Meet the Member Travis Lewis
story by Julie Carter The New Mexico Rodeo Association (NMRA) has a new Tie Down Roping Director with a Texas address and long resume of […]
story by Julie Carter
Loving what they do to a depth only others with the same passion for rodeo can understand, Jana Muncy and her daughter Amber Gillreath proudly uphold the unheralded job of “rodeo secretary” year after year. This mother-daughter team have made it an art and a career.
It’s not a job that puts your name on the front page of the rodeo paper but since rodeo began it is always underappreciated and taken for granted. It’s demanding with pressure, deadlines, bottom lines and a high standard for accuracy. And still, Jana and Amber excel at it.
In 1981, Jana signed on to secretary her first NMRA rodeo. It was at the height of the newly formed New Mexico Rodeo Association that required more than a dozen secretaries to handle multiple sanctioned rodeos almost every weekend through the May to October rodeo season. A couple of veteran secretaries trained her, a few others passed on some tricks of the trade, and she was on her way. At the time, she had no idea that 40+ years later, she’d still being doing it with that same great love for the cowboys and the sport.
Along the way, Jana trained another secretary to follow in her footsteps, her daughter Amber Gillreath. Amber traveled with Jana since infancy and just naturally became part of the work that happened. Legendary stock contractor Edker Wilson hired Amber when she was 11 to be a timer, count money and receipts. “I still remember helping my mom count the money after the rodeos,” Amber recalls. “I still ask myself why we never invested in a money counting machine. I bet we’ve handled millions.”
At 16, Amber secretaried her first rodeo completely on her own. Fifteen years later, she’s expanded her resume. Making it her actual career, she is the NMRA Central Entry Secretary and also works all levels of team ropings including World Series, USTRC and open. “I just really want to emphasize how much I love to secretary rodeo,” Amber said. “It doesn’t even seem like a job to me. I will do it forever.”
Jana was born into a rodeo family. Her dad, Jerome English, was highly competitive and expected perfection. Her mom was focused on details and the best way to do things while showing great respect to everyone she met. This environmental combination shaped Jana to be the perfect rodeo secretary, excelling in all the traits demanded by the job.
Not only is Jana an NMRA Gold Card holder, in June 2022, she was honored at the Ricky Chavez Cowboy Reunion for her many years of dedication to the sport of rodeo as a secretary at with a trophy bracelet. Long time friend and cowboy Richard Slaughter listed the many reasons why Jana was a standout both in and out of the crow’s nest, including a personal narrative detailing her honesty, integrity and ability to not be bullied by any cowboy at any time. He also spoke to her dedication, recalling the time she fell quite ill while working the Gallup rodeo, but refused to leave with the EMT until she finished the payoff. “I couldn’t just leave all that money there,” she said with a laugh.
Jana retired in 2012 from the U.S. Postal Service after 29 ½ years. She said she has very much enjoyed it and her husband Tim has turned out to be a pretty good boss, so she’s not without something to do. The Muncys live on a ranch north of Truth or Consequences and run cattle on lease country in four counties. They’ve been together 22 years and if there’s a dance within driving distance, they’ll be there. “It’s still our favorite thing in the whole world,” says Jana.
Jana’s goal was to pass on her experience and knowledge to Amber. Amber recognizes the value of that. “I can’t thank my mom enough for teaching me how and training me so well,” she said. “I truly learned from the very best.”
story by Julie Carter The New Mexico Rodeo Association (NMRA) has a new Tie Down Roping Director with a Texas address and long resume of […]
story by Julie Carter Karlene Gonzales left the 2022 NMRA Finals with an armload of buckles and awards that were the fruits of a rodeo […]
story by Lindsay Humphrey Not everyone can say they’ve been able to make some sort of living with a rope since they were 15, but […]
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Rodeo Life Magazine™ (ISSN 1934-5224) is located at P.O. Box 93598 Southlake, TX 76092. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rodeo Life Media, P.O. Box 93598 Southlake, TX 76092
October 4, 2020
WOMEN’S ALL AROUND:
1. Nicole Baggarley $2,032.00
2. Teresa Garcia $1,152.00
3. Maddy Deerman $975.00
4. Makena Felix $884.00
5. Quincy Sullivan $604.00
MEN’S ALL AROUND:
1. Zane Munoz $1,678.00
2. Seth Hall $885.00
3. Pecos Tatum $572.00
SADDLE BRONC RIDING:
1. Zane Munoz $1,194.00
2. John Birkholz $94.00
BAREBACK RIDING:
1. Tyrick Wilson $888.00
TIE DOWN ROPING:
1. Luke Jefferies $771.00
2. Seth Hall $624.00
3. Kyle Dutton $131.00
INCENTIVE TIE DOWN:
1. Pecos Tatum $320.00
BREAKAWAY ROPING:
1. LeighAnn Scribner $2,287.97
2. Nicole Baggarley $2,022.00
3. Maddy Deerman $1,150.00
4. Teresa Garcia $900.00
5. Makena Felix $684.00
6. Quincy Sullivan $172.00
STEER WRESTLING:
1. Cody Redden $843.20
2. Tyke Kipp $786.00
3. Landon Munoz $484.00
4. Justin Wilson $450.00
5. Steele Perry $363.00
6. Jared Pino $300.00
7. John Clymo $253.00
8. Wyatt Jurney $179.00
BARREL RACING:
1. Lisa McWhortner
2. Jewell Baize $648.00
3. Baillie Wiseman $423.62
4. Keylie Tatum $415.00
5. Taylor Rolan $207.00
INCENTIVE BARREL RACE:
1. Peyton McKinley $475.00
2. Caydence Roberts $360.00
3. Brandy Sanchez $356.00
4. Kelly McConnel $240.00
5. Makena Felix $190.00
OPEN TEAM ROPING – HEADING:
1. Paul Gutierrez $842.00
2. Jake South $837.00
3. Johnny Salvo $594.00
4. Bobby Baize $479.50
5. Robert Ansley $479.50
6. Seth Hall $261.00
OPEN TEAM ROPING – HEELING:
1. Cody Garcia $954.00
2. Eddie Nieto $842.00
3. Robert Murphy $747.00
4. Russell Sullivan $594.00
5. Bode Baize $479.50
6. Paul Gutierrez $479.50
#12.5 TEAM ROPING – HEADING:
1. Blaine Garley $738.00
2. Bethany Shofner $467.00
3. Maddy Deerman $316.50
4. Nicole Baggarley $195.00
#9.5 TEAM ROPING – HEADING:
1.Nick Felix $648.00
2. Quincy Sullivan $432.00
3. Teresa Garcia $252.00
#9.5 TEAM ROPING – HEELING:
1. Pecos Tatum $252.00
*** ALL EVENTS ARE CONTIGENT ON COVID19 APPROVAL ***
CASH ONLY in 2020!
Entries in our rodeos are taken seriously. If you must turnout of a rodeo for any reason including medical, emergency or vet release call the Turnout line (505-864-9426). You may not compete in another rodeo for 7 days if you vet or medical out and a release is due in the office within 7 days or entry fee and fine will be assessed. E-mail releases to nmraentryoffice@gmail.com. After entries close you will be turning out and expected to pay fees. If you need to make changes after books have closed you will be charged a $15 fee per person.
Slack is not open until performances are full.
Rodeos having first sanction with New Mexico will have an $8 Finals Fund and a $20 Stock charge deducted from advertised fees. All Contestants may enter twice, Team Roping may enter a maximum of 4 times. All events may walk up and enter one and a half hours prior to the first performance. Rough Stock contestants may walk up and enter one and a half hours prior to the start of the performance they want to enter. Walk up entries are subject to availability of stock at stock contractor’s discretion. Cash only and a $15 late fee will be charged. Contestants are encouraged to enter through Central Entry Secretary on entry night to ensure availability of stock and position.
Entry numbers: Rough Stock/Team Roping: 505-864-9427; Timed Events: 505-864-9426.
Entry time: 6 to 9 pm on Entry Night advertised. Check our website for most current information.
REX ALLEN DAYS RODEO
(2021 NMRA POINTS)
Oct. 3-4, 2020 – Willcox, AZ
GCPRA with NMRA Co-sanction
Stock Contractor: Slash M Rodeo
Performance: Oct. 3 & 4 @ 2:00 PM
Slack: Oct. 3 @ 8 AM BRLS/SW/TD/BKW
Oct. 4 @ 8 AM TR
Added: BB/SB/BR $1200 enter 2x; SW $750:
TD/ BRL $400; TR/BKW $500; Inc. TD $100;
Inc. BRL/Inc. TR $200
$250 Challenge in the SB, BB and BR – details to come.
Fees: BRL $75; BKW/TD/SW/SB/BB/$85;
TR $85 per Roper; BR $95
Entries: Open Sept 23 @ 7:00 AM and close Sept 25 @ 10 PM
All events online at gcpra.net (click on the Entry and Members Page)
Local Entries: TBA (50 mile radius)
Notes: Rex Allen Days Committee is asking that All Contestants park in the East Parking Area. No contestants in the main parking lot or behind the bucking chutes.
Arena Location: Quail Park Rodeo Grounds
801 N. Quail Drive, Willcox, AZ 85643