Almost Rodeo Time! Students Arrive At Ridgway's First Day Of School By Horseback

With the Ouray County Fair & Rodeo coming up on Labor Day Weekend, a ride to Ridgway Elementary School on horseback was just the way to start the school year on Aug. 28. Gentry Godbey, now a third grader, began her family's tradition of riding to school on horseback at the beginning of fall when she started kindergarten four years ago. Her brother, Colt, continued the tradition when he entered kindergarten last year, and this year, youngest brother, Gage, made his historic journey to elementary school on horseback as well. 

Says their father, Ben Godbey, who escorts them each year, "When we moved to Ridgway a few years ago, we knew we wanted to be part of making a difference for the community. We wanted to have our kids involved and doing something positive for the area, so we try to support the agricultural heritage that we have in Ouray County."

The Godbeys, including the matriarch of the family, Beth Godbey, also participate in the Ouray County Fair & Rodeo, which will be Saturday through Monday, Sept. 2-4 this year. The Mountain States Ranch Rodeo and 4H Livestock Sale are on Saturday. The Colorado Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA) Rodeo and Firemen's Dance are on Sunday, and the parade, BBQ in the park, and more CPRA rodeoing are on Monday. General admission is $5 with children 5 and under as well as military veterans get in free.

Photos by Bernadette Taylor, Friends of Ridgway Schools