Editor’s Letter

Welcome to the Rodeo Life National Finals Rodeo edition. We are so excited to feature Jacob Talley on our cover and to have an opportunity to work with him, see his exclusive interview on page 54. We have several other rodeo champions who have personally participated in this edition from Zeke Thurston (page 44) to Jessica Routier (page 86) to our new featured section on Breakaway Ropers that includes Shelby Boisjoli (page 89), two-time Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping qualifier and World Breakaway Roping Leader going into the 2021 Finals. We thank you all for your time and dedication. See our article Givin’ It All Ya Got (page 18) by Journalist and proud Veteran, Jim Lamb, featuring the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association that explores the rich tradition of our U.S. Military and their passion for Rodeo with heartfelt words and photos that will capture the patriotic spirit and rodeo nature that is within all of us. Our aim at Rodeo Life is to focus on the qualifying events in rodeo, the competitors and the wonderful associations that support these champions. We have seen the circuit and championship rodeos expand their audience and today’s rodeos encompass a mass variety of generations, youths, women and men who not only are highly competitive but are equally traditional and involved with their communities. Cowboys and Cowgirls and their fans, of all walks of life, have surged rodeo into a worldwide recognized phenomenon. The National Finals Rodeo is in December and we’d like to spotlight these competitors that have earned their rightful place through hard work and dedication. Rodeo Life is a lifestyle, encompassing the culture, the communities, the competitors, of rodeo… and we look forward to our next edition. Should you like to contribute an article, or order a copy, please contact us, maybe your article will be featured in our next Rodeo Life National Finals Rodeo edition in December 2022. We would like to thank the PRCA, the PRCA Communications Staff, the WPRA and the WPRA Communications Staff for the champion and action shots they provided and for their support of the sport, please visit them at www.ProRodeo.com and www.WPRA.com for more information. And a very special thank you to Carol Lawrence who facilitates our requests at the PRCA and Ann Bleiker at the WPRA, without your support this beautiful magazine would not be possible.

To learn more visit us at TheRodeoLife.us. Thank you all for a great year and good luck at the National Finals Rodeo. Kelly Morrison Jocelyn Beach

COO Editor