Bobby Mote won the buckle for the rodeo overall, winning money in two events, bareback and team roping.

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Today wrapped the 2010 Tucson Rodeo.It was a sell-out crowd with eleven thousand fans out in the stands. This years numbers are proof that the tradition of rodeo is anything but dead.

All things considered it was a hot day in southern Arizona. Empty water bottles littered the gathering area behind the bucking chutes while the cowboys dusted their hands with baby powder and stretched their legs. Folks in the grandstand fanned themselves with event programs, occasionally seeking refuge beneath the west end stands to take in the shade and shop at the four dozen vendors tents. The relentless sun didn’t seem to matter, though. Enough excitement in the arena, a few pretty ladies in the barrel races, and a tall measure of cheep cold beer always promises to keep spirits high.

Today’s final round brought the top competitors from the week into the arena for a single performance. The aggregate scores for all the timed events were close – usually within a few tenths of a second apart.

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In the eight full days of rodeo this year, there were 635 competitors and $430,000.00 in prize money awarded. The overall winner at this years’ rodeo was Bobby Mote who, while not qualifying in today’s bareback ride, took home money in two separate events: team roping and bareback.

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More of the rundown when I do the numbers.