GUYMON, Okla. – Pete Carr has been the primary stock contractor for the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo for several years.
Over time, he’s become the talk of the town.
“Fans tell us all the time what they like about our rodeo, and one of the big things is the great livestock,” said Earl Helm, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena.
“Pete has the best bucking stock in rodeo, but he’s not afraid to bring in other stock contractors to make sure we have a great show.”
The accolades are nice, but the reason Carr produces rodeos is found deep in his love for the sport.
Over the years, Pete Carr Pro Rodeo has been recognized as one of the top livestock firms in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Last year alone, Carr was nominated for the prestigious honor of Stock Contractor of the Year; meanwhile, 27 Carr animals were selected to perform at ProRodeo’s grand finale, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
“We’ve certainly been blessed with some great success in the last few years,” Carr said. “We have a great group of hard-working people who care about the sport and everything that goes into it.”
The success is attractive to rodeo fans who flock to the Oklahoma Panhandle in May.
“It’s great when we get to the NFR and see all those animals that had bucked at our rodeo,” Helm said.
Members of the committee aren’t the only ones who recognize Carr’s animals.
“He’s not even going to have a B pen before long,” said saddle bronc rider Heith DeMoss, a five-time NFR qualifier from Heflin, La., and the reigning Guymon champ. “He’s going to have an A plus and an A pen. He’s got an eye for horses, and he’s surrounded himself with people who know what they’re talking about. You want to go to Pete’s rodeos, because you’re going to get on something.”
For the 2014 season, the Carr firm will produce more than 30 rodeos and will have livestock at a number of other events across the country. It takes a great team and outstanding animal athletes to make those events successful, and Pete Carr Pro Rodeo has both.
“We work really hard all year to produce the rodeos and feature the stock that will draw the top cowboys,” Carr said.
At the NFR this past December, Carr was represented by 12 bareback horses, five saddle broncs and 10 bulls – that’s proof of the all-around talent that spends most of its time on lush grassland at Carr’s ranch near Athens, Texas.
“It shows you Pete is somebody that puts a lot of work into getting the best horses around,” said Heath Ford, a three-time NFR qualifier from Slocum, Texas. “They’ve not only got the best horses, but they put them out there for us to see. He has a lot of great horses that weren’t selected this year, but if you care about it, you know you’re going to continue to build that program.
“We all know Pete is going to continue to build that. We all have a lot of respect for him.”
That’s why the contestants make it a point to compete at Carr rodeos. Cowboys know their best chance to win is to be matched with a great partner.
“Pete has put together a good set of bulls,” said J.W. Harris, the four-time and reigning bull riding world champion from Mullin, Texas. “I think he wants to show that he’s got great bulls to go with his great horses.
“You know when you go to his rodeos you’re going to get on a good one. I like going to Pete’s rodeos because he’s got good people who work for him, but having all those good animals sure makes it easier for us to go to. Pete Carr’s come a long ways in just a few years.”