THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH 2024 NLD BUFFALO BILL RODEO SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2024 PAGE 7 BUFFALO BILL RODEO PERSONNEL bulls to pro and college rodeos across the country.
• Has worked the North Platte rodeo since 2019 • Rode bulls in high school and college, then branched into bullfighting. • Loves the friends he’s made on the rodeo road: “These guys are more like family to me than friends. We’ve been through a lot of fun times together, and those guys always have my back, and I have theirs.” • Spends his winters in Arizona training • Is the other half of the team that works as a bullfighter at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. • Has worked the rodeo since 2021 • As a kid, rode calves, steers and junior bulls, but in high school, got involved with other sports. • In college, began riding bulls again, then switched to bullfighting. • Is also a freestyle bullfighter (where no bull rider is involved; the bullfighter is scored on how well he engages a bull); is a four-time Bullfighters Only world champion. • Is a gym rat: “I’m constantly perfecting my craft, to be the most balanced athlete I can be, so I’m able to do the best job I performance horses. • Is from Seneca, Neb. WESTON RUTKOWSKI, BULLFIGHTER
• Bennie and his wife Connie are the third generation of the family business, following in the footsteps of Bennie’s dad Jiggs, granddad Jake, and Jake’s brother Elra and Lynn. Son Rhett and his wife Tracy are fourth, and their children, daughter Taylor and son Jake are the fifth generation. JUSTIN RUMFORD, RODEO CLOWN • Will serve as rodeo clown at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo for the fourth time. • Has competed at the rodeo in the steer wrestling; his dad, Bronc, won the tie- down roping and the steer wrestling in North Platte, and wears the 1986 buckle. • Loves coming to North Platte: “it’s a great rodeo, with great facilities, and when you get the west side filled with fans, it’s just great.” • Is a 10-time PRCA Clown of the Year and a 3-time Coors Man in the Can winner. • Has a podcast called RumpChat. ranked in the top 200 of USA comedy podcasts. • Lives in Ponca City, Okla. • Is married to Ashley; their triplets, Lola, Livi and Bandy, are ten years old. ZACH CALL, BULLFIGHTER • Is part of the duo of bullfighters who distract the bull during the bull riding, giving the bull rider time to get to safety
© Don Christner photo
Zach Call, bullfighter
can for the bull rider.” • Is married to Avery • Lives in Cleburne, Texas
Saturday, September 14 th - 6th Annual Western Nebraska Craft Beer Festival Featuring the National Avocado Launch Championship. VIP Hour • 3pm-4pm General Admission 4pm-8pm For Ticket information: https://www.palsbrewingcompany.com/beerfest 6th Annual W
© Don Christner photo
4520 S. Buffalo Bill | North Platte, NE | www.palsbrewingcompany.com th Platte, NE | www.palsbrewingcompany.com
Weston Rutkowski, bullfighter
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