Three world champion cowboys are featured in the 2012 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame induction class – Fred Whitfield (TD, 1991, 1995-96, 1999-2000, 2002, 2005; AA, 1999), Harley May (SW, 1952, 1956, 1965) and Butch Kirby (BR, 1978). Whitfield and Kirby will be inducted in the men’s category with Dan Courmier, Cody Lambert, Glen McIlvain and Jack Wiseman while May enters in the deceased category with Ora Altizer Riggs, Shawn McMullan and Reagon Walker. The other inductees are Merrill Adams-Ellis and Jayme Marcrum (women’s category); Keith Chapman, Don McClure, Leonard McCravey and Corky Warren (trailblazer category); bucking horse Billy Minick and timed event horse Brown (animal category); David Burnham, David Jennings and Eugene Weakley (rodeo personnel category). The Western Heritage Award is being presented to author and historian Gail Woerner … Bull riders Tate Stratton and Cory Melton, bareback riders Matt Bright and Bob Logue and saddle bronc rider Seth Schaefer all took part in the third annual PRCA Rodeo Camp for aspiring roughstock cowboys in Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 21. The contestants talked about event technique and what it takes to be successful at the professional level from setting goals to eating healthy food. Stratton even discussed the value he’s found in yoga to increase strength, balance and relaxation. “Nerves will get to you,” Stratton told the kids. “You have to calm yourself down, relax and not worry about what’s about to happen. Then you’ll have a better shot at success.” Tom Feller of the Justin Boot Company and Bill Zeigler, of the Justin Sportsmedicine Team, also made presentations to the 55 young people who took part. The next PRCA Rodeo Camp will be in Perry, Ga., Feb. 25. The full schedule of camps can be viewed at http://prorodeo.com/youthrodeo.aspx … Jim Gay, who with his brother Neal, produces the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, was slammed into a chute gate by a saddle bronc horse Jan. 21 and is working the rodeo on crutches. “I was up on the announcer’s stand on Sunday, so I felt kind of like an offensive coordinator calling plays out of the press box,” Gay said. The injury was to his left leg, the one he had surgery on last year to repair a broken pelvis. “I’ve got a metal hip and a metal pelvis,” Gay said, “and the X-rays show the metal is still good. It just hurts a lot.” … Four of the Wright brothers from Millford, Utah, are among the top 20 in the world standings with Jesse (4^th), two-time World Champion Cody (5^th), Jake (17^th) and Spencer (20^th), the leader in the rookie standings. A fifth brother, Alex, is 28^th … The Texas Association of Fairs & Events named Amarillo Tri-State Exposition manager Virgil Bartlett its manager of the year and inducted former Tri-State Fair & Rodeo manager Lynn Griffin into the association’s hall of fame during its convention last week in Austin. Griffin, 84, spent 30 years with the association, including 17 years with the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo, before retiring in 1993. Griffin served as president of the association in 1984 and generated more than $1 million to infrastructural improvements at the fair’s exposition grounds …. Rodeo Austin received 21 Ray Cammack Marketing and Communications Awards of Excellence from the TAF&E for executing exemplary marketing and communications materials during 2011.

The PRCA, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., is the largest and oldest professional rodeo-sanctioning body in the world. The recognized leader in ProRodeo, the PRCA is committed to maintaining the highest standards. The PRCA, a membership-based organization, sanctions approximately 600 rodeos annually, and there are nearly 30 million fans in the U.S. The PRCA showcases the world’s best cowboys in premier events through the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour presented by Justin Boots, and its subsequent Justin Boots Playoffs, the PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour presented by B&W Trailer Hitches; and the world-renowned Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Action from PRCA-sanctioned rodeos and its premier events appears on Great American Country (DISH Network 167, DirecTV 326) and Pursuit (DISH Network 240, DirecTV 608). Each year, PRCA-sanctioned rodeos raise more than $26 million for local and national charities. www.prorodeo.com 

 

 

 

 

 

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