Sisters Rodeo draws top competitors

The top competitors in the world will be back at Sisters Rodeo, trying to cash in on $10,000 purses, the richest in the nation the second weekend in June.

Bareback riding brings in Bobby Mote of Culver, first in the world in 2009 and winner of National Finals Rodeo. Ryan Gray, who won Rodeo Houston and is currently No. 1 in the world, will be a contender, along with Jason Havens of Prineville, with a second-place finish at national finals and a rating of 10th in the world. Brian Bain, a Culver native and traveling companion of these other local competitors, will also ride.

Another rider to watch is Kaycee Feild, who just returned from a Wrangler Patriot Tour in Iraq, where he visited troops. Feild is rated second in 2010.

Luke Branquino returns to Sisters at second in world standings in steer wrestling. The California native has two world titles and won in Sisters in 2002. He will be challenged by Trevor Knowles, an Oregonian who is seventh in the world and was the All Around Champion in Sisters in 2005. Breathing down their necks will be Michael Reger of Redmond, who will try to repeat his win of the steer wrestling buckle in Sisters last year.

Team roping header, Texan Chad Masters, broke the world record with a 3.3-second time in 2009, along with a team roper winnings record. He is in third place in the world. Jade Corkhill, often the partner of Masters, is fourth in the world heeler standings. Prineville's Charly Crawford, rated No. 11, will be in this competition also.

The Beers family of Central Oregon, Mike, Brandon and now Joe, will be roping again. Mike and Brandon won the buckles in Sisters in 2007.

Saddlebronc brings Rod Hay, who won Rodeo Houston and is No. 1 in world standings. His competition includes Taus Muncy, world champion and college champion in the same year, 2007; Shaun Stron, who won first place at National Finals Rodeo 2009; and Cody Wright, who won the world championship in 2008, which makes this an event to track.

Expect to see a lot of Wright brothers in this competition. There are six of them, all entered.

In tie down roping, Stran Smith, No. 2 in the world and the 2008 world champion, will be joined by Tuf Cooper, second in 2009 and winner at National Finals Rodeo. Shane Hanchey is an up-and-coming 2009 Rookie of the Year, rated 3rd, and watch for Stetson Vest and Tyson Durfey.

The bull riders are thick with talent. Wesley Silcox, the 2007 world champion and No. 2 in the world, will join Corey Navarre, third in the world and second at NFR in 2009. Clint Craig, a part-time radio broadcaster and fifth in the world, and Mark Michaillis, seventh in the world, will be riding for the buckle in this event.

Barrel racing champion and record-holder for single season winnings in rodeo, Lindsay Sears, returns to reclaim the Sisters buckle she won in 2008. She will be challenged by Terrebonne's Brenda Mays, always a contender, and Christie Richman, who is currently rated fourth in the world. Texan Molly Powell, 12th, and Kelli Tolbert, Rookie of the Year 2009, will be exciting to watch.

Sisters Rodeo will be held June 11-13. The rodeo ticket office at 220 W. Cascade Ave. will be open through Thursday, June 10, for ticket sales, including telephone orders. Call 541-549-0121 or 1-800-827-7522. Tickets may be purchased at the rodeo grounds beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 11.