Gyp Hills Roundup Rodeo

Saturday night rodeo excitement

Summer fun for everyone!

June 7, 2025

Gates at 6:30 p.m., rodeo at 8 p.m.

Buckle up and get ready for a great summer kick-off event in Medicine Lodge! The Gyp Hills Roundup Rodeo is back on June 7 and there will be something fun for everyone!

This rodeo features all of the favorite rodeo events, but adults and kids of all ages can get into the action with special contests, scrambles, mutton bustin’ and more. Both food and retail vendors will be available, as well as T-shirts and cold beer.

Tickets are $15 for adults. Students K-12 are $5. Children 5 and under are free if accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be sold at the gate.

Signature events

• Bull riding
• Bareback riding
• Saddle bronc riding
• Steer wrestling
• Tie down roping
• Breakaway roping
• Team roping
• Barrel racing

Exciting extras

American Freedom Riders

The American Freedom Riders Drill Team from north-central Kansas offer various horseback routines they have prepared for the enjoyment of the crowd.

This team, established in 2012, has appeared in the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Pageant, Abilene’s Chisholm Trail Days, the Lawrence Old Fashioned Christmas Horse Parade, the Scott City Rodeo, the Kansas State Fair, veterans and military events and various other events throughout Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. Sometimes the group can be found helping with cowboy camp or giving pony rides.

This group loves riding and loves celebrating this great country, our military and the emergency responders who work hard to protect us. God bless America! View video on Facebook of a recent performance.

Sunflower State Mounted Shooters

Mounted shooting is one of the fastest growing sports in the equine industry. This group of Cowboy Mounted Shooters is from the Pretty Prairie area, and they are required to carry two long Colt .45’s and dress in 1800’s western attire. Their amazing combination of horsemanship and marksmanship will be on display during this special performance. View video on YouTube of a recent performance.

Other fun for spectators

Cash and toy scramble

Ages 10 and under

What’s better than free toys and CASH?!?!? Kids 10 and under will have the opportunity to grab both during our cash and toy scramble during the rodeo.

Calf Scramble

Ages 11-18

Older kids will have a chance to win prize money, too! Kids will chase a calf with a ribbon tied to its tail. The first kid to grab the ribbon and remove it wins! All participants will be given participation prizes.

Magic Carpet Ride

Ages 14 and up

Teams of two (one horseback and one being pulled on a carpet) will race the length of the arena to see who is the fastest! Forsyth Furniture will provide the carpets, but teams must provide their own horse. Entry is $20 per team, with the fastest team winning the prize money. The number of teams will be limited. Pre-entry is not necessary, but encouraged.

Mutton Bustin’

60 lbs. and under

In mutton busting, children are placed on a sheep, which is then released to run, and the children try to stay on as long as possible. It’s a fun event for rodeo audiences, and it’s seen as a way to introduce young children to the rodeo environment in a safe way. Helmets are provided. Entry is $20 per child, and the number of entries will be limited. Longest ride wins the prize money, but each participant will receive a participation prize.

Stick Horse Rodeo

Ages 11 and under

Kids under 12 will be able to participate in rodeo events on stick ponies and try their hand at dummy roping. This event will run after the rodeo until 11 p.m.

Live music

Stick around after the rodeo for music from Space Madness! Dance under the stars or just relax and visit.

T-shirt design contest

New this year is a contest for all Barber County students. The winner’s artwork will be featured on the front of the event T-shirt. Print your entry form now!

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