Saturday, July 4, 2009

Rodeo alive and well in Valencia County

Jason W. Brooks News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jbrooks@news-bulletin.com

Rodeo is the official state sport of Wyoming and Texas. A strong case could be made for rodeo being the state sport of New Mexico as well, as cowgirls and cowboys all through Valencia County, and throughout the state, maintain a craft that dates back hundreds of years.

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Cattle ranching has deep roots in the Southwest, especially in Valencia County, and though many of today's rodeo athletes don't make a living herding livestock, it still takes a special kind of individual to have the grit and persistence to excel at rodeo events.

Including team roping, barrel racing and mutton busting, the county has dozens of regular and special events each year. They range in size from informal gatherings on private land to large statewide events, but the competitive nature of Valencia County can always be found in an arena.

The Valencia County Fairgrounds has a two-arena complex in Belen where the County Fair is held each year, and the Rio Abajo Days celebration in the early fall. Competitive rodeos are held at these events and throughout the year, ranging from high school and youth events to team roping competitions. The two arenas are part of a complex that includes pavilions, the Sheriff's Posse Hall, a 4-H building and a large grandstand alongside the main arena.

The Bosque Farms Rodeo Association (BFRA), a non-profit organization that formed in the mid-1960s, is one of the larger family-oriented rodeo organizations in the county, and it operates an arena in the Village of Bosque Farms. The all-volunteer association helps welcome several annual and regular events to the arena, and many residents of the equine-friendly community practice regularly at the facility before heading off to state and national competitions.

Rick Babcock, chairman of the BFRA, said money is definitely a factor in how rodeo participants make choices.

"Rodeo associations in the Southwest might have a lot of members, but not ones with a lot of discretionary income," said Babcock. "This isn't high-end Long Island polo here. There are some dressage competitions, and rodeo can cost a lot, but these are working people who do the sport here."

The facility defrays costs through vigorous support from local businesses and individuals, and through renting out the arena and the adjacent Cowboy Hall facility for events.

The Bosque Farms arena hosts weekly barrel racing and frequently hosts statewide competitions for youth and adults. The arena and Cowboy Hall are also host to non-rodeo events that include the Bosque Farms Community Fair, one of the oldest in the nation of its type, and to other types of 4-H and dressage and competitive animal shows.

There are also numerous facilities throughout the county that have rodeo arenas. Many of these spots are great venues for small local competitions such as team roping events. These gatherings bond neighbors and help local athletes hone their rodeo tactics, and many Valencia County residents have as high a skill level as others with far more involvement in the sport.

Some of the youth who competed locally in rodeo have gone on to qualify for, and compete, in state and national competitions. A few have even earned rodeo scholarships to colleges such as New Mexico State University, helping put the county on the map in the rodeo community in a high-visibility way.

Four Valencia County athletes qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in 2008, and Ryan Cook and his team-roping partner are qualified for the 2009 NHSFR, set for July 19-25 in Farmington.

Youth rodeo events remain a big part of the sport's landscape in the county.

"Some of the parents have never ridden," said Babcock. "But their kids love it."

Though travel costs and urbanization have limited the involvement for many who love the sport, rodeo remains a large part of Valencia County's past and present athletic scene. From goat tying to bull riding, the physical and mental stamina required to train and perform among the best is evident in many local rodeo athletes. It's part of the ranching tradition — and it's something that can be found still being done on most Valencia County weekends.

Babcock points out how much of county business is tied in some way to either competition or the animals or ranches involved. The BFRA benefits greatly from the benevolence of rodeo-related businesses, he said.

"We wouldn't be able to offer the rates we have without the support of local businesses," said Babcock. "Our success depends on the business in town and their donations, like auction items and prizes. That kind of local support helps drive rodeo around here."

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