It's a big anniversary for the authentic and thrilling Hailey's Days of the Old West Rodeo. The three-day rodeo—sponsored by the Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club at the Hailey Rodeo Grounds—this year will celebrate its 60th year in Hailey.
Earlier this year, the Hailey Days of the Old West Rodeo was named "Rodeo of the Year" for the second consecutive year by the Intermountain Professional Rodeo Association. Organizer Ted Uhrig, 75, of Shoshone, was called to the podium at a banquet in January and informed that the association's cowboys and cowgirls voted the Independence Day Hailey rodeo as the circuit's best, once again.
Uhrig and Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club president Bill Bobbitt of Bellevue are two of the main characters behind the success of the Days of the Old West Rodeo.
"We probably run 480 contestants including the three rodeos and slack," Uhrig said after winning. "That's probably more than anyone else. It's a good purse they're shooting for, about $40,000 that comes from entry fees and the added money from the Rangers. And we've had good crowds, between 8,000 and 9,000 over three days last year."
The Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club expenses include about $20,000 to the stock provider, Jay Hogan's Redeye Rodeo Co. of Terreton in eastern Idaho, plus the usual maintenance and upkeep at the Hailey Rodeo Grounds south of downtown.
"I'm just real excited about the kids' rodeo," Uhrig said. "We're bringing in a new funny man. He'll be getting the kids involved more and having dance contests and things like that."
Tickets are available at the gate or at all three Wood River Valley Atkinsons' Markets. Reserved seats are $15, general admission is $10, and kids under 12 can gain entry for $5.
Rodeo schedule
· Monday, July 2: "Family Night." All kids under 12 are free with an adult. Queen contestants free-style reining and Mutton bustin' pre-rodeo fun at 7 p.m. The main rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. Miss Rodeo of Idaho will be on hand all three nights. Each night there will be a Home Town Bullriding competition with eight riders a night. Also, enjoy donkey roping, calf roping, bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and break-away roping.
· Tuesday, July 3: Queen contestants free-style reining and mutton bustin' pre-rodeo fun at 7 p.m. with the main rodeo starting at 7:30 p.m. Each night: Home town bullriding, donkey roping, calf roping, bullriding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and break-away roping.
· Wednesday, July 4: Queens crowning and mutton bustin' pre-rodeo fun at 7 p.m. with the main rodeo starting at 7:30 p.m. The night also includes Home Town Bullriding, donkey roping, calf-roping, bullriding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and break-away roping. The finale is highlighted by Hailey's fireworks display immediately after.
Express file photo
The Hailey Days of the Old West Rodeo has been recognized as one of the nation?s best rodeos.
