The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-29

run fair and square. and the best man
wins.
In many of your letters I find that
you are somewhat confused in the
meaning of several of the cowboy
races at the round-ups Most of them
are peculiar to the west, of course.
For instance. the pony express race
is reminiscent of the days when brave
men actually raced for their lives
across the western plains to carry the
United States mail thru the danger
Gus Indian country safely. At the
western show the pony express is a
mile race. There are four horses
used, the contestant being allowed one
helper to each horse, to which the
rider changes. At every quarter pole
change in horses is made and the
rider must make a flying mount into
the saddle. The helpers are not al
lowed to assist the rider in stopping
an incoming horse or in mounting or
dismounting in any way. And the
horses must be running when the
mounts are made
Roman standing races are innova-
tons at ''roundups," and L believe
they originated with wild west shows,
where clever circus riders introduced
this old Roman race. The race starts
at the post, and the riders must be
standing up when they cross the line
fifty feet from the post. And the rider
cannot get down from the standing
position, after crossing the line. until
the heat is finished. If he does, he is
disqualified.
Cowboys relay races are big events
at every roundup" Each outfit
boasts picked riders and speedy horses
with which they hope to win. For
instance, if the roundup" is six
day meet a tweIve-mile race will
usually be held, two miles being run
off each day. Regulation stock sad
dies are used, weighing not less than
twenty-five pounds. Saddles are rugged
in any way the rider sees fit. Each
rider is allowed two helpers, one to
catch the incoming horse and one to
hold the fresh horse. But the helpers
are not allowed to assist the rider in
any way in saddilng, unsaddling or
mounting. Riders and horses are
named a day or so in advance, and
no changes are permitted except in
cases of injuries or accidents. No kind
or breed of horses are barred.
The cowboys wild horse race IS
sensational event. Each cowboy is al
lowed two helpers in this race because
he must saddle the wild horse he
draws-and then race to the goal The
wild horse has only hackamore, or
halter and reins on him. The con-
testant is not allowed to gentle" his
horse in any way. At the signal, the
cowboy and his assistants saddle the
wild horse as best they can-and the
fastest and surest man wins the race.
The stagecoach race, of course, is
in memory of those days when these
vehicles were the only
means of passenger and mail trans
portation on the frontier. But none
Of our present day stagecoach races
are to be compared to the days when
men risked death many times over
by racing at breakneck speed over
mountain trails and thru deserts to
IL
from Indians or bandits.
At different shows there are differ
emit novel races, such as the chuck
wagon, catch and saddle, and MAYER
lex races. Chuckwagons are the cow
puncherS' restaurants on wheels
catch and saddle means just that
catch each horse, saddle it and con-
tinue the race; and. of course, a
maverick race is when daring cow
boys try to ride wild steers.