COWBOY CROSSroads

June~2009 Issue

 

 

Where are you when you walk outside and become dripping wet with sweat in like 3 seconds, the temperature is 106 degrees with a heat index of like 150, and can hardly breathe?  If you guessed Texas you are absolutely correct.  I do not recall in the past several years it becoming this hot in June.  It feels like Texas August weather and we are not even to July yet! Well I have one again been on the road for quite sometime and have just now managed to sit down and rumble through my numerous pages of notes to compile this article. Seems like from the time we got to Del Rio we have not slowed down until now so I am going to do my best to update you on all the happenings.

 

     Del Rio, Texas and the great George Paul Memorial Bull Riding was another story book ending.  For the first time ever in the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding history, Hugo Pedrero from Mexico was crowned the GPM Champion.  Being a border city, this was the first time a Mexican rider claimed the title.  Hugo has been riding at the top of his game and can in first with current World Champion~J.W. Harris as a close second.  Cody Hancock was the first round winner with a 90 point score which allowed him to climb aboard the World famous bull Cochise for a $10,000 match-up.  Cody fell short but gave props to Klein Brothers Rodeo & Tut Henry for such an outstanding athlete.  It was Steve Woolsey who took home the beautiful high marked ride buckle scoring 91 points at the event.  Special thanks go out to Bobby Paul, John Ludlum and all the GPM crew for their great hospitality. Another huge “Thank You” to Mack Altizer & Kayla for all of their great hospitality each night after the event.  Everyone at the CBR looks forward to returning to Del Rio next year minus the swine flu outbreak!

 

After Del Rio we loaded up and headed to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  This was the second trip for the CBR in Tulsa with the first being back in 2005.  First round honors went to Oklahoma native, Bronson Butcher with an 88 point ride on #325 Rena’s Pet.

 

In the championship round four riders managed to stay on, but it was the birthday boy Wesley Silcox who took top honors with a total of 178 to win the event title with Jarrod Craig following a close second with a total of 176. It was great to see Tag Elliott of Utah back in the arena from a near death bull riding injury in 2007.  Since then Tag has had some 16 plus surgeries and plans on going in for another surgery after he competes at the College National Finals later this month.  Everyone at the CBR wishes him the best with his surgery and plans on seeing him compete in August at the CBR event in Bossier City, Louisiana.  Injuries were atop of the list in Tulsa where we had three contestant make trips to the ER.  Steve Woolsey received a left cheek laceration; Cody Hancock received a forehead laceration that required sutures; and Ardie Maier received a right broken jaw but declined surgery. 

 

From Tulsa we headed straight in to Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee.  Nashville was filled with lots of autographs, famous country music entertainers, and star studded treatment.  The CBR had numerous appearances during CMA Fan Fair which included: Cooper Kanngiesser & Steve Woolsey playing in a Celebrity Bowling Tournament; Tuff Hedeman, Hugo Pedrero & Wesley Silcox becoming famous bartenders for a charity event with Lee Ann Womack, Chuck Wicks and Jayme Johnson; Cody Whitney, John Jacobs, Friday Wright & Hugo Pedrero riding in the CMA Fan Fair Kick-Off Parade, plus numerous TV and radio interviews.  I have to say a special thank you to the cowboys who came to Nashville and took part in all the promotional events~Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!  To Chad Castillo, Steve Woolsey, Jake Littlefield, Jay Morrow, John Jacobs, Friday Wright, Hugo Pedrero, Wesley Silcox, Clint Craig, Cody Whitney, Cooper Kanngiesser, Ardie Maier, Casey Bowman you guys are awesome! The Owens Corning All Star Shoot Out was just that!  How many times in one night do you see one single cowboy be 91-91-93.? It just doesn’t happen, but when you are Cooper Kanngiesser it does!  Cooper took home the $25,000 purse and the first ever champion title of the all-star event.  Pistol Robinson followed in second place with 179.5 and Steve Woolsey rounded out the top three with 178.5.  Trent Willmon won the first ever Celebrity Steer Riding competition with Suzanne Alexander winning the hard luck award! There were numerous stars at the event which included: Trent Willmon, Charlie Daniels, Kix Brooks, Jack Ingram, Jason Meadows, Ricochet, GAC’s~Suzanne Alexander, Gabe Garcia and numerous other notables.  The CBR also made a splash at the CMA Fan Fair with the Mahandria Celebrity Mechanical Bull Riding competition.  Once again, for the second straight year it was Country Music Artist~Jason Brown & CBR’s Jake Littlefield who captured the title and each a gorgeous champions buckle by HyOSilver.  I would also like to thank Bill Carnes & Resistol, Fred & Resistol Ranch Boots, & Misty McAlif & Cinch Brands for providing boots, hats and clothing to

each of our contestants!

 

From Nashville to Florida is where we headed.  The CBR made their debut stop in Lakeland, Florida with Jarrod Craig not leaving slack for any of the other contestants.  Jarrod came to Florida leading the CBR World standings and did not stop there.  Jarrod extended his lead for the CBR World title covering both of his bulls, winning the event with a total of 172 and advancing 266 points ahead of second place Hugo Pedrero.  Cole Echols took the long round lead with an 89.5 ride above +1 Coffee Bean of the Alan Murphy string.  No other cowboy managed to stay atop the rank pen of bulls in the championship round except Jarrod Craig on #307 Baldy of Scott Burruss for an 87 point ride.  There were no notable injuries at the Lakeland event. 

 

Just a few other injuries and updates to fill you in on:

~Elliot Jacoby was jerked down at a bull riding on May 23, receiving numerous facial fractures which required surgery.  Elliot has been at home recovering and plans on being back to competition sometime in July.

~Douglas Duncan got stepped on at a PRCA rodeo May 19^th when he injured his knee and hip.  Douglas underwent surgery June 24^th on his knee and will return in July for surgery on his hip.  Douglas plans on returning sometime late fall.

~Jay Morrow has been out of competition since Del Rio with what was thought to be a groin injury.  After continuous complications Jay has undergone an MRI and is going to Denver, Colorado this coming week for more in depth testing. His return is unknown.

~Dave Samsel underwent shoulder surgery May 19^th in Dallas from a chronic injury in March at Rodeo Houston.  Dave plans on returning late fall.

~Matt Austin re-broke his elbow one month later after his first elbow break.  Matt underwent surgery in May and is planning on returning in the next few weeks.

~Clarice Hedeman (Tuff Hedeman’s mother) underwent surgery for a total mastectomy after being diagnosised with breast cancer.   Clarice is doing well & got an excellent report from the doctors following surgery.

~Billy Minick (Pam Minick’s husband) got bucked off of his horse on May 9^th and broke his hip.  Billy underwent surgery and has been recovering at home and seems to be doing well.

~Condolences go out to Steve Woolsey & his family for the loss of his grandfather.  Steve & Wesley had gone to Idaho on a bear hunt the week after Del Rio.  While on their hunt Steve’s grandfather had an aneurysm and died. 

 

~Congrats to Clayton Baethge on becoming a father to a new baby girl.

~Congrats to Colin McTaggart for winning the Reno Xtreme Bull Riding & J.W. Harris for winning the Reno Rodeo.  J.W. had been out of competition for a few weeks due to a back injury but looks like he got it straightened out & is back in World Champion form!

 

I can not finish this article without expressing a big “Thank You” to all of the guys who set-up & tear down at each of our events.  These guys have the hardest job of all & never get enough recognition: Robert (Paw-Paw) Williamson, Ray Clary, Cody Kidd, Scott Davis,  Brandon Loden, Sid McKissick, Adam Pope, Andy Carter, Zack Dickinson, Dan Brown and Billy Cochran.  You guys are the best & thanks for all you do!!!

Well I think that just about wraps things up for now.  Please remember to catch the CBR every week on Tuesday nights on GAC and every Sunday night on RFD-TV.  Our next CBR event will take place in Bossier City, Louisiana on August 22^nd so if you have not made plans to attend you have plenty of time to do so.  Until next time~Take Care & God Bless~Cicily

 

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