Barry Bunch

Barry Bunch grew up in a rodeo family and was the youngest of 4 children. Following in his big brother’s footsteps, he chose bull riding as his event instead of calf roping like his dad. However, having roping calves readily available, Barry always had something to practice on.

Being on the smaller side worked in Barry’s favor, except at the age of 15 when he became the youngest bull rider to win the average at the CRA finals, the secretaries thought he was too small to carry that much money, so they wrote him a check. Barry qualified for he CRA Finals 13 times and was the year end champion in 1979 and 1987. Barry worked his way to winning the average at the CRA Finals in 1975 and 1989. In 1988, he finished the season in the second place spot, and tied for the highest marked ride with 92 points. Barry was also a member of the TRA where he won the average three times and was the year end champion bull rider in 1987.

After hanging up his bull rope, Barry went on to be a successful junior rodeo producer. Alongside his son Jeremy, Barry contracted for the Pro Youth Rodeo Association from 1994 to 1999. In 1996, Barry added the North Texas High School Rodeo Association and in 1997 he added the Texas High School Rodeo Association Region 3.

In 1998, Barry was proud to own King Kong, the PRCA Bucking Bull of the Year. In the same year he was awarded Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year in the North Texas High School Rodeo Association.

Kenneth Prater

Bill and Roy Duvall taught Kenneth how to be a steer wrestler when he was twenty-one years old. He started to compete in the CRA in 1985 which led him to his CRRA and TPRA memberships.

His list of awards are impressive:

  • All Around Champion Mt. Pleasant, Texas 1983

  • All Around Champion Checotah, Oklahoma 1989 & 1991

  • Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association Champion 1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1993,1995,1996

  • Cowboy Regional Rodeo Association Runner Up 1991,1992,1994,1997,1998

  • Cowboys Regional Rodeo Finals Average Champion 1995

  • Central Rodeo Association Steer Wrestling Champion 1995

  • Senior Professional Rode Assn. Finals Average Champion 1996,1997

  • Central Rodeo Association Finals Average Champion 1991

  • World Pro Rodeo Finals Average Champion 1988

  • United Professional Rodeo Association Champion 1998

  • Roy Duvall’s Annual Jackpot 40 & Over Average Champion 1996,2000

Kenneth’s daughter, Cassidy, is the secretary for the Duvall Jackpot every year. His son, Cody, is involved with coaching various sports including football & softball. His girlfriend, Teresa Vreugdenhil, has been by his side for nine years.

Kenneth had a couple of horses, JR and Rocket, that won Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. He would loan them to others to compete on because he never turned anybody down when they needed a horse, and sometimes he would have five guys ride his horses.

He said “The key to be a good steer wrestler is to have a good horse.”

Champion Rodeo Company

Champion Rodeo Company was founded in 1969 by Maurice Champion, but even before then his father, Clifford Champion, was a first-generation stock contractor providing timed event cattle for the wild west shows. Maurice produced a successful rodeo career as an all-around cowboy who especially excelled in the bulldogging, which led to his 2001 induction into the Texas Cowboys Hall of Fame. He had success at all levels of competition from the amateurs to the Turtle association, the RCA, and the PRCA. Maurice sustained a back injury and had to sit out the rodeo at Madison Square Garden in the 1950’s, he missed qualifying for the NFR in the bulldogging by just eighty dollars.

Even though Maurice was no longer entering the rodeos, he maintained a passion for the sport and he began judging rodeos for Bradford Ivy. This would later turn into Maurice taking over the production of the amateur rodeos for Mr. Bradford. This inevitably led to the founding of what’s known today as Champion Rodeo Company. Maurice bought out a contractor in Franklin, Tennessee. Including the purchase of twelve horses for three hundred dollars each and fifteen bulls for five hundred each.  Laying the foundation of Champion Rodeo Company. 

         Maurice and his wife, Mary Ann had three children, Bud, Bob and Judy. The rodeo company was a family affair, and it was all hands-on deck. Bud and Bob would serve as pickup men, Mary Ann would secretary, and Judy would keep time and carry flags. Maurice of course was the boss of the operation. 

After decades of following in his father’s footsteps, Bob and his wife Tonya took over the company in 1986. Bob and Tonya began producing youth and amateur rodeos within countless associations including YRA, TPRA, CRA, ETRA, UPRA, CTYRA as well as helping establish the CPRA. Although Bob had taken over the reins, Maurice continued to help flank, sort, drive trucks, and offer up his opinion to Bob whether he asked for it or not. 

Champion Rodeo Company has always been what brought the family together, so it was only fitting that other members of the Champion family began to get involved. Bob and Tonya’s son, National, helps with the production as well as serving as the company's pickup man, working alongside his wife, Nicole, who secretaries and keeps time. The Champion’s daughter, Ima, lends a hand giving orders and keeping time as well when she is not entered in the breakaway roping. The families soon to be son in law, Trenton Norris, fills in as a pickup man. Cody Mizell, Bob and Tonya’s nephew, has also played a role helping with transporting stock and picking up as well. There are many others who have helped create this legacy along the way including Charlie John Coffee and family, TC Long and family, Grissett family, Brandon Dunn and family, Rusty Hummel, Glenn Patrick, and so many that are left unmentioned, but not unappreciated. 

Sharon Autrey

Sharon grew up in a rodeo family, she rode bulls in the all girl rodeos. All of her family was involved in the sport in someway. Her dad, Johnny Churchman, was a calf roper and rode bulls, and her Uncle, Clyde Crenshaw, was a stock contractor. She had three sisters and a brother who all rode rough stock. Sharon was married to Eddie Autrey for 18 years until he passed away in 1988 from cancer. Eddie rode bulls and after a serious injury he turned to judging.

Sharon started her career in being a rodeo secretary for Southern State in Magnolia, Arkansas. She has been a secretary for many of the CRA and UPRA stock contractors. She enjoyed working with Wing Rodeo Company and Jerald Smith, Flying C Rodeo Company and Will Cook, and Gene Smith Rodeo Company and Gene Smith. She worked with some of the best in the business for twenty-five years and was even a time keeper. As she said, “It was a 24hr. 7 days a week job.” Along with rodeo duties, she kept up with 4 broiler houses for Pilgrims Pride for 28 years.

Sharon has three children, four grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Her son Terry and wife Tonya live in Malakoff,Texas. Terry rode bulls and worked for Wing Rodeo Company, and later for Stace Smith. Her daughter, Wendy, is married to Billy Strother, who rode bulls and saddle bronc horses and has 60 bucking horses. Wendy is the Mena Rodeo chairperson. They live in Mena, Arkansas with their 2 children Rodey Strother and Prairie Pate.
Her youngest son, Chad, is married to Angela and they live in Atlanta,Texas with their 2 children, Emma and Campbell. Chad worked for Wing Rodeo Company and Angela was their time keeper.

Sharon said “I see rodeo continuing in my family’s future as one has a bucking bull and bucking heifer and one has aspirations in the contract act department. I miss seeing all the people and friends that I have made over the years.”

Raelyn Wade

Raelyn was a High School and College rodeo competitor. In High School she competed in steer undecorating, goat tying, roped and ran barrels. All her adult life she has been in sales management in the Direct Marketing industry helping companies to match the right consumer with the right offer at the right time.

She met her husband, Jerry, when they were growing up at the youth and amateur rodeos.  Jerry was a team roper who competed roping both ends.  They started dating in 1980 and were married in 1984. They competed together in the CRA & TPRA.

Raelyn joined the CRA and was a finalist several years as a barrel racer.  In 1988, Raelyn was instrumental in getting Ladies Breakaway roping to be a recognized event with the CRA. She took the bull by the horns and said “Let’s get it done!” She put a petition together for signatures that would not only support the inclusion of the event but also increase membership to the association. She was also able to attain sponsors for the Year End awards for this event.

Raelyn and Jerry have three children. They hauled them to multiple youth rodeo associations every weekend when they were growing up. Their daughter Taryn is now a nurse and is married to Dustin Davis, a UPRA Finalist. They have 2 children, a boy, Teagan, who is 5 and a girl, Tatum, who is 3. Their son Tyler Wade is a PRCA and UPRA team roping header.  This is his 6th year to qualify for the NFR, and he is also a Finalist at the 2023 UPRA Finals. His wife, Jesse, is a barrel racer and a UPRA competitor as well. They have one son, Weston, who is 5. Their daughter Tory manages all the events at the family’s indoor arena and helps her dad with the ranch in Terrell, TX. 

Raelyn would like to extend kudos to Jerry Hill for his long-term leadership of the association and his vision and approach to the merger between what was the CRA and TPRA to create the UPRA. One thing Raelyn would like you to know, is she is very proud of her kids and grandkids and their accomplishments.

Clay County Pioneer Reunion & Rodeo

The Clay County Pioneer Association was organized on August 20, 1932. Following the war between the states, hardy immigrants sought out the virgin prairies of north Texas as a new home and haven for their families. Those individuals also set themselves to the arduous task of reclaiming the wilderness and through their labors of these brave spirits, the desert and prairies were made to bloom. The settlers and their descendants worked hard and made Clay County a fit and proper place to live, those noble pioneers developed traits of character and admiration for the land and all who came into contact with them. The Clay County Pioneer Association was created to commemorate and emulate those pioneer settlers.

The first president of the Association was George S. Myers. In 1933, the first rodeo was held during the reunion at an arena located in Henrietta property owned by Dago Harris, which was a cousin to Roscoe and Bryant Edwards, local ranchers, furnished stock for the rodeo event.

Some years later and for several years the rodeo was held at the old ballpark in Henrietta. Also, one year it had to be held at the Hapgood Football Field. The stock and event continued with more locals participating and in 1947, Nat Fleming from Byers began announcing the rodeo and continue to carry the torch for 50 years. As the events grew, the tradition and excitement began to take shape. This was more than a rodeo.

In 1951, the nine-man board was formed to head up the rodeo and annual reunion events. As the annual events progressed, the arena was dedicated in memory of Tex Rickard, builder of the old Madison Square Garden in New York City. Mr. Rickard had moved to Clay County in 1881 with his family. Rickard was a fight promoter, cattleman and speculator and traveled the world making deals. He never forgot his roots in Clay County. The sportsman was considered Clay County’s most famous citizen; therefore, the Pioneers’ Association named its sprawling rodeo stadium, Tex Rickard Arena, to honor the most famous of all Clay County boys.

As the years have progressed, the Clay County Pioneer Reunion and Rodeo continues to be an amazing event filled with rich tradition and heritage. The rodeo and parade crowds are growing in staggering numbers each year. The Nine Man Board is charged with continuing the legacy of those who have come before them and working year- round to make the events possible. The reunion is a week-long celebration with pioneer praise and worship, an annual association meeting, kickoff luncheon for our volunteers, three parades, three rodeos, rodeo dances and other traditional events. This year, Clay County celebrates its 150th anniversary of the county and the 92nd Annual Clay County Pioneer Reunion & Rodeo.

We greatly appreciate the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 honor given by the UPRA. Our association is so fortunate to thrive in a county that is proud of its heritage and a vast amount of volunteerism that has lasted for 92 years.