The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
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JUNE 2024 College National Finals Rodeo | 21 PROFESSIONAL RODEO ANNOUNCER A ndy Seiler has never met a stranger. His passion and love for the sport of rodeo combined with his broadcast journalism degree make his career choice as a rodeo announcer a winning combination. Seiler has announced all over the country in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and has been called "an up-and- coming voice for professional rodeo," by Boyd Polhamus. "I have always enjoyed talking to people and discussing everything rodeo," Andy explains. "I just never knew that the years of roping the dummy and working to be a champion translate later in life in trying to give contestants and fans alike that same winning feeling." As a student at Troy University, Seiler traveled to smaller rodeos in the Southeast competing in college rodeo and announcing amateur rodeos until 2007. After winning the Walt Garrison Award of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and being introduced to Bob Barnes, his life as an announcer changed forever and he moved into the PRCA. Seiler was given the opportunity to co-announce the 2008 CNFR with Polhamus and has since worked for Stace Smith, Harry Vold, and the Silver Spurs Club. prCa rodeo announCer & master oF Ceremonies BOYD POLHAMUS I t's been a wild 38 years. The first time Boyd Polhamus was "paid" to announce a rodeo was in 1985 at 19 years of age. It was his hometown college rodeo in Uvalde, Texas. No one could have predicted the next three-and-a-half decades. He would receive his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) membership the following summer in 1986. By 1990, at the age of 25 he was selected to work his first National Finals Rodeo (NFR). In the next 30 years, he would be on the announcer podium at the NFR 26 times. Plus, he served a year as Production Manager of the NFR, and a year as General Manager of Production of the same event. "Very Blessed," said Polhamus when asked to describe his career. He points to his 28 years at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and his 27 years at the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho. He also points to his 23 years at the National Western in Denver and the Dodge City Round Up in Kansas; and his 22 years in San Angelo, Texas. Those are rodeos he's worked for over two-decades, but Polhamus points out that almost all of the rest of his schedule includes rodeos he's been announcing for at least ten years or more. "Yes, being hired back is the greatest compliment you can be paid, just hopeful each rodeo I announce is a better rodeo than the year before." said Polhamus. "I try to help them getter better as a production and a business enterprise," he continued. "I don't want to only be paid a fee for my service as an announcer, I want to help the venue in any way I can." The rodeo industry has noticed. He's a three-time Women's Professional Rodeo Association Announcer of the Year. He's been the PRCA's Announcer of the Year four times, and received the Lane Frost Memorial Award for his dedication to the sport. It's a time consuming occupation with plenty of travel and time away from home. Polhamus was asked at age 55, how much longer he would pursue his career? Polhamus said, "As long as God wants me to, I'm here because of Him, not because of me." ANDY SEILER