High School Rodeo an international affair

It may be called the National High School Finals Rodeo, but the nation's borders are wide open this week to rodeo contestants. Canadians, Australians and Americans all gather under the New Mexico sun this week. "The people of Farmington have been nothing but nice to us," said Sandy Drier of Manitoba, Canada. "A lot of people were scared to come down because of the VS (vesicular stomatosis) outbreak, but now they wish they had." The Driers arrived in Farmington on Friday night after driving 1,400 miles in two days. Their party was cut in half because of outbreak fears. They travel with tents and trailers proudly adorned with the Canadian flag. Their camp sits in the heart of RV lot 4. The NHSFR is not short on pride. State and national flags fly high above trailers and golf carts. Hats and T-shirts litter the arenas. Locals and travelers alike do agree that their team is the one to beat...FarmingtonDailyTimes