Ponca City's 101 Wild West Rodeo Expanded For Extra Night

The 101 Wild West Rodeo has gone wild all right. The rodeo itself has been expanded to an extra night. There will be an extra event involving bullfighters. The famous "One Armed Bandit" will return.

That's the official word from the Ponca City Rodeo Foundation. And, local entries will be accepted starting Aug. 6 at9 a.m., until noon Monday. Word has it, too, that local entries will pay only the same amount in each event as Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) card holders, but will be limited to the first  40 entries.

The rodeo will run Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 18-21. Performances of the 101 Wild West Rodeo will be at 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, and 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

The new event will be the Wrangler Bullfight competition sponsored locally by McVay's Outfitters. Three bullfighters will compete for points on Thursday and Saturday night.

The competition pits a bullfighter and bull, one on one. Each bullfighter gets a minimum of 40 seconds and a maximum of 70 seconds, with the meanest, rankest bulls of the rodeo stock. Judges combine a score for the bullfighter, and the bull. Competing in the Wrangler Bullfights will be Tommy Hare, Mike Johnson and Kevin Rich.

And rodeo fans here will again get to see one of the top specialty acts in the rodeo business, John Payne of Shidler, as the "One Armed Bandit." Payne started his career at the 101 Ranch Rodeo in 1987, and has since then been named PRCA specialty act of the year three years running.

The Rumford Rodeo Company of Abbyville, Kan., will be returning for the third year as the stock contractor.

Dinners will be served before every night of the rodeo. They will be available for sale beginning at 6 p.m., in the northwest corner of the rodeo grounds. Organizations serving are Kids Inc., on Wednesday; Camp Fire, Thursday; Ponca Tribe, Friday and Head Country, Saturday.

There will be a 101 Wild West Rodeo parade on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m. The parade will assemble at Oak Street and West Grand Avenue, move east on Grand Avenue to Seventh Street. Anyone interested in participating in the rodeo parade should call John Heinze, 765-6126 in the evenings, or 362-2565 during the day.

Adult tickets are $7.50 at the gate Wednesday through Friday, and $8.50 for Saturday. Advance tickets for adults are $6 Wednesday through Friday, $7 for Saturday. Advance tickets are available at the Ponca City banks and financial institutions and all grocery stores. Tickets are also available at McVay's and the Chamber of Commerce office. Tickets for children 12 and under are $3, and 6 and under get in free. Wednesday and Thursday nights of the rodeo have been declared "family night," and all children 12 and under will be admitted free.

A rodeo dance will get under way at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The music of Brent Self and Tumbleweed will be featured. The dance will be held in the northwest corner of the rodeo grounds, and tickets of $5 each will be available at the gate.

Parade Marshal Selected For Rodeo Parade
R.L. "Dick" Horton has been selected to be the parade marshal for the 34th annual 101 Wild West Rodeo parade, scheduled for Aug. 21 at 2 p.m.

Horton, known as "Dick" by his many friends, and "Grandpa Dick" by youngsters, is a longtime supporter of the 101 Wild West Rodeo, formerly the 101 Ranch Rodeo. "He has volunteered his services every year," according to Johnny Heinze, parade chairman. When asked to be the parade marshal, he said "I would consider it an honor to do that."

Horton is a member of the First Baptist Church, Ponca City Ambucs, and other civic organizations. "He has been a pillar in the community for many years," Heinze said.

Heinze said Horton's horse is named "Preacher," and rightfully so. The former owner of "Preacher" is the Rev. Stephen Earle, pastor of the First Baptist Church.

Anyone interested in being in the parade may call Heinze at 362-2565 or 765-6126. No formal application is necessary to enter. Participants are asked to furnish their own signs.

Heinze said that Dewey Kelly's Wagon Train and Trail Riders were scheduled to come through Ponca City at 1:30 p.m., today.

Third Name For The 101 West Rodeo

Most people in the area are aware that Ponca City is near the site of the once famous 101 Ranch. A drive on Oklahoma 156, recently dedicated as "101 Ranch Memorial Road" south to Marland off U.S. 60 will bring you right to the scene. It is located about five miles south of U.S. 60 just north of the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River. But there's not much left of the original stately buildings left on the grounds.

Few may realize that the 101 Ranch name was part of an early day rodeo but it hasn't been held here forever. The 101 Ranch Rodeo officially began in Ponca City as part of the Cherokee Strip Celebration of 1960, and was known as the Cherokee Strip Rodeo for the first two years.

Once again, it's rodeo time, and the 33rd 101 Ranch Rodeo will be in Ponca City for a four-night stand, beginning Aug. 18. Because of the recent success, the rodeo this year will be a four-night affair, with starting times being 7 p.m. for Wednesday and Thursday, and 8 p.m. for Friday and Saturday. That's slightly unusual too, with it being held during the first week of school when it had been held the week before school starts. But this is 1993, and rodeo week just came about a week later than usual.

Back in late 1959, a rodeo committee, part of the Agriculture Committee of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, began planning for the first event. Their efforts resulted in a first-class RCA approved rodeo which became part of the nationwide rodeo circuit.

Scott Hancock chaired that committee, and went on to head the Ponca City Rodeo Foundation, formed in late 1960 by the Chamber of Commerce to continue the Popular rodeo in future years.

No one had anticipated how highly successful that first rodeo would be. Thanks to successful promotion techniques, organization, and early ticket sales (including sales by the six rodeo queen contestants), an estimated 25,000 persons attended four performances over the Cherokee Strip Celebration weekend in September.

Originally, two evening and one afternoon performances were slated, but a fourth performance was added due to public demand. A capacity crowd witnessed that fourth performance, in which 77 individuals participated in events which included bareback bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and bull riding.

The rodeo was held in a field north of what was then the Agriculture Building on West Hartford (east of the current Park Department building). A junior baseball diamond which was located in the field at that time was relocated near the Tracy W. Young Army Reserve Center, 805 West Hartford. Bleachers to seat 5,000 were constructed in the fenced area, which measured 200 by 300 feet.

Jim Garner, then of "Maverick" fame, was scheduled to attend evening performances of the rodeo on Sept. 16 and 17, and to serve as parade marshal for the Cherokee Strip Parade on Sept. 17.

Walter Alsbaugh of Alamoso, Colo., was producer for that first rodeo,  providing 275 head of quality stock for the many varied events. Alsbaugh had since produced all of the 101 Ranch Rodeos, until the Rumford Rodeo Company of Abbyvine, Kan., took over that job in 1991.

Other sponsors include Coca Cola, Coors, and Copenhagen/Skoal.

Queens for the rodeo were Miss Bessie Cales and Miss Carole Muchmore. Queen selection was based 50 percent upon the number of tickets sold to the event. Queen hostess was Mrs. Ann Corzine, and Connie Corzine was queen mascot. The title of rodeo queen has always been coveted by area horsewomen.

According to newspaper reports of the event, the top winner in the grand finals rodeo was Bob Wegner, who received $103.20 for placing first in bull riding competition. Several all around cowboys were named including Zeke Henry, who earned $356.30 over the course of the rodeo weekend; Merle Davis (of Ponca City), who garnered $257.72; and Bob Williams, whose winning totaled $180.31.

The following year, a new rodeo site was selected - 11 1/2 acres owned by the city just east of Darr School at the intersection of West Prospect and the extension of North Ash (present location). Permanent bleachers to seat 8,000 were installed on the rodeo grounds in 1962.

In 1961, the rodeo was known as the Ponca City Cherokee Strip RCA World Championship Rodeo.

Top money that year went to Duane Hennigh of Laverne, who earned a total of $611.59 competing in bareback riding, bulldogging (steer wrestling) and bull riding. Second place was taken by Albert Rose of Kim, Colo., who received $409.07 for his efforts in saddle bronc riding and bulldogging.

The celebrity of note for the three-day event was George "Gabby" Hayes, the western comedy actor, who entertained at all three performances of the rodeo. A crowd of 6,000 was in attendance at the final performance.

Another featured attraction at the rodeo was the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Posse, which performed on horseback during the weekend. Queen for the 1961 rodeo was Miss Priscilla Ann Wilson of Ponca City, selected from six area candidates.

In 1962, the Rodeo officially became known as the 101 Ranch Rodeo, after the grandchildren of the 101 Ranch founder, Col. George W. Miller, agreed to allow the use of the Ranch name. The Rodeo was also granted permission to use the insignia which is symbolic of the once famous 101 Ranch. The ranch was located nine miles southwest of Ponca City, on the Salt Fork River.

Guest star for the first official 101 Ranch Rodeo was Pernell Roberts, then playing Adam Cartwright on the popular, top-rated television show, "Bonanza." Roberts was in attendance at all three performances, and also rode in the traditional rodeo parade.

A feature article in The News noted that besides the name 101 Ranch Rodeo, another connection existed between this rodeo and the ranch. The old ticket office, used for performances of the enormous 101 Ranch Wild West Show, was being moved to the rodeo site where it would be used as an information center. As far as anyone could determine, the ticket office was built in 1924 when the site of the 101 Ranch Rodeo/Wild West Show was relocated to a field north of the Salt Fork River and east of Oklahoma 156. Water marks on both the interior and exterior of the building indicated that the Salt Fork River had crept into the building more than once at its original location.

In addition to the bleachers which were constructed in 1962 to accommodate 8,000, box seats were also added to accommodate several hundred more spectators.

Specialty Act Will Feature Shidler Man

"The One Armed Bandit," John Payne, of Shidler will be the featured specialty act all four nights of the 101 Wild West Rodeo.

Payne started his career at the 101 arena, and has since been named PRCA specialty act of the year, three years running.

Payne lost his arm, and nearly his life, in an accident in 1973. He was in Kaw City at the time, working on some property, when he came in contact with a live wire that surged through him. He ended up on the ground with several injuries, dead, and then given CPR to get new life. But the accident cost him his right arm.

Payne recovered and went to work training horses and dogs and caring for cattle. He became interested in rodeo at Ponca City, watching the 101 Ranch Rodeo and an act that he thought was bland. He was challenged by .stock contractor Walt Alsbaugh at that time, to do something better.

Payne dreamed up an act, using the Black Mouth Cur dogs, a breed that ferrets out cattle from thick brush by going to the heads of the outlaw animals, and a horse. The specialty act will likely have some people gasping, for it's a feat that probably couldn't be done normally, let alone a rider with but one arm I and the other tucked into his belt.

A plate on the front of Payne's truck reads "ToaBac." It stands for "The One Armed Bandit and Co." He says he owes a lot to his wife, Judy. And, to his son Lynn and daughter Amanda, who both sweated in the hot Oklahoma sun helping with getting the act together.

New Event At 101 Wild West Rodeo

Three of the top ten 1992 Wrangler bullfighters will be appearing at the 101 Wild West Rodeo in competition for a shot at the 1993 title.

The event is new to the 101 arena, and the trio will compete for points Thursday and Saturday night, of the four-night rodeo. Competition pits a bullfighter and bull, one on one. Each bullfighter gets a minimum of 40 seconds and a maximum of 70 seconds with the meanest, rankest bulls of the Rumford Rodeo Company - stock contractors for the rodeo. Judges combine a score for the bullfighter, and the bull.

Competing this year will be Tommy Hare of Moore Haven, Fla., a 22-year-old, who finished 7th in the 1992 Wrangler Bullfight tour. He's 5-foot-10 and weighs 165-pounds, and went to Lake City, Fla., Community College. A rancher, Hare notes special interests as enjoying all sports and cattle, and received his PRCA membership in 1991 getting to the Sierra Circuit finals in 1992.

Michael Johnson is another 101 Wild West Rodeo competitor in the bullfight, and the Poplar Bluff, Mo., stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 170 pounds. Johnson, 29, went to college at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, University of Tennessee and Southwest Missouri State University, where he obtained an agricultural business degree.

Johnson is single and got his PRCA membership in 1987. He finished 9th a year ago on the 1992 Wrangler Bullfight Tour, likes raising bulls and all sports.

Kevin Rich, who has been to  the 101 Wild West Rodeo, is another competitor for the bullfight title. Rich is from Windsor, Colo., and was born in Bucklin, Kan., May 16, 1966. The former Fort Hays State University student, got his bachelor's degree in agricultural business from Colorado State University.

Rich has a tack and western store, and likes to compete in golf, basketball and like any bullrider or bullfighter, all consider themselves as gamblers. Rich finished 10th in the 1992 Wrangler Bullfight Tour and got his PRCA membership in 1988.

101 Wild West Rodeo Spiced With 15 Area Entrants This Season

A number of area entrants for the 101 Wild West Rodeo will spice the performances this week since there are four teams entered in the team roping event alone. Action in the rodeo begins at 7 p.m., Wednesday and continues for three more nights.

Performances in the 101 Wild West Rodeo will also be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, and at 8 p.m., on Friday and Saturday, at the 101 Ranch Rodeo arena located in an area between Darr Industrial Road and Prospect Avenue, west of North Ash Street.

Terri Buell, rodeo secretary, said that there were a total of 15 local entries, including the four teams in the team roping event. Team ropers will be Rick Barnthouse and Dick Campbell, Keith Hobaugh and Barry Kincaid, Keith Lane, and Mark Freeman, and Robb Taylor, and Jeff Swan.

Besides those eight participating in the team roping, there are three area participants in the calf roping event, including Kelly Casebolt, Jeff Todd and Jerome Schneeberger.

Glenn Pappan is entered in the steer wrestling event, Gene Goleman in the saddle bronc event, and two gals are in the barrel racing event, Carrie Feaster and Alicia Burns. Buell explained that local entries are those that are from an area within a 25-mile radius of Ponca City.

A new event for the rodeo will be the Wrangler bullfight competition, sponsored locally by McVay's Outfitters. Three bullfighters will compete for points Thursday and Saturday night. The competition pits a bullfighter and bull, one on one. Each bullfighter gets a minimum of 40 seconds and a maximum of 70 seconds with the meanest, rankest bulls of the stock contractor, the Rumford Rodeo Company, Abbyville, Kan.

Judges combine a score for the bullfighter, and the bull. Entrants for the event include Tommy Hare, Mike Johnson, and Kevin Rich.

All four nights of the rodeo will feature John Payne, "The One Armed Bandit." Payne is from Shidler, Okla., and began his showman career in the Ponca City rodeo. He has since been named PRCA specialty act of the year three years running.

There are six 1993 101 Wild West Rodeo. queen contestants. All contestants are expected to ride in Saturday's 2 p.m., rodeo parade. Crowning of the 101 Wild West Rodeo queen this year, will be prior to the Saturday rodeo performances, at approximately 7:30 p.m., according to Terry Ward, queen committee chairperson.

Queen contestants include Holly Williams, 23-year-old daughter of Les and Molly Williams, Oklahoma City; Sherri Lynn Ware, 22-year-old daughter of Ony and Barbara Ware of Clinton, Ark.; Amanda Warner, 17-year-old daughter of Leon and Donna Warner of Sapulpa; Robin Bailey, 17-year-old daughter of Robert and Maxine Bailey, Ponca City; Tina Jan Seely, 19-year-old daughter of Dub and Judy Seely of Sallisaw; and Stacie Crouch, 17year-old daughter of Mike and Joyce Crouch, Ponca City.

101 Wild West Rodeo Under Way Wednesday

Some of the top cowboys in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will be here for the largest rodeo ever when the 101 Wild West Rodeo begins Wednesday night at the 101 Ranch Arena grounds, located west of North Ash Street between Darr Industrial Road and Prospect Avenue.

"The purse for this year's rodeo comes out to $67,750, the most ever paid for the cowboys and cowgirls," said Carey Head of the 101 Rodeo Foundation.

The four-day rodeo will include two-day averages for all those in the roping or timed events except for barrel racing. That will include calf roping, steer wrestling, steer roping, and team roping.

As a result the entry list for the rodeo is quite lengthy, and will involve additional stock from the Rumford Rodeo Family, the stock contractors putting on the rodeo.

The rodeo begins in earnest at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The performances for the first two nights will be at 7 p.m., and then at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. A special event set for approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday, will be the crowning of the 1993 queen.

Defending all-around cowboy champion, Ty Murray, of Stephenville, Texas, is an entrant in the 101 Wild West Rodeo. He has entered in all three riding events, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. Murray currently stands well up on the unofficial listing of the PRCA in 1993, with $122,620 as of July 20. Murray also is on top of the bull riding by $25,000, is fourth in bareback riding and 13th in saddle bronc riding.

But Murray will be hard-pressed in Ponca City at the 101 Wild West Rodeo. He'll have tough competition from as many as seven others in the top 15 of the all-around cowboy money winners.

The entry list includes a total of 43 barrel racers, 63 in steer wrestling, 49 in calf roping, 32 in team roping, 56 in steer roping, 41 in saddle bronc riding, 26 in bareback bronc riding and 60 in bull riding.

Some big names in rodeo jump right out at you in mentioning Ote Berry, Roy Duvall, Sam Duvall, Joel Edmondson and Bobby Harris in the steer wrestling event alone. Berry of Checotah is No.3 with $39,607 and that's less than $10,000 behind the leader.

Tuff Hedeman, of Bowie, Texas, is heading to Ponca City to compete on the bulls. He's right behind Murray in that event. And Cody Lambert, Henrietta, Texas, the No.5 presently on the bull riding lists, is also expected to be here.

And Tee Woolman of Llano, Texas, has set his sights on the steer roping event in Ponca City, presently leading last year's champion Guy Allen of Vinita, by slightly more than $4,000.

Another 1992 National Finals Rodeo champion, along with Murray, Billy Etbauer of Ree Heights, S.D., is expected for the saddle bronc riding event in Ponca City. He's currently listed as No. 15, and at least three others, Murray, brother Dan Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., as No.6 and Craig Latham, Texhoma, Texas, as No.2 are entrants.

Rodeo Activities Begin Tonight

With a whoop, and a holler, the expanded 1993 101 Wild West Rodeo is set to begin tonight at 7 o'clock. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event is set for four nights, and after tonight, will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday and at 8 p.m., both Friday and Saturday.

Pre-arena festivities will be held.

There are pre-rodeo dinners set for each night, starting at 6 p.m., featuring food services from four different sources. Tonight's pre-rodeo dinner will be done by the sponsors of Kids Inc., while on Thursday it will be the Camp Fire group. The Ponca Tribe is in charge of Friday's pre-rodeo dinner and on Saturday, Head Country Barbecue.

The Rumford Rodeo Family will be producing the rodeo for the third year in a row, and events will include bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding,. steer wrestling, team roping, calf roping, barrel racing and for the first time ever, the Wrangler bullfight competition.

There are several other additions to the rodeo, including the extra night and the extra event, the Wrangler bullfight competition. The rodeo runs four nights after a long period of three-night rodeos.

The bullfight event pits PRCA bullfighters against stock contractor bulls, in a timed fight, with scores going towards eventual possibilities of getting into the National Finals Rodeo. Bullfighters participating at the 101 Wild West Rodeo Thursday and Saturday will be Tommy Hare, Mike Johnson and Kevin Rich.

Shidler's John Payne, "The One Armed Bandit," who has been the top specialty act in PRCA activity the past four years will appear all four nights.

Wednesday and Thursday nights have been designated as "Family Nights," with youngsters 12-and-under getting in free.

A rodeo dance will be held following the Friday and Saturday performances, starting at 10 p.m., those two nights.

Rodeo fans are also alerted to new entrances to the 101 Rodeo Arena. The new entrances are on North Ash Street, one on Darr Industrial Road south of the arena and one on West Prospect Avenue, north of the area. Cables have been placed along he former northeast and southeast 'comers to the east parking lot and those areas will no longer be used as entrances, according to Rodeo Foundation members.

There will be a big downtown rodeo parade on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. "Entries are great in numbers," said Johnny Heinze, parade chairman for the 34th annual 101 Wild West Rodeo parade. Parade Marshal is R.L. "Dick" Horton, a longtime supporter of the rodeo Entries are roundup and saddle clubs, wagons and unattached horse riders. "We will have antique cars and trucks, custom cars as well as new cars," Heinze said.

But, for Oklahomans, special attractions will be Pistol Pete of Oklahoma State University and the famous Sooner Schooner from Oklahoma University, according to Heinze.

He said that military units of the Army and National Guard are entered. And for the benefit of real fun lovers, several Shrine units will be in the parade.
Heinze said also that the Po-Hi I Steppers and Cheerleaders will help I highlight the parade. "This will be a parade you won't want to miss," Heinze said. The parade begins at Oak Street and West Grand Avenue, and will run east along Grand Avenue to Seventh Street.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade, but not entered, may call 765-6126 for information, I according to Heinze.

Rodeo Opens With Exciting Evening

If the second night of the four-night 101 Wild West Rodeo is anything close to the first night of performances on Wednesday, tonight ought to be a real crowd pleaser to rodeo fans at the 101 Ranch arena.

One 1992 National Finals Rodeo champion, making his appearance here in the saddle bronc event on Wednesday, had to settle for an also-ran score while his brother posted what turned out to be the best score in the event so far.

Billy J. Etbauer, of Ree Heights, S.D., came out on his mount knowing he would have to get a 70-plus score to get into the first night money winners. He didn't, despite riding the same horse that he won the 101 Ranch Rodeo on a year ago.

However, Some of the spoils may remain in the Etbauer family, and have done so at many rodeos throughout the nation. Dan Etbauer, of Goodwell, Okla., popped out on a spirited Rumford Rodeo Family bronc and combined with his spurring tactics, received a 79. That's tops for the saddle bronc riding from Wednesday night, but there's three more nights for it to have to stand up.

Others in the saddle bronc event had good luck, with seven of the nine contestants riding the full time needed just to get a score. Following the Oklahoma Etbauer, were Craig M. Latham, Texhoma, Okla., with a 73 and Jim Bob Custer of Wickenburg, Ariz., with a 70. Other scores ranged from 63 down to 52 and two others had to take no score, being bucked from their broncs.

Rodeo fans were also treated to some nice scores in the other two riding events. There were two sections of bull riding competition, and Mark D. Cain, Atoka, Okla., provided those that stayed after 9 p.m., a thrill by posting a 74. That put him on top, leading Shawn J. Egg, Hockley, Texas, 70 and Lonnie Steverson, New Hebron, Miss., 68.

In the bareback bronc riding, Jon C. Brockway of Fort Worth, Texas, had a 77 and two others were in the 70s, including Arthur B. Stoner, Midwest City with a 72 and Jeffrey W. Collins, Fort Scott, Kan., 70. Stoner is pushing hard to become the 1993 rookie of the year in the bareback event while Collins was a Prairie Circuit champion a year ago.

The roping event cowboys had a tough time but leaders did manage to post good times. Just under 11 seconds were three in the calf roping event as Gary Ledford of Comanche had a 10.3 followed by two at 10.4, which included Dustin G. Raupe of Douglass, Kan., and Terrell Phillips of Oklahoma City. Ponca City's Kelly Casebolt had a 14.1 and Jerome Schneeberger, also of Ponca City, had a 16.0.

In the team roping event, a Ponca City team was able to claim second place at the present time. Rob Taylor and Jeffrey Swan weren't fooled despite the calf they were to rope made an abrupt left turn halfway down the arena floor. The two combined their efforts near the almost nearly filled west stands for a 10.8, much to the delight of the partisan Ponca City crowd. However, two other Oklahoma ropers, Britt Bockius of Dewey and Todd Markham of Vinita, combined to get one roped in the time of 7.2, and currently lead the event.

The barrel racing event was extremely close until Kay Blandford of Stockdale, Texas, and her horse made all the right moves to a 17.16.
That's 35-hundredths of a second better than second place turned in by Colette Baier of Hardtner, Kan., the first gal to ride in the event.
Baier turned in a 17.51.

Others in the running, include Kristan Tadlock, Fort Smith, Ark., 17.58; Lanita Powers of Guthrie, 17.65; and two at 17.80, Donna Kennedy, Evant, Texas and Tracey Cosby Horton of Quitman, Texas.

In the steer wrestling, Matt Wynn of El Reno showed tremendous upper body strength to post a 4.3. He had grabbed the steer, lost his footing but maintained enough balance to turn the critter over in that 4.3 time.

Former National Finals Rodeo champion Joel Edmondson of Eureka, Kan., had a 5.0 and Kendall Bolding of Yukon, Okla., had a 6.0 Fourth is held by Perry L. Cline, Hennessey, at 6.8 and fifth by Danny L. Patterson of Fairview, Okla., with a 6.9.

Bullfight competition will be held all three of the remaining nights, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It pits the bullfighters against some of the toughest and meanest that are part of the Rumford Rodeo Family stock.

Shidler's John Payne, providing the top specialty act of the rodeo business in the past four years, thrilled the crowd with his appearance. Without giving away his feats, Payne will provide thrills by penning four bulls on top of his stock trailer with the help of his bullwhip and trained dogs.

Other specialty acts are provided by the bullfighters and clowns of the rodeo, Ted Kimzey, Kevin Rich and Michael Johnson.

Rodeo announcer Dr. Lynn Phillips keeps the rodeo going and fans entertained as well, and the Po-Hi Wildcat cowboy band does well in providing quick tempos to music for the riders and ropers, as they perform.

The rodeo performance is scheduled again at 7 p.m., tonight, plus the 8 p.m. performances on Friday and Saturday.

Youngster activities are set 15 minutes before the actual rodeo Thursday and Friday night, and pre-rodeo dinners are available inside the fenced arena grounds, all three nights. There will be a rodeo dance following the Friday and Saturday performances, at the arena.

101 Rodeo Timed Events Have New Leaders

A larger crowd at the 101 Wild West Rodeo on Thursday night saw some excellent times in the timed events of the cowboys and thus some leader changes were made.

However, in the barrel racing and , the three rough stock riding events, Wednesday times and scores withstood the second night efforts.

The rodeo continues Friday and Saturday, with the grand entry set for 8 p.m. each night. The 1993 Rodeo Queen is expected to be namedat7:30p.m. Saturday. There are six contestants for queen.

The team roping event found three new leaders on Thursday. Team ropers had Some difficulty on Wednesday, but the slack performances starting at 10 a.m., Thursday must have put new life in the ropers.

Rick Skelton and Tee Woolman of Llano, Texas, wowed the Thursday night crowd with the time of 5.7 on the two catches, head and heels. Put that with the 6.5 Thursday morning and the two slipped a 12.2 combined time onto the leader board.

Other quick catches for team ropers came from the ropes of Todd Hampton, Corsicanna, Texas and Michael Skaggs, Apache, Okla., who had a 6.8 to go with an earlier 6.9 for a 13.7 combined time. Also Denton Payne of Higley, Ariz., and his partner J.D. Yates of Pueblo, Colo., had a night catch of 7.1 and 11.4 earlier for an 18.5. All of the three night catches bettered the 7.2 that Britt Bockius of Dewey and Todd Markham of Vinita displayed on the first night of the rodeo Wednesday.

Tommy Guy of Abilene, Texas, had the best calf roping time Thursday night at 8.9. That was much better than the 10,3 by Gary Ledford of Comanche, on Wednesday and the two 10.4s recorded by Dustin Raupe, Douglass, Kan., and Terrell Phillips of Oklahoma City. Another good time Thursday at 10.4 by T. W. Snyder of Medicine Lodge, Kan., coupled with a 10.8 gave him a combined 21.2.

Matt Wynn of El Reno had a 4.3 on Wednesday in the steer wrestling, but he saw that bettered by Ricky D. Huddleston of Talihina, Okla., on a 3.8. Other top times on Thursday included 4.6 by Mark Owen, Collinsville; 4.7 by Brad Turney of McAlester and Ted King of Wann, and a Thursday night 5.1 by Kenny Newton of Keller, Texas, who put a 5.8 with that for a combined 10.9. That's quick.

Kay Blandford of Stockdale, Texas, who rode quickly in the barrel racing event on Wednesday, saw her 17.16 stand up for another night. However, three others put some good times on the books, in front of the second place spot of Wednesday, when they competed on Thursday . They were 17.22 by Angie Meadors, Wetumka; 17.30 by Vana Beissinger of Lake Worth, Fla., arid 17.45 by Beth Braudick, of Terrell, Texas.

Rodeo fans witnessed some good scores by the bull riders, but none could quite match the Wednesday leader, Mark Cain of Atoka, who had a 74. However, the Thursday scores did put four new riders into money positions at the present time. They included a 73 by Charles Soileau, Stephenville, Texas; and 71s by Barry Gullo Jr., Oklahoma City; Blakely Burns, Marietta; and Greg Couch, Bronaugh, Mo.

Dan Etbauer of Goodwell had a 79 on Wednesday in the saddle bronc riding and that withstood the 76 posted by Bud Longbrake of Dupree, S.D.; and 73 by Mike Ferguson, Woodlake, Neb., Craig Latham, Texhoma, also remained in contention with 73 on Wednesday.

The bareback riders on Thursday just couldn't get enough efforts, as their scores ranged from 68 down. That left the top three in the bareback as being Jon Brockway, Fort Worth, 77; Arthur Stoner, Midwest City, 72; and D.J. Johnson, Hutchinson, Kan., 70, all on Wednesday as the leaders. However, Payne Dobler of Andover, Kan., got top money Thursday with his 68.

The first session of the three-night Wrangler bullfighter competition was taken by Kevin Rich, Windsor, Colo., at a 75, while Mike Johnson, Poplar Bluff, Mo., had a 73 and Tommy Hare, Morehaven, Fla., had a 71. Bullfighters will compete again tonight and Saturday.

Bull Rider Tops Friday Rodeo

An Arkansas City bull rider made the lone jump (other than a bull, as noted in a related story) to the top of the leaders at the 101 Wild West Rodeo during the third night of competition heading into the final night Saturday.

Robert Swanson provided the Friday night rodeo fans with quite a ride, utilizing a score of 76 on a Rumford Rodeo Family "prime time" bull, and as a result moved ahead of the 74 posted by Mark Cain of Atoka, Okla., on Wednesday.

Two other bull riders Friday night pulled some high scores, with D.J. Vaughn of Charleston, Ark., getting a 73. That placed him in a tie for third with Charles Soileau, Stephenville, Texas, who had a 73 on Thursday. Brian K. Herman of Victoria; Texas, got a 71 and made it a four-way tie for that spot, with Barry Gullo Jr., Oklahoma City; Blakely Burns, Marietta and Greg Couch, Bronaugh, Mo.

The barrel racing leader, Kay Blandford of Stockdale., Texas, had little trouble staying on top. She had a 17.16 on Wednesday, which was 35-hundredths of a second better than second place the first night. Thursday night, three barrel racers moved close, but had to settle for second, third and fourth and that withstood the Friday racers. Best on Friday was Cissy Taulman, Maramec, Okla., with a 17.54. Behind Blandford were Angie Meadors, Wetumka, 17.22; Vana Beissinger of Florida, 17.30; and Beth Braudick, Terrell, Texas, 17.45.

National Finals Rodeo class Rick Skelton and Tee Woolman, of Llano, Texas, maintained a strong hold on team roping with a 12.2 as of Thursday. The had a 5.7 and 6.5 for the total on the second go-round. Best any team could do on Friday was a 7.0 by Robert Fankhouser and Roy Shoop, of Claremore, so there was no change in the average.

Carter Edmonston of McCauley, Texas, had a 10.2 to move into second place of the calf roping behind the 8.9 of Tommy Guy, Abilene, Texas. Guy got his on Thursday.

However, T.W. Snyder of Medicine Lodge, Kan., had a 21.2 on 10.4 and 10.8 for the best in two go-rounds.

Best two go-round in steer wrestling remained with Ricky D. Huddleston, Talihina, Okla., on a 9.2 combined score. He had a thrilling 3.8 on Wednesday. Best on Friday night were two 4.7 times, turned in by Robbin Peterson of Checotah and Shawn Johnson, also of Checotah. Matt Wynn of EI Reno was the best on Wednesday with 4.3.

Steve Abernathy of Broken Arrow moved into second money for the bareback riders, on a 73 score. That's behind Jon Brockway of Fort Worth, but ahead of two other good rides on Wednesday, Arthur Stoner, Midwest City, 72 and D.J. Johnson, Hutchinson, Kan., 70.

In the saddle bronc riding Friday, Tom Reeves of Stephenville, Texas, had a 73, and that put him with two others but behind leader Dan Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., at 79 and Bud Longbrake, Dupree, S.D., 76. Etbauer rode Wednesday as did Craig Latham, Texhoma, who had one of the 73s and Longbrake rode Thursday along with Mike Ferguson, Nebraska rider.

The three bullfighters continued to wow the crowd on Friday for the second night of Wrangler Bullfight competition. Kevin Rich upped his lead with another top score of 75, while Michael Johnson had 72 and Tommy Hare had 71.

And if you missed the performances, you missed seeing the best specialty act in the country. John Payne, "The One Armed Bandit," from Shidler, cracked his whip, urged his trained dogs and horse, and put four and five bulls on top of his stock trailer. And just like riding down Grand Avenue, standing on top of his horse, on top of that trailer, cracked that whip to the delight of all rodeo fans.

Too, the actions of Ted Kimsey, rodeo clown (the Coors barrel man) and bullfighters Rich, Johnson and Hare, were special also.

Impromptu Run Of The Bulls

An unplanned Run of the Bulls (Ponca City style) was dramatically turned aside without any real big problem Friday night at the 101 Wild West Rodeo.

Just when everybody was beginning to collect their. thoughts and head for home, or the rodeo dance, or whatever you do after a rodeo—the Run of the Bulls began.

During the performances of the Wrangler bullfight competition, one of the bulls apparently decided he had had enough of chasing bullfighters.

At an opportune time, at least the bull may have thought so, he headed for the entrance gate at the southwest corner of the 101 Ranch arena. Instead of shying away and heading back into the right direction in front of the bucking chutes, the bull jumped the gate, splintering the top of the gate and headed toward a possible exit.

"Everybody please stay in the bleachers and away from the area!" came the quick notification of safety needs from the quick thinking rodeo announcer Dr. Lynn Phillips of Enid over the public address system.

"Close the perimeter gates!"

Phillips said in a warning to all of those on the rodeo grounds just outside the arena proper. "Please, folks, stay calm and in the stands. The stock contractor and the rodeo hands and officials will have it under control in a matter of seconds," Phillips said.

The bull and another turned loose to aid the rodeo hands in putting the critter back in place, had rodeo hands going from side to side on the south end of the arena where the stock pens are locate, but within a few minutes—it may have seemed 15 or 20 minutes—both bulls were sent through the right areas towards the pens ,and all was safe and sound to continue.

Bronc Rumford of the Rumford Rodeo Family stock contractors said Saturday morning, "Things like that happen occasionally. We always have to be prepared. We had the perimeter gates closed within seconds and that kept the bulls within an area that we could handle the situation."

Rumford said one local official was injured. "I was told that he had suffered a broken arm, but I don't know. I was also told that he had managed to get into his car and leave."

Checking at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Saturday morning for a person having been treated for an injury from a rodeo accident turned up nothing.

101 Rodeo Foundation officer Raymond Tole said of the damaged gate, "We made a quick call and have on order, a 6-foot steel gate, which we expect to have installed sometime after 3 p.m. (Saturday)."

Rodeo Riders Win Big Payoff

With the largest payoff in Ponca City's rodeo history, the 101 Wild West Rodeo came to an end Saturday night, just in time.

The four-day rodeo had a total purse of $67,750, according to Rodeo foundation official Carey Head.

While spectators were heading to their vehicles or the dance after the final night of the rodeo Saturday night, one reride effort on a bun had everybody that stayed around wondering if the contestant rode the bull or not. Just about the fourth second of the reride count, an unexplained popping began at the transformers of the rodeo grounds and the lights went out. It was learned later that a vehicle had hit a guywire, and thus somehow knocked the power out.

Bronc Rumford of the Rumford Rodeo Family, stock contractors, said that the contestant stayed on the bull, but had the smarts enough to start talking to the bull in the pitchblack arena. "We were able to get the bull into the pens without further incident," Rumford said.

As a result of the darkened arena, many of the contestants waited around patiently until Lola Rumford and her assistants made out the payoff checks, almost in total darkness and without the aid of electric calculators.

The evening's activities opened with a highlight of the week when Amanda Warner, Sapulpa, was crowned the 1993 101 Wild West Rodeo queen. Amanda is the 17-year-old daughter of Leon and Donna Warner of Sapulpa.

For the fans on Saturday, there were some event leader challenges, but none that made it to the top. Contestants however did post some high scores on the rough stock, and quick times in the timed events. But it was the fourth night of the rodeo and that's always tough, realizing what has been posted may be pretty tough to beat.

Best in the Saturday bull riding came late in the performance, when two riders were given 72s for their performances. They were Tony West, who had been bucked off in the bareback bronc event, of Hollywood, Calif., and J. Paul Ganzel, Claremore. They settled for splitting third, fourth and fifth money, amounting to $734.58 each, with a previous night performer. Robert Swanson of Arkapsas City got tpe top ride of the rodeo on the bulls, with his 77 and $1,521.63 for his effort.

There were 39 entries in the girls barrel racing, but none could catch the first night effort of Kay Blandford, Stockdale, Texas, who posted a 17.16. That was good enough for $1,107.96, and the girls payoff went down to ten places. Best on Saturday, was a 1'1'.54 by Brenda Raupe, Douglass, Kan., who tied for sixth with Cissy Taulman, Maramec, Okla., each getting $253.91.

The team ropers had a tough time of it Saturday, with no times as a result of either heelers missing, or the header failing. Only two steers were actually caught.

Rick Skelton and Tee Woolman of Llano, Texas, had a 5.7 and 6.5 for an average at 12.2 to win top money. They had won a second goround with the 5.7 and the 6.5 was good for second in the first go-round. Total won was $2,206.80 each for the first go-round, second go-round and average.

Best in the two go-round of calf roping was Blair Burke, of Durant, Okla., with a combined 18.3 on efforts of 8.9 and 9.4. He got $776.73 for the average, plus $776.73 for second on one go-round and $614.91 on the other go-round. Best effort Saturday night was a 10.0 by Maury Tate of Apache, Okla.

In the steer wrestling, Rick Huddleston's 9.2 held up for the average. He had a 3.8 and put an earlier 5.4 with it to claim $1,149.50. The 3.8 was the best of the second go-round, which also earned $1,149.52. Best in steer wrestling on Saturday was 4.1 by Kendall Bolding of Yukon, which got him second in the second go-round money worth $951.38.

Jon Brockway of Fort Worth had a 77 on Wednesday and it stood up for the best bare back, bronc riders. He earned $1,141.88 finishing first, while the best on Saturday were a pair of 74s by Bronc Buller of Nash, Okla., and Justin Williams, of Eudora, Kan., and that got the pair second place in the event worth $846.66 apiece.

Another Wednesday ride, in the saddle bronc event, held up. Danny Etbauer of Goodwell had an 80, which had been refigured after the a judges meeting later Wednesday. Best on Saturday was a 75 by Bart McBeth of Douglass, Kan., which earned him a three way share of second, third and fourth, $867.92 for each rider. Etbauer's ride earned him $1,324.72 for first place.

The steer roping was a two go-round event, held exclusively on Saturday, with most of the roping by the 53 contestants Saturday morning. Winner of the average was Bryan Reiter of Willard, Mo., who had an 11.4 and a 10.9, worth $715.39 and $1,040.56 respectively. But his average was 22.3 and that earned another $1,257.35. Best on Saturday night was a 12.6 by Jack McCoin of Aiton, Okla., sixth in the second go-round for $216.79 and fourth in the average at 26.9 for $607.

Flashing Finish Caps 101 Wild West Rodeo

Just when rodeo fans thought that no more excitement could be had at the rodeo other than at the rodeo dance, things began to pop and, as a bull rider did a re-ride, the lights went out.

Not just out, out. They went popping out, with transformers sparking and at least one wire burned, resulting in one youngster being hurt and a small grass fire ignited.

That's what happened Saturday night at the final performance of the 1993 101 Wild West Rodeo.

Friday night an impromptu Run of the Bulls developed when a bull crashed over the southwest arena gate, and was corralled a few minutes later without too much trouble.

Saturday, officials from the Ponca City High School FF A and rodeo arena officials had cleared the arena of the portable fencing used for the Wrangler Bullfight competition Saturday, and arena officials had set up for the lone re-ride of a bull to complete the competition.

The arena officials opened the chute, and out came bull and rider. But right in the middle of the ride the popping began and the transformers blew.

Director of Public Utilities Joel Mahnken reported Monday that he had received a report that a vehicle had hit a guy-wire, causing a 7200 volt transformer wire to be knocked into the 2400 volt transformer and they both went out as a result.

The resulting sparks apparently caused a small grass fire at the northwest end of the rodeo grounds property, but it was extinguished by the Ponca City Fire Department.

One youngster, an 11-year-old girl, had surface burns on her left wrist and was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for additional treatment, according to the Ponca City Fire Department.

Mahnken said that the Water and Light Department arrived about 11:30 p.m. to do some repairing and got the 7200 back on line. "The crews were expected to complete the repair job today," Mahnken said.

Children Participated In Rodeo, Too