ESTES PARK — The Rooftop Rodeo has been recognized as one of the best rodeos in America, and this year, top competitors have taken notice.
Leading the roster for the event that starts Monday morning with the rodeo parade is the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association reigning all-around champion, Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas.
Last year at the PRCA National Finals Rodeo, Brazile extended his record of world championships to 21 with his fifth steer roping gold buckle and a record of 12 all-around titles (a record nine in a row).
He also became the first man in rodeo history to reach more than $100,000 in three separate events (tie-down roping, team roping, and steer roping) in the same season. He extended his record total of “round” wins in the National Finals Rodeo competition to 60.
Since joining the PRCA Brazile, 39, has won more than $5.6 million and is in the hunt for another all-around world championship gold buckle with $71,858 in winnings.
His wife, Shada, is a barrel racer who qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2013. They have two children.
Brazile’s nearest competition for all-around champion is fellow Texan, JoJo LeMond, who also will compete for a this year’s Rooftop Rodeo. Eight of the top 15 cowboys in the national all-around race will compete at Estes Park this year.
“The quality of competitors across all seven events has improved dramatically this year,” said Mark Purdy, chairman of Estes Park Western Heritage Inc. “There are many reasons for this, but the three that are most obvious are the fact that we changed from a traditional Tuesday start to a Monday start with a break mid-week,” he said.
“This allows for more competitors to fit the Rooftop into their travel schedules. A second reason is that we increased our added money in the Bareback and Saddle Bronc events.”
Also for 2015, a new contractor is in place. Cervi Championship Rodeo♠ Co. is a producer of some of the biggest rodeos in America and have a great following of competitors, he said.
For more information about the event, go to rooftoprodeo.com.
