Breakaway ropers and barrel racers enjoyed quick rides and big payouts.
The threatening rain held off, for the most part. And the Hailey Rodeo Arena bleachers were completely jammed full for the 4th of July performance.
A local couple became engaged to be married in front of the whole crowd at the July 3 show. Wood River High School graduate Shasta Mayhew accepted the proposal from her boyfriend Josh Gilder, as rodeo announcer Jason Kelly acted as the intermediary.
Just another night at a small-town rodeo.
It all happened during the 66th annual Days of the Old West Rodeo sponsored by the Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club July 2-4 at Hailey Rodeo Park.
This year’s rodeo sponsors were Atkinsons’ Markets, Webb Landscaping, Idaho Mountain Express, Katco, Zions Bank, PBR, Professional Radiant Systems, Bigwood Bread, B&G Dirtworks and Arbor Farms.
Possibly reflecting the changing times, the three-day Hailey rodeo showed significant growth compared to last July. The number of cowboys and cowgirls climbed from 333 to 376, and the total payout grew from $31,367 last year to $34,800 this time around.
The biggest class with 70 entries was breakaway roping.
Tying for first place and each pocketing the rodeo’s biggest prizes of $1,228.08 were Karlee Worthen of Rigby and recent four-event Idaho State High School competitor Cheyenne Sherwood.
Thursday’s final rodeo had some fastest barrel racing times—the top four cowgirls in the entire rodeo ringing up impossibly close times as the holiday spectators let out their hoots and hollers.
Here are the winners and participants of the special pre-rodeo entertainment categories, sponsored by the Sawtooth Rangers. The Rangers gave a special thanks to Faulkner Livestock for supplying the sheep again this year.
l July 2 mutton bustin’—Blue Ribbon winners: Will Swink, Cookie Cook, Eric Relling, Fisher Hattula, Michael Long, Justus Rosser, Sawyer Vogel, Sebastian Phillips, Isabella Gelbard, Brooks Gelbard and Ryan Carpenter. The first-place trophy winner was Max Fife.
l July 3 mutton bustin’—Blue Ribbon winners: Preston Kessler, Jensen Storrs, Hadley Balis, Xander Bowton, Keaton Pate, August Hershey, Justus Rosser and Cookie Cook. The first-place trophy winner was Caroline Grimsley.
l July 4 Hometown Bullriders—Participants were Kalen Kughen, Cody Brooks, Koby Sliwicki, Conner Farrow, KJ Savaria, Haiden Aitken, Trevor Gibbs, Mal Prior, Tate Berry and Charlie Harder. There were no qualified riders.
In the Miss Days of the Old West contest, the overall high point winner and Senior Queen was Mickenlie Baxter, 19, of Hansen. Zoie Pierce, 14, of Jerome was named Teen Queen. Kiffin Finn, 11, of Rigby was Junior Queen and Brilee Hirschi, 8, of St. Anthony was judged the new PeeWee Queen.
Heading up the Rangers are President Bill Bobbitt, Vice President Tyler Peterson, Treasurer Julie Flolo and Secretary Tina Lewis. Directors are Jim Pierce, Bob Lewis, Casey McGehee, Trent Shoemaker and Michelle Bobbitt.
In the following results, nine classes in the Idaho Cowboys Association (ICA) and Intermountain Pro Rodeo Association (ImPRA) event are ranked in order from the biggest payout, on down:
l Team roping ($8,400 total payout, header listed first, then heeler): 1—Kelsey Felton and Jace Hansen, 4.5 seconds for $966.00 each side (July 3). 2—Rob Webb and Dan Webb, 5.5 seconds for $840.00 each side (July 2 slack). 3—Jeff Flenniken and Tommy Flenniken, 5.7 seconds for $714.00 each side (July 2 slack). 4—Ralph Gunter and Jason Warner, 6.5 seconds for $588.00 each side (July 2). 5—Payson Munns and Justin Walchi, 6.7 seconds for $462.00 each side (July 3). 6—Jason Brower and Shawn Carter, 7.9 seconds for $336.00 each side (July 2). 7—Bryan Reay and Austin Tomaski, 10.0 seconds for $210.00 each side (July 3). 8—Trevor Bott and Paul Dunn, 11.4 seconds for $84.00 each side (July 2 slack). Fees $75 per man, 49 teams, $1,400 added money ($700 each side).
l Breakaway roping ($5,712 payout): 1 (tie)—Karlee Worthen, 2.6 seconds for $1,228.08 (July 2 slack) and Cheyenne Sherwood, 2.6 seconds for $1,228.08 (July 2). 3—Linsey Parkins, 2.7 seconds for $971.04 (July 3). 4 (tie)—Kayla Mulick, 2.8 seconds for $714.00 (July 2) and Jamie Marts, 2.8 seconds for $714.00 (July 2 slack). 6—Makenzie Barrington, 2.9 seconds for $456.96 (July 3). 7 (tie)—Shelby Freed, 3.1 seconds for $133.28 (July 3), Brooke Nyman, 3.1 seconds for $133.28 (July 4) and Stephanie King, 3.1 seconds for $133.28 (July 4). Fee $75, 70 riders and $700 added money.
l Barrel racing ($4,704 payout): 1—LaDawn Bayes, 14.956 seconds for $1,081.92 (July 4). 2—Rainy Robinson, 14.973 seconds for $940.80 (July 4). 3—Matea Gabiola, 14.974 seconds for $799.68 (July 4). 4—Kyna Schrader, 15.052 seconds for $658.56 (July 4). 5—Mallory Driscoll, 15.084 seconds for $517.44 (July 2). 6—Ellie Beukelman, 15.126 seconds for $376.32 (July 2). 7—Abby Michealis, 15.189 seconds for $235.20 (July 2 slack). 8—Tanya Robinson, 15.311 seconds for $94.08 (July 2). Fee $75, 56 riders, $700 added money.
l Tie down roping ($3,984 payout): 1—Ty Holly, 9.5 seconds for $916.32 (July 2 slack). 2—Tanner Nielsen, 10.1 seconds for $796.80 (July 2 slack). 3—Skeeter Roe, 10.2 seconds for $677.28 (July 4). 4—Abe Stills, 10.5 seconds for $557.76 (July 2 slack). 5—Dan Webb, 10.7 seconds for $438.24 (July 2 slack). 6—Brad Carpenter, 11.2 seconds for $318.72 (July 2 slack). 7—Augie Robinson, 11.3 seconds for $199.20 (July 3). 8—Jake Echevarria, 11.5 seconds for $79.68 (July 4). Entry $75, with 46 calf ropers, $700 added money.
l Bullriding ($2,688 payout plus $479.99 day money): 1—Cody Brixey, 82 points for $940.80 plus $73.33 day money for $1,014.13 (July 2). 2—Rugar Piva, 80 points for $725.76 plus $120 day money for $845.76 (July 4). 3—Tristan Hansen, 78 points for $510.72 plus $140 day money for $650.72 (July 3). 4—Brady Portenier, 76 points for $322.56 plus $73.33 day money for $395.89 (July 2). 5—Sam Reeves, 63 points for $188.16 plus $73.33 day money for $261.49 (July 2). Entry $75, 24 riders, $1,000 added money.
l Stock saddle bronc ($2,616 payout): 1 (tie)—Monte Johnson, 79 points for $693.24 (July 4) and Talon Ellis, 79 points for $693.24. 3—McCade Petersen, 77 points for $497.04 (July 2). 4 (tie)—Gus King, 74 points for $300.84 (July 3) and Tegan Nevarez,, 74 points for $300.84 (July 3). 6—Willy Stoddard, 73 points for $130.80 (July 2). Fee $75, 25 riders and $1,000 added money.
l Steer wrestling ($2,256 payout): 1—Riley Hamilton, 3.9 seconds for $654.24 (July 4). 2—Cooper Clemens, 4.6 seconds for $541.44 (July 4). 3—Jeff Bowden, 4.7 seconds for $428.64 (July 3). 4 (tie)—Austin Manning, 5.4 seconds for $259.44 (July 3) and Colton Hill, 5.4 seconds for $259.44 (July 4). 6—Sam Mackenzie, 5.6 seconds for $112.80 (July 4). Fee $75, with 22 bulldoggers and $700 added money.
l Saddle bronc ($2,256 payout): 1—Tanner Butner, 80 points for $654.24 (July 3). 2—Blaine Matthews, 78 points for $541.44 (July 3). 3—Cliff Toone, 74 points for $428.64 (July 4). 4—Jared McFarlane, 73 points for $315.84 (July 2). 5—Dusty Easterday, 72 points for $203.04 (July 2). 6—Cole Thorsen, 71 points for $112.80 (July 2). Fee $75, with 18 riders and $1,000 added money.
l Bareback bronc ($2,184 payout): 1—Brian Jones, 83 points for $633.36 (July 4). 2—Kip Lish, 79 points for $524.16 (July 2). 3—Sawyer Stotts, 78 points for $414.96. 4—Josh Adams, 77 points for $305.76 (July 3). 5—Wyatt Denny 73 points, for $196.56 (July 2). 6—Tyson Smith, 71 points for $109.20 (July 4). Fee $75, with 17 riders and $1,000 added money.
