story by Siri Stevens
The second annual Jim Moore Award was given to Ira Dickinson for the second year. The award was based on the Linderman award, which recognizes a cowboy that competes in both ends of the arena, and at least three events. With encouragement from Tom Parker, the Board created the award to inspire members to become competitors on both ends of the arena and be recognized for doing so. They established a point system for the award which included a 15 point minimum per event. Tom and
Linda Parker have been the buckle sponsors since inception and Larry and Dawn Ward of WARCO Pump are the saddle sponsor.
Jim Moore graciously accepted the honor of the award in his name. Born in 1939, his family had a ranch between Midwest and Wright. He spent his life on the ranch, raising sheep, cattle, and horses. He began his rodeo career at the age of 12, roping calves, riding cows, bareback riding and cutting. He served on the Wyoming High School Rodeo Board for several years and became the student president of the National High School Rodeo Association in 1956. He went on to rodeo at the University of Wyoming and the RCA. Jim qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping in 1972, 1975, and 1978. He was elected the Steer Roping Director in the PRCA in 1978. He was on the board for two years. Jim lives in Douglas now, spending the winter in Nevada. He has two boys (Mark and Tommy) and three girls (Lisa Ward, Jamie Flitner, and Elaina Berman) Jamie was Miss Rodeo Wyoming in 1985 and four of them competed in rodeo, through Wyoming high school and on to college rodeo. “I’m sure there are other people that have rodeoed here in Wyoming that are just as qualified, but I’m honored they selected me.”
Ira competes in steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, and saddle bronc riding. He was able to meet Jim this year at the rodeo in Casper as well as the Finals, where the award was presented in Rock Springs. “We got to visit and he is a generational rancher like my family, so we have a common mind set.” Ira’s great great grandfather homesteaded the ranch they live on in 1885, and Jim’s family started their ranch in the late 1890s. “He fits the mold of an old happy cowboy.”
Ira will be representing the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association in steer wrestling and bronc riding. “I practice one event a week,” said the 17-year-old. “JD Hamaker has been extremely helpful in the bronc riding and my work every day on the ranch has helped me get ready for the other events. Building fence and moving cows along with wrestling and going to the gym are helping me get ready too.”
