Happy Trails With Dawni O'Bryan

I admit it. I absolutely love summer and being outdoors.

If you have been keeping up with me, I have been highlighting several of the county fairs in our area. The county fair is a little slice of heaven for animal enthusiasts.

Born to Merle and Carol Shalberg of Sheridan Lake, CO in 1967, Lori always had a love for horses. She was well-known for riding the beautiful Palomino gelding, “Cee Bar Pride”.

This week’s article is being written from the Cam-Plex in Gillette, WY at the National High School Finals Rodeo with the first round of action being completed. What an experience this has been for all high school rodeoers, their parents, grandparents, and supporters.

As mentioned in previous articles, there is somewhat of a progression that goes along with rodeo. Young kids start out at little gymkhanas and junior rodeos, and then it is on to junior high school rodeos, and high school rodeos.

The energy was high, the stakes were high, and the price of fuel was even higher heading into the state high school rodeo finals. Colorado held their event at Moffat County Fairgrounds in Craig, CO and the Kansas folks held their finals at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, KS over Memorial Day weekend.

Fred and Norma Dorenkamp have lived their lives largely from the view of the rodeo trail with their home camp being the Holly/Granada area. They raised their children to love and appreciate the people, the animals, and the competition that the rodeo lifestyle has to offer.

As a reporter of rodeo news and happenings, I often visit the website of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association based in Colorado Springs. It has all the results of the professional rodeos and some news clips of what is happening at the pro level.

Especially when the weather turns chilly, there is just nothing like a good cup of coffee to warm the body and soul. Many friendships, romantic relationships, business dealings, and family discussions happen over a cup of coffee.

The Mountains States Circuit Finals were held in Loveland at The Ranch Events Complex October 22nd and 23rd. To qualify for these finals the contestants have to be in the top 12 of their declared circuit.

Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Chris LeDoux all sang a version of the song, “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.” The lyrics say, “I grew up a-dreamin’ of bein’ a cowboy, Lovin’ the cowboy ways, Pursuin’ the life of my high-ridin’ heroes, I burned up my childhood days.” It makes one ponder what the cowboy ways really are. The cowboy ways align pretty close with the code of the West.

The town of Dodge City and Western State Bank Expo Center plays host to the Young Guns Rodeo Series.  According to one of the founders, Scott Vander Hamm, what started out as a small gymkhana to help kids keep roping and riding over the winter months has blossomed into a huge event that sports over 225 contestants in a plethora of events. As you can tell from the photo, there is a herd of them.