Bareback Bronc Riding
The horses in this event are harnessed with rigging equipment that is similar to a briefcase handle.  Using this, a strong grip, a powerful muscular arm, and balance, the rider must instantly catch the rhythm of the bare backed horse as it leaves the chute, matching it to his spurring kick.  As the bronc bucks up into the air, the contestant lifts his feet, pulling his knees almost to his chin.  As the horse goes up and over, then starts back down, the rider straightens his legs bringing his dulled spurs to the horses neck just before the animal's forelegs hit the ground.  It is this rhythm that reveals the skill of each contestant. 
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Barrel Racing
Barrel Racing is perhaps the fastest and most easily understood event in the rodeo.  Three barrels are placed at an equal distance from each other and the horse and rider team must complete the cloverleaf course around each barrel and return to the finish line in the fastest time to win.  Times are so fast that they must be measured to the hundredth second to determine the winner.  In many of the other events riders will borrow horses, but this is not the case in barrel racing.  These horses are some of the most amazing athletes there are and they must have agility, speed and a driving desire.  The horse and rider together must become a united team and work together in order to win.
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Saddle Bronc Riding
As with the bareback riding event, the contestant strives to catch and match the rhythm of the horse to his own spur stroke.  Balance is the greatest asset and the rider achieves this by lifting (not pulling) the braided rein which is attached to the bronc's halter.  The ride is erratic and unpredictable so the rider must make the best use of this rein as he possibly can - too long and the cowboy can't reach high enough to take up the extra slack, but too short a grip can yank the rider over the bronc's head onto the ground.  The best grip, the best rhythm, the best style, the best ride - that's what makes a winner.
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Bull Riding
Imagine riding a tornado as it rips and tears about erratically - that is a pretty good description of what it's like to ride a nearly 2,000 pound bucking bull.  They are bad tempered, ill-mannered and like nothing better than stomping on anyone who tries to straddle them.  That's what makes this one of the most dangerous and exhausting events of the rodeo. A cowboy must have more than endurance, he must have courage, incredible balance and a superior mind set.  The rider takes a tight grip, then holds on as the huge bull leaps from the chute, lurches and spins.  He must use his free hand to try and counter the bulls movements to maintain balance, all the while striving the find a better hold with his feet. It is like no other event when it comes to danger, skill, strength and bravery and it takes a special competitor to master it.
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Steer Wrestling
After giving the steer a head start, the cowboy races after the running animal.  With the help of a hazer (a second cowboy who rides along side the bovine to keep it running straight) the contestant will come up beside the steer and then move from the horse to the steer.  Both are traveling at around 30 miles an hour when this happens.  As fast as possible, the cowboy must stop, turn back, and wrestle the steer to the ground.  Wrestling a 600 pound animal with horns isn't for the faint hearted.  Though the cowboy's size can help, it takes timing, coordination, skill and especially courage to succeed in this event.
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Calf Roping
This timed event is one in which the cowboy competes against the clock, the animal and the other contestants.  It is a lightning fast flurry of activity that seems to be chaotic most of the time.  The calf is given a sizable head start, then the contestant races to catch up to it, rope it, flip it off it's feet, and bind it - all in a matter of seconds.  This skill is developed through hours of practice.  Skill and speed, coupled with a well trained horse, makes an unbeatable score. 
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Steer Roping
Put one horse, one cowboy with a rope, and one unpredictable steer in an arena and you'll have quite a show.  It involves so many possible errors that sometimes things can, and do, go wrong.  After the steer takes it's head start, the cowboy follows, riding his horse as quickly as possible to close the gap.  When he is close enough he must rope the steer around the horns. The cowboy then wraps the rope around the saddle horn, forcing a stopping point for the steer, as the horse stops. When it reaches the end of the rope it is pulled off it's feet. The contestant now must bind the steers legs in the same manner as the calf roper does. The one who can complete this goal in the fastest time wins top ranking in this event.
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The annual Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo queen and princess contests feature prizes, including cash and saddles.  The contest is open to residents of Craig, Nowata, Mayes, Rogers, Delaware and Ottawa counties.  Queen contestants must be between the ages of 14-21 and princess contestants between the ages of 7-13.  Applications and rules can be picked up at the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce, Reynolds Boot Shop, and Craig County Farm Bureau.  For more information email Lyndie McKinney or you may call her at home 918-256-7434 or at work 918-256-8766. Queen for 2007 is Calli Newman. Princess for 2007 is Baylee Bowzer
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The annual Rogers Ride is a 44 mile ride starting at the birthplace of Will Rogers.  The ride starts at 8:00 a.m. and is a 2 day event open to all ages.  For more information call Argene Clanton 918-783-5427.

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