http://www.cimarronarenahorseclub.com/

Cimarron Arena, 55 Clark Road, Peru, NY (2026)

09/26/2026

Summer is fading but the sunrises are still 💯 🍂

09/17/2026

Our hearts are saddened by the news of the passing of Bobby Atwood. We had the privilege of knowing and riding with Bobby and we send our deepest condolences to his family.

Years ago, Rob was able to convince Bobby to fly up here to northern New York, not just once, but twice to put on a clinic for us "backyard sorters and penners." Bobby did his best with us and our "gymkhana horses" and even made some real penners and sorters on those trips. It's impossible to know how many people are penning and sorting on the East Coast now, that were influenced by the man from Mississippi, but I am sure there are many.

After the second clinic, Rob convinced (he is awful good at convincing people to do things!) Bobby to stick around for a week, and travel to a big team penning with us and the Day family. The show was in Quebec and Bobby only rode with Rob and us girls. Well, we went up there and cleaned house! We won thousands of dollars, a bunch of trophies, and I think our penning career peaked that weekend (we were still in high school). We didn't know we were at the top of our game that weekend, but with Bobby as our partner, and our coach, we were unstoppable.

A few years later, Leah and I were in college and our parents didn't want us going off on some crazy "spring break." So he called up Bobby and convinced him to let us come stay the week with him and his wife in Mississippi. I am sure Bobby wasn't thrilled when I showed up with my barrel horse! We spent the week following Bobby around on the farm, taking lessons, and feeding cows. When Bobby needed a break we went to Dirt Cheap with Janice. I think we went to every Dirt Cheap in a 200 mile radius of Kosiusko.

I'll never forget the morning we were gathering cattle from a huge pasture with Bobby, and not having very good luck. We were on foot and every time the cows got close to the catch pen, a wild one would duck her head and take the herd off again. Well, after about the 6th time of this happening, Bobby asked Leah and I to "back up." So we backed up about 50 feet and said, "here?" He said, "no, keep going back." Well, we ended up backing up so far, we weren't even in the pasture anymore and he had us sit behind a pile of rocks while he got the cows in.

The pictures below are from our trip to Mississippi in 2008. Even though its been years since we have seen Bobby, we still cherish the memories, the advice, and the friendship that he gave us.

We pray that Bobby and Janice are rejoicing together in the presence of the Lord.

-The Butts Family