PHOTO ESSAY BY HADLEY ANNE KIBBE
BIG BEND RANCH RODEO 2021
Every August , working cowboys and cowgirls converge on the beautiful Sul Ross State University S . A . L . E . Arena in Alpine to compete in the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo . This year ’ s performances were captured by the official photographer for the event , Hadley Anne Kibbe , based in Alpine . Here , Kibbe shares highlights from that weekend .
Ranch rodeos are different from professional rodeos . Ranch rodeo contestants are full-time working ranch hands , rather than full time professional rodeo performers . The competitions are also different . Ranch rodeo features individual and team events based on the real work that takes place on cattle ranches . For example , horseback contestants display finesse , horsemanship , and teamwork as they attempt to sort a cow from the herd in the Team Sorting event . Other events include Bronc Riding , Team Branding , Team Doctoring and more .
Ranch youth also get to showcase their skills in the Youth Working Cowhorse Competition . In what is perhaps one of the greatest highlights of the weekend , youth as young as seven deftly maneuver their ponies to steer a cow around the arena . And children love to race across the arena during the Boot Scramble contest . It ’ s a family-friendly weekend celebrating the unique lifestyles of working cowboys and cowgirls . The team with the highest overall points is awarded champion status and gets an automatic bid to compete in the Working Ranch Cowboys Association World Championships held in Amarillo each November . This year ’ s Big Bend Ranch Rodeo Champions were the Hatchet / Falcon Valley team from Southern Arizona .
14 Cenizo Fall 2021