Western Heritage Classic
This event is much more than just a rodeo. It is a celebration of the ranch cowboy and his way of life. Life on the ranch was hard. Work that never ended no matter what the season, there was always a fence to mend, calves to brand or horses to break-in. Come join the festivities that celebrate one of America’s backbones – the cowboy.

Ranch Rodeo
The Western Heritage Classic was started back in 1985 as way to compete as a working ranch so the events here differ slightly from your average rodeo. The competition is designed to decide which ranch is the best working ranch. Unlike a typical rodeo where cowboys or cowgirls compete individually this event is all about teamwork. A cowboy needed his buddies to do the job right if the ranch was to prosper and run well.

The Rodeo Events
Here are the thrilling events you will find at the Western heritage Classic. Ranches enter and compete as teams.

• Bronc Riding – the team decides who will enter this one. 8 seconds of unforgettable action as the cowboy hangs on for dear life and the horse does his best to get rid of him.
• Wild Cow Milking – This one will have you laughing until your sides hurt. Four desperate cowboys, in need of milk. The goal – get Bessie to stand still long enough to fill a long neck bottle with milk and then race back to the finish line. It might be fine if Bessie knows you but if she is a wild one from the range it makes for a hilarious cow milking experience.
• Team Penning – Be the fastest team of four to cut out and heard three cows into the pen. But being the fastest doesn’t mean it is over in seconds. A good cutting horse and some sharp eyes and ears are needed for this team event.
• Team Branding – again a team of four works together. This time to rope and brand a calf in the fastest time possible.
• Team Doctoring –A team of two is needed here. One guy to rope the head and the other the heels of a calf, then the doctoring gets done. Not nearly as easy as it sounds and the tension mounts as there is a limited number of tries each team is allowed before they are out.
• Original Ranch Horse Competition – here it is all about the cowboy and his horse. A cowboy can show off his horse in whatever manner he thinks presents his horse in the best way.

Kiddie Rodeo
Rodeos are not just for grown-ups, at least not at the Western Heritage Classic. Sign your little cowpokes up for the Stickhorse Rodeo. Kids can compete in three different age groups: 4- 5, 6-7 and 8-10.

Grab your stick horse and get reading for some barrel racing, boot scramble, wild cow milking and bull riding – all designed with the youngsters in mind. You can even participate in the Steer Dummy Roping contest or Fat Piglet Races. Lots of awards and wild clapping from the spectators make it a one-of-a-kind event for your child.

Celebrate Our Western Heritage
Our western heritage is rich and one to be proud of, not just for the hard work that is done by the cowboys, but for the many areas in which it presents itself. Here at the ranch rodeo there are old-fashion fiddling contests, cowboy poetry and music and western artisans sharing their work. All excellent examples of how the cowboy is a part of past.

A chuck wagon cook-off lets you sample some fine ranch grub while a huge street parade kicks off the whole shebang. Finish up the event with the exclusive WHC Invitational Horse sale, with some of the finest horses around available to purchase.

Expo Center of Taylor County
1700 Hwy. 36
Abilene, Texas 79602
325-677-4376