Sheridan WYO Rodeo
2015 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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As a Million Dollar Silver Tour Rodeo and one of the top 30 PRCA rodeos in the United States, tickets sell out fast for the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Tickets sales have already broken a record this year. Jeff Wells, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board ticketing chair, said the Gold Buckle Club tickets sold out at record speeds the week of May 25, the earliest sellout date by a month.
In addition, 20,000 tickets are available for the four days of rodeo action, but Wells predicts fast sales to continue. “Ticket sales are hot,” he said. “We’ll for sure sell out Friday and Saturday nights.” Wells recommends buying tickets early. They can be purchased online following the link at sheridanwyorodeo.com/tickets or at the WYO Theater, located at 42 N. Main St.
TOP LEFT: Rodeo goers wait outside the ticket office at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. RIGHT: A Montana-based CMS security guard checks tickets and stamps as rodeo goers enter the fairgrounds for the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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FEATURES 46 Pickup men: Marriott, Gilbert & Ward They spend more time in the arena than any athlete, animal or clown. Their work is behind the scenes, yet right in front of our faces. BY MIKE PRUDEN
48 Bullfighters: Sandvold & Butler Two of the rodeo’s unsung but vital cogs, the bullfighters, come to Sheridan at opposite points in their careers. BY TRAVIS PEARSON
57 Gold Buckle Club It all began with founder Doug Meier, who had a mission to start this club. BY ALISA BRANTZ
86 Hometown cowgirl: Ronda Holwell “Rodeo is a very mental sport. If you have become successful in rodeo, you have managed to overcome the mental part of the game.” BY MIKE DUNN
106 Parade Marshals: Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Famers Five area cowboys recently inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame will be honored as Grand Marshals of the 85th annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo parade. BY TOM RINGLEY
File photo | The Sheridan Press
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Scott Guenthner wrestles his steer during the Sheridan WYO Rodeo at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. Mike Pruden | The Sheridan Press
CONTENTS
17 WELCOME
37 WYO Rodeo Wranglers
85 Wild Pony Races
103 Bed Races
Check out all Sheridan has to offer.
Setting the stage for the rodeo.
The tenacity of these kids is nothing short of phenomenal.
A quirky event and tradition
19 Mayor’s letter
40 Indian Relay Races
89 Fairground Improvements 105 Parade: Benefiting the fairgrounds for “Paintin’ the Town Red”
A leader in the “Old West” — and a leader in the New West
A sport rich with skill, strategy and practice.
years to come.
Honoring those who've served.
91 Security
113 Duck races
Making sure everyone feels safe and secure at the rodeo.
Rubber duckies help Kiwanis raise money for children.
24 Rodeo president’s letter 51 Crash Cooper
93 Volunteers
114-116 Carnival & Street Dance
Let’s get WYO’d!
While a regular at the rodeo, his act is anything but routine.
Making sure the events go off without a hitch.
After a thrilling night of rodeo, crowds mix and mingle.
27 Summertime Entertainment
53 Sankey Pro Rodeo
95 Spurs & Spikes
119 Bob King Memorial Roping
20 Rodeo history Always improving the rodeo experience
45 Will Rasmussen This announcer likes Sheridan best!
Contributing to local economy
Sheridan WYO Rodeo uses the best of the best for stock.
Golf tournament honors Chris LeDoux.
28 Rodeo royalty
61 WYO Rodeo Sponsors
97 Boot Kickoff
Competitors are put through multiple challenges to prove themselves.
121 Tailgate Party
More than 40 sponsors for the 2015 Sheridan WYO Rodeo
Music, food, fun — something for the entire family!
“A great way to put a cap on a fun week.”
30 First People’s Powwow
63 Jumbotron
99 Pancake Breakfast
Get Western Productions
Fill up before the parade!
123 Contestant List
64-81 Event breakdown
101 Sneakers & Spurs
What to know about each event
Popular Sneakers and Spurs 5k
Celebrating Native American culture.
34 Dana Bowman Watch for his appearance from the sky.
High quality roping honoring Bob King
List of contestants competing in the Sheridan WYO Rodeo
130 Advertising Directory List of local advertisers in the Sheridan WYO Rodeo magazine
ON THE COVER: Utah cowboy Tim Bingham competes in bull riding during the 2014 Sheridan WYO Rodeo last year at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Enjoyed the Sheridan WYO Rodeo? View more images and stories on our website at www.thesheridanpress.com.
THE SHERIDAN PRESS PUBLISHER: Stephen Woody EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Kristen Czaban Journalist: Alisa Brantz Journalist: Hannah Sheely Journalist: Travis Pearson Journalist: Mike Dunn Journalist: Cassidy Belus Sports Editor: Mike Pruden Editorial Graphics: Sheree Cossel Photojournalist: Justin Sheely SALES DEPARTMENT Marketing Director: Phil Ashley Advertising Sales: Janea LaMeres Advertising Sales: Lisa Marton Advertising Sales: Maureen Legerski Legals & Obituaries: Rena Appel Classifieds: Irene Nettles
See the Sheridan WYO Rodeo magazine and other Destination Sheridan publications for FREE online at
www.destinationsheridan.com
GRAPHICS Graphic Designer: Jonathan Cates Graphic Designer: Nicole Scofield Graphic Designer: Diana Goodrich OFFICE MANAGER: Becky Martini CIRCULATION Circulation Manager: Yvonne Cossel Circulation Clerk: Tami Starbuck PRODUCTION Production Manager: Mark Blumenshine Pressman: Todd Martin Pressman: Thomas Miller Mailroom Supervisor: Chad Riegler Operator: Zack Boren Inserter: Thomas Hopping Inserter: Kathy Adamson Inserter: Shawn Hart
Destination Sheridan is a lifestyle magazine dedicated to serving the greater Sheridan area. It’s circulation reach is into visitor centers, places of hospitality, motels, local businesses and other establishments in the northern Wyoming area, South Dakota, Montana, and home delivery customers of The Sheridan Press. It is also available online: www.thesheridanpress.com or destinationsheridan.com. All photos in Destination Sheridan are by Justin Sheely or are file photos from The Sheridan Press archives unless credited otherwise. Copyright Sheridan Newspapers, Inc. All staff reports are written by Cassidy Belus unless credited otherwise. Feedback: Send letters regarding editorial content to The Sheridan Press, P.O. Box 2006/144 Grinnell St., Sheridan, Wyoming 82801; or news@thesheridanpress.com. Letters and email submissions must include the writer’s complete name, hometown and phone number. SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES:
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THE SHERIDAN PRESS CONTRIBUTORS
Kristen Czaban Managing Editor
Stephen Woody Publisher
Kristen Czaban has been with The Sheridan Press since June 2008 and has covered the entire gamut of beats including government, crime, business and the outdoors. Before heading west, she graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s in journalism.
Stephen Woody first began visiting Sheridan and the Bighorns in 1976. Over time, with children along for the ride and now with grandchildren, he’s visited mountain lakes and streams, city parks and most often, golf courses. There are three in Sheridan, all unique and worth a visit. He also enjoys historic downtown Sheridan as a “favorite” place along with Kendrick Park and Whitney Commons.
Hannah Sheely Journalist
Alisa Brantz Journalist
Hannah Sheely joined The Sheridan Press as the government and outdoors reporter in February 2013. She received her bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Wyoming and spent several years wandering the globe before landing in Sheridan, a place she enjoys calling home.
Education and features reporter Alisa Brantz has been with The Sheridan Press since the fall of 2013 when she and her Sheridan-native husband, Jake, moved to town to be closer to family and raise their now 3-year-old daughter Braelynn Grace in the wide-open West. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in education from Montana State University and serves as the head coach and president of Sheridan’s Wild West Wreckers women’s roller derby team.
Travis Pearson Journalist
Mike Pruden Journalist
Travis Pearson joined The Sheridan Press in 2015 after stops in Pinedale and Torrington. He covers government and the outdoors, but has reported on a little bit of everything in his four years in Wyoming. Born and raised in Pennsylvania and a graduate of West Chester University, he enjoys the mountains, hospitality and slower pace you find in the West.
Mike Pruden moved to Sheridan by way of Indiana to begin working as sports editor at the Sheridan Press in June 2014. He holds a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Ball State University and an unhealthy obsession for sports.
Mike Dunn Journalist
Justin Sheely Photojournalist
Mike Dunn has been with The Sheridan Press since January 2015 and covers business and sports. A native of eastern Washington, Mike moved to the Equality State to attend the University of Wyoming, where he graduated in December 2013. When he is not watching Wyoming Cowboy football or Seattle Mariners baseball, he enjoys taking walks with his dog on the many paths throughout Sheridan.
Justin Sheely came to Sheridan from his hometown of Billings, Montana, in 2008 and later joined The Sheridan Press in 2012 as a full-time photojournalist. He is involved with his local church and supports a photography club in Sheridan.
Cassidy Belus Journalist
Nicole Scofield Art Director
Cassidy Belus first worked for the Sheridan Press as an intern in 2010 during her senior year of high school. After graduating this spring from the University of Montana with her BFA in media arts, Cassidy is happy to be back at The Press. She'll spend the summer as a full-time staff member, covering education and features.
Nicole Scofield has been with The Sheridan Press since 2012. A South Dakota native, Nicole majored in art communications at Black Hills State University. Hailing from a small Western town and ranching community, Nicole enjoys time spent creating art centered around today's cowboy culture.
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WELCOME TO SHERIDAN Welcome to Sheridan and its 85th annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo! It’s an honor to host this highly successful annual event that not only brings immeasurable economic benefits to Sheridan County, but is recognized as world-class authentic “Cowboy” entertainment. Festivities begin with the Boot Kickoff Party in Kendrick Park, a family friendly event featuring stick horse races for wee ones and the boot kickin’ competition for the older contestants. Nightly rodeo performances open with the World Championship Indian Relay Races, an exciting event that you won’t want to miss! Throw in a parade, bed races, a carnival, a powwow, plus a duck race and you have the makings for an amazing actionpacked week. While here, be sure to discover our breathtaking beauty, rich heritage and cultural offerings. An outdoor lover’s dream, Sheridan sits at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, a serene forest with endless outdoor recreational opportunities, such as fishing, hiking and backpacking. A short drive will take you to our neighboring bedroom communities, each with their own distinctive history, culture and charm.
Stroll through Historic Downtown Sheridan to discover quaint shops, unique restaurants, award winning craft breweries, captivating museums and enchanting public art. Mix and mingle with locals and visitors while kicking up your boots after the rodeo (or before if you choose). Please stop by the Chamber of Commerce, located on our Historic Main Street, to learn more about all the fantastic events taking place in Sheridan, Dixie Johnson, CEO during WYO Rodeo or any Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce time of the year. We will connect you to the activities, businesses and opportunities that will certainly enhance your stay and help you “Get WYO’d!”
Sheridan County Board of Commissioners Welcome all rodeo fans to the 85th annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo!
cultural roots and historic traditions that make Sheridan County what it is today. It is certain the Sheridan WYO Rodeo helped the Sheridan community garner the award of “#1 Small Town for Cowboy Charm” by Western Horseman Magazine. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo doesn’t just happen. The staging of each annual rodeo is totally a volunteer effort spearheaded by the board of directors that is supported by a small army of volunteers. When the generous local and corporate sponsors are added to the mix, success is the result. One example of the rodeo’s success is that in the last few years attendance records have reached unprecedented highs. You, the fans, are key to the success of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Without your enthusiasm, your excitement, your appreciation and your “rodeo attitude,” the efforts of the rodeo board, volunteers and sponsors would be for naught. So, thank you. And welcome again to the Sheridan WYO Rodeo.
The commissioners and Sheridan County citizens are proud of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo and its many contributions to the community. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo offers world class rodeo entertainment as a Wrangler Million Dollar Silver Tour Rodeo, which draws the best contestants from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. In addition, the weeklong Sheridan WYO Rodeo celebration has an incalculable positive effect on the economic development of the Sheridan area. It offers multiple opportunities for local organizations to garner financial support for various charitable causes and for local businesses to increase sales. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo, aside from its entertainment and economic development values, also serves to remind us of our
Sheridan County Board of Commissioners
Robert Rolston
Steve Maier
Terry Cram
Mike Nickel
Tom Ringley
Sheridan WYO Rodeo | THE SHERIDAN PRESS 17
A LEADER IN THE WEST In 1963 my dad exposed me to my first taste of “The Old West” my first trip to Sheridan WYO Rodeo — the dust, the crowds, the cowboys, the noise. Back then, Sheridan really was a piece of the Old West. And while we still have the feel of the Old West — an intact Main street, safe neighborhoods, the rodeo, parade and surrounding ranches — I’m pleased that Sheridan is also a leader in the New West. Today, Sheridan is still an incredible community because of our quality of life. Sheridan has many assets that make this a great place to live and visit. From hunting and fishing that we have right out our back doors to our parks, pathways, streams and recreation not found in many communities our size. We are the city people want to visit. Our downtown is blessed with amazing shopping; our restaurants offer a wide variety of culinary delights to put any taste bud into the stratosphere. We thank our community groups, foundations and citizens who work tirelessly to enhance our city!
John Heath, Sheridan mayor
2015 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Scholarship Winners
Gabrielle Koltiska
Jess Edens
Taylor Townsend
Scholarship recipients are to be recognized at the PRCA Rodeo Performance on Friday, July 10, 2015. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board of Directors would like to thank all participants who applied for this scholarship. Over the past 20+ years, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo has awarded over $70,000 to deserving Sheridan County students. “We are proud to be involved in the education of today’s youth,” said Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board Secretary Vicki Kane. “As a college education becomes ever more expensive, the WYO Rodeo is pleased to be able to help area seniors pursue their studies.” Apply for the 2016 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Scholarship at www.sheridanwyorodeo.com/scholarship. Applicants must graduate from a high school in Sheridan County in spring of 2016 and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
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Sheridan WYO Rodeo history: Overcoming challenges The sole motivation behind every change has been to improve the rodeo experience for the Sheridan community. BY TOM RINGLEY The Sheridan WYO Rodeo is a work in progress. In 85 years, starting in 1931, the WYO Rodeo has changed direction or modified its format many times in order to cope with various challenges. And it’s always been willing to try out new ideas and to discard them if they don’t work or outlive their usefulness. In every instance, the sole motivation behind every change has been to improve the rodeo experience for the Sheridan community and to ensure that the WYO Rodeo endures. There have been many examples over the years. Here are just a few: In 1933, the decision was made to have the carnival downtown, east of city hall, instead of at the fairgrounds. That idea didn’t work. The carnival has been at the fairgrounds ever since. From 1937 until 1941, the WYO Rodeo had two parades, on both the first and third days of the rodeo. That idea ran its course, and since 1945, when the rodeo resumed after the war, Rodeo Week has featured only one downtown parade. Its historical hallmark is that it always starts on time – 10 a.m. sharp! In 1936, a daredevil stunt was introduced during the rodeo performance. The stunt was that Capt. Frakes would crash his
airplane into a burning building at the fairgrounds. He performed the stunt and survived. But the stunt caused such a ruckus with a governmental agency that the rodeo never tried such a stunt again. A few years later, the rodeo did have an Army lieutenant parachute from a plane into the rodeo arena in front of the spectators. But that was pretty tame stuff comparatively. In 1943 and 1944, the WYO Rodeo was canceled because of the war and re-emerged in 1945 with a new name, The Bots Sots Stampede, and a new status, amateur, instead of the prewar professional status. The name change lasted until 1951, when the rodeo almost failed, but public support was mustered and, by popular demand, the rodeo resumed its previous name of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. In 1964, the rodeo board had to cancel its vaudevillian-type night shows, which had been held since the 1940s. The board did it because of the financial burden and the fact that “it was hard to obtain affordable first-class talent.” Fast forward 43 years, to 2007. The rodeo board decided to Continued on page 23
LEFT: Tag Elliott composes himself before getting on his bull. TOP RIGHT: Pickup man Billy Ward, right, scoops up cowboy Tyler Waltz. BOTTOM RIGHT: Steer wrestler Scott Guenthner fights his way out of trouble at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Mike Pruden | The Sheridan Press
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TOP: Oregon man Ryan Mackenzie slaps himself on the face before competing in the saddle bronc event. LEFT: Kanin Asay of Powell, Wyoming, holds his 2-year-old son, Kasen Asay, behind the chutes loaded with bulls. RIGHT: Parker Breding of Joliet, Montana, prepares the bull for riding. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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introduce a concert night during rodeo week. The concerts, while popular with the public, created a financial and logistical burden that was unacceptable to the rodeo board, and the concerts were terminated after four years. In 1967, the WYO was on the verge of failure again, and the rodeo board decided it had to resume professional status to survive. It did, the rodeo survived and today is one of the premier professional rodeos on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit and a member of the Million Dollar Tour. Good decision. In 1994, the WYO Rodeo board decided it needed to change stock contractors to improve the quality of the WYO Rodeo. As a result, it selected Ike and Roberta Sankey of Sankey Pro Rodeo. The Sankey family became an integral part of the WYO Rodeo family and helped the WYO Rodeo reach new heights. The Sankeys will be back this summer for their 21st year. In 1997, the Indians returned to the WYO Rodeo after many years absent. They compete in the World Championship Indian Relay Races, which offer the most exciting beginning of any rodeo in America. The races add incalculable value and excitement to the WYO Rodeo. In 2005, the rodeo board decided more financial support was required for the rodeo and that individuals needed a way to support the rodeo financially. As a result, the Gold Buckle Club was formed and now, with its approximately 250 members, is a major sponsor of the rodeo. Additionally, the Gold Buckle Club provides funds to support the WYO Rodeo in many other areas, such as facility upgrades at the fairgrounds. The WYO Rodeo board is determined to ensure that as many
fans as possible get to experience the WYO Rodeo. That's why, in 2009, after several years of near sell-out crowds, the Board decided to add a fourth performance on Wednesday night. The last time the WYO Rodeo had four night performances was in 1982 when the total attendance was 10,774. For comparison sake, the four performances last year brought in an attendance of more than 20,000. The WYO Rodeo has come a long way. A factor always considered by the WYO board is the affordability of the rodeo for the fans. The board always thinks in terms of “how much will it cost a family to attend?� With that thought in mind, even though the cost to stage the rodeo keeps increasing, the WYO Rodeo board has tried to keep ticket prices low. One reason they have been able to do that is because of the generosity of the many sponsors. Without the loyal sponsors, the WYO Rodeo couldn't exist. We should be most grateful to all of them for playing such an important part in the WYO Rodeo.
Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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President, Sheridan WYO Rodeo ZANE GARSTAD
On behalf of the board of directors of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, I would like to welcome you to Sheridan and the 2015 Sheridan WYO Rodeo! We celebrate the 85th year of this community event that has grown tremendously from the first rodeo in 1931 to the substantial expansion of recent years. The growth and popularity of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo and surrounding events is an example of the combined efforts of various groups working together to bring the best in entertainment to our community and fans. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo wouldn’t be what it is today without the great support from the residents and businesses of Sheridan and surrounding area. Local businesses and organizations work hand-in-hand to provide products and services vital to the success of all the events associated with Rodeo Week. We truly appreciate the tremendous support the rodeo receives from its sponsors. As you look through the rodeo program please review all the local and national sponsors who are vital partners in attracting the top cowboys and cowgirls throughout North America. As they support us, we ask that you support them as well. This year marks the sixth year that the WYO Rodeo is a major stop on the Wrangler Million Dollar Silver Tour. Our top-notch rodeo action is the result of professional contract people who produce the rodeo: from our stock contractor Ike
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Sankey; our announcer, Will Rasmussen; pick-up men, Dalton Ward, Duane Gilbert and Bobby Marriott; the various contract personnel; to the folks working behind the scenes. With the prize money, top-notch stock and smooth production, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo attracts the top athletes in the world of pro rodeo to give you the best possible entertainment. In addition, you will also enjoy events unique to the WYO Rodeo, with the Wild Pony Races and the ever-popular World Championship Indian Relay Races. Last but not least, we extend our thanks to you – the people in the seats supporting our rodeo. This event wouldn’t happen if not for you; we recognize and appreciate your contribution to the WYO Rodeo. The Sheridan WYO Rodeo is fortunate to work with all these groups who are so passionate and committed to making this event what it is today. Thank you for joining us for the 2015 Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Get ready to rodeo and…
Let’s Get WYO’d! Zane Garstad President, 2015 Sheridan WYO Rodeo
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Banners bearing sponsor names mark the beginning of rodeo season on Main Street in downtown Sheridan. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
Staple of summertime entertainment “There’s a lot of opportunity for every kind of business in town to generate some income and this is also a weeklong celebration for everyone who comes back here.” FROM STAFF REPORTS
Since 1931, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo has been a staple of summertime entertainment in northeastern Wyoming. Drawing in sell-out crowds the rodeo provides a week of social events for locals and tourists alike. However, one of the largest impacts is the contribution the WYO Rodeo makes to the community’s economy. Larry Gold, controller of the WYO Rodeo and treasurer of the Gold Buckle Club, estimated that the SWR brings in $5.3 million each year. With approximately 20,000 people showing up for Rodeo Week, the benefits — both monetary and social — are felt throughout the community, he said.
Not only is money poured into various industries like hotels and restaurants, local businesses benefit from the unique opportunities to advertise and participate during events. “There’s a lot of opportunity for every kind of business in town to generate some income and this is also a weeklong celebration for everyone who comes back here,” Gold said. Additionally, the rodeo showcases Sheridan as a potential vacation destination, while supplementing the area’s economy through a large summer tourism boost. “I can’t think of anything else that has the magnitude [of the SWR],” Gold said.
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More than just a pretty face Preparing for months, competitors are put through multiple challenges to prove themselves. FROM STAFF REPORTS Competing in the Sheridan WYO Rodeo isn’t for the faint of heart. And for the women trying to be crowned Rodeo Queen this couldn’t be more true. More than just pretty faces, these ladies need horsemanship skills, rodeo knowledge and poise to be named queen. Preparing for months, competitors are put through multiple challenges to prove themselves. While 25 percent of the score is based on appearance, a girl’s ability to handle and ride a horse makes up 50 percent of her score. The last 25 percent is based on an interview in which candidates are questioned about world news, rodeo and horse knowledge as well as personal goals. Anyone who doesn’t score at least 70 percent in each category is disqualified. So far, three SWR queens have won Miss Rodeo Wyoming and have been in the top five at Miss Rodeo America. “They definitely have some skills other than just walking across a stage,” Rodeo Queen Board President and former Rodeo Queen Kerri Cook said. During the rodeo the contestants perform the grand entry, clear cattle from the arena and interact with the spectators. “They are basically bridging the gap between the contestants and the audience,” Cook said. This interaction is especially important with out-of-state fans, Cook explained. The girls regularly answer questions about animal safety and rights for those not familiar with the SWR. Due
to their role as representatives for the rodeo, the ability to speak eloquently and professionally is a must for rodeo royalty. The SWR offers four categories for its royalty program: Junior Princess for ages 10-13, Princess for ages 14-15, Senior Princess for ages 16-18 and Queen for ages 19-24. Often the crowned queen is in college and has grown up through the program. She acts as a role model to the other women and girls within the royalty program. “Younger girls really look up to them (the queen and princess) and they can see their work ethic,” Cook said. “They’re actually working in the arena; they’re not just on display.” Sheridan County has one of the only programs in the state that offers rodeo queens a scholarship. Currently the Rodeo Queen Board is raising money for the $1,000 scholarship. Additionally the crowned queen receives a saddle, buckle and various awards from the different categories in which she competes. While these skills may seem very specific to rodeo work, Cook said they’re transferable to all aspects of life. “The importance is seeing the development and maturity level in the girls from where they start and where they end… It’s amazing how much their confidence and speaking skills and just how they present themselves improves over the year,” Cook said. For more information or to apply to be Sheridan WYO Rodeo royalty go to wyorodeoroyalty.com.
LEFT: Thirteen-year-old Hannah Jost watches another contestant compete during the Rodeo Royalty horsemanship competition. TOP RIGHT: Bailey Van Leuven is crowned 2015 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Queen. BOTTOM RIGHT: Twelve-year-old Ashlyn Ibach rests on her horse as other contestants compete during the Rodeo Royalty horsemanship competition.
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LEFT: Eleven-year-old Mariah McFaul runs the Sheridan WYO Rodeo flag during the Rodeo Royalty horsemanship competition. RIGHT: Alanna Starkovich is crowned 2015 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Senior Princess. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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First People’s Powwow “It’s a repeating of history.” FROM STAFF REPORTS A newer addition to Sheridan’s Rodeo Week, the First People’s Powwow will take place Wednesday through Friday at the Historic Sheridan Inn, sponsored through Sheridan Travel and Tourism. The first day’s events will showcase Little Sun Dancers from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Ethete. Thursday will feature Benji Headswift, the ghost bull singers and dancers from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. On Friday, following the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Parade, the powwow will be in full swing with a buffalo barbecue, music, dancing and drum circles. The traditional teepee raising by members of the Crow Tribe will occur prior to the events.
In conjunction with the powwow, the Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library will host another event: History of the Miss Indian America Pageant as well as All America Indian Days. In addition, all week, art created by former Miss Indian America Pageant queens will be displayed at the Sagebrush Community Art Center. Their work will be selling through July. A luncheon will also take place at noon Thursday, when the five former Miss Indian America Pageant queens will host a meet and greet at the Historic Sheridan Inn. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from the WYO Theater. “It’s a repeating of history. It’s important to bring these ladies back,” said Judy Slack, who runs The Wyoming Room at the library.
LEFT: David Small dances during the powwow at the Historic Sheridan Inn. TOP RIGHT: Bucky Old Elk of the Crow Nation, left, and August Scalp of Lame Deer, Montana, sing as they beat drums during the powwow. BOTTOM RIGHT: Kim Crawford, left, works on a feather on Dani Hardesty’s headdress. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Twelve-year-old Dani Hardesty of Sheridan looks up as Kim Crawford adjusts her headdress. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Sheridan WYO Rodeo | THE SHERIDAN PRESS 31
LEFT: A dancer performs during the powwow at the Historic Sheridan Inn. TOP RIGHT: Fourteen-year-old McKenzie Archambeau of Lame Deer, Montana, dances during the powwow. BOTTOM RIGHT: David Small dances during the powwow at the Historic Sheridan Inn. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Special entertainment for the 85th Sheridan WYO Rodeo will reach new heights this year — 4,000 feet to be exact! That’s the altitude from which Dana Bowman, Sgt. First Class (retired), will parachute from an airplane to land in the Sheridan County Fairgrounds arena as part of the Grand Entry for each of the four evening performances. It promises to be an exciting start provided by quite an exceptional man. It was Bowman’s performance at a motorcycle rally in Red Lodge, Montana, that caught the attention of Kent Sherwood, owner of Sheridan Physical Therapy. Sherwood enthusiastically reported to several WYO Rodeo Board members on the spectacular and emotional performance he had seen and then generously offered to sponsor Bowman if we could convince him to jump for the WYO Rodeo. The WYO Rodeo Board accepted Sherwood’s offer and together with Sheridan Physical Therapy and Sheridan Orthopaedics will sponsor the excitement and patriotism of Bowman’s performance at every performance of the 85th celebration of the WYO Rodeo. Bowman is a skydiver, a retired member of the U.S. Army’s Special Forces and the Golden Knights. Remarkably, he is also a double amputee. He lost his legs in a parachuting accident in February 1994 in a training exercise with the Golden Knights. When Bowman collided mid-air with a teammate at a combined speed of 300 mph his left leg was severed below the knee; his right leg above the knee. The teammate died instantly, but for some unknown reason, Bowman’s parachute opened and he landed unconscious in a parking lot. Bowman’s rehabilitation was miraculous, only because of his dogged determination to recover. In three days he was walking on prostheses; a feat it took most people with similar injuries at least six weeks to accomplish. In six weeks, he wore out four pairs of prostheses because of his punishing, self-imposed rehabilitation program. Bowman insisted on helping doctors design special prosthetics that allowed him to water ski, snow ski, scuba dive, bicycle and lead a full, active life. He went to the hospital’s brace and limb shop at night and built his own sockets, which join the remaining leg to the prosthesis. Bowman said, “I didn’t have all my life to wait for equipment.” Five months after the accident, Bowman left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to go skydiving as part of a
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Golden Knights wedding ceremony. As he grew stronger, he became a cheerleader for other wounded soldiers. Nine months after the accident, he became the first double amputee to re-enlist in the Army. Subsequently, he became the U.S. parachute team’s lead speaker and recruiting commander. Bowman retired in 1996 after he made his last jump as a Golden Knight into the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games in Atlanta. In 2000, he became the first member of his family to earn a college degree and graduated with honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in commercial aviation. He presently is the only double amputee commercial helicopter pilot instructor in the world, as well as a commercial hot air balloon pilot. Bowman has been featured in some impressive forums, including Reader’s Digest, People Magazine and Sports Illustrated. In addition, he has given more than 400 motivational speeches speaking to businesses, schools and community groups. His message is: “It’s not the disability; it’s the ability.” Bowman will not be the first man to plummet from the heights to entertain a Sheridan WYO Rodeo crowd. The first was in 1936 when a daredevil stunt pilot named Capt. F. F. Frakes crashed his airplane into a burning building especially built for the stunt on the back side of the fairgrounds. He was pulled from the wreckage and burning house with only minor injuries. Needless to say, this was a one-time event. Another airborne event occurred in 1944, when the Sheridan WYO Rodeo was temporarily called the Bots Sots Stampede. Then, a Lt. Amos Little made a parachute jump and landed to great acclamation precisely in front of the grandstand. There is no record of any other airborne entertainment in the ensuing 71 years so it’s about time we had some. That’s why the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board of Directors is so proud to present such an outstanding individual as Bowman to the audience of the 85th annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Watch for his appearance from the sky right after the cannon fires and give him a Sheridan, Wyoming, welcome. (Note: Bowman will speak at some community venues yet to be determined. For further information about him, see his website at www.danabowman.com.) Tom Ringley is an emeritus member of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board.
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Kathy Nichols holds the American flag from the saddle during the 2014 Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
The Sheridan WYO Rodeo Wranglers “It gets everybody’s blood pumping. It’s like the opening act of a concert. It gets everybody excited for the party.” BY HANNAH SHEELY The cowgirls who carry the sponsor flags at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo now have an official name: The Sheridan WYO Rodeo Wranglers. For more than 20 years, they’ve gone by a number of monikers — the gals who carry the flags, Sheridan WYO Rodeo flag carriers — which all described what they did but failed to capture their key role in each rodeo performance.
These women, from teenagers to grandmothers, play a critical role in wrangling the crowd’s attention and unleashing the energy that comes with one of the nation’s premier rodeo events when they race around the arena during the Grand Entry carrying the flags of high-dollar sponsors who make that rodeo possible. Continued on page 39
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The flags fly by in a whirl of color, waving and snapping in the rush of wind created by horses galloping at 20 to 30 mph. The yearly tradition is one of the first displays of the excellent horsemanship that spectators will see in the Sheridan County Fairgrounds arena. “It sets the stage for the rodeo,” Sheridan WYO Rodeo board member Vicki Kane said. “It’s very important for getting all the fans, and cowboys and cowgirls, all excited for the big event.” The number of sponsor flags, has increased over the years, starting with just a couple in the rodeo’s early history to a total of 33 this year, Kane said. Sheridan WYO Rodeo Wrangler Director Audra Scott said that the number of sponsors and accompanying sponsor flags is double the amount of other large rodeos in the region. While the women make the job of WYO Wrangler look easy, don’t be fooled. It can be a challenge to find 30 skilled riders who have horses that can handle the excitement created by the announcer, the Drum and Bugle Corps, the flags, the crowd and all the other horses, Scott said. “It is more dangerous than people give it credit for,” Scott said. “It’s tough. Those horses get stronger and more used to the program, and it gets tougher as the nights go on. The first night they are nervous, but by the end they know where they’re going and it can be hard to hold the horses up and keep yourself standing.” Scott has been involved with the flag carriers for almost 10 years. She started when her daughter, current Sheridan WYO Rodeo Queen Bailey Van Leuven, began carrying a flag at age 13. She kept volunteering in order to “get those gals trained and make sure they are all safe and that all the flags get out every night, every run,” she said. Several WYO Wranglers have shown similar commitment. Tamara Mann has “been with rodeo since she was born” and found it a natural fit approximately 15 years ago to volunteer to be a flag carrier. Her daughter, Shelby Mann, has also carried a flag the last five years. “I still remember seeing her smile when we came around and passed each other,” Mann said about the first time she and her daughter both rode. Both Manns know how much work it takes to put on a rodeo and want to help where they can. It’s also fun to be part of something so big. “It gets everybody’s blood pumping,” Mann said. “It’s like the opening act of a concert. It gets everybody excited for the party.” Longtime flag carrier Renny Barbula also enjoyed the chance to be part of history. A friend talked her into being a flag runner for the 75th anniversary of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo 10 years ago. She’s committed to the critical endeavor each year since. Barbula does not classify herself as a cowgirl. She is a carriage driver and runs flags on a carriage horse, utilizing her driving skills and six years of dressage lessons to manage her steed in the hubbub of the arena. “Deep down inside it makes me feel really good to be part of a community event that is so grand in stature,” Barbula said. “It makes me feel good inside, and it’s a way to give back.” Whatever the skills or reason for volunteering, each Sheridan WYO Rodeo Wrangler uses her fine horsemanship skills to help wrangle up the crowd, the cowboys and cowgirls and launch one of the finest rodeos in the West. “These gals have a pretty important position, and I think people are starting to recognize that,” Scott said. “It’s a big
commitment — four performances and the parade on Friday morning — and they are the first ones to get there and last ones to leave that rodeo. … I’m proud of them when they sign on.” Want to carry a flag? Anyone age 13 and older who is interested in being a Sheridan WYO Rodeo Wrangler can contact Director Audra Scott at audra82801@hotmail.com for more information. Scott has practice flags to see if a potential rider and horse are able to manage the task, and several practices are also held before the event.
Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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World Championship Indian Relay Races A sport rich with skill, strategy and practice BY ALISA BRANTZ Much has been said about the tradition and history behind the World Championship Indian Relay Races seen at the annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo but when you get down to the heart of the event, it is a sport rich with skill, strategy and practice. There are four players on a relay team: the rider, two holders and the mugger. Though the attention of the audience is often on the rider, the other three players are equally key in achieving a win. A holder holds the harness of the horse and points its head in the direction it will need to run once mounted, prior to the rider hopping aboard. The other holder keeps the horses still in position for a smooth exchange by the rider from horse to horse.
The mugger gains control of the horse as it slows for the rider’s dismount, also ensuring a flawless transition. Each relay team has its own strategy and practice rituals, but there seems to be a general consensus among the athletes that the key to a win is in the exchange. “It’s about fast horses, of course, but it’s more about the exchange,” said Maverick White Clay from team Bad War Deeds in 2014. “A fast exchange will win a race.” White Clay explained that strategy must be utilized throughout the race from a good start standing next to the nape of a still and focused horse to the smooth release with a correct landing. It would appear that White Clay’s advice was spot on as his team took first
place in their heat of the races during last year’s Thursday night at the fairgrounds. Watching each of the heats shows there is surely more to the event than that. The race begins with the shot of a gun as the riders fling their right leg over the horse. As the rider approaches the first exchange to switch to the second horse, he slows his horse only slightly as the mugger steps forward to grab ahold of the speeding animal. The holder has regrouped with horse two for another smooth start and this is the moment the audience had better be alert, because as the rider removes his right leg for a brief moment on the ground the momentum of the horse Continued on page 43
LEFT: Lynwood His Bad Horse Junior jumps on an exchange horse during the first heat of the World Championship Indian Relay Race. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press RIGHT: A jockey takes a bad fall after dismounting his horse. Mike Pruden | The Sheridan Press
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Lakota War Path jockey Lawrence Harvey of South Dakota makes a bow and arrow gesture after crossing the finish line to win the championship of the Indian Relay Race. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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File photo | The Sheridan Press being dismounted propels the rider toward the fresh horse and in less than five steps the rider is on the bare back of a new animal. With a small set of defined skills needed to win, practice is often about two things: the animals’ speed and the riders’ agility. “We usually are galloping at practice; most training is about getting the wind in the horse,” White Clay said. “Some days we practice the exchange as it would be in the race and we try to race the track they will compete on to familiarize the horse with it.” Tim Birdinground — the holder in
2014 for team Curly Relay, which was named for members of the group being descendants of General George Custer — said the key is a good starting position and that practice is all about the transition for his team. Birdinground added a reminder that practice may prevent injury, but there is no guarantee. During rodeo in 2013, their mugger was run over. While trying to slow the horse coming in from his lap, he lost control and was brought to the ground but survived relatively unscathed. Though the team consists of four men there is one additional athlete essential to
the relay, the horse. Birdinground said the ideal age of a relay horse is between 6-8 and they start training their horses around age 2 or 3. However, team Bad War Deeds was busy painting an 11-year-old horse alongside their 6-year-old and said the horse can be a success at any age. Regardless of the focus of the practice, the expertise of the team during the competition or the horse being ridden, the unique sport of the Indian Relay Races is sure to be a crowd pleaser at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo for years to come.
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Sheridan WYO Rodeo Announcer WILL RASMUSSEN FROM STAFF REPORTS
Will Rasmussen knows rodeo, and he knows he likes Sheridan best. He has announced the Sheridan WYO Rodeo more than a dozen times. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
He’s not afraid to say it — well Will Rasmussen isn’t afraid to say anything — but the Sheridan WYO Rodeo is his favorite in the nation. With more than a two-decade career, that’s saying something. “What an event with a world class rodeo,” Rasmussen posted to his fan page during last year’s rodeo. “If you want a little taste of the West, or should I say a big gulp, you need to check out this event and this terrific town.” His experience and love of rodeo extends even past his own career. His family, known as the “Rodeoing Rasmussens,” has a long history of rodeo participation. His mother is a timer, his brother, Flint, an award winning rodeo clown, another brother competes and his father, Stan, is an announcer. Rasmussen first got his start in 1981 when his father double booked two rodeos. Rasmussen’s career began in Gardiner, Montana, and continued to grow into a full-time career, leading him to win a surplus of awards over the last two decades. Of the hundreds of rodeos he has announced for, Sheridan has been one of his stops more than a dozen times. Combining humor, facts and wit, Rasmussen keeps the crowd interested and informed — sometimes even shocked, as he’s known for his lack of political correctness. “I guess it's my sense that you need more than just a rodeo,” he said in his biography on his website. “People want to be entertained.” And entertain he does. Up in the crow’s nest, Rasmussen keeps the night flowing smoothly with a knack for getting the audience involved. However, his job starts before he even makes it to the arena. Setting him apart from other announcers is the amount of research he puts in. Facts and anecdotes about participants and animals are never lacking from his performance. “It’s a great reward to have thousands of people respond positively to something that’s happened and to know you helped that along,” Rasmussen said. Sponsored by ERA Carroll Realty, Will Rasmussen will return for the 2015 Sheridan WYO Rodeo.
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Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
Professional Pick-up Men MARRIOTT, GILBERT & WARD BY MIKE PRUDEN They’re impossible to miss, but they’re hardly noticed. As cowboys get bucked from their broncs and unroped steers mosey around the arena, the collective eyes in the grandstands tend to wander toward the now horseless cowboy or up to the scoreboard. But even as the cowboy limps out of the arena, his bronco still bucks. The clock has stopped on the rider, but it’s just starting for the pick-up men. The pick-up men consist of three burley rodeo junkies, firm-handshake type fellows. Their grips are sturdy for a reason, though. These are the brutes in charge of rescuing fallen bareback riders. It’s up to these gentlemen to corral furiously bucking broncos. They spend more time in the arena than any athlete, animal or clown. Their work is behind the scenes, yet right in front of our faces.
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“It’s not just chasing a horse around the arena,” pick-up man Dalton Ward said. This year, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo will feature some fresh faces amongst the pick-up crew. For years — at least 20 — Bobby Marriott and Billy Ward have held their ground as the WYO’s go-to pick-up men. But when Ward retired last year, it meant filling a role that seemed unfillable. Because of Ward’s skills and experience, along with safety issues and performance flow, the WYO board decided to replace the veteran pick-up man with not one, but two people this year. The board utilized Marriott and Ward, their stock contractor and other respected peers within the industry to find applicants who would fit both the event and the community. “The pick-up men are critical links,”
board member Billy Craft said. “Not only from the safety aspect for the athletes, both man and animal, but also the flow of the performance and the team effort required for the 16 hours each day outside of the performance that makes an event what it is. We take this very seriously.” This year, Marriott will be joined by Duane Gilbert and Dalton Ward, who just so happens to be Billy’s son. While Dalton Ward may be new to the WYO Rodeo crew, his handshakes are as firm as his father’s. The La Grange native has been joining his dad at rodeos his whole life. On a visit to Odessa, Texas, 12-year-old Ward was given the opportunity to pick up at a kid’s day rodeo with his father and fellow National Finals Rodeo pick-up man Paul Peterson. He’s been doing it ever since. When it comes to working the WYO
Rodeo, Ward has spent enough time around it to know that it’s a no-nonsense gig. And that’s why he appreciates it. “I was kind of raised around the WYO Rodeo, so I have a good idea about it,” he said. “But to me, it's the committee that makes it special. They are up in the morning for slack, same as everyone else, and helping out doing whatever is needed: sorting and loading timed-event cattle during the rodeo or helping feed. No other committee I know works that hard.” As far as the rodeo goes, the younger Ward says it’s not about him as much as it is the unit. “My favorite advice from my dad was, ‘A good pick-up man can make his partner look good,’” he said. “Work as a stockman and read the horse. Work as a team to help each other. You can’t do this job yourself.” While the pick-up gang may have a new look this year, Craft said he hopes it doesn’t for years to come. The goal is to develop longstanding relationships with the pick-up men. Then, he said, it makes the event better every year. Ward doesn’t plan on hanging up his saddle anytime soon. “When a horse bucks in a circle around you, and you never get out of a trot and get your work done in five strides,” he said. “Might be as cool to me as it gets. I love that part.” So when those nights in July roll around, as fans shuffle into the bleachers and the sun lazily crests over the horizon, the WYO Rodeo will get underway. But for a group of three men, they’ll be reaching the pinnacle of a tireless week of work. “Pick-up men are without a doubt the most unsung heroes and work horses of rodeo,” Craft said. These gents deserve the firmest of handshakes.
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Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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File photo | The Sheridan Press
Professional Bullfighters AL SANDVOLD & JOE BUTLER BY TRAVIS PEARSON After 85 years, the WYO Rodeo may feel like a constant to Sheridan residents. Behind the scenes, though, the come and go of rodeo organizers, volunteers, cowboys, cowgirls and even roughstock create the high-quality production that spectators watch. This year, two of the rodeo’s unsung but vital cogs — the bullfighters — come to Sheridan at opposite points in their careers. Al Sandvold, an eight-year veteran of the WYO, will retire. Joe Butler will join the rodeo for the first time. One career closes… Last year, Sandvold’s mentor and long-time bullfighting partner, Loyd Ketchum, worked his last WYO Rodeo. Ketchum is a legend in bullfighting cir-
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cles, having run a school and earning a sterling reputation for his work over the years. Sure enough, Sandvold began bullfighting 23 years ago at Ketchum’s school, helping kick off a 20-year professional career. It may be hard to believe now, but the Bozeman, Montana, resident didn’t actually participate in rodeo as a kid. He grew up on a farm-ranch operation in North Dakota and always focused his athletic skills on football and basketball. A father-son trip to the rodeo when he was 9 or 10 years old, though, began to change that. “I was just intrigued by the clowns and the bullfighters,” he explained. “Even in my early teens, I thought about
wanting to do that as a career. I just never really pursued it until I went to college.” Football kept Sandvold’s attention through school, where he played at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota. But then he met Ketchum, where the rest, as they say, is history. Over the last few years, Sandvold said he has set himself up for his final year by whittling away the number of rodeos he works. Rodeos mean days on the road away from home and family. “As you get older, your priorities change a little bit,” he said. “You don’t like to be on the road as much. I’m at a point in my life — I’m 43 years old now. If I’m going to do something different, if
I’m going to pursue a different passion, I have to get one passion out of the way before I can start the next one and give it 100 percent.” He’s not sure what that next passion will entail. He might become a barber, he said. Either way, he has one last summer of rodeos to finish up first, and the WYO Rodeo is one that made the cut. “The WYO wasn’t one of those rodeos I was willing to give up,” he said. “It’s definitely a special place for me, [especially] the fact that I got to work it with my mentor and my hero for most of the duration of my career at the WYO. It’s a great place.” Sandvold could not say enough to thank the committee and the “family atmosphere” they instill at the rodeo. Family is a common theme for those involved with WYO Rodeo, and board member Billy Craft spoke glowingly of Sandvold’s time working in Sheridan. “He is a very capable bullfighter,” Craft said. “He’s an outstanding individual. As so many have been with the WYO Rodeo, he’s become part of our family. He’s a 12-month-out-of-the-year ambassador. “He brings an element of professional-
ism and family to the rodeo that not every event enjoys,” he added. “We’re privileged to have had him all these years.” Sandvold said he’s excited for the next phase of his life but admits that leaving his favorite rodeos behind will be “bittersweet.” Of course, the thing about family is far-flung members are always welcome to come back and visit, which Sandvold said he plans to do after retiring. …and another begins Joe Butler has never attended a WYO Rodeo. Heck, he’s never even been to Sheridan, but the first-year WYO participant is not a rookie when it comes to bullfighting or rodeo. The Oklahoma native who now calls Apple Valley, California, home has worked professionally for 12 years. He got his start while on the rodeo team in junior college. He team roped and calf roped before he decided to start riding bulls. Next thing he knew, he was fighting bulls in practice. “I never thought I’d get into bullfighting and make bullfighting my career,” he said. “But since then, I fell in love with it, and it’s what I do for a living
now.” The 34-year-old is thrilled to be part of the 2015 WYO Rodeo. Because it’s consistently ranked as one of the West’s finest events, the WYO draws some of the best cowboys and cowgirls from around the United States. The WYO has also earned a reputation as one of the best-run rodeos around, all factors Butler mentioned as benefits to working the rodeo. “I can’t even explain how much excitement I have about coming there,” he said. Replacing Ketchum is impossible, but Butler said working with Sandvold on his farewell tour is just an added bonus to attending the WYO. Having someone who has worked the rodeo in the past, someone who knows the ropes is a huge benefit, Butler added. “Loyd, by far, is one of a bullfighter’s heroes. Loyd is one of the greatest guys to ever strap on a pair of cleats and go fight bulls,” Butler said. “I think the world of him and Al both. I think Al’s one of the best out there, too. It’ll be fun. It’ll be a blessing to be able to work with Al his last year there — not a better guy to work with.”
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Rodeo Clown Entertainer CRASH COOPER FROM STAFF REPORTS Returning to bring laughs and entertainment to the Sheridan WYO Rodeo is the Canadian artist, rancher and professional clown Ash “Crash” Cooper. Over the last 10 years, Cooper has made a name for himself through the rodeo circuit, working his way up to becoming one of the “most sought after rodeo entertainers in the world” according to his website. Originally starting as a bullfighter, he changed careers after noticing a lack of clowns in the rodeo circuit. Through all of his performances, he strives to create a relationship with the crowd as well as the cowboys. Each night Cooper tries to bring something different to the show. “I think some clowns would prefer a different audience for every performances, but I don’t repeat myself from day to day, or even year to year,” Cooper said in his Western Horseman bio. While comedy is a large part of his routine, Cooper developed his own style using his natural athleticism to improve. “Sometimes people are equally entertained by a wild, crazy stunt that they wouldn’t even dream of attempting. If I’m successful, that’s great. If I’m not, everyone loves to see a crash,” he said. This year’s rodeo will feature Cooper’s unique style of comedy and athleticism as he keeps the crowd laughing and the cowboys safe.
Rodeo clown Crash Cooper teaches the crowd how to dance. Mike Pruden | The Sheridan Press
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Bill Tutor from Texas competes in the bareback event. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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The Sheridan Press | Justin Sheely
Sankey Pro Rodeo “We have the understanding that the WYO is putting on a world-class event and that it needs the best of the best for stock.” FROM STAFF REPORTS Rodeo Week is known for its star entertainment from professional cowboys and cowgirls to renowned clowns and pickup men. Yet their jobs wouldn’t be possible without the livestock they work with, run from and rope. For more than 20 years Sankey Pro Rodeo has been an important part of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo as the stock contractor. The company, which focuses on livestock, event production and spectator experience, has made a name for itself in the rodeo circuit. Sankey Pro Rodeo Co-Owner Ryan Sankey has said it takes a lot of work to pick which stock will make an appearance at the
Sheridan WYO Rodeo, which is part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association silver series in the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour. “We have the understanding that the WYO is putting on a world-class event and that it needs the best of the best for stock,” Sankey said. Early each year, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo submits an approval application to the PRCA that delineates rodeo dates, events and prize money. At that time, the rodeo board begins working with Sankey Pro Rodeo to establish how many Continued on page 55
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broncs, bareback horses and bulls will be needed for each event, Sankey said. Throughout the spring, Sankey Pro Rodeo staff work with rodeo organizers on production issues such as what the specialty act will be, the physical layout of the rodeo and event scheduling. For example, there can’t be any wagon tracks in the arena prior to steer wrestling, so events and acts need to be scheduled accordingly. Entries for the Sheridan WYO Rodeo close a month in advance. At that time, PROCOM, the arm of the PRCA that handles rodeo entries, chooses and organizes contestants. Sankey Pro Rodeo uses the PROCOM list to determine how many of each type of stock animal will be needed for each night. The Sankeys then send their list of which animals are going to the Sheridan WYO Rodeo to PROCOM, which randomizes the list and assigns competitors to stock. Sheridan WYO Rodeo president Zane Garstad said the WYO Rodeo’s success is due to Sankey’s stock, expertise and professional production. Sankey and crew will once again team up with the WYO Rodeo to provide quality entertainment and livestock this July.
Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Gold Buckle Club “We invest in the fairgrounds for those four days we are there, and they remain for everyone to use year round. We feel it is important to make those commitments to the community.” BY ALISA BRANTZ As the members and guests of the Gold Buckle Club gather at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo for their 11th year of fun, food and first-class treatment, SWR Board member and GBC advisory committee member Linda St. Clair said it is important to remember the original reason for forming the club: to support the rodeo. “The Gold Buckle Club now gives in excess of $35,000 a year — $25,000 of which has been given each year since it started in 2005 and an additional $10,000, now that the club has grown, which goes to the Indian Relay purse or any other
special projects,” St. Clair said. “It’s a lot of fun and everybody enjoys the events we do, but the reason for it is to provide a larger purse for the rodeo to attract the cowboys and cowgirls.” The GBC is a members’ only organization that allows a maximum of 250 people to join by paying a $2,000 entry fee and $1,000 a year in membership dues. Only individuals are allowed to join — no businesses — but each individual is allowed to bring one guest to each social event of the club. Currently, the club is full. Continued on page 59
ABOVE: DJ Dearcorn, right, holds his daughter Lydia Dearcorn, 3, in the Gold Buckle Club seating area as horsemen ride into the arena with the American flag. LEFT: Aaron Linden orders a drink under the Gold Buckle Club seating area during the 2014 Sheridan WYO Rodeo. RIGHT: Kim Aaberg scoops up ice for a drink under the Gold Buckle Club seating area. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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“We reached our maximum one other time in our history, about four years ago during the coalbed methane boom, but when that died down it took away with it some families and the list died down a bit,” St. Clair said. “Now we are back up and on a 10-man waiting list.” The membership dues are now divided up into four uses: the original rodeo purpose, capital construction costs, social events and community partnerships. “The Gold Buckle Club has made hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of improvements at the fairgrounds since its existence,” St. Clair said. Some examples of these improvements include the air conditioning in the Exhibit Hall and the expanded seating in the arena. “We don’t own that seating any more. We gave it to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds last year,” St. Clair said. “Right now we’re doing a lot of electrical upgrades that will eliminate the need for extra generators that we have needed to run the rodeo for many years. At the same time, the fiber optics are being updated. We need those services to make the rodeo better for us and the fans, but we invest in the fairgrounds for those four days we are there, and they remain for everyone to use year round. We feel it is important to make those commitments to the community.” The club also formed partnerships with other groups in town including CHAPS Equine Assisted Therapy, the Future Farmers of America and even the Sheridan High School football team. “There is always something that they can do for the club and then we support them financially in some way,” St. Clair said. “The SHS football team helps us a lot whenever we need muscles to move things, set things up, tear things down, so we have a partnership with them and we bought three locker sponsorships in their recent efforts for fundraising.” As for the member benefits, during the four nights of the
rodeo members have a hospitality room at the fairgrounds with free food and drinks. They also have two social events throughout the year: a dinner and dance in the late fall and a Preakness party event in the spring. It all began when founder Doug Meier, who had a mission to start this club, took the idea from the rodeo in Ellensburg, Washington. In 2005, 49 people joined and attended the first drawing to assign buckle numbers for their now famous belt buckles featuring their membership number. By virtue of a random drawing, Troy Baker holds membership number 1. Of those 49 original members, there are only two who are not active members anymore. St. Clair said the Gold Buckle Club has seen far greater success than the Ellensburg Rodeo club has ever seen. “There have been representatives from several other rodeos from other states and other towns in Wyoming who have come to see if they could model a similar club at their rodeo and no one has been successful at it yet,” St. Clair said. “Doug Meier went out and worked very hard in those first several years to build the membership and have events. The other towns that have tried it, I would say what would be missing for them is that springboard in the beginning, that person who really goes out and sells it, and I give a lot of credit to Doug for being that person for the first several years.” The club has continued to grow and get better every year, St. Clair said. She anticipates it will continue doing so, as the community believes in and supports the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. “It’s what brings people home every summer,” she said. “I think if people were honest they would say that their children, grandchildren and friends come home more for the rodeo than they do for Christmas or other holidays.”
LEFT: Bill Shackelford mingles with other Gold Buckle members at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. TOP RIGHT: Larry Hager visits during the first day of the 2014 Sheridan WYO Rodeo. BOTTOM RIGHT: Jandey Shackelford visits at a table with Gold Buckle members at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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SPONSORS
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Sheridan WYO Rodeo Sponsors “If you don’t have sponsors you don’t have anything.” FROM STAFF REPORTS Sponsors are essential in order for the Sheridan WYO Rodeo to occur every year. “Without their support our rodeo would not be at the level it is today,” Rodeo Board President Zane Garstad said. “If we didn’t have sponsors, we wouldn’t have a rodeo.” As the rodeo draws more than 20,000 people each year, sponsors help to produce such a large event. Various levels of sponsorship are based on the benefits associated with each category. All levels receive a combination of benefits which includes arena signage, announcer recognition, program ads rodeo tickets, and VIP passes. The first level is the “Banner” sponsor, which has a fee of $1,000. Next is the “Contract” sponsor, for $2,000; followed by the “Event” sponsors and other special event sponsors at $3,250. “Performance” level sponsors and higher level special event sponsors pay $6,500. The next level is “Jumbotron” sponsor at $13,000. The highest level of sponsorship is the “Official” level with a fee of $25,000 and above. In addition, the Rodeo Board created the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Posse membership for individuals or small business that still want to contribute. This level is acquired with a fee of $250. There are 100 members that make up this group.
All of the fees generated by the sponsorship program are used to create a quality event. “Through prize money, ticket sales, the Gold Buckle Club (our rodeo booster club) and sponsorship funding we are able to provide the kind of entertainment that is available at the WYO,” Garstad said.
“Our focus is about what we can do for them, not how they are helping us” — Zane Garstad In turn, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board provides sponsors with exposure in “probably the largest event in Sheridan County,” Garstad said. “Our focus is about what we can do for them, not how they are helping us. We are very loyal to our sponsors and we try to treat them with the utmost respect, which they deserve. This mindset is displayed by the fact that we have had very few sponsors drop out of our program.” This year there are more than 40 sponsors for the 2015 SWR.
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Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
JUMBOTRON: Get Western Productions “I think it’ll improve the whole experience for our spectators.” FROM STAFF REPORTS Instant replays, highlights and scores — the Jumbotron’s incorporation into the Sheridan WYO Rodeo became an asset immediately. “We (the Rodeo Board) knew after the first year we had it, we had to continue to use it. It brings a higher level of entertainment to the event,” Rodeo Board President Zane Garstad said. While the screen will be the same this year, what’s on it will change. This year the SWR has partnered with a new vendor — Get Western Productions from Cheyenne. “Our production will be a little bit different so we’ll be able to see more highlights and scores. I think it’ll improve the whole
experience for our spectators,” Garstad said. One of the major differences will be the use of highlight reels before each show. Starting Wednesday night a reel of 2014’s winning rides and runs will play. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, highlights of this year’s rodeo will be broadcasted, “so people know who set the bar and compare the action to previous nights,” Garstad said. Everyone from spectators to riders watch the Jumbotron, and its importance is not lost on the Sheridan WYO Rodeo board. Thanks to the Jumbotron sponsor EMIT Technologies, they plan to continue utilizing it for years to come.
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Breakdown of Events Learn the rules for each event in which professional cowboys and cowgirls will compete for a share of prizes. FROM STAFF REPORTS
The annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo showcases four days of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association action. Here is a breakdown of the events in which fans will see some of the top cowboys and cowgirls from around the country compete for a share of prizes. Bareback bronc riding Bareback riding is one of rodeo’s roughest and most demanding events.
The cowboy must attempt to remain on the back of a bucking bronco while grasping the leather rigging with only one hand. The rider is disqualified if he touches anything with his free hand. If the cowboy fights through the eight-second ride, he is scored on his spurring technique, bucking strength of the horse and the form and skill used in completing the ride.
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Steer wrestling The steer wrestler has quite the task to complete in this event, and the fact that the best cowboys in the business often accomplish the task in less than 10 seconds makes it that much more impressive to watch. Cowboys must run down a speeding steer on horseback, dismount their horse directly onto the back of the steer, take it by the horns and flip it on its back.
Timing, technique, strength and leverage are all vital in securing a top time. Team roping This is rodeo’s premier team sport — an event where teamwork is an absolute necessity. Two cowboys — a header and a heeler — must work in tandem to rope a running steer. The header, as the name implies, is responsible for roping the steer around the horns, neck or a combination of the two to turn the animal into position for the heeler. It is the heeler’s duty to rope both hind legs of the steer. If only one leg is caught, a five-second penalty is assessed. If the header does not allow the steer to get the allotted head start, the team is assessed a 10-second penalty. Saddle bronc riding Saddle bronc riding comes straight from the traditions of the Wild West. Early cowboys had to break horses for use on the ranch. Naturally, this evolved into competition between the ranch hands as to who was the better breaker. In this event, the cowboy places his feet over the bronc’s shoulders and syn-
chronizes his spurring action with the bronc’s bucking style while trying to hold on for eight seconds. As in bareback riding, the cowboy is scored on his spurring technique, the bucking strength of the horse and the form and skill used throughout. Tie-down roping Tie-down roping, formerly known as calf roping, is a timed event in which a mounted cowboy runs down and ropes a scrambling calf. After roping the calf, the cowboy dismounts, catches the animal, flips it on its back and ties any three legs together with a sting he carries in his teeth. The calf must remain tied for six seconds to receive a score. Bull riding Arguably rodeo’s most popular event, bull riding is a rather straightforward competition that pits a cowboy against an angry 1,500-pound bull. The rider sits astride the bull in a chute and when the chute opens he must remain atop the bull for eight seconds by holding a rope looped around the animal’s midsection. As in bronc riding, the cowboy must
not touch the bull with his free hand and if he lasts eight seconds he will be judged on technique, skill and bucking strength of the animal. Steer roping One of rodeo’s rarer events (as it must be performed in a large arena), a mounted cowboy must rope a running steer about its horns — which are protected with horn wraps reinforced with rebar — position rope slack over the animal’s right hip and, angling his horse to the left for leverage, bring the bovine to the ground. When the steer is lying on its side and the rope is taut, the cowboy must dismount his horse and tie any three of the steer’s legs. As in tie-down roping, the steer must remain tied for six seconds. Barrel racing In barrel racing, a cowgirl and her horse race against the clock. Horse and rider enter the arena at full speed, race around three barrels positioned in a clover pattern, then race back to the finish line. The fastest time wins, and times are recorded to 1/100 of a second. Racers are penalized five seconds for each barrel knocked over during the run.
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Information from prca.com
2014 Bareback Results 1. Will Lowe, 90 points on Sankey Rodeo’s 9 Moons, $5,076 2. Orin Larsen, 86, $3,892 3. (tie) Chad Rutherford and Jared Smith, 83, $2,369 each 5. Jerad Schlegel, 82, $1,184 5. (tie) Seth Hardwick, Zach Curran, Brian Bain, Yance Day and Tim O’Connell, 80, $406 each
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Information from prca.com
2014 Steer Wrestling Results FIRST ROUND: 1. Sean Santucci, 4.5 seconds, $2,396; 2. John Franzen, 4.8, $2,084; 3. Bray Armes, 4.9, $1,771; 4. (tie) Riley Duvall and Wade Sumpter, 5.0, $1,302 each; 6. Joe Buffington, 5.1, $833. 7. Cody Cabral, 5.3, $521; 8. Dakota Eldridge, 5.8, $208 SECOND ROUND: 1. (tie) Kody Woodward, Straws Milan and Tom Lewis, 3.9 seconds, $2,084 each; 4. Tyler Pearson, 4.3, $1,459; 5. Sean Mulligan, 4.4, $1,146; 6. Aaron Vosler, 4.5, $833; 7. (tie) Dakota Eldridge, Kamry Dymmek, Todd Suhn and Tait Kvistad, 5.1, $182 each AVERAGE: 1. Dakota Eldridge, 10.9 seconds on two head, $2,396; 2. Les Shepperson, 11.4, $2,084; 3. John Franzen, 11.5, $1,771; 4. Tait Kvistad, 11.7, $1,459; 5. Sean Santucci, 11.8, $1,146; 6. Joe Buffington, 12.3, $833; 7. Chance Howard, 12.5, $521; 8. Barry Kreikemeier, 13.2, $208.
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Courtesy photo | Eva Scofield
2014 Steer Roping Results FIRST ROUND: 1. Chris Glover, 11.6 seconds, $2,013; 2. Bryce Davis, 12.0, $1,666; 3. (tie) J.D. Yates and Troy Tillard, 12.3, $1,145 each; 5. (tie) Coy Thompson and Quinten Taylor, 12.7, $486 each. SECOND ROUND: 1. Chance Kelton, 10.2 seconds, $2,013; 2. (tie) Tuf Cooper and Tony Reina, 10.8, $1,492 each; 4. Vin Fisher Jr., 12.3, $972; 5. Trevor Brazile, 12.4, $625; 6. Landon McClaugherty, 12.9, $347. THIRD ROUND: 1. (tie) Joe Wells and Trent Mills, 10.6 seconds, $1,839 each; 3. (tie) Cody Lee and Kim Ziegelgruber, 10.9, $1,145 each; 5. (tie) Reo Lohse and Brodie Poppino, 11.2, $486 each. FOURTH ROUND: 1. Chance Kelton, 9.8 seconds, $2,013; 2. Tony Reina, 10.6, $1,666; 3. Jay Pixley, 11.4, $1,319; 4. Jess Tierney, 12.3, $972; 5. Kim Ziegelgruber, 12.4, $625; 6. Landon McClaugherty, 12.6, $347. AVERAGE: 1. JB Whatley, 55.1 seconds on four head, $4,025; 2. Roger Branch, 58.2, $3,331; 3. Jess Tierney, 58.9, $2,637; 4. Coy Thompson, 60.9, $1,943; 5. Chet Herren, 62.4, $1,249; 6. Jim Davis, 63.5, $694;
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Information from prca.com
2014 Saddle Bronc Results 1. Sam Spreadborough, 88 points on Sankey Rodeo’s Tango, $4,399; 2. Cody Taton, 84, $3,373; 3. (tie) Jesse Wright, Ty Thompson and Will Smith, 83, $1,711 each; 6. (tie) Jacobs Crawley and Jake Wright, 81, $660 each; 8. (tie) Bradley Harter and Heith DeMoss, 80, $220 each.
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Information from prca.com
2014 Team Roping Results FIRST ROUND: 1. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 4.5 seconds, $2,409 each; 2. Dustin Bird/Paul Eaves, 4.6, $2,095; 3. (tie) Chad Masters/Clay O’Brien Cooper, Trevor Brazile/Travis Graves and Nathan McWhorter/Cole Davison, 4.7, $1,466 each; 6. Charly Crawford/Shay Carroll, 4.9, $838; 7. Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 5.0, $524; 8. (tie) Cale Markham/Chase Tryan and Luke Brown/Kollin VonAhn, 5.2, $105 each. SECOND ROUND: 1. Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 4.1 seconds, $2,409 each; 2. Matt Sherwood/Dugan Kelly, 4.5, $2,095; 3. (tie) Garrett Tonozzi/Jared Bilby and Brady Tryan/Tommy Zuniga, 4.7, $1,624 each; 5. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Patrick Smith, Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill and Chad Masters/Clay O’Brien Cooper, 5.0, $838 each; 8. (tie) Dustin Bird/Paul Eaves and Drew Horner/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.1, $105 each. AVERAGE: 1. (tie) Chad Masters/Clay O’Brien Cooper and Dustin Bird/Paul Eaves, 9.7 seconds, $3,378 each; 3. Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 10.0, $2,671; 4. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 10.5, $2,200; 5. Brock Hanson/Cesar de la Cruz, 10.8, $1,728; 6. Ty Blasingame/J.W. Borrego, 11.4, $1,257; 7. (tie) Luke Brown/Kollin VonAhn and Jake Barnes/Junior Nogueira, 11.7, $550 each.
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Information from prca.com
2014 Tie-Down Results FIRST ROUND: 1. Michael Otero, 8.3 seconds, $2,466; 2. K.C. Miller, 8.4, $2,145; 3. Cimarron Boardman, 8.5, $1,823; 4. Jake Pratt, 8.6, $1,501; 5. Trevor Brazile, 8.7, $1,180; 6. (tie) Blair Burk, Logan Hofer and Tyson Durfey, 8.8, $536 each. SECOND ROUND: 1. J.C. Malone, 8.2 seconds, $2,466; 2. Stetson Vest, 8.3, $2,145; 3. Tuf Cooper, 8.4, $1,823; 4. (tie) Ryle Smith, Justin Macha and Scott Kormos, 8.8, $1,180 each; 7. Trent Walls, 8.9, $536; 8. (tie) Josh Peek and Ace Slone, 9.2, $107 each. AVERAGE: 1. Scott Kormos, 17.7 seconds on two head, $3,699; 2. Justin Macha, 17.9, $3,217; 3. Josh Peek, 18.2, $2,734; 4. Tyson Durfey, 18.3, $2,252; 5. Cimarron Boardman, 18.4, $1,769; 6. (tie) Roger Nonella and Trent Walls, 18.9, $1,045 each; 8. Trevor Brazile, 119.2, $322.
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2014 Barrel Racing Results 1. Shelley Morgan, 16.85 seconds, $4,682; 2. Carlee Pierce, 16.95, $3,746; 3. Christine Laughlin, 17.05, $3,043; 4. Sammi Bessert, 17.09, $2,341; 5. Samantha Lyne, 17.12, $1,873; 6. Sarah Kieckhefer, 17.17, $1,405; 7. Brittany Kelly, 17.23, $1,171; 8. Kelli Thouvenell, 17.24, $1,053; 9. Kassidy Dennison, 17.26, $936; 10. Jaime Hinton, 17.33, $819; 11. Jaime Barrow, 17.34, $702; 12. Rachel Dice, 17.35, $585; 13. Shelby Frasier, 17.38, $468; ; 14. Liz Combs, 17.44, $351; 15. Rachel Primm, 17.45, $234.
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Information from prca.com
2014 Bull Riding Results 1. Trey Benton III 89 points on Robinson Pro Rodeo’s No. 139, $4,456; 2. Cole Echols, 87, $3,416; 3. (tie) Joe Frost and Kody Lostroh, 85, $2,079 each; 5. Tyler Willis, 83, $1,040; 6. Patrick Geipel, 81, $743; 7. Wyatt Gregg, 80, $594; 8. (tie) Sage Kimzey and Ty Wallace, 79, $223 each.
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Morning Slack: For the true rodeo fan It’s a free preview for the die-hard rodeo fan who wants a taste of what is coming in the evening performance. FROM STAFF REPORTS
Rodeo Week is known for its action packed nights, but for anyone who can’t get enough the days also offer some fun events. Beginning Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. contestants will compete in rodeo slack events such as barrel racing, team roping, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. Approximately 25 contenders will participate in each event to determine their placing for the day. “There are numerous top cowboys and cowgirls competing and the action is excellent,” WYO Rodeo Board President Zane Garstad said. Sheridan’s rodeo slack is known to attract top contenders. For most of the rodeo slack events the top 10 finalists will advance to performing that night. The other 15 will compete again later that morning. “For the true rodeo fan, this is pure rodeo action and exciting to watch,” Garstad said. The slack events are free and open to the public. All events take place at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds and will run Wednesday through Saturday mornings starting at 9 a.m. daily.
File photo | The Sheridan Press
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Wild Pony Races “The tenacity of these kids is nothing short of phenomenal.” FROM STAFF REPORTS From Lazy 3S Rodeo Company out of Fort Pierre, South Dakota, comes the fiercest ponies the rodeo has seen. Due to popular demand, the Wild Pony Races will return for the second year as the Sheridan WYO Rodeo’s specialty act. Though the participants look cute, these kids are tough as nails. No older than 12, and weighing in at a max of 100 pounds, three team members face wild, mature animals. “By the time it was over they (the crowd) were all standing. It was crazy…
The tenacity of these kids is nothing short of phenomenal,” said Rodeo Board member Billy Craft. Team and pony break out of the shoot and into the arena. The object is to get one of the kids on the pony’s back for two jumps. It’s vital that the team works together. First the anchor, who is holding a rope attached to the pony, has to try to gain control of it while the mugger helps still the pony enough for the rider to get on the pony’s back. Each team is timed.
Four teams will compete each night. The rodeo board didn’t predict this kind of response, especially because last year was the first year for the event. “We were actually dumbstruck by the enthusiasm of the crowd,” Craft said. Last year a local group of girls, some of the smallest kids competing, won. The event will take place all four nights of the rodeo with Saturday night featuring the championship round.
LEFT: As the mugger moves up the rope, the rider and anchor hold on tight. TOP RIGHT: The young contestants wait anxiously behind the chutes for the Wild Pony Races. MIDDLE RIGHT: All Wild Pony contestants must wear a protective helmet and vest. BOTTOM RIGHT: The young cowboys and cowgirls raise their hats to the enthusiastic crowd. File photos | The Sheridan Press
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Your hometown cowgirl “You have 18 seconds to show Sheridan what you can do, good or bad, and that’s the impression you leave.” BY MIKE DUNN Eighteen seconds. That’s all it takes. A champion can be born. Legends can fade away into obscurity. A millisecond can be the difference between getting your picture on the front page of the newspaper, or having your name in small print on page B2. And barrel racer Ronda Holwell lives for those 18 seconds. In small rodeos, Holwell is never nervous. Sometimes, the butterflies pick up during professional rodeos, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. There is something about her hometown rodeo, though. Sure, most people in the grandstands at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo will embrace Holwell. She’s well-known in the community, working as the local Wyoming Department of Transportation spokesperson. She’s Sheridan’s own, and when Holwell’s name is echoed through the Sheridan County Fairgrounds, the thousands of spectators filling the bleachers in the arena will erupt. She could win it all, she could finish dead last. Most in the audience would support her either way. She loves competing and she’s one of the best at what she does. But when Holwell finds herself at the end of the arena, on deck as the rider to take her horse around the barrels, she gets that feeling. “Even though we do it a lot, you have 18 seconds to show
Sheridan what you can do, good or bad, and that’s the impression you leave,” Holwell said.
“Rodeo is a very mental sport. If you have become successful in rodeo, you have managed to overcome the mental part of the game.” — Ronda Holwell Rodeo is physically tough — bones break, scars form, bruises pop out of nowhere. Now, couple that with long hours on the road and short nights of sleep. But enduring pain and getting on the saddle is only part of what makes a cowboy and cowgirl. “Rodeo is a very mental sport. If you have become successful in rodeo, you have managed to overcome the mental part of the game — it has to be right to win,” Holwell said. It differs for everyone in every event and every rider. For Holwell, preparing to ride is a sacred ritual — a carefully orchestrated routine performed weeks in advance. Hours every day of practice lead up to a quick ride in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels in the arena.
LEFT: Ronda Holwell of Sheridan competes in the Sheridan WYO Rodeo slack barrel racing at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press TOP RIGHT: Sammi Bessert of Loma, Colorado, rides her horse to the third turn. BOTTOM RIGHT: Bobbi Grann of Sheyenne, North Dakota, hurries her horse back to the gate in the barrel racing event during the Sheridan WYO Rodeo.
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Kelli Thouvenell of Hooper, Utah, turns her horse in the barrel racing event. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press Either working with a young horse at her ranch or on the road at the jackpot barrel race, you can find Holwell in a saddle five days per week. She loves working with horses, devoting hours of her day to training her horses and herself. It takes two athletes to successfully rodeo, Holwell says. On top of the horse, the cowgirl has to be balanced but know how to adjust her weight around barrels. She has to have a narrow focus, but be aware of what is ahead. Nothing is more important than preparing her equine athlete. Holwell’s day can be made or broken on the physical or mental preparedness of her horses. After all, they are just as much of an athlete as she is. “My horse could almost tell you when it’s our turn to go,” Holwell said. “… If it is at all possible, I want to warm him up the same — I want to do things for his benefit but I think it’s for my benefit as well.” She warms up her horse the same way every time. Twenty riders before her turn, she and her horse are relaxed; reins down, Holwell’s quiet, her horse may be sleeping. Ten riders deep, Holwell cinches her horse up. Holwell gets back on the horse. There are five racers to go. Her horse is still relaxed. She carries a crop with her and gently rests it on her horse’s left side, he smells it three times, there are three to go before they ride. Another racer takes off, she puts the crop on the right side of the horse; two to go. Then she picks up the crop. The horse’s muscles tense up and so does Holwell. Their hearts beat rapidly as the announcer introduces Sheridan cowgirl Ronda Holwell. Years of practice. Months of riding. Hours of preparation. Minutes of routine. All coming down to 18 seconds.
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Mike Pruden | The Sheridan Press
Fairground Improvements “Anything we can do to add to the fairgrounds.” FROM STAFF REPORTS Since 2005, roughly $520,000 has been spent by the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board on fairground improvements. Over the years board members have worked with and donated money to the Sheridan County Fair Board for such changes as improvements to the crows nest (approximately $57,000), purchasing portable pens (approx. $6,000) and $17,000 toward air conditioning in the Exhibit Hall. “Anything we can do to add to the fairgrounds as an asset is
going to benefit the rodeo as well,” Rodeo Board Controller Larry Gold said. It ends up being mutually beneficial for both parties. “The fair board can then of course derive income from that (the improvements) with other events,” Gold said. Since 1931, Gold estimated that the Rodeo Board has donated more than $520,000 to fairground improvements, in order to increase the quality of the rodeo.
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Security: A top priority “The most important thing to us is that everyone feels safe and secure at the rodeo.” FROM STAFF REPORTS
With 20,000 people gathering in town for the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, security is a top priority. To ensure that the week’s events run smoothly the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board hires Crowd Management Services of Billings, Montana. “The most important thing to us is that everyone feels safe and secure at the rodeo,” Rodeo Board Vice President Nick Siddle said. The 40-person crew has people on duty 24 hours a day at the fairgrounds to ensure security. Siddle doesn’t predict any big issues though. The main problem is typically accommodating the number of cars that swarm the fairgrounds. Because the facilities are short on parking, the Rodeo Board utilizes the Sheridan High School parking lot. Shuttles run spectators back and forth between parking lots and the fairgrounds. The priority of safety and the regulations in place are all to maintain order so the rodeo can be an enjoyable event for everyone, Siddle said.
Montana-based CMS security checks tickets and stamps as rodeo goers enter the fairgrounds. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Volunteers “We just have a lot of those long-term volunteers who have been around forever. It’s like a family affair for them." FROM STAFF REPORTS With all the action that occurs over Rodeo Week it can be easy to forget all the effort it takes to make sure the events go off without a hitch. SPURS Volunteers work can be seen throughout the rodeo helping with everything from putting up banners on Main Street to carrying the flags in during the actual rodeo. “The reality is,” said volunteer coordinator Sam Summers, “that without the SPURS and without the volunteers it just would not happen.” More than 150 people are helping with this year’s SWR. While some people feel under qualified to help put on a professional rodeo, Summers said there’s something for everyone. “There’s just a variety and a lot of different events that we need help with,” he said. While some volunteers help for a few hours or a few days, others have more of an involved job. The women who ride out with the flags are a prime example.
“They have to practice. They have to do a lot of things our other volunteers don’t have to do,” Summers said. “Normally it’s hard to fill all those positions because first you have to know how to ride and then you have to have a horse that can carry that flag and not spook.” Other volunteers who are an asset to the actual rodeo production are the kids from FFA and 4-H who help with the slack performances loading shoots. Many of these volunteers and others have been helping out for years. One group of long-term SPURS helpers are a father, son and nephew team who help with the catch pin. “We just have a lot of those long-term volunteers who have been around forever. It’s like a family affair for them,” Summers said. For those wanting to get involved, see sheridanwyorodeo.com.
TOP LEFT: A volunteer sells programs at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press BOTTOM LEFT: Rodeo volunteer Keith Brandt opens the exit gate for a steer to escape in the steer roping event. RIGHT: Rodeo volunteers Brad Walden, left, and Guy Fowler install a Sheridan WYO Rodeo banner on a lamp post on Main Street in downtown Sheridan.
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CHRIS LEDOUX Spurs & Spikes Golf Tournament Annual Chris LeDoux Spurs and Spikes Memorial Golf Tournament draws a crowd. FROM STAFF REPORTS With the rough and hectic pace of rodeo, a golf tournament seems like an unusual event to include in the week. However the annual Chris LeDoux Spurs and Spikes Memorial Golf Tournament draws a crowd. Held at the Powder Horn Golf Club June 12-13, the twoday event attracts approximately 200 people. Activities include a practice round, barbecue, auction and four-person scramble golf tournament.
The event is named in honor of Chris LeDoux, a singersongwriter, World Champion Bareback Rider and golf enthusiast who passed away in 2005 after his battle with cancer. Funds raised by the event will help with the construction of a memorial park in Kaycee, Wyoming (LeDoux’s hometown). Additionally, funds will be donated to various charities such as the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, which helps injured rodeo athletes and their families. Those wishing to participate in next year’s event should watch sheridanwyorodeo.com for additional information.
LEFT: Joe Stilwell stares down his ball during the Chris LeDoux Spurs and Spikes Memorial Golf Tournament. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press RIGHT: Zach Voithofer, left, lines up his putt as his teammates Joe Prosenick and Joe Stilwell look on.
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BOOT KICKOFF “We take ‘kickoff’ literally.” FROM STAFF REPORTS Starting off the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, the Boot Kickoff will once again take place at Kendrick Park July 7 from 4- 7 p.m. The kickoff is free and open to the public. An all ages event, activities will include stick horse races for children 8 years old and younger, as well as the Chamber Ambassador’s Challenge. Additionally, as the name implies, the evening will include multiple boot-kick competitions. “We take ‘kickoff’ literally,” said Ryan Koltiska, the director of marketing and communications at the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber Bucks will be awarded to first-, second- and thirdplace winners in each of the boot kick age groups. A popular event, spots are limited to 20 competitors in each age bracket so Chamber organizers recommend signing up early. Bring your own boots or borrow a pair supplied by event staff. During all of the fun and games, food and drinks will be available and to wrap up the night, live music will be featured in the band shell. The Boot Kickoff is a great way to start off Rodeo Week with a family friendly event, Koltiska said.
TOP LEFT: Ten-year-old Lotus Brandov kicks off her boot during the annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo Boot Kickoff. TOP RIGHT: Three-year-old Jamie Craft races his stick horse around the barrel. BOTTOM LEFT: Two-year-old Serena McFaul and Kristin McFaul wait for their turn at the stick horse races. BOTTOM RIGHT: Senior Rodeo Princess Jackie Lewis leads Mason Brewer, 2, in the stick horse race. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast A delicious tradition FROM STAFF REPORTS Wake up early and join the Kiwanis Club as they host the annual Pancake Breakfast at Grinnell Plaza from 6-9 a.m. July 10. A delicious tradition, this will be the 41st year for the downtown community meal. Kicking off before the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Parade, Kiwanis Club members will feed more than 2,000 people pancakes and ham with the help of the Girls State delegates and the Boy
Scouts. Tens of gallons of syrup and pancake batter will be served up across the roughly 70 tables. Breakfast tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 years old and younger. During the breakfast the Sneakers & Spurs Rodeo Run will take place on Main Street at 8 a.m., followed by the Beds Along the Bighorns Race at 9 a.m.
TOP LEFT: Del Acker, left, and Peggy Acker pump syrup on their pancakes. RIGHT: Jim Wilhelm flips pancakes during the Pancake Breakfast Friday morning on Grinnell Street prior to the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Parade. BOTTOM LEFT: Harrison Herman volunteers for the Boy Scouts of America Troop 117. BOTTOM RIGHT: Chancy Peterson, left, and Goldie Steigelman wash food trays during the Pancake Breakfast. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Sneakers & Spurs “If you love to be cheered for and feel like a champion, it’s great!” FROM STAFF REPORTS A popular way to get active during Rodeo Week, the Sneakers and Spurs race takes runners through downtown Sheridan. Starting the morning of July 10, the 5K (3.1 miles) run starts on Grinnell Street taking runners through historic downtown Sheridan, even utilizing trails in Kendrick Park before coming back down Burkitt Street. Taking place before the parade, four to five blocks of the run will be lined with parade goers. “So if you love to be cheered for and feel like a champion it’s great,” race director Michelle Maneval said. A safe and manageable race, 500 or so people participate annually. Everyone from “babies in strollers to 80-year-olds” can
be seen crossing the finish line, Maneval said. For those who aren’t quite convinced they want to run 3.1 miles, she reassured everyone that the T-shirts this year make it worth it. Another bonus is that the race is chip timed for accuracy. Every race number has a small chip that logs when each runner starts and finishes. Registration is $25 and includes an event T-shirt. Race day registration is $30. To sign up stop in at The Sport Stop, Foot of the Bighorns, PurEnergy Fitness or go to sheridanwyorodeo.com.
LEFT: Runners in the Sneakers and Spurs Rodeo 5K take off from the starting line on Main Street. Mike Pruden | The Sheridan Press RIGHT: Alejandro Garcia runs the final stretch of the Sneakers and Spurs Rodeo 5K on his way to a first place finish. Garcia finished with a time of 16:25 in the event.
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Beds Along Bighorns Race Something fun for the whole family FROM STAFF REPORTS By the time Friday rolls around during Rodeo Week, spectators might need to recuperate. Luckily a handful will be able to stay in bed without missing out. Following the Kiwanis pancake breakfast, Main Street will be swarmed with activity for the Beds Along Bighorns bed race. A quirky event, the bed race involves co-ed teams of six — four runners and two on the bed — hurdling down the street. Whichever team crosses the finish line first wins the grand prize of $500. Most racers are from the community, advertising or sponsored by local businesses. Teams can sign up through sheridanmedia.com or pick up forms at the Sheridan Media office. The entry fee is $45 per team. The race kicks off at 9 a.m. Teams prepare to compete in the annual Beds Along the Bighorns race on Main Street. File Photos | The Sheridan Press
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Parade: ‘Paintin’ the Town Red’ “Respect and honor for the military people who have served.” FROM STAFF REPORTS
Friday morning at 10 a.m. after the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and the Beds Along Bighorns race, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Parade will take over Main Street. While every year the rodeo hosts Patriot Night, a night where everyone is encouraged to wear red in honor of military personnel, the SWR will pay extra tribute with this year’s theme: Paintin’ the Town Red. “[The theme] is mainly related to our respect and honor for the military people who have served,” said Sheridan WYO Rodeo board member Linda St. Clair. Along with this year’s theme the marshals will be honorees of the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame. Ben Reynolds, Raymond Hutson and John Forbes will be riding in the parade as well as appearing at the rodeo Wednesday night. The other two inductees are Nate Champion and Jack Sipes. Though both have passed away, family members will represent them. Additionally in the parade, the Sheridan Marching Band will be performing, led by Sheridan High School band director Diana Knutson. An all ages group, a majority of the musicians are from the SHS band. A new group to look out for is the group of Harley Davidson riders who are in town for the Wyoming HOG Rally. Roughly 150 motorcyclists will be riding in the parade.
Entry prices for such groups and floats are based on category: commercial, political, horse, float, novelty and band and drill divisions. Commercial entries are $75 per unit (vehicle), political are $150, horse-related entries, youth organizations, band and drill units and tax-exempt entries are free and community floats are $25. Cash prizes will be awarded in each category from $25-$100. The overall winner will take home $250. Those interested in signing up have until June 26 and can go to sheridanwyorodeo.com for entry forms. In order for everyone to enjoy the parade, St. Clair asks for spectators to follow safety rules. “We just, as always, ask people to have control of their child and ask them not to approach moving vehicles or the horse… If they’re (the horses) spooked at all it could be very bad,” she said. As for participants in the parade, they’re reminded not to throw anything from their floats or units and instead to walk up to the audience when handing out candy and trinkets. Sponsored by Century 21 BHJ Realty, the parade will start on Main Street from the First Street bridge, move west toward Works Street and turn onto Gould Street before making its way back on to First Street.
LEFT: The Wyoming All-State Band marches around the corner on East Works and Main streets. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press TOP RIGHT: Gayla Merman, left, shares a laugh with her mother, Arlene Colins, after struggling to open a frozen popsicle treat. BOTTOM RIGHT: Brady McLean grabs The Salvation Army van on his skateboard dressed as Superman during the 2014 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Parade.
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Ben C. “Benny” Reynolds
Parade Marshalls: Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Famers Ben Reynolds, Raymond Hutson and John Forbes will be riding in the parade as well as appearing at the rodeo Wednesday night. The other two inductees are Nate Champion and Jack Sipes. Though both have passed away, family members will represent them.
John Robert “Cub” Forbes
BY TOM RINGLEY
Raymond D. Hutson Howard Wesley “Jack” Sipe Nate Champion Photos courtesy of Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame
Five area cowboys recently inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame will be honored as Grand Marshals of the 85th annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo Parade. The three living members are John Robert “Cub” Forbes, Raymond D. Hutson and Ben C. “Benny” Reynolds. Two honorees, Howard Wesley “Jack” Sipe and Nate Champion, are deceased. Forbes was born in 1950 and raised on his parent’s ranch in Barnum, Wyoming. He worked with horses since the age of 4 and by the age of 15 was breaking horses. He won the state high school saddle bronc competition in 1968 and went on to win many titles well into the 1980s. In 1969, he was the RCA “Rookie of the Year” and won the Mountain States Circuit Finals three times. Forbes placed in the National Final Rodeo a total of seven times. Forbes also raises bucking horses. He started with two, which he purchased for his sons to practice on and currently has a herd of 30 brood mares which he breeds to top bucking stock. Hutson was born in 1938 to a cowboy family. After high school, he moved to Montana where he broke, trained and shoed horses on several ranches before moving to Wyoming in 1967 where he continued to break and train horses. He also trained working dogs. Hutson believed a good dog was just as important as his horse in doing cowboy work. Hutson and his family eventually leased a ranch of their own where Raymond broke teams of horses to drive and mules to ride, drive and pack. An accomplished teamster, Hutson’s advice is often sought by others. Along with his teamster skills, he is an accomplished leather craftsman whose work ranges from making new saddles and equipment to making and re-
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pairing harnesses for single driving horses and teams. As a result of his interest in work horses and mules, Hutson has accumulated a very large collection of horsedrawn machinery, equipment, buggies and wagons. Reynolds was born in 1942 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. When he was 5 years old he moved to Wyoming when his parents, Frances and Jimbo, who worked for the Gill Cattle Company, were transferred to a newly acquired Gill Cattle Company ranch near Parkman. As a youngster, Reynolds helped with ranch work and sometimes fell asleep horseback as he rode back to the ranch with the men. Reynolds grew up the cowboy way. He always carried his rope with him and like every kid, threw a loop at anything that moved, including deer, elk and the occasional badger. He entered his first rodeo at the age of 12 and earned his PRCA card at his first PRCA rodeo in Billings, Montana. He continued to rope at PRCA rodeos until just a few years ago. Reynolds has trained horses for more than 40 years on his place on Big Goose. Two deceased marshals will be represented by family members in the WYO Rodeo parade. The first is Sipe. He was born in Moorcroft in 1938 and died in 2011. Sipe moved with his family, which included seven siblings, to Big Horn where he attended high school. Sipe learned to shoe horses when he was 11 years old. This was his occupation for the rest of his life. In 1978, Sipe moved his family to a little place between Sheridan and Big Horn and started his own business, Sipe Horseshoeing. He quickly earned a reputation as an excellent horseshoer and was in great demand. Sipe often shoed 15-18 horses a day for many
days in a row and occasionally his wife, Maxine, would have to step in and force him to take a day off. Sipe loved his work, and loved teaching others how to shoe horses. His last student was his granddaughter who he raised from the age of 3. Sipe also worked on a variety of ranches and started many young horses. The fifth grand marshal is Champion, perhaps one of the most recognized names in Wyoming history. Champion, who was born in 1857 in Leander, Texas, grew up on a farm near Round Rock, Texas, and had 18 brothers and sisters. Champion was surrounded by people in the cattle business, including his aunt, Hattie Cluck, who, in 1871, trailed cattle on the Chisolm Trail to Abilene, Kansas. Champion migrated to Wyoming and worked for several outfits before beginning his own ranching operation with a partner, Ross Gilbertson, by 1891. In April 1892, Champion lost his life in the opening engagement of the Johnson County Invasion when he was pinned down in a cabin at the KC Ranch. Before he was killed, Champion held off the cattlemen and their hired guns long enough that a warning was taken to Buffalo where townspeople organized to resist the invasion. Champion was 35 years old when he was killed. The grand marshals represent an important cross section of Western heritage in Sheridan and Johnson counties and the WYO Rodeo Board of Directors is proud to honor them. The WYO Rodeo Board of Directors also wishes to recognize and thank Century 21 BHJ for their continued sponsorship of the WYO Rodeo parade.
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2014 Parade Winners Participants in the Sheridan WYO Rodeo parade are judged based on the category of entry, incorporating the theme, creativity and whether the group followed the parade rules. The following are the winners from the 2014 parade.
Grand Prize — First People’s Powwow
Commercial — True Colors
Horse — WYO Rodeo covered wagon driven by Stan Flitner
Organizations — Sheridan High School Booster Club
Band/drill units — Wyoming All-State Marching Band
Novelty category — Kalif Shrine Klowns/ Monster truck
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SERVICE DIRECTORY
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TOP LEFT: Theree-year-old Bonita Limpy, left, and Diana Old Elk, 5, watch from the shade of an umbrella. BOTTOM LEFT: Nine-year-old Elizabeth DeTavernier watches parade floats pass her by. TOP RIGHT: Six-year-old Cash Kula wears zombie face paint during the 2014 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Parade. MIDDLE RIGHT: Riders carry the American flag during the parade on Main Street. BOTTOM RIGHT: Riders carrying the Sheridan WYO Rodeo sponsor flags march up Main Street during the parade. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Kiwanis Duck Races Focused on helping the youth, one child and one community at a time. FROM STAFF REPORTS A popular Rodeo Week event, the Sheridan Kiwanis Club will once again host the duck races. According to the group’s website, the Kiwanis Club is focused on helping youth “one child and one community at a time.” The duck races act as a fundraiser with the proceeds benefiting Sheridan children, event chairman Dr. Rodney Bisbee said. Priced at $5, a total of 1,000 rubber ducks will be numbered and sold for the races. On the day of the event, the ducks are tossed into the creek in Kendrick Park where they head to the finish line. The owners of the first three ducks to make it across
win cash prizes: $500, $200 and $100. If poor weather occurs the race will be moved to the Kendrick Park swimming pool, however this has only occurred twice in the history of the event. Ducks can be purchased at the WYO Theater or from Kiwanis Club members. Additionally, the ducks can be purchased on the day of the race. For more than 25 years this event has been a prominent tradition during the week of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. The duck races start at 1 p.m. July 10.
TOP LEFT: A couple of children follow the ducks down the river, helping them out of the weeds along the bank. TOP RIGHT: Crossing the finish line, the ducks are caught using a fishing net. File photo | The Sheridan Press
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An overhead view of the North Star Carnival leaving the rodeo. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
North Star Amusements “There’s a wide age group who loves the carnival.” FROM STAFF REPORTS Outside of the excitement and thrills of the rodeo arena, the annual rodeo week carnival is one of the most anticipated features of summer in northeast Wyoming — allowing kids to be kids and letting adults pretend for just a little bit. Set to take place Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. each day at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds, the carnival will feature various rides and games provided by North Star Amusements of Cody. Carnival organizer Charlie Jorgenson has said carnival-goers will be able to purchase food such as burgers, ribs, brats, kettle corn, cotton candy and a variety of other carnival foods if they
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need a breather from the rides and games. He also noted that the festive atmosphere of the carnival is one the entire family can enjoy together. The wide array of activities and entertainment options make it the perfect way to enjoy a warm summer night following a hectic day of other rodeo-related festivities. The carnival will run each night until midnight. Entry wristbands cost $25. Wednesday night is “Buddy Night” and carnival-goers can get two wristbands for $30. Tickets will cost $1 each, or can be purchased in a pack of 10 for $9.
TOP LEFT: Six-year-old Lyliauna Smith gets ready for the ride to begin. BOTTOM LEFT: Cody Wright of Corsica, South Dakota, waits for his family as they ride the carousel. RIGHT: Four-year-old Dyllan Cope watches his older siblings on a carnival ride from the safefy of his father Darren Cope’s shoulders. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Partygoers mingle during the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Street Dance on Main Street. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
Music and Festivities Downtown “People can just go and relax... with plenty of room for everyone.” FROM STAFF REPORTS Western tradition meets celebration during Rodeo Week. Bringing music and festivities to downtown, the Street Dance gives rodeo fans a chance to kick back and relax Friday and Saturday nights. Among a surplus of events during the week, the annual dance lets spectators take over Main Street for a few hours each night. Starting at 6 p.m. downtown will be transformed with a food court, stages and of course an area to dance. “People can just go and relax… with plenty of room for everyone,” Street Dance organizer Brad Townsend said. As always, the event will be held between Alger and Brundage streets downtown. With live music kicking off at 9 p.m., dancers can enjoy a variety from classic rock to country. On the north end of the street the Dakota Country Band from Rapid City, South Dakota, will be playing. Returning to take over the south side is Harley and the V-Twins from Fort Collins, Colorado. Townsend promises that there will be a genre for everyone.
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Additionally he wants to remind people that the street dance operates as a family event, where kids are welcome to join their parents for the festivities. (Minors will be given a different wristband than those older than 21.) For those who might not be dancing all night, Grinnell Plaza will host a variety of food vendors selling favorites such as barbecue and pizzas. Others can busy themselves with a game of butt darts, always a Street Dance favorite. Along with the food and entertainment, alcoholic beverages are available for those old enough to drink. Representatives of the Rainbow Bar, The Mint Bar and Beaver Creek Saloon produce and coordinate the event. During the street dance, the area will be closed down for the dance with security at all gates. ID is required for those wishing to drink. Admission is $5. “We try every year to make sure we don’t have any underage drinking. …We want to make sure it’s safe and fun for everybody. That’s what it’s all about,” Townsend said.
LEFT: Jarod Judd two steps with his dancing partner Sydney Stanhope at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Street Dance. File photo | The Sheridan Press TOP RIGHT: Peyton Bomar dances with her partner Chris Romanjenko. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press BOTTOM RIGHT: Jeremy Blazek, left, and Taylor Rieniets dance to the music during the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Street Dance. Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
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Justin Sheely | The Sheridan Press
Bob King Memorial Roping “Many not only enter because it is a high quality event, but also because of their friendship and/or respect for Bob.” FROM STAFF REPORTS Gathering ropers both local and from out of state, the Bob King Memorial Team Roping is known for its tough competition. Named in memory of the late Bob King of King Saddlery, the event has been a part of the WYO Rodeo for years. Starting Sunday morning at 10 a.m., the event will include three different competitions: #10 Century Roping, National Nine Qualifier, The King 5 Steer. “Many local and visiting ropers participate in the roping and
many not only enter because it is a high quality event, but also because of their friendship and/or respect for Bob,” said Zane Garstad, president of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board. Ty Yost, a team roping event coordinator, produces the event. With King’s lifelong involvement with King’s Saddlery as well as the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, Garstad said rodeo officials are honored to have this event associated with the WYO.
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Enjoy the sunshine, views of the Bighorns and quality polo. Festivities center around two polo matches at the Big Horn Equestrian Center. File photo | The Sheridan Press
Tailgate Party “It’s a great way to put a cap on a fun week.” FROM STAFF REPORTS With a week packed full of bull riding, barrel racing and cattle roping, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo will wrap up the fun with the annual tailgate party. Hosted at the Big Horn Equestrian Center, polo and rodeo fans alike can enjoy a relaxing day taking in “the beauty of the Bighorns,” WYO Rodeo Board member Linda St. Clair said. “It’s a great way to put a cap on a fun week,” she added. A free event for the public, the party will consist of a few polo matches. At 2:30 p.m., after the 1 p.m. Eatons’ Cup, cowboys from local dude ranches will saddle up and play polo their way — using brooms and a volleyball. Next the WYO Rodeo Cup will begin at 3 p.m. With food and beverage vendors, great entertainment and a peaceful setting, St. Clair encourages people to relax and wind down. This year’s event will take place July 12.
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Sheridan WYO Rodeo CONTESTANT LIST # Contestant Name
Hometown
# Contestant Name
Hometown
# Contestant Name
Hometown
1. de la Cruz, Cesar 2. Alcazar Jr, Juan 3. Aldridge, Doug 4. Allemand, Bowyn James 5. Allen, Guy 6. Allen, Rusty 7. Anderson, Caleb 8. Anthony, Cody 9. Anzick, Shelly 10. Armes, Bray 11. Armes, Neelley 12. Ary, Alecia 13. Asay, Kanin 14. Askey, Jeff 15. Athan, Teddy 16. Atwood, Brant 17. Aus, Tanner 18. Bach, Joel 19. Bachand, Melissa 20. Bail, Jesse 21. Bailey, Cole 22. Bain, Brian 23. Baker, Miles 24. Barker, Reid 25. Barnes, Jake 26. Barrios, Bryce 27. Barron, Jennifer 28. Barrow, Jaime 29. Bean, Jana 30. Beckett, Paul 31. Begay, Derrick 32. Bennett, Chase 33. Benson, Duck 34. Berry, Tom 35. Bertus, Jeff 36. Bessert, Sammi 37. Biglow, Clayton Jon 38. Bilby, Jared 39. Bingham, Tim 40. Bird, Dustin 41. Blanchard, Sydni 42. Bland, Natalie 43. Blasingame, Ty 44. Bloom, Wyatt 45. Boardman, Cimarron 46. Borrego, J.W. 47. Bothum, Ryan 48. Bowen, Dustin 49. Braden, Hardy 50. Bradshaw, CoBurn 51. Branch, Roger 52. Branco, Stan 53. Brandemuehl, Troy 54. Branquinho, Luke 55. Brazile, Trevor 56. Breaux, Morgan 57. Breding, Parker 58. Breuer, Ty 59. Brinkerhoff, Justin 60. Brock, Brady 61. Brockman, Seth 62. Brown, Billy Bob
Marana, AZ Kissimmee, FL Carthage, MO Buffalo, WY Santa Anna, TX Eagle Mountain, UT Mocksville, NC Stephenville, TX Livingston, MT Ponder, TX Ponder, TX Stephenville, TX Powell, WY Martin, TN Livermore, CA Pampa, TX Granite Falls, MN San Augustine, TX Belle Fourche, SD Camp Crook, SD Okmulgee, OK Powell Butte, OR Snyder, OK Comfort, TX Scottsdale, AZ Bluff Dale, TX Trenton, TN Lake Wales, FL Ft. Hancock, TX Laramie, WY Seba Dalkai, AZ Santaquin, UT Laurel, MT Buffalo, WY Avon, SD Grand Junction, CO Clements, CA Bridgeport, NE Honeyville, UT Cut Bank, MT Albuquerque, NM Springtown, TX Ramah, CO Bend, OR Stephenville, TX Weston, CO Caddo, OK Waller, TX Welch, OK Beaver, UT Perkins, OK Chowchilla, Douglas, WY Los Alamos, CA Decatur, TX Tomball, TX Edgar, MT Mandan, ND Corinee, UT Justin, TX Wheatland, WY Stephenville, TX
63. Brown, Catfish 64. Brown, Fred 65. Brown, Jake 66. Brown, Luke 67. Brown, Rory 68. Bruner, Kelly 69. Brunner, Tanner 70. Brunson, Bart 71. Buckaloo, Bubba 72. Buffington, Joe 73. Bugenig, Billy 74. Buhler, Jeremy 75. Burk, Blair 76. Burnham, Clay 77. Busby, Andrea 78. Bynum, Bradley 79. Cain, Twister 80. Callaway, Cody 81. Campbell, Annie 82. Campbell, B.J. 83. Campbell, Cody 84. Campbell, Leo 85. Cannon, Clint 86. Cantrell, Courtney 87. Cardoza, Russell 88. Carlisle, Randall 89. Carroll, Shay 90. Carson, Layne 91. Carter, Vickie 92. Cathcart, Dan 93. Caylor, Justin 94. Cerise, Jeni 95. Chase, Mike 96. Churchill, Trula 97. Clark, Beau 98. Clark, Jesse 99. Clark, Josh 100. Clark, Wyatt 101. Clarys, Andy 102. Claunch, Bill 103. Clements, Mason 104. Clifton, Kelly 105. Cline, Andrea 106. Cloud, Howdy 107. Coats, Richard 108. Coffell, Don 109. Cole, Harley 110. Collier, Kellie 111. Collmorgen, Clayton 112. Conrado, Ivy 113. Conrado, Paige 114. Cook, Tommy 115. Cook, Victoria 116. Cooley, Valee 117. Cooper, Clay O'Brien 118. Cooper, Cole 119. Cooper, Jake 120. Cooper, Jim Ross 121. Corkill, Jade 122. Costa, Marcos 123. Coursen, Seth 124. Cox, Blane
Collinsville, TX Colbert, WA Hillsboro, TX Stephenville, TX Edgemont, SD Millsap, TX Ramona, KS Terry, MS Caddo, OK Wheatland, WY Ferndale, CA Abbotsford, BC Durant, OK Graham, TX Brock, TX Sterling City, TX Gonzales, TX Gillette, WY Shoshoni, WY Aguila, AZ Summerville, OR Amarillo, TX Waller, TX Goliad, TX Terrebonne, OR Athens, LA Prineville, OR Grassy Butte, ND Richfield, UT Carpenter, WY Sulphur Springs, TX Eckert, CO McAlester, OK Valentine, NE Belgrade, MT Portales, NM Belgrade, MT Wellfleet, NE Riverton, WY Monte Vista, CO Sandy, UT Stephenville, TX Springtown, TX Kountze, TX Hastings, NE Iredell, TX Cochrane, AB Hereford, TX Lufkin, TX Hudson, CO Hudson, CO McAlester, OK Willows, CA Billings, MT Gardnerville, NV Loma, CO Monument, NM Monument, NM Fallon, NV Childress, TX Casper, WY Cameron, TX
125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 131. 132. 133. 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142. 143. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. 151. 152. 153. 154. 155. 156. 157. 158. 159. 160. 161. 162. 163. 164. 165. 166. 167. 168. 169. 170. 171. 172. 173. 174. 175. 176. 177. 178. 179. 180. 181. 182. 183. 184. 185. 186.
Arroyo Grande, CA Prineville, OR Stephenville, TX Stillwater, OK Lovington, NM HIllsdale, WY Hillsdale, WY Lipan, TX Jensen, UT Whitewood, SD Hempstead, TX Fruitdale, SD Tularosa, NM Hyattville, WY Hempstead, TX San Angelo, TX Ovalo, TX Terrell, TX Power, MT Ovalo, TX Madisonville, TX Cottonwood, CA Blain Argyle, TX Stephenville, TX Stephenville, TX Volborg, MT Upton, WY Tahlequah, OK Wagoner, OK Boyd, TX Tohatchi, NM Minden, NV Minden, NV Mullen, NE Wheatland, WY Laramie, WY Heflin, LA Heflin, LA Helotes, TX Desdemona, TX Livermore, CA Loveland, CO Loveland, CO Bishop, CA Roosevelt, UT De Kalb, TX Silver Star, MT Kersey, CO Albany, GA Thorsby, AB Ballard, UT Buffalo, WY Savannah, MO Henrietta, TX Checotah, OK Lonedell, MO Durant, OK State Center, IA Marianna, FL Abliene, TX Faith, SD Helena, MT
Cox, Wyatt Crawford, Charly Crawley, Sterling Creager, Trent Creasy, Luke Cress, Blaze Cress, Brody Crick, Kyle Critton, DeAnna Crowser, Troy Cupp, Matt Curtis, Stephanie Danley, Lon Darling, Chanse Davenport, Amanda Davidson, Christy Davis, Bryce Davis, Dustin Davis, Jessy Davis, Jim Davis, Justin Davis, Justin Davis, Justin Davison, Cole Davison, Whitney Day, Ashley Day, Jake Day, Yance Deckard, Blake Demases, Chris Dennison, Kassidy Denny, Grant Denny, Wyatt Dent, Steven DeForest, Chant DeHart, Cutter DeMoss, Cody DeMoss, Heith Allan DeWinne, Dalton Diaz, Isaac Dice, Rachel Dickens, Joey Dickens, Kyle Dishion, Zayne Doescher, Cody Domingue, Tyler Downing, Shawn Downs, Casey Driggers, Kaleb Dublanko, Erik Duncan, Dalan Duncan, Daniel Durfey, Tyson Durham, Richard Duvall, Riley Eaves, Paul Edge, Cole Edler, Jacob D Egusquiza Jr., Manny Ehr, Lizzy Elshere, Cole Erickson, Chase
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# Contestant Name
Hometown
# Contestant Name
Hometown
# Contestant Name
Hometown
187. 188. 189. 190. 191. 192. 193. 194. 195. 196. 197. 198. 199. 200. 201. 202. 203. 204. 205. 206. 207. 208. 209. 210. 211. 212. 213. 214. 215. 216. 217. 218. 219. 220. 221. 222. 223. 224. 225. 226. 227. 228. 229. 230. 231. 232. 233. 234. 235. 236. 237. 238. 239. 240. 241. 242. 243. 244. 245. 246. 247. 248. 249. 250. 251. 252. 253. 254. 255. 256. 257. 258. 259. 260.
Goodwell, OK Borden, IN Huntsville, TX Loveland, CO Wheatland, WY Andrews, TX Andrews, TX Andrews, TX Morgan Mill, TX Hardin Charleston, AR Dillon, MT Winnie, TX O'Donnell, TX Lipan, TX King Hill, ID Sidney, NE Chubbuck, ID Duncan, OK Randlett, UT Teton Village, WY Miller, SD Oakes, ND Wasta, SD Abilene, TX Dover, OK Live Oak, CA Belle Fourche, SD Dupree, SD Killdeer, ND New Zealand Westcliffe, CO New Underwood Hamilton, MY Keenesburg, CO Holland, TX Midland, TX Comanche, OK Gering, NE Redmond, OR Helena, MT Jay, OK Seymour, TX Meeting Creek, AB Okeechobee, FL Piedmont, SD Piedmont, SD Burwell, NE Gettysburg, SD Sparta, WI Cuero, TX Snyder, TX Albuquerque, NM Dilley, TX Plentywood, MT Buffalo, WY Plain City, UT Malad, ID Casa Grande, AZ Laramie, WY Marshall, TX Highmore, SD Douglas, WY Highmore, SD Loranger, LA Pawhuska, OK Craig, CO Columbus, KS Orofino, ID Ashland, KS Paradise, UT Abilene, TX Douglas, WY Bloomfield, NM
261. Herl, Jon 262. Herren, Chet 263. Herrin, Hunter 264. Herrin, Liz 265. Herrmann, Shelby 266. Hillman, Jett 267. Hodge, Cord 268. Hofer, Logan 269. Hollenbeck, Hank 270. Holton, Emily 271. Holwell, Ronda 272. Hoovestal, Chloe 273. Hopper, Seth 274. Hoskins, Doyle 275. Howell, Will 276. Huckabee, Casey 277. Irwin, Kyle 278. Irwin, Michelle 279. Ivy, Lane 280. Jacoby, Elliot 281. James Jr, J.B. 282. Janssen, Shelby 283. Jarrett, Ryan 284. Jayne, Evan 285. Jess, Garrett 286. Jim, Daxton 287. Johnson, Chet 288. Johnson, Jayce 289. Johnson, Meghan 290. Johnson, Mike 291. Johnson, Sherrylyn 292. Johnson, Trey 293. Johnson, Wesley 294. Johnson, Wyatt 295. Johnston, Mason 296. Jones, Blaine 297. Jones, K.C. 298. Kaia, Mana 299. Karney, Lane 300. Kasner, Matt 301. Kastner, Trevor 302. Keating, Joe 303. Keeton, Gibbs 304. Kelly, Brittany 305. Kelly, Dugan 306. Kelton, Chance 307. Kelts, Samuel 308. Kempker, Jared Mark 309. Kempker, Jeremy Len 310. Kennedy, Rhett 311. Kesler, Quinn 312. Ketcham, Sabrina 313. Ketscher, Jordan 314. Key, David 315. Kidd V, Cory 316. Kieckhefer, Rick 317. Kieckhefer, Sarah 318. Kindred, Clint 319. Kinghorn, Kade 320. Kirby, Jesse James 321. Kirchenschlager, Dakota 322. Kirchenschlager, Tate 323. Kirchenschlager, Trevor 324. Kirkland, Terri Kaye 325. Kissack, Dane 326. Knapp, Scottie 327. Knowles, Blake 328. Knudson, Chris 329. Kobold, Miles 330. Kohorst, Coleman 331. Koontz, Kory 332. Koschel, Josh 333. Kountz, Rhonda 334. Krassin, Riley
Goodland, KS Pawhuska, OK Apache, OK Big Spring, TX Stephenville, TX Purcell, OK Tulsa, OK Magrath, AB Molt, MT Tonganoxie, KS Sheridan, WY Helena, MT Stanfield, OR Chualar, CA Stillwater, OK Grand Saline, TX Robertsdale, AL Birney, MT Adrian, TX Fredericksburg, TX Bennett, CO Coleman, OK Comanche, OK Marseille, France Coulee City, WA Owyhee, NV Sheridan, WY Hemingford, NE Deming, NM Henryetta, OK Henryetta, OK Burleson, TX Log Cabin, LA Hoyt, CO Huntsville, AL Templeton, CA Decatur, TX Maui, HI Santos Creston, CA Cody, NE Ardmore, OK Sour Lake, TX Tulip, TX Paso Robles, CA Paso Robles, CA Mayer, AZ Millarville, AB Eugene, MO Eugene, MO Chowchilla, CA Holden, UT Yeso, NM Squaw Valley, CA Stephenville, TX Statesville, NC Prescott, AZ Prescott, AZ Oral, SD Buffalo, WY Dodge City, KS Morgan Mill, TX Yuma, CO Yuma, CO Billings, MT Spearfish, SD Albuquerque, NM Heppner, OR Arvada, WY Big Horn, WY Okotoks, AB Stephenville, TX Nunn, CO Bozeman, MT Lander, WY
335. 336. 337. 338. 339. 340. 341. 342. 343. 344. 345. 346. 347. 348. 349. 350. 351. 352. 353. 354. 355. 356. 357. 358. 359. 360. 361. 362. 363. 364. 365. 366. 367. 368. 369. 370. 371. 372. 373. 374. 375. 376. 377. 378. 379. 380. 381. 382. 383. 384. 385. 386. 387. 388. 389. 390. 391. 392. 393. 394. 395. 396. 397. 398. 399. 400. 401. 402. 403. 404. 405. 406. 407. 408.
Bridgeport, NE Jackson, WY Jackson, WY La Veta, CO La Veta, CO Gillette, WY Grover, CO Sherwood Park, AB Wiggins, CO Wiggins, CO Fallon, NV Pendleton, OR Aubrey, TX Inglis, MB Inglis, MB Buffalo, OK Cadogan, AB Gillette, WY Cleburne, TX Gatesville, TX Shongaloo, LA Pinon, CR Twin Falls, ID Hereford, TX Andrews, TX Jerome, ID Baker, MT Kaycee, WY Coffeyville, KS Sturgis, SD Sturgis, SD Sturgis, SD Lamar, CO Washburn, ND Madisonville, TX Stephenville, TX Hempstead, TX Sallisaw, OK Hiram, GA Meadow, SD Needville, TX Post, TX Torrington, WY Timber Lake, SD Hooper, UT Vinita, OK Sulphur, LA Weiser, ID Cedar Hill, TN Ben Wheeler, TX Mart, TX Ogallala, NE Canyon, TX Ottawa Lake, MI Tilden, TX Craig, CO Wells, TX Whitesboro, TX Whitesboro, TX Pine Bluffs, WY Wolf Point, MT Telephone, TX Blanchard, OK Clyde, TX Yuma, CO Hebron, NE Fort Pierre, SD Cochrane, AB Cochrane, AB Pleasanton, NE Nelson Billings, MT Lance Creek, WY San Luis Obispo, CA
Etbauer, Trell Etherton, Shayde Evans, Jason Fellows, Brittany Finnerty, Dean Fisher Jr., Vin Fisher, Dan Fisher, J. Tom Fisher, Kortney Fisher, Ty Flynn, Ari-Anna Folsom, Ike Foltyn, Clayton Forbes, Hanna Forrest, Sidney Fox, Darby Franzen, Tim Freed, Pace Frey, Shane Frost, Joe Fuchs, AJ Fulton, Cole Galbreath, Fonda Gallino, Kaylee Ganter, Jackie Gardner, Mitchell Garner, Josh Garr, Brian Garrett, Shorty Gartner, Drew Garton, Curtis Geipel, Patrick Gilbert, Gary Gillespie IV, George R Glover, Chris Gomez, Mickey Good, Shay Gordon, Dylan Gorsuch, Dean Goss, Lexie Goyins, Cally Graves, Travis Gray, Adam Green, Layton Greeson, James Griemsman, Jana Griemsman, Paul Gumb, Brett Gunderson, Joe Guy, Nick Haferkamp, Rowdy Hale, Garrett Hall, Seth Hall, T.J. Halverson, Becky Hammerich, Justin Hannum, Jake Hannum, Olin Hanson, Brock Hardwick, Seth Harrell, Kinney Harris, Bobby Harris, Merritt Harris, Ryan Harter, Bradley Hartness, Rod Haskins, Camie Hawkins II, Buddy Haworth, Kenny Hazen, Jule Heaton, Morgan Hendley, Sloan Henry, Garrett Henson, Dylan
Kraupie, Del Ray Kreikemeier, Barry Kreikemeier, Sadee Kreutzer, Kyon Kreutzer, Wade Kruse, Cassidy Kvistad, Tait Lamb, Kody Lambert, Laura Lambert, Ricky Lambert, Sterling Landingham, R.C. Langdon, Taylor Larsen, Orin Larsen, Tyrel Lauer, C.A. Laye, Clint LaDuke, Will Learmont, Tanner Lee, Cody Leonard, Marshall Lewis, Brent Lewis, Megan Lewis, Monty LeMond, JoJo Lickley, Timi Lohof, Mike Lohse, Reo Long, Jake Lord, Eli Lord, J.B. Lord, Levi Lord, Shali Lorenz, J.W. Lovell, Colby Lucero, Martin Luetge, Dennis Lufkin, Joe Lummus, Michelle Lyon, Jade Macha, Justin Macy, Aaron Madden, Pollie Maier, Ardie Malone, J.C. Markham, Cale Martin, Casey Mason, Dallee Masters, Chad Mathis, Chad Mathis, Robert McBride, Will McCabe, Anne McCartney, Cody McClaugherty, Landon McKee, Wendy McKnight, Tyler McLeod, Katelyn McLeod, Michele McNamee, Cole McPherson, Dillon McWhorter, Nathan Meadors, Angie Meeks, Scot Mekelburg, Randy Melvin, Dru Melvin, Jace Milan, Straws Milan, Tanner Miller, Bart Miller, Bryce Miller, Clayton Miller, Colton Miller, K.C.
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# Contestant Name
Hometown
# Contestant Name
Hometown
# Contestant Name
Hometown
409. Mills, Travis 410. Mills, Trent 411. Minor, Brady 412. Minor, Riley 413. Mitchell, Spencer 414. Montero, Trenten 415. Montroy, Ryan 416. Moody, Tyrell 417. Morales, Evan 418. Morgan, Shelley 419. Motes, Ryan 420. Mousseau, Matt 421. Mulligan, Sean 422. Murphy, Kaela 423. Murray, Guthrie 424. Murray, Tillar 425. Naillon, Logan 426. Nelson, Tyler 427. Newman, Kris 428. Nicholas, Shyla 429. Nicholes, Brady 430. Nogueira, Junior 431. Nonella, Roger 432. Northcott, Steve 433. Novak, Neali 434. Nyegaard, Clint 435. O'Keeffe, Britta 436. O'Mara, Jacob 437. O'Quinn, Sabra 438. Oakes, Zack 439. Ohl, Cody 440. Olson, J.R. 441. Orman, Jake 442. Otero, Michael 443. Outhier, Mike 444. Palm, Jerry 445. Panetta, E.J. 446. Parrott, Rowdy 447. Parsons, Joseph 448. Patterson, Rocky 449. Pearce, Ace 450. Pearson, Cody 451. Pearson, Tyler 452. Peebles, David 453. Peek, Josh 454. Perry, Michael 455. Petry, Darrell 456. Petska, Cory 457. Petska, Monty Joe 458. Phillips, Zachariah 459. Pierce, Carlee 460. Pixley, Jay 461. Poindexter, Martin 462. Pollmiller, Justin 463. Poppino, Brodie 464. Powell, Turtle 465. Pozzi, Brittany 466. Pratt, Cody 467. Pratt, Jake 468. Prcin, Tyler 469. Price, Taylor 470. Primm, Rachel 471. Proctor, Coleman 472. Pruitt, Riley 473. Quaney, Cody 474. Ragatz, Jon 475. Real, Joaquin 476. Reed, Ryan 477. Reeves, Matt 478. Reilly, Devan 479. Rice, Rayna 480. Richard, Kaden 481. Richard, Rhen 482. Richards, Tom
Gillette, WY Gillette, WY Ellensburg, WA Ellensburg, WA Colusa, CA Winnemucca, NV Pagosa Springs, CO Edgemont, SD Buffalo, WY Canton, TX Weatherford, TX Hensall, ON Coleman, OK Belgrade, MT Miami, OK Fort Worth, TX Chowchilla, CA Victor, ID Casper, WY Fort Washakie, WY Hoytsville, UT Scottsdale, AZ Klamath falls, OR Odessa, TX Victoria, TX Cuero, TX Mohall, ND Baton Rouge, LA Ocala, FL Tonasket, WA Hico, TX Sheridan, WY Prairie, MS Lowndesboro, AL Utopia, TX Centennial, WY Sheridan, WY Mamou, LA Marana, AZ Pratt, KS Washington, TX Tucson, AZ Louisville, MS Redmond, OR Pueblo, CO Bandera, TX Cheek, TX Marana, AZ Turlock, CA Casper, WY Marietta, OK Sundance, WY Stephenville, TX Weatherford, OK Big Cabin, OK Stephenville, TX Victoria, TX Pueblo, CO Ellensburg, WA Alvord, TX Huntsville, TX Washoe Valley, NV Pryor, OK Gering, NE Cheney, KS Beetown, WI Santa Paul, CA Wittmann, AZ Cross Plains, TX Sheridan, WY Sidney, MT Roosevelt, UT Roosevelt, UT Humboldt, AZ
483. 484. 485. 486. 487. 488. 489. 490. 491. 492. 493. 494. 495. 496. 497. 498. 499. 500. 501. 502. 503. 504. 505. 506. 507. 508. 509. 510. 511. 512. 513. 514. 515. 516. 517. 518. 519. 520. 521. 522. 523. 524. 525. 526. 527. 528. 529. 530. 531. 532. 533. 534. 535. 536. 537. 538. 539. 540. 541. 542. 543. 544. 545. 546. 547. 548. 549. 550. 551. 552. 553. 554. 555. 556.
Pampa, TX Arp, TX Stinnett, TX Scottsdale, AZ Stephenville, TX Coolidge, TX Tremonton, UT Minatare, NE Crescent, OK Round Rock, AZ Willard, MO Willard, MO Liberty Hill, TX Hillsboro, TX Rye, CO Jack Nowata, OK Camp Crook, SD Hallettsville, TX Joliet, MT Prineville, OR Dover, OK Yoder, WY Burns, CO Burns, CO Keldron, SD Barrhead, AB Pueblo, CO Pueblo, CO Pueblo, CO Larkspur, CO Pryor, MT Rye, CO Council Grove, KS Mooreland, OK Evansville, WY Hallsville, TX Cheyenne, WY Riverton, WY Midwest, WY San Tan Valley, AZ Pima, AZ Greeley, CO Jasper, TX Huntsville, TX Pueblo, CO Troup, TX Ponoka, AB Llano, TX Cuero, TX Lame Deer, MT Bellville, TX Pendleton, OR Broken Bow, OK Rexburg, ID Eastland, TX Lipan, TX Oakdale, CA Stephenville, TX Childress, TX Blackfoot, ID Barnsdall, OK Fruita, CO Great Falls, MT Marshall, MO Rexburg, ID Wheatland, WY Los Olivos, CA Snyder, TX Detroit Lakes, MN Riverton, WY Wapanucka, OK Vale, SD Lubbock, TX Leedey, OK
557. 558. 559. 560. 561. 562. 563. 564. 565. 566. 567. 568. 569. 570. 571. 572. 573. 574. 575. 576. 577. 578. 579. 580. 581. 582. 583. 584. 585. 586. 587. 588. 589. 590. 591. 592. 593. 594. 595. 596. 597. 598. 599. 600. 601. 602. 603. 604. 605. 606. 607. 608. 609. 610. 611. 612. 613. 614. 615. 616. 617. 618. 619. 620. 621. 622. 623. 624. 625. 626. 627. 628. 629. 630.
Salina, OK Rexburg, ID McKinney, TX Ames, OK Fowler, CO Colman, OK Lithia, FL Morro Bay, CA Tifton, GA Corona, NM Rapid City, SD Rigby, ID Whitesboro, TX Kaycee, WY Kaycee, WY Cut-N-shoot, TX Regina, SK Kountze, TX Pierce, CO Greeley, CO Greeley, CO Harrold, SD Benton, AR Munday, TX Whitewood, SD Wanblee, SD Breckenridge, TX Plum, TX Stephenville, TX Hermosa, SD Oral, SD Glenrock, WY Douglas, WY Douglas, WY Douglas, WY Douglas, WY Douglas, WY Boyd, TX Fruita, CO Ocala, FL Rockdale, TX Dilley, TX Huntley, MT Helena, MT Billings, MT Billings, MT Tuba City, AZ Huntsville, TX Wallace, NE Orovada, NV Descanso, CA Childers, TX Dublin, TX Escalon, CA Rifle, CO Blanchard, OK Cheyenne, WY Porter, TX Terrell, TX Ozona, TX Fowler, CO Gonzales, LA Casper, WY Galeton, CO Roosevelt, UT Collbran, CO Stephenville, TX Dickinson, ND Edmond, OK Edmond, OK Stephenville, TX Bluff Dale, TX Carrizo Springs,TX Buffalo, WY
Richardson, Carley Rieken, Rowdy Riemer, Reese Riggle, Nicole Roberts, EJ Robinson, Pistol Roche, Baylor Rochlitz, Ryan Rogers, Austin Rogers, Erich Rose, Adam Rose, Lacinda Ross, Corey Rostockyj, Cody Russell, Brock Saebens, Billie Sainsbury, Forest Sanderson, Caleb Sankey, Ike Santucci, Sean Sartain, Nick Savage, Clayton Schlegel, Jerad Schlegel, Joel Schmidt, Chuck Schmidt, Kolton Schnaufer, Kelley Schnaufer, Trevor Schnaufer, Tyler Schulze, Kim Scott, Bode Scott, Hali Scott, Jake Searcy, Dustin Sedar, Dave Shaffer, Justin Sheets, Trey Shepperson, Dusdee Shepperson, Les Sherwood, Cole Sherwood, Matt Shoemaker D.V.M., Wade Shofner, Cooper Shofner, Jacob Sickler, Hope Sieber, Clay Simpson, Levi Skelton, Rich Slone, Ace Small, Freddie Smidt, Caleb Smith, Cain Smith, Clay Smith, Garrett Smith, Jared Smith, Patrick Smith, Ryle Smith, Sterling Smith, Stran Smith, Sue Smith, Thomas Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyrell Smith, Will Smith, Wyatt Snell, Brian Snow, Cody Spreadborough, Sam Stall, Brett Stalley, Colin Stanley, Cheyenne Steffes, Kristi Stevenson, Wes Stierwalt, Kyra
Stipes, Jesse Stoddard, Jade Strahan, Adam Suit, Darin Sumpter, Wade Sundell, Wade Swint, Megan Switzer, Miles Tanner, Jill Taton, Cody Taton, Ora Tavenner, Dirk Taylor, Fallon Taylor, Quinten Taylor, Robin Taylor, Trey Taypotat, Ty Fast Teel, Cody Teller, Cullen Thiel, Trevor Thiel, Tyler Thomas, Calyssa Thomas, Jason Thompson, Chace Thompson, Coy Thompson, Ty Thompson, Tye Thornton, Lisa Thorp, Wesley Tierney, Jess Tierney, Paul David Tillard, Casey Tillard, Heidi Tillard, T.K. Tillard, Tim Tillard, Troy Tillard, Ty Tippen, Donna Tonozzi, Garrett Torres, Jonathan Tovar, Kelly Traylor, Derrick Tryan, Brady Tryan, Chase Tryan, Clay Tryan, Travis Tsinigine, Aaron Tutor, Bill Tyan, Levi Ugalde, Victor Van Aken, Clayton Vest, Stetson Vick, Blaine Vick, Dylan Vondette, CJ VonAhn, Kollin Vosler, Aaron Votaw, Boss Wade, Tyler Wadsworth, Dean Waggoner, Jenna Waguespack, Tyler Wahlert, Dylan Wahlert, Wes Wall, Kimmie Wallace, Ty Walls, Trent Wanner, Erin Ward, Andrew Ward, Reagan Waters, Tyler Watkins, Ryan Webb, Brandon Welles, Ian
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631. 632. 633. 634. 635. 636. 637. 638. 639. 640. 641. 642. 643. 644.
Wells, Phyllis Welsh, Bobby Welsh, Jill Whatley, JB Whitford, Danna Wickett, J.P. Wilde, Morgan Wiley, Chase Will, Ronnie Willert, Jeff Williams-Mariluch, Mega Williams, Chad Williams, Chase Williams, Gage
Newalla, OK Gillette, WY Parker, AZ Gardendale, TX Browning, MT Sallisaw, OK McCammon, ID Charlotte, TX Silt, CO Belvidere, SD Daingerfield, TX Stephenville, TX Stephenville, TX Foster, OK
645. 646. 647. 648. 649. 650. 651. 652. 653. 654. 655. 656. 657. 658.
Williams, Ralph Williams, Victoria Willis, Paige Willis, Tyler Wilson, Kash Wilson, TW Winters, Jean Wood, Neal Woodard, Travis Woodard, Walt Woodfin, Will Woods, Cindy Woods, Linden Woodward, Kody
Skiatook, OK Kiln, MS Goshen, AL Wheatland, WY Gooding, ID Limon, CO Texline, TX Needville, TX Stockton, CA Stephenville, TX Marshall, TX Newberg, OR Swift Current, SK Dupree, SD
659. 660. 661. 662. 663. 664. 665. 666. 667. 668. 669.
Wright, Carmel Wright, Cody Wright, Jordan Wright, Rusty Yates, J.D. Yates, Marty Yates, Trey Young, Josi Young, Sally Young, Trey Zuniga, Tommy
Roy, MT Milford, UT Oglesby, TX Milford, UT Pueblo, CO Stephenville, TX Pueblo, CO Buhl, ID Micanopy, FL Dupree, SD Centerville, TX
Sheridan WYO Rodeo | THE SHERIDAN PRESS 129
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