Kimes Ranch Makes Presence Known at National Finals Rodeo
Cayla Melby Small
SCOTTSDALE, AZ—Kimes Ranch Jeans, an emerging leader in premium denim, has found their way into the rodeo arena. Professional team ropers and barrels racers have joined the Kimes Ranch Family, bringing 7 NFR Qualifications to the team.
Vice President of Kimes Ranch Jeans Amanda Kimes says, “Being at the NFR and watching these top notch athletes compete, while sporting their horns, is really a dream for Kimes Ranch. It is an honor to work with these individuals. ”
Joining the KRJ family for 2017 is 2016 Rookie of the Year Barrel Racer Cayla Small, 2015 Rookie of the Year Heeler Quinn Kesler, 3x NFR Qualifier Heeler Kinney Harrell, WPRA Barrel Racer Taylor Langdon, and 2x NFR Qualifier Jane Melby and family.
“We could not be any more excited about the talent we have joining the KRJ Family. This is the first year that Kimes Ranch has really pushed for a rodeo market and we are pleased with the response. I think we got very lucky partnering with these athletes that are good at what they do, embody the values our company believe in, and that want to represent the brand on the highest level,” explains Sponsorship Coordinator Lainey Smith
Kimes Ranch was a part of Cayla Small and Quinn Kelser’s first trips to the National Finals Rodeo.
Cayla, the 2016 Rookie of the Year joins the team along with her family, 2x NFR Qualifier Jane Melby, father Ryan, and brother Coleton. She was also joined by her new husband Zac Small, who is made his first trip to the Thomas and Mack in the team roping. Cayla, aboard her main mount Gator, placed in three rounds, one of those coming with a second place finish in round 9.
Quinn heeled behind veteran team roper Matt Sherwood and had the support of his wife Jessie and family. The team started roping together in Quinn’s rookie season, where he finished sixteenth. Team Sherwood and Kesler split round three, had a fourth place finish in round five, and won round seven. Kesler finished eighth in the average and eighth in the world. Look for the duo to pair up again for 2017.
“We are going to see a lot from our KRJ Family in 2017,” says Amanda. “These are dedicated, hard-working and talented individuals. Expect great things from all of them.”
Kimes Ranch was also represented by PRCA heeler Kinney Harrell and WPRA barrel racer Taylor Langdon at the 2nd Annual Boyd Gaming Chute Out at the Orleans in Las Vegas.
Harrell qualified for the NFR in 2004 and 2005 with Shain Sproul and again in 2008 with Garrett Tonozzi. He roped with 2015 World Champion Header Aaron Tsinigine for the 2016 season, starting the season with a win at the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo and ending 19th in the world. Harrell will be starting the 2017 season roping behind Kelsey Parchman.
In her third professional season, WPRA Barrel Racer Taylor Langdon finished 17th in the world standings and was invited to compete at the Boyd Gaming Chute Out. Langdon, aboard AQHA World Champion Vegas Firefighter placed sixth in round one and second in round two to make it to the semifinals.
“We look forward to what the 2017 season has in store for the Kimes Ranch family,” says Lainey. “We hope to make it back to Las Vegas, but we are equally happy to support these guys going down the road.”
About Kimes Ranch Jeans: Founded in 2009, Kimes Ranch (formerly Longhorn Jean Company) was created to fill a void in the marketplace. With a long standing western history, Matt and Amanda Kimes’ desire was to create a company that produced great fitting, quality, long lasting jeans that walked the line between fashion-forward and western folk friendly.
The brand’s catchy logo and even more attractive company culture and customer service have brought them a cult-like following amongst their western consumers. The classically inspired line of jeans, have been featured in magazines including American Cowboy, Horse & Rider, Cowboys and Indians and Chrome Magazine.
