100 Years of Gooding Rodeo!

What a Ride!

In September of 1916 the pioneer farmers that just a few years earlier turned the desert into a rich farm land – decided to bring their bounty to Wendell, Idaho. This was the first Farmer’s Fair. The Hub City was the host of this annual event until 1925. The City Fathers of Gooding moved the Farmer’s Fair to the 116thCalvary Grounds in Gooding, which is the same location as the fairgrounds today. Many other activities were added, including a polo match with the calvary, bucking and roping contests, and horse racing, making it a true Fair and Rodeo.

Since it’s humble beginnings a hundred years ago, Gooding still values and embodies the same pioneer spirit and cowboy way as when it was created. Top cowboys have always considered Gooding as their home away from home. In the early days, names like Pete Grubb, Mike Bryant and Yakima Canutt matched their skills against the top horses of the Harley Tucker, the Christensen Brothers and Swanny Kirby bucking strings. The names of cowboys and stock contractors may have changed through the years, but the tradition continues with the world’s best making Gooding a must on their rodeo schedule.

In 1990, the old wooden grandstands (originally constructed around 1935) were condemned and the future of the Fair and Rodeo were in jeopardy. Fair Manager Lucy Osborne took the bull by the horns and formed the SOS (Save our Seats) Committee in an effort to raise enough money to replace the bleachers. Two years and numerous fund raisers (including Baxter Black, a bison roast and any other thing Lucy could think of) later construction began. Local farmers, the highway district and anyone else who had the equipment and volunteered hauled in the dirt where the current bleachers sit. The Fair and Rodeo lived on.

That pioneer spirit and can-do attitude lives on today. Over the past several years, Gooding has received many awards for their PRCA Rodeo. I’m sure the founding fathers never envisioned their bucking and roping contests on the polo fields of the 116th National Guard Calvary grounds would be televised live across the nation and world 100 years later. We are looking forward to our 100-year celebration in 2025 and can’t wait to have you be a part of it!