RACFA News:
The Rio Arriba County Fair Association, Kids Rodeo Committee members will put on the 2nd Annual Kids Rodeo at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5 at the Rio Arriba County Fair, at the Rural Events Center in Abiquiu.
Most people associate rodeo with enormous bucking bulls, burly cowboys, and lightning fast barrel racers, however, rodeo is not just an adults-only sport. What sets these competitors apart is their age; youth ages 4-18 from Rio Arriba and surrounding counties will be competing in this rodeo.
This year’s kid’s rodeo will showcase a handful of timed events for rodeo enthusiasts, and offer fun, excitement and payouts to the most determined little cowgirls and cowboys.
Competitors will be broken into groups based on their age and gender. Barrel Racing, in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. Pole bending, where each competitor is required to weave around a set of 6 poles in the shortest time possible.
The flag race, is a test of speed and precision. A can filled with soft dirt and a flag is placed into it and set atop a barrel at the far side of the arena…the competitor runs across the arena horseback around the barrel, scoops the flag out of the can, and carries it to the finish line as fast as possible. Goat tying is a smaller version of adult tie-down roping, and involves the competitors running to a goat staked in the middle of the arena, where they must cross and tie any three legs, and the goat must stay tied for 6 seconds.
For the littlest of cowpokes, (6 and under) they must grab a ribbon off the goat’s tail, and throw their hands up to stop the timer. And finally, the Rescue Race. This event has two contestants riding as a team. One contestant mounted on their horse will ride to the opposite end of the arena to rescue his partner that is standing atop a barrel. The mounted rider must get close enough to his partner so his partner can also mount the starting horsemen’s horse, rescuing him; and then both ride back together to the starting point in the arena.