Kansas Biggest Rodeo

Troy Lerwill, the Wild Child

Troy Lerwill will be the barrel man and one of the specialty acts for the 2011 Kansas' Biggest Rodeo.

The Payson, Utah man, known as the “Wild Child,” jumps the length of a pickup truck and trailer with his motorcycle, and as barrel man, banters with the announcer during the show. Lerwill describes his act as “90% comedy and 10% really scary for me.”

Lerwill began his rodeo career as a bullfighter. After he realized the rodeo funny man got paid more, he gradually shifted to clown work. “I was never the class clown, so it was scary for me,” he said. He has won the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association Comedy Act of the Year six times, in 2002-2003, and 2005-2008.

In addition to rodeo, Lerwill owns Downhill Cyclery, a bicycle store, in his hometown. He enjoys mountain biking and hosts a mountain bike race every year on Labor Day.

The Wild Child will entertain each night of rodeo! For more information on Lerwill, click on www.theWildChild.net.

Big Horse Productions-Erik Martonovich

Big Horse Productions is one of Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo specialty acts for the 2011 rodeo.

Erik Martonovich, BHP’s founder, began the act in 1997 with one horse. Since then, it has grown to 8 horses and 15 different riders.

Erik roman rides an 8 horse hitch as other members of his team do trick riding stunts on the horses. The tricks include combinations of vaults, dressage, dance, tumbling, and circus acts.

BHP has entertained at equine events across the nation. In September 2010, they were part of the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. They have also performed at venues such as the National Western Stock Show in Denver and the Arabian Nights Road Show/Black Stallion Literacy Foundation. In March of 2011, they entertained rodeo fans at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Be prepared to be thrilled by this equine acrobatic act! For more information, visit the website (www.bighorseproductions.com).

Randy Corley - Announcer

Randy Corley has been the voice calling the play-by-play in Phillipsburg since 1984.

The eleven-time PRCA Announcer of the Year never tires of the crowd and the atmosphere at Kansas' Biggest Rodeo. "I enjoy that rodeo so much. My kids grew up there, once a year, learning to swim at the Mark V Hotel. I have a lot of memories that are awful good." He enjoys working with stock contractor Bennie Beutler as well. "He always adds his bit of charm," Corley laughed.

Corley, who has been a PRCA member since 1980, now travels with his wife, Michelle, who works as a rodeo timer, and enjoys it. "My life has gotten so much better because Michelle goes with me nearly all the time. It rejuvenated what I do." They have been married for 27 years, and "she happens to be my best friend, still," Corley said. "You find out pretty quick if you're still best friends when you stay in a fifth wheel or motel room together," he laughed.

"I've made a lot of friends" in Phillipsburg, he said. "They keep it fun."

Corley and his wife live in Silverdale, Wash. They are the parents of three daughters and a son.

Dusty Tuckness – Bullfighter

For the fourth year, Dusty Tuckness will work as bullfighter at Kansas' Biggest Rodeo.

The 25 year old cowboy from Meteetse, Wyo., won his second consecutive Bullfighter of the Year Award in 2011 during the PRCA's annual convention, and he was thrilled. "It was humbling," he said, but the second time around was more nerve wracking. "I was probably more nervous this year than last year. I won it one time, so I had in my mind, 'are you consistent and good enough to get it two years in a row?'"

In 2012, Tuckness will work with a good friend and a newcomer to the Phillipsburg arena, bullfighter Aaron Ferguson. He looks forward to working with Ferguson, but any chance to fight bulls is good. "Anytime I get the opportunity to fight bulls, it doesn't matter where it is, I get along with anybody. I enjoy bullfighting for what it is." It doesn't matter whether he's in the arena with a friend or an acquaintance. "If you have a friend or someone you know more, your job doesn't change at all. You might hang out more after or before the rodeo, but the job stays the same. I go out there and have fun."

This year, Tuckness will work between 45 and 60 rodeos. He has been a PRCA member since 2005.

Aaron Ferguson – Bullfighter

A Canadian bullfighter will be one-half of the team at the 2012 Kansas' Biggest Rodeo.

Aaron Ferguson, High River, Alberta, Canada, will work with Dusty Tuckness as bull rider protector.

The 23 year old came to the States in 2009 to fulfill a lifelong dream of working PRCA rodeos. He got his first break at a PBR event in Wichita, Kan., and since then, has worked his way up to more and bigger rodeos.

He follows Greg Rumohr, who had a 23 year career in Phillipsburg, and he considers Rumohr as one of his heroes. "Rumohr is the only Canadian who went to the States and made a point of being a PRCA bullfighter, and was a Wrangler Bullfighting world champion."

The cowboy, who splits his time between Alberta, Oklahoma and Utah, will work alongside another man he admires, Dusty Tuckness. "He's one of my best buddies. I look up to him. He's doing what I'm trying to do: fight bulls the best I can, and be a good guy inside and outside the arena."

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.