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Show Color Country Rodeo Participants Rewarded Participants in the final hours of Color Country Rodeo's 1980 season on August 27, 29 and 30 were rewarded not only with prizes for their outstanding performances but also with the ' satisfaction of knowing that they were a part of an exciting example of the "real west" for spectators, many of whom came from a variety of countries outside the United States. Spectators 'came from France, Germany, England, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, and several other countries, with many watching a rodeo for the first time. Even many visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park from eastern parts of the U.S. found themselves them-selves first-time onlookers at the action-packed western form of entertainment. Handcrafted silver buckles were presented to the top cowboy in each event. The bareback buckle went to Brad Walsh, Alamo, Nev., with a runner-up buckle presented to Harvey Mecham, Tropic, a cowboy who never missed a rodeo and rode more horses than any other cowboy during the 1980 season. Saddle bronc and bullriding buckles were presented to Clint Mecham, a Tropic cowboy who was injured early in the season but manager to gamer enough points in spite of his early injuries in-juries that no other cowboy could surpass him on points. He was also recognized as the Ail-Around Cowboy. Calf-roping honors went to Dave Miller who had left to serve a two year mission for the LDS Church before the rodeo season concluded but had nevertheless compiled enough points to be named top in the calf-roping division. Dora Shelly, Hurricane cowgirl, won the barrel racing buckle, while Don Honey, kanab cowboy, captured the team roping buckle. Climaxing the rodeo season will be the Rocky Mountain Rodeo Association's (RMRA) finals to be hosted by Color Country Rodeo on September 4, 5 and 6, a first-time honor for Garfield County. |