You almost couldn’t tell that Chandler resident Kenzie Cowden was up late the night before. As she brushed her horse Peaches, she explained that she had gotten in late from a rodeo in Maud.
“Last night was my first run back on her since she was turned out because she had an injury. She knocked a barrel, but she had a great run,” the 20-year-old said. “She hasn’t run in about six months, so I’m not mad about last night.”
The young barrel racer is gearing up to compete on home turf this weekend at the 84th Annual Chandler Open Rodeo, put on by the Chandler Roundup Club. Cowden competes on the rodeo team for Western Oklahoma State College, often traveling eight to nine hours at a time. However, Chandler is always special because it’s her hometown. She’s also always competed there on Peaches, who made an almost miraculous recovery after being attacked by an animal two years ago.
Cowden suspects it could have been a cougar. Either way, Peaches recovered in time to compete in the Chandler rodeo that year.
“It’s always nice to compete in Chandler. It’s my hottest crowd,” Cowden said. The local event makes it easier for family and friends to come to watch her, she added, saying she’s hoping to make a clean run and make them proud.
She’s the only person in her family who rodeos, meaning it’s up to her to take care of everything, including her horses, Peaches and Ray-Ban. Cowden had planned to compete on Ray-Ban until he tore a muscle and needed to go out to pasture. She said the vet isn’t sure he’ll be able to run barrels again.
“It’s a sad deal. He was going to be really special. He was fast,” Cowden said. “He worked his heart out for me.”
Cowden will be competing in open barrels. While she’s concerned about switching horses, she’s focused and hoping for the best.
“I always pray before I go out. I don’t talk to anyone,” she said. “And I don’t pray to win. I pray for a safe and clean run and that my horse gets back painfree.”
The Chandler Open Rodeo will take place at Chandler Roundup Club Area near Tilghman Park, kicking off at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (July 26 and 27). Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for kids when purchased in advance, and $8 for adults and $6 for kids at the gate. To purchase advance tickets, contact any Roundup Club member or Mike Bendele at United Country Real Estate at 405258-3676.
Each night will include a little kids’ calf scramble.
The rodeo will have bareback riding, ranch bronc riding, tie down roping, open barrels, jr. barrels 15 and under, ladies breakaway, team roping and bull riding. Entry fees are $75 for bareback, ranch bronc, tie down, ladies breakaway and bull riding. Open barrels are $60, while junior barrels are $40 and team roping is $100 per team. All entries must be paid by 7 p.m. in cash. The High Money Winner combined both nights will receive custom spurs by Kirby Wanger.