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Rodeo -
Mutton bustin'
Rodeo roots date back to the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors and Spanish-Mexican settlers introduced the propagation of horses and cattle in the Southwest. Skills of the range cowboy led to competitive contests that eventually resulted in standard events for rodeo. It’s fitting that two of the earliest rodeos on record were held in Texas in 1883 in Pecos.
If anyone knows rodeos, it’s the YMBL. The annual YMBL South Texas State Fair is set to begin Thursday, March 24, at Ford Park, which means cowboys and cowgirls will fill Ford Arena on opening weekend.
For more than 50 years, the YMBL has held their annual rodeo and according to YMBL Fair Chairman Donnie Warner, this year is bigger and better than ever.
“Competitors from all over the country will be competing for money in this pro rodeo,” said Warner, a member of the YMBL since 1978. “This year, we will have eight events each night –
bull riding, saddle bronc, bare back, steer wrestling, calf roping, girls barrel racing and breakaway roping, and the popular mutton bustin’ for the kids.”
New this year is girls barrel racing. “It’s a big deal,” said Warner. “Some of these ladies have horses worth more than $100,000, so we brought in a special type of dirt this year that helps prevent the horses from slipping.”
To ensure the high standards of rodeo, the YMBL has once again partnered with rodeo aficionado Jerry Nelson and his Frontier Rodeo Company, whose list of awards includes being named the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Stock Contractor of the Year for seven consecutive years. With the reputation of Nelson and his involvement in numerous rodeo associations assures that Beaumont will again play host to numerous world champion competitors. If that’s not enough, eight-time world champion Don Gay will provide play-by- play commentary.
Before the rodeo kicks off on Friday, March 25, a special Mutton Bustin’ qualifier will be held in Ford Arena on Thursday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m. and it’s free to attend.
For those who have never heard of mutton bustin’, small cowboys and cowgirls, who are ages 5 to 7 years old and weigh less than 55 pounds, will attempt to clamber aboard a wild, wooly sheep and try to hang on for six seconds. More than 100 kiddos will compete for one of 24 spots. Each night during the rodeo, eight will have a chance to compete for a prized belt buckle and a $250 savings bond.
The rodeos will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 25, and 5 p.m. on both Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27. Entry to the fair, which is $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and free for children under the age of 2, also includes free entry to the rodeo Friday-Sunday, but does not guarantee a seat.
A special $12 rodeo ticket, which can be purchased online at fordpark.com or at the gate, allows patrons a reserved seat and a VIP meet-and-greet with beloved actor Forrie J. Smith, who plays Lloyd Pierce in the successful television series “Yellowstone.” Each night after the rodeo, those who have purchased a rodeo ticket can meet Smith and take a selfie-photo with the real-life cowboy. Speaking of cowboys, Warner remembers when former Walt Harrison participated in the YMBL Rodeo.
“Walt was a fullback for the Dallas Cowboys football team during the Roger Staubach era,” said Warner. “He was also a real cowboy, too. During the offseason, he would participate in the pro rodeo circuit.”
Warner said those who come to the rodeo will be entertained for two hours. “You are getting good, quality entertainment,” he said. “Nowadays, you have certain budget to allocate for entertainment and we want you to be entertained whether it be clowns, cowboys or cowgirls. People are ready to get out of their house and have fun. This is the perfect place to have fun.”
Since 1957, the South Texas State Fair has attracted an estimated attendance of more than half a million annually from 10 counties in Southeast Texas and three Southwest Louisiana parishes. Although a nonprofit committee of the YMBL, the fair and rodeo provides its sponsoring organization with more than 90% of its total revenue, which the YMBL shares with the community in direct gifts to area charitable organizations, youth projects, civic programs such as 100 Club of Southeast Texas, American Cancer Society, Anayat House, ARC of Greater Beaumont, Boys’ Haven, Child Abuse & Forensic Services, Christus Health Foundation, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Family Services of Southeast Texas, Garth House, Girl’s Haven, Gulf Coast Marrow Donor Program, Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” program, Shorkey Rehabilitation Center, Some Other Place, Southeast Texas Food Bank and countless others.
The YMBL hosted a special kids’ day rodeo March 23, which allows special needs children to fill the Ford Arena stands and enjoy the evening along with hotdogs and sodas.
“The beloved Harold Engstrom, a former justice of the peace and YMBL president, came up with that idea,” said Warner. “I’m dedicated to this organization because I believe in what we do.”
For complete fair information, view ymbl.org.
Chad Cooper is the Entertainment Editor. Contact cooper@theexaminer.com.