Submitted by Chachi Hawkins
The 2016 Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is just around the corner on August 12 and 13. We anticipate this year’s event to be bigger and better than ever. We have changed the format to make the performance even more competitive with each team competing in each event each night. Ranch teams from near and far will travel to the S.A.L.E. arena at Sul Ross State University in Alpine to compete in two days of non-stop action.
The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is sanctioned by the Working Ranch Cowboy Association (WRCA) whose purpose is to preserve the lifestyle of working ranch cowboys and to provide those cowboys and their families with financial assistance in time of hardship. The purpose of a WRCA sanctioned ranch rodeo is to provide those cowboys an opportunity to educate the public about the everyday work of a working ranch. The goal of the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is to support the WRCA, to promote the far West Texas region by sending a representative to the championships and to provide Sul Ross State University with scholarship monies for agriculture and rodeo students. The winner of the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo automatically wins a chance to compete in the WRCA World Championship Rodeo.
This year, we are so pleased to be able to present local 10 year old trick rider Emilee Charlesworth and her mentor, one of the world’s top equestrian athletes, Madison McDonald. So be sure to get here early and get a good seat. The gate opens each evening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and kids under 12 get in free.
The Ranch Rodeo weekend’s events include:
Friday, August 12
8:00 a.m., Cutting competition at the o6 Flats arena
7:00 p.m., WRCA Rodeo Performance at the S.A.L.E. arena
Saturday, August 13
9:00 a.m., Ranch Horse Association of America competition at the S.A.L.E. Arena
10:00 a.m., Youth Working Cow Horse Competition at the Outdoor Arena, Sul Ross
7:00 p.m., WRCA Rodeo Performance at the S.A.L.E. arena
Awards ceremony immediately following the rodeo
Sunday, August 14
10:30 a.m., Church service, Cowboy Church, Alpine.
We invite you to spend this weekend being entertained by the best cowboys in Texas and New Mexico and at the same time supporting some very worthwhile causes.
For additional information, contact Chachi Hawkins at 432-364-2696 and please view website at bigbendranchrodeo.com.
