Santa Fe Trail Rodeo

Rodeo Santa Fe Trail

Thanks to his grandfather, Larned’s Rocke Foster developed a love of hard work on the ranch. Foster has used that love of ranching as chairman of the Santa Fe Trail Association rodeo.

“My grandfather was an old cowboy in western Nebraska,” Foster said. “I’d spend summers on his ranch, where I developed a true love for livestock and horses.”

Th e “cowboy” never left Foster, who joined the rodeo team at Kansas State University aft er graduating from Manhattan High School.

“I started in other events, but settled on team roping as the heel roper,” he said. “My pg p, y wife is tougher than me. She started as a bull rider.”

Foster works with Jason Skelton, who serves as assistant chairman of the Santa Fe Trail Association rodeo.

Two nights were run in July at the Pawnee County Fair with ranch bronc riding, bareback riding, calf roping, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding and mutton busting. First-place fi nishers were rewarded. Overall winners earned a belt buckle.

“Aft er last year, people were happy to get out and about,” he said. “It was an open rodeo, and we drew college rodeo contestants and cowboys from across the state — Barton County, Wichita, Salina, Topeka and cowboys out west. We were able to showcase our beautiful arena.”

Steve Kraft Rodeo Company from Abbyville brought the stock for the two-day show.

“Kraft Rodeo brings the support staff , and does a great job as the contractor,” Foster said.

Th e Santa Fe Trail Association kept ticket prices to $5 through business and individual sponsorships. Sponsored banners on the fencing helped pay for the rodeo.

“It’s work that gets easier every year because they see the benefi ts from sponsoring a local show,” Foster said. “My goal was to keep ticket prices low through sponsorships. It’s nice to see businesses and individuals invest time and money in their community. It was an entertaining show. We received positive feedback.”

Th e non-profi t organization donates to local causes, such as a free drive-in movie. Th e group funds projects for local elementary schools in the Larned and Pawnee Heights school districts.

“We help as many youngsters as we can,” he said.