Rodeo athletes summer 2014

FREE

Summer 2014

A Porfolio of Toda y a n d To m o r r o w ’s B r i g h t e s t Ro d e o Sta rs

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Luke Branquinho | Wesley Silcox | Billy Bob Brown | Kimmie Wall | More!

Youth Finals Edition

www.LoganCoach.com

Check Out our Booth in Rock Springs at the National High School Finals Rodeo 7/12-19.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

RODEO ATHLETES IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN A LOGAN COACH LATELY...

go mountainvalley.com

2 www.rodeoathletes.com

diamondHtrailer.com

ropingsupply.com

The world will always need a cowboy. Not only does the world need a cowboy, it needs a cowgirl to keep the cowboy in line.

The stories in this issue prove that over and over again. The untold stories about the lives of these cowboys and cowgirls, which are featured in this Youth Finales edition, are some of the most exciting life stories and lessons that you have ever had the chance to read.

Their stories are so exciting that you’ll hardly want to put the magazine down.

Letter From The

Editor

Some of these stories made me laugh out loud while others nearly brought me to tears. The life these cowboys and cowgirls live are the essence of the American Dream. They have inspired me, as they will for you, to live out your dreams, to never give up, and to always give a helping hand to others.

The vision of this magazine is to bring to light a reality of Rodeo Athlete that few ever see or experience. The excitement in the arena hardly tells the whole story. Even the best athletes in the world take the time to spend with family, friends, and extend a helping hand. I hope that you enjoy this issue as much as I enjoyed editing their stories.

Thank you, Clint Post, Chief Editor

Matt Sherwood

President of Rodeo Athletes Inc. Matt was born in Florida and grew up in Snowflake, Arizona. He roped all his life competing in Junior and High School Rodeo. Following 10 years of flooring he decided to return to the rodeo lifestyle. With the support of his family he committed to rodeo. In 2006 and 2008 roping with Walt Woodard, Matt won the World Championship Heading title. Matt again roped at the NFR in 2011.

During 2009-2010 Matt was elected the team-roping director of the PRCA. It was during that time that he realized that rodeo was a dying sport and something had to change. Understanding the dynamics of the PRCA, Matt concluded that the changes could only take place inside of the Association. Since then he has been actively involved in improving and preserving the sport of rodeo.

Through the programs established by Rodeo Athletes Inc. Matt found the outside solution to preserving and building up the sport of Rodeo. As president he is working with athletes, businesses, and agents to establish a professional rodeo that will be enjoyed by all, provide athletes the life style they deserve, and preserve this American sport for many centuries to come.

Colby Siddoway

VP of Male Athletes Colby grew up in the western lifestyle. His life is summed in the 3 R’s: rodeos, roping, and ranching. He has competed through the ranks of Junior, High School, and Pro Rodeo. Over the last ten years Colby has competed professionally with great success at major events across the Nation. Along with rodeo he is a full time horse trainer. Colby is excited to represent and promote his fellow rodeo athletes.

Jody Sheffield

VP of Female Athletes Jody is a 5thGeneration Cowgirl from Delta, Colorado. She competed in the 2011 Wrangler NFR finishing 8thin the world standings. She and her husband Jesse Pro Rodeo year round and run cattle on their ranch.

Jody is excited to represent and promote fellow female rodeo athletes.

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 3

Table of

Contents 10

6

Bill Wright Wright Family Values Run Deep

12

Billy Bob Brown Championships of Life

15

Nancy Hunter Chasing the Dream

Cover Story:

The Branquinho Village:

A Story of How a Boy Became a Champion

They say that it takes a village to make a man out of a boy. It has taken a village to get Luke Branquinho to be the champion he is today. The experiences and lessons that he has learned from his Grandparents, parents, brothers, family and friends have helped shape him into the man, father and champion he is today.

17

Kimberlyn Fitch Becoming a Rodeo Family

26

Kimmie Wall Chasing the Dream

35

Sabrina Ketcham Giving Everything You Got

38

Cole Sherwood Born to be a Cowboy

20

Wesley Silcox More Than A Gold Buckle

29

Tarin Rice Becoming a Great Horseman

41

Cimarron Boardman Face Everything and Rise

23

Josi Young Others Come First

32

Ty Blasingame The Blaster: Road to Success

44

Chandler Bownds Humble Hard Work

For information on advertising or other inquiries, visit our website at www.rodeoathletes.com, email info@rodeoathletes.com or call us at (623) 777-9451.

The publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the articles in RodeoAthletes.com Magazine. The information contained within has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this material. Appropriate professional advice should be sought before making decisions. ŠCopyright 2013.

4 www.rodeoathletes.com

The

Branquinho Village

Luke Branquinho article here...

6 www.rodeoathletes.com

A Story of How a boy became a champion

By Brandy Branquinho & Tony Branquinho

They say that it takes a village to make a man out of a boy. It has taken a village to get Luke Branquinho to be the champion he is today. The experiences and lessons that he has learned from his Grandparents, parents, brothers, family and friends have helped shape him into the man, father and champion he is today. They have kindly shared their stories and you get a peak into the life of Luke through the eyes of those closest to him. These stories may make you laugh or cry like they do for those who have shared them.

The following stories are what helped shape Luke and the success that he has had.

to untie Bojo before climbing on. Grandma Ellinore said that Luke was so mad because he was so close to getting away. She loved all her grandchildren but she had a special spot in her heart for Luke.

Opening Up: Tony Branquinho (Older Brother)

Luke is a kind and compassionate person but does a good job shielding it from everyone. His rookie year in the PRCA saw him miss the WNFR by less than a thousand dollars.

This was a disappointment in itself but his true disappointment about not making it would come out a whole year latter. Luke qualified for his first NFR in 2001 and was as ecstatic as one would expect after accomplishing a life-long goal. Tony was sitting with Luke in the Thomas and Mack after the third performance watching the extra steers get run and Tony could tell that something was on his mind.

He asked him what was up and Luke said he was upset at himself for not making it to the finals the year before.

Lukes Biggest Fan: Grandma Ellinore

Grandma had to have had the biggest impact on Luke’s life. She was a god send to Luke’s mother. She took care of all three of her boys while she was out working cattle or riding horses. One of the favorite stories of Luke and Grandma happened when he was very young and shows what an independent person he was at a young age.

Luke was about 4 or 5 years old and he had helped his family gather cattle that morning at the El Roblar Ranch.

They all tied their horses up and went in for lunch after the mornings gather. Typically after lunch Luke would stay with Grandma Ellinore because a full day working cattle was just too much for a little cowboy. After lunch they all headed out to work again leaving Luke with Grandma as his family rode up the canyon. What they did not know, until we got back, was that Luke had decided that he wanted to go out and gather with them.

Luke had run-away from Grandma and by the time she had caught up to him he had already climbed up the old cement water trough and shimmed down the neck of his old horse Bojo’s into the saddle. Grandma said that he would have been gone up the canyon after us except that he forgot

Tony told him he should forget about that and be proud of what he accomplished this year. Luke said he was proud but that he wished he could have been able to bring Grandma Ellinore to Las Vegas with him. She had gotten very frail in the year since he missed the finals as a rookie and was unable to make the trip. When they got home from Las Vegas Grandma had taken a turn for the worse and passed away just two days before the Christmas of 2001. Luke was

Branquinho continued on page 8

Luke Branquinho

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 7

A Boy and His Dog: Brandy Branquinho (Mom)

continued from page 7

one of the Pallbearers at the funeral and he placed one of his first autograph pictures in the Casket with Grandma Ellinore. He said that she will always be his biggest fan and that she will have the picture with her forever.

The Stump that Turned into a Bear: John Branquinho (Dad)

It was just a few days after Luke’s 9th Birthday that he and his dad were headed out in the old brown jeep to go deer hunting up in the mountain area of the Laguna ranch we called the union. As they were driving past the hay fields Luke said, “Dad look at that bear in the field.” His dad said, “that is just the old burnt stump that you are seeing.” Luke responded, “if it is the burnt stump then it is running.” John looked up to see a big black bear running across the field.

Turning off the main road leading into the ranch and headed out into the hay field at a very high rate of speed they chased after the black bear.

They got to the bear just as he was headed out of the field crossing the creek and headed up the steep brushy bank.

Just as the bear was reaching the top of the bank and about to disappear from sight Luke shot and he made a clean hit.

It was an incredible shot for an adult to make much less a nine year old. The bear rolled back down the hill to a spot that was accessible with the jeep, this made loading the 385 pound black bear much easier. This was the biggest black bear that John had ever seen in their area and he said that it was a great thrill to be able to share that moment with his son.

This is just one of the many hunting trips that Luke and his father have had over the years together. They have hunted all over from California, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, and Oregon meeting many great people along the way and making lifelong friends. With Luke’s busy rodeo schedule they try to hunt as much as they can. They take Luke’s boys Cade and Jameson out with them to teach the next generation of Branquinhos about hunting.

8 www.rodeoathletes.com

One cold wet winter Luke’s family had a litter of pups out of Johnnie’s two good dogs. The mother was named Sadie, a Queensland Border Collie cross, and the father was named Tuffy, a Border Collie Mcnab Cross. This particular winter was so cold that the mother and pups were kept in the basement to keep them warm and safe from the freezing temperatures. Before the puppy’s even opened their eyes Luke had picked his out and would carry him around all afternoon after school and then put him back with his mother in the evening. He named his puppy Bear; he was black and tan and a strong personality from the day one. From the time Bear was old enough he and Luke did everything together. He hunted with Luke and helped him find many down game. Bear would wait in the old brown jeep all day every day until Luke would come home from school so they could go on another adventure.

His mom would all laugh because you could not get that dog out of the jeep for anything. That was a blessing in its self because Bear would not listen to anyone except Luke.

As independent as Luke was at such a young age it was comforting knowing that he had his dog with him and his Mom knew that Bear would protect him and be there for him. That dog meant the world to that little boy and the boy meant the world to that special dog.

Brothers : Brandy Branquinho (Mom)

So many stories can be told about the three Branquinho brothers. They would bicker at one another from time to time like most brothers do but if you ver cross one of them be ready for a whole lot of Branquinho that you will have to deal with. Luke is five years younger than Tony and three years younger than Casey. When they were growing up the two older boy’s thought Luke was too little to go with them.

That did not slow Luke down one bit. He just went out on his own and did his own thing mostly hunting, fishing, driving the tractor and jeep, and of course, taking apart equipment and putting it back together.

One rainy winter their drive way had a big ditch down the middle of it from all the water. Now if you paid attention and straddled the ditch you could make it up just fine.

The drive way was lined on both sides with olive trees that my father, Luke’s grandfather Bill Luton had planted fifty years earlier. Tony and Casey were in high school and Luke was in grammar school at the time. The two older boys were returning home from school and started up the driveway; Casey was driving their old two tone 1979 ford bronco and got it stuck in the ditch.

As luck would have it, both their parents where not home at the time. When Tony and Casey walked up to the house and told Luke what had happened they all decided to try and pull the bronco out themselves. Luke went and started up the D2 caterpillar and drove it to the spot where the bronco was stuck and Tony and Casey hooked up the chains. Luke then proceeded to pull it out of the ditch and up the rest of the driveway. Their Mom and Dad learned that you do not always need them around when you have raised three handy boys who can work together.

former major league third baseman and current Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura. John is one of the nicest men in the world and came up to Luke’s mother one day after practice chuckling. He told his mother that Luke had some requests and he came up to the coach after practice and said “I think you need to move some players around to make the team better.

We need to move Cody from centerfield to pitcher and your nephew Tim from pitcher to centerfield.” John said he thanked Luke for his input but that they would keep the team the way it is for now. Luke smiled and said ok and went on his way. John told Luke’s mother, “Brandy no matter what Luke does in life later on be it rodeo, baseball or whatever he will succeed.” John saw the potential and greatness in Luke at six years old. John still keeps in contact with him to this day and has kept track of his career and is very proud of him.

Luke’s Village

As you can see these are a few examples of the people and stories that helped shape Luke into the young man that he is today. There is so much more to him than just a world champion steer wrestler, he is a son, brother, father and friend. He will also be the first to tell you that the buckles may go on his belt, but that he would not be where he is today without the village that helped raise him into the champion you see today.

Speaking his mind and setting the foundation for success: John Ventura (Coach)

When Luke played T-ball his coach was John Ventura, father of Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 9

Wright Family Values Run Deep

Wright Bill Wright

It is no secret that Rodeo Life is rigorous and requires a great deal of hard work and perseverance. Bill Wright, the father of the Utah’s saddle bronc riding Wright brothers, says “You get out of things just about what you put into them. Put in big effort and get big rewards.” Bill and Evelyn Wright have followed this old family adage to the full extend with their family of thirteen. They claim that the secret to their success is working right alongside each child until they have gained the confidence and skill to be able to succeed. Sticking to it, seeing it through to the end, and finishing what you started are just a few of the old family phrases you might hear kicking around in their home.

Bill is a family man. Calvin Spendlove Wright, Bills father, used to say, “your family is the best investment you’ll ever make.” Bill believes this value and puts it into action.

His sisters, Sheila, Calleen, and Roxie acknowledge with pride that Bill and Evelynn have encapsulated a family culture and carried on a host of family values passed down through the generations. “It pleases us to see their family put into practice a western family culture of unity, love, support, and hard work that we so fondly remember in our own home.”

According to Bill’s sister Calleen, Bill’s dad took him with him wherever he went and taught him to work at a young age. Bill has followed this same family pattern with his children; he takes them and teaches them. He doesn’t tell them they can’t accomplish something but allows them to try. He has high expectations for his children and believes they can achieve them. He just kept providing them with opportunities and helped them until they succeeded. Bill has been known to always have a “sidekick” with him; it used to be

10 www.rodeoathletes.com

mostly his own children but these days his grandchildren are often the sidekicks. Bill appreciates his good fortune of having a lifestyle and business that allowed him to take his family with him to work, not just send them out to work. He attributes a portion of their success to this lifestyle.

Physical and emotional commitments were not the only forms of support Bill gives his boys. He helped them financially; taking his father’s advice he put his money where his mouth was. The boys were given the opportunity to work to earn the money they needed. Things were not just handed to them. They were expected to pay their own entry fees.

They knew they were loved but not spoiled.

Shawn Davis, director and general manager of NRPRA, has worked personally with almost all of the Wright brothers at his Rodeo school and other associations. Shawn has personal expressed to Bill his admiration of the work ethic passed down to them. Bill and Evelyn have taught their kids the importance of observing what needed to be done and then doing it without being told. Their children are selfmotivated and want to complete their work, sometimes to an excess. Their mom Evelynn laughs about an time when her son Calvin would work to the point that his coworkers had to kick the latter out from under him so he would stop and eat lunch.

This legacy of being a hard work is not just limited to the saddle bronco champs; the entire Bill and Evelynn Wright family has a reputation for being extremely hard workers.

Evelynn say’s “I would rather have a stupid kid than a lazy one any day. A person can learn if they are not lazy.” Bill will confirm that a great deal of the family’s success comes from the companionship of his dedicated wife and mother

of his children, Evelyn. Evelyn relates that Bill always supported her desire of being in the home to raise and teach the children. Bill say’s Evelyn was really good to come up with rewards after they had accomplished their responsibilities.

She might take a picture of a job well done, plan a family outing, or help them make or obtain some desired item.

Another Key to the family success is their developed support system. Bill and Evelynn have given each of their children support and in turn they are a family that is there for each other. Evelyn says, “they relish in each other’s accomplishments, they are each other’s greatest cheer leaders.”

The real competition lies with the ability to do their personal best. Coming from a big family they learned to serve each other. Evelyn related that, “they look out for each other.

If one has a problem they rally together and take the time to help the one struggling till he’s on his feet again.” Stewart, the youngest Wright, was near completion of his Eagle Scout project when the other boys recognized the value of this accomplishment and volunteered their help to finish the project. This kind of support is the basis for the way they treat others. Even though the Wright brothers take wining seriously, they have been taught that winning isn’t everything. The old family attitude that you can’t win every time, somebody has to lose, has also contributed to another level of success even when they are not winning.

Bill and Evelyn agree with the philosophy of Zona Ruesch Wright, Bill’s mother, that, “there are only two kinds of people in this world, those you love and those you don’t know yet.” This kind of value dictates attitude and is its own natural reward.

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 11

Brown

Billy Bob Brown Championships of Life

Fighting for his first championship, the “Championship of Life,” Billy Bob Brown was born on September 2, 1991.

Billy Bob came into this world with breathing issues that days later resulted with his lung rapturing unexpectedly.

The raptured lung created enough pressure that it moved his baby heart from its normal position.

Baby Billy Bob was transported to Abilene Hendrick NICU, a hospital that had never performed the needed procedure. The Doctor had to perform an experimental surgery.

Following the miraculous surgery, Dr. Tueguel reported that his survival was now in baby Billy Bob’s hands. His life depended on his will to live. He had to fight for life and fight he did!

Billy Bob overcame every obstacle that came his way. Following the surgery he developed staff infection and that was just one of the numerous set backs that he championed.

This miraculous recovery, which multiple professional held as impossible, earned Billy Bob his first “championship.” He was awarded the title of “1992 Big Country Miracle Child” from the National Children’s Miracle Network.

His miraculous story was also aired on National TV for many years. Since that day Billy Bob has been fighting for championships in and out of the arena.

Growing up, Billy Bob would drag a rope everywhere he went. When he started walking, there were no safe feet. He

12 www.rodeoathletes.com

would never put his rope down for very long. He would put it down to play with a ball if someone else had one, and soon enough he would go back to play his rope. In his younger years he wanted to go to every roping and junior rodeo, compete in every sport, and show his calf and goats at the stock shows.

His parents, Kris and D’aun, and his big sister, Kristal, tried to accommodate his active life. As all the activities took more and more time and sister went off to college, Billy Bob narrowed down his interest to rodeo, basketball, and showing goats. Showing goats came easy, Jo Jo Lemond gave him a “goat chute” and he would rope the goats daily. In the show ring, he could hold the goats for the judge to touch them. He did very well in his class because his goats had massive muscles.

In addition to rodeo basketball is one of his favorite sports. Billy Bob started playing basketball in little dribblers. For two of his high school years he played at the State Regional Basketball Tournament and received honors as the All District Guard and Big Country Point Guard. In college he played basketball with a team made up of rodeo athletes and together they won the college intermural championship.

On a daily basis, during basketball season, he rushed

home after school and the steers or calves would be loaded. Billy Bob would practice until the last minute and then would return to school for basketball practice.

Basketball wasn’t easy to combine with rodeo. His coaches made it possible and wanted him to succeed with his aspirations for rodeo. Most of the time horses were hauled to the basketball games and as soon as game was over, Billy Bob was changing clothes in the truck and headed to a rodeo or roping event.

Rodeo has always been a constant in his life. Although he had other interest, Billy Bob always worked harder at rodeo. He has always been a small frame guy because of his rough start in life, but that just meant that he had to have more grit than some in his age group. Many times D’aun would say, “he’s too small to do that” only for Kris to reply “he thinks he can” and most of the time Billy Bob would proved Kris right.

Before Junior High, Billy Bob had won over 10 saddles, numerous all-round titles, belt buckles, and the notorious Barry Burk Championship. During his junior high and high school years, he won two pickup trucks, AJRA All-round horse trailer, over 35 saddles, numerous all-round titles, buckles, spurs, and qualified three times for National High School Finals. He was the Texas High School calf roping champion his junior year and Texas High School team roping heeler his senior year.

Today, Billy Bob Brown is a senior at Tarleton State University in Stephenville Texas. For two years he has been honored to represent Tarleton State at the NIRA College

Finals. Last year Billy Bob was the Southwest Region All-Round Champion and Champion Header. While carrying a 3.0 GPA, he was crowned the NIRA National All-Round Champion and Champion Header in Casper, Wyoming.

Currently Billy Bob is winning the NIRA Southwest Region AllRound and Calf Roping.

While attending Tarleton State University last year, Billy Bob participated in several PRCA rodeos, winning All-Round titles at Sonora and Lubbock and placing at a few events. This year he bought his PRCA card and is pursuing his dream of being titled “Rookie of Year.”

Dreams of being “Rookie of Year” and “World Champion” does not come as a surprise to his family. Billy Bob came into this world fighting for life and winning the “Championships of Life” has always been his goal.

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 13

ood Matt Sherw on ampi 2X World Ch mart opeS Joins the R Pro Team

e Little Changes Don’t Mean Anything..ey Mean EVERYTHING

Patented,No. 7,992,366 & No. 8,037,665

use code

rodeoa14 to receive 10 percent off selected items.

Are you ready for an Easy to Use Convienent, Easily Attached ATV Arena grooming solution??

RopeSmarttcalf

“ T he R unner ”

ail abl NOw Av

e!

RopeSmarttSteer AlllInn11Training System

ORDER NOW ONLINE OR CALL

Photo © Brian Smith

Hunter Nancy Hunter

Chasing the Dream

By Nancy Hunter

On March 22nd, 2014 Nancy found herself along with her barrel horse of eight years, Mr. Fuzz, winning Rodeo Houston for the second time. Winning Rodeo Houston 2 years in a row, 2013-2014, Nancy rode away with $108,000. It may seem like a fairy tale story, yet it is true and this story began many years ago in a small community called Lehi, Utah.

Nancy’s parents did not have nor want horses. Fortunate for Nacy’s, her Grandpa Azer, a farmer with a love for horses, influenced and mentored her from a young age. Grandpa Azer was a tough, hardworking man of seventy with muscles like Popeye the Sailor Man. His main mounting hourse was called Snip. Snip was sorrel (reddish brown) in color and pigheaded in nature, except with Grandpa Azer. Nancy would beg her Grandpa, nearly every day, to saddle Snip and she would ride

around the neighborhood. Grandpa’s skills with horses have been in Nacy’s memories for a long time. Her Grandpa’s love for them came across to her at a young age. Grandpa eventually gave Nancy her first horse, a palomino colt, called Paleface. Sadly Paleface suffered from dementia and missed most of Nancy’s young rodeo career. Nancy feels that Paleface watches over her from heaven and she hopes to make him proud.

Nancy traveled the route of many youth involved with horses; 4-H, horse

shows, and high school rodeos.

She waited tables and purchased a pole bending horse called Sis. In her junior and senior years of high school rodeo, Sis won the State Pole Bending. By then she was dating her future husband Fred who helped her in rodeo. Nancy qualified for the High continued on page 16

continued on page 16 Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 15

continued from page 15

School National Finals in barrel racing on a Fred trained horse and the goat tying event. Even with her parents supported, Nancy had to pay others to haul her horses to many of the rodeo events. To Nancy, it seemed easy then, but looking back she can see that she was a very persistent young adult who followed her passion at any cost.

For many years after marrying Fred, Nancy did not compete. Instead she supported Fred as he developed his training career. They spent sixteen years hauling their four boys to 4-H and high school rodeos. Those years make up some of the greatest memories and times that they spent together as a family.

16 www.rodeoathletes.com

In 1990 Nancy graduated as a Registered Nurse and worked in the Emergency Department, the adrenaline rush of working helped fill the void that she missed from competing. As her kids grew older she yearned for the challenge of barrel racing and the competition of rodeo.

Fred began to train her barrel horses at this point. He started working with Sprat who eventually qualified for the Wilderness Circuit Finals four times and the Ram Circuit Finals in the mid nineties. Since then Nancy has had the wonderful opportunity to ride excellent horses and compete in numerous rodeos and events.

Nancy’s current horse is Mr. Fuzz.

He came to us as a four-year-old colt and Fred put Mr. Fuzz right into training. Fuzz’s resume spans over eight years and speaks for itself, his career earnings is in the $450,000 range. Mr. Fuzz is at the age of 14 and his barrel rodeo competition years are winding down. Soon, like Sprat who is 35, Fuzz will spend his well-earned retirement in Fred & Nancy’s pasture.

But not yet… 2014 has started as a fairy tale and Rodeo Houston has put Nancy in a great position to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals, a dream of any competitive barrel racer. This summer Fuzz and the Hunter

clan will be hitting the highway trying to secure that spot to run down the alleyway at the Thomas and Mack arena during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Nancy enjoys sharing 4 lessons that she has learned while racing: 1. Don’t fret about what others are running, just stay in your bubble and do what you and your horse can do.

2. Barrel Racing is a game, a fun one but still a game, enjoy it but don’t worship it.

3. That horse comes first at all times don’t sacrifice it’s health and welfare for a win.

4. Stop and enjoy the ride, put the moments in your memory bank for the years ahead to enjoy again!

Looking back, for Nancy, life has flown by so fast since riding Snip as a young girl and envisioning herself as a barrel racer. Even today one could say that Nancy is still that persistent girl who believes in chasing dreams!

Fitch

Kimberlyn Fitch Becoming a Rodeo Family Kimberlyn Shaye Fitch‘s journey to the 2013 CNFR Breakaway Championship has been filled with an abundance of trials and tribulations, highs and lows, and joys and sorrows. Her journey started out completely innocent and simple. She wanted a pony of her own so on her fourth birthday a little palomino pony named Cody became a member of her family. Since then there has not been a single day that Kimberlyn has not had a horse in her life.

Kimberlyn was born into a family that did not rodeo and her parents found it really hard to answer the thousands of questions she had about the sport so off to 4-H they went.

Kimberlyn quickly became a beautiful rider and enjoyed going to the county fairs where she was rewarded for all her hard work.

While participating in 4-H Kimberlyn crossed the paths with many people who soon become her friends together they participated in the sport of rodeo. At the seasoned age of five she made it to her first rodeo where Kimberlyn began competing in the Idaho Junior Rodeo Association (IJRA).

The number of kids at the rodeo was overwhelming yet the support of their families was amazing.

Kimberlyn couldn’t wait for summer to begin so she could go to the IJRA rodeos. The first time Kimberlyn was able to run her barrel horse and beat the one-minute buzzer was one of her biggest achievements.

She would rope everything from cats, dogs, chickens and her brother Chase. Her family would drive two hundred miles round trip all winter long to a cold, snowed in barn in Manan Idaho where Kimberlyn, along with a half dozen other kids, would rope the dummy and take their best shot at roping calves. After she caught her first calf Kymberlyn was hooked and her family dynamics changed, they were now a rodeo family.

Kymberlyn competed in the IJRA from the age of five to sixteen winning many buckles, saddles, and prizes. She continued on page 18

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 17

continued from page 17

competed in many different events: Barrel Racing, team roping, pole bending, and goat tying. Breakaway was her favorite event. In 2006 Kimberlyn qualified to go to Gallup New Mexico to the Junior Wrangler National Finals (JWNF). Kimberlyn was successful in Idaho but this was a whole new level of competition.

In the face of national competition and pressure Kimberlyn she shined. At the end of the week she had finished 4thin breakaway. Coming home from the 2006 JWNF, Kimberlyn decided she wanted to step up her game. She felt that she and her high-energy buckskin mare, named Hippie, could be champions if they set their minds to it. A year later at the 2007 JWNF, this mentally tough 7thgrader and her mare Hippie won the title of Junior Wrangler National Breakaway Champion.

One month after the 2007 JWNF Hippie fractured her leg. After twelve weeks of heart breaking efforts to save Hippie, Kimberlyn was force to make a really tough decision and put her down. Things began to change and tough times where on their way. More trials came and at the 2008 JWNF Kimberlyn missed her first calf. You could see the hurt in her eyes but you could tell that her grit was strong.

The next year during Kimberlyn’s freshman year in high school, she lost a very close friend and mentor to a horse accident. She struggled to find the passion that she once had for rodeo. She missed her mentor and his motivational words, his excitement in the practice pen and his rodeo stories of days gone by.

Fortunately High School rodeo rejuvenated a lot of Kimberlyn’s passion for rodeo. During her four years in high school rodeo she won many buckles and saddles. She was titled Idaho State Champion Team Roper (header) with partner Max Kuttler, State Champion Girls Cutter, Girls Rookie, two time Reserve all-around. At the High School National Finals Kimberlyn Competed in cutting, barrels, pole bending and team roping. She finished 9thin barrels and a 4thin cutting and to her disappointment did not qual-

18 www.rodeoathletes.com

ify in her favorite event, breakaway.

During Kimberlyn’s senior year of high school she lost another breakaway horse, Yankee, to acute liver failure. Some wondered if she had the resilience to continue. In the summer following high school graduation a sorrel mare named Diva came into Kimberlyn’s life. Diva changed her attitude and renewed her passion for rodeo. Hitting it off immediately, they started laying down some impressive times. They spent the summer tuning up with Kent Shiozawa her roping coach. Kimberlyn was ready to prove that she had what it takes to win another national breakaway title.

Kimberlyn always competes with a leave no doubt attitude. Her mother always tells her to be the best she can be because her best is pretty dang good. Competing for the Idaho State University in the Rocky Mountain region Kimberlyn made her mark. She was titled the 2013 Rocky Mountain Region Breakaway Champion, 2013 Rocky Mountain Barrel Racing Champion, Rocky Mountain Women’s All Around Champion, Rookie Cowgirl and Idaho States Women’s Team Regional Champions.

At the 2013 CNFR Kimberlyn qualified in Breakaway.

She won 1stin the first round, 2ndin the second round, 1stin the third round, 3rdin the short go. She was titled 2013 CNFR Breakaway Champion. She was the only roper to get four straight sub-three-second times on four head. She won the average by two seconds with a total time of 9.7 seconds on four head. She finished 7th in the barrels on her horse Burnee and was the CNFR Rookie and Reserve all-around. She is also part of the Idaho State University Women’s National Champion Team leading her team to a championship scoring 445 of the teams 520 points.

Rodeo has taken Kimberlyn on some pretty amazing adventures. After High School she took some time off to go to Paris France. While over there she visited Sweden and did some roping. She hopes to go back to Sweden and give roping lessons and promote the sport of rodeo. In November 2013 married her best friend Brody Fitch and her family feels like she got a good one. Kimberlyn hopes to get into the nursing program next year at ISU. Brody has earned his CPA and hopes to wrap up his masters this year. They love living in Arbon Valley raising club calves, farming, and working on the Fitch Family Ranch. Kimberlyn’s rodeo journey goes on and things are looking great for 2014.

RodeoAthletes.com Magazine | Winter 2013/14 19

Silcox

20 www.rodeoathletes.com

Wesley Silcox More Than A Gold Buckle

If stopped and asked about his buckles or his winnings a humble grin will cross his face as he says he got lucky once or twice.

Those who really know the World Champion, Wesley Silcox, know luck had no part in his bull riding success.

Having grown up in the small rural town of Payson, Utah on his family dairy farm Wes learned, at a very early age, what hard work is all about. He is often quoted to being the “Cowboy of few words.” Being the youngest of four children Wes learned to be tough and to keep up with the rest.

It’s often joked that by age two Wes was never found without a rope in hand. Whether he was roping off the couch or walking around roping siblings and family pets he was a true cowboy at heart. Being very athletic Wes played a number of sports growing up; Baseball and Little Buckaroos were at the top on his list. Team Roping is the event that he ended up competing and exceling in during his youth. It wasn’t until midway through his Junior year of High-school when he tried for the All Around Title that Bull Riding was introduced to his resume. Wes watched, learned, and idolized both his father and older brother

for many years. Wes finished Reserved Champion his junior year and claimed the bull-riding championship his senior year.

His father still recalls the day Wes asked him if he could become a bull rider. With the fatherly advice that he has always looked up to, a champion in the making, Wes went with his passion and started down the rodeo trail. Shortly after finishing high school at the age 18, Wes joined the PRCA. He finished his rookie year being 35th in the World Standings. His career has only went up from there. Wes’s name has been seen and heard all around the rodeo world and has never once giving him a big ego. He has been given a talent and a modest attitude that sometimes is over shadowed by the fact he makes it look easy. Many of the greatest bull riders of all time have commented of a style truly unique style.

The National Finals of 2007 was one his family, friends, and fans will always remember. Eight Seconds stuck on the clock and when his feet hit the ground Wesley Silcox was crowned the 2007 World Champion Bull-rider.

This is said to be one of his proudest moments. Along with the highs of any sport always comes the lows.

It was August of 2008, Wes found himself with a broken Tibia Fibula after being bucked off by a bull named Dipping Dots in the short round.

The finals being only a few shorts months away, Wes had to find it within himself to compete with a broken leg and seal his 3rd place world stand-

ings. He found it in himself at the finals that year. It was the forth he competed at the NFR in Vegas.

One of Wes’s biggest challenges and biggest accomplishments calls him Dad. In the Summer of 2012 Wes and his Wife welcomed a beautiful baby girl in their life. Being the dad and family man Wes is, it has been hard for him to leave her at home. It is taking his mind other places. It is a battle he fights every time he kisses her goodbye and heads out on the trail but it is a battle he is overcoming, just like the injuries he has mentally and physically overcame.

There is more to Wesley Silcox than just Bull-Riding and making a big name for himself. Wes is a true outdoors man, and becomes very antsy when cooped up too long. He often jokes about becoming a mountain man after he retires. He has been all over the world hunting and recently he just returned from Africa and New Zealand. Wes, a small town farm boy at heart, likes to keep himself busy taking care of his bucking bulls It has became a hobby for him and his two year old daughter. A very accomplished bull rider but an ever better son husband and father, Super Silcox is just an all around good fun guy to be around. A true cowboy with a humble mind and genuine heart of gold.

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 21

22 www.rodeoathletes.com

early on to be good at it but Josi had no interest in anything except being a kid.

He has always liked having fun and when he takes an interest in something he is extremely focused.

It wasn’t until he was in high school that Josi took an interest in riding bareback horses. The pressure from his pier group was more than he could bare and he came home and asked about getting on some bareback horses. The groundwork had been established early on and he was a quick study. Within a short time he was doing very well.

As focused as he is with his rodeo, he is even more focused on being a good person. He has come to the rescue of more than a few people in need as he has traveled around. He hasn’t been involved in just small gestures of kindness but has really been involved in some life altering circumstances.

One time when he was leaving Arizona he came across a man with a large family who had broken down at the side of the road in their old beat up mini-van. The repairs threatened to deplete their gas funds to travel to Texas where the father had a job awaiting his arrival. He was in a destitute situation and had no one to turn to and felt abandoned and alone. Josi saw the mini-van stopped on the side of the road and decided that they needed help so he pulled over. When Josi learned about the man’s situation Josi helped the man get his van fixed and gave him $400 dollars to get his fam-

Young Josi Young

Others Come First

Josiah Lee Young is the second child of Mickey and Lori Young. He wasborn on the 29th of June, 1982. Josi, which was his early adopted nick name, from his earliest days was a joy to be around. He was an easy kid to raise and liked doing what ever his dad did. His dad was rodeoing full time riding bareback horses and putting on rodeo schools. By the time Josi was six or seven years old, his dad would let him demonstrate, to the rodeo students, the proper way to spur a bucking horse on a bale of hay. This would help prepare them for a real bucking horse.

Josi was a fun loving kid. Has had no brothers and one older sister, Shayna. She is two and a half years older than Josi and as he grew up she provided the needed competition. Shayna is a very talented dancer and took an interest

continued on page 24 Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 23

continued from page 23

ily to Texas. $400 was a sizable amount of money for a kid to part with, especially one that was trying to make a living rodeoing.

Another time Josi was just getting into Wickenburg, AZ. When he saw an elderly woman trying to stop traffic. No one was pulling over. Josi immediately stopped and asked what he could do for her. She had been traveling with her husband and they got a flat tire. When they pulled over to fix it the husband got out and began changing the tire. Suddenly he had a massive heart attack and the woman didn’t know what to do and had no phone service.

Josi acted quickly. He found the husband wasn’t breathing so he called for help and began CPR on the man. By the time Life Flight arrived the man was pronounced dead. Josi helped the recently widow woman who was in agony and confusion over the passing of her husband. She didn’t even know for sure how to get back to where she lived. Josi made all the arrangements for her to get to Las Vegas to her daughters house. Since then the woman has sent Josi Christmas cards and expressed gratitude for his selfless acts of kindness.

One of the most memorable events was when Josi, his sister, his wife and little boy were on their way to the Denver rodeo. They came upon a freshly wrecked pickup and trailer that had gone off the road and into the snow bank.

The pickup had flipped upside down. The trailer jackhammered the truck through the snow banks shattering the front window and the snow was packed into the cab engulfing occupants and all. It must have been like an avalanche in your own front seat.

Josi was thinly clad with a T-shirt and tennis shoes and he realized that until the police and medics got there he was their only hope. Jumping out of his truck Josi went to work digging out the snowbound occupants. Within a few min24 www.rodeoathletes.com

utes two dogs came scrambling out through where the windshield that once protected the occupants from the deathly elements.

Within a few more intense minutes of digging, not knowing what else he was going to find, two young girls came to view. Their skin was cold and about to succumb to hypothermia but both were still alive.

About this same time the police came on the scene and they were able to get the girls out of their snow bound freezer and off to the hospital in Rawlins, WY. Josi got the horses out of the trailer, which was no small task, and found a place to board them. That same night girls were treated and released.

Altering his plans Josi got the girls a hotel room and stayed the night to make sure they were going to be able to get back on the road safely before leaving to go to Denver.

These are some of the moments that illustrate Josiah Young. A tough cowboy on either end of the arena, but more importantly he is there to make a difference in humanity.

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 25

Wall

Kimmie Wall Chasing the Dream

Kimmie Wall was born to a cattle rancher in Northeastern Utah. After Her mom raised 3 boys, she was very excited for a girl. As it turned out, Kimmie just wanted to spend all her time with the horses instead of baking and sewing.

She grew up working on the ranch. She worked hard and calved, branded, doctored, and gathered cattle. Ranch life made Kimmie who she is today. The ranch helped her appreciate the simple things: the smell of fresh cut alfalfa, a newborn colt, and the calm before a snowfall. Kimmie is very proud of her western heritage.

Like many young cowgirls Kimmie dreamed of making the National Finals Rodeo; and for many young cowgirls life comes and goes. Soon marriage came and followed by the birth of 2 beautiful children. For Kimmie the bright lights of Las Vegas seemed nothing but a fairy tale. She stayed home being a wife to Travis and a mother of her daughter Brylee (12) and son Stran (10). Travis and Kimmie rode and trained many horses. Kimmie traveled to barrel racing jackpots thinking a mom with two kids could never rodeo.

Being a young couple with 2 small children they could not afford young well bred horses to train. To get better

26 www.rodeoathletes.com

quality hourses to train they decided to start breeding their own. Kimmie and her Husband choose which stallion and mare to breed ensuring they bring out the best qualities of each parent.

Soon colts were born and growing up on their place. All horses needed jobs! Travis takes all of the young horses and teaches them to ride. When they are ready to learn, Kimmie takes them and trains them to run barrels. Travis and Kimmie both work together, along with Brylee and Stran, to bring out each young athletes true potential. They ride together as a family every day. They take so much pride in each young colt.

The horses soon become part of the family. They are born, grow up, and learn with the Wall family daily. The Wall family works

hard and trains hard. Pretty soon they had some special horses that were ready to show the world what they were made of.

When Kimmie first started on the rodeo trail she did not find instant success, she struggled. She had some very nice horses, but injuries prevented her from entering the winners circle. She questioned if this was her true destiny. Kimmie decided to learn more about the sport that she was so passionate about. She rode with top trainers and trained smart to be able to accomplish her goals. These years were trying but she would not trade them for anything. Through those struggles Kimmie learned so much about herself, her family, and her horses. Kimmie said, “That type of knowledge is priceless.”

During a very rough time a little bright star mare came along, TKW Bullysfamous Fox, aka Foxy. Travis and Kimmie saw something special in this little bay mare. This was the chance Kimmie had been waiting for. Foxy was born to be a barrel horse and she was ready to step up and be a winner!

Kimmie purchased her Women’s Proffesional Rodeo Association (WPRA) card and hit the road in October at the start of the 2014 rodeo season. Foxy was only 5 years old but she was ready play with the big dogs. She started placing at almost every rodeo! All of a sudden Kimmie’s name appeared in world standings. She was also a contender in the 2014 WPRA Rookie Race.

Kimmie says that it is still so surreal. This is what her family has worked so hard for. She said, “It’s hard to believe a mom from Roosevelt Utah can still have dreams come true.” Kimmie thought my time for accomplishing dreams had passed her by. This is an amazing feeling! As a family they made the decision that Kimmie and Foxy could chase this dream. Kimmie’s family is as big a part of this journey as she is. When Kimmie said goodbye to her husband and kids on January 3rd, it was the toughest thing that she

has ever done. She told them that as long as she was winning she would stay press forward. she wasn’t sure if she was going to be gone 6 weeks or 6 months.

Kimmie has missed football games, baseball games, school projects, holidays, birthdays, and just being “Mom”. Her family is strong and want her to be successful. Kimmie’s family celebrates every win and helps her work through every trial. They are always Kimmie’s first phone call after each run. They have sacrificed so much for this dream. With out her families support Kimmie could not press on.

She has been fortunate to travel from the white beaches of Florida to the Vineyards of California. For Kimmie nothing was more beautiful than driving into Utah and seeing the snow capped mountains. It is home! She was able to spend one week with her family before hitting the Rodeo Road again. Kimmie looks forward to summer.

The kids will be out of school and her family will be able to travel with her on the adventure. Kimmie has met so many great friends. These people will be her friends for a lifetime.

She has seen so many amazing places and can not wait to share all it with her family.

The one thing Kimmie wants her children and others to learn from her story is that “it is never too late to follow your dreams. It won’t always be easy but never lose faith.

Only you can make your dreams a reality.” Kimmie is going to keep chasing this dream. She has the support of her family, the most amazing horse, and the belief that she can make it happen. This is a wild adventure that Kimmie is blessed to be on.

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 27

Jeff Smith’s Custom Saddles

Designed & Handmade in Texas, Ridden competitively Worldwide 10% off All New Saddles.* Sale Starts June 1st thru June 30, 2014 *Sale does not apply to Trophy Saddles and Used Saddles. Call our Store or See Our Website for details.

Ridden by Tarin Rice JSC-66 $2499.99

JSC-673 $2999.99

JSC-1046 $2599.99

JSC-697 $2699.99

Jeff Smith’s

COWBOY COLLECTION CUSTOM SADDLES 972-563-3300

www.jeffsmithscowboycollection.com

28 www.rodeoathletes.com

11300 FM 148, Terrell, TX 75160 | Jeff Cell: 972-897-2193

Rice Tarin Rice

Becoming a Great Horseman

Tarin Rice was born a cowboy who, at an impressively young age, grew into a well-respected horseman. A native of Spearman, Texas, Tarin has deep roots in the performance horse industry on both sides of his family tree. Both of his Granddaddy’s showed cutting horses. His uncles, cousin, and brother all train and show cutting horses. Tarin’s father, Boyd Rice, is a multi-disciplinary trainer who specializes in cutting horses. He is responsible for the success of the great performing cutting horse sire, Third Cutting. Tarin’s father was crowned with the title World’s Greatest Horsemanin Fort Worth, Texas this past February. Tarin’s hard work, intelligence, and talent combined with his Christian morals and values created a rewarding career in the equestrian world.

Tarin shined and excelled early on as a youth in the National Youth Cutting Horse Association. After graduating from the youth and non-pro divisions at the end of 2008 Tarin went pro. Tarin started to train under his father’s guidance with the much needed help from his wife, Katie.

Tarin was responsible for starting the two year olds, which is an imperative aspect to a trainer’s program. Tarin riding and training style is very similar to his father and this helped when it came time to show. Tarin “catch rode” horses in his father’s training program at the NCHA Futurity. The experience of catch riding for a trainer is something that doesn’t happen right off the bat because of the high cost of entry fees and experience needed to compete. Tarin trained the mare, Reyvorce, and rode her to the Futurity Finals while working for his father. The hard work demonstrated un-

der his father’s direction helped Tarin earn a couple clients when he went to train on his own in 2011.

Tarin has a keen eye for scouting equine talent. The established breeder, Slate River Ranch, held a sale of their stallions just a few months shy of the 2010 NCHA Futurity.

Tarin took his Non Pro client along and had his eye set on a gelding for said client named, That Sly Bob. Majority of folks were sure he was a lost cause but Tarin saw something in him that led to Open Gelding Stakes Championships and finals finishes. Tarin has a niche for geldings and piloting them to win the most recent addition of classes offered by the NCHA sanctioned shows, encouraging members to show geldings. Tarin’s intelligence paid off and That continued on page 30

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 29

continued from page 29

Sly Bob was highly sought by elite NCHA members and is now being shown by a veteran trainer and past NCHA Futurity Champion.

In addition to the clients and horses Tarin left Spearman with, came the successful line of foals by High Brow Cat, out of Mae Bea Marie. It began with a catch ride from the wellrespected trainer, Clint Allen. Having room to catch ride one horse in 2011, I Bea Cat, led to a new client and horse in the barn followed by numerous full siblings out of a cross that has proved itself time and time again. Allen and Tarin have been long time friends from the cutting discipline and when Tarin did expectedly well with the catch ride, Allen gave him the horse to train and the client sent more horses.

Each of the siblings from this cross has done well under Tarin’s direction in the show pen and there are more exciting siblings to come. The full siblings out of the matriarch herself, Mae Bea Marie, are all owned by Jim and Marylin Crawford from Lexington, Nebraska. The relationship between the Crawford’s and Tarin may be the most admirable story of a trainer and client; with a seamless relationship and a great respect for one another’s expertise. Honesty has never been an issue from Tarin giving a less than desired opinion for something he is not too keen on or in regards to the safety of the horses; Crawford’s respect and bend with the reality. If anything, honesty has strengthened their relationship and stopped any unfortunate 30 www.rodeoathletes.com

instances. Aside from business, Crawford’s claim Tarin as family and visa versa. Allen’s gesture of giving the client to Tarin illustrates their friendship and Tarin’s morale is backed by Crawford’s friendship.

After being crowned the 2012 NCHA Futurity Co-Champion with Crawford’s horse, He Bea Cat, Tarin was offered a position at Center Ranch, who split the championship title. At that time, Ronnie Rice was the head trainer at Center Ranch, in Centerville, Texas.

Ronnie Rice, who has won championship and reserve championship titles more than once, has expressed the unbelievable talent of his great nephew. Tarin Rice learned from his father and now trains with his great uncle, which is another great working relationship. The second youngest rider to win the NCHA Futurity was shared with the oldest rider to win. Working side by side has created a tighter knit bond with family and strengthened both trainers’ programs, mixing equal parts of talent from two very different generations.

Currently, Tarin trains Center Ranch horses as well as outside horses in Centerville and continues to make the finals. In addition to his finals finishes, Tarin has earned NCHA Top Rider status which is compiled by Equi-Stat and published by the highly regarded publication, Quarter Horse News. He and Katie are expecting their first child this June and are excited about starting the next chapter in their lives since becoming somewhat established and continuing to better their cutting horse business.

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 31

Blasingame Ty Blasingame

The Blaster: Road to Success

By Heather Grokett

Ty was a cowboy from the get-go. He roped anything that walked, ran, or stood still, including dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and people! He learned to rope on a bay pony named Levi, which he also won the county fair pony race on every year. One time Ty broke his arm riding calves, which he wasn’t supposed to be doing in the first place!

Growing up on the family ranch Ty enjoyed the small town life of Ramah in eastern Colorado. His grandparents, Jack and Alice Blasingame, raised Quarter Horses and ran a modest herd of cow-calf pairs. Grandpa Jack was an allaround PRCA cowboy and member of the original Turtle Association. He roped calves and rode saddle broncs.

Ty was also quite the basketball player. Shooting three pointers were a specialty of Ty’s. He enjoyed the challenge of long distances at a young age, and still does today as a team roper.

Ty was lucky enough to have amazing parents, Dugan and Cindy Blasingame, that hauled him to jackpots every weekend. Dad broke all of our ranch-raised horses, the same horses Ty hauled his first years PRCA rodeoing. Dad

32 www.rodeoathletes.com

taught him the ins’ and outs’ of roping. He roped with Ty every day and always ended up giving him his best horses.

Mom was always in the practice pen too. She would open the chute and do whatever needed to be done. They gave Ty every opportunity to rope and practice. Ty progressed from breakaway calves to steers winning his first saddle heading at the age of nine.

In High School Ty started home schooling so he could concentrate on his roping. On a daily basis, Ty would do his schoolwork, help his Dad haul hay, and rope every evening rain, snow, or shine. He would work hard all week so he could afford to go rope on the weekends. During his high school years Ty competed in calve and team roping events.

For a few years he heeled and one year he heeled with J. W. Borrego. It became very apparent they could win more gas money if they switched ends.

Ty could hardly wait to turn 18 so he could buy his PRCA permit. He bought his permit on his birthday, June 27th. That week he entered his first PRCA rodeo in Greeley, CO. Ty learned the ropes of competing in the PRCA

money backing him. Countless are the prized saddles Ty sold to pay for a transmission here or tires and fuel there.

Despite it all, Ty reached his lifelong dream of making the NFR and his family could not be prouder of his drive to keep going in light of all the obstacles. Many guys have given up their dreams for less, but there is no doubt that anyone can make it if they compete with all their hearts. that summer and never looked back. Soon, Ty was dubbed “The Blaster” for his long reaching roping style.

For many years Ty rode a very special mare that his Dad raised, named Carla. She gave Dad quite a time breaking her but ended up being one of the best horses he ever rode.

She wasn’t the biggest mare but she sure had the biggest heart! Ty won lots of money on Carla and she started him on the path to success. Carla is now enjoying retirement on the ranch.

Putting all his resources towards rodeoing, Ty succeeded in making into his first National Finals Rodeo in 2010, at the age of 26, with his good friend Cody Hintz. Ty won many prestigious rodeos on his road to the NFR, including the Greely Stampede, Red Bluff Roundup, and Salt Lake City, UT setting the regular season record with a 3.4. He rode two good horses, Roanie and Muley, to make his first NFR. It was a lifelong goal that most young cowboys aspire to but never see.

Ty had many trials and tribulations on his journey to the finals, including broke down trucks and trailers. It is hard for a rodeo cowboy to make it down the road without big

Ty is an amazing family man, husband, and father. Along his rodeo road he met and married the love of his life Mindy.

His very own cowgirl! Ty’s first daughter, Kashlyn Alice, was born in July 2009 and Kodie Lou was born January 2013.Ty’s family is his first priority and they haul with him when he’s on the road. Mindy is his best hand, keeping his horses legged up and in good working condition. Ty’s family is one of the reasons Ty is slowing down this summer.

Kashlyn is starting Kindergarten this fall and they want to settle down for school. He will compete in the circuit and big rodeos like Cheyenne and the big events like the George Strait Invitational and Bob Feist Invitational to stay closer to home.

Ty had a heartbreak recently at the George Strait, coming back high call and losing his rope on the last steer. But you can’t keep a good cowboy down! Ty came back strong to win the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo heading with his buddy J.W. Borrego. Today Ty is riding a Blasingame ranch raised black gelding, Blackie, that he got from his brother-in-law Gary Grokett. Ty will continue to succeed at whatever he puts his mind to because he is a hard working family man.

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 33

34 www.rodeoathletes.com

By Sabrina Ketcham

Ketcham

Sabrina Ketcham Giving Everything You Got Sabrina’s family homesteaded in the high mountains of Northern Colorado in the late 1800’s. Four generations later they still ranch on some of the original Colorado property as well as in New Mexico. Sabrina lives with her husband, Justin, and her two boys, Bridger and Pike on the ranch in New Mexico. They run 1000 head of mother cows year around.

Sabrina grew up in Colorado and started ridding horseback as a toddler. When her family was not out ridding on the ranch, they went to gymkhanas play days and were active in horse and livestock 4-H. The ranch horses were also the event horses and she learned how to train the horses for needed event. To this day she starts all her horses on the ranch.

Her horses are broke, soft and responsive. They learn where their feet are and how to handle their bodies. Not every horse makes a barrel horse but they make some kind of horse.

In high school Sabrina ran barrels, poles, tied goats and cut. She injured her horse early in collage, which ended her collage rodeo career. Her focus turned to livestock judging. She judged for both West Hills Collage and Colorado State University. In any spare time she rode colts and went to local rodeos and barrel races. After she graduated from CSU roping became her pas-

sion. After meeting her husband, they amateur rodeoed in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. They roped in the mixed team roping’s and Sabrina roped breakaway calves.

In 2001 her good friends Dave and Beth Bashor sent her a mare they raised (Uno) to ride. Sabrina started her on the barrels and by the time she was 5 she was winning at the jackpots. Sabrina started going to more rodeos and Uno kept winning. Part way through her rookie year Sabrina got pregnant with Bridger and in 2009 Pike was born.. After that her rodeo schedule was the good winter rodeos and a few weeks in the summer.

Sabrina’s Mom offered her a horse in 2010 named Swivel. She had bought him through the sale barn, fresh off the racetrack. Her mom used him on the ranch and had him running barrels at the jackpots. Sabrina seasoned Swivel that spring at the rodeos and he was running great by early summer. Between the two horses, Swivel and Uno, Sabrina was winning and in the standings. In the middle of July Swivel got hurt and by August Uno was hurt also. Sabrina finished the year rodeoing with a baby and a toddler. They went to 35 rodeos that year she says that it felt like 95 rodeos. She ended up 20 in the world, which seemed amazing considering the injuries.

Sabrina loves to rodeo continued on page 36 Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 35

continued from page 35

andand hates hates being being away away from from my my family. family.

Every Every yearyear she has she has started started withwith the same the same goal: goal: makemake some some moneymoney and get and qualiget qualified fied for the forwinter the winter rodeos. rodeos.

She She competes competes at the at rodeos the rodeos she she likeslikes andand triestries notnot to to bebe gone gonefor fortotolong. long.Each Each year year she would go as long as she was winning. Sabrina felt that making the finals was not something realistic for her at that time but it always something she hoped for.

Last year Sabrina went harder then she ever had before.

Still, she never drove all night and the only times she made more than one run in a day was when the rodeo required it. She never borrowed a horse, paid a driver, or took an airplane. She rodeoed consistently from January to August and went home when she could and rested her horses when they needed it.

Sabrina placed 15th, competing at 57 rodeos and with her horse Swivel, placed at 24 of the 33 rodeos they went to. She wasn’t perfect and drew bad at a few events, tipped a couple barrels, but over all had an amazing percentage.

When Sabrina comes through the gate riding Swivel, he’s there to win first. Uno is 16, and though she doesn’t run as often, she always seems to come through for Sabrina when she needs her. Sabrina feels Uno has helped her build her career.

She feels that the rodeo life style is not like most people think. There isn’t much glory almost no fame and it’s constant work. She says, “there is nothing that can give you a rush like winning and on the very next run, defeat, like you have no business even being there. Until you have been out there on the road a few years you don’t respect how hard it is to win.” Sabrina would not trade the experience for anything, and she loves that her kids are growing up in the environment where they can learn respect and hard work.

To Sabrina, rodeo is teaching her family what winning feels like and how important it is to give everything you have.

36 www.rodeoathletes.com

Complete Ground preparation in one pass

Mini Model

Standard & Mini Models

Choose from 3 Different Syles: Mini, Standard, & Pro Comes in different sizes and options to fit your arena needs!

Now Accepting Orders Online Mini Model with Tongue Option Pro Model

(208) 722-5116

www.parmacompany.com Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 37

Born to be a Cowboy

38 www.rodeoathletes.com

Sherwood Cole Sherwood

From the time Cole was old enough to walk he carried a rope in his hands. His mother would have to tell him to put it down for dinner. When he would fall asleep she would have to take it out of his hands. It was almost as if he was born with it already attached. When Cole was 2 he would stand in front of the chute and rope the steers that were scored. When he was 3 years old he roped his first steer off of a horse. He had a small dummy in the house that was his preferred indoor toy. He would settle for roping the dummy when he got yelled at for following his family members around and roping them around the ankles.

Cole was completely in his element every time he got to a roping or rodeo event. He disappeared for hours on end and you could always find him surrounded by kids roping a dummy. He knew everyone and everyone knew him.

Somehow Cole knew when the team roping was going on at a rodeo. You would find him sitting back behind the header’s box watching. When he was 5 years old, his parents couldn’t find him after a rodeo slack the ended at three in the morning. After 45 minutes of frantically searching, they found him curled up behind a garbage barrel, rope in his hand, fast asleep.

After a jackpot he could tell you about every run that his dad and mom had made that day. He would tell them what he thought they could have done better. He would ride a horse and rope without using his stirrups. He didn’t like using them. He won his first two saddles without using stirrups, winning his first saddle age of 11. Cole didn’t start using stirrups until he was almost 13. When he was 13 he won $15,000 at the National Team Roping League Finals in Florida. He went from a #4 in the USTRC to a #7 in the

space of 2 months. At the age of 15 he won the #13 Preliminary, and 2nd in the #11 Shootout at the USTRC Finals in Oklahoma City, OK. Cole is now a senior in High School. Not a lot about Cole Sherwood has changed except that he is bigger now. His focus is still on the same thing as it has always been: roping.

Currently he is a #9 heeler and a #6 elite header. He and his sister, Cheyenne, have won the High School State Championship of Idaho in the team roping for the last 2 years and competed at the High School National Finals. Last year his sister graduated and Cole got a new partner this year.

The Sherwood’s spend their winters in Arizona and their summers in Idaho. They have done this since before Cole was born. He feels as though both are his home. He has been enrolled in Idaho Virtual Academy for 4 years. This allows him to spend more time roping and riding colts. He loves to ride in the mountains of Idaho or the desert of Arizona. He’ll take a colt and his rifle and be gone for hours on end.

Cole’s religion is also important to him. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is undecided as of yet whether a two-year mission is in his future, but he has a strong testimony and is a great example to his family and friends.

Cole was able to buy his permit in the PRCA this year.

He is excited and full of expectations. He knows how tough the competition is, but feels prepared and anxious to get started. His goals are high – the National Finals being one of them. Whatever his future brings, Cole Sherwood is a very talented young man who has already made his family extremely proud.

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 39

40 www.rodeoathletes.com

Boardman Cimarron Boardman

Face Everything and Rise

It was a cool, summer Missouri morning. Kids of all ages were getting loosened up for their specific swim team event. This whole swim team thing was new to the Boardman family and their first event, the 8 & under Freestyle, was about to begin! Each little swimmer was at their appointed position, waiting for the bang of the gun, except their son who declared that he was not participating. After a few seconds of heated conversation between father and son and with the approval of the meet coach, the child was gently ‘helped’ into the pool. When the race was over their son had handily won the event and he proudly left that

day with more ribbons than anyone.

Who would have ever believed that little guy would grow up to absolutely thrive on competition! The frightened little swimmer described was Cimarron Breck Boardman, Professional Calf Roper at the grand age of seven.

Cimarron’s parents loving raised their sons to be responsible and independent thinking young adults. They wanted them to grow up to be happy, successful men that could have a positive effect on the world they lived in.

They choose a cattle farm as the environment to raise their family. The farm allowed Cimarron to experience a life filled with family and animals of

all kinds. He learned early to have a strong work ethic, whether helping to check cattle from a backpack worn by his father or in a playpen by the side of the hay field. Since they had cattle, dogs and cats and the occasional squirrel or raccoon, Cimarron learned about loving and caring for animals.

All of those early life lessons provided a great foundation for what would be his future life endeavor.

As Cimarron grew sports became an integral part of his life. Among the endless farm activities, Cimarron participated in every sport he could; he was on the school basketball, football, soccer, and baseball team, as well as seasonal recreational league teams. To participate in any sports in the Boardman family, you had to have all homework completed and maintain high grades; have all daily chores completed; always do your best; do whatever the coach asked and finally – No Quitting. It seemed like simple rules but as life continued, Cimarron learned that the rules were also applicable to everyday life.

Cimarron didn’t begin to rope until very late in life. Cimarron got his first horse when he was 10 years old and with his father’s help, began to learn horsemanship and all of the responsibilities that go with it. A few months later, a family friend suggested that the boys learn to calf rope. Cimarron’s dad built a calf roping dummy and bought a rope for each of the boys. He gave them implicit instructions: Practice Every Day. They were not allowed on a horse with a rope in hand, until they could rope the dummy 100 times without missing. If there was a miss they started over at one. Cimarron was about 13 at that time & suddenly learning to handle a rope took priority over other sports.

In 1994, Cimarron’s family decided to build a large indoor arena & their western-style activities jumped up a notch. They planned and implemented events every weekend – youth rodeos, team ropings and barrel races. While continued on page 42 Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 41

continued from page 41

Cimarron & his brother Kaden spent most of their free time practicing roping, the rest of their time was split between school & working at the arena.

Cimarron’s first real rodeo came during his freshman year in high school when he and his brother joined the Missouri High School Rodeo Association. They made it to NHSRA that summer in team roping. Though they did not win anything notable, it was the start to their ‘rodeo careers.’ During his sophomore year in high school Cimarron dropped all other sports for rodeo.

His days were spent in school, doing homework, working at the arena & finally practicing. His skills continued to improve as all of his abilities were focused into one area - roping!

Competing for the Missouri High School Rodeo Cimarron won the State Calf Roping Championship title. He competed four times at the National HS Finals, at the IFYR Team Roping Championship, and Reserve AQHA Youth World Title. Cimarron realized that roping could be his future and that meant a lot of traveling. His family realized that for Cimarron to continue to improve & to catch up with other ropers his age, he needed every roping experience possible. Most weekends Cimarron & his mother were on the road, either going to a high school rodeo or a calf roping jackpot.

As long as calf roping

42 www.rodeoathletes.com

was involved, they went anywhere & everywhere. Soon Cimarron was offered a full-ride scholarship to West Texas College in Snyder, TX. Cimarron’s first and second response to the scholarship offer was a definitive “NO Thanks.” It was too far away from friends & family. His third response, on the other hand, was “I’ll think about it” and he finally agreed to meet the coach and visit the campus. When his mother picked him up from the airport, she knew he was Texas bound. Though his family was uncomfortable with him moving 15 hours away, Cimarron realized that if he wanted to be a professional Calf Roper he had to be where the action was, and that meant relocating. Cimarron received the 2nd largest college scholarship in his graduating class of 375, but because they didn’t consider ‘Rodeo’ a legitimate career, it was left out of the program.

Cimarron turned Professional as soon as he could and has continued to

professionally rope ever since. He has won some of the nation’s largest rodeos and he still challenges himself to be better and faster. He loves the sport of rodeo and the friendships that have been forged along the way. Rodeo life has been good, though financially tough at times; it has allowed Cimarron to develop the gift that God gave him.

There is an old saying about fear – “F-E-A-R has two meanings: ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise’; the choice is yours.

Through the years, friends and family of Cimarron thought that a successful rodeo career for a young Midwestern farm boy was just a dream. It was and as Cimarron knows, dreams can come true. A lot has happened since that first scary swim competition all those years ago. A lot of miles have been traveled and a lot of hard lessons learned, but, now, looking back, his family is thankful that Cimarron chose to ‘Face Everything And Rise’!

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 43

By JDW

Bownds

Chandler Bownds Humble Hard Work Chandler is a Lubbock, Texas native, youngest in his family of four. His family history in rodeo is slim. His dad was a team-roper who halted the hobby at early onset of Chandler’s interest in sports. Chandler is the 2011 Resistol Rookie of the Year and a two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier competing in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) and Championship Bull Riding (CBR). He is as active in his personal life as he is in his professional life.

He just does not like to stay still for long. He’s a bit of a daredevil and there is no sport that Chandler would not mind taking a try at. He is equally passionate about his favorite pass-times. Depending on what time of the year it is, he could be wakeboarding or snowmobiling in Utah, golfing in Cheyenne, hunting in Africa or Australia, or just hunting at his family’s lease close to his home town.

Growing up Chandler’s classmates where not aware of his love for the rodeo sport. It later became apparent when he went professional at age 18 surprising his classmates and teachers of his hidden talent as he exploded into the spotlights of professional rodeo.

On the College Signing Day there was a ceremony held at Chandler’s high school. In attendance were his classmates, family, friends, and local media. They announced his Rodeo Scholarship to Panola College and his first major sponsorship signing with CINCH Jeans. Chandler’s day-to-day school

44 www.rodeoathletes.com

attire was a Polo cap, t-shirts, and shorts. Chandler walked through the library door sporting his starched CINCH jeans and shirts, his Resistol hat, and his Justin boots. The looks on his classmates and teachers faces were priceless.

They had no idea of his rodeo career and his professional demeanor. It was a day, marked for him, that he had finally succeeded and that his hard work and grit had paid off.

That same year Chandler was featured in the Texas High School Rodeo Association’s Extreme Team News. Moving into Chandler’s college days, his PRCA rookie year, he was complimented in the Rodeo News December 2011 issue with: “Chandler’s confidence is contagious, his work ethic is unbeatable, and his talent landed him among the top in the world. How can we not love him? The words “no” and “can’t” are not part of this 20year old Panola College Cowboy’s vocabulary.” Statements like these are what Chandler lives up to and enjoys sharing with everyone.

Developing outstanding characteristics and bull riding skills at an early age, Chandler has been very fortunate to compile a notable resume. It was noted in a media release on April 8, 2010 by his sponsor CINCH, Mundee said: “We like to find rising stars within the Western Industry that can grow with the CINCH Brand. Chandler has made great accomplishments in his career at a very young age, is the youngest rider in CBR, has been a part of the Bloomer Team throughout his high school rodeo career, and is currently a permit holder in the PRCA. This

is what we look for in young rodeo athletes; someone that has great accomplishments and that has the potential to win the world title at the CBR level and the PRCA level… We take pride in picking the right guys to be on the team; we say ‘they have to have IT,’ and Chandler definitely has IT.” Bull riding has taught Chandler many life long lessons and provided him with great memories and lifetime friends. It has brought him with many opportunities that he may not otherwise have received. He feels fortunate for the opportunities that have come his way. Especially being able to represent his sponsors CINCH Jeans, Justin Boots, Resistol Hats, BEX Sunglasses, MGM Grand Las Vegas, and Bloomer Trailers.

He is equally proud to be able to give back to those people who share in the love of the sport of rodeo. He helps at the Justin Thanksgiving Rodeo School in Mesquite, Texas and the Cowboy Outfitters USA Rodeo School in San Antonio, Texas. Chandler is proud to be associated with the American300 Tours that send rodeo athletes to troops overseas to share their life stories and experiences with Servicemen of our Country.

While traveling the limitless miles thorough-out the rodeo season, Chandler surrounds himself with his family and friends and the companionship of his traveling partners.

Out on the road he is one that stays busy with hobbies that keep him entertained. You might even catch him entertaining others with some karaoke! Chandler is quick to say that the support of his family, friends, greatest of fans, and his sponsors is what keeps him going down the road.

In winding up Chandler’s story here are some proud facts that you may not know about Chandler that he is happy to have shared: • Chandler wear’s the dollar sign on his bull riding chaps and bull riding glove to represent his family name, “Cash”, which is also his middle name.

• Chandler takes his dog, named Smokey, on the road and whenever he can. Smokey is known for being very friendly and has been known to jump in an open car to say hi to the passengers.

• Chandler likes keeping his fishing pole handy in his RV and his motor cross bike on the back of his RV. Sometimes making a quick stop to fish at a fishing hole.

• He is proud of tying the arena record in Ellensburg, Washington with JW Harris, scoring a 95 point ride.

• He is proud to have had the company of Clyde and Elsie Frost to walk across the buckle presentation stage his rookie year with him after winning the 6th round at the 2011 NFR. Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 45

46 www.rodeoathletes.com

Rodeo Athletes Magazine | Summer 2014 47

Check out our newly-renovated website at:

www.rodeoathletes.com Also check us out on: