Cowboy Heroes & Legends Reflect On Their Paths To Rodeo Superstardom
By Lane Santos-Karney
Special To Ropers Sports News
“Heroes, heroes, we’ve got a house full of heroes tonight.” With this time of year upon us once again, it’s Bob Tallman lines like this one that fill my thoughts. Tallman opened with it several years ago at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which will this year take place December 1-10 in Las Vegas. As always, I have a hard time thinking about much else besides the yellow chutes in the Thomas & Mack Arena on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV). It’s this particular Tallman line that sparked a thought in my mind. Every single night (for those 10 nights)—whether we’re lucky enough to get into rodeo’s sold-out Super Bowl with Bob and Boyd (Polhamus) calling the action, or watching on TV with former NFR saddle bronc riding average champion Butch Knowles, Jeff Medders, 8-Time World Champion Cowboy Joe Beaver, and 8-Time World Champion Bull Rider Don Gay commentating—we are watching heroes perform in the arena. 119 of the greatest cowboys and cowgirls in the world (if your math said 120, remember that Trevor Brazile is in two events) will compete for $6 million in total prize money at the 2011 NFR.
As I pondered the idea of a hero, and what it meant to me, my mind raced. We have mentors, which I would define as someone who has been where we want to go, and helps guide us in that direction. There are legends, being those who set a mark and significantly changed the course of history. People can fall into one, none, or a combination of these categories. It is also all relative; someone who I admire may mean nothing to someone else. To me, a hero is an individual who came before us, and in living his life, makes an impact on how we live ours.
Some of my greatest mentors have come in the form of my Papa Frank Santos, John W. Jones Jr., and Joe Beaver. Also, one of my high school basketball coaches, Chris Thomas, really opened my eyes and thoughts.
There are obvious legends in the rodeo world. Guys like Ace Berry, Larry Mahan, Jim Shoulders, Casey Tibbs, Phil Lyne, Leo and Jerold Camarillo, Tee Woolman, Allen Bach, Jake (Barnes) and Clay (O’Brien Cooper), Speed (Williams) and Rich (Skelton), the Etbauer brothers, Roy Cooper, Fred Whitfield, Cody Ohl, Don Gay, Ty Murray, Guy Allen, Rob Smets, Bob Tallman, John W. Jones Jr. and his dad, John W. Jones Sr., and Joe Beaver. This is just a personal list off the top of my head, based on my humble opinion, but it seems to me these are all dominant figures. They’re icons in the sport of rodeo. They changed rodeo with the mark and impact they left.
Before I go any further, I want to clarify that I am not really including anybody who is currently in an early or mid-career point. Obviously future ProRodeo Hall of Famer Trevor Brazile can fit any category ever created for legends, heroes, champions, icons, or whatever else. He’s already re-written the record book, and after all the record book is practically the Trevor Brazile Biography. I really admire Kory Koontz and Nick Sartain too. Of course I have guys I really admire who are not Hall of Fame types yet, like Derrick Begay, Riley Minor, Shane Hanchey, and Trevor Knowles, but for the purpose of this story, I chose some of my big-time heroes.
Everybody in every generation has heroes. As kids, we look up to our heroes as models of what we aspire to be, whether it is in the rodeo arena or the arena of life. As I mentioned, a hero—in my mind—is one who came before us and impacted our lives by how they live theirs. We have heroes for different reasons. Billy Etbauer is the most humble champion I’ve ever witnessed. I could not have more respect for him and the amount of class he displays.
Nevermind that since the time Billy held me when my mom interviewed him after his first of five world championships in 1992 (he won the world in 1992, ’96, 1999-2000, and 2004) and the first of his two NFR average wins (1992 and ’96) I haven’t really known Billy. Nonetheless, Billy has impacted me just by watching how he conducts himself. He is one of my heroes. Ty Murray is an extreme hero of mine for what he did to take rodeo and being an all-around champion to another level. He dominated. And to me, my Papa Frank hung the moon. I’m inspired to be half the gentleman I think he is. I was lucky enough to really be able to talk to four of my true rodeo cowboy heroes recently.
Three-time World Champion Bulldogger John W. Jones Jr. is one of the smallest world champion steer wrestlers ever.
He used perfect form to overcome the size disadvantage. (PRCA ProRodeo File Photo)
John W. Jones Jr.
As far as a mentor, legend, and hero, John W. Jones Jr. of Morro Bay, Calif., tops the charts for me. I would consider the 3-time World Champion Steer Wrestler (1984, ’88-’89) to be more of a second father to me than anything. I read one time, “He didn’t tell me how to live, but rather he showed me how to live.” That is the perfect quote to describe Johnny’s presence in my life. He’s won everything from the gold buckles to the NFR average championship (1988) to several Salinas and Pendleton titles, and even qualified for the National Finals in the calf roping on a couple occasions. This all led to John W. Jones Jr.’s 1996 induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo.
For all that Johnny has accomplished, he is my hero for the person he is. He is a Hall of Fame guy, from a Hall of Fame family. He and his family will never know how much I truly appreciate their guidance in my life. I recently asked Johnny a few questions and this is what he had to say:
LSK: Whether in rodeo or life in general, who inspired or had a major impact on your life?
JWJ: My dad (John W. Jones Sr. holds the record for most NFR steer wrestling average titles at 4, which he won in 1965, 1968-70 and won the World Championship in 1970) for sure, in the sense of being my dad and with the technical part of steer wrestling. He inspired me, helped me, and instilled all the values in me. He spent the time helping me, and always being there for me. Jack Roddy (1966 and 1968 World Champion Steer Wrestler and ProRodeo Hall of Famer) helped me a ton on the mental aspect of it all. Jimmy Rodriguez Jr. (4-Time World Champion Team Roper) helped me with the scoring, positioning, and overall horsemanship side of things. Art Cochrane also helped Thomas Switzer (1984 NFR steer wrestling qualifier) and I when we were just starting. He took the time and patience to help us a lot.
LSK: Would you change anything in your career? Any regrets?
JWJ: I don’t regret going. I had fun while I did it.
LSK: 50 years from now, how do you want to be remembered?
JWJ: I want to be remembered as just a guy from California who tried hard and got lucky. I want to be known for treating everybody the same, and being honest and fair. I always enjoyed standing behind the box and visiting with guys I’d never met before. I got to meet a lot of new people that are still my friends to this day, and learned a lot of interesting things. It was a lot of fun to find out what else guys did besides rodeo.
LSK: What piece of advice would you give to a young person wanting to go rodeo professionally?
JWJ: The main thing is to go with someone who has “been there-done that.” The entering and getting from rodeo to rodeo is so important. Don’t just jump in with another rookie. Get in with someone who is positive. Every time you nod your head you’ve got to sincerely believe you’re going to win, but there will be times when you’re not winning and you need a traveling partner who is on your team.
Jake Barnes and Walt Woodard have had a fairytale 2011, and they aren’t done yet.
The pair of world champion team ropers have 45 NFR qualifications between them. (PRCA ProRodeo Photo/Kerrie Allardyce)
Jake Barnes, Taylor and Lane Santos-Karney and Clay O’Brien Cooper at the 2002
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Jake Barnes
Jake Barnes—the 7-Time World Champion Header—will compete at his 25th NFR this December with Walt Woodard. The guy is always so personable. This past June, after making a great run with Woodard in the second round at the Reno Rodeo to position themselves in a great spot to come back to the short round, Jake was riding away from behind the chutes to go put his horse away. I hadn’t seen Jake in over a year, but that didn’t stop him from riding over and with his big, genuine smile, shaking my hand and asking how I’d been. There was this all-time great riding out of his way to say hi to me—just some kid. When I talked to Jake on the phone for this, I hung up feeling motivated and inspired. The guy has a way of rejuvenating and bringing people up. I can’t talk about Jake Barnes without using the word warrior. He is known for his adamant work ethic and always roping the dummy day and night. There is so much that I take from knowing and watching Jake Barnes as a human being and as a fierce competitor. He is so sharp at roping the horns and is such a winner. As far as being upbeat and roping horns, Jake is my absolute hero. Here is some of our recent conversation:
LSK: Whether in rodeo or life in general, who inspired or had a major impact on your life?
JB: I guess it was more just being raised around a ranch and rodeo family. My great uncle (Jake McClure) was a world champion calf roper (in 1930). A distinct memory I have was when I was about 14 years old. I went to a roping in El Paso, Texas, and saw guys like Leo, Jerold, Reg (Leo and Jerold’s cousin), and H.P. Evetts (1974 World Champion Team Roper). I’d read about all those guys in the paper, so that inspired me. H.P. reached so far. I went back home and told my friends about him and started practicing it. H.P. had a huge influence on my reaching.
LSK: Would you change anything in your career? Any regrets?
JB: No, I was fortunate in that I got to rodeo my first year with Allen Bach. Entering and getting to and from the rodeos is a big factor, so to get in with a veteran who can mentor you is huge. I was lucky to have older guys around me at the amateur rodeos when I started too.
LSK: 50 years from now, how do you want to be remembered?
JB: I’m not big into the fame. I want to be remembered as a great roper and that I worked hard. I put in my time. I want to be ranked up there with the greatest ropers of all time. God has blessed me with talent and I have tried to exploit that and make it last as long as possible. I still feel as good or better as ever.
LSK: What piece of advice would you give to a young person wanting to go rodeo professionally?
JB: Call a Jake Barnes, Tee Woolman, Charles Pogue, Speed Williams, Allen Bach, Clay O’ Brien Cooper, or Walt Woodard-type guy and ask if you can work for them for a year. Get mentored by someone who knows what it is all about and work at it.
LSK: You are headed to your 25th WNFR this year. What is that like for you?
JB: Going to the NFR is like going into the fourth quarter. You want to go in there and not fumble the ball. At this point getting all excited is hoopla. It is a huge financial opportunity and financially I want to go and win the Super Bowl. The difference between my 25th time and early on is that I will not be nervous out there. I know what to expect and I am ready. Whatever happens out there I’ll keep my head high. We’ve had a great year in a short period of time. I’ll be ready and prepared when I get out there.
Joe Beaver, Taylor and Lane Santos-Karney get set to put the carved turkey on the table at Thanksgiving in 2009.
Joe Beaver
Leave it to Beaver. If I was told I could do anything in the world to better myself and those around me, I’d take a little bit of Joe Beaver and put it in everybody who ever wanted to be a champion. The world would be a better place. There is nothing in the world I wouldn’t trust Joe B with. He’s a team roping champion, calf roping champion, and an all-around champion. He totals 8 World Championships, and has won more NFR tie-down roping average titles than anyone else in the history of rodeo with four (1987-88, 1992, and 1996). I have been fortunate enough to have Joe B touch my life personally. Over the years I have spent time back in Texas at his place, even hanging out and roping there two Thanksgivings ago. He feels like family, and I’ll always look to Joe B for guidance. He’s the biggest competitor I’ve ever met, and he’d do anything to help anybody. Joe Beaver is fabulous.
LSK: Whether in rodeo or life in general, who inspired or had a major impact on your life?
Joe B: My grandmother was my greatest hero. She was a lady’s lady. She dealt with a lot in her life and was always positive.
LSK: 50 years from now, how do you want to be remembered?
Joe B: I want to be remembered as a guy who gave everything he had to it every time, and for never being satisfied until I gave 110 percent. Also, for how many kids I’ve run through my roping schools that have been successful. When guys you’ve taught are your competition at the NFR, and I’m talking about them (when Joe B annually commentates on the NFR telecast) it’s a pretty cool deal. (Joe has had guys such as Scott Kormos, Jerrad Hofstetter, 2005 World Champion All-Around Cowboy Ryan Jarrett, and Shane Hanchey through his schools.)
LSK: What piece of advice would you give to a young person wanting to go rodeo professionally?
Joe B: First, if someone is willing to give you a scholarship and an education, go take it. Second, earn your sponsors. Go win all you can and earn it. Then you have something to offer sponsors. When you crack out, you’ve got to have the mindset to give it your all. If you are going to go, then go. Don’t let a slow streak or one expensive plane ticket stop you. You can’t wear your feelings on your sleeve out there. Quitters don’t make it in the rodeo business. Also, when you win something big, either buy stuff or pay stuff off so when you’re old and done you’ll have something. No matter how much success you have, Father Time and injuries will eventually end it.
Leo Camarillo owns the record for the most NFR team roping average titles ever at six. Camarillo is a four-time world champion team roper and the 1975 world champion all-around cowboy. (PRCA ProRodeo File Photo)
Leo Camarillo
Leo “The Lion” revolutionized the sport of team roping. He changed the way it was done. Leo holds the record for the most NFR team roping average wins at 6 (1968-71, 1980, and 1982). That streak from 1968-71 is also a record for the most consecutive aggregate titles. Leo and his brother Jerold (the 1969 World Champion Team Roper) have always been so generous and kind to me and I really appreciate that. They feel like family to me, and I have great respect for them both. They’ve both shared so many rodeo stories with me that I will hold on to forever. I know if I ever have a question about rodeo, one of those guys will have the answer for me. Leo and Jerold changed the game. The dominance they displayed in their time is unbelievable. The effects of those guys is still evident today. Leo is such a winner. He is still finding ways to win. I’ve never seen somebody love the game of rodeo as much as him.
LSK: Whether in rodeo or life in general, who inspired or had a major impact on your life?
LC: My dad (Ralph) was my hero. He did things with a rope and to me, he was who I looked up to. He was adamant about catching, winning, horsemanship, and everything. When I started amateur rodeoing, Frank Santos became my idol. He worked the 3 events that I wanted to do (team roping, calf roping, and steer wrestling). He was the Trevor Brazile at that time. He set the bar, and I wanted to beat him. I had a great mentor in my dad and a great friend in Frank, who is the most intellectual guy I’ve ever met and the only guy I know to put himself through college (vet school) and raise a family from rodeoing.
LSK: Would you change anything in your career? Any regrets?
LC: From 1976-1978 they changed from crowning the world champions based on the full year’s earnings to just the earnings from the National Finals. In 1976, I had a lead where they couldn’t beat me, then I got beat at the Finals. I always thought about that one. (Leo and his cousin Reg lost the Gold Buckle by a mere $76 based on the NFR earnings. If it would have been based on the whole season, Leo would have been the World Champion by $4,038.)
LSK: 50 years from now, how do you want to be remembered?
LC: I want to be remembered as the greatest roper of all time, in any situation. Not only heeling, but heading, roping calves, and out on the ranch too. I won the Timed Event Championship, the Heeling World Title (Four Times, in 1972-73, 1975, and 1983) and the World All-Around Championship (in 1975). I revolutionized the game you see today.
LSK: What piece of advice would you give to a young person wanting to go rodeo professionally?
LC: If you want to rodeo, you’ve got to have a relentless desire to do it 24/7. Trevor Brazile is a great example of that today. You have got to have a deep desire and be willing to pay the price to be a rodeo star. Jake Barnes did all his thinking with his rope. Your rope has got to be a mere extension of your world.
Editor’s Note: Ropers Sports News invites readers to check out gifted young writer Lane Santos-Karney’s bi-monthly blog on the Ropers Sports News website, www.roperssportsnews.com. Lane is a freshman communications major at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, where he competes on the Cal Poly Mustangs Rodeo Team in steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping. His past blogs have included insights from the following prestigious events that Lane has either competed in or attended: PRCA’s Reno Rodeo and Pendleton Round-Up, CHSRA’s Challenge of Champions and State Finals, the NHSRA Finals Rodeo and many more. We think you will enjoy his journey.
Super Looper Roy Cooper with Lane andTaylor Santos-Karney, who were 4 and 2 at the time, at the 1996 NFR.
Ty Murray and Lane Santos-Karney at the World Champions Awards Banquet held after Round 10 at the 1992 NFR. Ty was awarded his fourth straight of seven world all-around championships that night and baby Lane got the first ride on his new saddle.
