Rodeo
Texans sweep opening night of bulls, ropers
By Pete Boele / Independent Sports Editor Friday, May. 02, 2008The 94th edition of the Clovis Rodeo got off to a rousing start as bull riders and ropers opened the action in front of a boisterous crowd April 24 at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds.
When the dust settled, Clayton Foltyn outperformed 39 other competitors from the Professional Bull Riders' Copenhagen Challenger Tour to ride away with the $12,000 top prize in front of a Clovis Rodeo-record 6,500 spectators for the event.
"I wasn't familiar with him at all," said Foltyn of Slim Slam, his bull for the short go-round. "But I had a bunch of fun on him, and I knew it was going to be good."
Good indeed.
Ropers score one last win at Clovis Rodeo
By David Witte / Independent Staff Writer Friday, May. 02, 2008
Joel Bach and Cody Cowden went out on top.
The team ropers took first place at the 94th annual Clovis Rodeo April 27, snaring their calf in 6.4 seconds in their final ride together.
"This is actually our last rodeo, so we split on a good note," Cowden said. "He's going back to Texas, and I'm staying in California. We actually ended on a good note."
The duo clocked a total time of 19.6 seconds over three runs, and each took home a check worth $2,997.21 from the $325,000 prize pool awarded during the four-day rodeo that opened with the Professional Bull Riders' Copenhagen Challenger Tour and Match Tie-Down Roping April 24.
2008 Clovis Rodeo Queen
Independent Staff Report Saturday, Apr. 26, 2008
Markie Marie Battaglia was named the Clovis Rodeo Queen 2008 April 26 at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds in a ceremony prior to the rodeo's second day of action.
Blair Smittcamp was the first runner up, and Ann Marie Katuin was the second runner up.
Clovis Rodeo Queen categories
Miss Congeniality (Voted on by the contestants): Shanah OgdenMemorial Judges Spirit Award: Shanah Ogden
Cowboys thrill crowd on second day of 94th annual Clovis Rodeo
By David Witte/Independent Staff Writer Saturday, Apr. 26, 2008
Several scary moments marked the April 26 rendition of the 94th annual Clovis Rodeo as several cowboys found themselves trampled underfoot.
None of the damage was serious, though, as far as cowboy injuries go. Sean Case climbed out of the arena thinking he'd broken his collarbone, but just had the wind knocked out of him when Pandora's Box, one of the Professional Bull Riders' top bulls, sent him flying back into the gate after about two seconds, breaking apart his helmet.
Earlier in the day, George Gillespie IV was helped out of the arena after falling under his horse in the bareback riding competition. He suffered bruised ribs and a bruised ego.
But the honor of the scariest-looking crash went to Mike Randall in the bull-riding competition. Randall, of Pinon Hills, found himself underneath his bull, appropriately-named Butcher Boy. The diagnosis from the medical team: a little shaken up.
Saddle bronc highlight of rodeo's first day
By Dan Casarez/Special to the Independent Saturday, Apr. 26, 2008
Cody Horwedel of Parkfield fought off the fighting effort of "Curly Jane" to win the saddle bronc riding event on opening day of the 94th annual Clovis Rodeo.
Queensland, Australia's Scott Keogh and Dallas Osburn of Santa Maria finished tied for second with 76 points in the popular Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event. But it was Horwedal who earned the praise of the thousands of fans after his 79-point first place finish in the event.
Horwedal, 24, tightened his grip and stayed atop the approximately 1,200-pound bucking bronc to ride roughly to a successful finish.
The weather couldn't have been any better for spectators, who enjoyed an easy breeze under the 78 degrees. Grammy Award country music winners Emerson Drive provided a vocal rendition of the national anthem, while some in attendance sported pink shirts and hats honoring the day's theme dubbed "Tough Enough to Wear Pink," which diverted some of the proceeds to charity.
Bull riders, ropers open Clovis Rodeo
By Pete Boele/Independent Sports Editor Friday, Apr. 25, 2008
The 94th edition of the Clovis Rodeo got off to a rousing start as bull riders and ropers opened the action in front of a boisterous crowd April 24 at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds.
When the dust settled, Clayton Foltyn outperformed 39 other competitors from the Professional Bull Riders' Copenhagen Challenger Tour to ride away with the $12,000 top prize.
Foltyn, aboard Slim Slam, scored a 91 in the short go-round to win the title with a combined score of 176.5.
"I came back from one of the bottom holes in the short round," said the El Campo, Texas, cowboy, whose score of 85.5, aboard Rock, in the long go-round left him in the No. 9 hole. The top-10 riders qualified for the short-round finals. "Luckily, I had a good bull that I could score a bunch of points on and it turned out great.
Clovis Rodeo's 'Queen Mother'
By Josh Lopez / Special To The Independent Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2008
Her official title is director, but to contestants in the Clovis Rodeo Queen competition, Eva Pollard is known as the "Queen Mother."
Pollard's enthusiasm and respect for both rodeo and Clovis have molded past queens, who attribute their character and successes in life to Pollard.
Holly Andrus, 2002 Miss Clovis Rodeo, said Pollard "makes you want to be a better person."
"She's awesome," Andrus, 26, said. "She is very classy and elegant. She's like Jackie O. She really cares about the queen contest and she's all about making you a better person and having you grow as a lady.
Rodeo Scores
Independent Staff Report Wednesday, Apr. 23, 2008Slack competition in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping concluded April 23 at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds with the top-36 places in each event earning a spot in the 94th annual Clovis Rodeo April 25 to 27.
Mike Johnson clocked a time of 19.0 seconds on two runs to lead all tie-down qualifiers, while Ken Lewis topped the steer wrestling. Lewis took down two steers in 12.5 seconds. The duo of Colter Todd and Cesar de la Cruz headed the team roping with an 11.9-second, two-run effort.
Tie-Down Roping
Place, name, total time including number of runs:
Former mayor now King of Clovis Rodeo
By David Witte / Independent Staff Writer Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2008In two stints as Clovis' mayor and 30-plus years with the Clovis Rodeo Association, Stan King has dealt with his share of difficult people.
But that's OK, he's been surrounded by turkeys before. Literally.
King, who was chosen by the Clovis Rodeo Association to be this year's rodeo parade grand marshal, spent 33 years in the poultry industry, raising turkeys at one point, chickens at another. Somewhere along the line, he switched career paths, which led to a Clovis City Council position in 1974. He served as Clovis' mayor from 1976 to '78 and again from 1982 to '84.
"I've had a share of public things I've done. This has to be the crowning thing for me," King said of being named grand marshal. "This is a real gratifying and humbling experience. You look at the names of people who have been grand marshal -- that's Clovis history. It's humbling that your peers think you should be with them."
Saddle up
By Gabriel Alexander / Independent Staff Writer Monday, Mar. 31, 2008In April, the city of Clovis becomes the set of a Western film.
The meanest bulls and wildest broncos are herded into town for the annual Clovis Rodeo, which is always held the last weekend in April. Horses trot down Clovis Avenue. Traveling cowboys play poker and guzzle beers in Old Town Clovis bars.
Some even have torn ears and gold teeth because of nasty falls in the arena.
One of the top 50 rodeos in the nation, the Clovis Rodeo attracts the best athletes both human and animal.
Ropers hit Jackpot
Independent Staff Report Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2008Sabrina LaPlante of Squaw Valley and Mark Schmall of Fresno captured the title at the annual Jackpot Team Roping event April 13 at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds.
The duo bested 75 teams to win the coveted saddles awarded to the top team.
Tres Porter and Jeff Taylor were second.
The event was open to members of the National Team Roping Association.
Clovis Rodeo Schedule
Monday, Mar. 31, 2008For updated arena results, view daily updates on www.clovisindependent.com
April 24 Professional Bull Riders tour: 7 p.m. at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds, Clovis Avenue and Rodeo Drive. Tickets cost $20. For ticket information: www.clovisrodeo.com or call 299-5203.
April 25 Clovis Rodeo: 5:30 p.m. at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds. Tickets cost $20 and include admission to concert following the arena action. For ticket information: www.clovisrodeo.com or call 299-5203.
April 26 Clovis Rodeo: 2 p.m. at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds. Tickets cost $15. For ticket information: www.clovisrodeo.com or call 299-5203.
Cowboys keep eyes on prize during 94th annual event
By David Witte / Independent Staff Writer Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2008
For Scott McCulloch, the Clovis Rodeo is something of a homecoming.
The Morro Bay saddle-maker spent about 21/2 years attending California State University, Fresno, and while he did, he lived about two blocks north of the Clovis Rodeo Grounds. Since he left to complete his education at Cal Poly, he's been back every year to compete in the Clovis Rodeo.
"This is one of the premier rodeos on the West Coast -- and the California circuit -- and it's always a lot of fun to come back," McCulloch said. "It's kind of like the old stomping grounds."
The 94th annual Clovis Rodeo kicked off this week with cowboys from across the nation competing for the chance to appear in the main rodeo April 25 to 27 in steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down events. The rodeo also includes saddle-bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding and barrel racing.
Bull Fight
By David Witte / Independent Staff Writer Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2008The name may have changed, but the action remains the same.
A group of 41 hard-nosed cowboys from the Professional Bull Riders Copenhagen Challenger Tour -- formerly the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Challenger Tour -- will kick off the Clovis Rodeo festivities by competing for $30,000 in total prize money April 24.
The tour is the second tier of the PBR, with cowboys fighting for the chance to appear in the top circuit. The bulls, however, don't care that this isn't the top flight in bullriding. Provided by Broken Arrow and Taylor Made out of Odessa, Texas, among others, these world-renowned bulls will be bucking just as hard.
"These bulls are in great shape. We wanted to get them on that good California alfalfa," said Thomas Taylor of Taylor Made. "Alfalfa out there in the Valley is awesome."
Cowboys, cowgirls kick up dirt at Ranch Rodeo
David Witte/Independent Staff Writer Thursday, Apr. 24, 2008Scott Jones spurred his horse Paint to close on a calf after his lasso fell short on his first attempt April 5.
"Hurry," the O'Neals cowboy said was the only thing going through his mind. "Don't miss again."
With the calf headed straight for the catch-pen, Jones tried again, and the Clovis Rodeo Grounds crowd of about 200 die-hard rodeo fans gasped as the rope hooked the calf's horns and Jones pulled him back, just short of the pen. If the calf had gone in, Jones and teammate Aaron Rouse would receive no score in the cowboy team roping.
Rouse lassoed the calf's back leg as the team completed its round in a time of just more than 17 seconds.
Do you know your rodeo?
Monday, Mar. 31, 2008Barrel racing: During this all-female event, cowgirls race horses across the arena and around three barrels in the fastest time. Five-second penalties are added if they knock any barrels over.
Bareback riding: During this eight-second ride, cowboys seek to maintain control on a wild horse. They must grip a leather strip on the horse with one hand and hold their feet over the horse's shoulders until its feet touch the ground on the first jump out of the chute. Then the cowboy must maintain upper body control and move his feet in a toes-turned-out, rhythmic motion.
Team roping: Two contestants called a header and a heeler rope a calf as fast as they can. The header ropes the head and the heeler ropes the back legs.
Steer wrestling: A cowboy jumps from his horse onto the back of a 600-pound steer and wrestles it to the ground. The world record is 2.4 seconds.
