The 96th National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show is
coming to Denver, and bull riders, barrel racers, calf ropers,
equestrians and 4-H youth from Douglas and Elbert counties are
ready to compete.
Cherry Valley 4-H members Mike Riley and Luke King signed up for
the catch-a-calf competition at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 20. The boys will
have a chance to catch a calf to raise beginning this May for show
and sale in 2003.
“You have to be really quick, and make the halter big enough,”
13-year-old King said. “The best way is to corner one, then get him
to run toward you.”
Last year Douglas County’s Nick Candelaria overcame a hoof kick
in the chest and won a calf in the same competition. Candelaria
will show the calf he raised the past year on the evening of Jan.
24, his 16th birthday.
Rodeo contestants from Douglas County include barrel racer Taryn
Lindauer and bull riders Casey Miller and Owen Myran.
Lindauer, 22, has been barrel racing since she was 8 years old
and will be running her Quarter Horse, Top Bully, at 8 p.m., Jan.
19, and at 2 p.m., Jan. 20.
Myran, 28, has been a professional bull rider for five years and
will compete at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Jan. 23. More than 100 bull
riders will draw to ride, competing for about $15,000 from the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
“I plan on riding everything that I draw. Hopefully it’s good
enough to win some money,” Myran said.
Elbert County contestants include world-champion barrel racer
Christy Peterson, calf roper J.G. Marshall and bull rider Tom
Townsend. The rodeos begin Jan. 17.
Steve Plattner of Franktown will show Dance Me Outside in the
Paint horse show at about 8 a.m., Jan. 17. Plattner owns Franktown
Rental with his wife, Tricia Plattner, and he has been riding
horses for 25 years.
Many equestrians from Douglas County are showing horses this
week through Jan. 27. Many of the riders at Warren Performance
Horses on Homestead Ranch are showing Jan. 15 and 16. In novice
amateur Paint horse competitions, look for Debi Thompson on CL
Lucky Money, Sharon Strong on An Obvious Investment, Wendy Wilson
on Socketts Harlequin, Lisa Hoffman on This Lady’s a Champ, Leslie
Bingham on SP Destined to Be and Megan Mulqueen on Rockin Pine
Bar.
In amateur Paint horse competitions look for Linda Lewis on
Scotch on the Hocks, Jean Smith on Miss Eloquent Rocki, Deana Halat
on Skip the Bar Tab, Rebecca Strong on Sly Impression and Linda
Miller on Grand Legacy. In the youth Paint horse competitions look
for Kyle Armstrong on Miss Jag of Gold.
In the Quarter Horse competitions look for Sherrie O’Connell on
Lenas Midnight Cowboy, Leslie Bingham on Docs Nu Cash and Moonshine
Boot Jac.
Several 4-H members will show cattle at the National Western
this year. Thomas McManus and Joe Mullens will show steers,
possibly joined by Gary Haynes and Romany Gordon. Lindsay Miller of
Franktown might show sheep.
This listing of Douglas and Elbert county participants is only
partial. Check out all the events from Saturday through Jan. 27,
such as the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, dancing horses, sheep-dog
competitions and children’s areas. The 96th annual National Western
Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show is in north Denver. For more
information see this week’s Horse Country special section of the
News-Press, call (888) 551-5004 or go to the online site
www.nationalwestern.com. Admission tickets are available at King
Soopers stores from Pueblo to Cheyenne.