The Outside Circle: Lots of January events, pick up the phone, send some money for a good cause
It sure was cold this morning. It was -24, but at least the wind had gone down. The weather people are always talking about windchill, like it’s a recent discovery. I think those of us who have worked out in the winter weather have had a pretty good grasp on the concept for a long time.
January is sure a busy month, so I’ll tell you about some things that are coming up right away. Jan. 22 is the makeup date for the Dreamin’ of Summer Series Barrel Races at Bowman, ND. They postponed the Jan. 8 event because it was too cold and the roads were bad. Call Bailee at 605-381-0390 with any questions.
Platte Winter Series Cuttings at the Yellow Rose Arena, Platte, SD, will be held Jan. 22-23. Entries are due by Jan. 19. This is approved by the SDCHA and CHAN (Cutting Horse Association of Nebraska). Call Jackie Husted at 605-223-3144 or e-mail sdcutter58@aol.com. By the way, you’ll need current health papers for this.
There will also be a Ranch Sorting at the Event Center on Jan. 22 in conjunction with the Black Hills Stock Show. That’s a new event for the BHSS, so it will be interesting to watch.
The Black Hills Stock Show (BHSS) officially kicks off with an AQHA Show Jan. 24-27 at the Event Center. Many classes, plus halter, are being offered, so that would be an opportunity to see some pretty fine horseflesh. You can check out schedules and times at http://www.blackhillsstockshow.com.
On Jan. 25, there’s a Team Roping Futurity after the horse show, also at the Event Center. No time can be given on that because there’s no tellin’ when the horse show will get over. Besides, it’s always time to go rope, right?
The TriState Rodeo Series kicks off with performances Jan. 28 and 30, 7 p.m. at the Seven Down Arena, Spearfish, SD. There will be 11 events and $500 added per event. Call 307-283-3616 for entry info. The one at Newcastle, WY will be March 11-13.
The Timed Event Series will start off at Bowman, ND on Feb. 4-5; Wall, SD on Feb. 26-27; Platte, SD on Feb. 26-27; Sundance, WY on March 5-6; and Baker, MT on March 12-13. The entry info for that is also 307-283-3616.
There’s an Allan Bach Team Roping Clinic Jan. 29-30 at the Circle T Arena north of Hermosa, SD. They’re taking 10 headers, 10 heelers and it costs $400. Call Jim Tiltrum at 605-209-8064 for details. It wouldn’t take long to spend $400 on entry fees at ropings and you wouldn’t get much return. This looks like a great opportunity to learn from one of the very best in the business. Call it an investment.
Sunday, Jan. 30, 9 a.m., there will be the annual South Dakota Jr. High School Rodeo meeting at the Lyons Building at the Central States Fairgrounds, Rapid City, SD. Also, Jr. division competitors, the membership deadline is Feb. 15. Applications and information can be found on http://www.sdhsra.com.
If you have any interest in seeing a return to balanced and logical thinking where the horse industry is concerned and want to see the option of horse processing back in the business, you need to contact your representatives in Washington, DC and express that clearly to them. The Summit of the Horse at Las Vegas got the attention of the powers that be, and a strong support for the reinstatement of USDA Inspections at processing facilities and the reopening of the plants would go along way toward letting them see what the people in the industry are wanting to accomplish. You can find the names of your congressional and senate representatives online (just Google the name) or in the phone book under U.S. Government. Many states have new faces in Washington, so you’ll have to be sure and let them know where you stand on the matter. South Dakota’s Kristi Noem’s office can be reached at 202-225-2801.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is going to be compiling information for their decision on several fronts, so a strong statement from each state could be instrumental in making some changes. Don’t wait around for someone else to do something. Haul your hiney up out of your recliner and make some calls. Please. (There, I niced it up.)
The Sturgis High School Rodeo Booster Club Annual Fundraiser will be held Feb. 18, 5-9 p.m., at the Loud American Steakhouse in Sturgis, SD, with a steak tip dinner for two for $25. There will be a live and silent auction to support the rodeo club. If you can donate items for the auction, or want to help in any way, contact Chrissy at rcpetersonhorses@gmail.com or call 605-347-9166.
That same day will be the Sturgis Pen-of-Three horse displays during their Ag. Day. They have added a two-year-old division to this, along with yearlings. You can show off three yearlings or two two-year-olds per pen and each pen costs $125. This is a nice way to show folks what you are raising and are proud of, thereby promoting your horse program. Call or e-mail Gary Mailloux at 605-347-3294 or gary_deb@hotmail.com.
There’s a fund set up for a little Montana baby who needs treatment for a very serious medical condition called septo-optical dysplasia. Skylie Lynn Milton is only four months old, and will be blind in about five months from this rare disease. It is so rare, in fact, that it isn’t treated in the U.S. In Beijing, China, they are successfully treating this disease with stem cell therapy, with an amazing 100 percent success rate. The travel and treatment for Skylie is to the tune of $75,000. A fund has been set up in her name at the Western Security Bank, 1546 Main St., Billings, MT 59106. Let’s all pitch in to help Skylie keep her sight.
Also, there’s a benefit fund set up to help AJ Franzen’s young family. AJ was killed in a car accident on Dec. 18, leaving wife Barbara, young son Jace, and a baby due in May. Donations can be made to the AJ Franzen Memorial Fund, First Interstate Bank, 4612 Rue Terre, Cheyenne, WY 21009. You can also call Tom Hirsig at 307-630-0357, Dan Cathcart at 307-631-2267, or Samantha Hoar at 307-631-4551.
I’ll wind this up with info about the Roper Rage Open 4D Barrel Race at the Camplex, Gillette, WY, on Feb. 12. It’s WPRA and NWBRA co-approved. Call Lynn Kohr at 307-680-5271.
Stay warm and maybe I’ll see you at the Stock Show!
