Woodburn Independent Online

Former champs highlight rodeo

Cowboys said Canby Rodeo is one of the bigger events of the year in the Northwest

• By: Alex Tam 
• Published: 9/1/2009 10:29:39 AM

CANBY — The lineup was stellar.

Defending PRCA world champions were present. Past world champions made their appearances. And several cowboys looking to make their mark with their first world title continued their climb up the standings.

All of them were present last week for the 52nd annual Canby Rodeo at the 103rd Clackamas County Fair.
Justin McDaniel, who is the defending bareback riding champion, made his appearance in Canby during the Wednesday night performance and scored a ride of 83 points.

It was his first time back in Canby since 2005 in his rookie year, and was happy to come back as the payout to contestants made it worth the trip for many cowboys.

“I just think that it’s just a great rodeo,” said McDaniel, whose hometown is Porum, Okla. “We’ve had the tour go on up at Caldwell (Idaho), so it’s kept me from coming here. (But) it’s a great rodeo and I’m glad I got to come back.”

Clint Cannon, who won the bareback title at the Canby Rodeo in 2007, made his return to Canby on the same night and currently sits first in the money standings in bareback by nearly $30,000 with $162,004 won this season.

“Canby’s a good rodeo,” said Cannon, who is from Waller, Texas. “I’ve been one time and I came here in ’07 and I won the bareback riding. It’s been good to me, so I’m excited (coming here). I’m just excited to be here instead of sitting at home. I flew in this morning and came to make the most of it.”

Heith DeMoss, who is vying for his first world title in saddle bronc riding, stands third in the money standings with $75,885 earned this past season and described the Canby Rodeo as one of major stops on the circuit for the PRCA.

“Canby’s one of the bigger rodeos,” said DeMoss, who is from Heflin, La. and travels more than 1,000 miles to more than 100 rodeos a year.

“When you talk about rodeos in the Northwest, Canby is always one you talk about. It’s one of the bigger ones. Everybody who’s everybody comes to this one, and especially if you’re trying to make the finals, so Canby’s a dang sure good one.”

For most of the cowboys, Canby became one of the many stops on their way to qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas held every year to determine the PRCA world championship for every event.

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