Navigating the various leagues, tours and circuits of professional rodeo can be a confusing proposition, especially for novice fans visiting Denver’s National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show.
But when it comes to the sports pages, the emphasis rests on rodeo.
So what exactly is happening at the National Western Complex when you visit the rodeo?
Are these the best athletes in the sport? Are there bona fide superstars competing in Denver? How much money is involved?
For starters, the bull riding is always the premier event. The Professional Bull Riders’ Challenger Tour already came and left Denver this week. The PBR, which also oversees the Built Ford Tough Series, which gathers the best riders in the sport, uses the Challenger Tour as a kind of the minor leagues of bull riding.
But it wasn’t without stars. Kody Lostroh of La Salle, who netted a fifth-place finish at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas in November, and others rode this week.
But although the bull riding didn’t attract the best of the best, the Denver stop on the tour kick-started Cory Melton of Tolar, Texas, into an early-season lead, which could go a long way toward netting him some of the season-ending $1.5 million in earnings.
But other events at the rodeo shine, too: bareback riding, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing. All are significant sports and, depending on your preferences, thoroughly exciting.
So where do they fit in the overall picture? Each of the events attracts athletes competing in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association. The National Western is one of the earliest competitions of the season. So for some, Denver is a chance to get a quick lead in a quest to qualify for the season-ending National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The National Finals last season doled out more than $5 million in prizes.
So essentially, Denver is a jumping-off point to dive into a new season. Or to dive into a faceful of dirt.
WEAK IN REVIEW
Congrats to Urban Meyer on his much-deserved recognition. But although Florida defeated Ohio State in the BCS “title game,” the Gators are national champions only in a broken system. Without rehashing the bowl game/playoff format broken record, ask yourself this: Does Boise State have more or less claim to a national title than Georgia Tech did in 1990 when it weaseled in for the United Press International title after Colorado’s Associated Press championship?
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
David Beckham’s arrival in America’s MLS, beyond the big contract and endorsements and other brouhaha, will mean one thing in the long run. Beckham, who never was the kind of player to dominate a game (he’s more like a glorified role player), will be relied on to legitimize the league internationally. If his joining the MLS means other big names will soon follow, then he’s worth every penny of that $250 million.
THE COUCH
ON: The NFL playoffs may be building toward the Super Bowl, but for pure entertainment, the divisional round usually has the best games. And you don’t have to go back further than last season to prove it. Remember the Broncos’ deconstruction of the Patriots? The Steelers’ shocker over the Colts? On Saturday, check the league’s best QB (Peyton Manning) against the league’s best defense (the Ravens’) when Indianapolis takes on Baltimore at 2:30 p.m. on KCNC-4. Then at 6 p.m. on KDVR-31, the surprising Eagles (when did Jeff Garcia become so important?) take on the surprising Saints (when did they become the NFC favorites?). On Sunday, the Seahawks go against the Bears at 11 a.m. on KDVR-31. And the Patriots face the Chargers at 2:30 p.m. on KCNC-4.
OFF: Not content with a one-day snowshoe race, the city of Grand Lake decided to throw a party – a four-day party. Starting today and running through Monday, the Grand Lake Snowshoe Festival will feature a U.S. Ski Association-sanctioned 7K showshoe race, a 7K fun run/walk, a celebrity snowshoe race, an antique snowshoe tours, sleigh rides, ice skating, mountaineering and environmental seminars and more. Check grandlakesnowshoefestival.com for information.
AROUND TOWN
By virtue of Missouri, Baylor and Kansas State keeping pace with the Colorado men’s basketball team (4-8, 0-2 Big 12) in the loss column, the Buffaloes aren’t entirely alone at the bottom of the Big 12 Conference standings. Consider the Buffs on a roll. Good timing, too. With No. 8 Texas A&M coming to Boulder on Saturday for a 5 p.m. game, the Buffs will need all the momentum they can muster. The Aggies have four players averaging double figures in points, led by Acie Law IV (the fourth!) with his 15.6 points per game. And people are already talking about Texas A&M as a potential Final Four team. Watch the Aggies in their only trip to Colorado at CU’s Coors Events Center or on FSN.
