Cowboys and cowgirls didn’t let a little cold and rain stop them from attending the first night of the Columbia County Pro Rodeo on Friday, April 7.
The two-day event is an International Professional Rodeo Association event with Hedrick Rodeo Company as the stock contract. During the rodeo there were several events, including mutton busting, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, trick riding, breakaway roping, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and a calf scramble for the kids.
For Beth Rodgers, it was her first time at a rodeo, and she didn’t know what to expect but was excited for her first time.
“My daughter’s sister is in a rodeo, so I thought this would be a fun time for her,” Rodgers said.
Kasey Harrison said her favorite part of the rodeo is seeing the bull riding.
Gregory Pharr, a member Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association who was one of the sponsors for the rodeo, said he has been to several rodeos. The organization was helping with the opening ceremony and the flags.
“I just love it all,” Pharr said.
The rodeo is a fundraiser for The Old Frontier in Thomson and is raising money for the therapeutic riding facility being built, Chris Smith, president of the board of directors for The Old Frontier previously told The Augusta Press.
The Old Frontier offers a therapeutic riding program by helping people connect with a horse, Smith said.
“We’re teaching horsemanship, and we’re teaching them to ultimately get on and ride the horse,” Smith said. “All of that is therapy, just being with an animal is therapy, just being able to connect with nature. Equine therapy is real powerful, how a horse will connect with you, some horses don’t connect with some people and vice versa, so you find the right horse for the right person.”
Money raised at previous rodeos has helped build a building where attendees can wait, and the money raised at the upcoming rodeo will go toward building ADA bathrooms and a viewing area inside the barn, Smith said.
For more information, visit https://theoldfrontier.com.
