Ellensburg Rodeo 2008

Labor Day Weekend 2008
PA S T & P R E S E N T
ELLENSBURG RODEO & COUNTY FAIR
Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present 1

EXPAND YOUR
LUMBER OPTIONS
Our Contractor Sales Staff would be happy to help you with your next building project
• Quality Douglas Fir Lumber Contact one of

• Pressure Treated Lumber our Outside Sales
• Engineered Wood Products Representatives
• LP Siding
Brad Hutzenbiler
• Hardi-Plank 509-929-0868
• Cedar
• Metal Roofing Trista Zellmer
• Doors & Windows 509-929-5042
www.knudsonlumber.com • 1791 Vantage Hwy. Ellensburg • 509-962-9811
“Serving ALL of Kittitas County & Beyond” Open

7 day
1-866-279-0756
s
a wee
k
886448 KRH SS
2 Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present

About the Cover
Table of contents
4 ……………………………………. Love for the rodeo spurs
Michael Allen
6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 19, 40, 41 ……….. Rodeo timeline
10 …………………………………… Dr. H.E. Pfenning: A man
with vision, energy for
Ellensburg Rodeo
12 …………………………………… Ann Burkheimer Reed
honored with Driver
Family Award
Photo by John Foster
Bob Ragsdale in the calf 16 …………………………………… When saddle bronc was
king
roping competition during
the 1972 Ellensburg Rodeo. 18 …………………………………… Bronc buster recalls
rodeo in its youth
20 …………………………………… Rodeo in music
21 …………………………………… Rodeo Lingo
22, 23, 26, 27, 36, 38, 39, 40 ……... Rodeo memories
24 …………………………………… Molly Morrow: Love at
first click
Daily Record
401 N. Main St. 28 …………………………………… Rodeo & Fair maps
Ellensburg 98926 30 …………………………………… Frontier Village gives
(509) 925-1414 kids and adults a taste
of the old days
Publisher: Matt Davison 32 …………………………………… Schedule
Adverting director: Tyler
Miller 34 …………………………………… Cowboy hats: A mark of
Managing editor: Jeff style
Robinson 35 …………………………………… Cowboy hats: Etiquette
Design editor: Jimmy
Alford 43 …………………………………… A history of rodeo
events
Contributing writers:
Mike Allen 45 …………………………………… How to score rodeo
Don Gronning events
Mike Johnston 52 …………………………………… Rodeo in film
Chelsea Krotzer
Ryan Thompson 54 …………………………………… Fair memories
Mary Swift
Photographers:
Don Gronning
Joe Whiteside
Amanda Umberger
© 2008 Ellensburg Daily

Record Special thanks:
Ellensburg Public Library for archive photos
Cover ohoto illustration by John Foster
Jimmy Alford Kittitas County Historical Musuem

Love for rodeo
spurs Michael Allen
By MARY SWIFT
staff writer
Michael Allen never cared much for horseback riding.

That didn’t keep him from falling in love with rodeo.
Call it a passion learned at his father’s side.
His father, Stewart Allen, was a Pocatello, Idaho, native, “a fallen
Mormon” who ended up marrying a girl who was — and is — a
practicing Jew.
A modern businessman who lived in town but never forgot his
rural roots, the elder Allen owned restaurants and an ice cream
shop and did a stint as Ellensburg’s mayor.
“We always had a horse, often, two or three,” Allen recalls. “My
Dad liked thoroughbreds and Arabs. He didn’t like quarter horses.
Around Ellensburg, that’s treasonous.”
The elder Allen proudly rode with the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse, a
precision drill team. His son fondly recalls the posse’s Friday night
practices and the horse races, broomstick polo and camaraderie
that followed.
Contributed Continued on page 6
ould like to we
We w all to the lcom
e
Ellensburg Rodeo &

Kittitas County Fair
700 E. University Way • 962-8222
959883.P&P08.cnr
Member FDIC
AFFORDABLE
FUNERAL CARE A Tradition of Caring
(509) 925-2902 • 101 East 2nd Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926

BONNIE MARSH • (509)-925-2925
“The little Bank with
Welcome Rodeo Fans the big circle of friends”
965895.P&P08.cnr
to the 2008 Rodeo

Complete funeral and cremation services “Best Bank in Kittitas County”
957178.P&P08.cnr
available at need or by prearrangement.

- 2008 Daily Record Readers Choice Awards
Locally Owned and Supporting Our Community
‘He’s the founder and the one who keeps it going.’
Despite his father’s affection for riding, “I am along with his three children.
the world’s worst horseback rider,” Allen says. In 1997, Allen helped found the Ellensburg
“My Dad bred me a little pinto pony and I prob- Rodeo Hall of Fame. He served seven years as
ably rode that 30 times in 10 years. But I always board president and is one of three historians
loved the rodeo and we always attended as a who serve on the board.
family. I helped my Dad at the back ticket gate In 1998, University of Nevada Press published
for rodeo night shows and when I was older at his book, “Rodeo Cowboys in the North Ameri-
the ticket gate for the Posse parties. So I grew can Imagination,” a study of the evolution of the
up around rodeo. In many ways, rodeo weekend myth of the rodeo cowboy and how that myth
is a sacred time for us, ranking second only to has impacted popular culture.
Christmas.” It was research on the book that planted the
As a student in Ellensburg, Allen picked up a idea for the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame.
fascination for magic, something he still pur- “In the mid-1990s I was traveling around to
sues. After high school, he served a stint in Viet- various research archives — Pro Rodeo Hall
nam with the Marine Corps later worked as a of Fame, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame,
towboat deckhand, oil tanker man and cook on National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the Pend-
the Upper and Lower Mississippi. Captivated by leton Roundup Hall of Fame — and it occurred
history, he earned a bachelor’s degree at Central to me we could do this in Ellensburg,” he says.
Washington University, a master’s degree in “Some of the greatest cowboys and cowgirls in
history from the University of Montana, and a the history of rodeo passed through Ellensburg
doctorate at the University of Washington, where from 1923 to 1997.”
he now is a professor of history and American He spoke to Joel Smith and Rick Cole, mem-
studies. bers of the rodeo board, about the idea.
While working on his master’s he spent his “The 75th anniversary of the rodeo in 1997
summers taking Greyhound to all 50 states and created ‘the perfect storm’ and it happened,” he
six Canadian provinces and he still spends time says. “There are 55 inductees so far. This year is
visiting and writing about the history of the our 11th induction.”
Mississippi River Valley, an area that has long Jack Wallace, a member of the Hall of Fame
fascinated him. board, calls Allen “the heart and soul of the
“Why? Maybe because I grew up in a semi- Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame.”
arid part of the state and always yearned for It’s praise echoed by 90-year-old Bertha Morri-
lush, deciduous forest, fireflies and turtles and son, also a member of the Hall of Fame board.
gators,” says Allen, who lives in Tacoma but also “If it weren’t for Mike, we wouldn’t have a Hall
has a home and apartment in Ellensburg and of Fame,” she says. “We’re very proud of it. He’s
plans to retire here. the founder and the one who keeps it going.”
Despite his wanderings, he never got so far Rodeo, Allen says, is important because it’s
from home that he lost his love — or respect — much more than just entertainment.
for the rodeo. Each year, rodeo brings him back “Rodeo is a folkway because it’s mostly
Continued on page 8
Ellensburg Rodeo through the years

’20s
Rodeo Timeline
Early 1920s — At least two Kittitas County ranches, including

the Ferguson ranch, were staging impromptu competitions
called Sunday rodeos. These were the beginnings what would
become the Ellensburg Rodeo.
1923
1923 — First Ellensburg Rodeo held Sept. 13-15, with 17
events. Steer wrestling was scratched because of a letter writ-
ing campaign charging it “appears to be as hard on the steer
as it does the man ...”
Continued on page 8
21.'$7+.&+0)5
³6JG.CTIGUV/QUV'ZRGTKGPEGF2QNG
$WKNFKPI%QPVTCEVQTKPVJG0QTVJYGUV´
)CTCIGU5JQRU
$CTPU
%QOOGTEKCN
³´&QYP
(KPCPEKPI1#%
%CNN#P[VKOG*QWTU#&C[ (KPCPEG1H¿EGTQP&WV[0QY/QUV
&C[U#9GGM #RRTQXCNUYKVJKP*QWTU 957175.P&P08.cnr
%1/'5''75#66*'-+66+6#5%1706;(#+4
based on actual ranch skills — ‘workways’ as folklor- Much of Allen’s own life experience is framed in
ists call them,” he says. “Calf and steer roping and some way by rodeo. That includes his father’s death,
saddle bronc riding are historic ranch skills.” (That’s an event he describes at the end of the introduction to
not true of bull riding, he says.) “Rodeo Cowboys in the North American Tradition”.
“Rodeos literally re-enact the workways of the cattle “On Labor Day, Sept. 7, 1992,” he wrote, “at approxi-
frontier. The rodeo viewer can sit back and watch how mately 4 p.m., rodeo cowboys received their cham-
the American cowboys did their jobs and tamed the pionship buckles in the Ellensburg Rodeo arena. In
American West, making the way for civilization. We doing this they carried on a local folk tradition of more
can literally watch our country’s history re-enacted than seventy-five years duration. At a nursing home a
in the arena. I know no other sport with that kind of few blocks away, my dad died after a long illness. This
mythic power.” book is dedicated to his memory.”

Rodeo Timeline
1924
1924 — The second rodeo had three times the attendance of first rodeo, with sellout crowds over
three performances, prizes and prize money higher than the year before. Even the first man bucked
off won a hat.
1929
1929 — Admission prices during the Depression year were $1 per family, kids’ admission was 25
cents. The rodeo animals arrived by train, providing plenty of entertainment for local youngsters
who flocked to the train to watch.
1930
1930 — The dates for rodeo was moved ahead a week to the Labor Day weekend.
1933
1933 — Steer wrestling had been reinstated after that first year and was won by Shaniko Red, with
a time of 67 seconds on three steers. Nobody knew his real name.
1936
1936 — The 14th year for the event saw some of the biggest crowds to date, with 30,000 people
attending the three performances.
1939
1939 — Police were kept busy, it was reported,
with two of the city’s “red light” houses, Mattie’s
and The Cadwell charged with selling liquor with-
out a license. They paid $350 in forfeited bail, the
weekly newspaper “The Capital,” reported.
1940
1940 — Bull riding was made an official event,
although steers were often used. Dick Griffith
won the event that year.
’42-’44
1942-’44 — Rodeo cancelled because of World War II. Contributed
1945
1945 — Rodeo returned to Ellensburg, with $57,457 in ticket sales.
1946
1946 — Bids were sought Continued on page 10

Best Lodging
L I For Reservations

 S Call Toll Free
866-925-4288
Whether your stay is for business
or pleasure you’ll enjoy your
accomodations at the Best
Western Lincoln Inn & Suites!
www.BestWesternEllensburg.com
Best Place to Get a Burger Best Bank

;MPPMEQ¸W
CAMPUS U-TOTE-EM
Orders To Go or Inside Seating “The little Bank with the
Over 20 Different Delicious Homestyle Burgers! big circle of friends”
Voted Best Burgers in town!
925-1600 Fast Friendly Service! Member FDIC
810 E. UNIVERSITY WAY (ACROSS FROM CWU) • Open 7 Days A Week

101 W. University Way 803 W. First Street
Ellensburg Cle Elum
Best Place to Buy Tires Best Place To Buy Furniture
114 W. 4th St.

Tire Center 925-9828
400 W. University Way • 925-1044
Best Asian Food Best Place to Get a Pizza
Open 7 days
a week
• Over 20 Vegetarian Dishes • Fried Rice
• Salad • Soups• Side Orders
• Gourmet Chinese & Asian Food
• Beverages • Beer & Wine
925-2090 We
207 N. Main St. Deliver
205 W. Tacoma St. • 962-9282

Dr. H.E. Pfenning:
A Man with vision, energy for
Ellensburg Rodeo
By MICHAEL ALLEN
For the Daily Record
Editor’s note: This first appeared in a 1997 Daily

Record special publication.
Dr. H.E. Pfenning conceived, organized and

produced the first Ellensburg Rodeo in 1923.
Although many community members share
responsibility for the first Ellensburg Rodeo, Pfen-
ning’s vision, organizational skills and hard work
loom large in its history.
Trained in large-animal veterinary medicine,
H.E. “Doc” Pfenning was an integral member
of the 1920s Ellensburg ranching and cowboy
community. Pfenning visited the roundups and
“Sunday Rodeos” held in the Kittitas Valley and
he dreamed of one day staging a large-scale “Wild
Courtesy of the Ellensburg Public Library

West Show” in the town of Ellensburg. When
other community members expressed an interest
in this plan, Pfenning led the organizing commit-
tee. He traveled to Pendleton, Ore., to observe the
staging of its famed Roundup. This background,
combined with Pfenning’s wide exposure to
cattle roundups and rodeos and wild west shows,
took form in his program for the 1923 Ellensburg
Rodeo.
The Sept. 13-15, 1923, Ellensburg Rodeo fea-
tured 18 major events advertised as the “greatest
Wild West Roundup in the State.” Valley residents
remembered its myriad components. Chalmer
Cobain described the gala grand entry parade,
Continued on page 11 Dr. H.E. Pfenning

Rodeo Timeline
1947
1947 — Calf roping replaced bronc riding as the popular county event, as competitors got older. A
county roping club was established, with summer-long competitions held to determine who would com-
pete during the Ellensburg Rodeo.
1950
1950 — Jim Shoulders, later to be known as rodeo’s Babe Ruth for his accomplishments in the arena,
competed at Ellensburg for the first time, splitting first in the bull riding.
Continued on page 11
bucking broncs, calf roping, relays, In addition to organizing and pro- Western duds astride his black horse
bulldogging, and special Indian horse ducing the rodeo, Doc Pfenning also Midnight.
racing. organized the selection and corona- The next year Pfenning pressed
Cobain said the 1923 contestants tion of the rodeo royalty and negoti- local business people and towns-
were “real cowboys” not “these drug- ated the historic annual participation men to “dress western” for the rodeo,
store cowboys!” They competed in of the Yakama Indian Nation in the sporting hats, boots, kerchiefs and
“wild horse races (and) chariot races.” Ellensburg Rodeo. After doing all snap button Western shirts. He
Howard Thomas remembered the of this, Pfenning then proceeded to believed this “costuming” would
first rodeo as “a good one” and Mrs. announce the show. please the tourists from Seattle and
Lilian Pope agreed, noting “You knew Microphones and public address make the Ellensburg Rodeo even
pretty much everybody that was rid- systems were unheard of in 1920s more popular.
ing in it ... it really made a difference Ellensburg. Using only a megaphone After more than two years of
because it was more of a local show.” in Ellensburg’s large new arena, Pfen- immense labor, Dr. H.E. Pfenning
The Ellensburg Record was equally ning’s voice boomed out and over the stepped down as producer of the
complimentary, reporting that the crowd of approximately 2,500. Ellensburg Rodeo in 1925. He left a
rodeo’s “Riders are Skillful and the Moreover, Pfenning organized and legacy that has endured.
Horses and Steers are Wild!” produced the first Ellensburg Rodeo He was inducted into the Ellens-
By all accounts, Doc Pfenning and parade. Locals remember him as a burg Rodeo Hall of Fame’s inaugural
his committee had done a superb job. leader of that parade, decked out in class of inductees in 1997.
1951
1951 — Another rodeo legend, defending world champion saddle bronc rider Casey Tibbs, was thrown
for the first time at Ellensburg.
1952
1952 — The first Rodeo Kickoff Breakfast was held two weeks before the rodeo. Free to the public, it
attracted 2,500 people for pancakes and sausages.
1953
1953 — Faced with the closure of Snoqualmie Pass for road repairs, the rodeo experienced a drop in
attendance and lost money. Continued on page 14
$A?@GMFLJQ+ML>ALL=JK T & T Electric

Commercial • Residential • Industrial
Tom Wilmart - 509-856-7316
Tommy Wilmart - 509-899-5318
• Day Rides/Pack Trips
• Hiker & Hunter Drop Camps
• Cattle Drive - Sept. 20 & 21
• June Horse Drive
For Reservations Call 888-253-0111 • New Construction
www.highcountry-outfitters.com • Remodels
• Licensed
9 E H3 9 @ G G
• Bonded
• Insured
A unique summer horse camp

for boys & girls, ages 10-16 Office 509-962-2481 • Fax 509-933-2340
Email Us At: tandtelectric@elltel.net
www.campwahoo.com Contractor’s License #TTELEL159BT
967504.FAIR08.cnr

Her heart’s
at the rodeo Ann Burkheimer Reed
honored with Driver Family Award
By MIKE JOHNSTON Reed’s memories of the rodeo
senior writer don’t stop there — and that’s
the reason Reed, now 67 and
Amanda Umberger for the Daily Record

Ask Ann Burkheimer Reed living near Poulsbo, has been
about how her life crosses honored with the 2008 Driver
paths with the Ellensburg Family Memorial Award.
Rodeo. Her memories will Her past and present volun-
come galloping in just like the teer work for the Ellensburg
rodeo’s grand entry that she Rodeo, and her continued sup-
took part in years ago. port of and commitment to
She remembers traveling the rodeo, are reflected in the
with her family as a little kid award.
from the West Side to the Some of that involvement:
Ellensburg Rodeo, being curb- serving as an Ellensburg Rodeo
side to enjoy the Saturday princess, demonstrating cut-
morning rodeo parade and ting horse skills during rodeo
how women, including her performances, riding with the
mother, wore flowers in
their cowboy hats. Continued on page 13 Ann Burkheimer Reed
Driver Family Memorial Award

The annual Driver Family Memorial Award is given each Pam Driver Gunderson, have presented the award to the
year to an individual who has made a significant contribution recipient: a sterling silver and gold belt buckle depicting Lo
to the Ellensburg Rodeo, the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame Driver’s horse while it reared on its hind legs as Lo was de-
or associated rodeo activities. livering to the Yakima airport an invitation to the Ellensburg
In past years Scott and Martha Driver and Scott’s cousin, Rodeo going to President Harry Truman.
Grebb, Johnson, Reed & Wachsmith, L.L.P. .HW@RXU-LQDQFLDO:HUYLFHV
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
-URP@RXU3RFDO*RPPXQLW\*<
J e r r y W. G r e b b , C PA and you don’t have to be Catholic to join!
F. Te r r y R e e d , C PA
R i c h a r d A . W a c h s m i t h , C PA 900 South Ruby Street • Ellensburg • 925-5633
C . J o s e p h H u b b a r d , C PA 110 North Fifth Avenue • Yakima • 248-2960
Estate & Business Planning
M a r i e L . R i e g e l , C PA
Income Tax Planning & Preparation F e l i c i a M . P e r s s o n , C PA
Accounting & Payroll Services J a c q u e l i n e M . O ’ C o n n o r, C PA
959881.P&P08.cnr
209 E. 5th Avenue • Ellensburg, WA 98926

(509) 925-9876
www.GJRW.com
www.catholiccu.org
957566.P&P08.cnr

local Wranglerettes equestrian drill and raising a family that included
team, winning a regional cutting Reed, an older sister and two younger Past award recipients
horse championship, and being one of brothers.
the founding members of the rodeo- John began involving himself in 2000 — Rex Rice
supporting Gold Buckle Club. cutting horse competition as he made 2001 — Bertha Morrison
In addition, she started and then friendships with Ellensburg Rodeo 2002 — Joel Smith
organized for 15 straight years the Posse and Rodeo Board members Lo 2003 — Mary McManamy Seubert
popular Gold Buckle Club party on and Art Driver and Tex Taliaferro.
Sunday night of rodeo weekend, an John later served on the rodeo board.
2004 — Oscar Berger
event that grew in popularity to the 2005 — Molly Morrow
point where it had to be limited to Deep rodeo roots 2006 — Gordon Wollen
1,000 people. In the meantime, Reed took to 2007 — Ken MacRae
“I guess you could say it’s kind of the horse, joining the Wranglerettes
like a big reunion of the Ellensburg equestrian team at 14 and learning
Rodeo family,” Reed said about the how to compete in cow cutting along-
annual party at the Springwood side her father and the Driver broth-
Ranch Party Barn. “You can run into ers.
old friends there and turn around
and talk to rodeo cowboys and rodeo
With the women’s mounted drill In her own words ...
team she rode in parades around the
clowns.” state, performed in the rodeo’s grand “The commitment and dedication
entry and during the rodeo itself. that the Driver family, the Ellens-
Western roots “It was thrilling to ride in the burg Rodeo Board and the city of
Reed’s parents, John and Frances rodeo,” she said. Ellensburg provides (to) the local
Burkheimer, purchased the Diamond Reed won a Northwest reserve cow
Bar Ranch west of Thorp off Killmore cutting championship as a novice in community, rodeo participants and
Road in the late 1940s. At the time 1958, served as an Ellensburg Rodeo the citizens of Kittitas Valley is truly
John worked as a real estate developer princess in 1959 and performed cut- inspirational and is representative of
in Seattle and the family lived in a ting horse demonstrations during the value system that I grew up with
rural home site near Bellevue. rodeo performances. in the Kittitas Valley.
John later built a home on the Reed graduated from Ellensburg “In receiving this award, I am ex-
ranch, and Reed remembers the High School in 1959, attended col- tremely honored to be included with
whole family moving to the Kittitas lege in Colorado, worked 10 years as
Valley in 1950 when she was 9 years a flight attendant for United Airlines the previous Driver award recipients.
old. and married in 1969 to Frank Reed, a “The Ellensburg Rodeo is a com-
Her life in the West had begun. U.S. Navy master chief. munity and national event that I have
“It was at this time I began to She moved with Frank to different always been proud of and support.
appreciate the values and all that duty stations throughout the country, I know that as a long-time Ellens-
country living had to offer,” Reed said, yet through the years always tried to burg Rodeo supporter, Rodeo Board
“especially the enjoyment I gained not miss an Ellensburg Rodeo. member and Driver family friend, my
from learning my way around a ranch After Frank retired from the Navy
and livestock. and from his work as a civilian father would be as proud as I am of
“I loved the simplicity and the hon- employee at the Trident submarine my receiving the Driver award.”
esty of the Western way of life.” base at Bangor, the family kept the — Ann Burkheimer Reed.
Reed’s father commuted two days a tradition of attending the rodeo.
week to Seattle for work, but the rest
of the time was filled with ranch work Continued on page 14
Grant’s Pizza Place...as much of a

tradtion as the Ellensburg Rodeo. Model KE Cleaners, LLC
For years, our customers have come
to Grant’s Pizza Place for the best
pizza around, not to mention our Welcome Rodeo Fans
” fun, family friendly
atmosphere.
PIZZA
959882.P&P08.cnr
959727.P&P08.cnr
PLACE
Environmentally Friendly Cleaners
716 East University Way • In the Plaza • Ellensburg, WA • 925-9855 or 933-2222 207 North Pine Street | 509.925.5389
Amanda Umberger for the Daily Record
Helping the club member Scott Repp, whose idea it The club’s dues and other club
Ann and Frank Reed were some of was to start the Gold Buckle Club, donations helped increase the
the first to join the Gold Buckle Club, said Ann’s volunteer work was rodeo’s purse which, in turn, attract-
and in 1993 Ann organized the club’s instrumental in helping get the club ed quality cowboy competitors to the
first party at the Burkheimer family off the ground and attracting new rodeo. The club’s support also is key
ranch near Thorp, reflecting a long members. in paying for improvements and new
tradition of rodeo parties conducted Repp remembers Ann’s brother, seating in the rodeo arena.
in past years. Bob Burkheimer, was one of the first Ann, after 15 years organizing the
After the third party at the ranch, it four who joined the club. party, handed over the event’s orga-
was clear the ranch was too small to “Ann was just a great worker bee nization to the staff of the Ellensburg
contain it. Ann remembers it moved for all those years,” Repp said. “Most Rodeo Ticket Office.
one year to the Steve Lathrop prop- came to the rodeo and the party to “Although I live on the West Side,
erty but then headed for the Spring- enjoy the events, Ann came to work. my roots were always more in the
wood Ranch party barn. “She, literally, did just about every- Kittitas Valley, and they still are,”
Former Ellensburg Rodeo Board thing to make that party a success; Ann said. “My heart’s with the
she even did hand-made invitations.” Ellensburg Rodeo.”

1960
Rodeo Timeline
1960 — Singing cowboy star Gene Autry rode in the Ellensburg Rodeo opening day parade Sept. 3
with a posse of youngsters from the Flying Horseshoe Ranch in Cle Elum.
1964
1964 — More than 11,000 people were in the stands for the Sunday performance, the largest crowd
yet.
1965
1965 — Saturday rodeo tickets cost $3 for the covered grandstand, or $2 for uncovered. The same
week at Sigman Food Stores, eggs were 89 cents for two dozen and bananas were eight pounds for
$1.
Best Contractor
Thank Y You... Buchanan

Construction,
to all our loyal
customers!
925-5527
Ellensburg
inc.
Cont Reg#BUCHACI160JT
Best Title Company Best Grocery Store
“Dedicated to Enhancing the of Kittitas County 962-7770

Real Estate Closing Process” 208 W. Ninth, Suite 6 • Ellensburg, WA 98926 200 E. Mountain View Ave.
1-888-444-9962 • (509) 933-4324 Ellensburg
Majority Owned by Local Employees www.kittitastitle.com
Best Home Improvement Store Best Mortgage Broker
WOODS
Presenting Truly Local Loans
HARDWARE & PLUMBING Equal Housing Lender

OVER 60 YEARS OF SERVING KITTITAS COUNTY CashmereValleyMortgage.com
101 W. University Way 803 W. First Street
310 North Pearl Street • Ellensburg, WA • 925-2961 Ellensburg Cle Elum
Best Realtor Best Insurance Agent

Scott Rollins
Thank you Insurance
Ellensburg for voting Agency Inc.
me the Best Real Estate Agent Scott Rollins, Agent
400 N. Pearl
2 years in a row! LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR Ellensburg, WA 98926
` 5CPF[9CNMGT STATE FARM IS THERE.®

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
State Farm Indemnity Company • Bloomington, IL
Bus: 509-925-1483
Providing Insurance and
(��) ��-�� • ��.SandySellsEllensburg.com statefarm.com Financial Services

When saddle bronc was king
By DON GRONNING
staff writer
When the Ellensburg Rodeo holds

its Blowout Bronc Riding event on
Sunday, Aug. 31 it will be paying hom-
age to a time when saddle bronc rid-
ing was the premier rodeo event.
In the early days of rodeo, almost
every community celebration in the
West had a saddle bronc riding con-
test.
In those days, bronc riding was a lit-
tle more rugged. There were no buck-
ing chutes, for instance. The bronc was
snubbed to another saddle horse and
saddled. The rider stepped aboard and
the horse was turned loose.
There were no 8-second whistles
in those days. Riders rode until the
judges were “satisfied.” Basically that
meant until the bronc quit bucking.
The process became more refined
over the years. Rodeos started using Don Gronning ⁄ Daily Record
bucking chutes. Rides went for a set
amount of time — 10 seconds at first,
Frank Beard with one of his colts that will one day be a saddle bronc.
later changed to 8 seconds. “One that creates a little excitement.” bucking horses now. There’s a reason
But the essential contest remained He says crowds perk up when they for that.
the same — a rider trying to stay hear the word “wild” and that’s how “I remember one time Ed Ring and
aboard a horse that doesn’t want to be he describes his broncs. myself went to Canada and bought a
ridden. So what makes a good buck- “They’re not calm, they’re not halter truckload of draft horses,” said King.
ing horse? broke,” he says. He runs about 600 “We thought we had some good ones.”
“A lot of things,” says Rod Hay, a horses on his Alberta ranch. They But only two of the 30 horses
veteran bronc rider and past Canadi- aren’t handled until they’re about 6 bucked and the only one that made
an champ who has won more than $2 years old. it into the rodeo string was a saddle
million riding saddle broncs. “Mostly Ellensburg has seen many great horse thrown in at the last minute to
it’s their personality. They have to horses over the years, broncs like fill out the truckload.
have the will to get a guy off their Snake, War Paint and Miss Klamath. “You never know what makes them
back.” Bud King’s Big Bend Rodeo Compa- buck,” said King.
Frank Beard of Ellensburg has ny used to supply horses to the Ellens- Doug Vold made the highest scored
been around bucking horses most burg Rodeo in the 1960s. King owned bronc ride ever in 1979. His score of
of his life. He owned and operated Trails End, the 1959 Bucking Horse of 95 has been tied but not broken. Vold
Beard Rodeos for more than 20 years, the Year and a recent inductee into comes from a rodeo family and is now
supplying bucking stock to rodeos the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. He says a in the business of raising bucking
around the country, including the horse’s attitude is the key to whether horses.
Ellensburg Rodeo and the National it makes a good bronc. He says horses that are bred to buck
Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. He says “It takes the right temperament,” are more likely to continue bucking
crowds like to see horses that get in King says. Trails End had that temper- after the first time or two.
the air and buck. ament. He was supposed to be a pack- “Those spoiled saddle horses don’t
“The crowd likes to see something horse, but he never took to it. Eventu- stay hooked too long,” says Vold. And
that has some swoops,” he says. “Peo- ally he ended up in a rodeo string and the life of a modern bucking horse is
ple like to see someone fall off once in the rest is history. a little more complicated than in the
a while.” But horses like Trails End, that don’t old days. Indoor arenas, lights and
Shane Franklin, a Canadian stock come out of a bucking horse breeding crowds all affect how they perform.
contractor, says he likes his bucking program, are becoming the minor-
horses to be unruly. ity. Most contractors breed their own
“I like one that’s not broke,” he said.
“It takes a long time to get ’em locked
in,” says Vold.
But once a horse has established
itself as a bucker, it can perform for
decades.
“Horses can buck in the big leagues
up to about 20 or so,” says Franklin,
whose saddle bronc, Kingsway Skoal,
was featured on a Canadian postage
stamp.
Kingsway is also being cloned, with
a colt due shortly, says Franklin.
Bucking horses, no matter how can-
tankerous, are beloved by cowboys.
When the famous bronc Midnight
died in 1936, more than 300 people
attended the funeral, a good many of
them cowboys who had been bucked
off the great horse, which had bucked
at Ellensburg.
Midnight was inducted into the
Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, as well
as into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
The late Dick Griffith was a rodeo
contestant who will be inducted into
the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame Kittitas County Historical Museum
this year. His words about Midnight “Under this sod lies a great bucking His name was midnight, his coal as
are inscribed on the horse’s gravestone hoss black as coal
and capture some of the affection There never lived a cowboy he If there is a hoss-heaven, please God,
cowboys hold for good bucking horses. couldn’t toss rest his soul”
OLD MILL COUNTRY STORE

FOR THE COUNTRY NEEDS IN YOUR LIFE
• PURINA DEALER
• WESTERN FASHION
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
• GROOMING AIDS
Old Mill Country Store 500 W. 3rd Ave, Ellensburg, 925-5397

Open 7:30am–6:00pm M-F; 8-5 Saturday; 9-4 Sunday
Rider risked court marshall to rodeo
in front so he’d put his feet in it), The following January was cold
By W.S. Wickerman bring him down and set on his head. and snowy, and the Navy looked
For the Daily Record We had a heavy old halter, which we attractive, so at the ripe old age of
would fit on and then pull the cinch 15 I joined up. Being six feet and 164
Editor’s note: The article was first through and tighten on a saddle. pounds, they believed me when I said
published in the 1972 Daily Record. We took turns getting up with them. I was 19.
Most wouldn’t buck very hard but Boot camp and a trade school, plus
Nobody who ever rode a head of once in a while there would be there my first ship the tanker, U.S.S. Ram-
stock remembers what happened on would be one that could turn it on papo and uncounted trips through
the first one. Whether you or whether and we’ve have the bruises to prove it. the Panama Canal took up 1927. The
it or hit the deck, it is a blur of violent In looking back from this vantage Ramapo during this time did a speed
motion and the mind is not condi- point it probably was a miracle that run and with the tail wind and the
tioned to react. all we got was some sore places — we movie screen rigged she did a rousing
A boxer calls it timing and he knows might have been crippled up on those 10 knots — empty. She also sailed into
not only how much effort it takes to wild ones. If we didn’t buck off, we a Carribean hurricane which carried
speed the reaction time but he will usually pulled off on the corral fence. away about everything including the
also soon learn that a fine edge can be It was all good clean fun and we catwalk, the after gun circle, complete
lost in just a few days. usually would heal up in a week or so. with a 5-inch gun, the deck load and
Long ago during the 1920 era some But, while we didn’t know it, we were the spud locker.
of us kids-would-be-bronc-stompers developing our timing. Because the ship had been under
used to spend Sundays running wild The year 1926 was my first try at water for two days we all put in for
horses in the Pocket. Occasionally we the Ellensburg Rodeo. I had ridden in submarine pay at Quantanama.
got lucky and ran in a bunch in an old some smaller shows and in the week- All good things come to him who
corral. end rodeo at Fergusons’ at the old waits and in the fall of ’28 we got orders
The idea then was to front foot ’em home place on what is now the Fergu- for Bremerton. It was rodeo time back
(let a horse run by and throw a loop son Road. in Ellensburg and a homesick sailor
>>
BR A TI N G
LE 5 YEARS!
E of providing
C
T
FEC
THE
P E R
E
R I D FOR
>
EVE
RY
STR
IDE
> Then COME BACK THIS HIS FALL
> >
and experience some great weather
and plenty of activities. Spend a
weekend fishing, river floating,
horseback riding, hiking, biking,
shopping and dining.
New Location!
in Downtown Ellensburg
Corner of 5th & Pearl | Ellensburg, WA | 933.2013
(509) 925-2002 • (888) 925-2204
954688.P&P08.cnr
Born Teva Merrell SAS Privo

www.VisitEllen.com • www.ellensburg-chamber.com Clarks Chaco Naot Haflinger Asics
Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce Brooks Dansko Crocs Indigo MBT

just wanted to see, smell and feel a line,” a white line about 60 feet out. The only problem was my timing and
horse again. Unfortunately, the execu- Sometimes a spinner would stay when she stopped I was still two jumps
tive officer didn’t understand about inside the line and the pay would still behind and did a very ungraceful
such things and denied a request for be $2.50. We rode everything with a handstand as she changed direction.
a short leave. So an AOL (absent over loose rope and cowbell. An enterprising photographer
leave) gob signed up to ride in the 1928 At the show that year was a brown caught it right there.
Rodeo not knowing whether the stock mare that piled some good boys the The Navy doled out justice in the
would be tougher than the court mar- first two days. I think it was Lou Rich- form of three days bread and water
tial waiting back on the ship. ards, then arena director, who conned plus a healthy fine upon my return,
In those days bareback riding was me into sittin’ on that mare the last which didn’t dim the warm feeling
not considered a competitive event day. She had a nasty way of chopping left by the show. After the Navy there
and we rode for “mount money” on hard for 4 or 5 jumps, then planting were many more rodeos in various
either horses or bulls. We got $2.50 her feet and changing directions. I had places, but 1928 sort of stands out in
out of the chute and $5 “across the it all figured out on how to ride her. my memory.

1968 1968 — A San Francisco consulting firm gave the rodeo board the results of its year and a half study.
Rodeo Timeline
Among other things, a survey showed that most fans came from the Puget Sound area and that “at least
a third” of them were interested in seeing the fair.
1971
1971 — Ellensburg photographer John Foster won a national award for his photo of Larry Mahan being
dragged by a bareback horse while pickup man Doug Vold leaped from his horse to free Mahan. Mahan
ended up with a broken leg.
1972
1972 — The Automobile Club of Washington ran 10 buses from Seattle area for the Saturday parade,
rodeo and barbecue at Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus Ranch. Attendance was up, with $72,108 in
revenue.
B
5 Generations
of Experience
BACH DRILLING
! FUEL REFUND ON S ELECT T R AILERS P URCH ASED
SALES, PARTS, SERVICE & RV SUPPLIES
WE CARRY: Horse, Living Quarters, Cargo, Flatbed, Utility, Dump,
Snowmobile, Truck Flatbed and Car.
SINCE D1894
DEALER FOR: Classic, Charmac, Exiss,
Sooner, C&B, Titan, Silverlite and Circle J
OVER 250 TR A ILERS IN STOCK!

Finding Water Is
Our Business
Over A Century Of Progress
1894-2007
(509) 925-6320
Classic’s Cell: (509) 899-7777
Largest Visit us at bachdrilling.com
Dealer
Your Satisfaction Is Guaranteed.
907 N. Hibbs Rd. (Exit 106) • Ellensburg, WA 98926 Locally owned and operated since 1943
PH. 509-962-5445 • TF. 888-342-2213 • www.lufttrailers.com Contr. Lic# MIKEBDC133N4 965033.P&P08.cnr

It just sounds like ... rodeo
By RYAN THOMPSON “Chestnut Mare” by The Byrds
staff intern Penned by Roger McGuinn,
“Chestnut Mare” tackled the subject
Rodeo-inspired songs, like rodeos themselves, are of bronco taming in a country-rock
brash, confidant expressions of individuality and the style, bringing country music themes
battle for success, whether against cattle, other cow- to hippie culture. Although country
boys, or for a woman’s heart. Here are just a few of the purists may have disliked the tune it
tunes that remind us why we put on spurs in the first depicted the subject as effectively as
place: any country song.
“Bullrider” by Johnny Cash “The Cowboy in the Continental Suit”
Cash summarizes bull riding in by Marty Robbins
three simple lines, “Live fast, die Robbins’ classic tune speaks of a
young, bull rider,” in his classic song cowboy who was mocked for dress-
about rodeo lifestyle. Cash reminds ing in a fine suit, but awed his peers
us that bull riding is neither glamor- with his bull riding skills. The mysteri-
ous nor easy by singing with the ous cowboy conquers a bull named
honesty that only Cash could. “The Brute,” teaching his fellow riders
to “never judge by what they wear.”
“Rodeo” by Larry Bastian/Garth Brooks “He rides the wild horses”
Popularized in the ‘90s by Brooks’ by Chris LeDoux
cover, Bastian’s tune expresses both A veteran of rodeo competition
the thrill of the rodeo and heartbreak himself, LeDoux wrote many songs
as he tells the tale of a cowboy torn about rodeos and cowboys, but this
between a woman and the rodeo. tune stands out above the herd. The
Although the cowboy’s girl would “give song paints a picture of a drifting
half of Texas” to hold him, rodeo com- cowboy whose “spirit’s as wild as the
petition keeps the cowboy captive. horses he rides.”
“I can still make Cheyenne” “Bandito Gold” by Red Steagall
by George Strait This is truly an epic song, tell-
Like Bastian’s “Rodeo,” “I can still ing the tale of a boy and his horse,
make Cheyenne” expresses the named Bandito Gold. The boy’s
difficulties of keeping love alive for father eventually sells Bandito Gold,
a cowboy. In Strait’s song the wife and the song moves throughout
never knows if he will survive the boy’s life. Now an adult, he must face
rodeo. The pressure becomes too his old horse at a rodeo, establish-
much, and she finds a new lover who ing the rodeo as a metaphor for the
“sure ain’t no Rodeo man.” twists and turns of life.
At Sahara Pizza, we are always

The best seat preparing the finest gourmet &
traditional pizzas...
in the house is Quality Furniture Since 1896
next to the
For 112 years, the best seat in the
house has started at Fitterer’s just for you!
Furniture in Ellensburg.
Generations of families have
ones you love! trusted Fitterer’s to provide the DINE IN | TAKE OUT | DELIVERY
selection they need, the quality
they want and the service they From Easton to Elk Heights, the Lake and
deserve. Furniture is an important Peoh Point...We’ll Deliver our Savory Pizzas.
investment in your home and
family.
212 East First St. | Cle Elum, WA
FITTERER’S IS THE FURNITURE STORE
4th & Main, Ellensburg WA • 509-925-9828 or 800-992-9828 YOU CAN TRUST.
509-674-5444
www.fitterersfurniture.com 961763.P&P08.cnr

Lingo: Know your cowboy talk
Added money — The purse put up around the saddle horn after the animal animal’s feet.
by the rodeo that is added to the is caught. Putting the boots to one — Spurring
contestant’s entry fees to make up the Dink — A bull or horse that doesn’t buck during a bull ride. It’s not required but it
total prize money. All PRCA-sanctioned hard enough for the cowboy to get a may earn extra points for the rider.
rodeos have added money. good score. Sucks back — When a bucking animal
Average — At rodeos with more than one Fading — A bull that spins and moves in suddenly plants its feet and sucks
go-round, contestants earn money for the direction of his spin. backward, pitching the riders over the
each go and those with the best total head.
score or time win additional money. Freight trained — When someone is run
over by an animal traveling at top speed. Sunfisher — The animal twists his body
Go-round — One round of competi- in the air so that daylight shines on his
tion. Rodeo events may have several Headhunter — A bull that is constantly
looking for someone to charge. belly.
go-rounds.
Out the back door — When a rider is Timers — In each timed event: tie-down
No time — Failure to qualify during timed roping, steer wrestling, team roping and
events that is signaled by the flagman by thrown off the hind end of the animal.
barrel racing, there are two timers who
waving the flag side to side. Pantyhosed — When the heeler catches must agree on the time made by each
Bail out — When a horse rears up on its a steer with the rope going around the contestant.
hind legs as it leaves the chute. animal’s flank, the roper is said to have
pantyhosed the steer.
Well — The center of the spin. Riders
Barrel man — Clown in barrel during the may get into the well and not be able
bull-riding Pickup man — A mounted cowboy who to regain balance, which creates a
assists contestants dismount during dangerous area for dismount.
Buford or pup — An easy animal to bareback and saddle bronc riding.
compete on in the timed events. Whipped down — Describes a rider that
Piggin’ string — A small, soft rope, 6-feet his jerked forward on the bull and his
Dally — A turn of the end of the rope long, used by tie-down ropers to tie the face smashes into the animal’s head.
S E N I O R L I VI N G
designed to fit your lifestyle
Assisted Living Apartments
Retirement Living Cottages We’ve Got YOU
Call for more information or a Covered For
DryCreek
personal tour 509-925-1220 The Fair & Rodeo
• plumbing • tack
Retirement and Assisted Living Community
818 E Mountain View Ave, Ellensburg
www.DryCreekALF.com • BH1811 • hardware • Georgia boots
962817.P&P08.cnr
Welcome to the 86TH Annual

MO #080251; Publication - Ellensburg Daily Record; Pub • FENCING SUPPLIES • nutrena feeds
dates - Aug. & Sept. 2008
Ellensburg Rodeo!
Exclusively Nutrena Feed
Tara K. Essman
Golf Savings Bank
Downstairs Sterling
Savings Branch
118 W 5TH Ave.
Ellensburg, WA 98926
954701.P&P08.cnr
509-925-4145 Office
509-899-4043 Cell
417 W. 3rd Ave 925-3525
Ellensburg, WA
tessman@golfsavingsbank.com www.golfsavingsbank.com

Rodeo memories
By DON GRONNING
staff writer “Ellensburg has always been one of my favorite rodeos. Brent
Minor and I won the state high school team roping champi-
Kittitas County people have been an integral part of the onship three times in a row and I graduated from Ellensburg
Ellensburg Rodeo since it started. Both in county roping High School, so more than winning, I enjoy coming back and
contests and major Professional Rodeo Cowboy Associa- seeing my friends. It’s a real special time for me. “
tion events, Ellensburg contestants have won their share.
We talked to as many riders, ropers and photographers ALLEN BACH,
as we could. Here are some of their memories from the FOUR TIME WORLD CHAMPION TEAM ROPER
Ellensburg Rodeo.
Contributed Allen Bach
we’re %&4*(/$&/5&3
Buckin’ >,3*64, 9 6+ ,6 - (5 :
For The 0WVHDV\WRWDNHDELWRIWKH

>,:;KRPHZLWK\RX
Ellensburg Rodeo 4UPQJOUPTFFPVS

✯
✯
Leath
Sofa & er Maker
W
Herita estern
TFMFDUJPOPG
Furnit ge
ure
8FTUFSO'VSOJUVSF
We’re also a local event
#FEEJOH(JGUT
)PNF%FDPS
Kittitas County
Public Utility District #1 ✯ 01&/&7&3:%":"5".
4PVUI$BOZPO3PBE&MMFOTCVSH
1400 East Vantage Highway (509) 933-7200 957177.P&P08.cnr
8&45
960059.P&P08.cnr

Rodeo memories
“I rode at Ellensburg three times, I think. I got bucked off two

and turned down a re-ride on another because I didn’t want to
get on the re-ride bull, which had jerked me down and broke
my nose at a rodeo in Idaho the year before. I think I entered
Ellensburg more than that but turned out a couple times and
doctor released after having surgery one year.
“My most vivid memory, though, was of the wild cow milking.
They say bull riders are tough, and they are, but I watched Pat
Nogle get off his horse and bend down to pick something up
after he got messed up in a dally in the cow milking. He tried to
pick it up with his right hand, but couldn’t, so he reached down
with his left hand. It turned out he had cut off his thumb in the
dally and was reaching down to pick it up. He got it, remounted
and loped out of the arena. That’s a tough guy.”
DAILY RECORD REPORTER DON GRONNING,
Contributed
COMPETED IN THE BULL RIDING IN THE EARLY 1980S
Thank you for selecting

Ellensburg Chevrolet as the
“Best Place in Kittitas County to buy a car”
2 years in a row.
MALIBU - 2008 CAR OF THE YEAR
EQUINOX SPORT
Cele
Yea brating
rs
to t of Ser Four
he K vice
2008 SILVERADO - BEST FUEL Vall ittitas
ey
ECONOMY AND POWER IN ITS CLASS
SERVICE • SELECTION • SATISFACTION
1008 CANYON RD • ELLENSBURG • 925�6985 957178.P&P08.cnr
956222.P&P08.cnr
WWW.EBURGCHEV.COM
Molly Morrow: love at
first Click
Morrow prepares
for another
year of rodeo
photography
By RYAN THOMPSON
staff intern
Official Ellensburg Rodeo Royal

Court photographer Molly Morrow
began her involvement in art with
pottery. But when she discovered
photography, it was love at first sight.
“When a photo comes together …
that’s like gold,” Morrow said. “I just
really enjoyed it.”
Morrow, 56, became involved with
photography through a photo silk
screening class she took with pro-
fessor John Agars during her time
as a broad area art major at Central
Washington University, she said. She
began doing more photography, and
her husband Joe built her a studio in
Photo by Joe Whiteside

1994. Morrow began taking photos
throughout the Kittitas Valley, and it
didn’t take Ellensburg residents long
to discover her work.
“People wanted me to take family
photos, wedding photos,” Morrow
said. “In Ellensburg you get to do
everything. I really grew as a photog-
rapher.”
Morrow found that her background
in art and pottery also applied to Molly Morrow
photography. livestock,” Morrow said. “The West- “I got my first horse in second
“You use art skills like paying ern part of what I do was always a big grade … to do what I do now is a
attention to texture and composition deal to me.” dream come true,” Morrow said.
in photography,” Morrow said. That love of Western photography Morrow’s appreciation for the cow-
She now takes a variety of photog- naturally led Morrow into rodeo boy lifestyle is obvious from her pho-
raphy jobs in Ellensburg, working photography, she said. She works tography skills.
from her studio downtown. However, for both the Ellensburg Rodeo and “I think Molly really understands
Western photos are Morrow’s favor- the Professional Rodeo Cowboys the Old West and captures it in her
ite. Association (PRCA), shooting rodeos
“I’ve just always loved horses and throughout the country. Continued on page 25

photos,” said Joella Oldfield, director ter … it’s like a challenge,” Morrow
of the Fred Oldfield Western Heri- said. “There’s always a real sweet
tage Center in Tacoma. moment right before you shoot, like
Oldfield knows Morrow’s skill with a sunset, right when the light is
from first-hand experience. Morrow perfect.”
has photographed Oldfield’s father, On top of her numerous other
renowned Western artist Fred Old- projects, Morrow began shooting
field, for magazines, news articles photos for Northwest Magazine in
and other media, and has also done February 2008. Morrow’s daughter,
photos of his artwork. 29-year-old daughter Annie Alley,
“Molly is truly an artist, “ Oldfield also writes for the magazine, and
said. “She gets a depth of feeling Morrow has shot photos for some of
in her photography that not many her articles, she said.
people can.” “Working with Annie is a dream
Ellensburg resident and retired come true,” Morrow said. “It’s really
rodeo stock contractor Frank Beard fun to go out on new assignments.”
agreed that Morrow has a gift for Morrow’s future photography
photography. plans outside of the professional
“She has a knack for getting world also involve her family.
pictures of bucking horses at the “One of the biggest things for me
rodeo,” Beard said. “There’s a lot of to look forward to is photographing
action in her photos.” my grandson as he grows up,” Mor-
Beard said Morrow has taken row said.
many photos of his stock. Whatever projects lie in Morrow’s
“It’s quite a big deal for the valley to future, it’s a safe bet that her work
have someone with her talent,” he said. will stay close to the rodeo.
The thrill of taking that next great “I just love the whole thing. It’s an
photo is the drive behind Morrow’s exciting time,” Morrow said. “Ellens-
work, she said. burg has a wonderful rodeo. I’m
“Right before you trip the shut- proud to be a part of it.”

! "#

! " # $% &! ' #

954731.P&P08.cnr

Rodeo memories
“We, as a family have had several memorable moments with
the Ellensburg Rodeo over the years. The two that really stand
out for us is that we were professional P.R.C.A. trick riders and
it seems that most local rodeos would not hire local talent
especially a rodeo the size of Ellensburg, as they did and still
do, pride themselves on having the top P.R.C.A. entertainers
perform at their performances. We had a neighbor that was
serving on the rodeo board at that time and he had the privi-
lege of seeing us perform for a small rodeo, he took it back to
the board and they asked us to perform for the 1971 Ellens-
burg Rodeo performances. We did and all went well, in fact,
we were asked back three additional years after that. This was
very memorable as we felt it would never happen for us.
The second memory also involves trick riding however,
this time it was our 9-year-old son Chad. He was one of the
youngest professional trick riders in the P.R.C.A. and he was
asked to fill a vacancy, due to one of the “Flying Cossacks”
troupe members getting injured at a prior rodeo. Not only did
he get to work Ellensburg but several other rodeos that year.
He was also signed to a work the rodeo a couple of years later
with Vickie Tyer and the “All-American Trick-Riders.”
As the results we have had the privilege of meeting and
knowing many of the top acts ever in professional rodeo such
as Montie Montana and his family, Connie Griffith, Corinne
Williams, John Payne, the One-Armed Bandit, the Flying
Cossacks, Francisco Zamorro, Max Reynolds, Peggy Minor
Hunt, Phil Gardenhire, Justin McKee, and Flint Rasmussen.
As a 30-plus year member of the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse and
the current Drill Master, we as a group have had many, too
Contributed
numerous to count memories from events and their winners,
getting to know and work with the very cream of the crop
of cowboy and cowgirl contestants, the special dedication
of performances to many of our close friends and fallen
comrades, and the many special stand out volunteers/cowboy Oscar Berger
and cowgirl contestants and their animals that have been
inducted into the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame.”
OSCAR AND BEVERLY BERGER,
PROFESSIONAL TRICK RIDERS WHO PERFORMED AT ELLENSBURG
“Although, I went to the short go several times, I never did

place in the average. But, what a thrill it was to rope against
some of the best ropers in the world, on Monday, in front of
those Ellensburg Rodeo fans.
“Probably, my biggest thrill was when I roped the fastest calf
of the performance, when Coca-Cola was giving away $100
for such a feat. At the end of the event, the (recipient) circled
the arena. It was pretty neat riding around that arena at your
hometown rodeo.
“In 1991, I was 10.6 seconds on my second calf and placed in
that go-round. I never thought I would be roping against those
Contributed
guys when I was 50 years old. I was 51 at the time.”

JACK WALLACE,
TIE DOWN ROPER WHO COMPETED MANY TIMES AT ELLENSBURG
Beverly Berger
Rodeo memories
committee members get a little recognition but the volunteers
work hard just for the satisfaction of helping out at the rodeo.
The rodeo wouldn’t happen without them.
“And, as someone who rodeoed in other states, there is a
feeling of pride knowing that your hometown rodeo is one of
the best in the world. It really is a class act.”
SAM KAYSER,
COMPETED MORE THAN 20 YEARS
Contributed
Cheryl Brown
“From the get go, I was a horse crazy girl and when I got my first
horse at age eight I was instantly captivated by the speed, adrena-
line and excitement of the sport of rodeo. It didn’t take long before
I was roping, barrel racing and goat tying in junior rodeos, high
school rodeos and I just finished up (my fourth) season with the
Contributed
Central Washington University college rodeo team.
“I have seen a lot and competed in a lot of rodeos across the
United States and I must say that the Ellensburg Rodeo is a
top-notch production and one of my favorites to watch. There
is so much history behind the rodeo and all the rodeo ‘greats’ J.P. Roan
have competed at Ellensburg. I am fortunate enough this year
to have the opportunity to compete in the well-known County “One of the most memorable times was when I broke the arena
Roping competition during the rodeo in breakaway roping record (3.8 seconds, in the steer wrestling in 1977). Another
and I hope to make it to the finals on Monday where with the time was when Sam (Kayser) and I made the finals together. We
best of the best will be dueling in the dirt! didn’t place in the average but it was neat that both of us made
the short round. I must have won three or four go-rounds here
“In the next few years I want to become a Women’s Profes- over the years but never could win the average.”
sional Rodeo Association member and get the chance to
compete and win the barrel racing competition at the Ellens- J.P. ROAN,
burg rodeo. STEER WRESTLER
“The week prior to the Ellensburg Rodeo this year, I will be
competing in the Miss Rodeo Washington pageant. The new
Miss Rodeo Washington is crowned at the Friday night perfor-
mance of the rodeo and I hope this is my year to win the title. “I’m 93 years old, so I don’t remember too well. But I used to
The Ellensburg rodeo is an event I look forward to each and rodeo quite a bit. I tried all the events but I liked calf roping
every year and I hope to be able to watch and compete in this and bronc riding the best. I used to place in the wild horse
famous rodeo for many more years to come.” race.
CHERYL BROWN “I can remember when they had the first rodeo. We lived next
door. It was quiet a deal for a small community and this was a
ROPER AND RODEO QUEEN CONTESTANT, DAILY RECORD AD REP. small community then.
“My wife and I still go to the rodeo every year. She’s blind but
“It was a pretty good rodeo to me. I first won money in says she can still hear it.”
1975 (calf roping) and the last time I won money was in
1994 (calf roping, steer wrestling).
CLIFF GAGE,
“Something that sticks out in my mind is all the hard work FORMER ALL-AROUND COWBOY
that the committee members and the volunteers do. The
ELLENSBURG RODEO ARENA MAP
BKW BKC BKE

SECTION SECTION
II JJ SECTION
SECTION KK NORTHEAST
HH SECTION ARENA SEATS
SECTION LL
SECTION GG
SECTION
FF BUCKAROO MM
SECTION SEATS SECTION

NN
EE
SECTION NORTH ARENA
DD SEATS
SECTION
CC GOLD
BUCKLE
SECTION WEST CLUB
BB ARENA
SECTION SEATS
AA SECTION
9
SOUTHEAST
ARENA SEATS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
N
SOUTH COVERED GRANDSTAND
W E
'JOF.FYJDBO$VJTJOF
Dahlias Direct from the
Grower to the Gardener! 877-4-DAHLIA
Buy Two Dozen U-Cut Dahlia Cutting Gardens
Get One Dozen Open Weekends August and September
FREE
LIMIT ONE
N ORTH BEND HOURS: Friday - Saturday - Sunday 10:00-5:00
From SE North Bend Way, 1 Mile down Mt. Si Road to 446th Ave. SE
Valid in the U-Cut THORP HOURS: Saturday - Sunday 10:00-5:00
Cutting Gardens for Exit 101 off I-90, on Gladmar Rd. 1/3 Mile past Thorp Fruit Stand
2008 Season Please follow the signs during our business hours!
+0*/64'03-6/$)%*//&3
Visit Our NEW THORP
Cutting Garden LOCATION w w w.dahliabarn.com
%BJMZ4QFDJBMT
'VO"UNPTQIFSF Dancing Yarns
Ewe Teas &
.BSHBSJUBT$PDLUBJMT
Welcome to Ellensburg!
&M$BQPSBM
We have a complete selection of
• knitting supplies • exotic yarns •
'".*-:.&9*$"/3&45"63"/5 • gourmet teas •
UI.BJO&MMFOTCVSH 962-KNIT (5648)
959731.P&P08.cnr
959733.P&P08.cnr
109 E 3rd Ave, Ste #1, Ellensburg, WA 98926

8TU4U$MF&MVN "DSPTTGSPN'BSN)PNF
Monday - Friday • 10 - 5:30 | Thursdays till 7pm | Saturday 10 - 4

%VSJOH3PEFP8FFLFOE Cindy Dewoody
DPNFTFFXIBU5JNPUIZ1BSL Welcome Rodeo fans Owner/Designer
IBTUPPGGFS Come see our great selection
of western giftware. Blossom Barn
Ellensburg’s #&45 5 residential rental community. We
offer 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, single and two story
“Floral and Gifts”
duplexes. Conveniently located near C.W.U. and the
business district of Ellensburg.
All duplexes 113 N Main St.
have spacious
floor plans, assigned parking,
Kittitas, WA
garages, fireplaces and
509.968.4440
954703.P&P08.cnr
washers & dryers in each unit.

Additional onsite storage is also
available.
To make Timothy Park your next home call us at
(509) 962-1300 or go to www.timothypark.net
www.kittitasflorist.com
Frontier Village gives kids and
adults a taste of the old days
By RYAN THOMPSON
staff intern
Although times have changed,

the pioneer spirit still prevails at the
Kittitas County Fairgrounds’ Fron-
tier Village.
Village caretakers Marv, 87, and
Betty Kelley, 85, work each year to
provide a classic experience for fair-
goers of all ages.
“The village draws people in. It
seems everyone that comes here is
looking for that ‘old’ feeling,” Betty
said.
The Frontier Village is made up
of restored buildings dating from
Ellensburg’s pioneer times, such as
the Manastash line cabin and Cook
family cabin, and also replicas of
classic buildings such as Robber’s
Roost, Marv said.
All buildings are decorated with
genuine antiques and staffed by vol- Don Gronning ⁄ Daily Record
unteers, who provide a bit of history Frontier Village caretaker Marv Kelley works each year to provide a unique experience
and entertainment for fairgoers.
for Fairgoers.
Ellensburg resident Gerald Hunt
started the Frontier Village in the
late 1970s to display a bit of his-
tory for Ellensburg residents, Marv
said. The Kelleys became involved
with the village in 1980 when Hunt
enlisted Betty in 1980 to decorate an
antique building to look like a store,
Betty said.
Hunt moved the historic building,
which was built in 1900, from its
original Ellensburg location to the
Frontier Village so he could create a
store setting.
Betty took him up on the plan and
decided to manage a real store in the
village, modeling it after the penny
candy business from her youth, she
said.
“I thought all little boys should
have the chance to buy candy
directly from an adult and look eye-
to-eye across the counter at them,
like in the old days,” Betty said.
Betty named the business Hunt’s
General Store and decorated the
Don Gronning ⁄ Daily Record
building with many antiques from
Candy for 1¢! Kids can get a taste for the good ol’ days when candy only cost a penny.
her home. She began selling 50-cent
pickles and the ever-popular penny
candy, which does cost just one
penny. Kids literally ate it up.
“We eventually had to limit
the amount one kid could spend on
candy,” Betty said with a laugh.
With a love of history and the pio-
neer ideals of old, Marv and Betty
began helping out more with the
village. Hunt passed away in the
1980s and his wife took up running
the village, Marv said. The Kelleys
continued helping out, and began
running it themselves about 10 years
ago, Marv said.
Marv was more than happy to do
the work and maintenance needed
to run the village, which he still con-
tinues to this day.
“It’s fun, and I enjoy building,”
Marv said.
The village offers many events
including getting one’s photo taken
in the fake stocks and entering the
log sawing contest, a popular com-
petition that was once held inside
the village but will take place direct-
ly in front of the village’s entrance
this year, Marv said. Contestants
work together to saw through a log
using a cross cut and beat their
opponents’ time, Marv said
“It’s not a matter of strength, it’s a
matter of balance and timing,” Marv
said.
The village appeals especially to
children, Marv said, offering enter-
tainment such as panning for “gold.”
The popular gold is actually fool’s
gold or pyrite, but don’t tell the kids
that.
“The kids are wide eyed, and will Joe Whiteside ⁄ Daily Record
tell you stories about taking gold to
Fairgoers stand in line for the Super One Foods Community Lunch in 2007.
school,” Betty said.
If the children aren’t busy making Of course, no pioneer town is the village, Marv said. The vil-
their fortune, they might be found complete without a saloon. How- lage is completely volunteer run
at the country schoolhouse, a tradi- ever, don’t go looking for a shot of and mostly self sufficient, gaining
tional style school building ran by whiskey at this watering hole. money needed for maintenance and
former public school teacher and “We only stock Henry Weinhardt’s improvements by selling soda in the
Ellensburg resident Donna Nyland- finest root beer,” said Marian Ger- saloon and goods at Hunt’s General
er. She teaches a few lessons in basic rits, an Ellensburg resident and Store, Marv said.
subjects each day for children, also volunteer who staffs the saloon. The The Kelleys plan on running the
offering poetry readings and per- root beer is a top seller among young village as long as they can, Marv
formances by musicians, Nylander and old alike, Gerrits said, often said, bringing a bit of the old west
said. drawing in old friends. back to modern Ellensburg and
“I make it interesting for the “Kids who I met four years ago delighting fairgoers in the process.
kids and try to do things that are will come back and say ‘hi,’” Gerrits “We’ve watched kids come in,
old fashioned so they can have the said. grow up, and then bring their fami-
experience of what it was like before Many of those same children lies to the village,” Betty said. “We
television,” Nylander said. come back later as volunteers at get wonderful people here.”

Rodeo & Fair schedule
Thursday, August 28 10 a.m. Cowboy Church
• Located in Section KK (NE Arena)
7 a.m. Rodeo Slack • Open to public
10 a.m. Kittitas County Fair opens 12 p.m. Carnival and Midway Rides Open
12 p.m. Carnival and Midway Rides open 12:45 p.m. Ellensburg Rodeo • Tough Enough to Wear Pink
7 p.m. Hall of Fame Banquet (Doors open at 6pm) 6:45 p.m. Broncs Blowout
• Limited number of tickets available through the Ticket • $12 general admission tickets
Office for $35
• Bronc riding and exhibition drills performed by mounted
• Dinner and Induction Ceremony at New CWU Student posses
Union Ballroom
• Posse games to follow
10 p.m. Kittitas County Fair closes
Friday, August 29 Monday, September 1

10 a.m. Kittitas County Fair opens
8:30 a.m. Cattle Baron’s Brunch
12 p.m. Carnival and Midway Rides open
• Located at the Reed Park on the hill overlooking the
6:45 p.m. Opening Performance of the Ellensburg Rodeo Rodeo Arena
• Tickets available through Rodeo Office (800) 637-2444 • Sponsored by Young Life
• Crowning of Miss Rodeo Washington 2009 • Tickets available through the Rodeo Office $20 per
• Rodeo Tickets provide admittance to the Fair on the same person
day • so come early and enjoy both the Rodeo and the 10 a.m. Kittitas County Fair opens
Fair!
11:45 a.m. Ellensburg Rodeo Finals
Saturday, August 30 (Event schedule is subject to change.)

6:30 a.m. Pancake Breakfast (8th & Ruby • Albertson’s parking lot)
• cost is approximately $5.00 per person
9:30 a.m. Western Parade (downtown)
12:45 p.m. Ellensburg Rodeo
8 p.m. PRCA Xtreme Bulls Event
• Tickets available through Rodeo Office (800) 637-2444
• Gates open at 7 p.m./show starts at 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 31
8 a.m. Pancake Breakfast (8th & Ruby • Albertson’s parking lot)
Joe Whiteside ⁄ Daily Record
ACT NOW
FOR ACTION!
AVAILABLE AT WEBB POWERSPORTS

3 -YEAR NO PAYMENTS FINANCING OPTIONS
$
69 3.9 % OR
LIMITED WARRANTY
6-MONTH BRP LIMITED WARRANT†
†
OR
FOR OR
AS
LOW
AS
6 MONTHS
A MONTH APR FOR
PLUS 30-MONTH B.E.S.T. ‡ AT 6.9% APR
FOR 24 MONTHS**
UP TO
60 MONTHS††
EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT (Maximum amount financed is $11,900 per transaction)
On new and unused adult Quest™, Traxter™, On select new and unused Bombardier* ATV On select Bombardier ATV and
Outlander™ (including MAX models) and Renegade™ models and Can-Am ATV adult models (excluding Sarasota™) Can-Am ATV adult mo dels (excluding Sarasota™)
HURRY! THIS OFFER ENDS SOON.

Go to can-am.brp.com or Webb Powersports for details.
907 Hibbs Road | (509) 933-1737
Ellensburg, WA 98926 (Next to Luft Trailer Sales)
©2008 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. * Trademark of Bombardier Inc. used under license. In the U.S.A., the products are
distributed by BRP US Inc. Offers valid in US only from July 1, 2008 to August 31, 2008. † 3-Year Limited Warranty: Eligible units are all new and unused adult Quest, Traxter, Outlander (including MAX models) and Renegade models. The buyer of such models
will receive the 6-month BRP Limited Warranty plus 30-month B.E.S.T. extended service contract subject to a $50 deductible on each repair. Exception to Florida residents who will receive the 6-month BRP Limited Warranty plus additional 30-month BRP Limited
Warranty. See your participating BRP Can-Am dealer for all details and to receive a copy of the BRP Limited Warranty and B.E.S.T. contract. FINANCING OPTIONS: Revolving Offer: ‡ Option 1: 6 Months No Payments & No Interest (Valid on BRP Can-Am Product
purchased between July 1, 2008 and August 31, 2008 when you use your BRP credit card.): Valid on promo purchase, no monthly payments required for 6 months if (1) any minimum monthly payments on account paid when due, and (2) account balance does
not exceed credit limit. Otherwise, promo may be terminated. Finance Charges do not accrue during promo period. Standard terms apply to non-promo purchases, optional charges and existing accounts. As of 06/30/08, variable APR’s: 17.90% and on all accounts in default, 28.99%.
Minimum Finance Charge $1.50. Subject to approval by GE Money Bank. ** Option 2: Low monthly payment:Applies to purchases of select Bombardier* ATV and Can-Am ATV models (excluding Sarasota) made between July 1, 2008 and August 31, 2008 on a BRP consumer credit
card account. Fixed minimum monthly payments of $69.00 will be required each month during the promotional period, in addition to any other minimum payments. Finance charges will be applied to the promotional balance at the fixed daily periodic rate of .0189% (corresponding fixed
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE of 6.9%) during the 24 months promotional period. If minimum monthly payments on your account (including optional insurance/debt cancellation charges) are not paid when due, or account balance exceeds credit limit, all special promotional terms may
be terminated. Standard account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. Optional credit insurance/debt cancellation charges on your promo purchase are not subject to the promotional terms. As of 06/30/08, variable APR is 17.90% and on all accounts in default 28.99%. Minimum
finance charge is $1.50. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for standard terms. Offer is subject to credit approval by GE Money Bank. Maximum amount financed is $11,900 per transaction. †† Closed-end Offer: Option 3: Low APR: Offer subject to credit ap-
proval. Applies to purchases of select Bombardier* ATV and Can-Am ATV models (excluding Sarasota) made on an installment loan account between July 1, 2008 and August 31, 2008. A fixed APR of 3.9%, 6.9%, 10.9%, 13.9%, 14.9% will apply based on credit approval criteria for the
term of the loan. Monthly payments over 60-month term would be: $18.37 per $1,000 financed at 3.9% APR and $23.74 per $1,000 financed at 14.9% APR. Minimum amount financed: $2,000. Other conditions and restrictions may apply. The terms and conditions may vary from state to
state and the promotion is subject to termination or change at any time without notice. Void where prohibited. Any financing information contained herein constitutes an offer by GE Money. BRP is not responsible for any errors, changes or actions related to financing provided by GE
Money Bank. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligation. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. BRP highly recommends that all ATV drivers take a training
course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: always wear a helmet, eye protection, and other protective clothing. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t
mix. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Never carry passengers on any ATV not specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speeds and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. ATVs with engine sizes of greater
than 90cc are recommended for use only by those aged 16 and older. Outlander MAX ATVs: These ATVs are recommended for drivers age 16 and older, and passengers age 12 and older only. BRP urges you to “TREAD LIGHTLY” on public and private lands. Preserve your future riding
opportunities by showing respect for the environment, local laws and the rights of others when you ride. Make sure that all laws, regulations, and BRP’s warnings/recommendations for ATV passengers are respected. Ride responsibly.

Cowboy hats: A mark of style
By DON GRONNING
staff writer
Felt
Cowboy hats are both a fashion statement and a use-
ful tool. For working cowboys and cowgirls, hats provide
shade and protection from the elements, as well as look-
ing stylish. We talked to Matthew Range, who does mar-
keting for Hatco, the company that owns Resistol and
Stetson hats, for some advice on hats.
Felt or straw?
One of the first questions a hat buyer needs to answer
is felt or straw. In hot weather, straw hats are lighter and
more airy, although they don’t survive getting stepped
on as well as felt hats. Straw cowboy hats are also
cheaper, priced from about $20-$100. Straw is a bit of a
misnomer. Most straw cowboy hats are made of shan- Straw
tung, a high performance paper that is rolled into a yarn
by hand in China.
Cost
“Think about what you want to spend,” says Range.
As with most things, as the quality goes up, so does the
price. With felt hats, wool felt hats are at the cheaper
end of the spectrum, selling for about $60. Wool-fur
blends are the next step, with fur blends making up the
top end of the felt hat market. Range says Hatco offers a Old Style
1,000 X Stetson made of a beaver, chinchilla blend that Tom mix
sells for $5,000. You can get a nice rabbit-beaver blend
for about $180, he says.
Color
The next thing to decide is the color. “Try on a variety
of colors,” says Range. “Some colors look better on some
people than others.”
He says black is the most popular color, followed by
silver belly, palomino, mist grey and silver grey.
Hat bands, accessories

Fit “Hat bands make the hat your own,” says Range. Hats
“The best way to get the right fit is to try on different usually come with a band but beads, horsehair, silver
sizes,” says Range. He says if you can’t try on different and leather are all used in hat bands.
sized hats, you can measure your head with a measur-
ing tape. You measure about an inch above the eyebrow
and go round the biggest part of the head. Then divide Style
the measurement by pi (.314) or see the chart. Most men Brims and crowns are what distinguish Western hats
are 7-7 3/8 and most women fall into the 6 3/4 - 7 1/8 from other hats. Most Western hats have 4-inch brims,
size, he says. 4.25 inches if the brim has a bound edge. “We’ve noticed
Head shape also figures into hat fitting, which is brims getting slightly bigger,” says Range. “Our biggest is
another reason to try on the hat first. Most heads are 5 inches.”
oval but how oval varies. Some heads are not oval, says The most popular crown is 4 5/8s inches. Open crowns
Range. are coming back into style, says Range. With an open or
non-shaped crown, you can crease it however you want.

Cowboy hats: etiquette
By Longfellow Deeds remove them when being introduced, and remove
www.thelastbestwest.com them when entering a lady’s home.
No other piece of clothing carries such a compli- • Men never tipped their hats to other men in the
cated set of rules involving its wear. Here are some Old West. It was akin to calling them a woman.
traditional rules for wearing a cowboy hat — and A nod was a common greeting when not shaking
some we think are just good manners. hands. The Code of the West
• In commercial or public buildings it’s not neces-
• Any hat should be removed when eating any- sary to remove your hat — but should be when en-
where, that includes baseball caps! tering a private office. Generally considered polite
• Any hat should be removed when the national to remove it in a private home, unless other people
anthem of any country is played. Hold your hat in are wearing their hat.
your right hand, over your heart. This applies to • Wearing a (cowboy) hat to a theatre or movie is
women, unless their hat is held on with hat pins. fine but should be removed if it blocks anyone’s
• Cowboys tip their hats to ladies when outdoors, view of the entertainment.
Each Office Independently

Owned & Operated
T HEMOUNTAINTEAM.COM
From the Cascades to the Columbia
Phone • 509-656-2371 RE/MAX Northwest Realtors • Easton Laura • 509-674-1120
Toll Free • 800-356-3750 2480 E. Sparks Rd./PO Box 457 Larry • 425-443-7911
Fax • 509-656-0150 Easton, WA 98925 Tom • 509-674-1120
Rodeo memories
“It has been said, ‘Just before one dies or thinks they
are dying your entire life passes before you,’ ... not so.
Normally I prefer being near the chutes during the
bucking stock events. For two reasons: I like to hear the
chatter among riders and chute workers and I cannot
afford the fancy long lenses most photographers have,
which allow them to stand on the track in front of the
main grandstand. They do get better photographs.
“In the late 1970s or early ’80s I found myself in the
middle of the arena. A bull already had tossed its would-
be rider and was freelancing around the arena looking for
something to hit. A track runner in high school, I knew
I could outrun any bull. All I had to do was reach a gate
panel leaning against the arena fence.
Surprise ... the gate panel was not fastened to the fence
along the main grandstand fence. Oh, I knew I would
reach the panel just ahead of the bull, but I did not know
the panel would fall into the arena when I made my first
climbing step.
“Any moment I expected to feel a set of horns hit my ribs,
Contributed
but my life did not pass in front of me ... only the thought
of who was the so and so who leaned that gate panel
against the track fence without fastening it. Apparently
the bull saw photographer Bob Case in the stands and
decided to give him a full-face view to photograph rather
than kill an arena photographer.” John Foster makes his escape ... barely.
— JOHN FOSTER,
AWARD WINNING RODEO PHOTOGRAPHER AND FORMER ELLENSBURG RODEO
COMMITTEEMAN
Welcome Rodeo Fans

“Last year was the first year for me to ride and it didn’t go
very well (he was bucked off). But it is a good rodeo and
I’ll be back this year.”
GETTIN HUNGRY?
ALLEN HELMUTH, Mosey on down to Perkins for scrumptious
PRCA BULL RIDER breakfasts, tasty lunches or
mouth-watering dinners, that will whet
your appetite...
...or...
“I’ve watched my Dad (Sam Kayser) a lot there. I’ve roped try something from
there twice as a PRCA roper. It’s a little nerve wracking our delicious bakery.
competing at your hometown rodeo, but it’s fun too.”
Breakfast, Dinner
KASS KAYSER, and everything in between.
PRCA TIE DOWN ROPER Open 6 am - Midnight
For Your Dining Convenience
925-4662
Exit 106 Off I-90

Desire. Opportunity. Achievement.
Central Washington University —
supporting the unified hard work
and dedication of Central’s Rodeo
Club students and all Ellensburg
Rodeo athletes.
CENTRAL
WWWCWUEDUs
CWU is an AA/EEO/Tpitle IX Institution. TDD 509.963.2143
STRUT
YOUR STUFF
At the Kittitas County Fair
Pre-Purchase
August 28 - September 1 · 2008
your *P.O.P.
Bracelets by Aug.
27 & Save $5
Come & Enjoy all of the Great FREE
Bracelets are available at: Entertainment all weekend long,
featuring:
Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce
609 N. Main Street
Kittitas County Fair Office
512 N. Poplar Street
Old Mill Country Store
500 W. Third Avenue
“Elvis”, SFC Jaime Buckley-US Army,
Arnold’s Ranch & Home
615 S. Main Street
Kids Tractor Pull and Much More!
Super 1 Foods
200 E. Mountain View Avenue
*Bracelets do not include the cost of fair admission www.kittitascountyfair.com | 509.962.7639 | 800.426.5340
958225.P&P08.cnr

Rodeo memories
“Over 30 years ago, a group of girls from the West Side and
a group from the east side of the mountains (Ellensburg)
formed a barrel racing club. It was called the Washington
Barrel Racing Association. We pursued the rodeos to have a
barrel race during their event.
“The Ellensburg Rodeo was hard to convince and we ended up
having our races in the posse night show. It turned out to be a
real success and fun to watch. The next year we were allowed
to have our barrel race inside the Ellensburg Rodeo.
“I competed for more than 20 years and won my share of
buckles and races. But more importantly, I made many friends
throughout the Northwest and helped many girls get started
in a sport I had a lot of fun with.
“Today women from across the country come to Ellensburg to
compete Labor Day weekend for a chance to win over $3,000
in the rodeo.”
NORMA DOAK,
BARREL RACER
Contributed
Norma Doak
With over 150 years of combined real estate experience, our family
of agents have the knowledge that you can trust and deserve!
509.925.5577 808 S. Main St.

800.448.5958 www.EllensburgProperty.com Ellensburg, WA
Rodeo memories
“Last year was my first year to compete at Ellensburg and I
placed in a round. I was pretty excited.”
JARRED THOMAS,
PRCA STEER WRESTLER
“I looked forward to (the rodeo) every year. I don’t think I’ve

missed one. I haven’t had any luck in the major events but
last year I won the wild cow milking and I’ve won the county
roping three times.”
JASON MINOR,
PRCA ROPER
“The first year I entered the Ellensburg Rodeo was 1947. I drew
a horse called Open Switch and he took a run at me and threw
me off. I never had any luck riding at Ellensburg. I would go to
Joe Whiteside
Moses Lake and ride the same horse and get a check.”
FRANK BEARD,
BAREBACK, SADDLE BRONC RIDER IN 40’S, ‘50S
Jason Minor
COMING TO ELLENSBURG THIS FALL

, “ T he Weddin
g Singer” AN EVENING WITH
COLIN MOCHRIE &
in e e l specials
rd Nom dy Centra
Tony Awa o C o m e
f tw
and star o
BRAD SHERWOOD
ept. 26
Friday, S ., CWU
CWU Homecoming event
TICKETS: 7:30 p.m Union Saturday, Oct. 25
509-963-1301 Student om 8 p.m., CWU
$15/$25/$35 Ballro
Student Union
TICKETS:
509-963-1301
STUDENT UNION
www.colinandbradshow.com
BOX OFFICE
$15 CWU students

www.stephenlynch.com
Advisory: $25 general

Mature Content $35 reserved
For more information, call
Campus Life at 509-963-1691
Sponsored by Campus Activities

For more information, call 509-963-1691 AA/EEO/Title Institution.
967501.P&P08.cnr
TDD 509-963-2143.

Rodeo memories
“One year (about 1968) Larry Wyatt and I had

were trying to get to Walla Walla for a night perfor-
mance after we got through at Ellensburg. I was
driving and we were going down the road about
as fast as you could go pulling a horse trailer and
we had some shirts on a hanger in the back seat.
“One of the shirts came off the hanger and
wrapped around my head. We were going about
90 or so and I just froze to the wheel. Larry had to
get the shirt off my head.
“It was hard to explain to the other cowboys why
I had all these scratch marks on my neck.”
CHET “TUFFY” MORRISON,
ALL-AROUND COWBOY WHO COMPETED MANY TIMES IN SEVERAL
EVENTS
“I grew up here, so I guess I started going to the

Ellensburg Rodeo in about 1962. I remember
watching guys like Dean Oliver and Tom Ferguson
and guys like that. Then I started roping. I was
pretty nervous that first year, in the county roping.
Eventually I got my PRCA card and competed in
the calf roping in the PRCA rodeo. To go from
sitting in the stands to competing here was a life-
long dream.”
BOB KELLEY,
Photo by Molly Morrow

TIE DOWN ROPER
Bob Kelley
Rodeo Timeline

1975
1975 — Ticket sales for the rodeo were $98,847, an increase of $18,427 from the previous year.
1978
1978 — A 1,200-seat grandstand replaced the bleachers at the northeast corner of the arena. Ticket
sales grew to $119,176.
1981 2002
1981 — Team roping was added for 2002 — The popular Extreme Bulls
Rodeo Timeline
the first time. Doyle Gellerman and event was started with an exhibition
Walt Woodard won the event. contest in Ellensburg. The stand-
alone bull riding event brought out top
1982 competitors, with B.J. Schumacher
1982 — The first four-performance
winning the event. The Professional
rodeo was held, with 526 entries. The
Rodeo Cowboys Association picked
rodeo was also was televised, with
up the concept and a national tour
Larry Mahan doing color commentary.
was started.
1984 2004
1984 — Johnny Cash and June
2004 — Cody DeMars broke his own
Carter performed during a cold Friday
arena record in the saddle bronc rid-
night performance. Ticket sales for
ing with an 89-point ride aboard Toddy
the rodeo rose to $180,299, up from
of the Flying Five rodeo string.
$161,684.
2005
1985 2005 — Georgia native Ryan Jarrett
1985 — Yakima County Posse mem-
tied the arena record for the tie-down
ber Bill Toney was killed when his
roping contest with 7.5 seconds. He
horse veered and he struck a post
also won the all-around title.
during the Cliff Race.
2007
1968 2007 — Ellensburg High School
1988 — Texan Cody Lambert won the
graduate and four-time world cham-
all-around title, becoming the first rid-
pion team roper Allen Bach was
ing event contestant since 1971 to win
inducted into the Ellensburg Rodeo
the all-around. He placed in the bull
Hall of Fame.
riding and saddle bronc riding.
1990
1990 — The Ellensburg Rodeo
dropped its slogan “Greatest Show
on Dirt” after being sued by Ringling
Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus.
1991
1991 — The city of Ellensburg and Kit-
titas County agreed to a joint funding
plan to construct a new steel grand-
stand behind the bucking chute. It was
to cost $35,000 and would seat 1,100.
1993
1993 — The rodeo made a record
profit of $106,813, including income
from non-ticket sources.
1997
1997 — The Rodeo Grandmas ap-
peared on the Rosie O’Donnell Show.
2000
2000 — The Budweiser Clydesdales
and their handlers were named Grand
Marshals for the Rodeo Parade.
Contributed

A history of rodeo events
Roots of tie-down
Rodeo competition was a natural exten- roping can be
sion of the daily challenges cowboys traced back to the
confronted on the ranch — roping working ranches
calves and breaking broncs into saddle of the Old West.
When calves were
horses. Bull riding, which is intention-
sick or injured,
ally climbing on the back of a 2,000- cowboys had to
pound bull, emerged from the fearless rope and immobi-
and possibly fool-hardy nature of the lize them quickly
cowboy. The risks are obvious. Serious for veterinary
injury is always a possibility for those treatment. Ranch
fearless enough to sit astride an animal hands prided
that literally weighs a ton and is usually themselves on the
equipped with dangerous horns. Re- speed with which
gardless, cowboys do it, fans love it and they could rope
bull riding ranks as one of rodeo’s most and tie calves.
popular events. Bull riding is danger-
ous and predictably exciting, demand-
ing intense physical prowess, supreme
mental toughness and courage.
Continued on page 43 Joe Whiteside ⁄ Daily Record
WE SET THE Serving Kittitas County With

Top Quality Produce • USDA Choice Beef
STANDARD Highly Praised Bakery • Full Service Deli
Large Natural & Organic Foods Section
West
to I-90
Exit 106
University Way • CWU Campus
Inside Super 1 Foods

Chestnut Street
Central
Main Street
Business
District 0
Main & Mountain View • Ellensburg, WA
Mountain View
RODEO
Rd.
Canyon
509.962.7770
I-90
Exit 109
I-9
0
959873.P&P08.cnr

Grooming
Self-Serve
Pet Wash
509.962.2505
KITTITAS COUNTY’ S
959763.P&P08.cnr
DIRTY DOGS!
Team roping, the only true team event in ProRodeo, requires Welcome
close cooperation and timing between two highly skilled rop-
ers — a header and a heeler — and their horses. The event
originated on ranches when cowboys needed to treat or brand
Rodeo Fans
large steers and the task proved too difficult for one man. The
key to success? Hard work and endless practice. Team roping
while in town stop in for a
partners must perfect their timing, both as a team and with bit of home cookin’
their respective horses.
Photos by Joe Whiteside Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner or
anytime in between.
OPEN at 6 am EVERYDAY
Welcome Rodeo Fans

1800 Canyon Road, Ellensburg • Exit 109 off I-90
960050.P&P08.cnr 509-962-6222
Now Featuring Homes

S Available at
TONEGATE
Exclusive Equestrian
View Lots
Saddle bronc riding is

rodeo’s classic event, both a
complement and contrast to
the wilder spectacles of bare-
back riding and bull riding.
This event demands style, Visit our w
ebsite
grace and precise timing. at www com
Bareback riders endure more Saddle bronc riding evolved .StonegateHome.
abuse, and carry away more from the task of breaking
long-term damage than all and training horses to work Call Marlene Pfeifer
other rodeo cowboys. The the cattle ranches. Many to see these homes or many others from
event, like saddle bronc rid- cowboys claim riding saddle RE/
RE/M
RE/MAX Community Realty
ing, evolved from the need broncs is the toughest rodeo 509-899-0702 • marlene@elltel.net
to break new horses for a event to master because of www.MarlenePfeifer.remax.com
cowboy’s needs on a ranch. the technical skills necessary COMMUNITY 700 EAST MT. VIEW, SUITE 504
for success. REALTY ELLENSBURG, WA 98926
968287.P&P08.cnr
Continued on page 44 Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present 43
Like bareback and sad-
dle bronc riders, the
bull rider may use only
one hand to stay aboard
during the 8-second
ride. If he touches the
bull or himself with his
free hand, he receives
no score. But unlike the
other roughstock con-
testants, bull riders are
not required to mark
out their animals. While
spurring a bull can add
to the cowboy’s score,
riders are commonly
judged solely on their Speed and strength are the name of the game in
ability to stay aboard steer wrestling, but in the days of old, a steer wres-
the twisting, bucking tler was a man who took down an injured steer in
mass of muscle. need of doctoring. The objective of the steer wres-
tler may have changed, but he still uses strength
and technique to wrestle a steer to the ground
as quickly as possible. A perfect combination of
strength, timing and technique are necessary for
success in the lightning-quick event of steer wres-
.
tling.
Photos by Joe Whiteside
8FµMMSPVOEZPV
VQBIPNFPSBCVZFS
DBVTFXFµSFUIF
"$5*0/
., ,
5&".

/PSUI.BJO
. KELLEY REALTY
&MMFOTCVSH
Inc.
BOB
XXX, &--&: 3 &"-5: DPN 953204.P&P08.cnr

952409.P&P08.cnr

How to score
riding events
Judges’ job is to get rides
ranked correctly
By DON GRONNING not uncommon, although
staff writer most riding events are
won with rides in the mid
Judging riding events is to upper 80s.
one of the most confus- In the bareback, saddle
ing things about rodeo for bronc and bull riding
many rodeo spectators. events, two judges each
Even veteran cowboys are use 50 points, 25 for the
sometimes puzzled by animal and 25 for the
judges’ scores. rider, with a total of 100
Regardless of the score, points possible for the
the judges’ job is to get the ride. The particular ani-
rides ranked in the correct mal a rider competes on
order, according to John is selected by a random
Davis, head of pro officials draw.
for the Professional Rodeo The judge’s position is
Cowboys Association. important when judging,
“Points are important and one judge is on each
to the fans,” said Davis, side, concentrating on that
who said scores have got- side. Photo by Joe Whiteside
ten higher in recent years. To get a score, riders
“But it’s more important must stay on the animal 8 Riders must have their spurs touching the horse above the break of
that the money goes to the seconds, starting when the the shoulder when the horse’s front feet hit the ground on the first
right people. I think you animal turns out of the jump out of the chute. If this isn’t done, they have “missed out” the
can do both.” chute. Contestants must horse and receive a zero, no matter how good the ride is after that.
Larry Davis, John’s only hold on with one
brother, was a pro bull hand and are disqualified the horse and if it isn’t he explains things correctly,
rider, who won such if they touch the animal done properly, the rider is the fans will understand.”
prestigious rodeos as the with their free hand, even disqualified. There are exceptions to
Pendleton Round-Up, if it is accidental. This rule is designed to this rule. If a horse stalls or
and is also a professional In the bucking horse give the horse an advan- fouls the rider in the chute
judge. He agreed that riding events — the bare- tage by putting the rider in by jumping into the gate or
scores in the riding events back and saddle bronc a precarious position from otherwise interfering with
have gotten a little higher riding — the first jump the start. It doesn’t matter the rider’s ability to mark
than when he and John out of the chute is key. The how spectacular the ride out the horse, the judges
were riding bulls for a liv- rule is that the rider must is, if the rider doesn’t mark can waive the spur-out rule.
ing back in the 1970s. have both spurs above the horse out, he receives After the ride starts,
“Shoot, when I was rid- the break of the shoulder a zero, something spec- judges are looking for
ing, if we got into the 80s when the horse’s front feet tators sometimes don’t many things. They are
we thought we were doing hit the ground that first understand. simultaneously evaluating
pretty good,” he said. jump out of the chute. “A good announcer can
Now rides in the 90s are This is called marking out help,” said Larry Davis. “If Continued on page 46

how difficult the animal is to ride jump, with both feet maintaining missing a stroke or not getting your
and how masterfully the cowboy is contact with the horse from the feet high in the neck can mean the
riding. shoulders clear to his hand. Bareback difference between getting a pay-
They are also looking for things riders call this getting drag and it is check or not.
that would disqualify the rider, such what separates excellent riders from
as the rider touching the animal the mediocre. The horse
with his free hand or a foot coming
out of the stirrup in the saddle bronc Saddle Bronc riding
riding. This is all happening in an 8-
second period without the benefit of
instant replay.
Bareback riding
The other half of the points are

given to how hard the animal bucks.
Judges are looking for horses that
While the bareback riders get jump high and kick hard. Speed and
points for wildness and exposing power are taken into account, as is
themselves to being bucked off, the changing directions.
saddle bronc rider makes his points Sometimes there will be a horse
with finesse. that bucks wildly and spectacu-
The judges are looking intently larly but mainly in one place. This
Bareback riding was intended to be at the rider’s feet. He must have his horse generally isn’t considered
a wild event, with the rider usually toes turned out sharply and drag his as difficult to ride as a horse that
leaning his body back and pulling his spurs along the horse’s sides to the jumps and kicks hard and changes
feet up the horse’s shoulders, toward back of the saddle, then shoot his feet directions often. This is because
his hand. Then he lets his feet fly for- quickly back to the neck. On a well- the horse is spending a lot of time
ward, throwing them out and away timed ride, the rider has his feet high almost floating in the air and isn’t
from the horse, now riding only on in the neck when the horse hits the hitting the ground as hard or as
his grip, balance and timing. His feet ground each jump. often as the “ranker” horse.
go back to the horse’s shoulders and The judges like to see the rider Crowds go wild for this type of
the spurring “lick” starts over again. solidly placing his feet high in the horse, though, and when the score
The rider is scored according to horse’s neck on each jump and want doesn’t reflect their view, the boos
how much he exposes himself to the toes turned out for the whole rain down on the officials. That
being thrown, while maintaining stroke. doesn’t bother Larry Davis.
control of his body. For a good score, At the extremely high level of com- “To me rodeo is for the cowboys
the rider must be spurring on every petition at rodeos like Ellensburg, and for the fans,” he said. “If the

fans disagree, it shows they are
involved.”
riding, you have to have a good ani- But all spinning bulls are not equal-
mal to win.” ly difficult to ride. The bull that jumps
Because bulls are far more dif- and kicks at the same time he is spin-
ficult to ride, they are not given ning is considered tougher to ride
the advantage of requiring the rider than one the appears to be “chasing
mark them out. Bull riders aren’t his tail,” and doesn’t kick much.
required to spur, but get more points
if they do, because they have more Rerides
Bull riding risk of being bucked off. If the animal doesn’t perform, falls
In bull riding, even though the Instead the judges are looking down or otherwise fouls the contes-
same 100 points are used, the ani- mainly at how difficult the bull is tant, he may be offered a reride, a
mal is a lot more key to winning. to ride. Power, speed and change in chance to do it over again. At a big
The man who maintains control on directions are all taken into account, rodeo like Ellensburg, there is a third
the toughest bull is supposed to win. just as in the horse events. judge at the back of the chute who
“The bull riding is a little differ- But many bulls have another operates a stopwatch to see if the
ent than the horse riding,” said John action that most horses don’t. One of cowboy rides long enough and to see
Davis, who qualified to ride bulls at the most difficult actions to ride is the if there is a foul in the chute.
the NFR seven times. “In the bull furious spin that some bulls go into. Riders don’t have to accept a reride.
since 1909 BLUE RIDGE INSURANCE

What does that mean?
We respect the importance of local news coverage.
You live, work and play in Kittitas County. You take
(509) 925-6108
your community involvement seriously and so do we. Toll Free 1-800-727-3986
We take our responsibility to you seriously with
12,000 daily readers and 1,115,362 visitors to our
website since 2006!
Friendly, Reliable Customer Service
That is why you find over 500 local stories a month Auto–Home–Renters–Business–Bonds
in the Daily Record. Because we know that you are
seriously local. 209 W. Tacoma Ave., Ellensburg, WA 98926

ROSLYN Where can you find year round fun?
NATURAL Start your adventure in Upper Kittitas County!
MARKET Fall Hunting • Wildlife • Photography

Bird Watching • Horseback Riding
Since 2008 Spring Mushroom Hunting • Back Packing

Kite Flying • Biking • Fishing • Hiking
GROCERY & DELI Winter Snowmobiling • Cross Country Skiing

Downhill Skiing • Majestic Scenery
A place for visitors & residents full of selection &
choices for organic, healthy eating options. Summer Rock Hunting • River Rafting
Water Skiing • Camping • Boating
200 N. First Street | Roslyn, WA | 509.649.3588 Cle Elum/Roslyn Chamber of Commerce Provided by the
City of Cle Elum
www.roslynnaturalmarket.com 401 W. 1ST • Cle Elum, WA 98922 • 509-674-5958 • www.cleelumroslyn.org H/M Taxes
Get The
674-5755
Good Stuff. Jerky
Salami
Pepperoni
104 W. Railroad Marinated Steak
Cle Elum, WA Land Jaeger 216 E. 1st Street
509-674-2555 Fresh Sausage Cle Elum, WA
6*'%166#)' RENTALS
Tractors with Backhoes • Bobcats
%CHG(KTGUKFG.QWPIG Mini Excavators Manlifts • Tillars
Log Splitters • Aerators • Thatchers
'CUV(KTUV5V%NG'NWO9# Scaffolding • Tile Saws • Trenchers
K
Jack Hammers Floor Sander
K
¥.KMG*QOGHQTJWPIT[VTCXGNGTU¦ Banquet Tables and Chairs
5KPEG HARDWARE
Tools • Plumbing • Electrical • Lumber
(CZ Phone • 509-674-2700 | Fax • 509-674-5710 Lawn & Garden
GOCKNEQVVCIGECHG"ENGGNWOEQO
811 West Davis • Cle Elum, WA • 98922 PAINT
1RGP*QWTU#ETGUQH2CTMKPI (Next to Safeway) Gliddon Paint • Behr Paint • Rodda Paint
HOURS Colormatch Computer • Super Deck Stains
#6/+P*QWUG$CMGT[2WNN6CDU Airless Sprayer Rental
Mon-Sat • 7am - 6pm | Sunday • 9am - 5pm
Visiting Roslyn? Shop Vintage

• Hallmark Cards Vine for Antiques & Wine!
• Perfumes
• Prescriptions
• Gifts • Wine Tasting • Cusom Made
• Sundries
• Colonial Candles • Unique Gift Baskets Wine Cabinets
• Much More • Wine for $10 & Under • Antiques
• Specialty Wine
Dr. Dave Arnold, Pharm. D. • Imported Wine
201 W. Washington Ave • Roslyn
509.649.3064 • vintagevine@gmail.com
106 East First Street • Cle Elum, WA • 509-674-2571 Open Tues-Sat 11-6, Sun 11-4, closed Mondays

Walter’s
CLE ELUM/ROSLYN FLORAL
• Sleep in a genuine Caboose Car
• Railroad Memorabilia
• Comforts of a Bed & Breakfast
NOW CARRIES
Anne Koplick Jewelry • Lady Jane Note Pads
526 Marie Ave • PO Box 629
Xochi table Linens • Dana Herbert Scarves South Cle Elum, WA 98943
1-800-2-2-TWAIN (WA & OR)
Sweet Romance Jewelry • +PEZ$PZPUF)BOE#BHT •3PPU$BOEMFT (509) 674-5939
maryp@ironhorseinnbb.com
509-674-5923
107 East 1st Street • Cle Elum www.ironhorseinnbb.com
toys
Sales
Services
MAC A B E E o t o r .k ym
c o u s a .co m
Parts
M • Scooters
www
We Repair all
Accessories
Makes & Models

Art • Linen • Artifacts Music • Pottery • Rugs • Snowmobiles
American West Purses • Furniture • Jewelry • Homemade Fudge
• ATVs
<>;IHD;I=:HDJI=L:HI
71 Airport Road
71 Airport Road • Cle Elum, WA • 509.674.7055 • www.macabees.net
Cle Elum 509-674-6807
Family Owned & Operated

~ since 1887 ~ Follow Your Senses
Experienced Meat Cutters and
Always Friendly Service
We Know How To Please Them!
Try some of our specialty smoked products:

• Smoked Jerky • Pepperoni by the yard
• Fresh & Smoked Sausage • Smoked Salmon
• Marinated Chicken, Steaks and Tri Tips
• Beef Steaks aged to perfection
502 E. First Street • Cle Elum, WA 98922 • 509-674-2530 501 East First Street • Cle Elum, WA
www.owensmeatswa.com • owens@iezpc.com 509.674.2233
World Famous Roslyn Cafe A Full Service Nursery & Floral

Come in for the warm
friendly atmosphere
Shop with Gifts for everyone.
and great food!
NOW SERVING
Cocktails • Beer • Wine
3131 SR-903
509-649-2763
201 West Pennsylvania Avenue at Roslyn Roundabout
Roslyn, Washington 98941 Roslyn, WA 98941
Roslyncafe.com 509-649-3222

#3"/%40',*55*5"4$06/5:
Venture Farms
Mark & Carrie Larry & Marilyn Brent, Mary, Brady Harland & Jody
Anderson Charlton Brad & Jon Fitterer & Riley Minor Rodomske
BRANDS OF
KITTITAS COUNTY
Steven Rosbach
Rosbach Farms
Gerald Thomas
Eldon & Chloe

Weidenbach
John F. Jr, &

Priscilla Brown
Black Knight Ranch
Gena McNeil & Pat & Linda Clerf & Laurin Mellergaard
Arlene Rosenberg Whitney & Nicholas Eldon Bird & Sons

'".*-:$3&4540'5)&0-%8&45
Joseph & Myrna C. Number 9 Hay Plant Bob & Pam Eaton
Ben George Antonich Bill Haberman & Sons Neil O’Neill Family Eaton Livestock
Bill & Mary Seubert
McManamy Family
Paul & Marjorie

Harrel & Families
Willowbrook Farms
Jerry & Phyllis Marchel

Double Lazy Angus
Ranch
Henry Schnelby
& Sons Rafter B Ranch Kevin & Becky
Bar Balloon Ranch Larry & Bart Bland Ed & Kirk McDowell McDowell

Popcorn and a good horse
Rodeo in film
By CHELSEA KROTZER The Misfits is a Western drama that follows Roslyn Tamber
staff writer (Monroe) a divorcee who befriends a group of cowboys,
including an aging Gay Langland (Gable) in Reno. Unbe-
Rodeo is an instrumental part of Kittitas County’s cul- knownst to Roslyn, Gay makes a living of selling wild mus-
ture that is Ellensburg. Amateur and professionals alike tangs to slaughterhouses to make dog food. Somehow, the
take advantage of Ellensburg’s rodeo facilities, bringing two create a “misfitted” romance, contrary to Gay’s desire to
together cowboys and cowgirls of all ages to celebrate stay romantically independent.
those who are rough enough and tough enough to step
onto the dirt arena. Movie Trivia:
To get into the rodeo spirit, the following films depict
different sides of rodeo, as well as showcase the cowboys • The Misfits was the last film for both Gable and Monroe.
who take risks to be involved. • On the last day of filming, it was said Gable said, “Christ, I’m glad
this picture’s finished. She [Monroe] damn near gave me a heart
“The Lusty Men” attack.” He suffered a massive heart attack days later, and died
11 days after.
Release Date: October 24, 1952 • Clark opted to do his own stunts, such as being dragged by a
Starring: Susan Hayward and Robert truck going 30 mph.
Mitchum
Rated: Not rated
Run time: 113 minutes “J.W. Coop”
Filming locations: Rodeo scenes were
shot in Livermore, Calif., Pendleton, Released: January 1, 1972
Ore., Spokane, and Tucson, Ariz. Starring: Cliff Robertson, Geraldine
Star rider Jeff McCloud (Mitchum) suffers a rodeo in- Page and Christina Ferrare
jury and returns to his hometown. After being gone for a Rated: Not rated
number of years, McCloud gets a job as a hired hand with a Runtime: 112 minutes
ranch and befriends fellow ranch hand Wes and wife Louise. Cowboy J.W. Coop is freed after
Wes wants to learn the ways of the rodeo in order to win eight years in prison, returning to
money to purchase his own house someday. His wife has the rodeo ring. Coop is determined
her doubts, hoping Wes doesn’t turn into another Jeff Mc- to make up for lost years and pushes ahead only to learn
Cloud. that both the business and society of what he knew as
rodeo has dramatically changed.
Movie Trivia and Quotes:
Movie Trivia and Quotes:
• Lusty Men provided the first actual rodeo footage to be seen by a
mass audience. • Many of the cowboys found in the film played themselves,
including Myrtis Dightman.
• “Never was a bronc that’s never been rode. Never was a cowboy
that’s never been throwed. Guys like me last forever.” — Jeff • Cliff Robinson was the producer, director and star of J.W. Coop.
McCloud. • The movie ends at the National Finals Rodeo.
• “Some things you don’t do for the cash. Some things you do for
the buzz you get outta them.”
“Urban Cowboy”
“The Misfits” Released June 6, 1980
Starring: John Travolta
Released: February 1, 1961 Rated: PG
Starring: Clark Gable and Marilyn Runtime: 132 minutes
Monroe Filming locations: Houston
Rated: Not rated Travolta stars as Bud Davis, a
Runtime: 124 minutes homegrown country boy who
Filming location: Dayton, Nev. (rodeo moves with is uncle in the big city,
scenes) taking a job at a refinery. Bud meets

Popcorn and a good horse
Rodeo in film
Sissy, a cowgirl, and gets married only to find their marriage Filming locations: Las Vegas, Nev., and Santa Maria, Calif.
in jeopardy when Sissy begins associating with con man Newcomer Ely Braxton (Marcus Thomas) is a crazy cowboy
Wes who teaches her to ride mechanical bulls. Bud signs taking his turn in the professional bull-riding spotlight. His
up for an upcoming contest in order to save his and Sissy’s brother Hank (Sutherland) is a rodeo clown, and the two
marriage. work together to make their time in the ring even more
interesting. The brother’s close bond can’t seem to last once
Movie Trivia: Daryl Hannah’s character gets involved, creating jealousy
• The film was nominated for two Golden Globes. and hatred between the two.
• Patrick Swayze taught Travolta how to two-step for the movie. Movie Trivia:
• Travolta had a mechanical bull installed in his home for practice • “Braxton Ranch” is the actual home of Rodeo Hall of Famer Gary
two months prior to production. Because of this he was able to Leffew.
do his own stunts.
• The movie was supposed to be released in 2000, then again in
early 2001. It was released strictly to video in September 2002.
“Eight Seconds”
Released: February 25, 1994 “Flicka”
Starring: Luke Perry, Stephen Bald- Released: October 20, 2006
win and Cynthia Geary Starring: Tim McGraw, Alison Lohman
Rated: Not rated and Maria Bello
Runtime: 105 minutes Rated: PG for some mild language
Filming locations: Rodeo scenes Runtime: 95 minutes
were filmed in Del Rio, Texas Filming locations: Los Angeles,
Eight Seconds talks of the life of Lane Frost, the 1987 Tim McGraw plays the father of
PRCA Bull Riding World Champion to his tragic death in the Katy (Lohman), his only daughter whom he has high hopes
ring during Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo where Frost was for beyond that of the ranch he owns. Katy on the other hand
gouged in the side by a bull’s horn. wishes to follow in her father’s footsteps and take over the
Movie Trivia: family ranch one day. Katy finds a black Mustang filly, naming
it Flicka, and tries to tame it to prove to her father she can
• Luke Perry and Stephen Baldwin learned how to ride the bulls handle the responsibilities that come with owning a ranch.
and performed some of their own stunts.
• Movie tagline: The sport made him a legend. His heart made him Movie Trivia:
a hero.
• “Flicka” comes from the Swedish word meaning “girl.”
• Tuff Hederman actually rode an extra eight seconds in memory of
Lane Frost. • A thoroughbred horse used in the film died during a freak
accident, interrupting the filming in April 2005.
• Cynthia Geary has a connection to Kittitas County as a result of
her stint with the sitcom “Northern Exposure,” which was filmed
in part in Roslyn. Geary portrayed Shelly Tambo, a former Miss
Northwest Passage who co-habitatated with her much-older “The Cowboy Way”
lover, Holling Vincoeur. Together they run the tavern and restau-
rant The Brick. “Northern Exposure” ran from 1990-1995. Released: June 3, 1994
Starring: Woody Harrelson and Kiefer
Sutherland
“Cowboy Up” Rated: PG 13
Runtime: 102 minutes
Released: September 2, 2002
Starring: Kiefer Sutherland, Daryl Friends and rodeo champions
Hannah and Molly Ringwald Sonny and Pepper leave Mexico and head out to find their
Rated: PG-13 for language, a scene missing friend Nacho Salazar in New York City. The comedic
of sensuality and brief violence. duo goes through a wild adventure trying to find Nacho and
Runtime: 105 minutes. his daughter, testing the foundation of their won friendship.

Fair memories
By RYAN THOMPSON “When compared to the larger fairs, you
staff intern still get a lot of community spirit and
“I have been at the fair every year as far involvement.”
back as I can remember. It has been inter-
esting watching it change over time.” ERIN BLACK
“We see it as a local fair, but it has people
KITTITAS COUNTY MUSEUM DIRECTOR AND CURATOR.
from different countries and states.” BRIAN PAGE
DONNA NYLANDER FAIR BOARD DIRECTOR.
VOLUNTEER SCHOOLTEACHER AT THE FRONTIER VILLAGE “As a kid, some of my best memories are
competing in the horse fair with my green
“It brings people who may have grown broke horse, spinning the zipper ride as
up here and moved away back. You see many times as we could, and meeting up
“Watching the youth show their livestock people you haven’t seen in years.” friends you had not seen all summer.”
exhibits is the best part,”
SUSIE ROGERS JESSIE BLACKWOOD
BECKY MCDOWELL
ELLENSBURG RESIDENT. FAIR BOARD VICE PRESIDENT.
FAIR BOARD DIRECTOR.
“Some of my favorite child-

“As a kid in Ellensburg, half the summer hood memories at the
you saved for fireworks and half you fair are purchasing penny
saved for the fair and rodeo,” candy and pickles at the
Frontier Village, seeing how
MICHAEL ALLEN many times my friends and
FORMER ELLENSBURG RESIDENT AND PROFESSOR AT THE I could spin on the zipper
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. and winning $100 in the
greased pole contest.”
HEATHER HARRELL
“My favorite fair memory is the kids going FAIR BOARD DIRECTOR.
and going until they reach complete
exhaustion, then falling asleep with a
smile on their faces.”
“Seeing friends…Being
GREG ZEMPEL able to let the kids and now
FAIR BOARD DIRECTOR. grand kids go and have fun
with their friends is the best
part. It is a special event.”
Photo by Joe Whiteside ⁄ Daily Record

“It’s a community getting together to BILL ALLISON
enjoy one another’s company.” FAIR BOARD PRESIDENT.
BETTY KELLEY
CARETAKER AT THE FRONTIER VILLAGE.
“It’s expanded over the
years. The fair really shows
the dedication of the people
“I especially like the displays of fruits and who put it together.”
vegetables grown in the valley. The fair is
the loveliest part of the year.” JAMES FARRELL
ELLENSBURG RESIDENT.
BETTY ALLEN
ELLENSBURG RESIDENT.

Se habla Español
Our fam
serving y ily
our famil
since 191 y
1!
WE PROUDLY SUPPORT THE

ELLENSBURG RODEO!
NEW CARS, TRUCKS & SUVS... PLUS A GREAT SELECTION
OF FUEL EFFICIENT, HIGH QUALITY PRE-OWNED VEHICLES!
602 N. PEARL ST. IN ELLENSBURG • WWW.KELLEHERMOTORS.COM • 1-800-247-8828

Welcome Rodeo Fans...
BE SURE & VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION

OPENING OCTOBER 2008!!
Across the street

from Costco on
Valley Mall Blvd.
s


Ellensburg Rodeo 2008

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Ellensburg Rodeo 2008

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Labor Day Weekend 2008

Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present 1

• Quality Douglas Fir Lumber Contact one of

www.knudsonlumber.com • 1791 Vantage Hwy. Ellensburg • 509-962-9811

“Serving ALL of Kittitas County & Beyond” Open

2 Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present

© 2008 Ellensburg Daily

Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present 3

Michael Allen never cared much for horseback riding.

Ellensburg Rodeo &

(509) 925-2902 • 101 East 2nd Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926

to the 2008 Rodeo

available at need or by prearrangement.

Ellensburg Rodeo through the years

Early 1920s — At least two Kittitas County ranches, including

Ellensburg Rodeo through the years

8 Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present

L I For Reservations

Best Place to Get a Burger Best Bank

810 E. UNIVERSITY WAY (ACROSS FROM CWU) • Open 7 Days A Week

Best Place to Buy Tires Best Place To Buy Furniture

114 W. 4th St.

Best Asian Food Best Place to Get a Pizza

Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present 9

Editor’s note: This first appeared in a 1997 Daily

Dr. H.E. Pfenning conceived, organized and

Courtesy of the Ellensburg Public Library

Continued on page 11 Dr. H.E. Pfenning

Ellensburg Rodeo through the years

$A?@GMFLJQ+ML>ALL=JK T & T Electric

A unique summer horse camp

Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present 11

Amanda Umberger for the Daily Record

Driver Family Memorial Award

209 E. 5th Avenue • Ellensburg, WA 98926

12 Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present

Grant’s Pizza Place...as much of a

Ellensburg Rodeo through the years

Thank Y You... Buchanan

Best Title Company Best Grocery Store

“Dedicated to Enhancing the of Kittitas County 962-7770

Best Home Improvement Store Best Mortgage Broker

HARDWARE & PLUMBING Equal Housing Lender

Best Realtor Best Insurance Agent

` 5CPF[9CNMGT STATE FARM IS THERE.®

Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present 15

When the Ellensburg Rodeo holds

OLD MILL COUNTRY STORE

Old Mill Country Store 500 W. 3rd Ave, Ellensburg, 925-5397

Born Teva Merrell SAS Privo

18 Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present

Ellensburg Rodeo through the years

OVER 250 TR A ILERS IN STOCK!

Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present 19

At Sahara Pizza, we are always

20 Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present

Welcome to the 86TH Annual

Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present 21

Contributed Allen Bach

For The 0WV HDV\ WR WDNH D ELW RI WKH

Ellensburg Rodeo 4UPQJOUPTFFPVS

22 Ellensburg Rodeo & County Fair 2008: Past and Present

“I rode at Ellensburg three times, I think. I got bucked off two

Thank you for selecting

$A?@GMFLJQ+ML>ALL=JK T & T Electric

For The 0WVHDV\WRWDNHDELWRIWKH

XXX, &--&: 3 &"-5: DPN 953204.P&P08.cnr