The Thursday evening sky turned orange in a brilliant sunset as the Montezuma County Fairgrounds grandstands filled up for the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo’s opening night.
Dozens of cowboys and cowgirls competed in events such as bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. They traveled from all over the Rocky Mountain West – from Idaho to Texas – to compete at the fairgrounds.
The festivities continue this weekend at the fairgrounds with rodeo performances Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. A parade Saturday begins at 1 p.m. in downtown Cortez.
The grandstands at the fairgrounds were nearly full Thursday, and Roundup Rodeo chairman Bentley Colbert said it’s the biggest opening-night crowd that he’s seen.
“We’re hoping for a third straight sold-out year,” he said.
Colbert had been looking forward to the competition in barrel racing, and he said it didn’t disappoint. Barrel racing should be even bigger on Friday, with more competitors, he said.
Although there are some cowboys and cowgirls competing in multiple events this weekend, Colbert said that’s rare. Rodeo events are so competitive that most cowboys focus on a single event, he said.
The crew members running the show are some of the best in the business, Colbert said. Be on the lookout for some new things this year, especially at the beginning of the show, he said.
“We’re excited about doing some different things to start the rodeo,” he said.
Colbert also was impressed with rodeo clown John Harrison, who provided the entertainment during the show. Colbert said Harrison will have something different each night for the rodeo show.
A three-time winner of the National Finals Rodeo Comedy Act of the Year Award, Harrison entertained the audience Thursday with a dress-up gag and a trick-riding routine in which he rode a horse upside-down with his feet in the air.
Harrison, who is from Soper, Oklahoma, said it was his first time at the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo. He said he enjoyed seeing Mesa Verde National Park and being around the spectacular scenery. His kids couldn’t wait to go to the carnival, he said.
“I’ve heard a lot about this rodeo, and it’s great to be here,” Harrison said.
Announcer Jody Carper, who is from West Texas, has worked the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo for about seven years. He said the crowd Thursday was outstanding.
“I don’t know how the crowd could be much better, but it will get better every night,” he said.
Carper, a professional tie-down roper, said he was looking forward to the performances and speculated that some arena records would be broken. The team roping and barrel racing should feature some outstanding competition, he said.
“Every event has top talent,” Carper said.
Rodeo Queen Kelly Charles, of Cortez, said Thursday’s attendance numbers were good for a rodeo opening night. A longtime Roundup Rodeo spectator, Charles said it’s exciting to be named Rodeo Queen.
“I’ve always wanted to do this,” she said.
Madelaine Mills, who is Miss Rodeo Colorado 2016, also attended the Roundup Rodeo on Thursday. Mills, from Castle Rock, said the show was a high-quality production with a great crew and big-name contestants. “I love this rodeo,” she said.
Mills was looking forward to Friday night’s show, which will be Military Appreciation Night. She said honoring American heroes fits with the rodeo tradition.
“Rodeo is a cool sport because it’s about western heritage and American tradition,” Mills said. “We’re proud to be American.”
