Schwenke, Beers post 3.4-second run in Canadian Tour Finals
CALGAY, ALBERTA — Americans fared well in the Canadian Tour Championships, Oct. 2-4 at the Calgary Corral. However, Shane Schwenke and Mike Beers did a little something extra. The duo roped their steer in 3.4 seconds — believed to be the fastest recorded time in competition.

"Before they announced our time, I yelled at Mike, 'How fast were we?' said Schwenke, a header from Montana. "Mike laughed and said, 'That was fast.'"

The two tied the Canadian record of 3.7 seconds in the semifinal round, but never dreamed they could be 3.4 in the same arena 45 minutes later.

"That 3.7 was the fastest I'd ever been in my life," said Schwenke, 42, who was riding Canadian champion Murray Linthicum's gray horse, Roller.

The PRCA-sanctioned world record of 3.5 seconds is shared by five teams and was most recently tied by JoJo LeMond and Randon Adams at the Buc Days Pro Rodeo, April 22, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

"I had an idea how fast it was, and it was the fastest I'd ever been," said Beers, 51, from Oregon. "I mean, things happened so fast. We had a great steer. Shane did a great job, and I just kind of cleaned it up. It was awesome; we had a good time."

Schwenke and Beers earned $5,000 apiece and are scheduled to compete in the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton next month.

In other events, Oregon's Bobby Mote (bareback riding), Idaho's Nate Baldwin (tie-down roping) and Texan Brittany Pozzi (barrel racing) also won Canadian tour titles. Canadians Cody Cassidy (steer wrestling), Justin Berg (saddle bronc riding) and Ty Elliott (bull riding) were the other Tour winners.

World champion bronc rider sweeps Dodge Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy demonstrated some of his world championship form by sweeping his event at the Dodge Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, Oct. 1-3.

The 2007 world champion from Corona, N.M. swept the first, second and third rounds, to easily win the average with a score of 244 points on three head. Muncy's top score was an 84-point ride on Salt River Rodeo's Blueberry in the first round. He pocketed a total of $4,965 and had an opportunity to hone his skills heading into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 3-12, in Las Vegas. Prize money won at the circuit finals does not count toward the PRCA World Standings. However, Muncy, 22, is in 10th place in the PRCA World Standings and will be able to add to his 2009 earnings if he wins prize money at the Heartland ProRodeo Championships, Oct. 9-17 in Waco, Texas.

In other events, Jared Green of Socorro, N.M., won the bareback riding title. Wickenburg, Ariz., cowboy Dean McIntyre finished first in the average in the steer wrestling and the duo of Erich Rogers (Round Rock, Ariz.) and Cory Petska (Lexington, Okla.) claimed the rodeo's team roping title. Tie-down roper Joseph Parsons of Marana, Ariz., barrel racer Kelsi Elkins of Aztec, N.M., and bull rider Rankin Lindsey of Hillsboro, N.M., were the other average champions. The average winners and year end qualifiers from the circuit finals advance to the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, April 7-10, 2010, in Pocatello, Idaho.

Plans under way for Pendleton Round-Up 2010 centennial celebration
PENDLETON, Ore. — Pendleton Round-Up Association members are getting ready for their 2010 centennial celebration by renovating the west grandstand bleachers and covering those 8,000 seats. The project also includes construction of booths to sell refreshments, as well as three additional sets of restroom facilities. The 2010 Round-Up is set for Sept. 15-18. Round-Up week festivities begin Sept. 11 with a parade and concert.

Advance tickets for the 2010 Round-Up are already sold out for Sept. 17-18, according to Round-Up Director Troy LeGore. Some additional tickets may be available in the spring if tickets are returned or if additional seating is found.

The Round-Up Association has a three-pronged approach to improving the four-day rodeo, which is held annually the second full week of September.

"First, two years ago, we really concentrated on making things better for the contestants," said Randy Severe, Round-Up president. "This year, our focus was the volunteers, and we constructed a parking lot for their use. Now, we're focusing on the spectators with this project and the Centennial Plaza, which will be totally complete by the 100th anniversary rodeo."

In other Round-Up news, about $6,000 was raised for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund at the 2009 Cowboy Memorial Golf Tournament, held Sept. 14 in Pendleton, Ore. The Pendleton golf tourney has raised more than $90,000 since its inception.

"This is the 20th year that Pendleton has had a golf tournament to help raise money for JCCF, and we're extremely appreciative," said Cindy Schonholtz, JCCF program manager. "There is so much going on during Round-Up week, and the community still makes the time to come out and support this great event."

A field of 56 entrants participated, and the team of Wayne McMeans, Steve Smith, Brian Brasburgh and Jack Cahlin finished first with a score of 58.

Team roping heeler Richard Durham of Morgan Mill, Texas, won the closest-to-the pin challenge. PRCA Supervisor of Pro Officials Tommy Keith finished first in the longest-drive contest. For more information on the JCCF, visit ProRodeo.com.

Also, about $20,000 was raised during the Wrangler Tough Enough To Wear Pink 2009 Pendleton Round-Up campaign. Pink-shirt day was on Sept. 17, and various activities were held to raise money, along with the auctioning of pink items.

Three Elshere bronc riders to compete in Dodge Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo
MINOT, N.D. — Expect to hear the name Elshere announced several times in the saddle bronc riding at the Dodge Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, Oct. 8-11, at the State Fair Center in Minot, N.D. Brothers Ryan and J.J. Elshere, along with their cousin, Cole Elshere, will be among the contestants.

Ryan and J.J., along with an older brother and sister, grew up in Milesville, S.D., about 30 miles north of Philip. Ryan, 33, ranches outside Elm Springs, S.D., and J.J., 29, lives in Quinn. Cole, 20, grew up in Faith, S.D., and is a college student in Gillette, Wyo.

J.J. Elshere, who competes full-time, is a two-time Badlands Circuit champion and is in third place in the PRCA World Standings with only the Heartland ProRodeo Championships remaining in the 2009 season. J.J., who hopes to make the family proud, appears to be headed to his third Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 3-12, in Las Vegas. J.J. claimed the average title at the 2006 Wrangler NFR.

Along with competing and enjoying the circuit finals, the Elshere clan is using the event as somewhat of a family reunion. The cousins — Ryan's three kids, ages 10, 6 and 2, and J.J.'s three boys, ages 7, 5 and five months — will have time to play together while their dads ride saddle broncs.

"The cousins have a good time," J.J. said. "They'll have a ball."

For more information about the Dodge Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo, visit www.MinotYsMensRodeo.com