Ellensburg Rodeo Posse Night Show

Presenting an All New Spectacular Event with the Ellensburg Rodeo Association

A “63” Year Tradition
In the Rodeo Arena
Sunday, August 31, 2008
7pm

A Night to Remember

The Ellensburg Rodeo Posse invites you to the 62nd Annual Posse Night Show. In 2008 the Ellensburg Rodeo Posses and the Ellensburg Rodeo Association have partnered to produce a new spectacular event. More information will be announced early this summer.

The Ellensburg Rodeo Posse - 66 Years Old

The Ellensburg Rodeo Posse was founded in 1940 by Dr. John P. Richardson. With flags unfurled, the Posse made its first public appearance in the 1941 Ellensburg Rodeo parade. The Ellensburg Rodeo Posse is the oldest recognized Posse in the state of Washington; officially certified by the Secretary of Washington State on July 13, 1944.

During a visit to San Francisco, Dr. Richardson had the opportunity to watch members of the San Francisco Sheriff's Posse perform drills on golden Palominos. He was so impressed with the performance and regalia of the team riding matched horses with silver mounted saddles, that upon his return to Ellensburg he quickly organized the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse. The founding members of the Posse included local businessmen, ranchers, and several Ellensburg Rodeo Board members.

The newly formed Posse, in cooperation with the Kittitas County Fair and the Ellensburg Rodeo boards, established that one of the primary functions of the Posse was to promote both the Fair and the Rodeo. They determined that the Posse - "ambassadors on horseback" - would escort the Rodeo Royal Court and ride in all major parades throughout Washington.

The Posse has performed its duties for sixty-six years - even throughout World War II, when wartime restrictions prohibited large gatherings or activities near major traffic corridors. Ellensburg held a local fair and fall harvest festival; however, the Rodeo was cancelled in 1942, 1943, and 1944. In an effort to maintain the Labor Day weekend as the traditional time for the Fair and Rodeo, the Posse, on behalf of the Rodeo, held horse events in conjunction with the Fair and invited other Posse teams from Washington to participate in the events.

In 1945, the Ellensburg Rodeo was back in action; unfortunately, the Rodeo was faced with financial woos. Moreover, negotiations with the Turtle Cowboy Association (the precursor to a professional rodeo association) were strained during that organization’s political turmoil. Therefore the Rodeo board - many of whom were Posse members - requested the Posse to organize numerous activities for the Rodeo, which included the Quarter Mile Flat Race, Chuck Wagon Race, Pony Express Race, 4 Man Baton, Cliff Race, Scurry in Pairs, Hide Race, Dinner Bell Handicap (for mares and foals) and the Indian War Bonnet Race that included riders from the Yakama Indian Nation.

Additionally the Posse orchestrated the evening entertainment that included a horse show and Jr. Rodeo, Draft Horse Pulling Competition, Kittitas County Cow Cutting Competition; and, the Posse Sunday Night Show that featured Posse teams from visiting counties who performed drills and competed in horseback games. And to complete the package, the Posse added local trick riders, trick ropers, contracted clowns to perform; and, invited VIPs to all the performances.

During 1946 the Posse also traveled to neighboring counties to participate in parades, festivals, and games. Both the Fair and Rodeo boards subsidized the Posse’s travel expenses for these excursions to promote the Fair and Rodeo.

In 1947 the Posse began the tradition of selling night show numbered buttons for souvenirs as a fundraiser. They also established a raffle drawing that included a cash prize and a Shetland pony. The money earned from the buttons provided additional funding to the Posse to travel to other counties and finance future Rodeo night shows, games, and the Jr. Rodeo.

This year the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse continues its tradition of supporting the Ellensburg Rodeo and Kittitas County Fair. As a special event during each day of the rodeo the Posse will show-case the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse.

http://ww.ellensburgrodeoposse.com