ML rodeo ups the ante

The Corey and Horst Rodeo Company will take over stock duties at the Moses Lake Round Up this year.

But this is not their first rodeo.

The move was made for many reasons, said Rob Weber, president of the Moses Lake Round Up Rodeo Association, all of which aim to increase the event's fan base and make it more enjoyable than in years past.

"We felt that they had something new and exiting to bring to our rodeo," Weber said. For example, they suggested Moses Lake Round Up have a pyrotechnic show, which they added this year.

"They are very fast paced rodeo company keeping up with the current events," he said.

Weber added that change will increase the quality of the animals and the cowboys in the show.

"They have some of the toughest stock. It is keeping up with the elite," he said. "They supply a lot of the number one stock that goes to the national rodeo."

Weber said the Round Up Association did not need to look far to find Corey and Horst.

"They are hometown people," he said. "Their heart is into creating a good show for the people because they live here."

"We're homegrown," said Robin Corey, of the husband and wife combo that lead Corey and Horst. "Moses Lake is our home. And there is a large amount of pressure put on us because this is our hometown.

"We go all over the country. This one here in Moses Lake is special in that we want to do super job for our friends, our families, our community."

Corey said that they weren't the only ones looking forward to the show.

"The cowboys are very exited about us doing Moses Lake," she said, citing the quality of the venue as one reason in particular.

"It's probably one of the nicest facilities we see in the country," Corey said of the Grant County Rodeo Arena. "The arena has got best footing awards for I don't know how many years running."

As of Monday, the Round Up had approximately 145 competitors entered in rough stock events — a good number said Mike Corey, of Corey and Horst. He said he was exited to show off their animals.

"People see our animals on TV," he said. "It will be nice to be able to show them at home."

Beard Rodeo Company is subcontracting animals for the Round Up as well, he said.

Robin Corey said staying local is important to the company.

"Our main goal is to keep rodeos close to home," she said. "That is why we started our company. I know that there is a lot of glamour in travel, but travel is very hard on the animals. Animals come first in a rodeo company."

The Round Up will also offer Keith Isley — voted Act of the Year in 2003 by the Professional Rodeo Association — who has a specialty trick riding act and comedy show he will perform.

"He is just plain funny," Weber said. "People will love his humor."

Corey said they are usually working the Caldwell Night Rodeo, in Caldwell, Idaho during this week in the summer.

"It's such an exiting rodeo — that Caldwell Night Rodeo," she said. "That's what we want Moses Lake to see that energy, that excitement, that electricity. What I hope to see is standing-room only in Moses Lake."