By Sharon Turano
Not only can spectators enjoy watching competitors vie for cash prizes at Triple D Rodeo, but they can also help the rodeo’s owners keep the sport they love kicking.
Owners of the rodeo are longtime friends Craig Dechow and Josh Delahoy along with Dechow’s brother-in-law Daryl Baker (Dechow, Delahoy, Daryl makes the 3 D’s). Craig was a bull rider when he was younger and has always had a love of bull riding and helping future bull riders learn the sport and processes involved with bull riding.
“We created an arena to help young bull riders have a place to come and be instructed as well as ride some bulls. From this spawned the idea to hey, let’s start having rodeos. In May of 2021 we kicked off with our first “Bulls and Barrels” rodeo event. We continued our 2021 season with just “Bulls and Barrels” events from May until October. The 2022 season started in May and we added team roping and breakaway roping to our events list. Our lineup of events for a rodeo includes (in no particular order) Mutton Bustin’ (sheep riding), children’s stick horse race, Jr bull riding (up to age 14), Jr barrel racing (up to 16 years old), novice bull riding, pro bull riding, pro barrel racing, team roping, and breakaway roping.”
“We would encourage everyone to come see the hard work and dedication these athletes put in this sport. Every show we have is a little different from the last, no two shows are the same. We have contestants participate from all over the country. The main core group comes typically from NY, PA, WV, OH, Maryland. Our cowboys and cowgirls come from all walks of life including: ranch hands, farmers, police officers, military members, firemen, EMT’S, construction workers, secretaries and so on.”
“The prizes we offer for bull riding (except for Jr bull riding), barrel racing, and roping events is money payback from entry monies plus “added” monies from Triple D (triple D adds money to “sweeten” the pot). We also have belt buckles made for end of the year individual winners of each event.”
“The contract acts you could see at any given rodeo might include any of the following: trick riding (on horseback), trick roping (very talented roper on ground displaying different ‘moves’ with a lasso, and having great rope control), funny rodeo clowns. We have a mechanical bull on site this year.”
Bull riding is when a rider sits down on a bull’s back and ties his hand into a rope and holds on as tight as he can for 8 seconds. If he stays on for a full 8 seconds without slapping the bull, he will get a score up to 50 points for cowboy and up to 50 points for bull based on quality of each athlete. Barrel racers take control of their horse to race a cloverleaf pattern in the fastest time to win prize money, Triple D hosts some of the best barrel racing cowgirls on the east coast. In breakaway roping cowgirls try roping a running calf and if they rope the calf, they stop their horse the calf continues to run until lasso breaks away from ribbon attached to cowgirl’s saddle. The fastest time wins a money prize. Team roping consists of a two-person team: a header and a heeler. The header attempts to rope a steer around the horns and bring steer around so the heeler can rope the steers back legs. The fastest time wins monetary prize. For roping events Triple D has teamed up with Sanderson Ranch (Tommy & Lori Sanderson). Sanderson Ranch provides all the roping stock and takes ‘call in’ for entries for team roping and breakaway roping. For bull riding we supplement our bulls with some bulls from Broken B Ranch (Tracy English) and Rank Catt Arena (Hunter and Brandy Baker). Triple D absolutely appreciates all the help we receive from these awesome contractors.”
Triple D crowds vary from rodeo to rodeo (mainly due to weather, but also other large entertainment venues having events). ‘Our crowds average between 500-1000 spectators.’Triple D would also like to thank all of our 2022 sponsors. Without them we just couldn’t do this. We also have the best volunteers helping us at each rodeo and everyday out at the ranch.”
Triple D Admission is $15 for adults, $7 for children 5-12-years-old. The rodeo is free for those 4-years-old and younger. The rodeo is located at 5902 Allegany Road in Cattaraugus, where gates open at 5pm, and the rodeo starts at 7pm. There are vendors, concessions and live music following the rodeo. The next rodeo will be July 15.