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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 2016)
August 2016 East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald • Page 23 receive a tour card. This left the cowboys such as Mote, as well as PRCA fans who would not see some of their favorites in 2016, frustrated and disappointed. “The ERA was just supposed to be something on the side,” Mote said, “We didn’t say we wanted to leave the PRCA, but when they instituted the rule change, we were just kind of left with no choice.” Perhaps the thing that disappointed Mote the most was losing the ability to compete at some of his favorite rodeos and venues on the PRCA tour, such as the Farm-City Pro Rodeo in Hermiston. Mote’s ties to the Farm-City Pro rodeo go way back, as the now ¿ve-time world champion earned his way onto the PRCA tour in 1996 in Hermiston and believes he missed just one trip to Hermiston over the next 18 years. Mote also won the Farm-City bareback championship in 2015, and is disappointed he won’t be able to defend the title. “To say it doesn’t bother me is a lie, because of course it does,” Mote said. “It’s always been a rodeo you knew would have great competition, great stock, and a great committee. The people there were pioneers in things such as back-to-back slack and other things that rodeos all over the country have modeled.” STAFF PHOTO BY GARY L. WEST Marcos Costa attempts to rope a calf during the 2015 Farm-City Pro Rodeo during an afternoon performance. He had a “no time” on that run, but so far in 2016 he is in third place in the tie-down roping world standings. One of the bigger questions that emerged with the ERA’s inaugural season in 2016 was what sort of effect it would have on PRCA rodeos, with the likes of superstars like Mote, Trevor Brazile, Kaycee Field, and others absent. However, as Farm-City stands one week out, board member Jon Gill says that they aren’t worried about the athlete absences. “In one word, no. Fans won’t see much change, they just won’t see guys like Brazile or Mote,” Gill said. “But a lot of guys are still coming back ... we’re still going to have plenty of cowboys to watch.” In fact, Gill said there was never any real worry amongst the Farm-City board, believing that their fans will still come no matter what. “We’re providing two-and-a-half hours of entertainment each night every year no matter what,” Gill said. “There’s always a point when a champion retires, and the fans still come back so it’ll be just like that. The hardcore fans may notice the absences, but the majority of fans will still come and enjoy their two-and-a-half hours of entertainment like always.” And while the Farm-City entertains for its four nights in August, Mote will continue to hope for change in the rodeo community so that one day he can make the trip back to Hermiston with the ability to compete again. “Hermiston has gone above and beyond other rodeos over the years,” he said. “There’s over 600 rodeos in the PRCA and I can count on one hand the ones that do it like Hermiston. If people are putting their lives and careers on the line in this business, then there needs to be more like Hermiston so we can enjoy a better style of life.” Enjoy FARM-CITY PRO RODEO and the UMATILLA COUNTY FAIR! Stop by for our world famous Root Beer , Papa Burger & Coney Dog! Finish your meal off with a root beer float! Enjoy the Fair & Rodeo CAROLLEEN LOVELL Certified Public Accountant, LLC ( 541) 567-1780 Fax: (541) 567-0523 77522 S. Hwy 207 Hermiston Located at Space Age Travel Center & Comfort Suites, Exit 182 on I-84 635 S.E. 4th St. • P.O. Box 747 Hermiston, OR 97838 www.CarolleenLovell.com
