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28th 101 Ranch Rodeo Scheduled
August 18-20 When the 28th edition of the 101 Ranch Rodeo gets under way in Ponca
City Aug. 18, a variety of traditional rodeo events will be featured. Some of the top cowboys on the nation's rodeo circuit will be
competing for thousands of dollars in prize money.
The cowboys and cowgirls will be competing in bareback bronc riding,
saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping
barrel racing, bull riding and steer roping.
The events always draw a good number of competitors from Oklahoma
and Texas, but there are also some top competitors from the
professional rodeo circuit. The 101 Rodeo annually gets some of the
top performers from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and
the Women's Professional Rodeo Association. Each year there are more
than 100 entries for the three-day event.
Some past performers in the 1.01 Rodeo include the world champion
team roping duo of Jake Barnes and Clay O'Brien Cooper Barnes of
Bloomfield, N.M., and Cooper, of Gilbert, Ariz., have been the top
money winners in their event the past three years.
Another past 101 visitor has been Ponca City native Jim Davis who
now resides in Bandera, Texas. Davis was the world champion steer
roper in 1985 and 1986, and he was one of the top money winners in
1987.
The PRCA will open entries for the 101 Ranch Rodeo Aug 5 with the
sign-up closing Aug. 8. Local entries will be accepted today through Friday 8-30 a m - 5
p.m., at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce. 420 East Grand
Local entries will not be taken for bull riding.
The 101 Ranch Rodeo is sanction by the PRCA and WPRA Points earned
by the cowboys in this rodeo will add to their individual
qualification totals for the National Finals Rodeo.Walter Alsbaugh of Alamosa, Colo., will again be the stock
contractor for the rodeo. He has provided livestock for the rodeo
ever since it was revived in 1960.
Dr. Charles "Bud" Townsend will be the rodeo announcer. Townsend,
of Canyon, Texas, has done the announcing chores for previous 1.01
Rodeos.
The rodeo is sponsored each year by the 101 Ranch Rodeo
Foundation
and the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Professor Turns Announcer During Rodeo Season
Diversification seems to be the motto of
rodeo announcer Dr. Charles "Bud" Townsend, the man on the
microphone at this year's 101
Ranch Rodeo.
Nine months out of the year, Townsend works as a professor of
history at West Texas State University in Canyon. But four months
out of the year the professor sets aside his studies for the life of
a rodeo announcer, where his low voice and family-oriented sense of
humor make him a favorite of the crowds.
"This will be my last rodeo this year," Townsend said. "I'll start
back again next spring." "I've had my fill of them for a while. And then in May, I'll have
had my fill of academics and I'll rodeo again."
"I started in rodeo by riding bulls in Nocona, Texas," Townsend
said.
"I have always been fascinated with people who spoke well, so I
would listen to the announcers and mimic them."
At a labor day rodeo in Ringo,
Texas in 1946, a 16-year-old Townsend was given his first chance
to prove his ability as an announcer when the regular announcer did
not show up. "They asked who would announce and someone said for Bud to get up
there. That day I didn't even get nervous," Townsend said. "That
came later." "After that, I would announce anything," Townsend said. "I would
rent a loud speaker system for $60 a
week and then sell advertisements to pay for it. I worked for free."
"I decided very quickly if I was going to announce rodeos, I was
going to be a professional."
To be a professional, Townsend paid $10 in 1948 to join the Rodeo
Cowboys Association and began announcing rodeos.
"I met a promoter who liked me and he gave me all of his shows. I
did that for 10 years."
"I didn't start back to college until I was 25,".Townsend said.
"Then I would rodeo in the summer and go to college in the winter."
Financing his education with earnings from the rodeo circuit,
Townsend earned a bachelor's degree in history at Midwestern
University in Wichita Falls, Texas; a master's degree at Baylor
University in Waco, and a doctorate at the University of Wisconsin.
Combining his love of cowboys and history, Townsend wrote the book,
"San Antonio Rose: The Life and Music of Bob Wills" which was
published in 1976. Townsend also received the 1975 Grammy Award for
his album notes to "Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys: For the Last
Time."
Townsend has 40 years of experience
announcing rodeos, having worked arenas throughout the United States.
101 Ranch Rodeo Gets Under Way On Thursday Night
Twenty-five of the top names in rodeo, beautiful queen contestants,
fast-paced barrel racing, hilarious clowns, death-de-fying
bullfighters, and specialty shows will all be part of the annual 101
Ranch Rodeo this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Ponca City.
Two world champions will headline the rodeo action.
Shaun Burchett, the 24-year-old 1987 World Steer Roping Champion
from Pryor will be throwing loops Saturday morning with eleven other
top ranked cowboys in a total field of 42 men fighting for the 101
title. Burchett finished in second place twice in the two years
prior to winning the championship in 1987.
"No one ever remembers who placed second, no matter how close you
are," Burchett said.
A veteran of five National Finals Steer Roping Competitions,
Burchett won the 1987 world title with a lead of more than $6,000
over the nearest competitor. Burchett is the only man ever to tie a
steer in less than nine seconds and he did it twice in 1987. He
recorded runs of 8.5 and 8.9 seconds.
Steve Duhon, the 25-year-old 1987 World Steer Wrestling Champion
from Opelousas, La. will be pitting his strength against the
powerful stock animals provided by Walt Alsbaugh, at Thursday
night's 8 p.m. performance. Duhon also won the championship in 1986
by totaling a record $114,535 in cash earnings.
"The first title felt better than this one," said Duhon, who gave up
a promising football career at Louisiana State University to compete
in professional rodeo. "But the National Finals Rodeo this year felt
better than last year's because I had to come from behind and prove
to myself that I could do it. I want to win a bunch of them now."
The 6'2", 240-pound strongman threw ten steers in 48.1 seconds to
win the average competition at the National Finals with a time almost eight
seconds quicker than his nearest competition.
Other
famous cowboys that will be appearing in this year's rodeo and their
national ranking last year include steer wrestlers Mike
Sanders-10 and Sam Duvall-6, steer ropers Jim D. Davis-2, Tee
Woolman-4, Bob Harris-7, Roy Angermiller-8, Phil Lyne-10, Tutt
Garnett-11, Roy Cooper-12, Arnold D. Felts-13, Dan Fisher-14, Rocky
B. Garnett-15, Saddle Bronc riders Derek C. Clark-10 and Skeeter
Thurston-15, calf ropers James R. Zant- 4, Mike L. Johnson-5, Mike
P. McLaughlin-6, Roy Cooper-11, and Jerry W. Jetton-13, team ropers
Jake Milton-8, and Guy Allfn-9, and bull riders Bobby Delvecchio-5,
and Gary D. Toole-11.
Five hometown women will be among the 14 contestants for the title
of 101 Ranch Rodeo Queen for 1988. Teresa Avery, Rita Feaster,
Angela Higgins, Shawne Marie James, and Dana Klufa from Ponca City
will compete against women from Oklahoma and Kansas. The contestants
will be judged 50 percent horsemanship, 25 percent personality,
and 25 percent poise and appearance.
The contestants will be judged on horsemanship on Friday at 6:45
p.m. in the rodeo arena at Ash and Prospect. The Queen's Luncheon
and Style Show will be Saturday at the Ponca City Country Club with
tickets available at the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce office. The
reigning queen, Kristin Martin of Ponca City, will crown her
successor Saturday night, during the final performance of the rodeo.
The winning queen will receive a barrel racing saddle, a silver
buckle, a queen's trophy, and two dozen roses. Savings bonds and
silver buckles will be presented to the first, second, third and
fourth runners-up.
Queen contestant Teresa Avery will be racing against fellow Ponca
Citian Nancy Hainzinger and 34 other young women in the fast-paced
girl's barrel racing event which will take place nightly.
Jon Taylor, better known as Chipmunk to young rodeo
attendees, will
be the professional rodeo clown performer each night of the rodeo.
Taylor was chosen for the National Finals Rodeo in 1974,1979 and
1983. His famous comedy routine includes "Snort," a fiberglass horse
Taylor uses to round-up the meanest bulls.
But when it comes to bullfighting, the man specifically chosen to
handle this year's herd is another man with a painted face, Jeff
Kobza. In 1983-84, Kobza was selected by the bull riders involved to
work the Turquoise Circuit Finals and was chosen as the Turquoise
Circuit Bullfighter of the Year. His other achievements include
winning the Cheyenne Wrangler Bullfight in 1986, and the Wrangler
Bullfight Tour in 1987-88.
In a specialty act which requires a little explanation, the
One-Arm
Bandit and Company will entertain rodeo crowds with the skill and
daring of Florida Cur Head Dogs. John Payne of Shidler grew up
working on ranches. His brief one-day experience as an electrician
left him severely injured and without much of his left hand.
Returning to ranch work, Payne began using the amazing herd dogs
which can drive cattle to the top of his customized trailer to
entertain amazed crowds with their ability.
The rodeo
will begin at 8 p.m. nightly with the first go-round of steer roping
starting at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and the steer roping
championship being given out at the rodeo's last performance
Saturday night.
Rodeo — 'Different Show' Each Night
Each performance of the 101 Ranch Rodeo, this Thursday, Fri-day and
Saturday, will be different, headlined by nationally known athletes
and exciting shows. But several of the same events are scheduled
each night.
The rodeo will begin each night with the Grand Entry. Rodeo Queen
contestants will demonstrate their riding skill and beauty each evening.
Saturday only, the 101 Rodeo Queen Contest will be held and the
winner will be crowned. The bareback bronc riding comes next each night with several
title-hungry cowboys going up against
the tough livestock provided by -Walt Alsbaugh.
The second event each night will be calf roping, with James R. Zant,
ranked 4 in last year's National Finals Rodeo, showing his skills
Thurs-day night, Mike L. Johnson, ranked 5, performing Friday night,
while Mike P. McLaughlin-6, Roy Cooper- 11, and Jerry W. Jetton-13
will do their roping and tying Saturday night. Ponca Citians Rasy
Forrest and Henry Hainzinger will be roping Friday night.
Following the second event, John Taylor, better known as Chipmunk
the Professional Rodeo Clown, a three-time National Finals Clown,
will entertain the crowd.
The third event nightly will be. saddle bronc riding with Skeeter
Thurston, ranked 15, riding Thurs-day night and Derek C. dark, ranked 10, scheduled to ride Saturday night.
Following the third event, the One Arm Bandit and Company will do a
specialty act of cattle herding by Florida Cur Head Dogs.
The fourth event, steer wrestling, will provide a special treat for
rodeo fans when Steve Duhon, the reigning world champion performs Thursday
night against tenth ranked
Mike Sanders and others, Sam Duvall, ranked 6, will perform Friday.
The fifth nightly event, team roping, will include eighth ranked
Jake Milton, Thursday and ninth ranked Guy Allen, Saturday.
Girls Barrel Racing will be the sixth nightly event with Teresa Avery
of Ponca City going Thursday night and Nancy Hainzinger of Pon-ca
City going Saturday night.
The seventh nightly event, bull riding, will be highlighted by Saturday
night's appearance of Bobby Delvecchio, ranked 5, and Gary D. Toole,
ranked 11.
An eighth event is scheduled for Saturday only, after a full day of
steer wrestling, the first go-round will go against each other for
the title. Eleven of the top 15 steer ropers in the country have
come together for this event including World Champion Shaun
Burchett, Jim D. Davis-2, Tee Woolman-4, Bob Harris-7, Roy
Angermiller-8, Phil Lyne-10, Tutt Garnett-11, Roy Cooper-12, Arnold
D. Felts-13, Dan Fisher-14 and Rocky B. Gamett-15.
Barrel Racers Are Sure Enough Tough
 Like a magical cross between a beautiful young woman and a
magnificent racing beast, the girl barrel racing team winds through
a diamond-shaped obstacle course with the speed and grace of an ice
skater.
Powerfully muscled horses from almost every breed tense before
breaking into a full-out run at the first barrel. The time starts
when the horse breaks the beginning mark.
The rider tries to encourage the horse to its top speed before
crossing the beginning mark, but must slow down the animal in order
to make the first turn as close to the barrel as possible. In the
best runs, only a hairbreadth separates the rider's leg from the
barrel as the horse makes its turns.
Coming out of the first turn the rider directs the horse across
the width of the diamond-pattern to circle the second barrel. The
horse must maintain his momentum around the first barrel, run all
out to the second barrel, and then turn around it without either
going too wide and losing time or cutting too close and knocking
down the barrel.
Going wide can cost a girl tenths of seconds in races that are
sometimes separated by hundredths of seconds, but a fallen barrel
results in a 10 second penalty and the girl is almost certainly
out of the money. The race is far from over after the second barrel, however; the
final barrel is at the most distant point of the diamond, the turn
around it is crucial, and then the most exciting stretch of the race
happens. Where skill and turning ability are important through the
barrels, the straight race from the third barrel to the stopping
point is often one of the most exciting moments in sports, when the
horse's pure speed is tested against the time clock.
Crowds cheer as the animal strains to be a fraction of a second
faster than the horse before and the girl tries to both coach the
animal and release its inborn desire to run.
"I would say the horse is 85 percent of barrel racing," Nancy
Hainzinger, 17-year-old barrel racer from Ponca City, said.
"The best rider in the world can't turn a bad horse into a good
horse."
Hainzinger's racing partner is Gray, a solid white quarter horse
with black eyes and dark skin. He stands 16.1 hands high and
weighs approximately 1400 pounds —— which Hainzinger describes as
"solid muscle with lots of
leg." Hainzinger says she has had four real good barrel horses during her
11 year career that began when she was 6. Over the years, she says
she has won seven saddles and over 100 buckles.
She was National Champion Barrel Racer for the 4-H Horseshow in 1983
and the Oklahoma Junior Rodeo Association Champion for the years
1981 through 1985. Last year, Hainzinger earned
$9,500 in three months of rodeoing and was invited to the Nation- al
High School Finals Rodeo in Pueblo, Colo.
"When you get to the stage when you have enough talent and
your horse is good, then you have to have luck," Hainzinger said.
"The hardest part is judging the distance in order to make good,
tight turns."
"I barrel race because it's fun, the people are like family, arid
it's just a part of my life," she said. "It makes you very competitive and serious about everything you do."
Nineteen-year-old barrel racer and 101 Rodeo Queen contestant
Teresa Avery races for different reasons.
"I enjoy the horses," Avery said. "It is a lot of fun and it has
excitement like any sport."
Avery began barrel racing when she was 12-years-old, but stopped for
several years to do other things.
I just started running barrels again last year, so I'm working my
way back," she said.
Avery calls her horse "Chunk." He is a sorrel gelding
quarter horse, weighing approximately 1,000 pounds and standing 14.2
hands high.
He's more cow horse than anything,'' Avery said. "He was my
first horse. He has taken me everywhere I've been. I was just lucky that he
was smart enough to pick it up."
"The hardest part of barrel racing is to keep a good horse going to
where he is consistent and winning for you."
Avery is a student at South Western State University majoring in
business. She has won approximately 15 buckles during her career and
earned approximately $1,500 last year. This year's 101 Rodeo Queen
Contest will be the first she has entered.
"A lot of people just run for queen," Avery said. "I mainly barrel
race, but I thought it would be a good experience to run for queen."
Avery will be racing at Thursday night's opening performance and
Hainzinger will be racing at Saturday night's closing performance.
101 Ranch Rodeo Under Way Today
Tonight's rodeo action at the 101 Rodeo Grounds promises a good time
as fans can look for-ward to seeing many top ranked cowboys,
including World Champion Steer Wrestler Steve Duhon.
The festivities will begin with the 101 Rodeo Parade at, 5:30 p.m.,
which forms at Union and Pine and then travels east to Seventh
Street. Floats, cowboys, and 101 Rodeo Queen contestants will all
be part of the parade.
The rodeo barbecue is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the rodeo grounds
at a cost of $3 a person. Rodeo action will begin at 8 p.m. with the grand entry.
In steer wrestling, Duhon will try to throw his animal faster than
Mike Sanders, who was ranked 10th in the world in 1987, and 12 other
strong men.
In saddle bronc riding, Skeeter Thurston, ranked 15th in 1987, will
face off against five other riders.
In team roping, Jake Milton, ranked eighth in 1987, will join Walt
Woodward in trying to Seat the clock and 10 other teams "heading and
heeling" cattle.
Local barrel racer and 101 Rodeo Queen contestant Teresa
Avery will
attempt to ride her horse "Chunk" to victory against 11 other girls
scheduled to race tonight. The 28th annual 101 Ranch
Rodeo will
continue nightly through Saturday with additional rounds of steer
roping Saturday morning at 10 a.m. and the steer roping winner
determined at Saturday night's final performance.
The Man In The Makeup
 Jon
Taylor has been the man in the makeup for 18 years, entertaining two generations of youngsters with a combination of one-liners
and classic slapstick with cowboys and livestock. With several innovations uniquely his own and a philosophy built on
experience, Taylor has been a good friend to aspiring clowns, the
entertained public, and the rodeo sport.
After rodeoing both as an amateur and a professional as a youngster,
Taylor served from 1966 until 1968 with the armed forces in Vietnam.
When he returned to the United States, Lex Conley with the Golden
State Rodeo Company asked Taylor to join his organization in
Seattle, Washington.
"I just wanted to get away and do my own thing," Taylor said. "I
helped set up the arenas and worked with the horses."
Taylor said he did not feel he had the talent to compete as a
cowboy, but he respected the rodeo clowns even though he wasn't sure
what they did.
"In 1970, at the War Bonnet Roundup in Idaho Falls, a barrel man
didn't come and I was given an opportunity," Taylor said. "Another
clown dressed me and no bull hit the barrel that night. But, to
entertain the crowd, they roped the barrel and dragged me around
the arena. "In 1974 I quit the company and went on my
own," Taylor said. "That was hard. With the company,' I was getting
paid for doing the barrel and my regular work."
"Luckily, good clowns taught me and I've had great opportunities,"
Taylor said. "Being a clown has been great for me. I love the rodeo
... The PRCA gave me an opportunity to be a member and then I had
to work for it."
Taylor was chosen to perform at
the National Finals Rodeo in 1974, 1979 and 1983. His other achievements include performing at the
Canadian Pro Rodeo Finals from 1975 to 1980 and from 1982 to 1987.
"I pick one person out in the crowd and watch them to see if they
are smiling," Taylor said. "Because if they are having a good time
so are the other people.
"I get a lot of pleasure out there in the arena," Taylor said, "but
I don't live rodeo 24 hours a day. There are other things I love
too." In addition to battling bulls from inside a
barrel and making jokes with the announcer, Taylor also puts on a
specialty act with his fiberglass horse, "Snort." The opening night show at the 101 Ranch Rodeo saw Snort face off with a
trained real horse to prove who was smarter. The battle was close,
but Snort came out as the crowd's sentimental favorite.
"The only thing I regret about rodeo is when I'll quit," Taylor
said. "I probably won't miss the rodeo, but I'll miss the
contestants and all the friends I've made in the U.S. and Canada.
Rodeo is a job."
"There are great athletes and barrel men coming up in rodeo," Taylor
said. "It takes time to learn. I appreciate when I see good talent.
If I can tell them something I've learned in 20 years of rodeoing
that can make their job easier, that's great."
"There aren't many clowns that make a living at it," Taylor said.
"When people start knowing your name, you start getting more jobs
and that's when you get a break."
"I'm 46-years-old and I thank God that He has given me the
opportunity to provide for my family by being a rodeo clown."
101 Ranch Rodeo Makes Exciting Debut Thursday
Some cowboys held tough for an eight second ride, others dusted off
their pants and looked ahead to the next arena. Some cowboys broke
barriers or missed their animals, others set times they hope will
survive two more evenings of competition and leave them winners.
This is the action of the American Rodeo, 101 Ranch Rodeo style.
Rodeo fans were not disappointed with World Steer Wrestling Champion Steve Duhon's performance. The big cowboy from Opelousas, La
"twisted down" his steer in a world-class 4.5 seconds, more than a
second faster than the number two man. Duhon has held the steer
wrestling crown for two consecutive years.
This strong-man event saw several cowboys take no time Thursday
night, but second place Joey Roberts posted a respectable 5.7
seconds and third-place Tom Duvall was in with a time of 10.4
seconds. Two more nights of competition with a total of 39
contestants in this event will test Duhon's time against cowboys who
want go home with more losing than their $50 entry fee.
Bareback
riding provided, the crowd with thrills as cowboys fought to
keep from flying to the arena floor. Winning rider Lonnie Miller received a 69 for his skill and spurring technique on "Sweetheart "
second place Mike Armes held tight to "Don's Skoal Bandit" and
received a 66, and third place was a tie between Vemon Gardner on
"Kangaroo" and Hyde Kramer on "Get Set" at 62 points each.
The time to beat in calf-roping will be 9 seconds flat set by Jake
McCoin. McCoin's roping skill, his horse's excellent training and
his speed at tying the calf set a good mark for other's to shoot
for. Second place went to Chip Porterfield with 11.2 seconds and
third place went to Rob Vickers with 11.5 seconds.
Saddle bronc rider Mike Merchant, and each of the evening's winners
received a $100 bonus from Coca-Cola. Merchant received a score of
73 for his ride on the horse, "Garfield." Second place rider Bob
Brown on "Honeysuckle" received 64 points and third place was split
between Merlon Fairbanks on "Coyote" and Don Reno on "Sergeant" with
both riders receiving 62 points for their efforts.
Five roping teams received no score in their event for missing their
in the world in 1987. But, the winning time for the evening was an
impressive 6.1 seconds set by the roping brother team of Jay Simon
and Mark Simon, followed closely by a time of 6.2 seconds set by
Jeff Medlin j and Steve Purcella. The third place team of Flynn
Farris and Mike Macy were more than a second behind the leaders with
7.8 seconds Forty-two teams will be competing in this event with a
purse of $5,500 to be divided among the winners.
Barrel racing was fast and beautiful, with five runs coming in under
17 seconds and the three winning runs being separated by only four
one-hundredths of a second. Tammie Sanders set the fastest time with
16.75 seconds. Patti Bailey was just behind her with 16.76 seconds
Sandra Ratchford finished out the top three with a time of 16.79
seconds Winning girl racers will split a $2,740 purse.
Three
bull riders held on to set the scores for the next two rounds
Stormy Rienhart stayed on a bull named "Yellow Cat" for the required
eight seconds and received a winning 72 for his efforts. David Berry
came in with a 69 riding "Yellow One" and Mike Lenning stayed on
"Mongrel" for a score of 64. Bull riding winners at the end of the
rodeo will split a total purse of $3,850.
Jeff Kobza, who was entertaining to the crowd in his clown costume
worked as an essential part of the bull riding event by getting the
best possible ride from the bulls by teasing them and by getting the
cowboys safely clear after the ride was over.
Only one injury was reported last night. Rodeo queen contestant Tami
O'Dell, 16, from Oklahoma City injured her lower back and was
transported to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center where she was
treated and released.
John Payne from Shidler entertained the crowd with his trained
horse and dog giving a demonstration of herding techniques with
several steers. The high point of the act, known as the One-Arm
Bandit & Company, was when the dog drove the steers to the top of
Payne's customized trailer, Payne rode his horse onto the trailer
with the cattle, then he got up into his saddle and waved his hat to
the crowd. The 101 Ranch Rodeo continues tonight at 8 p.m., goes on with steer
roping go-rounds beginning Saturday at 10 a.m. and ends Saturday
night with the naming of event winners and the crowning of the 101
Ranch Rodeo Queen.
Top Cowboys Named In Steer Roping Action
In a sport known for its danger and its
premise of pitting men against animals, steer roping is the one
event that many people consider to be too cruel to the animals.
In order to properly rope a steer,
the rope must catch the animal around the horns. If it drops onto
the animal's neck, the cowboy looses.
Once the mounted cowboy has lassoed the animals horns, he tries to
drop the rope to one side of the animal. When this is done, he runs
his horse at an angle to the steer to produce a sudden jarring
effect that twists the animal completely around and leaves it
dragging on its side or back behind the running horse.
The danger to the animal comes in the sudden stopping and spinning
motion that can rip out horns or break a steer's neck.
Once the animal is down, the roper must quickly tie three of
the
animal's legs before it can get up. If the steer gets up before the
cowboy can tie its legs or if the steer kicks free of the tie within
six seconds, the cowboy receives no score.
No serious injuries to either cow- boys or steers were reported
during the first two go-rounds of the steer wrestling event held at
the 101 Ranch Rodeo Arena, Saturday morning. Eleven of the top
fifteen calf ropers in the world competed in the 41 man event which
sent 10 finalists to the Saturday evening performance of the 101 Ranch Rodeo
to determine a winner.
The winner of the first go-round was Rod Hartness, who tied his steer in only 12.1 seconds. The second and third spots were shared by Phil Lyne and Roy Cooper
who both. clocked runs of 12.3 seconds. Fourth place went to Mike Thompson
for a 12.4 second run. Fifth place went to Guy
Alien who did the job in 12.7 seconds. Sixth place went to
Rusty Martin with a time of 13.1 seconds.
The winner of second
go-round was Bill Robinson with 12.2 seconds. Second place
went to Phil Lyne with 12.4 seconds. Third place went to
Roy Cooper with 12.7 seconds. Fourth place went to Mike Thompson
with 14.0 seconds. Fifth place went to Rusty Martin with 14.7
seconds and sixth place went to Jim Davis with 14.9 seconds.
To go into the finals the roper had to rope both steers. Phil Lyne
was the fastest person going into the finals with a combined time
of 24.7, he was followed by Roy Cooper with 25.0, Mike Thompson was
third with 26.4, Rusty Martin was fourth with 27.8, Jim Davis was
fifth with 28.8, J.B. Whatley was sixth with 31.7, Rocky Garnett was
seventh with 37.1, Jake McCoin was eighth with 44.7, Neil Worrell
was ninth with 45.8 seconds, and James Alien was tenth with 52.0.
Action Continues At Rodeo Grounds
The action went into the late hours of the evening for lovers of
western fun at the 101 Ranch Rodeo Friday night. After the exciting
main event action, slack calf roping and team roping filled the
arena and the 101 Ranch Rodeo Dance kept two-steppers stepping until
1 a.m.
In main event action, Jon Brockway took top honors in bareback bronc
riding for the evening when he rode "Dutchman" for an high score of
75 points. Next in line for evening honors was Nick Hudson, who
earned an impressive 72 by staying on "Three Plugs." Third on the
night was Duane Kellstadt with a 67 on "Gray Surprise."
After two nights of bareback action, the standings were Jon
Brock-way in first with 75 points, Nick Hudson in second with 72
points, Lonnie Miller in third with 69 points, Duane Kellstadt in
fourth with 67 points, Mike Armes in fifth with a 66 with Vemon
Gamer and Hyde Kramer tying for sixth with a score of 62.
Lanham Mangold took top honors for the evening in calf roping with a
low time of 10.6 seconds. Steve Flinn came in second for the evening
with a time of 11.5 seconds. James Zant came in only a
tenth-of-a-second behind the second place finisher, with an 11.6
second run. After the main events were over for the evening, slack
calf ropers Buddy Geter with 9.8 seconds and Doug dark with 10.1
seconds put themselves in the running for the calf roping prize.
After two nights of calf roping, Jake McCoin still held the first
place time with a run of only nine seconds. Buddy Geter was in
second with 9.8 seconds. Doug dark was in third with 10.1 seconds.
Lanham Mangold's 10.6 second run earned him the fourth place
position. Fifth place went to Chip Porterfield with 11.2 seconds.
Sixth place was divided between Steve Flinn and Rob Vickers with
11.5 seconds.
Contestants in saddle bronc riding saw
major shifts in position Friday night. Evening winner Butch Braden
racked up an impressive
76 point score. Second place Ron Alsbaugh wasn't far behind with a
71 score. And third place Darin Lively was only one point behind
with a 70. Thursday night's champions' scores dropped down when com-pared with
Friday night's champion's finishes, and the previously third placed
finisher dropped from the top six altogether. Butch Braden was the
new leader with his 76-point ride. Mike Merchant dropped to second
with a score of 73, Ron Alsbaugh was third with 71. Darin Lively was
fourth with 70. Buck Harris, who finished well below the top three
after a re-ride Friday night, was fifth in scoring
with a 66. Bob Brown was in sixth with 64 points.
Steer wrestler
Tommy Combs forced his steer to the ground in only 4.8 seconds to
finish first for the evening. Steve Flinn had his animal down in
only 4.9 seconds and Rex Meier twisted down his steer in 5.4
seconds.
After two night's of horn-turning action, World Steer Wrestling
Champion Steve Duhon still held the lead with 4.5 seconds. Tommy
Combs was in second with 4.8 seconds. Steve Flinn was fourth with
4.9 seconds. Rex Meier was fifth with 5.4 seconds, and Bronc Hum-
ford, who finished fourth on the evening, moved into sixth with a
time 'of 5.9 seconds. Team roping saw only three teams succeed in heading-and-healing
their animals. The team of Lex Logan and Lance Lagasse had a
respectable time of 6.7 seconds. From there times dropped immediately to 18.0 for Rod Pratt and Jason Trent and to 20.0 for the
team of Tom Brannon and Jeff Poole. After the close of the rodeo,
slack team ropers Casey Cox and Speedy Williams worked their way
into the competition with a run of 11.5 seconds.
After the second night of team roping the four teams to go after
were Jay Simon and Mark Simon with a time of 6.1 seconds, Jeff
Medlin and Steve Purcella with 6.2, Lex Logan and Lance Lagasse
with 6.7 seconds, and Flynn Farris and Mike Macy with 7.8 seconds.
Barrel racing saw even faster runs
Friday night, with Mary Beth
Durfey coming in with a winning time of 16.16 seconds. The
number-two spot went to Laurie Randle with a run of 16.60 seconds
and third place went to Gaye Moore who finished her run in 16.63
seconds.
After two nights of girls' barrel racing, the top six racers were
Mary Beth Durfey with 16.16 seconds, Laurie Randle with 16.60,-Gaye
Moore with 16.63, Eva Jones, who finished fourth Friday with 16.72,
Tammie Sanders with 16.75, and Patti Bailey with 16.76 seconds.
Bull riding saw several good cowboys landing on their pants, but
those who stayed on their animals earned impressive scores. Randy Duda won the event with a score of 70 on "Red Bird." Mark Studley
came in second with a score of 67 on "Esta Bueno." Don Gross came~
in third with a 62 on "Enchihta."
After two nights of bone-jarring action, Stormy Rienhart stayed in_
the lead with 72 points, Randy Duda came in second with 70 points,
David Berry found himself third with 69 points, Mark Studley was in
fourth with 67 points, Mike Lenning was in fifth with 64 points
and-Don Gross was in sixth position with 62 points.
Excitement continued Saturday night with another evening of rodeo
action, the naming of the rodeo winners, and the crowning of a new
rodeo queen.
Riders, Ropers Collect Cash
Some of the biggest names in rodeo, including World Steer
Wrestling Champion Steve Duhon, three-time World Saddle Bronc
Champion "Hawkeye" Monty Henson, and eight-time World Champion
Roy
Cooper, went home with cash prizes in their jeans from this
weekend's
101 Ranch Rodeo in Ponca City.
Steve Duhon received a check for over $900 for twisting down his
steer in only 4.5 seconds. Tommy Combs received $744.96 for putting
his steer down in 4.8 seconds. Third and fourth place money was
split in two checks for $512.16 between Steve Flinn and Marty
Poppino who both recorded times of 4.9 seconds. A sixth place check
for $279.36 went to
Rex Meier for a time of 5.4 seconds.
The last man in the money, Joey
Roberts, received a check for $155.20 for putting his steer down in
5.7 seconds. "Hawkeye" Monty Henson excited Saturday night's crowd with a
78 point saddle bronc ride that earned him a check for $814.80.
Second place Butch Braden came in with a 76 point ride to earn his
$611,10 check. Matt Reed received a 75 for his ride and a check for
$407.40. Mike Merchant, the last man in the payoff, received a check
for $203.70 for a 73 point ride.
Roy Cooper roped and
tied three steers in only 39.8 seconds to receive top honors in
steer roping and a check for $1,165.49. Mike Thompson was just
behind with a time of 42.1 seconds and received a check for $964.54.
Jim Davis came in third with a time of 44.5 seconds and received a check for $763.58. Rock Gamett handled his
steers in 49.9 seconds and received a check for $562.65. Rusty Marin
came in fifth with a time of 51.9 seconds and took home $361.70.
Jake McCoin was the
last man in the money, taking home $200.95 for a time of 56.9
seconds.
Calf roping honors went to Jake McCoin who
roped and tied his animal in 9.0 seconds for $1,083. Roger Davis was right on his heels with
9.1 seconds and received $896.28. Buddy Geters did his job in 9.8
seconds and received $709.85. Lyndell Walters had a 10.0 second time
and received $522.85. Doug dark received $336.10 for a 10.1 second
time. Last in the money, Larry Snyder received $186.72 for a 10.3
second time. Bull rider Gary Toole received a check for $923.44 after receiving
an amazing 83 point score on his ride. Rocky Hickman took home
$692.58 for a score of 73. Stormy Rienhart stayed on his bull for a
72 point score and received a check for $461.72. Shorty Garten was
the last man in the money with a score of 71 and a check for
$230,86. Team roping brothers Jay Simon and Mark Simon each received checks
for $759.51 after roping their steer in only 6.1 seconds. Jeff
Med-lin and Steve Purcella were only a tenth of a second behind with
6.2 seconds, but their checks dropped to $628.56. Lex Logan and
Lance Lagasse came in third with 6.7 seconds and $497.61 checks.
Flynn Farris and Mike Macy came in fourth with 7.8 seconds and
$366.66 checks. Bret Trenary and Rich Skelton were fifth with 7.9
seconds and $235.71 checks. Last in the money were Casey Cox and
Speedy Williams who headed-and-heeled their animal in 11.5 seconds
and took home checks for 130.95.
Each bareback rider
rode two animals during the rodeo and money was given based on the
combined score. Nick Hudson received a check for
$230.44 for ride scores totaling 142. Jon Brockway took
home $176.58 for 136 points. Lonnie Miller received $117.72 for 135
points. And Vernon Gardner received $58.86 for 132 points.
Barrel racing times were fast with the top ten girls
separated by
little more than six-tenths of a second. Mary Beth Durfey crossed
the finish in only 16.16 seconds for
$603.84. Lanita Powers came in with
16.24 seconds for $482.26. Cecelia
Ray had a 16.60 second run for
$406.56. Gaye Moore came in fourth with 16.63 and $330.33. Laurie
Randale had a 16.66 run and received
$203.28. Eva Jones had a 16.72 run and received $152.46. Tammie Sanders
had a 16.75 second run and received $127.05. Pattie Bailey
was eighth with a 16.76 run and $101.64.
Sandra Ratchford had a 16.78 second run and received $76.23.
Last in the money, tenth place Mandy Barnes received $50.82 for a 6.79 second run.
The bullfighter for this year's 101
Ranch Rodeo was Ted Coleman.
The man scheduled to harass the bulls into higher scores and protect
the fallen cowboys was injured in an earlier rodeo.
Rodeo clown Jon Taylor provided entertainment each night with his
own antics as well as performances by his two trained horses: Danny
Boy, a palomino and Snort, a fiberglass clown horse.
Dr. Charles "Bud" Townsend handled the announcing for the rodeo and
Walter Alsbaugh provided the stock for the event, while his wife,
Alice Alsbaugh acted as arena secretary.
Tina Jolene Bales of Sayre was crowned 1988 101 Ranch Rodeo
Queen during Saturday's performance.
The new queen is a 21-year-old senior at Southwestern Oklahoma
State University, Weatherford. |
ANNOUNCER: Dr. Charles "Bud" Townsend
