CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Dozens of Laramie County rodeo enthusiasts filled the bleachers of the Archer Arena on Aug. 6 to watch the county’s annual Ranch Rodeo.
The free rodeo was part of the Laramie County Fair, which takes place at the Archer Complex all day until Aug. 12.
The rodeo included a Ranch Bronc Riding competition, as well as the following events:
- Calf Branding
- The calf branding starts the scramble. One member rides into the pen and ropes the designated calf. A 10-second penalty is assessed each time the horse lopes. Two members wrestle the calf, while the fourth brands it. The calf must stay in the pen and the branding iron must be returned to the bucket before all members can mount, continue competition and move onto the next event.
- Steer Doctoring
- There are three head of cattle in the arena. The team doctors one of the steers, loads one steer and milks one cow. For the doctoring event, the team heads and heels one of the steers. The team then ties at least three legs of the steer, which needs to stay tied for six seconds, and puts an X on the “doctored” steer. All ropes must be removed except for the pigging string tying the steer.
- Trailer Loading
- For the Trailer Loading, one of the steers must be loaded in the trailer by whatever means necessary. All of the gates are closed on the trailer to begin; there is no setting of the gate prior to the time starting. Once the steer is in the trailer, the ropes must be removed and the gates must be closed and latched.
- Wild Cow Milking
- For the milking event, the team can head and heel the horned cow or head and mug the cow to milk her. Once the cow is milked, the bottle needs to be taken to one of the judges to pour the milk out.
The official rodeo results will be posted on the Laramie County Fair website at a later date.
