Friday, January 10, 2014

Talk of rift with PRCA makes waves in town

It’s a bit of a family feud. This week’s revelation of a rift between the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and its rank and file is causing a buzz as the 35th annual Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals gets underway. The news, first reported in Montana by longtime respected rodeo writer Joe Kusek of the Billings Gazette, is that cowboys and barrel racers are threatening to break away from the PRCA unless they’re given more of a voice in policy-making decisions. “It’s not going to affect the Circuit Finals,” said veteran National Finals Rodeo bareback star Jessy Davis, who will be competing here this weekend. “It’ll be in Great Falls the next 20 years I hope. That’s where it should be. It’s not going to affect rodeo in Montana.” Cut Bank’s Dustin Bird is another NFR cowboy who will be displaying his considerable talent this weekend at Pacific Steel and Recycling Four Seasons Arena. “Everybody’s having a little feud with the PRCA right now,” Bird said. “They might be trying to start something like the (Professional Bull Riders). Have like 24 events and the finals in Las Vegas.” Famed cowboy Trevor Brazile and other high-profile rodeo athletes announced their displeasure with the PRCA in a recent Facebook post. Bird summed up the argument presented by Brazile and others this way: “The cowboys don’t have much say about what goes on, and the PRCA won’t give it to them,” said Bird. “So they decided to go their own way...more

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