GIT ALONG, LITTLE DOGGIES

By Lacey Dale, Express Ranches, Inc.
Posted Thursday, May 14, 2009

Cattle Drive Remembers McSpadden

CLAREMORE, OKLA. (May 9, 2009) A piece of the Old West and a tribute to one of Oklahoma's own favorite sons will take place on Saturday, May 23.

Sixty-six head of longhorns will be driven down Route 66, in memory of Clem McSpadden, Oklahoma Legend, Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, and nephew of Will Rogers.

The steers will be driven twelve miles, from Bushyhead, OK. the home of McSpadden's famous pasture roping to the Will Rogers Stampede arena in Claremore. That section of highway was named for McSpadden several years ago. A chuck wagon feed for drovers and sponsors at the arena will follow at 2 pm. The public can purchase chuck wagon feed tickets at the feed or contact the rodeo association.

The cattle drive, which begins at sunup on the 23rd, will take place in conjunction with the 63rd Will Rogers Stampede Pro Rodeo. The rodeo runs from May 21 through the 23 and begins each night at 7:30 pm.

Rodeo Committeeman, David Petty, said the longhorn drive is a great way to memorialize Clem. The drive "just fits Clem McSpadden," he said, "working cattle with Clem was done the old cowboy way, roping and dragging" McSpadden announced the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA show for more than 45 years until his passing last July. "Our rodeo in Claremore was the last pro rodeo he announced," Petty said.

The Saturday night performance of the rodeo will be McSpadden Memorial Night, and Clem's wife Donna and the McSpadden families will be
recognized.

"It's going to be tough," Petty said, referring to the first rodeo without Clem in the announcer's stand. "In Clem's own words," Petty
said, "he was one of us."

For more information on the longhorn drive and the rodeo, contact David Petty at 918-798-3201, 918-640-1603 or visit
www.willrogersstampede.com.