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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, August 29-31, 2018 The Park Record B-7 High school rodeo contestants pursue their passion up miles of highways Cowgirls, cowboys hit the Central Rockies circuit RANDY WYRICK Vail Daily EAGLE, Colo. — High school rodeo contestants are up before the butt crack of dawn every weekend day because they love it. “It’s our passion,” Makaylee Fisher said. Fisher, 13, lives in Eagle. Elaine Connor, 15, is from Delta. They’re members of the Rocky Mountain Shooters Rodeo Team. They opened their fall season last weekend in Eagle. Then again, it’s always rodeo season. The fall season runs through December, the spring season through April, and then they compete in the state rodeo. If they finish in the top four, they advance to the National High School Finals Rodeo. Then they start on the summer rodeo circuit. They do it because they love it. “I would do anything to rodeo,” Fisher said. Horsepower and passion They’re passionate about their dreams, and they chase those dreams in a truck. Most weekends, they spend hours on the road, headed to that week’s high school rodeo. Last weekend it was Eagle. Next week it’s Cortez, then Grand Junction, then to the Front Range for an event in Latigo — possibly the best-named rodeo venue ever. With that much time in a truck, they know almost every lyric to almost every song ever written. Introducing... bike. They cover the same miles, and their rides last 8 seconds, if they’re good … and lucky. During Sunday’s final round in Eagle, only one bull rider made it to the 8-second buzzer. “That’s their passion, too,” Fisher said. Then again, you could break down any sport like that, comparing the hours of preparation to the moments of competition. RANDY WYRICK/VAIL DAILY High school rodeo season opened last weekend in Eagle, Colorado, with the local Rocky Mountain Shooters Rodeo Team hosting the fall season’s opener. Brandon Estes is pictured aboard a bull during Sunday’s final round. Tori Davis coaches the Rocky Mountain Shooters and knows every mile of the rodeo road. She was raised in Eagle and migrated west to Rifle with her husband, Terry. They’ve been living the rodeo life for as long as either can remember and are now helping members of the Rocky Mountain Shooters Rodeo Team do the same. The Rocky Mountain Shooters come from Eagle, Garfield, Montrose and Delta counties. “We pull out early Friday morning, sometimes Thursday night, depending on where we’re headed,” Connor said. Once they’re there, wherever there is, they unload their horses, walk their horses, rinse their horses, brush their horses, feed and water their horses and generally fuss over their horses. On an event day — usually Saturday and Sunday when their friends back home are sleeping until noon — they’re up at 5:30 a.m. or so to feed and water their horses and make sure their horses are ready — and properly fussed over. Once their horses think they’re properly fussed over, they see to themselves. They ride between 15 and 19 seconds through a barrel course, depending on the course and whether their horse feels like going fast, and they almost always do. They’ll also compete in pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying and ribbon roping and any number of other events. Rough stock riders — bulls and broncs — could almost carry their gear to an event on a dirt Rodeo family When they’re not in a truck traveling to a rodeo, they’re fussing over their horses at home. After they fuss over their horses a lot and themselves a little, they practice so the triangular barrel patterns are solidly implanted in their horses’ brains. Some horses want to start the pattern on the right, some on the left. It’s up to the horse, Connor said. “If they won’t go either way, they’re meant for another event,” Fisher said. Horse and rider must be of one mind. “There are lots of fast horses,” Fisher said. “The question is whether they’ll be fast for you. Horses have attitude, like people. Sometimes they’re amazing; sometimes they’re awful.” If they have a bad run, they brush it off. “There will soon be another event,” Connor said. They see many of the same kids everywhere they go, which they say is a great thing. “It’s like they become part of your family,” Connor said. “Like your family, you’re closer to some, but you’d still do anything for any of them,” Fisher said. They’ll see them again soon, somewhere up the rodeo road. Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Murphy Boo Boo Pugsley Woofnut Meet Murphy, a 1-year-old Shepherd mix. This happy dog is full of energy! He needs a patient owner who can help him overcome his fears. He is dog-selective but ignores cats. He also prefers a home without small children. He’s an active guy who will make a great companion! Boo Boo is a shy little gal who needs a loving home with someone who can give her the confidence she needs. This 4-year-old Pomeranian does well around cats and other small dogs if properly introduced. She prefers a relaxed and peaceful home with no young children. Pugsley is a handsome 8-yearold Pug/Beagle mix. He does well with other dogs and cats but can be a little nervous around young children. He loves to play, go on walks, and does well on a leash. Pugsley has an energetic personality for a dog his age! Woofnut is a playful 9-weekold herding mix who is looking for a loving home where he can have lots of fun as he grows up and an active family that will love and cherish him for the long life he has ahead of him. Woofnut is one sweet and snuggly pup! Pam Bruce Bubbles Miranda Priestly Pam is a petite 2-year-old Domestic Shorthair with striking green eyes and a beautiful dilute tortoiseshell coat. She may be a bit shy at first, but she is a sweet girl once she warms up. Pam’s a gentle and mellow cat who will make a loving companion for years to come. Bruce is a 6-year-old male Domestic Shorthair with orange tabby markings. He is a handsome, curious guy. He loves attention and will accompany you during your daily chores. Bruce loves to play and has a calm temperament. He would do best in a home without dogs. Bubbles is a playful and spunky teenager. This black and white Domestic Shorthair is about a year old, and she loves to play and explore! Bubbles gets along well with other cats and loves people! She’s sure to bring lots of fun to her forever home! Miranda Priestly has been with Nuzzles & Co. for a little over a year now. She’s twelve years old, and she is just as fabulous and sassy as her namesake! You can find Miranda basking in the window sill of Kitty Corner at our Adoption Center—lounging is what she’s best at! WaNted: voluNteerS These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words People’s Health Clinic People’s Health Clinic is looking for volunteers who want to make a difference. We are open Monday through Friday and have volunteer opportunities (ages 17 and older) daily in vital sign intake, phlebotomy and Spanish/English interpretation. Fill out an online inquiry at www.peopleshealthclinic.org or contact Meg in our development office at 435-333-1863 Recycle Utah Recycle Utah, the primary recycling hub in Summit County for the last 25 years, is seeking volunteers. Get fresh air, burn calories, and make your community cleaner and greener. Help is needed in the front office, the warehouse, and assisting with daily operations. Recycle Utah also relies on volunteers at special events like Harvest Fest and collection events. For more information, contact Haley Lebsack at outreach@recycleutah.org or 435-649-9698. <b>Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District</b> Basin Recreation is looking for volunteers with a passion for play to be Park Ambassadors. Park Ambassadors patrol the parks, interact with park users, report maintenance needs, assist with tournaments, promote park safety, and encourage an overall positive use of public space. For more details visit www.basinrecreation.org or contact Angie Greenburg at 435-640-8476 or email at agreenburg@basinrecreation.org. Summit Community Gardens Interested in learning about responsible gardening in a high desert climate or want the satisfaction of knowing you’re keeping our garden and community growing? If you answered yes, than Summit Community Gardens has volunteer opportunities for you! Our mission is to educate our community on sustainable gardening techniques and empower people to grow food locally. Help us achieve that mission by volunteering with us every week or on an individual project basis. Visit SummitCommunityGardens. org/volunteer. Summit Community Power Works Summit Community Power Works, a local nonprofit focused on energy efficiency, is looking for volunteers to staff outreach events such as the Silly Sunday Market. This is a great opportunity to take part in a community-wide initiative, be a catalyst for positive change, and leave a positive legacy. Volunteers must enjoy interpersonal communication and be willing to learn about SCPW’s goals and initiatives. If interested, please contact Erin Bragg at erin.bragg@scpw.org. For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/ volunteers 435-645-7139 www.marketatparkcity.com Please look for our insert in today’s paper! 1990 28 2018 2018 Committed To DEDICATED TO PARK CITY FOR 28 YEARS (435) 649-8322 theteam@parkcitytitle.com 1670 Bonanza Drive • Park Record Building |