For rancher Gail Allen of the Broken Spear ranch rodeo team in La Junta, Colorado, and his wife Millie, competing in ranch rodeo is just one more way their family strengthens its close ties. That would apply to ranch rodeo teammates ...
For rancher Gail Allen of the Broken Spear ranch rodeo team in La Junta, Colorado, and his wife Millie, competing in ranch rodeo is just one more way their family strengthens its close ties. That would apply to ranch rodeo teammates Tim Erickson and his son Dan of the nearby San Jose Ranch, as well. As with most ranch WRCA competitors, building a great team cuts across generations and fence lines, linking parents, children, and good friends to a way of life they all share and respect. Along with daughter Gayla, son in-law Jeb Brown, and day-worker Gary Hall, the Allen’s and Erickson’s appear to have all the talent they need close at hand.
“We’ve raised fivegirls: Rynea, Gayla, Emily, Lindy & Missy,”explains Gail.“They’ve all been great help on the ranch. We have nine grandchildren, too.”
Son-in law Jeb is a WRCA competitor who rides broncs & ropes and has won Top Hand & Top Horse at several different rodeos.Team member Dan Erickson, (who is also Jeb’s brother-in-law,) is aPRCA bronc rider who’s qualified for the NFR three times. Team-wise, that’s what you call a major edge.
In addition, Allen’s daughter Emily uses her graphic and web design talents to further the team and the WRCA. She just happens to be the creator of the official WRCA website that so many Working Ranch readers consult to find their scores. In fact, her special skills and ranching savvy are available to whomever the Internet can reach (check out her site at www.brokenspeardesigns.com).
The Allen family runs a cow-calf operation comprised of 400head of Anguson the edge of the Comanche National Grasslands -- 30,000 acres of buffalo grass and varied forage on wind-swept prairies in southern Colorado. To the west, the San Juan range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains shimmer in the distance. It’s big country filled with wildlife, grass-covered hills and wind-carved gullies, and plenty of places for cattle to hide. That means everyone on the ranch better have equal skills when it comes to sorting, cutting, branding or doctoring, and, according to Gail, they all do.
Inspirational move
The La Junta/Trinidad area is a challenging landscape and awe-inspiring from just about any point of view. Fierce winds often blow, summers are hot, and winters can be bitter cold, but it’s a way of life the Allens love. Before moving there in 2004, they were ranchers in Genoa, Colorado, a quiet area in the Eastern part of the state. The change brought about profound spiritual response. Gail is a man of deep faith and has since founded a ministry, providing inspiration and guidance for others. These days he preaches once a week in a cowboy church that assembles in a sale barn in La Junta. The service is enriched by music, thanks to Jeb, who plays the guitar. Similarly inspired, Jeb also pastors in Ordway.
Gail tells of an extraordinary event when a fire broke out in Jeb’s outbuildingslast year. When the fire first got going, a friend reached to grab whatever riggin’ he could get his hands on before the building collapsed, and he plucked the first saddle he found. It turned out to be none other than the trophy saddle Jeb won at Denver’s WRCA Ranch Rodeo for being Top Hand.The corrals, horse trailer and tack room were destroyed; in fact, they lost everything but the house. Jeb got the horses out of the burning corrals and shed just in the nick of time.Thankfully, none of the family members were hurt. In the true cowboy spirit, the WRCA sent help after the fire. Good cowboy gear came pouring in from around the country, including a handmade saddle from Trip Townsend of Sandhill Land & Cattle.
All that’s missing is about eight Catahoulas
The Broken Spear team has been in competition for five years and it’s clear they accomplish in the arena what they do in everyday life. For example, Gail & Jeb accompany the Erickson’s when it’s time to gather wild cows in the rough country. It takes good reflexes, great horsemanship, good roping skills and trust to work together and get the job done. These are the very things ranch rodeo is made of.
“The only difference about ranch rodeo versus chasing wild cows down a canyon is at the rodeo we’re short about eight barking Catahoula hound dogs,” adds Gail.
Because there are six on the team, it’s easy to cycle around the family member’s needs. Everyone can cover for everyone else. “I like to think of myself as the wild cow milker,” said Gail. “The boys didn’t think I could outrun them so we had a little match race one day. They were wrong. Gayla can hold her own in the arena too, or, as a mom of three. It’s great having her on the team.”
The Broken Spear team tries to make three or four rodeos per year, especially those in Colorado and New Mexico, those that aren’t too far. They took second place in Hugo in ‘08 and hope to do one better next time. In the meantime, Gail honors his stewardship of the ranch. His cattle graze on deeded acres with forest permits on the national grassland and he’s careful not to overgraze, ever mindful of resources, water and drought. And like everyone else in the area, he neighbors the surrounding ranches when the need arises, be it branding or a round up or just sharing a celebration. In short, he’s part of a community,
“It’s just a privilege to help each other out,” says Gail. “We are blessed to be living the life we enjoy.”
