The Cowboys of Team Duba

 He and his wife, Whitney, have a daughter Lydia that is five years old. Just one day after the Fourth of July, they welcomed a son, Trell, to the family. After a quick trip home, Blake claimed the victory at the Big Fork, Montana rodeo the day after Trell was born. He loves being outdoors and if he didn’t live in Oregon, might pick Montana as his home. He went to college in Montana. His father, Butch Knowles, is a rodeo broadcaster who competed at the WNFR in the saddle bronc riding. He has trained steer wrestling horses that he has been successful on and has a young one coming up that was raised on the family ranch. 

Blake's cousin is fellow steer wrestler Trevor Knowles and has traveled with him for the past 11 years.  Blake rides Fab, a 10-year-old mare he trained himself; he bought the horse from past NFR steer wrestling qualifier Brian Fulton. He likes many outdoor activities, including snow skiing, water skiing and hunting.  Blake is a big college football fan. Boise State is one of his favorite teams to watch, along with the University of Oregon and Oregon State. "Lonesome Dove" is his favorite movie, and he also likes comedies, such as "Wedding Crashers".

 2022: Won the Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.) and the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo. Co-champion at the Parado Del Sol (Scottsdale, Ariz.), the Sheridan WYO Rodeo and the Last Chance Stampede (Helena, Mont.)
2021: Finished 28th in the world standings with $44,316. Won the Missoula (Mont.) Stampede, the Omak (Wash.) Stampede, the Lynden (Wash.) PRCA Rodeo and the Lion's Dixie Roundup (St. George, Utah.). Co-champion at the Young Living Last Chance Rodeo (Mona, Utah) and the Colorama (Grand Coulee, Wash.)

As a rodeo cowboy, having a quality built, long lasting horse trailer is one keys to success in the arena, as well as enjoying life on the road. Platinum trailers have all the qualities and new innovations to help keep cowboys and their horses at the top of their game when it comes rodeo time. My Platinum trailer done by Duba Trailer Customizing and Sales,Inc., is my home away from home and personally after pulling a Platinum, I don't know if I'll ever pull anything but a Platinum!!   

 My only regret about purchasing my new Platinum trailer from Duba Trailers, is that I didn't do it sooner. The quality of the trailer is second to none. Not only does it pull great, it looks sharp traveling down the road. I know that my horses are safe, secure, and comfortable while in our Platinum trailer. Platinum trailers are built to withstand thousands of miles on the rodeo trail year after year. Designing and purchasing my Platinum trailer was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Trell Etbauer -PRCA Tie Down Roper & Steer Wrestler   4x Bill Linderman Award Winner   

  Dakota is one of two contestants that call Nevada home. He’s been proud to carry the Nevada flag in the grand entry at the NFR, but this year that task will likely fall on fellow Nevadan, Jade Corkill. He qualified for his first NFR in 2013 – one year after winning the rookie all-around and steer wrestling titles — and has nearly been there every year since. He missed 2018 after having knee surgery but still was in the top 25 in the world standings. He is one of the most consistent steer wrestlers going down the road and some of that could be due to his horsemanship. His grandfather and father instilled a work ethic and knowledge of horses in him from a very young age that comes into play today. His life changed forever just over a year ago when his wife, Quincy, gave birth to their daughter Sally Lou. If Dakota’s not competing, it’s a safe bet that he will be doing something outdoors, ranging from hunting and fishing to snowmobiling and skiing.

 

 He came to last year’s WNFR guns blazing with nothing to lose. That led to a tie in the first round. Things didn’t go exactly as planned after that, but it lit a fire in the competitive athlete that has burned bright for all of the 2021 season. Riding Curtis Cassidy’s great horse, Tyson, Jesse has learned more about horsemanship and has worked on his consistency. The former football player has also used lessons learned from his coaches there regarding strength and mental toughness. He’s excited to compete in Las Vegas at the Thomas and Mack Center. He was in Las Vegas to compete (and win) the Permit Challenge in 2015 & 16 and was back receiving the Rookie of the Year award in 2017.