CONNECTION: Real-world ‘Yellowstone’ Ranchers and Rodeo Legends at the Pendleton Roundup

“The first time I entered here I was 18 years old…I'd always heard about the Pendleton Roundup, it's just iconic. I was driving in thinking, I've made it, you know, I've made it”

“You can name any sport, basketball, football, whatever. [Rodeo] just isn't that way. These events started and evolved from ranching. They've molded it into a sport, and that's just outta cowboy try. I have a ranch, Pat has a ranch, and for the people that watch ‘Yellowstone’, that's a lot like his place.”

Welcome back to Pendleton, Oregon, home of the world-famous Roundup that we covered in a previous episode. While saddle broncs bucked and thousands cheered outside, we snuck into a storage room for kegs and liquor to interview two absolute legends in rodeo.

Butch Knowles of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, 1988 Olympics USA Gold Medal Team, who spent decades broadcasting with the NFR. And Pat Nogle, a bulldogging champion with a collection of medals and records that stand to this day.

The conversation was full of bawdy tales and laughter, but also deep introspection on what western culture means to actual ranchers like them, and also to the 50,000 fans that come to Pendleton every September.

LET ‘ER BUCK!

If you haven’t already, go back and listen to ‘Let ‘er Buck! Broncos, Steers, Whiskey & Beer at the Pendleton Roundup.’

And remember, you can see all of this yourself! Go to PendletonRoundup.com for details and take our advice: book early!

Plan your next Oregon adventure at TravelOregon.com

Thank you to the guests featured on the show: Pat Nogle and Butch Knowles

This series was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry.

Brian Thacker led our pre-production, Charles Tyrie assisted on audio editing, and the episode was recorded by Jason Paton who also wrote and co-produced along with host Aaron Millar.