The Medicine Hat & Exhibition Stampede held its first ever 'Cowboy Clash' ranch rodeo event at the Grandstand Friday afternoon. Five local ranches in the region competed for a new buckle and bragging rights.--NEWS PHOTOS BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
High noon under a hot July sun, cowboys and cowgirls gather at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede grandstand to face off against each other in the inaugural ‘Cowboy Clash’ event.
Ranchers representing the Cavan, Maser, Porter, Hargrave and Vossler ranches, as well as their best horses, competed in ranch rodeo-style timed events, including calf branding and penning and the Sled Pull.
Unlike traditional rodeo events, ranch hands worked together in teams of four to demonstrate how they find and rope specific calves as well as sort out cattle into different pens while on horseback utilizing a rope lasso.
The competitive horsemanship on display during the Cowboy Clash showcases the hard work required by ranch hands daily.
“It’s something different that dresses things up a little bit more,” says Tate Beck with the Hargrave Ranch. “And it gives people the inside (perspective) who don’t really know a whole bunch about ranching, just a little preview of what goes on, where your beef comes from, how we keep it alive.
“It takes a lot of work to get a steer from the field to the dinner table.”
The Clash also featured a slightly comical event in the Sled Pull relay race event. Ranchers were pulled around the rodeo grounds in a sled by their horses similar to a boat towing a water skier.
After comparing the best times in both events, members of the Vossler Ranch were named champs of the Cowboy Clash and received a new shiny buckle and $3,000 cash.
However, after the competition concludes, camaraderie continues between these cowfolk who often help each other every season by pulling together as a team, and as friends.
“Every other team is a good friend of mine, too.” says Curtis Vossler. “They help me at home, too, it’s a pretty good deal.”
“We all help each other at springtime when we need help,” explains Beck. “Everybody helps each other out because we can’t make the agriculture world alone.
“Buckles all fade away and everything and they’re good to look at on the wall but it’s more about the memories and friendships and good times you have along the way.”
