I was at that rodeo in the late 70s or so. It was a ranch rodeo with real hands and ranchers and a fun one to watch and participate in. It had the wild horse roping that was all performed with respect for all the horses back then, but I was reading that several years ago some ropers started tripping intentionally and that stirred some controversy that led to a state no tripping law being passed and could lead to 6 months in jail and hefty fines and the Malheur Sherriff is on hand to cuff anyone guilty. I know the Peta people had cameras videoing the entire event looking for anything they could make a stink about. I bet they still do.
I remember while I and friends were eating their cowboy breakfast, some kids around 8 to 12 got to exchanging insults and bragging. One tough-looking little buckeroo says to another, "you rope-like Billy's little sister hahaha!" The other kid responded, " I only wish I was that good." Well, when Billy's little sister roped everyone wished they roped that good. For years that became a saying among a few of us. I remember going to see Beers and Pickett rope at some small event and later a friend asked how they did and I said, "Well if they keep practicing they will be as good as Billy's little sister."
So Webfoot, keep your eyes and ears open for an amazing lady roper in her 50s and ask her if she has an older brother named Billy.
Tradition met scrutiny Saturday at the Big Loop Rodeo in Jordan Valley.
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