Photos: Opening weekend at the 2025 National Western Stock Show

· Jan. 13, 2025, 2:34 pm

A baby cow waits in the Cattle Barn in the Hall of Education, Jan. 12, 2025.

The 119th annual National Western Stock Show returned to Denver on Jan. 11 and runs through Jan. 26.

Opening weekend featured events including stock dog trials, the Colorado fiddle championships, Colorado vs The World Rodeo and fan favorite: the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza.

Scroll to enjoy scenes from the first weekend and click here to plan your trip to the 2025 National Western Stock Show.

The folkloric dancers kick off the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

The champion rider nears the fence at the far side of the ring during Mutton Bustin' in the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza. Jan. 12, 2025.

A longhorn stands patiently while Stock Show attendees line up to have their picture taken with it, Jan. 12, 2025.

The Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra band prepares for the grand entry at the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

A horse bucks off its rider during the traditional Charro-style bareback riding event at the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

A horse races around the ring after bucking off its rider during the traditional Charro-style bareback riding event at the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

A very large cow rests in the Cattle Barn in the Hall of Education, Jan. 12, 2025.

Workers break down the ring in the CINCH Arena after the Youth Freestyle Reigning Showcase, Jan. 12, 2025.

Manu Lataste, the bull jumping pro, jumps a charging bull during the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza. He is midair, diving headfirest over the bull. — Manu Lataste, the bull jumping pro, jumps a charging bull during the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

A Spanish-style dancer performs in the Folkloric Dancing showcase before the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

A young goat in the NW nursery, located in the Events Center Paddock, Jan. 12, 2025.

A woman rides sidesaddle in the Cala de Caballo, or traditional opening of the Charreada, during the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

A couple peruses the shopping booths in the Denver Coliseum before the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

An alpaca in the NW nursery, located in the Events Center Paddock, Jan. 12, 2025.

A cowboy pursues a horse, preparing his lasso, during the traditional Charro-style bareback riding event at the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

Mexican Elvis cruises through the crowd in the Denver Coliseum before the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

A young boy in a helmet riding a sheep races across the ring . — The champion rider races across the ring during mutton bustin' in the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza. Jan. 12, 2025.

A bucking bronco takes off after it ejects its rider in the traditional Charro-style bareback riding event at the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

Young dancers perform in the Folkloric Dancing showcase before the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

Men on horseback flank the ring during the Cala de Caballo, or traditional opening of the Charreada, during the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Jan. 12, 2025.

A black cow waits in the Cattle Barn in the Hall of Education, Jan. 12, 2025.

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