By Al Camp
Chronicle staff

     Rough stock got the last laugh for the most part during the first performance of the 2007 Omak Stampede Rodeo.
     About the only event where the cowboys succeeded was saddle bronc, where Josh Reynolds of Corvallis, Mont., rose to the top with an 86.
     Right behind were Wyatt Smith, Rexburg, Idaho, with an 81, and Chance Millin, Powell Butte, Ore., with a 76.
     Only Marcus Michaelis, Caldwell, Idaho, could push across a score in bull riding, picking up a respectable 81.
     Jason Sherman, Washougal, was the lone rider completing a ride in bareback, carding a score of 71.
     In the World Famous Suicide Race after the rodeo, Patch took first place. Patch is owned by Kevin Carden and ridden by Aaron Carden.
     Taz, owned by Jim and Joan Phillips and ridden by Loren Marchand, was second.
     Skar Tar narrowly beat Reuben for third place. Skar Tar is owned by Leory and Lucetta Cate and ridden by Ryan Cate.
     Defending two-time champ Reuben, owned by Vern and Julie Lelone and ridden by Tyler Peasley, was fourth.
     Fifth went to Thor, who led another large bunching of horses. Thor is owned by Mick Zabreznik and ridden by Eddie Seyler.
     The overall champion after four races will be decided by points earned, said Owners and Jockeys president Pete Palmer.
     "Our total purse, thanks to our many sponsors, was an all-time record high of $7,750 per night paid out to the top four placers in each race," reported Palmer.
     The race went off with 15 horses, with only two losing jockeys before racing into the Stampede Arena. There were no injuries to horses or jockeys.
     Members of the Owners and Jockeys Association met following the race, but it was unknown what they were discussing and if there was an outcome.
     Presenting the winner of the mutton bustin were Sen. Karen Fraser, D-22nd District, and Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, as well as Stampede president Jim Hensarling.
     Other leaders in the rodeo included:
     Blake Huckabee, Shreveport, La., was tops in tie down roping at 9.5 seconds.
     Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., was last to go and came up with fastest time in steer wrestling at 4.1 seconds.
     In team roping, Matt Funk, Hermiston, Ore., and Bucky Campbell, Benton City, led with a time of 6.1 seconds.
     Debbie Stahl of Pendleton, Ore., was best in barrel racing at 17.53 seconds.
     The second performance of the rodeo, where many will wear pink, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10.