<p>Last year's first place team at the Countdown to Chief Joseph Days Ranch Rodeo consisted of Jerry Cobb, Megan Yost (Cobb) and Jim Hite, who form the Yost Ranch Team. This year Megan's place on the team will be taken by her mother, Marianne Yost.</p>

JOSEPH Competition is already shaping up for the upcoming Countdown to Chief Joseph Days Ranch Rodeo, with 10 three-wrangler teams already signed up.

This rodeo will be similar to what they did back in the 1930s and 1940s, cowboys (and cowgirls) doing what they do in everyday life riding in working ranch saddles, roping and branding cattle, said Darlene Turner, one of the organizers of the ranch rodeo.

She said there is still room for two more teams, consisting of at least two cowboys or cowgirls from Wallowa County, with one allowed to come in from outside.

The rodeo is set for Saturday, June 29, but the sixth annual Countdown actually gets underway Friday, June 28, with a trail ride at 2:30 p.m. to the top of the lake moraine open to everyone. Participants will meet at the Joseph rodeo grounds.

The trail ride will be followed by a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. in the Thunder Room. A live auction will include a chance to buy your favorite rodeo team during the Calcutta.

The rodeo contestants will whip and spur down Main Street about 3:30 or 4 p.m. Saturday to call attention to the rodeo, which will get underway at 5 p.m. Teams will compete in four events, with classic saddle bronc riding an added individual event.

In addition to team honors, wranglers will be competing for the Jim Probert Top Hand Award.

Instead of mutton busting this year, the rodeo invites the younger set to compete in quarter century team goat roping. The teams will consists of two people, whose combined age cannot add up to more than 25 for example, a 12- and a 13-year old could team up, or an 8- and a 17-year-old. There will be a $5 entry fee for this jackpotted event, with an extra prize to the winners.

As in past years, the littlest cowkids can plan on competing in a stick horse race.

Teams interested in signing up to compete, or individuals who would like to join a team, are asked to call Robin Lewis at 541-432-5943.

CJD Rodeo will be raffling off a trip for two to the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas; tickets will be $5 each or three for 10.

Addition sponsors are welcome; anyone interested is asked to contact Darlene Turner, 541-432-4741.