39th Annual Licking Rodeo starts tonight

The 39th annual Licking Chamber of Commerce Rodeo is set for tonight and Saturday, May 31-June 1.

Gates open at 5:30 nightly and action starts at 7.

This year’s stock contractor is Outlaw/5J Rodeo Company (out of Curryville, Mo.), while the barrel man is Jeremy Muntz, the announcer is Chris Pyle and the specialty act is BS Mini Buckers, a kids bull riding outfit based in Bunker, Mo.

For the second year in a row, ranch bronc riding and “Mutton Bustin’” will be contested each evening for kids ages 8-and-under weighing less than 55 pounds (sign-up is from 5:30 to 6 p.m.).

NIGHTLY SCHEDULE:

Friday, May 31

Senior Citizen Half-Price Night. A large screen TV giveaway is sponsored by Rinne Tire Pros. It is Military Night with active duty admitted for free (retired and spouse half price). A goat scramble is planned for ages 5 and under.

Saturday, June 1

Pink Night. A calf scramble is planned for kids ages 6-11. A large screen TV will be given away.

The annual rodeo parade will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday in downtown Licking. Food and craft vendors and entertainment will go from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Moonshine Xpress will be in concert Saturday after the rodeo.

Tickets are available and cost $10, or $5 for kids ages 6-11. They can be purchased at Licking City Hall and J.L. Friend Lumber Co.

Outlaw/5J Rodeo Company providing livestock

The stock contractor at this year’s Licking Rodeo is Outlaw/5J Rodeo Company.

The story behind the business involves a progression that began decades ago.

After being raised in a rodeo family, Lance McCollum decided to try his hand at fighting bulls in 1992.

After a few bullfighting schools and a lot of bumps and bruises, his career as a bullfighter took off, and “Lightning” Lance McCollum fought bulls for many years in the PRCA, MRCA, URA, NFPB, and several other associations. He was named Bullfighter of the Year three times.

In 1998, Mccolum decided to take on his next big dream of becoming a stock contractor and pickup man. This is where 5J Rodeo Company began. It started with bucking horses, but soon Lance and his wife, Joey, along with the rest of the McCollum family, dove head first into buying the best rodeo horses and bulls they could find.

In 2001, while McCollum had been fighting bulls and picking up for the legendary Outlaw Rodeo Productions, the opportunity to become partners with them opened up. As you can imagine, Lance and Joey jumped on board without hesitation.

Outlaw Rodeo took on the production, paperwork and PR side of the rodeo, while 5J Rodeo Company took care of the arena setup, professional personnel and the award-winning livestock.

Once again, 2015 started another new adventure for the McCollum family. After being partners for over a decade, the owners of Outlaw Rodeo Productions decided it was time to retire and 5J Rodeo Company purchased Outlaw Rodeo Productions.

To this day, Lance is still picking up broncs and Joey secretaries the rodeos. Lance’s oldest daughter, Kacey, carries flags and coordinates the opening ceremonies, while his youngest daughter, Emma, does the timing during competitions. Lance’s brother Jeff runs the bucking chutes as the flank man with the assistance of his son, Jate. Nephew Jackson fights bulls and Nanny Linda oversees them all!

It’s truly a family affair.

Outlaw/5J Rodeo is headquartered in Curryville, Mo.

For more information, call 573-875-1348 or email 5jrodeocompany@gmail.com.

Chris Pyle to announce his 18th Licking Rodeo

Chris Pyle will once again be the announcer at this year’s Licking Chamber of Commerce Rodeo.

This will be Pyle’s 18th appearance as announcer for the event. He and his wife, Lisa, and their daughter and son live in Pilot Grove, Mo.

Besides being an announcer for rodeos, Pyle raises cattle, trains colts and serves as the special services director for the Sedalia School District.

Thanks to his grandfather– who took him to his first rodeo when he was 11 – Pyle became hooked on the sport at a young age. He went on to earn three Missouri state high school bull riding championships, along with two top-15 finishes in the nation. This enabled him to earn a scholarship and further his education while competing at the college level.

But bull riding took its toll on Pyle, as he suffered a lot of injuries and underwent six major surgeries. While recovering from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, Pyle announced a bull riding event as a favor to a friend. He enjoyed it so much, he decided to pursue it as a career.

Pyle continued to ride while developing his announcing skills, until he placed all his focus on his new profession. The move worked, as Pyle has since earned 30 Finals Announcer and Announcer of the Year awards, and has made 17 trips to NFPB finals.

Pyle has announced in 35 states including the PBR’s premiere series and at special events during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and PBR Finals in Las Vegas.

“Rodeo, in my opinion, is one of the greatest sporting events in the world,” Pyle said. “It doesn’t get any more challenging than what these men and women will face, so they truly need our help. Let’s have a great time and cheer them on!”

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