Rodeo rides into Portales

Jingling spurs, flying dirt and dogged determination will all be a part of the first 4-H rodeo of the season Saturday at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds.

More than 100 participants from across the state are expected to compete, said LeeAnn Foster, Roosevelt County 4-H Rodeo secretary.

Preparing for the rodeo has been a joint effort between Foster and Nikki Bonner, who also serves as Roosevelt County 4-H Rodeo secretary. The two have spent endless hours taking entries and sending out confirmations, lining up sponsors for the buckles, and volunteers to help during the event, they said.

“It takes a whole community to put this together,” Bonner said. “It takes a lot of work.”

“We thank them (the community) very much,” Foster said.

Not only does the duo serve as rodeo secretaries, but they also have children that compete in the rodeo, they said.

Jake Bonner, 17, a junior at Portales High, has been competing in 4-H rodeos for the past six years. Bonner competes in calf roping and team roping.

“I just do it because it’s something I like to do and enjoy the doing,” Jake said.

The three Bonner siblings spend several hours a day practicing. For the most part they practice the majority of the year, with the exception of basketball season, Bonner said.

Both families travel not only to 4-H rodeos across the state, but also to other events in New Mexico and Texas, they said.

“We pretty much rodeo year-round,” Foster said. “I’ve enjoyed the people we’ve met. I’m anxious to see them again.”

Competitors at the rodeo will be competing in 11 events.

At a glance

What: 4-H Rodeo

When: Saturday

Where: Roosevelt County Fairgrounds

Time: 9 a.m.

Events:

Barrels, Poles, Goat tying, flags, steer riding, calf touch, steer stopping, ribbon roping, tie down calf roping, break away roping and team roping.