Brothers making strides on rodeo circuit
South Dakota is a rodeo state that has produced rodeo stars like Casey Tibbs and Jesse Bail.
Now, two brothers from central South Dakota are making strides in the sport and have become icons in the steer wrestling event.
Todd and Randy Suhn were born in Ree Heights and began their rodeo careers as kids in Highmore.
Both have won amateur and professional championship titles throughout the central, Randy Suhn, 30, joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1997. He has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo three times and has five qualifications for the Pace Picante Series. In 2003, Randy was 11th in the World Standings, placed fifth in the Wrangler NFR, and earned more than $88,000.
His career earnings to date total more than $420,000 with professional rodeo highlights from the 2004 and 2005 seasons that include being a finalist at the Pace Chute-out in Las Vegas and winning a PRCA title in Belton, Texas.
Todd Suhn, 32, passed the million dollar mark this rodeo season after winning four titles and qualifying for the Pace Classic by placing second at the Pace Chute-out. He is currently ranked fifth in the Jack Daniel’s World Standings and seventh in the Wrangler NFR standings. Todd has nine Wrangler NFR qualifications, nine Pace Picante Series qualifactions and holds the 2003 title from the Pace Chute-out.
In 2004, Todd held fourth place in the world standings and second place in the Wrangler NFR and earned $142,699.
The Suhn brothers are being honored this weekend at the 16th annual Casey Tibbs Foundation Tribute Dinner for their accomplishments in and contributions to rodeo in South Dakota.
Other honorees include:
•Lee Crowser, past rodeo great known for his interest in supporting youth in rodeo and producing high quality bucking stock. Crowser is being honored posthumously for his contributions to the sport.
Crowser has been credited as one of the greatest bucking bull producers of his time in the north country.
•Deb Thompson, rodeo cowgirl great in barrel racing and known for her horse training abilities.
Thompson has won championships at every level of rodeo competition beginning at the age of 13. She holds titles from Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Denver Stock Show and every Badlands Circuit rodeo.
•Mike and Janie Norlin, rodeo promoters and youth mentors.
The Norlins have worked to promote rodeo events including Roping and Riding with Jesus, 4-H rodeos and all girl rodeos.
The sport has benefitted from the Norlins’ generosity, energy and commitment.
•Bill and Ruth Sutton and family, rodeo producers and competitors.
The Suttons partnered with Joe Schomer and Casey Tibbs in the 1950s to produce professional rodeos in South Dakota.
Bill competed in amateur rodeos when he was young, and the Sutton children successfully competed in 4-H, high school and college rodeo associations.
Several generations of Suttons have ranched along the Missouri River. Ruth Sutton and her children continue the tradition today.
The Casey Tibbs Foundation Tribute Dinner will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. on Saturday, at the King’s Inn Convention Center in Pierre. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. followed by the tribute at 8 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, by Wednesday, Nov. 9. They can be purchased from American State Bank in Pierre and the Chateau Lounge in Fort Pierre or by sending $15, or $5 for children age 7 and younger, and a self addressed stamped envelope to Casey Tibbs Foundation, P.O. Box 911, Fort Pierre, SD 57532.
All proceeds from the Casey Tibbs Foundation Tribute Dinner will go toward the completion of the South Dakota Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre.
Posted at 12:29 pm by nfrfinalsrodeo
