Group photo by Jake Hodnett
My summer rodeo journey ended at the 87th annual Elk City Rodeo at Beutler Bros. Arena — a fitting finale to the season. This hometown event has a special connection to The Cowboy, and it was the perfect place to wrap up the trail.
The story of Beutler Brothers stock company began in 1929 when three brothers — Elra, Lynn, and Jake — trailed 10 horses to the Custer County Fair Rodeo in Clinton, Oklahoma. Nearly 100 years later, the Beutler family is still recognized as one of the most respected rodeo stock contractors in the business.
Their legacy is so significant that seven family members have been enshrined in our National Rodeo Hall of Fame: Elra, Jake, Lynn, Jiggs, Bennie, Dolly Beutler Riddle and Vickie Beutler Shireman.
Known today as Beutler & Son Rodeo Co., Bennie and son, Rhett, continue the legacy along with the next generation of Beutlers, Taylor and Jake. Now, the Beutlers have given back to the rodeo world in another remarkable way.
They are the first rodeo livestock company to donate their entire historical collection to the National Rodeo Hall of Fame at The Museum. Amassed by Lynn Beutler, this invaluable collection includes logbooks, photographs, correspondence and other objects that will help tell the deeper story about rodeo from the perspective of the stock contractor and the animal athlete.
At the Elk City Rodeo, with my partners Jeff Ewing and Kaylia McCracken along for the ride, we celebrated this enduring legacy. In front of a sold-out, standing-room-only crowd, Ewing presented Bennie Beutler with a bronze sculpture by Oklahoma artist John David Rule. Titled Pendleton’s Best, 1916 the piece features Jackson Sundown, a Nez Perce cowboy who was the first Native American World Champion Bronc Rider and is the familiar figure from our Cowboy logo.
As Benny, Dolly, and Vickie stood center of the arena on sacred ground, the hometown crowd gave them a standing ovation, enthusiastically recognizing the family and their contributions. It was a powerful and memorable conclusion to the summer run.
A big MUCH OBLIGED to the Elk City Rodeo team for their hospitality and for welcoming The Cowboy to this incredible event.
