Ranch rodeo explained

A ranch rodeo is a traditional type of rodeo in which teams of cowboys or cowgirls from different ranches compete against each other in events based on the type of work they do every day.^[1]

Ranch rodeos differ from the more common PRCA-style rodeos in several ways. For starters, the contestants are not professional rodeo cowboys; instead, they are usually full-time ranch hands who compete in annual ranch rodeos for fun and for bragging rights.^[2] The events in ranch rodeos are more similar to the tasks commonly performed on a ranch, and the equipment and tack used are the same as those used during everyday ranch work.^[3] Instead of competing as individuals, the contestants in ranch rodeos compete as a team representing the ranch they work for.^[4] Though there are often individual awards such as "Top Hand" and "Top Horse,"^[5] the main prize is for the top overall ranch team.^[6]

Sanctioning bodies include the Working Ranch Cowboys Association, which sponsors the World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas;^[7] and the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association, which sponsors the WSRRA National Finals in Winnemucca, Nevada.^[8]

Competitive events

Most ranch rodeos consist entirely of timed events, with the goal being to complete the assigned task in the shortest possible time. Common ranch rodeo events include:

• Calf branding - Teams have to find and rope specific calves (identified by a number they are randomly assigned) out of a larger herd of cattle, bring the calves to the branding area, and "brand" them by marking the calves with chalk.^[9]
• Steer doctoring (or ranch vet) - Similar to calf branding, except the cattle are older and larger, and the event simulates bringing a sick animal in from the herd for veterinary care.^[10]
• Team penning - Teams of three riders must sort out a few specific cattle (each identified by a specific number marking) from a larger herd, and move those cattle into a small pen at the other end of the arena.^[11]
• Wild horse race - Teams must saddle a wild horse and ride it across the finish line at the far end of the arena.^[12]
• Wild cow milking - Teams rope a wild cow and hand-milk it into an empty soda bottle. One team member then runs the bottle across the finish line on foot, and pours out a small amount of milk for the judges to prove they accomplished the task.^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ranch Rodeo Finals . Feb 8, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120208091617/http://www.sarodeo.com/rodeo/ranch-rodeo-finals . February 26, 2012 . www.sarodeo.com . en . 24 August 2023.
2. Web site: Great State: Ranch Rodeo Practice is Everyday Work for These Cowboys Near Velma, OK. 2014-08-22. Galen. Culver. KFOR. 2015-05-12.
3. Web site: South Texas Ranch Rodeo . Jul 8, 2008 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20080708212749/http://www2.brazosport.edu/~jedibill/ranchrodeo.html . en . 20 August 2023.
4. Web site: Ranch Rodeo . Jun 25, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130625003937/http://www.blackhillsroundup.com/ranch-rodeo . en . July 3, 2013 . www.blackhillsroundup.com . 19 August 2023.
5. Web site: OCA Range Round-Up . Aug 22, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130822092802/http://www.okcattlemen.org/ocaannualrangeround-up.aspx . en . www.okcattlemen.org . 18 August 2023.
6. Web site: 2014 OCA Range Roundup Rodeo Results . wrca.org . 26 August 2014. 2015-05-12.
7. Web site: Working Ranch Cowboys Association. Working Ranch Cowboys Association. September 7, 2024.
8. Web site: Western States Ranch Rodeo Association. Western States Ranch Rodeo Association. September 7, 2024.
9. Web site: Calf branding . unfit . Mar 13, 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020313110424/http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/calfbranding.html . en . 22 August 2023.
10. Web site: Steer Doctoring . unfit . Jan 31, 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020131184205/http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/steerdoctoring.html . en . 21 August 2023.
11. Web site: Team penning . unfit . May 9, 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020509084113/http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/teampenning.html . en . 17 August 2023.
12. Web site: Wild Horse Race | . May 12, 2015 . November 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191130034311/http://www.wsrra.org/events/?p=778 . dead .
13. Web site: Jul 18, 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020718193840/http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/wildcowmilk.html . Wild Cow Milking . usurped . en . 15 August 2023 .