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Hundreds flock to Utopia’s 21st-annual ranch rodeo


Hattie Barham
The Young Ranch defending champions, including (from left to right) rodeo producer and stock contractor Mike Outhier, Pro-Rodeo Cowboy Association world champion header Nick Sartain, Young Ranch team captain and bronc rider Zack Vickers, Kip Harrel, and Blake Stocker. The Young Ranch team, who ride in memory of their long time team captain Jerry Williams, took home $12,000 and trophy buckles at the 21st-annual Utopia Ranch Rodeo.

A crowd of over 1500 fans filled the Utopia rodeo arena during Memorial Day weekend to cheer for the cowboys in the 21st-annual ranch rodeo. Young Ranch, riding in memory of their lost teammate Jerry Williams, won the competition for the third year in a row but the Thompson Ranch made them work for it. Only one point allowed the Young Ranch to take home $12,000 and trophy buckles while the Thompson Ranch pocketed $10,000 for their efforts. 

Each of these teams had a PRCA world champion cowboy showing off his ranch roping skills. Anyone who is a fan of the Cowboy Channel recognized Caleb Schmidt and Nick Sartain as regulars and it was fun having them in Utopia.

The total purse of $34,000 for this popular ranch rodeo was made possible by Kristy and Mike Outhier and their many loyal sponsors who continue to support this event. Thanks to all of them for bringing this great evening to our town. In addition to the tough cowboys in the arena, the Cactus Country Band provided some of the best fiddling music ever heard on the old cement dance floor after the rodeo.

Graduation 

Graduation night in the Buffalo Gym was also a very special time for the 14 seniors and their families. Thirteen members of the class had earned college credits through the dual enrollment program offered at the Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde and are headed to their favorite colleges. One young lady is even spreading her wings and attending the New York City Fashion Institute.

This group leaves Utopia High School with $183,500 in scholarships, many provided by our local community. 

New scholarships added this year included the Slade Bomer Memorial and the Phoenix Award initiated by valedictorian Jordan Cervera. Congratulations to this class for providing quality leadership in our school and community and we wish them well as they follow their dreams.

Around Town

The June calendar is filling up so here are a few reminders to add.The Slade Bomer Memorial event in the park including barbecue, cornhole, team roping, silent auction and more to fund the scholarship for next year’s seniors on June 10. 

The reception and book launch of “Finding Utopia, by Linda Jones Weber, at the Sabinal Canyon Museum on Sunday, June 11 from 1-3:00. 

The summer series of Pickin on the Porch concerts will begin June 14 at Fisher Camp at 7:00. Everyone is invited for an hour of gospel music and maybe some extra fiddling thrown in. 

The 136th annual Utopia Rodeo and Barbecue in the park on June 23-24 features a new experience on Friday night with a Bull Bash bull riding competition followed by an open rodeo on Saturday. Bret Mullins band plays both nights for dancing under the stars. 

Utopia’s Fourth of July celebration planning is underway. Our fireworks team suffered great losses this past year with the death of two leaders of the team.    

The remaining members are working hard to put it all together and our thoughts are with them in the struggle. Hopefully, the fireworks show will happen but we know for sure the patriotic parade will travel up and down Main Street at 10:00 on July 4. Be planning your decorations for any moving vehicle and join the celebration.

As we say farewell to this glorious month of May we are thankful for the 12 or so inches of rain received across the Sabinal Canyon – almost more than we received all of the past year. What a blessing and wonderful start to the summer.