$4.99 USD OCT 2020
Humps N Horns October 2020
On The Cover - Jose Vitor Leme conquers Smooth Operator (Dakota Rodoe / Julie Rosen / Clay Struve / Chad Berger) for 94.25 points to win the 15/15 Bucking Battle in Billings, Montana.
Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media
Humps-Horns.com ¡ 4 ¡ October 2020
HUMPS N HORNS® BULL RIDING MAGAZINE PO Box 34172 Fort Worth, TX 76162 325-500-BULL (2855) www.humps-horns.com
ADMINISTRATIVE Stacie Blake
Publisher/Owner stacie@humps-horns.com
Terry Blake
Editor in Chief/Owner terry@humps-horns.com
Features
ADVERTISING ads@humps-horns.com
10 Ace Urrea
The Young Man with a Bright Smile and a Bright Future Wins 3rd Event in a Row & 15/15 Bucking Battle The Man Behind the Lens
Georgia Akers Justin Felisko Barbara Pinnella Keno Shrum
Back in the Saddle
Also In This Issue Bull Pen 19 Classifieds 28 Country Kitchen 15 Inspiration Point 14 Livestock Layovers 28 Outside the Arena
PHOTOGRAPHY
CONTRIBUTORS
21 Baxter Black
FEATURE STORY WRITER
Andy Gregory Director of Photography andy@humps-horns.com
16 Andy Watson
circulation@humps-horns.com
Barbara Pinnella barbara@humps-horns.com
13 Jose Vitor Leme
CIRCULATION
Practice Pens Talking Bull w/ Brayden Through My Eyes Where’s the Beef
28 7 8 25
16 Humps-Horns.com · 5 · October 2020
Andy Gregory Phillip Kitts Kelly B. Robbins Andy Watson
Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine reserves the right to alter, edit or reject all advertisement or editorial for it’s content, clarity, and/or length. Viewpoints expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine. No material may be reprinted or reproduced without first obtaining permission 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 that this issue of Humps N Horns finds all going well for you and your family. For all those who would prefer to have 2020 in the rearview mirror, I have to believe that Jose Vitor Leme is NOT one of them. What a year this has been for him! Leme continued his dominance in Billings, Montana as he went a perfect five for five bulls to win the event, his third in a row, plus win the 15/15 Bucking Battle. I would never count anyone out at this point of the season but those who are trailing Leme certainly have an uphill climb ahead of them. For our October issue, we had an opportunity to catch up with the renowned cowboy poet, Baxter Black. I’m sure most everyone is familiar with him and he has an exciting new project with his rodeo books being released in an audio format for those who are going up and down the road. I’m sure you will want to check it out. Miss Georgia Akers always does a fabulous job of sharing the personal side of people we see working in and out of the arena. This month, she chats with Andy Watson, the PBR photographer, whose work you see online and in print. Make sure to read her Outside the Arena on page 16 to find out how Andy worked his way to the top of the western sports photography world.
We also have a chance to meet an outstanding young man who rides bulls in the MBR. Ace Urrea and his family have worked hard to overcome the challenges he faced as he pursues his goal of becoming a world champion bull rider. It’s always good to learn more about these up and coming miniature bull riders. We hope you enjoy! Until next time, Terry
Humps-Horns.com · 6 · October 2020
Talking “Bull” with Brayden
Cody helps bull riders by putting on bull riding clinics. If you are just starting out or have been riding for a while, I suggest you look into his clinics. He is a great coach to many great bull riders. Thank you for reading. I look forward to writing to you each month. To find out more about me check out my Facebook Brayden Hollywood Brown or my Instagram mrbraydenbrown. Hi, my name is Brayden Hollywood Brown and I am a mini bull rider. Today we are going to be talking about another “Old Timer” as part of the series I started last month. This month I chose Cody Custer. So let’s get into it.
Thank you Brayden Hollywood Brown
Cody has had many achievements in his career. He qualified for the PRCA’s National Finals Rodeo 8 times and the PBR Finals 9 times. Others have qualified for both the PRCA and the PBR but this many times is insane to think about. Just think about how many bulls he would have to get on to qualify for both that many times. Cody rode bulls professionally for 14 years and has rode some of the rankest bulls of his time. During those 14 years, according to www.prorodeo.com he holds two records. One for winning the Dodge Circuit Finals 3 consecutive times from 1990-1992 and the second for winning 4 consecutive Ram Circuit Year End Titles from 1989-1992. That is no easy task. Although, his greatest accomplishment of all time, in my opinion, is when he won the 1992 PRCA world title. Winning a world title is extremely hard. There are so many people competing every year from the veterans to the rookies, but he was dedicated. He is one of the few that can say he is a PRCA World Champion. I was lucky enough to meet Cody when I rode at AYBR, American Youth Bull Riders, National Finals. He helped me with some things I was struggling with. While he was offering some advice I asked, “Which bull did he think was the best short go bull for me?”. He made his suggestion and after a bit of thought I had to agree with his choice, so that is the one I picked.
Humps-Horns.com · 7 · October 2020
Attention Bull Riders.... 5th Annual Danny Custer Memorial Bull Riding School 1st Annual Casey Wells Memorial Bull Fighting School Nov 27-28-29 New River, Arizona Arizona is a great place to be for Thanksgiving weekend. Road Runner Saloon & Restaurant Total investment $550 $200 Deposit Due Nov 10 Cashier Checks or Money Orders Only, make payable to: Life Changers Send to: Cody Custer P.O. Box 1948 Elk City, Ok 73648
**Be sure to provide contact information (Email and mailing Address and phone number) with your deposit. We will need to send information to you. For more information call Cody Custer at 580-729-1962 The lead Bull Riding Instructor for Bull Riding is Cody Custer and for Bull Fighting is Luke Kraut with several other successful guys on staff. ***PROFITS MADE FROM THIS SCHOOL WILL BE DONATED TO LIFE CHANGERS CHARITY IN DANNY CUSTERS AND CASEY WELLS NAMES*** Come learn to ride and fight bulls while honoring the memory of Danny Custer and Casey Wells
Humps-Horns.com · 8 · October 2020
ace urrea By Phillip Kitts
Photos by Avid Visual Imagery
What do you get when you put an extremely goal oriented, loyal and grounded young man within the sight of his dreams? You get a young man named Ace Urrea who has grabbed the attention of everyone in the youth bull riding attention and has a bunch of guys in the pros looking back thinking he is coming soon.
Ace was born in Harlingen, Texas, and currently resides in Devine, Texas. Like any other young bull rider, he cut his teeth in rodeo with Mutton Busting and has now made his way on to the Miniature Bull Riders (MBR) tour. During his early years, Ace had it on his mind that he wanted more than anything to find his way to the top levels of bull riding and represent a nation that carries the roots to his heritage. As a young Mexican athlete, it is astonishing to sit and talk with a young
Humps-Horns.com ¡ 10 ¡ October 2020
man who so deeply believes in where his ancestry comes from and how much pride he takes in his history. Even his father points out that when Ace started to move forward in his career he instantly wanted to carry and represent the Mexican flag on his gear and in his heart. Early on in his budding bull riding career, Ace idolized the great Chris Shivers and has used Mr. Shivers’ riding techniques and performances as a foundation to what he wanted to accomplish. This platform put Ace on the path to where he has landed today but it has come with an extreme amount of hard work. When Ace made his debut with the MBR he was thrilled to take the step. He had been trying for a couple of years to break into the Miniature Bull Riders but never seemed to have any luck since every time he tried, they always seemed to be full. During the PBR Global Cup in 2019, that changed. Ace said “when I got the call on short notice, they wanted me to ride during the MBR portion of Global Cup I was excited”. It was there, outside AT&T Stadium, that Ace took his first step toward what looks to be a promising future. But knowing Ace will tell you how he took it to the next level. Ace Urrea is already a tall guy in terms of a bull rider but in no way does this divert him from his dream. He describes himself as a mid-range student who enjoys biology but hates reading. Ace grew up in a bilingual home but as dad says “he speaks Spanish, if you want to call it that”. None of this really defines Ace but knowing the base of his life explains only some of his drive. In every way Ace is much like any other teenage boy, he loves thin crust pizza, fajitas and quesadillas. What makes him so unique is way below the surface. When Ace made his entrance into the MBR he was immediately met with challenges, as a taller bull rider he just never seemed to get his grip and always seemed to fall short. It was here that the MBR family again played a role in his success. Ace quickly became buddies with a great MBR bull rider named Canyon Trevino. Canyon has made a road for himself in bull riding both as a rider as well as a TV personality. The bond between the two young men quickly became more than “buddies” and matured into a typical MBR family bond. Over the next season Ace continued to struggle with his riding but for anyone who followed his adventures on social media could quickly see that Ace had no quit in him. This never give up attitude is a small portion of what changed the trend for this young bull rider.
feet and utilize his spurs for leverage. With a little fine tuning from the guru and hours and hours of hard work from Ace, the change began to happen. It was not long until every video you saw on social media and every event you attended you would see Ace getting the job done. Not only was he now covering a lot more bulls, but he was doing so with a lot more control and confidence.
After a little bit of time, Canyon reached out to his buddy encouraging him to join him at a bull riding school put on by the legend Gary Leffew. Fortunately, it was in the cards and Ace attended the school and the change was almost instantaneous.
With the first taste of success, you often see young bull riders satisfied with the small success but not this young man. One trip to a Gary Leffew school led to another trip and then a private weeklong session where he used every opportunity to learn and refine his skills. Even more so, you will see amongst the social media world Ace in the gym working out, strengthening both his body and mind as he continues to drive toward his
Gary quickly recognized the struggle Ace was having in that as a taller bull rider it is harder for him to get a hold with his
This confidence only strengthened the fire within young Ace, being a young man who was hungry to grow and succeed and do so while representing the roots of his heritage. His swagger and personality made him even more proud to be a “Mexican Bull Rider”
Humps-Horns.com · 11 · October 2020
goal. He matched his gym efforts with hours on his drop barrel and as he said, “A Buckrite is the next step, as soon as I can get there”.
A following has become profound, on a regular basis this young man hears from many who recognize all of the hard word work and investment he has put toward success.
During our talks with Ace, something profound stood out outside of the bull riding. As a young freshman in high school, his articulate words and mature demeanor is only overshadowed by his extremely polite conduct. As a young man who speaks so well, he also portrays a humble and classy way that is emphasized by how proud he is to represent Mexico as a bull rider but also be a part of the MBR family. Every word he says when it comes to those who he rides with is nothing more than support and appreciation for them all.
What is the future for a determined young man? Anyone who knows Ace will tell you it is one thing, and that is a permanent spot on the PBR tour once he comes of age. This is just as important to Ace “I want to be one of the first Mexican bull riders to make the tour and stay there for a long time”. “I want to bring a world title to Mexico and represent them and my family to make them proud”.
When asked about how the change in his riding and the change in his status amongst the bull riding world has influenced him in a typical Ace style, his response is “it is cool to be noticed but I want people to know that if they believe, they can do it”. This sentiment is relayed in the strong Hispanic following he continues to gain. His dad, JR, commented “recently we have had so many people who live in Mexico who have reached out in support of what Ace is doing, it warms the heart to have so many people behind us”.
“I want everyone to know to keep having faith in the Lord, He will guide and protect you, the Lord will never put anything before you that you cannot handle” “I am Hispanic and don’t panic.” These are amazing words from an amazing young athlete who recognizes the value of where he comes from and where he is going. The future is bright for young Ace Urrea and he will no doubt be one to keep an eye on in the future.
Humps-Horns.com · 12 · October 2020
By Mandi McCary
Leme goes back-to-back-to-back with league-leading seventh UTB win in Billings
BILLINGS, Mont. – The Western sports world is running out of superlatives for Jose Vitor Leme’s 2020 season, which is shaping up to be one of the best in the history of Professional Bull Riders (PBR). Leme went a perfect 5-for-5 at First Interstate Arena at Metrapark in Billings this weekend, winning his third PBR Unleash the Beast (UTB) event in a row, along with Saturday’s 15/15 Bucking Battle. As Sunday afternoon of the three-day PBR Ariat Invitational presented by Cooper Tires began, Leme conquered Zero Time (Paradigm Bull Company) in Round 3 for an 89.75-point score, landing him atop the leaderboard as the day’s opening round ended. On his last out of the event – PBR’s sixth weekend during COVID-19 welcoming fans into the arena with new safety protocols in place, and 25th consecutive stop in Billings – Leme mounted Bad Decisions (TNT Bucking Bulls/Hart Cattle Co) in the championship round, firing from the chutes in complete control on the bull for 89.75 points. Earlier in the weekend during the 15/15 Bucking Battle, Leme
showed the same control when he conquered World Champion Bull Smooth Operator (Dakota Rodeo/Julie Rosen/Clay Struve/ Chad Berger) to win the special round with a 94.25-point score. It was Leme’s eighth 90-point ride of the season, and the highest marked ride of the 2020 season and earned the bovine the YETI “Built for the Wild” Bull of the Event. The soon-to-be father’s league-leading seventh premier series event win of the season inches him closer to the season event win record currently held by two-time PBR World Champion Justin McBride (Elk City, Oklahoma). In 2007, McBride won eight events en route to his second World Championship. He is also within striking distance of breaking the season round wins record. Now with a tour-leading 15 round wins in 2020, Leme could surpass current record holder J.B. Mauney (Statesville, North Carolina) who won 19 rounds during his 2013 World Championship campaign. For his efforts, Leme earned a check for $40,575 in addition to 146 world points. Expanding his world lead, Leme now leads No. 2 Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) by a season-high 539.09 points.
Humps-Horns.com · 13 · October 2020
Inspiration Point
Some parts of the Bible are more difficult than others. Peter said, “... Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (II Peter 3:15-16). Even though it takes more study to understand some of the scriptures, you will notice in this passage that God neither condoned or excused the error that was taught because of Bible misunderstanding. He rather pointed out that the misusers of the Bible brought their own destruction. People will be lost in hell because they misuse the scriptures to teach error.
by Keno Shrum
The Bible is Understandable Many people feel like the bible is impossible to understand. They rely on a theologian or scholar to tell them interpret it for them. The problem is that many theologians and scholars get it wrong. Why? Because they read too much into it or add their own agenda. The bible in fact is very understandable by all of us. While reading the Great Plainness of Speech, I ran across the following article by Dwight McGee.
In a time of flooding religious error and misunderstanding of the Bible let us not blame God and His word, but with great determination find the truth revealed within the pages of the Holy Bible and unite on that truth to salvation. May God richly bless our efforts to know and do His will. If you’d like to discuss the bible or have any questions I could be of assistance with, then please, “...Come now, and let us reason together” the ways of our Lord. In His Love, Keno
The multitude of different church buildings downtown in every city stands as a sad reminder of religious division and confusion. In man’s loss of unity, he is tempted to blame God and His word, the Bible. Men conclude that, since we do not understand the Bible, then the Bible cannot be understood. This is a most serious and fundamental error. Furthermore, it is a personal attack on either God’s goodness or His ability to communicate to men. The Bible declares plainly that it can be understood. The Bible gives a man all the truth that he needs to please God: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16-17). Even though we do not have the complete record of what Jesus did on earth, we have what we need to understand, believe and be saved. “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30-31). It is the truth that will make us free as Jesus said,”If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31,32). Jesus has provided that truth for us today in the pages of the Holy Bible. It is clear from the Bible itself that God intended for us to understand and obey it. Paul said, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). He also made it clear that God’s revelation of the Bible through Him could be understood upon reading. “... How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:4).
Humps-Horns.com · 14 · October 2020
Easy 3 Meat Cast Iron Skillet Pizza INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Heat oven to 500 degrees F. and then preheat cast iron skillet until it is HOT! Roll out dough and sprinkle olive oil in hot skillet and pain on sides and bottom of pan with a pastry brush. Lay dough across bottom of pan and add sauces to your taste. Spread all three meats across top of dough, then cover with veggies. Top with pepper jack, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 500 degrees F for about 15 minutes. Take out of oven and enjoy!
1 frozen pizza dough, thawed and rolled out Ground beef, cooked and crumpled up Owen’s hot sausage (or original), cooked and crumpled up Sliced pepperoni Sauteed onion Bottled mushrooms Bottled sliced jalapenos 1 can sliced black olives 1 jar marinara sauce 1 jar sausage spaghetti sauce Olive oil Grated pepper jack cheese Grated parmesan cheese Grated mozzarella cheese
Submitted by Susan M., Three Rivers, TX
Send us your favorite recipe to bullnews@humps-horns.com
Humps-Horns.com · 15 · October 2020
Outside the Arena with...
Andy Watson By Georgia Akers
In every magazine, in every newspaper many times it is the pictures that tell the story. There have been some masterpiece photos that everyone knows such as the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. Or it might be a picture closer to home such as your child’s wedding or a family gathering. In the professional world of sports, we depend on those photos to catch the action that we read about. It would not be possible without the photographer. They capture that moment forever. In the world of western sports and especially bull riding there is no one finer than Andy Watson. His job is more unique because he gets in the arena with the bulls with nothing but his camera. He is truly one of the unsung heroes that is rarely talked about, but we see his handiwork a lot.
Tell us about yourself. I grew up in Jackson, WY at the base of the Tetons. I graduated high school and went to Casper, WY for college where I started into rodeo and rodeo photography. I moved to Montana in 1994 to pursue rodeo photography as a career. I now live in Three Forks, MT with my wife, Jacey, dog, Lily, barn cat. Stratton and three horses. How did you get into photography? While in Casper, WY at college trying to ride bucking horses I started working in the college photo lab for extra money. I then started taking my camera to rodeo practice and taking a few photos. It didn’t take long to find out which paid better. I then started following rodeos around the area: high school, rodeos, college rodeos, open rodeos. Once I felt I had the skills, I bought my PRCA card in 1994. What made you decide to concentrate on western sports photography? I messed around with wildlife photography while live in Jackson, WY. But I soon ended
Humps-Horns.com · 16 · October 2020
up finding I had a knack at shooting western lifestyle sports in order to make a living. At that point in time, there seemed to be openings in the field and I also loved rodeo and the western lifestyle. What events do you like to photography the best and why? Of course, I like shooting bull riding because that’s what I do on a daily basis but my favorite is probably the bareback riding because that is the event I competed in. I love the action of the horses and the rider trying to catch all that timing together makes it very exciting to me. I also like shooting bronc riding and calf roping. Bronc riding is of course the classic event in rodeo and the great pictures will show the horse in the air stretched out, the rider in timing with his feet to the points of the shoulder and lifting on the bronc rein. Calf roping is also such a fast pace sport. With split seconds to pull the trigger, the challenge of getting the cowboy hanging in the stirrup before he hits the ground while managing his slack, the horse getting in the ground, and the calf lined out. It ends up to be a lot that has to come together in order to make great calf roping photos. What events are your least favorite and why? I would have to say team roping is my least favorite even to photograph. On an amateur level, the action is tight and compact, plus things don’t go so fast. All these factors help to get everything framed well. On a professional level the guys throw their loops so far, so once the header turns left, the space between header and heeler are so far apart, the photo gets so spread out, to me, it just doesn’t make a real compelling photo. If the event is shot in two separate photos: 1) the header making the turn and 2) the healer catching the heels then the photos are awesome. But, working to get both the header and heeler in at that head loop, this particular action shot is hard to make but the photo would be great.
I only shoot a few Pro Rodeos, such as Cody WY PRCA Rodeo of which I have shot for 24 years. I also shot the first five years of the American Rodeo. We are the official photo agency and photographers for the WCRA rodeo association as well as PBR. Additionally, we cover multiple ABBI events. I also provide photo and video services for listed ranch properties around Montana. And we are the official photography company for Coleman USA outdoor camping products. What has been the hardest shot to get? That’s a great question. Working for a client I need to shoot what they request. 99% of the requests that I get are to cover an event and tell the story while making sure to have the winners photographed for press coverage. This makes it hard to go after the low percentage creative shots. My clients expect a high volume of useable photos to come out of a shoot for them to utilize. When hunting for creative shots, the percentage of “keepers” goes down substantially as well as the chance of missing one of the competitors that could potentially win the event.
How did you come to be the PBR photographer? In the late ‘90s, I was shooting rodeos throughout Montana, and I did some work for the Billings NILE Rodeo. In 1995, I shot their NILE bull riding which was sanctioned by PBR. The following year, I went to the PBR Bud Light Cup in Billings and had the chance to talk with the CEO Randy Bernard about shooting more events and it basically snowballed from there. What other events do you work? After buying my PRCA card in 1994 I shot around 200 performances a year of PRCA rodeos. Now
Humps-Horns.com · 17 · October 2020
I enjoy being able to bring in one of our additional photographers and working through creative shot ideas. The pressure is off me so I can concentrate on the client‘s needs while have a second shooter shooting the random shots that I have conveyed to them. This makes for a very well-rounded coverage of an event. I guess, in the end, you can say the hardest shot to get is the one I am not able to go after. What camera do you prefer and why? I shoot the Canon 1DX Mark II because I feel it is the best sports camera going right now. The lenses are great and the camera focus well. Things will be changing soon because Canon will stop producing DSR camera and will go straight to mirrorless camera, so at that point, I will have to make the switch. Not a huge difference but just something I will have to get used to shooting. I have seen you having to hop up on the fence when a bull is coming toward you. How do you manage to get the shot, wrangle your equipment and keep yourself safe? It is a split-second decision that I have honed over the last 30 years of shooting rodeos. You have to decided when enough is enough and gather your camera and jump the fence all before the bull gets to you. It depends on the direction he is going, how he is looking and what the ride is looking like. I guess it takes a lot of practice.
Do you have other photographers in your company? We contract several photographers as we need them. We have guys that specialize in action and behind the scenes. I spend several years working with them to get them to the point that they know what I want from them, and I know they can produce a product that I want to put my brand on. It is much more than just being a good photographer. I need someone that is willing to go the extra mile to make sure that our client gets everything promised and more. I am very proud of the team that I have put together and trust them to produce every time they step in or out of the arena. If someone was interested in becoming a western sports photographer, what advice would you give them? Don’t try starting at the top! Work your way up through amateur events. Learn how to be a professional and hone your craft. Then work your way up the ladder. How many days are you travelling? I average well over 200 days a year on the road, sleeping in a hotel or my RV. It can get old, but for me, it beats sitting at a desk doing a real job every day. What was the photograph that is your favorite and why?
Have you ever been injured? I got hurt once at the Montana PRCA Circuit Finals Rodeo. A bull hooked me up the fence and I sprained my ankle. Other than that, just a few bumps and bruises. Over time, the knees start to wear out and things start to wear out and things start to get sore but that’s just life. How do you get your assignments? Over the years, I have built up clientele and most of them seek me out when they have new jobs. What it comes down to it working very hard inside and outside the arena every time and being very professional. Clients tend to seek that out time and time again.
I get this question a lot and the answer surprises me every time. My favorite photo that I have ever taken was one at my first PRCA rodeo as a brand-new card holder. It was in 1994 in Red Lodge, MT of Aaron Semas on the bull called Blowout of Brookmans, It was a 60 some point ride. The bull stumbled and hit Aaron in the chin and blew straight up in the air. It was a great shot but more than that, it meant that I had become a professional photographer working my first event. I was excited to see where my career would go.
Working hard every day and being professional is how it pays off. Also, diversification. The rodeo photography world is small and sometimes you need to look beyond that. How does a photographer get paid? The pay will totally vary depending on what is asked. Some jobs require 3 photographers and someone running our live photo system. Some just require one photographer. As far as the rate, that depends on a lot of different things too. Is it a total buy out? Do we edit or just turn files over? What kind of gear is needed for the job? It is never an easy question. If you charge too much you may lose a job and if you don’t charge enough, you will set a precedent of being “cheap”.
Humps-Horns.com · 18 · October 2020
Photos provided by Andy Watson.
How do you make a living?
Some of the handiwork from Andy Watson. Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media.
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Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in Sikeston, MO. (Top) Daylon Swearingen, (Bottom) Ky Hamilton, currently #1 in the PRCA World Standings. Photos by Phillip Kitts / Avid Visual Imagery.
baxter black back in the saddle By Kelly B. Robbins
Baxter Black is a cowboy poet, western humorist and philosopher. According to the New York Times, “Baxter Black…is probably the nation’s most successful living poet!” Baxter Black is also a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. His humor and poetry are featured in his 1.5 million books, CD’s and DVD’s sold, on 185 radio markets, television, and in 130 newspapers across the country. He is a “Doctor of Laughter”, dispensing his “medicine” wherever he hits the trail. He’s back in the saddle with a new dose of his “cure”, the new “Rodeo Re-ride” audio books, available September 1, 2020. Baxter’s website, www.baxterblack.com declares that these three fictional, funny and authentic books are “the best-selling fiction RODEO books since cowboys learned to read!” The books, “Hey Cowboy Want to Get Lucky?”, “Hey Cowgirl, Need a Ride?”, and “Ride, Cowboy Ride, 8 Seconds Ain’t That Long” have sold over 160,000 copies. The books are being offered now in CD’s or download for the low price of $39.90. “That’s less than a tank of gas!” Baxter exclaimed. This three-book audio set was created for the cowboy rural audience that’s “going down the road”. But Baxter practically guarantees that they will not disappoint anyone looking for laughter and a good cowboy story. There are 23 hours of laughter, as Baxter reads his material with sound effects in the first two books. His son, Guy, reads the third book. And be sure to look for the down-home humor and commentary that we know and love. Baxter and his wife, Cindylou, have a ranch in Benson, Arizona and have for 20 years. They run cows and have horses. Humps-Horns.com · 21 · October 2020
“I couldn’t do this without my compadre vaquero, Francisco Lopez,” Baxter said. “A top hand and one of the best men I have ever known!” “The first thing I do is write the story or the poem,” Baxter explained. “I mostly write on an airplane coming home from a speech. Then that piece goes into my ‘Baxter System’. It will become a newspaper or magazine column, then goes into a weekly radio program. It may then go into a book, on stage, or a television spot. Everything goes back to being able to tell a story and write it down. That’s where it all begins.” “I couldn’t do it all myself,” Baxter confessed. “My Coyote Cowboy Company office staff, Cindylou, Amy and Vikki, are very competent, and they know everything! They know all my books and what’s in them. They are the beating heart of this office that makes it work. Mitch Deck is my director and is the guy that got me through it all. The videos he makes bring my words to life. My live performances have a lot of energy. Don Edwards once introduced me as a cowboy poet action figure!” I asked Baxter why he is so popular. He laughed and said, “I’m funny! Well, I guess I could say I ride horses, I fix cows, and I make cowboys laugh! Someday they will put on my tombstone ‘He was limited in many respects, but he sure was funny!’ My support system is the rural agricultural folks in America and Canada. Cattlemen are at the top. I have a large hopper of knowledge to pull stuff out of, and I can tell if you know what you’re talking about. And I love my audiences because they can tell that I know what I’m talking about!” Baxter grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, a typical rural ag kid. “I didn’t have a trailer to haul my horse to the rodeo to rope with, so I started riding bulls,” Baxter revealed. “I can’t say I was bad or good, but my bull riding career peaked in St. John, Arizona in 1965, when I took second in the bull riding in the pouring rain!” After veterinary school, Baxter worked ten years in Idaho for a livestock company, where he learned to rope at brandings. As his star was rising in the early 1980’s, Baxter went through a rough four-year stretch where he lost two jobs, got divorced, and moved to Denver. As he would say, “I was down to no keys!” He worked for a pharmaceutical company and began sharing his stories and poems at producer meetings. This job lasted for two years and he was let go. By then, his popularity had grown by word-of-mouth and he was already booking events on the side. A while later he ran into some salesmen from that company. He had always wondered why they had let him go. One of those salesmen told him that his boss had said that Baxter was a good vet, but he was a management nightmare! “I never did take directions very well,” Baxter reflected.
“That’s when cowboy poetry became my career. It has worked good for me, because then it was my show. For most poets, there’s really no place higher to go from there. I’m an exception. I’m very ambitious. I’m an entrepreneur, not on purpose. But when you are living outside the box, which is what writing cowboy poetry is, you gotta keep arrows in the sky. You gotta keep those arrows shooting!” “After moving from Idaho to Denver, I was asked to give a speech at the National Western Stock Show,” Baxter shared. “Harry Green of The Record Stockman asked me if I had ever thought about writing a column. I told him no and asked him how it worked. He told me that it was just like a column in any newspaper. I had to travel to Kansas City and while I was there, I wrote four columns and sent them back to Harry. I told him that if I was going to write a column, this is what it would look like. The column will always be short unless I have more to say. He liked them and decided to run my column in his paper.” “After that, I kept shootin’ those arrows! I figured if I was writing a column for one newspaper, maybe I could write it for two! I cold called the Livestock Weekly in San Angelo, Texas, the paper we got when I was a kid. I called and offered my column and asked them if they were interested. The guy asked if I was in any other paper. I told him I was in The Record Stockman, which was a rival publication and he bought my
Humps-Horns.com · 22 · October 2020
taken out of the envelope, given to someone who put it on a tape player, listened to it, and took it to someone in programming who said, ‘Hey, this is pretty good!’. Then they called me and asked if I wrote it, and if they could play it on the air. They later called and asked if I had any more stuff! I was on NPR for 20 years. I never charged them a dime! Now I am heard on 185 radio markets!” “In 2003, I got a call from Patrick Gottsch, the founder of RFDTV and the Cowboy Channel,” Baxter disclosed. “That’s how I got started on TV. To get sponsors for TV, you’re always selling yourself. Most sponsors are really good people.” “I have never accepted show business awards,” Baxter admitted. “My reward is when I stand before several hundred people in an audience, people that know what I’m talking about. My audiences are the kind of people that pray before the rodeo starts and stand and sing the National Anthem with their hand on their heart. We are like family! We are the people that love the Bible and carry guns! That’s my reward, and I’ve been able to make a living at it. Not on purpose, it just happened!”
column! Things just sort of took off from there. Now my column appears in 130 publications!” “Getting to appear on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show was a hill to climb and a good example of keeping your arrows in the sky,” Baxter continued. “The talent coordinator called in 1983, and explained that I had been recommended to appear on the show. She asked me to send a cassette voice tape. I did. She wrote back and said that I was not what they wanted. I was too ‘cowy’! I had no agent, and I was not in the actor’s union. In other words, I was outside the box and not their system.” “They finally called back in 1985 and asked if I was a cowboy. I told them I was a veterinarian who had horses and cows, but I was not really a cowboy. She told me they were looking for a real cowboy. Well it took two more years of calling and shootin’ those arrows in the sky before they called back and asked me if I was ready to appear on the show. After that first time, I was asked back every year until Johnny went off the air!” “Like I said, you gotta keep your arrows in the sky!” Baxter quipped. “I had a studio, and I sent a poem on a tape reel to NPR (National Public Radio) in Washington, D.C. Unsolicited material usually goes into the trash. But somehow my tape was Humps-Horns.com · 23 · October 2020
Cole Melancon puts the money chops on a bull at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in Sikeston, Missouri. Photo by Phillip Kitts / Avid Visual Imagery.
WHERE’S THE BEEF? 2020
*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night (E)EST · (M)MST · (P)PST Information Subject to Change Without Notice Date
Location
Added $
Open
Time
Call-In #
SEPTEMBER Sep 25-26 Oklahoma City, OK
Sep 26 Sep 26 Sep 26 Sep 26 Sep 26
Hempstead, TX Delaware, OK Prineville, OR Wayne City, IL Gooding, ID
Sep 26 Sep 26-27
Bowie, TX Pensacola, FL
Assn/Event
PRCA Xtreme Bulls & Broncs
$2,000
9/21
$1,000
9/21
5-9pm
Waller Co. Fair Xtreme Bull Riding & Freestyle Bull Fighting 918-467-0067 Bull Riders, Inc. Challenge of Champions Tour 618-267-1782 NFPB PBR Touring Pro Division Cowboy Protection Assn. Bull Riding, Cowboy Protection Match, and Freestyle Bull Fighting PBR Unleash the Beast Tour
OCTOBER Oct 2-3 Casper, WY
PBR Velocity Tour 817-734-2354 Text
Oct 3 Oct 3
Cleburne, TX Iola, KS
$1,500
EC 9/30 9/28
6pm 6pm
Oct 3 Oct 3-4 Oct 9-10 Oct 10-11 Oct 10
Gerald, MO Lincoln, NE Casper, WY Tulsa, OK Ambrose, GA
$1,000
9/21
5pm
573-823-2569 Text
$500
10/5
7pm
912-383-8432
Humps-Horns.com · 25 · October 2020
Bucking Crazy Bull Riders, Inc. NFPB PBR Unleash the Beast Tour PBR Velocity Tour PBR Unleash the Beast Tour Extreme Bull Challenge Bullride
WHERE’S THE BEEF? 2020
*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night (E)EST · (M)MST · (P)PST Information Subject to Change Without Notice Date Oct 10 Oct 10 Oct 17 Oct 16 Oct 16-17 Oct 16-17 Oct 16-17 Oct 16-18 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 17-18
Location Bartlesville, OK Lubbock, TX Clyde, TX Altamont, IL Harrison, AR St. Joseph, MO Nampa, ID Denton, TX Kinmundy, IL Pittsburg, TX May, TX Laredo, TX
Oct 22-24 Oct 23-24 Oct 31 Oct 31Nov 1
Denton, TX Muskogee, OK Locust Grove, OK
Added $ $1,500 $500
Open Time 10/5 9/10 5pm 10/11-17 CANCELED
$10,000
$1,000 $5,000 $2,000
10/12 10/12
$6,000 $3,000* $2,000
10/13 10/19 10/26
Call-In # 918-467-0067 830-212-2051 361-491-0236
Assn/Event Bull Riders, Inc. 2nd Annual Bringing Back the Hands Broken Arrow Rodeo Co. Bullnanza NFPB PRCA Xtreme Bulls Amped Up Bull Riding Tour Finals PBR Unleash the Beast Tour North Texas Fair & Rodeo PRCA 5-9pm 618-267-1782 NFPB 6-8pm 903-456-2265 Henry Wilson’s Bulls & Buckles 325-642-2347 or 817-773-1582 12th Annual Bulls & Briskets PBR Velocity Tour North Texas Fair & Rodeo 7-10pm 936-539-3852 Bull Blowout 6pm 918-467-0067 Bull Riders, Inc. 918-869-2410 Bull Riders, Inc.
Las Vegas, NV
PBR Velocity Tour Finals
NOVEMBER Nov 4-8 Las Vegas, NV Nov 14
Mansfield, TX
Nov 27-29 New River, AZ Nov 28 Prescott Valley, AZ
$3,000
11/6
Text
936-661-5192
See Page 8 for more info
580-729-1962
Mon prior
940-736-1243
PBR World Finals 10th Annual JC Knapp Bringin’ the Heat Bull Riding Danny Custer Memorial Bull Riding School PBR Touring Pro Division
YOUTH BULL RIDING EVENTS OCTOBER Oct 3 Thackerville, OK Oct 10
Ambrose, GA
Oct 10
Decatur, TX
10/5 Mon-Wed prior
Oct 10
Lubbock, TX
9/10
5-10pm
7pm 940-453-2364 817-926-4766 5pm
830-212-2051
Humps-Horns.com · 26 · October 2020
IMBA Punchy as Hell Youth BR Series
Ride Right Roughstock / Little Crackers Mini Bulls Cowboy Youth Bull Riders Assn 2nd Annual Bringing Back the Hands Steers (7-13yrs)
WHERE’S THE BEEF? 2020
*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night (E)EST · (M)MST · (P)PST Information Subject to Change Without Notice Date Oct 10 Oct 17
Location Thackerville, OK Pittsburg, TX
Oct 20-21 Denton, TX Oct 24 Shawnee, OK Oct 24 Oct 31
Decatur, TX Thackerville, OK
Added $
Open Mon prior 10/12
Time 5-10pm 6-8pm
Call-In # 940-736-1243 903-456-2265
10/12 Mon prior Mon-Wed prior Mon prior
6-10pm 936-539-3852 5-10pm 940-736-1243 940-453-2364 817-926-4766 5-10pm 940-736-1243
Mon-Wed prior
940-453-2364 817-926-4766
Assn/Event IMBA Punchy as Hell Youth BR Series Henry Wilson’s Bulls & Buckles Jr Bulls North Texas Fair & Rodeo 21 & Under Rodeo IMBA Punchy as Hell Youth BR Series Cowboy Youth Bull Riders Assn IMBA Punchy as Hell Youth BR Series
NOVEMBER Nov 14
Decatur, TX
Cowboy Youth Bull Riders Assn
BUCKING BULL EVENTS OCTOBER Oct 10 Oct 10 Oct 10 Oct 17 Oct 23-24 Oct 31
Tulsa, OK Vinita, OK Attica, KS Vinita, OK Muskogee, OK Locust Grove, OK
NOVEMBER Nov 1-8 Las Vegas, NV Nov 14 Vinita, OK
9/21-28 TBA TBA 10/20 10/26
TBA
417-529-8453 620-243-3043 417-529-8453 918-605-6265 918-869-2410
ABBI (Classic) ABBI / Evolution Bull Comp. Finale ABBI Sanctioned ABBI / Evolution Bull Comp. Finale Bull Riders, Inc. Bull Teams Bull Riders, Inc. Bull Teams
Text / call 417-529-8453
ABBI World Finals ABBI / Evolution Bull Competitions
Text / call Text / call Text / call 6pm
Events highlighted in yellow have ads in this issue of Humps N Horns for more information.
Subscribe today online or by phone www.humps-horns.com 325-500-BULL (2855)
Humps-Horns.com · 27 · October 2020
CLASSIFIEDS Practice Pens
Practice Pens
PISGAH, AL - TIM COX, TCB, ANYTIME, CALL FIRST, 256-996-9426
JACKSONVILLE, NC - Aleck Barnard, Elite Cowboy Rodeo Assoc., Onslow Rodeo Arena, 6pm Every Other Sunday, Call First, 910-381-8597
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
Do You Have a Livestock Layover or Practice Pen? List it for FREE in the Classifieds.
WOODBINE, IA - Tom & Kristina Kelley, every Sun. (weather permitting). Beginner - rank bulls. Call 712-5922493
Call our office at 325-500-BULL (2855)
KENDALLVILLE, IN - B Bar A Bucking Bulls, Heidi Speicher, 7pm Every Thur, Call First, 260-564-5864/Troy
For More Information on listing your facilities
JACKSONVILLE, IL - Lazy C Rodeo, 10am-3pm Sun., Rain or shine, Call First, 217-245-8280
Humps-Horns.com · 28 · October 2020
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 STEPHENVILLE, TX - Young Arena, every Sunday 2:30pm (rain or shine). $5 at gate to ride as many as you want or to watch. Variety of bulls - beginners to rank. Young Arena Facebook page or call Mike Young 254-967-2313 NOCONA, TX - Locke Bucking Bulls, Call First, 940-872-0733
Livestock Layovers BATESVILLE, AR - James Bechdoldt, White River Rodeo, 870-307-9923
CLASSIFIEDS Livestock Layovers RAYMOND, IL - Randy Littrell, Shop Creek Cattle, 217-556-0551 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 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 with 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 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
Livestock Layovers
Miscellaneous
CHEYENNE, WY - Floyd & Ann Thomas, TTnT Ranch, 307-778-8806
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 !!
School GARY LEFFEW BULL RIDING SCHOOL
Free bull riding tips on Facebook at Gary Leffew Bullriders Only. 14 World Champions and counting! Learn the guru’s winning techniques: Bull riding drills and mental tricks for a smokin’ hot career! FMI and to register for school, visit
RENOWNED HIGH QUALITY BULL ROPE DickCarrBullRopes.com, PO Box 18, Elk City, OK. 73648, 1-580-225-3208, Be Blessed. Custom Bull Ropes www.jwebullropes.com John Eddleman 575-388-3346
www.garyleffewsbullridingworld.com
2020 Schedule Elgin, IL - Oct 2-4 Cave Creek, AZ - Oct 16-18 Panguitch, UT- Oct 23-25 Greenville, TX - Nov 25-29 (R&B incl)
Humps-Horns.com · 29 · October 2020
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
Western Wanderings a cowboy’s bible There’s a bible in my saddlebags I read it every day It brings me peace and comfort And guides me on my way
I read about men like Abraham And Moses and David, and Saul Then I read the gospels of Jesus And letters from Peter and Paul
It once belonged to grandma Who prayed a lot for me She led me to the Lord one day And now I’m whole and free
The Word is alive and active And the only Truth, Jesus said It cuts real deep like a two-edged sword And can really mess with your head
My favorite time to open it Is at the fire at night When work is done and the coffee’s hot And the stars are quite a sight
But if you hang tough and listen Holy Spirit will bring you around And God’s peace will settle in your soul And give you a mind that is sound
By Kelly B. Robbins
