ProRodeo Sports News - February 3, 2023

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BY THE NUMBERS 4 The number of times Tornado, owned by ProRodeo Hall of Famer Jim Shoulders, was chosen as Top Bucking Bull of the NFR, a PRCA record. Tornado received the honor from 1962-65. Tornado was retired in 1968 and was inducted into the 1979 inaugural ProRodeo Hall of Fame class in Colorado Springs, Colo. 1960 The first time a left-handed tie-down roper qualified for the National Finals Rodeo. His name was Grady Allen. The El Campo, Texas, cowboy finished 10th in the final world standings with $9,141. $414K The combined amount of money ($414,222) earned by Stetson Wright in saddle bronc riding and bull riding at the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge in December in Las Vegas, which is a PRCA record.

Jessica Burns photo

PRCA saddle bronc riders, from left, Karson Mebane, David Tanksley, Q McWhorter (in trunk) and Roman Reyes relax after driving to Wauchula, Fla., from the San Luis Obispo, Calif., area to compete in the Peace River Pro Rodeo Classic on Saturday on Jan. 28. Taking a Break Rodeo-theme mural upcoming for 100th anniversary of Ellensburg Rodeo

The Ellensburg (Wash.) City Council recently unanimously approved the creation of a rodeo themed mural to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Ellensburg Rodeo. “The (Ellensburg) rodeo has been the major event for the community since 1923,” Ellensburg Mayor Nancy Lillquist said. “It is the event that puts us on the national stage once a year. So, it is very important for the community.” The mural will go on the west-facing section Craig’s Hill Reservoir water tower and will have approximate dimensions of 40 feet by 40 feet. It will overlook the Kittitas Valley Event Center Arena. According to Lillquist, the mural will be framed “just above the grandstands” so as to be visible by the “majority” of visitors watching the rodeo. The city’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee voted unanimously Dec. 13 to recommend the City Council approve $25,000 from the city’s Lodging Tax Fund for the mural. The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee oversees the tax revenue from the city’s hotel and motels.

According to city of Ellensburg Public Information Officer Nicole Klauss, the $25,000 mural price tag was determined by city staff after consulting with a local mural artist and sign company. Currently, the mural is expected to last five years and will be “a short-term piece in honor of the rodeo’s 100-year anniversary,” according to Klauss. According to Lillquist, the city’s Public Works and Utilities Department will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the mural over that five year period. The upkeep costs of the mural will be included in the Craig’s Hill Reservoir water tower budget. “We’re guaranteeing a five-year minimum,” said Lillquist. “But we need to still develop that plan for protection and maintenance.” The city of Ellensburg will prioritize local and regional artists for the creation of the rodeo-themed mural. The mural is to be completed by July 31. The Ellensburg Rodeo will take place Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-4.

ProRodeo Sports News 2/3/2023

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