There are many elements and challenges to produce a successful rodeo. Committees, contestants, and finally, the rodeo stock contractor. They all work in unison to provide a quality entertainment venue for the public to enjoy. Most of what the public sees when attending a rodeo is the contestants themselves, the local committee members who are businessmen and women, neighbors and fellow friends, and the rodeo animals. The rodeo stock contractors are often the forgotten ones. Being a rodeo stock-contractor requires dedication to both the animals they provide and to the sport of rodeo. Rodeo stock-contracting families work hard to make sure the animals are in top condition and treated with the best of care.
So you think you want to be a rodeo stock contractor? Being a stock contractor involves countless hours of daily work, and the list can become very long. Working 365 days a year through the holidays and taking time off for family vacations is sometimes only wishful thinking. The duties that are considered normal to the stock contractor include providing for the animals, setting travel schedules, veterinary duties, breeding programs, practical genetic practices, and of course lots of paperwork and phone calls that are sometimes endless. This is in addition to time spent at the rodeos, producing quality performances. It’s an occupation that is not taken lightly
Mike Corey, once a bull rider himself became a pickup man, then owned his own amateur rodeo company. He joined forces with George Horst in 1999, and in the year 2000, Corey & Horst purchased Southern Rodeos. The year 2007 brought Tom and Leslie Lange of Greeley, Colorado and along with Mike Corey they purchased Beard Rodeos of Ellensburg, with Mike managing the day-to-day operations. Mike Corey has been providing stock for Sister’s Rodeo since 2005 along with Beard Rodeos to eventually take full rein of the position of Prime Stock Contractor in 2007. Corey & Lange Rodeo Co Inc has and has had many PBR and NFR stock qualifiers. Many remember the days of bulls like Ace of Hearts, Warzone and Sugar Bear and 2025 NFR bulls Tiny Tornado, Speed Dial, Hell Yeah Rosco and Stand by Me. Horses like Monster, Diamond Fever and Queezy Roller to name a few are all NFR qualifiers in 2024 and 2025.
Besides being the other half of Corey & Lange, Leslie is the owner and horse trainer at Leslie Lange Performance Horses Inc. in Greeley, Colorado. Her barn has produced many AQHA Champions. Leslie is a multi-year AQHA World Champion and is also the owner and exhibitor of the 2024 and 2025 AQHA World Show Super Horse Sumac Gunnabeflashy. She is hands-on when it comes to Corey and Lange rodeo events and most rodeos can be seen working behind the chutes.
Mike and Leslie work together to continue with the vision and tradition of producing and providing healthy, quality stock for rodeos.