Roughstock event rides into town

Hunter Brasfield of Colorado does his best to stay on the bronc Saturday during the bare back event of Champion Roughstock Challenge at the Quay County Rodeo Arena.

Staff Report

Fifty contestants competed in the Champion Roughstock Challenge on Saturday, trying their best to beat the bulls and horses and win their part of the $10,000 purse.

“The event went well and we absolutely loved to bring the event back to Tucumcari, said Robert Allemand, general manager of BR Rodeo Productions, explaining that he brought the event to Tucumcari because of the town’s rodeo heritage. He said in the 1990s, he competed in a rodeo held during the Fourth of July in Tucumcari.

“The rodeo was a big event for the community I want to bring that back to the community,” Allemand said.

Allemand said the crowd enjoyed bareback and saddle bronc and bull riding. He said the world-class athletes who are members of the Professional Bull Riders Inc., many of whom have competed at the National Finals Rodeo.

Allemand said while the event highlighted contestants' skills, he added that the stock came from world-class companies. The Triangle Rodeo Company provided the roughstock for the bronc events and the bulls were supplied by multiple roughstock providers: Mike Johnson, Dustin Danley, Ron and Shelly Allsvaugh, Skip Jones and Monte Mask.

Allemand said riders in the CRC junior division competed earlier in the day. He said the juniors used the competition to develop their skills as they push themselves to being the best as they aspire to reach the big leagues.

“These junior athletes are the future of the industry,” Allemand said. “We aren't only trying to promote our professionals athletes but help the future athlete of this industry develop.”

Allemand said there has been discussion of holding another CRC event in Tucumcari in May, but nothing has been finalized. He said the next event in the area will be on New Year's Eve in Amarillo, Texas.