SAFFORD — Graham County Fairgrounds is packed as hundreds of families have made their way to the Gila Valley for the next stop on the High School Rodeo Circuit.
“They sign up for however many stalls they want, and we have a few RV hook-ups — those got taken immediately,” said Trey Andrews, Parks and Fairgrounds manager. “The rest of the people, they dry camp. So the entire parking lot for the fair is . . . end-to-end with trailers (and) their own stables that they can set up out there.”
Events include: goat tying, tiedown, bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, break away, team roping, barrel racing, pole bending, long rifle, trap shooting, cutting and reined cowhorse.
High school participants from Graham and Greenlee counties include: Jasmine Davila, from Safford, in pole bending and barrel racing; Hallie Hansen, from Safford, in barrel racing; Madison Whitmer, from Thatcher, in barrel racing; Rawley Ben Jr., from Peridot, in team roping; and Dakota Hardy, from Clifton, in barrel racing.
Area participants in the junior high competition include: Braden Ben, from Peridot, in goat tying, team roping and ribbon roping; and Rosalinda Ben, from Peridot, in ribbon roping, barrel racing and break away.
Participants are required to wear their bibs when eating or shopping, to show support for the host community.
“Once you meet the contestants, it’s hard not to root for them,” Andrews said. “It’s difficult because . . . everybody can’t win. Not everybody is going to get one of those belt buckles, and I’m pretty sure we only have 37 total.”
Junior high winners will qualify for the finals May 6-8 in Holbrook, while high school winners will qualify for the finals June 1-5 in Prescott.
The rodeo takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is free.
