Cattlemen’s Days
2026 Royalty
Queen Abigail Isham & Jr. Miss Dixie Sponable
Meet our 2026 Cattlemen’s Days Royalty!
Queen Abigail Isham
Hi! My name is Abigail Isham, I am 17 years old and 5th generation Gunnison. It is such a privilege to uphold a long tradition and represent the cattlemen’s way of life. This lifestyle has been in my family for a long time, from my great-great grandpa participating in the first rodeo, now to me. I uphold this through my everyday life, as I enjoy working with my horses, raising my very small cattle herd, and the ever present hard working dedication in every cattleman. In addition to these things, I work for our family business, APEX Land Management, enjoy barrel racing, raising and showing steers, and am a very active member in 4-H. I have been in 4-H for 7 years, and show market steers, breeding beef, and horses. Over my time I have held many positions at each level. This year I am your District 10 President, your Colorado 4-H State Treasurer, and am on the junior livestock and general project committee. Cattlemens Days goes beyond the rodeo, it is a time that we take to acknowledge our heritage and where we came from. To celebrate another successful year of harvest and ranching. I hope to educate and bring back our wonderful traditions that we have had for 126 years! I am looking forward to this next year, and I hope you are too!
Junior Miss Dixie Sponable
Hello! I am Dixie Sponable. I am 11 years old and in the 6th grade. I love riding my horse, Jewel. Whether I am helping my grandfather bring in cows, going on trail rides with my besties or running a barrel pattern, I am happiest in the saddle. When I am not riding I enjoy playing the piano, camping with my family and hanging out with my friends.
2025 Cattlemen's Days
The 2026 schedule will be posted in the spring.
FRI, JUNE 27 - 9:00 AM, 4-H Horse Show
SAT, JUNE 28 - 9:00 AM, District 4-H Horse Show
SUN, JUNE 29 - 9:00 AM, District 4-H Horse Show
JULY 2-6 - Evenings, Carnival at the Fairgrounds
THU, JULY 3 - 4:30 PM, Mini Broncs and Mutton Busting
SAT, JULY 5 - 1:30 PM, Ranch Rodeo
SUN, JULY 6 - 8:00 AM, Open Horse Show
MON, JULY 7 - 5:00 PM, Cattle Drive Event
MON, JULY 7 - 8:30 - 11 AM, General Project Judging & Interviews (Concrete Room)
MON, JULY 7 - 9:00 AM, 4-H Dog Show
MON, JULY 7 - 6:30 PM, General Project Review/Awards (Concrete Room)
MON, JULY 7 - 7:00 PM, Cowboy Poetry and Songs
TUES, JULY 8 - 5:00 PM, Watershed Team Roping & Barrel Racing
WED, JULY 9 - 8:30 AM, 4-H Rabbit & Poultry Show (Rubber Room)
WED, JULY 9 - 9:00 AM, 2nd Annual Cattlemen's Days Golf Tournament
THU, JULY 10 - 9:00 AM, PRCA Rodeo Slack Events
THU, JULY 10 - 10:00 AM, 4-H & FFA Swine Show (Rubber Room)
THU, JULY 10 - 2:30 PM, 4-H & FFA Sheep Show (Rubber Room)
THU, JULY 10 - 6:45 PM, PRCA Golden Circle of Champions Rodeo
THU, JULY 10 - 8:30 PM, Post Rodeo Concert/Dance (5B's)
FRI, JULY 11 - 8:30 AM, 4-H & FFA Goat Show (Rubber Room)
FRI, JULY 11 - 10:30 AM, 4-H & FFA Cattle Show (Rubber Room)
FRI, JULY 11 - 1:30 PM, Round Robin Showmanship (Competition between Showmanship winners of each animal species)
FRI, JULY 11 - 6:45 PM, PRCA Patriot Night Rodeo
FRI, July 11 - 8:30 PM, Post Rodeo Concert/Dance (Ice Rink)
SAT, JULY 12 - 10:00 AM, Cattlemen's Days Parade
SAT, JULY 12 - 12:30 PM, Buyer BBQ (Rubber Room), $20 per person at the door
SAT, JULY 12 - 1:30 PM, Junior Livestock Auction (Rubber Room)
SAT, JULY 12 - 6:45 PM, PRCA Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy Rodeo
SUN, JULY 13 - 9:00 AM, Cowboy Church at the Fairgrounds
Drop Us a Line
Don't be shy. Let us know if you have any questions!
