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!
View past Spotlights
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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!!