By Frank J. Buchman
It was a very long, busy Saturday for working cowboys, and most beneficial for two worthwhile causes.
Fourteen teams of four working cowboys gathered in the afternoon for the Trey Allen Benefit Ranch Rodeo. Then, most of those along with ten more, a total of 24 working cowboy teams were in the Riley County 4-H Horse Project Ranch Rodeo that evening.
The afternoon performance was hosted by the JC Cattle Company south of Junction City. Evening competition was in Wells Arena at Manhattan, concluding wee hours Sunday morning.
Trey Allen was a working cowboy from Junction City who passed away this year after a difficult cancer battle. Also, a Kansas Champion Cowboy Poet, Allen was well known for his entertaining performances throughout the Midwest.
Truly a cowboy’s cowboy, Allen’s vast friendships with so many from all around became most apparent with attendance at the rodeo benefiting his family and education of future generations.
Cowboy rivalry was ultimate in the afternoon rodeo as there was a three way tie for first place when official competition completed. To determine a champion and order for the next two placings, there was a tie breaker event for the three teams.
JC Cattle Company, Arndt/Bailey Ranches, and Eight Over Quarter Circle Ranch competed again in the Stampede Race, a unique event for the Trey Allen Benefit Ranch Rodeo.
The Stampede Race featured three teams working at once. Competition involved waking a cowboy from his bed roll, the cowboy getting up, saddling his horse with team members’ assistance, the cowboy mounting his horse and running around a barrel at the opposite end of the arena to stop the clock.
When dust of the excitement had settled, Eight Over Quarter Circle Ranch of northeast Kansas concluded the afternoon as champion team.
Second went to the Arndt Bailey Ranches of Chase and Lyon counties, with the JC Cattle Company of Junction City in third.
Kolby Boos, Josh Breeding, Zack Parkin and Derek Fields represented the winning team. In the official contest, they won the branding event, placed second in the first stampede race and were sixth in the three-event competition.
There was an eight minute time limit in the afternoon’s three-event division which included sorting and penning, doctoring and mugging.
During the afternoon rodeo, Parkin received an award for riding the Top Horse. James Gorman of the Toys R Us Cattle Company was recognized as the Top Hand.
Lonesome Pine Ranch of Chase County collected championship honors at the evening rodeo. Bud Higgs, Troy Higgs, Travis Duncan and Paul Osgood placed first in double steer doctoring, second in branding and second in the mugging and trailer loading division.
Riding for Arndt/Bailey Ranches to conclude second at the afternoon rodeo were Wes Bailey, Clint Donley, Brock Hall and Josh Lilley. During official competition, they won the first stampede race, placed second in the three-event division, and sixth in branding.
With Austin Rathburn as a team member, Arndt/Bailey Ranches were third in the evening performance at Manhattan while winning the mugging and trailer loading event.
Nelson Cattle Company of Riley County placed second in the evening competition. Cowboys were Mike Nelson, Korby Effland, JD Schlegel and Brian Wurtz.
Host team JC Cattle Company with Cindy Brown, Jason Brown Justin Brown and Hannah Brown mounted for their third place afternoon finish. They won the three-event division.
Lyons/Langvardt Ranches of Riley and Wabaunsee County placed fourth in the afternoon, with Karl Langvardt, Trey Langvardt, Trent Langvardt and Bruce Miller mounted.
Copeland Insurance won the evening branding event en route to being the fourth place team. Representing the Riley County ranching operation were Richard Kirmer, Taylor Schotte, Linden Stueve and Lance Sharp, who was instrumental in coordination and footwork for 4-H benefit rodeo.
