Oct. 4, 2011

Well the last month and a half of the 2011 regular season didn’t go quite as expected but it is now behind me and have to focus on what is in front of me – which is the NFR. I am going in ranked third after a strong finish to the season by Dean Gorsuch and Billy Bugenig, who are 1-2, respectively. The steer wrestling is going to be an exciting event to watch at the Finals as everyone is so close from 1 to 15, so anything can and probably will happen.

In August, I went over to Brazil for the Barretos Rodeo Festival. This was the first time I had been over there and what a great experience it was. We got there on a Wednesday after flying into Sao Paolo and then we drove about 5 hours to Barretos. Slack started on Thursday and following slack we put on a steer wrestling school for about 25 guys. This was pretty much our schedule for the next few days while we were there. They have a lot of talent over there and the school went really well. The competition itself was good for me as I won the event and pocketed a little under $5,000. With the win I also won a red Honda motorcycle that they bought back from me, since it would have been a little hard to get that home. The place was packed every night and their fans really enjoyed the event. I wouldn’t mind going back again as it was lots of fun.

My horse Spyderman is getting better but I will probably plan to ride Gunner at the Finals and Les Shepperson will haze for me. Right now, I am just getting Gunner conditioned and ready for the Finals by swimming him and then will start running steers in the practice pen to get ready for the big show in Las Vegas. Before the Finals though, I will compete at the California Circuit Finals as well as at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

Cade has started preschool and he is really enjoying it. It is hard to believe he is already that big. Jameson is walking and he is trying to talk but mostly just making more noises. Lindsay has been staying busy with her party planning business and has been doing a great job. She is very talented and really enjoys planning and decorating for birthday parties, weddings, etc.

Well that about covers what has been going on in my world. The next couple months will go by fast and it won’t be long until the chute opens on the 2011 Wrangler NFR. Be sure to check my website – www.lukebranquinho.net to see where I will be signing autographs during the Finals. Hope to see you out there.

Until next time,

Luke

Two-time PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler

July 8, 2011

I thought I had better update everyone since I had a little time after the Fourth and before I head to Canada. What a whirlwind couple of weeks it was surrounding Cowboy Christmas.

I was excited for this year’s Cowboy Christmas as we had a good schedule and was set-up good to get from point A to point B to point C and beyond with not too much trouble. Well then the roller coaster ride began. Prior to heading to Reno, we were practicing at my house and my traveling partner Stan Branco sustained a small tear in his bicep muscle. Luckily it wasn’t worse but was bad enough to keep him out of the arena for around 10 days, right during Reno that lead into Cowboy Christmas. So while the injury was bad the timing might have been worse.

So we head to Reno, down one traveling partner. The roller coaster ride continued as my other traveling partner Les Shepperson landed funny during his run and ended up breaking his shin and partially tearing his ACL. So that put him out for 6 weeks to allow his shin to heal. He doesn’t plan to do anything with his ACL at this time but will plan to wear a brace when he returns after Cheyenne.

If all that wasn’t bad enough, my truck broke down (water pump and radiator leak) so had to put it in the shop in Reno and my horse Spiderman wasn’t acting right so he got to spend time at the vet as well. So I went from being excited about Cowboy Christmas to wondering how in the world I was going to make it all work down two traveling partners, a horse and a truck.

Luckily the roller coaster started back to the top after Reno, as I set out on my Cowboy Christmas run. Although I wasn’t able to make all the rodeos I had planned on, I did place good at St. Paul (Ore.), Livingston (Mont.) and Cody (Wyo.) and won the average at Greeley (Colo.) to finish with $16,203, so I felt very blessed with that. I traveled with Blake Knowles, who won a little in St. Paul and Cody, and Kacey Kenny who didn’t have any luck. Despite their injuries Stan and Les made a good Fourth possible. Stan drove a rig and hazed for me in Oakley (Utah) St. Paul and Molalla (Ore.) and Livingston and Cody. Les took Dillon to Greeley and Cody for me and Ken Lewis and Billy Bugenig hazed for me in Greeley. Without all these guys my Cowboy Christmas would not have been near as good, so thank goodness for great traveling partners.

After the crazy Fourth, I was able to come home for a few days to see the family and try to regroup a bit. The truck is somewhat running so will see how that goes. Spiderman is back home and will start him back slowly and will see how he responds and take it day by day on him.

Since I last wrote Cade has his 3rd birthday and Jameson will turn 1 on the 15th. It is hard to believe a year has already gone by but time flies when you are having fun. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to be there on Jameson’s actual birthday as I will be in Calgary but will celebrate long distance with him. Lindsay has started a new business called Bluebird Productions that is an event planning/event services company. She has always enjoyed throwing parties and helping others with them, so to be provided with the chance to do so in a professional capacity is just amazing. She has always talked about the parties her mom had for them as kids and both her sisters have quite a knack for it as well, so it seems like a perfect match. Her first big event was on June 26 for a post wedding brunch at a private ranch in Santa Ynez for about 160 people. The hostess wanted to have a western feel with a Mexican flair and from the photos I saw, it appeared my wife pulled it off perfectly. They did hand painted signs, custom built and branded wood boxes, horseshoe favors for every guest, all the flowers and a lot of food. So if you are planning a party, look up Bluebird Productions on Facebook and they are working on a website that will be up soon.

So that about covers what has been going on in my world. I hope everyone is having a great summer. The next couple months continues to stay busy with all the rodeos across the country so hope to keep adding to my 2011 earnings. I will touch base again later.

Until next time,

Luke

Two-time PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler

April 25, 2011

I hope everyone had a very Happy Easter. I spent Easter in Clovis, Calif., where I won the second round with a 4.0 and added close to $2,000 to my earnings. Prior to heading to Clovis, I went to Springville, Calif., where I finished 3rd with a 4.2 and picked up just over $500. So all in all was a fairly decent weekend. I got home in time for Cade to show me all his Easter goodies, which he had a lot.

It has been nice being back home in California for the last month or so. I love it that I can go rodeo on the weekend but then be back home for the week to spend time with the family. We have also had a lot of the guys at our place, which makes for some good practice days. We had several before the Red Bluff rodeo and that was a lot of fun.

Speaking of Red Bluff, that was a rough weekend for me. It started out at the Lakeside Rodeo where on my first run, I ended up with a sliced chin that required stitches and a trip to the ER. Unfortunately, my second run wasn’t any better when I busted my butt. Needless to say Lakeside was not kind to me. From there I went to Red Bluff and although no major mishaps like in Lakeside, I didn’t have any luck there either. I was glad to get home after that weekend.

Although I wasn’t able to be home for the Easter festivities the family had a good time hunting Easter eggs. Our youngest, Jameson, is starting to crawl and I am sure it won’t be long before he is walking. He is still a little too young to really play with Cade but Cade is anxious for the day they can really play.

I guess that about sums it up. I will be hitting more California rodeos in the next month or so before hitting the road for the summer run. It will be here before you know it. Thanks for visiting and will be talking to you soon.

Until next time,

Luke

Two-time PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler

March 1, 2011

Here we are at the first of March and nearing the halfway mark for the 2011 season. I am thrilled to report that I have had a great winter and currently lead the PRCA Steer Wrestling World Standings.

I have been blessed these last two months placing in every rodeo and making every short round. Obviously there were places I had hoped to win more money than I did, but picking up a check is important in this business no matter the amount. Just a bit of a recap, I finished third in the average in Denver and was second in Fort Worth in January into February. Then in February, I won a little over $3,000 in San Antonio, finished fourth in the average in San Angelo and was fifth in Tucson. March starts with Houston and then will head to Austin. Here’s hoping I cash in and take some Texas money back to California with me.

I met up with Lindsay and the boys in Tucson and after slack there, Cade became part of my traveling team, which includes Les Shepperson and Stan Branco. Cade traveled with us from Tucson to San Angelo for the short round and then back to Tucson for the short round there. Now he is traveling with us to Texas. Lindsay will fly down on Friday for a few days. It has been fun having him with me but really thank Les and Stan for their help with him and the horses. Major kudos to my wife for taking care of two boys, while I am on the road. Cade has been a good traveler especially as much time as he has to be in the car seat but I think he likes being one of the guys.

After the first rounds of Houston, I will probably head home for a few days before heading back to Texas for the semifinals at Houston and the rodeo in Austin. After Austin, then we head back west to the rodeos out in our area and then springtime will be upon us.

I guess that about sums it up. Thanks for visiting and will be talking to you soon.

Until next time,

Luke

Two-time PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler

January 9, 2011

Happy 2011 everyone. I hope each and every one of you had a very Merry Christmas and that the New Year is treating you well thus far.

Jason Miller and I made is safely home from the “Land Down Under” on Christmas Eve. It was another great trip over there. It is always a long trip but this year it allowed me a chance to catch up on all the sleep I lost while in Las Vegas. I think I slept the majority of the trip over. We had about 29 participants in our first school. It was hot the first day and then the rain moved in, so we had to work around and with the weather. Although the rain put a bit of a damper on the school, I still feel like the guys got some benefit out of it. Following the first school in Queensland we went to Wagga Wagga, New South Whales and when we got there it felt like home. The weather was like 80 the whole time we were there, so that was great. While we were in the “Land Down Under” my good friend Shane Kenny took Jason and I fishing and hunting. We had a great time and want to thank everyone for welcoming us.

I got back just in time to head to Arizona to celebrate Christmas with Lindsay’s family. We had a great time and it was a lot of fun watching Cade open all his presents and his brother, James’, presents as well since he was still too young to really understand what was happening. James did enjoy playing with the paper though. After Christmas we drove back to California and took the kids to Disneyland. Cade had a ball and loved everything about it. James, well we will have to go back when he is a little older so he too can enjoy it like Cade. Actually we all had a good time and we were all worn out after our two days spent there. Be sure to visit my photo gallery to see photos from Disneyland and a few from Australia.

Now it is time to get the 2011 season really rolling. This upcoming weekend (Jan. 14-15) we will head back to Las Vegas for the California Circuit Finals. This is the first time the circuit finals will be in Las Vegas and it will take place at the South Point Hotel and Casino. Here’s hoping I leave with a title this time around. I would like nothing more than to earn another trip to the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo and try to win a third consecutive DNCFR title. After the circuit finals, we will head to Denver for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo and then to Fort Worth. Be sure to check my schedule for where I will be next and my results from each event. I will be traveling with Jason Miller, Stan Branco and Les Shepperson this winter, so here’s hoping our traveling team wins lots of money.

That about does it for this entry. Thanks for visiting and will be talking to you soon.

Until next time,

Luke

Two-time PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler

December 23, 2010

It is hard to believe it is almost Christmas and 2011 is right around the corner. Jason Miller and I are on our way back to the States after spending a week and a half in Australia putting on two steer wrestling schools. I can’t wait to be back home to see my little men and my lovely wife, Lindsay.

Jason and I headed to the “Land Down Under” on Monday, Dec. 13. It was a long trip over there but was able to catch up on my sleep after being at the Wrangler NFR (more on that event later). We had two schools this year. We would like to thank Todd and Tania Hensley, who were our hosts in Wagga Wagga and Shane and Leanne Kenny in Emerald. They took great care of us and we met so many friendly and talented individuals down there. Here’s hoping all the students will find success in the coming year. As soon as I get back to the States I will try to post some photos of our trip.

Now back to the Wrangler NFR. This year was a mixed bag to say the least. My goal going in was to leave Las Vegas as the 2010 World Champion but each night you are tested by the steers and the tough competition. Through the first four rounds things were looking pretty good having tied for the win in the second round and was sixth in the third round. I was sitting good in the average, which is always important with the big money payout at the end. I had a little bad luck in the fifth round finishing in a time of 14.2 seconds, dropping me down in the average race. I would rebound to win the sixth and seventh rounds with times of 3.5 seconds and 3.3 seconds respectively. Things were looking up again, especially after I tied for second in the eighth round with a time of 3.7 seconds. Then disaster would strike again in the ninth round. Similar to 2009 when I threw the steer the momentum of the throw caused me to lose my grip and although I tried to hang on, the steer got away from me resulting in a no time. It was tough to swallow but the sport wouldn’t be what it is, if it was easy. I would finish eighth in the average and fourth in the world standings with $160,049. Congratulations to Dean Gorsuch on winning the title with a total of $186,477. Here’s hoping 2011 will be my year again.

I am really looking forward to Christmas with the family and can’t wait for my little men to open their packages. Having kids makes the Christmas season that much more special.

I hope that each and every one of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. Thanks for everyone’s support in 2010 and will be in touch in 2011.

Until next time,

Luke

Two-time PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler

November 27, 2010

With Thanksgiving behind us that can only mean one thing – the 2010 National Finals Rodeo is just days away. I am really looking forward to being back in Las Vegas because if you are a professional cowboy that is the only place you want to be in December running for all the money. This year I plan to start out riding Jesse Peterson’s horse Gunner. I will also bring my horse Spiderman as a back-up. Ken Lewis will be hazing for me on my horse Rowdy. We have been practicing the last couple weeks in California, so I think we are ready to go.

We had a very large Thanksgiving celebration with 45 friends and family. We all had a great time with great food. The kids had a ball running and playing with the other little kids. Then on Friday, I took my wife out for an early Anniversary celebration. Our Anniversary was on Saturday, 27 but we decided to celebrate early.

The last several months have been good. After the end of the regular season I took a couple weeks to go hunting in Montana, which was a nice getaway. Then I spent time in California with the family before competing in San Francisco and Kansas City. I found success in Kansas City winning the two head average in a time of 6.9 seconds. It was a great way to start my 2011 season as it was also a stop on the Gold Tour for the PRCA.

Cade is really looking forward to Las Vegas as he is now getting old enough to enjoy it more and more. We are also excited to have our newest edition Jameson William experience the big show for the first time. Hopefully I will have a lot of good news to report from the Finals.

In the coming days, I will post my autograph and appearance schedule on my website so if you are in Las Vegas you can come see me. If you are not able to be in Las Vegas for the “Big Show” be sure to catch all the action on the ESPN Networks. A complete schedule can be found at www.prorodeo.com.

Talk to you from Vegas,

Luke

Two-time PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler