When it comes to Arkansans in the rodeo business, one competitor has a leg up make that four over the rest.
In fact, his performances have had nation-wide affects, as he has helped several steer wrestlers rack up nearly $1 million in earnings over the past few years.
He'll bring his strong skills to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event, sponsored by the Log Cabin Democrat, to Conway on May 23-24. He might make somewhat of a mess when he does.
You see, this competitor who calls Benton home isn't a cowboy. He's is a horse. It's Rodney Burks' world-famous four-legged friend, FF Zans A Baron Jack, or "Zan", to be exact.
Zan, who was born in 1994, is a three-time PRCA/American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year recipient. He's only been hauled in the PRCA since 2003, but he's been ridden at the national finals in Las Vegas the past four years.
That's where Burks, a Glen Rose native, hopes to land before the year ends. He and his traveling partners Ronnie Fields, Chancey Larson, Jon Ragatz, Spud Duvall, Stockton Graves and Tony Orr will be looking to land a spot in the finals in December. Having Zan around may help that goal be reached.
Zan has made a good partner for this group of partners. He was the first steer wrestling horse to take Horse of the Year honors three consecutive years (2004-2006).
Burks and Zan began their run through competitions by competing in jackpots and rodeos close to home. Burks' competitions, even before his time with Zan, didn't just help him bring home a paycheck, he hit a jackpot from a family standpoint as well.
After spending time in Checotah, Okla., sometimes referred to as the steer wrestling capital of the world, the friends Burks made helped introduce him to his wife, Julie, whom he married in April of 2001.
Shortly thereafter, Burks suffered a herniated disc that led to surgery in June of 2001. That prompted Burks to move his family from Checotah to Arkansas, where he began his recovery driving a dump truck until the following January.
That's when he got back into the rodeo scene.
Burks' son Payson was born that April, and the following year Burks decided to haul Zan, which he refers to as "the best horse (he's) ever ridden." Now, the duo has been out trying to conquer the rodeo world for nearly five years.
Many rodeo wins have come with cowboys riding Zan. Fields, Wade Sumpter, Graves and 2006 world champion Dean Gorsuch have all had success on the back of Zan.
Needless to say, the past five years of the nearly 14-year-old horse have been profitable. Burks is hoping to continue that, including with success at the PRCA rodeo in Conway.
