Kendall and Beachner Brothers Win World Title

Goodwell, Okla. — Oklahoma Panhandle State University graduate Cody Kendall can now add a world championship title to his list of accomplishments after he and his team from Beachner Brothers Livestock won the 23rd Annual World Championship Ranch Rodeo (WCRR) in Amarillo, Texas this past November.

Cody commented, “I have dreamed about doing this since I was a little kid. I am so thankful. The first time I went and watched (the WCRR) I was probably nine or so and it has been my goal to win since then.”

A fierce competitor, Cody said after winning the title, as crazy as it may sound, “I was thinking of winning it again next year. I’m really competitive and so my first thought was just thinking of winning it again.”

In addition to earning the championship title, Beachner Brothers Livestock won the team penning and wild cow milking events at the WCRR.

Beachner Brothers Livestock was established in southeast Kansas in 1960 by Corky, Jerry, Bob and Bill Beachner. Cody’s dad, Calvin, who now manages the ranch’s cow-calf operation, has worked for them since he was in high school. Cody’s brother Caden and his friend, Ty, who Cody said is like a brother, joined Cody and his dad to round out the team.

“My dad has competed here a lot and to be able to do this with him and be a big part of it, that’s really special.”

Teams must qualify by winning one of the 22 sanctioned rodeos held throughout the year.

The Beachner Brothers team competed in rodeos in Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico before eventually earning their qualification in Earth, Texas. November marked the fourth time for the team to compete at the WCRR and Cody said “it just all came together this time.”

Each qualifying team competes in five different events including branding, stray gathering, team penning, wild cow milking, and ranch bronc riding. The teams are scored on a point system for each event and the team with the most points is crowned the winner.

Among his winnings, Cody collected WCRR Horse and Top American Quarter Horse titles for his horse he was riding Little Tee J Paul. He rode this same horse when competing in the team roping during college and has owned him since Little Tee J Paul was young.

“He is really solid. I always know he will do his job.”

Originally from Saint Paul, Kan., Cody found his way to Goodwell on a rodeo scholarship after he attended junior college at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. Kendall graduated from Panhandle State in May of 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.

He spoke of his time as an Aggie, “I really, really enjoyed my time. I made some of the best friends of life. I got to ride horses and rope every day. It kept me sharp.”

He added, “The teachers were so accommodating and really worked with me and my schedule. I enjoyed them.”

Cody competed in both the team roping and the saddle bronc riding for the Panhandle State rodeo team and he believes being around Coach Robert Etbauer and the whole team really helped him.

“I would like to thank Robert. He was one of the first to call me after we won and that meant a lot. He was really good to me during my time at Panhandle State.”

Etbauer commented, “Cody was a good student and a great asset to the rodeo team in and out and the arena. He is a great hand with horses and we are glad to see him continue to do what he enjoys.”

Future plans for Cody include continuing to grow his personal cow herd and eventually run a cow/calf operation of his own, but for now, “I’m happy I get to go to work and saddle a horse every day.”