Associations
Join Rodeo News
Central Plains Rodeo Association (CePRA)
Phone: 785-254-7385
Email: centralplainsrodeo@hotmail.com
Visit Our Website
Members
Meet the Member Libby Berger
August 18, 2017
story by Lindsay King Third generation rodeo competitor 13-year-old Libby Berger from Udall, Kansas, has a need for speed. “Barrels or breakaway roping is my favorite because I like to go fast, I just love roping too.” Libby is also a pole bender and heels in the team roping with her partner, Mason Stueve. “He has been a family friend forever; he is like my little brother.” Libby currently rodeos in the CePRA and the…
Read More
Meet the Member Layne Lagasse
June 30, 2017
story by Lindsay King Concordia, Kansas, transplant Layne Lagasse is a tried and true team roper. “Rodeo is about the only hobby I am good at and feel like I can win.” Generally, he is a header but after a partner change this year he is heeling in the CePRA with Maverick Harper. Now an Alva, Oklahoma, native, Layne works for Wiebener Cattle. Farming about 3,000 acres of crops and running 1,200 head of cattle…
Read More
Meet the Member Aaron Paul
June 16, 2017
story by Lindsay King A little later to the rodeo road than others, team roper Aaron Paul from El Dorado, Kansas, has not missed a beat. From breeding top-notch rope horses with his dad Dick Paul to heeling for Dustin Raupe in the Central Plains Professional Rodeo Association every chance he gets, Aaron is hitting his stride with a loop. Originally from Enterprise, Kansas, Aaron grew up on a small family farm, always around…
Read More
Meet the Member Curry Kirchner
June 1, 2017
story by Lindsay King For 18-year-old, recent Cimarron Public High School graduate Curry Kirchner, rodeo is coupled with his past and future. “My main goal in life is to be able to make a living with my rope and eventually compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.” Curry has always been a team roper, he can remember having a rope in his hand when he was just four years old but started roping when he…
Read More
Meet the Member Kylie Kanngiesser
May 19, 2017
story by Lindsay King Bucking bulls and colts are part of everyday life for Kylie Kanngiesser of Attica, Kansas. At just 11 years old she got her first horse, a two-year-old paint named Titans ‘R’ Us, who she helped break and train to show in western pleasure and showmanship in 4-H. They learned everything together, he was the first horse she ever broke. When she was only 14 years old, Kylie started taking in…
Read More
Meet the Member Brett Christensen
May 1, 2017
story by Lindsay King Originally born in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Brett Christensen, a 27-year-old self-taught header now resides in Alva, Oklahoma. Starting when he was just six years old, Brett learned how to rope and has not looked back since. He went to one roping school as a kid but learned from watching top ropers. “Growing up, rodeo and anything to do with horses was what I was interested in and what I really wanted…
Read More
Meet the Member Stephanie Gray
April 10, 2017
story by Kyle Eustice Forty-one-year-old Hutchinson, Kansas native Stephanie Gray grew up around horses and her passion for the stately creature has been intense as long as she can remember. As a little girl, she was taken to the Pretty Prairie Rodeo by her grandmother Anne, where she loved watching the barrel racing and trick riders who jumped through rings of fire. “I talked about that all the time,” said Stephanie. “I said, ‘I will…
Read More
Meet the Member Cindy Wall
March 20, 2017
story by Kyle Eustice Mulvane, Kansas resident Cindy Wall was born in Germany in 1966. Her father was in the Army, so the family moved around most of her life. She graduated from high school in Frankfurt, but wound up getting her degree from Kansas State. Now, as the married mother of five to children Tyson, 32, Isaac, 30, Chris, 26, Kate, 24, and Carson, 13, she has her hands full. The fact she’s able…
Read More
Meet the Member Ross Keesling
February 20, 2017
by Kyle Eustice Forty-three-year-old Clearwater, Kansas resident Ross Keesling is a loving father to four children— Brandy, 15, Cole, 13, Chance, 9, Kyle, 5—along with wife Bridget. Although that keeps him extremely busy, he still manages to find a little time to nurture his other love—rodeo. Born in Topeka and raised in Perry, Ross was encouraged to explore a rodeo way of life by his parents, Roscoe and Linda, who owned cattle when he was…
Read More
Meet the Member Sharrah LaClef
January 20, 2017
story by Kyle Eustice Eighteen-year-old Leon, Kansas native Sharrah LaClef grew up in the rodeo world. Her grandparents, Terrill and Lynda LaClef, parents Shelby and Scott LaCelf, and sister Shannon LaClef all participate in the sport, which made it an easy transition for the high school senior . “I’ve been riding since I could walk,” said Sharrah.” I started competing in barrels at 6. My grandparents are one of the big reasons I’m able to…
Read More
Meet the Member: Marsha Nelson
November 18, 2016
story by Kyle Eustice Based in Salina, Kansas, 57-year-old Marsha Nelson was born in Belleville into a family helmed by mother Jo Ann Craig Walker and her late father Bob Craig. Along with older brother, Bobby Craig, and twin sisters Pam Reynolds and Kathy Pugh, riding horses was a way of life. “My brother and sisters always made sure that I had a horse to ride and always would take me when they could,” said…
Read More
Meet the Member: Chase Brown
November 1, 2016
story by Kyle Eustice Born in Great Bend, Kansas, 19-year-old Chase Brown moved to Hesston, Kansas with his mother Dana Brown, 47, and sister Allie Brown, 21. He attended Hesston High School and currently takes classes at Hutchinson Community College, where he’s studying Construction Science. When Chase was 15, he went to his first local rodeo in Newton, Kansas, and that was it. “After that I was hooked and knew I had to become part…
Read More