Chute Out doesn't disappoint

FORT MADISON – The 2025 Tri-State Rodeo opened with the Jim Baier Chute Out Wednesday evening at the C.E. Eddie Richards Arena on the rodeo grounds in Fort Madison.
The night began with the typical pomp and circumstance, some pyrotechnics, and the humbling opening prayer from long-time Tri-State Rodeo announcer Boyd Polhamus.
The invitation-only Chute Out again attracted the top-rated cowboys across the nation, all competing for an overall top prize in the run-and-gun format that included Bareback riding, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, and Tie-Down Roping.
With Cervy Championship Rodeo staff monitoring and scoring all the events, the contestants worked their way through initial rounds of 10 to get to the finals where the top two scores in each event advanced to the finals.
Action got going early with Bareback riding and three early runs made the buzzer before the livestock started getting the best of the riders.

One rider was almost tossed into the east bleacher stands but was able to grab the railings and get to the floor. The drama of the night happened in the Steer Wrestling event when a hazer, or staff rider that helps guide the steer on release, was cut off by the steer causing his horse to go down in the middle of the arena and throwing the rider out in front of the participant and his horse. The rider was examined by the Justin Boots medical team following the incident.
Other than that, the action was fast and furious, while Polhamus and award-winning rodeo cowboy Justin Rumford kept the crowd entertained. Rumford even talked a couple of rail sitters into drinking a beer from their boots. The give-and-take was that Rumford was to climb into the stands and slam a beer, but “regulations" prevented him from doing that, and the PRCA Chairman at Mayor Matt Mohrfeld’s table overlooking the action.
Up-and-coming country artist Nate Smith entertained the crowd following the action.
The rodeo continues tonight with Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night and that event is almost sold out, according to TSR Chairman Bobby Holtkamp. Attendees are asked to wear pink to honor the fight against cancer and is sponsored by Connection Bank. Ty Myers will be the Great River stage act following rodeo action Thursday. Turnpike Troubadours headline the music Friday night and Warren Zeiders wraps things up Saturday night.
Friday night is Military Night at the arena honoring all past and present military members in attendance sponsored by Josh Denning & Associates, Ameriprise Financial Services.