Cowboys of All Kinds Compete in Cattle-Penning Event for Charity

They wore tight-fitting jeans, Western boots and cowboy hats. Some added leather bomber jackets to complete the rugged look as they and their horses drove herds of cattle into a metal pen.

No, this wasn’t the set of the hit film “City Slickers” or a scene from “Dallas.” This was a real live cowboy event at the new Creekside Equestrian Center, where about a thousand people gathered over the weekend to watch celebrities, professionals and local families compete in the 10th annual San Juan Capistrano Team Penning Championship.

“It’s a premier penning event,” said John Squire of Hemet, who placed second and third in two events Saturday. “This is a sanctioned event that attracts professional riders. It’s nice to compete with the best.”

Squire was among 250 people who rode in breezy, 65-degree weather during the two-day event and competed for several cash prizes. Officials said more than $20,000 was given out in all, along with silver buckles, silver bracelets and spurs, all donated by local businesses.

Penning combines horsemanship and intuition into 90 seconds of excitement and riding skill. Three riders on a team must remove three cows with the same assigned number from a herd of 30 and steer them into a pen.

The San Juan Capistrano competition, which began as a fund-raiser for local charities, is one of the largest in the Southwest and attracts riders of all ages and skill levels from around the country.

Penners pay a $125 entry fee, two-thirds of which goes into the cash pot for the winners, Kreitzen said.

This year’s profits will be shared by the county’s “Drug Use Is Life Abuse” program and the Fran Joswick Therapeutic Riding Center here. Last year, $8,000 was donated to the center, according to Jan Kreitzen, show manager.

“It’s a way of giving back to the community,” said DeeDee Gates, event organizer.

“Penning has become popular and is a great sporting event. It has action and competition, but everyone roots for each other,” she said.

In fact, Gates said, it is not unusual to see teams with generations of family members riding side by side.

“This is the spirit of the sport,” she said.

The celebrity category, added for the first time this year, attracted 15 television and film stars Sunday. Among them were Richard Roundtree of the TV show “Shaft” and daytime soap stars Peter Brown and husband-wife team Hunter and Michael Tylo.

Glynn Thurmon, a math professor on the TV show “A Different World” and rodeo champion, has participated in several penning events here and was on hand Sunday. He says he keeps coming back because the sport is “easy on the horses.”

For Reginald Dorsey, former cast member of “21 Jump Street,” penning is a release from acting.

“It gives me a chance to relax and meet good people,” he said.