Hopi Homolovi Rodeo a great success<br>

The first annual Hopi Homolovi Rodeo was a great success Sept. 29 to Oct. 1! All the conditions to hold a great event were in place and everyone came away impressed by the effort put forth by the Hopi Rodeo Association. The contestants were outstanding and the prize package was awesome and included top of the line Maynard trophy buckles, embroidered pendleton trophy jackets by Gentle Rain, Casa Trophy mirrors, and special cash bonuses of $300.00 each from Hopi Tribal Vice-Chairman Phillip R. Quochytewa, Sr. and Winslow Mayor James L. Boles. The stock was provided by the Casper Baca Rodeo Company and really challenged the contestants and made for some very exciting competitions.

In fact Jim Bob Custer, who had come all the way from Brazil (he had to change boats twice, fly into Phoenix and rent a car to drive to Winslow) said his only recommendation for next year's rodeo would be to have easier Saddle Bronc horses because the ones this year were a little too much for him to handle! Maybe that is why he tried his hand at announcing the Senior Calf Roping - to see what other careers in rodeo were like. This rodeo proved so popular that contestants had to be turned away because all the slots had been filled - so be sure to enter early next year.

The community of Winslow was very happy to have the Hopi Rodeo Association hold their event in Winslow, which was the eighth rodeo take place here this year. Businesses went all out to welcome the contestants to "Arizona's Rodeo Capital." The Hopi Rodeo Association and the Winslow Jaycees worked with sponsors to provide contestants with coupon packets that gave them discounts at several restaurants, stores, and motels because they know it is expensive to rodeo and they want you to enjoy your stay and come back next year.

Several great moments took place during the rodeo and one of the most notable was Cole Britten riding the Casper Baca PBR eliminator bull No Mercy for 82 points during the Charity Match Bullriding event Friday evening. This is a super tough bull to ride any time but Cole accomplished this feat with a broken foot! Cole Britten of Amarillo, Texas was the Open Bullriding winner of the 24th Annual Baca Rough Stock Series during which he broke several records. In the spirit pf a true champion he gave $100 of his winnings here to the Downtown Library Redevelopment Committee to help them with their goal of moving and enlarging the current library facilities. Raymond Kyle attempted to ride the same bull during Saturday night's Charity Match Bullriding Event but was unsuccessful. This did not keep him from going on to win the Bullriding event with an unbelievable ride that earned him 86 points. This was extra special to him because this is the first time that he won the bullriding event on one of Casper Baca's bulls.

The competition during the Saddle Bronc riding event was tremendous and another great moment came when Andy Cordova, also of Winslow and 1998 West's Best Rodeo Saddle Bronc Champion, made an awesome ride to go on to split first place with Kevin Cox. Andy Cordova and Kevin Cox had to do a coin toss to see who would win the trophy buckle and Kevin Cox won. Because the trophy buckles made by Maynard Buckles, Spurs and Silver were so awesome these two great contestants are going to split the cost of having a second buckle made so that they will each have one. Kevin Cox was the winner of the Saddle Bronc event at the 15th Annual West's Best Rodeo and Andy Cordova split third with Don Simpson. This win by Andy Cordova placed him firmly in the lead of the Saddle Bronc competition of the "Six pack" series being run by the Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association and sponsored by Chapman Dodge.

Winslow contestants continued their winning streak with the team of Dennis Begay and Preston Williams turning in an awesome run of 6.59 seconds during the Team Roping event. The competition in the Team Roping event was fierce with great teams made up by Anthony Barnes, Carlos Bustamonte, Jake Barnes, and Matt Sherwood. Another Winslow athlete, Nick Hysong, received a gold medal in the Pole Vault event at the Olympics in Sydney, Australia during the weekend so we are very proud of the tremendous effort and spirit shown by Winslow contestants.

The competition in the other events was very exciting as well with Kelsi Maynard winning the Breakaway Roping with a time of 3.36 seconds, Anders Perry winning the Calf Roping with a time of 10-20 seconds, and Ace Roan outscoring Richard Slaughter (perennial West's Best Rodeo Bareback Champion) in the Bareback competition with a score of 80 points.

Terry Klein was the Calf Roping Champion of the 15th Annual West's Best Rodeo with a time of 8.39 seconds and he went on the win the Steer wrestling competition at the Hopi Homolovi Rodeo with a time of 5.74 seconds. And as always when you have contestants like Shawnda Elkins, Dolli Lauteret, Leigh Ann Billingsley, and Jana Echols in the Barrel Racing event the competition can get pretty close. Shawnda Elkins came away the winner of the Barrel Racing event and Dolli Lauteret and Leigh Ann Billingsley will have to do a coin toss to see who is the winner of the 1st Annual Hopi Homolovi Rodeo Women's All-Around Champion. Preston Williams was the 1st Annual Hopi Homolovi Rodeo Men's All-Around Champion. The AllAround Champions will receive special mirrors from Casa Trophy and $300 cash bonuses from Hopi Vice-Chairman Phillip R. Quochytewa and Winslow Mayor James L. Boles.

The rodeo action at the Ist-Annual Hopi Homolovi Rodeo did not end until Sunday, October 1 with the #6 progressive Team Roping. 30 teams showed up to kick off this inaugural event and conditions were perfect. Winning first place with a time on 2 of 12.14 seconds and 13.97 seconds were Jonathan Nez and Chris Nez, they took home special top of the line Maynard Trophy Buckles and $187.00 each. Second place went to Furdale Smith and Aaron Honanie (6.62 seconds and $140-00 each), third place went to Avery Pavinyama and Aaron Honanie (8.90 seconds and $93.00 each).

The fastest team was Furdale Smith and Aaron Honanie with a time of 6.62 seconds and they each received $47.00. The special Maynard trophy buckles to the Hopi team with the highest average was sponsored by Hopi Rodeo Association Chairman Avery Pavinyama. The winner was the team of Avery Pavinyama and Aaron Honanie. Avery had a coin toss to see if his buckle would go to either his father or his son who had both competed, and the winner of the coin toss was his son Jonathan Pavinyama.

Avery Pavinyama, Hopi Rodeo Association Chairman, would like to congratulate all the winners and thank all the contestants who competed at the 1st Annual Hopi Homolovi Rodeo. Plans are already underway to make the 2nd Annual Hopi Homolovi Rodeo even bigger and better so we hope to see you next year!

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