The beauty and majesty of the American quarter horse is on display today and Sunday at the Silver Spur circuit show in the 1st Community Credit Union Spur arena. Approximately 150 competitors will put their mounts through a variety of paces throughout both days starting at nine a.m. There are a number of competitions from the novice to the professional. It’s a great opportunity to see outstanding performances by our equine friends.
Speaking of horses, 230 cowboys ride into San Angelo starting Friday for the Wrangler Cowboy Roping Fiesta. The roping weekend, Oct. 24th-26th , starts with the preliminary roping as 150 ropers are entered up and competing for a chance to receive a coveted invitation to Saturday’s invitational jackpot calf roping. The preliminary roping is held in the 1st Community Credit Union Spur arena. In the past, a number of amateurs receiving invitations have enjoyed success in the invitational.
The invitational jackpot roping will be contested in the outdoor arena as 45 of the top ropers, including multiple world champions, compete for top prize money. The event is highlighted by a 12-head match roping between Cody Ohl of Hico and Stran Smith of Childress. Smith is fresh from the tie down roping victory at the Heartland series finale in Waco. Only the best ropers are invited to Heartland series finals based on points earned at a number of smaller rodeos throughout the United States. Smith won the first heartland title and would no doubt love to claim the Zesch and Pickett Insurance match roping victory in San Angelo against Ohl. By the way, Ohl has owned the match roping title for 10 out of 11 years. I predict the closest match roping in years.
Steer ropers headline the festivities on Sunday as 35 of the World’s best steer ropers enter the arena. A local favorite and San Angelo native, Tim Abbott will miss the event due to a fractured leg. The youngster had taken the steer roping world by surprise by first winning Cheyenne Frontier days and sitting number seven in the world standings. As part of the steer roping, the Multi-Chem double mugging event is scheduled in between rounds. 31 teams will attempt to rope and tie a 600 pound steer. Outside bull riding, there’s probably not a more dangerous way to win prize money. Broken bones and torn clothing are not unusual. It’s worth the price of admission alone. Don’t miss it.
The weekend also has entertainment as Jake Hooker and Outsiders perform in the Wells-Fargo Pavilion. Jake has brought his brand of country music to the roping fiesta for the past three years. Get your tickets early as he’s sure to sell out the pavilion.
There’s also shopping at the Cowboy Collectibles show in the coliseum starting at nine a.m. next Saturday and Sunday. Jewelry, clothes, spurs and other western goods will be on display all weekend. If like me, it’s always hard to buy for someone who you think has everything. This is the place to find one of kind items. And the best part, it’s free and open to the public.
Tickets are $10 for the roping each day and $15 for the dance. Tickets are available at the stock show office, 200 W. 43rd or telephone 325-653-7785. It’s a big social with great roping, dancing and shopping all rolled into one. Don’t miss it!
- Perry Curnutt, Marketing Director for the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo