The RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, one of the biggest rodeos of the PRORODEO season and one that will have a total distribution of $500,000, will take place in Greeley, Colo., in September.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RAM NCFR, originally scheduled to take place in Kissimmee, Fla., in April, will instead move to Greeley for the 2020 season and is scheduled for Sept. 10-13.

“The RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo is one of the most significant PRORODEOS of the year,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “It was imperative we have this event, and the committee in Greeley is going to help that by stepping up to host it.”

The RAM NCFR is the most prestigious rodeo under the PRCA circuit system and will crown the circuit champions. The RAM NCFR is also one of the highest-paying events in PRORODEO. While the Greeley Stampede was canceled this season, hosting the RAM NCFR in September will have a substantial economic impact.

“The Greeley Stampede is thrilled to host the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo,” said Chad P. Sanger, Chair of the Greeley Stampede. “We will take strict precautions to offer the event as safely as possible while bringing an economic benefit to our city.”

The RAM NCFR will feature contestants from each of the 12 U.S. circuits plus Canada and Mexico, bringing more than 200 contestants to Island Grove Regional Park for five competition rounds over the four days. The event will culminate with a semifinals and finals on Sunday, Sept. 13, when the national circuit champions will be crowned.

The RAM NCFR will return to Kissimmee in 2021. It is scheduled for April 9-11 and will again be a key ingredient for cowboys shooting to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

“We were disappointed that issues related to COVID-19 prohibited Osceola County from hosting the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo this year,” Osceola County Chairwoman Viviana Janer said. “We’re glad to see the circuit finals will take place in Greeley, and plans are already in process to again host this fantastic event in 2021.”

Courtesy of prorodeo.com

On July 2, the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo Board made the difficult decision to not hold this year’s Labor Day Weekend rodeo.

2020 presented some extremely difficult challenges and the board worked tirelessly looking at all angles possible to hold the event. In the end, the board felt there was no way to host the world-class Ellensburg Rodeo safely and responsibly.

The entire board collectively spent hundreds of hours planning for the past three months and had hoped the hard work and preparation would result in the ability to have the 97th annual rodeo.

The cancellation of the rodeo includes all events that are traditional to the Labor Day weekend, including the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event, parade and concert.

Since 1923, the only other time the Ellensburg Rodeo was cancelled was from 1942-1944 due to World War II.

The board of directors determined that the requirements to keep the community and spectators safe while balancing the need to meet all requirements and directives became increasingly difficult given the changing and emerging facts. The board was working directly with the Kittitas County Health Officer, State Representatives, Kittitas County Commissioners, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce and numerous other partners prior to this decision.

“This was going to be a very special year with the Ellensburg Rodeo being inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, but the safety of our community is our priority and with the current risks associated with the COVID-19 our decision not to move forward was the right decision,” said Jerry Doolin, President of the Ellensburg Rodeo. “We also understand that this decision will financially impact our entire community, which is why we will be giving any donations we collect directly to the volunteer organizations that help us make the Labor Day experience memorable.”

Details on the refund and donation program will be announced in the coming days. We want to thank the entire community, fans, sponsors, Gold Buckle Members, Top Hands, Ellensburg Rodeo Posse, and all our dedicated volunteers who have given so much time to this historical event. Even though we will not be celebrating our 97th year in person, we will be celebrating our rich history through donations and community service.

Planning for 2021 will start immediately and we will Watch Em’ Buck again next Labor Day Weekend.

Courtesy of ProRodeo.com

Prescott Frontier Days®, Inc. presents the 133rd annual World’s Oldest Rodeo® at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. Since 1888, this traditional event has occurred annually over the 4th of July weekend with eight breath-taking performances. Here is result of June 29-July 5 please refresh if you need realtime updates!

All-around cowboy: JC Mortensen, $3,755, bareback riding and bull riding.

Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Tanner Aus, on Vold Rodeo’s Beaver Valley, and Ty Breuer, on Vold Rodeo’s Misty Frontier, 87 points, $5,854 each; 3. Jake Brown, 86.5, $3,755; 4. (tie) Logan Patterson and Zach Hibler, 86, $1,988 each; 6. (tie) Clayton Biglow and Jesse Pope, 85, $994 each; 8. (tie) Logan Corbett and Mason Clements, 83, $331 each.

Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Jacob Edler, 4.1 seconds, $2,224; 2. Taz Olson, 4.4, $1,934; 3. Jacob Talley, 4.6, $1,644; 4. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Dirk Tavenner, 4.7, $1,209 each; 6. Chance Honey, 4.8, $773; 7. Jule Hazen, 5.0, $483; 8. Stetson Jorgensen, 5.1, $193. Second round: 1. Scott Guenthner, 3.7 seconds, $2,224; 2. (tie) Tristan Martin and Gary Gilbert, 4.3, $1,789 each; 4. Riley Duvall, 4.5, $1,354; 5. Luke Branquinho, 4.6, $1,064; 6. (tie) Cade Goodman, Blake Mindemann, Justin Shaffer and Jace Melvin, 4.7, $363 each. Average: 1. Jacob Edler, 9.6 seconds on two head, $3,336; 2. Jacob Talley, 9.7, $2,901; 3. Cade Goodman, 10.2, $2,465; 4. Cade Staton, 10.5, $2,030; 5. Tyler Waguespack, 10.6, $1,595; 6. Riley Reiss, 10.7, $1,160; 7. Cody Devers, 11.0, $725; 8. Ty Erickson, 11.3, $290.

Team roping: First round: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 5.0 seconds, $2,400 each; 2. Curry Kirchner/Chad Mathes, 5.5, $2,087; 3. (tie) Erich Rogers/Paden Bray and Derrick Begay/Ty Romo, 5.6, $1,617 each; 5. Charly Crawford/Logan Medlin, 5.7, $1,148; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Cory Petska, 5.8, $835; 7. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 5.9, $522; 8. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, 6.0, $209. Second round: 1. Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 5.0 seconds, $2,400 each; 2. Levi Simpson/Shay Dixon Carroll, 5.5, $2,087; 3. Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.6, $1,774; 4. (tie) Tanner Baldwin/Nano Garza and J.D. Yates/Cullen Teller, 5.7, $1,304 each; 6. (tie) Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, Edward Hawley Jr./Myles John and Pedro Egurrola/Trevor Nowlin, 5.8, $522 each. Average: 1. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, 11.9 seconds on two head, $3,600 each; 2. Edward Hawley Jr./Myles John, 12.0, $3,130; 3. (tie) Erich Rogers/Paden Bray and Charly Crawford/Logan Medlin, 12.2, $2,426 each; 5. J.D. Yates/Cullen Teller, 12.3, $1,722; 6. Tanner Baldwin/Nano Garza, 12.6, $1,252; 7. Nelson Wyatt/Levi Lord, 13.0, $783; 8. Cody Snow/Junior Nogueira, 13.4, $313.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Wyatt Casper, 83.5 points on Vold Rodeo’s I’ma Be, $6,796; 2. (tie) Cort Scheer and Ryder Wright, 83, $4,531 each; 4. Logan Cook, 82.5, $2,492; 5. (tie) Zeke Thurston and Kade Bruno, 82, $1,359 each; 7. Jacob Lewis, 81.5, $906; 8. Tanner Butner, 81, $680.

Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Lane Livingston, 8.4 seconds, $2,513; 2. Shad Mayfield, 8.6, $2,185; 3. Seth Cooke, 8.7, $1,857; 4. Ryan Jarrett, 8.8, $1,529; 5. (tie) Cody McCartney, Kincade Henry and Marcos Costa, 8.9, $874 each; 8. Reid Zapalac, 9.0, $218. Second round: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.9 seconds, $2,513; 2. Zack Jongbloed, 8.1, $2,185; 3. Adam Gray, 8.4, $1,857; 4. Ike Fontenot, 8.9, $1,529; 5. (tie) Blake Ash and Cody Craig, 9.2, $1,038 each; 7. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Cheyenne Harper, 9.3, $382 each. Average: 1. Hunter Herrin, 17.4 seconds on two head, $3,769; 2. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Adam Gray, 17.9, $3,031 each; 4. Zack Jongbloed, 18.3, $2,294; 5. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Ike Fontenot, 18.4, $1,557 each; 7. Kincade Henry, 18.7, $819; 8. Jake Pratt, 18.8, $328.

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Wenda Johnson, 16.91 seconds, $2,818; 2. Dona Rule, 17.20, $2,415; 3. Cheyenne Wimberley, 17.32, $2,013; 4. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Fallon Taylor, 17.34, $1,543 each; 6. Megan Swint, 17.36, $1,073; 7. Jimmie Smith, 17.39, $805; 8. Ashley Castleberry, 17.45, $537; 9. Lori Todd, 17.49, $403; 10. Amber Moore, 17.52, $268. Second round: 1. Emily Miller, 17.05 seconds, $2,818; 2. Lori Todd, 17.09, $2,415; 3. Wenda Johnson, 17.20, $2,013; 4. Halyn Lide, 17.30, $1,744; 5. (tie) Amanda Butler and Tanya Jones, 17.33, $1,208 each; 7. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Cindy Smith, 17.37, $671 each; 9. Jimmie Smith, 17.38, $403; 10. (tie) Megan Swint and Jacqueline Ganter, 17.39, $134 each. Average: 1. Wenda Johnson, 34.11 seconds on two head, $2,818; 2. Lori Todd, 34.58, $2,415; 3. Shelley Morgan, 34.71, $2,013; 4. Megan Swint, 34.75, $1,744; 5. Jimmie Smith, 34.77, $1,342; 6. Fallon Taylor, 34.81, $1,073; 7. Cheyenne Wimberley, 34.95, $805; 8. Amberleigh Moore, 34.98, $537; 9. Cindy Smith, 35.06, $403; 10. Halyn Lide, 35.10, $268.

Steer roping: First round: 1. Garrett Hale, 11.2 seconds, $1,448; 2. Scott Snedecor, 11.5, $1,198; 3. J.P. Wickett, 12.1, $949; 4. (tie) Dalton Walker, Tony Reina and Chance Kelton, 12.7, $466 each. Second round: 1. Landon McClaugherty, 9.6 seconds, $1,448; 2. Trenton Johnson, 10.6, $1,198; 3. Bryce Davis, 11.6, $949; 4. (tie) Cole Patterson and Don Eddleman, 12.1, $574 each; 6. Roger Branch, 12.6, $250. Third round: 1. J. Tom Fisher, 10.7 seconds, $1,448; 2. Jess Tierney, 11.2, $1,198; 3. Billy Good, 11.7, $949; 4. (tie) Rocky Patterson and J.P. Wickett, 12.1, $574 each; 6. Ryan Willberg, 12.5, $250. Average: 1. Garrett Hale, 41.6 seconds on three head, $2,172; 2. Chet Herren, 41.9, $1,797; 3. Tuff Hardman, 43.1, $1,423; 4. Ryan Willberg, 45.2, $1,048; 5. Trenton Johnson, 46.5, $674; 6. Scott Snedecor, 46.7, $374.

Bull riding: * 1. (tie) Dallee Mason, on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Last Cigarette, and Daylon Swearingen, on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Reality Check, 84.5 points, $7,222 each; 3. (tie) JC Mortensen and Garrett Smith, 82.5, $3,869 each; 5. (tie) Zain Fitzgerald and Dustin Boquet, 82, $1,724 each; 7. Shad Winn, 79, $1,188; no other qualified rides. *(all totals include ground money).

Total payoff: $285,491. Stock contractor: Vold Rodeo. Sub-contractors: Rosser Rodeo, JK Rodeo, 4L & Diamond S Rodeo, New Star Pro Rodeo, United Pro Rodeo and Flying U Rodeo. Rodeo secretary: Mikey Jo Duggan. Officials: Clayton Macom, Allan Jordan Jr and Rocky Steagall. Timers: Mary Borgen and Michelle Corley. Announcer: Randy Corley. Specialty acts: Jennifer Nicholson, Bec Circosta, Spencer Rose, Bailey Gabel and Mark Swingler. Bullfighters: Quirt Hunt and Luke Kraut. Clown/barrelman: Mark Swingler. Flankmen: Scott Pickens, Jim Kenney, Tony Amaral and Fred Boettcher. Chute bosses: Jim Dewey Brown and Kirsten Vold. Pickup men: Ty Atchison and Dalton Ward. Photographers: Brooks Benjamin and Dale Miller. Music director: Joshua Hilton.

 

2020 PRCA | RAM World Standings – All-Around

Rank	Name	City	State	Earnings
1	Clay Smith	Broken Bow	OK	$56,318.90
2	Tuf Cooper	Decatur	TX	$51,296.27
3	Stetson Wright	Milford	UT	$29,446.23
4	Trevor Brazile	Decatur	TX	$20,977.76
5	Marcus Theriot	Poplarville	MS	$14,139.38
6	Bart Brunson	Terry	MS	$13,433.44
7	Laramie Allen	Llano	TX	$13,018.04
8	Rhen Richard	Roosevelt	UT	$12,736.85

Steer wrestler Tanner Brunner has had solid seasons the last two years, qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo both times.

However, after two 15th-place finishes in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, he’s hungry for more.

“I want to get back there (to the NFR) again and have the opportunity to run at that kind of money,” said Brunner, 27. “It’s a big stage, and you learn something every time you are there. I just hope to use everything I’ve learned when I go back.”

This season has been bizarre to say the least with rodeos stopping in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic and then restarting the third week of May.

Despite the stop and start to the season, Brunner has worked his way to eighth in the June 16 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $26,235. He moved up five spots in the latest standings, thanks to splitting wins at the Woodward (Okla.) Elks Rodeo and the Coleman (Texas) PRCA Rodeo. Both ended June 13.

Brunner had a 3.8-second run in Woodward and earned $3,266 by tying with Trell Etbauer. He stopped the clock in 3.7 seconds in Coleman and earned $1,925 after splitting the victory with Gabe Soileau.

“It was a good feeling to do that well,” Brunner said. “It was good to kick things off and get things rolling again. I wish I could go to rodeos everyday when I’m on a roll like that. I had a couple of good steers at Woodward and Coleman, and I just tried to do my job and make good runs.”

Brunner rode Miss Kitty, 13, in Coleman and Woodward. Cole Edge, riding Slick, was Brunner’s hazer during both runs.

When rodeos were on hiatus, Brunner kept busy working for his family in Ramona, Kan.

“We have a family operation, and I just tried to help out,” the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Brunner said. “I practiced a little bit, took some time off and let my horses take some time off. When things looked like they were going to get going again, I started practicing and getting my horses back in shape, but I enjoyed my time at home for sure.”

Brunner’s family has a feedlot and a farm, and his uncle has a cow-calf operation.

“I was ready to go to some rodeos,” Brunner said.

Up next for Brunner is the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, Ariz., June 29. From there he is scheduled to compete at the Oakley (Utah) Independence Day Rodeo, June 30 and the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede, July 1.

Courtesy of ProRodeo.com

It’s good to be back rodeoing again – especially for Cort Scheer.

The veteran saddle bronc rider and six-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2010, 2012-15 and 2018) was recovering from a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his left knee the past five months.

Scheer was injured Dec. 31 at the New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball in Gillette, Wyo., following his ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Rich N Fancy.

“The horse kind of reared around the post there and kind of rubbed me off on the post and I tore my knee up a little bit,” said Scheer, 34. “That injury was just a fluke deal. That’s an awesome horse who has been to the NFR a bunch of times. I dang sure would be excited to draw her again.”

Scheer, after consulting with his doctor, opted not to have surgery.

“I talked to my doctor who replaced my other knee, and he told me that the best option would be just to give my (left knee) a break because surgery would only be 70% successful,” Scheer said. “So, I just gave it five months and my knee feels great.

“I wore a (knee) brace for three months. The fourth month I took it off and did therapy, and I returned to riding in the fifth month. My therapy was more or less working. I built a horse barn, and I was riding some team roping horses. To me, riding a horse is good therapy because it works your upper body and lower body.”

The rodeo hiatus from mid-March to the third week of May because of the COVID-19 pandemic played into Scheer’s favor.

“I hate that there were no rodeos, but it dang-sure helped me and let me heal up,” Scheer said.

Scheer’s first PRCA rodeo back after his injury was the Woodward (Okla.) Elks Rodeo, June 10. He had a 77-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Flying Solo.

Scheer is up again at the Jordan (Mont.) Match Xtreme Bronc Ride, June 21. He then will go to the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, Ariz., June 30.

“I feel great,” Scheer said. “I have been running around and I have been chomping at the bit the last month wanting to roll. I was skeptical to see how I would do, but it took me longer to wipe the mold off my chaps than it did to feel good about riding broncs again, so I was happy.”

A year ago, Scheer finished 19th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $72,813. Scheer finished a career-best second in the 2014 world standings.

“My plan is to get back to the NFR,” he said. “I’m going to give it my best and hope for the best.”

Courtesy of ProRodeo.com

The “World’s Oldest Rodeo” can take place as scheduled this summer despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

“The cowboys and the bulls can get ready,” Gov. Doug Ducey said Thursday.

But the governor said he’s not prepared to say just yet whether there will be anyone in the stands to watch the competitors.

“There will be more to follow on that,” Ducey said in response to questions of exactly what the event will look like for what is scheduled to be its 133rd annual performance starting on the evening of June 29.

“You’re talking about light years away in the world that we’re living in and the change that we’ve seen in the state of Arizona week to week,” Ducey said.

J.C. Trujillo, the general manager of Prescott Frontier Days, told Capitol Media Services he’s planning for an audience, albeit one much smaller than normal. And that, he said, will mean the organization will be taking in less money.

Trujillo acknowledged that the final decision on who gets to watch the event live ultimately may not be his, what with whatever restrictions the state imposes on crowds. But even if there’s no one to watch, he said it will go on.

The issue, he said, is maintaining the event’s status.

“For 132 years here in Prescott, over a hundred of years we’ve been at the same rodeo grounds, we’ve had a rodeo,” Trujillo explained.

“So if we have to have a rodeo without spectators … we’ve got to have a rodeo to keep our status as the world’s oldest rodeo,” he said. “It’s very, very important, not just for the reputation of the rodeo but the reputation that Prescott holds here and the community of Yavapai County.”

Aside from being “a way of life,” Trujillo said the event has become one of the Top 30 rodeos in the country as measured by dollars.

And many of those dollars – Trujillo said between $300,000 and $400,000 – come from people attending the eight events over seven days starting on the evening of June 29.

The question of what will happen in Prescott this summer is not an idle one.

On Thursday, city and state officials in Cheyenne, Wyo. announced that Frontier Days there was being canceled due to the pandemic, The Associated Press said this is the first time that the event, billed as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, has been called off in its 124-year history.

Ducey’s go-ahead means the Prescott event won’t face the same fate. But Trujillo said even if the governor allows spectators, it won’t be the same as in prior years.

For example, he said, there usually are “skyboxes” that seat 400 people in covered stadium-type seats.

“But this year, with the virus and everything going, I canceled that order,” Trujillo said.

All that has financial implications.

“That’s 400 high-dollar tickets that we are going to do without,” he said.

The grandstands also will be different, Trujillo said.

Rather than assigning specific seats, ticket holders will be entitled to sit in designated sections.

“And we’re only going to sell about 60% of that section,” he said, allowing groups that come together to sit together but providing sufficient space between them to meet any social distancing requirements.

At the same time, Trujillo said his organization does not charge entry fees for the participants.

“In fact, we add $125,000 to the pot in prize money,” he said.

Trujillo said he is counting on national and local sponsors to stay with the organization.

And there’s something else: Trujillo said The Cowboy Channel will televise all eight performances, though he did not discuss what financial arrangements are being made for that.

Finally, Trujillo said there have been record-breaking crowds at Frontier Days for the past few years.

“Luckily, we have been able to put some money aside for a rainy day – or a virus day,” he said. “And that’s exactly what has happened here.”

Courtesy of Kingman Daily Miner | Kingman, AZ

The Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo 2020 will go on as planned from Monday, June 29, through Sunday, July 5, but the look and feel from the stands will be much different.

With the COVID-19 threat still hanging over Arizona, rodeo general manager J.C. Trujillo said he is limiting the seating capacity to 25% at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds, 840 Rodeo Drive. Gov. Doug Ducey reached the agreement with the City of Prescott.

“That was the important thing for me,” added Trujillo regarding being able to put on a rodeo in 2020. “For 132 years we’ve continuously kept this rodeo going – the ‘World’s Oldest Rodeo.’ We couldn’t let anything change that, even if we had no audience. But we’re lucky.”

As a result, social-distancing guidelines will be required at each of the 133rd annual rodeo’s eight performances, which include 7:30 p.m. June 29 and 30; 7:30 p.m. July 1, 2 and 3; 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. July 4; and 1:30 p.m. July 5. The July 3 and 4 performances are sold out, but tickets remain for most of the other performances, Trujillo said.

Trujillo added that the grandstand will be divided into separate reserved sections so that the number of spectators in each section can be limited. This will allow fans to sit comfortably, albeit socially-distanced, at a complex that under normal circumstances seats upwards of 5,000 people.

In addition, the rodeo grounds’ skybox, which seats about 400 people on the east side, will be closed.

“That way we can spread out the vendors more, and have more social distancing,” Trujillo said.

BEHIND THE SCENES

During each performance, rodeo staffers have been asked to wear face coverings, although spectators may make their own decisions, Trujillo said. Hand sanitizers and signage will line the grounds. After each performance, the grandstand will be sanitized.

For fans who can’t watch rodeo in-person, each performance will be televised on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Channel Plus. Trujillo said you can buy a viewing package for $9.99 (per month) for watching on your TV or streaming device.

For more information, call 402-991-6290 or visit: thecowboychannel.com or cowboychannelplus.com.

Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo officials say that they have been working with Yavapai County Community Health Services, the City of Prescott, and Ducey’s office to set the new safety guidelines for the rodeo.

Ducey’s office was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday.

Trujillo said the rodeo’s agreement for 25% capacity was primarily made with Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli. Mengarelli credited the Frontier Days Rodeo committee and its president, Chris Graff, for their efforts.

“They worked very closely with the Yavapai County health department and the PRCA [Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association] to find out what they needed to do to conduct a rodeo safely,” Mengarelli said. “… I have been communicating with the governor’s office.”

SHOW MUST GO ON

The traditional events in each of the performances at the “World’s Oldest Rodeo,” established in 1888, remain in 2020. Those events include professional steer wrestling, bareback riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, women’s barrel racing, and bull riding.

Scheduled specialty acts include the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls, Broken Spoke Clydesdales, and barrelman Mark Swingler. Quirt Hunt and Luke Kraut are the bullfighters. Longtime announcer and ProRodeo Hall of Famer Randy Corley and stock contractor Kirsten Vold of the Vold Rodeo Company also return.

Due to the coronavirus, several PRCA rodeos have either been postponed or canceled this year. As a result, Prescott Frontier Days reached its capacity for contestants. Only the cowpunchers bronc riding was canceled.

“The rodeo has a longstanding heritage of 133 years,” said Mengarelli, adding that the rodeo represents American freedom. “It’s very important to Prescott and Yavapai County.”

Courtesy of The Daily Courier | Prescott, AZ

The first ProRodeo competition since the COVID-19 hiatus began two months ago gives extra cause for celebration at the Cave Creek (Ariz.) Rodeo Days.

Fans will not be allowed to watch Cave Creek rodeo in person, but the action will be broadcast live on The Cowboy Channel May 22-24 at 10:30 p.m. (ET) with repeat airings at 1:30 a.m. (ET).

This central-Arizona rodeo may not be the biggest, but it has a history of attracting some of the biggest names in ProRodeo in recent years and helping some qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Bareback rider Luke Creasy won Cave Creek in 2016 with 84.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Restless Heart. That year, the Canadian cowboy won the RAM Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo. He’s also won nearly $500,000 in ProRodeo competition.

Steer wrestler Dirk Tavenner won Cave Creek’s steer wrestling in 2017 with a 4.2-second run. Although he hasn’t qualified for the NFR yet, 2020 could be his year with him 12th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

In 2019, steer wrestler Luke Branquinho won Cave Creek with a 4.4-second run. The California cowboy is a five-time world champion (2004, 2008, 2011-12, 2014) with 14 NFR qualifications (2001-04, 2006-15).

Team ropers Tom Richards and Nick Sarchett won Cave Creek in 2019 with a 4.7-second run. Richards is a two-time NFR qualifier (2014, 2017).

Ryder Wright won Cave Creek’s saddle bronc riding in 2016 and 2018, first with an 81.5-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Night Watch and then with an 80-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Fire Bomb. Wright won the 2016 PRCA | Resistol Rookie of the Year title and has qualified for every NFR since, adding a world title in 2017.

In 2019, Wright’s uncle CoBurn Bradshaw won Cave Creek’s saddle bronc riding with an 83-point ride on The Cervi Brothers’ Wyatt Earp. Bradshaw has won more than $1 million in ProRodeo competition, thanks in part to four trips to the NFR (2015-18).

Tie-down roper Westyn Hughes won Cave Creek in 2017 with an 8.8-second run. The 2016 tie-down roping rookie of the year nearly made his NFR debut that year, finishing 20th in the world standings. The Texas cowboy is 14th in the world standings, thanks to winning La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz., earlier this season.

Steer roper Chris Glover won Cave Creek in 2019 with 36.4 seconds on three head. The Colorado roper is a three-time qualifier for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping (2016, 2018-19) and the 2017 National Circuit Finals Steer Roping champion.

Bull rider Boudreaux Campbell won the 2017 Cave Creek rodeo with an 87-point ride on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Generation Wild. That win helped Campbell win the 2017 rookie title, and he’s competed at every NFR since.

Fans can expect to see great things unfold in the arena for the 2020 Cave Creek rodeo, possibly even a glimpse at future Wrangler NFR contenders.

Courtesy of ProRodeo.com

The Cowboy Channel is thrilled to air live coverage Cave Creek Rodeo Days – the first PRCA rodeo to be broadcast since the coronavirus pandemic shuttered all live sporting events.

Starting May 22 and running through May 24 at 10:30 p.m. (ET) each night from Cave Creek, Arizona and hosted by Justin McKee, the rodeo will feature a lineup of A-list athletes competing in traditional rodeo events. Each rodeo performance will repeat the following day on The Cowboy Channel at 8 p.m. ET.

“We are very excited to ‘Kick Open the Chutes’ and get live PRCA PRORODEO back on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Channel Plus App!” said Jeff Medders, President and General Manager of The Cowboy Channel. “Summer is so important to everyone involved in ProRodeo … cowboys, fans and communities.”

Steer ropers ready to ride at Cave Creek

To keep their fans and rodeo participants safe, Cave Creek Rodeo and the PRCA has laid out a series of ground rules for competitors, volunteers and the community. This year’s rodeo will feature no spectators. All rodeo contestants and personnel will undergo health screenings, wear masks and practice physical distancing. The Cowboy Channel is pleased that Cave Creek has put these practices in place in order to ensure the safety of all participants and helpers and to continue bringing exciting rodeo events to fans everywhere.

“It’s great to have PRORODEO back,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “Cave Creek and the PRCA have taken significant precautions in partnership with local and state officials to make the rodeo safe for everyone involved, from the competitors to the contract personnel and production personnel on site from The Cowboy Channel. This is just the beginning. Over the next several weeks we’re going to be rolling into that new sense of normalcy to bring PRORODEO back to the fans, members and communities.”

The Cowboy Channel recently launched ‘The PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App’ for viewers who do not have The Cowboy Channel. Fans can stream the live action of Cave Creek Rodeo Days via the mobile app (available on Android and iOS), as well as any browser, smart TV or device, for just $9.99/month.

This year’s Cave Creek Rodeo Days will bring a stellar lineup of talent to compete at the big rodeo in the small town. Four-time PRCA World Champion Tuf Cooper and 19-year-old superstar Shad Mayfield step into the arena for multiple events, including tie-down roping and team roping. The competition will also feature bareback riders Clayton Biglow and Richmond Champion and bull riders Boudreaux Campbell and Stetson Wright. Meanwhile, Sunday’s event will look like a Wright Family Reunion, with a number of Wright family members entered in both the saddle bronc riding and bull riding.

With a record number of entries for each event, this year’s Cave Creek Rodeo Days is expected to be the biggest yet. As a channel that’s devoted to airing the best in Western sports and Western lifestyle programming, The Cowboy Channel is excited to bring this event to fans who have been craving live PRCA rodeo action during the coronavirus shutdown.

To learn more about The Cowboy Channel, visit thecowboychannel.com. or visit ProRodeo.com.