our sports: RODEAR
Rodear—
Not the Usual Dog and Pony Show
BY ABIGAIL GIEGER
Isabella working the cattle
NOVEMBER 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
These “Lil’ Doggies” go beyond “Gettin’ Along”
S
ince Parker County is the Cutting Horse Capital of the
World, it’s no surprise that the popularity of equine
events including elements of cutting are rapidly growing
here.
Rodear is at the top of the list.
A Rodear event combining elements of both cutting
and herding was held in September at Silverado Ranch.
The sport, though not new, is becoming popular in Parker
County, attracting die-hard cutters like Bob and Nan Kingsley, Rosemary Atwood and Greg Coalson, with Sheri and
Jeff Matthews both hosting and competing together.
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Using both a horse and a dog, Rodear sporting events
have become a new and fun challenge for anyone participating.
“Rodear came from ranch work using the Rodear
method of gathering cattle. Rodear means to circle or to
round up,” Merle Newton, one of the founders of Rodear,
explained. “Nevada cowboys say that when they gather
up cows in a pasture when there isn’t a corral or pen,
that’s what they call Rodear.”
Merle and Sandi Newton have been working on
ranches nearly their entire lives and used their dogs when