It’s sure nice and green here. The grass and hayfields are going like gangbusters. I went to a branding last weekend and came back on the gravel most of the way from Rapid City to Newell. It was sure eye opening to see the swaths of country that were short of rain and the dams were dry or nearly so. One stretch had every cactus plant defined as the grass was so short after several years of drought and hoppers. The grass was green but very short and there was no old grass left. Their dams were empty, but thankfully, they had tanks and pipelines operating. Just a few miles north of there it was completely different and the grass was lush and the dams full or nearly so. It’s incredible how rain events will skip over certain areas and leave them out. I’ve been in that situation and it’s hard to not feel singled out.
The ropings at Stadheim Arena will resume on July 1. The June 24th roping is cancelled. Always check the Facebook page to confirm before hauling if it looks rainy.
The makeup date for the Sundance Rodeo Club Youth Series is Aug. 6.
There will be a Mark Garrett Bareback School on July 12-13 at the Reeves Ranch, Eagle Butte, S.D. It will run in conjunction with the Saddle Bronc school with Tom Reeves. To sign up for either school, call Tom at 605-218-1954.
Entries are open now for the Bowman Co. Fair Ranch Rodeo on July 11, 6 p.m., at Dakota Winds Arena, Bowman, N.D. There’s $2000 added in the ranch rodeo and $500 in the ranch broncs. Ranch rodeo entries are $400/four person team, with a Calcutta and taking 10 teams. Ranch broncs is $100 and they’ll take 12 entries. To enter, contact Beth at 701-206-0042.
The Kadoka Buffalo Stampede sure has a full schedule lined up! On June 26, 7 p.m. is the Ranch Rodeo; June 27, 10 a.m. Steer Roping; 7 p.m. PRCA Rodeo; June 28 10 a.m. is the Timed Event Slack, then 7 p.m. the PRCA Rodeo. On June 29, 10 a.m., is the Haakon/Jackson 4-H Rodeo.
Sheridan Co. Fair and Rodeo, Gordon, Neb., will have entries open June 28, 8 a.m., for the Kevin Kruger Memorial Ranch Rodeo and Ranch Broncs. It’s $300/team for the ranch rodeo, and $50 for the ranch broncs with $500 added. Each ranch rodeo team must have a ranch bronc rider. The event will be on July 22. To enter call 308-360-3357.
Donnie Days Ranch Rodeo at Stickney, S.D. will be June 28. The calcutta will be at 6:15 with the event to follow. There are fun events for the whole family to enjoy. For more information contact Matt Mulder at 605-660-5220.
The RJ Horses Three Man Doctoring Series will be starting June 28, then July 26, Aug. 16, Sept. 6 and the finals on Sept. 7. At Sheridan, Wyo., there will be both open and novice divisions and you can enter up to three time, all drop pot, for $50/roper. No loping to head rules. Entries open 9-9:45 a.m., rope at 10. For details call Jessie at 406-671-1881.
Farkleberry Days Ranch Rodeo at Hayti, S.D. is June 29, 5 p.m. Entries are limited to 15 pre-registered teams, four person teams, for $250/team. Events are penning, sorting and pasture doctoring, plus mutton bustin’ for the smaller set. Free admission and bring your lawn chairs! To enter, call Tucker Frederick at 605-520-6095.
Oglala Lakota Nation Indian Relays will be June 28-29, at 1 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, at Pine Ridge, S.D. For info, contact Calvin Ghost Bear 605-381-0823 of Bam Beaver 605-441-0885.
A Winner’s Circle Mini Roping Clinic with Dane Kissack will be June 29, 1-5 p.m., at the Hamill Horseman’s Club Arena, Hamill, S.D. It’s for ages 8-18, boys and girls, and will be $20/roper. Besides roping, Dane will cover the Christian faith walk of life and its importance in his. To sign up contact Samantha at 605-890-2632.
Entries will open July 1 for the Crook Co. Fair Rodeo Triathlon on July 29, 4:30 p.m. The event will have one rider on one horse doing breakaway, barrels and goat tying in one run. It will have youth, 18 and under and open, 19 and up, divisions. The entry link for this will be on the Facebook page Sundance Rodeo Club.
Get your tickets now for the 106th Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche, S.D. June 30-July 5. Tickets and a schedule of events can be found on www.blackhillsroundup.com.
Newell Family Summer Playday series will be kicking off on June 30, then July 7, 14, 21 with the potluck and awards at the July 28 event. Held at the Newell Rodeo Grounds, Newell, S.D.
Campbell Co. Fair Ranch Rodeo entries will be open on June 30. They’ll take 12 teams at $400/team with $2500 added. The event will be July 31, 6 p.m. at the CamPlex Morningstar Arena, Gillette, Wyo. To enter, go to www.adonranchproductions.com.
Well, that’s my circle for this week. Please pray for our nation, pray for healing of the divide within it, and for safety and strength for our President, the military, and first responders. May God Bless America!