Northern New Mexico rodeo competitors have the talent and skills to compete with anyone in the state.
They just needed a place to show off their skills.
But now, a new (but old) arena gave them a chance to show off for a local audience.
The Rio Arriba County Rodeo Association hosted the “Whatever it Takes” Rodeo on the Rio Chama in Abiquiú on June 17-18 at the Rio Arriba County Fairgrounds, returning to Abiquiú after years without a rodeo.
Leticia Garcia Gonzales from El Rito and Michelle Cole of Chamita created the nonprofit and planned the event.
Abiquiú used to hold a regular rodeo through the New Mexico Rodeo Association (Garcia Gonzales said it was held at night, while the new rodeo was held in the daytime). But for five years, there had not been a rodeo.
Garcia Gonzales said it was in part a way to help their younger children have opportunities to compete closer to home.
“We were traveling from afar to every single rodeo,” she said. “And we thought, we have a perfect facility here. Let’s use it. (Our children) were kind of our inspiration to bring this back to life.”
Outside of Abiquiú, the nearest rodeo is usually during Chama Days, and occasionally one will be in Lindrith. Outside of that, Taos will hold some events, and contestants have to travel further and further.
“The people of Rio Arriba deserve to have something local,” Garcia Gonzales said.
On Thursday evenings in the arena, beginning May 18, the organization hosts barrels and goat tying to give local youth chances to compete. Garcia Gonzales said about 15 competitors come weekly. And locals are excited about having the opportunity to compete.
“It’s a lifestyle, and rodeo means a lot to me,” said Demaris Alcon, 16, of Ojo Feliz (north of Las Vegas and northeast of Mora). Alcon was the champion in the open barrel racing.
“It’s been a blast,” said Jacob Archuleta of El Rito. “The whole family came out, aunts and uncles, family, friends. It’s nice for the community.”
Planning for the rodeo started nine months ago in September 2022.
“I wanted a place for Northern New Mexico kids to come out, practice, polish off their skills, and put Rio Arriba on the map,” Cole said.
The toughest part of organizing, both agreed, was finding a stock contractor to provide animals and set up the arena. Colorado-based TA Rodeo came through to organize the event as part of their summer rodeo series (this weekend, they hold their next rodeo in Raton).
They also worked to find sponsors for the event, and hope to reinvest to grow the event for future years. This year’s county fair will also include a rodeo, Cole said.
“What we get from this rodeo is to host the next rodeo,” Garcia Gonzales said. “Our goal is just to keep growing it, and eventually maybe having three or four in a summer.”
Rosalie Martinez, 18, from Canjilon, not only competed in breakaway and team ribbon roping, but she also photographed the event for her page and on Instagram.
When she was younger, she would attend the previous Abiquiú rodeos. Now having finished her first year at New Mexico State University, she was excited to have an event closer to home over the summer.
“It’s really nice, because they haven’t had it in so long,” Martinez said. “Just being back int he area, having people here. It’s nice to see the facility being used
Wacey Trujillo, a high school freshman from just down the road a couple of miles away, came in as a recent state champion and a national champion a year ago. She dominated the competition on the first day, making it look easy in both goat tying and breakaway roping, while she did not compete the second day. Her younger sister, Teagan, is competing at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo from Sunday through Saturday.
Other local competitors found success while competing with riders from around the state and Colorado.
Cole was impressed with the crowd that came to the event both days, filling up the bleachers to watch the rodeo.
“We did great,” Garcia Gonzales said. “I think we can pat ourselves on the shoulders and definitely say we did good.”