American Soul Charity Rodeo Program

The “Cowboy Mystique” has been a major influence, impacting our lives from their fierce independence, rugged fearlessness, the cigars they smoked, how they drank their liquor straight, to their stylized dress and the horses they rode. Rodeos exemplify this influence as an important part of the American culture. Cowboys of color have been an integral part of the history of the American West from the earliest rodeos to the present and yet are the forgotten cowboys, barely visible in the history books and absent in the western movies. Few have taken to task the preservation of the brave black men and women who rode west to their freedom as cowboys and cowgirls. Yet they worked on ranches and in cattle drives, and also rode in the many rodeos. Some of them joined the cavalry where they were known as Buffalo Soldiers who fought with the Union against the Confederate States who sought to maintain slavery as a legitimate institution.

The American Soul Charity Rodeo joins the few such as the father-and-son team of Hugh and Denny Pickett (Hugh Pickett is the great-nephew of famed rodeo star Bill Pickett), who began putting on rodeos in 1988, Cowboys of Color and Lu Vason, founder and producer of The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (honored here today) to reserve the Black cowboy’s rightful place in history.

It brings us such great pleasure to have you share our mission in acknowledging and celebrating the Great Legends of the West while showcasing today’s multitalented team of cowboys, cowgirls and celebrity participants while at the same time raising money for worthy causes. We educate participants on the historical significance of cowboys of color during this Black History Month event, bringing all cultures together as we celebrate the American West. This historic event unites a multicultural entertainment line up cast as real cowboys and cowgirls showcase their skills in riding, calf roping, and bull riding events.

On behalf of our Founding Chairman and Grand Marshall, Award wining Actor Glynn Turman and Founding Director, Margo LaDrew CEO of Wade LaDrew & Associates, We welcome you to we welcome you to the First Annual American Soul Charity Rodeo as we mark this historical event today, Saturday, February 23, 2013.

Team Roping

Two cowboys, a “header” and a “heeler” work to rope a steer in the shortest time possible. The steer gets a head start before the header leaves the box. The header throws his rope to catch the steer with one of three legal head catches: around the head and one horn, around the neck, or around both horns.

If the cowboy fails to give the steer the head start, the team receives a 10-second penalty. Once the header has caught the steer, he wraps the rope around the saddle horn (dallies) and turns left with the steer in tow.

The heeler then ropes both hind legs of the steer and dallies his rope. Once the slack has been taken out of both ropes and the contestants are facing each other, the flag drops and time stops. If the heeler only catches one leg, a 5-second penalty is added. If the heeler throws his loop before the header has turned the steer left, that is called a “crossfire” and the run is disqualified. Team roping description is provided courtesy CPRA

CALF ROPING

Like bronc riding, tie down roping is an event born on the ranches of the Old West. Sick calves were roped and tied down for medical treatment. Today, success in tie down roping depends largely on the teamwork between a cowboy and his horse. After the calf is given a head start, horse and rider give chase.

The contestant ropes the calf, then dismounts and runs to the animal.

After catching and flanking the calf, the cowboy ties any three of the animal’s legs together using a “pigging string” he carries in his teeth until needed. If the calf is not standing when the contestant reaches it, the cowboy must allow the animal to stand. When the cowboy completes his tie, he throws his hands in the air as a signal to the judge. He then remounts and allows the rope to become slack.

The run is declared invalid if the calf kicks free within six seconds. As with any timed event, a 10-second penalty is added if the roper does not allow the calf the proper head start – this is known as “breaking the barrier.”

BULL DOGGING

Wrestling a steer requires more than brute strength. The successful steer wrestler, or bulldogger, is strong, to be sure, but he also understands the principles of leverage. The steer wrestler on horseback starts behind a barrier, and begins his chase after the steer has been given a head start. If the bulldogger leaves too soon and breaks the barrier, he receives a 10-second penalty. The steer wrestler is assisted by a hazer, another cowboy on horseback tasked with keeping the steer running in a straight line. When the bulldogger’s horse pulls even with the steer, he eases down the right side of the horse and reaches for the steer’s horns. After grasping the horns, he digs his heels into the dirt. As the steer slows, the cowboy turns the animal, lifts up on its right horn and pushes down with his left hand in an effort to tip the steer over. After the catch, the steer wrestler must either bring the steer to a stop or change the direction of the animal’s body before the throw or is disqualified. The clock stops when the steer is on his side with all four legs pointing the same direction.

LADIES BARREL RACING

In barrel racing, the contestant and her horse enter the arena at full speed. As they start the pattern, the horse and rider trigger an electronic eye that starts the clock. Then the racer rides a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels positioned in the arena, and sprints back out of the arena, tripping the eye and stopping the clock as she leaves. The contestant can touch or even move the barrels, but receives a five-second penalty for each barrel that is overturned. With the margin of victory measured in hundredths of seconds, knocking over one barrel spells disaster.

BULL RIDING

Unlike the other roughstock contestants, bull riders are not required to spur. No wonder.

It’s usually impressive enough just to remain seated for eight seconds on an animal that may weigh more than a ton and is as quick as he is big.

Upper body control and strong legs are essential to riding bulls. The rider tries to remain forward, or “over his hand,” at all times. Leaning back could cause him to be whipped forward when the bull bucks. Judges watch for good body position and other factors, including use of the free arm and spurring action. Although not required, spurring will add points to a rider’s score. As in all the riding events, half of the score in bull riding is determined by the contestant’s performance and the other half is based on the animal’s efforts.

A bull rider will be disqualified for touching the animal, himself or his equipment with his free hand or bucking off.

Schedule of Events

A Salute to the Legends of the West Grand Entry: Coordinators Debora Townson & Charise Parker-Nicholson Grand Marshal Glynn Turman Co-Grand Marshalls, James Pickens, Jr., Obba Babatunde & Reginald T. Dorsey Cowboy Prayer

by Marcous Friday Black National Anthem Lift Every Voice & Sing - sung by Wendy Barnes National Anthem Star Spangled Banner - sung by Jenifer Lewis Parade of Cowboys, Cowgirls & Arena Staff Calf Roping presented by West Coast Riders Bull Dogging presented by Glory Foods Celebrity - Panties on the Calf presented by KJLH Team Roping presented by American Soul Charity Rodeo Mutton Bustin presented by American Medical Response Halftime Special Tribute to Lu Vason & Buckle Presentations Ladies Barrel Racing presented by Black BeautyShop Health Foundation Junior Barrel Racing presented by Camp Gid D Up California Relay Race presented by Bud Lite Performance by Brian White Bull Riding: presented by Wrangler

GRAND MARSHALL Glynn Turman

Co-Grand MarshallS JAMES PICKENS JR. OBBA BABATUNDÉ REGINALD T. DORSEY

CELEBRITY PARTICIPANTS Larenz Tate Jenifer Lewis Dawnn Lewis Megaklyn Echikunwoke Kiki Shephard Thom Barry Donis Leonard Jr. Chad Coleman Millena Gay

American Soul Charity Rodeo honors Lu Vason, founder and producer of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo now in its 29th year with its Trailblazer award. Mr. Vason grew up in Berkeley, California and moved to Denver in 1976. He is an innovative, entertainment leader known for promoting and managing unique and significant artists and performers.

With more than 35 years experience as a producer and media impresario, he is credited with creating the Pointers Sisters phenomena, created and developed the “Aries Concerts” and the “Jazz Lives Series”.

In 1984, his interest shifted toward rodeo after noting that there were no Black cowboys participating in regional arenas. He realized the importance and value of recognizing Black Cowboys, who made significant contributions to the development of the West, their unique contributions to rodeo and the cowboy way of life. Inspired by the idea, he was moved to acknowledge them, as well as inform and enlighten others of their existence and their role in helping to shape America. His mission was to create the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, named after legendary Black cowboy Bill Pickett, and to establish the Black cowboy as an icon whether the history books did or not. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo travels annually performing before more than 200,000 spectators across the United States.

Today the American Soul Charity Rodeo pays tribute to a man, who brought “the forgotten cowboy” from the lost pages of history to the modern day world and has shared it with hundreds of thousands, changing the views of Black’s role in the development of the west.

Visit www.BillPickettRodeo.com for information and 2013 National Touring Schedule.

CHARITY PROFILES Women of Color Inc is an entertainment networking group established to produce unique events representing the broad spectrum of the diverse multi-cultural women often marginalized in the worldview of beauty, glamour, entertainment and opportunity. Women of Color Inc. also provides funding support by donating a portion of the proceeds to various women’s groups, organizations and to WOCI funded charities. BBSHF is one of WOCI’s identified charities Black Beauty Shop Health Foundation (BBSHF), is a national project that takes the healthcare and fitness industries to the beauty shop where women meet, mix and mingle; where they go to get away from the stress of the day, and briefly take time out for themselves.

The program addresses the illnesses and diseases that are among the top health concerns facing African American women. BBSFHP provides testing, screenings and informational workshops and literature to enlighten and inform these women so that they are empowered to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. (www.blackbeautyshop.org) CAMP GID D UP: (www.campgiddup.org), whose mission is to provide an opportunity for inner-city and at-risk disenfranchised youth to attend a free western style summer camp on a real 20 acre ranch. The youth learn to ride horses, rope, swim, toss horseshoes, do arts and crafts, hike, ride a Bucky, archery, sleep under the stars, enjoy nature, make new friends and breathe fresh air. On the tail of celebrating it’s 21st anniversary in 2012 Camp Gid D UP is kidding off 2013 in honor of celebrating Black cowboys and cowgirls who have contributed much to American history.

Glynn recalled how attending youth camps as a kid saved him from juvenile delinquency.

So founder Glynn Turman, and wife Jo-Ann launched the camp in 1992 following the civil unrest in Los Angeles as a promise to Coretta Scott King. “It still amazes us year after year. To see these kids light up and let down their guard once they are at the ranch never gets old,” said Glynn Turman.

BLACK COWBOYS LEGENDS It is an unfamiliar part of the history of the old wild west to most, but there were actually about 10,000 to 15,000 black cowboys in the late 1860's and onwards. These men actually held quite a significant place in this part of history, after the Civil War, many of the freed slaves moved west to make a new life.

Nat Love also known as Deadwood Dick was born the year1854 in Tennesse as a slave ten years before the Emancipation Proclaimation. Love was not happy with the continued oppression of blacks after the Civil War. So at age 15 he headed West and landed a $30 a month job as a cow puncher in Dodge. There he earned the name “Red River Dick”. In 1876, Love entered a rodeo at Deadwood City, Dakota Territory and won several roping and shooting contest establishing a wining record of 9 minutes for the $200 purse. It was there that the crowd named him ‘Deadwood Dick,’ and proclaimed champion toper of the Western cattle country.” In his autobiography he wrote, “I roped, threw, tied, bridled, saddled and mounted my mustang in exactly nine minutes from the crack of the gun.” He retired as a competitive cowboy in 1890 and died in 1921.

Bill Pickett hailed from Texas and is known as he originator of rodeo steer wrestling, or bulldogging which remains one of rodeo’s most important events. At Eighteen Bill Pickett entered his first rodeo in 1888 and in 1905 joined the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch and Wild West show with whom he performed over a quarter century. Billed as the “Dusky Deamon” he competed against white contestants in hundreds of rodeos around the West. Racism forced Pickett to identify himself as an Indian. Later in life he performed in a number of motion pictures and is credited with being the first black cowboy star. Bill Pickett died April 2, 1932, of head injuries inflicted by a rogue horse at the 101 Ranch.

Mary Fields, a legend in her own time, also known as Stagecoach Mary or Black Mary also known as Stagecoach Mary or Black Mary was six feet tall, smoked homemade cigars and toted two six shooters and an eight or ten-gauge shotgun. She was born in Tennessee as a slave. However, in 1884 as a free woman Mary was hired to do ‘heavy work’ for the Ursuline nuns at their mission in Cascade, Montana. She also made customary supply runs long and short distances when reserves were low she did one of her .

Legend has it that one night she was attacked by wolves, terrifying the horses, which bolted and overturned the wagon, dumping Mary and the supplies onto the dark prairie. Mary kept the wolves at bay for the whole night with guns protecting the nun’s goods and her life. After losing her job over a salary dispute with a male co-worker that turned into a shoot-out she, opened her own restaurant but failed as a cook. In 1895, she landed a job carrying the United States Mail and became known as Stagecoach Mary because she delivered mail regularly no matter what. She retired at the age of seventy, and opened a laundry service. In 1914 she died from liver failure, a woman of 80.

Ned Huddleston (also known as Isom Dart) As a slave during the Civil War, Huddleston served his “owner”, a Confederate officer, in Texas. After the war he traveled to a region near the Texas-Mexico border. There Huddleston became an excellent horseman, bronco-buster and stunt rider and roper while riding in the rodeo. He became known as Black Fox and Calico Cowboy Huddleston lived a checkered life from cattle driving, mining gold and silver, stealing horses and being a bandit. After a firey love affair with a Shoshone Indian woman in 1875, Huddleston joined the Tip Gault Gang in Southeastern Wyoming.

They were well known as rustlers of both cattle and horses. Barely escaping death he caught a train and changed his name to Isom Dart. He then made his way as a bronco buster. He became an honest citizen, and even ran for a lawman’s position within the law enforcement community and was elected constable in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, in 1884. In 1890 he went to live with the Bassett family of Browns Park and lived a quiet life there for several years. On October 3, 1900 Isom Dart was ambushed and murdered

by Tom Horn.

Charley Willis - African American cowboy Charley Willis was recognized as a singing cowboy who authored the popular trail song, “Goodbye Old Paint.” He was a skilled cowhand who not only sang songs from the trail but who contributed to preserving authentic cowboy music from the era. Born a slave in Milam County in 1850, he grew up working as a cowboy around Davilla. We know that Willis rode up the Chisholm Trail to Wyoming with the Snyder Brothers of Georgetown in 1871. He returned to Texas where he worked breaking horses on E.J. Morris’ ranch near Bartlett. Willis taught Morris’ son Jess to play “Goodbye Old Paint “on a Jew’s harp. Morris was thought to be the composer but credited Willis. Later the song was made famous by Willis’ grandson and recording artist Artie Morris.

Bose Ikard left Tennessee at very young age and went to Texas to work on a cattle Ranch where he learned to ride, rope and write. Freed from slavery, Bose was hired by Oliver Loving, who was later killed fighting against the Comanches. In 1866 Bose joined a cattle drive to Colorado led

by Charles Goodnight. Loving and Goodnight are the namesakes for the “Goodnight Loving Cattle Trail.”

Goodnight said, “Bose surpassed any man in endurance and stamina. . . . His behavior was very good in a fight and he was probably the most devoted man that I ever knew. I have trusted him farther than any man and when we carried money, I gave it to Bose, for a thief would never think of robbing him.” The character, Joshua Deets portrayed by Danny Glover in the movie Lonesome Dove, is based on Bose Ikard.

Jim Beckwourth, he was captured by the warrior Crow tribe in 1825 and began a six-year sojourn living with them. Beckwourth distinguished himself in battle with enemy tribes and earned the rank of War Chief. He married 10 Crow women, including one named Pine Leaf who was herself an esteemed warrior. In 1866, Beckwourth fought his last battle in the Cheyenne War, and was subsequently engaged by the U.S. government as an interpreter in peace talks with the Crow.

The Crow hosted him at a ceremonial dinner that year, and asked him to rejoin the tribe and lead it back to prominence. Beckwourth refused, and returned home to Denver where he had become a storekeeper. He soon died of mysterious causes. Legend holds that the Crow poisoned him, thinking that if they couldn’t have his leadership in person, they would have the next best thing by thus capturing his spirit on their behalf.

Jesse Stahl’s birth is celebrated the year of 1979. He was an AfricanAmerican cowboy and rodeo star from Tennessee. Stahl was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, as a major saddle bronco rider. Although exceptionally talented, Stahl seldom placed higher than third at the major rodeos because he was Black. At one rodeo where he’d clearly bested his competitors, Stahl was awarded second place. Perhaps to mock the judges, he rode a second bronco while facing backward. A spectacular ride by black Stahl, on a previously un-ridden bucking horse called “Glass Eye” was one of the highlights of the show. He repeated his triumph by riding another notorious bucker, “Tar Baby,” backwards with a suitcase in his hand. Stahl retired in 1929 and was probably the most famous black cowboy of all time.

Another black cowboy, Ty Stokes, and Jesse Stahl rode a bucking horse seated back to back it was what was called “a suicide ride.” The total attendance in 1912 was 4,000. Some rodeo enthusiast consider Jesse Stahl the greatest of all bronco riders; neither is surprising when one considers that approximately five thousand black cowboys rode the cattle trails in the 19th century.

Isaiah Dorman who was born free in Philadelphia 1832 came to California as the body servant of U.S. Army officer Alfred Sully who was stationed at Monterey between 1849 and 1853. Dorman remained with Sully, who had been promoted to general during the Civil War while in command of U.S. Troops in the Dakota Territory. In the late 1860s Dorman worked as a courier, carrying messages between military forts while living with the Sioux. So by the 1870s Dorman had lived in Dakota Territory over a decade and had become friends with many tribes.

He had even taken an Indian wife and befriended Chief Sitting Bull. He was employed by General Custer initially in 1873 at Ft. Lincoln, Dakota Territory, to direct forays into Indian lands. Dorman was fluent in Lakota, the language of the Sioux. In addition, and according to military records, he was paid at a higher than normal rate for his services, due to his prior experience in government, military and civilian endeavors.

Dorman died June 25, 1876, as a black cavalry scout on what would later be called Reno Ridge while George Armstrong Custer and over five hundred of his comrades were annihilated by thousands of Indian warriors three miles to the north at The Battle of the Little Big Horn in southeastern Montana.

Cathay Williams: Originally enlisted as William Cathay at 22 years old. Born into slavery she chose to join the fight against the Confederate and joined the Union army during the Civil War as a cook. She posed as a man and served in the 38th infantry in 1866. On February 13, 1867, Williams was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and by June, they were on the march again ending up at Fort Union, New Mexico, more than 500 miles away.

Finally she landed at the regiment at Fort Cummings, New Mexico, October 1, 1867 and was stationed there for eight months, protecting miners and traveling immigrants from Apache attack. She was given a medical discharge in 1868, however the Pension Bureau rejected her claim on medical grounds, stating that no disability existed as her service in the Army was not legal, and any type of pension, disability or otherwise, was consequently denied. She died in 1892. She was the first and only known female Buffalo Soldier

A WORD ABOUT OUR SPONSORS It is good fortune when an organization’s mission intersects with the philanthropic goals of a company to do good. American Soul Charity Rodeo (ASCR) does five major things: 1) Educates 2) Recognizes and celebrates Black Cowboys as an integral part of Black History 3) Provides wholesome family entertainment 4) Unites multicultural groups to celebrate Black History Month 5) Raises money for charitable organizations making a difference in the lives of others.

We are therefore fortunate that along this journey there are corporate sponsors, small businesses, organizations and individuals, whose interests compliment our mission.

Official Sponsors Wrangler Budweiser Glory Foods Supporting Sponsors Christa Hunt Photography Ms. B’s M&M Soul Food Thrifty Horse Consignment Shop Buckle Sponsors Curtom-Dunsmuir Preferred Aerial & Crane Tech Participating Charities Black Beauty Shop Health Foundation Camp Gid D Up James Pickens Jr. Foundation K.I.S. Foundation Maime Clayton Library & Museum Women of Color Inc. Media Sponsors Black Voice News KRPR Media L. A. Focus San Bernardino American News Suite Events The Loop 411

ARENA STAFF Arena Manager – Kevin McKinney Arena Assistant – Dion Osborne Rodeo Secretary – Acynthia Villery Bull Fighter – Brian White Grand Entry Coordinators – Debora Townson & Charise Parker-Nicholson Contestant Coordinator – Lugenia Ricks Arnold Laskey / Anthony Elliott / Ray Taylor / Kordai McKinney / Neysha Laskey/Dennis McDaniel/Terry Furlow EVENT STAFF Rodeo Producer/Coordinator – Margo Wade LaDrew Assistant Coordinator – Velda White Assistant Coordinator – Lawrence LaDrew Press & Script Editor– Kai EL’ Zabar Volunteer Coordinator – Veronica Johnson Assistant Talent Coordinator – Melinda Hurst Box Office: Valeria Wade Liggins & Trina Waller Stock Contractor Misner & Sons A special thanks to our sponsors, volunteers and riding clubs for making this evening possible.