The lights may have been bright, but the stars were shining brighter yesterday evening at the Texas Tech University Equestrian Center. At the 10th annual Texas FFA Rodeo, 75 finalists of the 150 original competitors competed in various rodeo events, according to Traylor Lenz, who has been the Texas FFA Rodeo’s coordinator for the past four years.
At the Texas FFA Rodeo, there are several events you can compete in. Among these events are calf roping, rough stock events and goat tying. Bradley Guin from the Lubbock-Cooper FFA Chapter competed in the calf roping competition.
“I try to practice about four times a week for an hour and a half,” Guin said. “It’s fun and my family has always done it.”
The winner of each category will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Kimberly Hendley from the Lubbock-Monterey FFA Chapter, who competed in the goat tying competition, would use this scholarship money to help continue rodeo pursuits on the collegiate level.
Some rodeo participants get a little superstitious when it comes to competing. They rely on various traditions to make sure everything goes well.
“Never wear yellow on competition day,” said Hendley. “It’s just bad luck.”
There would be no rodeo without spectators. Among the hundreds of dedicated fans watching the rodeo finals were Rachel Cooper, Savannah Hines and Lauren Cloud from the Columbia-Brazoria FFA Chapter. These three made sure they saw the rodeo finals before it was too late.
“I really like the rodeo,” said Cooper. “My favorite event to watch is definitely barrel racing.”
The winners of the 10th Annual Texas FFA Rodeo will be recognized on stage Thursday during the Sixth General Session.