Young competitors from Durango and surrounding areas take part in the True West Rodeo at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - Jeremy Wood, a machinist mate 1st Class with the U.S. Navy from Duncan, Okla., and a member of the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard, waits for the opening ceremony of the True West Rodeo recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - Payton Montgomery, 7, and other competitors pause for the National Anthem at the start of the True West Rodeo recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Payton, who competed in the mutton busting competition, is the son of Shilo and Kristyn Montgomery of Bayfield.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - Kole Yeomans of Mancos topped off a successful bronc ride by waving his hat to the crowd while the beast was still tossing him around at the True West Rodeo recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Joey Botson of Aztec opens the gate.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - Chase Suckla, 16, second from left, waits for his chance to compete in his first ranch bronc riding competition at the True West Rodeo recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Chase is the son of Judd and Kara Suckla of Cortez.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - Eli Thompson of Belen, N.M., follows his son, Jayton Thompson, 3, out of the gate during the mutton busting competition at the True West Rodeo recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Jayton's mom is Rebecca Thompson.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - Chase Suckla, 16, son of Judd and Kara Suckla of Cortez, competed in his first ranch bronc riding competition at the True West Rodeo recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - Sadie Smith, 15, daughter of Mark and Tammy Smith of Durango, competes in the roping competition at the True West Rodeo recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - Caleb Hodgson, center, and others keep a horse from getting up until help arrives after it was injured in the True West Rodeo ranch bronc riding competition recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - Caleb Hodgson was one of the pick up men putting in a long day's work at the True West Rodeo recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
STEVE LEWIS/Durango Herald - A young cowboy sports a championship belt buckle at the True West Rodeo recently at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
