Northwest Indiana’s sole rodeo brought in more competitors than ever in its 11th year at Brown Family Ranch in Gary this past weekend.
Equestrians traveled from Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and from across Indiana to compete in timed events, roping and speed and agility courses at the 4-acre ranch at 2246 Mississippi Street in Gary. About 1,200 people showed up for the weekend-long show which included food vendors, shopping tents and a Saturday night bonfire, concert and fireworks.
“Everybody enjoyed it from preshow to the end of the show,” Chris Brown, a co-owner of Brown Family Ranch, said. “It’s something that we’re very thankful to have the pleasure of being able to put on this kind of show. It gets people to see the equestrian and the agricultural life up close, and in real life. If you look at it, we are the only ones in Gary, let alone in Northwest Indiana, putting on this type of show. So it has definitely sparked the public’s interest.”
Nakisha Brown, ranch co-owner, said after the August 11 derecho tore through their farm, she was unsure if the annual rodeo would be able to continue. Looking around as fans lined up at the entrance gates, she was glad to see familiar faces.
“I was worried,” Nakisha Brown said. “I didn’t know if everything could be repaired in time. We had roofs torn off of enclosures, and the fence was damaged, with trees down. By the grace of God, by mid-morning we were able to get things set up just in time. Now, I’m happy we still have our rodeo and we get to see everyone.”
To open the rodeo’s day of competitions, members of today’s Buffalo Soldiers regiment rode in the arena with flags following the National Anthem. Buffalo Soldiers were the military force of Black Americans who served in the U.S. Army on the Western Frontier. The announcer, who described their origin during the ceremony, said the Native Americans gave the men that title to describe their bravery and tenaciousness on the battlefield. Today’s veterans still carry the tradition of celebrating the Buffalo Soldiers and Black service members. Chris Brown said this was his first year as a regiment member in uniform.
“Riding as a Buffalo Soldier, the feeling it gave me was a spectacular feeling,” Chris Brown said. “I felt like someone’s personal hero at that time. Sharing something like that, and the history of these soldiers before their eyes, especially for the little kids watching, it’s important. Because kids see things like that and they start asking questions, and then they’re able to research it and that carries on the history, because this stuff is not really taught in school.”
Kenny Holloway is an equestrian from Chicago who competed at the Brown Family Ranch for the first time.
“It was a really good turn out,” Holloway said. “I think it’s a great rodeo. Plus it’s got good food and music, so that adds to it, on top of the competitions. I’ll definitely be back.”
Gina Grimes and Ben Barnes, of Gary, have made it a tradition to come to the rodeo dressed in their best Western-inspired style.
“It’s awesome,” Grimes said. “The horses, the history. The clothes. And it brings more good things to Gary. It brings people here from different places.”
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Barnes said he hopes the rodeo will expand and offer attendee camping on site some day.
“It’s important our children experience this, so they don’t forget the past and where all of this comes from,” Barnes said.
Elizabeth Anderson, of Gary, has been involved with the ranch since she was in fifth grade and looks forward to the rodeo every year.
“This is definitely big for the community,” Anderson said. “You don’t see a lot of Black-owned ranches. All of this really shouts out and represents us, and brings awareness to what we do.”
Anderson said she has seen firsthand how the ranch’s annual summer camp has inspired local children.
“They get involved in gardening, being out in nature, doing arts and crafts, plus getting to know the equestrian sport,” Anderson said.
Part of the rodeo’s aim is to raise money for scholarships the Brown family awards to graduating high school seniors or local college students every year. Applications for the Brown Family Ranch Community Outreach Scholarship Program open up Oct. 1 through March online at brownfamilyranch.org.
Chris Brown said he noticed that many of the competitors were teenagers who had a lifelong passion for equestrian sports.
“This year was a whole lot different than last; you had older teens and adults of different ages,” Chris Brown said. “I’d say 80% have been doing these competitions and equestrian sports just about their whole lives. But we also had a lot of newcomers and more younger people getting into it. Now the teens are basically leading the way in the sport. Which is great because when the younger kids see them having this much fun, winning trophies and awards, they want to do that, too.”
Chris Brown said it’s been a struggle to have enough space for parking, the show area and spectator seating. His next move is to attempt to purchase more surrounding land to expand the ranch and rodeo, as well as add more year-round events and competitions.
The ranch’s next events include the Annual Harvest Hayride on October 24; the Mississippi Street Blues Fest on December 12; and the Brown Family Ranch Winter Wonderland on December 19.
“One thing we’re really excited about is opening up the farm for more free events for the community, where we open our doors to the public so they can learn about agriculture and about equestrian life. We want to keep things going in the positive direction for Gary, and we want to be a family-friendly place for kids and adults to come and have fun and be a part of something good.”
Anna Ortiz is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.