Young cowboys and cowgirls experience ranch life during Smokey Bear Stampede in Capitan
Living and working with cattle and horses has been ingrained in Cathi Ward’s family since the 1800s when her family planted roots in Lincoln County, New Mexico.
She had a chance to see that tradition passed down to her granddaughter Trinity Ramirez Sunday at the Smokey Bear Stampede rodeo in Capitan as she participated in a youth ranch rodeo.
Ward said five generations of her family have competed in rodeo events. This year was the first ranch rodeo competition for the family.
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“It’s an amazing experience these kids not only have a lot of fun,” she said. “They gain experience. They gain confidence to share their skills with their teammates.”
Ward said kids learn teamwork and other valuable life skills that would benefit young people as they journey into adulthood.
Participants, parents and fans in general lined up to get into the Lincoln County Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena nearly three hours before the events started around 1 p.m. Sunday.
Renee Montes, coordinator of the youth ranch rodeo, said 24 kids signed up. Teams were divided into six groups, each consisting of four contestants.
“We space younger kids with the older kids,” she said. The ranch rodeo was open to kids from ages 9 to 18.
Entrants came from New Mexico and Texas as the youth ranch rodeo has been part of the Smokey Bear Stampede for 14 years, according to Montes.
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She said interested families contacted her in May for a spot in the youth ranch rodeo.
Montes said a ranch rodeo differs from rodeos sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) because ranch rodeos mirror work done by cowboys and cowgirls on actual working on live cattle ranches.
“They are modified for the youth,” Montes said. “My kids participated in this.”
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Unsaddling a horse, team cattle branding, team livestock doctoring, trailer loading and a soda pop relay were Sunday’s events.
The Northside Tortugas made up of Captain Tatum Gibson, Graden Acuna, Grady Gutierrez and Luis Navarette took first place.
Jimmy’s Cattle Company comprised of Captain Bryce Stone, Brandon Craig, Jett Hubbard and Sydnee Navarette claimed second place.
The Super Punchers made up of Captain Levi Shelton, Jace Swagger, Maclee Cain and Teal Gutierrez finished in third place.
“It was a great youth ranch rodeo and those are tough kids with strong values and determination,” Ward said.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Young cowboys and cowgirls experience ranch during Smokey Bear rodeo
