The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Rob and Cathy Butts are #43 in the Peru Gazette’s photo series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live. Peru residents know Rob as a logger and Cathy as a Peru High School biology teacher.  Many people may not realize that for the past 21 summers Rob and Cathy’s hospitality has attracted hundreds of people to Peru. They come from both the local area and all over the northeast to compete in cattle penning and sorting sanctioned competitions at the Butts’ Cimarron Arena. This past weekend the Butts’ barn was surrounded by horse trailers from Maine, Canada, New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts. A few of the 80+ horses arrived as early as last Wednesday and some won’t be leaving until today (Monday). Six competitions were scheduled this summer at the Butts’ Cimarron Arena. 

L-R Leah, Rob and Molly Butts

Cathy Butts explained why they enjoy penning and sorting, “It’s a family sport. There aren’t a lot of sports that a grandparent, a grandkid and a mom can all do together. That’s the part we like the best.”  The Butts’ daughters Leah and Molly, who are now school teachers in Vermont, come home for the summer to help out. Preparation this year included trucking 240 young cattle to the arena from pastures in and around Peru. It’s not all work. Leah, Molly, and Rob all compete in several events each weekend. 

In team penning, three riders have 60 seconds to separate three same-numbered cattle from a herd of thirty and drive them into a small pen at the opposite end of the arena. In sorting, two or three riders attempt to sort ten cattle in numerical order and drive them through a gate and into a large pen. The action is fast-paced, with only a minute or two between events. The beautiful horses and riders’ skills are exciting to watch, and even though the riders are very competitive, they loudly cheer a good performance. Sportsmanship is one of the sport’s highest priorities. 

The events aren’t advertised, but Cathy Butts said, “If people hear about it and they stop by, that’s awesome.”  There’s a small grandstand and room for folding chairs. You don’t have to be on a horse to get a hot dog. You’ll see Peru’s beautiful orchards and the Green Mountains of Vermont in the distance.  Cimarron Arena is a very special place in Peru thanks to the hard work of Rob and Cathy Butts and their family. Click here to view several exciting weekend photos