Arizona in the Saddle | Page 14

Ranch and Rodeo Roundup F By Kim Dillon all is such a splendid time of year. While I’m writing this, our daytime highs in the valley are struggling to reach 90. In Arizona’s higher elevations, afternoons are only climbing into the mid 60’s. Our trees are colorful and the air is seasonally fresh. • Team Roping Heeler-Steven Ganoa (4.0 seconds) • Barrel Racing-Cindy Woods (16.64 seconds) • Inc. Barrel Racing-Catherine Lasher (17.34 seconds) • Bull Riding-Efren Gallego (74 seconds) Rodeo and its related events are in abundance now. Cochise County hosted the Rex Allen Days in Willcox. In its 63rd year, this event continues to celebrate the life of Rex Allen and his hometown of Willcox. The first weekend of October offered plenty of fun for everyone featuring a parade, concerts and a street dance. But the highlight was the Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association-sanctioned rodeo on October 4th and 5th. With 515 rodeo contestants and approximately 5000 spectators, I’m told the Rex Allen Days was the largest GCPRA event to date. The rodeo committee may be small in size (7 members!) but they were able to offer $10,000 in added prize money to their contestants. With our summer heat clearly in the rear-view mirror, the change of seasons is usually a welcome one. This autumn weather seems to give all of us a bit more energy-including our horses. If you’re not competing or attending some of the numerous events being offered, now is a perfect time of year to hit the trail. Riding in open spaces breaks up our daily routine. It’s great for our minds plus our horses need a change of scenery as well. For a list of Arizona accommodations that include riders and their horses, visit www.horsetrip.com. Featured below are a few to try, one in northern Arizona and the other in the southern end of our State: Here are the rodeo results: • Bareback Riding (3 way tie) Adam Tanner, John Killian, Kyle Bounds (73 points) • Steer Wrestling-Dean McIntyre (5.5 seconds) • Tie Down Roping-Logan Bird (10.0 seconds) • Inc. Tie Down Roping- Shane Guin (12.7 seconds) • Breakaway Roping (tie) Jainey Reeves, Kayse Winkle (2.4 seconds) • Saddle Bronc Riding-Jason Amon (75 points) • Team Roping #12 Header (tie) Kyle Roberts, Steven Ganoa (5.9 seconds) • Team Roping #12 Heeler (tie) Ricky Rathjen, Jacob Auza (5.9 seconds) • Team Roping Header-Chase Massengil (4.5 seconds) • Team Roping Heeler-Tyler Getwiller (4.5 seconds) • Barrel Racing-Ashley Haller (17.54 seconds) • Inc. Barrel Racing-Kristin Woods (18.24 seconds) • Bull Riding-Tyler McVay (66 points) Also down in Cochise County was the Benson Butterfield Rodeo on October 11th and 12th. The rodeo committee took pride in producing an event the whole family was able to enjoy. Once the dust settled, local children’s charities around the Benson area benefitted from the rodeo’s extra proceeds. I guess you could say that everyone was a winner! Results from the 2 day rodeo: • Bareback Riding-Kyle Bounds (79 points) • Steer Wrestling-Dean McIntyre (4.6 seconds) • Tie Down Roping-Joseph Parsons (9.1 seconds) • Inc. Tie Down Roping-Dale Davies (14.3 seconds) • Breakaway Roping-Kaylee Billingsly (2.8 seconds) • Saddle Bronc Riding-Lyle Welling (76 seconds) • Team Roping #12 Header-Wacey Westcott (4.8 seconds) • Team Roping #12 Heeler-Tyler Dietering (4.8 seconds) • Team Roping Header-Michael Camalat (4.0 seconds) 14 November 2014 MCS Stables is located on the south end of Flagstaff, just off of I-17. The large, well-established equestrian facility offers a barn, covered pens, enclosed paddocks, round pens, large arena, hot walker and pastures. Guests can camp overnight in several lush, tree-lined spaces equipped with electrical hook-ups. Although there is plenty to do around the stables, riders can explore the forest and meadows through dozens of connecting trails. Riders routinely see elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and occasionally turkey, javelina and black bear. After an adventurous day in the saddle, enjoy star gazing up through the tall pine trees. www.mcsstables.com (928) 774-5835 For a taste of history and some local wine, head south of Tucson to the Sonoita valley. It’s here you’ll discover La Hacienda de Sonoita, a well-appointed B&B complete with corrals to house our equine friends. Hosts Tom and Cheryl Rogos take great pride in ensuring every guest has a memorable stay in their “home away from home” which features 4 cowboy-themed bedrooms. After enjoying a hot-cooked breakfast, riders can then explore inviting trails that weave through the Coronado National Forest. Guests can also wind their way through a treasure trove of a dozen wineries in the region. www.haciendasonoita.com (520) 455-5308 Until next month, ride hard and stay safe! Kim Dillon grew up competing on horseback here in Arizona. As a former Miss Rodeo Arizona and Miss Rodeo America runner-up, Kim enjoys sharing her equestrian love and expertise with others. AZintheSaddle.com