RANCH RODEO WINNERS at last weekend’s Western Heritage Classic in Abilene were newcomers from the Stuart Ranch of Caddo, Okla. Team members, from left, are Jay Adcock, Terry Stuart Forst, Carl Gholson, Rick Bagby and Daylin Hash.

Stuart Ranch Hands
Win WHC Ranch Rodeo

ABILENE — The Stuart Ranch, a first-time participant out of Caddo, Oklahoma, took first place in the ranch rodeo competition here last weekend at the 14th annual Western Heritage Classic.

Twelve historic ranch teams competed in the event, whose second place honors went to the Alexander Ranch of Abilene. Placing third was Albany’s Matthews Ranch, and fourth place went to Abilene’s Guitar Ranch.

Other competing ranches included 6666 Ranch, Green Land & Cattle Co., Haythorn Ranch, Moorhouse Ranch Co., Outta Grass Cattle Co., Pitchfork Land & Cattle Co., Quien Sabe Ranch and Spade Ranch.

A highlight of this year’s Western Heritage Classic was the first national finals for the Ranch Horse Association of America’s Working Ranch Horse Competition. The winning horse, "Shady," was ridden by Joe Leathers of the Moorhouse Ranch.

Local working horse competition on Friday preceeding the national finals saw "Seven S Tornado," ridden by Jay Adcock of the Stuart Ranch, take the junior division honors; senior division winner was "Tex," ridden by Bob Moorhouse of the Pitchfork Ranch. "Seven S Tornado" was named Super Horse during the Friday night rodeo.

The annual WHC Remuda Award went to the Haythorn Ranch with "Windy" named 1998 All-Around Horse. WHC Ranch Hands Team Roping best average winners were James Reid and Jahew Thorp. Bud Lowry and Johnny Stewart had the best go-round time.