Beyond the Chutes

About Beyond the Chutes

Welcome to Beyond the Chutes, a Rodeo podcast where hosts Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen dive deep into the heart of the Western and Rodeo culture. Join us as we explore the full spectrum of rodeo life, from the adrenaline-pumping action at the bucking chutes to the precision and skill of the timed event chute. Our conversations extend to those who make the rodeo world turn: competitors, committee members, stock contractors, judges, secretaries, and the vibrant personalities of contract acts, entertainers, and announcers. Together, we uncover their unique stories, experiences, and the unforgettable places their rodeo journeys have taken them.

Publisher

Doug Simcox

Category

society & culture · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 May 2023

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

285 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Steve Ratchford: What Judges See In 8 Seconds

   Eight seconds. A rider, an animal, and a score that can change a contestant’s day. What does a rodeo judge see in that moment? Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen sit down with Steve Ratchford at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Oklahoma. With more than 50 years of judging experience, Steve shares what it takes to make fair, consistent calls when every point matters. They discuss scoring both the cowboy and the animal, the mark-out rule, replay, changing equipment, and the split-second decisions behind breakaway and team roping. Steve also explains how aspiring judges get started, while Sam brings the contestant’s perspective on accepting a call and moving forward. Steve’s guiding lesson says it all: “If you think you know it all, it’s time to quit.” There’s always another rodeo—and something more to learn. #BeyondTheChutes #SteveRatchford #Rodeo #RodeoJudging #IFYR #IPRA #YouthRodeo #CowboyStories

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   6666 Ranch, Sissy Smith & Butch Stewart | A Rodeo Road Trip

   Doug and Sam wrap up their Oklahoma and Texas travels with stories from the Four Sixes, visits with Sissy Smith and Butch Stewart, and reflections on the people and conversations that make life on the road worthwhile. Episode description Good horses. Great stories. A road trip worth remembering. Join Doug and Sam on Beyond the Chutes as they look back on their Oklahoma and Texas travels—from the 6666 Ranch and the Return to the Remuda to visits with Sissy Smith and Butch Stewart. They talk ranch horses, rodeo history, time with Marlon, and the unexpected moments that come with life on the road. Along the way, there’s plenty of laughter, learning, and appreciation for the people who keep rodeo’s stories alive. In this episode: The Four Sixes and the Return to the Remuda Horses that caught their attention—and one that almost came home Visiting with Sissy Smith Butch Stewart, Frontier Rodeo, and raising bucking horses Marlon and his guiding Road stories, friendships, and preserving rodeo history Watch the video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/b8HYluFgG8Y (https://youtu.be/b8HYluFgG8Y) Follow Beyond the Chutes for more real rodeo stories, conversations, and life beyond the arena.

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   The Road Brought Them Back | Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion 2026

   Most of the people in this episode aren’t famous. You probably won’t find their names in the record books. That’s exactly why Beyond the Chutes went to Mountain Cove. We went. We listened. We recorded. In McLemore Cove near Chickamauga, Georgia, rodeo history runs deep. Records show rodeos being held at Mountain Cove as far back as the late 1940s, and in 1953 a local newspaper reported approximately 6,000 people attending three rodeo performances there. In 2026, the old arena is gone, but the people and the stories remain. At the Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion, old friends came back together to remember the miles they traveled, the people who helped them along the way, the friends who are no longer here, and the next generation carrying pieces of that life forward. You’ll hear about nights spent driving from one rodeo to the next, friendships that lasted decades, a 1:30 a.m. knock on a stranger’s door, the old Mountain Cove rodeo grounds, a Saturday night rodeo at nearby Kensington, and the people whose memories now help preserve a part of rodeo history that might otherwise disappear. Because rodeo history doesn’t belong only to champions and famous names. It also lives with the people who drove all night, hauled livestock, sold tickets, raised their kids around rodeo, helped one another when somebody broke down, and came back years later to tell the stories again. We went. We listened. We recorded. Because These Stories Matter. Presented by ParaSight Systems. Chapters 00:00 — The Road Brought Them Back A few voices tell you immediately why this reunion matters. 00:10 — Mountain Cove: Where Rodeo Came Before Us The history of McLemore Cove, Mountain Cove Farms, and the rodeos once held there. 02:27 — See Who’s Still Here Old friends, old stories, and the people everyone hoped to find again. 08:18 — You Never Forget the Road Long drives, breakdowns, crowded motel rooms, and the friendships built between rodeos. 14:22 — Last Night at Kensington A Saturday night rodeo reminds us that another generation is already making its own memories. 20:30 — The Ones Who Aren’t Here Remembering the cowboys, cowgirls, friends, and family members who didn’t make it back. 25:05 — It Keeps Going Children, grandchildren, craftsmanship, music, and the traditions being carried forward. 28:49 — Why These Stories Matter Why Beyond the Chutes records oral histories and works to preserve rodeo history. 31:15 — Happy Trails Until we meet again. Short Episode Summary Beyond the Chutes travels to the 2026 Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion near Chickamauga, Georgia, where generations of rodeo people gather to remember the road, the friendships, those who are gone, and the traditions still being carried forward. Keywords / Tags Beyond the Chutes, Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion, Mountain Cove Farms, McLemore Cove, Chickamauga Georgia, rodeo history, rodeo oral history, rodeo reunion, cowboy stories, rodeo documentary, Georgia rodeo, Kensington Rodeo, bull riding history, rodeo legends, Western history, American rodeo history, Because These Stories Matter

Who has been a guest on Beyond the Chutes

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Debbie Tatkowski
• Roy Troutman
• Laura Johnson
• Marcia Johnson
• Rick Bevington

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

16,184

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

50

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

67

Contact Beyond the Chutes

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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