Crowds turn out for rodeo

Cowboys and cowgirls competed in the seventh annual Southeastern Professional Rodeo Association held last Friday and Saturday. 

The two-night event, held at the Southern Pines Ag Center, allowed fans to watch bareback riding, saddleback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

“It was about standing room only on Saturday,” said Joel Prawucki, president/CEO at Easterseals Middle Georgia. “I was pleasantly surprised. We had more presale tickets than we’ve ever done. Concessions were great, and the food vendors were happy. All of the vendors said it was the best weekend they have ever had here.”

The weather was good, too.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better weekend,” Prawucki said. 

Jamie Osbrink returned to announce and Colt Hartt, also known as Colt 45, served as the rodeo clown. Tim Lepard and Team Ghost Riders was the specialty act in which people saw monkeys riding dogs who penned sheep.

“We had a great weekend there and a great rodeo,” said Bill Hudson, owner of Double Creek Rodeo Company. “Tim Lepard and Team Ghost Riders is something that you don’t see on this side of the Mississippi River a lot. It’s a true speciality act. I don’t remember seeing him do this in Georgia the last few years. He’s worth the price of the ticket. Anytime you can watch a monkey ride a dog and put a sheep on the back of a truck, that’s fun to watch. The crowd was into it. 

“The bottom line is we raised a lot of good money for a really good cause. … I believe it was something that Joel pointed out in that we had a younger crowd come out this year. That’s good.”

With other rodeos taking place the same weekend, Hudson was happy with the competition. 

“This is a pro rodeo,” Hudson said. “This is the best of the best.” 

Sponsors played an important part in the rodeo. The presenting sponsor for the event was Georgia United Credit Union who made a $10,000 contribution. 

“They have been amazing,” Hudson said. 

Other sponsors included GovStrive, The Courier Herald, Dublin Automation & Controls, Magnolia Grove Veterinary Clinic, Company Supply, Walker & Watkins, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Premier Heating & Air, Morris Bank, Oconee Dental Associates, AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Pickle Barrel Cafe & Sports Pub, Friendly Gus, Pitts Toyota, Jacuzzi Bath Remodel of Middle Ga., Y96 Hot Country Hits, Dairy Queen, Bank of Dudley, Drug & Alcohol Testing, Georgia First, ACS Cleaning Services, Georgia First Bank, Brians Giant Subs, All American Septic, Unlimited Guitar Works, Roche Farm & Garden Inc., HD Financial Firm, American Package, Owen Bailey State Farm, AHW Real Estate, Emerald City and Landscaping.

“We need these businesses that supported the event,” Hudson said. “We need more of them because that is what really drives the train. We need them to get behind this. When local business owners get behind an event like this, it really makes it strong.” 

Prawucki and Hudson are already looking forward to 2025.

“We’re coming back for the eighth next year,” Hudson said.