Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo

Friday, September 25 | 7 p.m.

The Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo presents working cowboys competing in events such as team penning, stray gathering and wild cow milking. These events are based on ranch activities that are still a part of the modern cowboy’s daily routine. With the cowboy lifestyle becoming increasingly rare, the ranch rodeo is truly a heritage event, showcasing not only human skill but also their incredibly athletic equine counterparts.

2026 teams

• 7 Seas Ranch — Verona, Missouri
• Bailey Cattle/K & S Cattle — Exeter, Missouri
• CK Cattle/Hyer & Son Cattle — Erie, Kansas
• Detwiler Cattle Co. — Childress, Texas
• Drummond Land & Cattle Co. North — Pawhuska, Oklahoma
• Double L Ranch — Shamrock, Texas
• JH Cattle/Ohm Ranch — Alva, Oklahoma
• Myers Cattle Co — Claude, Texas
• Pogue Cattle Co/Hooten Cattle Co — Sulphur Springs, Texas
• Slash W Cattle — Texico, New Mexico
• Sooner Cattle Co — Pawhuska, Oklahoma
• Sumner Cattle/H Cross Cattle — Ramona, Oklahoma
• Sweetwater Cattle/Robinson Cattle — Newkirk, Oklahoma
• T & R Ranch — Verona, Missouri

Buckapalooza Rodeo

Saturday, September 26 | 7:30 p.m.

Delivering action-packed entertainment, top-ranked bucking bulls and broncs will test the skill and stamina of their riders. Following the Buckapalooza Rodeo will be an outdoor dance with live entertainment!

Other fun for spectators

Between the rough-stock events, there’s plenty more happening in the arena for the young and the young-at-heart.

Live ostrich races

Feathers fly when these birds hit the arena. Ostriches can top 40 miles per hour, and staying aboard — or even pointed in the right direction — is anybody’s guess. It’s a spectacle you have to see to believe.

Kids cash grab

Kids head into the arena to grab all the cash they can find. Listen for the announcement and line up at the gate.

Mutton bustin’

Young riders are placed on a sheep, which is then released to run, and they hang on as long as they can. Helmets are provided. It’s a fun way to introduce children to the rodeo in a safe environment — and the crowd loves every second of it.

The Jungle Race

Don’t miss this one — we can’t say much other than you’ll enjoy watching this entertaining competition!

Cowboy Trade Show

Get some retail therapy under the rodeo arena pavilion where you can shop for goods offered by saddle makers, bit and spur makers, as well as western decor, clothing, accessories and ranch trade.

Rodeo 101 — the history of and an explanation of the sport of rodeo

Rodeo events have long been a cornerstone of Western culture, captivating audiences with their thrilling display of cowboy and cowgirl skills. These exciting competitions, deeply rooted in the rich history of the American West, showcase a unique blend of athleticism, precision and raw courage. From the heart-pounding action of bull riding to the lightning-fast precision of barrel racing, rodeo events offer a diverse array of challenges that test both human and animal athletes and demand a level of skill and dedication that few other sports can match.

The world of rodeo events is a tapestry of tradition and modern sport, where the skills once essential for cattle ranching have evolved into fierce competitions. Each rodeo event tells a story of the Old West, preserving the heritage of cowboys and cowgirls while thrilling contemporary audiences.

Allow us to take you on a journey through the dusty arena, examining each rodeo event in detail. Whether you’re a long-time rodeo enthusiast or new to the sport, this exploration of rodeo events will deepen your appreciation for the skill, bravery and tradition that make rodeo a beloved part of American culture and Peace Treaty’s heritage.

Origins of rodeo events

The history of rodeo is deeply intertwined with the development of cattle ranching in the Americas. What began as practical skills for managing livestock eventually evolved into competitive events that celebrate Western heritage. The first rodeo ordinance was passed in 1551 in Central Mexico, marking the beginning of organized cattle handling events.

• Bronc riding originated from breaking and training horses for ranch work
• Bull riding evolved as a more challenging progression from bronc riding
• Steer wrestling was invented by Bill Pickett in the early 1900s, inspired by cattle dogs
• Tie-down roping was developed from the need to catch and restrain calves for branding or medical treatment
• Team roping originated from techniques used to capture larger cattle too big for one person to handle
• Barrel racing showcased the agility and speed of horses used in ranch work
• Breakaway roping is a variation of tie-down roping developed as a women’s event

The first recorded formal rodeo competition took place on July 4, 1883, in Pecos, Texas, marking the beginning of rodeo as a spectator sport.

Rodeo events

Categories and types

Rodeo events can be divided into two main categories: roughstock events and timed events. Each category tests different skills and abilities, reflecting the diverse tasks performed on traditional cattle ranches. Let’s take a closer look at each category and the specific events they encompass.

Roughstock events

Roughstock events are the heart-pounding, crowd-pleasing competitions that pit rider against animal. In these events, cowboys attempt to stay mounted on bucking horses or bulls for 8 seconds. Judges score both the rider’s performance and the animal’s bucking ability. The three main roughstock events are bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding.

• Bareback riding
  • Rider grasps a leather handhold called a rigging with one hand
  • Rider must keep feet above the horse’s shoulders at the start (mark out)
  • Judged on control, spurring technique, and exposure to the horse’s strength
  • Disqualified for touching themselves, the equipment or horse with free hand
• Saddle bronc riding
  • Considered rodeo’s classic event
  • Rider uses a specialized saddle and holds a single rein
  • Rider must “mark out” at the start like in bareback riding
  • Judged on rhythm, control and spurring technique
• Bull riding
  • Riders attempt to stay on a bucking bull for 8 seconds
  • Use a flat-braided rope, wrapped around the bull’s chest
  • Rider not required to “mark out” at the start
  • Judged primarily on ability to stay aboard
  • Considered one of the most dangerous rodeo events

Timed rodeo events

Timed events showcase the speed and precision of cowboys and cowgirls as they complete tasks similar to those performed on working ranches. These events are all about efficiency and accuracy, with competitors racing against the clock. The main timed events include steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping.

• Steer wrestling (bulldogging)
  • Cowboy chases a steer on horseback, then dismounts to wrestle it to the ground
  • Assisted by a hazer who keeps the steer running straight
  • Timed from when the steer is released until it’s on its side with all legs pointing the same direction
  • 10-second penalty if cowboy starts too soon
• Tie-down roping
  • Cowboy ropes a calf, dismounts, runs to the calf and ties three of its legs together
  • Horse must keep rope taut while cowboy is on the ground
  • Tie must hold for 6 seconds after the cowboy remounts
  • 10-second penalty if cowboy starts too soon
• Team roping
  • Two cowboys work together to rope a steer
  • Header ropes the head/horns, while heeler ropes the hind legs
  • Timed event, with penalties for only catching one hind leg
• Barrel racing
  • Typically a women’s event
  • Rider and horse navigate a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels
  • Timed event with penalties for knocking over barrels
• Breakaway roping
  • Similar to tie-down roping, but rope is tied to the saddle with a string
  • Clock stops when the string breaks after roping the calf
  • Popular among women competitors

The Peace Treaty Rodeo Committee is a committee of the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Association, annually working to build funds for the future of the MLPT.