WELCOME RODEO NEWS FANS
Seniors ride tall in the saddle at Goodyear Rodeo
As the cold rain fell in sheets onto Goodyear rodeo audience members huddled under umbrellas, Tonopah resident Kathy Hooker sat smiling on her blanket in the bleachers.
"I'm here to watch and enjoy the event," Hooker said. "These guys are up there in age and still out here riding horses."
Participants and spectators came out and enjoyed the Goodyear Rodeo on Friday despite rainstorms. Members of the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association competed. Nevada competitor Jim Lakey, whose favorite rodeo event is team roping, said he has been competing in rodeos for nearly 65 years.
Lakey, 79, said he still practices a lot before large rodeo like the one in Goodyear.
"I'm staying in Wickenburg which is basically the hub of team roping," Lakey said.
Doris Goetz, an event coordinator, expected from 3,500 to 4,000 spectators to the rodeo grounds though the weekend.
"We get a lot of people from Canada, Alaska and all over the U.S.," Goetz said.
Chicago residents Tom and Bonnie Rafferty traveled to Goodyear to see their first rodeo. It hasn't been a disappointment, they said under their umbrella.
Vendors selling everything from funnel cakes to beaded jewelry lined the walkway in front of the grounds.
"It looks like it's quite an operation," Tom said. "We didn't know what to expect. "The (competitors) take it very seriously."
Friday's events included team roping. Saturday and Sunday's events included roping, bulldogging, bull riding and barrel racing competitions.
The proceeds from Saturday's charity calf dressing competition went to the Domestic Violence Center, Goetz said.
"This is part of our history," Goetz said. "It's a great community event."
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