Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

PRCA Rodeo Planned

Some of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the nation are expected to descend upon Hope Sept. 24-28.

This will be for the 52nd Annual Southwest Arkansas District Livestock Show and Rodeo and a chance to earn points toward a possible trip to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas later this year.

Rodeo fans will also be delighted to hear the Sam Andrews Rodeo Co., of Bagwell, Texas, will supply some of the meanest, nastiest and most evil rodeo livestock in the nation for the event as well.

According to Don Fuller, SWAR district secretary, several head of Andrews' livestock headed for Hope also made the trip to Las Vegas last year for the NFR.

However, Bodacious, the Dodge bull, will not be on hand, as he has been put out to stud. Bodacious was only ridden twice in his career, once while suffering hoof injuries, and the other time in a muddy arena. Otherwise, no bull rider stayed on his back more than four seconds.

There will be a Dodge bull on hand, complete with bounty on its head, as Intrepid will be featured. This bull has only been ridden once this year, so the bounty on it is just $1,000. Hope Auto Co. is co-sponsoring the Dodge bull again this year.

Again, the SWAR Rodeo will be sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association.

Fuller said the stud fee on Bodacious is $500 and 500 samples have already been sold. Upon learning this, top bullrider Ty Murray reportedly said this means there will be 500 more little Bodaciouses out there.

For intermission this year, the SWAR district has brought back Rudy Burns, the "Crazy Cajun" and his act. In addition, Bree Worthington, of Weatherford, Texas, will be on hand to do Roman and trick riding on her paint horses. Worthington, 16, is the representative for the National Paint Horse Association.

This young lady has been in commercials for a major soft drink company as well as in movies.

Mike Mathis will call the rodeo from horseback inside the arena, which provides an added thrill for the cowboys and fans alike.

This year, Fuller said, the chutes have been rebuilt in the arena. In fact, the chutes will be exactly like the ones used in the NFR, with the exception of being a different color.

Two calf-ropers who competed in the Hope rodeo last year went on to become world champions. Fuller said he expects to have some of the top barrel racers down as well this year.

Getting the best bullriders in the country to come to Hope won't be too hard either, as the added premium has been doubled, with $4,500 added.

And this isn't all the attractions at the rodeo. Fuller said there will be two world class bullfighters on hand, risking life and limb to protect those who climb on back of the bulls.

The rodeo will be held Sept. 26-28.

Once again, Razorback Amusements will provide the rides and midway attractions.

Fuller said one thing for patrons to look for is armband day on Sept. 26. For one price, visitors can ride all the rides on the grounds. And this is a lot, because, he said, 26 rides are expected, including the new Silver Streak and Gravitron.

He said there will be a new merry-go-round for the younger set, along with a fun house for everyone.

Between 50 and 60 game booths are expected along the midway, with several food concessions planned as well.

As an added attraction, those who purchase rodeo tickets in advance will receive a coupon which will allow them to get inside the fairgrounds for $1. These rodeo tickets will cost $8.

There will also be something new for the show. Fuller said Cellular One in Hope is sponsoring a car audio show Sept. 28. The winner will have bragging rights with the best car stereo in the area.

This doesn't just mean the loudest stereo, but the one with the best sound quality as the highest volume.

The grand entry into the rodeo will be somewhat different this year. There will be no stickhorse entry, nor will any local riders be permitted to participate.

This, Fuller said, is because of PRCA rules and regulations prohibiting non PRCA members from participating. The PRCA, he said, has been sued when non-members were injured, so the organization changed its rules accordingly.

The grand entry will be led by Miss Rodeo Arkansas, Monica Eof Friday and Saturday nights.

Two other new items in this year's fair and rodeo will be a goat and rabbit show on Saturday. Fuller said these milk goats will be shown by contestants four-years-old. The only restriction is the goats cannot have horns.

The horse show, in its second year, will be held Saturday morning for those ages 9-19.

Last year approximately 1,300 entered the arts and crafts show. Fuller said the same amount, or more is expected this year.

And, last year, several hundred junior exhibitors paraded their livestock around the arena. This year, he said, some 600 junior exhibitors are expected. The junior exhibitors range in age from 9-19 and are members of either the 4-H Club or Future Farmers of America.

Fuller said between 400 and 500 fruit and vegetable entries are anticipated this year as well. Those planning to enter in this division are encouraged to bring their wares to Fair Park Sept. 22-23.

The Southwest Arkansas District Livestock Show and Rodeo also boasts the largest non-profit petting zoo in the state, Fuller said. This year will be no exception, and a number of exotic animals are expected back again as well.

But, everything kicks off at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 with the annual parade. Floats will be judged in open, queen and junior divisions.

All floats will line up at 6th and Elm streets, travel to Division, turn right, go to Main Street, take another right turn, go to Second, turn left and finish in the parking lot across from the Post Office.

Floats entering the competition must register by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, and be ready to line up by p.m.

The junior division floats will represent the FFA, FHA, 4-H, Student Council or other public school student organizations.

Open floats will consist of business, factory, commercial and civic clubs.

No all-terrain vehicles, either three wheelers or four wheelers, will be allowed in the parade unless they are being used to pull floats, and must be driven by an adult. No loud music is allowed from any float, and this year, no candy will be thrown from any float participant. This is to ensure the safety of those gathered to watch the parade.