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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

No bull, you can ride one at the Cheney rodeo

Event will include open bull-riding division

Some traditions continue and a new one could be starting as the 43rd annual Cheney Rodeo opens tonight.

As usual, Big Bend Rodeo, Co., out of Ritzville will bring its high quality stock and, as in recent years, the first performance is “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night” to raise awareness for breast cancer.

The new twist is open bull riding.

Six bulls are available on a first-come basis for anyone 18 and older daring to ride. The cost is $50, which is added to a purse of $1,750, and the top four get paid. (Entry details at cheneyrodeo.com)

Otherwise it’s business as usual.

The rodeo conflicts with the lucrative Calgary Stampede, so few national competitors have entered, which means Cheney bareback rider Ryan Gray, who leads the season standings, and Colbert tie-down roper Tyson Durfey, who is seventh, are absent.

That doesn’t mean there is no talent.

Ellensburg team roping brothers Riley and Brady Minor, who won almost $16,000 apiece in the last week to vault into 12th and ninth place, respectively, in the header and heeler standings are entered. The leaders of the Columbia River Circuit are up on Sunday.

Kayle Gray, Ryan’s brother, is up in saddle bronc riding tonight. He is eighth in the CRC. Also up is defending steer wrestling champ Jabe Anderson of Dillon, Mont. The team roping also has a number of CRC contenders.

On Saturday two-time defending barrel racing champion Barbara West of Oak Harbor, Wash., is competing, along with CRC-leading bronc rider Dustin Flundra of Pincher Creek, Alberta.

It could be a good show on Sunday, especially if bareback rider Clint Cannon of Waller, Texas, shows up for his date with Show Dance. Waller is seventh nationally and set a regular-season earnings record for bareback riding last year before being overtaken at the National Finals Rodeo.

Two other top 50 riders, Heath Ford of Elkhart, Texas, and George Gillespie of Midland, Ore., are expected to ride.

The second, third and fourth CRC tie-down ropers behind Durfey, former NFR competitor Brad Goodrich of Hermiston, Ore., Jake Pratt of Ellensburg, and Seith Hopper of Stanfield, Ore., are up.