R-Up and Longfellow honored at NFR
By Terry Murry on Monday, December 9th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
LAS VEGAS – The Pendleton Round-Up and Edie Longfellow of Hermiston were honored by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
The Round-Up was named Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year. It’s the 11th time the rodeo has brought home that award.
“This isn’t just about awards,” Round-Up officials posted on its Facebook page. “It’s about the heart and soul behind the Pendleton Round-Up. To our volunteers who give their time, our board of directors who lead with vision, our hardworking staff and contractors, the talented athletes who inspire us, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the best fans in the world.”
Longfellow has worked tirelessly for the PRCA since she served as its secretary in 1967. She was named the winner of this year’s Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award for that service.
That award honors contract personnel such as announcers, bullfighters, clowns, specialty acts, secretaries and timers who have been PRCA members for at least 15 years and receive little recognition for their commitment and contributions to the rodeo industry.
The award was named for the wife and stock contractor Bob Barnes who mentored thousands of contestants and others involved in rodeo. Longfellow knew Barnes.
“This is really wonderful,” Longfellow said in an interview with the PRCA. “I really enjoyed Donita when we had our secretary meetings down there in Colorado Springs. She was a great lady, and it’s really nice to be able to kind of represent her and what she’s done.”
Longfellow served as the Columbia River Circuit secretary from its inception in 1975 until she stepped down in 2007. She currently works as the CRC board treasurer and continues to push for the circuit’s advancement with no imminent plans to step down. Longfellow was inducted into the Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2019.
