This week folks in south-central Kansas will have the opportunity to experience a wonderful tradition: The Kansas Largest Night Rodeo. It’s better known as the Pretty Prairie rodeo, and it’s nestled near bigger Kansas cities Wichita and Hutchinson. It’s a great event in small community, and I was blessed to be associated with it for[...]

EAGLE, Colo. – Much has changed in the world of rodeo since Paul Peterson first saddled a horse and stepped on. As the world evolves and time passes, the Western lifestyle follows suit. Every July, he’s been a fixture as a pickup man in Eagle. In fact, he was one of very best at his[...]

LOVINGTON, N.M. – There aren’t many places where a person can watch pigs race, be enthralled by magic and experience the comedy and talent of a ventriloquist. There are even fewer places where they can do that all for just $6. But that’s the reality of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, which will have[...]

The champions in six events will be crowned this afternoon at the Calgary Stampede, and each will be awarded $100,000. It’s a big day in Alberta, and today’s field includes world champions, Canadian champions, NFR qualifiers and previous winners of the prestigious title. Unfortunately the field doesn’t include all those that earned the right to[...]

DODGE CITY,Kan.– John Payne is a cowboy, and he’s quite proud of it. So when he has faced adversity, Payne has tackled it head on, just like most other cowboys. When he was electrocuted and brought back to life 39 years ago, he dealt with it. It was a life-changing event that led to his[...]

EAGLE,Colo.– Clint Cannon hated to admit it, but 2012 wasn’t panning out to be what he had hoped. “I just felt like I couldn’t find that niche where I could get over the barrier,” said Cannon, a three-time bareback riding qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. That changed the last week of June inPecos,Texas,[...]

LOVINGTON,N.M.– Maybe it was the concerts. Maybe it was the rodeo. Maybe it was the overall entertainment experience. Whatever IT was, it worked at the 2011 edition of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, which had a record attendance of 97,928. “I always go back to the cost of admission,” said Dean Jackson, chairman of[...]

The opening performance of Pool B at the Calgary Stampede wasn’t too kind on steer wrestler Stockton Graves. Graves, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Newkirk, Okla., posted a 17.1-second run on his first animal. He made up for it on Day 2, though, with a 3.8-second run. That was good enough to[...]

EAGLE, Colo. – A great bull ride is equal parts bucking beast, equal parts athletic cowboy. When it comes together, fans walk away from the arena mesmerized, and they’ll talk about it for weeks to come. That’s what fans expect when they get to the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday,[...]

Just an hour and a half south of where I live, the top players in Major League Baseball are playing in the All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. I have some very dear friends in attendance, and it brings me, a lifelong Royals fan, great pride in knowing the team is hosting[...]