Last modified: Tuesday, October 9, 2007 10:42 AM PDT Owyhee Rope and Ride deemed a success By Argus Observer Sports Staff Jordan Valley — Cowboys, rodeo fans, buckin’ horses, ropin’, stock dogs and tons of action….what an event! The 9th annual Owyhee Rope and Ride staged at Jordan Valley was an enormous success with rodeo and ranch cowboys from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Canada competing before an enthusiastic crowd. The Owyhee County Cattlemen’s Legal Defense Fund and Oregon Cattlemen’s Legal Defense Fund have been the benefactors from this event with over $212,597 raised in the last nine years. Eighty sponsors joined forces to support this Owyhee Rope & Ride coordinated by the Jordan Valley Rodeo Board. They included agribusinesses, ranchers, and other private individuals and supporting enterprises from the Eastern Oregon-Western Idaho Owyhee River region who support the huge effort to protect the future of ranching and economic well-being of the communities in this area. “A special thanks also goes out to Connie Brando and her secretary crew, Kenny and Sylvia Bahem who ran the silent auction for this year’s Owyhee Rope and Ride,” Jordan Valley Rodeo Board President, Vern Kershner said. “Agri-Beef Co. donated all of the cattle for the event. It is because of the generous contributions of all of our sponsors that this event is such a success.” The Owyhee County Cattlemen’s Legal Defense Fund and Malheur County Legal Defense Fund were organized nine years ago to defend the future of ranching, small communities, and agribusinesses of their region, Kershner said. The Owyhee Rope and Ride was a big three day weekend presented on September 21, 22 and 23. It included the stock dog trials, a classic stock saddle bronc riding, highly competitive muley steer roping and real western horse roping. Rounding out the activities were a western trade show, craft and artist displays, silent auctions, and several raffles highlighted by the drawing for a heavy-duty, ranch pickup and a ranch worthy four-wheeler. “Many thanks go to the sponsors and Owyhee Rope and Ride organizers for presenting a first rate event that has become a highlight on the regional calendar,” Kershner said. “They were well rewarded as they continue to raise funds in defense of the economic future and ranching way of life.” Jordan Valley Rope and Ride Results: COW DOG TRIALS Open Class: 1st Creasy - Owner: Robin Nuefer; 2nd Will - Owner Bill Boyd; 3rd Buck - Owner: Bill Boyd; 4th Chick - Owner Robin Neufer. Started Class: 1st Razzle - Owner: Loren Holmes; 2nd Sarge - Owner Bill Boyd; 3rd Mickens - Owner: Lorem Holmes Rancher Class: 1st Gus - Owner Hope Morris; 2nd Quid - Owner Cindy Mulson; 3rd Patty - Owner Vern Kershner MULEY ROPING Muley Roping - 3 Head for $40 - Progressive after one -- Paid out $3360 Dirk Jim-Casey Brunson, 25.60, $984; Nathan Kelly Jr.-R.C. Crutcher, 30.03, $820; Casey Brunson-Matt Azevedo, 30.45, $656; John Schutte-Marlow Eldridge, 33.68, $492; Josh Bruce-Jason Eiguren, 35.74, $328. RANCH HAND BRONC RIDING 1. Kiko Viligrano, with the highest score of 151; 2. Victor Madrigal 150; 3. Ryan Mackenzie 148 4. Tim Maher 145; 4. Nick Hay 142; 6. Charlie Smit, bucked off; 7. Josh Prom, bucked off. Last Chance Muley & Horse Roping Paid out $3,900 Fast Time Muley Roping 1st Go: John Schutte/Marlow Eldridge 8.18 Fast Time Horse Roping 2nd Go: Dirk Jim/Ira Walker 12.23 First Round winners: Muley roping: John Schutte-Marlow Eldridge, 8.18 seconds Horse roping: Dirk Jim-Ira Walker, 12.23 seconds Winners of the average for the combined muley and horse roping: Average on 2 Steers and 2 Horses: 1. Ryan Mackenzie-Nathan Kelly, Jr., 74.47 $1400 2. Marlow Eldridge-Dirk Jim, 77.75 $1050 3. Josh Bruce-Shawn Lequerica, 82.69 $650 4. Jim Filipini-Jeff Garijo, 102.22 $350 Buckles for this year’s Ranch Hand Bronc Riding events were donated by Mackenzie Ranch, and Harrell-Mackenzie Quarter Horses. Buckle winner was Kiko Viligrano. 06 Livestock, Forest Fretwell, Burgess Angus, and Dee and Robert Miller donated the buckles for the Last Chance Muley and Horse Roping, which were received by Ryan Mackenzie, and Nathan Kelly Jr. Also, congratulations to this year’s four-wheeler winner, Jerry Mayer from Marsing, ID, and to the tent winner Chris Davis from Westfall, Oregon.