On Saturday, September 22, the Blanco Cowboy Church’s 1st Annual Members Only Saddle Steer Roping was held at the church arena. When the books opened at 8 am, pickups, trailers, horses and ropers were trailing in from north, south, east and west. Books closed at 9 am sharp with all ropers attending the full church service as their entry fee. The Ryon Krause Cowboy Worship Team opened the service with Ryon’s new song praising Jesus with God’s Word in Matthew 7:14. Fifteen year old cowboy Hesston Krause preached the word encouraging the attending cowboys and cowgirls to receive Jesus as their personal Savior and walk in God’s JOY every day. Saddle Donor and church member, Jack Brooks, gave his heart rending and joyful testimony about how God has brought him out of the darkness into God’s Light, following the unexpected death of his mother.

When the first steer crossed the time barrier about 9:30 am, the dust didn’t settle until the last heading and heeling loop was thrown at the last steer right after noon. When the final books were tallied and the fastest time on two head was announced, Larry Hileman and his teenage son, Tanner Hileman were the winners. Saddle Donor Jack Brooks presented the heading saddle to Larry and the heeling saddle to Tanner. The father and son team were congratulated by the church family and their pictures were taken in the arena along with a group picture of all the ropers and participants.

After the hungry cowboys and cowgirls headed for the chuck wagon for a late lunch, they all pitched in and worked to rework the arena and get it ready for the 2nd annual Blanco Cowboy Church Youth PlayDay that was being held in the arena the next morning. Weary, but joyful, they headed home about sunset eager to contact their roping friends to come join them and become members before next year’s saddle roping. Lights have been purchased for the arena and plans are being made to have weekly activities in the arena following services. We invite all you cowboys and cowgirls to come join us. “As the harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Matthew 9:35-38.

Watch for pictures and an article about the Sept. 23 Youth PlayDay Champions next week.