Cowboys 'Tough Enough' at rodeo

MOSES LAKE - Participants and fans at the 65th annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo were tough enough to wear pink Thursday night to the Grant County Fair.

The three-night rodeo event kicked off with the Moses Lake Roundup Tough Enough To Wear Pink night. Everyone in attendance was encouraged to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness.

Former Moses Lake Roundup President Rob Weber said he was proud of the support the Tough Enough To Wear Pink event received from the Columbia Basin community.

Rodeo fans wearing pink packed the grandstands at the Grant County Fair arena and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) cowboys and cowgirls donned pink dress shirts to help support the event.

"We honor breast cancer awareness with Tough Enough To Wear Pink night," he said. "

The crowd was roaring while two-time PRCA rodeo clown of the year Keith Isley performed between rodeo events.

Isley said he enjoys performing for Grant County because of the enthusiasm of the crowd.

"They laugh at my stupid stuff," he said. "It's the most rewarding response from people. They like to be entertained."

Weber said he was impressed with the Thursday night crowd.

"For a Thursday night, it was a great crowd," Weber said with a smile. "The crowd is getting into it. They love it."

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

The fans went crazy as bulls threw riders and cowboys wrestled steers to the ground.

The women's barrel racing event was postponed after one of the horses slipped on the arena floor attempting to round a barrel. The event was rescheduled.

Weber said the Moses Lake Roundup rodeo had more than $36,000 in prize money to award to the competing cowboys and cowgirls this weekend.

"We have a full slate of cowboys," he said. "The are all trying to get a piece of it."

The participants competing at the Moses Lake Roundup rodeo are ranked PRCA professionals, Weber said.

"Most of the cowboys here are ranked in the top 50 in their events," Weber said.

In addition to the premier cowboys and cowgirls, the livestock used at the rodeo is used at the national rodeo finals, Weber said.

"Not only do we have national final stock, we have national final cowboys, too," he said.

The Moses Lake Roundup encourages the residents of the Columbia Basin to attend the rodeo events Friday and Saturday nights.

"It is one of the best family entertainment events for Grant County," Weber said.

Day One Results

Bareback Riding

1 - Brandon Martin (74)

2 - Caleb Bayes (72)

3 - Nick Gutzwiler (68)

Saddle Bronc Riding

1 - Mitchell Steiger (76)

2 - Roy Johnson (72)

3 - Ross Hartman (70)

Team Roping

1 - Turtle Powell, Travis Graves (5.0)

2 - Jake Stanley, Caleb Twisselman (6.1)

3 - David Key, Marty Becker (6.5)

Steer Wrestling

1 - Hunter Cure (4.6)

2 - B.J. Campbell (4.8)

3 - Travis Carnine (4.9)

Tie Down Roping

1 - Kelsey Garrison (13.4)

2 - Cash Myers (18.7)

Bull Riding

1 - Colby Reilly (78)