A ranch rodeo is a traditional type of rodeo in which teams of cowboys or cowgirls from different ranches compete against each other in events based on the type of work they do every day.[1]
Ranch rodeos differ from the more common PRCA-style rodeos in several ways. For starters, the contestants are not professional rodeo cowboys; instead, they are usually full-time ranch hands who compete in annual ranch rodeos for fun and for bragging rights.[2] The events in ranch rodeos are more similar to the tasks commonly performed on a ranch, and the equipment and tack used are the same as those used during everyday ranch work.[3] Instead of competing as individuals, the contestants in ranch rodeos compete as a team representing the ranch they work for.[4] Though there are often individual awards such as "Top Hand" and "Top Horse,"[5] the main prize is for the top overall ranch team.[6]
Sanctioning bodies include the Working Ranch Cowboys Association, which sponsors the World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas;[7] and the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association, which sponsors the WSRRA National Finals in Winnemucca, Nevada.[8]
Competitive events
editMost ranch rodeos consist entirely of timed events, with the goal being to complete the assigned task in the shortest possible time. Common ranch rodeo events include:
- Calf branding - Teams have to find and rope specific calves (identified by a number they are randomly assigned) out of a larger herd of cattle, bring the calves to the branding area, and "brand" them by marking the calves with chalk.[9]
- Steer doctoring (or ranch vet) - Similar to calf branding, except the cattle are older and larger, and the event simulates bringing a sick animal in from the herd for veterinary care.[10]
- Team penning - Teams of three riders must sort out a few specific cattle (each identified by a specific number marking) from a larger herd, and move those cattle into a small pen at the other end of the arena.[11]
- Wild horse race - Teams must saddle a wild horse and ride it across the finish line at the far end of the arena.[12]
- Wild cow milking - Teams rope a wild cow and hand-milk it into an empty soda bottle. One team member then runs the bottle across the finish line on foot, and pours out a small amount of milk for the judges to prove they accomplished the task.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Ranch Rodeo Finals". www.sarodeo.com. February 26, 2012. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Culver, Galen (August 22, 2014). "Great State: Ranch Rodeo Practice is Everyday Work for These Cowboys Near Velma, OK". KFOR. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ "South Texas Ranch Rodeo". Archived from the original on July 8, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Ranch Rodeo". www.blackhillsroundup.com. July 3, 2013. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ "OCA Range Round-Up". www.okcattlemen.org. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "2014 OCA Range Roundup Rodeo Results". wrca.org. August 26, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ "Working Ranch Cowboys Association". Working Ranch Cowboys Association. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ "Western States Ranch Rodeo Association". Western States Ranch Rodeo Association. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ "Calf branding". Archived from the original on March 13, 2002. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Steer Doctoring". Archived from the original on January 31, 2002. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Team penning". Archived from the original on May 9, 2002. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Wild Horse Race |". Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ "Wild Cow Milking". Archived from the original on July 18, 2002. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)