Kootenai River Stampede Rodeo reports success, looks forward to 2018

After the Kootenai River Stampede Rodeo, held at J. Neils Park in Libby Aug. 4 and 5, committee members Patty Rambo and Tricia Davis-Stacy visited The Western News for a post rodeo interview on August 7.

The rodeo saw about 800 people enter the gates on Friday night and perhaps more on Saturday night, said Rambo, who was “eyeballing” the crowd from a high vantage point while filming the event.

According to Rambo and Davis-Stacey, feedback has been positive so far, both from performers and spectators.

What the performers were most excited about was perhaps not what most people would expect — the dirt in the arena, which supports the animals and helps them make sharp turns without sinking.

“The Libby arena was voted best in the state a few years ago by the women’s national rodeo association,” said Davis-Stacey. “And the barrel racers were raving about the condition of the arena this year.”

The makeup and moisture content of the dirt are important, but so is the use of a conditioning implement, which works the soil to a certain depth to aerate it and maintain optimum conditions for the animals to move on.

“Tom Gilmore from ACE hardware and Northwest Motorsports donated the cost of the arena implement this year and we’re so grateful,” Rambo said.

The performers also reported enjoying their time in Lincoln County. Rambo said many told her they had stayed at Lake Koocanusa Resort, gone fishing or stayed with friends at Bull Lake.

But almost all had reported that Kootenai Falls was a draw during their downtime, Rambo said.

From a spectator’s perspective, Rambo said “someone came up to me in Burger Express to say how much they loved the rodeo this year, and I’ve had several others approach me with positive comments. I would give it [she makes two thumbs up sign]. I have a critical eye for the performance, and I honestly wouldn’t have changed it.”

This despite the rare occurrence of the death of a horse during the performance on Friday.

“It was a heart attack,” Rambo said, tears in her eyes. “It died almost instantly and was buried respectfully here in Libby.”

“It’s an incredibly rare thing to happen,” added Davis-Stacey. “But we are always ready and plan for it. We have an animal ambulance and a vet onsite at all times during the rodeo.”

The committee is still working hard at wrapping up the rodeo.

“This could not have happened without Tricia,” said Rambo, gesturing to Davis-Stacey, who traveled from Washington to be both rodeo secretary and a timer at the event.

This is Davis-Stacey’s 14th year as secretary for the Libby rodeo, but due to changes in the committee, this year the organizer’s have had seven months, instead of the usual 12, to prepare for the rodeo.

The $60,000 rodeo will come out making “about zero dollars,” laughed Davis-Stacey, who is also treasurer.

“As a nonprofit, making money is not the point,” she said.

However, the committee has plans to hold fundraising events to keep the rodeo on Libby’s mind until next year, and make some “seed money” to improve the event in the future, with plans to hold a brews for benefits fundraiser in October.

The committee also hopes to continue improving its network. This year they shared the leasing of an ATM machine with the Riverfront Blues Festival which cut down on costs for both events, and Rambo said they are working with Eureka to bolster both Eureka’s established rodeo and the Libby rodeo.

The committee hopes to continue to win Lincoln County residents over to a love of rodeo.

“It’s a culture,” Rambo said. “To love it is to know the smell of the dust and see the sweat.”