Western Heritage Classic
In 1985, a few local cowboys formed teams to compete in authentic ranch activities that involved a scoring system used to determine who was the best working ranch. The ranch rodeo competition included five events – bronc riding, wild cow milking, team penning, team roping, and calf branding. Points accumulated over a two-day period. It challenged the participants, drew a crowd, and supported a local charity.
As the event began to grow, organizers set a goal to build a prestigious event that would preserve western heritage traditions. Activities during the annual event are designed to embody the essence of cowboy lifestyle and history.
Today, the Western Heritage Classic is recognized internationally. Held on the grounds of the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, Texas, the three-day weekend event's showcase is the Ranch Rodeo, though it offers many activities that feature western interests as well as history, such as: the Ranch Horse Association of America (RHAA) National Finals; the world's largest bit & spur show; a chuckwagon cookoff; matched horse races; children's stickhorse rodeo; cowboy poets & Western artisans; ranch horse clinics; a Western trade show; the Rhinestone Round-Up; a ranch horse sale; and a giant Western parade.
categories: Annual event, Artisans, Chuckwagons, Cowboy poetry, Horses, Ranch rodeos, Vendors
Taylor County Expo Center
1700 TX-36
Abilene, TX 79602
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