The 75th annual Moses Lake Roundup is finally here

I don’t know whether or not I’m at a loss for words or just ready to see the 75th annual Moses Lake Roundup kick up its heels.

It’s rodeo week and they’re ready to turn loose the best of the best and see how it all shakes out. It seems like it takes 360 days to put on a three-day show, but that’s what makes the Moses Lake Roundup one of the best rodeos in the Pacific Northwest.

I’d like to be the first to say we need to take a moment of silence to reflect on long-time rodeo fan Bob Ottmar, who passed away back in April. This will be the first Roundup without him and I miss him already.

Ottmar saw every single Roundup through the first 74 years and watched the Moses Lake Roundup go from its humble beginnings to a major stop on the PRCA rodeo circuit .

As for the specialty act this year, the committee came up big in hiring trick riders Jessica Blair and Madison McDonald. If there’s such a thing as normal, these two women will bring their high-flying variety of stunts and equestrian riding talent. But the big attraction will be the grand finale when Blair rides two horses standing Roman style through a ring of fire.

Rodeo fans can expect two of the best in the business with rodeo announcer Will Rasmussen and rodeo clown and bullfighter JJ Harrison. It’s been a few years since Harrison has worked the floor of the Grant County Fairgrounds, but his walkin’ and talkin’ act is a fan favorite across the country. He’s also a fan favorite here in the Columbia Basin and said he’s thrilled to be coming back to one of his favorite events.

Rasmussen has been the voice of the Moses Lake Roundup for nearly 20 years and has worked with Harrison up and down the rodeo trail for years. The 75th annual Roundup fan base can expect a little something extra when these two put their heads together to make funny for three days.

The official list of who’s expected to compete isn’t complete, but with the added prize money and a little twist of the arm, the committee has secured the best and brightest rodeo competitors in the land.

So far there are 21 bareback riders, 57 saddle bronc riders, 62 steer wrestlers, 54 tie-down ropers, 85 team ropers, 60 barrel racers and 69 break-away ropers. There wasn’t a bull rider number available, but I suspect a top quality field ready to jump on Corey & Lange Rodeo Co. stock.

And let’s not forget the nightly giggle when Lake Bowl sponsors the Muttin’ Bustin’ Challenge to start the rodeo off each night.

The Moses Lake Roundup is an all-class event featuring world-class talent and the 75th annual is expected to bring down the House that Hoss built.

Rodney Harwood is a sports writer at the Columbia Basin Herald and can be reached at rharwood@columbiabasinherald.com