Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Rodeo bucks on through

Nat Holland El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

Rodeos have their share of challenges, but flexibility is in the job description of a cowboy. When a broken chute required a welder Saturday, it meant extra fun for all the children in the stands.

Without missing a beat, an extra-long stick-horse race, a calf chase for dollar bills pinned to the bewildered bovines, and a comical dancing contest filled in while the work was done before the rodeo could continue.

The Socorro rodeo, the final stop on the New Mexico Governor's Tour Rodeo, consisted of events Friday evening, and Saturday morning and evening. The top 20 participants in each event qualify to compete at the Tour Finale Saturday and Sunday, Sept 8-9, in Clayton.

Tim Muncy, of San Antonio, N.M., finished second with 75 points in saddle-bronc riding, one point behind Dean Daley, who took first. Muncy is currently the top-ranked saddle-bronc rider in the Governor's Tour.

Datil rider Rodee Walraven and Clay Clark, of Magdalena, won the incentive team-roping event with a time of 7.69 seconds.

Lee Kiehne, of Lemitar, entered two teams in open team roping, and placed third with John Paul Lucero and fourth with Tim Gonzales. Kiehne is the eighth-ranked header in open team roping on the tour.

Notable Socorro barrel racers include Audra Hogland, ranked second in incentive barrel racing on the tour and Laura Haines, ranked 15th.

nholland@dchieftain.com

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