Bandera ProRodeo events draw record Labor Day crowds
A cowboy competitor holds on tight during Labor Day weekend’s Ranch Rodeo, which was hosted by the Bandera ProRodeo Association on September 4. BULLETIN PHOTO/Ursula Rogers
The invitation to come to Bandera for some end-of-summer cowboy fun was heeded as visitors flocked to the Cowboy Capital of the World over Labor Day Weekend.
Needless to say, rodeos were part of the promised cowboy fun.
Hosted by Bandera ProRodeo Association, Saturday night’s Ranch Rodeo and Sunday night’s Women’s Ranch Rodeo and Kid’s Mutton Bustin’ entertained and pleased the record crowds.
Saturday night, visitors enjoyed ranch rodeo events that evolved from skills necessary on working cattle ranches. Bronc Riding, Branding, Pony Express, Trailer Loading and Double Muggin’, where teams have to rope and tie two steers at the same time, were part of the ranch rodeo events.
Nine teams entered and the competition was fierce. After the dust settled, third place team was Guntown, second place team was Noisy Bunch and first place was the Spur Cattle Co.
Prize money was awarded to the top three teams, and the first place team members, Dylan Morrow, Rylan Tieken, Caleb Vidal, Kyle Jing, and Ricky Guerra. also took home champion buckles.
The Women’s Ranch Rodeo on Sunday night gave the spectators the opportunity to see this growing sport.
The events included those in the ranch rodeo and the women demonstrated the skills of roping, riding and wrangling steers. Events such as Rescue Race and Cowhide Race pitted the teams against each other.
Women from all over Texas joined together to team up for this rodeo.
At the end of the night, Zero Dinero (Snyder, Texas) was the third placed team, and V-Key Ranch (Somerset, Texas) was the second place team.
The members of the first place team, Diamond Q, included Byrkley Husky, Veronica Pritchett, Victoria Peñ a, Kirby Sandling and Coco Hetleon won champion belt buckles.
Mutton Bustin’ and calf scramble gave the youngsters a taste of the action and delighted the audience. The winner of Mutton Bustin’ on Saturday night was Wyatt Connell. The winner of the Kid’s Mutton Bustin’ portion of Sunday night’s performance was George Fanning.
The rodeos were largely made possible by contributions from sponsors of the 2021 Memorial Day Weekend PRCA rodeo, who selflessly continued their commitment to this community and our rodeo fans.
The directors of the Bandera ProRodeo Association extend many thanks to these supporters and the rodeo volunteers for their help in making the Labor Day Weekend a cowboy, fun-filled success.