Photos by Mary Alice Murphy
2019 Rodeo royalty at 1st NM Bank
2019 Rodeo reception at 1st NM Bank
Jake Geiger, Miss Rodeo New Mexico Savannah Welborn, Miss New Mexico High School Rodeo Queen Makayla Henson, Rodeo Clown Bert Davis with Winnie and Tic, New Mexico State Fair Queen Alyssa Marable, Miss Turquoise Circuit Jamee Middagh and Zack Flatt.
2019 Rodeo reception at 1st NM Bank
Wild, Wild, West Pro Rodeo Announcer Trey Winhorst and Dustin Murray, stock contractor.
2019 Rodeo reception at 1st NM Bank
Haley Ganzel, stunt rider from Oklahoma, a new feature at this year's rodeo
2019 Rodeo reception at 1st NM Bank
Miss Turquoise Circuit helps Emma Drennan send the lasso flying
2019 Rodeo reception at 1st NM Bank
Photographer Frank Kenney with his exhibit, The Working Horse of Southwest New Mexico, at 1st New Mexico Bank, which will be up until Saturday, June 15.
2019 Rodeo reception at 1st NM Bank
Grady Littleton, one of Kenney's subjects, with his grandson Grady Mike Littleton, and Kenney in front of the Littleton portrait.
2019 Rodeo reception at 1st NM Bank
KNFT was broadcasting live from the reception. From left are Ted Tucker, owner SkyWest Media; Jake Geiger; James Waldrop; and Dustin Murray.
At the annual reception put on by Wild, Wild West Pro Rodeo title sponsor 1st New Mexico Bank, community members had the chance to meet with rodeo royalty, the clown Bert Davis with two of his trick dogs, the stunt rider Haley Ganzel, a couple of rodeo competitors, the announcer and the stock contractor. They were being interviewed by Ted Tucker of Skywest Media on KNFT.
Everyone was treated to hot dogs and inside the bank had a chance to see the exhibit, The Working Horse of Southwest New Mexico, by photographer Frank Kenney, The show will be up until Saturday, June 15. One of Kenney's subjects was there and told of his recent honor.
Grady Littleton had just received an honor as part of the New Mexico Business Team Roping Association gathering in Las Cruces. His shiny new belt buckle was engraved with Code of the West 2019. Littleton said: "They told me I was awarded the honor 'because of the way I live my life.' It was a great honor for me."