Ride ‘em Cowboy... & Cowgirls!
Courtesy of Dan Davis/Vail Resorts
According to Wikipedia, “Rodeo is a sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia.
” Today it is a sporting event consisting of competitions involving horses and other livestock and designed to test the skill and speed of the participating cowboy and cowgirl athletes.
That said, Vail and Beaver Creek do not exactly conjure up images of mutton bustin’ and bull riding, barrel racing and team roping.
But each summer the good people of the Vail Valley shed their ski boots, dust off their cowboy boots and head for the rodeo grounds at Traer Creek in Avon.
In a way, that’s not surprising. Although the resort towns exude a chic cosmopolitan aura during the winter months, in summer the valley returns to its roots with gusto.
Once a region inhabited primarily by ranchers and farmers (Vail originally was a sheep ranch and Beaver Creek a ranch and lettuce producer), their pioneering spirit lives on as a legacy to a strong and proud people.
And rodeos were a rip roarin’ part of their lives, one that is celebrated with each summer’s Beaver Creek Rodeo Series, and the 2009 edition promises to be as lively as ever.
The rodeo serves not just as a fantastic sporting event, but also as a community meeting place where locals and visitors alike gather around watering holes and food stalls to catch up on the latest gossip.
Kids have a ball, too, whether watching the action or horsing around the venue.
Foodies can enjoy western barbecue and other culinary treats from Moe’s Original BBQ, Fiesta Jalisco, the Dusty Boot Saloon and many more.
But once the rodeo begins, all eyes turn to the main arena.
First comes the national anthem, presided over by the Beaver Creek Rodeo Queen (Becca Bosworth), the Queen’s Attendant (Sarah Martin) and the Princess (Maria Fernanda Gonzalez), all young and aspiring equestrians.
Then begin the competitions, which include such action-packed events as:
Bareback Bronc Riding: To win this event, the cowboy must hang on to the bucking bronco with just one hand, and endure eight long seconds of whiplash, whirling, and twirling.
Team Roping: Two cowboys, a header and a heeler, work together to rope a steer as fast as possible, earning points for their skill and speed.
Barrel Racing: Elegant riding and precise timing are the keys to winning this intense competition, which consists of sprinting into the arena and tightly turning around three barrels.
Bull Riding: In this dangerous event, bull riders must overcome 2,000 pounds of angry animal angst for eight exciting seconds.
FOR THE KIDS:
Kids Calf Scramble: The first five buckaroos to capture ribbons from the tails of a group of friendly calves win prizes.
Mutton Bustin’: The youngest cowboys and cowgirls show their stuff in this rodeo favorite. The buckaroo who holds on to his or her wild-n-wooly sheep the longest brings home a trophy.
Kids sign up for Mutton Bustin’ and the Calf Scramble once the rodeo gates open.
FOR MOMS & DADS
Burro Racing: Create teams of three to test your donkey handling and riding abilities! Adults ages 18 and up can put together a team and compete in the Burro Racing competition.
Sign up for all three events at the information tent just inside the gates.
So grab those boots, don your Stetson and head for the rodeo this summer.
IF YOU GO:
The dates for this season's Thursday night Rodeo Series are June 18 and 25, July 2, 9, 16 and 23, and August 6, 13, and 20. The rodeos take place on the rodeo grounds behind Chapel Square at Traer Creek in Avon.
Admission costs are as follows: VIP Seating $20; Seniors (65+ yrs.) $10; Adults (18-64 yrs.) $15; Youth (13-17 yrs.) $7; Children 12 years and under are free.
Tickets may be purchased at the Beaver Creek Information Center up to 3pm on the day of the rodeo, or onsite at the rodeo beginning at 5pm. For group discounts, contact the Beaver Creek Sales Department at 970-845-5762.
Tickets are not dated other than the year and dates of the series so a ticket is good for any rodeo held during the summer.
Please note that the rodeo takes place rain or shine and tickets are therefore non-refundable. Alcoholic beverages, pets, and glass containers cannot be brought onto the rodeo grounds. All bags are subject to search by security.
Free parking is available directly across the street from the rodeo grounds, and a free shuttle service is available from the covered bridge in Beaver Creek Village.
For more information, call 970-845-9090 or visit Beaver Creek
Gary Phipps is a freelancer covering Colorado’s recreational scene for Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine. He has written extensively about travel and recreation not just in the U.S., but also in such countries as Norway, Spain, the Netherlands and Greece.
