Hundreds compete in revived rodeo

The Colorama Pro-West Rodeo last weekend attracted 202 contestants that competed in 270 events, officials said this week.

That participation stood as a marked difference from a year ago, when the event almost didn’t happen.

“It was the first time I remember when the stands were full,” Ridge Rider President George Kohout said.

Contestants came from British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Colorama Rodeo is one of the first of the season and this year’s event drew a record number of contestants.

The rodeo, and companion Cleatis Lacy Memorial Bull Ride on Sunday, was largely financed by money from hotel/motel tax dollars from the municipalities of Electric City, Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam.

The extra money this year allowed sponsoring Ridge Riders an opportunity to advertise outside the area and attract both a larger contestant base and audience.

Following successful fund raisers, the Ridge Riders added to the prize money for the various events, which in itself attracted more contestants.

Kohout said the Friday and Saturday rodeo events raised some $8,300 and the Sunday bull riding event raised over $3,000.

Kohout said the Bull Riding event will be staged again next year.

The rodeo competition results are on page 8 and online at http://ow.ly/aVEGl .