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 have been paying off. He’s already won three rodeos this season and is on the verge of another after posting an 87.5-point ride on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Indecent Exposur during Friday’s second performance of the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo.

“I talked to a few guys about the horse,” said Blackwell, 22, a PRCA permit-holder from Yeso, New Mexico.” They’ve been 85.5 on her. She’s young. She’s only had about for or five outs on her, so I was a little nervous on what she was going to do. I watched a couple videos about her, and she was super cool.

“I thought, ‘You know what? I can be 87 on her. Why not?’ And I sure was tonight. I’m pretty blessed for that.”

It’s a big-time opportunity at a historic rodeo. Cattlemen’s Days is celebrating its 126th year with a nice payout. He will have to see how the competition shakes out when the final buzzer sounds Saturday night, but he’s looking at a nice payday in Gunnison.

His education continues. In professional rodeo, contestants must go through a try-out period in which they compete on a permit. Once they earn enough money, they are eligible to buy their PRCA cards and can ride toward the biggest prizes in the sport. He has met that criteria with more than $13,000 in earnings this year. He is eighth in the bareback riding permit standings.

“Sul Ross hasn’t been really known as a roughstock school,” Blackwell said, referring to the riding events: bareback, saddle bronc and bull. “There’s been some great bull riders come out of it and some decent bronc riders. (Coach) C.J. (Aragon) is just a great mental influence, has a great mindset and was just able to really prepare me for what I was going to bring to the table one day in the PRCA.

“I’m just really thankful there was some good coaches and good teammates that were helping me. It’s a great support system down there.”

This is his third and final year on his permit. Starting in the 2027 season, he will chase all the rainbows ProRodeo will allow.

“I stayed on my permit just because I wanted to finish school,” Blackwell said. “Next year I will go on my rookie year and hopefully try to make the (National Finals Rodeo).”

For now, though, he can enjoy his top spot in Gunnison.

“The stock here is great,” he said. “You’ve got Stace Smith, Rafter G and United here, and they all bring really good stuff and competitive stock. You can’t complain about that, and then you have these beautiful mountains and great fans. What’s not to love?”

Cattlemen’s Days
Gunnison, Colo.
July 9-11
Bareback riding: 1. Garrett Blackwell, 87.5 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Indecent Exposur; 2. Cole Franks, 86.5; 3. Keenan Hayes, 84.5; 4. Colt Eck, 83.5; 5. Bryce Eck, 83; 6. (tie) Owen Brouillette and Darien Johnson, 81 each.

Steer wrestling: 1. Clay Tom Hurt, 4.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Jesse Brown and Cimarron Thompson, 5.0 each; 4. Sam Gallagher, 5.3; 5. Walker Polhamus, 5.6; 6. Marc Joiner, 5.8.

Team roping: 1. Wawa Ben Jr./Brandon Ben, 5.1 seconds; 2. (tie) Brayden Fillmore/Cody Lansing and Brodi Jones/Clay Elkington, 5.2 each; 4. (tie) Cameron Capshaw/Clancey Kreutzer and Jay Tittel/T.J. Watts, 5.4 each; 6. Casey Adams/Riley Pedro, 5.8.

Breakaway roping: 1. Danielle Lowman, 1.6 seconds; 2. (tie) Martha Angelone, Kennedy Buckner and Amber Hutto, 2.2 each; 5. Zoie Bedke, 2.3; 6. Haliegh Grant, 2.4.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Josue Molina, 85.5 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Charlies Angel; 2. (tie) Skinny Parsons and Coleman Shallbetter, 84 each; 4. Jackson Ford, 83.5; 5. Brady Irvine, 83; 6. Clay Greenslade, 81.5.

Tie-down roping: 1. Ean Ellis, 8.0 seconds; 2. Cole Clemons, 8.8; 3. Dean Holyan, 9.4; 4. Dylan Hancock, 9.7; 5. Cutter Pareo, 10.1; 6. Tate Crandall, 10.4.

Barrel racing: 1. Makenna Shook, 17.68 seconds; 2. Rachel Huerkamp, 17.89; 3. Alex Odle, 17.97; 4. Emma Parr, 17.99; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 18.02; 6. Maggie Wright, 18.05.

Bull riding: 1. Brody Hasenack, 85 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Hatari; no other qualified rides.