Memorial ranch rodeo proceeds go to scholarships

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Members of the Cuatro Hombres team from New Summerfield work to "mug" their calf during the First Annual Audrey Owens Memorial Ranch Rodeo. The team won the event. -- Staff photo by Montgomery

April 21, 2005 - It was a day in the life of a "true" cowboy at the First Annual Audry Owens Memorial Ranch Rodeo, as cows and calves wouldn't cooperate, ropers missed, and dirt flew everywhere; while cloudy skies lingered, offering a slow drizzle, as spectators hoped the event would not get rained out.

Even though the weather was not the best on April 10, it was just another day for the 17 cowboy teams vying for the honor of winning the event named for one of the region's favorite cattlemen.

Each four-member team competed in branding, mugging, doctoring, and wild cow milking within the confines of Circle K Arena in Bullard.

In branding, the team, consisting of a roper, two flankers, and one brander, must rope a calf, drag it to the "fire" and brand it. This is done by a roper entering the cattle herd, heeling a calf, and dragging it from the herd across the line. Once the calf is across the line, the calf is flanked, the rope is removed, and the brander brands the calf, returning the iron to the barrel, which ends the time. The time limit is two minutes. The event winner was Rabbit Foot Ranch of Grand Saline, consisting of Lane Melton, Kyle Humphrey, Wayne Bland, and Wade Overton.

The H&W team from Gilmer was the overall winner of the event. Cowboys (and the next generation of ranch rodeo'ers) are (from left) Brady Smith, holding Cooper Smith; Brandon Nugent holding Clayton Nugent; Brandon Wilson holding Brennen Wilson; and Shannon West. Standing in front are Wilson Nugent and Demi West. Brandon Wilson also won "Top Hand," and Brandon Nugent's horse claimed "Top Horse." -- Staff photo by Montgomery

In mugging, all members must be mounted on horseback. A number is called as one team member moves toward a group of calves. When that member crosses a line, time begins. Only the numbered calf can cross the line, all other calves crossing the line before the numbered calf will assess a 10-second penalty per calf. The specific-numbered calf cannot be roped until it crosses the line. "Muggers" must then throw the standing calf and tie three legs. The roper can get off his horse, but the rope must be free from the saddle, lying on the ground. The calf must remain tied for six seconds. The winning team was Cuatro Hombres, with members Michael Davis, Richard Stubblefield, Jerald McCowen, and Brandon Bradbury.

Doctoring is another event involving a called-out number. Like mugging, the calf called must cross the line first. A 10-second penalty per calf is accessed for all other calves which cross the line before the specified-numbered calf does. The desired calf can't be roped until it crosses the line and must be roped horseback. The calf must be headed and heeled, flanked, "doctored" with a chalk mark on the back, and the ropes removed, ending the time. There is a two-minute time limit. The winner of this event was Leonard Cattle Company, consisting of Josh Massey, Colby Fears, Michael Tostel, and Jody Eaton.

Last, but certainly not least, was the wild cow milking. A cow is turned out of a bucking chute and must cross a line before being roped. While all team members try roping the cow, only the first rope that catches her can be used. The cow must be standing to be milked. Once the "milker" has squeezed some milk into a bottle, the rope is removed. The milker then sprints to a designated area before time stops. The judge will then tip the bottle. If there is no milk in the bottle, the team does not get a time. The team of H&W of Gilmer, with members Brandon Wilson, Brandon Nugent, Shannon West, and Brady Smith, won the event.

When the times from all events were tallied, the overall winner was H&W from Gilmer. Second place went to Leonard Cattle of Laneville and third place was Circle L (team members Wayne Luker, Shane Wilson, Brandy McPherson, and Joe Howard) of Grand Saline.

Other awards were: Brandon Wilson -Top Hand; Brandon Nugent - Top Horse, and Wade Overton - Tough Luck Award. Overton broke his ankle during the wild cow contest.

The event organizers stated the rodeo was a success, clearing $7,000. All proceeds from the event benefit the Audry Owens Memorial Agricultural Scholarship fund.

One spectator said, "This was more fun than going to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo."

Next year's event will be held in April.