By ROD INNES
Phillipsburg Rodeo Assoc.
The 2017 Kansas Biggest Rodeo is in the books, and it was a successful year. The weather was outstanding: cooler than many of the old-timers ever remembered during rodeo time. Thanks to our loyal fans for making this rodeo a good one!
The 2018 Phillipsburg Rodeo Queen has been crowned. Jenna Lager, of Superior, Neb., will serve as ambassador for the rodeo. See more info on Jenna here.
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| Jenna Lager, 2017-2018 Phillipsburg Rodeo Queen |
The annual Phillipsburg Rodeo Association meeting was held on October 3, and two new board members were elected. Floy Bruning and Ricky Solida joined the board, each for the first time. The 2018 board includes: Rod Innes, president; JD Shelton, vice-president; Steve Christy, secretary; Tom Hadley, LeRoy Hays, Clark Hopson, Jayson Hueneke, Jared Shelton, Ed Tucker, and Bruning and Solida.
Our rodeo has won first place in the Prairie Circuit for the Justin Boots Best Footing contest! Each year, Justin awards rodeos across the nation who provide the safest, most consistent ground possible for barrel racing horses and cowgirls. We’re honored to receive it and will be at the presentation in Las Vegas on Dec. 7.
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| Cancer fundraiser checks presented during pink night. |
The annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign on the first night of rodeo was a big success! The second largest amount was raised since the rodeo started going “pink” in 2006! Over $11,900 was donated, including matching funds from such generous sponsors as the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association, Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, McClain Seed Sales, Rodgers and Associates Insurance Co., Kansas Crop Care/Nebraskaland Aviation, and Farmers State Bank. This year’s money goes to the Hope in the Heartland fund, for area people fighting cancer.
Several members of the rodeo committee will attend the PRCA’s convention in Las Vegas in December. While there, they attend seminars on marketing, ticketing, sponsorships, and other relevant topics. They’ll also look to hire specialty acts and barrel men for future years. Committee members’ travel expenses to Las Vegas are not paid; they go on their own dime.
Be on the lookout for this cool car: a Fiat 500e! This car will be one of the prizes for the 2018
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| Fiat 500e |
Associate Memberships! Thanks to Chrysler Corp. and Matteson Motors for securing it.
If you’re looking to make a donation to keep the rodeo vital and healthy, or for estate planning, consider the Western Heritage Foundation. Funds given stay in the community.
The Western Heritage Foundation was established to maintain, preserve and inspire the western lifestyle of Phillips County, Kansas. The Foundation is a 501-c-3 not-for-profit, with donations fully tax deductible. For more info, call 785.543.9073.
Mark your calendars for the 2018 rodeo: August 2-3-4, 2018. Tickets go on sale July 2, 2018.