Grand Marshals - Linda & Rick Smith

Introducing the Roundup's 2024 Grand Marshals

Linda has always had a love affair with horse and the Crooked River Roundup. As a matter of fact her first word was horse not mom or dad. Her parents gave in when she was 12 and gave Linda her first horse. Linda’s parent lived in town so they boarded her horse at Crook County Fairgrounds. Where long time rodeo board members Alvin Grimes and Art Smith taught Linda how to ride and take care of her horse, they were her heroes. Because of them, Linda as a young girl dreamed of being on the Crooked River Roundup Court. That dream was realized in 1964 when she was selected for the Crooked River Roundup Court.

Linda and Rick moved away from Prineville for 30 years to pursue their careers and shortly after returning home Linda was asked to be on the Queens Committee. In 2017 she was ask to take over as the Committee Chair which she is still doing . In 2022 she was ask to become a Crooked River Roundup director which was another dream come true.

Being selected as the Grand Marshal for 2024 was the biggest honor of all!

Linda is very active in the committee serving on the Parks and Recreation board Crook County Fair board, Prineville Kiwanis, Christmas in the Pines, Peewee Rodeo Queen Coordinator, Pioneer Queen Committee, Volunteered at the Covid clinics.

Rick competed in many Crooked River Roundup local events such as the Mad Scramble, Wild Horse Race, Team Roping, Business mans Cow Milking and Steer Stopping.
Rick also spends time behind the scene supporting the Rodeo and Queen program by traveling
with Linda and the Queen. Rick enjoys preparing meals for board members and Queens family that might be traveling. Preserving some of the western traditions like cooking in a Dutch Oven or making sour dough pancakes for breakfast. Story telling is also a highlight especially old time buckaroo stories. Rick also likes making gifts for the Queens such as handmade headstalls, breast callers, reins and repairing tack.

Rick entered the Army as a draftee in 1968. Serving his country as a Combat soldier with the 4th Infantry in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Rick received several Metals during his tour, Among them two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals and Vietnam Service Metal from the South Vietnam Government. After 22 months left the Army with the rank of Sargent.

Rick is a member of Prineville Band of Brothers, Prineville Elks Lodge, Pioneer Queens Committee

Linda and Rick are extremely honored to be the Grand Marshals for 2024.

CRR Flashback

Did you know? In 1982, when Bill Steelhammer resigned from the board, Alvin Grimes nominated Berna (Bill’s wife) to replace him while at the annual stockholders meeting. Berna became the first female member, and they also became the first husband-and-wife team to be honored as Grand Marshals of the parade.