The San Miguel Basin Rodeo, sanctioned through the New Mexico Rodeo Association, took place July 25-26 in Norwood at the county fairgrounds. Rodeo organizers, who are members of Norwood Roping Club, told the Forum ticket sales at the gate were good, showing high attendance again for 2025.
“Attendance was great,” said Laura Sherman, “as good as last year. The committee has continued to grow the show.”
The rodeo in the West End is a community highlight every year. While competitors this year included serious cowboys and cowgirls from Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and throughout Colorado, local talent from the West End specifically in several events was proven.
Harley (Williams). Zehnder, a Norwood native, now living in La Salle, Colorado, took first in the incentive 2D barrel racing. With a time of 18.310 seconds, she won a check for $678.
Amber Moore, with Nucla ties and who lives in La Plata, NM, took fourth in the general barrel racing event and won a check for $254 with a time of 18.030 seconds.
Sabra Grierson, also of Nucla, competed in barrels for the first time as an adult.
“This was my first time not riding in the junior rodeo and riding in the big one,” she told the Forum. “I was very nervous, but also so excited. When I came out, the crowd was so loud, because I have lots of support from my family and friends. I was just so happy that I had a good, clean run.”
Allison Albanese, of the West End, also ran barrels.
Husband and wife team, Lothan and Regan Snyder, of Norwood, competed together in the mixed team roping. They took second place, earning checks of more than $900 each. Then, she was heading; he was heeling — and it was great night, Regan Snyder told the Forum.
“There is something special about competing under the lights at your local hometown rodeo, and winning a check with your husband is the cherry on top,” she said.
The Snyders' daughter, Shay, also competed. Shay Snyder did catch her calf in the breakaway roping, though she didn’t place.
Regan Snyder agreed part of what made the 2025 San Miguel Basin Rodeo even better this year was the number of locals featured in the arena. This year, that included Cody Carver, of Nucla, who team-roped, as did the West End’s Larry Carter. Harley (Williams) Zehnder also team-roped, in addition to running barrels. Hardy Tozer, of Cortez, who many local cowboys know, was also in the arena team-roping also. And, JW Nasland, of Nucla, entered the bull-riding, though he didn’t end up in the money.
“Our local talent was well-represented this year, which makes it fun for the community to come and watch, when they know the competitors personally.” Regan Snyder said. “I’m so thankful for our sponsors and deep community support of the rodeo. Our small-town rodeo is one of the very best in the state.”
For a complete list of results, the public may visit www.newmexicorodeoassociation.org/results-2.
Regan Snyder, the Norwood Roping Club, and the San Miguel Basin Rodeo committee, thank the businesses and individuals, plus the vendors and spectators, for all of the ongoing support of the annual rodeo.
“I’m so thankful for our sponsors and deep community support of the rodeo,” she said.
“Our small-town rodeo is one of the very best in the state.”
