A Local Tradition for over 60 Years

July 25th 2019 will kick off the 64th Annual Kueckelhan Ranch Rodeo. Our event is one of the most entertaining and exciting events that takes place in Fannin County each year. Thousands of people of all ages and walks of life, look forward to attending this annual event, and the experience seems to get better each and every year.

"We're probably the oldest and have been around the longest," said Haynes Kueckelhan while talking about the rodeo long held on the Kueckelhan ranch near Bonham, Texas.

"When we held our first rodeo, we never dreamed it would grow to it's present size and popularity.

"It started out as a place to practice and to have fun. My dad, Howard, backed me up and let us have competitions, and the business just mushroomed," said the tall, slim rodeo head. Haynes lives rodeoing, promotes it and gets up each morning to supervise preparation for it on his ranch. He knows what he's talking about, because he is on of the founders of the Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association. He served as President, overseeing the seven-state regional CRRA in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.

Haynes thought back as he recalled, "That first year, we had one performance – Saturday night. An old hog wire fence with two bucking chutes for the First Invitational Rodeo. We didn't have any bleachers – church pews were borrowed from the nearby Corinth Baptist Church (which the Kueckelhan's have always attended) and the pews were set up on the back of a float trailer for the fans seats.

"That's where we have come from," Kueckelhan concluded as he gazed around the all-metal arena that now seats over 5,000.

SCHEDULED TO APPEAR NIGHTLY...

Andy Seiler - Pro Rodeo Announcer

Andy Seiler has announced all over the country in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and has been called "an up-and-coming voice for professional rodeo," by Boyd Polhamus. "I have always enjoyed talking to people and discussing everything rodeo," Andy explains. "I just never knew that the years of roping the dummy and working to be a champion translate later in life in trying to give contestants and fans alike that same winning feeling."

Andy knows how essential the role of announcer is in making sure fans are not only informed, but that they are enjoying their time spent at the rodeo. He's a husband and a father who knows the importance of telling the tale for all ages and generations to enjoy!

Backflip Johnny - Rodeo Clown & Barrel Man

Professional rodeo clown and barrel man "Backflip" Johnny Dudley of Denton, TX is one of the top talents in pro rodeo. He is known for amazing feature acts, along with his quick wit and off-the-cuff banter that keeps crowds laughing until their sides hurt. He has performed at rodeos from Florida to Alaska and just about everywhere in between. He has been chosen twice for the Turquoise Circuit Finals rodeo, five times for the PRCA's All American Finals, and nominated twice for PRCA Comedy Act of the Year. But, before becoming a rodeo clown, Johnny served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps and then went on to college where he graduated with a degree in International Business. Johnny is one of the most likeable people you will ever meet and greets everyone with a big Texas smile.

More about Backflip Johnny