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SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 2

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 3

78TH ANNUAL PALO PINTO

COUNTY LIVESTOCK
ASSOCIATION PRCA RODEO
May 6-9, 2015
PPCLA Arena n FM Road 1821 North

ADVANCE TICKET PRICES Adults $10, Youth $5, Ages 5 and under free.
AT THE GATE $12 and $6.
Advance tickets available from Gabby Mercer and Makenna Carlyle, at the Mineral
Wells Area Chamber of Commerce, 501 E. Hubbard St., HM Weapons Mfg., 539 Taylor
St. (Wolters Industrial Park), Titan Bank, 1701 E. Hubbard St., and First Financial
Bank, 1900 E. Hubbard St.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, May 6th

5 p.m. - Slack starts. No charge to come out and watch.

Thursday, May 7th

8 a.m. - Trail ride starts at Parker County Sheriffs Posse

grounds in Weatherford. Negative coggins required. Lunch in Millsap
then ride on to Mineral Wells to join the rodeo parade.
5 p.m. rodeo parade, downtown Mineral Wells.
7:30 p.m. Rodeo begins.
Military Appreciation Night Military IN UNIFORM get in free.
Out of uniform, with military ID, get in for half price. (Discounts only
apply to tickets purchased at the gate.)
Ram Country Dodge $780 drawing must be present to win.
Mutton Bustin.
Palo Pinto County Team Roping event.

Friday, May 8th

7:30 p.m. Rodeo begins

Pink Out For Cancer Night - a portion of the nights proceeds will
go to cancer research.
Empty Saddle Ceremony.
Mutton Bustin.
Palo Pinto County Team Roping event.

Saturday, May 9th

8 a.m. 5K Stampede Rodeo Run begins at the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association
Expo building. Sign up that day or online at www.getmeregistered.com/StampedeRodeoRun.
7:30 p.m. Rodeo begins.
Crowning of PPCLA rodeo queen and princess.
Mutton Bustin.
Palo Pinto County Team Roping event.

mens
ladies
juniors
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intimates
plus sizes
sleepwear

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brazos river factory stores | 4500 Hwy 180 East
Mineral Wells, TX | (940) 325-3318 | vfoutlet.com

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 4

2015 RODEO SPONSORS AND BUNTING BUDDIES

SCOREBOARD SPONSORS
KEG 1 - ONEAL DISTRIBUTING
UPHAM OIL &GAS
HMW FABRICATIONS
Specialty Sponsors
Benefactor Mineral Wells Area Chamber
of Commerce & Wal-Mart Store No. 804
John Harrison Comedy Act Progressive
Waste Solutions
Thursday Night $770 Drawing Ram
Country
Rodeo Dance Ms. Barbara Upham
5K Rodeo Fun Run & Walk Anytime
Fitness Mineral Wells
Grand Entry Scott Mitcham Construction
Company
All-Round Cowboy Comfort Suites
Barrelman Palo Pinto General Hospital
Bull Fighters Mesquite Pit
North Roping Time Clock Metro Foods
Program Best Western Inn
Chute Sponsors
First Financial Bank
HMW Fabrication
Jack Powell Ford
HM Weapons Manuf.
Mineral Wells B&PT
Collision Center
North Release Ellis Equipment Co.
Event Sponsors
Bull Riding 1st Section Palo Pinto Co.
Farm Bureau & Insurance

Steer Wrestling Holiday Inn Express

Mutton Bustin W.C. Ranch
Tie Down Roping Masseys Environmental
Services
Bareback Riding Titan Bank
Saddle Bronc Riding Diamond Pharmacy
Pro Team Roping Eventide Water
Local Team Roping Garner Equine
Barrel Racing Ram Country Dodge
Bull Riding 2nd Section Diamond
Pharmacy
Combination Sponsors
Personalized Communication
Nesmith Trucking
Community Christian School
Waddy Pharmacy
Premier Properties
Waking Paradise Construction
Matheson Tri-Gas
ACRT - A/C, Heating, & Refrigeration
Official Veterinarian Sonny Seale, DVM
Official Printer Weavers Print Shop
Arena Tractor Supplier Ellis Equipment Co.
Wall Sign Advertisers
Comanche National Bank, Santo/Cool
First National Bank / Gordon & Strawn
Furr Building Materials
Price Surveying
Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner
Mueller, Inc.
Palo Pinto Nursing and Rehab
HM Weapons Mfg.

Taco Casa
Stripes and More
Chicken Express
NOV FiberGlass Systems
Durant Auto Group
Walden Farm and Ranch
Texas Bank Financial Weatherford
Ace Hardware
Four Seasons Dental Clinic
Southside Church of Christ
Mac Coalson Real Estate
Nickols Exhaust Center
BJs Pizza Mingus
Pilgrim Farm & Ranch
Southwest Ford Weatherford
D&D Motors
Lonestar Ranch & Outdoors/NewHolland
Lonestar Ranch & Outdoors/Mahindra
East Dairy Queen of Mineral Wells
Dairy Queen of Santo
92.1 FM The Hank
95.9 FM The Ranch
Metro Foods
Natty Flats Smokehouse and Furniture
First National Bank Weatherford
Community National Bank
North Texas Pressure Vessels
The Cellar Wine and Spirits
Blind Horse Saloon Weatherford
Lone Star Ag Credit Weatherford
Special Thanks To
Palo Pinto County Sheriffs Posse
Parker County Sheriffs Posse
Area Emergency Medical Services
Area Law Enforcement Departments
County FFA & 4H Members
County Fire Departments
Mineral Wells Index
Lake Country Sun
Awards & More
88.5 QXFM The RAM
Cowboy Jubilee - Judy James
Joe Bielinski Country Caf
Richards Signs & Cranes
Kinneth Doyle
Perri Leavelle Design
Ferrell Gas
Mineral Wells Rent-All
Tammie Webster Bull Riding Rodeo Fan
Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church

BUNTING BUDDIES
The following businesses are supporting the
2015 Mineral Wells Pro-Rodeo by renting
rodeo bunting for the front of their stores. .
Shop with these folks to show your appreciation for their support of rodeo the Texas
national sport!
Mineral Area Wells Chamber
Auto Tech Center
Patterson Agency
Parts Plus
Hickeys Dairy Queen
Keys For Texas Realty
Wells Express Cleaners
Awards & More
Simms Lumber Co.
Edward Jones Jimmy Walker
Logo Shop
Brazos Animal Hospital
Bennetts Office Supply
Bennetts Printing
Source 1 Real Estate
Coles House of Flowers
Mineral Wells Rent-All
OReilly Auto Parts
Famous Water Company
Community Christian School
Low Cost Insurance
Brazos Valley Physical Therapy
Kwik Kar Lube
Furr Building Materials
W&E Electronics
Pennys Flower Shop
Four Seasons Dental
City of Mineral Wells
Armor Self Storage
My Fathers Business
Weavers Print Shop
Waddys Pharmacy
Coys Barber Shop
Mineral Wells Index
Book Satchell Awesome Blossoms
Basic Necessities
Garretts Jewelry & Loan
Double H Tire
Davis Glass & Body
Expressions Salon
Comet Cleaners
Randys Service Center
Noels Auto Sales
Premier Properties
Jesses Drive Inn

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 5

Man in the Can Harrison delivers a barrel full of laughs

John Harrison lives in Soper,
Okla., with wife, Carla, daughters
Addison and Billie, and son
Cazwell. He has a degree in
Agriculture Business and is a certified Equine Massage Therapist.
John was 6 when he received his
first trick-riding lesson after watching a trick rider perform at a nearby
rodeo. Since then he has trained
and performed with many of the
best trick riders in the world.
John became a member of the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association (PRCA) in 1999 as a
trick and roman rider, and trick
roper. He has since diversified and
added barrelman to his
Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association card.
Today, John entertains with his

2015 MINERAL WELLS PRO RODEO PERSONNEL

Announcer: Doug Mathis
Barrelman: John Harrison
Bull Fighters: Andy Burelle, Kyle
Lippincott
Stock Contractor: Rafter G Rodeo
Rodeo Producer: Rafter G Rodeo
Pick Up Men: Josh Edwards, Tyler
Grimsley

Specialty Act: John Harrison

Timer: Shanna Ray, Shelly Bowman
Photographer: Tammie Webster
(BRRC Photography)
Sound: Ben Bendely
Scoreboard: Kevin Mathis
Secretary: Brenda Crowder

walk and talk comedy that is

backed by his quick wit, and with
his strongest acts Miss Rodeo
Universe and Comedy Trick Riding.
In 2010, a new breed of magician
hit the rodeo trail and this is one
disappearing feat that would leave
Houdini puzzled.
John has been selected to perform three times at the prestigious
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in
Las Vegas. Seven times he has
been nominated for Comedy Act of
the Year, four times nominated for
Coors Man in the Can, and four
times for PRCAs Clown of the
Year. 2012 John picked up the coveted award of Comedy Act of the
Year, and he hasnt stopped smiling
since. Blessings have continued as
he was voted to work the 2013
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as
the barrelman.

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 6

THE VOICE OF RODEO

Doug Mathis returns to call the action

Whether its roping steers or riding
bulls, PRCA Rodeo Announcer Doug
Mathis will engage audiences as he
calls the action in the 76th annual
Mineral Wells Pro Rodeo.
Mathis, who hails from Cleburne,
has been a member of the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association since 1995, and is
ranked as one of the top announcers
in the country.
In a career filled with highlights,
announcing the 2005 Dodge National
Circuit Finals in Pocatello, Idaho, and
the 2009 National Finals Steer Roping
put feathers in his cap. Additionally,
Mathis placed seventh out of all PRCA
announcers for Announcer of the
Year voting in 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09
and 10.
He was recently selected to
announce the 2013 National Circuit
Finals steer roping competition.

Also in 2005, 2006 and 2007

Doug was chosen for the TV broadcasting job on The Altitude Channel
for the Greeley Independence Day
Stampedes Extreme Bull Riding.
Even though he has appeared in
several fashion print campaigns,
Mathis is not just another pretty face,
but his overall presentation and attitude have won him the admiration of
all those he works with.
His outstanding ability to make what
goes on in the arena look better than
what it is and his smooth intelligent
delivery satisfies the seasoned fan as
well as newcomers.
Mathis is a highly sought after
announcer, but his voice and face
have taken him further outside of the
arena than he expected.
Besides the numerous national
fashion print campaigns, Mathis can
also be seen acting in television com-

mercials from Reliant Energy to the

television pilot of Knockoffs, and from
CBSs New Years Eve at Billy Bobs
Texas to Tylenol and Esquire watches.
He also appeared in George Straits
Pure Country.
Mathis has been behind the mike
since he sustained a career-ending
injury as a bull rider. He has
announced in 23 states and averages 50,000 miles a year on the road.
He jokes that he gets his mail in
Cleburne, but that he really lives on
the road.
My friends are on the road and part
of the fun of working in this industry is
reconnecting every year, he said.
When hes not announcing rodeos,
Mathis can be found on his family
ranch overseeing his 65 head of mother cows and calves.
Come rodeo with Mathis and his
friends. Youll be glad you did.

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 7

77thAnnual
annualPPCLA
PPCLA Rodeo
78th
RodeoParade
ParadeRoute
Route
Thursday, May
at 5
Thursday,
May8, 7,
atp.m.
5 p.m.

Womans Club

S
Baker Hotel

East Hubbard Street

S.E. 1st Street

S.E. 3rd Street

S.E. 1st Ave.

S.W. 1st Street

South Oak Ave.

S.E. 4th Ave.

West Hubbard Street

W
N.E. 1st Ave.

North Oak Ave.

N.E. 2nd Street

Parade start
& end
Old RR Depot

You cant have a rodeo

without first a rodeo parade

his years annual Mineral Wells

Pro Rodeo parade is set to begin
at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 7.
Lineup begins at 4 p.m. near the old
train depot at S.E. 3rd Street and S.E.
1st Avenue.
The route is the same as last year
changed once more, including the jog
toward the east and back along U.S.
Highway 180, turning at the Baker
Hotel and going past the Womans Club

building before heading south through

downtown back to the parades start.
Judging will take place for the following categories: commercial; clubs;
horse and rider; antique cars and tractors; children and youth; and churches.
Parade entry is free and open to all, but
registration is required.
The parade and all rodeo events
require horses have a current, negative
Coggins.

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 8

Makenna, Gabby vie for

rodeo queen, princess titles

Parker County Sheriffs Posse

to again lead annual trail ride

The Parker County Sheriffs Posse

will conduct the annual trail ride beginning at the PCSO Sheriffs Posse
grounds on U.S. Highway 180 west of
Weatherford near the new Ric
Williamson Memorial Highway.
The ride leaves at 8 a.m. the morning of Thursday, May 7, and riders are
asked to arrive by 7 a.m. Proof of negative coggins required.
No wagons or motorize vehicles are
allowed. Riders must be able to control
their horses. Riders are required to
have a signed release form and riders
under 18 should have a signed minors
release form.

Posse members in uniform will be in

charge and riders will need to obey
their instructions.
Lunch at noon will be provided during a stop in Millsap. Arrive in Mineral
Wells in time to take part in the parade
that begins at 5 p.m. Riders are then
invited to take part in the rodeos opening night Grand Entry ceremony at the
rodeo grounds.
For more information contact the
Weatherford Chamber of Commerce at
817-596-3801.
This ride is one of the oldest and
largest in the nation, according to organizers.

Gabby Mercer
Gabby Mercer, of Mineral Wells, is
17 years old. She is the daughter of
Monica and Robert Mercer.
Gabby is a junior at Mineral Wells
High School and works part time at
Tractor Supply. Gabby is active in FFA,
showing pigs and steers. She enjoys
riding her horse, Twister, whether in
competition or for pleasure. Twister,
Gabbys horse is well over 23 years
old and is Gabbys best friend.
Gabby intends on hopefully attending Tarleton and becoming a game
warden. Gabby enjoys spending time
with her family and friends, and is
thankful for everything God has
blessed her with.
To purchase rodeo tickets from
Gabby call 940-452-0911.

Gabby Mercer
This years Mineral Wells Pro Rodeo
queen and princess contest drew just
one candidate for each Makenna
Carlyle for princess and Gabby Mercer
for queen.
But organizers say the two contestants wont be automatically handed
the crowns. They will still have earn
their titles through displays of knowledge and showmanship related to
rodeos and how to care for and ride
horses.
This years rodeo is May 7-9, and
advance tickets can be purchased
from Makenna or Gabby.

Makenna Carlyle
Makenna Carlyle is 12 years old
and from Graford, She is the daughter
of David and Sabrina Carlyle.
Makenna goes to school at Graford
ISD and is involved in many activities
there. Makenna loves to run barrels,
play softball and basketball and is very
active in a leadership program at
school. She attends dance class in
Mineral Wells.
Makenna is active in 4-H, where she
shows sheep and her horse Ty. She is
very active in her church and enjoys
giving her time to help others.
Makenna strives to do the very best in
everything she does and gives all the
glory to God.
To purchase rodeo tickets from
Makenna, call 940-659-8965.

Makenna Carlyle

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 9

Rafter G once again

providing rodeo stock
Rafter G Rodeo Company is a
family owned business, producing
prestigious rodeos and raising
bucking bulls and horses on our ranch
in Terrell, Texas.
Neal Gay (Pro Rodeo and Cowboy
Hall of Fame member) founded the
company in 1958 as the Mesquite
Championship Rodeo. In 1999, with
the sale of the Mesquite Arena, the
name was changed to the Rafter G
Rodeo Co.
Jim Gay is the general manager of
the Rafter G Rodeo Co.
Neals wife, Kay, is a rodeo
secretary and member of the Cowgirl
Hall of Fame.
Jims wife, Brenda, is also a
rodeo secretary and timer. Their two
daughters, Megan and
Summer, carry colors at
the Rafter G Rodeos,
plus help with the ranch
work back home.
Pete Gay (a threetime NFR bull rider) is
the livestock manager
and flank man at the
rodeo.
We have two of the
best pick-up men in
the business, Preston
Johnson and Josh
Edwards (who has been
chosen to work the NFR
as an alternate for the
past two years).
Our Rafter G crew is
a very talented group,
Don Grisham with over
40 years of experience,
Glen McIlvain, a
former NFR champion
bull rider, and Ralph
Mitchell, a former PRCA
bull fighter, just to name
a few.
Our rodeo secretary
and timers this year are
Brenda Crowder and
her daughter, Shawna
Ray, along with timer
Shelly Bauman. They
have worked many
major PRCA rodeos all
over the country.
While many may

recognize Assault, War Admiral and

Citation as names of Triple-Crown
winning thoroughbred racehorses,
they are also the names of some
of Rafter Gs buckingest horses.
Bucking stock at this rodeo can
have names as tough as Rawhide,
as gentle sounding as Chickadee or
as deceptive as Easy Street. These
equine athletes have one thing in
common they are some of the best
buckers in the nation.
The same goes for other rough
stock, like the massive Rafter G
bucking bulls, which have names
ranging from Cream Puff to Road
Hazard and Iceman to Confucious
which could be how some cowboys
leave the arena.

Bullfighters

COURTESY

Kyle Lippincott, 21, of Wilson, Okla., will join Andy Burrell in the Palo Pinto
County Livestock Association Rodeo Arena this year, putting their health
and safety on the line to protect vulnerable cowboys who have been tossed
or dismounted from their fiery, four-legged rides. Lippincott has been fighting bulls professionally in the PRCA since 2012.

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 10

WATCHING OVER ANIMAL WELFARE

he PRCA has more

than 60 rules to ensure
the proper care and
treatment of rodeo animals included in its official rules
and regulations. While the rules
and regulations are too numerous
to list here, several of the safeguards for the proper treatment
of animals in the rules and regulations are listed below. For a
complete list of the rules and regulations dealing with the proper
care and treatment of animals,
please send your request to
PRCA Animal Welfare
Coordinator, PRCA, 101 Pro
Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs,
CO 80919.
PRCA Livestock Welfare Rules
n A veterinarian must be on-site
at all PRCA-sanctioned rodeos.
n All animals are inspected and
evaluated for illness, weight, eyesight and injury prior to the rodeo,
and no animals that are sore,
lame, sick or injured are allowed
to participate in the event.
n Acceptable spurs must be dull.
n Standard electric prods may be
used only when necessary and
may only touch the animal on the
hip or shoulder area.
n Stimulants and hypnotics may
not be given to any animal to
improve performance.

n Any PRCA member caught

using unnecessary roughness or
abusing an animal may be immediately disqualified from the rodeo
and fined. This holds true whether it is in the competitive arena or
elsewhere on the rodeo grounds.
n Weight limitations are set for
both calves (between 220 and
280 pounds) and steers (450-650
pounds).
n The flank straps for horses are
fleece- or neoprene-lined and
those for bulls are made of soft
cotton rope and may be lined
with fleece or neoprene.
n Steers used in team and steer
roping have a protective covering
placed around their horns.
n The use of prods and similar
devices is prohibited in the riding
events unless an animal is stalled
in the chute.
n A no-jerk-down rule provides
for fines if a contestant jerks a
calf over backwards in tie-down
roping.
n All rodeos must have a conveyance available to humanely
transport any injured animal.
n Chutes must be constructed
with the safety of the animals in
mind.
Professional Judges
Professional judges officiate
every PRCA rodeo. Their respon-

sibilities also include making sure

the animals receive proper care
and treatment. Judges who are
aware of animal abuse by any
PRCA member are required to
report the violator to the PRCA
infractions department.
Violators may be disqualified
on the spot and fined by the
PRCA.
"We have the backing when we
turn someone in," said judge
Larry Davis of Adrian, Ore.
"That's really important."
Not everyone can become a
PRCA judge. PRCA members
interested in becoming a PRCA
judge undergo extensive training
in the skills needed to evaluate
livestock and to judge rodeo, as
well as several other areas. To
become approved, judges undergo testing of their knowledge of
animal evaluations and the
rodeo.
In addition, PRCA rodeo judges
undergo continued training and
evaluation to ensure their skills
are sharp and that they are
enforcing PRCA rules, especially
those regarding the care and
handling of rodeo livestock.
Officiating for the 76th Annual
PPCLA Pro Rodeo are Matt
Stanley and Sam Minnick. Sonny
Seale of Garner Equine will serve
as the official rodeo veterinarian.

COURTESY

Officials play an important part of the safety

of the rodeo for humans and animals.

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 11

THE MAIN EVENT BULL RIDING

n the beginning, rodeo competition was a natural extension

of the daily challenges cowboys confronted on the ranch
roping calves and breaking
broncs to be ridden.
But intentionally climbing on the
back of a 2,000-pound bull?

There is nothing natural about

that. Most people, in fact, consider
that a fool-hearted act.
The risks are obvious. Serious
injury is always a possibility for those
fearless enough to sit astride an animal that weighs a ton and is usually
equipped with dangerous horns.

But cowboys do it, fans love it

and bull riding ranks as one of
rodeos most popular events.
Bull riding is dangerous and predictably exciting, demanding intense
physical prowess, supreme mental
toughness and courage.
Like bareback and saddle bronc
riders, the bull rider may use only
one hand to stay aboard during the
8-second ride. If he touches the bull
or himself with his free hand, he
receives no score. But unlike the
other rough-stock events, bull riders
are not required to mark out their
animals. While spurring a bull can
add to the cowboys score, riders
are commonly judged on their ability
to stay aboard the twisting, bucking
mass of muscle.
Balance, flexibility, coordination,
quick reflexes and, perhaps above
all, a good mental attitude are the
stuff good bull riders are made of.
To stay aboard the bull, a rider
uses a flat braided rope, which is
wrapped around the bulls chest just

behind the front legs and over its

withers. One end of the bull rope,
called the tail, is threaded through a
loop on the other end and tightened
around the bull.
The rider then wraps the tail
around his hand, sometimes weaving it through his fingers to further
secure his grip.
Then he nods his head, the chute
gate swings open and he and the
bull explode into the arena.
Every bull is unique in its bucking
habits. A bull may dart to the left,
then to the right, then rear back.
Some spin, or continuously circle in
one spot in the arena. Others add
jumps or kicks to their spins, while
others might jump and kick in a
straight line, or move side-to-side
while bucking.
Each night there are two rounds
of bull riding. Sponsoring the first
round is Palo Pinto County Farm
Bureau and Insurance, and sponsor
of the second round is Diamond
Pharmacy.

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 12