Barnes receives a hat-trick from the Great Lakes Circuit
2016 SADDLE BRONC HORSE OF THE YEAR, RED HORSE CROSSIN’ IN THE GREAT LAKES CIRCUIT
November 21, 2016
The Barnes PRCA Rodeo’s mare Red Horse Crossin’ received the 2016 Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year award from the Great Lakes Circuit. Seventy-two percent of the Barnes’ livestock had money won or disqualified their riders at the circuit finals in Louisville, Kentucky. Plus, two out of three go-rounds were won on Rafter B Bar bulls – Butter Biscuit and Tyson Bob. Notably the dapple grey horse, Deep Springs, was the high marked bareback horse out in the 2nd go-round. Deep Springs traces lineage back to the Barnes’ famous mare Crystal Springs the 1977 PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year.
In addition to the high caliber livestock performances the other two year-end awards were won by Barnes’ rodeo committees in Spooner and Merrill, Wis. “It’s very encouraging to see the hard work our committees are putting in their events and the partnerships we are developing with them being recognized by the circuit,” stated Marty Barnes, owner of Barnes PRCA Rodeo.
“The Heart of the North Rodeo committee is extremely proud and at the same time humbled to be selected as the Great Lakes Circuit Large Rodeo of the Year in 2016. What is special is the fact that we were chosen by Committees, Stock Contractors and Rodeo Contestants. We owe a great deal of credit to the Barnes PRCA Rodeo Company as the high quality stock, acts and rodeo production are the key to the continued growth and success of the Heart of the North Rodeo,” stated Richard Fankhauser, chairman of Spooner Rodeo Committee.
This year marked the 63rd anniversary of professional rodeo in Spooner, Wis. dating back to 1954.
“For all 63 years we have been partners with the Barnes PRCA Rodeo Company. We are proud of the fact that no other PRCA rodeo can claim such a relationship,” emphasized Fankhauser, “I feel it is noteworthy that the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo at Merrill, Wis. was selected the Great Lakes Medium Rodeo of the Year in 2016 as they also have Barnes PRCA Rodeo Company as their stock contractor.”
The state of Wisconsin swept all three Great Lakes Circuit Rodeo Committee yearend awards.
“This is a great honor for our small volunteer organization,” said Bryan Bloch, president of the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo. “We work hard year round to make the Merrill rodeo experience one of the best in the Midwest not only for the rodeo professionals but for the thousands of tourists, Merrill residents and businesses that help to make the event a reality. We value the partnership with Barnes PRCA Rodeo. Marty is always helping us out, giving his best and continually providing suggestions to our committee for making our rodeo better for sponsors and contestants.”
The Rafter B Bar brand is well-regarded and has consistently been represented at every RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo since 1979. In 1995 Barnes PRCA Rodeo livestock won Bareback Horse, Saddle Bronc Horse and Bull of the Year honors from the Great Lakes Circuit Finals. Barnes PRCA Rodeo was at the forefront when the rodeo industry developed the regional circuit system for contestants. Barnes PRCA Rodeo continues to be in an elite class of Pro Rodeo Stock Contractors. They are one of only two firms across North America selected to provide livestock for every National Finals Rodeo, since its inception in 1959.
written by Gretchen Kirchmann