Bryan and Krista Stillwell own a piece of ‘Rodeo Heaven’ between Antioch and Kirklin. The couple rounded up 30 years of Rodeo Memories and shared them with the Frankfort Rotary Club Thursday.
When a Rodeo comes to mind so do images of:
- Steer Wrestling
- Barrel Racing
- Calf Roping
- Bull Riding
- Saddle Bronc Riding
- Bareback Bronc Riding
- Team Roping
- Breakaway Roping
On the ‘Rodeo Ranch’ at the Stillwell’s, you’ll often see over 40 ‘roping cattle’ raised and genetically bred to be ideal for Rodeo roping events throughout the midwest and beyond. Roping cattle are a Mexican horned breed called “corriente.” These cattle are known for stamina, athleticism, and rugged tolerance in a variety of environments. Roping cattle are fed and cared for at the Stillwell Ranch in Clinton County like professional athletes, including a special focus on feeding and hydrating before and after rodeo and roping events.
The cattle are active in rodeos for a year at the Stillwell Ranch and then are sold to give the Stillwell’s some down time before the process starts all over again. Each animal can cost well over $1,000 in the spring and if that animal can get pregnant before she is sold, can bring $1,500 to $2,000 if all goes well. But the dedication, care and commitment to raise, prepare and transport the cattle can be a daunting task throughout the Rodeo season from April to October.
Rodeos were started in 1847 or before when ranch hands decided to compete against each other to show off their formidable skills needed on a cattle ranch. Now the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December is the richest rodeo in the world and attracts 170,000 fans for 10 days of events. The purse at this single event is over $16,000,000. Over $12,000,000 is paid to contestants and nearly $4,000,000 is paid to stock contractors.
Bryan Stillwell started learning how to rope in the 8th grade 30 years ago in 1996. Throughout high school he roped across the Midwest and qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Springfield, Illinois. In 2003 he began owning and training rodeo cattle, eventually contracting professional rodeos for two major rodeo associations throughout the Midwest and plains states. He also raised and contracted bulls and cattle for timed events but for now is sticking with the ‘corriente’ breed used for the roping cattle events.
Bryan eventually taught his youngest nephew, Jhett, to rope, helping Jhett qualify and place 4th in the world at the Little Britches Rodeo Finals in 2025 and qualify in the top 20 for the National High School Finals.
Bryan has also raised special horses ideally suited for the rodeo arena, winning money or qualifying for professional rodeos events on many of them. He currently owns two trained rodeo horses named X and Doc.
Some of the top Rodeo events nearby include the action at the Tipton County Fair, Hendricks County Fair, Indiana State Fair and the C Bar C Arena in Cloverdale. Crawfordsville also hosts the PAC Midwest Rodeo each year.
When Krista Stillwell is not helping raise rodeo cattle and helping Bryan at the Rodeo events, she is working with Stillwell + Co, a strategic marketing firm that helps small businesses, non-profits, and municipalities seeking “thoughtful, strategic marketing and clarity-driven growth.”
