100 AND COUNTING:
STOCK SHOW NUMBERS
WESTERNAIRES
Youth group keeps tradition
The Westernaires riding troupe that appears at the National Western rodeos first made its appearance in 1956, when 14 teenagers rode sidesaddle in 1906 garb. Members are still performing 50 years later during the 100th National Western.
Elmer E. Wyland started the group in 1949 with 26 students. The program was designed to teach character, discipline and physical and mental stamina.
The group has been based at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds since 1959. They currently stable about 140 horses there. When Wyland died in 1983, his assistant Glen Keller Jr. took over. He donates all his time, as do more than 500 volunteers.
Source: “Riding High” by Thomas Noel
RODEO RESULTS
Overall winners at Denver
Bareback Riding Will Lowe of Canyon, Texas; 249 points; $13,985
Steer Wrestling (Tie) Dru Melvin of Tryon, Neb.; 13.7 seconds; $8,001
Kyle Hughes of Olney Springs; 13.7 seconds; $8,829
Tie-Down Roping Justin Scofield of Flandreau, S.D.; 26.4 seconds; $8,627
Team Roping (Tie) Steve Purcella of Hereford, Texas, and Britt Bockius of Claremore, Okla.; 17.5 seconds; $6,477.
Shane Schwenke of Harlem, Mont., and Jhett Johnson of Casper; 17.5 seconds; $7,786
Saddle Bronc Riding Billy Etbauer of Edmond, Okla.; 246 points; $11,749
Women’s Barrel Race Tana Poppino of Big Cabin, Okla.; 48.75 seconds; $9,455
Bull Riding Spud Whitman of Kiowa; 252 points; $12,040
Total money paid: $489,190
