Chief Joseph Days is over and a great time was had by all. Now it is time to prepare for the Pendleton Round-Up.

Of all the rodeos I have been to, Pendleton is the very best. Calgary, Salinas, Cheyenne cannot compare. I think the reason is that Pendleton is a big rodeo in a small town with over 100 years of tradition and legend backing it up. It seems the entire town is involved and supporting it. Strangers you meet on the streets ask, “Are you here for the Round-Up?” When you answer affirmatively they say, “Let ’er buck.”

I appreciate the shuttle they provide for anyone that calls. The shuttle is free and you can’t tip the driver. How great is that? After slack you can get in a shuttle car and have them drop you at Hamley’s. When it is time to head back to the rodeo grounds all you need do is call for the shuttle and tell them where you are and in about 10 minutes they arrive and back to the rodeo you go.

In the past I have foregone using the shuttle and while on the one-way street that goes by the rodeo, when someone stopped at a light, I asked if they were going by the rodeo. The response was always either, “Yes, hop in” or, “No, but I will drop you off there.” This beats waiting for the shuttle and if you are picky you can wait till a good-looking gal stops. This may not work for younger guys, but I am old.

At most rodeos there is an overzealous committee that insists that only the currently competing contestants be allowed in the arena. I guess they are afraid of someone getting hurt. At Pendleton they don’t even care if you are a contestant. If you get hurt, it’s your own fault for being in the way.

A couple of years ago, Mike Outhier was entered in the saddle bronc. A bunch of cowboys were lying on the grass at the timed event end of the arena. When Mike’s eight seconds were up, he undid the flank and hazed the bucking bronc with his hat through the lounging cowboys and really scattered them. He then turned the bronc and bucked through them again. It was a real crowd-pleaser.

Pendleton’s version of Christians and Lions is the Indian relay races. Before the start, EMTs go to each corner with stretchers. These races are big medicine in the Indian community. The young jockeys ride bareback and make three laps, changing horses at the end of each lap. The horses look like thoroughbred horses off the track, are not that well broke, and are runaway SOBs. They usually run four teams and the horse change takes place in front of the main grandstand where spectacular wrecks happen. If you haven’t seen it you wouldn’t believe it.

At most rodeos I ignore the queen run-in. At Pendleton I wouldn’t miss it. The girls ride in at full speed, jump the fence surrounding the arena and slide to a stop in front of the main grandstand. The guys with the Canadian flag and the Stars and Stripes also jump the fence. When the national anthem has been sung, the guy with the Stars and Stripes jumps the fence onto the track, as does everyone, and they race around the track at full speed. If that doesn’t make an American out of you, nothing will. Let ’er buck.

Open Range columnist Barrie Qualle is a working cowboy in Wallowa County.