Black Hills Roundup Rodeo

By Jim Thompson

Belle Fourche was a cowtown….even John Wayne knew it…so it should be no surprise that the men and women of the Black Hills Roundup rodeo committee are going to show the city how it “used to be.”
Prior to the single steer roping event on Wednesday June 30th, they’re going to drive steers down Belle Fourche's main street at 2:30 pm and end up at the Rodeo grounds. You'll see the big longhorn steers, and a wagon out in the lead. It'll be just like John Wayne in the movie “Cowboys” as they headed to Belle Fourche . There’ll even be PRCA Steer Ropers to help trail them.
When the steers get to the Rodeo grounds the event continues with a Cowboy Auction at 4 pm and the roping begins at 5pm.

Expected to attend this year’s Steer Roping will be current world champion and 2010 event leader Rocky Patterson; young-guns of steer roping Vin Fisher and Bryce Davis will be there…(they are 3rd and 4th in the world standings so far). Also expected, two-time champ of the world Scott Snedecor, Steer Roping director to the PRCA board, JP Wickett, and last years champion of the Tri State series (Belle Fourche, SD, Dickinson, ND and Thermopolis, Wyo) Cody Lee. In addition many of the Wyoming and Dakota ropers will be there to defend their turf from the southern invasion: Chris Glover, Jesse Tierney, Troy Tillard and Ora Taton.

Steer Roping is one of the oldest events in rodeo, and along with bronc riding, it’s well worth the watchin’. Hope you can come join us!