77th Westcliffe Stampede Rodeo and Parade

WMV Saddle Club installs New Stadium seating
Photo by Mary Mowery

77th Westcliffe Stampede is here! WMV Saddle Club has added 1,200 seats for this year’s events, and new lighting. That’s seating for 5,000! It’s still first come, first serve on seating so you’ll want to get there early. The gates open at 4 p.m. The PRCA/WPRA Rodeo begins at 6 p.m. both Friday and Saturday nights, July 14 & 15. Friday’s concert band is “Two Tons of Steel” and Saturday’s concert band is “John King”.
Tickets can be purchased on line at WMVSC.com and at the following local businesses; Antlers Liquor. Candy’s Coffee.
Liquor Cabinet, The Country Store and Willie’s (Silver Cliff Mountain Inn & Restaurant.) Tickets are $35 per day and include the Concert. W/V discount is $5.
THE STAMPEDE PARADE
The Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club is again sponsoring a Rodeo parade Saturday, July 15th. They are looking for more entries – walkers, riders, controlled parade-safe animals, and vehicles are invited to participate. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Participants should meet at the Conoco station between 9 and 9:30 a.m. (Let Treasure Merchant know in advance if possible; text or call 720-261-9111, or email at TMerchant1958@gmail.com. All participants must sign a liability waiver.)
FOOD and BEVERAGE BOOTHS
The Custer County School’s Booster Club will be there both nights grilling up hamburgers. Their booth is just west of the Grandstand. Other vendors to look forward to: Kickshaw Gypsy , Lala’s Tacos , Smith’s Snack Shack, Big Lou’s Lemonade and Sno Biz Shaved Ice.
EVENTS
Both evenings will be filled with everything you’d expect from a great rodeo; Bareback Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Breadaway Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding. The Mini Bronc Event is at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights.


SOME OF THE BEHIND THE SCENES FOLKS THAT MAKE
OUR RODEO GREAT!
STOCK CONTRACTOR
This year SUMMIT PRO RODEO out of Centennial, Wyoming, has been contracted to provide stock for the rodeo events. This family owned and operated company is dedicated to providing quality stock and a professional show. Some of Summit’s claims to fame on the circuit are; Kangaroo Lou — 2022 Mountain States Saddle Bronc horse of the year, 2022 Bareback of the year Game Trail, and 2020 Remuda of the year.
BOB AND BRANDY EDMONDS of GOLD SPUR PRODUCTIONS out of Kersey, Colorado, will be here behind the scenes. They handle event productions.
1st COLORADO TOP HANDS are back this year! The entertaining equestrian drill team that performs throughout the state of Colorado. The 1st Colorado Top Hands all-age drill team. Riders come from all backgrounds including competitive barrel racing, western pleasure, and ranch versatility. The team rides their drill with American Flags to honor those who have served in the military or as first responders including many members of the team. The Top Hands honorably present our military and first responder flags during grand entry and parades.
BRIAN PATTON –FUNNYMAN hails from Epps, Louisiana. His trick trained Brahmans and Texas Longhorns bring a mixture of training talent along with cowboy skills and versatility.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MINI
BRONCS– Kaitlynn Hayes, Hayden, Colorado, will bring their specialty stock. The fourteen-year-old stock contracting business is strictly dedicated to pony bucking horses and children and enjoy getting children hooked on the bronc riding sport in a fun, safe, positive environment all while putting on a show the crowd will enjoy. “
BULLFIGHTERS
ZACH DEVOL out of Elbert, Colorado, will be here. Zach is a 2020 – 2022 PRCA Mountain State Circuit Finals Bullfighter and a 6 Time CPRA Finals Bullfighter with 6 Years as a PRCA Bullfighter and an NFR Bucking Stock Sale Bullfighter.
CONNER ROWLEY out of Westcliffe, Colorado – PRCA BULLFIGHTER is a 2017 PRCA Freestyle Bullfighting Year End Champion, 2019 – 2022 PRCA Mountain States Circuit Finals Bullfighter and a 5 Time CPRA Finals Bullfighter, 7 Years as a PRCA Bullfighter and an NFR Bucking Stock Sale Bullfighter
THE RODEO VET is Dr. Annie Schultz-Cordova, a 2009
graduate of the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Living in the Salida area after graduation, she practices both small and large animal medicine. She is the current owner of Central Colorado Veterinary Service which provides ambulatory services to the central mountain regions of Colorado from Wyoming to New Mexico. She enjoys competing at barrel races and team roping with her husband Clint and 6-year-old

CONTESTANT HOSPITALITY TENT- Twila Geroux with Hayden Outdoors Farm, Ranch, and Recreational Real Estate is proud to support and sponsor the Westcliffe Stampede PRCA Rodeo HospitalityExperience. Twila, with Hayden Outdoors, has sponsored the Hospitality Tent since the inception of PRCA at the Stampede four years ago. Jack Geroux, Twila’s father-in-law, was one of the founders of the Westcliffe Stampede Rodeo many years ago.
MT. CARMEL VETERANS SERVICE CENTER of Colorado Springs, CO, will have a tent. Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center (Mt. Carmel) provides transition and employment assistance, behavioral health and wellness, supportive services, connection to community resources, and safe event space for Veterans, Military Members and their families.
YODER – SIX HORSE HITCH TEAM will join the event again this year with their Percheron team. Westcliffe is fortunate to have a glimpse into the world of these majestic horses.
Thursday’s RANCH RODEO event included ten cowboy and cowgirl teams to for a one-night competition of events similar to what they do every day, along with some just plain fun events for cash prizes and bragging rights.