After 8 years of planning, preparation and many prayers, the members of Blanco Cowboy Church opened the chute gates on Saturday morning, April 26th, for their 1st Annual “Roping For Jesus” Team Roping held at Yett Memorial Park and Blanco Rodeo Association Arena. God’s clear blue Hill Country skies greeted cowboys and cowgirls traveling into Blanco from the north, south, east and west, and by 10 a.m., the park was filled to capacity with pickups, trailers and horses. Mutton Bustin’ began at 9 a.m. when the chute gates were opened for little cowboys and cowgirls 5 years and under and the muttons were furnished by Bailey Moore. After watching 2 year old Wyatt Brooks “literally” biting the dirt and strolling happily from the dusty arena with his first championship buckle, everyone scrambled over to the covered pavilion for the Blanco Cowboy Church Worship Service where they were being drawn by the toe-tappin’ country cowboy gospel music coming from the guitars and hearts of Ryon, Rene and Hesston Krause.

Beginning at 10 a.m., this outstanding and gifted family Praise and Worship Trio led the crowd of about 400 cowboys and cowgirls into a time of Anointed Praise and Worship then introduced

The cowboy guest minister was Mike Weaver of Wildride Ministries of Harper, Texas. The Bull-Riding Cowboy Preacher delivered a heart-tuggin’ message on the Word of God challenging the cowboys and cowgirls to not put off making a decision to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as no one knows what tomorrow holds; then asked everyone to pray the sinner’s prayer aloud. He then asked everyone who had prayed the prayer for the first time to put their pride aside and be bold enough to “cowboy up” and come up to the altar and make their commitment publicly and to receive a prayer and be given a cowboy Bible. He opened the Altar to anyone wanting to recommit their life to Jesus or needing special prayer. Ten cowboys boldly came forward and received the free gift of salvation; many more came forward seeking God’s forgiveness and recommitting their lives to walk in a fresh, renewed and victorious personal relationship with Jesus; and many others came for prayer for special needs, friends and family.

The Blanco Cowboy Church family rejoiced with “all the angels in heaven” as they welcomed their new brothers and sisters in the Lord, knowing all the hours of their labors of Love had borne fruit before the first heading and heeling loops were thrown.

Following the worship service Texas’ Top-hand cowgirl roping bookkeeper, Tori, posted the draw on the chute gates and the #6 and Up Pro Team Ropers began heading and heeling the steers, followed by the Live Auction of a two-year old Registered Horse donated by Pat Benner’s XN Ranch, to benefit the Blanco Cowboy Church Covered Arena Fund. The horse was purchased by Robert Lever for $1,200. Then the #5 and Under Team Roping began following the posting of the draw. The Youth Dummy Roping began under the pavilion with three age groups. Champion Buckles were won bythree youth and their names will be listed in next week’s article. After the noon hour everyone in the pavilion enjoyed the outstanding music by the Dick Polk and members Blue Grass Gospel Band who drove many long miles to donate their time and talents to entertain at the ‘Roping For Jesus’ event. There was also a Silent Auction under the pavilion managed by Tracy Lovelace to benefit the Covered Arena Fund, and everyone enjoyed delicious vittles all day prepared by the Riley BBQ crew. A hospitality booth was also available all day under the pavilion to assist all the visitors. The Blanco Rodeo Association deserves very special recognition for providing the donation of the use of their arena, as well as all of their hard work plowing and watering the arena, providing their water truck, excellent arena sound system, painting, welding and preparing everything in top shape for the event. Our hats are off to these special cowboys and cowgirls!

Right before a beautiful Texas Hill Country sunset, all the cowboys and cowgirls met back in the pavilion and were entertained by cowboy singer Hesston Krause while everyone awaited the tallying of the roping books, eagerly awaiting the awards to be announced and presented.

#6 and Up Team Ropers were awarded the following: 1st Place Team- Pat Ivey and Randy Davis, $2,000 and Championship Gist Buckles; 2nd Place Team - Larry Hammons and Tyler Wojo; $1,000; Other Prizes were presented through 6th place; for 3rd Place Team- Marion Heneger and Larry Hammons; 4th Place Team - Tyler Browder and Rolando Mujica; 5th Place Team - Tyler Wojo and Randy Davis and 6th Place Team - Larry Hannons and Tyler Wojo.

#5 and Under Team Ropers were awarded the following: A New Two Horse Trailer to Hi Point Roper; Two Saddles to 1st Place Team; Two Gist Championship Buckles to 2nd Place; Two H & H Buckles to 3rd Place and other awards through 25th place.

Blanco’s talented photographer, Penny Conn, photographed the events of the day so be sure and watch your paper for the pictures and a news article appearing next week honoring the #5 and Under Team Roping Winners.