Round-Up receives top honors from PRCA
By Terry Murry on Thursday, December 1st, 2022 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories
LAS VEGAS – The Pendleton Round-Up Association has once again been named the Large Outdoor Rodeo Committee of the Year. The honor was announced Wednesday night at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association awards banquet.
This is the ninth time the PRCA has bestowed the top honor to the Round-Up. The first time the large outdoor rodeo of the year title was given was in 2003. It was then bestowed for the centennial in 2010, and consecutively in 2015-2019. The award then returned to the Pendleton rodeo in 2021 and this year. Round-Up Association President Karl Farber accepted the honor.
“This award represents the efforts of 16 hardworking directors, our contract personnel, our staff, our volunteers, the contestants, and the entire Pendleton community,” Farber said.
Publicity Director Pat Reay agreed saying, “There is no higher honor than to be recognized by cowboy contestants and fellow rodeo committees,” he said.
Contract personnel that play a role in the Pendleton Round-Up also carried home some hardware. PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale timer Molly Twitchell won Timer of the Year. Her husband, Matt Twitchell, was named Pickup Man of the Year and Click Thompson was chose as Photographer of the Year.
Other nominees active in the rodeo and bull-riding event were also honored. Austin Lopeman was named Music Director of the Year; Hailey Bridwell is Secretary of the Year; Dusty Tuckness and Nathan Jestes got Bullfighter of the Year awards, Clay Guardipee and Roseanna Sales were both lauded as Photographer of the Year; Matt Merritt was named Clown/Barrelman of the Year; and Wayne Brooks and Anthony Lucia received Announcer of the Year awards.
A full list of award winners is available on the PRCA website.
