By Tom Smith � Photos by Joy Kennedy
Professional Rodeo was alive and well in North Carolina during the month of July. I attended the twenty-first annual Wagoner Ranch Rodeo in Lexington. The event located in the Silver Valley community has been produced by the Ken Treadway Rodeo Company for several years. The Wagoner Family has participated in Southeast rodeos since the 1950s. The rodeo arena is the product of love, support and a lot of hard work.
Weather reports in the area looked grim. Threatening skies, dusty wind and a spattering of rain kept away a few spectators from the usual crowded grassy knoll. I doubt anyone noticed the smaller than usual crowd as the event unfolded. Rodeo announcer Gary Trammell and the IPRA competitors kept the crowd enthusiastic as ever. I think everyone involved enjoyed themselves. Ken Treadway beamed with pride noting cowboys lined up paying entry fees dressed in starched shirts and clean hats.
Mr. Trammell along with Secretary Judy Thomas and timer Sheri Free ascended the crows nest ladder to man the announcers stand. Rodeo Judges Kenny Thomas and Jimmy Halpin took their place in the arena. The opening ceremony included a pride invoking tribute to the Native American Indian. The production choreographed by Pam Treadway featured their award winning APHA horses.
IFR 35 qualifier Mathew Bright took home the first place prize money in the bareback riding with a 75 point ride. Three -time World Champion Brian Massey picked up the second place check and a trip to the emergency room when his hand was jerked from the rigging following the eight second whistle. A few stitches over his eye and he was good as new. Josh Cragar ended up taking home third place. Up and comer bareback rider Tyler Oglesby from Liberty South Carolina bucked off a tough arm jerking bronc during the Friday night performance.
In the saddle bronc riding, Joe McCaleb from Anderson, South Carolina won first place. Joe is currently ranked ninth in the IPRA Championship Standings. Kevin Taylor won second place. Running on Harold �Miller Time� Kevin made it to the event with a photo finish. Ranch raised bullfighter Micah Phillips and Brandon Niedermeir-Tillery performed as pickup men setting cowboys safely on the ground.
Brian Barefoot won the steer wrestling event, followed by Josh Austin and Matt Oubre. Brian, who was featured in the June issue of Pro Rodeo World, will definitely be one to watch this season. In the tie down roping it was Logan Sill winning first, with Clint Keller, Cliff Hammond and Cody Waters following respectively.
In the cowgirl�s barrel racing the lovely Dixie Burton from Randleman, North Carolina turned in the winning time on �Blackie�. The gelding who was once considered lame was nursed back to health by Dixie and has been turning in fast times all year. Teresa Brown came in second place followed by Casey Wallace. Casey a �cowboy�s cowgirl� is a top hand in anyone�s book.
Shane Garrison and Heath Leroy took home first in the team roping with Dustin Coltrain and Josh Little coming in second. JW Baucom and Jeff Renaud picked up third place. Heath Leroy and Shane Garrison ended up in forth place out of thirty contestants.
The bull riding action included some close scores. Shawn Hensley won the event with an 81 point ride, followed by Cory Atwell; Cory scored 79 championship points for his effort. Ryan Skipper turned in a 78 followed by Chad Brinkley and Josh Reed. Bull fighter Micah Phillips made some daring rescues with funnyman Mike Ireland backing up.
Special thanks go to the Wagoner family for their continued support of our beloved sport, and congratulations on presenting the twenty-first annual Wagoner Ranch Rodeo.