Crazy Heart Sound & Lighting LLC

Benje Bendele is the preeminent sound and effects producer in Pro Rodeo, and there's a good reason why.

Benje has made this his life. If it happens in the arena, the speakers will rumble with a complementary sound. Whether it's the perfect musical transition or just the right sound effect, Benje has a way of making the ordinary extraordinary.

 Really, it's just a testament to his passion and understanding of rodeo.

 Benje Bendele has been around the sport most of his life. A young cowboy, he was part of the rodeo team in college and got his start in the production side of the sport when, in 1988, he filled in for an absent announcer. While he worked as an announcer for several years, he has focused his attention on the wonderful world of sound.

 Now he is the most sought after sound man in rodeo and works all the major events - the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas; the Justin Boots Championships in Omaha, Neb.; the Calgary (Alberta) Stampede; and RodeoHouston.

 The effects and music can't be choreographed, because the action doesn't allow it. But with split-second timing, Benje finds the right music or effect to bring together that excellent ride, fast time or explosive dismount.

 It’s what makes him the very best.

Slim Garner

 With a 2000-pound bull bearing down on you, it helps to have a sense of humor.  It also helps to have a barrel to hide in.   Slim Garner is a second-generation clown, started clowning around when he was 17 years old.  He has been traveling coast to coast full time since 1997, but has been a rodeo clown for a total of 22 years.  He obtained his PRCA card in 2000, and travels to 30 to 40 rodeos a year.  Slim has a large variety of rodeo acts to keep the crowds entertained.  Anything that is loud and catches the crowds attention is what he likes.

Slim took some time off from rodeo clowning to attend Garden City Community College in Garden City, KS where he obtained his Associates degree in Animal Science.  He came to miss the rodeo arena, and found out where his true passions lie, that is entertaining people.

Slim likes to ride horses, rope, and help his dad on the ranch in his spare time.  He also likes to see what other inventions he can come up with so that his rodeo acts can be better and the crowd will always be entertained.

Slim gets a huge thrill just stepping into the rodeo arena.  He loves what he does and lives out his dream performing for rodeo fans. 

Trick Riders Return

Speed, grace, and glamour describe this fiery red head.  Melissa Navarre has been a professional trick rider for the past 14 years in the PRCA.  She has performed across the United States on her black quarter horse Charlie and beautiful palomino Concho.  Melissa’s rodeo roots run deep, her father Rusty Riddle is an eight time NFR qualifier in the bareback riding and her mother Dollie Beutler Riddle trick rode across the Midwest for over a decade.  Melissa is a fourth generation of the famed Beutler rodeo family of Elk City, OK.  She is married to top PRCA and PBR bull rider Corey Navarre, and they have two daughters, Shyla Mae, 5, and Layna Ann, 2.  Some of her career highlights include:  being chosen to perform in the opening ceremonies at the WNFR and being nominated 5 times as the PRCA Dress Act of the Year.

Melissa’s mother, Dollie, taught Melissa how to trick ride at a very young age and they are now passing on the tradition to the next generation, 5 year old Shyla Mae.  Shyla and her Welsh pony, Maximus, are just beginning to learn the art of trick riding and performing in the arena.  Look for Melissa and Shyla to entertain you in the arena as trick riders, Melissa’s new found discipline of Roman Riding, and Shyla working her high schooled pony.                                                                                                      

Rodeo Scoreboard by Real Screen Video

Real Screen Video to NBR will be returning in 2013.   The screen is twelve feet high and seventeen feet wide. This huge screen will be visible not matter where you are sitting.   It is highly visible in sunshine and in a rainstorm.   The video and the contestant info on this scoreboard is an awesome addition to NBR!

Sonora Carriage Company

NBR is proud to 

have the

Sonora Carriage

Eight Horse Hitch

return to be a part of

the 2013 event!