MEET OUR 2026 CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTANTS!

Left to right: Jerry Jones, Scott Wiswell, Betty Burlingham, Tim Keane, Randall Walker 

Congratulations to our 2026 Kansas Cowboy Poetry Contest winners !

SERIOUS POETRY:

1 -Tim Keane

2 - Randall Walker

3 - Scott Wiswell

HUMOROUS POETRY:

1 - Tim Keane

2 - Scott Wiswell

3 – Betty Burlingham

We had a record turnout for the Kansas Cowboy Poetry Championship in Manhattan on July 24th.  Our thanks to the Flint Hills Discovery Center for hosting this event, and to all the sponsors who make it possible.  Pictured above are the final contestants, who made it to the finals by qualifying in our regional rounds in Hays and Cottonwood Falls in May and June. 

2026 REGIONAL ROUNDS WERE IN HAYS & COTTONWOOD FALLS

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HAYS WINNERS:

Both the Serious and the Humorous categories had the same winners, who advanced to our finals in Manhattan on July 24th:

First Place: Jerry Jones

Second Place: Scott Wiswell

Third Place: Betty Burlingham

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COTTONWOOD FALLS WINNERS:

SERIOUS CATEGORY: 

First Place: Pete King ~   Second Place: Randall Walker ~   Third Place: John Marks

HUMOROUS CATEGORY:

First Place: Tim Keane ~   Second Place: Pete King ~   Third Place: John Marks

Contestants in the Kansas Cowboy Poetry Contest perform their own original poems in person. 

There are two divisions:  Serious and Humorous.  Contestants may enter both.

The two regional contests in Hays and Cottonwood Falls determine the top qualifiers in each division who go on to compete in the State Final in Manhattan. State champions at the finals receive the Saddlejack Bradrick Award, the coveted Governor’s Buckle, discounts and gift certificates from leading western wear stores, and free membership in the International Western Music Association - Kansas Chapter.