Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
We Welcome Our Special Guests & Entertainers!
Rodeo time in Springville is accompanied by the everpopular parade through downtown Springville from 2-3 PM on Saturday, April 25th. Cowboys, clowns, floats, music and more are part of the fun. Highway 190 is closed during the parade.
The “Hide Race” is part of the fun begining at 5PM on Saturday before the night’s PRCA Rodeo Performance.
Tomas Garcilazo World Class Charro Rodeo Parade Announcer Brett Gill
Rider Kiesner Top Trick Roper
Rodeo Dance 9:00pm Friday & Saturday Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
Most Famous Bull Fighter - Rodeo Clown Meet Wilbur Plaugher at Cowboy Church on Sunday along with Preacher Cody
Branded Heart is one of the most successful and popular country bands around. They are set to release their first album of original music. The self-penned originals, along with foot stomping covers of country music legends, keep the place hoppin' all night long with Jason Gill,Greg Elam, Donald Abbot, Jimmy Pettis & Jim McCartney.
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Silver Dollar Dig
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 Bob Ruffa Electric where 300 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.
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 2011 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
Randy Corley World Champion Rodeo Announcer
children, Amanda, Kassi, Cole and Brittany, and Michelle tends the family’s ranch in Washington while he is away.
Miss Rodeo California 2015 Carollann Rietta Scott
town of Agua Dulce. She recently graduated from The University of Arizona with a degree in Journalism with a minor in Animal Science. Carollann started competing in rodeos when she was four years old and was on a horse before she could walk. Carollann is an avid team roper, breakaway roper, and barrel racer. Her parents Ben and Tracey Scott competed in professional rodeos and the majority of the family still competes today. Growing up near such a big city made Carollann realize how proud she is of her heritage and how important it is to promote the western way of life. It is with this knowledge and in hopes to be an advocate for rodeo and the modern cowboy that Carollann became Miss Rodeo California 2015. Carollann will carry this prestigious title throughout the state and nation promoting the people and traditions she loves. It is her goal to not only spread the word about rodeo and promote the sport but to also remind people of the history of rodeo. She believes as a modern cowgirl she must never forget her heritage and the traditions that have carried cowboys and cowgirls for so many years. Carollann would like to thank all of her personal sponsors and supporters as well as the entire Miss Rodeo California organization and their sponsors. Carollann believes the opportunity to represent her home state, her favorite sport, and the cowboys and cowgirls she loves and admires is an honor and a privilege. Born and raised in southern California, this third generation cowgirl was born with a love for rodeo and the western lifestyle. Carollann Rietta Scott grew up in Los Angeles County in the small
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
Follow Carollann’s year on Social Media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/missrodeoca Twitter: @missrodeoca Instagram: @missrodeoca
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Grand Marshal - 2015 Janelle Stark Say "Hamburger" in Springville and you immediately think of the Hamburger Stand and the smiling face of Janelle as you place your order. Janelle and her late husband Gordon began running the Hamburger Stand on April 1, 1977. It was no April fool’s joke. Their business is the longest running one in Springville and still going strong. Originally from Southern California, the Starks moved to Springville after selling their house with short notice. Their little get away home in Springville was rented and they found themselves living in Gordon’s brothers yard before finding a place. They raised two children Kippie and Keith . Keith is now General Manager of the Stand and Kippie
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
helps out with filing taxes and working when needed. Janelle feels her family has been blessed by so many people in the town of Springville where she has watched their children and grandchildren grow up and prosper. The Starks have been a part
of everything Springville, from the Springville Rodeo and Mail Run to the Apple Festival. On Sundays you can find Janelle at the door of the Lighthouse Chapel handing out bulletins and giving great smiles and hugs to everyone. In 1996 the Starks won a tractor at the Rodeo. Gordon drove the tractor in every parade until 2008. Now Grandson Morgan is ready to carry on the tradition driving the tractor. After working on it for the last 6 years Morgan will have his tractor in our Springville Parade on Saturday. When we asked Janelle if she thought of retiring the answer was a resounding no. Janelle loves what she does and she loves her customers. Her family wouldn’t dream of selling the family business and she declares Springville will have the Hamburger Stand for years to come. On March 21 of this year Janelle married Bill Hass of
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Springville. Having the loss of their spouses in common, the couple became good friends and decided to spend the rest of their lives making each other happy. Bill owns the Vernon Ranch above Springville and attends Lighthouse Chapel with Janelle. Bill is excited to see Janelle as Grand Marshal of this year’s rodeo. The Springville Rodeo Board wishes them the best and sends out a big congratulations.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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 Queens
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 2010 Don Abbott 2011 Montie Montana Jr. 2012 Ester Hunsaker 2013 Leona Urmy 2014 Jay Eaton
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 Kerley Janey 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 1980 Liz Hudspeth Changala 1981 Kris Mims
Worship under God's great sky Cowboy Church Service
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
1982 Tracy O’Leary 1983 Diane Mahert Schuh 1984 Susan Ash 1985 Staci Sammann Wilkins 1986 Timmy Schoer 1987 Beth McCarter 1988 Chris 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 2010 Jade Bell 2011 Elizabeth Brown 2012 Alley Henry 2013 Jada Linegren 2014 Katie Hillen
Sunday April 26th at 10:00 am Rodeo Arena Central Seating Area
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Cowboy Up to the Cause on Sunday, April 26th
In 2004, Terry Wheatley, was looking forward to competing in the Wrangle National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery. Terry was no stranger to breast cancer as it had raised its ugly face to other members of her family. She was bent on making her sport aware of what was going on with competitors in her sport as well as
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
the entire nation. As Terry made strides in awareness, Karl Stressman, an executive with Wrangler became aware of what Terry was doing. It just so happened, Karl’s wife, Val, had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Well, that’s about all it took for everyone in the sport of rodeo to begin taking notice. The PRCA jumped in and offered their help.
Terry and Karl along with several other folks wanted to make a real statement about their passion of breast cancer awareness. They wanted to let everyone know about how the rodeo community was getting involved. Well, Terry came up with a great idea. She wanted to make a statement and have it memorized by introducing something at the National Finals. She came up with the idea of all the event competitors, spectators, and everyone else wearing a pink shirt on a specific day. The first thing that popped into her mind was “would all the male competitors wear pink”? Her son, who was a National Finals Team Roping competitor, told her, “ men ARE tough enough to wear pink”. Karl quickly ordered over 200 pink shirts from his company, Wrangler, and it was a perfect evening event at the Wrangler National Finals, with everyone wearing pink. Not only perfect, but the slogan within the world of rodeo started and to this day exists; “ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK? In 2007, the Springville Rodeo Board became aware of TETWP (TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR
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PINK) and thought it was a cause they wanted to become involved with. We began advertising and actually selling TETWP merchandise at our booth. Since then, Sunday is our rodeo’s day for TETWP. In 2007 through our efforts in selling TETWP merchandise to our faithful rodeo fans we profited $883.00. We divided the profit and made a donation to Tulare County Link to Life and The Roger Goode Sierra View Cancer Treatment Center. In 2011 the Rodeo Board began a different approach by directing the funds toward local residents diagnosed with breast cancer. Since 2007 we have accumulated a grand total of $14,500.00. Would you like to know who has been our biggest contributor? You know those “tips” most of you have been making to our bartenders at the beer booth on the east side? Those men and women who tend that bar have been donating all those “tips” to TETWP. We tip our hats to those wonderful dedicated men and women as well as to YOU our rodeo fans for your support of this deserving and worthwhile fundraiser.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Konda Farms is the proud sponsor of the 2015 Springville Sierra Rodeo Queen’s Chaps
Western Trade Show is Popular Feature of Springville Sierra Rodeo
Katie Hillan wearing Springville Rodeo Queen chaps.
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 Trade Show is available at : www.springvillerodeo.com
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Healthy Stock Provided by Four Star Rodeo Company
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
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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 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 for doing just that. Davis has primarily worked as a rancher but rodeo is in his blood. 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
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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 he has drawn. Be ready for exciting, rockin’ and rollin’ rodeo when Four Star Rodeo Company comes to town.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Tomas Garcilazo - One of the finest Charros
Tomas Garcilazo is a native of Mexico, where he began learning "Floreo de Reata" (rope artistry) at a very early age, as he was being raised in his family tradition and heritage of La Charreria. This richly developed skill is performed by Charros, who
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
take extreme pride in their horsemanship and roping abilities. Having evolved over the past 500 years, an entire culture has been created around this fine form of equestrian activities. Today it is known as the National Sport of Mexico - La Charreria. A lifetime of preparation, performances and competition of the discipline endured, La Charreria now affords Tomas brilliant control of the lariat as he orchestrates the splendor of Floreo de Reata. Incorporating a display of rope artistry with his
horsemanship abilities, Tomas continues to leave a lasting impression with his engaging routines. Collectively, Tomas's horses accompanying him in his performances pay full contribution to each of the captivating performances. Countless hours of training, discipline and patience become apparent as each horse displays his own unique abilities and talents. Their willingness to execute maneuvers and requests by their partner and friend Tomas, is a rare and honorable experience to witness. Having performed all over the world, Tomas brings to each performance a lifetime of knowledge and experience. Tomas Garcilazo's proficiency as a
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skilled and accomplished horseman combined with his expert ability as a rope artist, defines him as one of the finest Charros presenting La Charreria today.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Meet Our Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015 Queen Emily Baeza 2015 Rodeo Queen Emily Baeza is 16 years old and is a Junior at Porterville High School. She serves as Treasurer on the Porterville Junior Fair Board and is active in the FFA showing livestock. She plays Volleyball for Porterville High and is a scholar athlete, this year she was awarded the Pursuing Victory with Honors award for her excellent sportsmanship. In her spare time she loves to barrel race and attend gymkhanas with her family. After high school Emily wants to attend Cal Poly and receive her degree in Agriculture Communication and Marketing. She wants to inspire kids to take an active role in Agriculture and keep FFA alive and strong in our community by becoming an Ag Teacher. Her dream is to one day compete and bring home the title of Miss Rodeo California to her favorite rodeo Springville.
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Meet Our Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015 Princess Makayla Luchetta 2015 Rodeo Princess Makayla Luchetta is an energetic 14 year old freshman at Porterville High School. Although born in San Diego, she comes from a family deeply rooted in the Central Valley, and has been a long-time residents of Springville, California. Makayla has had an exciting young life and has had the opportunity to live and attend school in Springville, California, Phoenix, Arizona, Augusta, Georgia, and San Francisco, California. A long journey in a short time, this young jet setter is happy to return to her roots, and this beautiful little town of Springville we fondly call home. Makayla is a “busy bee� everywhere she goes; she has been a gymnast, a cheerleader a flautist and guitar play as well as helped run equestrian day camps in the Bay Area. Today and at Porterville High School she is on the water polo team, the swim team, and on the Porterville Canterbelles
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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drill team. She enjoys music, concerts, operas, fashion, movie makeup artistry and reading but most importantly she has a passion for horses, rodeo, and the tradition of rodeo. Makayla's goal is to help keep the tradition and the passion alive for the professional sport of rodeo. She plans on supporting this goal by educating, inspiring and participating in the sport. She aspires to become the next Miss Rodeo America using her love of horses, horsemanship, oratory, fashion, and passion for rodeo to get there, while clinging tightly to living a western life. Makayla would like to thank the Springville Rodeo Committee for allowing her to be apart of this great event, and sends her deepest gratitude to her trainers, coaches, friends and family for all their love and support!
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Welcome to the 67th Annual PRCA Springville Sierra Rodeo
Introducing our 2015 Rodeo Board Directors
BOTTOM ROW: Jerry Clark, Gail Inman-Secretary Donna Walker, Dianne Shew-Vice President, Dennis Corzine - President MIDDLE ROW: Kenny Walker - Treasurer TOP ROW: Gregg King, Steve Babish, Frank Schlitz, Tim Shew & Frank Wittich
Springville Sierra Rodeo Women’s Flag Drill Team
HOOFS, BANNERS AND COWGIRLS Fast horses, pretty girls, fancy flags and excitement: add them all together and you have the Springville Sierra Rodeo Drill Team. Under the direction of Sonnie Shew, this year’s team is determined to make the Rodeo Sponsors proud with their presentation of the banners of the 2015 Rodeo. Months of dedication and practice has turned these young ladies into polished performers with thrills at every turn. So sit back and get ready to enjoy pounding hoofs, precision turns and flashing flags as the Springville Sierra Rodeo Drill Team kicks off our performance in true Rodeo style. BACK ROW: Andrea White, Jennifer Steinhauer, Brabdy Goss, Jade Bell, & Laura Grabowski MIDDLE ROW: Sonnie Shew, Amanda Long, Aspen Nieblas, Patsy Anderson, Jolene Castle, Sierra Shew, & Toni VanGaasbeek FRONT ROW: Bailey Walker & Mandy McCoy
Women’s Flag Drill Team Sponsored by Gillespie Ag Service
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Farewell To Springville 2014 April 25th, 2014, a day I will never forget. The night all my hard work prevailed, as I was crowned the 2014- 2015 Miss Springville Sierra Rodeo Queen. As I look back, remembering the rain, mud, and tears, I can reminisce on what an honor it was being able to stand on that stage amongst the other wonderful contestants. Although the rain made for a difficult coronation, not being able to hear who won over the speakers, being the most anxious moment in my life. I will never forget the moment the official yelled “Katie Hillen won!” and that moment will be the moment I will cherish the most. I am so blessed to have had the honor of representing my hometown and its rodeo association. It was so amazing to have such a wonderful partner to travel with during the year as well: the 2014 Springville Sierra Rodeo Princess Miss Mandy McCoy. Throughout the last year, we attended many rodeos and other events including the Tule River Rodeo, Woodlake Lions Rodeo, Tehachapi Rodeo, the annual folding of the old American flag, the last-draw dinner, Springville
Katie Hillen 2014 Springville Sierra Rodeo Queen
Lions Club golf tournament, Porterville Christmas Parade, and Glennville Rodeo, just to name a few. My favorite event we attended was the Porterville Veteran’s Parade, where I was able to honor my grandpa. He had passed away just four days before the parade, so I saddled another horse, hung his service coat atop the saddle horn, draped the American flag across the horse, put my late grandpa’s dog tags around my neck, and lead the horse next to the one I was riding. It was an honor to be able to ride next to my grandpa, and we never failed to have a great time at each event, however, we realized that there was no rodeo better than the one we were representing. We represented not only a town of wonderful people, or the sport of rodeo, but we represented the best rodeo there was, and will ever be: the Springville Sierra Rodeo. I want to thank everyone for their endless love and support, and I give a huge thankyou to the Springville Rodeo Board for a job well done for the past sixty-six years, and many more to come.
Mandy McCoy 2014 Springville Sierra Rodeo Princess It was awesome to walk in a rodeo wearing my crown & sash. It made me feel like I was on top of the World. It was always exciting to go to other Rodeos to meet other Princesses and Queens. I loved doing the grand entries and representing Springville. Some of my best memories as Springville Sierra Rodeo Princess are going to the Woodlake Rodeo, and being a part of Flag Day in Porterville. I loved Springville’s Hot Summer Nights and working at the Lions Booth at the Springville Apple Festival. I would like to thank my family for all of their support and help. I also want to say thank you to Kenny Walker and Kassi Corzine
for helping me during my reign as Princess. My sponsors were so great, JD Heiskell, Sundance Cattle Feed Lot, Bel Martin Dairy and Rob Vandernburg Trucking. I also appreciate CGA District 13, Central Valley Spurs, Outlaw Signs and Trini Couture. Thank you Springville Rodeo for the opportunity to reign as your 2014 Princess. This year look for me in the arena as the littlest member of the Springville Rodeo Drill Team. I love rodeo and I love Springville. I plan to continue riding horses, competing in Junior Rodeos and hopefully coming back as Springville Sierra Rodeo Queen in the future.
Queen’s Contestants Sponsored by Generations Photography Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Rider Kiesner is a multitalented performer, a true Wild West showman. His performances include Whip Cracking, Gun Spinning, and his specialty, Trick Roping. Rider is considered one of the top trick ropers in the world. Given a Will Rogers trick roping kit for Christmas when he was 9 years old, trick roping became his passion, and he aspired to be the best. Studying the great trick ropers of the past and present, his dedication to the art has led him to numerous titles including 2004 Montie Montana Showmanship Award, 2007 Will Rogers Rising Star, 2007 Trick Roper of the Year, 2009 World Champion Trick Roper, 2010 World Champion Trick Roper and 2011 World Champion Trick Roper. Along with these titles, Rider has traveled and performed in all 48 lower United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Oman, Japan, U.A.E., France, and Lebanon. Born 5th generation into the horse industry, Rider’s other interests are team roping and calf roping. He’ll be dazzling the audiences at the 67th Annual Springville Sierra Rodeo, April 24-25-26.
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
Top Trick Roper in the World
Rider Kiesner a true "Wild West" showman
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Worlds Most Famous Rodeo Clown & Bull Fifgter Wilbur Plaugher Wilbur Plaugher - Oldest Living Bull Fighter, at 93 years old, comes to Cowboy Church with Team Roper Pastor Cody Gunderson CA. What he yearned for was the ranch life. When he earned enough money he bought a horse and talked his way onto a Fresno ranch as a real greenhorn. His first rodeo competition was in 1942 at the Clovis Rodeo, where he took 2nd place in bull riding, and won a handful of cash. He realized then, even as a tall cowboy at 6 foot 4 inches and over 200 pounds, he could earn more money at the rodeo, than working as a cattleman. When Wilbur was 24 years old he was at a little rodeo where there was Considered by many to be the no clown to protect the bull riders. world’s most famous rodeo clown, To help save a bucked off friend, Wilbur Plaugher of Sanger Ca, has a rich and diverse rodeo history spanning more than 5 decades. In 1946 Wilbur Plaugher was the all-around champion at the Madison Square Garden rodeo in New York. His clowning career was born later that year when he was asked to fill in as a bull fighter. He was PRCA Clown of the year in 1982. Plaugher rode saddle bronc and bareback horses, but steer wrestling was his specialty. For years, it wasn’t unusual to see him wrestling steers in his baggy clown britches and grease paint. For decades, Plaugher, who was born March 13, 1922, in Lima Ohio, was one of the rodeo’s funniest clowns. His most popular act included trained ducks and dogs that doubled as rabbits and fighting bulls. The crowd’s favorite was having monkeys aboard dogs, while running in a competitive barrel Wilbur runs & jumps racing pattern. Wilbur cared less about the usual school sports when he attended Wilbur started running toward a Roosevelt High School in Fresno, bull, then fell, and the audience roared with laughter; that is when Wilbur Plaugher's life began as a bull fighter, or what some call a rodeo clown. He became a rodeo clown through the urging of a friend, Slim Pickens. This led to work in television with Fess Parker, and the Walt Disney movie “Run Appaloosa Run”. Another film, "More Than a Champion" depicted Wilbur's strong Christian belief. In 1971 Plaugher co-founded the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys to minister to rodeo participants, which now has 100 chapters in the USA. Earlier
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
this year, Promise Keepers produced a documentary on Wilbur, that is being shown at all their conferences; his son Randall produced a DVD, “ A Cowboys Life”, about his father and how he still is working the family cattle spread of some 2000 acres in Sanger in 2006. Over the years, bull fighting evolved into an event of its own preventing death or serious injury to the rodeo cowboys. Wilbur was the first bull fighter to ask that the bull be left in the arena so he could continue to entertain the audience with his skill and athleticism. Just like an Olympian, Wilbur was the
over the top of a bull
Pastor Cody Gunderson Pastor Cody has served as Senior pastor for Yosemite Lakes Community Church for 30 years. www.yosemitelakes.org Pastor Cody’s passion is equipping and mobilizing the church family in developing relationships, strengthening families and spreading the Good News of Jesus. Cody’s background and life experience is a great asset for ministering in the Mountain area. The Christian Broadcasting Network , CBN, produced a video of Cody’s life story; showing how God took a life headed in the wrong direction and turned it around to make a difference in the lives of others. Cody also enjoys helping and supporting Clovis’ “The Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch”, which is a non-profit organization. It is committed to promoting therapeutic riding as an efficacious treatment modality for those who suffer from physical, mental or emotional disorders by developing community awareness of equine assisted/ facilitated therapy. The population of HHTR serves ranges from those who are physically challenged to those with emotional or behavioral disorders; from Autism, to Cerebral Palsy, to our Veterans struggling with PTSD, to so many more. When Cody isn’t preaching and teaching he enjoys spending time with his family, snow skiing, riding his Harley and horses. Cody and his wife, Cheryl, reside in the Coarsegold area with their children. Visit Cody at:
first bull fighter to jump over the withers, the highest point on the bull, sometimes exceeding six feet. He also jumped over bulls charging directly at him, leaping over from nose to tail. Wilbur wrestled steers into his fifties and achieved national finals status five times over 15 years. He has been inducted into eight Rodeo Halls of Fames for his great bull fighting contributions to professional rodeo. He continued guest bull fighting appearances into his 80s. Wilbur says, “I love the work of a clown and a cowboy. That’s what my life is all about.” www.heartofthehorseranch.com
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Trevor Brazile "The King of Cowboys" 12 All Around World Championships Trevor Brazile, at 38 the reigning King of the Cowboys, has won 12 all-around world championships, including the last nine in a row – both records. Among the reasons Brazile has more gold buckles than any rodeo cowboy in history (21, another record): his work ethic, versatility, ever-improving roping and horsemanship skills, and positive attitude. “If I leave tomorrow, I’ll be way more successful than I ever thought I’d be,” Brazile said. “I just try to make the most of what I have. I love to rodeo. When you do three events and want to excel, you’ve got to put in the time.” Just to qualify for the all-around standings, a cowboy must earn at least $3,000 in at least two events. Last year, Brazile earned $494,369 and he did something unprecedented by banking more than $100,000 in three events. Over his 20-year career, he’s earned nearly $5.5 million in the arena – another record. His 2014 earnings were the second-highest in ProRodeo history – he owns the top eight marks – and were just behind his 2010 total of $507,921. Brazile has won five steer roping gold buckles (2006-07, 2011, 2013-14), three tie-
down world championships (2007, 2009-10) and a team roping header crown (2010), when he partnered with heeler Patrick Smith. In 2014, Brazile finished second in the world standings in team roping with partner Travis Graves and second in tie-down roping – just weeks after winning the National Finals Steer Roping average title and the steer roping gold buckle. Brazile has qualified for every Wrangler NFR since 1998, either as a team roper or tiedown roper, and usually in both events. Plus, he’s qualified for every National Steer Roping Final since 1997. By qualifying in all three events in 2014, he has 45 National Finals appearances, tying the record set by Tee Woolman. Brazile has often claimed that a major factor in his success is his ability – really, it’s a decision, he says – to remain positive through good times and bad. “This sport has a way of keeping you humble through injuries and the luck of the draw; there are variables in this sport like no other, which can be a blessing or a curse,” he said. “That’s one of the great things about this sport. It doesn’t matter who you are; this sport can keep you humble.”
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
TheProfessional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is an organization whose members compete in rodeos throughout North America, primarily in the United States. The PRCA sanctions rodeo venues and events through the PRCA Circuit System. Its championship event is the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo held in Las Vegas, Nevada every December. The PRCA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO. Springville Sierra Rodeo has been a proud member of the PRCA since its origin. Being sanctioned by the PRCA is a big responsibility. The PRCA has enumerated many guidelines, rules and regulations that sanctioned Rodeos have to abide by.
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
SAGE KIMZEY 2014 World Champion Bull Rider Sage Kimzey will have to build a new trophy case to hold all the awards he earned during the 2014 rodeo season. The 20-year-old bull rider from Strong City, Okla., put together one of the finest rodeo seasons in not only his event’s history, but in all of rodeo history. Kimzey earned $318,631 and ran away with not only the world title, but also the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo average buckle, as well as the PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year award and the RAM Top Gun truck. “Everything I accomplished this season and in Vegas is pretty surreal,” Kimzey said. “It’s special enough to make it to the NFR during your rookie year, but to do everything I’ve been able to do feels amazing.” Kimzey left little doubt as to who the top bull rider in the world was – during the regular season or the 10 nights of the WNFR. He was so dominant in both that he clinched his first gold buckle after just eight nights in Las Vegas. As he clutched the gold buckle after Round 10, it all started to sink in. “This is a dream come true, and it’s what I’ve wanted to get my hands on since I was 3 years old,” Kimzey said of rodeo’s ultimate prize. “I had
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
been (to the WNFR) before as a fan to watch the gold buckle presentation, so to be standing here now and holding it, and to be at the pinnacle of the sport, it’s making me want to do this all over again next year.” Kimzey had already become just the second rookie bull rider to win the world title; Bill Kornell did it in 1963. And he was the only rookie to win both the world and average title in bull riding. He broke the WNFR bull riding earnings record with $175,466, and came within just $2,135 of bull rider Matt Austin’s record for the best singleevent earnings total in rodeo history. “This experience has shown me how truly important each bull you get on is during the course of the season and the NFR,” Kimzey said of just missing the record. “There were a bunch of times I could’ve tried harder during the year and could’ve set that record, but now it’s on to next year with that mindset. That record is something to chase next year.” From winning the Permit Challenge in 2013 to having one of the greatest rodeo seasons in history, Kimzey put an empathetic stamp on his claim as the best bull rider in the world in 2014.
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Darrell Difenbach & Donnie Castle team up to protect the bull riders
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,
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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. Donnie Castle has made several appearances at the Springville Sierra Rodeo in the past.
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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 around the calf’s neck and
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TUF COOPER 2014 WORLD CHAMPION
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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 roping 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
The 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.
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FALLON TAYLOR 2014 WORLD CHAMPION BARREL RACER
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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
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in pursuit. If the bulldogger breaks the barrier before the steer reaches its head start, a 10-second 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.
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LUKE BRANQUINHO 2014 WORLD CHAMPION
Cowboy Up in the Sierra!
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Team Roping
Team 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 are assessed a
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CLAY TRYAN (HEADER) & JADE CORKILL (HEELER) 2014 WORLD CHAMPIONS 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 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.
The heeler then attempts to rope both hind ~ If he catches only one foot, the team is assessed a fivesecond 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
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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.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
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Saddle Bronc Riding
Saddle 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, SPENCER WRIGHT as opposed to the wilder and less2014 WORLD CHAMPION controlled ride of bareback riders. Among the similarities shared by mark out their horses on the first bronc rider must have both heels saddle bronc riding and bareback jump from the chute. To prop- on the animal’s shoulders when riding is the rule that riders must erly mark out his horse, the saddle it makes the first jump from the
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chute. If the rider misses his mark, he receives no score. 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 eightsecond 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.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Bareback Bronc Riding
Sponsored by Boot Barn
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 KAYCEE FEILD than all other rodeo cowboys. 2014 WORLD CHAMPION To stay aboard the horse, a bareback rider uses a rigging made of leather and constructed to meet horse’s withers and secured with a his horse. In other words, he must have both spurs above the horse’s PRCA safety specifications. The cinch. As the bronc and rider burst from shoulders until the horse’s feet hit rigging, which resembles a suitcase the chute, the rider has to “markout” the ground after its initial move from handle on a strap, is placed atop the
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the chute. If the cowboy 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, 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.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Bull Riding Rodeo competition, in the beginning, was a natural extension of the daily challenges cowboys confronted on the ranch - wrestling steers, roping calves, breaking broncs. 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. 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. 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. Like bareback and saddle bronc riders, the bull rider may use only one hand to stay aboard during the eight-second ride. If he touches the bull or himself with his free hand, he receives no score. But unlike the other roughstock events, bull riders are not required to mark out their animals. While spurring a bull can add to the
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cowboy’s score, riders are commonly judged on their ability 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. 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. Every bull is unique in its bucking. A bull may dart to the left, then to the right, then rear back in fury. Some spin, or continuously circle in one spot in the arena. Others add jumps or kicks to their spins, while others might jump and kick in a straight line, or move side to side while bucking.
The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!
Springville Sierra Rodeo 2015
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The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West!