Wednesday, September 6, 2006

An action-packed rodeo

Upbeat event draws large crowds to arena

Jason W. Brooks El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

Rodeo isn't always done to the sounds of AC/DC, Dokken and Billy Squier, but at the 2006 Socorro County Fair Rodeo it was.

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Some of the action was almost as fast-paced as the music at the event held Friday and Saturday nights at the Socorro County Fairgrounds. A couple of incidents served to show how dangerous rodeo can be.

The event managed to get in under dark skies and avoided the downpours that drenched much of the eastern portion of New Mexico on Friday. Cowgirls, cowboys and fans traveled great distances, in some cases, to be a part of the first Socorro rodeo run by the Casper Baca Rodeo Co.

Chase Carrasco, of Belen, walked away with nearly $400 after his win in the bull riding competition. The Friday session of that event ended as the last cowboy, Brendan Bond, got his left hand caught in a rope and then the bull he was riding kicked him. Bond had to be removed from the arena on a backboard by medical personnel.

One rodeo worker said she saw Bond the next day and, while he received a few stitches, he appeared to have no serious injuries. A few other competitors took some tumbles as well, but none appeared to result in major injuries either.

Many entrants with Socorro-area connections managed to take home at least a small amount of prize money. Among them were Audra Hogland, who took fourth in the incentive barrel racing; Johnny Salvo, who was third in the open calf roping division; and Tim Muncy, who teamed with Cole Benjamin to take second in team roping.

The two rodeo sessions featured a grand entry that included the Fair Queen and her court, along with a large number of other participants. Friday's session started a little late, but hundreds of spectators still seemed to enjoy the action.

aolmsted@dchieftain.com

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