Ranch Rodeo

Last weekend we had the opportunity to watch the Cotulla Ranch Rodeo as part of the LaSalle County Fair and Wild Hog Cook-Off. Let me start by saying this was my “first rodeo”. Well my first Ranch Rodeo anyway!
Having grown up around and participated in rodeos most of my younger life I understood that all the events were “skill” events that cowboys would use on the ranches as they did their daily or seasonal work. Well almost all of the events. I don’t think bull riding was ever in any of the “Ranch Hand Job Descriptions” booklets. Other were however heavily influenced by needed skills. Both bronc riding events showcased the cowboys ability to ride a green horse and “break it” into a semi-permissive state. It was hard to use the horse if it was not rideable.
Roping events demonstrated the cowboys ability to use a common tool of the trade; the rope. Cowboys, some more efficient than others, would have to rope calves to allow a ground crew to “throw” or “flank” the calf in order to brand, de-horn, castrate (cut) and vaccinate during those seasons. In everyday life “doctoring” would need to be done. It is hard to convince a calf to stand still while you stick a needle in him for various reasons. Larger animals would need to be caught by one cowboy around the head or horns (headin’) and another would have to rope the back legs (preferably both!) and stretch them out so a ground crew could do what was necessary; thus Team Roping events are held
Even Steer Wrestling or “doggin;’ was used by some to take a larger steer down to the ground and allow crews to do what was necessary. I suppose some over zealous cowboy in an effort to “do his job” missed with his rope and just jumped off his horse to “wrestle” the steer down and an event was born.
Horse handling events like Barrel racing, Pole Bending and the “Rings” were all used to showcase horsemanship and to show off a particular horse’s ability.
All of these events essentially became contest as cowboys all tried to out-do the other. The difference in a “normal” rodeo as you may have watched on TV or even at your local arenas is that all of these are essentially individual events. My time or score against yours. Truth is that “cowboying” is more often a “team” event. Several times I have mentioned ground crews. Those are the cowboys handling the branding irons, saws, vaccine syringes and knives; the purpose of the roping and throwing.
Ranch Rodeo takes this into account with events consisting of teams of four or five cowboys riding into a herd picking out an animal (steer or cow) and roping, throwing, tying, branding or milking for time. Add the South Texas flair of wild hogs and you have a very entertaining afternoon and the opportunity for lots of wrecks. Add to this team fans that are as vocal and supportive as any NFL, NBA or NASCAR event.
Needless to say you can imagine the fun we had laughing when an over competitive cowboy forgot how hard he was spurring a horse and the horse decide that wasn’t part of the plan and in the middle of controlled confusion a “bronc riding” broke out. Or, the mad mother cow who decided that everyone and everything in the world was her enemy but particularly picked out one horse to focus on; the cowboy on the horse was sure happy the cow was a “Mulley” – hornless. Or, the countless perfectly thrown loops a wild hog can run through.
Thank Ranch Rodeo teams for reminding me what it was all about and while not exactly the same bringing up memories of times past!

LaSall County Fair and Wild Hog Cook-Off

The second weekend in March each year is the time set aside for the LaSalle County Fair and Wild Hog Cook-off. If you can imagine the normal county fair with its normal “fair/carnival” attractions, 4H or FFA livestock shows, arts and cooking contest you will have an idea of what this weekend was to this county. Well almost; you will need to triple what you have experienced. It was a fun packed, hard working weekend.
We started Thursday night with the official opening honoring Mrs. Brenda Talbert and her late husband Lane. It was a fitting ceremony. That was followed by many of the counties youngsters parading their pets for judging. These consisted of Basset Hounds dressed up as hotdogs to Border Collies who performed acts to a caged wild pig (baby) dressed in prison stripes. Then the Little Mr. and Mrs. Wild Hog were chosen along with the Fair’s Princess.
Friday I started my day judging the Middle School entries into the various food categories. That is harder than you would think! After eating so many “bites” of chocolate chip cookies or banana-nut bread everything starts tasting the same. But we prevailed! The evening was capped off with the “livestock” show. Chickens, Pigs, Goats and Cattle were all paraded, handled and shown with all the practice of a Mrs. America pageant (with as much college money involved) by youngsters from nine to sixteen years old. I said they were paraded and handled but I would have to admit the pig contest was just controlled confusion. If you have ever tried to “lead” a pig you will understand. You suggest and persuade a pig, you do not lead! Congratulations to all of the entrants who actually took care of by feeding and cleaning and “taming” their own animals! Many of you will know what I mean by that statement!
Saturday was our big day as we secured 35 cases of water to give out during the first “full” day of the fair. In years past the hot dry South Texas weather created a natural thirst and the “Cup of Cool Water” booth was a popular stop for fair-goers. However, this year it was cool and wet as we had rain most of the day. We only gave out 190 (plus or minus) bottles of water instead of the expected 1120. But we still had fun.
With the rain and mist keeping the air heavy the smoke from more than the two hundred “cookers” kept us hungry all day. It was fun to walk through the rows of teams vying for the “Grand Champion” feast of their particular category. What do you do with that much Smoked Hog, BBQ Ribs, special recipe Sausage and even some “exotic” dishes? YOU HAVE A HUGE ALL YOU CAN EAT TAIL GATE PARTY! Just walk up to a crew and say “What do you have?” and they will all proudly give you their special and immediately say it didn’t come out just right because of the rain, or the wind, or the barometric pressure or the . . . But it is generally pretty good.
Sunday morning of course was regular church services (although we had two baptisms this Sunday) and then off to the fair grounds for the “cowboy church” and the Ranch Rodeo.
I am sure you are just about tired of reading for now so I will post again on the Rodeo. To “whet your appetite” though I will use a phrase that I heard someone say. . . It was a hoot!