Cody Cabral from Hilo, Hawaii wrestles a steer during the final night of the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo in Cortez. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)
NFR, local circuit talent ready to take to the Montezuma County Fairgrounds arena on June 11 to 13
CORTEZ – Eight events, many over in just eight seconds, have become an iconic part of an early summer tradition in the Four Corners. The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo takes on another level this week, as the sport takes center stage alongside a patriotic Freedom 250 celebration – honoring the country’s two-and-a-half centuries with a sport synonymous for its rugged toughness and resilience.
The UMR Rodeo heads toward a milestone of its own, as it enters its 96th year running, and from June 11 to 13 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, the hundreds of competitors that descend on the Four Corners over the weekend promise to inject another lively performance for one of the area’s biggest sporting events of the year.
Gates open at 4 p.m. nightly over the weekend, with bareback riding kicking off the raucous night at 7 p.m., followed by a blitz of high-dollar payout events, including steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc, breakaway roping, tie-down roping and barrel racing, before capping the night with the signature bull riding event.
Last June, Stetson Wright stole the show, as the Utah cowboy added to his incredible resume with an all-around cowboy title at the UMR, scoring an 89 in saddle bronc to highlight the weekend. Wright went on take the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo all-around championship – and he’s been proud to call Cortez one of his many stops along his journey.
Wright is only one of many NFR-caliber competitors who’ve made the UMR rodeo one of their stomping grounds in recent years, which has led the UMR rodeo to become one of the highly-sought arenas for athletes looking to make their name in the sport, both on the national and circuit level.
On top of the pride of the buckle, the UMR rodeo sweetens the pot with $40,000 in added prize money – another draw for competitors hoping to make their weekend rides into a profitable one.
Action kicks off on Thursday night and carries into the weekend, with a full buffet of entertainment options accompanying the hooves and horns in the ring. Frazier Carnivals returns back to Cortez for rides and plenty of excitement for all ages from June 10 through June 14. The Rob Yates Memorial Golf Tournament will take place on June 12 at Conquistador Golf Course in Cortez and live music follows each night’s performance at the Fairgrounds.
More information, a schedule of events and tickets can be found at utemountainroundup.org.
