Get your cowboy on and enjoy a 66 year rodeo tradition
The Kiwanis Club of Bonifay is hosting the 66th Annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo at Memorial Field Oct. 7 -9 starting at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Gates will open daily at 5:30 p.m.
The Bonifay Kiwanis Club Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo is a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) sanctioned Dodge Series Rodeo. In conjunction with the rodeo, there will be a Rodeo Parade through downtown Bonifay on Friday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m., sponsored by The Bank of Bonifay.
During the first full weekend of October, Bonifay, Florida goes country when the Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo comes to town. Since its inception in 1944, the Bonifay Kiwanis Club has sponsored the Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo and continues to carry the tradition of ensuring quality family entertainment.
Locals and horses enjoy the Gulf of Mexico. Photo courtesy Lanna Williams
Local horsewoman recalls trail rides on South Walton beaches
Folks that have lived in South Walton for more than eight years, will probably remember the Brand “N Iron Corral on U.S. Hwy 98 in Santa Rosa Beach.
One would often spot horsewoman, Lanna Williams, along with her young riders sauntering along the beaches and trails in the area.
Williams remembers when a trail ride to the beach was a refreshing treat for both the riders and the horses.
“The horses loved getting in the water,” Williams recalled.
Locals Heather Marse and Jimmy Ferguson in front of the Brand ‘N Iron Western Store. Circa 1968
Since the 60s, Williams and her family ran the 8-acre Brand ‘N Iron Corral, offering pony rides, riding instruction, boarding and a western store.
“We were the only place on U.S. Hwy 98 for miles,” Williams said.
A popular place to come learn to ride, Williams noted her students enjoyed the sport so well, many continue to ride as adults.
In 2002, Williams sold the property in South Walton moved the Brand ‘N Iron to its current location. It is now located on 80 acres, off of U.S. Hwy 331, just north of Rock Hill Road in DeFuniak Springs.
Williams is actively involved in team penning competition. Team penning is a western equestrian sport that evolved from the common ranch work of separating cattle into pens for branding, doctoring, or transport.
It is a fast-paced sport that involves teamwork with three riders working in harmony to cut out numbered cattle and drive them to a pen while keeping the wrong numbered cattle back. Williams competes in the Dixie Region Team Penning (DRTPA).
Lanna Williams in team penning competition.
Williams continues to offer youth lessons and boarding on her ranch, along with her llama, goat, kitty, pups, guinea pigs, bunnies and 30 horses.
For more information about the Brand ‘N Iron Corral, you can contact Lanna Williams at: 850.225.1241.
Venture Walton is a feature column for outdoor enthusiasts in the Walton County, Florida area.
Lori Ceier is the publisher of waltonoutdoors.com, and can be reached via email at info@waltonoutdoors.com
Cypress Cattle Company more than just a cattle farm
Tucked away near Ponce de Leon, straddling Walton/Holmes County line, sits 1,100 acres of rolling hills, magnificent live oaks, cypress ponds, pastures and acres of fresh produce.
Cypress Cattle Company has been a family-run farm for generations. W.J. Sapp started in the family business in the 1920s farming sugar cane and potatoes. The farm then migrated to dairy until 1991, when they switched to cattle farming, which is its mainstay to this day
Now managed by Sapp’s great-great nephew, Luke Langford, and his father Ken, Cypress now offers farm tours, primitive camping and fishing on any of their seven ponds for crappie, bass and bream. And, in keeping with all things fresh, Cypress now commercially grows produce, selling locally. Read More…
Location: Seaside Amphitheater – ::MAP::
08:00 am to 01:00 pm
More than 100 vendors with many unique offerings. – Saturday
Open House at SWFD Fire Station – Saturday
Location: 911 CR 393 Santa Rosa Beach – ::MAP::
10:00 am to 02:00 pm
Firefighter and lifeguard demonstrations, blood pressure checks, food and fun for the kids
Location: Memorial Field Bonifay – ::MAP::
The Kiwanis Club of Bonifay is hosting the 65th Annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo at Memorial Field Oct. 1 -3 starting at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Gates will open daily at 5:30 p.m.
The Bonifay Kiwanis Club Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo is a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) sanctioned Dodge Series Rodeo. In conjunction with the rodeo, there will be a Rodeo Parade through downtown Bonifay on Friday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m., sponsored by The Bank of Bonifay. Read More…
Get your cowboy on and enjoy a 65-year rodeo tradition
The Kiwanis Club of Bonifay is hosting the 65th Annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo at Memorial Field Oct. 1 -3 starting at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Gates will open daily at 5:30 p.m.
The Bonifay Kiwanis Club Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo is a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) sanctioned Dodge Series Rodeo. In conjunction with the rodeo, there will be a Rodeo Parade through downtown Bonifay on Friday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m., sponsored by The Bank of Bonifay. Read More…
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office/Panama City Toyota 4th annual Rodeo will be held at Frank Brown Park – Panama City Beach Aug. 21-22.
A variety of activities slated for the two-day event include: bareback riding, calf roping, steer wrestling.
• Ticket price: $10
• Children under 5 years free
Rodeo starts at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night. Parade at 12 noon on Sat.
Gates open Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. for vendors, events for the kids, and more!!
All proceeds go to the Bay County Sherrif’s Office Search and Rescue Mounted Posse. Click here for map
Part of Florida’s Greenways and Trails, the Econfina Creek in Bay and Washington counties is many a paddlers’ favorite journey in the Florida Panhandle.
Pack a lunch and bring your snorkel, for you are about the enjoy the paddle of a lifetime as you explore the creek and its many crystal clear springs along the popular seven-mile trip down the creek. Cabbage palms drape over the water’s edge along with blooming wildflowers scattering the banks with color during your journey in the spring and summer months. Steep, fern-covered limestone walls prevail along the second half of the paddle, where the creek slices into the ancient limestone of the Floridan Aquifer. Read More…
Tennessee Walking Horse competition and festival comes to Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach
The annual Gulf Coast Charity Celebration Horse Show and Music Festival kicks off on April 22. Live entertainment, food, art, amusement rides, specialty acts and the Tennessee Walking Horse show. For more information, go to: gulfcoasthorseshow.com
Wednesday, April 22
3:30 p.m. - Horse Show & Festival, gates open at Frank Brown Park, great merchandise vendors and food concessions throughout the Show, “The Ivey Brothers” begin to play.
5:30p.m. - Horse Show starts – Specialty Acts
After Show “The Rhythm Allstars” will play immediately after the Horse Show.
Thursday, April 23
3:30p.m. - Horse Show & Festival, gates open at Frank Brown Park, great merchandise vendors and food concessions throughout the Show, “The Ivey Brothers” begin to play.
5:30 p.m. - Horse Show starts
After Show “Entice”, Nashville’s own, will play immediately after the Horse Show.
Friday, April 24
3:30p.m. - Horse Show & Festival gates open, great merchandise vendors and food concessions. “The Ivey Brothers” begin to play.
5:30 p.m. - Horse Show starts
After Show “Legends of the Beach” will play immediately after the Horse Show.
Saturday, April 25
3:30p.m. - Horse Show & Festival gates open, great merchandise vendors and food concessions, “The Ivey Brothers” begin to play.
5:30 p.m. - Horse Show starts
After Show “Legends of the Beach” will play immediately after the Horse Show.
Ceely Barfield on her Paso Fino, and her mom Cissy in the background.
A look into the equestrian experience in the Walton area
Learning to ride
It is easy to notice that local equestrian Allison Richards loves horses. She speaks the language of horsemanship with confidence as I watched her guide two young riders during a recent lesson.
With the years of knowledge under her belt, it is easy to understand why. Riding since she was 10, Richards started riding in a pony club. She quickly progressed, and began teaching the sport at age 14. Her diverse background has included the equestrian program at Sweet Briar College outside of Lynchberg, Va., and fox hunting in Cincinnati and Virginia.
Richards works with students on a contract basis. Along with riding skills, Richards teaches good horsemanship, which includes stable management – grooming, basic veterinary horse care, stall cleaning and proper nutrition.
Isabelle Meadows and Savannah Burden, both 10, have each been riding horses for more than five years, and are currently two students training hunt seat style with Richards in Santa Rosa Beach.
Currently, Richards is working on USHA Training Program Certification, which establishes and promotes standards, good horsemanship and credibility to the horse training environment.
Allison Richards can be reached at 561.635.9696.
Watch video below of Isabelle and Savannah during one of their lessons with Richards. The girls are riding Buddy, affectionately nicknamed “Air Bud.”
Allison Richards teaches hunt seat to locals Isabelle Meadows and Savannah Burden.
The Paso Fino experience at the Seabreeze Farm
The Paso Fino is a natural-born gaited horse, and one of smoothest breeds to ride. The Paso is a stocky breed that reaches 14 hands.
Cissy Barfield and her daughter Ceely have been riding Paso Finos for several years, with Cissy more than 24 years experience. At the Seabreeze farm, they offer guided trail ride learning on McClellan saddle, a cross between Western and English.
“Pasos are gentle, and easy for beginners – their smooth gate is perfect for anyone from the age of 4 to 74,” Barfield explains.
Cissy, Ceely, and their Pasos have earned several National Championships in Paso Western Pleasure. One of their winners Concierta, “Consy” is a two-time National Champion.
The Seabreeze Farm offers 27 acres of trail riding along with instruction structured to the rider’s pace.
I took a short ride on a Paso while visiting the Seabreeze Farm and felt as though I was riding on the Cadillac of horses. Such as smooth ride, I barely had to hold on to the reigns as the gentle movement left or right directed the horse with ease.
Barfield can be reached at 850.830.3146 Seabreeze Farm
4233 Bob Sikes Road
DeFuniak Springs
Watch video below of Cissy and Ceely on their Paso Finos.
Rocky Bayou Stables
Rocky Bayou Stables offers a Trot-N-Tots class for children ages 3-8. Other programs included are a beginners class from 8-10, birthday parties, camps, Boy/Girl Scout merit badge program, a home schooling program and private or group lessons.
There is 3 arenas and 42 stables on 15 acres. Contact the stables for more information regarding instructor availability. rockybayoustables.com
767 Forest Road
Niceville
850.729.8821
Spend Valentine’s Day with your two favorite sweethearts
Cypress Cattle Ranch is hosting an all day Valentine’s day ride, Saturday Feb. 14th.
Come an join the folks at the ranch, bring your horses, ride as long as you like. They will be serving their “now-famous” ranch chili for lunch. Ride the rest of the afternoon, and when the sun goes down, have a fireside steak dinner.
Bring your overnight gear, Cypress Ranch has water hookups for live-aboard trailers, RV’s and plenty of places to pitch a tent.
Cost is $90 per couple, this covers a full day ride, lunch, dinner and overnight accommodations.
RSVP Deadline is Feb. 9
For more information contact: Luke Langford (850)685-5890
From west of Ponce DeLeon
Take Hwy 90 to Hwy 181a (Wayne’s Groc. on Corner).
181a 5 miles south to Byrd’s crossroads, left onto
181-c. 5 miles on 181-c, Entrance on Left, can’t miss it.
Come out for a day on the ranch!
Photo courtesy Cypress Cattle Ranch.
The ranch guide will take your party through their pastures and trails for an hour or all day. A perimeter ride is approximately 14 miles. This ride will take you around their lakes, through the pastures, through hardwood and pine hammocks and includes lunch. Rides can be scheduled for as long as you’re comfortable in the saddle. Perimeter rides are typically an all day affair, but can be adjusted according to group’s desires.
You are responsible for the conduct of yourself and your horse. Problem animals or people will be asked to leave. Riders are expected to be familiar with safe riding practices and comfortable on horseback. You must be an experienced rider and will be required to sign Liability Waiver, no horses unload until all riders sign waivers. Absolutely NO alcohol or drugs will be tolerated.
Rates:
Half Day Ride: (9a.m. to 12:30 or 12:30 to 4p.m.) $30/Rider
Full Day Perimeter Ride: (9a.m. to 4:30p.m.) $45/Rider
Lunch (Famous Ranch Chili) $6/Person
Note: Saddle clubs or parties of 8 or more please call for special rates.
Cypress Cattle Company
Horseback Riding on the Ranch
Contact: Luke Langford
Luke@CypressCattle.com
(850) 685-5890
Get your cowboy on and enjoy a 66 year rodeo tradition
