The competitor then must wrestle the steer to the ground. Steer wrestling is an event where the participant rides beside a steer and drops down from the horse onto the steer’s back. Colorado and American flags followed on horseback and a local troop of Boy Scouts marched into the arena for the National Anthem. Once the riderless horse was led out of the arena, another parade of flags greeted spectators, one each for the branches of the U.S. Saturday’s chili cook-off was also held in honor of Cordova. The empty saddle represents the fallen comrade, a space reserved just for them as they take one last ride with their community.
The announcer at the rodeo explained the riderless horse, comparing it to the 21-gun salute. He was a well-known member of the community with a career in the Chaffee County Fire Department spanning 33 years. The viewing area was standing room only with the stands already filled to the brim during the opening show of junior bull riding.Īfter the young riders competed, the official rodeo began with a parade of flags displaying names of sponsors for the event including The Chaffee County Times, Murdoch’s, and High Country Bank.Īfter the first whirlwind of riders ended, a solemn moment occurred as a riderless horse was escorted slowly around the arena to honor fallen cowboy Billy Cordova. The riderless horse is the traditional method of honoring a fallen cowboy.
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