Ready to ride at Lincoln Co. Fair
Mud didn\'t stop fans of ranch rodeo on Saturday
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TYLER -- The rodeo arena at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds was like one big puddle thanks to rain that came through southwest Minnesota late last week. But the mud couldn't keep rodeo competitors away.
On Saturday morning, horses and riders were warming up and testing out the arena conditions as the clock ticked down to the start of the ranch rodeo at the Lincoln County Fair.
"It's a little muddy," Kenzley Pater said, after she and her horse warmed up in the arena.
"It seems pretty good though. It's not super slippery." Pater said. She was excited for the rodeo to start.
A total of 20 four-person teams took part in Saturday's rodeo, said organizers from Birch Coulee Arena. The event drew competitors from southwest Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa.
Ranch rodeo has events that focus more on roping and herding cattle, instead of bronco or bull riding, competitors explained.
"It's more of actual stuff you do on a ranch," said Jack Goelz.
Goelz's rodeo team included riders from the Pipestone and Edgerton areas.
Some of the participants at Saturday's rodeo, including Goelz, said they got started competing in high school rodeo before getting into ranch rodeo.
Pater said this was her third year competing in ranch rodeo.
"I've seen it a couple of times, and started doing it," she said.
The atmosphere and camaraderie at ranch rodeo were part of the fun, competitors said.
"You do it with all of your friends, and you meet new people," Zack Sneller said. "It's just fun."
"It's a lot more laid back," Goelz said.
The fun atmosphere didn't mean the events were less challenging, especially with the muddy conditions. Saturday's rodeo kicked off with the team sorting event, where teams of riders on horseback had to separate specific numbered calves out of a group, and herd them to the opposite end of the arena one by one. Spectators outside the ring yelled encouragement as each team tried to get the best time.
Halie Duncanson, a rodeo participant from Mapleton, said the event was one of her favorite parts of ranch rodeo.
"I love sorting," she said.
Duncanson said she had been doing ranch rodeo for about eight years.
"It's really fun. You can go really fast," she said.