Women's Ranch Rodeo at county fair ropes in fans
,A little over two years ago, Callie Peterson and her sister-in-law Dustin Peterson began talking about the need for more women's ranch rodeos in Marion County and surrounding areas.
Little did Callie know the conversation she and Dustin had would become the catalyst to what is now regarded as one of the biggest events at the Marion County Fair.
For the second straight year, Peterson, who brought the Marion County Women's Ranch Rodeo event to the Marion County Fair in 2002, will showcase the event that brought more than 500 fans to the arena.
"I wasn't expecting half the number of fans that ended up filling the stands last year," Peterson said. "I was impressed. It's the biggest (women's) rodeo we've had around this area. I'm anticipating at least the same size crowd as last year if not a hair more."
Peterson's team Rafter P ranch rodeo team, featuring Peterson, Pat Christiansen of Durham, Billy Jo Claassen of Burns, and Paige Westfall of Abilene, will be one of nine teams competing in this year's event.
The event will feature most of the same of events from the prior year including team sorting, calf branding, trailer loading, calf doctoring, and all-around honors. Peterson also said the rodeo will recognize one woman among the nine teams competing as the "top-hand," or the events' strongest and most outstanding competitor.
The growth of the new women's rodeo hasn't made Peterson's life any easier according to the 29-year-old married mother of two, and Marion business woman, who owns the hair salon, Signatures.
"It's a lot of headaches and a lot of stress," Peterson said. "I never thought it would take off like it has. I'm thankful that I have a lot of people around me who have helped and volunteered."
Peterson said volunteers Paula Morgan, Chuck McLinden, and Tamara Stenzel have been intricate parts of this year's rodeo.
"If it wasn't for those folks, I wouldn't have a chance of pulling this off," Peterson said. "I learned a lot from last year and this is going to be a better year."
With nine teams coming to the event, according to Peterson, and a top prize of $600, Peterson expects positive things at this year's contest.
"If you're going to have a rodeo, you've got to have a big pay-back," Peterson said. "It's the money that brings them in."
According to Peterson, a team from New Mexico will make the trip to Hillsboro in early August for the competition.
"I'm excited because we've got a team coming from New Mexico," Peterson said. "Apparently, the event is worth coming."
People around the area seem to agree, and so do other rodeo organizations.
"I had people call me from the Newton Saddle Club wanting us to do one for them, but it's just too much of a headache," Peterson said.
She said that area rodeo enthusiasts have inquired about the rodeo's future.
"I feel like I'm committed," Peterson said. "As long as the fair board is tickled about us being there, I already have sponsors who are waiting for next year. I feel like I created this baby and now I have to raise it."
The rodeo begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Marion County Fairgrounds arena.
