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In
1985, a few local cowboys formed teams to compete in authentic ranch
activities that involved a scoring system used to determine who was the
best working ranch. It was an
event that not only challenged the participants but it drew a crowd and
established a way to support a local charity.
The beneficiaries today are the Expo Center of Taylor County and
the Community Foundation of Abilene. Long
before the name Western Heritage Classic was recognized, the ranch rodeo
competition included five events – bronc riding, wild cow milking, team
penning, team roping and calf branding.
Points accumulated over a two-day period. The same format is still followed today. As
the event began to grow, organizers set a goal to build a prestigious
event that would preserve western heritage traditions.
Activities during the annual event are designed to embody the
essence of cowboy lifestyle and history. Everything that happens during
the annual three-day weekend ties back to the cowboy heritage and
"the way it was" back on the ranch generations ago. Today,
the Western Heritage Classic is recognized internationally.
Held on the grounds of the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene,
Texas, the three-day event’s showcase is the ranch rodeo; though it
offers many activities that feature western interests as well as history.
These activities include: the worlds largest bit and spur show, a
chuckwagon cookoff, matched horse races, children’s rodeo, cowboy poets
and western artisans, ranch horse clinics and a giant western parade.
All of these events add to the wide range that the Western Heritage
Classic offers spectators each year.
In
1998 the Ranch Horse Association of America added another special event to
the Western Heritage Classic schedule. RHAA holds the national finals for
working ranch horse competition during the WHC weekend. The top two
finalists for the national title compete in a final round during the
Saturday night performance of the Western Heritage Classic Ranch Rodeo. The
WHC Invitational Ranch Horse has been added to the Saturday schedule. This
exclusive sale features working ranch horses offered from a select group
of historic ranches. The
idea that started with a few cowboys gathering to have some fun and show
off what they do for a living has turned into a spectacular three-day
weekend and is enjoyed by thousands of western heritage enthusiasts. PAST WINNERS OF THE RANCH RODEO
1985—Spires Ranch
1986—Outtagrass Cattle Co.
1987—Spires Ranch 1988—Haythorn Land & Cattle Co.
1989—Outtagrass Cattle Co.
1990—Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. 1991—Haythorn Land & Cattle Co.
1992—6666 Ranch
1993—6666 Ranch 1994—Long X Cattle Co 1995—6666 Ranch 1996—6666 Ranch 1997—Spade Ranch 1998—Stuart Ranch 1999—Haythorn Land & Cattle 2000—6666 Ranch 2001—Tongue River Ranch 2002—Guitar Ranch 2003—Guitar Ranch 2004—Tongue River Ranch 2005—Haythorn Land & Cattle 2006—Muleshoe Ranch
WHC
OFFICERS and BOARD of DIRECTORS President
– Phil Guitar
Mark Moon Billye Proctor-Shaw
Tommy Taylor Mike Weber |
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Schedule of Events | Entertainment | Special Events & Activities | Tickets & Lodging | Sponsors | Ranch Rodeo |Vendors | Map | WHC History & Organization |
