You are first to know: The 2026 Inductees to the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame are Sage Kimzey, Steven Peebles, and the Orcutt family.
SAGE KIMZEY
The Oklahoma cowboy won six consecutive world bull riding championship buckles (2014-2019) and a seventh in 2021. The Ellensburg Rodeo proved to be a regular payday for Kimzey throughout his career. He won the 2015 and 2017 Ellensburg bull riding championships and the 2014, 2015, and 2018 Ellensburg Saturday night Xtreme Bulls competitions.
STEVEN PEEBLES
Ellensburg was a favorite stop for the Oregon cowboy. He tied with Ryan Gray for the 2010 Ellensburg bareback championship buckle, setting a 90-point arena record that stood for fifteen years. He won the Ellensburg bareback buckle outright in 2012. And, in his incredible 2015 comeback season, Peebles’ Ellensburg bareback championship was crucial in his qualification for the National Finals Rodeo and world championship.
ORCUTT FAMILY
The late Leland “Tuffy” Orcutt (1926-2018) and Burniece Anna Thielen Orcutt (1931-2019) and their descendants share an important place in Kittitas Valley ranching traditions and the history of the Ellensburg Rodeo.
The Orcutt family boasts Kittitas County Roping Club members, Ellensburg Rodeo and Hall of Fame volunteers, Top Hands, and Ellensburg Rodeo royal court members.
The 2026 ERHOF Inductees will be honored at an August 29, 5pm-9pm Induction Banquet at CWU’s Sue Lombard Room. Our annual Meet and Greet event will be held on Aug 28th at the museum. Tickets go on sale in June! Articles on each inductee will appear as August features in the Daily Record.