COWBOY CROSSroads

November 2009 Issue

     As the final buzzer blew at the American Royal 2009 CBR Finale in Kansas City, Missouri  it was one man who stood alone by a slim margin for the 2009 CBR World Championship.  In front of his family and friends, Hugo Pedrero of Leon, Mexico was crowned the first ever International CBR World Champion.  It was a fight to the bitter end, but with Jarrod Craig of Hillsboro, Texas one spot shy of the championship round it gave Hugo the edge he needed to take the world title.

     For those of you who may not have followed the CBR world standings race from last January Hugo Pedrero, Jarrod Craig and Ardie Maier has made the 2009 season quite interesting.  All three of these guys came into Kansas City not 100% healthy.  Jarrod Craig has been fighting a groin injury on & off all season, while Hugo has had chronic wrist injuries & Aride has suffered shoulder, groin & jaw injuries over the past several months.  With all that being said, the three of them never complained & gritted it out to the very end.  Hugo’s parents & sister traveled all the way from Mexico to Kansas City in hopes that they would see him take the World Championship & $100,000 year-end bonus back home & that is exactly what they saw!  Everyone at the CBR would like to congratulate Hugo Pedrero & the rest of the CBR Finals contestant on an awesome year & we look for exciting things to unfold in the 2010 season. 

    Make no mistake when a man shows up wearing the 2008 PRCA World Champion gold buckle & currently sits atop the rest of the PRCA playing field by over $100,000 heading in to the National Finals Rodeo, he would give no slack to the playing field at the CBR Finale.  Still honeymooning with his new bride, Jackie, J. W. Harris of May, Texas walked into the Kemper Arena with not one bit of pressure on his shoulders.  After an interview on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown, J.W. was ready to get down to business & that was to win the CBR Finale & that is just what he did.  J.W. was one of four contestants that covered all their bulls & took home the Champion HyOSilver buckle & prize purse.  Jonathan Brown of Houston, Texas finished in second place with Chad Castillo & Willis Trosclair rounding out the top four.  The American Royal & the staff made the CBR feel right at home with their warm hospitality & excitement.  Look for the CBR to return to the American Royal in Kansas City in 2010!

     Congratulations goes out Murphy Ranch & Rodeo (Alan Murphy & Billy Jones) for taking home the 2009 Stock Contractor of the Year Award for the second consecutive year.  Alan & his crew traveled to every CBR event during the 2009 season & we look for them to back even stronger in 2010.  Hats go off to Mr. Trent West (Cervi Championship Rodeo) for winning the 2009 CBR Bull of the Year Award.  Cocktail really came on strong at the end of the CBR season and took top honors from the cowboys.  Trent was totally caught off guard & I wish I could remember some of his quotes from his acceptance speech, but just know he had me in tears.  It was awesome!!! Everyone at the CBR congratulates each of these men & we look forward to seeing them in 2010!

     It just so happened that we were in Kansas City during Halloween.  After the CBR awards program Cody Kidd & Cod Sosebee hosted a CBR Finals After-Party at the Holiday Inn Aladdin. I would like to tell both of the Cody’s the party was great.  I think I danced like five hours straight and had a blast!  At the party we had some of the CBR contestants dressed for Halloween and that is all I am going to mention.  It was one of those times where you just had to be there to understand, but a great time was had by all.  Some of the children of the CBR contestants also dressed up and all the kids received prizes for their participation. 

     2010 has started off with a bang and who else but 2009 top contender Ardie Maier of Timber Lake, South Dakota jumping out & leading the pack.  The first 2010 CBR Horizon event was held in Carthage, Texas.  Terry Williams co-founder of the CBR produced the event and Ardie took home top honors & a champion saddle.  Tate Stratton & Riggin Phillips rounded out the top three for the event.  New-comer Clint Lewis of Mt. Pleasant, Texas took the Sulphur, Louisiana Horizon event title which plants him second in the 2010 CBR World standings.

  On November 22^nd, the third CBR Horizon event of the season will take place in Springtown, Texas at 2pm.  The CBR Horizon series will be in Pensacola, Florida, Edna, Texas & Monroe, Louisiana between now & the New Year.  Please keep check for the 2010 CBR schedule to be released soon. 

·         The CBR’s condolences go out to World Champion bull rider Wesley Silcox and his family on the passing of his grandmother the week after the CBR Finale. 

·         The CBR wishes Ann Williams (Terry Williams mother) a speedy recovery.  She has been sick & in the hospital in Louisiana.

·         On a positive note we would like to say “Congrats” to Friday Wright of Moss Point, Mississippi for winning the year-end title & average at the Southeastern Circuit Finals. 

·         The CBR is awaiting the arrival of Baby McDowell (Danny & Sarah) which should arrive before Thanksgiving.

·         To all of the CBR contestants headed to Las Vegas to the National Finals Rodeo we wish each of you the best of luck!!! Look for updates on the CBR contestants from Las Vegas on www.cbrbull.com

·         Be sure to get a copy of the Official CBR Short Round Magazine (It would make a great Christmas Gift)!

·         For those of you traveling to Las Vegas for the NFR please come by & see me at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the Western Ideas booth (usually isle 1300).  I will have some CBR merchandise & CBR Bull Riders along with Tuff Hedeman there daily signing autographs so come by & see us!!!

·         There are several people I would personally like to thank who have done an awesome job throughout this year.  Besides all of our road crew and staff I would first like to say “Thank You” to Jeff Medders, Donnie Gay & all the staff & crew of Geronimo Productions.  These guys along side GAC TV make the CBR visible to all our fans.  You guys do an awesome job!!!

·         To Todd Brewer (CBR photographer) you are wonderful!!! The photos you get are amazing & thanks for the one of a kind merchandise shoot! During the CBR Finale Todd shot CBR merchandise photos which included: Hugo Pedrero, Misty Harris, Aride Maier, Katherine Koalstad, Cooper Kanngiesser, Clint Craig and myself.  It was the funniest thing I have ever witnessed, but that is another one of those moments you just had to be there, although I think Todd caught most of it on camera!

·         Thanks to Gary Leffew for being a part of the CBR Finale & giving the contestants such unbelievable motivational speeches prior to the competition.

·         Chad White thanks for all your help & the numerous trips you made to the airport! 

·         To all the CBR contestant’s family members it was so great to get to actually sit down & talk to some of you at the Awards Program~which I never get to do.

• To Suzanne Alexander & the GAC crew who came to film the GAC Top 20 Countdown, the show was great.  Thanks again to Hugo Pedrero, Jarrod Craig, Ardie Maier, John Jacobs, J.W. Harris, Clint Craig, & Gary Leffew for being a part of that show. 

     I wanted to include this email I got from a fan just to let everyone know how much we enjoy hearing from each of you.  After we returned home from Kansas City this email was awaiting in my inbox from Charles Cornelius. It read:

I took my 6 year old son and reluctant wife to their first bull riding event at Kansas City’s Kemper Arena.  Just taking a minute to tell you how much they enjoyed the event…we will be back!  The riders treated my son like royalty after the event while signing autographs; please extend my appreciation to all.

Charles thanks for your words of encouragement and the CBR looks forward to seeing you guys again!  To all the CBR contestants thank you for making our events & the CBR fans feel special!  Yall are the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I guess I need to get back to packing for Las Vegas and getting a little school work done.  Please keep check on the CBR web site for the 2010 schedule to be released with new & exciting information! Don't forget you can also check out all the CBR happenings on MySpace, Facebook & Twitter!

This is the time of the year that we tend to give thanks, so to all my CBR Crew, friends & family I hope each of you & your families have a wonderful holiday season.  Last but not least I am thankful for all of my family & friends that I have and hope that God Blesses each of you & your families the way that he has blessed me. Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving & God Bless~Cicily