Categories: Rodeo News

Pendleton Round-Up 2015

Written by

Erich Rogers

From September 16-19 in Pendleton, Oregon, any cowboy or cowgirl who loves a good rodeo will be attending the Pendleton Round-Up. A PRCA Pro Rodeo event that always attracts the top talent on the circuit, this year’s event is sure to be better than ever. With media coverage from the Cowboy Lifestyle Network, Ak-Chin Indian Community, and the Earnhardt Auto Road Team, the Round-Up is sure to garner national and even international attention from rodeo enthusiasts everywhere. Filled with fun activities for the whole family as well as fierce competition in a variety of events, this is one rodeo that’s got something for everyone.

Justin McDaniel

Round-Up History

As every good cowboy and cowgirl knows, this event has a rich and varied history. The first show was held on September 29, 1910, with a reporter from the local paper stating that “the Round-Up is a whirlwind success.” From humble beginnings, within two decades the show had fans and competitors from 36 states and eight foreign countries, with attendance reaching as high as 50,000 for the four-day event. One aspect that has made this event so unique over the years is the participation from local Indians as well as women. A strong Indian presence has always been a part of the event’s festivities, and women have shown they can compete as well as the men in many events. In fact, in 1914 Bertha Blanchett came within 12 points of winning the all-around title, becoming a cowgirl for the ages.

Dusty Tuckness

Tough Enough to Wear Pink

Over the past 10 years, this PRCA Pro Rodeo event has been a leader in the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign, which raises awareness as well as money to help breast cancer patients in the local community. This year’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day, scheduled for September 17 from 1:15-5:00 pm at Pendleton Round-Up Stadium, promises to be better than ever. To commemorate this special day’s tenth anniversary at the rodeo, a raffle is being held for a custom-designed Montana Silversmiths Belt Buckle that will make any cowboy or cowgirl look better than ever.

Rodeo Events

This year’s Round-Up in Oregon will have many great competitors looking to take home first place in a variety of events. Some of the more notable competitors over the four-day period include:

Chance Kelton
Cord Hodge
Cindy Woods
Kayla Ingram

Among the events they will be participating in are:

Steer Wrestling
Barrel Racing
Steer Roping
Bareback Riding
Calf Roping

No matter which PRCA Pro Rodeo event is your favorite, there’s sure to be plenty of excitement in Oregon as these and many other cowboys and cowgirls put it all on the line to walk away from the Pacific Northwest as a champion.

Jodi Erpelding

I grew up on a Midwest farm with dirt under my fingernails and the sound of wind rustling through cornfields. My childhood was all about 4H – raising pigs and horses, learning to bake and sew, and discovering the magic of transforming a garden into jars of summer sunshine. Those years taught me the value of hard work, the thrill of seeing a project through to the end, and the simple joy of creating something beautiful. A country girl with a need for speed and a thirst for adventure. Maybe that's why I love the feeling of wind in my hair – whether I'm cruising down a dusty road on my Harley or tackling a mountain trail on my trusty mountain bike. Some of my earliest memories of rodeo are watching my father compete at small local events. That's also where my love for country music comes in – long car rides listening to 8 tracks. The lyrics and melodies always spoke to my soul. These days, you'll find me cheering on the cowboys and cowgirls at rodeos, two-stepping to my favorite bands, belting out a country tune at a concert or sharing stories and laughter with friends around a bonfire. When I'm not soaking up the country life and getting my boots dirty, I'm a nurse, caring for folks in my community. Follow along for more stories from the heart of rodeo and country life!