Cowley Spring Rodeo held Saturday

Cowgirls and cowboys from throughout the Big Horn Basin and beyond gathered at the Cowley Rodeo Grounds on Saturday for the Cowley Riding Club’s annual spring rodeo. This is the 75th anniversary year for the popular early season competition.
Jay Dillon won the bareback competition with a score of 68. Domanic Hartley won bull riding with a score of 79.
In calf roping, Kolton Miller won with a score of 13.21, Joe Panetta took second place with 19.28 and Ty Wilcox placed third at 19.62.
In ladies’ barrel racing, Ryen Freeman took first with a time of 17:57, followed by Haylie Pichi 18:047, Tammy Pollan 18:301, Abbi Eaton 18:443, Bailey Nelson 18:475 and Desiree Cooper 18:614.
In ladies’ breakaway, Elauna Nelson took first at 3.82, followed by Bailey Nelson at 4.25, Milly Woody at 5.06 and Calli Nelson at 15.72.
The team of Calli and Casey Nelson took first place in mixed roping with 8.22, Cherain Richmond and JT Collingwood took second at 9.03, followed by Jim and Laurie Johnson at 12.07 for third place.
Wyatt Duncan took first place in ranch bronc with a score of 72, with Cameron Carroll in second with 71 and Justin Plainfeather in third with 68.5.
Logan Nunn won saddle bronc with a score of 74.
In steer riding, Lincoln Shepperson was first with a score of 77, Wyatt Blank second with 76 and Benson Jolley third with 68.5.
Casey Good and Clark Hufty took first in the team roping event with a score of 7.18, followed by Calli Nelson and Casey Nelson with 8.18, Pablo Good and Tate Edeler at 9.16 and Jordan Iker and Pablo Good with 14.25.
Lincoln Shepperson won youth barrels with a time of 18:28. Taylor Sweet took second at 18:833, followed by Cashlyn Cooper 20:017.
In youth breakaway, Tegan Wilcox took first with a score of 3.88, with Joe Panetta in second place at 3.94.
There were no payouts in youth bulls.
The Cowley Riding Club royalty for 2024 rodeo season made an appearance. This year’s royalty members are queen Taylor Cheney, queen attendant Pazlee Sheeley, princess Nellie Guccion, princess attendant Daizy Weinand and Latelee Sheeley as Miss Congeniality.
Stock contractor for the rodeo was K Bar N Rodeo Company from Thermopolis. The event was judged by Kim Lodahl and TJ Camblin. George Johnson was the announcer.
Up next
The Cowley Riding Club announced that it will be holding a benefit barrel racing event on May 18, starting at 11 a.m. at the Cowley Rodeo Grounds. The event is a benefit for Cowley Rodeo Queen Attendant Pazlee Sheeley of Powell, who is battling cancer.
“Pazlee Sheeley was diagnosed in January of 2024 with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) cancer and has spent the last several months fighting this cancer with both chemo and radiation treatments,” explained organizer Melissa Timpany. “These treatments have been grueling and have taken their toll on Pazlee and her family.
“On February 24, a successful fundraiser was held in Powell at the fairgrounds to help the Sheeley/Lohr family. We are wanting to continue with efforts to support this family, and since Pazlee and her family have all been a big part of the rodeo/barrel racing family, what better way to help her than with something she loves - barrel racing.”
The club will also host the Cowley Pioneer Day Rodeo on July 20, with events starting at 2 p.m.