WILL RASSMUSEN

Will Rasmussen announces some of the biggest and best Professional rodeos in the United States.  He has been chosen to announce the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo four times, the Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo nineteen times and  announced the first ever Wrangler Champions Challenge in Redding, CA.  He was chosen to host the Cowboy Corral show at the Thomas and Mack in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo by Las Vegas Events.  A smooth, easy-listening voice, solid knowledge of rodeo and a style that is both entertaining and informative are the mix of elements that make him one of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s most popular rodeo announcers.

​

The Choteau, Montana native’s love of rodeo stems from his experience as the oldest child of the “Rodeoing Rasmussens”, a family in which just about everyone was involved in the sport of rodeo and recently inducted into Montana’s Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.  His mother was a timer and his father an announcer.  One brother is a competitor, while his youngest Flint is an eight time PRCA Clown of the Year.

Rasmussen says the thrill of announcing rodeos never gets old.  “It’s a great reward to have thousands of people to respond positively to something that’s happened and to know you helped that along,” Rasmussen says.

​

Rasmussen’s trademark is his enthusiasm for the sport and his ability to involve the entire audience in each of the rodeo events.  His commentary is down-to-earth, sprinkled with rodeo facts and trivia that make the show understandable and enjoyable for veteran fans and first-time enthusiasts.  “My job is to educate the folks that want to learn about the sport and to inform the folks that are already educated….and to entertain everyone!!”.

​

The following is a list of some of the rodeos Rasmussen announces or has announced:

• Rodeo Austin-Austin, TX

• Oakdale Rodeo-Oakdale, CA

• The Redding Rodeo-Redding, CA(Wrangler Million Dollar Tour)

• Last Stand Rodeo-Coulee City, WA

• Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo-Central Point, OR

• Livermore Rodeo-Livermore, CA

• Strawberry Days Rodeo-Pleasant Grove, UT

• Greeley Independence Day Stampede-Greeley, CO

• Drummond PRCA Rodeo-Drummond, MT

• Sheridan WYO Rodeo-Sheridan, WY (Wrangler Million Dollar Tour)

• California Rodeo Salinas-Salinas, CA (Wrangler Million Dollar Tour)

• That Famous Preston Night Rodeo-Preston, ID

• Central Montana Fair & Rodeo-Lewistown, MT

• Big Sky Pro Rodeo Round-Up-Great Falls, MT

• Western Montana Fair & Rodeo-Missoula, MT

• Moses Lake Round-up-Moses Lake, WA

• Salmon Stampede-Salmon, ID

• Magic Valley Stampede-Filer, ID

• Lewiston Round-up-Lewiston, ID

RODNEY YOST

Rodney Yost is a 4th generation South Dakota rancher who has been involved with the ranching and horse customs his entire life. He's been on horseback since he was a baby in diapers on his family's ranch, started training ponies at the age of 10, and trained his first horse at the age of 13. Since then, he has become one of the top horse trainers and clinicians in South Dakota and throughout the Midwest. Over the past few years, Rodney has instructed many horsemanship clinics and demonstrations for all ages and riding levels. His unique training style and sense of humor has made him a sought after horsemanship clinician throughout the United States and Canada. He is the first and only 4-time champion of the Crosswinds Ranch Colt Training Challenge that is held at Michigan State University every spring, and has won multiple Ranch Horse Colt Futurity competitions. He has become known for creating a relationship with his horses to produce extremely supple, well-mannered, and responsive horses that are capable of many disciplines.
 
Growing up in the heart of cattle-country in South Dakota, Rodney developed a love for the land and livestock at an early age.  Over the years, this partnership with the ranching lifestyle has blossomed into a progressive mindset regarding his family-owned and operated Broadaxe Ranch, along with its expansive commercial cattle herd, and American Quarter Horse breeding and training program. 
 
What started out as a necessity of the Broadaxe Ranch operation, breeding and training their own horses for ranch use, Rodney Yost Horsemanship developed most naturally through many years of on-the-job learning and real life experiences of utilizing horses for everyday ranch work.  For a horseman or horsewoman of any level to have the opportunity of an enjoyable and successful experience while horseback, Rodney believes it is clearly essential to have the correct tools and philosophy to enable all riders the ability to develop a horse that can pull the throttle back to sit, relax, and go slowly at times, while likewise having the ability to step down on the gas pedal when needed in the heat of the action.  Horses that have the training, foundation, and ability to make that distinction easily rise to the top and become the cream of the crop in all disciplines.  
 
Rodney Yost Horsemanship Demonstrations and Ride-Along Clinics aim to demonstrate, teach, and enable everyone to have a variation of hypothetical tools, a common-sense training mindset, combined with the most elite training techniques.  Along with Rodney's personal learning experiences over the years, Rodney Yost Horsemanship works tirelessly to give all individuals insight regarding the natural instinct, thinking process, and behavior of a horse in an effort to "help the horse to teach itself". 

Rodney Yost Horsemanship Demonstrations are free to the public and will be held on Saturday, January 25th and Saturday, Feb. 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in the Barnett Arena.

For more information on how to schedule a Rodney Yost Horsemanship Clinic or Demonstration in your area, please contact Rodney Yost at (605)-680-0004, go to  to check out his family's Broadaxe Ranch website, or search for "Broadaxe Ranch" or "Rodney Yost" on Facebook.  

KEITH ISLEY

Keith was born on October 9, 1957 in Reidsville, North Carolina. Keith Started his rodeo career in 1972 at the age of fifteen competing in the junior rodeo division in the bareback riding and bull riding. He also tried his hand at bullfighting. It got to the point where he enjoyed the bullfighting (protecting the cowboys) more than the competition. That's more or less how his career as a contract performer began.

​

Keith had no desire to tell jokes or perform clown acts. Being somewhat shy, he found the large audiences intimidating. However, after a period of time he found that the baggy pants and make-up that he wore provided him a comfort shield between himself and the spectators. Slowly but surely, he began telling jokes and performing clown acts.

​

Some of his comedy routines consist of Trick Roping, High Impact-Low Impact aerobic workout, various animal routines and Trick Riding. Acts such as these have made it possible for Keith to make rodeo entertainment a full-time career.

​

His travels have taken him throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.

NATHAN JESTES

Born and raised in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. Nate was always drawn to the family ranch and the small farming community where his closest friends were from.  Throughout high school, Nate found a lot of success in various sports and eventually being recruited to some of the top colleges in the country to play lacrosse.  After turning away several athletic scholarships, Nate decided to pursue his childhood dream of Aviation.  Two years later, Nate graduated from Montana State University with an Associates Degree in Aviation Technology.  Becoming a Commercial rated pilot as well as a Certified Flight Instructor, Nate now shares his passion for aviation with others.

During this time, Nate was instilled with another life-long passion of Bullfighting.  Nate was accepted into the PRCA in 2010 and his career quickly accelerated.  Throughout the last couple of years, Nate has had the opportunity to work at some of the biggest rodeos in the industry.  Nate has been able to find success in freestyle bullfighting as well, especially with the recent development of Bullfighters Only.  Nate won several events throughout their inaugural year and led the standings for the majority.  With all the success in freestyle bullfighting, Nate takes the most pride in his cowboy protection.  To him it’s the most gratifying part of the job.  In 2016, Nate was voted one of PRCA’s “Top Five Bullfighters of the Year” and selected to work the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the biggest rodeo of his ascending professional bullfighting career.  He has been selected for both honors again in 2017.

TATE RHOADS

21 years old from Custer MT. 3rd year PRCA member. Top 10 in the world in the PRCA freestyle bullfighting. 2019 Black Hills Round up freestyle bullfighting Champion. 2x second place winner at the Rodeo Rapid City Freestyle bullfights. 3rd place finisher at JDRF fighting for a cure Freestyle bullfights in Spanish Fork Utah. 3rd place finish at the National Western Bullfights in Denver Colorado. 2x EPB Bullfighter of the year as well. Tate just expanded his PRCA presence with the addition of his Barrel Man Card.  Look for him working both in and out of the barrel in 2020!  “If I’m not rodeoing you can catch me hunting or fishing or just being in the outdoors!”

EZRA COLEMAN

Born and raised in the Rozet, WY area. I am into my third year fighting bulls pro and have been bullfighting for about eight years total. My dad and uncle fought bulls and that’s how I got started into the rodeo world. 

YOUNG LIVING PERCHERONS

They are called the “Gentle Giants”!  Come see them up close and personal at Rodeo Rapid City, January 26th-February 3rd, at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City SD.  This beautiful team of horses will be on display in the “Rodeo Zone”, located in the Ice Arena from 10:00 a. m. to 7:00 p.m.  They will then be hitched up and make an appearance in the Barnett Arena during Rodeo Rapid City events, driven by Jason Goodman, Percheron Draft Horse Program Manager.

​

“We drive a 6 horse hitch of Percheron geldings that range in age from 7 to 11 years of age.  They average 18 hands in height and weigh 2000 pounds each.  The group of horses are Tuff, Mick Jagger, (the wheel team) Huey, Bode, (swing team) Rocket, Cyclone, (lead team) Preacher(the spare tire).  We are looking for another good young gelding to add to our band of brothers.”

​

Jason Goodman has performed at Rodeo Rapid City in the past with the Specialty Act of the Year, Percheron Thunder.  The Young Living Percheron Hitch will be traveling from their home in Mona, UT.

​

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see these amazing “Gentle Giants” at Rodeo Rapid City!

MOUNTED SHOOTING COMPETITION

Cowboy Mounted Shooting is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports in the nation. Mounted shooting contestants compete in this fast action, timed event, using two .45 caliber single action revolvers each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition.  Cowboy Mounted Shooting has a variety of levels of competition for everyone, ranging from novice levels to the seasoned professional.

FREESTYLE BULLFIGHT COMPETITION

In celebration of the 43rd Annual PRCA Rodeo Rapid City, Sutton Rodeo will be featuring a Freestyle Bull Fight Competition where the bull fighter competitors will each compete 40-70 seconds, trying to convince a judge their fight is best. Flips, tricks, fancy foot work and extreme athletic ability will match up against some of the most agile, high stamina and aggressive bulls in the country.  Catch first round action Thurs Feb 6th and Fri Feb 7th at 1:00pm in the Barnett Arena-Free Admission.  Top competitors will advance into the PRCA Rodeo Rapid City performances Thurs Feb 6th and Fri Feb 7th 7:30pm and Sat Feb 8th 1:30pm where they will compete head to head in the semifinals round.  Three will advance to the final round Sat Feb 8th 7:30pm and one will be crowned the Rodeo Rapid City Freestyle Bull Fight Champion!

GIRLS IN SPURS - LADIES NIGHT

Returning to the Rodeo Rapid City is the Girls in Spurs Ladies Night!  Come out and enjoy the live music while pampering yourself at the beauty bar with complimentary mini spa services; hair, makeup, massage, and estheticians.  Sample the decadent deserts and savory treats from our local food vendors.  Kick up your heels and sample some custom cowgirl cocktails created just for you by Pendleton Whisky and Tito’s Vodka.  Beer tasting from Fisher Beverage & Lost Cabin Brewery.  For the grand finale, check out the new 2020 fashions rocking the runway from our featured fashion retailers.  And that’s not all, as an added bonus each ticket holder is registered to win one of the amazing retail prizes to be drawn during the fashion show!

Doors open at 3:30pm with the style show starting at 5:00pm.  Admission is $20 at the door or FREE with the presentation of a PRCA Xtreme Broncs ticket!  The Xtreme Broncs begins at 7:30pm in the Barnet Arena and is the perfect conclusion to a girl’s night out!  PRCA Xtreme Broncs tickets are available at www.gotmine.com; 1-800-GOT-MINE; and at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Box Office.

Grab your girlfriends and head down for a night packed with beauty, fashion, cocktails & cowboys at Rodeo Rapid City Wednesday, Feb 5th!