“THEY’RE OFF!” A popular event at the Woodford County Farm Bureau Rodeo was for kids under 12 to drop a shoe (or boot) in one of two piles at one end of the arena, and with the sound of a horn, to tear off running from the other end to retrieve it. The first to find their shoe and run to the rodeo clown was the winner. Ava Moore, a 6th grader from Lawrenceburg who was attending with her family and best friend, won. (Photo by Scott White)
THE COWGIRL’S BREAKAWAY event at the Woodford County Farm Bureau Rodeo was all about speed – – a mad dash from a running start, around a single barrel, and back in the fastest time. Looks simple, but horse skills and courage are paramount to success. (Photo Scott White)
LOLA DURBIN AND BOBBY GAFFNEY raised a ton of money for the Farm Bureau’s youth charities at its annual rodeo by keeping attendees cool with a mechanical homemade ice cream maker, which Gaffney and Jeremy Dotson built using a restored 1929 John Deere engine. (Photo by Scott White)
A FUTURE COWBOY rodeo champion or an ol’ cow hand who’ll wrangle ‘em on the Rio Grande? (Photo by Scott White)
By Scott White
Woodford Sun Staff
Report for America corps member
Despite stifling, unseasonably high temperatures, the Woodford County Farm Bureau’s fourth annual rodeo, held last Friday and Saturday nights, was a big success.
Farm Bureau President Jeremy Dotson estimated attendance at about 1,200, which he said doesn’t include “well over a hundred volunteers.”
The audience was treated to two nights of Kentucky High School Rodeo Association (KHSRA) competition, where the high school cowboys and cowgirls competed in 10 separate events, each night being its own competition. Not only are they competing for statewide championships, but the points they accrue count in the National High School Rodeo standings, with the top-statewide winners going on to compete at the national rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska, next summer.
The Woodford County Farm Bureau Rodeo has grown to be the biggest and best-attended rodeo of the KHSRA’s season, according to Rodeo Secretary Sara Helphenstine.
The events were thrilling. In person, it was easy to appreciate and wonder at the speed, skill and horsemanship the cowboys and cowgirls displayed as they competed. Events included: steer wrestling, barrel racing, ribbon roping of calves, goat tying and bull riding.
“I’m glad we only do this once a year,” Dotson laughed while de-briefing on this year’s event. “It takes an enormous amount of work, and all the credit goes to our volunteers. Everyone really came together again to make it happen.”
Dotson noted that on Thursday morning, due to the heavy storms that had passed through, the arena grounds were basically underwater. Farmers from around the county dropped what they were doing and showed up to get things ready for the weekend. In particular, Dotson said Al Oakland showed up with stone and R.W. Hicks brought a dozer. By building trenches and using skilled grading, the arena was all set when the Mutton Busters (kids under 8 trying to ride an adult ewe) hit the chute at 6 p.m.
Besides the rodeo itself, the event felt like a community get-together. A group of high schoolers, none wearing FFA T-shirts, said they attended both nights, paying the $20 admission, as it was a lot of fun to hang out and see friends.
“Even given the heat, just so many different types of folks came out; it brings folks from all over the county out,” said Dotson.
Of course, the heat did help one new addition – a homemade ice cream maker which was powered by a 1929 John Deere engine restored by Bobby Gaffney and Dotson.
Plans are already underway for next year’s rodeo, and the date has already been booked for the same August weekend. So, for all you wannabe cowboys and cowgirls, keep those boots and hats handy.