Twenty-five four-man teams competed in the Harney County Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, July 9, at the Harney County Fairgrounds, and when it all was said and done,  the Pioneer team (Jason Stewart, Coy Patterson, Gus King, Ben Kershner) came in first with 339 points.

The teams competed in team branding, big horn roping, saddle bronc, ranch doctoring, trailer loading, and horse roping.

Second place, with 333 points, went to the Under the Table Gang (Todd Carson, Willie Stoddart, John Opie, Tyler Opie); Withers Ranch (Matt Withers, Jack O’Leary, Quinton Anseth, Jason Kruse) came in third with 330 points; ZX Ranch (Jade Cooper, Matt Mori, Chance Peila, Frank Dominguez) was fourth with 327; Shine Ranch (George Shine, Stan Jones, Josh Prom, Junior Harney) placed fifth with 315 points; and 44 Cattle Co. (Erik Steen, Clay Tyree, Devon Thompson, Tim Thomas) was sixth with 310.5 points.

The top four teams, in descending order, had their choice of prizes after the competition ended. Prizes were silver bits from the Round Barn Visitor center, rawhide reins made by Dan Fowler, 22-caliber pistols from B&B Sporting Goods, and canvas bedrolls from Tips Western Saddles.

Event winners and prizes are as follows:

Team branding — Arock Ranch (Shaun Lequerica, Bryan Grenke, Dusty Easterday, Katlin Schimmelphenig) won bucking rolls made by Brad Mastre;

Big horn cow roping — Arock Ranch won ropes from Anderson Valley Supply;

Saddle bronc riding — Dusty Otley of the McEwen Ranch team won stirrups from Johnny Miller;

Ranch Doctoring — Under the Table Gang won Moremaker knives from B&B Sporting Goods;

Trailer loading — 44 Cattle Co. won cinches from Rogue Cinch Co.;

Horse roping — ZX Ranch won scrimshaw knives by Michele Severe.

Payouts for the teams are as follows (amounts are per team member):

First — $551; Second — $456; Third — $361; Fourth — $266; Fifth — $171; Sixth — $95.

The Ed Staub & Sons Crying Hole Award (placed seventh) went to the Bruneau boys (Tub Blanthorne, Malikai McLain, Jeff Lyle, Jake Brennen).

The Top Hand Award, sponsored by Baldwin Custom hat & Boot, went to Gus King of Pioneer.

The Top Horse Award, sponsored by Merlin Rupp, was presented to Hoot Raney of the McEwen Ranch team.