ISY&LR Celebrates Independence Day

By Judy Weeks

IMMOKALEE — The week of July 4 is one of the busiest times for celebration across the U.S. Fireworks, parades, rodeos, picnics, boat and car races abound as people commemorate the day our nation declared it’s independence.

It has been approximately one year since the formation of the Immokalee Seminole Youth and Livestock Ranch (ISY&LR). Director Benny Motlow said he couldn’t think of a better time to put together a weekend of activities with something for everyone; three rodeos, a roping clinic, carnival, team roping and fireworks.

Motlow said, “It’s hard to believe that it has already been a year since organizing the Youth Ranch. We have been so busy setting up programs and building our facilities that it seems like yesterday.

“In addition to scheduled events, we have weekly riding lessons, barrel racing and roping instructions as well as roping practice and competitions. Projects currently in the works are too numerous to name, but are quickly becoming a reality.”

ROPING CLINIC

The Youth Ranch hosted a roping clinic last April with great success. As promised, Motlow re-enlisted the services of roping professionals Bourne and Lowry for a teaching session on June 27 and 28.

Tom Bourne is a heeler from Chapel Hill, Tenn., and his heading partner, Ross Lowry, hails from Summerville, Ga. Both men have made their mark in roping competitions and are currently following the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit across the Southeastern U.S.

Working with their students both days, they emphasized the basic concepts of roping and the need for continued practice.

Lowry pointed out, “Even as professionals, we try to get in some practice time daily. Like any other sport, you only get something out of it, if you are willing to put in a reasonable amount of effort.”

Although there were some new students, they were pleased to see Chad and Cody Motlow were not only back for more help, but had made obvious improvements since the last clinic.

“Working with youngsters like these and realizing that you have made a difference, is probably one of the most rewarding experiences you can have,” said Tom Bourne.

CALF SCRAMBLE

Prior to the scheduled rodeos on Friday and Saturday evenings, youngsters ranging from five to 16 years old were given an opportunity to enter a calf scramble. Divided into age groups the children gathered in the arena, where they charged after the calves attempting to grab the ribbon from their tails. Shouts of encouragement and squeals of laughter filled the rodeo grounds.

PROFESSIONAL RODEO COWBOYS ASSOCIATION

John Jimmie Memorial Arena was host to cowboys from all across the Southeastern U.S. as they came to participate in the two day PRCA rodeo Friday and Saturday evenings, July 1 and 2.

Charlie and Wanda Lowry’s 6-L Rodeo Co. of Summerville, Ga. provided some excellent livestock for the events. The announcer, Andy Stewart, came all the way from Monroe, La., to inform and entertain the contestants and spectators. Two very skilled Georgia boys, Kevin Ellis and Ben Lee, proved to be exceptional athletes as bullfighters.

They worked hard to distract the bulls and horses while protecting the riders from injury and assisting with other events. Judge Terry Hayes officiated both nights.

A very memorable tribute was paid to our service men fighting for freedom around the world. A little ten year old cowboy entered the arena and said, “My hero is the bravest man in the world. I don’t see him much because his job is to guard our backs. He is an American soldier.”

He was followed by the testimonies of a soldier’s wife and mother. Representing fighting men everywhere, a soldier in fatigues gave a moving presentation which left the audience with a feeling of deep gratitude and respect.

Miss Rodeo of Florida Charleen Rowan paraded around the arena with Old Glory while the crowd sang the National Anthem.

Bareback and saddle bronc riders put on a terrific performance both nights on some of the rankest horses Immokalee has ever seen. The excitement ran through the crowd as rider after rider excited the bucking chutes. The Seminole Tribe’s Adam Turtle of Brighton drew a particularly bad bronc, but stuck with him for a ride that he will long remember.

Winning the Bareback was John Giannasi from Summerfield, Fl. with a score of 74 on #31 Benny. Brad Bates of Morton, Ms. scored 76 points for the win in Saddle Bronc on L72 Cope Dot Com.

The scores in steer wrestling were very close throughout the competition with the majority receiving 4 and 5 second runs. Bulldogger Cade Woodruff of Montgomery, Al. took first place with a time of 3.7 seconds.

The calf tie down roping had more than 30 entries, with riders working hard to catch their calf, throw and tie him for a hold of more than six seconds. Competition was fierce and there were no times, broken barriers and scores ranging from 10 to 22 seconds. The end result was a tie for first place between Brent Walden of Stockbridge, Ga. and Rabe Rabon of Okeechobee, Fla.

Josh and Naha Jumper held first place in the team roping on Friday night: however, they were beat out in the slack by two Georgia boys: Dustin Buchanan of Rydal, and Ty Ethridge from Franklin. Among the contestants was National Finals Rodeo qualifier Brad Culpepper, who had a tough break when his header’s horse broke the barrier.

Women’s Professional Cowboys Association barrels drew a multitude of women hoping to win the purse and add points to their year end standings. Scores averaged in the 16’s with the winner, Jodi Jansen, from Loxahatchee, Fla., making a 15.65 run.

One exceptional barrel rider is Shawna Bourne, who broke her leg in competition in Calhoun, Ga. a week or so ago. Despite her leg being in a cast, she came to Immokalee and took first place in Brighton at the PCA. That is a dedicated athlete.

The rodeo clown’s job isn’t just to entertain, but to assist the bullfighters as they rush to protect the riders. Keith Isley of North Carolina did a fantastic job. As a winner of Rodeo’s Funny Man of the Year, he had an extensive repertoire.

Accompanied by his four-legged companions, he kept the attention of the crowd. Isley’s beautiful palomino gelding performed tricks and responded with gestures that were so intelligent that you couldn’t help but wonder if he could talk. With a miniature horse, smaller than most dogs, he wowed the crowd and it would be hard to top the abilities of his well trained dog.

Four man teams competed against each other in the Wild Horse Race. Each team had to subdue the animal, saddle and get a rider on its back before their opponents. The winning team belonged to Ty Murphy. During the event on Saturday evening, an unfortunate accident took place. Zack Thomas was knocked to the ground during the scuffle and his leg was broken. Thomas, who hails from Rustic Ranch in Okeechobee, is a veteran of Wild Horse Racing. He has organized many teams and refers to such injuries as an occupational hazard.

With names like Black Jack, Supersize, Gator, Tornado and Live Wire, it’s amazing that the bull riders aren’t intimidated before they lower themselves on the bull’s back. Apparently this isn’t the case because there were over 30 entries eager to take their turn in the chutes.

Before it was over, Charlie’s Pet had dropped to his knees slinging Bill Peterson through the air. Brandon Hendricks got hung up and Gator spun him around in circles before he fell to freedom. Shane Duncun’s bull declared war on the pick up man, while Mike Gilliam’s mount head butted bullfighter Kevin Ellis. Amid cheers from the crowd, Jason Fordham of Beverly Hills, Fla., took first place with 81 points on H94 “Roach.”

Following Saturday’s rodeo, an elaborate fireworks display entertained everyone.

JUNIOR RODEO

Saturday morning, July 2nd, saw the John Jimmie Memorial Arena filled with young faces ready to compete in the Junior Rodeo. Stanley Bronson was Judge and Arena Boss for the day. Joanna and Paige Sherman handled the microphone, books and timers.

Contestants included Youth Ranch participants, local youngsters from surrounding communities and the offspring of several PRCA contenders.

Ten young ladies were entered in the barrels with the following results: 1. Jennifer Devoe, 2. Lanie Culligan, 3. Tiffany Brown, 4. Ashley Farrabee.

Breakaway roping drew both boys and girls. Unfortunately, only one of the 12 entries received a score. Wyatt Larson took first place by default.

Tie down calf ropers fared much better with Slade Bronson in first, Jesus Gonzales Jr. in second, Wyatt Larson in third and Ty Piggot in fourth.

Goat tying proved to be very difficult with scores ranging from 18.5 to 43.3 seconds: 1. Ashley Farrabee, 2. Kindall Tindall, 3. Dustin Cunde, 4. Massie Culligan.

Pole benders finished as follows: 1. Jennifer Devoe, 2. Tiffany Brown, 3. Carly Lanier, 4. Ashley Farrabee.

Sixteen teams rounded out the roping. The first few runs had a rash of no times but then the competition became heated: 1. Jesus Gonzales Jr. and Wyatt Adams, 2. Ty Pigott and Wyatt Larson, 3. Slade Bronson and Wyatt Adams, 4. Slade Bronson and Curtis Culligan.

ALL GIRLS RODEO

ISY&LR sponsored an All Girls Rodeo at 11 a.m. on July 3. Gene Fulford organized the affair with Stanley Bronson judging. Joanna and Paige Sherman handled the secretarial positions.

The seven events took most of the day to complete with several entries in each category.

Results were:

Steer undecorating: 1. Pauletta Bowers, 2.-Josie Fulford, 3. Lori Brinker, 4. Bobbi Jean Fulford.

Breakaway roping: 1. Bobbi Jean Fulford, 2. Dara Walker, 3. Josie Fulford.

Tie down calf roping: 1. Bobbi Jean Fulford, 2. Lori Brinker, 3. Josie Fulford.

Team roping: 1. Bonnie Jean Fulford and Pauletta Bowers, 2. Stephanie Sullivan and Pauletta Bowers.

Goat tying: 1. Lanie Culligan, 2. Stephanie Sullivan, 3. Bobbi Jean Fulford, 4. Amanda Porter.

Poles: 1. Amanda Porter, 2. Josie Fulford, 3. Amanda Norman.

JULY 4th ROUND ROBIN

A one head Round Robin got underway at 10 a.m. July 4 at the John Jimmie Memorial Arena. From 18 headers and 17 heelers, 306 teams were formed. Competing until late-afternoon, they all agreed that there was no better way to celebrate their Independence Day. No results were available at press time.

A carnival with 16 rides and booths, together with horse drawn wagons, was set up on the grounds all four days and remained busy entertaining the younger set. All Youth Ranch employees worked very hard each day to make this production possible.