Mark Your Calendars!
Big Bend Ranch Rodeo
August 12-13, 2022 ★ Alpine, Texas
The 2021 Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is now in the record books.
The August 13th-14th event was full of excitement, sportsmanship and suspense. The best cowboys from Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas are always amazing as they show off their skills. We continued the “2 go” format and the cowboys provided lots of excitement and entertainment for the spectators each evening.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Hatchet/Falcon Valley team from Southern Arizona who were the 2021 BBRR Champions. Besides cash and prizes, the team wins an automatic bid to the Working Ranch Cowboys Association World Championships held in November in Amarillo, TX.
Photo credit: ©Hadley Kibbe, Have Camera, Will Travel

2021 Big Bend Ranch Rodeo Champions: Hatchet/Falcon Valley team from Southern Arizona
The Hatchet Ranch, from Paradise, Arizona and the Falcon Valley Ranch, from Florence, AZ joined forces to compete in the 2021 BBRR. Hatchet Ranch, owned by Ace and Kay Peterson is a cow/calf operation and was established in 1905. Falcon Valley, owned by Jennifer Wilson, is also a cow/calf operation established in 1951. Both ranches also have stocker operations. Besides Team Captain, Ace Peterson, other team members are John Crowder, Whip Peterson and Will Woodfin.
Hatchet/Falcon Valley scored points in 4 out of the 5 events, winning the Ranch Bronc Riding and the Team Branding events and tying for 1st place in the Team Sorting. They also placed 2nd in the Wild Cow Milking event.

2021 Top Hand Award Winner: Tyler Straub from the Detwiler/Road Runner team
The 2021 Top Hand Award went to Tyler Straub from the Detwiler/Road Runner team. Winning the Apache Adams Top Horse Award was ROWDY METALLIC, an 8 yr old Sorrel gelding ridden by Colten Jackson from Smith Cattle Co.

Winner of the Apache Adams Top Horse Award: ROWDY METALLIC, an 8 yr old Sorrel gelding ridden by Colten Jackson from Smith Cattle Co.
Placing second was the Circle M8/Barnes Cattle team, a cow/calf operation with a stocker program from Silverton, Salado, and Tulia TX and Tucumcari, NM. Placing third was the 2020 Champion Team Smith Cattle Company from Channing, TX, a cow/calf operation with a yearling program and a feedyard.

2021 Big Bend Ranch Rodeo 2nd Place: Circle M8/Barnes Cattle team
Results from the other weekend events are:
RHAA Competition:
BOX DRIVE BOX DRIVE CLASS: 1st Place: Ashley Weatherford, 2nd Place: Gracey Taylor
WRANGLER CLASS: 1st Place: Brooks Jobe, 2nd Place: Brooks Jobe, 3rd Place: Rylie Cravens, 4th Place: Taylor Blackwell, 5th Place: Coy Grace, 6th Place: Gerry Gesell, 7th Place: Mason Overstreet
RANCH HAND CLASS: 1st Place: Maegan Teykl 2nd Place: Mary King
COWBOY CLASS: 1st Place: Ty Ferguson, 2nd Place: Levi Jones, 3rd Place: Tyler Dunn, 4th Place: Tony Martinez
JUNIOR CLASS: 1st Place: Clint Jones 2nd Place: Will Lorenz, 3rd Place: Gerry Gesell, 4th Place: Elizabeth Yeary
SENIOR CLASS: 1st Place: Will Lorenz, 2nd Place: Elizabeth Yeary
Youth Working Cowhorse Competition:
JUNIORS (12 and under): 1st Place: Aiden Mellard 2nd Place: Jacob Mellard 3rd Place: Travis Mellard
SENIORS (13 and over): 1st Place: Rance Peebles 2nd Place: Brooks Meyers 3rd Place: Mason Mare
The winner of each class in this youth competition wins an automatic bid to the Championships in Amarillo.
Full house crowds were treated to lots of good cowboy action each night and crowds welcomed a rain each afternoon to help cool off.
The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is grateful for the support we have received the last 21 years from countless individuals and businesses in Alpine and beyond. THANK YOU---we could not have this rodeo weekend if it were not for you all.
We have already starting planning for the 2022 Big Bend Ranch Rodeo so, mark your calendar for August 12-13, 2022. You do not want to miss the fun!
The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is very proud to announce that we are able this year to make the largest donation in our history to the Sul Ross Rodeo Excellence Fund. We have given Dr. Bonnie Warnock, Dean of the Ag Department at Sul Ross a check for thirty thousand dollars which will bring the total donations from the BBRR to the Sul Ross Rodeo program to a little over $283,000 since 2000.
To be able to make this kind of donation doesn’t come without the hard work of a lot of people and countless supporters. We are lucky to have the support of businesses, hotels, restaurants and ranches in and around the area. A couple of weeks ago we ran our usual THANK YOU ad naming all the people and businesses who make the BBRR possible---look back at it and take a moment to study this incredible listing.
Big Bend Ranch Rodeo Awarded the
2020 WRCA Rodeo of the Year Award

Kasey Hooper, WRCA official, presents Big Bend Ranch Rodeo Committee with the 2020 Rodeo of the Year WRCA Award
The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo is extremely proud to announce that it has been named 2020 RODEO OF THE YEAR by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA). The BBRR has been an official sanctioned WRCA rodeo for the past 20 years and is the 2nd sanctioned rodeo to be given this award.
The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo has been a leader among WRCA sanctioned rodeos in many areas: we are proud to be the 1st sanctioned rodeo to designate our proceeds for rodeo scholarships, we were the 1st to establish a Youth Competition as part of our rodeo weekend (that has spread to the WRCA as one of their weekend events) and we were also the 1st to have a “Buy a Cowboy a Meal” type program where we feed every contestant in addition to a hospitality tent where the cowboys and their families can get a hot meal.
The Big Bend Ranch Rodeo Committee is made up of hard working people who are dedicated to preserving the ranching way of life and providing a venue where working ranch cowboys can show off the skills they use in their everyday work and also have a little fun and maybe earn a little prize money. 2020 Committee members are: Gary Dunshee, John and MaryAnn Luedecke, Don Cadden, Mattie and Clayton Sargent, Ashley Wood, Stacey Wood, CJ Aragon, Jess and Colby Smith, Dennis Yadon, Paula Wilson and Lonnie Rodriguez, Tate McMullan and Chachi Hawkins.
This ranch rodeo could not happen every year without the terrific support of area businesses, restaurants and ranches and we are grateful for their continued interest in keeping the working cowboy traditions alive. Our hats are off to you all. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.
Buy a Cowboy a Meal
“Buy a Cowboy a Meal” has been great success and a part of our weekend that these ranch cowboys are still talking about!
You can send in your donation to
BBRR
PO Box 2140
Alpine, Tx 79831
or drop it off at
Big Bend Saddlery or OutWest Feed and Supply.
For more information contact Mattie Sargent at 432-837-5551.
Ranch Rodeo
Ranch Rodeo events showcase/demonstrate the everyday work that takes place on a working cattle ranch by working ranch cowboys. For example: Ranch Bronc Riding, Cattle sorting, Cattle Doctoring, Wild Cow Milking and Calf Branding.
Ranch Rodeo cowboys make their living everyday working for the cattle producer, be it in the Big Bend of Texas to the Mountains of Oregon to the Flint Hills of Kansas and to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. We feel there is nothing better than “riding for the brand” (the ranch we are employed by).
Ranch Bronc Riding
“Ride as ride can” for 8 seconds. One member from each team will be required to ride a bucking horse in a working ranch saddle and one-rein halter (no PRCA rigging allowed).
Points will be awarded for the difficulty of the horse and also for the degree of aggressiveness, control and exposure demonstrated by the rider. (This one gets nasty!)
Team Sorting
Four men from each team have two minutes to sort out five head of cattle from a herd. These cattle must be sorted in numerical order based on a starting number called out by the announcer as the team approaches the starting line. The time begins when the first rider crosses the start line. Example: If 4 is called, cattle to be sorted will be 4,5,6,7,8.
Sorted cattle must be held across the line. Any wrong numbered cattle across the line will result in a NO TIME. (This one is tough!)
Team Doctoring
Four horseback members from each team must pick one numbered animal from a large herd, rope it, and place a non-toxic paint mark between the animal’s eyes in less than two minutes. As riders approach the line, the announcer will call a number that has been drawn for them. Time begins when the first rider crosses the line. Without loping into the herd, a numbered yearling must be cut out from the herd and driven across the start line, before it can be roped.
The steer must be lying on its side prior to doctoring. All four feet must be visible. When steer is on its side, vet will place a mark between it’s eyes and raise his hands, stopping time. Mark must be between its eyes or will result in no time. (This one is a ranch necessity!)
Team Branding
Up to six members, including a roper, two flankers, a brander and two herd holders, from each team can compete here. Two teams will compete at the same time and they each have two minutes to rope, throw and mark with non-toxic paint, two calves each. The ropers will start together. Time begins when they cross the line. Only one rope can be used in the branding.
The winner is the fastest time on two calves. (This one is exciting!)
Wild Cow Milking
Boot Scramble
Any kid who wants to have some fun and doesn’t mind getting a little dirty gets into the arena at one end and they take off one boot. Officials take all the boots to the other end of the arena and scatter them out.
Then there is a race to get to the other end of the arena, find the right boot, put it on and run back as fast as possible to cross the finish line.
Mutton Bustin’
Mutton Bustin’ is an exciting event for the boys and girls who want to experience the excitement of riding in the rodeo arena. In the rodeo arena the kids will be on the sheep inside a chute.
The time of the ride begins when the chute opens—the ride will be timed for 6 seconds. The kid who holds on for 6 seconds and has a good ride will be the winner.