posted 9.30.08
I have updated the ineligible lists to show the HUGE number of members who have not turned in their grades. Make sure your name is not listed in error. After I leave in the morning, the list will not be updated with anything that comes in the mail or over the fax machine. Check with Barb at Happy - she will have the current list. Wrangler Division members need to bring their grades with them to Happy.
Stall information for Canadian is listed on the TS News page.
I will post the Wrangler entries on their page later today. Please check that you are entered in the correct events and with the correct partners.
Hope you all have a good time on Saturday. Don't forget: there is an early start time of 9AM for the high school rodeo and the junior high rodeo will follow that evening.
posted 9.28.08
Who would have ever thought we would be complaining about no wind at Gruver? Even with the warmest temperatures we've seen in the last month of rodeos, it was still a pretty nice day. I'll take warm over blowing dirt any day. The Gruver Club always does a good job keeping things in order and they made improvements in an area close to my heart: the concession stand. The brisket wrap was wonderful! Thanks everyone for your hard work!
Thanks also to the Gruver club for providing buckles to each event champion. The all around awards were a watch for the girl (Chaney Latham) and a knife for the boy. A coin toss will determine the boys' winner between Reese Riemer and Hayden Moore.
Injuries are starting to take their toll on our members. James Winders suffered a concussion in a Friday night football game but still managed to do very well in the team roping. James Murphy broke his ankle in a football game Friday night. Lee Billeter hurt his shoulder in the bull riding in the morning performance Saturday and missed competing in the bareback riding in the afternoon. And Jace Felts cut a tendon in his right hand during a Friday night practice session accident at his home arena. Jace is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday to repair the damage. Please keep all of these boys in your prayers for a speedy recovery.
Don't forget about Koben Pucket as he tries to overcome the injuries he sustained at the beginning of September. We will have donation jars at the concession stand at Canadian for anyone who wants to donate to the Puckett family. If you haven't already done so, check out this website - www.caringbridge.org - to get daily updates on Koben's progress. Where it says "Visit a CaringBridge website," enter kobenpuckett. The password is doubleought.
The 50/50 drought has come to an end! Carrie Bullock claimed the winning ticket from the Pampa drawing. Her share came to $319. Gruver's drawing has to be a record for a one-day total with $712 in the kiddy. Linda McConnell was the lucky ticket holder and took home $356. Thanks to everyone who participates in the drawings. Half of all of the money donated goes to the scholarship fund.
Ignorance. According to Webster's Dictionary, the definition of ignorance is "the state or fact of being ignorant, lack of knowledge, learning, information, etc." When I hear this word, a quote pops into my head: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." Just because I didn't know the speed limit in a tiny town in Colorado last summer doesn't mean I wasn't going to get a speeding ticket for going too fast. It's my fault for not knowing better.
So let's apply this idea to Tri-State, because aren't laws just bigger rules with harsher penalties for breaking them? Each member was provided a rulebook and a "brochure" of information in their membership packets at Dalhart. I can't make you read the information I provide you, but if it wasn't necessary, do you really think I would spend the time to make copies and stuff packets for 150+ members? (Twice if you count the Region 1 packets.) I do it because it is information that you need to help you know what is expected of you as a Tri-State or Region 1 member. It is your responsibility to read your rulebook. Just because you don't know the rule doesn't mean you won't get penalized for breaking it. You just make the Directors - and me - look like tyrants for enforcing them.
A few of you have already heard this at the rodeos, but consider this a warning notice for everyone: if a family member or a friend of a contestant is out of dress code in an area that requires it, the contestant can be disqualified. Every town we travel to has adequate seating for spectators, but if you feel you need to be up close to the action, then you need to be in proper dress code. Contestants, it is your best interest to pay attention to who is helping you with your events. Don't let someone not even entered in the rodeo get you disqualified.
Another issue is tobacco use. Page 31 under Conduct: "Contestants will be disqualified for the use of tobacco products while in the arena during any rodeo performance."
Just because you got away with something one time doesn't mean you won't get caught the next time. We aren't looking for you to be doing something wrong so it may not register at first, but believe me, it will catch up to you. Suggested reading material: page 29 - attire.
The "lost and found" pile keeps growing each week. Since no one has claimed a single item that has been turned in to me, I am not going to ask my mom to haul everything to Happy just to haul it all back home. I will bring everything to Canadian and after that, if it's not claimed, I'm keeping what I want and wrapping up the rest for Christmas gifts for the Directors.
For those of you who only skim when you read, this is the weekend I will be out of town. Have a good rodeo at Happy - start time is 9am. I'll see you at Canadian.
posted 9.22.08
Well, we had another good weekend of rodeos at Pampa. This is first time in several years I have not had to leave before the rodeo was finished to get back to Amarillo for the final performance of the PRCA rodeo. I contribute that to a good labor crew keeping the events rolling and the fastest tractor driver in the Panhandle! Thanks for making it easier for me to do two jobs at once.
Sunday we had our first Wrangler Division rodeos and saw some really good competition from our future rodeo stars. As hard as I think it is getting ready for our double rodeos, it all becomes worth it seeing the kids compete. They are pretty impressive to watch. Thank you Pampa Rodeo Club for hosting the Wrangler Division.
My feelings of exhaustion came in spells over the weekend so if you caught me at a time when I didn't act like I was listening, I want to apologize. I was just having trouble focusing. I am feeling better today. I've kind of taken the morning off to get caught up on some household chores and rest a little. I will figure the results from both days of rodeos this afternoon and get them posted tonight on the results page. Checks will go in the mail and your entry fees will be deposited tomorrow.
Grades will be due for everyone this weekend. If you do not have a new report card, you can turn in a progress report or use the form that was in your membership packet to get grades from your teachers. If you do not turn in your grades this weekend, you will not be eligible to compete at Happy next week. (Wrangler Division members need to bring their grades to Happy.) Call me if you have any questions.
Our winning 50/50 ticket holders must be losing their tickets. The ticket drawn at Boys Ranch went unclaimed so $291 was added to the drawing for the Pampa rodeo. THAT ticket was not claimed either. It was a black and white ticket - #615356. The total jackpot to be split is $628. If you hold the winning ticket, you must claim your prize by the start of the PM performance at Gruver this Saturday or the money will roll over into the Gruver drawing.
PRCA rodeo update: Loagan Helton got bumped from the pay window in the calf roping on Saturday night and was making an awesome bull ride before being bucked off at 7.6 seconds. Stormy Wing made a really nice ride but only scored 68 points. He is off to Omaha, NE this week for the PRCA Tour Finals. Good luck Stormy!
I have another PRCA rodeo next week in Rosenberg. This one is too far away for me to commute back and forth like I did last week so I will be sending in my substitute secretary for the rodeos in Happy - my Mom. She is very knowledgeable and capable so don't be afraid to ask her any questions if they arise. If all else fails, she knows how to reach me.
Have a great week,
posted 9.18.08
I've almost made it through the week of little sleep and so far I don't think I've been rude to anyone. I hope to get through the weekend with that goal intact. Since the PRCA rodeo started yesterday, I have just been driving back and forth to try and get as much work done in the office as possible. I think I am on track to be ready for Saturday morning. Today's accomplishments included getting the points updated so check them out to see how you rank.
Loagan Helton competed in the calf roping slack yesterday. All of the calf ropers, steer wrestlers and team ropers compete twice in the slack and then the top 30 in the average advance into the performances that start tonight. Loagan is one of the top 30 calf ropers and will be competing tonight. He is also entered in the bull riding in Saturday night's performance along with Tri-State alum, Stormy Wing. I will let you know on Monday how they finished up.
posted 9.16.08
CANADIAN RODEO INFORMATION
For about ten minutes this morning, I thought our motel problems at Canadian were solved. I learned that the new Quiet Inn was open for business even though it is still in construction phase. I called ready to block a group of rooms for us but they are completely booked and have been since July. The TWO wedding parties have pretty much booked the entire town. They are supposed to let any extra rooms go the week before the event but I don't foresee that happening. Apparently, one wedding sent out 600 invitations. If you don't already have your reservations, I don't know what to tell you.
I do have better news for your horses, though. There are new stalls on the grounds at the Canadian arena. I don't have all of the details yet but I think the Canadian Rodeo Club will be taking reservations for them in advance like we do at the Finals in Vernon. This way your stalls will have your name on them when you arrive. I will pass along the information when I learn more. There are still indoor stalls available near the arena for $15 a night through Sharon Carr. Her number is 806-323-6790 .
BACK NUMBERS
The extra back numbers I ordered came in yesterday, so starting this weekend, all members will be required to wear back numbers regardless of which association you are a member of. The numbers are specific to each contestant. If you lose your number at some point during the year, it will cost you $5 for a replacement. All Tri-State members who have not been issued a back number yet will need to see Mikey before you compete at Pampa on Saturday.
SEE MIKEY LIST
If you are on the "See Mikey List" at the rodeo, it is because I need to see you. It is much easier for you to find me than for me to come find everyone I need to talk to. Being on the list is not always a bad thing so don't be scared to come talk to me. Please check the list for your name so I don't have to embarrass you by having your name announced. For all you know, I may be giving money away that day. If you don't come see me you will never know.
WRANGLER DIVISION MEMBERS
I will post your entries by tonight on the WD News page. Please check that you are entered in the correct events and notify me if you see any errors. I will try to list potential partners for the ribbon roping and team roping. If you don't get paired up over the phone this week, you can still pair up at the rodeo on Sunday. For the rodeo in Happy, you will need to enter with your partners.
GOAT TYERS
Goats will be tied at 8:30am before each rodeo. If you are there, you are welcome to come help.
posted 9.15.08
I should have stayed up last night and made my posts because I was in a much better mood on the drive home than I am right now. I'm feeling a little cranky this morning. This is going to be hard week for me but I knew it was coming and I will try my best not to be rude to anyone.
I am only in the office today and tomorrow. Starting Wednesday I will be in Amarillo for the PRCA rodeo. That won't leave me much time to get ready for the Pampa rodeos on Saturday and Sunday. Please be patient with me. There are only so many hours in a day to get everything done. If you leave a message on the phone, please be detailed about why you are calling. I will call you back when I get back to the office.
The rodeos in Dumas and Boys Ranch were great! The weather was more than cooperative and both rodeos ran smoothly and finished around 6:20pm. That's not bad for the number of entries we have. Saturday was the best rodeo I have ever worked in Dumas. I have asked Kelli Lanham for several years to try and get the wind under control and she finally pulled through in her last year as Dumas Club sponsor. Thank you Kelli! Boys Ranch probably has my favorite setup of the arenas we compete in. Everyone is so close to the action. This is where I start learning faces of the new members since I can see them up close while they are competing.
Our first two weekends of rodeos have just been so good overall. I drive home hoping/wishing that the rest of the season will be as good. I think it can. As long as everyone continues to take care of business and follow the rules, we should be in good shape. I want to thank everyone for the good job they are doing with the dress code rules. It is an easy and painless rule to follow. Keep up the good work! The only problem I saw came late in the day when the rodeo is winding down. Please make a mental note that you have to be in dress code from the 10am start of the rodeo until the entire rodeo is complete - even if you have finished your competition. I know you all can do it.
50/50 Update: The ticket from Sunday's rodeo at Dalhart was claimed by Rose Wing. She pocketed $276. Brad Reed claimed the ticket drawn at Dumas for $107. The ticket drawn at Boys Ranch was not claimed at the rodeo. Total jackpot came to $291. The winning ticket was grey with a red border - #527528. If this is your ticket, you have until the start of the PM performance at Pampa on Saturday to claim your prize. Thanks to everyone who participates in the drawings. Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund so even if you never win - like me - you know you are helping a worthy cause.
Checks will be mailed and entry fees will be deposited today. I will get the results posted later today. Points will be later this week.
Early start time at Happy. Even though it has been posted at the rodeo and I will start pushing it here until the Happy rodeo, there is going to be somebody who will not know about the early start time. Please make sure your buddies will be on time. We are starting early because Happy is hosting a Wrangler Division rodeo following the high school rodeo and they requested an early start time so the Wrangler members won't be competing at midnight. Please spread the word
Happy rodeo on October 4th will start at 9am.
One more thing: Boys Ranch awarded buckles to each event champion. Since there was not a bareback or saddle bronc champion, those buckles will go to Pampa and will be awarded to the winners on Saturday. Thank you to Boys Ranch for their generosity. If you would like to send a thank you note, the address is Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, ATTN: Tammy Trevino, PO Box 10, Boys Ranch, TX 79010.
posted 9.12.08
Weather Policy
In the rare event that a rodeo is cancelled or postponed, confirmation will be posted here and I will also notify the club sponsors so they can contact each of their members.
While some of you have received record amounts of rainfall, others have received very little. So for now, both rodeos this weekend are on schedule.
Please use your best judgment when it comes to travel. The safety of you, your family and your horses should be top priority.
UPDATE: Judy Thompson is home from the hospital and preparing for Hurricane Ike. Test results confirmed a bad gallbladder that will need to be removed but it is not an emergency situation right now.
Koben Puckett was scheduled for surgery today at 1pm to repair two broken vertebrae in his neck. For updates on his progress, check the link below.
posted 9.11.08
Koben Puckett
A website has been created to allow friends and family to keep up with Koben's progress. The address is www.caringbridge.org. Where it says "Visit a CaringBridge website," enter kobenpuckett. The password is doubleought.
More Health News
Spencer Berry had his gallbladder removed yesterday. He will be out of competition for several weeks.
Judy Thompson, retired THSRA State Secretary, was hospitalized yesterday for chest pains. Test results show her heart is fine but she was kept overnight for observation and more tests today.
posted 9.10.08
Let me start by saying I am not complaining and I'm not making excuses. But it is amazing how much more time it takes to get things done with the number of entries we have. I have tried to mentally prepare myself for the workload of our 6 week schedule knowing that I can sleep in November but it is looking like even longer hours awake and fewer hours asleep than I had figured. Don't get me wrong. I really like what I do but it is frustrating not having enough hours in the day to get everything done that I think needs to get done that day.
So, here it is Wednesday and I am just now getting time to post my thoughts about last weekend:
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For starters, I am very disappointed with what happened at the Holiday Inn Express on Saturday night. The guilty party was blatantly disrespectful to an establishment in one of our host towns. You have no idea the impact your actions will have on the Dalhart Rodeo Club, Tri-State High School Rodeo Association and the rodeo community as a whole. I can't even describe how angry this makes me. It is my hope that the more the membership discusses this amongst themselves, that the guilty party will be revealed to face their punishment.
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Dress Code
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Thank you. I appreciate everyone trying to get in compliance with the rules - even the members that require a little more encouragement than most.
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Please look at page 29 in your new rulebooks for the specifics of dress code. You will notice this section falls under "Contestant Disqualifications." The Directors are not looking for a reason to disqualify you but if you continue to disregard the rules it will cost you. Beginning at Dumas, a new ground rule goes into effect for the remainder of the year. The first time you are caught out of dress code, you will be fined $25. A second offense will cost you $50 and a third offense will disqualify you from the next rodeo.
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If you are unsure where you are required to be in dress code, I suggest taking the high road by being in dress code whenever you leave your trailer area.
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Once the rodeo starts at 10am, you must be in dress code until the entire rodeo is over - even if you are finished with your events.
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I have ordered more Ariat back numbers to assign to the Tri-State members. This way, everyone contestant will be wearing a back number regardless of the association they have joined. Back numbers must be visible at all times.
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Parents: Please read the rules pertaining to helping your child with their events. There are certain areas where you are also required to be in full dress code.
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Event Rules - It is your responsibility to know the rules pertaining to your events. Don't take the chance of getting disqualified because you or your helper wasn't aware of the rules.
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Member Packets - All of you picked up your membership packets at Dalhart. Please take the time to read what is in them. I will have Tri-State membership cards ready at Dumas.
Our rodeos can be so much fun if everyone does their part. The Directors are not hired to babysit on weekends. They are elected by the members to run this Association. They don't like scolding you or imposing fines but if that is what it takes to get you in line, then they will do it. You are all young adults. You shouldn't have to be told more than once to do something.
Since I am a paid employee, technically I will do a little babysitting or what I like to call "training." I don't expect you to know all of the answers. New members need to allow a full year to understand how we do things. That's how long it took me. Some of you may need more time; others not so much. Just know that you are allowed to call or e-mail me if you have questions about something. That is what I am here for.
As of Wednesday, the 50/50 ticket from Sunday is still unclaimed. It is a black and white ticket #616687. You have until the start of the PM performance at Dumas to claim your winnings.
On a sad note, former Tri-State member, Koben Puckett was injured over the weekend while riding a bull at Mesquite. I don't know many of the details other than he was stepped on by the bull at the base of his skull and has no feeling from the chest down. Surgery has been postponed because he has developed pneumonia. Please keep Koben and his family - Dan, Vana and Payson - in your prayers during this very difficult time. Sustaining an injury of this magnitude is hard enough on anyone's finances but being so far away from home multiplies the financial strain. If you are able, please donate what you can to help. Donations are being accepted through their church and when I get the information, I will add it here.
Dan & Vana Puckett are staying at
Baylor Plaza Hotel, Room 1293
3600 Gaston Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75246
posted 9.8.08
My priority today is getting the results figured and checks printed so they can go in the mail in the morning. Your entry fees will not be deposited until tomorrow since it will take me that long to get checks in the mail. I am already behind today because I needed to get my computer updated but taking a little time now to get it working right will likely save lots of time down the road. So it was worth it.
I have plenty to share with you about last weekend but I will probably start rambling and I don't have time for that right now. Check later this week for my observations.
Before I sign off today, I want to thank the Tri-State Directors and the Dalhart Club for their hard work on Saturday and Sunday. They did an awesome job with our first two rodeos of the year. Producing a rodeo is a lot harder than most people realize - both physically and mentally. There are a lot of areas that need to be covered and that takes preparation. You don't just show up the morning of your rodeo and everything is ready and waiting for you. I think the first weekend kind of sets the tone for the rest of the rodeos and I think we are off to a very good start!
I hope you all had fun. I enjoyed meeting the new members and parents and seeing all of the returning families. Be patient with me because it will take me a while to remember all the new names and faces.
I should have the results up by tonight and will try to start the point standings later in the week.
I forgot to post the 50/50 information! Saturday's ticket was unclaimed so $278 was added to Sunday's drawing which is unclaimed as of today. There is a total of $554 in the jackpot to split with the winner and the scholarship fund. If you have a black and white ticket with #616687, you are the winner. As usual, I am a NOT the winner, but this is the closest I have ever come to winning the prize. The winner has until the start of the PM performance at Dumas to claim their money, otherwise all of that money will be added to the Dumas drawing.
FOUND: I also had an AT&T Motorola phone turned in Sunday morning. The battery is dead so I can't figure out who it belongs to. I will have it at Dumas this weekend.
posted 9.2.08
I have made a few corrections/updates to the rotations, so double check that you are still where you are supposed to be.
Also, Saturday is a Directors Rodeo which translates into everyone gets to help out. Here is a copy of the work schedule for the admission gates. Each club is assigned a 1 hour shift during the day and there are 2 gates that need to covered. (Your club sponsors have a copy of this.)
Thankfully, we do not have to divide up the shifts in the concession stand on Saturday! Dalhart is taking care of this and donating a portion of the proceeds to Tri-State. YEA!! Please support the concessions stands - at every rodeo. That income pays a big chunk of the clubs' expenses to host our rodeos.
We will also need help inside the arena. I do not assign clubs to specific events so we rely strictly on volunteers to get in there and help put on this rodeo. Remember, you must be in proper dress code if you are going inside the arena or working pens - even volunteers.
Thanks in advance for everyone's help this weekend,
posted 9.1.08
I am having a hard time believing we start our rodeos next Saturday. I'm excited to get going again but I am getting nervous about whether I will have everything ready in time. I may have some late nights at the computer this week.
There are several members who have incomplete applications. I will be posting the "Ineligible List" later today. You must have all of your missing information turned in before you can compete this weekend.
On to better news: In an attempt to try and stay one step ahead of schedule, I am posting the rotations early. I will make adjustments tomorrow for any entries that arrive late in Tuesday's mail.
Team Ropers: Please look at your list carefully. With the changes we made this year, it is even more confusing trying to sort out the Region 1 teams. Make sure I have the correct partners listed for you and that the correct team is marked for Region1 .
Call me with any corrections!
Boys Events Girls Events Team Roping
Mikey
P.S. I'm not sure if rulebooks will come in before this weekend. If you are a returning member, please keep last year's rulebook handy until the new ones come in.