LOVINGTON, N.M. – Over the decades of excellence at Lovington’s rodeo, there have been repeat winners and people who have found a redemption of sorts.
Rodeo can be an unforgiving sport. A misfire during an eight-second ride or run can spell doom, but there’s always something graceful about it, too. The next opportunity offers a chance at the fastest time or the highest score. Trouble on Day 1 might mean grand success 24 hours later.
Brilliance is well within range every day, and that’s just the way the game is played. A trio of specialists will have that opportunity during this year’s Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7-Saturday, Aug. 10; that also includes Lea County Xtreme Bulls, which is Tuesday, Aug. 6.
“We’re bringing back our clown (Zack Cook) and our specialty act, Jessica (Blair-Fowlkes), who were here with us last year, and we’re also bringing back Summer and Co. to perform on Saturday night of mutton bustin’ (Aug. 3) and the Xtreme Bulls,” said Kyle Johnston, a Lea County Fair Board member and chairman of the rodeo committee.
“We’ve heard some good things about Cookie from other rodeos, so we’re looking forward to that. He’s still pretty new to this, so we’re excited to help him step up his game. I think we’re going to see some good things out of him.”
Cook is just in his fifth year of clowning, and he came about the job auspiciously. He was working as a laborer for the Cody (Wyoming) Nite Rodeo when the producer asked him to step in as the clown. He’s been growing his repertoire ever since.
“I’m still nervous every time I get ready to go in the arena,” he said, noting that he travels the country with his wife and daughter. “I always have anxiety, am stressed, am nervous. I’m anticipating what’s going to happen. If I didn’t feel that, I’d probably have to give this all up. As soon as I get out there and say that opening joke, then all that goes away.”
Summer and Co. is a Lea County original featuring trick rider Summer Boyd and her daughters, Emmie, 9, and Jinsen, 7. Boyd and her husband, Seth, have lived in Lovington for the past decade. She and the girls travel the rodeo trail in order to entertain crowds and showcase their talents and the adorable fun of two youngsters following in their momma’s footsteps.
“It means a lot to be able to work that,” Boyd said. “People say in our industry that a lot of times you never get hired at your hometown rodeo. To be acknowledged and to be part of the event means so much to us. It’s a rodeo we go and watch when we’re at home, so this means so much.”
The family has been featured at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo the last few years, and it’s always a highlight for them and so many that attend the world-class rodeo. While packed into the storied Jake McClure Arena, they also will witness the incredible horsemanship of Blair-Fowlkes, whether she’s doing a trick-riding act, a Roman-riding act, a liberty act or showing off her patriotism through a little Americana during the rodeo introduction.
“Jessica is just very good, and her acts are very entertaining,” Johnston said. “We had lots of comments from people that really enjoyed it. It’s going to be hard to top it.”