Ride a Horse, Feed a Cowboy event entertains, helps locals in northeast Wyo

Hulett – “Every year we choose someone in the Sundance, Moorcroft, Beulah and Hulett areas who needs help with a medical-related expense, and all proceeds go to them,” explains Committee President Chanda Snook of the purpose behind the annual Ride a Horse, Feed Cowboy event.
The 2010 event in late-August was the fourth year of the weekend-long event, and all proceeds were given to Hulett Hardware Store owner Deena Parnell, who is fighting cancer without insurance.
“Friday night we have a, ‘ride your horse to town’ event, where we give a belt buckle and $100 to the person who rode the farthest and prizes to the top five longest distances. This year Tess Polisky from Sundance rode 46 miles to win the belt buckle, and Troy Peterson of Pinnacle Bank came in second at 38 miles,” notes Snook.
Stables, water and hitching posts were available for the horses upon arrival. Friday evening also included a barbecue meal donated by the Ponderosa Bar and Café and a benefit auction.
“This year we raised $8,100 dollars for Deena at the auction,” says Snook, adding that Friday night was rounded out with a live band.
Saturday’s main event is a Tough Enough to Wear Pink matched bronc riding. UW senior and rodeo team member Trey Wasserburger was in charge of the event, and says it was a big success.
“We had 10 guys compete in bareback, 15 in saddle broncs and 10 on bulls,” says Wasserburger. “There was $1,000 added to both the saddle bronc and bareback events and $500 added to the bull riding, so it paid well in addition to being for a great cause.”
He added that Wacy Snook won the saddle bronc event with a 76-point ride and Ty English came out on top in the bareback event with a score of 74.
“No one road in the bull riding, so that money all went to the benefit, which made it a win-win,” notes Wasserburger.
“It was a big deal and so much fun to be a part of. You hardly ever get the opportunity to attend a rodeo like that. It was all roughstock and very laid back and relaxed. It’s hard to top a bunch of guys getting on some good stock for a great cause,” says Wasserburger.
He adds a lot of people donated their time and talents to make the event so successful.
“Travis Hackert was the announcer and he donated his time, brought the pickup men and paid for them. Mike McFarland was the clown and he also donated his time and when I went to pay the stock contractor for the bulls he had already paid. It’s amazing how much those two helped me.
“The judges were also free, a lady out of Billings donated her PRCA music system and her time, and several other people contributed to make it work. I just made a few phone calls and everyone followed through.
“I hope to get a bigger crowd next year. Something like this hardly ever happens anymore, especially with money being so tight right now, but people brought their checkbooks and volunteered their time and made it a great success,” says Wasserburger.
Saturday was rounded out with a trade show, the branding of a local gallery’s exterior, a Cowboy Calcutta Poker Tournament, Western concert and a second dance. The event concluded Sunday morning with Cowboy Church.
“This started as a way for everyone to come to town and have something to do on a weekend that included the entire community. Then it turned into a benefit so that while we’re doing something as a community we can also help someone within it,” explains Snook of the events beginning.
“It’s a great event for the town of Hulett – it’s a really Western- and ranching-oriented place, and the entire town was more than happy with how this year went. Next year I hope to get a bigger crowd both entered and in attendance at the rodeo,” says Wasserburger.
The 2011 Ride a Horse Feed a Cowboy event is scheduled for the fourth weekend in August. Both Snook and Wasserburger encourage everyone to attend.
For more information or to contribute to the event, contact Chanda Snook at 307-290-0400 or visit rideahorsefeedacowboy.com. Heather Hamilton is editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at heather@wylr.net.