A
Classic at 100
By Bert Entwistle
In
1916, Denver, Colo., the “Queen City” of
the Rockies” was slowly emerging from an economic
depression. Its most impressive new edifice—the
new U.S. Mint—was about to strike its first
coins and industries such as sugar beets and beer
brewing were taking their place in Denver’s
economy. The one-time mining camp was already
firmly established in its role as the cow town
of the Rockies.
It had become a hub for agriculture in the West.
Thus it was that in March of this pivotal year,
the Denver Livestock Exchange and National Western
Stock
Show was born.
From
a modest beginning on the banks of the South Platte
River, the event has grown from a display
of a handful of cattle and horses to one of
the premier stock shows in the world. Although
today’s
2006 National Western Stock Show is still about cattle
and horses, it’s also about people having fun—with
a lot of emphasis on the fun part.
On
Jan. 7-22, the “National Western,” as
it’s called by locals, will stage its 100th
anniversary event with a mind toward the future and
a look at the past. Pat Grant, President and CEO
of the event, is looking forward to it. “We’re
really excited,” he said. “Over the years,
through the wonderful leadership and support of hundreds,
indeed thousands, of leaders from the agriculture
world, we have become what is really, today, the
pre-eminent and I believe the top combination rodeo,
stock show, and horse show in the world.”
The
National Western routinely presents what it considers
the best Western entertainment
package in the Rockies
every year, and this year’s lineup
will be even bigger and better. The show
features everything
from traditional events such as horse shows
and livestock judging to specialty acts
with motorcycle-jumping
clowns and dancing horses. Dogs and mules
have their own shows, as well as animals
as unique as bison,
llamas and yaks. The Pro Bull Riders will
be in town to show off some of the best
bull riders in the world
in an action-packed, pyrotechnics-fueled
extravaganza running three nights.
Among
the favorite events is the Freestyle Reining, a
show that sells out quickly
every year. Top
reiners from around the country run their
routines in costume
and choreographed to the music of their
choice. In past years the freestyle show
has seen
the likes of “Elvis” horsing
around to the music, “Dolly
Parton” sliding her trusty mount
to a stop, and a mysterious masked cowboy
doing his reining
thing, sans reins. Each year, the riders
get more creative and have more fun and
it shows in the arena...
Find
the rest of this exciting article and more by subscribing
to American
Cowboy magazine...
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In
this vintage shot from 1931, cowboys at the
National Western Stock Show lined up for a rare
group picture.
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Denver’s
National Western Stock Show has given the Western
world a century of the best in rodeo, livestock,
festivities, and fun.
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