Local cowgirls compete in Amarillo rodeo

Cowgirls from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado will compete in Amarillo’s inaugural Cowgirl Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, June 4, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Tri-State Fairgrounds.

Four-woman teams representing area ranches will compete in sorting, branding, doctoring, team tying, and Ranch Horse Competition.  The winning team will perform at the evening performance of the Coors Ranch Rodeo on Saturday night.

Local teams and their members competing include: Calvary Cowgirls – JR Hall Partnership – members Linda Crump of Clarendon, Pam McCleskey and Loretta Hall both of Hedley, and Lana Ritchie of Prairie Hill; Shields Ranch – members Audra Shields-Lujan of Hereford, Stephanie Spillar of Clarendon, Kristin Rice of Friona, and Tammy Valdez of Dimmitt; High Card Ranch in Clarendon – members Nancy Peirce of Clovis, Amanda Deerman of La Mesa, Patty Moberly of Melrose, and Missy Holmes of Elida.

Linda Crump of Clarendon is the team captain of the Calvary Cowgirls. She is a ranch day worker along with her husband, Morris. She is the mother to seven grown children – Ray, Randy, James, Willie, Elwyn, and Wyman.  Linda was born on the Matador Ranch in Motley County and has lived and worked at several ranches including the League Ranch, Pitchfork, Salt Fork, and High Card. She currently day works for TL Roach Ranch, Allen Creek Division in Donley County.  Linda has competed in several ranch rodeos including the All-Girls Ranch Rodeo in Shattuck, Oklahoma, where she was a member of the winning team in 2002 and 2003.  She also competes in team penning, placing fourth at the 1995 AQHA World Championship Show.  Her hobbies include photography, and she also sings at church functions.

Pam McCleskey of Hedley is a day worker on the TL Roach Ranch. Her husband, Elwyn, also is a day worker and farrier. They are parents of Casey, 6 and Cooper, 1. Pam was born and raised on ranches in Colorado and New Mexico. She has competed in the 2004 Clayton Women’s Ranch Rodeo, placing fourth, and was a member of the winning team in the 2002 All-Girls Ranch Rodeo in Shattuck, Oklahoma. Pam likes to rope whenever she has the opportunity.

Lana Ritchie of Prairie Hill is a ranch hand along with her husband, Wes. The couple was married in December 2004. Lana grew up on the Cash & Rowe Ranch where she helped work cattle. She has competed in junior ranch rodeos and also was the valedictorian of her senior class and played basketball. She enjoys riding horses and working cattle.

Loretta Hall of Hedley is a rancher and farmer with her husband, John. They raise Braunvieh and Gelbvieh cattle. They are parents of grown children, Justin and Jason. Loretta likes the fun and competition of ranch rodeo but considers her greatest honor is being “Gram” to her grandsons. She is very active in church activities.

Stephanie Spillar of Clarendon is involved in sales. Her husband, Bob, is a ranch foreman for Halls Creek Ranch and they the parents of Tyler, 13, and Sam, 7. She grew up on a feedyard operation and competes in barrel racing. Stephanie enjoys team roping, camping and hunting.

“Cowboy Roundup USA has a remarkable18-year history of celebrating the cowboy spirit,” said CRR chair Phyllis Payne. “The Cowgirl Ranch Rodeo recognizes the tremendous contributions of women to our ranching heritage.

“These competitors are real cowgirls from some of the region’s most celebrated working ranches,” Payne said and added that there will be no charge for admission to the Cowgirl Ranch Rodeo.

In conjunction with the event, attendees have the opportunity to win a Coolhorse saddle, with proceeds to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The saddle will be on display at the Amarillo National Center, and tickets for the opportunity to win are $5 each.