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13th annual Great Northwest Pro Rodeo to begin on Thursday
May 14, 2007
Fans of the Great Northwest Pro Rodeo will have plenty to cheer about this year.
Defending champions, past champions and leaders in the world standings headline the more than 250 entries for the 13th annual event that starts Thursday at the Klamath County Fairgrounds John Hancock Event Center.
“We have a $21,000 added purse, which is the biggest purse in the history of the rodeo,” committee chairman Jamie Berg said. The total purse will be over $50,000.
Plus, there are several other changes that have helped attract entries to the GNWPR.
Brookman Rodeo Co. out of Sydney, Mont., is the stock contractor, which marks the first year the Pinz Rodeo Co. of Terrebonne has not been part of the local rodeo.
Steve Kenyon, who was born and reared in Klamath County, will make his first appearance as the featured announcer. Kenyon, who has a radio show in Pendleton, will make his first appearance at the GNWPR.
A new specialty act also has been added to the rodeo that will run through Saturday.
Berg said getting the 60-year-old Brookman company to provide rough stock is a major plus for the rodeo.
“That's the reason we are getting so many (saddle bronc, bareback and bill) riders,” Berg said. “Brookman has taken stock to the (National Finals Rodeo) for 37 straight years.”
Danny Russell of Folsom, Calif., is the sub-contractor, a role Brookman held the last two years.
Berg said the combination of the added purse (which means winnings come from more than entry fees) and Brookman providing the rough stock makes the GNWPR attractive since cowboys also can easily get to Redding for a rodeo over the same days.
Shawn Greenfield of Lakeview, currently third in the world steer wrestling standings, is a case in point.
He can make his first ever appearance in the GNWPR and add Redding to his schedule with a two-hour drive, which makes the weekend potentially lucrative.
Redding has a $63,000 added purse.
“That's a big deal,” Berg said. “Numbers have been low around the country at many rodeos because of the price of gas. That makes our numbers look really good, and that's exciting.”
Greenfield is one of 10 entries among the top 10 in their respective events.
Four are in steer wrestling, including No. 2 Luke Branquinio of Los Alamos, Calif. Josh Peek and Dane Hanna also are in the top 10 in steer wrestling, and Billy Bugenig currently is standing 11th.
Peek currently is second in the all-around standings.
Among the local entries will be Roger Nonella in calf roping. Casey Ladner and Dusty Otley also are among the local entries.
Branquinio is one of the seven defending champions, along with Culver's Bobby Mote in bareback riding. Mote is the only three-time winner of an event at the GNWPR.
Calf-roper Brad Goodrich and team roper Mike Beers, who will rope with his son Brandon, both will be looking for their third victory in Klamath Falls when they compete this weekend.
The official draw to determine which date each entry will participate in Klamath Falls will take place Tuesday.
- Steve Matthies
Fans of the Great Northwest Pro Rodeo will have plenty to cheer about this year.
Defending champions, past champions and leaders in the world standings headline the more than 250 entries for the 13th annual event that starts Thursday at the Klamath County Fairgrounds John Hancock Event Center.
“We have a $21,000 added purse, which is the biggest purse in the history of the rodeo,” committee chairman Jamie Berg said. The total purse will be over $50,000.
Plus, there are several other changes that have helped attract entries to the GNWPR.
Brookman Rodeo Co. out of Sydney, Mont., is the stock contractor, which marks the first year the Pinz Rodeo Co. of Terrebonne has not been part of the local rodeo.
Steve Kenyon, who was born and reared in Klamath County, will make his first appearance as the featured announcer. Kenyon, who has a radio show in Pendleton, will make his first appearance at the GNWPR.
A new specialty act also has been added to the rodeo that will run through Saturday.
Berg said getting the 60-year-old Brookman company to provide rough stock is a major plus for the rodeo.
“That's the reason we are getting so many (saddle bronc, bareback and bill) riders,” Berg said. “Brookman has taken stock to the (National Finals Rodeo) for 37 straight years.”
Danny Russell of Folsom, Calif., is the sub-contractor, a role Brookman held the last two years.
Berg said the combination of the added purse (which means winnings come from more than entry fees) and Brookman providing the rough stock makes the GNWPR attractive since cowboys also can easily get to Redding for a rodeo over the same days.
Shawn Greenfield of Lakeview, currently third in the world steer wrestling standings, is a case in point.
He can make his first ever appearance in the GNWPR and add Redding to his schedule with a two-hour drive, which makes the weekend potentially lucrative.
Redding has a $63,000 added purse.
“That's a big deal,” Berg said. “Numbers have been low around the country at many rodeos because of the price of gas. That makes our numbers look really good, and that's exciting.”
Greenfield is one of 10 entries among the top 10 in their respective events.
Four are in steer wrestling, including No. 2 Luke Branquinio of Los Alamos, Calif. Josh Peek and Dane Hanna also are in the top 10 in steer wrestling, and Billy Bugenig currently is standing 11th.
Peek currently is second in the all-around standings.
Among the local entries will be Roger Nonella in calf roping. Casey Ladner and Dusty Otley also are among the local entries.
Branquinio is one of the seven defending champions, along with Culver's Bobby Mote in bareback riding. Mote is the only three-time winner of an event at the GNWPR.
Calf-roper Brad Goodrich and team roper Mike Beers, who will rope with his son Brandon, both will be looking for their third victory in Klamath Falls when they compete this weekend.
The official draw to determine which date each entry will participate in Klamath Falls will take place Tuesday.
- Steve Matthies
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Bill Hoffman wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:07 AM:
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Respectfully submitted,
Bill Hoffman
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Respectfully submitted,
Bill Hoffman
CO Stampede, #45 "
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