Home on the Range Champions Ride Match

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Our Story

For generations, families have been making the journey from across North Dakota to take in an afternoon of bronc riding action at the Champions Ride Match Rodeo. Preparing for its 60th Annual event in August 2016, the rodeo benefits the boys and girls living at Home on the Range. The ranch itself, established in 1950 by Father Elwood Cassedy, as a home for neglected and homeless boys, is observing its 66th Anniversary in 2016. Nestled between rolling hills of southwestern North Dakota, the arena boasts natural hillside seating. It’s western, it’s the way it used to be when the sport of rodeo was in its infancy. Cowboys who ride in splendid coliseums and state-of-the-art arenas savor the no-frills atmosphere of Champions Ride. They say the rodeo spirit seems more alive in the Badlands. Winston Bruce agrees, he says Calgary Ranch horses buck their best in the arena. Sentinel Butte ranchers and rodeo cowboys, Jim and Tom Tescher, came up with the idea of a saddle bronc match to raise money for Father Cassedy’s kids. Future World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Alvin Nelson, lent a hand with the first match, as did Ed Doherty, Bill Martin, Harley Roth, and Bill Law. Former ND Lieutenant Governor Ray Schnell and his sons, Raymond and Willard, managed the event. Cy Taillon served as announcer, reporting the scores made aboard stock, provided by Harley Roth, Jim Madden, the Fettig brothers and John Steen. Then as now, the rodeo is family entertainment for a family cause. Champions Ride, one of the nation’s few remaining saddle bronc matches, has been compared to baseball’s all-star game: the best horses against the best cowboys. Others say it is a preview of the National Finals Rodeo. Many of the horses and cowboys participating at Home on the Range will appear at the NFR. Challenged by three of the most respected broncs in the world of professional rodeo, it’s grueling, but exhilarating for the cowboys who don’t normally ride so many high caliber broncs in a single day. A partial list of winners reads like a who’s who of rodeo: Alvin Nelson, Duane Howard, Benny Reynolds, Pete Fredericks, Shawn Davis, Jim Tescher, Hugh Chambliss, Larry Mahan, Bud Pauley, Lewis Field, Tom Reeves, Brad Gjermundson, Robert Etbauer, Dan Mortensen, Ty Murray, Craig Latham, and Rod Hay. When asked why they come to Home on the Range, the cowboys have two answers: the horses and the kids. While they relish the opportunity to draw from a hatful of famous saddle broncs, they’re also aware that their participation benefits the residents. Ultimately, it’s the kids who win at this rodeo!