Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Casey Tibbs rodeo weekend packs Ft. Pierre

Clouds, wind and intermittent rain might discourage attendance to some events, but not across drought-stricken cowboy country. In fact, they inspire ranchers and cowboys to celebrate. And that’s what they did, on the muddy bluff overlooking the Missouri River at Fort Pierre, SD, the first day of June, 2013. Cowboys and cowgirls flocked to the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center/Mattie Goff Newcombe Conference Center where they enjoyed a cowboy barbecue and exchanged information about how high the creeks ran, which dams got filled, when they branded and how big the calves were. Such happy gossip was interspersed with ooh’s and aah’s over the Johnny Smith Memorial Sculpture Garden, centered by a freshly unveiled life-size bronze representative of South Dakota pride. Created by Belle Fourche rancher, rodeo hand, and renowned artist Tony Chytka, the breathtaking statue commemorates a 2009 Cheyenne Frontier Days championship ride; World Champion bronc rider Billy Etbauer spurring out 89-points on Harry Vold’s magnificent bronc Painted Valley. Cowboy and announcer Rory Lemmel then introduced Billy Etbauer who, of course, needed no introduction. Lemmel pointed out, “You all know he’s won every major rodeo in the world!” but mentioned other qualities and accomplishments, calling Etbauer the “number one supporter of R-CALF,” and noting how hard he’s fought for agriculture...more

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