World Champions, Tall in the Saddle

Colorado World Champs-Kneeling Jesse and Phy & in back Dustin, Nick and Kyle

The title of the best Ranch Rodeo Team in the World was claimed recently by two Colorado teams.  Jolly Ranch and Lord Ranch of Agate and Lamar, Colorado rode to the number one spot recently during competition in Amarillo, Texas.

Wild Cow Milking

Jess Jolly, Dustin Bowling, Nick Peterson, Ply Lord and Kyle Spitz took first place honors at the Working Ranch Cowboys Association’s World Championship Ranch Rodeo on November 9.  Jolly and Downing are brothers-in-law who work the Jolly Ranch’s 400 head cow/calf operation in Agate.  Nick Peterson is employed at the ranch and had roped with Jesse Jolly in college.  The other part of the team consists of former PRCA team roper Phy Lord and Kyle Spitz.  Lord and his wife, Shali, a pro barrel racer, manage the family ranch in Lamar.  Spitz, who comes from a long-lived agricultural family, bred many of the team horses.

Dustin-Roping; Nick-Branding; Phy & Kyle-Flanking Colt

The November 9^th event wasn’t the team’s first rodeo, as it took several attempts before the team worked their way up to the Amarillo championship competition.  One new strategy involved mixing up who competed in which event from last year.

Ranch rodeos are not new to the southwest as working cowboys turn their daily events into competition on horseback.  A lot of the work falls to well-trained horses who know their moves as well as their riders.  Twenty-two teams from various states, including Florida, competed for four days.  The win for this group marks the first time in the 19 year history of the competition that a Colorado team gained world championship honors.  A celebration dinner was held for the team on Saturday, November 22, at the Lamar Eagles Lodge.