GUNNISON, Colo. – Cody Pratt loves Cattlemen’s Days almost as much as locals.

Of course, having continued success in one arena is always important, but there’s more to it. There’s a feeling that encompasses the Fred Field Western Center when the rodeo is in town, and it’s even more sensational now celebrating its 125th year.

“They just keep giving back to the rodeo,” said Pratt, 37, of Pueblo, Colorado. “Every year they up the added money. The crowd’s great. They just work hard at it. It’s nice to go to a rodeo where we can see the rodeo progress like it has over the years.”

Pratt is progressing, too. He is seventh in the Mountain States Circuit, a series of rodeos and contestants primarily from Colorado and Wyoming. He’s plenty busy this time of year, with several events taking place this week, from Gunnison to Estes Park to Casper to Sheridan. Money won at each of those will count toward his regional standings.

There’s a lot that goes into competing at this level. Cowboys will travel hundreds – sometimes thousands – of miles in a day just to make a ride or a run. Pratt did that during Thursday’s opening night of the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, wrestling his steer to the ground in 4.2 seconds to take the bulldogging lead.

It didn’t come without a little help from his friends, Prime Time and I.B. They’re his horses, and he relies on them. Prime Time is his steer wrestling horse, and I.B. is what he uses as a hazer and for the hazer to use when he makes his run.

“The hazing horse was raised by my wife’s grandpa, and we’ve had him awhile,” Pratt said. “I bulldogged on him first, then we switched him over this year, and he’s been great. He’s racehorse bread and has lots of run, probably the most talented horse I have.

“The last few years, I hazed on the bulldogging horse. He was really good on the hazing side, but he wanted to get pretty strong. I just finally decided to switch him over, and things worked out. He’s been doing good, he’s been fun and he’s been progressing and getting better all the time.”

That’s helpful, especially for a man who has goals of winning the circuit title. He is about $9,000 behind the leader, Nick Guy, but a win in Gunnison would help him make a big move on the field. Pratt will have to wait out the final two performances of Cattlemen’s Days to see where the dollars fall.

“This is a good step,” he said. Last year didn’t go like I wanted to. This year’s been a lot better, and it’s good to do good at a big rodeo.”

Cattlemen’s Days
Gunnison, Colo.
July 11-13
Bareback riding: 1. Ben Kramer, 82.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Jungle Cat; w. Kelton Maxfield, 79.5; 3. Jacoby Campbell, 79; 4. Briar Dittmer, 79; 5. Tyler Ferguson, 67; no other qualified rides.

Steer wrestling: 1. Cody Pratt, 4.2 seconds; 2. (tie) Colt Honey and Marc Joiner, 4.7; 4. Jacob Edler, 4.8; 5. Tait Kvistad, 4.9; 6. Chisum Docheff, 5.4; 7. Tyke Kipp, 5.5; 8. Michael Bates, 5.6.

Team roping: 1. Brayden Fillmore/Cody Lansing, 4.4 seconds; 2. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben, 4.5; 3. J.C. Yeahquo/Ross Ashford, 4.6; 4. (tie) Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson and Cole Eiguren/Breck Ward, 5.1; 6. Tyson Charley/Pace Blanchard, 5.3; 7. (tie) Teagan Bentley/Blake Walker and Gabe Williams/Faron Candelaria, 5.5.

Breakaway roping: 1. Haiden Thompson, 2.0 seconds; 2. Sierra Spratt, 2.1 3. (tie) Amanda Terrell, Grace Perez and Rheagan Cotton, 2.5; 6. Kassie Kautzman, 2.6; 7. Bailey Bates, 2.8; 8. Libby Winchell, 3.0; 9. Dana Mildenberger, 3.3; 10. Reagan Davis.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Michael Story, on Smith Pro Rodeo’s Deep Water, and Jackson Ford, on Smith Pro Rodeo’s Grab Your Gun, 83; 3. Blake Starrett, 82.5; 4. Rady Hill, 78; 5. Parker Kempfer, 77; 6. Jase Stout, 76.5; 7. Caleb Brangham, 73; no other qualified rides. 

Tie-down roping: 1. Lane Webb, 8.9 seconds; 2. Hagen Houck, 9.7; 3. Darnell Johnson, 10.9; 4. Matt Gutierrez, 11.5; 5. Creede Guardamondo, 11.7; 6. Zaine Mikita, 13.3; 7. Ryan Belew, 13.4; 8. Kyle Belew, 15.6.

Barrel racing: 1. Mackenzie McCuistion, 17.98 seconds; 2. Kiersten Pettus, 17.99; 3. Taryn Boxleitner, 18.28; 4. Shy-Anne Jarrett, 18.31; 5. Jamie Olsen, 18.35; 6. Rayne Grant, 18.42; 7. Sami Buum, 18.57; Sommer Creasy, 18.58; 9. Kari Boxleitner, 18.69; 10. C.J. Vondette, 18.74.

Bull riding: No qualified rides.