story by Naomi Loomis & Laurie Wood
Justin Quint from Akron, Colorado will be competing at both of the “Wilder Than the Rest” events, May 15-17, 2015 – Mary Williams Hyde
The West will come alive, May 15-17, 2015. The WSRRA “Wilder Than the Rest” weekend will start in Craig, Colorado and end in Miles City, Montana. The Yampa River Ranch Rodeo “Iron Man” Bronc Riding contest will consist of the toughest 40 ranch bronc riding contestants from 10 states and Canada. With $5,500 added money, and a total payout of over $8000, we’ve drawn the best contestants the sport has to offer. This is a 8 Second Whisky “Ride’Em Hard, Drink’Em Smooth” Tour Stop of the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association (WSRRA). The event will be packed with action and thrills, these contestants will be competing for the purse and 50 points in the year end standings of the WSRRA. The top bronc riders at this event will add valuable points to their season totals, for the chance to be one of the top year end 15 Ranch Bronc riders, qualified for the WSRRA National Finals Rodeo, and the chance prestige title of World Champion Ranch Bronc Rider. The WSRRA National Finals will be held in Winnemucca, Nevada, October 29 thru November 1, 2015.
“The Iron Man” ranch bronc riding format, will give a new twist to an old tradition of the rough string” said Rand Selle, Co-producer of the Yampa River Ranch Rodeo and Ranch Bronc Riding.
The event will start with Round 1, and all 40 ranch bronc riders competing on Friday night May 15th, at the Moffat County Fairgrounds in Craig, Colorado. To advance to the second round a ranch bronc rider must finish as a top 20 contestant. The performance time for Friday and Saturday night is 6:30 pm. The Saturday, May 16th performance will feature the Top 20 ranch bronc riders from Round 1. Between sections of the ranch bronc riding, the women contestants of the WSRRA will compete in a sanctioned Women’s Steer Stopping competition. The top 10 ranch bronc riders from Round 2, will then advance into Round 3 for the semifinals, and be awarded $3,500 and 30 points in the round. The Final Round will bring back the Top 5 from the Semi Final Round, and have $2,000 and 20 points awarded. The high point bronc ride from the Final Round will be awarded a custom made Chaz Mitchell hat, and the honorable title of the “WSRRA Iron Man”.
The competition will feature 3 Stock Contractors, which will insure an even pen of horses, and an fair draw. The 3 chosen Stock Contractors are: H & H Rodeo, (Hamaker family) from Centennial, WY; Bad Medicine Rodeo Stock (Wayne and Jodi Larsen) from Chugwater, WY; and Selle Rodeo (Rand Selle & Jessica Cardon) from Dixon, WY.
Along with the “Iron Man” ranch bronc riding completion, the Yampa River Ranch Rodeo will be held Saturday, May 16 at 10 am. The WSRRA sanctioned ranch rodeo will feature 20, 4 man ranch teams, and will be a WSRRA National Finals qualifier, for the highest placing WSRRA membered team. The ranch teams will compete in 4 events, including Doctoring, Big Loop Team Roping, Loadin & Tyin” and the Rustler’s Relay. Selle Rodeo Productions, would like to invite everyone to the 1st Annual WSRRA Yampa River Ranch Rodeo, and Iron Man Ranch Bronc Riding. Please “Come see an exciting wild west show, reliving the Moffatt County ranch history” stated Jessica Cardon, Co- Producer of the Yampa River Ranch Rodeo and Ranch Bronc Riding.
On Sunday, May 17, the historic Miles City Bucking Horse Sale, in Miles City, Montana will host the ranch bronc riders of the WSRRA for the first time, in what should prove to be a very exciting partnership. Twelve of the association’s brightest stars have been invited to compete in the $2500 added money, and double point 8 Seconds Whisky Tour Event. Invitees include past and present World Champions and Rookies of the Year, 2014 Top 15 ranch bronc riders, directors, and association representatives. Richey, Montana stock contractor Shane Vaira will provide the horses for the contest, which will feature one round, with the top four riders coming back for the short go-round.
Now in its 65th year, the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale showcases prospective saddle broncs, bareback broncs and bulls, drawing stock contractors from all over the U.S. and Canada. MCBHS Board of Governors member John Morford, said “We hope this is the first year of a long lasting relationship with the WSRRA Ranch Bronc Riding and we expect that this event will get bigger and better every year!” For tickets and information visit www.buckinghorsesale.com.
