Equine Network and Lazy E Arena have signed a landmark 10-year partnership to host the Ruby Buckle Barrel Race and the Pink Buckle Barrel Race & Horse Sale. 

This extends the long-established relationship between the industry’s leading entities and guarantees that Guthrie, Oklahoma, will continue to host these world-class events.

“The Lazy E team is committed to excellence,” said Chad Beus, co-founder of Pink and Ruby Buckle. “They’ve proven it time and time again, and we’re excited that they’ve committed to investing in the expansion of their facility. That will complement our formats and horse sales, making the E the perfect home for our events, which bring the heart and soul of the horse industry to Guthrie.”

With a combined $5.95 million guaranteed minimum payout for the two 2025 events alone, these barrel races provide unrivaled competitions and purses. Lazy E’s investment into growing the Western sports in a family-friendly environment includes the construction of a new, 30,000 square foot events center that will cater to horse sales and trade shows, a new covered arena, five new horse barns that will provide an additional 426 new Priefert stalls and a shower, restroom and laundry facility.

“Our goal isn’t to be the biggest; our goal is to be the best fit for the events that call the E home,” said Dan Wall, Lazy E vice president and general manager. “We needed to add these new amenities to stay up with the growth of our tremendous events.”

The Lazy E works tirelessly to prepare world-class footing for these top-tier events that can withstand the volume of runs and remain consistent from the first run to the last run each day–and from day one to day 10. With acres of dedicated RV spots that provide ample space to camp while still being close to your horses, and a large, covered warm-up arena, the championship caliber of facilities and competition are a match.

“The Pink and Ruby Buckle events originated at the E, and we’ve been privileged to watch them grow into the events they are today,” said Wall. “They have completely changed the landscape of the barrel racing industry for everyone, and we appreciate the opportunity to continue to play a small role in their success for the next 10 years.”

About Equine Network, LLC  
Equine Network’s membership services are designed to entertain, support and inform the equine community, and include unique tech-enabled services for horse owners, live equestrian events, innovative content and engaging digital experiences. For more information, visit EquiNenetwork.com.

About Lazy E Arena, LLC
Lazy E Arena, located in Guthrie, Oklahoma, is one of the premier rodeo and equestrian venues in the country. With its rich history of hosting championship rodeo events, Lazy E Arena is a hub for the sport of rodeo, attracting competitors, fans, and industry leaders from all over the country. The Lazy E, recognized as the premier western entertainment facility, is committed to offering world-class facilities for competitors of all levels. For more information, visit LazyE.com.

About Pink Buckle and Ruby Buckle

The Pink and Ruby Buckle Programs are designed to dramatically increase the number and quality of barrel racing performance horses by promoting the Pink Buckle and Ruby Buckle stallions and their offspring. Visit PinkBuckle.com or TheRubyBuckle.com.

The WCRA Division Youth (WCRA DY) and The Lazy E Arena are excited to announce that Discounted Early Bird Open Entry is now available for the 2025 Cinch World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR) presented by Montana Silversmiths, set to take place July 22–26 in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Athletes who enter between March 17–31 will receive a $100 discount per entry. Starting April 1, all entry fees will return to full price.

In 2024, the WCJR paid out nearly $400,000, and the 2025 event will feature over $215,000 in guaranteed added money. Open Entry is available to youth athletes ages 10–19 across 11 disciplines. 

Open Entry Details

• Junior Division (ages 13–19): $350 per entry
• Youth Division (ages 10–15): $250 per entry
• Required documents: Birth Certificate and W-9 (uploaded during entry)

Athletes must be of age on the first date of the competition (July 22, 2025). 

Athletes can enter via NextGen Rodeo. Full entry details are available HERE. All Open Entry athletes will begin in the qualifying rounds.

In 2024, the payout in each discipline was as follows:

Event	Junior Payout		Youth Payout
Breakaway Roping	$40,520.00	$15,000.00
Tie Down Roping	$23,160.00	$9,200.00
Team Roping – Header	$30,720.00	$10,000.00
Team Roping – Heeler	$31,000.00	$10,400.00
Barrel Racing	$31,280.00	$16,200.00
Pole Bending	$18,400.00	$9,200.00
Goat Tying	$17,560.00	$7,400.00
Steer Wrestling	$18,400.00
Bareback Riding	$11,960.00
Saddle Bronc Riding	$13,080.00
Bull Riding	$19,240.00
World Champion Bonuses	$22,000.00	$7,000.00
All-Around Champion Bonuses	$8,000.00	$4,000.00
Event All-Around Champion Bonuses	$5,000.00	$5,000.00
IronMan Payout	$6,200.00
Total	$296,520.00	$93,400.00

Leaderboard Qualification:

All roughstock athletes must qualify for the WCJR through the WCRA Division Youth Leaderboard by securing a spot in the Top 12. These top-ranked roughstock athletes, along with the top leaderboard athletes in timed events, will be seeded directly into the Semi-Final Round and will receive a complimentary entry. To earn points and climb the leaderboard, athletes can nominate their rodeo performances through Sunday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Payment Plan Option:

Athletes who enter one or more disciplines between April 1 and May 1 will be eligible to spread their entry fee payments across 3-4 payments based on the date they enter within the Payment Plan window. Athletes are not required to use the Payment Plan feature and may opt to pay the entry fees in full at the time of entry. 

At the 2024 WCJR, Open Entry athlete Dusky Lynn Hall dominated the Youth division, capturing the Youth Barrel Racing Championship with a blazing final-round time of 17.097 seconds. She led the event from start to finish, clocking 17.178 in Round 1 and 17.108 in the semifinals. Dusky also claimed top times in Youth Pole Bending, winning both rounds and leading the average with a combined time of 40.306 seconds. Her standout performances were powered by her talented partner, Aint Seen Famous Yet. Hall finished the event as the second-highest-earning youth athlete, taking home nearly $9,000 in winnings. 

All rodeo athletes interested in learning more about the WCJR can visit WCJRodeo.com. 

The 2024 event is open to youth athletes competing in 11 disciplines, which include – Bareback Riding, Ladies Breakaway Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping Heading, Team Roping Heeling, Tie-Down Roping, Ladies Barrel Racing, Ladies Pole Bending, Ladies Goat Tying, and Bull Riding. WCJR athletes can enter only one age division and once per discipline. Roughstock events are Junior Divisions only. 

About WCRA DY (World Champions Rodeo Alliance Division Youth):

WCRA DY is a year-long leaderboard race of rodeo events worldwide, culminating at the World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR). The 2025 World Finals event will have over $2015,000 in added money and will take place in Guthrie, OK at the Lazy E Arena July 22-26. The 2024 events paid out nearly $400,000. Athletes can qualify by nominating their rodeo efforts and earning points for the WCRA DY leaderboard positions using the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier). Athletes can nominate their rodeo efforts until Sunday, June 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. to nominate and earn points. The top 16 on the leaderboard will qualify for the event with no entry fees.

ABOUT LAZY E ARENA: 

The Fabulous Lazy E Arena – just southeast of Guthrie and northeast of Edmond/Oklahoma City – was established in December 1984, just in time for the ’84 National Finals Steer Roping Finals. Originator of the E, E.K. Gaylord II had a vision that both the National Finals Steer Roping Finals and the National Finals Rodeo would happen the same time, in the same area, creating the most epic days rodeo had seen. While the plan only worked for one year, as the NFR moved to Vegas in ’85, the legacy and standards E.K. set from the beginning still carry on today. From giving PBR its start to the Timed Event Championship of the World, the Lazy E has hosted world champions, world championships and personalities galore. In 2005, Gaylord sold the property to a partnership from Nevada, and in October 2013 the property was sold to the McKinney Family from Midland, Texas. The ownership group has long recognized not only the tremendous facility, but also the importance of the Lazy E’s place in Rodeo and Oklahoma history. The Family has committed to maintaining the Lazy E as the World’s premier western entertainment facility. Many updates and renovations are taking place at the Arena which will only enhance the lure of the Lazy E to the general population.

CN Productions, LLC and Lazy E Arena proudly announce a landmark five-year partnership to host Oklahoma’s Richest Calf Roping and Breakaway Roping. This extends the already established relationship between entities and guarantees that Guthrie, Oklahoma will continue to be the heart of this world-class competition with family-friendly entertainment.

The new five-year agreement will bring together the best up-and-coming talent in both calf roping and breakaway roping, creating an unparalleled event that celebrates the skill and tradition of these two essential rodeo disciplines. Lazy E Arena, a renowned venue known for hosting some of the country’s most prestigious and lucrative events in the world will provide the perfect setting. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Lazy E Arena to take Oklahoma’s Richest to new heights,” said Chris Neal, CEO of CN Productions. “This long-term collaboration reflects our shared commitment to expand the opportunities for rodeo athletes. We’re also excited to continue the expansion of Oklahoma’s Richest by hosting the newest collaboration event of CN Productions and the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway qualifier as part of the three arena competition to showcases talents for all ages and levels while providing a family-friendly experience.”

The Oklahoma’s Richest Event will feature top-tier ropers from across the country competing for one of the largest prize pools in rodeo, drawing spectators and competitors from all over the world. With Lazy E Arena’s state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated staff, the event is poised to become an annual highlight in Oklahoma’s vibrant rodeo culture.

Lazy E Arena, with its iconic reputation in the rodeo community, offers the perfect backdrop for this prestigious event. “We’re honored to be partnering with CN Productions to host Oklahoma’s Richest,” said Dan Wall, General Manager at Lazy E Arena. “This partnership aligns with our mission to support and grow our industry at the highest level.”

Oklahoma’s Richest is set to become a premier event on the rodeo calendar, attracting families, fans, and competitors from across the nation. In addition to the thrilling competitions, the event will feature a full slate of western entertainment, shopping, and attractions, creating a festive environment for all attendees.

About CN Productions, LLC

CN Productions, LLC is dedicated to promoting the sport of rodeo and supporting young talent through its signature youth events as well as showcasing the professional level athletes for high level western entertainment. Their commitment to creating family-friendly events allows fans to experience the best of western sports, with a focus on calf roping, breakaway roping, and other rodeo disciplines. CN Productions is passionate about preserving and celebrating the traditions of rodeo for future generations.

About Lazy E Arena

Lazy E Arena, located in Guthrie, Oklahoma, is one of the premier rodeo and equestrian venues in the United States. With its rich history of hosting top-tier rodeo events, Lazy E Arena is a hub for the sport of rodeo, attracting competitors, fans, and industry leaders from all over the country. The arena is dedicated to fostering the growth of rodeo and offering world-class facilities for competitors of all levels.

For more information about the event or CN Productions, please visit cnproductions.com

Four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo header JoJo LeMond has left the arena in the back of an ambulance just one time in his cowboy career. It’s a Cinch Timed Event Championship flashback he’d like to forget. But not even his worst rodeo-related nightmare could keep this Andrews, Texas all-around hand from a return trip to the Lazy E.

It might be fair to say LeMond and the Timed Event have a love-hate relationship.

“I won third a couple times—that was good,” he grinned. “In 2009, I tore the ACL and PCL in my left knee in the bulldogging. But I kept team roping, and set the heading and heeling records. Spencer (Mitchell) and Jade (Corkill) have since beat those records (Corkill was 4.3 in the heeling in 2013, then Mitchell was 4.3 in the heading in 2014), but it was pretty cool to have them both at one time. A couple years later I tore up my right knee at the Windy Ryon in the steer roping.

“Several years later, I had a bulldogging steer hit me at the Timed Event. Everything went to hell in a handbasket. It bruised my spine and internal organs. Pretty sure that’s my only ambulance ride out of an arena. It took me awhile to get over that. I couldn’t even ride a horse.”

LeMond has headed at the NFR for Martin Lucero in 2008, Randon Adams in 2009, Cory Petska in 2010 and Junior Nogueira in 2015, when JoJo rolled up from 16^th to replace Jake Barnes after a horse fell practicing for that year’s Finals. LeMond has also qualified for five National Finals Steer Ropings, in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017. 

“My wife (Blair) was a school teacher, so we went as a family to the steer ropings in the summertime,” said JoJo, whose family also includes son Newt, 18; daughter Shaylee, 16; and son Gunnar, 14. 

LeMond pulled up from team roping on the full-time rodeo trail after that last NFR in 2015. 

“I just didn’t feel it was fair to my family to be gone all the time,” he said. “Rodeo’s a single-man’s game. I didn’t think it was fair for my wife to be home working and me out playing cowboy.”

These days, LeMond Performance Horses rides 50-60 head of outside horses on a year-round basis. 

“I train and show cutting horses,” he said. “I went rodeoing when I was 18, then went home and took a job riding 2-year-olds at a cutting horse place. I always knew this is what I would do for a living. Newt and have started 40-50 2-year-olds the last few years. The majority are cutters. I also keep a few rope horses around, and go to a few rope horse futurities.

“I love the cutting way more than I ever did roping. I roped to make a living. Now we make cutting horses. We make a living at it, and we’re getting to ride really nice horses. We have some amazing clients, and it’s great to get to ride great horses. I also have 2,000 head of yearlings turned out, and day work and cowboy.”

So why in the world does he want to return to such a grueling cowboy contest as the Timed Event at 42?

“I might be 42, but I feel like I’m 65,” he said. “I have a few aches and pains from getting ready for Timed Events past. But I have a lot of people behind me, and a lot of cutting horse people coming to watch and root me on. I don’t want to let them down. I just want to prove to myself that I can go get through it. I’m going to prove all the doubters in the old fat guy wrong.”

About that. LeMond is 6 feet tall, and tipped the scales at a slight 145 pounds when he was rodeoing.

“I weigh 215 pounds,” he said. “I’m definitely bigger and fatter than I once was. I’m full grown now. But I’m not scared of any of it, and I feel like I can still do it. I have a good set of horses, and can still rope sharp enough to get by. And I’m sure I haven’t lost much of my bulldogging ability.”

JoJo will head at his ninth CTEC on Gunnar’s horse Raider, whom they raised and trained. He’ll rope calves on Shaylee’s breakaway horse Sylvester. Look for LeMond to heel on either his own young futurity horse Shaq or Brad Lund’s Rabbit, a horse JoJo used to show who’s now owned by Heather Hankins. NFR steer wrestler Bray Armes, who recently cracked back out, will be there for him with a bulldogging team. LeMond will steer rope on a horse they call Elvis that he helped train for Bobby Boyd and now belongs to Chris Glover. 

The original plan was for Newt to head and heel for his dad at the Timed Event, but now Newt’s competing at the World’s Greatest Horseman at the same time. Armes is handling the hazing chores, Chris Francis will head for JoJo in the heeling, and Cade Passig will heel for him in the heading. Francis and Passig won the 2018 BFI in Reno before the roping moved to the Lazy E in 2020.

LeMond was a renowned reaching gunslinger when he headed for a living. 

“I can’t reach across the table to grab the salt anymore,” grinned the guy who went 3.4 in front of Adams in Round 9 at the 2009 NFR to break the then-3.5-second Thomas & Mack Center record until a few runs later when Chad Masters and Jade Corkill went 3.3. “When I rodeoed, I couldn’t catch four in a row. I’m in horse trainer mode now. I run right up in the middle of them and catch.”

Tell us one more time why you want to risk another round of Timed Event punishment, JoJo.

“I love the Timed Event—it’s a cowboy event,” he said. “I felt like I left a lot there, and could have done better in the past. I hurt myself before I even got there some years by overdoing it practicing for it. Then there were those two years I got hurt and didn’t get to finish. I don’t think the competitive nature ever leaves anyone who rodeos for a living, and I don’t think a guy ever forgets how to do it. I want to go back healthy, and try it one more time.”

Rodeo roots run deep in families. The love of this cowboy game is a tradition that tends to be handed down from one generation to the next. Paul Tierney and Chance Kelton are certainly not the only high-profile dads with sons on this year’s Cinch Timed Event Championship presented by Smarty Rodeo roster. But they’re two of the most experienced when it comes to advice directly gained from their own days in that CTEC arena at the Lazy E. 

Trevor Brazile is the Timed Event king with seven titles to his credit. But with eight CTEC championships between them, the Tierney boys are the winningest family. Patriarch Paul has won four of the coveted Rodeo Ironman crowns in three different decades; son Jess won the 2017 Timed Event; and little brother Paul David took his third CTEC victory lap last year. 

So, what does it take to win this thing?

“Good help and good horses,” Paul said. “You don’t want to take the second team to this one. The team roping cattle really ran last year. A second-rate head horse would not have cut it. I would say you better have strong personnel and A-team-type horses.”

Only 19 men have ever topped the Timed Event marathon since Leo Camarillo won the first one 40 years ago in 1985. What sets these winners apart from the rest?

“You have to be a good cowboy with good horses to stand a chance,” Tierney said. “When you make 25 runs, things go good and things go bad. You’ve got to be able to improvise instantaneously when things don’t go according to plan. You can’t kick the tires and get mad at yourself. Sometimes, there’s a disaster. I saw Trevor Brazile take a 60 (no time) on his first run in the heading, and come back and win it one year. That’s the kind of stuff that can happen at this event.”

Are elite all-around cowboys born or made?

“Definitely made,” Tierney continued. “As time goes on, you do more of this and more of that. When both of my boys were sophomores in high school, I said, ‘We’re going to start bulldogging this year.’ They said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Because you might want to go to the Timed Event one day.’ It’s a lot easier to learn to bulldog at 16 than 26.

“Back in my day, roping calves and bulldogging was the most common road to being an all-around cowboy. Very few guys do that now. More of them rope calves and team rope today.”

Is success at the Timed Event more physical or mental?

“Both,” said Tierney, who was the 1980 world champion all-around cowboy and also won a world tie-down roping title in 1979. “You can’t just get by physically or mentally. You’re trying to win $100,000 competing in events you don’t do all the time. The steer roping was the hardest event for me, and that’s always the last event. So I had to close the deal in my hardest event. When it comes to being physically and mentally tough, you can’t have one without the other. You have to be both.”

Papa Paul says it was harder to watch his sons compete at the Timed Event in their early years than doing it himself. But by now he’s an old CTEC parent pro. 

“There was some anxiety watching my boys do it for the first time,” he said. “It’s not as hard now, because they’ve been there so many times now. I’m proud of our family.”

As is Dad Kelton of his. Chance headed at three-straight Wrangler National Finals Rodeos—he qualified all three years with Brent Lockett, but roped with Monty Joe Petska at the third one in 2000 after Lockett broke his leg at the last rodeo of the regular season at San Francisco’s Cow Palace that year. Kelton also qualified for five National Finals Steer Ropings in his cowboy career. 

Kelton threw his name in the Timed Event hat 14 times, from 1999 through 2012. He also raised 2025 CTEC rookie Ketch Kelton, who won the Jr Ironman the last two years. Ketch, who turned 19 on February 22, is currently a freshman at Cisco (Texas) College.

While Paul Tierney thinks all-around cowboys are made, Chance Kelton sees his son as born to be one.

“I think they’re born, because Ketch was just a natural,” Chance said. “Whatever I showed him, he could do it. I like to do all the events, so I wanted my kid to do them, too. I wish all kids would do all the events, so they could see what they’re made of.”

The Jr Ironman consists of three rounds in four events—heading, heeling, tie-down roping and steer wrestling—whereas the Timed Event is five rounds in five events, which also include steer roping. Not a problem.

“I think Ketch ran his first steer roping steer when he was 12 or 13,” Chance remembers. “I always had steer roping horses, and slow cattle. He’s tripped a bunch.

“Ketch has worked his whole life getting ready for the Timed Event. It’s kind of cool for your kid to grow up doing the same things you did. My best advice to him going into his first one is to stay grounded and just go through the basics, step by step. The guys who put in the work get it done at the Timed Event.”

NFR switch-ender Colter Todd will help Ketch in the heading and heeling, and fellow Timed Event titan Tyler Pearson will haze. 

“Ketch loves to go catch wild cattle with Derrick (Begay) and Colter,” Chance said. “It’s pretty handy watching. Colter has been very good to my kid. He’s Ketch’s hero. I think my kid asks Colter more questions than he does me.”

The plan is for Ketch to ride big sister Kenzie’s head horse, Peaches; more than likely his own heel horse/calf horse combo, Happy Meal; Damian Padilla’s blue roan bulldogging horse; and one of past Timed Event cowboy Scott Snedecor’s steer horses. 

How does Dad like his son’s chances as a CTEC rookie?

“It’s tough to bet against him,” Chance said. “That arena’s been good to Ketch. I’m all-in.”

This year’s defender of the Cinch Timed Event Championship presented by Smarty Rodeo crown Paul David Tierney took his third CTEC title in 2024, and has over the years racked up $388,500 in CTEC earnings alone at this elite Ironman cowboy contest. 

“The chance to win money like this sure makes life easier,” said the 35-year-old South Dakota native, who now calls Oklahoma City home. “It just helps, and we don’t have many places where this kind of money is possible. As just one example, I bought a brown head horse (Andale) with Timed Event money. I was able to win a lot on him, and when you have a family there are always bills to pay.”

Tierney’s first CTEC title in 2014 was worth a whopping $50,000 plus round money. His champ’s check doubled to $100,000 in both 2016 and 2024. Paul David has also finished second in this one-of-a-kind 25-head average three times. 

Tierney has for 2025 enlisted the same human helpers he had in place when he won it all last year. NFR header Logan Olson will head in the heeling, 2015 World Champion Heeler Kollin VonAhn will heel in the heading and Kody Woodward will haze in the steer wrestling. Paul David plans to ride his calf horse Macaroni, one of his own head horses, four-time Timed Event titlist dad Paul’s heel horse Hiho; Woodward’s bulldogging horse Blackjack; and Jate Saults’s steer horse Rocket. 

“I ride horses that are easy and don’t take anything away from you at this event,” Paul David said. “You won’t see me riding a head horse that I’ll lose my rope on. Been there, done that. Won’t do it again.”

It’s easy to understand why Tierney considers his Timed Event record the highlight of his cowboy career. 

“We (big brother Jess won the 2017 CTEC) grew up making sure we were ready for this,” said Paul David, who plans to head for Casey McCluskey at the rodeos this year. “More than anything, Dad knew we were going to want to do it growing up, so the foundation was set early. We bulldogged, roped calves and team roped in high school and college. I won my first steer roping jackpot when I was a junior in high school. So when it came time to enter the Timed Event, none of this was new to us. 

“When I was a kid, I missed a lot of the Timed Events earlier in my dad’s career, because I wrestled since I was six years old and the state wrestling tournament was on top of it. I think seventh or eighth grade is when I first started thinking about entering the Timed Event myself. This event was made for how we grew up doing it all.”

It’s no surprise that Paul David was a scrappy wrestler, and a two-time South Dakota state champ. That same inner scrap comes out loud and clear every year when it’s steer wrestling time and he cowboys up beyond what the scale should allow at the CTEC. 

“The Timed Event is the only time I bulldog now,” he said. “It’s fun for me to steer rope at the Timed Event, too, because the big arena at the Lazy E gives me a chance to be competitive. I always look forward to the Timed Event. The name of the game is never get in a hurry, and have smooth times. It’s a true cowboy contest, and you can’t luck out and win a 25-header.”

Riley Wakefield is a goals guy. And he’s marched right up the rodeo ranks with that “work for what you want, then get on to the next one” way of thinking. The pride of O’Neill, Nebraska is rolling into his third Cinch Timed Event Championship presented by Smarty Rodeo on par with his own bucket-list course for cowboying and living life. 

“I don’t rodeo just to rodeo,” he said. “I have a clear goal in mind every year. Setting goals and working toward them drives people in life. Without them, you have nothing to work for. That would drive me nuts. I rodeo for the love of the game, but at the same time I want something to work towards. I want to accomplish my goal, then make adjustments and set a bigger one. Purpose is good on the mind.”

Wakefield stair-stepped his way up to center stage at the Lazy E. 

In junior high, he rode bulls, tied goats, ribbon roped, breakaway roped and roped calves, with the goal of qualifying for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. Check.

In high school, the goal was to make the National High School Finals Rodeo. He made it in the steer wrestling and all four years in the team roping—including twice heading for his big brother, Brady. Check.

“It was never guaranteed for us, because we were just out there doing our best,” said Riley; so sadly, Brady died at 20 in a road accident in the summer of 2015, but would surely be right there with Riley at the Timed Event if he was still with us here instead of riding shotgun from Heaven. “Dad (Jim) was a circuit bulldogger. What he did was get calves and steers, and find us horses we could get out there and make runs on. What Brady and I did was get out there in the cold and make a million runs. We outworked people, and learned by trial and error. That was our only play.

“The NFR (National Finals Rodeo) and Timed Event weren’t goals to us as kids. They were dreams. We knew we had a long way to go for reality to allow those dreams to become goals.”

After high school, Riley set his sights on making the College National Finals Rodeo in three events—which in his case were team roping, steer wrestling and tie-down roping—while rodeoing for Gillette College in Wyoming. Check. 

Wakefield started pro rodeoing as a high school senior, and made making the Badlands Circuit Finals in the team roping and tie-down a goal. He also wanted to qualify for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. Check. 

Riley set sail on the pro rodeo trail with heavy emphasis on the tie-down roping. His 5’ 11”, 170-pound, slight-built self brought the house down when Wakefield won the steer wrestling on the grass at the 2022 Pendleton Round-Up in Oregon. 

“Winning the bulldogging at Pendleton was pretty cool, but it was sure never a goal,” he smiled. “The steer wrestling was really never on my radar until I took two big team roping steers down to Taylor’s house (2020 Timed Event Champ Taylor Santos, who’s been sidelined for a year now for surgeries on both hips and a knee) in Stephenville (Texas). We never roped them, so Taylor finally asked if I was at least going to chute-dog them. Ote (Berry) came over and gave me a few pointers, and I got to where I could slide those big old steers out and tip ’em over. That’s when I added steer wrestling at the Badlands Circuit Finals to my list of goals. (Check.)

 “Then I set the goal of trying to make the NFR in the calf roping. It took a while, but I realized I probably took off to try that too early. I didn’t know it when I first took off, but I wasn’t ready. And I didn’t really have the horsepower. I was concentrating on the calf roping, but would enter the bulldogging at places like Pendleton and Ponoka (Alberta, Canada), and the team roping at rodeos like Lakeside (California) with Lane (Karney, who’s Taylor’s big brother and placed third and fourth at the Timed Event several times before turning his attention to family and business at home). Seemed like I kept doing better in those other events than the one I thought I was focusing on. Anyway, I had enough of that road, and I wasn’t willing to make the sacrifices it was going to take to try and make the NFR.”

Wakefield met a girl, world-famous Canadian cowboy Rocky Dallyn’s daughter, Jenna. 

“After I met Jenna, a lightbulb went off in my head,” said Riley, who rides a lot of outside horses when he’s not out there rodeoing. “I still wanted to do all three events and go to a few more rodeos. Why not go to Canada and enter three events? I entered the calf roping up in Canada in 2023, then decided, ‘Why fight my strengths? Why not enter all three events?’ The goal became making it in three events to the Canadian Finals, and winning the Canadian all-around title. I went after that in 2024. 

“I made the CFR in the calf roping last year, and got edged out for the all-around. So that goal is still on the table for 2025. I want to make the CFR in three events, and win the all-around up in Canada.”

Wakefield was thrilled to get his first Timed Event invite in 2023, and made an outstanding first impression by contending for the crown to the end. 

“I had a lot to prove at the Timed Event that first year, but felt pretty good about how it went,” he said. “I had always put the Timed Event on a pedestal. It’s my NFR. It’s what means the most to me. It’s very rare anymore to see anyone go up and down the road in three events. The Timed Event fits me. 

“I went into my second Timed Event last year with a lot of pressure to do as well as I did that first year, and let it get to me. I didn’t have the horsepower I needed, and it showed.”

Naturally, it’s now a goal to win this thing. And because he hasn’t yet checked this one off of his cowboy bucket list, he’s made adjustments to up his odds. Jake Smith, who’s coming off of his first NFR in the heading, will handle Wakefield’s heading and heeling helper chores. Riley will make a late-game decision on who’ll haze and what he’ll ride in the bulldogging. He plans to ride Danielle Wray’s head horse, Peanut; the heel horse he’s ridden since eighth grade, William; a calf horse he calls Ultimate, that he got up in Canada from Clay Elliott; and his steer horse, Mississippi, who the Wakefields bought from Todd Eberle after Riley rode him at last year’s Timed Event. 

“I feel better about my horsepower this year,” he said. “I came in on some greener horses last year. I took a gamble, and it didn’t work out in my favor. The horses I’m riding this year are all solid campaigners. 

“When people ask what it would mean to win the Timed Event, my answer is, ‘Everything.’ It sounds cliché, but that’s exactly what it would mean. My dad took Brady and I to watch the Timed Event when we were pretty little. Timed Event tapes are all Brady and I watched growing up. Back then, winning the Timed Event was a dream, not a goal. That it’s become a goal to win it now means the world to me. Because when it’s all said and done, I just want to be remembered as a good all-around cowboy.”

Four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo tie-down roper John Douch is one of two Cinch Timed Event Championship presented by Smarty Rodeo freshmen in this year’s field. Two-time Jr Ironman champ Ketch Kelton won his way into this year’s Timed Event, too. 

“I’m very excited to take a shot at the Timed Event,” said Douch, 27, of Itasca, Texas. “I’ve always wanted to do it, but never knew how to get invited. I was roping at a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) judging seminar at Hill College in Hillsboro last spring—I rope at it every year, where they train judges on what to look for in a run—and (Timed Event Chute Boss) John Gwatney asked if I’d ever thought about getting in. I said yes, and he made a call to get the ball rolling on that invite. I’ve been working at it pretty good, but I’ve darn sure gotten sore getting ready.”

Douch spent much of his youth at Hall of Famer Joe Beaver’s 8X Ranch. He drafted his team roping Timed Event help from another cowboy who grew up in Joe and Jenna’s arena and loving care in Huntsville.

“Reno Gonzales will be helping me in the heading and heeling,” Douch said. “Me and Reno are like brothers. We’ve roped together for so long, and he can take pressure. It’s definitely a Joe B connection. We’re all family. I know I can depend on Reno. I’m not yet sure who’ll haze for me in the bulldogging, but one guy can handle helping me in the team roping.

“As for the horses, I’ll probably rope calves on my gray horse, Pistol, that I rode at the NFR in December. I’ll head on my girlfriend’s dad’s (Bryan Hanson) horse, and heel on Reno’s horse. I’m going to ride Shad Mayfield’s horse in the steer roping. I’m not sure what I’ll bulldog on yet.”

About not having his steer wrestling horse and hazer ducks in a row early on—no sweat. 

“I’m probably most excited about getting to bulldog again,” Douch beamed. “I made the high school and college finals in the bulldogging. I don’t do it as much anymore, because I’d rather rope. But I really like to bulldog. I’m also looking forward to the tripping, because I’ve never done it. It’ll be fun to do something different.

“I’ll be making my first tripping runs at Shad’s place, and I’ve mostly been working on my left-hand tying. I think that’s going to be the hardest, because I’ve never tied a steer left-handed. Shad has a practice steer horse and a good one. He said I can ride the good one at the Lazy E.”

Douch has been watching Timed Event tape on YouTube every chance he gets. “I’ve had a few people tell me, “Just don’t take a 60 (no-time), and be consistent,” grinned a guy best known for going fast, but smart and versatile enough to “get” the CTEC assignment. 

Weak is not a word in this guy’s cowboy repertoire, but if he had to pick an event he most hopes to “get by” on the Timed Event battlefield?

“It’d probably be the heeling or the tripping,” he said. “I’ve never done it before, but I like the tripping more than the heeling. I team rope all the time, but I mostly head. I like to throw my rope first.”

Might Douch be motivated to throw his name in the world all-around race on the heels of past CTEC contestant Mayfield winning the world-around crown in 2024? 

“If I had a good chance at it, I would,” Douch said. “If I had a great winter and a lot of money won early, yes. If that happens, my second event would definitely be steer wrestling.

“I’m pretty pumped for 2025 in general, competing for the first time at the Timed Event included. I didn’t have the Finals I wanted, so I’m hungry this year. I’ll take Tyler Calhoun in the truck with me this summer. He’s a college freshman this year, and he’s hungry, too. I’m excited. I’m ready to rodeo hard and redeem myself.”

World champions were crowned and history was made as the curtain closed on the 55th annual International Finals Rodeo at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., on Sunday, Jan. 19. Championship Sunday served as the final conclusion to the 2024 International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) season.

Taking home the coveted 2024 IPRA World Champion title is Peach State cowboy Tanner Phipps of Dalton, Georgia. Entering the IFR with a significant lead, he continued to find success at the Lazy E Arena and captured the title. This marks his third consecutive IPRA world title. Phipps ended the 2024 season with earnings of $68,212.42. Blayn Hughston of McBain, Mich., excelled during IFR55, taking top honors in all four performances and winning the final performance with a score of 83.25 atop the horse “Wild Willy.”

Home-state cowboy Cody Doescher of Webber Falls, Okla., claimed victory once again at the Lazy E Arena, earning his first IPRA world title in steer wrestling. Doesher, familiar with big wins at the Lazy E Arena, can now add an IPRA World title to his extensive résumé, earning $33,084.31 throughout the 2024 season. Chase Crane of Boynton, Okla., took home round four honors with a 4.4-second run.

Team roping header Heath King of Leicester, N.C., entered IFR55 in the driver’s seat of the world title race, maintaining a commanding lead that proved untouchable. He secured his second consecutive world title in team roping heading, concluding the 2024 season with $47,953.16 in total earnings.

On the heeling side of team roping, all eyes were on IPRA veteran Stephen Britnell of Knoxville, Tenn., who also entered IFR55 with a significant lead. His lead proved victorious, earning him his eighth IPRA World Champion Heeling title and concluding the 2024 season with $48,590.61.

Reigning IPRA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Kody Rinehart from Rienzi, Mississippi, further solidified his success by securing the 2024 IPRA World Champion title after an intense competition against reserve world champion and 2024 IPRA Rookie of the Year Spur Montag from Belmont, Ohio. Rinehart also set a new record for single-season earnings in the regular season, totaling $74,773.93 by the end of the year IFR55.

Andrew Burks held his top position throughout the prestigious rodeo week, earning a spot in the winner’s circle. By winning half of the rounds, Burks increased his lead and secured the esteemed title with earnings of $54,178.74 for 2024 season.

Three-time world champion Kyla Matthews of Athens, Tenn., entered the IFR in fourth place and fought her way to victory. Her aggressive roping earned her the 2024 IPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper title, amassing $31,074.09 during the season.

 Kindyl Scruggs of Southaven, Miss., led the IPRA standings all year and continued her successful run to the winner’s circle at the Lazy E Arena. Maintaining her lead, Scruggs earned her second world title with $42,154.96 in earnings for the 2024 season.

IPRA rookie Brody Robinson of Galax, Va., emerged victorious when the dust settled at the Lazy E Arena, earning his first IPRA World Champion Bull Rider title in his rookie year, with $46,653.57 in earnings throughout the 2024 IPRA season.

VIEW THE FULL RESULTS 

For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.

– IPRA –

About the IPRA:
Since 1957, the IPRA has sanctioned hundreds of rodeo opportunities across North America. As the second-largest professional rodeo association, the IPRA crowns yearly world champions at the International Finals Rodeo, currently held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. The IPRA proudly supports the growth of youth rodeo as the parent organization of the International Finals Youth Rodeo. For media and communications inquiries, contact IPRA Director of Communications Julia Dondero at 775-737-1431 or [email protected].

The thrilling conclusion to the 55th annual International Finals Rodeo (IFR) draws near, with the third performance concluding and storylines brewing. IFR55 will serve as the finale to the 2024 International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) World Championships, held at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., and conclude on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.

Blayn Hughston (McBain, Mich.) aims for a shutout performance at IFR55 with his third consecutive go-round win. He earned his third go-round buckle atop “Ely Cattlemen’s Faded”, moving him up to fifth place in the IPRA world standings. 

Home-state cowboy Cody Doesher (Webber Falls, Okla.) claimed victory once again at the Lazy E Arena with a smooth 4.40-second run. Doesher, who is no stranger to big wins at the Lazy E Arena, now finds himself in close contention for the IPRA World Champion Steer Wrestling title.

A duo of Empire State cowboys found themselves right at home in the heart of the Sooner State’s Fabulous Lazy E Arena. Jacob Rounds (Broadalbin, N.Y.) and Drew Carnes (Hornell, N.Y.) secured a win during the third round of competition with a smooth 5.2-second run in team roping. 

Joe Farren (Cottondale, Fla.) teamed up with “Bay Wolf” to earn a score of 79.75 points, securing himself a coveted IFR55 go-round buckle.

Sooner State cowboy Tylen Layton (Copan, Okla.) concluded his third run of IFR55 in winning style with a quick 8.80-second run, earning over $3,700 in prize money.

Ryley Layton (Copan, Okla.) clocked an impressive 2.2-second run, earning the round three title and tying for the fastest time of the week so far. The husband and wife duo, Tylen and Ryley, both found themselves in the winner’s circle, making it a picture-perfect night for the couple.

All eyes were on Texas cowgirl Emily Williams, who ran the fastest cloverleaf pattern of the week thus far. The Lone Star State cowgirl stopped the clock with an impressive 16.073-second run.

IPRA rookie Ueberson Duarte (Spencer, Wisc.) found success during the third round with an impressive 8-second ride, worth 85.25 points. 

VIEW THE FULL RESULTS HERE

It all comes down to tomorrow, when the 2024 IPRA World Champions will be crowned after IFR55’s final performance, happening Sunday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. CT. During this exciting 55th annual edition of the IFR, the top 15 of the association’s best will square off in one final performance of rodeo action. Accomplished Western sports athletes will compete for one of the most coveted titles in Western sports—the IPRA World Championship—and a share of the impressive $500,000 total payout.

With all the IPRA title races in close contention and 10 IPRA world titles on the line, the IFR promises a thrilling showcase of Western sports. Individual tickets start at $20, and all-session packages start at $68. Fans can purchase tickets now for individual performances or all-session packages.

The event schedule is as follows:
Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day.

The IFR will feature top athletes competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.

For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.

– IPRA –

About the IPRA:
Since 1957, the IPRA has sanctioned hundreds of rodeo opportunities across North America. As the second-largest professional rodeo association, the IPRA crowns yearly world champions at the International Finals Rodeo, currently held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. The IPRA proudly supports the growth of youth rodeo as the parent organization of the International Finals Youth Rodeo. For media and communications inquiries, contact IPRA Director of Communications Julia Dondero at 775-737-1431 or [email protected].