Rodeo season in the Pikes Peak region continues when the Ride for the Brand Ranch Rodeo stampedes into the Norris Penrose Event Center on Saturday, Aug. 2. Competitors in the annual rodeo are real ranch cowboys representing 12 ranches in six states. The rodeo gives them a chance to showcase the skills they perform every day as they protect and care for their herds to bring them to market. And spectators get a chance to enjoy Colorado’s Western heritage, including live music and dancing after the rodeo.
During their regular week, these authentic cowboys work on ranches, sorting and moving cattle, starting colts, doctoring and branding calves. In the rodeo, they compete in events including Ranch Bronc Riding, Stray Gathering, Team Sorting and the fan favorites Wild Cow Milking and Trailer Loading
In Wild Cow Milking, a team of four — one on horseback, three on foot —races to fill a bottle of milk. The team pursues a cow into the arena. The roper on horseback chases and ropes the cow. The three teammates then grab the cow, and one milks the cow into an empty bottle. When the milker believes he has enough, he runs it to the judge to verify, and the timer stops. No milk — no time. The fastest team wins.
Trailer Loading is the final event of the competition. This race begins with a herd of cattle in the arena. The team rides in and must sort their numbered cow out of the herd, then push only that cow across the line and rope it. Then the fun begins! The team must load the reluctant cow into the trailer, along with two horses and close the trailer doors. When all four people are in the cab of the pickup with the doors closed, time stops. The team who can do all of this in the shortest amount of time wins.
Live music and dancing follow the rodeo action in the Dance in the Dirt with the Jason Wulf Band. Gates open at 4 p.m., rodeo starts at 6 p.m. and the Dance in the Dirt begins when the rodeo is over around 8 p.m.
Ride for the Brand is one of the largest ranch rodeos sanctioned by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association. Proceeds benefit local ranchers and their families through the WRCA Foundation’s Scholarship Fund, Cowboy Crisis Fund & Wildlife Relief Fund.
Find more information at www.rideforthebrand.org.
Tickets are available at www.norrispenrose.com.
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This article was updated in July 2025.
