Inside the Montezuma-County Fairgrounds, the stands were packed, the energy was high and dust was in the air as competitors tested their skills at the 2014 Membership Drive Rodeo.
Held in Cortez on Jan. 18 by the All Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association, the rodeo drew more than 50 competitors and paid out $14,771 in prize money.
By the time the dust had settled, Roessel Jackson stood atop the All Around standings, while several other individuals turned in memorable performances.
Chief among those performances was that put forth by Tustin Daye in the Bull Riding competition. Aboard a talented bull operating under the moniker “Gangnam Style,” Daye scored rodeo-high 77 points and took home $649 in prize money.
Nearly equaling Daye’s performance in the Jr. Bull Riding competition, Cody Jesus turned in a score of 72, which was good enough to place him first overall.
Other individual winners included Kyle Charley (Bareback), Robert Burbank (Saddle Bronc), Brandon Bates (Steer Wrestling), Michael Bates (Tie Down Roping), Debbie Robbins (Ladies Breakaway Roping), Norm Bates (Sr. Breakaway Roping), WinterBlossom Chee (Ladies Barrel Racing) and Sharaya Edgwater (Jr. Barrel Racing).
Bill Dahozy and James Begay Jr. took top honors in the Team Roping competition.
Overall, the competition provided top-level entertainment for a near-capacity crowd and left rodeo fans throughout the area clamoring for the start of the spring rodeo season.
