Stevee\'s Rodeo Blog

As most of the country slowly eases into spring, rodeo competitors are already well into their competitive season. Each time a cowboy steps into the arena, he is hoping for a big paycheck to pad his earnings on the trail to National Finals Rodeo glory. Only the top 15 competitors in each event earn a coveted back number to the NFR, so each event, big or small, helps in the hunt. The relatively calm weather in May played host to rodeos across the country, including stops in Nevada, California and Arizona. The Golden State is a hotbed of rodeo activity, with multiple events playing out across the state in the past 30 days. If you haven't headed to the fairgrounds to see your favorite cowboy compete this season, now is the time. Check out the PRCA's event schedule to find a rodeo near you.

Rodeo is a sport that may have started in a small corner of the country, but it has spread into a worldwide phenomenon. One of the fastest growing sports on the planet, rodeo draws in competitors and spectators from every part of the globe. Traditional rodeo spots such as Texas and the southern states are hopping with events, but even less common locales such as New Jersey and picking up the rodeo vibe. Even the great state of Oklahoma hosted a whopper of an event in May - the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. The rodeo season is in full swing, and cowboys and cowgirls chasing one of the elite 15 spots in the National Finals Rodeo are hitting the circuit hard to make it to Las Vegas. Is your favorite cowboy or cowgirl in the running?

April holds the designation of hosting the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, and the 2013 event was one for the record books. Top competitors such as Casey Colletti and Luke Branquinho showed their stuff, bringing home thousands in cash and prizes. Team roping was one of the most popular events at this year's rodeo, with dozens of teams vying for the top spot. Shane Erickson and Jade Corkill took home the top prize, earning just under $14,000 in a single event. The bull riding capped off the festivities, and up and comer John Young bested the field for almost $18,000 toward his National Finals Rodeo run. If you missed this year's event, be fore to check out the RCNFR's webpage for next year's event dates.

Warmer weather for cowboys and cowgirls means it's time to kick their rodeo game into high gear. As the days get longer and the horses shed their wooly winter coat, more and more rodeos pop up at arenas around the country. Warm weather and clear skies bring our the fans in Mississippi, Texas, and California, with die-hard competitors hitting up as many rodeos as possible on the road to the National Finals. Even those chilly northern rodeos are seeing capacity crowds, with cowboys filling the arenas and spectators jamming the stands. More rodeos means more money, and every penny is a step closer to the dream of earning a gold buckle.

From sunrise to sunset, cowboys and cowgirls in all corners of the country are working hard to make it to the National Finals Rodeo. A mere 15 competitors quality in each event, leaving thousands of competitors sitting on the sidelines. Hitting as many rodeos as possible and performing at the top of your game is necessary to make it to the big show, and this includes everything from huge rodeos such as Rodeo Austin to small rodeos throughout Arizona, Florida and Texas make a big difference. Show some love for your favorite competitor and attend a local rodeo in your area.

Rodeo season revs into high gear as winter gives way to spring, and rodeo competitors and enthusiasts from across the United States fill the stands. Southern states often get a jump on their northern counterparts due to their mild weather, and rodeos are plentiful in Texas, Georgia and Florida throughout the first weeks of spring. Rain or snow, sleet or shine, die-hard competitors give it their all to wow the fans and win the big paychecks. Is a springtime rodeo on your agenda? Check our comprehensive rodeo schedule and find one near you!

The 2013 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo has come and gone for another year, but competitors and spectators alike enjoyed nearly three weeks of jam-packed rodeo action. Bull riders, barrel racers, ropers and everyone in between are ready and rearing to go in their hunt for their own World Championship buckle. The calendar is filled with rodeos as cowboys and cowgirls traverse the country in an effort to boost their earnings, hoping for a coveted spot in the 2013 National Finals Rodeo. Some competitors have their sights set on the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, going down April 4-6 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Others are likely headed to Rodeo Austin, one of the premier rodeo events in Texas. One certainty about rodeo is even as winter loosens its grip on the country and spring showers dot the landscape, hard-core rodeo lovers will brave the mud and muck to catch a piece of the action.

The rodeo world suffered a painful blow earlier this month with the passing of David Glover. David was a bull rider with an illustrious history in the professional ranks, earning his way to the National Finals Rodeo on four separate occasions during the 1960s. His most successful season was in 1965, during which he finished with two second-place scores, for a final ranking of seventh in the world. David went on to help form the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competition judging program, serving for a number of years after its inception. Even though his passing is felt at home and abroad, his memory will continue to live throughout the ages.

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, and while many sports are just ramping up, rodeo events continue to rage on around the country. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo wrapped up on February 9^th, and this year's event was filled with action, suspense and good times. Competitors took home more than $500,000 in prize money, padding their pockets and continuing their journey to the 2013 National Finals Rodeo.  Hot on the tail of Fort Worth comes the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, which runs from February 7^th - 24^th. Back-to-back rodeos can be stressful for dedicated cowboys and cowgirls, but many are lucky enough to travel in vehicles so luxurious, you'd almost think you were in a five-star hotel. Winning the gold buckle at the NFR is all about the wins, and top-ranking competitors will log dozens of rodeos on their way to The Big Show in Las Vegas. Cheer on your favorite cowboy from the comfort of your living room, or take the plunge and catch the action first-hand at a rodeo near you.

Being a cowboy or rodeo competitor certainly has its quirks. Every sport has strange or unusual points that make absolutely no sense to those outside the game, but those in the know understand them perfectly. Take, for example, a cowboy's superstition against laying his hat on the bed. People with no knowledge of cowboys or rodeos may look at it and think he's crazy for snatching the hat off the bed with a gasp, but others know that this could be an omen welcoming in certain doom. A cowboy and his dog are rarely apart, and many cowboys won't ride unless their furry friends can be seated in the stands.

How about the cowboy who refuses to buy romantic gifts for his lady, opting instead to give her simple, handcrafted gifts made from items around the ranch? Some might think he's cheap or unimaginative, few presents are filled with more love and meaning than a handmade surprise from an enamored cowboy.

What are your favorite quirks about rodeo, cowboys or cowgirls? Mismatched socks on competition day? Cleaning out your pockets before a run? Share your thoughts and ideas and let's see how unique rodeo really is.