By Al Camp
Chronicle staff

     TONASKET — Cowboys enjoyed good paychecks that were much appreciated in today’s poor economy at the 74th annual Tonasket Founders Day Rodeo with bulls and broncs May 29-30.
     Sev Carden, Omak, won the average at the fifth annual Jeremy Ives Memorial Bull Riding May 29 at the Tonasket Rodeo Arena.
     Carden scored an 80 in the long go that included 35 cowboys.
     In the final short go, Carden scored a leading 91. His average of 171 edged Marlin Williams, McCurry, B.C., who was at 170.
     Williams won more money, $3,442, due to higher finishes (first and second compared to first and third for Carden). To get his money, Williams had to mount four bulls compared to two for other competitors.
     His first two bulls decided to fall and wallow on the ground inside the chutes, which gave him re-rides.
     For his efforts, Carden earned $3,307 and picked up the Jeremy Ives Memorial buckle made by Montana Silversmith. He also received a jacket.
     Frank McKay, Ontario, Ore., won the third annual Out West Open Bronc Riding on Saturday night. McKay earned $2,880 by riding Super Chief to a score of 86. McKay also won the title last year.
     Bronc riders had to stay on two head to qualify for the final go of five riders. Winner took all in the final go, Vickers said.
     Stock was provided by Big Bend and Flying 5 Rodeo Stock out of Ritzville (Don Hutsell, Chad Hutsell and Sonny Riley).
     “In a down economy, I was real impressed,” Commanchero Rodeo Secretary Teena Vickers said. “The sponsorship was fantastic this year. Some even increased their support. That was a total surprise. Kudos to those people. We had people step up this year, sponsorship-wise.”
     Vickers said despite the increased sponsor support that overall money raised to put on the rodeo was down slightly, “but not to a great degree at all.”
     Bullfighters who were kept very busy rescuing cowboys were J.R. Leslie, Oroville, and Blaine Covington, Omak.
     In the Running for the Crown (whiskey bottle) at the end of each performance, Colby Reily, Stratford, took first on Friday. Jacob Stacey, Ephrata, won on Saturday.
     Clown Randy Munns set up an obstacle course that included barrels, chairs and a tire.
     This year’s grand marshals were Ray and Rhonda Colbert.
     Jeremy Ives Memorial Bull Riding (35 entries)
     Long go: 1, Marlin Williams, McCurry, B.C., 88. 2, Willie Ives, Omak, 82. 3, Sev Carden, Omak, 80. 4-5, Cody Loomis, Walla Walla, and Kolton Kartchner, Republic, 77. 6, Austin Covington, Omak, 75. 7, Shane Onley, Toppenish, 72. 8, Colby Reily, Stratford, 71.
     Short go: 1, Sev Carden, Omak, 91. 2, Marlin Williams 82. 3, Covington 80. 4, Kartchner 75.
     Average: 1, Sev Carden 171, $3,307. 2, Williams 170, $3,442. 3, Covington 155, $1,462. 4, Kartchner 152, $1,327.
     Out West Open Bronc Riding (20 entries)
     First section: 1-2, Gus Thoreson and Kaleb Asay, both from Powell, Wyoming, 76, $1,260 each. 3, Kayle Gray, Cheney, 75, $720. 4-5, Francis Marchand, Omak, and Cole Thoreson, Breadview, Montana, 74, $180 each.
     Second section: 1, Gus Thoreson, 84, $1,440. 2, Frank McKay, Ontario, Ore., 82, $1,080. 3, Asay, 80, $720. 4, Jacob Stacey, Ephrata, 79, $360.
     Final go: 1, Frank McKay, 86, $1,800. 2-3, Gus Thoreson and Asay, both at 85. 4, Gray, 80.
     Junior barrels (trophy buckles for first place in each age division sponsored by Don and Shelly Freeman, Tonasket Feed and Supply. Added money for junior barrels and poles sponsored by Ray and Rhonda Colbert, Colbert Excavation, Lake Oso-yoos Dock and Lift)
     Peewee (9 and under): 1, Randi Rae Sam, 19.06 seconds, riding Deb. 2, Dreamer Best, 19.49. 3, Payton Abrahamson, 19.50. 4, Chantz Popelier, 25.22.
     Juniors (10-14): 1, Aubree Newton, 17.75, on Molly. 2, Oliver Williams, 17.77. 3, Abbie Stevenson, 18.28. 4, Montanah Taylor, 18.29.
     Seniors (15-18): 1, Justyce Olson, 18.42, on Drew. 2, Kelsey Gallas, 22.39. 3, Tyson Williams, 23.29. 4, Elizabeth Clemans, 25.98.
     Open 4D barrels May 29
     First division: 1, Brooke Haeberle, 17.14. 2, Linnea Cappos 17.16. 3, Brooke Haeberle, 17.23.
     Second division: 1, Karen Chobotar 17.82. 2, Katy McKee 17.97 tie. 2, Sabrina Lay 17.97.
     Third division: 1, Abbie Stevenson 18.17. 2, Leona Plumlee 18.26. 3, Trina Widmer 18.34.
     Fourth division: 1, Melissa Louis 19.915. 2, Wendy Wolfe 21.676. 3, Anna Blakley 21.798.
     Open 4D barrels May 29
     First division: 1, Lacy Ralston 17.08. 2, Sandra Thomas 17.25. 3, Trina Widmer 17.33. 4, Nick Popelier 17.44
     Second division: 1-2, Becky Selvidge and Shauna Beeman, 17.63. 3, Colleen Clark-Price 17.66. 4, Anthony Popelier 17.75.
     Third division: 1, Amanda Emerson 18.11. 2, Abbie Stevenson 18.18. 3-4, Abbie Stevenson and Kacie Lane, 18.21.
     Fourth division: 1, Sharon Knapton 19.10. 2, Kelly Nelson 19.16. 3, Lillian Evaniew-Phelan 19.19. 4, Nancy Spears 19.75.