The rodeo kicked off with a chuckwagon barbecue Wednesday night at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds and continued with a rodeo family night Thursday at 7 p.m. Friday is rodeo military appreciation night, and Saturday is the 12th annual Tough Enough To Wear Pink fundraising night at the rodeo.
Rodeo Roundup Chairman Bentley Colbert said he’s once again expecting a record number of participants this year.
“As always, we hope to continually improve the show,” he said.
Colbert said the stock contractors have brought some of the finest stock around to the show. The crew, from the announcers to the music and video directors, are top-notch and help make the show flow, Colbert said.
Look for a good show during the team roping and barrel-racing events, Colbert said. The rough stock events will be good, but Colbert likes the show’s lineup in roping and barrel racing.
“Look for real competition in those this year,” he said. “Those are the largest events.”
The third annual Rob Yates Memorial Golf Tournament takes place Friday at 8 a.m. at Conquistador Golf Course. Anyone can participate in the blind-draw tournament. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Friday and is $35, not including cart and green fees.
Rob Yates was involved with the Ute Mountain Rodeo Roundup Committee until he was lost in an avalanche in 2014 near Mancos.
“That’s our chance to get a lot of local people involved with the rodeo,” Colbert said of the golf tournament. “It’s a nice fundraiser to get people together to remember Rob and keep promoting the rodeo.”
To commemorate the rodeo’s final day, Saturday will start with a parade through downtown Cortez at 1 p.m. Wrangler Tough Enough To Wear Pink gear also will be for sale Saturday night at the rodeo. Proceeds from the Wrangler sales will go to Southwest Health Systems to fund mammogram services.
Kelly Charles is this year’s Roundup Rodeo Queen.
Also at the rodeo this year will be rodeo clown John Harrison, a three-time National Finals Rodeo entertainer of the year, Colbert said. Harrison will provide some quality entertainment for families, Colbert said.
“I really believe people will see a good show,” he said. “We’re proud of what we’re doing.”
For more information, visit www.utemountainroundup.org.