Rodeo features pink in support of breast cancer battle
A Shriner from the Escalante Shrine Club passes out candy to parade spectators Saturday.
Jacob Klopfenstein/The Journal
Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo royalty trots through downtown Cortez Saturday during the Rodeo Parade.
Jacob Klopfenstein/The Journal
A miniature horse, with its mane colored pink in support of the “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” breast cancer fundraiser, trots through downtown Cortez Saturday during the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Parade.
Jacob Klopfenstein/The Journal
BMX bikers roll through downtown Cortez during the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Parade on Saturday.
Jacob Klopfenstein/The Journal
Musicians in the Montezuma-Cortez High School marching band kick off the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Parade Saturday in downtown Cortez.
Jacob Klopfenstein/The Journal
A Shriner rolls through downtown Cortez Satuday during the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Parade.
Jacob Klopfenstein/The Journal
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Trey Yoder bites the dust in the mutton bustin' competition at the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Kelly Timberman bounces on top of the horse in the bareback riding competition.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Andy Allred hangs on in the bull riding event.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Quinten Hayden exits the chute in the bull riding event.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>The bull wins as Andy Allred goes flying at the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Josh Peek lifts a calf in the tie down competition.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>The steer pins Owen Salcito before the cowboy is able to take down the animal and tie him up in the steer wrestling competition.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Aaron Vosler grabs the horns on the way to a take down in the steer wrestling event of the Ute Mountain Roundup.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>The bull prepares to charge as Chad Ormsby gets up on his knees and then slides out of the way after his ride at the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>As his horse puts on the brakes, Seth Hall dismounts in the tie down competition.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Rhen Richard dismounts and races towards the calf in the tie down roping event at the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Tyler Montano races to tie down the calf.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Sophia Wiltfang looses her hat as she competes in the barrel racing event at the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Magin Montoya hangs on in the saddle bronc competition.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Leon Fountain flies to the ground as horse and rider are both air born in the saddle bronc competition.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>The sheep sends Deliliah Lewis to the ground in the mutton bustin' competition.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Josh Peek slides off the saddle and grabs the steer to wrestle him to the ground.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>The winner of the mutton bustin' is congratulated.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Jeffrey Zdziarski hangs on for eight seconds in the bareback competition.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Local cowboy Tanner Lockhart tumbles to the ground for no time in the saddle bronc competition at the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo.
Sam Green/The Journal<br>Nick Guy leaps from horse to steer to wrestle the animal down at the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo.
Though the midday sky was overcast Saturday, the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Parade brightened up downtown Cortez as most of the parade walkers were decked out in pink.
The parade tied in with the “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” theme for the final rodeo performance at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Wrangler gear will be available for purchase, and proceeds will go to Southwest Health System to benefit mammogram services for women in need.
Parade participants, from rodeo royalty to emergency services workers, donned pink gear in support of the fight against breast cancer. Pygmy ponies had pink-colored manes and floats were decked out in bright decorations.
Hundreds of spectators lined each side of Main Street as Shriners and skateboarders threw out candy.
The Montezuma-Cortez High School marching band led the way at the parade, kicking it off with a performance of “When The Saints Go Marching In.” Fire trucks and police cars blasted sirens and flashed lights.
The parade also included some regal flair. This year’s Roundup Rodeo royalty, including Rodeo Queen Kelly Charles, of Cortez, rode horses during the parade. Lukachukai Elementary School princess Alyssa Tino Williams perched on the hood of a pickup truck and waved to spectators. Miss Utah Navajo Alliyah Chavez wore a bright red Navajo dress and waved.
This will be the 12th year that the Roundup Rodeo has featured a “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” breast cancer fundraiser night. It’s the 86th straight year of the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo.
