By Kathy Feist
Farm chores may seem mundane to the average ranch hand. But put in the context of a competitive ranch rodeo, they can get pretty fierce.
On Saturday, April 30, 12 regional ranch teams will compete in fast-paced events based on the type of work ranch hands do every day. Saddle & Sirloin’s 5th Annual Ranch Rodeo begins at 2 pm at 14401 Holmes Rd. The public is invited.
Competitions include team penning, trailer loading, stray gathering, and wild cow milking, all done at a fast pace. A dummy steer roping will be held for children ages 10 and under.
“Whether you’re a big fan and a regular at the World Championship in Amarillo or you’ve never seen a ranch rodeo, you are going to enjoy watching these teams work,” said Jerry Hedrick, Saddle & Sirloin member and an organizer of the event.
One of the teams competing is Lonesome Pine Ranch, a two-time world record holder in the WRCA (Working Ranch Cowboys Association) held in Amarillo, Texas. The Higgs family is an all-around winner as well as a record holder for team penning and cow milking (18 seconds). Their ranch is located in the Flint Hills of Kansas.
Winners are judged on how quickly they can sort out a given number of calves from a herd (Stray Gathering), rope a calf and load it into a trailer (Trailer Loading) and drive cattle from one end of the pen to the other (Team Penning) as well as roping and milking a wild heifer (Cow Milking).
The Saddle & Sirloin Mounted Patrol, which has performed at the American Royal, Topeka Equifest and numerous local parades, will open the event with a flag routine choreographed to music.
The event will be held rain or shine on the property’s covered arena.
The rodeo is open to the public. Tickets are $10 per adult, which includes parking. A food trailer and beverages will be on hand