2008 RODEO NEWS in The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle:

RODEO RETURNS TO ABILENE

Fans and Cowboys Flock to Annual Event

ABILENE, KANS. (July 5, 2008) –  Get ready for exciting pro rodeo!  On July 30 through August 2, hundreds of rodeo athletes and thousands of rodeo fans will stampede into Abilene for the annual Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo!  This rodeo is one of the largest in the state and offers $33,750 in prize money. 

That large amount of purse money draws some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the nation, making for great watching for rodeo fans!

Five of the current world champions competed in Abilene last year, on their way to championships in Las Vegas at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), the super bowl of pro rodeo.  Taos Muncy (saddle bronc riding), Trevor Brazile (all-around and tie down roping), Walt Woodard and Chad Masters (team roping), and Brittany Pozzi-Pharr (barrel racing), all counted the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo as one of the competitions that helped them reach number one. 

Gizmo the rodeo clown will entertain at this year’s Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo.  Gizmo comes with his alter egos:  Ozzy Osborne, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis.  Gizmo is known across the nation for his comedy and his ability to make rodeo fans laugh.  The Wheaton, Mo. resident works about 40 rodeos a year and travels about 45,000 miles annually.

Once again, Miss Rodeo America will grace the Abilene rodeo!  Amy Wilson, who won the crown last November, will be on hand to ride in the rodeo’s grand entry and act as ambassador of pro rodeo.  Amy is one of Kansas’ very own, as she is a native of Colby. 

The Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo would not be possible without the faithful support of many area and regional businesses and sponsors.  Corporate sponsors are Justin Boots, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, Green Team Dodge, Pepsi Cola Bottling of Salina, and Montana Silversmith.  Sponsors at the Gold Buckle level include Casey’s General Store, Salina Media Group/Y93.7, Don’s Tire and Firestone Farm Tires, Duckwall-Alco, and NCK Co-op.

CTI John Deere and DS &O Electric are Saddle Bronc Riggin’ sponsors.

At the Bareback Riggin’ Level of sponsorship is Top Class Sires, Jack Daniels, Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, Continuous Country 99.9 KSKG, Bankes Drug Store, Holt Motor Co., Inc., Phillips Seed Company, Rittel’s Western Wear, Ron Shivers Realty, Smart Insurance, Straub International, Wardcraft Homes, and West’s Country Mart. 

Rodeo personnel sponsors include Zey’s Market & North Central Kansas Co-operative, (sponsoring Gizmo McCracken, clown and barrelman),  Straub International (sponsoring Mike Mathis, pro rodeo announcer), Duckwall-Alco (sponsoring the 2008 Miss Rodeo America Amy Wilson), Harris Crop Insurance (sponsoring Miss Rodeo Kansas State), and Tim & Brenda Holm (sponsoring pro rodeo bullfighters Dan Newman and Dustin Brewer).

Bull riding performance sponsors are Eagle Country 99.9 – Salina’s Best Country, Don’s Tire/Firestone Farm Tires, Top Class Sire, and DS & O Electric.  

Make plans now to attend the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo!  The July 30 performance is bull riding only.  The July 31-August 1 and 2 performances feature pro rodeo.  Each performance begins at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are available at the gate and at various locations in Abilene and the surrounding area.  For more information, visit www.WildBillHickokRodeo.com or call 785-263-4570. 

Stormy Wing, Dalhart, TX, rides Bo’s Excuse at last year’s Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo.  Bull riding will be featured at a special performance in Abilene on July 30, and will end each night of rodeo action July 31-August 2.    Photo by Kirk Voska, www.7mules.com

CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT ABILENE RODEO

Abilene, Kansas – August 3, 2008 - 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 63rd annual rodeo. 

In the bareback riding, two cowboys tied for first place:  Bee Jay Scott, Otley, Iowa, and Dusty Gracia, Eakly, Okla.  Both scored 85 points on bareback broncs from the Andrews Rodeo Co.  Scott rode 012 Lock and Load, and Gracia rode 46 Cool Water.

Saddle bronc rider Scott Keogh lent an international flavor to Abilene’s rodeo.  The Queensland, Australia cowboy came to the U.S. in 2003 to rodeo, after having qualified twice for the Australian championship rodeo.  He proved his winning ways in Abilene, making the high point ride in the bronc riding with a score of 80 points on the bronc Renaissance Man.  Keogh won fifth place at last year’s Abilene rodeo. 

The steer wrestling was tough competition in Abilene this year.  A wrestler had to be 4.5 seconds or faster to win a check, and La Junta, Colo. cowboy Ken Lewis led the pack with a time of 3.6 seconds and the championship. 

During Wednesday’s slack, in which the extra ropers, wrestlers and barrel racers competed, Timber Moore made the fast run of 7.9 seconds in the calf roping.  His time stuck through 76 tie down ropers and 4 nights of rodeo to last and bring him a championship. Moore is from Ponder, Texas.

Two Kansas cowboys worked together to win the championship in the team roping.  The tandem of Kyle Elwood, Salina, Kansas and Jason Trent, Burrton, Kansas roped their steer in 4.8 seconds to win the championship buckles.

Stephanie Fryar turned the barrels the fastest among the 80 barrel racers who competed in Abilene. Her time of 17.33 seconds came during the Friday night performance, and the crowd roared its approval as the Big Spring, Texas cowgirl claimed the 2008 championship.

Fifty bull riders came to Abilene to match up against the huge beasts – and only 6 of them conquered for an 8 second ride.  The 2006 world champion bull rider, BJ Schumacher, stuck an 89 point ride on the bull named Bam Bam to win $4,780 and first place. 

Not only does the Abilene rodeo attract famous cowboys and cowgirls, but it showcases the fine animal athletes of the 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, bucked at the 2007 and 2006 National Finals Rodeo.  At the 2006 NFR, no bull rider made the 8 second buzzer on him.

The Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo hires some of the best rodeo personnel in the business.  Mike Mathis, Lufkin, Texas, called the play by play action behind the microphone.  Mathis has announced the Abilene rodeo a few years ago.   Fans’ funny bones were tickled by pro rodeo clown Gizmo McCracken, Wheaton, Mo.   Bullfighters Dustin Brewer, Elk City, Okla., and Wacey Munsell, Ulysses, Kans., 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. 

Next year’s Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo will be held July 29-30-31-August 1, 2009. 

* All scores/times are unofficial.