By Payton Tholstrup

Clay Center is gearing up for something new this year: its first-ever ranch rodeo on August 2nd.

Organized by local resident Kaid Baumman, this action-packed event will showcase the grit and skills that are part of everyday ranch work.

“We’ve never had a ranch rodeo here before, at least not that I know of. I’m hoping to make it a yearly event,” said Baumann.

The rodeo will feature events like doctoring, mugging, and trailer loading. Everything will be timed, and teams will consist of four people. Anyone can enter.

“That’s the main goal,” said Baumann. “Get your animal tied down or in the trailer as quickly as you can. There are penalties if they don’t stay tied down or something like that. The winning team is the fastest in those events.”

During the trailer loading event, one team member will rope a steer while everyone else runs back to the trailer to help pull it inside. The rope must be off, the gate shut, and everyone back on horseback before time is up.

The doctoring event will consist of one person standing in a circle in the arena. The team will head and heel a steer and run out with a paint stick to mark its head to show that it has been “doctored.” Afterwards, they must run back to the circle before time is up.

In the double mugging event, teams will head two steers and tie them down, so they are unable to get back up.

The event will be judged by Cole Taylor of Taylor Productions; he also supplies the cattle. “Cole does an amazing job. He judges and brings cattle to a bunch of ranch rodeos around North Central Kansas and South-Central Nebraska.”

Baumann is hopeful that the rodeo will draw both participants and spectators. He added that the facility doesn’t get used that often, so this event will be the perfect opportunity to use it more.

“Anyone who thinks they can do it can enter. These guys work hard all year round. Being able to come to these events and show off their talents and maybe win some money makes it all worth it.”

For more information or to enter, call Baumann at 785-476-8036. Information can also be found on their Facebook page.