Author: Sarah Serrano-Smith

Do you have what it takes to be a Champ?

Well, folks, we are well into 2019 and that means a new year full of goals and plenty of opportunities! For some, it may be getting a raise or purchasing a new car; but for you Junior and High school rodeo contestants, your eye is on the prize, the finals. 

For any of you National High School Rodeo members your main priority this year is to make it to Nationals, which will be held in Rocksprings, WY. A week-long rodeo event full of some of the toughest competition and a lot of fun activities for the kids! To be a champ at the high school nationals is a title many wish they could have. But in order to make it, these next 5 months will be consisting of late night practices, long drives and a ton of dedication.

This past week I had the opportunity to sit down with Annabelle Hampton, she is an active member in both the Arizona Junior Rodeo Association and the Arizona High School Rodeo Association. Annabelle has achieved a lot of her goals some of which have been making it to Nationals several times and winning both horsemanship and the queen pageant at the 2018 NHSFR. With this being said, I asked her a series of questions relating to the amount of hard work and dedication she puts into being a competitor. Here were her responses along with each of my questions.

Roughly how much of your time do you dedicate when preparing for Nationals?

“ Getting ready for Nationals I dedicate just about all of my time to practicing and making sure we are ready before we go. I mainly focus on keeping my horses legged up and keeping them in good shape.”

What events are you hoping to compete in at Nationals? And based on your training do you believe you will place well?

“My goals for this year are to make nationals in goat tying, pole bending, and breakaway. Yes, I hope to place well,  due to my training and my improvement from this year I believe that I will place very well at Nationals.”

Do you have any tips to give to someone who may be wanting to make nationals in the future?

“ I would tell someone who is trying to make Nationals to just not give up and keep working hard because in the end it will pay off. As well as to remember that rodeo athletes have to be just as mentally and physically ready as any other athlete competing in sports… so really remember to take care of your body.”

As you can tell the National High School Rodeo Association has a big effect on their member’s rodeo careers. Although to some it may seem like just a sport, to these kids it is getting their foot in the door to become a College champion or even making it to the Finals in December. They are creating a name for themselves as well as many connections with people who can push them to become a better athlete. So do you think you have what it takes to be a champ?

For all you rodeo junkies out there who are needing that little bit of cowboy wisdom from a pro. Look no further, this past week I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Rube Woolsey, Clay Cooper O’Brien and Brock Hanson. All of whom are past and present pro rodeo competitors, I was able to ask them a few questions based on what they would say to their younger selves, as well as what advice they would give to this upcoming generation of rodeo athletes.

Here is a brief bio of each man:

Rube Woolsey, was born and raised in Dewey, Arizona where he started his career as a young athlete going to all the high school/college rodeos. When he turned 18 he was eligible for his PRCA permit and decided to hit the rodeo trail. Only 5 years into his career he qualified for the NFR (1992,93,95 & 97) as well as receiving one of his biggest wins as the 1995 BFI Champion and winning the 1993 GSTRC with Kory Koontz. Now Woolsey is currently a team roping instructor and owner of the Walking N Arena in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Clay Cooper O’Brien (aka the Champ) was raised in California until the age of 16. A few years later he got his PRCA card and became one of the best team ropers of all time! O’Brien went on to win the American, as said in the interview that it was one of his greatest wins. He is currently still on the rodeo road and enjoying his time with his family.

Brock Hanson, born and raised in Montrose, Colorado; received his PRCA permit when he was 18 years old and never looked back. At the age of 27 he qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, heading for Ryan Motes and was able to win the first round. Hanson mentions that winning the first round was a very comforting feeling knowing that he at least had one big win under his belt. Beside making it to his first NFR, another one of his most prized accomplishments was tying the world record with a 3.3 at one of the Pro Rodeos. He is currently still on the rodeo rode with his family, hoping to qualify for another year at the Wrangler NFR but this time as a heeler.

After gaining a little insight about each competitor I jumped right into asking them a series of questions relating to their careers and advice they would give to the younger ages. One of the questions asked was in relation to giving advice to their younger selves. Woolsey’s response was “ to buy more horses”. Although it was a very good response, Hanson’s was more realistic to the younger ages. He says to get an education and make school a priority, rodeo will always be there. But in the long run you should get an education you can fall back on.

 

What advice or piece of wisdom would you give to the future generation of rodeo athletes? O’Brien says that he would tell them to work hard and keep things in perspective, try to stay grounded in what important such as family and friends. Woolsey advice on this question was spot on “Gotta learn how to save your money when you’re winning for the times your not.” I think anyone who has ever entered any rodeo or jackpot can relate to this answer. Rodeo is an easy way to make a hard living. Check out the video below on how Brock prepares for a roping or a rodeo. 

Although the questions I asked were the same, each answer was unique in its own way. All three gentleman had a different story for every question but they were all linked back to one main thing and that was their love for the sport of rodeo.

Y’all better get ready for one of the most fun rodeo events of the year! La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo is quickly approaching, and trust when we say this is a great one to attend! Aside from the Pro Rodeo, there will also be a Western Market, Parade, Coors Barn Dance and everyone’s favorite event, the Jr. Rodeo and Mutton Bustin!

The Junior Rodeo and Mutton Bustin will be taking place every rodeo day and this will be one you don’t want to miss! Kids ages 5 through 12 will be living out their gold buckle dreams in the same arena as the pros. Come out and watch the next future generation of pro rodeo athletes compete in each timed event!

The week-long event will also include an educational rodeo program called REACh. Where children are educated on the sport of rodeo and the benefits it can bring to your life. Schools K-6 are encouraged to bring students out for the presentation that will promote the future of rodeo.

Every year the City of Tucson, Arizona has done an amazing job hosting the rodeo. In fact, they have been doing it for almost 100 years! Even after nearly a century, one of the largest reasons for continuing the La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo is to glamorize the western lifestyle. It makes for a great promotion for the sport of rodeo and to show just how hard those Cowboys and Cowgirls work!

So come on out and support the young cowboys and cowgirls, the Western Market and the REACh program! It will be educational and fun for children of all ages to understand the importance of our western heritage!

 

 

25th Anniversary of Cattle Days!

Want a fun day with the family that won’t break the bank? Or maybe you just want to experience good fun rodeo? Well, if you happen to be in Red Bluff California on the days of February 15th through the 16th then you may want to stop in and take a seat at the Red Bluff Jr Round-Up 25th anniversary of Cattle Days! It’s a short 2-day event filled with children of all ages competing, as well as a great venue to make coming with the whole family easy!

Red Bluff Cattle Days provides a unique experience for the younger ages to be able to compete in at least one event,  this even includes any kids with no previous rodeo experience. For example events like the Stick Horse Barrel Race, Goat Undecoarting and a Dummy Roping are all events that children 5 and under can compete in, and will not need to have any previous rodeo experience!  Just make sure to enter up no later than Friday, February 8th!

For anyone who may be wondering what other events will be taking place at Cattle Days here is a list along with the age groups who are eligible to compete. Followed below by a schedule of all events!

Events:

• Pole Bending (6 & over)
• Goat Undecoarting (5 & under)
• Stick Horse Barrel Race (5 & under)
• Dummy Roping (5 & under, 6-10)
• Mutton Bustin (5 & under)
• Goat Dogging (5 & under, 6-10)
• Calf Riding (6-10)
• Barrel Racing (6 & over)
• Single Stake (6 & over)
• 3 Man Ribbon Roping (Jackpot only! 11 & over)
• Steer Stopping (6 & over)
• Breakaway Roping (6 & over)
• Steer Daubing (6 & over)
• Sack Roping (6 & over)
• Goat Tying (6 & over)
• Chute Dogging (11 & over)
• Steer Riding (11-13)
• Hide Race (11 & over)
• Calf Roping (11 & over)
• Team Roping (6 & over)

Schedule

The Friday Night Rodeo will be starting at 6 PM and there will only be 3 events held that night.

All events are as follows…

-Pole Bending

-Barrel Racing

-Single Stake

Saturday will have an early start of 9 AM. All events other than Poles, Barrels and Single Stake will be competing.

Make sure to come out to the 25th anniversary and have a fun-filled day with the family, while cheering on the younger ages as they compete in each timed event!

 

The Junior NFR Rodeo wrapped up its second year in Las Vegas, Nevada during the week of December 6th-15th. This event took place on the second floor of the South Halls, at the Las Vegas convention center. There were ten action-packed days filled with a back number ceremony, plenty of competition, signings and a buckle ceremony. Giving these kids the true NFR competitor experience.

Each year, kids from all over the country compete in qualifying rodeos in hopes of making it to Vegas. Their goal is to either gain points or win first in the average which goes towards helping qualify them for the Jr.  NFR. The competition is fierce and you have to be the best of the best o be able to compete at the Jr. NFR in Las Vegas! As a competitor, they are competing against kids in their own age group whom may be just as good or even better themselves. Although these kids are making everlasting memories along the way, their main priority is to be the best contestant they can be and hopefully win a gold buckle.

This year’s 2018 Junior National Finals Rodeo Champions are as follows, along with their times:

Barrel Racing

• Junior: Aspen Autry (14.05,14.112,14.062)
• Senior: Kelsey Cadwell (14.304, 13.642, 14.1)

Steer Wrestling

• Open Results: Kyler Dick (5.5,5.7,4.3)

Tie Down

• 12 & under: Pecos Tatum (9.77, 11.14, 10.8, 11.15, 10.11, 9.23)
• 15 & under: Kincade Henry (9.39,9.56, 8.6, 9.03, 7.69, 8.77)
• 19 & under: Garrett Elmore (9.16,9.37,10.92,8.28,8.34)

Breakaway

• 10 & under: Bryce Ehlinger (3.6,3.31,2.76,2.77,3.67,3.69)
• 15 & under: Brighton Bauman (2.11,2.51,2.02,3.4,2.19,3.14)
• 19 & under: Morgan Sparks (2.23, 12.08, 3.1, 2.11)

Team Roping

• 17 & under #10: Caden Tinsley & Tate Thompson (7.7, 8.7, 7.21, 17.37, 8.4)
• 17 & under open: Kreece Thompson & Cole Curry (5.64,6.07,5.26)

Bull Riding

• 10-11 year olds: Ryder Carpenetti (72.0, 76.0, 68.0)
• 12-13 year olds: Clay Guiton (78.5, 71.0, 73.5)
• 14-15 year olds: Christopher Wilson (76.5, 75.0, 83.0)
• 16-18 year olds: Chris Villanueva (72.5, 86.0, 86.5)

Bareback Riding

• Senior: Kooper Heimburg (78.0, 76.0, 72.0)
• Novice: Bradlee Miller (79.0, 80.0, 87.0)
• Junior: Kash Loyd (83.0, 84.0, 86.0)
• Peewee: Hayes Weinberger (74.0, 79.0, 73.0)

Saddle Bronc

• Senior: Mason Stuller (70.0, 68.0, 53.0)
• Novice: Brandon Lansford (68.0, 75.0, 66.0)
• Junior: Braunson Sims (73.0, 77.0, 80.0)
• Peewee: Cy Webb (50.0, 75.0, 75.0)

Congratulations to all the competitors! As well as a big thank you to all their sponsors, families and friends who made it possible for these kids to compete in a sport that they are so passionate about! See you next year Jr. NFR!