Presenting your Pick Up Men of the 2013 PRCA RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo

Jeffrey Shearer and Matt Twitchell

 

“…Getting rough stock riders to safety is a delicate dance without choreography, just plenty of intuition and quick reactions.  They glide in and rescue rough stock riders from twisting fury on the hoof, usher bulls and broncs to the exit and vanish into the background. Anything can happen. Competitors can get hung up in rigging or stirrups or find themselves on the dirt eyeballing a set of deadly, flying hooves…”  (Kathy Aney of the East Oregonian).

Pick Up Men play a vital role during any rodeo.  Safety for riders and bucking horses is a Pick Up Man’s main concern. It takes courage and riding ability to be a PRCA Pick Up Man; they must also be skilled horsemen and ropers. Any bareback or saddle bronc rider will tell you the ride isn't over when the required eight seconds have elapsed. Pickup men ride alongside high-kicking bucking horses and assist the contestants safely to the ground. Pickup men also remove the soft flank strap from the horse and herd it safely out of the arena.

“…Lifeguards on horseback are not the center attraction. They [Pick Up Men] are like the air we breathe - often taken for granted.  Without them lives hang in the balance. With them a rodeo is well coordinated and runs smoothly, making the event exciting but safe. The pickup man is poetry in motion when doing his job correctly. He and his horse become as one and maneuver with speed to the right place at the right time to save a cowboy from injury…”  (Paula Pitt - Amarillo Globe News)

Both Jeff Shearer and Matt Twitchell are two of the best in the business.  Both exemplify the true heart of a cowboy – they are accomplished horsemen, ultimate professionals, and each, through hard work and dedication, has earned the respect of their peers and contestants alike.

Jeffrey Shearer - Marysville, CA:

Jeff Shearer, known to the cowboys as “Shetland”, is a 24 year veteran of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA).  Over the years, Jeff has competed in all the "Rough Stock" events, and, from time to time, still enters as a contestant in Team Roping.

Jeff is a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) Qualifier in Saddle Bronc Riding.  His truest passion has always been  being a Pick Up Man - to help ensure the safety of the rodeo cowboys and be a guardian to the beloved livestock.

When not working as a Pick Up Man, Jeff is a Head Judge and replay official for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR).  Jeff also works for local ranches and he enjoys starting and training his own horses and dogs.

Over twenty years ago, Jeff met his wife, Lisa, at a Jackpot Team Roping event.  They both still enjoy roping when time and travel permit.  Jeff & Lisa live outside of Marysville, California, with their 2 year old son, Wyatt, and their newborn baby daughter, Sterling.

Matt Twitchell – Venice, Utah:

Matt Twitchell once again returns to the PRCA RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo as a Pick Up Man.

In high school, Matt Twitchell rode bulls, broncs, and bareback horses.  He also rodeoed while attending the University of Utah.

Matt has been a member of the Growney Brothers Rodeo Crew ( website ) since 2010.  A highly respected Pick Up Man, Matt credits Bobby Marriott and Lewis Fields, for the knowledge and skills that have made him so successful and one of the most respected Pick Up Men within the industry, by both his peers and cowboys alike.

When Matt isn't rodeoing, he works on ranches, rides some outside colts, and occasionally has time for some hunting.  Matt and his beautiful wife, Molly, make their home in Spring Lake, Utah.

We are very pleased to welcome both Jeffrey Shearer and Matt Twitchell as the Pick Up Men for the 2013 PRCA RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo.