Red Lemmel rides Apache in the Saddle Bronc competition Saturday.

Photos by Eric M. Jukelevics
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Tuesday Feb. 26, 2002

The rodeo has come a long way since its inception in 1925, when 750-pound blocks of ice and 100-pound bags of potatoes were among the heftiest awards for competitors.

Tucson's five-day Fiesta de los Vaqueros, a non-profit event run by volunteers, is considered one of the top professional rodeo events in North America. Held at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, the 77th annual Tucson Rodeo features professional male and female competitors young and old, hailing from across the United States and Canada.

Today's competitors face higher stakes - a total pot exceeding $275,000 - and bigger audiences to please. With more than 200,000 spectators crowding the stands throughout the week, the Tucson Rodeo continues to leave its mark on the dusty Southwest, and will for years to come.

A Saddle Bronc rider stretches Wednesday before his big ride.	E.J. Panetta placed fifth with a time of 11.5 seconds on the second day of Calf Roping.	2001 Clown of the Year Flint Rasmussen dazzles the crowd of more than 11,000 spectators the final day of the Tucson Rodeo.
Hansum greets the rodeo parade fans Thursday morning during the more than one-mile route.	E.J. Panetta, a 59-year-old cow girl and six-time Women's World Championship winner, shows off her wounds after her Bareback ride on Peppy. Her daughter, Tanya Stevenson, also rode in the Bareback competition.	Dan Mortensen prepares himself before taking on Golden Luck in the Saddle Bronc Riding competition Saturday.
The crowd behind the chutes watches Tom Reeves take on Fancy Pants Sunday afternoon during the Saddle Bronc Riding	Tammy Kelley of Queen Creek won $245.11 with a score of 71 last Sunday bareback riding as her 7-year-old son Hunter watched.	Bareback rider Will Lowe takes a personal moment before he challenges Come Again Saturday afternoon.