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Show f i ! B1 . Wednesday, March 12, 2008 o movincs is w Air iio By Mary Bernard Express Writer The Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo is moving in new direction. One that delivers more entertainment entertain-ment thrills for the paying customer. "We are going to put on the best rodeo money can buy," said Michelle Miller, 2008 Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo committee president. "We have a responsibility to the community to provide the best." Summer would not be the same without rodeo excitement. And the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo has been a part of the Basin community since 1932. It has consistently ranked as one of the top five professional rodeos in the nation. It is still one of the best PRCA Wrangler Tour rodeos. In past years, champion rodeo riders like Ty Murray, Mur-ray, Trevor Brazil, Joe Beaver, Fred Whitfield, and Dan Mortensen have all competed in the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. This year, rodeo riders will continue to attract at-tract top hands in seven competitive events. To do that, competition money has been increased to $12,500 in each event. Higher purses means rougher stock and this year is no exception. Stock providers for the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo are contracted with Powder River LLC, owned by Hank and Lori Franzen out of Wright, Wyo. "Powder River consistently has more than 11 bulls and broncs selected out of the 53 stock contractors eligible for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo," said Franzen. Powder River's un-ridden un-ridden bareback bronc, Miss Congeniality, will return. Let's see if the cowboys have recovered from last year's loss to try her again. And Western Park will be ready for their return. The Professional Women's, Barrel Racing Rac-ing Association has recognized Western Park's Footing Program as second best in circuit. Better Bet-ter footing means better entertainment. This year's professional rodeo clown barrelman is . Jeff "Slim" Garner. "The cowboy way of life in my family for generations," said Garner. "I rode almost from the time I could walk, and it wasn't long before I started breaking horses and accompanying my . dad as he clowned and fought the bulls for the rodeos. It's a life I love and I love to entertain the rodeo crowds." Garner has been clowning for 15 years. He is the creator of a variety of original comedy acts like the Cowboy Cadillac " and the Air Taxi. PRCA Bullfighters Clifford Maxwell and Luke Kraut will be on hand for the bull riders' protection. These men are the "heart and soul of the rodeo arena." Roger Mooney, Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo announcer. Mooney is a veteran of over 45 rodeos, radio and TV voice overs, including in-cluding performances on ESPN, ESPN 2, TNN, and RFD-T.V. Clifford Maxwell, professional bullfighter out of Taylor, Ariz., has been fighting bulls for II years. He started after a serious bull riding f " " 'T 1 ' '- . , ... . . .."'....vV ' Ah if f V ' 'i i f J i i V- ' ' " ! r; ' ' " ' . - V i -.' v ... : ' : : 1 i t . -i... , n 4 1 rf - ' . ... W- i I " , .' f v v, . . . t ' . I : ; ' k j f . -- . . t-,', - , , i ' - - - - - .-'x. . . a' '-...if " " ; " in ) ivi:.' tJ. t;v y.' . Li! 1 Pi " 1 era i r7 ; - - - -1 Bullrider Howdy Cloud tries for an 8-second-ride on a bull at the Friday night performance of the 2007 Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. Photo by Kerri Allardyce of Cowboy Images. A future rodeo rider takes a run at the mutton bustin' in last year's rodeo. Apparently, this choke-hold approach works well as this mutton bustin' cowboy stayed on. Photo by Kerri Allardyce of Cowboy Images. accident that left him with five . broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken spleen. The fact that Maxwell was nearly killed brought home the importance of a bullfighter to the rider. It was then he realized that, he would get there to help a cowboy in need. "I take my job as a bullfighter bull-fighter very serious," Maxwell writes. "After I got healed and back on my feet, I started what is now my passion." Maxwell has set some high standards for himself to be picked by the top 15 bullriders to protect them at the National Final Rodeo Ro-deo or the NCFR in Pocatello, Idaho. "I have already achieved one goal by being a five-time Turquoise Circuit Finals Bullfighter," said Maxwell. "I know that given the chance to showcase my talents at the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, you will not be disappointed." Luke Kraut, a native of Australia, came to the United States in 1995. He has been a bull rider and a member of the PRCA and the Professional Bull Riders Association. "My passion is to provide the highest quality of cowboy protection," Kraut said of his bullfighting expertise. "I fought bulls all over the U.S. and Australia, everything from jackpot bull ridings to amateur rodeos to PRCA and IPRA rodeos and even some PBR events." The specialty act, Pro-tourMX, Pro-tourMX, a freestyle motocross exhibition team, promises to have viewers on the edge of their seats. These extreme ram 9 to f . -jjasJ ; - W Itr... J."-..- u ."Tvafc, J-J Where would rodeo be without clowns? Rodeos are all about humor. You have a sense of humor hu-mor to climb on a 1 ,000 pounds of angry bull and then rake it with spurs. Photo by Kerri Allardyce of Cowboy Images. athletes perform some of the "most exciting and dangerous motorcycle stunts known to man." They are a PRCA-li-censed specialty act. This year food concessions will be operated by sponsors t independent of the rodeo committee. com-mittee. The east, main and west concession stands will be entirely operated by fundraisers fundrais-ers who will have bid for and won the opportunity to manage the food service. With the change in concessions, conces-sions, there will be no more fumbling for cash at the concession con-cession stand. No more looking for exact change. Entrants simply sim-ply purchase concession tickets at the gate to exchange for food and drink. This new system will permit the committee and sponsors to more accurately track money inside the rodeo. Speaking of gates, advance ticket sales will be offered online for the rodeo customer through Etix and the rodeo website www.vernalrodeo.com. It will still be possible to obtain tickets through rodeo committee com-mittee members or the Vernal Chamber of Commerce, but buying online offers tremendous tremen-dous flexibility for the buyer. Sure, the rodeo won't be here until July 9-12, but buying buy-ing online means reserving the best seats early. Where else can a rodeo fan plan to see broncs and bulls, cowboy and cowgirls, buying from home? The Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo Ro-deo will begin Wednesday, July 9 with the traditional 'kick-off Rodeo Parade in the afternoon before the evening's activities. Rodeo events like steer wrestling, wres-tling, calf roping, saddle bronc and bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, and mutton bustin' will take place through Saturday, July 12. Events are scheduled for the Western Park Convention Center Cen-ter rodeo grounds at 302 E. 200 South, Vernal. Performances begin at 8 p.m. every evening. This year, Chris Ledoux's son, Beau LeDoux, once a rodeo professional like his father, will bring his band Western Underground Under-ground to Vernal for one night. This will be a concert and tailgate party hosted by KXRQ and a variety of other sponsors. The 2008 Dinosaur Roundup Round-up Rodeo committee expects new directions of the rodeo to provide the best in Western entertainment. r rzr rr: : " r '. Tl ; v .y .' - . h .! v - W--' ,iy; ' - -r Lk .- ,e Ji .v ' f, ; .f- .- - it .,1: ' .' - . " - - ' -- J I - ' 7 i i ... ,. Pickupmen are the backbone of the bronc riders' performance. These guys jump in to pick up the rider and grab the bronc. Their work is almost as colorful as the competitor's ride. Photo by of Kerri Allardyce of Cowboy Images. Jermiah Diffee takes a fast and furious ride on Miss Congeniality. His brief ride was nothing short of spectacular at the Saturday night show. Photo by Kerri Allardyce of Cowboy Images. Cmuiuuuiy Coienar March Golden Age Center Dances, 155 S. 100 W. Vernal. Every Friday night 8 to 10 p.m. Kays Band, all are welcome. Winter Kundalini Yoga classes. Wednesdays 12-12:45 12-12:45 p.m. & 6-7:30 p.m. Call Margaret 781-8711 for more information. TOPS club meets in Vernal City Offices, 447 E. Main, on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. Ten Star All Star Basketball Camp. Call (704) 373-0873 for brochure or visit www. tenstarcamp.com. 17th Annual Uintah Basin Local Artists Show, Western Heritage Museum, 328 E. 200 S., March 4 to 28. Call 789-7399. 789-7399. 12-Step Recovery Program, meets Thursday, 7to8p.m.at2100W.Hwy 40. Open and anonymous. Call 790-7917. March 11-13 Girl's Softball registration, 7 to 9 p.m. at Vernal City Offices, 447 East Main, Vernal. $40 league fees and $35 for additional sibling. March 12 Uintah Basin Chapter American Petroleum Institute special speaker, Bill Keach at the Frontier Grill, Roosevelt. Happy hour starts at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. For more information call Bob Ballou 722-1492. Story Time, starts 10:30 a.m. with half hour storv sessions, Uintah County Library, 155 East Main, Vernal. Call Julie at 789- 0091 ext. 21. March 12&14, 15 Pirates of Penzance, musical performance at Uintah High School Tickets at the door, 7 p.m March 13 Morning Glory QuWters, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.,. Uintah County Library, 155 East Main, Vernal. Cal Melinda Barlow 789-0091 mbarlovvco.uintah.ut.us Uintah Mountain Club presents James McRae to speak on Neola North Fire. 7 p.m., Golden Age Center, 155 S. 100 W., Vernal Call Diane 789-9212 789-9212 for info. Free and open to the public. March 13-14 AARP safe driving course-adults 50 for $10 at the Golden Age Center, 155 S. 100 W., Vernal. Thursday 1-5 p.m. & Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call Brenda 789-2169 789-2169 or Fred 454-3470 to sign up. March 14 Radio Auction, Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce on KVEL 920 AM. Chamber's biggest fundraiser call Julie at 789- 1352 and get involved. Girls Scout Cookies Booths-Naples at 7-11 on US Hwy 40, Vernal atAltel 100 W. Hwy 40 AND Wal- Mart, 2 to 6 p.m March 14-15 Utah State University -College Rodeo at Western Park, 302 E. 200 S., Vernal. Call Dave at 722-1726 for more information. SEE CALENDAR on B6 Hosting aii 01enf? Post it for free on our community calendar at v'f;1! Each office is independently owned and operated. ', ;' A portion ot of every sale is X , 1 donated to the ' 1820West Children's Miracle V Vernal, Utah Hwy. 40, Ste F Network. I 435-781-2500 Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Results V Karen Laub 828 0204 " - - ' " ' ' ; j ' ' : '; 1 i : i ; ; I 1 ' I ! ! f . ' - : , 1 , .ail i "' ' ' " u New 3 bedroom, 1 12 bath townhouses now available! Central location, great floor plans, fully landscaped. Come and visit our model home: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10'2 Tuesday & Thursday 2-6 Saturday 10-4 or call Karen Laub at 828-0204 or Jan Sharp at 828-4000 for details. 4 Li A Jan Sharp 823 4000 I |
