PECOS, Texas – Organizers of the “World’s First Rodeo” are doubling the fun for fans this year.
For the first time in recent memory, and possibly in the sport’s history, the West of the Pecos Rodeo will feature two announcers emceeing the event horseback during the exposition, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25-Saturday, June 28, at Buck Jackson Arena in Pecos.
Garrett Yerigan will join the stage set by Pecos veteran Anthony Lucia, and the tandem will both be saddled – on separate horses, of course – as they put their expertise on display for the fans who take in the world-class rodeo.
“For as long as I can remember, we’ve had a horseback announcer in Pecos,” said Clay Ryon McKinney, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the rodeo. “I don’t know that we’ve ever had two horseback announcers.”
It’s not just the uniqueness of having two emcees riding around the massive arena; there’s also the fact that both are part of an elite corps of PRCA announcers. In fact, they own the last four awards for PRCA Announcer of the Year. Yerigan won the honor in 2021-22, and Lucia has claimed the last two buckles.
“The mere fact that the people of ProRodeo thought and voted for me is overwhelming,” Lucia told ProRodeo Sports News in December. “It’s an overwhelming sense of pride and gratefulness. It’s not anything but that because I’m nothing without this industry.
“I’m so grateful to be a part of this industry because I genuinely love rodeo. I’m a rodeo geek. I eat it, live it, breathe it and I dream about it at night.”
It seems the same can be said about Yerigan. He and Lucia not only share a friendship but also a passion for the sport. Both were raised around it. Lucia was introduced to the business early in life with a father, Tommy Lucia, being recognized as one of rodeo’s greatest entertainers. Anthony Lucia was part of his dad’s act, then got into the specialty act business himself; he even performed at the National Finals Rodeo. He has competed and worked television commentary before becoming an announcer.
Yerigan’s parents were heavily involved, and he went to his first rodeo at 2 weeks old. Mom, Kathy, was a barrel racer; dad, Dale, was a bulldogger, and both excelled in the International Professional Rodeo Association. Dale Yerigan is now the IPRA’s general manager.
That background comes into play when each man takes the microphone, but they’re not the only topnotch part of the West of the Pecos Rodeo. While their voices will ring across Buck Jackson Arena, veteran Benje Bendele will be complimenting that with music and effects. He has been the sound director in Pecos for years and will be inducted into the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame this Friday.
“We’re very blessed to have the talent we have as part of our rodeo,” McKinney said. “It’s about giving the fans a better experience, and I think they’re going to enjoy it when it comes together.”