The Billboard 1924-03-22: Vol 36 Iss 12 (1924-03-22)

MARCH 22, 1924 A ANT ? d Cummins T e celebrations were originally confined to different Western altho of recent years various attempts have beet them to districts outside Just how successful this a iunities, : e to transplant mighty There can be no ’ execute their stunts, it is easy to see why a “contest” is by fru ore attractive performance than a “show”. matter of conjecture, altho all agree that to present a Frontie: Celebration or Cowboy Contest away from the West is costly venture—one that has not appealed to the public, nor has proven as sound a financtal proposition to its sponsors n when done upon a large scale, as those held in the West doubt but that this style of a Western ntation is by far lic. Owing to the great risks in open competition with stock, and und: ons that would be impossible to witness by paid perrs in limited spaces, using not always the best of stock t» Lesier Kuffner ests were dis We iiiornia, ( rado, Wyoming and, in fact, every section that had activei) been engaged in the range live stock industry. Ss years ago Denver, Col, held what was known as the I il of Mountain and Plain. It was a genuine celebration of frontier days and cowboy contest. Many of the cowboy ti titions were confined to hands working on ranches only. N one but bona-fide cowboys could compete This Denver ‘ ion was a good one, but after a few years it was inued. To Cheyenne, Wy., nual I ir since, and, \ eSs Was succeeded by farmers, and in somte locations t.« ontinued, while in others they were fostered. iis of contes Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoms» no doubt belongs the credit for being rontier Day Celebration and Cowboy Cona large scale like old wine, Baie The Billboarad West” program as the concert or “after-the-bigshow" number. éé ILD WEST SHOWS” were = generally named after some Western celebrity or ranch brand, altho recently some have adopted the names used by Western frontier day celebrations and cowboy contests that have gained prominence by these genuine affairs held in the West. However, owing to the space and equipment necessary, it is impossible to present with a traveling “Wild West Show” a performance such as presented at a real Western cowboy contest as is done in various parts of the West. There can be no coubt but that the legitimate successor to the “Wild West Show”, with the'general public, is what is now Known as the Frontier Day Celebration and Cowboy Contest. These celebrations are known by titles such as Frontier Days, Roundup, Pioneer Days, The Stampede, Pow-Wow, Redeo, Cowboys’ Reunion and others. of their naturil as been, or will be, is the most popular ever presented the thrilling performances by contestants Origin of Frontier Contests In the early days of the stock country each ranch had some man or men, some horse or horses that they ‘ . : Wajor G. considered superior to others in their 7 G respective lines. About twice a year, usually during the stockmen’s convent-ons or when the shipping was over, the residents of cattleland would gather together for a holiday. Contests in the various sports and pastimes of the rangeland were held. The usual closing of the affair was a big cowboy dance. The sports consisted of races of different kinds, riding and roping, ete. At first these competitions were in the form of matched affcirs, the opponents and their friends making wagers upon the outcome. Later when contestants beran to come from greater distances cash purses ind special prizes were offered. ‘hese contests from small beginnings soon attracted spectators from great distances. The towns in which they were held derived adled from: this outside influx and in many places encouraged such celebrations. As time went on the. live stock business was held for many years in dierent It started in 1897 and has been held it improves with age Lesides Cheyenne there are several other cities that were originally (some still are) located in the cattle country and were prominent in pioneer history that have organized and pre ent innually these truly typical Frontier Day Celebrations and Cowboy Contests They are not held with the idea of pérsonal gain by individuals, but by prominent citizens of the resrpective districts for the following rea First—To preserve the early t: id tions «o pioneer day in their own localities, a hist: f which they are justly proud An annual hidlay mn Which oll may participate in true Western style to hold reunions of the pioneers, old settlers who are still alive Stockmen's meetings to discuss th: old way of doing business compared with that of the new, and as A whole plan for the betterment of the live stock industry in general Secondly—-To encouranze the general athletie ports in horsemanshin. ete, that hove always been the pride of the West To encourage the boys and girls to raise better live stock and keep themselves in the very best of physical condition to take a prominent part in these thrilling exhibitions. ei lo } And last, but not least, to show the visitor the difference between the real thing and the makebelieve, and to show the development of their particular portion of the country as well as welcome and entertain the visitor in that open-hearted, hospitable way for which the West is noted. 5 ‘hese are the real reasons why several of the > enterprising Western communities have entered in) to this combined sporting, entertaining and edu: cational business of presenting truly a real West; ern celebration and charging a gate admission for : it. That is why the leading individuals in these j various vicinities devote much of their personal : time, money and influence in the successful ex! ploitation and production of these affairs upon a scale that is thoro in detail, amid the natural surroundings, characters and atmosphere that make it j impossible to dupljeate in a convincing manner any4 where outside of localities that were .once of the 1g Frontier West. aia og It is done as a community benefit by the community as a whole, not by Joseph C. Miller individuals for individual profit. \ The best-known and recognized leaders in these community Western celebrations are Frontier Days held at Cheyenne, Wy.; the Roundup held at Pendleton, Ore.; The Stampede held at Calgary, Alta., Canada; Frontier Days held at Prescott, Ariz.; the Rodeo held at Ft. Worth. Tex.; the Cowboys’ Reunion held at Las Vegas, N. M.; Frontier Days held at Peliefsurche, GS. D.; the Burnett Rodeo held at the Triangle Ranch, Wichita Falls, Tex.; the Rodeo held at : Salincs, Calif.; the Roundup held at Miles City, Mont.; Frontier Days held at Bozeman, Mont., and Bartles’ Roundup at Dewey, . ~ Ok. From time to time there have been frontier day celebrations * and cowboy contests held in various parts of the country— contests both large and small, both good and bid. Some were 2 contests; others, altho billed as contests and which really awarded prizes, were in reality nothing more than “shows”, , with either paid performers or portions of their talent guaranteed certain concessions, ether railroad transportation, salaries or guaranteed purses. These outfits were produced by private capital with the sole object of making a profit for W, Lillie treir financial backers. Needless to i say, sich contests and celebrations dv f not re ive the undivided support of q the community or the general public that a coné test or celebration backed by an entire community : receives. Contestants j In the early days of the cowboy contest nd one 4 contested except those engaged in that particular ' i line of work in a practical way. As more of these : 1 contests came into being there developed a grou» P known now as “professionals”, these consisting of | ~ boys and giris who have mde a business of travelé ing from one contest to the other, as well as working exhibitions as “acts” at various “Wild West a performances”. Some of these “professionals” ; ‘ never did any of the practical cowboy work, but have gone into the sport as a busin ~ i many becoming quite proficient. Others who were ranchraised a'‘so adopted the business of traveling from one contest to another as “professionals”. These contestants mostly if on the program. rerts to place chosen profession. ’ appearance foilowers of the sport. the contestant who only attends one vicinity of his own home. in one or two events, while others enter about everyMany of them have made excellent themselves at the top The fact that many of these con Louis F. Grill | ta an el a the ladder in their They have secured the best possible horses and equipment in order to do their work to the best advantage. They purchase the best of cowboy wardrobe so that their nifty ' will rank them among the “best dressed” of the Contestants who go from one contest to another all season are naturaliy bound to become better known to the “fans” than two contests in the ; testants are better known than others does not necessarily sig: nify that they are the “best” in their respective lines. Many a well-known contestant has met defeat by a contestant who was practically unknown. While there are today many well-known names on the 7 contestants’ lists the country over, there are hundreds of excellent con: testants in all events upon a cowboy + Sport program that the general public as never heard of Now that more contests of this nature are held annually than ever before, it is . Vite natural that there should be more contestzi ints than ever ; Altho each contest held usually designates its “Winners as some sort of a “champion”. all such , chanmip.onships” are designated by each contest : inanagement, with no official recognition by the mes \ managements of other contests. Up to date there tit } has never been any understanding between the | : managements of these various contests in an ef fort to bring the sport under ne general governing body that would stabilize it recognized along with the legitimat competitive sports, such as baseball, football, horse rae ng, hockey, tenni uto racing or boxing otner While certain contestants more publicity as to a may have “name”" from earned attending (Continued on page 244) Grace M. Sparkes