ProRodeo Sports News - June 15, 2018

COWBOY CHRISTMAS PREVIEW ST. PAUL RODEO St. Paul, Ore. July 3-7 stpaulrodeo.com

$28,050 per event,” Smith said.

St. Paul’s stock were contracted by Bridwell Pro Rodeos with Korkow Rodeos, Corey & Lange Rodeo, Big Stone, Moreno &Growney Rodeo, and Big Stone Rodeo. “Our rule is if it’s not a 20-point or better horse or bull, don’t bring it,” Smith said. “They (the competitors) love to come because they have a chance to win. They want a chance to win and not be a drawing contest, so we worked hard at hiring a lot of NFR stock.” The six rodeo performances take place in an arena that holds 10,000 spectators. Unlike most rodeo arenas, St. Paul’s is a quarter-mile circle surrounded by fir trees with a track around the edge that used to have races between rodeo events. “As far as I know, we are the only rodeo that has trees that line our track and arena, and so our title is ‘Christmas in July at St. Paul.’” Smith said. “It’s our 83rd year. They always had trees in the arena, and it’s special to us.” The rodeo also features a WildWest

Plenty of the biggest names in ProRodeo have made the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo part of their Cowboy Christmas run since 1936. “We have everyone entering the rodeo,” said Bill Smith, marketing director and arena director of the St. Paul Rodeo. “All the great ones have been through our arena, all the Hall of Famers, and we try to put on a fast and entertaining rodeo with every performance.” Past St. Paul champions include Jim Shoulders,

who won the bull riding in 1948-49 and 1952, bareback riding in 1951-52 and ’55, and the all- around title in 1952. Last year’s St. Paul winners featured multiple cowboys who went on to compete at the 2017Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – steer wrestler Kyle Irwin, team ropers Charly Crawford and Joseph Harrison, and bareback rider TimO’Connell (who went on to win the world championship, thanks in part to money won in St. Paul). “It’s a who’s who in the Fourth of July,” Smith said. From the competitors’ standpoint, there are two big reasons to make St. Paul part of their Cowboy Christmas run – big prize money andWrangler NFR-caliber stock. “We’re the biggest rodeo on the Fourth of July with a committee purse of

J.J. Harrison and fans have a good time at the St. Paul Rodeo in Oregon. Kent Soule photo

Art Show that’s open every day of the rodeo in a large circus tent. Next to that, there’s a main stage tent with a live radio show, corporate events and a place to relax and eat. The rodeo also has a carnival and a Tack Room Saloon.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/15/2018

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