Governor Kevin Stitt Takes The Reins To Compete In Pawhuska Rodeo

Governor Kevin Stitt traded his suit and tie for a cowboy hat and boots during a rodeo in Osage County over the weekend.

Governor Stitt has been part of rodeo events before by carrying the American flag in the arena on horseback to start the night.

Stitt posted the colors again during the grand entry at the Ben Johnson Days WRCA Ranch Rodeo on Saturday evening in Pawhuska, but his time in the arena didn't end there.         

Governor Stitt and a few of his cousins, who are cowboys in Osage County, signed up to compete in a branding event. That's where the cowboys or cowgirls rope a calf, then brand it. In the event Saturday a chalk brander was used, not hot iron.        

The governor made a few attempts at roping a calf, but never fully connected.

"I ended up after two or three loops, I caught both legs and then was going to dally and I look up and they kicked out, so I gotta get quicker on my dally, but Boom did a great job of roping 'em," said Governor Stitt.

"We about won it all, except for a small technicality, that other team was good," Stitt’s cousin added.

Governor Stitt spent much of the weekend in Pawhuska for Ben Johnson Days.  He even got in a few practice rounds of roping with a fake horse and calf at the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum.        

In a Facebook post, the governor said he and his family had a full and awesome weekend in Pawhuska, adding he loves the town and its spirit