ODIN — Life has returned to the largest, most elaborate rural rodeo grounds in one of the smallest towns in the Midwest. After hosting the top rodeo in the state for several years, the outstanding facilities at Odin sat idle for almost two decades. 

“It was a sad shame for such a great rodeo grounds being unused and so rapidly deteriorating,” said Deidre Moran, Claflin.

Located in Barton County, Odin’s population isn’t much more than 100 strong but volunteers and support came from a wide area.  

“I helped park cars at the rodeo on my Pinto pony when I was just a little girl,” Moran said. “The arena has always been important to me, so I was quite pleased they asked me to oversee the renovations.” 

Coronavirus last year slowed initial progress, but activities at the Odin Rodeo Grounds are now full steam ahead. “We’ve had several activities including the Sidewinders Bulls and Barrels series and the Odin Rodeo returns Sept. 10-11,” Moran said. 

A community effort from the get-go, Bones Prosser is credited as brainchild for the original rodeo grounds.

“Bones just one day in the late ’70s decided Odin should have a rodeo and started working to make it a reality,” Moran said. “Edgar Jacobs at the Odin Store gave his immediate support and people from miles around joined in.” 

The 150 by 250 foot arena is situated on 17 acres of Bones Prosser’s property.

“Appropriately, the Odin Saddle Club named it the Prosser Arena,” Moran noted. 

With ample spectator parking area plus two well-designed grandstands and several portable metal bleachers, there’s seating for 2,000 rodeo guests. 

“It was ahead of the times, built above and beyond what’s expected in a small community like Odin,” Moran said. “Contestants and spectators alike came from many miles for the great rodeo action commenting about the elaborate facilities.”  

The Kansas State Rodeo Association (KSRA) recognized Odin as the Rodeo of the Year four years straight from 1987 through 1990. 

Despite renowned success, area interest and support dwindled with nothing scheduled at the arena after 1999.

“I’m uncertain all of the reasoning,” Moran said. “But the cost of upkeep, insurance, fewer volunteering to help and people weren’t going to rodeos as much.” 

However, support semblance of olden days reemerged for refurbishing the Odin Rodeo Grounds, still owned by Bones Prosser’s family.  

“It’s really heartwarming how so many individuals and businesses have come forward to assist,” Moran said. “Bones’s son Abe Prosser and Edgar Jacobs at the Odin Store have been a big help. I won’t try to name everybody because I’d leave somebody out and I so appreciate all of the support.” 

Businesses throughout the county and beyond have donated materials, paint, labor and much more. 

“Just about whatever we’ve needed, somebody somewhere has been anxious to offer assistance,” Moran said. “One detriment has been the increased cost of lumber and steel due to the coronavirus. Yet generosity of so many has enabled us to move forward.” 

A professional horse trainer, Moran coordinated a couple Odin Rodeo Grounds events last fall.  

“In addition to training horseshow champions, I have produced several horseshow circuits and bull manias throughout the years,” she said. “So I worked with Jason Bell of Bell Bucking Bulls at Hedville to have the Sidewinders Bulls & Barrel series.” 

There were events this year in April, May and June; with a fourth competition set for Aug. 27. “The Sidewinders Bulls & Barrels Finals are at the Odin Rodeo Grounds on Oct. 9,” Deidre said. “A beer garden and concessions will be at both of the upcoming Sidewinders events.” 

Each evening competition begins with mutton busting for the kids at 6 o’clock.

“We have the first go-round of 20 bull riders at 7 o’clock,” Bell said. “Then the barrel races are run before the second round of bull riding.” 

The Sidewinders series features Bell’s bulls bucking semblance of the rattlesnake thrusting forwards in a series of flat S-shaped curves. “I’ve been raising bucking bulls for 22 years,” Bell said. “I started out with one bucking bred cow from Jimmy Crowther and have built my own herd.” 

Sponsoring bull riding jackpots throughout the Midwest, Bell also enters his bulls in bucking bull futurities, derbies and classics.

“These competitions draw the best bucking bulls in the country, and my bulls have won several top awards,” Bell said. With only 20 bull riders in each Sidewinders event, cowboys have fared very low compared to the bulls.

“While several of the best bull riders in the world have entered the series, we’ve only had a few qualified rides,” Bell said. “Cowboys have come from five states and two foreign countries. Each pays an entry fee and with added money, the winner at the first event took home $2,400.” 

Bell Bucking Bulls are ranker than the rodeo bulls of earlier decades. “We had to build higher stronger chutes with more reinforcement for these modern bucking bulls,” Moran said. 

Two superstars among Bell Bucking Bulls are especially close to the owner’s heart.

“I bought a white bull with black spots and named him Bradshaw Bourbon,” Bell said. “This bull is really outstanding, so I contacted Terry Bradshaw and got permission to name my bull after his whiskey.” 

Bells Bad Boy is a 10-year-old solid black bucking bull that Bell raised. “He’s only been ridden three times in his lifetime with the winnings scores of 91 points, 88 points and 86 points,” Bell said. “This is Bad Boy’s last year to buck. He’ll be used as a breeding bull in the future.”

Main breeding bull for Bell’s bucking cowherd now is called U30. “He is a money-producing sire,” Bell said.  

“Children have really been excited about the mutton busting opening up each of the series,” Moran noted. “They pay an entry fee and we also have added money and buckles for each jackpot.” 

Likewise, barrel racers of the highest caliber have come great distances for the series.

“We have junior and open divisions, with entry fees, and added money and buckles to the winners,” Moran said. 

Plans are being finalized for the return of the Odin Rodeo, Sept. 10-11, with Medicine River Rodeo Company of Greensburg supplying the livestock.

“It’ll be a Kansas Professional Rodeo Association (KPRA) sanctioned rodeo. Plus, we’ll also have a ranch rodeo and ranch horse competition on Saturday afternoon,” Moran said. 

Odin Rodeo Grounds has come back to life with crowds of more than a thousand spectators at the Sidewinders events. 

“We are really excited about the progress we’ve made, but there is still a lot of work to do,” Moran said. “It is pretty impressive how so many have been so generous helping in so many ways. 

“We welcome everybody to come to the Odin Rodeo Grounds for true Western action at its best,” she said.

Details can be found on Facebook and at www.odinrodeogrounds.com.