Although the cowboys and cowgirls put on a good show, for the most part, during the regular performance of the first night Thursday, June 15, of the 70th annual Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo, it was during the nearly two-hour slack where the pro rodeo contestants shined at the American Legion Post 75 Arena in Cortez.

A good crowd watched the regular performance but only a few fans stuck around for slack.

For instance, during the calf roping event the best time recorded was 11.0 seconds by Britt Bath of Burns, Wyo., during the regular performance. But during slack, Jim Bob Weil of Kersey, Colo., tied his calf in 9.7 and K.C. Jones of Santo, Texas, put the half-hitch on his calf in 9.9. Shane Hatch of nearby Fruitland, N.M., who has always done well at this rodeo, broke the 10-second penalty barrier and finished with a disappointing 24.3.

Take team roping as well. The best time during the regular performance was 7.9 seconds by the duo of brothers Troy and Tim Kreutzer of Model, Colo. However during slack, Jones and Jay Hop of Greeley headed and heeled their calf in 6.7 to take the early lead. Brothers Tim and Zach Fanning of Ramona, Okla., turned in 7.3. Ellis Yates of Cortez and teammate Michael Snooks of Bayfield recorded 9.2 during the performance.

In barrel racing, four-time world champion Kristie Peterson of Elbert, Colo., clocked 16.09 for the best ride during the regular performance. Roz Berry of Cheyenne recorded 16.20 for the next best. But during slack, Gloria Freeman of Calhoun, Ga., rounded the Texas Cloverleaf pattern in 16.01 and Janet Stover of Rusk, Texas, was electronically timed in 16.13.

Dale Meinecke of Huntsville, Texas, bulldogged his steer in a quick 5.0 during slack. He edged out Justin Jackson of Brighton, Colo., who wrestled his steer to the ground in 5.6 during the regular show. Leon Vick of Byers, Colo., had a time of 7.2 during the regular performance. Of note, Brian Cline of Dolores was clocked in 7.8 during the steer wrestling event slack.

Every cowboy who competed covered their ride during the bareback event. Gary Gordon of Grants, N.M., had the best ride with 77 points while riding the rough stock Wyatt Erp. Travis Greenlee of Dolores and Gary LeMay of Eagle tied with 68 while J.Y. Yantzer of Hotchkiss, Colo., came in with a 61.

Samuel Donaldson of Whetstone, Ariz., has the early lead in the saddle bronc event. He rode Deep River to 73 points. Justin Powell of Lafayette, Colo., and Jim Bob Custer of Wickenburg, Ariz., are tied with 69 and Zac Crane of Bismark, N.D., is next at 68.

Only one bull rider made an eight-second qualified ride. Charles Schwartz of Bennett, Colo., rode Cobra to 77 points.

More cowboys and cowgirls competed Friday night, June 16, and another bunch will perform at 8 p.m. today, June 17. The Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association cowboys will compete in bareback bronc riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding while cowgirls will compete in barrel racing. They will only get one go-round.

Tickets will be on sale at the ticket booths for the pro rodeo again tonight with gates opening at 7. This is the only Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association major event in the area. The weekly tourist PRCA Rodeo Series will be held throughout the summer in Durango, though. General admission seats will be sold for $5 for adults and $3 for children under age 12. Reserved seats for today’s performances are $7.

The final parade will be held today through downtown Cortez. The actual parade route will have a starting point at Main and Maple then north to Harrison to the American Legion grounds. The parade lineup is 4 p.m. and the starting time is 5. The parade theme is: Cowboy Up for the 21st Century. Plaques will be awarded for first and second place in each of the three major categories.

Dances will be held immediately following today’s performances from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. in the American Legion Home. Music will be by Desert Thunder. Admission is $5 per person.

Frazier Brothers will be the carnival operator. The carnival, which will feature many thrill rides for adults and children plus the wide assortment of games of chance, will close at midnight tonight.

Once again Honeycutt and Sons Rodeo Co. of Alamosa is the stock contractor. Honeycutt produced rodeos creates quality family entertainment by combining award-winning bucking stock, top contract personnel, and dynamic music. Some of the stock at the 1999 NFR included bareback horse Copenhagen Ragged Edge, and Schnook; saddle bronc horse Top Gun Skoal; and bulls Copenhagen King Kong, and High and Mighty. Johnny Pope will once again be on his horse in the arena to call the rodeo action.