Open Rodeo Roughstock Buckout

Above, the junior bull riding event. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Last evening, I attended the Open Rodeo Roughstock Buckout at Red Rock Park's rodeo arena. It is part of the weeklong annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. This is my favorite time of the year living in the Gallup-Jamestown, New Mexico area.

Upon arrival, I immediately noticed that a new awning had been built over the south grandstand. It is huge!

Here it is:

The awning will come in handy to shade spectators during rodeos on hot summer days. 

Naturally, I took some photos of the rodeo events.

2026 Gallup Rodeos

Above, bull riding during the 2025 Gallup Lions Club Rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's the rodeos that will take place at Red Rock Park near Gallup, New Mexico this year:

76th Annual Gallup Lions Club Rodeo & BBQ

Dates: June 18–20, 2026 

Highlights: Youth rodeo (June 18), Open show rodeos (June 19–20), and a downtown BBQ celebration

11th Annual Best of the Best Timed Event Rodeo

Dates: June 23–27, 2026 

Highlights: High-stakes team roping, $3,000 added per event, and exclusive prizes for winners

WildThing Championship Bullriding

Dates: Typically hosted in July (Mid-summer)

Highlights: One of the premier bull-riding events in the Southwest, featuring elite riders and the Wooly Riders youth division

Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

Dates: August 1–9, 2026

Highlights: Daily rodeo events begin August 6 

Bull Rider Wade Tuni Is The Biggest Winner At Gallup Rodeo

Above, Wade Tuni's winning ride. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At last Saturday night's Gallup Lions Club Rodeo, I lucked out and photographed the winning ride of bull rider Wade Tuni.

Above, another shot of Wade Tuni's winning ride. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Navajo Times reported that Tuni took home prize money totalling $4,440.

They reported:

CHURCH ROCK, N.M.

The annual Gallup Lions Club Rodeo never disappoints as cowboys and cowgirls compete for a shipload of cash.

The biggest winner to emerge from the 75th edition was Wade Tuni as he collected a whopping $4,440, which included ground money.

Of the 36 entries, Tuni was the only one to cover his bull as he rode 100X for 82 points in Saturday night’s performance.

“I was the first one out and it was a pretty nice one,” Tuni said of his draw. “He was a pretty good bull to start off with. I just came out with a bang, so it came out pretty good.”

To read more, go here. 

2024 Gallup Lions Club Rodeo

Last evening, I attended the Gallup Lions Club Rodeo at Red Rock Park near Gallup.

It was well attended and the weather was perfect.

Naturally, I took plenty of photos. It was interesting to see young children also bull riding. Well, with smaller bulls.

Here's some of them:

Gallup Area Rodeo Season Just Months Away

Above, from the 2019 Gallup Lions Club Rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The most enjoyable time living in New Mexico I have found is rodeo season. 

Since we're only a few months away from rodeo season in the Gallup, New Mexico area, I did some checking on the dates of them.

Above, from the 2019 Best of the Best Rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some have not been scheduled as yet. The websites on rodeos in New Mexico have them listed as "TBA" (to be announced).

Some of the prominent ones are the Wild West Days Rodeo in Grants, which usually is held during Independence Day week; Wild Thing Championship Bull Riding; Lions Club Rodeo; Best of the Best Rodeo; and the high school and junior high school rodeos. 

Above, from the 2022 Wild Thing Championship Bull Riding. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial includes a rodeo and this year's will be held August 10-11 at the Red Rock Park Rodeo Arena. 

The Gallup Lions Club Rodeo is scheduled on June 14, 2024 - June 15, 2024 at Red Rock Park Rodeo Arena.

As more rodeos are scheduled, I will post them on this blog.

Wild Thing Championship Bullriding July 7 & 8

Above, from last year's Wild Thing at Red Rock Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 

The Reluctant Bull

Last evening, I went back to the 73rd Annual Gallup Lions Club Rodeo at Red Rock Park Rodeo Arena with Larry Lucier. This time, I decided to leave the camera at home. But I did shoot one video, which is below. 

Here is a bull-riding contestant with a rather reluctant bull. I've never seen this before except with horses. Animals are unpredictable.

Gallup Lions Club Rodeo Bull-riding Contestant

Last evening, I attended the Gallup Lions Club Rodeo at the Red Rock Park Rodeo Arena.

I shot this video short of a bull-riding contestant. Luckily, it was one of the longer rides during the bull-riding event. (Contestants have to have an eight-second ride to receive a score.)

To see photos of the rodeo, go here.

2023 Gallup Lions Club Rodeo

Above, the Gallup Lions Club Rodeo began with some bronco-busting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, I attended my first rodeo of the year at Red Rock Park Rodeo Arena near Gallup. It was the 73rd annual Gallup Lions Club Rodeo.

It was a bit windy and the clouds threatened to rain on us. Fortunately, they moved to the northeast and we ended up with clear skies. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, rodeos proceed on, rain or shine.

I was able to see several different events, including bronco-busting, sheep riding (little kids, some as young as three years old), breakaway roping, calf roping and bull riding.

The rodeo was well-attended and the attendees were enthusiastic. When the rodeo sponsors (Gallup area businesses) were introduced, it was to a selection of John Wayne movie soundtracks including The Cowboys and Sons of Katie Elder.

An attendance to the Gallup Lions Club Rodeo would not be complete without having a barbecue beef sandwich from the concession stand. Those are quite good.

Naturally, I brought along my Canon Revel camera and took about 165 photos, some of which are posted below. To see a bull-riding contestant on video, go here.

I may go again tonight and see The Flash tomorrow.

The next rodeo for Gallup is the 8th Annual Best of the Best Rodeo - June 27-July 1.

Gallup Lions Club Rodeo June 15-17

Above, last year's calf-roping event. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Rodeo season must be just around the corner in Gallup, New Mexico. Already, I am hearing radio spot ads for the Gallup Lions Club Rodeo.

According to their official rodeo website:

73RD ANNUAL GALLUP LIONS 

CLUB RODEO 

YOUTH RODEO THURSDAY 

JUNE 15TH 2023 

OPEN SHOW FRIDAY JUNE 16TH & SATURDAY JUNE 17TH, 2023 

Above, last year's steer-riding event. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I, for one, am looking forward to this year's rodeo season.

For more information, go here. 

2023 Gallup Area Rodeos

Above, the 2022 WildThing Championship Bull Riding. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, I decided to head over to the El Rancho Hotel & Motel for some chicken enchiladas. Before going into the restaurant, I spotted some Gallup Visitor's Guide booklets on the front desk. Since they were free, I took one and headed over to the restaurant. 

Inside the guide, is a page of 2023 rodeo events to be held at Red Rock Park. The list is not complete as it doesn't include surrounding areas that also hold rodeos. While there, I added the rodeos to my phone's calendar.

I did some digging this morning and added a few more. This blog posting will be updated when more information is available.

To me, rodeo season is the best time of the year to live in the Gallup, New Mexico area.

Above, 2022 Best of the Best Rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thus far, here's a list of rodeos to be held at Red Rock Park and surrounding areas:

NMHSRA/NMJHRA Rodeo - April 22-23.

Gallup Lions Club Youth Rodeo - June 15.

73rd Annual Gallup Lions Club Open Show Rodeo - June 16-17.

USTRC/Red Rock Classic Team Roping - May 13-14.

8th Annual Best of the Best Rodeo - June 21-June 24.

NSPRA Grants Wild West Days Rodeo (Grants, NM) - June 30-July 4.

Route 66  Showdown NTR Team Roping - TBA.

Navajo Nation Fair (Window Rock, AZ) - July 2-4.

WildThing Championship Bull Riding - July 7-8.

Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial -  August 4 - 13, 2023.

Turquoise NTR Team Roping Event - TBA.