Willie Wocatsie

Willie Wocatsie was born at Wallula in 1881. He was of the Walla Walla Tribe. His name Wo-Cat-Sie in the Indian language means, “My Foot”. He was the son of Wispoos Nd Iyatoyik, husband of Ahatinch, father to one son Charlie, three daughters Inez Wocatsie Pond, May Wocatsie, Elizabeth Wocatsie Jones and one stepdaughter Susie Colalas Williams.

He was involved in the Round-Up since 1910 and served with his cousin, the late Clarence Burke, as Round-Up Co-Chief from 1936 until his death in 1950.

Willie Wocatsie, Clarence Burke and George Spino plus other men at various times are remembered by leading the Indian participants through the parades and arena on horses singing with hand drums. He was always dressed in full Indian regalia with eagle feather was bonnet. He participated in the “North Hill” raiding party and was recognized Indian Religion and Continue reading…

Category: People & Volunteers

Ollie Osborn

Ollie Osborn was born July 24, 1896 in Union, Oregon to George and Mary Ellen (Hall) Osborn.

At the age of 16, she began going to rodeos with her brother and soon started riding bucking horses. She enjoyed it so much that she traveled to several rodeos including Madison Square Garden in New York City. At one time she worked for a man that had a wild west how. She received several awards for her bronc riding, one which includes membership in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

Ollie was the first woman to pursue the sport of rodeo full-time and be a constant champion. Born to Oregon homestead ranchers, she began competing in the early relay races when she was a teenager, but she discovered bronc riding and made a name for herself by riding “slick” without hobbles, like the men. Remembered for her daring rides and extravagant tailor-mode clothes.

Her first taste of big time rodeo was at the 1914 Frontier Days in Walla Walla. Ollie Continue reading…

Category: People & Volunteers

Deb Copenhaver

Deb Copenhaver was born Jan. 21, 1925 in Wilbur, WA. Copenhaver’s first competition was at a Keller Salmon Days Rodeo in 1940. After serving in the Navy Seabees during World War II, he came home to compete in all of the big North American rodeos.  He won the bronc riding two or three times each at Cheyenne, Calgary, Denver, Ft. Worth, Houston, Kansas City, Salinas and Madison Square Garden. Deb won the Pendleton Round-Up in 1955.

Copenhaver and his wife Cheryl and family had a dream, “I rode often and fast,” Copenhaver said. “I wanted acreage, it would be our future.” Copenhaver achieved his dream, buying land near Creston, where he bred and raised quality Quarter Horses and operated Copenhaver’s Cafe in town. During the heyday of Copenhaver’s Cafe, Hank Thompson, Bonnie Guitar, Ernest Tubb and other music greats all played.  Copenhavers raised their family in the wheat country of Creston.

Deb Copenhaver was World Champion Bronc Rider in 1955 & 1956. He started his rodeo career after being discharged from Uncle Sam’s service in 1946. He entered Continue reading…

Category: People & Volunteers

Christian "Sonny" Davis

Sonny Davis was born on January 2, 1935 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The family finally moved to Kenna, New Mexico where Sonny spent the rest of his life. He was a student of his dad Red Davis who was a former rodeo rider and roper. Sonny also copied the ground work style of Toots Mansfield.

In 1966 the Rodeo Sports News Annual Edition called Sonny Davis, “The most explosive roper of the last decade. Some evidence of Sonny’s calf roping ability is the fact he’s never been out of the top 15 since 1956.” At 6’3” and 225 lbs. he possessed strength, catlike quickness and superb coordination, which is unusual for such a big man.

Continue reading…

Category: People & Volunteers

Bonnie Tucker Blankinship

Bonnie Tucker Blankinship was born July 24, 1914 in Joseph, Oregon to Ben and Anna Knapper. Bonnie’s mother passed away giving birth to Bonnie, so her grandparents, Dudley and Jennie Richards in Joseph, raised her. There, she attended school and graduated from Joseph High School in 1932. After graduation, she moved to Portland to live with Earl and Faye Riley. Earl was the mayor of Portland and many politicians remembered Bonnie as the most charming stenographer for several years in Portland’s City Hall.

In 1939, she traded in her high heels and city life for life on the ranch in Joseph, when she met and married Harley Tucker. There, she learned about raising sheep, cattle, swine and then started a family. Harley, who was always a cowboy at heart had already begun putting on rodeo-type events, entertaining the Civilian Conservation Corps camps at Wallowa Lake. Continue reading…

Category: People & Volunteers

Fred Hill

Fred was born on Feb. 15, 1913 at Helix to James and Beulah Hill. The family moved to Pendleton in 1918.

Fred played basketball and was a member of the 1931 Pendleton High School team that won the State Championship. He received a basketball scholarship to Oregon State College at Corvallis and played on the first Oregon State team to win the West Coast Championship.

After graduation, he worked as a county agent in Baker where he met his wife, Jean Silven. They moved back to the family ranch in Juniper Canyon.

Fred was involved in the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon for many years. He was on the Round-Up Board and was especially fond of his tenure as Native-American Director. He and Clarence Burke and Jesse Jones, Sr. were great friends. Continue reading…

Category: People & Volunteers