Category Archives: Uncategorized
Carr herd is key for Lovington
Written on July 16, 2026 at 10:44 am, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Cattlemen’s Days was a success
Written on July 14, 2026 at 9:58 am, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Harrison returns to Gooding
Written on July 13, 2026 at 3:49 pm, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Yates wins bucket-list rodeo
Written on July 11, 2026 at 11:44 pm, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Reiste wins Rooftop for 2nd time
Written on July 11, 2026 at 11:33 pm, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Young gun takes Gunny lead
Written on July 11, 2026 at 12:16 am, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Ropers share top Rooftop spot
Written on July 11, 2026 at 12:01 am, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Rodeo arena updates continue
Written on July 10, 2026 at 2:52 pm, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
McCartney continues hot week
Written on July 10, 2026 at 12:39 am, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Shallbetter riding high at home
Written on July 10, 2026 at 12:18 am, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Cooke rides highs at Rooftop
Written on July 8, 2026 at 10:29 pm, by Ted
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 Continue Reading »
Ropers snag Rooftop lead
Written on July 8, 2026 at 12:39 am, by Ted
Header Jake Smith turns his steer for heeler Douglas Rich during their 4.6-second run Tuesday night to take the team roping lead at Rooftop Rodeo. (PHOTO BY PHILLIP KITTS) ESTES PARK, Colo. – Team roper Jake Smith takes a spiritual approach to rodeo, and it’s paying dividends. He’s a header, roping with heeler Douglas Continue Reading »
Howard wrestles Rooftop lead
Written on July 6, 2026 at 11:45 pm, by Ted
Steer wrestler Chance Howard stopped the clock in 4.1 seconds to take the bulldogging lead during Monday’s first performance of Rooftop Rodeo. (PHOTO BY PHILLIP KITTS) ESTES PARK, Colo. – The luck of the draw is more than just a theory with a deck of cards. It happens in rodeo, where athletes are matched Continue Reading »
Rodeo entries reach record
Written on July 3, 2026 at 10:24 am, by Ted
Nearly 500 cowboys and cowgirls have entered the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, so Gunnison, Colorado, will have a population explosion next week. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) GUNNISON, Colo. – It’s already a record-breaking year for the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, and the competition doesn’t begin until next week. There are 491 contestants who have signed Continue Reading »
Gaskins takes on fair leadership
Written on July 2, 2026 at 12:53 pm, by Ted
It wasn’t long ago that Dustin Gaskins was showing at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, and now the ag teacher in his hometown of Eunice, New Mexico, is chairman of the Lea County Fair Board. (PHOTO COURTESY OF DUSTIN GASKINS) LOVINGTON, N.M. – Dustin Gaskins’ association with the Lea County Fair and Rodeo Continue Reading »
New event offers $15 admission
Written on July 1, 2026 at 11:28 am, by Ted
Daniella Petrucci competes at a Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships event. Many of the top ladies in the association are expected to be in Gunnison, Colorado, next week for the inaugural event in conjunction with Cattlemen’s Days. (PHOTO BY MIKE McGILL COURTESY OF WOMEN’S RANCH BRONC RIDING CHAMPIONSHIPS) GUNNISON, Colo. – When Kevin Coblentz Continue Reading »
Kirbys big in Roundup history
Written on June 30, 2026 at 6:19 pm, by Ted
Jim Kirby has followed in the footsteps of his father as a director with Dodge City Roundup Rodeo. The whole Kirby clan has been involved with Roundup over the years. (PHOTO BY TED HARBIN) DODGE CITY, Kan. – Jennifer Kirby wasn’t there when her husband, Jim, was making a steer wrestling run at the Continue Reading »
Franks repeats as Pecos champ
Written on June 27, 2026 at 11:33 pm, by Ted
Cole Franks rides Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Scarlet Dunn It for 90 points to repeat as the West of the Pecos Rodeo bareback riding champion. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) PECOS, Texas – Five months ago, Cole Franks was in a recovery room coming out of anesthesia. He’s just had a successful hip surgery to Continue Reading »
Tryan takes Frizzell to Pecos lead
Written on June 27, 2026 at 12:07 am, by Ted
Team ropers Clay Tryan, right, and Kelby Frizzell had a good Friday. They are placing in both rounds of team roping and lead the average race at the West of the Pecos Rodeo. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) PECOS, Texas – Clay Tryan has done just about everything there is to do in team roping. Continue Reading »
Fisher feels at home in Pecos
Written on June 25, 2026 at 11:53 pm, by Ted
Vin Fisher has been coming to the West of the Pecos Rodeo since he was a small child. On Thursday, the Andrews, Texas, cowboy jumped into the lead in both steer roping and the all-around. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) PECOS, Texas – “The World’s First Rodeo” dates back to 1883 when ranch cowboys met Continue Reading »
Lefty rides right to lead Pecos
Written on June 24, 2026 at 11:57 pm, by Ted
Five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Lefty Holman rides Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s River’s Ghost for 88.5 points to take the saddle bronc riding lead during Wednesday’s first performance of the West of the Pecos Rodeo. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN) PECOS, Texas – Rodeo is equal parts athleticism and luck of the draw. Saddle bronc Continue Reading »
Friday Night Lights hits town
Written on June 24, 2026 at 11:25 am, by Ted
(PHOTO COURTESY BRIGHTLIGHT DRONE SHOWS) GUNNISON, Colo. – Friday Night Lights has a new take this July. Instead of Texas high school football, the annual Cattlemen’s Days celebration is taking it in a different direction during its inaugural after-party on Friday, July 10, following the second performance of the PRCA rodeo. As soon as the Continue Reading »
Bulldogs win four national titles
Written on June 23, 2026 at 5:33 pm, by Ted
Clarendon College freshman Tagg Bond is one of three Bulldogs to win a national championship last week at the College National Finals Rodeo. He was joined by bareback rider Carson Hildre and steer wrestler Andrew Morian, and the Clarendon’s men won the team title for the third time in six years. (PHOTO BY JACKIE JENSEN) Continue Reading »
Roundup increasing its purse
Written on June 23, 2026 at 12:18 pm, by Ted
DODGE CITY, Kan. – Dollars make sense in rodeo. Unlike other professional sports, cowboys and cowgirls do not receive guaranteed contracts. Contestants only earn money at rodeos by beating most of the field. On top of that, they cover their own traveling costs and pay a fee in order to compete. Volunteers with Dodge City Continue Reading »