Run the Pendleton Round-Up barrel race pattern on July 4^th, 2012.  This first of kind 4D barrel race sponsored as the PGG Independence Day Barrel Race is a BRN4D, WPRA, NBHA co-sanctioned event.  This barrel race is being held in conjunction with a PBR event on July 3^rd and 4^th to be held in the Happy Canyon Arena also sponsored by PGG.

The 4D race will feature $1,000 added for the only event, an Open race, along with a WPRA side pot of $250.  Other quick details are entry fee will be $75 for the Open race that includes 1 time only for contestants and a $25 entry fee for the WPRA side pot.  Time onlys will be on July 3^rd, again only for contestants, and additional time onlys will be available for $10.  Stalls and overnight parking will be available beginning July 2^nd at $20 per night.  No overnight tying to trailers or portable pens will not be allowed within Round-Up grounds as parking area doubles as a baseball field.  Day of race tying to trailer will be okay.  Other parking locations will be provided where tying overnight or portable pens will be allowed.

More details can be found on the BRN4D website at www.BRN4D.com  under “Race Schedule”.  Entry form for this race will be available in early May and will be posted here, to the BRN4D website and be available for pick-up in the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon office.

This is a unique opportunity for barrel racers who have never experienced the thrill of running on what is billed as the North America’s largest barrel pattern, a pattern that is usually reserved for official contestants of the Pendleton Round-Up.  Couple the excitement of this race with celebrating the Independence Day holiday with two nights of PBR bull riding and you have the perfect formula for spending a couple of days in one of the  greatest Western towns around.

Category: Events, News & Updates, Visiting Pendleton

The 2012 Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Concert won’t feature the normal opener and headliner format. Instead, two award-winning country artists will take the stage. Jake Owen, 2009′s Top New Male Recording Artist for the Academy of Country Music, and Lonestar, on a reunion tour with original lead singer Richie McDonald, will have equal billing at the event in Happy Canyon Arena on Sept. 8.

Both the Round-Up Association and the Happy Canyon Company are excited about the two headliners.

“It is nice to be able to bring a couple of great concert acts in to Pendleton this September,” Happy Canyon President Bob Rosselle said. “The Round-Up and Happy Canyon boards are very excited to bring in the caliber of a 20-year award-winning legend in Lonestar with their lead singer back on board and a chart-topping up-and-comer like Jake Owen. These bands are sure to please all that can attend. We look forward to providing a great event to start off our wild week.”

“Once again Happy Canyon and the Pendleton Round-Up Association are bringing two of the best country acts in the country to Pendleton,” Round-Up President Dennis Hunt said. “We hope the community will come out and support us.”

Lone Star

Lonestar is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a reunion tour that marks the return of original lead vocalist Richie McDowell. Also as part of the reunion, the band will be recording a new album together. If their earlier recordings are any sign, that new release will be a big hit.

Lonestar has produced 10 number-one singles including “Amazed,” “No News” and “What About Now.” In addition, a total of 27 of their singles have made an appearance on the country charts. The group has sold 10 million albums and wowed audiences around the world. If that’s not enough, Lonestar proved they sing for more than just country music fans. “Amazed” reached number one on both the country charts and the Billboard Hot 100. As a matter of fact, they are the first country band to reach the top spot on both the Hot Country and Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Bred in Texas, Lonestar has enjoyed multiple platinum albums and won numerous awards.

“Five years has come and gone since I left Lonestar,” McDonald said of the reunion. “We’ve all tried other avenues and the fact remains that some things were just meant to be. I miss those crazy nights running around on stage making music with my band of brothers.”

McDonald will be running around on stage in Pendleton with that band of brothers — keyboardist Dean Sams, drummer, Keech Rainwater and lead guitarist Michael Britt.  The band has issued a joint statement saying the members are excited to celebrate their 20th anniversary, open a new chapter and record a new album.

Jake Owen

 Jake Owen became a star so quickly that he says he didn’t have time to memorize any country music rule book — which made it easier to toss it out the window. When he was on the Florida State University golf team he severely injured his shoulder. During his recuperation, he decided to learn to play guitar. He enjoyed success with “Startin’ with Me,” “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” and “Eight Second Ride.” He was nominated for Grammy and Country Music Academy awards for his revival of “Live in a Northern Town” with Sugarland and Little Big Town.

Now he’s rewriting the rule book with “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.” The title track from that album has already hit number one on the charts. In the past he depended on his own songwriting, but with his new album he went out to find songs from other composers.

“I got to pick songs from this amazing community of writers, and I’d never done that before,” he said. “I’d written everything because I felt like that was expected of me. On this record, I wanted to include the incredibly talented writers in this town.”

From singing in country bars in Florida in 2005, Owen has come a long way. That doesn’t mean he’s about to rest on his laurels, however.

“If you want to get better at your craft, you have to push yourself, take risks and try something different,” he said. “In order to grow and not be complacent, you have to open your mind, expand your horizons and be grateful.”

Tickets for the Round-Up and Happy Canyon Concert will go on sale May 15 at 8:30 a.m. They will be available at the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon office and online at www.ticketmaster.com. The concert kicks off a week of activities that, in addition to the world-famous rodeo and Happy Canyon Night Show, include parades, a street fair and the two-day U.S. Bank/Pendleton PBR Classic.

Category: Events, Features, Visiting Pendleton

The Pendleton Round-up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame is hosting the second annual Battle of the Bars competition in the Let’er Buck Room on April 6, 2012.  The competition will run from 6pm-9pm.

Following the Battle of the Bars there will be a live auction, dancing with music from Frog Hollow, and the bar will stay open for refreshments until midnight. Dinner will be available for purchase from The Bank & Grill Catering Company. The event is open to the general public with no cover charge to attend. Must be 21 years of age.

 Seven local bars are coming together in the Let’er Buck Room to compete for the Best of West title.  Competing will be Wildfire from Wildhorse Resort and Casino, The Rainbow, Vigil’s at Cimmiyotti’s, The Hut, Cadillac Jacks, Crabby’s Underground Saloon and defending champions, Hamley’s.  Each establishment will create a signature drink that must contain Pendleton Whisky.  Guests will be able to purchase a drink from whichever establishments they choose and cast their vote for their favorite.  At the end of the event, votes will be tallied and the winning bar will receive a plaque along with bragging rights for the year.

This will be the second annual Battle of the Bars, the largest fundraiser of the year for the Pendleton Round-up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame. “We are excited about the Battle of the Bars,” said Tiah DeGrofft, Hall of Fame Board Member.  “The Hall of Fame is run entirely by volunteers.  Funds to keep the museum open and the lights on are generated through this event, museum admissions and private donors.  Without the support of this community and Pendleton Round-up and Happy Canyon fans, having the museum and preserving the history of these our world famous events would not be possible.” 

About the Hall of Fame:

Open Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.    (April ~ December)
Admission: Adults $5, Seniors $4, Children 10 & under $2

The Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame was founded in 1969. Exhibits range from a full-sized Teepee to delicate beadwork, the exhibits in the Hall of Fame cover a wide range of subjects and span the nearly 100 years of Round-Up history. Saddles, clothing, Indian costumes, photographs, firearms, trophies, wagons…hundreds of items are displayed for your enjoyment. In 2011, the Hall of Fame was named Honorable Mention in the True West Magazine Top Western Museums. You can become a member of the Hall of Fame and help to ensure the history and artifacts of the Round-Up and Happy Canyon we enjoy today will still be here tomorrow. For more information call 541-278-0815. The Hall of Fame building is located at 1114 SW Court across from the Round-up grounds.

For More Information:

Tiah DeGrofft

Publicity Director

Pendleton Round-up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame

541-379-9740

Tiah.degrofft@wildhorseresort.com

Category: Events, Features

Bulls, barrels and the Fourth of July

 The Pendleton Round-Up Association and Happy Canyon Company are planning a two-day celebration of the Fourth of July that will feature a unique two-night PBR event on July 3 and 4 and barrel racing and other activities on Independence Day. While much of the planning is still underway, the PGG Independence Day Bulls and Barrels Extravaganza is locked in and ready to rock.

“Fourth of July celebrations have been a part of Americana for over 200 years and other than the fireworks, Pendleton has done much in recent times to commemorate this important day,” Round-Up President Dennis Hunt said. “Round-Up and Happy Canyon both felt that this was the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork to create a celebration that will benefit the entire community and give folks a reason to come to Pendleton.”

Happy Canyon President Bob Roselle agreed.

“The annual September PBR held at the Happy Canyon Arena has become a highly-regarded event with both nights basically selling out, ” he said. “It is our hope that during the July 3 and 4 celebration, we can add another opportunity for our community and the surrounding area to have a full couple of days of fun. I know the Round-Up and Happy Canyon boards as well as our sponsors are very excited for this upcoming Independence Day Celebration.”

The bull riding event will not only be a PBR Pro Tour show, it is also being staged in conjunction with American Bucking Bulls, Inc. ABBI hosts its own finals in Las Vegas where the top bull can earn its stock contractor an additional $500,000. All of the bulls that compete in the Happy Canyon Arena are 2 to 3 year olds from the world’s best stock contractors.

The Round-Up Grounds will take center stage for a jackpot barrel race on July 4. Every year, Round-Up offers barrel racers the chance to run the longest course in the world, and now they will have a second opportunity to urge their horses through the unusual course. It’s anticipated that there will be 150 racers entered. 

While the barrel race is going on, Round-Up and Happy Canyon plan to have a beer garden and live music on the Round-Up Grounds as well. The specific bands and other Independence Day events are still in the planning stages and will be announced when they are confirmed.

The decision to sponsor the event was an easy one for Pendleton Grain Growers.

“We’re proud to sponsor the first PGG Bulls and Barrels Extravaganza,” PGG President Allen Waggoner said. “It’s a natural fit for us because it’s a unique way of thanking our customers and celebrating Independence Day at the same time.”

Tickets will be on sale for the two nights of bull riding and for the barrel race on April 24 at 8:30 a.m.  at the Round-Up office and at www.ticketmaster.com.    For more information call 541-276-2553.

Category: Events, Features, News & Updates

Mark your calendar!  Two weeks from today we will kick off the 2nd annual Pendleton Round-Up University. Our PRU 101 was such a great success last year that we are bringing back more stories, more professors and more fun!  Class begins March 1st at 6:00pm, at the Slickfork Saloon    Admission is free to all ages. Hamley’s Steakhouse will offer a meal for $10 and will host an open bar.   PRE REGISTRATATION IS REQUIRED, please phone 541-276-2553 to reserve your seat.

Cowboy Stories 201                              March 1                Professor Randy Severe                                  

This will be a great night of tales of the trails. Hear authentic stories of Round-Up  champions and local heroes, from someone that was really there. Learn about  colorful nicknames and how they were earned. A few songs are guaranteed to    break out as we “grab another hold and Let ’er Buck” to honor the cowboys of Pendleton.

Let ‘er Buck Room 201                 March 8            Professors Tim Hawkins & Doug Doyle

 The Pendleton Round-Up is known throughout the rodeo world for its excellent hospitality and warm welcome. The most famous (or infamous) gathering place is the Let ‘er Buck Room, which is home to the longest bar in Oregon. Discover the origins of the reputation and exactly what it takes behind the scenes to wet that many whistles, all at once.   

 Parades and Wagons 201                        March 15           Professor Billy Lorenzen & Bill Dawson 

The Westward Ho! Parade is the longest non-motorized parade in North America and continues to display elements which are virtually unchanged in a hundred years.  Hundreds of horses, Native Americans in full regalia, rodeo royalty and government officials have traveled the route. The Pendleton Round-up owns most of the historic coaches, buggies and Oregon Trail covered wagons. Wheel wright Bill Dawson maintains the fleet with authentic period tools and practices.

Round-Up Marketing 201                               March 21             Professors Carl Culham & Randy Thomas

 The name Pendleton Round-Up is one of the most recognized ‘brands’ in all rodeo. The Bucking Horse emblem and slogan “Let ‘er Buck!” are also valuable trademarks.  This course explores the historic marketing success and specific strategies which helped create the Round-Up’s iconic status. Although some rodeo’s may be larger, The Pendleton Round-Up holds a unique place atop rodeo lore, with plenty of momentum for the future.   

Livestock 201                                              March 29             Professor Dave O’Neill

Cowboys are not the only heroes at the Round-Up. The animal athletes are truly the best in the business and are well known by the cowboys who try to match their skill. Did you know the bucking stock are individually rated and some have huge fan bases. This class exalts the Pendleton Round-Up’s legendary animal athletes and explores what is required to provide top livestock for our unique competitive environment.  Learn about the PRCA’s animal wellness program, and how seriously this matter is taken in Pendleton. 

*  PRE REGISTRATATION IS REQUIRED, please phone 541-276-2553 to reserve your seat. *

Category: Events, News & Updates, People & Volunteers

Big Four comes together in Las Vegas

The Big 4 Rodeos celebrated the completion of their 58th rodeo season at a reception held November 30, 2011 in the Brunswick Room at the South Point Casino & Resort in Las Vegas Nevada. Big 4 Rodeo Committees from the Pendleton Round-Up, Walla Walla Frontier Days, Lewiston Round-Up and Ellensburg Rodeo entertained special friends, contract service providers, and a long list of guest rodeo committee members from across the nation. The reception is held annually in conjunction with the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association National Convention and the beginning of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Two of the PRCA’s  top competitors, and 2011 WNFR qualifiers, were presented with cash awards, by the Big 4 Rodeos, during the reception.

Utah saddle bronc rider, Cody Wright, was the 2011 Big 4 Rodeos Award Winner. He was presented a $4,000 award check which he received with his wife and children by his side. This award is presented annually to the contestant with the most PRCA point total having competed in all four partner rodeo events.

Trevor Brazille, from Decatur Texas, was presented a $5,000 check as the winner of the Big 4 Rodeo Compilation Award. “Thank you” said Brazille, “It is a very special award and we really look forward to it.” In 2010 Brazille won his third Big 4 Rodeos Award, which allowed him to claim the Compilation Award prize money 

The 2011 Big 4 Rodeo’s provided a total cash payout of $1,195,874 within a two week period from September 2nd through the 17th.

Good luck to Cody Wright and Trevor Brazille as they begin their Wrangler National Finals Rodeo competition tonight (December 1, 2011) at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Category: Events, Features

2011 Pendleton Roundup Champions:

Category: Events, News & Updates, Results

Category: Events, News & Updates, Results

Category: Events, News & Updates, Results

Category: Events, News & Updates, Results