Smoky Valley Saddle Club

An unseasonably cool evening on Saturday, August 2nd, in Marquette, Kansas, provided the perfect backdrop for night two of the 48th annual Smoky Valley Saddle Club Rodeo. The almost fall-like temperatures brought out a large crowd to the small rural town in McPherson County.

The night kicked off with the ever-popular Mutton Busting event, featuring 20 eager kids and a herd of sheep just as determined to buck their pint-sized riders.

The official rodeo events began on a more somber note with an empty saddle tribute honoring Lawrence Wayne Spohn, an original founder of the Saddle Club. Spohn dedicated his time and energy to ensuring the rodeo continued its annual tradition—a legacy the Unruh family is continuing to carry forward.

Paden Unruh, president of the Smoky Valley Saddle Club, and his wife Kelsie, who serves on the Board of Directors and chairs the advertising committee, know it takes a village to pull off the rodeo each year. From kids’ events and breakaway roping to high-energy bull riding, the evening was packed with action.

The Smoky Valley Saddle Club Rodeo is a key stop for local rodeo athletes aiming to qualify for the CePRA and KPRA finals. For 48 years, the rodeo community surrounding Marquette, Kansas, has continued to saddle up and keep the tradition alive.

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