Steamboat Pilot & Today

The 2006 Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series features five specialty acts this year -- Blake Goode, Jerry Wayne Olson, Wild Thang, John Harrison and Mexican cowboy Jerry Diaz.

New to this year's rodeo are monkeys that will be riding Border Collie dogs, which is the signature act by rodeo clown and barrelman Tim Lepard or Wild Thang. Lepard will bring with him more than 28 years of experience as a bullfighter, comedian and entertainer.

Mexican cowboy Jerry Diaz will do some traditional rodeo tricks, but the "charro" never does the same thing twice, said rodeo President John Shipley.

"After they've seen him, they know they have witnessed something very special," Shipley said.

For trick rider and roper John Harrison, the rodeo is in his blood. He is known for being the grandson of the great Freckles Brown, the world champion bull rider.

Third-generation entertainer Jerry Wayne Olson is a "classical dude" who has a miniature trick horse.

Texan Blake Goode performed during the 2005 Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series and will return this year with more of his fast-paced specialty act.

Goode performs as a Roman Rider, but changes the traditional act by standing on the backs of two Brahma bulls instead of the horses rodeo fans usually see in the arena.
Goode will perform on the weekend of Aug. 11 and 12.

His two matching white bulls are named Geronimo and Apache. He rides them around the arena, one foot on each bull's back, jumping over obstacles and through fire rings.

"A lot of people do it on horses, but not bulls," said Rodeo administrator Char Mighton. "They're just so beautiful."

The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo invited Goode back this year because he was so popular with the crowd.

"I think it's just amazing to watch," Mighton said.

This year's youth events will include the Calf Scramble in which children ages 6 to 12 try to pin a ribbon on a calf's tail.

There also will be Pee Wee barrel racing for children 7 and younger. The kids will ride the women's barrel racing course for prizes and gift certificates.

As always, rodeo events will kick off with a barbecue and music at 5:30 p.m. outside the arena.

Steve Fraysher will serve the crowds hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs and chicken.
Rodeo events will be every Friday and Saturday night during the series, with extra performances on July 3 and July 4.