Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/847636
JULY 12-18, 2017 UCW 17 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM STEPHANIE CRIDER, Associate Publisher. COMMENTS? Editor@upand- comingweekly.com. (910) 484-6200. COVER STORY The Wild West. Dusty trails. Cattle drives. Campfires. Cowboys. It was a simpler time, when grit and hard work were the measure of a man and his word was his bond. It still exists, this world of quiet bra- vado and carefree charm. In fact, 7 Branch Farm spends an entire day celebrating it. Celebrate National Day of the Cow- boy at a rodeo on July 28 and 29 at 7 Branch Farm in Lumber Bridge. This is the 4th Annual National Day of the Cowboy at 7 Branch, and it looks to be a win- ner for participants and audiences alike. National Day of the Cowboy celebrates the spirit of the west and the ruggedness and independence that made cowboys the icons we know and love. It celebrates the code that governed the Wild West. While cowboys only get one official day of recogni- tion, at 7 Branch Farm, the cowboy spirit is obvious every day. Ron Payne bought eight acres of land nine years ago. His intent was to turn it into a horse farm. With the help of his children, Payne did just that and so much more. Today, the farm boasts 37 acres and is home to several rodeo events each year. "I was in- volved in professional team roping and qualified for the National Finals of Team Roping three times," said Buddy Blackman, gen- eral manager of 7 Branch Farm. Blackman's experience at rodeos helped shape the way the horse farm grew. "We de- cided to put in an arena at our farm," he said. "It eventually grew into a full-size competition arena with bleachers and a 1,800-square-foot arena and building, including a lit parking area and water sta- tions for competitors. We held our first official com- petition in 2012 and our first rodeo in 2014. We were the first venue in North Carolina to hold a National Day of the Cowboy Rodeo." Growing up steeped in the rodeo and equine culture, it was no surprise when Blackman started competing in rodeos. His family owned horses, and he rode them as a child. By the time he was 18, he was riding bucking bulls and horses in professional rodeos. He was good at it, and he loved the excite- ment it added to his life. He got to have adventures and see different parts of the country. "Participating in rodeos is adventurous; it allowed me to travel from state to state," Blackman said. Eventually, he was ready for a new kind of thrill and started hosting rodeos. It turns out that host- ing rodeos is also fun for Blackman. "Hosting and producing a rodeo is a lot of hard work. It includes planning and coordinating with others to produce a wonderful event," he said. The legwork can be exhausting, but when the rodeo starts, it is all worth it, he said. "The best part is when we finally get to the opening ceremony, and the rodeo is underway." But there are other things he loves about put- ting on a rodeo, too. "There are many favorites," he said. "The big crowd, watching the bull riders and the cowboy mounted shooting. (They shoot) .45 caliber pistols at balloon targets on a pre- designed pattern. The wild bull riding is always the main attraction — a 2,000+ pound bull versus a 150-pound rider." Whether this is old hat or a new experience, the events are lively and fast-paced and are sure to keep the crowds entertained. The lineup includes rodeo standards like barrel racing, team roping, cowboy mounted shooting, bull riding and trick riding. There is a new event this year, too. "We are having a bull pinball competition," Blackman said. "Five or six guys are in the arena in a 10-foot diamond or circle. We let a bull out and the last guy left in the ring wins." It's something he's been meaning to add, he said, and this just seemed like the right time. Blackman expects a crowd of 1,500 to 2,000 people and suggests coming early. Gates open at 5 p.m. "We will have several vendors of food, information and plenty of activities to see and do," he said. "The show starts at 8 p.m. Based on previous events, there is always a long line at the ticket window at 8 p.m." 7 Branch hosts several events throughout the year, but the National Day of the Cowboy Rodeo is a spe- cial one for Blackman because this event is not only a great time, it is also a fundraiser for two charities. Cape Fear Valley's Friends of the Cancer Center is the main charity. The Lumber Bridge Fire Depart- ment also benefits. "We hope to raise enough money to make a differ- ence so that both organizations get a good dona- tion," Blackman said. Tickets are available at www.dayofthecowboy. wordpress.com. Find out more about 7 Branch by searching its name on Facebook. Celebrate National Day of the Cowboy by STEPHANIE CRIDER Buddy Blackman, general manager of 7 Branch Farm. There was no law in the Wild West, so cowboys had to make up their own code of conduct. It wasn't legally binding but more of a code of honor. the NatioNal Day of the Cowboy CoDe of CoNDuCt for Cowboys & Cowgirls© 1. Live each day with honesty and courage. 2. Take pride in your work. Always do your best. 3. Stay curious. Study hard and learn all you can. 4. Do what has to be done and finish what you start. 5. Be tough, but fair. 6. When you make a promise, keep it. 7. Be clean in thought, word, deed and dress. 8. Practice tolerance and understanding of others. 9. Be willing to stand up for what's right. 10. Be an excellent steward of the land and its animals. Leslie Reed, Dixie Trick Rider, doing the One-foot Saddle Stand.