Where the myth of the Cowboy is part of everyday life


first hand. They are the cowboys’ national sport. The season lasts from April to November and in addition to professional rodeos (www. prorodeo.com), Kansas and Oklahoma can offer a host of small ranch rodeos (www.ranchrodeo.net) which are just as interesting; these events are more for families, involving fun, BBQ and music. One of the best known is the Kansas Championship Ranch Rodeo in Medicine Lodge/KS. Initially a weekend pastime on the ranches, the individual disciplines developed from the daily events of a cowboys’ life – bronco riding (breaking in wild horses), cutting, catching or steer wrestling – into very lucrative competitions.


Rodeos are the place to experience cowboy culture at


Barbeques, chuck wagon cooking and music are inseparably associated with rodeos and other cowboy events. Alongside Country Music, traditional cowboy music, Western music, is gaining in popularity with many young artists and bands, who nevertheless are still open to modern infl uences. Well-known representatives of this “Red Dirt” music are the Red Dirt Rangers, The Great Divide and Cross Canadian Ragweed.


Becoming a cowboy or a cowgirl for a time is no longer an unfulfi llable dream. Oklahoma and Kansas have specialised in providing this kind of “holiday on the farm”. Guests can, and indeed are expected to, contribute actively on working ranches. Luxury and VIP treatment are in rather short supply; on the other hand, guests rapidly become part of the outfi t, learning to


carry out the regular work of the ranch. This might range from moving herds, branding and vaccinating to separating out calves and catching and breaking in horses. The Island Guest Ranch, Northwest of Oklahoma City (www.islandguestranchcom), the Flying W Ranch in the Flint Hills of Kansas (www.fl inthillsfl yingw.com) are some examples of working ranches as are the Moore Ranch (www.moorelonghornranch.com) south of Dodge City/KS, where longhorns and working horses are bred and it is possible to take part in cattle drives lasting several days.


Generally speaking dude or guest ranches are ranches which do not rear animals. The focus here is on R&R, experiencing nature, riding and other outdoor activities. These ranches are also the right choice for families. They include the Meadowlake Ranch (Tulsa/OK, www.meadowlakeranch. com), the Tatanka Ranch (Stroud, OK, www.thetatankaranch.com) which offers wide range of activities and the Highpointhorse Ranch (Seminole/OK, http://highpointhorse-ranch.com), which offers instruction and workshops in its own western reining & riding school. Accommodation ranges from rustic to modern cabins and guest rooms. These holidays almost always feature full- board and romantic evenings around the camp fi re, excursions and activities.


NATIONAL DAY OF THE COWBOY Since 2004, the “National Day of the Cowboy” has been celebrated throughout the US on the 4th Saturday in July with all kinds of events related to cowboy culture. Information: www.nationaldayofthecowboy.com


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