Haylee Taylor

Steer wrestler Tanner Brunner has had solid seasons the last two years, qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo both times.

However, after two 15th-place finishes in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, he’s hungry for more.

“I want to get back there (to the NFR) again and have the opportunity to run at that kind of money,” said Brunner, 27. “It’s a big stage, and you learn something every time you are there. I just hope to use everything I’ve learned when I go back.”

This season has been bizarre to say the least with rodeos stopping in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic and then restarting the third week of May.

Despite the stop and start to the season, Brunner has worked his way to eighth in the June 16 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $26,235. He moved up five spots in the latest standings, thanks to splitting wins at the Woodward (Okla.) Elks Rodeo and the Coleman (Texas) PRCA Rodeo. Both ended June 13.

Brunner had a 3.8-second run in Woodward and earned $3,266 by tying with Trell Etbauer. He stopped the clock in 3.7 seconds in Coleman and earned $1,925 after splitting the victory with Gabe Soileau.

“It was a good feeling to do that well,” Brunner said. “It was good to kick things off and get things rolling again. I wish I could go to rodeos everyday when I’m on a roll like that. I had a couple of good steers at Woodward and Coleman, and I just tried to do my job and make good runs.”

Brunner rode Miss Kitty, 13, in Coleman and Woodward. Cole Edge, riding Slick, was Brunner’s hazer during both runs.

When rodeos were on hiatus, Brunner kept busy working for his family in Ramona, Kan.

“We have a family operation, and I just tried to help out,” the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Brunner said. “I practiced a little bit, took some time off and let my horses take some time off. When things looked like they were going to get going again, I started practicing and getting my horses back in shape, but I enjoyed my time at home for sure.”

Brunner’s family has a feedlot and a farm, and his uncle has a cow-calf operation.

“I was ready to go to some rodeos,” Brunner said.

Up next for Brunner is the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, Ariz., June 29. From there he is scheduled to compete at the Oakley (Utah) Independence Day Rodeo, June 30 and the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede, July 1.

Courtesy of ProRodeo.com

The Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo 2020 is set to proceed as scheduled, taking place from Monday, June 29, through Sunday, July 5, with some notable changes in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In an agreement between rodeo general manager J.C. Trujillo and Governor Doug Ducey, the seating capacity at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds, located at 840 Rodeo Drive, will be limited to just 25%. This decision ensures that the legendary “World’s Oldest Rodeo” continues its uninterrupted 132-year history, even with a reduced audience.

To comply with social distancing guidelines, the 133rd annual rodeo’s eight performances, including those on June 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m., July 1, 2, and 3 at 7:30 p.m., and July 4 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., as well as July 5 at 1:30 p.m., will require audience members to maintain safe distances from one another. Tickets for the July 3 and 4 performances are already sold out, but seats are available for the other shows, according to Trujillo.

To ensure social distancing, the grandstand will be divided into reserved sections, allowing for a comfortable viewing experience while adhering to safety measures. Typically accommodating over 5,000 spectators, the grandstand will operate at a reduced capacity this year.

Additionally, the skybox, with a capacity of about 400 people on the east side of the rodeo grounds, will remain closed to further enable social distancing and vendor spacing.

Behind the scenes, rodeo staff will wear face coverings during each performance, while spectators are encouraged to make their own decisions regarding mask usage. Hand sanitizers and signage will be readily available, and after each performance, the grandstand will undergo thorough sanitization.

For those unable to attend the rodeo in person, every performance will be televised on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Channel Plus. Viewers can purchase a viewing package for $9.99 per month to watch on their TVs or streaming devices.

For more information, contact 402-991-6290 or visit thecowboychannel.com or cowboychannelplus.com.

Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo officials collaborated with Yavapai County Community Health Services, the City of Prescott, and the Governor’s office to establish these new safety guidelines.

Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli played a crucial role in reaching the 25% capacity agreement. He acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the Frontier Days Rodeo committee and its president, Chris Graff, who worked closely with health authorities and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) to ensure the rodeo’s safe execution.

The “World’s Oldest Rodeo,” which dates back to 1888, will maintain its traditional events in 2020. These include professional steer wrestling, bareback riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, women’s barrel racing, and bull riding.

Scheduled specialty acts feature the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls, Broken Spoke Clydesdales, and barrelman Mark Swingler. Quirt Hunt and Luke Kraut will serve as bullfighters. The renowned announcer and ProRodeo Hall of Famer Randy Corley, along with stock contractor Kirsten Vold of the Vold Rodeo Company, will also make their return.

Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus, the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo 2020 reached its contestant capacity, with only the cowpunchers bronc riding event being canceled.

Mayor Mengarelli emphasized the rodeo’s significance, not only to Prescott but also to Yavapai County, representing a vital celebration of American freedom and heritage.

The “worlds oldest rodeo” can take place as scheduled this summer despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

“The cowboys and the bulls can get ready,” Gov. Doug Ducey said Thursday.

But the governor said he’s not prepared to say just yet whether there will be anyone in the stands to watch the competitors.

“There will be more to follow on that,” Ducey said in response to questions of exactly what the event will look like for what is scheduled to be its 133rd annual performance starting on the evening of June 29.

“You’re talking about light years away in the world that we’re living in and the change that we’ve seen in the state of Arizona week to week,” Ducey said.

J.C. Trujillo, the general manager of Prescott Frontier Days, told Capitol Media Services he’s planning for an audience, albeit one much smaller than normal. And that, he said, will mean the organization will be taking in less money.

Trujillo acknowledged that the final decision on who gets to watch the event live ultimately may not be his, what with whatever restrictions the state imposes on crowds. But even if there’s no one to watch, he said it will go on.

The issue, he said, is maintaining the event’s status.

“For 132 years here in Prescott, over a hundred of years we’ve been at the same rodeo grounds, we’ve had a rodeo,” Trujillo explained.

“So if we have to have a rodeo without spectators … we’ve got to have a rodeo to keep our status as the world’s oldest rodeo,” he said. “It’s very, very important, not just for the reputation of the rodeo but the reputation that Prescott holds here and the community of Yavapai County.”

Aside from being “a way of life,” Trujillo said the event has become one of the Top 30 rodeos in the country as measured by dollars.

And many of those dollars – Trujillo said between $300,000 and $400,000 – come from people attending the eight events over seven days starting on the evening of June 29.

The question of what will happen in Prescott this summer is not an idle one.

Related: Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo to Limit Seating Capacity to 25%

On Thursday, city and state officials in Cheyenne, Wyo. announced that Frontier Days there was being canceled due to the pandemic, The Associated Press said this is the first time that the event, billed as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, has been called off in its 124-year history.

Ducey’s go-ahead means the Prescott event won’t face the same fate. But Trujillo said even if the governor allows spectators, it won’t be the same as in prior years.

For example, he said, there usually are “skyboxes” that seat 400 people in covered stadium-type seats.

“But this year, with the virus and everything going, I canceled that order,” Trujillo said.

All that has financial implications.

“That’s 400 high-dollar tickets that we are going to do without,” he said.

The grandstands also will be different, Trujillo said.

Rather than assigning specific seats, ticket holders will be entitled to sit in designated sections.

“And we’re only going to sell about 60% of that section,” he said, allowing groups that come together to sit together but providing sufficient space between them to meet any social distancing requirements.

At the same time, Trujillo said his organization does not charge entry fees for the participants.

“In fact, we add $125,000 to the pot in prize money,” he said.

Trujillo said he is counting on national and local sponsors to stay with the organization.

And there’s something else: Trujillo said The Cowboy Channel will televise all eight performances, though he did not discuss what financial arrangements are being made for that.

Finally, Trujillo said there have been record-breaking crowds at Frontier Days for the past few years.

“Luckily, we have been able to put some money aside for a rainy day – or a virus day,” he said. “And that’s exactly what has happened here.”

Courtesy of Kingman Daily Miner | Kingman, AZ

The Cowboy Channel is thrilled to air live coverage Cave Creek Rodeo Days – the first PRCA rodeo to be broadcast since the coronavirus pandemic shuttered all live sporting events.

Starting May 22 and running through May 24 at 10:30 p.m. (ET) each night from Cave Creek, Arizona and hosted by Justin McKee, the rodeo will feature a lineup of A-list athletes competing in traditional rodeo events. Each rodeo performance will repeat the following day on The Cowboy Channel at 8 p.m. ET.

“We are very excited to ‘Kick Open the Chutes’ and get live PRCA PRORODEO back on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Channel Plus App!” said Jeff Medders, President and General Manager of The Cowboy Channel. “Summer is so important to everyone involved in ProRodeo … cowboys, fans and communities.”

Related: Steer ropers ready for Cave Creek competition

To keep their fans and rodeo participants safe, Cave Creek Rodeo and the PRCA has laid out a series of ground rules for competitors, volunteers and the community. This year’s rodeo will feature no spectators. All rodeo contestants and personnel will undergo health screenings, wear masks and practice physical distancing. The Cowboy Channel is pleased that Cave Creek has put these practices in place in order to ensure the safety of all participants and helpers and to continue bringing exciting rodeo events to fans everywhere.

“It’s great to have PRORODEO back,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “Cave Creek and the PRCA have taken significant precautions in partnership with local and state officials to make the rodeo safe for everyone involved, from the competitors to the contract personnel and production personnel on site from The Cowboy Channel. This is just the beginning. Over the next several weeks we’re going to be rolling into that new sense of normalcy to bring PRORODEO back to the fans, members and communities.”

The Cowboy Channel recently launched ‘The PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App’ for viewers who do not have The Cowboy Channel. Fans can stream the live action of Cave Creek Rodeo Days via the mobile app (available on Android and iOS), as well as any browser, smart TV or device, for just $9.99/month.

This year’s Cave Creek Rodeo Days will bring a stellar lineup of talent to compete at the big rodeo in the small town. Four-time PRCA World Champion Tuf Cooper and 19-year-old superstar Shad Mayfield step into the arena for multiple events, including tie-down roping and team roping. The competition will also feature bareback riders Clayton Biglow and Richmond Champion and bull riders Boudreaux Campbell and Stetson Wright. Meanwhile, Sunday’s event will look like a Wright Family Reunion, with a number of Wright family members entered in both the saddle bronc riding and bull riding.

With a record number of entries for each event, this year’s Cave Creek Rodeo Days is expected to be the biggest yet. As a channel that’s devoted to airing the best in Western sports and Western lifestyle programming, The Cowboy Channel is excited to bring this event to fans who have been craving live PRCA rodeo action during the coronavirus shutdown.

To learn more about The Cowboy Channel, visit thecowboychannel.com. or visit ProRodeo.com.