Meet the Member AJ Blaze

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AJ Blaze - Rodeo News

story by Lindsay Whelchel

The big city of Atlanta doesn’t seem like a natural origin for a cowboy, but it was for bull and saddle bronc rider AJ Blaze.
AJ grew up in the city playing travel ice hockey until the age of 14 when he was bitten by the horse bug.
Of course, not all of the horses he took to riding were calm, and AJ started getting on bucking broncs for fun.
The technicalities involved in saddle bronc riding steered AJ to put it off for a few years through high school when he focused on bull riding and high school rodeo competition. Soon though, he was back to doing both events and doing them well.
“After I started getting the hang of it I did a couple pro rodeos [in high school] then it just seems like in the past three years I’ve really stepped my game up,” he says.
Part of that push to succeed came from AJ’s father.
“My dad told me my sophomore year in college, ‘you know I’ve been dishing out all this money for you to rodeo, and I’m not seeing any results, so you might want to make up your mind what you want to do,” AJ recalls and adds, “then right after he said that it was just like a fire lit underneath me, and I started making money and paying for all of my bills, so I’ve been blessed over the years.”
Now 23, AJ is rising in the ranks of professional rodeo. He topped the 2015 IPRA standings for much of the season until a concussion set him back. Still, he made the International Finals Rodeo in the bull riding and almost made it in the saddle bronc as well.
“It was just a great experience,” he says of the IFR. AJ quickly explains why, listing what contestants were able to do outside of the arena. “I went to the children’s hospital and got to visit with some of the kids that were sick, and then we did the Children’s Day at the IFR at the arena, so it was just good to give back to that community.”
Inside the arena, AJ held his own and finished fifth in the average
“It was just a great time, great experience, and I met a lot of good people,” he says.
This season, he’s back up at the top of the leaderboard.
Helping kids must run in the Blaze family. In addition to his three older brothers and younger sister, AJ’s parents have adopted two foster kids, ages 6 and 7, and they’re trying to adopt two others that currently live with them.
Outside of rodeo, AJ stays busy going to college full time at Georgia Southern University, where he studies mechanical engineering. He’ll graduate in 2017.
Rodeo has impacted AJ’s life
tremendously.
“It’s shaped me as an individual, and I’m proud to say I’m happy where I’m at now in life because of rodeo. If I didn’t have it I don’t know where I’d be.”

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October 16, 2020
Bareback Bronc
1 Danny Weil Mooreland OK 13,365.59
2 Joshua Michael Cragar Columbia TN 12,813.81
3 Stetson Cole Bierman Martin TN, 709.96
4 Tanner Phipps Dalton GA, 097.91
5 Austin Graham Jay OK, 907.75
6 Job Dunlavey Kempton IL, 324.60
7 Kenneth Glick Belton SC, 117.59
8 Luke Herbert College Grove TN 3,896.20
9 Jacob Raine Mt. Pleasant TN 3,767.56
10 Houston Herbert College Grove TN 3,498.75
11 Tyler Waltz Jersey Shore PA 2,385.45
12 (R) Tyler Pasour Cherryville NC 2,115.90
13 (R) Dylan Riggins Kingman AZ 1,726.83
14 (R) Jordan K. Brown Weatherford OK 1,705.40
15 Jesse Troyer Weatherford OK 1,334.97
16 Cody Warnock Ohotohee AL 1,130.40
17 Raymond Postlethwait Adrian MI 78.28
18 Trevor Lattin Wynnwood OK 50.00
19 Joseph Courville Bourbonnias IL 33.50
20 Jayco Roper Oktaha OK 58.00
Bull Riding
1 Deklan Garland Foster OK ,823.10
2 Evan Golliday Adamsville TN, 185.90
3 (R) Mason Spain Forney TX, 937.86
4 Cody Brewer Rickman TN, 267.95
5 Neal Borntrager Middlebury IN, 039.83
6 Dakota Warnken Wakarusa IN 3,982.80
7 (R) Randy Samuels Rutledge GA 3,840.88
8 Ty Parkinson Salibury NC 3,013.80
9 (R) JR Stratford Byers KS 2,323.00
10 Dustyn Thomas Paris TN 1,724.00
11 (R) Caleb Christian Arlington TX 1,480.00
12 Lukasey Morris Union City OK 1,413.55
13 Ryan McDaniel Yuma TN 1,386.00
14 (R) Holden Moss Ringgold GA 1,231.20
15 Tyler Lewis Ida AR 1,144.35
16 Ben Peever Simcoe ON 1,125.00
17 (R) Dustin Ratchford Elmore City OK 1,125.00
18 (R) Brandon Matthews Lynnville TN 1,087.20
19 (R) Zeke Benge Mount Airy NC 1,080.00
20 Colt Galvan Lenoir City TN 25.58
Saddle Bronc
1 Cody Goertzen Union City OK 15,346.21
2 Kody Rinehart Rienzi MS 12,688.90
3 Timothy Troyer Weatherford OK, 844.27
4 Blane Stacy Blanchard OK, 829.54
5 (R) Tyrel Larsen Carnegie OK, 853.32
6 Kenneth Glick Belton SC, 579.22
7 Eli Hershberger Rochelle GA, 323.75
8 (R) Jack Smithson Springfield TN, 156.35
9 Trey Watts Muncy PA 3,599.38
10 Hayden Phipps Dalton GA 2,553.10
11 Preston Davidson Dickson TN 2,349.60
12 Jon Tyson Madison GA 1,964.15
13 (R) Dalton Davis Stillwater OK 1,521.90
14 (R) Cole Hartsell Mount Ulla NC 1,479.15
15 Raymond Hostetler Campbell NY 1,098.00
16 (R) Preston Kaftka Freedom OK 40.07
17 Scott Davis Okemah OK 34.40
18 (R) Michael Womack Bastrop LA 02.00
19 Travis Gardner Mt. Vernon AR 99.40
20 Reginald Lecourt Mirabel QU 76.00
Tie-Down Roping
1 Trent Creager Stillwater OK, 192.12
2 Zeb Chapman LaFayette GA, 998.52
3 (R) Cooper Matthews Joshua TX, 856.00
4 Justin Thigpen Waycross GA, 404.99
5 Chasen Lane Thrasher Columbia TN, 101.43
6 JC King Stilwell OK ,094.66
7 Hadley Deshazo Ash Flat AR, 056.14
8 Tate Thomas Sterling TX, 892.90
9 Adam Quimby Stillwater OK, 717.69
10 Andrew T Burks Kiln MS, 480.29
11 Dustin Jacobson Cambridge IL, 373.66
12 Blake Ash Aurora MO, 298.32
13 Travis Reimer Blanchard OK 3,774.80
14 Glen Freels Cedartown GA 3,551.27
15 (R) Marcus Theriot Poplarville MS 3,523.85
16 (R) Shane Hanchey Carmine TX 3,294.00
17 Glenn Jackson Okmulgee OK 3,203.05
18 Cody Mousseau Aylmer ON 2,819.25
19 Wade White Weatherford TX 2,780.00
20 Jody Green Ada OK 2,758.70
Steer Wrestling
1 Stewart Gulager Ft. Scott KS, 990.17
2 Casey Greer Quitan AR, 805.50
3 David Jr. Reagor Morris OK, 784.93
4 J.W. Ery Springfield TN, 243.18
5 (R) Marcus Theriot Poplarville MS, 240.16
6 Newt Bush Okmulgee OK, 038.12
7 Palmer White Cookeville TN 3,919.52
8 Raymond Postlethwait Adrian MI 3,760.74
9 Cord Barricklow Lebanon IN 3,570.22
10 Adam Strahan Kanakee IL 3,497.22
11 Troy Orr Lebanon TN 3,439.33
12 Chase Adamson Rio IL 3,210.52
13 (R) Mason Couch Cassville MO 3,206.58
14 Colton Swearingen Diffard NY 3,164.42
15 Justin Thigpen Waycross GA 2,938.95
16 Danell Tipton Spencer OK 2,617.03
17 Jeff Miller Blue Mound KS 2,566.93
18 Cody Miller Morristown TN 2,543.07
19 Austin Mason Henryetta OK 2,432.95
20 (R) Colten Strahan Kankakee IL 2,077.02
Cowgirl Barrel Racing
1 Julie Thomas Ranger GA 11,542.60
2 Kenzley Wilson Black Oak AR, 882.11
3 (R) Sherri Barnes Pilot Point TX, 760.00
4 Sadie Wolaver Fayetteville TN, 587.83
5 Alex Dollar Florence AL, 340.35
6 (R) Katie Brown Waverly TN, 591.74
7 Kara Kreder Collinsville OK, 295.19
8 Kynder Starr Catoosa OK, 808.11
9 Tracy Nowlin Nowata OK, 214.36
10 Jaylie Matthews Wynne AR, 672.56
11 Morgan Feltham Waleska GA, 653.05
12 BB Hastings Boaz AL, 582.32
13 (R) Kalleena Vahttouten Marion MI, 525.30
14 Kylie Brueggeman Sikeston MO 3,966.74
15 Annie Grace McElhannon Bethlehem GA 3,830.21
16 Liz Michael Paris OH 3,438.78
17 Brookelyn Owens Muldrow OK 3,244.02
18 Kenzie Cook Barnwell SC 3,205.07
19 Danielle McCraw Mooresboro NC 2,913.21
20 Kindyl Scruggs Southaven MS 2,840.38
Header Team Roping
1 Dalton Turner Sidney AR ,594.73
2 Clint Summers Stephenville TX, 948.00
3 Brent Mibb Pryor OK, 793.25
4 Manny Egusquiza Stephensville TX, 777.68
5 Quinton Parchman Cumberland TN, 370.97
6 Braxton Culpepper Poulan GA, 098.11
7 Kaston Peavy Bay Minette AL, 918.73
8 (R) Trevor Howard Pocola OK, 901.19
9 Devin James Sikeston MO, 612.22
10 Keven Daniel Citra FL, 461.49
11 Tyler Waters Stephenville TX, 172.50
12 Jacob Dagenhart Statesville NC, 922.91
13 Justin Thigpen Waycross GA, 147.89
14 (R) Andrew Ward Edmond OK, 132.57
15 Adam Hubler Warner OK, 025.14
16 Casey Hicks Sperry OK 3,986.34
17 Jesse Stipes Salina OK 3,875.66
18 A.J. Horton Stigler OK 3,738.18
19 (R) Marcus Theriot Poplarville MS 3,473.42
20 Cody Mousseau Aylmer ON 3,295.44
Heeler Team Roping
1 Garrett Smith Mt Juliet TN ,135.74
2 Dalton Totty Lewisburg TN, 140.50
3 Zack Mabry Piedmont AL, 822.29
4 (R) Zak Dobbins Bay Minette AL, 909.38
5 Griffith Passmore Rose OK, 575.69
6 Brad Culpepper Poulan GA, 452.49
7 Cody Heflin Pryor OK, 339.02
8 Morgan Jones Leighton AL, 956.91
9 Douglas Rich Millsap TX, 763.00
10 Buddy Hawkins Stephensville TX, 534.57
11 Kolby Krieger Fredricktown MO, 417.40
12 Shane Edmonson Dawson AL, 294.80
13 Cooper Freeman Carthage MO, 284.72
14 Kyle Horton Stigler OK, 284.41
15 Clark Adcock Smithville TN 3,888.17
16 Caleb Anderson Lipan TX 3,877.50
17 Chase Graves Emelle AL 3,784.36
18 (R) Levi Pettigrew Keota OK 3,784.24
19 Ty Parkinson Salibury NC 3,499.99
20 Ross Lowry Summerville GA 3,441.29
Cowgirl Breakaway
1 (R) Chelsey Abernathy Athens AL 15,312.12
2 (R) Kelsie Chace Cherokee OK 12,895.96
3 Tabitha Kiker Owens Grady AL, 585.80
4 (R) JJ Hampton Stephensville TX, 788.30
5 Kyla Matthews Athens TN, 861.78
6 Kayley Kennemer Anderson AL, 546.78
7 Addee Carder Miami OK, 091.62
8 Rebekah Davis Newcastle OK, 887.57
9 Kayla Lombardo Cumberland City TN, 270.27
10 Vanessa Madison Crofton KY, 093.30
11 (R) Maelee Wade White GA 3,991.20
12 Casey Parr Carbondale IL 3,622.32
13 Cali Griffin Sperry OK 3,115.82
14 Angela Chaffin Chouteau OK 3,107.15
15 (R) Rachel Bryant Hatchechubbee AL 3,070.28
16 (R) Christi Braudrick Caddo OK 3,001.94
17 Taylor Munsell Alva OK 2,948.63
18 Savannah Prater Seneca SC 2,721.37
19 (R) Jackie Crawford Stephenville TX 2,672.45
20 Tamara Smith Wynona OK 2,647.12
All Around
1 Justin Thigpen Waycross GA 10,793.53
2 (R) Marcus Theriot Poplarville MS 10,041.43
3 Zeb Chapman LaFayette GA ,737.90
4 Cody Mousseau Aylmer ON, 408.79
5 Kenzley Wilson Black Oak AR, 991.91
6 Hadley Deshazo Ash Flat AR, 764.43
7 Ty Parkinson Salibury NC, 319.97
8 Chasen Lane Thrasher Columbia TN, 273.09
9 Kenneth Glick Belton SC, 214.61
10 Dustin Jacobson Cambridge IL, 109.08
11 Vanessa Madison Crofton KY, 632.43
12 Cord Barricklow Lebanon IN, 435.81
13 Shane Overby Morton MS, 502.83
14 Colton Swearingen Diffard NY, 021.87
15 (R) Bart Brunson Terry MS 3,146.60
16 Timothy Podskoc Fairmount GA 3,116.80
17 Zane Kilgus Watsontown PA 2,563.12

FT. WORTH, TX – Oct 30, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Oct 30 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Indoor arena Cowtown Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Oct 25 8am – Wednesday Oct 28 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

FT. WORTH, TX – Oct 31, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Oct 31 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Indoor arena Cowtown Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Oct 25 8am – Wednesday Oct 28 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

DAHLONEGA, GA Oct 31-Nov 1, 2020
1:00 pm Mountain Top Rodeo SRA/IPRA PERFS: Two: Oct 31 Nov 1 1pm BB, BR, SB, TD, SW, CBR, CGBKR $500 adm – $60 EF – TR $1,000 adm – $75 EF – Total $4,500. – 5 SCF HQ INFO: Books Open Mon Oct 26 8am CST Books Close Mon Oct 26 5pm CST Phone: 337-427-6336 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted-CES $8.00 R-Ranch in the Mts. Arena 65 R-Ranch Rd. STK CONT: 4L Rodeo

FT. WORTH, TX – Nov 6, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Nov 6 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Cowtown Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Nov 1 8am – Wednesday Nov 4 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

BLYTHEWOOD, SC – Nov 6-7, 2020
7:30 pm 10th Annual Blythewood Doko Rodeo [B] IPRA/SRA PERFS: Two: Nov 6-7 7:30pm BB, BR, SB, TD, SW, CBR, TR, CGBKR $950 adm – $60 EF – Total $7,600. – 10 SCF HQ INFO: Books Open Mon Nov 2 8am CST Books Close Mon Nov 2 5pm CST Phone: 337-427-6336 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted-CES $8.00 Outdoor arena Blythewood Community Arena 311 Blythewood Rd exit 27 off I-77 No Local Minor’s In Rough Stock Events Internet Entries: Monday Nov 20th 8am – 3pm – www.rodeosportsnetwork.com Ticket Info: Info@blythewoodrodeo.com – 803-429-7236 – www.blythewoodrodeo.com Slack After Each Perf. STK CONT: Ken Treadway Rodeo Company,LLC

LAKESIDE, CA*canceled*
Nov 6, 2020 – Saturday, Nov 7, 2020

GIFFORD, IL – Nov 6-8, 2020
Central Tour Finals [A] IPRA PERFS: Three: Nov 6-7 7pm Nov 8 2pm BB, BR, SB, TD, SW, CBR, CGBKR $1,500 adm – $80 EF – TR $3,000 adm – $80 EF – Total $13,500. – 10 SCF HQ INFO: Phone: 815-592-9804 Indoor arena Gordyville Arena 2205 CR 3000 N Gifford, IL 61847 Book Opening & Call In/Call Back dates TBA STK CONT: Latting Rodeo Productions

FT. WORTH, TX – Nov 7, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Nov 7 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Indoor arena Cowtown Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Nov 1 8am – Wednesday Nov 4 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

FT. WORTH, TX – Friday, Nov 13, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Nov 13 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Indoor arena Cowtown Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Nov 8 8am – Wednesday Nov 11 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

FT. WORTH, TX – Nov 14, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Nov 14 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Indoor arena Cowtown Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Nov 8 8am – Wednesday Nov 11 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

FT. WORTH, TX – Nov 20, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Nov 20 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Indoor arena Cowtown Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Nov 15 8am – Wednesday Nov 18 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

FT. WORTH, TX – Nov 21, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Nov 21 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Indoor arena Cowtown Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Nov 15 8am – Wednesday Nov 18 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

FT. WORTH, TX – Nov 27, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Nov 27 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Indoor arena Cowtwon Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Nov 22 8am – Wednesday Nov 25 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

FT. WORTH, TX – Nov 28, 2020
8:00 pm Stockyards Championship Rodeo SCRA/IPRA PERFS: One: Nov 28 8pm BB, BR, SB $200 adm – $50 EF – TD, CBR, CGBKR $200 adm – $75 EF – TR $400 adm – $75 EF – Total $1,600. HQ INFO: Phone: 254-371-7343 Permits, locals, and youth cards accepted Indoor arena Cowtown Coliseum 121 E Exchange Ave Books Open: Sunday Nov 22 8am – Wednesday Nov 25 10pm Ranch Bronc: $50EF – $200ADM STK CONT: Double R Rodeo

Short List:

October
30 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo
30-31 SPRA/IPRA Coaling, AL $4,000 total adm Oubre Rodeo Co
31-1 SRA/IPRA Dahlonega, GA $4,500 total adm 4L Rodeo
31 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo
November
6 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo
6-7 IPRA/SRA Blythewood, SC $7,600 total adm Treadway Rodeo Co
6-7 IPRA Gifford, IL $13,500 total adm Latting Rodeo Productions
6-7Canceled IPRA Lakeside, CA $10,000 total adm Hart Bar Rodeo Co
7 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo
13 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo
14 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo
20 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo
21 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo
27 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo
28 SCRA/IPRA Ft. Worth $1,600 total adm Double R Rodeo

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