The matriarch of the Gay family and Rafter G Ranch Kay has undoubtedly reunited with the love of her life From a post on social media shared by Rafter G Rodeo: our matriarch Kay Gay took her final breath in her home on Rafter G Ranch Our family is deeply saddened from this loss but also at peace knowing she’s back to her healthy self reunited with the love of her life Neal Gay and in the best place imaginable Thank you for everyone’s thoughts and prayers at this time." who wore many hats throughout her lifetime was the backbone of Rafter G Rodeo for many years From secretary to flag carrier to costume designer and more she and Neal managed the Mesquite Championship Rodeo The weekly spring and summer PRCA rodeo remained in their hands through the late 2000s One of Gay's favorite elements of rodeo was adding a little extra glamour Gay coordinated the grand entries and opening ceremonies For the past 40 years at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo worn by the pivot setters in the grand entry and more recently and managed the riding horses for the Mesquite Rodeo The beautiful horses of Rafter G Rodeo in the grand entry became Gay's signature for decades gracing the arenas in opening ceremonies as her "Palomino Parade." A talented painter and artist Gay knew how to create beauty in many ways Inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 2010 Gay was an icon in professional rodeo and instrumental in the development of the sport throughout the past several decades she was honored with the Tad Lucas Memorial Award in recognition of her lifetime's work in rodeo She and Neal were inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2003 Kay and Neal went on their first date at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR) which was a fitting beginning to a life that later revolved around one of the biggest events in professional rodeo Family and rodeo went hand-in-hand for the Gays and Jim all becoming fixtures of professional rodeo in their own rights She made everyone feel like they were special She had a great sense of humor," said family friend and FWSSR timer of the past several years The entire team at Rodeo On SI sends our most sincere condolences to Kay Gay's family and loved ones in this time The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER Photos from the University of Montana Spring Rodeo at the Missoula County Fairgrounds on May 2-3 starring Lexi Minetree as young Elle Woods is in full swing as the Prime Video series filmed on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills May 1 Indeed, filming on the series, Elle, is well underway on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The behind-the-scenes shots from May 1 show star Lexi Minetree as a young Elle Woods—in a pink dress of course—who is accompanied by three friends in colorful outfits while on a shopping trip The girls are all carrying shopping bags from a variety of luxury brands And while Reese Witherspoon has passed the baton of the Young and the Restless-loving future attorney to Lexi for the series she is still very much involved in the project serving as executive producer through her company Hello Sunshine "Harvard was hard. High School was harder. Our new series, Elle, is now in production!" Reese shared on her Instagram April 2 "Couldn't be more excited to introduce you all to @leximinetree as Elle Woods." Reese—who will reprise the character in a third film co-written by Mindy Kaling—was just the person to reveal Lexi's casting after a global casting call to the world "Your audition tape was amazing, as we talked about, and we had to make a really hard decision the other day," the Oscar winner told Lexi in the video shared to Instagram in February "We wanted to tell you in person because you've just worked really hard and we just wanted to tell you that you don't have to audition anymore because you got the part will follow Elle Woods through her high school years—years before the events of the 2001 film which focused on Elle's journey to Harvard Law School And while it will reflect her younger years it will be the same character fans know and love "Fans will get to know how Elle Woods navigated her world as a teenager with her distinct personality and ingenuity in ways that only our beloved Elle could do," Reese said in a May 2024 press release "What could be better than that?!" Six old friends head for a relaxing weekend away only to learn that one couple in the group is about to split up Nick (Steve Carell) and Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver) and Danny (Colman Domingo) and Claude (Marco Calvani) and watch how this shake-up affects everyone’s dynamic—sending old issues and new bubbling to the surface The Four Seasons is a hilarious and heartfelt love letter to long marriages and old friendships Based on the 1981 feature film of the same name 100 Foot Wave returns for a third season to chronicle the globe-trotting adventures of big wave surfer Garrett McNamara as well as those of fellow surfers Andrew “Cotty” Cotton Season three expands from the cliff tops of Nazaré where McNamara first set a big wave world record in 2011 to exciting new locales such as Cortes Bank in the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean Hawaii for the rarely held Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational The adrenaline-filled series closely follows these extreme athletes’ drive and passion with cameras by their side for the highs and lows of their lives - the doubts and tragedies the fears that haunt them and the challenges that fuel them host Danielle Chang immerses herself in the vibrant food and culture of her homeland late-night seaport dives and Buddhist temples where vegetarian cooking is turned into high art Join Danielle on a season-long tour of this island crossroads where ancient folkways co-exist with the world's most futuristic technologies and see Taiwan as you've never seen it before Formula E: Driver is a gripping series offering unprecedented and unfiltered access into the personal and professional lives of four of Formula E’s leading drivers - Jake Dennis from Andretti Formula E Dan Ticktum from CUPRA KIRO (formerly ERT) António Félix da Costa from TAG Heuer Porsche Formule E Team and Mitch Evans from Jaguar TCS Racing - through the innumerable twists and trust of the 2024 season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship The Walking Dead: Dead City follows the popular Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) characters traveling into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan in the growing war for control of New York City Maggie and Negan find themselves trapped on opposite sides they come to see that the way out for both is more complicated and harrowing than they ever imagined Conan O’Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (Netflix) - May 4 the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor celebrated Conan O'Brien at the Kennedy Center Lineup of leading performers included Nikki Glaser The program paid tribute to the humor and accomplishments of O’Brien and featured a host of his admirers The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Celebrating Conan O'Brien will premiere Sunday The Playboy Murders (Investigation Discovery) - May 5 The third season is set to return as Holly Madison reprises her role as host and executive producer recounting the shocking intersections of murder and mystery within the world of the iconic adult men’s magazine renowned for her intimate knowledge of the Playboy empire and her compelling storytelling providing an empathetic voice to the untimely deaths of those connected to the brand David Spade: Dandelion (Prime Video) - May 6 With signature sardonic takes on the perils of flying charity auctions and the evolution of porn David Spade is sharper and funnier than ever in his new comedy special Dandelion and in season two we’ve taken her journey to the next level one murder mystery at a time From minor league baseball to big box retail from funeral homes to alligator farms and even a grade school talent show Charlie navigates her crime solving existential road-trip with deadpan wit and her signature uncanny lie-detecting ability Judy Blume's groundbreaking 1975 novel is being reimagined for a new generation by Mara Brock Akil It’s an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful (Netflix) - May 8 a documentary from This Machine and director Cristina Costantini traces Karol’s rise from humble beginnings in Medellín as she proves the critics wrong with an electrifying It’s a rare look at the unique determination and relentless work ethic that has launched Karol G to superstardom and paved a path for future generations of Latinas Academy of Country Music Awards 2025 (Prime) - May 8 the country music celebration 60 tears in the making returns on Prime Video live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco Lisa Vanderpump reunites her staff for one final night of reckoning—only this time she’s handing the hosting reins to her VIP guest Criminal Minds: Evolution (Paramount+) - May 8 Season 18 picks up six months after prisoners attack the notorious Sicarius Killer leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country In order to stop this nefarious group from killing more innocents the BAU is forced to work alongside an increasingly unpredictable Voit who has his own agenda RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Paramount+) - May 9 returning to compete in the ultimate competition for the crown season 10 will introduce a brand-new format across 12 episodes: the Tournament of All Stars The queens will be divided into three groups of six each competing in their own bracket across three episodes the top three queens with the highest point totals will advance to the semi-finals where they’ll go head-to-head with the top queens from the other groups in another round of fierce competition over two episodes The tournament will then culminate in an epic  Lip Sync Smackdown for the Crown grand finale episode where the finalists will battle it out for a grand prize of $200,000 and a place in the coveted Drag Race Hall of Fame Gold Rush: Mine Rescue (Discovery Channel) - May 9 miners take big risks on poor ground with outdated equipment Gold recovery experts Freddy Dodge and Juan Ibarra are back on the road in North America turning small-time miners’ pitfalls into profits Freddy and Juan face off at a hard rock mine spanning three elevations at 4,000 feet in the Cascades the guys devise an innovative 180-foot chute featuring a spiral concentrator in their first-ever Washington state rescue The Judd Family: Truth Be Told (Lifetime) - May 10 Profiling one of the greatest country music families of our time the doc examines Naomi Judd’s complicated bond with her daughters that both tied them together and drove them apart the documentary explores the complex mother-daughter dynamics and intergenerational trauma as seen through the eyes of The Judd Family In addition to exclusive interviews with Ashley close family members and those who knew Naomi best the documentary features never-before-seen photos Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute (NBC) - May 13 The one-hour all-star comedy special will feature today’s biggest comedians as they pay homage to Joan Rivers’ razor-sharp humor and impact on pop culture the comedy community will revisit Rivers’ legendary cabinet of jokes and add their own personal spin to reflect today’s social and cultural landscape along with a dose of their original material The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu) - May 15 The scandalous world of Mormon #MomTok is back and bigger than ever for season two When an original swinger from their infamous sex scandal makes a surprise return friendships threaten to unravel as secrets The show is a college-set ensemble comedy about the wild a closeted former football player and homecoming king a high school outsider on a mission to fit in at all costs With guidance from Benny’s older sister and her campus-legend boyfriend the show explores the lengths to which we all overcompensate while on the path to finding out who we really are Duster explores the life of a gutsy getaway driver for a growing crime syndicate that goes from dangerous to wildly stupidly dangerous when a tenacious young agent comes into town hellbent on taking his crime family down The fourth volume sees Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2 Kill Team Kill) return as supervising director for ten startling shorts showcasing the series’ signature award-winning style of bleeding-edge animation Wrexham AFC Women’s Team continues to battle amongst the top teams in the Welsh Adran Premier League and strives to stand out amidst a crowded field of talented women footballers With new players and continued support from the Club and fans can they make a name for themselves at the top of the League Will Wrexham AFC’s beloved Executive Director raise funds for charity survive humiliation at the hands of the players and staff and complete 26.2 miles without injury or chaffing Follow along as Welcome to Wrexham’s cameras bring you unprecedented access on the pitch inside the locker room and alongside the players while the action unfolds in some of the biggest matches Wrexham AFC has ever played The Chi (Paramount+ With Showtime) - May 16 the pivotal women of The Chi rise to reclaim their power Yet as loyalties are tested and new rivalries are stoked it becomes clear that there’s only one crown and it will come at a heavy cost Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special (Hulu) - May 16 Matteo Lane's comedy is like catching up with your old friend at brunch Hugo and Nebula Award winning book series The Murderbot Diaries Murderbot is a sci-fi thriller/comedy about a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients Murderbot must hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment when all it really wants is to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe Rising to fame at just six-years old on the show Toddlers & Tiaras famously known as “Honey Boo Boo,” returns to television with the new Lifetime biopic offering a glimpse into what happened behind the scenes from her perspective She reveals how her on-screen confidence concealed the harsh reality of constant criticism and family struggles Tucci in Italy (National Geographic) - May 18 The five-part series follows Stanley Tucci on a visually stunning and deeply personal exploration of the country’s breathtaking landscapes and the complex connections with its food that have shaped each region’s distinct culture and Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing (Discovery Channel) - May 18 Fan-favorite legends return to take on new challengers in an all-out battle of skill The competitor who demonstrates the best bushcraft ingenuity and stamina to outlast their opponents in head-to-head a coveted perfect 10.0 Primitive Survival Rating and a $100,000 cash prize survivalists will face heartbreaking medical tap outs and the most shocking elimination ever seen in the franchise Unknown Serial Killers of America (Oxygen) - May 18 Oxygen examines the most heinous type of criminals there are – serial killers there are many more equally as terrifying that the public is completely unaware Each hour-long episode of Unknown Serial Killers of America profiles the horrific stories of these unconscionable criminals and delves into what transformed them into evil monsters With first-hand accounts from law enforcement who worked the cases and stories from loved ones of the victims the series sheds light on serial killers who evaded the spotlight and examines how they were able to get away with their gruesome crimes for so long Crimes explored over the six-episode season include a case involving multiple unidentified bodies found in a barrel that are linked to a predator of women and children decades later; killings of multiple gay men; and an amateur sleuth who uncovered clues leading to a likely killer and a murderer of 12 black women who eludes authorities until chilling video evidence is found (WZTV) — Country music meets cowboy grit later this month as Nashville hosts the inaugural Music City Rodeo It will be a three-day event set to bring professional rodeo action and star-powered concerts to Bridgestone Arena from May 29 to 31 Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) the Music City Rodeo marks the first time Nashville has held a top-tier PRCA competition Fans can expect seven heart-pounding events bronc riding and team roping with over $200,000 in prize money on the line Each night wraps with a headline concert from country music royalty: All three artists are founding members of the Music City Rodeo blending their love for country music and rodeo culture in what promises to be a uniquely Nashville celebration Families and fans of all ages can also enjoy activities like mutton bustin’, appearances by Rodeo Queens and plenty of rodeo clown antics throughout the weekend Whether you’re a longtime rodeo fan or just looking for a weekend of music and thrills the Music City Rodeo is set to deliver an unforgettable ride — Nashville style 2025) – Montana State capped its dominant 2024-25 college rodeo season in fitting fashion on Saturday taking the men's and women's team titles at the University of Montana Rodeo while clinching Big Sky Region Championships in both "I'm really proud of both teams for winning the regional championship," said Bobcat head coach Kyle Whitaker "It takes toughness and grit to win as many rodeos as we did this year and they finished strong and took care of business in Missoula." Montana State's men won nine of the Big Sky Region's 10 rodeos in 2024-25 finishing second at the first of Miles City's two rodeos The Cats won six of the 10 women's regional rodeos winning two of the four fall rodeos and four of the six this spring The Bobcats compete in the 2025 College National Finals Rodeo in Casper Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Flagstaff Business News Northern Arizona’s premier source for business May 5, 2025 By Leave a Comment Join us for a week of unforgettable rodeo experiences With record-breaking rodeo attendances over the last three years and unprecedented sponsor participation this year promises to be another triumphant showcase of world-class rodeo competition and family-oriented activities This year’s highlights include Beau Schueth a national champion bullfighter who grew up in O’Neill who has been joining the Prescott rodeo for more than two decades; Rockin’ Robbie Hodges known for his amusing acts as a rodeo clown; the Riata Ranch Cowboy Cowgirls a fan favorite and talented ladies who master trick riding and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Announcer Randy Corley the stock contractor that makes the Prescott Rodeo go ‘round bring the Prescott rodeo together and offer a show that continues to draw new rodeo fans and audiences to the Prescott area every Fourth of July themed “Women in Rodeo,” is set to take place at 9 a.m. we will celebrate the grand marshal honoree and many female rodeo representatives to be featured in this year’s rodeo Join us as we celebrate the enduring spirit of Western traditions at the World’s Oldest Rodeo World’s Oldest Rodeo Performance Schedule: 2025 Rodeo Days Fine Arts & Crafts Show sponsored by the Prescott Downtown Partnership Rodeo Dance | Depot Marketplace/BMO Harris Bank 303 N Cowboy Church at the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Grounds Whiskey Row Boot Race sponsored by Budweiser Join us for a week of unforgettable rodeo experiences. Tickets are on sale now only at www.worldsoldestrodeo.com where you can purchase via our only certified ticket vendor The rodeo ticket office is open 10 a.m.- 3p.m. Contact Tickets at 928-445-4320 or Tickets@worldsoldestrodeo.com please contact the rodeo office at 928-445-3103 or email info@worldsoldestrodeo.com The Prescott rodeo office is located at 840 Rodeo Drive Prescott Donna Werking has been marketing the Northern Arizona region since 2006 Northern AZ Social has been named Best Marketing Agency by FBN for seven consecutive years She is the co-founder of the New Year’s Eve Boot Drop she was named TOP 3 marketing agencies in Arizona by SocialAppsHQ and also featured on PBS’s Road Trip Nation as an Arizona leader in her industry Donna also serves on the Board of Advisors for the ACFYC and volunteers her time to her community in Prescott Filed Under: Columnists Tagged With: , The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association formally announced the contestants for Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2026 and Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2025 via their Facebook page. The following young women will compete for the two titles during the pageant, held June15-17 in conjunction with NEBRASKAland Days and the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2026 and Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2025 will work in tandem with one another traveling across the state and country representing rodeo Danielle Forster of Smithfield holds the title of Miss Rodeo Nebraska and Jaelyn Himmelberg of Blue Hill serves as Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska Brylee Thompson is a 21 year old from Hershey She is a graduate from Mid Plains Community College in North Platte where she achieved a degree in business with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and certificate in leadership she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and selected as Business Student of the month Brylee’s goals are to work in the agricultural industry and continue to grow her own business She wants to be a positive role model to everyone around her and encourage everyone to Lead with Light Jessica Lange is the 24 year old daughter of Roger and Jeanine Lange from Crofton Nebraska She started a tree shearing business this past year along side farming and ranching on the same place where she grew up as a fourth generation farmer She strives to inspire other young ladies to also one day be the next generation of female farmers She graduated from Northeast Community College in 2025 with an Associates degree in Agribusiness and will be taking her skills and knowledge as a salesperson to Kubota Maycie has a God-lit fire to promote the western lifestyle and strives to promote the spirit of the cowboy and cowgirl through hard work Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2025 Contestants: She’s the 18-year-old daughter of Tiffany Glasshoff and granddaughter of Kim and Kelvin Streich Dakota is a Senior at Elmwood-Murdock Public Schools.Dakota is involved in 4-H In Dakota’s free time you can find her riding one of her 3 horses She also wants to thank her family and sponsors for all of the love and support Grace Cox is the 15 year old daughter of Josh and Jennifer Cox Grace will be a junior this year at Hershey Public Schools where she is involved in cheer Grace is a 4H council member and does High School Rodeo After high school Grace plans to attend college to major in personal finance and accounting © 2025 Nebraska Rural Radio Association. All rights reserved. Republishing, rebroadcasting, rewriting, redistributing prohibited. Copyright Information Website ©2025 Nebraska Rural Radio Association | All rights reserved. | Website developed by Hollman Media you will be automatically redirected here whenever you go to https://ruralradio.com you can click the "Clear home" link in the footer of the site Barrel racer Rainey Skelton was just 17 years old when she won her first Women’s Rodeo World Champion title in 2021 “I have not gotten to go the last two years but a suspensory issue for her mare has held up her trips to the WRWC the last two years goes back to a mare that Skelton’s grandma owned Jewel has just been phenomenal from the get-go and she’s a very special horse to me and my family,” she said Skelton’s preparation for this WRWC includes outdoor runs for Jewel and a stronger mental game The action starts at Cowtown Coliseum on May 12 exclusively on The Cowboy Channel All content © copyright The Cowboy Channel Do Not Sell My Personal Information more than 250 special needs children will get to experience the thrill and fun of a rodeo at Paris Rodeo & Horse Club Exceptional Rodeo The annual event that started more than 20-years ago gives children the opportunity to ride and interact with horses They will also receive a t-shirt and bandana The event is being held in the show barn at the fairgrounds from 10 a.m The public is invited to attend and watch on the day and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Designed and Developed by 1st Street Media properly fitted bike or a tune-up and helmet riders navigated a safety course where they practiced skills like signaling and bike handling cyclists participated in a “go slow" race that challenged them to ride as slowly as possible while maintaining balance and control The Celebrate Freedom Rodeo returns to Alpharetta’s Wills Park Equestrian Center arena action-packed western celebration will feature special events for all ages and is sure to put the whole family in a hootin’ and hollerin’ mood Tickets Just a few weeks to go until the 2025 Cowtown Rodeo season begins If you've never been to Cowtown Rodeo definitely add it to your summer bucket list It's a night full of thrills the entire family will enjoy I have such great memories of going as a kid and it was even more special bringing my own children to experience New Jersey's only professional weekly rodeo in the state - we all had an absolute blast Read More: Voted Best Farmers Market In New Jersey And Ranked Among Best In America For 2025 This season marks Cowtown Rodeo's 71st consecutive year with heart-pounding events like bull riding so grab yours and get ready for a fun night out in South Jersey Here's what the website says about experiencing the history of what's considered "the best show on dirt." Cowtown Rodeo has stood the test of time.. remaining true to our traditions of the Old West and bringing each of you a taste of western ranching that is an integral part of American history We are the longest running weekly professional rodeo in the USA and we hope you make plans to stop in and visit us in 2025 -- our 71st consecutive year Purchase your tickets here for the 2025 season Cowtown Rodeo is located at 80 Harding Highway in Pilesgrove Gallery Credit: Rich De Sisto The countdown is on!\nRead More Read More: Voted Best Farmers Market In New Jersey And Ranked Among Best In America For 2025 Purchase your tickets here for the 2025 season Nebraska High School Rodeo Association student-athletes competed in Burwell May 2-3 Below are results, including information for all athletes with qualified rides, times or scores from both days of rodeo action, per the NeHSRA: © 2025 Nebraska Rural Radio Association. All rights reserved. Republishing, rebroadcasting, rewriting, redistributing prohibited. Copyright Information May 1 (UPI) -- Rodeo Hall-of-Famer Roy Cooper died in his North Texas home that was engulfed in a fire Tuesday evening "Wise County EMS Rescue-1 and Decatur Fire Department arrived on the scene approximately seven minutes [later] and observed a single-family residence heavily involved in fire," Wise County Fire Marshal Jeff Doughty said Wednesday in a press release Cooper's body was found inside the residence after firefighters extinguished the flames Cooper was known by rodeo fans as "Super Looper" and won eight world championships during his rodeo career including the all-around championship in 1983 His career championships include six for tie-down roping titles and one for steer-roping Cooper also won the "triple crown" of professional rodeo in 1983 by winning three gold buckles making him one of only 10 to win three world titles in the same year The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association named Cooper its Rookie of the Year in 1976 He was inducted into the inaugural class of the PRORODEO Hall of Fame three years later in 1979 Among his fans is country music legend George Strait who lamented Cooper's death in a social media post made on Wednesday "We lost our good friend and my hero Roy Cooper yesterday," Strait said in a post on X "He's with our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ now," Strait continued "God please be with the Cooper family and friends He said there is only one way he would remove it "I would give it to George Strait if he would wear it," Cooper said "I would because he's one of my very best friends." Cooper said he met Strait shortly after winning a rodeo event and before winning the rodeo triple crown in 1983 Cooper hosted a junior world roping championship held every July 4 weekend He also attended rodeo competitions in which his sons Tuf is a four-time PRCA World Champion with three titles for tie-down roping and an all-around title in 2017 Clint and Clif all qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in the same year," Cooper said Tuf confirmed his father's death in a social media post on Wednesday "It is with great sadness that our family shares the passing of our dad "We're all in shock and at a loss for words from this tragedy at the moment." Other rodeo stars are mourning Cooper's death "Roy changed the sport of tie-down roping more than anybody," Beaver said "He brought the sense of urgency to the tie-down roping world." Four-time steer-roping world champion Rocky Patterson said Cooper was highly competitive "He was always going to win something," Patterson told the PRCA He called Cooper a "good-hearted guy" who would talk to him when Patterson was a "nobody" early in his rodeo career Thanks for visiting Rodeo hosts and regulars reveal how to avoid looking like a novice—and how to have the most fun (Editor's note: PRCA media contributed to this story) — The rodeo world has bid farewell to a true pioneer a revered member of the Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame tragically passed away in a house fire on April 29 in Decatur Throughout a remarkable career spanning over three decades Cooper established an impressive rodeo legacy He was named Rookie of the Year in 1976 and captured seven world championships — six in tie-down roping and one in steer roping — along with winning an all-around title Known for his exceptional talent with a rope Cooper earned the nickname "Super Looper" and was inducted into the Hall of Fame's first class in 1979 in Colorado Springs a guy from Sports Illustrated hung it on me," Cooper shared during an appearance on Ty Harris' Lets Freakin' Rodeo podcast on Feb You can't compare me to Toots Mansfield or Dean Oliver because we were in different eras one moment stands out for Cooper: winning the PRCA All-Around World Title in 1983 alongside the tie-down roping and steer roping championships This achievement made him one of only 10 cowboys in history to secure rodeo's elusive Triple Crown which consists of three world titles in a single year Rodeo friends and legends reacted to Cooper's sudden passing on Wednesday Cooper still proudly displayed his all-around buckle I've never taken it off," he said in March 2023 Cooper would remove the buckle to lend it to fellow cowboy George Strait whom he considers one of his closest friends I would give it to George Strait if he would wear it I would because he's one of my very best friends," Cooper explained Cooper and Strait met shortly before Cooper's Triple Crown triumph in 1983 "All I can say is I got lucky," Cooper reflected "It was an accident winning the steer roping (in 1983) He and Trevor Brazile are the greatest steer ropers that ever walked Cooper's trifecta of world championships placed him in an elite group as only nine other cowboys have won Triple Crown honors in PRORODEO history: Clay Carr "That was very special and a hard act to follow," Cooper noted He is also one of only seven cowboys to qualify for the Finals in three events achieving that feat in 1981 when he competed in tie-down roping "I couldn't tie a steer from the right side or left side and I couldn't find that bottom leg to string the bottom leg," Cooper recalled said just string the top leg because you can't find the bottom one and nowadays everybody strings the top leg Cooper's career was marked by incredible horsepower who was named the PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year in 2003 and 2005 I won the NFR average on that horse when I was 40 and I won Calgary on that horse when I was 40." After retiring from professional competition Cooper remained a vital figure in the sport hosting a junior world roping championship over the Fourth of July weekend for more than 40 years the event attracted over 500 competitors from 20 states especially for trips to Calgary and Cheyenne to watch his son Tuf Cooper compete in tie-down events and Clif — are all NFR qualifiers in tie-down roping with all three qualifying in 2010 and 2011 winning titles in Tie-Down Roping in 2011-12 and 2014 as well as the all-around championship in 2017 and Clif all qualified for the NFR in the same year; that was the Triple Crown for me," Roy said After a tie-down roping run in Oklahoma City Cooper was approached by Strait's road manager who asked if he wanted to meet the country music star "Me and him sat there and talked for two hours before he had to play noting their travels together for various events "He's one of the best friends I could've ever had." Cooper's illustrious career was marked by continued success beginning in 1976 when he captured the PRCA tie-down roping world championship in his first full year of competition along with earning Resistol Rookie of the Year honors who was the world champion (tie-down roper in 1973) and he took me under his wing," Cooper said He was the first cowboy to win a tie-down roping world championship and the Resistol Rookie of the Year award in the same year followed by five straight tie-down roping titles from 1980 to 1984 He shares the record for the most consecutive tie-down championships with Dean Oliver who initially set the record from 1960 to 1964 "I had good horses and good guys around me and I didn't think they could have a rodeo without me." Included in his championship streak was the magical 1983 season when Cooper set his sights on an even more prestigious title—the all-around honor who began competing professionally alongside Cooper in 1976 Allen had secured steer roping world titles in 1977 While Cooper viewed steer roping as his weakest event he delivered in a clutch moment to secure the coveted gold buckle He continued to excel in the latter part of his career qualifying for his last NFR—in tie-down roping—in 2000 at age 45 "I have several good memories in the arena and the greatest part about rodeo is winning," Cooper said He grew up on the family ranch alongside his brother Roy was trained by his father in the art of roping leading him to win youth rodeos throughout the Southwest His winning ways continued into high school culminating in a National High School Champion Calf Roping title in 1973 and carried on into college at Cisco Junior College and Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he clinched the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Calf Roping title in 1975 and it is more fun with your family," Cooper said Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More The delicious smell of food trucks will fill the air as live music plays and the crowd cheers at the Rochester Public Market The first Food Truck Rodeo of the season is happening Wednesday night Dozens of food trucks will serve up just about everything and anything It's not unusual for more than 40 different vendors to be on hand for any one of the events The Royal Bromleys will perform on the market stage The musical lineup for the rest of the season is as follows: Guests are encouraged to bring a folding chair as there is limited picnic table seating available Food Truck Rodeos have been held at the Public Market since 2011 BOZEMAN — As the spring season comes to a close for the Montana State rodeo team the men sit atop the Big Sky Region standings A large part is due to senior standout Wes Shaw "Wes has been the center point of our team the bareback rider is going to get a lot of points for the team," Montana State coach Kyle Whitaker said so he gives us four chances at every rodeo Shaw transferred to Montana State from the College of Southern Idaho last year The support from the community has made the past two seasons special for him "I couldn’t believe what they’re willing to do to help us They sent me down to a couple different clinics to better myself I couldn’t believe what I was expecting to what I actually got." Montana State is very strong in the all around Cole Gerhardt and Holden Atkinson are all among the top three in the region standings The ability to compete together every week pushes the group to be their best "It’s really good to have people that are pushing each other in multiple events and I think that sets us apart from a lot of rodeo teams." "Having everybody that knows what they’re doing in every event it’s fun going at each other and pushing each other farther and farther more than what we thought we could," Shaw said "I take a lot of mental hits and drawing kind of doesn’t help if you’re not drawn good but all in all it’s just I’ve got to go out there and have fun and lay it out there and let God take the wheel from there." Shaw plans to go pro after the season ultimately wraps at the College National Finals Rodeo Roy Cooper, eight-time world champion roper and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Famer, died the night of April 29. Multiple news reports said Cooper died in a fire at his Decatur, Texas, home, according to Parade Magazine Tuf Cooper, Cooper's youngest son, made the following statement on his official fan page Facebook: "It is with great sadness that our family shares the passing of our Dad We’re all in shock and at a loss for words from this tragedy at the moment." and he joined the rodeo team for Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant He would make Durant his home for 12 years and those years were some of his most successful as part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association He won the coveted Triple Crown (tie-down roping steer roping and all-around titles in the same season) in 1983 Cooper qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 20 times and he made 13 trips to the National Finals Steer Roping He was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, and is "undoubtedly the greatest roper of his generation," according to his National Rodeo Hall of Fame entry he became the first to earn a million dollars from rodeo winnings Still to this day, he is considered by many to be "the greatest of all time" when it comes to calf roping Contributing: Former staff writer Ed Godfrey the richest weekend in rodeo drew 162,000 fans of cowboy culture into Ranger Stadium for two whole days where they cheered on a crew of contenders competing for a shot at the biggest prize in the sport This two-day tournament started on Friday with a series of play-in rounds featuring cowboys and cowgirls who’ve worked their way up the dusty roads of the PRCA circuit to earn a shot at the big money most of them staying in dusty trailers in the parking lot behind the stadium Standing in their way in the finals on Saturday were the champions the top competitors from last year’s PRCA events But only contenders can win the $1,000,000 Teton Ridge (our parent company) owns this rodeo so we sent a team of editors and creators to cover the scene this year You can check out our video coverage of the show on our social media channels The finals round was a roller coaster of emotions the crowd was cheering for the true success stories the contenders who wanted to make a big name for themselves the invitees were names they all loved and who were at the top of their game A post shared by The American Rodeo (@theamerican.tr) The genuinely mounting high and low of the whole rodeo was 11-year-old barrel racer Dusky Hall’s emotional and fast-flying 15.133-second run that launched her into the championship round Although Hall didn’t go on to win the championship round she already made a name for herself and gained thousands of new fans So who won the money? No contenders defeated a champion in this year’s American Rodeo. We’ll have to wait and see who has what it takes to bring home the big bucks next year PHOTOGRAPHY: (header) Courtesy of American Rodeo Jonathan Harounoff The way the university has dealt with Jews has changed but Jewish students are still being marginalised 3 min readIt’s been an annus horribilis for Harvard A long-awaited internal antisemitism and anti-Israel report released in late April after intense pressure from the Trump administration showed the extent to which America’s wealthiest university struggled to contain the world’s oldest hatred on its campus The findings showed that almost 60 percent of Jewish students at Harvard had experienced “discrimination or negative bias on campus due to [their] views on current events.” less than 24 hours after more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were slaughtered by Hamas and 250 more were brutally kidnapped to Gaza the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee issued a joint statement with more than 30 other student organisations where they “held Israel responsible for all unfolding violence…The apartheid regime is the only one to blame.” 311 pages long and a product of 50 “listening sessions” with around 500 Jewish students released more than 18 months later goes into encyclopaedic detail about how Harvard fell short of combating antisemitism in the wake of the October 7 atrocities It enumerates grotesque examples of Jew hatred going unchecked ranging from isolated incidents like a recently admitted medical student being told by a classmate that “Zionists are not welcome at HMS” [Harvard Medical School] including Jewish students being placed in Harvard-run “privilege trainings,” where “they were told that they were deemed to be too privileged not only by dint of being identified as White but also because of their Jewishness which allegedly endowed them with an even higher level of privilege.” The report added that this “discourse created absurd situations in which Jewish students from working class backgrounds are told by authority figures that they are oppressing classmates from much wealthier backgrounds and with stronger preparation for academic and social life at Harvard The report’s length also suggests that such antisemitism did not spontaneously emerge out of a vacuum under-explored yet equally disturbing history at the Ivy League stretching back to the 1920s As a postgraduate student at Harvard almost a decade ago I elected to enroll in an undergraduate journalism class where I began researching some of the university’s past presidents from the twentieth century Among the most notorious was Abbott Lawrence Lowell Harvard’s 22nd president serving from 1909 to 1933 I combed through around 240 boxes of his private correspondence and personal records The debilitating quotas Lowell had imposed on Jewish students were hardly a secret having quite publicly proposed an annual cap of 15 percent to preserve the university's Waspy Lowell went so far as to suggest that fewer Jewish students on campus would help eliminate antisemitism “If every college in the country would take a limited proportion of Jews,” Lowell ventured in one letter during his presidency “I suspect we should go a long way toward eliminating race feeling amongst the students.” In another letter to an acquaintance dated December 22 Lowell blamed Jewish people for the antisemitism they were experiencing “The Jews are coming to this country in larger numbers and are not being assimilated as rapidly as one would hope.” “We had hoped that the Jews themselves,” Lowell went on “would cooperate with us in breaking down the barriers of race prejudice by limiting the proportion of Hebrews to an amount that could be brought into more direct contact with the Gentile students; some sifting process will doubtless be adopted to prevent the college from having too many students of any kind or race whom we cannot effectively influence.” Lowell’s questionable attitudes toward minorities did not end with Jews he expelled all African American students from living in Harvard Yard the central part of campus where all other freshmen resided And two years prior, in 1920, he convened a clandestine, five-person court to convict 14 students and faculty members of homosexual activity – a secret not publicised until 2002, at which point then-president Larry Summers described the scandal as an “extremely disturbing…part of a past that we have rightly left behind.” As I got closer to publishing the 2,000-word investigation for Boston’s now-defunct Jewish Advocate I made a startling discovery: a direct descendant of Abbott Lawrence Lowell had been an undergraduate student at Harvard at the same time as me whom I ended up interviewing for the report was not just the first female Harvard student bearing the prominent Lowell name A century on from Abbott Lawrence Lowell’s sordid presidency, the world’s most famous university is now embroiled in another antisemitism scandal. The 311-page report is a damning indictment on the university’s failure to keep Jewish students safe Publishing the report is not the solution – far from it Its legacy will be determined by how it acted to prevent – and punish – instances of Jew-hatred not by how diligently its anti-semitism task force documented such cases years later once the damage was already done My hope is that the university’s administrators draw on these ignominious lessons of history — from Lowell in the 1920s to the post October 7 anti-semitism explosion — to urgently rehabilitate Harvard’s reputation as the world’s greatest university for students of all backgrounds the university might never have to worry about imposing Jewish quotas to manage the student population again Israel’s international spokesperson to the United Nations is an alum of the Universities of Cambridge Harvard Antisemitism Children ride their bicycles through the safety course set up in the parking lot of Viroqua's Good Shepherd Lutheran Church The sound of bicycle bells and laughter filled the air at the bike safety rodeo hosted by Viroqua’s Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the police department Viroqua Chief of Police Rick Niedfeldt gives a lesson on bike hand signals to young bicyclists at the bike safety rodeo The free event was held in the church’s parking lot The safety rodeo was for children of all ages Children weave between safety cones at the bike safety rodeo hosted by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Viroqua Police Department Children and their families wait in line to check in at the bike safety rodeo held in Viroqua Children wait their turn to go through the safety course set up for Viroqua's bike safety rodeo Email notifications are only sent once a day The city of Westby Main Street reconstruction project is progressing despite this week's rain Most of the concrete intersections and driveway… A criminal fraud case has been resolved in Coon Valley involving a contractor who defrauded an elderly person over several years The town of Liberty in Vernon County has been recognized with the Conservation Excellence Award for its pioneering efforts to reduce light pol… The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council is hosting the Coon Creek Confluence at the Westby Rod & Gun Club in rural Westby Westby High School students from Norse Force VEX Robotics team 54677A have qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account The 77th annual Destin Fishing Rodeo may still be five months out but plans are already being made with a few changes in the lineup the Rodeo wowed a lot of folks with some big amberjack hitting the scales at the 76th annual event In 2024 the Rodeo had 166 amberjacks to make the leaderboard at one time or another throughout the month-long fishing tournament in October And 15 of those were big amberjacks weighing 75 pounds or more 'I love my community so much': Meet Bella Riggs, Miss Destin 2025 Allen Staples of the 100 Proof finished in the top three spots in the AJ’s Bonus Division with a 96- The 100 Proof also had the top two amberjack in the Ladies Division with an 83.6 and 82.6-pounder and first in the Junior Division with an 89.8-pounder the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order that modified the greater amberjack 2024-25 open recreational season in Gulf state waters to be closed during the May season This harvest closure is consistent with the closures in Gulf federal waters and is meant to reduce harvest and improve the stock it looks as though the amberjack fishery will not reopen this year who serves on the NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee as well as the Rodeo board More: Rodeo royalty: Six captains named tops in their field for Destin Fishing Rodeo Gag grouper is another fish that has been overfished and most likely will not be available for the Rodeo will still be available to catch during the Rodeo the lineup of fish in the major divisions of the Rodeo will be king mackerel the Rodeo is looking to replace the amberjack with wahoo the Rodeo will still have a Billfish Division with blue marlin as well as an Offshore Division with species like barracuda Deep Drop Division will still be available with species such as barrelfish In the Inshore Division anglers will be able to enter flounder More: Destin fishing | Jump back 'jack: Big amberjack get on the board in final days of Rodeo This is just a sampling of some of the fish and divisions available in the Rodeo 1 and goes throughout the entire month with daily weigh ins from 10 a.m on the docks behind AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar on Destin harbor Tina Harbuck is a member of the Destin Fishing Rodeo board of directors The College National Finals Rodeo will be in Casper June 15-21. The top cowboys and cowgirls from around the country will be here, competing to add their names to a long list of champions crowned at the Ford Wyoming Center During the week, many events are happening around Casper, including the first-ever Mercantile trade show at the Wyo Sports Ranch The over 130,000 square feet of space will be the perfect spot to add to the CNFR environment and the best part is that admission is FREE CNFR week always brings an energy that's not easy to match The Ford Wyoming Center's competition brings big energy and the addition of the Mercantile at the Wyo Sports Ranch will increase that energy even further Excitement is in the air, and as CNFR gets closer, the excitement is building. Visit the Wyo Sports Ranch website to learn how to participate as a vendor or to see all of the activities Get ready for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper! A week full of thrilling rodeo events and exciting activities awaits at Wyo Sports Ranch's 'Mercantile'\nRead More The College National Finals Rodeo will be in Casper June 15-21. The top cowboys and cowgirls from around the country will be here, competing to add their names to a long list of champions crowned at the Ford Wyoming Center During the week, many events are happening around Casper, including the first-ever Mercantile trade show at the Wyo Sports Ranch CNFR week always brings an energy that's not easy to match Excitement is in the air, and as CNFR gets closer, the excitement is building. Visit the Wyo Sports Ranch website to learn how to participate as a vendor or to see all of the activities Country Music Hall of Famer Reba McEntire's timeless relevancy to country music and Western culture — two of the core facets of America's past present and future — lands her at the forefront of two upcoming events of particular interest to Nashville and its growing pop cultural moment On May 8, for the 17th time, the 14-time Academy of Country Music Award winner will host the ACM Awards from the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco The show will stream live on Amazon's Prime Video at 9 p.m McEntire also will join Tim McGraw and Jelly Roll as Nashville's first-ever Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo comes to Bridgestone Arena May 29 lifelong rodeo cowgirl McEntire will appear at her first headlining performance at Bridgestone Arena since Oct Oklahoma-native's concert was described in The Tennessean as an "indefatigable showcase of mastery of stage the "Fancy" vocalist has often noted that performing the National Anthem at the 1974 National Finals Rodeo launched her mainstream country music career she will appear regularly as an actress on the second season of her NBC sitcom "Happy's Place." This fall will mark four decades since she recorded the songs on her legendary tenth studio album "Whoever's In New England," her first platinum seller friends: McEntire's perpetual relevance to country music Western cultureMcEntire said that hosting the ACM Awards and performing at the Music City Rodeo comes during a chapter of her life where are still excited abouther career's continued stability and growth "I've been doing this for 50 years," the "Fancy" vocalist said in a voice that in its astonishment reveals that time may indeed fly when you're having fun largely female-led family fuels her career McEntire has created a corollary between her fans fans and friends provide love and acceptance," McEntire said "Whether at home washing dishes or on stage in front of 70,000 people at the Houston Rodeo it's always important to be grateful and thankful for the love and acceptance of the people who helped and supported your dreams and career." McEntire casually states that she's probably been heard or seen weekly in many country fans' living rooms for the entirety of her career Very few other entertainers in any industry can make that claim "Being a personality who can touch people's hearts and give them joy — that's what a huge fan of country music wants," she said when asked what she's foremost attempting to convey from the stage They don't want the wool pulled over their eyes (and demand authenticity)." via nominating and rewarding country stars giving essential airtime to multiple generations of the genre's iconic names Brooks & Dunn and Miranda Lambert are among the program's most-awarded artists the ACM Awards have shown the radio-listening and record and ticket-buying public the best of the artists doing the most to be heard and seen there's more to be heard and seen than ever they're still (achieving that goal)," she said the ACM's most nominated artist in 2025 is Ella Langley whose successful breakout year via viral Riley Green duet "You Look Like You Love Me" and album "hungover" is being feted in Frisco McEntire recalls that after her first win for Top Female Vocalist in 1984 it was followed by a platinum-selling album and her first time hosting the ACM Awards program in 1985 alongside Mac Davis and John Schneider Reba McEntire's connection to Western culture is multigenerational stretching back as far as the Grand Ole Opry It is also one more tied to fundamental necessity than concerning itself with romantic notions of horses on prairies "My grandpap was a 1934 steer roping champion and my daddy won the same events in 1957 and my brother Pake and sister Alice are prestigious champions at steer roping and barrel racing too," McEntire said with the same type of reverence artists who regularly perform at the Opry can name key dates when their career intersected with the genre's pinnacle stage She'd stop barrel racing with the other cowboys' children and make her way to sit with her mother to make sure to catch her father in competition Oklahoma-native Jim Snively was a championship-winning National Rodeo Hall of Fame cowboy whose career included competitions at both the Calgary Stampede and Madison Square Garden plus being among the top 10 steer ropers in the PRCA predecessor Rodeo Cowboys Association from 1952 to 1962 McEntire's authenticity as a country performer is perhaps linked to her life dedicated to the rodeo only because I was too nervous to pursue barrel racing like Alice and because I learned how to sing country songs because my mother didn't have a radio in the car," McEntire said "Rodeo's more important to my heritage than anything else like a wonderful band of gyspsies that always has your back that I didn't want to leave to get into the music business." May 29th excites me because I'm finally representing the McEntire family's legacy at PRCA Rodeos in Nashville," McEntire said bring the audience into the honesty of my life and not embarrass myself onstage I'll be there," said McEntire about her goals "It's not about the work and the money — as long as what I'm doing is fun and I love it I'm still driven by being curious about what making a positive contribution to the world can look like (for me)." Ask Reba to summarize what May 2025 and the era beyond offer for her and she laughs while offering her thoughts The Nike SB Dunk Low “Rodeo” gallops in with Western energy and a story worth telling—no horse needed This isn’t your average Dunk—it’s a rodeo on your feet complete with suede saddles and stitched swagger Inspired by the legacy of Black cowboys and ranchers the Nike SB Dunk Low Rodeo mixes history with heat Mint green suede lays the base while brown leather and orange piping rope in those cowboy vibes Embroidered designs mimic boot stitch patterns while rope-style laces round things out like a lasso on payday It’s a wearable tribute to unsung pioneers who helped shape rodeo culture in America That’s the cherry on top of this modern-meets-classic masterpiece The Nike SB Dunk Low “Rodeo” drops May 9, 2025 at select skate shops and SNKRS so save those coins like a cowboy hoards gold and color all in one boot-inspired package this release will surely turn heads on and off the ranch Saddle up for the “Rodeo” SB Dunk Low before it rides off into the sunset Stay up to date with all upcoming sneaker releases from our Sneaker Release Dates page. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram SBD provides millions of monthly visitors with sneaker updates on Jordan Sneaker Bar Detroit has quickly become one of the top sneaker sources on the web Advertise With Us || Email: info[at]sneakerbardetroit.com no one changed the game more than Roy Cooper So much so that it isn't even anything anyone would argue with you about The New Mexico born cowboy arrived to this world November 13 he qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo as a Rookie where he went on to be the World Champion and that was just the beginning He would follow that accomplishment with seven more world titles making a total of eight in his illustrious career Super Looper was the PRCA Tie-Down World Champion in 1976 He was also the All-Around World Champion in 1983 he was named the 1983 Steer Roping World Champion The roper who would revolutionize the sport won more rodeos than can be listed and amassed an incredible amount of Circuit Year-End Championships as well The accomplishments came due to his incredible work ethic but he also had some stellar bloodlines running through him Roy was the son of champion roper Dale "Tuffy" Cooper and Betty Rose Hadley Cooper who had been born and raised on a ranch herself Together they raised their family in Monument Super Looper started his career as many do in the junior ranks of rodeo He gathered several American Junior Rodeo Association championships including six All-Around cowboy titles He went on to college rodeo for Southeastern Oklahoma State College where he was the 1975 NIRA Calf Roping Champion Cooper was one of the first cowboys to get off the right side of the horse when tie-down roping and "hold" his slack He tied calves in 8-seconds when that was a feat nearly unheard of All of his accomplishments led him to be the first $2 million cowboy ever in ProRodeo - a title he earned in 2000 after a long and impressive career It didn't take long for the rodeo community to recognize the impact this cowboy was having In 1979 he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame after just being a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for three years Cooper became a member of the National Rodeo Hall of Fame he was also inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame Oklahoma but in 1990 he relocated to Childress Texas where he spent many years surrounded by his three boys The talent and work ethic ran true to his children who all have found success in the rodeo arena You could see the pride in his face when he sat in the stands or stood in the arena watching them compete Clint is the oldest of the three with Clif in the middle and Tuf the youngest They were the light of their father's life Roy had a dream come true when all three of his boys qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in the same year The Cooper family and all of their connections have long been considered some of the "royalty of rodeo" Shada Brazile is his step-daughter and that brought him close to the all-time great Trevor Brazile the 2008 World Champion Tie-Down Roper was his brother-in-law Social media is flooded with memories of a man who left a remarkable legacy on the world of rodeo current and likely future World Champions all commented with an underlying theme "The greatest of all time." That's the respect he earned from not just his peers but those who continue to this day to look up to him A house fire took the man from this world on a fateful April day The ropings won't be the same without you the stands at the National Finals Rodeo won't be the same without you The entire staff at Rodeo On SI extends our condolences to the rodeo community Roy's friends and certainly his family Sign In Subscribe Now That’s Rick Hugh’s message to fair-goers coming down for the pancake breakfast at the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair on Sunday morning Visitors can get into the Fairgrounds for free that morning for a donation to the Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation (CRYIF).  Hugh is the 1st vice-president of the Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association He said fair-goers who attend the foundation’s pancake breakfast get good food and get to support a good cause at the same time “The pancake breakfast serves as an important fundraiser as it generates scholarship funds,” said Hugh "A lot of people come to the pancake breakfast and then carry on to Cowboy Church after that." (Cowboy Church begins at 10 a.m.) Entrance to the pancake breakfast runs from 9 - 9:45 a.m Hugh said the suggested donation minimum is $5 The money is used by CRYIF for scholarships and funding of other community service endeavours in the Lower Fraser Valley area He added this year they are taking a greater focus on those non-scholarship initiatives "Our number one mandate is to provide scholarship funds but we're looking again to assist other community organizations that benefit families and youth." Hugh noted CRYIF is also partnering with the Cloverdale Community Kitchen (CCK) this year on a pair of initiatives at rodeo to help raise money for CCK's outreach services.  "A lot of the proceeds from beverage container returns will go to CCK," he said sort of, re-creation of the Stardust roller rink days has free skates for a donation All donations for Roll-A-Rama again are going to CCK." Hugh said they'll have their regular pancake turners back for the breakfast with Turkey Kielesinski He said the location of the pancake breakfast has been moved for 2025 which will be located at the east side of the rec Hugh said longtime supporter Save-On-Foods is once again sponsoring the breakfast Since the inception of CRYIF several years ago the Foundation has provided more than $80,000 in scholarship money to local high school students as well as financial support to youth-focused programs in the Lower Mainland Two examples of programs CRYIF supports are “You Wear It Well,” which provides graduation wear to high school students who face financial challenges and “Hold High The Torch,” a project developed at École Salish Secondary School to recognize veterans for their service to Canada “The pancake breakfast has been a mainstay of the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair for a number of years,” he explained “It began as a way to involve our youth volunteers in one more way to give back to the community.” For more info on the Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation, visit cloverdalerodeofoundation.com. For more info on the pancake breakfast, visit cloverdalerodeo.com Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines.