Pogue Cattle Company will be one of the competitors in Saturday's Ranch Rodeo Contest, held at the Hopkins
County Regional Civic Center. Team members are back row: Lee Pogue, Logan Pogue, Leon Ely, and Kenny
Crowson. On the front row is Lee Pogue's son, Gage Pogue, who's watching all the action for future competition.

 

Ranch Rodeo Scheduled
For Weekend

by: Bobby McDonald

 

In the tradition of J. Frank Dobie's " The Longhorns," Elmer Kelton's "The Time It Never Rained," or perhaps Cumby's Ben K. Green's "Wild Cow Tales," Ranch Rodeo, scheduled for Saturday in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, is the "blood and guts" of handling livestock, in the "real world." It's coming to town with an exhibition of actually how livestock are handled, sorted, and restrained, on a working ranch.

Pogue Cattle Company team members, Lee Pogue and Leon Ely prepare for the Team Branding
Competition.

There's Wild Cow Milkin', that anyone who has been forced to chase down an honery, kickin', ol' cow to extract milk to feed a starving calf, will surely appreciate. "At least in the contest you have some help with the ol' cow," inserts one of Saturday's contestants. "I've been out in the cold or the hot and there wasn't anyone around, but me and the old cow and her calf. That's when it gets tough!"

It's four cowboys and a "wily" old cow, that's intent of getting away, in the Wild Cow Milking Contest.

Most will agree that the other challenging events in a ranch rodeo reflect the more authentic spirit of livestock husbandry. "That's what's so appealing about attending a ranch rodeo, as opposed to your PRCA and other professional rodeos," explains local ranch rodeo enthusiast, Susan Lennon. "Ranch rodeo is much more authentic and 'cuts to the chase!' These definitely couldn't be described as 'drug store' cowboys!"

Rodeo, like most other sports, in recent years has become more commercialized, to attract business sponsors and a larger following of fans. But, ranch rodeo tends to "shy away" from all the "flash" and maintain the authenticity of the working cowboy, in their events. Events will include Ranch Bronc Riding, Wild Cow Milking, Mugging, Cattle Sorting, and Team Branding.

Participants in a ranch rodeo are required to have all the skills used on a
working ranch, such as roping and riding.

Make your way to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, on Saturday morning, at 10:00 a.m., where Feedlot Cattle Sorting Demonstrations will be conducted. Then, make your way into the Exhibit Hall of the Civic Center for the Western Art Show, that will highlight local artists, as well as invited artists from across the state of Texas. The Art Show will be from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.

These members of the M&D Cattle Company team, from Quitman, show their skills in restraining
an uncooperative cow, in a previous competition.

Then, the actual Ranch Rodeo Events will unfold in the Hopkins County Civic Center Arena, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center Box Office, Tri-County Feed, or Circle E Western Wear.

 

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