PAYSON RODEO
ARIZONA RODEO
The 125th Payson Rodeo, the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, takes place in Payson, Arizona over the third weekend of August 2009.
Dating from 1884, it has had to concede the title of OLDEST to Prescott, Arizona whose 1888 event has claimed the title on a technicality in that its first rodeo was a formalised event with admission charges and prize monies. Unable to use the word oldest, the organisers of the Payson Rodeo settled for the title of The Oldest Continuous Rodeo.
Payson in Gila County sits at the geographic centre of Arizona. The area around the town is now known as Rim Country rather than an earlier name of Zane Grey Country. The famous author first arrived in 1918, bought land and was a prolific author and film maker.
The first Payson Rodeo in August 1884 saw local ranchers and cowboys testing their roping and bronco riding skills against each other. Early schedules included silver dollar pitching, Cock Fights, greased pig contests and foot races. A timed event from horseback involved pulling up a chicken buried up to its neck in the street. Contemporary animal welfare organisations might not approve of this today.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association which sponsors the 2009 event believes it is the Best Small Rodeo in The World.
The 2009 Doins Rodeo includes all the traditional events, in four separate performances, such as Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Bull Riding and Team Roping. Mutton Bustin is for the kids under six years of age to last 6 seconds riding on a sheep.
Unusual and unique is the Tough Enough To Wear Pink, benefit evening, in aid of Breast Cancer research. First introduced at the 2004 Wrangler Finals, where most contestants actually wore pink shirts. The idea is to bring a cancer survivor along with the family for an evening of fun.
The 2009 August Doins Rodeo Roundup Parade takes place on 15th August. The parade will march down historic Main Street to Sawmill Theatres. Local businesses, civic groups, Rodeo Queens and clowns will please young and old.
If you have time after the weekend, visit The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park which has the world’s largest Travertine Natural Bridge. Have a flutter at The Mazatal Casino which is operated by the Tonto Apache Reservation or join the rock hounds around Payson looking for quartz crystals, geodes, agate and onyx stones.
The 125th Worlds Oldest Continuous Rodeo will delight the whole family, so head on down to the Payson Rodeo.
SPRING BREAK IN PAYSON ARIZONA
With 300 days of sunshine each year, cool mountain air and temperatures in May in the mid 60’s, Arizona is a great location for that Spring Break. In this article we feature the town of Payson and The Rim Country.
Payson in Gila County, 90 miles north of Phoenix and 90 miles south of Flagstaff, is known as The Mountain Town with A Western Heritage. Its position at the geographical centre of the State, mild weather and an elevation of 5250 ft make it a superb tourist base.
Payson and The Rim Country have long been the place for Native American Archaeology, Western Heritage and Old West Exploration.
Main Street, Payson has become a tourist attraction in its own right. At one end is the 45 acre Green Valley Park with its 3 lakes stocked with rainbow trout, decorative fountains and picnic ramadas. Historic Main Street is a mecca for treasure hunters with its antique stores and art shops. There is an historic Cowboy Saloon- the Ox Bow. The restaurants include the Main Street Grille, which apart from great food has two friendly ghosts.
The town has several museums and a must for all visitors is the Rim Country Museum and within its grounds an authentic replica of Zane Grey’s Cabin. Zane Grey was The Father of The Western Novel and wrote 64 novels and 300 short stories, which were the basis of 130 movies
Within easy reach of Payson there are some of the scenic jewels of Arizona.
The overwhelming presence of The Mogollon Rim, an escarpment rising to 7000ft, with its Ponderosa Pine Forests, is named after a Spanish Governor of New Mexico in the 1700’s.
In a small valley between Payson and Pine is The Tonto Natural Bridge. At 183ft high straddling a 400ft long tunnel, measuring 150ft at its widest point, the bridge formed by chalk deposits from springs is the largest of its type in the world.
The Shoofly Indian Ruins at an elevation of 5240ft date back to 1000-1250AD. Rim Country is the very heart of the prehistoric cultures of the Southwest
If you are feeling energetic then the Payson Area Trails are for you. This trail system (parts still in development) is a system using pathways, sidewalks and bike lanes in Payson, connected to Forest Service Roads. The six major trails include American Gulch, Boulder Loop, Houston and Monument Loop Trail.
Still feeling energetic? Various trailheads give access to the Wilderness Areas. Hellsgate, Mazatza, (Land of the Deer) and Granite Dells Wilderness are the remnants of the wild lands from the early growth of Arizona. Many are protected and managed by the Forest Service. With rough and broken terrain with very steep slopes, trekking here is not for the very young, very old or unfit. The usual cautions apply. Take sufficient water, wear suitable footwear and clothing and make sure others know of your route and plans.
Few states enjoy the diversity of hunting available around Payson. Game ranges from the stately elk to small animals and waterfowl.
With more than a dozen lakes, the Payson area is a fisherman’s paradise. Green Valley Lake is located at the west end of Main Street and is stocked with Rainbow Trout from October to May. The fisherman’s favourite is Bear Canyon Lake, its 60 acres has rainbows, brookies,cut-throat and Arctic grayling.
Near Payson are three National Forests. Coconino and Sitgreaves cover the mountain elevations with Tonto in the desert.
If you are fortunate to be in Payson for the Memorial Weekend of 23-24 May, you can enjoy The 21st Arizona Logger’s Sawdust Festival. Professionals and amateurs compete for the coveted title of Logger of The Year, executing traditional logging skills. The kids can also meet Smokey The Bear.
Whether you enjoy sightseeing, antique hunting, hiking, fishing, hunting, biking, eating or shopping, Payson and The Rim Country have it all in the Spring. Enjoy a great Spring Break in Payson Arizona.
ARIZONA RODEO
PAYSON, ARIZONA WHERE RODEO BEGAN
All you Wannabee Cowboys, Cowgirls and your families who are interested in Arizona Rodeo should head for Payson, from May 15 -16 2009.
Payson, known as a Mountain Town With A Western Heritage, is 90 miles North of Phoenix and 90 miles South of Flagstaff. This is where rodeos began and the town has been associated with such competitions for 125 years. Rodeos were first held to provide cowhands with a place to meet and compare roping skills and cow ponies prior to the big Fall roundup.
The first event for 2009 is The Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo, to honour the memory of a Payson citizen who died in 1987. Hardt was a well known competitor, known throughout the Southwest for his bull roping and other roping talents. His career started in 1963 at The World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo in Payson ( held annually in August)
On May 15-16 The Spring Rodeo includes traditional competitions such as Bareback and Saddle Bronco Riding plus timed events comprising Tie Down Roping, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling together with Barrel Racing and Bull Riding. These are supported by traditional Clown Acts and entertainment.
For the uninitiated, we include an explanation of these great rodeo events.
BAREBACK AND SADDLE BRONCO RIDING
Originally based on the horse breaking skills of the working cowboy, the rider attempts to stay on the horse for 8 seconds without touching the animal with his free hand. In saddle bronco, the rider uses a special saddle with free stirrups and no horn. He grips a simple rein attached to a halter. In bareback, the rider has no saddle or rein, using one hand to grip rigging attached to the horse’s body
TIE DOWN ROPING (CALF ROPING)
From a standing start the rider chases the pre-released calf and throws a lariat around the calf’s neck. He dismounts, picks up the calf and flips it onto its side. He then ties three of its legs with a short rope and the clock is stopped. The animal must remain immobilised for six seconds before the time is recorded. The world record is 6+ seconds.
TEAM ROPING (HEADING AND HEELING)
This features a steer and two mounted cowboys or cowgirls and is the only rodeo event where men and women compete equally together. The Header must rope the steer around head and/or horns and then makes a Dally which is a couple of turns around the horn of his saddle. The Heeler then throws a loop around the running steer’s legs and both horses back up immobilising the steer. A professional team will take 4-12 seconds to stretch the animal.
STEER WRESTLING (BULL DOGGING)
A mounted rider chases a steer, dismounts and wrestles the animal to the ground. Once all four legs are off the ground the time is recorded. Steers usually weigh 450-650 lbs and professional times are in the range of 3.5-10 seconds.
BULL RIDING
This involves a rider attempting to stay on a large bull for 8 seconds holding a long, braided rope. It has been described as The Most Dangerous 8 Seconds in Sport
BARREL RACING
Here horse and rider attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around three 55 gallon barrels in the fastest time. It is essentially a rodeo event for the cowgirls.
Clowns appear at all these competitions, their job being to distract animals when riders have dismounted or fallen.
On May 16 you can also take in The Payson Aero Fair. Prior to the show at 7.30am you can enjoy The Payson Pilot’s Association, Pancake Breakfast. This show is fun for all the family with new, classic and vintage aeroplane displays, antique cars and tractors and a host of Food and Craft Vendors.
Whether you are a keen rodeo enthusiast or a tourist, enjoy your Spring visit to Payson the home of Arizona Rodeo.
MORE FUN IN ARIZONA
After the excitement of the Annual Tucson Rodeo, why not stay longer in Arizona and explore other attractions in the area. If your current view of museums is one of dull, dark buildings full of uninteresting and poorly-displayed items, then a visit to some of the museums in Tucson and Arizona will dispel that myth forever.
For the ex-military and aviation buffs the Pima Air and Space Museum is a must. The world’s largest privately-owned and the third largest aviation museum in the world is housed on 80 acres with over 200 indoor and outdoor aircraft exhibits. The display, mainly of military aircraft illustrates aviation history from post-WW1, WW2, the Korean Conflict and the Cold War years through to Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. It includes rare US and foreign types while its VIP collection has “Air Force One,” the official air transport of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. An added attraction is a tour of the Aircraft Maintenance & Regeneration Centre (AMRC) which is inside the nearby Davis Monthan USAF Base. Here literally 1000’s of civil and military aircraft are stored. Many can be placed back in service or are merely sources of spares. The high temperature and low humidity of Arizona protecting them from corrosion The Airstrip Diner will provide food and drink to sustain you and the family during your visit to this unique site.
The Arizona State Museum is housed on the campus of the Arizona State University and is Arizona’s premier research facility. Established in 1893, it houses the world’s largest collection of southwest Indian pottery in the world. The museum store is the place to obtain that different souvenir of your holiday visit. You can purchase replicas of the items in the museum’s rare collections of Southwest Indian culture, artistry and traditions.
For more than 50 years the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museumhas been dedicated to conservation in the Sonora Desert. It is both a natural history museum and a beautiful botanical garden. All exhibits expertly re-create the natural landscape and environment of the desert. Two miles of paths traverse 21 acres with 300 animal species and 1200 kinds of plants displayed in amazing natural habitats. You will literally come face to face with Mountain Lions, Gila Monsters and many more. The Ironwood Terrace and the Ocotillo Café provide the essential rations during your desert trek and the Mountain House Gift Shop will supply the required souvenirs.
The Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum. Arizonahas a long association with mining and is renowned for its diversity of minerals and copper. The town of Bisbee, once known as “The Queen of the Copper Camps,” is in the Mule Mountains in Southeast Arizona. Although mining here ended in 1970, the legacy has been preserved in an outstanding museum. Once the corporate headquarters of the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, the museum is a tribute to the town and its citizens. After viewing the exhibits you can don a hard hat and yellow slickers and with a miner’s lamp descend 1500 feet for the Queen Mine Tour. You will experience what it was like to work underground in a temperature at a constant 4 degrees C (47 degrees Fahrenheit)
This is just small sample of the huge number of museums covering all aspects of life in Arizona. The diversity is amazing and obviously there are far too many for one article. We hope this has provided the stimulus to visit the region, if only to enjoy the sunshine and blue skies and hopefully change your current views on museums.
