Jarrett grabs another NFR paycheck

LAS VEGAS – When he isn’t roping at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Ryan Jarrett is watching it.

“Calf roping and barrel racing are two of the most watched events at the NFR,” said Jarrett, an eight-time qualifier who grew up in Summerville, Ga., and now lives in Comanche, Okla. “The crowd loves it, and it’s good watching.

“It’ll get your motor running.”

The cowboy’s motor has been running for nine straight nights, placing five times, including two go-round victories – he won the eighth round with a 6.7-second run, and shared the fourth-round win victory with six-time champ Cody Ohl.

On Friday night, Jarrett outlasted a tough calf for a 7.8-second run and a third-place finish in the ninth go-round. It added $11,118 to his NFR payroll, which has surpassed $67,000.

“I’ve had two or three calves I should’ve won money on,” he said. “I’m not saying they were calves to win first on, but they were dang sure something you could place third or fourth on. I’ve left money on the table.”

That’s not a good thing in Las Vegas. That’s why his run was so vital Friday night.

“I got all of the barrier you could possibly get,” Jarrett said, referring to the rope in front of the timed-event chute that is released when the calf is allowed its appropriate head start – had he been a split second sooner, he would’ve suffered a 10-second penalty.

The calf didn’t have a great track record. In previous runs, the animal would run toward the roper instead of staying at the end of the rope, so the Oklahoma cowboy had a game plan to stop that from happening.

“I wanted to be in her face when she swapped around,” he said. “I got a great start, got her turned around to the outside. I got everything set up for a decent flank, then I bobbled a little and didn’t get her strung the first time.”

In the matter of moments, Jarrett debated the appropriate tie: a full two wraps and a half hitch to secure it or gamble with one wrap and the half-hitch.

“I went ahead with two, and I’m glad I did,” he said. “She sure tried the tie during the six seconds.”

In addition to a head start, the animal is allowed six seconds after the run to make sure the tie is secured; should the calf kick free, the contestant is saddled with a no time.

He’ll hope for the best case scenario in Saturday’s 10^th go-round when he makes the final run of the 2013 campaign.

“I hope I draw a good calf and win some money,” Jarrett said, noting that he had moved to eighth in the all-important average race after Ohl suffered a 29.5-second run in the ninth round. “It would be great to get two checks (in the round and the average) from the 10^th round.”

Jarrett grabs another NFR paycheck

QUICK TRIP TO THE AUTRY MUSEUM

QUICK TRIP TO THE AUTRY MUSEUM

By

Gail Woerner

            My life as a rodeo historian is one fun event after another!  I can’t say there is anything I don’t enjoy whether it is a rodeo, cowboy reunion, rodeo clown reunion, an induction or a western museum unveiling a new statue or a special gathering.

I recently had an opportunity to a gathering of seniors that were involved in western movies in some way.  It was held at the Autry Museum located in Griffith Park in Los Angeles.  So many rodeo cowboys got involved in western movies in the early days when the rodeo season had a lag time I wanted to attend and meet some of these fine people.

Over 70 people attended and represented movie careers as actors, producers, screenwriters, directors, stuntmen and women, videographers, camera operators and more.  Ron Word heads up this group that is just about as rowdy as a rodeo clown reunion so I settled right in.  After welcoming the group Word announced Clu Gulager was celebrating his 85th birthday and a rousing “Happy Birthday” was sung by everyone, followed by a tasty birthday cake.  Clu was quick to thank everyone in English and the Cherokee language, of which he proudly told is in his heritage.  He also said the days he spent as a cowboy on the Oklahoma range herding cattle were some of the happiest memories of his life.  Nothing makes him prouder, except his children.

Following this Word invited Peggy Stewart, age 91, who was a leading lady to Gene Autry, to the podium.  He explained in one of their movies Peggy was placed in a car and Autry jumped his horse over the car.  Word asked, “Peggy did Republic Pictures always put their leading ladies in jeopardy of getting injured like that?”

A big grin came across her face and Peggy answered, “Yes.”

She also told how much fun Gene Autry was to be around, and how working at Republic Pictures was so enjoyable because it was just like a family.  She admitted the bigger studios such as Universal and Columbia didn’t have the same close feeling as Republic Pictures.

I visited with Peggy Stewart afterward and told her I had trick rider and stuntwoman/actress Polly Burson’s story in an upcoming book that is being published now by Wild Horse Press, and will be out in January.  She knew Polly quite well and was so complimentary of Polly and her abilities.  Polly was a Tad Lucas Memorial Award honoree as well as a Golden Boot recipient.

Afterwards everyone went outside to have a photo taken.  Everyone was given free admittance to the Autry Museum although some took time to visit and enjoy renewing their friendships from the past and telling of their remembrances.  It was so very similar to senior cowboys and cowgirls getting together at a reunion I felt right at home.

“Johnny Crawford, former child actor and Gene Ryals, actor.”

I can’t possibly name everyone that attended, but some of the names you might recognize are: Johnny Crawford, former child actor; Peggy Stewart, in a movie last year with Adam Sandler; Gene McLaughlin, trick roper, actor and stuntman, who was inducted into the Rodeo Historical Society Hall of Fame in September; Clu Gulager, actor; Bruce Boxleitner, actor; Martin Kove, actor; Edward James Olmos, actor; Jan Sheppard; Mayf Nutter, actor and musician; Lindsey Bloom, actress; Gene Ryals, actor; Cliff Emmich, actor; Cliff Emmich, actor; Steve Stevens, agent for actors and Larry Mahan and Casey Tibbs; Jim Byrns, screenwriter; and Clyde Lucas, producer (just to name a few).

“Peggy Stewart, Gene Autry’s leading lady in early western movies, and Gene Ryals, actor.”

By the way, don’t go anywhere near Los Angeles without making a stop at the Autry Museum.  It is chocked full of history of western movies, outstanding art, and the cultures of the early day westerners, including the Hispanic and American Indian stories.

There were numerous groups of school children visiting the museum and docents were stationed throughout the museum with small movable stands where they could talk to the students about the texture of animal skins, an early utensil or piece of machinery.  These‘hands on’ experiences for our youth will allow them to remember what they saw forever.

Between groups I visited with a delightful Docent, Alice Alan, age 85, that has been volunteering at the Autry for over ten years.  She enjoys the days she spends at the museum.  She admits the experience and the opportunities there keep her mind keen and alert.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

“The western movie group gathered in front of the Autry Museum.”

 

All Photos courtesy of Gene Ryals.

QUICK TRIP TO THE AUTRY MUSEUM