Opening the high school rodeo season at a three-day rodeo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, members of the Ute Mountain High School rodeo team performed well.
Leading the way for the Ute Mountain team on the rodeo’s first day, Aug. 30, was Stormie Pitman, who finished first in the breakaway roping, second in the goat-tying and third in the cutting.
Other top finishers for the Ute Mountain team on day one included Maddie Shaline, who finished second in breakaway roping, Cassie Finley, who finished fifth in goat tying, and Cayce Lockhart, who finished seventh in the pole bending.
Whitney Finley and Sheigh Pollock finished sixth in the team roping event and afterwards, Finley discussed what makes competing in high school rodeos special.
“I just like that instead of your family just putting you on a bus and sending you somewhere, your family travels with you to all the rodeos,” said Finley. “There are just so many elements that go into it.”
Winning top honors for the Ute Mountain team on Aug. 31 was Fulmer, who finished first in the goat-tying.
Pitman finished second in the goat-tying event and third in the breakaway roping.
Finishing out the rodeo on Sept. 1, Cassie Finley finished sixth in goat tying, Maxwell finished eighth in barrel racing, Pitman finished ninth in barrel racing and Fullmer finished ninth in goat tying.
According to Ute Mountain Rodeo team sponsor Lana Finley, the three-day rodeo in Cortez ran smoothly and provided a good start to the fall rodeo season.
Next up for the Ute Mountain Rodeo team will be a rodeo in Craig, Colo., which will take place Sept. 6-7.
The team will then travel to Grand Junction for a two-day rodeo, Sept. 20-21.