Rodeo Draws Big Crowd
Thousands of fans turned out last weekend for the 22nd annual Shady Dale Rodeo.
The rodeo, presented by the local Masonic lodges, Jasper Lodge No. 50 and Walton Lodge No. 200, doubles the population of the county when rodeo competitors and fans invade the small north Jasper town of Shady Dale the first weekend in June each year. It also raises money for local scholarships and numerous Masonic charities.
More than $26,000 in prize money was awarded as a result of the action this weekend. Saturday night’s crowd is estimated to be the biggest ever, as the organizers had to close the gates to the grounds…there was no room for any more cars.
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The arena was muddy, which would contribute to bad times, but they had some of the best times ever, according to Wes Chester. He credits this to the quality of talent at the rodeo. Cowboys and cowgirls registered for competition from 26 states.
The top prize in bull riding was shared by Rusty Butler and Shane Honeycutt, who walked away with $1,371.72 each for their scores of 79. They both competed Friday night. Jason Massey placed third and took home nearly $800, and fourth place went to Trey Antee, who collected nearly $400.
The person taking home the most money for one individual was Codi Baucom of North Carolina, who ran a 15.223 in the barrel racing event. She collected $1,395, a prize she and her horse earned for competing so well in a soft, extremely muddy arena. There was a tie for second place between Kathy Fuhry and Leslie Willis who both circled the barrels in 15.401 seconds. They each took home $915.77. Behind them, Shawna Bourne collected $523, and Jamie Jones took home $392. In sixth place was Michelle Harris who collected $218, for her time of 15.856 seconds.
Another big winner was Jeff Jones who collected $1,019 for his performance in calf roping. Cole Bailey placed second, and won $764; Stewart Gulager was third, taking home $573; Allen Livengood placed fourth, $382, followed by Rand Cory taking home $288, and Nick Collins leaving with $160.
Josh Austin placed first in steer wrestling with a time of four seconds flat, taking home $1,136. Stewart Gulager was second, winning $852. Blake Goode and Colby Stufflebean tied for third with a time of 4.2 seconds, and collected $533 each. Fifth place went to Mark Mundy who collected $320, and Josh Anderson placed sixth, receiving $178 for his efforts.
Joe McCales placed first in the saddle bronc riding with a 74, earning $983. Shawn Minor was second, netting $855.
Brian Massey took first in bareback riding, scoring an 81, to win $773. Jason Dover was second with a 79, taking down $580. Josh Cragor placed third with a 77, and he won $389. Shawn Minor placed fourth, winning $193.
Lastly the team roping competitors were impressive. Dustin Buchanon and Arky Rogers took first place with a time of 3.5 seconds, to win $715 each. Second place went to Frank Graves and Derick Freeman, who took home $558 each for their time of 3.7. Placing third were Jason Hill and Manny Cunde, who each received $417. Fourth place went to Richard Traylor and Ashlee Sweden-burg for their time of 3.9 seconds. They took home $278 each. In fifth place was the team of Jake Weddle and Shawn Harris, who took home $209 each for their time of 4.3 seconds. The last team in the money was Luke Brown and Brad Culpepper who took home $116 each for their time of 4.4.
One highlight of the rodeo is always about midway through when the children are invited into the arena to try to pull the ribbon off a calf’s tail. Three calves are released, and the children, who are lined up at one end, try to get the ribbon off the calf.
This year the children could barely walk in the arena as the mud was so thick. As many children removed their shoes that were sticking in the mud, a rodeo clown reminded them that mud wasn’t the only thing making the arena brown. It was a mess. But, both nights children were successful, winning $15, $10, and $5.
Visitors to the rodeo had the opportunity to enjoy barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, fresh home-baked goods, popsicles, peanuts and soft drinks.