Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Cowpokes of all ages kick up their spurs at 3-day annual reunion event in Magdalena

Sunshine and rain mix together for another classic Old-Timer's rodeo competition

Nat Holland El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

No one let a little rain shower get in the way of the action in Magdalena's Century Rodeo on Saturday.

The rain was needed and welcomed, according to rodeo organizer Karolyn White, enough to help keep the dust down but not serious enough to rain out the rodeo for a second year in a row.

"It was a success," said White. "We just needed more water. More rain or a water truck would have been great. Next year, Danny Monette said he would help out with that."

Winning top honors were Levi Neether for All-Around Old-Timer Cowboy and Elena Farr for All-Around Old-Timer Cowgirl. Travis Kiehne finished as the high money winner.

"All three days were great weather for the rodeo," said Martin Baca, who was responsible for the bull riding events. "The crowd was good, it was kind of empty at first, then the stands filled up."

"This year was changed at the last minute, or we would have had more participants," said White, and attributed lower numbers than usual to the post-holiday weekend. "The Fourth of July is one of the biggest rodeo weekends all over."

The Old-Timers Reunion is usually held on the second weekend in July. Since July 1 was a Sunday, organizers decided the following weekend would be the second weekend, and scheduled things for July 6-7. White believes that July 13-15 should have been considered the second weekend and would have increased participation, as more people would have been in town.

A popular event this year was the Rawhide Racing. One person is pulled on a hide behind a horse around a barrel and across the arena. On both Saturday and Sunday, the hide race had about 15 teams. Travis and Maxie Kiehne won Saturday in a father-daughter team. Tranthum Welty and Harley Paul won the event Sunday.

The Century Rodeo, intended for the more senior riders, was held Saturday. Farr and Neether won the mixed team roping event.

Travis Kiehne won breakaway roping for ages 40-55. Finishing second was Wesley Henderson, followed by Roy Farr in third place. Harley Paul roped in a first-place finish in the 56-plus Division.

Kiehne also took first place in calf roping with Randall Major finishing second.

Neether won first in his 56-plus Division in calf roping, first in ribbon roping and second in steer stopping.

Rex Nichols took first in steer stopping and Kiehne finished third.

James Green won the bull riding event. Cody Morgan finished second and Avelino Baca was third.

"Bull riding went really well," said Baca. "I just want to thank all the sponsors and thank the whole community. Things are going to get better and better."

Brett Bruton and Clay Clark won the No. 10 roping event Saturday. Clark returned Sunday to partner with Wesley Henderson and win again in the No. 13 roping event.

White is unsure of whether she will be around next year to organize the rodeo again. Whether she is around or not, she emphasized that more help was needed to make things run smoothly. Anyone who is interested in helping next year, or working with White to take over her role as organizer, should contact her at 505-854-3470.

nholland@dchieftain.com

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