MOSES LAKE — When the dust settled at the 2009 Grant County Fair Saturday evening, the Moses Lake Roundup wrapped up their 66th annual rodeo with some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world competing.

The three-night Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo kicked off with Tough Enough To Wear Pink  Thursday night before closing down the 2009 Grant County Fair Saturday night.

Moses Lake Roundup President Nic Dirks said the annual rodeo is an opportunity for fans and spectators to enjoy an American tradition.

“It provides spectators and fans with something rooted in the country lifestyle,” he said.

The annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo is sanctioned by the PRCA and cowboys and cowgirls from around the United States compete in the Columbia Basin event.

Multiple former world champions traveled to the Columbia Basin for the 2009 Grant County Fair and then competed at the 66th annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo.

Former world champions competing at the 66th annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo included bareback rider Justin McDaniel and tie-down ropers Monty Lewis and Fred Whitfield. 

With former world champions and local participants competing at the 66th annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo, Dirks said planning the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo is an important task.

“It’s a tremendous chore and responsibility,” he said of planning the annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo.

While Dirks oversaw the three-day event, he said he and the other 39 members of the Moses Lake Roundup are already planning the 2010 Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo.

“We are already planning the 67th annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo,” he said. “There are 39 other guys pouring their hearts and souls into the tradition the charter members began in 1933.”

Rodeo bullfighter Rowdy Barry has been actively involved with the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo for approximately 20 years and he appreciates the camaraderie the event brings to the community.

“It is almost like a family here,” he said of the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo.

As a bullfighter, Barry’s responsibilities center around protecting the participating cowboys.

“I am the arena police,” he said of his duties. “I have to go in there and protect the bull riders at all costs.”

It takes a lot of courage to protect cowboys from rampaging bulls and Barry said he does it for his passion towards rodeo.

“I love the sport,” he said. “It’s for the love of the game. I have far outlived a lot of guys I’ve worked with.”

With Barry actively participating with the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo since 1989, Dirks said the bull fighter is a credit to the sport and his profession.

“Rowdy Barry is one of the classiest representatives you will ever find,” Dirks said. “We are proud to call Rowdy Barry a part of the Moses Lake Roundup family.”

With planning already underway for the 67th annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo, Dirks said rodeo is a significant part of life in the Columbia Basin.

“It’s a sport and a way of life,” he said.

Final results for the 66th annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo were not available.