Rodeo brings wild cowboys and action

The Northwest Pro Rodeo Association (NPRA) Finals is coming to Sisters this month, with a weekend of rodeo performances featuring the top 12 qualifying cowboys and cowgirls in each event.

The NPRA Finals will be held September 18-21 at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds, with over $78,000 in prize money and $54,000 in awards.

The event is separate from the Sisters Rodeo, held in June.

"There's something magical about coming to Sisters and competing," said Jimmy Floyd, champion bull rider at last year's NPRA Finals. "It's an honor to be a part of the Wild West tradition, and the fans are what make it happen. It makes you want to 'nod your head to win' every time."

"Outlaw Productions has done a great job promoting the finals," said Clint Corey, 1991 World Champion Bareback Rider and 2001 NFR Average Winner.

In 2004, Corey was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association Hall of Fame.

"This was the completion of my rodeo career," said Corey. "It's an honor to have the finals here in Sisters, Oregon. There are a lot of great cowboys from this area, and I'm proud to be a part of it. The guys at Outlaw Productions have done a great job promoting this rodeo and competition will be second to none."

Action gets underway Thursday evening with the Run for the Guns Match Roping at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Kickoff Party at 9 p.m. The Kickoff Party will be held at Three Creeks Brewing Co., located at the east end of Sisters on the FivePine Campus.

On Friday, the VIP Clubhouse opens to sponsors at 4 p.m. with the NPRA Finals performance at 6 p.m. Following the performance will be a Leif James concert at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, the NPRA Finals performance kicks off at 2 p.m. After the rodeo is a BBQ by the Left Handed Chef and BMC Choppers' "Cash in the Dirt" race at 5 p.m. Leif James performs in concert at 7 p.m.

Sunday is the Sisters Shoot Out 4D Barrel Race at 12 p.m. Barrel racers will race for over $8,500 in prize money.

Tickets for the Northwest Pro Rodeo Finals are available at RE/MAX Town & Country Realty, Sisters Market and Levitt's in Sisters. Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $12 at the gate. Children six years and under are free.

For more information on the Northwest Pro Rodeo Finals, contact Outlaw Productions at 588-5007 or visit http://www.nprafinals.com.