Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Working Ranch Cowboys Collect World Championships, Recognition Planned

Kansas’ real cowboys have again proven to be the best in the world.

No argument about that after checking tabulations from the 15th Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas.

Ranches either based in Kansas or with rangeland leases in the state took the top four spots out of 21 teams from Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Arizona and South Dakota.

Scribner Ranch and El Dorado Livestock Auction at El Dorado joined efforts to be the 2010 world champions. The team is made up of dad John Scribner and brothers David, Doug and Daniel Scribner, as well as family friends Brett Cloud and Carl Donley. En route to the championship, the team won the wild cow milking event

The reserve world championship went to Beachner Brothers Livestock and Broken H Ranch of St. Paul and Bronson. Team members include Bruce Beeman, Cliff Hall, Sage Hall, Calvin Kendall, Cody Kendall and Orban Stephens.

Cliff Hall rode his horse, Lika Doc Peppy to be named the reserve champion in the Top Horse competition and received special awards from the American Quarter Horse Association.

Fourth place overall team was the Arndt Ranch and Bailey Ranch group from Emporia and Tampa. Members are Michael Arndt, Ryan Arndt, Richell Bailey, Wes Bailey, Glen Collinge and Josh Lilly. They won the stray gathering event.

Ninth place team was composed of competitors representing the KW Cattle Company and Diamond E Ranch of Fort Scott and Redfield. Riders are Chad Braden Travis Duncan, Andy Eck, Shanna Eck, Kolby Stock and Nathan Wells.

A Chase County team from the Buck Creek and Lonesome Pine ranches placed 11th overall, with Grady Gibb, Bud Higgs, Troy Higgs, Randy Peterson, Sammy Jo Peterson and Adrian Vogel comprising the team.

Third place overall team represented the Sweetwater Cattle Company and the Tom Drummond Ranch and also won the team branding event.

Four Three Land and Cattle joined with FX Bar Ranch to be the winning team in the team penning event.

Top horse of the rodeo, Sixes Sixgun, is owned by the Crofoot Ranch and Sandhill Cattle Company and was ridden by Tripp Townsend of Sandhill Cattle Company. Sired by Sixes Pick, Sixes Sixgun also was named the top American Quarter Horse of the WCRR, an award sponsored by AQHA.

Additionally, the big gray horse won the overall championship of the ranch horse show sanctioned by the Ranch Horse Association of America and included in the championship rodeo.

Top Hand recognition went to Riley Smith of Sandhill Cattle Company, and reserve recipient was Tell Good of Triangle and Black Cattle ranches.

Brady Burnham represented the Decker and Beatty Canyon ranches to win the ranch bronc riding event..

Hard Luck Cowboys were Quentin Gass, Thompson Ranch, and Matt Carlton, Doyle Carlton Ranch/Carlton Cattle.

“The WRCA is committed to preserving the heritage and lifestyle of the working ranch cowboy,” according to Mandy Morton, association manager. “The Working Ranch Cowboys Foundation was formed to help educate ranch managers, veterinarians and agriculture professionals of the future as well as those who will serve key roles in rural communities.”

The foundation assisted 32 students this year with a total funding package of $35,500. “That’s our part so we know the ranching industry will continue to prosper,” Morton pointed out.

In recognition of Kansas’ ranches and cowboys’ performances and accomplishments at the WRCA world championship, a special recognition program has been planned for Saturday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m., at the fairgrounds in Cottonwood Falls.

Organized by Ernie Rodina of Purina Feeds, nine businesses are helping in sponsorship of the celebration which will include a barbecued beef supper, an auction to benefit the Working Ranch Cowboys Association Crisis Fund and entertainment by country singer Rusty Rierson.

Information is available from Rodina at 785-418-6047.

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