PRCA rodeo planned here in July

A Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) will be held in Mountain Home at the Optimist Park rodeo grounds July 14-15.

Top riders from the elite pro rodeo circuit will appear at the event as part of a benefit for Daniel Dopps. Dopps, 19, of Mountain Home, was killed while riding a bull during a PRCA event in Grace, Idaho, last August.

His parents, Dave and Ramona Dopps of Mountain Home, along with Mike Pope, Pat O'Malley and Todd McCurry, have formed the Mountain Home Pro Rodeo Committee to organize the event.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the Elmore County Search and Rescue unit and the Ronald McDonald House.

Although the long-term future of Optimist Park is up in the air, the park is expected to be available for use by non-motorized events for at least the next two summers.

Pope said he hopes the rodeo will become an annual event in Mountain Home. "Other communities like us that have rodeos like this say that for every dollar spent by the community, five to seven dollars is brought in to the area," he said.

The committee is in the process of fixing the rodeo grounds, bringing them up to PRCA standards, and is seeking volunteers to help with the project. He can be reached at 590-0531, for anyone wishing to volunteer. Those interested also can contact Ramona Dopps.

Pope also is hoping local merchants will support the rodeo with cash, to help with the repairs and to increase the purse. Currently, he has $12,000 available as "added money" (in addition to entry fees) for the rodeo performers to win. he also hopes merchants will "dress the part" during the week of the rodeo.

Pope said he expects some of the top rodeo stars in the county may attend, since the event is scheduled the week before the world famous Snake River Stampede in Nampa. The rodeo will be part of the PRCA's Wilderness Circuit, one of 12 such circuits in the country.

Slash T will provide the stock for the rodeo, which will feature saddle bronc, bareback and bull-riding events, as well as calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing (the only women's event).

In addition, there will be a "calf scamble" for children, in which a number of calves are released in the arena, one of which has a ribbon on its tail for the children to grab. For smaller children, a goat chasing event will be held.

"The ultimate goal," he said of this year's rodeo, "is to get the city to see this as a benefit to the city. We'd like to see it become a regular event."

Pope said he expects to be able to provide seating for 2,500 people. Tickets will cost $7, with a discount of one dollar for those will military ID cards. Ticket sale locations have not been announced.

Although Elmore and Eastern Owyhee counties see a number of rodeos each year, most involve riders in circuits hoping to make it to the PRCA. This will be the first PRCA rodeo ever held in Elmore County.