As Rodeo season has come back around, so has the Cowboys Of Color Rodeo. This year, it took place at the Jim Norick Arena on May 3.
The History of Cowboys of Color
Cleo L. Hearn, a man who wanted to rodeo and include multiple cultures, created Oklahoma´s Cowboys of Color rodeo. While Cleo was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA Rodeo), he changed the name of the rodeo from Texas Black Rodeo to Cowboys of Color.
More about Cleon Hearn
Hearn first started out as a student at The University of Oklahoma, but the course he was taking was soon canceled. He later went on to join the military and became one of the first African Americans to be a part of the Presidential Honor Guard for former president John F. Kennedy. After he served, he went back to attend college at Langston University, where he became the first ever African American to be accepted into college on a rodeo scholarship and get a business degree. During an interview Hearn said “rodeo will always be a part of my life.”
Rodeo teams
While the rodeo is happening, multiple different cowboy teams come and compete. One team is the Country Boys; the Country Boys are an all boys team that can range from ages seven and up. Country Boy rider Brian Hall started riding with the Country Boys 8 years ago.
Preparation for a rodeo
Rodeo horses need a lot of care and preparation to perform like they do. Hall said when he is preparing for a big rodeo he starts getting the horses ready ”2 weeks before time, sometimes 4 weeks.” He keeps them well fed and gives them vitamins. The day before or day of, he further prepares by “getting ready Friday evening, then Saturday morning it’s washing horses until it’s time to leave.”
Daycare owner and wife of Country Boy rider Richelle Stoner-Hall said “I wear jeans and a country boy t-shirt.” To prepare to be at a rodeo for hours on end, she wears comfy clothes and “packs snacks and drinks.”
Events that occured
The rodeo consisted of barrel racing, calf roping, bull riding and more. Along with these festivities, people also had the opportunity to line dance on the arena floor. The rodeo is not just about racing and competition; it’s one big party. This event brings African Americans and many more ethnicities together. Some go to just watch the rodeo, while others actually participate.
For this rodeo being the last Cowboys of Color in the Jim Norick arena before being demolished and added on to the new arena, it was a very special one. One of the main fan favorite events is the Pony Express. Everyone from multiple ethnicities came out, danced, and came together as one big group to have a good time for the last time in the arena.
