The third annual Becca Anderson Memorial Rodeo, held this past weekend, delivered on entertainment, kid participation and rodeo action. The pro rodeo is the major fundraiser for the Becca Anderson Memorial Scholarship Program.
The event started with the riderless horse tribute honoring not only Becca but those connected with the production of the rodeo and who have gained their angel wings since the rodeo began in 2019. Those remembered were classmate and lifelong friend Kim Cannon, Marion County Commissioner Joe McKnight, Marion County Sheriff David McKnight, Judy McCalister and Stock Contractor Jim Bergeron.
In true rodeo tradition, prayer, National Anthem and Grand Entry lead into non-stop action beginning with saddle and bareback broncs, team roping, steer wrestling, tie down and break-a-way roping, barrel racing and finally bull riding. Mixed in between these normal rodeo events were the crowd thrilling mutton busting, kids’ stick horse races, calf scramble and the high school scholarship calf scramble. Teams entered in the scholarship calf scramble proudly represented Jefferson, Harleton and McLeod School Districts.
Winners of the mutton belt buckle, sponsored by Bergeron Rodeo Company, were Levi Glover and Bleu Snowden. The best riders in the stick horse races were Emory Calhoun, Ian Hellie, Jett Shaw and Emma Fisher. Prizes for the stick horse winners were sponsored by Kenlah Sacthleben & CM Services.
Competition was pretty tough between the scholarship scramblers. Students were battling to be one of the first two teams to catch, properly halter and get their calf into the winners’ circle for $50.00 cash and a $200.00 scholarship. Friday night winners were team Will Baldwin and Avery Moore (JISD) and Lane Woods and Heath Shelton (combo team Harleton & McLeod). Saturday night winners were Jaylee Downs and Brayden Bascombe (McLeod) and Vanessa Bautista and KeShawn Whitaker (JISD). The students may apply the scholarship funds to either high school dual credit courses or college/trade/apprenticeship expenses.
The Red Dirt Riders Drill Team, based out of Texarkana, performed each night, posted flags in the Grand Entry and presented the sponsor flags between events. Rodeo Clown Preston Broxson, 3-time LRCA and 2-time UPRA nominee for Rodeo Contract Act of the Year entertained the crowd all evening, especially with his ambulance act.
Area rodeos were well represented by their queens and princesses. The young ladies assisted with the Grand Entry, sponsor flags and the presentation of Old Glory during the National Anthem. Those in attendance were Miss Gladewater Rodeo Kallie Rogers, Miss Paris Rodeo and Horse Club Kaitlyn Hutchison, Miss Mineola Fire Department Rodeo MaKayla Mitchell, Miss Paris Rodeo and Horse Club Princess Jentri Hill and Jr. Miss Mineola Fire Department Kaetynn Santellan.
The Rodeo Committee’s goal is to provide great entertainment while raising funds to assist our youth in their educational needs and career pursuits.