Cowboys have better-than-average night at annual Ute. Mtn. Roundup

Cowboys have better-than-average night at annual Ute. Mtn. Roundup

June 16, 2001

CODY FOX, a former Ute Mountain High School Rodo Team member, comes out of the chute on Goose during action Thursday night at the 71st annual Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo at the American Legion Post 75 Arena. Fox, from Chivington, scored 69 points as he stayed on for the eight-second qualified ride. Gary Gordon of Grants, N.M., leads after the first day with a 79.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

It was a better-than-average night for the cowboys for Thursday’s, June 14, go-round of the 71st annual Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo at the American Legion Post 75 Arena in Cortez. Despite the fact that many of the top money-leading pro cowboys and cowgirls are at the Copenhagen Cup Winter Finals in Las Vegas, Nev., it was still a good show. And showing their support was a good crowd.

For instance, the first four cowboys in the bareback riding event stayed on for the qualified eight-seconds.

Monte Downare of Hartzell rode his bronco Straight Edge to a 75 points score. Second out was J.W. Winklepleck of Strasburg who rode Canadian Queen to a 68. Next out of the chute was John Reece of Harrison, Neb., who rode Rush to a 62 with an option reride. He later came back and did not get a score off Wyatt Earp as he was tossed. Fourth out was Cody Fox of Chevington, former Ute Mountain High School Rodeo Team member, hopped on Goose and took him to a 69. The top score of the night was turned in by Gary Gordon of Grants, N.M., who got a good bucker in colt Pinetree for a 79. Only Jayson Olson of Pinebluff, Wyo., and Hugh Robinson of Albuquerque did not come up with qualified rides.

A majority of the saddle bronc riders also stayed on for qualified rides. Downare had the best ride on Red Cloud and brought oohs and ahhs from the audience. He had good style and rode to a 74. J.J. Elswhere of Cottonwood, S.D., also had a strong ride on China Bay for a 72. Ryan Elswhere of New Underwood, S.D., scored a 69 on Mossbucker, and Branden West of Philip, S.D., took Cool Cat for the eight seconds for a 68.

A couple steer wrestlers managed decent times during the performance. Josh Lessman of Sidney, Neb., bulldogged his steer in 7.4 seconds. Jake Hettinger of Craig almost beat that mark but was timed in 7.6. Norman Largo of Cortez had a 7.4 but he broke the barrier and picked up a 10-second penalty for a 17.4 total.

The best time was turned in during slack after the rodeo. Tony Dammen of Powell, Wyo., caught his steer just past the time line for a quick 5.7 to take the first-round lead. Dean McIntyre, also of Powell, Wyo., had an 8.0. Local Brian Cline of Dolores had an 18.5, including a 10-second penalty.

The calf ropers struggled all night during the regular performance Thursday night. There was not a time under 10.0. The best a cowboy could do was 14.5 by Nick Pernokas of Stephenville, Texas. A time of 15.1 was turned in by Brian Winn of Annabella, Utah. During slack, Cory Zion of Idalia was clocked in 9.9 to take the first-round lead. Shane Hatch of Fruitland, N.M., who has won or placd high in this event several times here, had trouble with getting his calf tied and the calf broke loose for no time.

In team roping, local heeler Vic McKinley of Cortez and his partner Russ Sullivan of Los Lunas, N.M., headed and heeled their animal in 7.7 seconds. But the top time during the performance went to Kyle Conway and Clint James, both of Payson, Ariz., with a time of 6.8. Two decent times were turned in during slack as Brian Dunning of Granada and Conly Donnell of Avondale clocked 7.4 and Clay Lewis of Clovis, N.M., and Walter Donnell of Alpine, Texas, had 7.7.

The cowgirls did not have a very good night as a whole. For instance, mult-world champion and top performer Kristie Peterson of Elbert had a good time going but as she rounded the top barrell her horse’s hip clipped the barrel and she finished with a disappointing 17.75 second time including the five-second penalty. Casey Shelstad of Castle Rock has the first-go lead of 16.02 as she dashed around the Texas cloverleaf pattern. In the second position after the first go is Lynn Brown of Fort Collins in 16.14. Toni Hardin of Canon City clocked 16.42 Belinda Brownell of Hotchkiss finished with a time of 16.45. Still in the money right now is Sammi Bessert of Loma in 16.52.

Again, the bull riders also performed well with a majority of them staying on for the qualified eight-second count. The best score on Thursday night was by James Clark of Washoe Valley, Nev., who had a 79 score while riding Mountain Dew. Right behind him is Tye Odden of Miller, S.D., who got a great ride from Candy Man with 78. Sonny Munns of Hansel Valley, Utah, scored a 74, Derald Riche of Helper, Utah, had a 70; Devon Smith of New Castle, Wyo., 68; Kenton Gallegos of Greeley 67; and Melvin Zebroski of Gillette, Wyo., 66.

Ryan Greenlee of Cortez hopped on Jethro but the bull suddenly stopped bucking and had to be proded. Greenlee scored a 58 with an option reride. He elected to go with the reride on Droppy but did not score as he was bumped off.

The second day of action was held Friday night and the third go will be tonight, June 16, with grand entry at 8. The parade will get things under way at 5 p.m. down Main Street in downtown Cortez.

Honeycutt and Sons Rodeo Co. of Alamosa and Waddell, Ariz., are the stock contractor for this year’s 71st Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo at the American Legion Post 75 Arena in Cortez. Roy Honeycutt is missing this year’s show because he has rough stock at the Wrangler Series Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev. But Jerry and Scott Honeycutt, the third generation and their children (fourth generation), did a fine job in running the rodeo in Cortez.

The rodeo is the only Professional Cowboy Rodeo Association event in the Four Corners Area other than the weekly PRCA series in Durango which begins this coming week at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

Missing from the arena floor was announcer Johnny Pope of Semmes, Ala. He has landed in Southwest Memorial Hospital with some heart problems. Called in suddenly but doing a great job was PRCA announcer Richard Tast of Farmington. Tast, who is an auctioneer, public speaker and salesman by trade, is known for doing the voiceover for a rodeo bloopers video "Rodeo: The Ins and The Outs."

New clown at this year’s rodeo is Scott "Funky Kol" Messina who entertained the audience and will again be on hand tonight.

Reserve tickets for tonight’s show are only $7. General admission seats are $5 for adults and $3 for children under age 12. Tickets also can be purchased at the gate beginning at 7 p.m.

And what better way to end the night but at the dance at the American Legion Hall. The dance starts at 9 p.m. and runs until 1 a.m. Cost is $5 per person.