SE Rodeo Set to Induct 2025 Class on Feb. 1

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern rodeo is excited to announce the 2025 Rodeo Hall of Fame Induction Class of Kay (Proctor) Blandford, Clay Tom Cooper, and Ted and Cindy Kirkpatrick as they will be enshrined in a ceremony set for Feb. 1 and hosted at Reba's Place in Atoka, Okla.
 
The ceremony hosted at Reba's Place (301 E. Court Street, Atoka, Okla.) will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 with the meal followed by induction speeches.
 
Kay (Proctor) Blandford
Blandford, a native of Levelland, Texas, was a two-time National Runner-Up in the barrel racing for Southeastern in 1976 and 1977 and was a third place finisher during the 1974 season when she rodeoed for Howard Junior College in Big Spring, Texas.
 
In 1975, as a member of the Girls Rodeo Association, later the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), she qualified for her first National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Oklahoma City, Okla.
 
In 1994, Blandford and her horse The Key Grip (Llave) won the prestigious Old Fort Days Futurity in Ft. Smith, Ark. Before going on to win the Derby, and Super Derby – making them the only duo to win the Triple Crown in barrel racing.
 
She has qualified for the NFR 12 times—1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 on five different horses. In 1996, Blandford and Llave placed in 9 of 10 rounds, and won the Reserve World Championship. She has qualified for the WPRA Texas Circuit Finals 18 times, winning the Circuit four times. Winning the WPRA's $100,000.00 race aboard Talent's Dark Angel in 2006 and the WPRA World Champion title in 2008 were highlights of her career.

Kay earned her teaching degree while at Southeastern, but she has established herself as one of the top barrel racing trainers in the business and currently is still setting records in barrel racing competitions.
 
Clay Tom Cooper
Cooper, a native of Monument, N.M., is the youngest of the famed Cooper siblings and will join his older sister Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff and older brother Roy Cooper in the SE Rodeo Hall of Fame.
 
He would come to Southeastern and compete under his sister Betty Gayle and was an integral part of the 1980 national championship team, winning the region in 1980 and 1981 in the tie down roping. He would take the top spot in the tie down in six of the nine rodeos during the 1981 season and would finish fourth in the nation at the CNFR in both 1980 and 1981.
 
Cooper would buy his permit in May of 1982 and filled it at the first two pro rodeos. In the Prairie Circuit, he won Calf Roping Rookie of the Year in 1982 and roped and tied the fastest calf, setting the arena record at Clem McSpadden's World's Richest Roping (Bushyhead). He also boasts Pro Rodeo wins at Ellensburg and Walla Walla, Wash., in 1984; in Pecos, Texas in 1986; as well as Pendleton, Ore., and Dodge City, Kan., in 1988.
 
He won the Turquoise Circuit tie down roping title in 1984 then returned to the Prairie Circuit capturing the tie down roping title there in 1988. Cooper qualified to the National Finals Rodeo in 1984 and 1988, and between 1985 and 1987 he ended the year in the NFR standings 16th twice and 17th once.
 
Currently, Cooper serves as a board member on the Lea County Fair & Pro Rodeo in Lovington, N.M.
 
Ted and Cindy Kirkpatrick
Cindy Tyson and Ted Kirkpatrick were each raised in Bryan County, marry in 1966, and together would open Texas Feed Fat, a business the couple built together.
 
The couple retired in 2016, turning the management over to their daughter and son-in- law, who already managed a plant in Hereford, Texas.  Ted always said "we did not make our living in Bryan County but always bring our money back to support our hometown.
 
Both attended Southeastern and always felt a connection to the community. Cindy was active and served as President of the SE Arts Gala Committee, and both have served on the committees when hiring rodeo coaches throughout the years. 
 
Community service was something Cindy enjoyed, serving on the local United Way Board Co-Chairing fundraisers.  As a member of the Durant Chamber of Commerce, she served as President. Cindy is an active member of the P.E.O. serving as the Chapter DJ and an officer in the organization. Ted and Cindy are lifelong members of the First Christin Church (Disciples of Christ) and both have served as moderator of the Church Board. 
 
Horses have always been a big part of their lives together. Ted has served as the Durant Riding Club President and President of the Cutting Horse Association. Together they hosted cutting horse shows as an affiliate of the ACHA in Lone Grove, Okla., and Ardmore, Okla.. They competed in the ACHA, NCHA, and AQHA cutting events. 
 
Consequently, when the SE rodeo coach Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff called, they answered and thus began a deeper friendship and support of the rodeo program that has endured throughout the years.
 
"When Betty Gayle came to Durant we were thrilled," said Cindy, "Because we knew she would bring talent and work ethic to the programs, which flourished during her years here."

The Kirkpatrick's were the driving force in establishing the Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff scholarship for the Southeastern Rodeo Team.
 
Event Details
The Rodeo Hall of Fame tickets are being sold as individual seats, with the exception of our Premium Booths and our Private rooms, as they are sold as a multi-seat package. You can purchase an entire "Table" by increasing the amount of tickets you would like to purchase to match the number of tickets for sale at that table.
 
Food will be served family style that includes a meat, multiple sides, and bread by waiters at each table. Non-alcoholic drinks (e.g. Tea, Water, Soda) and Gratuity are included in your ticket. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at your expense.
 
Any questions on the event please contact Christi Braudrick at 580-745-2708 or cbraudrick@se.edu
 
Any ticketing questions please contact Alex Macy at 580-745-2460 or amacy@se.edu.