The 2021 Jefferson Pro Rodeo, scheduled for September 24 and 25, will be hosted by family and friends of Becca Anderson with the net proceeds benefitting the Becca Anderson Memorial Scholarship Program dedicated in her memory.
Becca, a 2003 Jefferson High graduate, was very active in her church, school and community. She loved the outdoors, riding and competing horses, being a JHS majorette and a 4-year member of the Lady Dawg Softball team. Since her death in early 2004, scholarships have been awarded each year to a JHS graduating Senior as well as in the first 5 years to a member of her 2003 class. The scholarships, normally in the amount of $1,000.00, have been funded through the years by memorials, private donations, softball clinics, barrel races and beginning in 2019, the rodeo.
The event will be held at the Jefferson Livestock Association Arena, located 2 miles east of Jefferson on Highway 49. The action starts with the grand entry at 7:30 each night. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 12 and under and kids 3 and under get in free. Events include mutton bustin, bareback bronc, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, break-a-way roping, tie down roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. A kids calf scramble will be held for those 10 and under along with a scholarship calf scramble for high school aged students. Winning team members competing in the high school scramble will each receive $50.00 cash and a $200.00 scholarship to be applied towards dual credit courses or be payable when the student enters college or trade school.
New to the arena this year is Cheridyn Bateman, 14-year-old trick rider from Silver City, Oklahoma. The daughter of Jared and Dawn Bateman, she has been trick riding for 5 years and has performed at numerous rodeos as well as the Original Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show held annually at the Pawnee Bill Ranch in Pawnee, OK. Cheridyn recently competed in the 2021 3-C Arena Trick Riding Competition in Kinmundy, Illinois where she was crowned both the youth champion and overall high point champion. Outside of trick riding, Cheridyn enjoys all aspects of the western way of life and is very active in her church youth group.
Two raffles are being held with tickets available at the rodeo. For the avid hunter, one raffle is for a Savage 110 APEX Predator XP 308 Winchester rifle with a Vortex Crossfire II 4-12 X 44 MM scope. The second raffle is for two tickets to the LSU versus Texas A and M football fame at Tiger stadium, Saturday, November 27 plus one night’s stay at the local Holiday Inn. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00. Drawing will be held October 9.
The rodeo is produced by the Bergeron Rodeo Company of Lake Charles, Louisiana and is sanctioned through the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboy Association, Arkansas Rodeo Association and Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association. Slack competition for contestants not entered in the nightly performance will be held after the Friday night performance. All rodeo entries must be made online or by call in as stated on the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboy Association’s website.