Volunteers

Why do the Preston Rodeo volunteers turn out every year? They say its the pleasure of participation, the fun of the event, and the family tradition. Volunteers work on every aspect of our rodeo from the board to the ticket takers. It's been like that for 75 years. Many of the volunteers have worked at their jobs 30 years or more. Without them, we wouldn't have a rodeo worthy of the name That Famous Preston Night Rodeo. Volunteers work hundreds of hours during the year for the rodeo. Our rodeo's lifeblood is it's volunteers

The Rodeo Committee

Each current member of our rodeo committee has served for many years. Each spend countless hours throughout the year to make sure this event continues its successful heritage. The members have assignments of sponsors, tickets, arena maintenance, queen contest, advertising, the list goes on. Chairman is Thane Winward, with Dax Keller, Doug Webb, Sheryl Coates, Kris Beckstead, Nick Wamsley and Bruce Coburn. Each member is a lifelong resident of Franklin County and is personally connected to the tradition of the rodeo. They pride themselves on keeping the rodeo progressive and solvent, without any public taxes or funds.

Rodeo Announcer

Zeb Bell joined the PRCA in 1973 , after three years in the amateur ranks. He has been announcer at major rodeos all across the United States and has been invited back to every rodeo he has announced.

A microphone has been part of Zeb's wardrobe for years. In the early 70's , Zeb was one of Idaho's best known radio and sports personalities, Today, he hosts a radio program from Twin Falls, Idaho called "Zeb at the Ranch" and does voice work on commercials and videos.

He and his wife, Deanne, a former barrel racer, live on a small ranch south of Murtaugh, Idaho where they raise Corrientes cattle and team rope in their arenas. They have two children: Jake, a fireman in Boise, Idaho and Tobee Jo , a rancher in the Murtaugh area.

Despite the fact that Zeb is on crutches, stemming from a bout with polio, he is an active team roper when not busy announcing rodeos. He also is a motivational speaker. When Zeb talks, people listen.

Stock Contractors

Pro Rodeo is a competitive sport between cowboy contestants and healthy rodeo animals, bucking horses, bulls, steers and calves. The people who breed, raise and care for those animals are known as the stock contractors and are perhaps the single most important factor in the production of a successful rodeo.

Bar-T Rodeo company of Chesterfield, Utah has been in business for over 50 years. D.A. "Swanny" Kerby started the company and Bud and Evelyn Kerby now hold the "reins." Bar T has become one of the most prominent stock contracting firms in the Rocky Mountains. The Kirby's work hard to ensure every Bar T production is top quality. With a great rodeo stock breeding programs, known throughout the United States, the Kerby's have raised many World Champion horses and bulls. The PRCA National Finals always choose some of their champion animals from the Bar T stock.