2007 Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo Results *

THE WILD BILL HICKOK RODEO KICKS OFF WITH BULL RIDING & Slack, August 1, 2007

RICHARDSON WINS BULL COMPEITION; KANSAN PLACES 2ND
(Taken from the Aug. 2, 2007 Reflector Chronicle)

The rodeo class of 2007 began in Abilene with a lesson on bull riding.

Two dozen bull riders gathered to make the 8 second buzzer aboard the bulls of the Sammy Andrews Rodeo Company, Addielou, Texas.  Many of them got passing grades – and set the bar – for the next three nights of rodeo competition.

The top score for the night was 93 points, scored by Bryan Richardson, Dallas.  He covered the bull named Fender Bender.  Second place went to Lucas Dick, Kingman, with 89 points on Little Bit Moody, and third place  went to Jarrod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas, with 88 points on Hot Spot.

Three of the bull riders in the top 15 in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings are currently top scores at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo.

They are:  Bryan Richardson, Dallas, Texas, No. 11; Jarrod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas, No. 10; and Clint Craig, Mena, Arkansas, no. 13.

The first full night with a full slate of events starts at 7:30 tonight in Abilene Stadium in Eisenhower Park.  Tickets are available at the gate, through the Central Kansas Free Fair office, at ticket outlets, or by credit card at www.ckff.net.

BULL RIDING RESULTS
Wednesday, Aug. 1
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
Abilene Stadium

1. Bryan Richardson, Dallas, on 27 Fender Bender – 93 points;
2. Lucas Dick, Kingman on 338 Little Bit Moody – 89 points
3. Jarrod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas on 220 Hot Spot – 88 points
4. Logan Knibbe, Rockdale, Texas, on J35 Taboo – 82 points
5. Clint Craig, Mena, Ark., on 55 Casper – 82 points

* All scores/times are unofficial.

FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE WILD BILL HICKOK RODEO, August 2, 2007


Abilene, Kans. - The first performance of the Abilene rodeo took place tonight under muddy conditions. But the mud didn't hamper fans' appreciation for the cowboys' and cowgirls' work in the arena. 

Competition began with the bareback riding.  Buffalo, Texas cowboy Scotty Drennan set the pace with a 79 point ride on the horse called Lease Wendell.  Drennan took second place at last year's Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, and hopes to stay in the hunt for prize money this year.

In the saddle bronc riding, Travis Sturdy, Palmyra, Neb. rode his horse Silver Bullet for 83 points to take the lead.  Only two cowboys in the bull riding made qualified rides, and the rider to come out on top was Poncho
Limas, Weatherford, Okla.  He made a 75 point ride on the bull Dirt Dobber, but that score doesn't even hit the top 5 when Wednesday night's results are added.

In the timed events, a Kansas cowboy had the fast time for the night in the tie down roping.  Kingman's Tyler Garten roped his calf in 12.6 seconds.  Steer wrestler Jeremy Hensley, Vinita, Okla., turfed his steer in 6.2
seconds.  Team roping partners Rance Gantt, Athens, Louisiana and Nick Rowland, Antlers, Okla. worked together for a 4.7 second time, which puts them #2 in the overall standings.

Barrel racing is the only women's event at a Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned rodeo, and a Colorado lady from the Thursday night performance moved to the #2 position overall.  Shali Lord, Lamar, turned the barrels in 17.56 seconds.  Shali is no stranger to the Abilene rodeo arena.  At last year's rodeo, she placed fourth with a time of 17.40. 

The production crew from the Outdoor Channel network was in Abilene, recording the rodeo.   Tomorrow night's performance will also be recorded, and the rodeo will be shown on September 5, 8, 12 and 15. 

Miss Rodeo America First Runner-up Joanna Blackwell and Miss Rodeo Kansas State Kendra Smith were on hand to ride in the downtown parade, which took place at 5 pm.  They also carried flags in the rodeo's grand entry and helped move calves and steers out of the arena. 

Be a part of the tradition at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo with its 2nd and 3rd performances on Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4. 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 2, 2007

Bareback Riding

1. Scotty Drennan, Buffalo, TX on Lease Wendell Ra - 79
2. Ryan Stutes, Sulphur, LA on Precision - 75
3. Justin Williams, Desoto, KS on Canadian Trail - 73
4. Sheldon Rinkes, Fort Scott, KS on Lock & Load - 69

Steer Wrestling

1. Jeremy Hensley; Vinita, OK - 6.2 seconds
2. Jade Berry; Interior, SD - 7.9 seconds
3.  Blake Mindermann; Apache, OK - 15.2 seconds

Tie Down Roping

1.  Tyler Garten,; Kingman, KS - 12.6 seconds
2.  Brock McLemore; Gracemont, OK - 14.5 seconds
3.  Justin Maass; Giddings, TX - 19.7 seconds
4.  Thomas Merritt; Weatherford, OK - 21.6 seconds

Team Roping

1. Rance Gantt, Athens, LA and Nick Rowland, Antlers, OK - 4.7 seconds
2. Jake Cooper, Monument, NM and Jimmie Cooper, Monument, NM - 4.8 seconds
3. Colt Braden, Dewey, OK and Brannon Bockius, Nowata, OK - 5.1 seconds
4. Derrick Miller, Reeves, LA and Justin Babineaux, Sulphur, LA - 6.1 seconds

Women's Barrel Racing

1. Shali Lord, Lamar, CO - 17.56 seconds
2. Tammy Key-Fischer, Ledbetter, TX - 17.97 seconds
3. Tara Woodall, Merkel, TX - 18.27 seconds
4. Denise Loyd,  Haysville, KS - 18.51 seconds

Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Travis Sturdy, Palmyra, NE on Silver Bullett - 83
2-3. Weston Ireland, Sallisaw, OK on Lease Wendell Ra - 79
2-3. Jesse James Kirby, Ashland, KS, 830 Trail Blazer - 79
4-5. Scott Keogh, Queensland, AU on Dirty Harry - 78
4-5. Shank Stephens, Goodwell, OK on Wild West - 78

Bull Riding

1. Poncho Limas, Weatherford, OK on Dirt Dobber - 75
2. Justin Hatheway, Bloomington, MN on Dirt Devil - 74
No other qualified rides were made. 


* All scores/times are unofficial.

SECOND NIGHT OF COMPETITION ABILENE RODEO, August 3, 2007
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

SECOND NIGHT YIELDS IMPRESSIVE SCORES
(Taken from the Aug. 4, 2007 Reflector Chronicle)

For the 68th annual time, fans streamed into the Eisenhower Park in Abilene to celebrate the western lifestyle and the sport of rodeo.

The Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, one of the pro rodeo cowboys, and cowgirls, favorite stops during the summer rodeo run, held its second performance on Friday.

The bareback riding lead changed hands tonight with a National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier cowboy, Chris Harris.  The Itasca, Texas cowboy rode D90 Spitfire of the Sammy Andrews Rodeo Co. for 86 points to get the crowd pumped up and ready for more rodeo.

The No. 3 man in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association saddle bronc riding standings is a youngster, Taos Muncy, Corona, New Mexico.  Muncy, who turned 20 this month, spurred his horse, 965 Tango, for a 76-point ride.  However, the saddle bronc riding competition has been so good that the 76 points does not put Muncy in the top 5 bronc rides so far.

The bulls took their toll on bull riders.  Out of 14 bull riders, only three made the 8-second buzzer.  The bull rider coming out on top was Shawn Hogg. Odessa, Texas with 80 points on 333 Dirty Deeds. 

From the timed event end of the arena, Oklahoma cowboy Sean Mulligan turfed his steer in 4.5 seconds.  Muligan, of Coleman, has qualified for the NFR twice.  Tie down roper Bill Sharber, Konawa, Okla. roped his calf in 12.2 seconds. 

The barrel racing competition was a real treat for Abilene rodeo fans.  The No. 1 barrel racer in the world, Brittany Pozzi-Pharr, wowed the crowd with the fastest run of the rodeo so far.  She rounded the barrels in 17.36 seconds.  Pozzi-Pharr just returned from winning the championship at Cheyenne Frontier Days. 

Luke Brown, Huntersville, NC, teamed up with veteran NFR qualifier Allen Bach to make the fastest time in the team roping with 5.0 seconds.  Bach has qualified for the NFR a record 25 times, and has four world titles to his name. 

The stands were painted with pink-clad people, as the rodeo celebrated its 2nd annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink night.  Cowboys and cowgirls, announcer Justin McKee, the judges, and even rodeo queens Joanna Blackwell Miss Rodeo America First Runner-up and Kendra Smith, Miss Rodeo Kansas State University, wore pink to draw attention to the fight against cancer.

Pink items like rubber duckies, beads, balloons, candy and caps were on sale with proceeds going to cancer research at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center in Salina.  The public was able to buy balloons in memory of family or friends who suffered from cancer, and the balloons were released during the rodeo.

Green Team capped off Tough Enough to Wear Pink night with a $2,000 donation to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.

Tonight’s performance – the final one of the rodeo – begins at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available at the gate.

Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
Friday night results
Abilene Stadium
Eisenhower Park

Bareback Riding
1. Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas – 85 points on D90 Spitfire
2. Tim Wilkinson, Ft. Scott, Kan. – 72 points on 208 Termite
3. Brian Leddy, Leedey, Okla. – 67 points on 45 Buckwheat

Saddle Bronc Riding
1. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M. – 76 points on 965 Tango
2. Will Payne, Beaver, Okla. – 75 points on 293 Calvin Klein
3. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb. – 72 points on 961 Huckleberry
4. Clayton Zibell, Wann, Okla. – 70 points on 44 Baccarat

Bull Riding
1. Shawn Hogg, Odessa, Texas – 80 points on 333 Dirty Deeds
2. Benton Gonzales, Donie, Texas – 75 points on 303 Hugger Mugger
3. Shawn Coleman, Springfield, S.D. – 72 points on A171 Blackout

Steer Wrestling
1. Sean Mulligan, Coleman, Okla. – 4.5 seconds
2. Dru Melvin, Tryon, Neb. – 4.7 seconds
3. Levi Wisness, Keene, N.D. – 5.7 seconds
4. Linn Churchill, Valentine, Neb. – 6.4 seconds

Tie Down Roping
1. Bill Sharber, Konawa, Okla. – 12.2 seconds
2. Cade Swor, Chico, Texas – 13.1 seconds
3. Matt Carlson, Sweetwater, Okla. – 13.7 seconds
4. Seth Crain, Yancey, Texas – 14.6 seconds

Team Roping
1. Luke Brown, Huntersville, N.C. and Allen Bach, Weatherford, Texas – 5.0 seconds
2. Cody McMinn, Caddo Mills, Texas and Kollin Von Ahn, Sac City, Iowa – 14.1 seconds
3. Chad Masters, Clarksville, Tenn. And Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla. – 14.3 seconds

Women’s’ Barrel Racing
1. Brittany Pozzi-Pharr, Victoria, Texas – 17.36 seconds
2. Diann Bukowski, Falcon, Colo. – 17.64 seconds
3. Colette Flaharty, Perkins, Okla. – 17.94 seconds
4. Lori Wooten, Garvin, Okla. 18.27 seconds

* All scores/times are unofficial.

CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT ABILENE RODEO, August 4, 2007
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT HICKOK RODEO
(taken from the Aug 6, 2007 Reflector Chronicle)

The third and final performance of the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo is in the rearview mirror and the rodeo dust has settled.  The books have been finalized and champions have been crowned at the 68th annual rodeo.

In the bareback riding, Chris Harris, a National Finals Rodeo qualifier, had the highest score of the rodeo – 85 points on a horse from the Andrews Rodeo Co., Spitfire.  Spitfire has carried several cowboys to the pay window over the last few years.  In 2006, her rider placed 4th, and in 2005, her rider placed 3rd.  Harris is currently No. 5 in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association standings, and the $1,514 he won in Abilene will help secure his place at the NFR in December.

Saddle bronc rider Nick LaDuke, Livermore, Calif., rode 830 Trail Blazer for 84 points, the championship belt buckle, and $1739.

The fastest time of the rodeo in the steer wrestling came during the slack on Wednesday.  Ronnie Fields, Oklahoma City, Okla., turfed his steer in 3.6 seconds.  Fields pocketed $2,146.

This year, the team roping times were the fastest that Abilene fans had seen in several years.  Team ropers had to rope in 4.8 seconds or less to win money at this year’s rodeo.  Last year, 4.9 seconds won first place.  This year, 4.9 seconds was 9th place and wouldn’t have earned a pair of team ropers any money.  The winning team of Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz. And Victor Aros, Marana, Ariz., turned in a time of 4.3 seconds to be this year’s champions.

Tulsa, Okla. Cowboy Stephen Reagor won the tie down roping.  He roped his calf in 8.7 seconds. 

Maegan Reichert turned the barrels the fastest among the 67 barrel racers who competed in Abilene.  Her time of 17 seconds came during Saturday night’s performance, and the crowd roared its approval as the Mt. Pleasant, Texas cowgirl won the 2007 championship.

In the bull riding, the winning ride came during the Wednesday night performance where the No. 11 man in the PRCA world standings, Bryan Richardson, Dallas, rode Fender Bender for 93 points.  Richardson now has 2 Abilene rodeo buckles in his trophy case at home; he also won the 2005 Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, to the tune of 91 points.

Not only does the Abilene rodeo attract famous cowboys and cowgirls, but it showcases the fine animal athletes of Sammy Andrews Rodeo Company.  Bareback horse Roly Poly bucked at the 2006 NFR and was selected the 2004 Bareback Horse of the Year.  Bucking bull Bo’s Excuse, a descendant of the famous bull Bodacious, also bucked at the 2006 NFR, where no rider made a qualified ride on him.

Justin McKee called the play by play action behind the microphone.  McKee, from Lenapah, Okla., is well knows as an NBC announcer for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR).  Fans’ funny bones were tickled by pro rodeo clown Jeff Garner, Fredonia, Kansas.  Bullfighters Dustin Brewer, Elk City, Okla., and Dan Newman, Eatonville, Wash., 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.

Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
Aug. 4, Abilene Stadium
Eisenhower Park

Bareback Riding

1. Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas – 85 points on D90 Spitfire
2. Dennis Foyil, Guthrie, Okla. – 82 points on 354 Firecracker
3. Scotty Drennan, Buffalo, Texas – 79 points on Lease Wendell
4-5-6. (tie) Dustin Murray, Midwest City, Okla. – 75 points on 203 Pebbels
4-5-6. (tie) Andy Carter, Ft. Dodge, Iowa 75 points on 4151 Roly Poly
4-5-6. (tie) Ryan Stutes, Sulphur, La. – 75 points on Precision

Steer Wrestling

1. Ronnie Fields, Oklahoma City, Okla. – 3.6 seconds
2. Parker Howell, Stillwell, Okla. – 4.0 seconds
3-4. (tie) Jack Hodges, Stephenville, Texas
3-4. (tie) Joey Bell Jr. Malakoff, Texas – 4.2 seconds

Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Nick Laduke, Livermore, Calif. – 84 points on 830 Trail Blazer
2. Travis Sturdy, Palmyra, Neb. – 83 points on Silver Bullet
3-4. (tie) Weston Ireland, Sallisaw, Okla. – 79 points on Lease Wendell
3-4. (tie) Jesse James Kirby, Ashland, Kan. – 79 points on 830 Trail Blazer

Tie Down Roping

1. Stephen Reagor, Tulsa, Okla. – 8.7 seconds
2. Stran Smith, Childress, Texas – 8.8 seconds
3/4. (tie) Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas – 9.1 seconds
3-4. (tie) Ryan Jarrett, Summerville, Ga. – 9.1seconds

Team Roping

1. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz. & Victor Aros, Marana, Ariz. 4.3 seconds
2. Jimmy Edens, Gatesville, Texas & Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas 4.6 seconds
3-4-5-6-7. (tie) Phillip McCoy & Dale Simpson, Jr. – 4.7 seconds
3-4-5-6-7. (tie) Justin Turner, Vinita, Okla. & Ty Knott, Locust Grove, Okla. – 4.7 seconds
3-4-5-6-7. (tie) Rance Gantt, Athens, La. & Nick Rowland, Antlers, Okla. – 4.7 seconds
3-4-5-6-7. (tie) David Key, Caldwell, Texas & Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas – 4.7 seconds
3-4-5-6-7. (tie) Justin Lovell, Grapeland, Texas & Nick Simmons, Colcord, Okla. – 4.7 seconds
    
Women’s Barrel Racing

1. Maegan Reichert, Mt. Pleasant, Texas – 17.00 seconds
2. Brittany Pozzi-Pharr, Victoria, Texas – 17.36 seconds
3. Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo. – 17.56 seconds
4. Kristie Riley, Checotah, Okla. – 17.58 seconds

Bull Riding

1. Bryan Richardson, Dallas – 93 points on -27 Fender Bender
2. Lucas Dick, Kingman – 89 points on 338 Little Bit Moody
3. Jarrod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas – 88 points on 220 Hot Spot
4-5. (tie) Logan Knibbe, Rockdale, Texas – 82 points on J35 Taboo
4-5. (tie) Clint Craig, Mena, Ark. – 82 points on 55 Casper

* All scores/times are unofficial.

Final Results, Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, August 4, 2007
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene, Kansas

Download Go-Round Results (pdf file)

"Muttin' Bustin' Results 2007"

info coming soon.

"Belt Buckle Auction Results 2007"

Belt buckle auction generates more than $8,000

Dave Bergmeier
Publisher - Editor, The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle
Published August 07, 2007 9:13 AM CDT

The memory of the late Gerald Roberts was honored in an important way as three collector items were sold for more than $4,000 Friday night during the annual Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo belt buckle auction in front of the Harold J. Royer Bandshell.

A shadow box collection was sold for $1,675 to Don Burns. A gallery of enclosed memorabilia was sold for $1,325 to Shannan Hauser, granddaughter of Roberts. A scrapbook of collectibles brought $1,100 and was purchased by a buyer who wished to remain anonymous.

All three of the projects were undertaken by rural Abilene resident Beverly Willcoxon, who spent many hours as a tribute to the rodeo legend and her only request was to have the proceeds be earmarked for the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo committee.

The auction with all of the items raised $8,400.

Belt buckles featuring the likeness of Billy Randle and Scott Bankes raised more then $3,600.

The No. 1 buckle was purchased by Mike Brierton and Brierton Engineering for $1,000.

The No. 500 buckle  as purchased by Marvin Kuntz and Kuntz Drive-In for $400.  Kuntz became a fixture in the bidding process as he purchased the special donated “Dodge Buckle” provided by the Green Team of Abilene.  He bought the special buckle for $425.

The No. 2 buckle was sold to Susan Bauman of Pueblo, Colo., for $250.  The No. 3 buckle was purchased by Mike Holt and Holt Motors for $440.  The Kansas State University athletic department, represented by Voice of the Wildcats Wyatt Thompson, purchased the No. 4 buckle for $325.  Kuntz re-entered the bidding and bought the No. 5 buckle for $200.  Scott Kohman bought the No. 6 buckle for $125.  Kuntz picked up the No. 7 buckle for $125.  The Nos. 8 and 9 buckles were sold for $100 and $110 to Ron Shivers and Shivers Realty and Randy Ruff, respectively.

The No. 10 bucket was purchased by Leon Kohman for $150.

Also, a racing helmet worn by Emporia native Clint Bowyer was sold for $700 to Gareth Hoffman.  The buckle was donated by Jack Daniels, a major rodeo sponsor.

All of the proceeds from the annual belt buckle auction are used for improvements for future Wild Bill Hickok Rodeos.

Auctioneers were Lynn Langvardt, Allyn Thompson and Ron Shivers.

Click here for more information on Beverly Willcoxon and the items she created and donated.