Indian Cowboys in the PRCA

 Sisters, OR Pro Rodeo 2005

 For many, rodeo is a way of life

June 14, 2005

Carmela Scott/ Indian Rodeo News

Reporter for- Indian Cowboys in the PRCA

"Well it's bulls and blood, it's dust and mud, it's the roar of a Sunday Crowd ..." — Garth Brooks

The air was a bit chilly in the evenings, "But the Cowboys were HOT".  The Three Sisters Mountain Range backdrop the Sisters rodeo facility.  What a beautiful scene…  An outstanding  rodeo, and mountain view as well.  Before the Sisters Rodeo committee made their final move for the Home of the " Biggest Show in the World"  The  rodeo was right  downtown Sisters.  A bull ring style rodeo grounds stood and circling the rodeo arena was a 1/4 mile race track.  Through the middle of the track ran a little brook.  As a child I can remember playing there in the water during the entire rodeo.  All the rodeo kids played in that water.

The crowd at the Sisters Rodeo arena roared for every competitor, human and animal, on Sunday.

Huge bulls exploded out of the chutes trying to dislodge their riders, nimble cowboys nipped agile calves mid-flight with lariats, and cowgirls clung like ticks to the backs of their charging quarter horses.

The conclusion of the 64th annual Sisters Rodeo revealed Blair Burk as the winner of the all-around cowboy title. Burk, of Durant, Okla., took first place in tie-down roping with a time of 9.0 seconds, and he places second in team roping (5.4 seconds). As the all-around champion, he earned $2,546.25.   This year in 2005, Burk had some tough luck.  And this 65^th Annual rodeo seen the cowboy,  Trevor Knowles, Mt. Vernon, Oregon  take home the All-around saddle. 

When I asked Trevor if I could have a few moments of his time he gladly responded- Yes…  I asked Trevor how his season was going…  He gladly, and so proudly said that his season was going well; and hoped he would draw up as well in Reno, Nevada.  Trevor so modestly said he was glad to speak to me and Knew of -Indian Rodeo News.Com, And wished his competitor Clint Bruised Head well….

But cowboys and cowgirls compete in rodeos for more than prize money.

Clint Bruised Head, a resident of Warm Springs, is in his second year of competing at the professional level. Bruised Head, 36, competed in tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling. He said that rodeo is in his blood.

"My dad rodeoed," he said Sunday. "I grew up doing rodeo. I love it." Bruised Head tied for fourth place in steer wrestling last year. He said that bulldogging is his favorite event.   In steer wrestling, or bulldogging, a cowboy flings himself on the back of a charging 700-pound steer, grabs it by the horns, slams his boot heels into the dirt and whips the head of the animal to the ground. Ideally, this takes less than five seconds.

"I took home a good chunk of cash last year here in Sisters I hope to do it again this year," Bruised Head said modestly.   He explained that Sunday's rodeo is just one of more than 50 in which he plans to compete on this year's Columbia River Pro Rodeo Circuit. He said he was pleased with his results this weekend and that the points he earned at the Sisters Rodeo would take him that much closer to his goal of competing at the circuit finals in Redmond this November.   Bruised Head has a calm, centered demeanor. He has successfully competed on the Indian National Finals rodeo circuit, and he has a firm goal to reach in the next few years: "I want to be one of the top cowboys in the world. Step at a time."   Bruised Head the 2004 All Around Cowboy won his honors at the 2004 Indian National Finals,  He (Bruised head) represents well and in class form.  Sammy Bruised Head competes in barrel racing at most rodeo's. The husband and wife team said that for them, too, rodeo is part of their history, "My grandpa and my dad used to rodeo," said Sammy Bruised head I grew up doing rodeo like other kids grew up playing football."

Sammy Bruised head, calls rodeo a family sport, and not only in terms of one generation following another.

"Everybody who rodoes is a family," she said. "Clint and I watch each other for support — We all cheer for each other."   Watch Moves and Score marks…  We support each other completely.  Barrel racing is a race against time, in which cowgirls run a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. The competitors are typically mounted on quarter horses that are blazingly fast and nimble as cats in whipping around the barrels. The riders must stick on top of and accurately guide a 1,500-pound animal that bolts at full velocity, abruptly changes direction, then takes off again in a head-snapping dash of speed.

The Bruised Heads didn't place in competition this weekend, but both women shrugged it off with good-natured grins.  "We've got young horses this year," said Sammy. "They're learning, we're learning."  They will go on to another rodeo in Washington State.  "Rodeo is a learning experience," added Mrs. Bruised Head. "You keep trying ‘til you find what works for you and your horse."   "I love to travel, meet new people," said  Clint Bruised Head. "All rodeos are special, and the people are family."

Bruised Head summed it up with the laconic clarity of a cowboy: "This is life," he said of rodeo. "I love it."

As I circled the arena taking photos and speaking to Cowboys,  I spoke to Dewayne Hargo,  Hargo rode in the Bull Riding event this year, when asked how his season was going.. He responded.. When I see you in St. Paul, Oregon.. I hope to have a better report for ya!  Our own Johnny Chavez had a bit of tough luck this year in the Bull riding event..   As well as Johnny Hammack of Redmond, Oregon,  Johnny Hammack ( Chinook/ Iroqouis) drew one nose diving horse of Beard 's rodeo string,  Johnny lost a lot of rein and was tipped over the top of the bucking horse.

My good friend, Jerroll Campbell made a good show, and he was competing against his sons Bucky and BJ Campbell.  We seen Jerroll and Bucky in the Team Roping finals.  Another friend and college classmate Mike Beers made a great showing at Sisters 2005.  Mike competed in the Calf roping and Team, Roping…   Mikie… There's just no RETIRING yet for this rodeo cowboy.  Beers joined the PRCA right out of college as well as Shane Crossley, Mike Fuller, David Inman and Casy Cox…. We all attended Blue Mt. Community College in Pendleton Oregon.   It can be done.. PRCA competition right out of College ranks….

This years champions of Sister, Oregon ProRodeo-  Bobby Mote of  Redmond, Oregon and calls- Sisters, Oregon rodeo his hometown rodeo won the Bareback riding going into the final day James Bordreaux was leading the bareback until Sunday.  Kyle Bowers was very close.  In the finals  Mote won on Ghost Town with a 84 point ride, edging Kyle Bowers out.

Tie-down roping seen Nate Baldwin of Rigby, Idaho winning  with 19.1 on two head, edging out Clint Robinson- Baldwins travelling partner.

Shawn Greenfield- Lakeview, Oregon won the Steer Wrestling title this year with a time of8.3 on 2 head edging out Luke Branquino- And Greenfield walks away with his pocket full of just  -$4,648.00

Matt Funk Wenatchee, Wa. / Dusty Moore of Ogden, Utah. Won the Team roping- 11.6 on two head-winning $2,189.00 each.  Sam Mckenzie of Jordan Valley, Oregon won the Classic Event of rodeo- The Saddle Bronc Riding- Sam skipped on out of town with a win of 4,446.00  -Congratulations Sammy!   Ian Male of Livermore, Ca. won the Bull riding with an impressive- 82 pt. Ride!  Ian was pleased with that- Taking home $5,216.00

 Well we at Indian Rodeo News- Wish ya'll  the Best in your 2005 Rodeo Season.

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