COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard presents the division’s colors with the Riders Pivots during the 81st Cinch Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Military Night July 13, 2022, at the Norris-Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs. The week-long event began with a parade in Downtown Colorado Springs attended by the Mounted Color Guard and Fort Carson leadership. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
By Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, poses for a photo with Robert Brakley, a World War II Veteran, during the 81st Cinch Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Military Night July 13, 2022, at the Norris-Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs. Brakley is a veteran who was drafted by the Army in 1943 as a combat engineer. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The 81st Cinch Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo had military night to honor Fort Carson, which brought Soldiers, their Families and the community together July 13, 2022, at the Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
The rodeo event began a month prior with the Western Street Breakfast parade in downtown Colorado Springs, which was led by the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard.
The Fort Carson night kicked off the week-long event with the Mounted Color Guard presenting the 4th Inf. Div. colors as Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general, of the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, provided an opening speech.
“I’d like to thank the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation for your steadfast and loyal support to Fort Carson and our entire military here at the Pikes Peak Region; Fort Carson is ‘the Best Hometown in the Army’ because of you,” said Hodne.
After the opening remarks, the PPBR Range Riders Pivots and Pikes Peak Rangerettes drill team performed in the arena to start off the event.
The opening ceremony and performances prepared everyone for an exciting competition in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing and bull riding.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Georgia Strimenos, 2022 Girl of the West, autographs a poster for a young girl during the 81st Cinch Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Military Night July 13, 2022, at the Norris-Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs. Strimenos serves as an ambassador for Colorado rodeos. She said she is honored to be a part of an 81-year-old Colorado tradition that gives back to local military and their Families as the Girl of the West. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
Colorado Springs and the Front Range have a large population of active-duty service members, Families, veterans and retirees, which provide Soldiers and their Families a welcoming feeling as they experience PPBR and Western Heritage Days.
“Colorado Springs is a very military friendly town, and this kind of event brings the civilians out where they can interact with the military,” said Deanne Funkhouser, a member of the Pikes Peak or Bust Board of Directors.
The PPBR is a part of Colorado Springs Heritage, which has been in performance every year since 1937, except during World War II, although it resumed once the war was won.
Since 1946, the proceeds of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo have been utilized to help support service members and their Families in the Pikes Peak region. Colorado Springs is home to Fort Carson, the United States Air Force Academy, North American Aerospace Defense Command, United States Space Command, Schriever Space Force Base and Peterson Space Force Base.
“With the money that we raised we give back to help military Families,” Funkhouser said. “The money goes to various organizations within the military, depending on where the military sees the need.”
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, gives opening remarks during the 81st Cinch Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Military Night July 13, 2022, at the Norris-Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs. “I’d like to thank the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation for your steadfast and loyal support to Fort Carson and our entire military here in the Pikes Peak region,” Hodne said. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A barrel-racing competitor rounds a barrel during the 81st Cinch Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Military Night July 13, 2022, at the Norris-Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs. Barrel racing is one of the eight events that the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo holds to compete for the championship. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)