MEEKER | Competitors returned to the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds on June 18 for Week 2 of the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series, with winners crowned across multiple events and larger payouts building for next week’s competition.
The weekly summer series continued with slack beginning at 6 p.m. and the main performance starting at 7 p.m., drawing contestants from across the region for another night of rodeo action.
In the No. 11 team roping, Colton Kreider and Cody Edinger posted the winning time of 7.61 seconds.
Kreider said preparation and awareness of the draw played a key role in their run.
“I had been watching the steers and knew the one we drew was slow but good,” Kreider said. “I made sure Cody knew that as I rode into the box.”
He said the deeper footing made it important not to force the run.
“The footing was a little deep, which can make it tougher on the heeler,” Kreider said. “But I knew Cody was going to heel down if I could do my best to handle him and not try to be fast. Like they say, smooth is fast.”
Kreider said he met Edinger at the Meeker rodeos less than two years ago.
“We have never practiced together, but I’ve seen him rope a lot,” he said. “We entered a few times together last year and I’m honored he said he would rope with me this year. Cody is a great man and I’m glad to think of him as a friend and brother in Christ.”
Edinger said their 7.61-second run was exactly the type of consistency team ropers strive for.
“7.6 is a good solid run, which will keep you in the money most of the time,” Edinger said. “Last week Brett Watson and I were a 5.7 to win it. You just have to consistently make good solid runs and you will get paid.”
Edinger said many of the contestants competing in Meeker are also making stops at rodeos throughout western Colorado and using the series to season younger horses.
“It’s a great venue to season young horses,” he said. “The goal is to be consistently competitive, and that carries over into the bigger competitions like Cheyenne and Las Vegas.”
He said one of the strengths of the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series is the opportunities it provides younger competitors.
“We have the summer series set up so that younger competitors can come and get experience, and that is going to help them in the future as well,” Edinger said. “It’s a great little Colorado rodeo, and everyone that comes has an opportunity to win money.”
Leah Wood continued her strong start to the summer series, teaming up with Rylan Ivy to win the dally ribbon roping in 12.49 seconds.
In the breakaway, Fallon Nielsen recorded the fastest time in the open division at 3.24 seconds, while Paula Cooper won the ladies breakaway in 3.38 seconds.
Nielsen said her winning run felt smooth from start to finish.
“My run felt pretty easy,” Nielsen said. “I didn’t overthink it. I just went out there and made the best run I could.”
She credited a strong start for setting up the winning time.
“We got a good start, and that’s what set the run up for us,” she said. “Everything came together from there.”
Nielsen’s 3.24-second run came together exactly as planned.
“Yes, it did,” she said. “We got the start we wanted, and things just seemed to fall into place.”
Nielsen competed aboard her mare Lena, who she said has grown significantly through their partnership.
“I competed on my mare Lena,” she said. “We’ve spent a lot of time learning to work together and trust each other. She’s come a long way over the last few years, and I’m proud of the progress she’s made and how well she’s doing.”
She added that opening the summer series with a win provided an early boost of confidence.
“It’s always nice to start the summer with a win,” Nielsen said. “It gives you confidence and sets a positive tone for the rest of the season.”
Looking ahead, Nielsen said consistency will be her focus.
“My main goal is to keep my horse working well and stay consistent throughout the summer,” she said.
Paula Cooper also claimed a win in the ladies breakaway in 3.38 seconds.
Cooper said her victory came together on a last-minute decision to compete.
“My winning run on Thursday was fun because it was a last-minute decision to come that ended up working out,” Cooper said. “What made a difference for me winning was being aggressive with my rope and confident in my horse.”
Cooper competed aboard her horse Onetime, which she said has played a major role in her development as a competitor.
“The horse I was riding is called Onetime,” she said. “I’ve had him for a few years and he’s helped really build my confidence as a competitor. I’m very thankful for him.”
She also said the Meeker arena continues to hold special meaning.
“I’ve competed at the Meeker Rodeo since it started, and have always been so grateful that we have an opportunity to compete in our hometown every week,” she said.
Looking ahead, Cooper said her focus is on consistency and continued improvement.
“My goal is to become consistent,” she said. “I’m always working on improving my roping, handling skills and my horsemanship.”
She also noted an upcoming project outside of competition.
“One of my biggest plans is an event I’m hosting in a month in River called the Art of the Cowgirl, Colorado gathering,” she said.
Ranch bronc riding featured two competitors, with Dawson Richardson earning the top score of the night at 82 points.
Richardson said the ride felt routine once he nods his head.
“The ride was just like another ride,” he said. “It gets your adrenaline going and everything goes blank.”
He added that his draw presented a slightly different challenge.
“The horse I drew was a little smaller than the rest,” Richardson said.
Scoring 82 points early in the season, he said, is an important advantage in the standings.
“Scoring 82 points this early in the season just puts you a little ahead of the game to be able to get those points racked up and stay in the lead,” he said.
Richardson also explained how ranch bronc riding differs from other rough stock events.
“Ranch broncs are different than other rough stock,” he said. “It has its pros and cons, such as you can use two hands, but you have more saddle parts in your way.”
Looking ahead, Richardson said his goal is to stay consistent and remain near the top of the standings.
“My goal for the rest of the season is to just buckle down, get a few more rides and stay in the lead,” he said.
Barrel racers also turned in strong performances throughout the evening. Myka Grejada claimed the open barrels title with a time of 18.57 seconds, while Violet Critton topped the junior barrels division in 19.68 seconds.
The youngest competitors took center stage during mutton bustin’, where MaKena Kruger earned the win with a ride worth 85 points and a time of 9.90 seconds.
One of the biggest storylines of the evening came in the bull riding, where seven riders entered for the $1,000-added purse. Three re-rides were offered, but no competitor posted a qualifying ride, sending the entire payout to next week.
With the rollover, the bull riding purse will increase to $1,500 added money for the June 25 rodeo, setting up one of the largest payouts of the summer series so far.
The steer riding event also rolled over, carrying $39 into next week’s competition.
The Meeker Summer Rodeo Series continues Thursday, June 25, at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds. Slack begins at 6 p.m., followed by the rodeo performance at 7 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to attend the free event as competitors continue chasing wins throughout the summer season.
Fallon Nielsen ropes her way to a winning time of 3.24 seconds in the open breakaway during Week 2 of the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series on June 18 at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds. JARED HENDERSON PHOTO
Dawson Richardson rides a ranch bronc to an 82-point score during Week 2 of the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series on June 18 at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds. JARED HENDERSON PHOTO
