📢 Thank you for coming to the 2026 Rendezvous! If you have any thoughts about it, please share. (See: Feedback Form)

crooked creek cattle co.

Thank you for a great 2026 Rendezvous!

Another 4C Rendezvous is in the books, and what a great weekend it was!

The 2026 Rendezvous brought together new and familiar faces for a weekend filled with horses, music, stories, community, and Western traditions. We’re grateful to everyone who came out and helped make this year’s event such a success.

Preserving the history of the Pryor Mountain area and the traditions of ranching is at the heart of Crooked Creek Cattle Company. The 4C Rendezvous gives us a chance to come together, celebrate our Western heritage, and keep these traditions alive for future generations.

Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, supported, and joined us this year. We’re already looking forward to the 2027 Rendezvous!

If you have any feedback, thoughts, or ideas about the Rendezvous, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out through our Contact Page

 

More than just a race

it’s a celebration of grit, tradition, 
and generations coming together.

The Origin Story

The race was started by Randi when she was 63 years old. Wanting to race “one last time,” she invited others to join her for fun — no rules, no formality, just community. The first race had five horses. By year two, it had tripled. Now, it’s an annual tradition that keeps growing.

The Races

Youngsters lead race

Youngsters Lead Race
For the littlest cowboys and cowgirls. Kids guide their horses while an adult leads — a gentle intro to ranch riding.

Walking Race

Walking Race
Stay at a walk the entire time — no trotting or galloping allowed. One step too fast and you're out.

Pony Race

Pony Race
Ponies only! This one's for the small but mighty — big attitude, small hooves.

Beginners Race

Beginners Race
A relaxed race for new riders. No pressure — just a chance to ride, smile, and grow in the saddle.

Sprint Race

Sprint Race
The full-speed dash. No rules, no limits — just hang on and fly.

Family Race

Family Race
Ride together, win together. This one’s all about fun, teamwork, and making memories on horseback.

Long Race

Surprise Race
A new twist every year. Could be backwards, bareback, or in costume — you won’t know ‘til race day.

Trotting Race

Trotting Race
Keep it smooth and steady — riders must maintain a trot from start to finish. Break the pace and you're out.

Surprise race

Long Race
The ultimate test of endurance. Riders push their limits over a long course — grit, stamina, and heart required.

Rendezvous Songwriting Competition & concert

Thank you for coming to the 2026 Rendezvous!

Hosted by cowboy poet and musician TJ Casey, this songwriting contest brings out the voices of the West — whether it’s about wide-open land, family legacy, or a good horse that carried you home.

The Challenge | This isn’t for any songs that are already known. You’ve got 24 hours to write a completely new and original song. 

Theme | Songs will be about ranch life, heritage, hard work, or anything that fits the traditional country spirit. 

Who Can Enter | You need to be at least 12 years old and can either play a musical instrument yourself or have someone accompany you.

How it Works | It’s $20/song title and can pick up to two titles. You will draw your title from a hat and that’s what you’ll write your song about. You can choose to camp at the Rendezvous site that night or come back the next day at 5pm to perform.

The Prize | A little silver something to take home, bragging rights, and your name etched into the ranch’s musical history.

Congrats to the winners of the 2026 Pryor Mountain Song Writing Competition! 

1st Place – Jane Chapin
“Cowdog Blues”
2nd Place – Leslie Keltner
“Ridin Drag”
3rd Place – Jane Chapin
“The Cowboy Code”

Contact CowboySongWriter@gmail.com for any questions you may have

Crooked Creek
Heritage Horse Races

Thank you for coming to the 2026 Rendezvous!

The West Was Built on Horsepower

Congrats to our 2026 race winners!

Bessie F. Tillett Tuff Enuff Champion — Auggie Lembke
Dick Gifford 1 Horse/1 Rider Championship — Mark Ringler
Wayne Ringler Men’s All-Around — Mark Ringler
Mark Ringler Women’s All-Around — Raeghan Ruckel
Sharron Kelsey Ostler Youngsters Lead, 0–6 — Easton Sessions
Sharron Kelsey Ostler Youngsters Lead, 7 & Above — Blakely Good
Oldster Lead — Tia Phillips
Walking — Raeghan Ruckel
Short — Raeghan Ruckel
Houston — Mark Ringler
Trotting — Sunshyne Hines
Beginners — Olivia Phillips
Bareback — Auggie Lembke & Mark Ringler
Pony — Lacie Hoerler
Surprise — Auggie Lembke
Long Slow — Liz Wallace
Long Fast — Mark Ringler
Dryhead Family Race — Julia Tillett

Contact RanchHand@CrookedCreekCompanies.com for any questions you may have

cowboy church

Thank you for coming to the 2026 Rendezvous!

“whatever you do, do with all your heart, riding for the lord and not for men.” colossions 3:23

Cowboy Church under the Wyoming big sky was a special way to close out the 2026 Rendezvous. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for a simple time of faith, reflection, and fellowship. We look forward to gathering together again at the next Cowboy Church—everyone is always welcome.

What's New in 2026

august 7th-9th

This year’s Rendezvous brings new traditions 
& even bigger moments.

Honoring Wayne Ringler, Sharon Kelsey Ostler, Dick Gifford and Local Ranching Families
This year’s event is dedicated to Wayne Ringler, Sharon Kelsey Ostler, Dick Gifford and the local ranching families — We honor three individuals whose roots reflect the enduring traditions and character of western life, while also recognizing the local families whose lives helped shape the history of the West.

The Six-Mile Sprint
Are you tuff enuff? Our new Bessie F. Tillett Tuff Enuff race consists of six miles across rough terrain including: hills, sagebrush, gullies, running water, dismount & leading your horse through a gate. This, first of it’s kind, six-mile endurance race will test you and your horses, grit, determination and teamwork. 

New Division: 1-Horse, 1-Rider
Do you think you and your horse make a good team? This winner is for one rider and one horse who stick it out for 6 chosen races. You must ride the same horse for each race… But consistency will ultimately crown the winner.

2nd Annual Song Writing Contest
More entries, more time, and a bigger audience to hear it all. We learned a lot from last year and are building on it, making this year’s storytelling run even deeper than before.

Mid-day BBQ and Awards Ceremony
After the dust settles, we’ll gather to celebrate all the wins and good times from the races. It’s a chance to relax, hang out, and enjoy the moment. But the fun isn’t over yet—stick around for the songwriting contest later in the day!

Where to Go &
What to Know

DIRECTIONS & PARKING
Exact Location Address: 2150 State Hwy 37, Lovell WY 82431
Turn Off Highway: 1009 State Hwy 37, Lovell WY 82431
GPS Coordinates: 44°57’43.9″N 108°17’08.5″W
Parking: TBD

RESTROOMS & HYGEINE
Restrooms: TBD
Handwashing Stations: TBD (bring your own to be safe)

REFRESHMENTS
Water Stations: TBD
BBQ After Horse Race: TBD
Location: TBD
Time: TBD

ACCESSIBILITY
Accessible Routes: Gravel road in with open dirt space
Facilities: Primitive – bring chairs, etc.

EVENT INTERNERARY
Thank you for a great 2026 Rendezvous! We are so excited and looking forward to the 2027 Rendezvous! Keep an eye out for updates about new events and activities here (on the website) or on our social media (Instagram: 4C_Adventure, Facebook: Crooked Creek CattleCo) 

CONTACT INFORMATION
Event Contact: RanchHand@CrookedCreekCompanies.com
On-Site Emergency Contact: TBD

Help Us Shape
the Future

What do you want to see next year?
Got an idea for a new race, contest, or event?
Share your thoughts and help us make the next Rendezvous even better.

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