Stock Contractor
Working behind the scenes from long before the rodeo begins until the last animal is loaded up, the stock contractor may be the most overlooked person in the production of a successful rodeo. While the cowboys get most of the recognition, the livestock at PRCA rodeos plays a vital role in the success of the contestants. In roughstock events, the cowboy's riding skills get half the score and the animal's ability to buck powerfully earns the other half. In the timed events, stock contractors provide animals of similar ability so that cowboys are tested on their own skills, on a level playing field.
The following are the PRCA-member stock contracting companies for the Lynden Rodeo:
Big Bend Rodeo Company and Flying 5 Rodeo Company
Stock Contractors: Don and Chad Hutsell, Ritzville, Wash.
Sonny Riley, Moses lake, WA
Bucking Stock of the Year: Bareback horse Spring Fling, 1997; Saddle bronc Spring Fling, 1999-2000; Bulls - Rapid Fire, 1997; Unforgiven, 2002; Tahonta, 2003-04. Other notable stock:Dog Face, top bull of the Columbia River Rodeo Circuit and selected for Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 1992, and runner-up bull of the year in 1996.
Background: Don Hutsell and Sonny Riley, who also are co-owners of Flying 5 Rodeo Company, formed Big Bend Rodeo Company in April 1992 when they bought the Kelsey and McLean Rodeo Company from the late Ralph McLean. In 1997, Big Bend completed a rare double play with bareback horse Spring Fling and bucking bull Rapid Fire both capturing stock-of-the-year honors. Following the 1999 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, Don decided to put a saddle on Spring Fling, and it paid off as she blossomed and was voted the top saddle bronc for two years, then returned to the bareback string and was voted one of the top three bareback horses for 2005. Big Bend sent five bucking animals to the Wrangler NFR in 2008.
Corey and Horst Rodeo Company
Stock Contractor: Mike Corey
Mike Corey, a bull rider, pick up man and amateau contractor, joined forces with financial partner George Horst in 1999. The next year Corey purchased Southern Rodeos. In 2009 the company sent five bulls to the Wrangler NFR.
Flying Diamond Rodeo Company
Stock Contractor: Tom Lange
In 2007 Tom and Leslie Lange of Greeley, CO purchased Beard Rodeos changing the name to Flying Diamond Rodeo and putting Mike Corey in charge of day to day operations. Flying Diamond sent two bucking bulls to the 2009 Wrangler NFR.
