Brice Chapman works with his horse and his dog during the second performance of the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo in Claremore,
Okla., on Saturday, May 29. 2010. (PHOTO BY TED HARBIN)

Brice Chapman to bring familiar show to Will Rogers Stampede

Will Rogers twirled a rope while he twirled his tongue, spinning lassoes and stories in unison.

One of the greatest communicators ever, Rogers also could do things with a rope that would leave people amazed. Until his untimely death, the Oklahoman dazzled folks from sea to shining sea with his skills.

Brice Chapman hopes to do the same thing when he brings his specialty act to Claremore for the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, set to run at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 28, to Sunday, May, 30. He will work his rope, his dog and his horse, and will carry on a tradition that Will Rogers popularized a century ago.

“It’s a huge honor for me to be called into that place, that rodeo,” said Chapman, 40, of Lubbock, Texas. “Will Rogers spun a rope and was entertaining. Nobody can copy him. There’s never going to be a Michael Jordan again. There’s never going to be a Secretariat again. There’s never going to be another Will Rogers.

“I just want to be a person who can resonate and be honorable to a guy like Will Rogers.”

Chapman means that sincerely. Strong in his faith, he considers each job a blessing and a calling, especially in Rogers County.

“What I’m thankful for Claremore is that the rodeo has a specialty act,” Chapman said of his type of entertainment that occurs during breaks in the roping, wrestling and bucking action. “Not only is it in Will Rogers country, but these people want you to entertain, and you have something they want. It’s kind of a special invitation, an opportunity.

“It’s hard to make it as a specialty act at the ProRodeo level no matter how good you are, so this is like winning the lottery. That means the rodeos that have the specialty acts are committed to excellence and really wanting to entertain the crowd they draw.”

Not all rodeos offer specialty acts to their audiences, which is why he believes the Will Rogers Stampede is one of the special events on the circuit. And it’s more than just being hired.

“The committee sees another way to entertain the people coming to their rodeo, which is what we want to do,” he said. “It’s always a pleasure to work with people who think that way.”

Chapman’s variety of entertainment is a centuries-old craft, but he adds his own spin to the tricks of the trade, so to speak. He utilizes Crossfire, a 19-year-old horse, and Sooner, a 13-year-old border collie. He trained them both.

“He does a bunch of fun stuff, about 14 tricks,” Chapman said of Crossfire. “My dog does about 250 commands. I don’t have much time in the arena, but that’s the fun about a rodeo. I can include my horse and my dog in my rope spinning.

“If an entertainer doesn’t change it up to make it fun for himself, then a guy needs to quit. I think I still have that value in me, and I feel blessed that I get to do this for the people.”

Chapman began twirling ropes 35 years ago, about the same time he began kindergarten. He also shoes horses, following in his father’s footsteps. So he knows just what it means to be a cowboy. He knows the need of caring for animals and utilizing quality horses.

“My dad shod horses all over the world,” he said. “The horse makes the world a small place. The thing I like about rodeo is that you can walk into a room of world champions, and you can talk to them. You can’t find that in every sport, but you can in rodeo.”

He’s taken his act all over the country and has even performed at the White House twice. He values the important things in life. He looks at each meeting as an opportunity and sees the benefits of things he’s done.

“This hasn’t been an easy thing, but it’s been a huge blessing,” Chapman said. “The Lord just sends those people into your life that celebrates you most.”

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