WRCA Finals Night One: Versatile Vernon Cowboys

Rough and rowdy ranch hands compete for glory in Amarillo, though some are already on a lucky streak.

AMARILLO, Texas. - The first performance of the 28th Annual World Championship Ranch Rodeo finished Thursday night in Amarillo, Texas. 

Ranch teams competed in ranch bronc riding, stray gathering, team penning, wild cow milking, and team branding events. 

Leading the ranch broncs is the W.T. Waggoner Estate Inc. out of Vernon, Texas. The team sent Jacob Lewis out of the bucking chutes, and the all around cowboy did not disappoint. Continuing his luck from the previous weekend at the Riata Buckle, Lewis spurred his Vold Rodeo Company bronc for 84 points. 

Jacob Lewis Rides Ranch Bronc at 2023 WCRR for Waggoner Ranch  / Hillary Mayberry Photo

Southwest Livestock swept up the stray gathering in 57.69 seconds. The Marlow, Oklahoma, team also sits third in the team penning stopping the clock at 51.47 seconds. 

The team penning was competitive with difficult cattle and cowboys stressed by the clock, though the Sooner Cattle Company got their calves in at 37.16 seconds. Behind them came Heck Cattle Co. in 41.45 seconds. 

Lonesome Pine Ranch out of Cedar Point, Kansas, handled their soggy wild cow the best business cowboys can. Racing to circle with their bottle of milk in 37.60 seconds, they are double the WCRR arena record though seven seconds faster than the next team. 

The first round will conclude Friday night, times and scores will give teams a benchmark of how they need to place in round two for the average. 

The 28th WCRR is broadcasted live on Ride TV.