MEEKER | The Meeker Summer Rodeo Series returned to the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds on June 11 to open its 2026 season, drawing competitors from around the region for the first night of summer rodeo action.
Now entering its ninth year, the weekly series began with slack at 6 p.m. before the main performance got underway at 7 p.m., featuring team roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing and other events.
The evening opened with team roping competition, where Meeker locals Cody Edinger and Brett Watson claimed the win in the No. 11 team roping. Edinger returned to the winner’s circle later in the night, teaming up with fellow Meeker competitor Leah Wood to capture first place in the No. 8 team roping.
Wood continued her successful evening in the dally ribbon roping, where she partnered with Colt Call to earn another victory. She also topped the field in the open breakaway roping, making her one of the night’s standout competitors.
“I had a really good night,” Wood said. “Always grateful to be able to come to these rodeos. They’re so much fun, and our rodeo community in and around Meeker is amazing.”
Wood credited her recent success to staying active on the rodeo trail after completing her final season of high school rodeo.
“I’ve recently been on the rodeo trail a bit,” she said. “With just finishing my last year of high school rodeo and then jumping right into summer series here and there, I’ve had an advantage just because I’ve been busy and practicing.”
She said returning to the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series played a major role in her performance.
“I think the thing that was really working for me and my horses was just the excitement of being back at the Meeker Summer Series,” Wood said. “Last year we weren’t able to come to many of the rodeos due to distance, and I’ve really missed these rodeos. Both me and my horses were very excited to get back into the arena that we grew up in. This is home, and this is where we’ve competed our whole lives, which also helps settle the nerves.”
While she was pleased with all of her runs, Wood said her open breakaway victory stood out the most.
“I’d say my breakaway run was probably the one I was most proud of,” she said. “It was kind of a tough set of calves, and you really had to score them out and be patient in the box. Luckily my horse likes setups like that, so I had a lot of confidence in him.”
Wood added that the win was especially meaningful because breakaway is an event where she places high expectations on herself.
“It’s pretty refreshing to have some success in the breakaway as I’ve been struggling a bit with that event, and it’s also the event that I put the most pressure on myself to succeed in,” she said.
Wood competed on two horses during the evening. Her team roping horse, Dish, has become a reliable partner in the arena.
“He’s my big, pretty buckskin,” Wood said. “He’s so consistent in the roping pen and him and I have really clicked this past year. He makes my job easy because I know he will always make the same run.”
She also praised her longtime breakaway horse, Sterling.
“My little gray horse, Sterling, has been my day one,” she said. “I’ve had him since he was three and we’ve learned a lot together. We’ve been competing together in the breakaway at these Meeker rodeos for as long as I can remember. He’s taken me so far in the rodeo world, and he’ll forever be one of my all-time favorites.”
In the ladies breakaway, Taylor Davis of Rifle claimed first place. Davis was also an opening-night winner during last year’s series and returned to begin another summer season on a strong note.
The junior breakaway competition ended as a pot-roll event.
Barrel racers also turned in fast runs throughout the evening. Angelina Vreeman won the open barrels, while Meeker’s Brodee Kilduff took top honors in the junior barrel racing division.
For Wood, the opportunity to compete again in Meeker meant just as much as the results.
“To be able to come back and start off so strong really just reminds me how much I love the arena, the people and just Meeker in general,” she said. “I hope to continue my streak throughout the year.”
She said the community atmosphere continues to make the summer series special.
“Meeker is one big family, and it really shows at the rodeos,” Wood said. “It’s hard to stay away from something that feels so much like home.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Wood said her focus is on consistency.
“Some goals I have for the rest of the rodeo season would just be to remain consistent and hopefully make an impact while I’m at it,” she said. “I’m so glad that God has given me the opportunity to do what I do every day, and I hope I can bring that to light in other people’s lives as well.”
The series will continue Thursday, June 18, at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds. $1,000 has been added to the roll over pot for the bull riding competition this coming week.
Slack begins at 6 p.m., followed by the rodeo performance at 7 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to attend the free event, made possible through the support of local sponsors, as the summer rodeo season continues in Meeker.
Meeker’s Edinger, left, and Leah Wood compete in the No. 8 Team Roping during the first week of the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series. The pair captured first place in the event. BOBBY G’S MEMORIES PHOTO
