Attendance down at third Blowout

The level of entertainment was high but the crowd was thinner at the third annual Saints’ Roost Buck’N Blowout Rodeo last Saturday at the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s Arena. 

Estimates put this year’s audience at about 748. That’s down from over 1,500 last year, but organizers are optimistic they will break even. 

“There were a lot less people than last year,” said co-organizer Heather King. 

“We didn’t do as much advertising, and our TV advertising started late.” 

Last year’s event also featured country music legend Gene Watson, who drew many people to the event, compared to the lesser known country band, Agave Posse, that performed this year. 

King said the rodeo’s board would meet in three weeks after all sponsorships come in to discuss next year’s rodeo. 

A total of 540 people ate at the barbecue before the rodeo compared to 710 last year. 

The number of contestants was also down this year. There were six bareback riders, 16 saddle bronc riders, seven double mugging teams, and eight bull riders, who each rode twice. 

Official results were as follows:
Bare Back Riding: 1st, Lucas Ruprcht; and 2nd, Jace Daly. 

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1st, Justin Bell; 2nd, Jake Halverson; and 3rd, Cory Gray.
Double Muggin: 1st, Robert and Rooster Hodges; and 2nd, Randy Crump and Bob Spillers. 

Bull Riding: 1st, Jake Nelson; and 2nd, Austin Botwell.
In the junior events, Clint Franks was first in Steer Riding, and Dalton Benson won the bike from the Pig Scramble.