Beyond the Chutes

PODCAST · sports

Beyond the Chutes

Welcome to Beyond the Chutes, a Rodeo podcast where hosts Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen dive deep into the heart of the Western and Rodeo culture. Join us as we explore the full spectrum of rodeo life, from the adrenaline-pumping action at the bucking chutes to the precision and skill of the timed event chute. Our conversations extend to those who make the rodeo world turn: competitors, committee members, stock contractors, judges, secretaries, and the vibrant personalities of contract acts, entertainers, and announcers. Together, we uncover their unique stories, experiences, and the unforgettable places their rodeo journeys have taken them.

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    #189 Rolling Smooth: Behind the Scenes of Podcasting on the Rodeo Road

    What really goes into building a podcast from the road?In this special crossover episode, Doug Simcox of Beyond the Chutes joins Stan Cromlish on the Wandering Gypsy RV Life podcast for a behind-the-scenes conversation recorded at Kickback Ranch in Raymer, Alabama.From rodeo arenas and campgrounds to editing bays and RV dinettes, Doug and Stan talk about what it really takes to build podcasts while living and traveling on the road. They dive into audio gear, video production, editing workflows, YouTube growth, RV systems, storytelling, sponsor relationships, and the challenges of creating content from inside motorhomes, horse trailers, and campground setups.You’ll hear conversations about:Podcast editing with Audacity, Descript, and the Zoom PodTrak P4Recording inside RVs and managing sound, storage, and video workflowsThe rise of reels, shorts, and YouTube podcastingRV life parallels with rodeo lifeBuilding authentic brands without losing editorial freedomThe story behind ParaSight System and their AI-driven veterinary technologyWhy storytelling still matters in both the cowboy and RV worldsThis episode also introduces the upcoming Cowboys and Cowgirls Rolling Smooth collaboration series between Beyond the Chutes and Wandering Gypsy RV Life.Real conversations. Real road life. Real storytelling.Visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel for full video episodes, shorts, reels, and behind-the-scenes content from the rodeo road.Follow Beyond the Chutes for more real stories from the rodeo road. #BeyondTheChutes #RollingSmooth #WanderingGypsyRVLife #RodeoRoad #RVLife #CowboyLife #Podcasting #WesternLifestyle #FullTimeRV #RodeoPodcast #RVPodcast #CowboyStories #WesternHeritage #RoadLife #ContentCreator #YouTubePodcast #PodcastLife #RodeoFamily #CampgroundLife #TravelPodcast #StanCromlish #DougSimcox #HorseTrailerLiving #RVTravel #CowboysAndCowgirlsRollingSmooth

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    #188 Cowboy to Full-Time RVer: Stan Cromlish’s Rolling Smooth Story

    Stan Cromlish has lived the cowboy life—and now he’s built a new one on the road.In this first episode of Cowboys & Cowgirls: Rolling Smooth, we sit down with Stan—rodeo man, author of the Rolling Smooth series, and full-time RVer—to talk about the journey from the arena to life behind the wheel.This isn’t theory. It’s real-world experience from someone who’s lived both sides—rodeo roads and RV roads—and understands what it takes to keep moving forward.We talk about:The transition from cowboy to full-time RVerWhat life on the road really looks likeThe mindset it takes to make it workWhy being “rolling smooth” matters more than you thinkIf you haul horses, chase rodeos, or live life mile to mile—this series is for you.👉 Start here. Then keep going—because every episode builds on the last.Follow Beyond the Chutes for more real stories from the rodeo road. #BeyondTheChutes

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    #187 Jim Swearingen | He Set the Table for a Rodeo Dynasty

    Recorded last fall at Mike Swearingen’s Rodeo Reunion in Wyoming, New York, this episode of Beyond the Chutes sits down with a true patriarch of rodeo in the East—Jim Swearingen.Husband to Nancy, father to Mike, Sam, Danny, Pearl, Patty, and Beth, Jim didn’t just raise a rodeo family—he helped build a rodeo community.From a small riding stable in Western New York to the early days of Little Britches Rodeo in the late 1960s, Jim put kids on horses and gave them a place to start. What followed shaped generations of cowboys and cowgirls across the Northeast.If you’ve ever been to the Attica Rodeo—founded in 1959 and still filling the stands today—you’ve felt the impact of the Swearingen family.This is more than a conversation. This is legacy, hard work, and the foundation of rodeo east of the Mississippi.Follow Beyond the Chutes for more real stories from the rodeo road. #BeyondTheChutes#BeyondTheChutes, #Rodeo, #JimSwearingen, #AtticaRodeo, #LittleBritchesRodeo, #RodeoHistory, #CowboyLife, #WesternHeritage, #RodeoFamily, #BullRiding, #CalfRoping, #CowboyLegacy, #WesternLifestyle, #RodeoPodcast, #AmericanRodeo, #CowboyStories, #RodeoLife, #PRCA, #IPRA, #EastCoastRodeo

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    #186 American Rodeo Eastern Qualifier: Winner Interviews - $2 Million on the Line

    From the dirt of Lexington, Kentucky at the Alltech Arena, this episode of Beyond the Chutes takes you inside the moment—live, unscripted, and right after the win.At The American Rodeo Eastern Regional Finals, the stakes are simple: win here, and you’re headed to Arlington, Texas… Globe Life Field… and a shot at a record $2 million.We talk with the winners as it happens—no retakes, no reset, just real reactions from the arena floor.They break down the rides, the runs, the horses, and the mindset it takes when everything is on the line.But this episode is more than just results—it’s a turning point.For the first time, Beyond the Chutes steps fully into video. New cameras. New workflow. Real-time pressure. One shot to get it right.Because if we’re going to grow this thing… we’ve got to go where the stories are—and capture them as they happen.Next stop: Arlington, Texas. Globe Life Field. May 22–23. $2 million on the line.One step closer.Follow Beyond the Chutes for more real stories from the rodeo road. #BeyondTheChutes

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    #185 The American Rodeo: From Lexington to Arlington: Winning Rides, Big Stakes, One Step Closer

    From the dirt of Lexington, Kentucky at the Alltech Arena, this episode of Beyond the Chutes brings you inside the moment—right after the win.We talk with Tilden Hooper, Dawson Hay, Jayden Roy, Austin Stewart, Brandon Edwards, and Lane Peterson following their performances at The American Eastern Regional Finals. With $10,000 on the line and everything pointing toward Arlington, Texas, these rides mean more than just a paycheck—they’re a shot at advancing to Globe Life Field and competing for a record $2 million.You’ll hear how the rides came together, the horses that made the difference, and the mindset it takes when the stakes are this high.This is rodeo at its sharpest—preparation meets opportunity, and the margin is razor thin.Short. Real. Right from the arena floor.And it’s all heading to Arlington, TX… The American Rodeo Championship Weekend, May 22–23 at Globe Life Field.One step closer.#BeyondTheChutes #TheAmericanRodeo #SaddleBronc #TildenHooper #DawsonHay #JaydenRoy #AustinStewart #BrandonEdwards #LanePeterson #RodeoLife #WesternSports #GlobeLifeField #RoadToArlington #ProRodeo #CowboyUp #RodeoPodcast #EightSeconds #RodeoStories #AmericanRodeo #KentuckyHorsePark

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    #184 Kenny Phillips 1985 World Champion to ER Doctor - Truly Blessed

    1985 IPRA World Champion Kenny Phillips shares his journey from rodeo glory to emergency room doctor…In the fall of 1986, Kenny Phillips broke his neck… and somehow, that was only part of the story.Recorded at Mike Swearingen’s Rodeo Reunion in Wyoming, New York, this episode of Beyond the Chutes brings you a powerful conversation with IPRA World Champion bareback rider Kenny Phillips—a man whose life has been shaped by grit, faith, family, and the cowboy way.From growing up in a rodeo family in the Northeast… To Wednesday night buckouts and learning the hard way… To qualifying for the IFR, winning the 1985 IPRA World Championship, and hitting the road out West…Kenny lived it.Then came the wreck.A broken neck in Arizona. A long recovery. And a decision that would change everything.Kenny didn’t just come back—he rebuilt. Today, he’s a board-certified emergency room doctor, carrying the lessons of the arena into a life of service.This episode is about more than rodeo. It’s about resilience… second chances… and the kind of people who shape you along the way.You’ll hear stories of the Phillips family legacy, the influence of great cowboys, and the next generation—Daylon and Colton—carrying it forward.And through it all, one truth stands out:👉 These stories matter.If you’ve ever been part of rodeo… or just admire the mindset it takes to keep getting back up… this one’s for you.#BeyondTheChutes #RodeoPodcast #KennyPhillips #IPRA #BarebackRiding #RodeoLife #CowboyWay #WesternHeritage #RodeoStories #IFR #RodeoFamily #CowboyUp #WesternLifestyle #RodeoHistory #FaithFamilyRodeo #EmergencyMedicine #ComebackStory #CowboyStrong #ShareTheStories #KeepTheStoriesAlive

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    #183 Jimmy Grasso – 16x Dodge National Circuit Finals Cowboy Who Showed Up Every Time | Beyond the Chutes

    Recorded live at Mike Swearingen’s Rodeo Reunion in Wyoming, New York, this episode of Beyond the Chutes features one of the most recognizable names in Northeast rodeo—Jimmy Grasso.A Jersey-born cowboy who didn’t climb on his first bronc until his late 20s, Jimmy built a career defined by grit, consistency, and one simple rule: show up. Whether it was a small-town rodeo or a major event, if there was a bronc to ride, Jimmy was there—often flying himself in to make it happen.From wrestling and football roots… to learning the hard way in the arena… to qualifying 16 times for the Dodge National Circuit Finals in Pocatello, Idaho, Jimmy’s story is one of determination, hustle, and a love for rodeo that never quit.We talk about the Northeast rodeo scene, Cowtown Rodeo, traveling the road, friendships that lasted decades, and what it really takes to stay in the game.This is a story about heart, work ethic, and proving that where you start doesn’t matter nearly as much as how often you show up.#BeyondTheChutes #RodeoPodcast #JimmyGrasso #SaddleBronc #CowboyLife #RodeoHistory #CircuitFinals #PRCA #CowtownRodeo #NortheastRodeo #RodeoFamily #BroncRiding #WesternHeritage #PodcastLife

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    #182 Bruce Brannen - So Broke, I Couldn't Pay Attention

    Recorded live at the Kickback Ranch Rodeo Reunion in Ramer, Alabama, this episode of Beyond the Chutes features lifelong cowboy Bruce Brannen. Bruce takes us from his first rodeo as a 9-year-old at the Montgomery Coliseum, to years of calf roping, college rodeo at Sam Houston State, and a 33-year career teaching art and drafting. Along the way, he shares how trick roping unexpectedly changed his life, opened new doors in performance, and connected him to legends like George Taylor and Monte Montana Jr. It’s a conversation full of grit, humor, poetry, cowboy history, and the kind of stories that only come from a life spent in and around rodeo.If you enjoy rodeo roots, old-school cowboy wisdom, and the people who helped shape the culture, this one’s worth your time.#BeyondTheChutes

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    #181 Mark Staggs — Festus Comes to the Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion | Comedy, Impersonations & Rodeo Stories

    At the Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion in North Georgia, you never know who you’re going to meet.In this episode of Beyond the Chutes, hosts Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen sit down with comedian and impersonator Mark Staggs, a performer whose voice work can instantly transport you from the rodeo arena to the streets of Dodge City.Mark brings the legendary Festus from Gunsmoke back to life in a hilarious conversation filled with classic Western humor and stories from the stage. Along the way he shares how he first discovered his gift for impersonations, the unexpected moment he met the real Festus as a young Marine in Arizona, and how that encounter helped shape a career that now includes more than 70 character voices.You’ll also hear Mark slip effortlessly into impressions of John Wayne, Liam Neeson, Christopher Walken, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro, along with the comedy routines that keep crowds laughing at rodeos, fairs, chuckwagon gatherings, and Western events across the country.Mark also talks about his years serving as a NASCAR chaplain, his life performing in places like Pigeon Forge, and why making people laugh is a gift he believes was meant to be shared.Recorded live during the Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion, this episode is a reminder that rodeo isn’t just about what happens in the arena — it’s about the characters, stories, and laughter that travel the rodeo road.Learn more about Mark Staggs at: markstaggs.com#BeyondTheChutes #Rodeo #MountainCoveRodeo #Festus #Gunsmoke #MarkStaggs #WesternComedy #RodeoPodcast #CowboyStories #WesternHeritage #RodeoReunion #CowboyCulture

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    #180 Legends of the Road: Adam Wood & Kevin Ellis | Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion

    Two Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion Legends share the miles, the moments, and the brotherhood built on the road between rodeos.Recorded last fall at the historic and legendary Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion, organized by Marlon Harris, Sam Swearingen and Doug Simcox sat down with Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion Legends Award winners Adam Wood and Kevin Ellis.These two cowboys spent years running the Southeastern rodeo circuit—riding bulls, fighting bulls, chasing two rodeos in a day, and learning the hard lessons that only come from life in the arena and miles on the highway.In this conversation, Adam and Kevin share how they got started, the mentors who shaped them, the practice pens and small-town rodeos that built their careers, and the friendships that lasted long after the bucking chutes closed.From Alligator Alley runs between rodeos… to the legendary bull riding at Kissimmee and Okeechobee… to the moment Kevin discovered he was meant to fight bulls, this episode captures the grit, humor, and brotherhood that defined a generation of Southeastern rodeo cowboys. Because in rodeo, the trophies fade—but the road stories never do.#BeyondTheChutes #Rodeo #BullRiding #BullFighting #RodeoLegends #MountainCove #MountainCoveRodeo #RodeoReunion #CowboyStories #RodeoLife #RodeoHistory #SoutheastRodeo #CowboyLife #WesternHeritage #RodeoPodcast #InOurRoots

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    #179 Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion XI — Marlon Harris, Legends Awards, and Tradition

    “People don’t realize it, but a rodeo family is totally different than anything else.”This episode of Beyond the Chutes takes you to Mountain Cove Farms in North Georgia for Reunion XI—a gathering where the mountains wrap around you like a horseshoe and the rodeo roots run deep. Doug and Sam are back together on location at the Show Barn, catching up on the road, the season, and why places like this still matter.You’ll hear from Marlon Harris, the heart and organizer behind Mountain Cove, as the reunion continues in a year marked by both celebration and remembrance. Bill Harris serves as MC for the Legends Awards, honoring the people who built the sport and the community—those in the arena, behind the chutes, and in the background keeping traditions alive.And you’ll meet Rusty Hayes—local legend, Legends Award recipient, and the man known as “Rescue Rusty”—with stories that prove what rodeo family really means: showing up, helping out, and doing it with respect.From prayers and the pledge, to the National Anthem, to laughter in the Liar’s Cabin—this one is about heritage, tradition, and real people.Beyond the Chutes — from the road, from the arena, from the people who live this life. These stories matter.#BeyondTheChutes #MountainCove #MountainCoveReunion #RodeoReunion #RodeoFamily #RodeoLife #RodeoRoots #CowboyTradition #LegendsAward #RodeoHistory #NorthGeorgia #ChickamaugaGA #WesternHeritage #CowboyCulture #LiarCabin #RescueRusty #MarlonHarris #BillHarris #IPRA #PRCA

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    #178 Bill Ziegler — From Ted Williams to the Justin Healers | A Life in Baseball & Rodeo

    From a small-town kid in Greencastle, Pennsylvania… to Major League Baseball clubhouses with Ted Williams… to rodeo arenas across America with the Justin Sports Medicine team — Bill Zeigler has lived a life most of us only read about.In this episode of Beyond the Chutes, presented by ParaSight Systems, Bill shares how a handwritten letter and a little help from Nelly Fox led him to the Washington Senators and 22 years in Major League Baseball. He talks about working alongside larger-than-life figures like Ted Williams, Nolan Ryan, and George Bush — and then stepping into the rodeo world at a time when cowboys had little to no medical support on the road.You’ll hear the story behind the early days of the Justin Sports Medicine program, the resistance they faced, and how the mindset of rodeo athletes changed as concussion protocols and injury care evolved. Bill reflects on legends like Keith Isley, Lecile Harris, Harry Vold, and Red Steagall — and why, after all these miles, what he misses most is the people.This is a conversation about toughness, timing, relationships, and recognizing when you’re standing in a blessed moment.These stories matter.

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    #177 Phil Broome - Opportunity Period

    Phil Broome grew up in northwest Georgia with a wrestling coach who taught him one thing: “This is your Opportunity Period.”That mindset carried him from high school state championships to the bareback riding chutes — but the road wasn’t straight, and it wasn’t easy.In this episode of Beyond the Chutes, Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen sit down with Phil to talk about:• Winning a Georgia state wrestling championship in 1981 • Learning bareback riding the hard way at open rodeos across the Southeast • The influence of mentors like Lyle Sankey and John Luthi • The technical rebuild that changed his riding career • Making the leap to rodeo full time in his 30s • Competing in the PRCA and qualifying for multiple circuit finals • Major injuries, including shoulder surgery and the wreck that ended his career • And the brotherhood that helped fill the gap after losing his younger brother in 1986Phil doesn’t present himself as a legend. He presents himself as a competitor who loved the sport, learned from mistakes, and kept showing up.This episode is about mindset, persistence, grief, growth, and the relationships that make rodeo more than a paycheck.Because in the end, it isn’t just about buckles.It’s about the people you share the road with.This is Beyond the Chutes, presented by ParaSight System.#BeyondTheChutes #PhilBroome #BarebackRiding #RodeoLife #PRCA #IPRA #WrestlingMindset #CowboyBrotherhood #RodeoHistory #CircuitFinals #InOurRoots

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    #176 Bonus Episode | Frost Family — First Frontier Circuit, Maine Rodeo Roots

    BTC is on the road at the First Frontier Circuit Finals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sitting down with Larry Frost — a rodeo producer from Levant, Maine whose story proves rodeo doesn’t always start with a business plan.It starts with a dream, a family willing to do the work, and a commitment to community.In this Friday night bonus episode, Larry shares how a phone call turned into a charity rodeo that feeds cowboys lobster and steak, supports causes like Shriners and Make-A-Wish, and brings people together rain or shine. You’ll hear about perseverance, small-town rodeo roots, and why memories — not money — are the real payoff.Recorded live at the First Frontier Circuit Finals. Unscripted. Honest. Full of heart.Beyond the Chutes — because these stories matter.#BeyondTheChutes #RodeoPodcast #FirstFrontierCircuit #FFCF #RodeoLife #RodeoHistory #RodeoCommunity #WesternLifestyle #SmallTownRodeo #CharityRodeo #RodeoProducers #BehindTheScenesRodeo #TheseStoriesMatter

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    #175 The Buckhorn Recordings - Kelly Clark: That's the Best I've Ever Seen It Done.

    Recorded on the Texas Swing, host Doug Simcox steps inside The Buckhorn—Kelly Clark’s one-of-a-kind “man cave” that turned into a full-blown rodeo museum. Walls covered in championship saddles, a U.S. map marked with the places Kelly’s competed, and artifacts that stretch back to the early days of organized rodeo… it’s overwhelming in the best way.In this first conversation with Kelly, we start at the beginning: the Clark family story, the 1955 moment that lit the fuse, and the grit it took to build a life in rodeo. Kelly shares the remarkable legacy of his dad, John Clark—an IRA great with the Hall of Fame résumé—and the reality behind chasing world titles when rodeo isn’t a hobby… it’s a lifestyle.You’ll also hear Kelly’s perspective as a true rodeo historian: how the IRA/IPRA evolved, why “cards in your pocket” never mattered as much as talent, and how rodeo got better (and why it still needs people who care enough to leave it better than they found it).And then—right at the end—Kelly lands an unforgettable story that ties champions, family, and legacy into one word Doug can’t help but say out loud: “Wow.”📍 Bonus: You can see The Buckhorn in our Buckhorn Reels on the Behind the Chutes Facebook page.#BeyondTheChutes #BehindTheChutes #KellyClark #TheBuckhorn #RodeoHistory #RodeoLife #BullRiding #TexasSwing #RodeoPodcast #WesternHeritage #CowboyCulture #ProRodeo #IPRA #IRA #IFR #RodeoNews #JohnClark #HallOfFame #BuckingBulls #CowboyStories #RodeoLegacy #RanchLife #Chute2Productions #StockContractor #WesternLifestyle #CowboyUp #AmericanWest #RodeoFamily #BehindTheScenesRodeo

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    #174 Raymond Hostetler & Tyler Waltz | PRCA First Frontier Circuit Finals

    BTC On the Road AgainThis Bonus Episode of Beyond the Chutes was recorded on the road at the First Frontier Circuit Finals, inside the Penn Harris Hotel, while the competition was still unfolding.Sam Swearingen and Doug Simcox sit down with Raymond Hostetler and Tyler Waltz in the middle of the Finals, with rounds already completed and one more to go. The conversation captures real-time decision-making, Finals pressure, injuries, fitness, equipment changes, and what it takes to stay competitive in roughstock rodeo.After this conversation was recorded, Raymond Hostetler went on to win two rounds, the average, and the year-ending saddle bronc riding championship at the First Frontier Circuit Finals — a result that underscored everything discussed in this episode: preparation, patience, and trusting the process.There’s no polish and no hindsight here — just rodeo, recorded as it happened.BTC was on the road again, capturing the stories that matter, right where rodeo happens.🎙️ This is Beyond the Chutes.

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    #173 Rodeo Mindset: See It, Feel It, Trust It | Quiet Enough to Ride

    Rodeo is won long before the gate opens.Recorded at the First Frontier Circuit Finals, this episode of Beyond the Chutes dives deep into the mental side of competition with bareback rider Tyler, saddle bronc rider Raymond, and rodeo cowboy, stock contractor, mentor and coach, Sam Swearingen.This conversation is part of our Quiet Enough to Ride series—where we explore why elite competitors agree that rodeo is 90% mental at the highest level.Inside this episode:Why visualization works (and how it replaces bad reps)The difference between conscious thought and flow state“See it. Feel it. Trust it.” — and why it mattersHow purpose (“your why”) fuels longevity in rodeoWhy “just making the finals” is a losing goalHow mental reps fire the same muscles as physical repsBuilding confidence without egoFixing mistakes without stepping into the practice penIf you’ve ever wondered why some competitors shine under pressure while others fade, this episode explains it—clearly, honestly, and from lived experience.Because great rides don’t start in the arena. They start between your ears.#BeyondTheChutes, #RodeoMindset, #QuietEnoughToRide, #RodeoLife, #BarebackRiding, #SteerWrestling, #RodeoTraining, #MentalGame, #WesternHeritage, #CowboyCulture

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    #172 Jayme Myers - Family, Faith and Rodeo | PRCA First Frontier Circuit Finals

    Beyond the Chutes — BTC Short Go (Presented by ParaSight System) brings you a quick, share-size “M&M” bite of rodeo life from the PRCA First Frontier Circuit.In this Short Go, Jamie Myers (wife of tie-down roper JR Myers) shares what happens behind the scenes at the Circuit Finals — including the real work of pulling together awards and competitor goodies for the Top 12 headed to Harrisburg. Jamie also talks about their family, including their son Gater Myers (7), and their horse training operation, Myers Performance Horses / JR & Jamie Myers Performance Horses.You’ll hear about:How the First Frontier Circuit Finals awards come togetherThe sponsors and support that keep Western heritage strongTheir horse training facility near Harrisburg and the daily grind behind the winsMentoring youth rodeo and helping young athletes move toward college rodeoStaying positive, trusting the process, and keeping faith at the center of it allShort. Quick. Made to pass along.Beyond the Chutes — as presented by ParaSight System.#BeyondTheChutes, #PRCA, #FirstFrontierCircuit, #FirstFrontierFinals, #TieDownRoping, #CalfRoping, #ProRodeo, #RodeoLife, #RodeoFamily, #MeetTheCompetitor

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    #171 Bullfighter Riggin Dailey - First Frontier Circuit Finals

    This is Beyond the Chutes, and this special Bonus Episode was recorded on the road at the First Frontier Circuit Finals.In this episode, Sam Swearingen sits down with bullfighter Riggin Dailey for a candid, in-the-moment conversation about one of the most dangerous and least understood jobs in rodeo — helping keep the cowboys safe.Recorded during the Finals, this conversation goes beyond the action in the arena and into the preparation behind it. Riggin talks about staying fit, staying alert, reading animals, and approaching bullfighting as professional work — not bravado.They discuss coming back from injury, earning trust, learning the game the right way, and soaking in every opportunity, knowing that nothing in this line of work is guaranteed.There’s no polish and no hindsight here — just real rodeo, real responsibility, and the mindset required to step into danger for others.BTC was on the road again, capturing the stories that matter — right where rodeo happens.🎙️ This is Beyond the Chutes.

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    #170 Tom Glause (PRCA CEO) - Leadership, Relationships & the State of Rodeo

    This episode of Beyond the Chutes, as presented by ParaSight Systems — helping vets help pets, was recorded Friday morning at the First Frontier Circuit Finals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.In this conversation, Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen sit down with Tom Glause, CEO of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, for an honest, people-first discussion about leadership, relationships, and the realities of managing a sport built on trust.Tom shares life lessons from growing up in rodeo, insights from circuit management, and what it means to lead a people-based organization where hard decisions are unavoidable and balance matters. They talk openly about the current state of the PRCA, the challenges that still exist, and why ingenuity and strong relationships are required to keep rodeo moving forward.During the conversation, Tom praised the First Frontier Circuit and Brock Hower’s leadership, pointing to a season that added a fourth performance and raised the $85,000 required to fund it — a clear example of leadership, collaboration, and commitment behind the scenes.This isn’t a press conference. It’s a conversation about people, responsibility, and the work it takes to sustain the sport.🎙️ This is Beyond the Chutes.

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    #169 Brianna Waltz - First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo 2026

    BTC On the Road Again | First Frontier Circuit FinalsThis is Beyond the Chutes, and this special Bonus Episode takes you inside the First Frontier Circuit Finals — not from the stands, but from the quiet moments just before it all happens.Recorded on the road at the Penn Harris Hotel, just hours before the final performance, this episode features a real-time conversation with Brianna Waltz — IPRA World Champion breakaway roper, registered nurse, wife, and mom — as she prepares for the biggest runs of the weekend.Brianna shares what preparation really looks like when the draw is posted and the pressure is real. From trusting a quirky but honest horse, to simplifying the barrier, managing mindset, and balancing rodeo with work and family life, this conversation captures rodeo as it unfolds, not years later.There’s no polish. No hindsight. Just mindset, preparation, and trust — told in the calm before the gate swings open.BTC was on the road again, recording the stories that matter — right where rodeo happens.🎙️ This is Beyond the Chutes.#BeyondTheChutes #BTCOnTheRoad #RodeoPodcast #FirstFrontierCircuit #BreakawayRoping #IPRARodeo #ProfessionalRodeo #RodeoMindset #CowboyCulture #CowgirlStrong #WesternHeritage #RodeoLife #WomenInRodeo #BehindTheScenes #OnTheRodeoRoad

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    #168 From If to When: Karissa Landis at the First Frontier Circuit Finals

    Beyond the Chutes | First Frontier Circuit Finals SeriesBefore the gate opens and the clock starts, there’s a moment when it’s just a rider, a horse, and everything you’ve worked on to that moment.In Episode 1 of our special First Frontier Circuit Finals series, we sit down with Karissa Landis, a barrel racer from Middleburg, Pennsylvania, whose journey to success has been shaped as much by trust and patience as by speed.Recorded on site at the First Frontier Circuit Finals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, this conversation goes far beyond the arena dirt. Karissa shares the deeply personal story of Old Man Cash — the horse who carried her through her youth, her grief, and her growth as a competitor.In a meaningful full-circle moment, Karissa purchased Cash from my daughter Kathleen Simcox, who took a soured barrel racing horse out of the arena for nearly two years and made riding fun again. By stepping away from competition, riding with a partner, and allowing a horse to simply be a horse, Cash found his way back — not just as a competitor, but as a true teacher.Karissa opens up about:Growing up in rodeo and starting young in barrel racingLearning hard lessons from difficult horses and tougher seasonsLosing a close friend and finding comfort in the stall, not the spotlightDeveloping the mental game required to compete at the highest levelAnd learning when to stop saying “if I win” and start saying “when I do”The results followed.At the 2026 First Frontier Circuit Finals, Karissa:Won the first roundPlaced in every roundFinished second in the averageAnd earned an invitation to the NFR Open in Colorado Springs this JulyBut this episode isn’t about stats on a scoreboard.It’s about what happens when riders show up for their horses, honor the process, and refuse to settle for anything less than their best.This is the story that sets the tone for the entire series.🎧 Beyond the Chutes — where the real rodeo stories live.#BeyondTheChutes #BarrelRacing #WomenInRodeo #RodeoLife#HorseAndRider #RodeoMindset #FirstFrontierCircuit #NFRopen

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    #167 Wes Ward Part 2 -  Tattoo Ward from Fantasy Island, Oklahoma.

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Wes Ward, recorded during the Beyond the Chutes Texas Swing 2025 inside the BTC Bus at a Chute 2 Productions bull riding, Wes opens up about the long road that follows a lifetime in the saddle.After riding bareback horses for more than two decades, Wes faced the question every cowboy eventually must answer: What do you do when you can’t get on anymore? From transitioning into rodeo production and announcing, to building a life beyond competition, Wes reflects on the decisions, detours, and mentors that shaped him along the way.This episode dives deep into rodeo’s business realities — moving between the IPRA and PRCA, navigating permits and rookie seasons, college rodeo, hauling with the right people, and learning how to make a living without breaking yourself in the process. Wes also shares candid insight into equipment changes, judging rules, the evolution of bareback riding, and why production and presentation matter just as much as the riding itself.Along the way, Wes honors the people who influenced him most — mentors like Jack Wiseman, friendships formed on the road, lessons learned from rodeo legends, and the quiet guidance that came later in life through faith, service, and teaching the next generation.This is not a highlight-reel episode. It’s a reflection on longevity, purpose, and the responsibility to pass things on better than you found them.This is Beyond the Chutes, presented by ParaSight. Hosted by Doug Simcox. These stories matter.#BeyondTheChutes #WesWard #TexasSwing2025 #RodeoPodcast#BarebackRiding #RodeoHistory #CowboyLife #RodeoAnnouncer#IPRARodeo #PRCARodeo #Chute2Productions #ParaSight#TheseStoriesMatter

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    #166 Wes Ward Part 1 - Jack Wiseman Taught Me How to Win That Day

    In Part 1 of this Texas Swing episode of Beyond the Chutes, host Doug Simcox sits down with legendary rodeo cowboy and announcer Wes Ward for a powerful, story-driven conversation recorded on the road in October 2025.This episode centers on Wes Ward’s early rodeo journey and his deep, personal friendship with Lane Frost — how they first met, traveled together, competed together, and forged a bond that shaped both of their lives. Wes shares rare, firsthand stories of Lane long before fame, revealing the character, humility, and work ethic that made Lane more than just a champion — it made him unforgettable.Wes also reflects on the mentors who shaped him, including the defining moment when Jack Wiseman “taught him how to win,” and how those lessons carried through his bareback riding career, rodeo announcing, and life beyond the arena.This episode explores rodeo heritage, cowboy values, faith, perseverance, and the unseen moments that shape champions. Recorded during the Beyond the Chutes Texas Swing and proudly supported by Parasight Systems, Part 1 sets the foundation for a deeper continuation of Wes Ward’s story in Part 2.

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    Episode #165 - Ronnie Williams Part 2:  Pals of Tales on the Rodeo Trail

    In Episode 2 of Beyond the Chutes, recorded on the Texas Swing 2025, Doug and Sam continue their conversation with rodeo legend Ronnie Williams — a man who didn’t just ride through rodeo history, he helped build it. Ronnie reflects on the hard miles of the old rodeo road, hauling coast to coast with Glen Bird, riding more than 160 rodeos a year, and learning the business of rodeo the hard way — by doing it.The conversation moves beyond the arena to the business and production side of rodeo, where Ronnie discusses the influence of Bruce Lehrke, the impact of rodeo management schools, and the rise of major building rodeos promoted by Lehrke and Steve Gander. Ronnie reflects on legendary productions, including competing in front of massive crowds at the Pontiac Silverdome, and what those events meant for the growth and visibility of rodeo.Ronnie also shares his transition from competitor to leadership, detailing his work as an IRA/IPRA executive, field representative, and advocate for affiliations that helped grow rodeo participation across the country. Along the way, he pays tribute to the entertainers and personalities who defined the era, including Lecile Harris, whose live, unscripted arena performances set a standard that has never been matched.This episode wraps up our visit with Ronnie Williams. If you missed it, be sure to listen to Episode #164 — Ronnie Williams Part 1: “I Didn’t Think You Could Get Hurt Riding a Bucking Horse.” Beyond the Chutes is presented by ParaSight Systems.

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    #164 Ronnie Williams Part 1 - I Didn’t Think You Could Get Hurt Riding a Bucking Horse

    In this Part One episode of Beyond the Chutes, Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen sit down in Mineral Wells, Texas with Ronnie Williams, an eight-time IPRA Bareback Riding World Champion, as part of the Texas Swing 2025, recorded in October.Ronnie takes us back to where it all began—growing up on the east side of Fort Worth, buying his first rigging with no guidance, and learning the hard way what it meant to ride bareback horses in the 1960s and ’70s. Along the way, he shares unforgettable stories of legendary horses, early IRA rodeos, traveling with Glen Bird, and riding through one of the toughest eras the sport has ever known.The conversation also turns timely and relevant as Ronnie weighs in on the IPRA’s decision to eliminate the mark-out rule in bareback and saddle bronc riding. Released just one week after the NFR—and amid controversy surrounding Stetson Wright’s missed mark-out—this episode offers hard-earned perspective on rules, judging consistency, and how the sport continues to evolve. With the PRCA now using replay review, and major events like the Calgary Stampede and The American no longer requiring a mark-out, the debate is far from over.This is Part One of Two with Ronnie Williams. Part Two is coming soon.🎄 Released December 23. From all of us at Beyond the Chutes—Merry Christmas, and thanks for riding along.

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    #163 Ryan King - Handcrafted in Sheridan: The Story Behind King Saddlery & King Ropes

    BTC hits Sheridan, Wyoming for a special conversation with Ryan King of the legendary King Saddlery, King Ropes, and the Don King Museum. Doug interviews Ryan King who walks us through the family’s three-generation history — from Don King’s pioneering Sheridan-style tooling to 4,000-rope trips to the NFR, stretching fields, saddle-making lore, museum treasures, and the roots of one of rodeo’s most iconic brands. A heartfelt, humorous look inside the craft, culture, and community that built an American cowboy institution.#BeyondTheChutes #SheridanWyoming #KingRopes #RodeoHistory

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    Episode #162 – Glen Bird Part 2: I Hope Everybody Keeps Making Eight

    In Part 2 of our Weatherford, Texas conversation, six-time IRA/IPRA world champion Glen Bird dives deeper into the wild, gritty, laugh-till-you-cry heart of rodeo life.Glen shares priceless stories of the early Longhorn Rodeo days with Loretta Lynn, Mooney Lynn, and Bruce Lehrke, but two characters absolutely steal the show: the legendary Lecile Harris and George “Nocona George” Taylor. Glen paints the picture of Lecile as the funniest man who ever stepped in an arena—quick-witted, fearless, and capable of wearing a bull plumb out. And he remembers Lecile and Nocona George rolling a barrel into a Loretta Lynn rodeo and bringing the house down without even saying a word. Just pure arena magic.Glen also revisits the miles he hauled with Ronnie Williams, Hewlin, Bernis Johnson and his brother, Arnold—225+ rodeos a year—sleeping in cars, napping in movie theaters, and entering anything with horns. He opens up about the 1976 Ardmore tragedy that took his younger brother Arnold, the concussion streak where he won four rodeos he doesn’t remember entering, and the challenge of serving as Bull Riding Director during the first IFR in Tulsa.We close with ranch life, Hall of Fame honors, his take on today’s bull riders, and Glen’s wish for anyone sliding down on the rope: “I hope everybody keeps making eight.”#BeyondTheChutes #RodeoHistory #GlenBird #LecileHarris #NoconaGeorge #GeorgeTaylor #BullRiding #IPRA #IRA #LonghornRodeo #LorettaLynnRodeo #WesternHeritage #BullRidingHallOfFame #MakeEight #BeyondTheChutesPodcast #inourroots

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    #161 — Glen Bird Part 1: But Look at All the Fun We’re Having

    In their first conversation - Part 1 - Doug and Sam sit down with four-time bull-riding world champion and two-time All-Around (IRA/IPRA) Glen Bird in Weatherford, Texas. From a ranch kid in Matador, TX to one of the sport’s most technically precise riders, Glen shares the road that shaped his perfect style — square shoulders, toes out, and calm breathing even on the rankest bulls.He talks about the man who changed his life: Ag Teacher W.T. “Mr. Woody,” who taught him not just how to ride, but how to learn. We trace Glen’s story through Sunday buck-outs, the cast-and-spur saga, and winter runs in Florida with Johnny Clark, Hal Pilgrim, Red Duffin, and later Ronnie Williams, whose memory for bulls was legendary.Along the way, Glen tips his hat to Ben Jordan, explaining how Jordan’s sense of balance and calm inspired his own technique. It’s rodeo history told straight from the man who lived it — part grit, part grin, and all heart.#BeyondTheChutes #GlenBird #BenJordan #RonnieWilliams #MrWoody #BullRiding #IPRA #IRA #RodeoHistory #TexasRodeo #WeatherfordTX #MatadorTX #PerfectStyle #CowboyLogic #RodeoPodcast #OnTheRoadAgain #TheseStoriesMatter

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    #160 Inside The American Rodeo with Lane Peterson: Regionals, Million-Dollar Bonus & IPRA Tie-In

    Recorded onsite at Festival Western de St-Tite, this episode goes inside The American Rodeo with Competition Manager Lane Peterson (Teton Ridge)—from breeding buckers and judging worldwide to building a modern, TV-ready tournament that truly opens doors for athletes. Lane explains the pathway: super qualifiers (St-Tite, Denver, San Francisco, Liberty College Shootout, Brazil) → local qualifier side-pots → three regionals (Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Lexington, KY) → Friday at Globe Life Field (top 15) → Saturday versus the top five in the world for big money, a $100K event win, and that iconic million-dollar bonus round.IPRA General Manager Dale Yerigan joins to detail how the IPRA–American collaboration helps contestants in the East, why complete results matter for qualifiers, and what to expect at Lexington’s fan-favorite stop. We also swap stories on historic bucking horses (hello, High Chaparral), production value, and how the American has evolved into a fast-moving, underdog-friendly show built for live crowds and network TV.If you’ve ever wondered how do I get from my local rodeo to The American?—this is your roadmap.Presented by ParaSight System. Subscribe & stream: BeyondTheChutes.show Follow us on Facebook: Beyond the Chutes#BeyondTheChutes #InOurRoots #TheAmericanRodeo #TetonRidge #IPRA #FestivalWesternSaintTite #StTite #LexingtonKY #GlobeLifeField #RodeoLife #RodeoFamily #WesternWayOfLife #CowboyCulture #RodeoNation #ProRodeo #BehindTheChutes #AmericanQualifier #SuperQualifier #MillionDollarRodeo #ParaSightSystems

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    #159 The State of Rodeo 2025 with IPRA President Dale Yerigan

    We’re in St-Tite, Quebec — home of the legendary Festival Western de St-Tite — sitting down once again with Dale Yerigan, President and General Manager of the International Professional Rodeo Association and IPRA Canada.From the rise of breakaway roping to new rule changes shaking up the rodeo world, Dale shares how the IPRA continues to lead the charge in innovation while protecting the heart of the sport. We talk about youth rodeo, replay technology, the IFR, IFYR, and the explosive growth of rodeo across North America.It’s tradition, leadership, and the future of rodeo — all from the 57th Annual Festival Western de St-Tite.🎧 Presented by ParaSight Systems — advancing veterinary diagnostics for performance animals.#BeyondTheChutes #Rodeo #IPRA #IFR #IFYR #FestivalWesterndeStTite #DaleYerigan #BreakawayRoping #CowgirlStrong #WesternLifestyle #LazyE #CanadianRodeo #RodeoFamily #RodeoTradition #RodeoHistory #BTCOnTheRoadAgain #ParaSightSystems

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    #158 - Daylon Swearingen - on recovery, ranch life, and what’s next

    We roll tape from Daylon Swearingen’s ranch bunkhouse—formerly a dairy milking parlor turned cowboy crash pad. Daylon opens up about taking three months off to heal from a concussion, the training protocol he’s following, and why strong necks, helmets, and mouth guards matter. We break down the business of bull teams (scoring, riders, payouts, and why “Gucci Time” is a dream draw), futurity bulls and dummies, partnerships, and what it takes to build bulletproof infrastructure for bucking stock. He also shares how the Carolina Cowboys’ mix of veterans and hungry young riders fuels him, why he still loves welding and working cattle sun-up to sun-down, and the story behind Cross 33 Cattle (plus a sneak preview of his Swearingen 8 Second Jerky).

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    #157 - The Texas Swing

    We took the BTC bus deep into Texas and filled the tanks with stories. From Sulphur Springs to Weatherford, Mineral Wells, Wylie, and Springtown, Doug and Sam catch you up on a whirlwind week: wellness updates and futurity talk with Daylon Swearingen at Daylon’s Ranch, living-room rodeo museums and four gold buckles’ worth of grit with Glen Bird, eight-time champ perspective with Ronnie Williams, a street-built bull riding in a church parking lot with Chute 2 Productions, and a late-night history download with Wes Ward—nephew of IRA founder J.R. “Jail” Cravens and his best friend Lane Frost. Plus: Kelly and Charlene Clark open the doors to “The Buckhorn,” a wall-to-wall trove of saddles, posters, and stories that tie the IRA, IPRA, and modern rodeo together. These stories matter.Presented by ParaSight Systems—helping vets help pets with fast, accurate diagnostics. Also supported by Simcox & Company Barbershop (Cedar Falls, IA), The Wandering Gypsy RV Life podcast, and music by Nikki McLeod (“Prepaid,” “Some Kind of Reckless”). Book corner: This Ain’t My Last Rodeo by Lecile Harris (out now). Coming Fall 2025: World’s Toughest Rodeo: How One Cowboy Blazed a Trail for Western Sports (W Brand Publishing).#BeyondTheChutes #InOurRoots #TexasSwing #SulphurSprings #WeatherfordTX #MineralWells #WylieTX #SpringtownTX #DaylonSwearingen #GlenBird #RonnieWilliams #KellyClark #WesWard #LaneFrost #Shoot2Productions #IPRA #IRA #BullRiding #BarebackRiding #RodeoHistory #TheseStoriesMatter #ParaSightSystems #SimcoxAndCompany #NikkiMcLeod #WanderingGypsyRVLife

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    #156 — Marilyn Duplissey: Dreams Fulfilled

    From open shows in southeast Oklahoma to two IPRA world titles and a run at the NFR, Marilyn Duplissey built a life around good horses, hard lessons, and a tougher business plan. In this final chapter, Marilyn takes us through 1976 in Tulsa, the decision to buy her WPRA card, and the unforgettable partnership with Dan—the gritty, honest gelding her friends voted “most heart” at the NFR.We dig into futurities (time, money, and why they can feel like “doing time”), soundness and shoeing, equine dentistry, splints, banamine, and why the best riders listen when a horse says, “Take me to the vet.” Marilyn also opens the gate on the racehorse years—claiming, purses, trainers, HISA, and the thrill of a dead-last closer flying up the lane. Then we close with what came next: a classroom, a different kind of teaching, and a simple truth—dreams change, but the horse still teaches. Because in rodeo and in life, these stories matter.#BeyondTheChutes #MarilynDuplissey #MikeDuplissey #DanTheHorse #BarrelRacing #WPRA #IPRA #NFR #RodeoLegends #WomenOfRodeo #Futurity #QuarterHorses #Racehorses #HorseHealth #EquineDentistry #OklahomaRodeo #LouisianaCowgirl #TheseStoriesMatter #inourroots

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    #155 Kylee Ferguson: Three-Stop International Youth Rodeo Challenge

    Fresh off Team Australia’s big summer—highlighted by Cade Ferguson’s IFYR Saddle Bronc title—Kylee Ferguson joins BTC with the inside story on the new International Youth Rodeo Challenge spanning Mount Isa, Richmond, and Townsville. We cover team sizes, horse “buddy” rotation to keep things fair, community support, sponsors, media buzz, and how riders from the USA, New Zealand, and Australia made it happen. Plus: how to get involved for 2026 and where the team’s headed next. Because these stories matter.#BeyondTheChutes #YouthRodeo #IFYR #SaddleBronc #TeamAustralia #TeamUSA #TeamNZ #MountIsa #Townsville #QueenslandRodeo #BarrelRacing #BreakawayRoping #Bareback #MiniBulls #InOurRoots

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    #154: Iowa Cowgirl Aubrey Wulf Joins BTC!

    Hosts Doug Simcox and two-time North American Rodeo Commission Saddle Bronc Champion Sam Swearingen sit down at Rawhide Ranch to swap stories, compare coaching notes, and map the road ahead for Beyond the Chutes. They talk about healing up, working cattle, road trips to Mountain Cove and St-Tite, racing at Watkins Glen, mentoring young bronc riders, and welcoming BTC’s first sponsored cowgirl — 13-year-old Aubrey Wulf. It’s a relaxed, funny, wide-ranging conversation that shows the friendship behind the microphones and reminds us why these stories matter.#BeyondTheChutes #BTCcowgirl #AubreyWulf #BreakawayRoping #CowgirlUp #RitaTheHorse #RodeoLife #WomenInRodeo #OnTheRoadAgain #RodeoFamily #TheseStoriesMatter #InOurRoots #RodeoStrong

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    #153 Marilyn Duplissey: We Taped Over the Light

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Marilyn Duplissey, the stories get even wilder. From losing her college heifers to finding her stride in the IRA, Marilyn takes us through the early days with Dan—the horse that carried her to the top. You’ll hear about rodeoing on grass in Gainesville, altitude struggles in Albuquerque, and the unforgettable moment when Dan tumbled out on the highway at 70 mph… only to win the very next rodeo. Along the way, Marilyn shares what it took to get into the zone, the importance of great farriers, and the grit it takes to chase a championship. Her humor, honesty, and toughness shine through every story. Subscribe now—because this ride is far from over.Picture by Tom Woods - 4-4 IFR-7 3rd go Maryilyn Duplissey, Yulsa Ok.#Rodeo #BarrelRacing #MarilynDuplissey #BeyondTheChutes #DanSteppedOut #RodeoHistory #CowgirlTough #TheseStoriesMatter #InOurRoots

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     #152 Marilyn Duplissey: Dan Was Terrified of Hogs

    I made my way to Poteau, Oklahoma, to sit down at the home of Mike and Marilyn Duplissey. After years of trying to connect, we finally made it happen. Marilyn—a two-time IPRA World Champion—welcomed me in with warmth, stories, and yes, two unforgettable bowls of gumbo.This is the first episode in our conversation, where Marilyn begins sharing her journey: growing up in Hodgen, the early rodeos, long days feeding cattle, and the $400 bush-track horse named Dan who would become the heart of her career. You’ll hear about the red clay, the old training methods, the horses that taught her, and the grit it takes to make your way in rodeo.It’s a story rooted in family, hard work, and Oklahoma soil. Part 1 sets the stage—there’s more to come in the next episode.Presented by ParaSight System—educate, prevent, and protect pets and their people. Awareness saves lives.

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    #151 - Festival Western de St-Tite: Champions Crowned & A Record-Breaking Week

    Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen wrap up an unforgettable 10 days at the 57th Festival Western de St-Tite. The crowds were record-breaking, the hospitality unmatched, and the rodeo action second to none.In this closing episode, you’ll hear from newly crowned champions: Raymond Hostetler, who split first place in the saddle bronc riding finals after a gritty reride, and Austin Stewart, who captured the steer wrestling win and punched his ticket to the American Eastern Regional Qualifier in Lexington, KY. Stewart’s story of “Peach,” a former barrel horse turned bulldogging Ferrari, shows just how much horsepower it takes to make it to the top.Doug and Sam also reflect on the growth of St-Tite from a ballfield in 1967 with 5,000 fans to nearly a million visitors today. From behind-the-scenes conversations with announcers and festival leaders to the roar of the short round, this is rodeo at its best.Subscribe to Beyond the Chutes and join us on the road.#BTC #BeyondTheChutes #FestivalWesternStTite #StTite #Rodeo #RodeoLife #RodeoFamily #CanadianRodeo #IPRA #ProRodeo #WesternLifestyle #WesternWay #QuietEnoughToRide #InOurRoots

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    #150 Mike Duplissey: Don’t Quit the Cattle on a Stormy Night

    Bareback rider and rodeo hand Mike Duplissey returns with stories that crackle—Marilyn’s quiet cowhand genius pushing an 1,800-lb swamp bull to the trailer, learning the racehorse game (and surviving the oil-bust tax-shelter collapse), coming back with real estate at 60, and staying “in the game” with stakes horses and quarter horse weanlings. Mike remembers Bruce Lehrke’s generosity, Lenora Rowe’s magic, and the roar of the Spectrum and Silverdome. Injuries, rodeo schools, and his dad’s best advice: “Don’t quit the cattle on a stormy night.” Presented by ParaSight System, with support from Simcox & Company, Wandering Gypsy RV Life, and music by Nikki McLeod.#BeyondTheChutes #MikeDuplissey #MarilynDuplissey #RodeoPodcast #BarebackRiding #Racehorses #QuarterHorses #LazyE #Oaklawn #RemingtonPark #BruceLehrke #LenoraRowe #IFR #PRCA #SilverDome #SpectrumPhilly #RodeoSchools #inourroots

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    #149 Festival Western de St Tite 2025

    Doug and Sam open the 57th Festival Western de Saint-Tite, Québec. From Sylvain Bourgeois, BJ Prince and Vanessa Denis and 500 volunteers-the people who make FWST a family, not just a festival. Why Saint-Tite is, in Sam’s words, the “Woodstock of Rodeo,” how a town of 3,800 welcomes nearly 728,000 guests, and the stories that connect it all.. 🎤🐎 Listen anywhere you stream. beyondthechutes.show#BeyondTheChutes #FestivalWesterndeSaintTite #SaintTite #WoodstockOfRodeo #RodeoFamily #Wrangler #BouletBoots #IPRA #TheAmerican #TetonRidge #InOurRoots

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    #148 Mike Duplissey: Them Kids Call 'em Dragons

    A rodeo life masterclass with IPRA standout Mike Duplissey—bareback ace, bronc hand, coach, and storyteller. Mike opens up about meeting and marrying champion barrel racer Marilyn in Detroit, winning big at the Pontiac Silverdome (largest one-day rodeo), the IRA → PRCA leap, J Bar J memories (Nightmare → Night Jacket), and why today’s “rank ones” are the dragons kids talk about. We dig into mindset vs. mechanics (why riding rank horses is “90% mental”), concussions, cold streaks, draw luck, and the science of relaxing under fire. Names fly: Mike and Scott Fletcher, Gene Maynard, Bobby DelVecchio, Bobby Steiner, Donny Gay, Rocker Steiner, Stetson Wright, the Mayo brothers—and the business side of rodeo then vs. now. More Mike Duplissey Episodes to come. And yes—Marilyn’s stories are on the way.Presented by ParaSight System (helping vets help pets). Ask your vet about zoonotic risks. Also supported by Simcox & Company (Cedar Falls barbers since forever), Wandering Gypsy RV Life, and music from Nikki McLeod. Subscribe to Beyond the Chutes for the next Duplissey installment.#BeyondTheChutes #RodeoHistory #CowboyMindset #inourroots #MikeDuplissey #BarebackRiding #SaddleBronc #PRCA #IPRA #PontiacSilverdome #JBarJ #NightJacket #MikeFletcher #ScottFletcher #GeneMaynard #BobbyDelVecchio #BobbySteiner #DonnyGay #RockerSteiner #StetsonWright #MayoBrothers

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    #147 Mike Duplissey:  Easy to Love and Harder to Get Rid Of

    In this second installment with Mike Duplissey, Doug Simcox dives deeper into Mike’s remarkable rodeo journey — including his move from the IPRA to the RCA, Marilyn’s NFR push with her horse Dan, and unforgettable behind-the-chutes stories. Mike opens up about the early days of Loretta Lynn’s rodeos with Bruce Lehrke, his lifelong friendship with Lecile Harris, and the infamous streaking incident that nearly got him blackballed. He also shares how he and Marilyn became the faces of Ely Walker western wear, landing a long-running advertising gig that brought rodeo into mainstream catalogs and magazines. Be on the lookout for more episodes with Mike as his story continues.Presented by ParaSight System—helping vets help pets with FecalSight, FlowSight, and HemaSight diagnostics. Learn more at ParaSightSystem.com.Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://open.spotify.com/show/746s6L4oLDcSdQPR3AcU1F?si=e729c69f873f4b2cWestern Festival de St Tite: https://www.festivalwestern.com/Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729424520834071Mike Swearingen Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/mike.swearingen.104Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzParaSight SystemsCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/The IRA Projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/681292165259783#BeyondTheChutes #MikeDuplissey #MarilynDuplissey #RodeoHistory #BarebackRiding #NFR #IPRA #RCA #LorettaLynn #DoubleLRodeo #BruceLehrke #LecileHarris #ElyWalker #WesternWear #CowboyLife #RodeoLegends #RodeoFamily #inourroots

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    #146 Mike Duplissey:  That Kid Could Ride Some Wild Horses

    Eight-time IFR qualifier, two-time Reserve World Champion, and one of the competitors at the very first International Finals Rodeo—Mike Duplissey has lived the history of rodeo. Host Doug Simcox visits Mike and his wife Marilyn in Poteau, Oklahoma, to reflect on his family’s rodeo roots, the early days of the IRA, traveling partners like Butch Stewart, Richard Johnson, and Ron Martin, and the legendary stock that shaped a generation. Together, Mike and Marilyn embodied the spirit of rodeo’s original power couple.Be on the lookout for the next episode with Mike, as we continue his incredible rodeo story.Presented by ParaSight System—helping vets help pets with FecalSight, FlowSight, and HemaSight diagnostics. Learn more at ParaSightSystem.com.Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://open.spotify.com/show/746s6L4oLDcSdQPR3AcU1F?si=e729c69f873f4b2cKing Brothers Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/KingBrosRodeoWestern Festival de St Tite: https://www.festivalwestern.com/Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729424520834071Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzParaSight SystemsCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/The IRA Projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/681292165259783#BeyondTheChutes #MikeDuplissey #RodeoHistory #BarebackRiding #IFR #IPRA #RodeoLegends #RodeoLife #RodeoStories #WesternHeritage #CowboyLife #RodeoFamily #BuckinChutes #RodeoPodcast #inourroots

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    #145 The King Brothers Rodeo Legacy: Round Table Stories

    Hold on to your hat—this one’s WILD – you may want to consider the Butterfly Wrap.In our final episode from the 2nd Annual King Brothers Rodeo Reunion, Doug Simcox sits down with Brian “Short Round” Seebock, Tommy & Coby King, - a table full of road warriors with decades of dust, laughs, and legendary rodeo tales. From the NFR and PBR tours to tricking greenhorns into working free rodeos, you’ll hear it all.You'll quickly see that Doug loses control of the interview and the ride is on!🔥 You’ll laugh. You’ll learn. You’ll wanna listen again. 📍 Reunion #3? Oh yeah, it's already in the works. May 2026. Lewisburg, OH – put in on your Calendars.👉 Tag your crew. This one’s a family rodeo reunion for the ages.Kickback Ranch and Resort: https://kickbackranch.net/Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://open.spotify.com/show/746s6L4oLDcSdQPR3AcU1F?si=e729c69f873f4b2cRodeo Roots Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NP4RyUN0m5KWXpAq2HmGp?si=1bde1f2037d048ffKing Brothers Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/KingBrosRodeoWestern Festival de St Tite: https://www.festivalwestern.com/Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729424520834071Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzParaSight SystemsCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/The IRA Projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/681292165259783#RodeoLife #ProRodeo #BarebackRiding #SaddleBronc #BullRiding #TimedEvents #RodeoCowboy #RodeoJudge #WesternLifestyle #RodeoHistory #KingBrothersRodeo #BeyondTheChutes #BTCPodcast #RodeoReunion #MidwestRodeo #RoughstockRider #IPRARodeo #WesternHeritage #CowboyUp #BehindTheChutes #WesternPodcast #RodeoStories #LegendsofRodeo #OnTheRodeoRoad #InOurRoots

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    #144 Legacy, Luck, and the Cowboy Way – 2nd Annual King Brothers Rodeo Reunion

    In this special third episode from the 2nd Annual King Brothers Rodeo Reunion in Lewisburg, Ohio, Beyond the Chutes host Doug Simcox visits with three generations of rodeo grit, glory, and grit-your-teeth storytelling.First up is bull rider Keith Knoch, who shares his 15-year rodeo journey, from hauling six guys in a truck to his standout year in 1983, to helmet-wearing long before it was the norm. Keith opens up about the head games of the finals, riding bulls coast to coast, and a barroom mechanical bull mishap that nearly sidelined his season.Then, fifth-generation rodeo stock contractor cowboy Coy Smith joins us to talk about carrying the King Brothers Rodeo legacy forward. From dressing up as Little Willie to producing full-scale rodeos while still riding bulls, Coy shares what it means to honor the past while leading into the future.Finally, Adam Tinch tells his story of rodeo dreams, Nebraska ranch work, and 1970s rodeo life with the King Brothers—complete with steel panels, cowboy crews, and wisdom forged from bucking stock and backroads.This episode is a time capsule and a tribute to the unshakable cowboy spirit.Kickback Ranch and Resort: https://kickbackranch.net/Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://open.spotify.com/show/746s6L4oLDcSdQPR3AcU1F?si=e729c69f873f4b2cRodeo Roots Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NP4RyUN0m5KWXpAq2HmGp?si=1bde1f2037d048ffKing Brothers Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/KingBrosRodeoWestern Festival de St Tite: https://www.festivalwestern.com/Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729424520834071Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzParaSight SystemsCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/The IRA Projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/681292165259783#BeyondTheChutes #KingBrothersRodeo #CowboyWay #BullRiderLife #RodeoHistory #LonghornRodeo #WesternLife #RodeoPodcast #KeithKnoch #CoySmith #AdamTinch #CowboyLegacy #RodeoReunion #IFRStories #inourroots

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    #143 Team Australia Takes on the IFYR – Youth Rodeo, Big Dreams, and Long Flights

    In this exciting episode of Beyond the Chutes, host Doug Simcox catches up with Team Australia at the 33rd Annual International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Oklahoma.With nearly 1,000 competitors and $250,000 in cash and prizes on the line, Team Australia made the 30-hour journey from Down Under to compete against the best young rodeo athletes in the world. You’ll meet team members Holly Bryant, Macie Creevey, and team leader Kylee Ferguson as they share what it’s like to "mount out" on unfamiliar horses, ride in front of huge crowds, and represent their country with pride.Hear about their adventures in America, culture shock (hello, Vegemite!), hot chocolate, jet lag, and what’s next when they return home—including the brand-new International Rodeo Challenge in Australia. It’s a fun, inspiring, and global look at rodeo youth culture that you don’t want to miss!IFYR and Team Australia:https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFinalsYouthRodeo/IFYR Official Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/youthrodeoorganisationhttps://www.youthrodeo.com.au/https://www.instagram.com/ifyrshawnee/Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/You Can Listen to Beyond The Chutes onSpotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/24n3hmk4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzRSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/beyondthechutes/ ParaSight SystemCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/#rodeo #cowboy #cowboyboots #cowgirl #BeyondTheChutes #IFYR2025 #TeamAustralia #YouthRodeo #RodeoPodcast #AussiesInAmerica #BarrelRacing #SaddleBronc #BreakawayRoping #RodeoDreams #RodeoCulture #GlobalRodeo #BehindTheChutes #WesternLife #TravelAndRodeo #inourroots

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    #142 Rodeo Roots Run Deep: Stories from the 2nd Annual King Brothers Reunion

    Step into the heart of rodeo history with this second episode from the 2nd Annual King Brothers Rodeo Reunion in Lewisburg, Ohio. Host Doug Simcox brings you personal, funny, and powerful conversations with the cowboys, cowgirls, secretaries, stock contractors, and trick riders who helped shape rodeo in the Midwest.Meet Debbie Tatkowski—married her husband Jim on horseback in front of a live rodeo crowd—and longtime rodeo hands like Roy Troutman, who takes us from his days riding hunters and jumpers to bareback broncs, and on to farrier work with world-class horses. Hear from rodeo secretary Laura of Lewisburg and legendary 3 Bar J Rodeo stock contractor Marcia Johnson.These are the stories of friendships forged in the arena, late-night drives home, lifelong love affairs with horses, and unforgettable reunions. Whether you rode bulls, carried flags, judged rough stock, or timed a barrel run—you’ll find a piece of yourself in this episode.Presented by Parasite Systems, revolutionizing veterinary diagnostics with the power of sight. Learn more at parasightsystem.com.Kickback Ranch and Resort: https://kickbackranch.net/Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://open.spotify.com/show/746s6L4oLDcSdQPR3AcU1F?si=e729c69f873f4b2cRodeo Roots Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NP4RyUN0m5KWXpAq2HmGp?si=1bde1f2037d048ffKing Brothers Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/KingBrosRodeoWestern Festival de St Tite: https://www.festivalwestern.com/Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729424520834071Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzParaSight SystemsCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/The IRA Projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/681292165259783#BeyondTheChutes #KingBrothersRodeo #RodeoReunion #RodeoHistory #WesternCulture #BarebackRider #BarrelRacer #TrickRider #StockContractor #IPRA #MidStatesRodeo #WomenInRodeo #RodeoCouples #RodeoLife #VeterinaryTech #ParasiteSystems #RodeoPodcast #HorseStories #AmericanCowboy #RodeoFamily #inourroots

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    #141 Rick Bevington: From Roughstock Cowboy to Rodeo Judge

    In this episode of Beyond the Chutes, host Doug Simcox sits down with Rick Bevington—roughstock cowboy turned respected pro rodeo judge—at the 2nd Annual King Brothers Rodeo Reunion in Lewisburg, Ohio.Rick shares his unforgettable journey from riding bareback horses, saddle broncs, and bulls across the Midwest in the late '70s to becoming a seasoned rodeo official with over 40 years of judging experience. You’ll hear firsthand stories of riding three events, sleeping in the back of a pickup truck with 12 guys, hauling to Bass Lake and Cowtown, and how the rodeo game has evolved—from scoring systems and gear changes to today’s rule shifts in the IPRA.Presented by: Parasite Systems – veterinary diagnostics that save time, money, and pets.Kickback Ranch and Resort: https://kickbackranch.net/Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://open.spotify.com/show/746s6L4oLDcSdQPR3AcU1F?si=e729c69f873f4b2cRodeo Roots Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NP4RyUN0m5KWXpAq2HmGp?si=1bde1f2037d048ffKing Brothers Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/KingBrosRodeoWestern Festival de St Tite: https://www.festivalwestern.com/Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729424520834071Here are some resources for Beyond the Chutes:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093822821241Official Website:https://beyondthechutes.show/Spotify: https://shorturl.at/bvK35Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/jnGV4YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdcju8nzParaSight SystemsCoupon: BTC023 for 50% off Mail In Test Kitshttps://www.parasightsystem.com/The IRA Projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/681292165259783#RodeoLife #ProRodeo #BarebackRiding #SaddleBronc #BullRiding #TimedEvents #RodeoCowbo #RodeoJudge #WesternLifestyle #RodeoHistory #KingBrothersRodeo #BeyondTheChutes #BTCPodcast #RodeoReunion #MidwestRodeo #RoughstockRider #IPRARodeo #WesternHeritage #CowboyUp #BehindTheChutes #WesternPodcast #RodeoStories #LegendsofRodeo #OnTheRodeoRoad #InOurRoots

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    #140 Better Be Handy: RV Life, Rodeo Bonds & Rolling with Doug Simcox

    Saddle up for a ride through the adventures of the RV lifestyle—where every road leads to a new story and the journey is half the thrill. Stan and Doug meet in Billings, Montana.In this heartwarming episode of The Wandering Gypsy RV Life, host Stan Cromlish welcomes special guest Doug Simcox—rodeo storyteller and host of Beyond the Chutes Rodeo Podcast—for a deeply personal, funny, and wide-ranging conversation about the road life they both love.Doug and Stan reflect on the relationships that make the RV and rodeo communities so unique. They swap stories about the folks they’ve met along the way, the wisdom gained from years behind the wheel, and the undeniable parallels between rolling rodeo rigs and life on the RV highway.Doug shares the backstory of building the custom BTC Bus, their mobile podcast studio. They talk about plans to reunite at the Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion over Labor Day—and about The Last Rodeo, the new film starring 2022 PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen. It's a reminder that every mile traveled brings new stories, friendships, and memories worth holding onto.This isn’t just an episode about traveling—it's about the people you meet when you're brave enough to keep going.Catch Doug’s Podcast: 🎧 Beyond the Chutes – Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music & more 🌐 www.beyondthechutes.showStay Connected with Stan Cromlish: 🎙️ The Wandering Gypsy RV Life – Available on iHeartRadio, Spotify & all podcast platforms 📧 wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Welcome to Beyond the Chutes, a Rodeo podcast where hosts Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen dive deep into the heart of the Western and Rodeo culture. Join us as we explore the full spectrum of rodeo life, from the adrenaline-pumping action at the bucking chutes to the precision and skill of the timed event chute. Our conversations extend to those who make the rodeo world turn: competitors, committee members, stock contractors, judges, secretaries, and the vibrant personalities of contract acts, entertainers, and announcers. Together, we uncover their unique stories, experiences, and the unforgettable places their rodeo journeys have taken them.

HOSTED BY

Doug Simcox

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