Rodeo Shines as USA Celebrates 250 – Ron Williams

The World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott has come to a conclusion after 8 sold out performances and as the United States of America celebrated its 250th birthday.

Things have changed quite a bit since the first rodeo in Prescott back in 1888, but one thing is certain,  the rodeo brings out the pride of patriotism and love of God in those cowboys and cowgirls as they continue to endure over the years.

The 4th featured two performances with one at 1:30pm and the other at 7:30pm. Fans came from all around to enjoy that day including Jerry Howe who was visiting the area from Colorado. Howe said, “We got our tickets kind of late but it has been worth it. The atmosphere here is just amazing and it is a testament to all those who participate and about their character along with their grit and determination and this is a great way to celebrate the fourth.”

Photo: Sloan Williams

This year’s rodeo featured 611 contestants and had a total payout of $346,370.60 with Jake Clay from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, earning All Round Cowboy honors taking home a total of $10,120.72.

Photo: A Mutton Buster

After the grand entry and the prayer followed by the beautiful renditions of our national anthem it was time for the action. The wild horse race/ extreme bronc riding got things started off with chaos in the arena. The object is to wrestle a wild horse to the point where a rider can get on and stay on. Sounds easy, but it is not. Always a fan favorite as you see all kinds of things, mostly the horses dragging cowboys in the dirt, but in the end one or two cowboys make it on and survive the challenge.

On Saturday, Barrelman Justin Rumford kept the crowd entertained with his interaction with the fans as he moved about even stopping those on their way somewhere. He took it up a notch in the evening performance as he challenged a gentleman to drink a beer from his own boot, then upped the ante challenging him to drink a brew out of a stranger’s boot. He did as the crowd offered up mixed emotions. The other thing was he said he would give a couple a six-pack if they got engaged at the rodeo. There were no takers in the afternoon, but in the evening this couple came up front and center and the man got down on his knee and proposed. Lucky for him she said yes as the crowd cheered. They embraced and kissed as Rumford seemed a bit shocked by it. He then broke the bad news that he did not have a six-pack. The couple shrugged it off and walked arm and arm towards the midway area. They have not been seen since. Congratulations!

Meanwhile out in the arena, the events continued to take place. Locally, Sarah Kieckhefer and Sloan Williams represented Prescott. Williams was in barrel racing and Sarah Kieckhefer in the breakaway roping along with Kenzie Kelton of Mayer. 

The Broken Spoke Clydesdales from Winfield, Kansas, brought their wagon that pulled their six beautiful Clydesdales driving out doing a figure eight and basically turning on a dime routine.

Another highlight was Rider and Bethany Kiesner. The husband and wife specialty act duo wowed the crowd with trick riding, trick roping, pistol juggling, and whip cracking performances.

Kris Martin said, “They were great. I mean the way she rides and was able to stay on that fast horse was amazing. I know I would never do anything like that.” What about Rider, she added, “He is very good too.”

There were three rounds of Steer Roping. The First Go top three were Troy Tillard, Douglas, WY taking home $1,481.12 with a time of 11.2. Second place went to Ty WIlliams, Sulphur, OK 11.5 and $1,225.75. Third Jake Clay 11.8, $970.39. The Second Go top three were Dustin Bassett, Vinita, OK 9.2 $1,481.12. Second was Scott Snedecor 10.3 $ 1,225.75 and third was Riley O’Rourke Skiatook, OK 10.9 $970.39. The Third Go Winners were Erich Rogers Round Rock, AZ with a time of 11.0, good enough to take home $1,481.12. Second place was Coleman Proctor Pryor, OK 11.3 $1,225,75 and third was Jake Clay 11.4 $970.39. The Total on Three Winners were Jake Clay with an overall time of 36.3 and winning $2,221.69. Vin Fisher Jr. Andrews, TX was second with a time of 40.1 $1,838.64 and third went to Dalton Walker with a time of 40.4 collecting $1,455.59 for his efforts.

Breakaway Roping First Go winners were Kimberly Williams, North Powder, Oregon with  a time of 2.8 and taking home $2,270.10. Then there was a three way tie for second with a time of 3.0. Prescott’s own Sarah Kieckhefer, along with Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Stephensville, Texas and Justine Begay of Fountain Hills, AZ each received $1,657.53.

Second Go winners were Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Stephensville with a 2.8 winning $2,270.10. Hailey Schafer San Tan Valley, AZ 2.9 $1,945.80 and Bradi Good of Abilene, Texas 3.0 $1,621.50.

The total on the Two Head Winners were Jordi Edens-Mitchell, Stephensville 5.8 $3,405.15

Kimberly Williams, North Powder, Oregon 6.2 $2,918.70 and  Bradi Good of Abilene, Texas 6.3.

Sarah Kieckhefer with a time of 6.7 finished 5th and took home $1,621.50.

The saddle bronc riding and bareback riding are wild rides whether you stay on or get bucked off. How you land can also be an adventure. Many walk off slowly after the latter. The week ended with a four way tie for first in the saddle bronc competition.  Allen Boore from Axtell, Utah, Spencer Wright of Milford, Utah, Cash Wilson, Whitewood, SD, and Ross Griffin from Tularosa, New Mexico each received $4,872.96 for their efforts. As for the bareback riding, Luke Thrash of Stephensville, Texas took home first prize of $6,944.25. Second went to Ben Kramer of Max, North Dakota, taking home $5,323.92 and third was Cole Reiner of Buffalo, Wyoming winning $3,935.07.

The steer wrestling First Go winner was Hayden Webb, of Wheatland, California, winning $2,185.16. Second place was Owen Redfeairn, Bakersfield, California $1,900.14, and third place went to Colt Honey, La Junta, Colorado $1.615.12.Second Go Winners were Riley  Westhaver, High River, AB $2,185.16, Chance Howard, Sallisaw, Oklahoma $1,900.14, and Seth Peterson, Minot, North Dakota $1,472.61. A first place tie on Two Head winners with Darcy Kersh, Charles Towers, QL and Seth Peterson, Minot, North Dakota each receiving $3,063.98. Third was Chance Howard, Sallisaw, Oklahoma $2,422.68.

Tie down roping awarded three sets of winners. In the First Go, Tom Crouse of Gallatin, Missouri, won $3097.83. Second place was Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas, winning $2,693.77, and Brodey Clemons, Weatherford, Texas took home the third place with $2,289.70

The Second Go Winners were Joel Harris  San Angelo, Texas $3,097.83, Dean Holyan, Coyote Springs, New Mexico $2,693.77. Tied for third were Cody McCartney of Kingston, Oklahoma and King Pickett of Palm Beach Gardens who took home $2,087.67 a piece.

The Total Two Head Winners were Quade Hiatt $4,646.75, Brodey Clemons $4,040.65

Tom Crouse $3.434.55.

Both crowds really got into barrel racing, which is a thrilling test of speed, precision and horsemanship as these ladies go around three barrels and sprint past the finish line. The First Go winner was Christina Gould, Williams, Arizona $2.581.99 Second place went to Kathy Petska, Turlock, Ca $2,213.13 and third was Buffy Walchli, Aguila, Arizona $1,844.28

Second Go Winners were Doskie Edwards, Casa Grande, Az $2,581.99. Second  was Whitley Sharp, Caldwell, Idaho $2,213.13, third went to Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, $1,844.28.

The Total on Two Head winner with a combined time of 34.64 was Gould $2,581.99, second was Sharp 34.75, $2,213.13, and Scott was third 34.83,  $1,844.28.

Team roping 1st Go Winners were, Clay Smith of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Coleby Payne of Stevensville, Texas with a time of 6.7 took home $3,150.34 each. Second place went to a pair from Payson. Monty James and TJ Brown scored 7.2 and took home $2,739.42 each. Third was Jake Clay and Whip Peterson with a time of 7.5 taking home $2,328.51 for their efforts.

The 2nd Go Winners were  Luke Brown of Rock Hill, SC and Hunter Koch of Vernonb, TX taking home $3150.34. Tanner Tomlinson, Mineral Wells, TX and Wesley Thorp, Stephensville, TX $2,739.42 and third was Denver Eng, Stanfield, OR and Calgary Smith, Adams, OR winning $2,328.51.

The Total Winners were Clay Smith of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Coleby Payne of Stevensville, Texas with a combined time of 14.0 and being rewarded with $4,725.51 apiece. Monty James and TJ Brown continued to make Payson proud finishing second with a time of 14.8 and took home  $4,109.14. Third was Jake Clay and Whip Peterson took home $3,492.77 with a time of 15.1.

The day and night ended with bull riding. These cowboys get on a massive roughly 2000 pound animal and do their best to hold on. Some succeed but most do not. The overall winner was Hudson Bolton from Milan, Texas who took home $14,809.87. Second place was Cade Griego of Stanley, Texas who walked away with $12,872.12.

The evening finale was performed by Rider Kiesner as he did a visually impressive fire rope trick with the arena lights out. Cheers to the World’s Oldest Rodeo on another year well done.