History was made and revered at the annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration Saturday, July 26 in Dublin.
Organizer Rick Taylor said overall the day was great and he hopes to grow the event when it returns the fourth Saturday in July next year.
“The biggest thing I liked about the overall event were the people, mostly from out of town, who were just happy to be there and excited about the history,” he said. “Once again history has been made for our Rodeo heritage. I know we are small but working very hard, and we are proud of what we are doing to bring rodeo life back to Dublin and to Erath County the way it used to be.”
Taylor was also excited to bestow a slew of awards recognized through the National Day of The Cowboy organization. These awards and the museum brought capacity level crowds to the Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum Saturday.
“My opinion on a museum is for education. It is a tool to teach those who don’t know including those in the future, about our past, our history and our heritage,” Taylor said, “and maybe even carry it on the same way, granted it’s a lot different now than it used to be.”
Destry Tyan of Oklahoma received National Cowboy of the Year for representing cowboy heritage nationally.
He was not present to accept his award due to losing cattle in recent floods.
“He has really been a big help for us at the arena,” Taylor said. “He comes to every event, brings his horses and pick up men.”
Mark Eakin was presented with this year’s Rodeo Preservation Award. Eakin is the coach for Tarleton State University’s Rodeo Team.
“He was selected for this award because he is working as an educator and teaching them rodeo,” Taylor said. “I think he’s very deserving of this award.”
Juanita Torres was presented with the Hispanic Preservation Award.
“Juanita has worked very hard and it’s a passion of hers to bring rodeo to the Hispanic Heritage Festival every year,” he said. “They are a part of our community and they are doing a great job.”
Cole Leatherwood was presented with the Open Range award for his community involvement.
Taylor explained he had met Cole the previous summer when he found out he had been plowing the rodeo arena.
“I asked him if he rode, and he said, ‘No, but my family does,’” Taylor said. “This is what we need. Everyone coming together to pitch in and help in the community.”
Living Legacy Hall of Fame inductees Ty Murray and Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller were also presented with awards.
Though Murray couldn’t be in attendance and was in Colorado, his parents Butch and Joy Murray were present to receive the award on his behalf. Ty also sent a recorded video message which was played for those in attendance.
Joy shared a story of Ty as a kid telling her that real cowboys were from Texas and he needed to become a ‘true Texan.’ Since Ty was born in Phoenix, Arizona he made his way to Texas thanks in part due to large scholarships offered by Odessa College for rodeo. The rest is history as Ty became a professional rodeo cowboy who competed in bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. He won nine world championships in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association – seven in the all-around and two in bullriding.
Murray is currently a commentator for the PBR on CBS after retiring in 2002.
“He’s a true Texan and he’s so honored,” she said.
“There is so much rodeo history in that area, especially in Dublin,” Ty said in his video. “I want to thank you guys for coming, I want to express my gratitude and I look forward to seeing you when I get back to Texas.”
Miller was also presented his Hall of Fame award and was there to accept it.
As an 8th generation farmer and rancher, Miller is not only the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), but is also a recognized rodeo cowboy who holds 12 world championship titles.
Born in De Leon, in Comanche County, in September 1955, Miller graduated with honors from Tarleton State University in Stephenville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Ag Education.
He is a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Associated General Contractors of America, American Quarter Horse Association, and the American Nursery and Landscape Association, and still raises quarter horses.
“It’s an honor to be here and quite a shock to be inducted with Ty Murray, King of the Cowboys,” Miller said. “It’s quite humbling. I come from a long line of rodeo family. My dad actually took me to my first rodeo when I was in second grade, entered me in breakaway roping and it was right here in Dublin, Texas.”
Miller gave thanks to his brother Dusty who he cited as being responsible for his whole horse breeding program.
Through his brother’s horse bloodlines and breeding expertise Miller has had 25 World Champion horses from all four associations: AQHA, Paint Association, Appaloosa Association and Buckskin Association.
Miller donated a buckle from all four associations to the museum for his exhibit.
“Thanks to my wife for putting up with me, letting me run all over the U.S. roping, and working and campaigning,” he said. “I’m thankful for my family and my brother for everything he has done in my breeding operation.”
Saturday also marked the unveiling of a new exhibit room in the museum featuring exhibits for Living Legacy Hall of Fame inductees Murray and Miller.
The day also included vendors at the park, live entertainment from Teresa Burleson, Devon Dawson, Kristyn Harris, The Bards and Balladeer (David Smith, Dustin West, Ed Meyer, Jim Cathy and John Pelham) and Cowgirl Swing (Kristyn Harris, Teresa Burleson and Devon Dawson). The Cabalgata en Honor al Dia Nacional Del Vaquero Trail made its way from Rancho Viejo to the City Park, and some of the original herd of Texas Longhorns from Fort Griffin were also present at the City Park.
Anyone who missed the fun over the weekend is invited to mark their calendars for next year and encouraged to go learn about Dublin’s rich rodeo history with the Colborn Bowl and being the last stop before rodeo at Madison Square Garden.
For more information on the museum or to donate to the cause, visit rodeoheritagemuseum. org or visit it at 118 W. Blackjack.