Gray County Rodeo is crackingout for the fi rst time. "We put together a committee and hired astock contractor, and we're putting together a rodeo," said Tyler Dye, the vice president of the committee of nine that meets once a month. "We have an awesome facility out here there used to be a high school rodeo and little britches rodeo but hasn't seen any rodeo activity in years. There's a lot of contestants from this county that compete and we all were talking and thought we could put this together for everybody to enjoy."

Tyler fights bulls for Medicine River Rodeo (Mike and Patrick Greenleaf), who will be the stock contractor. The committee has been working on this rodeo since last fall. "We took off and ran with it and we're a month away from showtime."

The rodeo has a new opportunity for the timed event contestants. "I believe we are the only ones in the KPRA that are doing a two header in all the roping events," he said, explaining. "Everyone will run their fi rst steer and the top ten times in each event will get their second one in the perf. The rest will get their second steer in the second slack."

The most difficult part of the venture has been fi nding sponsors. "If you're trying to sell the rodeo before the rodeo has happened is hard businesses don't know what you have to offer. Some of our local sponsors such as National Beef, MJE, American Family Chris Boys Agency, Z Roping's and many other local businesses have really stepped in to help get our rodeo started and we are very thankful for the support we've received so far." The town of Cimarron,located between Dodge City and Garden City on Hwy 50, boasts a population of around 2,200 people and the Santa Fe Trail runs on the north side of the arena."We have the Cimarron Hotel, built in 1886, which is on the National Historical Registry. We have a brand-new RVpark, with lots of spots for hookups and there's one motel in town, and the Santa Fe Grill is right outside the motel."

On behalf of the committee, the Gray County Rodeo welcomes all the members of the KPRA and NSRA to theirfirst-ever rodeo!!!