Happy Trails with Dawni O’Bryan: If These Grandstands Could Talk

When covering rodeos and the western lifestyle, I love to highlight the human rodeo athletes and the equine rodeo athletes, as well as the workers that make the competitions happen. However, the folks in the grandstands show up year after year, month after month, and week after week to cheer for the contestants, admire the stock, and be entertained by the awesomeness of the rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. Many of the seats are occupied by former rodeo athletes, that in their prime, made a lot of noise in the rodeo world. The fans are an integral part of every rodeo. The fans bring an energy and excitement to the competition.

The Kiowa County Fair team roping was held on Thursday, September 12th in the arena. The number ten roping had 38 teams. Winning first place were a pair of Lamar Community College cowboys, Garrett Harms and Gavin Wash. This duo received $408 apiece for their efforts. Coming in second was Austin Crist and Jayla Reed for $305 apiece. Third place was Crist and Wash for $204 apiece. Fourth place was Joe Autry and Rangle Osborn for $102 a man. There were 38 teams in the #10. The number 13 team roping only had 22 teams. Reed and Austin Crist won it for $354 a person. Second place was Justin and Austin Crist for $235. With the numbers down, the event wrapped up in early fashion.

The KCF ranch rodeo was held Friday evening after the amateur rodeo. There were15 teams competing for fastest time in the cow milking and calf branding (event one) and the doctoring and stray gather (event). Winning first place was Meier Cattle with a time of 179.44 seconds. Second place was Damnera Ranch with a time of 197.48 seconds. Third place was Ride or Die (204 seconds, fourth place was Jolly Ranch (253 seconds), fifth place was Brent Ranch (256 seconds), and sixth place was Larson Ranch (262 seconds). The Top Hand Award sponsored by Rex Barlow went to Montana Ries of Ride or Die. The Top Horse sponsored by Shannon Barlow went to Wyatt Wollert of Damnera Ranch. The arena sponsor was Weisbrod Health. Other events sponsors were Colorado Mills, Eads Auto Supply & Hardware, Felton Angus Ranch, McBryde Ranch, Precision Home and Lawn, LLC, and Rush Creek Land and Cattle. The Ranch Bronc Riding was won by Crowley McQuistion and second was Dakota Canfield. Sponsors of the RBR were Temple Grain and Prosper Meats.

The co-sanctioned amateur rodeo of the Colorado Professional Rodeo Association and the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association was held both Friday and Saturday afternoon. Some local rodeo athletes placed in their respective events. Winning the bareback riding was Colton Crawford of Walsh with a score of 81 points and $514. Mazie Noe of La Junta had a stellar showing in Eads as she won first in the barrel race with a time of 17.7 seconds and $819, and also placed fourth in the breakaway roping with a time of 3.3 seconds and $441. This teenager left Kiowa County with a pretty good chunk of change in her pocket. Tiff Watts of Eads won second in the barrel race with an 18.1 second run and $650. Talara Coen of Wiley slipped into 5th with 18.37 seconds and $144. Trice Watts was 2nd in the open team roping with a 6.4 second run. Lindsey Dorenkamp and Justin Crist split first and second with another team that had 7.7 seconds and $827 in the mixed team roping. Nate Hoey of Lamar split first and second in the bull riding with a score of 80 points and $485.

The horse races were exciting as the beautiful equine athletes came flying by the grandstands in the 220-yard races and 100-yard race. The ponies also came running by with children aboard as their jockeys. I sat right on the finish line watching the races. Those grandstands have provided a lot of entertainment over generations for rodeo and race fans. For some, those grandstands are just a fond memory as they are now unable to navigate the stairs to have a seat. Grandstands at all venues have forever been a place of many handshakes, hugs, and reunions. May that never cease.

Happy Trails.