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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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).