Roping benefit draws crowd

A team roping event Saturday to benefit a Quay County teen seriously injured during a horse-riding accident drew 256 teams and generated nearly $40,000 to help cover her ongoing medical expenses.

Jaree Elliott, one of the organizers for the Gracie Whitson Roping Event at the Quay County Fairgrounds rodeo arena in Tucumcari, said Sunday that revenue from entries, a silent auction and live auction organized by Rodney White, a San Jon FFA raffle, donations and a concessions stand run by the Wheeler Hughes family totaled between $38,000 and Elliott's target of $40,000 during the 10-hour benefit.

"It was a lofty goal, but we thought we could do it," she said.

Whitson, a recent graduate of San Jon High School, in July was thrown off her horse when it stumbled on her family's pasture near Ragland, and she hit her head. Whitson was in a coma for about a week but has steadily improved from her traumatic brain injury. She was treated in hospitals in Dallas and Albuquerque before being taken to a rehabilitation center Wednesday in Lubbock, Texas, for six to seven hours of daily physical and mental therapy.

Elliott said she was grateful of the generosity of everyone involved in the event since its announcement weeks ago. Whitson was an avid roper on her family's ranch near Norton, and they thought a roping competition would be a proper tribute and fundraiser.

"Ever since Gracie's been injured and we were trying to set this up, we have not had to ask or beg for one thing," she said. "This county, the towns, the Whitsons' friends who stretched from Texas to California, they offered things we didn't know we needed."

Food, services and dozens of prizes were donated for the Gracie Whitson Roping Event. The livestock came from Roy Montoya and other suppliers. Mesalands Community College, which controls the arena for its rodeo teams, donated it for the event. Quay County, which owns the adjoining fairgrounds, donated it, as well.

Elliott said about half the competitors who won also donated their cash winnings back to the Gracie fund.

Joe Szaloy, who suffered a brain injury after a motorcycle accident in February 2018 and was treated at the same Lubbock facility as Whitson, said the turnout and generosity Saturday showed a shining side of rural America.

"You don't see this in bigger places because people are so connected here," he said.

Several of Whitson's relatives attended Saturday, though her parents, Wade and Becky, did not because they wanted to be near their daughter at the Lubbock facility.

Another who did not attend was Gracie herself. Elliott said Gracie was unhappy about her absence but passed along her well-wishes Saturday morning during a FaceTime chat.

"She said, 'I'm so glad you're doing that but so mad I can't come,'" Elliott recalled.

One who came to the event was Gracie's 12-year-old brother, Ace.

"I thank everyone for doing this for my family and my sister and for everyone who's been helping us at the ranch," he said.

Jana Garza, an aunt of Gracie's who lives in Dallas, got to see her niece's progress firsthand for two weeks at a Dallas rehab center. She said the teen's core strength, walking, posture and ability to feed herself improved during that time.

Garza also said her short-term memory also improved.

"Towards the end of those two weeks, she was able to recall what she did in therapy that day," Garza said. "She was able to remember her therapists and what their names were. We're starting to see signs of independence shine through."

Several of Gracie Whitson's family and friends wore gray T-shirts from Friday T-Shirts in Logan that states "#sheisstrong" and "Gracie Jean" on the front and a verse from Proverbs 31:25 on the back: "She is clothed with Strength and Dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

Dawn Bilbrey, who is Gracie's aunt, said that Bible verse was part of her morning devotion the day of the accident. It gave her reassurance.

"It was like God was speaking to us, that she is so strong and will be back," Bilbrey said.

Winners at the Gracie Whitson Roping Event:

Rotation 1, Round 1: First, Roy Montoya and Larry Webb; second, Tyler Thomas and Roy Montoya; third, Javan Gallegos and Roy Montoya; fourth, Gregg Gudgell and Roy Montoya; and fifth, Jacob Gudgell and Levi Molesworth.

12 Slide Average payoffs: First, Cody Spiva and Steve Elliott; second, Isaac Montoya and Roy Montoya; third, Clint Spiva and Roy Montoya; fourth, Betty Gramzow and Madelyn Schauer; fifth, Isaac Montoya and Ume Bustilios; sixth, Larry Webb and Al Martinez; seventh, Gregg Gudgell and Roy Montoya; and eighth, Dan Bell and Kyler Bell.

8 Incentive: First, Chris Price and Haize Price; second, Colten Strand and Todd Gates.