9-time PBR World Finals Qualifier Tony Mendes To Make Comeback

COWGIRL reported last week that the 1st Annual Hunter Norman Memorial Bulls & Ranch Broncs event has been established as a tribute to Hunter Scott Norman, a young cowboy who passed away last month.

The rodeo community is a close one, and many cowboys and cowgirls have showed their support for the memorial rodeo, rather that be through donations or entering the event.

One such cowboy who has decided to enter the 1st Annual Hunter Norman Memorial Bulls & Ranch Broncs is none other than 9-time PBR World Finals Qualifier Tony Mendes.

An excerpt from the official statement reads, “9-time PBR World Finals qualifier Tony Mendes will make his return to bull riding to honor the memory and spirit of fellow cowboy Hunter Norman when he competes at the 1^st Annual Hunter Norman Memorial Bulls & Ranch Broncs event this month. The event pays tribute and honors respected Western Slope ranch bronc rider, Hunter Norman who passed away unexpectedly in May. The memorial event takes place on Saturday, June 23^rd, 2018 at 7pm at the Mesa County Fairgrounds in Grand Junction, Colorado.

“Based in Fruita, Colorado, 40-year old Tony Mendes has an impressive bull riding career spanning 38 years.  The 1996 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rookie of the Year, Mendes won the North American Rodeo Commission in 1995 and has qualified twice for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Mendes has not been riding bulls competitively in the last two years due to a shoulder injury. When Mendes learned of the memorial event that friends and family are organizing to celebrate the life of his friend, he knew this was something he needed to be a part of to honor the ranch bronc rider.”

Speaking of the rodeo, Tony said, “I decided to make a comeback at this memorial event to represent what Hunter represented. Hunter was someone who was all about heart and the try. He always came around and showed up with a new kid who was ready to learn how to ride. He always wanted to help and kept doing whatever he could to make the sport grow. It was this spirit about being alive that made Hunter a true cowboy. He had heart and was all about the trying – and so for Hunter, I’m going to try.”

Event info:

Ticket prices are $10 for adults (5 years old and over); $25 for family of four; $5 for Seniors (65 years and older) and all children under 5 years old are free.  The Mesa County Fairgrounds is located at 2785 US-50, Grand Junction, CO 81503. For more details on Mesa County Fairgrounds, visit their website at www.mesacounty.us/fairgrounds/events/ or call 970-255-7107.

For entry fee registrations and other details, please contact Tyler and Crystal Williams at 970-589-2369. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Scott Norman at 970-471-5900. To donate to the event, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/hunter-norman-memorial-rodeo2018.