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August
12, 2000
By Jim Thomas
Journal Sports Editor
Two area cowgirls made an impact at the 2000 National High School Finals Rodeo which was held July 25-30 in Springfield, Ill. One represented the Ute Mountain High School Rodeo Team and one competed as an individual. Claire Lindus made the Colorado Team by finishing third in the girls cutting at the Colorado High School Finals Rodeo held last month in Greeley. Stephanie Vogel, qualified by finishing first in girls cutting. Lindus is a recent graduate of Montezuma-Cortez High School although she is from Mancos. Vogel will be a senior this fall at MCHS.
Jake Gordanier placed fourth in steer wrestling. He qualified for the Silver State Rodeo held in Nevada but not compete in the NHSFR.
Vogel placed high in the two-progam long go. She made the short go finals and finished 18th in the nation. Lindus performed well in the long go but did not make the finals.
This was Lindus’ second straight trip to nationals. It was Vogel’s first appearance.
Senior scholarship interviews were held during the state finals. Colorado State High School Rodeo Association scholarships were awarded to Ute Mountain Rodeo Team president Jeremy Redshaw and team vice president Lindus.
More than 1,500 contestants from 38 states, four Canadian Provinces, and for the first time Australia competed at the National High School Finals Rodeo, the world’s largest rodeo. They competed for more than $100,000 in prizes, NHSFR contestants also went after more than $150,000 in college scholarships.
Male contestants competed in bareback riding, bull riding, calf roping, cattle cutting, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and team roping. Female contestants participated in barrel racing, breakaway calf roping, cattle cutting, goat tying, pole bending, and team roping.
Springfield had some glitches with some venues and lack of barns.
The Farmington group's confidence in its ability to stage the event was recently put to the test. The NHSRA Executive Committee was upset last week that the main rodeo arena in Springfield wasn't completed. Landscaping, and welding of the holding pens, continued up until the last hours.
Other problems in Springfield persuaded the NHSRA to approach Farmington and ask if it could be ready to play host in 2001, a year earlier than planned.
The group said it could be ready then hoped the NHSRA could work out its problems with Springfield. but will still likely host the 2001 NHSFR. Farmington is scheduled to host nationals in 2002-2003. The rodeo will return to Gillette, Wyo., 2004-2005. Farmington beat Oklahoma City in a very close runoff vote to be named host site. Huron, S.D., and Pueblo, Colo., were other finalists.
Approximately 7,000 people will invade the Four Corners area for well over a week each of those two years. That's a much bigger impact on the area than the Connie Mack World Series now has. Farmington has hosted the annual teen-aged baseball classic for 35 consecutive years.
Economic impact studies show it could bring upwards of $20 million into the area. The obvious benefactors will be the hotel-motel industry, veterinarians, feed stores, and restaurants.
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