A gray-haired man — also in the staging area — holds an aged Bible in one hand. In the other is his cowboy hat, pressed firmly against his heart.
Bull riding is the main event at the 106th annual Ouray County Rodeo, a Labor Day tradition.
  
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The bulls remain docile as they’re corralled into the chutes. Duster hasn’t been ridden past 8 seconds in about four years, since Professional Bull Riders world champion Justin McBride straddled him.
Margetts says she saw a five-year-old child scratching Duster’s head while in his pen.
“The bull is like a pet — then it becomes a fire-breathing dragon,” Margetts says. “The riders clench their teeth. The veins in their necks stand up — it looks so intense.”
Ray Thurston dons a helmet with a metal grid protecting his face. He and Duster are on deck.
“They know anything can happen,” Margetts says.
The gate releases and the bull explodes into action as Thurston’s hand remains secured beneath the rope. He rocks back and forth with chaotic fury, all eyes watch.
Thurston falls, rolls and escapes. Duster hops back and turns to face the staging area, his snout dripping. Five minutes later, the bull’s as relaxed as before.
Thurston doesn’t break the 8-second barrier but nonetheless gains applause from a crowd of 1,800.
Moments later, another bull’s in the chute and its rider sits, slaps himself in the face four times, ropes up and takes off.
Clayton Savage won Monday’s bull riding competition with 85 points. The scoring takes several factors into account but the primary objective is to hang on as long as possible.
The circuit that stops in Ridgway was formerly part of the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association, but two years ago moved up to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association — a nationwide circuit.
“So we’re a pro rodeo now and we get the bigger names that go to the national finals and stuff now,” Ouray County Rodeo Association President Lori Howard said.
She said the rodeo has grown noticeably in the six years she’s been involved.
“It’s bigger and better. The stands are full,” Howard said.
The family event unites the county through a parade, barbecue and dance. Rodeo events include team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing saddle bronc riding and more.
TJ Kenney, 35, comes from Pecos, Texas. He was riding a saddle bronc two weeks ago when a “freak accident” occurred, he said through a wired jaw.
“The horse was falling down, its back feet got me right in the head,” he said, gesturing behind the ear.
He said it was his first se yearious injury and that he anticipates the unwiring to occur in two days. He plans to return to the saddle sometime soon.
Contact Robert Allen via e-mail at roberta@montrosepress.com
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