‘Clash of the Cowboys’ returns for 2026

On Saturday, broncs, bulls and barrel racers return to the Clatsop County Fair and Expo for the “Clash of the Cowboys.” The rodeo, planned by the Howell Rodeo Company, brings dozens of cowboys and cowgirls to the county. According to organizer Dustin Howell, rodeo, especially bull and bronc riding athletes are selected because they already have an affinity to the extreme. “It’s an all-around extreme sport and there’s people that love to participate in extreme sports,” Howell said. “They typically seek it out or know somebody that’s into it and then that’s where they kind of start.” He said, in some cases, to stay on for the eight seconds required for a full run, strength alone isn’t be enough keep a cowboy on. “It really all comes down to balance and learning how to flow with the animal, you’re not going to overpower them,” he said.

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