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Published: 30 May 2015 30 May 2015

The 1st New Mexico Bank Wild, Wild West Rodeo starts Wednesday

Carr team honored for hard work

SILVER CITY, N.M. - Over the years, Pete Carr's Classic Pro Rodeo has been recognized as one of the premier stock contracting firms in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

The backbone of any strong company is its people, and the Carr staff is strong and steady.

"We have the best crew in rodeo," said Carr, owner of the Dallas-based livestock company. "I believe if you want to be successful, you have to surround yourself with good people. Everything we've ever accomplished is because of the team that we have."

The staff is made up of rodeo veterans, who will be on site for the Wild, Wild West Pro Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Thursday, June 4-Saturday, June 6, at Southwest Horseman's Park. From the behind-the-scenes labor to making sure the arena is in perfect condition, they take their jobs seriously.

"We've got a terrific group of people I get to work with all year long," said John Gwatney, the firm's production supervisor who has worked some of the biggest events in the country with his wife, secretary/timer Sandy. "We all know what it takes to get everything done, and we work good together.

"When you haul across the country, it's good to know you've got a good crew that's got your back. If any of us needs any help, we don't have to look too far for it."

That type of work ethic has paid off. For the past two years, Carr has been nominated for the PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year Award. In 2014, the firm received the Women's Professional Rodeo Association's Stock Contractor of the Year.

"The awards say a lot about the work our staff puts in together," Carr said. "It's more than the great bucking stock. These awards show that the hours everybody puts in has a reward."

The crew received numerous awards in the 2014 ProRodeo season. While John L. Wagley worked the Ram Prairie Circuit Finals, a couple of other Carr crew members, bullfighter Clay Heger worked the Ram Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo and pickup man Jeremy Willis, was selected to work the Ram Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo. Willis also was one of the pickup men at the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2015.

The Gwatneys were honored at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping; John was the event's chute boss, while Sandy was the secretary.

Each selection was a tribute to ability but also was a tip of the hat to the hard work that each member of the Carr crew puts in at every rodeo they work.

"Each one of us does this because we love it," John Gwatney said. "We've got a great outfit, and that makes it even better when we get to the rodeo."