When the press approached Cash Myers for an interview after he won the steer wrestling match at the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping on Sunday, Myers asked if we could wait.

He was about to compete in a round of steer roping and needed to prepare to compete in an event that's very different from steer wrestling.

But in a day when road costs are soaring, it pays to have the skills to finish in the money in multiple events.

In this day of specialization, the vast majority of high-profile competitors earn their livelihood in only one event. But there are a few name competitors such as Myers who can earn money in at least two events.

At the Ryon Roping, which ran Friday through Sunday at the Ryon Arena in north Fort Worth, Myers also finished second in steer roping and reached the semifinal round of tie-down calf roping on Saturday.

"The good thing about being in multiple events is you give yourself more of a chance to win," Myers said.

Also thriving at the Ryon Roping was three-time world all-around champion Trevor Brazile, the only competitor who has earned National Finals Rodeo berths in tie-down roping, team roping heading, team roping heeling and steer roping.

Brazile won the Ryon tie-down roping title and finished third in the invitational steer roping.

This year, Brazile has a commanding lead in the world all-around race. He's attempting to dethrone defending all-around champion Ryan Jarrett, who qualified for the 2005 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in both tie-down roping and steer wrestling.

In the early 1990s, Ty Murray wowed fans by qualifying for the National Finals in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding en route to winning a record seven world all-around titles in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

When Joe Beaver won his last of three world all-around titles in 2000, he qualified for the NFR in both tie-down roping and team roping heading.

Myers has earned NFR berths only in steer wrestling. But he's glad that he can hold his own against the sport's elite in roping events.

"Sometimes, it takes away from your concentration," Myers said. "But when you've done it for while, you get the hang of splitting your time up and being able to concentrate equally between the three events."

2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Schedule of Events

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Miss Rodeo America Pageant
Horsemanship Competition
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Excalibur Hotel & Casino
King Arthur's Indoor Arena /Free Admission
Miss Rodeo America Pageant
Get Acquainted Party
8:00 p.m.- 11:30 p.m. The Orleans Hotel & Casino- Toulouse Room
Ticket Required/Miss Rodeo America Pageant Registration Desk/ The Orleans
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
59th Annual PRCA National Convention Registration
1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30
59th Annual PRCA National Convention Registration
7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
59th Annual PRCA National Convention Trade Show
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
Miss Rodeo America Pageant
PRCA Luncheon Featuring Miss Rodeo
America Pageant Contestants
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
Ticket Required/Miss Rodeo America Pageant Registration Desk/ The Orleans National Finals Rodeo
PRCA Welcome Reception
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
Miss Rodeo America Pageant
Dinner/ Fashion Show
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. The Orleans Hotel & Casino-Ballroom
Ticket Required/Miss Rodeo America Pageant Registration Desk/ The Orleans
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
59th Annual PRCA National Convention Registration
7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
59th Annual PRCA National Convention Trade Show
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Miss Rodeo America Pageant's
President's Luncheon
12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. The Orleans Hotel & Casino- Decatur Room
Ticket Required/Miss Rodeo America Pageant Registration Desk/ The Orleans
PRCA Awards Banquet
6:30 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Cocktails
Ticket Required
Downtown Hoedown
3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Fremont Street Experience
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Featuring: Neal McCoy & Joe Diffie
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2
59th Annual PRCA National Convention Registration
9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
59th Annual PRCA National Convention Trade Show
9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel & Casino
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Miss Rodeo America Pageant's Contestant Introductions/Live Auction
12:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show, Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Center Seating Area/ Free Admission
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - First Performance
6:45 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsor: Jack Daniels
Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations
11:00 p.m.
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Western Dance Hall
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Miss Rodeo America Pageant
Coronation Performance and Awards
Coronation Performance: 9:45 a.m.- 12:00 (noon) p.m. The Orleans Hotel & Casino-Showroom
Ticket Required/Miss Rodeo America Pageant Registration Desk/ The Orleans
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Second Performance
5:45 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsor: Coors
Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations
11:00 p.m.
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Western Dance Hall
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Third Performance
5:45 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsor: Dodge
Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations
11:00 p.m.
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Western Dance Hall
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5
PRCA Exceptional Rodeo
10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Arena Floor- Open to the Public
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Fourth Performance
6:45 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsors: Boyd Gaming & Montana Silversmiths
Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations
11:00 p.m.
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Western Dance Hall
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Fifth Performance
6:45 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsor: U.S. Army
Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations
11:00 p.m.
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Western Dance Hall
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7
Benny Binion's World Famous NFR Bucking Horse and Bull Sale
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Tickets at the Door
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Sixth Performance
6:45 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsor: Resistol Hats
Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations
11:00 p.m.
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Western Dance Hall
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8
Benny Binion's World Famous NFR Bucking Horse and Bull Sale
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Tickets at the Door
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
ProRodeo League of Women Fashion Show & Luncheon
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The Orleans Hotel & Casino Ballroom
Sponsored by The Orleans Hotel & Casino
Proceeds to benefit The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund
Tickets at the Casino Cage
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Seventh Performance
6:45 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsor: PRCA
Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations
11:00 p.m.
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Western Dance Hall
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9
19th Annual Spurs & Spikes Golf Invitational
To benefit the ProRodeo Hall of Fame
Silverstone Golf Club
8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start- By Invitation Only
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Eighth Performance
6:45 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsor: Justin Boots
Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations
11:00 p.m.
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Western Dance Hall
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10
NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show - Final Day
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
Free Admission / Open to the Public
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Ninth Performance
5:45 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsor: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co.
Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations
11:00 p.m.
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Western Dance Hall
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Tenth Performance
1:15 p.m. Thomas & Mack Center
Performance Sponsor: Wrangler
PRCA World Champions Award Ceremony
Immediately Following Performance

The end is near for living legend Jake Barnes. After 25 years, 19 Wrangler NFR qualifications and seven world titles, the 46-year-old has one eye on life after rodeo. The other is focused on one more run at glory with partner Kory Koontz. And it's a challenge that arguably the greatest header of all time is not taking lightly. "I'm more determined now than I've ever been. There's more of an urgency than ever before."

Hancock overcomes freak injury to win bull-riding title

The big news in Clovis, Calif., during rodeo week - April 21-24 - wasn't who won or lost, but the severed and subsequent missing earlobe of 2000 World Champion Bull Rider Cody Hancock.

Local TV crews and newspapers flocked to Clovis Arena, trying to get the inside scoop.

The story broke Thursday night (April 21) during the PRCA Xtreme Bulls event. On a re-ride bull, Hancock delivered a 72-point score on Russell Rodeo's Wino. After his dismount, Hancock was trampled by Wino, who stepped on the cowboy's back, leg and grazed his head with a horn.

Bleeding badly, Hancock stumbled out of the arena and walked to the Justin Sportsmedicine Team trailer for treatment.

"I guess it ripped off the bottom third of my ear," Hancock said. "It doesn't hurt too bad right now. It was kind of a freak deal where he just ran over the top of me. He kind of grazed down the side of my head. It bled quite a bit and I was in a lot of pain.

"When I left the arena my head hurt, but I didn't realize at the time that I was missing part of my ear. Then they started looking at me like I was a circus freak."

Meanwhile, a group of cowboys and arena personnel searched the grounds for the missing piece of ear, but to no avail.

During the search, barrelman Clinton Selvester got on the public address system and offered Hancock some good-natured words of encouragement. "Cody, don't worry," Selvester joked. "Evander Holyfield has been through it before."

After the event, the search reconvened and 11-year-old trick rider Roper Kiesner, who was performing at the rodeo, found the missing piece. He handed it over to the Justin crew's Rick Foster, who took it to the hospital, where Hancock had been transported.

"All they had at the hospital that night was a foot doctor," Hancock said. "I don't know if he was too lazy or too scared to sew it back on. The Justin guys told me they felt they should have tried to sew it back on."

The incident, however, didn't derail Hancock's bid to win the $217,582 Clovis Rodeo. The following evening in the second round, the Taylor, Ariz., cowboy stuck a winning 89-point ride on Growney Brothers' bull Mudslide.

"I've known Cody since he was 8 or 9, riding calves," said announcer Wayne Brooks. "He's one of the toughest guys I know."

In the Wrangler Tour round on Sunday, Hancock covered Growney's rank bull Ugly for 83 points and second place. The ride sewed up the aggregate title for Hancock - 244 points on three head - and earned him a payday worth $6,263.

It was Hancock's first win since he captured the Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco six months ago. Late 2004 injuries and subsequent surgery in 2005 had sidelined the Arizona cowboy most of this season.

"I finally felt like a bull rider again," Hancock said. "I'd been back for a month and struggling with my riding. Finally this weekend, I felt like I could ride the rank ones. Ugly had been one of the ranker ones for a long time. I was only 83 points on him, but he's one of those bulls that never gets ridden. I was the only one to ride all three and I won nearly $7,000, so it was a big confidence-booster."

As for his right ear, Hancock plans to see a plastic surgeon soon and knows the story of the "severed ear" won't go away any time soon.

"I didn't see any of the coverage," Hancock said.