About: Ted

Tomás Garcilazo will return to the West of the Pecos Rodeo, showcasing his Mexican heritage as a charro. His act now incorperates his family, including wife Justine and oldest son Louis. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN)   A celebrated horseman, Garcilazo and family will be in Pecos PECOS, Texas – For years, Tomás Garcilazo has been in the spotlight, shining brightly while exhibiting his charro skills before throngs of fans. These days, though, he’s sharing his fame and is happy to do it. It’s become the Garcilazo family show, including his wife, Justin, and their son, Louis. Tomás Garcilazo is the third generation of his family to be a Mexican horseman and a person of other talents that have been passed down from one family to another via La Cherreria, a skill performed only by the Mexican charro. The family will be sharing its heritage during the four performances of the West of the Pecos Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 24-Saturday, June 27, at Buck Jackson Arena. “It’s amazing the way the crowd accepts us and embraces us,” Garcilazo said. “To have that reception is incredible. That’s what encourages us to do better, and we’re looking forward to being one of the stars on that stage.” The Garcilazos have two younger boys, Gaspar and Ulysse. Louis, though, has taken to the pageantry and is comfortable performing alongside his parents on the grandest stages of rodeo. Dressed in true Mexican regalia, they provide a bit of a lesson on the charro’s place in history and the beauty of a horse. The Garcilazos take great pride in their equine counterparts, which have their own talents and levels of showmanship. “I can watch Tomás all day long and not get tired of it,” said Garrett Yerigan, the West of the Pecos announcer. “He’s such a craftsman. His talent is unlike any other, and we get to watch Louis in his career blossoming and flourishing. It’s amazing to see how it’s been passed down to Louis.” He is now the fourth generation to pursue the family business. Born in 2014, Louis has created his own showmanship style, and it just adds to the flavor of the routines. The skills have been used for centuries. “My background is competition,” Tomás Garcilazo said. “A charro is a horseman, a Mexican horseman that has a skill with a rope and, of course, with the horses, and I passed it on to my son. It is my goal, and it’s a treasure because it is my heritage, and we want to preserve those roots and culture. We don’t want to let it die. “Part of my pride is that he has to have his background as a competitor. He has already competed in the all-around charro style, which is comprised by seven events, and he’s doing really good. That foundation is important for me, because I don’t want him to just be a performer on the stage. I want him to be a competitor. I want him to break his own colts, to build them, to make them, to have the communication with them so he can understand how important the tradition is.” Whether it’s competition or the pageantry, the Garcilazos are proud of their heritage and showcasing it for rodeo fans. Without vaqueros, there would be no cowboys, so the family’s exploits are just an extension of what made modern-day rodeo. Garcilazo has been named the PRCA Dress Act of the Year four times and has been selected to perform the opening act at the National Finals Rodeo. More recently, he has been joined by Justine and Louis. “Something that’s really important to us is that from head to toes, we have the Western-style and charro-style, which are very beautiful and unique,” Tomás Garcilazo said. “My wife is going to carry the American flag, and we feel so proud to do that because it’s the best flag in the world.”

Finch is living a Rooftop Rodeo dream she’s had since she was young ESTES PARK, Colo. – With a diploma in hand and a sash across her chest, Lily Finch is entrenched in a summertime tradition that is Rooftop Rodeo. As this year’s matriarch of the royalty program, Finch is the Rooftop Rodeo queen, a title she first manifested 13 years ago at age 6. “I started my reign as queen in October, and so far this year, it’s been amazing,” said Finch, a 2026 Estes Park High School graduate. “I had this really cool realization. There’s this picture of me as a little kid, and my Halloween costume is me dressed up as a rodeo queen. “I took a picture with the rodeo queen of that year, which was Michelle Claypool. She was my babysitter, and she’s the reason that I got into rodeo at all, so to be in this spot that I’m in now is amazing.” She will continue her position into the fall, but the lion’s share of her workload will take place during this year’s Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Monday, July 6-Saturday, July 11, at Granny May Arena inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. She will also be on hand during the Rooftop Rodeo Royalty competition, which takes place June 27-28, with a clinic following June 30. Anyone interested can learn more at https://www.rooftoprodeo.com/rtrroyalty2.html. For Finch, t’s about getting back to her roots and sharing her passion for the Western way of life with others. “To be in this spot now is amazing,” she said. “I have an impact on our community, and I get to be part of such an awesome thing in our town. One of the very best parts is seeing all the people that come that don’t know anything about the rodeo. At our event, we have a lot of first-time rodeo people, so they’ve never been to one before. “We get to teach them the very beginnings of what rodeo is and how it became.” Rodeo has been and always will be a nod to the Old West. It’s a sport that originated on ranches and pitted the best cowboys from one against the best from another. During the Behind the Chutes Tours, members of the royalty program, volunteers and contract personnel provide insights about the game and about the intricacies of how its played. Finch has grown up with Rooftop Rodeo. From that 2013 Halloween to her place as the 2018 junior princess to realizing the dream she’s living now, she’s studied those before her and has been eager to share those lessons with others. “The best part is how much I’ve learned from this,” Finch said. “Being part of it for so long, it really becomes obvious to me how much it’s taught me. I’ve really grown through this. A few years ago, I would not have been able to go up to people and have a conversation, but I’ve become so capable at that. I can have an adult conversation and stay professional. “It makes life outside rodeo even easier. Everything is not as scary to me now, because I’ve had so much experience with interviewing and talking to people through the rodeo world.” She fell in love with horses at an early age, and that passion still follows. So has her love of rodeo, which has blossomed inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. “I hope to stay pretty involved with rodeo, whether that’s side jobs or just going and watching different rodeos,” Finch said. “I hope I can stay involved in one way or another, even if that’s just volunteering for Rooftop Rodeo again once I’m done with my title.”   Gates for Rooftop Rodeo open at 5 p.m. Monday, July 6-Saturday, July 11, with the preshow beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the rodeo beginning at 7 p.m. For more information about Rooftop Rodeo, which is a Town of Estes Park signature event, or to order tickets online, log on to www.RooftopRodeo.com. Other ticket inquiries may be made by contacting the Town of Estes Park Events office at events@estes.org or (970) 586-6104.

Madison Bean was the third to last cowgirl to run at the 2026 Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo and posted the fastest time, a 15-58-second run to win the title. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN)   BIG SPRING, Texas – When Madison Bean says she was born to be a barrel racer, she means it. “I grew up doing it,” said Bean, 23, of Lubbock, Texas. “I got to my first rodeo when I was 3 years old, and I’ve held my (WPRA) card since I was 18, so five years now.” She blazed through the competition as one of the last cowgirls competing at the rodeo with a 15.58-second run on the final night of the 2026 Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo to win the barrel racing title. She beat runners-up Jackie Ganter and Ryann Pedone by four-hundredths of a second and pocketed $3,282 for her work. I’ve always loved this rodeo,” Bean said. “It’s a little bit of a hometown rodeo. I go to school in Lubbock, and I’m from El Paso, so I grew up around this rodeo. “I have to send my appreciation to Zach Herrin and Dane Driver for getting the ground so good for us with the storm (Friday) night and throughout the week. I was thankful for that.” Good ground is important in all events. Animals need good footing in order to perform at a high level, and volunteers did everything they could to make it such through every layer of the competition. Pedone ran Friday when storms ripped across the arena before the rodeo and rain was intermittent throughout. Bean realized she could trust the ground, so that made her approach on her horse more critical. “His name is George, and he’s family-owned,” she said. “My aunt, Jana Bean, trained him, and he’s owned by my grandfather, Jim Bean, so he’s part of our family.” Jana Bean is from Fort Hancock, Texas, who attended Howard College and is a three-time qualifier to the National Finals Rodeo. She has been inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. On Friday night, she made a 15.82-second run and placed 11th in Big Spring. Jana Bean also gave George all the lessons the red racer could handle, and it’s paying off for her niece. “He just loves to win,” Madison Bean said. “He loves to win more than I do. He craves it, which is very fun to me. At the end of the day, he’s part of our family and more than just a barrel horse.” Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo June 4-6 All-around cowboy: Jake Shelton, $1,332, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. Bareback riding: 1. Lane McGehee, 83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Rodeo Colors, $2,535; 2. Matthew McLanahan, 81, $1,944; 3. Payton Lackey, 80.5, $1,437; 4. (tie) Kash Loyd and Chad Rutherford, 79, $761 each; 6. Cole Hollen, 74.5, $423; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Marc Joiner, 3.7 seconds, $2,157; 2. Tyler Scheevel, 4.0, $1,904; 3. Tyler Waguespack, 4.4, $1,650; 4. (tie) Jake Shelton and Cimarron Thompson, 4.6, $1,332 each; 6. Cameron Haumea, 4.9, $1,142; 7. Emmett Edler, 5.1, $1,015; 8. Bray Armes, 5.3, $888; 9. Logan Mullin, 5.9, $761; 10. Cole Walker, 6.4, $508. Tie-down roping: 1. Lane Livingston, 8.0 seconds, $3,324; 2. Tyler Calhoun, 8.1, $2,933; 3. Travis Staley, 8.5, $2,542; 4. Dean Holyan, 8.6, $2,151; 5. Kincade Henry, 8.9, $1,955; 6. (tie) Cross Fulford and Reese Riemer, 9.1, $1,662 each; 8. Word Hudson, 9.5, $1,369; 9. (tie) Luke Coleman and Blane Cox, 9.7, $978 each. Breakaway roping: 1. Madison Outhier, 2.0 seconds, $3,704; 2. (tie) Makayla Boisjoli and Cheyanne McCartney, 2.1, $2,685 each; 4. Shay Clements, 2.2, $1,852; 5. (tie) Brighton Bauman, Jackie Crawford and Jade Mitchell, 2.3, $1,173 each; 8. (tie) TiAda Gray, Kendra Lewis and Shalee Oftedahl, 2.4, $741 each; 11. (tie) Amber Crawford, Kayelen Helton and Shelby Osceola-Moody, 2.5, $463 each; 14. (tie) Rheagan Cotton and Macy Hancock, 2.6, $231 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cort Scheer, 84 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Honor Guard, $3,119; 2. Colt Gordon, 83.5, $2,391; 3. (tie) Blaise Freeman and Tom Webster, 83, $1,455 each; 5. Traven Sharon, 82, $728; 6. Cooper Lane, 79.5, $520; 7. Gus Gaillard, 78.5, $416; 8. (tie) Carson Bingham and Carson Neal, 78, $156 each. Team roping: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/JC Flake, 4.0 seconds, $3,416 each; 2. Brenten Hall/Wyatt Cox, 4.4, $3,014; 3. Korbin Rice/Cooper Freeman, 4.6, $2,612; 4. (tie) Bridger Ketcham/Corey Hendrick and Jayse Tettenhorst/Belden Cox, 4.7, $2,110 each; 6. Kelvin Medeiros/Cashton Weid Weidenbener, 5.0, $1,808; 7. Jacob Stansbury/Hayden Sanders, 5.1, $1,607; 8. Wyatt Bray/Blake Walker II, 5.3, $1,406; 9. Conley Kleinhans/Kyler Kanady, 5.4, $1,206; 10. (tie) Shay Dixon Carroll/Jace Helton and Clay Ullery/B.J. Dugger, 5.5, $402 each. Barrel racing: 1. Madison Bean, 15.58 seconds, $3,282; 2. (tie) Jackie Ganter and Ryann Pedone, 15.62, $2,380 each; 4. Liz Herrin, 15.64, $1,641; 5. Megan Albrecht, 15.66, $1,313; 6. Sissy Winn, 15.70, $985; 7. Shayna Wimberly, 15.74, $821; 8. Billie Harmon, 15.75, $739; 9. Morgan Addison, 15.76, $656; 10. Kara Kreder, 15.79, $574; 11. Jana Bean, 15.82, $492; 12. Ginger Billingsley, 15.83, $410; 13. Maylee McCrary, 15.85, $328; 14. Faith Nolte, 15.88, $246; 15. Taylor Baize, 15.91, $164. Bull riding: 1. Noah Lee, 85.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Packin Heat, $5,435; 2. Brad Moreno, 83.5, $4,184; 3. (tie) Dakota Hill and Jax Mills, 83, $2,577 each; 5. Riggen Hughes, 80.5, $1,327; 6. Hayden Welsh, 79, $970; 7. Hudson Bolton, 62, $791; no other qualified rides.

GUNNISON, Colo. – Six years ago, the world faced an uncertainty as a global pandemic raged. Schools and businesses shuttered. Professional rodeo, which boasts of more than 600 events annually, had been reduced by hundreds. Not many braved the idea of mass gatherings during the uncertainty revolving around COVID. It put a 120-year tradition on the chopping block. Every year since 1900, Cattlemen’s Days produced a rodeo for folks in the Gunnison Valley. Some thought a one-year hiatus would be the prudent choice. Kevin Coblentz thought otherwise. Gunnison’s rodeo had lasted through the Spanish flu, two world wars, floods and many other obstacles, so the community’s persistence has always held strong. He fought to continue the tradition and won. The community won. Faith was restored. Because of statewide health restrictions, only scants of fans witnessed Cattlemen’s Days rodeo in person, but it was broadcast live internationally on The Cowboy Channel, which continues to broadcast Gunnison’s marquee event. Rodeo won that battle, too. Knowing that the pandemic had devastated local businesses that are traditional sponsors, Colbentz and others got creative in finding ways to fund an important event. It paid off. Cattlemen’s Days will continue its tradition this year, with events beginning Saturday, July 4, and wrapping with three days of rodeo Thursday, July 9-Saturday, July 11, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. As he has done much of his life, Coblentz will help energize the annual celebration. Now, though, he is the rodeo’s general manager, a link between the volunteer committee and all other aspects of the event. It’s a new role for Cattlemen’s Days, but the celebration’s growth and success over the years has driven it. While 2020 was the first year the rodeo was televised, it has remained part of the broadcasts since. “Kevin has been a big part of Cattlemen’s Days for as long as I can remember,” said Tyler Hanson, the committee’s president. “He knows what it takes to put on an event like this. His experience as a member of our committee and as a leader are valuable.” For Coblentz, though, this role is just another way to serve the community. “Gunnison is my home,” said Coblentz, who owns KC Barbershop. “These people are my friends. Cattlemen’s Days is a very important part of this valley, and I have always enjoyed being able to give back to the community in various ways.” As general manager, he will take a bigger role in the planning and production of the rodeo. He has been working with contractors and making sure all prep work is done before they arrive. He has also sought ways to help Gunnison shine during those special days in July, like the inclusion of the women’s bronc riding, which will take place Tuesday, July 7, in conjunction with the mini broncs event. Cattlemen’s Days is a 126-year-old tradition. For half of the life of this country, folks have enjoyed the gathering that honored community and the people that make Gunnison vibrant. “This is a way of life for us,” Coblentz said. “Ranching and farming are ways of life here, which is why Cattlemen’s Days is such a big deal. It’s important to me that we keep those traditions going.”

Header Dustin Egusquiza turns his steer for his heeler, J.C. Flake, during their 4.0-second run Friday night to take the team roping lead at the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN)   BIG SPRING, Texas – A slight drizzle sprinkled over team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and J.C. Flake, but they were unbothered. It had rained harder before Friday’s second performance of the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, and it a heavier mix hit just before it ended, but a little wetness wasn’t bad. They had kept their ropes dry enough to perform well. “This is my first time coming to Big Spring, which is kind of shocking because it’s only three hours from my house,” said Egusquiza, 31, a header and an eight-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier originally from Marianna, Florida, but now living in Mineral Wells, Texas. “I was glad to get to come here this year.” Despite the moisture leaking out of the sky, the ground conditions were strong. Egusquiza and Flake stopped the clock in 4.0 seconds to take the team roping lead, while three others moved into the lead in their respective events: barrel racer Ryann Pedone, bull rider Noah Lee and saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer. “That was super good,” said Flake, 27, a heeler from Milsap, Texas. “That steer was straight, and Dustin threw a long ways. I just tried to do my job as fast and as good as I could. Dustin heads him so fast, I’ve just got to make sure I catch two feet.” The tandem has been very fast this year. On March 25, they set the team roping world record with a time of 2.9 seconds. They will await the outcome of Saturday’s final performance to see how their first trip to Big Spring shakes out. “Coming here has been a blessing,” Flake said. “I’ve seen in on the books this year, and I thought, ‘That’s where we’ve got to go.’ My brother actually went to college out here, so I’ve been here a lot. I’ve just never come to the rodeo. I was excited to get to come and get a little bit of a pre-run before we leave for the summer.” That’s coming up pretty quickly, and organizers of Big Spring’s rodeo considered that when they made the decision to change the dates to an earlier time of year. “I’d never looked at it on the books because it was always after we leave, but it’s got pretty good added money for a Texas rodeo, and I’m glad to be here,” Egusquiza said. “The steers are really good, and it’s a pretty cool arena down here in a little bowl. The fans are really loud, so you can tell they love rodeo. “It’s a pretty cool rodeo to come to for the first time.” It might not be their last. Makayla Boisjoli first made an appearance at the Surge Energy Rodeo Bowl a few years ago, and she continues to come back. It’s become more exciting now that the rodeo features a bigger purse. “I like Big Spring,” said Boisjoli, a breakaway roper originally from Calgary but now living in the Lone Star State. “They did increase the money this year, which is awesome for them to do for us.” The rain didn’t put a damper on her return to Howard County. She posted a 2.1-second run to move into a tie for second place. Madison Outhier leads breakaway just one-tenth of a second faster. “If you rodeo long enough, you’re going to run some in the rain, and you can’t let it affect you,” she said. “You still drove over here and paid your entry fee, so it’s better to just be a cowboy about it and go rope. “At home, we rope a lot of the wet conditions up north.” Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo June 4-6 Bareback riding: 1. Lane McGehee, 83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Rodeo Colors; 2. Payton Lackey, 80.5; 3. Kash Loyd, 79; 4. Cole Hollen, 74.5; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Marc Joiner, 3.7 seconds; 2. Tyler Scheevel, 4.0; 3. Tyler Waguespack, 4.4; 4. (tie) Cimarron Thompson and Jake Shelton, 4.6; 7. Emmett Edler, 5.1; 8. Bray Armes, 5.3; 9. Logan Mullin, 5.9; 10. Cole Walker, 6.4. Tie-down roping: 1. Lane Livingston, 8.0; 2. Travis Staley, 8.5; 3. Dean Holyan, 8.6; 4. Kincade Henry, 8.9; 5. Cross Fulford, 9.1; 6. Word Hudson, 9.5; 7. Luke Coleman, 9.7; 8. Sterling Smith, 9.8; 9. Kallen Johnson, 9.9; 10. (tie) Colten Wallis and Pax Vogel, 10.0. Breakaway roping: 1. Madison Outhier, 2.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Makayla Boisjoli and Cheyanne McCartney, 2.1; 4. (tie) Brighton Bauman, Jackie Crawford and Jade Mitchell, 2.3. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cort Scheer, 84 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Honor Guard; 2. Tom Webster, 83; 3. Traven Sharon, 82; 4. Carson Neal, 78; 5. (tie) Hunter Greathouse and Roper Kiesner, 76; 7. (tie) Regan Lyons, Korben Baker and Will Pollock, 75. Team roping: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/JC Flake, 4.0 seconds; 2. Korbin Rice/Cooper Freeman, 4.6; 3. Kelvin Medeiros/Cashton Weid Weidenbener, 5.0; 4. Jacob Stansbury/Hayden Sanders, 5.1; 5. Wyatt Bray/Blake Walker II, 5.3; 6. Conley Kleinhans/Kyler Kanady, 5.4. Barrel racing: 1. (tie) Jackie Ganter and Ryann Pedone, 15.62 seconds; 3. Sissy Winn, 15.70; 4. Billie Harmon, 15/75; 5. Morgan Addison, 15.76; 6. Jana Bean, 15.82; 7. Maylee McCrary, 15.85; 8. Faith Nolte, 15.88; 9. Taylor Baize, 15.91; 10. Molly Harper, 15.95; 11. Bristan McCarley, 15.97; 12. Erica Klein, 16.04; 13. Kaylin Doaki, 16.07; 14. Julie Plourde, 16.14; Katelyn Scott, 16.15. Bull riding: 1. Noah Lee, 85.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Packin Heat; 2. Jax Mills, 83; 3. Riggen Hughes, 80.5; 4. Hayden Welsh, 79; 5. Hudson Bolton, 62; no other qualified rides.