View source for Ranch rodeo

{{Short description|Traditional type of rodeo}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
A '''ranch rodeo''' is a traditional type of [[rodeo]] in which teams of [[cowboy]]s or cowgirls from different [[ranch]]es compete against each other in events based on the type of work they do every day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarodeo.com/rodeo/ranch-rodeo-finals |archive-date=Feb 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208091617/http://www.sarodeo.com/rodeo/ranch-rodeo-finals |title=Ranch Rodeo Finals |date=February 26, 2012 |website=www.sarodeo.com |language=en |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref>
Ranch rodeos differ from the more common [[Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association|PRCA]]-style rodeos in several ways. For starters, the contestants are not professional rodeo cowboys; instead, they are usually full-time ranch hands who compete in annual ranch rodeos for fun and for bragging rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kfor.com/2014/08/22/great-state-ranch-rodeo-practice-is-everyday-work-for-these-cowboys-near-velma-ok/|title=Great State: Ranch Rodeo Practice is Everyday Work for These Cowboys Near Velma, OK|date=2014-08-22|first1=Galen|last1=Culver|publisher=KFOR|access-date=2015-05-12}}</ref> The events in ranch rodeos are more similar to the tasks commonly performed on a ranch, and the equipment and tack used are the same as those used during everyday ranch work.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.brazosport.edu/~jedibill/ranchrodeo.html |archive-date=Jul 8, 2008 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708212749/http://www2.brazosport.edu/~jedibill/ranchrodeo.html |title=South Texas Ranch Rodeo |language=en |access-date=20 August 2023}}</ref> Instead of competing as individuals, the contestants in ranch rodeos compete as a team representing the ranch they work for.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blackhillsroundup.com/ranch-rodeo |archive-date=Jun 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625003937/http://www.blackhillsroundup.com/ranch-rodeo |title=Ranch Rodeo |language=en |date=July 3, 2013 |website=www.blackhillsroundup.com |access-date=19 August 2023}}</ref> Though there are often individual awards such as "Top Hand" and "Top Horse,"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.okcattlemen.org/ocaannualrangeround-up.aspx |archive-date=Aug 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822092802/http://www.okcattlemen.org/ocaannualrangeround-up.aspx |title=OCA Range Round-Up |language=en |website=www.okcattlemen.org |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> the main prize is for the top overall ranch team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wrca.org/2014-oca-range-roundup-rodeo-results/ |title=2014 OCA Range Roundup Rodeo Results |website=wrca.org |date= 26 August 2014|access-date=2015-05-12}}</ref>
Sanctioning bodies include the [[Working Ranch Cowboys Association]], which sponsors the World Championship Ranch Rodeo in [[Amarillo, Texas]];<ref>{{cite web|title=Working Ranch Cowboys Association|url=https://wrca.org|website=Working Ranch Cowboys Association|access-date=September 7, 2024}}</ref> and the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association, which sponsors the WSRRA National Finals in [[Winnemucca, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Western States Ranch Rodeo Association|url=https://www.wsrra.com|website=Western States Ranch Rodeo Association|access-date=September 7, 2024}}</ref>
==Competitive events==
Most ranch rodeos consist entirely of timed events, with the goal being to complete the assigned task in the shortest possible time. Common ranch rodeo events include:
* Calf [[livestock branding|branding]] - Teams have to find and rope specific calves (identified by a number they are randomly assigned) out of a larger herd of cattle, bring the calves to the branding area, and "brand" them by marking the calves with chalk.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/calfbranding.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=Mar 13, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020313110424/http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/calfbranding.html |title=Calf branding |language=en |access-date=22 August 2023}}</ref>
* Steer doctoring (or ranch vet) - Similar to calf branding, except the cattle are older and larger, and the event simulates bringing a sick animal in from the herd for veterinary care.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/steerdoctoring.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=Jan 31, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020131184205/http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/steerdoctoring.html |title=Steer Doctoring |language=en |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref>
* [[Team penning]] - Teams of three riders must sort out a few specific cattle (each identified by a specific number marking) from a larger herd, and move those cattle into a small pen at the other end of the arena.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/teampenning.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=May 9, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020509084113/http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/teampenning.html |title=Team penning |language=en |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>
* Wild horse race - Teams must saddle a wild horse and ride it across the finish line at the far end of the arena.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wsrra.org/events/?p=778 |title=Wild Horse Race &#124; |access-date=May 12, 2015 |archive-date=November 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130034311/http://www.wsrra.org/events/?p=778 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Wild cow milking]] - Teams rope a wild cow and hand-milk it into an empty soda bottle. One team member then runs the bottle across the finish line on foot, and pours out a small amount of milk for the judges to prove they accomplished the task.<ref>{{cite web |archive-date=Jul 18, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020718193840/http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/wildcowmilk.html |title=Wild Cow Milking |url-status=usurped |language=en |access-date=15 August 2023 |url=http://www2.brazosport.cc.tx.us/~jedibill/wildcowmilk.html}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Cowboy culture]]
[[Category:Ranches]]
[[Category:Rodeos]]