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A supplement of the
Mineral Wells Index
May 2016

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 2

Values. Commitment. Community.

First Financial Bank is proud to be part of this great community. We welcome this years
rodeo participants and wish them the best. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to
make the ride... So, hats off to everyone on the trail!

MEMBER FDIC

MINERAL WELLS
1900 E. HUBBARD

940-327-5400

FFIN.COM

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 3

79th ANNUAL PALO PINTO

COUNTY LIVESTOCK
ASSOCIATION PRCA RODEO
May 11-14, 2016
PPCLA Arena n FM Road 1821 North

ADVANCE TICKETS Adults $10, youth $5, ages 5 and under free.
AT THE GATE $12 and $6.
Advance tickets available from a rodeo queen and princess candidate, at
the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce, 501 E. Hubbard St.,
Titan Bank, 1701 E. Hubbard St., and First Financial Bank, 1900 E.
Hubbard St., and Community National Bank, 101S.E. 1st Ave.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, May 11th

5 p.m. - Slack starts. No charge to come out
and watch.
Thursday, May 12th
5 p.m. Rodeo parade, downtown Mineral
Wells.
7:30 p.m. Rodeo begins.
Military Appreciation Night Military IN
UNIFORM get in free. Out of uniform, with military
ID, get in for half price. (Discounts only apply to
tickets purchased at the gate.)
Mutton bustin.
Friday, May 13th
7:30 p.m. Rodeo begins
Pink Out For Cancer Night - a portion of the
nights proceeds will go to cancer research.
Mutton bustin.
9:30 p.m. Dance at the Expo Center with the Greg Gilbert Band.
Saturday, May 14th
7:30 p.m. Rodeo begins.
Crowning of PPCLA rodeo queen and princess.
Mutton bustin.

Greg Gilbert, of Santo, and his band will be performing for this years rodeo
dance, set for 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 13, at the Expo Center.

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 4

Man in the Can Harrison delivers a barrel full of laughs

John Harrison lives in Soper,
Okla., with wife, Carla, daughters
Addison and Billie, and son
Cazwell. He has a degree in
Agriculture Business and is a certified Equine Massage Therapist.
John was 6 when he received his
first trick-riding lesson after watching a trick rider perform at a nearby
rodeo. Since then he has trained
and performed with many of the
best trick riders in the world.
John became a member of the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association (PRCA) in 1999 as a
trick and roman rider, and trick
roper. He has since diversified and
added barrelman to his
Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association card.
Today, John entertains with his

walk and talk comedy that is

backed by his quick wit, and with
his strongest acts Miss Rodeo
Universe and Comedy Trick Riding.
In 2010, a new breed of magician
hit the rodeo trail and this is one
disappearing feat that would leave
Houdini puzzled.
John has been selected to perform three times at the prestigious
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in
Las Vegas. Seven times he has
been nominated for Comedy Act of
the Year, four times nominated for
Coors Man in the Can, and four
times for PRCAs Clown of the
Year. 2012 John picked up the coveted award of Comedy Act of the
Year, and he hasnt stopped smiling
since. Blessings have continued as
he was voted to work the 2013
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as
the barrelman.

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 5

2016 RODEO SPONSORS AND BUNTING BUDDIES

SCOREBOARD SPONSORS
KEG 1 - ONEAL DISTRIBUTING
UPHAM OIL &GAS
MATTRESS DEPOT

Specialty Sponsors
Benefactor Mineral Wells Area
Chamber of Commerce
John Harrison Comedy Act
Progressive Waste Solutions
Thursday Night $790 Drawing
Ram Country
Rodeo Dance Ms. Barbara Upham
Grand Entry Scott Mitcham
Construction Company
All-Round Cowboy Comfort Suites
Barrelman Palo Pinto
General Hospital
Bull Fighters Mesquite Pit
North Roping Time Clock
Metro Foods
Program Best Western Inn

Combination Sponsors
Preston Lawn Care & Construction
Santibanez Construction
Official Veterinarian
Sonny Seale, DVM
Official Printer Weavers
Print Shop
Arena Tractor Supplier Bramlett
Implement

Event Sponsors
Bull Riding 1st Section Palo Pinto
Co. Farm Bureau & Insurance
Steer Wrestling Holiday Inn
Express
Mutton Bustin W.C. Ranch
Tie Down Roping Masseys
Environmental Services
Bareback Riding Titan Bank
Saddle Bronc Riding
Diamond Pharmacy
Pro Team Roping Brazos Valley
Spring Water
County Team Roping
Garner Equine
Barrel Racing Ram Country Dodge
Bull Riding 2nd Round Diamond
Pharmacy

Wall Sign Advertisers

Comanche National Bank,
Santo/Cool
First National Bank /
Gordon & Strawn
Furr Building Materials
Price Surveying
Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner
Palo Pinto Nursing and Rehab
HM Weapons Mfg.
Taco Casa
Chicken Express
Walden Farm and Ranch
Ace Hardware
Four Seasons Dental Clinic
Southside Church of Christ
Mac Coalson Real Estate
Nickols Exhaust Center
BJs Pizza Mingus
Pilgrim Farm & Ranch
D&D Motors
Lonestar Ranch &
Outdoors/New Holland
Lonestar Ranch & Outdoors/
Mahindra
Richeson DQ - Mineral Wells
East & Santo
92.1 FM The Hank
95.9 FM The Ranch
Metro Foods
Natty Flats Smokehouse
and Furniture
Community National Bank
The Cellar Wine and Spirits
Blind Horse Saloon Weatherford
Lone Star Ag Credit Weatherford
Walmart Mineral Wells

Combination Sponsors
Personalized Communication
Nesmith Trucking
Community Christian School
Waddy Pharmacy
Premier Properties
Waking Paradise Construction
Matheson Tri-Gas
ACRT - A/C, Heating, &
Refrigeration

Special Thanks To
Palo Pinto County Sheriffs Posse
Parker County Sheriffs Posse
Area Emergency Medical Services
Area Law Enforcement Departments
County FFA & 4H Members
County Fire Departments
Mineral Wells Index
Lake Country Sun
Awards & More

Chute Sponsors
First Financial Bank
HMW Fabrication
Jack Powell Ford
HM Weapons Manuf.
Mineral Wells B&PT
Collision Center
North Release Ellis Equipment Co.

88.5 QXFM The RAM

Cowboy Jubilee - Judy James
Joe Bielinski Country Caf
Richards Signs & Cranes
Grant Gilbert Band
Perri Leavelle Design
Ferrell Gas
Mineral Wells Rent-All
Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church
Cowboy Church of Mineral Wells

BUNTING BUDDIES
The following businesses are supporting the 2016 Mineral Wells ProRodeo by renting rodeo bunting for
the front of their stores. . Shop with
these folks to show your appreciation for their support of rodeo the
Texas national sport!
Mineral Area Wells Chamber
Auto Tech Center
Patterson Agency (Germania)
Hickeys Dairy Queen
Keys For Texas Realty
Awards & More
Simms Lumber Co.
Edward Jones Jimmy Walker
TLS Sportswear

Brazos Animal Hospital

Bennetts Office Supply
Source 1 Real Estate
Coles House of Flowers
Mineral Wells Rent-All
Famous Water Company
Brazos Valley Physical Therapy
Kwik Kar Lube
Pennys Flower Shop
City of Mineral Wells (Lance
Howerton)
Armor Self Storage
My Fathers Business
Weavers Print Shop
Waddys Pharmacy
Mineral Wells Index
Awesome Blossoms
Garretts Jewelry & Loan
Double H Tire
Davis Glass & Body
Randys Service Center
Noels Auto Sales
Jesses Drive Inn
Action Service & Electric
Corner Post Financial
D&D Motors
Kelly & Company Hair Salon

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 6

THE VOICE OF RODEO

Doug Mathis returns to call the action

Whether its roping steers or riding
bulls, PRCA Rodeo Announcer Doug
Mathis will engage audiences as he
calls the action in the 76th annual
Mineral Wells Pro Rodeo.
Mathis, who hails from Cleburne,
has been a member of the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association since 1995, and is
ranked as one of the top announcers
in the country.
In a career filled with highlights,
announcing the 2005 Dodge National
Circuit Finals in Pocatello, Idaho, and
the 2009 National Finals Steer Roping
put feathers in his cap. Additionally,
Mathis placed seventh out of all PRCA
announcers for Announcer of the
Year voting in 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09
and 10.
He was recently selected to
announce the 2013 National Circuit
Finals steer roping competition.

Also in 2005, 2006 and 2007

Doug was chosen for the TV broadcasting job on The Altitude Channel
for the Greeley Independence Day
Stampedes Extreme Bull Riding.
Even though he has appeared in
several fashion print campaigns,
Mathis is not just another pretty face,
but his overall presentation and attitude have won him the admiration of
all those he works with.
His outstanding ability to make what
goes on in the arena look better than
what it is and his smooth intelligent
delivery satisfies the seasoned fan as
well as newcomers.
Mathis is a highly sought after
announcer, but his voice and face
have taken him further outside of the
arena than he expected.
Besides the numerous national
fashion print campaigns, Mathis can
also be seen acting in television com-

mercials from Reliant Energy to the

television pilot of Knockoffs, and from
CBSs New Years Eve at Billy Bobs
Texas to Tylenol and Esquire watches.
He also appeared in George Straits
Pure Country.
Mathis has been behind the mike
since he sustained a career-ending
injury as a bull rider. He has
announced in 23 states and averages 50,000 miles a year on the road.
He jokes that he gets his mail in
Cleburne, but that he really lives on
the road.
My friends are on the road and part
of the fun of working in this industry is
reconnecting every year, he said.
When hes not announcing rodeos,
Mathis can be found on his family
ranch overseeing his 65 head of mother cows and calves.
Come rodeo with Mathis and his
friends. Youll be glad you did.

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 7

79th Annual Palo Pinto County

Livestock Association Parade
Thursday, May 12 5 p.m.

As always,downtown parade
to get rodeo kick started

his years annual Mineral Wells

Pro Rodeo parade is set to begin
at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 12.
Lineup begins at 4 p.m. near the old
train depot at S.E. 3rd Street and S.E.
1st Avenue.
The route is the same as last year,
beginning on S.E. 1st Avenue near the
historic train depot. It will go east
along S.E. 1st Street, turn north onto
S.E. 4th Avenue then head back
toward downtown on East Hubbard
Street. The parade will turn north at

the Baker Hotel and go past the

Womens Club building before heading
south through downtown back to the
parades start.
Judging will take place for the following categories: commercial; clubs;
horse and rider; antique cars and tractors; children and youth; and churches.
Parade entry is free and open to all, but
registration is required.
The parade and all rodeo events
require horses have a current, negative
Coggins.

We Buy Properties!

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 8

Meet the 2016 rodeo queen, princess candidates R

Here are this years contestants for the title of Palo Pinto County Livestock Association queen
and princess. The winners will be crowned during the rodeo finale on Saturday, May 14.

COURTNEY HALL

Courtney Hall is running for Palo

Pinto County Rodeo Queen.
Shes from Mineral Wells, is 16
years old, and is the daughter of
Naomi and Eddie Hall.
Courtney is a junior at Mineral
Wells High School and is active in
soccer, in which she plays goalie.
For pleasure, she enjoys riding her
horse, Cowboy, and being around
her friends. Cowboy is about 15
years old and is one of her best
friends.
Courtney plans to attend
Weatherford College and become a
pediatric nurse. Spending time with
family and friends is a blessing to
Courtney Hall
Courtney. She is very thankful for
everything God has blessed her with.
Courtney would like to be your next PPCLA Rodeo Queen. To purchase
rodeo tickets from Courtney, call 940-452-8305.

ERIN McGUIRE

Erin McGuire is running for Palo

Pinto County Livestock Association
Rodeo Queen.
Erin is from Mineral Wells, is 18
years old, and is the daughter of Brett
and Gail McGuire.
Erin is a senior at Mineral Wells
High School. She is very active in volleyball, soccer, her youth group at
First United Methodist Church and
FFA. Erin is currently an FFA officer
and shows goats. She enjoys riding
her horse, Fuego, whether its competitively or just for pleasure. Fuego is
26 years old and has been Erins best
friend since she was little.
Erin plans to attend Tarleton State
Erin McGuire
University to become a game warden.
She enjoys spending her time with family and friends and cant thank everyone
enough who have helped her along the way, and for everything God has blessed
her with.
Erin would like to be your next PPCLA Rodeo Queen. To purchase rodeo tickets from Erin, call 817-458-1002.

RAELA GOSSETT

Raela Gossett is running for Palo

Pinto County Livestock Association
Princess.
She is 12 years old, and is the
daughter of Jeremy and Tammy
Gossett. Raela is in the sixth grade
at Travis Elementary School. In her
spare time, she likes to ride her
horses and spend time with her family. For Raela, her family is her top
priority in life.
Raela would like to be your next
PPCLA Rodeo Princess. To purchase rodeo tickets from Raela, call
940-745-5735.

Raela Gossett

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 9

Rafter G once again

providing rodeo stock
Rafter G Rodeo Company is a
family owned business, producing
prestigious rodeos and raising
bucking bulls and horses on our ranch
in Terrell, Texas.
Neal Gay (Pro Rodeo and Cowboy
Hall of Fame member) founded the
company in 1958 as the Mesquite
Championship Rodeo. In 1999, with
the sale of the Mesquite Arena, the
name was changed to the Rafter G
Rodeo Co.
Jim Gay is the general manager of
the Rafter G Rodeo Co.
Neals wife, Kay, is a rodeo
secretary and member of the Cowgirl
Hall of Fame.
Jims wife, Brenda, is also a
rodeo secretary and timer. Their two
daughters, Megan and Summer, carry
colors at the Rafter G
Rodeos, plus help with
the ranch work back
home.
Pete Gay (a threetime NFR bull rider) is
the livestock manager
and flank man at the
rodeo.
We have two of
the best pick-up
men in the business,
Preston Johnson and
Josh Edwards (who
has been chosen to
work the NFR as an
alternate for the past
two years).
Our Rafter G crew is
a very talented group,
Don Grisham with over
40 years of experience,
Glen McIlvain, a
former NFR champion
bull rider, and Ralph
Mitchell, a former
PRCA bull fighter, just
to name a few.
Our rodeo secretary
and timers this year are
Brenda Crowder and
her daughter, Shawna
Ray, along with timer
Shelly Bauman. They
have worked many
major PRCA rodeos all
over the country.

While many may recognize

Assault, War Admiral and Citation
as names of Triple-Crown winning
thoroughbred racehorses, they are
also the names of some of Rafter
Gs buckingest horses. Bucking
stock at this rodeo can have names
as tough as Rawhide, as gentle
sounding as Chickadee or as
deceptive as Easy Street. These
equine athletes have one thing in
common they are some of the best
buckers in the nation.
The same goes for other rough
stock, like the massive Rafter G
bucking bulls, which have names
ranging from Cream Puff to Road
Hazard and Iceman to Confucious
which could be how some cowboys
leave the arena.

MUTTON BUSTIN

DAVID MAY/INDEX

Once again, there will be mutton bustin contests each night of the rodeo,
which pre-registered youth trying to hang on as they can. Sign ups took
place May 7.

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 10

WATCHING OVER ANIMAL WELFARE

he PRCA has more than

60 rules to ensure the
proper care and treatment of rodeo animals
included in its official rules and
regulations. While the rules and
regulations are too numerous to
list here, several of the safeguards
for the proper treatment of animals
in the rules and regulations are
listed below. For a complete list of
the rules and regulations dealing
with the proper care and treatment
of animals, please send your
request to PRCA Animal Welfare
Coordinator, PRCA, 101 Pro
Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs,
CO 80919.
PRCA Livestock Welfare Rules
n A veterinarian must be on-site at
all PRCA-sanctioned rodeos.
n All animals are inspected and

evaluated for illness, weight, eyesight and injury prior to the rodeo,
and no animals that are sore,
lame, sick or injured are allowed to
participate in the event.
n Acceptable spurs must be dull.
n Standard electric prods may be
used only when necessary and
may only touch the animal on the
hip or shoulder area.
n Stimulants and hypnotics may
not be given to any animal to
improve performance.
n Any PRCA member caught using
unnecessary roughness or abusing
an animal may be immediately disqualified from the rodeo and fined.
This holds true whether it is in the
competitive arena or elsewhere on
the rodeo grounds.
n Weight limitations are set for
both calves (between 220 and 280
pounds) and steers (450-650

pounds).
n The flank straps for horses are
fleece- or neoprene-lined and
those for bulls are made of soft
cotton rope and may be lined with
fleece or neoprene.
n Steers used in team and steer
roping have a protective covering
placed around their horns.
n The use of prods and similar
devices is prohibited in the riding
events unless an animal is stalled
in the chute.
n A no-jerk-down rule provides for
fines if a contestant jerks a calf
over backwards in tie-down roping.
n All rodeos must have a conveyance available to humanely transport any injured animal.
n Chutes must be constructed with
the safety of the animals in mind.
Professional Judges
Professional judges officiate
every PRCA rodeo. Their responsibilities also include making sure
the animals receive proper care
and treatment. Judges who are
aware of animal abuse by any
PRCA member are required to
report the violator to the PRCA
COURTESY
infractions department.
Violators may be disqualified on Officials play an important part of
the spot and fined by the PRCA.
the safety of the rodeo for humans
"We have the backing when we and animals.
turn someone in," said judge Larry
Davis of Adrian, Ore. "That's really
In addition, PRCA rodeo judges
important."
undergo continued training and
Not everyone can become a
evaluation to ensure their skills are
PRCA judge. PRCA members
sharp and that they are enforcing
interested in becoming a PRCA
PRCA rules, especially those
judge undergo extensive training in regarding the care and handling of
the skills needed to evaluate liverodeo livestock.
stock and to judge rodeo, as well
Officiating for the 76th Annual
as several other areas. To become PPCLA Pro Rodeo are Matt
approved, judges undergo testing
Stanley and Sam Minnick. Sonny
of their knowledge of animal evalu- Seale of Garner Equine will serve
ations and the rodeo.
as the official rodeo veterinarian.

mineralwellsindex.com

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 11

OUR FAMILY KNOWS YOUR FAMILYS NEEDS.

WE WILL HELP YOU
FEEL BETTER

Diamond Pharmacy
100 South East 17th Avenue (inside Metro)

940-325-2541

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-9 Sat. 9-8 Sun. 10-2

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016 PPCLA RODEO PAGE 12