GUNNISON, Colo. – After making his run on the opening night of the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, Garrett Tonozzi made a point to find Heidi Sherratt Bogart, the executive director of the Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink.

He wanted to express his gratitude for the largest TETWP campaign in ProRodeo. He also wanted to share that his mother, Michelle, is a breast cancer survivor and that programs like the one in Gunnison are close to his heart.

“It’s amazing what they’ve done for women who went through it,” said Tonozzi, who also handed Sherratt Bogart two $100 bills as his donation to the Gunnison campaign.

He also wanted to thank her and others associated with the campaign for the $1,000 bonus he received for having the fastest time in team roping while also wearing pink. TETWP raised $8,000 and had hoped to give $1,000 per event (and per man in team roping) to the best times and scores during Thursday’s performance; they were able to pay out half on the incentive bonus.

Tonozzi, a two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, won the money in heading, while his partner, T.J. Watts, won the heeling check. Checks were also paid to bareback rider Will Lowe and steer wrestler Austin Eller; they were the only other winners in their respective events who wore pink on pink night.

“This is a great circuit rodeo,” said Tonozzi of Fruita, Colorado, now living in Lampasas, Texas. “They add a lot of money. On pink night, it’s a great bonus. It’s just amazing to get that from the committee and all the people that run the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign in Gunnison.”

Watts, of Eads, Colorado, has competed at Cattlemen’s Days nearly a dozen times over the years. He always looks forward to returning. This year was equally special to him.

“I’ve always had a lot of luck here,” he said. “I’ve only been in the pink night performance one time. We tried to enter for this night for the bonus. Their Tough Enough to Wear Pink is a great deal. This money helps us get down the road and helps us pay for fuel.”

Just as important is the fact that the tandem leads team roping after the opening night. They stopped the clock in 4.7 seconds and hope that time holds on for a solid paycheck. That same time was the second fastest a year ago and would have won both the 2018 and 2019 rodeos.

“Doing well here means a lot,” Tonozzi said. “I always wanted to go to up Gunnison when I was a kid. I always watched my uncle Bret, and I came up here with him a couple times. This is my home. Western Colorado is where I’m from. I love coming back.

“This is an awesome rodeo.”

Cattlemen’s Days
Gunnison, Colo.
July 15-17
Bareback riding: 1. Will Lowe, 88 points on Hurst & TNT’s Casino; 2. (tie) Tucker Zingg and Jayco Roper, 82; 4. Tristan Hansen, 79; 5. Jade Taton, 74; 6. Ethan Mazurenko, 73; 7. Luke Wozney, 69; 8. Jake Kesl and Donny Proffit, 68.  

Steer wrestling: 1. Austin Eller, 4.8 seconds; 2. Chisum Docheff, 7.2; 3. Kyle Broce, 14.3; no other qualified times.

Team roping: 1. Garrett Tonozzi/T.J. Watts, 4.7 seconds; 2. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 4.8; 3. Lee Kiehne/Cole Cooper and Clay Norell/Travis Bounds, 6.2 seconds; 5. Monty James/Clay Elkington, 8.1; no other qualified times.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Tegan Smith, 88 points on Hurst & TNT’s Charlie’s Angels; 2. Mitch Pollock, 83.5; 3. Ryan Sanford, 82; 4. Jack Bentz, 74; 5. Jake Burwash, 73; 6. Brody Wells, 72; no other qualified rides.

Tie-down roping: 1. Tyler Prcin, 8.5 seconds; 2. Owen Wahlert, 9.5; 3. Ty Pablo, 10.9; 4. Jim Mike Hutto, 12.9; 5. Morgan Muray, 13.4; no other qualified runs.

Barrel racing: 1. Molly Otto, 17.46 seconds; 2. Destri Devenport, 18.16; 3. Timber Allenbrand, 18.21; 4. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 18.25; 5. Mickayla Brown, 18.86; no other qualified rides.

Bull riding: No qualified rides.