ML Roundup Rodeo excites

MOSES LAKE - Cowboys, cowgirls and fans crowded into the Grant County Fair for day one of the 70th annual Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo.

The first night of the rodeo was themed "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" for cancer awareness. The brave young children who chose to participate in the mutton busters event began the night's festivities.

Young children clutched to lambs and attempted to hold on for as long as possible. One boy was able to hold on until the lamb became tired and stopped running and received loud cheers from the crowd.

Before the main events, the rodeo gave a tribute to cancer survivors by releasing pink balloons into the sky.

The first event of the evening was the bareback competition. Riders attempt to stay on a bucking horse for as long as possible.

Nick Gutzweiler, of Cheney, led the field off and was able to avoid being bucked off securing a score of 73.

Following the bareback riders was the tie down roping. The objective being to rope and tie a calf as quickly as possible. A few cowboys struggled to even rope their calf, which resulted in a "no time."

Announcer Will Rasmussen and Barrelman JJ Harrison kept the crowd entertained with jokes and skits.

Other events included bull riding, saddle bronc, team roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing.

Full results were not available before going to press.

The rodeo is also scheduled to run today and Saturday.