World champion bull rider Ky Hamilton is expected to compete at this year’s Gooding Pro Rodeo, which takes place Wednesday-Saturday. He is one of 39 world champions who are scheduled to be in the field.
(PHOTO BY LARA ST JACQUES)
Gooding Pro Rodeo puts the stars on display for energized audiences
GOODING, Idaho – The buzz is humming right along in Gooding County, a southern Idaho community that is eager for its biggest spectacle.
It happens this week with the Gooding Pro Rodeo presented by Idaho Ford Dealers, set for Thursday, Aug. 20-Saturday, Aug. 22, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 19. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena.
Most of the biggest names in ProRodeo will be involved, and it’s just not the ropers, racers, bulldoggers and riders; it’s also the animals. Whether it’s the steer wrestling horse Crush or the bucking bull Best Chance, there are superstars in equine and bovine form.
One of those is Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail, widely recognized as one of the most electric and spectacular bareback horses in rodeo today. Cowboys have been “Beer Worthy” almost every year they’ve matched moves with the powerful bay bucker.
It’s not alone in that category, which will feature Korkow Rodeos’ Onion Ring, the 2021 Bareback Horse of the Year, and Macza Pro Rodeo’s Stevie Knicks, a Canadian bucking horse that has been part of some of the highest-scoring rides in the game. Animals like that will be part of the party for all four nights of the PRCA Playoff Series rodeo.
“One of the reasons we have three stock contractors is so we give the cowboys the best opportunity to win money in Gooding,” said Don Gill, the fair and rodeo’s manager. “We not only have three contractors, but they might just be the best three in my opinion.”
That’s one of the reason dozens of National Finals Rodeo qualifiers have put their names in the hat to be in Gooding this week. They want to be “Beer Worthy,” a sign of excellence that is recognized by the vibrant fan base that attends the rodeo.
“That rodeo has really good contractors and a really good committee,” said Kodie Jang, an Australian steer wrestler. “I’ve been ‘Beer Worthy’ winning a check and ‘Beer Worthy’ for getting my shirt ripped off. It’s always a good time at Gooding, Idaho.”
This week’s escapades will feature more than 800 contestants battling for the big bucks up for grabs. Teaming with sponsors, local organizers are contributing $180,000 to the purse. The money is added to contestants’ entry fees to make the total payout. That kind of attraction, which is bolstered by a raucous crowd, is why 39 world champions are making their way to southern Idaho.
“It attracts every single big name in rodeo,” said Steve Kenyon, now in his 25th year announcing the rodeo. “The people in Gooding have so much fun, and they are so into this event. The rodeo is a major part of the little fair in Gooding. I think the rodeo has become the major identifying factor of the community.”