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.
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!
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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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