Soapweed
Well-known member
There was a new event this year at the Sheridan County Fair, held each August in Gordon, Nebraska. It was a fun deal to watch, and it would have been even more fun to have been one of the participants. Preceeding the main event was mutton busting. There were probably well over a hundred kids that grabbed for the wool and gusto of that, and the fifteen sheep riders with the top scores get to ride again at the regular rodeos, five at each of the three performances.
Back to the "ranch event," it consisted of twelve three-person teams competing for the buckles and prize money. Each team went into the arena where three horned roping cattle had been turned loose. One steer had to be roped and tied down so it stayed tied until the other two steers had been worked. There were not very many rules and no limit on the amount of loops that could be used. After the first steer was tied down, the cowboys had to rope another steer and load it into an open-topped stock trailer. The rope had to be removed from that critter, and the gate latched. Then the third steer had to be "branded" with a paint brand on the left side. This involved heading and heeling it, and tailing it down so the brand could be applied. When the person doing the branding put the iron back in the branding pot, time was called.
The only teams that got a "no-time" were when one steer didn't stay tied down until the end, and one team put the brand on the wrong side of their last steer. The best time was two minutes, fifty six seconds, and the worst time was just a tad over six minutes. All in all, it was a very entertaining event to watch.
The three person teams were introduced as they rode into the arena, where they all lined up. There were 36 riders in the line-up. Here they are, waiting for the flag to arrive.
It was carried in by a cute little gal on her pony. Another young lady did a fantastic job of singing the National Anthem, and then the announcer said a meaningful prayer.
From left
To right
Auctioneering the first team in the calcutta. This would have been the team to buy, as they won the competition.
The first team to go. It got exciting and dark, and I forgot to take any more photos. :wink:
Back to the "ranch event," it consisted of twelve three-person teams competing for the buckles and prize money. Each team went into the arena where three horned roping cattle had been turned loose. One steer had to be roped and tied down so it stayed tied until the other two steers had been worked. There were not very many rules and no limit on the amount of loops that could be used. After the first steer was tied down, the cowboys had to rope another steer and load it into an open-topped stock trailer. The rope had to be removed from that critter, and the gate latched. Then the third steer had to be "branded" with a paint brand on the left side. This involved heading and heeling it, and tailing it down so the brand could be applied. When the person doing the branding put the iron back in the branding pot, time was called.
The only teams that got a "no-time" were when one steer didn't stay tied down until the end, and one team put the brand on the wrong side of their last steer. The best time was two minutes, fifty six seconds, and the worst time was just a tad over six minutes. All in all, it was a very entertaining event to watch.
The three person teams were introduced as they rode into the arena, where they all lined up. There were 36 riders in the line-up. Here they are, waiting for the flag to arrive.
It was carried in by a cute little gal on her pony. Another young lady did a fantastic job of singing the National Anthem, and then the announcer said a meaningful prayer.
From left
To right
Auctioneering the first team in the calcutta. This would have been the team to buy, as they won the competition.
The first team to go. It got exciting and dark, and I forgot to take any more photos. :wink:
