By Jerry W. Kram

MHA Times Reporter

            As the outdoor rodeo season winds down with various rodeo circuits wrapping up their finals, Marvin Driver thought it might be a good idea to send some cowboys home with a little extra money in their pocket. That’s why he organized the Driver Open Rodeo held on Labor Day at the Healing Horse Ranch near Parshall. The rodeo was open to anyone willing to pay the entry fee and get on a horse.

            “You don’t have to have a card to get into this rodeo,” Driver said. “Labor Day is kind of like the Cowboy Christmas. There are a lot of rodeos going on. We were lucky to get this many cowboys especially in the rough stock. Rough stock has been down lately, but today was good. I appreciate the guys coming down and taking part.”

            The rodeo was a chance for Driver to get a look at some of the stock he usually doesn’t take to other rodeos.  “We brought a lot of the horses we’ve hardly ever used,” Driver said. “It was pretty good and exciting to watch. I raised half of the horses we used here. I acquired the other horses who bucked here today from friends. The horses that I brought for bucking here are from my breeding program. Rodeo is deeply rooted in the Driver family. Marvin and his family carry on the work his father started more than 80 years ago.

            “Back in the 1930s my father ran maybe 600-700 head of horses,” Driver said. “People encouraged him to put on one of these rodeos so he did. So he did rodeos all over, Stanley, Elbowoods, Van Hook, Ray had a rodeo for a few years, Rice Lake, and he took some horses to Minot one time. So those were all back in the 30s and we always had horses in the family.”

            When Driver retired he devoted himself to horses and rodeo. “I’ve been going at it since then,” he said. “I enjoy it and it’s something to look forward to. It keeps you moving all the time.” As always, no one puts on a rodeo alone, and Driver was very grateful to the Healing Horse Ranch and all the volunteers who made the Driver Open possible. “A lot of friends and relatives come down to help out with the rodeo,” he said. “Even before I can ask, they ask if they can come and help out.”

            Sponsors put out an additional $24,000 in prize money for the rodeo. Driver said they have also contributed to his next rodeo coming up in October. He is already planning for another Labor Day rodeo in 2025.