PECOS, Texas – The grandstands that overlook Buck Jackson Arena hold many stories that have been told over the last century and a half.
The greatest to have ever competed in rodeo have played the game here. World champions shined their gold buckles in this west Texas dirt. The history of the sport resides within this community, and more than 140 years after it began, the sport’s elite make their way to the West of the Pecos Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26-Saturday, June 29
Why?.
“It ain’t because of the weather, because we know it’s going to be hot,” steer wrestler Riley Duvall said with a laugh. “It gets hot there, but it’s a special place. I love rodeos like that. I love those old, established rodeos that still care about the cowboys. They still want you in Pecos, and they still want you to do good.
“That rodeo committee treats you great. It’s awesome to be able to go there and compete and know the history that’s happened there.”
Duvall is part of rodeo royalty. He is the third generation from a bulldogging family who has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, and he’s done it four times over a distinguished career.
“One thing that draws us to Pecos is it’s an old-school, cowboy rodeo,” said Duvall, 32, of Checotah, Oklahoma. “They have long (starting) boxes and a big arena, and it’s typically a great bulldogging. The money’s always good, and that committee goes above and beyond. That committee makes it worth your time to go down there.
“I haven’t missed it in a long time.”
There are dozens of rodeos across North America during the same time, but the big names know the importance of being in Pecos the end of June. They mark it on their calendars and put a star next to it.
“It’s one of the biggest rodeos that weekend, and it’s a good rodeo,” said bull rider Dustin Boquet, 30, a three-time NFR qualifier from Bourg, Louisiana, who will defend his Pecos title this year. “The stock’s really good, and the added money is great.”
A year ago, he earned nearly $5,000 inside the storied arena, matching moves with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Whiskey on Ice for 89.5 points. Based on a 100-point scale, half the score comes from how well the animal bucks; the other half is based on how well the cowboy rides it.
That combination worked out quite well for Boquet, who finished the season with more than $105,000 in earnings and 19th in the world standings. It was a solid finish to a good season, but only the top 15 on the money list advance to the NFR. This year, he is eighth in the standings, all while missing several weeks to an injury. He’s expected to return to action by June 1.
“It’s great to think that rodeo’s still going on that dadgum long,” he said. “Getting the win last year started my hot streak, and that helped me ride good the rest of the year.”
With the title and the money, Boquet also collected one of the most recognized prizes in ProRodeo.
“That’s a pretty sweet buckle,” he said.
Duvall has yet to win one himself, but he’d love to add one to his trophy case.
“Pecos has always been really good to me,” Duvall said. “I usually place in one of the rounds. I won the first round last year and had a chance to win the rodeo, but it’s still been a good rodeo for me. If you score good and do your job, it’s a good spot to make some money.”
It’s reasons like that and many more that ProRodeo’s superstars return to the West of the Pecos Rodeo every summer.