Published: July 06, 2007 09:35 am      

Opening Night

Wimberley rodeo kicks off week with muddy Thursday

Wimberley — The weather made conditions wet and muddy in the area, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of those in the grandstands during the first night of the 62nd annual Wimberley VFW Fourth of July Rodeo here Thursday night.

A number of contestants were absent from the rodeo, as the sloppy arena and wet conditions made things very difficult for the cowboys and cowgirls that did compete. For example, only one cowboy completed an eight-second ride in the saddle bronc competition, while all seven bull-riding contestants, including 1996 Professional Bull Riders Tour champion Ronnie Kitchens, were bucked off before the buzzer.

“It really does make things difficult,” said bullrider Kevin Jordan of Gaffney, S.C. “For one, the bulls are wet, and when water gets on their hide, it makes them pretty slippery. Then your have the arena where you are soaked from the get go, all your equipment is wet, but you still can’t make excuses. You entered the rodeo, you have to show up and you have to give 100 percent no matter what.”

Only two cowboys were able to complete rides in the bucking competitions. Jim Richards of Dublin came through with a score of 71 in the bareback riding, while Tol Cawley of Crockett was the only rider out of seven in the saddle bronc to complete his ride with a score of 74.

The crowd took pleasure in watching the muddy spectacular. Those seated in the front-row boxes were showered with mud every time a bucking horse or bull ran by, and reveled each time a cowboy hit the mud. Saddle bronc contestant Clint Hopping of College Station got into the fun himself after he was thrown face first off the front of his horse. Hopping jumped up, held out both arms and plunged backwards into the wet mud to the delight of the fans.

While the cowboys were enduring their involuntary mud baths, the cowgirls put on impressive displays despite the soppy conditions. Ivy Sondergard of Sulphur, Okla. came through with a solid top time in the barrel racing with a time of 18.118 seconds, while Jayde Ward of Goldthwaite, Okla. had the second-best time at 18.658 seconds.

In the breakaway-roping, it was Ashley Guest of Highlands who held the lead with time of 3.30 seconds. Taylor’s Katy Kuhl held second with a time of 3.71.

Other leaders after the first day of competition included Elgin’s Doug Keeling in the steer wrestling with a time of 5.3 seconds, while Huntsville’s John Klier led the tie-down roping with a time of 11.17 seconds. Only two pairs competed in the team roping event and the times were not available after the event.

Another source of amusement for those in attendance was the performance put on by the little cowboys and cowgirls. The mutton bustin’ event, where kids try to hang on and ride a sheep for four seconds, was very amusing as all but one contestant didn’t plummet into the arena mud. The calf scramble was also a muddy affair, as numerous children sloshed, slipped and stumbled through the mud chasing after elusive calves trying to pull a pink ribbon off their tails.

Slack competition (contestants that were not scheduled into the main show) continues this morning, with tonight’s rodeo final set to start at 7:30 p.m. Then on Saturday, the PBR Challenger Tour makes a stop in Wimberley, bringing 45 of the nation’s best bullriders in to compete in a four-round elimination style tournament.

Admission to tonight’s rodeo final is $15 for adults and $10 for children, while Saturday’s PBR event is $20 for adults and $10 for children.