Riders, ropers and fans enjoy Sisters Rodeo

The Sisters Rodeo lived up in spades to it’s “Biggest Little Show in the World” billing with record-setting crowds and some near-record performances by over 400 contestants.

B. J. Campbell of Benton City, Washington, won best all-around cowboy honors and the U. S. Bank saddle, winning nearly $2,950 in team roping and steer wrestling competition. Local favorite Bobby Mote of Culver, the 2002 world champion bareback rider, had an outstanding 86-point ride that gave him a $4,317 check and a big step toward winning another world championship.

Johnny Hammack of Paulina completed an 81-point ride in saddle bronc riding with his grandfather, a former Sisters Rodeo contestant, watching from the stands. That gave him a $4,617 check. Other top winners who shared the more than $130,000 in prize money were Zeb Lantham of Sweet, Idaho, who had an 86-point bull ride that resulted in a $4,916 check and Cash Myers, of Athens, Texas, who had a 9.2 combined time in tie down roping for $1,368.32.

Team ropers Jake Stanley of Hermiston and Brady Minor of Ellensburg, Washington, had a 5.8 time to give each a $932 prize. In the barrel racing event, Kelli Kamm of Stanfield took first place with a 17.74 time to win $2,939. Her time was only a tenth of a second faster than the second-place time.

PRCA Circuit Manager and Secretary Edie Longfellow of the Columbia River Prorodeo Circuit tabulated official results for each rider in each event from her small office in the rodeo clubhouse. Results were posted on the PRCA Web page and dollars earned by each contestant will help select who will go the National Finals in Las Vegas next December.

For the first time, the Friday and Saturday evening performances were sold out, according to Bonnie Malone of the Sisters Rodeo Association.

“We also sold 250 ‘standing-room only’ tickets Saturday night,” Malone said. Saturday afternoon is always a sell-out, she explained, and Sunday afternoon was almost a full house of 6,000.

2005 PRCA Announcer of the Year Wayne Brooks guided fans through each performance.

“There are 24 PRCA rodeos across the country this weekend,” he told the audience, “and Sisters is the top one with its total purse.”

Two-time world champion bareback rider Will Lowe thinks the Sisters Rodeo is one of the best.

“The stock provided by Beard Rodeos of Ellensberg makes this a great one for cowboys looking to build up their scores,” he said.

Association President Glenn Miller praised the hard work of the more than 200-strong all-volunteer crew that makes the rodeo happen each year.

A large instant replay screen showed both “live” action and a replay — often in slow motion — to help fans understand the action and judging. Entertaining music and sound effects particular to the action at hand added to each event.

A television crew from The David Letterman Show was on hand to film the event and interview fans.

“This is the best local event we have ever been to,” one staff member said. “This is a story that will write itself.”

First-time fans were surprised and impressed by the arena action, but for 16-year-old Michael Christiansen of Redmond, Washington, it was a familiar, but exciting experience.

“My folks have been coming here for years and this is my 12th rodeo,” he explained. Mark O’Neill of Boise, Idaho has been to the rodeo for 28 years. “This is tradition and something that I would never miss,” he said. “It’s only 51 weeks to the next one,” he added.