Cattle Barons Weekend Provides Ag Scholarships

For more than 15 years, the Pendleton Cattle Barons Weekend has supported future western agriculture leaders and doers through its ag scholarships. The event honors western heritage with a series of events, including a horse and dog sale, a ranch rodeo, western artistry show, competitive barbecue and artistry classes, all of which raise funds for scholarships awarded to area college students who are furthering their education in agriculture-related fields. More recently, aspiring students of western trades including leather, silver and rawhide are also eligible.

The annual event, to be held in the Pendleton Convention Center and Round-Up Pavilion on May 3 and 4, offers a western-packed weekend that attracts thousands of visitors each year and has donated more than $100,000 in scholarships since its founding. Past scholarship recipients include agricultural business owners, large animal veterinarians, agricultural lawyers, and an up-and-coming saddle maker and leather craftsman.

Beyond supporting a good cause that directly benefits local youth in agricultural fields, you can enjoy and admire skillful western artistry in the making of saddles, bits and spurs — all created with the working cowboy in mind. Engage with representatives of feed providers and animal-health and livestock-handling companies, and purchase your own cowboy gear made to last at the Tradin’ Post Trade Show.

Taste mouth-watering barbecue as contenders compete for trophies, prize money, and the coveted People’s Choice Award. In the evenings on Friday and Saturday, cheer on your cowboys as they compete in ranch rodeo and stock saddle-bronc riding. Find your next four-legged ranching partner at the Western Select Ranch Horse and Working Dog Sale, where many proven ranch animals will be sold at auction.

Whatever you enjoy about western culture, you’re bound to have a good time at the Pendleton Cattle Barons Weekend celebration. Experience it on May 3 and 4 at the Pendleton Convention Center.

See the full weekend schedule online at cattlebarons.net/schedule and purchase your tickets at cattlebarons.net/ranch-rodeo.