14 minute read
Givin’ It All Ya Got
When the Deer Trail and West of the Pecos rodeos drew cowboys and crowds in the late 1800s, few realized that the last chapter of the warhorse was about to be written. The cavalry would be phased out after World War I – but not before millions of horses died pulling ambulances, supply wagons, and artillery over terrain too rough for vehicles.
It seemed like the end of the trail – but history has a way of pulling surprises out of its cowboy hat.
Advertisement
The United States Army Special Forces used sturdy steeds in battle during the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. It was the first time American troops rode horses in combat since 1942. The movie “12 Strong” starring Chris Hemsworth portrays their exploits; a bronze statue of a Special Ops soldier on horseback in New York City’s Liberty Park honors their efforts. The striking statue by artist Douwe Blumberg, dedicated by thenVice President Joe Biden in a 2011 Veteran’s Day ceremony, is called America's Response Monument and is subtitled De Oppresso Liber – the official motto of Special Ops, which can be translated from the Latin as “To Free the Oppressed.”
With its flowing lines and action stance, Blumberg’s bigger-thanlife warrior overlooks the September 11 Memorial & Museum. The statue looks as if it could be picked up and transported back in time to either the Deer Trail or West of the Pecos rodeos and fit right in with those pioneer gatherings.
Blumberg, a horse trainer and history buff, crafted a remarkable metaphor that connects the essence of military service and rodeo life. It’s no wonder, then, that cowboys and cowgirls welcome with open arms any Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine who chooses to
“It’s the ropes and the reins And the joy and the pain And they call the thing rodeo.” Garth Brooks, “Rodeo” (1991)
swap combat boots for cowboy boots to enjoy a weekend of R&R (Rest & Relaxation) by adding a third R – for Rodeo.
There are many organizations that help make that transition easier. One of them is the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association (http://rodeopafra.com), a non-profit veterans organization comprised of active-duty, retired servicemen and women, reservists, National Guard and honorably discharged veterans from all branches of service.
James Hastings, retired Army, is PAFRA’s president.
“The organization's goal is to provide a venue where men and women who share the bond of military service can come together and compete in the sport of rodeo,” Hastings said. PAFRA recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its World Championship Rodeo in the Landon Arena at the Stormont Vail Events Center in Topeka, Kansas. Military personnel and their families traveled from across America to participate. Events included Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Chute Dogging, Mounted Shooting, Tie-Down Roping and Breakaway Roping.
“That rodeo was the biggest we ever had,” Hastings said.
The event helped fulfill the association’s stated goal: “The mission of PAFRA is to provide a Veterans-based, Values-oriented Rodeo Association that empowers its members to Serve their Communities through Servant Leadership and Rodeo.”
Hastings said that there were a number of things that made this particular gathering memorable – one of which was honoring the 13 men and women who died in the Kabul airport attack in August, all but one of which were in their 20s. The oldest was 31.
“Look at the ones we just lost and their ages,” Hastings said. “They made their choice to join, knowing it was a nation at war. They flat-out knew they were going into a war… intense danger.”
For each service member who was killed, Hastings said an empty pair of combat boots and a folded American flag were placed on the grounds of the arena. He added that their sacrifice was an example of selfless service and leadership.
“We need people who have that attitude,” he said.
Another significant moment at the anniversary rodeo was the presence of PAFRA’s founding fathers – one of whom was J.D. Burns.
“In the beginning, four of us came together, and we built the rodeo association for the military cowboy by the military cowboy,” Burns said, adding that “This year we went to World Championship Finals, the four of us, and were amazed … we are in awe of what the membership has done with this association. The one thing that we all started for was it be an association by the members and for the members.”
That’s exactly what’s happened.
“Rodeo really and truly is a family affair,” Burns explained. “If Dad is a roper or a bronc-rider (or whatever) that love of this sport carries on to the next generation. One of our older member’s son and daughter are now in youth rodeo, and riding steers and goat-tying, and barrelracing and all that.” g
Burns served more than 20 years in the Air Force. He’s had tours overseas, including Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait – but it’s at the rodeo where he feels most at home.
“It’s like watching your child grow and become an adult,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud of what this association has done and where it has gone and how it has grown and how it’s being led today.”
At the other end of the spectrum is Dan Francis, a relative newcomer to rodeos.
Francis was involved in Explosive Ordinances Disposal with the Army. Getting involved with the rodeo was the furthest thing from his mind but his older daughter trained horses and his younger daughter trained ponies – so guess what they roped him into? Yup. You guessed it.
After his introduction to the third R, Dan Francis got involved in Chute Doggin’. Here’s a brief description: Competitors start the event in a roping chute with a steer. When the chute opens, the steer must be brought to a line 10 feet from the chute and wrestled (or “dogged”) to the ground, with all four feet of the steer in the air.
The action is fast and furious.
“It’s classy on how they put together presentations to the public,” Francis says of PAFRA. “They honor the rodeo. They honor the United States… Rodeo and horse people are very loyal to their country.”
He said that his only disappointment is that more people don’t know how much the rodeo supports the military: “It promotes so many things that are so wonderful to see.”
Here are some other organizations that help promote rodeo living:
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (www.prorodeo.com) Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, PRCA is the oldest and biggest rodeo-sanctioning body in the world.
Military Rodeo Cowboys Association (www.mrcarodeo.org) Open to current active duty, guard, reserve, honorably discharged veterans or retired from military service.
Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association (www.rodeopafra.com) PAFRA’s mission is to provide a veterans-based, values-oriented rodeo association that empowers members to serve their communities through servant leadership and rodeo. g
Warriors and Rodeo (www.warriorsandrodeo.org) “WAR” is a nonprofit organization designed to give back to those who are willing to put their life on the line for our country's freedoms and safety.
Military Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame (www.mrchof.com) MRCHOF’s purpose is to establish a sports hall of fame to honor significant achievements and/or contributions by individuals in the sport of military rodeo.
Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (www.wpra.com) The association, which started in 1948 with a group of Texas ranch women, is the oldest women’s sports organization in the country. Cowboy’s Professional Rodeo Association (www.cprarodeo.com) The CPRA was formed in 1992 by a handful of producers and contestants. The association held its first finals in Lufkin, Texas.
National Cowboy Pro Rodeo Association (www.ncprarodeo.com) Founded with the rodeo competitor in mind, NCPRA’s goal is to ensure each and every rodeo is presented to the rodeo fan at the highest of levels.
Professional Bull Riders (www.pbr.com) Headquartered in Pueblo, Colorado, PBR was created in 1992 by a group of 20 visionary bull riders, seeking mainstream attention for future generations of cowboys. g
BANDED PEAKS RIVER RANCH
IN SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO
In the heart of the beautiful, lush Navajo River Valley in Southwestern Colorado is a Clear Cool River that meanders on the northern boundary of a 1768+/- acre ranch, known as Banded Peaks River Ranch. The 1.5 miles of Navajo River that traverses the ranch is home to Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat and Native Trout, making Fly Fishing an excellent catch and release pastime or sport! Multiple spring fed ponds attract the area’s big game population! There are lush, green, alpine meadows filled with Aspen Trees, Fir Trees and Ponderosa Pines! The mature forests create excellent privacy as well as seclusion; yet easily accessible via a year round, maintained County Road! The roads within the ranch are private and are shared maintenance. Expansive Views of the Snowcapped Mountains namely the Banded Peaks, Navajo Peak and the Chalk Mountains will command your attention from just about everywhere on the property! This is truly a hidden gem! If you have been searching for the perfect piece of Colorado, look no further, this IS the “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow! Nothing compares to the astounding beauty in this pristine, mountain ranch! Imagine building your dream home overlooking & hearing the rushing water in the Navajo River. You will love relaxing and exploring the serene, mountain paradise that surrounds you! To find a ranch of this quality, with everything Banded Peaks River Ranch has to offer is beyond rare! This is a “Once In A Lifetime Opportunity!” If you love to hike, mountain bike, RZR/ATV ride or just enjoy a day on horseback, the possibilities are endless and offer STUNNING scenery in every direction! Early mornings and evenings you may enjoy deer and elk grazing in the meadows! The surrounding areas include, Pagosa Springs, just a short 30 minute drive and offers one of the World’s most famous and popular Hot Springs. The facilities at Pagosa Hot Springs are second to none with 23 soaking pools ranging from 83 degrees to 114 degrees! Pagosa offers many fine restaurants and additional recreational opportunities! Durango is 1.5 hours west, and is a great destination for shopping, dining and even more outdoor activities; the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a big attraction, one you don’t want to miss! Wolf Creek Ski Area is right about an hour’s drive offering some of the best “Powder” in all of Colorado! It is best known for more annual snowfall than any other resort in all of Colorado! Taos Ski Area is 2 hours South of Banded Peaks River Ranch, and Santa Fe is 2.5 hours and a favorite city to visit because of its many cultural and historic buildings and museums. Don’t wait, call today to make an appointment if you are seeking to own the “Best Land” in all of Colorado!
This is a Legacy Property, don’t miss it, CALL NOW!!!
The property can be purchased as a whole for $24,000,000 or as individual parcels; acreage & pricing starting with 93.05 acres for $750K. Owner Financing available WAC.
• 100% of the Mineral, Water, Oil and Gas Rights owned by Seller will be conveyed • The ranch lies in an “Opportunity Zone” • Ranch is free of any Conservation Easement but is most likely eligible if desired by the new Owner
Carol D. Games • Broker/Owner
HOMES-CABINS-LAND-RANCHES
But it isn’t just national organizations that get involved. Local rodeos of every size make a point to connect with military families. To name a few:
The Boots for Glory Veteran’s Rodeo benefits the American Legion Post 81 of Choctaw County, Alabama. The theme: “All gave some, some gave all.”
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo holds special Armed Forces Appreciation Day to honor the brave men and women for their service in the U.S. military. The thing about rodeos – big and small, national or local – is that you never know what’s going to happen next.
Don’t believe that? Just ask Wayne Boney, who knows what it’s like to live with one foot in the military and another in the arena.
Boney served 20 years in the Air Force, reaching the rank of Tech Sergeant (E-6) while making it a priority to ride every chance he got.
It paid off:
The veteran Bull Rider was a five-time World Champion for the Military Rodeo Cowboys Association (MRCA) and two-time AllAround. (It should be noted that in 1993 he became only the third person to win World Titles in Bareback Riding, Bull Riding as well as the All-Around, a rodeo trifecta if there ever was one).
As a civilian, Boney maintained his rodeo street creds working as an instructor at Sankey Rodeo Schools. He also serves as Director of Rodeo Administration for the MRCA and is secretary/historian for the Military Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.
But even extensive experience doesn’t guarantee things will be easy. For example, during one competition, a bull unexpectedly jumped, turned, and twisted – leaving Boney and his ride momentarily faceto-face. He describes what happens next: g
National Western Stock Show, established in 1906, is a premier livestock, rodeo, and horse show that sponsors a special Military Appreciation Night as a part of its nationally known gathering.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo in Killeen, Texas, hosts military appreciation night. Military personnel receive free entry into the event with a military identification card.
Volunteers involved with the Military Affairs Committee assist the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in fostering relationships with branches of the military.
The San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association hosts Military Appreciation Night to honor military members for protecting the rights and freedom of others.
“He knocked me down into the chute. Pinned me there. Commenced to hitting me with his horns, his head, and his hooves. Just beating me up at the bottom at that chute.”
An arena worker ran over and opened the gate.
“Once he left the chute, I rolled over to my stomach and got up on my knees. Tried to stand up. My chest was one massive amount of pain.”
Not surprisingly, Boney ended up at the hospital.
“Obviously I was pretty messed up and needed some help,” he said.
Despite bruises head-to-toe, as well as broken ribs, Boney showed up for roll-call Monday morning right on time.
After 22 years of “rodeo retirement,” Boney decided last year to join the Senior Pro tour. “At 62, I have to be a little more discerning about what I get on,” he said. “Last year was a great year even though we fought through the pandemic to get rodeos. Due to our co-sanction arrangement with one of the Senior Pro associations, I was able to get enough points to make the MRCA World Finals Rodeo that was held in North Carolina in December of 2020.”
Boney placed third in the World for the MRCA.
“This year wasn't going as good, and in August I separated my pelvis in the middle of a bull ride and also ruptured my bladder,” he said “Had surgery to repair all of it in Rapid City, South Dakota, and made it home a couple days later.”
Two weeks out of surgery Boney was doing a CrossFit Fundraiser workout (albeit, a very modified version), but he raised a lot of money for a Christian mission project to get fresh water to folks in some tough areas of the world.
“I'm eligible to start rehab next week to see if I can get ready for next season which starts around April,” Boney said.
Boney’s success has not gone unnoticed.
“In October of 2019 I was inducted to the Military Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame based on my owning most of the records in the MRCA,” he said. “With last year's WFR (World Finals Rodeo) qualification, I have now qualified for the WFR 18 times. The next closest competitor has eight, and nobody behind me is still competing.”
Amazing.
PAFRA’s Hastings summarized the military-rodeo connection this way:
“The sheer adrenaline rush and gut-tingle of being set and ready to nod for the gate, or for the roping stock, is not too far removed from stepping out of the door of an aircraft in flight, sliding down a rappel rope, or kicking out on a convoy with heavy threat.”
So whether it’s R&R or an adrenaline rush mixed with a gut-tingle, a weekend at the rodeo serves up a smorgasbord of competition, patriotism, majesty, and family fun. It’s been that way for more than a hundred years – and if military personnel and rodeo lovers have anything to do with it, these action-packed gatherings will be around for a hundred more.
Jim Lamb is a retired journalist. He served in the United States Navy, including a brief stint in Vietnam, and attended the University of South Florida on the G.I. Bill.
All Photos by Douglas Busby Photography
