Dick and JD Yates Inducted into Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame
As part of the kick-off festivities for the 2022 Ellensburg Rodeo, Dick and JD Yates were inducted into the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
JD Yates
JD, Kelly and Dick Yates made NFR history in 1984. PRCA File Photo

The 2022 Ellensburg Rodeo is coming in hot up in Washington this week, and part of the kick-off festivities just included Saturday night’s Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Dick and JD Yates were inducted with the Class of 2022, which also included Big Bend/Flying 5 Rodeo’s two-time Saddle Bronc of the Year Spring Planting and the Kittitas County Junior Sheriff’s Posse.  

Yates
Trey, Dick and JD Yates: Three generations of NFR team ropers. TRJ File Photo

The father-and-son team of Dick and JD Yates roped together at 13 Wrangler National Finals Rodeos between 1975 and 2022, and JD added eight more NFR back numbers for a grand total of 21. JD made his first trip to Rodeo’s Super Bowl at only 15, and in 1984 Dick, Kelly and JD became the only father-daughter-son combo ever to qualify for the Finals the same year.  

Dick, who’s 85 now, and JD, 62, won the team roping at Ellensburg in 1986 and 1988. During his tenure as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association team roping director, Dick worked with Ellensburg Rodeo Committeeman Ken MacRae to get team roping added to the Ellensburg Rodeo events roster for the first time in 1981.  

Yates
Proud patriarch Dick Yates is more interested in raising good people than ropers. TRJ File Photo

“I just loved it when we came out from under the bleachers (before they reconfigured the arena, and the boxes were moved out in front of the bleachers),” said JD, who was the Ellensburg Rodeo all-around champ in 2003. “It was a big deal to get team roping added at Ellensburg, and once that happened, all the Washington rodeos followed suit. They all have it now, and the committee and entire community of Ellensburg are big supporters of team roping. We always loved going to Ellensburg when we were rodeoing.” 

Yates
Grandpa Dick and Daddy JD are Trey’s biggest fans alongside Aunt Kelly and Angel Grandma Jan. Yates Family Photo

The older JD gets, the more sentimental he feels about such special moments in life as this one.  

“Anytime you get inducted into any hall of fame, it’s an honor,” he said. “To be inducted into a hall of fame with your dad is a hell of a good feeling. Ellensburg’s a great rodeo, and being inducted into their hall of fame is a big blessing.” 

SHARE THIS STORY
CATEGORIES
TAGS
Related Articles
Clay Smith reaching for a steer in the first round of the 2023 Cinch Playoffs Governor's Cup in Sioux Falls.
nerves
Smith, Payne Win $10,000 in Round 1 of the 2023 Governor's Cup
Cole Thomas and Kaden Profili rope at the 2023 Rookie Roundup
Done deal?
Have Cole Thomas and Kaden Profili Clinched Resistol Rookie of the Year Titles?
Clint Summers heading a steer for Jake Long at the 2023 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.
the final countdown...literally
NFR within Clint Summers’ Striking Distance; Bubble Battles to Watch in Final Week of 2023 ProRodeo
Riley Kittle and Jace Helton with their new Rodeo Corpus Christi surfboards. Image courtesy WCRA by Bull Stock Media.
Big money
WCRA Rodeo Corpus Christi Increases Payout and Adds DY Showcase in 2024
2022_NFR_R10_TR_-Tanner-Tomlinson-Patrick-Smith_Click-Thompson_14
What're they winning?
Where Are They Now? See How Former Resistol Rookies Are Faring in 2023