Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Ranchers Match Skills In Training Horses And Everyday Ranch Work Tasks

It was a big day of Western action at the famed Flint Hills Rodeo Arena in Strong City.

Twenty-seven ranchers showed their mounts in the ranch horse competitions, and ten teams tested skills at the evening ranch rodeo.

Sanctioned by the Midwest Ranch Horse Association, the colt challenge was sponsored by Rex Buchman’s Bar U Ranch and Scott Simms.

Justin Keith of Allen rode Bluecat winning the open division, while Russell Powell rode Badger to claim the junior competition.

Justin Keith of Allen rode Bluecat to win the open division of the Midwest Ranch Horse Association competition at Strong City.

When all scores were tabulated the team of Patty Creek/8 Bros was hands down winner in the Flint Hills Open Ranch Rodeo.

From Morris County, Bailey Allen, Nick Allen, Isaac Carr and Trey Langvardt collected buckles after placing second in all three events.

Ranch Horse Show

Keith’s 242 points topped second place 239 points compiled by Jon Christiansen on Bob in the open category.

Powell won the junior division with 250 points, and Keith was second with 241 points on a sorrel colt.

Third place junior was Keith riding Copper for 227 points, while Zach Parkins and Painted Legs collected 223 points, fourth.

Josh Lilley placed first in the intermediate division with 237 points on Carl, and also tied for second. A score of 223 points was tallied for Lilley and Hooey, while Jess Coirier matched that number on Mayo.

Jacob Kehler rode D-Mac to win the novice division with 244 points. Casey Beverlin and Pedro were a close second scoring 243 points.

Six entries in Rex Buchman’s Bar U Colt Challenge were topped by Russell Powell on Badger, 466 points, winning $700. Second went to Dwight Bylick and Fairfax with 413 points collecting a $300 stipend.

“The colt challenge went extremely well,” Rex Buchman evaluated. “They competed in the ranch horse class and then on a ten-obstacle ranch trail course. We are talking about offering more divisions next year.”

Ranch Rodeo

Competition featuring work done on the ranch included stray gathering, team sorting and team doctoring with team penning.

Unique from most ranch rodeos, event points were figured from both times and the scores given by four judges.

Buck Creek Ranch and Caylor Cattle of Cottonwood Falls joined to be the second place team overall. Jayton Hart, Lee Hart, Randy Peterson and Jared Whitcomb placed first in team sorting.

Buchman Ranch of Alta Vista was the third place team. Tyson Buchman, Justin Brown, Chad Johnson and Wade Olsen were third in team sorting.

Bar 87 composed of Jess Coirier, Ryan Locke, Tanner Stucky and Seth Wessel won the stray gathering event. Stucky also received the Top Horse Award.

OV Ranch with Reece Arnold, Cody Parmely, Shawn Satterfield and Rusty Vannocker placed first in the doctoring and penning event.

Levi Cole representing the Beef Productions team from Strong City was honored as the Top Hand.

Checks went to the top three teams, with special prizes for event and special competition winners.

Nick Allen, Bailey Allen, Trey Langvardt and Isaac Carr joined as the Patty Creek/8 Bros team from Morris County to win the Flint Hills Open Ranch Rodeo at Strong City.

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