The Mountainair Gymkhana Rodeo’s six-month-long, six-rodeo series is a cowboy-up marathon, but for some it was the sprint at the end that made the
difference. The 2009 Mountainair youth series, which began in March with one rodeo a month, concluded Aug. 2 at Mountainair’s rodeo grounds. Nine local cowpokes, in divisions ranging from 6 and under to 15 to 18 years old, were set to be awarded series championship buckles, and some Valencia County cowboys and cowgirls were in the mix. The Aug. 2 rodeo had a special theme, “Tuff Enough To Wear Pink.” Nearly all the participants, staff and spectators wore bright pink Western shirts and some of the horses had pink bridles, blankets or even manes and tails dyed in pink. The effort sought to raise awareness of the fight against breast cancer. It also garnered over $600 in charity funds. But back to the competition itself. The females scored higher than the males in four of the 10 divisions. Marissa Knowlton, a recent Los Lunas High graduate, overtook Mountainair’s Lesley Kingston in the timed events to win the all-around cowgirl title. Knowlton had trailed Kingston by three points after the July rodeo, but she outscored Kingston 33-21 on the final day to claim the crown. Early on the afternoon of Aug. 2, it wasn’t quite so obvious that the former Tiger would pull out her 164-155 victory. Kingston was second in barrels and flags. But Knowlton took first in poles and flags.
“It’s probably close,” said Knowlton as she exited the arena after the goat tying event. “I’m real nervous. But I wish Lesley good luck.”