YAKIMA, Wash. ? As usual, the best of the best in the rodeo world all want to be in the lineup of the Ellensburg Rodeo, either to help insure a big finish to the season or to clinch that coveted berth in December?s National Finals Rodeo.
But, also as usual, this year?s 89th annual running of one of the PRCA?s premier events will be without some of the best of the best, simply because the sport is so tough on cowboys? bones and bodies.
No fewer than 11 bareback riders in Ellensburg?s roughstock draw are listed as ?doctor release.? That?s more than the medical turn-outs expected in bull riding (seven) and saddle bronc (three) combined.
The bareback casualties include two-time reigning world champion Bobby Mote, who last weekend suffered broken ribs and underwent surgery on Sunday; Tilden Hooper, who sits third in the standings (one place ahead of Mote); and Clint Cannon, who finished second to Mote in 2009 (after setting a regular-season PRCA earnings record) and sits seventh in the 2011 standings. Cannon tore groin and abdominal muscles on a ride two weeks ago in Caldwell, Idaho.
Even without those headliners, though, spectators can expect to see numerous past and current world championships at each rodeo performance, beginning with tonight?s 6:45 p.m. opener. Weekend performances will be at 12:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, followed by Monday?s ?short go? beginning at 11:45 a.m.
There?s also Saturday night?s Xtreme Bulls Tour championship, with season points leader Shane Proctor in position to lock up a hefty paycheck for winning the series. For Proctor, Ellensburg has the potential to be a special weekend: He was raised in Central Washington (Grand Coulee) and figures to have a vocal cheering section. And, in addition to leading the Xtreme Bulls Tour, he?s also the runaway leader in the PRCA?s season bullriding standings.
Slack sessions ? timed-event-only performances with free admission and for which there are always good seats ? are set for 10 a.m. today and 8 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
As of Thursday afternoon tickets still remained for each performance, but the weekend matinees were on the verge of being sold out. Tickets can be purchased online at the rodeo?s site (ellensburgrodeo.com) or by calling 800-637-2444.
Filed under All, Rodeo
Source: http://sportsyakima.com/2011/09/some-big-names-will-miss-rodeo/
bestbuy cavalier king charles spaniel cavalier king charles spaniel parker parker tony parker als
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.