Another rodeo has been added to the Eastern Kansas Pro Rodeo Series
Revived last year, the Eastern Kansas Pro Rodeo Series included rodeos at Mound City and Eureka.
“This year we’re happy to announce that the Coffeyville rodeo will also be included in the series,” said John Teagarden, LaCygne, longtime Linn County Fair-Rodeo committeeman who’s been instrumental in revival of the series concept.
Collectively, the three rodeo associations produce nine Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned performances in a 12-day period August 10-21.
“Located in the southeast quadrant of Kansas, they are about 100 miles from each other in a triangle,” Teagarden stated.
“Objective of the series is a joint effort to raise awareness of the three rodeos among contestants and spectators with the primary purpose of increasing both entries and attendance,” Teagarden explained.
“The original Eastern Kansas Pro Rodeo Series began in 1984, and continued through 2006. At the height of the program, it included rodeos at Iola, Mound City, Ottawa, Paola, Fort Scott, Fredonia and Gardner,” Teagarden elaborated.
All three rodeos this have also been approved for winning contestant points in both the Prairie Circuit and Great Lakes Circuit of the PRCA.
“This rodeo series concept especially shows our appreciation for those circuit contestants who support our rodeos. They appreciate award recognition,” Nelson pointed out.
Through the years, the series featured added prize money, funded by the committees and a half dozen area sponsors, for contestants, plus trophy buckles.
“We’ve decided that Maynard Buckles will be presented this year to the Eastern Kansas Rodeo Series winners in each event, and engraved Moore Maker knives will go to the runner-up in each event,” the official said.
“Series winners are to be determined by points collected, not dollars, through eight places at each rodeo,” Teagarden clarified.
The rodeo associations annually produce the three largest professional rodeos in eastern Kansas.
“The long established Coffeyville and Mound City rodeos both trace their roots back more than 65 years,” Teagarden pointed out.
The Eureka Pro Rodeo, in its fifth year, has generated nearly $28,000 for local charities. “It was selected as ‘The Most Improved Rodeo’ in the Prairie Circuit of Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma by the PRCA in 2015,” Teagarden credited.
Dates and stock contractors at the three series rodeos are: Coffeyville, August 10-13, produced by Beutler & Son Rodeo Company, Elk City, Oklahoma; Mound City, August 12-13, produced by New Frontier Rodeo Company, Gypsum; Eureka, August 19-21, produced by United Pro Rodeo, Palestine, Texas.
The Eastern Kansas Pro Rodeo Series is sponsored by the three rodeo committees plus ADM Animal Nutrition, Better Horses Radio and Steve Richard, southeast district manager for Berry Tractor and Equipment Company.
Information is available from Teagarden at 913-837-6787.
