Cowboys Helping Kids
By Sara Gugelmeyer
Cowboys helping kids is more than a motto of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Ranch Rodeo. That’s exactly what the event has been doing for the last several decades. It’s way more than just a rodeo, but rather a simultaneous showcase of cowboy heritage and ranching preservation plus a legitimate charitable fundraising effort all in one.
The WRCA Board of Directors honored the OCA Annual Ranch Rodeo with the 2021 WRCA Sanctioned Rodeo of the Year Award.
The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey says he, along with the OCA staff and rodeo committee, appreciates the recognition and is honored to receive the award.
He explains the genesis of the ranch rodeo was 40 years ago.
“There weren’t very many working ranch cowboy rodeos at that time,” he says. “Our leadership decided to put together an event where members could showcase their excellent help, whether it was family members, full-time employees or day workers.”
He adds, “Those leaders realized early on this was a great way to not only preserve the legacy of ranching here in Oklahoma but also to promote and display it to a general audience.”
While the 20ish years of the event were certainly a success, then OCA upped the ante by partnering with the Children’s Hospital Foundation (CHF) to raise funds for the children’s hospital in Oklahoma City.
“That has been phenomenal and has really allowed us to expand and grow and add some great things to the rodeo,” Kelsey says.
The OCA leadership knew they wanted to partner with a charity and the CHF was a perfect fit because of the OCA’s legacy commitment.
“We are so blessed to have a great children’s hospital right here in Oklahoma,” Kelsey says. “It’s one of those facilities that you don’t ever want to use, but when you need it you are so grateful to have it. It has personally benefitted a lot of our members with kids who have had an illness or issue.”
The rodeo is held every year at the end of August at the Lazy E Arena near Guthrie, Oklahoma. Kelsey points out that the Lazy E has become a partner in the event as well.
“The Lazy E ownership and management is our kind of folks and we’re their kind of folks,” Kelsey says. “They understand and appreciate our goals of promoting the legacy and heritage of the working ranch as well as supporting the charity. Of course, they have to satisfy the needs of their business, but they are genuinely interested in helping us accomplish our goals and that makes it really special.”
The two-performance WRCA-sanctioned ranch rodeo invites 12 Oklahoma ranch teams and draws about 6,000 spectators. Those who come to watch travel from all over the state; some have ranching ties and some are just there to appreciate the working cowboy and watch the show.
A trade show featuring about 60 vendors showcases products and services targeted toward ranches and working cowboys. Also, during the event, the ranch rodeo committee organizes a dummy roping for the kids of the ranch rodeo team members as well as the general public. The kids are split into age divisions and prizes are awarded to the winners.
A highlight of the event is what the committee calls the “children’s rodeo” which is held Saturday afternoon during the rodeo.
“We call it a children’s rodeo, but there’s really no events. It’s mainly an opportunity for kids from the children’s hospital to spend time with the cowboys and cowgirls in the competition.”
The kids are transported from the hospital in Oklahoma City to the Lazy E Arena where for many, it’s the first time they’ve ever seen a horse in real life. The cowboys and cowgirls help the kids learn to swing and rope the dummy if they’re able, as well as pet and sit on a horse. “We see the kids’ eyes light up and their huge smiles,” Kelsey says. “Some of the toughest cowboys you’ve ever seen are biting their lip and getting so choked up they can’t talk. It really pulls at our hearts. Cowboys and cowgirls are larger-than-life heroes to these kids.”
Each year following the event, the OCA staff and rodeo committee members present a check to the CHF, which funds support research, education and clinical care at the children’s hospital. In 2021, the check was for $32,000, which brought the all-time total to $585,000 donated from the rodeo to the CHF.
The OCA Annual Ranch Rodeo is such a special event because it’s helping to preserve the cowboy and ranching way of life. Not only do cowboys enjoy participating and honing their skills, but spectators get to see how cowboys do things. The general public is exposed to the tools of the trade and sees how skilled and respectful cowboys do their jobs.
On top of that, money is raised for a charity that helps everyone and those who require the services of the hospital appreciate the working cowboys’ dedication to giving back to the community.
“The performances are phenomenal to watch the talent and skill of these folks, and the whole rodeo is just a fun family-oriented event,” Kelsey says. “We’re honored to be a part of it and to use it as a way to promote and preserve the legacy of the working ranch.”