Eagle is ready for big-time rodeo

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Bareback rider George Gillespie surges out of the chutes on two-time Bareback Horse of the Year Dirty Jacket during a recent Eagle County Fair and Rodeo. Dirty Jacket is just one of the great bucking animals Pete Carr Pro Rodeo will have in Eagle next week.
Bareback rider George Gillespie surges out of the chutes on two-time Bareback Horse of the Year Dirty Jacket during a recent Eagle County Fair and Rodeo. Dirty Jacket is just one of the great bucking animals Pete Carr Pro Rodeo will have in Eagle next week.

EAGLE, Colo. – The organizers of the Eagle Fair and Rodeo have a few tricks up their sleeves for this year’s rodeo.

From the high-flying entertainment of decorated rodeo clown Troy Lerwill to the trick riding talents of the Daredevil Darlings to announcer Scott Grover calling the action from horseback, fans will experience a true showcase during the rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 20-Saturday, July 23, at Johnette Phillips Arena on the Eagle County Fairgrounds.

“We are doing the concerts again, a dirt dance, on Friday and Saturday after the rodeo,” said Tanya Dahlseid, a key member of the Eagle County staff. “We’re also having an additional specialty act in the Daredevil Darlings, who will be performing all four nights.

“The crowd seems to like the acts, so we’re just adding more. The fair board wanted to try it.”

The acts will go hand-in-hand with the world-class production from the team of talented professionals that are part of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, the largest stock contracting firm in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. From great production to many of the greatest bucking athletes in the sport, fans have come to expect great things during Eagle’s rodeo.

“Pete Carr has the most amazing staff to work with, and his production is phenomenal,” Dahlseid said. “The stock, the performance … everything is just perfect. With the cool weather we have here in the mountains, the animals do amazing.”

The proof shows every year. In 2009, Ryan Gray matched moves with Carr’s Grass Dancer for a world record-tying 94-point ride. Last year, Richmond Champion scored 90 points on Dirty Jacket, the reigning two-time Bareback Horse of the Year.

Paint that into the canvas with the spectacular setting that is Eagle County, Colo., and there’s a reason why the greatest cowboys and cowgirls in the game are part of the rodeo every year.

“I think it’s a combination of our location and Pete Carr,” Dahlseid said. “I think a lot of people that come here for the rodeo add a few days and make it their vacations.

“Pete’s stock is phenomenal, and the contestants follow it. We’re fortunate to get so many of the best cowboys to be here.”

That combination is making a difference in how things work around Eagle. Fair and rodeo sponsors have been supportive over the years, and that endorsement has been beneficial.

“It’s because of the production and because of how professional Pete and his staff are,” she said. “We’ve been selling tickets like crazy already. That shows that we’re doing something right. We have an amazing team.”

Grover is new to the team, but he brings a solid pedigree with him to the mountains. He has been selected to work the Prairie Circuit Finals and National Circuit Finals rodeos.

“We’re very excited that he’s going to be announcing from horseback,” Dahlseid said. “It’s just another aspect of our rodeo that I think our fans will love.”

It’s another reason why the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo is one of the best.

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