Winter 2013

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR...

april patterson

In This Issue  6  Â

When  Christmas  gets  close,  you  see  opportunity  everywhere  to  buy  things  to  give  to  someone  else.  Giving  is  what  Christmas  is  about,  whether  you  believe  only  in  the  story  of  Saint  Nick,  or  you  carry  the  Christian  belief  that  God  gave  his  only  son,  Jesus,  to  be  born  in  a  manger  and  eventually  die  on  a  cross  for  the  sins  of  the  world.  You  may  have  nothing  to  wrap  and  give  this  Christmas,  but  you  can  still  give  and  receive  joy.  Joy  is  not  like  happiness,  which  is  based  on  materialistic  things  and  perfect  circumstances.  Whether  you  win  or  lose  in  life,  or  even  at  the  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR),  your  joy  can  never  be  WDNHQ &KRRVH WR ÂżQG WKH MR\ already  present  in  your  life  and  all  around  you. Â

The  American $2  Million  Rodeo

14  Cowboy  Cribs  Armes  Ranch 16  Tyson  Durfey's    Dynamite  Year 18  Meet  A  Few  Top    WNFR  Contenders  22  Boot  Match-­Up

24  FEATURE  STORY  Ryan  and  Lacy  Gray

For  many,  Christmas  is  the  saddest  time  of  the  year.  If  you  are  fortunate  to  have  the  love  of  family  and  joy  they  bring  you,  don't  forget  about  those  who  have  none.  Give  to  others  so  JOY  may  be  yours  always. Â

28  2013  PBR  Champion  JB  &  Lexie  Take  On  The  World! 32  Female  Athlete  Of  The  Year    Winner  -­  Shada  Brazile

Rodeo Fame Team

34  A  Story  To  Tell  Riata  International Â

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF April Bach Patterson WRITERS/REPORTERS Tori Morris Lori O’Harver

37  Rodeo  Famous  Weddings

COLUMNIST Peggy R. Bach Anthony Lucia

42  Rancher's  Daughter  Part  2

LAYOUT & DESIGN Chantel Miller

44  Male  Athlete  Of  The  Year    Winner  -­  Wade  Sundell

EDITOR Katy Noll Ed.D.

In Every Issue

WINTER Â 2013 Â THEME:

JOY

10  Fashion   Spotlighting  Fashion    Forward  Woman 42  Late  Nights  with  Anthony  Lucia  46  Rodeo  Famous  Recipe  A  Not  So  Ordinary  Christmas    Recipe  from  Veronica  Feild

"Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give." ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

ADVERTISING morgan@rodeofame.com april@rodeofame.com ADVISORY BOARD Judy Nelson CONTRIBUTORS Alexis Bloomer, Sierra Sans, Lauren Anthony, Brenda Matamoros WINTER 2013 INTERNS Cheyanne Baker, Brooke Luiz COVER PHOTO 4LNHU 9PLɈ A Dot In Time Photography RODEO FAME 76 )6? ŕ Ž (aSL ;? Corrections from Fall 2013 issue: (Table  of  Contents  Page)  â€œCarla  Smetsâ€?  should  have  been  â€œCarla  Smettsâ€? Â

2 Steps for a chance to WIN! 1.  Take  a  photo  holding  this  magazine  2.  Share  it  on  Facebook  and  Twitter  with  #rodeofame

for  your  chance  to  WIN  a  pair  of

ANDERSON Â BEAN Â BOOTS 4

WINTER 2013

and  be  featured  on  rodeofame.com

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Inside Scoop   |   THE  AMERICAN

"We’re bringing rodeo fans the largest, richest one-day rodeo ever...â€? RANDY  BERNARD  CEO  of  Rural  Media  Group,  Inc.

THE $2 MILLION RODEO Never  in  the  history  of  rodeo  has  an  eight-­second  ride,  a  race  around  the  barrels,  the  strength  to  take  down  a  steer  or  the  fastest  time  with  a  rope  ever  meant  the  chance  at  a  $2,000,000  purse  at  a  one-­day  rodeo.  On  March  2,  2014,  at  AT&T  Stadium  in  Arlington,  Texas,  that  is  exactly  what  will  happen  at  â€œthe  richest,  one-­day  rodeo  in  the  history  of  the  sport,â€?  RFD-­TV’s  The  American. “Dallas  Cowboys  owner  Jerry  Jones  told  me  several  years  ago  that  he  wanted  a  major  rodeo  but,  if  we  ever  were  to  do  it,  it  had  to  be  the  biggest  and  best.  So,  we’re  bringing  rodeo  fans  the  largest,  richest  one-­day  rodeo  ever,â€?  said  Randy  Bernard,  CEO  of  Rural  Media  Group  Inc.  â€œIn  my  opinion,  this  has  a  chance  to  change  the  landscape  of  rodeo  forever  and  is  way  overdue.â€? The  rodeo  will  automatically  invite  the  top  10  contestants  in  the  world  after  the  Professional  Bull  Riding  (PBR)  World  Finals  and  the  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR).  Rodeo  athletes  not  included  in  that  elite  company  are  still  able  to  try  and  to  qualify  through  designated  events  sanctioned  by  the  PBR,  Pro  Roughstock  Series  (PRS),  U.S.  Team  Roping  Championships,  Better  Barrel  Races  and  the  Ultimate  Calf  Roping  Series.  Those  who  do  qualify  are  eligible  to  enter  RFD-­TV’s  The  American  Semi-­Finals  being  held  one  week  before  the  main  event  at  Resistol  Arena  in  Mesquite,  Texas. 6XFFHVVIXO VHPL ÂżQDOLVWV ZLOO PRYH RQ WR compete  against  the  top  10  in  the  world  at  The  American.  Out  of  the  $2  million,  each  HYHQW ZLOO SD\ IRU ÂżUVW SODFH DQG $25,000  for  second  place.  There  will  also  EH D PLOOLRQ VLGH SRW IRU WKH TXDOLÂżHUV ,I

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WINTER 2013

a  qualifying  athlete  wins  his  or  her  event,  the  athlete  is  entitled  to  a  share  of  that  pot.  $W WKH ÂżUVW FDOI URSLQJ TXDOLI\LQJ HYHQW D 16-­year-­old  roped  so  well  he  beat  out  some  of  the  top  contenders  in  the  world,  and  at  WKH EDUUHO UDFLQJ TXDOLÂżHU \HDU ROG IRUPHU WNFR  contestant  June  Holeman  rode  her  way  to  a  spot  in  the  Semi-­Finals;Íž  this  was  exactly  what  Bernard  envisioned  as  he  put  together  the  complex,  multi-­layered  qualifying  system  for  The  American. Âł,W LVQÂśW WKDW -XQH LV \HDUV ROG EXW WKDW she  still  believes  in  herself  and  her  horse.  She  dreams  big  and  is  a  phenomenal  story.  The  Semi-­Finals  are  full  of  these  kinds  of  people.  And  the  young  kid,  if  he  can  keep  going  and  win  the  Semi-­  and  show  up  there  at  The  American,  I  mean,  can  you  image  a  16-­year-­old  competing  against  the  best  in  the  world?  It  is  going  to  bring  a  whole  new  level  of  excitement,â€?  Bernard  said.  â€œThere’s  a  lot  of  talent  out  there  that  can’t  get  down  the  rodeo  road  each  and  every  day.  But  this  gives  them  the  opportunity  to  try.â€? It  is  not  just  the  people  who  have  never  made  WKH ÂżQDOV LQ WKH SURIHVVLRQDO UDQNV ZKR DUH excited  about  The  American.  Some  of  the  best  in  the  business,  such  as  six-­time  Professional Â

Rodeo  Cowboys  Association  (PRCA)  Saddle  Bronc  Champion  Dan  Mortensen,  and  11-­time  Women’s  Professional  Rodeo  Association  (WPRA)  World  Champion  Barrel  Racer  Charmayne  James,  are  coming  out  of  retirement  to  compete.

0 ]L Z[H`LK HJ[P]L I\[ ^PSS KLĂ„UP[LS` be starting to train even harder to be ready for the level of competition at The American," James said. "I'm honored to be a part of this historic event that spotlights the deserving rodeo cowboys and cowgirls." continued  on  page  8

Inside Scoop   |   THE  AMERICAN

Another  legendary  cowboy  making  a  try  for  the  millions  is  two-­time  PBR  World  Champion  Justin  McBride.  0F%ULGH ZKR ZDV WKH ¿UVW :HVWHUQ sports  athlete  to  top  more  than  $5  million  in  career  earnings  when  he  retired  from  the  PBR  in  2008,  entered  the  bareback  riding  at  the  356 TXDOL¿HU LQ 6DOLQDV .DQVDV

RFD-­TV's  The  American  is  being  closely  coordinated  with  the  PBR's  Iron  Cowboy  V  event  taking  place  on  March  1,  2014,  the  day  before  The  American,  at  AT&T  Stadium.  Combined,  the  events  are  expected  to  bring  more  than  100,000  people  to  the  Dallas-­Fort  Worth  Metroplex. The  concept  of  a  mega  rodeo  began  in  2008  with  Randy  Bernard,  who  was  CEO  of  PBR  at  the  time,  and  Jerry  Jones.  All  involved  agreed  it  would  be  a  great  event,  and  Jones  offered  to  host  it  in  the  new  home  of  the  football  team.  At  that  point,  though,  the  new  stadium  had  not  yet  been  built  so  Bernard  shifted  gears  and  headed  to  IndyCar.  However,  Bernard’s  love  of  the  rodeo  sport  and  this  concept  never  left  his  mind.  Today,  Bernard  is  CEO  of  Rural  Media  Group,  which  includes  such  properties  as  RFD-­TV,  RURAL  TV,  and  RURAL  RADIO  80,  and  he  has  the  perfect  platform  for  the  big  rodeo,  â€œIf  you  look  back  in  the  history  of  this  sport,  you  can  see  that  rodeo  didn’t  progress  like  other  sports  did.  It  should  have  because  it  has  great  athletes,  great  action,  drama  and  consists  of  everything  that’s  needed  to  have  a  great  sport.â€? According  to  Bernard,  back  in  1888  ZKHQ WKH\ VD\ WKH ÂżUVW URGHR ZDV held  in  Prescott,  Arizona,  the  total  prize  money  was  more  than  that  of  the  Professional  Golf  Association’s  (PGA)  U.S.  Open,  which  was  established  over  20  years  later  in  1929.

“THE AMERICAN gives me the opportunity to compete for $2 million against the best guys in the sport,� McBride said. “It’s just a one-day event; so I can continue to spend time with my family and work on my music career while returning to the arena to experience the thrill of competing.�

 â€œI’m  looking  at  these  numbers  and  thinking,  wow  â€Ś  our  sport  never  did  grow,â€?  Bernard  said.  â€œWe  need  a  U.S.  Open,  but  because  rodeo  has  seven  events,  it  has  to  be  pretty  VSHFLÂżF LQ FDWHULQJ WR HDFK HYHQW in  order  help  it  grow.  So  right  now,  I  want  to  start  with  $2  million,  but  I  want  to  see  it  payout  $5  million  in  ¿YH \HDUV ´

Crazy Finds

from Rodeo Fame’s Random Search Online

Have  you  ever  typed  a  random  phrase  into  Google  search  just  to  see  what  comes  up?  With  all  the  crazy  stuff  online  these  days,  Rodeo  Fame  decided  to  take  a  break  one  afternoon  and  have  some  rodeo-­related  Google  image  searching  fun.  Even  though  none  of  the  images  we  had  VHFUHWO\ EHHQ ZLVKLQJ DQG KRSLQJ WR ¿QG ZHUH LQ RXU VHDUFK results,  what  we  did  see  was  entertaining  and  interesting  enough  for  us  to  share  it  with  you  right  here,  right  now!

Search  Phrase:  â€œTeam  Roping  Underwearâ€? Image  we  got:   Boxer  briefs  with  â€œI've  got  team  roping  skills!â€?  printed  on  it. Our  Question:   Why  is  it  showing  a  barrel  racer? Courtesy  Photo/CafePress  (http://www.cafepress.com. au/+ive_got_team_roping_skills_boxer_brief,869489099)

Search  Phrase:  ³+RWWHVW %XOO¿JKWHU´ Image  we  got:   0DWDGRU SRVWHU ZLWK D EXOO¿JKWHU WDNLQJ a  horn  in  where  the  sun  don't  shine. Image  We  Wished  For:  A  photo  of  Dusty  Tuckness  or  Flint  Rasmussen  playing  sand  volleyball. Courtesy  Photo/EBay  (http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATADOR-­POSTER-­ $PD]LQJ )XQQ\ %XOO )LJKWLQJ 6KRW 5$5(

Search  Phrase:  â€œBarrel  Racing  Mustacheâ€? Image  we  got:   Leather  Flip-­Flops  with  a  Barrel  Racer  on  them

Courtesy  Photo/CafePress  (http://www.cafepress. com/+barrel_racing_saddle_ OHDWKHUBĂ€LSBĂ€RSV

Image  We  Wished  For:  Not  sure‌Maybe  Mary  Walker  dressed  up  like  Cody  DeMoss  at  a  costume  party?

Search  Phrase:  â€œBull  Rider  Houseâ€? Image  we  got:   Motorcycle  Racer  vs.  Middle  Eastern  Horseman Image  We  Wished  For:   An  inside  look  at  JW  Harris’  house! Photo  Courtesy/Red  Bull  Media  House/Fast  Company KWWS ZZZ IDVWFRPSDQ\ FRP PRVW LQQRYDWLYH FRPSDQLHV UHG EXOO PHGLD KRXVH

Search  Phrase:  â€œRodeo  Airâ€?  WRITTEN  BY  BRENDA  MATAMOROS

Image  we  got:   Horse  half  pipe

The  next  time  you  are  bored,  or  need  to  kill  some  time  on  the  computer  at  work,  we  suggest  you  try  a  go  at  doing  your  own  Google  image  search  using  random  rodeo-­related  phrases!   ,I \RX ¿QG \RXUVHOYHV DV HQWHUWDLQHG as  we  were  by  some  of  the  things  we  saw,  send  us  an  email  sharing  \RXU ¿QGV DQG ZH PD\ MXVW VKDUH LW with  our  entire  Rodeo  Famous  online  community!  Please  include  the  phrase  you  used,  the  image  you  found,  and  what  you  were  actually  wishing  and  KRSLQJ WR ¿QG ZKHQ \RX VHQG \RXU emails  to  april@rodeofame.com.

Courtesy  Photo/FoundSh*t  (http:// www.foundshit.com/air-­rodeo/)

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Fashion | HIGHLIGHTING FASHION FORWARD WOMEN

Fashion Spotlight

Check out these rodeo savvy and trend setting babes on rodeofame.com. 3KRWR E\ .HQVLH /HH Photography

“My style is... whatever I feel like that day. Most days I don't have a lot of time to get ready. So, I just grab something and throw it on. Sometimes it's a hit, and sometimes it's a miss. I love the Finals being in Vegas because you never feel over dressed. This year there is a lot of leopard prints and sequins in my Vegas wardrobe." TIFFANY MCGHAN Barrel Racer and Rodeo Lifestyle Photographer

Shorts-­ Miss Me Top-­ Lucky Brand Bracelet-­ Western Vintage Revival Earrings-­ Gypsy Soule

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“Vegas is all about the glitter. So I'm rocking a gold sequins tank with a simple black necklace. I added some black and gold earrings and layering bracelets. Skinny jeans are my go to, especially with heals. So I chose black skinnies to keep it classy and my gold studded heals. Simple, comfortable and always cute!” STEPHANIE FEILD 0DUULHG WR ; :RUOG &KDPSLRQ Bareback Rider Kaycee Feild

“My style is a lot like my personality, fun loving and very outgoing! This year at the NFR you can expect to see me in lots of sparkle, fur and leather!” MEGAN CARUSO Dating Professional Bull Rider Chandler Bownds

Earrings and Necklace: Yaya Gurlz Shirt: Ivy jane from Yaya Gurlz Jeans: Yaya Gurlz Ring: Hyo Silver Boots: Gypsy Luxe boots

During the WNFR, watch for daily style photos featuring some of rodeo's sharpest dressed on rodeofame.com. BY CHEYANNE BAKER

Cowboy Cribs   |   ARMES  RANCH

.

“We bought it basically on potential; it was a huge leap of faith!�

Photos  by  Neelley  Armes   www.armesranch.com

The  Armes’  kitchen  before

NEELLEY Â ARMES Â Â

The  Armes’  kitchen  after.

The  Armes’  home  before.

>armes  ranch It’s  the  1960’s,  and  Rex  Cauble  is  in  the  Ponder,  Texas,  area  building  a  home  on  one  of  his  ranches.  This  particular  ranch  will  serve  several  functions  for  Cauble:  a  training  facility  for  his  world  class  cutting  horses,  a  weigh  station  for  the  Fort  Worth  Stockyards,  DQG D FRQYHQLHQW SODFH WR WUDIÂżF D IHZ GUXJV WKURXJK 5H[ LV D SDUW RI WKH &RZER\ 0DÂżD a  group  that  moved  drugs  out  of  Columbia,  which  is  shrouded  in  conspiracies.  Rex  would  never  be  fully  indicted,  but  he  would  later  be  arrested.  After  his  arrest,  several  of  his  ranches  were  dispersed.  The  Bush  family  would  be  the  next  owners  of  the  ranch.  Jimmy  Bush  was  involved  in  the  cutting  horse  business,  and  was  likely  drawn  to  the  already  functioning  training  facilities  found  on  the  Cauble  ranch.  Vicky  Beiber  Bush  had  been  a  childhood  actor.  Albums  with Â

letters  from  Paramount  Pictures  and  photos  of  her  with  stars  such  as  Gene  Autry  would  be  abandoned  along  with  the  place  in  the  early  1980’s  following  Mrs.  Bush’s  untimely  death.  Locals  claim  that  after  Vicky  died,  the  place  was  let  go  and  began  a  gradual  fall  into  disrepair.  The  Bush’s  would  be  the  last  owner’s  to  call  the  place  home  for  several  decades.  The  ranch  passed  through  several  hands.  Over  the  years  it  served  numerous  purposes.  To  some  it  was  a  place  to  run  a  small  cattle  operation  from,  to  another  a  place  to  get  away  from  the  city  on  the  weekends.  However,  with  no  one  to  keep  up  with  it  on  a  consistent  basis,  it  fell  further  and  further  into  disrepair.  It’s  colorful  past  becoming  hidden  among  vines,  trees,  and  accumulating  dust.  Before  long,  all  that  would  be  left  of  the  once  pristine  property  would  be  some  piles  of  metal  and  rubble.  Fast  forward  to  2012,  Bray  and  Neelley  Armes  are  searching  for  a  place  to  call  home  in  the  Dallas/ Fort  Worth  area.  Bray,  a  professional  steer  wrestler,  needed  somewhere  to  keep  horses  and  steers.  A  place  to  come  home,  unwind,  and  practice  after  months  on  the  road.  Neelley,  a  barrel  racer  and  professional  photographer,  would  need  a  place  to  keep  her  horses, Â

14

WINTER 2013

and  a  place  with  some  scenery  would  be  an  asset  to  her  photography  business.  Their  two  children,  Breely  and  Drake,  would  eventually  need  room  to  roam  and  ride.  A  larger  tract  of  acreage  with  adequate  pens  and  barns  was  a  must.  The  Armes  were  looking  for  a  place  they  could  see  themselves  living  for  many  years.  A  home  where  they  would  raise  their  children,  a  porch  to  rock  their  grandchildren  on,  and  a  large  living  area  that  would  play  host  to  family  gatherings.  With  all  this  in  mind,  they  began  looking  at  properties.  The  old  Cauble  Ranch  hadn’t  been  lived  in  permanently  in  10  years;Íž  it  hadn’t  been  lived  in  at  all  in  5-­6  years.  Vegetation  was  taking  over,  and  time  was  doing  its  work  on  the  barns,  pens,  and  numerous  old  buildings  on  the  place.  Roofs  were  caving  in  and  fences  were  falling  down.  Rust  was  corroding  metal  and  freezing  gates.  The  ranch  had  been  on  the  market  for  quite  some  time,  too  much  work  and  risk  to  be  a  place  worth  buying.  When  the  Armes’  came  to  look,  however,  they  saw  a  place  that,  with  some  work,  would  be  everything  they  had  dreamed  of.  It  sat  on  an  unusually  large  tract  of  land  for  the  area  with  plenty  of  barns,  pens,  and  turnouts  for  lots  of  horses.  â€œWe  have  close  to  55  acres.  To  be  able  to  own  that  much  land  in  this  part  of  Texas  is  a  great  opportunity.  We  bought  it  basically  on  potential;Íž  it  was  a  huge  leap  of  faith!â€?  said  Neelley.  The  old  barns,  EXQNKRXVHV DQG RYHUJURZQ ÂżHOGV ZHUH D photographer’s  dream.  No  more  searching Â

and  traveling  for  unique  places  to  do  photo  shoots.  All  the  beautiful  sets  Neelley  could  want  would  literally  be  in  her  backyard.  The  home  was  large  enough  to  hold  sizeable  family  functions  with  ease.  â€œWe  could  see  it  being  a  place  we  would  like  to  live  for  a  long  time.  We  had  to  look  past  the  roughness  of  it,  but  we  thought  it  was  unique,â€?  said  Bray.  Neelley  added  that,  â€œit  was  appealing  and  UDUH WR ÂżQG D ORFDWLRQ WKDW ÂżW DOO WKH WKLQJV that  we  do.â€?  They  put  in  their  offer  and  while  %UD\ ZDV LQ /DV 9HJDV FRPSHWLQJ LQ KLV ÂżUVW National  Finals  Rodeo,  they  heard  that  their  offer  had  been  accepted.  By  January  2013,  WKH $UPHV ZHUH WKH RIÂżFLDO QHZ RZQHUV Most  advised  that  they  knock  the  existing  house  down  and  start  fresh,  but  Neelley  had  other  plans.  Neelley’s  dad,  Mike  Riley,  owns  a  construction  company  and  agreed  to  help  her  with  the  complete  remodel  of  the  old  home.  The  family  moved  into  an  RV  temporarily  while  they  went  to  work  making  the  house  livable.  With  the  expert  help  of  Mike,  they  gutted  the  house  and  began  rebuilding.  By  mid-­year,  the  Armes  were  able  to  move  into  their  new  home,  which  now  only  resembled  its  former  self  in  its  basic  structure.  â€œIt  is  such  a  cool  house.  It’s  big  and  really  spacious.  It  has  a  vintage  antique  look  to  it,  which  is  what  I  like.  Somewhere  you  can  envision  living  until  you’re  80.  A  place  where  you  raise  your  family  and  have  Christmas  and  Thanksgiving,â€?  says  Neelley.  Numerous  ideas  from  Neelley’s  imagination  came  to  life  in  the  custom  work  done  throughout  the  house.  Reclaimed  barn  wood  and  stamped  tiles  from  some  of  the  property’s  old  barns  were  repurposed  into  dĂŠcor.   Neelley  believes  in  mixing  old  with  new  WR ÂżQG EDODQFH EHWZHHQ WKHLU IXWXUH DQG WKHLU roots,  â€œThe  new  things  in  the  house  represent  us  as  a  new  family  and  couple,  but  I  have  also  incorporated  a  lot  of  antiques.  Pieces  from  my  great,  great  grandparents  bring  old  heritage  into  the  house.â€?  In  keeping  with  what  she  felt  like  represented  the  place  as  a  whole,  she  decorated  with  a  lot  of  true  antiques.  After  moving  in,  the  Armes’  found  many  interesting  things  that  were  left  by  previous  tenants.  Hidden  rooms  tucked  in  barns  from  5H[ &DXEOHÂśV GUXJ UXQQLQJ GD\V D FXWWLQJ Ă€DJ still  connected  to  its  pulley  in  the  cutting  pen,  cattle  scales  from  the  days  when  the  place  served  as  a  weigh  station  for  the  historic  Fort  Worth  Stockyards,  and  a  scrapbook  full  of  Mrs.  Bush’s  acting  memorabilia  in  a  drawer  in  the  house.  â€œIt’s  kind  of  cool,  it’s  like  this  place  was  frozen  in  time  and  just  rusted  over,â€?  says  Neelley,  â€œWe  are  trying  to  go  in  and  replace  things  that  aren’t  safe,  but  even  then,  we  are  trying  to  just  go  back  restore  it  to  its  original  state.  We  won’t  tear  much  down.â€?

To check out more before and after pictures of the Armes’ Ranch, plus the story behind Bray Armes’ rodeo career, go to Rodeo Fame’s website!

FAVORITE Â THING Â ABOUT Â YOUR Â HOME...

The  shower  is  my  favorite  part.  It’s  big.  I  have  never  had  a  big  shower.  You  come  in  from  practicing  or  working,  and  I  could  just  sit  in  there  forever.  It’s  especially  nice  after  being  out  there  rodeoing  and  using  a  little  trailer  shower.

, DP ¿QDOO\ LQ D KRPH WKDW , FDQ have  big  family  get  togethers  at.  This  is  where  the  big  family  Christmas  and  Thanksgivings  DUH JRLQJ WR EH DW QRZ ,WœV ¿QDOO\ a  home  that  feels  like  home  to  everyone  who  walks  into  it.

There  are  cedar  bars  all  over  the  house.  7KHUH LV RQH RYHU WKH ÂżUHSODFH RQH XQGHU the  big  screen  TV  in  living  room,  a  long  cedar  bar  in  the  kitchen,  and  we  made  a  sink  and  table  in  the  bathroom  out  of  cedar.   All  the  cedar  in  this  house  was  cut  from  the  same  tree,  which  is  kind  of  sentimental  and  symbolic  for  me.  It  all  starts  with  one  big  root  of  your  family.  That  was  symbolic  for  us  to  put  that  in  our  bar  as  a  constant  reminder  of  why  we  are  able  to  have  this  place. :H ÂżOOHG RQH RI the  notches  that  was  naturally  in  a  piece  of  cedar  with  turquoise  and  a  cross  that  says,  â€œwith  God  all  things  are  possible.â€?  That  was  a  symbol  we  put  on  our  bar  to  be  a  constant  reminder  of  why  we  are  able  to  have  this  place.

rodeofame.com

15

Q&A Â Â | Â TYSON Â DURFEY

Tyson Durfey with

Rodeo  Fame  (RF)  found  out  this  has  been  an  exciting  and  successful  year  IRU 7\VRQ 'XUIH\ 7' 5HDG RQ DQG ÂżQG out  to  whom  he  attributes  much  of  his  success,  and  more‌ RF:  You  are  sitting  second  in  the  world  and  you  recently  got  married,  how  did  you  balance  it  all,  and  who  has  been  there  for  you  the  most?  7' :HOO GHÂżQLWHO\ P\ ZLIH 6KHD , KDYH an  amazing  wife.   At  any  point,  she  keeps  me  balanced  between  rodeo,  traveling,  and  day-­to-­day  life.  Shea  did  the  entire  wedding  organizing,  which  allowed  me  to  stay  completely  focused  on  my  rodeoing  throughout  the  year‌[And]  she  gave  up  a  SDUW RI KHU \HDU LQ 1DVKYLOOH WR Ă€\ RXW DQG help  me  drive  and  support  me  throughout  this  rodeo  season.  RF:  Why  do  you  think  the  2013  rodeo  season  has  been  better  for  you  than  other  seasons?  TD:  After  last  year,  not  making  the  WNFR,  I  got  a  new  level  of  desire.  I  invested  in  more  horsepower,  started  practicing  more  and  working  out  harder  and  became  more  focused  then  ever.  Roping  is  now  my  number  one  priority.  RF:  What  are  you  most  anticipating  as  far  as  Las  Vegas  this  year? Â

Tyson  and  Shea  in  Calgary.

“I was driving home from the San Angelo YVWPUN Ă„LZ[H HUK T` I\KK` *HKL :^VY called me. We starting talking about the NFR‌I was talking to him about what I had to do to win a Gold Buckle and he basically told me to stop putting pressure on myself and to rope the way I rope, that it has gotten me this far. To not force it to happen; instead, just let it happen." TYSON  DURFEY,   RQ WKH EHVW DGYLFH UHFHLYHG IRU :1)5

Interview  after  winning  Amarillo  Champions  Challenge

TD:  Being  back  to  the  Thomas  and  Mack  arena  and  tying  some  fast  calves.   There  is  really  no  place  like  it.

¸0 HT ZV L_JP[LK [V VÄ„JPHSS` IL ;`ZVUÂťZ WIFE. I can’t wait to cheer him on every night from the stands. Nothing makes me happier then watching Tyson do what he loves to do and rope‌.I am also so excited about getting to dress up every night to go to the Thomas and Mack. The WNFR is the one time the wives and girlfriends really get to dress up; and, the best thing about Las Vegas is‌anything goes!â€? SHEA  DURFEY,  on  being  (newly)  married  to  an  DWKOHWH FRPSHWLQJ DW WKH :1)5 Photo  by  Matt  Cohen

AS Â TOLD Â TO Â ALEXIS Â BLOOMER

16

WINTER 2013

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Inside Scoop   |   TOP  WNFR  CONTENDERS

MEET A FEW

TEAM ROPING - HEADING

CLAY TRYAN

ABOUT Â THE Â WNFR Â 2013:

5RGHR )DPH 0DJD]LQH KDG WKH SULYLOHJH RI VSHDNLQJ ZLWK WKH WRS FRQWHQGHUV RI DOO VHYHQ GLVFLSOLQHV WR ÂżQG RXW ZKDW makes  them  the  best-­of-­the-­best  in  their  event,  who  and  what  inspires  them,  what  each  of  their  year-­long  roads  to  the  2013  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR)  held  for  them,  and  what  they  expect  to  happen  at  the  Finals.  Â

“There’s no pressure. I mean, I’ve been in this situation a few times and I didn’t get it done. [And] I’ve been in this situation and won it. I’m just going to do what I do and prepare hard for it. Give it all I got and come out on top.�

Born:  0D\ LQ 3OHQW\ZRRG 07 Joined  PRCA:  1998 PRCA  Career  Earnings: Â

:1)5 4XDOLÂżFDWLRQV

World  Titles  Won:  1  (2005) Current  Residence:  Lipan,  TX

Clay  Tryan  has  team  roped  with  some  of  the  biggest  names  in  the  business,  and  that  has  taken  him  to  the  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR)  11  times.  On  his  12th  time  around,  Tryan  is  going  in  to  the  WNFR  sitting  at  the  number  one  position  with  his  newest  partner,  Jade  Corkill. Â

at  the  end  of  the  year.  When  asked  about  the  slump,  Tryan  said,  â€œWe  just  kept  battling  through  it,  knowing  you  can’t  rope  bad  forever‌If  you  don’t  do  good,  you  have  to  move  on  to  the  next  one.  You  have  to  VWD\ DV FRQÂżGHQW DV \RX FDQ *R SUDFWLFH DQG GR ZKDWHYHU \RX KDYH WR GR WR Âż[ ZKDW \RX DUH GRLQJ wrong,  and  just  try  to  get  back  on  track.â€?

“We  had  some  pretty  good  success.  We  don’t  have  a  huge  lead,  so  we  have  to  do  well  in  Las  Vegas.  But  that’s  always  good  to  go  in  number  one,â€?  Tryan  said.  Although  their  roping  did  see  a  slump  around  Cowboy  Christmas,  things  turned  around  for  them Â

BAREBACK RIDING

TEAM ROPING - HEELING

BOBBY MOTE

GOALS Â AND Â COMPETING Â IN Â Â THE Â 2013 Â WNFR Â :

“I have goals that I have to accomplish. I want to win one more World title. I really want to win two, but I have to see how my body is holding up. But right now, 0ÂťT UV[ SVVRPUN WHZ[ [OL Ă„UHSZ š

Born:  -XQH LQ 3RUWODQG 25 Joined  PRCA:  1996 PRCA  Career  Earnings:

:1)5 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV 13  (2001-­2013) :RUOG 7LWOHV :RQ

Current  Residence:  Stephenville,  TX

Born:  $XJXVW LQ )DOORQ 19 Joined  PRCA:  2006 PRCA  Career  Earnings: Â

Bareback  rider  Bobby  Mote’s  average  is  another  man’s  best  effort.  Although  Mote  did  not  feel  like  he  was,  as  he  puts  it,  â€œmaking  a  whole  lot  of  noise  this  year,â€?  he  consistently  placed  in  the  top  position  at  all  the  rodeos  he  entered.   â€œI  worked  my  way  to  the  top  through  the  year.  I  never  felt  like  I  was  rodeoing  any  harder  or  did  a  whole  lot  of  stuff  different,â€?  Mote  said,  â€œI  just  kept  working  on  riding  good  and  things  kind  of  came  together.â€?  Â

13th  visit  and,  possibly,  his  5th  World  Championship  buckle  -­  Mote  has  still  had  to  work  his  way  through  tough  competition.   â€œI’ve  won  a  gold  buckle  going  LQ ÂżUVW DQG ,ÂśYH ZRQ D EXFNOH JRLQJ LQ GRZQ D ZD\ I’ve  had  a  big  lead,  and  I’ve  had  a  narrow  lead.   I’ve  had  to  win  in  the  10th  round,  and  I’ve  also  had  it  sown  up  in  the  10th  round.   I’ve  experienced  a  little  bit  of  all  of  it.   The  fact  that  it’s  different  every  year  keeps  it  interesting  and  fun.   You  don’t  want  to  take  anything  for  granted.   Consistency  helps,  but  you  have  to  keep  improving  every  time  too.â€? Â

Seasoned  heeler,  Jade  Corkill,  has  found  himself  going  into  the  2013  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  :1)5 DQG VLWWLQJ LQ ÂżUVW SODFH DIWHU RQO\ RQH year  of  team  roping  with  his  header,  Clay  Tryan.  Both  are  WNFR  veterans  with  years  of  experience,  so  it  comes  down  to  each  one  knowing  how  to  do  his  own  job  so  the  other  one  can  do  his  own  job  too.  â€œI’ve  been  out  here  for  a  while,  and  he’s  [Tryan’s]  been  out  here  for  longer,  so  we  are  in  a  position  to  know  when  we  need  to  go  faster,  when  we  need  to  catch,â€?  Corkill  said.  â€œWe  kind  of  feed  off  what  the  other  guy  does.  The  planning  comes Â

Although  he  is  a  veteran  of  the  Wrangler’s  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR)  â€“  with  this  year  making  it  his Â

STEER WRESTLING

:1)5 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV  6  (2008-­2013) World  Titles  Won:  1  (2012) Current  Residence:  Stephenville,  TX

down  to  when  we  are  actually  roping.â€?   Although  WKH\ ÂżQLVKHG VWURQJ WKLV \HDU &RUNLOO DOOXGHG WR the  fact  that  they  did  have  a  few  bumps  along  the  way,  â€œWe  are  in  the  lead;Íž  so,  the  year  went  how  we  wanted  it  to  go‌but,  it’s  hard  for  the  outside  world  to  understand  because  they  just  see  the  numbers‌ There  were  times  when  we  weren’t  doing  as  good  as  we  should’ve  been  [and]  we  were  struggling,  but  we  still  made  it‌.We  did  really  good  at  some  of  the  right  spots.â€?

ABOUT Â ROPING Â WITH Â CLAY Â TRYAN: Â Â

¸,]LY` [LHTÂťZ KPăLYLU[ /L HUK I, we don’t break down our roping and over-talk about it. He is a focus guy. It’s funny when we are at a rodeo, we hardly say two words to each other.â€?

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

CASEY MARTIN

CODY WRIGHT

Born:  September  4,  1981,  in  Sulphur,  LA Joined  PRCA:  2002 PRCA  Career  Earnings: Â

:1)5 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV 3  (2011,  2012,  2013) World  Titles  Won:  0 Current  Residence:  Sulphur,  LA

Born:  $SULO LQ 7RFTXHYLOOH 87 Joined  PRCA:  1998 PRCA  Career  Earnings:  $1,959,254

:1)5 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV 11  (2003-­2013) World  Titles  Won:  2  (2008,  2010) Current  Residence:  Milford,  UT

Although  it  will  be  Steer  Wrestler  Casey  Martin’s  third  time  competing  in  the  Wrangler  National  Finals  5RGHR :1)5 LW ZLOO EH WKH ÂżUVW WLPH KHÂśV JRQH into  the  WNFR  sitting  in  his  event’s  top  position.  â€œI  haven’t  felt  any  pressure.  I  just  kind  of  look  at  it  like  I  always  do‌one  steer  at  a  time.  It’s  all  you  can  do.  Try  to  stay  positive  and  take  one  steer  at  a  time,â€?  said  Martin.  The  fact  is,  though,  Martin  had  a  real  good  year.  â€œI  went  into  the  Finals  and  won  Denver,  Austin,  did  good  in  San  Antone  [San  Antonio],  good  in  San  Angelo,â€?  said  Martin,  â€œI  did  good  at  the  winter  rodeos  and  won  two  of  them.  I  just  kept  going  from  there.â€?  Â

“I  practice  quite  a  bit.  I  have  a  nephew  that  bulldogs,  and  a  bunch  of  buddies.  They  come  over  and  bulldog  with  me,  so  we  practice  right  often,â€?  said  Martin.  With  so  much  traveling,  it’s  hard  for  him  to  see  his  family  as  much  as  he  wants.  But  this  year,  Martin  brought  along  his  toddler  for  a  little  over  a  week  of  rodeoing.   â€œMy  boy,  who  was  two  then,  stayed  on  the  road  with  me  after  Cheyenne  for  about  a  week  and  a  half.  He  travels  with  me  quite  a  bit.  My  girls  are  in  school,  so  they  can’t  hardly  go,â€?  explained  Martin.  When  asked  about  his  harrowing  experience  of  taking  on  a  runaway  steer  AND  a  two-­year  old,  Martin  replied,  â€œI  travel  with  three  other  guys  all  year  and  one  of  them  brought  his  little  boy  too.  They  played  together.  If  we  ZHUH DERXW WR FRPSHWH ZHÂśG MXVW ÂżQG VRPHRQH ZKR wasn’t  doing  anything  to  watch  them.â€?

The  Wright  brothers  all  live  by  the  family  motto,  â€˜Saddle  bronc  riding  the  Wright  way,’  and  it  seems  WR EH ZRUNLQJ EHFDXVH \RX FDQ DOZD\V ÂżQG D FRXSOH of  the  Wright  boys  on  the  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR)  Saddle  Bronc  Riding  roster;Íž  this  \HDU WKHUH DUH WZR &RG\ :ULJKW VLWWLQJ LQ ÂżUVW SODFH and  Jesse  Wright  (trailing  him  by  a  few  bucks).   When  asked  about  competing  with  his  younger  brother,  Cody  said,  â€œI’m  just  trying  to  make  the  best  ride  with  the  horse  I  got,  and  I’m  hoping  for  the  best  IRU KLP WRR %XW , GHÂżQLWHO\ ZDQW WR ZLQ , NQRZ KH does,  too;Íž  and,  if  we  both  didn’t  want  that,  then  we  both  better  go  home.â€?   This  year  makes  for  Cody’s  11th  consecutive  appearance  at  the  WNFR  and,  hopefully,  it  will  lead  to  his  3rd  World  Championship Â

gold  buckle.  Having  kept  a  steady  stream  of  wins  throughout  the  year,  including  big  wins  like  Denver,  Fort  Worth  and  â€œthe  Daddy,â€?  Cody  said  it  was  a  little  slow  in  June  and  August,  but  nothing  to  really  talk  about. Â

Martin  went  to  60  rodeos  this  year,  which  is  typical  when  you  rodeo  professionally;Íž  and,  when  he’s  not  on  the  road  bulldogging,  he’s  at  home  bulldogging. Â

18

JADE CORKILL

WINTER 2013

ABOUT Â THE Â WNFR Â 2013: Â

“I expect to do really well. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be going.�

ABOUT Â THE Â WNFR Â 2013: Â

“The older I get, the more I need to work on things to keep my body able to go on with the rough treatment. It seems to be holding up pretty good.�

Of  course,  when  you  travel  with  a  pack  of  your  brothers  and  hit  a  slump,  they  will  tell  you.   â€œThat’s  the  great  thing  about  traveling  with  your  family.  You  can  be  honest,  and  I  believe  what  they  tell  me.  It  helps.  They  try  to  help  me  be  better,â€?  Cody  said.  â€œIf  there  is  a  big  problem,  I  can  take  it  to  any  of  them  DQG WKH\ ZLOO KHOS PH ÂżQG RXW ZKDW ,ÂśP GRLQJ ZURQJ ´

rodeofame.com

19

Inside Scoop   |   TOP  WNFR  CONTENDERS TIE-DOWN ROPING

TUF COOPER

ABOUT Â HIS Â SISTER Â SHADA Â BRAZILE: Â Â

“It’s so awesome to watch your family‌seeing them love to perform and do what they love to do. I can’t wait until December 5th to watch her run.â€?

Born:  January  31,  1990,  in  Childress,  TX Joined  PRCA:  2008 PRCA  Career  Earnings:  $1  million  +

:1)5 4XDOLÂżFDWLRQV  6  (2008-­2013) World  Titles  Won:  2  (2011-­2012) Current  Residence:  Decatur,  TX Â

It’s  been  another  amazing  year  for  Tuf  Cooper  as  he  leads  the  charge  for  the  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR)  and,  hopefully,  another  World  Champion  title.  â€œI  feel  real  blessed  for  all  the  opportunities  I’ve  had.  I’m  super  excited  about  ¿QLVKLQJ VWURQJ ´ VDLG &RRSHU

Cooper  has  a  personal  team  of  trainers  that  help  get  him  ready  for  the  grueling  discipline  of  roping,  Ă€DQNLQJ DQG W\LQJ XS D SRXQG FDOI DV IDVW DV he  can.  When  asked  for  more  detail,  Cooper  said,  â€œI  get  home  the  last  week  of  September  and  I’m  in  the  gym  twice  a  day  trying  to  increase  my  strength  and  my  power.  For  the  past  three  or  four  years  it’s  something  we’ve  been  pushing  hard.  It  is  something  that  we  focus  on.  We  laid  a  good  foundation,  and  now  we  see  the  good  results.â€?

The  most  memorable  event  this  year  for  Cooper  was  crossing  that  $1  million  mark  at  the  San  Angelo  rodeo.  â€œIt  was  a  goal  of  mine  to  have  that  title.  Now  we  are  focused  on  the  next  step,  the  WNFR,â€?  shared  Cooper.  Very  dedicated  to  his  workout  regimen, Â

BARREL RACING

Born:  January  26,  1959  Joined  WPRA:  1983 WPRA  Career  Earnings:  $413,800

MARY WALKER

2012  World  Champion  Barrel  Racer  Mary  Walker  did  things  a  little  different  from  last  year  when  she  started  out  down  the  road  in  contention  for  this  year’s  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR).  Walker  started  out  the  year  running  barrels  in  the  2013  California  spring  rodeos  and,  entered  up  to  run  barrels  in  the  richest  rodeo  in  the  North  American  continent,  The  Calgary  Stampede,  she  also  spent  45  days  in  Canada.  When  asked  about  her  run  at  Calgary,  Walker  replied,  â€œMy  Calgary  short  go  run  was  so  exciting!  Probably,  because  it  was  exciting  to  run  for  that  much  money.â€?   As  famous  as  Walker  has  become,  so  has  her  trusty  horse,  Latte.  Although  Latte  may  have  had  a  few  issues  come  up Â

:1)5 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV 2  (2012,  2013) World  Titles  Won:  1  (2012) Current  Residence:  Ennis,  TX

over  the  course  of  the  year,  all  issues  have  cleared  and  Latte  is  ready  to  run  in  the  Thomas  and  Mack  again  on  December  5th.  As  for  Walker,  she  knows  what  to  expect  at  the  WNFR  this  year.  She  has  kept  up  her  workout  regimen,  and  has  even  gained  a  little  weight.  Despite  all  her  physical  preparation,  Walker  shared  that,  really,  her  daily  inspiration  comes  from  her  son  who  tragically  passed  away  in  2011:  â€œI  know  he  has  been  with  me  all  year.  I  think  about  him  every  single  moment  of  every  single  day‌it  brings  a  lot  of  strength  to  me  just  knowing  I  am  capable  of  getting  up  every  morning,  and  I  feel  blessed  to  be  given  that  opportunity.â€?

ABOUT Â THE Â WNFR Â 2013: Â Â

“Last year, when it was over I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I thought it just started.’ I’m a little hesitant to get out there because I don’t want it to be over. I’m excited to get there and get everything started, and honored to be able to have made it two years in a row.�

BULL RIDING

COLE ECHOLS

Photo  by  Todd  Brewer Â

ABOUT Â COMPETING Â AGAINST Â Â JW Â HARRIS: Â Â

“I’m gonna have to ride good. If anything, he helps ‘cause he is UV[ NVPUN [V IL MHSSPUN Vă `V\ can count on that. I’ve gotta do everything I can to stay on.�

Events:  Bull  Riding,  Team  Roping  (Heeling) Born:  0D\ LQ 6KUHYHSRUW /$ Joined  PRCA:  2006 PRCA  Career  Earnings: Â

:1)5 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV 1 World  Titles  Won:  0 Current  Residence:  Elm  Grove,  LA

Bull  riding  Cole  Echols  has  climbed  the  ladder  of  rodeo  success  very  fast  this  year.  Last  year,  Echols  placed  35th  in  the  World  standings.  This  year,  Echols  not  only  won  the  CBR  championship  and  walked  away  with  a  check  for  $100,000,  he  earned  his  position  among  the  top  three  going  into  the  2013  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR)  Bull  Riding  Event.  What’s  his  secret  to  success?  He  got  tired  of  losing.   â€œEverything  just  worked  out  a  lot  different  than  it  did  in  the  past.  I  stayed  healthy  all  year  and  stayed  more  consistent.  Healthy  meaning, Â

I  just  stayed  on  top  of  the  bull  a  lot  more  and  got  away  a  lot  faster  instead  of  being  all  under  them.â€?  Getting  to  the  WNFR  is  a  very  big  deal  for  Echols,  and  something  he’s  been  trying  to  do  for  a  long  time.  When  asked  how  he  felt  about  his  upcoming  trip  to  the  WNFR,  Echols  replied,  â€œIt  means  a  lot  to  ¿QDOO\ JHW WR JR ,ÂśP SUHWW\ SXPSHG XS DERXW LW ,ÂśP really  excited  about  the  money.  Man,  that  is  a  lot  of  money.  I’d  like  to  get  some  of  that  and  that  PRCA  buckle  would  mean  a  whole  lot.â€? WRITTEN  BY  BRENDA  MATAMOROS

Make sure to visit rodeofame.com during the Finals for access to:

20

WINTER 2013

live updates on rodeo-related events happening in Las Vegas, Nevada, scores for each go-round, and even more information on all your favorite 2013 WNFR top contenders.

Fashion   |   BOOT  MATCH-­UP

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22

COMPILED Â BY Â LAUREN Â ANTHONY

Cover Story   |   RYAN  &  LACY  GRAY

N

ot  so  long  ago,  in  towns  a  few  states  apart,  a  little  boy  named  Ryan  was  born  in  Cheyenne,  Wyoming,  and  a  little  girl  named  Lacy  was  welcomed  into  the  world  in  Phoenix,  Arizona.   Both  Ryan  and  Lacy  would  grow  up  in  rodeo  families,  progressing  through  the  junior  and  high  school  rodeo  ranks.  As  fate  would  have  it,  their  paths  would  cross  in  Odessa,  Texas.  Both  attending  Odessa  Junior  College  on  rodeo  scholarships,  they  wound  up  living  in  dorms  across  the  hall  from  each  other  in  the  Texas  Permian  Basin.  So  were  the  beginnings  of  two  individuals  that  were  destined  to  be  soul  mates,  Ryan  and  Lacy  Gray.  For  Ryan,  getting  on  calves  in  the  branding  pen  eventually  turned  into  a  promising  career  as  a  bareback  rider;Íž  which,  was  beginning  to  really  bloom  DERXW WKH WLPH /DF\ ÂżUVW PHW 5\DQ /DF\ having  grown  up  around  the  rodeo  world  as  well,  could  be  found  competing  in  the  timed-­event  end  of  the  arena  â€“  tying  goats  and  breakaway  roping.  The  two  soon  discovered  they  were  kindred  spirits,  and  they  developed  a  friendship  that  they  plan  on  enjoying  for  a  lifetime.

Two’s  Company,  Three’s  a

Family

‌

Ryan  and  Lacy  Gray  Have  a  Baby  on  the  Way!

Upon  their  recent  return  to  Texas  from  their  summer  rodeo  home  in  Washington,  Rodeo  Fame  Magazine  (RFM)  had  an  opportunity  to  catch  up  with  Ryan  and  Lacy  Gray.  Sitting  fourth  in  the  2013  World  standings,  Ryan  is  currently  preparing  to  make  his  eighth  appearance  at  the  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR)  in  Las  Vegas,  Nevada  this  upcoming  December,  where  he  will  be  a  contender  for  a  World  Title.  But  that  isn’t  the  only  thing  the  couple  is  looking  forward  to  this  winter.  After  seven  years  of  marriage,  the  couple  is  expecting  WKHLU ÂżUVW FKLOG LQ -DQXDU\ :LWK PXFK laughter  and  banter,  Ryan  and  Lacy  shed  light  on  how  they  met,  thoughts  on  their  growing  family  and  what  gives  them  the  joy  that  is  so  evident  in  their  lives. 5)0 /RYH DW ÂżUVW VLJKW" /DF\ 7KH ÂżUVW WLPH , VDZ 5\DQ KH KDG RQ D black  hat,  a  black  leather  coat,  and  he  was  headed  to  the  Circuit  Finals  I  found  out  later.  We  lived  right  across  the  hall  from  each  other.  He  was  walking  out  of  his  dorm  room,  and  I  thought  he  was  so  cute  then!  He  looked  like  Tom  Cruise. RFM:  So  how  did  you  guys  start  talking? Lacy:  I  would  always  go  over  to  his  dorm  room  to  do  math  homework  with  his  roommate.  Ryan  was  always  on  the  phone  talking  to  a  girl, Â

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WINTER 2013

Photos  by  Megan  Rieff A  Dot  In  Time  Photography

"Every since we met and started dating, we do everything together." RYAN Â GRAY

and  he  would  always  tell  her  he  loved  her.  I  thought  he  had  a  girlfriend.  Turns  out  it  was  his  mom!  I  never  talked  to  him,  but  then  I  started  inviting  him  to  a  Bible  study  on  Wednesday  nights.  We  got  to  know  each  other  through  that  and  actually  started  talking,  but  it  took  a  while.  Once  we  started  talking,  we  realized  pretty  quick  it  was  meant  to  be.  Ryan:  I  thought  she  was  really,  really  pretty. Lacy:   I  didn’t  think  he  liked  me! Ryan:  I  liked  her,  but  I  didn’t  think  she  would  like  me!  I  thought  we  would  just  be  friends,  but  she  was  like,  â€œNo,  I  really  like  you.â€?  And  I  was Â

like,  â€œOh,  I  really  like  you  too!â€?  Lacy:  He  asked  me  to  marry  him  at  the  College  Finals  in  2005  (bickering  back  and  forth  over  exact  time),  no  2004.  We  were  engaged  for  two  years.  He  proposed  our  last  year  at  Odessa,  and  then  we  went  to  Tech  (Texas  7HFK /XEERFN 7H[DV :H ÂżQLVKHG VFKRRO and  got  married  after  we  graduated  from  Tech  in  2006. RFM:  Every  marriage  is  different,  what  makes  yours  unique? Ryan:  Every  since  we  met  and  started  dating,  rodeofame.com

25

Cover Story | RYAN & LACY GRAY

Cover Story | RYAN & LACY GRAY Photos by Megan Rieff A Dot In Time Photography

we do everything together. The only time we aren’t around each other is in July for maybe a week or two at a time. We literally do everything WRJHWKHU :H KXQW WRJHWKHU ZH ¿VK WRJHWKHU ZH ride together;; we build fence together;; we work together. Some people, the wife and husband, they do different things. We just seem to always want to do the same things. We spend A LOT of time together. It’s pretty fun. Lacy: It’s kind of ridiculous, I go to the grocery store, and I miss him…. (Chuckles) Ryan: We shop together…. RFM: Do you push the cart or does she push the cart? Ryan: We take turns, I usually push it. It depends on how heavy it is… RFM: Ryan, we have an idea of what you do. Lacy, what do you with your time? Are you still competing? Lacy: I just roped and tied goats in college. I now have a young horse (barrel horse) I need to start taking around. There isn’t much else to go to (roping);; you have to go a long ways to those WPRA rodeos. There are barrel races everywhere. I have a business called ‘RodeoLeather.’ I make pillows with pictures and brands on them. RFM: Do you get to travel with Ryan a lot, or do you stay closer to home? Lacy: I go with him a lot. In the winter, when we are living in Texas, it’s pretty easy to go down to Houston (Texas) and all of those. Otherwise, I would be up in Washington breaking ice! In the summertime, when we are living at our little place up there, I get to go to Pendleton (Oregon) and Calgary (Alberta, Canada), and all those up there. When he’s really going in July to a few (rodeos) a day, or one a day, all over the country, I try to stay home and hold down the fort. There are four guys in the pickup and camper and it’s not much fun. RFM: What is life like when you aren’t out on the road? Lacy: We live out in the middle of nowhere, so we only go to town like once a week. We break young horses. We like to go brand, and look at ranches and stuff. We like to go hunting. We rope when we can.

"It’s all just so exciting, to have new life living in me. We are going to have a baby! It’s crazy and exciting!" LACY GRAY

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WINTER 2013

RFM: What made you guys buy another place in Washington? Lacy: Ryan is from up there. It started out us just going up there and spending a little time in the summer, and it just kept getting longer and longer. We had a camper and would camp in his mom’s yard, then we had a trailer, and then pretty soon we got tired of camping in his mom’s yard, so we bought a little place and put a cabin on there. This summer, we put a little barn up. It’s beautiful. It was hard to come back to West Texas yesterday! RFM: You could call that a summer and a winter home, but Lubbock isn’t much fun in the winter either! Lacy: Yeah, there was a study on weather.com this year about the four worst places to live as far as weather….Anchorage, Alaska, somewhere in Maine, South Dakota, and Lubbock, Texas was on there!

RFM: Do you think your traveling schedule will change with the baby? Lacy: I plan on just packing it around, putting it in the papoose, and just keep on keeping on! They did it in covered wagons chasing buffalo around. (Chuckling) RFM: I guess when you look at it that way, you do have it pretty easy. I mean, your wagon has an A/C and a heater! Lacy: Yeah (Laughing) RFM: Boy, girl, or surprise baby? Lacy: We are going to wait. It will be one of the biggest surprises of our life. It’s really hard to wait, we want to know, but it will be fun. RFM: Are you guys the kind of people who already have your parenting thing planned out, or are you going to wing it? Lacy: I have been trying to read a few books. We will only be home a few weeks before we go to Vegas, then Christmas after the Finals, and then we will be having the baby. Ryan: We are winging it….. (Chuckling) RFM: You are due January 4th. Are you nervous about an extended stay in Las Vegas that close to your due date? /DF\ , ¿JXUH WKHUH DUH KRVSLWDOV LQ 9HJDV« RFM: You aren’t laid back by any chance are you, Lacy? Lacy: Ryan is shaking his head no…. (Laughs) RFM: Are you planning on incorporating anything from your childhoods into raising your family? Lacy: I have already been pony shopping! We want to raise our kids with animals and around horses because it teaches responsibility and hard work. Ryan: a lot of spanking… Lacy: (Laughing) You can’t spank our baby!!! We were both blessed to be raised by rodeo families. We grew up rodeoing, and Ryan makes a living doing what he loves. We get to spend so much time together living this lifestyle that we grew up with. RFM: Ryan, what is important for you to instill in your children? Ryan: To be responsible, work hard, and get what you want out of life. I am pretty fortunate to do what I love every day, not every parent gets to say that. I will be happy with whatever our kid chooses to do. It doesn’t matter to me as long as they work hard and are happy. It is a great thing to instill in someone that you can do anything you want, just work for it and it can happen. RFM: You know each other well as a husband and wife, are you excited to get to know what the other is like as a parent? Lacy: Yeah, he’s going to be a really good Dad. Ryan: And, she’s going to be a good Mom. I think it will be fun to watch her. Lacy: (Chuckling) Learn together. Ryan: Yeah, learn together. Learn how to not drop the baby and all that good stuff.

RFM: You guys have so much joy, what would you say is the difference between true joy and happiness? Ryan: Joy versus happiness….Well, joy to me is not necessarily a feeling, but more an expression of your life. Joy is expressed through who you are. I am a child of God. The Holy Spirit lives in and through me, and that gives me joy. Happiness is a feeling from that, but it’s more of an emotion – feeling happy, feeling sad. Joy is more who you are on the inside. Lacy: Who I am in God isn’t going to change and, because of that, I have joy in my life. Every day, I wake up and, no matter what happens, it will be all right because He’s the .LQJ , FDQ EH KDSS\ DQG VR WKDQNIXO EHFDXVH of circumstances, but then things cannot go right according to my standards, and you aren’t happy because of circumstances. That’s all little stuff whenever you look at the big picture. What happens in this life is very brief.

RFM: In this season in life, what is bringing you joy? Lacy: It’s all just so exciting, to have new life living in me. We are going to have a baby! It’s crazy and exciting. It’s all just miraculous;; you can’t even wrap your head around it, really. Ryan: My source of happiness has changed over the years. Rodeo is always something I’ve had that I enjoy to do, and horses and OLYHVWRFN +DYLQJ D EDE\ LV GH¿QLWHO\ FKDQJLQJ that. It is going to be really fun and exciting for us. For me to be a Dad, I think that will change my view on the important things in life. Raising a family;; I am really excited for that.

Be watching for Ryan in Vegas! He is sitting 4th in the World Standings, and he is a contender for a World Title!

RFM: Do you think joy can be a source of strength in your life? Lacy: We are both pretty solid. Anything can happen, you just have to take it all in stride and realize that that’s just life. There are terrible things that happen in life, and there are great things that happen in life, but that doesn’t change who you are. The joy of having God in our life is our strength. RFM: When you say that having God in your life brings you joy, what does that mean to you? Ryan: I am a child of God;; a forgiven, righteous person in Christ. No matter what happens with my circumstances, that never changes. I am always in Him and Him in me. That truth remains the same no matter what happens in this life, and no matter what my abilities are or aren’t. I could wake up tomorrow and not be a rodeo cowboy anymore. How would I identify myself then? My identity doesn’t necessarily come from what I do on a daily basis;; my identity is in Him. It’s not in my career or my job. I think we both have a strong foundation in that truth. When you look at it with that perspective, when circumstances change or hard times or struggles come, or even with the good things and the joys in life, the truth never changes who you are in Him. rodeofame.com

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Inside Scoop   |   JB  MAUNEY

“...just to see him cover his bulls and have fun doing it, that was the most exciting thing for me.� LEXI  MAUNEY

Photo  by  And www.  bullstoc y  Watson  kmedia.com

Photo  by  Matt  Breneman www.  bullstockmedia.com

JB & Lexie take on the world PBR Champion, JB Mauney, takes the world with the help of his wife. What  does  a  world  champion  bull  rider  do  for  Christmas?  He  visits  grandma!  â€œWe  usually  go  eat  at  my  grandma's.  My  wife’s  family  is  from  Oklahoma  so  we  try  to  go  out  there  and  spend  a  few  days  before  Christmas.  We  don’t  do  a  whole,  whole  lot,â€?  said  JB  Mauney.  Mauney,  by  all  accounts,  should  be  on  a  tropical  vacation  enjoying  the  splendor  of  winning  the  Professional  Bull  Riding  Built  Ford  Tough  series.  But  instead,  he  was  at  home  in  Mooresville,  North  Carolina  with  his  young  wife,  Lexie,  and  baby  girl,  Bella.  $QG RQ WKH GD\ ZH WDONHG KH ZDV Âż[LQJ fence.  â€œWe  are  in  the  middle  of  getting  us  a  new  place  and  we  should  close  on  it  in  December,â€?  Mauney  said.  â€œSo  for  the  holidays,  we  are  going  to  be  moving!â€? Mauney’s  win  was  eight  years  in  the  making  when  he  bested  and  rode  the  cantankerous  bull  Wipeout  for  an  unprecedented  93  points.  The  score  topped  him  out  on  top  by  more  than  SRLQWV DQG JDYH KLP KLV ÂżUVW ZRUOG championship.  Although  winning  was  a  feat  of  epic  proportions,  the  year  was  a  long  journey  for  Mauney  and  Lexie.  It  was  not  a  secret  JB  wasn’t  covering  a  lot  of  his  bulls  at  the  beginning  of  the  season.  Week  after  week,  PBR  fans  watched  him  throw  his  bull  rope  around  in  anger  and  frustration  after  not  completing  a  ride.  They  also  saw  him  continuously  ride  hurt.

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WINTER 2013

“Well,  you  know  I  never  was  one  to  really  take  any  time  off  and  let  my  body  heal  up.  I  got  married  last  year  and  when  the  break  was  about  to  come  back  around,  my  wife  told  me,  â€˜you  need  to  let  your  body  heal  up,â€?  JB  said.  â€œWe  debated  on  that  and  eventually  I  gave  in  and  listened  to  her,  and  it  was  a  pretty  good  idea.â€? He  took  the  rest  of  May  and  all  of  June  off  to  rest  up  his  body.  In  July,  he  went  to  the  Calgary  Stampede  and  rode  so  ZHOO KH WRRN KRPH ÂżUVW SODFH DQG D FKHFN for  $100,000.  Soon  after  he  was  back  on  the  PBR  BFTS,  he  accomplished  the  impossible;Íž  he  covered  the  legendary  buck-­off  king,  2011  and  2013  Bull  of  the  Year,  Bushwhacker  with  a  95.25  ride.

tall  order  ahead  of  me.  I’m  just  happy  it  worked  out.  As  good  as  he  rides,  you  know  you  have  to  ride  better  and  it  pushes  you  to  do  your  best.  It  works  both  ways  I  think.â€? But  it  was  Lexie  who  kept  JB  on  an  even  keel.  â€œMy  wife  helped  me  deal  with  it  a  lot  because  before  I  let  the  buck  offs  bother  me.  I  wasn’t  very  consistent.   This  year  she  said,  'go  have  fun,  that’s  why  you  do  this.'  So  that’s  what  I  did.  I  quit  worrying  about  everything  and  had  fun,â€?  Mauney  said. According  to  Lexie,  she  made  sure  that  everyone  stayed  calm  during  the  Finals  in  Las  Vegas.  â€œGoing  into  the  Finals  every  night,  we  just  treated  it  as  another  bull  riding,â€?  Lexie  said.  â€œIt  wasn’t  like,  â€˜he’s  at  the  Finals!’  We  didn’t  want  that  nervousness.  We  didn’t  even  look  at  the  points  to  see  how  far  he  was  behind,  or  anything  like  that.  Or,  whether  he  was  in  ¿UVW RU VHFRQG SODFH :H MXVW ZHQW DW LW RQH QLJKW DW a  time,  one  bull  at  a  time,â€?  Lexie  said.  â€œI’m  happy  IRU KLP +H ÂżQDOO\ FRQTXHUHG KLV GUHDP 7KLV LV KLV dream,  to  win  the  world.â€?

The PBR returns January 3, 2014 at Madison Square Garden. For a complete list of dates visit PBR.com

)LQDOO\ DQG IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH LQ -% was  a  contender.  â€œHe  came  back  for  the  last  stretch,  August  to  October,  and  he  was  doing  good.  His  body  wasn’t  hurting  and  he  was  craving  to  ride.  He  was  riding  really  well.â€?  Lexie  said,  â€œAnd  just  to  see  him  cover  his  bulls  and  have  fun  doing  it,  that  was  the  most  exciting  thing  for  me.â€?  For  the  rest  of  the  season,  and  at  the  Finals,  it  was  back  and  forth  between  Mauney  and  Brazilian  Silvano  Alves,  world  champion  in  2011  and  2012. Âł, ÂżJXUHG LW ZRXOG FRPH GRZQ WR KLP DQG PH DW WKH ÂżQDOV ´ 0DXQH\ VDLG Âł7KDW JX\ rides  bulls  really  good  and  I  knew  I  had  a Â

WRITTEN Â BY Â BRENDA Â MATAMOROS

“...eventually I gave in and listened to her, and it was a pretty good idea.� JB  MAUNEY

ADVERTISMENT

“I wanted The Allday Way to be a place where I can share my industry knowledge to the masses. I wanted to be able to cut through all of the misleading information that is out there and get people the information that they were looking for.â€? STEVEN  ALLDAY,  DVM,  WAS  NEVER  AN  ORDINARY  EQUINE  VETERINARIAN. His  25-­year  practice  has  spanned  the  world.  Dr.  Allday’s  special  expertise  is  in  demand  from  Churchill  Downs  to  Saratoga,  from  Hollywood  Park  to  Calder,  from  Pimlico  across  the  pond  to  Newmarket  and  Curragh.  Top  owners– including  Frank  Stronach  and  Allen  Paulson–and  top  trainers–like  5-­time  Eclipse  winner  Todd  Pletcher,  Dale  Romans,  Neil  Drysdale  and  Eoin  Harty– have  demanded  his  time. Â

Elite  horse  racing  publications–like  The  Blood  Horse  and  Thoroughbred  Times– have  followed  Dr.  Allday’s  long  and  colorful  career.  His  strong  opinions  on  the  track  have  made  him  a  lightning  rod  for  debate,  as  well  as  a  source  of  expertise  when  professionals  need  a  seasoned  opinion. Â

He  specializes  in  Equine  sports  medicine  with  a  focus  on  thoroughbred  race  horses.  Dr.  Allday’s  veterinary  credentials  LQFOXGH ÂżYH .HQWXFN\ 'HUE\ ZLQQHUV Breeder’s  Cup  Champions,  and  dozens  of  other  elite  thoroughbred  athletes.

STEVE  ALLDAY’S  REMARKABLE  CAREER  HAS  NOT  STOPPED  AT  THE  TRACK. He  is  an  entrepreneur  with  one  young  and  successful  company,  and  another  new  and  completely  unique  company.  Dr.  Allday  is  the  founder  and  CEO  of  Halstrum,LLC,  makers  of  the  LubriSyn  Family  of  Products  that  are  the  equine  industry  leaders  in  the  exploding  supplements  market.  After  years  of  injecting,  and  continuing  to  inject  horses’  joints  at  the  track,  Steve  discovered  and  developed  an  oral  HA  formula.  LubriSynHA  is  enjoying  record  sales  during  a  national  downturn.  Dr.  Allday  has  successfully  taken  the  pulse  of  his  market  and  created  a  natural  alternative  to  a  practice  that’s  tough  on  the  horse  and  on  the  pocketbooks  of  the  owners.  Due  to  the  success  of  this  premium  joint  supplement  for  horses,  demand  has  grown  for  a  formula  for  people,  pets,  and  now  livestock. Â

In  short,  Dr.  Allday’s  veterinary  career  has  been  long,  sometimes  controÂŹversial,  and  always  newsworthy.  He  is,  unquestionably,  one  of  the  top  men  in  his  ¿HOG

Perhaps  even  more  astonishing  is  his  second  business  venture–Re-­Borne,  LLC.  Re-­Borne  is  a  completely  unique  formulation  of  bovine  colostrum.  Re-­ Borne  has  seized  the  spotlight,  and  DOUHDG\ KDV DWWUDFWHG .HQWXFN\ VWDWH funding  for  its  research  and  production  UDPS XS .HQWXFN\ *RYHUQRU 6WHYH

Beshear  presented  the  check,  and  the  manufacturing  facility  is  now  in  full  swing.  Not  only  does  Re-­Borne  work  in  horses  where  it  is  enjoying  a  booming  success  in  its  pilot  program,  but  now  Dr.  Allday  is  reaching  out  into  the  production  and  livestock  show  industries  with  the  launch  of  Max-­Strum,  a  colostrum  product  GHVLJQHG VSHFLÂżFDOO\ IRU WKH OLYHVWRFN industry.  Re-­Borne  &  Max-­Strum  are  the  natural  alternative  for  antibiotics,  steroids  and  hormones;Íž  a  revoluÂŹtion  in  mother’s  milk.  WHY  THE  ALLDAY  WAY? With  so  much  experience  under  his  belt  working  with  equine  athletes  around  the  world,  the  creation  of  TheAlldayWay. com  seemed  like  the  next  logical  step.  â€œThere  is  and  always  will  be  a  demand  for  knowledge  and  how  to  better  care  for  horses  economically  and  preventatively.â€?  Dr.  Allday  has  always  taught  that  preventative  medicine  is  better,  smarter,  and  more  affordable  than  restorative  medicine.  The  Allday  Way  was  created  out  of  the  need  for  a  comprehensive  source  for  equine  wellness  on  the  web.  â€œIt  just  made  sense  to  put  together  a  list  of  comprehensive  and  compelling  videos  and  have  them  all  in  one  place  to  be  a  one  stop  source  for  all  your  horse  health  needs,â€?  says  Dr.  Allday  of  the  creation  and  idea  behind  TheAlldayWay.com. With  over  100  videos  covering  topics  from  the  beginner  to  the  most  advanced  horseman,  TheAlldayWay  has  something  for  everyone.  Topics  include  colic  prevention  and  treatment,  cushings  disease,  equine  protozoal  myeloencephalitis  (EPM),  hoof  care,  and  many,  many  more!  There  is  also  a  forum  that  acts  as  a  source  for  users  to  have  general  discussions  and  to  ask  Dr.  Allday  and  his  team  of  equine  experts  their  horse  health  questions  directly. Â

www.thealldayway.com Π800-901-8498 Πwww.lubrisyn.com

This  year  in  Las  Vegas  at  the  National  )LQDOV 5RGHR 'U $OOGD\ LV SDUW RI D ÂżUVW ever  free  veterinary  seminar  at  Cowboy  Marketplace  Arena  in  Mandalay  Bay  and  the  arena  at  the  NRS  tradeshow  LQ 0*0 +H ZLOO EH GLVFXVVLQJ VSHFLÂżF horse  health  topics  such  as  colic  prevention,  the  ins  and  outs  of  worming  and  vaccination,  common  soundness  problems  across  disciplines,  hoof  care,  pre-­purchase  examinations  and  much  PRUH 6SHFLDO JXHVWV VXFK DV 1)5 [ TXDOLÂżHU &KDUO\ &UDZIRUG ZLOO EH MRLQLQJ Dr.  Allday  with  all  sessions  to  be  followed  with  a  Q&A  session  to  answer  any  and  all  equine  medical  and  lameness  questions. Â

BUT  STEVE’S  FAST-­MOVING  LIFE  DOESN’T  STOP  AT  THE  TRACK  OR  IN  BUSINESS. 6WHYH KDV EHFRPH D SURPLQHQW ÂżJXUH in  one  of  the  nation’s  fastest-­growing  equine  sports:  team  roping.  Working  and  playing  with  industry  giants  such  as  [ :1)5 &KDPSLRQ &KDG 0DVWHUV [ :1)5 TXDOLÂżHU &KDUO\ &UDZIRUG 7\OHU Magnus,  and  Speed  Williams,  Steve  has  become  a  key  leader  as  an  advocate  for  equine  health  in  the  heartland,  far  away  from  the  racetracks  where  his  career  took  off.  LubriSynHA  and  Re-­Borne,  and  the  natural  revolution  they  are  bringing  to  horses  in  every  discipline,  have  made  him  a  household  name  in  disciplines  miles  away  from  thoroughbred  racing. Â

Chad  Masters  and  NFR-­bound  Charly  Crawford  are  also  LubriSynHA  users.  Pleasure  horse  championship  trainers  Jason  Smith,  Gil  Galyean  and  Dewey  Smith  are  devoted  users.  And  Dr.  Allday  is  well-­known  to  cutters  Al  Dunning  and  Bob  Janssen.  Clinicians  Richard  Winters  and  Dennis  Reis  are  profound  believers  in  Dr.  Allday’s  work  and  his  products. Â

The  burgeoning  popularity  of  /XEUL6\Q+$ DQG ZLOGÂżUH JURZWK HYHQ in  the  initial  phases  of  Re-­Borne,  has  pushed  Steve’s  presence  into  a  cascade  of  disciplines.  In  dressage,  Olympic  champions  Steffen  Peters  and  Gunter  Seidel  have  come  to  depend  upon  Dr.  Allday’s  approach  to  equine  health  and  in  show  jumping  with  phenom  Rodrigo  Pessoa.  In  the  team  roping  world Â

And  whenever  he  can,  Steve  picks  up  a  rope  and  heads  out  on  his  own,  sitting  in  the  saddle  next  to  the  professionals  who  accept  and  use  his  professional  advice. Â

In  short,  Dr.  Allday’s  career  and  natural  equine  health  approach  has  spread  across  the  heart  of  America,  it  only  seemed  like  the  next  logical  step  to  create  an  online  database  with  informational  horse  health  videos  to  help  spread  the  word  on  good  horsemanship  and  management  practices. Â

Dr.  Allday  is  far  more  than  a  track  vet.  He’s  an  entrepreneur,  an  advisor,  a  roper,  a  family  man,  an  industry  expert,  an  educator,  and  an  employer.  He  is  a  JHQXLQH $PHULFDQ RULJLQDO

Inside Scoop | ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Photo by Matt Cohen

THE VOTES ARE IN! We asked Rodeo Fame fans on Facebook to VOTE for the top two rodeo athletes…The Cowboy and Cowgirl who impressed them by going above and beyond in athleticism.

SHADA BRAZILE

Shada Brazile is a marathon runner, mother of two small children, woman of faith and wife of Trevor Brazile. That’s enough on one SODWH WR NHHS 6XSHUZRPDQ ¿QH WXQHG « DGG PDNLQJ KHU ¿UVW :1)5 appearance after managing an 88 rodeo schedule in 2013 and we know our Rodeo Fame fans got it right! Photo by Tiffany

32

WINTER 2013

Shada enters the WNFR 13th in the WPRA Standings.

BY LORI O'HARVER

Inside Scoop   |   RIATA  INTERNATIONAL

   Riata  International    Where Cowboy Girls Rock the World! Once,  there  was  a  little  ballerina  who  didn’t  understand  why  grownups  asked  what  she  wanted  to  be  when  she  grew  up.  One  day,  her  parents  took  her  to  visit  the  Riata  Ranch  and  it  all  became  crystal  clear.  Four  year  old  Jennifer  Welch  Nicholson  wanted  to  be  everything  the  Riata  Ranch  stood  for  when  she  grew  up‌and  so,  she  did  just  that. Once,  there  was  a  little  ballerina  who  didn’t  understand  why  grownups  asked  what  she  wanted  to  be  when  she  grew  up.  One  day,  her  parents  took  her  to  visit  the  Riata  Ranch  and  it  all  became  crystal  clear.  Four  year  old  Jennifer  Welch  Nicholson  wanted  to  be  everything  the  Riata  Ranch  stood  for  when  she  grew  up  â€Ś  and  so,  she  did  just  that. Tommy  Maier  was  a  trick  rider  and  movie  VWXQW PDQ ,Q KH IRXQGHG WKH 5LDWD Ranch  in  Exeter,  California,  to  teach  and  polish  skills  in  young  horsewomen.  A  pioneer  in  the  empowering  of  women,  Maier’s  doctrine  extended  well  beyond  horsemanship.  He  LQVSLUHG JUHDWQHVV E\ EXLOGLQJ FRQÂżGHQFH and  character. “My  family  thought  it  was  the  horses  who  stole  my  heart,  but  it  was  so  much  more,â€?  Jennifer  recalls.  â€œThe  older  girls  were  so  poised,  they  walked  like  queens  and  spoke  like  diplomats,  everything  they  did  sparkled.   I  wanted  all  of  that  â€Ś  but  none  of  that  scary  trick  riding.  I  was  going  to  show  reined  cow  horses.â€? Jennifer  Welch  Nicholson  worked  hard  and  Riata  opened  a  whole  new  world  of  RSSRUWXQLW\ 6KH ZDV LQ ZKHQ VKH stepped  into  spotlight  as  one  of  the  original  trick  riders  when  the  Riata  Ranch  Cowboy  Girls  debuted  at  the  Grand  National  Rodeo  in  San  Francisco.  â€œWe  blacked  our  horse’s  feet  and  put  our  hair  up  in  buns  with  nets  like  we’d  been  taught  for  the  show  ring.  Young,  rising  star  Bob Â

Čą

Cowboy  Girls  Do  Rodeo  Drive

Photo  by  Chad  Nicholson  Photo

level.  Tommy  Maier’s  mission  to  empower  young  women  and  encourage  them  to  manifest  their  dreams  has  become  Jennifer’s  legacy,  her  passion.

In  2002,  Tommy  Maier’s  death  threatened  to  take  his  beloved  programs  with  him.  A  long  LOOQHVV KDG OHIW WKH UDQFK LQ ÂżQDQFLDO UXLQ ZLWK QR KHLU DSSDUHQW WR VWHS LQ WR ÂżOO KLV VKRHV Jennifer  Welch  Nicholson  did  what  her  years  of  training  in  discipline,  leadership  and  commitment  told  her  to  do.  She  stepped  up  to  save  the  Riata  Ranch.

Sarah  Thompson  is  a  22  year  old,  Australian  â€˜station  girl’  who  even  the  wide  open  country  of  her  homeland  couldn’t  contain.  She  joined  the  horse  circus  as  a  rider  touring  Australia  and  New  Zealand  before  a  job  offer  in  the  United  States  took  her  to  the  World  Equestrian  Games  in  2010.  There  she  met  the  Riata  5DQFK &RZER\ *LUOV /LNH -HQQLIHUÂśV years  ago,  the  connection  was  instant.  Sarah  accepted  the  invitation  to  return  to  California  and  train  with  the  troupe. “Jennifer  and  the  Riata  program  have  taught  me  so  much  by  the  daily  example  of  what  of  hard  work,  teamwork,  courage,  leadership,  integrity  and  determination  can  do.  We  dream  big  and  then  go  after  our  dreams,â€?  Sarah  said.  â€œWe  trust  in  the  process,  are  thankful  and  have  fun.â€?

“If  I  could  have  clearly  seen  what  was  coming,  I  might  have  run,â€?  Jennifer  said.  â€œBut  all  I  could  see  at  the  time  were  the  faces  of  girls  like  me  who  would  never  have  what  Riata  offered.  The  girls  from  urban  families  with  hearts  for  horses,  girls  for  whom  Life  wouldn’t  offer  a  way  into  the  world  I  loved  so  much  and  needed  to  share.â€? “I  had  no  real  business  experience.  I  was  great  at  managing  what  we  call  â€˜the  hot  end’  â€Ś  the  performance  end,  but  nothing  else  I  found  myself  faced  with  was  in  my  skill  set.â€? Her  mentor  had  hardwired  courage  and  determination  into  the  woman  who  would  keep  his  legacy  alive.  With  those  tools  and  God’s  grace,  Jennifer  successfully  steered  Riata  Ranch  forward  into  Riata  International.  Today,  she  is  the  undisputed  queen  of  the  programs  that  build  women  of  courage,  talent  and  integrity.

After  15  years  of  being  limited  by  rental  facilities  to  base  their  programs  from,  fortune  and  friends  smiled.  Riata  International  just  celebrated  the  purchase  of  Red  Stone  Ranch  in  Three  Rivers,  California.  The  beautiful  new  facility  provides  the  home  base  Jennifer  needed  to  take  Riata  International  to  the  next Â

WINTER 2013

Čą Čą

Čą Čą

Tallman  boomed  our  script  from  the  mike  and  everybody  was  talking  about  a  bull  named  â€˜Oscar’,â€?  Jennifer  smiled.  â€œI  fell  in  love  with  rodeo.â€?

In  2012,  the  Riata  Ranch  Cowboy  Girls  were  honored  with  performing  for  Her  Majesty  Queen  Elizabeth  II  at  her  Diamond  Jubilee  Celebration  Horse  Pageant  at  Windsor  Castle.  Team  Leader,  Brandi  Phillips,  said  it  all  when  her  Facebook  status  read  â€˜My  little  trick  rope  is  taking  me  to  see  The  Queen!’ Â

34

Čą

The  Riata  Ranch  Cowboy  Girls  are  nominated  for  PRCA’s  Best  Dress  Act  award  this  year.  They’re  proud  of  what  they’ve  worked  to  accomplish  will  keep  passing  the  torch  to  \RXQJ ZRPHQ RI ÂżUH FRXUDJH DQG FKDUDFWHU so  the  Riata  International  principles  and  traditions  will  live  forever. Â

SADDLE  RACKS,  CUSTOM  PAINTED  SHOES,   MISSME  JEANS,   CLOTHING  &  HOME  DÉCOR

 Â

NATIONAL FINALS RODEO BOOTH Las Vegas, NV x Mandalay Bay x Dec 5th ² 14th 114 N Main x SYRACUSE, KS x 620.384.4319

www.rhinestonesNrodeo.com "You make your own luck." SARAH Â THOMPSON

Photo  by  Cindy  Weed/Performance  Plus  Photography

WRITTEN Â BY Â LORI Â O'HARVER

Like what you see? Subscribe today at...www.rodeofame.com

Weddings

Rodeo Famous

QUINN COOPER, daughter RI ; :RUOG &KDPSLRQ 7HDP Roper Clay Cooper, is pictured wearing Lane Boots. Purchase these same boots, Dawson in Turquoise and Brown, at www. laneboots.com. Quinn’s husband’s name is Lane, so it was a sweet added touch when she walked down the aisle in an unforgettable pair of Lane Boots.

3LFWXUHV E\ . 3KRWRJUDSK\ Dublin, Texas

Weddings   |   LINDSAY

Rodeo  Fame  (RF)  thought  it  would  be  fun  to  catch  up  with  the  â€œjust  marriedâ€?  daughters  of  two  Rodeo  Famous  Fan  Favorite  World  Champions.  What  follows  is  your  inside  scoop  on  the  two  main  men  (father  and  husband)  in  the  lives  of  newlywed  brides  Quinn  Cooper  Lindsay  (QCL),  daughter  of  7-­time  World  Champion  Team  Roper  Clay  Cooper,  and  Erica  Bach  Whinery  (EBW),  daughter  of  4-­time  World  Champion  Team  Roper  Allen  Bach.  So  did  Clay  Cooper  (CC)  and  Allen  Bach  (AB)  tell  all  to  Rodeo  Fame  (RF)?  No.  They  did,  however,  give  us  permission  to  go  public  with  information  such  as  traits  they  have  in  common  with  their  daughters,  descriptions  of  the  men  their  daughters  married,  and  more...

3KRWRV E\ . 3KRWRJUDSK\ Â Dublin, Â Texas

"When I was walking down the isle, he probably knew I was nervous about being the center of attention, so he made jokes and had me giggling the whole time."

Landon & Erica

QUINN Â LINDSAY

3HUL PZ H WLYM LJ[ Ă„[ÂŻ a great kid.

CLAY Â COOPE

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whinery 0DUPCFS t #PZE 5FYBT

Photos  by  Shaina  Sheaff Photography

RF: What are three facts about your dad that maybe only a daughter would know? EBW: 1. He loves traveling and exploring new places that have nothing to do with rodeo. He would love to visit Paris one day. 2. He loves a good murder mystery book! Like, John Grisham books. 3. He played the drums as a teenager for a while in a garage band. RF: Describe what your husband and your dad have in common. EBW: Landon and him both love basketball! Both ORYH ÀJXULQJ WKLQJV RXW WKDW WKH\ GRQ W NQRZ %RWK of them have skydived and loved it. Any thrilling experience. RF: What was it like to give your daughter, Erica, away? $% 'HÀQLWHO\ RQH RI WKH 6SHFLDO 0RPHQWV LQ D father’s life. But I don’t feel like I'm losing her, but gaining a son-in-law to our family. RF: What do you and your daughter, Erica, have in common? AB: Her work ethic, commitment, determination, and love for life. RF: Describe her husband in a few words. $% 6PDUW DWKOHWLF FUHDWLYH DQG YHU\ DXWKHQWLF RF: What blessing do you wish for their marriage? AB: That both could live life to the fullest, and the GHVLUHV RI ERWK WKHLU KHDUWV EH IXOÀOOHG

38

WINTER 2013

"...live life to the fullest, and the desires VM IV[O [OLPY OLHY[Z IL M\SĂ„SSLK ALLEN Â BACH

Lane & Quinn

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RF: What are three facts about your dad that maybe only a daughter would know? QCL: 1. Dad used to talk in a Donald Duck voice when Bailey and me were kids. 2. Dad loves to sing and is actually pretty decent, I think. 3. Dad is quiet, and I am just like that. But, when you get to know him, he is a total goofball and always cracking jokes...That's how we communicate (laughs out loud). When I was walking down the isle, he probably knew I was nervous about being the center of attention so he made jokes and had me giggling the whole time.

RF: What things do you and your middle daughter, Quinn, have in common? CC: We both appear to be on the quiet side but are goofy and playful with closer relationships. We are in-depth thinkers‌meaning, our brains are rolling and thinking all the time.

RF: Describe the man your daughter, Quinn, married... && /DQH LV D SHUIHFW Ă€WÂŤD JUHDW NLG RF: What blessing do you wish for their marriage? && *RG¡V SHUIHFW SODQ Ă€W WRJHWKHU IRU ERWK 4XLQQ and Lane.

RF: Describe what your husband and your dad have in common. 4&/ 'DG DQG /DQH DUH ERWK TXLHW ZKHQ \RX ÀUVW meet them. They're pretty serious‌(laughs out loud) XQWLO \RX JHW WR NQRZ WKHP DQG WKHQ \RX ÀQG RXW they are so hilarious and goofy all the time...That's the main thing they have in common. Plus, they both love golf. COMPILED  BY  2013  INTERN  CHEYANNE  BAKER

rodeofame.com

39

Weddings   |   DURFEY

Tyson & Shea

“Tyson  and  I  both  work  with  Corral  boots,  so  they  did  a  custom  pair  for  me.  They  have  our  wedding  date  and  initials  on  them.  They  also  put  the  words  â€œI  Doâ€?  on  the  bottoms.  I  was  blown  away!  Corral  custom  made  the  wedding  party’s  boots  as  well.â€? SHEA  DURFEY

durfey

Isaac & Britany

Weddings   |   DIAZ

diaz

/PWFNCFS t .BOEBO /PSUI %BLPUB

“It was a very country wedding, yet still elegant and glamorous.�

0DUPCFS t %SJQQJOH 4QSJOHT 5FYBT

I

saac  Diaz  will  be  riding  on  a  newlywed  high  at  this  year’s  WNFR.  He  and  his  sweetheart,  Britany  Fleck,  were  married  November  1,  2013  in  Mandan,  North  Dakota.  Isaac  and  Britany  met  in  2010  at  the  Canadian  Finals  and  began  dating  in  early  2011.  â€œI  wanted  Isaac  to  surprise  me  if  he  ever  proposed,â€?  said  Britany;Íž  and,  after  a  long  week  of  competition  at  the  2012  All-­American  Finals  in  Waco,  Texas,  Isaac  did  just  that  while  he  and  Britany  were  relaxing  together  on  the  couch  in  pajamas.  Recalling  the  moment  Isaac  surprised  her  with  a  ring  and  proposed,  Britany  told  Rodeo  Fame,  â€œWe  were  watching  â€œSuperbadâ€?  and  he  got  off  the  couch  and  down  on  one  NQHH , ZDV QRW H[SHFWLQJ LW EXW RI FRXUVH , VDLG \HV ´

Photos  by  Forever  Photography  Austin,  TX

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n  the  presence  of  a  very  multi-­cultural  crowd,  Tyson  Durfey  and  Shea  Fisher  tied  the  knot  on  October  6,  in  Dripping  Springs,  Texas.  â€œI  wanted  a  rustic  wedding  that  was  also  elegant  and  glamorous  with  a  fun  country  side  to  it,â€?  said  Australian  born  singer/songwriter  Shea.  The  FHUHPRQ\ ZDV KHOG RXWGRRUV XQGHU DQ DUERU ÂżOOHG with  fresh  cut  roses  overlooking  the  scenic  Texas  Hill  Country.  Ted  Wiese,  a  rodeo  cowboy  minister,  performed  the  ceremony.  A  stunning  bride  walked  down  the  aisle  to  the  awaiting  Tyson,  who  said  he  didn’t  expect  there  to  be  so  many  tear  jerking  moments.  â€œI  was  trying  to  hold  it  back.  I  didn’t  start  balling,  but  I  let  a  few  tears  go.  I  never  thought  I  would  marry  someone  so  perfect  in  my  eyes,â€?  said  6X  WNFR  Tie-­Down  Roper  Tyson.  The  couple  chose  to  write  their  own  vows,  â€œTyson  kind  of  blew  me  away  when  he  wrote  his  vows  WKDW UK\PHG WKH ZKROH ZD\ WKURXJK , WKRXJKW I  was  the  one  that  was  a  songwriter,  but  I  guess  KH RQH XSSHG PH WKHUH ´ VDLG 6KHD %RWK DJUHHG WKDW WKHLU ÂżUVW DFW RI PDUULDJH VKRXOG EH WR UHFHLYH

communion  together.  â€œShea  and  I  are  big  believers  in  Jesus  Christ,  following  his  word  and  his  way,  and  I  thought  that  was  a  great  way  to  start  our  marriage  off,â€?  said  Tyson.  Shea  carried  a  picture  of  her  sister  Taemi,  who  passed  in  2010,  in  a  locket  on  her  bouquet.  â€œI  wanted  to  be  able  to  include  her  in  the  wedding  in  some  way,â€?  stated  Shea. Following  the  ceremony,  guests  were  served  drinks  and  cocktails  in  an  outdoor  garden  while  a  guitarist  entertained.  The  reception  was  held  in  a  big  barn  a  few  steps  from  the  garden.  The  barn  was  adorned  with  chandeliers,  burlap  drapes,  and  elegant  centerpieces.  The  wedding  venue,  Vista  West  Ranch,  was  the  epitome  of  rustic  glamor.  When  asked  what  their  favorite  wedding  moments  were,  Shea  said,  â€œI  had  such  a  great  time  all  day.  7KH NLVV DW WKH DOWDU ZDV JUHDW \RX DUH ÂżQDOO\ husband  and  wife.  I  also  loved  being  able  to  dance  with  my  Dad.  Dad  and  I  had  never  danced  together  XQWLO P\ ZHGGLQJ QLJKW ´ 7\VRQ OLVWHG VHHLQJ Shea  coming  down  the  aisle  and  all  the  reception  toasts  as  his  highlights  along  with  his  singing  debut  at  the  rehearsal  dinner,  â€œI  had  never  sang  with  a  microphone  before.  I  didn’t  get  booed  off  WKH VWDJH VR WKDW ZDV JRRG ´ 7KH FRXSOH ZLOO EH spending  a  week  in  Bora  Bora  after  the  WNFR  for  their  honeymoon. WRITTEN  BY  TORI  MORRIS

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WINTER 2013

“I  wanted  the  boys  in  boots  and  tuxes,  my  brother  is  a  British  Marine  Royal  Commando,  and  he  is  not  a  cowboy,  so  it  was  quite  amusing  seeing  him  in  a  cowboy  hat  and  boots!â€?  SHEA  DURFEY  (Daniel,  Shea’s  brother,  is  third  from  right.)

“I  always  said  I  would  desig n  my  own  wedding  d ress,  and  Mag gie  Sottero  had  a greed  to  desig n  i t;Íž  however,  whe n  I  was  trying  it  on  in  their  store  one  day,  I  came  a cross  the  Sloane  dr ess.  what  I  had  pictu It  was  exactly  red.â€? SHEA  DURFE Y

The  wedding  included  the  couple’s  close  family  and  friends.  Isaac  asked  many  of  his  fellow  PRCA  contestant  friends  to  be  groomsmen  and  his  brother,  Josh,  to  be  his  best  man.  Britany  chose  her  long  time  friend  and  old  roommate,  Tara  Sayaloune,  to  be  her  maid  of  honor.  The  chosen  wedding  colors  were  turquoise  and  red,  and  they  chose  November  for  their  ceremony  so  most  of  their  rodeo  comrades  could  attend.  The  wedding  party  entered  to  â€œWanted,â€?  by  Hunter  Hayes,  and  Britany  followed  to  Heart’s  â€œNo  Other  Love.â€?  The  couple  chose  Mike  Fletcher,  minister  at  Spur  Ministries  (Mineola,  Texas)  to  RIÂżFLDWH WKH FHUHPRQ\ Âł+HÂśV ,VDDFÂśV UHODWLYH DQG WDXJKW Isaac  everything  he  knows  about  rodeo,â€?  Britany  shared,  ³(YHU\WKLQJ DW WKH FHUHPRQ\ ZDV SHUIHFW ´ Photo  by  Alisha  Barry Chutin  Flicks

A  reception  was  held  at  the  Seven  Seas  Hotel  in  Mandan,  Texas,  with  over  500  people  in  attendance.  â€œWe  had  a  huge  turnout  for  the  reception.  It’s  a  big  thing  in  North  Dakota  to  have  Red  Eye  homemade  liquor;Íž  so,  let’s  just  say  we  had  a  wild  crowd,â€?  Britany  laughed.  The  wedding  party  enjoyed  an  entire  week  of  festivities  that  included  a  goat  roping  and  a  pool  tournament.  After  their  rehearsal  dinner,  friends,  family  and  many  of  the  wedding  party  dressed  up  for  Halloween  and  enjoyed  a  QLJKW RQ WKH WRZQ 5HĂ€HFWLQJ RQ LW DOO %ULWDQ\ VDLG Âł,W was  a  whirlwind  of  a  week  since  we  had  to  leave  Monday  for  the  Canadian  Finals.  We  had  a  great  group  involved  LQ RXU ZHGGLQJ DQG HYHU\WKLQJ ZHQW DPD]LQJ ´

“It was a whirlwind of a week since we had to leave Monday for the Canadian Finals. We had a great group involved in our wedding and everything went amazing!�

When  asked  about  the  honeymoon,  Britany  said  they  are  waiting  until  next  spring  when  they  will  take  it  with  some  other  newlywed  friends,  â€œWe  have  to  work  that  around  our  rodeo  schedules  and  we  are  talking  about  going  to  Mexico.â€?  According  to  Isaac,  being  married  has  its  perks.  â€œHe  says  he  feels  more  lucky  than  before  we  were  married,â€?  said  Britany,  who  has  already  enjoyed  KHU ÂżUVW UXQ DV 0UV 'LD] DW WKLV \HDUÂśV &DQDGLDQ )LQDOV Britany  recalled  the  experience  and  laughed,  â€œIt  was  weird  for  me,  but  it  will  be  easy  to  get  used  to.â€?  As  for  the  newlywed’s  2014  rodeo  plans,  the  couple  hopes  to  enter  as  many  rodeos  as  they  can  this  coming  year.  WRITTEN  BY  LAUREN  ANTHONY

BRITANY Â DIAZ

Photo  by   Jennifer  Bruer  Fike

rodeofame.com

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Blogs   |   LUCIA  &  RANCHER'S  DAUGHTER

So there I was...

ten  years  old  and  I  was  walking  down  the  tunnel  with  my  dad,  going  inside  of  the  Thomas  and  Mack  arena  in  mid-­December.  He  was  about  to  work  his  "super  horse"  Glory  during  the  Wrangler  National  Finals  Rodeo  (WNFR).  As  I  got  close  to  the  gate,  the  lights  were  out,  it  was  silent,  I  could  feel  the  electricity  and  I  remember  the  voice  of  Bob  Tallman  saying,  "Vegas,  are  you  ready?"  The  place  shook  from  the  thunder  of  screaming  fans.  It  was  at  that  moment  I  said,  "I  want  to  be  inside  this  arena  one  day;Íž"  a  dream  that  is  shared  by  so  many,  but  achieved  by  so  few.  As  I  stood  behind  those  yellow  gates  peering  through  the  cracks  and  watching  my  dad  perform,  KHDULQJ WKH IDQV LW LJQLWHG D ÂżUH within  that  would  never,  and  will  never  be,  put  out.  Since  that  day,  I  have  had  the  opportunity  to  perform  inside  of  that  arena  over  the  last  four  years  in  the  opening  ceremonies  of  multiple  rounds  and,  needless  to  say,  it  was  such  an  honor  and  truly  a  dream  come  true.  However,  when  the  dream  of  hearing  your  name  called  inside  the  Thomas  and  Mack  comes  to  fruition,  it  doesn't  satisfy  your  desire  to  be  WKHUHÂŤLW RQO\ LQWHQVLÂżHV LW Before  I  worked  the  WNFR,  I  never  understood  why  so  many  cowboys  and  cowgirls  spend  VR PXFK PRQH\ VDFULÂżFH VR much,  and  give  every  ounce  of  blood  and  sweat  into  making  the  WNFR  and,  hopefully,  winning  a  World  Championship;Íž  until,  I  was  there.  You  see  I  earned  my  right  to  be  at  the  WNFR  by  honing  my  skills  as  a  trick  roper  and  working  my  tail  off  to  be  RQH RI WKH EHVW 7KH TXDOLÂżHUV not  only  do  that  but  also  they  JULQG WKH\ ÂżJKW WKH\ SXW WKHLU heart  and  soul  into  a  sport  for  nine  months  to  be  in  the  top  15  and  have  a  shot  at  the  gold.   The  other  night  I  had  a  really  good  WDON ZLWK D PDQ\ WLPH TXDOLÂżHU and  world  champ  and  he  helped  me  understand  what  I  didn't,  and  what  I  feel  that  so  many  people  don't,  understand:  what  goes  into  qualifying  for  the  WNFR.  So  many  people  have  so  much  "wisdom"  and  talk  so  much  trash  â€“  either  to  their  faces,  on  social  media,  and/or  behind Â

42

WINTER 2013

In  Rodeo  Fame’s  Fall  issue,  we  began  sharing  a  short  autobiographical  story  of,  â€œThe  Rancher’s  Daughter.â€?   Remaining  true  to  our  past  history  of  teasing  and  pleasing  our  readers  when  using  two  issues  to  share  one  story,  we  believe  you’ve  been  teased  long  enough  and  it  is  now  time  to  please  you  with  the  remaining  part  of  the  very  heartfelt  and  touching  autobiographical  story  of‌

their  backs  â€“  if  contestants  don't  perform  to  their  potential;Íž  and  sadly  enough,  in  the  past,  I  have  been  one  of  those  people. I  asked  a  world  champion  friend  of  mine  to  be  on  my  talk  show  at  the  Sands  and  he  kindly  GHFOLQHG $W ÂżUVW , ZDV ERWKHUHG by  this,  and  a  little  bummed  because  he  is  a  friend  and  I  wanted  to  showcase  him  on  my  show,  but  then  I  gained  a  newfound  respect  for  all  of  the  WNFR  cowboys  and  cowgirls;Íž  especially,  for  this  one.  This  is  what  he  said:  "Man  I  know  it’s  prob[ably]  not  the  right  thing,  but  I  don't  like  being  on  stage  or  talkin’  about  myself  and  all  that  stuff.  I  rodeo  all  year  to  be  a  world  champ  and  I  appreciate  my  sponsors,  sign  IRU WKHP WKH ÂżUVW GD\V DQG then  don't  go  to  the  trade  shows  again.  I  enjoy  meeting  new  people  and  seeing  old  friends,  but  it  bothers  me  when  people  tell  you,  â€˜Man,  that  miss  hurt,’  or  â€˜You  should  tell  your  partner  to  do  this  or  that.’  Not  into  it.  I  prob[ably]  sound  stupid,  but  I'm  there  to  make  a  living  and  just  like  to  do  what  I  have  to  do  to  rope  my  best.  Not  tryin’  to  be  a  bad  guy.  Just  can't  afford  to  not  win." That  text  sums  up  what  I'm  saying.  Whether  a  guy  wins  every  round  or  goes  home  empty,  each  and  every  one  of  those  cowboys  and  cowgirls  deserve  an  immense  amount  of  respect  for  achieving  that  TXDOLÂżFDWLRQ 7KHUH LV QR JUHDWHU accomplishment  in  our  world  of  rodeo  than  a  trip  to  the  WNFR.  Las  Vegas  takes  on  a  whole  new  air  in  December,  and  it's  because  of  the  amount  of  dedication  a  cowboy  exudes  to  make  it  there;Íž  it  overcomes  every  inch  of  that  city,  and  that’s  the  reason  we  are  all  there,  to  celebrate  it.  The  WNFR  is  truly  the  place  where  champions  are  made  and  legends  are  born.  And,  contrary  to  the  slogan,  "What  happens  in  Vegas,  stays  LQ 9HJDV ZKDW WKH TXDOLÂżHUV have  done  to  get  there  and  what  they  do  once  inside  the  arena  echoes  across  the  land  and  WKHLU SODFH LQ KLVWRU\ LV VROLGLÂżHG forever.

THE   RANCHER’S DAUGHTER ‌God  put  him  there  for  a  reason.  He  will  continue  the  cowboy  way  of  life  so  future  generations  can  enjoy  it  and  keep  the  traditions  of  the  old  West  alive.  While  he  dedicated  his  life  to  the  ranch,  he  is  also  an  amazing  father  and  husband  who  has  done  a  wonderful  job  with  the  help  of  our  supportive  mom  raising  my  brothers  and  PH 7KH\ DOZD\V SXW XV ÂżUVW teaching  us  the  value  of  family  morals  and  faith.  This  mentality  can  be  seen  in  the  eyes  of  a  rodeo  athlete  as  well.  While  the  sport  is  often  times  very  physically  demanding,  the  contestants  who  are  striving  for  that  world  title,  or  just  doing  it  for  the  love  of  the  game,  are  the  ones  who  have  a  strong  work  ethic  and  passion  for  the  sport  that  only  those  who  compete  would  understand.  My  youngest  brother,  Brody,  is  a  prime  example  of  how  rodeo  and  ranching  come  together.  At  just  16  years  old,  this  young  cowboy  has  achieved  a  lot  when  it  comes  to  helping  dad  on  the  ranch  and  winning  titles  in  the  arena.  This  fearless  bull  rider  has  earned  the  title  of  California  State  High  School  Rodeo  Association  Bull  Riding  Champion,  CHSRA  Rookie  of  the  Year,  and  has  competed  twice  at  the  Junior  High  National  Finals.  He  has  talent  that  many  dream  of  possessing,  but  he  is  aware  that  talent  can  only  go  so  far.  As  the  saying  goes,  â€œHard  work  beats  talent  when  talent  fails  to  work  hard.â€?   He  realizes  this;Íž  thus,  he  continues  to  pursue  his  dreams  of  becoming  a  World  Champion  by  putting  in  the  hard  work  necessary  to  reach  his  goal.  I  believe  that  growing  up  on  our  ranch  has  a  lot  to  do  with  his  attitude  and  the  way  he  perceives  life  on  the  rodeo  trail;Íž  he  realizes  that  nothing  worth  having  is  easy,  and  the  difference  between  dreams  and  reality  is  action.  His  actions,  both  on  the  ranch  DQG LQ WKH DUHQD UHĂ€HFW KLV

character;Íž  and,  the  same  can  be  said  for  my  father.  They  realize  the  harder  they  work,  the  better  the  outcomes  will  be,  no  matter  what  the  circumstances.  My  brother  may  not  win  every  rodeo,  nor  will  my  dad  ever  experience  a  solid  ten  years  of  good  rainfall.  My  brother  will  get  bucked  off,  face  slammed  in  the  dirt  and  banged  up,  just  DV P\ IDWKHU ZLOO ÂżJKW WKH KHDW ÂżJKW WR NHHS WKH FR\RWHV DZD\ and  work  to  keep  the  cattle  healthy.  But,  as  my  brother  wipes  the  dirt  off  his  jeans,  and  my  dad  wipes  the  sweat  off  his  brow,  they  can  both  rest  their  heads  peacefully  after  a  long  day  knowing  that  although  the  outcomes  may  not  have  been  what  they  wanted,  they  did  the  best  they  could. In  a  world  of  differences,  the  qualities  that  separate  us  from  the  rest  include  our  work  ethic,  our  faith,  and  our  morals.  Whether  the  goal  is  to  earn  a  world  title  or  to  support  a  family,  we  work  hard  to  achieve  what  we  want.  Our  faith  gives  us  the  strength  to  believe  in  ourselves  and  the  ones  we  love,  both  inside  and  outside  the  arena.  And  when  all  three  qualities  come  together,  we  see  incredibly  strong  people  who  claim  the  cowboy  way  of  life  by  working  for  what  they  want  and  not  asking  for  assistance  from  others,  by  believing  in  themselves  and  believing  there  is  a  purpose  for  them.  These  are  the  people  who  live  the  lives  of  ranchers  and  rodeo  athletes. Starting  a  new  chapter  in  my  life  in  Cheney,  Washington,  I  transferred  to  Eastern  Washington  University  to  study  Outdoor  Recreation,  with  a  minor  in  Journalism,  and  pursue  my  dreams  of  continuing  work  in  the  National  Park  Service.  Although  it’s  far  from  the  ranch  in  California,  I  am  an  adventurous  individual  who  looks  forward  to  what  lies  ahead!

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WADE

SUNDELL

Wade Sundell is a superstar bronc rider. His wild, aggressive style, heavy touring schedule and constant grin alone would make him a contender, but it’s what he does outside of the arena that won this contest by a landslide. Wade dedicates his off time to helping youth rodeo kids around his Iowa home get started on their dreams and fans say his ‘boundless energy and enthusiasm is inpirational’. Wade enters the WNFR 9th in the PRCA Standings.

44

WINTER 2013

BY LORI O'HARVER

Recipe   |   SEAFOOD  BOIL

SHRIMP & CRAB BOIL 5HFLSH IURP 9HURQLFD )HLOG ZLIH RI WLPH :RUOG &KDPSLRQ %DUHEDFN 5LGHU DQG WLPH  $OO $URXQG :RUOG &KDPSLRQ /HZLV )HLOG DQG IURP ¾6RXO )RRG DQG 6RXWKHUQ &RRNLQJœ ZHEVLWH http://www.soulfoodandsoutherncooking.com/seafood-­boil.html)

Ingredients: ‡ SRXQGV VQRZ FUDE OHJV IUHVK RU IUR]HQ ‡ SRXQG XQFRRNHG VKULPS IUHVK RU IUR]HQ ‡ SRXQG VPRNHG VDXVDJH FXW LQWR LQFK SLHFHV ‡ 5HG SRWDWRHV ‡ 6ZHHW FRUQ RQ WKH FRE KDOYHG IUR]HQ RU IUHVK ‡ ER[HV =DWDUDLQ V FUDE ERLO

Cookware  and  Utensils: ‡ ODUJH VWRFNSRW TXDUWV ‡ ODUJH VHUYLQJ SODWWHU ‡ ODUJH VORWWHG VSRRQ

Instructions: As  always  the  key  to  great  cooking  is  to  be  prepared  and  to  use  quality  ingredients.  For  this  recipe,  you  can  either  use  fresh  or  frozen  snow  crab  legs,  shrimp  and  sweet  corn.  The  sausage  should  be  cut  into  2-­inch  pieces  before  adding  to  boiling  water. 1.  In  a  large  stockpot,  bring  6  to  8  quarts  water  to  a  rolling  boil.  Add  Zatarain's  crab  boil  and  red  potatoes  and  cook  for  about  15  minutes. 2.  Add  sausage  and  sweet  corn  on  the  cob  to  boiling  water  and  cook  for  another  10  minutes,  or  until  red  potatoes  are  tender. 3.  Using  a  slotted  spoon,  remove  the  sweet  corn  on  the  cob,  red  potatoes  and  sausage  from  boiling  water  and  place  on  large  serving  platter. 4.  Add  shrimp  and  snow  crab  legs  to  boiling  water  and  cook  3  to  5  minutes.  Remove  cooked  shrimp  and  crab  legs  from  boiling  water.  Be  sure  not  to  over  cook  the  crab  legs  and  shrimp.  Follow  preparation  instructions  given  to  you  at  purchase. 5.  Neatly  arrange  all  of  your  cooked  foods  onto  large  serving  platter  and  enjoy.

“This is one of the Feild family’s favorite Christmas meals; it has become a tradition for us. It’s fun to lay butcher paper out and pour the whole crab boil on the table. My family devours it, and it’s really easy to clean up.� VERONICA  FEILD

Veronica  Feild,  wife  of  2-­time  World  Champion  Bareback  Rider  and  3-­time  All-­Around  World  Champion  Lewis  Feild.  The  Feild  family  makes  their  home  in  the  beautiful  state  of  Utah. Â

hey  t  makes  our  hearts  sing  as  t  is  nothing  in  the  world  tha ere .   Th ove  ren an  l hild ou  c ndc at  y  Gra d  th “Our  greatest  joy  is  our s  these  little  people  are,  an together.   I  hard  to  explain  how  preciou ing   so  ryth  It’s eve do.   do  ple   and  peo ose ittle seven  l .   We’re  very  cl ily’  is  huge  in  our  household DW KDV PDGH XV D FORVH them  so  much.   The  word  â€˜fam V WKHLU VLEOLQJV ÂżUVW Âą LWÂśV ZK SXW KHP RI W RQH DFK DW H Q WK OGUH s  dream.   We’re  very  FKL ent’ P\  par G RI  any URX s  is VR S ;Íž  thi DP heer  and  cry  for  each  other nd  c er  a  oth ach o  (which  makes  it  so  rt  e ode ppo  to  r family.   They  su  married  spouses  that  love hey nd  t se  a  clo A  FEILD  live  all  ren vorite  sport)."   ~  VERONIC lucky  because  our  child nice  when  rodeo  is  your  fa

46

WINTER 2013

Lewis  and  Veroncia's  children:  Shadrach,  their  oldest  son,  married  Jazlyn  (Richard).   They  have  three  little  boys.  Shad  and  Jaz  both  team  rope,  and  Jazlyn’s  brother  is  PRCA  team  roper  Rhen  Richard. Maclee,  thier  daughter,  married  PRCA  team  roper,  Jade  Anderson.  Maclee  and  Jade  have  one  boy  and  two  girls. Kaycee,  their  youngest  son,  married  6WHSKDQLH .D\FHH DQG 6WHSKDQLH KDYH RQH PRQWK ROG GDXJKWHU .D\FHH LV WKH FXUUHQW WLPH :RUOG Champion  Bareback  Rider.

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