11/15/06 Northwest Rodeo

The tradition of Rodeo runs deep in the Northwest. We are home to some of our nations most famous rodeos the Pendleton Roundup, Ellensburg and my favorite, St. Paul. And we have a great tradition of competitors, this year were sending of our 11 cowboys to the NFR finals in Vegas, five from Oregon, four from WA and two from Idaho. One of the reasons our region is so competitive is a strong junior rodeo association .For example My friend Ashley Cardin an 8th grader has been barrel racing and roping as long as she can remember in the Eastern WA Jr. Rodeo Association and has oodles of buckles and some nice saddles as evidence. Competing at the junior level has given Ashley a confidence other kids her age often lack, she is now beating many adults at jackpots .plus the responsibilities of rodeo keep her out of trouble. The junior rodeo association offers events starting with 6year olds up to the Senior division ages 15-18 and strives to not only pass on the sport of rodeo but to teach children rodeo values. Who knows, in a few years Miss Ashley Cardin might be heading off to Vegas.