Cusick rodeo features events for youth

CUSICK – In addition to the standard rodeo events, the Cusick Fair Rodeo will also have events for youth during its two-night run Friday and Saturday night, Aug. 15-16. The rodeo starts at 7 p.m. both nights.

There will be junior bull riding for youth aged 12-15 years. There will also be junior barrel racing.

A crowd favorite is the mutton busting, an event where kids try to stay aboard a sheep. The event is for youth ages 4–7 who are 60 pounds or lighter.

The rodeo also has chute doggin,’ a version of steer wrestling for adults. In chute doggin’ the contestant is on foot and grabs the steer as it leaves the chute, instead of getting down on the steer from a running horse.

Except for steer wrestling, there are the regular rodeo events, barback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie down roping, barrel racing, ranch bronc riding and team roping.

The ranch bronc riding is sanctioned by the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association.

“It will be one of their last events before their finals in Nevada,” says rodeo stock contractor Pat McLauglin of Shamrock Rodeo of Onalaska, Washington. He says he expects plenty of good riders trying to make the finals.

McLauglin is also high on one of the bulls he purchased off the Professional Bull Riders circuit, a 5-year-old called China Virus. The bull is unridden in the year Shamrock has owned him.

“He’s extremely exciting,” McLaughlin says.

Josh Zahn will serve as announcer. Sawyer Singer is returning as rodeo clown.