Rodeo InformationDates: August 8 & 9, 2024
Location: Blaine County Fairgrounds – Chinook, MT
Time: 7:00pm rodeo performance each night
Friday, 8/9 slack at 9:00am
Stock Contractor: J Bar J Pro Rodeo
Announcer: Barney Sheridan
Clown: Gizmo McCracken
Specialty Act: Tomas Garcilazo – Charro on the Road
Special Events:
Thursday – Monkey on a Rope
Friday – Outhouse Race
Mutton Bustin’ both nights!
Stock Contractor: J Bar J Pro RodeoJ Bar J Ranch was founded in 1969 by Jim and Maggie Zinser. Located then in Clare, MI on 600 acres, one of the soundest breeding programs in rodeo was derived. The purchase of a renegade mare from a riding stable in Detroit, MI for $150.00 became one of the most significant purchases made in the company. This mare, #29 Nightmare, went on to be the foundation mare for this breeding program. Along with the assistance of Bud Dancy from South Dakota who was raising bucking horse at that time and an outstanding stud, Mr. T, a Tooke bred horse some of the greatest horses evolved. The legacy of these horses goes on for many years with outstanding bucking horses that have won many awards in the PRCA.
In 2008, Jim and Maggie sold J Bar J Ranch to Sparky and Marlene Dreesen of Circle, MT. The Dreesen’s along with Bruce Fink of Atlanta, GA were owners of Gold Buckle Rodeo Company. After the purchase of J Bar J and combining the Gold Buckle stock with that of the J Bar J stock they started producing top quality rodeos across the United States as J Bar J, Inc. Sparky was a PRCA bareback rider in the Badlands Circuit in the 80’s, he is also the 1992 SDRA Champion Bareback Rider.
In the late 80’s, Sparky and Marlene bought 30 head of bucking horses from Harlan Gunville, of Eagle Butte, SD to start their herd. Red Lizard was one of the
original stud horses that was purchased from Harlan and he had been the foundation of the blood lines before the merger.
J Bar J provides horses and bulls for more than 30 rodeos a year, including the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Last year they had 13 horses selected to the NFR. J Bar J is a 3 time (2010, 2014, 2022) PRCA Remuda Award winner. This annual award goes to the stock contractor who provides the best, most consistent pen of bucking horses. They are the only stock contractor to have won this award three times.
Announcer: Barney SheridanBarney Sheridan, of Arlee, Montana, is the man behind the mic on the road at Dozens of ProRodeos throughout the year..
Sheridan grew up in southern Arizona and got a taste for the Western lifestyle on his aunt’s quarter horse ranch. But it wasn’t till he came to Montana on vacation in 1989 that he decided Big Sky Country was for him. “I drove through western Montana,” he recalled, “and I went, ‘this is the place.’ So, in 1990, I moved.”
His involvement in rodeo began six years after he moved to Montana. He was working as a radio DJ, when a friend asked him to announce the Fourth of July rodeo held in town. Sheridan declined the first time, but the second year, when the announcer canceled, the friend needed help and called Sheridan. This time he agreed.
This was his start. In 2004, he became a member of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), and since then, he’s worked rodeos across the country. From Montana to Minnesota, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming to Arizona…
Sheridan and his wife Tara, who is also a Music Director with the PRCA, have been married 27 years, Sheridan loves every aspect of rodeo, in part because of the athleticism it requires of contestants and their horses, but he loves the openings the most. He works to grab the attention of the fans. “I can see the faces and reactions from the people in the grandstands,” he said. “You can see their excitement and anticipation. To me, that’s the greatest. When the crowd is with you, it’s a real relationship.”
He also knows that he’s part of the rodeo team that is there to entertain fans. “It’s an honor to bring rodeo to fans,” he said. “These people are trusting us, the clown, the stock contractor, and the rodeo personnel, to provide a quality memorable fan experience for them and their children. I take that responsibility very seriously.”
Gizmo McCracken, the “2017 Comedy Act of the Year” has been entertaining crowds across the Country for many years. He became a member of the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) in 1992. Since that time the list of accomplishments has grown beyond belief. Working 19 PRCA Circuit Finals Rodeos in 10 of the 12 circuits, 2023 NFR OPEN, Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Nominated “Coors Man in the Can” 3 times, Nominated “Clown of the Year”, 2017 Comedy Act of the Year, Nominated for Comedy Act of the year 11 times, voted onto the short list for the Wrangler National Final Rodeo Barrel Man in 2017 and a feature act at the 2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Gizmo takes pride in the fact that his humor is good, clean, family style comedy. Gizmo travels the country from Canada to Texas, from the East Coast to the West Coast logging thousands of miles a year through dozens of states. Gizmo started his career as bullfighter and moved into stand-up comedy on a show in Branson, MO. Gadgets and gizmos that went sour were often part of his routine, hence the name “Gizmo, The World’s Greatest Inventor.” Clowns today are changing fast but Gizmo holds on to the core of the Rodeo Clown as it was designed years ago. Gizmo will work your rodeo from start to finish. No one in the industry works harder at making your event everything it can possibly be than Gizmo. He has a wide variety of acts to suit any need and can provide variety if you desire by using multiple act at your event. He supplies a Character and that is just what he is. Many of Gizmo’s Characters will find their way into your town and your arena. “I like to keep people looking for me and wondering what I am going to do next.” said Gizmo. The acts share a high energy, clean , family oriented feel which adds a fresh new atmosphere to any rodeo he is a part of. Gizmo is the Best Comedy Entertainer that this sport has to offer. Regardless of whether you have seen him before or this is your first experience, we are confident that you will leave laughing.
2017 Comedy Act of the Year
Nominated “Clown of the Year” – ’16
Nominated “Comedy Act of the Year” – Eleven Times
’02, ’05, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20, ’21, ’22
Nominated “Coors Man in the Can” – ’07, ’08, ’09
Voted onto Short list for the Wrangler National Final Rodeo Barrel Man ’17
Feature Act at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – ’05
NFR OPEN – ’23
Dodge National Circuit Finals – ’06
Turquoise Circuit Finals – ’22
Mountain States Circuit Finals – ’21
Columbia River Circuit Finals – ’18
Badlands Circuit Finals – ’97, ’03, ’07, ’15
California Circuit Finals – ’14
Wilderness Circuit Finals – ’13, ’19
Texas Circuit Finals – ’08, ’17
Prairie Circuit Finals – ’98, ’05
Southeastern Circuit Finals – ’04
Great Lakes Circuit Finals – ’94, ’96, ’00, ’01
Cheyenne Frontier Days – ’01, ’02
Sand Hills Stock Show – ’12
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo – ’09
ACRA Contract Act of the Year – ’20
Tomas, a native of Mexico City, was introduced at an early age to his family heritage and tradition of “La Charreria” which is a skill performed through the generations only by the Mexican Charro. Charros take extreme pride in their highly developed horsemanship and roping abilities. Tomas, third generation Charro, has devoted his life to sharing Mexico’s National Sport La Charreria with the World and along with his family they travels all over the country all year long performing and showcasing his Hispanic Heritage and keeping alive the Western legacy.
A lifetime of preparation, performances and competition continue to require total self-discipline, patience and commitment by Tomas to training and mastering the artistry of La Charreria. Incorporating a display of refined horsemanship while demonstrating maguey rope artistry in his performances bring audiences to their feet applauding in appreciation of his skills. Tomas devotes countless hours to his horses who with their athletic ability and intelligence willingly execute maneuvers when asked by their friend. It is a rare and honorable experience to witness these partnership performances.
Tomas has performed throughout Europe, Canada, Brazil, the U.S. and Mexico. He has appeared on Broadway in New York City and toured the U.S. with the Will Rogers Follies, an acclaimed 6 Tony Awards winning musical.
He was a featured performer for two years at Disney’s Wild West Show in Paris, France plus the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show touring Holland and Germany. Tomas has performed numerous times for Mexico’s Presidents along with guest performances at the U.S. White House and Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
In 1998 Tomas made his debut in the pro rodeo world as a Specialty act performing at the Super Bowl of rodeo the Wrangler National Rodeo in Las Vegas and for 26 years now he became a “Staples of the NFR” wowing rodeo fans with his artistic roping skill along with his incredible horses.
Lately Tomas has been part of the production and performing the US National tour with the legendary Aguilar family and Show Jaripeo Sin Fronteras.
Tomas became a proud US citizen in 2013 and resides in Stephenville, Texas. He continues to share his legacy with audiences at rodeos, stock shows, horse shows and equine events internationally.
His awards are many including the 4X PRCA Specialty Act of the Year and most recently he won the TV talent show the ‘Go Big Show’ season 1 featured on TBS channel. He also got honored to receive la Espuela de Oro «the golden spur» one of the highest distinction by the Mexican and US Charrería Association recognizing his career and for being a voice and Ambassador of his tradition and Mexican National Sport.
Tomas Garcilazo’s proficiency as a skilled horseman and rope artist defines him as one of the finest Charros presenting La Charreria today.