Rodeo attendance soars

Bigger and better than its first year, the second annual Saints’ Roost Buck’N Blowout Rodeo far surpassed its inaugural attendance count last Saturday at the
Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s Arena.

The number of people through the gate more than doubled from 734 last year to an estimated 1,500 this year. Adding in 32 pre-paid box seats brings total paid attendance to 1,692 compared to 926 last year.
Co-organizer Heather King said the event was a lot of work but was well worth it.  “It was better than last year,” she said. “It went really, really well.”

King said it was impossible to get a count of the number who packed the dance featuring Country & Western recording legend Gene Watson following the rodeo.
“That was the most people I had ever seen on that dance floor,” she said.

The numbers in nearly every category improved for the event that started last year with hopes of drawing 500 people. In addition to the bigger audience, the rodeo also drew more contestants. This year featured eight bareback riders, 22 saddle bronc riders, and 13 double mugging teams. Only bull riding had fewer participants with 20 making the attempt this year.

Official results were as follows:
Bare Back Riding: 1st, Monty Goodwin of Canyon; 2nd, Brian Leddy of Rall, Okla.; and 3rd, Justin Henderson of Canyon.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1st, Casey Sisk of Corona, New Mexico; 2nd, Tol Cawley of Stephenville; and 3rd, Leland Wood of Silverton.

Double Muggin: 1st, Jeff Anderberg and Bob Spillers of Clarendon; and 2nd, Rodi Wilson and Jesse Valdez of Canyon.

None of the bull riders were able to hold on for the eight seconds needed to qualify.

The barbecue before the rodeo served 710.
King said the Buck’n Blowout board is already talking about plans for next year.