Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Young Whiting Cowboy Best Region College Rodeo Bronc Rider, Top Kansas Professional

Riding saddle broncs is the most promising future profession for one young Kansas cowboy.

Cable Wareham of Whiting has been a rodeo champion on several levels in recent years.

He’s continuing that success record in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).

Talking by cellphone on the road from Seguin, Texas, to Jasper, Texas, Cable has a very busy schedule.

“I was 86-points last night on an Andrews bronc, putting me second there,” he said. “I’m up tonight at Jasper, hoping to draw right, and win some money.”

While that’s on the professional PRCA circuit, the Jackson County cowboy has much more on his agenda.

“I’ve qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc riding at Casper, Wyoming, June 12th to 18th,” Cable said.

It’s a considerably more in-depth story than “qualified.”  He’s the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Central Plains Region champion saddle bronc rider.

Cable is a member of the Fort Scott Community College Rodeo (FSCC) Rodeo Team. He led the Fort Scott Greyhounds men’s team to second in the region behind Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant.

The Central Plains Region consists of teams from 17 colleges and universities across Kansas and Oklahoma. Top two teams from the 11 regions qualify to take a full six-man team to the College National Finals Rodeo.

During the season, Cable won two college rodeos, Kansas State University, Manhattan, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva. “I was in the top five at another handful of college rodeos,” Cable said.

Cable Wareham, Whiting, is the National Intercollege Rodeo Association Central Plains Region champion saddle bronc rider. He’ll be competing at the National College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, June 12-18. Additionally, the Association of Rodeo Committees (ARC) has honored Cable as the top money-winning Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) saddle bronc rider in Kansas.

The Association of Rodeo Committees (ARC) has honored Cable as the top money-winning Kansas PRCA saddle bronc rider. “That really is a big honor for me, giving me a positive outlook for a rodeo career,” Cable said.

“ARC is dedicated to building successful PRCA rodeos through the sharing of knowledge and experiences,” he added. “The award is presented to give cowboys an extra incentive to hit the Kansas rodeos.”

This is Cable’s second year on the Fort Scott team, after a most successful high school rodeo career. As a senior at Jackson Heights High School, he was the Kansas High School Rodeo Association champion saddle bronc rider.

That title qualified him for the National High School Rodeo Finals where Cable was named the champion saddle bronc rider.

“I started out riding at junior rodeos in steer riding and moved up to saddle broncs,” Cable remembered.

“I became dedicated to riding saddle broncs when I saw Marty Hebb, Eagle Butte, South Dakota, ride at Strong City,” Cable said. “Marty really impressed me, and I decided I wanted to ride and rodeo just like he does.”

Credit was also given to Cable’s dad Rob Wareham for coaching assistance and encouragement. “Dad did ride in rodeos several years, and has always been a great help to me,” Cable said.

Awarded a rodeo scholarship to attend FSCC, Cable has done some team roping at college rodeos. “However, I prefer to concentrate on one event. Saddle bronc riding fits me best,” he said.

While it might sound easy, the 20-year-old cowboy is dedicated to improving his skills. “I appreciate Chad Cross, our rodeo team coach, and my teammates for all of their help,” Cable acknowledged.

Don Reno Rodeo Company, Nowata, Oklahoma, provides saddle broncs for the FSCC team practice. “Last year, I would get on about a handful of practice horses weekly,” Cable said. “But now I only ride a couple broncs during the week between weekend rodeos. I do try to work out as much as possible too with my busy schedule.”

Loaded question that cowboys shouldn’t ever be asked: “Do you ever get bucked off?” Well, being always humble, “I have, but I sure don’t every intend to,” Cable said. “The contractors always put their best horses in the short go-round, and that gets a little tough sometimes.”

His obvious winning record proves the champion rides most of his bucking horses. His score at Seguin, Texas, matches his top professional rodeo score. “I’ve only marked 86-points twice at a PRCA rodeo,” Cable said. “I marked 84-points at Durant, Oklahoma, which is my best ride in college rodeo.”

Majoring in farm and ranch management, Cable’s college rodeo future is yet undetermined. “It’ll depend on how the college finals end up,” he said. “I didn’t have enough points to qualify for the college finals last year, so this if my first year there.

“I hope to draw right and ride to be the collegiate champion,” Cable evaluated. “However, I do have more years of NIRA eligibility.”

Career plans are professional rodeo bronc riding. “I intend to rodeo easier throughout the summer, and then go hard this fall,” Cable said. “I want to buy my PRCA card, be the champion rookie and qualify for the National Finals Rodeo.”

Little down time between rodeos for the real cowboy. “Dad is the Jackson County Farm Bureau agent and also runs a cow-calf operation,” Cable said. “Grandpa and my brother-in-law also have cowherds. Altogether they have more than 500 cows, so there’s work for me when I’m around home.”

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