On an evening that featured powerful bulls, bucking broncs and some of the best rodeo cowboys in the business, a set of inspiring barrel racers stole the show.
Leading the impressive set was Cortez resident Autumnrain Chee, whose intense style and beautiful horses have stood out in recent years and made her a favorite with local fans.
Competing on her sister’s horse, Dooley, Chee’s entrance into the arena elicited roars from the largest crowd of the three-day event, as well as a rousing introduction by rodeo announcer Jody Carper, who implored audience members to welcome the “home town cowgirl.”
“I couldn’t really hear the crowd because I was zoned out and paying attention,” Chee said. “It’s always fun to ride in the (Ute Mountain Roundup) because it’s the local rodeo that everybody knows.”
Although Chee’s time of 19.44 was slower than she expected, her performance was by no means unimpressive given the fact that she was riding an unfamiliar horse that had limited experience in pro rodeos.
“The thing with barrel racing is that you have to be one with the horse,” Chee said. “You have to be synced and doing the same thing. If you don’t have that connection, you won’t do well.”
Rounding out the set of show-stealing cowgirls was Elk Ridge, Utah, resident Amberley Snyder, whose appearance in the arena was nothing short of miraculous given that a car wreck in 2010 robbed her of feeling below her waist.
Riding using a set of straps designed to hold her legs on the saddle, Snyder, who competes in rodeos across the county, raced to a time of 17.94, which represented the fourth-fastest time of the evening.
“For me, giving up wasn’t an option,” said Snyder, in a youtube video telling her story. “I was going to be competitive ... and show up to a barrel race to win like everybody else.”
Currently working toward making the circuit finals and becoming one of the top barrel racers in the country, Snyder has become a formidable force at pro rodeos where she is a threat to win every time out.
“When I get on my horse, it becomes my legs,” Snyder said. “I get to leave my wheelchair at the trailer and I’m able to live in the moment on my horse’s back.”
CJ Vondette’s time of 17.45 seconds represented the fastest barrel racing time of the evening. Barbara Johnson finished second with a time of 17.59.
Shon Gibson’s score of 74.00 was the evening’s best in bareback riding, while Cody Moore finished first on the evening in steer wrestling with a time of 7.5 seconds. Jesse Portales won the tie down roping (8.4 seconds), and Aaron Tsinigine and John Myles combined to win team roping with a time of 4.6 seconds.
Dylan Henson finished earned the top saddle bronc score of the evening with 76.00 points, and Jess Davison’s 81.00 point ride in the bull event was the best of the night.