This year marks the 74th anniversary of the Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo held annually in Pagosa Springs. This multi-state sanctioned rodeo series features amateur cowboys and cowgirls from various states competing for prizes and prize money. Rodeo participants receive cash and prize awards for their daily performances, including the coveted personalized belt buckle. The overall cowboy and cowgirl award is presented after the third and final performance, and each winner receives a Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo Golden Boy Henry rifle.
The rodeos are July 4 at 2pm, and July 5 and 6 at 6pm at the Western Heritage Event Center arena and grounds.
Tickets are available online at www.pagosarodeo.com and at the gate prior to the event. The cost is $20 per adult and $10 for children. Box seats are available and can be purchased by calling Diana at (970) 749-3492.
Concessions will be available throughout the events.
Traditional American rodeo features cowboys and cowgirls in the various livestock events like bronco riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, barrel racing, bull riding and team roping.
Various activities are included in the daily performance like the Daisy BB gun raffle and the presentation of the honorary Red Ryder Award.
Red Ryder was the main cowboy character in the popular western comic strip created by Stephen Slesinger and artist Fred Harman that ran for more than 25 years in newspapers all over the country. Red was a strong and ethical cowboy who lived on Painted Valley Ranch in the Blanco Basin in the San Juan Mountains. His horse was Thunder, his sidekick was Little Beaver with horse Papoose, and they protected the people and land from unscrupulous behavior. The geography is that of Pagosa Springs and this community been blessed to have Fred Harman III as a town resident for decades.
More rodeo information is available by calling (970) 749-3492, emailing dtalbot111@gmail.com or visiting www.PagosaRodeo.com
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