Fourteen working ranch cowboys’ teams from throughout the Midwest competed in the Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo at Council Grove.
Sanctioned by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA), the rodeo was sponsored by the Morris County Youth Rodeo Association (MCYRA).
Scores were combined from Friday and Saturday evening performances to select the top team, according to Amy Allen, rodeo secretary.
Gibbs Cattle Company, Junction City, and H Cross Ranch, Grainola, Oklahoma, joined efforts to claim the championship.
That earns the team eligibility to compete at the WRCA 27th World Championship Ranch Rodeo. November 9–12, 2023, in Amarillo, Texas.
Team members are Kolby Boos, Chase Gibbs, Michaela Gibbs, Doug Hall, Hank Hall, and Ty Swiler. They were the high scoring team both evening performances.
Second place overall went to the combined team of Whitmire Land & Cattle, Lenapah, Oklahoma, and Sumner Cattle Company, Ramona, Oklahoma. Team members are Tanner Davis, Wilder Davis, Heston Perkins, Kyle Rasberry, Keith Sumner, and Lani Sumner.
Third place team was Sooner Cattle Company, Shidler, Oklahoma, composed of Brodie Godsey, Dax Godsey, Will Godsey, Cody Haden, Corey Hurd, and Russell Powell.
Representing Barron-Highsmith Cattle Company and T&R Ranch, Oologah, Oklahoma, Matt Strickler received the Top Horse Award.
With riders from three states, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, the Five Cross team won the WRCA Junior Ranch Rodeo on Saturday morning with nine teams entered.
Qualifying the team for the WRCA Youth World Championship in conjunction with the WRCA Finals are Tagg Bond, Stockton Cribbs, Tucker Fourth, Grady Gatewood, and Dylan Lewis.
Castyn Andres was crowned as the 2023 MCYRA Queen and assisted in awards presentations.
CUTLINES
Combined team of Gibbs Cattle Company, Junction City, and H Cross Ranch, Grainola, Oklahoma, won the Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo at Council Grove. Rodeo Queen Castyn Andres presented awards to Chase Gibbs (holding his son Cru Gibbs), Ty Swiler, Hank Hall (standing), Doug Hall, and Kolby Boos. (Amy Allen photo)
The Five Cross team from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma was represented by Grady Gatewood, Tucker Fourth, Tagg Bond, Stockton Cribbs, and Dylan Lewis to win the Santa Fe Trail Junior Ranch Rodeo at Council Grove. (Amy Allen photo)
Top Horse Award at the Santa Fe Trail Ranch Rodeo in Council Grove went to Matt Strickler representing Barron-Highsmith Cattle Company and T&R Ranch, Oologah, Oklahoma. Rodeo Queen Castyn Andres presented awards.
