Southern Ute tribal member, Tamarius Roland hopped in the saddle following the announcement of the winner for the Sam Burch Memorial Horsemanship on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds.
Kataleya Pena braces herself before the start of her arm-wrestling match on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Southern Ute tribal member, Ezra Watts took his turn to collect snacks provided by the Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Department; children of all ages had the opportunity to gather treats from the field. The Youth Games took place in the SunUte Park on Friday, Sept. 9, the event saw a large turnout despite the bad weather.
Superintendent Lisa Burch and Tribal Council member Vanessa Torres share a moment together before the start of the Frybread Contest, Sunday, Sept. 11. During the competition contestants have a 20-minute time limit to present their best pieces of bread to the judges. Featuring a singles category for teens and adults, and a two-team category for youth contestants, the Sky Ute Fairgrounds field was filled with supportive cheers for each contestant.
Ute Mountain Ute tribal member, Marettas Frost builds a small fire in preparation to cook her best pieces of frybread during the Frybread Contest.
Southern Ute tribal member Nicole Lansing stretches dough to be cooked during the Frybread Contest. During this competition — contestants must build a fire using only three matches, prepare dough, and fry two of their best frybreads to be judged all within a 20-minute time limit. Lansing worked quickly to fry her dough.
Shirelle Garcia prepares her frybread dough with the provided supplies as part of the Frybread Contest held on Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds. Garcia went on to take first place for her excellent bread making skills.
Adding to the anticipation, contest superintendent Robert Ortiz gives all Jalapeño Eating contestants a brief run-down of the rules before the start of the competition. The competition held at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds saw a large crowd on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Each contestant had to consume five jalapeños to win a cash prize, as Jackson Gray attempts. Throughout the event contestants struggled to complete the challenge due to the intense spice level of the fresh jalapeños and warm temperatures. This event featured a women's and men's division as well as a powwow special held for all powwow drum groups on Sunday, Sept. 11 during the 62nd Annual Southern Ute Fair Powwow.
Each contestant had to consume five jalapenos to win a cash prize. Throughout the event contestants struggled to complete the challenge due to the intense spice level of the fresh jalapeños and warm temperatures. This event featured a women’s and men’s division as well as a special feature held for all powwow drummers on Sunday, Sept. 11 during the 62nd Annual Southern Ute Fair Powwow.
This special event had all spectators on the edge of their seats, a representative from each drum group competed head-to-head for a large cash prize.
Amando Cody represents the Southern Style singers and is the Champion of this year’s Drummer’s Jalapeño Eating Contest, held on Sunday, Sept.11 at the 62nd Annual Southern Ute Fair Powwow. Cody was the first contest to eat five jalapeños at an impressively fast time.
Amando Cody represents the Southern Style singers and is the Champion of this year’s Drummer’s Jalapeño Eating Contest, held on Sunday, Sept.11 at the 62nd Annual Southern Ute Fair Powwow. Cody was the first contest to eat five jalapeños at an impressively fast time. This special event had all spectators on the edge of their seats, a representative from each drum group competed head-to-head for a large cash prize.
Older children participated in the “Softball Toss” a friendly competition to see who will throw the ball the furthest distance, those who placed received a small prize provided by the Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Department.
Superintendent Charles Hamby gets Jaxx Pena and his opponent ready for their match at the Youth’s Arm-Wrestling Competition, Saturday, Sept. 10.
Tribal Member Ambrose Valdez and his opponent compete in the Permanent Fund Employee Cornhole Tournament on Friday, Sept. 9 at the Sky Ute Casino Resort. The tournament was open to employees and tribal members.
SunUte Community Center Director, Robin Duffy-Wirth shows off the tournament bracket for the Employee Cornhole Tournament.
NAGPRA Coordinator Trainee, Xavier Watts knocks a ball during the SunUte Employee Softball Challenge at the Patrick Silva Softball Field on Friday, Sept. 9
First place winners of the SunUte Employee Softball Challenge stand with their trophy after the challenge.
Tribal member Sharay Rock prepares herself to eat another spicy pepper during the annual Jalapeño Eating contest at the Sky Ute Downs on Saturday Sept. 10. Rock was the winner of the women’s division of the contest.
Tribal member Miracle Ortiz works through her second jalapeño to try and get the fastest time in the competition.
Calvin Lovato braces himself for a swing at the ball during the SunUte Softball Challenge on Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Patrick Silva Memorial Field.
SunUte Softball Challenge participant, Tyler Young smacks the ball into the outfield.
Tournament player Pedro Vigil jumps to spike a ball on his opponent, Franklin “Frankie” Thompson during the SunUte Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 10 at SunUte Park.
AJ Thompson serves the ball to the opposing team at the SunUte Volleyball Tournament.
Southern Ute tribal member, Alyas Maez and his son, Adonis Maez stand in front of the judges to show off their outfits. Southern Ute tribal member, Alyas Maez and his son, Adonis Maez stand in front of the judges to show off their outfits.
Participants in this year’s Chicken Pull contest grapple on horseback, trying to secure the money bag for a run at the finish line. Whoever gets around the track on horseback, gets the winner-take all cash prize of $2,000.
Participants gather at the Southern Ute Fairgrounds ahead of this year’s Chicken Pull contest, Saturday, Sept. 17.
Southern Ute Shared Services employees: Jeff Engman, Dug Ward, and Delbert Cuthair — get ready for an early morning tee off during the Southern Ute Tribal Fair Golf Tournament held at the Hillcrest Golf Course in Durango, Colo, Sunday, Sept. 11.
Events and Heritage Coordinator for Cultural Preservation, Marvin Pinnecoose welcomes participants on Sunday morning, Sept. 11. to the annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair Golf Tournament held at the Hillcrest Golf Course in Durango, Colo.
A young boy waits for the judging to commence on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds. Participants of all ages came out to show off their best painted horses for the annual Tribal Fair contest.
Southern Ute tribal member, Bella Pena showcases the ornate paintings on her horse, Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds during the Painted Horse Contest. The contest was held in conjunction with the 100th annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair.
Avery Herrera shows off his technique at the Piinu Nuuchi Skate Park, Saturday, Sept. 10. BMX bikers, skateboarders, and scooter aficionados — competed for swag during the inaugural Tribal Fair Skate Park Competition sponsored by SunUte.
Competing in the adult skate category, two boarders fist bump at the end of their heat, taking first and second place, respectively in the inaugural Tribal Fair Skate Park Competition — Southern Ute skater, Cyrus Naranjo was the emcee and judge for this year’s competitive skateboarding event.
SunUte Fitness Director, Abel Velasquez serves up snow cones during Saturday’s events hosted by the SunUte Community Center, rounding out the list of activities for the 100th annual Tribal Fair in Ignacio.
Southern Ute tribal member, Lorenzo “Woody” Pena rides over the finish line with his watermelon in hand, he took second place in the contest after finishing the 5/8-mile track without dropping the melon.
Contestant take off from the starting line at this year's Bareback Watermelon Race, Saturday, Sept. 17.
Lorenzo “Woody” Pena circles his horse in an attempt to pull the buried money bag, without dismounting his horse. Whoever pulls the bag out of the dirt track first, get a shot at leading the race.
Cultural Education Coordinator, Crystal Rizzo puts a first-place medal on the winner of the age 0-6 months western wear contest.
Lanita Harvey tries her best during the Grease Pole event on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds; Jube Baker times the contestants for prizes at the end.
A participant competes during the kids grease pole challenge.
Tribal members (pictured left to right), Alana Watts, Maria Trujillo, Jalisa Paul and ShaRay Rock compete in the women's tug-o-war competition at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Team “Big Dawgs” took home the prize after competing against two other men’s tug-o-war teams during Saturday afternoon’s event.
Andrew Gallegos takes aim at Sun Ute Recreation Center’s life-size Bigfoot, a popular 3D target. Bigfoot was placed on the small island in the middle of Scott’s Pond for the contest. Archers put their skill to the test at long shot shooting to get the closest bullseye, Saturday September 10, the winner took home a brand-new archery bag.
Danielle Austin (far right) won the Sam Burch Memorial Horsemanship contest; she won a brand-new saddle and a cash prize as part of the competition. The contest is a competition in the performance and characteristics of a sensible, well-mannered, free and easy moving ranch horse which can get a person around the usual ranch chores, in open country rides, and over any obstacles. The contest was held on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds infield.
Southern Ute tribal member, Moav Berry adds the finishing touches to a tipi as part of the Tipi-Raising Contest held by Byron and Etta Frost on Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds Infield. Teams consisted of three team members and each team worked together to raise a tipi provided by the Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Department.
Each team worked together to erect a Tipi as fast as possible, teams are judged on the technique of raising and the time it takes to complete the Tipi. This competition was held at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds located in the infield and took place on Sunday, Sept.11 as part of the 100th Annual Southern Ute Fair.
Teams worked hard to raise Tipis and prizes were awarded for first, second and third place. This competition had a large number of teams participate from a wide range of neighboring locations — garnering a large crowd of spectators on Sunday morning.
Southern Ute tribal member Nathan Ruybal collects as many snacks as he can hold during the Youth Games at SunUte Park on Friday, Sept. 9 as part of the opening ceremony. Various snacks were tossed into the field for all the children to collect.
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Devine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Devine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Devine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Devine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum