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| 7/29/2010 10:12:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article
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Hector del Castillo/Chieftain
Ryan McKenzie of Jordan Valley scores a 74 in saddle bronc riding in the second rodeo. |
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Knowles know Chief Joseph
Hanna tackles new arena record, but Knowles takes rodeo’s first-place money
By Hector del Castillo
Wallowa County Chieftain
The Knowles know Joseph.
Trevor Knowles of Mount Vernon was the Top All-Around Cowboy among almost 400 ropers and riders in a series of rodeos, the 65th annual Chief Joseph Days, July 21 to 24 at Harley Tucker Memorial Arena. On a week of outstanding performances, including a few record setters, Knowles took home the top prizes - a trophy buckle, Navajo rug and boot certificate - by winning first place in steer wrestling. His go-round totaled just 8.6 seconds.
Results are listed in the Scoreboard on Page B2.
Chief Joseph Days featured a star-studded lineup of participants. The long list included many new faces, such as Trevor Brazile: the best all-around hand this season in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. A three-time world champion, Brazile tried roping in Joseph but found little success.
Instead, the big winner was a familiar face. A native of Baker City, Knowles five years ago bested the Harley Rodeo Series, which includes competitions in St. Paul, Union and Elgin, before crowning the champ in Joseph. Trevor's uncle Butch was the all-around champion of the 1976 Chief Joseph Days. That year, Butch was the best saddle bronc rider. In '78, he won the same event as well as bull riding. Trevor's cousin Blake, also a steer wrestler, tied the Tucker Arena record three years ago with a tackle at 3.8 seconds.
Last week, Blake and other historic names were in danger of losing their place atop the record book. The second night, Dane Hanna of Starkville, Miss., finished his second-go in 3.8 seconds. He wound up in second place, behind Trevor. The next evening, Clint Cooper of Decatur, Texas, executed the fastest tie-down roping in arena history at just eights seconds flat. He beat the previous mark, an 8.2, set by Jeff Coelho in 1999.
In the end, however, Cooper failed to make the Top 6 and earn any money. The level of competition allowed little room for error. Josh Peek of Pueblo, Colo., who ranked third in the PRCA's all-around standings, took first place in calf roping. His two goes totaled 20.5 seconds.
Stars dominated many other events. Chad Everett Denton of Berry Creek, Calif., the second-best bull rider in the PRCA, scored an 88 on the first night. His mark held onto its top spot. Meanwhile, Scott Miller of Hemet, Calif., was the best saddle bronc rider. His 85 easily beat the closest contender, a 78 by Jeremiah Diffee. The next rider, Shawn Morehead of Bruneau, Idaho, took home a couple of paychecks. His 77 was good enough for third place, and he also won the Tucker Series championship. Morehead went to Joseph tied for the series lead with Brandon Martin, a bareback rider from Pendleton. Martin failed to make a qualified ride.
In other events, competition was tighter. A pair of bareback riders, Jason Havens and Will Lowe, tied for first place with 83s. Havens had already bested Chief Joseph Days in the past. Below them, by just one point, was another tie: Justin McDaniel and Joe Gunderson. Fifth place money went to both Jessy Davis and Jared Smith. And four cowboys scored 79s. The roping team of Brady and Riley Minor, who in the previous three years had won the Chief Joseph Days title twice, encountered a major challenge. The Minors again took first place, this time tied with the team of Luke Brown and Martin Lucero.
Barrel racing ended with 12 cowgirls taking home checks. First place went to Brenda Mays, who raced the loop in 17.17 seconds. After her, little separated the next 11 ladies. Whitney Phillips managed the second-fastest time at 17.40 seconds; Jodi Hoctor settled for 12th place at 17.69.
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