LAS VEGAS – For the second straight year, the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo has been named the small rodeo of the year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to win this award the first time last year, and to win it again is just remarkable,” said David Petty, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces Claremore’s rodeo. “This past year was such a struggle with all the rain we received over the Memorial Day weekend. It was a tragic weekend in Claremore, because we lost one of our own.
“We dedicate this award to the life Claremore Fire Department Capt. Jason Farley, who gave his life while trying to protect our community.”
The PRCA recognizes the top rodeos of the year based on votes from the association’s members, a vast majority of which are the cowboys that compete. With the award, the hard-working committee was recognized for pursuing excellence even in the face of adverse conditions.
“This says so much about the hard work that the volunteers put in year in and year out to make that rodeo successful,” said Scott Grover, who has been the longtime announcer at the Will Rogers Stampede. “Every year those people bust their humps to put on a better rodeo than what they had done before, and it shows.
“Last year was just a sloppy mess in the arena, but the crowd didn’t know any different. We still had a lot of people at that rodeo that saw a great performance night after night. It’s also a great sign of the type of production Pete Carr Pro Rodeo puts on. Even with the mud and the rain, those Carr animals were amazing.”
The Will Rogers Stampede takes place over Memorial Day weekend every year and will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2016.