Monthly Archives: July 2024

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Since Dodge City Roundup Rodeo’s inception, a Kirby has been involved in some capacity. Floyd Kirby was one of the organization’s founders, and his passion for rodeo has been handed down through the generations. It’s about giving of time and energy to produce something for the community. For Roundup, it’s about giving back to the region and to the sport, because it’s the biggest rodeo across Kansas and even the region that is also made up of Nebraska and Oklahoma.  That tradition continues to this year’s rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 4, at Roundup Arena; Dodge City Xtreme Bulls is set for 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. Not only is Jim Kirby carrying on his father’s legacy, but Jim’s wife, Jennifer, and their children have also been heavily involved. Jennifer Kirby is part of the Dodge City Women’s Chamber of Commerce, which was founded in 1959 to serve and support the area with college scholarships, community service grants and other awards. Their primary fundraiser comes from selling concessions at Roundup Arena. “The original group was made up of wives of the men of the Chamber of Commerce,” said Kirby, a past president and former co-chair of the rodeo committee who serves as the concessions manager. “The chamber cannot give scholarships because it’s more business-oriented, where these ladies wanted to give to service organizations, people in need, food banks and scholarships. They formed their own group, and they’ve always done concessions at the rodeo, whatever the rodeo was. “From that money, over half the budget goes to community service or scholarship – this year, we are giving 14 scholarships. We also have the memorial rose garden that honors people in the community and the surrounding areas that have passed. It’s at the Dodge City Community College campus, and we allocate funds each year to support that.” It’s a big endeavor and an important one. The ladies take their jobs seriously, and Kirby is quite proud of the work they’ve done over the years. Her investment has paid off beyond what she does for the community; she has shared her love of volunteerism with four of her five daughters, Jesicka, Jamie, Jericka and Janae. All are members of the women’s chamber, and Jericka is a co-chair of the group’s rodeo committee with Kathleen Jones. Jennifer Kirby takes pride in the little things that get done in Dodge City. She knows how important Roundup Rodeo is to not only the community but all of southwest Kansas. Nearly 1,000 contestants from across North America converge on Ford County every summer to be part the prestigious event – in 2012, Roundup was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “Our rodeo provides a chance for the fans to see all the top cowboys and cowgirls,” she said. “Farm families don’t travel a lot, because they are stewards of the land. It’s great that we are able to put on that kind of show for the people around here.” Over the years, the women’s chamber has been a proven benefactor, giving not only scholarships but also funds to the Ronald McDonald House, Methodist Youthville, Arrowhead West and many other service groups. The ladies have had help from major companies in Dodge City, whether it’s Cargill, National Beef, Hiland Dairy or one of the many other sponsors that help cover the cost of food so the women’s chamber can donate as much money as possible each year. “I think the rodeo is so important to Dodge City,” Kirby said. “The chamber and Dodge City Days is such a big deal around here. I don’t know if the celebration would be what it is without the rodeo. It’s so interconnected, and it’s such a boost to the economy. Without Roundup having a rodeo, the women’s chamber wouldn’t have an event to raise money. We provide a service to the community. “Our sole purpose is to make money to give it all away.”

GUNNISON, Colo. – The volunteers from the Cattlemen’s Days committee have been going all out for its rodeo contestants for several years. In the last decade, the overall purse has increased immensely. It has grown even more this year, and part of that is the inclusion of breakaway roping to the ProRodeo schedule. The rest comes down to being an attractive event for the cowboys and cowgirls who compete for a living. There’s even a little more of a caveat for the contestants coming for this year’s Cattlemen’s Days, set for Thursday, July 11-Saturday, July 13, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison. “We’re giving away rifles to the winners of all our events,” said Kevin Coblentz, a longtime committee member. “For several years, we’ve been giving them away to the bareback riding winners, and this year we decided to give rifles to all of them. We’re just trying to do something that reflects what we think of all our contestants that come to Gunnison.” It’s also a bit of an incentive for contestants to put their names in the hat. Entries have concluded, but the PRCA and WPRA will have re-entries from 9-11:30 a.m. Mountain time Friday, July 5, so there’s still time for cowboys and cowgirls to sign up to be at Cattlemen’s Days next week. “The rifles are Henry Repeating Arms’ Large Loop Lever Action .22s, and they’re going to be really nice for whoever wins them,” said Brad Tutor, the Cattlemen’s Days president. Gunnison’s rodeo has been recognized as one of the best in the Mountain States Circuit, and it was recently recognized as one of the top five medium rodeos across North America. That’s an honor that comes from the contestants themselves. Only the voting members of the PRCA decide on those honors. “We do our very best to put on a great rodeo and provide the contestants with great hospitality when they get to town,” said Karla Rundell, the organization’s second vice president. “Our fans want to see the best rodeo has to offer, so we’re doing everything we can to attract the top contestants to town. I think the rifles are a good way to help make that happen.”

Miss Rodeo America to be part of visiting-queen program in Estes Park ESTES PARK, Colo. – The pageantry of rodeo is an interesting mixture of culture, the Western lifestyle and world-class competition. It comes together in the most magnificent of ways during Rooftop Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, July 5-Wednesday, July 10, at Granny May Arena inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds. From wild horses and bulls to athletic feats done horseback to the beauty and grace of royalty, there is much to see in a two-hour show in the middle of this mountainous community at the edge of the Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a popular destination, with more than 4 million visitors annually. Hundreds of those will be in town for Rooftop Rodeo, including five visiting queens. They come from as far away as Kentucky and as close as Colorado, and they bring a variety of backgrounds with them. Miss Rodeo Colorado Georgia Strimenos is 22 years old from Larkspur, Colorado, who has a degree from the University of Wyoming. She is traveling to ProRodeos across her home state and beyond to raise awareness to the game and the Western lifestyle. Miss Rodeo Nebraska JoSee Stalls was raised on a ranch outside Ogallala, Nebraska, near her state’s Panhandle region, not far from the northeastern corner of Colorado. She also is 22 years old and has a degree from the University of Wyoming. Miss Rodeo Missouri is Jordan Todd, a 25-year-old graduate of the University of Central Missouri who is working toward her juris doctorate degree from the University of Missouri School of Law.   Miss Rodeo Kentucky Zoey Norris is a 22-year-old student at the University of Kentucky. She is from Breeding, Kentucky. The crown jewel of royalty is Miss Rodeo America Emma Cameron, who earned her title this past December after serving as the 2023 Miss Rodeo New Mexico. She is the official ambassador of ProRodeo. “You hit the ground running, and you have that whole last week of the (National) Finals in Vegas,” Cameron said of her busy schedule. “Then right after the new year, you get on the road to Denver and have to learn as you go. The support system behind Miss Rodeo America makes it a really smooth, enjoyable transition, so I’ve been really grateful for that. “You learn so much that you didn’t know, not only about rodeo and how rodeos work, but also about yourself and how you see the world and what you want to do. It’s a really phenomenal experience.” The visiting queens will be joined by eight young ladies who are vying for Rooftop Rodeo royalty. Four will be in competition for Miss Rooftop Rodeo and attendant, four are vying for princess and two are hopefuls for wrangler. All will have a chance to grow mature while also looking up to the ladies who have already earned major titles. The pageant system is set up as the perfect intermediary for the rough-and-tumble competition and the poise and refinement of women who love the sport and the Western lifestyle. Gates for Rooftop Rodeo open at 5 p.m. Friday, July 5-Wednesday, July 10, with the preshow beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the rodeo beginning at 7 p.m. For more information about Rooftop Rodeo, which is a Town of Estes Park signature event, or to order tickets online, log on to www.RooftopRodeo.com. Other ticket inquiries may be made by contacting the Town of Estes Park Events office at events@estes.org or (970) 586-6104.