Wanna Scramble?

When you mention "Calf Scramble" to Texas residents, most know what you are talking about. For those of you that may not.....let me take the time to introduce this stock show concept. All of the major stock shows feature the calf scramble event during their rodeos. We are most familiar with the Ft Worth scramble......as this was our third year to participate.

Each rodeo performance 16 different high school students (8th grade - Juniors) will attempt to catch one of eight calves turned loose in the arena. They must catch the calf, halter it and pull it into the marked area in the middle of the arena. For their efforts, FFA and 4-H members are awarded a $500 certificate (sponsored by various individuals and businesses) for use in purchasing a heifer. The heifer must then return the following year and be shown at the historic Ft Worth Stock Show Junior Heifer Show. Through the year, students are encouraged to file monthly reports with their sponsor about the heifer project culminating with a final year end paper. The Calf Scramble Committee then considers all of the reports in conjunction with how well the heifer does in the show to award scholarships to the participants. This year Ft Worth will give approximately $133,000 in scholarships. Yesterday afternoon, Tucker Brown......participated and caught for the third year in a row. Thank you to the Ft Worth Stock Show, Calf Scramble Committee, Mrs Bairds, Justin Boots, and the many generous donors for making this great event possible for the young people in agriculture across our state.

Also thanks to good friend, Marcus Hill, for capturing the moment on his phone!

Does Ft Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?

Well the Ft Worth Stock Show Jr Heifer Show is in the history books. May I say the weather cooperated and the friends gathered. Each exhibitor is allowed to bring only one heifer. That always seems like plenty for our families to get started with the majors (meaning the major stock shows....just for you non-Texans). Our show week began about 10 days prior however. Donnell flew to Denver to judge the National Western Simmental Pen Show with good friend, Ryan Rathmann. He left Denver and headed to Orlando, FL to speak at a Red Angus / Simmental cattlemens conference. Then it was back to Ft Worth to meet up with the Throckmorton County team and check in the heifers.

As you might imagine, getting the heifers prepared and used to their surroundings takes a little time. A couple of days and they finally adjust to their clean beds and the city water. The boys and I weren't able to travel until after all of the basketball games were complete......so we waited for the "W" and hit the road.

All in all ~ a fun time had by all along with some ribbons and great memories again.

Tucker and "Ollie" ended up winning the March 2009 class and then Reserve Division.

Lanham and "Gracie's Pride"  were 2nd in Class behind the Division Champion.

It's Show Time - 2011

Annually our Throckmorton County Stock Show is held the first weekend in January, which certainly was no different this year. What was different was the fact that I actually had the opportunity to attend for the first time in 9 years. Given that our oldest son has been showing since he was 8 (and he's now (gulp) 17), that seems a little strange, don't ya' think? Let me digress a little. For the previous nine years, I have been involved in the leadership of the Red Angus Association. Consequently and coincidentally, the county show and the Red Angus weekend at the National Western Stock Show always fell at the same time. Given my retirement from the presidency of the RAAA this past September, one thing I have looked forward to the most was being able to "help" my boys at the county show. Yes, Donnell has been present for all these years. However, as general superintendent of the county show he is not too available......our boys  had to do a lot of the show day work themselves. So at last.....mom was present and accounted for. And, even though I spent most of the day helping prepare the beauty queens.....it was a cherished moment of time.


The weeks leading up to "stock show season" often include many hours of work. Halter breaking, washing, clipping (their hair), rinsing, and more clipping. Somehow as the years have gone by, it has become more difficult to carve the necessary time into the day to make sure we're adequately prepared. Junior High and High School activities keep us hopping with boys that enjoy all of it. So, the morning of county, is somewhat surreal as you stand back to not only see what the outcome is with the animals but also an opportunity to witness firsthand what the outcome (life lessons) will be for their owners, my sons. Stay tuned through the next couple months as we venture off into the "majors" and I'll try to keep you updated. As a cattle breeder, I'm very pleased with the Red Angus heifers that we'll be showcasing this year. They truly represent the attributes we are very proud of for the breed and industry. As a mother, I am even more proud of what my boys are becoming through them. Hats off to all of the tireless volunteers who work hard to make the day a special one for youth in agriculture! And a special thanks to Steve Sikes (Amsco Steel) for purchasing these heifers in the premium sale.

Lanham with "Nellie" (aka Calf Champion)

The Grand Drive

The Grand Champion - Tucker Brown

Showmanship Brothers

The Beef Showmanship Winner - Lanham Brown

Miss America 2011

Way to go Miss Nebraska - a conservative, Christian.....17 year old western Nebraska girl finds her way to the pinnacle of the pageants.....the Miss America 2011 title. I was taken by her genuine All American way and must admit, when I found her blog last night, had more of an understanding. Enjoy. 

"During Miss Nebraska week in North Platte, I began a journal in which I recorded not only the events of each day, but also a passage of Scripture and my thoughts and prayers. At the end of the week, on June 5th, 2010, just hours before the final competition, I was reading 2 Timothy and chose chapter 2, verse 15 as particularly applicable to me. It reads: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." As I thought about that verse and how it applied to me, I wrote the following prayer:

Dear God, please help me to be a diligent servant not only today but from here on out. Give me the strength and wisdom to accurately handle your word of truth and the diligence and perseverance necessary to be a worker who is not ashamed. I wish to be a shining light for you, a glowing example of who you are, and a grain of salt in a tasteless world. Whether or not this is achieved through a position, crown, title, or job, please place me exactly where you need me to be an effective ambassador for you. I am clay in your hands, your humble servant, willing to do whatever you wish for me in your perfect plan. I love you so much and thank you for blessing me so tremendously and bestowing such outstanding opportunity on me. My greatest wish is to exemplify your love through my words and actions in order to bring others to you.

Your Loving Daughter, Teresa

That night I won the title of Miss Nebraska. From that, I know that this is exactly where God wants me to be, and He has a plan for each and every day of my life, not only this year, but every year. That was my prayer then; it has been my prayer these six months; it will be my prayer these next weeks at Miss America; and it will continue to be my prayer for the rest of my life. If I win the title of Miss America, I will know it is His will. If I do not win, and continue the next six months as Miss Nebraska, I will know it is His will. How incredibly calming it is to know that my life is in His hands!

No matter what happens, my prayer continues to be simply that I will fulfill His purpose in everything that I do. If you had not previously known my reasons and purpose behind why I do what I do, I hope you now understand what I believe my calling to be. Why am I competing in the Miss America competition over the next ten days? Because God has placed me in this position to show His love. Please pray that I might be able to accomplish this, and as always, please feel free to share your thoughts and comments as to how I might better achieve these things."

AQHA Best Of the Remuda Sale this weekend.

This coming weekend is one our crew looks forward to every year - the annual Ft Worth Stock Show will play host to the Ranching Heritage Weekend. The cowboys will pack up the goods and head east to participate in a couple of events through the course of a few days.

1. Join us this Saturday, January 15th, 12:00 noon, at the John Justin Arena for the AQHA Best Of The Remuda Sale. R.A. Brown Ranch will be offering 4 outstanding young geldings......2 of which are two year olds and 2 three year olds. Here's a link to the online catalog: BEST OF THE REMUDA. By the way....check out the cover shot of RAB ranch forman, Casey Zboril, on the catalog cover. We're casually referring to him as COVER BOY these days.

2. If you enjoy watching some of the legendary ranches show off in a competitive nature, you'll sure want to be in attendance for the

Best of the West Ranch Rodeo

The top ranches in the Southwest will gather for the 10th annual Ranching Heritage Weekend, presented by Western Horseman, to launch the 2011 Stock Show. There will be two performances of the “Best of the West” Ranch Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights.
Authentic ranch cowboys will compete in events that have aspects of traditional ranch work. Ranch Vet, Double Mugging, Stock Sorting, Bronc Riding and Wild Cow Milking are all in a days work for these cowboys.
Come see the ranches compete for bragging rights of Champion Ranch, Top Horse and Top Hand. As for the team......you'll see the the R.A. Brown Ranch team of Trent Sharon, Casey Zboril, Andrew McEwan, Jeff Bezner and Brad Bellah giving it all they got!