Don King Days... YEEHAW!

When we were strolling historic Sheridan, a banner strung across the Main St. announced that our timing was perfect for us to attend the 38th Annual Don King Days.

How could we miss celebrating Don King Days, which is considered to be the grand finale of equestrian events in the area? It all started back in 1989 when a group of ranchers, ropers and friends of Don King organized the event and named it in honor the world-renowned saddle maker and King’s Saddlery founder who contributed so much to the western culture. Their intent was to celebrate the classic equestrian events unique to the Sheridan area — polo, steer roping, and bronc riding. Although there are bigger, more prestigious celebrations out west, few can rival Don King Days. This event truly recaptures the spirit and traditions of the west, and the open-air, unconfined and unhurried atmosphere of rodeos past.

Since the beginning, Don King Days has been and continues to be held at the Big Horn Equestrian Center. Thirty-five acres of grass covered fields lend the perfect venue for the weekend celebration.

Arriving early for the perfect parking spot, we were allowed to mingle and meander.

We even got to hang out with the participants. Cameron Ritchey did great in his steer roping event. Yay!

Every kind of spectating arrangement was seen. I saw these theater seats in the back of a pickup yesterday in town. Funny stuff.

This is free-range rodeoing. There are no barriers except for cattle corralling.

Cowboy culture is very hospitable. Everyone was given a free drink. Wow.

How about this setting? What an idyllic way to spend a Sunday.

Believe it or not, the day's event began with POLO. The largest polo tournament of the Big Horn Polo Club’s season is played over this weekend. Teams composed of players from all over the world, face off in tournament bracket fashion vying for the coveted championship buckle.

Polo you say! According to US Polo, "There is arguably no other club in the United States that is as dedicated and devoted to developing horses for polo than Big Horn Polo Club. Nestled at the base of the Big Horn Mountains, near Sheridan, Wyoming, the club has evolved from a culture deeply and passionately intertwined with the horse. The mountainous backdrop surrounded by vast expanses of land cultivates an urgent sense of adventure that is hard to ignore."

Polo was established in the area in the late nineteenth century by English nobleman Oliver Henry Wallop and Scotsman Malcolm Moncreiffe who brought with them thoroughbred horses. According to the Big Horn Polo Club website, “The Polo Ranch, which Oliver Wallop inherited from Malcolm Moncreiffe and in turn handed it down to Senator Malcolm Wallop, was the center of polo in the Northern Rockies until the early 1980s when the ranch was sold. The sale of the Polo Ranch forced the Big Horn Polo Club to find another field.” The search for a new location led to Big Horn Polo Club’s present day establishment at the Big Horn Equestrian Center with a remarkable seven fields.

Us newbies were given a handbook of what polo is all about. I found this list quite worth sharing. Polo Myths vs. Fact: The Tailgate Edition. "What you'll see at a Polo Match (probably): someone confidently explaining the rules, incorrectly; a dog that thinks it's part of the team; a perfectly curated tailgate setup next to a folding chair and a cooler; at least one person asking, "Wait- what just happened?"; champagne, beer, or something in a Solo cup- no judgement here; kids running absolutely feral during the halftime divot stomp (highlight of their week); someone dressed like they're headed to the Kentucky Derby... sitting on the ground; a first-timer who becomes an expert by the end of the second chukker; and tailgate contributors ranging from 'Pinterest Masterpiece' to 'We brought chips'... you know how you are."

I never did really understand it, but what fun anyway.

Hysterically, during the divot stomp, a round of Cowboy Polo is played. Comical and entertaining, it was the perfect halftime show.

After a very emotional National Anthem sung by a Francis Scott Key descendent, all participants were lined up and introduced to the crowd. Impressive.

The first event was Steer roping, a sport that developed out of necessity on the open range in the late 1800s and continues to be a common method of doctoring cattle. The Wyoming Steer Ropers have selected Don King Days as the scene for their season finals. The large open fields steer roping a true test of horsemanship and roping skill. There is no other roping like it.

We watched 39 cowboys test their skills.

My favorite is Bronc Riding. According to the website, "The invitational matched bronc riding at Don King Days is truly unique. As soon as the cowboy is “set”, and the chute opens, the excitement begins! Since there are no fences, the action can get real close, putting the crowd right in the action! Six cowboys selected from a seven state region are invited to match their talents against one another. The bronc rider with the highest cumulative score is the winner of the Don King Day buckle."