Blog Posts - Gail Hughbanks Woerner

Tiz the Season

12/1/2017

With Christmas not far away, I have the perrrrrrrfect gift for a very special type of person – A RODEO CLOWN!!!

One of the retired rodeo clowns that always comes to the Rodeo Clown Reunion has hit a rough patch – he has pancreatic cancer. Needless to say he doesn’t need his clown barrel during this time. He is taking treatments and is concentrating on being one of the 6% that beat pancreatic cancer.

He has put his clown barrel up for sale and these are the particulars: It is steel, but easy to maneuver. The height is 3’10” and the opening at the top is 22” across. The outside skin has been redone, and has custom upholstered inside padding. He is asking $1,000 – and that is his bottom price. (It is a $6,000 clown barrel, and is in good shape, according to another accomplished barrelman.)

If you are interested please contact me via my website, or by phone, 512-426-8668. If you are a serious buyer wanting to surprise your rodeo clown friend on Christmas morning call me.

November 28th, 2017

11/28/2017

National Cowgirl Hall Of Fame Induction
Presents Most Amazing Program

The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Induction was held November 21st, in Fort Worth and was, in my opinion, the most unique, enjoyable and emotional program I have attended in years. It was fashioned around a simple statement said by the Associate Executive Director, Diana Vela, “It’s Never Just A Horse”.

Deborah Ferguson, NBC 5 Today Anchor and Red Steagall, the Official Cowboy Poet of Texas gave the welcoming remarks and kicked off the program, during lunch. Of course, we spent several hours of wandering through the room where over 100 tables, for ten, were decorated with cowgirl themes. No two were alike so it took a while to see them all before we sat down to dinner or got to visit with friends. Vendors with numerous kinds of fare for cowgirls were also available for purchase.

Mayor Betsy Price also gave a welcome to those attending, remarking how proud she is to be a cowgirl and how important accomplished women are in our world today. Following her Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns, 1977 Honoree gave the Invocation.

The first presentation was the Gloria Lupton Tennison Pioneer Award which was given to Ann Davies Romney. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1998, and began losing function on her right side. She began horseback riding, and at first was barely able to ride without getting tired. Gradually the muscles required to ride were beneficial both physically and psychologically. She entered an adult amateur dressage competition in 2005 and received a Silver Medal. In 2006 she won a Gold Medal at the Grand Prix level from the United States Dressage Competition. Other wins followed. She has become the global ambassador for the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. In accepting her award she said her husband, Mitt, occasionally gets annoyed when she calls her horse ‘the love of her life’. She went on to say that 60% of Alzheimer’s and MS patients will be women in the coming years.

The first inductee to be introduced was Margaret McGinley Dickens who grew up in Fort Worth, went to college at North Texas State University in physical education to be able to teach horseback riding. Working for the U.S. Army Special Services in Germany she met her husband, Waverley Dickens. After returning to the States and teaching she and Patti Pace created a therapeutic riding program. When it closed its doors they co-founded Wings of Hope Equitherapy in 1996, a non-profit serving children and adults with disabilities. It became a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International Premier Accredited Center, one of only 272 in the country. At age 78 in 1915 Margaret retired her daily role working with patients, and serves on the board of directors and continues to see her vision of horses healing humans flourish.

Mary Burger was the next inductee and has spent the last 50 years as a dominant figure in the world of barrel racing. She has won nine American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Championships and two Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Championships. Mary, was born in Indiana in 1948, developed Perthes disease, affecting hip joints and restricted movement. Unable to walk her father purchased a pony for transportation and to help her hips heal. Throughout high school she trained and showed her horse in 4-H and won seven grand championships in gaming, pleasure riding and halter events. Marrying her childhood sweetheart, Kerry Burger, in 1969, she began her family, but continued winning through AQHA. In the late 1990s she began training Rare Fred, a 2 year old race-bred colt owned by a client. They made the Ft Smith Futurity Finals and Derby Finals the next year. She won their junior and senior Barrel Racing in 2003, ’04, and ’05. In 2006 she won the WPRA World Championship at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, becoming the oldest competitor to win a World Championship in WPRA history. By the way, she became a grandmother that same year. In 2016 she won her second WPRA World Championship in Barrel Racing and broke her own record of being the oldest to win the WPRA World. She is dedicated to the sport, and an excellent horsewoman. When receiving her medallion she said, “It has seemed like a storybook life – Thank God for my family and experiences I have gained.”

When Red Steagall introduced the next recipient, he said, “Thirty-four years ago Justin Boots invited me on my first trip to the National Finals Rodeo. A woman came up to me and asked, ‘Can I bring my little girl up to the Justin suite to sing with you?’ That little girl was her daughter, Reba, and she truly amazed me with her singing. She is one of the most treasured parts of my family – And now she has a line of boots with Justin!” He continued to say, “She’s a legend – when women need a ‘leg up’ in the industry – she was there.” When Reba received her honor she immediately thanked her mama for her encouragement in singing, then she said, “I really wanted to be a barrel racer!” She thanked God, Family and her Friends. Continuing she said, “It took a long time to get my boot in the door, but I did and I still wear the boots!” (Which she showed the audience). “I love being a cowgirl, but when I was little I wanted to be a cowboy, it seemed they didn’t have to do as much of the work as cowgirls. Ranching taught me a lot. When my daddy told me to set at the gate, he meant it. Now when I’m being directed by people they say I’m easy to work with and follow directions. My family firmly grounded me and that is special.” (I won’t go in to all her qualifying musical credentials because I’m sure everyone is in agreement with all she’s done, she is truly qualified for this honor.)

The fourth inductee, Jacqueline Smith McEntire, Reba, Alice, Pake and Suzie’s mother, may not have thought she was a cowgirl, but the rest of the world knew better. She worked right along with her husband, Clark, to build a 40 acre spread into four ranches. She was born in Oklahoma and loved to sing, growing up she often led others including classmates and teachers in the Star Spangled Banner. She wanted to go to Hollywood and pursue singing, but the times just didn’t offer her that opportunity. Her family needed her at home to help work. She started teaching school by riding her horse to the Tipperary School to teach children from first through 8th grade. Meanwhile she attended summer classes at Southeastern State College in Durant, Oklahoma. She continued to teach school, until she married Clark, who became a PRCA World Champion Steer Roper and ProRodeo Hall of Fame Honoree. They had four children in five years – Alice, Pake, Reba and Suzie. While caring for the children she did what she could to help with the ranch and Clark’s rodeo career, and her children’s careers. Later she returned to the school as a librarian and secretary for eleven years. At age 91 she continues to oversee the McEntire ranchland and more, and nurturing and inspiring her family. When she spoke her first comment was, “I’ve had a long life. I’m fortunate to be able to stand up. I love my family and I’m proud of my children and grandchildren, and my inlaws and outlaws! I’ve sat in the audience and watched my family receive many awards - - - - and now it’s my turn!” This amazing nonagenarian is a delight.

Ashley Collin was the final inductee, a historic based contemporary artist. She grew up in Oregon and California, but her parents were hardscrabble southern people who worked in cotton fields. When their daughter sat in trees covered with hand-cut paper feathers, they took her to a church psychologist to see what was wrong with her. Ashley came across a disabled horse named Chief and she began to spend as much time with him as she could. He taught her love, endurance and patience. She began trying to sell her art but the contemporary art world was male dominated. She struggled, was homeless, living out of her car or on an abandoned boat. She was assaulted and left for dead. Finally she began selling her art. With her first sale she gave half of it to a local charity. She now has causes such as an orphanage in Cambodia, a hospital in Ethiopia, and assists financially in several different areas for children with cancer. Suddenly the lights went down in the ballroom and a film was shown. In the film Ashley was sitting in a 500 year-old tree and said she didn’t do well speaking to groups, she speaks through her paintings. She said, “Rather than honor me, I want to honor each and every one of you. I use many historical pages and spend millions of hours painting horses.” These pages are in horse murals and paintings world wide. As the film ended there sat Ashley on the top of a step ladder, on the stage, much like she sat in the 500 year-old tree in the film. She waved to everyone, came down and the medallion was placed around her neck, she went to the microphone, said, “Thank you.” and left the stage. Meanwhile ushers went to each table with a big white sack and in it were small black sacks for each person in the audience. In the black sack was a booklet about Ashley’s art as a Commemorative Induction to the Cowgirl Museum Hall of Fame and a T-shirt with her logo on it.

It was an amazing end to a wonderful program. Five amazing and outstanding women were inducted in to the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. As Diana Vela said at the beginning – “It’s Never Just A Horse”.

Steiner Ranch Steakhouse Packed with PBR Ring of Honor

9/18/2017

Bobby & Jolene Steiner and partners at the Steakhouse opened the doors to PBR Ring of Honor Recipients, as well as family and friends Friday night, September 15th. Not only were there numerous World Champions attending, but many of the movers and shakers in PRCA and PBR, as well. Professional Bull Riders held an event in Austin, which made for a perfect time to gather these cowboys for a get-together, great food and time to tell a few stories.

I can’t mention everyone who attended but those I can remember were Phil and wife Sara Lyne, two-time All-Around World Champion and two-time Calf Roping World Champion; Ty Murray, seven-time PRCA All-Around World Champion and two-time Bull Riding World Champ, and fiancee’, Paige Duke, who are getting married Sept. 30th; Joy and Butch Murray, Ty’s parents; Cody and Lee Ann Lambert, PBR Livestock Director; Resistol’s Ricky Bolin, 2017 Ring of Honor recipient at the PBR Finals; Flint Rasmussen, all-time favorite fearless funnyman; Wacey Cathy, bull rider; Larry Mahan, six-time PRCA All-Around World Champion and two-time Bull Riding World Champion; Dr. Tandy Freeman, sports medicine guru that keeps bull riders and rodeo competitors working; Matt West, PBR spokesperson; Chad Berger, PBR stock contractor; Shorty Gorham, bullfighter; Andy Watson PBR photographer; Todd Fox PRCA Steer Wrestler, and so many more. In addition to Bobby, 1973 World Champion Bull Rider, and wife, Jolene Steiner, son Sid, 2002 Steer Wrestling World Champion, and wife Jamie, and family; and singing and performing for everyone was son, Shane, whose family was also in attendance.

Larry Mahan sang “Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys”, with Shane, which kicked off the program that followed. Flint Rasmussen interviewed some of the competitors of the past which included Larry Mahan, Ty Murray and Phil Lyne.

Ty Murray shared with the group that when he was thirteen-years-old Mahan invited him to come to his ranch in Colorado for the summer. Ty said his trip to Colorado was his first airplane ride. Mahan picked him up and took him in his small plane to their destination. After they got in the air Mahan explained all the knobs, and dials on the airplane panel to Ty, then announced he was going to take a nap, grabbed a pillow from the seat behind them, and told Ty to keep the plane in the air. Mahan put the pillow up by the window and closed his eyes. Ty said he sat there speechless and just waited. About fifteen minutes later he said Mahan woke up and on they went.

Mahan then went on to tell the audience that when Ty was in the third grade his teacher asked each student to write their goal in life. Ty’s goal was to beat Mahan’s eight World Championships. Mahan said, “If I’d only known then . . . “ The laughs and camaraderie between these World Champs was so much fun to witness.

When Flint asked Ty about the ‘characters’ he met in rodeo, Ty didn’t hesitate to recall Larry Sandvick. But Ty went on to say, “I feel like I’ve spent a lifetime trying to explain bull riding. When you are in a sport that can kill you—possibly be a matter of life or death, you have to have a certain amount of mental athleticism, in addition to the physical ability, which is not necessary in other sports. You can get pretty close to your competitors, who are also your friends. That is why bull riding so great. I also know I was a better bull rider because of Phil Lyne and Larry Mahan, who competed before me and raised the bar so high. Every time I crawled up over the chute and got on my bull I knew I was going to try harder than anyone else entered that night. ”

Phil Lyne said about his career, getting on ten bulls and roping ten head of calves requires basics. There are different basics in each event, and if you don’t master those basics you’ll never be a winner.

Flint also said to Ty, “You are kind of hard on those bull riders when you are commentating at a PBR event. Do they ever complain to you that?”

Ty’s response was, “I’m not hard on them. I’m honest.”

This only tells a small portion of the evening as many others were interviewed and made statements, but I hope those who read this will realize that the ‘rodeo family’ is made up of people who have such great respect for those that mastered their craft before them, and truly feel that rodeo, and PBR, today are what they are because of those people and what they accomplished.

True to form, Steiner Ranch Steakhouse, outdid themselves, as always. The Patio was teaming with attendees and as the sun disappeared in the west over Lake Travis the weather was perfect. The wait-staff could not have been more accommodating, and the food was outstanding. As I heard someone say, “No matter how many people are here their steaks are served perfectly cooked.”

Synopsis of the 2017 Rodeo Clown Reunion - Rodeo de Santa Fe

9/7/2017

The Rodeo Clown Reunion in Santa Fe has come and gone! How fleeting things can be when you are having a ‘rip-roaring time’. Santa Fe is a beautiful part of our country and the weather and the amazing sky have a lot to do with the beauty as the Sangre de Cristo mountains hover to the north.

The first event was actually held on Saturday before the rodeo. It was a rodeo for mentally challenged people, but true to form, one of our honorees, Curtis Lambert, went early to participate, as did Ronald Burton, the barrelman hired for Rodeo de Santa Fe , plus the rodeo committee. Curtis got a friend of his, Carson Blair, to dress in an extra pair of baggy britches and painted his face. A good time was had by all.

On Monday night others started pulling in at the Inn at Santa Fe (every honoree is eager to get there). We attended the Rodeo de Santa Fe Press Party which was held in the VIP tent at the arena. Good food, good people, and the weather was perfect.

Tuesday was ‘work day’. I drove to Albuquerque to be on a TV program to promote the rodeo and the Rodeo Clown Reunion. Afterwards some of us spent the day putting together the Registration Bags for each honoree, and this was a chore since we had 26 different items to go in the bag. Our sponsors are so good to us. This year each honoree returned home with a new Wrangler denim jacket, plus a gift certificate for a new pair of Wrangler jeans, a hooded NFR sweatshirt from last year, Pendleton Whisky, Two Bull Sports Rub, plus all the great western oriented magazines, and much more! That evening we registered those that were already checked in, and continued all the next day.

Our famous “Rodeo Clown Reunion Outhouse” which is covered with cartoons from the very best western cartoonists in the business sat outside the entrance to the Inn at Santa Fe. It was quite an attention-getter.

Wednesday morning a dozen honorees put on their ‘garb and make-up’ and went to the Big R Store to entertain their customers and kibbitz with everyone. That evening around 5 PM we all went to the rodeo arena, and half the honorees signed their names at the Autograph table and visited with fans as they came through the entrance. The other half ate the tasty meal served them in the VIP tent, then they relieved those at the Autograph table so they could eat. After the Grand Entry the announcer introduced each honoree as he walked into the arena, tipped his hat, dropped his drawers, or waved to the fans. Later in the program several of the honorees performed the ‘Hat Cleaning Act’ manned by Jim Hill and ‘friends’ which has been a laugh-getting old-time act for years.

Thursday morning the Honorees were requested to be at the arena at 7 AM for a television presentation. The turn-out was good, but the spot was about 2 minutes long and the interviewer really didn’t talk with any of the honorees that had gotten up early and put on all the garb for this. I was very disappointed in the lack of thought that went in to this request of the honorees! At 11 o’clock another dozen honorees went to Boot Barn, another sponsor, to visit and have fun (in costume of course). Meanwhile back at Inn at Santa Fe the wives, girl friends, and lady friends were entertained at a Luncheon, with special guest, Karen (Mrs. Harry) Vold. After everyone introduced themselves and told some interesting stories about their ‘honoree’, and the delicious lunch, we drew names for gifts that were given to each attending significant other.

Again at 5 we trekked to the rodeo arena and watched and inter-acted for the second performance of the Rodeo de Santa. A second act was performed by Melvin Fields and ‘friends’ called the “Shooting Act”. (I can’t describe it, you had to be there to see it)

Friday morning the Honorees continued to visit through breakfast, in front of the Inn, and more. Some took off to see the sights. At 1 PM Rocki Gorman held a Reception for the Honorees and their wives. Rocki has a great Boutique on the corner of Old Santa Fe Trail and Water Street, and had enchiladas, wonderful desserts, chips & salsa, and refreshing drinks for all. Additionally as the wives ++ entered her store a basket of bracelets was placed in front of them so they could choose the color they wanted! Rocki also gave all the ladies a 15% discount on any purchases. Meanwhile the honorees were visiting people on the street in front of the store, or munching on tasty fare in her small lanai, next to the store. Again, a good time was had by all.

The group photograph was scheduled for 5 PM in front of the bucking chutes and I must admit the Honorees are very prompt. This was also Tough Enough to Wear Pink night at the rodeo so all were dressed appropriately. William Kierce Photography was our photo taker, and the 8 x 10” photo was delivered to us the following day. Afterwards, some went to Autograph, or go in to the grandstand and visit with fans, while others had dinner, then everyone switched. The old-time act was “The Bucket Act” ramrodded by Curtis Lambert and ‘friends’ (you had to be there to see it).

Saturday was our last day, and the morning was totally free for whatever the Honorees and families wanted to do. Lunches at special restaurants, shopping downtown or just basking in the glorious sunshin-y morning of Santa Fe. At 2 PM we all gathered in to the room the Inn provided us for the Honoree Drawing. Our sponsors are so gracious to give us donated products that are divided up, and every Honoree’s name is in a basket. The first 6 names that were drawn won a custom-made buckle with Rodeo Clown Reunion, Rodeo de Santa Fe, 2017 on it that was donated by the best buckle-makers in the country. I can’t tell you how outstanding all six buckles were, and we appreciate each and every one of them! Every Honoree was given some gift. We also honor an Honoree that does above and beyond what is expected of them with the Monk Carden Memorial Award and this Reunion’s recipient was Marvin Klein of Solon, North Dakota.

The Honorees don’t just come to these Reunions expecting to receive and not give. At the end of the Drawing, they surprised me (for my birthday a few days later) with a beautiful Santa Fe silver necklace, funny funny card (what did you expect, their rodeo clowns?) and a beautifully decorated rodeo clown birthday cake. (How lucky can one old gal be?)

At 5 o’clock we all went back to the rodeo arena and autographed, had dinner, Honorees were introduced individually, and the old-time act was done by Jess Franks – he uses kids from the audience and it is hilarious! (You had to be there to see it.) There was also a special presentation of the Andy Womack Memorial Award that Karen Vold always presents when our Reunion is being held at a PRCA rodeo where the Vold Rodeo Company is supplying the stock. Andy Womack was Karen’s father and he was an early day rodeo clown that was very particular about entertaining and doing the very best he could do as a rodeo clown. Karen presented the plaque to Jess Franks, who not only was an Honoree, but a hard-working member of the Rodeo de Santa Fe rodeo committee, and worked for the Reunion as well as Rodeo de Santa Fe for the past year. Hat’s off to Jess!
And thanks to Karen for thinking enough of the Rodeo Clown Reunion to give this important award.

The following day everyone drug their heels and tried to keep from leaving as long as possible, but good-byes were said, and everyone had a distance to travel, or a plane to catch, and return to their homes in 19 different states from New York, Florida, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, just to name a few that came from far away.

We don’t know where we’ll have the next Reunion or when, but we know there will be as many returning as possibly can. There is no question about having a laugh-filled good time at a Rodeo Clown Reunion, including the fans at the rodeo, the people of the community, and the Honorees and their families, and quite a number of friends of the Rodeo Clown Reunion that come regardless of where it is held. We hope you can join us at the next one. Anyone interested in information at having a Reunion please contact Chairman, Gail Woerner, at 512-426-8668 or email: [email protected].

A Hodgepodge of Things Happening

6/5/2017

There are times when the brain gets overloaded with ‘things important’. I wouldn’t dismiss anything I am working on now, and I want to share them all with you.

RODEO CLOWN REUNION at Rodeo de Santa Fe, June 21st through 24th, will be here before we know it. I have been working on the Reunion and what makes it work for the last six months. We have 41 retired or semi-retired rodeo clowns, bullfighters and barrelmen planning to attend. Some are bringing wives,
some are bringing daughters, and some have girlfriends, and we are happy to see all of them.

You see, these former laugh-getters, barrelmen and bullfighters are so unique, that they are amazing to be around. They have never lost their sense of humor, although some of them walk like they might not get to their destination, but they do. They truly look forward to getting together with their peers, and visiting
and sharing stories of their time in the arena and going down the rodeo road. Meanwhile, the Rodeo de Santa Fe rodeo committee has made many special events, in addition to their rodeo all four nights, for these ‘characters’ to participate in. Every night before the rodeo they will be signing autographs at the entrance,
and enjoying visiting with their fans, both young and old. During the day they will be going to some of the sponsors businesses and visiting with their customers and having a great time.

It is a great rodeo and a great place for these rodeo clowns, bullfighters and barrelmen of yesteryear to gather. If you are interested in attending contact the Rodeo de Santa Fe website. We’ll see you there.

As Chairman of the Rodeo Clown Reunion since 1993 I want to say we are always interested in finding new rodeos which might be interested in adding us to your annual event. We don’t hold it every year, but when we do we always get invited back. This is the third time we have held our Reunion in Santa Fe.

DOING RESEARCH ON BARREL RACING for my next book and am always looking for people who can ‘fill in the blanks’ with information about barrel racing and when it came to their part of the country. It began in Texas at Stamford, during the Texas Cowboy Reunion, but was not the fast event we see today in the beginning. But once it caught on and speed was added it spread like wildfire around the state. Eventually it got everywhere there was a rodeo in the country, but it took time, and many changes. I would appreciate any pertinent information that anyone has about the time-frame it began in your ‘neck of the woods’. Notify me through this website, and I will be in touch.

PRORODEO HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY. August 3 through 5th
It is Induction time at the Hall located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This year on Thursday, Aug. 3rd,
will be the Golf Tournament and Fundraiser. Friday evening, the 4th, is the Cowboy Ball, and Induction is held on Saturday, the 5th, morning in the Garden of the Hall. This years inductees brings the first WPRA barrel racers, Wanda Harper Bush and Charmayne James, plus the outstanding barrel racing horse, Star Plaudit “Red” owned by Sherry Johnson. Others to be inducted are: Randy Corley, 11 times voted Outstanding Announcer of the Year; Buck Rutherford, the 1954 All-Around World Champion; Enoch Walker, the 1960 Saddle Bronc World Champion; Tommy Puryear, the 1974 World Champion Steer Wrestler; Mike Beers, 1984 World Champion Team Roper; Cody Custer, 1982 World Champion Bull Rider, and Bob Ragsdale, 22 times National Finals competitor in three events. Also being inducted is Christensen Brothers’ bronc, Smith and Velvet, the Ogden (UT) Pioneer Days rodeo committee. Summer hours are now and the Hall is open from 9AM to 5 PM 7 days a week. For more information regarding the Hall contact them at 719-528-4764 or go to their website: ProRodeo Hall of Fame.com.

April 20th, 2017

4/20/2017

My, How Times Have Changed
Installment #5

In researching I find the strangest things. This was just too good to pass up. The Cheyenne Leader newspaper printed the following in their July 24, 1907 issue.

“The following from last night’s Denver Post refers to a very interesting feature of the Frontier Days’ program:
    Efforts will be made by Captain Cough, agent of the Wyoming State Humane Society, to stop the dog eating performance that is to be pulled off each day at Cheyenne during the Frontier celebration this week. The bands of Sioux, Arapahoe and Shoshone Indians that will be present at the celebration will also have a love feast, not having visited each other for several years, and in order to give the Indians a repast par excellence, according to their tribal customs and the dictates of their stomachs, the committee has secured a number of dogs from the city pound, and these will be turned over to the redskins.
    The dogs will be thrown into big pots of boiling water in plain view of the spectators, and while one squaw stirs Mr. Dog others will keep the fires hot. There are to be several of these pots of boiling water, for the poundmaster has secured a large number of nondescript dogs and the well know ravenous appetites of the Indians make it certain that all the dogs will be consumed. The work of preparing the toothsome meal, and eating the same, will be performed in front of the grandstand, provided of course Captain Gough does not interfere.
    The humane officer does not object to the death of the dogs so much as he does the manner of putting them to death. If the Indians will consent to shoot the dogs before putting them into the boiling water a compromise may be effected and the Humane Society will then permit the performance to go on.

This shocking but real event was found reprinted in a 1980s issue of The Wild Bunch, which was the magazine for the Rodeo Historical Society during that era. This organization was so successful in gathering material from the early days of rodeo and sharing it with their members. It continues to do so today. However, this bit of historic information was so unusual the magazine asked several well-known rodeo cartoonists to submit drawings of the event. Never before was anyone commissioned to submit art work for a story in The Wild Bunch. Wes Curtis’ drawing was chosen to accompany the article and his response was, “It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there in the business of rodeo cartooning”.

March 08th, 2017

3/8/2017

Back When the Broncs Were All Tough!!
4th Installment

As I go through all the old periodicals from early days of rodeo I discover such amazing respect and reverence for the broncs that were picked for competition in the early days. These are some of the articles and comments I have found:

Written by Don Bell, of Byron, WY, “In the old days we never had such a thing as “Bucking Horse of the Year.” They were all tough, all sunsabucks. I’m sure some of the old boys will remember George Tate of Meeker, Colorado, who had the Spade horses. Deuce and Diamond were recognized as the best saddle broncs in the business. When that first air service flew overseas, they called the plane “The China Clipper” and Tate had a tough bronc by the same name.

McCarty and Elliott (and later Nesbitt) had some good horses, although 11:55, as we called little Five Minutes to Midnight, was the rep horse. Pete Grubb was the first rider I saw make a qualified ride on him. at Cheyenne in about 1935. But he never fired good. They also had a roan horse called Squaw Chaser. He was hell to make a qualified ride on – crooked in the shoulder and a rider never looked good. But Milt Moe could always win on him. They also had a big bay called Whizzer White, Ham What Am and Flying Irishman – these, too, were money horses if you could stay on.

I think the sharpest bronc rider ever was Fritz Truan. He and Ken Roberts were the first riders to look straight up while riding. It looked good and soon every rider was looking heavenward. . . . Earl Anderson, a stock contractor from Grover, Colorado, had a good string of horses. His best, to my way of thinking, was Cole Creek, a sorrel, hard to ride, high kicking, and always throwing his head back and giving you rein.

Johnny Winants of Manderson, Wyoming, had some great broncs all big, 1,600 pound Canadian horses. West of The Yellowstone and Stone Bruise were his tops. He had a gray called Walter Winchell, a pay-day bronc if there ever was one. John Turnicluff of Roscoe, Montana, had a horse called Six Shooter. Many tried him and many lost.”

When Phil Meadows received the first Rodeo Historical Society Award for Sharing Stories, he said, “It is my strong belief that those people and those animals whose very best efforts went into their performances (rodeo) are deserving of some mention in the annals of western history . . . and that if these things are not recorded, their feats and their records will be consigned to oblivion. Therefore it is my pleasure to write of these things.”

In the 1926 Chicago Rodeo, managed and directed by Tex Austin at Soldier’s Field, on August 14th through 22. . . These fellows entered the saddle bronc riding: Bob Askin, Breezy Cox, Nowata Slim, Bryan Roach, Howard Tegland, Hugh Strickland, Paddy Ryan and Perry Ivory. The broncs they rode, or tried to ride – Headlight, Rawlin’s Gray, Sundown, Pretty Dick, Flashlight, Satan, Double Trouble, Bear Cat, Rocking Chair, Overall Bill, Cross O Baldy, Deerfoot and Keen Cutter.

Headlines: “Two Reputedly Unridable Broncs Were Both Conquered the Same Year – 1917.”
Coyote and Blue Jay were once considered unridable by some of the best bronc riders in the business. Yet, in 1917, they were both ridden. Coyote, the spinning bucking horse of the old Millerick string in California, was ridden at the San Jose Roundup on July 1st by Phil Stadtler, a young cowboy barely out of his teens. One of Phil’s sisters, either Rose or Bertha, rode the famous bronc Square Deal, that same afternoon. This was reported in the San Francisco Bulletin on page 8, Monday July 2, 1917. Eddie McCarty later purchased both broncs, and it is said McCarty never could ride Square Deal. Also 1917 E. J. Scott’s famous horse, Blue Jay, was ridden by Rufus Rollins at the Fort Worth rodeo in March. (Blue Jay was on the cover of the Wild Bunch back in 1917).

“Hippy Burmister Recalls Confrontation With Steamboat at Alliance, Nebraska”
At 86, Hippy Burmister, recalled starting out with C. B. Irwin’s 1912 Wild West Show. At Alliance, Nebraska C. B. had a roped-off arena with canvas-walls. He wanted to see if Steamboat, the well-known bronc of that era, would get upset in those surroundings. He asked Hippy if he would try him. “Sure," said Hippy who went on to say, “I only lasted three or four jumps. He bucked me off fast – and I landed on a rock. I was so sore, I could barely walk for days afterward.” Steamboat acted just fine and worked well for C. B., but not for Hippy!

Leo “Pick” Murray rodeoed from 1919 to 1941. He was an original Turtle but missed winning the all-around title in 1936 by 10 points, but he did win the Bing Crosby Trophy for saddle bronc riding in Salt Lake City that year. He rode Five Minutes to Midnight two out of three times, and he rode the great Midnight twice.

Bruce Clinton wrote: “After the ride someone called attention to the hoof marks left by Snake Track on the third jump. I sat on my pick-up mount and watched the judges measure the leap. And that leap, ladies and gentlemen, was, believe it or not, 32 feet and four inches. There was an argument arose and one judge claimed that Hugh Trawick pulled leather on the ride. Hugh looked the judge in the eye and said, “Mister, You’re shore wrong. I couldn’t even find that damn saddle horn.”

We are blessed that so much information has been gathered by the Rodeo Historical Society, and other organizations, about the early day tough broncs. What amazes me is that all of the information in this installment came out of one issue of The Wild Bunch, February 1981 issue, Rodeo Hall of Fame, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

February 09th, 2017

2/9/2017

These Rodeo Stories Are Priceless

I am ‘up to my ears’ in rodeo history research and I’ve learned the stories that cowboys have been telling never get old. This is a reprint from The Wild Bunch, July 1977 issue. The author is probably unknown! It was titled “McCravey Gets Into The Double Harness." “When in the course of rodeo events a lusty ol’ cowboy is moved to come in out of the cold and prepare himself for Trail’s End, is it not altogether fitting and proper to go first into outlaw country and get married?*

A milestone in the history of rodeo, its importance evidenced by Pat Scudder’s necktie, took place February 27 (1977) as one of the game’s staunchest bachelors and most popular characters, Leonard McCravey, fell by the way, hog-tied by Doris Sachs of Longmont, Colorado.

The wedding was at George and Shirley Williams’ place out of Edmond, Oklahoma in what was to have been a small ceremony. Don Fedderson and George cooked up a little shindig but as the date drew near, plans became pretty flexible and the word was spread “When we get a good enough crowd, we’ll marry ‘em and when the meat’s done we’ll eat.”

An extremely steady fellow, frank and outspoken in a sincere manner, with good conversation his bread, Leonard’s philosophical observations on the human condition have lead to him being known at various times in the rodeo business as “Major Hoople” and “The ol’ Philosopher”. Pete Logan referred to him as the “Aristotle of the Chutes” and in more recent years Shawn Davis dubbed him “The Sinner." Coupled with being the best sport of them all, ‘Lenny’ likely has more friends in rodeo than anyone, several of which Gene Pruett claimed devoted most of their time over the years to trying to drive Leonard nuts.

A much sough travelling pardner, it’s been said he’d rather get under the wheel and drive all night than get into bed. A book could be written on the situations he’s gotten into and out of. It’s impossible to ruffle Leonard and he may hold the record for bearing the brunt of practical jokes that Will James described as the cowboy’s staff of life.

A good crowd gathered for the historic event. Many arriving the night before, Joe Green sporting a new toupee, and Jiggs Beutler hosted the group for cocktails and steaks. Next morning, some of Lenny’s buddies had a few inserts prepared for the judge’s speel. From Buffalo Bill’s ballyhoo, Doc Claussen came up with “a true cowboy of the old school, virile, muscular and so symbolic of heroic manhood”.

When the judge gets to the part about if anybody objects, speak now or forever hold their peace, Buck Rutherford can hardly stand-hitched and shaking his head says to Imogene Beals, “I’d oughta speak up – it’s just like seein’ ‘im go to the electric chair.”

Then when the judge says, “repeat after me” . . . Lenny vapor-locked . . . after considerable silence the judge just went on with it.

After the vows and cake, Clem McSpadden suggested they’d ought to get a photo of Leonard and the great old retired bucking horse Trails End, who was grazing near the house.

The horse was caught and the silver-mounted Bucking Horse of the Year halter and Rutherford’s bareback rigging were put on him. Leonard got up alongside of Trails End to pose for pictures and then his buddies grabbed him with, “Leonard, you’ve bragged too much about your ‘quarter century on the hurricane deck’ and your little bride’s never even seen you ride so put your hand in there.”

Buck and Homie Rowe got Trails End by the ears but Leonard who never did really overly crave riding ‘em put up quite a fight. The old horse, normally tractable, got spooked and at one point had “two buckles on the ground”. But at that they say it appeared ‘Lenny’ was the hardest to hold.

Jim Shoulders was laying three to one on Leonard but “if two can’t, a half dozen can” and soon Freckles Brown, with what Red Dougherty claimed was “premeditated homicide” in his heart got a lock on Leonard’s ankle and got his boot across Trails’ back – the rest was easy. But when the goons turned Leonard loose and before Rutherford released Trails End, self preservation again prevailed and in a wink Leonard made his getaway. Everyone gave Buck heck but he begged off claiming he “couldn’t turn him loose without giving Leonard (who had mane and all) a chance to get set – the way he was praying”.

But anyway the ceremony is taped and since Leonard didn’t signify, many wonder if it’s legal . . . Maybe they’ll have to do it over.

(From Gene Miller’s “A Grubby Commentary On A Cowboy Wedding in Oklahoma!”)

January 12th, 2017

1/12/2017

History of Rodeo, A to Z
3rd Installment

Some cowboys that took to rodeo from the beginning were ‘trend-setters’, because it really wasn’t popular, nor did families think their young sons should be leaving the ranch to ‘play’. There was not much time to play games with all the work necessary to keep a ranch running, and the cattle and other animals cared for properly. However, once ‘the bug bit’ a cowboy and he got a taste of rodeo, it was hard to keep some of them at home. In fact, it was sometimes an embarrassment to the family to admit they had a son that had left the ranch and was cavorting around the country competing in rodeos!

When I first began researching the history of rodeo it was often found that the families of some of the best cowboys knew the least about their son’s successes in the rodeo arena. I was surprised, and yet the more I researched the more I discovered that often it left a ‘hole’ in the ranch. The other young sons, and even sometimes a daughter, had to pick up the work formerly done by these cowboys. There was resentment, and sometimes their family, or the ranch owner they had previously worked for, forbid them to come back unless they were willing to stay and give up rodeo! I

Ironically, their ability to win at rodeos was a direct result of their talents they had learned as cowboys. The best ropers and bronc-busters were the ones who could win the most at rodeos. This was a hard decision for a cowboy to make and more often rodeo won out. If they were good enough to win some money, it often paid as much as they might make in a month on the ranch. How many cowboys have I heard say, “The first time I won prize money at a rodeo it was $30. I had to work a month to get that much on the ranch. Boy, I thought I’d never see another poor day!”

These are some of those early ‘forward-thinking’ cowboys that took to the rodeo road rather than stay on the ranch: Booger Red Privett, Great bronc rider: Samuel Thomas Privett was born in 1864 in Williamson County, TX on December 29. The family moved to Erath County and ranched under the SP Ranch when he was six. By twelve years of age he was known as “that redheaded kid bronc rider”. At thirteen he and a friend were attempting to put together a fireworks display that went off prematurely and killed his friend and maimed Red’s face severely. His brother took him in a farm wagon to a local doctor and a small boy saw him and said, “Gee, Red is sure a booger now.” When his injuries healed after six months his brother began calling him “Booger Red” and the nickname stuck. By the time he was 15 both his parents had died. His dad died of Bright’s disease. Later he broke horses near Sonora. Ranchers from all around the country brought their unbroken horses to him to break. He saved enough money to buy a wagon yard in San Angelo. He married Mollie Webb, an experienced horsewoman, in 1895 at Bronte, TX. She was 15 years old and he was 33. They had seven children, six lived to be adults. They started The Booger Red Wild West Wagon Show and the entire family performed. It is said Booger Red was never thrown from a horse. Foghorn Clancy, early day announcer, said, “His favorite bucking saddle was a plain hull, or tree, which was far from fancy, but became a mark of the man, and grew to be famous as it’s owner, who for more than a quarter of a century was considered the greatest bronc rider in the world”. Booger Red bet $100 to anyone who brought a horse he could not ride, but never had to pay it. He won 23 firsts at various rodeos. He also competed in the 1904 World’s Fair in St Louis. Foghorn Clancy joined his show around 1905. By 1920 Booger Red realized the wild west show was a thing of the past, although he and the family were offered jobs with other wild west shows. In 1924 he retired at age 60. At Fort Worth he was in the audience at the rodeo when the fans started chanting for him. He was carried to the arena, put on a bronc and rode with ease. Two weeks later he died of Bright’s disease, the same disease that had killed his dad. Booger Red Privett is buried near his home in Miami, OK.

J. Ellison Carroll, Champion Steer Roper: He was tall, good-looking, with a trim, athletic figure and tremendous grace and speed. There were too few ropings to keep him busy, so he traveled the country putting together roping matches with anyone who would rope against him for a side bet. He was born September 14, 1862 in San Patricio County, Texas. As a young man he worked as a cowboy and went on some of the last trail drives. He won his first major contest in steer roping at Canadian, TX, in 1888. He would challenge anybody, any time, primarily to roping matches, and often the side bets would be far more than the prizes offered. There were no official world champions in those days. Carroll had a matched roping in 1904 against Clay McGonagill, another well known roper, that lasted three days. On 28 head of steers, Carroll averaged 40.3 seconds to McGonagill’s 46.1 seconds. The steers reportedly weighed between 800 and 1,000 pounds. In 1905 the state of Texas outlawed steer roping so Carroll merely picked up and moved to Oklahoma where steer roping was still legal. He worked with Colonel Zack Mulhall and his Wild West Show. In a Kansas City newspaper, April 13,1910, in an article about the show it said, “Lucille Mulhall, who is announced as ‘the world’s greatest horsewoman and lariat thrower’, will engage in roping contests with Ellison Carroll, who now holds the world’s championship medal for roping, throwing and tying a wild steer.” At a Dewey (OK) Roundup in 1909 Carroll rode in an automobile from where he roped a steer. He retired about 1913, bought a ranch in Texas and served as sheriff of Reagan County from 1931 to 1933 and later became a county commissioner. He judged the Stamford Cowboy Reunion in the 1930s, and was president of the Texas Cowboy Reunion Oldtimer’s Association. He died on April 20, 1942.

Bill Pickett, Bulldogger Extraordinaire: Five brothers, from Taylor, TX, formed a company called “Pickett Brothers Bronco Busters and Rough Riders Association”. Their motto was “to break all wild horses with care and good treatment to all animals and satisfaction guaranteed!” Bill was born on December 5, 1870, the second of thirteen children to Thomas Jefferson Pickett and wife, Mary Virginia Elizabeth Gilbert. He took a keen interest in the relationship between horses, cattle and bulldogs. The dogs were used to track and catch cattle. In those days, in that brushy country which had stickers on every branch, a pair of dogs, one to heel and a ‘catch’ dog that went to the nose or lip, were used to chase ornery cattle out of the brush and subdue them. As Bill observed this way of handling difficult cattle he imitated the ‘catch’ dog. Pickett would grab a steer’s horns, twist it’s neck, stop the animal, then lean over and sink his teeth into the upper lip. With one horn under his arm as he fell backward the steer would fall onto its side. Pickett was hired by the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch and Wild West Show in 1905 where he would exhibit his manner of bulldogging. He became the featured performer and stayed with them from then on. In 1932 Pickett was handling a wild horse in the 101 Ranch corral and a flying hoof struck him in the head. He died from the concussion on March 23, 1932 at the age of 62.

Floyd Randolph, bronc rider, roper and judge: Born in 1889 he went to work at age 12. He broke horses at Graham, TX in 1906, and the following year joined the Texas Bud Wild West Show, and then the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Real Wild West Show in 1908. He worked with Tom Mix and was in Mexico City with Bill Pickett when he attempted to bulldog the Mexican fighting bull. He ranched 22 sections of land in Carter County, Oklahoma, in the 1920s. He furnished some of the stock for the Madison Square Garden rodeo in 1926 and 1927. He was elected sheriff of Carter County in 1934 and served four terms. He lost his first wife, and in 1925 married Florence Hughes, who was a trick rider, lady bronc rider, and in 1919 beat out 13 male contestants at Calgary Stampede in the Roman race. They spent their entire life devoted to rodeo. Florence died in 1971, and Floyd died the following year. Floyd’s daughter, Mary Louise, married Junior Eskew, of the famous Colonel Eskew family, and their daughter, Madonna, became a juvenile trick rider. The entire family worked and competed in rodeo and continued throughout their lifetimes.

These amazing cowboys were at the beginning of rodeo. They had no idea what it would become or did they even care? They just knew they had found something in life they enjoyed, and even when they were ‘flat broke’ they were still passionate about the competition and the travel from one place to the next. It was exciting and given the opportunity to try and be the best at what they did made their desire never wane. Is it any different today? Hmmmmmmm. Let’s think about that. At least their families and former employers don’t think badly about the sport of rodeo as they did in the beginning. It has proved itself to be a great sport and one the entire family can participate in today!

November 11th, 2016

11/11/2016

RODEO HISTORY A TO Z
2nd Installment

Those of you who enjoy rodeo history probably all ready know some of the earliest rodeos that have continued through the years. There were rodeos (maybe not called a rodeo) but some type of cowboy competition, that was held once, or on rare occasions, but actually did not continue. Those events that began near the beginning of rodeo and never stopped are to be admired.

Prescott, Arizona, started having a rodeo in 1888, and was held on the 4th of July. They had held gatherings on the 4th of July before but after a few years it didn’t seemed to hold the attention of the people and the numbers attending diminished. So in 1888 a committee was formed that invited cowboys to compete in bronc riding, steer roping and tying, plus cow pony racing. Prizes were awarded including a sterling silver trophy for the “Best Cowboy”. Juan Leivas won the All-Around a received a saddle, bridle, spurs and the trophy.

Cheyenne Frontier Days (Wyoming) began in 1897 on September 23rd. More than 15,000 people attended after they decided to advertise all over the country and had special trains put to use to bring folks to Cheyenne. Many wild horses roamed the country near Cheyenne in those days and cowboys brought around fifty of them to town for the event. Bill Jones won the Champion Bucking and Pitching Contest and was given $25. The owner of the horse he rode received $100.

Pendleton, Oregon, had a two-day broncbusting competition in 1909. Lee Caldwell took first place and the second day C. S. Topton won. The following year, 1910, Roy Raley headed a group of business men who formed the Northwest Frontier Celebration Association and filed as a non-profit organization with a budget of $2,860. They also sold five hundred shares in capital stock at $10 each. They called their event Pendleton RoundUp. It began by holding Indian and military activities, cowboy racing, and bronco busting for the championship of the Northwest.

In 1912 Calgary was formed by four wealthy cattlemen putting up $25,000 each. Guy Weadick ramrodded the first Calgary Stampede and send Ad P. Day to Cheyenne to sign up fifty top contestants. The Stampede was advertised across Canada, the United States and even in to Mexico, with excursion trains with special rates, scheduled to bring spectators as well as the competing cowboys and cowgirls. Tom Three Persons won $1,000, a saddle and a gold belt buckle at that first event. One hundred-twenty thousand people attended the six day event.

Iowa’s Championship Rodeo began in 1923. It was the successor to an Old Soldier’s Reunion, which began in 1889. The Reunion consisted of “a ball game, an occasional balloon ascension and a few ballyhoos, together with a speaking program, although the music of a wheezy old merry-go-round used to ‘kill off’ the speakers who vainly labored against it”. (This was written in the book “50 Years of Rodeo with Williams, Jobe, Gibson American Legion Post No. 128, Sidney, Iowa Rodeo”.) In 1923 when the Reunion was about to disband, for lack of interest, the American Legion decided to try bronc riding and the ‘bad’ horses from the area were brought in. A rope was stretched around a baseball diamond, the horses were snubbed down, saddled and mounted and the rodeo was on. This amusement went on for four days. In 1925 the Legion boys shipped a carload of ponies, built corrals, paid riders $5 per mount and the third annual also ended well. Meanwhile the sponsors were learning where mistakes were made and had them corrected. It was written – “and so many improvements were made at very little cost but with an awful lot of hard work,”. It took a few years of improvements, but the rodeo continued to grow and became large enough to compete with Cheyenne Frontier Days although Sidney only had a population of 1,000 people. The cowboys coming from far away had to tent or stay with local families. It has continued for 93 years and the next Sidney rodeo will be held August 2nd through 6th, 2017, with $85,360 in prize money (listed as 133rd in the 600 PRCA rodeos money-wise.) Fans will be watching from an 8,000 seat grandstand, and yet their population is still around 1190 residents.

Some competitions were only held a few times: The Festival of Mountain and Plain in Denver, Colorado, began in 1895 with parades, band competitions and merry-making as the main fare. However, after a few years the parades and activities seemed to lose their excitement for those attending. The officials decided to include the World’s Championship Broncho Busting Contest in 1901. This was the first event to designated a “World Champion”, while giving away a cash prize, plus awarding a symbolic championship belt worth $500 which, if won three times by the champion, could be retired permanently. The first winner was Thad Sowder. His first bronc contest win was in 1900 at Cheyenne Frontier Days. In 1901 he rode a tough horse until it stopped bucking or until a gun was shot off. The following year, 1902 in Denver at the Festival, he was invited back to defend his title. There were 64 riders, and 89 horses, including the famous ‘Steamboat’. Sowder drew and rode Steamboat and was declared the champion for the second consecutive time. The Festival ended in 1902 and not held in 1903 but it was determined to have the Broncho Busting Contest anyway and continue to use the Festival rules.After all they had that championship belt, worth $500, which if won three times could be kept by the winner. Sowder was there, The final contest was between Sowder and William McNeerlan, of Virginia Dale, Colorado. Sowder brought “Bald Hornet”, a bronc which McNeerlan rode, and Sowder rode McNeerlan’s horse “7-X-L Outlaw”. The purse was $1,000, but no decision was reached by the judges. Why the judges could not reach a decision as to which rider was the winner remains a mystery. The belt, that was not won three times, was turned over to the State Historical Society of Colorado and has been on display in the History Museum in Denver. Sowder lived in Cheyenne in 1900, but later made the Lazy D Ranch, near Julesburg, in northeast Colorado, his home.

The first rodeo to be held back East was ramrodded by Guy Weadick, the producer that started the Calgary Stampede. It was held at Sheepshead Bay Speedway in Brooklyn in 1916. It was to last 12 days and prizes were to be $50,000 in cash. It was advertised far and wide and was the biggest rodeo ever held anywhere, at that time, in (1) number of days and (2) amount of prize money. Two railroad parties of cowboys and cowgirls were assembled, one in Cheyenne, Wyoming and one in Fort Worth, Texas, so they could get baggage cars to ship their horses. Foghorn Clancy wrote in his book “My Fifty Years in Rodeo”, “We had our own special Pullman car for the Cheyenne group. My salary for announcing the show was to be $350. I felt I was in the big money class!” All the cowboys and cowgirls were so excited to go to New York, see the sights, and compete, too! Unfortunately, the New York Stampede was a financial failure. There was a severe infantile paralysis epidemic that had struck New York and if that wasn’t enough to keep people from attending, (Polio epidemics encouraged folks to stay away from crowded gatherings). there was also a streetcar strike going on. There was no way the spectators from other burrough’s could get to Sheepshead Bay. The streetcar was a major means of transportation in those days. Low attendance caused some of the financial backers to pull back some of the monies they had promised. Everyone that won in their event was paid, but the amount was greatly diminished. On the positive side, it brought the best cowboys and cowgirls to the East, and it gave the sport a tremendous boost. By 1922, rodeos happened in New York every year until 1959 when the National Finals Rodeo began to be held. Although there is no comparison, the rodeo in New York City has often been considered the ‘unofficial predecessor to the Finals Rodeo. Eastern crowds were always huge.

Until the next installment, may your troubles be less, may your blessings be more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door!