Rodeo Is This Weekend
More than 250 cowboys and cowgirls are slated to participate in this weekend’s Shady Dale rodeo.
Set for this Friday, June 1, and Saturday, June 2, at 8 p.m. each night, the rodeo will feature bareback riding, saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, team roping, and barrel racing.
Competition is expected to last until the wee hours of Sunday morning, but the festivities wind down long before that.
Sponsored by the Walton Mason Lodge #200 and Jasper Lodge #50, corporate sponsors include Ginn Motor Co., Kem South, Tractor Supply, Hooper Trailer Sales, Hays Tractor & Equipment, and Pennington Seed. The rodeo is sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA), and livestock will be provided by the Southern Rodeo Company.
This year’s specialty act is Lindsey Wentworth from Ridge Spring, S.C. She is the wife of Mike Wentworth, rodeo clown.
Exposed to the professional side of cowboy life while growing up, Lindsey is young in years but a veteran in experience. As a small child she and her brother Ronnie, started performing as trick ropers with their grandparents, Dick and Lois Cory. Traveling hundreds of miles each summer they learned at an early age what the world of rodeo and entertaining audiences was all about.
Always with horses and cattle when at home on the ranch, Lindsey took to the contest side of rodeo as well, competing in High School Rodeo and making several trips to the National High School Finals. She has gone on to compete professionally in the Breakaway Roping event with several championships to her credit.
While she continues to rodeo as a contestant, Lindsey’s specialty is an exhibition of Trick and Fancy Rope Spinning. Because of the endless hours of study and practice involved, this style of roping has become somewhat of a vanishing art in recent years, and is carried on by only a few dedicated professionals. Growing up with a rope in her hand it was only natural for Lindsey to excel in this rich Western heritage of cowboy and cowgirl skill. Her act features the Spectacular Texas Skip, and a giant big loop called the Cowgirls Wedding Ring.
A versatile performer, Lindsey also includes Gun Spinning and Whip Handling in her routine, two more traditional Wild West skills of the American Cowgirl. Rodeo-goers both nights will have the opportunity to see her in action.
In addition to a great show, the rodeo will offer refreshments of all kinds, including the infamous baked goods of the Farm Bueau Women’s Committee.
On Saturday, the Shady Dale Community Club hosts a Rodeo Festival with arts and crafts, food, entertainment, and more. It begins at 10 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. The rodeo parade is slated for 3 pm. in Shayd Dale. Les Steele is grand marshal.
Admission to the rodeo is $15 for those 13 and up, $5 for those six to 12 years old, and free for those vive and younger. All proceeds go to Masonic charities which include hospitals and locally, numerous college scholarships.
