Youth team qualifies for championship

By Sam Waller

The Clear Fork Ranch team, which included three Shackelford County residents, took first place Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Big Bend Youth Ranch Rodeo in Alpine.

The win qualified Clear Fork Ranch for the Working Ranch Cowboy Association youth championship, scheduled for Nov. 11 in Amarillo. This is the third year the WRCA has contested a youth division in conjunction with its adult competition.

The five-member Clear Fork team included locals Riggyn Saunders, Gatlin Wills, and Slayton Parsons. Rounding out the team were Brandon Craig of Santa Anna and Kayden Brian of Brock.

The cowboys scored points in events such as branding, sorting, doctoring, trailer loading, and a wild steer race.

Shackelford County was well represented at the Alpine event with the Nail Ranch team, which included locals Will LeMay and Jack Nail, placing second. Other team members were Jhett Hubbard of Clyde, Hoyt Darnall of Breckenridge, and Klay Ruddy of Graford.

Nail Ranch competed in sorting, branding, trailer loading, and the wild steer race.