Boots & Dust
Henderson Co. prepares for 47th annual livestock show
by Jean Everett

Courtesy Photo HENDERSON COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW CALF SCRAMBLE COMMITTEE -- (L-R) standing Charla Hendrix, Ken Hayes; seated Tim Loper and Mark Hammack. Not pictured: Tommy Dickerson.

The 2007 Henderson County Livestock Show Calf Scramble is preparing to start its 11th year.

Ken Hayes from Malakoff and Doug McKinney, past extension agent of Henderson County got together one day and thought it would benefit Henderson County and the 4- H and FFA kids to have a Calf Scramble like the other big livestock shows, since the county kids were already taking part in several scramble runs. They approached Hayden Elder of Elder Dodge, and from there Hayden took it to the Athens Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, Ken got together to form a Calf Scramble Committee, which is composed of Ken Hayes as chairman; Charla Hendrix, as secretary/treasurer; and Tim Loper and Mark Hammack, as the original members, and with the new kid Tommy Dickerson joining recently.

After speaking with Ken, a true gentleman, he gives all the credit to Ms. Charla, saying she is the backbone of the committee. Charla moved to here from South Texas 32 years ago and since arriving became involved with the 4- H and FFA program. She, too, was a 4-H kid.

Ken said Ms. Charla really does everything from collecting the sponsor money, preparing the packets handed out to the kids and their calves, plus a lot more.

The committee formed the rules for the calf scramble and contacted sponsors in giving each student a Purchase Certificate of $500. This group works together to continue to not only bring enjoyment to the youth, but to continue to help them to learn and to achieve their dreams, goals and teach them to be more responsible, well-rounded individuals. They, like several others, donate their time in meetings to contact new sponsors, prepare material, rule changes, if any, reading the reports and making sure all goes smooth, before, during and after the Calf Scramble.

Students are selected from 4-H and FFA to take part in the Elder Dodge PRCA Stampede Rodeo which is presented by the Athens Chamber of Commerce held April 27 and 28, 2007. The rodeo offers lots of excitement and local residents that have moved on to become champions in the PRCA, love to come back home for this special rodeo.

The kids love the excitement, lights, the announcer calling their names and action the rodeo offers, along with trying to capture a calf which they will fully own to raise as their own for their future herd.

The parents take great pride along with all the other relatives and friends in watching the kids run after a calf. The calves don't want the kids to catch them and they really run hard at times even running over some of the kids. This in itself is a very exciting event.

The exhibitors are restricted to Henderson County with the following exceptions:

A. Cayuga, Frankston and Mabank FFAs.

B. Old Cayuga, Cayuga Wrangler and Tennessee Colony 4-H.

These 4-H exhibitors must be enrolled in the Cayuga ISD or, if home schooled, must reside within Cayuga ISD boundaries.

The winners catching at the Rodeo Calf Scramble will then be given a Purchase Certificate of $500 toward the purchase of a purebred and registered calf of 20 breeds in the respective association. The calf must be born between June 1 and March 30. The Scramble winner must select the heifer they desire to purchase and present the certificate.

All information must be filled out by the seller, along with the signature of the Ag- Science Teachers of County Extension Agents. The Henderson County Livestock Show Association payment will not exceed the amount of the certificate; additional cost will be at the winner's expense.

The winner must use the certificate to purchase the heifer by June 30. The winner will then send completed certificate, health papers and original registration papers to Ms. Charla with the Henderson County Livestock Show Calf Scramble.

Calf Scramble Area Rules are as follows;

1. Participants will take into the arena a rope halter which will be supplied by the Henderson County Livestock Show Association. Halter cannot be used as a lariat. Halter must be placed on the head of the animal in the usual way. (It is suggested that the supervisors of all participants instruct them of the proper use of rope halter and how to place it on the head of the calf before coming to the show to participate.)

2. At no time will a participant be permitted to tie the rope to his/her body or belt.

3. Each participant will attempt to catch and halter one of the calves released. The participant catching a calf is required to lead it across the finish line without aid.

4. If a participant has hold of a calf, no other participant will be allowed to touch the calf until it breaks away.

5. If a participant catches the calf by the tail, they will be given a reasonable amount of time to work around to its head; otherwise, the referee will order them to let the calf go.

6. If two or more participants catch the same calf, the calf will be turned loose.

7. A participant who secures and properly halters a calf and leads it across the finish line will be declared a winner when so indicated by the referee.

8. Undue roughness will not be tolerated. Poor sportsmanship automatically disqualifies scrambler.

The winner is responsible for having a facility, shelter, feed and water to care for the heifer. The winner is also responsible for writing a "thank you" letter to their sponsor. A copy of the letter will also be sent to the Calf Scramble Committee.

The winner must read all mail received from the Scramble Committee, abiding with all the rules set by the Scramble Committee and the Henderson County Livestock Show Association.

The winner must also submit monthly reports to the committee, sponsor and County Extension Agent or Ag Science teacher.

The winner must send a picture of the heifer in September, December and March to the sponsor and the Calf Scramble Committee.

Winners and their heifers must attend all mandatory clinics set by the committee.

Winners must type a 500- word essay entitled "My Calf Scramble Project" and a scrapbook of the project to be turned in the first day of the Henderson Livestock Show.

The heifers must be in place the same times as the Junior Heifers according to the HCLS schedule. Registration papers will be the property of the HCLS Association until the Calf Scramble project is complete at the conclusion of the show.

The Henderson County Farm Bureau of Athens has been the main sponsor of the Calf Scramble since its beginning. They run the program and pay for several items such as shirts, halters, end of year awards, and the sponsorship of a calf.

The first Calf Scramble was composed of one group of boys and one group of girls. Sometime along the way the committee combined the students to run together as a group.