For the Record: Ellensburg Rodeo
Since 1923, the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo has played host to some of ProRodeo’s greatest athletes and witnessed some fast runs and rank rides. As the end of the 2017 season approaches, cowboys will bring their A-game as they race to earn enough money to make the Top 15 in the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings and qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER.
From Sept. 1-4, each ride will also be a chance to make Ellensburg history and top an arena record.
Ellensburg’s top total payout was in 2016 with $327,183.
Todd Suhn has held onto the most money earned in all-around with his 2001 total of $7,890.
Bareback rider Steven Peebles lit up the scoreboard as he set two arena records in 2010. First, he nailed a 90-point ride, which helped him set the two-head average record of 175 points.
Ellensburg’s steer wrestling arena record is older than most of the bulldoggers seeking to top it this year. Originally set in 1979, Pat Nogle clocked in at 3.4 seconds. His time was matched by Birch Negaard in 1997 and Ethen Thouvenell in 2010. Meanwhile, Ryan Jarrett set the three-run average record in 2005 with 11.6 seconds.
Team ropers Joel Bach and Paul Eaves set the Ellensburg record in 2010 with their time of 4.2 seconds. The three-run average record was set by Chad Masters and Michael Jones in 2008 with their 15.6-second total.
Ellensburg’s saddle bronc riding record has a three-way tie. Originally set by Jesse Kruse in 2009, his 91-point ride also helped him set the two-head average record with 176 points. Two years later, Cody DeMoss matched his 91-point score in 2011, as did Isaac Diaz in 2013.
Ryan Jarrett holds a second arena record at Ellensburg with his 2007 tie-down roping time of 7.3 seconds. Jarrett’s time was matched by Tuf Cooper in 2015. Meanwhile, Cody Ohl set the three-run average in 2015 with his 24.4-second total.
Barrel racer Sydni Blanchard set the arena record in 2011 with her 16.91-second run. The three-run average record was set by Christy Laughlin in 2014 with her 51.65-second total.
Ellensburg’s steer roping had some stiff competition in 2007 as two arena records were set. First, Trevor Brazile clocked in at 8.4 seconds, then Rod Hartness set the two-run average record with 18.7 seconds.
Bull rider J.W. Harris nailed a 95-point ride in 2006 that is unlikely to be topped any time soon as that’s three points higher than all the bull riding scores across every PRCA rodeo held in 2017 so far. Ellensburg’s two-head average record for bull riding was set by Tim Bingham in 2012 with his 177-point total.
Courtesy of PRCA