This year, Moses Lake Roundup says farewell to Sue Tebow who has been their Marketing Director since 2013. For Sue, rodeo goes back to the roots of agriculture, and her roots, as well. This has been a full circle experience for her, entering the world of rodeo as the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo Princess, and now retiring after over a decade of professional service to the organization. But don’t worry, she’s not leaving the rodeo for good! How can you when the rodeo is your family.
While the rest of the folks at the arena may love rodeo, “for love of the sport, the challenge of the bucking bull, the challenge of beating the clock. And a lot of them say it’s in their blood…” as Sue says, she loves it because, “Rodeos showcase a rich heritage of Western culture… and I love the smell of arena dirt!”
More, from Sue:
“I have loved horses since I was a kid. I joined horse 4-H and showed equitation and trail classes, I also participated in gymkhanas and junior rodeo events. My senior year of high school I was a Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo Princess. At the ripe age of 18 I was able to travel to rodeos throughout the state and represent Moses Lake. My dad hauled all the rodeo royalty horses in the back of an old stock truck. My mom would help fix my hair and pin down my cowboy hat for rodeo runs. My parents were both very involved in my horse activities.
In my thirties I started barrel racing and joined the WPRA (Women’s Professional Rodeo Association). I cherish the memories of those years, I absolutely loved racing, and I had an awesome horse who took good care of me.
In 2013 I started working for the Moses Lake Roundup as their Marketing Director. I take care of the advertising, the sponsors, and numerous details that seem to pop up. I have enjoyed every part of working for the roundup, but the best part is meeting new people and sharing the love of the sport. The rodeo sponsors are not just sponsors, they have become friends.
Of all the PRCA-sanctioned rodeos in the Columbia River Circuit, Moses Lake Roundup won Small Rodeo of the Year in 2011, and after increasing purse money, won Large Rodeo of the Year in 2013. This was a great honor, especially considering legendary rodeos like Ellensburg and the Pendleton Roundup were amongst the competition! I love being a part of the growth working side-by-side with the Roundup’s committee members.
But all good things must come to an end, so they say. I am retiring, passing the torch, so to speak. The 2025 Moses Lake Roundup will be my last rodeo (to work). I plan on attending and watching the Roundup and Demo Derby grow even more! Reflecting back… I am proud of the job I have done, doing my part to advocate for the sport I love so much.
So, if you see me at the 2025 Roundup please stop and chat, I am gonna miss you guys!” – Sue Tebow
