A 20 year veteran of the western industry and rodeo has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Karl Stressman has agreed to join the PRCA according to the group’s website. He has been Director of Event Marketing for Wrangler Jeans and Shirts for the past 12 years. Specifically, Stressman’s new job titles are President and CEO of PRCA Properties and interim CEO of the PRCA.
He is co-founder of rodeo’s ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ program as a result of his wife’s successful battle with breast cancer. San Angelo rodeo participates in the successful program that raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
We have worked closely with Stressman as part of the Wrangler ProRodeo tour. He strikes me as a competent and quiet leader. The PRCA is well served with Stressman on board.
Closer to home, the ‘September Slide’ starts Thursday in the 1st Community Credit Union Spur arena for a four day run of horse reining events. Several classes of events will showcase the versatility of the quarter horse and different reigning styles.
Approximately three weeks remain in the 2008 PRCA season with two upcoming and lucrative Ariat playoff rodeos on the horizon. The River City roundup in Omaha Sept. 25th will offer the top 12 competitors in each event a chance to earn enough cash for a spot in National Finals Rodeo in December. The final Ariat playoff round is scheduled for Dallas starting Nov. 7th.
Coleman’s Cory McFadden is a long shot to make the NFR finals in bull riding. He will compete in Omaha based on his tour points. McFadden could pad his pockets with a good weekend and advance to the next round in Dallas. He must overcome a $24,000 deficit in order to make top 15 in Las Vegas. It’s a possibility if McFadden has a couple of good weekends.
Team roper Kinney Harrell of San Angelo and barrel racer, Terra Bynum of Colorado City are in good positions to make the finals. Harrell and Bynum are currently sitting in 12th places in their respective events. Harrell has earned over $55,000 while Bynum has pocketed almost $60,000. Let’s keep our fingers crossed in hoping both make the trip to Las Vegas.
- Perry Curnutt, Marketing Director for the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo