Ritzville Rodeo crowns champions across events
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 hour, 8 minutes AGO
A saddle bronc rider battles to stay centered as his horse bucks across the arena during the final night of the Ritzville Rodeo on Saturday.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
A mounted shooting competitor races through the arena while firing at balloon targets during the Ritzville Rodeo on Saturday.
A steer wrestler leaps from his horse and reaches for a steer during competition Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
Wild Card Trick Riders, ages 9 and 10, stand atop their racing horses while clasping hands during a performance Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A cowboy twirls his rope while preparing for a steer wrestling run Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
After roping his steer, a cowboy rushes to secure three legs together as the clock continues to run Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A saddle bronc rider digs in for an eight-second ride during the final night of the Ritzville Rodeo on Saturday.
A cowgirl focuses on the gate moments before competing in team roping Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A Wild Card Trick Rider hangs alongside her galloping horse during a daring performance Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A Wild Card Trick Rider hangs alongside her galloping horse during a daring performance Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A breakaway roper swings her loop as she races after a calf Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A competitor settles into the saddle and prepares for a steer wrestling run Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A saddle bronc rider hangs on as his horse launches into another buck Saturday night at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A mounted shooting competitor switches from her pistol to a rifle as she continues targeting balloons during competition Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
RITZVILLE — From lightning-fast roping runs to crowd-pleasing bronc rides, competitors put on a show Friday and Saturday night at the Ritzville Rodeo as champions were crowned across a full slate of rodeo events.
The rodeo drew cowboys and cowgirls from around the region to compete for buckles and prize money in barrel racing, roping, steer wrestling and roughstock events. Clear skies throughout the weekend helped keep the focus on the action in the arena.
One of the closest finishes of the night came in barrel racing, where Kandyce Kooley claimed the championship with a run of 17.810 seconds. Kooley edged Pam Coker by just one-hundredth of a second, as Coker finished in 17.820 seconds. Savannah Holbert placed third with a time of 18.090.
In breakaway roping, Quincy Downey topped the field with a quick 3.10-second run. Paige Sullivan finished second in 3.4 seconds, followed by Rio Schmidt at 4.10.
Caleb McMillan earned the calf roping title with a winning time of 10.1 seconds. Kass Newman placed second in 12.2 seconds, and Sam Wilson finished third in 13.3.
The fastest team roping run of the rodeo belonged to Diesel Downey and Duke Nordby, who stopped the clock at 7.80 seconds to secure first place. Ty and Trace Hennigar finished second with an 8.80-second run, while Clay Staples and Travis Heiger placed third at 9.70 seconds.
Steer wrestler Colby Riley turned in a winning time of 10 seconds, besting a field that included Tice Hiner in second at 12.9 seconds and McMillan in third at 15.9 seconds.
The roughstock events brought some of the loudest reactions from spectators as riders attempted to complete eight-second rides aboard bucking horses and bulls.
Thomas Perryman captured the saddle bronc championship with a score of 76 points. In bareback riding, Truett Salazar posted a winning score of 65 points.
Bull rider Shay Beck recorded the highest roughstock score of the rodeo, earning 85 points to take first place. Kelliegh Purdy finished second with 71 points, followed by Colby Van Dyke with 64.
In ranch bronc riding, Ty Uherek claimed the top spot with an 80-point ride. Billy Alldritt placed second with 78 points, while Uherek also earned a third-place finish with a 77-point score.
Young competitors also had opportunities to showcase their skills throughout the rodeo.
Baylie Brown won the junior barrel racing competition with a time of 19.89 seconds. Layla Hammond claimed the junior breakaway title with a run of 13.69 seconds, while Louis Brotherton won the junior bull riding event.
Winston Wade led the chute dogging competition, followed by Ryan Jorganson in second and Karter Krause in third.
The rodeo also featured performances by the Wild Card Trick Riders and mounted shooting competitors, providing entertainment between events and drawing cheers from the grandstands.
As the final rides and runs wrapped up Saturday night, the Ritzville Rodeo concluded another year of competition, bringing together contestants and spectators for a weekend celebrating a longstanding rodeo tradition.
A mounted shooting competitor races through the arena while firing at balloon targets during the Ritzville Rodeo on Saturday.
A steer wrestler leaps from his horse and reaches for a steer during competition Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
Wild Card Trick Riders, ages 9 and 10, stand atop their racing horses while clasping hands during a performance Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A cowboy twirls his rope while preparing for a steer wrestling run Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
After roping his steer, a cowboy rushes to secure three legs together as the clock continues to run Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A saddle bronc rider digs in for an eight-second ride during the final night of the Ritzville Rodeo on Saturday.
A cowgirl focuses on the gate moments before competing in team roping Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A Wild Card Trick Rider hangs alongside her galloping horse during a daring performance Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A breakaway roper swings her loop as she races after a calf Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A competitor settles into the saddle and prepares for a steer wrestling run Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A saddle bronc rider hangs on as his horse launches into another buck Saturday night at the Ritzville Rodeo.
A mounted shooting competitor switches from her pistol to a rifle as she continues targeting balloons during competition Saturday at the Ritzville Rodeo.ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
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