ABOUT SUTTON RODEO
In
1926, the Edwin Sutton family began producing their own rodeos on the
home ranch in Sully County. Originally the rodeo was just a pleasant
pastime when a group of people got together on a Sunday. However, Edwin
saw a possibility for profit and joined with George Fairbank to begin a
touring rodeo. The Depression shut down the productions and they did not
begin again until the mid-40s.
James H. Sutton, Sr. took
Sutton rodeo to the next stage in the 1950s when he entered into a
partnership with Erv Korkow. As one of the first members of the RCA,
Sutton/Korkow stock performed at the first National Finals Rodeo at
Dallas, Texas in 1959. The Company won Bull of the Year with “Baldy” in
1961 and had Reserve Champion horses “Snake River” in 1962 and “Yellow
Jacket” in 1964.
James was the first Stock Contractor to be
inducted in the PRCA Hall of Champions in Colorado Springs, Colorado in
1982. In 1968, James Sutton, Jr. became a partner with his dad forming
Sutton Rodeo Company and the tradition continued. Sutton Rodeo had
three PRCA Horse of the Year awards, “Deep Water” in 1979 and “Big Bud”
in 1985 and “Chuckulator” in 2012, Top Saddle Bronc of the World and
WNFR. Sutton Rodeo stock has been selected to perform at 55 of the 57
National Finals Rodeos.
Jim, along with wife Julie, took the
company to the next level with a focus on production and innovation. Jim
& Julie began Rodeo Rapid City formally known as the Black Hills
Stock Show Rodeo in 1978, a rodeo nominated nineteen times for PRCA
“Indoor Rodeo of the Year” winning this award in 2002, 2003 & 2020.
Jim originated the Wrangler Bullfights and the Bailey Bail-Off. He is
famous for his pageantry and colorful rodeo openings, including the
openings at the NFR in 1995-96. Jim has been nominated four times as
“Stock Contractor of the Year."
Jim’s wife Julie, an experienced
rodeo secretary and NFR timer, is in charge of publicity and advance
promotion. Jim’s son, Steve, is co-owner of Sutton Rodeo and NFR
pickup man in three decades (1978, 1981, 1986, 1993 & 1995). As the
fourth generation of Sutton Rodeo Company, Steve has been a PRCA member
since 1976, and became a Stock Contractor in 1982. He takes great pride
in the history of Sutton Rodeo, striving to breed top quality bucking
stock and produce top notch rodeos.
Steve particularly enjoys
producing college, high school and 4-H rodeos. In 2010, Steve was
inducted into the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center as “Present Cowboy Great”.
Wife Kim, a 7X WNFR timer, assists the rodeo company in the areas of
timing, publicity and marketing. Steve and Kim’s children, the fifth
generation of Sutton Rodeo, while reaping the benefit of over 80 years
of experience are hard at work, looking at ways to continue the legacy
and add their own improvements to the company.
Their daughter,
Amy, also a 3X WNFR timer, started timing PRCA rodeos in 2006 and is the
office manager for Sutton Rodeos Inc. Her husband, Steven Muller helps
with the livestock management and rodeo production. Son, Brent, 2020 NFR
pickupman started his career as a pickup man in 2004 and became a PRCA
contestant in 2007. He also has been the NFR assistant chute boss for 7
years. Son, Brice is the company flank man, working with the livestock
management and rodeo production, joining the PRCA ranks in 2010.
All
have pursued college degrees in Animal Science and/or Business and
intend to use these degrees to continue the tradition of raising 90% of
their breeding stock. The future looks strong with the start of the
sixth generation. Grandson Shaden James (8) and granddaughter Shally
Rayne (3) children of Amy & Steven, and granddaughters Ruby Belle
(4) and Stella Joy (1) daughters of Brice & Alyssa.