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Special Edition M orrow County Fair & Rodeo Heppner Gazette-Times, Wednesday, August 7, 1996 - NINE
TWELVE - Special Edition Morrow County Fair & Rodeo Heppner Gazette-Times, Wednesday, August 7, 1996
Gerald Swaggert, 1996 Fair/OTPR Parade Grand Marshal
Theffe
Basics.
As a world leader in agribusiness, our success is
characterized by the prudent use o f basic
resources such as soil, water and minerals.
And, while our foundation and future are
irrevocably tied to these resources, we will con
tinue to advance because we are also committed
to basic human values
The spirit of the old West
lives on thanks to Grand Mar
shal Gerald Swaggert of the
19% Morrow County Fair and
Oregon Trail Pro rodeo. He
was 12 years old at the time of
the first Heppner rodeo in 1922.
His father, Frank Swaggert,
was one of the founders of that
event held at its present site on
land donated by V. Gentry.
The son of pioneer settlers,
Gerald grew up on the family's
Little Buttercreek ranch. He
remembers horse roundups on
the Buttercreek Buttes that oc
curred each spring, long before
there were fences. Cowboys
tested their skills on these
horses inside wooden corrals
near Lena.
This was the forerunner of
the Heppner Rodeo, Gerald
recalls. When 'Heppner and
Pendleton began putting on
shows they used local bucking
stock before stock contractors
and bucking chutes were com
mon. Wild horses were roped
and blindfolded and a snubb
ing horse was used in saddling
and for mounting. Once turn
ed loose, riders that didn't buck
off still had to dismount un
assisted.
Due to the influence of his
grandfather and father who
bred race horses, Gerald's
horsemanship was on a fast
track. For about 20 years,
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C O N TA C T: George DesBrisay, Bink Ramos, Tom Gertsch, Jack
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I Hn g l n j E a r t h '« R a a o u r
i to Ufo
Enjoy the Competitive
Presentations on Friday
Cameron Krebs in the 1995 presentation contest
"Extracting Honey," "Hog
Wash” and "Swish, Swish: A
Horse's Tale" were 4-H pre
sentation topics at the 1995
Morrow County Fair. "W e
don't know what the topics will
be for the '% fair," says Carol
Michael-Bennett, Oregon State
University Extension youth and
FOLLETT's
“ Complete
in the 4-H annex. "O ne of the
most important goals of the 4-H
youth development is to im
prove public speaking skills.
Giving a short presentation in
the project group is an expec
tation for every member. From
there, it is a natural move to the
larger stage of county fair com
petition," continues Michael-
Bennett. Most youth select a
topic related to their 4-H pro
ject, which adds to their self-
confidence.
Excellent acoustics in the 4-H
annex, interesting topics and
comfortable seating out of the
elements combine to make the
Presentations Contest an en
joyable activity.
Presentations will begin at 9
a.m. and continue until around
2 p.m. The Beef Ambassadors
Presentations, a combination of
illustrated talk and food pre
paration, will conclude the
competition. Contestants al
ways appreciate an audience.
Stop in the 4-H annex on Fri
day morning, watch a presen
tation and encourage the
speakers with your presence
and your applause.
family agent. "Members have
registered for individual and
team presentations and there
should be a topic of interest to
most everyone."
Competitive presentations
(called demonstrations in past
years) will take place on Friday,
Aug. 16, on the kitchen stage
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Morrow County Fair & Rodeo
M C Chronicles now available
"Morrow County Chronic
les,” published annually by the
Morrow County Historical So
ciety (MCHS), is now available.
This year's edition features
"The History of the Morrow
County Sheep Industry," by
Darlene Hoskins; "A Grand
daughter's Glimpse into the
Home of Franklin Dee and Liz
zie Cox," by Francis Cox Grif
fin; and "Early Churches of
Morrow County," by Lorene
Griffith. Other local stories of
interest are also included.
This is the 15th year that the
MCHS has collaborated with
current and former residents of
Morrow County to research
and share recollections of
4NAPA>
Simplot
Gerald was a willing jockey in
flat races, relay or pony express
heats. He also was brave
enough to ride roman style
standing up on the backs of
two horses running side by
side. Not intending to hone
bronc riding skills, Gerald had
his share of wild rides and
spills.
Gerald recalls that his former
neighbor Jerry Brosnan was
one of his staunch race horse
holders. One time the dust was
so thick when Gerald was rac
ing into change mounts, he
couldn't see where Jerry was
holding the next horse. By
voice, he located Jerry and the
horse who were both flat on the
ground. Gerald says he doesn't
know how many times Jerry
got run over after being knock
ed down, but he never let go of
the horse. Those type of mix-
ups, plus lap and tap starts
often determined race winners
before cheering crowds. It's
said that there were over 4,000
people attending Heppner
rodeos in those days.
Besides fast horses, the
Swaggert name became synon
ymous with a herd of Creamo-
íine horses bred by Gerald's
uncle, Ben Swaggert. That herd
of golden dappled horses be
came widely known and were
sought by Hollywood cowboy
stars.
stories of Morrow County.
Lucile Peck has served as editor
of the Chronicles since its in
ception. Doris Brosnan will
become editor in 1997.
"Morrow County Chroni
cles" is available at the Morrow
County Museum, Murray
Drugs, Twice Upon A Time...
and at the Historical Society's
booth at the Morrow County
Fair. Copies of-most past issues
are also available, as is an up
dated index of all 15 volumes.
We Print
4-H Fashion Revue, 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 15
Business Cards
Competitive Presentations all day, Friday, August 16
Rodeo Dance, 9:30 p.m., Saturday, August 17
Gazette-Times
676-9228
HEPPNER AUTO PARTS
TAKE TIME OUT...
T O TAKE IN THE FAIR...
4-H EXHIBITS & C O N TESTS...
4-H SNACK SHACK MARKET SALE
RO DEO LOG BUCKING
W E ’LL SEE YOU THERE!
Mike, Trade & Audra Bunch
j
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