Where Rodeo Meets the Road visits with Central Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame nominee and owner of Happy Animals LLC, Laura Schumann

Join us for an inspiring episode of “Where Rodeo Meets the Road” as we chat with Laura Schumann, a lifelong rodeo enthusiast. Laura’s journey from barrel racing, learning from her mother Sallie Dishman Kelley, to her recent nomination to the Central Texas Hall of Fame for 2023 is nothing short of remarkable. She’s not only a rodeo legend but also the founder of Happy Animals, a company quickly gaining recognition. If you’re unfamiliar with Happy Animals, it’s time to explore their offerings.

Keenan Stampede: Keenan Hayes continues to dominate pro rodeo bareback riding.

Keenan Hayes, a dominant force in bareback riding, is making waves in professional rodeo. Hailing from Hayden, Colorado, Hayes has earned over $225,000 in the 2023 season, leading both the world standings and the Resistol Rookie of the Year race by significant margins. From his early days riding mini steers to his impressive achievements today, discover the journey of this rising star in bareback riding.”

ARENA – End of Summer Issue is out!

As rodeo enthusiasts, we’ve witnessed the thrill of the arena and shared the ups and downs of this incredible sport. With September marking the final stretch of the pro rodeo season, we’re gearing up for circuit finals and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR). Our growing following empowers us to bring you more rodeo coverage. Stay tuned for the PBR Camping World Team Series World Finals, Miss Rodeo America’s crowning, and more. At The Arena Press, we’re proud to be part of the rodeo-loving media community. Rodeo is the word—spread the word.

Where Rodeo Meets the Road visits with WPRA Rookie Barrel Racer Kalli McCall

Today’s guest is WPRA Rookie Barrel Racer Kalli McCall. The 2023 Resistol Rookie barrel race is a tight one this year. All year Kalli has been battling with Rainey Skelton and Victoria Procter to see who will be the top Rookie this year. A big win came for Kalli at the Rookie Roundup in Fort Worth ealier this year with her horse Mohawk. All summer long Kalli has been grinding away to acheive her goals. Kalli has brought on a new horse into her lineup named Dyna, who she will finish up the season with. Win or lose she has given it her all.

THE AMERICAN RODEO ANNOUNCES RETURN TO GLOBE LIFE FIELD IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS, MARCH 8 – 9, 2024WITH NEW THREE-YEAR VENUE PARTNERSHIP

Teton Ridge announces the return of The American Western Weekend to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on March 8-9, 2024. This iconic event, hosted by Teton Ridge, will showcase The American Rodeo and The American Performance Horseman, featuring top-notch western sports and entertainment. Partnering with Concerts West and AEG Presents, Teton Ridge promises world-class musical talent to enrich the experience. Following the success of the 2023 event with increased viewership and substantial prize money, the 2024 edition aims to continue the momentum. Stay tuned for ticketing information, performer lineup, and more exciting details to be announced later this year. Subscribe to Teton Ridge Plus for exclusive alerts and offers.

Record Breakers: Summer Kosel and Sue Smith Shine at Cheyenne Frontier Days

A long-standing barrel racing arena record broken, not once, but three times in two years at the Daddy of ‘Em All.

On Championship Sunday, Summer Kosel and her gelding, Apollo, broke their own 17.02-second record from the 2022 Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) with a smoking 16.97 run. However, Sue Smith and her mare, Centerfold, came in hot with a time of 16.89 seconds to take over the 2023 win and the record.

Summer Kosel

From Glenham, South Dakota, Kosel has earned more than $62,000 by attending just over 30 rodeos in the 2023 season. The wife and mother of four has only held her Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) membership since 2017, after her kids were old enough to peewee rodeo themselves; but her and Apollo have made waves in the barrel racing world the past three years.

Sue Smith

Smith’s win and new arena record are proof of her exceptional horse training; but it’s not the first time her training has led to a CFD win, as the horse Andrea Busby won the legendary rodeo on in 2022 won more than $76,000 on the futurity scene with Smith. After being crowned champion in Cheyenne, Wyoming at 68 years old, Smith jumped from number 17 in the world standings to sixth with earnings of more than $89,000 in her most exciting rodeo season since 2009, when she finished fifth in the world.

Big things are happening for both CFD barrel racing winners and the horses carrying them to great heights, and an exceptional end to their seasons is expected for the two experienced horsewomen!

The Unstoppable Force: Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi

In the world of professional rodeo, there’s a name that stands out as a symbol of tenacity and triumph—Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. Hailing from Lampasas, Texas, and boasting two world championship titles (2007 and 2009), she is currently leading the world standings by a remarkable margin of over $35,000. With more than two decades of rodeo experience, Pozzi Tonozzi has made her mark, securing an impressive 16 qualifications for the prestigious Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The 2023 season has been a triumph for Pozzi Tonozzi, marked by significant victories at renowned rodeos such as the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo and the illustrious Calgary Stampede. Her exceptional partnership with the remarkable horse, Jets Top Gun, fondly known as Benny, has been the driving force behind her success. At the 2023 Reno Rodeo, she blazed through the arena to set a new record with a blistering 16.70-second run in the short round. Pozzi Tonozzi’s dominance continued at the Utah Days of ‘47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City, where she further extended her lead in the world standings with an astounding $17,688 win, crossing the $3 million threshold in her Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) career. Last year’s NFR showcased her prowess, with notable placements in four out of 10 rounds, including a tie for the win in the sixth round—her first NFR round victory since 2011. With her unmatched skill and determination, there’s no doubt she’ll be chasing a third NFR average title and a third world championship this year. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi continues to be an inspiration to aspiring cowgirls worldwide, showing that true grit and relentless effort can lead to triumph in the world of rodeo.