The West Texas Ranch Rodeo and World Championship Blacksmith Competition officially commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the Tri-State Fairgrounds' Vance Reed Livestock Building, hosted by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. The events have attracted attendees from across the nation, offering a weekend filled with Western tradition, skill, and community spirit.
Randy Whipple, co-promoter of both events, expressed his enthusiasm about the turnout.
"It is absolutely amazing to have all these great people come to town," Whipple said. "We have participants from 28 states and Canada, which is fantastic. It's exciting to bring this kind of skill and craftsmanship to Amarillo."
World Championship Blacksmith Competition
A highlight of the weekend, the World Championship Blacksmith Competition features top farriers and blacksmiths demonstrating their expertise in horse shoeing, metalworking, and other intricate crafts. Attendees have the opportunity to witness these artisans in action, with a giant screen and camera crew capturing every detail of the craftsmanship. "Once people understand what we're doing here, it's about watching some of the best blacksmiths working up close, and it's fascinating," Whipple noted.
West Texas Ranch Rodeo
The West Texas Ranch Rodeo (WTRR) celebrates ranching traditions and the hardworking individuals behind them. This year's event features 14 teams competing in various events that mirror daily ranching tasks, emphasizing teamwork and practical skills. The competition includes:
- Ranch Bronc Riding: Riders attempt to stay mounted on a bucking horse in their everyday ranch saddle for 8 seconds, showcasing their riding skills.
- Stray Gathering: Teams rope and tie two steers, with the fastest time winning, highlighting their roping and teamwork abilities.
- Team Sorting: Teams sort five steers from the herd in numerical order, demonstrating their cattle-handling coordination.
- Wild Cow Milking: Teams catch a cow, extract milk into a bottle, and race to the judge's circle, emphasizing speed and precision.
- Branding: Teams heel and drag two calves to the branding fire, reflecting the branding process essential to ...
