Calf Scramble

You’ll hoot and holler at this spirited, hilarious and heartwarming, event at the Snake River Stampede. Every year calves are released in the arena, darting every direction on the youth scramble to catch, halter and lead the heifer across the finish line to be declared a winner. The calf scramble is held at the Saturday Matinee performance of the Snake River Stampede each year.

While entertaining, the calf scramble is more than just an event, it’s an investment in our youth and the future of Idaho Agriculture, the legacy of our heritage.

  • The Calf Scramble works in partnership with local 4-H and FFA clubs, encouraging the participation of high school students in agricultural projects and each winner receives a $1,500.00 certificate towards the purchase of a purebred beef or dairy heifer that is raised with supervision from local 4-H and FFA advisors.
  • We have expanded the applicants’ age group.  In years past, applicants were to be 14, 15 or 16 as of the date of the Calf Scramble.  Beginning this year, kids ages 12-17 as of July 20th, 2023 (the date of this year’s scramble) may apply!

The winners are then required to return to the Snake River Stampede the following year to show their heifer at the Calf Scramble Livestock Show. They are also encouraged to show their heifer at local county fairs and other local breed shows.

The Calf Scramble event was established in 1999 and has since donated over $250,000 to encourage free enterprise, responsibility, and educational opportunity for the youth of the Treasure Valley. The Calf Scramble Committee believes this vital program enables young people to enter the field of agriculture, and we are pleased to support this important youth program in Idaho.

How to Participate

So, do you think you have the mooooooooves to catch a cow?

Each year we select about 25 youth to compete for 10+ $1500 vouchers that will allow you to purchase beef or dairy heifer for your 4-H or FFA project during the following school year.

To apply for consideration, you must be between the age of 12 and 17 at the start of the calendar year, you must be enrolled in high school for the school year beginning after the Rodeo, commit to the requirements of the Calf Scramble and 4-H or FFA programs, AND complete an application before the enrollment deadline.

Any previous Calf Scramble winner may not apply a second time. In the event that we have more than 30 eligible applications, we will hold a drawing to narrow the total to 25 contestants for the 2023 Calf Scramble events. You can download the application, general rules and arena rules on this page.

2023 Application Submission deadline: 6/30/2023

Applications and questions can be directed to: Robin Wylie Lindquist rwl1056@gmail.com

How to Support

Would you like the opportunity to allow our local youth to:

  • Have the chance to experience animal ownership
  • Take responsibility for the care and companionship of an animal
  • Learn, record, and report on the health, caretaking and wellbeing of an animal
  • Have an opportunity to practice public speaking and showmanship skills
  • And, collaborate and mentor young youth to learn and enjoy more about agriculture? 

The Calf Scramble is possible thanks to the generous support of many individuals and businesses like you. The Snake River Stampede Youth Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, offers sponsorship levels that range from $100 to $5,000 and are tax-deductible. Sponsorship benefits may include:

  • Name and recognition as a sponsor of the Snake River Stampede Calf Scramble
  • Tickets to the Snake River Stampede
  • Tickets to the Buckaroo Breakfast (during the Calf Scramble Livestock Show)
  • Periodic newsletters from the Snake River Stampede Calf Scramble Committee 

Calf Scramble Sponsors

Calf Scramble Release Form

THIS AGREEMENT MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED BEFORE THE CONTESTANT WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE.

I, or we, 

OR

(hereinafter "Parents/Guardians," parents of ...

("Contestant") a minor, do hereby consent and agree to the participation of Contestant in the calf scramble of the Snake River Stampede Rodeo, (SRS").

County Extension Agent or Agricultural Science Teacher

RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, for being allowed entry into and participation in the Calf Scramble Event (the “Event”) associated with the SRS, the undersigned hereby enter into this RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) as of the date set forth below. 

  1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISKS: The undersigned recognize and understand that there are risks associated with Contestant’s participation in the Event including, but not limited to, bodily injury or death to persons and damage to property.  The undersigned further acknowledge and understand that they will be held liable and responsible for any and all damage to persons, livestock, vehicles, property and/or improvements to property that is caused by them and/or any persons (including, but not limited to, Contestant) under their care and control, and that arise out of, or are related to, Contestant’s participation in the Event.
  2. APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE OF RELEASE AND INDEMNITY: The undersigned, individually and collectively, (the “Releasors”) do hereby release, acquit and discharge Releasees (SRS, its officers, affiliates, agents, representatives and employees) and from any and all claims incidental to or arising from the Contestant’s participation in this Event. This Agreement is intended to include and cover all claims of every nature and kind whatsoever the undersigned may have against Releasees.

Releasors’ indemnify the Releasees and agree to hold Releasees harmless from any and all claims having to do with, or in any way arising out of, the participation by Contestant in the Event. Releasees intend to be protected from possible claims by third parties for contribution and/or indemnification and/or subrogation arising from the said incident and that Releasors do hereby agree to save and hold harmless Releasees from any such claim.

  1. RELEASORS’ JUDGMENT: The Releasors rely wholly upon Releasors’ judgment, belief, and knowledge of the nature, extent, effect, of Contestant’s participation in the Event, and that this release is made without relying upon any statement or representation of Releasees.
  2. ENTIRE RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION: Releasors further declare and represent that no promise, inducement, or agreement not herein expressed has been made to the Releasors and that this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto and that the terms of this Agreement are contractual and not a mere recital.
  3. PHOTOGRAPH/INTERVIEW RELEASE: Releasors consent to the photographing or interviewing of Contestant in connection with this Event. Such photograph or interview may be made public through media and the Releasors understand and agree to a general release and indemnification pursuant to this paragraph as more particularly set forth above.

        The Releasors have read the within and foregoing Release and Indemnity Agreement and fully understand the same. This Agreement binds the heirs, executors, successors-in-interest, and assigns of the respective parties hereto.  

Signatures of Parents\Guardians and Contestants MUST BE THEIR OWN.

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Calf Scramble Sponsorship Form

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* The Snake River Stampede Youth Foundation is a Not-For-Profit 501C3 Organization.

Sponsorship must be received by June 1st in order for patron benefits to be recognized for the current year rodeo.

Call David Temple at (208) 867-3193 for additional information on sponsorship packages.

Calf Scramble Application

Questions?  Call Susan Robbins at 208-761-8204 or Robin Lindquist at 208-250-6456

Before submitting this application be sure:

  1. On the date of July 20th, 2023, you will be at least 12 years old and no older than 17 years old.
  2. You have read and understand the general rules and arena rules that were included with the Calf Scramble announcement.
  3. You will be able to attend the contestants’ meeting Monday, July 17th, 7:00 pm at the Idaho Center.
  4. You will be able to participate in the Calf Scramble the evening of Thursday, July 20th.
  5. You will be able to attend the Winners’ mandatory meeting in August (tbd).
  6. You have obtained the required signatures requested below.
  7.  Any previous CS winner may not compete a second time.

Application must be received by June 30th.

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