1973

RODEO DATES: September 14th, 15th, & 16th

Monday Big Day at Rodeo Ticket Office

Rodeo fans were waiting in line when the 101 Ranch Rodeo ticket office in the Chamber of Commerce, 112 North Third, opened at 8:30 Monday morning.

And they kept coming in all day, said Mrs. Harry Braden,' manager. In addition, she had many requests for tickets which .had been received the past several weeks.

For the first time since 1960, when RCA approved rodeo was introduced to Ponca City, advance sale of tickets is not being handled by the grocery stores and supermarkets of the city.

When purchased at the ticket1 office there will be a 50-cent reduction in price. Grandstand tickets, $3 at the rodeo grounds, are $2.50 at the ticket office.

Box seats will be $3 instead of $3.50.

In the sale of box seats, preference is given to those who want a full box for each of the three performances.

Performances this year will be 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Rex Allen Returning For 3rd Appearance

Rex Allen and his Men of the West came to the 101 Ranch Rodeo arena for the third time, the only entertainers asked to make return appearances since RCA rodeo was introduced to Ponca City in 1960.

He will ride in the giant Cherokee Strip and rodeo parade at 2 p.m. Saturday and will sing at the 8 p.m. 101 Ranch Rodeo performances Friday and Saturday and the 2 p.m. Sunday rodeo.

Acclaimed by America as "Mister Cowboy," Rex was once known in Willcox, Ariz., as a "dirt-poor, cross-eyed,  freckle-faced ranch boy."

His background is not one conceived by publicity men. His great-granddad was a Butterfield stage coach driver. The Mud Springs homestead which his dad, Horace, took when Rex was only a few weeks old was "little more than an alkali seep, a rockbound canyon and unending toil." Few farmers and ranchers managed to hang on, but Horace Allen traded a burro for a violin, taught himself to play and helped support his family by playing for square dances.

Rex was still a young boy when he made his first "tour," tagging along with his father to a Fourth of July celebration.

Children can be cruel and his schoolmates in one way or another kept reminding Rex that he was different because of his eye.

To compensate, his father bought him a $6 mail order guitar. To his own accompaniment, Rex sang for church socials and school assemblies. Encouraged by one of his teachers, Rex studied music seriously.

He won a $100 scholarship—which was not enough—to Eastern Arizona Junior College. Added to this disappointment was the failure of surgery, partly sponsored by the Willcox Rotary Club, to uncross his eye.

"Authentic cowboy," Rex followed the rodeo circuit, but it was his singing that earned his bus fare and paid his expenses. He called himself "Cactus Rex."

His break came when offered a job on a New Jersey radio station. He murdered the first copy he tried to read. Realizing that he had better learn to read and, to learn quick, he took home old scripts, reading and re-reading them out-loud to himself.

His own critic, he polished an art that has established him as a one of the busiest narrators in the country.

A talent scout asked Rex to sing on the National Barn Dance originating in Chicago. He was a sensation.

Announcers of the golden age of radio helped him with his delivery.

Doctors in Chicago corrected Rex's eyes.

Overnight, he became an honest, handsome face to go with his tall, lean physique.

Rex has written 300 songs, but it is his personal appearances which keep him on on top, his business manager for 20 years claims. "He never leaves an audience unhappy and he has never cancelled a date in his career." Rex Allen has earned the title "Mister Cowboy" which America, with respect, has conferred upon him.

To quote Don Dedera in Arizona Highways:
"His britches may cost $200, but he puts them on one leg at I time, Eating steak, he forgets not the beans. At 30,000 feet on his way to Madison Square Garden, he remembers how his big brother died hurdling a three-foot fence...

"He respects his elders, he keeps his pledges, he heads his house and into the last of his 40s, just like the plainest folks...

Rex Allen plants a little garden and keeps out the weeds."

GAY NINETIES COSTUMES are being worn at Pauline's Supper Club during Cherokee Strip Anniversary Week.

Waitresses in other eating establishments are wearing pioneer dress with sunbonnets. Pictured from left are Mrs. Pauline Adams, owner of Pauline's, Mrs. Betty Cannady, Miss Donna Cannady, Mrs. Ida Waters and Mrs. Faye Hughes.

Broncs And Bulls Arrive For Rodeo Performances - The Walter Alsbaugh stock has arrived at the 101 Ranch Rodeo grounds.

The sleek, well fed broncs promise good scores for cowboys who make it to the whistle.

Lin Helton, announcer, is here and speaking to civic groups during the week.

Eight lovely queen hopefuls will be in Ponca City by 4 o'clock Thursday afternoon to begin the round of activities leading up to the crowning at Saturday night rodeo performances.

Rodeo tickets for each of the three performances—8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday—are selling fast. Several whole sections are already being sold out.

The ticket office at 112 North Third will remain open until 8 o'clock this evening.

The western art show at the Art Center is continuing to draw many persons from over a wide area.

The carnival is now in full swing on Third Street between Central and Cleveland.

The antique car show opened at 2 p.m. today on the Ponca Plaza parking lot and will remain on display until 5 p.m. Saturday.

The jail is open for men who have neither a beard, mustache nor mutton chops, and do not have a shaving permit. The men stay in the jail prominently displayed on Grand Avenue, until someone bails them out.

Western wear, or dress depicting the Gay Nineties or the pioneer woman, can be seen on the street, in stores, restaurants, and other business places.

Walt Alsbaugh, when he arrived with the stock Wednesday, began reminiscing about the first RCA rodeo here back in 1960, Grandstands were borrowed bleachers, Tickets were sold and sold and sold. The only trouble, they were good for any of the three nights. The first night, everywhere you looked, there were cars lined up bumper to bumper and honking for the guy in front to move. A pall of dust hung over everything. But ,there were good cowboys and good stock and they made a good rodeo. A fourth performance had to be held to accommodate all the ticket holders.

When one rodeo fan, who attended the National Finals II Rodeo in Oklahoma City last year, heard Lin Helton was to be this year's announcer for the 101 Ranch Rodeo, his reaction was — "That guy's GOOD!"

Helton was a rodeo contestant and announcer in the Southwest until graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1958. Following graduation and a move to Nebraska, he regularly announced 20 to 30 rodeos a year until 1967 when he moved to his present home in LaGrande, Ore., and joined the professional ranks of rodeo.

His aim when behind the mike is to please the people in the seats, Helton said.

Some people call rodeo the No.1 sport. To Helton it is family entertainment, as its great diversity appeals to all ages - children, parents and grandparents.

In 1971 the native Oklahoman was given his first National Finals duties at the mike for the first phase of the World Series of Rodeo, the steer roping finals.

This past year Helton was awarded both phases of the Finals, the steer roping as well as co-announced for the major events at the Oklahoma City Finals. He is the only announcer, other, than Clem McSpadden, to be selected for both finals in the same year.

In addition to his announcing duties, Helton is responsible for the development of a nationwide radio sportscast on rodeo. He is rodeo and horse show announcing instructor for the Missouri School of Auction in Kansas City and teaches rodeo news reporting to journalism classes.

Helton is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame, a director of the International Rodeo Management Association and manager of the Miss Rodeo Oregon Contest.

Scoreboard To Keep Fans Informed

Bucking horses, twisting bulls and cowboy courage are elements that keep rodeo fans on the edge of their seats, but today's electronic age is helping usher in a new facet to heighten spectator interest.

It is the electronic scoreboard conceived and constructed by Buck Sutherland, a rodeo contestant and an electronic specialist by trade. It will be used at the 101 ,Ranch Rodeo this year.

The first test model 15 years ago proved successful in its debut at the first World Series of Rodeo (now called the National Finals, or simply NFR to  knowledgeable fans) held at Dallas.

Many rodeo committees felt their event could be improved by use of the new electronic wizard and Sutherland, of Grand Junction, Colo., was soon launched into a fulltime business.

When Winston Cigarettes announced plans to sponsor the $105,000 rodeo awards program , for members of the Rodeo Cowboys Association, the company felt it could provide a valuable service for many rodeo committees and fans by sponsoring the scoreboards at leading rodeos, with no charge being made back to the rodeo committee.

In 1972 the rodeo scoreboard team was formed and Sutherland and his crews traveled more than 90,000 miles, This year four scoreboard crews will log some 250,000 miles, including their trip to Ponca City.

The board is now up at the 101 Ranch Rodeo arena and fans will be better informed of times and points scored by the cowboys.

In the, board are more than 11 miles of wire and over 1,000 diodes and  transistors. It weighs 1,100 pounds.

The heart of the unit is a console that measures 2 1/2 feet by 3 feet and is equipped with keys similar to an adding machine. It is operated by a skilled technician who flashes the results as soon as possible.

Also, it will flash "wow" or "oops" according to the performance of the cowboy, expressing his and the spectator's reactions.

Record 243 Cowboys In This Year's Rodeo

When the books closed at 4 p.m. Thursday for the 101 Ranch Rodeo there were a record-breaking 243 contestants.

The 1973 rodeo begins at 8 o'clock this evening. Other performances will be 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

There are 32 bareback riders, 29 saddle bronc riders, 29 steer wrestlers, 53 calf ropers, 38 cowgirl barrel racers and a whopping 81 bull riders. They will be competing for prize money totaling more than $10,000.

Included in this year's list of contestants is five times all around champion of the world, Larry Mahan of Dallas, who is currently leading for an unprecedented sixth world title.

The present world champion, all around cowboy ,and champion calf roper, Phil Lyne, will be in the arena again this year. In 1972 he won a record breaking $82,000.

There are nine of the nation's top 15 bull riders entered, including this year's leader, Bob Steiner of Austin, Tex.

Eight of the top 15 calf ropers are to be here. Heading the list will be the leader, Ernie Taylor of Hugo.

With six of the top 15 money winners for 1973 here, coupled with 22 head of Walt Alsbaugh's National Finals Rodeo stock, the three performances this  year should be one of the best ever.

First Rodeo Performance Tonight; Saturday Big Day

Opening performance of the 101 Ranch Rodeo will be at 8 o'clock this evening. Saturday s filled with activities for all ages and the 80th anniversary celebration of the opening of the Cherokee Strip will be concluded with the final rodeo performance at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The rodeo ticket office at the Chamber of Commerce will be closed at 4: 30 this afternoon and will open at the rodeo grounds at 6.30.

The 101 Ranch Old Timers are registering at the Chamber of Commerce.

The queens will be judged on their horsemanship at 4 o'clock this afternoon at the rodeo arena. The public is invited to attend. During the grand opening tonight and Saturday they will carry the pivot flags. This is a new feature of their activities while in Ponca City.

Before the opening of the rodeo this evening, the Ft. Sill field artillery half section will perform in the arena. The half section gives an authentic picture of the field artillery as it was in the days of World War I.

The Quarter Horses, the harnesses, the dress of the men and even the  exercises are done according to an original Army Training Manual for artillery horsemanship.

The half section will be in the giant parade at 2 p.m. Saturday and other artillery equipment will be on display in the Security Bank Plaza.

Before the steer wrestling contest at tonight's rodeo performance Willie Wilson of Fresno, Calif., great-grandson of the late Bill Pickett of the 101 Ranch who originated steer wrestling, will be presented a medallion. Wilson also will be in the parade.

He was brought to Ponca City by The News as its contribution to the Cherokee Strip Celebration.

Saturday morning begins with the Jaycee children's contests at Blaine Stadium at 10 o'clock. Included in the games will be a 50-yard dash, rolling pin throw, softball throw, three legged race, water balloon catch and a one-legged race. Prizes will be given to the winners.

The sailing regatta at Lake Ponca starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and again on Sunday.

The terrapin derby on the high school baseball diamond will be at 12 noon Saturday, to be followed by the Jaycee beard contest judging.

The giant parade will begin moving east on Grand Avenue promptly at 2 p.m. More than 1,800 persons will be in it, some 30 floats, marching units, a miniature submarine brought to Ponca City by the Navy recruiters, bands and round-up clubs.

During the Saturday evening rodeo performance the winners in the 1973 queen contest will be announced and plaques for the best decorated store front will be presented.

Scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday are Mike Sokoll and his trick ropers.

Saturday night will be a special treat for those who like to dance to western music, as music for the annual rodeo dance will be provided by the: Men of the West; who will perform in the arena with Rex Allen.

There will be a mobile inspection tour of Kaw Lake on Sunday, beginning at 8:30 a. m. and continuing until 12 noon.

Everyone is invited to take the tour as much progress has been made since the open house held earlier this year.

Television stations in Oklahoma and Kansas are to be here to cover the Saturday and Sunday programs as well as reporters from Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Newspapers in many of the largest cities of the nation have carried stories on the history of Ponca City and the events of the Cherokee Strip celebration.

Rodeo Fans Club Guests

Pauline's Supper Club was the gathering place of out of town fans who came to Ponca City Saturday to attend the 101 Ranch Rodeo.

Pauline, owner, assisted by Mrs. Faye Hughes, manager, was hostess for the party, which began with a social hour at 5 p.m., followed by a dinner at 6 o'clock.

Guests included Rex Allen, Mr. Cowboy, who is appearing as guest star at the rodeo for the third year; Col. John Driskill, district engineer, Tulsa, Corps of Engineers, and Mrs. Driskill; Sen. and Mrs. John Dahl of Barnsdall; Mrs. Paul Pitts of Pawhuska.

Also Mr. and Mrs. Dutch Cooper, Grainola, Mr. and Mrs. John Shaw, Burbank, Mr. and Mr. Jim McKinley and Mrs. Alicia Harris, Pawhuska, and Mr. and Mrs. Ike Daniels of Tulsa.

Ponca City guests at the dinner were Herman J. Smith, hospitality chairman for the Cherokee Strip 80th anniversary celebration, and Mrs. Smith; Dr. and Mrs. J. B. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Colby Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. Bethel Freeman, Mrs. Mary N. Moore, Roy Hughes, Tony Santilli and Bob Clapp.

AMONG SPECIAL GUESTS coming to Ponca City for the 101 Ranch Rodeo and the Saturday events of the Cherokee Strip Celebration was Miss Rodeo Oklahoma 1973, Cindy Suttle of Duncan. She was selected during Chickasha's annual RCA Championship Rodeo in July to represent Oklahoma for the title "Miss Rodeo America" in Las Vegas in November.

She attended the opening night of the rodeo, rode in the parade at 2 p.m. Saturday and was to be at the rodeo again Saturday night.

Two Young Men Retrieve Medal, Money At Rodeo

Two Ponca City youths were commended Saturday night at the 101 Ranch Rodeo when they returned missing 101 Ranch medallions, money and records.

The items inadvertently fell from the announcer's stand and a young girl grabbed them and ran. Apparently having second thoughts she tossed them away on the grounds.

It was announced that anyone finding the missing items could keep them if they would return the records. However young David Carnes, 12, 919 North Union, and Danny Cantley, 17, 925 North Union found everything and turned them in. The two were given the 101 Ranch Commemorative Medals for their honesty.

Top RCA Cowboy To Ride In Final 101 Rodeo Show

One head of stock only makes for good rodeo. When a cowboy has one try to get into the money, he competes—hard.

That was evidenced Friday night at the first performance of the 101 Ranch Rodeo when good scores and good time was turned in

Who makes it to the pay window of the 1973 rodeo will not decided until this afternoon's rodeo.

Larry Mahan, five time world champion all around cowboy and currently leading in the standings for an un-presented  sixth all around championships will be out in the three riding events today - bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding.

At the Sunday afternoon rodeo, winner of the Guy Shultz Memorial Trophy will be decided. This goes to the cowboy who competes in two or more events winning the most money.

In could well be Mahan if he is hot.

Other favorites at the 101 Ranch are returning to try their skill and luck for a portion the more than $10,000 purse, the largest in the history of the 101 Ranch Rodeo.

Other top cowboys drawn for the final performance include Roy Burk, Junior Garrison, John McBeth, Roy Duvall, and Billy Hale.

Duncan Calf Roper Named Winner Of All Around Title At 101 Rodeo

Matt Mills of near Duncan won All Around Cowboy honors at the final performance of the 101 Ranch Rodeo Sunday afternoon. He was presented the Guy Shultz Memorial Trophy by Mrs. Shultz.

As no cowboy qualified in two or more events, the All Around title went to Mills as the highest money winner. He received  $740.34 for his 9.7 seconds time in calf roping.

Larry Mahan, who was entered in the three riding events, was competing with right arm and back injuries and withdrew from bull riding. He was not up to his usual form in the bronc riding.

The largest entry list in the history of the 101 Ranch Rodeo, 243 cowboys, came to Ponca City and winners carried home more than $10,000 in purse money.

Calf roping was especially stiff competition as there were nine of the top 15 ropers trying for the better than $2,000 purse in the event.

Bull riding drew 81 cowboys and more than a $2,000 purse also. Both bull riding and roping paid six places.

For the Saturday night performance, one of the largest crowds in the history of the 101 Ranch Rodeo were present and the rodeo dance broke all  attendance records.

Winners in the 1973 rodeo were:
Bareback Bronc - Gary Payne, Cimarron; Kan. (75), $537.04; Butch Cody, Cedar Vale, Kan., and Raymond Huelin, Derby, Kan., tie with 73 for second and third, $335.65 c each; Jack Ward, David Curry and Manhan three way tie for fourth with 69, $44.75 each.

Calf roping-Mills, 9.7, $740.34; Buddy Geter, Duncan, 10.3, $612.70; Richard Stowers, Madill, who has gone to the National Finals Rodeo three times as one of the top 15 in the nation, 10.5, $485.05; Butch Bode Brenham, Tex., 11.3, $229.76, , Gary Johnson, 11.7, $229.76; J. W. Farrington, Cullin, La., 12.0,  $127.65.

Saddle Bronc - Ken Welch, Merckle, Tex., 72, $497.84; Shawn Davis, Whitehall, Mont., a NFR contestant who has won championships, and Bill Beaty, Cheyenne, tied for second, 71 point$ each, $311.15; David Price, Burden, Kan., 69, '$124.46.

Steer Wrestling-Roy Duvall, Warner, leading in money won in 1973 competition, threw his steer in 4.7 seconds, $678.16; S. D. Calahan, Miami, 5.6, $423.85; Colen Howell, 5.6" $423.85; Raymond Brooks, Pittsburg, Kan.,' 5.9, $169.54.

Bull Riding-Jerome Robinon, 74, $662.19; Donnie Gay, Mesquite, 72, $548.02; Taos Cribbs, Guymon, and Spanky Brown, Wilbur ton, 70, $376.76 each; Andy Taylor, and Ronnie Bowman, 1972 Guy Shultz Memorial Trophy winner, 69, 159.84.

Cowgirls barrel race - Donna Perry, Enid, 17.64 seconds, $184.01; Sandy Anderson, Ringwood, 17.83, $138.00; Pat Clapp, Ponca City, 17.89, $92; D. J. Walker, Wichita, 17.97, $46. All winners in the barrels were out Sunday afternoon.

Disclaimer - The information found on these pages is only meant to be a concise chronological collection of happenings as they relate to each year's 101 Ranch Rodeo and not a complete or total recreation of each year's events and/or happenings. If you have additional information pertaining to the 101 Ranch Rodeo and would like to share it with us and others that visit this website, please feel free to submit your information to us and we will be glad to review it and consider adding it to these pages.