By Lori Kimbel
On a snowy winter night in December a large group of people braved the blustery weather to gather at the Roy Raley Room at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds to celebrate the amazing year the Pendleton Round-Up experienced.
The culmination of the year came at this year’s Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, where the Round-Up received the PRCA Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year Award.
“The Large Outdoor Rodeo of Year is a testament to the hard work of our hundreds of volunteers as well as the hospitality of our great City!” said Tiah DeGrofft, Sponsors Director of the Pendleton Round-Up. “Each and every job played a role in the Round-Up receiving such a great honor! I hope that the entire community can share in the excitement, it truly is an award for everyone and a great statement of city’s efforts.”
In addition to the Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year Award, in October the Round-Up also received the Remuda Award, which is given to the rodeo with the best and most consistent rough stock.
Pendleton Round-Up favorites also had a great showing at the NFR. Bullfighter, Dusty Tuckness, won the Bullfighter of the Year Award. While rodeo clown, Justin Rumford, won the Coors Man in the Can Award, as well as the Clown of the Year.
Bryson Bronson and the paint horse, Chinook displayed the American Flag during the national anthem before the NFR’s Saturday night competition. The popular duo represented the Happy Canyon, which will be celebrating its 100th year in 2016, as well as the Pendleton Roundup.
