Moses Lake Roundup looks forward to the next 80 years

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Rodeo Association gathered with volunteers and sponsoring partners Saturday at the Grant County Fairgrounds for its annual banquet. 

This year’s event introduced a new award, Demo Derby Man of the Year. This honor went to one of the new 2023 directors of the board, Aaron Schrodt. Schrodt’s initiative to build and raffle off an opportunity to drive the Moses Lake Roundup’s Demo Derby car, paired with his work with new Vice President Alex Alvarado, earned him the inaugural recognition. 

A bittersweet transition was recognized for the longtime efforts of Edie Longfellow, a veteran of the Roundup since starting as secretary in August 1969. Known as the “den mother of the Columbia River Circuit,” she was lauded for her support of previous rodeo presidents, queens and contestants.

Also stepping down was Trishanne Beckner. Her official role as office manager started around 20 years ago with the Rodeo Association, but her engagement and traveling with various rodeo circuits started well before then. Her formal tenure with Moses Lake Roundup coincided with her leadership in the inception of RDG, a consulting and educational group. She is succeeded by Anna Lucero, who has been a volunteer for several years. 

Recognition was given to Sue Tebow, a name synonymous with Moses Lake Roundup and the sponsorship relations locally and corporately. Involved with the Roundup since 1970, Sue continues her mission to drive the financial endorsements of long-term supporters like Northwest Ag and new supporters like Group14 Technologies.

Because incoming President Chris Starzman was out of town, incoming Vice President Alex Alvarado and outgoing Vice President Stan Caffery closed the formal part of the night with highlights for 2024 and the next few years. Plans are under review for new, permanent bleachers on the east side of the rodeo arena, and engineering blueprints are being discussed to build expanded seating atop a mezzanine on the east side of the arena to connect with a renovated announcer’s booth at a date yet to be determined. 

The Moses Lake Roundup is joining the Tour Series Rodeo Circuit, Alvarado and Caffery announced. The Tour Series Rodeo Circuit designation not only improves the opportunity for the Roundup to be televised, but it also improves the potential for highly-ranked, national competitors to make their rounds through Moses Lake. A combination of matched money and marketing, the Tour Series involvement is highly regarded as another step in the Moses Lake Roundup’s recent rise through the ranks as a nationally-recognized rodeo event.

Emceed by Emma Gunderson, a former Miss Moses Lake Roundup and emcee of last year’s event, the banquet took place in the Ag Hall and was attended by Grant County Commissioners Cindy Carter and Danny Stone and Rep. Tom Dent, a former Columbia Basin Rodeo Association Man of the Year. Stan and Tina Caffery spearheaded the event, with catering by Top Gun catering and live music by the Stoney River Band. 

Internally, the Columbia Basin Rodeo Association has recently transitioned to accommodate the events that have grown substantially since its inception in 1943. Formerly boasting 40 active members, the committee resolved to expand its active membership to 50 in late 2023. To accommodate the coordination of additional projects, capital improvements, and a pivoted nationwide recognition focus, the committee also expanded its Board of Directors from 9 to 12 during the same timeline. Moses Lake Roundup continues to garner more recognition not only with the top-ranked competitors, but also with the developing relationships renewed every year when the Board of Directors attends meetings during the annual Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association Convention in early December in Las Vegas. Every year, rodeo associations from across the county visit the convention to coordinate their upcoming events, procure entertainment vendors, and collaborate with the sport’s leaders and experts.

Information about events or tickets for August’s Moses Lake Roundup and Demo Derby event is available at www.moseslakeroundup.com. For sponsorship opportunities, email MLRoundup@gmail.com. The demo derby will be Aug. 13-14, and the Roundup is Aug. 15-17 at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake.

    Marketing Director Sue Tebow greets sponsors and attendees at the 2024 Moses Lake Roundup annual banquet.
  

    New CBRA office manager Anna Lucero shares the stage with retiring office manager Trishanne Beckner.
  

    Outgoing President Stuart Platt (center) receives his President buckle from outgoing VP Stan Cafferty (left) and incoming VP Alex Alvarado (right).
  

    Aaron Schrodt receives recognition as Demo Derby Man of the Year from Outgoing President Stuart Platt, outgoing Vice President Stan Cafferty and incoming Vice President Alex Alvarado.
  

    Trishanne Beckner receives recognition from Outgoing VP Stan Cafferty, outgoing President Stuart Platt and incoming VP Alex Alvarado.