Final cutting, banquet this weekend

The Central Wyoming Cutting Club will host its final cuttings for the year March 16, 17 and 18.

The goal of the Central Wyoming Cutting Club is to create a fun, relaxed atmosphere for horses and riders of all skill levels to participate in and enjoy the wonderful sport of cutting.

Cuttings are once a month, November through March, and the club has members from all over Wyoming, as well as other states including Montana, Colorado and Utah. The club also supports the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association by having the senior youth class count toward the high school standings.

The club began back in 1989, and has hosted cuttings here every year since. They have used 742,500 cattle in that time, getting them for $10 a head from local ranchers such as Josh and Holli Longwell, Arnold Pennoyer and Jerry Lake. Not only do those ranchers see an economic boost, but Thermopolis does as well with competitors staying at hotels, pumping gas, trucking horses and eating here. On average, there are about 70 competitors per cutting, depending on the weather.

This Saturday will also be the club’s annual awards banquet at the Days Inn, with a social at 6:30 p.m. and a meal at 7 p.m. The awards presentation will follow the meal.