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Rodeo cowboy Wade Sumpter wrestles a steer to the ground in 3.9 seconds during the final round of the steer wrestling competition on Saturday evening at the Caldwell Night Rodeo. Sumpter tied for first in the final go-round and walked away with the title Saturday night.
Charlie Litchfield/IPT
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Adam Bayne, of Nampa, lets out a yell with his daughter Addysyn, 2, as the final round of the Caldwell Night Rodeo kicks off on Saturday night.
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Mike Stetson
mstetson@idahopress.com
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

Idaho cowgirl, Texas roper excite crowd as they sweep Canyon rodeos during finals night of 75th annual competition

CALDWELL  — You might expect a sweep from a nine-time World Champion, but maybe not from a cowgirl from Blackfoot.

Saturday night at the 75th annual Caldwell Night Rodeo, though, Sue Smith picked up her second major title in the Treasure Valley, winning the barrel-racing championship and following in the footsteps of tie-down roper Trevor Brazile.

Back in July, both Smith and Brazile won the same titles at the 94th annual Snake River Stampede.

"It feels awesome, it really does, it's amazing," said Smith, who won with a three-run total time of 52.29 seconds, thrilling the standing-room only crowd of more than 8,000 fans.

Just as pleased was Decatur, Texas, cowboy, Brazile, who not only completed the Canyon County sweep but repeated as CNR champ.

"If these guys don't make you try harder, nothing will," he said after a three-head time of 25.6 seconds for the win. "Man they're great."

The rodeo enjoyed great crowds all week, as nearly 33,000 fans cheered on the cowboys and cowgirls this year.