Miss Thunder Mountain Rodeo Queen 2018
Congratulations to the beautiful Paige Riggs as Miss Thunder Mountain Rodeo Queen 2018! The dedication that it takes to be a part of this elite group of equestrians is truly astounding. See a video of all of her photos HERE!
She is excited to begin her year as rodeo queen and is looking forward to sharing her experiences with all of you! She recently graduated from Onalaska High School, where she participated in 4-H, WASHET , and FFA. Her registered quarter horse gelding, Rugged Attraction or better known as Sam was happily by her side while active in her clubs. This year she is looking forward to all the new people she will have the opportunity to meet while traveling to many rodeos and parades representing Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo! She thanks you in advance for all your support throughout her next year as Miss Thunder Mountain!
The following is a brief history as found on the Thunder Mountain Rodeo Website.
The Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo originated as a PRCA rodeo in 1975 under the direction of rodeo committee members Ron McCoy, Mel Boultinghouse, Cal Christensen, Vern Eaton, Wayne Gossett, Bill Merz, George Moore, Les Nelson, and Jan Searing. The rodeo was originally called The Cowlitz County Fair & Rodeo, but after Mount Saint Helens spewed its fire and thunder upon this area in 1980, committeeman George Moore suggested in 1981 that the rodeo’s name be changed to The Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo.
Since 1981, the rodeo has been known by this memorable name, which though was deri
ved from a volcanic eruption, it also aptly denotes the thundering hooves and energy, which this rodeo brings to town.
When the rodeo began in 1975 we used a borrowed, portable arena that was erected just before the Cowlitz County Fair opened, and had to dismantle it after the fair ended. In 1979, we established a permanent arena. Although this arena was a vast improvement over a portable arena, we now have a state of the art arena, which we are proud to state was entirely constructed by committee members. Cowlitz County Fair Grounds 1970’s Our present committee is comprised of 12 committee members, whereas we had 8 committee members when the rodeo originated.
Christensen Brothers was our original stock contractor. Gold Buckle Rodeo Company is our present stock contractor. We began with $300.00 per added event, and now we add $3,000.00 per event, including barrel racing. Since this rodeo’s origination we have consistently drawn top cowboy and cowgirl contestants to the competition. The Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo committee believes that the keys to success in having a great rodeo consist of having excellent stock, quality contestants, talented bullfighters, funny clowns, and exciting half-time entertainment. Each year we strive to make the rodeo the most successful rodeo competition we can bring to the Lower Columbia region. We hope that you have the opportunity to experience the Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo!