Wyoming Cowboy ‘Poet Lariat’ Contest will be unlike any other Cowboy Poetry Gathering you’ve ever heard of or attended. Indeed, it is totally unique in the history of the Cowboy Poetry movement.
It will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 1st and 2nd. It will be operated in the manner as an honest-to-goodness Rodeo! The winner will be crowned the “Wyoming Cowboy Poet Lariat for 2008” by Proclamation from Governor Dave Freudenthal.
There will be two ‘Go-Rounds’—one on Friday and the other on Saturday with the Championship round held during Saturday evening’s concert.
There are four classes of participation. For the youngsters, we offer the Mutton Bustin’ class for those to age 18. For ladies over 18 we have the Barrel Racing class with a Roughstock class for men over 18. The final category is the ‘Open Class’ and this group is open to everyone! It is from this Open Class that our Poet Lariat will be named.
And, just like a rodeo, there will be an entry fee. For the Mutton Bustin’ class the entry fee is $5. For all other classes, the fee is $10. Every bit of this money, plus an added purse, will be returned to the winners of each class.
Money is each class will be awarded with 40 percent to the first place winner, 30 percent to the first runner up, 20 percent to the second runner up and the final 10 percent to the 3rd runner up.
In addition, there will be trophies for the first and second place finishers in each class including the Championship Round.
The secretary’s office is now open. For registration, entry forms or to pay your entry fee, contact the Thermopolis/Hot Springs County Chamber of Commerce at 307-864-3192