Outside Circle: Jace Melvin is Rookie All Around champ, Maier injured, new coach at Gillette, lots of schools and clinics

That nice, warm wind sure took care of most of the snow we had. We still have some drifts but I can live with that. It’s nice for those who are calving right away too. I’m glad we’re not going to be doing that for another four months as I know how fast it can go from nice to nasty in this country. To each their own.

I want to send congrats to Ft. Pierre, S.D. cowboy Jace Melvin on being named PRCA All Around Rookie of the Year for 2015. He’s defines the all around hand as he competes in steer wrestling, team roping as a header, and tie down roping. He’s also a nice guy, so that’s icing on the cake.

Corey Maier, Timberlake, S.D. underwent surgery to place numerous pins and screws in his foot and toes after they were badly broken at a bull riding in Hobbs, N.M. He will probably have to have another surgery in a couple of weeks to finish repairs. Word has it that everything breakable in his foot was broken and it’s pretty painful. He had surgery at Lubbock, Texas.

The Gillette (Wyo.) College Rodeo team really scored when Marvin Garrett came on as rough stock coach. The ProRodeo Hall of Fame bareback rider held many rodeo schools throughout the ’80s and ’90s and has a heart for teaching others. He joins gifted timed event coach Will LaDuke to help the team improve their skills and reach the CNFR.

The 2016 Dickinson State University bareback and saddle bronc school will be March 3-6 at the DSU Indoor Arena, Dickinson, N.D. The school costs $400/event and a $200 deposit is due by February 19. For more information, contact Eudell Larsen at 605-515-0765 or email him at Eudell.Larsen@dickinsonstate.edu.

If you’re more into the driving of horses the 2016 Tri-State Horse Expo Driving Obstacle Course competition might be right up your alley. It will be held March 18, 2 p.m., at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, S.D. The competition is for both teams and single horses and has a $20 entry fee. For further info, contact Nicki Fuller at 605-520-3787.

The dates for the Pro Elite World Challenge Barrel Racing spring series at the Hideout Arena, Watford City, N.D. have been set. They are: March 5 and 26, April 9 and 23, with the finals May 21. There will also be pole bending at the events. You can get more details and other events as well at the Hideout Arena Youth Rodeo Series facebook page.

There will be two Better Basics Goat Tying clinics held this April. They will be April 8-9 at Parker, S.D. and April 10-11 at Belle Fourche, S.D. Tuition is $325 and is limited to 16 students per clinic and will be taught by two former college rodeo champions. You can get more information and also register at http://www.goattyer.com.

Joe Wolter will be having a series of his great clinics in the region. On Feb. 4-6 he will be having a horsemanship and cow working clinic at the University of Montana-Western, Dillon, Mont. If this clinic is already full you can still go and watch and learn a lot. Contact Eric Hoffman at 406-925-1499. June 10-13 he will be at Nunn, Colorado doing a colt starting/green horse and Horsemanship 1 and 2 clinic at Esh Arena. For info call Amy LeSatz at 970-978-9724. On June 24-28 he will be doing a Montana Ranch clinic at his place at Ballantine, Mont. Contact Jimmie Wolter at 806-777-2766. Lastly, on July 8-10 he will be dong a Versatility Ranch Horse clinic at Froelich Ranch, Selfridge, N.D. Contact Lance Froelich at 701-422-3630. Joe is a very personable, nice guy that can really explain things easily and his clinics are very good.

This is out there a ways, but you could sure get your name in the hat if you register now. There will be a Ricky Quinn Horsemanship and Ranch Roping clinic in beautiful Crawford, Neb. on June 10-12. To learn more about it you can call Denise Christy at 913-904-4084 and also check out the website at http://www.rickyquinnclinics.com.

Well, that about rounds out my circle for this week (excuse the pun). I think I’ll slide my horse off this windy ridge for now. Send me all your upcoming events and I’ll be happy to share them here. Always glad to help out!

I hope to see a bunch of you at the Black Hills Stock Show and have a visit! Oh, and by the way…no, I haven’t sold Noodle yet.