Members of the local community as well as visitors from around the world gathered to watch the Desertview Pro Rodeo on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Cowboys and cowgirls competed in seven events including bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, barrel racing and bull riding.
The National Anthem was performed by Anya LeRoy on Thursday and Saturday evenings and John Hughes on Friday evening. The flag was presented by local EMTs and firefighters on Thursday. On Friday, local law enforcement officers brought the flag into the arena. On Saturday, members of the National Guard presented the colors.
The winners of the bareback riding were Caleb Bennett and Craig Wisehart, both with a score of 81. Steer wrestling was taken by Baylor Roche with a time of 4.4 seconds. Zane Barnson and Brian Roundy placed first in team roping with a time of 5.3 seconds. The winner of saddle bronc riding, Jesse Wright, notched a score of 83. With a time of 8 seconds, J.C. Malone won the tie down roping event. Barrel racer Kelly Larsen won with a time of 17.54 seconds. Bull riders were having trouble staying on, allowing Jeremy Jex to win with a score of 66.
Announcer Andy Seiler and rodeo clown Slim Garner entertained the audience during and between events. Giveaways also took place each night with a raffle on Saturday. Also at the event, an auction was held for the Cloward family to help with finances for Hadley, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. A donated gun was auctioned for $250,000, which was matched with another $100,000, making a total of $350,000 for the family.
