37th Bud Light Cowboy Downhill Stampeded Through Steamboat
Earlier this week, riding took on a whole new meaning for 71 professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls from around the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia as they participated under the lights in the 37th Annual Bud Light Cowboy Downhill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The daredevils traded in their bulls and broncs for skis and snowboards in the legendary race series at the base of Mt. Werner.
The event began with the dual slalom where side by side courses tested the racers speed, agility and rodeo skills. Competitors had to race down the gates, survive the large jump in the middle, lasso an individual, saddle a horse and cross the finish line in the fastest time. Just surviving the course was tough enough as many cowboys were bucked from their equipment on the jump or had to deal with a less than cooperating horse near the finish line. Everyone finished in one piece and with smiles on their face.
It was all bull today in the Dual Slalom race as two Bull Riders and a Bull Fighter, all from Wyoming, took top honors as the fastest on the slopes. Jed Moore (Bib #27), a Bull Rider from Cheyenne, WY took first place in the Dual Slalom event after smoothly navigating the course and completing the finish line tasks in a time of 25.46 seconds. Marc Gill (Bib #40), a Bull Fighter from Laramie, WY took second place with a time of 26.42 and Ty Hamaker (Bib #51), a Bull Rider Centennial, WY finished third with a time of 27.74 seconds.
The highlight and fan favorite event of the 37th Bud Light Cowboy Downhill was the Stampede event. With the course cleared and only the jump to master, it was every cowboy for themselves as all the racers stormed down the mountain in the winner-takes-all race. Marc Gill edged out last years winner, Jed Moore, as the fastest cowboy in the west by taking first place in the chaotic Stampede event. Not to be out done, Sam Spreadborough (Bib #6), a Saddle Back rider was honored as the best wreck of the day on the slalom course when he crashed coming off the jump, did a somersault upon landing on the ground, all with one leg extending straight up into the night sky.
37 ANNUAL BUD LIGHT COWBOY DOWNHILL RESULTS
1. Jed Moore (#27), Cheyenne, WY 25.46
2. Marc Gill (#40), Laramie, WY 26.42
3. Ty Hamaker (#51) Centennial, WY 26.74
4. Jake Griffin (#7) Powell, WY 28.23
5. Jacobs Crawley (#12) College Station, TX 29.75
6. Yancy Day (#25), Des Moines, IA 30.65
7. Cort Scheer (#55) Elsmare, NE 30.77
8. Jesse James Kirby (#64) Dodge City, KS 31.36
9. Dusty Keylon (#1) Hometown Not Listed 32.06
10. Ray Tom Meyers (#32) Stevenville, TX 32.14
The Cowboy Downhill was the brainchild of Billy Kidd, Steamboats Director of Skiing, and Larry Mahan, six-time All-Around World Champion cowboy, when 37 years ago they decided to invite a few ProRodeo stars to Steamboat for a day of skiing. Three and a half decades later, the Bud Light Cowboy Downhill has become one of the most popular and unique ski rodeos in North America featuring cowboys from ProRodeo World Champions and first-timers on skis and snowboards. Billy Kidd and Larry Mahan are still an active part of the event and this years competition began with the two pre-running the race.
The Bud Light Cowboy Downhill is always scheduled in January to coincide with the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. Participants must be entered at the Stock Show and be a member of the ProRodeo Cowboys Association or the Professional Bull Riders to compete in the event.
