Big Rafter Pro Rodeo was established in 2014 when Jack Simmons and Payden Franks partnered up. Simmons was good friends with Franks’ grandfather and he called Franks’ one day with a business proposal.
“He called me one day and said ‘I think you’ve got the horses to team up with us’ and I said I’m in. We never looked back,” Franks said.
Franks’ grandfather owned a company called Wing Rodeo out of Bogata, Texas in 1967. He worked with Mike Cervi, Harry Vold and more during the 70’s and 80’s and he became an important part to the breeding of bucking horses. His grandfather is the reason that Franks is in the business today.
Big Rafter has a horse going down the road today called Rose Valley. There is a name that stands out in Rose Valley’s lineage and that is Night Jacket. She is by a Night Jacket grandson.
“I don’t know if there is anything comparable to Night Jacket. There’s a lot of great studs but I don’t think there is anything comparable to him,” Franks said.
Rose Valley is six years old and he has surpassed Franks’ expectations since being on the draw at professional rodeos. Tim O’Connell was second on Rose Valley at the Ozark Empire Rodeo when the horse was only five. Since the 2022 season has begun, Winn Ratliff was 86 in Louisiana, Lane McGehee was 87 in Mississippi and Will Lowe matched up with him to be 88 in the short round of Rodeo Houston.
As for when we can see Rose Valley next, look for the road gelding at the Riggin Rally in Weatherford, Texas. His schedule is going to slow down after that, he has earned a good break but we can look forward to any of Big Rafter Rodeo’s bucking stock at rodeos across the country.