EAGLE, Colo. – For three months a year, Brian Snell focuses on his steer wrestling career.
“I’ve had a pretty slow start to my summer,” said Snell, who runs a construction company in Cheyenne, Wyo., and competes in the sport he loves through those few weeks primarily between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Having a slow summer run really puts a damper on things in his rodeo world. That’s why his 5.0-second run Wednesday night to kick start the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo was the perfect way to turn things around.
“It’s good to do well,” he said. “I’ve probably been here 10 or 12 times over the years. I love hinging out down on the river, and there’s a lot of stuff to do. The committee here puts on a pretty good function.
“It’s just a nice place to come, and hopefully you can do good when you get here.”
His time leads the first go-round, and 10 cowboys will finish out the opening round on Thursday night. He’ll have to wait until the second performance is complete to see how he will finish. Then he returns Saturday night to run his second-round steer.
“I’ve won a few small checks out of here,” Snell said. “I certainly hope to be able to get a good check. We’ll have to see how the rest of the weekend goes.”
It’s important for him to do well, especially at these rodeos that are within the Mountain States Circuit, which includes events and contestants primarily in Colorado and Wyoming. He wants to finish the circuit season among the top 12 and qualify for the RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo, which is scheduled for this fall in Great Falls, Wyo.
“That is a good opportunity to go to the RAM National Circuit Finals in Kissimmee, Fla.,” he said. “If you go down there – even though you’re running at some of the best guys in the country – you’re only running against 23 other guys for about $30,000.
“It’s the right kind of deal to get to.”
It all starts in Eagle.
Eagle County Fair and Rodeo
Eagle, Colo.
July 19-22
Bareback riding: 1. Jake Brown, 86 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Bright Lights; 2. Devan Reilly, 82.5; 3. Trenten Montero 81.5; 4. Zach Hibler, 79.5; 5. Tony Barrington, 75.5; 6. Jamie Howlett, 75; 7. BoDell Jessen, 72.5; 8. Braxten Nielsen, 72.
Steer wrestling: 1. Brian Snell, 5.0 seconds; 2. Cutter DeHart, 5.2; 3. Logan McDonald, 5.3; 4. Eric Logan; no other qualified times.
Tie-down roping: 1. Kyle Dickens, 8.7 seconds; 2. Wyatt Uptain, 12.3; 3. Britt Bath, 13.8; 4. Carter Davis, 14.0; no other qualified times.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Wyatt Casper, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Deuces Wild, and Bradley Harter, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Sweet Maria, 83.5 points; 3. Dawson Jandreau, 81; 4. Curtis Garton, 78.5; 5. Joe Harper, 77.5; 6. (tie) Mason Mardesich and Josh Davisonn, 75; 8. Leon Fountain, 73,
Team roping: 1. Eric Martin/Cody Howa, 7.1 seconds; 2. Travis Bounds/Jesse Sheffield, 7.3; 3. Jay Tittel/Richard Durham, 7.5; 4. Cole Cooper/Ryon Tittel, 11.2; no other qualified times.
Barrel racing: 1. Dani Durham, 17.81 seconds; 2. Abby Phillips, 17.85; 3. Madeline Dickens, 17.89; 4. Marley Hammer, 18.52; 5. Kim Schulze, 22.29; 6. Ronnie Will, 22.68; 7. Raedene Ashley, 23.32; no other qualified times
Bull riding: 1. Nic Lica, 81.5 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Grey Goose; no other qualified rides.