101 Wild West Rodeo In It's 36th Year

The 101 Wild West Rodeo will be making it's third four-night run in Ponca City, after many years of three night performances as the 101 Ranch Rodeo. Dates for the 101 Wild West Rodeo this year will be August 16. 17, 18, 19, with performances set for 8 p.m.

The 101 Wild West Rodeo will be held at the 101 Ranch Rodeo Arena, located on West Prospect Avenue at North Ash Street. Beautification efforts of the arena parking lot have changed entrance roads to the parking lot areas, to Ash Street and to West Prospect Avenue, and not at the corner of Ash Street and Prospect.

1995 will mark the 36th running of the rodeo honoring what historians have described as the birth place of rodeo — the once mighty 101 Ranch.

The fabulous 101 Ranch, with a 50-year history both rich and tragic, influenced Oklahoma and agriculture like no other ranching operation in the world. The 101 Ranch, established by Col. George W. Miller in 1879 on the banks of the Salt Fork River southwest of what is now Ponca City, began with thousands of acres of land which Miller both leased and purchased from his friends — the Ponca, Tonkawa and Osage tribes.

The Colonel, who died in 1903 at the age of 61. and the ranch. which was already successful came into the capable hands of his sons, George, Joe and Zack.

It was 1905 when the Millers offered to perform what they called a "round-up" or "buffalo chase" as an entertainment incentive for a National Editorial Association convention. Visitors were said to come to the ranch in regular and special trains, and the crowd estimated at nearly 60.000 was thrilled to the exhibition of cowboys recreating real life ranch work from bronc riding and roping to Tom Mix's debut as a roper and rider.

After years of success as the "101 Ranch Real Wild West and Great Far East Show" things at the ranch began to crumble in the late 1920s, due to the deaths of Joe in 1927 and George in 1929.

But the rodeo returned to the Ponca City scene, when the Ponca City Cherokee Strip Rodeo Committee came up with the idea of having a rodeo during the Cherokee Strip Celebration in September 1960. By 1962 the financial success of the Cherokee Strip Rodeo proved that people wanted the return of a show similar to the 101 Ranch Wild West Show. The present bleachers and chutes were constructed in 1962.

The 1995 rodeo will attempt to bring "Rodeo of the Year" prize from the three-state Prairie Circuit, which includes all Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association rodeos in Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas.

There are several events for youngsters Wednesday and Thursday prior to the 8 p.m. performances of the rodeo.

Additionally, the foundation has contracted with Bud Rodeo, as a primary contributor to added purse money.

Many local event sponsors are recognized by special "Chute Heaven" box seats just above the arena chutes, where selected friends and neighbors get a chance to really view what's going on right out front and behind the scenes.

Many special events happen during "rodeo week." They include an exciting parade, the excitement of 101 Wild West Rodeo Queen contestant activities, special nights for barbecue and dances, and the playing by the Po-Hi band as the official 101 Wild West Rodeo Cowboy Band, under the direction of Steve Workman.

Contestants will be thoroughly tested for their skills in bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling, steer roping and calf roping, when they do it against the stock of the Rumford Rodeo Company. For the past few years, the Rumford Rodeo Company has been the stock contractor and producer of the rodeo.

Led by Floyd and Lola Rumford from Abbyville, Kan., the Rumford Rodeo Company got it's big lift when Floyd received his PRCA card in 1984 and for the last ten years has produced or subcontracted for rodeos across 17 different states.

Son Bronc Rumford is manager and co owner of all the ranch operation and rodeo business. Bronc is also in great demand as arena director and pickup man.

Tommy Rumford, also a PRCA contestant and co-owner of the family business, works as a pick-up man. and in all phases of the horse business. This includes a horse and mule—auction in Hutchinson, Kan.. which the Rumfords have managed for more than 40 years.

101 Wild West Rodeo Will Offer Full Week Of Action

A full week of rodeo activity highlights this year's 101 Wild West Rodeo that is set for Aug. 16- 19 at the 101 Ranch Rodeo arena, North Ash Street at West Prospect Avenue.

The rodeo week begins on Monday with the first Bill Pickett memorial bulldogging event at the arena at 8 p.m. The event will feature the worlds best steer  wrestlers competing for top prize money, and include cowboys attempting to turn their drawn steers to the ground biting the lower lip of the steer — similar to the way Pickett claimed his fame in the rodeo arena. Admission for that event only, will be $5 at the gate, with youngsters under 12 free.

The rodeo will also offer a number of entrants competing on Tuesday starting at 7 p.m., considered as a slack performance. There will be no admission charge to watch the slack performances, which also count in the actual rodeo.

The 101 Ranch Rodeo will be held at 8 p.m. each night, Wednesday through Saturday, a change from the past two years when the rodeo officials had decided to have earlier (7 p.m.) performances on Wednesday and Thursday since school had begun. School doesn't begin this year until the next week however.

The rodeo features some of the worlds best cowboys and cowgirls competing in the events, including steer wrestling, calf roping team roping, bareback bronc riding. saddle bronc riding and bull riding, along with the girls barrel racing. A special Saturday event will include steer roping beginning at 8 a.m. at the rodeo grounds, with admission being $5

The Rumford Rodeo Company returns as the stock contractor for the rodeo. The Rumfords of Abbyville, Kan., have been the stock contractors for the 101 Ranch Rodeo the past several years.

Also returning to the rodeo will be bullfighter Kevin Rich and popular clown, Ted Kimsey, along with Brother Taylor. The rodeo announcer will be Dr. Lynn
Phillips of Enid, who has been working the past several 101 Wild West Rodeo events.

There are some other change however for the rodeo. Tickets for the rodeo are $6 in advance forthe Wednesday through Friday performances and $7 in advance for the Saturday event. Tickets at the gate will be $7.50 Wednesday through Friday, while they will be $8 50 for Saturday. Advance tickets will be available at Ponca City banks and financial institutions, Ponca City grocery stores, McVay's and the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday and Thursday night have been designated as family night at the rodeo with all youngsters under 12 getting in free. Tickets for youngsters under 12 are $3 Friday and Saturday night.

The annual rodeo parade has been set for Saturday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m. and anyone wanting to enter the parade, should call the rodeo office at 765-2980.

This year, the annual rodeo dance will be held at Cassie's Country on Hubbard Road, Friday and Saturday, following the rodeo. Music will be provided by The Good Ole Boys and admission will be $6 on Friday and $7 on Saturday.

Another change for this years rodeo will be a 101 Rodeo Ambassador competition, instead of a 101 Rodeo Queen.

Five contestants will be vying for that honor as they compete for an opportunity to represent all of Oklahoma the next year as the 1996 Miss Rodeo Oklahoma and head to Las vegas.

From Tense, Sterile Arena of Hospital Operating Room To Rodeo Grounds

Here's a switch.

During the week, he calls the shots in the tense, sterile arena of a hospital operating room.

But on weekends. Dr. Lynn Phillips trades his stethoscope and surgical greens for a silver felt cowboy hat, a silver belt buck-le and a silk bandana and picks up a microphone as a profession-al rodeo announcer.

The weekly switch in professions comes as naturally to him as the switch from his Okla-Tex drawl to the resonating tone of the man on the 6 o'clock news that brings a sellout rodeo crowd to its feet.

Phillips will be the announcer at the 101 Ranch Rodeo Arena booth and arena, during the 101 Wild West Rodeo this week here in Ponca City. The four-night rodeo begins Wednesday, lasting through Saturday, at 8 p.m. each night.

Phillips is a member of an elite group of cowboys, the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA), which is comparable to the NFL in football. The PRCA is also the sanctioning organization for this week's rodeo.

His insatiable interest in rodeo has helped shape his medical career. He chose the specialty of anesthesiology for a number of reasons. Among those reasons was that anesthesia affords him the time to continue his announcing career.

"One reason I specialized in anesthesiology is that it rarely means odd-hour calls, so that I have time to announce at rodeos. I also avoided colleges and hospitals in the North because those regions have fewer rodeos."

The doctor/cowboy describes his work in anesthesia with a line from the movie "Coma." "80 per-cent is routine and 20 percent is sheer terror." He explains, "You have to monitor every system in a person's body. You hold a life in your hands. But much of the work is routine, too."

When not announcing rodeos, Dr. Phillips hangs his hat in Enid, where he practices anesthesia. He is in practice with two other anesthesiologists. Their practice takes them to three different Enid hospitals and include all phases of anesthesia, from obstetrical to neurosurgery.

Sometimes his worlds collide. Twice he has stepped down from the announcer's stand to assist rodeo participants, and "I do seem to give a lot of free advice."

During his career as a rodeo announcer Lynn can truthfully say, "I've announced everywhere from Wahoo to Kalamazoo." A few years ago he announced a rodeo in the Wings Hockey Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich., and then he had the pleasure of announcing the PRCA rodeo in Wahoo, Neb. Lynn commented, "Traveling is one of the things I enjoy most about announcing."

Medicine can't match his week-end rodeo hobby for excitement, "I still get butterflies before I start announcing," Phillips smiles, "but unlike years ago, now they fly in formation."

As long as this announcer is behind the microphone, you will probably never hear the question.

"Is there a doctor in the house?"

Woman Bull Rider Expected In Ponca City

The only active woman bull rider on any major rodeo circuit, Polly Reich, has been granted a PRCA permit card and began PRCA competition in mid-July.

What's more important for the
101 Wild West Rodeo, is that she is to be a contestant in this year's bull riding event!

Prior to receiving her permit she spent six months attending Lyle Sankey's Rodeo Schools in Oklahoma and Arkansas honing her rough riding skills and recovering from fractured ribs she sustained in the Autumn of'94. Polly has received enthusiastic support for her riding efforts from both PRCA stock contractors and cowboys.

"I'm really excited about riding at this level. It's what I've dreamed of for some time now and it's all the better because so many folks have been helpful and supportive. Not everyone is excited about a woman bull rider in the PRCA, but for the most part I have felt welcomed."

Kay Rumford, a PRCA stock contractor, thinks Polly is great for building crowds.

"She does real well with the media. She's always happy to be interviewed, and she's really great with the rodeo fans. There's no doubt she draws," says Kay.
Although Polly has yet to cover a bull in PRCA competition, she has had good rides of six-plus seconds.

"She's been drawing the better stock when she rodeos with us, but still manages to make good rides. I think she's doing great."

Polly has come a long way since her early days at small town buck outs and latter in IPRA competition. Today she is well equipped and well trained thanks to Lyle Sankey's rodeo school and sponsor David James Fashions.

"Having the right gear. good instructions and some help with fees sure does a lot for your confidence," she said.

Her plan now is the same as it has been from the beginning, to cover enough bulls and win enough money and garnish enough points to become the first full fledged PRCA licensed woman bull rider. After that, who knows?

Pickett Memorial Event Kicks Off Rodeo Week

Ever see a cowboy bite the lip of a steer during a bulldogging event at a rodeo as a way of turning the critter over on it's back?

That's the way J. D. Crouse of Oklahoma City did it and he did it in the time of 5.6 seconds Monday night to claim the bonus for bulldoggers in the first Bill Pickett Memorial Bulldogging event here in Ponca City.

The event kicked off the 36th annual 101 Wild West Rodeo. Official performances begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday and continue through a four-night stand.

Additionally, since the 101 Ranch Rodeo Foundation began opening the entry list to any cowboy on the circuits, there will be a slack performance tonight starting at 7 p.m. in the arena. "And it's free," said arena boss Rick Barnthouse of the 101 Foundation.

Barnthouse said there would be steer wrestling tonight also, but not as emphasized as on Monday. "We wanted to see what would happen with a Bill Pickett Memorial Bulldogging event. I'm impressed with the numbers that showed up, although there weren't too many."

"We had 37 entries in this event (Monday) and it is a good group. They performed in three go-rounds, with the top eight going into a winner-take-all $500 bonus," Barnthouse said.

While Crouse was unable to crack the top four in the three go-rounds during the night, he did have a good enough average to be in the top eight — and that's all he needed.

Most of Monday's competitors were from "bull-dogging country" of Checotah. Top time of the night was 3.7 by Brad Lahman, Caney, Okla., and it earned him $600. With his other times, he had a 14.5 total, which was good enough for $900 more.

Ted King of Wann, Okla., was the first go-round winner at 4.1; followed by-Tom Duvall of Henryetta and Jim White, Hugo, Texas, both with 5.1, and Shawn Johnson, 5.3.

In the second go-round, Shawn Johnson of Checotah had a 3.8, followed by Sam Young, Over-brook, 3.9: Mark Owen, Oologah, Okla., 4.2; and two at 4.3, Rickie Huddleston, McAlester and Kurt Butler, Neweka, Okla.

The third go-round, won by Lahman, found T. Duvall and R. Huddleston both at 4.5 and Terry Thompson, 4.6.

First in the three go-rounds got $600, followed by $450 to second, $300 to third and $150 to fourth.

In the average, following Lahman, were T. Duvall, 16.0, for $675; S. Young, 16.4, $450; and Sid Steiner, Austin, Texas, 17.1, for $225.

Action besides steer wrestling (bulldogging to some) tonight, includes calf roping, since there are two go-round performances for the top prizes. Steer roping will also be held at 8 a.m. Saturday.

The 101 Wild West Rodeo parade is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, along Grand Avenue.

101 Rodeo Starts Tonight

A total of 29 former or reigning national champions are expected to appear in the next four nights at the 101 Ranch Rodeo arena as the 101 Wild West Rodeo unfolds.

Tonight is the first official night of the rodeo with the performance beginning at 8 p.m. There will be action in bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steel wrestling, team roping and girl's barrel racing.

Providing laughs during the entire rodeo will be clown acts from Ted Kimzey and Brother Taylor while Kevin Rich returns to the arena as the bull fighter to protect any of the fallen cowboys during the bull riding event.

The Rumford Rodeo Company of Abbyville Kan., is the stock contractor for the rodeo, and Dr. Lynn Phillips of Enid, will be the announcer.

Rodeo arena supervisor Rick Barnthouse said there are 330 entries in the rodeo. There's also some 79 National Finals Rodeo qualifiers from previous years, so "this ought to be a really good rodeo."

Indications of that came true Monday night at the first Bill Pickett Memorial Bulldogging event, won by J.D. Crouse of Oklahoma City, who had the fastest time "Bill Pickett style" of 5.6.

Tuesday night, since there were unlimited numbers in the contestant list for calf roping and steer wrestling, cowboys really put some good times on the board for their competitors. All of the contestants competed in at least one go-round of calf roping and steer wrestling Tuesday, and those times will carry over into their performances Wednesday through Saturday on their efforts to win the two go-round events.

Saturday at 8 a.m. steer ropers will compete in two go-rounds, prior to the 10 a.m. 101 Wild West Rodeo parade in downtown Ponca City.

From the "bulldogging" family of Duvall's in Checotah, came another Tuesday night to lay claim to the best — and it may very well stand.. Tom Duvall of Henryetta had a two go-round time of 9.0 with a 4.2 during the first go-round and then a 4.8 on his second steer.

Brad Lahman of Caney, Okla., had a 3.8 in the first go, and will try to better the Duvall effort tonight, as he is scheduled for the Wednesday night performance.

Best time in the second go-round to date is Jim White of Hugo, Okla., with a 4.1, but others will have their opportunities in the next four nights. White also had a no time during the event, thus missing out on the two go-round scoring.

Others with opportunities to claim the two go-round title include Mike Bush, Bald Hill, Okla., and Justin Smith, Castle, Okla., both at 4.7; Joey Bell Jr., Salem. N.J., 4.9; and a bunch just over five seconds.

In the calf-roping, best times were 9.1 by Bradley  Hamilton of Kiowa, Okla.; followed by 9.2 of Randy Davis, Blanchard, Okla., and Robbie Pierce of Locust Grove, Okla.; and a 9.3 by Ty Hays of Weatherford. All calf ropers face a second go-round during the next four nights.

AVERAGE WINNERS during the first Bill Pickett Memorial Bulldogging event were. back row, left to right, Terry Thompson, J.D. Crouse, Brad Lahman, and Sam Young, and front, from left, Sid Steiner, Ted King, Tom Duvall and Teddy Johnson. Crouse won the "Bill Pickett style" event, biting the lip of a steer while bulldogging him to the ground in the time of 5.6 seconds.

SADDLE WINNER Brad Lahman, center, was the average winner during the first Bill Pickett Memorial Bulldogging event held at the 101 Ranch Rodeo grounds. From left. Hank Hainzinger, rodeo director; Kenny Bledsoe, saddle donator; Lahman; Tom Dennman, stock contractor; and Rick Barnthonse, rodeo director.

Rodeo Start Wild

Wow! What a beginning for the first official night of the 36th annual 101 Wild West Rodeo.

Rodeo fans are certainly in for a treat the rest of the four- night stand at the 101 Ranch Rodeo arena, if Wednesday night's performances are any indication at all of what to expect.

Contestants will have to be at their very best in order to beat times of 5.9 in the team roping and how about a 78 score by a bull rider? And bareback bronc and saddle bronc riders will have to spur quickly out of the chute and hone for a similar response from their steeds, in bettering 75s posted on those two events.

The steer wrestling and calf roping, both of which had an amazingly high number of contestants who participated in slack on Tuesday, found leaders of two go-rounds lose their grips on Wednesday.

That makes for an interesting next three nights including tonight, with all performances beginning at 8 p.m. And then there's the special steer roping event on Saturday starting at 8 a.m. Don't forget, there is a Rodeo Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Ponca City.

A pair of southern Oklahoma ropers, Mark McCaskill of Elmore City and Willie Alien of Purcell, showed off their team roping expertise before most of the crowd had time to realize how they were to work. They were the first team ropers into the arena, and with McCaskill roping the head, and Alien snap-ping the two hind feet, had the job completed in 5.9 seconds.

That withstood some really fast times by other teams, as J.P. Wickett of Sallisaw and Jason D. Trent of Dodge City, Kan., teamed up to post a 6.4.

Right behind in less than a second at 7.3 was a pair of area ropers, Ed Goad and Mark J. Freeman IV of Fairfax and just two-tenths of a second slower, at 7.5, were Grady Potter, Arkansas City and Scott Laclef, Leon. Kan. The teams are scheduled to be back for their second go-round on Saturday. Other teams are schedule to compete tonight and Friday.

First event of the night, bareback bronc riding, drew raves when Justin D. Williams of Oklahoma City got a score of 75. That bettered Rob Shoemaker of Blanchard, who had a 69, and Matt Ferhaus of Weatherford, who had a 68.

The saddle bronc riders gave the crowd a pleasant surprise. The broncs were impressive also, but couldn't shake any of the riders as everyone managed to ride out the eight-second clock. Roy S. Hogin of Ron Aqua, Tenn., got a 75, while there were two at 74, including a National Finals Rodeo finalist, Derek C. dark, Colcord, Okla., and leading rookie of the year. J.T. Hitch of Stilesville, Ind.

Just as he did in the first Bill Pickett Memorial Bulldogging event on Monday, Brad Lahman pushed Tom Duvall of Henryetta down to second place. Duvall, in two go-rounds during slack on Tuesday, had 4.2 and 4.8 for a 9.0. Lahman, realizing with a 3.8 that he had a great chance if he took care of business at hand, did just that with a 4.2 on Wednesday and grabbed the steer wrestling lead at 8.0. However, best for the night at one go-round were Mike Swope, Perry, and Rex Meier of "bulldogging country" Checotah, both at 4.0.

In barrel racing, the first contestant around the barrels, Marcella Mays of Pawhuska, took the lead and withstood a continued pounding of hoofs, as the girls on their quarter horses attempted to break the 17-second barrier. She was clocked in 17.05 and right behind that was 17.06 by Audrey Vaught of Crane, Mo. Presently in third place is Cheri Kraft of Colony, Kan., at 17.3

A really impressive ride in the bull rider event came from Raymond A. Wessel, Cedar Point, Kan., who had a 78. Next be was a 73 turned in by Royd L. Doyal of Lunberton, Texas, followed by a 72 of Wayne Tasaka, a Hawaiian who is going to school, at Dodge City Community College in Kansas.

When the night turned to calf roping, several "no-times" were recorded before Dale Christenson Jr. of Pawhuska turned the trick in 10.0. Scott Mullin also had a 9.7 during the performance.

There were 25 contestants in calf-ropin slack performances after the regular rode ended Wednesday night. Chad Johnson of Cut Bank, Mont., had an 8.0 for the best on Wednesday night. There was an 8.1, by Henryetta's Mike Johnson and an 8.8 by David Dohlman Jr., of Allen, Okla.

However, Kolby Ungeheuer of Centerville, Kan., who had a 9.7 on Tuesday, topped that with a 9.5, and now stands at the top of the leader board with a 19.2. Next is Jason Evan of Weston, Wyo., with a 12.7 on Tuesday and 9.4 Wednesday for 21.2. Chad Johnson's 8.0 goes with a 13.9 for 21.9 and Robbie Pierce of Locust Grove, Okla., who had 9.2 on Tuesday got a 12.7 for 21.9 on Wednesday, putting those two in a third place tie.

There are a number of other calf ropers who can squeeze in there during the next three nights, including Bradley Hamilton of Kiowa, Okla., at 9.1 and Randy Davis of Blarchard, with a 9.2. Several are just over the 10-flat mark, so it's still anybody's title.

Cowgirl Enters Bull Riding On 101 Rodeo's Third Night

An opportunity to see a cowgirl compete in what had been previously an all-male event, bull riding, will be just one of several highlights during tonight's performance of the 36th annual 101 Wild West Rodeo.

Polly Reich of Huntsville, Ark., who has trained in the Oklahoma area south of Ponca City for the past several months, has received her PRCA card and has competed in a number of rodeos since mid-July.

Reich, who arrived in Ponca City Thursday afternoon, said she was "ready and raring to go. I've been following the Rumford Rodeo stock, as a result of my instructors from the Lyle Sankey school stating that it was a good one to work with,"

"I've recovered sufficiently from broken ribs and a punctured lung in February, and I'm really looking forward to tonight," Reich said. She drew one of the bulls heading for the National Finals Rodeo from the Rumford stock, "Terminator."

The second night of action Thursday had rodeo fans cheering the new leader efforts of Payne Dobler in the bareback bronc riding event, a new leader in the two go-rounds of the calf-roping and the 17-second barrier bro-ken by in the barrel racing, but two Texas cowgirls.

There was some shuffling going on throughout the rest of the events, but first night performers were able to hold their leads in team roping (by four-tenths of a second), saddle bronc riding (by one point), steer wrestling, and bull riding (although a ,76 moved a bull rider into second).

During the barrel racing, announcer Dr. Lynn Phillips had just stated that the fans had cheered Shandi Metzinger of Dexter, Kan., across the finish line in 16.84 — but two barrels had toppled over, and she was given a total of 10 penalty seconds, for a 26.84.

Then came Sue Miller of Lott, Texas, who duplicated the feat, just one-hundredth of a second slower, at 16,85 and her steed was clear of toppling the barrels. It was the first official "under 17" for the rodeo. But wait — seconds later Deborah Mohon of Gladewater, Texas. posted a 16.37. "That's almost a half-second faster," exclaimed Phillips.

Wednesday's best in the barrels were Marcella Mays of Pawhuska, 17.05 and Audrey Vaught, Crane, Mo.. 17.06.

The last calf roper Thursday, Randy L. Davis of Blanchard, Okla., also picked off a plum in the leader board, with a 9.5 time to go with a 9.2 during slack on Tuesday that put him in at 18.7, just under the previous night's time of 19.2 by Kolby Ungeheuer, Centerville, Kan. The 9.5 by Davis was two-tenths of a second slower than the fastest time of the night, 9.3 by Shawn E. Cooper, Ramona, Okla., but still slower than the recorded second go-round time of 8.0 from Chad Johnson, Cut Bank, Mont.

Dobler, of Andover. Kan., held on during the bareback bronc riding event to record a 76 which was one point better than Justin Williams of Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Justin Lindquist of Brookville, Kan., had a 71 and that put him in third awaiting the final two nights.

Team ropers Mike Perry of Enid and. Shannon Frascht of Burlington came within four- tenths of a second of the first night time of 5.9 posted by the first ropers of the rodeo— Mark McCaskill of Elmore' City and Willie Alien; Purcell. The Perry Frascht team will be roping tonight in the second go-round, while the Wednesday ropers come back on Saturday night.

Other good times by team ropers included an 8.3 by Tom Self of Carrollton, Texas and John P. Coughran, Edmond; and an 8.5 by Tee Woolman, and Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas. And those two Llano guys are former champions.

Bret Franks of Goodwell posted a 74 in the saddle bronc riding, and that pushed him into a three-way tie for second behind first night leader, Ron Hogin of Bon Aqua, Tenn., who had a 75.

Best time in the steer wrestling on Thursday was a 4.9 by Joel Edmondson of Eureka, Kan., but he took a no time in slack. Justin Smith of Castle, with a 4.7 in slack and a 5.0 on Thursday was good enough to move him into third place in the two go-round competition at 9.7. Best so far is Brad Lahman, Caney, Okla., with an 8.0 and Tom Duvall, Henryetta, second at 9.0.

The best bull ride of the rodeo so far is a corrected score from the previous night, an 80 turned in by Raymond Wessel of Cedar Point, Kan. It had been announced as a 78 earlier, but a check of the judging sheet found it should have been an 80.

Best on Thursday was the 76 by Brian Anderson of Cranfills Gap, Texas, and a number of 68s.
 

Cowgirl Gets A 'Real Kick' From Bull

A real high kick by "Terminator" sent cowgirl Polly Reich of Huntsville, Ark., to the ground and an unsteady first step on the arena floor Friday night.

That was quite a kick after that first jump out of the chute," Reich said, in an understatement. "I landed a bit on my head, and was stunned briefly, but all right" she said early Saturday morning. She said she was very fortunate to be wearing a hockey-mask for facial protection.

"I'd been kicked slightly in the head, although I felt it good, in a previous rodeo."

She was back at the arena shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday after being bucked from "Terminator" 'slightly after 10 p.m. Friday. "Well, I just wasn't able to stay on after that unbelievable high kick from the back and fortunately feel fairly good  by being able to come out here at this time of day."

Reich, who has been coming out of the PRCA chutes on bulls since mid-July, has yet "to cover any of them." Maybe next week. I'll be in Vinita, following the Rumford Rodeo stock once more."

While Reich, who was not able to provide rodeo fans with that first thrill of riding a bull, a former champion in the steer roping did some showing off in the arena Saturday morning.

Tee Woolman of Llano, Texas, caught two different steers Saturday morning for a combined time of 20.3. That gave him the two go-round money, and he was second on the first go, with a 10-flat. His 10.3 is the best so far in the second go, with four ropers who are out of the two go-round competition, fighting for a possible shot at "day money."

Best in the first go-round was Jason Evans of Weston, Wyo., with a 9.9, but he had a 13.5 on the second go-round prior to Woolman getting his chance. Evans, at 23.4, was only in the lead for a brief few seconds since Woolman was next.

Getting third money in the first go was Guy Allen of Lovington, N.M., with a 10.2, but he had tough luck in the second go, getting "no time."

In the second go so far, following Woolman at 10.3, is Marty Jones, Hobbs, N.M., 11.0; and a couple at 11.9, Mike Thompson, of Wayne, Okla., and Jimmy Hodge of Lometa, Texas.

Bronc riders maintained their spots when it was learned that several contestants had not arrived from their previous night's engagement in South Dakota. Some participants tried hard to stay on their horses out of the chutes in the bareback bronc and saddle bronc event, but couldn't get the job done sufficiently for the judges to give good enough scores.

Leading the bareback bronc event into Saturday's competition is Payne Dobler, Andover, Kan., with a 76; while Ron Hogin of Bon Aqua, Tenn., had a 75 in the saddle bronc event.

Second night team ropers on Friday provided some really nifty times. Woolman and partner Rich Skelton, also of Llano, had a 7.0 to go with Thursday's 8.5, and a combined 15.5 for the lead. Next are Tome Self of Carrollton, Texas, with John Coughran, Edmond, with an 8.5 on Friday to go with an 8.3 or 16.8 for the "two."

However, Woolman-Skelton will have to hope that something goes wrong with some of the better times that were posted Wednesday in order to claim the title. First pair out on Wednesday, Mark McCaskill, Elmore City, Okla., and Willie Allen, Purcell, had a 5.9. That was followed by J.P. Wickett of Sallisaw and Jason Trent of Dodge City, Kan., with a 6.4. Others still looking for a shot at the 15.5 are Ed Goad and Mark Freeman IV, both of Fairfax, with a 7.3, and Grady Potter of Arkansas City and Scott Laclef, Leon, Kan., with a 7.5.

No change was noted in the steer wrestling. Brad Lahman still has the 8.0 posted on two go-rounds, after a 3.8 and a 4.2. Best for the second go-round is 4.0 by Mike Swope of Perry and Rex Meier of Checotah.

Best time Friday in the calf roping was 8.3 by Marty Jones of Hobbs, N.M., but that couldn't match the 8.0 of Chad Johnson, Cut Bank, Mont. For that 8.3, Jones put his first go of 10.5, and that put him second in the two go-round at 18.8, one-tenth of a second .behind the leader, Randy Davis of Blanchard, who had 9.2 and 9.5, for 18.7.

The girls barrel racing found two jump into second and third, behind  Thursday's Deborah Mohon of Gladewater, Texas, who had a 16.37. The two were Kristie Peterson of Elbert, Colo., at 16.50 and former champion Kim West of Oklahoma City, 16.70.

Best in bull riding Friday night was a 69 by Lee Akin of Wellington, Colo., and that was well off the 80 posted by leader Raymond Wessel of Cedar Point, Kan.

Last Round Riders Take Rodeo Prizes

The best may have been saved for the last night in the 101 Wild West Rodeo.

That's the way it ended for the most part anyway, when Saturday riders claimed all three rough stock titles, and some ropers were able to do the trick as well.

It took a couple of young ropers to team up and let it be known they mean business in the long season run in team roping. Mark McCaskill of Elmore City, Okla., and heeler Willie Allen of Purcell had recorded a 5.9 on Wednesday and needed to get under 9.5 to lay claim to the title.

The team of Tee Woolman and Rick Shelton of Llano Texas had turned in a 7.0 and 8.5 for a 15.5 two-go time. So, on the last steer out of the chute Saturday night, McCaskill and Allen went to work — and they took only 8.3 seconds and thus picked up first money from the grasp of former world champions.

The 8.3 also put them third in the money for the second go-round. The exact amount in the team roping was not immediately known but the two were expected to nab checks amounting to over $1,000 each.

It was a good night for another team, J.P. Wickett of Sallisaw and Jason Trent of Dodge City, Kan., who had a 10.0 in the second go, for fifth money and ended third in the overall, at 16.4.

But the bucking chutes provided some of the biggest thrills. Earl Gardner of Duncan displayed the right form out of the chute on SKL Short Socks to record a 78 in the bareback bronc riding. That got him first place over Payne Dobler, who , had been there with a 76 since Wednesday. David Browder of Lakin, Kan., also finished in a tie for fifth with a 69. Gardner' earned $1,071.99 and Dobler got $887.16.

In the saddle bronc riding, Bart McBeth of Douglass, Kan., made the best of a re-ride oppoptunity. His horse wouldn't buck sufficiently out of the chute the first time, but his second effort paid off with a 79, and that got him $1,114.18. Second money went to Derek Clark and Bret Franks, each with 75s, for $826.03 each. Butch Braden Jf. of Welch, Okla., had a 72 to tie Doug Blehm for sixth money.

And on the final ride of the night in the bull riding event, Chris Littlejohn nabbed first place with an 81. Littlejohn of Tulsa ended Raymond Wessel's hold on first place. Wessel, of Cedar Point', Kan., had claimed that grip with an 80. Littlejohn got $1,578.33 while Wessel settled for $1,306:20. Glenn Hatchell of Stillwater also got into the money Saturday in the bull riding, with a 75 for fourth, $761.95.

The Saturday morning steer roping results became final, when none of the four contestants could do the trick of roping the steer, tripping it, and making the tie fast enough to get into the money.

That left Jason 'Evans 9.9 in the first go ahead of Tee Woolman, 10.0, or $1,055.89 compared to $873.84. Also Woolman took first in the second go with a 10.3 for the $1,055.89 as compared to Marty Jones with 11.0 for $873.84. Woolman's combined 10.0 and 10.3 were winning efforts in the two-go, at 20.3 for $1,055.89, while Evans had to settle for $873.84 with his 23.4.

There was also nothing new in the calf roping with Bradley Hamilton claiming the best in the first go, at 9.1 for $1,126.22 and Chad Johnson had an 8.0 for the best in the second go, also $1,126.22. But Randy Davis put a 9.2 in the first go and a 9.5 in the second to nip Marty Jones, 18.7 to 18.8. Jones had an 8.3 in the second go, but had a 10.5 in the first go, that left him second in the two go-rounds. Davis nabbed $1,126.22 and Jones $932.04.

The only one to get into the money ring for steer wrestling on a Saturday performance was Spud Duvall, and you guessed it, from Checotah, with a 4.2. His second go time allowed him to tie for fourth, and a total of $251.47.

Brad Lahman had set the stage in the steer wrestling with his 3.8 and 4.2 for an 8.0 after Tom Duvall had posed a 4.2 and a 4.8 for a 9.0. Lahman got $1,041.83 in the first go for first, and $251.47 for his fourth-place tie with Spud Duvall while Tom Duvall claimed $862.20 for second in the two go-round and $862.20 in the first go-round, while Dahman also had $1,041.83 for his 8.0.

Two girl barrel racers were able to get into the money, when Tammi Smith, of Canton, Okla., completed the course in 16.77 for fourth place and $563.42 and Deena Wheaton, Mound's, Okla., did it in 17.14 for ninth and $130.02.