Randy Corley - Announcer
Randy Corley has been the man behind the microphone in Phillipsburg for the past 25 years.
A ten time PRCA Announcer of the Year winner, he has worked marquee rodeos including the 2008 National Finals Rodeo, the Caldwell , Idaho Night rodeo, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson , and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
As announcer, Corley's job is to entertain and educate fans. He has firsthand knowledge of the sport; he competed as a young man but after realizing he was only making contributions to the other contestants' prize money, he moved to the announcer's stand.
He and his wife make their home in Silverdale , Washington .
Rodeo clown - Rick Young
Rick Young returns to Phillipsburg to provide comedy for rodeo fans. The Agin' Cajun, as he calls himself, will bring laughs and giggles to spectators each night of rodeo.
Rick, who lives in Tickfaw , La. , has been clowning rodeos for 51 of his 76 years. He loves to entertain people, and he just loves being around people. "I like people. I like what I'm doing, and that's the dad-gummed thing about it. And if I like you, I like you, and if I don't, then I'll dang sure tell you," he laughs.
His list of accomplishments reads like a hall of fame: Coors Man in the Can, 1991, 1994, 1996-1997; PRCA Clown of the Year, 1980; Wrangler Bullfight Tour Finals, 1980-81; Original Coors Rodeo Showdown, 1992, 1995; Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo 1985, and National Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee (Oklahoma City), 2004. Just last year, he was honored at the Sikeston ( Mo. ) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo for working that rodeo for 50 consecutive years!
The Agin' Cajun has made only one concession to his age. He no longer works the barrel. "I'm not getting any slower. They're making faster bulls," he jokes. Andy North, Yukon , Okla. , will be barrelman.
Rick looks forward to returning to Phillipsburg . "It's a mighty fine rodeo. I can't wait till I get there."
Freestyle Bullfights
The very popular Bullfights return to the Phillipsburg Arena.
The Wrangler Bullfights, held for 12 years, were part of Kansas ' Biggest Rodeo each year till they were discontinued in 2000.
Now they're back.
Freestyle bullfights will follow the bull riding at the end of each night of rodeo. Three bullfighters will be given a minimum of 40 seconds to showcase their freestyle bullfighting skills, with the option for an additional 30 seconds.
Each bullfighter will be given a score by two judges, with the optimum score being 100 points, just like
in rodeo's roughstock events. First, second and third places will be awarded with money earned by each bullfighter.
Bullfighters are judged on their control of the fight and how they "dress up" the fight, according to Dusty Tuckness, Kansas ' Biggest Rodeo bullfighter. "You can dress up your fight by doing fakes, reverses, and step throughs, as well as jumping the bull and doing tricks off the barrel," he said. "They'll add to your score if you're successful."
Tuckness will work the bull riding during the rodeo and will also be one of the three free style bullfighters. The other two freestyle fighters will be Wacey Munsell, Ulysses, Kan. , and Casey Craigen, Beaumont , Texas . Munsell is a two time champion of the Dickies Bullfights, held in conjunction with the PBR, and he is the 2004 and 2006 Champion of Rex Dunn's World Championship Bullfights held in Ada, Okla. Craigen is the 2008 Reserve Champion of Dunn's World Championship Rodeo Bullfights.
Dusty Tuckness - Bullfighter
Dusty Tuckness is the newest personnel member at Kansas ' Biggest Rodeo. The Meteetse, Wyoming bullfighter replaces Donny Sparks, who finished out his career at last year's rodeo in Philipsburg.
Tuckness, 22, has been working the arena for half his life. His dad, Timber, also a bullfighter, gave his young son strict instructions: at local rodeos and in the practice pen, Dusty was there as a spectator only.
But that didn't last long. "I started sneaking out into the arena a few times (to fight bulls) and I found out I wanted to do this as a career," Dusty said.
Dusty's résumé includes prestigious rodeos like RodeoHouston, Denver 's National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, the 2009 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello , Idaho , and the Calgary ( Canada ) Stampede.
Dusty loves his job. "I like to go out there and manhandle a 2,000 lb. animal and save bull riders' lives, day after day. It's kinda like being the bull riders' angel."
Greg Rumohr - Bullfighter
Greg Rumohr has a personality suited for bullfighting.
The 48 year old Texan grew up competing in tough, aggressive sports: playing hockey in his native Canada , racing chuckwagons, and boxing. In 1989, he got his PRCA bullfighting card and began working rodeos in the States.
That same year, Rumohr signed a contract to work Kansas ' Biggest Rodeo. He has endeared himself to Phillipsburg rodeo fans, so much that he has his own cheering section, Rumohr's Rowdies, in the northeast grandstands.
Rumohr, who is the 1990 Wrangler Bullfighting Champion, has worked rodeos across the nation and in Canada . He was a reserve champion in the Bullfights in 1995, 1997 and 1999.
Phillipsburg is one of three rodeos that Rumohr has had his entire U.S. rodeo career. Now, even though his primary occupation is as a heavy equipment contractor, he still works those rodeos (including North Platte , Neb. and Oklahoma City , Okla. ) "Now I just do it because I love the people that I know and the rodeos that I have. It's a paid holiday to get away from my business," he says.
Rumohr and his wife Donna have two daughters, ages 10 and 3. They live in Rio Vista, Texas.
Beutler & Son Rodeo Company - Bennie & Rhett Beutler, Livestock Contractors
The Phillipsburg rodeo could not take place without the presence of a Beutler family member.
The Beutler family and its livestock have been coming to Kansas ' Biggest Rodeo since 1960, when Bennie was a youngster and Rhett wasn't even thought of!
Their job at Kansas ' Biggest Rodeo: to provide the bucking horses and bulls. In addition, Bennie's family serves in other roles: as timers, rodeo secretaries, flank men, and chute bosses.
The Beutler name is synonymous with rodeo. Bennie's granddad, Elra, and great-uncles Jake and Lynn, started the business in 1929.
Since then, Beutler & Son Rodeo Co. has had livestock selected to buck at nearly every National Finals Rodeo, and has had animals selected as the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association Bucking Stock of the Year 15 times.
The Beutlers make their home in Elk City , Oklahoma . Bennie and wife Connie are the parents of 3 children: Rhett, Amber and Katie. Rhett and his wife are the parents of 2 children.
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