Tucson Rodeo Foundation
Press Information
TRF History
The Tucson Rodeo Foundation, Inc. (“TRF”) was incorporated in February 2022 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations made to TRF are tax deductible under IRC Section 170. The Tucson Rodeo Foundation aids the youth of Southern Arizona through building community
partnerships to create scholarships, grants, loan programs, assisting in youth livestock auctions, and junior rodeos.
TRF has partnered with Glenn and Susan Dabbs to develop the Dabbs Scholarship Fund to aid youth in their continuing educational pursuits in agriculture and veterinary medicine. TRF is currently working with the Pima County 4-H and their rabbit program and will be working with the local chapters of the FFA. TRF was a buyer at the 2024 Pima County Fair including buying the Grand Champion Lamb.
Butch has volunteered with the Tucson Rodeo for over 40 years. He served on the Tucson Rodeo Committee board of directors for 4 years and has served on many rodeo subcommittees during his tenure. The Tucson Rodeo Foundation was created while he served on the rodeo board. After a 40+ year career in finance, banking, and consulting he retired and is spending much of his life on foundation and rodeo related activities. He is the proud father of 4 adult children and 13 grandchildren. He has been around rodeo all his life as a competitor and volunteer.
Walt is a native Arizonian raised on a cattle ranch in Southern AZ. He has been involved with the Tucson Rodeo as a contestant, a volunteer and a member of the Tucson Rodeo Committee. Walt has been worked in agricultural youth activities since 2008 and has served as a board member of many agricultural industry organizations. Walt enjoys traveling, golf and tennis.
Debbie is a 30-year member of the Tucson Rodeo Committee and was the first female Chairman of the Tucson Rodeo. She has been volunteering at the rodeo since 1980. She is an avid Arizona Wildcat, loves to travel, and spend time with her grandsons whenever she can.
Candace is a Committee Member of The Tucson Rodeo and has volunteered at the Rodeo since retiring from the University of Arizona Emergency Medicine Department in 2012. She also volunteers in The White Mountains promoting the local musicians and venues and helping with fundraising efforts for The White Mountain Safehouse. The remainder of Candace’s time is spent dancing with her husband, cooking and gardening.
Christina is an Arizona native. She is married with 3 children, and her family is involved in the local 4-H and FFA. Christina also volunteers her time as Chair of Tucson’s Chicks N Chaps. On her off time, she enjoys time with her family, livestock animals, and love for Disneyland.
Elizabeth discovered horses and farm life as a child visiting her Aunt and Uncle’s farm in Washington State. This experience developed a love for horses and eventually horse racing. A graduate of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program, Elizabeth worked in the horse racing industry for twelve years, initially in the racing office and later as the Director of Racing at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Ohio. In 2024 she returned to her alma mater as an Assistant Professor of Practice to teach and develop the future leaders of the equestrian and horse racing industries.
Rules of Logo Usage
1. The TRF logo is precisely proportioned. The size and position relationship between the symbol and logotype must remain intact.
2. The TRF logo’s shape, proportion, color and orientation must not be altered in any way.
3. Clear space must surround the TRF logo on all sides in such a way that no type, design, or photographic elements encroach on the logo.”
Join in the fun!
The event will kick off at 1:00PM on Sunday November 16th at the Maverick with a Country Dance featuring a Western Costume Contest, followed by a Couples Swing Dance Contest at 3:00PM and a “Jack and Jill” competition at 4:00PM. The afternoon will also feature opportunities to win raffle prizes, bid in a silent auction and participate in a 50/50 raffle and a belt buckle raffle.
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please email events@tucsonrodeofoundation.org
Pima County Fair 4 H and FFA Livestock Auction
At the Pima County Fair 4H and FFA Livestock Auction, The Tucson Rodeo Foundation (TRF) was represented this year by Walt Johnson and Christina Garza. TRF also had support from The Tucson Rodeo with the Committee Chairman Sam Merriman and 8 other Committee members in attendance.
As TRF’s mission is to assist our youth in the Western way of life, one way of accomplishing this it to support our young people in 4H and FFA at the auction.
In 2024, TRF had purchased the Grand Champion Lamb and they set their sights on doing the same in 2025. Their strategy worked.
Each one of these participants that TRF purchased from had written Tucson Rodeo Foundation a buy request letter. TRF bid on every 4 H and FFA participant that wrote them a request letter.
TRF’s Fair purchases in 2025 were as follows:
Grand Champion Lamb: Owned and shown by Peyton Newton from Dynamic Livestock 4 H purchased for $41.00 per pound weighing 150 Lb.
Blue Ribbon Lamb: Owned and Shown by Brooklyn Looney from Dynamic Livestock 4 H at $10.00 / Lb. weighing 150 Lbs.
Blue Ribbon Swine: Owned and shown by Elizabeth Lujan From the Marana FFA at $10.00/ Lb. weighing 276 Lbs.
Blue Ribbon Lamb: Owned and shown by Rylin Owen from Sundowners 4 H at $19.00 / Lb. weighing 152 Lbs.
Blue Ribbon Lamb owned and shown by Harleigh Owen From Sundowners 4 H at $22.00 per Lb. weighing 140 Lbs.
Commercial Turkey owned and shown by Abby Thyng, Sahuarita Community 4 H bought for $1000.00
Male Teddy Rabbit owned and shown by Addilyn Green, Little Rascals 4 H bought for $850.00
Female Holland Lop eared Black Tort Rabbit owned and shown by Felicity Cota-Chavez, Flowing Wells FFA for $1000.
For more information please go to www.tucsonrodeofoundation.org
TRF Donation Recipients
The University of Arizona Rodeo Club
Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee, Inc.
Desert View High School Softball
Desert View High School Baseball
Tucson Royals Softball Team
St. Kateri Mission
AZ Cats Softball Team
4-H Horse Advisory Board
The Justin Cowboy Crisis Foundation
Pima County 4H
Pima County FFA Chapters
Tucson Rodeo Ambassadors “Love of Reading” Program
The Tucson Rodeo Foundation (TRF) recently donated 11 boxes of books to The Tucson Rodeo with more to follow.
Thanks to a unique partnership between TRF and the Friends of the Pima County Public Library, hundreds of books will find new homes with the Tucson Rodeo’s “Love of Reading Program” and with teachers and students attending “Ted Walker Days” held at Old Tucson Studios. Michael Davis, Committee Chair Tucson Rodeo’s Ambassador / Ticketing Committee and Charlene Johnston, Ambassador and creator of the Tucson Rodeo’s “Love of Reading Program” accepted the donation.
Penny Moreno, Board President for the Friends of the Library and a volunteer at the Tucson Rodeo, connected with Candace Staar, a Director at TRF and an Associate Committee Member with The Tucson Rodeo, to create this opportunity.
Each month, the Foundation “shops” the Friends’ shelves for free, bringing quality books to their beneficiaries and promoting literacy throughout our community. This collaboration not only provides valuable resources but also inspires our youth to dream big and pursue their passions. This fits with both the mission statement that TRF has for Southern Arizona youth and The Tucson Rodeo’s goal to give back to the community.
For further information, please send email to info@tucsonrodeofoundation.com.
TRF Photos
Upcoming Events!
Get ready for a Spooktacular show at the Gaslight Theatre! The Tucson Rodeo Foundation’s Halloween Fundraiser kicks off on October 18th, and it’s going to be a blast. Mark your calendars, rally your friends and family, and snag your tickets early to guarantee the best seats in the house! Enjoy fun and festive entertainment, great raffles, and unforgettable moments that everyone will be talking about. This is one Halloween event you won’t want to miss—join us for a celebration full of festive fun!
Contact Information
TUCSON RODEO FOUNDATION
4823 South 6th Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85714
Contact Person – Butch Krietemeyer
Contact Person – Candace Staar
Email – info@tucsonrodeofoundation.org
Website – https://tucsonrodeofoundation.org/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tucsonrodeofoundation/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tucsonrodeofoundation/