Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
On this date ...
1973: The upcoming Pioneer Days Rodeo had a "whopping $15,220" in prize money.
Officials said it would be divided among 280 contestants, including an estimated 200 ropers and riders.
Contestants included "some of the really big guns of rodeoing," the Clovis News-Journal reported.
That roster included future Pro Rodeo Hall of Famers Larry Mahan and Bob Ragsdale.
Most of the prize money came from entry fees, but $2,300 was provided by the Curry County Mounted Patrol, the rodeo's organizer.
The annual Pioneer Days Parade was expected to draw 100 entries, including cowboy actor Chill Wills. He was the parade marshal best known for his role as the voice of Francis the Talking Mule in a series of popular films.
Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact him at: [email protected]
