Riding and roping to help a friend

Click to view image

Lon Austin

When it comes to bareback riding, everyone knows who Clint Corey is.

Corey, who was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2004, qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 17 times. He won the world championship in 1991, finished fourth in the world three times, third five times, and second four times.

However, Corey is better known for his willingness to help others.

“He’s a wonderful person,” said Deanne Bain. “He’s really supported our son Brian in bareback riding and helped him and gave him tips on what to do.”

Although no longer riding, Corey has been actively involved in rodeo, including holding clinics and going out of his way to help young riders.

As a result, when the rodeo community heard last year that Corey’s wife Dianna was ill with liver cancer, they rallied to help the Corey family.

Now, a year later, Dianna is still struggling with cancer, and once again the rodeo community was there to show their support.

“It’s just a lot of good friends getting together,” said Jerry Hicks, a longtime friend of the Coreys. “When you’ve got a cowboy or cowgirls down we just kind of get together and do what we can.”

This year’s get together included a small auction, as well as team roping and barrel racing.

The generosity of the rodeo community was never more apparent than during the auction when multiple items were auctioned off, then donated back to the auction to be auctioned off again.

First, a cut and wrapped beef was sold for $2,200, then given back to the auction. It sold a second time for $2,000 and was immediately donated to the Corey family. Then a framed poster from a past Crooked River Roundup that was hand-signed by Corey sold for $1,450 before being given back and then sold again for another $1,450.

“It’s been so good,” Corey said of the generous outpouring of support. Dianna’s attitude is so good. She’s so strong and so tough she’s never even thought about giving up even once and that’s why she’s still here. She’s an amazing woman.”

Corey added that although the tumors in his wife’s liver continue to grow, alternative medicine provided by a biomedical center in Tijuana, Mexico and by a naturopathic doctor in Bend has been working.

“It’s a tough type of cancer,” he said. “But she’s still here. It’s a horrible disease. It’s just trouble, but it’s life and you know every day is a good day. Dianna and I have both talked about what happens and it’s in God’s hands and we’re OK with that.”

According to Hicks the team roping raised $2,800 for the Corey family. The auction brought in about $9,000 more, and the barrel racing was also a financial success.

Jim Lowry and Casey Green won the team roping with a time of 34.45 on four head. Jimi and Jim Jones finished second roping four head in 37.10 seconds. Dave Clark and T.J. McCauley took third, while Jake Keys and Brandon Beers finished fourth.

When the barrel racing started, it became instantly clear why Corey is so well liked in the rodeo community. He was relaxing in the shade sipping a beer and waiting for his daughter to make her barrel racing run when the call came out for a volunteer to man the gate at the north end of the arena. Corey didn’t event hesitate. “I’ve got it,” he said, going immediately into the scorching sun to work the gate.

Dakota Freeman won the 1D barrel racing with a time of 17.64. Lexi Goss took the 2S racing with a time of 18.18, while Leslie Davenport won the 3D event with a time of 18.68 and Cirara Timm took first in the 4D with a time of 19.75.

However, no one at the event was concerned with who won. Instead, everyone was concerned with helping the Corey family.

“It’s just a bunch of volunteers,” Bain said. “We just came off of two weeks of rodeo. We were at Madras for half a week and we’ve been at Redmond all week long so we’ve been working every day. Now we are just taking the time to support the Coreys.

“It went really smooth,” added Hicks. “Dianna has always been a very private person, but she’s strong — very strong, and we will always be here for her.

It’s not just local cowboys and cowgirls who have noticed Corey and his contributions to rodeo.

“I always hoped that the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association would find a position for Clint,”?Hicks said. “He’s a real ambassador for the PRCA and he’s earned it.”

Hicks’ wish has recently been answered. Corey has accepted a position with the PRCA as director of judges.

“It’s a job where I’ll be able to be home every night,” Corey said. “It will be a good change. I really enjoy the rodeo life and everything that goes along with it so it’s something I’m really going to enjoy and like.”

Corey’s new job will include assigning judges to PRCA?events, evaluating and educating judges, and maintaining the judging program.

“It’s a pretty broad spectrum that I’m responsible for, but I’ve thought a lot about it and it’s something that I’ve really wanted to do.”

The family is in the process of relocating to Colorado Springs, Colo., where Corey will take on his new duties.

“You know, I think everything happens for a reason,” Corey said. “Now is a good reason to be there.”

Corey Benefit Fund info

Contributions to the Clint and Dianna Corey Benefit Fund can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank. In addition tickets for a quilt raffle are still available at the Prineville B.P.O.E. Lodge. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. The quilt will be raffled off on Dec. 31. For more information contact Mary Gillen at 541-280-4372.