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Our Public Relations and Marketing Director, Steve Milton, coordinated
some outstanding events for us these past finals. Walking away from
this week, he said, “I guess the best I can say is the visits to the VA and
Children’s hospital. For me it touched me as much personally as it may
have the kids and the Veterans. They are our future and our past. It was
very heartwarming to see the smile on the faces of both the young and
the old and it just goes to show that the humanity and the sport of rodeo
can touch the hearts of all ages if you just take the time to open your
heart to the opportunity in our communities.”

At the end of our weekend, James Hastings, our current president,
said, “Being a member of the PAFRA Family continues to provide that
same feeling of being in uniform and serving with my Warrior Brothers
& Sisters. The common bond built on common goals and mission is
nothing short of amazing! We work together year-round to produce a
top-quality rodeo, and throughout that time we strive to ensure that
we are each doing well in rodeo and in life in general. We constantly
remind each other that we are not alone. Through our motto of “Servant
Leadership” we find task & purpose through which we grow and thrive
in our communities through serving others; and it is to that end Warriors
exist. The greatest comment that I heard regarding our organization
and this weekend’s rodeo was this, ‘Last week is the most alive I've felt
in a long time. PAFRA has an amazing group of people!’ When your
organization’s members say things like that; honestly what more can
be said.”

We are so very proud and honored to invite you to join us at this amazing
event, and we are confident that you will enjoy the time spent with our
PAFRA Family and the rodeo competition. 2020’s World Championship
Rodeo will remain in Topeka with the Stormont Vail Events Center. Next
year will follow in the tradition of Servant Leadership as we grow the
events and opportunities we are building as our foundational traditions
in that local area.

Servant leadership isn’t just a military focused mindset. This year, David
and I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet some down to earth
rodeo icons. During this year’s Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cactus Ropes
(our long-time sponsor) encouraged us to seek mentorship with Spencer
Mitchell. He not only took the time to meet our son and take pictures
with him, but he even gave him some 1-on-1 lessons that day. Spencer
took the time to introduce us to Coleman Proctor, Cody Doescher, and
Clint Cooper. Never in a million years did I foresee volunteering as the
CFD Military Community Lead would connect us to so many amazing
men of character. These gentlemen have taken time from their chaotic
rodeo schedules to mentor us.

While we met Clint Cooper, we discussed PAFRA and the struggles we
have encountered trying to meet our military commitments first and
our passion for rodeo second. Being a dual military couple, we often are
separated by deployments and moving at separate times. Clint offered
to work with us prior to our PAFRA finals this year. This simple offer then
turned into an opportunity to learn from NFR’s greats. Clint and his son/
four-time World Champion, Tuf, gladly welcomed us to work with them
for a few days in Texas. Clint worked with David on dismounting his calf
tying horse. Since I am just really beginning breakaway roping, it was
all about getting the fundamentals down with Clint on a calf dummy.
David’s primary focus was flanking and tying calves with Tuf. The
knowledge they imparted and the time they shared with us will never
be forgotten. ª

44 Rodeo LIFE