BOZEMAN – A successful rodeo takes days, weeks and months of preparation not just for the riders but for the animals too.
Much of that work is done at Copper Springs Ranch outside of Bozeman, a local ranch that provides a lot of the livestock for upcoming competitions.
A bucking bull or bronco might be the main event, but every rodeo needs its timed-event cattle.
Copper Springs Ranch will be supplying the timed cattle for about nine rodeos in the upcoming weeks, but first, they need to pick who goes.
“Luck of the draw does play a factor, but we aim for is consistency,” said Vance Ruff. “An even herd as possible and that gives everybody a chance to run a good run.”
That means testing the strength and skills of each animal.
And these steers aren’t just going to Livingston for the annual Roundup Rodeo – Copper Springs Ranch supplies timed cattle for events around the country.
In fact, next year if you’re at the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas you’ll be seeing some of these animals.
That may be cool, but it’s also a lot of work. At the ranch, 365 days a year, the staff is raising and roping.
“Everybody does a little of everything from feeding them to taking care of them to typical ranch jobs,” Ruff said.
