Quarterly Magazine August 2022

Everything Horses and Livestock ® Magazine

Everything Horses and Livestock ® Magazine

McKee’s Rodeo Roots Reach to Kansas Mike Christensen

Most all rodeo fans will recognize Justin McKee from his work at the Cowboy Channel or from his work at the PBR. You are most likely aware of his career as an announcer at PRCA rodeos across the country. He began his PRCA announcing career in 1993 and has announced major rodeos such as the Ellensburg Rodeo in WA, St. Paul, OR, Cheyenne Frontier Days and The Pendleton Roundup.

McKee grew up in Edna, KS, population 388 and following in his father Russell’s footsteps, he attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. In January of 2011, while he and his family were living on their ranch in Lenapah, OK, McKee started a Cowboy Church which has met every Monday in the rock gym since its inception. The McKee Ranch is known for his producing quality quarter horses and bucking bulls. The ranch was recognized in 2007 as the ABBI Horizon Breeder of the Year for its Futurity Champion Deja Blue. But were you aware that K-State Rodeo alumnus Justin McKee currently holds the arena record for the steer roping at the historic Cheyenne Frontier Days? On July 22, 2004, McKee made a steer roping run in 10.1 seconds during slack, securing him a place in Cheyenne history as the fastest run ever. The run was good for a $ 6,214.00 paycheck. His record still stands today. The arena record for the three-run average is held by “The Legend,” Guy Allen with his 40.9 second aggregate set in 1996. That same year, (2004), McKee finished second in the average at Pendleton and missed making the NFR by just 3 spots, finishing the season 18th in the world standings. McKee now makes his home near Hico, Texas with his wife Jeannie and daughter Kassidy.

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