Equine
From the Rodeo Road
By Phillip Kitts
As the summer heats up, so does the rodeo road. Not only is the temperature outside rising but so are the competition levels in the professional rodeo world.
The spring months have a strong list of rodeos that pay out reputable amounts of money; however, as spring turns to summer, both the payout and the level of competition climbs several notches. By this time of year, rodeo competitors have knocked off the rust from the slow season and are now averaging three to four rodeos per weekend.
Many people ponder on how these athletes manage to be so many places in such a small amount of time. The technique varies from competitor to competitor, and then there are variables such as what event the competitor competes in. Because the rough stock competitors, which consist of bull riders, saddle bronc riders and bareback riders, generally only must haul a simple bag of equipment, their ability to travel is much easier. With this group of athletes, you will see large groups of them team up and rent charter planes, helicopters or nearly any mode of fast transportation they can get.
The group will all enter a rodeo the same night and utilize this mode of transportation to hit their rodeo. As soon as the last guy finishes his ride, it turns into a blinding rush as they throw all their gear into any vehicle that will get them on their way. Then all night flights will get them on to the next town and next competition.
The timed event folks have a little more of a challenge. Timed event competitors consist of team ropers, tie down ropers, steer wrestlers, and barrel racers. These folks not only have to account for very expensive horses but also thousands of pounds of saddles, tack, feed, and miscellaneous equipment that is necessary to compete in their event.
To read more pick up a copy of the August 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Krista Lucas Wynn
Each year, when the professional rodeo season wraps on Sept. 30, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce the Nutrena Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, in each event. This is a prestigious award, voted on by the members of the associations. To be named Horse of the Year by fellow competitors is a high honor only a few achieve.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Krista Lucas Wynn | Copy Editor
The name, “Daddy of ’em All,” instantly brings to mind the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. Cowboys and cowgirls from all across the country dream of competing on the iconic Cheyenne arena dirt.
Every July, pro rodeo contestants travel to Cheyenne, Wyom. to vie for the title of champion of the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The rodeo is steeped in western tradition and celebrated the 125th year this summer. With nearly two weeks of rodeo action, fans watched bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and steer roping.
Steer roper, Tuff Hardman, knew winning “the Dad” was a tall order, but with a good horse and a few prayers he left no doubt who the best steer roper at Cheyenne was when it was all said and done. After two rounds, Hardman qualified back for the finals tied for ninth place with a time of 30.8 seconds.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Utilizing the horse to human connection.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
“My boys have been riding since they were 18 months old, and for the first 17 years they had a leader and sidewalker. When we moved here, and Mandy started teaching them, she just said, ‘Let’s see what they can do,’ and they ride independently now,” Danielle Frank explained, whose two sons, Adison and Aiden, ride with Stable Strides Farm. “Mandy is amazing beucase she doesn’t place any limits on them, she always wants to see what they can do.”
It is her dedication to never setting limits that earned Cleveland a spot as a national finalist for the NSBA 2024 Dianne Eppers Cowgirls Reaching-Out-to-Community Award. The award was established by the NSBA Foundation to recognize cowgirls across the industry for their selfless contributions to the equestrian community.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of the NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
(Photos Courtesy of Hannah Claxton)
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