From the mid-1980s until 2010, the Methow Valley Rodeo was a member of the Professional Western Rodeo Association (PWRA). Riders earned points towards the Pro-West finals. The Methow Valley Rodeo returned to a "Jackpot" rodeo in 2010. Jackpot means that winners get all their entry money back plus added money which comes from ticket sales and donations from area businesses. The events were; Ranch Saddle Bronc, Saddle Bronc, Bulls, and Barrel Racing. In our short one-hour experience we watched Broncs and Bulls--both exciting events!
Here's a couple of pictures of the announcer's box and the holding pens (to the left of the horse and rider) located below. To the very right (above the horse and rider) is the "holding pen" that the broncs and bulls are "escorted" into after a ride. Out of these pens (on the left) the riders are released on either their broncs or bulls. While I didn't get a picture of all the attendees, Gary and I estimate at the minimum 300 people were in attendance and it could actually be 400 if you include all the participants and people running the different event functions.
Now what you've really been waiting for ... pictures from the event. Bronc riders first!
The whole time the bronc and bull riders are in the arena, there are a number of cowboys riding close by to provide assistance when the rider either jumps or is bucked off. The other responsibility they have is to herd the bronc back into the pen after the ride. A good rider will finish their ride (a horn sounds when they've reached a certain number of seconds--you'll hear the horn in the videos), then a cowboy will come up alongside, and the rider will jump from his broncin' horse onto the back of the cowboy's horse.
When the bull riders are in the arena, in addition to the cowboys there are a host of other "maniacs" called "clowns" to help distract the bulls once the rider has departed the bull's back. One bull (the first video, but I ended it before he went "wild") was rather feisty after losing its rider and really gave the clowns and cowboys a run for their money. A number of times, the bull pawed the ground, charged, and did his very best to make a dent in someone or something. They eventually had to release another bull into the arena to help escort the feisty one to safety! It's amazing how a second bull really does make a difference in getting the bull back into the holding pen.
For the bull riding, I decided to video instead ... it's so much more exciting! I was able to capture two rides before my camera battery went dead. That's right, I still haven't learned that lesson yet! Who says experience is the best teacher ... LIAR (anyway, "liar" as far as it relates to my camera battery)! As a reminder, to view the videos, you need to click on the title link of this blog and it will take you to the actual blog website where you can easily view the videos.
So, maybe next Memorial Day you'll find us in the town of Bishop, CA for their annual Mule Days Rodeo Event ... or at another rodeo somewhere in the west. In our travels to so many different cities so far, it is amazing the number of towns that have rodeos. Can't wait ... YEEHAW!!
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