Daily Archives: September 17, 2009

By OWEN R. SMITH
The East Oregonian

PENDLETON – During the majority of the afternoon, the livestock got the better of the cowboys during Wednesday’s timed events at the Round-Up, which should take a bit of the pressure off Thursday and Friday’s competitors.

Only four men were able to turn in a qualifying time during the first timed event, calf roping. Matt Shiozawa grabbed the low score by roping his calf in 12.8 seconds, while PRCA points leader Trevor Brazile gave a 15.2 effort that was good for second on the day.

Shiozawa had an 8.3 during Tuesday slack, giving him a 21.1 and likely assuring him a spot in Saturday’s short round.

Of all the events, the steer wrestlers had the most success, with just three men failing to turn in a qualifying time. Todd Suhn, of North Platte, Neb., turned in the best time at 5.6 seconds. Three men were right on his tail: Clayton Morrison at 6.2, Dane Hanna at 6.5 and Jake Rinehart at 6.6.

Brazile, the legendary $3 million man, and his teammate Patrick Smith made up for a no-score in team roping slack by posting the fastest time of the day, a 5.1-second blast down the famous Round-Up Arena slope.

Two teams came close to besting Brazile and Smith. Turtle Powell and Travis Graves posted a 5.3, while Chad Masters and Jade Corkill came close at 5.9.

“It was pretty uneventful at the Round-Up for me so far,” Brazile said from his bus as he headed toward Albuquerque, N.M.. “We felt like we had a pretty good chance (of turning in a good second time). There’s really not a lot to think about as you come down the chute.”

Brazile, leading the PRCA world standings with $419,868, said he is feeling physically and mentally sound as he heads into the stretch run toward the PRCA Finals in Las Vegas. (read more)

ST. GEORGE – On Friday, from 6 to 7 p.m., Southern Utah’s home-grown world champion bronc rider Cody Wright will be present at a screening of the film documenting his 2008 quest for the title.

The event will be on the newly remodeled upper floor of the St. George Art and Community Center, 86 South Main Street.

The program is free and open to the public.

Lyman Hafen, writer and co-producer of the film, said, “This will be a unique opportunity for folks to meet the reigning Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion saddle bronc rider and see an excerpt of the film that shares his dramatic run for the title last year.”

The event is sandwiched between the Dixie Roundup Rodeo parade at 5 p.m. and the rodeo starting at 8 p.m.

Wright was born in Hurricane and lived there until he was 16, when his family moved to Milford. The 32-year-old father of four boys and a new baby daughter will be in St. George on Friday to compete in the Dixie Roundup Rodeo at the Sunbowl.

“He’ll be pulling in from Pendleton, Ore. just in time for the 6 o’clock event,” (read more)