stampede 2012

Thursday, Friday, Saturday & SundayThursday, Friday, Saturday & SundayJuly 26, 27, 28 & 29, 2012July 26, 27, 28 & 29, 2012

Ski-Hi Park • Monte VistaSki-Hi Park • Monte Vista

Valley Publishing835 First Ave. • Monte Vista, Colo.835 First Ave. • Monte Vista, Colo.

719.852.3531719.852.35312205 State Ave. • Alamosa, Colo.2205 State Ave. • Alamosa, Colo.

719.589.2553719.589.2553

San Luis ValleyANNUALANNUAL

OFFICIAL PROGRAMOFFICIAL PROGRAM

There will not be a Thursday parade this year, but the Friday and Saturday parades are sure to be enjoyable, with the theme, “What America’s Made Of.”

Welcome to the 91st StampedeWelcome to the 91st Ski Hi Stampede Rodeo! We have worked hard to make this a

memorable event for you and your family. I hope you are able to take in all of the various activities during the week of Stampede.

Stampede has become a tradition in the San Luis Valley and famed across Colorado. We are pleased to share it with you.

Our stock contractor, Stace Smith, is renowned for his rough, tough bucking stock and his fl eet-footed bulls and calves, bringing challenges for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) competitors, who hope to accumulate points toward competition at the National Finals Rodeo during December at Las Vegas, Nevada.

He and announcer Boyd Polhamus make each rodeo performance one the audience will never forget.

Add local amateurs to the and the excitement grows, as the rodeo hosts young people who may someday be in the National Finals.

For the fi rst time ever we will have an instant replay big screen at the

concert and rodeo so that you won’t miss out on the action!

The carnival put on by Wrights Entertainments opens Wednesday next to the arena, while Thursday night’s concert features country music up-and-comer Hunter Hayes opening for recording and TV star Craig Morgan.

Dances are on tap Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with the outlaw country band, Drywater.A big thank you to all of the volunteers and sponsors that make itpossible to bring this event to Monte Vista.If there’s anything like too much fun, we’ve put it all together.That’s what we are all here for.

STAMPEDE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

ConcertThursday, July 26

Hunter Hayes opens, 7:30 p.m., with Craig Morgan starring

$30 advance; $35 at the door; Advance reserved, $40.

852-5142.Ski Hi Arena

MealsThursday, July 26

Rotary Chuckwagon Dinner, 5:30 p.m.

Ski Hi Park

Friday and Saturday, July 27-28Band Boosters annual

hamburger fry at Sunfl ower Bank after the parade

Saturday, July 28Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 7

a.m. at Sunfl ower Bank

RodeosFriday, July 27, 7 p.m.Saturday, July 28 and

Sunday, July 29, 2 p.m.$12 general admission;

$14 reserved

DancesJuly 26, 27 and 28, featuring

“Drywater,” 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

STAMPEDE SCHEDULE

Photo by Bella Immagine Photography

Stampede Committee President Mark Deacon

ParadesFriday and Saturday, July 27-28

Theme: “What America is Made Of.”

10 a.m.

91st Annual Ski-Hi Stampede Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Dan, Gloria Rios Friday’s Parade MarshalsDos Rios owners to

ride in parade

By TERESA L. BENNS MONTE VISTA — Daniel and Gloria Rios

came to the Valley expecting to stay only four years, but God had other plans.

On Friday they will ride as Grand Marshals in the Ski-Hi Stampede Parade, a salute to a couple who has fi gured heavily in keeping the Hispanic community and its culinary traditions strong and alive.

“We only came for four years and here we are,” Gloria mused.

Korean veteran Danny Rios initially came to Alamosa to attend Adams State College on the GI bill and move away, but after graduation, he began his own tortilla business at 10th and Ross in Alamosa and decided to stay. The business closed in 1974.

But a new business opened, Mrs. Rios’ Kitchen, “where Mrs. Rivera’s is today,” Gloria said.

The restaurant remained open for eight years. “We had a big turnout form the college kids,” Gloria said. “They called it ‘Mama’ Rios Kitchen.”

Along the way, Danny was able to farm and also raised sheep for several years.

The Rios’ ran another restaurant, the Farmer’s Buffet in Center for 12 years. Dos Rios in Monte Vista has been open since 1999.

“We just jumped in — we didn’t know anything about the restaurant business,” Gloria recalled.

They started out with takeout, worked their way up to a few booths and just kept adding. There were no major bumps along the way, “nothing we couldn’t overcome,” she remarked.

With the support of the community and the help of their three sons in the restaurant business, “that’s made it all worthwhile,” she said.

Some famous customers have walked through the doors of their restaurants, including actor Tex Ritter, Gov. Bill Lamm, Gov. Romer, and radio personality Paul Harvey.

“It’s tough running a restaurant,” Gloria said. “People have no idea, But we are very fortunate that we have had such great customers all these years.”

The Rioses said they were very honored at being named parade marshals and Gloria called their selection “very touching; it was emotional for me.”

In the meantime Dos Rios will remain open with its same luncheon buffet and evening menu offerings.

“We’ll be here,” Gloria Rios said with a smile.

Dan and Gloria Rios are very proud of a painting by Dan’s mother that hangs in Dos Rios Restaurante north of Monte Vista.

Photo by Teresa L. Benns

Flags fl y at Dos Rios as the Monte Vista Rotary honors area veterans and their service to the United States.

Photo by Sylvia Lobato

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 91st Annual Ski-Hi Stampede

News to lead Saturday’s Stampede Parade

Photo by Teresa L. Benns

Virginia and Ernie New have seen it all in terms of weather and are honored to be selected as Saturday’s Stampede Parade Grand Marshals.

Valley farm and ranch products run the gamutVALLEY — San Luis Valley farm and ranch products from A to Z include alfalfa,

alligators, baked goods, barley, bison, broccoli, cabbage, canola, carrots, cattle, caulifl ower, elk, emus, fi sh, garlic, goats and goat cheese, honey, horses, kale, lambs, lettuce, mushrooms, oats, ostriches, peas, potatoes, pumpkins, quinoa, reindeer, sheep, spinach, squash, sunfl owers, tilapia, tomatoes, wheat, wool, yaks and zucchini.

Innovative couple turns from teaching to

farming

By TERESA L. BENNS MOSCA — Ernie and Virginia New are

great examples of the San Luis Valley’s farming community, and like many farming couples, it is their versatility and willingness to work as a team that has made what they do a success.

Virginia related that she was born here and Ernie’s family came up to the Valley from New Mexico to farm in 1962.

The News left for 15 years while putting Ernie through school at Colorado State University and then returned to the Valley.

Virginia worked as a teacher for Poudre Valley Schools in northern Colorado and later retired from her job as a teacher and librarian in the Sangre de Cristo School District. After Ernie graduated, he also taught for nine years in Jefferson County. They returned to the Valley in the 1970s to farm with Virginia’s parents then eventually branched out on their own.

For the past 35 years, the News have operated White Mountain Farm, growing seed potatoes, organic seed potatoes and a specialty crop — organic quinoa, (keen • wah). Quinoa is an annual herb that has been grown by the Inca Indians in the West Andes

mountains of South America for thousands of years.

The News have three children, VeeAnn Southers, married to Saguache County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Southers; Paul New and his family, now taking over management of the farm; and a daughter in Arvada, Sharon Novacek. They also are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren.

When asked if the weather was worrisome this year, Ernie noted that, “Every year in the Valley is an experience. I’ve seen times where you can’t get into the fi elds because it’s so muddy and times when there was no ditch water at all. There’s nothing new; I’ve seen it all.”

The one thing that was a challenge, New noted was developing quinoa as a crop. When they fi rst grew it, “no one knew how to grow it, eat it clean it or market it,” Ernie said.

“You handle it very carefully,” Virginia said. “It’s done by trial and error. Marketing is not a problem — we can’t raise enough of it. It is such a good food.” Already this year the News are nearly out of one quinoa variety and harvest is in October.

Ernie said he had to turn down one cereal producer who wanted to purchase a large quantity of the grain because to fi ll the order, “we would have to plant from here to Center,” and still couldn’t grow enough.

While not really retired, Ernie says he and Virginia “don’t work as hard as we used to; I do what I want, when I want to do it.”

Virginia says she keeps busy fi lling orders and says she used to drive a potato truck. Ernie

still does maintenance and quinoa combining. Anymore, the News said, “It’s scary

and frustrating to work around all the regulations.”

The outlook for farming in the future also is scary, Ernie said, especially where water is concerned. He fears that front range communities, which have the money, will be able to purchase much of the water, leaving

poorer farming communities like those in the Valley without any bargaining chips.

But the News have toughed it out so far, and look forward to their brief claim to fame in the Stampede Parade.

Hopefully brighter days will come, and when they do, generational farming families like the News will still be there to throw their shoulders behind the wheel.


Rodeo began as a way for cowboys to let off steamMONTE VISTA — The Ski-Hi Stampede,

Colorado’s oldest pro rodeo, has roots as deep as the San Luis Valley itself.

It began in 1919, but no event was held for two years during World War II.two years were deducted because of World War II, when no event was held.

The fi rst rodeo was held Aug. 11-13, 1919 and was called the Ski-Hi Stampede.

Old newspapers reported that more than 10,000 people assembled to watch the local competition.

It has continued for nine decades as an annual event and is an important piece of western history that can still be lived.

The seeds were actually planted soon after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, when the United States began to explore their new holdings in the Southwest.

In 1822, Lt. Zebulon Pike entered the San Luis Valley, encountering an area larger than the state of Connecticut, 7,500 feet above sea level and entirely ringed by mountains.

Oliver Bonner followed and became president of the San Luis Valley Farmers and Stockgrowers Exposition, a fair fi rst held in l886 at Monte Vista.

A similar fair was held for 32 years before the fi rst Stampede.

In 1919, State Legislator A.E. Headlee, a rancher and farmer in the area; L.B. Sylvester, a rancher and early settler; former county commissioner W.W. Wright; and the newborn Monte Vista Commercial Club began planning an event in which local cowboys would take part and one in which the romance of the West might continue to live.

It was determined that the cowboys would participate in contests revolving around the skills they developed on the range — calf roping, bronco busting and steer wrestling, to name a few. Bull riding and barrel racing came later.

Members of the Stampede Committee included Headlee, who served as chairman, and members W.W. Wright, A.H. Webster, Corbyn Wright, Frank Goff, Marble Woods and Sylvester, who chaired the entertainment committee.

It wasn’t all rodeos that fi rst year, as Aug. 11 included a sight seeing automobile tour, the fi fth annual meeting of the Spanish Trail-Mesa Verde Highway Association, including an address by then-Colorado Gov. Oliver H. Shoup.

A ball game with a $200 purse was held in the evening and a band concert, speaking and other activities were held at Fullenwider Park.

The day ended with dancing.Aug. 12 was a big day, with a public library

carnival “with booths, street frolicking and general good time all day and evening,” according to the 1919 offi cial program.

At 10 a.m., an agricultural parade began

as part of the library carnival and the rodeo events followed, with a $250 purse for the “Best Broncho Buster.”

Dances and musical entertainment began at 9 p.m. in two locations, with one ticket allowing admission to both. There was also a band concert and speeches at Fullenwider Park.

Wednesday, Aug. 13, began with the parade at 10 a.m., followed by a ball game and rodeo events, then dances, music and more speeches.

In 1920, newspapers of the day estimated that 12,000 were in attendance on the biggest day of the event, which ran from Aug. 4-6.

The stock used for the fi rst few years ran wild at the head of the Rio Grande and was rounded up and brought to town to create the exciting competition of local cowboy against wild beast.

A total of 20,000 paid admissions were logged for the Aug. 2-4, 1922 event, and it was announced that the Stampede was not for profi t, with all proceeds going to support the next year’s rodeo.

The time-honored Ski-Hi Stampede is a charter member of the Rodeo Association of America, formed in 1929 and made up of all the leading rodeos in the United States and Canada.

All points won in these shows are used in determining the world champion performers. Eventually, along with all other major rodeos, the Stampede ceased to be an event exclusively for local amateurs. It also became an industry with the advent of rodeo as a professional sport.

As time passed. the large attendance at each rodeo called for a grandstand to be built.

Growing attendance called for more additions and, in 1930, the grandstand was enlarged again and eight bucking chutes were built to replace the single chute used up until that time.

The current brick structure was erected in 1940.

Over the years between then and now, changes at Ski-Hi arena, park and multi-purpose building have still retained the Stampede’s old west fl avor.

The Ski-Hi Stampede is the oldest organized rodeo in Colorado and is said to be second in origin only to Wyoming’s Cheyenne Frontier Days.

The July 16, 1921, Creede Candle claimed that it was the only annual event of its kind in the United States.

The greatest of all western shows, the Ski-Hi Stampede attracted many world champions including Jim Shoulders, Bill Linderman, Casey Tibbs, Guy Weeks, Homer Pettigrew and Gene Rambo. A July 9, 1922 advertisement touted it as “the biggest, best and only real Stampede in the United States.”

“A real contest in every sense of the word.”The ad proclaimed that the Stampede had

more contestants in the bucking event — 65 — than any Wild West Show in America. “Principally for the San Luis Valley, but patronized by the World.”

Today, stock is no longer gathered from the mountains but is furnished by a rodeo producer whose business is raising, then hauling the roughest, toughest animals available from one rodeo to another.

It’s easy to wonder how they would compare to the wild critters who roamed the mountains in 1919.

In 1921, the overall purse was $8,000 and there was no entry fee. Today, the all-around cowboy can win more than 10 times that on his own.

The world’s leading cowhands gather to compete for the big purses and there are thrills in every contest. Many men don’t stay on a bucking horse or rope a calf in the course of ranch work, but in rodeo, as in any sport, the champion is the man who can do these things with speed, grace and consistency.

Colorado Historical Society Photo

“The Tin Horn Hanks” specialty act, two men riding one bull in an early Stampede rodeo

Looking back to 1919, isn’t that really what all rodeo fans wanted to see?


Polhamus known for announcing expertiseMONTE VISTA — This year’s Ski-Hi

Rodeo announcer is a regular here — as well as many other rodeos, nationwide.

Boyd Polhamus is known for announcing on horseback.

According to his website, Polhamus fi rst announced a college rodeo in Uvalde, Texas, just over 25 years ago.

He wanted the gig and got it by pretending to be a rodeo announcer in his college’s practice arena.

At the same time, he was a rodeo con-testant.That act ended in October of 1985, and a

career was born.Since then, Polhamus’ website says he’s been

selected more than 15 times as an announcer for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev., and he has been the alternate announcer fi ve more times.

Only Hall-of-Fame Announcer Bob Tallman has been chosen more often.

Boyd also has been selected to work the

Dodge National Circuit Finals in Pocatello, Idaho. In addition, he has announced the Montana, Turquoise, Badlands, and Southeastern Circuit Finals, as well as the Texas Circuit Finals 10 different times.

In addition, Polhamus was voted the PRCA’s Announcer of the Year for 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2000, 2003 and again in 2005, he was honored as the WPRA Announcer of the Year, and he’s been a top-fi ve Finalist for the same honor in the PRCA on 11 different occasions.

In 2010, Polhamus announced the sport’s most prestigious events, from Denver to

San Angelo and Houston. In June, he announced the College National

Finals for the seventh time, and his itinerary included stops in Colorado Springs, Nampa, and Dodge City.

He also records hundreds of commercials in his home studio in Brenham, Texas.

“Better than I deserve...” is Polhamus’ most common response to the question,“How are

you?”. He says that comment most accurately describes both his professional and family life.

His career demands nearly 300 travel daysa year, and his wife, Sandee, is both his best friend and best advisor.

“There’s too much in my life that is right, that I have no control over, so it’s got to beGod.” Polhamus says. “Everything good that’s happened in my life can be traced

back to a friend or family member who went out of their way to help me.”

“Well, you don’t buy your friends at a department store; God puts them in your life.

I can only hope I’ve treated them as well as they’ve treated me.”

On those rare occasions when he can befound at home, Polhamus enjoys team roping,the Green Bay Packers and working with his bucking-bred cattle on the Band-Aid Ranch in Brenham.

Boyd Polhamus

USA — A rodeo clown, also known as a bullfi ghter or rodeo protection athlete, is a rodeo performer who works in bull riding competitions.

His primary job is to protect a fallen rider from the bull, whether the rider has been bucked off or has jumped off.

The rodeo clown distracts the bull and provides an alternative target of attack, exposing himself to great danger in order to protect the cowboy.

To this end, they wear bright, loose-fi tting clothes that are designed to tear away, with protective gear fitted underneath. Rodeo clowns require speed, agility and the ability to anticipate a bull’s next move.

Working closely with very large, powerful animals, rodeo clown are often injured seriously and, sometimes, fatally.

In some venues, rodeo clowns wear clown makeup and some may also provide traditional clowning entertainment for the crowd between rodeo events, often parodying aspects of cowboy culture.

At larger events, the American style bullfi ghter is one of three types of rodeo clown hired, along with a barrelman and comic, or traditional clown.

The rodeo clowns enter the rodeo arena on foot, before the bull is released from the bucking chute.

They stand on either side of the chute as the bull is released and work as a team to distract the bull and thus protect the rider and each other.

Their role is particularly important when a rider has been injured, in which case the rodeo clown interposes himself between the bull and the rider, or uses techniques such as running off at an angle, throwing a hat or shouting, so that the injured rider can exit the ring.

When a rider has been hung up, they face the extremely dangerous task of trying to free the rider, with one team member going to the bull’s head and the other attempting to release the rider.

Typically, rodeo clowns work in groups of two or three, with two free-roaming rodeo clowns and sometimes a third, often more

clownish-behaving team member, who is known as the barrel man. The barrel man uses a large padded barrel that he can jump in and out ofeasily, and the barrel helps to protect the rodeoclown from the bull. In Australia, rodeo clownsgenerally do not use barrels.

Bullfi ghting has grown in popularity, so that in addition to being a job in its own right, it is a competitive event at rodeos around theUnited States.

A typical format is a 60- or 70-second encounter between bull and bullfi ghter, in which the bullfi ghter scores points for variousmaneuvers.

In contrast to the older sport of bullfi ghting, no harm is done to the bull.

(Information taken from Wikipedia)

‘Bull fi ghter’ other man in arena‘Drywater’ this year’s

dance bandMONTE VISTA —This year’s Stampede

dance band, “Drywater,” is a new outlaw country band making the move onto the Houston scene.

Robert Douglass, who has been in Monte Vista before, fronted the six-piece “Robert Douglass Band” in Lawton, Okla., for six years before moving to Houston.

He has shared the stage with many Nashville stars including Kenny Chesney, David Allen Coe, The Dixie Chicks and more.

Bruce Wiggins plays lead guitar and banjo while helping out on vocals. A retired NFL lineman, he now spends his time and energy managing and playing guitar for Drywater.

His previous bands include 100 Proof, The Corruptors and Lebanon Blonde.

Craig Behrens handles the drums. A Houston native, Craig played with The Texas Drifters for four years before joining Drywater.

Anthony Carvajal, a San Antonio native formerly with The Martha White Band, Nick Rawson, and the Deadbeats, plays bass and provides harmony vocals.

In addition to covering all your favorite country & western, southern, blues, rock, and pop songs, Drywater also writes their own original songs.


SOUTH FORK— The First Annual Kit Carson Covered Wagon Train Ride is “South Fork-to-Ski-Hi-Stampede or-bust,” so gather up your gear and don your western wear-

Every true westerner, and even folks who are westerners at heart, have thought about what life was like for settlers as they traveled in covered wagons, cooked over open fires, camped along the river and slept under the night sky.

Participants will gather just east of the Willow Park entrance at South Fork on July 25 for a big pre-ride shindig. Fred Hargrove will entertain campfire friends the first night.

The authentic caravan will leave South Fork on July 26 and stop for the night in the historic western town of Del Norte, where a dance is planned. Everyone and their horses then rest for the night, relaxing by open fires under a canopy of stars in the dark Valley night skies.

The procession of covered Conestogas will leave Del Norte on July 27 and make their way to Monte Vista, where they will have another fun evening and get ready to be a part of the annual Ski-Hi Stampede parade, July 28.

Alice Lenich, owner of Colorado Cowgirls in Del Norte, is organizing the authentic wagon train ride, modeled after one she and late husband, Frank,

participated in many times in Texas.Lenich was 18 when she went on the

first ride. Sheíd been itching to try, but her mother wouldnít let her go on the Salt Grass Ride until she was 18 years old, Lenich recalls with a laugh. Alice met a young man working the wagons named Frank and knew right away they were meant for each other. Frank must have figured the same thing because, by the end of the ride, he decided to change his major to animal science like Aliceís, and transferred to her college in Texas from his New York City home.

The Salt Grass Ride has been going on for 61 years in Houston, Texas, but the Valleyís Kit Carson Wagon Train Ride wonít have the traffic problems a metropolitan area the size of Houston does. Lenich is working with highway officials and the Colorado State Patrol to prevent any traffic or safety issues.

Summing up her thoughts, Alice says, “Iím a pro at campfire cooking over open fires. Everyone ends up helping, even though no one ever asks. The ride is like that; it brings people together and you get to know each other.”

“After 43 years of taking care of people, you know how to do it. I’ll use my experience from my other rides to do this right,” Lenich said. Info: 719-657-3111

An authentic wagon train will be in Saturday’s Ski-Hi Stampede Parade, the brainchild of Alice Lenich, proprietor of Colorado Cowgirls in Del Norte.

Campfi re cooking will take modern palates back to pioneer times.

Photos courtesy of Alice Lenich

Stampede or bust


709 Main StreetAlamosa, CO 81101

(7 19) 589-2457

MONTE VISTA — The 91st Ski Hi Stampede Rodeo has joined forces with the western industry to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer.

T h e To u g h E n o u g h To We a r Pink(TETWP) campaign debuted at the 2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo when one evening of the competition was devoted to the cause.

This year, Saturday, July 28, will be TETWP day at the local rodeo, and cowboys and cowgirls are encouraged to wear pink to signify their support.

The Stampede Committee, in conjunction with San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center, is encouraging everyone to par t ic ipa te so funds can go to the Stephanie L. Miner Women’s Imaging Center.

Along with fans, sponsors, cowboys and cowgirls wearing pink, Wright’s Amusements will sponsor the day and a portion of all rodeo ticket sales will be contributed to the cause.

IC Pipeline will donate an additional $50 per professional rodeo event to the winner Saturday if that person wore pink.

It’s a day to have great fun for a worthy cause and the public is urged to join in raising awareness and gathering funds for the fight against breast cancer.

Locally, the Stampede Committee is adamant that all funds raised go to the women’s imaging center.

Th i s i s a wes t e rn i ndus t ry -w ide fundraiser to raise awareness for breast cancer research through the Tough Enough To Wear Pink Campaign, launched by western retailers at stores nationwide.

In 2011 , ce l eb ra ted i t s s even th anniversary this year by surpassing the $12 million mark in funds raised since its inception.

Hundreds of volunteers and regional rodeos across the U.S. and Canada made this achievement possible.

“We were thrilled to announce we surpassed the $12 million mark at the Wrangler National Final Rodeo in Las Vegas on Tough Enough To Wear Pink Night,” says Terry Wheatley, who formed the program alongside former Wrangler® Director of Special Events and current Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association Commissioner, Karl Stressman.

“All money raised benefits local breast cancer charities and the Breast Cancer

Be tough, wear pink, battle breast cancer

Photo by Mark Stallings (www.stallingsphotography.photoshelter.com)

Never a shrinking violet, rodeo announcer Boyd Polhamus wears pink (and a few other colors) as he announces a rodeo elsewhere on the PRCA circuit.

Research Founda t ion , which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research projects internationally.”

Wheatley, a California entrepreneur who owns and operates Canopy Management, a Napa Valley wine company creating, marketing and selling wine under the Wine Sisterhood™ banner, is a rodeo wife, mom and breast cancer survivor.

One of Wine Sisterhood’s wines, Purple Cowboy, is the official wine of TETWP. Purple Cowboy is also the official wine of the Profess ional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA).

Purple Cowboy wines include Tenacious Red, a Cabernet/Merlot blend, Trail Boss Cabernet and Night Rider Merlot, all from the cowboy wine country appellation of Paso Robles.

TETWP was created when Wheatley and Stressman issued a challenge to the cowboys: Are You Tough Enough To Wear Pink?

During one night of the 10-night Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the competitors were dared to wear the color pink to bring attention to the need for early detection and a cure for breast cancer, a disease which affects many families in the western community.

Cowboys and cowgi r l s c rea ted a sensation when they galloped into the championship arena ablaze in pink.

Inspired rodeo fans soon began asking how they could put on TETWP events at their own hometown rodeos, and the grassroots fundraising took off one rodeo at a time.

TETWP continues to be spearheaded by Wheatley, while the Wrangler brand remains the program’s title sponsor, sel l ing the off icial pink apparel of TETWP.

Lacey and Katie Wheatley coordinate w i t h r o d e o s a n d o t h e r n o n - r o d e o organizations to create the pink-themed fundraisers across the country throughout the year.

Battle breast cancer.


‘Family and fun’ motto of Wright’s Amusements

MONTE VISTA — Help the local community food bank and have fun at the same time.

On Wednesday, July 25, bring two cans of food to the carnival ticket offi ce and obtain an “all day” pass for $20.

Last year, it was estimated Wright’s Amusements and the Stampede Committee raised more than $400 in canned food items.

Wright’s Amusements has been providing carnival entertainment for more than 43 years.

Family and fun — these two words defi ne Wright’s Amusements like no other carnival company in America!

In 1962, Floyd Wright and his two brothers, Frank and Charles, launched a traveling

carnival that put family fun, fi rst. A half century later, Floyd Wright’s nephew,

John Ring, runs the show in the same treasured tradition. “My life — my heritage—is all about making sure people have a great time,” says Ring. “What better ‘job’ is there?”

Wright’s Amusements is based in Elbert, Colo., but the carnival travels year-round to state and county fairs, shopping malls, festivals and special events, entertaining thousands in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. From the children’s carousel to the newest thrill ride, from the midway to the concessions, it’s family fun.

Winner of the prestigious Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) Circle of Excellence Award, Wright’s Amusements is grateful for the recognition of our industry. But they’re most proud of the smiles they see on family faces every day, in every city, at every carnival they create.

Food drive way to save at carnival

Bullfi ghters aren’t clowning around

MONTE VISTA — The bullfi ghters for this year’s Stampede rodeos are 2011 Bullfi ghter of the Year nominee Clay Collins and National Finals honoree Kenny Bergeron.

Collins was at Stampede two years ago with Travis Adams, who pointed out that a bullfi ghter has to have more than just passion to succeed at protecting cowboys from angry bulls — he needs big-time athletic ability, and Collins has that.

Bergeron has been at the National Finals the past three years, often working with Collins. His family was active on the rodeo scene when he was younger, and Kenny chose to be in front of the bull instead of on top of one when he started his career as a bullfi ghter (formerly known as a rodeo clown) at the age of 15.

In rodeo’s roots, clowns and bullfi ghters used to be one and the same. But somewhere along the line, it became obvious that fi ghting bulls and being funny were two separate jobs, kind of like the Harlem Although some still identify bullfi ghters as rodeo’s comedians, they dress increasingly less clownish and perform more dangerous and important work, such as preserving life and limb in the tough world of the rodeo arena.

Internet Photos

Clay Collins stays ahead of the big bull’s horn

Bergeron stays clear of the big guy while an injured rider escapes.


The 1919 Stampede days were busy ones.

The fi re department had a strong presence in the 1919 parade.

Monte Vista Historical

Society Photo

Little did the fi rst Stampede organizers know that their brainchild would last for

more than 91 years.


Stace Smith always brings his meanest and toughest stock to StampedeMONTE VISTA — If the bulls look meaner,

the horses rougher and the calves and steers more agile, thank perennial Stampede favorite stock contractor Stace Smith.

Smith produces more PRCA rodeos than any other stock contractor in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCSA) and has won PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year eight consecutive years (2004- 2011), a feat that has been achieved only one other time since the awards’ inception.

In 2005, Small Rodeo of the Year was awarded to the MDA Benefi t Rodeo in Athens, Texas, which was created by and has been produced by Stace Smith since 1995.

Since 2004, Smith Pro Rodeos has had multiple rodeos in the top fi ve in each of the four categories.

Stace has worked at every level of rodeo, beginning as a contestant, then spending time as chute boss and pickup man.

Smith was chosen as pickup man for the Texas Circuit fi nals in both 2005 and 2007, and continues to pick-up at a number of his events. In 2009, he became a shareholder in Mesquite Championship Rodeo and, in 2012, was named stock contractor of Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Smith Pro Rodeos owns 321 head of horses in its bucking horse program.

Of these, approximately 140 head are of age and condition to be hauled to rodeos and bucking events.

Smith Pro Rodeos has an excellent breeding program, so there are several head of older NFR mares who aren’t hauled and a number of colts that aren’t hauled or leased out yet.

Smith owns approximately 60 head of bulls that are currently taken to PRCA and PBR events.

Stace Smith

For the last three years, Smith Pro Rodeos has ranked among the Top Three stock contractors in providing the most animals to the WNFR (2009-25, 2010-25, 2011-16).

Additionally, Smith Pro Rodeos was awarded the 2005 PRCA Bareback Horse of the year and the third place 2005 PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year.

In addition to ProRodeos, Smith also produces a number of Professional Bull Riders (PBR), Invitational, and Private Convention events throughout the year.

Smith Pro Rodeos is not only committed to providing top livestock, but also to producing a one of a kind rodeo experience.

Photos by Eric Flores

Health & Recreation Progress Wednesday, March 7, 2012

What America’s made of

Valley Courier/Valley Publishing Fine Photos


Three scholarships to be awarded during rodeo

MONTE VISTA — The Ski Hi Stampede and Adams State University both know the importance of being involved in our local communities and supporting our youth.

Ski Hi Stampede Committee and Adams State have teamed up to provide three scholarships to any male or female San Luis Valley resident who plans on attending or continuing to attend Adams State College, both traditional and nontraditional students.

During the 2012 Stampede, one full year and two half-year scholarships will be awarded to qualifying applicants.

In the year of scholarship application, the applicant must have participated or will be participating either in the Ski Hi Stampede Rodeo, San Luis Valley High School Rodeo, San Luis Valley Litt le Britches Rodeo, and/or the San Luis Valley Regional Fair as a 4-H or FFA participant; or be a stockholder o r c h i l d o f a S k i H i S t a m p e d e stockholder; or be a volunteer during the SLV Ski Hi Stampede event.

T h e s c h o l a r s h i p w i n n e r s f o r 2011 inclu-ded Trudy Rheingans (full y e a r s c h o l a r s h i p ) , L o r e n Christensen and Jessica Garcia (each received ½ year scholarships) to Adams State College.

For further details or if you have questions, please contact Terry Hillin (850-3505), Karla Willschau (588-0046) or Robbie Clark (852-5565).

Stampede Committee awards scholarships

Courtesy Photo

Pictured from left are 2011 scholarship recipients Trudy Rheingans, Jessica Garcia and Loren Christensen, Stampede Committee member Karla Willschau and Adams State College Director of Alumni Relations Lori Laske.

Adams State College becomes universityALAMOSA — Founded in 1923, Adams State College began as a teachers’ college and

evolved into a liberal arts college. Recently designated the Regional Education Provider for southern Colorado, the college

offers 16 bachelor’s degree programs, with 28 minors and emphases. The state legislature this spring accorded it the title of Adams State University, a change that

will be complete in August.Read more: Adams State College in Alamosa, CO - ASC - StateUniversity.com http://www.

stateuniversity.com/universities/CO/Adams_State_College.html#ixzz20YgoNENq


Pure adrenaline

File Photos


The Stampede Committee

Photo by Theodore Martinez of Bella Immagine Photography

Pictured from left in front, Bob Carlucci, Eric Kimberling, Dan Burns, President Mark Deacon, Terry Hillin, Karla Willschau, Max Deacon and David Cooper; in back, from left, Jason Tilman, Robbie Clark, Matt Deacon, Karla Shriver, Charlie Burd, Cliff Edwards and Howard Lester. Not pictured: Chuck Bryant and Greg Metz.

Stampede continues support of women’s

imaging centerALAMOSA – Stampede Committee members toured

the Stephanie L. Miner Women’s Imaging Center at SLV Regional Medical Center prior to the 2011 event, seeing fi rst-hand the impact of the annual fundraiser.

“It is one thing raising the money, but to then come and see what it is actually spent for and the benefi t that it brings to the San Luis Valley is tremendous,” said Karla Shriver of the committee.

The $39,000 raised since Tough Enough to Wear Pink became a part of the Stampede six years ago has gone toward various aspects of the imaging center.

This has included assisting with the purchase of an ultrasound unit in 2006 and, in 2010, helping to buy the new digital mammography unit shown here.

“The committee is adamant that the money we raise stays local and benefi ts our local projects,” said Shriver. “We are not only proud to raise the money, but proud that it is coming to the Valley and doing such a wonderful job and helping the people here so that they do not have to go outside the Valley.”

One hundred percent of the profi ts from the Tough Enough to Wear Pink t-shirt sales, tips, and a portion of Saturday’s rodeo ticket sales will be donated to the Stephanie L. Miner Women’s Imaging Center.

File Photo

Pictured, from left to right, are SLVRMC Foundation member Truman Price, Terry Hillin and Karla Shriver of the Stampede Committee, mammography technologist Jill Gallagher, Cliff Edwards of the committee, breast imaging specialist Lee Marshall, MD, and back row, SLVRMC Foundation Director Kelly Gurule and Chase Carlin.


MONTE VISTA — Ski-Hi Stampede fans will be treated to a Thursday night double header this year as CMA recording stars Craig Morgan and Hunter Hayes both take the stage.

The July 26 event at Ski-Hi Park will open with Hayes, an up-and-coming newcomer, followed by the veteran Morgan.

Tickets are on sale at the Stampede ticket offi ce for both general admission and reserved seating.

Recently signed to Black River En tertainment, Morgan has released a new single “This Ole Boy” and a full album by the same name in early 2012.

He is best known for the massive radio airplay of his hits including, “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Little Bit of Life,” “International Harvester” and “Bonfi re.”

Morgan is also a TV star. Debuting in June of 2010 on the Outdoor Channel and now in its second season, “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors” is a 30-minute reality show that offers fans a fl y on the wall look at Craig’s extreme lifestyle at home, touring and in the great outdoors: hunting, aerial bow fi shing, bungee jumping and skydiving. It didn’t take long to fi nd an avid audience.

In its fi rst season it quickly became the networks #1 rated Saturday morning hunting show.

While fans certainly enjoy his Saturday morning television adventures, the reason they fell in love with the man is because of his music.

A veteran, Craig spent 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Army before launching his music career, and was awarded the 2006 USO Merit Award for his tireless support of U.S. soldiers and their families. He has made numerous trips overseas to entertain U.S. troops.

Morgan became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008 and was awarded the prestigious Songwriter Achievement Award from the Nashville Songwriters Association for his hit, “Almost Home.”

Hunter HayesAmong the many extraordinary

things about Hunter Hayes, the multi-talented musician, writer, producer and performer, is that in truth, he’s just getting started.

Hunter promises to become one of the most signifi cant musical talents

to emerge, not just from Nashville, but from anywhere, in a long, long time.

Already, he has accomplishments beyond most musicians wildest dreams: Singing “Jambalaya” at the age of four with Hank Williams Jr. in front of 200,000 people, as well as 15 million YouTube viewers; appearing with Robert Duvall (who gave Hunter his fi rst guitar) in “The Apostle” at the age of six; playing with Johnny and June Cash, and Charlie Daniels at a BBQ; performing for President Clinton and many more.

After moving to Nashville three years ago, Hunter was quickly signed to Universal Music Publishing Group, where he has co-written songs for Rascal Flatts and Montgomery Gentry.

At the same time, he was introduced to Atlantic Records’ Chairman /CEO and music visionary Craig Kallman, who signed him with Atlantic Records.

Hunter recently earned Gold certifi cation by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his current single “Wanted,” which marks a career fi rst. “Wanted” is his second single for Atlantic Records. His fi rst single, “Storm Warning” is also nearing Gold certifi cation. To date, Hunter has sold a combined total of more than 1 million digital singles.

Thursday concert features two acts

Courtesy PhotoCountry chart climber Craig Morgan

Hunter Hayes


Explore the area during breaks in the actionHOMELAKE — Just a short drive down

Sherman Ave. east of the Stampede grounds, the Colorado State Veterans Center (CSVC) was established in the San Luis Valley in 1889 and opened to residents in 1891-92.

Beginning its existence as the Soldiers and Sailors Home, the center was built to provide a peaceful place for aging, displaced and disabled Civil War veterans.

At fi rst, the residents were housed in one of two structures and treated in the hospital Women were not allowed to live there. In 1914, residences were added, patterned after military barracks, but providing privacy for married couples.

The cemetery was established in 1891 with the burial of Freeman Morris, a veteran of the Colorado Veterans who fought the confederate troops at Glorieta Pass in New Mexico. The fi nal resting place for veterans of every one of the natio’s wars, up to and including the war in Iraq, it is the oldest veterans cemetery in Colorado and is centered by a monument built in 1912 and dedicated to veterans of the Civil and Spanish-American wars.

Although the fi rst residential building and hospital were demolishe din the early 1960s, the veterans center contains more than 80 structures, 52 of which are considered to be contributing to the State Historic Register. Five buildings are listed individually.

The original dining room and kitchen building is now a growing museum and repository for military memorabilia.

In 2002, the Colorado General Assembly passed a statute to establish the CSVC as a repository for all unclaimed military memorabilia. This, in addition to a considerable archive of military artifacts already collected, has supporters envisioning a signifi cant public display.

The Veterans Center Museum currently

houses memorabilia from veterans that fought in the Civil War, Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. On display is also equipment used in the infi rmary 60 years ago and historic images of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home. Genealogy fans will be intrigued by the records on fi le for veterans from the Civil War.

The museum at Homelake is open May through October from 10 a.m to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday’s hours are 1 to 3 p.m.

The old administration building will eventually become the CSVC museum.

Sadly, however, the CSVC has been listed among Colorado’s most endangered places, generally due to neglect and deferred maintenance.

The Homelake Foundation spearheads the project of preserving the CSVC, still also known as the Soldiers and Sailors Home. This foundation, Colorado Preservation, Inc., the Department of Human Services, and a growing network of supporters, including national and state representatives, have joined forces to emphasize the importance of the site and its need for funding.

The State Historical Fund awarded the site a grant in May 2006 for a master plan of the campus. Improvements to buildings that are in use have been upgraded to high priority by both federal and state governments. A two phase grant from the State Historical Fund is restoring the former administration building.

Those structures currently not in use are continuously deteriorating, with the Homelake Foundation applying for grants to re-roof and complete basic maintenance of these vacant buildings. Museum volunteers have been cataloging records, journals, books and memorabilia, some of which date back to the 1800s.

Photo by Sylvia Lobato

The Old Administration Building at the Colorado State Veterans Center is destined to become a military museum.

Erected in memory of veterans of the Civil and Spanish American wars, this soldier watches over all who lay at rest in the Colorado State Veterans Cemetery at Homelake, the oldest such cemetery in Colorado.

File Photo


Courtesy Photo

The Ski-Hi Stampede committee was pleased to announce that the John Justin Standard of the West Award recipient for 2011 is committee member Dan Burns, left. Here, the award is presented by Stampede Committee President Mark Deacon for outstanding work done by a committee member or volunteer. Dan has been instrumental in the growth of the Ski-Hi Stampede event and has served on the Stampede committee for 32 years. Dan’s dedication and efforts to improve the Ski-Hi Stampede event and the Ski Hi Park facilities has distinguished him as a leader in the community. He is awarded a custom pair of Justin boots for his outstanding work.

Standard of The West Award

File Photo

Still up for a ride, the Miss Stampedes of yesteryear rode in the 2011 Ski HI Stampede parade.


Everyone loves a parade

For those who have been attending the Ski Hi Stampede parade for years or even those who have just been fans for a little while, one of the most memorable entrants is the Sand Dunes Shrine Club, as well as Shriners from throughout this part of the state.

It looks like fun, but there is a greater purpose. The Shrine’s charitable arm is the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 hospitals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

It was originally formed to treat young victims of polio, but as that disease was controlled, they broadened their scope.

They now deal with orthopedic care, burn treatment, cleft lip and palate care and spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

All treatment offered at Shriners’ Hospitals for Children is offered without any financial obligation to patients and their families, and there is no requirement for religion, race, or relationship to a Shriner.

Patients must be under the age of 18 and treatable.

In 2008, Shriners Hospitals had a total budget of $826 million and in 2007 they approved 39,454 new patient applications, attended to the needs of 125,125 patients.

File Photos


Rodeo is a competitive sport that is performed in many countries around the world. Most people think that it originated in the Western US, but actually, it arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia.

Rodeo events continue to be held in many of these countries.

It is a presentation of cowboy skills on a competitive level. The early “rodeo” was extremely informal. Beginning in the 1820s, cowboys and vaqueros of the Western United States and Mexico would compete against one another to test their working skills. After the Civil War, rodeo began to mature and the individual events began to take shape and became more of what we know rodeo to be now.

The first rodeo was held in Cheyenne, Wyo. in 1872.

However, the Prescott, Ariz. rodeo receives its claim to fame as the “World’s Oldest Rodeo” because, in 1888, they were the first to charge admission and award prizes, making it the first professional rodeo.

Rodeo grew rapidly across the U.S. and Canada.

By 1910, there were numerous established rodeos that are still held today: Calgary Stampede, Pendleton Round-Up and Cheyenne Frontier Days, a

Arizona is lucky enough to hold both “The World’s Oldest Rodeo” in Prescott and “The World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo” in Payson.

Until 1929, there was no regulation on the events for a rodeo competition. As the number of rodeos grew, organizations began forming to standardize the rules of competition. These organizations are largely sanctioning bodies that govern the sport at a

youth, college and professional level.Pro rodeos are composed of rough stock and

timed events.

Timed events in a standard pro rodeo include:

Tie Down Roping Team Roping Steer Wrestling Barrel Racing

Rough stock events include: Bareback Riding Saddle Bronc Riding Bull Riding

Other events recognized by competitors as rodeo events include:

Breakaway Roping

Goat Tying Pole Bending Steer Roping

Cowboys who participate in the Rough Stock events are referred to by competitors as “Roughies,” similarly, cowboys that participate in timed events are called “Timies.”

Roughies and Timies do not usually compete in the other category. A Timie will normally hang with other Timies and vice versa.

Breakaway roping and goat tying for the ladies is a broken up version of the tie down roping for men.

The calves used in the tie down roping can be a great challenge for a woman to fl ank; so they break up the event into two separate ones for the girls.

Rodeo origins surprising, roots run deep

From the Cowboy Life NetworkUnoffi cial as of June 4, 2012,for the

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) 2012 season (Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2012), below you will fi nd the Top 10 current 2012 A Current World Standings as follows: all-around, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, and bull riding.

A special “go get ‘em” to Trevor Brazile still leading the All Around as number one!

Congratulations to all of you men and women! Hey fans, tell us who your favorite is, in the top ten of each event. Let the Cowboy Life Network hear from you!

All-around1.Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas $78,3432. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas,

$41,7943. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore. $39,2974. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas

$32,0345. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo $30,8096. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta

$26,8637. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D $26,2408.Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah

$25,879. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla. $23,92710. Cimarron Boardman, Stephenville,Texas $19,548

Bull Riding1. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas $63,1862.Cody Samora, Cortez.Colo. $54,5603.Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo. $51,574. 4.Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas

$47,0805.Brett Stall, Detroit Lakes, Minn.

$33,1606. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas $32,0607. Tyler Willis, Wheatland, Wyo.

$31,7108. Ardie Maier, Timber Lake, S.D. $29,080

PRCA standings as of June 49.Tag Elliott, Thatcher, Utah $28,98010.Seth Glause, Cheyenne, Wyo. $28,316

Bareback Riding1.Stevenson, Lubbock,

Texas $54,6402. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas

$53,4393. Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah

$32,0994. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore.

$30,5715. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb. $29,1696. J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo.

$26,4967. Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo. $25,4368. Matt Bright, Azle, Texas $25,361

Please see PRCA on Page 24A



Colorado PotatoAdministrative

Committee

CoorsBrewing

CommunityBanks

RogersMortuary Bank

Haynie’s NAPA

Mary Jo Merkley State FarmBrown's SepticValley Lumber

Colorado Choice Health Plans

EcodynamicsAlamosa LumberValley Publishing

Alamosa State Bank

C & L ContainerColorado SportsAbsolute Shine

US Tractor & Harvest/Monte Vista TractorPool Chemical

Jones Oil

Ski-hi salutes our

First Southwest Bank

WilburEllis

Monte VistaCO-OP

Wall, Smith,Bateman

SLV Regional Medical Center

Hospital/FoundationFun

ValleyLiquor Mart Thank You!

Carlucci’sAlibi’s Sports Bar

Big RDell’s Insurance

Jack’s MarketTC Pipeline

Circle D FarmsValley Courier

K-NipMark’s Outdoor Sports

Southwest Liquor

Sorum TractorDeacon’s Insurance

stampede2012 sponsors


9. Luke Creasy, Brownfi eld, Alberta $23,408

10. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La. $23,108Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah $44,691

2. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa $36,051

3. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah $29,382

4. Cody Taton, Mud Butte, S.D. $27,354

5. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah $27,21

6. Cody DeMoss, Hefl in, La. $27,143

7. Jeff Willert, Belvidere, S.D. $24,884

8. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D. $24,467

9. Jacobs Crawley, College Station, Texas $23,792

10. Chet Johnson, Sheridan, Wyo. $23,629

Steer Wrestling1. Ethen Thouvenell, Napa, Calif.

$39,6082. Shawn Greenfi eld, Lakeview, Ore.

$27,1453. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif.

$25,6414. Beau Clark, Belgrade, Mont.

$24,7765. Dean Gorsuch, Gering, Neb.

$24,2976. Todd Suhn, Hermosa, S.D.

$23,4687. Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho

$22,8278. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore.

$22,6449. K.C. Jones, Decatur, Texas

$22,39410. Les Shepperson, Midwest, Wyo.

$20,480

Team Roping (header)1. Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn.

$37,6602. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas

$37,3493. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont.

$35,7414. Nick Sartain, Dover, Okla.

$34,0665. Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga.

$33,6646. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas

$31,6027. Garrett Tonozzi, Fruita, Colo.

$28,4918. Travis Tryan, Billings, Mont.

$25,2899. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas

$24,00010. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont.

$9,557

Team Roping (heeler)1. Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont.

$37,6602. Kinney Harrell, Marshall, Texas

$35,7663. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla.

$35,7414. Kollin VonAhn, Durant, Okla.

$34,0665. Patrick Smith, Midland, Texas

$31,6026. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev.

$28,9857. Broc Cresta, Santa Rosa, Calif.

$27,3408. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.

$24,2269. Martin Lucero, Stephenville, Texas

$24,00010. Caleb Twisselman, Santa Margarita,

Calif. $23,992

Tie-down Roping1. Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas

$49,6332. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla.

$37,0133. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas

$30,663

PRCAContinued from Page 21 4. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas

$28,9125. Houston Hutto, Tomball, Texas

$28,2326. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas

$26,6057. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La.

$26,5808.Fred Whitfi eld, Hockley, Texas

$25,0819. E.J. Roberts, Stephenville, Texas

$23,36410. Ace Slone, Cuero,

Texas $23,022

Steer Roping1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas

$31,2912. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas

$26,686 3. Kim Ziegelgruber, Edmond, Okla.

$22,2814. Dan Fisher, Andrews, Texas

$19,4955. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D.

$18,7376. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla.

$15,5777. Rod Hartness, Pawhuska, Okla.

$14,1848. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas

$14,0379. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla.

$13,06610. Marty Jones, Hobbs, N.M.

$12,978

2012 Barrel Racing (through June 4, 2012)Barrel racing standings, provided by the

Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unoffi cial, subject to audit and may change.

Unoffi cial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verifi cation or updating of WPRA standings.

1. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas $84,769

2. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas $81,950

3. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta $65,381

4. Benette Barrington-Little, Ardmore, Okla. $57,056

5. Robyn Herring, Huntington, Texas $30,187

6. Trula Churchill, Valentine, Neb. $30,046

7. Christina Richman, Glendora, Calif. $29,985

8. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. $29,055

9. Tana Renick, Kingston, Okla. $28,853

10. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas $28,617

Photo by Eric Flores


Everyone gets involved at Stampede time

File Photos


Etbauer brothers head induction class

From the Pro Rodeo Hall of FameCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The

Etbauer name, legend in the cowboy sport for a generation, will be stamped in bronze this month when fi ve-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Billy Etbauer and two-time World Champion Robert Etbauer are inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, heading a class of seven.

The Etbauers are joined by the late three-time world champion roughstock cowboy Frank Schneider, three-time PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year Khadafy Skoal, fi ve-time NFR barrelman Jon Taylor, longtime rodeo administrator Hal Littrell and the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup, which has nine times been named the PRCA Rodeo Committee of the Year.

Billy Etbauer, of Edmond, Okla., is the only man in ProRodeo history to surpass $3 million in career earnings in a single event — one of only three men to reach that milestone — and he holds the record for most Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifi cations by a roughstock cowboy (21) and most overall round wins at the NFR (51).

His fi ve gold buckles came over a span of a dozen years (1992, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2004), with the last of them coming at the age of 41, making him the oldest world champion saddle bronc rider on record.

Elder brother Robert, of Goodwell, Okla., won his saddle bronc riding world championships in 1990 and 1991 and qualifi ed for the NFR 12 times (1988-92, 1994-2000). For eight of those years the youngest Etbauer brother, Dan, qualifi ed for the NFR with Billy and Robert.

“What an honor,” Billy Etbauer said. “And for Robert and I to go in together is just another blessing. Being done (retired) wakes you up to how much fun you were having and getting to do what you absolutely love to do.

“To be fortunate enough for us to be able to do what we loved that much for a living, and to be able to do it together, you can’t say enough about that. Being able to rodeo with Robert and Danny and Craig (Latham, whom the Etbauers consider an honorary fourth brother), and having so much time together, it’s hard to explain how much that means as we look back on it. You couldn’t really ask for anything more.”

“What’s a big honor to me,” said Robert Etbauer, “is all the people who are there before me – Casey Tibbs and all the guys who cut a trail for us. It’s hard to believe. It seems to me I ought to still be riding and going. We had a lot of fun and met a lot of good people. That’s the best part of it.”

Schneider has this in common with the Etbauers: He too was part of a famous brother act in his era. Elder brother Johnie won two bull riding gold buckles outright (1929-30), shared a third with Smokey Snyder (1932) and captured the 1931 all-around world championship while Frank won back-to-back bull riding world titles (1933-34) and then a bareback riding title in

1935 for good measure.Traveling to Sydney, Australia, in 1936,

Frank Schneider won an international bulldogging competition against a fi eld of top American, Canadian and Australian competitors. He also set a world record for steer decorating at the Los Angeles Rodeo in 1932 and won numerous saddle bronc riding titles, including San Francisco – establishing himself as a true all-around hand.

Frank said in an interview before his death in 1983 that his decision to rodeo was “probably environment,” because Johnie was a top rodeo cowboy and he started working for stock contractor Cliff Burrell at age 13. Now the former Caliente, Calif., resident has followed Johnie all the way to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame; Johnie was inducted in 1992.

“I’ll tell you what, it knocked my socks off when we heard,” said Nancy Moore, Schneider’s eldest daughter. “We were just back there in Colorado Springs last year for Burel Mulkey’s induction, and we’re so happy to know that we’ll be coming back this year. I just can’t explain what a thrill this is.

“My dad would be thrilled, and my mom, too. We’ve been hoping that he would get in at some point, but we just didn’t know. We’re so happy that he’ll get to join his brother and brother-in-law (Mulkey) in the Hall of Fame.”

For all of its 35 years, the Dodge City Roundup has been one of the elite rodeos of the PRCA. Eight of its nine Rodeo Committee of the Year awards came in the days when there was only one category covering all 600-plus PRCA-sanctioned rodeos.

The rodeo is annually the centerpiece of the Dodge City Days Festival which is the second largest community event in the state of Kansas with a huge economic impact.

“There was always an amateur rodeo in Dodge City,” said Roundup President Dr. R.C. Trotter, “but in 1977 a group of local bankers and cattlemen decided to create a professional rodeo.

From the start, they made a huge commitment to make it a very professional show with not only the best cowboys, but the best contract personnel, the best announcers and the best stock.

“The whole community comes together to make this rodeo what it has become. We have a core group of 50-60 and we have 400-500 volunteers the week of the rodeo. Something like this (the rodeo’s induction) will serve to reenergize us all. We are all so excited to be honored this way.”

Khadafy Skoal became the fi rst Wyoming born-and-raised horse to be voted PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year in 1990 and went on to win the award twice more for Powder River Rodeo in 1995 and ’96. Starting in 1989, the blue roan gelding went to 16 consecutive NFRs and was voted Horse of the NFR in 1994, 1996 and 1999.

He also competed in 15 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeos (being named top bareback horse at the DNCFR a record fi ve times) and 12 Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeos before being retired with his friend Skoal’s Frontier at the 2004 Wrangler NFR to

the grassy fi elds of Riverton, Wyo., where he lives today at the age of 29.

“He means so much to us,” said Lori Franzen of Powder River Rodeo. “The horse put us on the map. We were a young company, and when you’re a young company in the PRCA, it takes a long time. You do a lot of struggling. You have to have a product, and you have to have something the people want to see, and Khadafy was that. He was electric, he was different, he was amazing, and people wanted to see him. He really helped us in the beginning, and (husband) Hank and I still say we owe an enormous amount of our success to him.”

Legendary bucking horse Khadafy Skoal lives life of retirement in Wyoming.View video at Trib.com

The Franzens bought Khadafy from Ray Sanborn of Big Piney, Wyo., but insisted on bucking him before writing the check.

“It was Lori and me and the hired man,” Hank Franzen said. “We put (Khadafy) in the bucking chute; Lori fl anked him, I opened the bucking chute and picked him up. Lori, she had all whites in her eyes when them feet came up. He kicked up straight out of the chute right toward her. It was spectacular. We thought we had something special.”

Taylor, 70, was selected to be the NFR barrelman in 1974, 1979 and 1983 and served as the alternate in 1980-81. He was the PRCA Clown of the Year in 1979 and developed a reputation as one of the sport’s best-loved entertainers working major rodeo venues in Reno, Nev.; Fort Worth, Texas; Pendleton, Ore.; Ellensburg, Wash. and Prescott, Ariz.

He served on the PRCA Board of Directors from 1982-85 and has worked as the NFR saddle horse boss for 28 years.

“In the rodeo fi eld, being a rodeo clown and doing all the things I’ve done with the Finals in the U.S. and Canada, I’ve made my goal,” said Taylor, who lives in Filer, Idaho. “This was always my goal.

“It was great to hear the news; I was fl abbergasted really. I was nominated last year,

but you just have to kind of wait and see whathappens. This is a great honor that is put ontoyou as someone in rodeo.”

Littrell, who turns 80 on March 31, is known as “Mister Rodeo” in Colorado Springs withmore than 50 years of service to the Pikes Peakor Bust Rodeo and a long record of support forthe PRCA and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

A member of the Hall’s Board of Trustees from the beginning in 1979 to the present day, Littrell has been instrumental in helping secure monetary support for various projectsand improvements for the Hall, most recentlyto update the museum’s lighting.

He was selected in the Notables category.Including this year’s inductees, 226 people,

27 animals and 18 rodeo committees have been selected for enshrinement in Colorado Springs since the Hall opened in 1979.

Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Colorado Springs inducts Class of 2012 91st Annual Ski-Hi Stampede Wednesday, July 18, 2012

A matter of pride

File Photos


By Kimber SolbergNLBRA Executive Director

The PRCA is investing in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA), focusing on growing competition in the rough stock events.

The PRCA is keenly aware that their future depends greatly on the athletes that learn and grow through opportunities in the NLBRA.

The PRCA is contributing $500 in added money to each rough stock event (bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and both divisions of bull riding) for those that enter the National Finals Rodeo jackpot.

Who wouldn’t enter the jackpot? Combine that with the $250 added money from the NLBRA and the added money is already $750 in added money and with greater participation the NLBRA will grow the

added money, which could reach $1,500 per event.

The jackpot winner will have the choice to collect the cash or add it to their scholarship account.

Combine that with the $250 in guaranteed added money from the NLBRA the current base is already $750 added money in.

The NLBRA is where future riders develop and hone their skills in the arena.

The PRCA is also sponsoring the PRCA Safety Seminar for all Finals rough stock contestants; as well as, a generous list of awards in all Sr. Boy Division events.

As in years past, each event world champion and all-around world champion receives their PRCA Permit upon reaching legal age to compete in the PRCA.

For those of you who are not yet NLBRA members, it’s not too late.

There is still more than a month in this rodeo season to get qualified and enter the National Finals Rodeo. To qualify, contestants must place 4 times in the top 7 in each event they want to enter at the Finals.

In addition to the Jackpot payout, each event world champion is awarded a Circle Y trophy saddle and buckle, Old West boot certificate, a $500 college scholarship, Wrangler jean certificate and other prizes as dedicated by NLBRA sponsors.

The awards for the events at the Finals are buckles to the top 7 finishers in each go round, the average and the world.

Buckle awards total more than 1,050. The total prize package of the Finals is $260,000 and includes $60,000 in scholarships.

Does this sound too good to pass up? It really is and it’s easy to compete for the title and the money.

Go to www.nlbra.com and get your membership application today and enter Little Britches Rodeos in your area of the country. We invite you to be a part of the greatest youth rodeo organization and work hard to earn your part of the Finals Jackpot.

Finals entry fees are $60 for rough stock events.

This includes stock charges and guarantees 2 rounds of competition. Top 15 head to the short round.

Entering the jackpot is another $75/event with 70 percent put in the jackpot, and 100 percent of the 30 percent “office fee” is dedicated to the NLBRA Scholarship Fund.

Both the first and second round payout is 30 percent each, and 40 percent goes to the short round payout.

Timed events are paid on a different structure, visit www.nlbra.com for details.

PRCA invests in Little Britches, banks on tomorrow

Mutton busting. Nobody expects to break or ride a sheep, but it has a benefit.

It’s a chance for little kids to get a taste of adventure, a feel for what it’s like to be a cowboy.

They might get bruised and they’ll definitely get dirty, but it’s an experience they will never forget.

Mutton busting is the sport of bareback sheep riding.

Kiddie competitors challenge themselves and the sheep to see who can hold on the longest as they try for a qualifying time in the rodeo arena.

Mutton busting is similar to bull riding, except that the contestants wear more protective gear and are closer to the ground.

A sheep is held still, either in a small chute or by an adult handler, while a child is placed on top in a riding position.

Once the child is seated, the sheep is released and usually starts to run in an attempt to get the child off.

Often small prizes or ribbons are given out to the children who can stay on the longest.

There are no set rules for mutton busting, no national organization, and most events are organized at the local level.

However, children who begin as mutton busters could go on to be top Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) money winners or, at least, tops on the hometown rodeo circuit.

The vast majority of children participating in the event fall off in less than 8 seconds. Age, height and weight restrictions on participants generally prevent injuries to the sheep, and implements such as spurs are banned from use.

In most cases, children are required to wear helmets and parents are often asked to sign waivers to protect the rodeo from legal action .

The practice has been documented as

Every champion

has to start

somewhere.

Photo by Staci Turner

Mutton busting at last year’s Ski Hi Stampede


Mutton busting intro to grown-up rodeo action

having been introduced to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, at least by the 1980s when an event was sponsored by Nancy Stockdale Cervi, a former rodeo queen.

At that event, children ages five to seven who weighed less than 55 pounds could apply, and ultimately seven contestants were selected to each ride a sheep for six seconds.

There are no statistics about the popularity of the sport, but anecdotal reports suggest thousands of children participate in such events every year in the U.S.

Supporters consider the event both entertaining and a way to introduce young children to the adult rodeo “rough stock” riding events of bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback riding, and may liken its rough-and-tumble nature to the way youth sports such as football are played.

Loose and limber maysave a cowboy’s ride

Photo by Staci Turner

Little Britches action

File Photo

Fresh from the upper Rio Grande, this really wild horse wanted none of its rider in 1922.


The spectator

Photo by Ashli Adams

What would any rodeo be without a spectator?

Stace Smith stock doesn’t always allow for a graceful landing.

File Photo

Remember to bring your cans to the carnival.

Be rodeo tough...Be Ram tough.



ANNUAL

Friday Evening - 7 p.m.(Family Day)Saturday & Sunday - 2 p.m.

Rodeo Announcer - Boyd Polhamus,‘07 & ‘08 PRCA Announcer of the Year

Stace Smith, PRCA 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,2009 & 2010 Stock Contractor of the Year

World Class Rodeos

Rotary Chuck Wagon Dinner

Thursday, July 26th5:30 p.m.

ParadeJuly 27 & 28

10 a.m.

Stampede Dances

$10 at the door

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, July 28th6 - 9 a.m.

Christian Cowboys’ Service

.................................................................Presale DoorFriday, July 27thFamily Day...............................................$25 $30(Husband, wife and up to 5 children under 18)Box Seats .................................................$15 $17Reserve Seating - Adult ............................$14 $16Reserve Seating - Child ............................$8 $8General Admission - Adult ........................$12 $14General Admission - Child ........................$8 $8Arena Seats Reserved ..............................$15 $17Sunday, July 29thSenior Citizen Day....................................$5 $5(General Admission - 65 & over)Country Western Dance ............................$10 $10

Double Concert:

ALAMOSA:Carlucci’s

MONTE VISTA:

CREEDE: LA JARA:Jack’s Market

DEL NORTE:Jack’s Market

ALAMOSA:Carlucci’s

Alamosa Building Supply

SF Visitors CenterMONTE VISTA:

SLV Visitor CenterJack’s Market

CENTER:First Southwest Bank

General PremiumAdmission Reserved Reserved

Pre-Sale $30 $35 $40At Door $35 $40 $45Reserved Seating Tickets only available at Stampede Office and Carlucci’s

Saturday at the Rodeo to honor Cancer survivors In conjunction with:

All proceeds from T-shirt sales & a portion of Rodeo

Ticket sales benefit

All funds

raised stay in

the Valley.

at Ski-Hi Stampede Dance

Saturday, July 28First 91 Youth (under 21 years old) with paid admission will

receive a FREE Commemorative Stampede T-Shirt!

Friday, July 277 p.m.

Local SLV Amateur Events& Professional Slack

at 2 p.m.

Wright’s Amusements Carnival

Bring 2 cans of food items to the Carnival & you can buy an all-day carnival

pass for $20Wednesday, July 25

stampede 2012

Documents

stampede rodeo

stampede parade

stampede schedulephoto

week of stampede

annual ski

rodeo performance

national finals rodeo

park monte vistaski