CALF_News_June_July_2019

“The third year we had 19 inches of snow,”Whipple says. “It liked to have killed us. We didn’t have any ticket sales. But Chris Miller at the civic center saved us. He was able to stretch us out a year so we could pay it back.” WRCA’s Cowboy Trappings and Trade Show is nearly as popular as the rodeo. Hundreds of venders occupy every available exhibit space at the civic center. Everything from tack to every possible type of western wear is available. Ranch memorabilia is very popular. Equipment of all types is on the grounds. And, of course, the Clydesdales are always on hand for viewing. Proceeds for WRCA activities go toward the Working Ranch Cowboys Foundation, which carries a strong mission – to provide financial and other assistance to working ranch cowboys and their families who are suffering significant hardship and who are not otherwise able to provide for their immediate needs. “The money goes to those in need,”Whipple says.“It goes to cowboys who get sick or are hurt, and to family members if someone dies. It also goes to ranch kids in the form of scholarships. “We currently have 32 kids on scholarship. If you receive one and keep your grades up, we will keep paying until you finish school, even if you’re going for a doctorate.” WILL ROGERS RANGE RIDERS Continued from page 35 “We just don’t have enough room now to continue with the event we put on,”Whipple says.“If we don’t grow, we’re going to die. That’s our problem.We may have no choice but to move. Fortunately, Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson wants to help.” Rich highly favors keeping WRCA“where it belongs” – in Amarillo. “There are many people who promote our city’s strong Western heritage,” he says.“They want to keep WRCA here. Numerous members of the Range Riders, like our oldest member, Wayne “Okie” Snyder, have been instrumental is keeping that heritage alive. “Chad Feemster, past Range Riders chairman, doesn’t want to see it go. Our city needs to step up and approve a plan to expand our civic center facilities. Our coliseum arena itself is larger than the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. We just need the seats to accommodate the thousands of WRCA rodeo fans who want to come here.” Meanwhile, Feemster says the Range Riders Rodeo will continue in its tradition of promoting the cowboy way. History of the group illustrates how it is more than just a riding club. When World War II broke out and young men were called to the armed forces, Range Riders filled in for law enforce- ment agencies. Each man was issued a 30-30 Winchester rifle. Although their services were not needed in that capacity, they were prepared. Also, ranches were left shorthanded when young men were called to serve. Range Riders would help the ranchers work cattle and do other chores necessary for their operations. Although club members no longer carry arms, they still assist area law enforcement officials periodically with search and rescue missions when horses are required in the more remote areas of the Panhandle. Their July 4th rodeo celebration supports those efforts. For more information on the Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo, call 806-622-2102. The arena is located at 313 W. Loop 385, Amarillo, Texas 79109, and is expected to continue to serve the area’s horse enthusiasts for generations to come. And here’s hope that the WRCA Championship Rodeo also maintains its Amarillo address. If only Will Rogers himself was here to help rope the right people to make that happen.  During World War II, Range Riders filled in for soldiers and sailors who left their law enforcement jobs for the armed forces. They still provide help in search and rescue missions. “Real deal” cowboys warm up at the Amarillo Civic Center for the recent WRCA Championship rodeo. Amarillo doesn’t want to lose it to a bigger city. Could Amarillo lose WRCA? The WRCA Championship Rodeo is booked for Amarillo through 2020. But the size of the event venue has become an issue. Seating capacity is less than 5,000. The rodeo could likely sell twice the number of tickets if seats were there. Amarillo has a brand new, ultramodern baseball stadium that hosts the widely popular Amarillo Sod Poodles (the name grows on you), a new AA farm team for the San Diego Padres. WRCA and many others are hoping a larger civic center is the next big downtown improvement. If that doesn’t happen, then major cities like Fort Worth or even Las Vegas will likely bid to host the WRCA finals. 37 CALF News • June | July 2019 • www.calfnews.net