14th Annual Wellington Rodeo
Wellington Texas is set in the eastern part of the Texas Panhandle, just north of Childress, Texas, by about 30 miles and just South of Shamrock Texas about 25 miles. When you roll into Wellington you will find miles and miles of cultivated land as well as acres and acres of ranch land, but on the northeast edge of town you will find the city’s rodeo grounds, home to the 14th annual Fourth of July Wellington Rodeo. This Rodeo is built around the “Cowboy Christmas” weekend allowing the rodeo cowboy the opportunity to hit multiple rodeos all in the same weekend.
During this weekend in July, Wellington has shown in past years to have over 450 contestants pass through the gates of the arena, bringing many rodeo families to the small town of about 2200. Wellington has had an annual rodeo as many years but it has only been on the fourth of July since the rodeo grounds were rebuilt 14 years ago. The city of Wellington helped construct both an outdoor and smaller indoor arena for contestants to warm up in. There are stalls for overnight stays as well as RV hookups on the grounds.
The committee plans an entertainment filled event for the community as well as a competitive rodeo for the contestant, including a dance complete with live band. There are events for the local contestants including mutton bustin and a steer saddling event for the local adults as well. The Wellington, Texas, rodeo has been open, TCRA, and UPRA, and switched to KPRA this year for the first time.
“We are just trying something different this year to see how it goes,” said Baron Tillman, president of the rodeo committee as well as youth pastor at the First Baptist Church in Wellington. “Alan McCloy is the stock contractor for our Rodeo and has done a really good job for us for many years. He brings good cattle and great rough stock to our rodeo to help provide a very competitive atmosphere for our contestants.” The rodeo has added $600 to each event, thanks to the generous sponsors and local businesses. “We could not have a rodeo every year if it were not for our sponsors, and the volunteers of our community that come out and help run the gates and strip the stock and just help where help is needed. Our committee is made up of about eight young families that make all the plans and get everything in order but when the rodeo starts I cannot tell you how many more families show up to make sure things happen. It is a great place to be and I am proud to call Wellington home.”
– Wellington TX – Baron Tillman
Old Canadian Rodeo
Canadian, Texas
Arguably the oldest rodeo in Texas, Canadian held its first rodeo in 1888. It was a two day celebration with steer roping as the main event. The “Cowboys’ Reunion” was held just one year after the arrival of the Santa Fe Railway, and although Canadian did not have many citizens, people came from far and near to engage in the event. There was roping, tying down, horse racing, tournament races and dancing. There were no arenas or grandstands, but the spectators lined the streets of the lively cow-town and the races were held on the dust filled streets.
Over the years, the town has continued to support the rodeo, and the rodeo committee is made up of local people that love the sport of rodeo. “ With a board as old as ours, the faces on that board have changed many many times,” said Heath Hayden, president of the board and a local veterinarian. “We have a board made up of a veterinarian, a deputy sheriff, NRCS staff personnel, banking affiliates, auto parts store owner, construction company owner, a professional painter, oilfield executives, earth moving contractors, accountant and amateur rodeo competitors. We are a very diverse group of people that work together in our spare time to put on the oldest amateur rodeo in Texas and arguable the United States. I have been on the board for 5 years and am currently serving my second term as president.”
The rodeo has always been co-sanctioned with the KPRA, but is switching this year to a KPRA first approved rodeo. “Even though we have a board of 11 members, we rely heavily on community volunteers to put on our rodeos and dances. The financial support we receive from the community is outstanding, in the good economic times and in the bad we are very gracious of our home town supporters.”
– Canadian TX – Heath Hayden
