story by Siri Stevens
This is the 32st year for the Seiling rodeo. Held in Seiling, Oklahoma, August 3-5, the rodeo is produced by the Seiling Roundup Club and all the proceeds go back to putting the rodeo on the next year. The rodeo has $1,000 added moeny per event and has always been an open rodeo, as well as sanctioned with other associations. “This is the first year we have gone KPRA first sanctioned,” said Zach Nichols, the president of the Roundup Club. “We have a scholarship fund and we support all the school and local activities with proceeds from the rodeo.”
Zach has been president for three years and has been involved for at least 10 years. “My wife has been in it since day one – her dad, Terry Tate, has judged it for years.” The event is three nights of rodeo, a parade, and a brand new event – Business Women’s Calf Tying – that started last year. “We put cotton ropes around the calve’s neck and send them out in one fell swoop. The women, who are in teams of three, go out and flank and tie the calves down. The winner gets a Montana Silversmiths bracelet. Both Friday and Saturday night there is a dance.
“Everybody comes out from all around to watch the rodeo,” said Zach, who farms and ranches and works for Gore Nitrogen Pumping Service. Zach is married to Rochelle and they have a daughter, Lyndlea (9), and son, Jaxon (7). “My daughter rides in the junior barrels, and my son stands in the back and helps his grandpa, Terry Tate, make sure everything goes smoothly.”
Seiling is located 100 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. The town has a population of 900 and the committee of 20 works all year getting the sponsorship money to put the event on. “The club bought the arena last year and we’re trying to get that paid off and continue to keep good rodeos in Northwest Oklahoma.
