DODGE CITY, Kan. – Colt Stearns makes no bones about how he acquired his steer wrestling horse.
“I got married to get it,” he said of Wit, a 17-year-old bay gelding. “My wife had him in high school as a roping horse, and I liked him. I started dating her, and I got married to get the horse.”
His wife certainly knows as well as anyone what a good animal he is. On Saturday, Stearns rode Wit to take the steer wrestling leading heading into Sunday’s championship round.
The Freedom, Okla., cowboy won the opening go-round during the morning session with a 3.4-second run, pocketing $2,865. He followed that up with a solid run Saturday night for a two-run cumulative time of 7.9 seconds, a three-tenths-of-a-second lead over Tyler Waguespack and Clayton Hass.
“He’s outstanding in the field,” Stearns said, noting that the horse can be a handful just before the run begins. “I can get by with him. When I nod my head for my steer, he’s doing his job.”
The main function of a bulldogging horse is to leave the chute with perfect timing, allowing the steer the appropriate head start while giving the cowboy and opportunity to be fast. It helps that most animals have great speed. Witt has been the guiding force behind Stearns’ two qualifications to the Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo (2012-13).
“This is our top circuit rodeo,” he said. “I’ve had success here in the past, so it’s always been really good to me.”
That’s important to the Nebraska-born cowboy, who focuses on competing in the Prairie Circuit, a group of rodeos and contestants primarily from Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
“I’m a long ways from winning the circuit,” Stearns said. “I missed it last year by $600. It would be great to come back and get a good check again (Sunday) and maybe win it. It’d give me a boost back in the standings. I’m just trying to get at least that 12th spot in the standings so I can make the circuit finals.”
The circuit standings has always been a priority for saddle bronc rider Jesse James Kirby of Dodge City. He is a three-time year-end champion and won the circuit finals last October. This year, though, he’s making a serious run at his first qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Any money won at Roundup Rodeo helps both causes. Kirby has won about $24,000 so far this season and sits 26th in the world standings. Of that, $7,000 has come within the Prairie Circuit; he leads the region.
On Saturday night, he matched moves with Harry Vold Rodeo’s Erica Kane for 80 points. He finished in a four-way tie for fourth place in the first round, but he’s just two points away from leader Steven Dent heading into Sunday’s finale.
“Tonight meant a lot to do really well in front of everybody,” said Kirby, who added $557 to his season total. “This is my best year of my career. I’ve got to give a lot of credit to (four-time NFR qualifier) Bob Griswold. He was a great traveling partner and a great mentor. He showed me how to stay positive all the time.”
It shows. Now Kirby has the opportunity to show off in front of his hometown crowd for the second night in a row.
“It’s very tough to win this rodeo, especially in your hometown,” Kirby said. “All your support is here.”
Dodge City Roundup Rodeo
Dodge City, Kan.
July 29-Aug. 2
Includes short-round qualifiers
Bareback riding: 1. Brian Bain, 86 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Hypnotic, $2,777; 2. Jake Brown, 85, $2,129; 3. Matt Bright and Richmond Champion, 83, $1,296 each; 5. Bill Tutor, 82, $647; 6. R.C. Landingham, 81, $463; 7. (tie) Kash Wilson and Marvin Alderman Jr., 80, $324 each; 9. (tie) Tanner Aus and Seth Hardwick, 78; 11. (tie) Colt Kitaif and Frank Morton, 76.
Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Colt Stearns, 3.4 seconds, $2,865; 2. Ryan Swayze, 3.8, $2,491; 3. (tie) Rowdy Parrott and Ricky Riley, 3.9, $1,931 each; 5. Clayton Hass, 4.0, $1,370; 6. Kyle Irwin, 4.1, $996; 7. (tie) Logan Rudd and Ryan Bothum, 4.3, $436 each. Second round leaders: 1. Kyle Whitaker, 3.3 seconds, $2,865; 2. Jason Lahr, 3.5, $2,491; 3. (tie) Levi Rudd, Tyler Waguespack and Wade Sumpter, 3.6, $1,744 each; 6. (tie) Matt Reeves and Josh Clark, 3.8, $810 each; 8. (tie) Aaron Vosler and Jacob Shofner, 3.9, $125 each. Average leaders: 1. Colt Stearns, 7.9 seconds on two runs; 2. Tyler Waguespack and Clayton Hass, 8.2; 4. Rowdy Parrott, 8.3; 5. Kyle Irwin, 8.4; 6. Stockton Graves, 8.7; 7. Ryan Swayze, 8.8; 8. Copper Shofner, 8.9; 9. J.D. Struxness, 9.0; 10. Orrin Fontenot, 9.2; 11. Seth Brockman, 9.3; 12. Bray Armes, 9.5.
Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 4.4 seconds, $2,297 each; 2. Colt Fisher/Corey Hendrick, 4.7, $1,997; 3. Derrick Begay/Clay O’Brien Cooper, 4.9, $1,698; 4. Charly Crawford/Shay Carroll, 5.1, $1,398; 5. Travis Tryan/Jett Hillman, 5.2, $1,098; 6. Monty Wood/Boogie Ray, 5.3, $799; 7. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 5.5, $499; 8. David Key/Martin Lucero, 5.6, $200. Second round leaders: 1. Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 4.7 seconds, $2,297; 2. Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, 5.1, $1,997; 3. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 5.3, $1,698; 4. Doyle Hoskins/Wyatt Cox, 5.4, $$1,398; 5. Luke Brown/Kollin VonAhn, 5.5, $1,098; 6. Colby Lovell/Kory Koontz, 5.8, $799; 7. Charly Crawford/Shay Carroll, 5.9, $499l 8. (tie) David Key/Martin Lucero and Zac Small/Tyler Worley, 6.0, $100 each. Average leaders: 1. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 10.8 seconds on two runs; 2. Charly Crawford/Shay Carroll, 11.0; 3. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes and Luke Brown/Kollin VonAhn, 11.5; 5. David Key/Martin Lucero, 11.6; 6. Doyle Hoskins/Wyatt Cox, 11.7; 7. (tie) Derrick Begay/Clay O’Brien Cooper and Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 11.8; 9. J.D. Yates/Trey Yates, 12.6; 10. Troy Boone/Dawson McMaster, 12.9; 11. (tie) Nick Becker/Toby Mentzer and Miles Baker/Austin Rogers, 13.9.
Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Steven Dent, 82 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Pine Cone, $2,477; 2. Rusty Wright and Allen Boore, 81, $1,651 each; 2. (tie) Jesse James Kirby, Isaac Diaz, Cody Wright and Chad Ferley, 80, $557 each; 8. Will Smith, 79, $248; 9. Tyrel Larsen, 78; 10. (tie) Taos Muncy, Andy Clarys and Nick Laduke, 77.
Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Stran Smith, 8.2 seconds, $2,737; 2. (tie) J.D. Kibbe and Cody Quaney, 8.6, $2,201 each; 4. Caleb Smidt, 8.8, $1,666; 5. (tie) Landyn Duncan and Blair Burk, 8.9, $1,130 each; 7. (tie) Monty Lewis and Justin Maass, 9.0, $416 each. Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Cody Ohl and Caddo Lewallen, 7.7 seconds, $2,558 each; 3. (tie) Tyson Durfey and L.D. Meier, 8.0, $1,844; 5. Cole Bailey, 8.1, $1,309; 6. Adam Gray, 8.4, $952; 7. Tyler Milligan, 8.5, $595; 8. (tie) Trent Creager, Dennis Luetge and Stran Smith, 8.6, $79 each. Average leaders: 1. Stran Smith, 16.8 seconds on two runs; 2. J.D. Kibbe, 17.5; 3. Caleb Smidt, 17.8; 4. Ace Sloan, 18.5; 5. Blair Burk, 18.6; 6. Justin Maass, 18.7; 7. Timber Moore, 18.8; 8. GlennJackson Glasper, 19.6; 9. Landyn Duncan, 19.9; 10. Trent Creager, 20.3; 11. Tanner Stec, 20.7; 12. Sterling Smith, 21.2.
Barrel racing: First round leaders: 1. Kelley Schnaufer, 17.09 seconds, $2,420; 2. Jackie Ganter, 17.10, $2,074; 3. Sidney Forrest, 17.15, $1,729; 4. Abby Searcy, 17.20, $1,498; 5. Megan Swint, 17.21, $1,152; 6. Shelley Morgan, 17.22, $922; 7. Sarah Rose McDonald, 17.23, $691; 8. Tillar Murray, 17.26, $461; 9. (tie) Meghan Johnson, Mary Burger and Laura Lambert, 17.28, $192 each. Second round leaders: 1. Tillar Murray, 17.02 seconds, $2,420; 2. (tie) Sarah Rose McDonald and Carley Richardson, 17.06, $1,902 each; 4. Laura Kennedy, 17.07, $1,498; 5. Kelley Schnaufer, 17.11, $1,152; 6. Bailee Snow, 17.15, $922; 7. Stevi Hillman, 17.16, $691; 8. Calyssa Thomas, 17.17, $461; 9. Christy Loflin, 17.18, $346; 10. Megan Swint, 17.21, $230. Average leaders: 1. Kelley Schnaufer, 34.20 seconds on two runs; 2. Tillar Murray, 34.28; 3. Sarah Rose McDonald, 34.29; 4. (tie) Abby Searcy and Megan Swint, 34.42; 6. Jackie Ganter, 34.51; 7. Meghan Johnson, 34.52; 8. Carley Richardson, 34.53; 9. Mary Burger, 34.57; 10. Stevi Hillman, 34.61; 11. Kim Couch, 34.62; 12. Paige Willis, 34.65.
Bull riding leaders: 1. Scottie Knapp, 89 points on 4L and Diamond S Rodeo’s Spanish Moss, $2,787; 2. Aaron Pass, 88, $2,137; 3. (tie) Rocky McDonald and John Young, 86, $1,301 each; 5. Trevor Kastner, 85, $650; 6. Tanner Bothwell, 84, $465; 7. (tie) Hondo Flores and Dalton Votaw, 83, $325 each; 8. Zeb Lanham, 82; 10. (tie) Trenton Montero and Caleb Sanderson, 81. (Because of ties, only 11 bull riders qualified for the final round.)