Sanders, Braseth headline bull riding at the Elgin Stampede

MAKING MONEY: Paul Jones of Elko, Nev., scored an 80-point ride to win the bareback riding competition at the Elgin Stampede. Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

Well, unless you’re from Eastern Oregon or any other region associated with a deep history of rodeo action.

The stampede grounds in Elgin played host to the Mark Nichols Memorial Bull Riding and Barrel Racing competition Friday. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association took over the arena Saturday and Sunday.

Hometown stars Brian Sanders of Elgin and Kyler Braseth of La Grande showcased their talents during the Mark Nichols Memorial bull riding to kick off the festivities.

Sanders won the event, while Braseth finished second.

RIDING BLIND: Zac Compton’s hat covers his eyes during his ride at the Elgin Stampede Sunday.

Sanders won the event in 2005.

The two riders took completely different paths under the bright lights.

Sanders took an easier path, landing on his feet after his long-round attempt. His score of 69 was announced while he tipped his hat to the audience.

Braseth’s path was one of oh’s rather than ah’s.

After his opening ride Braseth took the long walk back to the chutes holding his ribs.

In the short round Braseth stayed on the ground after a bone-crushing eight-second battle with a 2,000-pound farm animal. The bull and Braseth butted heads toward the end of the ride. The judges rewarded  his efforts with a score of 88. Enough to win the short round.

But it was Sanders’ night.

He got a bigger roar after completing his short round attempt. Sanders scored a 79 in the short ride, giving him a two-round average of 148, beating Braseth’s total of 145.

In order to win Sanders had to overcome a little history.

TEAMING UP: B.J. Campbell and Bucky Campbell won the team roping event with a time of 6.1 Sunday.

Only five riders made a qualified ride in the long round.

Vic Dubray of La Grande also advanced to the short round.

Brian Perry moved on after winning the long round with a score of 79. Kacey Love of Idaho also advanced.

In Friday night’s other event, barrel racing, Alyson Kennedy of Condon stole the show.

She navigated around the three barrels on her horse in 17.96.

That momentum carried over into the weekend. Kennedy earned another paycheck with a ride of 17.46.

She was the lone barrel racer from Oregon to bring home a paycheck. Washington residents filled the rest of the register. Jana Isaac from White Swan, Wash., finished in 17.50 for a second-place finish.

In the other PRCA events Paul Jones of Elko, Nev., won the bareback competition with a score of 80.

Jake Echevarria put on a strong showing in Sunday’s tie-down roping competition. He finished in 8.7 to take first place.

Tony Currin, Blake Knowles and Nick Gutzwiler finished in a three-way tie in the steer-wrestling competition with a time of 4.8.

Jace Garrett won the saddle bronc ride with a mark of 79. B.J. Campbell and Bucky Campbell won the team roping title with a time of 6.1.

Shawn Waite of Prineville on the bull-riding competition with a score of 82.

Final results

Bareback riding: Paul Jones, Elko, Nev., 80; Caleb Bayes, Payette, Idaho, 78; Zac Compton, Hermiston, 76; Daniel Herman, Marsing, Idaho, 73; Dustin Mulrony, Pomeroy, Wash., 73; Noah Bayes, Adrian, 72, Danny Webb, Cottonwood, Calif., 72. Tie-down roping: Jake Echevarria, Merdian, Idaho, 8.7; Seth Hopper, Stanfield, 8.9; Paul Cope, Nampa, Idaho, 9.6; Dustin Specht, Moses Lake, Wash., 9.9; Kass Kayser, Ellensburg, Wash., 10.0; Brock Palmer, Milton-Freewater, 10.1. Steer Wrestling: Tony Currin, Dayton, Wash., 4.8; Blake Knowles, Heppner, 4.8; Nick Gutzwiler, East Wenatchee, Wash., 4.8; Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, 5.0; Michael Reger, Redmond, Wash., 5.8; Ryan Grenell, Kennewick, Wash., 6.1. Saddle bronc riding: Jace Garrett, Alliance, Neb., 79; Jerad McFarlane, Wilder, Idaho, 77; Elliot French, Hollister, Calif., 76; Sam McKenzie, Jordan Valley, 76; Olan Borg, Camp Verde, Ariz., 74; Max Filippini, Battle Mountain, Nev., 68. Barrel racing: Alyson Kennedy, Condon, 17.46; Jana Isaac, White Swan, Wash., 17.50; Colleen Clark, Wenatchee, Wash., 17.51; Chris Powers, Wapota, Wash., 17.53; Kendra France, Brush Prairie, Wash., 17.70; Libby Lewis, Benton City, Wash., 17.73; Kristie Hurn, Underwood, Wash., 17.91; Barbra West, Oak Harbor, Wash., 17.93; Michelle Woolf, Kapowsin, Wash., 17.95; Kim Macrae, Centerville, Wash., 17.97. Team roping: B.J. Campbell/Bucky Campbell, 6.1; Bobby Davis/Katlen Schimmelpfennig, 6.8; Jason Stewart/Shane Crossley, 7.3; Ross O’Sullivan/Sean Santucci, 7.5; Dylan Aschoff/Joey Bergevin, 9.5; Bryce Palmer/Garrett Jess, 11.8. Bull riding: Shawn Waite, Prineville, 82; Ardie Maier, Timber Lake, Calif., 73; Kasey Love, Middleton, Idaho, Taylor Cowan, Ft. Pierre, S.D., 64.