Rodeo fans enjoy Xtreme Bulls Shootout

LOS LUNAS — October isn’t normally prime time for rodeo, but riders of bulls and broncs have taken the spotlight in Valencia County.

The Southwest Event Center in Los Lunas hosted the Xtreme Bulls Shootout for three days last week and the arena will be ready for the return Saturday of the Taos Muncy Invitational.

A long friendship between the families of Cord McCoy, who runs McCoy Rodeo, and Dennis Chavez, the owner of Southwest Event Center, led to a partnership with the Xtreme Bulls Shootout.

“My dad and DC (Chavez) have been friends for 50 years,” McCoy said.

Veteran cowboys had a chance to get on board some rank bulls, including two-time PBR world champion “Riding Solo.”

On the heels of bullriding comes action in bareback. The Southwest Event Center once again hosts the annual Taos Muncy Invitational at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, which raises scholarship money for high school seniors across New Mexico.

“I want to bring a good show to New Mexico and the younger generation so they know you can go somewhere riding broncs, doing what you love,” wrote Muncy in a news release.

Ticket information can be found at holdmyticket.com. In the “events” category, enter Taos Muncy Invitational.