Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Ranch Rodeo In Memory 0f Allen Cowboy Thomas K. Reed Draws Strong Competition

It was a sad time, yet a beautiful day for the fourth annual Thomas K. Reed Memorial Ranch Rodeo recently at Council Grove.

Thomas K. Reed of Allen passed away from a ranch horse accident in the spring of 2009, and each fall since then, a ranch rodeo has been hosted in his memory.

Jason Gibson, volunteer chairman of the fourth annual Thomas K. Reed Memorial Ranch Rodeo at Council Grove, presented a duplicate championship buckle to Mr. and Mrs. Ken Reed of the Reed Ranch at Allen in memory of their son who passed away in a ranching accident in 2009.
Jason Gibson, volunteer chairman of the fourth annual Thomas K. Reed Memorial Ranch Rodeo at Council Grove, presented a duplicate championship buckle to Mr. and Mrs. Ken Reed of the Reed Ranch at Allen in memory of their son who passed away in a ranching accident in 2009.

For the benefit of young cowboys inspiring to pursue ranching as a career, the memorial rodeo has been organized by those who Reed did ranch work, and participated in rodeo competitions. alongside.

Jason Gibson of Reading, as the volunteer leader of the Fallen Cowboy Fellowship, has been the ramrod for the rodeo since inception, with considerable assistance with others over a wide area.

Previously at Emporia, this year’s rodeo at Council Grove drew 14 teams with an inspirational grand entry ceremony in remembrance of Reed with his father Ken Reed of the Reed Ranch at Allen giving the invocation.

Sponsors included Gibson Cattle Company, Hold ’Em Fence Company, Hunn Leather,  Ivesco Animal Health, Jim’s Cowboy Shop and Orear Cowboy Gear.

Rich Porter of Porter Cattle Company at Miller supplied the rodeo cattle.

Colt Massey and Jack Wilson served as rodeo judges, while Mandy Gibson, Janice Massey and Jana Reed were the rodeo secretaries. All services were on a volunteer basis.

Concessions benefitting the memorial were operated by Greg Massey and Bill Mills.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Buck Creek/Lonesome Pine Ranches team from Chase County collected the first place check and championship buckles. Team members are Bud Higgs, Troy Higgs, Conner Grokett and Randy Peterson.

From Anderson County, the Caylor Cattle Company team of Brant Allen, Brett Cloud, Brian Peak and Matt Peak collected the second place team check

Ryan Arndt, Wes Bailey; Glen Collinge and Josh Lilley of the Arndt/Bailey Ranches from Chase and Lyon counties took home the third place team prize money.

With Clint Bohnen collecting the Top Hand Award including an engraved breast collar made by Matt Hunn of Hunn Leather at August, his 2i Feeders team ranked fourth to receive that premium payment. Jason Gibson, Grady Gibb and Adrian Vogel complete the 2i Feeders cowboy foursome.

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