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Moffat County rodeo raring to go for fall season

Andy Bockelman
Hamilton's Samantha Pearce and her equine partner gallop into the Moffat County Fairgrounds arena during the summer's Black Mountain Junior Rodeo series. Pearce is among 14 who will be competing for the Moffat County High School team starting this weekend.
Andy Bockelman

2015 Moffat County High School rodeo fall schedule

Time, Date(s) — Location, Home/Away

9 a.m. Sept. 5, 6, 7 — Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez, Away

9 a.m. Sept. 12, 13 — Moffat County Fairgrounds, Home

9 a.m. Sept. 19, 20 — Montrose Fairgrounds, Away

10 a.m. Sept. 26, 27 — Kasey Jones Park in Elizabeth, Away

Saddles secured, spurs shined and Stetsons snugly on their heads, the members of the Moffat County High School rodeo team are ready to ride this fall.

The beginning of the Colorado State High School Rodeo Association’s official season may be this weekend, but regional rodeo kids have been spending all summer immersed in the sport, from events like Little Britches to Black Mountain Junior Rodeo to the national high school finals and many more instances of things like barrel racing, team roping, bronc riding and plenty more.

2015 Moffat County High School rodeo fall schedule

Time, Date(s) — Location, Home/Away



9 a.m. Sept. 5, 6, 7 — Montezuma County Fairgrounds in Cortez, Away

9 a.m. Sept. 12, 13 — Moffat County Fairgrounds, Home



9 a.m. Sept. 19, 20 — Montrose Fairgrounds, Away

10 a.m. Sept. 26, 27 — Kasey Jones Park in Elizabeth, Away

The serious competitors go at it year-round, said coach Janice Edwards, which means they’re already primed by the time September comes.

“Everybody that’s on our team has been real successful doing little bits of rodeo here and there, all of them have won money this summer, and they should be ready to go,” she said.

Edwards said the team consists of 14 this year, with six seniors: Trent Vernon, Cutter Barnes, Garrett Uptain, Dusty Taylor, Kayla Pinnt and Samantha Pearce.

“I don’t think we have any weak links, everybody’s going to do well,” Edwards said.

A fuller roster than last year includes more young ladies to get additional honors for Moffat County, with frequent national competitor Kinlie Brennise joining brother Kasen in high school and Amber Salazar taking up the torch by bringing her own level of experience to the middle school team.

Additionally, Eric and Jace Logan, of Yampa, will be adding to the tally. Eric paired with Moffat County’s Yancey Weber as the best roping tandem in the state last year.

The battle for all-around points starts now and only lasts for about a month before teams get back at it in the spring, but Edwards expects a lot of effort early on in the season.

“Our season is broken up so much, it seems like there’s two of them, but this is a good time to get points because everybody’s ready to just keep going,” Edwards said. “In the spring, everybody kind of cracks out, but the first rodeos they go to are usually high school ones.”

After about six years of overseeing the program, this will likely be the final season for Edwards, who saw her team host the state finals in 2014 and earlier this year. While on the lookout for a replacement in the position, she intends to enjoy seeing local kids succeed, including a home event Sept. 12 and 13 at Moffat County Fairgrounds.

“I think all our kids are really going to excel this year,” she said.

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.


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