Albany's Nail Ranch shows toughness at World Ranch finals
By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News
The "Hard Luck Cowboy" Award went to Johnny Stewart of Albany during the 2nd annual Working Ranch Cowboys' Association (WRCA) World Finals Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo.
Stewart, competing for the famed Nail Ranch, has had his share of tough luck.
In the November action in Amarillo, Stewart broke his leg in the first go-round and was unable to return to the working ranch competition.
What's more -- Stewart earlier had competed at the Texas Ranch Roundup in Wichita Falls this summer with a broken leg. He was just getting back on this feet for the World Finals Ranch Rodeo.
After 1997, Stewart must feel that if it weren't for bad luck, he wouldn't have any luck at all.
Meanwhile, 62-year-old George Peacock, also of the Nail Ranch, was honored as the oldest contestant in the rugged events at Amarillo.
George has worked for the Nail Ranch the last 32 years, serving as horse wrangler for five years and becoming ranch foreman in 1970.
Peacock has been competing in ranch rodeoing for 11 years -- winning three state titles, two national titles and serving as team captain of the Nail Ranch.
In fact, the Nail Ranch was the 1996 world champion of the WRCA as "World Finals Ranch Rodeo Winning Team."
This year, the Nail Ranch took the tough "Wild Cow Milking" victory with cowboys Stewart, Jamie Nail, Bud Lowery and Bobby Williams making up the Nail team.
The historic Pitchfork Ranch of Guthrie won the "Team Penning" competition with Bob Moorhouse, Clay Timmons and Joe Ed Eckert making up that team.
Ranch Horse Show was new addition
New to the World Finals this year was the "Ranch Horse Show."
Some 25 top notch ranch horses were entered.
The Top Horse award went to "Jewels" owned by James Gholson of the Pitchfork Ranch.
"Flakes," owned by Buster McLaury of Benjamin was second-high horse. And "Tex," owned by Bob Moorhouse was third.
Gholson also spoke proudly to his heritage on the Pitchfork Ranch where both his father and grandfather worked, and now his own son works.
The cowboy noted the Pitchfork Ranch is a ranch where "honesty, trust and integrity" are a daily part of the life they lead.
While the Nail Ranch was the world champion last year, the Wilson Cattle Company-Sillasen Ranch earned the 1997 world title for winning ranch team.
The winning ranch has its headquarters at Arthur, Neb.
Obviously, there's a lot of good fun and fellowship among these real ranch cowboys in the world competition. Most likely -- some already are thinking about next year.
Dates for the 3rd annual World Finals Ranch Rodeo have been slated for Nov. 12-14, 1998, at the Amarillo Civic Center.
For more, call the WRCA office at (806) 467-9722.
Cattle sales about over this week
A reminder that there's no sale at Sweetwater Cattle Auction or Coleman Livestock Auction today. Weatherford Stockyards is having a sale.
No sale at Ranger, Stamford or San Saba auctions on Thursday.
Comanche, Colorado City, and Haskell barns take a holiday break Saturday.
But Mineral Wells Stockyards will have its sale on Saturday.