Ingomar Ranch Rodeo 2021 – An Excellent Adventure!
Written by Linda Lou Crosby
PHOTOS: Montana Reynolds and Linda Lou Crosby
September 7th, 2021
It was a perfect day for the 7th Annual Ingomar Ranch Rodeo. Mother Nature certainly had co-operated with blue skies, mild temperatures, and slight breezes….but the livestock, well they didn’t feel so co-operative. Stock contractors Pat Cremer and Shane Vaira provided the wild cows and calves, and bucking broncs respectively, and Roddy Cameron and Michael Beaty delivered sorting and doctoring cattle to give the cowhands a run for their money. And they did!
Opening ceremonies were impressive, as Emma Weeder from the 6X Ranch sang the Star-Spangled Banner, while the American Flag was paraded around the arena. The steers and the bucking horses and the wild cows, well they just watched, and waited. And pretty soon, all heck broke loose. It has been said that at the Ingomar Ranch Rodeo “Anything can happen, and it usually does,” and this Labor Day weekend was no exception.
The first event turned out to be the Wild Cow milking, which truly was ….in a word ‘wild’. It’s always been a crowd favorite to see the four person teams trying to rope, grapple with, and then milk, a long horned ornery cow. And a team member will need to show the judge that there is actually milk in the bottle, or after all that work, the team won’t qualify. Of course, this is a timed event, which adds to the chaos. The cow often ends up dragging horses and people around. And this Labor Day weekend, besides all that, the crowd had an unscheduled bucking display, as one of the arena horses wanted no part of this crazy stuff, kicking up dust and ropes, and whatever else was around, including his rider.
Things calmed down to just the general roping, riding, team branding, steer doctoring…and then there was the team sorting. The teams were the ‘sorters’ and the steers were the ‘sortees’. The ‘sortees’ did not want to be sorted. Period. End of conversation. Even if they got sorted out for a moment, they would have made any top running back proud as they zigged and zagged back towards the herd. To the cowhands’ credit, language stayed PG, and then the teams prevailed. The rodeo announcer Mary Schaefer, of Miles City, who arrived at the rodeo thinking she was going to be timing events, not only announced the entire event, but ran the Calcutta….which takes auctioneering skills. “Leave it to Alice Cameron (Ingomar Rodeo Club Secretary) to spring that on me,” said the good-natured and talented Schaefer, who did a great job.
And the folks were hungry. “They polished off all the burgers,” said Emily Olson, who honchoed the cook shack with volunteer Helen Rath taking orders. And they were thirsty. The beer booth was selling out. And the crowd was “all in.” They cheered the successes, good tries and near misses. They clapped as Joe Winter, the Steppler team designated Ranch bronc rider, who normally doesn’t ride broncs (on purpose anyhow), rode the full 8 seconds.
The Top Team was the Steppler Ranch (Alex Munoz, Ruben Munoz, Alberto Rico, and Joe Winter) who won three events outright, and qualified in the other two. They were smooth and effective. The team sported shirts which were embroidered on the back “In loving memory of Bill Harding”, an amazing man who had given so much to Ranch Rodeos in Eastern Montana (especially Ingomar) before he met with an untimely death earlier this year. The team had their sponsors emblazoned on their sleeves, and grins on their faces. Some team members drove four hours from Culbertson to participate. “It was definitely worth it,” they smiled. They won checks for three events, money for the top team, four handcrafted headstalls by Ed Fryer, and the opportunity to compete in the Eastern Montana Ranch Rodeo Finals in Tery, next Saturday, September 11th, and represent Ingomar at the Ranch Rodeo at the NILE in Billings this coming October 16th. Their team member, Alex Munoz, also won the award for Top Hand.
Top horse was presented to Tia Watson, of Ranch Wreck, who was surprised and pleased.
Travis Good, with the Gumbo Riders, tied for second in the Ranch Bronc ride with a 73 and also received the hard luck award for his bronc-aided dismount into the corral fence. “Hey, I can use this,” said Travis as he received a handcrafted fence plier carrier (donated by Ed Fryer). The Ranch Bronc Ride winner Sam Phipps wowed the crowd with an outstanding ride, scoring 85 points.
As the rodeo came to a close, participants and members of the audience were picking up stray cups and cans, leaving everything ship shape until next year. “This was a super family event,” added Ingomar Rodeo Club President, Donald John Cameron, “It went smoothly, with some excellent cow work to boot.” Cameron also acknowledged the volunteers that make the rodeo possible, and all the terrific sponsors “that support the Ingomar Rodeo Club.” What about next year? Well plans are already in place to add a Big Loop roping as one of the events. That is where roping teams have 18-foot loops to get their steer. If you see ropes flying in your direction, just duck. That’s what the livestock will be doing. You know how they are. Follow the Ingomar Rodeo Club on Facebook for news and exciting photos from this year’s events. See ya next year!
SEVENTH ANNUAL INGOMAR RANCH RODEO Sat. Sept. 4th, Labor Day WEEKEND
Story – Linda Lou Crosby, Photo Hart Broesel
Gather yourselves up and come on over to the Seventh Annual Ingomar Ranch Rodeo, Sat., Sept. 4th, at the rodeo arena in Ingomar, MT. It is a Git ‘er Done, guys, gals or mixed team event that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as you grab a bite of your favorite burger, hot dog or polish, get a sip of cold beer or lemonade, and hang on fer the ride! It is a day of fun for the whole family.
It all begins at 10:00AM, with a rules meeting followed by the Calcutta, where attendees can put their money on a favorite team. Cowhands will then get busy roping, sorting, penning, milking, bucking and whatever else it takes to get the job done to become the high point Ingomar Ranch Rodeo 2021 Champions. The final two events will also be Calcutta’d just before those events. Prizes, money and pride go to the winning team. Not to mention a Top Hand and Top Horse award presented at the close of the day. And there will be fun things for youngsters to do as well.
Stock contractors Pat Cremer and Shane Vaira are providing the wild cows and calves, and bucking broncs respectively. In fact, folklore has it that the stock can’t wait to give each cowhand a definite run for their money at Ingomar. “The broncs will be on the lookout to spoil a cowboy’s day,” smiled cowboy poet and Ingomar resident Owen Badgett.
Competition is the name of the game as teams are competing to participate in Tery, MT at the Eastern Montana Ranch Rodeo Finals, Saturday, Sept. 12th, and at the Nile Ranch Rodeo in Billings, Mt. Saturday, Oct. 16th. So far, we have the Hardpan Hoodlums, S Ranch, the 6 Bar X, Steppler, Gumbo Riders, A Hanging F, the Ranch Wreck and we’re looking for at least a couple more teams. Someone tried to enter a phantom team, the Beechnut Babes. Turned out it was honchoed by Mary Schaefer (a definite wild card), and other folk that work the event. Although they would have given the ranch teams a run for their money (if you know these gals you know what we mean), it’s a good thing someone will be “minding the store”.
For great grub, be sure to stop by the rodeo club cook shack for your burger or dog. For a cold beer, visit the beer booth, open all day Sat. Tickets for the event are $10/adults, $5/7-12 years, 6 & under/free. Entries close Monday Aug. 23rd. Call Alice Cameron at 406-358-2255 to enter or find out more.
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Ingomar Open Rodeo – A Rousing Success!
Story by Linda Lou Crosby
No matter if it was the bucking broncs, the brazen bulls, the fearless rodeo clowns, the speedy steers, the “all in” crowd, the bountiful burgers, or just plain awesome cowhands at work….it was a down home, good time, family fun rodeo. It was the Ingomar Open Rodeo for 2021….and it was a rousing success!
From the opening events, kids poles, barrels, mixed team roping, to a heartfelt welcome and patriotic poem by Ingomar’s Owen Badgett, to the star spangled banner, followed by bucking, roping and riding from cowhands of all ages, everybody had a great time. “I love the Ingomar Rodeo,” said event timer Mary Schaefer, from Miles City. “It’s a small town with a great rodeo. I feel at home here.”
As always, announcer Deb Greenough, former world champion bareback rider, entertained the crowd with stories and comments as the rodeo unfolded. There were competitors all the way from Hawaii, Georgia, and Coeur D’Elene, Idaho not to mention nearby Melstone, Wyoming, and various parts of eastern Montana in the events. Crowd visitors included a family from New York, who came to the event with Grandma and Grandpa, Roundup residents. Why Ingomar? More than a few “to be” PRCA and NFR competitors competed in Ingomar as they moved towards National prominence. As Greenough put it, “There’s just something special about the Ingomar rodeo that stays with you. When you look around and see the town is bordered by cattle guards, and surrounded by not much else, you know you are in ranching country.”
Through the heat and dust came some exciting performances. The audience cheered for great rides and great tries. And the crowd munched on excellent grub provided by the cook shack. The Buckaroo Bounce, where kids of all ages race across the arena on colorful balls, brought laughs and cheers. The winner, Ethan Riddle, got $100 and a trophy, and $10 was split for the Best Try, and the best Ooops.
Someone noticed a couple white Cadillac limos parked by the rodeo arena. Rumor has it that the one with the horns on the front belongs to four cowboys who work at the Coffee ranch, and come by to help Ingomar get ready for the rodeo each year – and then compete. Apparently they decided to ride in style, and each pitched in to buy the showy vehicle. The showy limo was pretty darn dusty at the end of the day. So was the crowd. So were the photographers. So were the contestants. So were the judges. But the breeze was worth it. And, when the dust settled, winners included (see accompanying winners list): Top 4 Saddle Bronc Ride off –
Winner Takes all – Gavin Nelson, Top 4 Mixed Roping Teams – Winner takes all – Kelsey Robinson and Jason Grebe, Ladies Breakaway) – Kelly McDaniel, Ladies Barrels – Haley Vance, and Top Bull Rider – John Cremer.
Folks topped off the day dancing the night away in front of the Jersey Lilly. Many stayed over in tents or in their outfits. And when the sun rose, a number of the overnight guests apparently grabbed a trash bag and cleaned up the rodeo grounds. “We were pretty amazed to head over to the arena in the morning and find everything picked up,” said Ingomar Rodeo Club President Donald John Cameron. “We are really grateful to all our generous sponsors and our volunteers, without whom we couldn’t have this rodeo.” “Stock contractors Shane Vaira and Paul Eiker brought top notch bucking stock,” added Badgett.
Barely after folks headed on home from the Open Rodeo, the Ingomar Rodeo Club got busy getting ready for the Ingomar Ranch Rodeo, only a month away on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 4th. “We’ll be taking team entries starting Monday, August 15th starting at 8:00AM“, added Ingomar Rodeo Club Secretary Alice Cameron. To find out more and enter call Alice at 406-358-2255. Events will include Bucking Broncs, to Wild (and I do mean Wild) Cow Milking, to Sorting and Penning cattle determined not to be sorted OR penned…well, you name it. Anything can happen, and it usually does. See ya there!
Photos by Linda Lou Crosby and Montana Reynolds
Check out Ingomar Rodeo Club facebook page for more!
Tri-City Rec Club’s “Bill Seward Day” a Rousing Success in Ingomar
Story by Linda Lou Crosby, Photos by Montana Reynolds
Over 200 people arrived in Ingomar for the first ever, “Bill Seward Day”, the Tri-City Rec Community Fund Raising event Saturday, March 20th. Ingomar folk made about 40 gallons of Bill Seward Beans, accompanied by about 5 gallons of hot sauce, and 12 bags of croutons – all based on Bill Seward’s original recipe – courtesy of Seward grandkids Lecia, Curt, Jeff and Bill’s daughter Maxime, in anticipation of attendees appetites. The event was scheduled to begin at 11:00AM. “Folks started arriving at 10:30am, while we were still getting ready,” said Helen Roth, of Miles City, who volunteered to take food orders at the door.
The air was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and all the things that can magically happen in a small town when a get together presents itself. And Ingomar is officially a small town, population 12. A small town with an impressive gathering. “There were people from two years old to ageless,” added Ingomar’s Hart Broesel, secretary-treasurer of the Tri-City Rec Club, which is focused on improving the community building. Their most recent project has been to improve the acoustics, and being responsive to facilitating community get togethers of all kinds.
The vendors (organized by Emily Olson) offering everything from diamond art, to handmade crochet items, from specialty bags, to coyote snares, to handmade earrings for the fisherwoman. Folks gathered at Nick Fanelli’s railroad booth, where he shared videos and information about the Milwaukee Road – the railroad that passed through Ingomar until 1980. “I enjoyed sharing information about the historic Milwaukee Railroad and its impact on our area,” said Nick.
As visitors munched on Bill Seward beans accompanied by beef sandwiches, shared their Ingomar stories, and took advantage of the Libations offered at the event, it was like “old home week”. “I had the chance to talk with a lot of people I hadn’t seen in quite awhile,” added Ingomar’s Johnna Newman, who was busy working in the kitchen with Alice Cameron, Pam Fanelli, and Karen Stroh. That was the busiest place around. Not to mention you didn’t want to get too close to the action or you would immediately be enrolled in delivering meals to waiting guests.
Then there was the corn hole tournament, where good natured and yet serious minded folk, played their best for prize money offered to the top teams. Sheldon and Mel Franzel built and brought 8 boards and 16 “score keepers” for the event. According to Sheldon, “There were 18 Teams total. Robbie and Virginia Crigamire were the winners of the First tournament and Ves Clifton and girlfriend Tina won the 2nd one. The first event paid: 1st- $120, 2nd- $60 and $20 to 3rd. Tournament two paid $150 for 1st and 2nd got $100.”
Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County (CFNRC) President Robert Engle, and Fund Director Darrell Grogan made a special appearance to enjoy the day and present the Tri-City Rec Club with a $2500 grant towards Phase II of the Community Center’s acoustic improvement efforts. The CFNRC also supported Phase I with a $2300 grant. Evidence of Phase I work was obvious as visitors scanned the newly mounted acoustic boards and burlap curtains throughout the building. “We are truly grateful for CFNRC support for our community and the Tri-City Rec Club,” commented Hart Broesel. This grant donation was celebrated with a large round of applause from all gathered. Owen Badgett then offered cowboy poetry, and Doug Hollowell and son Frank played music and sang to an appreciative crowd.
The Tri-City Rec Communities saluted all the volunteers and good natured folk who helped make this event happen. This was the First Annual Bill Seward Day. The Tri-City Rec Club said they will be doing this every year on the weekend after St. Patrick’s Day. Bill Seward was one of the school board members when the gym was built; the gym became the Tri-City Community Center. And certainly Bill was responsible for Bill Seward Beans which everyone thoroughly enjoyed!
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Tri-City Rec Club Acoustic Improvement Project – Article & Photos
“Bred to Buck & Buckaroos” 2021 Calendar SOLD OUT. Proceeds going to Ingomar Rodeo Club. Thanks for your support!
SIXTH ANNUAL INGOMAR RANCH RODEO AND BIG LOOP
Labor Day Weekend, Sat. Sept. 5th, 2020
Gather yourselves up and come on over to the Sixth Annual Ingomar Ranch Rodeo and Big Loop event, Sat., Sept. 5th, at the rodeo arena in Ingomar, MT. It is a Git ‘er Done, guys, gals or mixed team event that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as you grab a bite of your smoked roast beef sandwich, a sip of cold beer or lemonade, and hang on fer the ride! It is a day of fun for the whole family. Read more…
Clifton Family 4th of July in Ingomar!
Special Delivery Ingomar
Donald John and Alice Cameron recently came up with an Ingomar ‘Meals on Wheels’ effort for Sunday Supper. Alice, and family – her grandson Cody was visiting for the day – delivered a full-fledged Spaghetti extravaganza to everyone in town Sunday. Read all about it here.
Ingomar Traveling Tea Party May 3
More Photos from Camp IOU
