CONTENTS
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10
Turning Cans - Britany Diaz
14
Kid Rock - Bronc Riding Nation
18
You'll Never Ride Again - In This Issue
20
Ty Pozzobon Foundation - In This Issue
24
Skinnyfied II - Athletes & Stars
28
Legacy of the West Gala Highlights
34
Junior World Finals - Junior Athletes
38
PBR in Primetime - News
46
After Three Strokes - Athletes & Stars
48
#HAILTOTHECHIEF - Music
52
Fort Smith, Arkansas - Travel
54
Remembering Mason Lowe - In This Issue
58
Business Profiles
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EDITORS' LETTER |
To kick off this issue, I would first like to welcome Wichita Falls PRCA Rodeo to the Rodeo Fame tour schedule! Check out rodeofame.com for interesting facts about Wichita Falls and closeup interviews with athletes who love competing there. What is the Rodeo Fame tour, you ask? Stay tuned for details in October 2019 on rodeofame.com. So much has happened since my last letter, I'd like to give a brief recap and end with my life-changing challenge for everyone. First, the Legacy of the West Gala happened in conjunction with the 2018 NFR and helped raise awareness to STOP human trafficking. The event was a great success THANKS TO all our amazing volunteers, sponsors, fans and athletes. It will happen again this year December 11, 2019 and we are seeking volunteers if you would like to help out. RF is growing and has added new distribution locations. Britany Diaz has joined the RF team and will inspire you with her passion for life and rodeo, (go Britany!)
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF April Bach Patterson COPY EDITOR Alyssa Barnes WRITERS/REPORTERS Lori O'Harver Shannon Geddes Brenda Beveridge Brittany Diaz LAYOUT & DESIGN Chantel Miller SOCIAL MEDIA Maci Meyer BOARD OF ADVISORS Peter and DeeDee Tank Judy Nelson ADVERTISING april@rodeofame.com SUBSCRIPTIONS april@rodeofame.com COVER PHOTO Aubree Lorraine RODEO FAME PO Box 2264 Boerne, TX 78006 CONTACT 817.613.7508 All content herein is the property of Rodeo Fame and may not be reprinted or reproduced in any medium without written permission. Some art work is used at the sole discretion of the advertiser and is not created by Rodeo Fame.
And. . .Guess what? I’m pregnant! Not part of the plan, but Blake and I are still excited. Get ready for the BIG maternity photos. Most people do not know this but I have been pursuing my real estate license. Unfortunately, I failed the exam twice, but this month I passed! Thank you Jesus! I am excited to announce that I will be talking with home owners who will give advice on buying, selling, decorating and saving money on diy projects. Who wants to hear the life changing challenge now? It will only change your life if you take the challenge though- here it is: CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK. What do you think about all the time? Our thoughts eventually turn to action and action leads to results. When I failed the real estate test I made myself imagine what it would feel like walking out of the testing room with the word “PASS” on my paper, even though I FELT like a failure I kept imagining myself passing and eventually, I did! Note about cover athlete- Colt Gordon has not qualified for the WNFR, YET, but keep watching his career -watch his thoughts turn to action. We are confident his actions will lead him to the WNFR! GO GORDON GO GORDON GO GORDON!
April Patterson, Editor-in-Chief www.rodeofame.com
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| ATHLETES & STARS
Photo by Hubbell Rodeo Photos
CHASING CANS, NOT CANT’S! By Britany Diaz
Nearly every barrel racer, both young and old, has a common goal: Make the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV. The road to success in this sport is never easy but can be harder when you have false expectations and a bag full of excuses. 10
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Throughout the years, many people tell me reasons they cannot travel, even though they may have that special horse. If doors are opening, step through them. Don’t talk yourself out of what might be the biggest opportunity to reach your NFR dreams. Every NFR competitor going has had to overcome obstacles. The following are the most common excuses:
“I have children”, or, “My family keeps me from going”. Although, many
choose to stay home because they have kids that are involved in sports and school activities, this isn’t a road block. It is a choice. 7 out of the top 15 2018 NFR qualifiers have children ranging in different ages. In fact, rodeo is known as a sport for the whole family. It makes it more difficult, but still attainable. Many rodeos have hospitality areas for children to play and feed the contestants and their families. Reserve World Champion
Barrel Racer, Jessica Routier, has five children ranging in age from 2-years-old to 13-years old. Routier says, “I couldn’t do it without great help and a very supportive family. I’m not the only one who has done it. Its just a matter of figuring out what works best for your situation. We have five kids, and although I would be happiest if we could all be together all the time, our motto has become, ‘Divide and conquer’. One thing that has really helped me is I am able to come home a lot between rodeos. I have rarely been gone for more than two weeks at a time. Being able to come home allows me to switch up who goes with and who stays home, which is determined by what everyone has going on. Between haying, kids rodeos, calving and shipping, it is harder for my husband, Riley, to go with. We have had help from hired hands and I have recently been fortunate to have a babysitter with me during the winter run. My advice for other moms is to do what works best for you.
ATHLETES & STARS | Everyone is different and you must figure out your horse’s needs too. With help, you can do it! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Rodeo family is the best and usually willing to help any way they can.”
“I only have one horse that can win.” Almost every barrel racer that has made the NFR has won majority, if not all their money on one horse. Yes, it is nice to have a backup in the trailer that can also win at that level, but it is not possible for most. NFR horses are few and far between. There is a difference between nice horses and great horses. Lots of factors come into play. Can a horse handle the travel, change in weather, hay, water and atmosphere? Lots of nice horses can’t. Great rodeo horses can! If you have one great horse, you need to go! Don’t wait for a backup that can do the same. If you wait, you may miss your opportunity. If there were lots of great ones, everyone would be there. If you look at the 2018 World Standings, you will see that almost
every girl, with a couple exceptions, made majority, if not all their money on one horse. 2017 World Champion Nellie Miller qualified for her first NFR in 2010 on her horse, Blue Duck. He was the only horse she ran that year. Fast forward seven years and she qualified again on his maternal sister, “Sister”. Sister won Nellie enough on her own to win her the World Championship! When I asked Nellie how she does it with one horse, she replied, “it comes down to knowing your horse and knowing where to enter based on where your horse will do it’s best. It’s different for people also based on where they live. My rodeo plan is different from someone that lives in Texas or someplace else. I also think you need to manage your runs because at the end of the year a lot of girls' horses are worn out.” Her advice for those that have that one great horse is, “I don’t see having one horse as an excuse to not try. It gets proven every year that people make the NFR on one horse. I do think girls need to realize it may not happen the
first year. It takes time and experience to figure out what works for you and your horse. I hate to see girls quit too early when things are not going their way. It’s not easy and it can take awhile for things to come together.”
“I am too old to try to make the NFR.”
When I hear this, two names pop into my head. World Champion, Mary Burger, and June Holeman. Mary set a record for being the oldest world champion in the WPRA and the PRCA at 68-years-old in 2016. Before Mary, June held the record by qualifying for the NFR at the age of 62. In 2014, at the age of 70, June also qualified for the American Rodeo held in the AT&T Cowboy Stadium. Mary Walker won her world title at the age of 53 in 2012. Many others over the age of 50 qualify for the NFR. The lesson here is to never put an expiration date on your dream. God answers prayers in his timing. You can still do it!
“I don’t have enough money.” Rodeo is
a tough sport to make an honest living at, but not impossible. If you have a horse
Jessica Routier
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