SDRA
Spotlight on Dorothy Bligh
August
2005 - When going through some of the records of the SDRA,
there are many names of people who were instrumental in keeping
the SDRA strong through its growing years. There are some names
that keep popping up over and over again, one of those names is
Dorothy Bligh. Dorothy was a strong SDRA competitor in the
barrel racing during the 70’s up until her horse was injured in
1977. Dorothy then took leave from the arena and tried her hand
quite successfully in the behind the scenes action.
Dorothy was
in charge of the central entry in its infancy from 1979 to 1987.
Prior to starting the central entry system, contestants sent
their entry fee (which was usually $10) in an envelope with a
letter stating when you wanted up at that rodeo. There was no
call backs at that time, you just showed up at the rodeo hoping
you got to go. This became a large problem for committees and
contractors, who never knew how many animals to bring or how
many contestants to prepare for.
When some of
her peers were asked to describe Dorothy, some of the most
popular words were fair and equal. To Dorothy when she was in
the central entry office, it didn’t matter if you were her best
friend or last year’s champion or just the new rookie, you had
the same fair & equal chance as the other person for drawing up
at a rodeo and the contestants really appreciated it. Another
word would have to be good. One remarked “Dorothy is well known
to all as a friendly, honest and sincere person, it would be
hard to find a more all around “good” person.”
Dorothy was
also the SDRA secretary from 1981 to 1984 and from 1985 to 1986
she was the first and only woman vice president of the SDRA.
When asked about working for the SDRA, she commented “the reason
you take the job of secretary is certainly not for the money but
for your dedication to the job and your great interest in the
SDRA and the people you meet”
“SDRA was a
very big part of my life for a lot of my years, it was even
instrumental in bringing my husband and I together”, she
remarks. Dorothy met her husband, Evan (who is also a former
SDRA director and officer) at Lower Brule in 1963 when she had a
flat tire on her trailer and he stopped to help her. This became
the start of a wonderful relationship that even after 30 years,
is the envy of all who know them. Evan and Dorothy operate a
cow, calf yearling operation 7 miles out of Norris. They also
raise some pretty good horses! Dorothy is also know as the
“unhired” hired hand at the ranch, if it involves riding a horse
you can bet she is there.
Growing up
in the mountains of Colorado it was easy for a little girl to
get hooked on horses, one of Dorothy’s first horses was a black
mare that she was allowed to ride as much as she wanted as long
as she didn’t use a saddle, mom was afraid she would get hung
up. She even won the Best dressed cowgirl in a parade at the age
of 8 with her mare.
After
graduating from Black Hills State University with a teaching
degree, she started rodeoing, her first win was at a SDRA
rodeo in 1969, she credits Connie Stinson Price with helping her
out. One of her most embarrassing moments was when she was
barrel racing at Minot and the latigo broke on her saddle going
around the first barrel leaving her sitting in the dirt with her
saddle still under her, and there are some that still like to
tease her about it today.
She is once
again competing, this time in the NBHA Sr. divisions and is
enjoying some success there, and of course rides a horse that
was bred, born and raised on their ranch.
Dorothy
tackles everything in her life with an energy and passion that
is unbelievable, she is a true lady and a class act that is hard
to follow!
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SDRA
NEWS RELEASE
Oct. 2004 -
The 2004 SDRA Finals was a great success with their new move to
the SD State Fairgrounds in Huron. The Finals were held October
8-10 with the rodeo in the Beef Complex building and hosting
large crowds and great rodeo action. The Dakota Cowboy Christmas
Trade Show was held in the Expo Building with many new and
interesting booths and very successfully pleased all attending.
It was a beautiful morning on Sunday for the Special Events kids
and their rides.. A grand time was held by the kids, the
horseback riders, wagon drivers and the spectators!!
The jackpot
Breakaway Ropings , NBHA Barrel Racings. Team Ropings and Team
Sorting were added events to the Finals on Saturday and were of
great enjoyment to all participating and watching.
Dan Pirrung,
Hartford will be the new SDRA President with Lance Lesmeister of
Eagle Butte as Vice-President.
The 2004 SDRA
Rodeo Season will conclude with the 50th Annual SDRA Banquet to
be held this year at the Yellow Rose in Platte, SD on Saturday,
November 20. A Director’s Meeting will be held at 1:00 pm
followed by a General Membership Meeting at 2:00 pm. Social Hour
will begin at 5:00 pm followed by the Banquet and Awards
Presentation at 6:00 pm.
The South Dakota
Rodeo Association will be celebrating it’s 50 Anniversary in
2005!!
