Dopps PRCA rodeo is this weekend

Friday, June 27, 2008

The Daniel Dopps Memorial Dodge PRCA Rodeo returns to Mountain Home June this Friday and Saturday, 27-28, at the Optimist Park rodeo grounds.

This year, the pre-rodeo events will start at 7 p.m. and the rodeo will start at 7:30 p.m.

Mountain Home Auto Ranch is the premier local sponsor for the event, which memorializes the life of Daniel Dopps, a promising young local rodeo star who had just gone professional when he was killed in the arena three years ago.

"Rodeo was always a big part of Daniel Dopps's life. Anyone who knew Daniel -- and those who were meeting him for the first time -- knew one thing: he was a cowboy in every way. This rodeo is guided by his spirit," said his mother, Ramona Dopps.

The event also honors U.S. service men and women, and supports a worthy national cause.

The Friday, June 27, events will be dedicated to "Honoring our Armed Forces."

This year the rodeo committee has partnered with the 266th Range Squadron, American Legion Post 101, Mountain Home Fast Pitch Girls Softball and Optimist Ag Kids to provide concessions for the rodeo.

The theme for Saturday, June 28, is "Tough Enough To Wear Pink," part of a 2008 initiative sponsored by Wrangler to raise funds for breast cancer research. The Mountain Home Rodeo Committee asks attendees to wear a pink shirt, hat or any apparel with the color pink to help support breast cancer awareness.

Part of the rodeo excitement is Stock Saddle Riding and Open Barrel Racing, an event for local cowboys and cowgirls who make a living in the saddle every day.

The rodeo also brings back the Calf Scramble, where all kids under the age of 12 are invited to participate and possibly win some cash prizes. For the smaller buckaroos it has a Goat Tail Untying event. Registration is at 6:45 p.m. with both of those "pre-rodeo" events kicking off at 7 p.m.

J.D. Platt and his K-9 Kings of Entertainment will be performing each night. "This high energy, high-flying Frisbee dog act will bring a smile to all in attendance," Dopps said. JD and his dog, Galaxy, recently competed in the upcoming television series, "Greatest American Dog." That program will premiere on CBS July 10.

The Jeff Palmer Band will be playing each night after the rodeo until 1 a.m.

Advance tickets are on sale now at Mountain Home Auto Ranch, Sunset Sinclair C and D & B Supply in Mountain Home. Tickets may also be obtained at the gate.

More information is available online at: www.3dmemorialrodeo.org, or call Ramona Dopps at 598-0456.

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