Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Working Cowboys Getting Ultimate Test At Ranch Rodeo

Wild and Western action is set for the Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo Friday and Saturday evenings, July 6-7.

At the arena east of Council Grove just off Highway 56, working ranch cowboys from throughout the Midwest will be in competition, announced Clay Wilson, president of the sponsoring Morris County Youth Rodeo Association.

OMAK Rodeo Company of Nowata, Oklahoma, will again furnish horses for the ranch bronc riding in the Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo, July 7-8, at Council Grove. Produced in the “born to buck” breeding program of Don Reno, these horses have seen recent auction at major rodeos throughout the Midwest. Cowboys will be using their working ranch saddles while attempting to make the eight-second, qualifying-ride-whistle on the bucking horses.

Four member teams representing 16 ranches are entered in the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) sanctioned events at 7 o’clock.

Top scoring team from both performances qualifies for the WRCA Finals, November 7-11, in Amarillo, Texas.

Ranch bronc riding featuring several of the top bucking horses in the country will kick off each performance.

In a return engagement, OMAK Rodeo Company owned by Don Reno of Nowata, Oklahoma, is again providing the broncs. The horses are production of his “born to buck” bronc breeding program

“These big stout colorful bucking horses have been contracted to a dozen top professional rodeos since the spring season began,” Wilson said.

“We’re pleased that again several of our horses have also been selected to buck at this year’s famed Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo July 20 to July 29,” Reno pointed out.

Furthering the wild and colorful Western competition for the working ranch cowboys will be the wild cow milking event.

“This is always an anticipated feature,” Wilson assured. “It’ll be even more exciting for contestants and spectators alike this year.”

A working ranch cowboy and rodeo champion himself, Les Magee of Greeley is providing his big, rank, bright-speckled Longhorn cows for the event. “Those stout ornery momma cows will sure enough test the cowboys,” Wilson added.

Additional “true to life cowboys’ work on the ranch” featured in the rodeo will be calf branding, stray gathering, and team penning.

“This livestock is provided by local ranchers and is straight off of Flint Hills pastures right here in Morris and surrounding counties,” Wilson said.

 An added attraction for the rodeo weekend will be the Junior Ranch Rodeo Saturday morning, July 7, at 10 o’clock.

Featured events are calf branding, ribbon roping and team penning. Entries are still open and can be made by contacting Wilson at 785-466-1359.

Concessions by the sponsoring group will be available throughout each rodeo performance.

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