He decided on two strategies-the first was to recruit a group of marketing and promotion experts he could rely on-and outsource to-so that he could offer rodeos, associations and even individuals the kind of expertise they had never had access to before.

Terry's second idea was to put together a "Rational Dream Team." He wanted to do something concrete and dramatic that would address one of rodeo's most urgent needs. That need is simple-we have to find a way to make stars of rodeo's athletes, to make them household names in the same way that Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Tiger Woods, Vince Carter, Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter are household names in theirs. In David Poulsen's book, Wild Ride, one of the book's subjects, barrel racer Monica Wilson talks about this very point.

"One of the things we need to do in the future is to make stars of our rodeo athletes. That isn't happening now. With the exception of Ty Murray and maybe Fred Whitfield, most people, even sports fans, couldn't name a rodeo competitor...If we can make our stars as recognizable as the stars in other sports, sponsors will pick them up and things can become a lot easierfinancially for rodeo competitors."

That job is, of course, made more difficult by the fact that rodeo athletes tend to be in a community for a very short time. They arrive in a town, compete at the rodeo, grab a burger and hit the road for the next rodeo. The only people who have close contact with them are the fast food servers and service station attendants.

Enter the Rational Dream Team. It is a collection of the best and brightest rodeo has to offer-all under the promotional umbrella of Rational Media. Athletes, personalities, and contract personnel, the Dream Team features many of the sport's most celebrated individuals. This site is dedicated to keeping rodeo fans up to date on the triumphs and heartbreaks, ups and downs, buckles and buckoffs of team members. You'll see them at rodeos in the Rational Media gear and now you'll be able to get up close and personal with them--right here!!

Not only will you be able to cheer on the accomplishments of your favourite Dream Team members on our site, but you will also be able to track their schedules, read what they have to say about life on the rodeo trail and even e-mail them.
 

Meet the Rational Rodeo Dream Team

Bob Tallman--Veteran Rodeo Announcer and television commentator Bob Tallman of Weatherford, Texas won his third consecutive and sixth overall PRCA Announcer of the Year Award in 2001. Bob has revolutionized the art of announcing rodeos and is one of the most recognizable figures in the sport today. He is both a member of the Rational Media Dream Team and a spokesperson for Rational Media.

Mark Nugent--Mark on a Canadian Calf Roping title at 19 years of age and has been a star of the sport ever since. A first-class cowboy who is respected by his peers, Mark, who trains horses when not on the rodeo trail, has competed at and won many of the top rodeos in North America.

Billy Richards--Look up the word "cowboy" in the dictionary and you're likely to see a picture of Billy Richards next to it. From a prominent rodeo and ranching family Billy is a former FCA Saddle Bronc Riding Champion. 2001 saw Billy emerge as the PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year. With his talent and attitude, Billy is a young man to keep your eye on.

Monica Wilson--A ten time Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier, Monica is a Barrel Racing superstar. She is a past winner of the Calgary Stampede's Guy Weadick Award and was also the CPRA's Cowboy of the Year. Monica's fascinating life in rodeo is a big part of the book Wild Ride.

David Poulsen--A former competitor and rodeo clown/bullfighter, David is one of rodeo's most sought-after announcers. His informed and entertaining style have put behind the mike at many of North America's biggest and best rodeos including The Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Finals Rodeo. With sixteen books to his credit, the "Cowboy author" is particularly pleased at the response to his latest work: Wild Ride: Three Journeys Down the Rodeo Road.

Niki Cammaert--At just 21 years of age, Niki is one of North America's premier trick riders. Her appearances have included The Calgary Stampede. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Canadian and National Finals Rodeos. What a pleasure to have this talented vivacious young lady on our Dream Team.

Rob Bergevin and Blake Schlosser--Two of rodeo's unsung heros, Rob and Blake are among Canada's most outstanding pickup men. Their job is to provide the cowboys' lifeline after the whistle and these two gentlemen do that job very, very well.

Flint Rasmussen--The popular resident of Choteau, Montana was honoured as PRCA Clown of the Year for the fourth year in succession and added a Coors Man in the Can Award as well. He is a fixture at the Canadian and National Finals Rodeos and is, plain and simply, one of the funniest men alive.

Les McIntyre--With thirty years of experience in the world of chuckwagon racing, Les McIntyre has been a driver, trainer, sponsor and for the last eighteen years, the premier announcer of chuckwagon racing throughout North America. To get some idea as to Les's schedule during racing season, consider that he has averaged 702 races in each of the last five seasons. He is also the official track announcer for the World Chuckwagon Racing Association.

Bill Kehler--Bill and his familiar voice have been a part of rodeo since 1975. He has made numerous appearances at the Canadian Finals Rodeo and last year capped off his stellar career by being inducted into Canadian Rodeo's Hall of Fame.

Jeff Chapman--Jeff Chapman of Airdrie, Alberta by way of Athens Texas, is a former $50,000 winner at the Calgary Stampede and has earned three qualifications for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. 1997 was an especially memorable year for the likable Texan. The season included his Calgary Stampede win and first NFR appearance and Chapman made the most of his opportunity as he established an arena record that still stands as the fastest Calf Roping time ever recorded with a remarkable 6.8 seconds.