XXV Annual
National Chuck Wagon Races
Largest Equine Event in Nation
by: Bobby McDonald
They've been coming to Dan and Peggy Of's Bar OF Ranch in scenic Clinton, Arkansas, since 1985, when the Ofs decided to host a chuck wagon race and equine related events for Labor Day Weekend. And, it has grown into the largest equine event in America, with 6,223 horses and mules attending this year's celebration. "It's a prime example of making the best out of a bad situation," exclaimed one of this year's participants. "Back in 1985, it was hot and dry and the cattle business looked 'rather bleak' for Dan and Peggy, so they decided to open their ranch, in the hills of north central Arkansas to friends and competitors, to host a National Chuck Wagon Racing competition. Well, as they say, 'the rest is history,' as the event has grown each year and now, approximately 30,000 people make their way to Clinton, Arkansas, swelling the small town and those surrounding it, into a massive horse and mule event, that provides Western fun, for a week, leading up to the competitions!"
This wagon and crew from Hopkins County attended the 25th Annual National Chuck Wagon Races, but didn't
race in the events.
"There's license plates on trailers from all across the nation, and there were visitors here on Saturday from Japan," expressed another 2010, 25th anniversary participant. "Jason Boland, Brandon Rhyder, Neal McCoy, John Anderson, Gene Watson, and other Country and Western Bands provided the entertainment line-up for this year's event, and some of the wildest wagon racing competitions, you'll ever see, featured racers from Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Indiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee!"
Observation Hill...overlooks the wagon racing area, at the Bar OF Ranch.
Many bring their horses to ride in events and to view the races.
Others bring wagons and teams....
"When you put horses and mules together, with cowboys and cowgirls, and start running wagons at 'break-neck' speed, across hills, streams, and the prairie, anything can happen!" expressed another fan. "The sport of the racing is that there is just so, so many variables and so many things that can go wrong, to prevent you from winning! It's definitely a 'rough sport' and attracts a following of people, who enjoy seeing great horses and mules, and great cowboys and cowgirls, get Western!"
Two of these wagons were from Hopkins County, the wagon on the left is the Stribling wagon from Reilly Springs, and the one in the center is that
of Junior Gregg, from Como.
"All you have to do to appreciate your great-great grandparents, is get in one of these wagons an ride across the pasture!" remarked another attendee at this year's event. "We've got good springs, rubber tires, and relatively 'gentle' mules, today. Just imagine packing your best china, all your belongings, and all your kids, and heading out across three or four states, to create a home, on a dream! Our ancestors definitely had 'grit' and determination, or they'd never have made it West!"
"I was reading the other day that my great-grandparents came to East Texas from Central Mississippi, back in 1867, following the Civil War," inserted another attendee at this year's event. "They were about my age, early 50's," and pulled up stakes in Mississippi, in November, after they got the crop harvested, and headed to Hopkins County, not arriving until February. Can you imagine the hardships they must have faced, along the way, with winter weather, frozen streams, wet, rainy, and snowy weather, and having all of their worldly possessions with them! They had to really want to start a new life, to endure the hardships!"
"The Wagon Master"
Two year old, Case Fails, grandson of David Stribling, enjoyed his time spent
in the wagon, at this year's races.
"I appreciate the sacrifices and hardships that they endured, but I'm going to enjoy every minute of that hot shower, that soft bed, and the 'necessities of life,' tonight in the Super 8 Motel," expressed the wife of one of the attendees. "You boys can camp out, stoke the fire, and swap lies all you want to, but I'm going to be taking advantage of every modern convenience they have to offer at the motel. That's called 'progress' and I want to revel in every last bit of it, while I'm up here!"
Dan Of, left, and his son-in-law, welcome this year's participants to the 25th Anniversary
Chuck Wagon Races, began in 1985 by Of and his wife, Peggy.
Sheepdog demonstrations opened Sunday afternoon's event.
This year's participants in the 25th Anniversary Chuck Wagon Races began with qualifying rides on Friday and Saturday and entered the finals competition on Sunday, September 5th, with competition getting underway at 1:00. Sunday's events began with an early morning trail ride, and non-denominational church services at 9:00 a.m. Prior to race time, stockdog demonstrations, working ducks, sheep, and cattle, were performed on the wide-open "playing field," down in the bottoms. Then, the wagon and horse parade began around the track, the presentation of flags, the singing of the National Anthem, and a prayer was offered. The gun sounded and the first races began, with what is termed "The Oklahoma Land Rush" event. Six individual races were run with six wagon teams and their outriders participating in each race. "The outrider is the key to racing in these races," expressed on the racers. "It doesn't matter how fast you get your wagon across the line, unless your outrider can get mounted on his horse and 'catch-up' with you, you are disqualified, if he doesn't pass you and get across before your wagon does!"
"It's definitely a trick to get mounted and across the finish line before your wagon makes it!" exclaimed one of the outrider competitors. "In many of the races, you have a camp stove, or mailbag, that you have to carry, and you must mount your horse, with the wagon moving, the trace chains 'jingling' and your horse wanting to go, manage to keep your mount under control, and race at break-neck speed, to the finish line, among a melle of charging wagons! It ain't easy!"
There were two mule-team wagon races, four mule-team wagon races, and big horse and mule races, all on the Sunday afternoon agenda, as well as the "Snowy River Ride" for outriders, as they came down mountains, and across the streams to make it to the finish line. "There's certain rules you must adhere to on the course, like making certain that your horse's nose doesn't touch the water in the Snowy River event," expressed one of the competitors. "You've definitely got to do some training and practice at home, before you get here. That's the reason you see these real competitors, out back practicing mounting their horses, 'Indian style,' the morning of the race. You've got to be extremely good at mounting a horse!"
"Many people just bring their wagons and horses up here and use them to travel to and from the races," advised David Stribling and Junior Gregg, both from Hopkins County. "It's a great way to get from place to place and to visit with all of your friends, that you've made from the previous years!"
"Everyone needs to come up here and see this event, just once in their lifetime!" expressed Gregg. "You really have to see it to believe it!"
"But, make your reservations early," warned Stribling. "Either plan on camping out with an RV or make your motel reservations 9 months ahead, or you'll be driving a ways to find a room! They local motels and places to stay fill-up fast, for Wagon Race Weekend!"
If you're looking for an exciting way to spend Labor Day 2011, then, you must make plans now to be in Clinton, Arkansas, for the 26th Annual Chuck Wagon Races, in September 2011!
Enjoy these exciting phots from the 25th Annual Race. But, it's even "wilder" in person!
The Bronc Riding and Fanning Contest
"Some of the Wrecks....."
______
_____
