Willy Clegg of Evanston fights to stay aboard “431 Hal” during Bull Riding competition last Saturday at the Evanston Rodeo Series performance. HERALD PHOTO/Steve Kodad

The 2009 Evanston Rodeo Series finished last weekend, with 15 cowboys and cowgirls earning championship trophy belt buckles.

The local rodeo series concluded its 17th season with performances Friday and Saturday, July 17-18, at the Uinta County Fairgrounds Arena in Evanston. Following Saturday night’s show, the top three finishers in the season point standings were honored.

Series champions earned special buckles, while the second- and third-place finishers were presented embroidered jackets.

Several area competitors claimed series titles.

Local cowboys swept the junior rough stock events. Scott Carlson of Evanston finished the season first in Junior Bull Riding. Carlson won the weekend event with a top score of 74 points. Justin Labrum of Bear River claimed the trophy buckle in Junior Steer Riding. Labrum also won the weekend competition with a high score of 71 points.

Bear River cowboy Colton Kofoed finished first in the Junior Breakaway Roping season standings. Kofoed placed second in the weekend event.

Lyman cowgirl Rachelle Harris claimed one of the coveted trophy buckles with her season championship in Junior Barrel Racing. Kimberly Weston of Randolph, Utah, finished second in the series point standings.

Darby Jones of Randolph, Utah, also claimed a championship in Tie-Down Roping.



Other area top finishers

Other area competitors finishing in the top three in the series standings included: Casey Hoffman of Lonetree, Wyo., second in Saddle Bronc Riding; Coty Cornia of Woodruff, Utah, second in Bull Riding; Kendall Barker of Evanston, third in #10 Team Roping Header; Vicki Dobson of Evanston, third in Ladies Barrel Racing; AC Martin of Evanston, third in Junior Breakaway Roping; Austin Nolan of Bear River, third in Junior Bull Riding; Kaycee Kennedy of Lonetree, Wyo., third in Ladies Breakaway Roping; Bill Stuart of Woodruff, Utah, third in #10 Team Roping Heeler.



Exciting final weekend

Rodeo fans enjoyed heated competition on the final weekend, with series’ titles decided by the results from the closing weekend performances.

Several area competitors had strong efforts on the final weekend of the 2009 season.

Kimberly Weston of Randolph, Utah, won the Junior Barrel Racing with her time of 18.69 seconds, and Rachelle Harris of Lyman finished third at 19.40. Shianne Lopez of Mountain View was fourth at 19.91, followed by Makenzie Meeks of Mountain View in fifth place and Bailey Hallam of Lyman in seventh.

Sheldon Adams of Evanston finished second in Bareback Riding with a score of 74 points. Dustin Lemon of Lyman was third with a 68-point ride.

In #10 Team Roping, Kendall Barker of Evanston teamed with Cody Cowdell of Lehi, Utah, to win the weekend with a quick time of 6.22 seconds. Lydell Norris of Randolph, Utah, and Evanston’s Riggin Moon placed third with a time of 7.22.

The Rich County, Utah, roping team of Tyler Stuart and Ron Stuart finished fifth at 8.40. Brandon Hatch and Lee Jones of Randolph, Utah, placed sixth with a time of 8.71. Ron Stuart and Lou Stuart also earned an eighth-place finish with a time of 11.72.

In Tie-Down Roping, Don Jones of Mountain View finished fourth with a time of 9.43 seconds. Randy Muir of Randolph, Utah, was seventh at 10.06.

Mountain View’s Shay Murray tied for second in Ladies Breakaway Roping with a time of 3.63 seconds.

Three area cowboys claimed top spots in the weekend Saddle Bronc Riding event. Lydell Norris of Randolph, Utah, tied for second with a 73-point ride. Casey Hoffman of Lonetree, Wyo., was fourth with a 71, and Wynn Huffaker of Woodruff, Utah, placed fifth at 69.

Vicki Dobson of Evanston finished in a tie for fifth in Ladies Barrel Racing with a time of 18.53 seconds.



Brahma bulls

Blake Goode of Ravenna, Texas, brought his famous white Brahma bulls to Evanston for both weekend performances.

Goode and his partners, “Geronimo” and “Apache,” performed for the crowd, including a jump through a ring of fire to conclude each night’s show.

Watch Friday’s Herald Sports pages and check back here on the Web site Friday, July 24, for more information on the 2009 Evanston Rodeo Series, including the Jaydee Blackburn Memorial Scholarship winners.



For the complete article see the 07-21-2009 issue.

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