SPRAY – The Spray Rodeo usually starts with the good, sweet smell of a fresh rainfall … if not a downpour … and a loud crack of thunder usually helps to get the crowd going. It sounds like a bullwhip in the crisp clean air, and sets the atmosphere for the coming weekend of events.

No matter what mother nature will provide this Memorial Day weekend, the cowboys in competition and the spectators in the grandstands will make it worth everyone’s while with their own energy. The weather and people have always stayed steady, come rain or shine, and this is nature’s way of welcoming the crowd to the 58th annual Spray Rodeo in Wheeler County.

-Regardless of the lightning from the sky, the rain from above or the thunder of hooves on the ground, cowboys and cowgirls and horseshoes come a runnin’.

The long history of this rodeo has brought many spectators and contestants from far and away to enjoy some of the best thrill and chills of this sport around.

The event swells this town of 160 residents with more than 1,000 spectators. It draws at least 300 contestants every year from all over the northwest and is approved by the NPRA, PWRA and the ICA.

-New entertainment to the rodeo this year will be Ike Pryor, who was voted NPRA Rodeo Clown of the Year.

If we don’t get thunder and lightening, we will still hear the spectacular audio talent of Jason Buchanan Pro Rodeo Sound. Scott Allen will be back as the rodeo announcer, and he has more energy than all the stars around. Allen was named 2004 Northwest Professional Announcer of the Year.- B Bar D will provide the stock, and were awarded as the 2004 Stock Contractor- and- 2004 Saddle Bronc of the Year. Between the sound, the clown and the the announcers go-rounds, it promises to be a weekend to remember.

The rodeo is put on by the entire town. All work is done by volunteers. The Spray Rodeo is grateful to the spectators who travel long distances to attend and support the rodeo. Since Wheeler County is the least populated county in the state, we have to depend on folks coming from out of the area.

The rodeo committee and the Friends of Spray Rodeo have held numerous fund-raisers to help assist in the rising costs of operation. There is a raffle for a buckhorn hunting knife scrimshawed by Michelle Severe of Burns, and an Argentine Snaffle bit made by Lonnie Davis of Mt. Vernon. Tickets are six for $5 and the winners will be announced before the last performance of the rodeo. You need not be present to win.

A buckaroo breakfast begins both days at 6 a.m. until noon at the school cafeteria. A half-marathon run starts at 8 a.m. May 28, with contestants back in time to enjoy the bake sale by the Assembly of God and the rodeo parade at 11:30 a.m.

There will be a cowboy church service at 9 am on Sunday at the rodeo grandstands.

-It’s an action packed weekend beginning at 1 p.m. both days. The cost is $8 for adults and children under 12 for $3. Advance tickets are available.

A lot of things have changed since the rodeo first began. The wooden chutes were replaced with Powder River Chutes along with the large arena fence. The grandstands have been freshly painted and plenty of progress has been made. The board works hard to keep the rodeo going and make it the biggest weekend of the year for this little Eastern Oregon town.

The rodeo committee is seeking new sponsors for signs in the arena. For more information, call Joann Griffith at (541) 468-2442.

– Julie Smith, special to the Eagle

Elliott qualifies for the Pace Picante Chute-outGUYMON, Okla. – Thanks to his second-place finish in the average at the recent Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association tour stop in Guymon, former Grant County cowboy Dustin Elliott qualified for the Pace Picante ProRodeo Chute-out scheduled for Reno, Nev., on June 17-18.

The Pace Picante ProRodeo Chute-out is the championship event for the Wrangler ProRodeo Winter Tour and to qualify, contestants must finish in the top 12 in the tour standings after the final tour rodeo of the series.

A total of 96 contestants will ride and rope for a chance at the $350,000 purse and the Chute-out title.

The semi final and final round will be televised on CBS.

Elliott is currently the leading money winner among bull riders on the PRCA Winter Tour.

Coelho places seventh in Hermiston calf ropingHERMISTON – Local cowboy Jeff Coelho finished seventh in the final average and had the fastest time of the day with an 8.3 second run at a five-head calf roping event at the HWC Arena on Sunday, May 1.

The event was produced by Seth Hopper and Brad Goodrich, and featured a total fifty calf ropers from around the Pacific Northwest.

Paul Cope from Idaho was the event winner.

Coelho placed first in one go-round and third in a two-head average within five head.

Calves for the event were supplied by Hopper, Terry Dirks and Tom Rugg.

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