Mercer-Turtle Lake Rodeo Club's 17th Annual Bull Riding & Ranch Bronc Riding

Next to Brush Lake, ND, the Mercer-Turtle Lake Rodeo Club is preparing for its annual end-of-season event. For 17 years now, they have hosted their bull riding and ranch bronc riding competition. It will take place Sept. 2, starting at 3 p.m., and offers more than just bulls and broncs!

With an atmosphere combining the lake crowd "in their golf carts and flip flops" according to Karen Zinke, and your roughstock fans, it's a show worth inviting your family and friends to enjoy a "last hurrah" of summer. They offer mutton-busting for competitors in the 40 lb. or under range, steer riding for older children, junior bull riding for 16 and under, and the open bull and ranch bronc riding. Dick Woodbury, the rodeo clown on duty, keeps anyone else wanting arena time on their literal toes with both adult and kid boot scrambles.

A portable arena is set up on the long-abandoned softball diamond, and then stock is brought in by several stock contractors. Eckroth Rodeo Bulls, Wildman Rodeo Company, and several others will be providing the sheep, steers, bulls, and broncs. Winners of each event will receive a belt buckle and prize money. Each bull rider will have two head to ride, and an average prize will be awarded to the rider with the best combined score. The bull riding has $2,800 added money, and the ranch bronc has $2,500 added.

After the competition, head to the pavilion; it's a large steel multi-purpose building at the south end of Brush Lake. Rosie's Bar and Grill will be hosting a dance for all to enjoy! If interested in entering, call Karen at 701-861-9782 or Randy at 701-447-2242.