By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Logan Huffman was born in 1917 in Coryell County and ranchers and rodeo enthusiasts still remember him as a good-hearted rodeo man and horse lover.  — Courtesy photo

April 20, 2006 - Get ready for three days of distinguished country music, rowdy rodeo competitions, sponsored VIP booths and savory food. On May 4-6, the 4th Annual Logan Huffman Memorial Rodeo will be held at the CTYRA (Central Texas Youth Rodeo Association) Indoor Rodeo Arena in McGregor.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the CTYRA Arena, which was established four years ago by a non-profit group.

“Several people on the CTYRA board thought this area needed an arena like this,” explained David Smith, arena manager. “When the arena was built, I wanted to have at least one big rodeo event every year. I’ve known the Huffman’s a long time and Logan Huffman produced rodeos in this area, so I named the big event after him.”

Huffman was born in 1917 in Turnersville, Texas. He served in the army and while he worked at General Tire in Waco, Huffman’s reputation as a horseman and cattleman soon became recognizable, as he traded horses and cows on his days off, explained Logan Huffman’s grandson, Kevin. 

The 4th Annual Logan Huffman Memorial Rodeo pays tribute to the Huffman family, which is featured above. Back row, left to right: Harlan Huffman, Gary Huffman, Missy Willis Cammack, Bob Willis. Center row: Kevin Huffman, Craig Huffman, Anna Pearl Huffman, Macy Cammack, Janice Huffman Willis. Front row: Clay Huffman, Heath Huffman, Reese Huffman, Camryn Huffman, Molly Cammack, Madison Cammack, Brady Willis. — Courtesy photo

Eventually, Logan Huffman fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning and managing the Huffman Rodeo Company, which produced amateur rodeos and youth rodeos.

“He (Logan) loved the action. His greatest enjoyment was watching a young cowboy mount his first bull or complete his first bareback bronc ride,” explained Kevin Huffman. “I always rode horses with my grandpa. You can honestly say that he’s ridden further on a horse than most people have driven in a car.”

Logan knew everything about horses and was proud of every purchase and sale and he enjoyed locating that “special horse” that children requested. 

For many years the Huffman Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon “Buck Out” gave young and old cowboys and cowgirls an opportunity of a lifetime. People came from miles around to watch, dream and try on the biggest, meanest animal at Huffman’s. Today, Kevin said, that ranchers, Central Texas business professionals and rodeo enthusiasts continue to reminisce, talk about and brag about their experiences at a Huffman Rodeo or Huffman “Buck Out.”

 Last year, the CTYRA Arena brought between 40,000 to 60,000 people to the town of McGregor.

“Anybody who lives here can tell you that there are horse trailers running every which way,” Smith said. “The arena helps the McGregor community.”

The CTYRA Arena hosts 15 youth rodeos a year and rents out the arena the rest of the time.

This year’s 4th Annual Logan Huffman Memorial Rodeo should be better than the past years’, as this year Rick Trevino plays on Friday night and Michael Peterson plays Saturday night, with local singers, Kimberly Kelly and Kaley Caperton opening for the big acts.

“The rodeo is built for kids 21 and under that will move on to professional rodeos,” said Kevin. “Last year the event was voted best UPRA/CPRA rodeo of the year by the cowboys. It had the best payouts. It’s one of the largest in the state of Texas with around 500 contestants.”

Gates open at 7 p.m. each night with the rodeo beginning at 7:30 and the live entertainment beginning at 9 p.m. Admission is $5 Thursday, $10 Friday and Saturday and children 12 and under get in for free. Mutton busting and calf scrambles will also be available for the children to compete in.

To enter, call 903-322-3167 by May 1.