Contestants anxious to compete at Will Rogers Stampede
Ted Harbin

CLAREMORE, Okla. – In his career, Britt Bockius has traveled millions of miles pursuing his livelihood as a professional team roper.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, he’ll travel just a couple of miles to compete against the other elite cowboys who will be part of the field at the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 28-Sunday, May 30.

“One of the things I like about that rodeo is that it’s just three miles from the house,” said Bockius, a 13-time qualifier in heeling at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “It’s nice to have one that close. It’s nice to have a hometown rodeo.”

It isn’t the only Oklahoma event sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. In fact, it’s one of three events in the Prairie Circuit that weekend – as are Tonganoxie, Kan., and Hinton, Okla. – but it allows the local contestants a chance to spend quality time at home before hitting the rodeo trail in search of that elusive gold buckle. It’s also a rodeo that could help the contestants reach the sport’s pinnacle, the world championship.

“Over the last eight years, we have increased the size of this rodeo and stepped it up to a new level,” said David Petty, the rodeo’s chairman. “We are in the top five of rodeos in Oklahoma. We’ll pay out over $75,000.”

            That kind of prize money not only pulls regional cowboys to Rogers County, but also the top names in the business. Each of the eight events will feature multiple world-title winners.

            “It’s really nice to have a good ProRodeo that close to home,” said Tana Poppino, a two-time NFR qualifier from Big Cabin, Okla., a mere half-hour drive from the Will Rogers Round Up Club Arena. “You have a lot of friends and folks at home that follow you, and a hometown rodeo give them a chance to see you compete.”

            Those chances are slim, for the most part. Poppino won the barrel racing at the rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas, and has held one of the top spots in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s standings. Bockius and partner Shane Phillip won the rodeo in Denver to open the year. But both would love to trot out their Will Rogers Stampede titles to show the folks in northeastern Oklahoma.

            “I think it’s cool to compete at my hometown rodeo,” Bockius said. “I haven’t ever won it, and I’d like to be able to do that. I think, sometimes, a guy has a tendency to weigh too much on performing at home, but in the other sense, it’s a rodeo you want to win.

            “The rodeo is giving us a shot at good money. In this area at that time, it’s pretty big in the Prairie Circuit.”

            The Will Rogers Stampede is also part of the All-American Series, a tour made up of rodeos across the country. Contestants can earn points specifically for the series in order to qualify for its finals, which will take place in the fall in Waco, Texas.

            For those who are counting, the Claremore rodeo counts toward the Prairie Circuit standings, the All-American Series standings and the world standings. In a sport where dollars equal points, any money won in Rogers County over Memorial Day weekend can provide them with more opportunities later in the season.

            “We’ve literally doubled the number of our contestants from what it was 10 years ago,” Petty said. “The All-American Series has been a big asset to us, because it’s another reason the contestants want to be here. We’ve been one of the top 100 rodeos in the country, and that says a lot.

            “By getting so many of the great cowboys and cowgirls, we’re able to add to what I think is already a great piece of entertainment for the community. It’s the cheapest family entertainment in Rogers County. An adult rodeo ticket is $10, and it’s good, family-value entertainment. We pride ourselves on hiring good acts, clean acts.”

            It’s not the only thing that brings pride to the members of the round up club. The volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year to produce the rodeo, now in its 64^th year.

            “I think the committee has worked very hard, and they’re trying to make it better all the time, like changing it to a Sunday performance with all that’s going on then,” Poppino said, referring to the inaugural “Christian Cowboy Celebration” that will precede the rodeo at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 30. “I think it’s going to allow opportunities for a lot of people to see the rodeo, and they’ve got Susie McEntire coming in to sing at it.

            “For the barrel racers, the arena has excellent ground. They’ve worked hard to make it good, and we appreciate it.”

            Combined, it provides a good place to enjoy the tremendous athletes and overall showcase that is the Will Rogers Stampede.

            “Rodeo is good, clean family fun,” Poppino said. “People can bring their kids out and enjoy fast horses and pretty ladies for a price they can afford. In fact, it’s the kind of entertainment they can enjoy a couple of nights and afford.”

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