Shew Vice President - Women's Club, Sandy Oates, Treasurer - Women's Club
Springville Sierra Rodeo Women’s Flag Drill Team We’re proud of the young women who dedicate many hours of hard work and training to prepare for the rodeo and parade each year. Be sure to give them a big hand!
Sponsored by: Gillespie Ag Service
Left to Right: Front Row: Bailey Walker, Ciera Wittig-Jilote, Jade Bell, Sarah Hughes, Sonnie Shew Middle Row: Elizabeth Brown, Theresa Sheridan Back Row: Jennifer Murphy, Audra Balaam, Annie Sanders, Becky Murphy, Chancie Cathy, Jada Lindegren, Laura Grabowski, Patsy Anderson, Tristan Mallory
Thank You Drill Team Leader Jennifer Murphy For All Your Hard Work!
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Springville Sierra Rodeo! Farewell To Springville It is almost unbelievable to realize that my year has come and gone already. I have so many new wonderful memories serving as your 2009 pringville Rodeo Queen. But, after watching my best friend win Ms. Woodlake Rodeo queen and traveling with her to Salinas rodeo, I am more than happy to pass on this wonderful title to the next woman so that she may experience all the fun adventures that I have. At Salinas, Ms. Woodlake and I did our queen run and then watched the 99th Anniversary of Salinas Rodeo entertain the crowd with fireworks, Ms. California competing in the hide race, and watch the hard working cowboys and cowgirls compete for the number 1 spot. I next visited the Bakersfield Rodeo where I met the Bakersfield queens and princesses and visited with Ms. Glenville Princess. Ms. Glenville Princess and I became great friends as we rode together in the Porterville Veterans parade. October came in a flash, and Apple Festival was upon me. I walked around the first day and some how was convinced to compete in the famous pie eating contest against Ms. Tulare County, the firefighters, and the Sheriff deputy intern. Ms. Tulare County of course won as I took up second place (even though
there is debate about that). The next day we had even more people show up but unfortunately I could not stomach another pie so I did the honors of judging the contestants instead More time passed and I was able to attend the World Ag. Expo. I spent three days waking the giant show and spent some time walking with Ms. Porterville
Jade Bell
Tiffany MeKeel
Sonnie Shew
2010. I also recently served at the Lions Club Ham Dinner. I have had a very full filling duty as I have been supported greatly by my community. I would like the thank the Rodeo Board for not only holding the Queen contest but also for putting on a splendid rodeo that leaves everyone happy and eager for next years rodeo. The Springville Women’s Club, I would like to thank you for supporting me and I’m glad you won the $100; I know you put it to great use. VFW and Backcountry Horsemen, thank you for doing what you do best and helping me become the Springville Rodeo Queen . As for the Springville Lions Club, to you I owe the greatest of thanks. You men helped me go from a scared and nervous young girl to a confident young woman, just by being so clever and patient with me as I gave my first speech. You men gave me a huge confidence boost. Next, Mama Konda (as I like to call her). Mama Konda has been the most supportive, she was more than happy to sponsor the 2010 Springville Rodeo Queen chaps and help me get where I needed to be. Finally, my family. They all have done so much to support me. Dad bared with me as I sold all those tickets, my step mom Kelly, helped
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Our Lovely 2010 Rodeo Queen Contestants
Kayla Sandoval
This year’s Queen Contest is sponsored by Generations Photography & Evans Feed The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Three running for 2010 Springville Sierra Rodeo Queen All eyes were on the arena at the Springville Rodeo Grounds Sunday afternoon as the four contestants for the 2010 Springville Sierra Rodeo Queen competed in the horsemanship event, one part of the contest to decide who will take the crown from 2009 Queen Sonnie Shew. Earlier the three contestants were honored at a luncheon and judged in the “poise and personality” phase of the competition at River Island Country Club. Event Chair Dianne Shew, a member of the Board of Directors of the Springville Rodeo Association, said she is quite pleased with all of the contestants for queen this year. “They’re all working really hard and doing a fine job,” she said.
The queen is selected by professional judges from out of town, one coming as far as from Wyoming , on three different categories, each of which is worth a third of the score, Shew said. Judging includes their poise and personality, various aspects of their horsemanship, and on ticket sales for a prize package of a trip to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this December. The winner of the event will be crowned after the Bunches of Bulls events on Friday, April 23rd at the Springville Rodeo Grounds. Jade Bell Jade reside in Porterville. Age 17 she attends Porterville High. She is active in FFA and works many concessions to help raise money for her school. She
played Freshman Basketball. Her special interest are snowboarding, and raising dairy heifers. Her goal is to become Springville Rodeo Queen, attend college and become a law enforcer. She enjoys Springville Rodeo Drill Team, Porterville Canterbelles and SGA gymkhana. She has won awards in showing including 1st place in showmanship. Jade would like to represent Springville with her smile and spread her knowledge and love of the sport of rodeo to everyone around this exciting sport. Tiffany Mekeel Tiffany resides in Porterville and attend Porterville High and Porterville College. In High School she is active in FFA Judging, and FFA exhibitor and has been a member of the band,
basketball, soccer and volleyball teams. Tiffany is also on Student Council. Her special awards include several breeding champions in lambs. 1st place opening and closing in FFA, and 1st place speaking in FFA. Her goals include competing in the Springville Rodeo Queen competition, winning supreme grand lamb at the Porterville Fair and getting accepted into Cal Poly next year. Tiffany feels it would be a privilege and an honor to represent Springville as their Queen. Kayla Sandoval Kayla resides in Lindsay. Age 18 she attends Exeter Union High School She is active in FFA, Relay for Life Cancer Walk and CSF. Special Interests include awards in Judging, Reserve Champion AOC for
Beef and Sectional Gold in Beef Entrepreneurship. Accepted to Cal Poly, she plans to earn a degree and get more involved with her horse. Kayla love pleasure riding and horse judging. Horsemanship awards include Grand Champion at 4H Horseshow and horse judging awards. Kayla looks forward to meeting new people and being able to represent this area if she becomes Miss Springville Rodeo Queen.
Our contestants wish to thank our kind and generous sponsors! Mitchell’s Jewelers, Sierra Self Storage, Hyders Hay Service, Kountry Feed, Evans Feed & Livestock Supply, & C.S.M. Developement Springville Rodeo award buckles are made for champions by Gist Silversmiths of Placerville Pictured at right is Janell Mitchell of Mitchell’s Jewelers in Porterville, holding the All-Around Champion buckle for the Springville Sierra Rodeo. This buckle and eight others for all of the rodeo events will be on display at Mitchell’s Jewelers at 200 North Main in Porterville, until the rodeo starts on Friday, April 23th. All the championship buckles are made by Gist Silversmiths of Placerville, a company celebrating its 42nd anniversary this year. Gary Gist’s association with professional rodeo goes back to his youth, when he became one of the youngest participants ever at the National Finals Rodeo, competing with his father in the team roping event, where he finished in second place in 1964. With his personal experience, he knows he can create a quality buckle that every cowboy would be proud to wear. What once was a one man shop now has more than 95 employees occupying a 23,000 square foot facility. Gist has designed buckles for Presidents Reagan and Ford, and professional entertainers including George Strait, Reba McEntire, Hank Williams, Jr., Kenny Stabler, singing duo Brooks and Dunn, and others. Each buckle is worth approximately $180,with the all-round buckle being worth more than $1,000.00. This is just one more way that the Springville Sierra Rodeo is proven to be a first class event.
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Janell Mitchell with the All-Around Champion Buckle.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Three running for Rodeo Junior Princess
Emily Baeza
Alley Henry
Mattie Riordan
Emily resides in Porterville. Age 11, she attends Westfield School. She is active in student council, softball and choir. She has won awards for citizenship, academics and a scholarship award. Her goal is to continue doing pagents and riding in hopes of becoming Miss Rodeo California someday. In 2009 she won the horsemanship, appearance and personality awards when she won as the 2009 SGA Princess.
Alley resides in Springville and attends Porterville High. Age 14 she is active on the Varsity soccer team and in the Porterville High School Band. Alley’s goal is to become a lawyer. She aspires to maintain a 4.0 GPA and hopes to attend Stanford University. Active in the Sierra Jr. Rodeo Association, she is busy with horses in many ways. In the past, Alley has won All Around Jr. Cowgirl, Reserve Grand Champion in 4-H and was Runner-up for SGA Queen.
Mattie resides in Springville and attends Porterville High. Age 14, active in middle school in sports she loved soccer and volleyball. Her goal is to become a veterinarian, champion barrel racer and a horse trainer. She won 1st place in goat tying in Jr. Rodeo. Her whole life she has loved horses. Being a Springville Rodeo Princess would assist her in her horse training ambitions. She wants to bring her great smile to her favorite sport which is Rodeo.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Farewell To Springville continued from page 17 me get all my stuff and horse ready for my events, and my sister made sure I looked gorgeous as I went out to represent Springville. Once again I thank you. Being your ambassador as been a real experience that I wish every girl could experience. It has been wonderful giving back to my community after all that they have done. I wish the Rodeo Queen and Princess Contestants luck as I know only one can win even though we all wish we all can.
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Sunday, April 25 - 1 p.m. Packing Contest
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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Sponsored by Crop Production Services
For a little fun and an added attraction during the Springville Rodeo this year, The Back Country Horsemen will be doing a packing contest sponsored by Konda Farms. Some of the many local packer/guides will have a little friendly competition while giving those interested an idea of the skill involved in putting your camp on a pack animal and heading down the trail. The only difference being these buckos will be doing it against the clock, against quality competition, and the load must pass close inspection after crossing the finish line. The judges will make sure the pack is balanced, the animal protected from any sharp or rough edges, and the load well tied. To be a good packer a fellow must be able to perfectly balance one side of a pack against the other, put together a whole camp as tight as a jigsaw puzzle, and tie it on a not always willing animal. It must then be able to stay in place for hours and miles, up and down hills, crossing rivers, and bouncing off trees and rocks. EASY!! So enjoy the rodeo and our little packing excursion while giving your favorite team some loud backing.
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Clowns are part
of the Rodeo Fun
Boom Boom Johnson
Barry Johnson, Colorado born and Nebraska raised was brought up farming Rodeo Cowboy Association Rodeos and Circuit Finals across the nation. wheat and raising dairy cattle. He started out with all the ingredients necessary for being a successful rodeo cowboy. He was born in the small western town of Barry's love for nature and animals brought him another passion in life, TaxiderHolyoke, Colorado. He graduated from High School in Imperial, Nebraska and my. This profession has won him World, State and Regional awards. His hobby went on to study biology at Chadron State College. developed into creating mounts for hunters all over the United States to mounts in several Cabela's stores. He states, "I'm still learning from nature every day and Barry was riding bulls by the age of 15. He found his destiny in the excitement love the challenge of creating the mount that looks alive." Johnson's Taxidermy of the rodeo challenge and in the cheers of the crowds. His rodeo career changed is full-service, which means he may reproduce anything from a bird to lifesize for him at the age of 19 when during a rodeo performance, Barry was asked to fill horses shown below. There are no limits to his work or talent! in for an injured bullfighter. He also found that his natural sense of humor was enjoyed by the crowds and began building acts to entertain the rodeo fans. This Outside of rodeo, Barry loves hunting, fishing and spending time with his three later grew to a professional career of Bullfighting, Rodeo Clown and Barrelman. grandchildren. He thanks his wife, Sheila for being his organizer and support in In 1988 Barry earned the nickname of "Boom Boom" when an 'explosive' clown his life. act ended with a head injury. His success has led him to numerous Professonal
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Bullfighters Donnie Castle and Darrell Diefenbach
Donny Castle second year PRCA bullfighter born and raised in Springville CA, grew up riding bulls and junior rodeoing all over California and kept with the rodeo life to become a professional in the business. Bull rider turned bullfighter by going to practice pens and smaller rodeos and is now traveling the California circuit working with the Flying U Rodeo Company. Donny finds being a bullfighter working as the cowboy protector a more rewarding part of rodeo, But he also likes to compete in the freestyle event to show off his own style that he has aquired over the years. When this young rodeo athlete isn’t hard at work in the arena he enjoys spending his time outdoors hunting, fishing, and taking pack trips into the high Sierras.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Following his father’s footsteps, Darrell began fighting bulls at the age of 17 in his native Australia. After gaining experience in his homeland, he came to the United States in 1994 to fight professionally. It wasn’t long before the rodeo world was taking notice of the bullfighter known as “The Thunder from Down Under.” Darrell has earned some of the highest honors in bullfighting. He was named the 1996-97 Australian Bullfighting Champion and was selected as a Wrangler National Finals bullfighter seven times. In 2007 and 2008, the PBR bull riders selected Darrell to join the Dickies Dura Bullfighters team to protect them at the PBR World Finals and at the Built Ford Tough Series events in the 2009 season. When he’s not fighting bulls, Darrell makes his home in Azle, Texas., and used to live in Porterville, California.
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Calf Roping Like saddle bronc riding and team roping, calf roping traces its roots to the working ranches of the Old West. When calves were sick or injured, cowboys had to rope and immobilize them quickly for veterinary treatment. Ranch hands prided themselves on how quickly they could rope and tie calves, and they soon turned their work into informal contests. As the sport matured, being a good horseman and a fast sprinter became as important to the competitive calf roper as being quick and accurate with a lasso. In today’s modern rodeo, the mounted cowboy starts from a box, a three-sided, fenced area adjacent to the chute holding the calf. The fourth side of the box open into the arena. The calf gets a head start determined by the length of the arena. One end of a breakaway rope barrier is looped
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Sponsored by Farmer’s Tractor
TREVOR BRAZILE 2009 WORLD CHAMPION around the calf’s neck and stretched across the open end of the box. When the calf reaches its advantage point, the barrier is released. If the roper breaks the barrier before the calf
reaches its head start, the cowboy is assessed a 10-second penalty. When the cowboy throws his loop and catches the calf, the horse is trained to come to a stop. After rop-
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ing the calf, the cowboy dismounts, sprints to his catch and throws it by hand, a maneuver called flanking. If the calf is not standing when the cowboy reaches it, he must allow the calf to get back on its feet, then flank it. After the calf is flanked, the roper ties any three legs together with a pigging string a short, looped rope he carries in his clenched teeth during the run. While the contestant is accomplishing all of that, his horse must pull back hard enough to eliminate any slack in the rope, but not so hard as to drag the calf. When the roper finishes tying the calf, he throws his hands in the air as a signal that the run is completed. The roper then mounts his horse, rides forward to create slack in the rope, then waits six seconds to see if the calf remains tied. If the calf kicks free, the roper receives no time. The PRCA now calls this event Tie Down Roping. Go figure.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Barrel Racing
Sponsored by Finance & Thrift
T
he colorful cowgirl’s Barrel Race is a full-fledged part of the rugged, action-packed, sport of rodeo. Fast, exciting and easily understood by the novice fan, the cloverleaf patterned Barrel Race provides a thrilling feminine contrast to the slam-bang action that characterizes big league rodeo. In Barrel Racing, more than any other rodeo contest, horse and rider coordination are vital to success. Cowboys will often borrow steer wrestling or roping mounts and win. But take a Barrel Racer off her own horse and it’s a different story. The contest is that exacting and competition is that close. A Barrel horse is a talented, highly conditioned animal athlete and a Barrel Racer with a good horse stands to win as much money as any PRCA cowboy. Many competitors make over $100,000 in a year. A relatively recent addition to professional rodeo, barrel racing got it’s start at neighborhood gymkhanas and horse shows and has developed into a highly competitive event. The barrel race is sanctioned by the W.P.R.A. the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Watch how close they come to the barrel when they’re making their turns. They want to be close to cut down on the time, but not too close because a knocked over barrel is a 10 second penalty, and that almost always puts them out of the competition.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
BRITTANY POZZI 2009 WORLD CHAMPION BARREL RACER
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Steer Wrestling Speed is the name of the game in steer wrestling. With its modern world record sitting at 2.4 seconds, steer wrestling is the quickest event in rodeo. The cowboy’s objective is to use strength and technique to wrestle a steer to the ground as quickly as possible That sounds simple enough. But anything that sounds that easy has to have a catch to it, and the catch here is the steer generally weighs more than twice as much as the cowboy trying to throw it. The need for speed and precision make steer wrestling, or “bulldogging” as it is commonly known, one of rodeo’s most challenging events. As with calf ropers and team ropers, the bulldogger starts on horseback in a box. A breakaway rope barrier is attached to the steer, then stretched across the open end of the box. The steer gets a head start that is determined by the size of the arena. When the steer reaches the advantage point, the barrier is released and the bulldogger takes off in pursuit. If the bulldogger breaks the barrier before the steer reaches its head start, a 10-second
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Sponsored by Southern California Edison
penalty is assessed. In addition to strength, timing and balance are skills cultivated by the successful steer wrestler. When the cowboy reaches the steer, he slides down the right side of his galloping horse, hooks his right arm around the steer’s right horn, grasps the left horn with his left hand and, using strength and leverage, wrestles the animal to the ground. His work isn’t complete until all four of the animal’s feet face upward. But that’s still not all there is to it. In order to catch up to the running steer, the cowboy uses a “hazer,” another mounted cowboy who gallops his horse along the right side of the steer, keeping it from veering away from the bulldogger. The hazer can make or break a steer wrestler’s run, so his role is as important as the skills the bulldogger hones. The hazer usually receives a fourth of the payoff if the steer wrestler places.
LEE GRAVES 2009 WORLD CHAMPION
Cowboy Up in the Sierra!
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Team Roping Team
Saturday Sponsored by Porterville Rock & Recycle Sunday Sponsored by Webb & Son Construction
roping, the only team
event in professional rodeo, requires close cooperation and timing between two highly skilled ropers - a header and a heeler. The event originated on ranches when cowboys needed to treat or brand large steers and the task proved too difficult for one. The key to success? Hard work and endless practice. The partners must perfect their timing, both as a team and with their horses. As in calf roping or steer wrestling, the team ropers start from the boxes on each side of the chute from which the steer enters the arena The steer gets a head start determined by the length of the arena. One end of a breakaway barrier is attached to the steer then stretched across the open end of the header’s box. When the steer reaches its advantage point, the barrier is released and the header takes off in pursuit, with the heeler trailing slightly further behind. If the header breaks the barrier before the steer completes its head start, the ropers
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
KOLLIN VONAHN (HEELER) & NICK SARTAIN (HEADER) 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONS are assessed a 10-second penalty. The header ropes first and must make one of three legal catches on the steer - around both horns, around one horn and the head, or around the neck. Any other
The heeler then attempts to rope both hind ~ If he catches only one foot, the team is assessed a five-second penalty. After the cowboys catch the steer, the clock is stopped when there is no slack in their ropes and their horses face one another. Another aspect vital to the event is the type of horse used by the ropers. The American Quarter Horse is the most popular among all rodeo competitors, particularly team ropers. Heading and heeling horses are trained separately for their specialties. Heading horses generally are taller and heavier because they need the power to turn the steer after it is roped. Heeling horses are quick and agile, enabling them to better follow the steer and react to its moves.
catch by the header is considered illegal and the team is disqualified. After the header makes his catch, he turns the steer to the left and exposes the steer’s hind legs to the heeler.
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Sponsored by The Springville Inn
Saddle Bronc Riding S
addle bronc riding is rodeo’s classic event, both a complement and contrast to the wilder spectacles of bareback and bull riding. The event requires strength to be sure, but it is as much about style as anything: grace and precise timing are mandatory. Saddle bronc riding evolved from the task of breaking and training horses to work the cattle ranches of the old West. Many cowboys claim riding saddle broncs is the toughest rodeo event to learn because of the technical skills necessary to master it. Every move the bronc rider makes must be synchronized with the movement of the horse. The cowboy’s objective is a fluid ride, as opposed to the wilder and less-controlled ride of JESSE KRUSE bareback riders. 2009 WORLD CHAMPION Among the similarities shared by saddle bronc riding and bareback rid- chute. To properly mark out his horse, makes the first jump from the chute. If ing is the rule that riders must mark out the saddle bronc rider must have both the rider misses his mark, he receives their horses on the first jump from the heels on the animal’s shoulders when it no score.
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
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While a bareback rider has a rigging to hold onto, the saddle bronc rider has only a thick rein attached to his horse’s halter. Using one hand, the cowboy tries to stay securely seated in his saddle. If he touches any part of the horse or his own body with his free hand, he is disqualified. Judges score the horse’s bucking action, the cowboy’s control of the horse and the cowboy’s spurring action. While striving to keep his toes turned outward, the rider spurs from the points of the horse’s shoulders to the back of the saddle. To score well, the rider must maintain that action throughout the eight-second ride. While the bucking ability of the horse is quite naturally built into the scoring system, a smooth, rhythmic ride is sure to score better than a wild uncontrolled one.
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Sponsored by McDonald’s
Bareback Bronc Riding Bareback bronc riding, it
has been suggested, offers a sensation about as enjoyable as riding a jackhammer, pogo stick-style, using only one hand. And that’s the easy part. The bareback rider’s real challenge is to look good while he’s being punished. Bareback riding, simply, is the most physically demanding event in rodeo, its toll on the body immense. Muscles are stretch to the limit, joints are pulled and pounded mercilessly, ligaments are strained and frequently rearranged. The strength of the broncs is exceptional and challenging them is often costly. Bareback riders endure more punishment, suffer more injuries and carry away more long-term damage than all other rodeo cowboys. To stay aboard the horse, a bareback rider uses a rigging made of leather and constructed to meet PRCA safety specifications. The rigging, which resembles a suitcase handle on a strap, is placed atop the horse’s withers and secured with a cinch. As the bronc and rider burst from the
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
returning his spurs over the point of the horse’s shoulders in anticipation of the next jump. But it takes more than sheer strength to make a qualifying ride and earn a money-winning score. A bareback rider is judged on spurring technique, the degree to which his toes remain turned out while he is spurring and his “exposure,” or willingness to lean far back and take whatever might come during his ride.
BOBBY MOTE 2009 WORLD CHAMPION chute, the rider has to “markout” his horse. In other words, he must have both spurs above the horse’s shoulders until the horse’s feet hit the ground after its initial move from the chute. If the cow-
boy fails to do this, he is disqualified. As the bronc bucks, the rider pulls his knees up, dragging his spurs up the horse’s shoulders. As the horse descends, the cowboy straightens his legs,
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Bull Riding
Sponsored by Christine’s Flowers
Rodeo competition, in the beginning,
to stay aboard the twisting, bucking ton of muscle and rage. Balance, flexibility, coordination, quick reflexes and, perhaps above all, a good mental attitude are the stuff good bull riders are made of.
But intentionally climbing on the back of a 2,000- pound bull? There‘s nothing natural about that. Most people, in fact consider that a foolhearted act.
To stay aboard the bull, a rider uses a flat braided rope, which is wrapped around the barrel of the bull’s chest just behind the front legs and over its withers. One end of the bull rope, called the tail, is threaded through a loop on the other end and tightened around the bull. The rider then wraps the tail around his hand, sometimes weaving it through his fingers to further secure his grip. Then he nods his head, the chute gate swings open and he and the bull explodes into the arena.
was a natural extension of the daily challenges cowboys confronted on the ranch - wrestling steers, roping calves, breaking broncs.
The risks are obvious. Serious injury is always a possibility for those fearless or foolish enough to sit astride an animal that weighs a ton and is usually equipped with dangerous horns.
J.W. HARRIS 2009 WORLD CHAMPION
But cowboys do it, fans love it and bull riding may rank as rodeo’s most popular event. Bull riding is dangerous and predictably exciting, demanding intense physical prowess and supreme mental toughness.
Every bull is unique in its bucking. A bull may ing the eight-second ride. If he touches the bull or himself with his free hand, he receives no score. dart to the left, then to the right, then rear back But unlike the other roughstock events, bull riders in fury. Some spin, or continuously circle in one spot in the arena. Others add jumps or kicks to are not required to mark out their animals. their spins, while others might jump and kick in While spurring a bull can add to the cowboy’s a straight line, or move side to side while buckLike bareback and saddle bronc riders, the bull rider may use only one hand to stay aboard dur- score, riders are commonly judged on their ability ing.
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2010
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!