Billy Etbauer — Tucson's reigning saddle-bronc champion and arena record-holder — is scheduled to defend his 2008 title today, the second day of the 84th Annual Fiesta de los Vaqueros.
The 46-year-old cowboy is to ride the improbably named Little Angel at today's rodeo, which starts at 2 p.m. at 4823 S. Sixth Ave. Pre-rodeo events begin at 12:30 p.m.
Etbauer is well-known here and at rodeos in general, said Gary Williams, the Tucson rodeo's general manager.
"He's a rodeo favorite. He's a favorite in just about every rodeo he goes," Williams said. "It doesn't matter what rodeo he's at. . . . When they announce the next rider is going to be Billy Etbauer, you can hear the excitement level go up about two notches. He's an icon whenever he visits."
Etbauer, of Edmond, Okla., finished in first place last year here with an aggregate score of 167 and a paycheck of $9,526.
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He took two Tucson Rodeo Arena records for saddle-bronc riding in 2004.
His nephew, Trell Etbauer, also is among the saddle-bronc contestants in the 2009 Tucson rodeo. Trell, 24, is to ride a bronc that also has a name with religious connotations — Holy Water — on Friday. Before that, Trell is to compete as a tie-down roper and steer wrestler on Monday and Tuesday.
"Trell's a good all-around cowboy," Williams said. "He does just about everything. He can calf-rope. He can steer-wrestle. He rides broncs really well. He's a heck of a hand — he really is."
This will be Trell's first time in the Tucson rodeo, because he was a rookie last year and hadn't won enough money to enter the Tucson event, he said.
Like his uncle, the younger Etbauer hails from Oklahoma. He's from Goodwell, where he was an all-state football player, says his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association biography.
Looking local
Today's rodeo is a family affair for Marana's Parsons. Tie-down ropers Joseph, Cutter and Clay Parsons, and barrel racer Erin Parsons, are all scheduled to compete today, Joan Liess, the rodeo's spokeswoman, said in a press release.
The 2009 Tucson rodeo began on Saturday with sunny skies, half-full stands and no major injuries. The day's only Tucsonan contestant, bull rider Will Oliphant, didn't stay on the minimum eight seconds required for a qualifying score.
Earlier in the day, he spoke of how the year's been treating him so far.
"I actually started the year riding good so far. There's been little things happening that have been kind of keeping me out of the money, but I've been riding good, and it's going good," he said. Two weeks ago, he injured his knee in a rodeo. Next, he'll be rodeoing in Scottsdale.
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