Meet the Member AJae Griffin
story by Michele Toberer Anna Jae Griffin goes by AJae, and the Mississippi native has been a cowgirl for a lifetime, and a Southeastern Professional […]
Stephen Bland in Etowah, AL - Mike Goodall
story by Lily Weinacht
Team roper Stephen Bland is only a few dollars and some pocket change away from leading the heeling standings in the SPRA. It’s an accomplishment the 36-year-old from Billingsley, Alabama, wasn’t sure he’d achieve when he started his fourth season in the association. “I just planned to go to a few local rodeos around the house. I didn’t intend to go as hard as we have, but we’ve gone pretty much all year long and things started falling into place,” says Stephen, who also competes in several PCA rodeos and USTRC ropings. This will be his third time competing in the SPRA finals. “This year I’m working on my master’s degree, and school takes up a lot of time, but I feel like the Lord opened the door for me to go all year long, and at the same time keep up with my schoolwork. My family has been real supportive too.”
Stephen is primarily a team roper and a heeler, competing with Tyler Hoagland, and Seth Thomas, whom he won the team roping with at the Alabama High School Rodeo State Finals their senior year. However, he took up steer wrestling this year to put him in the all-around standings. “I’d chute dogged some before, but the first time I jumped a steer was at the Tuscaloosa rodeo and I won third. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked out! Some of my buddies bulldog, and they talked me into it and helped me out,” says Stephen, who is sitting third in the all-around standings. He also rode bareback horses for several years when he was in his 20s, but he eventually returned to his roots of team roping, especially after he and his wife started their family. “Team roping is something I’ve been doing for a long time. I have four guys I travel with primarily, and I like the team aspect of it a lot and traveling together. Another pretty neat thing about the SPRA is that there’s a lot of really good guys that rope. I’ve learned a whole lot from them, and they really do take an interest in everybody and make sure that everybody does good.”
Stephen mounts out on friends’ horses when he steer wrestles, and he rides a 9-year-old mare named Foxy in the team roping. He purchased the mare two years ago as a backup horse and trained her for team roping, but when Foxy took to it so well, Stephen sold his main horse and switched to her. He goes to Millbrook to rope with his friend Brian Roll, or to Harpersville to practice with his partner Tyler Hoagland.
During the week, Stephen is an engineer assistant for the county, and his master’s degree, which he’ll finish next year, is in geographical information systems. “I’ve worked for the engineering department for 16 years and we use geospatial mapping to map flood plains and different things like that,” Stephen explains. The rest of his time is devoted to his family, including his wife, Lynn, and their 9-year-old daughter, Kayden. “My wife teaches at the high school in Billingsley. We met at church, but when we were younger, her brother was a bull rider the same time I was riding bareback horses, so we traveled some together. Kayden loves to play soccer, and we love to go hunting now and then. She also likes to go watch the close rodeos.
“I’ve had a lot of people help me in so many different ways, and I owe a lot to my family and the contestants themselves,” Stephen finishes. “I’d really like to make the SPRA finals in the steer wrestling. I didn’t set out to win the SPRA, but I’ve had a lot of people help me with my roping and instill in me to make the best of each steer. That seems to work better for me than saying I want to win this or that. We’ll see what happens at the end of the year.”
story by Michele Toberer Anna Jae Griffin goes by AJae, and the Mississippi native has been a cowgirl for a lifetime, and a Southeastern Professional […]
story by Michele Toberer Anna Jae Griffin goes by AJae, and the Mississippi native has been a cowgirl for a lifetime, and a Southeastern Professional […]
story by Michele Toberer Trey Moore started out as a farm kid in Summerville, Georgia when a buddy from school introduced him to the world […]
Phone: 205-372-3182
Email: sprarodeo@aol.com
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Rodeo Newstm (ISSN 1934-5224) is published 12 times a year, semi-monthly May-Nov; once in Dec Jan, Feb., March, and April by Publication Printers, 2001 S. Platte River Drive, Denver, Colo., 80223. Iris Ink, Inc., parent company of Rodeo News is located at 3604 WCR 54G, Laporte, Colo., 80535. Subscriptions are $30 per year. Periodicals postage paid at LaPorte, Colo., and additional mailing offices.
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March 15, 2020
Bareback Riding
1 Kenneth Glick $1,398.60
2 Blake Arp $518.40
3 Nace Boswell ® $252.00
Saddle Bronc Riding
1 Kenneth Glick $1,083.60
2 Joe Farren $685.26
3 Cody Pringle* $481.14
4 Eli Troyer $360.00
Calf Roping
1 Trevor Colby $842.40
2 Shane Overby $631.80
3 Jud Gully $558.00
4 Ryan Bibb $421.20
5 Cooper Christensen $418.50
6 Ty Owens $279.00
7 CoCo Hurst $210.60
8 Cody Skelton $139.50
Breakaway Roping
1 Riley Edwards $799.20
2 Zoey Carpenter $711.45
3 Krystal Peavy $599.40
4 Jordan Wade $444.15
5 Talese Berry $189.00
6 Ajae Griffin* $99.90
7 Jadi Gibbs $99.90
Steer Wrestling
1 Matt Oubre $820.80
2 JT Ellison $786.78
3 Cooper Christensen $552.42
4 Laine Moore $324.00
Team Roping – Heading
1 Billy Berry* $2,520.83
2 Clint Keller $1,140.48
3 Charlie Day $648.95
4 Joey Denney $483.84
5 Laine Moore $461.70
6 Briar Hamilton $340.20
7 Kaston Peavy $172.80
8 Tyler Hoagland $170.10
9 Kyle Smith $170.10
Team Roping – Heeling
1 Shane Edmonson $2,130.03
2 Zac Dobbins $1,175.04
3 Bubba Bozeman $643.95
4 Ethan Wheeler $483.84
5 Devan Gilbert $461.70
6 Jake Wells $340.20
7 Mark Gentry $311.04
8 Stephen Bland $170.10
9 Fireball Hester $170.10
Barrel Racing
1 Julie Goodrich $1,937.52
2 Angela Hudson $1,042.92
3 Katelyn Nicholson $868.32
4 Lauren Pringle $861.30
5 Shay Atkins $687.42
6 Moriah Warnock $506.52
7 Beth Ellzey $503.55
8 Zoey Carpenter $415.80
9 Maggey Gann $267.30
10 Ryan Johnson $237.00
11 Lindsey Phillips $180.90
12 Zoe Pledger $148.50
Bull Riding
1 Justin Bryant $1,428.30
2 Dylan Hallmark $810.00
3 Kevin McKeeman $623.70
4 Wyatt Sharp $378.00
All-Around
1 Kenneth Glick $2,481.20
2 Cooper Christensen $970.92
3 Laine Moore $785.70
4 Zoey Carpenter $727.65
March 27-28, 2020 Pelham, AL
**POSTPONED**
American Legion Post 555 Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $1,000.00 per event, $1,500.00 TR ($750 each side) Entry Fee: $80.00 Performance: 7:00PM Slack: Saturday 10AM ONLY, no other slack offered. Books Open: March 23 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM CST Call In Number: 205-372-3182
Ground Rules: Entry preference given to top 15 and past champions. Permits if needed. Permits will be placed in performances only if needed. Must ride in grand entry and participate in sponsor meet & greet. Directions: 2000 Ballpark Road, Pelham, AL 35124 Stock Contractor: Double Creek Rodeo Company
March 27-28, 2020 Dallas, GA
*POSTPONED*
Paulding Public Safety Rodeo Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 7:00PM EST
Slack: After each perf
Books Open: March 23 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Directions: 472 Paulding Meadows Drive, Dallas GA 30132, off Hwy 61 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Must ride in grand entry. Stock Contractor: Frontier Classic Rodeo
April 3-4, 2020 Tennille, GA IPRA/SPRA
Washington County Ag Center Rodeo
Added Money: $400.00 per event Entry Fee: $50.00
Performance: 7:00 PM EST Slack: After each perf Books Open: March 30 Call In Time: 8:00AM-5:00PM CST Call In Number: 337-427-6336
Directions: Washington Co. Ag Center 882 Grady Mertz Rd.
Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Stock Contractor: Hedrick Rodeo Company
April 10-11, 2020 Milton, FL
Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 7:00PM Slack: After each perf Books Open: April 6 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Entry preference given to previous year top 15, previous champions for performance. Slack will only be taken if perfs are full. Stock Contractor: Double Creek Rodeo Company
April 17-18, 2020 Phenix City, AL IPRA/SPRA **POSTPONED**
3rd Annual River Cities Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $50.00 Performance: 8:00 PM
Slack: After each perf
Books Open: April 13 Call In Time: 8:00AM-5:00PM CST Call In Number:
337-427-6336 Directions: Twin Cities Horse Classic Arena 3999 US Hwy 431S Ground
Rules: Permits if needed. Coggins required. No alcohol. Dogs must be on leash. Stock
Contractor: Southern Rodeo Company
April 17-18, 2020 Statesboro, GA IPRA/SPRA
10th Annual Kiwanis Rodeo
Added Money: $1,000.00 BB/SB BR, CR, SW, CBR, TR Entry Fee: $50.00 Performance: 7:30 PM EST
Slack: After each perf Books Open: Wednesday, April 8 Call In Time: 8:00am-5:00pm CST
Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Directions: Kiwanis Fairgrounds 16942 Hwy 67 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Stock Contractor: Hedrick Rodeo
Company
April 24-25, 2020 Evans, GA IPRA/SPRA
American Hero Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $1,300 BB, SB, BR, $1,000 CR, SW, Bkwy, TR, CBR Entry Fee: $70.00
Performance: 7:30PM EST
Slack: After each perf
Books Open: Wednesday, April 15 Call
In Time: 8:00AM – 5:00PM Call In Number: 337-427-6336
Directions: Columbia County
Fairgrounds, 562 Columbia Rd, Grovetown GA Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Stock
Contractor: Hedrick Rodeo Company
April 24-25, 2020 Greensboro, GA IPRA/SPRA
Green County Livestock Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $50.00
Performance: 8:00PM EST
Slack: After each perf Books Open: April 20 Call In Time: 8:00AM – 5:00PM Call In Number: 337-427-6336
Directions: 1201 Kevin Roberts Way Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Stock Contractor: Oubre Rodeo Company
May 1-2, 2020 Clanton, AL
2nd Annual Chilton County Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00
Performance: 7:00PM Slack: After each perf Books Open: April 27 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM CST Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Must ride in grand entry. Directions: Exit 212 of I-65, follow signs Stock Contractor: Frontier Classic Rodeo Company
May 1-2, 2020 Bremen, GA IPRA/SPRA
Bremen Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $50.00 Performance: 8:00 PM
Slack: Aftereach perf
Books Open: April 27 Call In Time: 8:00AM-5:00PM CST Call In Number:
337-427-6336
Directions: 1196 Hightower Road Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Negative Coggins required. Dogs must be on leash. Stock Contractor: Southern Rodeo Company
May 1-2, 2020 Wetumpka, AL IPRA/SPRA
Elmore County FFA Championship Rodeo
Added Money: $850.00 per event Entry Fee: $60.00
Performance: 8:00PM Slack: After each perf Books Open: April 27 Call In Time: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Directions: Elmore County Softball Fields off Hwy. 14 Ground Rules:
Permits if needed. Stock Contractor: Oubre Rodeo Company
May 8-9, 2020 Attalla, AL
Etowah County Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00
Performance: 7:00PM Slack: Friday 10am, After each perf Books Open: May 4 Call In Time: 10:00AM- 4:00PM CST
Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Directions: Etowah County Fairgrounds Stock Contractor: Double Creek Rodeo Company
May 8-9, 2020 Fitzgerald, GA IPRA/SPRA
3rd Annual Fitzgerald Rodeo
Added Money: $800.00 per event Entry Fee: $60.00
Performance: 7:30PM Slack: After each perf Books Open: May 4 Call In Time: 8:00AM- 5:00PM CST
Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Directions: Paulk Park 146 Paulk Park Road Stock Contractor: T-T Rodeo Company
May 15-16, 2020 Heflin, AL SPRA/IPRA
Cleburne County Chamber of Commerce Rodeo
INCENTIVE RODEO Added Money: $500.00 each event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 7:00PM CST Slack: After each perf Books Open: May 11 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Directions: Exit 205 off I-20 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Must ride in grand entry. Stock Contractor: Frontier Classic Rodeo
May 15-16, 2020 Newnan, GA IPRA/SPRA
Coweta County Cattleman’s Association, Inc Rodeo Added Money: $800.00 per event Entry Fee: $60.00 Performance: 8:00PM EST Slack: After each perf Books Open: May 11 Call In Time: 8:00AM – 5:00PM Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Directions: Coweta CountyFairgrounds, 275 Pine Rd Ground Rules: Permits
if needed. Stock Contractor: Oubre Rodeo Company
May 15-16, 2020 Jasper, GA IPRA/SPRA
10th Annual Jasper Stampede
Added Money: $1,000.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 8:00PM EST Slack: After each perf Books Open: Wed. May 6 Call In Time: 8:00AM-5:00PM Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Directions: Sacketts Arena 100 Shelby Lane Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Negative Coggins Required. Must ride in grand entry. Dogs on leash. Stock Contractor: Southern Rodeo Company
May 22-23, 2020 Hiwassee, GA
Hiwassee Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 8:00PM EST Slack: After each perf Books Open: May 18 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Directions: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiwassee, GA 30546 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Negative Coggins Required. No alcoholic beverages. All dogs on leash. Stock Contractor: Southern Rodeo Company
Short List:
June 5-6 Moundville, AL
June 5-6 Oxford, AL
June 5-6 Shady Dale, GA
June 12-13 Alex City, AL
June 12-13 Moulton, AL
June 19-20 Blairsville, GA
June 19-20 Marietta, GA
July 3-4 Wedowee, AL
July 17-18 Tuscaloosa, AL
July 17-18 Carrollton, GA
August 7-8 Dayton, TN
August 14-15 Ashland, AL
August 14-15 Blue Ridge, GA
September 11-12 Ellijay, GA
September 18-19 Gainesville, GA
September 18-19 Clarkesville, GA
November 6-7 Dublin, GA