Courtesy PRCA Media
One of the most memorable Calgary Stampede bucking horses passed away early this month. Papa Smurf, age 28, was one of the most magnificent and important rodeo athletes in the stock contracting firm’s history. The storied Stampede bucking horse had retired in 2005 and was enjoying life watching over the young Stampede horses on summer pasture. “Papa Smurf was a great rodeo athlete,” said 20-time Wrangler NFR qualifier Rod Hay. “He was an honest bucking horse and tried his hardest every time he stepped out of the chute. From the time I started riding until he retired, he was the most coveted draw of his era.” The Calgary Stampede purchased Papa Smurf in 1986 for the hefty sum of $375. The chestnut gelding rose to prominence early, winning the 1988 Canadian Finals Rodeo and 1989 Canadian Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year titles. Papa Smurf continued his superstar performances with 74 first-place rides between 1988 and 2005. Throughout his lifetime, more than $466,000 was won with Papa Smurf.
Fourteen-time World Champion Trevor Brazile will launch his Relentless apparel line in October, developed in cooperation with Cactus Ropes. The collection offers T-shirts and caps for men and women, each custom design selected by Brazile. To find a participating dealer, visit www.cactusropes.com.
Two-time and reigning World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Cody Wright of Milford was named to the Salt Lake Tribune’s list of the 25 Most Influential People in Utah Sports, coming in at No. 17 just ahead of U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association CEO Bill Marolt and Utah Jazz head coachTyrone Corbin.
PRCA tie-down roper Cody Harris from Robertsdale, Ala., appeared on five episodes of the CMT reality show Sweet Home Alabama before being dropped in the show that aired Aug. 11. It is sort of a Bachelorette-type format, in which University of Alabama student Devin Grissom is tasked with choosing from among 20 would-be suitors, 10 guys from rural backgrounds and 10 city dwellers. Harris made it to the last seven. More than 700 young men auditioned for the show, which airs Thursdays, and the producers were so intent on having a rodeo cowboy in the mix that they offered the spot to Harris without an audition. “I was told the spot was mine if I wanted it,” Harris told BaldwinCountyNow.com, “so I decided to go for it.”
PRCA rodeo clown Marvin Nash is rolling his 100-pound barrel from Reno to Las Vegas to draw attention to the anti-bullying campaign he co-founded in Wyoming and has now taken national. Nash’s goal is to complete the 450-mile journey by Oct. 4 for the start of an anti-bullying conference in Vegas. Benny Binion’s Bucking Horse and Bull Sale is one of the foundation’s Partners in Education.
Another successful year for California Rodeo Salinas allowed the local organization to make charitable donations totaling $261,038 to various youth groups and non-profit clubs throughout the Salinas Valley who worked during the rodeo and other events held annually at the Salinas Sports Complex.
The Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo awarded 46 central Texas students $442,000 in scholarships at the Aug. 11 Scholarship Awards Ceremony held at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. The Austin-based non-profit raises funds year-round to benefit the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo Scholarship Program, a nearly 30-year-old initiative and one of central Texas'''' largest collegiate scholarship contributors annually. Each year, corporate donations, private endowments and revenue from Rodeo Austin significantly impact central Texas students from diverse backgrounds. The Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo partners with colleges, universities and organizations from across the state to select ambitious individuals who desire to achieve a higher education and have demonstrated the need for financial assistance.
The Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo will dedicate the Sept. 5 performance to Cliff Gage, 96, a longtime competitor, volunteer and rodeo fan who has attended every one of these Labor Day rodeos since it began in 1923.
Former Wrangler National Finals Rodeo team roper Shannon Frascht has resigned as head rodeo coach at his alma mater, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“You learn how to live broke. I’m living a nightmare, chasing a dream.”
– Third-year PRCA saddle bronc rider John Redig of Gavotia, Calif., telling the East Oregonian newspaper about his life on the rodeo trail.
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