Cowboys 'round up' annual SMR Cup

In a sight forecasting a slew of weekend events meant to highlight a rivalry between Lakewood Ranch cowboys and polo players, cowboys from Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch this morning drove 100 head of cattle across the eastermost stretch of University Parkway.

Cowboys will compete against players from the Sarasota Polo Club this weekend during the annual SMR Cup, which began in 1991.

Cowboys and polo players will compete in fishing, skeet shooting, roping and team penning, horse racing and polo during the two-day competition.

Select events are open to the public.

East County residents can watch the roping and team penning portion of the event from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, at an arena in the back portion of the Sarasota Polo Club.

Polo players and cowboys will play two chukkers of polo at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, at the polo club. And the final event, a horse race, will be held during halftime at Sunday's SMR Cup polo match. The match starts at 1 p.m. and the race will be held around 1:45 p.m.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].