MEEKER | From a blistering 89-point bull ride to a lightning-fast 2.58-second breakaway run, Week Six of the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series delivered high-level competition and standout performances from both returning champions and new winners.
The night opened with the open team roping event, where Meeker local Kash Atwood and teammate Joby Barquin claimed victory with a time of 5.84 seconds. Barquin previously won in Week Four with Deena Norell, who also picked up a win in Week Two with Lane Anderson. This week marked the first team win of the season for the Atwood-Barquin duo.
In the #8 team roping, Lee Burton and Herb Raley took top honors with a time of 8.39 seconds. The dally ribbon roping title went to Colton Kreider—who also sang the national anthem—and his partner Dillon Pinnt, finishing in 10.44 seconds.
Meeker’s Fallon Nielsen earned her third win of the summer series with a 3.55-second run in the open breakaway event. Nielsen previously won the ladies breakaway in Weeks Four and Five with her horse, Lena.
“It feels great. It’s a good feeling to be consistent and to feel strong in my roping,” Nielsen said. “It gives me a lot of confidence knowing that things are coming together. I feel like I’ve been making pretty much the same run the past three weeks—making sure I see my calf move, getting to my spot, and throwing my rope.”
Reflecting on her success over the past three weeks, Nielsen added, “I’m excited. I feel confident, especially with this pen of calves. They’ve been a great match for me and my horse. The first win was really special. I had been struggling to catch both of my calves before that, and to be able to put it all together that night felt really good.”
In the ladies breakaway, Taylor Davis of Rifle, Colorado, took the win with a blazing 2.58-second run aboard her horse Batman. Davis also won the open breakaway in Weeks One, Three and Five. She reflected on her Week Five performance and the growing partnership with her horse.
“When I backed in the box for this run specifically, all I wanted was for my horse and I to go out and do our job,” Davis said. “Since my previous roping runs were not great and my horse shorted me, I was originally thinking I’d just track my calf and work on my horse. But when I nodded my head, he put me in the perfect position, so I took my shot.”
She added, “I think overall, Batman and I still have a lot of things that we need to work out together, but we are getting there.”
In the junior breakaway, Tayah Richens claimed the win with a time of 3.93 seconds. Alan Jessop scored 89 points in the mutton bustin’ event for the win, while the steer riding event—featuring five riders—ended without a qualified ride. The $213 pot will roll over into Week Seven, bringing the total to $388.
Only one cowboy managed a qualified ride during the first section of bull riding. Logan Durham, who previously won in Week Two with an 82-point ride, came out on top again in Week Six with 89 points and a $2,100 payout.
“It’s always good to get a win, especially on a bull that was so fun to be on—really floating up in the air and just what you want to get on,” Durham said.
He explained that since his earlier win, he has focused on slowing things down and staying present.
“I really have just been working on slowing everything down and focusing on the job at hand,” he said. “The $2,100 was good to win—it just helps me keep going and boosted my confidence moving forward.”
Unfortunately, Durham suffered a broken collarbone at another rodeo the night after his win in Meeker and will be out for the remainder of the series.
“I’m just glad to have such a good support team with my mom, Jill Durham, and traveling partners Cauy and Cael Etcheverry—whether it’s behind the chutes or just dealing with injury,” he said.
Durham’s 89-point ride stood through the second section of bull riding, as none of the four returning riders managed to stay on for the full eight seconds.
Davis returned for her second win of the night in the open barrels, clocking in at 17.92 seconds aboard her mare, Ruby.
“She is finally starting to figure out how to run in bigger outdoor pens, and I’m proud of her,” Davis said. “We have a very close relationship… she really doesn’t have the mare attitude at all. She’s a horse with a lot of heart.”
Despite feeling like her run wasn’t as sharp as the week prior, Davis said Ruby always gives it her all.
“Earlier in the rodeo I had already been in three events and got no time in all of them. My horse wasn’t acting right and really wanted to work against me,” she said. “Finishing with two wins in my last two events really made my night.”
She explained that competing in multiple events is part of what she enjoys about rodeo.
“Most of the time I try to compete in multiple events because I don’t like going for just one—it’s much more fun,” Davis said. “Regardless of the outcome, I always pet my horses and thank them for the opportunities they give me.”
Davis said the double win was rewarding, but her focus remains on steady progress.
“Nights when you win multiple events is always nice, but I still know I have things to work on and improve on,” she said. “More than anything, it helps give my horses confidence.”
After a night filled with strong performances and fast times, Davis said she celebrated the best way she knows how.
“I went home with a smile on my face and thanked my horses for helping me do well in my events,” she said.
With Week Six in the books and a growing list of standout performances, the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series is heading into its final stretch. Athletes are finding their stride, fans are filling the stands, and the momentum is building for a strong finish.
Week Seven kicks off Thursday, July 31, with slack starting at 6 p.m. and the main performance at 7 p.m. As the season nears its final rounds, all eyes will be on returning champions and hungry newcomers vying for a spot in the winner’s circle.
Whether you’re in the stands or behind the chutes, Meeker’s summer rodeo season continues to deliver thrilling competition and unforgettable moments.
