LOVINGTON, N.M. – In the classical ballet that is professional rodeo, having the right dance partner can make all the difference.

It’s a big reasons hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls make their way to southeastern New Mexico for the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6-Saturday, Aug. 9; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 5.

A key component in that is the Lea County Fair Board’s relationship with its livestock producer, Dallas-based Pete Carr Pro Rodeo. The rapport began nearly two decades ago, and it’s been growing ever since. The culmination of that bond will be highlighted during five days of action in early August.

“The quality of livestock Pete Carr provides is the best,” said Kris Allen, the fair board’s chairman. “You’re going to get high scores and see good cowboys and cowgirls. With the mixture of his livestock, you’re going to see good quality entertainment.”

It’s a drawing card to the rodeo for sure. Over Carr’s years in Lovington, world champions have performed at a high level, including bareback horses Real Deal, Big Tex, Deuces Night and Dirty Jacket, the latter of which was named PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year in 2014 and 2015. Bayou Bengal was named the PRCA Bull of the Year in 2023.

How good are Carr’s bucking animals? Eight-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Brody Cress won the saddle bronc riding championship in Lea County a year ago on Dirty Jacket, now 21 years old.

“That’s the first time that I’ve got to get on him,” said Cress, 29, of Hillsdale, Wyoming. “I’ve got to see him a lot. I grew up getting to watch that horse in the bareback riding at the NFR, and he’s just so memorable for that giant jump he used to have right out of the chute. It’s definitely one to be able to check off my bucket list, one that I’ve wanted to be able to get on for a long time, so I’m glad I was able to finally.”

While Cress won on a celebrated bronc with a grand legacy, two other cowboys took advantage of younger bucking animals to stake their claims. Then-rookie Wacey Schalla won the Lea County Xtreme Bulls title thanks in large part to an 89.5-point ride on Carr’s Richard Slam, a black bull with a white face that was just 4 years old when he bucked at the NFR this past December.

“That little Richard Slam is just a calf of Pete Carr’s, and that bull has a little something to him,”
 said Schalla, the top-ranked bull rider so far in 2025 with nearly $300,000 in earnings. “He don’t get rode very often. I got bucked off him (in San Angelo, Texas, in 2024), so it was dang sure good to get him rode.”

Another 2024 newcomer, Resistol Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year Weston Timberman, also claimed the Lea County title in his discipline after also marking 89.5 points on a young bucker. Timberman’s was on Carr’s Secret’s Out, and the explosive bay mare was just 6 in Las Vegas, where she helped cowboys win two go-rounds – Bradlee Miller was 88.5 points to win Round 4, and Jess Pope scored 89.5 points to win the ninth night.

“I knew what the caliber of horses were going to be, and everybody knows this is a big stop for a lot of guys,” said Timberman, who utilized the $8,425 payday to secure his first NFR bid. “To come out on top with these great horses and great cowboys is a great feeling.”

It’s the perfect mix to bring out the best competition around. Athletes like to perform, whether they’re men and women or bucking horses and bucking bulls. But rodeo is a well-rounded affair, and part of what makes the sport special is the package presented to the fans. Ticket-buyers want to see amazing athletes while also being entertained, and that’s where the fair board’s trust in the Carr crew comes in to play.

Producing an incredible event takes a team of professionals who understand the aspects that come to a rodeo of this caliber. The audiences that absorb the action in Jake McClure Arena every August have come to expect greatness.

“Pete Carr and his stock are very good, and everybody around here talks about it,” said Kyle Johnston, a fair board member and chairman of the rodeo committee. “His guys are very good to work with, and they put on a very entertaining show.”