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Rodeo Makes Change in Slack Time

When there are more contestants than can fit in the performances of Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, they compete in a segment called “slack,” which has taken place after the opening performance of the rodeo for years. Slack begins at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 14, a change for this year’s rodeo. That opens the doors for more competitors, like heeler Buddy Hawkins. (PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN)

GUNNISON, Colo. – Over the last few years, the popularity of the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo among contestants has blossomed so much that there is now an influx of cowboys and cowgirls converging on Gunnison.

About 400 contestants have put their hats into the ring to compete at this year’s rodeo, set for Thursday, July 14-Saturday, July 16, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison.

With that many contestants ready for the action, there are more than can fit in the three performances, and many will still compete but in an extra session. For many years, that session – known as “slack” in rodeo terms – took place after the opening performance of the rodeo on Thursday nights.

That changes this year.

“We decided to move our slack from Thursday night to Thursday morning,” said Kevin Colbentz, a past president of Cattlemen’s Days and a longtime member of the volunteer committee. “It’s a combination of things that led us to that decision, but first and foremost was being accommodating to the contestants who are trying to go to other rodeos.

“It also allows our committee to catch its breath. The last two years, we have had so many contestants that we were finishing up in the early morning hours that Friday.”

By moving the slack time to 9 a.m. Thursday, July 14, committee members hope to relieve the pressure that came with those late nights. It also opened the door for more contestants to take part in the rodeo in Gunnison and still make it to other rodeos that are taking place at the same time.

“There are a bunch of rodeos going on the same week as Cattlemen’s Days,” said Brad Tutor, first vice president of the Cattlemen’s Days committee. “Since 2020, we’ve seen our entries skyrocket, and we want to be able to put on the competition these contestants deserve. By moving the timing of our slack, we’re able to help them compete here and the other places they can get to.”

In the timed events, the rodeo will feature 10 contestants (and tandems in team roping) during each performance. That means in team roping, 30 teams will compete in the performances, but there is an excess of 27 other teams. The same goes for tie-down roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing.

Thursday morning’s slack also will feature 31 bulldoggers, 32 tie-down ropers and 55 barrel racers – 145 runs, which will take just a few hours.

“This is going to be our first year to have our slack in the morning,” Coblentz said. “We’re going to see how the contestants like it, make sure it still makes sense for everyone. If the contestants come back to us and say they’d rather do it after Thursday’s performance, then we’ll probably move back.

“We just want to make it as good for the cowboys and cowgirls as we possibly can. If we do that, then we’ll make our rodeo better for everyone.”

About 400 contestants have put their hats into the ring to compete at this year’s rodeo, set for Thursday, July 14-Saturday, July 16, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison.

With that many contestants ready for the action, there are more than can fit in the three performances, and many will still compete but in an extra session. For many years, that session – known as “slack” in rodeo terms – took place after the opening performance of the rodeo on Thursday nights.

That changes this year.

“We decided to move our slack from Thursday night to Thursday morning,” said Kevin Colbentz, a past president of Cattlemen’s Days and a longtime member of the volunteer committee. “It’s a combination of things that led us to that decision, but first and foremost was being accommodating to the contestants who are trying to go to other rodeos.

“It also allows our committee to catch its breath. The last two years, we have had so many contestants that we were finishing up in the early morning hours that Friday.”

By moving the slack time to 9 a.m. Thursday, July 14, committee members hope to relieve the pressure that came with those late nights. It also opened the door for more contestants to take part in the rodeo in Gunnison and still make it to other rodeos that are taking place at the same time.

“There are a bunch of rodeos going on the same week as Cattlemen’s Days,” said Brad Tutor, first vice president of the Cattlemen’s Days committee. “Since 2020, we’ve seen our entries skyrocket, and we want to be able to put on the competition these contestants deserve. By moving the timing of our slack, we’re able to help them compete here and the other places they can get to.”

In the timed events, the rodeo will feature 10 contestants (and tandems in team roping) during each performance. That means in team roping, 30 teams will compete in the performances, but there is an excess of 27 other teams. The same goes for tie-down roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing.

Thursday morning’s slack also will feature 31 bulldoggers, 32 tie-down ropers and 55 barrel racers – 145 runs, which will take just a few hours.

“This is going to be our first year to have our slack in the morning,” Coblentz said. “We’re going to see how the contestants like it, make sure it still makes sense for everyone. If the contestants come back to us and say they’d rather do it after Thursday’s performance, then we’ll probably move back.

“We just want to make it as good for the cowboys and cowgirls as we possibly can. If we do that, then we’ll make our rodeo better for everyone.”

Courtesy of twisTEDrodeo.com

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