MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Like a good gunfight, the action at Shootout at the Lake is guaranteed to be over in only eight seconds.
The bull riding and mutton busting event will take place Friday and Saturday night at the Horseman’s Sports Arena, near Lake Mitchell. Organizer Trevor Easton comes from a long line of rodeo promoters. His family had a wildly popular show in Wessington Springs for a long time. Easton grew up with that influence, and even rode bulls.
He tells Mitchell Now he has a deep love for the sport. Easton talks about how his experience in the chute helps him put on a great show, particularly in how he looks out for the riders at his events. “I used to do it for a living as well…taking care of them and make sure you get quality livestock for them to ride and all that…I think it helps a lot.”
Easton will be handing out a special prize each night to the best rider. “Where it’s called the Shootout at the Lake this year, my champion, instead of giving them a belt buckle, they’re going to win a custom pistol…Some of them are…pretty excited about that deal.”
The other pair of awards, custom belt buckles, go to the riders with the highest individual run each night. The buckles have enormous sentimental value to Easton. “Unfortunately, I lost two brothers growing up, and they were both bull riders as well. And they used to do a bull run in Wessington Springs where I grew up, and my parents would always give away high point ride memorial buckles in memory of my brothers. So, that is something that we have moved over to this event.”
Pre-sale tickets for the event are available at Moody’s Western Wear for $20. Kids 10 and under get in free. In addition to the bull riding, there will be concessions and food trucks on hand. Dustin Evans and the Good Time Band will play a set each night after the action has wrapped up.