We ate breakfast one last time together on Sunday. After breakfast, we watched the cowboys pen some longhorns and check their health. They gave them an inoculation and cut them loose – watching the steers negotiate the tight fence channel with their long horns is quite something!  Most of them just instinctively bend their heads this way and that to negotiate the chute. Awards were given out for some funny experiences and everyone was sad to see the weekend come to an end.  The ranch was incredible as was its staff.  We found out the cowboys had volunteered their time to work with us on this cattle drive so we took up a collection for them in appreciation – we raised $700 for them; however, the cowboys turned around and presented it right back to us for the charity! I can’t say enough about the wonderful folks who helped make this event such a great success and a big YEE HAW goes out to Becky Remington from MSAA who put her heart and soul into the effort. The ranch is already booked for next year: September 30th – October 3 – we all can’t wait!!!!!!!

Saturday was a fantastic day on the trail! We started out the day with a great breakfast, then everyone headed out to the barn where we saddled up and left for Texas Hill Country to find the cattle grazing in the valley. After we got into formation it was time to get the cattle moving – a few of the stragglers had to be chased down (the real cowboys do most of that!) but all in all, the cattle moved pretty well. I must say that it has been fascinating watching the experienced cowboys handle the cattle. Toward the end of the day, the group posed for a picture in the middle of an old western town – we could have been in an old western movie – it looked so authentic! We enjoyed another great dinner and all sang “Happy Birthday” to MSAA’s South-Central Regional Director Becky Remington, who was the brainchild for this event and did so much work to make sure it was a resounding success!

The Friday night dance and dinner was a huge success with over 500 people in attendance and Texas country legend Johnny Rodriguez performing. Silent and live auctions followed the dinner. Then a good time was had by all enjoying the country music! Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Teva Neuroscience, and Geico Insurance Company were recognized for their corporate sponsorship in helping make this ride and this evening such a huge success! We are gearing up for another day of moving cattle! Yeehaw!!

The day started with breakfast at 7:30 am and will end long past sunset with our dinner, dance, and charity auction. During the day we will be moving Texas Longhorns to new pastures. I am sure that after spending six hours riding and herding cattle, everyone will look to have a good ol’ time later at the dinner, dance, and charity auction. At the dance, country western musician Johnny Rodriguez and his band will be providing the entertainment for over 700 people! It should be a great night!

Upon arriving in Dallas, Texas we were greeted by South-Central Regional Director Becky Remington and Board of Directors member Joe King both of whom worked wonders getting everyone to Beaumont Ranch, about 35 miles south of Fort Worth. We have 26 officially registered riders from across the country and even Canada! What a great turnout for this inaugural event! After settling in, the group met at 3 pm to learn basic horsemanship in preparation for our long day out on the trail tomorrow. To wrap up the day, the group enjoyed a buffet dinner and line dancing lessons – in preparation for a Texas- style dinner, dance, and charity auction on Friday night!

Yee-Hah!

Follow MSAA President and CEO Doug Franklin and 25 enthusiastic riders as they spend the next three days in the heart of Texas herding cattle on a real, live working ranch! MSAA’s Lone Star Roundup at Beaumont Ranch in Fort Worth, Texas is a charity cattle drive taking place from Thursday, September 17 to Sunday, September 20. To learn more about the cattle drive, please visit www.mscattledrive.org.