Ranch Rodeo events thrill fans

One does not have to be a rodeo fan to enjoy the different events experienced only at a ranch rodeo, and the annual Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Ranch Rodeo did not disappoint fans Sept. 13-14.

Some events are slight variations of common professional rodeo while others are completely unique. However, the biggest difference is ranch rodeo competitors are not touring professionals, but real ranch workers.

Professional team roping takes typically around 10 seconds to snatch a single calf and complete, whereas ranch rodeo cowboys must quickly divide a calf from a herd, rope around the neck and back hoof, then flip and tie down the animal to complete — a feat which can take 1-2 minutes to complete.

Bary Clower checks the list of registered contestants before emceeing the rodeo. The announcer has been entertaining at ranch rodeos for 21 years.

Ranch rodeos have distinct events such as wagon races, bison riding, and team wild cow milking.

A herd of buffalo are coaxed out of the arena after contestants tried to ride the 1,500-plus pound beasts.

“These are real cowboys doing what they do on the ranch,” Clower said. “About ninety percent of the contestants come from real working ranches.”

Some events are a throwback to the earliest days of ranching, like team wild cow milking. Two contestants, often a man and a woman, must rope a wild cow out of a herd, contain it, and milk it.

Wagon races and buffalo riding are reflective of homemade entertainment of early ranching days.

Michael Martin Murphey entertained fans after Friday’s rodeo and Texas Swing artist Jake Hooker was the featured artist after Saturday’s event.

Parker County Sheriff’s Posse member Blaine Peacock is the chairman of the 2024 ranch rodeo. Peacock was busy throughout the night as problem solver, schedule checker, gofer, and even helped corral livestock.

“This is a lot of fun but it takes a ton of work,” Peacock said at the close of the evening, adding with a smile, “For me, the best part is when it is finally over.”