Jackson B.’s WNFR 2005 Wish!

Photos & Text By David G. Brown

Jackson B. is a 9 year-old, Idaho cowboy who had a powerful dream to attend the 2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada, in spite of the fact that he has a form of cancer called Neuroblastoma, for which traditional treatments are largely ineffective. In true cowboy style, Jackson is a fighter who doesn’t dwell on the negatives, but rather, focuses on the positive. He once called his cancer a blessing, saying that it has brought his family closer together, and has even gotten his grandparents to attend church again!

Last Fall, his church group was planning an auction to raise money for the church, and they discussed various items that could be donated. One person suggested a “dream vacation trip,” but no one could decide what destination they should choose. So, they asked a few of the members, if they could go anywhere on Earth, where would it be? When it came Jackson’s turn to answer, there was no hesitation in the lad, he responded quickly that his “Dream Vacation” would be a trip to the 2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Nothing more was said about this venture for several weeks. But unbeknownst to Jackson, members of the church had been busy making calls and bringing a lot of other people into the picture. One of the people knew someone who was familiar with the Western Wishes Foundation, and arrangements were quietly made. One of the church members called the family and told them that tickets for the WNFR had been donated to the church auction, and Jackson should come and bid. Staci and Scott, Jackson’s parents, were let in on the secret, but Jackson had no idea that the auction was fixed!!

When the auction began, Scott told Jackson that he could bid up to $2,000 on the trip, but no higher. There was lively action on the WNFR vacation package, but soon, it was only Jackson and one other determined bidder. When the bid reached $2,000, Jackson told the auctioneer that he was done, he had no more money. But someone came over and gave him $100, and told him to keep bidding. When his bid was topped, again, someone else came and handed him more money, and he kept on bidding, but each time, his bid was raised. Finally, after several more such cash donations to Jackson, the other bidder finally relented and let the young cowboy win the bid. It was only then that the secret was revealed to Jackson — he really didn’t have to pay anything for the trip, it had already been taken care of for him – his Western Wish would come true!

A corporate executive Kingair airplane flew to Lewiston and picked the family up on the first day of the WNFR, flying them to the North Las Vegas airport, in a style befitting a Hollywood star. They were met there by limousines provided by the Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino and a welcoming committee led by Santa Fe executive Rod Campbell, who had been instrumental in helping coordinate the trip. He also arranged free rooms for the family, the oncology nurse traveling with Jackson, and the pilot, during their visit. Campbell also made certain Jackson, and his little brother Wyatt, were both “cowboy-ready” by giving them hats, jeans and Western shirts, as well as many other fine gifts. Also meeting the plane were Glee Nett, Western Wishes National Wish Coordinator, David Brown, Western Wishes Media Director, and Doug McNeely, general manager of the North Las Vegas airport, plus several members of Campbell’s family. Western Wishes provided many more gifts for the boys, and the family, as did the airport management. Christmas was only just beginning for Jackson!

After a brief tour of the airport air traffic control tower, the family headed to the Santa Fe Hotel to get settled in to their rooms. The Santa Fe team continued the V.I.P. treatment for the B’s for the entire trip. They also added Jackson to indoor and outdoor marquis! Rod also presented Jackson with a beautiful trophy buckle to commemorate his visit.

After a short rest, as they were quickly off to the Thomas & Mack Center, for the first go-round of the 2005 WNFR. Former world champion team roper Mike Beers had arranged a special photo session for our special young cowboy before the rodeo began. Jackson was taken back to the warm-up arena, where contestants exercise their horses before their runs, and a dozen timed-event and roughstock cowboys gathered to have a group photo taken with Jackson. Among those in the photo were Jake Barnes, Fred Whitfield, Dan Mortensen, Mike Beers, Bobby Mote, Kelly Timberman, Will Lowe, Bryan Richardson, and Dustin Elliot.

This photo was later enlarged into a poster, and WNFR bareback rider Bobby Mote hand-carried it around to all the roughstock cowboys to it get autographed for Jackson. Then, Jackson and his family headed to their seats and watched the opening round of the 2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The next morning, after catching up on some much needed sleep, the family headed over to the Las Vegas Convention Center to enjoy another WNFR tradition — shopping at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show! But Jackson had a special request for this portion of the trip; he wanted to buy special Christmas presents for his mother and father, and other family members, and asked if he could get someone to take him shopping without his family, so they wouldn’t know what gifts he’d purchased. Upon hearing of this request, former world bull riding champion Tuff Hedeman offered to take Jackson on his shopping spree, even though Tuff had to take time out of a very busy schedule to make it work. But the champ didn’t mind making time for Jackson!

A few weeks before the trip, PRCA team roper Alan Patrick had met Jackson and gave him a beautiful ropers pocket knife. And when he heard about the trip the family was about to take, he gave Jackson $500 cash to spend on Christmas gifts. So with Tuff Hedeman to escort him, and a pocket full of cash, Jackson made the rounds of Western booths and returned with a bounty of wonderful gifts for his family. He also got to meet a lot of his cowboy heroes, world champions and WNFR contestants, as well as one of his favorites – bull fighter Lloyd Ketchum. He also met Clyde and Elsie Frost, parents of former world champion bull rider Lane Frost, who was killed at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo in 1989. And after a day of shopping and visiting with many cowboys and cowgirls, the family headed to the rodeo grounds.

Then Jackson was treated to special “Gold Buckle” WNFR tickets, just a few rows off the arena floor. Glee Nett bought these tickets for the family herself, so they could enjoy the special VIP treatment that goes with these awesome seats. The Baldwins also got to visit a luxury skybox before the rodeo, and met Michael Gaughn, who gave the boys Gold Coast vest to keep them warm in the chilly Las Vegas nights!

Sunday’s activities began with a large gathering of families for breakfast at the Santa Fe Station. The B.s were joined by former wish-recipient and cancer survivor Rachel Hanson, and her family. Rod Campbell’s family was also in attendance, as well as Clyde and Elsie Frost, plus the Western Wishes team. This special “Breakfast of Champions,” was donated by Rod Campbell, and featured great food, as well as an opportunity to provide even more gifts to Jackson and the family, including the autographed group photo taken the first night!

After breakfast, Jackson and his family got to relax a bit before Round-3 of the WNFR. Before the rodeo, Jackson got to take a tour of the cowboy dressing rooms, and “hung out” with the bull riders as they prepared for the night’s competition. Again, the family had great seats, and got to see all the fabulous rodeo action. But this time, when the rodeo was ended, instead of rushing back to the hotel to go to bed, the whole family went to the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino to watch the go-round winners receive their trophy buckles from Montana Silversmiths and the Gold Coast Hotel. Bob Tallman and Boyd Polhamus, who announce the performances of the WNFR, also emcee the buckle presentation ceremonies. And when they learned that Jackson was in the audience, they invited him up onstage to present the first buckle of the evening! He also got to meet many of the go-round winners, like saddle bronc rider Billy Etbauer, bareback co-winners Kelly Timberman and Andy Martinez, and barrel racer Shali Lord.

In addition to meeting all of the superb rodeo athletes who had won that evening’s go-round, Jackson also took a whirl on the dance floor with Rachel — another dream of every cowboy, to dance with a pretty gal at the WNFR party! In all, Jackson met more than a dozen rodeo athletes and had a wonderful time. At one point, one of the band members even let him play his guitar while they were on break!

On Monday, the family got to sleep in a bit, and after breakfast headed back to Cowboy Christmas to visit with PBR and WNFR bull fighter Flint Rassmussen. Flint gave the boys some awesome tee-shirts and visited with them before his noon show at the gift expo. The family stayed to watch Flint’s show, which is rodeo’s version of a daytime talk show.

He also got to meet world champion bull rider Gary Leffew, and cowboy actor and stunt man Judd Leffew.

Later that evening, Jackson was again taken to the cowboy locker rooms inside Thomas & Mack Center at the invitation of WNFR bareback rider Kelly Timberman, who escorted the family before the 4th round. The WNFR bareback riders showered the boys with autographed riding gloves and pictures. The boys also got to visit the Coors booth with Judd Leffew, who arranged for the boys to ride the mechanical bull. Jackson enjoyed the ride, but it was undoubtedly the highlight of Wyatt’s trip!

During the rodeo, the family again had great seats for the show. Just before the barrel racing began the Boyd-Gaughn Stage Coach entered the arena, carrying Michael Gaughn, Jr., of Coast Casinos and the Boyd Group; and representing Montana Silversmiths was Dennis Potzman, president; Mark Pierce, executive vice-president; and Steve Miller, vice-president of sales and marketing; and Steve’s wife Terri Miller. When the stage stopped at the center of the arena, and the stagecoach VIPs were introduced, Jackson walked into the arena as the announcers told his brave story. When he reached the stage, Montana Silversmiths presented him with a custom-made buckle, engraved with his name and the Western Wishes logo to commemorate his dream of being a part of the 2005 WNFR. Then, Jackson climbed into the stage and rode out of the arena. That moment was, according to Jackson, one of the most memorable of the entire trip.

Immediately following the stagecoach ride, Jackson and the family were whisked away to the Hilton Hotel to watch LeAnn Rimes perform in concert. Before the performance, Jackson and his family were invited backstage to meet the Miss Rimes and get photos and autographed souvenirs.

The next day, the family went to the North Las Vegas airport and flew back home to Idaho. In all, it was an incredible four days of rodeo and an exciting time for Jackson, his brother Wyatt and his parents Staci and Scott. And while Jackson was very grateful for the opportunity to meet many of his cowboy and cowgirl heroes, most of those people were delighted to be a part of Jackson’s wish, and meeting such a brave young cowboy.

There were so many people who played significant roles in making this very special wish come true that it would be impossible to name them all, or thank them properly. But the Western Wishes Foundation would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the champions, past, present and future, who touched the life of this young man. And we would like to especially thank all the sponsors who presented gifts, in whatever manner, to Jackson or the family or opened doors to make this incredible wish come true. Without your help, none of this would have been possible.