Event Pays Tribute To Rodeo Legend

Labor Day was anything but a day off for cowboys and cowgirls hoping to rope and barrel their way to the top of the Bushyhead Rodeo. As News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon reports, they also wanted to pay tribute to the man who started the contest decades ago.

It's a race to the finish.

"It's just really, really interesting you know. And I enjoy it so much," said Duane Davenport, a fan of the rodeo.

The goal is to rope with the best of them at the Bushyhead Rodeo and folks came to rally behind their favorites.

"I have Justin Nellan and his partner and I have the Stipes boys," said Wilma Woolman, a fan of the rodeo.

It's been 25 years of competition, but this year it's more than just about bragging rights. It's about helping a wife keep her promise to her late husband.

"It's a culmination of a dream for my husband. This was his thing. He has ranch raced and grew up on the Rogers Ranch," said Donna McSpadden, Clem McSpadden's wife.

Clem McSpadden had roping in his blood. The great nephew of Will Rogers started this competition in 1983. He died last month from cancer at age 82.

"He was a very devout spiritual person. He loved nature. He loved people. He was just so great and I miss him," said Donna.

But while the love of Donna's life is gone, his passion lives on.

"He did make me promise to have Bushyhead this year and with the help of friends and the good Lord, I know Clem is smiling down on us and saying you pulled it off kid," said Donna.

This year's rodeo bigger than ever, with lots of food and nearly 200 teams from across the region on the roster.

"I want the saddle. I want to win it! That's the whole anticipation of it. I've placed in the rounds and stuff, but I never got the bonus and I'm sure wanting one bad," said Stephen Williams, Team Roper.

And so they saddle up and settle in for the ride of a lifetime, a true tribute to Clem.