ville, Georgia. Robert A. “Bob” Funk was raised in Duvall, Washington where he grew up working on a family-owned dairy farm. The dairy is what started his love for farming and livestock. However, when he tried purchasing the dairy, his family encouraged him to attend college and pursue a career off the farm. Funk graduated from Seattle Pacific University (SPU) with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and theology. He continued his graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and received his master’s degree in business administration and theology from SPU. He holds three honorary degrees: an honorary doctor of public service from his alma mater Seattle Pacific University awarded in 1995; an honorary doctor of law presented by Oklahoma Baptist University in 2000; and an honorary doctor of law presented by Southern Nazarene University in 2001. Following college, Funk started at ACME Personnel, a Washington-based staffing company where he was then transferred to Oklahoma. He climbed to rank of first vice president of that firm before co-founding Express Employment Professionals in 1983. During his time in Oklahoma, his love for cattle persisted as he purchased his first herd in the late ‘80s. Fast forward to 1996, Funk and Jarold Callahan purchased their first Angus herd which impacted the trajectory of Express Ranches, with locations in Oklahoma and New Mexico. Twenty-five years later, Funk has built one of the largest seedstock operations in the United States while simultaneously being involved in all other facets of the beef production business. Funk is actively involved in the community and gives back in a big way. He currently serves on several committees and previously served as chairman of the board of directors for the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum where he personally contributed $5 million. He is a Board member of the American Staffing Association, former chairman of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and current chairman of the Oklahoma Youth Expo. He named the Rodeo Gallery at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and has personally contributed $6.5 million to the Oklahoma Youth Expo; Express Ranches has contribute d more than $4 million in scholarships to OYE. Funk is also a strong supporter of America’s Sport – Rodeo. He has sponsored nationally saddle bronc (and now bull)
riding families like the Etbauers of Oklahoma and the Wrights of Utah. The competitive spirit of these folks have made the Express Ranches the most visible of sponsors on the rodeo trail. Beyond the cattle business, Funk strongly believes in the next generation of
agriculturists. This prompted the creation of the Express Scholarship Program where over $3 million have been awarded to America’s youth. Bob‘s favorite quote: “You are only as successful as the last person you helped.”
▫
NRCHA Board of Directors Makes Major Increases to Payouts, Finals Berths in 2022
the 2021 purse of approximately $8,000, with a $3,000 prize for the Level 1 Non Pro Derby winner (formerly the Amateur division). When the action begins at the DT Horses Western Derby June 1-12 in Scottsdale, Arizona, competitors in the Open Derby will ride for $50,000, a $10,000 increase over the 2021 purse. Instead of 20 riders, now there will be ollowing a highly successful year 25 finalists for that limited age event. where membership and participa- Like the Stakes, the finalists placing 21sttion in reined cow horse increased 25th will earn at least $2,500. The Non exponentially, the National Reined Cow Pro Derby purse will pay $10,000 to the Horse Association Board of Directors winner, with a $3,000 prize for the Level voted to increase 2022 premier event 1 Non Pro Derby winner. payouts and offer more finals event The ever-growing and youngest berths for competitors. premier event, the Dom Conicelli The 2022 premier event shows start Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by off with the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Mars Equestrian™, will also see an Celebration of Champions, where the increase in the limited age event purses Hashtags’ / Western Bloodstock LTD. that reflects the growth in entries at the World’s Greatest Horseman event shines show. The Open Derby will now pay a light on the versatility of NRCHA riders $20,000 for the champion and the last and all-around bridle horses. The cham- four horse and rider teams placing in pion’s purse doubles to $100,000 in the Open Derby will earn at least $1,750. 2022, with the addition of support from The Non Pro Derby will pay $5,000 to the Western Bloodstock. On top of this, a champion, an increase over the 2021 more-than matching commitment of an purse, which paid approximately $3,300. additional $62,000 added from the The near-record high entries in the NRCHA Board of Directors ensures a NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented bigger payout for finalists from reserve by Metallic Cat, proved that the reined on. Additionally, instead of the Top 10 cow horse industry is still on a positive being brought back for the ticketed upward swing. In 2022 the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman Finals, the Board has committed that the purse for Top 15 will ride for the prize. With the the Open champion will increase from added purse, the NRCHA Board commits $125,000 to $200,000, with the increase that those finishing 11th through 15th to 30 finalists plus ties implemented at will earn at least $7,500. On top of this, the 2021 event still in place. In 2022 the the Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby will pay bottom placing horse and rider Open $30,000 to the Open champion. finalist teams are now guaranteed At the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, $10,000 in the limited age event. The held March 25-April 2 in Las Vegas, Board has also emphasized the imporNevada, the Derby event will pay tance of NRCHA’s Non Pro riders, and in $50,000 to the Open champion in 2022, 2022 the Non Pro Futurity champion will and the finalists riding for that prize earn $40,000 with the bottom placing increase from Top 20 to Top 25, plus ties, finalists earning at least $2,000; the with places 21-25 earning at least $2,500. Level 1 Non Pro Futurity will pay at least Also at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, $7,500 and the Non Pro Boxing Futurity the Non Pro Derby purse will pay (formerly Non Pro Limited) will pay at $10,000 to the winner, an increase over least $7,500 to the winner.
F
▫
JANUARY 2022
83
