Dopps Rodeo draws good crowds to see quality cowboys

An epic battle between bull and cowboy.

The Daniel Dopps Memorial Dodge PRCA Rodeo was held this past weekend at the Optimist Park rodeo ground.

"The event was pretty successful except for a few glitches that we had to work out," said Mike Pope, Rodeo President.

On Friday there was a scheduling problem with the grandstand and on Saturday there was a reservation problem with the park.

Pope said they had just gotten done decorating the stand when he was told it was going to be moved to another location because it had been reserved.

"Quickly we scrambled to find another to replace it, which we did," replied Pope.

"Saturday there was a reservation mix-up with another family that was going to have a birthday with bouncy houses in the park," Dave Dopps said.

"I went to Mike Pope and he made a phone call to Mayor Rist to see if there was any way we could help the family find a new location for their party. They were completely unaware that the park was being used for the rodeo."

The family was successful in finding another location with the help of the mayor.

But other than those two incidents the rodeo went on.

The stands were full and people brought their chairs to sit in the grass in order to have front row seats around the arena fence.

Friday night's theme was "Armed Forces Night," and Saturday's theme was "Tough Enough to Wear Pink."

The opening ceremonies featured a flag introduction with rodeo sponsors' logos, the American flag, a color guard and Dodge trucks that had guests in pickup beds.

The rodeo announcer, Scott Allen, asked the crowd to welcome the special guests from the 428th Fighter Squadron from Singapore, the "Buccaneers," which are stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base. For many of them it was their first rodeo.

As they waved to the crowd, the crowd responded with loud applause.

The rodeo got started with children competing in the Calf Scramble (for ages 6-12) and Goat Tail Untying (for those 5 years old and younger.)

The children that were able to get the ribbons off the tail first received a cash prize and all of the participants received bandanas full of candy.

During that event cowboys and cowgirls were warming up, stretching and getting ready to compete in the evenings events ­--bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie down roping, bull riding and barrel racing.

Between events, Scott Allen, rodeo announcer, and Clint "Wolfie" Selvester, rodeo clown, provided some entertainment for the crowd.

"Wolfie" got the crowd excited when he came into the arena carrying a large bag of surprises. He announced that the footballs and other items he had to give away had special tickets on them to be redeemed for bigger items.

The Dopps family donated the prizes, which included $30 in free gas, food, drinks and T-shirts.

Final results for the two day competitions were available at the end of each event Saturday evening.

In bareback riding, first place went to RC Landingham from Pendleton, Ore. His score of 76 points was more than enough to win over the 71 point, 3-way tie for second.

Tie down roping's time of 9.1 seconds from Kevin Adams of Arbon, won him first place.

Ben Joseph Londo from Pendleton, Ore. took first place in saddle bronc riding with his score of 83.

Steer wrestling first place went to Olin Hannum of West Haven, Utah.

Teammates Joe Bartlett of Boardman, Ore., and Ryan Powell of Caldwell took first in team roping.

Bull riding's first place went to Kyle Joslin of Caldwell.

For the cowgirls only event, barrel racing, first place went to Dustie Patanude.

Saturday night's rodeo concluded with a presentation that recognized Mike Pope, rodeo committee president, for all his hard work. He was given a special plaque and Todd McCurry announced to the crowd that the committee was nominating Pope to the PRCA for a special rodeo award.

Following the rodeo the audience and cowboys were invited to enjoy music from the Jeff Palmer band.

The Daniel Dopps Memorial PRCA rodeo is a non-profit event, with rodeo proceeds going to local charities and organizations.

The rodeo is held in memory of Daniel Dopps, who was killed in a rodeo accident during his first year on the pro circuit.

More photo's available in Mountain Home News Photo Gallery.