Les Ohlhauser’s work year starts in January and goes through the year. As a rodeo announcer and an auctioneer, he’s “either talking slow or fast” in his words. His schedule is year round.

As a rodeo announcer he works the indoor or barn circuit from the first of the year until April. Then in the summer he refers to those months as “Cowboy Christmas” with millions of dollars up for grabs across the country. Then it’s the county fair rodeo circuit which includes the Lincoln County Fair. And as a guy who sees events the entire year, he feels this year’s riders in Afton will be outstanding.”

RELATED: PRCA ANNOUNCER LES OHLHAUSER –

“That Thursday is going to be an exceptional night,” he stated. “This allows them one more opportunity for a big paycheck and the Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo has an outstanding payout so they are coming for a reason.”

The added day is bringing another level of competitors according to Ohlhauser, as well as top regional talent. In the case of someone like Kemmerer’s Donny Proffit, it’s both.

“You got guys that have been to the Wrangler National Finals 9 or 10 times,” he said. “In every event you got guys who have been there or trying to get there. Donny Proffit from Kemmerer is back and Miles Carlson from Evanston. Cooper Cook is 22 years young from Victor Idaho and he is coming off the Calgary Stampede and won the whole thing  and won $64,000 and he’s at your rodeo.”

“The attendance had sold out so they added another night and it allows the cowboys to come,” he told SVI. “We are now in the county fair and rodeo run. Now because of that there are rodeos every day. They can hit more than one rodeo and it allows the cowboys and cowgirls to compete. This week [the Lincoln County Fair] is not hurting for contestants, they are jam-packed.”

James Perrin, who won the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, is scheduled to be in attendance. According to Ohlhauser, three-time national finalist Chet Johnson will be coming out of retirement to compete in Afton as well. There are other young guns who will be vying for the purse as well.

“Coleman Shaw has won every major rodeo you can win at 20 years old and he just took a ton of money out of Denver,” Ohlhauser added. Ira Dickinson is #2 in the Rookie of the Year standings. Tilden Hooper is a nine-time Wrangler National Finals qualifier he will be there. You’ve got a great mix of young guns and guys who have been around a bit longer. It’s going to be fun.”

The overall purse for the PRCA events at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds are a big draw as rodeo athletes have evolved over the years.

“The cowboys and cowgirls have changed so drastically,” Ohlhauser replied. “It used to be you worked on a ranch and drove to an event and went back to work. Now it’s a living. They are working out at a training facility and they are doing it as a living. But its also worth it. You look at that kid who won $64,000 on four rides, that 32 seconds, you do the math.”

The PRCA rodeos will be the main events at the Lincoln County Fair starting at 7 p..m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. For more information on tickets, visit lincolncountyfair.info.