The Fritsch Family of Region IX

by Hannah Watts

Congratulations to the Fritsch’s, McCoy's Farm and Ranch Family of the Month! Ryan “Bubba” Fritsch, his wife Angie Fritsch, their two children Chet Fritsc, and Paige Fritsch are members of Region 9. The Fritsch family owns and operates Fritsch Cattle Company, a stocker yearling operation in Burton, Texas.

Over 50 years ago, Bubba's father, Gary Fritsch started the Fritsch Cattle Company. Three generations later and several hundred acres the Fritsch Cattle Company continues to thrive. “Bubba’s father is a great teacher who never complains about his work.”, said Angie

Along with helping out with her husband's family business, Angie is a 3rd generation egg farmer. She owns Kieke Egg Farm, a commercial Egg production facility with her family. “We are carrying on the family legacy," said Angie.

As a whole the Fritsch Family work on their ranch. Each member has a role to play. Chet and Pagie responsibilities are feeding, doctoring sick cattle, working the processing chutes, fixing fence, hauling out cattle, penning, and loading the bull wagon.Angie stated, “Every family member knows how each aspect of the business works because they learned at a young age.” This ranch family day to day constive of riding through traps, doctoring sick cattle, feeding, watering, fixing finance, and working on other chores. Along with the everyday duties the Fritsch’s head off to their local sell barn to buy calves. After the calves are bought and hauled back to their ranch the Fritsch’s work their calves and turn them out into traps for 45-60 days before shipping them off to feedlots.

Angie and Bubba have taught Chet and Paige the value of a dollar, and what it means to have a strong work ethic. “We want our kids to know the importance of agriculture and how we need to advocate for it and educate others who do not understand”, said Angie and Bubba. “Pagie is our sports girl”, said Angie. Pagie attends Burton High School along with her brother, she is a freshman. Chet is a senior in high school and is a member of Region 9 THSRA. He competes in team roping as a heeler. Chet was the Reserve Champion Heeler for 2022.

Along with ranching, the Fritsch family enjoys going to team ropings together as well as sporting events, and showing their market steers at livestock shows. Since becoming a member of THSRA Chet has gained “It has allowed our son Chet to compete in something that he loves and does every day.” , said Angie. “It’s simply in our blood and we love what we do!”, said Bubba. Agriculture is a larger part of who the Fritsch Family is, and as the next generation grows so will their love for all things Agriculture. “Our McCoy's is about 20 minutes down the road.. When the need arises we head that way.”, said the Fritsch Family. When the Fritsch Family are in need of supplies for their ranch they head over to their local McCoy's Building Supply where they find all their ranching needs. They are very humbled to be the McCoy's Building Supply Ranch Family!

By CORLEY CALLAHAN – Performance Reporter

Asuccessful team of ribbon roping partners not only won their event, but also captured both the boys’ and girls’ All Around titles in Region X Jr. High Rodeo. This dream team of Corley Tilson and Devon Eakin both had impressive rodeo seasons with Corley winning the breakaway roping, ribbon roping, goat tying and third in the barrels. Devon was the champion calf roper, champion ribbon roper, won second in the boys’ goat tying, fifth in the team roping, and fifth in the chute dogging.

These true all-around competitors have proven that hard work and having a game plan pays off. The managed to excel in each event, and let the All Around take care of itself. Corley said, ¨It was amazing to win the All Around with so many great competitors, but to win it with my ribbon roping partner was even better!”

When asked about his year, Devon said, “At the beginning of the year I did not do very well, but I kept working hard and tried to stick to my game plan and do what I practice. I knew I needed to finish strong and was happy all my grandparents were at the last rodeo to watch me rope and win it all.” He continued, “I was new to Region X and lucky to have great partners like Corley in the ribbons and Sterling in the team roping. Region X was