Carolina Cowboys at PBR Teams: Stampede Days in Nashville.
Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
Humps N Horns September 2025
On the Cover - Alan De Souza and Buck Nasty (Chapman / Buck / Moore / D&H Cattle) tangle in the Championshp Rounds of the 2025 PBR Unleash the Beast World Finals.
Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
from the publisher and/or editor in chief. All advertisement, editorials, letters, and press releases are accepted with the understanding that the representative, advertiser, and/or advertising agency are authorized to publish the entire contents of submitted material. Not responsible for errors or omissions in any advertisement. Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine will not assume responsibility for any late publication due to the printer, the USPS, or an act of God. Under no circumstances will Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine be held liable for acts of privacy, plagiarism, copyright, or trademark infringements. Material submitted for publication becomes the property of Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine and will not be returned unless prior arrangements are made. USPS #022-617 Periodicals Postage Paid at Fort Worth, TX and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine, PO Box 34172, Fort Worth, TX 76162. ISSN1554-0162. Publication Number 022-617. ©All rights reserved. Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine 2015
Letter from the Editor
I hope this issue of Humps N Horns finds that all is well for you and your family.
Most of you know it hasn’t always been this way, but the month of September is now the final stretch of the season for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Cowboys and cowgirls that are hovering around the bubble are doing all they can to make that final push in an attempt to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The Page family, D&H Cattle Co. and their partners never have a shortage of talented bucking balls on their ranch. Buck Nasty is doing his best to keep the tradition going as he follows in a long line of top-notch bucking bulls.
We also have a chance to meet another top-notch young bull rider named Kolby Smith in our monthly Rider Rundown feature from the CAC Media Group.
Finally, rumor has it the temperatures outside should be coming down to a more reasonable level. Make sure you take advantage of that and get out to support some of the bull riding events in and around your community.
Until next time,
Terry
A view from above at the PBR Unleash the Beast Tour. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
Stetson Wright claims dramatic win at Ellensburg Rodeo Rank 45 Xtreme Bulls
After his 2024 PRORODEO season was completely ruined by a hamstring injury, superstar Stetson Wright is making up for lost time in 2025.
The eight-time PRCA World Champion had his talent on full display late Saturday night at the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo Division 1 Rank 45 Xtreme Bulls.
Wright had an electrifying 91.5-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Hell Ya Rosco in the finals to claim the two-head average win with 179 points.
“Right before that I watched Ky (Hamilton) make a great ride (89.5 points) and it had me all fired up,” Wright said moments after his victory during an in-arena interview with The Cowboy Channel. “I knew how steep that bull was going to be and I just kept trying to keep my chin down and he kept raising it up but as long as you keep your hand shut you can get some things done.”
Hamilton, the 2023 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider, finished second in the average with 176.5 points.
Wright, who won PRCA Bull Riding World Championships in 2020 and 2022, has been in a season-long battle with Wacey Schalla for the top spot in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings. Wright’s performance Saturday night put him in the
No. 1 standings spot since he earned $37,385.
The huge payday was a result of Wright winning the first round with an 87.5-point ride on Burch Rodeo’s Stickin N Movin, which netted him $14,495, and then he won the finals ($8,395), and the average ($14,495).
Wright, who won the Xtreme Bulls year-end championship in 2022 and 2023, put himself in the mix for another Tour title with his latest outing.
“It means a ton,” said Wright about his Ellensburg triumph. “After the year I took off, I couldn’t have dreamed it up better than this. This season has been amazing, and I mean it just keeps getting better.”
Wright, the PRCA All-Around World Champion from 20192023, leads the all-around standings with $370,369, is ninth in the saddle bronc standings and he leads the bull riding standings.
“I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing,” Wright said. “I will not overthink it too much, I’m just going to try to stay even keel.”
Article provided courtesy PRCA.
PRCA photo by Lara St. Jacques
What’s Best for Jr Bull Riders?
True Jr Bull Riding is a very serious issue that is being talked about. Let little kids learn on true Jr stock so they can hone their skills and learn to dominate at the same time they develop physically. Most in leadership of these Jr associations allow born to buck bred bulls and won’t listen to those of us who get what it takes to train kids in bull riding.
The calf roping dads get it and they will ban together and tar and feather anyone who won’t do it the right way. I say that bull riding dads do a little of standing up and take care of the young boys who want to ride bulls when they grow up. It’s a bunch of bull crap how it’s gone so far. The sport of bull riding is at risk. There is a reason that the calf roping has been more exciting to watch at the NFR than the bull riding over the last decade. I believe this is changing because there are more people buying into the theory of letting them naturally mature into great riders instead of push them into early retirement and mediocre performance.
Watching the Little League World Series. They find the best Little League teams from different regions across the country and other countries who compete against each other to see who the best team in the World. They never force the kids to play against even a mediocre College team because they would have no chance. Why do we do this to young hopeful bull riders? Even mediocre hot bred bulls are too much for the kids. Our sport is headed toward disaster if youth organizations keep allowing these rank little (real) bulls to be used. Speak up about it and don’t allow your kid to be a dummy for someone with born to bucks.
Jesus Loves You,
Cody Custer
Here is a list of Schools I have scheduled and contacts to sign up for them.
October 10-11-12
Lindale, Tx
Call JRay Bevill (903) 746-9257
October 31-Nov 2
Wetumpka, Alabama
Call Sid McKissick (334) 391-0375
Nov 28-29-30
Danny Custer Memorial New River, Az
Call Cody Custer 580-729-1962
RIDER RUNDOWN with... Kolby Smith
By Katlin Truelsen CAC Media Group
This year, I have had the privilege of interviewing several riders from the state of Wyoming. These riders have a lot of things in common, including a strong sense of pride that their state has been selected in recent years to host the National High School and College Finals. Having the chance to compete at both of these finals is one of the goals of this month’s rider, Kolby Smith. He’s already qualified for nationals twice as a high schooler and has his sights set on a future college qualifier buckle as well. Here’s what he had to say.
Kolby Smith, 16, Sheridan, Wyoming
KT: Hi, Kolby, I am glad we had a chance to chat today. How is everything going?
KS: Yes, Ma’am, so am I. Everything is good here, just getting back to school.
KT: Same here, we started classes a couple of weeks ago. Can you please tell our readers what grade you are in and give them a little background about you?
KS: I am in my junior year of high school, I’m 16, and I am from Sheridan, Wyoming.
KT: Do you participate in high school rodeo at all?
KS: Yeah, I do high school rodeo. Last year, I ended up 4th overall for the season and qualified for the NHSFR. The last weekend, heading into state finals, I managed to ride all three of my bulls and won two of the performances, so that put me in the fourth spot. I was able to hang on to this position and managed to qualify.
KT: Was this your first year qualifying?
KS: No, I qualified last year as a freshman, but I only got one of my bulls rode out there. It was my second round bull, and I had to take a reride if I wanted to make the short round, but I didn’t ride that bull.
KT: What about this year, how did nationals go for you?
KS: I didn’t do well at Rock Springs this year, but shortly after I got home, I won one of the rodeos in Wyoming.
KT: You guys in Wyoming are lucky to have everything so close.
KS: Yeah, I like it being in our state. It is about seven hours from where I live, so I still get to travel, but I know the grounds pretty well because I have rodeoed there before.
KT: What makes Wyoming such a draw for the high school and college finals?
KS: The state has put a lot of money into the facilities, and the community is excited to have rodeo fans in town. It is a nice place, and out-of-town people seem to like being here quite a bit.
KT: What about the bull riding scene as a whole in Wyoming outside of hosting the High School and College National Finals Rodeos?
KS: We have a really strong summer rodeo season here. There are always some good 4th of July runs, and people come out and support us when we’re riding. The rodeos also try to have bulls for the high school guys to get on, too, which is nice because it gives us bulls to learn on and we can ride along with the older guys.
KT: What has prompted so many opportunities for high school riders? I don’t always hear that.
KS: My family has a steer riding association that we run, which helps get guys started, and the Firnekas family runs the
Underground Bull Riders Productions, which gives guys a place to transition to after they learn to ride steers, so we are lucky. We also have Joe Frost Bull Riding Schools and Cody Custer Bull Riding Schools that aren’t very far, and those have both helped to bring up high school kids. Some places don’t have much for guys to get started on.
KT: It is nice that those schools are happening in your backyard. I am sure that is a draw for guys who want to learn.
KS: We helped put on one of the schools here in Sheridan, and it was great because they have a lot of equipment they bring with them, like good drop barrels for everyone to get on.
KT: That is cool. Talk to me about your summer run. What did that look like for you?
KS: The summer run was busy. There were weekends when I was getting on four head, but it was good. I had fun and was able to pick up some wins.
KT: It takes a lot of hands to make a summer run like that possible. Can you tell me about some of the people who help you to be the best you can be and who hold you accountable for showing up every day?
KS: The people at King’s Saddlery have been a big help. They have supported me and helped make sure I have the gear I need. I would also say my friends because they understand what it is like to ride and to have good and bad weekends, and that support system means a lot.
KT: What about your family? How have they been a part of your journey?
KS: My dad used to ride bulls, so he understands it, and that helps a lot. He is someone who helps me stay motivated to ride my barrel and get on horses. And my mom owns a CrossFit gym, so she makes sure I am getting to the gym multiple times each week. I ride a lot better since I have started working out regularly.
KT: Both of your parents sound like they play a big role in your success. What are some of the technical areas that you have been working on this year?
KS: Early in the year, I struggled with setting my hips and moving my feet. I had my upper body in control, but I couldn’t do those two things. I started focusing on it more when I was on my barrel, and through repetition, I was able to get those things to work right before high school finals. It really paid off.
KT: That’s great! Do you do any training on the mental side of things?
KS: I have been trying to keep myself in a positive space mentally. I know I ride better when I am happy, so I have been focusing on keeping myself in that state. I have changed the music I listen to to stuff that is more upbeat, and I continue to focus on the good things going on around me. It has made a big difference.
KT: How are you able to do that behind the chutes?
KS: So when the bulls are getting loaded into the chutes, we all get together and pray, which gets everyone in the right frame of mind to ride. And once I start doing my warm-ups and practice techniques before I get on, I am able to focus.
KT: What are some areas you feel like you still have room to grow in?
KS: Definitely staying in the right frame of mind. I can ride some good bulls, but I am not always consistent when I do it. Instead of focusing just on riding the bull, I start to think about what goes along with it, like “If I don’t ride this bull today, I won’t make it to nationals,” type stuff. It usually isn’t very successful when I let stuff like that get into my head.
KT: Katie Hollingsworth talked about that in our interview a few months ago, and she said that technique doesn’t work well for most guys. Your approach to focusing on the bull under you definitely pays off more. What is it you are looking to do in the future?
KS: Well, I know I want to go to college and do college rodeo. I would like to study business and really want to compete in the CNFR someday. After that, I will try to go the PRCA route for a while. If it works out, I wouldn’t mind trying some PBR events too.
KT: What are you doing now to help yourself make your college dream possible?
KS: Right now, I am focusing on school and keeping my grades up, so I can get into somewhere good. I am also working on staying in the practice pen and getting to as many rodeos as I can, so that hopefully I can get a good scholarship.
KT: And what about when you are done with your bull riding career, what then?
KS: Either come back home and take over the gym, or if I have enough money saved up, I would like to be a stock contractor. I would like to keep working with junior bulls, too, because I think it is important to give younger guys a place to start.
KT: Both of those sound like good goals. Alright, Kolby, to wrap up, I always ask riders a few fun questions at the end, so readers
can get to know you a bit better. First off, tell me why you would pick riding in the PRCA over the PBR?
KS: Ultimately, I would like to try both, but I see myself doing PRCA because it is more of an actual rodeo experience.
KT: I get that. What about snacks? What sweet and salty snacks can I catch you eating?
KS: Sweet, it would be Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. For salty, I would have to say Hot & Spicy Cheez-Its.
KT: Reese’s are good. I haven’t heard of the Hot & Spicy CheezIts. I will have to see if I can find them. The last time one of you guys recommended a drink, it took me almost two months before I found it in the store, and I didn’t care for it much. It was too sweet.
KS: Yeah, I don’t do a lot of sweet drinks. Like, if I am going to get coffee, it is usually black.
Continued on Page 24
From Down Under to Missouri Thunder
By Harper Lawson
After a midseason trade from the Texas Rattlers, Australian brothers Boston and Macaulie Leather ride together on the same PBR team for the first time.
AUSTIN, Texas — The bright lights of the Moody Center have seen their fair share of drama, but few stories during Gambler Days on Saturday night carried the same weight as the one playing out inside the Missouri Thunder locker room. For the first time in their professional bull riding careers, brothers Boston and Macaulie Leather suited up on the same PBR team.
It wasn’t long ago the pair were chasing calves and daydreaming about bulls in their hometown of Calliope, Queensland, Australia. Now, halfway across the world, they have found themselves teammates in the world’s toughest eight seconds.
Life in the Leather household was anything but quiet. With 13 kids under one roof — eight sisters and five brothers — Boston and Macaulie never bothered scrapping with each other. Outnumbered from the start, the brothers saved their fight for the arena.
That didn’t stop the playful ribbing. “He’d pretend he was a jockey and wear purple [riding britches] and ride his pony around,” Bos-
ton recalled. When asked if the outfit included tall boots, Macaulie shook his head sheepishly.
The reunion wasn’t planned far in advance. After being traded from the Texas Rattlers to the Missouri Thunder last week, Macaulie didn’t tell his brother about the move until the plans to fly to the states were already in motion. “When I rang him to ask if he could pick me up from the airport at two in the morning. I told him,” Macaulie said.
Boston’s reaction was near speechlessness: “Really?!” he said.
Getting back to the United States in time to make his debut was its own challenge.
Macaulie was scheduled to arrive in Dallas on Wednesday but faced a string of setbacks — delays and cancellations in Sydney, then another in Los Angeles, where he wasn’t even originally scheduled to connect. After the detours, he finally landed in Dal-
las at 2:30 a.m. the day Gambler Days was set to buck out of the chutes in Austin.
Boston was there waiting to pick him up — just a short while before Macaulie would make his debut in camo, yellow and red.
When the gates cracked Saturday night, the Aussie brothers’ story got its first chapter in the arena. Macaulie delivered in his debut, covering Washita Red for 83.25 points. Boston, meanwhile, wasn’t as fortunate, tossed in 2.01 seconds by Buck Nasty.
Their teammates split the difference: Paulo Eduardo Rossetto covered Soul Man for 85.25, while Jett Harkins was bucked off Big Mac and Andrew Alvidrez came down early on The Paint. Missouri finished the night 2-for-5.
For the Leathers, though, the scoreboard told only part of the story. Drafted by the Texas Rattlers in his first PBR Teams season, Macaulie now finds himself not only on new dirt, but sharing a locker room with someone who walks like him, talks like him and has the same name stitched across his jersey. If you’re scanning Missouri’s day sheet and think you’re seeing double, it’s no typo — the Aussies have doubled up.
From a noisy household of 13 kids in Queensland, Australia, to the brightest stage in bull riding, the brothers’ journey has been anything but simple. After trades, canceled flights, standby lists and a 2:30 a.m. airport pickup, Saturday night in Austin marked the beginning of the Leathers’ run as Missouri’s Thunder down under.
Article and photos courtesy of PBR.
Inspiration Point
Patience
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Patience is a profound and often challenging aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. It represents more than just waiting; it involves a heart posture that reflects trust in God’s timing and an unwavering commitment to others. In a culture that prioritizes instant results and quick fixes, patience stands out as a countercultural virtue that aligns us more closely with God’s character.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
The Bible often speaks of patience as a divine quality. In Romans 15:5, Paul writes, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” This verse underscores that patience is not merely a human effort but a gift from God. It’s through him that we gain the strength to endure and maintain a positive attitude toward others, even in challenging circumstances.
James 5:7 provides a vivid illustration of patience through the metaphor of a farmer. “Be patient then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.” This imagery highlights the patience required in farming — waiting through seasons and weather conditions beyond human control yet trusting that the harvest will come in due time. Similarly, our lives often require a patience that acknowledges God’s sovereign control and perfect timing.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate model of patience. His life on earth, filled with trials, betrayals and suffering, exemplified how patience can be lived out with grace and love. In 1 Peter 2:23, we read about Jesus: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted
himself to him who judges justly.” His patience in suffering and his trust in God’s justice provide us with a powerful example of enduring with grace.
In our own lives, cultivating patience involves recognizing areas where we struggle and intentionally inviting God’s help. Whether it’s dealing with personal frustrations, managing difficult relationships or waiting for long-desired outcomes, patience is a practice of aligning our heart with God’s rhythm and trusting his perfect timing.
By Riggin Pearce CAC Media Group
What It Means To Be A Christian
The term “Christian” is often thrown out very loosely in today’s world. To a person not of faith, a Christian could mean being perfect, it could mean being judgmental, or it could also mean being hateful. Let me tell you that all of those are very far from the truth of what being a Christian means. The idea of how we are saved is a controversial topic. Some people think all you have to do is believe, while others think you have to work your way to heaven. But what if I told you, it’s both.
The apostle Paul wrote in Romans: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This verse can be interpreted in many different ways. However, the true meaning of this verse is that when you acknowledge that Jesus is God and truly believe that He rose from the dead three days later, you will be saved. That is so powerful because many people think that being a Christian means you get a set of rules and if you follow them, you’re good, and if you don’t, you’re bad. This verse makes it clear to us that we just need to believe.
If I died today and came back from the dead tomorrow, you would probably think I’m important, right? And if you truly believed I was important, you would probably listen to me. This leads to what James says in verse 2:17: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Now we know that believing in Jesus, and who He is, is important. James makes it clear to us that your belief in Jesus means nothing if there is no action behind that faith.
Putting action to your faith could be things like reading your Bible, praying, seeking fellowship with other believers, or sharing the gospel. If you aren’t doing these things, how do you expect
to grow in your relationship with Christ? I can say firsthand that when I’m not reading my Bible consistently or praying, my mind starts to get clouded, and I start doing things I normally wouldn’t do, like cussing, lusting, or seeking the attention of others out of pride. When living as a Christian in today’s world, it is easy to call ourselves Christians and live the life of someone who is not.
I always like to think of the quote, “You may be the only Bible someone reads.” This is particularly important in my walk with Christ because if you call yourself a Christian and are willingly engaging in sin, you are showing those around you that they can claim to be a Christian without the actions to back it up. In order to know how to actually live for Christ, it takes dedication, just like anything else.
In bull riding, you can call yourself a bull rider, but really, that’s just a false title if you’re not doing the things you need to do to get better at riding bulls. Being a real bull rider requires dedication, like riding the barrel, going to the gym, and working on your mental game. The same goes for calling yourself a Christian. You can label yourself a Christian, but if you aren’t attempting to grow in your relationship with Christ, “Christian” becomes a false claim. To grow in our relationship with Christ and to understand how to live for Him, we have to dedicate time to His word every day to understand how Jesus lived and how we, too, should live.
Being a Christian doesn’t mean just believing Jesus is real or just working your way to heaven; rather, it means seeking a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and how we’re called to live. So I encourage you to think about a question that has challenged me in the past: Does your life reflect that you are walking with the Lord?
89h buck nasty
D&H Cattle Company has been an anchor in the bucking bull business for almost 40 years. Dillon and HD Page are six-time PBR Stock Contractors of the Year, earning that title consecutively from 2001 to 2006. They have produced some of the greatest bovine athletes in the history of the PBR. Bulls like 2006 PBR World Champion Mossy Oak Mudslinger, Shepherd Hills Tested, Margy Time, Stone Sober, and 2015 PBR World Champion Long John. Then there was consecutive three-time PBR World Champion Bruiser, who claimed that crown in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Now there is Flapjack, Chiseled, Cool Whip, Ricky Vaughn, and Manaba.
It’s time to add another great bucking bull to the list. 89H Buck Nasty is an up and coming five-year-old bull who finished the combined 2025 PBR Teams and Unleash the Beast seasons in sixth place, with a world average bull score of 44.98. Buck Nasty is contending for the PBR World Champion Bull title in this current season. Owner HD Page said, “Buck Nasty is competing in the PBR Teams and the PRCA now. I’ve nominated him for the PRCA Bull of the Year.”
Buck Nasty is co-owned by Chapman/ Buck/ Moore/ and D&H Cattle. He has won several ABBI Classic events in his career, including the recent Bucktown ABBI Classic in July with a 90.48 score.
“When he started out, he didn’t do real great with the bucking dummies,” HD shared. “But he never fought the chute, and he always bucked real hard. He really came on when he started bucking the cowboys. He’s become a pretty special bucker. His career earnings so far are $29,393.”
According to Probullstats.com, Buck Nasty has had 36 outs and has only been ridden once, for a 97.22% buck-off percentage. That one ride happened when Jeter Lawrence hung on for eight seconds at the December 2024 NFR in Las Vegas, for a score of 87.50.
Buck Nasty was the high-marked bull of the PBR Unleash the Beast event in Sacramento in January 2025, with a bull score of 46.75 points. He bucked off Ethan Winckler in 2.23 seconds. He bucked off Sage Kimzey in the championship round of the Sacramento event in 5.46 seconds for a bull score of 46.25.
2016 PBR World Champion and PBR Commentator Cooper Davis said, “That’s a pretty special bull right there. You can’t expect one to have more on the up and down than this one right here…that bull is the real deal!”
Thus far in his short career, Buck Nasty has out-dueled such riders as 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco, seventime PRCA Champion Sage Kimzey, Brady Fielder, Cort McFadden, Daniel Keeping, Ezekiel Mitchell, Mason Taylor, Kaiden Loud and Eli Vastbinder.
Home for Buck Nasty is on the 1,500-acre ranch of D&H Cattle Company and the Rocking P brand. It is situated on the banks of the Washita River near the small, south-central Oklahoma town of Dickson. “Buck Nasty gets along real well with the other bulls,” HD revealed. “And he’s always ready to go when we back the truck up.”
“When he bucks, he does a lot of big rearing and a lot of kick,” HD continued. “He does it right there at the gate, so he doesn’t get around the corner. It catches the cowboys off guard. He almost doesn’t make a round before they go over his head. The result of that quick buck-off is lower scores, because the judges don’t get the chance to see what he can do.”
I asked HD to describe Buck Nasty in one word. After a short pause he answered, “Great! I guess I’d call him great.” Then he changed his mind and said, “Easy is a better word to describe him. He’s easy to get along with. He’s easy to load and haul to the events. He’s easy in the chute. He’s easy on your nerves because you don’t have to worry if he is going to buck hard. He’s easy because he won’t get in a fight with other bulls.”
After another short pause, HD laughed and said, “Game! I’d have to call him game. He’s a game bucking bull. He knows the game, and he loves the game. He’s really good at what he does, and I think he knows he’s good at it. He’s the rankest bull I have on my truck.”
Of course, HD, all the co-owners, and all the folks at D&H Cattle Company would like to see Buck Nasty win the 2026 PBR World Champion Bull title. “For your bull to be the top bull in the PBR, as a stock contractor, that’s like winning the milliondollar World Championship in the bull riding,” HD declared.
“It’s very satisfying, very special.”
Dillon and HD Page continue to build one of the premier bucking bull programs in the country. Keep your eyes on 89H Buck Nasty, because we at Humps N Horns Bull Riding Magazine believe you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
Photos courtesy of BullStock Media
The Nashville Stampede try to capitalize on the home field advantage as they host the PBR Teams: Stampede Days.
Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
MY COWBOY HAT STILL FITS
By Abe Morris
B.J. Schumacher
B.J. Schumacher grew up in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. His father Eddie gets the credit for passing along the rodeo cowboy interests to his son. His father who had done a little rodeoing in his younger days was a farrier by trade. The Schumachers owned a few horses and B.J. had access to riding them on a regular basis. B.J. would get on a few small bucking horses and ponies and practiced on some dairy cross bulls. The state of Wisconsin has long been known as the heartland of the dairy cattle industry. Those younger years as a kid were very valuable and served as great confidence builders.
B.J.’s mother, Jane Potter, was very instrumental throughout his youth. She would go to every single one of his events and took videos of the rough stock animals. B.J. would then follow up by reviewing and studying the horses, the bulls and his own personal rides during the week. Schumacher is very, very appreciative of both of his parents and gives them the credit for his success once he started competing in the professional ranks. “They were always there for me.”
B.J. was about nine years old before he ever competed in a youth rodeo. He fondly remembers competing in Little Britches rodeos with another future WNFR qualifier Bobby Welsh who also lived in Wisconsin at that time. Schumacher had a ton of talent and a lot of success competing in high school rodeos. By the time he was in high school, B.J. competed at both ends of the arena and worked every event. In 1999 he tied for the National High School bareback riding championship with Royce Ford. He also ended
the year as the reserve All- Around champion at the National High School Finals Rodeo. Schumacher was the Wisconsin state high school All-Around champion for four consecutive years.
Later on, B.J. actually filled his PRCA permit while competing in the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding events. B.J. wanted to compete in all three rough stock events in the PRCA but found out that it was a little difficult when dealing with PROCOM and the central entry office to get traded in all three events during the same performance on a regular basis.
After high school, Schumacher was awarded a full ride scholarship to attend Sul Ross State College in Alpine, Texas. He got along very well with the rodeo coach Kelly Slover. Coach Slover’s critiquing was very crucial to B.J. being able to step up his game in the bull riding event.
B.J. Schumacher had a very successful tour of duty while out on the road-e-o circuit. Unfortunately, though, he never was able to wear enough repellent to keep that injury bug away for more than one year at a time. B.J. was constantly bitten by that old and recurring injury bug. All of the bull riders know that old adage, “It’s not IF you get hurt. The real question is when and how bad?”
Schumacher had suffered a fractured leg during his senior year in high school and had to have a rod inserted. Then within the first few months of college he reinjured that same leg and this time around the inserted rod was bent. B.J. ventured back to Wisconsin to heal up and regroup. It was then that he made the decision to withdraw from school and instead venture down the pro rodeo trail.
Schumacher qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo eight times in the bull riding event. He won the PRCA World title in 2006 and believe it or not that was the only year that he went through the entire rodeo season without suffering a major and sidelining injury. He had an excellent time in Las Vegas winning almost $200,000. In fact, he won the most money of any contestant at the WNFR, but that year there wasn’t a Ram Tough truck awarded to the contestant having the best WNFR campaign.
For two consecutive years B.J. was seriously injured during the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo in Pendleton, Oregon. In 2003, he was jerked down and the bull stuck a horn in his mouth and pushed three teeth back into his nose.
Then in September 2004 at Pendleton, B.J. was in the lead for the world title. He was bucked off, planted squarely on his back and his bull stomped on him. Schumacher suffered a bruised heart and a broken sternum. It was a pretty scary scene. While
he lay unconscious for a while, the tending paramedics couldn’t find a pulse. Afterwards, B.J. wore a protective helmet when competing for the duration of his bull riding career.
In 2005, he was injured again at a PBR event at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut a couple of weeks before the WNFR. Although he qualified for the WNFR, a broken collarbone kept him on the sidelines and he was not able to compete.
Another year he suffered a serious hip injury in Houston, Texas. He tried to tough it out and continue to rodeo, but after consulting with Dr. Tandy Freeman he endured a necessary surgery and was sidelined for several months.
2009 was actually the last year that Schumacher competed. He was riding at Houston, Texas in the Reliant Arena and had won first place in that rodeo the previous two years in a row. The media had made a big deal of his appearance. Larry the Cable Guy was one of his sponsors. They were filming a show at the time and Larry was on the back of the bucking chutes helping B.J. and pulled his bull rope. Despite all of the pressure and
attention B.J. knew beforehand that something was amiss. He just couldn’t get pumped up for the ride whereas in the past that was never an issue.
Schumacher bucked off and returned to his home in Oklahoma. After a self assessment he simply decided that he was done and didn’t want to return to full time competition. B.J. hung up his spurs and never entered another rodeo or bull riding event. It was one of the most difficult decisions of his entire life.
B.J. credits home state WNFR bull rider Fred Boettcher with a great deal of his successes. “If Fred didn’t help me, I wouldn’t have had the success that I did.” Fred took B.J under his wings, took care of the books and did most of the entering. They were traveling partners for quite awhile and developed a very close, tight knit friendship that still carries over until this day. Every now and then he and Fred had to enter separately in order to make it work. Boettcher is from Rice Lake, Wisconsin and after his riding days were over he served as the PRCA bull riding event director.
B.J. related that he’ll never forget the year that he had already sewn up the world championship title in the bull riding event. Fred had made a great ride and was in the spotlight conducting an interview by the media with all of their tape recorders and cameras. Fred abruptly broke off the interview and sprinted back to the bucking chutes to see if B.J. needed any extra help and to also make sure that B.J. was in the right frame of mind before nodding his head.
B.J. Schumacher summed up his bull riding and rodeo career with something that he had once heard bull rider Stormy Wing say, “I was having fun and out there slaying dragons with my buddies. I was having the time of my life!” B.J. would also like to give a ‘shout out’ to a guy who has also become a lifelong friend. Through his camaraderie and friendship with 2005 World Champion bull rider Matt Austin, he met John Armstrong a Dallas firefighter who lived in Canton, Texas. John would transport Matt and B.J. to and
from the Dallas/Fort Worth airport whenever they competed in that vicinity. John had a regular full-time job and career and has since retired. But John regularly was the designated driver during his days off to assist Austin and Schumacher up and down the rodeo trail.
A few years after Schumacher retired, he dabbled with an animal specialty act using two trained brahma bulls. He participated in a Wild West Show in Oklahoma City. The trained bulls were owned by Blake Good and B.J. leased them for a year and was contracted to perform at a few rodeos for Ike Sankey and Bob Barnes. Schumacher said he actually was more nervous dealing with those two bulls than he ever was while riding and competing. You just never knew if the act was going to be a success and the animals performed in front of a large audience like they did in the practice pen.
B.J. Schumacher wisely invested his winnings and purchased a plot of land in Hillsboro, Wisconsin when he was only 20 years old. In 2021 he was able and fortunate enough to build a very nice 60 ft. by 80 ft. indoor training facility. Nowadays, B.J is a horse trainer. He has eight horses on his property that he is training and riding every single day of the week.
Reflecting back on his rodeo career, B.J. said he wished he had entered the bareback riding and bronc riding a lot more. He lives a very quiet lifestyle these days and seldom even goes to rodeos anymore. Occasionally he goes to Las Vegas to hang out with his old rodeo buddies and attend the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Schumacher who will turn 40 years old this year shares legal custody of his 7 year old daughter named Brya. They make a great father/daughter team doing chores around the barn and going for horseback rides on a regular basis. Without a doubt, Brya is the light of B.J. Schumacher’s world and continues to keep him on his ‘A’ game.
BJ Schumacher at the 2006 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. PRCA ProRodeo photo.
Ethan Skogquist earns confidence-boosting win at Kitsap Xtreme Bulls
Ethan Skogquist needed a boost in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings when he arrived in Bremerton, Wash., for the Kitsap Stampede Xtreme Bulls on Sunday.
The top 40 bull rider’s chances of a big payday increased when he matched up with All In Pro Rodeo’s Regulator – the same bull that Bryce Jensen won the Kitsap Stampede on Friday night.
Skogquist matched Regulator for an 88-point ride to claim the top spot in the Rank 45 Xtreme Bulls event.
“I was completely ecstatic when I found out I had (Regulator),” Skogquist told the PRORODEO Sports News. “They’ve been 90 or 91 on him a few times this year, and I watched them (Jensen on Regulator) because I was out the same night. My mindset was pretty simple, just go at him and sit in the middle. I just got my mash and went to him.”
Skogquist said Regulator is tailor-made for winning trips because of how flashy he is out of the bucking chutes.
“He gets off the ground, kicks through it really hard and just kind of floats,” Skogquist said. “Today he was honky, swapping leads and bucking around. But it’s how showy he is. As a big brindle like that, it’s easy to sit up there, stick your chest out and get a pile of points.”
The 26-year-old from Elk River, Minn., competed in the first section and had to sit and wait as some of the top bull riders in the world fought to knock him off. But Skogquist’s trip proved enough
Colton Fritzlan finished second with an 87-point ride and Tristan Hutchings finished third with an 86.5-point trip.
“I wasn’t really (confident I’d stay on top),” Skogquist said. “In a situation like that, I just gave it all to God. I trust his perfect will and that everything is going to work out how it should.”
Skogquist entered with just shy of $60,000 in his ledger. But with plenty of money left on the table before the regular season ends on Sept. 30, he’s feeling confident and ready to make a late surge.
“I’ve been getting into all of the rodeos I need to and I’m staying on,” he said. “I’ve finally gotten healthy where I need to be this summer. It’s a really good time of the year to be super healthy, feeling good and knocking out a bunch of bulls.
“I’m just ready to keep it rolling and keep trusting God and believing in myself. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
After his win in Bremerton, Skogquist set his sights on the Magic Valley Stampede in Filer, Idaho, and Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo and Xtreme Bulls.
“This is the most money of the year right now,” Skogquist said. “August and September are where the (National) Finals (Rodeo) is made. A guy can come from anywhere (in the standings) if he does his job and stays on bulls.”
Article provided courtesy of PRCA. PRCA photo by Kent Soule.
to fend off the rest of the field.
Continued from Page 11
KT: I tend to drink coffee on the black side too, but it has to be iced. What other sports are you involved in outside of bull riding?
KS: I do high school wrestling as well. I made it to state freshman year and just missed it last year. I am hoping to go back this winter.
KT: That is a good goal to have for the off-season. What about outside of school sports? What hobby can I catch you doing?
KS: I really like to fish. Last spring, the guys and I were going almost every day after school. We normally catch little blue gills and bass.
KT: And do you catch and release, or do you save them and have a fish fry?
KS: Catch and release. I actually don’t like eating fish, but I really like going out and catching them.
KT: What podcast can I catch you binge-listening to right now?
KS: Right now, I am listening to the Champion Living Podcast.
Riggin Pierce (July Rider Rundown Athlete) got me started on it, and I like it a lot. It has been helpful, especially when it comes to my warm-ups. They have a different approach from what I had been using, and I like it better.
KT: Nice! It’s always good when you listen to something like that, and the advice you get is helpful. Alright, Kolby, I think that about does it. I hope you have a good fall run and good luck with your high school season.
KS: Yes, Ma’am, thank you for interviewing me.
KT: For more information about junior bull riding, you can check out the National High School Finals Rodeo page or the Yeti Junior NFR on Facebook. Be sure to look for a new rider featured in our Rider Rundown piece next month.
Katlin Truelsen is a member of the CAC Media Group and specializes in print media and graphic design. She is currently enrolled at Iowa State University, where she is studying Ag Communications and Ag Business.
Carolina Cowboys in action at the PBR Teams: Gambler Days in Austin, Texas. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
The Nashville Stampede gritting it out at the PBR Teams: Gambler Days in Austin, Texas. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
WHERE’S THE BEEF?
*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night Information Subject to Change Without Notice
Date Location Added $ Open Time Call-In # Assn/Event
BULL RIDING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
Sep 1 St. Paul, MN
Sep 3 Lewiston, ID
$4,000* 8/25 7pm 515-460-3669 NFPB
$25,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Sep 4 Fort Worth, TX PBR Stockyards Showcase
Sep 5-6 Kennewick, WA PBR Challenger Series
Sep 5-6 Albuquerque, NM
$20,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Sep 5-7 Anaheim, CA PBR Team Series
Sep 6 Kramer. NE
Sep 6 Osakis, MN
Sep 8 Pendleton, OR
$4,000 712-374-6053 BOA / Double S Extreme Bullriding Tour
$5,000 8/24 5-9pm 320-226-1487 NFPB
$150,000 PRCA Xtreme BullsTour Finale
Sep 12-14 Greensboro, NC PBR Teams: Cowboy Days
Sep 13 Defiance, MO
$10,000 9/1 5pm T 573-823-2569 NFPB
Sep 13 Breckenridge, MN $5,000 9/1 5-9pm 320-226-1487 NFPB
Sep 13 Kinmundy, IL
$2,000 9/8 5-9pm 618-267-1782 NFPB
Sep 13 Green Bay, WI PBR Challenger Series
Sep 18 Fort Worth, TX PBR Stockyards Showcase
Sep 18-20 Belmont Park, NY PBR Teams: Maverick Days
Sep 19 Charlottesville, VA PBR Challenger Series
Sep 19-20 Nebraska City, NE
Sep 20 Troy, IL
Sep 24 Fort Smith, AR
$10,000+ 712-374-6053 BOA/Double S Extreme Bullriding Finals
$3,000 9/8 5pm T 573-823-2569 NFPB
$15,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Sep 25 Fort Worth, TX PBR Stockyards Showcase
Sep 26-27 Belle, MO
$7,000 TBA 6pm/8pm TBA NFPB
Sep 26-28 Fort Worth, TX PBR Teams: Rattler Days OCTOBER
Oct 2 Fort Worth, TX PBR Stockyards Showcase
Oct 3-5 Waco, TX
$80,000 PRCA Permit Finals
Oct 3-5 Kansas City, MO PBR Teams: Outlaw Days
Oct 4 Pilesgrove, NJ PBR Challnger Series
Oct 4 Phoenix, AZ PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Oct 4 Effingham, IL
Oct 7-10 Waco, TX
$2,500 9/29 5-9pm 217-994-3469 NFPB
$80,000 PRCA Texas Circuit Finals
Oct 9 Fort Worth, TX PBR Stockyards Showcase
Oct 10 Columbus, OH PBR Challnger Series
Oct 10-12 Glendale, AZ PBR Teams: Ridge Rider Days
Oct 10-12 Minot, ND
Oct 11 Kinmundy, IL
$57,500 PRCA Badlands Circuit Finals
$2,000 10/6 5-9pm 618-267-1782 NFPB
Oct 16 Fort Worth, TX PBR Stockyards Showcase
Oct 16-18 Redmond, OR
$48,500 PRCA Columbia River Circuit Finaks
Oct 18 Owensboro, KY PBR Challnger Series
WHERE’S THE BEEF?
*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night Information Subject to Change Without Notice
Date Location Added $ Open Time Call-In # Assn/Event
Oct 18 Belton, MO
Oct 22-23 Las Vegas, NV
Oct 24-25 Loveland, CO
Oct 24-26 Las Vegas, NV
Oct 25 Wauchula, FL
$3,000 10/6 7pm 816-938-6409 NFPB
$32,000
PBR Challenger Series Championship
PRCA Mountain States Circuit Finals
PBR Teams Series Championship
$5,000 10/13 6-9pm T 269-908-9020 NFPB
Oct 31-Nov 1 Cave Creek, AZ PRCA Turquoise Circuit Finals
YOUTH BULL RIDING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
Sep 3-6 Ogden, UT saddlebook.com IMBA World Finals
Sep 13 Decatur, TX
Sep 27 Decatur, TX
Sep 29-Oct 4 Tyler, TX
OCTOBER
940-453-2364/817-296-4766
940-453-2364/817-296-4766
Cowboy Youth Bull Riders Assoc.
Cowboy Youth Bull Riders Assoc.
WCMB World Finals
Oct 7-11 Ada, OK saddlebook.com PYRA Finals
Oct 11 Decatur, TX
Oct 25 Decatur, TX
BUCKING BULL EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
Sep 4 Prince Albert, SK
940-453-2364/817-296-4766
940-453-2364/817-296-4766
Cowboy Youth Bull Riders Assoc.
Cowboy Youth Bull Riders TX vs OK
ABBIC
Sep 6 Belton, TX Bull Teams Only Finals
Sep 6 Elko, NV
Sep 6 Duncan, OK
Sep 7 Erick, OK
Sep 9 Stephenville, TX
Sep 12 Duncan, OK
Sep 12 Lloydminster, AB
ABBI / WSBBA
ABBI / ClaimABull
ABBI / Carsen Perry Memorial
ABBI / BYOR Bucktown
ABBI
ABBIC / FBB Futurity Series Finale
Sep 19 Buchanan, TN Text 513-256-1225 ABBI / K Bar C Beast of the East Finals
Sep 20 Sterling, CO ABBI / BULLc Finals
Sep 20 West Sunbury, PA Text / Call 724-421-5601 ABBI / NFG: Buckhorn Arena
Sep 20 Walterboro, SC
Sep 20 Porum, OK
ABBI / #rd Annual JI Invitational
ABBI / Jenkins Ranch Futurity
Sep 20 Jackson Hole, WY ABBI / HDBBA
OCTOBER
Oct 4 Edmonton, AB
Oct 20-25 Las Vegas, NV
ABBI Canada Finals
ABBI World Finals
CLASSIFIEDS
Practice Pens
PISGAH, AL - TIM COX, TCB, ANYTIME, CALL FIRST, 256-996-9426
NEW MARKET, AL - EC Hunt, 5:30pm Sun., 256-683-8169
BATESVILLE, AR - James Bechdoldt, Anytime, Call First, 870-307-9923
CONWAY, AR - Mark Lindsey, Ride & Shine Cattle Company, Anytime, Call First, 501-730-4557
ELFRIDA, AZ - D Davis Bucking Bulls, 4pm Sat., Call First, 520-642-3737
LINCOLN, CA - B Bar Ranch, B Bar Indoor Arena, Rain or Shine, All Rough Stock, 916-206-4059
MARYSVILLE, CA - PacWest, 5pm Wed., Steers & Bulls, Call First, 530-751-6643
FRESNO, CA - Toro Bravo Arena, Thur. by appt., Call First, 559-577-2445
ELIZABETH, CO - Tuff Garcia, Tuff E Nuff, 6pm Mon., Rain or Shine, 970-846-0788
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - Tuff E Nuff, 6pm Wed., Apr-Nov., 970-846-6828/3354
ALDEN, IA - Circle C Rodeo, 6pm Wed., Rain or Shine, Call for alternate dates 641-373-3625
WOODBINE, IA - Tom & Kristina Kelley, every Sun. (weather permitting). Beginner - rank bulls. Call 712-5922493
KENDALLVILLE, IN - B Bar A Bucking Bulls, Heidi Speicher, 7pm Every Thur, Call First, 260-564-5864/Troy
JACKSONVILLE, IL - Lazy C Rodeo, 10am-3pm Sun., Rain or shine, Call First, 217-245-8280
Practice Pens
JACKSONVILLE, NC - Aleck Barnard, Elite Cowboy Rodeo Assoc., Onslow Rodeo Arena, 6pm Every Other Sunday, Call First, 910-381-8597
CHANDLER, OK - JAM Bulls, 2pm Sun., 7pm Wed., Call First, 405-570-9010
SOPER/HUGO, OK - RBL Rodeo Bulls, Anytime with 4-6 hour notice, Rain or Shine, 307-461-1741
EAGLEVILLE, TN - BF Cattle Company, 2pm Sun., Jackpot, Call First, 615-336-4313
EMORY, TX - Oakes & Greene’s, 7pm Wed., 903-348-8630
LORENA, TX - Rocking S Ranch, Tue., Jackpot, Call First, 254-716-0779
MANSFIELD, TX - JC Knapp Ranch, 4pm Sun/6pm Wed., $5 at the gate to ride as many as you want, 817-223-3692
SIMMS, TX - Wilburn Bucking Bulls, 7pm Every Other Thur., 903-543-3025
PETROLIA, TX - Norris Dalton, 7pm Wed., 940-733-3020
DECATUR, TX - Cullen Calame, Denton Creek Farms, Call First, 940-393-3730
NOCONA, TX - 4x Arena, Call First, 501-944-1907
NOCONA, TX - Locke Bucking Bulls, Call First, 940-872-0733
WILLS POINT, TX - Austin Arena Bulls, Barrels, & Poles. $10 per ride/run or $25 for all you can ride. Bulls for all ages. 214-7265799
Livestock Layovers
BATESVILLE, AR - James Bechdoldt, White River Rodeo, 870-307-9923
RAYMOND, IL - Randy Littrell, Shop Creek Cattle, 217-556-0551
Livestock Layovers
MARYSVILLE, KS - Gary Hershey, 4H Bucking Bulls and Marysville Sale Barn, Call First, 785-292-4952
LAKE CHARLES, LA - Keith Strickland, Deep South Rodeo Genetics, 337-304-1493
SALEM, MO - Hwy 32 & 72, Salem Livestock Auction, 573-729-8880
HELENA, MT - Jim Horne, Bull Horne Ranch, 406-459-5706
FERNLEY, NV - Nathan Pudsey, Circle P Bucking Bulls, 775-750-2168
CLASSIFIEDS
Livestock Layovers
CLAYTON, NM - Justin Keeth, Lazy J 3 Bucking Bulls, 575-447-0877
BETHESDA, OH - 15 Miles off I-70, TCB Ranch, 304-281-4530
SOPER/HUGO, OK - RBL Rodeo Bulls, Anytime w/ 4-6 hours notice, 307-461-1741
BOX ELDER, SD - Gus “Duane” Aus, Lazy Heart O Ranch, 605-923-3426
BUCHANAN, TN - Parsons & Milam 731-642-8346
CLARKSVILLE, TX - Brian Agnew, BA Livestock, 903-669-9189
Your Ad Could Be Here! Call 325-500-2855 for more details
Livestock Layovers
DUBLIN, TX - Mike Godfrey, Godfrey 4X Cattle, 817-235-2852
MANSFIELD, TX - JC Knapp Ranch, JC Knapp Rodeo, 817-223-3692
MIDLAND, TX - Ted Norton, Norton Bucking Bulls, 432-413-8433
DECATUR, TX - Cullen Calame, Denton Creek Farms, 940-393-3730
SIMMS, TX - Near I-30 Texarkana, Wilburn Bucking Bulls, 863-381-2799
CHEYENNE, WY - Floyd & Ann Thomas, TTnT Ranch, 307-778-8806
Miscellaneous
WINNERS RODEO SUPPLY - Gary Leffews Dare to Be Great DVD $45.00 or I am Hot DVD $35.00-free shipping. Also some remaining Hotman and Lostroh bullropes plus all other bullriding gear. Gold Buckle Rodeo Supply rodeo@wk.net 320-328-4000 Dealers wanted !!
RENOWNED HIGH QUALITY BULL ROPE DickCarrBullRopes.com, PO Box 18, Elk City, OK. 73648, 1-580-225-3208, Be Blessed.
PROFESSIONAL
QUALITY BULLROPES
Raymond Branch, Custom Braider Maker of World, NFR, & PBR Champion Bullropes Strictly custom-braided to your specifications. (928) 289-9611 www.mypqb.com
a cowboy’s fiddle Western Wanderings
The cowboy life is truly grand
There’s a rhythm to the day
It’s spent on the back of your trusted mount
Moving the herd on its way
At the end of the day, as the sun goes down
You ride into camp for some rest
After leading your horse to the wrangler
You grab Cookie’s chow, that’s the best
It’s time to sit back and just relax
You don’t stand the watch until two
That cowboy coffee sure tastes good
It’s Cookie’s famous cowboy brew
Suddenly the night air comes alive
As old Jake starts doing his thing
He’s brought out his old cowboy fiddle
And man, he can make that thing sing!
I lay back and get ready to listen
To the sweet music Jake will play
What a pleasure and what a comfort
A great ending to a long, hard day
By Kelly B. Robbins
The Arizona Ridge Riders go vertical during the PBR Teams: Gambler Days in Austin, Texas. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.