2026 CCYPS Ranch Rodeo – Something for Everyone!

By Gloria Way

  Brainchild of Cade Barrow, the 2026 CCYPS Ranch Rodeo was another huge success! Hundreds of attendees spent Saturday at White’s Park Arena in Anahuac cheering on the real-life working cowboys and cowgirls competing for cash prizes but primarily for bragging rights to be the best working hands on our area working ranches. The focus is on team skills modeled after daily ranch tasks.

  The CCYPS Ranch Rodeo included a Youth Ranch Rodeo for the first time. It was held on Friday evening at White’s Park Arena. Fourteen teams signed up for the inaugural event. All entrants must be under 18 years of age.

  The winning teams are:

• First Place: Wilkinson Cattle – Brance Dial, Skinner Wilkinson, Cade White, and Bodie Wrobleski
• Second Place: Crain Cattle, – Jobee Crain, Brance Dial, Skinner Wilkinson, and Colt Sanders
• Third Place: Rockin J Ranch – Brady Joines, Brayden Brock, Tucker Cart, and Jesse Wilcox
• Fourth Place: Holman Land and Cattle – Brance Dial, Jesse Wilcox, Hudson Skinner, and Kayson Holman.
• Top Hand: Brance Dial
• Top Horse: Skinner Wilkson

  Saturday’s events began with the CCYPS presenting the 2026 Pioneer Rancher Award Honoree to Anahuac rancher Tommy Gilbert. This award is presented each year to individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime of dedication to ranching, agriculture, and community service—honoring those who have made a lasting impact on Chambers County and the Chambers County Youth Project Show.

  Tommy Gilbert is the definition of steady, honest work and unwavering values. Born and raised in Anahuac, Tommy grew up in the Monroe City Sun Oil Camp. One of his proudest accomplishments came years later, when he was able to purchase the very land, he grew up on. Today, he still runs cattle on those same grounds—his old stomping ground turned legacy. Over the years, Tommy worked tirelessly, often juggling multiple jobs—to provide for his family while staying rooted in the land he loved. His respect for agriculture and dedication to doing things the right way has never wavered. While time may have slowed him down some, the legacy he’s built speaks louder than ever. His life is a testament to hard work, faith, family, and a deep love for the land.

  The Women’s Ranch Rodeo started immediately after the Pioneer Ranch Award Honoree presentation. Dozens of area cowgirls with their trusted horses competed in various team skills.

• First place: CK Ranch – Courtney Sanders, Kirby Sandling, Crystal Clipper, and Katie Pinner
• Second place: Boring Cattle – Sam Shimshack, Montana Brown, Stephanie Butler, and Robin Boring
• Third place: Dove Cattle – Ashley Fears, Kirby Sandling, Mallory Nichols, and Crystal Clipper
• Top Hand: Courtney Sanders
• Top Horse: Ashley Fears.

  It would not be a rodeo without crowd favorite “mutton busting’”! Mutton busting generally require children to be ages 4–7, weighing 55–60 lbs. or less, and to wear mandatory safety gear like helmets and vests. Participants must hang on to a sheep as long as possible, typically facing forward without using ropes, with top scores usually requiring a 6-second ride.

  The 2026 CCYPS Mutton Busting champion is Trip Odom.

  The Open Ranch Rodeo always brings out competitiveness amongst our local cowboys. Dozens of local working cowboys show off their team and individual skills in performing daily ranch chores.

  The Open Ranch Rodeo winners are:

• First place: Fea Cattle – Robert Fea, Heath Kocurek, Skinner Wilkinson, and Jacques Trahan
• Second Place: Zan Cattle – Dugan Boring, Darell Zan, Bryce Rand, and Bob Clipper
• Third Place: HK Cattle – Robert Fea, Heath Kocurek, Rowdy Ward, and Skinner Wilkinson
• Fourth Place: Wrobleski Cattle – Kenton Shimshack, JG Evans, Bob Clipper, Bodie Wrobleski
• Top Hand – Robert Fea
• Top Horse – Bryce Rand.

    Samantha Humphrey, co-director of CCYPS stated, “The 2026 CCYPS Ranch Rodeo was a huge success. We are incredibly thankful to Cade Barrow and the CCYPS Ranch Rodeo Committee who put in hours of work to make this happen. We also want to thank the Parks Department for their efforts and assistance.”

  “Not only is this event a great time, but it also raises tens of thousands of dollars for the CCYPS exhibitors each year,” added Robbie King, CCYPS General Manager. “Thanks to our generous sponsors we surpassed our 2025 Ranch Rodeo sponsorships and exceeded our original 2026 goal. There’s still time to get sponsorships in for the Show!”