Meet our WSRRA Stock Contractor of the Year!

Meet our WSRRA Stock Contractor of the Year!
By Naomi Loomis, WSRRA Representative

Wayne Larsen, Justin Quint-WSRRA Ranch Bronc Director and Rand Selle
at the 2014 WSRRA National Finals in Winnemucca, Nevada.
(Photo Credit to Mary Williams Hyde)

Congratulations to our 2014 WSRRA Stock Contractor of the Year.

Meet Bad Medicine Rodeo Stock selected by the top 15 ranch bronc riders as the Stock Contractor of the Year of the WSRRA 2014 National Finals. I sat down with the owner, Wayne Larson, and learned quite a bit about being a stock contractor. 

Who is involved in your business?

My wife Jodi and I.  Recently Rand Selle has been helping us with our business. But there are always other people that help us out at practices, and at bronc rides.

You were invited to the WSRRA Finals as a stock contractor, can you tell us what horses you bought and why?

We brought seven of our most solid buckers. They were Blue Storm, Silver Dollar and Storm Watch who are out of our Canada stud. We also brought Chisum out of a Burch stud; Ruby, an older mare, who has been to numerous finals; Odd Ball, a solid bronc that the cowboys really like to get on; and Red Bird, a five year old that shows a lot of promise.

Where is your home base?

We call Chugwater, Wyoming home.  Chugwater is a small town north of Cheyenne, Wyoming. We live on the ranch where Steamboat, a world champion bucking horse in the 1900’s was raised.  He is the famous bucking horse that you see on all of the Wyoming license plates. Hauling horses to the WSRRA National finals was rewarding, though it was a long ways out there.

Jim Gebauer riding Storm Watch at the 2014 WSRRA National
Finals. (Photo Credit to Mary Williams Hyde)

 How did your horses do at the WSRRA Finals?

The broncs did well enough that we got invited back to Winnemucca and we were asked to bring 10 head of broncs to the 2015 WSRRA National Finals.

How do you raise good bucking horses?

I breed some of my older, proven mares to studs with several generations of proven bucking horse blood lines. I bought some of War Paint’s grand daughters and a son of Custer from Ike Sankey.  I used another stud from Max Burch. I also bought a stud from Canada raised by Calgary Stampede Horses. The last several years I have been breeding mares to Hairy Feathers, who belongs to JD Hamaker.  JD and I have been sharing our breeding program for the last six years.  He brings mares to my studs and vise versa.

In the last couple years I have been breeding half of my 3 year old mares and then bucking the other half.  I then buck the mamas when they are five years old while I buck the other half in the meantime. That has given me another generation of bucking horses a little quicker.

What are your accomplishments with your horses?

My biggest accomplishment is that I sold a horse named Chugwater Blue to JD Hamaker. She was selected to go to the NFR two times.  Jessie Wright won the 5^th round on her.  “My other accomplishment is that we are still in business,” said Wayne with a laugh!

How do you select which horses buck at an event?

Jodi Larsen, Bad Medicine and JD Hamaker
(Photo Credit to Jessi Snowden)

I select horses according to the event, so for high school rodeo events, I take my younger horses and some of my older horses. We take horses that match the cowboys’ abilities.  For college, amateur rodeos and ranch bronc rides, I take my better quality, proven, highest point horses.

What shows do you take stock to?

We have taken broncs to high school rodeos, senior pro rodeos, Nebraska State Finals, Nebraska High School Finals, Wyoming Rodeo Association Finals, South Dakota State Rodeo Finals, College National Finals, and the WSRRA National Finals.  We also take horses to bronc rides in Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado.

Do you have any other stock?

No we just have bucking horses and a handful of well-bred saddle horses.

How long have you been a stock contractor?

I have been a stock contractor since 1994.

How did you get started as a stock contractor?

My boys wanted to ride broncs, so I started raising horses for them to practice on.  I then went into business with Byron Juma from Torrington, Wyoming.  He is a stock contractor that raises bulls and horses.  Juma and I are still partners and we have been hauling rodeo stock to rodeos since 1995.

Do you take horses to any other WSRRA events?

We have been taking ranch broncs to Double A Feeds WSRRA Ranch Bronc Ridings for 5 years and two years before the WSRRA existed. We also have taken ranch broncs to the Kimball Ranch Rodeo, Saratoga Ranch Bronc Riding and to the 2015 WSRRA Ranch Bronc Riding Bash.

On behalf of the Bad Medicine Rodeo Stock, Wayne would like to thank everyone who has helped them become successful.

The Western States Ranch Rodeo Association thanks you for coming so far!

The above video features Chris Laucomer on Hannah and Ruby at the 2015 WSRRA Ranch Bronc Riding Bash. Hannah is Rand Selle's. 

THANK YOU to our WSRRA NATIONAL SPONSORS!!

               

Rodeo News

WSRRA Helping Neighbors Out

By Naomi Loomis, WSRRA Representative

“Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” ~Danny Thomas

In 2008, the WSRRA was formed. Its mission was to create a ranch rodeo association that would include anyone that wanted to compete.  The WSRRA also wanted to reach out to member families that are in need.  At the first WSRRA National Finals Rodeo held in 2010 at the Winnemucca Event Center, Winnemucca, Nevada, the WSRRA Cowboy Crisis Fund was started. Since 2010 the Cowboy Crisis Fund has raised more than $51,000.00 for 9 members and their families in need.

The WSRRA Cowboy Crisis Fund Silent Auction at the WSRRA Finals is set up for members and/or member’s families that are in need of some help.  The WSRRA donated one hundred percent of the proceeds from this year’s auction to these recipients. This year at the 2014 WSRRA National Finals, the Cowboy Crisis Fund raised $12,000 and with a generous matching donation by an anonymous donor, the 2014 WSRRA Cowboy Crisis fund was able to give out $24000, to the three recipients.

The 2014 WSRRA Cowboy Crisis Fund helped three Cowboys and their families. Wade Kornemann from Montana, Fred Loomis Memorial from Nebraska and Les Dial from Nevada.

Wade Korneman has been diagnosed with brain cancer. This will be a lifelong battle for Wade. Wade has spent his life ranching on his family ranch, riding saddle bronc horses, being a pickup man and competing in ranch rodeos.  Wade competed on the Flat Iron team at the 2014 WSRRA National Finals.  Proceeds from this year’s auction will go to Wade to help with Wade’s medical treatments.

Fred Loomis was from Broadwater, Nebraska. He lost his battle to cancer on August 22, 2014, just one day short of his 77th birthday. Fred was a rancher, raised Quarter horses and was a WSRRA supporter. He was very active in helping his daughter-in-law, Naomi put on a WSRRA ranch rodeo in Bridgeport, Nebraska. Fred leaves behind a wife of 52 years., Darlene. His son, Cody competed at this year’s WSRRA National Finals. One third of proceeds from this year’s auction will go to Fred’s wife, 2014 WSRRA Grand Marshall, Darlene, in honor of Fred.  Another Cowboy, gone too soon.

Les Dial is from Winnemucca, Nevada.  Les was raised in New Mexico.  Les and his wife, Brenda are supporters of the WSRRA and the Hot Creek Productions. Les and Brenda love the western way of life. He was in a roping accident where he suffered a fractured neck.  He will be coming home soon.  One third of proceeds from this year’s auction will go to Les and Brenda to help with Les’s medical needs.

One of the highlights of the 2014 WSRRA Cowboy Crisis Auction was when Wade Korneman donated his own personal chinks to be auctioned off by WSRRA Clown, Tuffy Gessling.  The first winning bid of the live auction, was DeLong Ford of Winnemucca, Nevada for $4500 and then they donated the chinks back to be resold. The chinks were then sold again for $2500. The winning bidder was Ty Van Norman, of Van Norman Quarter Horses, then Ty had numerous WSRRA contestants and audience sign the chinks for a donation to Wade and Jessica. The chinks and the donations were given back to Wade, Jessica and Ryder.  “It was an honor to be part of the entire 2014 WSRRA Cowboy Crisis auction, but it was more of an honor to sign the chinks for a tough buckaroo,” stated Tuffy Gessling.

The response to this year’s silent auction was amazing.    It was humbling to see the support of the 2014 WSRRA Cowboy Crisis Fund.  The WSRRA thanks Kathy Flanigan, the WSRRA Cowboy Crisis Auction coordinator, for all her efforts in making the Cowboy Crisis Fund a success.

The western lifestyle and its traditions are important to us all. The west was won on handshakes, honest people and good neighbors.  The lifestyle and traditions are alive and well in the WSRRA.

If you are interested in making a donation or would like more information about the WSRRA Cowboy Crisis Fund please see www.wsrra.org or email infor@wsrra.org. 

THANK YOU to our WSRRA NATIONAL SPONSORS!!

               

Meet our World Champion Ranch Bronc Rider

Meet Travis Yutzie!

Travis Yutzie is from Ione, Oregon. He is the WSRRA National Finals Champion Ranch Bronc Rider. Please meet, Travis.

2014 WSRRA World Champion Ranch Bronc Rider
Travis and his daughter, 2014 WSRRA Queen,  Jenna Taylor

How long have you been a WSRRA Contestant?

I have been a WSRRA Contestant for 5 Years.  

When did you first become interested in rodeos and what attracted you to them?

I have been interested in Rodeo since I was big enough to sit on a horse.  The exciting fast paced action is what drew me to Rodeo.

Describe your early rodeo experiences, first as an observer and then as a participant.

I grew up observing from the stands until I was a sophomore in high school.  I started out competing as a Team Roper, then moved to Bareback and Saddle Bronc riding and Bullfighting.  In 2006, I was introduced to Ranch Bronc Riding.

What do you like most and least (or your best and worst experiences) about participating in rodeos and WHY?

The best experience in Rodeo is winning the 2014 WSRRA World Champion Ranch Bronc Riding Title. The worst experience is a toss up. As a junior in High School, I got bucked off a bareback horse and fractured vertebrae in my back. When I was 22, I broke four ribs fighting bulls at a High School Rodeo, during a bad hang up.  At the 2011 WSRRA Finals, I got bucked off in the second round.

What training and/or skills are essential for rodeo participation?

Rodeo requires good physical shape and a positive mind.  Knowing your job, being prepared through practice and putting the practice to work when you arrive at a competition.  Be the best you can be and enjoy what you do.

What are your specific achievements, accomplishments and recognitions (honors, awards) in rodeo?

I am a 5 time WSRRA NFR Qualifier. I qualified as the year end High Point Bronc Rider three times. I qualified the other two years as second and third.  I am the 2014 WSRRA World Champion. I also have numerous other victories along the way.

Travis and his fiance', Glenda

What are your future plans concerning rodeo?

My future plans in Rodeo are to continue helping build the WSRRA to the next level. This includes educating people on who we are and what we are about and passing on encouragement and knowledge to the younger up and coming contestants.

Tell me a little about yourself. 

I am a General Construction Contractor in Oregon and Washington. I have an awesome fiancé Sweet Momma Glenda, and 5 kids that give me gray hairs. I start colts and I rope whenever I have the opportunity.

What has made you successful at riding ranch broncs?

My success comes from the ability given to me by our Maker Jesus Christ. Being able to keep a positive and determined mind set has been possible because I have a great support system of Family and Friends.

Anything else you might want to add?

Life in general and Rodeo life has been a long road of ups and downs. Everything happens for a reason. Build on the good and learn from the bad. Stay positive.

Travis Yutzie at the 2014 WSRRA NFR

On behalf of the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association, I would like to say Congratulations Travis! Thank you for all you do for our association. ~Naomi Loomis

THANK YOU to our WSRRA NATIONAL SPONSORS!!