Keeping up is hard to do…

Last month, the Rooftop Rodeo was selected as the Best Mid-size Rodeo in the Mountain States Circuit.  We are truly honored to be selected.  Keeping up is hard to do, but something that the RTR is committed to doing.  This week, some of the Rooftop Rodeo Committee members and officers are off to Las Vegas to attend PRCA meetings (and probably a little bit of rodeo).  We are fortunate that so many of our committee members are willing to spend their time and money learning how to make our rodeo better.   It really pays to learn how other committees work and to spend time networking with them. 

Next week, more committee members will be making their way to the NFR and the Miss Rodeo America competition.  We will be cheering on Kellsie Purdy, Miss Rodeo Colorado (and a former Miss Rooftop Rodeo) as she competes for Miss Rodeo America.  She is a member of our committee and we are pretty proud of her.  So, all in all it will be a pretty exciting couple of months.  

Barrel racing in Estes Park--cool, fast, fun!

Barrel racing is coming to Estes Park Labor Day Weekend. This will be the first Estes Park Barrel Race (EPBR) and it promises to be a truly great event.

In 2010, the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) voted the Rooftop Rodeo the Best Small Rodeo in America. Labor Days EPBR will feature many of the same ladies that competed at the Rooftop.  Here is the good news; you can compete right alongside of these terrific athletes! The EPBR will be divided into three classes-Open (the pros), Novice, and youth.  Basically all racers are welcome—men and women, boys and girls.  The event producers, True West Productions, have a computer system that groups contestant scores in what is known as a 4–D scale.  What this means is that folks can compete against individuals at their level.  Helps make for a level playing field. You can find a registration form at www.rooftoprodeo.com.  Competitors can rent a stall and RV spot at the fairgrounds.  Just give them a call (970-586-6104) for reservations. 

 

The event is set up to support the Rooftop Rodeo and its royalty program.  Sponsors are still needed to help defray the cost of producing the event.  If you would like to support the Rooftop and the youth in the royalty program, please contact Ann Griffith, Rooftop Rodeo Barrel Race Committee Chairperson, 970-586-1170/ 805-458-7376 and explore the possibilities.  All finances will be run through Top Hand Organization, Inc. a 501 (c) (3) corporation and appropriate tax documentation will be provided to all advertisers/sponsors/donors.

Labor Day is a perfect time to visit Estes Park.  It is cool and there are lots of things to do between races including a John Denver Tribute Concert at the fairgrounds on Saturday evening, September 3^rd, an Alpaca Market at the fairgrounds, and the Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show. 

Promotion Day--Rodeo Style

 OK, so the Rooftop is not really going to college but we did get promoted. Since the Rooftop first attained professional status by joining the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) it has been in the small rodeo category.  This category is for professional rodeos whose committees add $3,000.00 or less per event to be combined with competitor entry fees to make the total purse for which the cowboys are competing.  This year of the 474 professional rodeos in America, 298 are in the small category.  It is worthy of note that, in 5 of the last 8 years, the Rooftop has been voted as the Best Small Rodeo in America.

So, it was time to be promoted-from small rodeo to medium size rodeo.  The medium size category is defined as all professional rodeos who have added committee money of $3,001 – $9,999 (131 total rodeos).  The Rooftop, this year added $3,370 per event.  This is a good!  Good for the cowboys and good for the Town.  Lucky for us, the Rooftop already has the reputation of being a really big rodeo that just happens to be in one of the best small towns in America. 

So, what does this really mean for the Rooftop?  We already have a reputation among cowboy and cowgirl athletes for being the “go to rodeo” for great hospitality, genuine hometown friendliness, a phenomenal rodeo setting, great facilities, and topnotch rodeo stock.  The down-side is that, at just over $3,000 added money, we are now at the very bottom of the medium rodeo pay scale.  Gradually, over the next few years, as we continue to grow, we will be able to add more money; but this year, we may have a rough time in the voting because we are the new guys on the block.  However, there are many of us who are thinking that “who we are” will win out over “how much we pay”.  All votes will be counted and winners announced at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this November 30, 2011.  Keep your fingers crossed.  I am betting on winning the Best Medium Rodeo in America, first time out of the chute J

Hail and Farewell

Folks on the Rooftop Rodeo Committee work hard pretty much all year around planning for one week of rodeo.  There are subcommittees planning the parade, finding sponsors, working on the Tough Enough to Wear Pink golf tournament, planning special event nights, etc.  Everyone works hard and is pretty invested in putting on the Best Small Rodeo in America. 

Of course, all of this energy and work has to be corralled by the folks at the fairgrounds.  Sometimes our work just makes more work for them; it is just a natural outcome of lots of ideas and enthusiasm.  We tip our cowboy hats to Bo and his crew—they make our rodeo possible.  One individual, however, will be sorely missed by the committee this year—Laurie.  Laurie accepted a new job, which has taken all the way to Town Hall.  However, a loss from the front office at the fairgrounds has turned into a gain by the committee. We are blessed that Laurie has decided to join the committee.  Thanks Laurie, for all of the 16 hours days that you dedicated to our rodeo (and other events) and welcome to the committee (no pay, but much better hours).

Can it get any windier?

Many thanks to out to our hardy Rooftop Rodeo Royalty horsemanship instructors, committee folks, parents, kids, and horses.  It was a one windy day.  Despite their noble efforts and a box of chocolate doughnuts, the session ended around noon—they just could take it anymore.  Guess we missed the better weather in the valley—evidently; the Miss Rodeo Colorado prelims had pretty nice weather. 

Looks like some of the group will take another shot at practice this weekend. Ride safely.

Eagle’s Eye View

Lexie and Joe getting ready.

Any day that puts kids, horses, doughnuts, and warm sunny weather together is a good one and Saturday was a good one for the Rooftop Rodeo Royalty practice horsemanship clinic.  This spring, we’ve been experiencing the typical roller coaster ride of snowy days followed by sun and warmth.  The only constant being the wind.    



Alyssa, Mom and Dad--any good advice?



Well, Saturday morning turned out to be a gift for us all—sun, no wind and temperatures warm enough to have everyone shucking off their jackets by 10:00.  The icing on the cake was a morning flyover by an American bald eagle.  What a treat to see that!  

Michelle and friend soaking up the sun.

After literally running through (on foot) the riding pattern, the kids mounted up for a day of riding and coaching.  We are blessed to have supportive parents and members of the committee that knows their stuff. Kim, Liz and Emily were full of good information, fun and enthusiasm, Kassi was a great hostess, and Sean, Rick and Sandy was a terrific supporters.  I believe we're catching rodeo fever!

 

Patterns in the Wind

This afternoon, Howell and Kellsie Purdy (Miss Rodeo Colorado) braved the elements to help with preparations for the horsemanship portion of the royalty tryouts.  Although it was sunny, the wind nearly knocked us off of our feet. I am not sure how Joe (the horse pictured) managed to stay on his.  We all had to wear sunglasses--just to keep the grit out of our eyes. 

Howell rode the course first--including the queen's run.  He lost his hat shortly after entering the arena (maybe it was the 30 mph wind). Yes, that is him waving at the empty stands.  I don't think the royalty candidates have anything to worry about.  Although he showed great enthusiasm, he didn't really have that "something" we are looking for in rodeo royalty.  

 Kellsie, however, was a good sport, kept her hat and was able to negotiate the pattern with ease.  Looks like it will take about 4 to 5 minutes to complete the course. 

Getting Ready for the royalty

You know that rodeo season is approaching, when we start talking about royalty tryouts! Today, Kim, Howell, and I met in arena to iron out the finer points of thevriding patterns for tryouts in May.  Although the arena was strangely quiet, I began to feel the excitement that comes with the beginning of rodeo season in the high country.  The sun was shining, for the most part, and there were plenty of animated discussions and drawing in the dirt.  I am convinced that this will be a year full of traditions and changes in the program--just as it should be.  No one ever gets anywhere standing still. 

Here We Go...

There may be snow on the horses' backs, but the days are getting longer, the temperatures a little warmer,  and plans for the 2011 Rooftop Rodeo are heating up. The construction of the new parking lot at the fairgrounds started this week.  The high winds are sure kickin' up the dust today, but it will really be nice to have paved parking this summer. 

This year, we are kicking off rodeo week with a special birthday celebration--our 85th!  We would like to hear from folks who have been a part of our Rooftop Rodeo family including competitors, past committee members, former royalty, and volunteers. We would love to have them join us in the celebration.  Plans for Old Mexico Day, Armed Forces Day,  First Responders Day, and Youth Day are well underday.  Amy has something special planned for Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day, which will be on Wedneday July 13th.  I wouldn't be surprised see a lot of pink--even without my rose-colored glasses.