PENDLETON — The Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame Board of Directors announced the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees May 14 during its annual membership meeting.

They are Pat Nogle (contestant category), Bobby Christensen Jr. (contract personnel), Jesse Jones Sr. (early years), Scott and Bonnie Sager (Happy Canyon volunteers) and Ron and Linne Dodge (special board inductee).

According to a press release, the inductees will be celebrated Sept. 8 during the Pendleton Round-Up at the Hall of Fame Inductee Banquet and in the Round-Up Arena during the Sept. 11 rodeo performance. In addition, the inductees will be featured in the Hall of Fame with special exhibits beginning later this summer.

Pat Nogle

A native Oregon cowboy, Nogle grew up on his family’s ranch in Grass Valley, where he continues to live. He competed primarily in the Pacific Northwest because he was dedicated to helping on the family ranch.

He won the Oregon High School championship twice and placed second those same years at the High School National Finals. While competing for Walla Walla College, he placed second in the nation three consecutive times.

Nogle competed in the Pendleton Round-Up from the 1970s until the early 2000s, wining the steer wrestling championship in 1976. In addition, he won championship buckles in Ellensburg, Washington; Salinas, California; Omak, Washington (five times); St. Paul (three times), and the Columbia River Circuit numerous times over three decades.

Nogle continues to promote rodeo through this involvement in rodeo schools around the Pacific Northwest.

Bobby Christensen Jr.

Christensen has been involved with the Pendleton Round-Up for more than 60 years, including attending as a child, volunteering, as a competitor and as a stock contractor.

A second-generation rodeo stock contractor, Christensen became joint business partner and general manager of the Christensen Brothers Rodeo and Stock Company in 1969. His family has served as the primary stock contractor for the Round-Up for more than 50 years.

In the 1960s, he competed for eight years in bareback riding. He also tried the wild horse race. In addition, Christensen worked as a pick-up man for approximately 25 years, including when the ABC “Wide World of Sports” crew broadcast the Pendleton Round-Up in 1964. After the dissolution of the Christensen Brothers Rodeo and Stock Company in 1989, he continued to volunteer in the backlot helping to guide new cowboys and assist with the flow of arena events.

Most recently, Christensen has assisted the Hall of Fame by researching the history of contestants and animals for exhibits. In 2021, he participated in the “Cowboy Special Moments” TV series on behalf of the Hall of Fame “War Paint Horse of the Decades” celebration.

Jesse Jones Sr.

Also known as Chief Umapine, Jones agreed to have his people of the Cayuse Tribe participate in the Pendleton Round-Up celebration in August 1910. He was known to be part of numerous functions throughout the Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He, along with the other chiefs of the Umatilla tribes, voted unanimously to participate in the first Round-Up celebration.

He raised and trained horses for Indian chiefs, war chiefs, and warriors of the three tribes of the Umatilla reservation. He later became the chief of the Cayuse and became a “local legend” in Umapine.

He was well known for leading numerous ceremonies, spreading Native American awareness and participating in significant events, including the Pendleton Round-Up for 40-plus years.

Scott and Bonnie Sager

Dedicated to behind-the-scenes activities for more than 63 years, the Sagers are best known as the “go-to” couple for wisdom in project development and the historic connections that are vital to Happy Canyon and Pendleton Round-Up. Both have spearheaded significant projects, including planning and fundraising for the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame building, where Bonnie served as a three-term president.

She was also the leader behind developing the “Rendezvous” Wagon Train in 1983, which continues today as the Pendleton Round-Up Wagon Train. She also started the Happy Canyon Rendezvous Ceremonial Celebration/International Media Event in 1988 and Scott created a stop at Indian Lake which included ceremonial participation from Native Americans in memory of Chief Clarence Burke.

Scott served as a Happy Canyon director from 1984-1993, while Bonnie served on the Hall of Fame Board from 1995-2002. Scott also provided security work for many years for the Round-Up, working primarily in the Happy Canyon and Round-Up grounds. Scott performed in the town scenes in the early 1960s, Bonnie joined in the early 1980s, and both actively participate today.

Ron and Linne Dodge

This year, the Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame Board of Directors approved the special induction of the Dodges. Ron and Linne’s induction is based on their long-lasting positive impact on the Round-Up and Happy Canyon organizations, including their connection with Hood River Distillers.

When the first Pendleton Whisky was poured in 2003, it opened the door for a lasting friendship with the Dodges. The Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon came to realize how humble and generous these two people could be.

The couple helps coordinate the visit of more than 50 guests each year during Pendleton Round-Up. Linne makes a point of sharing the history and tradition surrounding Pendleton and the Western lifestyle. The couple served as grand marshals for the Westward Ho! Parade in 2013. In recent years, Linne and Ron have enjoyed camping and riding with the annual Pendleton Round-Up Wagon Train up in the Blue Mountains.

Founded in 1969, the Hall of Fame preserves the traditions and heritage of the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon. Regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is by donation. For more information, contact 541-278-0815, ruphalloffame@gmail.com or visit www.rounduphalloffame.org.