WSTR News

Empty Saddles

Rodney Ray Dimitroff - 1941-2026

Jan 29, 2026

Above all else, Rodney loved his family. Watching his grandchildren was one of his favorite pastimes, and time spent with them brought him great joy. He leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, and kindness, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

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Andrew "Jess" Gililland - 1931 - 2026

Jan 29, 2026

After retirement, Jess did day work for ranchers until it began interfering with his passion for team roping, a sport in which he truly excelled. Jess roped calves in his younger years but later focused on team roping. In 1997, he won $27,000 at a USTRC event, roping on two horses he trained himself. Over the years, he earned 40 buckles and nine saddles, generously giving away many of those buckles. We say goodbye to a rancher, a horseman, a father, and a keeper of a disappearing way of life. Jess is survived by his five children, nine grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren.

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Larry Dewayne Barker - 1951-2026

Jan 26, 2026

Larry was a devoted friend and family man. He had relentless passion for whatever came his way and believed that if you were going to do something you should do it right, and big. He never turned people away and was always available if you needed help, encouragement, or someone to believe in you. Larry personified the idea that “What you do for yourself dies with you when you leave this world. What you do for others’ lives on forever.”

Team Roping Journal News

Lifelong Friends Troy Brown and Marty Larner Win #9.5 Heartland at Mathews WSTR Hamilton Qualifier

Jan 21, 2026

It’s not a friend-win for Brown and Larner go way back – it’s a family one.

Team Roping Journal News

2026 Mathews Land & Cattle Hamilton WSTR Qualifier: Full Results

Jan 17, 2026

Plenty of teams will be paid plenty of money Jan. 16-18 in Hamilton, Texas.

Empty Saddles

Cecil Alvin Nichol - 1934- 2026

Jan 14, 2026

Cecil's enduring spirit and love for life were evident in every endeavor; age never hindered him in any way. He was a man who transcended generations, finding joy on the back of a horse and in the company of those he loved. Cecil's legacy of resilience, humor, and dedication will forever be cherished by his family and friends.

WSTR News

PPQ Is Back!

Jan 14, 2026

Rope 4 Steers, meet or beat par time to win a paid entry to the Ariat WSTR XX in your own backyard.

Empty Saddles

Shryl Schneemann Cooper - 1955-2025

Jan 13, 2026

On December 1, Shryl passed away surrounded by her loving family. Jill shared that her mom is now at home with Jesus. The rodeo community is mourning as Shryl was "home' to many and acted as the "supermom" to anyone she welcomed to her home.

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Jim Nichols - 1951- 2025

Dec 16, 2025

Jim was a storyteller and a lover of life. If you were around him very long you would see his face light up with a smile and a glimmer in his eye while telling one of his favorite stories. His laugh made you smile and he was never short of a greeting for everyone he met. There was never a question whether he was a cowboy or how much he loved the sport of rodeo.

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Don Kimble - 1950-2025

Dec 16, 2025

“I would like to be remembered as a person who treated other people jut like he would like to be treated, and that his word was always good. If your word and handshake aren’t good, there are no contracts to make up for that anyway.”

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Joseph Dell Millward - 1969-2025

Dec 16, 2025

He was respected in the Equine community for his horse shoeing abilities, team roping and work with horses. He was fiercely loyal, genuinely concerned and uncommonly thoughtful to his many friends. He was respectful and congenial to all who knew him in business or as an acquaintance. His greatest joy and focus in life were his two beautiful daughters.

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Thomas Edward Braman - 1986-2025

Dec 16, 2025

While he loved fishing, hunting and rodeoing, nothing compared to the love he held for his two children, Isabella Grace Braman and Braylen Hawes Braman. They were the center of his world, and he treasured every moment spent with them. He was incredibly proud of them, and he cherished getting to teach them all about the things that were special to him.