On paper, this weekend's rodeo should be the best in the four years of Spokane's Wrangler Prorodeo Classic, and not just because the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event is moving into the new Arena.
Among cowboys entered in the three-day event, which begins tonight at 8 p.m. are former world champions Clint Corey and Mike Beers, plus several National Finals Rodeo veterans.
But usually, it isn't until a few hours, and sometimes a few minutes, before a performance that some cowboys "turn out," because they have to be somewhere else. A huge rodeo has just begun in Fort Worth, Texas, and the finals of another big indoor show in Denver are Sunday.
Because there is more money to be won at the big shows, Spokane will rarely get many big names and even the ones who enter may not make it because they have made the finals of a more lucrative event.
But until then, it's worth knowing that Corey, 1991 bareback champion from Kennewick and an 11-time NFR qualifier, is scheduled to ride tonight.
Beers, from Powell Butte, Ore., will be the top attraction on Saturday's 8 p.m. show. He and Dee Pickett won the 1984 team roping championship. Beers, who has been to the NFR 13 times, is scheduled for team roping, with Mike Fuller of Clarkston, and calf roping.
Fuller and Beers teamed to win the Columbia River Circuit finals rodeo a couple of weeks ago, giving Fuller the 1995 season title. Beers, who won the Columbia River calf roping crown, also was the circuit's allaround champion.
The PRCA Columbia River Prorodeo Circuit includes Washington, Oregon and North Idaho. Cowboys who compete mostly in Columbia River rodeos and don't travel nationally make up the bulk of the almost 250 entries in the Spokane rodeo. They will compete for more than $25,000 in prize money.
The rodeo concludes with a 2:30 performance Sunday afternoon. Enough advance tickets have been sold to virtually assure attendance records. More than 15,000 attended the rodeo in 1993 and the single-performance best was 5,245. There are almost twice as many seats in the Arena, and plenty of good seats will be available at the door.
Only two cowboys have won money at the three previous rodeos. Mike Hammer of Pasco won the bareback title the first two years and was second last year. Tom Camarillo of Hermiston, Ore., won the all-around the first year and has earned money here in team roping, calf roping and steer wrestling.
Among the cowboys scheduled to compete tonight are Rod Lyman of Lolo, Mont., who almost won the world steer wrestling title in 1994; steer wrestler Brad Gleason of Ennis., Mont., a five-time NFR qualifier; and Skeeter Thurston, of Nanton, Alberta, a six-time NFR qualifier in saddle bronc riding.
