The 2024 Glenwood Ketchum Kalf Rodeo in Glenwood was a great success. Despite the inclement weather on Saturday, June 15, the stands were full for all to enjoy the exciting events. On Father’s Day Sunday, the weather was much improved, making the day fun and enjoyable for all the dads and their families in the audience. At the time of this writing, I did not have results of any of the events but the Rodeo Association will get them compiled and posted as soon as possible.Â
Former Glenwood kid Blake Masden, who now resides in Goldendale and is highly ranked in the Washington State High School Rodeo bull riding standings, competed on Sunday. Unfortunately, Blake didn’t make his 8 seconds on that day but his hometown was thrilled to see the recent high school graduated out there competing. He will soon head to Rock Springs, Wyo., for his final year of competition at the National High School Rodeo Finals and will attend Montana State University in the fall, where he’ll be part of that college’s rodeo team.
Other local cowgirls, Joslyn Arnold and Peyton Sanchey, also competed in their hometown rodeo, just a few weeks before they, too, head to the National Finals in Rock Springs. Joslyn competed in breakaway roping and Peyton competed in barrel racing. Our community is very small, yet three of our own will represent their hometown and Klickitat County at the finals.
Another local young cowgirl, Jocee Hoctor, competed in Junior Barrels on Saturday and did very well. Her beautiful horse Jessie suffered an unfortunate horse-shoeing accident the week prior, but with tender loving care by Jocee and her parents, Jessie was ready to run on Saturday and made her cowgirl happy and all of us who watched very proud of that great cowgirl and barrel horse team. Jocee will be a 9th grader at Glenwood high school in the fall. It as great to see some of our young people compete in front of their hometown audience.
The wild horse races were truly wild and exciting. Those young men brave enough to hold onto and try to put saddles on bucking, kicking, jumping horses had the audience on the edge of their seats. One brave racer suffered a serious injury when he lost his footing and was kicked in the face by the wild horse he was trying to hold onto. We have received an update that the young man was transported to a hospital in Seattle, where he underwent surgery for multiple facial fractures. We here in Glenwood and all who saw him out there in the arena are keeping him in our hearts and prayers.Â
The pony chariot races were enjoyed by all, but, especially, the children. The charioteers were dressed in colorful, ancient Roman costumes to match their small chariots, which were pulled by tiny matching pairs of ponies. The Wild Card Trick Riders put on a great show each day and also carried event flags into the arena before each event. They were a great group of young ladies that thrilled the crowd with their daring tricks on their horses.
Very moving Empty Saddle tributes were given for longtime Glenwood Rodeo Association members Jerry Ladiges and Vern Addington. On Sunday, a special tribute was given for Kasia Hylton, a tiny 8-year old girl who loved horses, loved performing and competing at the Klickitat County Fair and other events, and was already an excellent little rider. Kasia, daughter of Kristina Nelson and Anthony Hylton, and granddaughter of Glenwood Rodeo Association members John and Kerri Hylton, died in a tragic accident while practicing with her horse last year.Â
Near the end of the second day of the rodeo, the Glenwood Rodeo Association members were pleased to honor longtime Association member Elizabeth Jones with the Hank Ladiges Memorial Buckle for her many years of hard work and dedication to the success of the rodeo. Elizabeth’s husband Darren and son Dalton were there in the arena with her for this well-deserved recognition.
The Glenwood Rodeo Association greatly appreciates the overwhelming support of those who came out to attend the audience and support this historic, great little rodeo. We hope to see you all back again next year for the 90th Glenwood Ketchum Kalf Rodeo.
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Prior to the rodeo, Glenwood school staff and the family and friends of Debbie Woodward celebrated her retirement with a fun dinner at Ayutlense in Bingen on June 14. Debbie grew up in Glenwood and she and Mike raised their daughters Arlie and Ashley here. Debbie was a long-time special education paraprofessional in the Glenwood school and helped many children over the years. Her dedication to those students was very appreciated and admired. She also helped with many school functions, always present to pitch in wherever needed. We all hate to let her go, but I suspect we’ll still see her often at athletic and other school events. Thank you, Debbie, for all you’ve done for Glenwood School over the years.
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Students celebrated the last day of school on Thursday, June 13 with an awards assembly for grades K-7. A very special and well-deserved award went to just one student, Brooklyn Branson, for another year of perfect attendance for the entire year. Brooklyn, thank you for setting a fine example for the other students. We hope you can keep up this great record and end up in the school history books along with 1959 Glenwood graduate Bun Wellenbrock.
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Now school is out, the rodeo in the history books. Have a great summer, everyone.
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Mary Pierce writes about the community of Glenwood every other week in Columbia Gorge News. Please send any news items to gmpierce09@gmail.com.
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