Rodeo satisfies growing crowds
Derrick Pacheco/Columbia Basin HeraldA Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association member raises his hands to stop the clock in the Tie-Down Roping event Thursday night at the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo.
MOSES LAKE - When the dust settled following the 65th annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo last weekend, more than 10,000 spectators had filled the rodeo arena grandstands for the three-day event.
Former Moses Lake Roundup President Rob Weber said he was thrilled by the support the Columbia Basin community showed the rodeo.
"It was wonderful," he said. "We had great crowds. The crowds got better every night."
Weber said the quality of competitors and the upgraded equipment helped make this year's event successful.
"The stock was perfect," he said. "The bull riding was the highlight of the weekend. We had some really great bulls. But we also had some great cowboys."
The Roundup installed steel bucking chutes on each side of the announcer's booth were two weeks ago.
Weber said the Roundup plans to improve the livestock pens before next year's rodeo events.
Weber said the crowd's enthusiasm this weekend was encouraging.
"I love it when I can see the people enjoying the show," Weber said. "It makes us want to work harder for them."
The cowboys had the option to compete in six events and Weber said the cowboys helped make the rodeo a success.
"We had good athletes," he said. "They competed so hard. Even into the roping events, they gave it all they had."
While members of the Moses Lake Roundup were loading bucking chutes, and wrangling livestock, two-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association clown of the year Keith Isley entertained the crowd.
Isley occupied the spectators with jokes and specialty acts.
Weber said Isley's participation at the rodeo helped draw increasing crowds.
"He is a really unique man," Weber said. "His acts are really sensational. People often don't realize how hard he works."
Isley said he enjoys working in front of the enthusiastic Columbia Basin crowd.
"When they react to my show it makes me feel good, like I am not wasting my time," he said.
Weber said the impressive crowds this weekend give hope to the future of American rodeo.
"The rodeo shows the tradition and charm of the American cowboy," he said. "People like that."