The Way Out West Weekend, an event with family-friendly rodeo and competitive equestrian events, will be held in Ramona on May 17 and 18.
The weekend — which celebrates the Western lifestyle — includes barrel racing, pole bending and team penning, with equine wellness presentations, vendor booths and a barbecue snack bar.
A portion of the proceeds from each event will benefit the philanthropic work of the Ramona Rodeo Foundation, which includes funding for educational scholarships, local nonprofits and sponsorships, according to event organizers Selena Roberts, Jeanne Malone and Rachelle Laws.
Events will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Fred Grand Arena at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane.
ission is free, and sponsors are welcome.
The May 17 events will include barrel racing, followed by pole bending, with horse health and wellness clinics, said Roberts, who is a director with the Ramona Rodeo Foundation and also sponsoring the barrel racing with SoCal Speed.
The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association-approved barrel racing jackpot has $1,500 added money to the open jackpot, $200 added to the futurity side pot, as well as side pots for youth, novice, green horse, senior and prime riders, as well as a 2-D futurity jackpot for young up-and-coming horses, Roberts said.
Exhibition runs begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 12:15 p.m. At 1 p.m., the Miss Ramona Rodeo and court will hold a flag presentation, and the Open Barrel Race begins at 1:05 p.m.
“It’s a chance to meet the new court, with Senior Queen Sujhey Rosas, Junior Queen Emilee Hudson and Young Miss Macy Mault,” said Laws, director of the Ramona Rodeo Queen Pageant.
Following the Open Jackpot is a PeeWee/Lead Line Barrel race (8 years and under, lead line only, helmet required), youth jackpot (for youth who did not run in the Open and carry over), a novice rider jackpot for those riders who did not run in open and carry over, followed by pole bending exhibitions and pole bending jackpot.
Health and wellness clinics begin at 10 a.m.
The first speaker is Kimiko Tanaka, an equine osteopath from the Vluggen Institute in Waldfeucht, .
“Equine osteopathy is a manual technique using three pillars — the cranial sacral system, the parietal system and the visceral system — to find the source of an issue, create mobility of the restricted area, and allow the horse to naturally heal,” Roberts said.
Tanaka will be followed by Kylie Wakefield, with Elite Performance Therapy, at 11 a.m.
“The Electro Equiscope is fast, safe, effective and pain-free,” Roberts said. “It uses the latest intelligent micro-current technology to deposit charge a the cellular level, creating an optimal healing environment, reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow, improving flexibility and range of motion, relieving pain, increases ATP production.”
At noon, Curtis Sterner with Bemer will showcase the benefits of PEMF therapy for horse and rider.
“These clinicians will offer information and education for any horse owner or enthusiast,” Roberts said. “We’re hoping that this will pique the interest of horse enthusiasts in any genre or discipline, as the therapy applies to all horses.”
The discussions and demonstrations take place in a dedicated grassy area behind the announcer’s booth and by the vendors.
The first Steve Tellam Memorial Team Penning event will be held on May 18.
Tellam of Ramona died unexpectantly in Jan. 19, 2022 at age 66 after contracting a viral illness. He was known as a successful cattleman, cowboy, and steward of the land, according to his obituary.
Sign ups begin at 8:30 a.m.; penning begins at 9 a.m. Divisions and entry fee per rider are Open, $75; Pro Am, $60; Youth, $25 and Novice, $60.
The top five teams qualify for the Ramona Rodeo, with buckles going to all winners.
“The idea behind the challenge is to take the top contenders from this weekend that move on to compete for the first annual Steve Tellam Memorial Challenge at the Ramona Rodeo,” Roberts said.
“Team penning is a fast-paced version of what we do when ranching, sorting cows apart from each other,” said Remy Greer, who along with her husband, James, runs JR Productions, sponsor of the team penning events.
The timed event is “one of the few equestrian sports that a whole family can do together,” Greer said.
Part of the popularity of the event is that riders can practice a lot of the maneuvers at home without having cattle and they can participate in whatever level or speed they want, she said. They can also ride with all their friends on different teams. In addition, the all-day pennings are social as well as competitive events and there are several team penning clubs across the county, she said.
“It’s baby steps into the Western way of life,” Greer said.
Team penning used to be a big part of the Ramona Rodeo, and Steve Tellam and his father, Willy, were both heavily involved in the sport, said James Greer.
“They both did team penning and sorting, and both are United States Team Penning Association Hall of Fame penners,” he said. “I grew up in Escondido with these guys, watching them and competing.”
“Steve made friends with everyone, especially people who had cattle. He was always involved with the community and the cowboy life,” Greer said, noting the Tellams helped youngsters in 4H, FFA and the Ramona Rodeo.
Team penning will take place prior to the Ramona Rodeo, held August 21-23, at all three performances beginning at 6 p.m.
A range of vendors both days will include Western wear, custom hats, jewelry, equine tack and related products, as well as area organizations ing the Western lifestyle.
A barbecue snack bar will round out the event, with burgers, hot dogs, snacks, beverages and beer served by of the Ramona Rodo Foundation.
“It’s going to be so fun,” said Malone of SoCal Speed. “We are working closely with the RRF to create a family-friendly event that s and encourages the Western lifestyle.”
For more information, Selena Roberts at [email protected]; Jeannie Malone at [email protected]; Rachelle Laws at [email protected] or for team penning, call James Greer at 951-852-0606.
