Published: September 16, 2007 09:56 am         

Days of yesteryear

Sesquicentennial rodeo gives a glimpse of the past

It’s going to be a flashback to the early days of Oklahoma when the “First Annual Pauls Valley Round-Up Club Ranch Rodeo” kicks off in Pauls Valley, as part of the city’s Sesquicentennial celebration.

Scheduled for Sept. 29, the rodeo will feature a variety of exciting and entertaining events that can be traced back to the state’s cowboy heritage, said Pauls Valley Round-Up Club Secretary, Lili Norton.

“We’ll have different kinds of events and participants, as compared to other rodeos. We’ll have Team Sorting, Double Mugging, Branding, Wild Cow Milking and Ranch Bronc Riding.

“At round-up rodeos you have people who come off an actual ranch and work as a team to show their skills and compete for prizes. Except for wild cow milking, all the events are exactly what they did for years on ranches,” Norton explained.

“These types of rodeos have been going on for as long as they’ve had ranches in Oklahoma. Actually, it’s where the idea for modern rodeos came from.”

While the ranch bronc riding event appears quite similar in nature to the modern-day bronc riding seen at most rodeos, Norton said the rules are what sets the two apart.

“The only rough stock event at the rodeo is the ranch bronc riding. Rules are different than regular bronc riding, including the types of saddles they use and the way they hold their hand,” Norton noted.

“A standard working saddle must be used and the rider can use the saddle horn. Typically, riders can hold on to the saddle horn with the free hand that is not holding on to the hack rein.”

Along with the adult events, Norton said the kids will also be able to join in on the action. There will be a 10-And-Under Calf Scramble throughout the evening as well as the Mutton Bustin’ competition for cowpokes seven-and-under. Kids sign-up begins at 5 p.m. and absolutely no call-ins will be accepted.

Admission to the rodeo is free and activities begin at 6 p.m. with music by Myra and Company. Rodeo events start at 7 p.m. and everyone is invited to attend and get a first-hand look at how it is done “on the ranch.”

For more information or to sign up for one or more of the team events call Norton at 405-238-2776 or come by Norton’s Jewelry located at 213 S. Chickasaw in Pauls Valley.

Look for a complete listing of Sesquicentennial events in next weekend’s Daily Democrat.

     

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