Stock going to finals

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
The Podio family, owners of the Circle Nine Cattle Company, have been raising bucking bulls on their land for the amateur rodeo circuit for about a decade, according to Rebecca Podio. However, recently they became pro rodeo stock contractors,
and they are sending two
animals to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Arlington, Texas, in December. 
Last year, Chancy Wilson of Kyle, South Dakota, approached the Podios about buying into a pro rodeo card, a “dream come true” for Andy, Rebecca’s dad. 
“It was a lifelong dream of being a stock contractor in the PRCA,” Andy said. Andy’s brother, Joe, noted that being around rodeo their whole lives, this seemed like a natural next step for the ranch. 
In partnering with Wilson, they became Muddy Creek ProRodeo. Becoming a PRCA stock contractor is a pres-
tigious honor, according to Andy, because there are limited cards available. 
“We couldn’t have better partners,” Rebecca said of Wilson. 
Wilson raises the bareback horses, and the Podio’s raise the bucking bulls right on their land. Muddy Creek is sending one bull, 512 Propaganda, and one bareback horse, Braggin Rights, to the WNFR, another notable accomplishment. 
Both animals have had impressive reputations, with 512 Propaganda being honored as the high-scoring bull at the 2020 Forever West PBR in Sheridan, and Braggin Rights being featured in the past at the Indian National Finals. 
The family is pretty excited that their homegrown bull has been chosen for a pro rodeo, Rebecca said, and it’s rare that rodeo stock is raised on “centennial ground” – the ranch has been in the family for over 100 years. 
“We raised 512 Propaganda right here on the ranch,” Rebecca said. 
In order to be chosen for the Wrangler Nationals, a bull must go through a competitive process, Rebecca said. First, the animal needs to have eight outs on the circuit within a rodeo season, Oct. 1 to Oct. 1. Once the animal meets that criteria, it can be nominated. Event directors go through the nominees and gather a short list, narrowing down the animals. 
Videos and stock stats are put together for the animal, and cowboys who are qualified in that event vote on the stock. Then, to choose the final animals, the top cowboys in the world choose which animals will be entered. 
In addition, Muddy Creek ProRodeo also sent 13 animals to the Badlands Circuit Finals in Minot, N.D., in October, and Rebecca said that they are very happy with the success of their first full season. 
While breeding rodeo stock can be a lot of work, the Podios say they are excited to continue in their partnership and have already lined up rodeos for the 2021 season. 
“Next year looks good for us, and we hope we can get more livestock picked,” Andy said.