The 16th annual Ranch Rodeo served as the perfect kickoff event for the Fourth of July festivities at the Black Hills Roundup this year. On the evening of July 1, fans gathered at the Roundup grounds and enjoyed some free BBQ to fill their stomachs before the night’s activities. At 5:45, the mutton bustin’ started—an event where youth ages 3-10 ride sheep out of the bucking chutes and must stay on for 6 seconds. The kids are required to wear a helmet for safety!
After the mutton bustin’, the Roundup royalty took the arena to crown the new Miss Black Hills Roundup, Jr. Miss Black Hills Roundup, and Black Hills Roundup Princess.
At 6:30, the Calcutta for the Ranch Rodeo began. Twelve teams of four entered the arena and were bet on to win by those in the crowd. The high bid this year was $3,800 for the Williams Rope Horse Company team. Each team had one bronc rider who was also bet on individually during the Calcutta, and the high bid was $3,100 on Taiten Eaton of the Eaton Construction team.
Once the Calcutta was finished, the Ranch Rodeo began! The crowd went wild as the cowboys demonstrated what life on the ranch is like. There were five total events: penning, branding, stray gathering, wild cow milking, and ranch bronc riding. The winners in each event were: penning, Fairview Ranch Outfitters; branding, Maxwell Butte Ranch; stray gathering, Broken H; wild cow milking, Raven Angus; and ranch bronc riding, Willow Creek Cowboys.
Overall placings were: 1st place, Williams Rope Horse Co.; 2nd place, Pioneer Bank and Trust; 3rd place, Broken H; and 4th place, Rocking C Services. Top Hand for the night went to Cooper Crago of Pioneer Bank and Trust. Top Horse for the evening was Katie, ridden by Kylie Askew.
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