Equine
A Rodeo Family
By Krista Lucas
The rodeo life can come with many ups and downs, especially when trying to raise a family. One couple that is navigating life on the road, as well as family life, has shown it is possible to do both and be successful at it all.
Tyler and Jessi Wade have been involved in the rodeo world their entire lives. They both grew up competing in junior and high school rodeos and met each other at a Texas High School Rodeo Association event that was held at Tyler’s parents’ indoor arena.
They were married in 2015, and now reside in Terrell, Texas. Tyler has qualified for a second trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as a header in the team roping. He qualified in 2016 and finished 10th in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association standings for the year roping with Dakota Kirchenschlager.
“It was great,” Tyler said. “It’s something I have thought about since I was a kid, so to make it a reality was awesome.”
In 2017, he finished 28th in the world standings with $45,229. This year, he has worked harder than ever before to make it back to Las Vegas in the 12th spot and will be roping with Cole Davison at the WNFR.
“I made quite a few mistakes last time, the way I practiced and trying to change too much about my roping. I’m comfortable enough with my roping now; I’m going to just focus on that,” Tyler said. “I switched horses last time because I wasn’t sure which one to ride. This year, I will take Fonzie and plan on riding him all 10 rounds. It’s nice to have a lot of confidence in the horse you are riding.”
To read more pick up a copy of the December 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922
Equine
AQHA Horse of the Year
By Krista Lucas Wynn
Each year, when the professional rodeo season wraps on Sept. 30, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce the Nutrena Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, in each event. This is a prestigious award, voted on by the members of the associations. To be named Horse of the Year by fellow competitors is a high honor only a few achieve.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Equine
Tuff Enough: Tuff Hardman Wins Big At Cheyenne Frontier Days
By: Krista Lucas Wynn | Copy Editor
The name, “Daddy of ’em All,” instantly brings to mind the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. Cowboys and cowgirls from all across the country dream of competing on the iconic Cheyenne arena dirt.
Every July, pro rodeo contestants travel to Cheyenne, Wyom. to vie for the title of champion of the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The rodeo is steeped in western tradition and celebrated the 125th year this summer. With nearly two weeks of rodeo action, fans watched bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and steer roping.
Steer roper, Tuff Hardman, knew winning “the Dad” was a tall order, but with a good horse and a few prayers he left no doubt who the best steer roper at Cheyenne was when it was all said and done. After two rounds, Hardman qualified back for the finals tied for ninth place with a time of 30.8 seconds.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Country Lifestyles
Mandy Cleveland & Stable Strides Farm
Utilizing the horse to human connection.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
“My boys have been riding since they were 18 months old, and for the first 17 years they had a leader and sidewalker. When we moved here, and Mandy started teaching them, she just said, ‘Let’s see what they can do,’ and they ride independently now,” Danielle Frank explained, whose two sons, Adison and Aiden, ride with Stable Strides Farm. “Mandy is amazing beucase she doesn’t place any limits on them, she always wants to see what they can do.”
It is her dedication to never setting limits that earned Cleveland a spot as a national finalist for the NSBA 2024 Dianne Eppers Cowgirls Reaching-Out-to-Community Award. The award was established by the NSBA Foundation to recognize cowgirls across the industry for their selfless contributions to the equestrian community.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of the NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
(Photos Courtesy of Hannah Claxton)
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