By Jean Barton
Special To Ropers Sports News

RED BLUFF, CALIF. – The 25th annual JP Ranch Rodeo was held January 17-18. Newcomers to Tehama County don’t know why we celebrate the Jim Owens Memorial Ranch Rodeo, also known as JP Ranch Rodeo each year. The first two years it was the Red Bluff Ranch Rodeo, and when Jim died it became the JP.
“With his passing there have been many stories retold about Jim.  “Always on the move and larger than life, Jim had a quick wit and a knowledge about cattle that made him a legend. Anyone who knew him had a story to tell. “Jim was a member of the California Cattlemen’s Association, serving as second vice president and the Tehama County Cattlemen’s Association. In 1996 he was awarded Tehama County Cattleman of the year. Always promoting the local cattle industry, he was instrumental in the establishment of Shasta Livestock Auction Yard.
“After Jim’s death, the Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale established the JP Ranch Rodeo to honor his years of service. Jim’s other passion was rodeo. He was involved with the Red Bluff Round-Up for most of his life and served as arena director for 35 years. In 1989 he was presented with a gold plaque from the PRCA. He loved saddle bronc and was known to give a good bucking horse to a stock contractor or two.
“Jim lived and died his way, on a horse. At 82 years old on Sept. 10, 1996, he was shipping cattle out of Beckwourth when he died horseback. After his death it was said that Jim Owens was “who John Wayne wanted to be.”
I remember how Jim would always start the Red Bluff Round-Up Wild Horse Race with a shot from his gun and a horse riot resulting.
The Grand Entry featured Lloyd Faria on a black horse carrying the United States flag as John Wayne’s voice told  “Why I Love America,” with many Owens children horseback. The national anthem was performed by Mahlon Owens.  
The 2019 scholarship recipients were recognized during the grand entry: Tanner Darst, Emily Kramer and Lauren Ferguson-Hilbert.
Following the calcutta auction of the six teams by auctioneer Eric Duarte, there was  a “Rope for Cole” auction that raised $11,300 for our young roping friend Cole Bunting. Announcer Steve Smart mentioned there was a team roping last week during the CHSRA Red Bluff Shoot-Out, and the kids roped from 7 p.m. until 2am with over 250 entries.
Point S, I-5 Tires donated four all-terrain tires that sold to Rich Rice and Jeff Sparrowk, who donated them back, and Gallardi was the high bidder.  Then a golf package at Oak Creek Golf Course with three bits and headstalls was auctioned, with first bidder Tehama Angus Ranch donating back, as did Sheree and Kenneth Owens,  Roy Owens, the Ranch Rodeo Committee, and final bidder Colton Suther, a high school rodeo competitor from Palo Cedro.  
On October 21, 17-year-old Cole Bunting was team roping in the ACTRA National Finals in Reno, when his horse slipped and fell. Cole hit his head on saddle cantle. He was in an induced coma for five days at Renown Hospital. Now he is at Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado, where he is learning every skill again. In June he had won the Junior BFI with Stoney Boy Joseph, and in September, Cole with Dusty Bravos had won the CCPRA Finals average.  
The AR Ranch, Lincoln with Shawny Muncy, Andy Holcomb and Chant DeForest won the buckles, and $9,000 added money. Rice-Sparrowk, Clements with Rich Rice, Daniel Rice and Chance Machado won the long go added money of $1,000.
The Judd Miller trophy handmade saddle for Top Hand was awarded to Daniel Rice, Rice-Sparrowk team. Daniel had won Top Hand in 2016, and his father Rich Rice won in 2003. It was announced that it was Rich’s 24th JP Ranch Rodeo. The saddle was sponsored by Plumas Bank, Ranch Rodeo Committee and Judd Miller.
Sly, ridden by Clayton Edsall, 1/3 Ranch, Oakdale, was Top Horse for the third time. Previous wins were in 2015 and 2017. A silver bit was donated by Terrill and Dustin Ostrum, a handmade headstall from Judd Miller, and new reins from Cunningham Fences.
The “Jim Owens Ranch Rodeo Never Too Young to Rope!” had many children competing for the prizes donated by Dan Johndrow, Dean Voight, Mike and Mary McMahon, Tractor Supply, Brendon and Kristy Flynn  and Brandon Minch. Roping dummies went to first place, ropes to second, and bags of horse feed to third, plus a check.
The Boot Race was sponsored by Dave’s Boots. In the 6 and under division: 1. Emmitt Burdett. 2. Lexi Andrews. 3. Jake Slater. Dawson McFann, Carson Boyle, Sky Ruiru, Desy Ruiru, Parker Bush, Lane Ewing and Jack Owens.
7- 9 years: 1. Max Conn. 2. Levi Andrews. 3. Braydee Bourdett. Layne Slater, Denton Miller, Jace Miller, Jaycee Chavez, Jack Kerr, Kelton Martinez,  Kanton Wagner,  Wilder Ruiru, M. Owens, Cash Kramer.
10-12 years: 1. Addison Jones. 2. Ty Duarte. 3. Gravin Dutra. Kashlyn Martinez and Madison Duarte.
The Ranch Rodeo Committee includes Jill Delfs, Henry Heitman, Tyler Martinez, Judd Miller, Jim Moore, Terrill Ostrum, Sheree Owens, Roy Owens, Bub Ragan, Mandy Niesen, Travis Martinez, Amanda Bradshaw and Chad Heitman.
My 1999, 4th annual program lists the following as committee: Jill Delfs, Henry Heitman, Tyler Martinez,  Judd Miller, Jim Moore, Terrill Ostrum, Kenneth Owens and Bub Ragan.
The announcer mentioned livestock coming from Kramer Ranch and Rockin’ M, while program mentions Jack Owens Ranches, Four Star Rodeo and Rockin’ M.
Arena director this year was Roy Owens; judges were Dave Ferguson, Shad Platt and Don Awbrey. Photographer was Crystal Amen, and she posted some great photos on Facebook. Secretaries were Patti Martinez, Amanda Bradshaw and Mandy Niesen, while timers were Jolie Thurston and Jessica Andrews.   We appreciated the large board with scores posted, south of announcer, that Julie Kelly kept updated.
Chuck Lopeman was the music master, and when Lacy Bourdett of Rafter Spade was working her horse in Saturday’s Ranch Horse, the music was “Pretty Woman.” Loved the old songs that Chuck was playing during the hours of ranch rodeo.

Calf Branding
1. 1/3 Ranch, 2.21.11. 2. AR Ranch, 2.42.1. 3. Ward Cattle, 2.45.75. 4. Rice-Sparrowk, 3.05.10. 5. Nonella Livestock, 3.07.53. 6. Cattlemens L Mkt, 3.10.87.
Ranch Horse
1. Clayton Edsall, 1/3 Ranch, 156. 2. Andy Holomb, AR Ranch, 144. 3. Billy Ward, Ward Cattle, 143.5. 4. Chance Caudle, Catlemens L Mkt, 139.
Ranch Sorting
1. Rice Sparrowk, 7 head, 2.00.54. 2. AR Ranch, 7, 2.41.73. 3. Nonella Livestock, 5, 1.51.40. 4. Ward Cattle, 4, 1.47.03. 5. 1/3 Ranch, 3, 1.02.65. 6. Cattlemens L Mkt, 1, 57.97.
Ranch Doctoring
1. Nonella Livestock, 40.86. 2. AR Ranch, 45.92. 3. Ward Cattle, 1.30.27. 4. Rice-Sparrowk, 1.51.57.
Herd Counting
1. Ward Cattle, 1.03.27. 2. AR Ranch, 1.13.51.
Calf Roping
1. Daniel Rice, Rice-Sparrowk, 29.09. 2. Cattlemens Livestock Market, 32.34. 3. Ryan Gallagher, Nonella, 35.83. 4. Kent Hirdes, 1/3 Ranch, 48.75. 5. Chant DeForest, AR Ranch, 48.98. 6. Jimmy Gallagher, Ward Cattle, 49.81.
Bronc Riding
1. Cash Robinson, 1/3 Ranch, 86. 2. Zalin Arritola, Nonella, 85. 3. Gus King, Ward Cattle, 79. 4. Shawny Muncy, AR Ranch, 76.

The AR Ranch team from Lincoln, Calif. was the winner of the JP Ranch Rodeo. Team members were Chant DeForest, Andy Holcomb and Shawny Muncy. Presenting awards are Jim Owen’s great granddaughter, Laura and his grandson, Mark Owens.