Many outstanding performances were turned in Friday and Saturday nights, June 16-17, by professional rodeo stars at the 70th annual Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo at the American Legion Post 75 Arena in Cortez.

Forest Bramwell of Pagosa Springs captured first place with his ride on Miss Kitty Saturday night in the bareback event with a score of 79. He took home a paycheck of $1,074.48 for his effort. Gary Gordon of Grants, N.M., scored 77 and took home $805.86. Kelly Wardell of Bellevue, Idaho, came in third with a 73 and pocketed $537.24 while 1999 World Champion Lan LaJunesse of Morgan, Utah, finished fourth with a ride of 72 and won $268.62. Although he did not finish in the money, Keefe Rice of Dove Creek rode Wyatt Erp to a 67 on Saturday night.

The same was the case in the saddle bronc event with the majority of the better rides coming Friday and Saturday. On Saturday night, Bobby Griswold of Moore, Okla., captured first place with a score of 76 on Outlaw Moon. He won a check for $1,090. The second place ride came during slack Thursday night following the regular performance as Samuel Donaldson of Whetstone, Ariz., stayed on Deep River for a score of 73. He won $681.25. Ironically, Wes Bailey of Tampa, Kan., rode Deep River also to a 73 during the final performance and won $681.25. The two fourth-place rides came Friday night when Todd McCaughey of Larkspur, Colo., and John Dennis of Glenns Ferry, Idaho, turned in 71s. They took home checks $136.25 apiece.

The bull riding was much the same. Matt Fetzer of Eaton, Colo., rode Craw Dad to an 83 according to judges Pete Tully and Bill Lake. Fetzer cashed a $1,232.15 check. Matthew Weber of Eads, Colo. came in second with a score of 79 and won $933.45. Charles Schwartz of Bennett, Colo., and Mike Moore of Wellington, Colo., tied with 78 scores and each pocketed $560.07. Charley Blackmer of Dolores came tied for fifth with four others and won $89.61. Blackmer had a solid ride on Candy Man but his score of 75 by the judges was booed by the crowd.

Calf roping was a hot contested event. Former multi World Champion calf roper Joe Beaver of Huntsville, Texas, roped and tied his calf in 8.9 seconds. He won $1,113.74 for his performance Saturday night. Jim Bob Weil of Kersey, Colo., came in second with a time of 9.7 and won $921.72. K.C. Jones of Santo, Texas, and Kurt Goulding of Duncan, Okla., tied for third at 9.9 and each pocketed $633.68. Phy Lord of Lamar, Colo., finished fifth at 10.3 and won $345.64. Incidentally, defending PRCA World Champion All-Around Cowboy and World Champ calf roper Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas, finished sixth at 10.5 and won $192.02.

The first, second, and tie for third placers all turned in great performances Saturday night in the steer wrestling event. Goulding, who had tied for third in calf roping, captured first with a time of 4.6 and won $1,057.48. He finished with a grand total of $1,691.16 to win All-Around honors. Trav Caldwell of Oakdale, Calif., came in second at 4.9 and earned $875.16. Jeff Babek of Grante, Okla. tied Dale Meinecke of Huntsville at 5.0. Checks were issued for $601.67 each.

On Friday night, the team of Paul Griesmsman of Worland, Wyo., and Bret Tonozzi of Fruita, took the Team Roping title with a 6.2 time. They won $1,030 each. The duo of Jones (calf roper placer) and Jay Hop of Greeley finished right behind them in 6.7 and each earned $772.50. Tim and Zach Fanning of Ramona, Okla., captured third as they headed and heeled their calf in 7.3 and won $515 each.

Gloria Freeman of Calhoun, Ga., raced around the barrels in 16.01 during slack Thursday night and held on to win the barrel racing crown. She won $797.64. Jonee Phillips of Casper, Wyo., zipped around the Texas Cloverleaf pattern in 16.05 Saturday night and won $693.60. World Champion Kristie Peterson of Elbert, Colo., captured third place with a time of 16.09 and won $589.56. Michelle Porter of Cortez drew cheers for her ride Saturday of 16.12 for fourth and she received a check for $485.52. Janet Stover of Rusk, Texas, came in fifth at 16.13 and won $381.48. Roz Berry of Cheyenne, Wyo., turned in a time of 16.20 and won $277.44.

The grandstands were completely full Saturday and nearly full on Friday. A good crowd showed up for the opening night as well.

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.

Once again Honeycutt and Sons Rodeo Co. of Alamosa was 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 was once again on his horse in the arena to call the rodeo action.

A new clown, Duane Reichert performed. Two young bullfighters — Brad Knifong and Matt Lucking — also were on hand. Two speciality acts performed: Colorado Hoofbeats drill team and the Montezuma Revengers of the Single Action Shooting Society.