Peebles puts in hard work despite pain, injuries
Just like last year, Steven Peebles was happy to play in the mud at the Stampede.
And just like last year, the Redmond, Ore., bareback rider is healthy … enough.
After capturing the 2016 Stampede rodeo championship last summer and pocketing a much needed $100,000 cheque, Peebles tried to keep his roll going but eventually required back surgery to repair the damage caused by breaking his back twice.
One of the injuries happened right before last year’s Stampede, making him one of the best feelgood stories of the 10-day event.
“There’s still a few things in there that are wrong,” said the 28-yearold with a grin. “My SI joints, my pelvis … there was a disc hanging out and pinching a nerve really badly. I was starting to lose feeling in my legs, so they went in there and cut that outta there to relieve some of my nerve pain.
“Another year — like every year — I’m coming off an injury and trying to get stronger again. But when I nod my head, it’s eight seconds of hard work and I give it everything I’ve got.”
Behind the scenes, Peebles requires a lengthy pre-game routine which includes stretching, resistance band work — basically, a workout before he hops on a horse. Afterwards, more rehab.
“I gotta find somewhere to get my hips lined back up and put into place,” Peebles said.
“You’ve gotta watch what mattresses you sleep on. I wear a lot of SI belts to keep them compressed down pretty good and ice and heat and stretching.
“I come in the next day for one ride and do it all again the next day. No extracurricular activities for me, other than riding.”
And that is more than is enough.
Riding in the muck on Tuesday — the first day of Pool B competition — Peebles posted a 90.5-point ride aboard Yipee Kibitz, a solid performance for his first day back at the Stampede.
Mud, included.
“That was worth it,” Peebles said. “(Last year), everyone said, ‘If you’re going to win this deal, you have to head-slide in this dirt.’ I was so tired. After we had that shootout round and the rematch, I got to my pickup man, and then just went facedown in the dirt. I wasn’t even mad about it.
“Hopefully, I can come back and do it again this year.”
SHIOZAWA SHINES
Rain or shine, muddy or dry, Matt Shiozawa was simply happy to get the first round in the bag.
The cowboy from Chubbuck, Idaho, along with his veteran horse, Chuck, managed to tie down his calf in a respectable 7.3 seconds.
The time was decent, considering the muddy infield — a sevensecond performance would be good enough for a cheque on most days.
“My biggest objective of the day was to get off on the right foot,” said Shiozawa.
“Whether it’s first or last, my biggest concern was trying to make a good quality run and get a good start … 7.3 is OK. It’s acceptable, especially for the conditions.
“I think they tied some 6s on the last set, and that was in perfect conditions. I’m good with it — 7s would probably win something every time.”
And this time, it won him $5,500 — first-place money on the first day of Pool B of competition.
“You come up here with a plan,” Shiozawa said. “If you can get off on the right foot, it helps you get a little momentum. But for me, it’s a little more confidence in the fact we did some preparation in the plan coming up here … and we know what to expect when we get here.”
AROUND THE HORN
Despite the muddy and wet conditions in the infield on Tuesday, Lisa Lockhart of Oelrichs, S.D., managed to clock a 17.68-second trip around the barrels … Bray Armes of Gruver, Texas, cashed in a first-place payout in steer wrestling with a 3.7-second performance … Jacobs Crawley of Boerne, Texas, posted an 86.5-point ride aboard Spanish Pair, the best score of the day in Pool B saddle bronc competition. But Cody Wright of Milford, Utah, will receive a re-ride Wednesday before dishing out Tuesday’s day-money … The Stampede rodeo paid tribute to Winston Bruce, a longtime figure at the Stampede, former rodeo athlete and supervisor for the rodeo stock breeding program. Bruce passed away on Monday.