Crown Royal Saddles Up to Announce its First-Ever Rodeo Team

ELLENSBURG, Wash., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Six of the toughest professional cowboys in America will achieve extra "style" points this weekend at the Ellensburg PRCA Rodeo when they debut  their Crown Royal-branded riding gear for the very first time. Through a year-long partnership with the Canadian Whisky brand, the team of six will hit the dirt at Ellensburg for what some consider the most dangerous eight seconds in sports in hopes of bringing home a Crown Royal victory.

The 2010 Crown Royal Riders line-up includes:

• Clayton Williams (Carthage, Texas) Bull Rider
• Cody Whitney (Asher, Okla) Bull Rider
• J.W. Harris (Mullin, Texas) 2008 & 2009 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider
• Steve Woolsey (Payson, Utah) Bull Rider and Saddle Bronc Rider
• Tilden Hooper (Carthage, Texas) Bareback Rider
• Wesley Silcox (Santaquin, Utah) 2007 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider

"The Crown Royal Riders team is comprised of the best and toughest professional cowboys in the sport," said Yvonne Briese, Crown Royal marketing director. "We can't wait to see them compete in their Crown Royal gear this weekend at Ellensburg and we look forward to responsibly toasting their wins.  This program will serve to reinforce the important message of responsible drinking to all adult pro rodeo fans."

Though not new to professional rodeo, this earmarks the first official relationship Crown Royal has announced specifically with a team of cowboys.  In addition to dueling in the dirt, the Crown Royal Riders will be on hand to sign autographs and take photos with fans Saturday evening.

"It's an honor to represent Crown Royal for the first time at one of the most exciting rodeos of the year," World Champion Wes Silcox said. "To be a member of such an elite team of cowboys is pretty remarkable. I'm sure we'll have some healthy competition along the way with the end goal of toasting with a Crown Royal, responsibly of course."

Known as one of the "old rodeos", the Ellensburg Rodeo is the final Gold Rodeo stop on the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour. In Ellensburg, today's best riders, ropers, and wrestlers compete in what many consider to be the best rodeo arena in the nation. The top 24 qualifiers from the Gold and Silver Tours advance to the Justin Boots Playoffs September 10 – 12 in Puyallup, Washington. For more information, visit www.ellensburgrodeo.com.

About Crown Royal

Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the number one selling Canadian whisky brand in the US by value and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal Canadian whisky's smooth, elegant style reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. The Crown Royal Company is a primary sponsor of the No. 17 Roush Fenway Ford Fusion driven by Matt Kenseth. For more information visit www.crownroyal.com.

About Diageo

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).

For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

SOURCE Crown Royal