Attractions
Rope at the Ryon – 2017 Windy Ryon Memorial Roping
By Jessica Crabtree
Thousands swarmed the stands of the Saginaw arena to celebrate their three-day Memorial Day Weekend at the 44th Annual Windy Ryon Memorial Roping. The main objective of the memorial roping is to memorialize, honor and celebrate the late Don J. “Windy” Ryon. Windy Ryon is remembered as a man small in stature, but giant among men in the rodeo industry.
He was a cowboy and successful businessman, founding the internationally famous store, Ryon’s Saddle Shop and Western Store in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. The establishment became a second home for rodeo and ranch cowboys, telling wild and wooly cowboy stories. Windy was a one-of-a-kind, outgoing man who would crack a joke as well as spew rodeo logic. In April of 1973, the rodeo fan who helped so many passed from a heart attack. Those who loved Windy wanted to celebrate and honor his memory through the very thing he loved, roping.
Since the events’ creation in 1973, top professional rodeo cowboys have come to the roping to compete among the best in calf roping, steer roping, steer wrestling and team roping. Additional events include ladies team roping, calf roping and a celebrity washer pitch tournament. The Windy Ryon Memorial Roping has gained a reputation equal to the man it memorializes.
The WRMR Association is dedicated to providing a world-class roping event and raising funds to meet area youth scholarship obligations and give youth the opportunity to further their education. From its profits, contributions have been made to charities in the amount of nearly a half-million dollars. Benefitting from such funds are local young men and women including Tarrant County Junior Livestock Show, Boswell-Saginaw-Chisholm Trail FFA, North Texas High School Rodeo Association, Saginaw 4-H, Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund and West Texas Boys Ranch. Committee member Debbie McKinney said these kids may choose to use the scholarships for a two-year or four-year educational establishment while others may attend a trade school such as welding or horseshoeing school. In 2016 the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping awarded $45,000 in scholarship money.
The three-day event is a massive undertaking. What was once a committee of 50 or more, is now a group of 16 volunteers and personnel, people who selflessly give of their time for one reason or another. Board members include President Marty Richter, Vice President Rick Ward, Secretary J.D. Johnson, Treasurer Debbie McKinney, 2017 Roping Chairmen Kent Lynch and Pam Minick. This list does not include the roping committee, announcer, stock contractors, judges, chute boss, gate men, timers, secretaries, photographers, veterinarians, arena help and more, all vital to the event and responsible for making it all happen.
To read more pick up a copy of the July 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
On The Road With Dave Alexander
Rarely will you find an event center that includes a music venue, a steakhouse and a wildlife refuge all rolled into one.
Oak Meadow Ranch has been welcoming guests for over two decades with one thing in mind, your complete happy experience.
The Chef Dinner and Exotic Animal Experience includes a four-course meal followed by a hands-on experience with exotic animals.
You can catch up with Dave at the Birthplace of Western Swing Festival in Fort Worth, Texas on November 7, or at the Irving Symphony Orchestra in Irving, Texas on November 9. To read more about his experience at Oak Meadow Ranch, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print.
To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Lindsey Monk
On Aug. 22, 2024 at 11:40 p.m., the Remington fire jumped the line in Wyoming to burn towards Montana at a high rate of speed. The fire burned 194,459 acres and over 41 miles from one end to the other in a span of two days. Livestock producers will be feeling the effects for years to come.
Pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
The GO TEXAN program is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to showcasing and supporting Texas based busi- nesses. During the State Fair of Texas, held in Dallas each year, the program puts together the GO TEXAN pavilion. Within the pavilion, presented by Southwest Dairy Farmers, visitors have the opportunity to sample and shop Texas-based products, learn more about agriculture and participate in family-friendly activities.
In 2023, more than $1 million in revenue was generated across nearly 67,000 products sold. Businesses with products produced or processed in Texas are invited to apply to join the program, and can visit http:// www.gotexan.org/JOIN to apply.
When visiting the State Fair of Texas, make sure to visit the GO TEXAN pavilion to support businesses driving agricultural commerce and explore Texas agricultural commodities outside of North Texas.
The State Fair of Texas is held each year in the fall, and is considered to be the first of the “majors” shows for many students involved in showing livestock. Cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and even llamas all have a class to enter at the fair.
For those not showing livestock, over a hundred creative arts classes are available to enter. Canned goods, photography, quilts, paintings, and butter sculptures are all displayed throughout the fair’s duration. Another contest judges a variety of antique collections and keeps them on display throughout the duration of the fair.
It’s not the State Fair of Texas without world-renowned food. The Big Tex Choice Awards contest has solidified the State Fair of Texas as the top Fair for great food creations. Each year, State Fair concessionaires fry up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the annual Big Tex Choice Awards competition.
The 2024 Finalists in the Savory category are: Dominican Fritura Dog (by Justin Martinez), The Drowning Taquitos (by Tony & Terry Bednar), Hippie Chips (by Rose and Tom Deschenes), Hot Chick-In- Pancake Poppers (by Palmer and Amanda Fortune), Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs (by Nick and Vera Burt).
In the Sweet category, the 2024 Finalists are: Nevins Nutty Bar- Laska (by Tami Nevins Mayes & Josie Mayes), Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon On A Stick (by Isaac Rousso), Strawberry Pop-Tarts Beignettfle (by Justin Martinez), Texas Sugar Rush Pickles (by Heather Perkins), and Tropical Two-Step Punch (by Binh Tran).
Livestock & contests schedule of events is available in the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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