Black Hills Roundup Rodeo

The Black Hills Roundup is adding to it's jam-packed schedule of family fun and entertainment with the 1st annual Black Hills Roundup Ranch Rodeo and barbeque.

Just what is a ranch rodeo? In many ways it harkens back to the roots of the Black Hills Roundup when working ranch skills were put to the test in competitions for the enjoyment of spectators. Ranch rodeos are events in which traditional working cowboys gather to compete and demonstrate skills that are used every day in cattle ranching operations. Although there are some similarities to rodeos that people are normally accustomed to seeing, ranch rodeo events typically use combinations of roping, horsemanship, and groundworking skills to create a more genuine presentation of real-life ranch work. The equipment and tack used in ranch rodeos is the same as that used by the cowboys back on the ranch. In contrast, traditional rodeo events use specialized tack and riggings that are not used on the ranch. Bucking stock are not used in ranch rodeos unless the ranch rodeo contestants unintentionally provide their own.

Another difference between ranch rodeos and traditional rodeos is that most of the events in traditional rodeos are events for individual competitors. There are no events for individual competitors in ranch rodeos. Teams usually consist of four cowboys. A typical ranch rodeo will have four or five events. Each team usually has a maximum time limit of two and one half minutes to successfully complete each event. Mutton busting will also be a part of the ranch rodeo and second night of mutton bustin' for area youth will take place on Friday evening, July 2, during the PRCA rodeo as part of family and military appreciation night.

The 2010 Black Hills Roundup Ranch Rodeo and barebeque is being organized by Clay and Colby Crago. Tickets for the Ranch Rodeo and barebeque are just $5 and available at the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce office or at the gate. Imagine that, barbeque supper and a rodeo for 5 bucks! What a way to kick off the Roundup!