Steve Estrada President |
This is a California Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association (CCPRA) sanctioned rodeo, with all the professional events one expects to see at any professional rodeo. The all-volunteer Association comprised of 16 Directors from the Lake County community and assisted by many local resident volunteers worked for a year to bring the event to the Fairgrounds in Lakeport. The Association meets monthly and is hard at work on the 83rd Rodeo.
The Rodeo Association wishes to extend our gratitude to the many community members and businesses who make this Lake County tradition possible every year. Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino was again a major sponsor, as it has been for several years, as the Platinum Spur Sponsor; Eagle Distributing of Ukiah is another multi-year sponsor and sponsors the Saturday night Rodeo Dance; event sponsors were: Chapel of the Lakes; Westgate Petroleum; Les Schwab Tire Centers Ukiah & Colusa; Lakeport Speedway/Furia Construction; Altagas; and Kelseyville Pharmacy. Grand Marshal for the 82nd Annual Lake County Rodeo was Patty Patten, a gracious 92 year old dynamo who lives in Scotts Valley. Patty’s family has been in Lake County for ages and she has been an active horsewoman since her childhood. Patty is a charter member of the Clear Lake Horsemen, active in the Back Country Horsemen, Golden Feather Riders and a member of the newly formed Lake County Horse Council. Patty was a very active Grand Marshall, traveling all the way to Willits for their parade, thanks to Rodeo Association President Steve Estrada, her escort. She also appeared in the Annual Rodeo Parade in Lakeport. Thanks to Parade Chair, Lonne Sloan, who has handled our parade for several years now along with her co-chair Kirsten Spratkes. The Lake County Rodeo Association is proud to have had resident Jill Shaul sing the National Anthem for the 82nd annual Lake County Rodeo July 8 and 9, 2011. Shaul has sung the anthem for 22 years out of the last 23 for the Lake County Rodeo Association. Just as rodeo is a tradition in Lake County, so too, is Shaul as our opening act. Shaul began a new tradition in 2010 by singing on horseback. Jill was back again this year on San Chex, a former cutting horse champion, owned by Kirk and Quincy Andrus, Kelseyville. Local Team Roping buckles were sponsored by Greg Scott and Stormie Shores. The winning teams this year were: 1st Place, Becky Suenram and Zach Pindell; 2nd Place, Cody Jones and Karri Bartolomei; and 3rd Place, Walt Neison and Clay Ames. Local Barrel Race winners: Nicki Ogneff 1st Place; Libby Edgar, 2nd Place; and Rosie Emerson, 3rd Place. Nicki Ogneff won a silver buckle sponsored by Rainbow Agriculture in Lakeport. CJS Ranch Supply in Middletown has sponsored the Mutton Bustin’ competition for many years. CJS sponsors silver buckles for the winners each night. This year Friday evening’s winner was 6 year old Hunter Hartzog of Lakeport and Saturday’s winner was Brody Brunner, 5 years old of San Diego. The Cutest Cowpoke & Cowgirl competition has been sponsored for a couple of years by the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen and the Scotts Valley 4H Horse Group. The Cutest Cowpoke this year was Triston Stender, age 7 of Cobb and Cutest Cowgirl was Madison Kidd, age 5 of Kelseyville. Each winner received a silver buckle. A new event this year was the Calf Dressing Event, spearheaded by Directors Johnny Jones and Lou Riccardi. Teams of 3 people competed to see who could put clothes on a large calf (maybe this was really a steer?) in the shortest amount of time. There were six teams in competition with the winners being: William Swan; Mike Deakins; and Lauren Jones of the Lakeshore Volunteer Fire Department in Clearlake. The winners of the Lake County Rodeo Queen and Princess competition were: Queen Shalena Stewart, age 21 of Hidden Valley Lake and Princess Joy Bennett, age 14 of Kelseyville. The young women received several prizes, among them a saddle won by Queen Shalena. The Queen and Princess will represent the Lake County Rodeo Association for the next year at a variety of Rodeos and other community events. The Lake County Rodeo presents some opportunities for the public to win prizes as well. On Friday evening the $250 Cow Chip Bingo prize was won by Dan Harmon of Lakeport. The Saturday night prize of $500 was won by Leslie Weeks. The Queen and Princess Raffle had many prizes with the Grand Prize of $250 cash won by Kim Illia of Clearlake Park.
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Rodeo Grand Marshall Patty Patten Photo by Scott Bennett 
Jill Shaul prepares to sing the National anthem at the 82nd Lake County Rodeo. Photo by Scott Bennett |