One of the most consistent teams in the sport, Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, brought some of the best roping to Globe Life Field at The American Rodeo.
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14 THE AMERICAN RODEO
THE AMERICAN RODEO
Year of the
JACKIE CRAWFORD AND TY HARRIS
Goat
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
THE AMERICAN DREAM
SPLIT $1 MILLION AT THE AMERICAN RODEO
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THAT’S RODEO TO ME PRCA PHOTOGRAPHER
DUDLEY BARKER
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AROUND THE HORN
AROUND THE HORN
$100,000 Late-Night
Ultimate Bullfighting Event Series
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DaytonRumble
DALTON
RUDMAN
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Contributing photographers: Imagehounds™, Dudley Barker, and Paige King Photography
Dear readers,
We at ARENA magazine want to thank you for your unwavering support. Your readership and feedback have been invaluable in helping us grow and improve. At ARENA, we are dedicated to bringing you the news, updates, and insights from the world of professional rodeo and bull riding. We are proud to be a trusted source of information and inspiration for rodeo enthusiasts everywhere.
Our magazine is about more than just rodeo. We believe that the cowboy way of life is an essential part of our cultural heritage, and that the values of hard work, courage, and perseverance that define the cowboy spirit are more important than ever in today’s world.
The modern cowboy is a symbol of independence, selfreliance, and individuality. As our society becomes increasingly homogenized and disconnected from nature, the cowboy represents a connection and a way of life that is rooted in tradition and respect for the land.
That’s why we at ARENA are committed to promoting the cowboy way of life and to celebrating the men and women who live it every day. We believe that rodeo and bull riding are more than just sports - they are a reflection of our cultural heritage and a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. So to all of our readers and supporters, we say thank you, and we always look forward to bringing you the best in rodeo and cowboy culture.
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C AP T U RI NG Y O U R M O M ENT
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I N T H E S P O TL I G H T
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
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Year of the
Goat
By Brianna Garcia
The American. Crown Jewel of Rodeo.. Each contestant has a chance to win $100,000 as well as the million-dollar bonus. Stetson Wright, the four-time all-around world champion cowboy made history at the 2023 American. ‘He won the saddle bronc and bull riding to become the first person to ever win two events at The American. A riveting tie between Stetson Wright and Dawson Hay during the saddle bronc riding led to the first ever tie-breaking ride-off in the history of The American. Wright came out victorious with a score of 89.5. As if that wasn’t enough, Wright had the crowd going wild when he became the bull riding champion aboard Glory Days from Frontier Rodeo. Earning a score of 92 points to secure his win for $200,000. His wins at The American add to a long list of career accomplishments that fuel the idea, Stetson could be the greatest of all time and this may be the lucky Year of the Goat.
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
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HIGHLIGHT
“
Anyone would kill to get on four of the best in one
day, and I’m lucky enough
to be one of them; so that’s
”
enough motivation for me to try hard.
— Stetson Wright
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
ZEKE THURSTON
CORT SCHEER
LOGAN HAY
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DAWSON HAY
SAGE NEWMAN
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KADE BRUNO
LEFTY HOLMAN
LEFTY HOLMAN
STETSON WRIGHT
BEN ANDERSON
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THE AMERICAN RODEO LEADERBOARD
Driggers
Nogueira
TEAM ROPING’S 2022 WORLD CHAMPIONS,
2023 AMERICAN CHAMPIONS By Hannah Crandall
One of the most consistent teams in the sport, Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, brought some of the best roping to Globe Life Field at The American Rodeo after an exceptional 2022 season and great success so far in the 2023 season!
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“
This guy is for sure
the best in the world, and I’m fortunate to
”
go behind him.
— Junior Nogueira said about Kaleb Driggers
THE AMERICAN RODEO
AMERICAN RODEO WIN Driggers and Nogueira are no strangers to winning big, and it doesn’t look like that will change. To advance to the final round at The American, the 2022 world champions made a businessman’s 5.45-second run before dominating in the short round with a 3.61-second run to earn Driggers his fourth American title and Nogueira his second.
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2023 SEASON So far in the 2023 season, the team has been in the money in most rounds at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo; and they took home second at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo. As of April 6, Driggers and Nogeuira both sit sixth in the world standings. Driggers has qualified for the Wrangler NFR 10 times since becoming a professional rodeo cowboy in 2008 and is a two-time world champion. Nogueira, the Brazilian cowboy, has nine NFR qualifications and three world titles since joining the PRCA in 2014.
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
CLAY SMITH
CLAY TRYAN
JUNIOR NOGUEIRA
TANNER TOMLINSON
RHEN RICHARD
ERICH ROGERS
KALEB DRIGGERS
PAUL EAVES
PATRICK SMITH
ERICH ROGERS
THE AMERIC
JACKIE CRAWFOR
SPLIT $1 MILLION AT T
Jackie Crawford and Ty Harris: both perfect examp Also the two athletes that split $1 million at the 2023 American R
CAN DREAM
RD AND TY HARRIS
THE AMERICAN RODEO By Hannah Crandall
ples of dedication, passion and staying the course. Rodeo in Arlington, Texas on March 11 to kickstart their season.
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
CRAWFORD’S COMEBACK
After not having the season she wanted in 2022, Crawford, the 20-time world champion, came back full-force in 2023. The mother, wife and competitive cowgirl set her eyes on winning the Crown Jewel of Rodeo and continuing to pursue her dreams; and she’s been doing just that.
Since ending up 17th in the world standings last year, Crawford has earned $17,634.68 towards making the 2023 National Finals Breakaway Roping. She is sitting 13th in the standings as of March 21, and her 2.26-second run making her the winner of $600,000 at The American is going to be a great asset as she rolls through the summer and beyond.
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“When my kids find their passion, this is going to be second to them; so I want to give it all I have while I can,” Crawford said after her American win. “When it’s time, I want to look back and say I didn’t leave anything on the table.” The-Arena-Press.com
THE AMERICAN RODEO
HARRIS’ BREAKTHROUGH
While he hasn’t won a world title just yet, the consistent 24-year-old tie-down roper has qualified for the Wrangler NFR four times since 2019; and in 2022, he ended up 11th in the world with over $187,000 in season earnings.
At The American, Harris brought the heat in the final round with a 6.58-second run to take the $600,000 win. So far in 2023, he’s competed at all the major rodeos and is likely to find great success at his hometown rodeo, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, coming up March 31 through April 14; and while his American win doesn’t count towards the world standings, he’ll have a great kick-start to his summer run as the season carries on. “There’s been a lot of days I didn’t know if I could do this, but I’ve worked my whole life for it,” Harris said in his post-win interview.
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
SHAD “MONEY” MAYFIELD
CORY SOLOMON
TY HARRIS
HOUSTON HUTTO
HENRY KINCADE
MACON MURPHY
JOHN DOUCH
KING PICKET
HUNTER HERRIN
CALEB SMIDT
THE AMERICAN RODEO
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“
HIGHLIGHT
These calves are so good. These ropers are so good. I’m just going to put it all in God’s hands, and whatever happens is meant to happen. — Kincade Henry
”
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
KELSIE DOMER
SAMMY TAYLOR
MARTHA ANGELONE
ERIN JOHNSON
TRACY KAY WEBB
SHELBY BOISJOLI
JACKIE CRAWFORD
HANNA HUNDSDORFER
TAYOLOR MUNSELL
@ THE AMERICAN RODEO
SUPER LUCIA
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By Lillian Landreth
Working The American Rodeo is an experience Anthony Lucia will never forget. The trick roper, team roper, and now rodeo announcer from Weatherford, Texas not only announced The Crown Jewel of Rodeo with Garrett Yerigan, but also hustled on to interviews with the champions immediately following the action. Over the past two years, Anthony has done both jobs individually, but was honored— and challenged—to tackle them simultaneously in 2023. “I doubted myself at times if I could do it, to go from entertaining during a live event to that special moment of talking with someone who’s advancing or just won $100,000. But by the grace of God I got through it, and it was an honor to be part of it all.” Anthony, who grew up performing specialty acts alongside his dad, ProRodeo Hall of Famer Tommy Lucia, started out with a career in trick roping. But conveying his love of the sport to others eclipsed his love for roping, and he honed his skills in rodeo announcing instead.
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Greatest Story Ever Told
“What I love most is being able to narrate the greatest story ever told, and that’s professional rodeo. I love being able to take people on a journey and help them feel every single emotion throughout the event. I use stats or stories, wins or misses, to explain why the story is important, and that’s how we create fans. When Stetson Wright was about to nod his head at The American, I asked the audience if they wanted to witness history or be a part of history. Rodeo fans have an innate ability of making history happen through the energy and noise they make, and that fuels competitors to do amazing things. I think it’s those moments that are forever emblazoned in my mind, and it’s so special to be the voice in that moment.”
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
“
These horses nowadays are just amazing. The stock contractors are amazing.
- Kaycee Feild,
2023 The American Rodeo Bareback Champion
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”
It’s fun kicking these young kids’ butts.
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HIGHLIGHT
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
KAYCEE FEILD
LEIGHTON BERRY
COLE FRANKS
RICHMOND CHAMPION
CHAD RUTHERFORD
DEAN THOMPSON
MASON CLEMONTS
JESS POPE
YANCE DAY
R.C. LANDINGHAM
THE AMERICAN RODEO
DAKOTA ELDRIDGE
DALTON MASSEY
TYLER WAGUESPACK
JESSE BROWN
HUNTER CURE
KYLE IRWIN
WILL LUMMUS
LOGAN KENLINE
SAM POWERS
STETSON JORGENSEN
THE AMERICAN RODEO
LA TRICIA MUNDORF
SHELLEY MORGAN
LISA LOCKHART
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TAMARA BARNHART
JORDAN BRIGGS
SAMMIE SMITH TEW
WENDA JOHNSON
HAILEY KINSEL
BAYLEIGH CHOATE
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
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He’s a younger horse, and he’s just stepped to the plate every time that I’ve gotten on him. I think having a relationship with that animal is huge. — Lisa Lockhart
The-Arena-Press.com
”
HIGHLIGHT
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
STETSON WRIGHT
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TYLER TAYLOR
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TREVOR KASTNER
KY HAMILTON
JOSH FROST
RUGER PIVA
JEFF ASKEY
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THE AMERICAN RODEO
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HIGHLIGHT
“
Ever since I started riding, I’ve been wanting to come over here and win all the big events and win as much money as I can. — Ky Hamilton
”
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CLICK TO SHOP SMARTACK FACES
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DUDLEY BARK 48
THAT’S RODEO TO ME
KER
By Lillian Landreth The cowboy way worked its gritty charm on Dudley Barker, a United States Marine from Texas turned rodeo photographer in the 1970s. “I brought a camera back from Vietnam and had to move to Stephenville, where every cowboy in rodeo was living and rodeoing. Next thing I knew I started taking pictures, and 45 years later I made a business out of it.” Raised on a ranch in Central Texas, Dudley was already familiar with the western way of life but cut his own path in rodeo photography. “I went and hung out in the arena. I didn’t have anyone to pattern myself after,” he recalls. “I’d get out and capture the
“IT’S ABOUT TIMING. PERIOD.” action and run like hell. It must’ve been my Marine mentality, or I didn’t know any better.” When Dudley started photographing rodeos in 1976, he shot with film. Digital photography—let alone camera phones—was unheard of. If he timed it right with his flash, which had to recharge after each shot, he could get eight photos out of an eight-second ride. Dudley learned The-Arena-Press.com
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DUDLEY BARKER to look for the classic shot in each rodeo event, while also making note of the contestant and livestock. “It’s about timing. Period.” With the vast opportunities of pro, college, and junior rodeos in Texas, Dudley didn’t travel out of state much at first. He received his PRCA Gold Card in 1980, and branched out to Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, and eventually Las Vegas, Nevada, for the NFR. “I did 35 NFRs—that was my treat every year. Even though there might be eight photographers there, you might be the only one who got a certain shot. You had to nail it and be consistent, because everyone who nods their head is your client, and you have to make them look as good as possible—and hopefully they’ll buy it.” This also included late nights or early mornings shooting slack, where a competitor might win the rodeo, and Dudley didn’t want to miss the champion shot.
Award Winning Artistry Dudley moved over to digital photography in 2001 and loved the ease of sending his photos via the internet, rather than mailing proofs out to associations. He officially retired from photography in 2021 but continues to receive invitations to photograph events. He is working to digitize some of his roughly three million negatives, among them historic shots of Lane Frost and many other world champions. His work captures friends and memories, an integral part of the sport. His eye for the art of rodeo earned him PRCA Photographer of the Year in 2009, and inductions into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, Central Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame, and All Cowboy & Arena Champions Hall of Fame. “The cowboy way is to help your buddy. You might be pulling a rope for him or telling him what the stock does, because if you’re going to beat him, you want to beat him at his best, rather than try to cheat him. It’s the way cowboys are. They’ll do for each other and go out of their way to help you.”
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To view more of Dudley’s work, visit dudleydoright.com, or his Facebook page, Dudley Barker Photography
MARTY YATES CORPUS 2014
Mark Terry vs Prios Sleepy Big Spring, Texas
Joel Picou vs Hall’s Dark Shadow Belton, Texas
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$100,000 Late-Night
Ultimate Bullfighting Event Series
Added to 2023 PBR World Finals Week in Fort Worth, Texas FORT WORTH, Texas (April 3, 2023) – During the 2023 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Finals Week, eventgoers will be brought a wild and thrilling sportsentertainment series like no other, when the Ultimate Bullfighters (UBF) take over Cowtown Coliseum May 12-13 and 19-20 for a late-night, $100,000-added ultimate bullfighting extravaganza. The UBF Midnight Bullfights will get underway nightly at 11:00 p.m. CDT in the iconic Fort Worth Stockyards, as one of the Official Late-Night Parties for the 2023 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast.
Each UBF Midnight Bullfight will include the tomfoolery of Bulls Gone Wild, bringing together celebrity guest stars, the world’s best freestyle bullfighters, and hilarious game show challenges in-front of a live audience. The blend of late-night comedic antics and dazzling feats of athleticism is billed to be unlike anything fans have ever seen. Alongside Bulls Gone Wild, the UBF Midnight Bullfights on May 12-13 and 19 will include a four-man freestyle bullfighting showcase.
In freestyle bullfighting, a bullfighter competes for 60 seconds against a fighting bull predominantly of Spanish descent in an effort to score points for maneuvers performed during the one-minute competition. Unlike traditional bullfighting, the animals are not harmed. Bullfighters are judged solely on their ability to perform gravity-defying acrobatic stunts and evasive last-second moves as close to the bull as possible without getting hit. Each night, the top-scored bullfighter will earn one of three wild card spots to the 12-man $100,000-added showcase round that will be held during the UBF Midnight Bullfight on Saturday, May 20.
During the final UBF Midnight Bullfight on May 20, the three bullfighters who advanced from the previous nights’ festivities will take on the Top 9-ranked bullfighters in the world for their share of the $100,000 purse and title of UBF Midnight Bullfight Champion.
AROUND THE HORN
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AROUND THE HORN
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DaytonRumble
DALTON
RUDMAN Wins Sold-Out PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s Dayton Rumble
In an unforgettable night of bull riding action, Dalton Rudman emerged as the big winner at the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s Dayton Rumble, held at Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. A sold-out crowd was on hand to witness the thrilling event, and Rudman did not disappoint, going an impressive 2-for-2 to clinch the victory. Rudman got off to a strong start, sharing the Round 1 win with Alex Marcilio and Lane Lasley by riding Chain Breaker for 87 points. He then followed that up with another solid performance in the championship round, scoring 86 points atop Homegrown to secure the win. Rudman’s efforts earned him a crucial 118 Velocity Global points, as he looks to capture his first Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Championship in May in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The-Arena-Press.com
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AROUND THE HORN BRANDON CHAMBERS
LANE LASLEY
In an unforgettable night of bull riding action, Dalton Rudman emerged as the big winner at the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s Dayton Rumble, held at Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. A soldout crowd was on hand to witness the thrilling event, and Rudman did not disappoint, going an impressive 2-for-2 to clinch the victory. Rudman got off to a strong start, sharing the Round 1 win with Alex Marcilio and Lane Lasley by riding Chain Breaker for 87 points. He then followed that up with another solid performance in the championship round, scoring 86 points atop Homegrown to secure the win. Rudman’s efforts earned him a crucial 118 Velocity Global points, as he looks to capture his first Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Championship in May in Corpus Christi, Texas. Brandon Chambers of Newport, North Carolina finished in second place, earning 83.5 Velocity Global points. He put points on the
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DaytonRumble
ALEX MARCILLO
MARCO EGUCHI
board in Round 1 with a score of 83.5 aboard Magnitude before catapulting up the event standings in the championship round with a spectacular ride on Blessed, scoring 87 points. Carlos Garcia of Abingdon, Virginia finished third, having delivered a sensational 87.5-point ride on Chief in the championship round, following an 82.5-point ride in Round 1. He returns home with 78 Velocity Global points. Rounding out the top five, and tying for fourth, were Marcilio and Lasley. Marcilio’s hopes of victory were dashed when he was thrown off Buckwheat, while Lasley was eliminated when he was tossed by Black Tie. In the bull pen, Sugar Smack was crowned Bull of the Event after scoring a tour stop-best 44 points for bucking off Marco Eguchi in a quick 3.52 seconds in the championship round.
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