Beyond the Chutes

This episode of Beyond the Chutes, as presented by ParaSight Systems — helping vets help pets, was recorded Friday morning at the First Frontier Circuit Finals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In this conversation, Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen sit down with Tom Glause, CEO of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, for an honest, people-first discussion about leadership, relationships, and the realities of managing a sport built on trust. Tom shares life lessons from growing up in rodeo, insights from circuit management, and what it means to lead a people-based organization where hard decisions are unavoidable and balance matters. They talk openly about the current state of the PRCA, the challenges that still exist, and why ingenuity and strong relationships are required to keep rodeo moving forward. During the conversation, Tom praised the First Frontier Circuit and Brock Hower’s leadership, pointing to a season that added a fourth performance and raised the $85,000 required to fund it — a clear example of leadership, collaboration, and commitment behind the scenes. This isn’t a press conference. It’s a conversation about people, responsibility, and the work it takes to sustain the sport. 🎙️ This is Beyond the Chutes.

BTC On the Road Again | First Frontier Circuit Finals This is Beyond the Chutes, and this special Bonus Episode takes you inside the First Frontier Circuit Finals — not from the stands, but from the quiet moments just before it all happens. Recorded on the road at the Penn Harris Hotel, just hours before the final performance, this episode features a real-time conversation with Brianna Waltz — IPRA World Champion breakaway roper, registered nurse, wife, and mom — as she prepares for the biggest runs of the weekend. Brianna shares what preparation really looks like when the draw is posted and the pressure is real. From trusting a quirky but honest horse, to simplifying the barrier, managing mindset, and balancing rodeo with work and family life, this conversation captures rodeo as it unfolds, not years later. There’s no polish. No hindsight. Just mindset, preparation, and trust — told in the calm before the gate swings open. BTC was on the road again, recording the stories that matter — right where rodeo happens. 🎙️ This is Beyond the Chutes. #BeyondTheChutes #BTCOnTheRoad #RodeoPodcast #FirstFrontierCircuit #BreakawayRoping #IPRARodeo #ProfessionalRodeo #RodeoMindset #CowboyCulture #CowgirlStrong #WesternHeritage #RodeoLife #WomenInRodeo #BehindTheScenes #OnTheRodeoRoad

Beyond the Chutes | First Frontier Circuit Finals Series Before the gate opens and the clock starts, there’s a moment when it’s just a rider, a horse, and everything you’ve worked on to that moment. In Episode 1 of our special First Frontier Circuit Finals series, we sit down with Karissa Landis, a barrel racer from Middleburg, Pennsylvania, whose journey to success has been shaped as much by trust and patience as by speed. Recorded on site at the First Frontier Circuit Finals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, this conversation goes far beyond the arena dirt. Karissa shares the deeply personal story of Old Man Cash — the horse who carried her through her youth, her grief, and her growth as a competitor. In a meaningful full-circle moment, Karissa purchased Cash from my daughter Kathleen Simcox, who took a soured barrel racing horse out of the arena for nearly two years and made riding fun again. By stepping away from competition, riding with a partner, and allowing a horse to simply be a horse, Cash found his way back — not just as a competitor, but as a true teacher. Karissa opens up about: “if I win”“when I do”The results followed. At the 2026 First Frontier Circuit Finals, Karissa: Won the first roundPlaced in every roundFinished second in the averageearned an invitation to the NFR Open in Colorado Springs this JulyBut this episode isn’t about stats on a scoreboard. It’s about what happens when riders show up for their horses, honor the process, and refuse to settle for anything less than their best. This is the story that sets the tone for the entire series. 🎧 Beyond the Chutes — where the real rodeo stories live. #BeyondTheChutes #BarrelRacing #WomenInRodeo #RodeoLife #HorseAndRider #RodeoMindset #FirstFrontierCircuit #NFRopen

Perfect — here is a clean, narrative, SEO-strong RSS description built directly from the Episode 2 transcript, written in your voice, grounded in what Wes actually says, and structured so podcast platforms can index it properly. I’ve stayed faithful to the transcript themes and language, not invented summary fluff. This is Episode 2 – Part 2, clearly tied to Part 1. 🎧 RSS DESCRIPTION — Episode 2 (Transcript-Driven) In Part 2 of our conversation with Wes Ward, recorded during the Beyond the Chutes Texas Swing 2025 inside the BTC Bus at a Chute 2 Productions bull riding, Wes opens up about the long road that follows a lifetime in the saddle. After riding bareback horses for more than two decades, Wes faced the question every cowboy eventually must answer: What do you do when you can’t get on anymore? From transitioning into rodeo production and announcing, to building a life beyond competition, Wes reflects on the decisions, detours, and mentors that shaped him along the way. This episode dives deep into rodeo’s business realities — moving between the IPRA and PRCA, navigating permits and rookie seasons, college rodeo, hauling with the right people, and learning how to make a living without breaking yourself in the process. Wes also shares candid insight into equipment changes, judging rules, the evolution of bareback riding, and why production and presentation matter just as much as the riding itself. Along the way, Wes honors the people who influenced him most — mentors like Jack Wiseman, friendships formed on the road, lessons learned from rodeo legends, and the quiet guidance that came later in life through faith, service, and teaching the next generation. This is not a highlight-reel episode. It’s a reflection on longevity, purpose, and the responsibility to pass things on better than you found them. This is Beyond the Chutes, presented by ParaSight. Hosted by Doug Simcox. These stories matter. #BeyondTheChutes #WesWard #TexasSwing2025 #RodeoPodcast#BarebackRiding #RodeoHistory #CowboyLife #RodeoAnnouncer#IPRARodeo #PRCARodeo #Chute2Productions #ParaSight#TheseStoriesMatter

In Part 1 of this Texas Swing episode of Beyond the Chutes, host Doug Simcox sits down with legendary rodeo cowboy and announcer Wes Ward for a powerful, story-driven conversation recorded on the road in October 2025. This episode centers on Wes Ward’s early rodeo journey and his deep, personal friendship with Lane Frost — how they first met, traveled together, competed together, and forged a bond that shaped both of their lives. Wes shares rare, firsthand stories of Lane long before fame, revealing the character, humility, and work ethic that made Lane more than just a champion — it made him unforgettable. Wes also reflects on the mentors who shaped him, including the defining moment when Jack Wiseman “taught him how to win,” and how those lessons carried through his bareback riding career, rodeo announcing, and life beyond the arena. This episode explores rodeo heritage, cowboy values, faith, perseverance, and the unseen moments that shape champions. Recorded during the Beyond the Chutes Texas Swing and proudly supported by Parasight Systems, Part 1 sets the foundation for a deeper continuation of Wes Ward’s story in Part 2.

In Episode 2 of Beyond the Chutes, recorded on the Texas Swing 2025, Doug and Sam continue their conversation with rodeo legend Ronnie Williams — a man who didn’t just ride through rodeo history, he helped build it. Ronnie reflects on the hard miles of the old rodeo road, hauling coast to coast with Glen Bird, riding more than 160 rodeos a year, and learning the business of rodeo the hard way — by doing it. The conversation moves beyond the arena to the business and production side of rodeo, where Ronnie discusses the influence of Bruce Lehrke, the impact of rodeo management schools, and the rise of major building rodeos promoted by Lehrke and Steve Gander. Ronnie reflects on legendary productions, including competing in front of massive crowds at the Pontiac Silverdome, and what those events meant for the growth and visibility of rodeo. Ronnie also shares his transition from competitor to leadership, detailing his work as an IRA/IPRA executive, field representative, and advocate for affiliations that helped grow rodeo participation across the country. Along the way, he pays tribute to the entertainers and personalities who defined the era, including Lecile Harris, whose live, unscripted arena performances set a standard that has never been matched. This episode wraps up our visit with Ronnie Williams. If you missed it, be sure to listen to Episode #164 — Ronnie Williams Part 1: “I Didn’t Think You Could Get Hurt Riding a Bucking Horse.” Beyond the Chutes is presented by ParaSight Systems.

In this Part One episode of Beyond the Chutes, Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen sit down in Mineral Wells, Texas with Ronnie Williams, an eight-time IPRA Bareback Riding World Champion, as part of the Texas Swing 2025, recorded in October. Ronnie takes us back to where it all began—growing up on the east side of Fort Worth, buying his first rigging with no guidance, and learning the hard way what it meant to ride bareback horses in the 1960s and ’70s. Along the way, he shares unforgettable stories of legendary horses, early IRA rodeos, traveling with Glen Bird, and riding through one of the toughest eras the sport has ever known. The conversation also turns timely and relevant as Ronnie weighs in on the IPRA’s decision to eliminate the mark-out rule in bareback and saddle bronc riding. Released just one week after the NFR—and amid controversy surrounding Stetson Wright’s missed mark-out—this episode offers hard-earned perspective on rules, judging consistency, and how the sport continues to evolve. With the PRCA now using replay review, and major events like the Calgary Stampede and The American no longer requiring a mark-out, the debate is far from over. This is Part One of Two with Ronnie Williams. Part Two is coming soon. 🎄 Released December 23. From all of us at Beyond the Chutes—Merry Christmas, and thanks for riding along.

BTC hits Sheridan, Wyoming for a special conversation with Ryan King of the legendary King Saddlery, King Ropes, and the Don King Museum. Doug interviews Ryan King who walks us through the family’s three-generation history — from Don King’s pioneering Sheridan-style tooling to 4,000-rope trips to the NFR, stretching fields, saddle-making lore, museum treasures, and the roots of one of rodeo’s most iconic brands. A heartfelt, humorous look inside the craft, culture, and community that built an American cowboy institution. #BeyondTheChutes #SheridanWyoming #KingRopes #RodeoHistory

In Part 2 of our Weatherford, Texas conversation, six-time IRA/IPRA world champion Glen Bird dives deeper into the wild, gritty, laugh-till-you-cry heart of rodeo life. Glen shares priceless stories of the early Longhorn Rodeo days with Loretta Lynn, Mooney Lynn, and Bruce Lehrke, but two characters absolutely steal the show: the legendary Lecile Harris and George “Nocona George” Taylor. Glen paints the picture of Lecile as the funniest man who ever stepped in an arena—quick-witted, fearless, and capable of wearing a bull plumb out. And he remembers Lecile and Nocona George rolling a barrel into a Loretta Lynn rodeo and bringing the house down without even saying a word. Just pure arena magic. Glen also revisits the miles he hauled with Ronnie Williams, Hewlin, Bernis Johnson and his brother, Arnold—225+ rodeos a year—sleeping in cars, napping in movie theaters, and entering anything with horns. He opens up about the 1976 Ardmore tragedy that took his younger brother Arnold, the concussion streak where he won four rodeos he doesn’t remember entering, and the challenge of serving as Bull Riding Director during the first IFR in Tulsa. We close with ranch life, Hall of Fame honors, his take on today’s bull riders, and Glen’s wish for anyone sliding down on the rope: “I hope everybody keeps making eight.” #BeyondTheChutes #RodeoHistory #GlenBird #LecileHarris #NoconaGeorge #GeorgeTaylor #BullRiding #IPRA #IRA #LonghornRodeo #LorettaLynnRodeo #WesternHeritage #BullRidingHallOfFame #MakeEight #BeyondTheChutesPodcast #inourroots

In their first conversation - Part 1 - Doug and Sam sit down with four-time bull-riding world champion and two-time All-Around (IRA/IPRA) Glen Bird in Weatherford, Texas. From a ranch kid in Matador, TX to one of the sport’s most technically precise riders, Glen shares the road that shaped his perfect style — square shoulders, toes out, and calm breathing even on the rankest bulls. He talks about the man who changed his life: Ag Teacher W.T. “Mr. Woody,” who taught him not just how to ride, but how to learn. We trace Glen’s story through Sunday buck-outs, the cast-and-spur saga, and winter runs in Florida with Johnny Clark, Hal Pilgrim, Red Duffin, and later Ronnie Williams, whose memory for bulls was legendary. Along the way, Glen tips his hat to Ben Jordan, explaining how Jordan’s sense of balance and calm inspired his own technique. It’s rodeo history told straight from the man who lived it — part grit, part grin, and all heart. #BeyondTheChutes #GlenBird #BenJordan #RonnieWilliams #MrWoody #BullRiding #IPRA #IRA #RodeoHistory #TexasRodeo #WeatherfordTX #MatadorTX #PerfectStyle #CowboyLogic #RodeoPodcast #OnTheRoadAgain #TheseStoriesMatter

Recorded onsite at Festival Western de St-Tite, this episode goes inside The American Rodeo with Competition Manager Lane Peterson (Teton Ridge)—from breeding buckers and judging worldwide to building a modern, TV-ready tournament that truly opens doors for athletes. Lane explains the pathway: super qualifiers (St-Tite, Denver, San Francisco, Liberty College Shootout, Brazil) → local qualifier side-pots → three regionals (Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Lexington, KY) → Friday at Globe Life Field (top 15) → Saturday versus the top five in the world for big money, a $100K event win, and that iconic million-dollar bonus round. IPRA General Manager Dale Yerigan joins to detail how the IPRA–American collaboration helps contestants in the East, why complete results matter for qualifiers, and what to expect at Lexington’s fan-favorite stop. We also swap stories on historic bucking horses (hello, High Chaparral), production value, and how the American has evolved into a fast-moving, underdog-friendly show built for live crowds and network TV. If you’ve ever wondered how do I get from my local rodeo to The American?—this is your roadmap. Presented by ParaSight System. Subscribe & stream: BeyondTheChutes.show Follow us on Facebook: Beyond the Chutes #BeyondTheChutes #InOurRoots #TheAmericanRodeo #TetonRidge #IPRA #FestivalWesternSaintTite #StTite #LexingtonKY #GlobeLifeField #RodeoLife #RodeoFamily #WesternWayOfLife #CowboyCulture #RodeoNation #ProRodeo #BehindTheChutes #AmericanQualifier #SuperQualifier #MillionDollarRodeo #ParaSightSystems

We’re in St-Tite, Quebec — home of the legendary Festival Western de St-Tite — sitting down once again with Dale Yerigan, President and General Manager of the International Professional Rodeo Association and IPRA Canada. From the rise of breakaway roping to new rule changes shaking up the rodeo world, Dale shares how the IPRA continues to lead the charge in innovation while protecting the heart of the sport. We talk about youth rodeo, replay technology, the IFR, IFYR, and the explosive growth of rodeo across North America. It’s tradition, leadership, and the future of rodeo — all from the 57th Annual Festival Western de St-Tite. 🎧 Presented by ParaSight Systems — advancing veterinary diagnostics for performance animals. #BeyondTheChutes #Rodeo #IPRA #IFR #IFYR #FestivalWesterndeStTite #DaleYerigan #BreakawayRoping #CowgirlStrong #WesternLifestyle #LazyE #CanadianRodeo #RodeoFamily #RodeoTradition #RodeoHistory #BTCOnTheRoadAgain #ParaSightSystems

We roll tape from Daylon Swearingen’s ranch bunkhouse—formerly a dairy milking parlor turned cowboy crash pad. Daylon opens up about taking three months off to heal from a concussion, the training protocol he’s following, and why strong necks, helmets, and mouth guards matter. We break down the business of bull teams (scoring, riders, payouts, and why “Gucci Time” is a dream draw), futurity bulls and dummies, partnerships, and what it takes to build bulletproof infrastructure for bucking stock. He also shares how the Carolina Cowboys’ mix of veterans and hungry young riders fuels him, why he still loves welding and working cattle sun-up to sun-down, and the story behind Cross 33 Cattle (plus a sneak preview of his Swearingen 8 Second Jerky).

We took the BTC bus deep into Texas and filled the tanks with stories. From Sulphur Springs to Weatherford, Mineral Wells, Wylie, and Springtown, Doug and Sam catch you up on a whirlwind week: wellness updates and futurity talk with Daylon Swearingen at Daylon’s Ranch, living-room rodeo museums and four gold buckles’ worth of grit with Glen Bird, eight-time champ perspective with Ronnie Williams, a street-built bull riding in a church parking lot with Shoot 2 Productions, and a late-night history download with Wes Ward—nephew of IRA founder J.R. “Jail” Cravens and his best friend Lane Frost. Plus: Kelly and Charlene Clark open the doors to “The Buckhorn,” a wall-to-wall trove of saddles, posters, and stories that tie the IRA, IPRA, and modern rodeo together. These stories matter. Presented by ParaSight Systems—helping vets help pets with fast, accurate diagnostics. Also supported by Simcox & Company Barbershop (Cedar Falls, IA), The Wandering Gypsy RV Life podcast, and music by Nikki McLeod (“Prepaid,” “Some Kind of Reckless”). Book corner: This Ain’t My Last Rodeo by Lecile Harris (out now). Coming Fall 2025: World’s Toughest Rodeo: How One Cowboy Blazed a Trail for Western Sports (W Brand Publishing). #BeyondTheChutes #InOurRoots #TexasSwing #SulphurSprings #WeatherfordTX #MineralWells #WylieTX #SpringtownTX #DaylonSwearingen #GlenBird #RonnieWilliams #KellyClark #WesWard #LaneFrost #Shoot2Productions #IPRA #IRA #BullRiding #BarebackRiding #RodeoHistory #TheseStoriesMatter #ParaSightSystems #SimcoxAndCompany #NikkiMcLeod #WanderingGypsyRVLife

From open shows in southeast Oklahoma to two IPRA world titles and a run at the NFR, Marilyn Duplissey built a life around good horses, hard lessons, and a tougher business plan. In this final chapter, Marilyn takes us through 1976 in Tulsa, the decision to buy her WPRA card, and the unforgettable partnership with Dan—the gritty, honest gelding her friends voted “most heart” at the NFR. We dig into futurities (time, money, and why they can feel like “doing time”), soundness and shoeing, equine dentistry, splints, banamine, and why the best riders listen when a horse says, “Take me to the vet.” Marilyn also opens the gate on the racehorse years—claiming, purses, trainers, HISA, and the thrill of a dead-last closer flying up the lane. Then we close with what came next: a classroom, a different kind of teaching, and a simple truth—dreams change, but the horse still teaches. Because in rodeo and in life, these stories matter. #BeyondTheChutes #MarilynDuplissey #MikeDuplissey #DanTheHorse #BarrelRacing #WPRA #IPRA #NFR #RodeoLegends #WomenOfRodeo #Futurity #QuarterHorses #Racehorses #HorseHealth #EquineDentistry #OklahomaRodeo #LouisianaCowgirl #TheseStoriesMatter #inourroots

Fresh off Team Australia’s big summer—highlighted by Cade Ferguson’s IFYR Saddle Bronc title—Kylee Ferguson joins BTC with the inside story on the new International Youth Rodeo Challenge spanning Mount Isa, Richmond, and Townsville. We cover team sizes, horse “buddy” rotation to keep things fair, community support, sponsors, media buzz, and how riders from the USA, New Zealand, and Australia made it happen. Plus: how to get involved for 2026 and where the team’s headed next. Because these stories matter. #BeyondTheChutes #YouthRodeo #IFYR #SaddleBronc #TeamAustralia #TeamUSA #TeamNZ #MountIsa #Townsville #QueenslandRodeo #BarrelRacing #BreakawayRoping #Bareback #MiniBulls #InOurRoots

Hosts Doug Simcox and two-time North American Rodeo Commission Saddle Bronc Champion Sam Swearingen sit down at Rawhide Ranch to swap stories, compare coaching notes, and map the road ahead for Beyond the Chutes. They talk about healing up, working cattle, road trips to Mountain Cove and St-Tite, racing at Watkins Glen, mentoring young bronc riders, and welcoming BTC’s first sponsored cowgirl — 13-year-old Aubrey Wulf. It’s a relaxed, funny, wide-ranging conversation that shows the friendship behind the microphones and reminds us why these stories matter. #BeyondTheChutes #BTCcowgirl #AubreyWulf #BreakawayRoping #CowgirlUp #RitaTheHorse #RodeoLife #WomenInRodeo #OnTheRoadAgain #RodeoFamily #TheseStoriesMatter #InOurRoots #RodeoStrong

In Part 2 of our conversation with Marilyn Duplissey, the stories get even wilder. From losing her college heifers to finding her stride in the IRA, Marilyn takes us through the early days with Dan—the horse that carried her to the top. You’ll hear about rodeoing on grass in Gainesville, altitude struggles in Albuquerque, and the unforgettable moment when Dan tumbled out on the highway at 70 mph… only to win the very next rodeo. Along the way, Marilyn shares what it took to get into the zone, the importance of great farriers, and the grit it takes to chase a championship. Her humor, honesty, and toughness shine through every story. Subscribe now—because this ride is far from over. Picture by Tom Woods - 4-4 IFR-7 3rd go Maryilyn Duplissey, Yulsa Ok. #Rodeo #BarrelRacing #MarilynDuplissey #BeyondTheChutes #DanSteppedOut #RodeoHistory #CowgirlTough #TheseStoriesMatter #InOurRoots

I made my way to Poteau, Oklahoma, to sit down at the home of Mike and Marilyn Duplissey. After years of trying to connect, we finally made it happen. Marilyn—a two-time IPRA World Champion—welcomed me in with warmth, stories, and yes, two unforgettable bowls of gumbo. This is the first episode in our conversation, where Marilyn begins sharing her journey: growing up in Hodgen, the early rodeos, long days feeding cattle, and the $400 bush-track horse named Dan who would become the heart of her career. You’ll hear about the red clay, the old training methods, the horses that taught her, and the grit it takes to make your way in rodeo. It’s a story rooted in family, hard work, and Oklahoma soil. Part 1 sets the stage—there’s more to come in the next episode. Presented by ParaSight System—educate, prevent, and protect pets and their people. Awareness saves lives.

Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen wrap up an unforgettable 10 days at the 57th Festival Western de St-Tite. The crowds were record-breaking, the hospitality unmatched, and the rodeo action second to none. In this closing episode, you’ll hear from newly crowned champions: Raymond Hostetler, who split first place in the saddle bronc riding finals after a gritty reride, and Austin Stewart, who captured the steer wrestling win and punched his ticket to the American Eastern Regional Qualifier in Lexington, KY. Stewart’s story of “Peach,” a former barrel horse turned bulldogging Ferrari, shows just how much horsepower it takes to make it to the top. Doug and Sam also reflect on the growth of St-Tite from a ballfield in 1967 with 5,000 fans to nearly a million visitors today. From behind-the-scenes conversations with announcers and festival leaders to the roar of the short round, this is rodeo at its best. Subscribe to Beyond the Chutes and join us on the road. #BTC #BeyondTheChutes #FestivalWesternStTite #StTite #Rodeo #RodeoLife #RodeoFamily #CanadianRodeo #IPRA #ProRodeo #WesternLifestyle #WesternWay #QuietEnoughToRide #InOurRoots