72nd Annual Stone Rodeo
Proudly carrying the flags for the rodeo were McKinzie Richins, Hailey Branch and Easton Wrigley.
Stone, Idaho might be a little off the beaten path, but the Stone Rodeo is well known on the rodeo trail. Fans from southern Idaho and northern Utah made their way to the Curlew Valley July 24 and 25 to attend the 72nd annual showing of the Curlew Amature Rodeo, better known as the Stone Rodeo. The two day rodeo is a local favorite featuring classic rodeo rough stock and roping events as well as a little hometown fun like ribbon roping, calf riding, and wild horse race.
Each night, the rodeo began with team roping and breakaway slack beginning at 6 pm, with the show starting at 8pm. McKinzie Richins, Hailey Branch and Easton Wrigley carried the American and Curlew Valley flags each night as McCall Clark and Brent Stokes sang the national anthem, Wednesday and Thursday respectively. “Reggie” Carpenter with Hoggan Rodeo Company provided the rough stock, Eliason Livestock provided cattle for the ribbon roping, Ben Tibbits provided the steers for the team roping, with Nolan Branch provided calves for the kids calf riding.
Night one of the rodeo went off without a hitch as local favorites rode into the arena to compete. There wasn’t a dull moment watching the top notch rides, talented stock, terrifying near misses and mirth filled moments.
The fun continued on the second night, but in a whole different way. On the tail end of the slack, a thunder storm blew in, giving the contestants and spectators a quick cool off and downpour. The clouds seemed to part as the rodeo began but it wasn’t long before the clouds returned and remained for the duration of the rodeo. Despite the drencher, a number of fans stuck out their favorite rodeo to cheer on the brave cowboys and cowgirls that were determined to make a ride. The rain and mud did little to deter the calf riding kids and their dedicated parents that ensured their ride didn’t end up backside in the mud.
As the rodeo concluded, members of the rodeo committee commented, “In all my years, I’ve never seen this much rain at the rodeo!” Rain or shine, the Stone Rodeo will always go on, with next year always looming on the horizon.
The rodeo is put on by the rodeo board made up of members throughout the Curlew Valley including president Rondell Skidmore, Rick Steed, Tim Munns, Ken Eliason, Denver Hawkes, Brayden Eliason, Cody Carter, Matt Branch, Shane Eliason and Nathan Eliason. Their efforts, coupled with the generous donors and sponsors of the rodeo, are what make this rodeo possible year after year and deserve a round of applause for all of their contributions.
Stone Rodeo 2024 - Results
Bareback
1. Clayton Lunt 61
2. Ty Hawkes 60
Saddle Bronc
1. Tommy Angell 67
2. Riggin Smith 63
3. Ira Oleson 54
Breakaway
1. Kendall Williams 3.11
2. Kori Wakley 3.16
3. Lily Bell 3.55
4. Brinlee Yore 4.24
5. Kaydence Martin 4.92
Ranch Bronc
1. Colby Bowles 70
2. Branson Burnhope 68
3. Dustin Douglas 62
3. Matt Bunderson 62
Tie Down
1. Colby Hughes 9.12
2. Colter Bennett 11.5
3. Ruger Smith 11.59
Team Roping
1. Colter Buttars & Jayden Goodey 5.81
2. Brayden Burnside & Riley Spencer 5.83
3. Kelton Lindsay & Cinch Penrod 7.03
4. Chris Staley & Pace Bronco 7.55
5. Wyatt Jensen & Max Kuttler 7.94
6. Hazen Smith & Dax Buttars 8.22
Barrels
1. Kendra Thurgood 16.486
2. Jennica Offret 16.638
3. Emery McCormick 17.13
4. Dawn Doss 17.289
5. Brinlee Yore 17.407
Bull Riding
1. Dixon Fehlman 72
2. Stoan Morrison 70
Ribbon Roping
Wednesday- Hayden Corta & Ira Oleson
Thursday- Colter Buttars & Hannah Mendenhall
Wild Horse Race
Wednesday- Daxton Woodmancy, Wyatt Burton, & Waylon Firth