September 1, 2021 Issue, Page 17 of 26

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AT THE BOOED, Wednesday, September. 2021 PG7 FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Local bull rider, steer wrestler to compete in Elk City Rodeo By Ruth Nicolaus He rodeoed nationwide this spring and summer, but didn’t win much, so in late sum- When the Elk City rodeo stampedes into mer chose to head back to the Great Lakes town this week, two Elk Citians will compete Circuit. ina sport they love. “I decided to run back home and hit circuit Bull rider Cole Fischer and steer wrestler rodeos and get things back on track,” Fischer Clayton Stokes will both attempt to win a said, “It was definitely the right decision. check at the 83rd annual rodeo, which takes ‘Things have definitely tumed around.” place Sept. 3-5. Fischer will compete in Elk City on Sept. 3. a<< Fischer, 28, is a new resident of Elk City, Another Elk Citian competed as a young a —~ having moved from Jefferson City, Mo., to man, stepped away from the sport for ten town in March. years, and has now returned. A bull rider for eight years, he was look- Clayton Stokes, a steer wrestler, competed f "ie ing for a part of the country that had more in the Junior Rodeo Cowboys Association as bull riding opportunities. He lives close to a youngster, graduating from Granite High Bull rider Cole Fischer will try for the two stock contractors: world champion Cody School in 2000. Clayton Stokes and his son Chisum are eight-second buzzer at the Elk City Rodeo. both rodeo contestants and Elk City resi- ‘The Missouri cowboy moved to Elk City earli- Custer and Chad Drury, and has the chance He took about a decade off from rodeo, but dents. Stokes will compete in the steer wres- er this year to be closer to more rodeos. Photo to get on practice bulls during the week. started back, bulldogging at open shows and tling at the 83rd annual Elk City Rodeo of courtesy Fischer. “There are guys around here constantly get- in regional associations. Champions. Photo courtesy Stokes. ting on bulls,” he said. “There are so many op- In 2019 and this year, Stokes has com- que back Rodeo dy portunities, and if you want to be great, this peted at the most rodeos ever throughout Enjoy the Rodeo this weekend! is the place, I feel, to be.” his career. He’s a member of the Kansas Pro Oea you have a greap tinihe Ws Two years ago, he won the Great Lakes Rodeo Association. Circuit Bull Riding Championship. The PRCA Stokes, age 39, has helped a lot of young o is divided into twelve circuits, allowing cow- people learn how to steer wrestle, said his boys who don’t travel nationwide to compete good friend Yandy Yarbrough. “He's helped for regional titles. Fischer’s former home in all these kids in western Oklahoma get go- Missouri was in the Great Lakes Circuit; he ing. That’s what’s neat about Clayton. He's is in that circuit this year and will join the done what it takes to help them get where Prairie Circuit, of which Oklahoma is part, they are.” next year. See Love page 8. Kilhoffer Flooring Center DBA Bell’s Carpet Sixth and Main e Elk City Residential & Commercial “Quality at Affordable ‘Barbwire & Lace Prices” 2700 Ww 3rd St, Elk City Refurbished Furniture * Home Decoration ¢ Yard Art 580-225-2288 3109 W. 20th St., Elk City, OK ¢ 580-303-0674 580-225-1291