ALPINE — The 2024 Big Bend Ranch Rodeo kicks off tomorrow at the Sul Ross S.A.L.E Arena in Alpine promising two days of nonstop action on horseback. Ranch teams from Texas, Arizona and New Mexico will participate in the event. The rodeo is a tradition of events for working cowboys instead of pro rodeo competitors.
The adult competition starts at 7 p.m. Friday and will continue at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 and free for those 12 and under and must be purchased at the gate. The arena is located off of Highway 90 East on Paso Del Norte Road. Events include:
Ranch Bronc Riding — One member from each team will be required to ride a bucking horse for eight seconds in a working ranch saddle and one-rein halter.
Wild Cow Milking — Four members from each team will be required to rope a cow and milk her in less than two minutes. Milking may not commence until the rope is off the cow, so three men must hold her.
Team Doctoring — Four members from each team must pick one numbered animal from a large herd, rope it, and place a non-toxic paint mark between the animal’s eyes in less than two minutes.
Team Branding — Up to six members from each team can compete here. Two teams will compete at the same time and they each have two minutes to rope, throw and mark with non-toxic paint two calves each.
Team Sorting — Four men from each team have two minutes to sort out three head of cattle from a herd. The catch is that these cows are numbered and the cowboys must sort them in numerical order based on a starting number called out by the announcer.
This year will continue the “2 go” format — each team will compete in each event each night — making the competition even tougher. These five events earn teams points toward qualifying for the World Championship Ranch Rodeo in November, and the winner of the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo automatically wins a place in the World Championships.
The Second Annual Youth Ranch Rodeo kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. Youth ages 7-17 from across the Southwest compete for a spot at the Youth World Championships in Amarillo. They will compete Team Doctoring, Team Sorting, Trailer Loading, Team Branding, and the Steer Race.
The Saturday night Ranch Rodeo performance will end with an awards ceremony followed by a dance at 9:30 p.m. at Amigo Sports Bar and Restaurant. On Sunday, there will be a church service at the Big Bend Cowboy Church at 10:30 a.m.
Also continuing this year will be “Buy a Cowboy a Meal.” There will be over 100 cowboys from Texas, Arizona and New Mexico coming into Alpine for the weekend — all hungry for a win at the rodeo and a good, West Texas meal. Event sponsors are asking the community to “Show these cowboys some good ole’ West Texas hospitality” and donate to the “Buy a Cowboy a Meal” fund. You can send in your donation to BBRR, PO Box 2140, Alpine, Tx 79831 or drop it off at Big Bend Saddlery in Alpine.For more information about “Buy a Cowboy a Meal” or the rodeo weekend contact Mattie Sargent at 432-294-1640 or visit www.bigbendranchrodeo.com.