Local horse Spring Fling inducted into PRCA Hall of Fame

Spring Fling, one of only three bucking horses in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association history ever honored as the Bareback and Saddle Bronc of the Year, was inducted into the PRCA Hall of Fame on Saturday.

The mare, from the Big Bend Rodeo Co., owned by Don Hutsell of Ritzville and Sonny Riley of Pomeroy, won the bareback honor in 1997 and was the top bronc in 1999 and 2000. Spring Fling was also voted the top saddle bronc at the 2001 National Finals Rodeo.

“She really deserves it,” Hutsell said at the ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “She’s the best bronc ever, I think. She just flat bucked and she had the power to get guys off.”

The retired horse also produced 2009 Saddle Bronc of the Year Spring Planting and  at the 2008 NFR carried Bobby Mote to a 91.5 score, tying the Finals record.