Craig Daily Press

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Kassie Catoor competes in the Trail Course event Thursday at the National Little Britches Rodeo in Craig at the Moffat County Fairgrounds.

Craig — Every square foot encompassing the perimeter of Moffat County Fairgrounds is packed.

Inside the sea of RVs, trailers and motor homes are more than 200 cowboys and cowgirls from the Western United States.

They have traveled from California, South Dakota, Neb­raska, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada.

All that travel for a chance at winning a saddle.

The National Little Britches Rodeo circuit is dominating Craig’s landscape this Fourth of July weekend.

In an event labeled by Kim Freeman, Little Britches Rodeo of Craig secretary, as “the biggest Little Britches event beside the finals,” participants compete for four days searching for points, money and saddles.

“We get people from all over the place,” she said. “I think the big reason is because of all the prizes we give away. The turnout is always great.”

Normally, Little Britches events award a saddle to the girls and boys all-around champions.

Not this weekend.

Saddles are awarded to each individual event winner, as well as the all-around champions.

Craig resident Troy Vernon knows the importance of earning a saddle.

Vernon earned his first saddle last month at a Little Britches event in Rifle, and he’s already using it.

“I broke my old (saddle) a few weeks before, so I really needed that saddle. It’s not just a trophy; we all use them.”

Points earned during the event carry over to the national finals rodeo July 28 to Aug. 2 in Pueblo.

“It’s getting really close to the finals,” Parachute resident Cody Carnahan said. “I’m pointed up (qualified) in team roping, I’m trying to get points in calf roping this weekend. I’ve got four days to get as many points as I can.”

Carnahan laughed when asked why he competes in rodeo.

“This is what I do,” he said. “If I wasn’t in rodeo, I don’t know what I’d be doing. Probably working or something.”

Kassie Catoor rode up on her horse, Buster, after completing her run in junior girls goat tying.

The 10-year-old traveled to Craig from Nephi, Utah, to participate in her second year of Little Britches competition.

“I compete in just about everything,” she said. “I just did pretty good in the goats. It is a lot of fun competing with this many people. I’m really glad we came.”

Running out of the ring in the front of the Fairgrounds, a goat cradled in his arms, was head goat-herder Shawn Casey.

Casey owns all the goats that are tied, untied and lassoed.

“I think so many (competitors) come out to participate in the Craig event because of the people of Craig,” he said. “This community and town really get behind rodeo. There is a great amount of support for it here, and the prizes they give away is amazing.”

Kristina Reyes heard her name called and whizzed past the outside of the second ring hurrying to her next event.

Kristina is serious when it comes to Little Britches.

She is the defending junior girls all-around national champion, and her mother said she’s out to earn the honor for a second consecutive year.

“We are here from Las Vegas,” Kim Reyes said. “We have traveled more than 4,000 miles this year. It’s all practice, travel, practice and travel. But, I’ll tell you what; it’s all worth it.

“It keeps the kids out of trouble, and we meet really good people. What more could you ask for?”

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793 or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com