Crooked River Roundup races kick off in Prineville with four nights of high-stakes action

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The 60th annual Crooked River Roundup parimutuel horse races kick off Wednesday night at the Crook County Fairgrounds, bringing a long-standing Central Oregon tradition back to life with four days of racing, community spirit and regional pride.

The races run July 15 through July 18 and are known for drawing the largest daily attendance of any horse racing track in Oregon. Each evening features a full slate of competition, with up to eight races scheduled Wednesday and Thursday, and as many as 10 races planned for Friday and Saturday.

Gates open nightly at 5:30 p.m., with the first race set for 7:15 p.m. Opening night also includes a special “Ladies Night,” offering free admission for women of all ages.

General admission is $10 for anyone age 4 and older, while children 3 and under get in free. Tickets are available at the gate or online through Rodeo Ticket.

Organizers say the races are more than just entertainment — they are a reflection of Crook County’s deep western roots.

“It is such an honor to be a part of the history that is the Crooked River Roundup,” said a Roundup participant, reflecting on years of family involvement in the event. “What an amazing thing it has been to watch family traditions become a community’s heritage.”

The Crooked River Roundup Association hosts both the horse races and its PRCA-sanctioned rodeo each summer, celebrating what many call the “Cowboy Capital of Oregon.”

Race Chair Doug Smith says the event also honors a lesser-known part of the region’s past.

“Very few people know it, but if you go back into the ’60s, some of the top money-winning horses in the state of Oregon came out of Prineville,” Smith said. “It’s imperative that we keep that story alive. It’s a very important part of who Crook County is.”

For jockeys, the races demand a balance of strength and precision.

“You’ve got to be physical. You’ve got to be quick and you’ve got to be soft-handed, too,” said jockey Vladimir Jenson. “You need the strength to control a 1,200-pound animal.”

With warm summer evenings, fast-paced racing and a strong sense of tradition, organizers expect another packed turnout as the Crooked River Roundup races continue through the weekend.