Ridge Riders rope regional award

For the first time, Grand Coulee’s own Colorama Pro Rodeo has won formal recognition amongst small rodeos in the northwest.

The Mother’s Day weekend rodeo was named second runner up in the PRCA Columbia River Circuit, which includes Washington, Oregon, and north Idaho.

“Not #1, but we will take it,” said Cindy Edwards, a longtime volunteer with the Ridge Riders, who put on the annual pro rodeo in Grand Coulee. “It’s a huge honor to be even runner up out of 56 events.”

Edwards said she hopes the award will bring more attention to the north end of Grant County.

“That’s why we do this crazy stuff for our communities!” Edwards said.

There are 13 circuits of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association: 12 in the contiguous United States and one encompassing Canada. The Columbia River Circuit named a second runner up, first runner up, and top rodeo in each size category: small, medium and large.

To the south, Coulee City’s Last Stand Rodeo won Small Rodeo of the Year in the annual contest, which happens Memorial Day Weekend each year. And first runner up went to the Cle Elum Roundup, which happens in July.

“2024 has been a rebuilding year for us following the loss of our president, George Kohout,” Edwards wrote on Facebook. “It truly took a village, and we are so grateful to every person in ours.”

The PRCA Columbia River Circuit holds its circuit finals this week in Redmond, Oregon. There, the top 12 cowboys and cowgirls will compete for the championship title in nine different pro rodeo events.