Smithsonian collaborates with Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo for America’s 250th birthday

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI)– The Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo is returning for another year, and this time it's earning national recognition due to a featured collaboration with the Smithsonian Center for Folk Life and Cultural Heritage as part of the celebration for America's 250th birthday.

Chase Carter, a committee member for the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo, says this collaboration recognizes the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo's deep roots in Eastern Idaho and its role in preserving ranching traditions that have been passed down for generations.

"This region is an agricultural hub, especially with the cattle and in the rugged landscape we have here in the West," Carter said, "...this event brings that all together and showcases those skills that cowboys use on the ranch every day. That's something we have always done as part of our history, but it's also part of our present. And it's something that we need to continue to embrace in order to manage cattle the way we need to in this area."

The Smithsonian collaboration is also helping organizers expand the event beyond the arena. Carter says this year's celebration will feature new opportunities to highlight the craftsmanship and traditions supporting ranching culture.

"We've had a lot of more resources to enhance the event, and normally we've focused on our evening performances where we have the ranch rodeo and the Indian relay races. But with the collaboration, we're able to have a gear maker's conference where it's going to be mostly women gear makers (who) are going to come together and display their different crafts that they have mastered," Carter said.

The Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo also hosts the Pretty N' Punchy Cowgirl Contest, a competition designed to showcase horsemanship, public speaking and pride in the ranching way of life.

Open to contestants ages 10 to 21, the contest is often described as Blackfoot's version of a rodeo queen pageant. But past winners say it is much more than wearing a crown.

"We put in a lot of work and practice every day, and especially with our horse, since we have to work through all their challenges," Previous winner Hannah Hale said.

Contestants are judged on both horsemanship and public speaking. They complete riding patterns and other ranch-style challenges while also answering questions and speaking about topics connected to ranching, patriotism and western culture.

"It's a place for us to come and show the skills that we've learned through the people that have helped us become who we are," Previous winner Reva Carter said.

The competition highlights the values that define ranching communities.

"I think it explains what we do daily on our ranches and shows our responsibility, hard work, caring for animals and just our generations passed down that we can carry on traditions," Hale said.

Many people may only see the crown at the end of the competition, but both Hale and Reva say success requires months of preparation, including memorizing speeches, practicing riding patterns and developing the skills necessary to compete.

"I think they might think it comes a bit easier, but you do have to work hard," Reva said. "You have to memorize patterns or speeches and all the things, and you also just have to have the skills that it requires to be in the contest."

For more information on the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo, click HERE.