Schneeberger finds new hope with win at Dodge Prairie Circuit Finals
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — After struggling for two years to regain top form, tie-down roper Jerome Schneeberger has found signs of hope back on his home turf.

Schneeberger, a six-time Prairie Circuit champion (1997-2001, 2003), placed in every round and won the average title with a time of 24.7 seconds on three head to win the Dodge Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, in Kansas City, Mo.

He finished 2 1/2 seconds ahead of runner-up Trent Creager.

"To have that kind of run is more of a confidence builder," Schneeberger told the Kansas City Star. "To tell the truth, I've been down in the dumps the last two years. There's a lot that goes into it, but basically I just didn't rope well.

"I've got a new horse, and it's been pretty green all year. But it's starting to click along. It makes me realize I've still got it."

Schneeberger, 33, has qualified for the Wrangler NFR 10 times, but entering the circuit finals had won just a single PRCA rodeo this year, in Coffeyville, Kan., and finished 45th in the world standings.

The others who advanced through competition at the Kemper Arena to earn spots at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo next April were bareback rider Matt Bright of Azle, Texas (239 points on three head), steer wrestler Stockton Graves of Newkirk, Okla. (11.0 seconds on three runs), team ropers Ty Smith of Edmond, Okla., and Jace Crabb of Blair, Okla. (18.0 seconds on three head), saddle bronc rider Jesse James Kirby of Dodge City, Kan. (241 points on three head), barrel racer Mary Burger of Pauls Valley, Okla. (43.23 seconds on three runs) and bull rider Austin Ambrose of Fletcher, Okla. (246 points on three head).

Night Jacket brings record price of $200,000
Night Jacket, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo bareback horse, was recently sold by Jim and Margaret Zinser to Cullen Pickett of Lancaster & Pickett Pro Rodeo for $200,000, which is believed to be the most money every paid for a rodeo bucking horse.

The 15-year-old horse was part of the Zinsers' stable, and the sale came a year after the family sold off more than 600 head of animals and transitioned out of the rodeo business. They had been part of J Bar J Rodeo, which has been supplying stock to PRCA rodeos since 1996.

Beutler inducted into Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame
Bennie Beutler, one of the PRCA's most respected stock contractors and the assistant general manager of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, has been selected for induction into the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletic Hall of Fame in February.

Beutler will join former SWOSU football players Leonard (Tex) Selvidge and Todd Helton and former Bulldog basketball coach George Hauser in the 2010 class.

Beutler, of Elk City, Okla., was PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year in 1997.

Bullfighter finalist for television commercial
Wyoming bullfighter Jeremy Sparks has been selected one of 25 finalists for a Mutual of Omaha "Aha Moment" national TV commercial campaign. Public online voting through Oct. 31 will determine the 10 winners from the 25 finalists.

To vote for Sparks, go to www.ahamoment.com/pg/voting?id=8452.

Sparks' story about how he pursued his dream and became a bullfighter to protect cowboys was chosen by online voters from 75 semifinalists, Oct. 1-15.

Those who voted for Sparks in the semifinal round may vote for him again in the finals.

Sparks, 32, is a captain in the Air Force, along with being a bullfighter. The Cheyenne resident has had his PRCA card since 2000. Along with Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, Sparks has worked several circuit finals rodeos. To learn more about Sparks, visit his Web site, www.JeremySparks.com.

Gold Card member Jim victim of double shooting
Sonny Jim, a PRCA member for 33 years and a Gold Card member since 1991, died Oct. 23, the victim of a double shooting in Grants, N.M. He was 68.

Jim had agreed to help his friend Wayne Johnson resolve a land dispute, and both men were shot to death when the meeting suddenly turned violent. Danny Stanfield, 61, has been arrested by the Cibola County Sheriff on multiple charges, including murder.

Jim, of Modoc Indian descent, was the national all-around Indian Cowboy in 1969 and 1970. He was also the Indian bareback riding champion in 1970 and the steer wrestling champion in 1982.

A memorial service will be conducted Oct. 29 in Gallup, N.M.

Funeral services held for Charlie Jones in Las Animas, Colo.
Charlie Jones, the father of five-time Wrangler NFR steer wrestling qualifier K.C. Jones, died Oct. 18 in Swedish Hospital in Denver. He was 67. Funeral services were held Oct. 22 at First Presbyterian Church in Las Animas, where he lived with his wife, Ruby.

Charlie Jones competed as a tie-down roper and bull rider during his college years and later was an avid team roper and horse trainer.

A memorial fund has been established at the First National Bank of Las Animas, P.O. Box 270, Las Animas, CO 81054, and the family will make contributions to several worthy causes.