2023
STOCK CONTRACTOR ~ FRONTIER RODEO COMPANY
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Jerry Nelson’s Frontier Rodeo Company, established in 1991, and now one of the world’s largest rodeo stock contractoring companies.
The ranch consists of 10,000 acres of the land and home for approximately 300 head of bucking horses, mares and colts, 80 or so bucking bulls and breeding stock; 300 head of roping steers and probably 100 head of bulldogging steers.
Nelson didn’t have a goal of making a lot of money, or to achieve fame with this venture. He loved rodeo, especially bulls, and was determined to make the sport better than it was. And he did just that! In the early 1990s he purchased 50 acres of land near Hamshire, TX, and constructed a rodeo arena. In 1992 he invested in a bucking bull and traveled the rodeo circuit with him for a few years.
Frontier Rodeo Company quickly grew and branched out in the mid-1990s when Nelson began forming a staff. He soon acquired land in the gypsum hills south of Freedom.
Frontier contracts rodeo stock throughout the United States from Florida to Elko Nevada. The company’s list of awards and honors incude 8-time PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Stock Contractor of the Year, 4-time PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year (Medicine Woman), 2-time PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year (Full Baggage), 2013 PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year (Maple Leaf) & they've been the recipient of the Remuda Award twice (2012 & 2016). The Remuda is an award given by the PRCA for a high caliber herd of bucking horses. In 2019 they were recognized as the WPRA (Women's Professional Rodeo Association) Stock Contractor of the Year.
In the 2012 National Finals, Frontier Rodeo Company became the first PRCA stock contractor to have the top bareback horse in the National Finals four years in a row and in 2011 the company was first to win both bareback and saddle bronc Horse of the Year awards in the same year.
Numerous other awards have been earned by the company’s horses and bulls. And, yes, the early bull herd included Jerry’s first bull, Tough Enough, who had been “retired.”
Nelson and wife, Beverly, have been married over 40 years and have two children, Candace and Jerry III, and four grandchildren, who he lists as one of his favorite hobbies, along with basketball, rodeo, bulls and horses.
Nelson remains industrious and enjoys 12 to 14 hour workdays with the rodeo stock contracting and other business ventures, including Maverick International in Beaumont, TX and The Stables in Freedom, OK.
Nelson got his start in the oil business when he was 18 and still maintains that business along with his son in Winnie, TX.
While Frontier Rodeo Company, based out of Winnie and Freedom, is owned by Nelson, two other men are an important part of success and growth of the company. They are former world champion bull rider Donnie Gay, general manager, and Heath Stewart, rodeo manager and Freedom ranch foreman. With the staff and workers which have been assembled, Frontier Rodeo Company will no doubt continue to provide what the cowboys want…the best bucking stock anywhere.
For more information about this amazing company go to www.frontierrodeocompany.com
RODEO CLOWN ~ JOHN HARRISON
John Harrison and team are affectionately know as "The Clown Family" among rodeo fans and professionals. You rarely see John at a rodeo with out his tribe. He and his wife, Carla have had 4 children. Addy, their oldest is embarking on a fun journey of her own. She interviews contestants & personnel and then asks them questions kids want to know about. Caz, their son, has been seen dressed just like John entertaining and doing flips during the mutton busting, but now is focusing on steer riding and all things hunting. Next in line would be Billie, a daughter, now an angel in Heaven now. Capping off the crew is the youngest girl, Charlee, who is the self proclaimed "leader" of everything, but especially the Clown Family!
John comes by the family aspect honestly, while he is a noted rodeo clown and barrelman, his late grandfather was rodeo legend, Freckles Brown. (Freckles rode the "unrideable" bull Tornado, the subject of Western Music songs, and was a World Champion Bull Rider in 1962) John was around rodeo and rodeo people his whole life. He became a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 1999, as a trick and roman rider, and trick roper. He later diversified and added barrelman to his PRCA card.
John has worked rodeos from coast to coast and has made 11 appearances at the prestigious Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, three times as a specialty act performer and 8 times as a barrelman. You may see John just about anywhere in the United States entertaining crowds in his signature yellow shirt with red fringe and topped off with the red cowboy hat. He packs several different acts with him in his living quarters trailer, so there is no telling what you may see!
ANNOUNCER ~ JODY CARPER
Jody spent his first 30 years in Big Spring TX, and rodeo has been a part of his life since the beginning. He and his brother competed in all of the timed events in junior rodeo and high school rodeo. In 1991, just out of high school, Jody was asked to announce the local high school rodeo. That started him being hired to announce junior and amateur rodeos all around Texas and New Mexico. Jody has been selected 5 times by the PRCA to announce the National Finals Steer Roping and 2 times as the Ram National Circuit Finals Announcer. He has also announced many other great rodeos across the United States and Canada.
ANNOUNCER ~ SCOTT GROVER
Scott Grover, who resides just outside of Kansas City, Missouri with wife Becky and son Statler, and daughter’s Lano and Clemmie, first picked up a microphone at the age of 19. Since that day Scott’s career has grown beyond his wildest dreams. Scott calls the action at numerous events a year from California to New York and Texas to Canada and all points in between.
Scott has been selected six times to call the action at the Ram Prairie Circuit Finals, and selected in 2014 for the Ram National Circuit Finals. Scott also called the action at the Clem McSpadden Nationals Finals Steer Roping, the PBR World Finals and was the WPRA Announcer of the Year in 2017 Along with being the voice at some of the best PRCA rodeo’s he can also be heard at some of the top PBR Events in the World and as a broadcaster for RidePass.com
Scott’s exciting delivery will bring you as close to the action and the contestants as you can get.
Check him out at www.scottgrover.org
The mission of the Living with Fire (LWF) Program is to provide recommendations to residents on preparing for wildfire and reducing wildfire threat to homes and communities. Since its inception in 1997, LWF has created materials for residents that have been shared and applied to fire-prone regions throughout the country. LWF provides resources to homeowners, educators, community groups and firefighting professionals to improve defensible space, ensure homes have proper building materials, manage native and non-native vegetation and prepare for evacuation. Through community outreach events, peer-reviewed publications, social media and television and radio interviews, the LWF team brings the most up-to-date information on wildfire preparedness to Nevada residents and others across the country. LWF is a collaborative effort among federal, state, local firefighting agencies, and resource management agencies. LWF is managed by University of Nevada Reno, Extension, an EEO/AA institution. Living with Fire is the proud sponsor of the Silver State Stampede Jumbotron
WALTON SCOREBOARDS & BACKLASH MEDIA
Several years ago the Silver State Stampede started a lifelong relationship which changed the rodeo forever. We can't even think about what the rodeo was like before the Jumbotron and video that we have today. We owe this to Scott Walton of Walton Scoreboards and Andrew Jones of Backslash Media Inc. and their crews. Setup starts days before the rodeo with several hard working individuals and continues long after that last chute opens or gate closes. The production of the Silver State Stampede on The Cowboy Channel in 2020 was professional and first class!
SOUND ~ ATKINSON SOUND
Atkinson Sound was started in August 1980 by Hoyt Atkinson. Our first jobs were simple DJ systems, use for dances at the local high school. Atkinson Sound is committed to provide the best equipment and personal to every customer. Atkinson Sound has expanded into a regional Sound Rental/Production and Audio Video Integrator. Having grown from what Larry Holt started in 1924 to one of the West’s most preferred audio and video companies; Atkinson Sound is “Sound at its Best” Atkinson Sound was brought in at the last minute to do the sound for the 2020 NFR in Arlington TX as the Globe Life Field sound wasn't up to par for the NFR. They are an invaluable asset to the Silver State Stampede.
SSS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Pat Laughlin ~ President
Alkie Mariluch ~ 1st Vice President
Scott Manoukian ~ 2nd Vice President
Jim Conner ~ Treasurer
Cathy Laughlin - Secretary
Board Members
Ralph Chiquete
Bob Rosevear
Julie Gabrielson
Brandon Casey
Matt Smith
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The Silver State Stampede Association is a non-profit organization relying on the wonderful assistance of many volunteers. Without each and every volunteer and the many duties they do, it would not be possible to put on such an event. If you would like to volunteer please click below to send an email.
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