For Release: Immediate
Contact: Shanna Weaver
Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show
817-877-2400

FORT WORTH’S RANCHING HERITAGE WEEKEND HUGE SUCCESS

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – Showcasing the cowboys and horses of Texas’ most prestigious ranches generates plenty of enthusiasm for the launch of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and 2007 was no exception. Participants and spectators converged on the Will Rogers Memorial Complex January 12 – 14 to be a part of one of the most unique stock show events in the nation.

“Ranching Heritage Weekend is a spectacular event drawing on what makes ranching special – cowboys and good horses – and providing three days of fun, entertainment and education that everyone can enjoy,” said Stock Show
President / Manager, W.R. Watt, Jr.

The Best of The West Ranch Rodeo crowned a new winner – B&S Cattle Company from Terrell, Texas. After a three-year domination of the event by Tongue River Ranch, B&S won the battle of the ranches while also claiming “Top Horse” and “Top Hand” honors as well. Top hand award went to Jim Shaffer while CJ Peppy Badger received the Top Horse Award. B&S was awarded a gooseneck trailer compliments of Cherokee Trailers of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and team members took home saddles, hand-made bits and spurs.

Striving to showcase the nation’s best ranch horses, the Invitational Ranch Horse Show & Sale featured geldings from 16 stellar ranch horse programs. The overall champion, a 1996 gray gelding from Espuela Cattle Co. of Spur, Texas, was purchased for $34,000 by Vintage Oaks Ranch of Oakdale Calif. The reserve champion, a 2000 gray gelding, owned by Rounsaville Cattle Co. of Olney, Texas was sold for $19,000 to Star Ranch in Abilene, Texas. The average selling price for the sale was $12,125.

For the third year in a row, the AQHA’s “Best of the Remuda Sale” was hosted by the Fort Worth Stock Show. Award-winning ranches from Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada, New Mexico & Nebraska participated in the sale. Playing With Sixes, a 2004 sorrel mare, from the 6666 Ranch of Guthrie, Texas captured the highest bid at $13,000 paid by Mary Martha Edwards-Richter of Fort Worth. Sixty-four lots sold for an average price was $3,494.53.

In the AQHA’s Versatility Competition, Strawberry Boon, owned and ridden by Joe Wolter of Aspermont, Texas bested 14 other entries to become the champion. Wolter has ridden each champion in the competition’s three-year history.

Now in its 111th year, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo features entertainment events for the entire family, including livestock shows and educational experiences. Scheduled to run through February 4, this year’s show includes 30 exciting performances of the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo. For ticket information on any performance or Stock Show event, call 817-877-2420 or visit www.fwssr.com.