2006 Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo Results*

Champions were crowned in the seven events of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and nearly $75,000 was paid out in prize money.

Thank you to the following ticket outlets in Abilene:  Central Kansas Free Fair Office (785-263-4570), Rittel’s Western Wear, West’s Country Mart, Auto Zone, Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank in Belleville, Pioneer Farm & Ranch, Solomon State Bank, and Zey’s Market.

THE WILD BILL HICKOK RODEO KICKS OFF WITH BULL RIDING COMPETITION, August 2, 2006

Abilene, Kans. - The Abilene rodeo kicked off its 61st year with a day full of slack and an evening of bull riding. The rain didn't discourage bull riding fans during the evening performance, and they were treated to a great show. Reigning world champion bull rider Matt Austin was in the house, along with the current #7 bull rider in the world, 19 year old JW Harris, and the #13 bull rider in the world, Clayton Williams.

Clint Cassell set the bar for the bull riders to come with an 88 point ride on Andrews Rodeo Company's Amber Pet. Five other bull riders made the 8 second buzzer, with scores ranging from 85 to a low of 76. But the match up of the night was the #1 bull rider in the world, Matt Austin of Wills Point, Texas, aboard one of the rankest bulls in the industry, Bo's Excuse. A son of Bodacious, Bo's Excuse has been unridden for 4 years and that statistic didn't change when Matt realized he slapped the bull with his free hand and he jumped off before the 8 second buzzer. Matt, who is #1 in the bull riding standings, has nearly a $20,000 lead on his second closest competitor.

Mutton busters turned out in full force, even though many of them looked like good candidates for detergent commercials after dismounting into the mud.

Nearly 200 contestants competed in the slack. Slack is for the extra timed events that do not fit into one of the 3 performances. Times were fast and competition was fierce, as some of the biggest names in rodeo were there. Joey Bell Jr., steer wrestler and National Finals Rodeo qualifier, started out the morning with a time of 4.1 seconds on his steer. Oklahoma cowboy Russell Wells from Lindsay set the pace in the tie down roping with a time of 8.0 seconds. In the team roping, 1996 world champion Steve Purcella, Hereford, Texas, teamed up with Britt Bockius, Claremore, Oklahoma, for the fastest time in slack with 5.2 seconds. Brooke Oden, Marshall, Texas, had a time of 17.51 seconds for a lead in the barrel racing.

BULL RIDING AND SLACK RESULTS, August 2, 2006
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

Steer Wrestling
1. Joey Bell, Jr., Malakoff, Texas - 4.1 seconds
2. Bo Bleil, Maricopa, Arizona - 4.5 seconds
3/4 Gregory Bennett, Lake Luzerne, New Cork - 4.6 seconds
3/4 Tommy Cook, Heber City, Utah

Tie Down Roping
1. Russell Wells, Lindsay, Oklahoma - 8.0 seconds
2. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Oklahoma - 8.4 seconds
3. Ricky Hyde, Mt. Vernon, Arkansas - 8.6 seconds
4/5 Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas - 8.8 seconds
4/5 Tommy Eaton, Ada, Oklahoma - 8.8 seconds

Team Roping
1. Steve Purcella, Hereford, Texas, & Britt Bockius, Claremore, OK -5.2 seconds
2. Cody Odell, Brashear, Texas & Boogie Ray, Mabank, Texas - 6.0 seconds
3. Kyle Linaweaver, Leavenworth, KS & Jerry Linaweaver, Jr., Leavenworth, KS - 6.2 seconds
4/5 Tyler Johnson, Mound City, KS & Rick Anderson, White City, KS - 6.7 seconds
4/5 Brian Dunning, Granada, CO & Mike Weir, Dodge City, KS - 6.7 seconds

Barrel Racing
1. Brooke Oden, Marshall, Texas - 17.51 seconds
2. Delores Toole, Manter, Kansas - 17.53 seconds
3. Lanita Powers, Edmond, Oklahoma - 17.67 seconds
4. June Holeman, Arcadia, Nebraska - 17.73 seconds

Bull Riding
1. Clint Cassell, Center, Texas - 88 points on Amber's Pet
2. Clint Craig, Mena, Arkansas - 85 points on #313
3. Edgard Oliveira, Denton, Texas - 84 points on Shock Absorber
4. Jordan Davis, Silver City, New Mexico - 81 points on Rompus

* All scores/times are unofficial.

FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE WILD BILL HICKOK RODEO, August 3, 2006
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

The first performance of the Abilene rodeo kicked with a bang and hot rodeo competition.  The stands were full of rodeo fans enjoying the cool weather and the break in the heat.

Competition took off with the #17 bareback rider in the world, D.V. Fennell, set the pace with an 83 point ride on Lock and Load from the Andrews Rodeo Company in Bagwell, Texas.

Four of the top 20 steer wrestlers in the world were up in the performance tonight, and the #1 man, Dean Gorsuch, added to his lead by having the fast time of the night with a 4.3 second run.  Gorsuch is from Gering, Nebraska.

Two other Nebraska cowboys made their mark on the night's performance.  Jeff Johnston and Mark Swanson spend most of their time steer wrestling, but tonight they showed their all around talent as they had the quickest time in the team roping with a 5.8 second run.  Johnston is from Stapleton, and Swanson calls Arthur home.

In the saddle bronc riding, Wyoming cowboy Clayton Selby from Pinedale set the bar for the next two nights of saddle bronc riders.  He covered the bronc named Racketeer with a 76 point ride. 

Tie down ropers Barry Burk, Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Kolby Ungeheuer, Columbus, Kansas, each roped their calves in 9.2 seconds to split the performance's quickest time.

Shali Lord, Lamar, Colorado, rounded the barrels with a time of 17.40 seconds to be the fastest barrel racer of the night.  Shali competed at last year's National Finals Rodeo, and won $150,000 during the 2005 rodeo season.  She is one of several cowboys and cowgirls sponsored by Larry the Cable Guy.

In America's favorite sport, bull riding, National Finals Rodeo qualifier Fred Boettcher was 86 points aboard the bull Spotted Fever.  Boettcher, whose nickname is "Cheesehead", hails from Rice Lake, Wisconsin.   

Be a part of the tradition at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo with its 2nd and 3rd performances on Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5. Tickets are available at the gate and at the Central Kansas Free Fair Office, Rittel's Western Wear, and West's Country Mart. 


Results, 1st Performance, August 3, 2006
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

Bareback Riding
1. DV Fennell, Stroud, Oklahoma - 83 points on Lock & Load
2. Zach Disman, Beaumont, Texas - 76 points on Pale Dale
3. Caine Riddle, Vernon, Texas - 71 points on Kermit
4. Josh Cole, Quitman, Texas - 70 points on Firecracker

Steer Wrestling
1. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Nebraska - 4.3 seconds
2. Casey McMillen, Craig, Colorado - 4.5 seconds
3. Chad Johnston, Maywood, Nebraska - 10.6 seconds
4. Garet Farney, Sterling, Kansas - 10.8 seconds

Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Clayton Selby, Pinedale, Wyoming - 76 points on Racketeer
2. Clayton Zibell, Wann, Oklahoma - 71 points on Fat Albert
3. Andrew Counts, Inola, Oklahoma - 70 points on Top Hand
4. Isaac Diaz, Cody, Wyoming - 64 points on Little John

Tie Down Roping
1/2 Barry Burk, Ponca City, Oklahoma - 9.2 seconds
1/2  Kolby Ungeheuer, Columbus, Kansas - 9.2 seconds
3.  Jess Tierney, Laverne, Oklahoma - 9.4 seconds
4.  Ray Brown, North Platte, Nebraska - 9.8 seconds

Team Roping
1.  Jeff Johnston, Stapleton, Nebraska & Mark Swanson, Arthur, Nebraska - 5.8 seconds
2/3 Colt Braden, Dewey, Oklahoma & Jake Long, Alva, Oklahoma - 6.1 seconds
2/3 Jimmy Edens, Gatesville, Texas & Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas - 6.1 seconds
4.  Bubba Strait, San Antonia, Texas & Brock Hanson, Grand Junction, Colorado - 6.4 seconds

Women's Barrel Racing
1. Shali Lord, Lamar, Colorado - 17.40 seconds
2. Savannah Koeing, Marble Falls, Texas - 17.46 seconds
3. Teal Rice, Lakin, Kansas - 17.67 seconds
4. Denise Loyd, Haysville, Kansas - 17.93 seconds

Bull Riding
1. Fred Boettcher, Rice Lake, Wisconsin - 86 points on Spotted Fever
2. Brandon Wesson, Delaware, Oklahoma - 80 points on Rena's Pet
3. Sonny Murphy, Herriman, Utah - 77 points on Amber's Pet
4. Clay Taylor, Sayre, Oklahoma - 76 points on Hooked in Vegas

* All scores/times are unofficial.

SECOND NIGHT OF COMPETITION TAKES PLACE AT ABILENE RODEO, August 4, 2006
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

Abilene, Kansas - Rodeo was the hot topic in town as cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation streamed in to Abilene for the second night of great competition on Friday, August 4. The competition heated up, and fans reciprocated by filling the grandstand and cheering on their favorite cowboys.

In the bareback riding, Luke West, Marshall, Missouri, scored 79 points on the Andrews Rodeo Co. bronc 46 Cool Water. Kansas cowboy Wes Bailey was the high score in the saddle bronc riding. He stuck it to the bronc 951 Jet Ski with 82 points. Bailey is from Tampa.

The bulls won the bull riding tonight. None of the cowboys made a qualified ride.

From the timed event end of the arena, steer wrestler Bucky Harmon, Walnut, Mississippi turfed his steer in 4.4 seconds. Tie down roper Jared Turner, Lawton, Okla., took the overall lead for the rodeo with a time of 8.0 seconds. National Finals Rodeo qualifier Charles Pogue and Dennis Gatz also changed the lead in the team roping. Pogue, Ringling, Okla., and Gatz, Dublin, Texas, had a time of 4.9 seconds.

The Women's Professional Rodeo Association barrel racing saw Texas cowgirl Naomi Smith round the barrels with a time of 17.45 seconds.

In addition to the competition in the arena, the crowd enjoyed the antics of Mark Swingler, pro rodeo clown and barrelman. Mark's Model T car act and YMCA parody brought laughter to rodeo fans. From Austin, Texas, Mark has worked the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo twice, and three circuit final rodeos.

Miss Rodeo America Amanda Jenkins and Miss Rodeo Kansas State University Meredith Holland greeted the crowd in the grand entry and signed autographs after the rodeo. Jenkins calls Gilbert, Arizona home, and Holland is from Bucyrus, Kansas.

Don't miss the last night of electric rodeo at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo. The Saturday night performance begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at the gate.

Results, 2nd Performance, August 4, 2006
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

Bareback Riding
1. Luke West, Marshall, MO - 79 points on 46 Cool Water
2/3 Justin Williams, Desoto, KS - 77 points on D90 Spitfire
Larry Carter, Ellsinore, MO - 77 points on 99 Doc Holiday

Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Wes Bailey, Tampa, KS - 82 points on 951 Jet Ski
2. Bobby Griswold, Geary, OK - 79 points on 965 Tango
3. Sean Prater, Shidler, OK - 78 points on 122 Foxy
4. Scott Keogh, Queensland, AU - 76 points on 108 Apple Jack

Bull Riding
NO QUALIFIED RIDES!

Steer Wrestling
1. Bucky Harmon, Walnut, MS - 4.4 seconds
2. Kyle Hughes, Olney Springs, CO - 4.8 seconds
3. Matt Reeves, Pampa, TX - 5.4 seconds
4. Bernie Boeser, Pratt, KS - 6.2 seconds

Tie Down Roping
1. Jared Turner, Lawton,k OK - 8.0 seconds
2. Jim C. Smith, Del Rio, TX - 9.1 seconds
3. Giovanni Davis, College Station, TX - 9.6 seconds
4/5 Josh Peek, Pueblo, CO - 11.1 seconds
Cash Myers, Athens, TX - 11.1 seconds

Team Roping
1. Charles Pogue, Ringling, OK and Dennis Gatz, Dublin, TX - 4.9 seconds
2. Lance Brooks, Shandon, CA and Jett Hillman, Jones, OK - 5.7 seconds
3. Rob Holland, Riley, KS and Luke Holland, Bucyrus, KS - 6.3 seconds
4. Jimmy Tanner, Tifton, GA and Arky Rogers, Lake City, FL - 15.5 seconds

Women's Barrel Racing
1. Naomi Smith, Del Rio, TX - 17.45 seconds
2. Chani Payne, Sulphur Springs, TX - 17.52 seconds
3. Sharin Hall-Grant, Kingston, OK - 17.55 seconds
4. Jill Moody, Letcher, SD - 17.60 seconds

* All scores/times are unofficial.

CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT ABILENE RODEO, August 5, 2006
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

The third and final performance of the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo took place Saturday, August 5. Champions were crowned in the seven events of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and nearly $75,000 was paid out in prize money.

Bareback riding kicked off the night's rodeo with a bang. Scotty Drennan, Buffalo, Texas, had the highest score of the night - 83 points on a horse from the Andrews Rodeo Co., who was chosen to buck at the 2005 National Finals Rodeo (NFR). That horse, Roly Poly, has carried many a cowboy to the pay window. But Drennan wasn't the only 83 point ride for the rodeo. Bareback rider DV Fennell also scored an 83 during the Thursday night performance to split the bareback riding championship with Drennan. Fennell is currently one of the top 30 bareback riders in the world standings.

Kansas cowboy Wes Bailey won the saddle bronc riding on a horse by the name of Jet Ski. He stuck an 82 point ride on the horse, in front of a hometown crowd. Bailey calls Tampa home.

The fastest time of the rodeo in the steer wrestling came during the slack on Wednesday. Joey Bell, Jr., Malakoff, Texas, who is currently ranked #13 in the world standings, turfed his steer in 4.1 seconds. He is making a strong comeback this year, after being out most of the 2005 season with injuries.

Tie down roping championship honors were split between 2 Oklahoma cowboys: Jared Turner, Lawton, and Russell Wells, Lindsay. Both roped their calves in 8.0 seconds to win the gold buckle.

Alva, Oklahoma team ropers Nick Sartain and Shannan Frascht had the fastest team roping time for the rodeo on Saturday night with 5.1 seconds. Sartain and Frascht are gunning for their first NFR qualification, and the win in Abilene helped fuel them higher in the world standings.

The barrel racing at the Saturday night performance in Abilene was a "who's who" of barrel racers in the top 15 in the world. The #5 cowgirl in the world standings, Layna Kight, Summerfield, Fla., rounded the barrel with the fastest time of 17.33 seconds to help propel her to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and win her the championship buckle for the Abilene rodeo.

In the bull riding, the winning bull ride came during the Wednesday night bull riding performance, where Clint Cassell covered the Andrews bull Amber's Pet with an 88 point ride. Cassell is from Center, Texas.

The Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo hires some of the best rodeo personnel in the business. Justin Mckee called the play by play action behind the microphone. McKee, from Lenapah, Okla., is well known as an NBC announcer for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). Fans' funny bones were tickled by pro rodeo clown Mark Swingler, Austin, Texas. Bullfighters Dustin Brewer, Elk City, Okla., and Casey Wells, Glendale, Ariz., helped to protect bull riders after the 8 second buzzer, and the 2002 PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year, Sammy Andrews of Andrews Rodeo Company, Bagwell, Tex., brought his top quality bucking horses and bulls to Abilene. Miss Rodeo America 2006 Amanda Jenkins, Gilbert, Arizona, rode in the parade and the grand entry.

Next year's Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo will be held August 1-4, 2007.

Final Results, 2006 Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, August 5, 2006
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

click here for printer-friendly version

click here for printer-friendly version