from the Payson Roundup, August 28, 2008:
Some 6,000 people attended weekend rodeo events, a 20 percent jump from last year, said Payson Director of Tourism and Economic Vitality Cameron Davis. Although the number of competitors and prize money declined this year, Davis credited a $13,000 advertising campaign in the Valley and nearby towns with a heartening increase in attendance. In addition, the Saturday morning Rodeo Parade down Main Street drew more than 1,000 spectators and 71 entries, up from 42 last year, said Davis.
Len Lopez squiggles his face in an attempt to hide from this lens as he and his family wait for the start of the Payosn Rodeo, Sat. Aug. 16 and the Payson Event Center.
Jerry Honeycutt, a member of the Honeycutt Rodeo Stock Contractor team races around the arena as opening ceremonies kick off the start of the second performance of Arizona’s oldest continuous rodeo, Sat. Aug. 16, at the Payson Event Center.
major tradition in Western Rodeo is the pageantry that begins each performance and this year’s event continues that time honored spectacle with rodeo queens and the display of flags and sponsors of each event.
Adam Tanner, a bareback rider out of Tucson, AZ, grimaces as he struggles to hold on during his fateful ride. Tanner needed assistance at the end of his ride as his hand was stuck in the grip and he was unable to release. It was a dramatic beginning to another exciting rodeo at the Payson Event Center, Saturday, Aug. 16.
Brandon Bates gets good grip on this steer as he wrestles it to the ground in a classic display of technique in this event.
Cimarron Thompson looks like he has more steer than he can handle but managed to wrestle this one to the ground with a good time of 8.6 seconds.
Ryder Kiesner displays a skill not found in rodeo entertainment for many years as he twirls his rope and gallops around the Payson Event Center arena as the crowd watches in amazement. Kiesner is considered to be the top Youth Trick Roper in the nation.
Rawlins Barrett shows off his new clown face as he gets ready to display his clown skills during the mutton bustin’ event.
Julie Baish, from Los Cruces, N.M., approaches the first barrel a little too wide and adds unwanted seconds to her time and the arena.
Not having a death wish, Bubba Hancock attempts to abort this mission as he flies off Sea Salt during the bull riding event.
Craig Begay, a seasoned veteran of bull riding, managed to ride Equal Justice for the full eight seconds and then some as he walked away with plenty of points in this event, Saturday, Aug. 16. Thor Smith from Buckeye Arizona, won the Bull Riding during the sunday performance. He was 85 points on Equal Justice, won almost $1700 and a very nice buckle.
Jeb Loney, from Tularosa, New Mexico, decides it’s time to take a leap off of Fire Fly and live to ride another day.
This mutton bustin’ rider, Stephanie Stockton, managed to hold on longer than any of the other competitors and walked away with a trophy, a certificate, and bragging rights about her accomplishment.
Stephanie Stockton accepts her trophy and certificate to the mighty applause of the excited crowd after all the mutton bustin riders are congratulated for their valiant efforts.
Jordan Olson races out of the gate as he and his heeler partner, Nick Sarchett, (not pictured), attempt to rope this steer at both ends in record time.
Larry Cohorn, right, and his heeler partner, Brian Sullivan, are quick to get their ropes around this steer before it can get out of reach in the team roping event, Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Payson Event Center during the annual 124th Payson Rodeo.
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