‘Best Little Rodeo’ enjoys another big weekend, thanks in no small part to stock broker

This Labor Day weekend the Sonoita Rodeo Grounds hosted the 111th ‘Best Little Rodeo in Arizona,” with record attendance for the three-day event. Additional seating had to be added to accommodate the crowd gathered to watch the many and often rough-and-tumble events. The spectacular weather only added to the success, and the shopping and food available kept folks busy when there was a break in the action.

But then, what would a rodeo be without the “rough stock”? The broncs, the steers and the bulls? Enter stock contractor and Willcox native Cody Resor. He is a 19- year veteran of the business, and with the help of his family and fifteen employees provides the livestock to challenge the cowboys and cowgirls and entertain the public. He is one of five rodeo contractors for the Grand Canyon Rodeo Association, traveling from Texas to Wyoming to Utah, Nevada to Colorado and California, providing the livestock for 25 to 30 rodeos per year. He also fills in as a pickup man on occasion when not tending to the many needs of the 20-25 horses and 15-25 bulls along with the many roping steers and calves.

“Sonoita is one of the more challenging events because of the multiple arenas to keep track of.” Resor said, “but I really enjoy coming to this rodeo.”

When asked about how he obtains his living, breathing “inventory,” he said: “I used to raise my own rodeo stock but now buy them from breeders.” The horses can start their career as 5-year-olds and many stay actively working through their mid-20s. The bulls are ready to go to work as 3-year-olds. The really good ones become sires for the next generation when their careers on the circuit end. These animals receive the best of care and are “bred to buck,” with some worth six figures as they provide the livelihood for their owners and can be the winning purse for the cowboys willing to take them on. When taking a break from the circuit, the animals are maintained on the family ranch in Willcox.

Resor, his wife, Allison and their two young sons revel in their ranching and rodeo lifestyle as they travel from event to event. Ten-year-old son Taos and his pony Dario help to keep the roping steers lined up in the pen for their turn at the end of the cowboys’ loop. Fifteen-year-old brother Rio fills in as a pickup man for the bronc and bull riders.  It’s a true western life for this young family in Arizona as they continue the western tradition of rodeo.

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By the by, Resor’s bulls and broncs were undefeated in bull riding and bareback riding, with no cowboys earning a qualifying time.

Carson Clark of Eloy won the rodeo’s All-Around Cowboy prize, and Hannah Fullmer of Logandale, Nev., was All-Around Cowgirl. Other winners were Bridger Sanborn, steer wrestling; Angelina Calmelat, breakaway; Wes Crane, open tie down; Clark, incentive tie down; Brayden and Brock Grashuis, open team roping; Tony Bews and Sterling Fowlie, incentive team roping; Oistin Charleston and Greg Koehler (tied), saddle bronc; Stacey Padilla, open barrel racing; Faith Hudson and Leighton Billingsley (tied), incentive barrel racing.