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Busting, Bucking & Barreling

June 12, 2024

Buckle Up, Cowpokes: 73rd Clifton Rodeo and Carnival draws big crowds to see top 2024 pro rodeo circuit along with local cowboys and cowgirls

CLIFTON – Because of the grueling work, the long days on the road, being away from home most days of the year, the popular Country song says “Momma’s don’t let your son grow up to be a cowboy.” But to a young lad at the rodeo, that lifestyle sure looks like a great way to live your life.

Being around all the pretty horses with their embossed tack, wearing that sharply starched dress shirt and straw cowboy hat, flirting with the cute tie-down roping girls, the thrill of handling a massive bull or just getting to wear those fringed chaps. It all sounds and looks so appealing. What better wake-up call and a way to learn that it’s not all glamour, fun and games by getting a mouthful of arena dirt after being thrown off an unwilling sheep?

Some of the youngsters participating in the Mutton Bustin’ at the 73rd Clifton Rodeo and Carnival June 7 and 8, rose to the challenge and just got up, wanting to ride again; while others took one look at the wooly ovis aries in the corral and decidedly shook their heads “Nope, not doin’ it, NOPE!” no matter the amount of coaxing from dad.

As the sheep wrangling got underway, the stands slowly filled with young and old for the start of the main show. People enjoyed a pleasant evening watching the spectacular show, having nachos and cheese with a chilled beverage, catching up with family and friends.

Besides the competitive performances, former tie-down roper and top notch rodeo announcer Zane Parker with his “let’s get ready to rumble” voice offered all sorts of background information on the riders and their rides. His banter with the rodeo clown crew kept the rodeo-loving crowd entertained between event set ups. Parker made a point to promote small town pride, patriotism, prayer and the good ol’ traditional way.

Like any small town event, they cannot be staged without an army of volunteers and generous sponsors offering prizes and monetary awards. And then, the cowboys and animal wranglers were provided by the Hat Brand Rodeo Company

Established over 30 years ago by Lynn Bottoms, and now owned and operated by Colten Sullivan of Centerville, the Hat Brand/Rocking M Rodeo Company produces rodeos across Texas and provides the award-winning livestock over the years. they stand for producing rodeos with high standards, morals, honesty and professionalism,

The rodeo also always proudly honors the Central Texas Youth Fair winners during the show, and many CTYF youth displayed their ribbons and newly-won belt buckles at the rodeo. And the calf scramble has the youth wrangling unwieldy and unwilling calves.

Besides prize money, the cowboys and cowgirls amass points for the United Professional Rodeo Association and Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association finals. According to Clifton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Paige Key, the rodeo being a joint-sanctioned rodeo is a major draw for quality contestants.

Showing the quality of the contestants: Bareback rider Zach Hibler was at the Clifton rodeo, winning $665,76 to add to his already impressive $14,365,11 he’s won this year. Coming in second Kash Loyd won $443.84, adding to this year’s cumulative winnings of $8,830,46. Both riders are Number One and Two in the CPRA and UPRA seasons standings.

Showing up for the Clifton barrel racing event were Number one, Number four, Number 17 and Number 22 in the season’s standings. For the breakaway roping Number 2, 6 and 10 in the season standings competed in Clifton. Calf roper Tyler Calhoun is Number one in the CPRA and UPRA standings for calf roping; in Clifton he placed second.

In Friday night’s performance, Kopperl’s Addi Young competed in the breakaway roping. Meridian’s Devon Eakon competed in the Tie-down roping. Court Kretzmeir from Valley Mills teamed up with Witney’s Justin Ince in the team roping.

When more contestants enter than can compete in the performances, they compete in the “Slack." It includes rodeo timed events like barrel racing, team roping, and tie-down roping. In Clifton, the Friday night slack gave the audience a chance to see local cowboys and cowgirls at work. Abby Walker, Dakota Underwood and Shelby Allen from Clifton, Jill Crotta from Hico, Jordyn Koonsman from Blum, Faith Fugitt from Whitney competed in the Friday Slack barrel racing. Ricky Perales from Valley Mills competed in the team roping with Waco’s Duron Lang.

As much as the twists, bucks, kicks and turns of the beautiful mustangs and massive bulls wowed the crowd, the Rocking M and Hat Brand’s pick-up men on horseback and on the ground in the arena garnered much respect and appreciation for putting themselves in harm’s way to keep the rodeo riders safe.

Whether watching the mutton bustin’ antics, the 4H calf scramble, the buckin’ broncs and bulls or the tight barrel racer turns, a rodeo never ceases to amaze, excite and grab you. It was no different at the 73rd Clifton Rodeo in Clifton last weekend. And after the rodeo, the Carnival was the place to go for young and old to hang out and enjoy the exciting rides and some fun under the neon lights in the warm, evening breeze.

Access the complete results in following link: 73RD CLIFTON RODEO Results