WELCOME RODEO NEWS FANS

Homedale ready to rodeo

Already one of the best local rodeos on the Idaho Cowboys Association circuit, the Owyhee County Rodeo grew even bigger and better last year.

Partnering with FOX 12, the annual four-day rodeo in Homedale added a finals and FOX broadcast those finals, making the trip to Homedale even more memorable for contestants.
Well, cowboys and cowgirls look to earn themselves another spot on TV this week, as the Owyhee County Rodeo gets under way tonight for another four-days of old west action.

“We’re excited, been working hard, getting ready,” said Jim Ferguson, president of the Owyhee County Rodeo board.

“We are one of the biggest in the Northwest, the cowboys love us,” he added. “We’ve got a really full rodeo. We’ve got probably a record contestants number.”

Which means great action for fans, and plenty of competition to make the TV finals Saturday night, as the top eight riders in each rough stock events — bull riding, saddle and bareback bronc riding, and ranch hand bronc riding — along with the top 10 in each timed event — team roping, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing — get a spot on TV.

While the TV finals certainly help make Homedale a big deal, there’s also the money cowboys and cowgirls will compete for, with $2,000 added to each event, along with entry fees, which means winning an event can put about $1,500 in a contestants pocket.

For fans, that means plenty of great action.

“If they like to watch slack, we’ll be running slack both (to)night and Thursday after the performance,” Ferguson said. “We’ll go past midnight probably.”

Plus, the rodeo board has added a few things to make watching more fun.

“We’ve got a new sound system, there will be some great music, and we’ve shaded the back of the bleachers so it’ll be comfortable, they’ll be comfortable in the shade,” Ferguson adds.

Watching not only great ICA action, but such fun events like the ranch hand bronc riding, mutton busting - which starts 30 minutes before the 8 p.m. grand entry each night - junior steer riding, team roping, a wild horse race Friday night and wild cow milking on Saturday.

“The ranch hand bronc riding is always exciting,” Ferguson said. “We start out the rodeo with that one, (fans) like that.”

Of course, the Owyhee County Rodeo is not only about putting on a good show, as once again the rodeo board will be giving plenty back to the community, with three $1,000 scholarships for college-bound kids from Owyhee County along with buying stock at the fat stock sale.

“Everything we make is put back into the community one way or another,” Ferguson said.

Just another good reason for fans to head out and enjoy the show.

Read more at the www.idahopress.com