POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Day two of the Bannock County PRCA rodeo brought more excitement, talent and fierce competition to Pocatello at the matinee show on Saturday afternoon. The PRCA team of announcers, bullfighters and of course, Dustin “The Jester” Jenkins as rodeo clown, bring the event to life. As the final results rolled in, Idaho cowboys made the top three in multiple competitions.
Rodeo announcer Kade Rogge is from Paul, Idaho and says it’s something special to bring pro rodeo back close to home in Pocatello. “It was always a big moment for me as a kid to come and see all my heroes,” Rogge said. “It means a little more to me this week that pro rodeo is back in Pocatello, I tell everybody that Idaho is the Texas of the north.”
He said pro rodeo can be overlooked in Idaho, but the local talent is truly inspiring. “In my humble opinion, the Wilderness Circuit is one of the toughest circuits in pro rodeo out of the 12, and they [Idaho cowboys] prove themselves time and time again at the national finals, NFR open, places like that,” Rogge said.
With so many nationally ranked cowboys, the competition is fierce right in Bannock County.
Hundreds came to the Bannock County Fairgrounds both for the evening show on Friday night and the matinee on Saturday. The afternoon show also featured a horse race following the rodeo, which many fans were excited for.
Big Bucks Pro Rodeo doesn’t just give away money prizes to the winners of each competition, they give away custom belt buckles.
“Not very many people give away belt buckles anymore,” Rogge said. “And not only for the contestants, but if you show up and you’re the wildest, craziest fan and you have the most fun out of anybody, you got a shot to win a belt buckle.”
The crowd and the announcer alike both love the bareback riding competition, when the energy in the stands is high and the stakes on the riders are higher. Rogge said the cast of bucking bulls in Bannock County with Big Bucks and Summit Pro Rodeo bulls is top-notch.
“This town is a big time rodeo town, and it’s been over a decade since we’ve had a professional rodeo, we want to keep it here,” Rogge said. “You do that in your town by buying a ticket, come support it.”
Pocatello Mayor Mark Dahlquist was in attendence at the Saturday afternoon show, stating it’s incredibly exciting to have pro rodeo back in Pocatello after such a long hiatus.
“I’m just really pleased and excited that PRCA Rodeo is back in Pocatello,” Mayor Dahlquist said. “I know the organizers have done a really great job of putting this together, so I’m out here to support it. I think it’s going to grow and grow and it’s exciting for our community.”
Several Idahoan cowboys placed in their respective competitions. Details and photos are below.
Lucas Cruz out of New Mexico took the All Around Cowboy first place prize. The PRCA gave out a total of just over $42,000 in prize money over the weekend.
All photo credits to Greg Westfall, pro rodeo photographer.
