Local agencies raising money for cancer assistance
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Local first responders and emergency personnel will battle it out on Friday night in the revival of the steer saddling competition. Kelly McDuffie/Contributing photographer
Bragging rights and pride will be on the line Friday night as 12 intrepid teams of first responders will compete in a steer saddling contest at the 65th annual Marble Falls Pro Rodeo at Charley Taylor Arena, 3053 S. U.S. 281, Marble Falls.
During a timed competition, three-person teams will attempt to saddle a steer and then ride it to a finish line as quickly as possible. The winning squad will take home a traveling trophy built by the Cottonwood Shores Volunteer Fire Department as well as the purse of contest entry fees, which will be donated to Pink Out Marble Falls.
This is the second year the event has been held as part of a First Responders Night, after an inaugural run in 2019 (COVID-19 canceled the 2020 rodeo). Teams taking part this year include three groups from Marble Falls Police Department; Marble Falls Fire and Rescue, Marble Falls Area VFD; Cottonwood Shores PD, Cottonwood Shores VFD; Granite Shoals PD; Granite Shoals Fire Rescue; Air Evac 49; Burnet County Sheriff’s Office and Burnet County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office.
The teams have been engaging in good-natured, light-hearted teasing and smack talk on social media all week, including a jokester who suggested one of the teams already had been “disqualified.” While the different first responder organizations may take competition seriously, they view the evening as a chance to support each other and spend time together doing something fun.
Also, on Friday night, all first responders are invited to come out to the rodeo to participate in the national anthem. First responders will gather at 7:30 p.m. in the northeast corner of the arena (close to the Precinct 4 barn) and take part in the grand entry when the rodeo starts at 8 p.m.
A total of $7,500 in added money is up for grabs during the rodeo itself, which will be held both Friday and Saturday night at the arena. Slack night was held Thursday, July 15, while a youth rodeo was held Wednesday, July 14. The rodeo is sanctioned by both the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association and United Professional Rodeo Association.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Marble Falls Rodeo
Friday 8 p.m.
• First responder steer saddling
• Queen crowning
Saturday 8 p.m.
• Tough enough to wear pink night
Charley Taylor
Arena
3053 S. U.S. 281