Reiner at the top of his game
Cole Reiner is back to normal, riding at a high level. He rode Championship Pro Rodeo’s Terry for 89.5 points during Friday’s third performance of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo to take the bareback riding lead. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) DODGE CITY, Kan. – A year ago, Cole Reiner wasn’t having much fun. Yes, competing […]
Youth get to excel at county fair
Livestock shows are not only a big part of the Lea County Fair, but they also an alternative aspect of education. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LEA COUNTY) LOVINGTON, N.M. – Area schools will kick off their year soon, but a good number of students have been continuing their education the past couple of months. It’s […]
Horsepower is big for Derrer
Third-year pro Bryce Derrer ropes his calf in 8.4 seconds during Thursday’s second performance of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. That run, combined with his 9.4 from the first round earlier in the day, pushed him to No. 2 in the aggregate race and gives him a great opportunity to rope for the Roundup title Sunday. […]
Kersh bulldogs lead in Dodge
Australian Darcy Kersh wrestled two steers in a cumulative time of 9.1 seconds to take the bulldogging lead during Wednesday’s opening performance of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) DODGE CITY, Kan. – Darcy Kersh fancies himself an all-around cowboy. He rides broncs, wrestles steers and ties down calves. His focus this […]
Cooking contest gets things hot
The Pioneer Iron Chef competition heats things up during the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. It features two divisions, one for youth and one for adults. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LEA COUNTY) LOVINGTON, N.M. – If, as the saying goes, that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then producers of the TV show “Iron […]
Lee stays on heater in Dodge
Top-ranked Noah Lee rides Rafter G Rodeo’s Western Hauler’s for 88 points Tuesday night to win the Dodge City Xtreme Bulls title. It is his seventh Xtreme Bulls championship in his rookie campaign. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) DODGE CITY, Kan. – Noah Lee’s dominance in ProRodeo’s bull riding continues. Lee rode Rafter G Rodeo’s […]
Proctor earns first $5,000 Roundup bonus
Flanked by Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas Faith McMannis, left; Dodge City Roundup Rodeo president Steve Deges, second from left; and Miss Rodeo Kansas Rebecca Shea Thornton, right, Coleman Proctor poses with the 2026 champion steer roper buckle. (PHOTO COURTESY OF COLEMAN PROCTOR) Coleman Proctor, a former Dodge City Roundup Rodeo all-around champion, has earned […]
Act brings bull to new heights
Brian Patton and his bull, Django, light up the night during last year’s Lea County Fair and Rodeo. Patton and his high-rise act will be back in Lovington, New Mexico, year to wow the crowd again. (PHOTO BY PEGGY GANDER) LOVINGTON, N.M. – Some of the best parts of any festival include “wow factors.” […]
Stars to return to Lovington
Bareback rider Jess Pope is one of the 46 world champions who is scheduled to compete at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. The event has a long history of drawing rodeo’s best to southeastern New Mexico. (PHOTO BY PEGGY GANDER) LOVINGTON, N.M. – Since its inception in the 1930s, much has changed for […]
History is on the side of the fair
Jake McClure, seen in this 1937 image, has been an important figure in the history of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. He was in his late 30s when he died in a horse accident in 1940, but his legacy lives through the Jake McClure Arena, which was designed by another Lovington man, two-time world […]
Clown has a home in Lovington
Justin Rumford will return to the Lea County Fair and Rodeo. A 10-time PRCA Clown of the Year, Rumford was raised on rodeo and is a natural comedian. He is also one of the most sought-after clowns in rodeo. (PHOTO BY PEGGY GANDER) LOVINGTON, N.M. – In all his years in the rodeo industry, […]
Myers the right fit for Roundup
Dusty Myers will be the rodeo clown at this year’s Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, his first time working the prestigious rodeo. He was also the barrelman at the 2025 National Finals Rodeo. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) DODGE CITY, Kan. – Greatness happens inside Roundup Arena every summer. It’s not just a tradition for Dodge […]
Monster shines in Gooding
Saddle bronc rider Mitch Pollock rides Korkow Rodeos’ Joker Poker during the 2025 Gooding Pro Rodeo. Korkow is one of three elite livestock producers who will return to southern Idaho next month. (PHOTO BY LARA ST JACQUES) Trio of stock contractors just add to the draw to southern Idaho rodeo GOODING, Idaho – In […]
Carr herd is key for Lovington
Brody Wells, a two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, earned his way to Las Vegas with big wins, including a shared victory at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo last summer. He rode Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Larry Culpepper for 91 points to split the win with Stetson Wright, who rode Northern Exposure for the same […]
Cattlemen’s Days was a success
Cattlemen’s Days was treated to record crowds, which was aided by more than 7,000 who packed into the fairgrounds last Friday night. To say the 2026 celebration was a success might just be an understatement. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) GUNNISON, Colo. – Even with 126 years of history behind them, organizers of the annual […]
Harrison returns to Gooding
Renowned rodeo entertainer John Harrison is so beloved at the Gooding Pro Rodeo presented by Idaho Ford Dealers that fans dressed like him during his last appearance in southern Idaho. (PHOTO COURTESY OF GOODING PRO RODEO) Community eager to greet award-winning rodeo entertainer GOODING, Idaho – When John Harrison walked into Andy James Arena […]
Yates wins bucket-list rodeo
Trey Yates has been close to winning Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo in the past, but he finally accomplished it Saturday night. Roping with Riley Kittle, Yates secured not only the team roping title but also the all-around crown in Gunnison. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) GUNNISON, Colo. – Just three hours down the mountain, Trey […]
Reiste wins Rooftop for 2nd time
For the second time in three years, Iowan Trevor Reiste won the bull riding title at Rooftop Rodeo. He rode Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Brimstone for 87 points. (PHOTO BY PHILLIP KITTS) ESTES PARK, Colo. – Big crowds packed into six nights of Rooftop Rodeo, an explosion of entertainment and championship competition. The frenzy was […]
Young gun takes Gunny lead
Permit-holder Garrett Blackwell rides Smith Pro Rodeos’ Indecent Exposur for 87.5 points to take the bareback riding lead at the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) GUNNISON, Colo. – Just two months ago, Garrett Blackwell graduated from Sul Ross State University, and he’s taking his education on the rodeo trail. The lessons […]
Ropers share top Rooftop spot
Haven Meged ropes his calf during Friday’s fifth performance of Rooftop Rodeo. He stopped the clock in 7.6 seconds and tied fellow tie-down roper John Douch, who is wearing purple and had just pushed Meged’s calf to help the Montana cowboy. (PHOTO BY PHILLIP KITTS) ESTES PARK, Colo. – This time of year is […]
Rodeo arena updates continue
DODGE CITY, Kan. – Organizers of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo are building on their successes. Each year, the volunteer committee that produces the annual happening handles much of the work it takes to make upgrades around Roundup Rodeo. Patrons have taken notice, from improved seating to updated services. It’s a labor of love, and the […]
McCartney continues hot week
After a good three days at the Calgary Stampede, where she won $19,500, Cheyanne McCartney roped herself into the money during Thursday’s fourth performance of Rooftop Rodeo. (PHOTO BY PHILLIP KITTS) ESTES PARK, Colo. – A pretty good week has a good chance to be a lot better for breakaway roper Cheyanne McCartney. By […]
Shallbetter riding high at home
Gunnison’s Coleman Shallbetter rides United Pro Rodeo’s Sky Fall for 84 points to share the saddle bronc riding lead at his hometown rodeo, Cattlemen’s Days. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) GUNNISON, Colo. – Coleman Shallbetter’s stay at home was short but sweet. He left the Calgary Stampede on Wednesday afternoon and drove about 20 hours […]
Cooke rides highs at Rooftop
Cooper Cooke rides Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Keep It Real for 84.5 points to take the bareback riding lead during Wednesday’s third performance of Rooftop Rodeo. (PHOTO BY PHILLIP KITTS) ESTES PARK, Colo. – After riding the waves of momentum, Cooper Cooke can liken a rodeo career to being a surfer. In June, the bareback […]