Parade, Barbecue To Open 101 Ranch Rodeo

A perfect way to enjoy the first day of the 101 Ranch Rodeo and include all of the happenings is to attend the 101 Ranch Rodeo parade in downtown Ponca City Thursday afternoon as it is staged at 5 p.m.

Then, it's to the 101 Ranch Rodeo grounds at Ash and Prospect, where the 101 Ranch Rodeo barbecue is being put on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Then, it's rodeo time, at the 101 Ranch Rodeo arena.

The Public Relations Committee of the 101 Ranch Rodeo states that tickets for the barbecue are $3.50 apiece and available at any members of the Ponca City Financial Institutions or that evening at the door. The committee states that a rodeo ticket plus a barbecue ticket is required for admission to the barbecue.

Sponsors of the event include American National Bank, First National Bank, Heartland Federal Savings and Loan, Pioneer Bank and Trust, and Security Bank and Trust.

Three years ago the Ponca City financial institutions agreed to sponsor a barbecue the first night of the rodeo. The idea is to help boost attendance for the first night of the rodeo and to help generate increased interest in the rodeo.

Last year (the second year of the barbecue), the committee reports that over 375 people were served. This year, the committee is planning on 500.

The food will be catered by Head Country Barbecue Restaurant, owned by Danny Head and Paul Dougan and located on Princeton behind Jack Griffiths Gas-Up. The menu will include barbecue brisket sandwich, potato salad, baked beans, pickle spear and tea and lemonade.

Employees of the financial institutions assist with publicity, food serving, ticket selling and other arrangements.

101 Ranch Rodeo Week Begins Today

It's rodeo time in Ponca City, folks — time for some of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the nation to congregate at the 101 Ranch Arena for three nights to contend for prize money that will send many of them to the National Finals Rodeo. Several of them have legitimate shots at becoming 1989 world champions.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys and Women's Professional Rodeo Association-sanctioned event is among the top money rodeos in the Southwest, and this year it has attracted nearly 200 early entries. At least 20 of those competing over the three nights are in contention for the top 15 slots in their respective events, which qualifies them for the national finals and a shot at the events and the all-around world championships.

This year's 101 Ranch Rodeo, with 8 p.m. performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday, is particularly stacked in saddle bronc and calf roping events. In the saddle bronc competition, top ranked Don Etbauer of Goodwell and second-ranked Derek Clark of Concord will be competing against three-time world champion Monte "Hawkeye" Henson of Mesquite, Texas. In calf roping, third-ranked Mike Johnson of Henryetta, fifth-ranked Rabe Rabon of San Antonio and tenth-ranked Herbert Theriot of Wiggins, Mississippi will contend for the purse.

Add to the venue the richest calf roping competition in the country for tomorrow's champions, the 17-and-under cowboys, and top contenders in the other major events, and the show promises to be second to none.

For Ponca City, it's officially "101 Ranch Rodeo Week" all this week. Mayor Carl Balcer signed the proclamation that points out that the 101 Ranch Rodeo, which traces its heritage to before statehood, is "of tremendous historical and cultural significance to our community, has a major positive economic impact," and is an occasion that attracts world-class athletes to Ponca City.

Balcer encouraged local residents to wear Western wear throughout the week, invite out-of-town relatives and friends, and to be sure to attend Ponca City's rendition of the nation's most popular spectator sport.

Things officially kick off at five on Thursday afternoon with a downtown parade, then there will be a barbecue at the rodeo arena from six until eight. The 101 Ranch Rodeo arena is located on the southwest corner at the intersection of Prospect and Ash in northwest Ponca City.

There will be a dance following Friday and Saturday performances.

In addition to three of the top 10 competitors, this year's calf roping entries include two of last year's top. national finishers plus Ponca City native Hank Hainzinger. Hainzinger is in the thick of the PRCA Rookie of the Year race.

Steer wrestling is loaded with no fewer than five of the cowboys presently ranked in the top 15 in that event and they will be competing against Roy Duvall of Checotah — Duvall has made 21 National Finals Rodeo appearance and he will certainly be in the hunt for top honors at the 101 Ranch Rodeo.

Also competing in the event are favorites Dave Brock of Springtown, Texas and Alfalfa Fedderson of El Reno.

Team roping has attracted 60 entries that will comprise 30 teams. Although team pairings won't be announced until performance time, no fewer than eight of the entrants will be in contention when National Rodeo Finals selections are made. Two-time world champion Tee Woolman of Llano, Texas is scheduled to compete.

Also on tap are 38 of the top barrel racers. This timed event, the only lady's event where rodeo world championships are awarded, is possibly the most hotly contested of all the championships with the winner many times determined by hundredths of a second. The ladies who race the clock around the clover-leaf barrel arrangement in Oklahoma frequently wear the national championship buckle.

It gets under way Thursday, folks - some of the toughest stock in the country will be faunching, bellering, bucking and otherwise testing the skills of rodeo's top hands. All at the 101 Ranch Rodeo Arena in Ponca City, U.S. of A.

Dr George Martin Named 101 Rodeo Parade Marshal

Dr. George Martin of Ponca City will serve as marshal for the 101 Ranch Rodeo Parade, which will take place on Thursday in downtown Ponca City to kick off the 30th annual rodeo event.

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. at Union and Grand Avenue and will then proceed east down Grand to Seventh Street, according to Johnny Heinze, parade chairman.

Dr. Martin is a long-time active supporter of the rodeo. He is a past president of the Rodeo Foundation.

The parade will kick off the first night's performance of the rodeo, which will begin at 8 p.m. at the 101 Ranch Rodeo Arena at Ash Street and Prospect.

"We have received a large number of parade entries, but anyone wishing to participate in the parade is cordially invited to still enter," Heinze said. "Persons having a horse, wagon, antique, classic or unique car, tractor, as well as floats or walking units, are encouraged and invited to enter." He added that trophies are to be awarded in various categories.

Heinze asked that everyone be in position at the staging area at Union and Grand by 4:30 p.m., Thursday.

Anyone with questions should call the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce office at 765-4400, or Heinze.

History Of 101 Ranch Rodeo Provided

Once again, it's rodeo time! Beginning Aug. 17, 1989, Ponca City will be hosting the thirtieth 101 Ranch Rodeo.

Most people in the area are aware that Ponca City is near the site of the once famous 101 Ranch, so it may seem logical that a rodeo is held here by that name. Few may realize that the rodeo hasn't been held here forever. The 101 Ranch Rodeo officially began in Ponca City as part of the Cherokee Strip Celebration of 1960, and was known as the Cherokee Strip Rodeo for the first two years.

A rodeo committee, part of the Agriculture Committee of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, began planning in late 1959 for the first event. Their efforts resulted in a first-class RCA approved rodeo, which became part of the nationwide rodeo circuit.

Scott Hancock chaired that committee, and went on to head the Ponca City Rodeo Foundation, formed in late 1960 by the Chamber of Commerce to continue the popular rodeo in future years.

No one had anticipated how highly successful that first rodeo would be. Thanks to successful promotion techniques, organization, and early ticket sales (including sales by the six rodeo queen contestants), an estimated 25,000 persons attended four performances over the Cherokee Strip celebration weekend in September.

Originally, two evening and one afternoon performance were slated, but a fourth performance was added due to public demand. A capacity crowd witnessed that fourth performance, in which 77 individuals participated in events which included bareback bronc ridding, calf roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and bull riding.

The rodeo was held in a field north of what was then the Agriculture Building on West Hartford (east of the current Park Department Building). A junior baseball diamond which was located in the field at that time was relocated near the Tracy W. Young Army Reserve Center, 805 West Hartford.

Bleachers to seat 5,000 were constructed in the fenced area, which measured 200 by 300 feet.

Jim Garner, then of "Maverick" fame, was scheduled to attend evening performances of the rodeo on Sept. 16 and 17, and to serve as parade marshal for the Cherokee Strip Parade on Sept. 17.

Walter Alsbaugh of Alamosa, Colo. was producer for that first rodeo, providing 275 head of quality stock for the many varied events.

Alsbaugh has since produced all of the 101 Ranch Rodeos.

Queens for the rodeo were Miss Bessie Cales and Miss Carole Muchmore. Queen selection was based 50 percent upon the number of tickets sold to the event. Queen hostess was Mrs. Ann Corzine, and Connie Corzine was queen mascot. The title of rodeo queen has always been coveted by area horsewomen.

According to newspaper reports of the event, the top winner in the grand finals rodeo was Bob Wegner, who received $103.20 for placing first in the bull riding competition.

Several all around cowboys were named, including Zeke Henry, who earned $356.30 over the course of the rodeo weekend; Merle Davis (of Ponca City), who garnered $257.72 and Bob Williams, whose winnings totaled $180.31.

The following year, a new rodeo site was selected — 11 1/2 acres owned by the city just east of Darr School at the intersection of West Prospect and the extension of North Ash. Permanent bleachers to seat 8,000 were installed on the rodeo grounds in 1962. This site remains the location of the annual rodeo.

In 1961, the rodeo was known as the Ponca City Cherokee Strip RCA World Championship Rodeo.

Top money that year went to Duane Hennigh of Laverne, who earned a total of $611.59 competing in bareback riding, bull dogging and bull riding. Second place was taken by Albert Rose of Kim, Colo., who received $409.07 for his efforts in saddle bronc riding and bull dogging.

The celebrity of note for the three-day event was George "Gabby" Hayes, the western comedy actor, who entertained at all three performances of the rodeo. A crowd of 6,000 was in attendance at the final performance.

Another featured attraction at the rodeo was the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Posse, which performed on horseback during the weekend. Queen for the 1961 rodeo was Miss Priscilla Ann Wilson of Ponca City. Priscilla was selected from six area candidates.

In 1962, the Rodeo officially became known as the 101 Ranch Rodeo, after the grandchildren of the 101 Ranch founder, Co!. George W. Miller, agreed to allow the use of the Ranch name. The Rodeo was also granted permission to use the insignia which is symbolic of the once famous 101 Ranch, which was located nine miles southwest of Ponca City, on the Salt Fork River.

Guest star for the first official 101 Ranch Rodeo was Pernell Roberts, then playing Adam Cartwright on the popular, top-rated television show, "Bonanza." Roberts was in attendance at all three performances, and also rode in the traditional. rodeo parade.

A feature article in The News noted that besides the name 101 Ranch Rodeo, another connection existed between this rodeo and the ranch. The old ticket office, used for performances of the enormous 101 Ranch Wild West Show, was being moved to the rodeo site where it would be used as an information center. As far as anyone could determine, the ticket office was built in 1924 when the site of the 101 Ranch Rodeo/Wild West Show was relocated to a field north of the Salt Fork River and east of state highway 156. Water marks on both the interior and exterior of the building indicated that the Salt Fork River had crept into the building more than once at its original location.

In addition to the bleachers which were constructed in 1962 to accommodate 8,000, box seats were also added to accommodate several hundred more spectators.

Top all around cowboy that year, for the second year running, was Duane Hennigh, who went home with $1,074.53 in earnings.

Joy LeGrand was chosen as 101 Ranch Rodeo Queen in 1962.

Since that time, the 101 Ranch Rodeo has continued to be an annual event in Ponca City, drawing crowds from the surrounding area and featuring cowboys from the nation's rodeo circuit. In 1974, the rodeo began to be held in August instead of coinciding with the Cherokee Strip Celebration weekend in September.

The 101 Ranch Rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women's Professional Rodeo Association. The event is sponsored by the 101 Ranch Rodeo Foundation and the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Performances this year will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds on North Ash at Prospect. Rodeo weekend will begin with the traditional parade in downtown Ponca City, set to begin Thursday at 5 p.m.
The parade will be followed by a barbecue from 6 to 8 p.m. at the rodeo grounds, hosted by Ponca City financial institutions.

101 Ranch Collectors Due To Join Old Timers Reunion

The 101 Ranch Collectors will be in Ponca City for the 101 Ranch Rodeo, and will meet with the 101 Ranch Old Timers at their reunion and meeting at 10 a.m., Aug. 19, at the Hutchins Memorial.

Some of the collectors will have displays of their collection and the public is invited to see them, along with the movies that will be shown of Jack Webb and his famous acts that he performed with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show.

Webb was a champion pistol and rifle shot and champion trick roper with the 101 Ranch for many years. He could split a playing card with a .22 rifle bullet, and shoot pennies out of the air with a rifle, but his most dangerous act was his William Tell Act where he would shoot an object off his own head by pulling a string attached to the rifle trigger.

He was famous for roping six horses abreast, a feat he performed in Madison Square Garden in New York with the Miller Brothers and other wild west shows through the years.

When the 101 Ranch was sold, Jack and his wife, Ann, bought part of the ranch and built a log house there in 1937. Jack Webb died in 1956, and is buried on Cowboy Hill next to his old boss, Zack Miller, just south of the Salt Fork River on Oklahoma 156.

Two 101 Ranch Old Timers were honored posthumously in the last month. Bill Pickett, 101 Ranch cowboy and the originator of bulldogging, bit-um-style, was inducted into the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Aug. 12. He was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City in 1971. He was killed by a horse on the 101 Ranch in 1932, and is buried next to White Eagle's Monument on Oklahoma 156.

Ruth Roach Salmon, World Champion Bronc Rider and Trick Rider for many years, was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Hereford, Texas, June 17.
She has been nominated for the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City and is expected to be inducted there in November. She started her career with the 101 Ranch in 1914 as a stunt woman making movies on the 101 Ranch.
She died in 1986 and is buried near her ranch in Nocona, Texas.

(This story was submitted by Ruth Murphey, a member of the 101 Ranch Collectors,
from Corpus Christi, Texas).

Local Cowboy A Contender For 101 Rodeo Roping Title
A highlight of this year's 101 Ranch Rodeo for one Ponca City High School graduate will be his participation as a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in the calf roping event.

Hank Hainzinger, 23-year-old Northwestern State graduate, son of Henry and Oralee Hainzinger, east of Ponca City, has taken his bumps and falls as a junior roper, high school, collegiate performer and now heads into the Prairie Circuit qualifying efforts ,as a regular on the PRCA circuit.

Hank is quick to point out that had it not been for rodeo, he probably would not have received a college education. "Rodeo gave me the answer to get a college degree. I would really hope that a lot of other youngsters even thinking about college or rodeo can put the two together and get a college education."

Hainzinger went to Northwestern at Alva, and received a degree in agribusiness with a minor in agriculture. "I went to Labette County Community College in Parsons (Kan.) before and got into the college national finals in 1984, as a freshman, when it was at Bozeman, Mont.," he said.

"I thought getting through school would be a small priority, but I realized that it was a large priority and it became that. Rodeoing is now the priority, but later I will be able to put my education to use, and that points out the real priority of life," Hainzinger said.

Pointing out again the value of his rodeoing towards education, Hainzinger said, "People are not aware that college rodeoing is a great way to get an education. I would stress that kids should realize they can get an education and should."

Rodeo has given Hainzinger an .opportunity to travel to a lot of places and see a lot of different people. "I've been to Houston, Denver, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Cheyenne, and look forward to a lot of others."

The 1983 graduate of Ponca City High said that he had participated in calf roping, team roping and steer wrestling. "But I usually leave the steer wrestling alone now, and concentrate on calf roping." Hainzinger was in the Childers indoor arena putting in a full day of practice, tying calves and roping barrels (barrels with calf heads). "It takes a lot of practice," he said and was observed making a tie of 1.82 in one of the practices during a challenge with others.

The fastest competition time that Hainzinger can remember was a 7.9, and "that was in Bartlesville during my senior year in high school."

"But the conditions have to be just right. The conditions are different at every rodeo. The arenas are different size, the flooring (ground) is different material (soil) and you never know about the weather, rainy, wind, hot, cool. or whatever," Hainzinger said. "And the luck .of the draw (the calf) means a lot."

Having traveled around many of the big rodeos, Hainzinger also hits the circuit for the other smaller ones. "I was out 22 days at a time just recently, and even here this week, will be going to other rodeos. I'll be at Hillsboro Wednesday (tonight), Coffeyville on Thursday and Friday and take my spot here on Saturday."

He will head to Denton, Texas, Sunday, and return north, to Abilene, Kan., for the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo before heading to the Vinita and Liberal events in the next few days.

It hasn't been all that easy for Hainzinger. He related, "I've had my good and my bad times, and went on the Prairie Circuit of Kansas-Oklahoma-Nebraska in 1988 on a permit, but won enough to qualify as a full-fledged member now."

For Hainzinger, it is an opportunity to become of the best and" he may just accomplish that with the way things have been going. He is in line for possible Rookie of the Year in the calf roping of PRCA.

"It's been really satisfying to be able to take off and go rodeoing for more than a week at a time. I've enjoyed seeing different parts of the country and meeting different people," Hainzinger said.

But there have been some disappointments too, "kicking calves, bad draws and broken barriers really hurt, but you've got to realize some of the bad with the good," he said.

He said, "Crowds have been great, particularly when it comes to missing the calf or not getting things done the way you want. The crowds are the best supportive thing for rodeo. If you don't have good crowds, you don't get the sponsorship. It's just that simple."

Hainzinger said it's tough in front of the home crowd. Some realize it, he said, but .others don't. "They (some) don't realize that I'm really trying to concentrate, even walking around. I've got to put 100 percent into concentration, and I hope they realize it when I don't stop or talk. But I'm happy they are there."

For Hainzinger, who got his training early, at the age of 10-11-12 in junior rodeo, there'll be a lot of fans looking on when he gets his favorite horse, either Flaps or John ("my money horses") behind the calf chute with lasso in hand and tying rope in his teeth. That will be the time for the fans to be ready to cheer for a hometown favorite.

101 Ranch Rodeo Opens Thursday

Excitement continues to mount towards the opening of the three-day 101 Ranch Rodeo here Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The opening event will be the 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon downtown parade, followed at 6 p.m. by the barbecue at the rodeo grounds and the 101 Ranch Rodeo at 8 p.m.

Parade Marshal of the 101 Ranch Rodeo parade will be former President of the 101 Ranch Rodeo Foundation, Dr. George Martin, who said, "It's quite an honor to be chosen and a great pleasure for me to accept the honor as parade marshal." The staging of the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Union Street and Grand Avenue, and the units will head east on Grand Avenue to Seventh Street at 5 p.m.

Expectations are for great numbers ,of parade entries and anyone still wishing to participate in the parade should be at the staging area. There will be horse drawn vehicles, antiques, unique cars, tractors, walking units and rodeo queen contestants.

Any questions about the rodeo parade should be directed to Johnny Heinze, the parade chairman or to the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, at 765-4400.

Heinze said, "I am hopeful of the many rodeo fans to continue in their support of the parade and rodeo."

The Public Relations Committee of the rodeo barbecue expect a large crowd Thursday night beginning at 6 p.m. at the rodeo grounds for the $3.50 barbecue. It will include barbecue brisket sandwich, potato salad, baked beans, pickle spear and tea or lemonade, and will be catered by Head Country Barbecue Restaurant.

In order to generate even more excitement the staging of a Buffalo Run will be held between the steer wrestling and team roping events midway through the rodeo, according to Davis, general chairman of the 101 Ranch Rodeo.

Davis said, "Several local civic leaders and townspeople have volunteered to pull the chutes each night for the buffalo races. It should generate a lot of excitement."

"They are to pull the chutes at the same time for the buffalo riders, and the one staying on the longest will receive $50. After the riders all get bucked off, and while the buffalo are rounded back up, we'll have some Indian dancers performing for about five minutes," Davis said.

Davis said the Thursday buffalo chute pullers include Chuck Westerheide, Security Bank at No. 1; John Sutton, director of the Marland Mansion and Conference Center at No.2; John Westfield, president of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce at No. 3; Don Mertz, owner Mertz Bros. Inc., at No.4; and Charlie Harper, with Equitable Financial Services, No.5.

Friday's buffalo chute pullers are to be Pat Mulligan, Smith International plant manager at No.1; Jay Johnson, City Manager of Ponca City at No.2; Tom Muchmore of the Ponca City News at No.3; Westfield at No.4 and Davis at No.5.

The Saturday buffalo chute pullers include Jack De McCarty, attorney at No.1; Jim Crossland, Ford-Lincoln-Mercury at No.2; Larry Hughes, vice chairman of American National Bank at No.3; David Cummings of Armstrong, Burns and Baummert, the chairman of the board of Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce at No.4 and Sonny Cannon, of Cannon Chevrolet at No.5.

He said another special act will be held between one of the events of the rodeo, and will be a rodeo clown, Duane Reichart, who is Dr. Ben Crazy, with a comedy ambulance act.

Highlighting the 101 Ranch Rodeo will be the number of contestants in this year's event, with more than 200 entered in the various events. There are some former National Finals Rodeo entrants and some that are making quite a run at qualifying this year expected to be here.

Local Sponsors Support 101 Ranch Rodeo Event

Rodeo can't get along without some financial help and the 101 Ranch Rodeo is no different than those big-name rodeos or those in a very small town.

Gary Davis, President of the 101 Ranch Rodeo Foundation, said "the 101 Ranch Rodeo has ten event (local) sponsors, who get very little recognition, but put up some big bucks for support of the rodeo." Each of the ten local sponsors pay $500 and receive for their financial efforts, eight seats per night over the bucking chutes.

Davis explained that $150 of the $500 goes directly to the winner of .I the event, $50 each night. "Part of the funds go to a quarter-page ad in the program," Davis said.

Local event sponsors are Anthony's, Buffalo Races; Cannon Chevrolet, Bareback Bronc; Circle S Store, Barrel Racing; Construction Specialties, Bull Riding;
Evans and Associates, Bullfighter; John B. Hayes, Saddle Bronc; Kettle Restaurant, Calf Roping; McVay Outfitters, Steer Wrestling; Rex Kenslow, Inc., Rodeo Queen and Throop Construction, Team Roping.

The 101 Ranch Rodeo also has several national sponsors, including Coca-Cola, Coors and Wrangler.

Davis said, "there's a Coca-Cola winners circle rodeo, and through Coca-Cola, there's $2,200 total added money paid to the cowboys and cowgirls." Davis said that Coors provides $1,050 added money, with $50 to each event in added money.

The sponsorship by Wrangler is directly associated with the Wrangler Series Circuit Rodeo, "a first for Ponca. City and the 101 Ranch Rodeo," Davis said. He said the Prairie Circuit, which includes Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, involves competitors that compete here and "their winnings will help them get to the circuit finals, which this year will be at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, later in the year."

101 Rodeo Opens Tonight

The annual 101 Ranch Rodeo gets under way today with the parade down Grand Avenue starting at 5 p.m.

Rodeo action will be at 8 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday at the 101 Ranch Rodeo Grounds on West Prospect.

This afternoon's parade will be followed by a 6 p.m. barbecue at the rodeo grounds, just before the opening performance.

Parade Marshal of the 101 Ranch Rodeo parade will be former President of the 101 Ranch Rodeo Foundation, Dr. George Martin.

Highlighting the Rodeo will be the number of contestants in this year's event, with more than 200 entered. There are some former National Finals Rodeo entrants and some that are making a run at qualifying this year.

In order to generate even more excitement the staging of a Buffalo Run will be held between the steer wrestling and team roping events midway through the rodeo.

Another special act will be rodeo clown Duane Reichart, as Dr. Ben Crazy, with a comedy ambulance act.

Ridin', Ropin' Cowpokes Kick Off 101 Ranch Rodeo

Elation and disappointment are two descriptive words used in many sporting events and the first night of the 101 Ranch Rodeo Thursday had both.

However, it wasn't until the last event that two cowboys obviously had the best of elation — following their rides in the bull riding event by getting scores of 82.

Just as disappointed also would be almost all of the team ropers, who had difficulty in getting through the heavy arena floor for only one catch out of the several attempts — and it was penalized.

But elation certainly had the upper hand in most of the night's activities as produced by the Walter Alsbaugh rodeo stock for the 101 Ranch Rodeo cowboys. And Dr. Charles "Bud" Townsend, a professor of history at West Texas State University, continued to excite the crowd for the 2 1/2 hour show as the rodeo announcer.

Action continues tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Those two bull riders with 82s were well ahead of the current competition, but will have to await tonight's and Saturday's performances before the anticipated collection of a split payoff. Stu Sellars from Minneola, Fla., and Todd R. Fogg of Mound City, Mo., took the first night honors on the bulls, with their 82s.

Next in line was Steve D. Gray of Guthrie at 73 followed by Alva's Guy V. Forell and Kent J. Richard of Port Arthur, Texas, each with a 72.

Bareback bronc riders got the show off to a roaring start when two Oklahoma cowboys displayed the form that was to be seen later on in the bull riding, and elation must have been the word for Mitchell L. Haynes of Clinton and Milburn D. Outhier of Weatherford, who each posted 73.

Unlike the bull riders, who will have to ride only twice during the three-day competition, the bareback riders have to put together all three nights for the best average and 101 Ranch Rodeo title. So, there's still hope for everyone  entered.

The first night of calf roping saw Rabe Rabon of San Antonio, Fla., finish the catch and tie in 9.6 seconds. That's fast, but not out of reach by the competitors that will be in the arena Friday and Saturday. Closest to Rabon were Lee Cady, Ringling, Okla., at 12.4 and Randy L. Davis, Tuttle, Okla., at 12.6.

Almost all of the saddle bronc riders made it to the eight-second whistle — but it was Dan Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., who thrilled the crowd and officials with his spurring to a 77. Guymon's Paul L. Peterson stands second at 72 and Ray T.
Hood of Stillwater at 71 is .just ahead of Gordon K. Harrod, Lincoln, Neb., 70.

A former world champion put a great time on the board in the steer wrestling. Joel Edmondson, Eureka, Kan., a 1983 champion, took but 6.6 to bring that critter down.

Edmondson would have had trouble being in the money but stayed off the barrier that hampered three others into 10 second penalties. They included Allen K. Russell of Iola, Kan., at 14.2; Charlie Defillips, Lexington, Neb., 16.2 and J.C. Jensen, Arthur, Neb., 16.3 (all with 10second penalties). Mark A.
Owen of Collinsville had a legitimate 16.3.

The only team ropers to be given a score at all were Kansans Mike Nesmith of Dodge City and Mike L. Garten of Zenda, who had a 23.3. But the catch of the hind legs, hampered most of the second ropers, and the hind leg roper of NesmithGarten was penalized for just one leg roped. A 10-second penalty on the breaking of the barrier pushed the time higher, to the 23.3.

In the barrel racing the heavy footing may have hampered some of the scores, although the competition was keen. Vana Beissinger of Lake Worth, Fla., had an 18.80 while Cissy Tawman of Maramec, Okla., had 18.88. They were followed by Julie Mattox of Wichita with 18.99 and Stacey Raupe of Douglass, Kan., 19.03. Another one close is Beth Braudrick, of Terrell, Texas, at 19.06.

The rodeo got off to a great start also, following the pre-Grand Entry and the Grand Entry to the tunes provided by the 101 Ranch Rodeo band conducted by Steve Workman. The pre-Grand Entry included the Ponca Trailblazers  culminating a four-day, 80-mile trek to appear at the rodeo. The Marland Roundup Club added to the pre-Grand Entry.

Six 1989 101 Ranch Rodeo queen candidates made their appearances during the Grand Entry, and will continue to vie for the honor of being the 1989 queen with that announcement coming Saturday night. Tina Bales, reigning queen, from Sayre, Okla., who also is Miss. Rodeo Oklahoma. The candidates are Casey Chesnutt, Ponca City; Sherry Ferguson, Bristow; Kimberly Michelle Girdner, Broken Arrow; Staci Greenwood, Ponca City; Angie Higgins, Ponca City and Renee Rupe, Edmond.

The crowd was treated through the antics of Rodeo Clown, Dr. Ben Krazy, who is Duane Reichert of New Underwood, S.D., and a celebrity Buffalo Run that had local riders and local chute operators in the arena. Other local celebrity riders and local chute operators will provide similar thrills Friday and Saturday.

Outstanding' Performances Seen During Friday Rodeo Competition

Despite conditions that were identifiable by 101 Ranch Rodeo announcer Dr. Charles (Bud) Townsend as conducive to "Lake Ponca," cowboys and cowgirls Friday night put some new leaders in. the books with some outstanding performances before an appreciative crowd.

But they were going to have to wait for the most part on whether they would retain the top spots following Saturday's performances. Some would also continue to participate in the Saturday events that got under way at 8 p.m.

Included in the Saturday events was the naming of the 101 Ranch Rodeo Queen for 1989.

In the bareback bronc event, five contestants were still in the running, but a couple would have to have considerable luck to get into the money as they were bucked off during Friday competition. Bronc Buller of Nash had a 67 Thursday and David Alan Iseley of Tulsa had a 63, but failed the ride Friday.

Three others would be putting forth extra efforts to stay on their steeds Saturday, after remaining on top with. Friday rides to go with those made on Thursday. Milburn D. Outhier of Weatherford had a 74 Friday and a 73 Thursday and he would be hard to beat. However, Mitchell Haynes of Clinton with a 73 on Thursday and 70 Friday had a chance, along with Dale Hirschman of Weatherford on a 68 Friday and 66 Thursday.

New riders in the bull riding event made things interesting Friday, and they, along with some that were held over for Saturday competition, would test the waiting period for those that have had their two rides in the event.

Those with finished scores in bull riding (two rides), include Guy Forell of Alva with a 73 on Friday and 71 on Thursday. That puts him on top presently, but two others riding Saturday had a real shot at dislodging him. They are Stu Sellars from Minneola, Fla., with an 84 and Todd R. Foss of Mound City, Mo., with an 83 (they had been reported with 82s on Thursday, but officially corrected). Making his first of two . rides on. Friday, with one to come on Saturday, was Mark Boor of Medicine Lodge, Kan., with a 74 while another rider, Gene Owen of Big Cabin, Okla., checked in with a 68.

The other three with finished scores (Thursday first) include Kent Richard of Port Arthur, Texas, 72 and 69; Steve Gray of Guthrie, 72 and 69;-and Richard Rule, Washington, Okla., 69 and 65.

Just like Townsend announced to the crowd, you'd have to go some, to beat the type of competition that prevailed in the steer wrestling Friday night compared to heavier conditions on Thursday — despite his "Lake Ponca" observance. Joel Edmondson of Eureka, Kan., had posted a 6.6 on Thursday, and the former (1983) world champion appeared to be in good shape.

Good shape until the final three contestants on Friday night, all from Oklahoma, who showed the 101 Ranch Rodeo fans how "bulldogging" was to be done. First to knock Edmondson down a notch in the standings was Roy Duvall, three-time champion (1967, 1969 and 1972) from Checotah with a 6.0. They were both knocked down a notch on the next effort, a 5.5 by Mike Sanders of Ada and then the three bowed to a 4.7 posted by Scott "Ote" Berry of Checotah, who was the 1985 champion. And, Tulsan Stan Williamson's 6.9 earlier Friday night had to go for naught.

Escaping the flurry of calf ropers intent on taking over everything Friday night was a 9.6 on Thursday by Rabe Rabon of San Antonio, Fla. But there was company within a tenth of 11 second from two ropers, Clay Tom Cooper of Durant and Raymond Hollabaugh of Stamford, Texas, both at 9.7.

Other Friday scores that kept knocking Thursday performers from the listing were Mike L. Johnson, Henryetta, 11.3; and a pair of 12.2s by Buddy Geter, Stillwater and Steve Flinn of St. George, Kan.

Dan Etbauer's 77 on Thursday allowed the Goodwell, Okla., rider to remain on top in the saddle bronc competition, but taking over second place on a Friday ride of 74 was RomeA. Wager of Dulge, N.M. Paul L. Peterson of Guymon stayed in the field at 72 and Ray T. Hood of Stillwater has to share his current fourth place spot with Erik D. Totten of Maypearl, Texas. Hood had a 71 on Thursday, Totten got his Friday. Just out were Joe Belkham of Hurst, Texas, with a 70 on Friday, similar to Gordon K. Harrod of Lincoln, Neb., with a 70 Thursday.

Friday's team ropers really turned things on despite the wetter conditions of the wetter conditions of the arena. Out first was the team of Andy Anaya of Tulsa and Robert Scogin of Friezen, La., and they did it in 8.7. That's first as of Friday night. Following were Monty Joe Petska of Carlsbad, N.M. and Tee Woolman of Llano, Texas, with 11.6. Third scored on Friday was Jerry Skaggs of Apache and Brian C. Wilson of Overbrook with 13.1 and fourth were Steve Flinn of St. George, Kan., and Mike L. Johnson of Henryetta with 14.3.

Gone from the top four in the team, roping with the only actual catch Thursday (despite a barrier penalty of ten seconds and hind leg penalty of five) was the team of Mike Nesmith of Dodge City and Mike Garten of Zenda, who had a 23.3.

There were new leaders in the girls barrel racing also as a result of Friday happenings. Kim West of Oklahoma City on a paint broke the 18-second barrier, and posted a fine 17.84 on her cloverleaf trip.

That was followed all on Friday by Sandy Hatfield, Fayetteville, Ark., at 18.08; Amanda Barnes, Pawhuska, 18.17 and Marge Taylor, Dodge City, 18.35. Ponca City's Carrie Feaster also pushed the Thursday leader off the board with a fine 18.68. The Thursday leader was Vana Beissinger of Lake Worth, Fla., who had an 18.80.

Edmond Cowgirl Crowned '89 101 Ranch Rodeo Queen
The largest crowd of the three-night 101 Ranch Rodeo Saturday had a lot to cheer about as the result of some changes in the leader board by the time the finishing touches were put on the 30th annual event.

Named 101 Ranch Rodeo Queen for 1989 was Renee Rupe of Edmond, Okla., She was awarded the honor following a full three days of activities that involved five other  contestants.

It wasn't until the final event of the night however that the crowd could cheer for an outright winner of an event, although one other cowboy did finish in a tie for first in another event. But there were some real great scores and times throughout the night that kept fans yelling for their favorites.

The third go-round of the bareback bronc riding event saw no change in the top spot, with Milburn D. Outhier recording a 72 to advance his 147 to a 219 score that captured the title for the Weatherford rider.

However, another Weatherford cowboy, Dale R. Hirschman, had a 76 on Saturday and advanced his 136 total to a 212 and second place over Mitchell L. Haynes, of Clinton, who had a 65 and finished third at 208.

In the final event of each night, bull riders really put up a stiff amount of competition, having to ride twice in the three-day rodeo. In the end, Todd R. Fogg of Mound . City, Mo., used an 83 on Saturday to go with a 73 earlier for a 156 total.

The 156 by Fogg put him well up on the 144s recorded by two riders tied for second. They were Mark E. Boor of Medicine Lodge with a 70 to go with a Friday 74, while Guy V. Forell of Alva had already recorded a 144 from Thursday and Friday. Next were Guthrie cowboy Steve D. Gray with a 141 and Kent J. Richard of Port Arthur, Texas, also with 141. Both had 69 on Friday and 72 on Thursday.

Calf ropers held their positions at the top three spots through Saturday night, with Rabe Rabon of San Antonio, Fla., getting his 9.6 on Thursday and Clay Tom Cooper of Durant and Raymond A. Hollabaugh of Stamford, Texas, with 9.7s on Friday. But the crowd was not without some thrills as Puddin Payne of Oklahoma City got one in 10.4, only to be knocked out of the money a few minutes later on a 10.2 by Doug H. Clark of Wayne, Okla.

None of the others Saturday were under 11 seconds, but there were four other catches out of the contestants from the 10 that attempted.

A California cowboy, Jeff Switzer of San Luis Obispo, with a 77, tied first night leader Dan Etbauer of Goodwell in the saddle bronc riding. And to give the crowd a lot to cheer about was a 76 for third place overall by Mike Merchant of Crossett, Ark., on Saturday. The other three contestants were able to stay mounted, but took scores of 65 to 68 and were out of the money. Rome A. Wager of Dulge, N.M., had a 74 on Friday for fourth.

Steve Duhon of Opelousas, La., had a 4.9 in the steer wrestling on Saturday and that put him very close to the top, but it was still runner-up honors. Scott "Ote" Berry of Checotah had recorded a 4.7 on Friday and finished first. Third went to Mike Sanders of Ada who had 5.5 on Friday and Roy Duvall, also of Checotah, with a 6.0 for fourth. A three-way tie for fifth developed on two more 6.6 scores of Saturday, Ricky .D. Huddleston, Talihina, and Sam Duvall, also of Checotah. They tied first day leader, Joel Edmondson of Eureka, Kan., to finish in the money for the "bulldoggers."

Team ropers had a tough time getting into the money, but had some catches, although the first three that did make their snags, were penalized. The team of Lance D. Crouch of Leoti, Kan., and Lance L. Lagasse of Concordia, Kan., had a 9.0 that would have put them into second place but a broken barrier' cost them 10 - out of the money.

Winning the event was Friday night's team of Andy Anaya, Tulsa and Robert W. Scogin, of Friersa La., with an 8.7 Second went to Monty Joe Petska, Carlsbad, N.M., and Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas, with an 11.6 and third to Jerry Skaggs, Apache, and Brian C. Wilson, Overbrook, who had 13.1 also on Friday. Saturday's event saw the final team ropers nab fourth. They were Rod L. Pratt of Levant, Kan., and Treg Hatcher of Syracuse, Kan., with a
13.3.

Ten barrel racers were money winners following the three-day event, and included some top scores on Saturday. But Kim West on Friday zipped around the cloverleaf pattern in 17.4 that took first place for the Oklahoma City gal on a paint horse.

Right behind on a Saturday score of 17.9 was Colette Baier of Hardtner, Kan., and an 18.02 on Saturday by Betty Roper of Oktaha, Okla., took third. Fourth through sixth went to Friday riders, including Sandy Hatfield, Fayetteville, Ark., 18.08; Amanda Barnes, Pawhuska, 18.17; and. Marge Taylor, Dodge City, 18.35.