Major News Coming Out Of The Professional Rodeo World This Week

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As the 2017 professional rodeo season ramps up, many things are being announced that will be raising some eyebrows and saddening some hearts as we look ahead to the busy part of the year.  Now that our annual “Cowboy Christmas” season is upon us much more news and world standings shake-ups will happen making the bigger picture of what to expect this coming December in Las Vegas a little more clear.  These next two weeks or so can set up any cowboy or cowgirl for a great shot at making the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the end of the year.

That being said there will also be some interesting stories that come about as well as some heart-wrenching tales that we need to bring to light, both of which have happened over the fourth of July week as thousands of professional rodeo contestants travel thousands of miles as they chase the dream of being within the top fifteen in the world standings and make their way west to Las Vegas for the WNFR later on this year.

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Legendary Gills Bay Boy, aka “Scamper” and Charmayne James

Photo Credit: Barrel Horse News

The fourth of July holiday is supposed to be about celebrating our nation’s freedom and serve as the official kick-off to the professional rodeo’s Cowboy Christmas season.  As thousands of rodeo athletes compete from coast to coast the anticipation of what will happen runs wild across the country.  Along with the triumphs will come a few tragedies that we never want to talk about whether it is happening peacefully or as these cowboys and cowgirls travel thousands of miles in a one or two week stretch.

This year the story that no one wants to share is that of a loss of a top level rodeo athlete that touched the lives of many.  Legendary world champion barrel racer Charmayne James has become a household name along with her steadfast and ready equine partner that we all know, Gills Bay Boy, aka “Scamper”.  Early on the fourth of July, five years ago today, the rodeo world lost this horse who lived to be 39 years old and accomplished many things throughout their career together.  As this great horse will be missed, he will never be forgotten and we will show you why as some of their most notable accomplishments are noted below.

1984 – $53,499                                                                 1985 – $93,847

Rodeo Houston champion                                                   Rodeo Houston champion

WPRA Rookie of the Year                                                    Coors Chute Out champion

Wrangler Series champion                                                  Winston Pro Tour champion

Dodge Series champion                                                       Wrangler Series champion

NFR champion                                                                      Dodge Series champion

WPRA World Champion                                                     WPRA World Champion

1986 – $151,969                                                              1987 – $120,002    

Rodeo Houston champion                                                 Rodeo Houston champion

Turquoise Circuit champion                                              James became the first woman to wear back No. 1 into the NFR

Leading Money Earner in Professional Rodeo              Coors Barrel Racing champion

Coors Chute Out champion                                               Coors Chute Out champion

Winston Series champion                                                  Wrangler Series champion

Winston Pro Tour champion                                             NFR champion

Wrangler Series champion                                                WPRA World Champion

Dodge Series champion

NFR champion

WPRA World Champion

1988 – $130,540                                                                       1989 – $96,651    

Rodeo Houston champion                                                            Rodeo Houston champion

1988 Calgary Olympics, Gold Medal Team                               Coors Chute Out champion

Coors Chute Out champion                                                          Dodge Series champion

Dodge Series champion                                                                 AQHA Horse of the Year

WPRA World Champion                                                               Sierra Circuit champion

NFR champion

WPRA World Champion

1990 – $130,328                                                                       1991 – $92,403

Charmayne crosses the million-dollar milestone                     Rodeo Houston champion

Coors Chute Out champion                                                           Coors Chute Out champion

Dodge Series champion                                                                  Dodge Series champion

AQHA Horse of the Year                                                                Crown Royal season winner

Wrangler Series champion                                                            Wrangler World of Rodeo champion

Copenhagen/Skoal Series champion                                          Sierra Circuit champion

NFR champion                                                                                AQHA Horse of the Year

WPRA World Champion                                                               WPRA World Champion

1992 – $110,867                                                                        1993 – $103,609

Rodeo Houston champion                                                            Rodeo Houston champion

Charmayne inducted to National Cowgirl Hall of Fame        Crown Royal season winner

Calgary Stampede champion                                                       Dodge Series champion

Crown Royal season winner                                                         NFR champion

WPRA World Champion                                                              WPRA World Champion

As the world of professional rodeo turns we all know that changes are going to happen and they will happen with little to no warning to the public eye.  One of those changes happened less that 24 hours ago as the handy contestants in the team roping event have something new to look forward to.  Through a facebook post on the USTRC’s page it was announced that they had  been bought out but Active Interest Media (AIM) whose also happens to own the World Series of Team Roping organization as well.  That being said, it should be interesting to see what this does to the sport and how many doors it will open for these amazing athletes that compete day in and day out.  I have included the official statement below so you all can read it for yourselves!

________________________________________________________________________________

Dear valued USTRC Member,

The United States Team Roping Championships has been purchased by Active Interest Media (AIM) who also owns the World Series of Team Roping. We are confident this new partnership will move the team roping industry into the next generation. We sincerely appreciate your participation in the United States Team Roping Championships through the years and look forward to increasing your member value as we work to build new and exciting events.

In the next few weeks it is possible that communications could be disrupted as we attempt to transition locations and employees. Please know that we are working as diligently and quickly as possible to limit the interruptions.

We will of course honor your existing membership throughout the remainder of this year and attempt to improve your roping experience. Denny Gentry has been contracted to oversee all roping operations until a permanent manager is named.

This partnership also allows us to finally separate TRIAD from every membership organization and run it as a completely independent and transparent handicap organization. Kirk Bray will maintain leadership of this operation.

We look forward to seeing you in the arena soon.

It is quite easy to follow all the breaking news and excitement with the Rodeo Round Up simply by copying this website into your favorites in your web browser for easy one-click access to event statistics. You can also like and follow us on Facebook here, or by liking and following us on Instagram at @rodeoroundup and on Twitter at @therodeoroundup.  You can have easy access to all of the video interviews Jason does from all the events across the country as well by simply clicking the link HERE to be transferred to the Rodeo Round Up’s Youtube channel as well! Jason has also made it easy for you to be a part of his interviews by opening up a listener comment line. If you have a question for a certain rodeo star simply call in and leave your name, where you are from, who the question is for and what your question is and he will do his best to get it answered for you during his interviews!


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