The All New McKenzie County Ag Expo, and This Week's Rodeo Student Athlete
Tisa Peek of Dakota Horse Magazine visits with a World Champion steer wrestler, Jacob Edler, to NFR steer wrestlers - Bridger Anderson and Cameron Morman and the instructor who has had a arm in mentoring all three champions - Tyler Schau. Their insight into the world of professional rodeo is priceless.
Meanwhile, North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame media director Wild Bill once again travels to Watford City and this time around has a conversation with the director of The McKenzie County Ag Expo Chris Kubal. Chris' enthusiasm for this amazing facility is contagious as he talks about the conception then the construction of this modern facility and the people involved. As far as potential events at the expo, the sky is the limit and creative ideas are welcome!
Joe Wicks, Honoree: Joseph Frederick Wicks was born May 11, 1902, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was orphaned soon after birth, came to North Dakota on an orphan train and was placed with the Frederick Fix family in Mandan. In 1912, William Langer became Joe’s legal guardian. Joe was educated in Mandan and at the Catholic monastery in Richardton.
He did general ranch work at most of the large ranches in the area, including the Custer Trail Ranch, the Stiles Ranch and the Cannonball Ranch. Mostly, Joe was responsible for breaking and gentling saddle horses. Joe began his rodeo career on the Steve Weekes ranch near Almont from 1916-1920. Later known as the ‘Heart River Kid,’ he was one of North Dakota’s leading saddle-bronc cowboys and also rode bareback broncs and steers, participating in most rodeos in western North Dakota. Joe Wicks is the NDCHF Hall of Honorees inductee of the week!
And our Dakota Cowboy Student Rodeo Athlete of the Week is 16 year old Gracee Thorlakson from Cavalier, ND.
