Memorial Day—Cowboy Style

Cowboys celebrate Memorial Day by partaking in events across the county. Memorial Day competitions help raise funds to commemorate the day's true meaning.

Loralee Ward | May 27, 2024

THOMAS BENDER/HERALD-TRIBUNE / USA TODAY

Most Americans celebrate Memorial Day with barbecues and camping. Retailers offer sales to their customers. Par for the course, cowboys go against the grain. They celebrate Memorial Day by doing what they love—competing. While our active duty military continues to serve overseas during federal holidays, cowboys compete across the country and raise funds/awareness for our soldiers. Here are events happening on Memorial Day:

1. The Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic - Decatur, Texas

Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Foundation Facebook

The Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic commenced its annual event with Friday night's Heroes, Cowboys, and Cocktails. Cole Fackler, former Navy SEAL guest, spoke at the dinner on what Memorial Day means to him. A silent auction followed to begin the fundraising. Team roping filled the NRS arena on Saturday and Sunday. Barrel racers moved in for Memorial Day. All the proceeds from Friday's silent auction, team roping, and barrel race benefit the Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Foundation, Navy SEAL Foundation, and the Wise County Center for Emotional Wellness, which offers free services to veterans and first responders.

2. Take The Oath Memorial PRCA Xtreme Bulls - Manti, Utah

Take the Oath Memorial Xtreme Bulls Facebook

Take the Oath Memorial Extreme Bulls takes place every Memorial Day in central Utah. The pre-show included barrel racing versus motocross competition. The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment brought in the main event: the PRCA Xtreme Bulls. The lineup of bull riders includes NFR qualifiers Josh Frost, Lukasey Morris, and Roscoe Jarboe. Funds from the event go towards constructing a memorial honoring local military/first responders and scholarships for local FFA high school members.

3. Old Fort Days Rodeo - Fort Smith, Ark.

Old Fort Days Rodeo Facebook

The Old Fort Days Rodeo, excluding the Xtreme Bulls in Manti, Utah, is the only PRCA rodeo that actually takes place on Memorial Day. The first performance, Patriot Night, begins at 7:00 p.m. The Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade, through Downtown Fort Smith, showcased patriotism at its finest. Local law enforcement, cowboys, and cowgirls accompanied the marching and the red, white, and blue floats.

4. The Memorial Barrel Race - Hamilton, Texas

Circle T Arena Facebook

The Memorial Barrel Race boasted a huge payout, with $389,000 guaranteed and several side pots. The multi-day format allowed barrel racers to make two runs in either Section 1 or 2. Their runs not only counted toward the open payout but also day money.

Published May 27, 2024|Modified May 27, 2024

LORALEE WARD

Loralee Ward’s primary place of residency is her Cimarron trailer. When she is not on the road, she calls Fort Lupton, Colorado, home. She attends Colorado State University (online) and rodeos for coach Seth Peterson. She professionally rodeos in the Mountain States Circuit. With the support of her parents (Jim and Cheryl), brother (Kody), and many mentors; Loralee works to develop her passion for training barrel futurity horses. She plans to graduate from CSU and then apply for law school–as long as rodeo/horse training stays at bay. The only thing that Loralee likes more than a good barrel horse is a rare steak. She hopes to bring important coverage to rodeo and western sports from the perspective of an up-and-comer.