Mark Your Calendar
The Somervell County Expo Center in Glen Rose will be hosting the Ultimate Calf Roping Finals on August 7-10, 2014. Events begin daily at 8:00 am. The area’s premier venue for hosting equestrian events, tradeshows and private parties, the Expo Center is located at 202 Bo Gibbs Blvd in Glen Rose 76042. The telephone number is 254-897-4509.

Ultimate Calf Roping is an organization which promotes calf roping as a sport by holding competitions through the year, with the finals held at the Glen Rose Expo Center. For more information about Ultimate Calf Roping Events, visit the organization’s Web site at www.ultimatecalfroping.com or call or text the group at 806-349-3925.

How did calf roping develop?
Calf roping is a ranch skill which originated with working cowboys. When calves became ill and needed to be seen by a veterinarian, calf roping was developed by the ranch hands as a mean of immobilizing the animals. The ranch hand roped the calf, dismounted and quickly ran the length of the rope to the calf. With the calf on the ground, the cowboy tied three of the calf’s legs together using a six-foot pigging string. Ranch hands would pride themselves on how quickly they could rope and tie down a calf. Informal competitions developed among the cowboys. As these events evolved, it became apparent that being an experienced horseman and good sprinter were as important as being a cowboy with excellent roping skills.

Where to Stay
Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suites is the place to stay when attending events at the Somervell County Expo Center. Located at 1311 NE Big Bend Trail (Highway 67) in Glen Rose, the hotel is within walking distance of the Expo Center. Hotel amenities include a 15-person spa, waterfall outdoor swimming pool, shaded baby pool and fog mister. Standard room and suite amenities include free high-speed wireless Internet access, coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator, cable television and individual climate control. A complimentary deluxe hot breakfast is served daily and free snacks are available every evening.