Big scores define Lea Co. Rodeo
LOVINGTON, N.M. – Kyle Jonston was succinct and to the point. “Our rodeo has been incredible,” said Johnston, a member of the Lea County Fair Board and president of its rodeo committee. “This is probably our best year, in my opinion.” The numbers say as much. Fast times and high scores defined this year’s Lea […]
Contestants ready for the ride
Cowboys, cowgirls know fun, opportunity await at Gooding Pro Rodeo GOODING, Idaho – Weeks before it even begins, the anticipation of being in this quaint community was already building among ProRodeo’s superstars. “Gooding is a great rodeo for us,” said Cheyanne McCartney, a four-time National Finals Breakaway Roping qualifier and the No. 1 cowgirl in […]
Yazzie quietly moves into lead
Steer wrestler Rooster Yazzie jumped into the Lea County Fair and Rodeo lead with a 4.1-second run during Thursday’s second performance. Combined with his first-round run of 4.7 seconds, Yazzie has a half-second lead on the field. (PHOTO BY PEGGY GANDER) LOVINGTON, N.M. – If there’s a strong-but-silent type, Rooster Yazzie fits the bill. […]
Rematch is to Berry’s benefit
In a rematch with Rafter H Rodeo’s Medicine Show, bareback rider Leighton Berry scored 89 points to take the early lead at the Lea County Rodeo. He was also 89 two months ago when he won his hometown rodeo in Weatherford, Texas. (PHOTO BY PEGGY GANDER) LOVINGTON, N.M. – Now in his eighth year […]
Riding toward the Summit
Idaho saddle bronc rider Kade Bruno rides Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cat Walk during the final round of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo. Cat Walk is one of several NFR bucking horses from Summit that have excelled in the arena. Over the last couple of weeks, cowboys have raked in big-time cash with big-time wins on […]
Rookie nabs Xtreme Bulls crown
Rookie Cimarron Rucker rides Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s E.T.O. for 92.5 points to win Tuesday’s Lea County Xtreme Bulls. He earned his first X Bulls buckle and $15,299. (PHOTO BY PEGGY GANDER) LOVINGTON, N.M. – If it’s a dream, Cimarron Rucker doesn’t want to be awakened. Rucker rode Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s E.T.O. for […]
Putting the good in Gooding
Cole Reiner rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail for 91 points to win the bareback riding title at the 2024 Gooding Pro Rodeo, then qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the fifth straight year. He’s hoping the magic returns at this year’s rodeo. (PHOTO BY W.T. BRUCE) Committee, crowd receive praise from one […]
Struxness slams Dodge win
J.D. Struxness slows his steer during his 3.8-second bulldogging run in Sunday’s championship round of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. The 2024 world champion won the aggregate title with a three-run cumulative time of 12.6 seconds. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) DODGE CITY, Kan. – J.D. Struxness is standing on a steer wrestling ledge. He entered […]
Teamwork pays off for ropers
Wesley Thorp, left, and Tanner Tomlinson moved into the No. 1 spot in the aggregate race Saturday during the fourth performance of Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) DODGE CITY, Kan. – The most important commodity of being on a team is having a teammate’s back. Tanner Tomlinson is a living epitome […]
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 […]