-
The first responder steer saddling competition will return to the Marble Falls Rodeo this weekend. File photo
Some $7,500 in added money will be up for grabs when the Marble Falls Pro Rodeo returns for its 65th year July 15-17 at the Charley Taylor Arena, 3053 S. U.S. 281, Marble Falls.
Sanctioned by both the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association and United Professional Rodeo Association, the Marble Falls Pro Rodeo began accepting entries from cowboys not just locally, but from across Texas and the United States, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, July 12.
Entries will continue to be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, and late entries will be accepted as needed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 14. To enter, call 337-42-RODEO (337-427-6336).
Events include bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, ranch saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, cowgirls barrel racing, cowgirls breakaway roping, steer wrestling and team roping. As in year’s past, the rodeo is produced by Cadillac Rodeo and Johnny Hoyle.
Entry fees are $75 per person for bareback, saddle bronc, ranch saddle bronc and bull riding; $85 per person for girls barrel racing; $105 per person for girls breakaway roping and steer wrestling; $125 per person for calf roping and $310 for a two-man team in the team roping.
The total prize money in any event is made up of the entry fees paid by contestants plus the purse put up by the rodeo committee, which is called added money. Added money for ranch saddle bronc is $500, while added money for bareback, saddle bronc, calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing is $700 and bull riding and team roping is $1,400.
A youth rodeo will be held Wednesday, July 14, at the arena. Books open at 6 p.m. and events start at 7 p.m., including pole bending, goat ribbon run, flag race, straightaway barrels and cloverleaf barrels. Divisions are for boys and girls in four age ranges — 15-18, 12-14, 9-11 and 8 and under.
This event is open to youth not just from Burnet County, but also San Saba, Llano, Blanco, Lampasas, Williamson, Travis and Bell counties as well. This event is hosted by the Burnet 4-H Horse Club and entry forms can be found at their Facebook page.
Rodeo slack night will be held Thursday, July 15 at 8 p.m. All performances in the primary two days of the rodeo must be filled before slack will be offered.
Gates open on Friday at Saturday at 6:30 p.m., and the rodeo is scheduled to begin both nights at 8 p.m. Queens will be announced on Friday night. There will be prizes for the queen, first runner-up and second runner-up. Winners will receive a sash and a tiara, and the queen will receive a belt buckle.
There will be Mutton Bustin’ held both Friday and Saturday nights, but to compete, contestants must pre-register at Blair’s Western Wear or call 830-693-4000. There will be two heats of 12 kids each night. Competition is open to kids ages 4-8 as long as they weigh 55 pounds or less.
Friday night is First Responders Night; First responder organizations will create three-man teams for a steer saddling competition that will benefit Pink Out Marble Falls. The challenge gauntlet has been thrown by Coy Guenter at the Marble Falls Fire Rescue and as many as 12 local teams will be taking part in the event. Entry is $45 per team.
Saturday night is Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night; all attendees are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness and research.
Admission for the main rodeo is $15 for adults on Friday and Saturday; admission for kids aged six to 12 is $5; admission is free for children under 6. Friday night’s admission covers participation in the Friday Nite Dance featuring the Adam Fears Band, while Saturday night’s admission will cover participation in the Saturday Nite Dance featuring Wynn Williams.
For more information about the rodeo, contact the Marble Falls Rodeo Grounds at 512-755-0805 or visit marblefallsrodeo.org.
