PRCA for the Record: Ellensburg
By Matt Naber
Since 1923, the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo has played host to some of rodeo’s greatest athletes and witnessed some fast runs and rank rides. As the end of the 2019 season approaches, cowboys will try to earn enough money to make the Top 15 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
One Ellensburg Rodeo record that’s unlikely to be broken any time soon is bull rider J.W. Harris’ 95-point ride from 2006.
The Texas cowboy didn’t know it at the time, but his 2006 record-setting ride in Ellensburg was followed by nine consecutive trips to the Wrangler NFR (2006-14) and four world titles (2008-10 and 2013). Harris has won nearly $2 million since starting along his ProRodeo path in 2005, earning $1,980,477. He’s still going strong this season with wins at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and a split win at Rodeo Corpus Christi (Texas).
Fans can catch the Ellensburg action on the Wrangler Network as cowboys take a shot at breaking Harris’ record, and the rest, Aug. 30 through Sept. 2.
The stakes are particularly high at this year’s Ellensburg Rodeo because it’s the final stop on the ProRodeo Tour, making it the last chance cowboys have to qualify for the ProRodeo Tour Finale in Puyallup, Wash., Sept. 5-8.
Rodeo records
• Total payout: $341,885, 2018
• All-around: $7,890, Todd Suhn, 2001
• Bareback riding: 90 points, Steven Peebles, 2010 (175/2, Steven Peebles, 2010)
• Steer wrestling: 3.4 seconds, Pat Nogle, 1979; Birch Negaard, 1997; Ethen Thouvenell, 2010 (11.6/3, Ryan Jarrett, 2005)
• Team roping: 4.2 seconds, Joel Bach/Paul Eaves, 2010 (15.6/3, Chad Masters/Michael Jones, 2008)
• Saddle bronc riding: 91 points, Jesse Kruse, 2009; Cody DeMoss, 2011; Isaac Diaz, 2013 (176/2, Jesse Kruse, 2009)
• Tie-down roping: 7.3 seconds, Ryan Jarrett, 2007; Tuf Cooper, 2015 (24.4/3, Cody Ohl, 2015)
• Barrel racing: 16.91 seconds, Sydni Blanchard, 2011 (51.48/3, Nellie Miller, 2017)
• Steer roping: 8.4 seconds, Trevor Brazile, 2007 (18.7/2, Rod Hartness, 2007)
• Bull riding: 95 points, J.W. Harris, 2006 (177/2, Tim Bingham, 2012)
Courtesy of PRCA