Weather awesome for Kootenai Rodeo
While the crowd of spectators was a little thinner than in years past, the 2010 Kootenai River Rodeo, the weather couldn't have been better.
The competition was fierce and nary a cowboy had to take an ambulance ride, making it another successful event.
“Overall, it was good,” said announcer Ken Robertson. “The crowd was a touch below normal, but the weather was fantastic. And we had a lot of local cowboys competing. None of them finished in the money, but they were all competitive.”
According to his wife, Barbara, some of the riding stock was local as well, with a few of the bulls provided by Marty and Kasey Wyatt.
Jace Berg, Colville, who is the leading cowboy on the Pro West circuit, had an outstanding rodeo, scoring an 87 to win the bull-riding event. Dusty Kimble, this year's All-Around Cowboy, had an excellent go-round in the steer wrestling event, winning with a time of 5.83 seconds. Jacob Stacy came in second in 6.96, followed by Tony Currin, 8.78.
In bareback, Matt Bates took top honors with a score of 73, Francis Marchand scored 72 and Justin King 70. Tait Tucker won the tie down roping in 9.63 seconds, followed by Kimble, 10.61, and Bart Fouts, 11.03. Jennifer Casey won the breakaway roping in a quick 2.35 seconds, followed by Macy Fuller, 2.75, and Liz Combs, 3.03.
In the team roping, T.C. Naccarato and Scott Fisher finished in 5.56 seconds, just a split second ahead of the second place team of Brian Hill and Paul Dunn, who came in with a time of 5.6 seconds. Chad Evenson and Clay Freemantle took third place money with a time of 5.68 seconds.
Jacob Stacy stayed aboard the saddle bronc long enough to earn 73 points and a win. J.D. Johnson scored 69 and Brady Annett took third with 65.
Katy Bremner topped the barrel racers with a time of 16.75 seconds, followed by Kendra France, 16.855, and Hilary Imhof, 16.949.
In addition to the great competition, rodeo attendees had the pleasure of a demonstration Saturday evening by the Northwest Mounted Shooters, a group of cowboys and cowgirls based in Post Falls who tour throughout the northwest displaying their riding and shooting skills.
The Selkirk Saddle Club, who organize and hold the Kootenai River Rodeo, extend their thanks to everyone who made this year's rodeo a success; their sponsors, the rodeo fans in the stands and the cowboys and cowgirls who gave it their all in the arena.