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NEW MEXICO'S RANCH RODEOS
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REFLECTING LIFE ON THE RANCH

Ranch Rodeos represent an informal set of contests that reflect the skills used on real working ranches.  For over a hundred years, these rodeos have invoked the good natured rivalry among Southwestern ranches.  Ranch Rodeos highlight the dramatic realism and unique pragmatism of Southwestern ranch activities.  Spectators are dazzled by cowboy and cowgirl teams who demonstrate the best talent across a range of ranching skills.  Ranch Rodeos differ from professional rodeos in two primary ways:  Ranch Rodeos provide a more authentic version of actual ranch activities and they have a more flexible set of rules to accommodate the spontaneous imagination of the rodeo participants.

THE RODEO ACTIVITIES

While there is flexibility, ranch rodeos generally follow the events at the World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas.  Established by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association, these events include: Ranch bronc riding:  For eight seconds, riders "ride as ride can" on a working ranch saddle.  Team doctoring:  A header and a heeler rope a steer as a third cowboy marks a "doctored" spot on its head with paint.  This reflects the ranching practice that allows cowboys to track and "doctor" the cattle, keeping them healthy when the herds are too remote to find a veterinarian.  Team penning:  Demonstrates the skill of the horse by separating some of the cattle and penning them in a corral.  Team branding:  Two teams of cowboys begin by roping a calf from a small herd and taking it to a branding crew where it receives a paint brand.  Wild horse race:  This self explanatory contest represents one of the earliest forms of rodeo competition.  Horse catching:  Four cowboys lead their horses into a round pen, unsaddle them, and then catch them using what is known as a Houlihan Loop.  With the Houlihan, a roper brings the rope across the roper's chest and over his head in one continuous motion so as not to spook the horse.  The horses are then saddled and the cowboys mount up and ride to the end of the arena and cross a line for an official time.  Tack relay:  A rapid horseback relay in which saddles are exchanged at each end of the arena.  Team roping:  Contestants separate a steer in a pen.  Then two riders throw three loops to catch the steer head and heel.  Slicker roping:  Attempting to rope your horse while wearing a long coat and then roping a steer.  Rawhide race:  Cowboys are pulled on a hide around a barrel and across the arena. Remuda race:  The cowboy ropes a horse from a remuda or string of ranch horses and then rides like crazy for a while.  These standard events are usually supplemented by several imaginative and often wild stunts which the cowboys think of themselves.  Ranch rodeos do not include bull riding, barrel racing or bulldogging, which are not considered typical ranch activities.

PERPETUATING NEW MEXICO TRADITIONS

New Mexico ranches are often relatively small, family owned and remote.  There is a long tradition of neighbors working together for cattle roundups and other chores.  Known as "neighboring," this tradition of team work and good sportsmanship is reinforced in the ranch rodeos.  Ranch rodeos serve to perpetuate American and Mexican ranching traditions while providing spectators with a glimpse into the real world of ranching.

SCHEDULE OF RANCH RODEOS