Ted Nuce lives in the Cowboy Capital of the World.

No, not Oakdale, but Stephenville, Texas that claims the same moniker.

Nuce, a 1979 Manteca High graduate and 1985 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s would champion bull rider, is appearing at the Ropin’ on the River rodeo today and Sunday at Dell’Osso Farms off Interstate 5 in Lathrop.

Nuce headed to Texas after he got married after growing up and hitting the big time in Manteca. His bride hails from the Lone Star state.

“Stephenville is like Oakdale used to be,” Nuce said Thursday. “There are cowboys all over the place.”

And by cowboys he means rodeo athletes and rodeo legends including the Michael Jordan of rodeo himself, Ty Murray, who lives just down the road from Nuce.

Murray is the most accomplished rodeo athlete in the century-long history of the sport earning a record setting seven All-Around World Companionship titles.

This weekend’s rodeo offers opening ceremonies, bull riding, bronc riding, and timed roping events.  Winners will be presented a cash prize and/or a buckle. There will be two youth events as well -  junior barrel racing for youth 12 and under and Mutton Bustin’, for youth 3 to 6 or under 60 pounds.

An old-fashioned western family barbecue is the featured event is today starting at 11 a.m. The Knights of Columbus will be serving pulled pork BBQ sandwich, home-style potato salad, corn on the cob, drink and dessert.  The cost of the barbecue is $25 for a family of four, or $8 per ticket.  

The California Cowboys Pro Rodeo Association is making this one of the few double point rodeos for competitors which means the action will definitely be worth the admission at $20 for adults, $15 for children ages 3-12, and $15 for seniors. The rodeo is a benefit for the free tutoring programs of Give Every Child a Chance.

There are still a lot of things to see and enjoy before going into the arena. Family entertainment features vendor and concession booths; Cowboy Church on Sunday at 10 a.m.; Clydesdale Exposition; pony rides; souvenir shopping in the Country Store; and Dell’Osso Family Farm signature attractions such as the zip lines and petting zoo.

Stephenville backs up its cowboy claim

Stephenville backs up its Cowboy claim by declaring that Erath County is the home of more professional cowboys and cowgirls, per square mile, than anyplace else on the planet.

According to the Texas town’s Chamber of Commerce Stephenville is one of several cities across the nation that refer to themselves as the “Cowboy Capital of the World.”

Others include Dodge City, Kansas, Banderas, Texas and Oakdale, California.

Oakdale had the first outdoor rodeo in the West, started early in the 1950s.

Banderas, Texas got its start as a staging area for the great cattle drives of yesteryear. The town is known for its “dude” ranches which came into being when ranching fell upon hard times.

Dodge City, Kansas is known by several nicknames including Queen of the Cowtowns, Wickedest Little City in America and Buffalo Capital of the World.

Stephenville, Texas is located in what’s referred to as the Cross Timbers region of the state some 70 miles south of Fort Worth and almost two hours from Abilene.

The Cross Timbers region has been a thoroughfare to the American cowboy since Americans crossed the Mississippi westward. The lush, timbered basins of the Trinity, Brazos and Bosque Rivers (the timber ranges “crossed” at this juncture, hence the name “Cross Timbers”) yielded thousands of unbranded Longhorn cattle. Essentially, it’s where the longhorns came to graze. The famous Goodnight-Loving trail originated from the Cross Timbers region; the Great Western Trail passed right through the heart of the Cross Timbers area.